The Veto Conspiracy

By John S. Tobin

This novel introduces a wide range of indigenous animals that can be found in the vast continent of Australia. Many of these species face the threat of extinction, if measures are not taken to protect them. The sensitive and emotive issues of immigration, integration and racism are examined, along with the present day issues on the environment, education, drugs and alcohol.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: May 15, 2013
• ISBN: 9781922204486

Book preview

Bring?

Acknowledgements

As an impressionable youth I was lucky enough to read the novel The Scarlet Pimpernel written by Baroness Orczy. The hero of that book has been the inspiration for the character Percy B Pig Esquire.

I also wish to acknowledge the Australian Broadcasting Commission which first published my poem Nature’s Way in their Bi Centennial publication ‘The Tin Wash Dish’. It has been used in this novel as the poem ‘Fire’.

John S. Tobin

1

Nicholas and the State Emblem

‘It’s genocide Dad, that’s what it is genocide. If we don’t do something about this now, if we don’t make a stand, then there will be nothing left of our species.’

‘Yes Nicholas I agree, but let us think this through calmly. We are not the only species threatened here. If as you say, we do nothing, then this may eventually extend to all indigenous Australian species in the future. That will mean only invader species are left in this great land of ours.’

‘This is outrageous. We cannot let these so called experts make such statements and not challenge them.’

‘Calm down Nicholas, I am not suggesting for a moment that you are wrong, it is just that there may be some merit to what has been reported.’

The setting is in the suburb of Sleepy Hollows. The golden light of the setting sun is softly filtering through the leaves of the surrounding peppermint trees. An evening mist hangs over this picturesque valley. At lot number 10 we find a neat and tidy log, covered with freshly trimmed moss. A mass of pink, white and yellow everlasting flowers are growing in the little garden bed at the front. Smoke is curling skywards from a hole at the top of the log. As we draw closer and peek inside, we see it is occupied by a family of numbats.

It is dinner time in the Numbat household and Nicole Numbat is busily dishing up vegetables to the family who are gathered around the table. There is her husband Nicholas, her father-in-law, affectionately known as Grandpa Numbat and her two children Nancy and Neville.

Nancy is occupied retying the red and white bow on top of her doll’s head while Neville, leaning his chair backwards to reach the fish tank, drops breadcrumbs into the water.

‘Thank you Neville.’ mumbles Godfrey the goldfish between mouthfuls of breadcrumbs.

‘Neville how many times must I tell you not to lean back on the chair like that? One day you will fall and hurt yourself’.

‘Yes Mum.’

‘Let us examine what the article in the newspaper actually states Nicholas. It says here that Time is running out for some of Western Australia’s most endangered animals – including our fauna emblem the numbat – with a new study finding it is probably pointless trying to save them. It goes on to also state The numbat, dibbler and Shark Bay mouse are among a growing list of endangered animals thought too costly to save from extinction. So you see it is not just us numbats that are being vilified by this study.’

‘But Dad we are the state fauna emblem. That should count for something.’

‘It goes on to say that conservation resources be channelled to species that are more likely to survive long term. can you believe that?’

‘Who will make that decision? We need to stop this going any further and repudiate the findings.’

‘That is the point to which I was alluding to earlier Nicholas; there may be some merit in what the report is saying.’

‘You can’t be serious?’

‘Look at it this way, how many humans have ever heard of a numbat? The article also mentions the dibbler and Shark Bay mouse and they have even less of a profile than we do. So why would any humans care what happens to us? This isn’t a new problem, many if not most of the Australian indigenous species feel exactly the same way as we do. Australians just don’t seem interested in indigenous history or culture.’

‘What is a state emblem?’ Nancy queries, while trying to push some mashed potato into the mouth of her doll.

‘Nancy, your Grandpa is speaking.’ Nicole chides. ‘Now stop playing with Doll and eat your dinner.’

‘It is all right dear; it is a good thing that she is interested. I only wish others were as interested in what goes on in the world. Well Nancy, a state emblem is the symbolic recognition of the most important animal in a particular state. In the case of Western Australia, it is our species that has been selected. There is also a state emblem for the bird species and one for our fauna.’

‘That is the most upsetting part,’ laments Nicholas, ‘nearly everyone knows that the black swan is our state emblem, not realizing it represents only the birds. They even know that the red and green kangaroo paw is the state floral emblem.’

A rapid tapping noise erupts from Godfrey’s fish bowl as he frantically taps his pencil on its side distracting Nicholas from what he is saying. Godfrey is holding up a note which reads the GOGO fish is the state fossil emblem.

‘What is a fossil?’ Nancy asks, while trying to extract a squashed pea from Doll’s eye. Next to her, Neville is using his fork to flick peas over his head into Godfrey’s waiting mouth.

‘I think you are exaggerating Nicholas dear. Why everyone who has been to the Perth Zoo in recent years, will have seen my Aunty Noelene’s portrait painted on the merry go round. She is quite famous you know’

‘Yes and for all they know or care Nicole, she could be a squirrel. That is the point that I am trying to make.’

‘Oh I see, yes you are right Grandpa. Neville, sit up properly, if you don’t behave you will be sent to your room without dessert. It’s your favourite, termites in strawberry sauce.’

‘What is a fossil?’ Nancy asks again.

‘A fossil my dear’, Grandpa responds, ‘is a plant, animal, bird or fish from a bygone age, thousands, possibly millions of years old. In the case of the GOGO fish, the remains were dug up near Fitzroy Crossing. They were preserved in limestone and are estimated to be 375 million years old.’

Nancy drops her doll into her bowl of termite and strawberries, which she was mixing with her ice cream, creating a sticky gooey mess.

Nicole moves forward with a dish cloth to wipe up the mess that Nancy has made on the table. ‘Put doll down now dear.’

‘So as I was saying Nicholas, this lack of recognition by humans is an ongoing problem for all indigenous species. The Assembly of Animals has discussed this very issue several times over the years trying to find a solution.’

‘I didn’t know that the Assembly of Animals still met Dad.’

‘They don’t meet as much as they use to. You see we have become a bit irrelevant now. Having just the state emblem species meet to discuss day to day problems is no longer a true representation of the wider communities that we represent.’

‘So why don’t you expand the representation of the Assembly of Animals and that way it might become relevant again?’

‘Although the assembly is a voluntary group with no real power, the member species are jealous of the position they hold. But you are right, if we expanded the membership, then the assembly would become much more relevant and could be useful to finding a solution to the problem of our indigenous species being undervalued.’

‘Well that’s only half of the problem solved Dad, if as you say, the assembly has no real power, then it will need to create a power base and that can only be done by using the media, so you will need to invite them along to all future meetings.’

2

Nicole Meets Stephenie

There is much excitement as the delegates representing each of the indigenous species arrive at Parliament House. As many of the species present are nocturnal, the Assembly of Animals meetings are held at night. Since Parliament was currently not sitting, the Premier of Western Australia, realizing what an important and historic gathering this is, has agreed to the Assembly of Animals request of using Parliament House as the venue.

Grandpa Numbat had organized the Assembly of Animals to meet. There was a lot of negotiation that had taken place before this meeting could be held. A lot of prestige and species jealousies were involved. Since this was the first meeting in the new expanded format, it would be something of a social event. Prior agreement had been reached with all of the official representatives, that the meeting would be presided over by the distinguished Bartholomew Bull Frog. This was much to the displeasure of Walter Wombat. After all, it was tradition that the wombat held this position, ever since his great, great Grandfather had presided over the first ever meeting. It was however, pointed out that with such a large gathering, the Chair Species needed a particularly voluminous voice and no voice was louder than that of Bartholomew Bull Frog.

Bartholomew Bull Frog is at this exact moment wondering why he has agreed to the position of Chair Species, as he is trying to stop an argument that has developed between Nicholas Numbat and Stephen Swan, as to who should meet the delegates at the main entrance. Grandpa Numbat has stood down as Western Australia’s fauna representative in favour of Nicholas.

‘Since this meeting has been arranged by the numbat, then I should meet the delegates.’ whines Nicholas.

‘As the black swan is the official state emblem shown on the coat of arms hanging over the front door of Parliament, then I should meet the delegates.’ huffs Stephen Swan.

‘I have made a decision,’ croaks Bartholomew, ‘Walter Wombat will meet the delegates and escort them into the chambers where you both will already be seated. This is a far more dignified and prestigious way and shows how important you both are.’

This arrangement pleases everyone, particularly Walter who now feels he has an important role to play. The decision made, Bartholomew takes his seat in the middle of the head table with Nicholas and Stephen seated either side of him, so as to show no favouritism.

Seated up in the visitors’ gallery are Nicole, Grandpa, Nancy and Neville Numbat. ‘Do you mind if we join you?’ Startled, Nicole turns and finds a beautiful black swan wearing a lovely red bonnet standing next to her. Shyly clutching her wing is a rather dowdy looking baby cygnet. ‘Our husbands seem to be getting along famously and I thought it would be nice if we shared the moment together.’ the ravishing swan continues, although she now feels slightly embarrassed, expecting possible rejection.

It is only that Nicole, feeling decidedly drab along side this adorable creature due to the frilly apron that she always wears, fails to reply immediately. ‘Oh I am sorry, yes please, do sit down won’t you. I am Nicole Numbat and this is my father-in-law Grandpa Numbat and these are my children Nancy and Neville.’ Nicole blurts out covering her own embarrassment.

‘How do you do’ she replies while shaking the paws of Grandpa Numbat and Nicole. ‘My name is Stephenie Swan and this is Baby Cygnet.’

‘Mrs Swan,’ interrupts Nancy, ‘why do you call your daughter Baby Cygnet? Why not call her by her name?’

‘Well dear, in the swan society, cygnets are not considered important enough to have a name. They are only given their names on Blossoming Day.’

‘What is Blossoming Day?’ Nancy asks looking somewhat confused.

‘Well you see when a cygnet blossoms into a beautiful swan, all the swans get together and have a celebration. Instead of having a celebration as each cygnet blossoms, we have set aside a day each year, which is the 27th March, and call it Blossoming Day. All cygnets are then given their name and then there is one large party with friends and relations coming from all over to help celebrate the occasion.’

‘So when will Baby Cygnet blossom?’

‘Well,’ replies Stephenie, while giving Baby Cygnet an affectionate look, ‘she will blossom this year.’

Nicole hands Nancy her doll so she can play with it and not interrupt the adults. Baby Cygnet moves in to sit along side her. ‘What is your doll’s name?’

‘Doll.’ She hands Baby Cygnet her doll and begins to explain how to tie Doll’s bow which had already come undone.

Nicole and Stephenie are not aware of the conflict between their husbands and both being proud Western Australians chat happily together. Nicole is happy that she has company. Life is lonely for a housewife in the numbat world.

‘They do look rather grand,’ whispers Stephenie, ‘all dressed up in their waistcoats and gold fob watches.’

‘I think it was very nice of Stephen to wear a red waistcoat. It stands out nicely against his black feathers. With red and black being the official colours of the City of Perth, I think it is very fitting. And I think your red bonnet is gorgeous’.

‘Thank you, I bought it in a boutique on the Terrace’. Stephenie replies proudly, unaware of the confusion the answer has caused to someone who has no idea of the prestige such a statement held. ‘I do love your apron. Those frills are so intricate. Where did you buy it from? I have not seen one like it in any of the boutiques.’

‘I made it myself.’ Nicole confides blushing with pride.

‘Oh you are so clever, I would never be able to do anything like that.’

‘It is really quite easy. I am teaching Nancy dressmaking. She is getting quite good at it. She has made Doll’s clothes for tonight’s outing.’

And so the women chatted away happily while waiting for the historic event to commence.

3

Dottie and the Delegates

Suddenly the booming voice of Bartholomew Bull Frog silenced the room. ‘Will the delegates kindly gather at the main door? Walter will you please announce the delegates, who when announced kindly take your seat at the conference table.’

‘Isn’t it exciting.’ whispers Stephenie patting Nicole’s paw with her wing.

Nancy and Baby Cygnet are busy retying Doll’s freshly washed and ironed bow, while Neville is fiddling with something in his coat pocket. ‘Sit still boy.’ whispers Grandpa