We found this interesting. One of our campaigners is an English teacher and found this paragraph in a text-book for year 11/12 called “English Insight”. Apparently this text is being used as an example of persuasive writing.

Of note, late last year the campaign was contacted by a educational book publisher looking for permission to use images from the Burgeroff website. In that case the images were going to be part of a chapter on democracy in a year 8 Civics text-book.

Nice to think Tecoma is a role model for the next generation.

Earlier this week we alerted you a “Tecoma-like” situation unfolding on the other side of the world. It was a popular post so we thought we would update you on the Baragalla situation.

NO! Is a word that McDonald’s keep hearing from communities that don’t want them. This week the community of Baragalla launched a design for posters and flyers, that in many ways echoes the cries Tecoma made from the start. The translation for the Baragalla poster reads:

No increase in traffic in an already congested area
No increase in smog in residential areas Ricardo Street
No increase in cement (Structure and parking)
Signatures Even You!

McDonald’s need to understand that to ignore community concerns is a recipe for disaster. In the Tecoma case McDonald’s had to weather a negative PR storm that ended up being labeled by Fairfax media as “Australia’s biggest corporate PR disaster” Despite pushing ahead and opening the unwanted store, it remains unsupported and is fast becoming a monument to their folly.

Baragalla also is receiving plenty of media including front page stories in the local press this week. You can find out more on their Facebook page here:

https://www.facebook.com/NoMacInBaragalla?fref=ts

Maybe we should investigate “sister city status” for Tecoma and Baragalla due to our common concerns.

Great to see the campaign again making front-page news, this time the FreePress Leader which is circulated throughout the Dandenong Ranges and surrounding areas. The printed version came out today, whilst the online version of the story can be found here:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/no-maccas-stalwarts-still-waving-the-flag-at-tecoma-mcdonalds-six-months-on/story-fngnvlxu-1227081618664?nk=5173c65f7861aa32bd74b9e9b4eb53ee

The article points to the fact that this community hasn’t gone away and the protest is standing ground. Also featured is our much loved Babi Des who is quoted as saying “We are going to keep going until the fat lady sings,”

What’s also interesting about this article is what is not said. Normally in the past McDonald’s would make comment to the press in such articles saying things like “The store will bring over 100 jobs” “We look forward to engaging the community” and this doozy “Although a small vocal minority are against the store the vast majority of the Dandenongs support us” This time nothing. Could it be that someone on the organisation has woken up to the fact that Tecoma is a mistake and spinning the lies just doesn’t work?

Thanks to the Leader for following this story and of course thanks to the stalwarts who continue to roar, no matter if the day brings rain, hail or sunshine.