Here’s a selection of emails we’ve received at admin@burgeroff.org
Daphne
Stick to it people. We have enough of McChucks around already. Do not let them win!!!
Wishing you all the best
Paul
Subject: Keep up the good fight folks
Hi folks,
My partner and I are going through a Supreme Court battle currently about our 8 year old sons little 3 year old brother. Community Services are putting us through the wringer.
We get to talk to some people who have been through similar battles and that really helps us cope with the situation and the challenges it throws at us.
Keep it up and we are all thinking of you. Keep Tecoma beautiful not obese!!!
Paul, Leah and the kids – Albury
W.Broadhead
Subject: Boycott mcbuggeroffdonalds
Hope this gets to the workers on the ground. Since hearing of this going on in your beautiful town we have and will continue to boycott mcdonalds totally. We have joined with friends and there are now 12 who will have nothing to do with mcdonalds.
Keep up the hard work and the Australian fighting spirit.
Be strong we are with you
David
Subject: Thinking of ya!!
Fortunately when the McDonaldisation of the world reached the rural community of Stanthorpe Qld, they sensibly opted for a site shared with a fuel outlet on the New England Hwy which bypasses the town centre.
So for most of the time they are out-of-sight and out-of-mind.
Not so the tilt-slab redeveloped sites in our main street that are now home to Target Country, a Soul Pattison Chemist, Crazy Clarks and Waynes World.
Soul-less CBD development …
With you in your fight to get this right!!
David E
Christine
Subject: Keep up the good work
I drove past your site last Sunday on the way back from Monbulk to the city and was really looking out for you guys. I saw you with your placards and tooted wildly and felt so sad that this is happening in your beautiful peaceful little town against the wishes of the majority of your community.
It is absolutely disgraceful and I will NEVER enter the doors of a MacDonalds store again, even to have a coffee! All my family feel the same. It is appalling that VCAT overrode both your wishes and the wishes of the Council.. THEY need to be abolished as they SO seem to be on the side of big development at any cost. Why doesn’t taking the views of the locals into account come into it any more?
I hope you prevail. Good luck with it and remember, if the worst happens and the bloody eyesore gets built, boycott it and keep a presence outside to keep passers by out too! Hit them in the hip pocket… maybe it will close after a few months and the site can become community housing for those who need it.
Kind regards,
Christine N
Jacqueline
Subject: Thank you
Hi guys,
I live in Emerald and use the Road through Tecoma a couple of times a week.
I always give you guys a toot and a wave as I pass by.
I support and appreciate your efforts.
You are a real life David and Goliath story
Thank you for your hard work,
I hope you get what you want.
Alan
Subject: Tecoma
Hi,
Keep fighting this outrageous intrusion into your community.
The Maccas brand is everything to them ( you certainly can’t say they are about quality food!)
so every negative story damages that brand and will cost them hugely.
Alan
Christian
Subject: Hey Guy’s,
Good on you all & keep the fight up. It was quite shocking to us as West Aussies to constantly see the Huge McCrap signs all along your main Coastal Hyway. They are truly a blot on the Landscape aside from the garbage they sell & promote ad nauseum on TV.
Another issue is limits placed on roadside advertising for small local business’s whilst allowing these corporate polluters to run these massive lit up signs wherever they see fit. One might be forgiven to think Councils are selling out to allow this to happen.
I have personally refused to purchase anything from McCrap for over 20 years & perhaps we need a nation wide campaign to boycott their chains.
Good on you all. I know you have the support of many.
Chris – Bunbury W.A
Stuart
Subject: Burger off.
Hi. I don’t have facebook but if its possible, add my name to your register and my family Monique, Tess, Gracyn, Alice.
We live on the other side of the mountain in ferny Creek, on the Tourist Rd and McDonalds packaging ends up blowing down our driveway already.
Kick their buns for us.
Will drop a donation to the protesters in person or pop in and pick up. My office is just up the road.
Cheers
Stuart
Greg
Subject: Mcdonalds Tecoma
Hello to all the concerned folks in Tecoma !
Don’t you guys give up, Im bloody sick to the teeth of these large corporations thinking they can just take over and squash the ‘littlies’in communities across the World.. They are no different to Coles and Woolies.
Kids are unhealthy enough without having a Macca’s next door shoved in their face..
Go hard,
Best of luck,
Greg A
NSW
Lencia
I have been so impressed by the strength and determination of the tecoma community ..we were able to change st kilda triangle with people power …so persevere you desrve to win . Congratulations and best wishes to all of you . And some dollars for Chicago
Lencia
Liz
Subject: you are all amazing!
I want to thank you all for standing for what you believe in! You do this in the freezing cold, no matter what and fighting for what you believe in. It is really amazing and it truly touches the hearts of many.
What you are saving the environment from is huge, not only are you stopping litter, you are also helping the health of many.
I believe in what you are doing!
Thanks,
Liz
John
Subject: Keep up the fight!
Just want to congratulate you all on your refusal to be intimidated by this arrogant business wanting to over ride the clear wishes of the community. I’ll be sending my donation when I get home. Great cause!!
John
Anita
Subject: Dont Give Up
I am so overwhelmed with pride for every single one of you. THANK YOU for refusing to back down; making personal sacrifices every day; caring for the younger generation who are so vulnerable; and facing bravely the backlash from your opposers.
It takes guts and amazing fortitude to keep going and you should all be proud of your efforts.
Anita
Noni
Subject: Your determination is inspiring!
I am sending this message to express my respect to the community members of Tecoma who are standing together with the Council Members who voted against the development and people from Victoria, Australia and around the world to prevent the McDonalds store in your town.
N Walker
Ross
Subject: Best wishes guys!!
Never give up, never give up, never never give up
David
To the Tecoma community.
Best wishes with your campaign against the corporate bullies.
When one looks at the links between the fast food industry and the childhood obesity problems in Australia (and New Zealand – and elsewhere) one can only ask – where are the politicians on this issue during the current election campaign?
As my old Dad would have said with his (NZ) Army Latin motto; “Nil Desperandum Carborundum Bastardum” – Never let the bastards grind you down!
Love your email address!
Kindest regards
David Tranter
Health Spokesman
New Zealand Democrat Party
Dan
Subject: Keep fighting!
To the Tecoma community, you have done a SUPERB job of fighting Maccas this far. I’ve just thrown $5 into the ring for your trip to the states. I don’t think you could be doing a better job, keep it up you have my support from Shenton Park, WA.
Cheers,
Dan J
Wayne
Subject: don’t give up
Hey Guys, don’t give in to big business & the golden arches – keep up the good morally-correct fight.
Cheers, the Bendigo community is right behind you – good luck!!!
Allie
Subject: McDeadly
Hi
I live in Castlemaine and one of the things that I love about this town is the absence of any fast food outlets anywhere. The closest we get is a single subway store. To be honest it is one of the reasons I chose to live here. I fully support your fight and feel so bad for you that you have to engage is such a struggle at all. It must be exhausting and expensive! We recently won a battle against the pokies here, it took years of effort. Don’t give up! It is worth it.
All the best
Allie
Maryanne
Subject: Maccas squashed at Port Macquarie
Just wondering if you guys have looked into the similar fight at Port Macquarie, maybe there is something there that you can use??(Maccas lost by the way). The land has now been used for a medical centre. Best of luck
Sascha
Subject: To the Tecoma Residents standing up to McDonalds
You have our 100% support in your fight against McDonalds. Your courage and endurance must be greatly admired by everyone who has fought for a cause against powerful opponents. It is so wrong that a state government should side with big business against its citizens and against the decisions of the elected local government.
We pledge NEVER to set foot in any McDonalds store ever again and to urge others to “remember Tecoma” and do the same. I hope that your fight will be successful and become the stuff of legends.
Best of luck.
Sascha
Alyssa
To whom it may concern,
I am writing in support of those lobbying against macdonalds’ plans for building near a kindergarten in the dandinong ranges… unfortunately this is what happens when franchisees and corporations get too big… they get greedy! Greed is the motive for their continuation of this project, not anything else, sadly. The effects it is likely to have on the health of local children and their families means nothing to them! Let alone the effects on the environment!
While macdonald’s have done some benefitial things for communities e.g the Ronald macdonald house for disadvantaged children etc, this is an example of their failure to work with the people (their potential customers) towards a happy medium. I thank you for continuing to lobby them, thus ensuring that local families are not compromising their/their childrens’ health and preserving the serenity that is the dandinong ranges.
Yours Sincerely,
Alyssa
Pamela
Subject: protest
What is the point of a democracy if a local community can’t have a major say in what they want for their local area? I understand that even the Council has been over-ruled. A dreadful state of affairs. I will not go to a McDonald’s Store while this is unresolved. Indeed, if the store is built in Tecoma I will not buy McDonald’s ever again.
Visual pollution of stores and signs and logos is out of hand. A place like Tecoma ought to be allowed to stay low-key if that is what the local people want.
Pamela
Lisa
Subject: hang in there
Hi Guys,
You’re doing a great, and important job. People power is the one thing they can’t take away from us. Hang in there, a lot of us are behind you.
Cheers,
Lisa
Keith
Subject: McD
I can only sympathize with you regarding the “invasion” by McDonalds into your community. The arrogance and greed of these people is downright evil, and should not be tolerated. My heart goes out to you… don’t EVER give in to this kind of degradation to our well being. We will overcome.
Sincerely, Keith
Michael
Subject: child abuse by McDonald’s
Here’s a voice from the north supporting your stand against this blatant targeting of kids with fast food. They seek to harm children for profit. I think there’s a word for that.
Mike
Townsville
Lily
Subject: Amazing work
Dear Tecoma Community,
What an amazing amount of effort, dedication and work you have put into fighting against the presence of McDonalds in your town. Your demonstration of love and passion for you community can be felt all over Australia and the rest of the world and we look up to you with respect.
Keep up the amazing work and look after yourselves!
Lily, Adelaide
Cedric & Jean
Subject: Mackers…………….
Even though we are a long way away (Queensland), both my wife and I support you all the way! Keep up the fight and the good work. McDonalds is fast becoming one of the scourges of modern day society.
Jean & Cedric
Jeanette
Subject: Thanks
Thanks for the personal hardship and sacrifices you have made on behalf of Upwey/Tecoma to protect our community, our environment and democracy in general.
Best wishes
Jeanette
Hayden
Subject: Going to the US
Can I suggest you target Morgan Spurlock (who made the Super Size Me movie) as a supporter. He obviously targeted Maccas and is very well connected in the US media scene. If you can hit Maccas where it hurts (with domestic US media covering the Tecoma event) then it may just be the fillip you need – their Global HQ will prefer to concede the Tecoma site to avoid a negative backlash in their US sales and reputation.
Best of luck
Hayden
Bill
Subject: Tecoma vs Macdonalds Battle
Hi Garry and Burgeroff
Good on yer!!!!
I have been following your battle for 203 weeks via Change.org, have responded to your petition etc, and sent a message of support.
We in Townsville (Upper Ross community, consisting of 3 outer suburbs strung out along the Ross River) had our own battle with McDonald’s in 2010. We – Concerned Upper Ross Citizens and the community – lost.
I attach a summary of that battle. We did not get as far as you have, though our grounds were just as powerful: a McDonald’s store within 300 metres of 4 schools and pre-schools – yes FOUR!
I hope you succeed – you have friends in Townsville praying for your success!!
Dr Bill Laing
Biannca
Subject: McDonalds
Standing with you in solidarity to protect our rights as Australian Citizens to choose not to pollute our children with food that has been proven to cause obesity.
Very best wishes
Biannca
Clayton
Good luck to the community of Tecoma!
Organisations need to respect the communities in which they ‘operate’ and currently this is not happening.
I wish you all the best – McDonalds should be ashamed of themselves.
Caroline
Subject: Support from Germany
Dear friends of burgeroff
Many many thanks for your power to fight against mcdonalds! Your message has come a long way.
Amazing what you are doing for your community! I pray you’ll win this process. We are with you
Caroline, emma-jane & Victoria, Germany
Eden
Subject: You have my support
I just wanted to thank you so much for all the hard work you have put in to stop McDonald’s in the Dandenongs. You have my wholehearted support. I love Tecoma and the hills that surround it. I love visiting so much, that my little family plans to move there in the near future. It is a beautiful place with a strong community. The last thing it needs is a 24hr fast food super store. I am very proud of the community members who have worked hard to protect this from happening. Having just had my first baby who is a few weeks old, I am unable to join the ongoing protests but I send my full support, in thoughts as well as money, as you bravely head to the International headquarters in Chicago. If you need a place to stay please let me know as I have some friends in Chicago. Stay strong and know that so many people are behind you, acknowledging the fierce truth with which you are standing up for. And we are so proud of your vigilance. Of all the places in the world – McDonald’s has chosen the wrong community to mess with!!!
Best wishes,
Eden
