[from Haydn Walters - outgoing President Tasmanian AMA.]
I wish to make an appeal for a friend and valued colleague. Many of you will know Frank Nicklason as a committed physician and geriatrician and will respect his vigorous commitment to the public good, at least as he sees it. Frank has the unenviable accolade of being No, 19 of the "Gunns 20". Frank is being sued for speaking out publicly about health issues raised in Burnie over their woodchip pile.

I have no view or knowledge on that, and the AMA is in no way aligned to Frank's position or organisations he is involved with such as Doctors for Forests. However, I am concerned to see a doctor being pressed financially very hard for doing what he considers to be his duty as a doctor in the public square. So… if you feel strongly enough about this to contribute to Frank’s legal costs so that he does not get completely ruined, please contact.

ADAM BEESON, Legal Coordinator
Phone: +61 7 6231 3084
Fax: +61 7 6231 3085

FRIENDS OF FORESTS & FREE SPEECH
Legal Defence Fund - GPO Box 1562 Hobart TAS 7001
There is also a website (www.gunns20.org) which has a facility for donations to he made online.

THIS NOTE WAS INCLUDED IN THE "PRESIDENT"S PAGE" OF THE AUGUST EDITION OF "TASTALK", THE TASMANIAN AMA'S NEWSLETTER. THE FULL VERSION IS ATTACHED (1.8MB FILE)