Last Saturday, Winki Suits joined the national crusade to fight for Australia's Bight. The Manly community was one of many across the nation to unite, rally and paddle out against oil-drilling off Australia's coast.

To be honest, we were largely ignorant about the Fight for the Bight until a few months ago, so for those of you who aren't sure what all the fuss is about, here is a little background...

The Great Australian Bight is a large spread of ocean (or open bay) that sits off the southern coastline of mainland Australia. It is one of the most pristine ocean environments left on the earth, home to varying species of whales, fish, birds, marine mammals and plant life. The Bight also sustains wild fisheries (worth around $440 million per annum) and regional tourism industries, worth around $1.2 billion per annum to the Aussie economy.

Norwegian oil company Equinor has put forward a proposal to conduct deep-sea drilling for oil into the Bight. If approved, the risks and effects could be catastrophic. Oil spills, seismic testing, noise pollution and increased pollution could and would disrupt this pristine eco-system. 

Currently, Australia's offshore oil and environmental safety watchdog have asked Equinor to re-submit their proposal, so we wait in anticipation to see what happens.

So, what's the go now?

Well, the Australian Day of National action for Fight for the Bight was last Saturday on the 23rd of November and over 10,000 people across 50 coastal towns in Australia had paddle outs and rallies to stand against Equinor. It was amazing to be a part of a community with a heart for the same outcome. So much of the Manly lifestyle (where Winki is based), is intertwined with the ocean and we want to cherish and preserve it as much as possible. 

Living in Manly, we've been blessed with so much. As business owners, we have the responsibility and privilege of setting a high standard and supporting the things that are dear to us. As well as supporting our women in the Philippines, we also need to stand by the things that need support here in Australia and that includes Fighting for the Bight. So we'll stand and continue to support the fight, where we can. 

"The Earth is the Lord's and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it". Psalm 24:1