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Community mobilises on climate The Geelong community came together last week for a town meeting to discuss how to get their government representatives to listen to their concerns about climate change. A range of community groups worried about the lack of government action around climate change gathered at Geelong West Town Hall to hear from a range of speakers and take part in workshop activities on Thursday, May 9. Speakers on the night included Sue Barrett, the strategist behind Independent MP Zoe Daniel’s remarkable 2022 election campaign in the electorate of Goldstein, governance scholar and founding member of CoolGeelong Dr Jeanne Nel and co-founder of A Different
Approach Community (ADAC) and Letition. org Robert Patterson. Attendees heard speakers present a range of topics centred around engaging with elected officials on climate change and holding them accountable for their decision-making processes. They also watched a recorded video message from ACT senator David Pocock and participated in a workshop on the use of letitions, prewritten letters to members of parliament formatted and ready for use at Letition.org on a range of environmental issues. The community resolved to meet again at Beav’s Bar on Thursday, May 23 at 5pm, with
all members of the public invited. While federal members Richard Marles and Libby Coker were invited months ago to attend the meeting last week, they declined. Geelong councillors Elise Wilkinson, Jim Mason and Peter Murrihy were in attendance, as was Greens MLC Dr Sarah Mansfield. Dr Nel said the energy at the meeting was palpable. “Thursday was a great day to have the meeting, given that the gas strategy was published,” she said. “People in the room were excited, passionate, and felt very strongly that we need responsible, environmentally sensitive decision-making that’s not driven
by power blocs, but driven by what is good for every community, what is good for future generations, what’s good for the environment.” She said it was disappointing that Mr Marles and Ms Coker did not attend the meeting, despite advanced notice. “There’s a level of despondence… we are their voters, their constituents, their electorate, and we just cannot get them to speak to us,” Dr Nel said. “There are many people in Geelong that are very, very concerned about the decisions being made about the environment, and it’s really important that our representatives take note of that.
A million reasons to walk Dog owners can take part in the RSPCA’s biggest annual fundraising event at the Geelong Million Paws Walk next weekend at Eastern Park. Kicking off at 8.30am Sunday, May 26, the event is not just a walk, it is a family-friendly celebration of all things canine. The Geelong Million Paws Walk will include a dog-themed market with over 30 stalls, dog training and agility course demonstrations and the opportunity to meet with the local RSPCA Inspector team. Food trucks will be on hand to cater to hungry walkers, while the kids can get their faces painted, participate in a scavenger hunt, get their photo taken at the doggy kissing booth and even meet everyone’s favourite dog celebrity Bluey. Local dog owner Andrea Dennett has been a prolific fundraiser for the Million Paws Walk
since she began participating in 2011, not missing a single event. She and her whippet Olive will be hitting the pavement again this year to help raise funds to stop animal cruelty and find good homes for dogs. “I just really like supporting the RSPCA, and as far as the event goes it’s a really fun day out,” she said. “You’re surrounded by all these people who love their dogs, and heaps of dogs as well. It’s a great way of raising awareness and money for the RSPCA. “You’re surrounded by people who are on the same wavelength, people who love their dogs and want the best for them and want to help a worthy charity out at the same time.” Visit millionpawswalk.com.au/geelong for more information or to register. Matt Hewson
Join Andrea Dennett and Olive at Geelong Million Paws Walk. (Ivan Kemp) 407229_02
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Friday, 17 May, 2024 GEELONG INDEPENDENT 3