Concert for bushfire relief MCCLELLAND Sculpture Park and Gallery will host a concert next weekend to help raise money towards bushfire relief. Musical acts Deborah Conway, Willy Zygier, and Kutcha Edwards will be the headline acts for the Sundown at McClelland benefit concert. All proceeds from ticket sales will go towards Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund. McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery director Lisa Byrne said “our thoughts are with all Australians affected by the bushfires, the firefighters, emergency services and volunteers helping our communities, animals and lands.”
“So much is going to be needed and we believe that every contribution can help, so spread the word, come and join a collective effort in support of others in need,” she said. Performer Deborah Conway said “observing the fires from a safe distance over the last few weeks has been distressing. Over our lifetimes we have seen the effect of too many catastrophic events destroy lives, property and wildlife but it is wonderful to be part of a community that each time rises to the occasion with assistance, generosity and care.” “The proceeds of this concert will all be directed to the people of East Gippsland who have been so profoundly
affected,” she said. Other musical guests at the event include Deborah Cheetham, Gena Rose Bruce, Afrovival, Charlie Owen, and The Mudcakes. The concert runs from 3.30pm 8.30pm, Saturday 8 February. McClelland Sculpture Park, 390 McClelland Drive, Langwarrin will host the event. Tickets are $15 for children, $30 for concession and seniors, and $45 for adults. Bookings at trybooking.com/ BGLFB KUTCHA Edwards will perform at the Sundown at McClelland benefit concert. Picture: Supplied
Climate activists ready for arrest Keith Platt keith@baysidenews.com.au TWO groups operating on the Mornington Peninsula are part of a global movement seeking government action to counter climate change. XR Westernport and XR Mornington are part of the British-based Extinction Rebellion movement that has a “core strategy” of “mass disruption of city centres through nonviolent civil disobedience”. Along with XR Frankston, the two peninsula-based branches are among 66 similar groups throughout Australia. Murray Lindsell Turner said people who joined XR Westernport at a meeting in Balnarring Hall on Tuesday 14 January were “willing to be arrested” at future demonstrations. He said the inaugural meeting included school teachers, former politicians, Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors and small business leaders “all seeking clarity and wanting change on climate policy”. Jack Clarke, of XR Mornington spoke about the science and effects of climate change. “Those attending the meeting represent a broad range of community members all keen to get a better understanding on the science and how Extinction Rebellion operates,” Mr Turner said. “The level of discontent about both political parties’ efforts towards climate change was apparent, and the
mood of people power with a considered, measured response to world climate change policy at a local level.” Mr Turner said the meeting discussed the need for an “immediate response to climate change and the extinction of flora and fauna” and “the real possibilities of world population and resources management in a stressed environmental-depleted system”. Extinction Rebellion (XR) describes itself as “a peaceful movement of civil disobedience that seeks urgent action to prevent the worst of climate change”. “We are about political change not personal change – though we welcome the latter. We act in full public view and we take responsibility for our actions,” the movement’s website states. “Government must tell the truth by declaring a climate and ecological emergency, working with other institutions to communicate the urgency for change. “Government must act now to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.” With its “Guide to Citizens' Assemblies”, Extinction Rebellion says it wants to mobilise 3.5 per cent of the population to create “a world that is fit for generations to come”. This includes “breaking down hierarchies of power” while seeing the use of “non-violent strategy and tactics as the most effective way to bring about change”.
CRANBOURNE RACING CENTRE Grant street, Cranbourne Tel:(03) 5996 2393 www.cranbournegreyhounds.com.au Frankston Times
28 January 2020
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