Event and Ticketing Details
Dates & Times
Wednesday 25 March
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
This event has been postponed indefinitely as part of our preventative measures to stem the spread of coronavirus COVID-19. If you have tickets for this event, we’ll be in touch with you directly via email with any updates (including rescheduling, live-streams or other remote-access initiatives).
Find out more about our response to the COVID-19 situation here.
With progress on climate action sluggish at the global and national levels, many concerned Australians are turning their attention and energy to local activities.
In September 2019, School Strike 4 Climate Australia saw students striking from their classes – demanding politicians take their futures seriously. Organised by young people at a grassroots level, the strike united an estimated 300,000 people across 100 cities and towns in Australia. It’s part of a growing popular activist movement driven by everyday Australians.
Ballarat is an example of a local community where motivated citizens are making real change happen. For many years local action groups have been at the forefront of climate action in the region. Through various action groups – and through intervention in residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural sectors – Ballarat is working towards a zero emissions 2030.
In this conversation, we'll learn about the practical steps that have been taken in Ballarat – what's working, what's not and what's next on the agenda. We'll hear about different community-based environmental initiatives across the world and discuss how local climate action can be part of global solutions.
Doors open at 5pm, drinks will be available for purchase.
Presented in partnership with Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute and ABC Ballarat.
Featuring
Kira Dawson
Kira Dawson is a 17-year-old student currently completing year 12. She has been involved in SS4C (School Strike for Climate) and BA4CC (Ballarat Actions for Climate Co-op) as part of the global youth led movement towards addressing climate change and reaching climate justice.
'When I look at the leadership in our country I am left with an overwhelming feeling of despair as we have already done so much damage. In the past two years a movement of student leaders has arisen. We as students are highlighting the importance of addressing climate change for the sake of our future, our children’s future and our grandchildren’s future. There is a sense of disconnect from the issue with our politicians as they will never have to live in a world facing conditions worse than those of today. But as students we are planning our future, in school we plan our careers but 'there are no jobs on a dead planet."'
Prue Bentley
Prue is the Editor for ABC Ballarat and Southwest Victoria, overseeing the development of broadcast and digital content for two regional Victorian bureaus.
As a content maker for over 15 years, Prue has produced and presented local radio programs across Australia and news programs syndicated to the Asia-Pacific.
She believes in the power of conversations to bring people together on important issues, and the value of local communities to make meaningful change.
She joined the board of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute with the aim of showing more people this wonderful community resource.
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Peter J Reid
Peter J. Reid OAM has been actively involved in the environmental movement for the past six years as Treasurer of Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions (BREAZE). In conjunction with other members of the BREAZE community, Peter has been involved in taking local action through the Social Solar by BREAZE program. Social Solar by BREAZE has facilitated the installation of 70kW of Solar PV on not-for-profit premises. Peter has also been involved in the Community Power Hub project which has seen the installation of 300kW of Solar PV.
Peter assists students in the Damascus College Sustainable Racing Team, which builds and races human powered and energy efficient racing trikes, in events such as Maryborough Energy Breakthrough.
Prior to joining BREAZE, Peter was involved in the establishment of the Ballarat Regional Soccer Facility on behalf of Ballarat & District Soccer Association. The facility’s design was eco-friendly. Peter is a past President of Ballarat Trades & Labour Council and a Fellow of The Institution of Engineers, Australia.
Vanessa Petrie
Vanessa has extensive experience leading policy, strategy and infrastructure planning, specialising in sustainability. Well known for being a collaborator, Vanessa brings people, knowledge and ideas together to spark the change we need in a zero carbon world.
Vanessa joined Beyond Zero Emissions in early 2017, and in that time has partnered with her team to successfully launch Rethinking Cement, Electrifying Industry, The 10 Gigawatt Vision, Collie at the Crossroads, Zero Carbon Communities Guide and the 2018 Australian Local Government Climate Review.
Prior to joining BZE, Vanessa worked in diverse roles across local and State Government.
Vanessa is a Board Director of the Goulburn Valley Waste and Resource Recovery Group, and a committee member of Climate Emergency Darebin and Keon Park Kindergarten. She has a Bachelor of Environmental Engineering from RMIT and a Master of Environment from Melbourne University.
Tony Birch
Tony Birch is the author of four novels, five short fiction collections, and two poetry books. His most recent book is the novel, Women and Children (UQP).
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