“Slap Tomorrow – A Wake-Up Call” was successful in the
extreme, exceeding everyone’s expectations.
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The hundreds of interested people at the June 6,
"Slap Tomorrow - A Wake-Call" forum. |
The June 6 forum attracted hundreds of people. The forum was
held at Shepparton’s Eastbank auditorium that seats more than 800 people and it
was easily more than two thirds full.
The overriding goal for the forum was to
initiate a discussion about our changing climate encouraging people to identify
the opportunities arising from the subsequent changes and incorporate them with
their lifestyle.
The forum featured Climate Commissioner, Prof Veena
Sahajwalla; the former chair of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, Anna
Rose; and environmental consultant, Rob Gell; with Victoria’s Sustainability
Commissioner, Prof Kate Auty, as the moderator.
Rose talked about how youthful experiences in north-western
New South Wales illustrated to her important realities about soil, water and
climate led to her working with a group of school friends to set up what
eventually became the Australian Youth Climate Coalition.
Sahajwalla, an engineer with the University of New South
Wales talked about how we could take what exists and reapply it to our
advantage, explaining that by detailing a working project in which old motor
tyres and used in the manufacture of steel.
Gell, who has long been immersed in many aspects of the
climate and community engagement, took those at the forum on 20 minute
explanatory journey through the realities of climate changes.
The idea for the forum emanated from among those who gather
each month “Beneath the Wisteria”.
 |
Jim O'Connor and fellows workers
from Game Game Traffic and
Contracting, one of four major
sponsors. |
It was supporter Terry Court who declared several months ago
that it “felt as if we were talking with ourselves” and encouraged Beneath the
Wisteria supporters to “take” the conversation to the wider public.
A small committee of nine came together, almost by osmosis, initially
meeting every fortnight and then as the June 6 drew closer, the meetings became
weekly. Electronic communication (email) was incessant.
Our next gathering Beneath the Wisteria will be at 11:30am
on Saturday, June 29, at which “Slap Tomorrow – A Wake-Up Call” will be
reviewed.
