Support should be cause for celebration

Beneath the Wisteria supporters should be celebrating.

Much has happened since the recent election of the Tony Abbott led  coalition government about which we could be sad, but ample is happening illustrating that public opinion is changing and soon the calls to mitigate our carbon dioxide emissions will be loud, clear and unequivocal.

The Melbourne Age has long been a supporter of the need for action and today (October 1) its editorial “Besides the climate science, we need action” is further evidence of this groundswell.

Discussing excellence Beneath the Wisteria

Krystal Evans

Just today (October 27) a discussion among those who gathered Beneath the Wisteria  focussed on the idea of Shepparton being a “Centre for Excellence”.

Supporter John Pettigrew said the idea was only at its formative stage and no clear decision had been made what Centre of Excellence Shepparton should pursue.

Fellow Beneath the Wisteria  supporter, Ian Coldwell, warmed to the idea, but urged that contact be made quickly with institutions (universities) to help make the concept a reality.

Conversation ranged widely and freely about what that centre of excellence could be and it seemed there was broad agreement that the idea of sustainability and the type of society that worked within that proscribed area could be explored.

Interestingly it was only yesterday (October 26) that is was noted on the ABC’s “The Drum” that the Federal Government had cut nearly $500 million from Sustainable Research Excellence (SRE) scheme over the next four years.

Krystal Evans discussed the funding changes in a story headed: “Taking research of the chopping block”.