By JESSE GRAHAM
MORE than 100 people gathered in Healesville’s Queens Park last week to encourage action on climate change, as part of an Australia-wide day of action.
The rally, which drew 120 people to Queens Park on Sunday 17 November, was organised through Get Up! and centred around raising awareness of the importance of climate change.
Residents dressed in bright reds, pinks and oranges as ‘heatwave’ colours and talked to other community members and environmental group representatives about how they could help generate movement on climate change.
Resident Karen Meuleman co-ordinated the day with Get Up! and said the event was a good opportunity for like-minded community members to interact.
“It was about people networking and seeing who else lives locally that are interested in the same things,” she said.
“I think the biggest aim is to show that there are a lot of people throughout the country who didn’t want this issue to be ignored – who do want to take action and are passionate about it,” she said.
Mrs Meuleman said that Healesville environmentalist Steve Meacher handed out information at the rally and that residents of all ages attended – from 80-year-olds to babies.
“Everyone is concerned,” Ms Meuleman said.
“We want to make sure action is taken and that the issue is not just swept under the carpet.”
Local writer Bob Rich delivered a short address to the gathered crowd on the day, urging them to “live mindfully and simply and show respect for the planet that supports us”.
Ms Meuleman said the event was a good alternative for people with children or the elderly who wanted to get involved in the country-wide event, but couldn’t travel to the city.
Around 30,000 people attended the Melbourne gathering, with 60,000 people attending events altogether throughout Australia.
For more information, visit www.getup.org.au
