
Photo: Governor of Victoria Professor David De Kretser officially launching the Run for a Safe Climate 2009
by Maryann Separovic
Last night the Governor of Victoria Professor David De Kretser officially launched Run for a Safe Climate 2009 at Tjanabi Restaurant in Federation Square.
It was a balmy Melbourne night as more than 150 guests nibbled on local produce, drank wine and mingled with the emergency services runners and support crew about to fly off to Cairns to begin this epic 6000km run.
Safe Climate Australia CEO Brendan Condon kicked off proceedings by welcoming guests and runners. After an opening address by our distinguished Governor, in which he spoke about the importance of raising awareness of climate change, we heard from NAB General Manager Corporate Affairs John Simpson, CFA Deputy Chief Officer Steve Warrington andMetropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board Chief Fire Officer Tony Murphy.
Scientific experts, Dr Graeme Pearman, former chief of atmospheric science from CSIRO and Dr Joe Herbertson a former head of BHP’s corporate research laboratories, spoke about the problem of climate change and the solutions needed respectively.
A touching late addition to the speaker line-up was Tjanabi restaurant owner Carolyn Briggs who shared a 9000-year-old Dreamtime story about how Port Phillip Bay was created – a very relevant story warning us how local tribes abused our natural resources and as a result the waters swelled.
Finally, Victoria Police’s Matt Astill – one of our team leaders on the run – gave the crowd plenty to think about, calling for a collective response to a global problem.
You can be part of the solution by making donations and sponsoring the runners by visiting the Sponsor section on our website. Funds raised will go toward creating a Safe Climate Transition Plan – taking positive steps and actions towards a safe climate.
How far will you go for change?





