Our Environment/Climate Chage
Monday 4 October 2010
A leadership perspective on environment
Participants
in the Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program (LMCLP) visited Pyramid
Hill on Monday 4th October to discuss regional issues relating to climate
and environment. Cr. Christine Brooks was on hand to welcome the group of
20 community leaders to the Loddon Shire.
Community
driven conservation was the topic of discussion presented by Geoff Park
from the North Central Catchment Management Authority and also a trustee
of the Norman Wettenhall Foundation.
“I loved
Geoff Park’s view of sense of place and what makes him feel good about
where he lives,” said Louise Bewley from Wedderburn. It has made me review
my reasons for choosing the ‘tree life’ and reinforces it as a positive
outcome for my family.”
Inevitably
water was another important topic on the day’s agenda. Ross McPherson, Co-convenor
of Food Bowl Unlimited, and Ken Pattison, Irrigation Spokesperson for Plug
the Pipe Campaign, provided their views on ensuring our water security.
Sandra Schroen, Area Manager for Goulburn-Murray Water, and Gavin Hanlon,
the Managing Director of Coliban Water, addressed the group on the current
water situation and how their respective organizations are changing the
way they manage water.
“Water is a
hot topic and it was great to hear a lot of different points about this
issue,” said Sue Grimes of Castlemaine.
Management
of our natural resources was also addressed through a tour of Mawson’s
Quarries that was found to be of interest by the whole group.
To
conclude a very busy day of discussion and reflection, Ellen White from
the Department of Planning and Community Development spoke about the wider
ramifications of Climate Change. Adaptation to climate change, land use
changes and natural resource management in communities were covered by
Ellen’s presentation.
Alice
Saville of Swan Hill was reassured by this discussion that also
incorporated what individual families can do.
“We might
feel that we’re not doing much towards reducing the greenhouse effect but
it is the little things that may help to make a difference.”
With only
the final weekend retreat left to complete their program year, LMCLP
participants will visit Echuca on October 23 and 24. The Graduation Dinner
will be held on Friday 12 November at Big Hill near Bendigo.
Photo Captions (top to bottom):
Geoff Park from NCCMA and the Wettenhall Foundation
(centre) shared his wealth of knowledge on natural landscapes with
Michael Fitzgibbon from Maryborough and Tricia Brennan from Swan Hill.
LMCLP participants, Louise Bewley from Wedderburn and
Jacinta Hicks from Calivil, heard different perspectives on water
security presented by Ross McPherson of the Foodbowl Unlimited (left)
and Ken Pattison, irrigation spokesperson for Plug the Pipe Campaign
(right).
LMCLP participants found a tour of Mawson’s Quarry to
be of great interest during their discussion on climate and environment
in Pyramid Hill.
Participants
in the Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program (LMCLP) visited Pyramid
Hill on Monday 4th October to discuss regional issues relating to climate
and environment. Cr. Christine Brooks was on hand to welcome the group of
20 community leaders to the Loddon Shire. 
Inevitably
water was another important topic on the day’s agenda. Ross McPherson, Co-convenor
of Food Bowl Unlimited, and Ken Pattison, Irrigation Spokesperson for Plug
the Pipe Campaign, provided their views on ensuring our water security.
Sandra Schroen, Area Manager for Goulburn-Murray Water, and Gavin Hanlon,
the Managing Director of Coliban Water, addressed the group on the current
water situation and how their respective organizations are changing the
way they manage water. 
To
conclude a very busy day of discussion and reflection, Ellen White from
the Department of Planning and Community Development spoke about the wider
ramifications of Climate Change. Adaptation to climate change, land use
changes and natural resource management in communities were covered by
Ellen’s presentation. 
