Tathra 2018 - “ . . . it wasn’t until after the March 18 fire that I realised the biggest and most critical issue I could address as a human and as a community representative, was climate destruction.”

“Fire seasons now start earlier and last longer. Fire agencies usually enjoy six-month’s respite from bushfires between April and September, but last year we had only three months’ break.”

“Fortunately a fire truck was driving past and they ran to our aid.”

“We now know our home and all we owned was gone shortly after we left.”

“He had Ms Bowdler take a photo of him by the sign with the remains of their home in the shot to make a point. Now he wants Australia to show leadership in reducing carbon emissions to bring about global change.”

“The speed and ferocity at which the fire came had taken everyone by surprise.”

“I am tired and sick of being conscious of my personal anxiety of yet another seasonal threat of fire. Each year that I have lived in Murrindindi that feeling has increased and now permeates discussions of summer holidays.”

“Now I knew, not only was climate change real, it was already affecting ordinary Australians. . . I believe we need everyone’s help, from a grassroots level, to convince the powers that be to make the urgent changes our environment needs.”

“These climactic events are not just traumatic for those most directly affected, but also for those who are close to them and for all those who witness and experience the reverberations of that trauma through the community.”

“What are we doing to our country, our planet?”

“We know this will eventually force us into change. Why not do it now, before it’s too late? Don’t we owe that to our children?”

“Australia is one of the sunniest and windiest countries in the world! We have everything it takes to move beyond coal and gas and transition to a future powered by 100% renewable energy. It is time to step up to the plate and deal with this global issue . . .”

“Even after so many people and animals have died, and thousands of homes have been destroyed, we are not seeing enough action to tackle the root cause of rising bushfire danger . . . Despite my trauma and exhaustion, I try to hold on to "active hope". It helps to know that every day, more Australians are calling for climate action, and that there are proven solutions to bring down emissions while invigorating our economy.”

“Blame those woke latte-sipping city greenies’ - not the profit-seeking politicians who take no responsibility, for the future beyond the next election, taking advantage of the pandemic, to plunder the lucky country, for the highest bidder and the richest lobby groups….”

“What brings the risk of firestorms to lethal levels? High temperatures, dry forests and failure to recognise and respond to existential threats. Put another way, that is ‘threats to the existence of humanity’; as so chillingly described by Sir David Attenborough when alerting the world of the grave and imminent risks associated with Climate Change.”

“ The threat of climate change is existential and immediate. We must prepare ourselves and our communities while also directly telling our elected leaders that it is their sole purpose to protect their constituents from the impacts of worsening global climate change.”

“And when people work together to fight a threat they are powerful.”

“Those of us who lived through this are not all healed. When we talk we go round in circles, still trying to deal with the past. Dreading next summer.”

“Anyone who wants to remain and save their home needs to put time and thought into their preparation. You must be well-equipped and able to focus on what must be done. If you do evacuate, please leave water and a pump behind, just in case someone turns up to try and save your home. “