Congratulations to everybody who helped put together FIDO’s successful John Sinclair Memorial Lecture on Sunday August 23 at Mount Coot-tha Botanical Gardens auditorium.
Many were touched by the presentation to FIDO stalwart and retiring Eurong team leader Su Tokiko Dawson, impressed by the eloquence of our first speaker, Spencer Hitchen, and appreciative of the informative talk presented by our guest speaker, Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt.
Murray displayed an informed appreciation of the work of John Sinclair and FIDO over the years and made a thorough effort to acquaint the audience with the efforts made by the Albanese government in environmental protection.
Not everyone felt that enough had been done; however, an atmosphere of respectful debate prevailed, and several of the groups attending suggested they felt Murray had addressed their concerns with courtesy and attention.
FIDO can be proud to have created a forum which gathered representatives of many grassroots organisations and provided them with an opportunity to network together and speak with the Minister. Appreciation for the passion of young environmental champion, Spencer Hitchen from Save Sunrise Glossies, was evident when he received a standing ovation from the 100-strong crowd. If you want to listen to Spencer’s presentation, it can be found here.
Those present, in addition to FIDO members, included Save Victoria Park, Friends of Mount Coot-tha Botanical Gardens, turtle rescuers from Bribie Island, groups concerned with quarrying in the Glasshouse Mountains, and others fighting to preserve precious habitat or prevent potentially disastrous development. It was a convincing exhibition that grassroots activism is alive and well in Queensland.
Thanks are extended to FIDO’s core members with special thanks to Charmaine, Peter, and Keith, who have put in many days of sustained effort and sorted challenges and obstacles to bring this day to a successful conclusion. To Spencer, Maxine, Gerard, Sandra, Navin, Pauline, Tanisha, Chmura, and many who turned out to assist, I can’t thank you enough! FIDO still has a vital role to play, and you are all needed on this journey!
Article contributed by Zela Bissett, FIDO
