There has been a wonderful response to the GetUp Climate Torch Relay arriving in Tasmania and the Tamar Valley. Well-done to GetUp for planning the Climate Torch Relay as it has created an opportunity for community members all over Australia to express their concerns about climate change and the way their governments Local, State and Federal are responding to it. The following is a list of events happening over the next few days around the Tamar Valley. If you would like to see the activities happening here and interstate go to www.climatetorch.com . You will find correct times and locations in the description section of the events. Thanks to everyone who have made their time available to make the events a success. If you can find time come and join in or be there to cheer us on. Any enquiries please ring Judith King 03 6394 8178. Tasmania Police have been consulted re our activities and ask that at all time public safety and your safety are uppermost considerations in all activities. Tuesday 19 August 2008 At 9am, the GetUp Climate Torch will be presented to the People's Parliament City Park to acknowledge the challenges residents in Tamar Valley and its surrounds are facing. The People's Parliament is a group of concerned residents trying to highlight environmental and antipulpmill issues for the duration of the Parliament sitting in Launceston 19-28 August 2008. In addition, the Climate Torch will be presented to northern Council mayors on behalf of their ratepayers. At 3.30pm Lu McGinnis and her 3 children Salla, Roley and Jo will present the Torch to the Launceston City Council Mayor van Zetten on the steps of Town Hall. Other Councils yet to confirm times. Wednesday 20 August 2008 9am Beaconsfield. Christine, Karl, Nye and Ros will receive the Torch on behalf of Beaconsfield and will run through Beaconsfield with it. If you would like to join this group meet us at the Beaconsfield township sign on the Launceston side at 9am and bring your runners. 10.45am Launceston city centre. Anyone interested please come to the Myer entrance of the Mall at 10.45am and we will relay the torch up and down the Mall and through the Quadrant. If you have a Stop the Pulp Mill T-shirt please wear it and there will be some GetUp Climate Torch T-shirts available at the Relay also. Bring water and runners. If you have any flyers, brochures, badges, stickers etc about the mill and Section 11 bring those too so we can pass out to shoppers in the Mall. 1pm Cataract Gorge, Launceston. Join the crowd and see the Flying Torch cross the Gorge on a wire. A media contingent is expected. Bring your no pulp mill signs, T-shirts. 3pm Rowella. Lucy Langdon Lane is having a dedication to the environment ceremony at the organic farm in Rowella just near the proposed pulpmill sight. Family and friends are joining her. 4pm Rowella. John Day and the local Landcare group are gathering at the Rowella road sign to receive the Torch and to commit to maintaining their fight for our environment and the planet. 6.30pm Tailrace Convention Centre, Riverside. The Climate Torch will be run into the Pulp Mill and Climate Change Forum Tailrace Convention Centre 6.30-8.30pm. Arrive early as there will be a huge crowd.For forum information, email environmenttasmania@gmail.com or phone 03 6224 6319.
