Cooper and Senate voting Guides

With pre-polling and election day fast approaching, there's a lot we can do to make sure that the climate emergency is a top priority! Read on to see the DCAN voting guides for the seat of Cooper and the Senate and how you can help.

Can you help distribute the voting guides?

Our voting guides show people how they can use their votes most effectively for the seat of Cooper in the House of Representatives and for the Senate. We need volunteers who can help hand out the guides at:

• Pre-polling stations (starting next week)
• Polling day - Saturday 3rd May
• Local train stations (starting next week)

Please email us at [email protected] to let us know which activity you would like to be involved in.

Do you have a climate sign for your fence or front window?

We have two great signs available. Hosting a sign in a prominent place is an important way to get the message across.

Please contact Katherine at [email protected] or 0402 451 236 for your free sign.

Cooper Candidates Climate Forum

The forum, which was held on Tuesday, was a great success with candidates speaking to a full house. Each of the three candidates talked passionately about why they are seeking to represent the seat of Cooper and what actions they will take on the climate emergency if elected.

Excellent questions from the audience fully tested each of the candidates on their past record and commitments.

Candidates presenting at the forum were: Tara Burnett (The Greens), Ged Kearney, sitting Member for Cooper (Australian Labor Party) and Kath Larkin (Victorian Socialists).

Watch the forum here on DCAN's YouTube channel.

The forum was moderated by Professor John Wiseman, Senior Research Fellow with Melbourne Climate Futures at the University of Melbourne and author of Hope and Courage in the Climate Crisis (see below for more information). DCAN expresses our deep gratitude to John, the candidates and audience for a very engaging and informative debate. Many thanks to Span Community House for once again being our wonderful hosts.

Conversation Cafe: Hope. How do we build and maintain hope in the future?

We are surrounded by negative stories and problems, ranging from natural disasters to autocracy and war. Has this influenced how we view our neighbours, ourselves and our hope that actions can have the impact on the world that we want? What does this feel like and how does it influence the hope of our children and young people? Do we believe that we can develop a hope for the future to drive change?

Join this free online discussion forum supported by our friends at Transition Australia, with two very special guests Karen Hewitt (Transition Tamar) and Alex Sangster (Darebin Council), for a journey to explore our own experience with hope and what we can do to build a more hopeful community. Register for the online forum here.

Climate Choir Melbourne at Fairfield Village

Last Saturday saw the return of the popular Climate Choir Melbourne to the Fairfield Village for a wonderful hour of climate songs updated to include specific election messages. The choir uses humour and catchy tunes to communicate the urgent need for voters to think about CLIMATE CHANGE when they vote.

The songs also send a message to all candidates and parties to seriously address this existential issue in their campaigns.

Everyone is encouraged to use the songs during the campaign (and beyond). You can access the Songbook here which you can view on your phone or easily print. You can also hear and see the Choir in action on YouTube.

Suggested Reading: Hope and Courage in the Climate Crisis

Hope and Courage in the Climate Crisis by Professor John Wiseman explores diverse sources of learning and wisdom—from climate scientists and activists; philosophers and social theorists; Indigenous cultures and ways of life; faith based and spiritual traditions; artists and writers—which can help us live courageous, compassionate and creative lives in a world of rapidly accelerating climatic and ecological risk.

Drawing on broad experience as a climate activist, researcher and policy maker, John provides a wide ranging, accessible and provocative guided tour of ideas which can inspire and sustain radical hope and defiant courage in the long emergency which now lies before us.

Help DCAN Grow on Social Media!

Exciting news! DCAN is now on Instagram and Bluesky, and we’d love you to join us there. By following and engaging with our posts, you help spread the word about climate action in our community.

Instagram – See inspiring photos, event updates, and climate tips. darebin_climate_action

Bluesky – Join the conversation on policies, actions, and solutions. @darebincan.bsky.social

Every like, comment, and share helps amplify our impact. Follow us today and be part of the movement for a greener future!

Want to know more about DCAN?

Why not come along to one of our monthly meetings? We usually meet on the second Thursday of each month at 7.00pm at the Bridge Thornbury. Please drop us an email at [email protected] to let us know if you are coming so that we can make sure to welcome you and give you an agenda ahead of the meeting.

Our next meeting will be at 7:00 pm on May 8th at the Bridge, 131 Shaftesbury Parade, Thornbury.