Ballarat residents protest for climate action

Tuesday, May 3, 2022 

Ballarat, Australia — The rural Australian city of Ballarat saw some residents take to the streets in a rally for climate action on Sunday. Initially beginning at 1pm outside the Ballarat Civic Hall, the protesters moved down Mair, Lydiard, and Sturt Street – passing the office of local MP Catherine King – before reaching the Ballarat Town Hall, where representatives from Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions (BREAZE), the Ballarat branch of Extinction Rebellion, Environment Victoria, the Public Transport Users Association, and the Ballarat Trades Hall all spoke. While no political candidates spoke at the rally, independent Alex Graham and Greens member John Barnes – who are both standing for the seat of Ballarat in the upcoming federal election – both attended.

Extinction Rebellion's distinctive "Red Rebels" holding their fists upright outside the Civic Hall.
Image: Alison Newman.

Protesters holding a "Climate Code Red" banner.
Image: Alison Newman.

A man holds a sign declaring that "coal is not good for humanity".
Image: Alison Newman.

Some protesters decided quite literally to march to the beat of their own drum, drumming on faux-oil barrels labeled "no more gas", "no more oil", and "no more coal".
Image: Alison Newman.

Independent candidate for Ballarat Alex Graham (left) standing with a supporter (right) holding placards in support of his campaign in the 2022 Australian federal election.
Image: Alison Newman.

Two supporters of the Australian Greens, displaying pro-Greens signs, as well as a man holding a "Climate Emergency — Act Now!" placard.
Image: Alison Newman.

The rally attracted protesters of all age, with these young children holding paper signs declaring that "our house is on fire".
Image: Alison Newman.

Two protesters displaying signs in favour of climate action and renewable energy.
Image: Alison Newman.

A trio of protesters. The woman on the left holds a sign reading "busine$$ as usual is killing us", the man in the middle holds a sign depicting a dead pig with a lump of coal in its mouth, while the woman on the right holds a sign reading "#ClimateElection".
Image: Alison Newman.

Protesters with an Extinction Rebellion-branded banner declaring a climate emergency.
Image: Alison Newman.

The protesters all grouped up together for a big photo before heading towards the Ballarat Town Hall.
Image: Alison Newman.

The Red Rebels, with their arms raised high, leaving the Civic Hall and walking down Mair Street.
Image: Alison Newman.

Protesters on the side of Mair Street.
Image: Alison Newman.

A group of protests holding a banner from the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC), declaring that "killing the planet is against our religions".
Image: Alison Newman.

The protesters' route passed Ballarat MP Catherine King's office on Lydiard Street.
Image: Alison Newman.

Protesters crossing Sturt Street, some waving Extinction Rebellion banners.
Image: Alison Newman.

A woman stands on the Sturt Street median strip, holding a sign urging drivers to "honk for climate action".
Image: Alison Newman.

Protesters congregating outside the Ballarat Town Hall.
Image: Alison Newman.

Tony Goodfellow, the event's MC, standing atop a Unions Ballarat truck speaking to protesters. Goodfellow introduced a number of speakers throughout the rally, pictured in the next few slides.
Image: Alison Newman.

Sally Missing, a member of BREAZE.
Image: Alison Newman.

Miriam Robertson, a local Extinction Rebellion member.
Image: Alison Newman.

Ben Lever, from the Public Transport Users' Association.
Image: Alison Newman.

Brett Edgington, a secretary at the Ballarat Trades Hall.
Image: Alison Newman.

Lindsay Waters, a representative from Environment Victoria.
Image: Alison Newman.