Living through a pandemic for the past few years has had a dramatic impact on everyone in our community, particularly our children and young people.
The discontinuation of group sports has left a void in our children’s ability to interact with their peers while having fun and learning new skills.
Cricket Coach Ron Rooney has come out of retirement to re-introduce primary school children to the fun and excitement of cricket with introductory clinics held at five schools across the shire.
“We’ve found there has been a real lag in getting back to team sports since COVID,” said Ron. “By hosting these clinics and the carnival at Wesley Hill, we’re hoping to connect kids with their local clubs.”
Over the past few weeks, Ron has run introductory cricket clinics at Castlemaine, Maldon, Chewton, Newstead, and Winters Flat Primary Schools, culminating in today’s carnival at Wesley Hill, in the hopes of highlighting the importance of the sport.
Newstead Primary School Principal Kathy Callander told the Mail that this is the first normal year the kids have had in a long time.
“Academically they’re all doing well, but socially it’s difficult and this is in all schools,” said Kathy. “Getting them back into team sports is helping kids re-learn how to interact, and instills skills that will help them in real life with team activities.”
A former North Melbourne Premier Coach, Ron was instrumental in running the Milo program through Cricket Australia. He is passionate about giving kids opportunities to thrive and is working to provide coaching education for coaches in the region.
For more information on how to join a team visit: play.cricket.com.au/
All day cricket carnival a hit for local students
Historic wallpaper exhibition to feature local samples
A curation of rare wallpaper samples from the personal collection of nationally acclaimed architect and former Castlemaine resident Phyllis Murphy AM will be exhibited in Melbourne next month.
The designs, some dating back to the mid-19th century, will resonate with people interested in design, the arts, architecture, form, interiors, history, and lifestyles.
Ms Murphy began her collection while living in Castlemaine and many of the first items came from houses in the area. She published a book, Historic Wallpapers in Australia, 1850-1920 with the Castlemaine Art Gallery and Historical Museum in 1996.
Ms Murphy worked with Hobsons Bay City Council to curate the exhibition, which will provide a unique opportunity for people to experience a significant collection. The exhibits will be on display at the Chamber at the Williamstown Town Hall for just three days. The collection will be housed permanently at the Living Museum of Sydney next year.
Phyllis Murphy was a trailblazer in Australian architecture. She was one of only two women to graduate in her field from the University of Melbourne in 1949.
Phyllis and her husband John Murphy started an architectural practice in 1950, becoming known for their Modernist designs. They worked on many major projects together, including the Melbourne Olympic Swimming Stadium, which still stands today on the corner of Olympic Boulevard and Batman Avenue. Ms Murphy was also instrumental in helping establish the National Trust of Australia in 1958.
As part of their business, Phyllis and John undertook significant conservation work, and it was seeing how people lived and what their houses looked like that started Ms Murphy’s interest in wallpaper. Her passion grew from there over more than 40 years. She is now recognised for her expertise in Victorian-era wallpaper. Ms Murphy was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Queen’s Birthday honours this year for her significant service to architecture and to built heritage conservation.
“Phyllis’s collection is an incredible step back in time that tells us so much about the people that have come before us – their personalities, how they lived, and the trends and style of the eras they lived in,” said Hobsons Bay mayor Cr Peter Hemphill.
“These are bold, beautiful pieces of art. The opportunity to see this exhibition is unique so I encourage everyone from Castlemaine and central Victoria to come down and experience it.”
The exhibition will be available to view free of charge on December 2-3 from 2 pm-7 pm and December 4 from 11 am-3 pm.
Che Guevara eat your heart out
Tom Allen, Welshmans Reef
Just a little note to the ‘climate change activists’ who left your ‘pastel scrawl’ messages outside the National Bank a few days ago.
Wow! What do you do for an encore? What’s the matter? Didn’t you get enough motorists to beep your ‘climate action now’ message so, like petulant fifteen-year-olds, you had to vandalistically scrawl it on the sidewalk? Why didn’t you use paint (more long-lasting).This just all too obviously reveals the truly sad and sorry state that the ‘broad global left’ represents in presenting any form of strong, coherent functional, and focussed response to rising (and rising) global capitalist excess.
Talk about a headless chicken that seriously needs to grow a head.
To persons interested in a clear, coherent focused, and sensible essay upon the climate debate I would strongly suggest South Australian Geologist Ian Plimer’s work ‘Heaven and Earth: Global Warming, the Missing Science.’ It is something of an eye-opener.
Shooters on target at Invitational Prize Meeting
The Castlemaine Rifle Club held its annual ‘Invitational Prize Meeting’ last Saturday November 5.
Members report it was good to be able to settle back into the routine of shooting without having to change dates and having working bees to repair their flood damage.
The day was pleasant with just enough wind and a little mirage to test shooters’ abilities. The club was happy with the number of competitors, being the same as the last couple of years but not as high as the pre-covid days.
Shooting was over the mid-range distances of 500 and 600 yards. The 600 yard mound was concreted last Saturday so this was the first time it had been used.
As expected, with the high calibre of shooters competing some excellent scores were recorded. At each range two sighters were fired followed by 10 shots to count.
At the first 500 yard range Kyneton’s Peter Pearce scored 50.6 to lead Bendigo’s Greg Tomorad with 50.4 in Target Rifle A Grade.
Target Rifle B Grade was won by Robert Pearce from Kyneton with 50.5 followed by teammate from Kyneton Adam McLennan with 50.5.
C Grade went to Castlemaine’s Greg Brown with 47.3 followed by Lucy Pearce from Kyneton with 44.1.
In F Class A Darren Trevena scored 58.3 to lead Castlemaine club member James Dolphin with 52.2. In F Class B Sam Swagemakers from Castlemaine scores 58.4 to lead Kyneton’s Bob Pearce with 52.1. Rod Mahon from South Bendigo shot 60.3 to lead F Open from Castlemaine’s newest member Tony Skinner who scored 58.2 in his first ever competition.
The next round shooting was again from the 500 yard mound. In Target Rifle A Kyneton Peter Pearce Scored 50.7 with Bendigo’s Greg Tomorad next with 50.4.
Target Rifle B went to Castlemaine’s Richard Ruddick with 48.4 ahead of Kyneton’s Adam McLennan with 48.3. Greg Brown from Castlemaine led Target Rifle C with 46.3 from Lucy Pearce from Kyneton with 35.0. Darren Trevena had his second win in F Class A with 54.2 from James Dolphin with 54.1. Castlemaine’s Rob Softley won F Class B with 53.1 from Bob Pearce of Kyneton with 53.1.
In F Open Castlemaine’s Mick Goritchan won with 60.4 from Rod Mahon from South Bendigo with 57.2.
A short break for lunch was held with shooters then moving to 600 yards for the final shoot. The wind and mirage both increased in strength catching some shooters and causing lost shots.
Bendigo’s Greg Tomorad led Target Rifle A with 50.6 from Maryborough’s Doug Ratcliff with 50.4. Castlemaine’s Chris Jolme led in Target Rifle B with 46.1 followed by teammate Richard Ruddick with 45.2.
Greg Brown had another win in Target Rifle C with 43.1 from Lucy Pearce with 38.2. Darren Trevena had another win in F Class A with 55.3. Followed by clubmate James Dolphin with 54.3. Rob Softley from Castlemaine top scored in F Class B with 52.0 from teammate Andrew Christie with 47.3. This was a great effort by Andrew as it was his first ever competition.
Castlemaine’s Mick Goritchan led in F Open scoring 57.4 from Rod Mahon of South Bendigo with 57.2.
The club was again very pleased to welcome patron Maree Edwards State Member for Bendigo West to present the trophies and medals to the winners.
The winner in Target Rifle A was Bendigo’s Greg Tomorad with a very impressive score of 150.14 followed by Peter Pearce from Kyneton 149.17 and Bendigo’s Geoff Grenfell third with 148.14.
Target Rifle B was won by Adam McLennan from Kyneton with 142.8 and second went to Robert Pearce also from Kyneton with 140.8 and in third place Castlemaine’s Richard Ruddick with 139.9.
Target Rifle C was won by Castlemaine’s Greg Brown with 136.6 from Lucy Pearce from Kyneton with 117.3 second.
F Class A went to Castlemaine’s Darren Trevena with 167.8 and second place to Castlemaine’s James Dolphin with 160.6.
F Class B was won Rob Softley from Castlemaine with 154.2 followed by Bob Pearce in second place with 150.2 from Kyneton and third place went to Sam Swagemakers from Castlemaine with 149.4
The winner in F Open was Rod Mahon from South Bendigo with 174.7 and in second was Castlemaine shooter Mick Goritchan with 170.10 and third place to Bendigo’s John Hollis with 165.6.
In the teams events the prestigious ‘Don KR Cup’ was won by the Bendigo Rifle Club with second place also going to the Bendigo Rifle and Kyneton Rifle Club in third place.
The F Class Cup was won by Castlemaine and also second place.
Castlemaine also won the F Open Cup from Bendigo Rifle Club second and third place went to Castlemaine.
It was a very successful event with thanks going to major sponsors Don KR Castlemaine, Maxi IGA, Leaton Building Supplies, Douglass Excavations, Lyal Eales Castlemaine, Castlemaine Fresh, Thompson Family Funerals, Bakers Delight, The Holinger Family, Mal and Stan Smith, Glenda Keel and Chris Jolme.
This Saturday is the third stage of the Club Championship to be shot over 600 and 700 yards commencing at 1pm.
Best wishes to club members who will be competing in Canberra next week at the first National Precision Service Rifle Championships.
For more on the sport of big bore rifle shooting call the Captain on 5474 2552 or see Max at Castlemaine Fresh.
Council ranger’s vehicle involved in accident
Mount Alexander Shire Council’s Ranger’s vehicle was involved in a collision on October 26, resulting in damage that is currently in the process of being repaired.
Council has one ranger vehicle in its fleet that is used for the safe collection of animals. While the ranger vehicle is off the road for the moment, the council has been working in collaboration with MAAW, the shire’s animal welfare shelter, to assist to collect any animals reported to them.
“We appreciate the assistance of MAAW at this time, and continue to encourage residents who find an animal wandering to report it to council on 5471 1700,” said Georgina Hope, Manager of Development Services, Mount Alexander Shire Council.
“We are looking forward to having our ranger’s vehicle back on the road as soon as it is safe and practicable.”
Local resident into the semi-finals of the Doug Moran Portrait Prize
By Melanie Barnes
Local resident Allis Hamilton is a semi-finalist for the 2022 Doug Moran National Portrait Prize with her painting ‘Where the Old Horse Wanders on the Crest of the Hill’.
The Mail caught up with Allis to talk about her life and work. Allis feels at her best when she is in nature. She paints, writes music and poetry, and creates visual art.
Allis fell in love with the area 20 years ago on her way to pick apples and remembers turning off the highway and driving along the forest-lined road into Chewton which instantly resonated with her love of nature. At the time Allis didn’t know she would end up living in the area.
‘Where the old horse wanders on the crest of the hill’, is a self-portrait with an old
horse friend of Allis’.
“I love that Castlemaine is a town nestled among forests with abundant waterways scattered within and around her. I love the moss, the wildflowers, the multitude of native creatures that I am blessed to share my days alongside, like sugar gliders, powerful owls, choughs,” Allis said.
Spending time overseas, her first trip to the UK with her grandmother who was 87 at the time “was a dream trip” Allis said.
“The waters, moss, the poetic culture of the UK – the lands of most of my ancestors I find utterly inspirational. Ireland, Scotland, and England – the old Celtic cultures hold poetry and the arts in high esteem. It felt so good for me to be in a place that has respect for these things, for creativity,” Allis said.
During her travels exploring her creative side in England, she spent time playing music and participating in a poetry residential. Being a poet in Australia, Allis finds people are cynical but has found in older cultures, creativity has always been considered a vital part of life, enriching the community and that continues. She is appalled to see the arts being removed from school curriculums.
“Music, if you learn to play it, is a friend for life: an outlet for emotions, a form of expression, a way to channel energy in a very constructive manner. A way to create beauty. I feel that the imagination, the creative realm is a vital component of life. We are creative beings. To me, creativity is a fundamental aspect of life.
My Campbells Creek with local resident Steve Adamson
Hi Steve. You’re a well-known Campbells Creek resident. Were you born locally?
No, I am a twin and my sister and I were actually born at the Bendigo Hospital. I weighed 2 pounds 13 ounces and Karen weighed 3 pounds 14 ounces. We weren’t expected to live and spent our first three months in a plastic humidicrib. I grew up in Castlemaine. I started school at the South School and later attended Winters Flat and Castlemaine High School.
How long have you lived in Campbells Creek?
My wife Kerrie and I settled in Campbells Creek about 27 years ago and raised our two sons there.
What was your first job?
I first worked as a Telegram boy for Australia Post Castlemaine. I started in 1977 and the bike they gave me was 1950s vintage! I recall I had a new outfit for my first day as you did not get a uniform for a few months. One of my first jobs was a deliver an ‘Urgent’ telegram which were placed in a red envelope to a local lady. When I arrived at the house I could hear water running and when I knocked on the door she emerged in a towel. Given the situation she asked me to read the telegram out to her. As I read the telegram which read ‘Unfortunately, your mother passed away this morning’ she dropped her towel in shock. It was the first time I’d seen a naked woman. I took off so fast I got my pants caught in my chain and got grease all over them. Later that afternoon I had to deliver a parcel and when I arrived at that address I came across two naked men sunbathing in their garden. What a day! (Laughs).
How long did you work for Australia Post?
I eventually became a postie riding motorbikes and then I worked my way up to Post Master of Delivery in Bendigo. All up I worked for Australia Post for 20 years.
What did you do after that?
My wife and I ran the mixed business that was the Five Flags General Store for three years. It was previously operated by my wife’s parents Eddie and Marj Farthing in the 1970s. We slept in the same room as her parents did and our boys slept in the room she grew up in.
I later managed the former BP and Castlemaine Tyre Service Centre in Barker Street (where PJs Tyres is now) for 18 months before I followed in the footsteps of my Dad and became a prison officer at Loddon Prison. He attained his 20 year service medal. I am close to receiving mine. My eldest son will receive Pop’s medal and my youngest will receive mine.
You’ve also had a long association with football in the region?
Yes I was involved with the Harcourt Football Netball Club for 16 years, Campbells Creek Junior Football Club for 10 years and then moved on to the Campbells Creek Football Netball Club for 22 years. My Dad played in the last premiership side there in 1953. I believe I may be the only local person to hold four Life Memberships for football with Harcourt FNC, Campbells Creek JFC, Campbells Creek FNC and the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League. My sons both played for Campbells Creek and a few years back they were the first brothers in the club history to take out the Senior and Reserves Best and Fairest honours in the same year. It was a proud moment.
You are known for your role raising funds for Motor Neurone Disease through the annual MND Up the Creek Ice Bucket Challenge.
Yes we held four very successful events and raised a total of $63,000 for this really important cause. I was also honoured to have the opportunity to participate in the Daniher Drive in 2018 with Neale himself. It was one of the best trips of my life.
OK, any other community involvement in this part of the world?
One of my proudest moments was a fundraiser we held for local mum Maggie and her children. Maggie was suffering from cancer and we held the fundraiser to raise funds to support her family. It was the biggest crowd I’ve ever seen at the Campbells Creek Community Centre and I wore a pink suit provided by Mensland Castlemaine to MC the event.
What’s next for you?
I have a bit of a vision in the pipeline to create a local initiative to enable people with disabilities to try a range of sports for the first time. We have more than 30 local sporting organisations in the region and I would love to pave the way for those with disabilities to be able to try their hand at various sports and help them discover their passion.
Sounds amazing, any philosophies by which you like to lead life?
Never judge a book by its cover. It’s what’s inside that counts.
Nice one! Three dream dinner guests?
Neale Daniher, Kevin Bloody Wilson and Nathan Buckley. I am a Collingwood supporter.
Do you have any Pet Peeves?
People who drive too slow!
Who is your favourite musician?
John Denver.
What are you reading at the moment?
I don’t read books. At high school we were forced to read Macbeth and then see a play about it! I only read newspapers – the Herald Sun, Midland Express and of course the Castlemaine Mail.
Just finally then Steve, what do you enjoy most about the place you call home?
I really love where we are living now. We are minutes from town but surrounded by the bush. I love spending time outdoors. I am always in the garden and mowing the lawn. We also enjoy visiting our two gorgeous grandchildren in Queensland.
Locals fight to stop sale of historic Yandoit church
A group of Yandoit locals has banded together to stop the old Uniting Church from being sold, successfully securing a lease until November 2023.
Thanks to the work of these dedicated volunteers, Yandoit Cultural ‘the old church in the bush’, hosts regular musical performances that fill the beautiful redbrick building with music that echoes across the valley.
“This building was built by, funded, and cared for by locals,” said Yandoit Cultural volunteer Suzie Cordel.
“Originally the Methodist Church, it was built in 1875 using clay from the farm next door, brought across by wheelbarrow. The wheel from that barrow is now a feature of the building with beautiful primary-colored stain glass,” Suzie explains. “It still houses the original, locally made pews and there is a beautiful old raked wooden floor which creates the most amazing acoustics.”
This Sunday the historic church will host a benefit concert, raising funds for Ukrainian refugees, featuring performances from Aria award winner Kavisha Mazzella, with an introduction by Ukrainian-born Michael Olijnyk.
“Musicians who perform in the church say it is an absolute pleasure. They hear subtleties they don’t normally hear and their music rises because of it,” said Jessica Bleechmorn, Yandoit Cultural volunteer.
Yandoit Cultural evolved as a sub-committee from the Community Planning Group for Franklinford, Yandoit, and Clydesdale, to try and keep the community asset accessible to the local residents.
“The parish dwindled significantly over the past six years,” said Suzie. “We held a number of fundraising events during that time. The regular events we hold now cover the costs associated with the lease. Past parishioners and the Castlemaine Uniting Church Minister, Sarah Tomilson, have all been very supportive of our endeavors to keep the building for community use.”
Visitors will be treated to real country hospitality at Kavisha Mazzella-Benefit Concert for Ukrainian Refugees at 4pm on Sunday, November 13 at Yandoit Cultural, Uniting Church Road. BYO grog. Entry by donation. For bookings email: ycfcpg@gmail.com or phone/ text Nikki on 0432 232 073.
A non-stop whirlwind: Circus Mania coming to Castlemaine
The long-awaited ‘Circus Mania’ Festival is set to hit Castlemaine from November 17-20.
Saturday and Sunday ‘Big Tops and Tiny Tots’ will perform for the littlest festival goers. A circus adventure for three to six-year-olds, Big Tops and Tiny Tots is a non-stop, whirlwind of plate-spinning, hula-hooping and unicycling fun brought to you by Solid State Circus.
Performing Friday to Sunday, the ‘Suitcase Circus’ is an energetic all-ages circus show. Set in the glory days of the past, this show is full of awe-inspiring, gasp-worthy tricks from a mesmerising cast of world-class, award-winning circus performers! There are acrobats, agile and athletic, defying gravity as they tumble and roll and create human towers on each other’s shoulders. There are aerialists, elegant and strong, plunging down the silks and being flung across the stage. There are jugglers and balancers, skillful and dexterous, as they manipulate with incredible timing and focus.
After dark, a circus for grown-ups, with the headline cabaret act ‘Rouge’ performing a decadent blend of sensational acrobatics, operatic cabaret, and twisted burlesque.
Local circus performer and event coordinator, Caz Walsh, is planning to create a real community atmosphere with something for everyone.
“There be three shows each day as well as live music, food trucks, a Garden Bar thanks to support from Shedshaker Brewing, and other festivities taking place each day,” Caz said.
A 300-seat big top, The May Wirth, will be erected at 74-80 Forest Street (opposite the Western Reserve).
Tickets are now on sale. Visit: circusmania.com.au to get yours today!
Golf interrupted by dismal weather
With more rain, events this week at Castlemaine Golf Club were once again interrupted.
Although the ground was soggy after recent rain, some rare fine weather attracted 29 for stableford last Saturday.
Rhys Jenkins (4 and 36) and Jason Cordy (5 and 36) led the field in A Grade, with Rhys coming home in first place on a countback. In B grade, Andrew Dzioba (27 and 33) was a couple ahead of William Burgess (16 and 31). Birdies were plentiful: Jason Cordy and Shane Burke (4), James O’Brien, Brad Sturgess and Rhys Jenkins (2) and William Burgess (1). Rhys Jenkins finished the day off nicely with the nearest the pin prize on the seventh. Megan Carroll was closest on the 12th.
A small field of brave (or crazy!) players ventured out on Tuesday, Melbourne Cup Day.
Drenching downpours made the going extremely tough, resulting in several dropouts along the way.
Mick Kehoe (20 and 34) battled his way through to complete the round in top place, with William Burgess (16 and 32) trundling home in second place. William Burgess played a handy shot on the seventh, which gave him the NTP prize. Balls were given to all the others who made it to the end, probably as compensation for giving it a go in such trying conditions!
Some disappeared home immediately after play to dry out. The remaining players made it inside to relish the comfort of a dry and cosy clubhouse, and to join about 30 others for a tasty lunch and friendly conversation. Thank you to all of the club’s helpers, especially to Peter Gresswell and Marianne Allan, who prepared the chicken and salads, to Glenda for the after lunch chocolates, and to Phil for running the sweeps.
Tomorrow, Saturday November 5, is the Men’s Monthly Medal, and the Men’s Medal of Medals for 2022, starting at noon (shotgun).
The regular chicken parma dinner starts at 6pm tomorrow evening. It is essential that bookings are made for catering purposes by midday on Saturday. Text to Garry (0414 684 201) to avoid missing out.
The next golf lesson is on Monday November 7. Text your booking to Peggy (0409 232 919) by Sunday.
Fastest time ever: New course record for Castlemaine Parkrun
Castlemaine parkrun ended the month with stunning times including a new course record and the first five finishers all completing the event in under 20 minutes.
Ben Kelly in only his second parkrun blitzed the course in 15:39 – our fastest time ever. He was followed across a mere six seconds later
by John Howorth in his first event, an amazing start to his parkrun career and in what is understood to also be a record time. Third over was Thomas Martin at 16:23, Jack Cooper was fourth at 19:00 minutes even, with Ian Chadwick next and completing the complement of sub 20-minute runners at 19:52.
Chelsea Saw was the first of the female runners to complete the course and she finished in another impressive time of 20:14. Chloe Russell at 22:48 was the next female across with Sarah Neild next at 25:35.
Chelsea was completing her sixth parkrun – another comparative novice to the event, but obviously not to running.
Eighty-five runners, walkers and strollers took to the course with numbers consistently climbing now the worst of winter is behind us (though obviously the wet weather continues pretty much unabated). To this already impressive number is added Jane Harding, Judy Hill, Owen
Howlett, Thomas Martin, Nicole McIvor-Francis, Colin Moore and Glen Taylor who made up the volunteer contingent for the day. A heartfelt thanks to every one of them.
Castlemaine parkrun is managed by an all-volunteer group who give up their own chance to run in order that the event can go ahead.
Seven people managed a Personal Best on Saturday.
Jack Cooper was mentioned earlier for his great 19:00 minute run. Gary Russell, in only his third event bettered his previous best too and he was followed across by Dean Podger and Elliot Hutchinson in what was for each of them only their second ever parkruns.
Dale Hamilton, Riley Harris, and Fiona Craigen made up the rest of the PB performers so ‘well done!’ to all of them.
October was officially ‘parkwalk’ month, where people have been encouraged to come along and simply walk the course. For some people this is an ideal introduction that sees them eventually start running, but for many others it isn’t a matter of choice. And for many parkrunners, it is a temporary respite as they recover from some niggle or other.
In any case they are all welcome and are regarded as fully-fledged members of the Castlemaine parkrun community.
If you’d like to join them, as a walker, or if you’d like to target Ben’s new course record, all you need to do is register online and download your barcode. Then simply turn up at the barbecue pavilion at the Botanical Gardens a bit before 8am on Saturday for the briefing.
Castlemaine parkrunners would love to meet you!
‘Don’t NAB our future’: students protest outside bank
Last week a group of school students gathered outside the National Australia Bank in Castlemaine to demonstrate their disappointment and anger at NAB’s continued investment in coal and gas companies.
The students are part of the movement, School Strikes for Climate, an Australia-wide student-led group of young people, united by their concern for the future of the planet.
Thirteen-year-old local Arlo Hill joined School Strikes for Climate in 2018.
“I became involved because what’s happening (environmentally) is really scary and I didn’t know what to do,” he told the Mail.
The movement has partnered with the group ‘Move Beyond Coal’, a community movement, working towards stopping coal expansion, and phasing out coal by 2030.
“The collaboration is good because it means there is a range of voices from all generations getting involved,” Arlo said.
A NAB spokesperson said the bank had been transparent about their total level of lending to fossil fuels, with $1.91 billion invested in fossil fuel-powered energy, $2.98 billion in oil and gas, $.46 billion in oil and gas, and a further $5.63 billion lending to renewable energy.
“NAB recognises climate change is a defining issue of our time and the important role we play,” the spokesperson said.
“NAB has been carbon neutral in operations for more than a decade and we continue to reduce emissions across our business.
“We are proud to be supporting our customers to lower their emissions too and build climate resilience. We do this through the funding we provide and we are proud to be the leading Australian bank for project finance to the global renewables segment.”
Protesters around Australia, both young and old, will continue to make their voices heard as they push for NAB to end all forms of finance for companies or projects that expand the coal or gas industry by 2025, starting by committing to no further financing of Whitehaven Coal (an Australian company with mining operations across NSW and QLD) and Santos (an Australian oil and gas company with operations across Australia, Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea).