Doctor Kate Auty speaks on sustainability
What is sustainability all about? Why are governments so concerned about sustainability? What has sustainability got to do with our everyday lives - particularly the lives of those of us who live in small rural communities?
If you would like to find out more about these questions the Violet Town Ecoliving Project invites you to attend a talk in Violet Town on Thursday evening, September 2nd by Doctor Kate Auty, the Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability. (Please note that this date has changed from the earlier advertised one of Thursday 19th August)
Dr Auty will explain her role as Commissioner and how this relates to small communities like Euroa, Violet Town and others in the Strathbogie region. Not only has she had extensive experience in the area of sustainability but, as a resident of Euroa herself, Dr Auty also understands small rural communities. Doctor Kate Auty's background shows how important her expertise has been in the areas of law and environmental sustainability.
As a lawyer she worked for the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service and was part of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia). She also lectured at the Institute of Koori Education, Deakin University, in the Graduate Certificate in Environment and Heritage Interpretation.
Closer to home as a Victorian barrister, Dr Auty played a major role in the establishment of the first Victorian Koori Court,located in Shepparton, and was its inaugural magistrate. She has also worked as a magistrate in Western Australia in the western desert goldfields.
Dr Auty's environmental experience has included being a consultant for the National Environmental Law Association's project on local government and climate change.
Also in 2008 she was appointed a Charles Joseph LaTrobe Fellow with the Centre for Sustainable Regional Communities, La Trobe University. The fellowship involves a three year research project consulting with Aboriginal women about justice issues including heritage and environmental concerns.
In 2008 and 2009 Dr Kate Auty was the Chair of the Ministerial Reference Council on Climate Change Adaptation and also a member of the Premier's Reference Committee on Climate Change.
She became Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability in June 2009, when the Victorian Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, the Hon Gavin Jennings announced her appointment.
Dr. Kate Auty is a vital and inspiring person who is passionate about talking with the general community about sustainability. She is looking forward to meeting the people of the Strathbogie region who are interested in improving their understanding of what can be done to work towards a sustainable future in our area.
Her address on September 2nd will be held in the Violet Town Community Complex from 7.30pm - 9.00pm. All welcome.