Green Oration

The battle to save Lake Pedder inspired the formation of the world’s first Green party.

Photo: David Neilson

Welcome to the first

Green Oration Celebrating the birth of the world’s first Green party.

Delivered by Dr David Suzuki.

David Suzuki,

photo courtesy Stephen Campbell

“Great thinkers and orators are vital for great changes in human history.

They are also vital for the greening of global politics.”

– Bob Brown, 2010

Green Oration 2010

Birth of the world’s first Green Party The birth of a political party is never an easy thing.

And so it was with the creation of the world’s first Green party, the United Tasmania Group (UTG), which was formed at a meeting in the Hobart Town Hall on March 23, 1972.

Prompted by the impending loss of Lake Pedder, people flooded into the Town Hall to vent their frustration.

Chair and future president of the UTG Dick Jones put up a motion to form the new political party, only to face uproar when Hydro-Electric Commission workers tried to shout it down.

Dick insisted on a show of hands, the vote was taken, and the rest is history.

To commemorate this historic event and honour the vision shown by the pioneers of today’s Green movement, national and international speakers will appear in Hobart Town Hall on 23 March every year to deliver this Green Oration.

Step back in time If you have any United Tasmania Group archival material you would like placed in a safe and accessible place please contact The Archives Office of Tasmania, 91 Murray St, Hobart on 6214 4894 or email aot@education.tas.gov.au.

KEEP IN TOUCH If you would like to keep up to date with news and information on our annual Green Oration please email oration@tas.greens.org.au.

This event has been organised by the Tasmanian Greens

Tonight’s events Hosted by the Leader of the Australian Greens, Senator Bob Brown Senator Christine Milne – welcome.

Senator Bob Brown, host – introduction.

Up to the Cradle March, written in 1909 by Johann Weindorfer, the father of Gustav Weindorfer – played

by Professor Rod Thomson on the Town Hall’s great organ.

Birth of the World’s first Greens Party – documentary film (6 mins).

Force of Nature, documentary trailer on Dr David Suzuki.

The Green Oration – by Dr David Suzuki.

Visit the information table – books, Lake Pedder posters for sale.

The Legacy – for purchase at the Fullers Bookshop table in the Town Hall foyer.

David Suzuki,

photo courtesy Stephen Campbell

Dr David Suzuki is the internationally renowned scientist, environmentalist and broadcaster who has spent more than 40 years educating people about science and environmental issues.

The Green Oration, organised

by Senator Bob Brown In 1972, when the UTG was formed, a young doctor arrived in Tasmania looking for work. Nearly 40 years later, and a lifetime spent working for a more ecologically sustainable and just world, he is now leader of the Australian Greens and instigator of the Green Oration.

“Suzuki is the greatest environmentalist of our age … What a life, what an inspiration!”

– Tim Flannery

2010

Green Oration 2010

Logo competition

The annual Green Oration will celebrate the historic meeting held in the Hobart Town Hall on 23 March, 1972.

We want a logo to represent this event. The logo: • Should be strong, modern and fresh.

• May incorporate past and present logos of The Greens and The Tasmanian Greens, eg the goshawk logo.

• Must include the words Green Oration.

• Will be enlarged and printed onto pull-up banners, posters etc.

Entries should be sent to Karen Brown, networker@tas.greens.org.au, before

Win! The winner of the Green Oration logo competition gets two nights luxury accommodation with breakfast at Cleburne Homestead and Art Hotel, just outside Hobart, www.visitcleburne.com.au.

30 November 2010 and will be judged by a panel who are not obliged to choose a winner if none are deemed suitable. For further information please call Karen Brown on 03 6236 9334.

Neither left nor right, just out in front – UTG slogan

Dr Richard Jones (1936-1986), first president of the UTG In 1972 Dick Jones became the first president of the United Tasmania Group. He was a natural leader, a visionary with a strong social and environmental conscience.

He and others articulated their vision in the UTG charter, “A New Ethic”.

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Thanks to: Dr David Suzuki, Cate Weate, Simon de Little, Karen Brown, John Sampson, Paul Raffety, Nick Crawford, Edwina Johnson, Paul Thomas, Professor Rod Thomson, John Gibson (Plants of Tasmania).