DEMOCRACY, by definition, is a system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule directly or indirectly through freely elected representatives.
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At least, that’s what it was intended to be.
Founder of The Goulburn Group (TGG) and Swiss Foreign Correspondent Urs Walterlin would argue Australian politics has evolved to be more about personal interest rather than a greater, long-term benefit.
This is why it’s imperative the community band together to take action and make change, Walterlin told the Post last week.
“I don’t think that politics and, not all but many, politicians really serve us anymore in the way it was intended,” he said.
“I believe community action is the key to the future. The community has to take the future into their own hands.”
The most glaring example of his claim is that of climate action.
“I think to be very blunt our politicians are totally failing us in this regard and we are running into a disaster,” Walterlin continued.
“If you are open-eyed you can already see it. I mean, we see it everywhere. What we have to do as a community is make change.
It can’t wait. We have to make the change. It’s up to us, the people.”
It’s that idea, of community action, that led to the founding of TGG some seven years ago.
What started as a casual conversation around a coffee table has now grown into a major local organisation.
It boasts a myriad of members from every political background and remains disassociated with any single party.
“I want to make this very clear that it has nothing to do with politics, it has nothing to do with parties. Actually, we at The Goulburn Group couldn’t care less about parties,” Walterlin said.
“I not for one minute think we should change the system but we as a community and as individuals can still change a lot of things and that’s where we come into place.”
For TGG, the mission for change has been focused on supporting local business and setting up grassroots initiatives such as Goulburn Goes Solar, The Wetlands Project and Goulburn Free Wifi.
Then, there is Goulburn Connects – a festival built entirely upon the idea of community action.
The festival, heading into its second year, will kick off in a matter of weeks.
A major drawcard for the twoweek event will be forums – one focused on renewable energy in local business, another on energy in the home anf the final on community action.
“We believe very strongly that community action means local business… sustainability is not only the right way to do things, its also big business and good business particularly for small communities like ours,” Walterlin said.
“What I think we have to stop doing is thinking like sheep. We are individuals and we have a brain, we think and we talk, and we should talk.
“If people think they are helpless then ask a group like ours what they can do and we will welcome you with open arms. It’s very important to believe in your own ability to change things. You won’t change the world but you can change your world. It’s possible if you want to.”
