Conversations that matter - 2 S26 Ep39
Ruth Yeatman welcomes back Phil Bourne and Russell Fisher to continue exploring the big stories of our times. This program was re-recorded on October 5 so some of the events referenced may have developed further or have passed since that date.
We began this series of reflective conversations this April and in just a few months our fast paced world brings more to the table for our attention and discussion. To name just a few examples: - massive ‘data centres' are appearing - including in residential neighbourhoods - with seemingly no regulation. Tech moguls are suggesting the need to put the brakes on AI development due to some unexpected ‘rogue actions' from AI run computers. Our children continue to be molested online via ‘social media’ despite recent legislation restricting use/access for under 16 year olds. Shockingly, in just 28 minutes after a young male joins more than one of the SM platforms his feed is being targeted with ‘manosphere’ and misogynist material!
‘The far right’ continues to gain popularity around the world, skillfully dividing societies to serve their political and greedy ends. ‘Migration’ is back on the table thanks to fear mongering by ‘the far right’. Whether it was our ancestors who jumped off the first ships or whether we’ve arrived more recently to this country, simply put, we are ALL immigrants except for the Aboriginal people who have been this country’s First People for over 65,000 years. Our settler ancestors don’t entitle us to live here more than recent immigrants simply because they ‘got here first’, 200 years ago.
The three ongoing major wars not only continue their tragic destruction of all lifeforms and habitats in their wake, (human and otherwise), but the are increasing pollution that is accelerating the climate’s temperature to not only to reach 1.5 degrees, much faster than anticipated, but we are now exceeding it. According to the latest UN Environment Program (UNEP) report, titled, Limiting Overshoot, this is increasing the risk of triggering irreversible tipping points such as the collapse of major ice sheets, the dieback of the Amazon rainforest - known as ‘the lungs of the planet’, and the disruption of Atlantic Ocean currents. We’ve recently witnessed the terrible consequence of a melting glacier and subsequent rock collapse causing a devastating landslide in Nepal killing thousands of people, with many still unaccounted for.
Phil, Russell, and I aim not to be distracted by any fear or reactivity that may arise in our conversation but rather take pause to discover what lies beneath the surface. We’re keen to bring discernment and scrutiny into the causes and conditions of these and other major events noting them rather as ’symptoms’ that often obscure the view of what’s actually going on underneath. What needs to be observed and learnt to ensure good health and safety for all beings and systems on this precious and beautiful planet to ensure we can thrive, not just survive…..?
Join us as we take a deeper dive into the important back stories of our times.
RESOURCES TO SUPPORT US IN THESE TIMES:
Active Hope Training is a free international online course designed to strengthen our ability to make a difference in the world. Based on the book and online courses by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone, it has received overwhelmingly positive results providing practical, heart-centered, and empowering tools to combat climate grief and eco anxiety. https://activehope.training
Friends of the Earth Melbourne offers practical ways Victorians can get involved in the lead up to the next State Election. They also have ‘Together for Treaty’ core flutes in their 312 Smith Street, Collingwood office should you wish to hang one on your front fence or balcony. melbournefoe.org.au/vic_election_2026
Common Threads is a new First Nations let organization doing fantastic work raising awareness and offering trainings to harness the power of First Nations leadership, advocacy, and change-making to win transformative change. They invite us to sign a petition that will be sent to Jess Willson urging her to drop her party’s plan to dismantle Victoria’s treaty should they get into power at this next State election. togetherfortreaty.org.au/#sign-petition
No Room for Racism Campaign was launched on the first weekend in October this year calling for an end to Racism and the end to racism and division in Victorian politics. The launch marks the beginning of a statewide campaign led in collaboration by Common Threads commonthreads.org.au and Democracy in Colour https://democracyincolour.org in the lead-up to the Victorian elections.
GetUp is currently training people in having conversations with people we struggle to find something in common with, especially people who sit on the ‘far right’ of life in general. GetUp offers a guide with practical tools for talking to people about the upcoming Victorian Election reminding us of the values to bring to the conversation like Fairness, Honesty, Agency and Care. They offer ways to handle objections and provide a link to resources that help prepare for such conversations. You can find the Guide by googling: getup.to/convo-guide
And it’s well worth a visit to the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria’s website now under the name of Gellung Warl, the statutory body created as a consequence of Australia’s first Treaty being signed and then legislated in the Victorian Parliament at the end of 2025. https://gellungwarl.org/
Russell Fisher, an ecologist, strategist, educator and adventurer. He has contributed to many social, economic and environmental justice causes in different parts of the world for over half a century, and has held a number of senior roles including being a past president of Environment Victoria.
Russell’s focus is in helping leaders, teams and communities create the space to cut through complexity and tackle their most stuck challenges. His main work is with leaders and teams on strategy, leadership development, culture and innovation. Russell is a passionate cyclist and bushwalker, and has recently moved to Gippsland’s south coast.
Phil Bourne was born and bred in Melbourne. In 1981 he completed a bachelor of applied science (Occupational Therapy) before working in support services for people with an intellectual disability.
Phil moved to the Seymour area in 1984 to co-found Commonground, an organisation supporting social and environmental justice by hosting, facilitating, and generally supporting groups working in these areas including asylum seekers, aboriginal, peace keepers, and environment groups.
hil has also worked in local community development including being the inaugural Community Development Officer at Mitchell Shire, and a volunteer on groups such as The Seymour We Want, Mitchell Youth Affairs, Seymour Neighbourhood Renewal Project, and BEAM - Mitchell Environment Group, and Allies Supporting Treaty Seymour. Phil spreads his time between Commonground and a developing eco village at Cape Paterson.
