People from a cross-section of the Orange and Cabonne communities lined the footpath outside Calare MP Andrew Gee's office on Saturday morning in a quiet protest calling for climate action.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
More than 20 people, including a couple form Bathurst and Stuart Town took part in the Silent Vigil for Climate Action, a concept that was recently started in Sydney by Quiet Australians Stand Up recently.
The initiative is for people across the country to hold quiet protests or silent vigils outside various federal MPs offices to bring attention to a climate change bill to be introduced by independent MP Zali Steggall and to encourage the MPs to support the bill.
Extinction Rebellion Central West member Kate Allan said there were five vigils being held across NSW on Saturday and they would be held again on the next three Saturdays in Orange between 9.30am and 10.30am.
She said and although Mr Gee wasn't at his office on Saturday it gave people who worked during the week a chance to participate.
"Considering Sydney last week had 200, 20 plus for Orange is fantastic," Ms Allan said.
Ms Allan said the participants came from a variety of environmental groups in the region but there were also individuals who didn't belong to a group.
Orange residents Tim and Penny Hammond were among those who attended the quiet protest and said they were concerned citizens and did not belong to a group or political party but decided to join in after reading about it in the Central Western Daily that morning.
"Something has to be done with climate change, [we can't be] sitting on our hands or denying that man has got anything to do with climate change," Mr Hammond said.
Mr Hammond said the couple participated in a Stop Adani protest but until recently they were supportive "but not doing much" to show it.
"Now is the time to get our act together, it's getting desperate," he said.
Mrs Hammond said she wanted to support Ms Steggall's bill so they could "get something done".
Ms Allan said that well as holding the silent vigils the participants are also hoping to meet with Mr Gee as a group and would like to see him at a vigil.
DO YOU WANT MORE ORANGE NEWS?
- Receive our free newsletters delivered to your inbox, as well as breaking news alerts. Sign up below ...