HARD TO MISS: Banners, flags and enthusiasm are key ingredients for the Friday for Climate Justice Group. Robyn Whale (second from right) says the group, which numbers between seven and 15 every Friday night, has no plans to stop.
ANYONE who has driven down Nicolas Street in the Ipswich CBD on a Friday night over the past three years couldn’t help but notice a small colourful protest group waving their banners.
While the group may be small you certainly can’t say they aren’t dedicated.
Most protests go on for maybe a few months, not years.
Robyn Whale from Karalee has been part of the Friday night team for all three years, and she says she has no intention of not turning up on a Friday night in the foreseeable future.
“I’d prefer to say we are an awareness group rather than protesters,” she said.
“We are there every Friday because we still haven’t saved the planet and it is in trouble.
“Our members want to bring the serious issues regarding the use of fossil fuels to the attention of everyone who drives past.”
Robyn said when her group first started at the pedestrian lights at the top of the CBD Mall, they received a lot of negative feedback.
Perhaps that feedback was understandable seeing that early Ipswich is all about the coal mining industry that once thrived here.
“I’m pleased to say we are now getting much more positivity from drivers and the general public,” she said.
Robyn said their Friday night banner waving had also developed into a social occasion.
“At times when we put down the banners, we hold a picnic on the lawns of Darcy Doyle Park.
“It’s understandable we have made many friendships within the group because we all believe in the same thing.”
Robyn said the Friday night group would continue to be a peaceful gathering.
“I can assure you we aren’t about to glue ourselves to the road,” she said with a laugh.
