Talking Energy: Building Confidence to Support Our Community to Get Off Gas

Event Details

A key part of the transition towards a clean energy future is shifting away from gas. Right now, our community is being flooded with mixed messages and misinformation about gas. At the same time, despite the climate emergency, we are facing proposals for two new gas import terminals in our local bays from Viva Energy and Vopak.

We heard clearly from our volunteers and broader community that they want to feel more confident having meaningful, respectful conversations about getting off gas and moving to an all-electric future.

This interactive training, delivered by Environment Victoria, is designed for volunteers who want to play an active role in our electrification campaign over the coming year. It will support you to engage your community with confidence, build understanding and help grow momentum for a renewables-powered all-electric future, no technical expertise required.

During this training you will be introduced to a surveying tool developed by Environment Victoria to create deep discussion and gather community opinions around electrification and gas. We will be asking participants to commit to using this tool to facilitate important community conversations about gas and electrification around our region. 

What you’ll learn:

• What our community currently thinks about gas and electrification and what actually helps shift opinions
• How to have ‘deep canvassing’ style conversations that build trust and openness – even with people who we don’t necessarily agree with
• How to listen for key concerns and objections, and respond with helpful frames and facts
• How to use a specially-designed, conversation-based survey tool to have longer, more meaningful conversations
• How these conversations can play a crucial role in our campaign to put a stop to new gas projects and build community support for electrification.

How the training works:

This training uses a spiral model of learning, building on the knowledge and experience that participants already bring. There will be a strong focus on:

• Inquiry-based learning and group reflection
• Practising real conversations in a supportive environment
• Sharing stories, values, and lived experience rather than leading with technical detail.

You’ll be invited to reflect on your own confidence and skills, practise with others, and leave with practical tools you can use straight away in the community.

Who this training is for:

• Volunteers who want to engage others in conversations about electrification and getting off gas
• People who enjoy connecting with others and listening to different perspectives
• Anyone keen to support our campaign and help build momentum by using these skills out in the community following the training.
• Note that you do not have to have any expertise in technical aspects of gas or electrification prior to this training, and nor will you be required to remember a lot of technical information to be successful in having these conversations. Anyone can do it!

Important info:

• Limited places available to ensure a high-quality, interactive experience
• A $5 booking fee is required to help ensure commitment and attendance
• Morning tea will be provided
• We ask that you register only if you’re able to attend the training and actively apply it by engaging your community in conversations about electrification and a gas-free future.

We’re building a movement towards a clean energy future and we need to develop skills together along the way. 

Register now to secure your spot, we hope to see you there!

This training is facilitated by Environment Victoria: 

Environment Victoria is an independent charity, funded by donations. Established in 1969, we’ve grown into a community of 40 grassroots member groups and more than 200,000 individual supporters.

Environment Victoria is campaigning to solve the climate crisis and build a thriving, sustainable society that protects and values nature.