Former Liberal leader John Hewson was ahead of the times when he went to the 1993 federal election with a policy to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent by the year 2000.
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He would end up losing the election to Paul Keating, but not his passion for renewable energy.
More than two decades on, Dr Hewson’s advocacy will come to the North East to support the Totally Renewable Yackandandah project, which aims to have the town become 100 per cent reliant on renewable energy by 2022.
He will be the guest speaker at TRY’s fundraising event on Saturday.
Organiser Denis Ginnivan said Dr Hewson was top of the wishlist because of advocacy for renewable energy without getting involved in the battle between parties.
The speaker was expected to focus on economical benefits, not just the environmental side.
“He’s become quite a public figure in political society,” Mr Ginnivan said.
“There will come a day where renewable energy will make money.”
Australian songwriter and musician Shane Howard, best known as lead singer of the band Goanna, is also a champion of environmental issues and will perform at the event.
He will be joined by Tallangatta musician Sal Kimber.
TRY chair Matt Grogan said money raised from the event will go towards the “perpetual energy fund” to be used for no-interest loans funding renewable energy projects in the town.
Yackandandah Health Services has already used the fund to help install its 348 solar panels.
“We’re in conversation with a few other groups like the football-netball club,” Mr Grogan said. “The fundraiser is a great opportunity to get these heavy-hitters in Yackandandah.”
The Yackandandah Public Hall can hold 300 people and organisers hoped people from across the region would attend to help boost the community fund.
The fundraiser will begin at 7pm.
Tickets costing $35 each can be booked at www.trybooking.com/184691 or purchased at the door.