Hundreds of students around Bendigo have marched through the streets demanding action on climate change.
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The protest, as part of the larger School Strike for Climate movement, started at the library gardens where organiser Mathilda Stewart called on students to act.
"Thank you students," she said. "In striking from school today, you are showing the government as well as our local representatives we stand strong in our demands for real action on climate change."
"Today there are 1769 school protests being held across 105 countries. We are powerful and we are making a difference."
Quarry Hill Primary School students Freya Nicoletti and Tara McBurney also spoke before the crowd.
"We are here in protest of climate change and we hope that this global event will make the politicians open their eyes and put a stop to climate change," Ms Nicoletti said.
"We don't have long to fix the mistakes the human race has created," Ms McBurney said. "We are skipping school today as it is one of the small things we can to do to get noticed by the leaders of the world.
"But no one in Australia is doing anything, except us. Not the politicians, not the adults."
The group, which included parents and other members of the public, chanted as they walked down Hargreaves Mall.
The students then marched to the offices of Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan and Federal Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters.
Both Ms Chesters and Ms Allan met with and listened to the demands of the students.
Ms Chesters told the crowd she understood what they were saying.
"You are absolutely right that we are in a climate emergency," she said. "I recognise that. My Labor colleagues recognise that."
When asked what could be done in the short term to address climate change, Ms Chesters said the upcoming election was the place to act.
"What you can do right now is tell your parents to vote out Scott Morrison because he is the problem."
That comment was met with loud cheers from the students.
The protesters also asked for Ms Chesters to host a climate change forum with students in the electorate before the federal election, to which she agreed.
She declined the opportunity to take a photo with a Stop Adani poster.
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Tara Cosoleto
Journalist covering courts and general news at the Bendigo Advertiser.
Journalist covering courts and general news at the Bendigo Advertiser.
