Renowned scientist and climate change expert Professor Tim Flannery will deliver the annual Kerferd Oration in Beechworth, in North East Victoria, next month.

Professor Flannery, Australian of the Year in 2007, is well known around the world for his position on global warming and environmental issues. An internationally acclaimed scientist and conservationist, Professor Flannery has published more than 130 peer-reviewed scientific papers, but it is his landmark book The Weather Makers that sets him apart. This book has received widespread praise for its informed and balanced approach to climate change and has been translated into more than 20 languages. In 2006 it won the NSW Premier’s Literary Prizes for Best Critical Writing and Book of the Year.

In 2007 Professor Flannery co-founded and was appointed Chair of The Copenhagen Climate Council, a coalition of community, business and political leaders who have come together to confront climate change.

Professor Flannery will deliver the George Briscoe Kerferd Oration at 11am on Sunday July 27, at the Beechworth campus of La Trobe University.

Past orators at this free community event were the then Deputy Premier of Victoria the Hon John Thwaites (2007); Cathy McGowan AO (2006); Professor Henry Brodaty AO (2005); Barbara Holborow OAM (2004) and the then Chief Justice of Victoria the Hon John Phillips AC (2003).

This annual oration, now in its sixth year and jointly sponsored by Indigo Shire Council, La Trobe University and corporate sponsor WAW Credit Union, is named after one of the founding fathers of Beechworth.  George Kerferd was a very public minded man.  In 1857, just five years after gold was discovered at Beechworth, he was a member of the Beechworth Municipal Council and later its president for some years.  He helped establish the Ovens District Hospital and was involved with the establishment of the Ovens Benevolent Asylum.  In 1864 he entered Victorian Parliament as the Ovens District representative, holding portfolios in six ministries before becoming Premier in 1874.