The sudden death this week of John Englart, Climate Action Merri-bek’s convenor, has devastated so many of us. John was a well known climate and social justice activist, and citizen journalist. Hundred of people, including political representatives and activist groups have reached out, telling of the impact John has had had on their lives. We have reproduced a few of these tributes below.

Peter Khalil, federal member for Wills, posted on his Facebook page:

I am saddened to hear about the passing of Wills local John Englart this week. John was a long-standing community advocate for environmental policy and climate action, and a very familiar presence in Merri-bek’s civic life – always accompanied by his two chihuahua’s. I first met John during my first election campaign in 2016 when I knocked on his door in Fawkner and we had a long discussion about climate change policy. In the years since, we have had many in-depth conversations about Australia’s environmental and climate policies. While John and I didn’t always see eye to eye, his passion was always evident, and his respectful and insightful engagement in local and national conversations over many decades reflected his commitment to climate action. So many people in our community will miss John deeply, and I extend my condolences to John’s family and all who knew and loved him.

Kathleen Matthews-Ward, state member for Broadmeadows, wrote on social media:

A devastating loss to our Community. His activist spirit lives on in the incredible legacy he has left. I’ll miss his insights and advice, and his delicious jam. Vale John, thanks for your lifetime of contribution.

Anasina Gray-Barbario, MLC for the Northern Metropolitan Region, emailed us:

I’m so sorry to hear of John Englart’s passing, such a huge loss to the community. He really was a beacon of hope and action and leaves behind an outstanding legacy.

Merri-bek Mayor Helen Davidson emailed us:

I was so sad to hear this news. Helen P and I were together when it came through, and we were both incredibly shocked and saddened. I know we all are, and his loss will be felt deeply across the Merri-bek community. We will offer our heartfelt condolences to his family, and respect the wishes of John’s family. In time, I’m sure we’ll come together to find the most thoughtful and fitting way to honour his memory and the remarkable contribution he made.

Bababi Djinanang Ward Councillor Sue Bolton wrote on her Facebook page

A few hours ago, I heard the news that local community activist and advocate, John Englart had passed away. This is a massive loss to the community, and a challenge to the rest of us to carry on John’s work to the best of our abilities. From seeing John’s work since I first got elected to council, I have no doubt that John’s careful research about issues in the community and issues that council was focused on, as well as his advocacy and campaign work, stopped the council from making some bad or weak decisions and in some cases helped the council to make good decisions. As well as being convenor of Climate Action Merri-bek, John was deeply involved in the Fawkner community, but also had a connection to many communities across Merri-bek. After John moved to Fawkner around 15-20 years ago, John and others set up Sustainable Fawkner, a community garden and John involved with Fawkner Community House. John was a strong supporter of local campaigns in Fawkner – the campaign to duplicate the Upfield Line and the campaign against a toxic site in Fawkner. John was especially driven by the need for environmental sustainability, which included transport sustainability. John wanted real climate action and not just greenwashing. John was serious about the implications of plastics on the environment and human health. John followed up this concern with a lot of research on the problems of synthetic surfaces (and the plastics contained in them) for sport and other activities. There were many campaigns where John was an active supporter while not having the time to be actively involved. Some of these included the campaign for accessible tram stops on Sydney Rd, and peace and anti-war campaigns. John also attended several of the International Climate conferences (the COP conferences) as a citizen jouralist. Many campaigns benefited from John’s citizen journalism. As well as being an environmentalist, John was a true humanitarian. He had a strong sense of social justice and climate justice.

Samantha Ratnam, former Mayor and state MLC, and Greens candidate for Wills wrote on Facebook:

Our community is devastated to hear that local climate hero John Englart has passed away today Anyone involved in public life or community action, knew John. He was passionate, informed, calm, caring and determined. His presence at any meeting made you reassured that our planet was on the agenda. He was on the frontlines of speaking up for our climate, he railed against coal and gas burning and fought for everything to do with environmental justice. I learned so much from him. We all did. I’ll miss you John. We all will. In your honour, we will take the baton you carried for our earth. In your memory, it is our promise that we won’t let you down. Sending my love and thoughts to all his family, friends and the community that knew and loved him.

Former Federal Member for Wills, Kelvin Thomson, wrote:

I am very sorry to hear this. John was a relentless and dedicated campaigner on issues to do with climate and the environment, and a passionate local activist.

Darebin Climate Action Now wrote on Facebook:

It is with a very heavy heart that we learnt that John Englart, convenor of Climate Action Merri-bek passed away last week. Many of us have worked closely with John on climate campaigns, some of us for a decade or more. We have greatly appreciated John’s insight and advice on strategies and tactics designed to influence our political leaders. John also campaigned on many other issues including public transport, social justice and environment. He was also an amazing citizen journalist, providing analysis on important international climate meetings representing grassroots community perspectives. Our sincere condolences go to John’s family, friends, and fellow activists. He will be sorely missed.

Merri-bek Bicycle Users Group wrote on Facebook:

Many in Merri-bek will know John Englart by sight, often seen on the bike paths with his “Chihuahuas for Climate Action” on his bike. Its is with heavy hearts that we have to report that John Englart has passed away. John has been a Merri-bek BUG member since before 2007, a committee member for many years, and a long-term advocate for safer active and sustainable transport. He enjoyed our Wednesday BUG Rides over the past ten years and was an active participant in Critical Mass over decades. We’ll miss his indefatigable spirit, his clarity and generosity in sharing the wealth of knowledge had and his infectious smile on the bike path.

Yarra Bicycle Users Group wrote on Facebook:

We are saddened by the news that John Englart aka Takvera, has passed away. John has been a key activist in many sustainability and active transport related groups, including Climate Action Merri-bek, Merri-bek BUG, Extend Upfield Bike Path to Upfield, Critical Mass naarm – Melbourne and many more in naarm Melbourne and across Australia. He was also a prolific writer (a “citizen journalist”) on climate and sustainable transport issues and a generous sharer of knowledge. John has been a guest on the Yarra Bicycle Users Group Radio Show on many occasions as well as other programs on 3CR Community Radio . Historian, activist, anti nuclear campaigner way back in the 70s, tireless advocate for safe cycling everywhere. Our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and everyone, a lovely man who will be really missed. And cuddles to to his beloved Indiana Jones & Juliet. Rest in power John

Friends of the Earth Australia wrote on Facebook:

We are really saddened to hear this news. John was a cheerful and unstoppable climate activist (and involved in many sustainability related groups). He was well known for his citizen journalist reporting and could be relied on turn up at event after event. His passing is a huge loss for the climate change community.

Public Transport Users Association wrote on Facebook:

We are saddened to hear of the passing of John Englart. He was a fierce advocate for his community in Melbourne’s north, including with the Upfield Transport Alliance, which recently had a win with the news of more train services (particularly evenings and weekends) to start soon. Vale.

Brunswick Voice will soon be publishing a detailed obituary for John. A brief one was published on Wednesday July 16. https://brunswickvoice.com.au/environment-movement-loses-a-warrior/. Juliet and Jones are soon to be adopted by another chihuachua-loving climate activist.