Tuesday, 29 July 2025

John Englart

Kathleen MATTHEWS-WARD (Broadmeadows) (19:17): (1218) My adjournment is for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, and the action I seek is to name the Upfield bike path after local advocate for climate and social justice John Englart, who sadly passed away recently. With his two chihuahuas for climate action, Juliet and Jones, riding in the front crate of his bike at every community event, John was always a very visible and well-loved member of the community and an icon of Fawkner.

I first met John over a coffee in Brunswick Street. We had a great and wideranging chat covering topics such as synthetic turf, native timber logging, local production of electric vehicles, aviation emissions, the need for Melbourne to Albury high-speed rail, gas reforms and of course active transport. The Upfield train line and the Upfield and Merri Creek bike paths go through Hume and Merri-bek and beyond to Wallan. From his actions and words, you could tell he cared deeply about humanity. We often spoke about the effects of climate change on the vulnerable, and he knew deeply that improvements in access to quality active and public transport, especially for those without cars, were imperative for the planet, for social justice and for opportunity for all. We both held the long-term dream of completing the ring road link of the Upfield bike path. For me, it was since my time on the on the Transporting Moreland forum in the early 2000s and working with a former member for Pascoe Vale Christine Campbell, who progressed it through to Box Forest Road. I shared John’s immense frustrations, as does the member for Pascoe Vale, with the delays on the final stage of the project, and sadly, this was the topic of my last conversation with him. Unfortunately I will never get to ride that final link with him past the cemetery and the mob of kangaroos living there.

At his funeral yesterday several people suggested that we name this section of the path in his honour, and I think this would be a fitting tribute to a man who devoted his life to getting the best outcomes he could for both people and the planet. When the project is complete – the website now says it will be completed later this year – we are planning a memorial ride for him and would love the minister to join us if she is able.

I pass on my deepest condolences to his family, especially Tarryn, Erin, Jesi and Kate and the rest of the family, and I sincerely thank John for his generosity in sharing his immense knowledge with me and with so many of us. I have compiled all the research he has sent me over the years, and I will continue to use this to advocate for changes to policy in many areas, including waste, reducing energy and heatwave vulnerability and increasing tree canopy. I know he, and so many of us here, also felt deeply the plight of the innocent people of Gaza. May he and they rest in peace, and may we all continue to advocate for human dignity and social justice. Vale, John. Thank you for fighting the good fight your whole life long, and may your indomitable spirit live on in each of us.