Welcome to the March edition of Paperbark. This month we are ramping up our #StopAdani campaign – read on to find out how you can be involved. We also have some great trainingopportunities coming up this month.

#StopAdani Roadshow – Monday 27 March

This is big. Our very own city is the FIRST stop for a week-long roadshow across Australia, building an unstoppable movement to stop Adani. Come along and learn about what action we can take to win this campaign. Inspiring speakers include:

1. Dr Vaishali Patil a leading grassroots activist in India,
2. Danny Kennedy, a renewable energy expert and entrepreneur,
3. Traditional Owners whose land is being threatened by Adani’s proposed mines

The night will be MC’ed by comedian Mandy Nolan. NQCC’s very own Maree Dibella will be wrapping up the night with concrete steps you can take with your community.
WHEN: Monday 27 March, 7pm
WHERE: Sir George Kneipp theatre, JCU Townsville
TICKETS: You must register for the roadshow HERE. You can choose between a free ticket or $10 if you’d like to financially contribute to the event.
HOW TO HELP: Share this Facebook event with your friends. Join our volunteer team on delivering the event on the night (register here if you are on Facebook, or here if you aren’t)

Click here for more information about the event. Or you can email or call NQCC for specific questions.

Campaign Training – Wednesday 22 March

The Australian Marine Conservation Society is holding a one-day volunteer leadership program in Townsville that will teach you skills in volunteer management, leadership, campaign strategy, and community organising. This training will support volunteers in the campaigns to Fight for Our Reef and to Stop Adani. Members, supporters and existing volunteers of NQCC are invited to participate. If you’ve never volunteered before but are looking to get skilled up to start – this is perfect for you too!
WHERE: Townsville Sailing Club, 3 Mariners Drive, The Strand
WHEN: Wednesday 22 March, 9-5:30pm
REGISTER: You must register for this training HERE.
MORE INFO: Check out the Facebook event or the EventBrite page to find out what the training will cover.
CONTACT: Cherry Muddle by email on [email protected] or by calling 0429 085 047
Release of “The Adani Files”
We were shocked by a new report that shows that not even the Federal Minister responsible, Senator Matt Canavan, knows where a $1 billion taxpayer-subsidised loan would go to within the Adani group of companies which operate many of their entities in tax havens.

The Adani Files reveal a terrible history of environmental destruction, illegal dealings, bribery and allegations of corruption, fraud and money laundering.

Now we are even MORE shocked that our Premier is taking our Mayor to India to be wined and dined by Adani at the taxpayer’s expense. We need to make sure Jenny Hill is aware of Adani’s appalling record before her trip to India. Can you share The Adani Files with our Mayor? Click here to act.

Queensland Women’s Week Event – 10-12 March

This weekend on Magnetic Island, NQCC and Queensland Conservation Council are thrilled to deliver a three-day camp titled “Empowering NQ Women for the Environment”. There will be about 35 women involved, across a diversity of backgrounds, coming from between Cairns and Mackay. We thank the Queensland Government for the funding to put on this event.

News and Updates

Goodbye Rocco, Hello new Secretary!
Our Secretary Rocco has resigned to relocate elsewhere for work. Thanks Rocco for your service to the NQCC Management Committee – your contribution has been invaluable and will be missed. This also means that the position of Secretary is now open. Please send through an expression of interest to NQCC President, Gail Hamilton, at [email protected] for more information.

Art Auction

Last Friday was our biennial art auction hosted by Umbrella Studio of Contemporary Arts. Thanks to Umbrella for hosting our exhibition and auction, to the generous artists who donated their work, and to all of the event volunteers on the night. All up, around 60 of our supporters made this event happen and we are so grateful for your contribution to our organisation!

Local Landcare
Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare has you covered if you are looking for on-ground conservation activities to be a part of. You can check out March’s schedule of projects here, or follow them on Facebookfor updates.

Management of Flying Foxes
A Federal Government Standing Committee recently produced the Living With Fruit Bats report. It recommended the establishment of a co-operative body to co-ordinate national management and to identify policy and research priorities. NQCC’s Gail Hamilton said a national approach to flying fox management was more likely to be successful than “short term” local approaches. Read the full story here.

Protecting Cassowaries from Predatory Domestic Animals
Last month, NQCC hosted Ingrid Marker to give a public talk about living with cassowaries and the devastation that roaming domestic dogs have on cassowary conservation. Ingrid is drafting a private member’s bill to address this issue. NQCC supports the campaign that Ingrid is leading and we urge our supporters to do the same. Read the full story and find out what you can do here.

Kidston Solar Project Commences
Big Solar is coming to our region, with work commencing on a large-scale solar project at the site of a disused gold mine near Kidston. The second stage of the project will be adding in hydro storage of energy. “While Adani’s Carmichael coal mine is beset with opposition and financing problems, the contrast to the go-ahead of yet another renewable, solar power station couldn’t be clearer” said NQCC Coordinator Maree Dibella. Read our full media release here.

Donate

NQCC relies on donations and community support to get our work done.  You can support our work by becoming a member or giving a tax-deductible donation.
Yours naturally,
Maree and Tyler
NQCC Staff