Our 2024 Annual General Meeting was held on Wednesday 25 September, and we're delighted to share the highlights of the night with you!

Tabling of the Annual Report

Our Annual Report is a source of great pride to our organisation, and provides a chance to celebrate and share our achievements of the last financial year. David McMillan once again volunteered his design skills to bring the report to life. We hope you take the time to enjoy the read (or at least the pictures) and share it with your friends!

Open the Annual Report!

Staff Reports

Luna shared her experiences and insights after six months in the role of Community Campaigner, touching on the importance of personal and local stories and relationships, opportunities for continuous learning and challenges (and her approaches for solutions) associated with resource management, volunteer engagement and measuring success.

Crystal shared updates and forward plans for NQCC's Climate Campaign and the Energy Transition, some observations about commitments relating to nature and climate in the lead up to the October state election and an invitation to the exciting Townsville Community Alliance State Election Assembly on Thursday 10 Oct. 

Nomination of the Management Committee

After three years as President, Chris Pam nominated for the position of Vice President, clearing the way for former Vice President Tamara Inkster-Draper to nominate uncontested for the role of President.

We gratefully acknowledged the contributions of outgoing Treasurer Madde Price and Committee Member Angela Egan, and warmly welcomed the incoming Management Committee for 2024/25:

• Tamara Inkster-Draper - President
• Chris Pam - Vice President
• Peter Hanley - Vice President
• Amaya Hytch - Secretary
• Monita Gangavarapu - Treasurer
• John Connell - Committee Member

Read their profiles here!

Honorary Life Memberships

As the incoming President, Tamara chaired the final business of the meeting, including the nomination of dedicated volunteers and supporters David Cassells and John Connell for Honorary Life Membership. This proposal was met with enthusiastic support from attendees, who were happy to see recognition awarded for their humble service to the organisation. 

David Cassells (left) and John Connell (right) are NQCC's newest Honorary Life Members.

Raffle Draw and Birthday Cake

The evening was rounded out with a raffle draw for a $50 voucher from our kind sponsors at Mary Who? Bookshop, which was joyfully won by incoming Treasurer and self-proclaimed bookworm Monita.

We then enjoyed some birthday cupcakes lovingly made by Luna (complete with candles) to celebrate NQCC's 50th birthday as the voice for the environment in North Queensland. As we blew out our candles, wishes were made for the future of our organisation or our beautiful region. 

History Videos

After the meeting closed, we enjoyed some entertaining and impactful storytelling from two videos shared from our collection by Kate Osborne for our 50th anniversary history project. It was inspiring to hear courageous stories of conservation from Jane Thomson and Kenn Parker. 

A friendly brush-tailed possum appeared on our fence to observe the final proceedings of the night in what we will take as an endorsement of our work to protect North Queensland's environment.

Acknowledgements

Thank you to everyone who gave their time to support our AGM and make it a delightful gathering! Special thanks to Dave Sewell, Chris Pam, Monita Gangavarapu, Peter Hanley, Amaya Hytch, Tamara Inkster-Draper, David McMillan and Mary Who? Bookshop!