As smoke from Dave's pizza oven filled the air and a Koel called out loudly from a nearby tree, our 2026 Annual General Meeting got underway.

The official business was all neatly addressed, but boring and dry it was not! Elements of our humanity, community and fun were woven through the night.

After Tamara's earnest Acknowledgement of Country, Peter shared some words for Jo Wieneke - a long-time NQCC supporter and expert birdwatcher who passed away last week. She wrote several books on the birds of North Queensland, and was active in many conservation campaigns, locally and more widely. For those of us who didn't know her well, it was touching to hear about her love for nature and her contributions to its protection.

Tamara then delivered the President's Report, where she touched on some of the highlights and challenges of the year, her pride in our organisation and our work, and her gratitude to all that have stepped up. She reflected on the heaviness she experiences in her day job - working in global climate advocacy - and how connecting with a grassroots organisation (based in the place she grew up) gives her hope for the world that her son will inherit.

The minutes from the June 2026 General Meeting were passed.

The Treasurer's Report was delivered by Monita, who shared pie graphs representing our income and expenditure, and a table of the year's fundraising efforts. An exciting new income stream discovered this year was face-painting - self-taught, Monita had painted over 200 faces this financial year! While the activity itself may not be enough to cover our full operating costs anytime soon, it's ability to engage parents of young children in conversations they usually wouldn't have time for has been priceless. She welcomed members to quiz her further on any details in the financial statements, and encouraged further drink and raffle ticket sales at the bar, where she and Amaya volunteered all evening.

The Audited Financial Statement was accepted, the auditor for the upcoming year nominated, members were notified of our public liability insurance (thanks, QWaLC!) and we disclosed remuneration.

The Annual Report was also tabled (read it here!).

Then came the Management Committee elections! All nominations were received prior to the meeting. The results were as follows:

President - Tamara Inkster-Draper (continuing)

Vice President - Chris Pam (continuing)

Vice President - Max Lenoy (previously an ordinary member)

Treasurer - Monita Gangavarapu (continuing)

Secretary - Natalia Smithson (new!)

Ordinary member - Rooka Price (continuing)

All Management Committee members were elected warmly by the members present. Read about them here!

While we were excited to see so many Committee members continuing, and delighted to welcome Natalia to the team, it was with heavy hearts filled with gratitude that we accepted the resignations of Peter Hanley (former Vice President) and Amaya Hytch (former Secretary) from the Committee.

Amaya (former Secretary), Tamara (President) and Peter (former Vice President)

With more than a decade of service between them, we all agreed that they deserved a well earned break - as long as they didn't stray too far! Peter has been an NQCC Life Member for several years, and we thought it only fitting to nominate Amaya for Honorary Life Membership in recognition of her dedication to the organisation. This was enthusiastically passed by the members, and humbly accepted by Amaya.

As delightfully crispy woodfired pizzas circulated, Crystal kicked off the Coordinator's Report. She started by recognising Peter and Amaya's contributions to NQCC - particularly their sense of light and fun, that always has a place in the organisation. There was also some reflection on the importance of our work and organisation being intergenerational - connecting wisdom and experience of our older members with the passion and vitality of our younger ones - and valuing them both equally.

Crystal's report then outlined some key areas of the work undertaken and upcoming - presented as "Fights", "Focused Campaigns", "First Nations", "Fun Things" and "Future".

Recent fights have included systemic issues and particular projects - state government legislation intended to fast-track development and reduce community rights, a stalling on climate action and the energy transition, and the re-development of Port Hinchinbrook. Some of these fights seem unwinnable, but the least we can do is shine a light on them so that these destructive decisions don't go unnoticed.

While standing up and fighting back is a crucial part of what we do, it's equally as important that we work constructively towards a vision of a better world. This is why we focus some of our campaign efforts on positive outcomes for all. Currently, that looks like:

Renewables Done Right - bringing our community along with the energy transition by addressing legitimate concerns and lifting the bar for an industry that doesn't always get it right. You're invited to a workshop on Friday 16 Oct!

Protect Beautiful Queensland - building widespread community support for more national parks and conservation parks in North Queensland, and to encourage the state government to act boldly and invest heavily in our precious places. The next Green Drinks will be focused on this campaign, with a stall at Cotters Market to follow.

Greening for Shade - adapting North Queensland neighbourhoods to climate change and supporting biodiversity through community-led greening strategies at local government levels. Attendees were invited to upcoming campaign meetings and Get Ready Day on Sat 10 Oct.

Campaigning itself is pretty fun (for campaigners, anyway), but many community members want easy and meaningful ways to contribute to conservation or to engage in the democratic process. That's why we make sure we do fun things, as well! Examples this year included: the Townsville Mayoral Candidates Forum, the Queensland Community Alliance Assembly, Youth Advocacy Workshops, Clean-up for Wildlife, and of course, Green Drinks.

Attendees were invited to an upcoming clean-up event at Lou Lister Park.

NQCC has also put in a concerted effort this year to grow and deepen connections and partnerships with First Nations peoples, groups and causes. Examples included the Reconciliation Week workshop with TMSG, a renewable energy workshop with Traditional Owners/Custodians, and a walk on Country with Uncle Russell Butler. 

Looking ahead, there was a commitment to continue to:

• Influence environmental outcomes through advocacy;
• Inform policy-makers and community members about environmental issues;
• Connect individuals with opportunities to take meaningful action for nature and climate;
• Respect First Nations knowledge, rights, and connection to Country; and
• Strengthen our financial and organisational resilience.

We'll also be reviewing our strategic plan for 2027-2030!

The evening closed out with our raffle draw and mingling over pizza, drinks and carrot cake (because, why not?).

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped us to fulfil our legal obligations - we enjoyed your company! A special shoutout goes to the volunteers who helped set up, pack down and keep us fed and watered - particularly Dave, Peter, Monita, Amaya, Rooka and David. Thanks for helping us put on another great AGM! ✨

Crystal (NQCC Coordinator) and Tamara (NQCC President)