There have certainly been some challenging times this month. The referendum saw a powerful build up of positive momentum, but we see now just how much work is left to do towards First Nations justice - particularly here in North Queensland. Rejection of an Indigenous Voice to Parliament has made us even more determined to listen, learn and be guided by some of the oldest living cultures in the world. From the feedback we've received from so many of you, we know this determination is shared. 

With September coming to a close, we're hitting a spicy time of year! We're in full swing preparing for our upcoming AGM, making submissions, meeting with Council, presenting to community groups and mobilising in the lead-up to the Voice to Parliament referendum!

I hope this finds you well!

I have just returned from the Queensland Environment Minister's Roundtable - the first for the new Minister, Leanne Linard. Here, we pushed for strong leadership on climate and habitat protection, and walked the new Minister through the detail and nuance of our issues. Linard listened intently, and left with a clear understanding of the state of Queensland's environment and the strength of our movement.  

Firstly, a big thank you to everyone who dug deep throughout our EOFY Appeal, helping us to hit our $5,000 fundraising target! Combined with the powerful impact of our monthly donors, this generous response makes us excited to grow bigger and bolder, knowing we have a passionate supporter base in our corner! (Donate anytime here!) 

As I write this, the 2022/23 financial year is coming to a close (where did it go?!) and NAIDOC Week is just around the corner. This year's theme is "For Our Elders". If you haven't found some events or other ways to get involved yet, you can hit up the NAIDOC website for events and resources!

In the beautiful Anderson Gardens, Townsville locals and visitors enjoyed the sights, tastes and activities of Townsville City Council's massive biennial community event, Our Townsville.

I am pleased to share with you that as an organisation, the North Queensland Conservation Council has decided to support the YES campaign in the upcoming referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.

NQCC has worked to protect the environment of the North Queensland region for almost 50 years. We can be proud of that. However, it’s humbling to recognise that these lands and waters, and everything that lives within them, have been cared for since time immemorial by Aboriginal Peoples. As an organisation, we recognise that colonial practices continue to inflict immense harm upon Country and First Nations Peoples. If we want a better future for both, moving forward, then we need to be part of the solution and not part of the problem. That starts with listening.

When some members of NQCC's Management Committee heard Dr Janine Gertz speak about the journey from the Uluru Dialogues and the Uluru Statement From the Heart to the referendum for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, they knew that our community would benefit from hearing the story too. We were thrilled when Dr Gertz accepted our invitation to present to our members, and were even happier at the interest the event received!

As we welcome the cooler weather here in the tropics, the local events calendar is starting to heat up - exciting times ahead!

Hopefully you have found a way to celebrate Reconciliation Week, whether by attending an event, starting conversations with friends or exploring some of the resources available online.

The big news out of the past few weeks of course, is the appointment of Leanne Linard as Queensland's Minister for the Environment and Great Barrier Reef, Science and Multicultural Affairs. This poses an opportunity to impress upon her the importance of this portfolio and to highlight our region's environmental challenges and opportunities. 

In this edition of Paperbark, you will find plenty of ways to support our work - by volunteering with us, attending our events, or by donating to our End of Financial Year appeal! Thank you for whatever it is you do to support our work. Enjoy the read!

- Crystal, NQCC Coordinator 

In this edition:

• NQCC Updates
  
  • NQCC 50th Birthday Project
  • Our Townsville - community event
  • Listening Campaign
  • Burdekin Update
  • EOFY appeal
• In Other News
  • Upper Burdekin Wind Farm Update
  • Reef Snapshot
  • Channel Country campaign

The next 12-18 months will see the replacement of the Burdekin Basin Water Plan get into full swing, and the recent announcement of a Regional Water Assessment means that the mechanisms might just be in place to protect the mighty Burdekin from the threats of over-development.