It's halfway through 2024 and I am so stoked with the support we've received so far this year! 

Thank you so much to everyone who got behind our EOFY appeal last month! Thanks to your generosity, we raised over $7,500, which will go directly into delivering our current projects and campaigns. Miss the 30 June deadline? No problem - we accept donations all year round! Visit our donation page to learn how to donate today.

NAIDOC Week is also upon us this week, so be sure to get along to a local event if you can to show your support for this important week. 

June was an incredible month, and July is full of fantastic opportunities to make a difference, connect with others, gain new skills, get inspired and fill your cup! Please enjoy this edition of Paperbark.

- Crystal, NQCC Coordinator

In this edition:

• Get Involved
  • Join a Story Circle!
  • Energy Champions Training
  • Green Drinks
  • Movie Screening: Walanbaa Ngiiyani
• NQCC Updates
  
  • NQCC at Ecofiesta
  • ReefClean at Secret Beach
  • Healthy Waters Partnership update
  • Garage Sale Fundraiser
  • Local MPs Support Townsville Alliance
  • Gawara Baya EPBC Approval
• Other Opportunities
  
  • Parents for Climate Action meet & greet
  • MINCA Creative Writing Comp
  • Goondaloo Creek Working Bee
  • Community Cabinet in Townsville
  • Eye on the Reef: new and improved
  • Renter Energy Survey
  • Volunteer with us!

GET INVOLVED

Join a Story Circle

June saw us host our first two Story Circles, where we heard personal stories from locals impacted by climate change. These stories are invaluable to our campaign addressing Heat & Hazards in North Queensland, and we appreciate your time and trust!

If you are interested in participating (or know someone who is), sign up to the mailing list or contact us directly. LEARN MORE AND INVITE FRIENDS

Energy Champions Training!

Are you a champion of renewable energy? Are you keen to learn more about the potential benefits of renewable energy for Townsville? This free, full-day, in-person training is for everyone, and an opportunity not to be missed! LEARN MORE & REGISTER

When: 9am - 5pm Saturday 13th July
Where: JCU Bebegu Yumba campus, Douglas

The NEW Green Drinks

Exciting news - Green Drinks will be held at NQCC this month! Come along for your chance to hear from Permaculture Townsville.

We will provide food for a small entry fee of $10 and drinks by donation. We also still have lots of $2 books from our Garage Sale Fundraiser for you to take home. Keep an eye on your inbox and the Townsville Green Drinks Facebook group for updates, and help us spread the word! RSVP & INVITE FRIENDS

When: 6pm Thursday 18th July
Where: NQCC office, 114 Boundary St, Railway Estate

Movie Screening

We have a new date for our film screening, which is a new chance for you to mark it in your calendar! NQCC is joining with Move Beyond Coal to bring you an intimate backyard screening of Walanbaa Ngiiyani: Stronger Together. This short documentary shows how incredible bonds of solidary are formed in the fight to protect Country and climate and build a powerful shared resistance. RSVP

When: 5:30 - 7:30pm Friday 2nd August
Where: NQCC office

NQCC UPDATES

NQCC at Ecofiesta

We had the great pleasure to be part of this year's Eco Fiesta at Anderson Gardens. What a beautiful place and what a great community event. Together with our amazing volunteers we spoke to almost a hundred people about Heat & Hazards and North Queensland's renewable energy transition. Read more here.

ReefClean at Secret Beach

In honour of World Oceans Day we cleaned up the Secret Beach in South Townsville. A big thank you to the amazing volunteers! We removed about 19kg of rubbish, including sanitary products, fishing lines and food packaging. We will be joining Tangaroa Blue for their next clean-up in September and we hope to see you there. 

Healthy Waters Partnership Update

The Healthy Waters Partnership Dry Tropics (formerly Dry Tropics Partnership for Healthy Waters) is getting close to the release of their latest water quality report card, and we're so excited!

They are also looking for a new Communications Officer to replace the wonderful Sam Gibbs. Applications close 12th July. Apply here.

Garage Sale Fundraiser

Thank you so much to all the donors, supporters, and volunteers! Your readiness to gift was truly overwhelming and we know it came from the heart. We are currently auctioning off some last items and have shared what was left behind with other charities. There are still some books at the office, if you'd like to come around for another browse.  

Gawara Baya Receives EPBC Approval

Gawara Baya (formerly "Upper Burdekin") Wind Farm received its environmental approvals last month, despite the project's potential impact on threatened species habitat.

We support a transition to renewables that benefits regional and First Nations communities, but we are deeply concerned that this decision could set a precedent, and this sensitive area will be opened up to further development. Read more here.

Local MPs Support Alliance

Leaders from the Townsville Community Alliance recently met with three local MPs - Les Walker, Scott Stewart and Aaron Harper. We introduced our alliance and our approach to addressing cost of living locally. This was received very positively, and we were buoyed by their support. We will continue to meet with a range of local decision-makers in the coming weeks.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Parents for Climate Action

Are you a passionate parent, grandparent or carer concerned about climate change and eager to make a difference in your community? Don’t miss this online Meet & Greet event for Townsville and Surrounds Parents for Climate Action! Register here.

When: 8pm Thursday 11th July
Where: Online (register for the zoom link)

Environmental Writing Competition

Magnetic Island Nature Care Association (MINCA) invites you to get creative and write about the beautiful environment on Yunbenun! Entries close on 31st July. Learn more here.

Goondaloo Creek Working Bee

Join Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare for a working bee at the beautiful Goondaloo Creek site! Make the most of the cool weather for a free workout in the company of native wildlife and fellow nature-lovers. Learn more about Townsville's Landcare sites here.

When: 8 - 10am Saturday 20th July
Where: Discovery Drive, JCU – Opposite Vet Sciences and Tech NQ

Community Cabinet in Townsville

On Wednesday 10th July, Community Cabinet will be in Townsville, providing opportunities to share your ideas with a Minister (or two) in a 15-minute face-to-face meeting. Don't miss this chance to have your say! Request a meeting here. 

Eye on the Reef

The Reef Authority's Eye on the Reef is new and improved, so if you're heading out and would like to contribute to valuable citizen science, make sure it's in your pocket! Learn about Eye on the Reef here. 

Energy Survey for Renters

Help Energetic Communities Association understand renters' knowledge of energy efficiency and any opportunities or disadvantages they see to the implementation of minimum standards for rental properties. Your responses will be used anonymously for their campaign advocacy for improving the rights of renters. Complete the survey here. 

Volunteer With Us!

Volunteers help us achieve so much, and allow us to continually punch above our weight! Volunteering with us can help you to build new skills, gain experience, meet like-minded people and make a meaningful difference! 

Follow the link below to check out current volunteering opportunities or to join our WhatsApp group, where you'll receive real-time updates!

Not sure how to help out? Contact us directly via email or phone and we'll connect you with an opportunity that suits your interests and availability. SEE OUR VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES HERE

Like what you've read? Much of our work is supported by one-off or monthly donations from supporters like you. 

All donations over $2 are tax-deductible and go directly towards our projects and campaigns. Visit our donation page to learn how to donate online or via direct debit, or become a monthly donor! Your support goes a long way.

Do you have something you'd like to see in our next edition of Paperbark? Reply to this email with all the details! 

We work on the lands of the Wulgurukaba and Bindal Peoples, and acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of all North Queensland nations. First Nations sovereignty was never ceded. North Queensland always was and always will be Aboriginal land.