Ok, so this month may not have reached the heights of excitement experienced last month, but July has still been a busy time for us. Much like a duck paddling away under water whilst floating calmly along the surface, we've been working quietly yet furiously behind the scenes. So, while we have no exciting events to reminisce upon this month, we hope you'll enjoy this rather informative edition of Paperbark, containing some important updates on some of our biggest campaigns.

Also, if you've been attempting to limit your use of plastics this month, well done! The most important step is raising awareness around how prevalent it is in our lives and how dangerous it can be for the environment. Feeling overwhelmed by the endeavour to reduce your impact? Read this article.

In this edition:

• Polystyrene balls on Magnetic Island
• "One in a Billion" - Starting Conversations
• National Parks campaign update
• Toolakea Beach Development Submission
• JCU Intern Placements at NQCC
• August Green Drinks
• AGM coming up!

Our AGM on Monday 19 September drew a good attendance. David Sewell, with an established reputation, did not dissapoint with his portable pizza oven.

Gail Hamilton chaired the first part of the meeting, presented her own presidential report and introduced the Annual Report prepared by Maree Dibella before her departure from the co-ordinator’s role. The usual financial reports were presented and accepted, and Russell Kelly introduced himself to the members before reporting on what he has done in his first two weeks as co-ordinator.

Russell then took the chair for the election, at which Wendy Tubman was appointed, unopposed, to the position of President. Welcome back, and welcome to your new role, Wendy!

NQCC is supported by a Management Committee and two part-time staff members, who are often assisted by willing volunteers. Read on to get to know some of the people behind our organisation!

Staff

Crystal Falknau - Coordinator
[email protected]

Crystal has always been driven to protect nature, and has been involved with NQCC since 2017, shortly after moving to Gurambilbarra (Townsville) from Toowoomba. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Environment and Sustainability) from USQ and is particularly curious about the intersection of policy, education, First Nations perspectives and community in approaches to long-term environmental protection. 

Crystal's involvement with NQCC has given her a deep appreciation for good governance, healthy organisational culture, strong community connections and supporting emerging local leaders. Her approach to leadership and community organising is influenced by her ongoing connections with WELA and the Qld Community Alliance. 

Her overarching goal is to build community power in North Queensland for a flourishing environment and sustainable future. 

She loves hiking and has visited over 100 National Parks throughout Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand with her partner. Her other main passion is martial arts, though she takes a non-violent approach to fighting climate change and environmental destruction.

This position replaces our "Campaigns Manager" role, previously filled by Simon Cheers (April 2020 - April 2021) and Tarquin Moon (April 2018 - April 2020). We would like to thank our previous staff members for their contributions to our organisation.

Coordinators throughout the last fifteen years have included Jeremy Tager, Carol Booth, James McLellan, Gail Hamilton, Wendy Tubman, Maree Dibella (2016-17) and Russell Kelly (2017).

Management Committee (2022/23)

Chris Pam - President
[email protected]

Chris is trained as an anthropologist and is currently working as a facilitator in the JCU Respect Program. Some of her previous research has focused on community understandings of climate change in the Pacific. Chris has been concerned about social justice and environmental issues for many years and is keen to work on climate justice campaigns with others in the North Queensland community.

Tamara Inkster-Draper - Vice President

Tamara is North Queensland born and raised and spent childhood holidays and weekends on Magnetic Island.

Over the last 10 years she's built a career around international climate action and advocacy. She currently manages the International Climate Politics Hub, a global network of experts and activists working to build diplomatic pressure for greater climate action by leveraging national and international narratives and opportunities. Previously, Tamara has worked for the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership's (CISL) and the Prince of Wales's Corporate Leaders Group, supporting the transition to a sustainable, zero-carbon economy through engagement with business, governments, policymakers, and other experts. Prior to CISL, Tamara worked for the then Department of Agriculture on Climate Change Mitigation Policy and Carbon farming.

Tamara holds a PhD from James Cook University, where her research looked at the impacts of climate change on Tropical Biodiversity. During her research and field work Tamara was privileged to become intimately familiar with the North Queensland Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, The YUS Conservation Area in Papua New Guinea, and Danum Valley in Borneo.

Peter Hanley - Vice President

Peter Hanley has lived in North Queensland for more than 30 years. His interests include human rights, social justice, sustainability and community development, with a particular penchant for creative performances to educate and inform. Peter is also a convenor of the Amnesty International Townsville branch and writes a blog, "True North".

Amaya Hytch - Secretary

Amaya grew up on Durumbal Country in so-called Rockhampton and has always had a love of regional Queensland. They moved to Townsville at the end of 2020 for university and will be finishing up their Bachelor of Laws degree at James Cook University in 2023. She is particularly passionate about connecting young people to the climate crisis and ensuring that young and regional voices are heard in places of decision-making. In their free time Amaya enjoys reading, cuddling with her dogs Feyre and Farley and doing sudoku puzzles.

Amaya is currently volunteering as the Townsville Organiser for the Australian Youth Climate Coalition and is also the secretary for the James Cook University Law Student Society.

Madeline Price - Treasurer 

Growing up in rural Queensland on Gubbi Gubbi country, Madeline (she/they) is an experienced community organiser with a passion for for community development, locally-led activism, climate justice and people-powered change. Working in the social change space for the past ten years, Madeline has a history in the environmental movement with Tipping Point (supporting School Strike 4 Climate and Move Beyond Coal) and the Australian Conservation Foundation, feminist and intersectional gender justice with the One Woman Project, and international development with the Pacific Judicial Strengthening Initiative. Madeline is new to Townsville, moving here in 2021 with her partner, two dogs and daughter.

General Committee Members

John Connell

John has spent 30 years working with livelihood development projects in southeast Asia, and has a strong commitment to ensuring everyone has a 'fair go'. This work has involved identifying 'entry points' and 'pathways' that engage both smallholder farmers and local government officials in change. These sort of skills might help NQCC in development of new public campaigns.   

Andrea Ubillús

Andrea moved to North Queensland in 2018 from Peru, after finishing her Bachelors Degree in Economics and gaining some experience in finance and accounting. She has done some travelling and lived in a few different countries, developing a passion for conscious travel around the world. She now has a special interest in the impact of human activities in protected areas, and in protecting nature, culture and traditions. Andrea joined the Management Committee in 2021.

Angela Egan

Townsville has been Angela’s home for over 20 years. Originally coming to the region with the Australian Army, Angela remained in Townsville to study medicine at James Cook University, and has worked in various areas of healthcare throughout the region.

Now working as part of a specialist surgical team, conducting major heart and lung surgery, Angela is passionate about heart health and preventative medicine, which includes addressing the social determinates of health. As a doctor, Angela felt empowered to act, and stood as an independent candidate for Herbert in the 2022 Federal Election, to highlight the threat of global warming on the health of people and the planet we all depend on.

Angela has recently joined NQCC as a committee member to continue advocating for these issues, because all of our futures depend on it.

Bill Kennedy

Bill left NORQEB as Deputy CEO in 1999, then became a Community Advisor for the Department of Natural Resources, working with the Burdekin, Atherton Tablelands and Thursday Island groups on water and environment issues. Bill was a fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and the Institute of Company Directors, and has worked with a broad range of not-for-profit organisations during his career. He has travelled in over 60 countries, plays several musical instruments and likes to whack a golf ball every week!

Volunteers

NQCC’s task would be harder without the assistance of many other volunteers. If you would like to offer your skills for a short or long term, please click here.

We have a great team of volunteers who assist with events as they occur. We also want to acknowledge the wonderful contribution of regular volunteers:

• Presiding over NQCC’s Public Fund are Sue O'Brien, Sue Cole, Bernadette Boscacci, Cam Leitch and Madeline Price.
• Malcolm Tattersall has been a website/IT volunteer and a photographer at many events since 2014.
• David McMillan has offered his graphic design and quizmaster skills since 2018.
• Other fantastic long-term volunteers we'd like to acknowledge include Manuela Andreatta, Tash Henderson, David Cassells, Cam Leitch and Linda Davis.

Welcome to the June Paperbark. In this issue: membership due – new committee members – SGM outcome – Adani campaign news – Kevin’s Corner court case – mine rehabilitation reform – Wet Tropics review – upcoming events.

News

Membership due

Thank you to our members who have already renewed their membership, and welcome to the new members who have recently signed up.