We’re excited to welcome Max Lenoy as our special guest for the first Green Drinks of 2026.

Max is widely known for his work in Indigenous education and cultural advocacy. He holds a Bachelor of Education (Primary) from JCU and a Master of Education from Harvard University, with a focus on technology and innovation in education.

But Max is much more than his qualifications. He is deeply embedded in the Queensland community – serving on various boards and committees, including the North Queensland Employment Service (Deputy Chair), Queensland Youth Services (Chair) and Yumba Meta Ltd. He has previously served as a non-executive Director of the State Library of Queensland and chaired its First Nations Advisory Committee.

He’s also a creative and cultural contributor – performing in theatre productions, featuring in the TheatreiNQ PlayGround Writers Festival, and delivering a powerful TEDxTownsville talk, “Connecting with Country,” exploring how connection to land shapes identity and belonging.

Max joined the NQCC Management Committee at the 2025 AGM, and we’re thrilled to have him share his perspective as an educator, community leader, artist and change maker.

Green Drinks is a relaxed, informal space to connect with others who care about the environmental future of our region. No membership necessary, no pressure – just good conversations about what matters.

Come along, bring a friend, and help us kick off 2026 together. Please RSVP, to make venue booking easier. 

For National Heat Awareness Day, NQCC spent the morning at the markets talking with the community about something we all know well in North Queensland: heat. A big thank you to our wonderful volunteers who came along and had thoughtful conversations with people about how heat shapes daily life in Townsville.

2026 is off to a fantastic start for the North Queensland Conservation Council, and JCU Market Day set the tone beautifully. The campus was buzzing, the stalls were packed, and we were thrilled to meet so many students eager to get involved.

Five years ago, an independent review of Australia's federal nature laws found that they were failing. This week, the EPBC Act has finally been overhauled, after negotiations between the Labor Government and the Greens resulted in changes that have been labelled "transformative" and "historic". There is still work to be done, but a sigh of relief right now is justified.

While history is being made in federal politics, in the Hinchinbrook Channel, history is set to repeat itself.

Long-term NQCC members might remember the courageous yet ultimately unsuccessful fight against the development of Port Hinchinbrook. Decades of environmental disturbance and decay have ensued. Now, the State Government is looking to revitalise the area and dredge up the past. That can't happen on our watch. Making a submission takes a few minutes, but could make a world of difference. 

Thank you for your support throughout this massive month! It's been exciting, and we love sharing it with you.

- Crystal, NQCC Coordinator

Last Saturday, the Townsville Senior Citizens Centre was buzzing with energy as 111 players across 15 teams battled it out at NQCC’s Trivia Night 2025. It was our biggest trivia night to date — and what a night it was!

Having just recently returned from meetings, roundtables, workshops and an Alliance Convention in Meanjin/Brisbane, I am equal parts exhausted and inspired. 

There are remarkable, intelligent, compassionate and hard-working people all across this state who are dedicated to our natural world and protecting it in perpetuity. When we collaborate and put our strengths together, we are powerful - and I'm so privileged to get to see it in action!

What's even better is returning home to the (hot!) dry tropics and seeing NQCC's own remarkable community in action! 

As I prepare to hit the road for a short break, Luna is organising NQCC's upcoming Mayoral Candidates' Forum, which is shaping up to be an event not to be missed! If you can lend a hand or spare some cash to help bring it to life, I know it would be appreciated!

Thanks for all that you do. 

- Crystal, NQCC Coordinator

While most stalls at Get Ready Day at Riverway baked bravely in the sun, NQCC found itself in a rare paradise: a shady tree that became a beacon of relief for passers-by. Ironically, our theme was heat - one of the most underestimated and deadly natural hazards in Australia.

On a quiet Friday evening, our community came together for a special screening of The Way Out - a film that invites us to slow down, reflect, and rediscover what truly sustains us.

Hosted by the North Queensland Conservation Council (NQCC) and supported by Queensland Mental Health Week, the event offered a rare space to connect mindfulness and climate care - two things deeply intertwined in our collective wellbeing.

Around 20 locals gathered for our final Green Drinks of the year to hear from Diana Condylas of Plastic Free Townsville (Boomerang Alliance). It was an evening filled with important updates, practical ideas, and great conversation about how we can all help create a low-waste future - at home, in our workplaces, and across the community.