What do Michelle Dyer (social scientist and stand-up comedian), Liz Downes (2020 Queensland Volunteer of the Year), Les Bandt (the man who invented the ute in 1933), and the Aquapella world music choir all have in common? 

Green Drinks will be held at the NQCC office again on Thursday 19th September! Would you like to know how our Waterways are doing? Come along for your chance to learn about current activities of the Healthy Waters Partnership Dry Tropics. They will be talking with us about the new Waterways Report Card (2024). We will provide food for a small entry fee of $10 and drinks by donation. Don't forget to bring your containers for leftovers. Newcomers always welcome!

The Whirlybird by Luna Prince

I poked my head out from under the house, resting my hands on the old metal gate. A loud silence had come over the usually busy street corner. The palm trees across the road were swaying to a song only they could hear. What had been glowing under a fiery sunset just moments before, was now covered in grey. Night had come and the wind was picking up. Kirrily was close.

All day my thoughts had been racing, imagining what may or may not be. I filled the hours preparing or restlessly waiting but mostly keeping busy to distract myself from the looming threat. This was my first summer on the northern coast and I was determined to make it my home. Summer days had spoiled me with lush green trees, dips in crystal clear waters, and an abundance of flowers and fresh fruit. But they also promised extreme weather.

Townsville's urban forest is an invaluable asset to the city. Our trees and other vegetation provide shade, shelter and habitat, prevent erosion, mitigate the impacts of flooding and store carbon. They are arguably our best weapon for adapting to climate change and preventing biodiversity loss.

The 2022 federal election demonstrated that Australians want stronger action on climate change. We have seen some shifts in the right direction, but we know that there is more to be done to ensure our country plays its part in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. 

NQCC's newly formed Climate Action Townsville (CAT) group is a fantastic opportunity for individuals and local organisations to come together and act on Climate Change.

This group is an opportunity for you to step up your role in the climate movement in Townsville and North Queensland!

It wouldn't be the start of the silly season without our Annual Trivia Night Fundraiser! This month we invited members and supporters to join us for a night of fun and frivolity, and what a night we had!

This month, NQCC and local tree advocates arranged a meeting with the Townsville Mayor and relevant council staff. Crystal and Joanne met with Mayor Jenny Hill, Matt Richardson (Construction, Maintenance and Operations) and Greg Bruce (Environmental Services) to discuss a way forward with a better process for caring for Townsville's trees.

In Townsville, we marked World Wetlands Day by inviting organisations involved in wetland conservation to share their work with interested members of the community. We are so grateful for the contributions of NQ Dry Tropics, Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare, Wongaloo Conservation Park and the Townsville Dry Tropics Partnership for Healthy Waters, whose representatives volunteered their time to share valuable relevant information with us.

We live in one of the most beautiful locations in the world with the iconic Great Barrier Reef Marine Park right on our doorstep, along with many other fragile ecosystems that provide shelter and food for marine animals including many endangered species. Unfortunately these ecosystems and marine animals are under threat not only from the effects of climate change but also from marine debris.