Welcome to the July Paperbark! Check out all the wonderful events happening around our community this month! NQCC is recruiting - an ad will appear on Ethical Jobs over the coming days. If you are interested in joining the NQCC team, email NQCC President Gail Hamilton at [email protected]

News

‘Chasing Coral’ film event

NQCC is proud to be delivering a local screening of the internationally acclaimed documentary ‘Chasing Coral’. This film records coral beaching around the world using time lapse cinematography. After the film there will be a Q&A panel with Dr Charlie Veron who is featured in the film, Tony Fontes who is a dive instructor and Reef campaigner from Airlie Beach, and Dr David Wachenfeld who is the Director of the Reef Recovery Program at GBRMPA. A must-see event!

Where: James Cook University, Medical Lecture Theatre 45.002
When: 6:30pm for 7pm start
Click here to RSVP for your FREE ticket!

Kevin’s Corner court case decision

On 4 July the Queensland Land Court handed down its decision to uphold the mining lease and environmental authority for the Kevin’s Corner coal mine in the Galilee Basin. NQCC commenced legal action in 2015 challenging that the cumulative impact assessment was not properly conducted. Read our full media release and background information here.

Plastic Free July 

We are now well into Plastic Free July, where people take the challenge to eliminate or reduce their single-use plastic consumption. NQCC member and volunteer Priscilla Peto wrote about her experiences last year. Check out her story here. It’s not too late to change your plastic habits! Click here for more info on Plastic Free July.

Campaigns

Mine rehabilitation review

The Queensland Government is taking strong action to reduce the risk of taxpayers footing the bill to clean up mine sites, and to ensure that mine sites are properly rehabilitated to community expectations.

NQCC made a submission to the review. This post contains our key points and two local case studies - Ben Lomond and Kidston.

Adani Senate Inquiries

There are two Adani-related Senate inquiries occurring at the moment. Larissa Waters introduced a Stop Adani Bill, seeking to address issues related to the Adani Mine and to strengthen environmental law and to review Adani’s existing approval. To read more and make your own submission by 14 July, click here.

There is also an inquiry into the governance and operation of the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility, which as we know, is doing the due diligence for $1 billion of taxpayers’ money to be loaned to Adani to build the railway from the mine to port. Submissions are due 28 July and there will be a public hearing in Cairns on 24 August. For more information about making a submission, click here.

Events

11 July – film screening of ‘Guarding the Galilee’ by Stop Adani Magnetic Island

View the documentary presented by Queensland born actor Michael Caton, "Guarding the Galilee" have a drink, and hang around for a chat. A few local members of the #StopAdani Magnetic Island group will introduce the film and stay for post-film discussion.

Where: RSL Hall, Arcadia, Magnetic Island
When: 6:30pm

13 July – Commonwealth Bank action by Stop Adani Townsville

Wear your Stop Adani T-shirt and send a clear message to Commbank: DON'T fund fossil fuels and RULE OUT any funding for the Adani Carmichael Mine. 

Where: Commonwealth Bank, Willows
When: 12 noon

14 July – book launch of Charlie Veron’s memoir: A Life Underwater

Local marine biologist and grandfather of coral, Dr Charlie Veron, has had his memoir published. Pre-publication copies of the book will be available from Mary Who? Bookshop from Friday onwards.

Where: Mary Who? Bookshop
When: 5:30-7:30pm
More information about the book launch here.

15 July - special film screening "Chasing Coral" hosted by NQCC
Chasing Coral is an upcoming documentary featuring Townsville local, Dr. Charlie Veron, the godfather of coral.
This film captures time-lapse footage of coral bleaching and with its impressive balance of artistry, suspense and urgency, Chasing Coral poignantly reveals the imminent ecological dangers threatening the globe. Watch the trailer here.

Where: James Cook University, Medical Lecture Theatre 45.002
When: 6:30pm for 7pm start
Click here to RSVP for your FREE ticket! 

17 July – General meeting (members only)

Members have been notified already about a general members’ meeting. Please RSVP here.

17 July – Australian Coral Reef Society Public Event

Come and enjoy displays about the reef and chat to Australia’s leading and emerging reef scientists in a relaxed atmosphere. Following this there will be a beautiful performance piece – Dangerous Song Blue.

Where: Rydges Hotel, Townsville
When: 6:30pm
Click here for more info and to book tickets.

23 July - Wildlife Queensland Townsville branch July field trip

A tour with Jon Luly along the road to Jerona, a settlement near the mouth of Barratta Creek. The coastal third of Jerona Road traverses the Bowling Green Bay Section of Bowling Green Bay National Park. There will be stops at points of interest along the way so that Jon can show the landscape, vegetation and wildlife that he knows so well.

Where: meet at Greenacres Roadhouse
When: 8:45am
More details available here.

12 and 26 July – Boomerang Bags

Every second and fourth Wednesday afternoon of the month, volunteers meet to sew reuseable shopping bags from donated materials. Doesn't matter if you are young or old, can or can't sew! Come along and get involved with this project!

Where: NQCC Office, 114 Boundary Street, Railway Estate
When: 3:30-5:30pm

5 August – Mundy Creek Landcare

The Mundy Creek Landcare group meet on the first Saturday afternoon each month. The goal is to regenerate, revitalize, protect, and maintain the ecological and cultural values of Mundy Creek and the natureway.

Where: meeting point is Mundy Creek, Garbutt
When: 4pm
More information available here.

General

Membership

Have you renewed your membership yet? Would you like to become a member of NQCC? Click here to join our organisation!

Powershift Youth Climate Summit

A call out to all young people, aged 15–30, living in North Queensland who care about a safe climate and a just and sustainable future. Over July 22–24 in Melbourne, 700 young Australians from across the country will have the opportunity to gather at Power Shift, one of Australia’s largest youth climate justice events, to hear inspiring speakers, to train in communication and campaign organising, and to meet and network with passionate young people from across the country.

Run by the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) and Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Climate Network, this summit will focus on Stop Adani, the campaign to prevent the disastrous coal project on the Great Barrier Reef, threatening our sick Reef and opening up millions of tonnes worth of coal which will spell game over for our climate.

AYCC and Seed are committed to making this event accessible to folks from regional areas who ordinarily may not have the opportunity to attend, so they are making 2 free tickets available (ordinarily $150ea) to any young networks of NQCC who think this is the event for them. Send an email to Robin at [email protected] by Thursday July 13, quoting 'NQCC' to claim.

Website upgrade
Our website is under renovations at the moment, so please be patient if it looks a little different than usual or if there are any glitches. We are also in the process of redesigning our logo -- watch this space, soon we will have a completely new digital presence. A HUGE thank you to our web project team of volunteers - Malcolm, Justin and Shannon - who are doing great work transitioning our site.

Wanted:
environmentally conscious house, dog and farm sitter, 30km from Townsville, initially just for weekends but perhaps longer periods later. Payment negotiable. Contact David or Lindy ph :47805567, 0437544375.

That's all for July folks.

Yours naturally,
Maree
NQCC Coordinator