Volunteer Archives - CAFNEC

Turning Tides: Community Voices Rise for Climate and Nature

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 03:31:32 +0000

With the 2025 Federal Election fading into the rearview, we turn to reflect on the ripples we set into motion—and the horizon that now unfolds before us. In Far North Queensland, the electorate of Leichhardt witnessed a quiet yet powerful groundswell: a community-led, non-partisan campaign that brought climate action and nature protection to the forefront of public consciousness. The campaign aimed not to sway votes toward any political party, but to ensure that the issues of climate resilience, biodiversity, and renewable energy were top of mind as voters stepped into the ballot box. Through heartfelt conversations at doorsteps, information shared at early voting booths, and a commitment to respectful engagement, this movement became a local expression of a broader national shift: one where climate policy, or the lack thereof, is now a defining issue for many voters and where a growing portion of the electorate prioritises climate champions at the ballot box.

A defining moment of the campaign was the Reef, Climate and Energy Forum, co-hosted with AMCS, Divers for Climate, and the Queensland Conservation Council. This milestone event placed climate resilience and nature conservation firmly in the spotlight, offering the community a vital platform to engage directly and ask pressing questions about the future of our region. While it was disappointing that three candidates declined the opportunity to speak on their climate policies, their absence spoke volumes. Despite this, the forum was a resounding success—drawing nearly 100 attendees and securing widespread media coverage across print, radio, and television.

One of the most powerful tactics used was deep canvassing through door knocking. Over 10 weeks, volunteers knocked on 1,084 doors across six Cairns suburbs, holding 348 conversations that explored people’s views on extreme weather, renewable energy, and climate solutions. These were not scripted pitches, but genuine discussions shaped by listening and mutual respect.

The campaign began with a volunteer launch party that attracted 30 attendees, building momentum and community spirit. Over the course of the campaign, 13 volunteers were trained in deep canvassing techniques, with the effort supported by two dedicated field campaigners. Through these efforts 110 Climate Action Now signs were put up and 67 letters to the local candidates advocating for stronger climate policies were sent. In addition, more than 1,000 flyers were distributed and letterboxed, underscoring the need for sound climate mitigation and adaptation policies from the local candidates.

In the final stages of the campaign, CAFNEC volunteers distributed 6,000 climate and nature scorecards during the two weeks of early voting and on election day. These non-partisan materials helped voters understand where major parties stood on key environmental issues. 36 volunteers, including 6 recruited through the Senior Citizens Association, ensured that the scorecards reached a wide audience at early voting centres and polling booths across Cairns.

The results of the federal election nationally reflected a growing public demand for meaningful climate action. As reported by the ABC, voters across Australia demonstrated strong support for renewable energy over nuclear power, and many electorates—including Leichhardt—saw significant swings away from parties that have historically resisted ambitious climate policy. Looking ahead, this campaign is a powerful reminder that communities can shape the conversation and create space for policies that protect nature and people. But this is only the beginning. As Australia accelerates its shift to renewables, it is critical that new projects are well planned, sited responsibly to avoid harming natural ecosystems, and are developed with meaningful consultation with local communities and First Nations peoples. Renewable energy must deliver net-positive outcomes—not just for the climate, but for biodiversity, community wellbeing, and cultural integrity. CAFNEC’s campaign has shown that when members of the same community come together and dare to reach outside their own bubble, they can move the dial on some of the most important issues of our time.

The post Turning Tides: Community Voices Rise for Climate and Nature appeared first on CAFNEC.

Join us for CAFNEC’s Community Water Forum on October 20th!

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 05:44:40 +0000

Join us for our Community Water Forum on October 20th!

CAFNEC would like to invite you to our Community Water Forum!

20 October 2022

CAFNEC is hosting a Community Water Forum on October 20th. This forum will give us the opportunity to share our learnings with our community, hear from stakeholders, and provide a space for everyone to have their questions answered and voices heard.

Details:

Where: JCU Campus Smithfield – Room A3.001

When: October 20th, 5:30 PM – 7:30PM

For context, the rough agenda is as follows:

1. The water security issue in our local context

2. The proposed solutions – Cairns Water Security Strategy – Stage 1 Proposal, Demand Management

3. Hearing from key stakeholders: risks & opportunities

4. Q&A

You will be hearing from speakers from the Cairns Regional Council, CAFNEC, Water Sensitive Cities Australia and Queensland Conservation Council.

Registration is not required, however, if you would like to stay up to date on the issue, please express your interest on the link below.

The post Join us for CAFNEC’s Community Water Forum on October 20th! appeared first on CAFNEC.

Join us for our first ‘Move for our environment’ fundraiser!

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 04:07:13 +0000

Join us for our first ‘Move for our environment’ peer to peer fundraiser!

Bike, Walk or Swim for the protection of our environment

1-31 October

This October CAFNEC is hosting its first ‘Move for our environment’ fundraiser. Did you know that people are most likely to donate to their friends and family? So, move for our environment is the perfect opportunity to ask your friends and family to donate to your cause.

We have something for everyone – beginner through to expert. While the physical challenge only starts in October, choose your activity and goal and get your training and fundraising started right after you have signed up.

How to get started:

Step 1: Check out our ‘Move for our environment’ website -> insert website

Step 2: Sign up for free, choose your activity and goal and get your very own fundraising page

Step 3: Now you are all set up! Get started by sharing your page and cause with your friends and family. Ask them to support you by donating to your fundraiser.

Step 4: It’s great to have training buddies, see if any of your friends want to sign up too. You can support each other, or compete!

Step 5: On the 1st of October let your supporters know you have started your challenge! Keep them updated with your progress and make sure their donating for your milestones! (keep in mind all kms recruited up to the start of the challenge will reset to zero on October 1st)

So, get your bikes, walking shoes or swimmers ready and join us on our quest to move for our environment. We can’t wait to share our experience with you. Sign up below!

The post Join us for our first ‘Move for our environment’ fundraiser! appeared first on CAFNEC.

Leadership in our Community – Community Organising and Leadership Program 2022

Wed, 25 May 2022 02:42:43 +0000

Now into our third year, the Community Organising and Leadership Program has evolved to ensure longevity and sustainbility in our core group of leaders. CAFNEC has identified 20 committed leaders who are volunteering across various areas of the organisation, This year, our program, is supporting them in their role to show up as leaders, to be empowered and empower others to take action.

In April 2022, our committed leaders joined myself, and Lucy for their very first workshops for the year. Workshop one was divided into three separate sessions, with a longer face-to-face session, and two online sessions. The face-to-face session focused on relational meetings, personal narrative and facilitation. While the online sessions focused on leadership and coaching.

Our face-to-face session provided our leaders with an opportunity to connect with, and learn more about their peers. It provided a space to feel part of something bigger, build a container, and create a foundation for ongoing peer-to-peer support.

Our online sessions, although a new way of teaching for us, were an effective means of ensuring all our leaders from across multiple areas of our region were able to have access.

Thanks to a generous donation, we were able to support our leaders with their ongoing learning by giving them each the Dare to Lead book by Brene Brown. Our leaders have been tasked to read this book section-by-section in the lead up to our bi-monthly leaders meetings, where their learnings are reflected upon, and deep understandings of themselves and how they work with others, is fostered.

Through training, coaching and connection we are creating a strong foundational group of courageous individuals who are working together to ensure the long-term protection of our natural environment.

Find Out More About the program

The post Leadership in our Community – Community Organising and Leadership Program 2022 appeared first on CAFNEC.

Door knocking – Our Climate, Our Way of Life

Thu, 11 Mar 2021 04:52:22 +0000

The next few years will determine the degree of suffering caused by climate change. Our governments are sitting idle on action on climate change, and playing a part in determining Australia’s suffering – exacerbating it. We need to take action into the hands of our community. We have to be all in for this! There is no other choice. And that’s where you come in..

We need our Far North community to turn up, turn out and get LOUD. We want feet on the ground: door knocking, listening, sharing, acting for a safer climate.

Our conservation movement is strong in Far North Queensland and we know that COVID has hit us hard, but we need you, we need you to activate like we’ve never activated before.

To put climate action front and centre on the agenda AGAIN. Our community cannot ignore tackling climate change a second longer.

So what’s the plan? From now until December, our volunteers are door knocking in suburbs across Cairns to talk about climate action with our community. To understand the challenges and changes seen to our climate, and our way of life here in Far North Queensland; and to bring together our community around shared experiences. Our campaign is about listening and learning what it is our community envisions a safer future to be.

We know that communities across Far North Queensland are feeling the impacts of a changing climate, here and now. Our homes vulnerable to flooding, our work more and more uncertain, and our beautiful beaches being swept away.

This year we want to hear from you. We want to know your experiences of living in Far North Queensland. To understand the challenges and the changes you have seen to our climate, and our way of life.

This year we are stepping into our neighbourhoods talking to, and bringing together our community; hearing and learning from you, as to how we can all make sure our way of life remains better for ourselves, our communities, and our unique natural environment.

Our Door Knocking Team are stepping into Machans Beach to talk to, residents and bringing together our community; hearing and learning from you, as to how we can all make sure our way of life remains better for ourselves, our communities, and our unique natural environment.

Our door knocking team meets every Saturday from 9am to 11:30am in Machans Beach. For more information email Liz at intern1@nullcafnec.org.au.

Get involved, join the team!

The post Door knocking – Our Climate, Our Way of Life appeared first on CAFNEC.

Campaign Launch! Our Climate, Our Way of Life

Thu, 04 Feb 2021 08:13:41 +0000

Get Involved

Our way of life in Far North Queensland is special, living side-by-side with the oldest living tropical rainforest, and the stunning Great Barrier Reef. The natural environment that surrounds us is such a big part of our everyday experience. The places we love to see, and the activities we love to do.

This year we want to hear from you. We want to know your experiences of living in Far North Queensland. To understand the challenges and the changes you have seen to our way of life.

This year we are stepping into our neighbourhoods talking to, and bringing together our community; hearing and learning from you, how we can all make sure our way of life remains better for ourselves, our communities, and our unique natural environment.

The post Campaign Launch! Our Climate, Our Way of Life appeared first on CAFNEC.

Sign up: Climate Election

Wed, 20 Mar 2019 22:35:56 +0000

**Let’s make this the Climate Election!**

In order to make our Reef and climate the number one election issue, we’re going to have thousands of powerful conversations with voters on doorsteps in 6 marginal suburbs around Cairns between now until the federal election in May. Can you join us?

Each suburb has a volunteer Team Leader. When you sign up to help doorknock their suburb, they will be in contact with you shortly to give you the details about where to meet etc. Your leader will provide you with on-the-ground training at your first door knock, and from there you will be paired up to begin your conversations.

Sign up to door knock with:

Kaye in Edge Hill

Jasmine in Trinity Beach

Michelle & Jasmine in Yorkeys Knob

Thomas in Whitfield

Garrett in Smithfield

John in Freshwater

*At the moment we need people the most in Smithfield & Whitfield but if you do have a suburb preference you can sign up there too.

The post Sign up: Climate Election appeared first on CAFNEC.

Climate Election Launch

Wed, 13 Mar 2019 04:42:13 +0000

The federal election is fast approaching. The future of our climate hangs in the balance.

In May, Australians will head to the polls and determine our future: it is time for Australia get real and take strong action to mitigate Climate Change. There is so much at stake.

In Far North Queensland we are already reeling from the impacts of living in a changed climate: unprecedented coral bleaching and mangrove dieback, record breaking temperatures, mass die offs of endangered mammals like flying foxes and islands being inundated with seawater in the Torres Strait.

Elsewhere in the country, World Heritage Areas burn, communities suffer through unfathomable droughts and other areas are inundated with unparalleled floods. Collectively we have just experienced Australia’s angriest summer yet with record breaking temperatures consistently recorded across the country.

It’s real. It’s here. We know you’re all feeling it too.

The next few years will determine the degree of the suffering caused by Climate Change. Most importantly the next Federal Government will determine Australia’s part in this suffering. To exacerbate it or lessen it.

We simply cannot wait another term of Government: this election is make or break for Climate action. We have to be all in for this election. There is no other choice. And that’s where you come in..

We need our Far North community to turn up, turn out and get LOUD. We want feet on the ground: door knocking, talking, writing, walking, acting for a safer climate.

Our conservation movement is strong in Far North Queensland and we need you to activate like we’ve never activated before.

CAFNEC is teaming up with Fight For Our Reef and Stop Adani to present a united front of consolidated action in FNQ this election. To put Climate Change front and centre on the agenda. To cause so much noise politicians and aspiring politicians cannot ignore tackling climate change a second longer.

So what’s the plan? Join us for our Climate Election Launch on Monday 18th March 7pm at the Cairns Choral Society hall to find out how you can be involved. This is not another boring town hall meeting. This is an action-orientated night that will be interactive, fun and have you walking out the door with a purpose.

The post Climate Election Launch appeared first on CAFNEC.

Plastic Free July 2017

Mon, 12 Jun 2017 04:24:23 +0000

Plastic in the ocean is estimated to outweigh fish by 2050.

Get your friends and family to sponsor you to go plastic free this July. Raise awareness, create change in your circle of influence and help raise money for the Cairns and Far North Environment Centre.

Say NO to all single-use plastic items, just the Top 4 (straws, plastic bottles, plastic bags, coffee cups) or make your own custom pledge (eg. plastic-free workplace, classroom, or travel).

Sign up for a day, a week, or the whole month. Take an individual challenge, or galvanise your friends, colleagues, or students and sign up as a team!

Maybe you will even be inspired to turn your plastic-free challenge into a life-long habit.

Click here to sign up

Plastic Free July went off with a bang last year as scores of Far North Queenslanders pledged to break old habits by choosing to refuse single-use plastic.

So come and join us! Pick your challenge, get your friends and family to sponsor you, and stand up for a waste-free future.

Sign up today!

What you’re supporting:

In the past year, CAFNEC has hosted over 25 plastic reducing awareness and education events in Far North Queensland including the Cairns Drain Stencil Project, Boomerang Bags Cairns, film screenings, workshops on plastic-free living, a family fun day and events for Plastic Free July in 2016. They have campaigned for the State of Queensland to ban single-use plastic bags and introduce a container deposit scheme. CAFNEC works collaboratively with local communities, schools, businesses, and other organisations that assist toward greener, healthier, and more equitable communities and environments.

Join the Facebook event

Check out our video from 2016:

Check out our video from 2016:

The post Plastic Free July 2017 appeared first on CAFNEC.

World Wetlands Day – Mangroves Matter

Thu, 28 Jan 2016 04:56:31 +0000

DATE: Tuesday 2 Feb 2016

TIME: 5:00pm – 6:30pm

LOCATION: On the grass between the Fig Tree Playground and Mondo’s

CAFNEC are encouraging the people of Cairns to join in a community picnic this World Wetlands Day to celebrate the magnificent wetlands and mangrove communities we have right here on our doorstep.

Bring a plate (and your stories) to help spread the word that the Nationally Important Wetlands of the Port of Cairns and Trinity Inlet are an asset to our region and are an important part of building a sustainable future for Cairns .

Before the event:

Head to the Jack Barnes Memorial Boardwalk, take a happy snap of yourself and share on social media using:

#WorldWetlandsDay

#WetlandsForOurFuture

#MangrovesMatter

#CAFNEC

#FNQ

The post World Wetlands Day – Mangroves Matter appeared first on CAFNEC.