2024 Annual General Meeting and Mitchell River Forum

Mitchell River Forum highlights changes and challenges across the catchment

Hosted by the Mitchell River Watershed Management Group, one of Australia's most enduring landcare organisations, the forum was an open invitation to the region's land managers, researchers, conservationists, agencies, and traditional owners, all committed to the vision of healthy country and vibrant communities.

The Forum was supported by Gulf Savannah NRM and the Cairns and Far North Environment Centre, along with catering by Camp64 sponsored by critical minerals miner EQ Resources.

Mitchell River Chair, Fiona Barron, put out a challenge for the Forum: "We're all too aware of the doom and gloom they show us in the media, so this Forum is a chance to sit together and talk through the opportunities and challenges right here within arm's reach. Let's see what we can do together to give our kids a healthier environment and a more sustainable economy, focussed first on our local needs for security and resilience."

Paul Neal, traditional owner for Djungan country, brought the forum into focus with a considered view on the relationship between people and country, and between Indigenous and non-Indigenous worldviews.

“We have to change how we think. We have to learn how to fit the economy into Country, not fit Country into the economy.” This view is in stark contrast to the current political rhetoric around a “nature repair market” and “putting nature on the balance sheet”, both of which place economic viability at the centre of the question. Instead, Paul is saying that Country must be in the centre, and the economy must conform to its needs.

He noted that Indigenous people are sitting on the front lines of the contest between economic demands for constant growth and the necessity of respecting Country as the source of all values. “And we’re not changing our values.” Within this tension however, is a spirit of welcome: “For us, it’s all inclusive, all non-exclusive.”

Mayor Angela Toppin welcomed all the attendees and then opened the presentations with comments on the importance of community participation across the Shire. She complimented the Mitchell River Group on their longevity and history of public-good projects across the catchment. 

Mareeba Shire Council is an active supporter of community groups such as the Mitchell River Group. Mayor Toppin also noted that the Shire invests in extensive land management activities, including programs to reduce and contain weeds and ferals across a very large and often remote landscape.

For access to all the forum presentations and a summary of each, please download the attached PDF.

Mitchell River Executive elected

The event was prefaced by the Mitchell River AGM.

Thanks to a steady turn out of members, the meeting proceeded in proper fashion. Last year's AGM Minutes were accepted, audited finances were received, and the Chair provided remarks on the year.

The 2025 Executive comprises:

• Chair: Fiona Barron

• Treasurer: Karen Pedersen

• Secretary: John Brisbin

• Board member: Trevor Meldrum

A big thanks to all!

Image

(L-R, Trevor, Karen, Fiona, John)