This December 2024, we would like to welcome all our NICA newsletter readers – members, friends and interested community.

In October, the NICA AGM was held at the Yacht Club where a new NICA committee was appointed. It is a great mix of experienced enthusiastic NICA members and enthusiastic active volunteers.

We are all looking forward to re-energizing our existing community volunteer activities and instigating new ones.

We would like to thank Noosa Council for their ongoing support of our activities.

Thank you to the outgoing committee members and volunteers for their persistence over the last couple of years.

We thank Richard Howard, who with advice from Craig Bohn of The Nature Conversancy, instigated, co-ordinated and managed The Oyster Garden community project to a successful completion. Also, a big thank you to the community gardeners and contractors who contributed to and assisted with the project.

Our new committee comprises:

President – Jill Campbell

For 21 years Jill has been Coordinator of Noosa Bush Beach & Creek Care (previously Sunshine Beach Bushland Care), and worked very closely with NICA since 2008. NICA has been the Auspice partner for the group’s 20 project grants. Jill and Justin coordinated NICA’s successful Fall of Singapore Project (2013-6) until NICA set up its own Girraween Bushcare.

Vice President – Bruce Hallett

I have been a member of NICA for 12 years (give or take) and have served as a committee member, president and now vice president.

I have been involved in many of the NICA programs, including Bushcare, Waterwatch, Riverwatch, Seagrass monitoring, Mangrove monitoring, and probably others that have slipped my memory. I am also a member of UWG.

As the largest volunteer based environmental/catchment care group in Noosa, I believe that NICA serves as an important link between Council, other like-minded groups that care deeply about our natural environment, and the general public.

Treasurer – Tony Haslam

Tony has been involved with NICA for more than 20 years, always as a volunteer,

Performing a variety of roles including President, Secretary, Vice President, Treasurer, General Admin, Clean Up Australia Day coordinator (2 or 3 years).  He initiated several projects and worked on NICA Projects and Programs in a variety of ways. He is fully committed to assisting, encouraging, and connecting people and organisations working towards a sustainable environment and community.

During the previous Noosa Council (before amalgamation) Tony was a Member and Chair of the Noosa Community Environment Board, and was involved in the working group seeking to have the Noosa Shire Council area declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Secretary – Gill Studdock

Gill has clocked up twenty years at NICA, working as a part time Office Manager and a volunteer. With a background in financial administration and a passion for Noosa’s environment she has been inspired by the dedicated volunteers who have steered NICA through many challenges.

Committee – Julie Glennon

Jules is currently on compassionate leave but has already been very involved, updating the Committee on NICA’s existing projects.

Committee – Yanni Van Zijl

I have been a volunteer with Noosa Bush Beach and Creek for 14 years and more recently a member and volunteer with the river clean ups with NICA in the boat. I have also assisted and manned a Clean Up Australia Day site, however I think clean up Australia is every day, not one day a year. I have a creative practise and often my work is about environmental issues, together with Pam Walpole we have collaborated under Art for Artsake with large works discussing issues of plastic in waterways. I hope to bring awareness to issues facing the catchment through creative ideas.

Committee – Pam Walpole

Moving to the Sunshine Coast 24 years ago has led me to meet wonderful people, passionate about our environment. Initially living in Coolum, I joined the Coolum Coast Care group, before moving to Sunshine Beach where I joined the Noosa Bush Beach and Creek Care group.  Our enthusiastic group tackle invasive weed infested areas weekly, determined to help restore and save some of our native bushland areas. Together with fellow committee member Yanni, we have made art installations for various festivals in our shire to help bring an environmental message to the community through our public art.

The NICA Office will be closed from Wednesday 18th December, reopening on Monday 6th January.

This Christmas, we’re grateful for the support of our members and friends.  We look forward to continuing our work together in 2025, driving progress and positive impact.