Executive Update

Welcome to the December edition of Message Stick, our last for 2022.

Operations

As reported by the Chair above, NQLC has again achieved an unqualified Audit Report. I extend my congratulations and gratitude to NQLC’s CFO, Annette King and the Corporate Services staff on their excellent work in managing the Corporation’s finances. I also extend my congratulations to Grant Thornton Australia being re-appointed by the members as NQLC financial auditors for the 2022-2023 financial year.

I refer you to the EDST Update commencing on page 7 and the informative renewable energy article on page 12. We’ve also included some fact sheets that are particularly relevant at this time of the year which we hope assists understanding the AGM ‘season’ and the requirement for directors of corporations to obtain their Director Identification Numbers.

Staffing

I am delighted to advise that the NQLC has settled the appointment of Principal Legal Officer (PLO), Peter Kilduff. Peter is a very experienced practitioner with over 30 years practice as solicitor and counsel in various jurisdictions. Peter’s skills, experience and knowledge will be a huge benefit to the NQLC and we warmly welcome him.

We also welcomed Christine Smith to our Claims Team as Legal Administration Officer in September, relieving Maddy Fuller while she is on maternity leave. In our last edition we introduced you to Jennifer Joyce as our Claims Team Project Officer on a short-term contract. I’m pleased to advise that Jenny will be staying on with us a little longer into 2023.

2022 Annual General Meeting

As reported by the Chair, the NQLC held its 2022 Annual General Meeting at the Oaks Metropole in Townsville on Saturday, 3 December 2022. The AGM was well attended, and it was good to meet members that I’d not met before.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the NQLC staff who assisted on the day and a special mention to Halejah Wacando, Executive Assistant, for her tireless efforts in organising this critical meeting of the members.

2021-2022 Annual Report

NQLC’s 2021-2022 Annual Report has been finalised and is now available to read here.

NQLC Townsville Office

With the lease of NQLC’s Stanley Street office in Townsville soon to expire, I am delighted to confirm that a new office space on Walker Street in the city has been negotiated and we’ll be working from there commencing in 2023. The new space will deliver an improved and more efficient working environment for our staff and facilities for our visiting clients. The Stanley Street office will remain open until NQLC shuts down for the Christmas period on Thursday, 22 December 2022. From Tuesday, 3 January 2023 when NQLC reopens, NQLC staff will work remotely until the Walker Street premises is ready. Details of the new Townsville Office address and opening date will be posted on our website and Facebook page after it is open.

NQLC Christmas shut down

As mentioned above, NQLC will close briefly over the holiday period. NQLC will shut down on Thursday, 22 December 2022 afternoon and reopen for business at 8:30am on Tuesday, 3 January 2023.

In closing I wish to thank our region’s Traditional Owners for their continued support to the NQLC. I also wish to thank the Board for their ongoing leadership this year and our staff for their continuous enthusiasm and hard work throughout 2022.

On behalf of the NQLC staff I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and I look forward to the good things 2023 will bring.

Regards,

Jake

Rhonda M Jacobsen

Interim Chief Executive Officer, North Queensland Land Council