Cairns Community is Driving Change

BOOMERANG BAGS | As the Queensland government prepare to ban single use plastic bags from July 2018, the establishment of community driven initiative, Boomerang Bags, will help that transition.

Boomerang Bags are designed to be borrowed and brought back, helping shoppers to stay plastic bag free if you forget your bags.

The initiative began in Burleigh Heads and has since spread to 52 Australian communities. The bags are sewn by the community for the community and once made are left in shopping centres in dedicated stands. Shoppers can avoid a plastic bag by freely taking a reusable bag, with the idea that the bag will be returned net time they shop, hence ‘Boomerang Bag’.

Bess Murphy, CAFNEC’s Community Engagement Coordinator, says that even if people forget to return a bag, that’s okay.

“The aim of Boomerang Bags is to start conversations, make friends, up-cycle materials and work towards shifting society’s throw away mentality to a more sustainable revolution of re-use - one community at a time.”

Bess says they’re aiming to have 1000 bags complete before they start the actual implementation. That means there’s a lot of sewing to do, so come and get involved. Everybody is welcome, and if sewing’s not your thing there are plenty of other tasks to help with.

Fabric, thread and sewing accessories are needed. If you have some that aren’t being used, bring them along to a meetup, or drop off at the donation box on the CAFNEC verandah.

When: First Thursday of every month from 4.30 – 7.30 pm.

Where: Downstairs of Cominos House, 27-27 Greenslopes Street, North Cairns.

Boomerang Bags Cairns volunteers

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Boomerang Bags Cairns

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Boomerang Bags Cairns volunteers

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FOOD IS FREE | Another global initiative that’s helping transform communities through ultra local food production and repurposing salvaged materials. Get to know your neighbours and grow food on your front lawn!

If you’re keen to get on board, join the 'Food is Free - Cairns' Facebook page, for the locations of fi e drop off boxes around Cairns where you can leave, take or swap produce. Guaranteed more smiles all round!

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Little Free Libraries are a free book exchange. There are three in Cairns and they form part of a world-wide network that’s helping improve literacy, spark connection and inspire readers. Anyone can take a book or bring a book to share. Keep an eye out for the libraries at 108 Martyn Street, Whitfield s Colin Penridge Park (behind Murchison Street), and the Cairns School of Distance Education.

Emma Roberts hosts the Martyn Street library - as an ex-school teacher, books are important to her. She says books can do anything from teach us empathy, connect us to people, and transport us places we’ve never been.

“Ours is a busy little box and also a great conversation starter for people in the street. It’s made from 100% recycled material from our house renovations.”

Emma’s Little Library is surrounded by free herbs, vegetables and fruit trees that are free for the community to take. “Recycling, learning new ideas and sharing resources in the community are important to me. We’re bombarded by so many terrible stories in the media, and I think that’s why things like this are so important. Little Libraries are a little bit of positive counter culture that promotes community spirit.”

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