Who Are We?
Darwin University Environment Collective (DUEC) is a young group based at Charles Darwin University’s Casuarina campus. In past years we have been instrumental (along with other community groups such as Environment Centre NT) in organizing Darwin’s Walk against Warming through the pouring rains of the wet season, the World Environment Day celebrations where we invited local groups to hold stalls and provided music in beautiful East Point Reserve, which was under threat of development, as well as our members helping Darwin Aboriginal Rights Coalition with Rock against Racism.
This has been a busy year for us so far, with a strong focus on collective building (growing our numbers) as well as student outreach. We have had many stalls and events on campus promoting not only ourselves, but also the hows, whats, and whys of being environmentally aware. These have been received fantastically, with a great many students (and staff) coming up for a yarn and taking away booklets and leaflets on how they can help do their bit.
Our major project has been establishing a “chai tent” which we set up on University campus, as well as at festivals and other public locations. This provides a great space for us to talk to people about all environmental and social justice issues while enjoy a great cuppa spiced chai. A highlight has been the Top End Sustainable Living Festival where over two days we had nonstop chai going and endless conversations about the intervention, anti-nuclear campaigning, climate change, Darwin harbour and endless other issues which people wanted to talk about. Many people were simply impressed that as students we could be so involved in so much.
We also pride ourselves on engaging with, supporting and being a major part of campaigns with the broader community. A major focus has been to raise awareness around the proposed nuclear waste dump at Muckaty Station (central N.T.). We have broad support across the Territory (including the Territory ALP government) but need to get the Federal Government to listen. We have been getting excellent media at events such as the official Territory Day flag ceremony and making ourselves heard whenever a relevant minister, such as Martin Ferguson, comes to town.
A focus on supporting the Traditional Owners is always paramount in our activities. We have been out to communities, supported Traditional Owners coming up to Darwin and organising spaces for them speak and tell their own stories up here in Darwin (both on campus at CDU and to the broader Darwin community. When our events aren’t actively engaging with Traditional Owners, we try to ensure there is always information and acknowledgement that we are living and working on the land belonging to this countries first inhabitants (always has been, always will be Aboriginal land).
Want to get Involved?
Email us at: duec@students.cdu.edu.au
Or call Chris on: 0400 047 552
Check us out on facebook here.
