North Qld Regional Rep Prin Stroppe has been catching up on the latest activities from across the northern region.
Croydon
Josh Arnold Brings Small Town Culture to Croydon
Renowned songwriter and filmmaker Josh Arnold of Small Town Culture visited Croydon last week to work with our community on something truly special, the creation of our very own Croydon song.
Josh is well-known across regional Australia for capturing the heart and character of small towns through music. During his time in Croydon, he collaborated with people of all ages from school students to long-time locals, gathering stories, memories, and reflections that showcase what makes Croydon unique.
Workshops were held throughout the week, with plenty of laughter, creativity, and shared pride as Josh helped the community transform their ideas into lyrics and melodies. His enthusiastic approach brought out the best in participants, and the excitement was unmistakable as everyone came together to help shape Croydon’s musical story.
The finished song will celebrate the spirit, history, and identity of our town, highlighting the resilience, friendliness, and community values that define Croydon. We look forward to sharing the final version with the wider community once production is complete.
Halloween in Croydon
Halloween in Croydon was a fantastic success, with more than 20 excited children, along with their families, taking part in this year’s Trick-or-Treat adventure around town. Costumes ranged from spooky to sparkly, and the smiles were just as bright as the decorations on our local homes.
The group visited a number of enthusiastic households who joined in the fun by handing out treats and decorating their yards, helping to create a safe and festive atmosphere for the kids. The evening wrapped up at the town park, where everyone enjoyed a lively lolly hunt and some well-deserved refreshments.
A big thank you goes out to the parents, community members, who helped make the night memorable. Events like this remind us how special it is to come together and celebrate as a community and we’re already looking forward to next year’s spooky celebrations!
MAREEBA
Pixel Perfect: From Addiction to Wellness Through Digital Art
Sometimes the best learning happens when you’re having fun. That was certainly the case with our recent Deadly Digital Communities grant through the State Library of Queensland, run in partnership with a local Indigenous rehabilitation facility.
We started with the NorthStar Digital Literacy assessment tool, which showed that most participants had only very basic skills with a Smart device. But once they were introduced to the playful world of Midjourney AI text-to-image platform, everything changed. Participants quickly learned how to turn their words into powerful, personal images.
For those who were ready to stretch their skills further, Midjourney tutorials opened the door to more advanced techniques, helping them create detailed and complex images. What was most inspiring was how accessible Midjourney proved to be: whether participants were just starting out or already digitally confident, everyone could contribute meaningfully.
Participants loved describing an image and watching it appear before their eyes. By the end of the program, every participant had developed basic digital literacy skills—and more importantly, a sense of pride in their creative achievements.
The highlight of it all was our exhibition, “Pixel Perfect”, held at the Mareeba Library. Seeing their artworks displayed publicly, and celebrating their successes together, was a deeply moving experience. The program wasn’t just about technology—it was about empowerment, healing, and joy. For the participants, it was special. For me, it was unforgettable.
The Journey : created Midjourney 22 August 2025
Understory Film Festival
“In partnership with Cairns Regional Council and Mareeba Shire Council, Mareeba Libraries is proud to bring the Understory Film Festival to our community!
We’re hosting screenings across our two branches, Mareeba and Kuranda Libraries, celebrating the creativity of North Queensland filmmakers.
Our first screening was held at Mareeba Library on Friday evening, 21 November. Forty-three local film lovers came together to enjoy 19 incredible short films, complete with popcorn and lollies, just like a night at the movies!
Next up is Kuranda Library on 28 November, where we’re anticipating an even bigger crowd.
The Understory Film Festival celebrates the amazing talent of North Queensland filmmakers. Since it began, the festival has received over 600 submissions, screened more than 200 finalist films, and presented 115 awards.
We at Mareeba Shire Libraries feel privileged to be part of this inspiring event and we look forward to hosting the festival again next year!”
TABLELANDS
