Vision, Mission & Association Objectives

Vision Statement

To be a leading regional festival that celebrates the unique natural environment, culture, and community spirit of the St Lawrence Wetlands, inspiring connection to place, environmental stewardship, and pride in our local community.

Mission Statement

The St Lawrence Wetlands Festival Working Group exists to plan, develop, deliver, and promote an annual wetlands and cultural event that provides education, environmental awareness, cultural recognition, tourism growth, community connection, and social and economic benefits for the St Lawrence community and the wider Isaac region — operating at all times as an inclusive, volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organisation.

Objects of the Association

The objects of the Association are:

1. Primary Purpose

To organise, manage, promote, and support the St Lawrence Wetlands Festival and associated programs and activities for the benefit of the community, consistent with the Association's not-for-profit character and the requirements of the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 (Qld).

2. Community Benefit and Inclusion

To provide events and activities that are safe, accessible, inclusive, family-friendly, and welcoming to all members of the community, including residents, visitors, schools, Traditional Custodians, community organisations, and local businesses.

3. Environmental Education and Awareness

To increase knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of wetlands, environmental conservation, biodiversity, and sustainable land and water management through education, engagement, workshops, interpretation, and public activities.

4. Cultural Recognition and Respect

To recognise and respect the cultural heritage, knowledge, and continuing connection to Country of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including the Traditional Custodians of the land on which the Festival is held, and to appropriately support cultural participation where invited and appropriate.

5. Economic and Tourism Benefit

To support local development and economic activity by encouraging tourism, promoting local businesses and producers, and showcasing the Isaac region as a destination.

6. Collaboration and Partnerships

To work collaboratively with community groups, environmental organisations, Traditional Custodians, landholders, government, educational institutions, industry, and other stakeholders to achieve shared outcomes for the wetlands and the community.

7. Good Governance and Ethical Conduct

To operate in a lawful, transparent, accountable, and ethical manner that upholds the principles of good governance, integrity, inclusiveness, environmental responsibility, and community benefit.

8. Volunteer Support and Capacity Building

To encourage, recognise, and retain volunteers, and to ensure that volunteering occurs in a safe, respectful, and positive environment.

9. Fundraising and Financial Sustainability

To lawfully raise funds, apply for grants, seek sponsorships, and conduct activities necessary to advance the objects of the Association and ensure the ongoing sustainability of the Festival and associated initiatives.

10. Event Delivery and Continuous Improvement

To plan, promote, deliver, evaluate, and continuously improve the St Lawrence Wetlands Festival and related programs to ensure they remain relevant, compliant, engaging, safe, and responsive to community needs.

11. Environmental Responsibility in Operations

To minimise environmental harm and promote sustainability in all activities of the Association, including responsible resource use, waste reduction, and protection of the natural environment.

12. Non-Profit Character

To ensure the income and property of the Association are applied solely towards the promotion of the objects of the Association and are not distributed to members except as permitted by law and the rules of the Association.