Frequently Asked
Questions

Who is running Common Threads?

Common Threads is a project of Passing the Message Stick, led by a steering committee of Dr Jackie Huggins AM, Larissa Baldwin and Millie Telford. Common Threads is delivered through a partnership between GetUp and Australian Progress.

What’s it all about?

After the hugely successful inaugural summit last year, Common Threads is back again in May 2024. This unique event is led by and for First Nations campaigners, community organisers and changemakers to connect, share skills and build power to lead change together.

Over 3 days, we will bring together 200 mob from across the country to connect, learn, share and plan for action. Together, we will create a shared vision and story of what’s possible, identify ways we can work together and build the power of First Nations movements and campaigns.

What’s in the program?

The program will include a variety of keynote sessions and speakers, issue-based breakouts, skills-based workshops and dedicated time for networking, relationship building, strategising and building plans for shared action. The full program will be available closer to the event.

If you have any suggestions for the program content or speakers you would like to hear from, make sure you include this in your expression of interest form or email us at info@commonthreads.org.au.

Who else will be there?

Common Threads is designed for, and by, First Nations people - making it a safe space to come together, share strategies, build skills and yarn with other mob about our vision and ideas for making change together. The space is designed for campaigners, community organisers, grassroots activists, spokespeople and those leading community driven advocacy.

Numbers are limited to 200 participants to give us space to run interactive workshops, meet each other and build collaborations that could lead to future opportunities and events.

How much will it cost?

We have a tiered pricing structure to make it as accessible as possible, recognising that some mob may be supported by their workplaces and other mob may need financial support in order to attend.

Ticket costs are based on the size of your organisation and/or capacity to pay. We also have a number of full and partial scholarships available for grassroots activists and those leading unwaged community work or needing support for significant travel and accommodation costs to get to Gimuy (Cairns).

This means that larger organisations pay what represents the true cost of attending, small organisations contribute a lesser amount and scholarship holders are subsidised by philanthropic support and partner organisations.

If your application is successful, tickets will be available as follows:

• Large Organisation Ticket ($475+GST)

• Small Organisation Ticket ($275+GST)

• Individual ($120+GST)

• Free Admission - for grassroots activists, those leading unwaged community work, and anyone for which cost is a barrier to attend.

I’m keen to join but need some support to get to Gimuy/Cairns - what support is available?

We have a number of full and partial scholarships available for grassroots activists and those leading unwaged community work or needing support for significant travel and accommodation costs to get to the summit.

Everyone who expresses interest to attend the summit will be prompted to indicate whether or not they need scholarship support.

Applications for Common Threads 2024 have now closed. We will be in touch with all applicants in the coming week.

What are the accommodation options?

For those travelling to Gimuy (Cairns), there are several accommodation options. We are currently in conversation with a number of these, and will update this section ASAP with more information on discounts that may be available for group bookings.

For those who may need scholarship support for accommodation, please make sure to include this in your expression of interest form.

Can I stream online or join remotely?

We won’t have an online offering at Common Threads, but we will have online gatherings after the summit and more skills sessions if you’re unable to make it.

If you can’t make it to the summit but want to be a part of the Common Threads network of First Nations campaigners, organisers and changemakers, sign up here or send us an email at info@commonthreads.org.au.

Is the event and venue accessible?

The Common Threads team is committed to creating spaces that are accessible for everyone who attends. We will publish a detailed access key ahead of the event, and can help with organising accessible accommodation etc for those travelling to Gimuy/Cairns.

We will have dedicated accessibility point people available before, during and after the event who can assist with any needs that may arise. If you would like to further discuss your accessibility needs with our team, you can contact us via info@commonthreads.org.au and we will do our best to make the event accessible to you.

What do I need to do to attend?

Applications for Common Threads 2024 have now closed. We will be in touch with all applicants in the coming week.

When will I hear back about my expression of interest to attend?

Expressions of interest will be assessed on a rolling basis and we will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

When do expressions of interest close?

Expressions of interest will close at 11:59pm AEST on Sunday 14th April, or earlier if all 200 places are filled by this time.

What happens if I can no longer attend, can I get a refund or transfer my ticket?

If your expression of interest for Common Threads is accepted, and you are no longer able to attend, please email us ASAP at info@commonthreads.org.au so we can work with you to make necessary the arrangements. For information regarding cancellation due to COVID-19 please see FAQ below. 

Refunds can only be offered for exceptional circumstances, however this may vary depending on how closely we are notified as we will need to be able to recoup costs including venue/catering etc. 

As expressions of interest will be assessed on an individual basis, any transfer of tickets will also be assessed on a case by case basis. We will generally ask that the person you would like to transfer your ticket to complete the expression of interest form.

Will Common Threads be a child-friendly event?

Children are an important part of community life and are our future leaders, hence why Common Threads will be a child-friendly event.

Children can attend for free but we require prior notice to adjust catering numbers.

We ask that parents/carers take responsibility for their children and be aware of the needs of other participants. We also ask that all participants are patient with, respectful, and considerate of children and their parents/carers.

A ‘quiet space’ will be provided for children and parents/carers at the venue. You are welcome to breastfeed wherever you feel comfortable to do so, or utilise the ‘quiet space’ for extra privacy.

What are the rules around COVID-19?

Common Threads will bring together people from all corners of the country, working on a wide range of issues, from a diversity of perspectives. We are pleased to have Elders, young children, folks from remote communities and immunocompromised people joining us, and hope to ensure their safety and the safety of our communities.

As such, we recommend that all attendees have received (at least) the first two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, if able to do so. We ask that everyone follows the relevant COVID-19 regulations and advice for the area, practising good hygiene and social distancing. We strongly encourage all participants to take a rapid test before attending.

Masks, rapid tests and hand sanitiser will be provided at the event. Hand sanitiser will also be available throughout the venue including food service areas. We will also have rapid tests available for those flying in.

We also ask that you do not attend this event if you are experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms (eg. cough, sore throat, runny nose, fever, headache, etc) or you are otherwise unwell).

Please do not attend or travel to Common Threads if:

• You have COVID-19 or test positive on a Rapid Antigen Test or a PCR test.

• You are experiencing any cold or flu-like symptoms (eg. cough, sore throat, runny nose, fever, headache, etc) or are otherwise unwell.

• You are a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case.

• The appropriate government orders otherwise require you not to travel.

If you are unable to attend Common Threads, please let us know as soon as possible at info@commonthreads.org.au.

If you test positive to COVID while at the summit, we will work with you to make sure you have somewhere to stay while recovering, and help you with anything you need while in Meanjin.

Please let us know if you develop cold or flu-like symptoms while at the event: we will give you a free Rapid Test to do, and be on hand to help with anything you need.

Can I volunteer at Common Threads?

Yes! If you’re interested in volunteering please get in touch via email at info@commonthreads.org.au. We’d love to know if you have any particular skills, experience or areas of interest.

Can I attend as a non-First Nations person?

No, Common Threads is a First Nations-only event. We are however seeking donations and sponsorship from non-Indigenous allies, organisations and values-aligned businesses to cover the costs of the event, including travel and accommodation scholarships. If you are interested in supporting Common Threads in this way, you can make a donation here or email us on info@commonthreads.org.au. 

We'd like to partner with or support Common Threads, how can we get in touch?

Organising Common Threads will be a collective effort and we are looking for partners, sponsors and community collaborators to help make it happen. If you or your organisation are interested, we’d love to hear from you. Fill out the short form below, or contact us via info@commonthreads.org.au and we’ll be in touch soon!