From Island Beginnings to Tablelands Legacy: The Story of CYC NQ

By Janice Lauridsen & Kristine Erwood

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, a small group of dedicated Christians laid the foundation for what would become a much-loved youth ministry in North Queensland: CYC NQ. At the heart of this story are Carl (”Curly”) and Janice Lauridsen, who began by taking children from Babinda to a Christian Youth Camp on Magnetic Island run by the Anne Street Assembly in Townsville.

This annual camp became a highlight for many. But in December 1971, Cyclone Althea swept through the region, destroying the Magnetic Island site. With the January 1972 camp just weeks away, the Townsville Assembly asked Carl to find an alternative location near Cairns or the Atherton Tablelands.

Thanks to God’s provision, the Presbyterian Campsite at Tinaroo was available. Despite the short notice, the camp continued. Townsville leaders and Cairns Gospel Hall volunteers ran the program. That 1972 camp marked the start of a new era—rooted in the Tablelands but with the same spiritual heart.

In the following years, Carl, Janice, and a growing team of volunteers took on leadership. Mentors like Joan Hull shared catering expertise, while Norm Nowell and Spence Pringle helped Curly learn the ropes of running camps. A formal step came in December 1972, when a bank account was opened under the name “Christian Youth Committee Tinaroo Camp.”

Camp Tinaroo was run by a volunteer committee until 2000. Seeking greater sustainability, the committee asked South Cairns Community Church (SCCC) to oversee the camp under a formal organisational structure. SCCC faithfully did so until its closure in 2014.

At that point, camp funds were transferred to AMT to be held in trust for North Queensland camp work. From 2014 to 2016, Camp Tinaroo operated under the umbrella of Burleigh Camp, which offered guidance and support during the transition.

In October 2016, it was decided that the camp should be managed by its own legal entity. The Christian Youth Council North Queensland Inc. (CYC NQ) was established to handle legal, financial, and insurance responsibilities while allowing the ministry to grow.

At the time of its formation, several long-standing ministries were brought under the CYC NQ banner. These included Babinda Kids Club (now in its 30th year), Babinda Youth Group (over 35 years running), and the Einasleigh River Christian Bush Camp. Each had been faithfully serving their communities and now became part of a united regional effort.

Despite changes in structure, the heart of the camp remains unchanged. Every year, children aged ten to eighteen gather for a time of spiritual growth, friendship, and fun. Study leaders—typically one for primary-aged and one for secondary-aged campers—are chosen with care, often through AMT connections, to ensure sound teaching and spiritual maturity.

Facilities at the original Tinaroo site were basic. Dormitory-style buildings had showers and toilets underneath. Privacy was limited—curtains instead of doors—and Janice spent years lobbying the mostly male Presbyterian Camp Committee to install proper doors, especially for the girls. Her persistence eventually paid off.

The Tinaroo site served faithfully until its sale in 2020. Once again, the team sought a new home. God led them to Quinola Lakes, a Christian-owned campsite run by Keith and Christine Walmsley. The move brought a new name: “Tablelands Camp”, though many still call it “Curly’s Camp.”

Now in its 53rd year, this ministry continues to impact lives. What started with cyclone-driven necessity has grown into a spiritually rich tradition that has shaped generations. The legacy of Curly and Janice Lauridsen—and the many volunteers who followed—lives on in every game played, every Bible study taught, and every heart changed by the message of Christ.

As we look back, we thank God for His provision and for the countless young people who have found faith, friendship, and purpose through CYC NQ.