RIVER HISTORY & Community Notices

With the wet season almost upon the district it might be a good time to look at some history of flooding in and around Kenilworth. Since records began in 1893 Kenilworth district has been plagued by flooding. Our largest flood in the 20th century was in March of 1955. Dave Pickering was the official flood height recorder for the weather bureau at that time. The Kenilworth Museum holds his recording books. For those who may consider ignoring the flood warnings – look at the speed with which the river rose on that occasion:-

March 26 1955: 3.00 p.m. 6’2” 1.88m - 8.00 p.m. 6’11” 2.13m - Midnight 7’8” 2.36m.

March 27 1955: 6.00 a.m. 11’3” 3.45m - 9.00 a.m. 16’11” 5.18m - 2.00 p.m. 27’5” 8.38m - 3.00 p.m. 30’6” 9.3m - 6.00 p.m. 37’6” 11.43m - 7.00 p.m. 40’1” 12.22m - 7.30 p.m. 41’7” 12.67m - 8.00 p.m. 43’3” 13.18m - 8.30 p.m. 44’ 13.41m - 9.30 p.m. 44’11” 13.67m.

When the Mary River rises to a level of 10 metres the township is entered by floodwaters – at approximately 11 metres the township is cut into five separate areas by backwater from the Mary, as follows:- 1. The township hill – 2. The hall and school – 3. Scandal Hill – 4. The next hill beyond Scandal Hill – 5. The area between George St and Brooloo Road.

• At Boxsells shed – Eumundi-Kenilworth Road becomes impassable at about 9 metres river height.

• Gheerulla Creek – This bridge becomes inundated with backwater at 4.5 metres river height at the homestead automatic flood height recorder – confirmed from years of personal data collection and observation. At this point all exits to the east are impassable.

• Is the Bureau of Meteorology website on your phone, tablet or computer? River Height Bulletin - Maroochy, Noosa, Mary (QLD) (bom.gov.au)

• Do you have the Sunshine Coast Council Disaster Hub link Disaster Hub? (sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au)

• Do you have a link to the ABC Radio ABC Sunshine Coast Live Audio – ABC Radio? All these sites will help with official notifications regarding flooding.

The mighty Mary roars in flood time – be prepared – don’t take risks – and you will survive to greet the Mary when it is the quiet gentle water we know and love.

Pictured top is one of the few photographs held by the Kenilworth Museum of the aftermath of the 1955 flood. Taken some 12 hours after the peak. Dave Pickering's house in what is now Mary Street centre of shot. The floodwaters came up to the third back step of his home at its height.

Lenore Meldrum, President Kenilworth & District Historical Assn Inc.

• Kim Kirkman’s Inspirations Choir gave a brilliant performance see page 7. We hope to welcome Kim’s choir back again in 2022.

• Our raffle of the original Barry Green landscape, handcrafted tapestry, fine Egyptian cotton bath set and a $50 voucher at Big Boss Chocolates will be drawn at the KAC end of year function at St Luke’s hall on 4 December. All are invited to our Christmas function on 4 December $5 a head. Please RSVP by 30 November.

• A Children’s Art Group meets every Thursday at KAC (behind the Library) for an hour of expert creative guidance with leader, Jodie.

For many, it will be an opportunity to have fun after what has been a difficult year.

“Everybody we have spoken to seem excited by the idea, and we have had fantastic support from local businesses,” says QCWA president Denise C.

So what is a Christmas Tree Festival, and how do people join in? It begins with submitting a Tree Entry Form, then entrants use their imagination to either decorate a traditional tree or to create their own novelty tree from scratch as Hazel Nicholson has done with her books in the photo above.

Trees then go on display at the Imbil Showgrounds Hall from 12.30pm on Saturday, 27 November (public are invited to view them for a gold coin donation).

There is also a Decorate-A-Tree workshop for children running 12.30pm to 2.30pm, and a CWA “café” where you can enjoy a cuppa and home-baked goodies.

The prize-winners (in 10 different categories) will be announced at 6.30pm. If unable to make it on Saturday, you can still view the trees between 9am and midday on Sunday. A huge thank-you to all the businesses who have donated towards the prize packages and raffles. Four major raffle prizes include a two-night luxury stay at Yabbaloumba Retreat (Cambroon), and a $500 Garden Design Plan donated by The Plot Thickens (organic garden specialists, Imbil) – tickets are now on sale.

Visit Imbil QCWA Facebook page for prize details. There's also space for more vendors at the Twilight Markets. Have you entered a tree yet? There’s still time to join! Entry forms are on the Facebook page, and can be submitted in entry boxes located in Imbil, Kandanga, Amamoor and Kenilworth, or emailed to hotduckindiva@gmail.com. Save the date, 27 Nov. and join us!

How do you look after yourself? Often, we have the thought that it’s selfish to treat ourselves, however, being selfish, can actually be seen as a positive, not just for ourselves, but for our community as well. It’s about re-framing what ‘selfish’ means. I’m referring to making sure you find ways to replenish your cup.

People talk about working out of the ‘overflow’ of your cup – how do you re-fill yours? Often the most difficult part of self-care is giving yourself permission to stop, or to say ‘No’. Saying no can feel like we’re letting others down, when in actual fact it allows us to be able to keep going.

“Don’t let your cup run dry, don’t run out of fuel, why? because we need you!”

This practical training creates confidence to hold conversations with someone struggling with thoughts of suicide. To book, head to Humanitix and search for ‘SafeTALK Cooroy’.

Lifeline 13 11 14; Rural Aid 1300 327 624; Mensline Australia 1300 789 978 mensline. org.au; DV Connect Women’s Line 1800 811 811 dvconnect.org/womensline/; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800 kidshelpline.com.au; Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 www.areyouboggedmate.com.au/

Ben Burns – Community Development Worker, Suicide Prevention in Local Communities ben@calcomm.org.au

The Cent Sale venue is Cooroy Anglican Church, corner Noosa Cooroy Rd and Miva Street.

Doors open 11.30am and sale begins 1pm. Major prize draw and lots of prizes along with Christmas raffle. There will be local gift and store vouchers, meat trays or fruit and veg trays. Cost $1 per sheet of tickets. Raffle tickets $2 each or $5 for three. Entry is $5 for food and bottomless tea and coffee. Please advise of any dietary requirements. Children free.

Our thanks to our local Obi Obi and Kidaman Creek communities for their response to our Brigade’s appeal for help. At a well-attended meeting at Obi Rural Fire Brigade shed on the 30 October, six people completed their initial application to join the Brigade as active members. Most of these people could be available for response to call-outs during weekdays (at present only one person available), this will greatly improve our ability to respond to an incident. Many Sunshine Coast Rural Fire Brigades suffer the same problem, lack of available personal during weekdays.

Contact Dennis Woodford, Obi Obi Rural Fire Brigade 5446 9154.

For Obi Surplus enquiries call Melissa 0490 215 632.

OBI OBI HALL WEEKLY YOGA with Chloe every Tuesday 5pm-6.30pm. 0405 347 032

Thanks to a couple of faithful volunteers the grounds of St John Bosco at 21 Anne Street, Kenilworth are looking healthy and tidy. The bronze sculpture of Mary McKillop (St Mary of the Cross) has been enhanced with more plantings in the surrounding garden. Two callistemons called "Mary Mckillop" have been planted in the front bed.

During Advent we will be following four weekly reflections based on the poems of Mary Oliver, a well-known American poet whose writings often express her experiences of the natural world. The first session is on Thursday 25 November.

St Luke’s celebrated our Patronal Day with a very happy service on 17 October. The guest preacher, Gemma Dashwood, gave a very engaging talkabout her work as a doctor and her spiritual journey in the church.Gemma will be ordained as an Anglican priest in December.

The ecumenical service 31 October held at St Luke’s saw the Anglican, Uniting and Catholic Church folk coming together for worship. A tribute was made at the service to the late Daphne Morris who led the Girls Brigade in Kenilworth for fifteen years. This was an ecumenical initiative of the Uniting and Anglican churches.

• St John Bosco’s community held a garage sale 6 November with a sausage sizzle organized by a Kenilworth men’s group.

Advent Studies will begin on Thursday 25 November looking at Mary Oliver’s Poetry of Advent. Enquiries Maureen 0457 296 699.