The Cooroora Connect
An Initiative of Pomona & District Community House
Pomona fire brigade boss honoured with portrait
February 2016
Temporary rail platforms to be replaced at cost of $3m Queensland Rail has announced that temporary railway station platforms at Cooran and Pomona will be replaced by the end of the year. Construction is expected to start mid-year. Meanwhile preliminary design work is proceeding. The project will include new seat and passenger shelters in keeping with the architectural character of both towns. Eumundi’s temporary plywood and scaffold station is also set to be replaced. The total budget for the three station upgrades is $3 million.
Above: The Pomona fire brigade captain Sam Spink and artist Leigh Hooker with the painting that inspired the community to say thanks for Sam’s dedication over the years. A public subscription campaign and the generosity of Pomona painter Leigh Hooker has led to the Pomona Fire Brigade captain Sam Spink being immortalised in a striking painting presented to the reticent firie last month.
within the frame. Some of her inspiration comes in her sleep. Her Sam Spink portrait, layered with paint to a sheen finish, has been seen by his emergency services superiors.
In a social media post accompanying an image of the painting, Chief Superintendent of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service, John Bolger, described the work as ‘a great tribute to a The painting caught the judge’s eye at last dedicated officer’. Leigh Hooker was very year’s Tall Trees Art Exhibition, held at grateful for the community support and Cooran, and the idea began to raise money kind donations received. to purchase it and present it to Sam. Congratulations are also due to Paul Sam said it was an honour and a humbling experience to be given the painting, which depicts him in fire-fighting gear against the backdrop of a fierce blaze.
Leigh Hooker is an accomplished portrait artist who uses mixed media to capture not only the physical features of her subjects, but also their aura and essence through what she calls ’layers’ placed
Mardon, a local trainer with QFES, one of seven local firies to be awarded the Australia Day achievement medallion for distinguished service.
The future of the mid-town pathway across the North Coast Line, via the Pomona railway station remains in doubt. See story page 5
TEDDY BEARS GONE FISHING ‘Gone fishing’ reads the sign on Pomona’s A Touch of the Past antiques and coffee shop, affectionately known as the ‘teddy bears shop’ – a favourite stopover for visitors to the town. Manager Gay Warner and her husband, Ken, have decided to take a break, but vow to return to Pomona in another role. Three shopfronts have opened up as a consequence. Meanwhile, late February is the anticipated opening of ‘That Place at Pomona’, a tapas bar, art space and craft brewery at the western entrance to town. More information next issue.
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