July 2013
An Initiative of Pomona & District Community House Inc.
Special Edition
More than 10,000 people expected to flock to Pomona
Attempting to be the undisputed mountain king for an eighth successive year is Neil Labinsky of Nambour, who has interrupted a tour of Europe with his wife to fly in and defend his race record of 22min. 43sec. In doing so, he has thrown down the challenge to in-form New Zealander Chris Morrissey and a host of other top athletes in town for the gruelling 4.5km event to the 438m summit and back.
Royalty gathers for the big race up Mt Cooroora PHOTO: TRAIL RUNNING ASSOCIATION OF QLD
One hundred kings and queens of mountain endurance sprint running will hold court at Pomona on 28 July when the 35th annual race to the top of Mount Cooroora will be witnessed by an anticipated crowd of more than 10,000. It is Australia’s most gruelling and historic mountain race.
It’s a day of fun for most of us, but a devotion of hard work for long-serving race director Barry Stewart and a team of volunteers organised by the Cooroy–Pomona Lions Club. Stan Topper Park is the festival hub, supported by most major charities and clubs who rely on the revenue from food and fun stalls to fund their activities throughout the year. As well as heritage markets, amusement rides, helicopter flights, live music and entertainment, there are plenty of competitions for all ages. Continued page 4.
Picture: Seven-time winner of the King of the Mountain race, and record time-holder, Neil Labinsky of Nambour, (above) will be contesting his crown among the field of top runners in this year’s race on 28 July.
Bendigo Bank extends event sponsorship The major sponsor of the Pomona King of the Mountain festival, Bendigo Bank, has announced a new three-year pledge to Australia’s most gruelling and historic mountain race. Through its Cooroy Community Bank branch, the branch’s parent company, Sunshine Coast Community Financial Services Ltd has committed $6000 to the staging of the event in 2013 and the same amount in 2014 and 2015 an $18,000 commitment to an iconic event about to celebrate its 35th running. Continued page 5. Left: Cooroy Pomona Lions Club members (left to right) Jim Austin, Barry Stewart, Ken Goldsworthy are elated to receive a King of the Mountain sponsorship cheque from Bendigo Bank manager, Geoff Edwards.
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Emergency Services cadets are back in business Community disappointment at the disbanding of emergency services cadet units as an early state government cost-cutting exercise has given way to optimism with the news that the Cooroora Emergency Services Cadets will reform under a new administrative structure provided by Police Citizens Youth Clubs across Queensland.
and the operation of emergency service centres,” Su said. The structure of courses is almost identical to the syllabus taught to the former emergency services cadets.
Su anticipated that many of the members of the former Cooroora corps would rejoin. “We will cater to those who come along to training nights, then conduct a major Above: Cooroora PCYC Emergency Services Cadets At the time they were instructed Coordinator, Su Below, will head a local troop of youth leaders. recruitment around December,” to fold due to withdrawal of she said. former cadet unit going as a funding, the Cooroora corps were For families struggling with the among the most active and engaged of community group, she said, but some weekly budget, Su said the good news have drifted away or joined sporting similar groups. They provided was that training and uniforms would groups,” she said. practical training and activities for a be provided free of charge. core group of about 30 people aged 12 The Cooroora group will become The Cooroora PCYC Emergency to 15, who later could become eligible operational this month, based at a for membership of the State dedicated training shed in the grounds Services Cadets will meet every Wednesday afternoon during school Emergency Service. In its former of the Pomona campus of the Noosa term at the school campus in Summit guise, the Cooroora cadets were twice District High School. The shed is Road. Afternoon tea will be provided named ‘best in state’. stocked with equipment the cadets between 3pm and 4pm, to be followed Dedicated youth leader Su Below will need for their training. by two hours of training until 6pm. again be the Local Cadet Coordinator “Cadets will be trained in search and for what will now be known officially rescue, first aid, maps and navigation, All leaders and instructors will have child protection Blue Cards. Parents as the Cooroora PCYC Emergency general rescue duties (including and guardians must sign consent Services Cadets. Sue said she was ladders, lights and generators), forms. For further information, contact relieved at the government turnaround. building safer communities, “We have been trying to keep our leadership, communications, fieldcraft Su Below on 04075 92229.
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Cooroora Connect
Rural ambassador to represent our region
Ruth gone to the dogs As a prelude to the Noosa Country Show in September, about 200 breeders and 400 dogs filled the picturesque Pomona Showground in June for a ‘confirmation show’ to determine best in breed. The event was an unexpected economic fillip for the town over the weekend of 29-30 June, as the Gympie Kennel Club found itself displaced from its normal venue due to a horse race meeting being held at the Gympie Racecourse. One of the breeders was Ruth Waxman, of Gympie, pictured here with her pack of pedigreed West Highland White Terriers.
Above: Last year’s Noosa Show Rural Ambassador, Sarah Michel, has been selected as ambassador representing 13 shows across the region and will contest the ambassador title at the RNA Show in Brisbane on 9 August. Coincidentally, judging for Noosa’s Rural Ambassador 2013 will be held the following day. It is the first time the Noosa Show has had an ambassador win through to the state finals. Sarah (second from right) is pictured receiving her award last year at Pomona. Others in the picture are Anthony Frangi (compere), Alice Shipp, a competition judge, and fellow judge Nancy Rendell, also a previous ambassador winner. Sarah is a young mother and mentor for teens, and is working to recruit others for the ambassador quest.
Dinner dance aids show Starch the white shirt, press the black trousers and pull that ‘little black number’ dress from the wardrobe, or go and buy a bargain outfit from Pomona’s excellent charity stores – the annual Noosa Country Show dinner-dance is on again.
Society secretary, said the evening would be for all ages. She especially called on past Noosa Showgirl winners to wear their sashes on the night.
Music will come from various artists supplied by the Gympie Institute of Set aside Saturday 10 Country Music, while August in your social catering will be provided by calendar. The fun-filled Meals on Wheels cooks evening of entertainment under the direction of will cost $30 per person, Deidre Tietjen. Meals on drinks extra. Pomona Wheels will be a Memorial Hall is the venue beneficiary of funds raised for the dinner-dance, on the night. starting at 6pm. Tickets go on sale soon at Organisers hope to attract more than the 100 or so people who attended last year’s event. Lorraine Fraley, the Noosa Show
the Pomona Post Office, the newsagents and True Value Hardware. Contact the show office on 5485 2671.
A Touch of the Past Antiques
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Ph: 5485 1883
*Antiques* *Gifts* *Flowers* *Jewellery* *Teddy Heaven* Homemade Cakes Lunches Open 7 Days 7am to 5pm Group Bookings Available
Starting Thursday 25 July 2013 Tax Volunteer - Brenda White @ Pomona Community House Tax Help eligibility ** Conditions Apply ** Bookings Essential - PH: 5485 2427
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More people needed to grow festival Free family fun at Pomona’s big day
The King of the Mountain Festival needs new ideas and more volunteers to help stage it if the event is to evolve and expand, the organising committee believes. Members fear that, without youthful passion and new blood, Pomona’s biggest annual event risks becoming stale and mundane. The Cooroy–Pomona Lions Club, for 35 years the festival promoters, is determined that the King of the Mountain remains the club’s major fundraiser for the year, as well as provides a free day of community fun that allows clubs, schools and sporting groups to make money for diverse activities. Above all, the Lions don’t want the festival to cease altogether due to a lack of people prepared to back it and do much of the preliminary preparation and organisation on the day. Festival chair, Jim Austin, says the club needs people to step up and take responsibility for the day, replacing those who have been members of the mainstay organising group for years. “We have the sponsorship locked in, but we lack new people with fresh ideas,” Jim said. One of those whose adamant 2013 will be his last year is the allimportant race director, Barry Stewart
From page 1.
The day starts at 7am with the IGA Poet’s Breakfast at the Majestic Theatre, followed by the Pomona Palette Exhibition at the Old Railway Station Gallery and an Antiques and Collectibles Fair at the Memorial Hall in support of Pomona Meals on Wheels.
(pictured), who has filled that role for the past 17 years. “I retired last year, supposedly, but the person who was to replace me couldn’t do it, so I am back again,” Barry said. He supervises all aspects of the main race, the timekeepers and stewards, as well as 16 officials along the course. “The runners say there is nothing like this in Australia in terms of the crowd support for each and every participant – even the last home,” Barry observed. Barry said the committee knew what to do in the race lead-up and on the day, but he and others needed to mentor new volunteers who could take the festival forward, incorporating new activities to complement the old. Contact Barry on 5485 1030 or Jim on 5485 0779.
The festival is home to Queensland’s largest school relay event. There is also the Nestle 3km Family Fun Run, Zinc 96.1FM Mountain Dash (a 2.4km run to the base of Cooroora Mountain and back), Raine & Horne Tug-O-War and the Cooroy Rag World Thong Throwing Competition. The Bendigo Bank International Mountain Challenge, the signature event, starts at 3pm.
Right: Scott Weir, Junior Men’s competitor in 2012, time 32.06.
PROGRAM 9.30am - 3pm
True Value Hardware BMX Bike Demo - Stan Topper Park
9am - 3pm
Uncle Bob’s Jug Band & Free Entertainment - IGA Pomona Stage
8am - 3pm
Antique & Collectable Fair - Pomona Memorial Hall
10am - 4pm
Pomona Palette Art Exhibition -Old Railway Station Gallery
7am
Poet’s Breakfast - Majestic Theatre
9am
Nestle 3km Family Fun Run - Start/Finish Line
10am
Canesaid Primary School Relays (Girls) - Start/Finish Line
10.30am
Canesaid Primary School Relays (Boys) - Start/Finish Line
11am
Raine & Horne Tug-O-War - Main Stage
ALL DAY LONG
12pm
Cooroy Rag World Thong Throwing Competition - Main Stage
1pm
Zinc 96.1 Mountain Dash - Start/Finish Line
Heritage Market Stalls, Food Stalls & Side Show Alley - Stan Topper Pk;
2.30pm
Pre-Main Race Entertainment - Start/Finish Line
Masters Fours Competition - Pomona Bowls Club
3pm
Bendigo Bank International Mountain Challenge - Start/Finish
3.45pm
Uncle Bob’s Jug Band - Main Stage
4.30pm
Bendigo Bank International Mountain Challenge Trophy Presentation - Main Stage
5pm
Uncle Bob’s Jug Band & Sunset Draw - Main Stage
www.kingofthemountain.com.au 4
Cooroora Connect
Bendigo Bank sponsorship guarantees future of race Nambour Fatburners take on Mountain challengers again Fatburners, a group of fitness enthusiasts under the direction of personal trainer Matt Collins of Nambour has entered as the largest contingency of runners in the Bendigo Bank International Mountain Challenge.
From page 1
A delighted Cooroy Community Bank branch manager, Geoff Edwards said, as a local business, the branch recognised the importance of this event for Pomona. “It’s precisely what our Community Bank is about. This is about banking profits going back into our community and it’s because of the support locals show us that we can announce sponsorships as important as this one,” Geoff said.
committee was over-the-moon to have a three year commitment from the Community Bank.
“All members of the King of the Mountain committee are very excited about having Bendigo Bank on board for another three years. As “Pomona King of the Mountain Many other ‘Fatties’, as members call a committee, we’re proud to say the themselves, will participate in other King of remains one of the best race itself is self funding but the the Mountain festival events, including Dave opportunities for our community to festival surrounding the race is get together in the Noosa hinterland. Dean who is legally blind. He is running in getting bigger each year and to have Who would have thought a simple the Nestle 3km Family Fun Run. a Community Bank supporting bet in a pub in 1958 would see us all something so important to this here in 2013 preparing to cheer on community is just terrific,” amazing athletes and celebrate hard The 35th Pomona King of the working volunteers - particularly the Pomona Lions Club, on July 28. Mountain Festival is a free fun day out for the whole family with the We’ve been proud to support the Bendigo Bank International event for the past three years and Mountain Challenge, Zinc 96.1 we’re delighted to announce our Mountain Dash, Nestlé Family Fun new commitment here today,” Run, Cooroy Rag Tug of War, Geoff added. school relays, market stalls, food, Pomona King of the Mountain entertainment, live music, rides and chairperson, Jim Austin said the much, much more. The Fatburners Tough Club members (pictured below) and paraplegic Marc Burton will be competing in the big event.
King of the Mountain Weekend, 27-28 July Pomona Memorial Hall
Where: Lifeline Pomona Shop When: 27- 28 July 2013 Time: 8.30am to 3pm
Times: 8am - 4pm Sat 9am -- 4pm Sun
Cost: Adults $4 Children Free (accompanied by adult)
Toys, Linen, Furniture, Coins, Stamps, Clocks, Books, Paintings, China……plus more. Secondhand books and other tempting items for sale at bargain prices! All proceeds help fund the Lifeline 24 hour 13 11 14.
Enquires Ph: 5485 2028 Fundraiser for Pomona Meals On Wheels
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Cooroora Connect
NOOSA SHOW ART EXHIBITION The Noosa Show is proud to announce that the theme for this year’s art exhibition will be H20. The exhibit will be held at the Noosa Show Grounds Squash Courts on 6 and 7 September 2013. An Exhibit Opening will be held on the evening of 5 September. At this time, winning entries will be announced and prizes awarded. Water (or the lack of water) is an important factor in all life. The theme will allow artists and sculptors the freedom to interpret its importance in a myriad of ways, in many media. The rainforest, outback, wildlife, landscape, domestic animals and people are just a few of the subjects that can be used for the H20theme. This year’s Noosa Show Art Exhibit is being produced in part by Pomona Arts, Inc. and the Pomona Railway Station Gallery. If you are interested to submit an entry, please download the registry form at the Noosa show website: www.noosashowsociety.org.au The cost is $5 per entry and prizes of $75 will be awarded to winning entries. Closing date is 19 August. For further information call the Noosa Show office….5485 2331
Keen interest shown in Great Noosa Trail walk
Cyclists hit the Hinterland A touch of Tuscany tradition and a whole lot of cycling nostalgia will rattle through Pomona and other hinterland towns on Sunday 22 July with the staging of the ‘Noosa Erocia’ ride for cyclists who appreciate a gentler era of steel-framed bikes.
expected to take in the hinterland views from the seat of a bicycle while dressed in clothing of the 1930s.
It is not for the fainthearted, however. Starting from the Noosa Marina at Tewantin, cyclists will wind their way over a It is what is called a ‘gran 115km course through fondo’ (long distance) race, Cooroy, Pomona, Kin Kin more well known in the and Boreen Point. A shorter Chianti region of Italy 40km mini-Eroica will take transferred to the Noosa place on Saturday the 21st, Hinterland landscape, starting at 9am, also from about 100 riders are the Noosa Marina. Pictured right are a group of participants in last years Noosa Erocia, bicycle ride through the hinterland. Watch for the riders through your town.
A flurry of interest in the hinterland’s newest annual event has surprised organisers of the three-day Great Noosa Trail walk, to be held on 5–7 October through the rolling hills and scenic towns of the region. What’s caught the eye of prospective participants is the mix of hiking the Noosa Trail Network between Cooroy, Pomona, Cooran and Kin Kin and the evening’s entertainment in each of the towns, including a night at Pomona’s historic Majestic Theatre and speciallyorganised legendary Cooran Acoustic Night at that towns School of Arts. “It’s an old-fashioned car rally bush bash without the cars,” one person observed. Camping accommodation is provided at Pomona and Cooran for those who take the walk at their own pace. A shuttle bus will transfer camping gear and heavy packs, leaving walkers able to travel light with day packs. The number of walkers is limited to 200, plus 20 daywalker only places each day. The cost is $150 per person. More details at greatnoosatrailwalk.com.au
Cooroy-Pomona Lions Club Interested readers who would like to come along to our meetings, take part in our activities in 2013 or maybe join our club, should contact Jim Austin 0419 703 477 Locals Supporting Locals - Pomona Community House Funded by Department of Communities
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Noosa Hinterland economy follows independent trend A fall in the Sunshine Coast’s economic development ranking among 67 regions nationwide in the latest Australian State of the Regions report should not be seen as reflecting badly on the prosperity prospects for people living in the Noosa Hinterland, the head of a local think tank said this month. Allan Bonsall, the convenor of the Hinterland Noosa Alliance, said a subtle interpretation of the statistics revealed Noosa’s special status within the region had been disguised by the collection and analysis of data based on the larger Sunshine Coast local government area. “The next Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) report into the state of our regions, once again, can report on Noosa separately, and will reveal a different picture for our hinterland communities,” Allan said. The 14th State of the Regions Report, prepared by National Economics, incorporates the latest census analysis, including population and migration trends, as well as distribution of employment, income and household wealth, also the scale of private savings and mortgage burdens. At June last year, 335,273 people were living within the boundaries of the Sunshine Coast, including Noosa. By 2026, Noosa will be home to between 55,000 and 67,000 people.
on a trajectory to rise from 41 years in 2001 to 52 years in 2026. “We must recognise that, on current indicators, our local population will age more rapidly than the rest of the coast. This will place a significant strain on the aged services sector, medical services, community outreach programs and public transport needs,” Allan said.
Above: Motivator and convenor of the Hinterland Noosa Alliance, Allan Bonsall.
localised and environmentallysensitive economic stimulus.” In the year to 30 June 2011, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast together accounted for 39 per cent of Queensland’s population growth outside Greater Brisbane and Ipswich. In absolute numbers, the biggest population growth locally was around Maroochydore-Kuluin. On a percentage basis, the fastest growing parts of the coast are at Mountain Creek, Peregian and Beerwah. The Sunshine Coast Council estimates that Pomona-Pinbarren’s population is 3028, Cooran-Federal’s at 1812 and Kin Kin-Cootharaba at 2002.
“These are areas where opportunities also exist to grow the local economy. Clearly people are coming to live here, many to retire here, so that represents an enormous resource to tap when it comes to things like investment funding, business mentoring and volunteerism.” Allan said the Hinterland Noosa Alliance believed a new Noosa Council should establish an economic development unit that built on the strengths of existing industry in the knowledge that it is much easier to grow what we have rather than introduce new industry. “We should also recognise that home-based businesses are an important aspect of our local economy and needs nurturing through a business networking cooperative.
“Agribusiness built around a clean and green environment has enormous potential for growth, particularly since With Cooroibah-Ringtail Creek added, a large Brisbane consumer market is just down the road,” he said. the Noosa Hinterland population (excluding Cooroy and district) is “Income levels may be higher in Rugfest group says thanks 8840. That’s bigger than the resident coastal parts of the Sunshine Coast, but numbers at Kingaroy or Innisfail. The organisers of Pomona’s first mortgage payments are higher also. rugfest in June have thanked local “This is a level of population that will Despite a lack of diversity in businesses for their overwhelming sustain a reasonably strong business employment opportunities, the trend is support for what will become an and commercial base that often is for modest population gains in the annual event for the town. underestimated, or hidden, because of Noosa Hinterland without all the the high number of home-based and The soup lunch and display of rugs growth pains that will occur on the farm businesses in our area,” Allan and waggas raised $5438 for Sunshine Coast,” Allan said. said. charitable activities by the St Vincent “Council de-amalgamation means that de Paul Society which was an Noosa won’t be paying for things like He said it was true that average increase of more than $2240 over the incomes in the hinterland were lower, the Caloundra South city development amount raised at the Tewantin venue but the trending statistic to watch was and upgrading of the Sunshine Coast 2012. We can change lives everyday. the median age. Across Noosa, this is Airport, allowing us to focus on a more 8
Cooroora Connect
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SUNSHINE COAST COUNCIL
Budget is a ‘ticking time bomb’ The Sunshine Coast Council has passed its $538 million budget for 2013–14, but not without dissent from Division 12 councillor, Tony Wellington, and two other representatives, councillors Green and Rogerson, who all had different reasons for rejecting it.
particularly in retail. I continue to question whether the cCouncil should be playing the role of a speculative property developer.”
Speaking against the budget, Cr Wellington cited concerns about the council’s failure to maintain assets effectively. “Essential capital works projects are being postponed at a time when they need to be addressed urgently,” Cr Wellington said. “The Queensland Treasury Corporation suggests that an asset maintenance level of 90 per cent is the benchmark Cr Tony Wellington for local governments, yet the Sunshine Coast Council consistently will have to wait until the new Noosa has struggled to achieve much more Council comes into being to see a than 60 per cent. clearer picture of the future capital “That means it’s assets are works and other expenditure items deteriorating at the expense of other covering their area. spending and I believe that represents Those with a 240-litre wheelie bin will a ticking (financial) bomb.” pay an extra $17 annually. The 2013–14 council budget was Cr Wellington warned that the new developed for the whole of the region Noosa Council would have to confront for a full 12-month period for a number of urgent capital works comparative purposes, and then maintenance projects as soon as it approximately 20 per cent of revenue takes charge from 1 January 2014. and expenses were stripped out to account for the de-amalgamation of the “At the budget meeting I also stated that the current council’s emphasis on Noosa Council area from 1 January the Maroochydore Principal Activity 2014. Centre (new Sunshine Coast CBD) Noosa Hinterland ratepayers will pay, was at odds with the need to maintain on average, an extra five per cent on its assets and also an economic climate their council rates bill in 2013–14, but that sees a lack of investment activity,
“The Minister for Local Government, David Crisafulli, has stated publicly that current rate rises in Rockhampton and on the Sunshine Coast cannot be attributed to de-amalgamation. Rockhampton City Council, another council affected by de-amalgamation, has increased its annual bill to ratepayers by an extra eight per cent.
Cr Wellington also maintained his challenge to the Mayor, Mark Jamieson, on the impact of deamalgamation on the budget.
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“Indeed, I seriously question many of the assumptions surrounding those impacts,” Cr Wellington said. “Divisions 11 and 12 represent just 16 per cent of the Coast population. The remaining Sunshine Coast Council will still be the fourth largest council in Australia. Yet we are being asked to believe that the Sunshine Coast Council will suffer from lower economies of scale and reduced purchasing power. I don't buy it.”
Fake notes passed here
ROBERT COCHRANE
PH: 0429 154 060
“All the de-amalgamation costs are being met by the new councils, including staff time. Any possible ongoing impacts are not yet being experienced, so I believe it is disingenuous to be blaming deamalgamation for rate rises in 2013– 14.
Pomona IGA is one of several venues across the Sunshine Coast where a fake $100 has been offered as cash to pay for goods. Honest customers passing $100 in exchange for groceries, understandably, should be aware that the bill is going to receive close scrutiny. Police investigating the currency counterfeiters say the illegal $100 notes are ‘off-colour’, slightly smaller than normal and with no raised lettering in the clear window panel. Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333000.
Cooroora Connect
Page Furnishers grows its new orders book It may not be obvious, but a new prison, hospital and international hotel are being built in Pomona – they just won’t stay here.
Managing director Allan Page says it is ‘business as usual’ for the company his grandfather, Herbert Pages Furniture factory currently is filling orders worth almost $10 million Page, established at for delivery around Australia, among Pomona in 1919. Pages is one of the them the fit-out for an 800-cell largest employers in correctional centre at Darwin, worth $5.5 million, all the fittings for a new the Noosa district, with a full-time staff of 70, including six apprentices. hospital in Mackay and the room furniture required for a makeover of all “Over the past 25 to 30 years, we 167 guest suites at the Noosa Sheraton would have turned out about 150 Hotel. The work is in addition to core tradespeople through here,” Allan said. business for Pages, which involves the The Darwin prison contract is being manufacture of desks, chairs and undertaken progressively over a 12education furniture for public schools month period, ending about February throughout Queensland. 2014. All beds, cupboards, desks and
metal door frames are being manufactured to two lots of specifications, for high-risk prisoners and low-risk detainees. Allan said Pages was winning work as far away as Western Australia, despite the transport costs, through connections with major construction players including Balderstone and Thiess. “We have built relationships with these companies over 20 years and we go where they do to get the work,” he said. The Mackay hospital order is 60 per cent complete, the total contract worth $3 million. The Sheraton Noosa room makeover is worth a further $1 million to Pages.
VISITORS LOVE OUR HINTERLAND As the winter chills send hordes of grey nomads north, along the Bruce Highway, many are finding our Noosa hinterland towns a restful place to stop, recharge and enjoy the lifestyle that the rest of us experience all year round. Caravaners Des and Iris Quinn, of Pottsville NSW, have been coming to Pomona for the past three years, parking their van at a showgrounds site with excellent views of Mount Cooroora. They spend three months of the year here and have even joined the bowls club for friendship and to hone their skills.
they have been coming to Pomona periodically as part of an internetbased house-sitting service for when home owners go on holidays and don’t want their property left vacant. “This is our second home. We are past the rushing around stage. We love walking to town through the park and the people are friendly,” Des said. (Iris and Des are pictured right.)
Wendy Selby and Jen Smith, visitors from Narooma NSW, are in town for a week as guests of Tony and Karel Royle. They are walking the Noosa Trail Network. Having a coffee together are Wendy and Jen (centre) with Tony Royle (left) and his wife The couple is no stranger to the area as Karel Royle (right).
New faces join Pomona Pacers for fun and fitness Welcome to Denise and Georgie, new members of the Pomona Pacers. A group of us travelled to Brisbane for the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar. The weather has not been brilliant and there were even a couple of days when our stalwart, Ellen, did not walk. Join us daily in front of the Pomona Community House at 7.00 am. The next two Moon Walks will be on July 24 and August 21. We should have a brilliant view of the moon on both those dates. For information phone Assunta on 5485 2935.
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Home help available for region’s elderly Two organisations, ably assisted by dedicated volunteers, are making a difference in the lives of the elderly across the Noosa hinterland, allowing them to stay part of the community through assisted living options tailored to their needs. Three days a week, regular as clockwork, qualified cooks and nutritionists supervise a band of helpers preparing wholesome meals at the Meals on Wheels kitchen within the Pomona Memorial Hall. A meal consists of a juice, soup, main course and dessert, all for $7.50. They are delivered as far afield at Boreen Point, Traveston, Cooran, Eumundi and Cooroy. The volunteer drivers are an important daily contact for some people, often the only contact for a few. Meals on Wheels are looking for new volunteers to prepare food in the kitchen or to take the finished product to folk who need it – not just the elderly but for those who are recovering at home from recent surgery, or who can’t do for themselves for whatever reason. Call 5485 1777 for further details. For those wondering what happens in the office beside the Mountain Stop Cafe, Integrated Living Australia takes care of aged people in their home via a suite of services that can include transport to appointments, essential garden maintenance, personal care, social support and allied health professional services such as physiotherapy and podiatry. It is also looking to obtain more volunteers to assist with its aged care outreach.
Above: Three days a week, the Pomona Meals On Wheels kitchen is a hive of activity as volunteers produce quality meals at affordable prices for the elderly and infirm who need to be cared for in their own home. Pictured (left to right) are Lindsey Johansen, Pam Dwyer, Brett Riddy and Trephina Tracey.
ideal base, geographically and also because of the community’s embrace of Integrated Living staff. “It is a friendly town that we all love,” Wendy said.
Integrated Living’s services for the frail aged, veterans, people with a disability and families are provided using funding support from the federal and state governments. In some cases, clients may have to make a partial A staff of four services a primary payment, depending on their individual client base of 100 located around the hinterland and in the Mary Valley, but circumstances. also assist with the care of another 500 A program of care is tailored to each people between Pomona and Brisbane individual’s circumstances. To receive through stints at a Caloundra office. a package, or to test whether you are The aim is to maintain people’s eligible, requires an assessment by an independence so they can stay in their aged care assessment team (ACAT). own homes. Care co-ordinator Wendy Starr said the need for the Pomona office had been proven after it opened just over 12 months and clients began walking in off the street. She said the town was an 12
For more information, call the Sunshine Coast ACAT on 5470 6731 or Integrated Living on 1300 782 896. Cooroora Connect
Above: Care coordinator at Integrated Living, Pomona, Wendy Starr.
ANZ Bank looks to relocate to better serve customers The ANZ Bank says it will explore all options, including relocating its branch within Pomona to better serve the needs of customers, including those with a disability. The decision follows talks with the landlord of the current premises at the corner of Reserve Street and Memorial Avenue about having a ramp installed to provide access to the banking chamber for the elderly and those who find it difficult to climb the stairs of the historic building. “We have had ongoing discussions with out landlord, which so far have been unsuccessful,” a bank spokesperson said. “We take accessibility seriously and our accessibility and inclusion plan outlines our commitments to making it easy for people to use our branches, building, product and services.” The issue was highlighted recently when Gail Chapple, a cerebral palsy sufferer, inquired about whether it was feasible for the bank to install a ramp for less agile customers. She was referred
Hopes for men’s shed to be based at old fire station About 130 blokes who have signed up as interested in establishing a Men’s Shed at Pomona are sweating on a state government decision whether they can secure the old fire station site in Factory Street as a place to call home. A new Pomona Fire and Rescue Station is likely to open towards the end of 2014 on a site in Reserve Street, leaving the old building vacant.
Above: Gail Chapple has had to cancel her ANZ bank account because her disability means she cannot access the bank’s premises at Pomona.
to the ANZ’s Cooroy branch and was told that Pomona staff could serve he on the footpath, if necessary. Gail had opened an ANZ bank account before she and her husband moved permanently to Pomona, but she has since cancelled the account and now does her banking at Noosaville. “I try to use the internet for banking as much as possible, but there are times when face to face contact is required,” she said.
Permit uncertainty for business on public land The Sunshine Coast Council has approved more than 40 small businesses to operate commercially on community land after a rigorous review and application process that began in August 2012. However, it has deferred consideration of applications for new businesses on public land in the future Noosa Council area, so that the new council can determine its policy for such operations.
A spokesman for Pomona’s Men’s Shed Group said discussions had been held over several months with the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service and the State Member for Gympie, David Gibson MP, about the disused building becoming a men’s shed, notwithstanding its flooding susceptibility. Indications were hopeful, he said. “We know the old fire station is in a bad way, but we hope we can fix it up and build around it,” he said. The group has dismantled a shed donated to the men and have placed it in storage. The plan is to build a raised earth platform to the right of the old fire station, above the flood level, and reconstruct the dismantled shed there. The old fire station could be used as a tea room and meeting area, with valuable machinery located in the raised section. Meanwhile, members of the group are meeting on private properties. Recently they completed an order from the Sunshine Coast Council to build 50 Indian miner bird traps. Money raised will go towards the cost of a concrete slab and the proposed new men’s shed headquarters. A pizza oven for the Lawson Shed is another project being planned. The attraction of the old fire station as a men’s shed is that it is connected to mains water and sewerage, and has an appropriate zoning away from houses. An alternative proposal to build on council land site off Yurol Forest Drive would have required the men’s group to find at least $300,000 for associated infrastructure costs; a virtually impossible task. “The alternative was very much an unknown quantity, whereas the old fire station could be made to work,” the spokesperson said.
GRANT-E-Nomics seminar to help secure a funding grant for your organisation Lots of grants are available from councils, governments and philanthropic business for just about any community endeavour, but do you or your organisation take advantage of these offers?
individuals and groups with the skills to lodge a successful grant application. The ‘Grant E-Nomics’ workshop will take participants through the steps of designing, writing and successfully securing a grant.
cost $44 per person. It will take place on 23 July, from 6pm to 9pm. Help will be provided to identify levels of government, organisations and corporate businesses the regularly offer grants.
A seminar to be held at the Lawson Shed later this month aims to equip
Involving instruction and practical exercises, the three-hour seminar will
Contact Charles Shewring at niser@niser.org.au
Locals Supporting Locals - Pomona Community House Funded by Department of Communities
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Our town of blackboard philosophers Left: Keith Rolton, of the Pomona Servo, taps his wit and the internet for his cheeky daily message.
You have probably heard the saying that the thinking required to solve a problem needs to be different to the thinking that created the mess in the first place. Or maybe you will heed this axiom – ‘Believe those who are seeking the truth and doubt those who find it’. Similar pearls of wisdom are springing up on black and white boards across Pomona as our shopkeepers have taken to philosophy and witty comments that are stopping people in their tracks as they walk about town. It is another way businesses are helping add to our community character while providing a smirk for visitors who see the blackboard wisdom as another reason to love the town. In the past, they couldn’t resist correcting the spelling on the billboard outside Gitsham’s Prime Foods that advertised ‘pee and ham’ soup. Across the road, the Options 4U charity shop promotes an uplifting message. ‘Always know you are never alone’ reads the whiteboard beside the shop entrance.
Right: No one is owning up for being the author of messages that greet those who enter Pomona’’s True Value Hardware store every day.
They are a little sheepish at the True Value Hardware store in Reserve Street about who is responsible for the daily blackboard lesson – either Scott Hooper or Peter Hill. When the Cooroora Connect called recently, the sign read: ‘Professionals built the Titanic, amateurs built the Ark’. While their source of inspiration often is the Internet, Keith Rolton of the Pomona Servo admits that his cheekly sense of humour is behind the message motorists see as they fill up at his shop.
Left: The Options 4 U Op Shop has an inspiring message for customers as they enter the shop.
“Some words I make up, others result from what I might have read in the newspaper, or I might just be annoyed about something and am inspired to respond on the blackboard,” Keith said. “We get quite a few comments, including one or two complaints.” Keith started the blackboard humour phenomenon locally about eight months ago, responding to an issue then in the media. For fun, he wrote: ‘Staff do not use performanceenhancing drugs to give great service’. Keith’s sign raised guffaws more recently with a mother-in-law joke. It read: ‘My mother-in-law is well preserved. She is 89 and doesn’t need glasses – she drinks straight from the bottle’.
Domino Restorations Expert Repair & Restoration * China & Porcelain * Jewellery
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PHONE: 5485 2427 | FAX: 5485 1702 | ABN: 86 583 189 320 President - Dawn Gwynne
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Cooroora Connect is published by Pomona & District Community House Inc. The material published in Cooroora Connect may be reproduced only with appropriate authorisation & acknowledgment. The views expressed in Cooroora Connect are not necessarily the views of the editor, publisher or Pomona & District Community House.
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The Boutique Room 18 Reserve Street, Pomona Ph: 0409 948 630 Size 8 to plus sizes Designer Labels Fashion & Accessories Giftware
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