Cooroora Connect May 2020 Edition

Cooroora Connect MAY 2020

An Initiative of Pomona & District Community House PROJECT OVERVIEW

80 JOBS Proposed dementia unit and palliative care farm INSIDE: MEET YOUR NEW COUNCIL Noosa has its first female mayor, Cr Clare Stewart. Meet her and the new council faces inside this issue, pages 6-10.

A new, contemporary way of caring for elderly dementia patients and those requiring palliative treatment will be provided at a 52-bed ‘care farm’ proposed by Lutheran Services on a 24ha site at Black Mountain, creating 80 jobs for locals.

Lutheran Services has conducted meetings with Noosa Council and briefed two community groups about the concept as part of its public consultation obligations.  Continued page 2

THE GOOD NEWS ISSUE Lots of positive stories for you to read

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‘Care farm’ would fill gap in facilities for aged From page 1 The proposed ‘care farm’ would house patients in a rural setting, complete with animals, an orchard, and vegetable and herb gardens.

Buildings would cover a 5000 sq m footprint.

veggie garden and a focus on good, aged care setting.” nutritional tasty food being served to Lutheran Services has operated on residents,” he said. the Sunshine Coast for the past 30 years. The cost of the Black “The aim is to provide continuous Mountain care farm is not known, contact with people, animals and nature, within a less institutionalised although Lutheran Services says the new facility has been made possible environment.”

The 52 beds would be accommodated with the assistance of a bequest from in two dementia ‘homes’, augmented A project proposal report prepared a member of the Noosa community.

by Lutheran Services identified the by administrative and operational There is opportunity to develop the site as being at Rose Gum Road, off facilities, a chapel and community site further to accommodate an the Cooroy Connection Road, hall. If approved, there will be a fire increased number of residents, between Pomona and Cooroy. pit, outdoor theatre and lagoon. should demand warrant.

The report states: “The site has been Consultation is continuing with Country Noosa President, Martin selected to implement an innovative Noosa Council.

Duncan, is one of those who met style of dementia care in a rural recently with Lutheran Services CEO, THE PROJECT IN BRIEF setting. The care model provides Nick Ryan, and Corporate  Two dementia ‘homes’ Communications Manager, Amanda greater independence and freedom for residents.

They will be able to  52-bed facility for respite and palliative Scanlan, to discuss the project. lead a ‘normal’ life within a rural care “The concept is to have farm animals home environment. This type of care  Administrative and operational facilities on site, and to have a community is not possible within a traditional  Chapel and community hall  Total building footprint of 5000 sq m FREE HAND SANITISER FOR PENSIONERS Not only are the clever folk at the Pomona Distilling Co. dab hands at mak-  Vegetable, herb and flower gardens  Fruit orchard ing gin, they have turned their talents to producing hand sanitiser, and  Animal yards and sheds making it available free of charge to pensioners in the Pomona area. Ph:  Fire pit, open air theatre and lagoon.

1300 904 633.

New way found to assist those making emergency OOO calls There may be circumstances where someone making a OOO emergency services call cannot speak, or find it unsafe to speak, such as during a domestic violence attack.

For just such an event, a new service is available.

When a OOO caller doesn’t respond to the operator's question Emergency. Police?

Fire? Ambulance?, the call is transferred to an interactive voice response unit (IVR). The IVR asks the caller to press '55' if they require help. When the caller does not press '55' after being asked three

times, the call will be disconnected.

However, if they press '55' they will be connected to the police. If the caller is still unable to speak, the police will attempt to call them back and might also send a car to the address.

Police will use the address for the service, which usually would be either the home identified with the phone, or the billing address. That’s why it is important that your telecommunications provider has the most up-to -date address details.

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At the going down of the sun, we remembered them With a temporary ban on large public gatherings in place, we had to find new ways of commemorating Anzac Day – lest we forget.

The commemoration of wartime service and sacrifice at Pomona, reinstated following restoration and re-dedication of the rotunda memorial in 2018, took on a different presentation this year amid procedures associated with the management of the Coronavirus pandemic. The restoration included reinstatement of the flickering light atop the building.

Unable to gather in numbers for the now traditional evening service, individuals and small groups visited the memorial during Anzac Day 2020 to quietly reflect or to lay floral tributes.

At 6am – the dedicated hour for national commemoration in driveways across the nation, a handful of people gathered at the rotunda in silent reflection.

Pomona’s volunteer firies and their families kept their distance across the road, broadcasting the radio coverage of the service from Canberra.

A couple of floral tributes were laid, although perfunctory, the gesture simple and poignant. The time was signalled by the timer switching off the commemorative light and the still morning air was disrupted by the blast of a horn from a freight train passing by.

The focus now will be to keep the tradition going from Remembrance Day, 11 November, when it might be possible to conduct a traditional march to the memorial.

After last year refusing a permit for an Anzac Day march to occur in Pomona – resulting in a protest petition being signed by more than 400 locals – Noosa Council has

Loan bugler and local ambo, Mark, plays the last post at the Pomona War Memorial on Anzac Day. The tuneful lament echoed from the surrounding buildings to cast a sombre atmosphere for those who took part in an impromptu commemoration. reconsidered and says it would review an application for a march in future, subject to certain conditions being met.

“A suitable organisation would be one with the appropriate insurances in place and demonstrated capacity to successfully and safely deliver an The Director of Community Services event that reflects the community’s needs and has community benefit,” with Noosa Council, Ms Kerri Contini, herself a Pomona resident, Ms Contini said. said the council was open to holding The Pomona War Memorial discussions with an incorporated Committee is auspiced by the organisation, or a suitably auspiced Cooroora Historical Society. community group, regarding a commemorative street march.

Lest We Forget

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OUR SPECIAL OBSERVANCE OF ANZAC DAY 2020 It was an Anzac Day of commemoration like no other. In adapting to the changed circumstances of social isolation, we appreciated all the more our togetherness, mateship, strength of community and service to others. And we shone. We discovered that resilience is our plasma. We held dear the Anzac Spirit — young and old alike — up country lanes, in front yards and amid groves of trees. We placed poppies for remembrance and in the simple significance of our gestures we found new meaning in what it is to be Australian.

Our firies stood proud, facing the Pomona War Memorial, while Mark, one of our paramedics, played the Last Post on his bugle.

Floral tributes adorned the memorial at dawn and grew in number as the day progressed.

Left: Floral tributes left at the Pomona War Memorial at Pomona.

Bottom Left: Red poppies were placed on war graves at the Pomona Cemetery.

Below: Impromptu memorial, Plantation Lane Pinbarren

Floral tributes row on row, like soldiers, covered bollards in Memorial Avenue – red poppies for those who died, purple for the animals killed in battle and white for peace.

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Anzac lanterns illuminate dawn’s pale glow Each year Jaymie Suares and her children attend the Anzac Day dawn service and street parade at Cooroy, but were unable to do so this year due to the Coronavirus restrictions.

That didn’t stop their commemoration observance.

The Suares family joined the ‘Light

Up the Dawn’ movement, converted two-litre plastic milk containers into Anzac lanterns, complete with red poppy motifs (pictured) and stood at the end of their driveway for reflection and a minute’s silence.

Across the hinterland, many did the same.

This makeshift memorial in Highfield Rise, Pomona, was typical of many that popped up across the Northern Hinterland on Anzac Day.

A rare photo of some of ‘our boys’ from Pomona who volunteered for military service in WWI. It was taken in 1916. Back row: Anthony Spinaze, Richard Hehir, Sidney Baker and unknown. Front row: Bernard O’Brien, Larry (John) Spinaze, James Joseph Sankey.

Anzac Day was commemorated at Pomona even before WWI ended. The town has a special place in the state’s history as the first community in Queensland to plant an avenue of trees in honour of the war dead – a tree for each soldier along Memorial Avenue. This was the scene in 1917, when the first memorial tree was planted.

Sadly most of the trees have been removed and only one plaque affixed to a picket fence around each tree remains, preserved at the Noosa Shire Museum. The Noosa Council of the day pledged to maintain the memorial in perpetuity.

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Former mayor bows out, with thanks to council staff Wellington says he will cherish many memories from his time in office His harshest critics still fume on social media, labelling him a ‘one term wonder’, but they could well heed Tony Wellington’s sentiment that the past is behind and a new era in local politics has dawned.

“It’s all over, folks.” In a thoughtful statement beginning with these words, Mr Wellington conceded he did not have sufficient numbers to retain his job as Mayor of Noosa Shire, acknowledging defeat at the hands of the people and handing the reins to Ms Clare Stewart, who becomes Noosa’s first female mayor.

However, I am sure they will be up to the task.

“I wish Clare every success over the coming years. She will be Noosa’s first female mayor and that itself already is an achievement.”

Mr Wellington said it had been an honour and a privilege to have served Noosa as councillor and mayor (the latter for the last four years).

I will cherish many memories of my time in public office. I particularly want to thank my councillor colleagues, as well as the wonderful council staff.

More time for surfing and photography ... former Noosa Mayor,

“I wish Clare every success over the Of 34,000 votes cast, in the coming years. She will be Noosa’s first end the final result came female mayor and that itself already is an down to just over 300 votes achievement.” in an election that saw three new councillors elected to the six seats on the other side of the table to the mayor – two of them women.

Noosa is truly blessed to have so many caring, passionate people working on its behalf.” He particularly thanked the CEO, departmental directors and executive assistants.

Mr Wellington was gracious in defeat. “I take this opportunity to congratulate all the Ms Stewart thanked Mr candidates elected as Wellington for being Noosa councillors,” he said. gracious in defeat and she “Clare and her councillor wished him all the best. team will be taking on “It was really tight (the some significant contest) and it shows the challenges, with the community is divided. I’ve Coronavirus pandemic got a lot of work to do to making many aspects of bring it together. council operations far from “Our community will be normal.

confronted by many challenges over the next few months and I want to assure you all that I am committed to working on behalf of all those in our community who need help and support,” she said.

Although he hasn’t exactly thought through his plans for the future, Mr Wellington said he had begun researching and writing a book. He left open the question of whether he would reengage with politics ‘in some form’ down the track.

HELP AVAILABLE FOR RIDGEWOOD RESIDENTS For Ridgewood and Carters Ridge residents isolated in their homes or concerned about travelling to town during the Coronavirus epidemic, a community assistance service is available to collect groceries and run errands.

Those requiring help can contact Bonnie Young (0422 576 790) or Brian Jones (0417 721 467).

Further information is available on the Ridgewood and Carters Ridge Facebook page.

Pomona Community House offers a similar service, phone, 5485 2427.

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OLD

Down to business for new council representatives Policies under review as team sworn into office

Following their induction, the councillors are settling into the job and have begun exploring ways to implement their policies.

One of three women elected, Cr Finzel said she was tremendously honoured to represent the entire shire and be a voice for the hinterland at the council table. “My commitment is to bring diligence and transparency to all processes, especially the council’s financial decisions,” Cr Finzel said.

“Like never before, we require relevant, authentic and forward-thinking leaders with empathy to

face the complexities of governance during these unprecedented times.

Together we must persevere while acknowledging the importance of imagination as we strive towards innovative and costeffective outcomes in times of uncertainty.

WILKIE

STOCKWELL

JURISEVIC

LORENTSON

WEGENER

FINZEL

NEW

The dust has settled in the Noosa Council poll, resulting in the re-election of three old hands – Crs Wilkie, Stockwell and Jurisevic and three newcomers – Crs Amelia Lorentson, Tom Wegener and Karen Finzel. Clare Stewart is the new mayor.

because it is actually an “Building and valuing opportunity to run strong relationships with with things and to build each other and sound character,” he said. policies will serve the community well. Together He foresaw tough times we strengthen community.” ahead as the council would need to strike a balance Cr Wegener said he had between a weak local optimism that Noosa Shire economy resulting in lower would ‘grow its way out of ’ rate revenue, and the drive the crisis brought on by to find efficiencies to COVID-19. maintain a high standard of “We are going to be getting living. a lot of money from the “Some of this may lead to federal and state despair, especially [among] governments, but I always the young business people worry about idle hands who are suffering right getting money. I hope to now. I went through a work with the council and similar thing during the everyone out there to put global financial crises in this time to great use 2009,” Cr Wegener said.

“When you are down, sometimes you can reflect on the incredible values we have, because there is so much value in Noosa it is unbelievable,” Cr Wegener said. “Monetary value is just one small way of measuring all this value. Of course, we have our beautiful environment, we have our incredible volunteers who are a constant. They create an enormous amount of value.

And we are well-suited here in Noosa because of a lot of opportunities with manufacturing and agriculture. There are so many different aspects of this Noosa.”

Deputy mayor and disaster management roles filled Cr Frank Wilkie has been reendorsed to the position of deputy mayor of Noosa Shire on the recommendation of new mayor, Cr Clare Stewart, and with the unanimous backing of all councillors.

Cr Stewart will chair the Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) to steer the region through difficult times, including the Coronavirus pandemic.

The positions were filled at the first full meeting of the council following the induction of councillors,

including four first-timers.

Cr Stewart said the appointment of Cr Wilkie was vital to providing stability for the council.

“Cr Wilkie has exceptional credentials and experience, having served in this role for the past four years,” the mayor said.

“He has the confidence of council and the community – as demonstrated by his strong polling in the recent election. With his longstanding experience he brings a lot to the table, making him the right

person for the job,” she said.

Cr Wilkie said he was looking forward to providing guidance where needed.

The mayor said she would take her disaster management role ‘incredibly seriously’. “These are trying and unprecedented times and I have every confidence in those around the LDMG table,” Cr Stewart said in accepting the nomination.

“Cr Joe Jurisevic will again take on the Deputy LDMG Chair role.

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ACT TO SUPPRESS CORONAVIRUS If you suspect you or a family member has Coronavirus, you should contact (not visit) your GP, local hospital or 13HEALTH

FINAL COUNT FOR COUNCILLORS VOTE FOR MAYOR^ STEWART Clare WELLINGTON Tony

Monday to Friday

8am to 5pm Saturday 9am to 12pm

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE Immunisations & Skin Checks Medical & Health Assessments

** FLU VACCINATIONS **

BULK BILLING AVAILABLE ** for selected patients**

Appointments Available Now Dr Anthony Kirk Dr Raja Sengupta Dr Robin Gregory Dr Alison Colville

Ph: 5485 1177 5 Factory Street Pomona

14,705

50.11 %

14,640

49.89 %

^Of 30,199 votes cast, 854 were declared informal.

Ultimately, Clare Stewart won by 65 votes.

VOTE FOR COUNCILLORS* WILKIE Frank

13,786

8.31%

STOCKWELL Brian

13,110

7.90%

JURISEVIC Joe

11,395

6.87%

LORENTSON Amelia

10,596

6.38%

WEGENER Tom

10,194

6.14%

FINZEL Karen

9922

5.98%

*Crs Wilkie, Stockwell and Jurisevic were sitting councillors, re-elected.

Clare, Noosa has its first female mayor. Eight days into her role, Cr Clare Stewart discusses how things will be different.

Noosa’s new mayor is determined to tackle the enormity of her task in a Coronavirus era with dignity, optimism and enthusiasm, while recognising that almost half of electors didn’t want her in the job.

On the narrow victory, Clare Stewart said: “A little less than half of the shire sought continuity. This has to be recognised and respected. The outcome has left me privileged and thankful. Yes it is a victory, but one shared with many and one that now demands so much for so many.”

Consequently, a major priority for the newly-elected Noosa Council would be ‘cohesion and engagement, with a focus on working for, and listening to, residents to shape a unified and recovering community’.

“As mayor and councillors, our job is to engage all and to serve all in our endeavour to be a flourishing whole and integrated community. This is our absolute priority – to be present, transparent and accountable to all,” Cr Stewart said. “In the eight working days since we officially assumed our roles, the unity and focus of this council has already become evident.

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the Mayor “The mix of new and previous skills is an asset that cannot be understated and, no doubt, will assist us to navigate the incredibly challenging landscape of COVID19.”

It’s obvious that managing the Coronavirus pandemic locally has overshadowed the council’s immediate priorities.

“To date, COVID-19, along with general briefings on council projects and services, has dominated our daily agenda. It is imperative we support this shire through an unprecedented global event that is impacting residents and small business at every level.”

In an election count that seesawed across 10 days, former barrister Clare Stewart pulled ahead of existing Mayor Tony Wellington, ultimately to beat him by just 65 votes for the top job.

While dealing with the evolving emergency situation and the council’s response to it, Cr Stewart revealed that councillors have begun their Budget deliberations.

“This year’s Budget will be challenging and a careful balance will need to be struck once we know the full financial impact of COVID-19. In my view, this is not a time when the council would wish to impose any further hardship on the shire’s residents.”

Together with other local government bodies in Queensland, Cr Stewart said Noosa Council was putting significant pressure on state and federal governments to provide funding for a multi-pronged plan to help councils get their communities to bounce back from The mayor is the chair of Noosa’s reconstituted Local Disaster Management Group and is also conscious of the COVID-19. This included a significant capital works program and a green army to carry out a range a jobs. approaching fire season.

“Already I have met with our Local Disaster Management Coordinator regarding this and we are meeting with representatives from Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, the Emergency Management Co-coordinator and representatives of the Queensland Police Service to discuss and prioritise ‘at risk’ areas,” she said.

“Based on the advice of these experts, a strategy will be formulated.”

“All levels of government will need to watch the bottom line carefully over the coming months, balancing community needs with the responsible use of ratepayers’ money in an economically challenging landscape. I will be taking advice from our infrastructure department, in the knowledge that fiscal responsibility will need to be a factor.” Meanwhile, Cr Stewart said she had called for a safety briefing regarding the condition of roads and bridges.

Continued page 10

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Mayor tackles busy schedule and sets priorities From page 9 And she remained mindful of community views about the need to get right a replacement service for the ageing mobile library.

for there to be a hinterland liaison officer. “We are currently in discussions and it appears likely a councillor will fill this role with the support of a council staff member. Due to COVID-19, it is my belief it would not As she contemplated ‘doing things differently’ after only be fiscally responsible to fund an additional position in eight days in the job, Cr Stewart revealed her position on council,” she said. two important matters that featured during the election A stronger Noosa economy post Coronavirus remains campaign. the number one issue, however. “The bottom line is, the door is always open between business and council,” Cr "It is not intended that the council will take over Stewart said. “I have had a meeting with three major responsibility for the Noosa River,” she said. “At this business associations since becoming mayor and I am stage the view is that new Noosa River Plan has to go involved in the business round table, which links the back to the drawing board. We will be consulting with council to Noosa Tourism and various business key stakeholders when the time is right, including the organisations and associations. This round table began State as a result of COVID-19 and has a focus on supporting Government, which maintains control of the river.” our business and tourism community as much as we As to the future of the closed TAFE site, the mayor can.” revealed she had met with the Member for Noosa, Sandy She looked forward to receiving a briefing on the Rural Bolton MP, to discuss a number of matters, including Enterprise Plan and the need for a round of ‘placethe TAFE site. “The council would need to consider a specific use and outcome for the site before undertaking making’ studies for various communities and villages across the shire. any discussion on whether purchasing it is a feasible or fiscally responsible option,” she said.

As to Noosa Council’s relationship with groups such as the Noosa Parks Association and the Noosa Biosphere It is clear also that the Noosa Plan, as it stands, won’t Reserve Foundation, Cr Stewart said: “There will be time merely get a stamp of approval from councillors. The enough to look at relationships with these organisations mayor said: “Discussions pertaining to the New Noosa Plan are scheduled to take place in coming months, once in the future, including any funding structures. councillors are fully abreast of a range of different matters.”

“Working groups are a critical tool that assists in planning a region’s future while tapping into essential One of Cr Stewart’s 10 key priority areas was the need for input from the community. In regards to the Noosa Sustainable Tourism Reference Group, I am looking greater input into council processes and decision making from hinterland communities. Her proposal was forward to learning more about its focus and thoughts.”

Tourism body will change marketing strategy to target local visitors Tourism Noosa is devising a marketing strategy that will target Queensland and Australian tourists rather than its usual international visitor market as the region’s principal economic sector seeks to recover from Coronavirus restrictions. “One of our key priorities at the moment is our business planning for the recovery phase and to ensure that we will be ready for when the time is right, to target markets and welcome visitors back to Noosa,”

said CEO Melanie Anderson. “Our marketing approach will be different from all previous activity,” Ms Anderson said. “Our priority, in the short term, will change from international and interstate activity and will now have to have a stronger focus on the Queen-sland and hopefully soon, the interstate markets.” She said Tourism Noosa would engage with members to develop the new strategy.

Home delivery prescription service All your medical needs continue to be provided by the Livelife Pharmacy, Pomona and even prescription drugs can be delivered to your door during the Coronavirus confinement, provided you make arrangements with the chemist, or via an app.

established. Livelife supports the Med-advisor app and staff can show customers how to load it onto a mobile device.

Payment can be made that way too.

Alternatively, a delivery person can collect a hardcopy prescription from The pharmacy advises your home. Deliveries to customers to register the Pomona-Cooran area prescriptions on the are being made daily, but premises, so they can be will be extended elsewhere stored electronically. There on an as-needs basis, which is no need to sign may not be daily. personally for scripts, but For more information, your identity must be phone 5485 1270.

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Smart Pups find new ways to do business The bond between a boy and his dog ... the Smart Pups charity trains dogs with skills specifically suited to children with special needs.

With Smart Pups having to close its charity shop temporarily, the dog training not-for-profit charity has found a novel way to continue doing business. It is auctioning selected fashion and other items on-line to the highest bidder.

The proceeds of every sale go directly to training assistance dogs for special needs children throughout Australia.

Direct cash donations are still being accepted, including via change boxes in shops across the hinterland. their child, their family, the child’s “We know many are also struggling, school and the broader community around them. but right now there are many more vulnerable children who need our help. Please consider donating today so that Smart Pups can assist more children, giving them independence, The Coffee Tribe Café beside the joy and companionship - and keep Lake Cootharaba Sailing Club on the them safe,” a spokesperson said. esplanade at Boreen Point is up for

Check out the charity’s on-line auction site at www.smartpups.org.au/ product-category/auctions.

Boreen Point café goes up for sale

In the nine years Smart Pups has operated, it has placed 180 dogs with children with special needs.

Each dog has a profound effect on

sale, marketed by Raine and Horne, Pomona. The asking price is $599,000.

The 544 sq m property at 22 Boreen

Parade includes a one-bedroom living quarters. It is zoned ‘mixed village’, so can be expanded within the restrictions f that designation.

Wayne Colley of Raine and Horne describes the property as ‘the best spot on the lake’.

IGA offers free grocery delivery service for elderly To assist the elderly and vulnerable among our community – and those who may be isolated, unwell or simply unable to get to a supermarket – Cooroy and Pomona IGA supermarkets have introduced an on-line order form and home delivery or collection service.

Delivery is free for Senior or disability card holders.

Cooroy Supa IGA manager, Romeo Bordignon, said that while the arrangement was not a complete online shopping system, it enabled those isolated at home during the Coronavirus lockdown to order goods from the store, pay for them over the phone and have them delivered. Full details are available on the store website.

“We want to help and offering free

delivery is one way we can. It’s not the full online shopping service where you select a product and see the pictures.

“We have always offered online shopping but when the Coronavirus situation worsened and there were stock shortages we suspended it,” he said. “Many stock shortages are due to supply issues that are completely outside our control. We will continue to do our best to keep shelves full.

“We’re asking customers to send a form to us, like a shopping list, and we’ll put the order together,” he said.

The modified service would apply to surrounding suburbs, including Boreen Point, but not to areas towards Noosa.

Mr Bordignon said extra precautions

were being taken in-store to guard against the spread of the Coronavirus.

“We know that these are highly stressful, anxious circumstances and that people are understandably worried about the safety and food security of themselves and those they love,” he said.

More information: https:// supaigacooroy.com.au/current or phone 5447 6061.

SUPPORT FOR BUSINESS Noosa Council has established a Noosa Business Facebook page that outlines the range of measures and programs that are available to support our local business community.

Check it out at www.facebook.com/ SupportNoosaBusiness.

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Meeting the challenge of a post-Coronavirus economy Noosa’s economy beyond the Coronavirus pandemic emergency will be markedly different, requiring a plan that maximises the shire’s natural advantages in order to transition to a ‘new normal’, according to Noosa Council CEO, Brett de Chastel.

“The Coronavirus pandemic is, without doubt, one of the most significant health risks faced by our Noosa community and our organisation. Our response has been focused on mitigating those risks.

Nevertheless, the impact on our community is very significant in terms of public health, community lifestyle and economic impact,” he said.

Mr de Chastel presented the outline of a three-stage ‘survival plan’ for the council and the local economy at the first meeting of the new council on 19 April, stating: “As we transition back to ‘business as usual’, we will need to recognise that our future economy and ways of operating will undoubtedly be different to what we have had in the past.”

His assessment follows an international collaboration by three universities, including the University of South Australia Business School and the Hunter Foundation at the University of Newcastle, which

FREE MEALS

FREE MEALS to hungry families and individuals in these crazy times.

Don't be shy. No questions asked.

Wednesday 3.30pm - 4pm below the Pomona Community House.

Pomona’s Little Pantry, Gyspy Green the Vegan Bus and Pomona Community House are joining forces to bring you simple vegan / vegetarian gluten free meal packs.

This will continue until further notice.

Please call through large family orders Tamika 0401297818. Frozen meal packs can also be collected from the Pomona Community House.

Brett de Chastel

“As we transition back to ‘business as usual’, we will need to recognise that our future economy and ways of operating will undoubtedly be different to what we have had in the past.”

pinpointed the Australian communities most vulnerable to economic disruptions caused directly by the impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic.

many natural advantages that Noosa has,” he said. Mr de Chastel said the potential financial impacts of the Coronavirus on Noosa Council were still being assessed. A detailed report would be prepared. It would Cities on the list are regional and largely dependent on industries such establish the extent of the impact on the council’s financial position in as tourism, hospitality and oil and gas mining. Although Noosa was not 2019-20 and would outline ‘significant implications for the mentioned specifically, the researchers said communities such as upcoming 2020-21 budget’. The Byron Bay – with its over-reliance on information will be vital to tourism for economic activity – were councillors’ budget deliberations, which are among the first items for especially vulnerable. the new council.

They used an economic vulnerability The latter will be worked through as index (EVI) to identify those communities likely to see the largest part of the upcoming budget process. and most immediate negative effects One of the leaders of the university on local economic activity and labour research, Prof. Andrew Beer, Executive Dean of the UniSA markets. The researchers believe Business School, said the academic leaders can use the results to better modelling identified localities where plan immediate support initiatives. economic output and jobs are In his assessment, Mr de Chastel said concentrated in particular industry Noosa was in ‘survival mode’, sectors. “Our examination of market characterised by supporting the indicators in the earliest days of this community through the current unfolding calamity, suggested that shutdown, with an emphasis on the sectors most likely to feel the public health, while aiding the local first economic effects include economy in dealing with the flow-on hospitality and leisure, transimpacts. portation, employment services He labelled the next stage as ‘revive’. (agencies), travel arrangements and oil and gas mining,” Prof Beer said.

Restarting businesses, putting the Specialist researcher in Australian economy back on track and regional cities at George Mason resuming community activities University in the US, Prof. Terry would be the focus of this stage. Mr de Chastel cautioned: “It will require lowler, said it was not just the presence of vulnerable industries in pre-planning to ensure this stage communities that affected economic proceeds smoothly and quickly.” vitality, but their overall economic The final stage was to ‘thrive’. “We diversity. need to plan well to maximise the

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13 “Communities whose economy is dominated by just a couple of sectors have little to fall back on when their key industries experience disruption,” Prof Clower said.

EAT WELL AND SUPPORT OUR LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND PRODUCERS

Based on the EVI, the communities most vulnerable to the immediate economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic included Chinchilla, Karratha and Airlie Beach-Cannonvale.

The cities that were comparatively resilient to this economic threat included Kyabram, Biloela and Port Hedland, although the research team cautioned that circumstances and vulnerabilities were changing.

Prof. Clowler said some of the more vulnerable areas had also suffered from the effects of bushfires. He acknowledged that communities could always respond positively in challenging times.

Mayors, state governments and business leaders should be looking at ways to develop new markets and new industries, closely related to their existing strengths, as part of a more diversified, but still globally competitive, industry base,” he said.

Country Noosa completed a Rural Enterprise study recently that identified new agribusiness opportunities, with an international export focus being among measures that would help diversify the Noosa economy. It will be considered by Noosa Council in the near future as part of the Councils economic development responsibilities.

HELLO, WE LOVE FOOD AND DRINK. IT NOURISHES OUR FAMILIES, SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITIES AND ENABLES OUR NOOSA FOOD AND DRINK INDUSTRY TO GROW AND PROSPER. The Eat Local Noosa website is here to give joy to your taste buds. This is about you connecting with your producers and food and drink retailers who service our region. Through this on-line marketplace of local knowledge you can find out where to buy food and drink products and other related items.

Of course, if there is a producer or food and drink retailer who services the Noosa region and would benefit from being on board, please send them our way.

Thank you.

www.eatlocalnoosa.com.au Pomona & District Community House - Keeping You In Touch With Your Community

14

MORE CHOICE FOR GIN LOVERS? Lovers of gin – and who isn’t since the Pomona Distilling Co. opened – may be spoilt for choice if an application to the Sunshine Coast Council for a gin distillery at Eumundi is successful.

When corrugated iron meets Coronavirus inventiveness

Submissions regarding a material change of use application to establish a ‘special industry’ closed with the council on 14 April. The site for the distillery is the existing Eumundi Brewery, 1 Etheridge Street, Eumundi.

They are an inventive lot out Cooran way, where the corrugations are not just in the dirt roads, but in the mind of someone with a creative bent.

These colourful characters have begun to appear in the trees and across the landscape, and many locals are hoping that a whole zoo of metallic creatures will be forthcoming. Watch this space.

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Pomona & District Community House - Keeping You In Touch With Your Community

15 ‘Quirky Corner’ is a new feature introduced to Cooroora Connect. If you spot something that interests you, take a photo and send it to us for publication. Or, if you have a question you would like answered, submit that too and we will endeavour to find someone who can provide the answer.

QUIRKY CORNER heather@pomonacommunityhouse.com.au

QUIRKY QUESTIONS Q: How many trains pass through Pomona in any one week?

Press the ‘complaints button’ at Pomona True Value Hardware at your own risk.

It has been around for a while ... the mouse trap ‘complaints button’ at the Pomona True Value Hardware store, and it is a topic for banter when buying items and presenting them at the cash register.

temporarily causing shelves to be bare. For those ‘caught short’, the hardware store is offering toilet paper at ‘$5 a square’.

The Pomona Little Pantry fruit and veg store has an alternative – ‘vegan’ toilet roll However, recently it has been squares in the form of cabbage joined by a scarce item, thanks leaves, but don’t try flushing to a voracious buying of toilet that down the toilet. paper at supermarkets,

A: In a reply to a question from Nicklin MP, Marty Hunt, in state parliament on 17 March, Transport and Main Roads Minister, Mark Bailey MP, revealed that an average 135 freight and long -distance trains traverse the North Coast Line every week. That’s about 20 trains a day, most of them freight trains.

Q: How high is Mt Cooroora – there are two heights given on signs approaching town?

A: It seems strange that the Department of Transport and Main Roads should put up two signs on Yurol Forest Drive showing the height of Mt Cooroora as being 438m and 439m. It is not definitive which is correct – but take a punt on the Department of Environment and Science estimate of 438m. To add to the confusion, the Aussie Bushwalking website says the figure is 446m. It must be all those climbers taking a rock with them to place on top.

Calling all family history buffs

Here is one for the family history buffs. Pictured is Budge Miner’s bullock team hauling timber at Ringtail Creek in 1895. It is one of the earliest photos of life in the region, among the earliest being pictures of the Noosa Show. The question is whether there are any descendents of Budge Miner in the district today.

It’s been a long time since petrol was this cheap – a product of the Coronavirus restrictions. What a pity none of us is driving long distances, and able to take advantage of petrol at below $1 a litre. This was the price at the Caltex Pomona service station last month, but it is even cheaper elsewhere.

Pomona & District Community House - Keeping You In Touch With Your Community

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Council will explore seniors playground concept

by Brian O’Connor Why should children have all the fun? That is the motivation behind a ‘Seniors playground’ concept that will now be considered by Noosa Council staff on the recommendation of two councillors, both hinterland residents.

The idea is particularly pertinent, as Noosa Shire is home to a community with the third highest percentage of people aged 65 or more (23.3 per cent) and it is estimated this figure will grow to 30.5 per cent – or almost one third of the total shire population – by 2036. Noosa’s A proposal has gone forward to Noosa Council, requesting that it consider augmenting existing exercise equipment in Cooroora Creek Park with equipment and facilities directed population is also ageing at a rate at improving the mobility and cognitive skills of an older generation.(See picture.) If implefaster than the rest of Queensland. mented, the result would be a ‘seniors playground’ to complement Cooroy’s $5 million The seniors playground concept ‘mega playground’. arose out of an ‘age-friendly community workshop’ conducted by A request was made that some of the The paper prepared for Community the Department of Communities, equipment be designed specifically House and subsequently Noosa Disability Services at Seniors at to cater to the needs of seniors with Council read: “The planning of our Kawana in February 2019, where mobility and coordination towns and how they function needs representatives of communities and difficulties. It was also thought that to change fundamentally if we are to community groups taking part were small capital works such as this meet their needs, and also their asked to consider how they would would provide employment for local desire to ‘age in place’. Keeping act to meet the needs of seniors companies as part of an economic people active and in their homes locally. stimulus package post-Coronavirus. longer makes sense, as to meet their It was the first of 13 workshops to be held around Queensland, at which the department both promulgated its strategies for creating age-friendly communities and also challenged communities to assess their readiness for catering for elders as they age in place.

Pomona and District Community House was represented at the meeting. The seniors playground and the need for a pathways and connectivity study so that people could get about more easily in hinterland towns were the two ideas to emerge locally.

The concept has interested two councillors, Karen Finzel and Brian Stockwell. “This concept is certainly worthy of consideration,” Cr Finzel said. She has sought comment from the appropriate department within the council.

Cr Stockwell said he liked the idea, but cautioned that the council was facing a tough time financially, having to deal with a likely revenue shortfall as a consequence of relief measures it had implemented as its deals with managing the Coronavirus pandemic.

needs within the confines of nursing and care homes costs society more in the long-term.

“To avoid these people being shutins and to allow for them to participate fully in village life, we must re-think fundamentally how they get about – to the shops, medical services and to places where they can interact socially.

“The type of equipment in a leisure and intergenerational designed playground appears to be typical fitness equipment. However, it differs with its low resistance levels to ensure seniors who are less “In the coming weeks we will be A paper that developed these reviewing the best approaches to the mobile, have limited joint and thoughts further was sent to the forthcoming budget to enhance local muscle range or who experience pain council when it was revealed that the employment opportunities and I will with movement are able to use the equipment with ease. The equipment shire is considering augmentation of feed this concept into the mix,” he specifically targets balance and the existing exercise equipment in said. physical strength.”

Cooroora Creek Park in 2020-21.

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What the research tells us about seniors playgrounds Research by Victoria University has found that outdoor exercise parks specifically designed for seniors help them better enjoy life, and could lower rates of costly falls common with aging.

A trial park in Sunshine North proved that exercise on balance beams, ramps, and step-up benches dramatically improved participants’ ‘functional health,’ as well as their ability to cope with daily activities, such as tying shoe laces, shopping, gardening, or catching a tram.

Nearly 70 Melbourne residents, aged 60 to 87, took part in the 18-week clinical trials.

Exercise physiologist Dr Myrla Sales, who based her PhD on the research, said that seniors have few exercise options in public spaces in Australia, despite the popularity of these parks in other countries, particularly Asia and Europe.

She suggested exercise parks for seniors be colocated with children’s playgrounds so grandparents could exercise while supervising their grandkids.

Her findings showed participants improved muscle strength, balance and physical function, which are all risk factors for falls. She said more senior exercise parks could lower incidents of falls among older Australians, which are often accompanied by devastating downward spirals in their health.

While only 17 per cent of the volunteers in the study had ever exercised regularly before, they all reported feeling better physically and mentally after the trial.

“These people are not from an exercise generation and technology has replaced much of the incidental exercise they once did,” Dr Sales said.

Other barriers that prevented them from previous exercise, especially for women, were their longheld perception that exercise was for men, and their lack of time or access to spaces where they felt comfortable to exercise.

Stay away from the tip, council says You might have cleaned up the yard or the house, but Noosa residents are advised to avoid making non-essential trips to council waste facilities during the current Coronavirus pandemic restrictions. A run to the tip to dispose of household or backyard rubbish is not considered essential travel.

Residents should only use the waste facilities to dispose of food waste and/or waste that may present a public health or safety risk if it cannot be collected during the weekly pick-up.

Only waste from delivery of essential services or businesses should be transported to the waste sites at Doonan, Cooroy and Pomona, the council says.

It reminds those who must make

an essential trip to the tip, that only cashless payments, such as tap-and-go payments and debit cards, will be accepted.

Meanwhile, the Reviva Noosa recycling shop at the Noosa Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre remains closed. The shop will reopen when safe to do so.

This is subject to change as restrictions are lifted.

Dump the visit to the tip.

Pomona & District Community House 1 Memorial Ave, Pomona Ph: 5485 2427

Limited Hours: Tues/Wed/Thurs 9am to 4pm All PCH non-essential activities/groups have been cancelled.

Centrelink Services Available Phone/ Computer / Photocopying / Printing / Faxing / Scanning / Identify documents

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Precautions

“Some seniors of this generation may play lawn bowls or do physical incidental activities, but that is not the same as systematic, structured exercise that works on their strength, balance, mobility, flexibility and coordination,” she said.

Please, if you are unwell - follow the Queensland Government Health Procedures and stay at home.

Dr Sales said participants also reported that they enjoyed the opportunity to socialise in the outdoors, while exercise physiologists (including VU students in training) were on hand to ensure they performed exercises correctly.

Please note: the1.5 metre rule applies.

Hand sanitizers and wipes are available please clean surfaces after use.

For your safety and ours, social distancing measures will be implemented if you attend our business.

Stay Safe & Well

Pomona & District Community House - Keeping You In Touch With Your Community

18 To say the last few months have been challenging is an understatement, but I am so proud of how our community has supported each other to get through these ‘unprecedented’ times. With volunteer initiatives such as YELLOWt and the Care Army who assist those in need, to our new Eat Local Noosa and Buy Local Noosa that is connecting local product and produce to all of us, residents are thinking creatively to create caring and jobs in the ‘now’ and post-COVID. Incredible efforts, thank you! A special mention to our ‘frontliners’, whether that be our health workers or our ‘boys in blue’ – our deep appreciation for keeping us all safe and ensuring that the ‘surge’ we feared over the Easter break was held back.

to: www.health.qld.gov.au/coviddata.

With hundreds of essential links, these three COVID-19 portals can direct you to anything at this time that you may need, and if not, please let me know!

Federal Government – www.australia.gov.au Queensland Government – www.covid19.qld.gov.au

With Sandy Bolton MP Member for Noosa

developed with stakeholders during the coming weeks. In the meantime, commercial tenants or landlords experiencing difficulties, or requiring mediation, will be able to access the Anzac Day was very different this Small Business Commissioner in the year. However, it was made very next fortnight. With COVID being special by all who stood on their porches or driveways to ‘Light up the well managed, and the possibility that we will have a virtual Parliament Dawn’ in honour of our fallen, our shortly, in response to my Question service men and women, and their Without Notice, the Premier assured families. As part of that honouring, me that she would let Queenslanders prior to the day, Mayor Clare and myself laid wreaths on behalf of our know before the next sitting whether the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill will community. Lest we forget. be brought before us this term, and if Over the past weeks there have been not, when. many efforts on many fronts to ensure that safety nets and assistance There is an enormous amount of information, contact numbers, and are available to all. The sitting of updates on our works that I share Parliament on Wednesday 22 April put in legislation specifically to deal daily online, with the most recent in with aspects of the COVID-19 crisis, response to our efforts being the including residential tenancies. The ability to access local area specific information regarding confirmed details on this is available at cases of Coronavirus. For more www.covid19.qld.gov.au/the-hub, information please go with commercial tenancies, to be

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Noosa Council COVID – www.noosa.qld.gov.au/covid-19 As always, if you have any concerns or cannot find the help you need, please call me on 5319 3100 or email my office at noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au.

You can stay updated by following my daily updates on the Sandy Bolton MP Facebook page which provides notifications, explanations and clarifications summarised for easier understanding. You may also subscribe to my monthly newsletter, which endeavours to ‘wrap’ so much into four pages.

To finish, I offer a warm welcome and congratulations to our incoming councillors, and our appreciation to our outgoing for their service to our community. We look forward to a time when we can actually shake everyone’s hands, and yes, even give a hug. Until next time, stay safe, be kind and take care of each other.

Together we will conquer this hardship, and I look forward to celebrating with all on the ‘other’ side of this pandemic.

PHOTOGRAPHERS SHOULD KEEP SNAPPING The good news is that the Ridgewood Photo Fair will be held this year, just not in June, as planned. A future date is yet to be set.

Most activities at the Ridgewood Hall have ceased for the time being, including the monthly community barbecue. The situation will be re-assessed at the end of next month.

The traditional Anzac Day service at Ridgewood this year involved residents, as individuals, placing flowers at the flagpole during the day and the hall committee laying a wreath at sunset.

Pomona & District Community House - Keeping You In Touch With Your Community

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Our volunteers play a crucial role in support of ‘community’ May is the month when the Pomona & District Community House would normally celebrate Volunteers Week and we would host an event to acknowledge the wonderful work that volunteers do in our local communities. Sadly, with our current health situation as it is, this, of course, won’t be possible as a face-to -face event.

workshops and facilitate groups; they prepare and deliver meals and keep our op-shops open; volunteers support teachers; they give away their wealth of knowledge as tutors in many roles; volunteers work in administrative and paralegal positions (such as JPs); they are the friendly faces at receptions; they are the gardeners who keep our gardens looking beautiful; volunteers keep Instead we would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all local our arts and culture alive and volunteers and to let you know that, thriving; they manage venues and events; some volunteers even risk while we are currently not seeing many of your fabulous faces as often, their lives in emergencies and times of disaster. we haven’t forgotten you and your massive contribution to the When people come to the community.

Community House, perhaps moving to Pomona or simply passing Several of our best-known local through, they ask, “What is there to organisations rely solely on volunteers, while others still couldn’t do in this town?” We ask them, “What would you like to do?” and, run the way they do without volunteers. The list of jobs/positions taking a deep breath, reel off a list of activities that are available here; that volunteers hold is huge – activities that wouldn’t be available volunteers run committees, host without you, our local volunteers.

At this time, we also need to acknowledge all those people in our community who have stepped up to take care of family, friends, neighbours or simply people in the community who need their assistance; those people who have given their time to check on loved ones, to shop and deliver food, to make meals and to take to appointments and to pick up and deliver prescriptions – we thank you too.

Without you, life for many people, particularly seniors in the community, would be a lot more difficult in this already challenging time. So, volunteers, please know what an important part of our community you are and how much you are appreciated.

Pomona & District Community House - Keeping You In Touch With Your Community

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PLOD’S PAGE

Esprit

 Recreation: includes motorcycle riding, jet skiing, boating and other forms of personalised transport (but still within 50 km of home).

Though it sadly takes tragedies to highlight, the community spirit is alive and well in the Pomona police division. As we regularly work one up, we country police often rely on the community more than coastal coppers to assist in all kinds of ways, from initial traffic control at road crashes, help with injured victims, to by Sgt Dan McNamara OIC information and support with Pomona Police Station Ph: 5480 1733 distressed neighbours.

Some recent examples: we had a sudden passing in the division and the next of kin was alone when the awful message had to be delivered. I was very lucky to have a kind local lady on site who knew the family and, as well as having to deal with attending with and identifying the deceased to police, she agreed to then go with police to support and stay with the bereaved’s next of kin until other support and family arrived.

 Families (a household or, 1 person + a friend) can have picnics in parks and public spaces that are open, and you can use benches that are open.  General shopping at any places permitted to remain open.  Some National Parks will reopen, check the government website to confirm which ones are open.

appreciated for your community spirit and selfless deeds.

Gimme a break Yes sorry, we need to touch on COVID19 restrictions and changes.

Speaking for the Pomona Division, we’ve seen the almost surreal sights of park benches taped off, appropriately spaced queues at cafes and shops, a reduction in traffic and a change in the general cadence of This was greatly appreciated as these life. With very few exceptions, are emotionally tough situations for everyone has been great, and everyone involved and without this nationally it’s clear that this kind of support it would have been acceptance of the lockdown much tougher on the family. regulations has got this disease A recent traffic crash in the middle of largely cornered.

Pomona township saw another local So to some good news, the powers lady give immediate first aid on that be have loosened the reins a bit scene while the seriously injured with the following permitted changes driver was still in the vehicle, again commencing from Saturday 2 May. confronting but necessary and You will be permitted to engage in greatly appreciated and a visiting the following activities: husband and wife team performed  Go for a drive generally up to 50 effective traffic control until police kms for recreation (pleasure and arrived, keeping others safe. mental health benefits) from your Kudos to you all, you are needed and primary place of residence.

 You can teach an L-plater in your household how to drive, the supervisor must live with the learner driver and only members of their household allowed in the car.  Social distancing of 1.5 metres remains in force.

So many thanks for your common sense and consideration, stay safe and be good to each other.

All Earthworks       

Shed / Houses Sites Trees / Stumps Cleared Lantana / Scrub Cleared 12 Tonne Machine 4 In 1 Bucket / Ripper On Board Laser Steep Slopes

Phone John 0455 916 231 Pomona & District Community House - Keeping You In Touch With Your Community

21 Pomona Community House Groups & Services 1 Memorial Ave, Pomona PH: 5485 2427 FAX: 5485 1702 REFERRAL & INFORMATION

Pomona & District Community House acknowledges funding from Qld Government Department of Communities and Noosa Council.

Pomona Community House is seeking expressions of interest from businesses or organisation that would like to rent office space underneath the Pomona Community House.

Looking for businesses/organisations with views compatible with the Pomona Community House values.

Rent is negotiable.

All enquiries to Heather on 5485 2427 / 0411 114 077

Centrelink / Medicare Access Point Community House 1 Memorial Ave Pomona

9am to 4pm Tues/Wed/Thus    

Self Service Phone/Computer Printer/Scanning/Fax Identify documents

Office Services 9am to 4pm  PHOTOCOPYING  COLOUR PRINTING  SCANNING / EMAILS  LAMINATING / FAXING  TYPING

Venue Hire & Room Hire Workshops Functions Meetings PH: 5485 2427 Pomona & District Community House - Keeping You In Touch With Your Community

22

Op-shops decision to close doors opens retail opportunity Lifeline has closed its Pomona opportunity shop and other outlets across Queensland to protect the health of staff and volunteers due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

beneath Pomona Community House. It has been decided that the Op In Pomona shop will remain closed permanently.

Pomona Community House is seeking expressions of Lifeline’s Queensland retail interest from businesses general manager, Jamie that would like to lease this Mackay, said many of prime site in the heart of Lifeline’s retail employees town. and volunteers were in atLooking for businesses/ risk age groups and the organisations with views stores were deemed too compatible with the risky to their health.

Community House values.

The Red Cross op-shop closed last month, as did the Anglican Church shop

Cooroora Connect Advertising/Editorial deadline for the next issue 15 May 2020 heather@pomonacommunityhouse.com.au

Cooroora Connect Cooroora Connect is an initiative of the Pomona & District Community House Inc. The material published in Cooroora Connect may be reproduced only with appropriate authorisation and acknowledgment.

The views expressed in Cooroora Connect are not necessarily the views of the editor, publisher or Pomona & District Community House. Inc. Claims in advertisements are those of the advertisers and not the publisher.

Our aim is to produce and distribute Cooroora Connect in a timely manner to ensure we meet all deadlines. However, due to unforeseen circumstances that are beyond our control, we take all care but no responsibility if circumstances arise.

Rent is negotiable. All enquiries to Heather Manders on 5485 2427.

Justice of the Peace operates out of Pomona Community House on Thursday from 9am to 4pm.

Other times by appointments Ph: 5485 2427

Free Legal Advice & Referral Phone Appointments Ph: 5443 7827

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23

Flight of the butterflies brings colour to our lives

The migratory flight of the Blue Tiger Butterfly (Tirumala Hamata) is under way. Photo Kath Vail.

by Kath Vail Recent rainfall was the trigger for the flight of the Blue Tiger Butterfly (Tirumala Hamata) that is currently migrating down the north-east coast of Australia from north Queensland.

as the corky milk vine. The larvae rely on the new shoots of the vine, because they are soft and easy to chew.

The black and white banded larvae also absorb a number of poisonous chemicals called The Blue Tiger Butterfly pyrrolizidine alkaloids has numerous pale blue (PAs) from the corky milk streaks and elongated vine that are passed on spots on its wings. They fly through the pupae phase with a gliding, sailing flight to the adult butterflies. about one to two metres This provides them with above the ground. protection from birds and other vertebrate predators, During times such as the as it has a very bitter taste. recent drought, females Predators learn to avoid stop breeding and adults the Blue Tiger Butterfly. congregate in large numbers. They group The adult male Blue Tiger together in large numbers butterflies are strongly in sandy gullies or creek attracted to the PAs that banks where they rest on are also found in the branches or dead twigs, in Parsonsia vine, known shade close to the ground. as common It is after rainfall events in silkpod or monkey rope. spring and summer that the adults disperse and migrate. This allows them to take advantage of the new foliage of their larval food plant Secamone elliptica, commonly known

The male will scratch the leaves to release the sap which they imbibe, and then they convert this complex organic compound into sex pheromones.

For all your local Advertising

Cooroora Connect heather@pomonacommunityhouse.com.au

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Pomona & District Community House - Keeping You In Touch With Your Community