Cont. from p1 cremated at least a week prior. Unfortunately in the dry winds a deep ember caught hold and the rest is history, just showing how an unremarkable chain of events can lead to a potential catastrophe.
As an inner-Sydney escapee of six years living on 22 acres of property just over the ridge from where the fire started I had the dubious honour of a front-row seat to the firefighting efforts in between searching for updates online. The water bombers circling and using the sky over our property as a runway reminded me of living under the Sydney airport flight path, a memory I didn't need to revisit after years of relative peace and solitude.
I have learnt that rural living comes with its own challenges – last year it was floods – and now we have tested our fire emergency plan, or lack thereof. While 'being prepared' can save your life and home from disasters an incredible 90% of Australians don't have an emergency plan. The first thing my husband asked me was, “Where is my passport”. My response being, as we were mid-renovations and everything we own is in boxes, “Don't bother – I am sure it's out of date”.
Many of us are already at capacity when it comes to life's to-do lists but with another busy summer emergency season around the corner you can't afford not to be prepared. A well-prepared property is more likely to survive a bushfire and there's also a psychological advantage as it helps with decision making as to stay or leave.
Qld Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) is the primary provider of fire and rescue, emergency management and disaster mitigation programs in Qld through Fire and Rescue Service (FRS), RFS
and State Emergency Services (SES). The QFES bushfire survival plan at: bushfire-survival-plan. qfes.qld.gov.au offers advice on how to protect your land, house and contents and preparing an emergency kit.
The RFS provides fire services to 93% of Qld and comprises around 28,000 volunteers who make up the 1,400 rural fire brigades and 2,400 fire warden districts. Eumundi Rural Fire Service is always looking for local members if you are interested in trying something new or helping your community in times of need. They meet on the first and third Tuesday nights of the month for training from 7pm for a few hours. Contact Bob Miller on 0408 712 704 for details.
Noosa Council has teamed-up with Get Ready Queensland to hold an information stall from 7am-12pm on 14 October at the Pomona Markets. Emergency service personnel, council’s disaster resilience officer and QFES officers will be available to answer questions. “We need to be ready for increasingly dry, hot conditions and an active bushfire season. This event will provide you with what you need to know to prepare your family and pets,” said Cr Mayor Clare Stewart. For fire updates across the state visit: qfes.qld. gov.au/Current-Incidents.
Relle Schuh, Editor, Eumundi Voice
Old Scout Hall upgrade
A major renovation is taking place at the Eumundi and District Community Association (EDCA) home base at 38 Memorial Dr Eumundi, commonly known as the Old Scout Hall.
Local architect and EDCA member Andrew Hillhouse prepared the design for the $190,000 refurbishment which includes disabilityfriendly access and extension of the roofline to incorporate a fully-covered outdoor deck. Builder Daniel Lees expects the verandah to be completed by the end of October.
The renovations are funded by EDCA with members voting unanimously in favour of the upgrade which has been a long-term goal of the organisation. The expansion of the outdoor undercover area will provide weather protection so it can be used for classes including yoga, karate, Pilates and other events. EDCA is also in the preliminary stages of forming a youth group run by a not-for-profit organisation called The JourneyMen – see pages 16-17 for more information.
EDCA meets on the second Monday of each month at the Old Scout Hall from 7pm and everyone is welcome. For hall rental contact Lainie Adams on 0431 685 063 and stay tuned to community notices for future events.
Postcards to connect
To help people look after their mental health and wellbeing, Australia Post has partnered with Beyond Blue to distribute prepaid postcards encouraging connection and raising awareness of mental health services.
Four million free prepaid postcards were
distributed to Australian regional households in September. They contain two sections –mental health tips and strategies anyone can apply to their lives and a detachable beautifully illustrated postcard people can use to write a thoughtful note to someone they hold dear.
To date Australia Post and Beyond Blue have delivered more than 11 million prepaid postcards to help people check on friends and loved ones and combat mental health challenges. There are 60 prepaid postcard designs that can be ordered online featuring classic Australian buildings and landscapes, flora and fauna and artist-inspired designs. These can be sent domestically or internationally from any red postbox or Australia Post retail outlet. Visit: auspost.com.au/shop/ sending/prepaid-postcards.
Beyond Blue aims to reduce the impact of depression, anxiety and suicide by supporting people to protect their mental health, get effective services and recover when they are unwell. Donations: t.ly/FVuQh.
Open day at The Majestic Theatre
The Majestic Theatre in Pomona will open its doors to the public from 10am-3pm on 21 October as part of Open House Sunshine Coast. A double feature of Buster Keaton short comedy movies will screen at 12pm and 1.30pm.
This is a free event with no bookings required and visitors can see the 850 organ pipes that drive the 1937 Compton organ as well as the theatre’s vintage collection of movie cameras, posters and artefacts. Visit: themajestictheatre. com.au.
Noosa Summer Hill Climb
Set aside the weekend of 21-22 October and head to Gyndier Dr, Tewantin to view the thrills of the Noosa Summer Hill Climb event. Racing is from 8.15am-4pm with a full field of competition drivers. There are multiple categories of cars including vintage, classics, modern sports and touring, sedans, open wheel race cars and more. Enter Gyndier Dr via Cooroy Noosa Rd to park then walk about the open pit area, view the cars and chat to drivers. Keep an eye out for senior students and teachers from Sunshine Beach High School who formed the ‘Formula Student’ engineering group with a couple of project cars entered into the competition. The Rotary Club of Eumundi will provide burgers and drinks throughout the event. Information and ticket sales at: noosahillclimb.com.au.
Gather & Graze on the Green
Gather your friends, dress in white and enjoy a long, lazy afternoon amongst the trees at Gather & Graze on the Green on 21 October.
Arrive at the Noosa Dolphins' rugby grounds from 12pm for an elegant picnic with a preordered gourmet hamper, your own drinks tub filled with ice and a selection of pre-purchased beverages. No queues at the bar for this event! There will be tunes from DJ Tilly Saunders, raffles and online auction prizes donated by local businesses. The event runs until 6pm with music to get you moving from RAW ORDIO. All funds raised will go to Katie Rose Cottage Hospice. Bookings: aus.givergy.com/GatherandGraze.
Cinema on the roof
Cooroy’s Cinema on the Roof is returning from 6-8pm on 14 October with The Wizard of Oz thanks to the Cooroy Future Group working in partnership with the assistance of generous supporters. Entry by donation at 9 Maple St Cooroy. Bring your family, a blanket and picnic to enjoy a movie under the stars.
Cooloolabin Country Market
A real, old-fashioned country Spring market to raise funds for the ongoing maintenance of the town’s historic hall will be held from 9am-3pm on 15 October at Cooloolabin Hall, 787 Cooloolabin Rd – around 5km west of Yandina.
The organising committee has pulled out all the stops to make it a fantastic day with coffee, fresh organic produce, local honey, homemade cakes and preserves, a Thai food stall and an icecream cart. There will be face painting, hair braiding, henna tattooing, a vintage car club, live music, raffles and a sausage sizzle. Buskers are welcome so to organise your spot or to book a stall contact Dee on 0459 207 453.
Friday I’m in love
A tribute to The Cure will be performed by local musicians at The Imperial Hotel Eumundi from 7.30pm on 3 November. Called Friday I’m in Love, TOBiAS, Alys Ffion, Emma Beau and Ryan Giles will bring their unique flair to the band's iconic music.
This was when I decided to take responsibility for my actions and work on my personal growth. I started wondering what had happened to the little boy who wanted to change the world. I wanted to look into how I could improve myself and be the best person that I could be.”
Earlier this year Will decided to reach-out via social media and invite men to attend a community barbeque with the aim of providing a safe space to come together. The first event started with four complete strangers. Eight months later the group has grown to more than 300 members across the Sunshine Coast. “From these gatherings it has become apparent that allowing a place for men to gather and share their stories helps them with their struggles,” said Will.
The group meets every Sunday and participates in a number of social events including barbeques and walks at Coolum Beach and Emu Mountain. They are also looking to work with community groups or organisations with the aim of rostering their members to assist with projects. Their first project in Eumundi will be to help the Eumundi Community Garden construct a pizza oven and improve the pavilion area.
For more information in joining or collaborating with The JourneyMen contact Will on 0423 132 020, email: journeysmen@gmail.com, or visit: journeysmen.com. Tania Watson
Halloween with The JourneyMen
With the support of two early participants — Luke Gardelli and Anurag Sai – they have formed an organisation called The JourneyMen which plan to improve their community. “Our idea is to unite men as they are leaders of households and communities. By demonstrating leadership within our community we feel our actions will speak louder than words.”
The JourneyMen and Eumundi and District Community Association (EDCA) are hosting a Halloween party from 3-8pm on 28 October at the Old Scout Hall, 38 Memorial Dr Eumundi near the community garden.
The event is free with games, puzzles, an escape room and live music from Whoopy Doo and DJ Liam Griffin. Food is available and there will be a costume contest with a secret prize! For more information email: journeysmen@gmail.com or phone Will McIntyre on 0423 132 020.
This page is sponsored from funds raised from market car parking to acknowledge and support Eumundi’s
Free tree day
I will be hosting a free tree giveaway day at The Avenue Park duck pond in Peregian Springs from 9-11am on 27 October. Come down, have a chat and take home two native trees for your garden – rates notice required. The team absolutely love it when people select big trees and with many in the area living on large properties why not get a statement addition for your yard, green up your neighbourhood and make the team’s day at the same time!
Join the Garage Sale Trail
If you have had a spring cleanout why not join the Garage
Sale Trail which is a great way to recycle items within your community and give them a second life. Two weekends of garage sales will be held simultaneously around the nation on 11-12 and 18-19 November. Register your garage sale for free at: garagesaletrail.com.au/Sunshine-Coast. People hunting for pre-loved goods can then add your garage sale to their visiting list.
I regularly share my community chat days, local events, new development applications and other messages on my Facebook page at: facebook.com/MariaSuarezDivision9.
Div 9 Cr Maria Suarez, 07 5475 9810
It’s been a busy month for emergency services around Eumundi with a number of serious traffic accidents. It is also important not to forget the current fire danger particularly in dry and windy conditions.
While there are no current fire bans, keep an eye on conditions and Qld Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) recommendations. It would be remiss of me not to mention our volunteer rural firefighters from the Doonan and Valdora/ Yandina Creek Rural Fire Brigades. Your recent efforts helping with the fires at Beerwah and Landsborough have not gone unnoticed and the community thanks you.
Eumundi Police responded to five traffic accidents in the last two weeks of September. Luckily there were no serious injuries however these accidents could have been fatal. There was a high-speed crash on the Bruce Hwy and multiple accidents on Eumundi Noosa Rd where drivers have failed to be patient and give way.
Another accident occurred when a vehicle rolled with four young occupants, all of whom were very lucky to walk away. Remember to watch your speed, be patient when driving and don’t drive while affected by alcohol or drugs. Eumundi Police charged two drivers with drink and drug driving at the end of September.
Please be vigilant and lock-up your homes and vehicles particularly at night. Like the rest of Qld, house break-ins and vehicle theft are serious and occurring regularly on the Sunshine Coast and in the Eumundi area.
As the final school term begins I encourage all citizens to abide by school zone speeds and drop-off conditions and police will be increasing enforcement in these areas.
