Backyard Wildlife

with Spencer Shaw

this also means there’s less grazing and browsing availability for wallabies and kangaroo’s, which often leads them closer to roadsides - where the warmth and extra run off from the bitumen can provide a better feed. So, by all means drive carefully all year where wallabies and kangaroos are still present, but with the shorter days and less feed its more important than ever to take care with your driving and slow down especially at dawn and dusk.

Those few days of warm weather in the second last week of June, brought the snakes out for a brief sojourn to try and grab a snack or two, but another cool change has sent them back to ground (literally) to try and not get too cold. Not much sympathy there, from many gardeners I’m sure, but carpet snakes are great at controlling rodents, so perhaps we can find a soft spot in our hearts for them at least.

The cooler months can be lean times for wildlife. Most grasses are slowing down and so lawns need mowing much less, but

For the fruit eating birds, there’s a range of trees. Shrub’s that can fruit well at this time of year include Orange Thorn - Pittosporum multiflorum, Plum Myrtles - Pilidiostigma glabrum, Creek Lilly PillyAcmena smithii, Native Mulberry - Pipturus argenteus, Native Ginger - Alpinia caerulea, Coastal Flax Lily - Dianella congesta, Hairy Psychotria - Psychotria loniceroides, Glossy Laurel - Cryptocarya laevigata and Bolwarra - Eupomatia laurina, to name a few. A good mix of fruiting shrubs such as these can make a big difference for our frugivorous (fruit eating) birds and their survival through the winter months.

Many of our local trees and shrubs are adapted to the vagaries of our subtropic winter and can still provide plenty of food, via their new growth for browsing native flora such as ring tail, brush tail and mountain possums. Perhaps if your lucky enough to live in koala country; even a koala or two! The sap of many trees, particularly eucalypts are also harvested by gliders, including the squirrel, sugar and last but by far not least, the cute little feather-tails. So keep cool when it comes to our wildlife and enjoy sharing your garden through the winter.

When we think of local native plants we often think of just the trees and shrubs, but South East Queensland is rich in its diversity of local native plants that can be used as groundcovers in your garden. Groundcovers stabilise your soil, cool the roots of trees and provide food and refuge for native fauna. Many exotic groundcovers are traditional old favourites, but they are also notorious weeds in your gardens and bushland. Tradescantia’s, Syngonium, Singapore Daisy, Polk-a-dot Plant are just a few of the worst and they pose a genuine threat to Australian bushland. The solution is control and eradicate these exotics and go for local native plants for groundcover in your garden. At Forest Heart we stock a great range of local native groundcovers that includes Native Plumbago (pictured above right), Native Mints, Yellow Buttons, Blue Harebells, Goodenias, Hibbertias, Lobelias, Flax lilies, Lomandras, Kangaroo Grass, Maidenhair Ferns, Rasp Ferns and more. Add to this mix some other great native groundcovers including Casuarina Cousin It (pictured left), Prostrate Grevilleas and an evergrowing range and there’s plenty of choice for planting native plants in your garden.

So, do yourself a favour and plant native plants, they’re good value, diverse in form and shape, beautiful and great for the local environment.

Witta Tennis Kid’s Fun Day

Time: Tuesday July 4, 8am - 12.30pm

Where: 351 Witta Road, Witta

Jul 4

Info: Enjoy tennis fun and games, mini round robyn tournament. Targets and the piñata, homemade morning tea, fruit and hot dogs. Cost: $25.00. To register email: mareehooley@gmail.com or text 0437 295 501.

Monthly Women in Biz Lunch

Time: Wednesday July 5, from 12:30pm

Where: Café Phillies on Beerburrum

Jul 5

Info: Our monthly Women in Business lunch provides the perfect opportunity to network, learn and grow! There will be a welcome drink on arrival, an opportunity to create new connections, purchase own lunch, and there will be a lucky door prize. To RSVP, visit https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/668590330677 .

Muzika in Maleny

Time: Thursday July 6, 6.30 to 9.15pm

Where: Maleny RSL, Lawyer St, Maleny

100 years of Maleny Show - Film premiere

Time: Wednesday July 12, 9.30am

Where: Landsborough Historical Museum, 4 Maleny St, Landsborough

Jul 12

Info: Celebrate 100 years of the Maleny Show with a film premiere showcasing its history. The film shares the stories and memories of many people closely involved with the Maleny Show over the years. Be inspired when you hear how from humble beginnings the show has evolved to become a cherished event in the local calendar. Register your attendance at https://shorturl.at/iBMO2.

Sunshine Singers

Time: Friday July 14

Where: St Andrew’s Anglican Church, Kings Beach, Caloundra

July 6 https://www.facebook.com/MuzikaMaleny/

Info: This month amongst others it will feature: the outstanding Brisbane-based blind, country rock singer guitarist Steve Sparrow and poet Rose Waters. Contact whitickerm@bigpond.com.

Wolf Girl #19 Launch Party

Time: Friday July 7, 10.30am

Where: Rosetta Books, 30 Maple Street, Maleny

Jul 7

Info: You’re invited to the launch of the latest Wolf Girl novel by Anh Do, Sink or Swim. Each guest will receive a gift bag including a branded paper bag, badge, stickers, bookmark and poster. Register instore or phone us on 5435 2134.

Queensland Garden Expo

Time: Friday July 7, Saturday July 8 and Sunday July 9. 8am to 4pm

Where: Nambour Showgrounds

Jul 7-9

Info: More than 360 exhibitors including 55 nurseries. 60,000 plants for sale daily. New and exciting workshops

Giant organic kitchen garden. Free lectures and demos all day, every day. Free advice from leading gardening experts. Food courts, entertainment and free kids playground. For more information visit www.qldgardenexpo.com.au

Plant-based Cooking Demonstration and Health Talk

Time: Sunday July 9, 2-4.30pm

Where: Landsborough Adventist Community Centre, 27 Maleny Street, Landsborough

Jul 9

Info: Plant-based cooking demonstration with a relevant health talk including tasting of all recipes presented. Also incudes prizes and giveaways. $5 per person. Bookings contact 0407 101 485.

The Musos in Beerwah

Time: Tuesday July 11, 6 – 9pm

Where: Beerwah Hotel, 53 Beerwah Parade, Beerwah

Looking for connection or support for your young family?

Time: Monday July 24, 9.30am - 11.30am

Where: Glass House Mountains Neighbourhood Centre, 1 Ryan St, Glass House Mountains

Jul 14

Info: Sunshine Singers, a newly formed choir of choristers with dementia. New Choir members with their carers are very welcome. For more information phone 5491 1866.

Amazing Fungi Exhibition

Time: Saturday 15-Sunday 23 July, 10am-3pm

Where: Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve

July 15-23

Info: Maleny Printmakers group are holding an Amazing Fungi Exhibition featuring Jenni Matthews, Jennifer Eurell, Jillian Bergman, Megan Lee, Noela Mills, Karen Shaw, Katie White and Susan Haddock.

Yandina Country Music

Time: Sunday July 16, 12noon

Jul 16

Where: 24 Steggalls Rd, Yandina Info: Be entertained with popular country, including more diverse, crowd-pleasing favourites. Enjoy Don and Phil’s harmonies through guest artists The Elderly Brothers! Raffle, door prizes, BYO lunch, free tea and coffee. 24 Steggalls Road. Cost $8.

Sex and the City Quiz

Time: Wednesday July 19, 6pm for a 6.30pm start

Where: Glasshouse Tavern, 10 Reed Street, Glass House Mountains

Jul 19

Info: Heaps of prizes, 2 course dinner and show package - $60. Main meal and show package $45. To book your tickets please call 5493 0933

Glasshouse Hinterland AFC Annual Ball

Time: Saturday July 22, 6pm-10pm

Where: Landsborough Sports Complex

Jul 22

Info: Lose the footy boots and dance the night away! Free entry for the event, there will be a DJ, a food van on site, and a reverse raffle with $20 tickets for the chance to win a $1000 prize. Dress code for the night is suits and gowns.

Festival of Music and Singing

Time: Sunday July 23, 1:05pm to begin at 1:55pm

Where: Caloundra Uniting Church, 56c Queen St, Caloundra

Jul

Jul 23

Info: The 2023 Festival of Music and Singing, followed by a splendid Welsh afternoon tea, is on the afternoon of July 23 at the Caloundra Uniting Church. See QR code on brochure for booking, can book online until 10am the day of where cash will be accepted at the door. Tickets are $27 for the general public, $25 for WSSC members, per person in groups of 10 and more $25 each. Enquiries to Emrys Jones - emandmo@bigpond.com or Susan James at simplesusans@gmail.com

Have an upcoming event? Email the details to reception@gcnews.com.au

Jul 24

Info: Are you aware of what is available for families in your local area? Come along for a free and fun morning tea with Holly and Aimee from Caloundra Community Centre and explore what services and activities are there to support you and your family. Mums, Dads, Carers, Grandparents and children are all welcome.

RSVP admin@ghmnc.com or phone 5438 7000.

Outspoken

Time: Wednesday July 26, 6pm for 6.30pm

Where: Maleny Community Centre

Jul 26

Info: Our next Outspoken event is with the remarkable Anna Funder (of Stasiland fame). Her new book, Wifedom, will be released in early July. It’s bound to be quite controversial as, apart from a whole lot of other things, it gives a different picture of George Orwell to that which we are accustomed. Tickets $25 and $18 for students. Bookings https://www.trybooking.com/events/ landing/1065087?eid=1065087&

Charity Pig Races

Time: Saturday July 29, From 1pm onwards

Where: Mooloolah Valley Country Club, 129 Connection Rd, Glenview

Jul 29

Info: Charity Pig Races are back and this year we will be supporting endED. There will be outdoor bars supplied by Heads of Noosa Brewing Co, as well as food trucks and is a family friendly event. The first race starts at 1pm and will have live music till late!

Monica Trapaga All Stars

Time: Sunday August 6, from 2pm

Where: Maleny Community Centre

Aug 6

Info: The Maleny Arts Council presents Monica Trapaga All Stars, up close and personal with the weaver of stories, swinger of songs. We’d love you to join us for this brilliant opening to our Winter Season! For bookings and more information: www.malenyartscouncil.com

Biennial Quilt show

Time: July 30, 9am to 3pm

Where: Caloundra Arts Centre, 5 North Street, Caloundra

Jul 30

Info: The Caloundra Quilters show will display quilts in all manner of styles, colours, sizes and designs. Visitors are encouraged to vote for their favourite quilt in each of the 3 categories – Large, Small and Challenge Quilts. Member’s handmade craft items will be for sale along with local trader’s tables and a bag raffle. Profits will be donated to the Sunshine Coast Animal Refuge. Light refreshments will be available. Entry fee is $5. For information, please contact Deb Ridley on 0410 356 889 or Faye Carr on 0418 716 639.

Comedy for a cause

Time: Friday August 11, Doors open 6pm, show starts 7pm

Where: Maleny State School Hall, 16 Bunya Street

Aug 11

Info: Featuring comedians from Sydney & Melbourne International Comedy Festivals. This is an adults-only (18+) show. Food and Bar service available from 6pm. Child Minding ($30) is available from 6.30pm - bookings essential as places limited! Event is in support of the Maleny State School P&C Association. To find out more visit: www.MalenyPandC.com.au/comedy-for-a-cause