Final Online

Qld Garden Show flourishes

QUEENSLAND’S premier gardening event, the Queensland Garden Show, returns to the Nambour Showgrounds from July 11–13, offering a vibrant mix of horticultural displays, expert-led

demonstrations and culinary delights.

The three-day festival spans over seven hectares and features more than 360 exhibitors - including 55 nurserieswith around 50,000 plants available for sale daily. Gardening enthusiasts of all levels can immerse themselves in colourful blooms, native and exotic species, and endless ideas to transform their outdoor spaces.

By Mitch Gaynor

GENERAL rates will rise by 7.4 per cent next year - an extra $2.10 per week on the minimum levy - as Sunshine Coast Council looks to plug a $30 million hole in the 2025–26 budget caused by an historical accounting error.

Mayor Rosanna Natoli delivered the delayed $973 million 2025–26

By Kirra Livingstone

DANA Coolwell has hit out at the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) after receiving what he described as an unjust 18-month suspension following a positive drug test in the United States. Coolwell, who

7), repeating warnings about the five-year asset depreciation error that damaged the council’s bottom line.

“This budget reflects the increasing costs of maintaining and improving a large and fast growing region,” she told council.

“We’ve inherited some very real problems.

“We’ve agreed on a way forward. We are owning it. We are fixing it, as you our ratepayers and our residents would want and expect us to do.” More than 60 per cent of owner-occupiers will remain on the minimum general rate of $1,586.30 per annum.

fought Albert ‘Chop Chop’ Gonzalez in Las Vegas on April 6, volunteered for drug testing conducted by the NSAC ahead of the bout.

The Beerwah boxer said he was not informed until May 15 he had tested positive for oxymetholone, an anabolic steroid. Story p3

WEDNESDAY, 12 NOON

NEWS TEAM

MITCH GAYNOR Managing Editor mitch@gcnews.com.au

SONIA ISAACS Deputy Editor sonia@gcnews.com.au

KIRRA LIVINGSTONE kirra@gcnews.com.au

TINA GRIEVE tina@gcnews.com.au

LEWIS KWARCIANYI lewis@gcnews.com.au ADVERTISING

DESIGN AND LAYOUT

SHARON KING & KATIE BUCKLEY design@gcnews.com.au

ADMIN & ACCOUNTS

ANGELA USHER angela@gcnews.com.au

THE COVER

“WHO used my card to buy $700 worth of acai?”

There are certain questions I never thought I’d put to the family group chat — and that was one of them.

Fool me once, when a benign coffee transaction was declined (and don’t you hate it when the machine actually says insufficient funds). But fool me twice? Try managing a family of five mostly conniving children.

Lately, I’d been in a rare phase of careful budgeting and, while I wasn’t tracking my day to day balance too closely, I figured the account was in decent shape.

It made no sense.

Stepping away from the café, I reviewed transactions line by line - Aldi, BWS, Aldi, BWS, BWS (you should see what it looks like when I’m not budgeting) - until I spotted a business I only knew because the kids had mentioned it.

A quick Google showed it traded in one thing: acai.

I can’t even pronounce it, let alone eat it.

Actually – what is it?

Don’t tell me - I don’t want to

know. Scrolling further revealed a few more charges, so I fired off a group text demanding answers about the $150 already spent.

By then, I’d already noticed odd charges before hitting send.

Yet glimpsing the full history revealed 20 withdrawals totalling $700, all in just four weeks.

On acai!?

I felt sick — first because I’d been robbed blind by, presumably, a child, then at the thought of consuming so much acai.

Armed with this evidence, my horrified 12-year-old had to come clean - but not how I expected.

Allegedly, I gave her my debit card once(!) on a Friday.

True.

Her posse had to order ahead via the business’s app (because what 12-year-old waits for acai on a Friday?).

Her friend kindly offered their phone but needed the card… you can see where this is going.

Good grief.

My daughter insists she told him to delete the card, but $700 later, you can guess what happened.

My card became a limitless acai

credit facility.

The office consensus is I should contact the parents — but I don’t know them, and he’s since left my daughter on “unread,” the teenage equivalent of a break-up.

I want the money back, but I’m resigned to losing it.

All I can do is shrug, pretend anger and insist it doesn’t happen again.

I watched an SBS show about superannuation that same week.

A woman with plenty of money said her advice to young women was not to have kids — because for the same price, you could “buy a Lamborghini.”

There’s a lot to unpack when people say things like that.

She also admitted to having to spend a lot of time with 60 year olds even though she’s in her 30s which must be a barrel of fun for all and sundry.

The moral of the story?

While I don’t want or need a Lamborghini to give me cachet, I sure would love $700 back in my wallet. Chances are it’s gone, so back to budgeting.

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Claire Bickle enjoying the gardening goodness at a previous year’s Queensland Garden Show (previously Expo) event. Feature p19- 23. Photo: supplied.

Bells creek bottleneck overhaul

By Sonia Isaacs

THE heavily congested junction where Bells Creek Arterial Road meets the Caloundra Road roundabout - choking traffic between Beerwah and Caloundra - is set for a major overhaul.

Unveiled last Monday, June 30, state and local leaders announced key upgrades under the Caloundra Congestion Busting Plan, including a new overpass at Bells Creek Arterial Road over Caloundra Road.

Premier David Crisafulli, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie, Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg, Member for Caloundra Kendall Morton, and Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli gathered to outline the fivepart project aimed at easing chronic traffic issues.

The plan includes an overpass linking to Kawana Way Link Road, upgraded intersections, improved public transport infrastructure, and an alternative CBD access route. The upgrades target one of the busiest arterial roads outside Brisbane, carrying over 32,000 vehicles daily.

Ms Morton said the upgrades would make travel safer and easier for families, businesses and visitors. sonia@gcnews.com.au

This situation is a disgrace, says Dana

Beerwah boxer denies drug use after 18-month Nevada suspension

By Kirra Livingstone

BEERWAH boxer Dana

Coolwell has hit back at the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) after receiving what he described as an unjust 18-month suspension following a positive drug test in the United States.

Coolwell, who fought Albert ‘Chop Chop’ Gonzalez in Las Vegas on April 6, volunteered for drug testing conducted by the NSAC ahead of the bout.

He was not informed until May 15 that he had tested positive for oxymetholone, an anabolic steroid.

The ban applies only in the state of Nevada, meaning Coolwell remains eligible to fight elsewhere in the US and internationally.

However, he will be barred from competing in Nevada until October 4, 2026.

Coolwell vehemently denied ever using performance-enhancing drugs and criticised the integrity of the testing process.

“I am a clean athlete. I have never taken

performance-enhancing drugs in my life, and I am firmly, unequivocally against them,” he said.

“This situation is a disgrace, but I’ll come through it stronger, prouder, and more determined than ever to represent my family, my culture, and the sport with integrity.”

He said the procedures he

experienced during testing “raised serious red flags”, including being asked to combine two urine samples - taken an hour apart - into one.

“Anyone familiar with proper testing protocol knows how bizarre and reckless that is,” Coolwell said.

“I’ve been tested multiple

times throughout my career by official agencies — and it’s never been done that way.”

Coolwell said he had consulted other antidoping bodies, who told him the method used was “highly unprofessional and susceptible to contamination or inaccurate results”.

He also questioned the seven-week delay in receiving his test result, contrasting it with the recent Ryan Garcia and Jaime Munguia cases, in which results were returned within a week.

Offered the option of a hearing, Coolwell said the session was scheduled for 3am Queensland time, making it virtually impossible for him to attend.

When he requested an alternative time, he said the NSAC refused and proceeded in his absence, ultimately finding him guilty.

He claimed he was offered a reduced suspension in exchange for payment — an offer he declined.

“To those who’ve supported me through thisthank you,” he said.

“I see you, and I won’t forget it.”

“To those who’ve used this as an opportunity to drag my name through the mud without knowing the facts - I see you too, and that won’t be forgotten either.”

kirra@gcnews.com.au

Dana Coolwell in his April 6 bout in Nevada.

Rotary Maleny Changeover

By Sonia Isaacs

AN excellent evening of

fine food, friendship and community spirit marked the Rotary Club of Maleny’s 2025 changeover dinner at Brouhaha Maleny. Members reflected on the year’s achievements and warmly welcomed the 2025–2026 executive.

President Scott Wassman, along with other longserving committee members have committed to another year of service. sonia@gcnews.com.au

Paths are a carve-up

By Kirra Livingstone

SEVERAL grass walking tracks at The Precinct in Maleny have been destroyed in recent weeks, with the Sunshine Coast Council saying they are now investigating the issue.

Maleny resident Mike Foale raised the matter with GC&M News, and said the track - used frequently by the community - has been severely damaged.

While the affected areas look to have been torn up by heavy machinery, it is unclear how or who caused the damage.

“It’s a lovely walk if only you could get up there, but there’s a terrible muddy mess of the path - the path goes from Cloudwalk to the wetlands path,” Mr Foale said.

“It is completely messed up by wheel tracks blocking the flow of water into the little creek, and this is causing a lake to form.

“We would normally walk through as there would be an accessible path, and in the last two months it’s just been completely destroyed.”

Mr Foale said the damage would not be an easy fix.

“I’ve been living here for 16 years and suddenly just this last year, things have

gotten much worse,” he said. “But it’s not just about the damage, it’s also the visual amenity of the park, and there’s a lot of other places in The Precinct where the damage is there but not as dramatic.

“To fix the damage on the site where all the water is sitting, they would have to put a bridge in, and add some big drain pipes because of the new lake that’s formed.”

He added that many locals can no longer access the popular trail. “I am frustrated. My wife and I, along with our dog, usually take this walk, and usually there are many other people with their dogs, it’s a very popular dog walk,” he said.

“It’s definitely a bit of a loss for the community that needs to be rectified by the Sunshine Coast Council soon.” A Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson said they were currently investigating the damaged tracks in Maleny.

Sherryl Gregory and Roul Niepar.

James McCormack and Greg Williams.

Scott Wassman and Rick Vickers.

Desley Malone and Jack Wilcox.

Brian King and Ian Demack.

Sissel and Bruce Kelly and Paulette Steele.

Jim Atkinson, Ric Townsend and Neil Andison.

2025-2026 executive committee.

Photos: Sonia Isaacs.

YOU SAID IT ONLINE ..

Your reaction to a proposal for an industrial site on Steve Irwin Way instead of a shopping centre.

I suggest someone set up a discount cash and carry in the units, cheaper than Coles. Anyway, with the present closure of small business who’s going to rent them?

Chris Miller

So that will be the first thing you see when you enter Beerwah: industrial sheds. It would of been better if the land was used for something everyone can use like a fuel station and shops. Is there really a need for more industry in this community? I feel more shops would benefit and serve more of the community.

David Wilson

Coles and Bunnings even another fuel station would have been better than sheds. At least it would have been healthy competition with the other stores and local kids could get jobs.

Mary-Jayne Condren

Should be a koala and wildlife reserve and foodbank for sick native animals

Noela Collins

So why don’t they have to do all the extra roadworks, turning lanes etc that the council told Coles they had to do. Nothing like limiting the options for the local public. Maybe Woollies gave the council a BIG FAT hand shake to squash any competition.

Michelle Green

I hope someone saves the old farmhouse!!

Bec Fuge

Yeah let’s keep building loads of housing plus loads of sheds ... we don’t need to increase food supply we just have to fight each other for it and a car park

Laura Brooker

Oh no people might be able to work in town instead of driving to Brisbane

Craig Fischer

So sad to see that lovely red soil covered in cement.

Kath Bateman

Do we really need more industrial sheds? NO... we need more retail outlets so we don’t have to drive to the coast or Caboolture. They have just built heaps on Roys road.

Jodie Craze

Beerwah becoming a hot spot for industry

The hinterland town is having an influx of industrial sites built

By Kirra Livingstone

DIVISION 1 councillor

Jenny Broderick is backing Beerwah’s transformation into a new industrial hub, following a proposal by developer Devcon to repurpose land originally earmarked for a Coles development.

Devcon has already built a number of industrial units varying in size, including eight on 9–11 Creek Crescent, off Roys Road, earlier this year.

Late last month, the company submitted a development application to subdivide four lots into 29 industrial lots on 8 Roys Road.

The 16.49 hectare piece of land is the same location where Coles had proposed to build a shopping centre and fuel station before it ultimately withdrew its court appeal last year.

Cr Broderick said:

“Beerwah has excellent access to national and international transport networks, which means supply lines and distribution networks are well assured and it is easy to stay

connected.”

“Accordingly, the industry land located at Beerwah is now highly attractive and being developed or being made ready for future development (via the current development application).

“Each industry area tends to develop its own focus and character over time, but at this stage we would anticipate Beerwah will accommodate a wide range of industry uses in a mixed industry precinct.”

Due to industrial zoned land being sparse on the Sunshine Coast, this makes Beerwah appear more

attractive to industrial developers.

“Beerwah is the second largest centre in the hinterland, and it is considered appropriate that it accommodate an area of industry land (and a range of industry uses) commensurate with its size and significance,”

Cr Broderick said.

“Well located and serviced industrial land is in short supply across South East Queensland and has experienced very high levels of take up since around 2021.

“Its high level of accessibility to Steve Irwin

Way and the Bruce Highway would certainly make it attractive to those industries which require and benefit from good access to the major road network.”

Cr Broderick added the whole community will benefit from industrial growth in Beerwah, not just the businesses.

“The growth of the industrial area in Beerwah will be significant in providing employment opportunities for our community, particularly in regard to trade apprenticeships and traineeships for a variety of industries,” she said.

“Council will soon release a proposed new planning scheme for the region, and this will help to inform the bigger picture of our hinterland’s future growth and potential.

“It is possible that this industry precinct will expand further in the future with the current planning scheme also identifying a future investigation area for industry purposes to the south of the land in question.”

kirra@gcnews.com.au

Creek Crescent, Beerwah.

LGAQ urges State to bin the bin tax

By Kirra Livingstone

THE Sunshine Coast Council will have to fork out an additional $26 million a year, after the Queensland Government removed 30 per cent of offsets which covered the state’s waste levy.

Previously, most Queensland councils’ waste levy was 100 per cent offset by the State Government, but as of July 1, 19 major councils will be required to pay 30 per cent of the state’s waste levy.

This means the Sunshine Coast council will have to pay $37.70 per every standard 240 litre bin service this year. The levy covers the cost of dumping waste which goes to landfill.

The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has launched a campaign, #binthetax, calling on the State to reverse course.

Sunshine Coast Mayor, Rosanna Natoli, said the region was already under strain. “We’re working hard to manage that growth responsibly, without passing unnecessary costs onto our householders,” Mayor Natoli said.

“The State’s waste levy amounts to a bin tax that hits households directly and it’s a cost we simply cannot absorb.”

Rates up as economic

Councillors look for silver lining as rates rise after accounting errors punches $30 million hole in 2025/26 budget

By Mitch Gaynor

GENERAL rates will rise by 7.4 per cent next year - an extra $2.10 per week on the minimum levy - as Sunshine Coast Council looks to plug a $30 million hole in the 2025–26 budget caused by an historical accounting error.

The hike - more than double Brisbane City Council’s three per cent and Moreton Bay’s four per cent increases - comes as the Sunshine Coast also lifts its waste levy by $2.35 a week.

Mayor Rosanna Natoli delivered the delayed $973 million 2025–26 budget on Monday (July 7), repeating warnings about the five-year asset depreciation error that damaged the council’s bottom line.

“This budget reflects the increasing costs of maintaining and improving a large and fast growing region,” she told council.

“We’ve inherited some very real problems.

“We’ve agreed on a way forward. We are owning it. We are fixing it, as you our ratepayers and our

residents would want and expect us to do.”

She said Council had considered a range of options, including higher rate increases, but had instead “chosen a path that balanced financial responsibility with compassion”.

“We are reviewing our services, tightening our belt and making sure every dollar counts. This is our promise to you.”

She acknowledged the impact cost-of-living pressures were having on the community.

“That’s why we’re doing everything to minimise the impact on households while still delivering the services and infrastructure that will benefit our community now and into the future.”

To soften the blow, pensioner concessions will be boosted by $5 million, with six-month interest-free payment plans introduced for ratepayers.

“More than 60 per cent of owner-occupiers will remain on the minimum general rate of $1,586.30 per annum,” Mayor Natoli said.

Other levies will also

rise, including for standard 240-litre wheelie bins (general waste and recycling) and garden organics bin collection, which will increase $122.20 per year.

“A portion of this increase in residential bin collection fees is due to the State Government’s Waste Levy, which adds $37.70 to the cost of a standard 240-litre bin service this year,” Mayor Natoli said.

“While Council receives $10.3 million to offset this, it falls well short of the $26 million we must pay.

“We have no control over this bin tax.”

The new budget adopts more conservative asset valuations and defers roughly $40 million of capital works - timing adjustments rather than outright cancellations - to shore up the books and ensure accurate future forecasts. Councillors had mixed reactions at yesterday’s meeting.

Division 8 Councillor Taylor Bunnag described the budget as a “reality check”.

“(This budget) prompts

the question in my mind, ‘can we keep doing things the way we’ve been doing them, and expect to remain a financially sustainable organisation into the future?’” he said to councillors.

Division 10’s David Law said he was concerned Nambour and the

hinterland were missing out on projects such as multimillion-dollar library and community-centre upgrades, and asked what could be done to generate new revenue.

Division 5’s Winston Johnston said the budget had “ripped the bandaid off ” council finances, but

An artist’s impression of the Maleny District Park and Sunshine Coast

reality check bites council

paved the way for “sensible increases” in coming years.

The budget ultimately passed with Division 6’s Christian Dickson and Division 7’s Ted Hungerford voting against.

To deliver savings without cutting frontline services, council has paused non-essential recruitment

and managed vacancies, yielding $8.9 million so far.

A further $5.5 million is expected from service-review productivity gains, plus $7.5 million from ongoing vacancy management.

Mayor Natoli said chief executive John Baker and his executive team would be

held accountable for these efficiencies.

Infrastructure investment Despite the rate rise, infrastructure spending remains high.

The capital works program allocates $262.3 million to vital projects, including $30.2 million for sealed and unsealed road maintenance, $22.4 million for park amenities and $11 million for beach sand renourishment.

Library services will receive $23 million to meet a 37,000-member surge over two years, while community grants and events funding total $4.4 million and $2.5 million respectively.

Upgrades to resource recovery centres at Nambour, Caloundra and Bli Bli, plus new landfill-cell construction, aim to avoid steeper costs in future. Levy freezes and cuts were also approved.

The Environment Levy remains at $82, funding koala habitat protection, waterway restoration and coastal resilience projects; the Arts and Heritage Levy holds at $20, backing heritage conservation and the Creative Arts Plan ahead of Brisbane 2032; and the Transport Levy is trimmed by $3.08 to $43.92 by pausing the Futures Fund contribution, instead

earmarking funds for pedestrian infrastructure and trial transport services.

Mayor Natoli insisted council’s path reflected “prudent planning, not politics,” and was essential to “protect our lifestyle and deliver the infrastructure our growing community expects”.

Priorities

Council’s priorities—safer roads, better parks and community services— are funded through five budget pillars: strong communities ($129 million), environment and liveability ($343 million), a resilient economy ($35 million), service excellence

but future-focused “reset window”.

Division 5 highlights

Cr Winston Johnston said several key projects were funded, including $855,000 for the Maleny District Recreation Park draft concept plan and $2.975 million for the Maple Street streetscape upgrade.

“Council’s investment in these projects, alongside vital funding for road infrastructure, essential services and community spaces, demonstrates an ongoing commitment to Division 5’s liveability and environmental assets,” Cr Johnston said. There is also $45,000 for

Division 1 highlights

Cr Jenny Broderick flagged upgrades to the Beerwah Cemetery entrance and Landsborough skate park, new sports clubhouses at Nirimba and Baringa, and enhancements to the Beerwah and Corbould Park resource recovery centres to support sustainability and future growth. “We’re investing in fabulous new sports clubhouses at Nirimba and Baringa, and making upgrades to our Beerwah Cemetery entrance and Landsborough Museum,” she said.

“Some of our wonderful parks and playgrounds will

Council Mayor Rosanna Natoli with councillors and executives.

Coochin Fields festival site a ‘game changer’

Proposed music site will deliver wide reaching benefits for region, says academic

By Sonia Isaacs

A PROPOSED largescale venue at Coochin Creek could significantly enhance the Sunshine Coast’s capacity to host major events, offering broad economic, cultural and infrastructure benefits, according to key industry voices.

The Coochin Fields Festival site, proposed by the Comiskey Group, spans 150 hectares—roughly the size of 22 football fields— and is currently under consideration by Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie, who is weighing a potential call-in of the development

The venue could host up to 35,000 people per day.

Dr Lenny Vance (pictured), president of the Sunshine Coast Events Industry Association (SCEIA) and a lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast, said the venue would fill a longstanding void in the region’s events infrastructure.

“We’ve been severely lacking spaces for industry expos,” he said.

“Existing venues like Nambour Showgrounds and Kawana Stadium are

primarily geared towards sport and are unsuitable for major trade events such as caravan and camping expos.”

If approved, the site could host a range of functions –from large-scale festivals to trade shows and exhibitions – currently constrained by a lack of appropriate facilities in the region.

Dr Vance believes the project could act as a powerful economic catalyst.

“The venue has the potential to attract significant tourism and economic activity, while also broadening the region’s cultural offerings, especially

through evening and yearround programming,” he said.

Proponents argue that environmental considerations are being taken seriously, with the site earmarked for redevelopment on a former strawberry farm.

“With sustainable planning, the venue could be developed to minimise environmental impact,” Dr Vance said.

“This is a chance to create a world-class space that reflects the Sunshine Coast’s identity and future vision.”

Dr Vance said the proposal aligns with broader planning

objectives, including regional infrastructure improvements leading up to the 2032 Olympic Games, and early indications suggest potential state government support for required road upgrades.

“This is about futureproofing the Sunshine Coast,” Dr Vance said.

“We need versatile, modern spaces that can serve our growing population, attract events, and put us on the map as a premier destination for business, culture and entertainment.”

However, critics have voiced concerns about the

potential impacts on nearby sensitive ecosystems.

The Sunshine Coast Environment Council’s Narelle McCarthy said the proposal raised red flags.

“[This proposed call-in] escalates the risks to the sensitive environments and ecological values of the Pumicestone Passage and its catchment, including the critical inter-urban break,” she said.

Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Matt Stoeckel offered a measured perspective, noting that while the region would benefit from more venues, each development must be considered carefully.

“The Sunshine Coast is a prime location for major events – from music and culture to food and exhibitions,” Mr Stoeckel said.

“The region will benefit from additional purposebuilt multi-purpose venues that attract visitors from Queensland and interstate and support the local economy.

“Giving new reasons for people to travel here is so important.”

sonia@gcnews.com.au

Horse dies in SEQ from Hendra virus

A HORSE in south-east Queensland has died from Hendra virus, marking the state’s first confirmed case since 2022.

Biosecurity Queensland confirmed the positive test on July 4, after the unvaccinated horse deteriorated rapidly and died.

Officers are now working with the property owner and Queensland Health to manage potential risks to humans and other animals.

Biosecurity Queensland Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Fiona Thompson said tracing and exposure assessments have been carried out on animals at the property, and public health officials are monitoring people who had contact with the infected horse.

“Our public health staff have contacted all known people who have been exposed,” Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Heidi Carroll said. “While the virus can spread to people, infection remains rare.” Hendra virus is transmitted from flying foxes to horses, and can spread between horses, dogs, and humans. There is no vaccine for humans, and people can be exposed even before a horse shows symptoms. For more information call 132 523.

Changeover dinner

By Sonia Isaacs

THE Rotary Club of Glasshouse Country held a successful changeover dinner on Monday, June 30, at the Beerwah Hotel. Special guests included Federal Member for Fisher, Andrew Wallace MP, and Division 1 Councillor, Jenny Broderick.

Congratulations were given to outgoing President Steve Newton on a very strong year of serviceespecially for his leadership in raising awareness of domestic and family violence through the “Wear Purple on Friday” initiative. The club welcomed incoming President Rex Shelton and the 2025-2026

Time Out

committee.

Rotary Glasshouse continues to support local businesses and community organisations and is always open to welcoming new members.

To get involved in this great community group or find out more you can email: rotaryglasshouse@gmail. com.

THE recent Maleny Players production of Changes played to soldout audiences at the Maleny Playhouse. The show was created by the vibrant Club 88 collective, a group of

Wallis.

Jack Julius and Tony Freeman. Steve Newton, Rex Shelton and Eric Wood.

Reg Darwell and John Marden. Jill Morris and Jan Dodwell. Photos: Marsha Fotographie.

Jack, Arlia and Leslie.

Ursula and Ilia Starkovsky.

The new 2025-2026 committee with Andrew Wallace MP. Photos: Sonia Isaacs.

Pauline and Helen.

Aura business networking

Over 50 members attended to enjoy coffee and learn about each other’s

‘Regional news signals the health of the voice of our communities’

By Damian Morgan, President, Country Press Australia

LAST week, I stepped up as President of Country Press Australia (CPA), ostensibly to represent the best interests of independent regional newspaper publishers.

But the responsibility is far greater than that. The future of regional news publishing is inextricably linked to whether regional communities will continue to have a say in shaping the future of regional Australia.

In fact, regional newspapers are the metaphorical canary in the coal mine - their health signals the health of the voice of the communities they serve. And both are under threat.

The toxic combination of ever-expanding corporations and surging city populations dominating our politics is reducing regional communities to branch office status, with their futures determined by powerful elites in our CBDs.

With every small business that’s bought out and “rolled up” into a corporate machine - or shut down to make way for a bigbox competitor - a local business owner is replaced by a corporate manager.

The profits are siphoned off back to the city, and a small part of the soul of our communities dies.

Even local government is losing its voice. Many locally elected councillors now fear speaking out on behalf of their communities, worried they’ll be reported to increasingly powerful,

city-based governance bodies. When this happens, our democracy is weakened.

Regional news publishers are among the last lines of defence against these forces. At our best, we rally and amplify the collective voice of our communities. We stand up to power and fight for a fair go.

There’s a saying that the squeaky wheel gets the grease - but in regional Australia, it’s mostly the silent, hardworking wheels that keep the whole country moving.

That’s why regional newspapers promote local communities and give those doing the heavy lifting a voice.

We unapologetically champion independent regional businesses - the ones who make, grow, and fix things. The ones who only sell what they believe in and are proud of.

We’re up for the fight. But it’s getting harder.

A decade ago, regional newspapers were thriving. classifieds, display ads, and community notices funded large local newsrooms filled with trained journalists.

But the landscape has changed. When news went online - and we’re online too - global tech giants like Facebook quickly came to dominate the advertising market, using their monopolistic power to take an overwhelming share of digital ad revenue.

Yet these platforms don’t produce news.

They don’t employ journalists. And they certainly don’t hire anyone

in regional communities where they glean enormous profits from the attention of local people while contributing nothing back to local newsrooms or communities.

In fact, they profit from our content, created by local journalists, without paying fairly for it - undermining the very business model that sustains local news.

And big box retail corporations making huge profits from our regional communities are now choosing to advertise with these global tech giants, not with local publishers.

Many Australians are unaware of the growing danger of letting corporatism control our communities - and the new media platforms and AI systems that (mis)inform them. My top priority as President of CPA is to fight for the publishers who, in turn, are fighting for their communities. We’ll be wearing out the boot leather lobbying governments to protect our people from exploitation by tech platforms that profit from harmful content and put our children and democracy at risk.

We’ll push back against bureaucracy that strips power from local leaders.

We’ll shine a light on the creeping reach of corporatism. We’re proud to take on these battles.

All we ask in return is that you keep buying your local paper — or subscribe online — and support the local businesses that advertise with us.

GC&M News is a member of Country Press Australia.

Patricia Jutila

How long have you lived in the Glass House Mountains area for?

I’ve lived in the Glass House area for going on 23 years.

What made you move to the Glass House Mountains area?

I moved here because it was getting closer to retirement for us, and I lived by the beach before then, so I moved up and retired.

What do you love about living in the Glass House Mountains area?

It’s got everything, the people are lovely, and that’s why I got involved with a lot of the groups here as a volunteer, I belong to groups here and in Beerwah, places like that.

One community group that I volunteer for is the Glass House Mountains Neighbourhood Centre. What’s your favourite spot or hidden gem? I love going to the Glasshouse Mountains

lookout, looking over all the mountains up there, I feel that it is just a beautiful scenery of all of the mountains that we have up here. It’s a very pretty place. Is there anything you would change about the Glass House Mountains area?

No I wouldn’t change anything, it is perfect but unfortunately we know change needs to be done sometimes, I’m sure it will grow. What’s something that outsiders should know, that they may not know about the Glass House Mountains area?

It’s a very communityminded area, not only for the people and also our businesses here, they have been so supportive of the groups here.

THE Caloundra Chamber of Commerce held their monthly networking meeting on Friday July 4 at Innovate Media in the Aura Business Park.

businesses. Clockwise from left: Chad, Cameron, Simon; Michael and Sarah; Alex, April, Brooke.

DELIVERING QUEENSLAND’S TOURISM FUTURE

Local Kindy, new energy

Newly elected parent-led committee bringing new energy to Beerwah Kindy

Contributed By Jesse Webb

BEERWAH and District Kindergarten held its Annual General Meeting last Monday night, with a strong show of support from families and community members as the kindy marked the official handover to a new parent-led committee.

The outgoing committee - including executive members Jordyn Heilig, Megan Zakis, Emily Heilig

contributions over the past year.

Incoming President, Jesse Webb, said the new committee was excited to carry on the work of previous teams, building on the foundations of a muchloved local institution.

“Beerwah Kindy has always been communitydriven at its heart. This year, we’re really focused on deepening those connections for fresh opportunities to partner with local organisations,

and engaged community around the kindy, where families feel connected, supported and proud to be involved.”

One of those opportunities includes continuing to support the Spring Fair - an event launched by the kindy last year and now evolving into a shared platform for local community groups. It’s just one way the kindy hopes to contribute to a more connected and vibrant Beerwah.

The incoming committee includes executive members Jesse Webb, Ashley Fragiadakis, Ninè Stretch and Emily Heilig, supported by a strong group of returning and new general committee members.

Beerwah and District Kindergarten continues to offer a nurturing and play-based early education environment, with a proud history of being led by local families for local families.

Friendship morning tea Peachester Bush Dance is back!

THE Maleny Hospital Auxiliary members and friends enjoyed an informal Friendship morning tea with Rhee Duthie from Volunteering Queensland. Rhee inspired us with enthusiasm while sharing alarming statistics on the number of volunteers in QLD, realising how valuable volunteering is economically to our

our mental health and connection.

Rhee brought a hat with her, near full of badges showing all the countries and volunteering events she has volunteered at and been part of over the years.

Lisa Plucknett, our auxiliary member and resident poet shared two poems, one about the Hospital and the Auxiliary along with a light hearted family favourite making us laugh all while enjoying our morning tea.

The Hospital Auxiliary plan to have two Friendship morning teas each year and interested friends of members are welcome to attend. More details contact President Carole on 044 373 734.

PEACHESTER’s beloved Bush Dance is back on Saturday 19 July at the Community Hall - set to be another foot-stomping night of live music, laughter and family-friendly fun.

Local favourites, The Swag and Fiddle Bush band will have the crowd spinning and swinging, with prizes for best-dressed bush dancers, and dinner and drinks available thanks to the Hall Committee.

Tickets are just $12 for adults and $5 for kids, with proceeds supporting hall improvements. Don’t miss your chance to join the community for a night of good old-fashioned fun. Some tickets already sold— book now via Eventbrite by searching “Peachester Bush Dance”. Dust off your boots and get ready for a winter’s night of craic and community spirit!

Off-stream stock watering points

Reducing sediment loss on farms

Control of environmental weeds and bush regeneration

Revegetation of degraded areas

Expressions of interest close Monday 11 August 2025

29 September

Beerwah & District Kindy committee members.

be hosting a stall at the Queensland Garden Show from July 11–13 at the Nambour Showgrounds.

Visit site 131 in the large marquee on the main oval to explore displays outlining the group’s activities and chat with volunteers who can help with your family history research.

Their next monthly meeting is Saturday, July 19, from 9:30am to 12pm, with the Resource Centre open all afternoon.

This month’s theme is favourite recipes - with members encouraged to bring

three consecutive Wednesdays from 9:30am to 3:30pm.

Mornings will cover theory, with afternoons dedicated to applying what you’ve learned to your own research.

Cost is $15/day for members or $25/day for non-members.

Bookings can be made online or by phoning 5329 2315. Classes are held at the Resource Centre in Petrie Park Road.

An Open Day will also be held on Saturday, August 23, offering another opportunity to discover what Genealogy Sunshine Coast is all about.

Putting for charity

By Kirra Livingstone

THIS year’s Kenny’s Angels Charity Golf Day, held at the Beerwah Golf Club on Friday, June 27, raised more than $6000, going towards the Endeavour Foundation.

The charity supports people with intellectual disabilities.

14 teams took part in this year’s charity golf day, with a total of 56 golfers putting for a great cause. The event was organised by Amanda Smyth and Kelsey Engle. Amanda said it was a successful day of fundraising, building connections and spreading awareness.

Amanda and

Kelsey’s fundraising is part on their participation in the Great Endeavour Rally, which will take them from Bathurst to Batemans Bay.

Amanda highlighted why this cause is so close to her heart. “Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of meeting some incredible people supported by the Endeavour Foundation, and we’ve seen fi

Grand opening for community gardens gets closer to fruition

EXCITEMENT is building as the Glasshouse Mountains community garden prepares to throw open its gates for a grand opening celebration on August 9, from 10am to 2pm - and the response from locals has been nothing short of inspiring.

Support from local groups, businesses and individuals has seen the project’s maze, archway, ‘hand’ wall and additional seating fully funded.

Organisers say they are overwhelmed and deeply grateful, describing the level of sponsorship as “mind-

In the wake of a recent

break-in to the garden’s toilet and utility area, the community has again rallied, swiftly repairing damage and improving security.

The toilet locks have been replaced and secured, and the utility room boarded up as longer-term solutions are explored.

With momentum building, volunteers are encouraged to join a series of working bees to help prepare the site for the big day. The grand opening promises activities, food and plant sales, with all proceeds supporting the project. Organisers are calling for volunteers

on the day and are also accepting plant donations for fundraising.

Looking beyond August, monthly working bees and workshops will commence from September, and community input is invited to shape future sessions.

The Glasshouse Mountains Community Garden is a place where you can grow food locally, share, learn, connect, create and play.

More details via Glasshouse Mountains Community Garden Facebook page. Address: 8 Coonowrin Road, Glass House Mountains.

Glasshouse Mountains community garden volunteers.

Road deterioration

I am a 23 year resident of Maleny. During this time I have enjoyed walking and bike riding the local roads. I cycle regularly with a bunch of local residents along the Maleny Kenilworth Rd.

I am writing this letter because of the deterioration of a specific piece of road, the increase in traffic on this portion and the worsening of the danger to cyclists, walkers and to the traffic that uses this road.

In fact this piece of road has become so dangerous that I have decided not to ride/walk it unless it is either repaired or a dedicated bike path/ walking path is created.

I am aware that funds are short and that this road may not have had a fatality in the section under discussion.

However, I believe as do many others, that it is only a matter of time before there is an accident with terrible consequences.

As a cyclist there is always a need to be extremely careful on the road. What sets this piece of road apart is the deterioration of the verge (even to the extent that the white line has crumbled and disappeared in places) and also the lack of any space between the road and the damaged edge. In effect there is no safety margin and it requires the cyclist to ‘take the road’ which means cyclists are at greater risk of being hit by a vehicle. Most drivers are extremely thoughtful, but from time to time they don’t realise that the cyclist has ‘nowhere to go’ and end up passing too close.

The section I refer to is Maleny-Kenilworth Rd after the Reeseville Road turnofftoward the township of Maleny. The first 100 metres of this portion MalenyKenilworth road has an appropriate safety margin. After the first bend the road becomes unsafe. There is no safety margin for cyclists or walkers and there are numerous potholes and crumbling road edges. The road is narrow and has oncoming traffic most times as well.

In many places there is absolutely no opportunity for a cyclist or walker to safely distance themselves

from the traffic. This means that vehicles have to swerve or brake suddenly to avoid hitting the cyclists or pedestrian.

The Maleny region is a fantastic area for cyclists, perfect topography, challenging and beautiful.

We are hoping that the upcoming Olympics are a huge success for Queensland/ Brisbane and it would be fantastic if the road cycling events could be held in the Sunshine Coast/ Glasshouse /Maleny area.

Imagine the boost to our region when the world gets to see this amazing diverse region. It would be a great boost to cycling tourism.

However, the death of a cyclist on this road during such an event would certainly make headlines across the world and be a deterrent to cycling tourism.

As an avid cyclist and lover of health and fitness I believe it would be a boon to the local residents to be able to safely cycle or

would commence within six months of its election.

The current LNP MP committed to that action, and said she had the funds for the work.

A recent Ministerial Media release declares action has been accelerated.

Except when you get through the release pics and hyperbole you discover that after nine months there’s been little real progress. It’s on a list.

There are no details that might provide any assurance that any work is underway or in prospect.

Just the opposite.

Details of what, when, and how of the proposed works are nowhere to be found. Costings still have to be done and the funding found.

The Premier says ‘we’re delivering’. But just not here or now.

We expect promises made to be kept. The previous Government and MP did. Perhaps a by-election

horror comment about wind farms being subsidised. Is he not aware that the fossil fuels industry has been subsided, and continues to be, from their inception? I believe he is contributing to something called “predatory delay” which is what the tobacco industry engaged in when they knew from the start how damaging smoking was, and they campaigned for sales anyway, and what fossil fuel companies now engage in.

Predatory delay is the deliberate slowing of change to prolong a profitable but UNsustainable status quo whose cost will be paid for by others.

All I can say is have some respect for the good people of the planet who are protesting against this kind of greedy predation, and who are doing everything they can to inspire fast and effective renewable energy sources. The writing is on the wall, or should I say, on the blades of very wind farm propeller.

walk this stretch of road.

As a parent I would never allow my children or even teenagers to ride this road without some significant repair work or installation of a dedicated bike /walk path.

I would be grateful if the Transport and Main Roads Dept could look at this section through the eyes of a cyclist or walker. It is only when you are close to the damage that you can appreciate the severity of the problem.

Dorothy Hills Maleny

What progress?

Before the State election, the LNP promised action to address the Caloundra Road traffic problems - that

might focus the LNPs attention.

Andrew Moran

Battery Hill

Prepare now

Today (30/6/25) I see yet another damaging weather warning. “The NSW State Emergency Service has issued a “prepare now” warning for damaging winds in Taree, Newcastle, Sydney, Wollongong, Port Macquarie and Tenterfield, with gusts of up to 100 kilometres per hour”. This goes with flood warnings too. Again! Again and again!!

I find myself aghast at the recent bleating of another letter writer who was noting a local region’s complaints about renewable wind towers, including a shock

Gee the Sunshine Council Budget was worth the wait. Firstly they somehow lose $30 million, then they’re losing more because of the waste bin levy - good timing just before they lay into ratepayers. Interesting to read that the new CEO has also installed a new executive. It’ll mean exactly not much to anyone, because the real problem is lower down the food chain where countless bureaucrats impervious to the will of communities, happily grind life to a blinding halt. Panic! At the disco I don’t know if we’re ever going to get over this seemingly collective will to catastrophise the weather but ‘bomb cyclone’ was surely a bridge too far.

I was surprised that it was not a term imagined up by the media, but in fact a couple of American academics. Still even they had walked away from it years ago - for a few reasons but largely due to the increase use of actual bombs in terror-related activities.

Not to be dissuaded, everyone who was anyone

specific single noise events (a single truck passing), between 6am and 6pm (because it doesn’t disturb sleep awakenings criteria), and single peak noise events won’t change (per truck, duh). The number of trips along the haulage route would increase by approximately 156 per day, the post expansion figures in Heidelberg’s Traffic Impact Assessment citing, on average, 312 trips / weekday transporting their product along Coonowrin Rd. Heidelberg words this change as ‘insignificant’.

Cast your thoughts twenty years forward – it’s just around the corner. Ever present truck traffic, noise and emissions. A gaping hole beside Coonowrin, 66 metres deeper than it is now. Quarry Central.

Not a hinterland town

POLICE BEAT

Jacinta Foale Maleny Speak now or forever hold your piece

With gentle lubrication by Hanson over the years, the Glasshouse Mountains community has come to accept – grudgingly or otherwise - the status quo of Glasshouse Quarry’s activities. Twenty years ago, the quarry was barely visible from Mt Ngungun.

It’s now an ugly scar. Increasing numbers of trucks rumble noisily along the Coonowrin Rd haulage route past homes, school, childcare, community hall and visitor centre. The community now faces a possible new ‘normal’ – a doubling of operations.

Responding to Council’s request for further information concerning truck noise, Heidelberg asserts that under the Environment Act 1994, nuisance noise does not apply to public roads,

The advent of mobile phones and social media has, if nothing else, inspired many debates as to whether they are an overall positive or negative for society. As useful as they can be, they are now also unfortunately another platform which can be abused and used to commit offences

Judging by an apparent increase in complaints made to police about people receiving harassing, offensive, or threatening messages, many people either remain unaware that it is an offence to send messages of this nature, or perhaps they are unaware of the serious nature of the offence.

The legislation can be found under the Commonwealth Criminal Code Act 1995 – Use carriage service to menace, harass, or cause offence. The maximum penalty is 3 years imprisonment, however if threats are made to cause serious harm, or to kill a person, the penalties increase to 7

loved for lifestyle, cultural heritage, local produce and natural beauty. It’s not acceptable as inevitable ‘progress’. It’s destruction of a beautiful and iconic Australian landscape by a multinational company bent on profit earned by dominating their market. New resident or old, please oppose this application. Don’t regret, one day, that you were too timid, ignorant, self-conscious, stubborn or naive to speak up. If you are proud to call Glasshouse Mountains home, speak now or forever hold your piece.

Sarah Minns Glasshouse Mountains

and 10 years respectively. If the volume or frequency of the messages become an aggravating factor, the charge of unlawful stalking can also be considered.

Using messaging or creating harmful posts on social media has also been adopted by the “smartphone generation” of school bullies. This is considered an example of using a carriage service, and parents should be speaking to their children about the ways in which they use their devices, to avoid an embarrassing visit to the police station.

Improper use of emergency call services is another offence in the same vein. This covers prank or hoax calls to Triple-Zero and also carries a maximum penalty of 3 years imprisonment. Let’s be kind to each other and enjoy these advancements in technology for their benefits and their ability to bring each other together and create communities.

jumped on the term last week. It did seem dramatic, but up here at least, it was what us experts refer to as “bloody windy”. Doggone stop it For an animal I’m not really a dog person and it always surprises me how easily strangers sidle up next to pets for a pat or a chat. Do you have no real friends people? One bloke

started nuzzling this big Cujo looking mutt at a garden show we were at last week. So gross. Reading the room Why was the local Justice of the Peace relocated to a cafe at the Health Hub last year? Good question that a few other people asked as well but it’s a moot point now, because I went hunting for them the

and got told they’re back at the Beerwah Library. Makes a lot more sense. ross.

Over 55s rewarded with discounts and social connection at Morayfield

MORAYFIELD Shopping Centre’s Over 55s & Seniors Club exemplifies a dedicated effort to enrich the lives of senior community members through a range of exclusive benefits and engaging activities. This initiative not only offers tangible perks but also fosters a sense of belonging and community among its members.

Upon joining, members receive a membership card. This card unlocks a variety of exclusive offers, discounts, and rewards across participating

retailers within the shopping centre. Members are also invited to special club events throughout the year, enhancing social connections and community engagement. Initiatives like the Over 55s & Seniors Club play a crucial role in combating social isolation among seniors. They provide opportunities for social interaction, physical activity, and community involvement, all of which are essential for maintaining mental and emotional well-

being. Such programs align with broader efforts to support senior citizens, as highlighted by organizations like the Seniors Enquiry Line, which emphasizes the importance of social clubs in fostering community connections. Morayfield Shopping Centre’s commitment to its senior patrons through the Over 55s & Seniors Club not only enhances the shopping experience but also contributes positively to the overall well-being of the community. It stands as a testament to the centre’s

dedication to inclusivity and community support. Becoming a member is straightforward. Prospective members can complete an online application form or visit the Centre Management office (located next to the Police Beat) to fill out a hard copy. A valid photo ID is required to verify age eligibility. For more information, interested individuals can contact the shopping centre at 07 5499 4255 or reception@ morayfieldshoppingcentre. com.au

Creative ageing opens eyes

By UniSC’s Tricia King

OLDER adults often face lifestyle changes that disrupt their sense of place and purpose. Loss of a partner, downsizing, or moving into residential aged care can bring identity loss, uncertainty and isolation. But what if a simple camera could help?

For the past decade I have worked with older adults, using photography to reconnect them with place, and the results have been

transformational.

Creative ageing Research shows arts engagement can significantly boost mental wellbeing and overall health in older adults.

Australia has developed a Creative Ageing Framework and a National Arts Health Framework to position creative activity as vital to healthy ageing. Yet barriers remain: cost, accessibility, self-doubt

and a shortage of skilled facilitators. We need inclusive approaches that use familiar tools—and that is where photography comes

Photography is a multi-sensory, embodied practice. It invites mindfulness, slows us down and reveals beauty in everyday life. Our research demonstrates that taking photographs enhances older adults’ connection to place,

creativity and wellbeing.

Over the past 18 months we have held group photo walks with older adults in community and aged care settings. Framing the world through a lens transformed participants’ relationship with their environment and renewed a sense of agency. Accessible and meaningful Photography is accessible and familiar; most carry a camera in their phone and know how to use it. It requires no special training or equipment. Unlike

many pass-time activities, photography is enjoyable, engaging and tied to personal goals.

It is exploratory, fun and deeply personal, and its outcomes can be shared or revisited privately.

Seeing differently Photography honours life experience and perspective. Each image is a creative expression and validation of a unique view. Our group walks fostered collective stories, with each participant adding

something personal. Being outside

Photography often encourages people outdoors. For some aged care residents, this alone is significant.

Putting into practice

Photography is low-cost, adaptable and inclusive. It can be done indoors or out, from a wheelchair, walker or on foot. Anyone can start by slowing down and noticing small details. There is no right or wrong—only the opportunity to look again.

Understanding wills and estates A guide to helping give you peace of mind

By Spire Law

PLANNING for the future can be overwhelming, but when it comes to your estate, having a clear and legally sound will in place is crucial. A will is a legal document that outlines how your assets and belongings will be distributed after your death. It can provide peace

wishes are respected and minimise potential disputes among family members.

In Queensland, without a will in place, your estate will be divided according to the Succession Act 1981, which may not align with your desires. This could lead to unnecessary delays and complications, especially if you have specific wishes

for your children, pets, or charitable donations. A will allows you to appoint an executor to manage your estate, ensuring your assets are distributed as you wish. In addition to financial assets, a will can also specify guardianship for minor children and address other important matters like funeral preferences. However, it’s important to regularly update your will to reflect any significant life changes—such as

assets, reduce tax liabilities, or protect beneficiaries from creditors. Consulting with a lawyer specialising in wills and estates can ensure that your will is legally sound and that all your wishes are addressed appropriately. By creating a will and making informed decisions about your estate, you can protect your loved ones and provide clarity during a difficult time. Contact the lawyers at Spire Law to take these steps now, which

Dog Lovers

Senior Living

Your local Home Care Package provider

IF you have been approved for a Home Care Package - or are considering a change of provider - Glasshouse Country Care offer a range of personalised support services designed to make everyday life easier and safer. And they’re now open for new clients.

“People want to stay in their own home,” said General Manager Clare Mullins. “Our Home Care Package team works closely with clients to tailor their package to make this possible. That might mean help around the house, transport to appointments, or more clinical support. Every person’s needs are different.”

As Australia’s aged care system prepares

to transition to the new Support at Home program later this year, Glasshouse Country Care will continue to provide essential services that help older residents remain independent in their own homes.

Services offered include domestic assistance, home maintenance and modifications, personal care, nursing, transport, respite, and meal delivery.

Glasshouse Country Care has served the local community for nearly 30 years with a focus on helping older Australians live well at home for as long as possible. You can find more information on their website at www.ghcare.org.au or call them on 5494 6948.

Local hearing care that Sounds Good

SOUNDS Good Sunshine

Coast is a locally owned and operated independent audiology clinic based in Maleny. The clinic is run by Ben Small, who lives in Maleny, and has been in the hearing industry for nearly 30 years.

The clinic offers a wide range of services to locals including wax removal. Micro suction is the most efficient and safest way to remove wax from the ear canals and these services are performed for a flat rate of $80 in the clinic.

Hearing testing is performed using the latest and most advanced equipment. From a basic hearing screening test to a fuller audiological assessment, including impedance testing and speech discrimination the clinic can accommodate. Booking a hearing test does

FREE. Ben is a provider of services under the Hearing Services Program for eligible pensioners and veterans as well as welcoming private clients from the area. Some services are also covered in part by health insurance.

independent clinic and has access to a wide range of hearing aid companies and suppliers. All brands of hearing devices can be serviced and programmed in the clinic which is open Monday to Friday, and Saturday by appointment.

aids and think they might need a tune up, or a service feel free to make an appointment to discuss. To make an appointment call or text 0410467090 or email soundsgoodsc@ outlook.com to discuss anything hearing.

Celebrating Celebrating

Blending horticulture and homegrown flavour

QLD’s largest gardening festival returns to feed everyone’s green thumbs

QUEENSLAND’S premier gardening event, the Queensland Garden Show, returns to the Nambour Showgrounds from July 11 to 13, 2025, offering a vibrant mix of horticultural displays, expert-led demonstrations, and culinary delights.

This much-anticipated three-day festival invites gardening enthusiasts of all levels to explore a vibrant world of plants, expert advice, and garden inspiration.

A standout feature this year is the Giant Kitchen Garden, a colourful, interactive space showcasing innovative edible gardening ideas.

Designed to inspire both novice and seasoned gardeners, it highlights sustainable practices and creative planting solutions.

Complementing this

is the Cook’s Garden Stage, where visitors can enjoy live cooking demonstrations that blend gardening with gastronomy. These sessions focus on utilising homegrown produce, offering practical tips for integrating fresh, seasonal ingredients into everyday cooking.

In addition to these attractions, the show features over 100 free talks and demonstrations across five live stages, covering topics from sustainable gardening to floral design. Notable presenters include

Gardening Australia’s Costa Georgiadis and Jerry Coleby-Williams, sharing their expertise and passion for horticulture.

true community event celebrating the joys of gardening and outdoor living.

Spanning over seven hectares, the show features more than 360 exhibitors, including 55 nurseries, showcasing a dazzling variety of plants.

Visitors can browse through around 50,000 plants available for sale each day—from colorful flowers to resilient native species and marketplace stalls, and gardening accessories.

There are also activities and entertainment suited for families and visitors of all ages, making it a

Ticket prices are $26.50 for adults and $23.50 for pensioners, while children aged 15 and under enter free. For those wanting full access, a three-day pass is available for $65. Parking costs $10 per vehicle.

Tickets can be purchased online via the official Queensland Garden Show website.

Whether you are a seasoned horticulturist or just beginning your gardening journey, the Queensland Garden Show promises inspiration, knowledge, and plenty of green-thumbed fun.

Mark your calendar and get ready to immerse yourself in the beauty and bounty of Queensland’s gardens this July.

More than 360 exhibitors including 55 nurseries

60,000 plants for sale daily / Landscape garden displays

Free advice from leading gardening experts

Giant kitchen garden / Free talks & demos all day, every day

Huge poultry display & competition / Floral design competition

g

Food courts, entertainment & free kids playground

The simple fi x for costly clogged gutters

OVERFLOWING gutters aren’t just annoying — they can quietly cause thousands in property damage.

across Australian homes, especially after heavy rainfall or during autumn when leaves pile up fast.

helping solve this.

When water can’t flow freely, it spills over, soaking into fascias, ceilings, and even foundations. It’s a common issue

What’s worse, most homeowners don’t realise the damage until it’s too late — warping, water stains, roof issues, or even cracks in the slab can all stem from poor drainage.

One local innovation is gaining attention for

It’s called Flowmate — a drop-in insert that sits over your downpipe and helps prevent clogs by allowing water to keep flowing, even when gutters fill with debris.

Unlike bulky gutter guard systems, Flowmate takes seconds to install and doesn’t require a tradesperson.

Since launching earlier this year, Flowmate has already sold over 10,000 units, with strong uptake from gutter cleaners, roofers, and savvy homeowners who want an affordable way to reduce overflow risk.

Flowmate co-founder Marc Plowman said: “We created Flowmate to keep things simple. It’s a tool

anyone can use to better protect their property from preventable damage.”

If you’re curious, you can see Flowmate in action at the QLD Garden Show on July 11, 12 and 13. For more info or to order online, visit Flowmate. com.au

Green shoots keep growing

Continuing on with a blossoming partnership

WHILE winter wraps South East Queensland in a cool embrace, the only gloves Queensland Country Bank staff are reaching for are the gardening type, because for the third consecutive year, they’re proudly stepping up as Presenting Partner of the Queensland Garden Show 2025, held in Nambour from July 11 to 13.

“Proof that from little things, big things really do grow, the Queensland Garden Show this year celebrates 41 years of sharing the love of gardening with locals and visitors alike,” CEO of Queensland Country Bank, Aaron Newman said.

“We’re thrilled to again partner with Nursery and Garden Industry Queensland as its exclusive Banking Partner and Presenting Partner, because just like a thriving garden, a major event like this

needs ongoing care and attention,” he said. “As a member-owned bank with a clear purpose - to help all Queenslanders live better

business, and our people are genuinely passionate about it. Whether it’s growing a few herbs on the windowsill or tending a blooming backyard, gardening is part of who

we are. Personally, I love spending time in the garden. It’s the best way to wind down after a big week.” Queensland Country Bank continues to grow too, now with 29 branches across Queensland, including its newest in Maroochydore, which opened just this April.

Meet the Heat!

On Saturday July 12, from 11am to 1:30pm, cricket fans can meet Brisbane Heat stars Mikayla Wrigley (WBBL), Jack Wildermuth (BBL), and Callum Vidler (BBL) at the Queensland Country Bank marquee!

Drop by the Queensland Country Bank stand at the Show — say hi to the team, meet the much-loved mascot Heater, catch some great talks, and go in the draw to win fantastic prizes. For more, visit Queensland Country Bank or better yet, pop into your local branch and experience the difference in person.

Marc installing Flowmate.

whimsical workwear to the QLD Garden Show

LICKITY Split, a family-run Australian brand known for its playful, practical workwear, will be setting up shop at this year’s Queensland Garden Show. Launched in 2025 by horticultural industry veteran Shayne and his daughter Alyce, Lickity Split blends decades of gardening expertise with a fresh creative spark. Shayne, whose early dreams of landscape artistry led him from Burnley Horticultural College to the helm of Fiskars Australia, brings a lifetime of green-thumb know-how. After stepping

away from corporate life, he channelled his passion into a new venture—and Lickity Split was born. Alyce, formerly an English and Philosophy teacher, adds her design flair to the business. Her passion for sewing and sustainable fashion has helped shape the brand’s distinctive aesthetic. Together, this father-daughter duo has created a label that celebrates style, function, and fun in equal measure. Lickity Split’s signature is its cheerful, functional workwear, designed to move with you—whether

you’re knee-deep in garden beds or twirling through your afternoon. The brand’s values are rooted in comfort, creativity, and a generous dash of whimsy. From hardy fabrics and roomy pockets to charming prints, every piece is made with heart. Their tagline says it all: “For mornings in the dirt and afternoons in the blooms.”

Catch Lickity Split at the QLD Garden Show and discover workwear that works hard—and looks good doing it. Thoughtfully made, joyfully worn, and always delivered lickity split.

Shayne with daughter Alyce, founders of Lickity Split. Inset: Some of their popular dungarees.

Circuit Alert Electrical and Solar, based in the Aura Business Park, is gearing up for a surge in demand following the launch of the Federal Government’s “Cheaper Home Batteries Program,” which began July 1, 2025. The initiative offers significant rebates on solar battery systems, making clean energy more accessible than ever.

Established in 2009,

affordable prices—helping homeowners and small businesses reduce, or even eliminate, their electricity bills.

Director Lisa Rudd said, “We’ve never been busier.

households to use stored solar power at night or during outages, increasing both savings and energy independence. With battery prices having dropped significantly, now is

YOU know that garden project you’ve had planned since forever… Are you tired of wasting every free weekend driving round the shops looking for the plants you need, only to come home hot, confused, empty handed, and low on fuel?

There’s an easy fix. Grab a cuppa, hit the lounge room, open up your phone. You can order over 1800 plants through the year, delivered to your door, using just your thumbs. If you want to save some cash by picking up your order from the nursery, you can do that too.

Sunshine Coast solar specialist welcomes Federal battery rebate

the perfect time to invest in a more sustainable, futureready energy solution.

Circuit Alert Solar will be showcasing solar and battery specials at Site 195 during the QLD Garden Show, where visitors can learn more about their products and services. For a free, no-obligation solar assessment or to check eligibility for the rebate, contact Circuit Alert on 07 5477 0610 or visit www.circuitalert.com.au

Native flowering groundcovers, evergreen privacy hedges, rare indoor plants – Australian Plants Online has it all; and they’re all tested by Aussie gardeners for our climate. There’s heaps of info, advice, and options, to help you make the right choice in a couple of clicks.

Tubestock plants start at $4, so you can afford to try something new, add something colourful, or get a couple extra to make sure you’ve got enough to finish your project.

What’s a tubestock plant?

It’s what the professionals

Plants delivered straight to you

use, and it’s what Australian Plants Online’s nursery grows, supplying Sunshine Coast landscapers and garden centres for forty years.

Thanks to Australian Plants Online, home gardeners can now garden like the professionals.

Best of all, with tubestock plants, there’s no big holes to dig. When it’s time to plant, you just scoop some earth away and pop them in. Easy as!

What will your next gardening project look like? australianplantsonline. com.au

Martin and Lisa from Circuit Alert. Inset: SolaX Triple Power solar battery.

Reclaim your weekend

IF you dream of having the best-looking lawn on the street but dread spending your weekends behind a mower, auto mowers could be the perfect answer.

“Husqvarna is one of the global leaders in outdoor

equipment, and as their slogan says, their auto mowers are built to help you ‘reclaim your weekend’,” said Jo Williamson of Nambour Outdoor Power.

These machines—also known as robotic mowers— are designed to maintain your lawn automatically, without the need for manual control.

“They work by navigating your yard using boundary wires or advanced technology, and they return to their charging base when they need power or complete their mowing cycle,” Jo explained.

“The Automower® NERA series by Husqvarna uses EPOS™ (Exact Positioning Operating System), a satellite-based system that eliminates the need for boundary wires entirely,” she added.

“This gives you the freedom to update virtual mowing zones as your

garden changes with the seasons.”

Rather than collecting grass clippings, these mowers mulch them finely and leave them on the lawn, acting as a natural fertilizer.

“That’s just one of the many perks of this new generation of mowers,” said Jo.

“Husqvarna has models for every kind of lawn—from small backyards to steep hillsides and complicated layouts. If your yard has narrow spaces, rough terrain, or tricky corners, there’s a mower that can handle it.”

In addition to Husqvarna, Nambour Outdoor Power also carries models from Kress and Segue Navimow, a selection of which will be on display at the upcoming QLD Garden Show.

“It’s our first time taking part in the Garden Show, and we’re really looking forward to it,” Jo said.

“We’re excited to show people how these mowers not only save time, but also enhance the overall look and health of their lawns.”

Nambour Outdoor Power is at 103 - 105 Howard Street, Nambour. They are open from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and 8am to midday on Saturday. You can call them on 5441 3118 or see their stall at the Queensland Garden Show this weekend.

IN Queensland’s home gardening, horticulture and landscaping industry, Rocky Point and Bassett Barks are names many Australians already know and trust. Both proudly Australian made and operated, these businesses have spent decades supplying the soils, mulches, barks and potting mix that help gardens, people and businesses grow with confidence.

Now, in a partnership built on shared values and complementary strengths, these two industry leaders have united to drive greater impact across the industry. It’s a move that not only strengthens their combined capabilities but also benefits everyone from home gardeners to large-scale landscape commercial developments and professional growers.

When two industry leaders join forces great things grow

with an annual capacity of more than 250,000 cubic metres, underpins a wide range of high quality products including finely crafted nursery substrates to robust, decorative landscape mulches.

Together, Rocky Point and Bassett Barks bring more than 60 years of experience and operate two large-scale, state-ofthe-art processing facilities. Their combined expertise in pine bark processing,

This collaboration enables them to expand their range, increase supply capacity, and better meet the needs of both local and national customers. Whether it’s a backyard project, a community garden, or a commercial development, the partnership is geared toward consistent quality

and dependable supply.

But this story is about more than product, it’s about progress. As the demand for sustainable, high-performing garden inputs grows, Rocky Point and Bassett Barks are responding with innovation, care, and a continued commitment to the people who grow with them. Catch up with the team at the Queensland Garden Show, July 11-13 at the Nambour Showgrounds and learn more about what’s possible when industry leaders work together.”

Scott and Jo Wiliamson from Nambour Outdoor Power.

Health & Wellbeing

Flu and COVID19 cases on the rise

QUEENSLAND is in the grip of a significant winter illness wave, with flu and COVID-19 cases and hospitalisations rising sharply – a trend health officials warn is likely to continue in coming weeks.

65 per cent of COVID hospitalisations are among

More than 90 per cent of Queenslanders hospitalised with either illness are not up to date with their vaccinations.

their vaccine provider,” she said.

Quitting the addiction

THE latest issue of the Australian Journal of General Practice highlights critical updates for GPs, including a sharp rise in smoking cessation consultations, opioid prescribing safety, and managing neurological conditions.

had a regressive impact on people who want to quit,” he said. RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said: “GPs have a critical role to play… this study shows the difference embedding smoking and vaping

In the week ending June 29, more than 2,800 flu cases were recorded, marking the highest weekly figure this year.

Queensland

Chief Health Officer Dr Heidi Carroll said nearly 300 hospital beds a day are now occupied by patients with influenza or COVID-19.

“Around half of all flu hospitalisations and

people aged 65 and over,” Dr Carroll said.

“Vaccination is especially important for anyone aged 65 years or older and people at higher risk of severe COVID19. I encourage people to discuss their COVID vaccine and booster options with

Tweakments

RSV and influenza are also posing challenges. Nearly 3,000 people have been hospitalised for flu this year, with 92 per cent of those unvaccinated. Alarmingly, 450 children have also been admitted.

“Children are more likely to catch and spread influenza… but also young children are vulnerable to serious illness from the flu,” Dr Carroll said.

Queenslanders are urged to stay home if unwell and practise good hygiene to curb the spread.

A study led by Australian National University’s Dr Daniel Bogale Odo found a 16-fold increase in GP visits for help quitting smoking or vaping between July 2021 and December 2023, with 188,904 Medicare-funded sessions delivered.

“The number of nicotine and smoking cessation counselling services by GPs funded by Medicare skyrocketed while funding was available,” Dr Odo said.

Despite this success, funding ceased at the end of 2023. “The cessation of these services might have

cessation in routine care makes.”

Also featured is guidance on safe opioid prescribing. Dr Hester Wilson said: “Opioids are essential medicines… but their role in chronic pain is limited and can cause harms.” She emphasised patient-centred care and the availability of free naloxone to reverse overdoses.

Coast’s wellbeing grants

SUNSHINE Coast organisations are being encouraged to apply for Health and Wellbeing Queensland’s 2025 Community Grants, with up to $600,000 available statewide for grassroots health initiatives.

Backed by $1.6 million in total funding since 2023, the grants support innovative, community-led projects that improve nutrition, physical activity, sleep, wellbeing, and health equity — particularly in areas facing disadvantage.

to support bold ideas and local projects - especially in

Wellbeing Queensland. Up to $20,000 is available per project, with local relevant groups on the Sunshine Coast eligible to apply.

“The grants are designed

communities experiencing disadvantage or facing barriers to good health,” said Dr Robyn Littlewood, Chief Executive, Health and

Recipe of the week

Combination Laksa

Ingredients:

6 cloves garlic, chopped

4 shallots, (yellow onion) chopped

6 cm piece of ginger, peeled and finely chopped

2 chillies, deseeded and finely chopped

30 ml peanut oil

⅓ cup laksa paste

1 ½ L chicken stock, reduced salt

1 ½ cups yellow beans, sliced

1 red capsicum, deseeded and sliced

400 ml coconut cream

120 g white fish, cut into bite size pieces

200 g fresh egg noodles

120 g tofu, sliced into cubes and shallow fried in non-stick pan

100 g shredded roast chicken, skin removed

1 cup bean sprouts

2 spring onions, finely sliced

2 sprigs coriander leaves

Method:

BLEND garlic, shallots, ginger and chilli in food processor until smooth.

“These projects are now helping to shape healthier environments for Queensland kids and their families, where good food, active lifestyles and healthy sleep are supported by design - not left to chance,” Dr Littlewood said. Applications are now open via the Health and Wellbeing Queensland

ADD fish and prawns and cook gently for 3 minutes. COOK vermicelli according to packet instructions. Heat through egg noodles with boiling water for 2 minutes. Transfer both to colander and rinse in cold water.

6 large prawns, cooked and skinned

200 g vermicelli noodles

PLACE oil in large pan over high heat, add the blended paste frying for 1 minute then add laksa paste frying until fragrant, about 2 minutes.

DIVIDE noodles into six bowls, adding tofu, broth and topping with chicken, sprouts and spring onions. Season with coriander, lime juice and fish sauce.

What’s On

Puppet Storytime at Landsborough Museum

When: Wednesday July 9, 10.30am - 11.30am

Where: Landsborough Museum, 4 Maleny Street, Landsborough

Info: Parents and caregivers can enjoy a cup of tea while the kids are mesmerised by a classic storybook tale, told with the help of a few cheeky puppets. Free. Bookings essential. www. events.sunshinecoast.qld. gov.au

Dragon Foil Art

When: Thursday July 10, 2pm - 3.30pm

Where: Beerwah Library, Peachester Road, Beerwah

Info: Discover the fun of foil art and watch your colourful dragons come to life and breathe fire! 5 years+.

Aura NAIDOC: Festival of the Harvest

When: Friday July 11, 4pm8pm Where: Baringa Forest Park, Eden Dr, Baringa Info: Get ready, Sunshine Coast! Aura NAIDOC 2025 is coming and you’re invited to celebrate Culture, Community & Country at an unforgettable evening for all ages! Join us for ‘The Festival of the Harvest’ a powerful cultural celebration hosted by Undumbi Culture. Let’s walk together, celebrate together, and honour NAIDOC 2025 in true community spirit. Free event.

FREE Recycle Right Workshop

When: Friday July 11, 1pm - 2pm

Where: Verandah Room (behind Community Centre), Maleny

Info: Waste Action Maleny (WAM) is hosting this free Recycle Right workshop delivered by Envirocom. Bring your recycling questions and find out what can and can’t go in your recycle bin.

Free Outdoor Movie ‘Babe’

When: Friday July 11, 5.30pm - 7.30pm Where: Bankfoot House

1998 Old Gympie Rd, Glass House Mountains

Info: Cultural Heritage invites you to the first in a series of free outdoor movie screenings. Bring your favourite comfy camp chair, bean bag or blanket, and a torch. There’s plenty of space for everyone and free popcorn!

Gay Liddington In Conversation

When: Friday July 11, 4.30pm for 5pm start Where: The Red RoomRosetta Books, 30 Maple Street, Maleny Info: Join us for complimentary wine and cheese before a powerful conversation at 5.00pm. Gay Liddington shares her journey of resilience, trauma, and healing in Will I Ever Be Who I Am? Books available for purchase and signing. Presented with author and journalist Vivienne Wynter.

Queensland Garden Show

When: Friday July 11Sunday July 13, 8am - 4pm Where: Coronation Ave, Nambour Info: Join the 2025 Queensland Garden Expo in Nambour from July 11–13 for Queensland’s premier gardening event! With dozens of nurseries, expert talks, free demos, and workshops across six stages, there’s something for everyone—from beginners to green thumbs.

Maleny Markets on the Green

When: Saturday July 12 Where: Maleny Uniting Church, Landsborough Maleny Rd, Maleny Info: Every 2nd and 5th Sat of the month. Mob ph 0417626167 or email malenymog@hotmail.com for more information.

Montville Market

When: Saturday July 12, 7.30am - 12pm Where: Montville Village Hall, Village Green, Montville Info: The Montville Market is held on the second Saturday morning of each month in and around the historic Village Hall.

The market has stalls selling locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables; flowers and plants; fresh bread and cakes; fair trade coffee and handmade craft items. It boasts a delicious, wholesome pancake breakfast to sustain the dedicated market goer.

Beerwah QCWA Healthy & Affordable Cooking Workshop

When: Saturday July 12, 9.30am - 1.30pm Where: Glasshouse Mountains Sports Club, 902 Steve Irwin Way, Glass House Mountains Info: Join the Country Kitchens team for a fun and educational workshop on how to make delicious, healthy, and affordable meals at home.

The cost is $15 per person and includes morning tea and lunch.

All participants will receive a recipe booklet, tea towel apron, and shopping bag. Spots are limited, so be sure to RSVP by the 7th of July. To reserve your spot, contact Caron on 0437 340 733, Dianne on 0416 183 456, or email beerwahbranch. countrykitchens@gmail. com.

The Glass Ukes

When: Monday July 14, 6.30pm - 8.30pm

Where: Glass House Mountains Neighbourhood Hall, Ryan Street Info: Every 2nd and 4th Monday evening. We provide a couple of borrow ukuleles for beginners.

The first hour is for easier chord combination songs from a provided song list. Thereafter we have a short “tea break” before attempting more advanced songs followed by requests from the floor.

Our songs and request list are viewed via an overhead projection system. All material is available in a shared Google Drive folder. Send us an email to glassuke@gmail.com and we’ll give you the link.

NAIDOC at Baringa Community Centre

When: Wednesday July 16,

10am - 2pm

Where: Baringa Community Centre, 20 Edwards Tce, Caloundra West Info: Caloundra Community Centre and Baringa Community Centre proudly bring you a day of NAIDOC celebrations. FREE feed, FREE workshops (boomerangs, traditional art, weaving, jewellery making, craft, didgeridoo playing), First Nations markets, entertainment and more!

Come along to our Baringa Centre for a great day of connection and fun!

Caloundra Family History Members

Meeting

When: Thursday July 17, 1.30pm - 4pm

Where: Caloundra Family History Rooms, Gate 2, Pierce Avenue, Caloundra Info: The July speaker is Eve Terry from the National Archives of Australia. She will be speaking about “Documents of Control –the long arm of the White Australia Policy”. Visit our website for details/register your attendance: www. caloundrafamilyhistory.org. au/

Cultural Conversations from the Couch

When: Saturday July 19, 3pm - 5pm

Where: Maleny Community Centre, 20 Coral St, Maleny Info: Cultural Conversations from the Couch invites you to sit, listen, and connect. Hosted by Kabi Kabi woman Brianna Hanson and Jinibara Elder Aunty Zeitha Murphy, this NAIDOC Week event is a heartfelt yarning circle exploring truth, culture, and healing. Held at Forest Heart ecoNursery with refreshments provided. All are welcome to learn and listen.

QCWA Beerwah Tower Green Markets

When: Saturday July 19, 8am - 12pm

Where: QCWA Beerwah Branch Hall, Simpson Street, Beerwah Info: Stop by the QCWA Beerwah Branch Hall on Simpson Street, Beerwah

Brought to you by AURA FARMERS MARKET

between 8am and 12pm for our monthly artisan market. Celebrating our local makers, creatives, bakers and jam makers!

We’ll keep you warm with a coffee van and sausage sizzle, and singing along with live entertainment. Find us on Facebook under ‘QCWA Beerwah’.

New stallholders welcome - please email us at info. beerwahqcwamarket@ gmail.com’

HQ Plantations

Community Open Day

When: Saturday July 19, 9am - 2pm

Where: Beerburrum Office, Red Road, Beerburrum

Info: See big machines, high-tech forestry gear and firefighting equipment in action!

Enjoy cultural displays, environmental info, food trucks, a Rotary BBQ and coffee cart.

Win prizes and giveaways— Australia Zoo and Big Kart Track passes up for grabs!

Peachester Bush Dance 2025

When: Saturday July 19, 5.30pm - 9pm

Where: 960 Peachester Rd, Peachester

Info: Welcome to the Peachester Bush Dance 2025!

Get ready to kick up your heels and have a blast at the Peachester Community Hall, with the Swag and Fiddle Band calling the dances!

Join us for a night of lively music, traditional dancing, and good old-fashioned fun. So grab your friends and family, put on your best country attire, and get ready for a night you won’t forget.

www.eventbrite.com.au/e/ peachester-bush-dance2025-tickets-1265654610009

PURGATORY

When: Friday July 25 & Saturday July 26, 7pm9pm

Where: The Playhouse, Maleny Showgrounds, Maleny

Info: PURGATORY is a dark, original comedy set in a Sydney nursing home in 1997, where truth and fiction blur.

Follow a duty-bound matron, a lost resident, and a dodgy doctor, supported by a wild mix of staff and residents.

Featuring original words and music by Queensland writer/composer Darren HesKes. Tickets available at: https:// www.trybooking.com/ events/1417436/sessions

Invasive Plants and Animals Workshop

When: Saturday July 26, 2.30pm - 5pm

Where: Glass House Mountain Community Hall, 8 Coonowrin Rd, Glass House Mountains Info: Come along and learn about Invasive Plants and Animals.

Come along and learn about: Weed management, Feral animal control, Wildlife of your area Registration is essential for this event.

Free morning tea and native plant with every registration. Free event.

2025 Caloundra Quilters Biennial Quilt Show

When: Saturday July 26Sunday July 27, 9am - 3pm Where: 5 North St, Caloundra

Info: The Caloundra Quilters’ biennial quilt show features a stunning display of quilts in Large, Small, and Challenge categories. Enjoy “Icons of the World” challenge quilts, vote for your favourites, shop handmade crafts, enter raffles, and support local charity Hope in a Suitcase. Light refreshments available. A must-see for quilting enthusiasts!

Combined Community Garage Sale

When: Saturday, August 16, 7am - 12pm Where: 7 Bryce Lane, Maleny Info: Maleny Men’s Shed, Historical Society and Horseless Carriage Club are hosting a joint Garage Sale. Email malenymensshed@ hotmail.com for a Site Application form. $15 per site.

your local home of the freshest produce, seafood, honey, coffee, baked treats and live music.

Purgatory, a hell of a good time in Maleny

Maleny Players bring dark comedy to playhouse

Contributed by Di Hobson

THE Maleny Players are back with a bold new production that promises to leave audiences laughing, gasping - and questioning their moral compass. Purgatory, written and directed by Darren Heskes, is a black comedy with bite, laced with drama, a dash of horror, and razor-sharp wit.

Leading the cast is Kathryn Barnes as the formidable Matron Lena Heydrich and Richard Jansson as the meticulous Dr Jeremy Mowbray FRACGP

AM. Joining them are Rob Hobson, Kerry Milner, Phil Hunt and Denise Hauville—just a handful of the talented ensemble bringing this darkly hilarious tale to

life. Darren Heskes, a writer, composer and musician, has crafted a theatrical rollercoaster, with tickets already selling fast, this is one not to miss.

home, this is the story of an obsessive matron, an unscrupulous doctor and a woman trapped by her own shadowy past. They are accompanied by a comical array of

It takes five to tango

DCQUU or from the Maleny Visitor Information Centre. Recommended for ages 15+ due to adult themes and language.

Horoscopes

CANCER

JUNE 22 - JULY 22

This week’s Sun/Jupiter alignment supports you birthday persons to upgrade domestic technologies. If the full moon on 11 July presents any kind of conflict between professional requirements and what you want to do personally, remember to keep the people who matter in your life updated with your process.

LEO

JULY 23 – AUGUST 23

This week’s mixed bag of warm and fuzzy moments are likely to be centred round the home front, whether that’s a place, idea or person. Supersized emotional surges of all kinds are on the star cards, best navigated with your core skills of cultivating calm, radiating grace and authority.

VIRGO

AUGUST 24 – SEPTEMBER 22

LIBRA

WITH a reputation as one of Australia’s leading tango exponents, the Mendoza Tango Quintet features five fiery, Australian-based musicians specialising in the performance of traditional

WEEK BEGINNING JULY 8

SEPTEMBER 23 – OCTOBER 23

Your planet guide, Venus, is in a particularly social mood this week, delighting in witty wordplay and curious conversations, along with the urge to ditch outdated norms and explore new ideas, egged on by Uranus in your adventure sector. Just don’t forget that being selective is one of your natural talents.

SCORPIO

OCTOBER 24 – NOVEMBER 22

Mars in your sign is industrious, likes to get things done and dusted. Home is where the heart and, possibly, the heat is this week, because Mars also likes to argue. That said, with expansive Jupiter in your sector of collaborative magic, is it time to give something on hold a second look?

Whether it’s a radical shift in how you operate, upheavals in your social circle or just grappling with unfamiliar gadgetry, this week’s astro-advice is to stay flexible and ready to pivot at a moment’s notice. Keep moving past either/or mindsets and direct your investigative energy towards new and alternative solutions.

SAGITTARIUS

NOVEMBER 23 – DECEMBER 21

With home and kin on this week’s menu, Archers might aim for feeling at home in the family of humanity wherever they are, whoever they’re with. Astro tip: If you’re looking for support, present requests gradually and gently rather than overwhelm July’s sensitive citizens with too much pressure.

CAPRICORN

DECEMBER 22 – JANUARY 20

Argentinian tango music. Showcasing the quintessential ferocity of the bandoneón and the velvety voice of Argentine-born Solange Lipcin, the quintet will take you on a journey from the elegant dance halls to

the underground tango clubs of Buenos

Mark your calendars now for performances at Maleny Community Centre on Sunday July 20, 4pm and Eudlo Hall Sunday July 27, 4pm. Further information via www.redchair.com.au

with Lilith Rocha

Capricorn’s challenge this week? To micromanage less and delegate more. To start magnetising like-minded thinkers, builders and achievers into your orbit. Your reward? The annual full moon in Capricorn on 11 July inviting you to celebrate what you’ve achieved this year…and don’t forget to acknowledge your valued supporters.

AQUARIUS

JANUARY 21 – FEBRUARY 18

ARIES

MARCH 21 – APRIL 20

Exciting astro-news for Waterpourers is your planet ruler Uranus zapping into Gemini to revolutionise the way you think, connect and engage with the world. The more open you are to change, the more interesting and rewarding this will be, especially around the upcoming weekend moon in Aquarius.

PISCES

FEBRUARY 19 – MARCH 20

Your planet guide, Neptune, heading into a five-month retrograde in the zodiac’s headstrong fire sign, comes with a warning against making impulsive decisions which haven’t been properly thought through. This week advises practising patience and exploring the understanding that hold-ups can be a blessing in disguise.

TAURUS

APRIL 21 – MAY 20

As Uranus, planet of the unexpected, sets about shifting earthworld in radical ways, best approach this as a new beginning in uncharted territory, a space for you brave and visionary Aries-born to chart a forward course. Lucky you, with practical Saturn in your sign to stabilise these ongoing changes.

Do life’s shake-ups and surprises settle down with Uranus leaving your sign? Not so much, as Uranus now gets busy in your economic sector, and the transition from old ways to new paradigms ramps up even further with the planet of change in the zodiac’s communications and tech centre.

GEMINI

MAY 21 – JUNE 21

All the updates and innovation a Gemini could ask for get a running start as the arrival of Uranus, in your sign for the first time since 1949, uncorks a froth of excitement and unpredictability. Uranus always shakes up the status quo, so expect the unexpected during this dynamic transit.

Aires.

Photo: Jason Loi.

Cast members of Purgatory.

Mary Valley art festival set to

wow!

FROM invasive vine to award-winning wearable art, local artist Vivien Eardley is set to wow audiences at this year’s Mary Valley Art Festival in Imbil, running July 24–27.

A self-taught artist working under the name Cats Claw Creations Australia, she first discovered her mediumCats Claw Creeper vine during a 2017 basketweaving class at the Mary River Festival.

With encouragement from curator Wendy Roe, Vivien entered the national festival in 2019, winning both the Sustainable Nature and Emerging Artist awards.

A finalist every year since, she again claimed the Sustainable Nature Award in 2024. Her eco-conscious works will be featured at the festival close on Sunday July 27. www.maryvalleyartslink. com.au/mary-valley-artfestival/

Ladies of classical music perform at Montville

Lucas Parklands to celebrate ‘The ladies’ of classical music this July

A POWERFUL tribute to some of history’s overlooked female musical geniuses will take centre stage at The Ladies, a special concert at Lucas Parklands, Montville, on Saturday, July 12.

Celebrating the work of three pioneering Romanticera composers—Clara Schumann, Lili Boulanger and Fanny Mendelssohn— the event shines a light on women who struggled for recognition in a maledominated world.

“These women were extraordinary, yet spent much of their lives overshadowed by their male counterparts,” Ian Lucas, founder of Lucas Parklands, said.

“This concert is a rare opportunity to honour their artistry and legacy.”

The one-off performance features internationally acclaimed violinist Amalia Hall (New Zealand) and pianist Berta Brozgul (South Africa) in their only Australian appearance together.

Both artists enjoy vibrant

Hinterland teens Tamworth bound

HENRY Catania (pictured) (Conondale), Phoebe Rose (Caloundra) and Riley Carey (Maleny) have been selected for the prestigious

2025 CMAA Academy of Country Music Junior Course in Tamworth, running July 5–12. Henry attends on a Creative Australia Scholarship, while Phoebe earned hers by winning the 2024 Ekka Country Music Showdown (Junior). The national program brings together 26 young artists from across Australia and New Zealand for a week of intensive mentorship with leading country music

international careers and are known for their expressive and technically brilliant performances.

The program includes Three Romances by Clara Schumann, who was long known simply as Robert Schumann’s wife but is now celebrated as one of the era’s finest pianists and composers.

Lili Boulanger, the first female winner of the Grand Prix de Rome at age 19, will be represented with her atmospheric Nocturne, while Fanny Mendelssohnwhose famous brother Felix once remarked he hoped her composing wouldn’t “interfere with her home duties”—will be honoured with a movement from her piano cycle Das Jahr.

Other works on the program include Franck’s Violin Sonata (a piece the composer gifted to his wife on their wedding day), Ravel’s Tzigane, Janáček’s Violin Sonata, Chopin’s Ballade No. 4, and Scriabin’s Sonata No. 4.

“This performance will remind us of the brilliance

Drama

in Maleny this July

MALENY Players Drama classes are starting up again this month. The weekly classes run in school term time and commence on Tuesday July 15, 2025 and every Tuesday afternoon thereafter, at the Playhouse, Maleny Showgrounds. There are classes for every age, from 6 to adult.

Maleny Players Drama Classes will be taught by two highly qualified and experienced performers who have extensive teaching experience. Darren Hayden and Susie French will be teaching the classes together. This will make the experience more

valuable and beneficial to the students as they learn from the extensive range of performing experiences that both teachers bring to the classes. Having both a male and female teacher also promotes the values of diversity and inclusion which underpin the drama classes and more broadly.

Co-teaching is something that is commonly done in schools and theatre schools. It is beneficial to have another adult in the room to bounce ideas off and for “crowd control”. For instance, if students are grouped together to rehearse duologues, very

often they need a space that is separate to other students, so they will move into the foyer or balcony. It is beneficial for another adult teacher to be present so that these students can be supervised at all times. In addition to this, the ratio of teacher to students is halved so that each student gets more “one-on-one” time with a teacher. The structure of the lessons will be similar in that we will start with a physical and vocal warm up, theatre sports games and improvisation followed by

scene work for the end of year showcase. To join in the fun, contact Darren or Susie at darrenhayden@hotmail. com or singingintherange@ gmail.com. Book now, places will be limited. Susie French.

Adding to the atmosphere, local jazz singer Imogen Outridge will

Internationally acclaimed violinist Amelia Hall will perform.

Church & Community

HOW many ways do you use to try to say ‘Thank You’ to someone? Is it a wave of the hand to the car driver who allows you into the stream of traffic? Or perhaps a bunch of flowers or box of chocolates for the hosts of meal you enjoyed? Do you bake a cake or make something artistic or buy a perfumed candle? Or do you send a card or an email following a good time together? Or a telephone call or text message?

What words do we say to express our gratitude?

expressing appreciation for things done for them or passed to them. Parents used to teach their children to ’say thank you’ for every gift or courtesy shown. It sometimes sounded hollow - ‘thank you’ said grudgingly or automatically, and yet the words were to be symbols of appreciation for the relationship the gift or courtesy demonstrated. Have we lost our awareness of the benefits or blessings given to us by others and consider them just our rights?

with Rev Dr Elizabeth Nolan Glasshouse Country Uniting Church

God’s goodness towards us. This becomes a pattern of gratitude which leads to humility and wholeness of spirit within ourselves as we find our place in the universe – as receivers and sharers of God’s grace.

A new JP service is coming to the Beerwah Library as of this week

By Kirra Livingstone

LONGTIME JP coordinator in the Beerwah community, Noela McManamny, has officially retired, with the new JP service being relocated from the Health Hub back to the Beerwah Library.

The current JP service, which was offered at the VWF Command Post Cafe, ceased on Friday, June 27.

serving coordinator of this JP service, Noela McManamny has retired, her fellow JP’s and the community would like to thank her for her dedicated service to this JP Service,”

he said. The service will be available Tuesday-Friday 1pm-3pm at the Beerwah Library, ensuring residents still have access to the key community service.

Ways to say thanks Anniversary picnic for churches

Is it a brief ‘thanks for last night’ or just an emogi symbol? Or do you write more descriptive appreciation for the actions of your friends, e.g. “I really appreciated the way you … You have been so kind and understanding… I love the plant (or present) – it’s so thoughtful of you!”

Sadly, I have noticed fewer children and adults

The one most overlooked is God – creator, saviour, inspiration, comforter - the One whose mercy, compassion and forgiveness actually enables us to live with others we have hurt or exploited, ignored or denigrated when we do apologize and try again to live in peace. The Bible constantly reminds us to give thanks to God for all

Down under ‘artist of the month’

CRAFT has always been a huge part of Christine Edmands life.

Her love of craft started when she was a member of the Girls Brigade in New Zealand and continued as life-long adventure into colour and creation.

Her mother taught her how to knit, and she won first prize for her creation in a New Zealand wide competition.

Her much loved cousin then took up the challenge of teaching her how to crochet and she made scarves, ponchos, and many other items.

She then learnt to sew clothes for her dolls.

The gathering of skills and capabilities followed her into high school where she excelled at embroidery and again won a national prize for her creations.

She developed further

skills with silk ribbon embroidery. She then created smocked dresses once becoming a mother.

She enjoys seeing a beautiful items in a shop or magazine then she lets the creative flair flow and creates similar items from her memory.

I finish with deep gratitude to my local church community and ecumenical friends for the past three years of working together to share God’s love. Your faithfulness and prayers, insights and actions have brought me comfort and challenge. I retire officially now with heartfelt thanks to God and to you all for the ways you have enriched my life journey.

She loves fashioning, colourful, vibrant creations and wearing those creations herself, or making them for her children or friends.

She has always kept her mind and hands busy creating whilst spending many hours on trains and planes.

She feels it is a great way to be constructive whilst travelling.

been felting as it has a feel of its own and often whilst creating a felt item it has a mind of its own and the creation will be unique due to the intrinsic nature of the material.

She has been creating wearable art for many years and her vibrant colourful items are on display and for sale at Landsborough Down Under Craft Group at the Landsborough Hall.

She enjoys the special atmosphere of shared creation at the Craft Group.

The new Beerwah JP, Owen Wright, thanked Noela’s service in the community. “The long

Contributed by Elizabeth Nolan

GLASSHOUSE Country UCA hosted a UCA anniversary picnic for churches in the southern section of the Presbytery on Sunday June 22 from 12.30-2pm. Although it had been raining and continued to be cloudy, 35 folk from Caloundra, Kawana, Nambour and Glasshouse Country gathered for BYO lunch and home-made decorated cupcakes. We

heard some wonderful testimonies of God’s blessings for us over the history of the Uniting Church as well as our journeys into faith. We closed with prayer for the world, especially in relation to USA bombing of nuclear facilities in Iran. While waiting after church for the picnic time, the

WASTE MATTERS

For

competition for the most creative way to replace plastic in daily life. The winning entry was a simple and creative use of a glass jar to make takeaway tea (with a tea towel wrapped around it), to replace disposable cups. Here are some other ways jars can be useful replacements for plastic in the home:

• Pantry - store dry goods

favourite hymn singing time as well as sharing what we enjoyed about our congregation and how we chose this church.

With Waste Action Maleny

• Fridge – store leftover food or liquid

• Freezing – store meals, sauces, fruit or veg

• Craft or workshop supplies - eg buttons, beads, safety pins, nuts, bolts

• Office supplies – eg paper clips, push pins

• Pencil or pen holders –decorate outside of jars

• Bathroom – store cotton buds, bath salts, toiletries

• Candle holders - decorate, use tealight candle & hang

• Vases - for small bouquets or single stems

• Preserving - homemade jams, sauces or pickles

• Herb Garden – create a mini herb garden for windowsill

• Soap Dispensers – add pump mechanism to lid. If you have excess jars, put them on a free giveaway Facebook group to gift to others (eg WAM Freebies), or recycle them (clean & remove lids first).

WAM’s aims are to educate and empower people to take action on waste and related issues, at a personal and community level. To find out more, visit our website www.wasteactionmaleny.org , Facebook group WAM Waste Action Maleny or email us at wasteactionmaleny@gmail.com.

The Humble Glass Jar

Plastic Free July 2023, WAM held a

Local artist Christine Edmands.

E ELECTRICIANS

Range

Croquet Club

Contributed by David Kerr

Last week’s article mentioned that the croquet club had added to the charm of a wedding by enabling guests at Maleny Manor to partake in mallet and balls while photographs were snapped.

What wasn’t mentioned was that in the excitement of the moment one guest hit a ball into the adjacent ornamental pond.

Croquet balls can neither swim or nor float (they are terrestrial beings), and the RED ball was assumed lost to the depths.

However it can now be reported that after repeated attempts over several days Mr Wallace Roy of the croquet club, with the use of an improvised pool scoop, eventually retrieved the

wayward sphere.

Turning to other matters, we have three players who are undergoing skill development with the Croquet Qld state training squad.

Donna, Sarah and Dianne along with fifteen others from across the state are receiving special coaching from Mr Greg Bury in preparation for next year’s national tournament in Perth.

Well done ladies!

Should you like to get on the courts as a returning or visiting Association, Golf or Ricochet player or as an interested beginner, please contact club president Sarah Widin on 0417640704. We play on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, with special sessions also possible.

Photo caption: Muscle on display at Sunday’s social play.

Glasshouse

Bowls Club

Contributed by David Hayes

Wednesday 02.07.24 9.30am Social Bowls

Carolyn Malcomson and Steph Sleeman def Shane Kirstenfeldt and Sally Squires 31 - 15.

Kim Boland and Marg Gibson def Nicky Bedwell and Grant Podmore 28 - 9.

Marg Smith, Dennis Hume and Scott Bedwell def Rhyliss Aitken, Mark Whittam and Sylvia Chamberlain 25 -12.

Joy Reason, Jonathon Orr and Marilyn Podmore def Seija Munster, Carol Lewis and Bruce Malcomson 19-13.

Frank Scadding, Trish Jackson and Jill Kirchheiner def Mel Hobbins, Annette Capern and Rob Scullion 27 - 10.

Jo Sparkes, Mick Clark

Winners of the day were

R/Up were

Lucky draw went to Viv Jame’s team

Thursday 03.07.25 Social Bowls 12.00pm start

A great afternoon of bowls with 42 players hitting the green for 7 rinks of triples. Winners of the day were Don Teirney, Rob Coffey and David Booth with 2 wins and a margin of 23.

R/Up with the highest winning margin in either game with + 15 were Remo Masanda, Darcy Wilson and Gavin Linnan.

Lucky draw was won by Phil Siggers, Dave Walters and Grant Podmore.

Raffle winners were Mark Hansen, Dave Walters, Frank Buckley, Grant Podmore and Darcy Wilson.

and Noelene Annakin def Jos Evans, Shirley Marr and Viv James 20 -17.

Scott Bedwell’s team.

Marg Gibbson’s team.

just a page in the paper. Your advertising is also seen online by our 2,000 subscribers. Add to that bonus editorials and your open homes sent out with our weekly newsletter and posted on our Facebook page (with 19,000 followers).

The Beerwah Bulldogs Reserve Grade team in solid form at halfway point

Bulldogs keen to win back-to-back seasons

Star footballer attends training

THE BeeGees Premier Women team had a star in their presence at their training on Wednesday, June 25 with Melbourne City captain and New Zealand Ferns player, Rebekah Stott, dropping by to help out.

Stott assisted at the BeeGees’ training session and proving to be great motivation for the group.

She even joined in for the team’s end of training game between teammates.

The BeeGees said it

was fantastic to have Stott attend the training evening and a special experience.

“Cancer survivor, Olympian and World Cup Player, the girls were honoured to share the pitch with her and take in her knowledge,” the club said.

The 32-year-old defended has been playing in representative football competitions since 2017.

She carries a wealth of knowledge of the ins and outs of the sport.

THE Beerwah Bulldogs Reserves are on target for another tilt at a premiership after their 2024 success, with the team sitting second on points difference halfway through the season.

The Coolum Cats top the ladder with equal wins but a superior 58 points difference.

Bulldogs reserve coach, Stevie Reay, said he was confident his team can make it into finals again this year, and he was still aiming to finish the regular season on top.

“I most definitely think we can win again this year, we should be excited about the opportunity we’ve got to get there anyway,” he said.

“It’s not every year at the halfway mark you’re sitting at the top of the ladder.

“Every team is a challenge

there’s still work to be done with their attack.

“We haven’t lost since our second game, we lost two in a row at the start of the year, which is probably due to grand final hangover and missing a few players from our team,” he said.

“We’re defending really well, but we’re just not attacking as well as we would like to be at the moment.

“We’re scoring an average of 16-20 points a game, but I also think we have kept four teams scoreless in the last seven games.”

Despite players coming in and out of the squad to fill in for the A Grade side, there are a number of standouts in the team.

“We’ve got a good mixture of youth and senior guys; the juniors are finding their

Deaf Games comes to Coast in 2026

THE one-year countdown to the 2026 Australian Deaf Games began last Friday, with more than 1,200 athletes, officials, volunteers and supporters set to converge on the Sunshine Coast from 4–11 July next year.

The Games will feature 16 medal sports and four demonstration events, alongside a social program held at venues across the region.

Queensland’s Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Tim Mander, said the Games

would be a celebration of community, ambition and inclusivity.

“We want to ensure Queensland remains the sporting powerhouse of Australia,” Mr Mander said.

“The Deaf Games reflect our commitment to showcasing world-class sporting experiences across the state.”

Sunshine Coast Economy Portfolio Councillor Joe Natoli said the event would be a defining moment for the region.

“The Sunshine Coast is proud to be a place where everyone belongs,” he

said. “And still to come are capacity building opportunities, including AUSLAN training for volunteers and businesses.”

Casey said the Games provide a vital Deaf space to strengthen community ties and celebrate culture.

“Deaf spaces like the ADG help grow the Deaf ecosystem by giving both first-time competitors and experienced athletes the opportunity to belong, to represent, and to shine,” Mr Casey said.

The 2026 Games Organising Committee

everyone at the Games in one year’s time,” she said.

Deaf Sports Australia General Manager Phil Harper said venues would span Caloundra, Mooloolaba and Currimundi.

THE Queensland Amputee Golf Association (QAGA) will be holding their 20th Anniversary Charity Day on Friday, August 15, at the Beerwah Golf Club.

The event was previously held in Mackay for a number of years, but last year was relocated to Beerwah.

The event was a big successing, generating widespread community support and raising $12,000 for QAGA.

The money raised goes towards supporting amputees requiring additional assistance with day-to-day activities.

The QAGA event is a huge fundraiser on the calendar, with competitors travelling from all over the state, and interstate.

The association is currently looking for sponsors to ensure the event is another success.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, call Scott on 0407 972 008 or Alan on 0407 001 294.

THE Glasshouse Hinterland AFL Club will be holding its annual past players and sponsors night event on Friday, July 11 at Tunnel Ridge Road, Landsborough.

The club is welcoming all past and current players, along with community members who would like to come along and celebrate the Lions’ rich history.

To bring even more fun and energy to this inclusive, community sport focused night, it will be held during their upcoming Division 3 Men’s home game against the Narangba Crows.

“Join us for a night reliving your glory days, memorabilia, photos and so much more on display,” the club said.

with Council and Caloundra Library on a National Deaf Exhibition showcasing our community’s diversity and history,” Mr Harper said.

“We’re excited to work

“We want anyone who has ever put on a Lions gurnsey to come along.”

Since moving into this new division, the Div 3 Glasshouse team has only had three losses this season, and is sitting on fourth on the ladder.

Their opponents for the night, the Crows, are sixth on the ladder, and Glasshouse have already claimed victory over them twice this season.

The Lions first won 7711 in round 4 and more recently won 93-42.

Beerwah Bulldogs reserve grade 2024 premiership winning team. Photo: Kirra Livingstone.

BeeGees premier coach, Amy Higgins and Rebekah Stott.

ADG Touch Football in 2024.

Visiting from the bush

A girl and her mother were visiting the city. They were amazed by almost everything they saw, but especially by two shiny, metal walls that could move apart and back together again.

The girl asked: “Mother, what is this?”

The mother, never having seen a lift, responded: “I have never seen anything like this in my life. I don’t know what it is.”

While the girl and her mother watched with amazement, an old man in a

wheelchair rolled up to the moving walls and pressed a button. The walls opened and the man rolled between them into a small room. The walls closed and the girl and her mother watched the small numbers above light up sequentially.

They continued to watch until the last number was reached and they watched some more as the numbers began to light in reverse order. The walls opened up again and a hunky young man stepped out.

The mother, not taking her eyes off the young man, said quietly to her daughter: “Go get your father.”

Calling all joke tellers!

Email your jokes to editorial@gcnews.com.au and include your name and what town you live in.

Birdsville

Cairns

Canberra

Charleville Clare

Darwin

Kalgoorlie

Katoomba

Launceston

Melbourne

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Noosa Orange

Ask Brownie

I liked like to know if I can successfully grow my potted bromeliads indoors. I like how they look and that they are hardy and need minimal care and attention, but don’t want to bring them inside if it means they’ll die.

Sarah, Glass House Mountains

Well Sarah, bromeliads can make excellent indoor plants.

long-lasting infl (fl brilliantly colored foliage as well – perfect to brighten up our spaces.

Bromeliads also readily adapt to the unfavorable growing conditions that exist in most homes. But they’ll need good indirect light and protection from extremes – like the drying effects of a heater or air conditioning. Although many bromeliads are epiphytic, living on branches and can be grown in containers –

heavier clay pot is more stable. Because plastic pots retain moisture longer than clay pots, plants grown in the former need watering less frequently than those in the latter.

I like to grow mine in a black plastic pot, which I put inside a nice decorative one to hide it. Because bromeliads rarely have extensive roots, relatively small pots are adequate for most plants. Older plants do not have to be moved into larger pots until their roots completely fill the current container. For young bromeliads, it’s best to move them up one pot size larger every spring, until the maximum convenient pot size has been reached – rather than putting them immediately into a larger pot.

Most bromeliads may grow poorly if planted in a conventional potting mixture. They grow best in a free draining mix such as an orchid mix and a potting mix combined together in equal parts.

If you’d like to grow an epiphytic bromeliads onto a structure – like a piece of tree fern stem or a piece of wood, you can and it will be OK inside too.

To mount a plant on one of these materials, wrap the

base of the plant (including roots, if any) in sphagnum moss, and tie the wrapped base to its support by winding plastic-coated wire around the moss and the supporting material. Fasten the ends of the wire firmly but in such a way that it can be easily untied.

Hang the mounted specimens in a convenient place outside under cover. Spray the sphagnum moss and plant with water frequently enough to prevent complete drying of the moss.

After supportive roots grow over the sphagnum

moss and around the mount, remove the temporary wire. You can then bring it inside.

To keep the plant alive and healthy, water the plant, its roots, and the supportive materials twice weekly throughout the year. Water can be applied as a spray or the entire mounted plant can be submerged in water for a few minutes.

The humidity around plants will influence their need for water. The humidity in a home which is heated during the winter months or cooled with air-conditioning during the

summer months can be very low and plants may need to be watered more frequently than those grown in a moist environment.

But if it’s the flowers rather than the leaves you’re interested in, remember that once they’ve flowered, that plant won’t flower again. So take it outside into a pleasant part of your garden and it’ll become a maternity plant from which you can take new pups and grow new potted bromeliads.

Thanks for your question Sarah, and happy gardening.

Bromeliads - such as this Guzmaniamake for a stunning and long-lasting indoor display.

A Tillandsia bromeliad growing happily on a window sill.

JOHN

–

of McGrath Estate Agents.

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Team Cassi Nuske trivia night is back!

RSVP: Thursday, 17th July

Family comfort and home-business potential

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If you would like to speak to our team regarding buying, selling or renting, we would be delighted to assist you further. For leasing and new client enquiries please contact our New Client Consultant Deb Fleming on 0488 771 626. For all sales enquiries please contact Cassi Nuske –0415 304 127. We look forward to being of service for all of your real estate requirements.

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