Rainbow Beach Community News February 2024

Don’t miss GRIT

Wild Dog Forum

Super Sienna wins Young Citizen Award

New Monthly Puzzle Page!

Rhyll Davis OWNER

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Address: PO Box 403, Rainbow Beach QLD 4581

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COVER PHOTO CREDIT:

Photo by M Marie. We’d love to see your frog pics too!

F

February is Frog Finding Month!

ROGS ARE A VITAL component of ecosystems and are easily affected by changes in the air, water and land making them good indicators of environmental health. Unfortunately, frogs are in trouble worldwide due to habitat loss, pollution and disease.

Fina a Frog in February (FFF) is a citizen science program facilitated by the Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee (MRCCC) for the Mary, Mooloola, Maroochy, Noosa, and Burrum Rivers, and coastal areas communities.

It aims to raise awareness about frogs, their habitat needs, the threats they face and the actions we can take to care for them and our natural world for the long-term health of our support system.

MRCCC is inviting everyone to take part so join in and collect frog information from as many parts of the Mary River catchment (and adjacent smaller catchments) as possible.

Where to look? Frogs need moisture so dams, billabongs, waterways, puddles, soaks, and ephemeral creeks are a great place to go searching. Using a torch at night is best but be careful while out in the dark!

Photos and call recordings are the great way to get a frog identification so keep the camera and recording device handy and make sure you join the ‘Find a Frog- MRCCC’ group on the FrogID phone app.

As frogs are an early indicator of environmental change, by gathering information during this annual frog search it will contribute to data knowledge about frog distributions, population levels, habitat requirements, and breeding activity.

For more information about this program, survey tips and recording sheets or any upcoming workshop details head to mrccc.org. au/frog-in-february/

Frog Finding on the Cooloola Coast in 2023.

Keep an eye out mid-February for scouts from the region practising their camp setup.

Scouting coming to the Bay

THE KIWI WOGGLE is an annual camp held at Easter each year and the longest running competition camp for the Scout Section in Queensland. Plenty of practice and preparation is needed to perfect skills so the Centenary Gympie Scout Unit will be holding a demonstration camp in Lions Park in Tin Can Bay.

Keep an eye out for the traditional scout camp set up from 16 to 18 February as the youths refine their skills of scout patrol tent setup, and making and constructing components of the camp including tables, chairs, and kitchen areas using ropes, knots, staves (poles)

and the imagination of the 11 to 15 year olds creating it.

If you’re at the Tin Can Bay RSL Markets on Saturday 17 February, pop over to the camp set up and say hi to the leaders. Just be mindful to stay on the exterior of the perimeter fence and to only engage with the Unit if invited.

Are you 18 or over and keen to be a scout leader? Interest is being gauged for adults willing to undergo leadership training with a view for starting a Cooloola Coast Scouts Group.

If you are interested in being a leader then contact Gympie District Commissioner Natalie Thomson by calling 0409 590 159 or emailing dc@ gympie.scoutsqld.com.au

The Story of GRIT

PERSEVERANCE STREET THEATRE Company Presents GRIT: The Stories. The Town. The Music, a powerful exploration of resilience and hope.

Originating from over 30 interviews with Gympie Region residents, this unique performance features six fictional characters, each navigating challenges in their distinct way. The hybrid production incorporates storytelling, acting, and music, blurring the lines between theater, concert, and jazz show.

In 2022, the original GRIT captivated local audiences, earning acclaim for its accessibility and empathy. Dr. Jo Loth from The National Drama School described it as “a striking new work that is accessible and empathy evoking.” Now, a year later, the company revisits and enhances the production for a two-version tour.

With funding from Gympie Regional Council and Jute Theatre’s Build Back Better program, the concert version will grace local halls including our very own Cooloola Cove Vietnam Vets Hall. Simultaneously, the theatrical version will take center stage in their studio and various regional Queensland theaters.

The creative team, led by key deviser Sofia Abbey, collaborates with artists like jazz musician Alex Harvey to refine the music and stories. This iteration promises a stronger emphasis on vocals

in local halls, while the mainhouse version in Gympie aims for a complete theatrical experience with elevated production values.

Fletcher Colfs, reprising the challenging main role, expressed the team’s ambition to elevate the show, aiming to make the Gympie community proud. The tour kicks off on 16 February at Goomeri Hall of Memory and will then move on to Cooloola Cove, Kandanga, Glastonbury, and Theebine.

Tickets are available through Humanitix.com.

Wild Dog and Dingo Safety Forum

Keeping your family, pets, and property wild dog safe

Gympie Regional Council would like to invite residents and visitors of the Cooloola Coast to a wild dog and dingo safety forum at Tin Can Bay RSL Hall from 10am on 20 February 2024

The forum is an opportunity for the community to chat to council’s Biosecurity and Regulatory Services team about wild dog safety.

We hope to see you there! For more information, scan the QR code.

Jess Milne

Telstra Black Spot Fix

IN IRONIC TIMING with the prolonged unplanned Telstra outage in Rainbow Beach in January, a new Trustee Lease will be offered to Telstra Corporation limited over part of Lot 28 SP103952 after being endorsed by council in February.

While the proposed telecommunications facility won’t improve the digital connectivity in the Rainbow Beach township, it will assist those enjoying Inskip Point.

As part of Telstra’s Black Spot Regional Connectivity Program, the telco approached Gympie Regional Council for a lease over part of Inskip Point within the S.S. Dorrigo camping area. This reserve is held in trust by the council (jointly with Queensland Government – Department of Environment and Science) for environmental and recreation purposes.

The program is initiated and funded by both

Federal and State Governments along with Telstra who identified Inskip Point peninsular as a critical location in the program requiring connectivity support for those who utilise the area and surrounds.

The proposed facility will be a 20 metre monopole with associated compound area/ infrastructure. The monopole will be enclosed in a fenced compound of 12m x 8m, with a locked gate.

While the offer of a lease by Gympie Regional Council is a positive step in connectivity for the Inskip Point area, finalisation of a lease will be subject to development application and impact assessment, compliance with Native Title and cultural heritage, consent of joint trustee – the state of Queensland (represented by Department of Environment and Science), and Ministerial consent.

Wild Dogs on the Cooloola Coast

GEOGRAPHICALLY, the coastal towns of the Cooloola Coast are proximal to very large estates of land that are known to be home to significant populations of wild dogs and dingoes.

Unfortunately, Gympie Regional Council cannot keep wild dogs out of townships therefore there will always be wild dogs moving in and around these areas. Council is continuing to monitor coastal towns for wild dogs that are showing behaviour that may cause impacts to human health.

If you witness concerning behaviour (dogs don’t run, stop and watch/approach) or very concerning behaviour (tries to interact like growling or aggressive signs) from wild dogs please report any interactions directly to council by phone, email, or on the website portal.

While action may not be taken from reports of general wild dog movement sightings, they are logged for data set collection. however reports of

incidents, such dog walkers being growled at by wild dogs, will be investigated. Biosecurity officers also make it a priority to respond to feral animal attack or dangerous behaviour reports.

Council does monitor feral animal presence on its own land and will undertake wild dog control management actions if the site is suitable however there are legal restrictions around the use of toxins and firearms in non-rural settings.

Property owners can fence their own properties to separate themselves and their pets and reduce impacts from wild dogs as exclusion fencing remains the most effective long term mitigation method to restrict wild dogs/dingoes from entering private property.

Council asks the community to continue to be alert to the presence of wild dogs and act accordingly to keep safe including: do not approach the animal, keep your distance, stand

tall and do not turn your back to it or run away instead move away slowly in a backwards motion, or stand your ground.

To deter wild dogs, ensure food is prepared indoors, and other wild dog attractants such as rubbish bins and domestic dogs and their food are well fenced, to prevent access by wild dogs. And do not feed or leave food for wild dogs as this will adversely alter their behaviour.

Council will be running community education on how to keep themselves and their pets safe, when living in areas that are frequented by wild dogs. Gympie Regional Councils biosecurity unit will be hosting a wild dog/dingo community forum at the Tin Can Bay RSL between 10am-12noon on Tuesday 20 February 2024.

The forum is open to all community members and seeks to educate and inform residents on how to remain wild dog/dingo safe.

Planned location of the Telstra facility in Inskip, along with the proposed coverage area.

New Year, New Career

RangeCare

IF YOU’RE LOOKING for a fresh start for 2024, RangeCare has a number of job opportunities available across our organisation.

Since its foundation in 1986, RangeCare has had a strong commitment to providing an exceptional level of person-centred care to the local community. As a notfor-profit community care provider, RangeCare offers a wide variety of services including nursing care, domestic assistance, social support, meal deliveries, technology support, home and garden maintenance, wellness programs and respite to the local elderly and physically disadvantaged population.

RangeCare’s strong reputation for delivering quality in-home, respite and social support services is because of its dedicated team of care support workers, nurses, drivers and domestic assistants who are kind, compassionate, and respectful.

“It’s amazing to meet a whole range of brilliant clients who are so appreciative of our help and so rewarding to know you are actually making a difference to their lives.”

said Natalie, a RangeCare Care Support Worker.

RangeCare staff live and breathe the core values that have been built upon a foundation of a strong sense of community and a commitment to building lasting relationships with our clients and their loved ones.

“I like being a Domestic Assistant with RangeCare because I am always appreciated by my clients and colleagues for the work that I do.” said Ebony, a RangeCare employee, “Being able to provide services for people in my community makes me feel important and valued.”

Due to ongoing growth across the Sunshine Coast, Hinterland, Gympie and Cooloola Coast Regions, RangeCare is currently recruiting for a range of positions including Care Support Workers and Domestic Assistants.

If you are interested in joining the RangeCare team and making a real positive difference in your local community, you can find out more by calling 07 5445 7044 or visiting www.rangecare.com.au.

Mark McDonald is a trusted local who has lived in Tin Can Bay for 30 years. Mark and his wife Jill owned and operated Tin Can Bay News for 21 years. This has helped him u n d e r s t a n d t

a

a

e d by l o c a l businesses. Mark has also been the President o r E x e c u t i v e M e m b e r o f t h e C h a m b e r o f Commerce for 12 years and President of the l o c a l P & C fo r 1 2 ye a r s a s we l l M a r k wa s i n s t r u m e n t a l i n t h e a c q u i s i t i o n a n d construction of the Tin Can Bay P-10 State school.

Mark McDonald understands the value of local assets and is committed to investing in them. He believes that the coasts natural beauty, beaches, national parks, waterways and other local attractions can be leveraged to create a thriving economy With his experience and leadership, he can guide the coast towards a sustainable future

to have the cotton tree trimmed to

Rainbow Beach. This opened up the panoramic view from Fraser Island to double Island point. Mark secured the funding for the our towns projects, which saw

Rainbow Beach, Cooloola Cove and Tin Can Bay

Further,

RangeCare staff and clients at a range of events.

New Fridge and Freezer

IT HAS TAKEN some time but we finally have our brand new drinks display fridge and upright freezer. These items were purchased with a grant from Gambling Community Benefit Fund received last year.

The drinks display fridge was built by Huxford Refrigeration on the Sunshine Coast and is one of the most energy efficient models available in Australia. Similarly the Liebherr freezer is the most energy efficient upright freezer currently available.

The rationale behind spending the extra money to get the most energy efficient models possible was firstly, to reduce our carbon footprint and secondly, to have appliances compatible with PV panels and a Community Battery that we may get

sometime in the future.

Thirdly, our hall is a designated Evacuation Centre and, if activated, we may be running on generators for a few days, so every kilowatt saved counts. The new appliances will give us extra capacity to store food and medications for evacuees.

Until now, we had to shift our chilled soft drinks and bottled water from the under-bench fridges in the kitchen every time the hall was hired out. Now we will be able to store all CIRS market supplies in a lockable upright appliance. That saves time and effort, and makes cleaning, loading and unloading easier for our older volunteers.

Our thanks to GCBF for funding these valuable community assets.

Defibrillator donated A

N ANONYMOUS DONOR has provided a defibrillator to CIRS. We are extremely grateful for this precious and valuable community asset.

We are currently negotiating its location with Council so that it can be accessible 24/7.

It will be registered with QAS and the Defib Australia app for easy location. More information next month.

Two New Monitors PurchaseD

POP INTO OUR office and you will notice more additions to our equipment. We recently purchased two monitors and ancillary cables with assistance from Gympie Regional Council’s Community Volunteer grants.

We are most grateful as these, along with the new chairs, have provided an improvement in office ergonomics for our valued volunteers improvement.

Vale Shane and Tricia

IT IS WITH GREAT sadness that we acknowledge the recent passing of two of our much-loved locals and regular market stallholders – Shane Simpson (Simo’s Honey) and Tricia Jones (Natural Therapies). Our deepest condolences to their spouses Carolyn and Lorrie respectively, and their families. It is always sad to lose people who have such deep connections in our tiny community and we pay our respects to them for their important contributions over the years.

CoolaFlix Free Film Nights

JANUARY’S MOVIE was the classic Australian comedy from 1997 The Castle. Host group was Protect Our Parks / Keep Cooloola Cool, a small but dedicated group of locals challenging the privatisation of National Parks.

Delicious Italian meatballs and tomato sauce made from Goomboorian-grown tomatoes were a big hit among the sixty or so attendees.

February’s host group will be Rainbow Beach Surf Lifesaving Club, raising funds for their youth development program and more generally equipment for saving lives. They are a very innovative bunch, introducing meal deals for their sausages, burgers and drinks.

The film they have chosen is Surf’s Up (2007), the animated tale of a teenage penguin who leaves Antarctica to seek fame and travels to a surf competition. Doors open at 5.30pm. Film screens at 6.45pm.

Entry is free, thanks to funding for the CoolaFlix Free Film program from our friends at Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR).

Emergency Relief

EMERGENCY RELIEF is available in the Meeting Room next door to our CIRS office on Thursday afternoons from 1pm to 3pm each week. No appointment necessary.

We also service Tin Can Bay on Tuesdays between 1pm and 3pm at Tin Can Bay Library Meeting Room.

If you require material aid or other assistance

outside these hours, please contact us or call Community Action Inc in Gympie. They also have Housing Services, Youth Services, Family, and Domestic Violence Services: communityactiongympie.com.au/contact/

Don’t forget - Community Pantry sells preordered hampers for $10 every fortnight from our foyer area. To order, contact 0413 135 867.

No Dogs Policy

THANK YOU to everyone who provided feedback on our No Dogs on Premises policy.

Our market stall holders and a surprisingly large number of dog owners, expressed their support for the ban on dogs inside the hall building and CIRS office, with only one negative response since the policy was introduced on January 1 2024.

We did have an incident where a market visitor did the right thing and left his dog outside only to have another dog act aggressively towards it. Please make sure someone can maintain control of your dogs at all times.

We appreciate the challenges of finding a shady spot for the dogs while their owners browse, and so recommend leaving them at home for the couple of hours they spend at the market. After all, market shopping is not a dog-centred activity.

As one of our stallholders said, “Home is where my dogs feel most comfortable and I leave them there for their sake”.

We understand it is a bit harder for travellers to leave them with their vehicles and so they are welcome to bring their dogs on a leash into the outside area.

Rainbow Beach School P&C News

Melissa Spanton P&C SECRETARY

WELCOME BACK to school for 2024 to all of our students and families. We are excited to have started the school year again and hear about all of the fun adventures the students had over the school holidays!

With the year ahead of us we are hoping to see some more families join us on the P&C.

Meetings are held twice a term. The meetings give parents and carers an opportunity to have a voice and to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes at school. We welcome and encourage all families to attend when they can.

Our first meeting is being held in the school library on Wednesday 7 February at 4pm. We look forward to seeing as many families there as possible.

In addition we are also seeking tuckshop volunteers. If you are interested in helping in any capacity, whether it be for one term or the year, please reach out to us or visit the school office.

If you would like to keep up to date with our P&C news, you can visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ PandCRainbowBeach

Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) Employment Opportunity

The Rainbow Beach Primary School P&C Association is opening an Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) program this year and we are seeking people to fulfil the educator roles.

Rainbow Beach OSHC is committed to providing a quality care service by offering a friendly, happy, rich, and engaging environment to support children and families living and working on the Cooloola Coast.

We believe in providing a comfortable, safe and nurturing space for all children regardless of gender, age, background, additional needs, practices and beliefs.

To support this, we are looking for educators / carers for our OSHC program which will run before and after school, Monday – Friday and vacation care during the school holidays.

The positions include a Centre Coordinator along with Educators / Carers, with role descriptions outlined with an immediate start.

If you are interested in joining our team or are looking to develop a career in this area, please contact us at rainbowbeachpc@gmail.com or 07 5486 9333.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Coordinator

• Refine and implement a dynamic and engaging program of activities for children in line with the National Quality Framework and My Time, Our Place Framework.

• Coordinate and lead a team of educators, providing guidance and support in the delivery of the program.

• Financial and CCS management

• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Build positive relationships with parents, families, and the community.

• Maintain accurate records, including attendance records, incident reports, and other administrative tasks as required, and prepare reports as needed.

• Foster a positive and inclusive culture across all aspects of the program

• Qualifications

- Early Childhood Teacher or Diploma in Child Care or equivalent

- First Aid, CPR, Asthma and Anaphylaxis training (Training available through P&C)

- Valid Working with Children Check (Blue Card)

Educators / Carers

• Work with the coordinator in delivering a stimulating and engaging care program

• Deliver program in compliance with Policies and Procedures

• Aid the Coordinator id delivering a care program that encompasses the National Quality Framework

• Build positive relationship with children and families

• Work around your study schedules or get some work life balance

• Qualifications

- Diploma or Cert III in Child Care (or working towards)

- First Aid, CPR, Asthma and Anaphylaxis training (Training available through P&C)

- Valid Working with Children Check (Blue Card)

Brushing up on coastal creativity

Robyn Shaw

COOLOOLA COAST ART Group has begun planning exciting events for 2024. This includes participation in the Gympie Region Studio Trails in July and organisation for our biennial art show, also in July.

Throughout the year we will invite several guest artists to host workshops to inspire the group.The first is a two day intensive workshop with Halina Paterson on 19th March and 23rd April. If you’d like to attend, please email the address below.

Regular activities have begun with fortnightly Monday afternoon lifedrawing at Tuncunba hall, Tin Can Bay and pleinair sessions at a venue chosen dependent on weather.

The weekly Tuesday get-together begins on 6 February at the hall. Each Tuesday artists either work on their own paintings and drawings or

participate in pre-arranged projects such as still-life, portraiture, or landscapes; often trialling different processes.

Also commencing on 6 February will be a special four-week introductory drawing course for beginners, held separately in Tuncunba hall.

Cooloola Coast Art Group has a sharing environment where we all learn from each other giving feedback and swapping ideas. There is a relaxed and happy atmosphere with art discussions often inspiring playful experimentation.

We welcome new participants, whether beginning, intermediate, or experienced. Information on any of these events can be sourced by either emailing cooloolacoastartgroup@ gmail.com or checking out our Instagram @ cooloolacoastartgroup.

Rainbow Beach History Book a Hit

“The Making of Rainbow Beach” book, which I refer to as a history/ novel, as it covers the exploration of the Rainbow Beach Region by early fishermen, the logging era, followed by the mineral sands mining.

Then the stories as told by the generations that have grown up here, and of course those that developed businesses. In all there were 76 contributors to this Part 1 story, but many more have since stated they wished they had, but maybe didn’t have the time or couldn’t find their old pics.

It was decided to only include stories from those who came to the

area before the year 2000. So I hope Part 2 can be added before too long. Some stories from Tin Can Bay early residents were gratefully received with many more from the Gympie and Noosa areas and as far as Brisbane.

I’m sure a Tin Can Bay History Book will soon follow as you date back much further than Rainbow Beach.

A big thank you also to Tony Perrett for his foreword to the book.

In three weeks since the book was launched 200 sold, another 100 have nearly sold a week later, with another 100 ordered.

The A4 book of 306 pages sells for $50 with $10 to charities. So far

it looks like $1,000 to Supporting Chemotherapy In Cooloola Inc who provide free accommodation and support. Contact Marlene Owen on 0402 286 571.

Another $1,000 will go to Men’s Prostate Research. Profit from the next sale to be decided.

Once again thank you all for making this happen and to all the purchasers I hope you enjoy the read. All factual and no fiction.

Copies can be obtained through the Rainbow Beach Touritst Centre or contact Tony on 0408 767 930 / rainbowfishing33@gmail.com

Thank you all.

Crab Creek at Tin Can Bay is a great environment to inspire the Cooloola Coast Art Group members in their pleinair drawings.

Tony Stewart

Probians ready for another great year

Kaye Olsen

COOLOOLA COAST PROBIANS

experienced a wonderful year in 2023 with lots of Fun Friendship and Fellowship and plan to follow up with an equally great year in 2024.

We are very fortunate to be part of the Wide Bay group of Probus Clubs as we have several opportunities to attend multi-club functions, giving us the opportunity to meet and make friends with Probians all over our area, from Gympie in the south, to Maryborough and Hervey Bay and north to Bundaberg and Bargara.

Each year clubs will nominate to host events which include the Ecumenical Service in February which is hosted by Gympie Widgee Club, the Presidents and Past Presidents Lunch at Bundaberg in August, and

the Probus Concert/ Friendship Day on 1 October (Probus Day) in Hervey Bay, hosted by Gympie Probus Club.

The Concert/Friendship Day is an opportunity for clubs to take to the stage to perform with skits, songs, dance, poetry and lots of fun.

These events are in addition to each club’s own activities. Over the past twelve months we have enjoyed activities including Christmas in July and Melbourne Cup lunches, concerts, celebration of members’ milestone birthdays, a bowls and games day at the Country Club, a cruise with Dolphin Cruises, and a barbeque and games day.

We also have a monthly Coffee and Chat at various cafes around the Bay. We are always looking for new and different enjoyable activities. Meetings are held on each second Monday of the month at 2pm at the

Sandcastle Motel in Tin Can Bay and include a guest speaker and a break for afternoon tea and a chat.

For details, contact our President, Katrina on 0407 637 691 or Secretary, Kaye at cooloolaprobus@gmail.com.

Rainbow Beach DroughtRunners Report

Tony Stewart - 0408 767 930 rainbowfishing@southernphone.com.au

FIRSTLY, a Happy New Year to all.

During the last month we have just continued on with our giving to help those suffering hardship in Gympie. We supply about 30-40 people with an evening meal, through Marlene Owen and her helpers.

A lot of people that are classified of no fixed address (homeless) don’t qualify for government assistance, which is hard to believe.

Most of our income this month has come from bottle and can collections at the Big 4 Carlo Point, and from our bins at 10 Tingira Close, plus all the wonderful donations in Tin Can Bay and Cooloola Cove picked up by Wayne Kerle. Wayne sorts at Bay Auto and we wish to thank them for allowing their yard for the sorting.

Well all good things must come to an end, with me probably leaving Rainbow Beach and Wayne and I both suffering from crook shoulders we have decided to hand over the

Rainbow Beach collection job to the Tin Can Bay Mens Shed (yet to be confirmed as I write).

I am not sure of the future of the DroughtRunners/FloodRunners/fires or whatever disaster may happen. Maybe it’s join forces with the Drought Angels (we will see).

This business started in September 2015 after the Spring Festival with profits going to the Rainbow Beach school and to the drought cause in Longreach. Since then donations made would be over $850,000.

This month we have only sent out $1,000 to the Gympie homeless, with $1,000 sent to families in Longreach for Christmas.

Many thanks to Marcia and Col Mills for more wooden toy purchases made by Bill Neil in Tin Can Bay, and we wish you both well in your future after leaving Rainbow Beach. Many thanks also to Tin Can Bay Bakery for another wonderful collection from your bakery container.

Till next month - Stay Safe as we hope for a disaster free year.

“It's amazing to meet a whole range of brilliant clients who are so appreciative of our help and so rewarding to know you are actually making a difference to their lives.”

-Natalie, RangeCare Care Support Worker

Some highlights from 2023 – Dolphin cruise and our BBQ and Games Day.

TCBCAMS looking for a new Treasurer

Carole Lehmann

YES, TIN CAN BAY Community & Mens’ Shed (TCBCAMS) is in need of assistance in filling the role of Treasurer in 2024. Involving only a couple of hours’ work each week, this role would suit anyone with basic computer skills.

All the books are set up, training is available and back-up is always at hand so, if you are a community minded person who would like to actively contribute to successful running of TCBCAMS, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact Raewyn, our Secretary, on 0412 995 512.

The new year means time to renew memberships and/or join up. At only $50 per year, it is terrific value allowing members access to our well-equipped workshop and social areas, discounted lessons and opportunities to learn varied skills in a friendly and supportive environment.

The camaraderie is an important side benefit and our Wise Men Table – a relatively new innovation – is proving very popular. Our Shed is a ‘Community’ Shed whose main aim is to improve the health and wellbeing of all members – be they male or female.

In carrying out this role, our Shed hopes to decrease the feeling of social isolation whilst boosting members’ mental health in terms of feeling safe, making friends, sharing knowledge, and learning new skills.

If you have suggestions for classes, please let us know and we will see what we can do.

Classes on offer at this stage are:

Stained glass – Contact Narelle on 0429 836 426

Jewellery making – Contact Kaz on 0413 065 433

Mosaics – Contact Toni on 0432 166 569

Cards and Boardgames – 9am on the second Friday of each month

Anytime between 9am and 12 noon weekdays, you’ll find us there – just follow the gravel road at the bottom left of the Community Complex’s carpark in Amity Place, Tin Can Bay.

Call in during opening times to see what’s going on OR come along to either our General Meeting on Wednesday 14 February or our AGM on Wednesday 13 March to hear the goss on what we’re up to. Everyone is welcome.

Don’t forget to bring along your bottles and cans for recycling too – all funds raised go toward improving the facilities on offer!!!

Easy access and parking are available onsite. Phone enquiries to our wonderful Secretary –Raewyn Oliver on 0412 995 512.

A night to remember for Dancers

Julie McPhail

OUR CHRISTMAS DANCE on 16 December 2023 was a night to remember with storms all around us but we danced without a hitch. 36 brave patrons attended the Old Time Country Hall dance at Goomboorian Memorial Hall.

Our ‘muso’ Chris had recently been troubled with a bad flu and he bravely played for us. He also won the meat tray in the raffle valued at $50 which was his reward for braving the elements.

The Best Dressed lady was Sylvia Fielding, she looked lovely with a Christmas headband. The Best Dressed man was Rens Poles. Both were judged by mystery judges. Thank you everyone for dressing up for the night – you all looked fantastic and we

could see the effort you all made.

The first lucky spot was won by Trevor and Margaret. The second lucky spot was won by Grant Young and Helen McPherson. The Lucky Door prize was won by Marilyn Harrison.

Other raffle prizes received was second prize (Christmas cake) valued $35 won by Rens Poles. The third raffle prize being a $25 fruit and veg tray was won by Bob McPherson. The fourth raffle prize, a $25 fruit and veg tray, was won by Gary Loose.

Just for fun we threw in a couple of lucky seat prizes. Fun being the aim for the dancers who were happy participating.

Supper was held outside and we were thankful to the weather settling down. The stormy night was hot and steamy but by supper time it was pleasurable to socialise, cooling patrons down.

A sincere thank you to everyone who helped on the night, without your kindness and support we would not be able to hold the dances for you.

The Cooloola Coast Dances Group wish to see you all back after your new year break in April 2024 ready to dance again in the cooler months of the year. So please place Saturday 20 April 2024 on your calendar for our first dance back at Goomboorian Memorial Hall.

We love meeting with you and dancing Old Time Country Hall style dances to good tunes and socialising amongst patrons of all ages. Reminding patrons there is no dance in May 2024.

Dances are scheduled for the third Saturday of April, June, July, August, September, October, November, and December 2024. Information: Julie 0428 824 115 Cooloola Coast Dances Group.

Welcome New Members!

Maggie Travers WALK ORGANISER

EACH LAST FRIDAY of the month, the Cooloola Cove Wheelie Walkers gather near the Tin Can Bay swimming pool to wheelie walk the Boardwalk and as far as they wish to go, before returning to Norman Point for a picnic morning tea.

Often we are joined by walkers from the ‘One Step at a Time Tin Can Bay’ groups, which is fun. January’s last Friday fell on Australia Day, so we dressed accordingly.

This year International Women’s Day (IWD) also is on a Friday. So on 8 March at 6pm our IWD Twilight Walk will depart from Norman Point, walk the Boardwalk and part of our beautiful Foreshore, and re-group for fruit and chatter with the Tin Can Bay QCWA ladies.

Welcome to new member, Nia, who brings Whitby along. Dogs definitely are welcome to walk with us, brightening up our lives.

Congratulations to Judy H and Bob for your first Heart Foundation Walking Award achieving 25 walks. Your certificate and $5 online Heart Foundation shop voucher are in the mail.

Congratulations Sandy for your 50 walks. You will

receive your award certificate and $10 voucher.

Well done Lorraine Goode and Barb for 100 walks. You receive a congratulatory first badge to pin on your cap, award certificate, and $15 voucher. Congratulations Peter J for your 200 walks. Your second badge, award certificate and $20 voucher are on the way.

Cooloola Cove Wheelie Walkers meet at 7.30am Mondays and Fridays at the Nautilus Drive Bus Shelter outside the Cooloola Cove Shopping Centre. Most of us have a coffee and chat afterwards.

‘One Step at a Time Tin Can Bay ‘ early group departs half an hour earlier at 6am, than the later at 6.30am on Wednesdays and Saturdays from Tin Can Bay Bakery. We walk along the foreshore returning to the bakery for coffee.

Walk Yourself Happy! New members are welcome. Why don’t you join us? It’s free, fun and a great way to improve physical, mental, social and emotional health. Contact Judy Beaton 5486 2181 or myself on 0400 756 615.

Ladies enjoying our Christmas Hoy.

QWCA keen for 2024

HAPPY NEW YEAR and looking forward to getting back to CWA, our members having a break in January, visitors, and family time. All keen to return and start 2024.

We have started planning our activities, as seen in the flyer in last months issue (and page 25 of this issue) for the Country Kitchen ‘Cooking on a Budget’ workshop. Spaces are filling fast, for more information contact Gabriella on 0408 585 552. Registrations close 23 February 2024. Cost $10 and a healthy lunch to enjoy.

Our Hoy will be on 21 February at Cooloola Bowls Club with prizes including grocery items as requested, our raffle meat voucher for $35, vouchers for Tin Can Bay Fruit Shop and IGA for $15, a money board too. A great community event.

The Tin Can Bay Country Kitchen Facilitators look forward to holding Back to Basic.

Workshops with students of the Tin Can Bay P10 State School enjoyed by our members and the students to learn cooking skills and make healthier choices.

Our Facilitator will also be at the

RSL Community Sausage Sizzle on the 1st Friday of each month and RSL Community Morning Tea on the 2nd Tuesday with Country Kitchen recipes and taste testers to promote the program of The Country Women’s Association.

We have some exciting events planned: teaching classes at Craft mornings, scone competition morning teas in the park, a workshop to make hats for Oncology at Gympie Hospital, and our High Tea with competitions open to the community to name a few.

Members at CWA are always knitting and crocheting teddies, owls, octopuses, rugs and more to go into our hospitals.

New members are always welcome, come along to Craft for morning tea and a chat. Stay safe, keep well.

Craft 1st and 2nd Wednesday of the month – 7 and 14 February, 10am at 18 Whiting Street Tin Can Bay

Hoy 3rd Wednesday of the month –21 February, 9.30am for a 10am start at Cooloola Bowls Club, Amity Road Tin Can Bay

All enquiries please contact our President on 0412 547 043.

Quilters off to a great start

Lesley McCarthy with her embroidery machine making covers for her machine and overlocker along with a new mat and thread catcher.

THE TIN CAN BAY Quilters have resumed for 2024 and we invite visitors who enjoy patchwork and quilting to join us at the Community Hall in Amity Place Tin Can Bay on Tuesdays from 9am to 12 noon.

It was good to see a good turnup of members on the first day back after the Christmas break and to see what was achieved over the holidays.

Anne Bugslag had been busy

Jo Page has again been busy with a beautiful piece from Natalie Bird called The Owl & The Hare.

Robyn Salmon our President showed us the almost completed Raffle Quilt. With the quilting completed there is just the binding to be done in readiness for our Friendship Day on 20 April 2024.

Wendy Ritchie

Anne’s lovely machine embroidery.

The almost-complete Raffle Quilt.

Gayle, Verna, Judy H, and Lorraine Goode welcome Nia and Whitby.

RAINBOW BEACH and the Cooloola Coast is home of the Coloured Sands, the majestic Carlo Sandblow and gateway to World Heritage-listed Fraser Island.

You can feed wild dolphins in Tin Can Bay, visit a historic lighthouse via the Great Beach Drive or world-class scuba diving.

If you make the most of the outdoorsthen you’ll love our backyard playground. You can choose from extreme adventures and ultimate indulgences - a rejuvenating massage, secluded picnics beside a freshwater lake or delicious seafood and views in our eateries and clubs.

Visitor Guide

Visitor Guide COOLOOLA COAST

Our coast has abundant fishingwhether off a beach, on an estuary or from a deep sea charter, right on our doorstep!

Birdwatchers, nature-lovers, bushwalkers, 4x4 enthusiasts and surfers call our corner of the world: ‘paradise’.

Our Great Sandy National Park hosts Queensland’s three most popular beachside campgrounds, and our friendly townships offer caravan parks, apartments

and holiday homes.

So stay with us, watch the sunset from Carlo Sandblow or stroll along Tin Can Bay Esplanade... you’ll never want to leave!

Creek To Coast Real Estate

Premium bespoke real estate agency, your local area specialist. Contact Ali on 0403 423 124 or ali.zengin@creektocoast.realestate

Rainbow Getaway Holiday Apartments

1, 2 & 3 bedroom self contained, air-con apartments, heated pool, central location. 4 Double Island Dr. 07 5486 3500 rainbowgetaway.com.au

Tin Can Bay’s Sleepy Lagoon Motel

24 air conditioned motel rooms, 3 bedroom house, centrally located for dolphins & pub 2 Groper St. 07 5488 0653 sleepylagoonmotel.com

Tin Can Bay Tourist Park

New camp kitchen, cabins, pool-side BBQ hut, Family amenities, disability access. 54-74 Trevally St. Ph: 07 5486 4411 tincanbaytouristpark.com.au

AUTOMOTIVE & VEHICLE HIRE

Rainbow Beach Auto Electrics

Vehicle Electrical Repairs, Retail Sales, Radios, Batteries, Solar panels, Fridges, UHFs, 7 Karoonda Rd. 0499 144 678 rainbowbeachautoelectrics.com.au

EXPERIENCES & TOURS

Barnacles Cafe & Dolphin Feeding

Feed wild dolphins from 7am daily, fees apply. Breakfast, lunch, coffee, takeaways 7am-3pm Norman Point, TCB 07 5486 4899 barnaclesdolphins.com.au

Rainbow Beach’s

Rainbow Beach Tourist Info Centre

One stop shop for information, bookings, souvenirs, beach gear, surf wear & gifts 6 Rainbow Beach Rd 07 5486 3227 rainbowbeachinfo.com.au

Wolf Rock Dive Centre, Rainbow Beach

World class scuba diving on Fraser Island’s doorstep, Australia’s best shark & ray dive. 2 Goondi St. 07 5486 8004 wolfrockdive.com.au

Gardiner Fisheries

All your offshore, inshore & beach fishing needs, live local beach & bloodworms daily. Cnr Carlo & Karoonda Rds. 0404 853 232 facebook.com/rainbowbeachbait/

Rainbow Beach Fishing & Camping

Cheapest prices on the coast, 7 days a week from 6am. 14 Rainbow Beach Road. 07 5486 8100 facebook.com/Rainbow-Beach-Fishing-and-Camping

The Chandlery Bait and Tackle

Best range of fishing tackle, all the big brands! Bait, ice, 24h fuel, massive range of chandlery. For all your boating and fishing needs. TCB Marina, 07 5486 4744 tcbchandlery.com.au

FOOD, DRINK & DINE

Ed’s Beach Bakery

Bread, cakes, muffins, the BEST pies in town! Open 4am-5pm, 7 days Shell Servo Complex. 07 5486 3080

Rainbow Beach

IGA Rainbow Beach & Tin Can Bay

Locally owned & operated supermarkets, weekly specials. Rainbow Beach Rd, 6am - 8pm, Ph: 5486 8700; 46-48 Tin Can Bay Rd, 6am - 7pm. 07 5488 0084

Ocean Breeze Seafoods, Rainbow Beach

Fresh & cooked local seafood, fish & chips, burgers, laundromat, at the Big Marlin Open 8.30am-7.30pm Fri-Sat, 8.30am-7pm TueThu & Sun 54 Rainbow Beach Rd, opp QPWS Office

Gourmet

Rainbow Beach Sports Club

Bistro 7 days, Bowls, Bottleshop & Bingo. 10am - 10pm Sun - Thurs & midnight Fri - Sat. Turana St. 07 5486 3191 rainbowsportsclub.com.au

Soul Food, Rainbow Beach

Wraps, juices, smoothies, kebabs, coffee, souvenirs, natural products & cosmetics, clothing, tourist info Shell Servo Complex 0435 085 865 facebook.com/SoulFood

Tin Can Bay Butchers

Tin Can Bay Country Club

Bar, Live Music, Chinese Restaurant 7 days Book: 07 5486 4231 Takeaway: 07 5488 0230 Lawn

Remedial Massage, Rainbow Beach

Recovery & lymphatic massage, health cover rebates, 7 Turana St (at the Gym)

Corinna: 0400 613 139 rainbowbeachhealthandfitness.com

Spirit of Rainbow, Rainbow Beach

In the first month we received 4 call backs directly due to the advert ...

“We couldn’t have been happier with the ad we placed with ‘Community News’. The team were great to work with in helping to create an ad that suited our branding and the key message we wanted to convey. Their team turned around artwork really fast and gave us pricing options based on a variety of marketing plans. In the first month we received 4 call backs directly due to the advert and word of mouth is definitely spreading! Highly recommend using Rhyll and her team to promote your business.”

community pages

2023 was huge for the Tin Can Bay RSL

2023 HAS BEEN another huge year. Highlights included: well-attended Anzac Day, Vietnam Veterans Day, Remembrance Day, and War Widows commemorations where we remembered those who served and supported our nation.

We recently had a special presentation of ‘Quilts of Valour’ to selected veterans who served overseas. There were also record attendances at the monthly Drop-In Sausage Sizzle and Veterans and Community Morning Tea. The Sunday BBQ and Friday night Members Draw continued to be popular with locals and visitors alike.

Special events held during the year included Trivia with Magic Mike and the team, and fantastic Australia Day and St Patrick’s Day functions. We consolidated our reputation as the Tin Can Bay music venue of choice with a great Rock and Roll Dance featuring some of our favourite entertainers as well as our ‘Howling at the Moon’ extravaganza.

We made a special point of celebrating the contribution of our volunteers with a Volunteers

Luncheon held away from our Sub-branch as well as a recent Members Luncheon complete with food trucks and entertainment to thank all our members for their support through the year.

We also received grants from the Queensland Government, Gympie Regional Council and RSL Queensland to improve facilities and services.

There is also plenty on the RSL calendar in 2024.

The popular Sunday BBQ featuring live entertainment, great raffles, and the best BBQ in Tin Can Bay, kicked off again in late January. The BBQ runs from 12pm to 2pm – the steakburgers and hamburgers are both terrific so give them a go.

The free Drop-In Sausage Sizzle is a great initiative by the club with members, veterans, and community members welcome to drop in for a chat and to share the tasty, and free, sausage sizzle. The next Drop-In will be held on Friday 2 February, 11.30am through to 1.30pm.

The Veterans and Community Morning Tea is always a great event. The next morning tea will be held on Tuesday 13 February at the RSL, starting at

10:00am. All in the community are invited, so make sure you come along and join in the fun.

New members welcome. Join as a Service or exService member if eligible or a Social member. All the community are welcome to drop into the bar for a drink or just to say hello – look for the ‘Bar Open’ sign on the front of the RSL Hall.

Happy New Year from RSL Sub Branch President Don Holland and his Board.

Rainbow Beach Pizza & Grill

Claire and Geoff Clark Clarks’

Laundry

Lyndall Thompson and Fergus enjoying the newly extended outdoor licensed area.

Ross Carruthers

COOLOOLA COAST Visitor Guide

20 Must See and Dos

Patrolled Beach

Swim in the flags in front of the Surf Lifesaving tower. Walk via the steps or walkway near the lookout and surf club, or drive onto Griffin Esplanade. 4WD beach access begins here.

Coloured Sands

Visit the patrolled beach, near the surf tower or the lookout to see the 70 plus colours in our cliffs. From town, walk south 1km along the beach - for best colours 4WD or tour a further 9km. Remember it is a gazetted road.

Carlo Sand Blow

Park at the top of Cooloola Drive, and walk 600m up from the car park or bushwalk about 2km from the National Parks Office for spectacular views of the Coloured Sands, Double Island Point, Tin Can Bay Inlet and hang gliders.

Poona Lake

Drive to Bymien Picnic Area (2WD) via 3km gravel on the Freshwater Road, (off Rainbow Beach Road). It’s a 40 minute walk to reach the cool waters of Lake Poona through beautiful rainforest and carrol (grey myrtle) scrub.

Searys Creek

Only 7km from town towards Gympie, with 2 waterholes, boardwalks, bridges and history – do read the sign and spot the creatures. Always cool on the hottest of days.

Rainbow Beach Headland

A look out, a viewing platform, 2 playgrounds, a skatepark, BBQs and picnic facilities. See the whales from here in season and watch the surfers out the front. Take a photo at the Cherry Venture propeller.

Double Island Point

Access via the 4WD only Great Beach Drive or Freshwater Track. See dolphins, whales (seasonal), manta rays, turtles and walk up to our historic lighthouse. It has the longest break in Australia -when the swell lines up.

Mudlo Rocks

Wander here at low tide, play in rock pools and watch 4WDs navigate any exposed rocks. ALWAYS check conditions and ask locals before you 4WD - it is not always safe, even close to low tide.

Middle Rock

When tides and conditions allow, the walk to Middle Rock and back is a beautiful way to check out the Coloured Sands. From here, vehicle permits are required and dogs are prohibited.

Inskip Point

This peninsula is the gateway to Fraser Island, a favourite fishing spot and pet friendly camping grounds for generations. Only 15 minutes drive (2WD) from Rainbow Beach.

Freshwater Picnic Area

Walk to and swim in nearby Freshwater Lake, picnic or BBQ at the beautiful shady day-use area, found before Freshwater Road reaches Teewah Beach. 4WD only.

Tin Can Bay Foreshore

Walk 4km from Crab Creek to Norman Point, over picturesque bridges, signage of flora and fauna, through mangroves, playgrounds and outdoor gyms. It is mostly flat and very safe for children on wheels. Look out for 137 species of birds.

Tin Can Bay Wildflower Walk

Known for spectacular wildflower species, access this trail from the corner of Emperor St and Oyster Parade. Best in late winter and early spring.

Boat Ramps

You can launch your boat at Norman Point and Crab Creek in Tin Can Bay or Carlo Point and Bullock Point near Rainbow Beach. All except Bullock Point offer toilet and scenic picnic facilities.

Feed Wild Dolphins at Norman Point

Arrive from 7am, after feeding (fees apply), the dolphins leave for another day. A picturesque peninsula with public pool, playground, sailing, boat ramp and pontoon and picnic facilities.

Carlo Point

For spectacular sunsets over the water, take a cheese platter or fish and chips and watch the day’s end. This favourite fishing spot is only 3 km from Rainbow Beach.

Rainbow Steps

Reputably Rainbow Beach’s most ‘Instaworthy’ location - check out our colourful stairs and share a photo on our socials.

Great Sandy Strait

If you love the wonderful peace and relaxation of sailing or cruising, the sheltered waters around Tin Can Bay are for you. You may see dugong, turtles, dolphins in this section of the Great Sandy Marine Park.

Fraser and Cooloola Great Walks

A 90 km trail showcases natural and cultural features of the world’s largest sand island between Dilli Village and Happy Valley. Or trek 102 km from Noosa to Rainbow Beach through sandblows, past lakes and spectacular views.

Fraser Island K’gari

World heritage listed, K’gari has over 40 lakes, rainforests, sand dunes, wildlife, four wheel driving and fishing! Take a 1 or 2 day tour, hire a 4WD or take your own. Cross the barge at Inskip Point, permits are online or at the Parks Office.

Sail the day away in Tin Can Bay! Photo credit: Tin Can Bay Yacht Club. Submit your Cooloola Coast images to: info@rbcn.com.au

Sienna Arthur did herself and the town proud

Rainbow Beach local Sienna Arthur did herself and her town proud at the Gympie Regional Council Australia Day Awards.

The Tin Can Bay P-10 School student won the Young Citizen of the Year 2024 award after being nominated by Jess Milne.

Well done Sienna!

World Wetlands Day 2024

WORLD WETLANDS DAY is an annual celebration observed on 2 February to heighten public awareness regarding the significance and advantages of wetlands, as well as to advocate for the preservation and responsible use of these ecosystems. This date also commemorates the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands, an international treaty established in 1971.

The 2024 theme is ‘Wetlands and Human Wellbeing’ which demonstrates how all aspects of human wellbeing are tied to the health of the world’s wetlands and highlights the critical need for human stewardship of the world’s wetlands for human wellbeing.

Throughout history there has been an interconnection between wetlands and human life as people have drawn sustenance, inspiration, and resilience from these productive ecosystems over time.

Under the Ramsar Convention, a wide variety of natural and humanmade habitat types ranging from rivers to coral reefs can be classified as wetlands. Wetlands include swamps, marshes, billabongs, lakes, salt marshes, mudflats, mangroves, coral reefs, fens, peat bogs, or bodies of water - whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary.

Water within these areas can be static or flowing; fresh, brackish or saline; and can include inland rivers and coastal or marine water to a depth of six metres at low tide. There are even underground wetlands.

Did you know

• Did you know Australia has 67 Ramsar wetlands, covering every state and territory. They cover more than 8.3 million hectares. The Great Sandy Strait is site 992 and is significant for multiple migratory shorebird species.

• Wetlands help to sustain life, they provide clean water, climate resilience, habitat for wildlife including migratory and threatened species, and food and livelihoods for people around the world.

• Wetland landscapes also positively impact mental wellbeing. Wetlands provide recreational opportunities including fishing, water sport activities and swimming. Research shows that wetlands provide a sense of connection to nature and promote mindfulness.

• How can you help preserve wetlands from home?

1. Be wetlands mindful in the garden by planting natives and ensuring non-native vegetation and seeds don’t escape into the environment. This also includes water plants. Also limit use of chemicals such as fertilisers, pesticides, insecticides or fungicides and use organic remedies instead.

2. Pets can have a detrimental effect on wetland ecosystems. Cats are known to prey on native animals so keep them indoors or under supervision.

3. Use eco-aware, safe and sustainable methods of waste disposal. Reuse and recycle wherever possible and reduce the use of plastics.

4. Keep litter out of the environment and if you see any, pick it up.

5. Create a compost and keep organics out of the bin.

6. Product choice when buying is a step to reducing pollution. Is it eco-friendly, sustainably produced, organic?

7. Be energy wise and use energy efficient appliances.

Yacht Club off to a flying start in 2024

Kay Muir

THE FIRST RACE of the year was on the first Sunday of the year in what could have been stormy conditions. However, the weather was kind, the wind eased, it didn’t rain and thankfully there was no thunder and lightning during the race.

The Flying Fifteen fleet was depleted by two boats, Cool Bubbles and Flying Fandango, as these were competing in the FF Nationals at Lake Macquarie with other boats from around Australia and some from the UK.

The invitation race got off to a slow start with very light NE winds and with Cool Bubbles in second place at the first mark. The wind filled in on the second lap and a local boat just pipped Cool Bubbles who finished in third place.

Over all the races the Tin Can Bay Yacht Club

Flying Fandango in action.

boats came 9th and 16th.

Music-loving landlubbers and the sailors on their return continue to enjoy the Sunday afternoon live music. There is now a removable stage which should protect musical equipment in the event of a Queensland summer afternoon shower or rather a downpour!

Love is in the air, only it’s a little later than 14 February. The yacht club will be hosting a special Valentine’s night on Friday 16 February.

There will be a prize for the best ‘romantically’ dressed.

Sailing into Dragon Boating

Toni Archer

Member profile: Russel — the Master Sweep

Russel (aka Russ) is a long-standing member of the Cooloola Dragon Boat Club having initially joined up in 2014.

As many people who know him well will tell you, Russel is a very committed sailor with sailing being his first love. As well as being a Cooloola Dragon he is also a stalwart of the Tin Can Bay Yacht Club. Russel still enjoys competitive sailing whenever he gets the chance.

Having said that, quietly-spoken Russel is also a very popular and committed member of the Cooloola Dragons. He learned the skills of Dragon Boat Sweeping several years ago (now a Level 3 Sweep).

And any aficionados among you may be pleased to note that he eschews the modern term of “Steerer”, for the more traditional term of “Sweep” (which is an ancient nautical term). He also loves the social side of the Dragon Boat family which is a strong attraction for many of the other club members.

His yachting skills come to the fore as a sweep in the Diamond Dash in which he has swept (steered) Cooloola to several wins over the years commencing with a win in 2015. Our most recent Diamond Dash win was at the Cooloola Dragons’ 2023 regatta.

As many of you will know, the Diamond Dash is a race between two dragon boats which is run on a figure-eight circuit. It is imperative for the sweep to understand the prevailing wind and current to get the most out of the boat.

Using his sailing skills, Russel is a master of Diamond Dash sweeping and Cooloola has often beaten teams who, at face value, have stronger crews. Apart from the inaugural Diamond Dash in 2014 which was swept by the late and much missed and respected Gail Barnett, Russel has been the sweeper every year since 2015.

Fortunately for Cooloola Dragons, Russel’s sailing commitments allow him to compete in the

Wide Bay Dragon Boat series. Unfortunately for the club, the sailing calendar prevents him from competing in the Kawana regattas. You could say that Cooloola’s loss is sailing’s gain!

Russel is always happy to share his nautical and dragon boating skills, especially with new members of the club. Mind you, from his vantage point at the stern of the dragon boat he is always very careful not to let his comments and encouragement disturb what the Coach is trying to do and say.

Among his other talents, Russel used to play

the bass guitar in a band in Victoria. Perhaps he is waiting until he retires from sailing and dragon boating to take up a position in a Tin Can Baybased band.

Remember, this coming Chinese New Year will be the year of the dragon. It would be a great year to try out paddling and to come and sample some of the social and sporting life of the club.

All are welcome and your first few outings in a dragon boat will cost you nothing. It is a great opportunity for some men in our community to join with Russel and others on the dragon boats.

Super sweep Russel lofts the trophy with the winning Diamond Dash team.

Coastal Rowing already growing

Chris Thomson PRESIDENT/SECRETARY

WELCOME TO A new year and a very exciting one for the Tin Can Bay Coastal Rowing Club. Our club exists to introduce coastal rowing to the Cooloola Coast area by building and then rowing St Ayles Skiffs, and in doing so build a stronger and healthier community.

Saturday 16 December saw an excellent turnout of 25 people at the shed for a briefing to give members insight into the skiff building processes we would be putting into practice in January.

This lively interactive session was followed by our Christmas BBQ and much convivial good cheer. While many members know each other as neighbours or through other groups in town, our unique group is rapidly forming its own relationships.

Work got underway for real in early January when a large team of willing workers got stuck into assembling the build frame. This is the platform on which the mould frames will be positioned to shape the hull of the skiff. (The skiff is built upside-down, then turned once the planking is completed.)

At the same time others started preparing the workbench on which the bow and stern stems will be laminated.

Significant progress has already been made – these are the frames on which the actual boat will be assembled. The team were looking rightfully proud in this photo, although this is only half the 14 people (men and women) who have taken part in workshop sessions so far.

As I write this, members have completed 6 workshop sessions. The team has varied every session as people have juggled work, family and other commitments.

Progress has been quite rapid under the expert guidance of Simon and by the time you read this the shape of the boat will be starting to be visible, with the mould frames in position and the stem lamination completed.

If you would like to join the excitement, membership is open for new applications.

We are particularly keen to encourage women to join the club, with the prospect of a womenonly crew building a second skiff later this year. Please contact me via the contact details below and a membership application form will be sent to you.

Fundraising is still critically important, as we still need to raise several thousand dollars to complete and launch the first skiff, and much more before we could commit to buying a second kit.

If you or your business would like to contribute financially please contact me for a confidential conversation: Chris Thomson 0410 618 227.

Attention local Sporting Clubs

Alan Rippon

PRESIDENT – TIN CAN BAY FISHING CLUB INC

0437 242 171

TCBFISHINGCLUB@BIGPOND.COM

THE CLUB HAD a bit of a break in December and as a result our article for January just didn’t happen. So, it may be a bit late, but I’d like to wish you all a Happy New Year and I trust that you do well in your fishing endeavours.

As mentioned, January started slowly even though we had three fishing events planned, as at the time of writing this article two of the

events have had to be cancelled due to the weather.

Those of our members who did get out reported that they were kept busy feeding the sharks rather than landing fish.

During December and January we held two purely social events: breakfast at Flippers on the Bay and dinner at the Sleepy Lagoon Hotel Restaurant; both served up some great meals with some excellent service.

At our end of month presentation for December (held in early January)

we were able to obtain the services of Don Grant – an expert in catching threadfin salmon and a member of the Hervey Bay Amateur Fishing Club who gave a ‘most excellent’ presentation covering baits, rigs, and techniques.

Don was also quite generous with his knowledge of the stretch of the Mary River between Maryborough and River Heads. Close to 30 members attended and kept him busy with questions well into the afternoon.

Chris Rippon with one of three good-sized threadfin salmon he caught last month.

By a strange coincidence, the winner of the month-end award was Chris Rippon taking it out with a 128cm lure-caught threadfin salmon. Which was one of three that he landed – the others came in at 117cm & 125cm; by the way, the fish are still swimming so you might get lucky next time you fish the area.

Chris’ prize was a voucher from the Chandlery Bait and Tackle which was quite ironic as he happens to be the owner!

Following the success of the

information session put on in January we will have another guest presenter at our monthly competition on Saturday 3 February. The presentation will be by Nick Bright who is an expert on the use of various fish finders/GPS units.

Interest from members is high as most of the fish finders these days tend to be underutilised by their owners due to the large number of functions and options available.

Well, that is for me - Tight lines.

Above: Bary Nalder with a recently caught flathead – I think he looks happy!

Right: Mal

Kay shows off a couple of cobia caught out wide in his new boat.

Don Grant from Hervey Bay Amateur Fishing Club giving an excellent presentation on threadfin salmon.

Club members attending Don Grant’s threadfin salmon presentation in early January.

Walk for Parkrun!

DID YOU KNOW that Parkrun isn’t all about running? You can just jog or even walk the 5km course as the only time that is relevant is the time you record as your own. If you have ever been to the Wes Mitchell Park Parkrun then you may have met Dorothy who manages to complete the course using her wheelie walker, what an inspiration!

If you are wanting to casually increase your fitness or challenge yourself for improvement then head to Wes Mitchell Park by 7am any Saturday morning and join the international movement of Parkrun.

Register for free online and you’re on your way to timing your first 5k!

Keen to be involved but not able to go the distance? Why not volunteer to keep this free event rolling, there’s plenty of roles that are not physically demanding but crucial to enabling Parkrun to run.

Early riser but not into doing the run? Grab your bike and check/clear the track before start time. Love to have a chat? You can roll up early and just do the welcome speech. Like taking a few snaps on your phone? Photographers are always needed along the course. Want to work in a team environment

with other awesome people? There’s time keeper and barcode scanner.

Many hands make light work so get involved so that everyone gets to go on a Parkrun! Either send a message on the Wes Mitchell Park Parkrun Facebook page, email wesmitchellpark@parkrun.com, or pop down to Wes Mitchell Park (near the Tin Can Bay library) for the 6.45am induction for a 7am start every Saturday morning.

Dorothy crosses the finish line with a PB (personal best) at Parkrun #17.

World Day of Prayer 2024

Maggie Travers

EVERYONE IS WELCOME to join the combined Cooloola Coast Christian congregations on Friday 1 March at 10am in the Cooloola Cove Veterans & Community Hall, corner of Nautilus Drive and Santa Maria Court.

Thanks to the Cooloola Wesleyan Methodist Church for hosting this year’s Service, which will be followed by morning tea. Please contact Rev Gary McClintock with any queries: Phone 0412 688 353 or email gary@ gympiewesleyan.org.au

World Day of Prayer provides an opportunity to learn about a country,

its culture, joys, concerns and issues, and pray for its needs expressed by women from differing Christian denominations and traditions, with congregations from other churches.

People in over 170 countries gather to focus upon a different country each year, participating in a global ecumenical event of informed prayer, prepared by a committee of that year’s chosen country.

Palestine is the country in focus this year. The theme: ‘I Beg You…Bear With One Another in Love’ from The Letter of Saint Paul to the Church at Ephesus, Chapter 4 Verses 1-3.

We are called “to bear with each other in love, despite all difficulties and

oppression. The program was written by a group of ecumenical Christian Palestinian women in response to the passage from Ephesians 4:1-7. We reflected collectively on this theme from the context of our suffering as Palestinian Christian women. We hope to inspire other women around the world to bear with one another in love during troubled times.”

The artwork (see below) was created in honour of the World Day of Prayer by Palestinian visual artist and design student, Halima Aziz. Through her artwork, the artist represents three Palestinian women praying together in nature in a peaceful place. In her work, the artist has different motives

and symbols that indicate the origin of these women and their cohesion:

“Olive trees/ branches are a sign of everlasting and abundant life because they can live for thousands of years. Some of the olive trees in Palestine today were there during the time of Jesus.

“The keys are a symbol of the hope to return back to Palestine. Palestinians always carry the keys of their homes they were driven out of with them, no matter where they are around the world, and they pass it on to their children so they will never lose hope.”

For more information: www. worlddayofprayeraustralia.org

www.gympie.qld.gov.au/library

Library Activities

Talks and Workshops

Sewing Machine Introduction

Tin Can Bay Library

– Thursday 8 February 2.30pm

Are you looking to get started with machine sewing? Join in the fun with this interactive workshop to learn more about and practise the basic techniques you need to operate our sewing machines.

No previous experience required but spaces are limited so booking is essential: 5486 4355.

Estate Planning

– Wills, powers of attorney, trusts, assistance when someone passes away

Tin Can Bay Library –

Wednesday 14 February 1pm-2pm

Estate planning goes beyond mere will preparation. It necessitates a comprehensive perspective, taking into account one’s current situation and future needs. The manner in which you structure your estate might impact your family’s future eligibility for Centrelink Payments.

Bookings essential: 5486 4355.

Library Lover’s Day Paint Pouring

Tin Can Bay Library

– Wednesday 14th February 9.30am-11.30am

Join us in a relaxing paint pouring class for Library Lover’s Day. Bookings essential: 5486 4355.

Library Lovers Afternoon Tea

Rainbow Beach Library

– Wednesday 14 February 2.30pm-3.30pm

Join us as we celebrate Library Lovers Day. Come down and have some afternoon tea and enjoy all the things you love about your local library.

Aussie Feud

Tin Can Bay Library

– Thursday 22 February and Thursday 14 March 3.30pm4.30pm

Team up with your friends and family and go head–to–head in a fun feud. Which team will claim victory in answering some of the Australian public’s most popular questions.

Bookings essential: 5486 4355.

Rainbow Beach

Ph: 5486 3705

Monday & Thursday 9.30am – 12.30pm

Wednesday & Friday 2pm – 5pm

Saturday 9am – 12 noon

Superannuation: how it affects Age Pension and what can you do?

Tin Can Bay Library

– Wednesday 20 March 1pm-2pm

What is Superannuation and how can I make it work for me now and in retirement? Join a Services Australia Financial Information Service Officer for this information session to learn about superannuation, how it may affect a government payment, and what options might help you to maximise your entitlement. Bookings essential: 5486 4355.

Connect with Technology

All About Android Phones

Rainbow Beach Library

– Thursday 8 February 10am-12noon

Getting started on your Android phone is easier than you may think. This topic shows you how to set up and customise your phone with helpful step–by–step videos and a fun interactive guide that shows you all the features you need to know about.

Bookings essential: 5486 3705.

Book a Librarian

Rainbow Beach Library –Mondays 10.30am-12noon

Tin Can Bay Library – Tuesdays and Fridays 2.30pm-4pm

Do you need a hand to get started online? Do you have a question about something that you have recently learned? Book in for a one–on–one half hour session where our library staff will help answer your questions and provide tips and strategies to point you in the right direction for your future learning. Bookings essential: RB 5486 3705 TCB 5486 4355.

Be Connected Drop-in Help

Rainbow Beach Library – Mondays and Thursdays from 9.30am-12.30pm, Wednesdays and Fridays from 2pm-5pm, and Saturdays from 9am-12noon.

Do you need a hand to get started online? Do you have a question about something that you have recently learned? Drop in to your local library branch during opening hours for some free one on one help. No bookings required.

Tin Can Bay

Ph: 5486 4355

Monday & Wednesday 9am – 12.30pm

Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 9am – 5pm

Saturday 8.30am – 11.30am

First Five Forever

First Five Forever Storytime (0-5 years)

Rainbow Beach Library – Mondays 9.30am-10am

Tin Can Bay Library – Thursdays 9.30am-10am

Join us each week for a fun session of stories, rhymes, and songs. This is a program designed for 0-5 year olds and their families and carers. Visit www.slq.qld.gov.au/first5forever for more information.

First 5 Forever is an initiative of the Queensland Government, coordinated by State Library of Queensland and delivered in partnership with local government.

Community Groups in the Library

Book Clubs

Book Clubs flourish throughout the Gympie Region, with more than 25 active reading groups currently accessing the multiple book–set collections from Gympie Regional Libraries. If you’re an avid reader and would like to discuss the work of great authors with other book lovers, contact your nearest library branch today.

Cooloola Card Makers

– Wednesdays at 9.30am

We make all sorts of greeting cards, so come and join us for a fun morning. Make and take your card creations. Beginners and experienced card makers welcome. Join this friendly group at Tin Can Bay Library and let your creative juices flow.

Rainbow Beach Art Group – Friday 2 and Friday 16 February

Join us at Rainbow Beach Library for a fantastic morning of fun and creativity. Each session covers something different, with the aim of exploring different styles of art. Come along and enjoy a morning getting in touch with your inner artist. Tea and coffee will be provided. Phone: 5486 3705 for more information.

Tinny Chat

– Fourth Friday of every month from 2pm-4pm

Join other locals at Tin Can Bay Library for a cuppa and a chat.

COUNCIL Corner

Gympie Region Studio Trails 2024

Gympie Region Studio Trails is an annual initiative of Gympie Regional Gallery to support the cultural and economic development of the local creative sector in the Gympie region. Studio Trails gives visual artists, artisans, heritage workers, and designers an opportunity to work as part of a network to share their passion across the region and beyond.

For month-long Studio Trails 2024, the event will be divided into four separate trails, organised by easy driving routes. Each Trail will open for one weekend from 10am-4pm with the East Gympie including the Cooloola Coast running on the first weekend on 6 & 7 July.

This year the program will be extended to include different types of destinations for those who do not have a studio such as workshops, galleries, or shops (a place where work is displayed), public art (a publicly viewable artwork), eat and stay destinations (cafés, restaurants and hotels etc.)

Jump on the Gympie Regional Council Website to read the Gympie Region Studio Trails 2024 Fact Sheet and to submit your expression of interest form by Sunday 11 February.

Foreshore Parks

Multiple banksias in Laurie Hansen and Phil Rogers Parks have been affected by ill health to the level of requiring removal.

An assessment of the cause of the issue will inform the species of replacement trees so they are resistant.

Community Conversations

Community Conversations provide the community with a regular opportunity to enjoy a conversation with Council’s Community Development Team and learn about the support and services they provide.

While this month’s focus is grants and funding, community organisations and volunteers can also be connected with governance advice, event and program support, training and skills building.

Cooloola Coast sessions are on 6 February 2024 at the Tin Can Bay Library from 9:30am to 12 noon, and the Rainbow Beach Community Hall meeting room from 1:30pm to 4pm.

If session day or times do not suit, please contact the Community Development Team on 1300 307 800 or by emailing community@ gympie.qld.gov.au to make an appointment.

Community Grants Program

The council’s Community Grants Program Competitive Round 2 will open on 12 February 2024 and close on 24 March 2024.

For more information including the 2023/2024 Community Grants Program Guidelines that provide category specific eligibility and assessment criteria, purpose and priorities, and the application process head to council’s website.

Summer Season Safety

Have you checked out the Summer Safety campaign on the council website?

Being prepared for possible weather events, storms, floods and bushfires is a shared responsibility so make sure you have all the

information handy and steps to keep yourself, your family, your home or business safe.

Council’s Disaster Dashboard provides upto-date information and warnings relating to bushfires, weather events, road closures, flood mapping and power outages.

On the Dashboard you can sign up for council’s free ‘Opt-In Alerts’ service to receive text (SMS) and/or email notifications that will be sent during disaster events. Click on the ‘Opt-In Alerts’ button and follow the prompts to subscribe.

Watch Us On YouTube

We’re on YouTube!

Our Council Meetings are live streamed. Search YouTube for the ‘Gympie Regional Council - Official’ page and click subscribe.

Click the notification bell on our page to get notified when a Council meeting is live.

Contact Gympie Regional Council

Contact Gympie Regional Council including:

• using the online requests on the website www.gympie.qld.gov.au (in the Contact Us section on the top right hand corner of the homepage),

• emailing council@gympie.qld.gov.au

• phoning customer service on 1300 307 800

• using the Snap Send Solve app, or

• sending a message via messenger on the Gympie Regional Council Facebook page.

Osprey

THE OSPREY is an impressive bird of prey that lives near the coast and large bodies of water, with a skilful ability to hunt fish and other marine animals.

They have also been observed capturing other sea birds in flight and have an impressive wingspan of around 180cm.

Using sticks and driftwood, mating pairs can build nests up

to two metres wide, often high in dead trees or on structures like radio towers, telegraph poles, and sometimes specially constructed nest platforms.

Breeding pairs mate for life and will repeatedly use the same nest year after year.

The clutch size is generally two to three eggs, occasionally up to four.

– cooloola city farm PLANT OF THE

MONTH –

Dianella longifolia

DIANELLA LONGIFOLIA, commonly known as blueberry lily, pale flax lily or smooth flax lily, or blue flax-lily, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asphodelaceae and is endemic to non-arid areas of Australia.

Flowers to 10mm, purplish with ale yellow anthers in spikes. Grows to 1.5m and leaves to 20-80cm erect but often drooping ends.

Volunteers Wanted: If you love plants, would you like to learn propagation techniques or have experience with plants we would welcome your help. We at City Farm are Centrelink approved.

Cooloola City Farm Nursery is located opposite the Community Centre at 17 Amity Place off Tin Can Bay Road.

Opening Hours:

Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursdays 8am -3.00pm.

Cash or EFTPOS acceptable

Phone: 0422 215 953 Email: ccfni09@gmail.com

TRADING HOURS

7 days a week

Mon - Fri 7.30am to 5pm

Saturdays 7.30am to 3pm

Sundays 7.30am to 1pm

Chappy CHAT

Ronnie Timperon

IHOPE THAT YOU have had a wonderful January and that families and children are ready for a great year of learning ahead.

The Rainbow Beach Learning Community has an exciting calendar full of activities planned for Term 1 including: art with local artist Vicky Miles; a book club featuring ‘The Secret Garden’ for the younger children and award-winning book ‘Holes’ by Louis Sachar for the older ones; a travel project with updates from families who are currently travelling within Queensland and overseas; swimming; craft; cooking; Clean Up Australia Day; and a market morning.

We are looking forward to visits from Elisa who will be sharing about her new book and Gabriella from Tin Can Bay QCWA, and are teeing up a date where local surf lifesavers will give us an insight to what is involved in their work.

This year children from the Rainbow Beach Learning Community will be joining with their counterparts in Gympie on alternate Thursdays where they will have the opportunity to learn basic carpentry and mechanical skills from local dads, crochet, sewing skills, and an introduction to group singing. Tutoring and life skills will also be part of the fortnightly program.

We are sad to say goodbye to amazing local artist Mo Riggs who will be away travelling this year – Mo has been with us from the very start and has taught the children so much about art but also shared her passion for the environment which culminated in the creation of Topsy the Turtle that has provided visitors to the beach with a drop-off point on the foreshore to recycle bottles and cans.

Sadly, Topsy was the victim of vandalism over the New Year and has now been relocated to the safer

venue of the Rainbow Beach Holiday Village where she will continue to raise awareness of and provide funds for the valuable work of the TurtleCare volunteers as they take care of our local turtle population.

Community Pantry

Our team of pantry volunteers is growing and we now have 15 locals who work behind the scenes in organising the delivery and packing of hampers for around 60 clients each week.

Our second distribution point at the rear of the Cooloola Cove Vet’s Hall is proving to be more convenient for Cooloola Cove and Tin Can Bay residents and our client list is growing as word is spreading. We continue to include frozen single and family-sized Fareshare meals with the hampers and will receive a pallet of these on the first Friday of each month.

Local councillor Jess Milne is an ardent supporter of the Community Pantry and was instrumental in finding our second distribution point at the Cooloola Cove Vet’s Hall, also organising a freezer and funding for a cupboard with the assistance of the TCB Lion’s Club.

Jess says “Having the services of the community pantry on the Cooloola Coast is more than just supplying food to those that are in need.

“It has an invaluable impact on social wellbeing providing hope, relief, and opportunity to many community members owing to the dedication of the volunteers that coordinate the program and the many contributors that provide goods and services.

“I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the immense difference to livelihoods this program has brought to individuals and families. A true example of community caring for community.”

We are one of 300 charities who receive food from Foodbank Qld who recently reported that 1 in 3 Queensland households are experiencing food insecurity, with 60% of these having a family member who is employed.

This is Ben’s story:

When Ben woke up one morning completely paralysed in the left arm and hand, his life changed forever. Ben was a thriving musician who had recently moved to Australia from Scotland to re-launch his career when, through no fault of his own, he was unable to work.

Ben’s injury meant he wouldn’t be able to play his guitar for the next three long years.

Ben says “In this time, I lost everything. When I could no longer play my guitar and do what I loved, my mental and physical health started to decline.

“I lost my income, my relationship spiralled downwards, and we ended up splitting up. I had nowhere to live and no money. I ended up living in the bushes in Southbank for a while before I got a place in a dormitory with 80 other homeless people.”

Ben met a group of friends who introduced him to one of Foodbank Qld’s member charities providing food relief in the local community. Ben soon regained movement in his arm and hand and was able to play his guitar again.

“Finding a local food relief charity was such a huge stress relief and also financial relief.

“Being able to depend on food from other sources helped me divert any funds I had towards essential items,

like underwear, socks and shoes, which otherwise I’d be spending on food.

“If you want to get back on your feet, you’ve got to be presentable, you’ve got to have deodorant and shoes. But if you’re spending all your money on food, then you can’t do those things.”

Being able to access nutritious food regularly helped put Ben on the road to recovery. He soon found a job and was able to do what he loved. He was earning a regular income and could once again afford food and essentials.

Ben was so grateful and inspired by the support of the local food relief charity, that he now dedicates most of his time volunteering there to help others, just like him, facing severe hardship.

“I’m doing better now, but I don’t want to forget the people that put me back on my feet.

“That’s why I’m here, doing anything I can to support those in need. Homeless people, needy people – they are real people, with real needs, and they need real solutions.

“Foodbank and their donors are part of that solution, and I’m eternally grateful for it, because it does make a difference.”

Ben’s outstanding voluntary work was recently recognised in the Griffith Australia Day Awards, acknowledging his devotion to supporting the homeless and disadvantaged within the West End region. This story and photo are courtesy of Foodbank Qld.

If you would like to make a donation to help people like Ben receive the essential groceries they need to get back on their feet, join the Our Farm To Families Program by going to foodbank. org.au

To order a hamper for yourself or someone who needs a helping hand, you can text to 0413 135 867 or hop onto the Rainbow Beach Community Pantry Facebook page and send a message.

Pindari Life Ltd, a local charity based in Gympie, provides the pantry with governance and support.

Mo and Ellie with Topsy from last year’s front page story (April issue). Topsy has now been moved to Rainbow Beach Holiday Village where she will continue to support TurtleCare.

Foodbank hero Ben - read his story above.

WHAT’S ON

FEBRUARY

2 World Wetlands Day

2 LIVE MUSIC - Blues Burners, 7pm TCB Country Club

3 LIVE MUSIC - Chris Webbe, 6pm TCB Country Club

6 Community Conversations with GRC Community Development Team: Grants & Funding. 9.30am-12pm TCB Library meeting room 1, 1.30-4pm RB Community Hall meeting room. More info: 1300 307 800 or community@gympie.qld.gov.au

6 Four-week intro drawing course for beginners starts, CC Art Group at Tuncunba Hall. See page 11 or email cooloolacoastartgroup@gmail.com

7 RB State School P&C meeting – first meeting of 2024 school year. 4pm at school library. See page 10.

9 LIVE MUSIC - Merlin, 7pm TCB Country Club

10 Chinese New Year

10 CoolaFlix FREE movie: Surf’s Up (2007). Hosted by RB SLSC. Doors open 5.30pm. See page 8.

13 Veterans and Community Morning Tea, 10am, TCB RSL

14 Library Lovers Day

14 Valentine’s Day

16 LIVE MUSIC - Junction Road, 7pm TCB Country Club

17 GRIT: The Stories. The Town. The Music By Perseverance Street Theatre Company. 3pm, CC Vietnam Vets Hall. More details on page 4.

20 Wild Dog & Dingo Safety Forum, 10am, TCB RSL Hall. See page 5. Gympie Regional Council will be running community education on how to keep themselves and their pets safe. Councils biosecurity unit will be hosting a wild dog/ dingo community forum at the TCB RSL between 10am-12noon on Tuesday 20 Feb. The forum is open to all.

21 & 6/3 Get Ready, Plan Ahead person-centred emergency preparedness workshop for seniors (Part A - Part B held on 6/3/24). 10am-1pm TCB Library. More info/to register: 1300 363 783 or didrr@qnd.org.au

23 LIVE MUSIC - Diamonds & Rust, 7pm TCB Country Club

24 Revenue Planning for Community Organisations free workshop, 10am-2pm, Gympie Bowls Club, 16 Bowlers Drive Gympie. Registration essential: 1300 307 800 or community@gympie.qld.gov.au

27 Hands On Nutrition Workshop “Cooking On A Budget” facilitated by QCWA Country Kitchens. 9.30am for 10am start, 18 Whiting St TCB. Only $10pp. Register by 23/2. Call Gabriella: 0408 585 552.

MARCH

1 World Day of Prayer, 10am at CC Vet & Community Hall, 1 Santa Maria Crt Cooloola Cove, contact Rev Gary McClintock 0412 688 353 gary@gympiewesleyan.org.au

6 Get Ready, Plan Ahead person-centred emergency preparedness workshop for seniors (Part B - Part B held on 21/2/24important to attend both). 10am-1pm TCB Library. More info/to register: 1300 363 783 or didrr@qnd.org.au

8 International Women’s Day Twilight Walk, 6pm near TCB Swimming Pool, on the Boardwalk & along the Foreshore. Contact Maggie Travers 0400 756 615

If you have an event or date you would like to add please email info@rbcn.com.au

13 TCBCAMS AGM - enquiries: Raewyn Oliver 0412 995 512

19 (&23/4) CCArt Group intensive workshop with Halina Paterson. More info: cooloolacoastartgroup@gmail.com

WEEKLY Many are term time only

Weekdays

5.30am TCB Bootcamp, 7am & 5.30pm RB Gym classes, Ph: 0490 333 147

Monday

7.30am Heart Foundation Wheelie Walking Group Cooloola Cove, Judy 5486 2181. Meet at bus shelter outside shopping centre on Nautilus Dr. 9am Painting for beginners, Tuncunba Hall, Tin Can Bay, Kerri 0438 803 990

Middle Eastern Movement class by Soul from the Belly, Emperor St Community Hall TCB. Early session 1-2pm, evening session 5.30-6.30pm. First class free. Book via Jess on 0411 218 254

2nd Monday 1.30 – 3.30pm Life Drawing with model, Tuncunba Hall, TCB, Robyn 0419 663 271

2nd Monday - Probus, 2pm at Sandcastle Motel TCB, new members welcome. Cherryl 0409 044 100 or Katrina cooloolaprobus@gmail.com

10.30-11am First Five Forever Storytime (0-5 yrs) at RB Library. Bookings essential: 5486 3705

11am -12.30pm Book a librarian, RB Library

Tuesday

2nd Tuesday - Veterans and Community Morning Tea, Tin Can Bay RSL, from 10am

2nd & 4th Nibbles & Giggles at Goomeri Library, social get together to chat over a cuppa, 10amph: 4168 4340

8.30am Kindy Linq, RB School Library

9am – 12 Noon, MEN ONLY, TCB Community & Men’s Shed, Paul Boulton 0437 007 911

9am TCB Quilters, TCB Community Centre, President Robyn Salmon 0427 356 028

9am Drawing & Pastel group all levels, tutoring for beginners, Tuncunba Hall, Tin Can Bay, Kerri 0438 803 990

10am Tin Can Bay Art Group, TCB Library

11am-12pm English Conversation Group, come along to make new friends and improve your English, Gympie Library, bookings not needed

12.30-3.30pm Join in at TCB Library for an afternoon playing Mahjong, an ancient Chinese tile game of strategy, calculation and skill with a measure of chance. Open to everyone

2-4pm Book a librarian, TCB Library

Wednesday

6.30am Heart Foundation Walking Group meet at TCB Bakery, (weather permitting), Maggie 0400 756 615

8am Table tennis - singles, 9am doubles, $2 all levels welcome, RB Community Hall, 5486 3355

8.30am Kindy Linq, RB School Library

9.30am Cooloola Card Makers, TCB Library

3-4pm Coolabay Choir, CC Vets’ Hall, Pam: 0427 180 649

3.30-4.45pm Robotics Thursday, Gympie Library, bookings not necessary (but space is limited)

4-6pm Exploring Drama With Sheryl adult drama classes. RB Hall. Gold coin donation. 0497 542 857

3rd Hoy hosted by QCWA, 9.30am for a 10am start, Cooloola Coast Bowls Club, Amity Place TCB. Wendy 0412 547 043 or Judy 0402 769 392

Thursday

8am (1 May-30 Oct) 7am (1 Nov-30 April), $3 RB Sports Club, All welcome. Chris: 0417 605 484 or Pat: 0407 433 602

8am Social Tennis (1 May-30 Oct) 7am (1 Nov-30 April), $3 RB Sports Club, All welcome. Chris: 0417 605 484 or Pat: 0407 433 602

8.30am Playgroup, RB School Library

9am – 12 Noon, MEN ONLY morning, TCB Community & Men’s Shed, Paul Boulton 0437 007 911

9.30am First Five Forever Storytime (0-5 yrs), TCB Library

9.30am Bingo for Local Ambulance Committee, TCB Country Club

3.30pm Dragon Boating. Sandra: 0402 352 756

3.30pm Robotics for kids, Gympie Library

6pm Open Mic Night, The Snack Shack, 35 The Esplanade TCB

Friday

1st & 3rd Rainbow Beach Art Group, RB Library 10am, phone 5486 3705 for more information

2nd Friday - Twilight Markets, Amity Place TCB 4pm-7pm. Community market with market fee proceeds going to community groups. Contact Jenny Jackson 0424 639 572.

1st Friday - Drop-in Sausage Sizzle, Tin Can Bay RSL, 11.30am to 1.30pm

3rd Friday - Writing Fridays at Gympie Library - join other writers in practicing and honing your literary skills, 10am-12pm, phone 5481 0859 for more information and to book

4th Friday Community catch up at RB Hall, 8am

7.30am Heart Foundation Wheelie Walking Group Cooloola Cove, Judy 5486 2181. Meet at bus shelter outside shopping centre on Nautilus Dr. 9am-12pm Chess/Rummykub at TCB

Community & Men’s Shed, gold coin for morning tea, no need to book

2.30-4pm Book a librarian, TCB Library

3.30-4.30pm Tinker Table STEAM Makerspace, Gympie Library, bookings not necessary

7.30-10.30pm Live music at RB Sports Club. Grab a drink and a feed and enjoy some local talent www.rainbowsportsclub.com.au

Saturday

6.30am Heart Foundation Walking Group meet at TCB Bakery (weather permitting), Maggie 0400 756 615

6.45am Wes Mitchell parkrun, TCB (opposite library). Register for free on parkrun website.

2nd Saturday RB Market. Book: 5486 3355

3rd Saturday Tin Can Bay Market. Book: 0418 711 897

2.30pm Little Athletics, TCB School oval, Jess: 0411 218 254

5pm Mass at St John Vianney Catholic Church, Bream St, TCB (week 1, 2, 5)

7.30-10.30pm Live music at RB Sports Club. Grab a drink and a feed and enjoy some local talent. www.rainbowsportsclub.com.au

Sunday

7am Mass at St Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church, Manooka Dr, RB (week 1, 2, 5) and Tin Can Bay (week 3, 4)

7.30am Dragon Boating, Sandra: 0402 352 756

9.30am Service at Good Shepherd Church, 17 Carlo Road, RB, followed by morning teaall denominations most welcome

12-3pm Live music at RB Sports Club plus free kids’ bowls and obstacle course. www.rainbowsportsclub.com.au

SELLING RAINBOW FOR 14 YEARS

Love Is In The Air At IGA Love Is In The Air At IGA

OPENING HOURS

6AM - 8PM 7 DAYS

Save Time Shop Local

Find your local store at iga.com.au/stores

Rainbow Beach

Welcome to the Rainbo Beach IGA ne sle er! We are e cited to share some pdates ith o for Febr ar

Happ Febr ar , e er one!

Febr ar is a month of lo e, celebra on, and ne beginnings. It's the shortest month of the ear, b t it's packed ith holida s and e ents that make it a niq e and special me.

Valen ne's Da is j st aro nd the corner, and e ha e a ide range of chocolates, flo ers, and gi�s to make o r da special.

Come isit s and make o r lo ed ones feel special.

So, let's celebrate Febr ar and all that it has to offer Let's spread lo e, kindness, and posi it . Let's make this month a happ one for e er one. Happ Febr ar !

A er q ick sports report:

Q eensland has had a great start to the ear

The Brisbane Heat on the Big Bash Leag e, and the Brisbane B llets are c rrentl in the top fo r of the Na onal Basketball Leag e. The Brisbane Roar are also doing ell in the A-Leag e.

Keep s ppor ng o r local teams!

Shoppers p!

Thank You for Shopping Local.

We o ld like to take this opport nit to thank all o r c stomers for shopping local.

B s ppor ng local b sinesses, o are helping to create jobs and keep mone in the comm nit . We appreciate o r s pport and look for ard to con n ing to ser e o .

Yo can check o t the latest eekl specials and hat's ne in-store at IGA Rainbo Beach b isi ng o r ebsite .iga.com.a .

Thank o for reading o r ne sle er. We hope to see o soon at IGA Rainbo Beach!

Matt, Bernie, Justin, Liam & our friendly staff at the IGA

Consider b ing health b t rela el cheap foods to sa e some pennies.

Some e amples incl de canned beans, fro en egetables, eggs, and oatmeal. Yo can s ll achie e a n tri o s diet on a b dget!

A great ebsite to find health affordable meals is .makingfr galf n.com.

Sho someone o care this month ith something bea f l from o r local IGA.

Rainbo Beach: Rainbo