COMMUNITY hello hello hello
AUGUST 2025 | ISSUE 20
Front Cover - It’s Strawberry Season!
Welcome to the August edition of Hello Community and the final month of winter!
Strawberry season is thriving, so we took the opportunity to visit a local farm, pick some fresh berries, and celebrate this sweet seasonal treat.
With wildflower season just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to book a spot on one of the many guided walks happening during the Sunshine Coast Wildflower Festival this August there are still places available (last time we checked).
August is also packed with local events, from a vibrant Street Fair to the Coolum Art and Music Festival, and the Handmade and Artisan Festival in Cooroy plus plenty more to discover.
In this issue, you’ll also find local stories, community updates, and important information on the new Queensland Property Law changes now in effect.
Have a story or event you'd like to share?
We’d love to hear from you — email us at info@hellocommunity com au
Refreshing Homes on the Sunshine Coast
Local, Licensed & Insured
Interior&Exterior
Ryanandhisteamcompletedajob forustoday,paintingour3bedroom unit,andwecouldnotbehappier. Frombeginningtocompletionhis customerservice,professionalism andthequalityofhisworkwere exceptional.Weare100%happyto recommendGray’sProPainting. Richard
RoofPainting
Driveway
GarageDoors
DeckRestoration+ more
LOCAL STRAWBERRIES
PICK YOUR OWN
If you're a fan of fresh, juicy, and flavourful strawberries, you're in for a real treat at McMartins Strawberry Farm in Bli Bli. Nestled right next to the tranquil Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary.
This locally loved gem offers a perfect day out for families, couples, or anyone who enjoys connecting with nature and tasting produce straight from the source.
We spent some time wandering through the rows of strawberry plants, picking some of the biggest, sweetest strawberries we've ever tasted. The berries were bursting with flavour and sun-ripened to perfection. While the price per kilo is slightly higher than supermarket strawberries, the difference in taste and freshness made it more than worth it. Plus, there's something really satisfying about picking your own fruit!
In addition to strawberries, McMartin's also has Mandarin trees, and during the season, you can grab a bucket and pick your fill. At just $4 per kilogram, we couldn't resist picking several buckets to take home
After all that picking, we relaxed at the on-site café, which offers a range of light meals, homemade treats, ice creams, and drinks Another bonus? There’s a designated area where your four-legged companions are welcome too
It’s more than just fruit picking it's a chance to slow down, enjoy the outdoors, and savour the simple pleasures of farm-fresh produce
McMartins Strawberry Farm 105 Sports Road, Bli Bli Open Wed - Sun 9.00am - 4.00pm www.mcmartinsfarm.com.au
COMMUNITY
QUOTA COOLUM
Women Supporting Local Charities
Quota Coolum are a dedicated group of women who come together to raise funds in support of local charities.
Their primary fundraising effort is through their Pop Up Stall, where they sell a wide variety of handmade goods, including crafts, cakes, jams, chutneys, and even special treats for dogs. These stalls are their only source of fundraising, and all proceeds go directly to helping those in need in our community.
They meet monthly for group meetings and enjoy regular social activities such as book club gatherings and craft mornings, providing a great opportunity to connect, contribute, and have fun together.
If you're interested in joining this warm and welcoming group, they would love to hear from you! Please contact Sandra at 0427 628 511 or email secretary@quotacoolum.com.au for more information.
Their next Pop Up Stall will take place on August 14, from 8am to 12pm, in the courtyard of "Pacific on Coolum."
Come along to support a great cause and explore their selection of handmade and home-cooked goods!
EXTRA SHOW ADDED FOR SUNSHINE COAST
The much-loved Australian Rock Collective (ARC) recently announced the addition of new shows to meet phenomenal demand for their August tour, performing Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here and Dark Side of the Moon in theatres and concert halls across the country.
A second show for Caloundra at The King’s Theatre has been added on Friday, August 8.
ARC is undoubtedly Australia’s most celebrated supergroup, with a combined 33 ARIA Awards and 16 Top Ten ARIA Albums. Comprised of four living legends in Australian rock music – Kram (Spiderbait), Darren Middleton (Powderfinger), Mark Wilson (Jet) and Davey Lane (You Am I) – they bring to the stage the rabid enthusiasm of friends who grew up as diehard music fans combined with the legacy, skills and experience of artists who have directly contributed to it.
ARC PRESENTS PINK FLOYD’S
WISH YOU WERE HERE + DARK SIDE OF THE MOON LIVE
THE KINGS THEATRE, CALOUNDRA, QLD FRIDAY 8 AUGUST – NEW SHOW
LOCAL UPDATE
Budding artists offered chance to go completely wild
Sunshine Coast Council’s Wild HeART Student Art Prize is back for 2025, inviting school-aged creatives to connect with nature and share their eco-passion through art.
This year’s competition encourages students to explore local environments, observe native Australian plants, animals or fungi and create realistic artworks that tell an ecological story.
Whether it’s a delicate wildflower, a timid shorebird, a cryptic skink or peculiar fungi – nature’s inspiration is endless.
Finalists will have their work showcased in a stunning outdoor exhibition trail at the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden, running throughout the summer holidays
Children and young people across three age categories will have the chance to win awesome prizes, with entries closing midnight, Sunday, October 5, 2025.
Top tips for young artists
Choose a native Australian species, not introduced or invasive species.
Be original – both with your subject choice and creative expression. Read the Conditions of Entry carefully.
Submit your entry via the online submission form
Age categories 8 years and under 13 years and under 18 years and under
All entry details, eligibility criteria, and submission link are available under “see and do” at:
https://botanicgarden.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/
Mia and Green Tree Frog Wild Heart 2024
LOCAL UPDATE
Big changes on the way for Queensland Property Law
The new seller disclosure scheme in the Property Law Act 2023 begins on 1 August, marking one of the most significant shifts to Queensland’s property law landscape in decades.
Under the new laws, a seller must provide key disclosure information and documents to a buyer before the buyer signs a contract for sale.
The changes are designed to clarify legal obligations for both parties through a more transparent sale process and bring Queensland into line with other states that have disclosure schemes in place.
The statutory seller disclosure statement sets out a range of information about the property for sale, including: title details encumbrances proposed transport infrastructure notices any notice of intention to resume the property land contamination and environmental protection matters under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 rates and water charges any relevant application or orders under the Neighbourhood Disputes (Dividing Fences and Trees) Act 2011
For instance, sellers of lots within a community titles scheme (such as apartments or townhouses) will have to obtain and provide a body corporate certificate.
Failing to comply with the new disclosure requirements may give the buyer a right to terminate the contract.
COMMUNITY
LOCAL UPDATE
GHOST STORES WARNING
The ACCC is warning consumers about the operators of websites allegedly misrepresenting themselves as local businesses, also known as ‘ghost stores’.
The ACCC is concerned that this type of conduct appears to be widespread, and that there are many online ghost stores in operation that may also be falsely claiming to be local boutiques and supplying poor quality products.
The ACCC is also aware of complaints about ghost stores refusing to provide refunds, or only offering partial refunds, to consumers who have complained about the inferior quality of the goods compared to the advertised descriptions, or not responding to complaints at all.
Ghost stores have been known to target consumers through social media ads and also tend to close and rebrand under new names, often using different Australian suburbs, towns or cities in their names to appear ‘local’.
“We urge all Australians to think twice before clicking on ads they see on social media which claim to be from a boutique business based in a local town or city,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.
“Often ghost stores will share an emotional story on their social media or website that they are a small, locally operated business, needing to close for financial reasons.”
“They will claim they are having a ‘closing down sale’ as a result, with all stock heavily discounted and available on a very limited basis,” Ms Lowe said.
“The websites often use a similar format to many other online stores, advertising high-quality boutique clothing at heavily discounted prices. However, when the product arrives in the mail, consumers report receiving cheap, mass-produced products that have been sold at an inflated price and do not fit their advertised quality or description,” Ms Lowe said.
Ghost stores sometimes use a name that is similar to that of a genuine local boutique, leading to competitive and reputational harm for those businesses
Signs that an online business could be a ghost store.
Source: ACCC © Commonwealth of Australia
NAMBOUR TIP CLOSES
MAJOR UPGRADE WORKS
A major transformation of the Nambour Waste Precinct is underway to sustainably manage our region’s future waste and support a circular economy.
To support this upgrade, the Nambour tip will be temporarily closed from Monday, July 28, to Sunday, September 7, reopening Monday, September 8.
During the closure, residents and commercial operators who usually visit the Nambour site are asked to please use the Buderim or Caloundra tip and resource recovery centres. Please use alternative facilities at:
Buderim Waste Facility – Syd Lingard Drive Buderim, 7.00am to 5.00pm 7 days per week
Caloundra Waste Facility – 171 Pierce Avenue Caloundra, 7.00am to 5.00pm 7 days per week
Make projects happen with Major Grants Funding
Do you have a great community project, event or idea, but need some funding to make it happen? Council wants to help!
Council’s Major Grants are a twice-yearly opportunity for not-for-profit organisations to apply for funding support to deliver one-off projects, activities and events that have broad community benefit.
Sunshine Coast Council Strong Community Portfolio Councillor David Law said Sunshine Coast Council’s next round of Major funding for local, not-for-profit community groups was now open for submissions and would close on August 25.
Where to start
Applicants can apply for up to $15,000 in all program categories with up to $30,000 available for infrastructure projects in the Community Facilities category. Co-funding contribution is required for amounts over $7,500.
Major Grant applications can be submitted in one of six categories:
Community Development
Community Facilities
Creative Development
Cultural Heritage
Economic Development
Sport and Recreation.
Support sessions
Grant drop-in sessions will help you with your application and to find the right grant to fit your community group project. No appointments are necessary – first in, first helped. Visit Council’s website for more details.
Thursday August 7, 9am - 1pm Kawana Library, 30 Nanyima St, Buddina
Thursday August 14, 9am - 1pm Nambour Library, Cnr Currie St and Bury Sts, Nambour
Thursday August 21, 9am - 1pm Maroochydore Library, 44 Sixth Ave, Maroochydore
CRACKDOWN ON ERIDERS, PARENTS
COULD BE FINED
Police are targeting illegal and dangerous use of e-scooters and e-bikes in the Maroochydore area under Operation Raptor Wheelie.
The operation, which will run until the end of December, has been established to conduct proactive high visibility and covert patrols targeting dangerous and illegal use of electric scooters and bikes to reduce the road trauma in the wider Maroochydore area.
With a large amount of illegal e-bike and escooter use committed by children, the operation will have a strong focus on educating parents around their responsibilities and the consequences they face when permitting their child’s illegal use of an electric device.
PROPERTY hello
Calendar AUGUST
Moon Walk for Our Moon’s Mission, Tickle Park Coolum, 9 Aug
Don't miss out on seeing Tom Busby (Busby Marou) and Australian Idol winner Marshall Hamburger singing for a cure, live in Coolum!
Cheaper Home Battery Scheme Explained, 5 Aug
Thinking about getting a battery but not sure what’s fact and what’s fluff? You’re not alone. That’s why we’re hosting a free, friendly info night to walk you through the real deal on the new National Battery Rebate. We are a local company with 15 years of trusted experience.
Tea, coffee, wine, beer, and snacks included Free Entry – Bring a friend!
Yandina Street Fair, Sunday 24 August
A family fun filled day with music, entertainment, great food, community and handmade stalls and amusements.
There is something for everyone at this years Yandina Street Fair.
COMMUNITY DIRECTORY
ARTS AND CRAFTS
Coolum Harmonies Choir 0403 013 555
The Coolum Women’s Shed thewomensshed.org
Coolum Men’s Shed 5319 3755
Coolum Theatre Players 0415 421 045
CHURCHES
Coolum Beach Baptist Church 5446 1957
Coolum Beach Uniting Church 5446 1815
St Peter’s Catholic Church Coolum 5443 3488
Anglican Church - Peregian 5449 8009
Coolum Christian Family Church 5446 1295
COMMUNITY GROUPS
Peregian Beach Community Assoc. pbcai.org
Coolum & Northshore Coast Care 0478 435 377
Coolum-Peregian RSL Sub Branch 0401 181 016
Coolum Civic Centre 5413 1416 Coolum Meals on Wheels 5446 1000 Quota Coolum Beach 0421 440 058
EMERGENCY CONTACTS
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE
Library (Wed 9am-12noon) 5475 8989
Noosa Civic (Tue 1pm-4pm) & 5440 7900 (Thurs/Fri 9.30am-12.30pm)
SPORT AND RECREATION
086
Beach Surf Club 0491 640 129
Boardriders coolumboardriders.com.au
Colts Rugby Leage coolumcolts.com.au
Cricket Club 0417 584 875
Tennis Club 0421 391 505
Beach Bowls 5446 1153