COMMUNITY A WELCOME NOTE
JANUARY 2025 | ISSUE 13
Happy New Grateful Year! COOLUM CPR AND FIRST AID TRAINING
Is January your fresh start a time to reflect, set intentions, and map out meaningful goals for 2025? Or do you see it as just another month, ready to take life as it comes? Personally, I’m a bit of both I enjoy setting realistic goals but also staying flexible enough to roll with the surprises.
For those who like to plan ahead, we’ve got you covered. On the right, you’ll find a downloadable calendar with School Holidays, Term Dates, and other key info for Queensland State Schools.
I hope you enjoy this issue and the stories and local updates we have shared.
We’d also love to hear from you! Whether it’s a story to share or details about an upcoming event, feel free to email: info@hellocommunity.com.au
Here’s to a wonderful year may it bring growth, joy, and exciting new opportunities!
Cheers to 2025!
Krys Krys Stedman
Hello Community Manager
HLTAID009 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
HLTAID011 Provide First Aid
HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an Education and Care setting
horizontraining.com.au
2025 Queensland School Calendar
COMMUNITY FEATURE STORY
PEREGIAN SPRINGS GOLF CLUB NEW GENERAL MANAGER
Peregian Springs Golf Club is pleased to welcome Brendan Russell as its new General Manager. Brendan brings a wealth of experience in golf operations and an impressive background in the sport, making him an excellent fit for the role.
Brendan’s journey in the golf industry began at Windaroo Lakes Golf Club, where he worked in golf operations from 1997 to 2004. He then pursued an exciting career as a golf caddie on the Japan Golf Tour and other international circuits between 2004 and 2016. During this time, Brendan immersed himself in Japanese culture, gaining a basic business proficiency in the language.
After returning to Australia with his family in 2017, Brendan explored a new path, working with National Australia Bank until 2019. However, his passion for golf drew him back to the industry when he joined Lakelands Golf Club on the Gold Coast. There, he excelled as Group and Events Manager, planning corporate golf events and food and beverage packages. His strong rapport with Chateraise Lakelands GC Pty Ltd, the owner operators of Peregian Springs Golf Club, paved the way for his new role.
In September 2024, Brendan relocated to the Sunshine Coast to lead the operations at Peregian Springs Golf Club. With a Diploma in Financial Planning and ongoing studies in an Associate Degree in Applied Business (Sports, Leisure and Recreation), Brendan combines professional expertise with a love for golf and recreation.
Outside work, Brendan enjoys the beach, driving, going to the gym, and watching sports.
Welcome to the community, Brendan!
Ryandidahighquality jobofrestoringour weatheredsun bleacheddeck....His priceforhighquality workiscompetitive... Heather Myhomehasbeen refreshedwithawhole housepaint...Ryanand LJcertainlyknowtheir craft...I’mhavingthem returntodothe exterior... Sue
GOVERNMENT UPDATE
AUSTRALIANS URGED TO SHOP AROUND FOR A BETTER VALUE ELECTRICITY PLAN
The ACCC is urging consumers to shop around or at least to contact their electricity provider to ask if a cheaper electricity plan is available, following a decline in retail electricity prices in 2024 that many households are not currently benefiting from.
More than 80 per cent of Australian households in the National Electricity Network (NEM) could move to a cheaper electricity plan if they shopped around or contacted their electricity provider, the ACCC’s latest electricity inquiry report has found.
Despite the price of electricity falling between 1 Aug 2023 to 1 Aug 2024, many households remain on offers priced above the government safety net price meaning they are missing out on lower prices.
Nambour, 1965
FILM FEATURE
Murder mystery series puts Coast on world stage
The picturesque Glass House Mountains are set to captivate audiences around the globe as the dramatic backdrop for a thrilling murder mystery intertwined with the breathtaking beauty of the Sunshine Coast.
The second smash-hit Stan original series of the acclaimed detective drama, Black Snow, is premiering this New Year's Day and promises to deliver a gripping tale and visual feast that highlights our region’s iconic hinterland.
Travis Fimmel, known for his roles in Boy Swallows Universe and Vikings, stars as Detective James Cormack in this new six-part series, which delves into the mysterious disappearance of a young woman from her 21st birthday party in 2003.
As Cormack investigates, he also searches for his younger brother, who vanished when they were children.
The first series, set in North Queensland, received a Logie nomination for most outstanding drama series and earned Fimmel two AACTA Award nominations.
In this series, Fimmel stars alongside cast members Kat Stewart (Offspring), Jana McKinnon (Bad Behaviour), Megan Smart (Class of ‘07), Alana Mansour (Erotic Stories), Dan Spielman (Bad Behaviour, The Newsreader) and Victoria Haralabidou (The Tourist).
Producer Rosemary Blights said filming in the Glass House Mountains was an incredible experience.
“Once we discovered the Glass House Mountains we knew we had discovered the heart of the story of Black Snow 2,” Ms Blight said.
“The mountains’ commanding presence provided a powerful and cinematic backdrop for season two’s compelling story and it was an incredible experience to film there.”
Black Snow 2 will premiere on Stan on January 1, 2025.
Scan Code to make a reservation, today!
GOVERNMENT UPDATE
GOVERNMENT PERMANENTLY LIFTS RESTRICTIONS ON HOME OWNERS RENTING ROOMS
The Queensland Government has boosted affordability for first home buyers, moving to permanently allow home buyers to rent out a room from day one without losing grants and concessions.
The policy is part of the Queensland Government’s Securing our Housing Foundations Plan which also includes abolishing stamp duty on all new builds for first home buyers.
Queensland Treasurer, Minister for Energy and Minister for Home Ownership, David Janetzki, said boosting affordability and supply was a priority for the Queensland Government.
“Treasury modelling shows this will permanently unlock restrictions on 20,000 Queenslanders a year.
“This helps make home ownership more affordable, helping young Queenslanders to get their foot on the property ladder.”
COMMUNITY
SAFE: WATCH FOR YOUR
MATES
Our coastline remains a favourite for beachgoers with more than seven million visitations each year, and conditions can be deadly if swimmers stray from patrolled areas.
Sunshine Coast beaches are patrolled by thousands of volunteer lifesavers and Council also funds a team of professional lifeguards who, together, work to achieve the aim of zero preventable deaths on our beaches.
The 2024-2025 season runs until early May 2025.
During the (2023-24) season, 7,256,261 people visited Sunshine Coast beaches, with lifeguards and lifesavers performing 666 rescues, 92,547 preventative actions and 5,289 first aid treatments. Tragically, five lives were lost: three men and two women, at locations including Maroochydore, Mooloolaba, Coolum and Mudjimba.
Lifeguards and lifesavers have renewed their call for everyone to swim between the famous red and yellow flags.
Sunshine Coast beaches are patrolled by volunteer lifesavers every weekend and on public holidays from 7am to 5pm during the summer season. This vital service supports lifeguard patrols which occur year-round
For more information on patrolled beach locations, times and conditions visit www.beachsafe.org.au
Australian Lifeguard Service QLD Alexandra Headlands
Scan Code to make a reservation, today!
COUNCIL UPDATE
The future is NOW for art and technology
The intersection of art and technology presents extraordinary opportunities for innovation and creativity, a concept at the heart of Sunshine Coast Council’s FutureNow: In and of a Place program.
Artists and creative technologists are invited to apply for a five-month creative development program supporting experimentation, collaboration and growth within the vibrant and evolving arts and technology sector
This opportunity is open to Sunshine Coast-based individual artists, or collectives, with a contemporary arts or creative technologist practice and a curiosity for playing with emergent technologies.
FutureNOW encourages artists, technologists and audiences to investigate the intersections of art and technology, with a focus on the Sunshine Coast.
Expressions of interest for the program close January 27 with successful applications announced February 3, 2025.
COMMUNITY UPDATE
Your invite to ‘wonderful opportunity’ to help turtles
As the first turtle hatchlings prepare to break free from their sandy nests, it's that time of the year when we all come together to clean up our beaches to help protect these tiny creatures.
To do this, Sunshine Coast Council invites the community to participate in the 11th annual Clean up for the Hatchlings event on Saturday, February 1, 2025.
Sunshine Coast Council is proud to host this event in collaboration with Reef Check Australia, SEA LIFE Trust and Noosa Council
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Saturday, February 1, 2025
Time: 6am beach clean-up, 8am to 10am thank-you event
Locations: Various beach locations between Noosa and Caloundra
Following the event, participants are invited to Coopers Lookout Park, south of the Kawana Surf Club, for a free barbecue, interactive displays and other fun activities.
The collected marine debris will be weighed and sorted to highlight the impact of our efforts.
This event will be single-use plasticfree, so please bring a reusable water bottle, coffee cup, gloves, enclosed footwear, and sun protection.
LOCAL UPDATE
ENTER NOW: SUNSHINE COAST ARTISTS IN THE FRAME
Entries are now open for one of the region’s most coveted art awards, the 2025 Local Contemporary Art Prize.
Artists from across the Sunshine Coast and Noosa are invited to enter their best 2D or 3D work for the opportunity to become one of 40 chosen finalists.
Finalist works will go on show in the exhibition at Caloundra Regional Gallery from April 11 to June 8, with winners announced at the official exhibition opening on April 10.
With a $35 cost for entry and a total prize pool of $17,000, including a People’s Choice category, the competition is a must for visual artists in all 2D and 3D mediums.
2024 Best in Show winner, Susan Schmidt
LOCAL UPDATE
GREAT OUTCOME FOR PROGRAM THAT GETS KIDS ROLLING
An initiative called RideScore has significantly increased the number of children riding and scooting to school in 2024
RideScore works by using Bluetooth sensors that send real-time notifications to parents and carers on the arrival and departure of students riding and scooting to and from school.
More than 2,600 students across 11 primary schools including Coolum State School and Peregian Springs State School enjoy the benefits of RideScore.
HAVEAGREATSUNSHINE
GOVERNMENT UPDATE
Future Women Jobs Academy 2025
The Queensland Government is inviting Queensland women over 40, who want to make a fresh start in the workforce, to apply for a place in the Future Women Jobs Academy 2025 cohort.
The Future Women Jobs Academy provides targeted, online training, mentorship, and resources to help women gain the skills and confidence they need to return to the workforce and achieve their career goals.
As part of their commitment to women’s economic security, and a strong economic future for Queensland, the Queensland Government is giving up to 250 women the chance to participate in Jobs Academy 2025.
Minister for Women and Women’s Economic Security, Fiona Simpson MP said it’s an investment that’s good for women, good for the community and good for Queensland.
“The gender pay gap is real, we know women retire with nearly 20 per cent less superannuation than men on average, and 30 per cent of women will need to rely on their partner’s income in retirement.
“By closing the gender pay gap, this Government aims to enrich our communities, strengthen our economy and build a more equal environment where everyone is valued.”
Future Women Founder and Managing Director Helen McCabe said the program –which is in its second year and completely free to participants – has been highly successful
Future Women Founder and Managing Director Helen McCabe said the program – which is in its second year and completely free to participants – has been highly successful.
LOCAL UPDATE
Outdoor fun awaits after seaside park’s makeover
A coastal park much-loved by locals and popular with visitors has received a $1.6 million transformation.
Lions and Norrie Job Park in Coolum Beach, well known for its local character and charm, has been revamped following three rounds of community engagement and a community-led new landscape plan.
This first stage of works for the Landscape Plan for Lions and Norrie Job Park included replacing the existing shelter, new barbecues and furniture, new fitness equipment and softfall, new pathways and pedestrian bridge, inground services, electrical infrastructure, drainage works, landscape works and signage
The timing of future stages two and three is still to be confirmed.
As part of the future stages and as one of the standout ideas from the landscape plan, Council is planning a pump track for the park. The pump track is set to kick off construction in mid to late 2025.
New fitness equipment at Lions and Norrie Job Park
More recreation space for our community to enjoy at Lions and Norrie Job Park
POLICE UPDATE
More than 1,000 breath tests done during road safety operation in Coolum Beach
Sunshine Coast police breath tested more than 1,000 drivers on 14 December as part of Operation Exodus, focusing on road safety through high visibility patrols, enforcement, and engagement with motorists.
The operation included static roadside breath testing sites at the YandinaCoolum Road roundabout where 13 people were charged with drink driving and over 10 traffic infringement notices were issued.
Coolum Beach Police Station Officer in Charge Acting Senior Sergeant Joel Bryant said these results were frustrating and disappointing.
“Driving a vehicle can be the most dangerous activity we undertake on a daily basis, and driving impaired by alcohol or drugs is an unnecessary and unacceptable risk to the safety of yourself and the wider community”, A/Senior Sergeant Bryant said.
“Driving impaired, including under the influence of alcohol and drugs, increases your risk of being involved in a traffic crash that could kill or seriously injure yourself, your passengers or other road users.
“I urge you to think of others and the trauma a serious traffic crash can have on your family, friends, witnesses and responding emergency services.
Coolum Beach police will increase high visibility patrols and enforcement activities to reduce road related trauma in our community.
LOCAL UPDATE
New arrival adds to Coast’s cyber-security arsenal
A national player in cyber-security has chosen the Sunshine Coast for its first base outside Canberra.
The arrival of Cybermerc – experts in detecting and protecting against threats –has further bolstered the Sunshine Coast’s growing reputation as a haven for innovation.
Cybercrime is one of that fastest growing crime types in Australia with hundreds of millions of dollars lost each year.
As Cybercrime reports continue to increase, our business community, with the support of Sunshine Coast Council, is leveraging the region’s world-class data infrastructure and local expertise to tackle the growing threat of data breaches.
In 2023, Mooloolaba TAFE launched its Cyber Security Training Operations Centre which has attracted numerous cybersecurity firms to the region.
The Sunshine Coast also became home to The Critical Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Centre (CI-ISAC), a not-for profit entity providing organisations with a platform to share intelligence on getting ahead of, and defeating, cyberattacks.
Adding to our region’s reputation as an emerging cyber-crime-fighting capital, the Sunshine Coast was recently chosen to host the second AGM for the CI-ISAC.
And now the region welcomes Cybermerc, a leader in providing cyber-security and threat intelligence solutions for small businesses, enterprise and government.
Cybermerc has five locally based employees and plans to create 10 new jobs on the Sunshine Coast.
The company opened its first office outside the nation’s capital on the Sunshine Coast, making the UniSC’s Innovation Centre home.
For more information on Project DFDNR contact Cybermerc by emailing info@cybermerc.com.
L-R Cybermerc founder and chief technology officer Paul Nevin, Project Manager Caitlin Sauza and Analyst Corey Neville
COMMUNITY AWARENESS
WARNING ISSUED ON SOCIAL MEDIA SCAMS, AS CRACKDOWN ON FAKE JOB LISTINGS CONTINUES
The National Anti-Scam Centre has renewed its warning about scammers lurking on social media platforms, as it continues a major clampdown on bogus job ads.
More people have lost money to social media scams than any other contact method in 2024, according to Scamwatch reports
Over 6,000 Australians have reported losing $58.3 million to social media scams in the first 10 months of 2024. Scamwatch data reveals the top scam loss categories involving social media this year are investment scams ($39.2 million), romance scams ($9 million), and job scams ($4 5 million)
Social media, as a channel to reach potential victims, continues to prove a gold mine for scammers said, ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe.
Ms Lowe said scammers seek to deceive social media users and steal their money
“They routinely take over or set up fake profiles on social media, messaging platforms and apps – and pretend to be a friend or romantic interest, a financial advisor, or a business offering an employment opportunity,” Ms Lowe said. “They learn a lot about you from what you share on social media and trick you into sharing personal information, which they then use to target you in other scams.”
like:
offering a way to make quick, easy money with little risk or effort advertising a job which requires you to pay for training or access to work tasks inviting you to enter a competition or limited time offer offering to buy something you're selling for a high price without seeing it first offering items for much lower prices than usual or compared to other sites saying they live overseas and can’t meet you in person.
Report any suspicious contact or activity to Scamwatch immediately. Your report will help protect others. And if you do lose money to a scam, you should contact your bank or financial institution as soon as possible.
Source: ACCC © Commonwealth of Australia
How to spot and avoid a scam Social media scams use common tactics
Calendar JANUARY
Free Sensory Sessions Fri 10 Jan, 10am-11am, Edge Early Learning, Peregian Beach
Join us for FREE monthly sensory sessions for babies and toddlers aged 0-2 years!
Food Truck Fiesta 2, Sunshine Coast Stadium, 8 January
Enjoy fantastic food, drinks, music, good vibes and family activities! An affordable and fun evening for the whole family! Just $2 entry and each food truck will offer $8 tasting plates. Enter Via Nicklin Way main entrance - 320 Nicklin Way, Bokarina 4575
Family Fun Day at Matso’s, Eumundi, Sun 12 Jan
WHAT TO EXPECT
Miss Donna–Balloon Artist 11am-2pm FREE Face Painting | 11am - 2pm
Christian Patey (Live Acoustic)12 -3pm
No need to choose between fun for the kids and a chill Sunday for yourself, we’ve got both covered.
Waterslide Day - Terella
Brewing, Sat 18 Jan
3 x inflatable Waterslides: Unlimited fun from 11am to 4pm.
Live Music: Groove to great tunes from 12pm to 3pm.
$10 per person for the whole day. Tickets available for purchase via the bar on the day
Dudes Thrifter Markets, 19 Jan
4pm - 7pm, Matso’s Sunshine Coast
Grab your brothers, husbands, friends, Uncles, Grandads and all the guys you know in your life + lets get them selling + buying pre loved!
Outdoor Movie - Shrek, Coolum Tickle Park
Sat 18 Jan
Bring along a picnic blanket and enjoy a movie under the stars! Screening commences around 6:30pm - as soon as the sun goes down. Come along to enjoy this free family friendly eventmake sure to come down early to get your spot in the park
Rite of Dance, 18 Jan, 6.30pm10.30pm,
Coolum Civic Centre
The new year doesn’t begin with resolutions; it begins with a single step onto the dance floor.
Rites of Dance is a conscious dance event designed to blend the energy of a club experience with a deeper, more intentional atmosphere.
Ocean Wonder - Art Workshop, Tewantin, Wed 22 Jan, 10.30am - 12noon
Ages 6 - 10 years
Learn the basic techniques used in watercolour to create a range of ocean themed artworks.
OZ Day Festival, 26 Jan From 10am, Banana Bender Pub
Get ready for Sunshine Coast's BIGGEST Backyard Family Bash this Australia Day with action-packed fun, fierce competitions, and true-blue Aussie vibes! - 30 -
Noosa Psyhic ExpoSunshine Beach Surf Club Sun 19 Jan, Gold Coin Entry
We will be showcasing over 16 stallholders, healers and psychic mediums to the Noosa Psychic Expo, all of which are present to ensure you experience an event to improve your health & wellbeing, to guide you spiritually and to inspire you to live a life of purpose
Pre-loved Designer & Local Clothing Market, 25 Jan, 8am11am, Coolum Civic Centre
Free Entry
30 stalls of quality pre loved clothing & toys. Women’s, men’s & kids. Free entry, low music, no chaos
PROPERTY hello
NOOSA FREE HOLIDAY BUSES.
BOOKKEEPING SERVICES
The Peregian Bookkeeper provides comprehensive bookkeeping services to businesses of all sizes. Our experts are equipped with the latest knowledge and tools to provide accurate and reliable bookkeeping & BAS agent services.
All our specialists are Xero certified advisors & Xero migration specialists
0434 270 898
admin@theperegianbookkeeper.com.au theperegianbookkeeper.com.au
CONTACTS
Editor:
Email: Web: Krys Stedman - 0427 707 333 info@hellocommunity.com.au hellocommunity.com.au facebook.com/hellocommunitymagazine instagram.com/hellocommunitymagazine
BOOKING DEADLINES
Feb issue: Mar issue: Fri 17/1/25 Fri 21/2/25
