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Rebecca Mugridge Travis Earsman
Tasker
Valuable Interactions
As the editor of a community paper which focuses on local stories, I am lucky enough to often meet a vast array of people across and down the Range. People who battle against the odds, or follow a creative calling or business dream, or want to give back to society, especially to vulnerable groups or struggling charities.
It makes me think – we hear so much negativity in the news and on social media, division, cruelty, intolerance, but in our everyday lives this is generally not the case. I mean, yes, there are moments when we experience the ugliness of some individuals, but overall…. how was your day, when you weren’t on your phone?
I thought I would do an experiment and write down every interaction from the previous day to see what transpired. I won’t go into full details, but aside from a couple of idiot drivers in a hurry to cause an accident, the day was peppered with smiles and conversations and great service.
Even waiting at the crossing, an older gentlemen turned to me and said, “If you press the button and hold it for seven seconds, it makes the lights change faster.” I smiled and thanked him for the advice. Even if it’s not accurate, he was talking to a stranger, hoping to be helpful, and I was grateful for the moment.
As I went to the checkout, I said I was happy to pack my own bags, and the cashier gave a big smile and said, “Thanks so much for helping”.
When I stopped for a coffee in my favourite tiny coffee shop, a lady beckoned for me to take the spare comfy seat at her table. We ended up having an illuminating conversation about her travelling life full of adventures, and sharing common ground.
In the evening, the band I am in played at The Front-Up Club in Maleny Lane, and people were dancing, smiling, ‘whooping’, and after our set gave us so much warm encouragement. And we were also cheering on the musicians before us and enjoying the glorious melting pot of talent. The collective warmth and joy was tangible.
So, where am I going with this? I think it’s probably obvious. If you are feeling hopeless, helpless or confused with the world, get off your device, get outside and interact in the community. Try an hour, three hours, a day even, without the news or social media – I bet you will notice a change in your energy and mood, because you are not being fed fear and hate.
Essentially, the majority of people are good, kind, and just want to love and be loved. Turn the pages of this HT if you need any further proof.
COMMUNITY The River School, Picnic Among Friends, Eumundi School of Music 14, 15 CREATIVE CUTS Music, shows, events and exhibitions 16 – 17
LETTERS, LEUNIG AND LIGHT RELIEF Letters, poetry, crosswords,
We are looking for locals with great stories to share for future features in the Hinterland
If you love writing and would like to write the story yourself, just email our editor with your idea for approval, and ask for our 'house style' guidelines. We can support you in creating a stand-out story.
If you would prefer us to write the story, please send as much information as possible and your contact details. Email: editor@hinterlandtimes.com.au
If the story is about a charity or group making a positive community impact, the HT would like to give a donation to the group/charity once the story is published.
COVER STORY
Cover photo: Ben Johnston and Jessica Huddart - owners of Mapleton Pub and Falls Farm
Photo: The Comms People
Louise
A celebration of bards, storytellers and poets!
Once upon a time, in the never-ending tradition of bards, storytellers and poets, two men decided to celebrate their late friend with a three-day festival of fabulous flights of fancy to enthrall all who bore witness to the magical incantations of this gathering of oral delights.
The men are Nick Grivas of Liquid Lyrics and Robin Archbold (Archie) of Sunshine Coast Spoken Word. Their late friend was Irish Joe Lynch, a word wizard much loved throughout the land, and especially in the mystical mountain village of Maleny, where his kindness and generosity with his gifts touched all who knew him. All three were blessed with the gift of wordsmythology from an early age and had honed their craft over many years.
This July/August, 32 of the finest spoken word artists from across the country will gather to joust over three entertainment-packed days for the Joe
Lynch Memorial Cup, a golden chalice brimming with glory and riches—2500 dollar-coins of the realm.
Nick and Archie also chose to hold a Charity Gala Showcase to raise funds for the little palliative care unit of the Maleny Hospital, so the good citizens of Maleny and their visitors could contribute to the well-being of the local community. There will be tales, tall and true, music to galvanise the heart and soul, and THERE WILL BE DANCING. Joe would have loved that, and his spirit will imbue the merriment of the evening.
Generous donors have made this festival possible—Founding Partner Hempscape, Major Partners Mountain View Café and Maleny & Hinterland Real Estate, Festival Sponsor Maleny Musical Festival, and Community Backers Tranquil Getaways and Maleny Hotel. Many thanks for their generosity and support for this community celebration.
Festival passes for all nine events can be purchased online, or for separate events, and tickets can also be purchased at Maleny Lane for the Friday night GOODFEST Poetry Slam, and at the Maleny Community Centre throughout the weekend.
Every event will be unique, with no repetition of material, so a Festival Pass offers 14 hours of heady, heart-felt entertainment for only $80. Early-bird Festival Passes are limited so calm haste is advised.
The GOODFEST escapade begin on Friday night, July 31 at Maleny Lane, and careers across the August 1-2 weekend to its magnificent climax on Sunday night at 6pm, where the inaugural Joe Lynch Memorial Cup winner will be crowned by Joe’s great love and muse, Ricky Lynch.
Visit goodfest.com.au for details and tickets, or scan the QR code on page 17 of this issue of your HT.
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by REBECCA MUGRIDGE
As families turn more than ever to childcare for their children’s social and personal growth, and to allow both parents to work longer hours, early childhood education has been under a spotlight more than ever before, bringing in a time of growth, exciting developments and research.
Local educator Simone Binnert recently had some very exciting recognition that came with an aeroplane ticket!
“Last year I won Centre Manager of the Year,” she smiles, a huge achievement as the Centre Manager for Community Kids Yandina Early Education Centre.
“It was just wonderful! Part of the prize was to go on the New Zealand Study Tour!”
And no one was more excited for her than the little children she works with.
“Being able to show them where it [NZ] was in the world, how long the plane ride was, what I ate on the plane,” she laughs, “that was wonderful.”
And the children had a lot of questions!
“How does a toilet work on a plane?”
“Did I get to fly the plane, did I go above the clouds, are clouds made of marshmallows and so many other great things. It was amazing.” The joy in Simone’s voice is palpable.
“I came back so inspired and couldn’t wait to share what I learned with the centre and the children, and just to share the experience.”
Simone was named G8 Education’s Centre Manager of the Year. The national award recognised Simone’s, ‘exceptional leadership and impact among nearly 400 centre managers, along with her consistently high
Simone Binnert (second from right) on the New Zealand Study Tour
performance across safety, team engagement, and learning and education outcomes’.
As part of this recognition, Simone joined fellow high-performing leaders on a G8 Education study tour, visiting early childhood education and care centres in New Zealand.
G8 Education Chief Education and Learning Officer, Ali Evans, shares, “Simone exemplifies the organisation’s values and commitment to excellence. Her commitment to children, families, and her team is both inspiring and deeply impactful.
“Recognising team members like Simone with opportunities such as the New Zealand study tour ensures our leaders continue to grow.”
Simone says it was wonderful to know all her hard work had paid off. It inspired her to go for a new job, and she revealed she is now a new area manager.
Her biggest tip for success?
“Find a mentor along the way, I have worked with so many amazing mentors. Especially in early education, it’s not an easy industry and easy role and career path, but there are so many rewards and obviously the growth within yourself.
“I started as an assistant educator and now I have worked all the way up to an area manager.”
Simone says she has always been drawn to working with children, and when you relish your work, it shows.
“I really enjoy working with children, they bring such light and love to our lives every day and I always really wanted to advocate for them too. I really wanted to hear their voices. They are little human beings that deserve the same rights as adults.”
The training, experience and education that early education workers now undertake is a lot.
“I think people might be surprised at how much goes into what we do every day,” Simone says.
“Not just how much effort and time educators put in but how much learning there is by us for the children. We are constantly learning; there is just so much training available to you. And we are reminded that 0-5 years are the most important years of a child’s life.”
Simone says winning the trip was a life-changing experience.
“We went over to New Zealand, to Child Space, did a tour and attended workshops. It was such a mindblowing experience.
“In New Zealand, they take a child-led approach where educators’ step back and supervise, but allow children to explore and experiment with taking risks, learning their own capabilities and other important developmental behaviours.
“This is something we stepped away from a little bit in Australia for some time,” Simone continues.
“To observe, not just jump in too quickly, and to allow risk and uninterrupted play, to see more children climbing trees and learning their own limits. This has
been a really big learning curve for me.
“One of my key takeaways was also the importance of continuity of care and the strong relationships that build from this, both for children and families,” Simone adds.
“It ensures children always have a familiar, trusted adult as their ‘safe person,’ which significantly supports emotional security and helps ease transitions.”
Simone thinks it is invaluable to have life experiences, like the study tour.
“Every country does things differently, and I really found we can learn so much from each other. Learning from other countries also means we are bringing back global skills and learning experiences to our own little communities”.
Simone says winning the trip was a life-changing experience
Simone (left by the tree) with fellow high-performing leaders on a G8 Education study tour
WHICH BUSINESS STRUCTURE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
A
i m
star ting a new business is the type of business structure that best suits your needs Issues that you should consider when choosing the suitable structure range from on issues of liability and how best to protect yourself and your business from liability to financial and practical concerns
1. Sole Trader
Assets and liabilities of the business belongs to the owner of the business –you As there is no fire wall between y o u r p e r s o n a l a n d b u s i n e s s a s s e t s y
d b e personally liable in all aspects of your business Some of the advantages are that this is a simple structure to set up and maintain; your retain effective control and as you are not an employee of your business you don’ have to make compulsor y superannuation contributions, pay payroll tax or workers’ compensation for yourself The greatest disadvantage is the unlimited liability which means that your personal assets are at risk should you be sued
2. Par tnerships
A par tnership is not a separate legal entity but rather an a s s o c i a t i o n o f
tog
activity with a view to mak ing a profit. The assets of the par tnership belong to the individual par tners jointly rather than to a separate legal entit y. The greatest advantage is probably that it is relatively easy and cheap to set up But again the main disadvantage is the issue of the joint and several liability of par tners In practical terms this means that should one par tner be unable to pay his or her share of a par tnership debt then the remaining par tner is fully liable for the whole of that debt despite any agreement to the contrar y bet ween the par tners
3. Company
A company is a separate legal entity and capable of owning assets it its own name The main advantages are that this structure has limited liability for its shareholders, it is a structure which is commercially well understood and accepted and there are many choices as to the distribution of profits and losses to the shareholders The greatest disadvantage is that it is expensive to set up and t o m a i n t
accountability obligations than say a sole trader Control of the company lies with its directors so this may or may not be a disadvantage
In Conclusion
As a guideline, the characteristics of a good business structure are flexibility so that the structure can cope with changing circumstances with minimum consequences to the business; minimisation of exposure to liability ; m i n i m i s a t i o n o f co s
distribution of profits and losses
Family Legacy
by CATE PATTERSON
Fourteen members of the extended Smith family now rest in Mapleton cemetery, with family matriarch Hannah Smith, great great grandmother to Colin Guy Thomas Smith, laid to rest here in 1901; it is a testament to their enduring legacy in the region.
It is fitting after a farewell, to remember Colin Smith’s life journey which began in Longreach, Queensland in 1930, and was marked by innovation, resilience, and a deep connection to his roots.
As the son of Henry (Harry) Smith and Edith Smith (née Quinn), Colin grew up on the edge of the outback, inheriting the values of hard work and resourcefulness that defined his pioneering family.
His daughter, Donna Klease of Mapleton, reflected on her father’s life and heritage: “Dad was always so proud of his family’s connection to Mapleton. He often spoke of his grandfather, Thomas Smith, and the courage it took to settle here back in 1889. He felt a real responsibility to carry on that spirit of innovation.”
Colin’s formative years were spent in Ilfracombe, where he and his sisters, Betty and Pauline, enjoyed simple pleasures, from family tennis matches to community dances.
“He’d tell us stories about growing up in the bush—how everyone pitched in, and how imagination was your biggest asset,” Donna recalled.
Colin Guy Thomas Smith, grandson of Mapleton’s original settler Thomas David Smith, was farewelled this week at Mapleton Cemetery, joining generations of the Smith family whose history is deeply intertwined with the town’s own.
A young Colin Smith at Ilfracombe
Colin Smith with his daughter Donna Klease in 2007 with the Well on Colin’s grandfather’s Mapleton property that saved Mapleton from the drought go 1891-2
After attending local schools and boarding in Rockhampton, Colin embarked on a diverse career that reflected both his adaptability and adventurous spirit. He worked on everything from electrifying the town of Ilfracombe alongside his father to pioneering road and dam building projects, and even survived a dramatic emergency landing in his own plane.
His quick thinking once made headlines when he raised the alarm during a fire in Ilfracombe’s general store, ensuring the safety of its residents.
Colin’s professional life later took him to Sydney, where he rose to senior roles in British Automotive Industries, Borg-Warner Corporation, and Windscreens O’Brien Glass. He was instrumental in bringing iconic blue and yellow colours to the firm—a detail still visible today.
Ever the innovator, like his grandfather, he later founded Pacific Export Services in Australia, establishing offices in all six states and spearheading new approaches to international business.
Colin developed a highly effective method for introducing Western products into the Japanese market, maintaining an apartment in Tokyo for thirteen years as he built vital trade relationships. His reach extended to the United States as well, with offices in San Antonio, Houston, and New Orleans.
With the expert assistance of Margaret, he successfully marketed numerous companies - some of which, such as Actil Bed Linen, Wyndham Wines, Wilsonart, Coopers Beer, Sleepmaster, Bush Pet Food, Polycane Outdoor Furniture, and Aussie Ben Pies, grew into multimillion-dollar enterprises.
The painting of Thomas David Smith and Bellville, his pioneer Mapleton home that Donna had commissioned for Colin’s 80th birthday
Colin was a successful businessman establishing Pacific Export Services
He was a devoted father to Donna, Karen, and Jeffrey, and a proud grandfather and great-grandfather.
“He loved that he and Margaret were called ‘The Greats’ by his grandkids and greatgrandkids. Family was everything to him,” Donna shared.
Colin’s philosophy on life was shaped by an old Irish-English saying: “You’re a long time dead.”
For him, it was a reminder to seize every opportunity and cherish every moment.
“Dad never put off what mattered—he made the most of his time, his relationships, and the experiences life offered,” Donna said.
From J l , significant changes to A stralia’s An Mone La ndering and Co nte r Terrorism Financing frame ork ill come into effect, directl impac ng the r
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Despite his global success, Colin never lost sight of his roots.
“He was always keen to retrace the family’s history in Mapleton,” said Donna. “It meant the world to him that his grandfather, Thomas, had been such a pioneer here. Dad liked to think he inherited that inventive spirit.”
Colin’s personal life was equally rich. He met his beloved wife, Margaret, in Sydney, and together they celebrated almost four decades of marriage, finding joy in adventure, travel, and family gatherings.
Colin Guy Thomas Smith passed away on January 25, 2026, in Dallas, Texas. On Tuesday, May 12, he was laid to rest at Mapleton Cemetery, joining his forebears in the place where his family’s Australian story began more than 135 years ago.
He is survived by his wife Margaret, his children Donna, Karen, and Jeffrey, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
In the words of his daughter, “He lived fully, loved deeply, and left a legacy our family—and this community—will never forget.”
Ke obliga ons ill incl de erif ing the iden t of b ers and sellers thro gh c stomer d e diligence processes, assessing the so rce of f nds sed in transac ons, and monitoring transac ons for s spicio s ac it If an agent s spects that a transac on ma in ol e illegal f nds or financial crime, the ill be req ired to report this to AUSTRAC, A stralia’s financial intelligence reg lator
For b ers and sellers in Q eensland, the changes ill likel res lt in addi onal doc menta on and iden t checks d ring propert transac ons. While this ma add an e tra step to the sales process, the reforms are designed to impro e transparenc and red ce the risk of the propert market being sed to conceal illicit f nds.
Passionate about people
Ann Wells is an anchor in her community, a port in a storm, and the person you know will keep the ship steady - and well stocked!
by LOUISE TASKER
At Montville’s Australia Day Breakfast in 2019, Ann and her now late husband, Chris Wells, were presented with the Montville Citizens of the Year Award. At that stage, they had for 12 years been operating the Montville IGA and contributing in many ways to the fabric of the Montville community.
Seven years later Ann is still working hard at keeping all the balls in the air, though now she does it without her beloved Chris by her side.
The team at Bald in La ers are a do n-to-earth, eas going, general la prac ce ho lo e assis ng people ith their legal req irements. Working from a Nambo r base ith an addi onal office in G mpie, e lo e to ncomplicate the legal jargon for o r clients.
Whether it is e plaining in simple lang age ho a Will orks or dissec ng a complicated famil la ma er. We also make con e ancing as simple as possible.
We're here to help and g ide o . O r fees are reasonable and fair. We do home isits on req est for clients ho cannot come into to n to meet s at the office.
We assist clients ith
Ÿ Wills, End ring Po er of A orne , and Ad ance Health Direc es
Ÿ Con e ancing
Ÿ Famil La
Ÿ Commercial la (leases, sale and p rchasing of b sinesses)
It is important to ha e o r Will c rrent and p-todate ith o r circ mstances. If o need help dra�ing o r Will to make s re it reflects o r ishes, contact s to assist o .
It is also er important to make s re o ha e a alid End ring Po er of A orne and o r appointment reflects o r ishes. We pro ide all o r clients ith a free Ad ance Health Direc e in hich o determine o r medical instr c ons hen o cannot erball pro ide them.
Ann knew Chris almost her entire life and they were married for 60 years. How they met is a bit like a fairy tale.
Her mother and RAF father were married in 1943, and Ann was born in Kent, UK. The marriage did not survive World War II and Ann, who was an only child, and her mother continued to live for several years with her grandparents.
When Ann was about three, her mother found work as a housekeeper in Surrey, a move which set Ann within Chris’s orbit and on a path that eventually ended in Australia. The new employer was Mrs Wells and she was Chris’s mother. Sir Henry Wells was a partner in the family Estate Agency business.
Ann remembers with great fondness those early years spent living with the Wellses. “There was so much freedom, I had the most wonderful time. Even now, I could walk you through the house and around the garden because I remember it so well.”
Ann and her mother in the early 1950s
Contact us at or admin@bald insla ers.com.a Visit us at Q een Street, Nambo r QLD Zasco Van Rooyen, Director .bald insla ers.com.a
Chris and Ann Wells
When Ann was nine, the big house was sold and the Wellses moved to London and she and her mother moved onto a farm near Ashford in Kent. Her mother and Mrs Wells continued to be good friends, so the families remained entwined.
Ann says her life in Kent continued to be sunlit. “Mum and I had a wonderful life. Of course, as a child you never remember bad stuff. In my mind, it is always summer and I was always in a summer dress. And I had wonderful grandparents with whom I spent all my school holidays.”
When Ann left school she became a legal secretary for the Church Commissioners for England, based in Westminster, London. She lived in Kensington with Chris’s family and their friendship blossomed into a romance.
Ann and Chris married in 1962, and they emigrated to Australia in 1963.
They landed in Adelaide and stayed there for nearly 40 years. Life was busy. Their two children were born and raised on a big property in the Adelaide hills, where Ann and Chris farmed cattle and sheep while continuing to run various retail businesses in the city.
“Our son Mark became an experienced horse rider and won many awards for eventing. We were surrounded by caravans, horse floats, gymkhanas and races and a community of horse lovers with whom we stayed friends after we left.”
Eventually, Ann and Chris felt it was time for an adventure, and in 2003 they decided to travel around Australia. They pulled up in Mapleton to visit family and went no further.
They had plans to retire, but instead they turned an old Nambour bakery into a café called The Bite, bringing with them the cosmopolitan ideas of Adelaide city. From here, they purchased the lease of the Montville IGA and began operating the business in October 2007.
In late 2013, the Montville Post Office closed. This was a huge blow to the community – not just for the residents but for the businesses as well. Fortunately, the IGA’s landlord purchased the little shop next door to the IGA, knocked the two shops together and the Post Office began its next life in March 2014, under the guidance of Ann. I’m curious about all the home-made foods in the shop. “I was already baking, but one day Chris said to me ‘we’ve got all these over-ripe tomatoes, I’ll need to throw them out’, and I said ‘don’t do that, I’ll make something with them’.
“I made a chutney and relish, then marmalades, and we had a stall at the Montville Markets. Then we brought them into the shop. Chris came up with the name AnnMade and it’s been called that ever since. The homemade foods in the shop are the most popular items we sell.” (Continued P10, 11)
SECOND SATURDAY OF THE MONTH
Montville Growers and Makers Market
- 12pm
Ann and Chris's first business in Australia, 1963, which they ran along with farming cattle and sheep
Passionate about people
Ann smiles happily as she tells me, “It was my best day when Shali called and asked if I was still looking for someone to help in the IGA and I said yes! I still remember exactly where I was when she rang – I was walking the dog.”
I ask Ann if she is still enjoying running the IGA. “Absolutely! After Chris died five years ago, it was my salvation and gave me
something to focus on. I have wonderful staff who are so caring and thoughtful. I’m very lucky to have this anchor in my life.” She continues, “My morning starts with walking the dog. We walk every morning – in the summer about 4.30am, in the winter around 5am.
“I then go into work. If I’m not working, I bake, knit and I’m a quilter. I make shopping bags which we sell in the shop. And I work in the garden.
Change
Bronze Employee Glassy Award 2020 for Ann Wells from Montville IGA X-press, pictured with Andrew Powell MP and Shiralee Cooper, the previous Montville Chamber of Commerce President
“Chris was the gardener and I would help with raking and tidying up because Chris was pretty messy. When Chris died, I said to the garden, ‘It’s you and me and you’ll either survive or you won’t.’ And it has survived.”
Ann is also very glad to have her son, Mark, living nearby in Brisbane with his family. Mark and Ann are very close and he is now a part owner of the IGA. He and his sons help with some of the bigger gardening work as it is required.
We talk about village life because Ann grew up in rural places and is very used to that particular kind of close community living. “I love living in Mapleton but my life is in Montville. Before the Nambour café, I worked in a couple of the Montville businesses which was great fun.
“I love the people here; there’s always something going on. One of the things I’m really passionate about is people. Having lost Chris, I know it’s not easy, when you’ve been with someone almost all your life, to then have to remake your life. I know how lucky I am and I want others to have that connection too.”
country. Just a tent and a four-wheel drive. We love Australia.
Ann really believes in village halls as a hub for community, a place where events are held and people can go along and meet other people. “I grew up in villages,” she says, “where the local hall played a key part in many aspects of village life. Whist drives, Beetle drives (Reader, I had to look that one up), dances.”
I ask her if anything has changed her perception of herself. Laughingly she says, “Growing up!”
We then spend time questioning what growing up means and both agree we don’t know. We feel that the word ‘grown-up’ should be banned!
Ann’s enthusiasm for life belies her age and her interests are varied. “I love films, live theatre, Australian novels, and Australian history. When we lived in Adelaide we travelled a lot within the
“I really enjoy music too, and I’m fairly eclectic in my music taste. We have the radio playing in the shop. The other day I was listening to a song on the radio and I started to do a little dance and I noticed a young man doing the same thing in another aisle. We both said how much we enjoyed that song. Music cuts across age and time.”
Ann says she was made by Chris and his family, in a very good way, because she was so young when she embarked on a life with him, and previously of course she had known them all as if they were family already.
“I have been so lucky in my life. My mother, Chris’s family, Chris and my own children. The people who work for me. The people I’ve had around me all through my life.”
Now, though, the ship she steers is all hers and she makes the most of it every single day.
Ann loves meeting so many different people in the Montville Post Office/IGA
Helping Aussies help themselves
Glasshouse Wealth celebrates its first year in Beerwah amid challenging times for Australians.
After more than 12 months operating from its Beerwah office, Glasshouse Wealth founder Chris Carlin (pictured) says the past year has reinforced the importance of quality financial advice and long-term planning.
An award-winning financial planner with more than 15 years of experience in financial services, Chris established Glasshouse Wealth with a simple mission: helping everyday Australians take control of their finances and build long-term wealth.
Located at 4/13 Turner Street, Beerwah, Glasshouse Wealth has quickly become a trusted financial planning practice for clients across the Glasshouse and Hinterland Region and throughout Australia.
For Chris, the past 12 months have been among the most challenging and unpredictable periods he has witnessed throughout his career.
"Australians have faced a lot of uncertainty recently," Chris said.
"We've seen ongoing cost-of-living pressures, rising interest rates, global conflicts including the war in the Middle East, and significant changes proposed through the recent Federal Budget. It's understandable that many people are feeling uncertain about what the future holds."
Chris said these events have highlighted the value of having a clear financial plan and receiving ongoing advice, particularly for retirees and those approaching retirement.
"When markets become volatile and headlines become overwhelming, people naturally become concerned about their savings and investments," he said.
"One of the most important roles we play as advisers is helping clients remain focused on their long-term goals rather than reacting to short-term events."
Since opening in Beerwah, Glasshouse Wealth has continued to grow, assisting individuals, couples and families with wealth creation, superannuation, retirement planning, personal insurance and investment advice.
While many of Chris's clients are approaching retirement or already retired, he remains passionate about helping younger Australians establish strong financial foundations early in life.
"The decisions people make in their 20s and 30s can have a huge impact on where they end up financially decades later," he said.
"At the same time, retirees deserve confidence that the wealth they've spent a lifetime building will continue to support them throughout retirement. Good advice can help provide that confidence."
Chris believes the key to long-term financial success remains unchanged despite economic and political uncertainty.
"There will always be another crisis, another market correction or another major news story," he said.
"But history shows that people who stay focused on
their long-term objectives and continue making good decisions are often rewarded over time."
As Glasshouse Wealth enters its second year in Beerwah, Chris remains committed to helping local families, established professionals and retirees navigate an increasingly complex financial landscape through practical, evidence-based financial advice.
"Good financial advice isn't about predicting the future," Chris said.
"It's about helping people prepare for it. Whether you're building wealth, approaching retirement or already retired, having a plan and someone in your corner can make all the difference."
Chris Carlin is the founder of Glasshouse Wealth, a locally owned financial planning practice based in Beerwah. Glasshouse Wealth assists clients across the Glasshouse and Hinterland regions and Australia with superannuation, retirement planning, personal insurance, investments and wealth creation strategies. To learn more, visit glasshousewealth.com.au.
From July 24 to August 2 The Curated Plate, one of Queensland’s leading food and drink festivals, will serve up its wide-ranging program, featuring more than 50 events stretching from the Sunshine Coast hinterland to coastline.
Festival Culinary Director Peter Kuruvita said, “We’ve already seen incredibly strong demand from people wanting to secure tickets early, particularly for some of our more intimate dining experiences and returning festival favourites.
“This year’s program really captures the Sunshine Coast’s evolving food story. It celebrates local producers and ingredients, but also the incredible cultural influences and creativity shaping the region’s dining scene right now.”
Delicious daysahead !
The 2026 festival program includes long lunches, chef collaborations, farm tours, live cooking demonstrations, producer experiences, family-friendly events and immersive cultural dining experiences designed to showcase the best of the Sunshine Coast’s food, farming and hospitality sectors.
Sunshine Coast Mayor, Rosanna Natoli, said, “The Curated Plate is a perfect way for the Sunshine Coast to share our story. Sensational food, magical encounters, fun and laughter - this year’s program is an open invitation for locals and visitors to experience the wonderful culinary adventures that make our region so special.”
offering a limited series of guided tours that take you behind the scenes of where it all begins.
Minister for Tourism, Andrew Powell said, “Queensland is the events capital of Australia and experiences like The Curated Plate are driving visitors to stay and play across our regions.”
The festival opening event is Island Fire, at Alsahwa Estate on Friday July 24, bringing together Sri Lankan cuisine, live performance and shared dining to mark the start of the Sunshine Coast’s annual food and drink festival.
Kuruvita, who is Culinary Director of The Curated Plate, will collaborate with Alsahwa Estate Head Chef Mal Meiers, reuniting the pair in the kitchen after working together previously. The event will also launch Alsahwa Estate’s Feast Chef Series.
Held in the estate’s gardens from 11.30am to 4pm, Island Fire will welcome 150 guests to an afternoon that blends food, fire and culture.
Hinterland-focused events include our cover stars Ben Johnston and Jessica Huddart - owners of Mapleton Pub and Falls Farm, hosting Good Soil: Farm. Table. Beast, where the gates are opened to The Falls Farm on July 26,
Led by their head farmers, these intimate onehour tours will walk you through the workings of a regenerative farm in Mapleton at its winter peak, from soil health and growing practices to the incredible diversity of produce coming out of the ground right now.
You’ll see firsthand how the ingredients featured across the festival are grown, harvested and cared for, and gain a deeper understanding of the connection between farm, kitchen and plate. Each guest will also receive a small takehome gift; a little piece of the farm to continue the story. (There’s also a Next Gen dinner at the Mapleton Pub on July 28.)
And on August 1, Spicers Tamarind in Maleny celebrates with the Sunshine Coast Asian Food Festival. Wander their 18-acre property and enjoy a vibrant food and drink trail of bold Asian-inspired dishes, curated beverages, and a laid-back, picnic-style atmosphere perfect for all ages. It’s an incredible day out to enjoy great food, live music, and the scenic beauty of the hinterland.
There are plenty more delicious days on the calender, from Yandina, to Kenilworth to Peachester, and down to the coast, so find out more and book tickets via thecuratedplate.com.au.
Mal Meiers, Thilakshi Sooriyagoda, Peter Kuruvita, Shyam Kottegoda are excited about the Island Fire event, at Alsahwa Estate, Palmwoods
The River School: Where Creativity Shapes the Future
At a time when many schools focus heavily on standardised testing and rigid academic structures, The River School offers a refreshing alternative that values innovation, imagination, and original thinking.
It stands apart as a place where creativity is not treated as an extracurricular activity but is woven into the heart of education itself. Its teaching practice is built on the belief that education should inspire curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.
Rather than relying solely on memorisation and traditional instruction, The River School embraces experiential learning. Students are encouraged to explore ideas through hands-on projects, collaboration, discussion and real-world experiences. Learning becomes
active and meaningful, helping children develop confidence, independence and critical thinking skills.
Teachers recognise that every child learns differently, offering small class sizes that allow individualised attention, with lessons adapted to each student’s strengths, interests and pace of development. This personalised approach creates an environment where students feel valued, supported and motivated to achieve their best.
The school’s philosophy also emphasises the importance of educating the whole child. Academic success is balanced with emotional well-being, social awareness and character development. Students learn empathy, resilience, communication and responsibility, qualities that are essential not only in school but throughout life.
A strong connection to nature and community further distinguishes The River School. Outdoor learning experiences and community engagement programs encourage students to see themselves as active participants in the world around them. Education extends beyond classroom walls, fostering a deeper understanding of both people and the environment.
The result is a dynamic and nurturing educational experience that prepares students for far more than examinations. The River School is cultivating thoughtful, capable and compassionate young people who are ready to meet the challenges of a changing world.
For families seeking education valuing individuality creativity The River School inspiring choice.
The River School supports a strong connection to nature
If we love, we will grieve
For generations, many of us have learned to experience grief quietly — to return home, close the door, and carry the weight of loss privately. But grief was never meant to be something we navigate alone.
Picnic Among Friends is an invitation to do grief differently. It offers a fresh perspective on loss by creating a safe and welcoming space where people can gather, remember, share stories, and honour the people they love.
Throughout much of human history, grief was communal. These days, we may come together for a funeral or memorial, there are often few ongoing opportunities to share memories, talk about our loved ones, and continue to acknowledge the impact of their lives.
Picnic Among Friends is a simple invitation to reclaim some of that connection. It is a space to sit alongside others and to recognise that grief is not something to “move on” from, but something we learn to carry with us.
Together, we can create a community where memories are celebrated, stories are shared, and an understanding that no one should have to grieve alone. Sunday, August 9, Bicentennial Park, Maleny (adjoining the Journey of Life Grief Garden). A Welcome to Country and a short, grounding ceremony will begin at 2pm.
Throughout the afternoon, there will be space for gentle, entirely optional participation, including instrumental music, thoughtful craft-making, a Memory Tree, and quiet corners for reflection.
Everyone is welcome exactly as they are. You are invited to bring along a picnic rug or chair, some nourishment, and a photo or memento of your person to place on the Tree.
Contact Bronwyn Lysaght at the Maleny Neighbourhood Centre on 0402 107 830 or via email at communitydw@malenync.org.au.To learn more about the broader movement of community-led endof-life awareness, you can visit the Dying to Know Day Website.
ESOM Music Director (and trumpet supremo) Jimmy Halliday says this year’s competitive audition process took place over several days at The Imperial Hotel Eumundi and drew in young musicians from all corners of the Coast.
“There’s some serious talent in the students selected this year – across all areas of vocals, keys, guitar, bass and drums,” says Jimmy.
Following the audition process, the teaching team formed “bands” from the successful students – marrying the skillsets and musical aspirations of the young musicians.
“We then held a wonderful gathering in Caplick Park Eumundi, where the students all came together, met their new bandmates and brainstormed band names,” he says.
Celebrating 10 years of music!
It’s 10 years since Eumundi School of Music (ESOM) began – a not-for-profit program that has now gifted mentoring and tuition scholarships to 300+ young rockers from across the Sunshine Coast.
ESOM was founded by five-time ARIA Award winning songstress Katie Noonan, and a team of passionate Sunny Coast professional musicians. The ethos behind starting the school was to ignite a passion and love of music performance in students who were already playing music.
Many of the school alumni are now professional working musicians and studying at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and Sunshine Coast University.
Watch out for Compass, Red Bin Chicken, Real Creations and Solidified!
Jimmy explains that the young musos have now been partnered with music teachers – all professional musicians – for individual lessons to fine-tune their craft before the band rehearsals begin.
One of the most exciting elements of the program is the Mini Festival concert with full professional band and production. The 2026 Mini Festival will take place on Saturday August 22 at the Eumundi School of Arts showcasing the 2026 bands, along with ESOM alumni bands and a well-known band or musician headlining the
“Previous headliners have included The Superjesus, Tim Rogers, Frente, Clare Bowditch, Alex Lloyd, Abby Dobson and Dallas Frasca, and we’ll soon reveal a very big name who’ll be headlining the concert this year,” Jimmy says.
Put the date in your diary to celebrate this milestone 10-year anniversary with a showcase of the stars of tomorrow.
ESOM is supported by Sunshine Coast Council, Regional Arts Fund/Flying Arts, Eumundi District Community Association, Experience Eumundi, Mooloolaba Music, The Imperial Hotel, Infinite Music, Rode Australia, Eumundi Rotary, Eumundi Historical Association, various local businesses, MP’s/ Councillors and a team of volunteers. More info eumundischoolofmusic.com.
(Pictured: ESOM Music Director Jimmy Halliday with keys teacher Kate Gadenne-Parsons)
BLOOMHILL CHARITY CONCERT
The Australian Doctors Orchestra (ADO) will convene on the Sunshine Coast for a long weekend of music-making culminating in a performance at the Events Centre Caloundra with all ticket sales profits donated to Bloomhill Cancer Care.
The orchestra will be conducted by QSO’s Huw Jones and feature past QSO concertmaster Warwick Adeney performing the stunning KorngoldViolinConcerto. The feature work is Brahms’ SymphonyNo.4 in E minor - full Romantic period orchestral magic!
ADO will also perform a short work written by local composers Kyan Pennell and Clifford Bradley. This work was developed using a theme written by young composer Kyan Pennell just before his tragic death aged only 12.
Kyan’s stunning lyrical theme was discovered by his parents in his composition notebook, and as they didn’t read music they put out a call via Facebook and ABC radio for it to be played for them. Musicians from all over Queensland responded with clips of performances on a huge variety of instruments.
Sunshine Coast composer Cliff Bradley spent many hours with Kyan’s family developing a deeper understanding of Kyan’s passion for music and expanded his theme into a short work for full orchestra, playfully titled Corvus Overture as a nod to Kyan’s deep interest in crows. Don’t miss out on this special event, with all ticket sales proceeds donated to Bloomhill Cancer Care. Sunday July 26, 2pm at The Events Centre Caloundra. Tickets via theeventscentre.com.au/event/ australian-doctors-orchestra.
PUPPETEER FESTIVAL CALL OUT
Led by Catherine O’Neill and the team at Little Big World Puppet Theatre, this enchanting Puppet Festival sets up in different Queensland villages every two years and is calling for established and emerging puppet performers, storytellers, and roving musicians for its exciting second year, with shows at the Maleny Theatre, October 24, 1030am-4pm. Have you ever dreamed of creating your own puppet production? If you are over 16, register interest now for workshops in Shadow Puppetry, Suitcase Theatre, and Crankie Theatre and be guided in creating your staging and performance and feature a show in the festival. Whether you’re an experienced performer, a curious beginner ready for a puppet workshop, or a musician this is your invitation to be part of a celebration of creativity, community, and storytelling.
Catherine is a theatre director, actor trainer, puppeteer and maker of marionettes, rod puppets and larger structure and is keen to share the world of puppetry in Queensland communities. “Puppetry has many forms - from a simple finger puppet to a carved wooden marionette, I want to share my skills in theatre making and puppet-making and inspire others to become puppeteers or makers of this enchanting art form.” Expressions of interest are now open — contact Little Big World Puppet Company and become part of the magic! Visit: littlebigworld.com.au (Pictured: Catherine O’Neill roving with Horatio.)
CURATED COLOUR
The Fibre Art and Surface Design Group continue to explore and push the boundaries of fibre to produce vibrant creative artworks. These will be on display in their exhibition Curated Colour, on show at the Atrium Gallery 5 Main Street Buderim, July 18-26,10am-4pm, free admission and parking.
Be entertained with artist demonstrations as well as coffee and cake available on the weekends. This exhibition will include large 2D and 3D works. The art works are a culmination of a year’s work where members have explored the concept of colour.
These unique results will be on display in the Atrium Gallery in Buderim during the Coastal Central Open Studios trail. (Pictured, some of the art group ecodying leather.)
MARY VALLEY ARTS FESTIVAL
As entries arrive for the 25th Mary Valley Art Festival two judges have been announced.
Director of Gympie Regional Gallery Kate Teed (pictured) will join New Zealand-born artist Brent Harvey in deciding who will win their share of more than $10,000 in prizes at the annual Imbil show.
Kate is committed to shaping regional galleries into thriving social and cultural hubs, and has served on a variety of arts and tourism boards at local and state levels. She currently sits on the Public Galleries Queensland board, advocating for public galleries across the state, and more recently joined the Cooroy Future Group board, the managing body of the Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre. Living in Cooroy, Kate is passionate about the stories and artists of regional communities, and is deeply committed to creating spaces that are accessible and engaging for all audiences.
Meanwhile Brent Harvey’s career spans several decades across Australia and New Zealand.
The contemporary artist has based himself from the Sunshine Coast since the 1990s. He has worked across painting, photography and digital media, and is known for his intuitive, expressive approach to image-making.
His work has been exhibited in Australia and New Zealand, and he has received significant recognition, including winning the inaugural James Hardie Wildlife Art Prize (1991) and being runner up in the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize (1994).
Entries for the Mary Valley Art Festival close on July 6 and artwork must be delivered no later than July 13 for the festival. The regional art event will be held July 23-26 at the Imbil Public Hall.
Highlights include the Best in Show Award, supported by the Gympie and District Community Bank, and a full program of events including the awards night on July 24 and Sunday artisan markets.
The festival has also attracted a new sponsor – the Silky Project, founded by Australian champion chainsaw sculptor Keith Gall. Keith has sponsored the 3D category, hoping to encourage artistic excellence and support emerging and established sculptors throughout the region.
Keith’s original Silky sculpture is an amazing 3D artwork featuring 21 native animals all carved into a silky oak stump.
His Silky Project is a community-based initiative dedicated to celebrating Australian wildlife, environmental awareness, creativity, cultural storytelling and regional communities. The organisation believes that public art can inspire conversations and is currently working towards creating a full-size bronze replica of the original sculpture.
The bronze artwork is planned to tour Queensland from 2030, with the long-term goal of exhibiting during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games before being permanently installed in the Mary Valley at Imbil, close to where the original silky oak tree once grew.
The Silky Project works with community organisations including the Tin Can Bay Men’s Shed.
Mary Valley Artslink acknowledges the ongoing support of sponsors, artists and volunteers whose contributions continue to strengthen arts and culture in the region.
Image Wendy (detail) by Sarah Sculley
WINTER SANCTUARY
From July 2-5, Long Listen Festival will launch WinterSanctuary, a new boutique fundraising initiative bringing together music lovers, artists, food, conversation and community across a weekend of intimate events throughout the Sunshine Coast.
Presented by Artistic Director Louise King and featuring acclaimed violinist Courtenay Cleary, WinterSanctuary is a curated series of musical gatherings set in some of the region’s most distinctive spaces, including a private house concert, Eudlo Hall, Roads Wine Bar Peregian and a six-course degustation long table lunch in the gardens of Bahche, Peachester.
Designed as an alternative to the traditional concert experience, audiences are invited to enjoy chamber music alongside shared meals, wine, storytelling and conversation in relaxed and welcoming settings.
“WinterSanctuary is about creating spaces where people can slow down, listen and connect with one another through music,” shares Louise.
“These events are intimate by design, bringing artists and audiences together in a way that feels personal, generous and memorable.” The weekend program explores themes of feasting, folklore, winter and firelight, featuring music by Vivaldi, Elena Kats-Chernin, Anne Cawrse, Ross Edwards, Betty Beath, Hildegard von Bingen, Katherine Rawlings, Stephen Chin, Kate Moore, Piazzolla and Saint-Saëns. WinterSanctuary forms part of Long Listen Festival’s growing fundraising program, helping support the sustainability of the festival while building new audiences, venue partnerships and donor relationships ahead of its 2026–2027 seasons. Events will take place July 2-5 across the Sunshine Coast, with capacities limited to preserve the intimate nature of each experience. Tickets and event information: collections.humanitix.com/winter-sanctuary
THE ADDAMS FAMILY
Maleny State High School students are bringing the weird, wonderful and hilarious world of The Addams Family to life in this year's school musical production.
A cast of 35 student performers, supported by a further 35 students working behind the scenes in lighting, sound, costumes, hair and makeup, hospitality and event management, have been working tirelessly since January to prepare the production. The musical provides students with valuable opportunities to develop practical skills, with many roles contributing towards vocational competencies and real-world industry experience.
In an exciting showcase of the depth of talent at the school, the roles of Morticia Addams and Uncle Fester have been double cast due to the exceptional standard of auditions this year. The production is directed by Shaun Norden, with Emily Crank as Musical Director, Ash Ebenezer leading choreography, and Rossi Moore overseeing sets and costumes. Maleny State High School's Concert Band will also support the live performances, creating a truly collaborative whole-school event.
Maleny State High School has developed a strong reputation for its biennial musicals, with the 2024 production of Shrek selling out. Organisers say The Addams Family is shaping up to attract the same strong community support. Food and beverages will be available for purchase on site before the show and during intermission, with doors opening 30 minutes prior to each performance.
Friday July 17, 6pm, and Saturday July 18, 12pm and 6pm, $30 family | $12 adult | $8 child/student via schoolshoponline.com.au at Maleny State High School.
(Pictured: Heather and Levi who play Morticia and Gomez.)
JAZZ AFTER SUNSET
The Jazz Sessions continues its celebrated concert series with Jazz after Sunset on Saturday August 22 at 6.30pm at the Buderim War Memorial Hall, bringing together emerging talent and contemporary Australian jazz excellence for an inspiring evening of live music.
The concert will open with the Glasshouse Country Christian College Jazz Band, whose energetic band performance will showcase the remarkable talent and enthusiasm of the next generation of jazz musicians.
Headlining the evening is Brisbane's Primetime Sextet, a hard bop ensemble led by saxophonist and composer Ashley Hutton, who recently returned from a three-month residency in New York City studying at the renowned Tribeca Jazz Institute.
Formed from a shared passion for the iconic jazz sextets of the 1960s, the ensemble draws inspiration from Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers and many of the legendary musicians who emerged from that influential group, including Freddie Hubbard, Benny Golson, Cedar Walton, Lee Morgan, Wayne Shorter, Curtis Fuller, and Vincent Herring.
Audiences can expect an evening rich in musical expression, featuring everything from vibrant big band sounds to the driving rhythms, sophisticated improvisation, and timeless appeal of hard bop jazz.
For ticket information and bookings, visit thejazzsessions.com.au
Letters
Pride before a fall?
To the Editor,
Recently, I was reminded in the most painful way of the importance of accepting help when it is offered—especially for those of us in our senior years.
When the grocery attendant kindly asked if I needed a hand out to my car, I waved them off, replying, “I’ll be right.” I believed, as so many of us were taught growing up, that self-sufficiency was a virtue. I believed I could manage, as I always had.
I was wrong. Just moments after leaving the store, I tripped on the footpath and fell. Within seconds, at least four people rushed to my aid—including an off-duty paramedic who just happened to be driving by.
Had I simply responded with the two little words, “Yes, please,” none of this need have happened. Instead, I endured an ambulance ride to Nambour Hospital, hours of paperwork, and the attention of ten medical staff cleaning and stitching my wounds, taking X-rays, and making sure I was alright. All of this could have been avoided if I had accepted the help so kindly offered.
If someone asks if you need help, it is likely because you look like you do. Accept that offer. Be gracious. Our generation prides itself on independence, but when your balance is not what it once was, when your feet are less steady, and the ground ahead is uncertain, there is no shame in saying, “Yes, please.” In fact, there is wisdom in it.
I urge my fellow elders not only to accept help when it is offered, but also to ask for it when they need it. By doing so, you can prevent unnecessary accidents, pain, and the disruption that follows. Let us be proactive in looking after ourselves by allowing others to assist.
Yours sincerely, Les Gittins
Crossword
LETTERS, LEUNIG AND LIGHT RELIEF
Relax, read a few letters, enjoy a crossword and cartoon, and maybe put pen to paper (finger to keyboard) yourself! We would love you to share your thoughts and experiences with us and HT readers. Email: editor@hinterlandtimes.com.au, and please include your name, email/address and location. Letters may be edited a little if space is tight. As we are a monthly, please be aware we are unable to print date-sensitive letters.
Telltale signs
I read with interest Editor Victoria McGuin's comments on Artificial Intelligence in the June edition. I can't pick the obvious like she can but now I try to avoid using telltale signs she mentions.
To try to educate myself I attended a seminar on AI. I found the seminar particularly interesting and informative and noted the active participation by some attendees.
However I was disappointed in one aspect: there was some lacking in the Intelligence section and that lack of Intelligence was coming from me.
Ian Pollock, Witta
June paper a winner
My husband and I are so impressed by your June paper. GREAT editorial, Victoria, extremely well expressed.
Cartoons are very apt, and I’m keeping all the above plus valuable articles in the ‘Holistic’ section.
The Hinterland is well served with you on board.
C M
Susan
Creating a brittle society
Pauline Hanson’s first appearance at the National Press Club as a National Leader was interesting and informative.
She clearly established what she did not like or believe in. The list was quite long and included: Multiculturalism, Reconciliation, Migrants, Gays and Lesbians, Greedy Workers and their Unions, Human Rights, Political Correctness, the ABC and SBS.
Bad Jokes of the Month
A man walks into a shop and sees a cute little dog. He asks the shopkeeper, "Does your dog bite?"
The shopkeeper says, "No, my dog does not bite."
The man tries to pet the dog and the dog bites him. "Ouch!" He says, "I thought you said your dog does not bite!"
The shopkeeper replies, "That is not my dog!"
1 Cloudy (8)
5 Performance by one actor (4)
9 Unfasten (5)
10 Sterile (7)
11 Environment (12)
13 Constructs (6)
14 Emperor of Japan (6)
17 Areas of commonality (12)
20 Attributed to (7)
21 Call forth (5)
22 Flat and smooth (4)
23 Short film (8)
1 Burden (4)
2 Choose and follow (7)
3 Pay tribute to another (12)
4 Sculptured figure (6)
6 Many times (5)
7 Particular event (8)
8 Female school boss (12)
12 Sweat (8)
15 Organic solvent (7)
18 Hold gently and carefully (6)
19 Acer tree (5)Meat from a calf (4)
Quick Quote
“All things are connected like the blood that unites us. We do not weave the web of life, we are merely a strand in it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.”
— Chief Seattle
The list of what she did like or believe in was much shorter and included: Monoculturalism, Housing for Everyone and Supporting the ‘Bosses’ being exploited by those greedy workers.
She even indicated how she would address some of these. She would stop migration, reform Industrial Relation Laws to curb workers rights to protect business rights, get rid of government agencies protecting human rights and gender equality, impose a subscription charge to use the ABC and get rid of SBS all together. (I hope you are enjoying its coverage of the World Cup.)
It’s not clear what she would like to do about the problems of First Nations People, Migrants and Gays and Lesbians.
Nor is it clear how she intends to somehow replace multiculturalism with monoculturalism and what she thinks monoculturalism exactly is.
I’ve been trying to think of historic examples of monoculturalism. Most involve small isolated communities in places like Papua New Guinea, the Central Americas and South East Asia. In every case, these did not survive trade with and colonisation/ invasion of stronger cultures.
In today’s modern world dominated by telecommunications, monoculturalism can be little more than a theoretical concept, so I’m curious exactly what Pauline has in mind for a future Australian culture, but without SBS and a viable ABC, it could be a very narrow interpretation of traditional ‘Australian Culture’.
However, at least we now know her priorities and the general direction that she would like to take Australia in.
Doug Patterson
Monoculture doesn’t work
This letter is with regard to the recent travesty of a speech from Pauline Hanson at the National Press Club, which incidentally has some ‘interesting’ groups funding it, pushing for a monoculture in Australia.
A poll in 2025 by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) suggests that 75 per cent, a LARGE majority of Australians, accepted that multiculturalism was good for society.
Australia's First Nations people come from hundreds of different language, social and nation groups. The British settlers who came after 1788 came from different classes, ethnicities and religions. We have never had a monoculture here.
I understand that monoculture was originally a farming term, describing planting a single crop species across the same land, season after season. In the short term it can produce a high yield. But a single crop strips the same nutrients from the soil year after year until the land is exhausted, and wipes out the insects and pollinators that a mixed planting would support.
It leaves the whole crop vulnerable to disease and an entire harvest can fail at once, because nothing was different enough to resist what wiped out the rest.
The same pattern holds, taking monoculture into a society. A single set of values, one language, a single way of dressing, eating and worshipping, has no capacity to adapt, no reserve of different ideas for when circumstances change and no resistance built from variety.
Monoculture is another name for assimilation. It's another name for racism. To suggest that cultural pride is somehow incompatible with belonging here is wrong, and Pauline’s comments are insulting to millions of Australians who hold both.
It brings to mind a quote (and warning bell) I read by US Vice President Henry A. Wallace from 1944: “A fascist is one whose lust for money or power is combined with such an intensity of intolerance toward those of other races, parties, classes, religions, cultures, regions or nations as to make him ruthless in his use of deceit or violence to attain his ends.”
Pauline Hanson pretends to be for the working people, but she is working for the elite, the super rich, and no-one else. It’s been regularly published and shown that fake accounts/bots and bloggers are being used to flood social media with their pro-Pauline content. An attempt to warp reality, and to create division, and a diversion from who is really stuffing things up for the average Joe (once again, the oligarchs).
I only hope people see through their lies and manipulation before it’s too late. Just look at the chaos, cruelty and misery Trump’s administration is causing - we don’t want that here!
I do believe that people coming to live here should respect our values, and also believe those spreading hate/inciting violence should be sent back to their original country, but the vast majority of migrants are NOT LIKE THIS.
We are a laid-back, loving multicultural country, with humour and giving everyone a ‘fair go’ at our core. Let’s keep it that way.
Lucy B, Woombye
Unscramble the letters in the shaded squares to reveal a themed word:
Poets
AWARENESS
In blue winter sky Wedge-tailed eagle appeared. Stretching wing tips, circlingsearching thermals, gliding. Entranced, she watchedremembering.
Her mother had an eagle once. A silver eagle, worn on mohair coat lapel. A totem - a symbol. Alert eyes, ever searching, Wings extended, ever wider, Soaring, climbing, ever higher.
I think of family as a living jigsaw in a great, big box. Everything in order, sitting pretty and much valued. Separately, depending on others, like building blocks And, with each fragment, the whole of us continued.
Although bits were rearranged, it still looked like Us. Friends and colleagues might cause some movement But the picture gradually returned to our ordinariness. Life continued despite what changes might present.
Until the container broke. Pieces scattered everywhere. Frantic scrabbling and searching failed to find them all.
I’m searching for an important person, lost somewhere, So the completed picture can again be the Us I recall.
Every homeless cat and dog that comes into the care of 4 Paws Animal Rescue is given the same promise: new life.
Neeko the Pomeranian, may be 10 years old and living with medical issues, but the tiny senior still has plenty of love and life left in him.
He’s one of more than 100 cats and dogs supported through 4 Paws Animal Rescue’s Permanent Resident Program, created for animals who may otherwise struggle to find a home.
Neeko came into care with a luxating patella and a collapsing trachea –conditions that can see dogs overlooked through traditional adoption models.
“Dogs like Neeko are exactly why we created the program,” said 4 Paws patron Ashley Robinson.
“Senior animals or those with medical or behavioural challenges are often the ones who wait the longest. Too often, they’re passed by simply because they need a little extra support. This program gives them the chance to experience what every animal deserves – love, safety and a family.”
life, helping foster carers open their homes to vulnerable animals.
Neeko has found his happy ever after, but other dogs and cats are still waiting for a family to call their own. As a 100% volunteer run, foster based rescue, 4 Paws relies on community support to continue changing the lives of vulnerable animals across the Sunshine Coast
To help continue programs like this, 4 Paws Animal Rescue is preparing for its annual Santa Paws in the Park fundraiser on July 19 at Lake Kawana.
WhenIn the Wild
Low
it comes to re-establishing native vegetation, we tend to concentrate on the planting of trees and shrubs and if we’re lucky maybe a few Lomandra. But to truly re-establish a diverse ecosystem we must help establish all the groundcovers too such as grasses, herbs, small shrubs and ferns.
Groundcover plants are crucial in providing a safe home for ground based animals such as skinks, frogs, snakes, bush rats, antechinus and of course a whole host of insects (don’t say yuk, think of them as bird food!).
They are also crucial in providing the food resources such as seed, fruit, leaf and tubers to everything from birds, butterflies and beetles right through to wallabies and kangaroos (if you’ve got a really big backyard).
Groundcover plantings can be very rewarding for you if you love your native fauna because they can be very rich in the resources
The family and dog-friendly event will introduce a new community walk and feature Santa Paws favourites, including market stalls, food trucks, dog competitions, raffles and Santa photos, all raising vital funds for rescue animals across the Sunshine Coast.
More information about fostering, adoption and supporting vulnerable animals is available on the 4Paws Animal Rescue website: 4pawsanimalrescue. org.au.
As for this month’s adoption profile, meet Winnie and Eddie. At just three years old, Winnie and Eddie are a very bonded pair searching for a family willing to open their heart and their home to both of them.
Winnie, the sweet Cavoodle and Eddie, the handsome Cavalier adore each other’s company and bring out the best in one another. They enjoy their daily walks and will follow you around the house supervising your daily activities.
These boys are everything you could want in young and healthy dogs. House trained, affectionate and with very good manners, they’ve settled in quickly to foster care. However, they need a
They have lovely temperaments, thrive on companionship and would make wonderful additions to a home with kids over 12 or a couple/individual looking for twice the love.
They are dog friendly, but untested with cats. Because of their strong bond, they will only be adopted together. In return, you’ll gain two devoted best friends who are ready to fill your home with loyalty and love.
If you’re able to offer this gorgeous duo the forever home they deserve, please complete an adoption application form from the 4 Paws Animal Rescue website, 4pawsanimalrescue.org.au.
they provide and in effect act like a magnet for native fauna in your area!
Planting native groundcovers in your own backyard (as well as trees and shrubs) is often even easier than in large revegetation projects, because the small plants are vulnerable to weed competition and your input with mulch and weeding can be vital in establishing native groundcovers.
Control of groundcover weeds is crucial while establishing native groundcovers, for example lawn grasses such as couch, carpet grass and kikuyu need to be eliminated and subject to ongoing control through blanket mulching and or weeding. Once well established though, native groundcovers can outcompete and shade out the weeds.
The great thing about many groundcovers is that they are easy to grow yourself by either directly transplanting around your garden or establishing in pots to plant later. Plants such as Native Violets (Viola banksii), Pennyroyal (Mentha
sp.), Creeping Beard Grass (Oplismenus spp.) and Pollia (Pollia crispata) are just a few of our local native groundcovers that you can propagate easily through cuttings and runners.
Native grasses such as Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra), Barbed Wire Grass (Cymbopogon refractus), Native Sorghum (Sarga leiocladum) and Poa (Poa labilardieri) are easy to grow from seed or transplant as seedlings. All the plants listed above are available at times through Forest Heart ecoNursery.
Our place is buzzing (or should that be tweeting) with a huge diversity of small birds at the moment, including Red Brow Finch, New Holland Honey Eater, Golden Whistler, Red Backed fairy Wren, Lewin’s Honey Eater, Whip Birds and many more.
None of our plantings are much older than 18 years, but the dense plantings of groundcovers and low shrubs near the house provide home and food for these little critters and so many more.
with Spencer Shaw
Winnie and Eddie hope to stay together forever
by JAMIE WALKER
Wescarpments; in the other, grassland under scattered tree cover, stretched away to a far distance of low, earth-coloured hills, overlaid with purple haze. Here and there were yellowflowered Kapok bushes, red-blossomed Woolly Butts, 0range-fruited Quinine, brown termite mounds and the bulks of Boab trees (looking “upside down”). This was the savannah of the Kimberly.
To many of us living on the developed east coast, the farther reaches of this country can seem like another world. There, land holdings may be measured in millions of acres, a cattle station might be as big as Belgium and having your own airstrip is a vital necessity which enables interaction with family and the outside world – and could even save your life.
drinking sites set out in wide dishes at ground level – and that is where, despite noisy human presence, two beautiful Spinifex Pigeons scuttled to within three metres of my feet, for a much-needed drink.
A first light walk from our accommodation on a cattle station, revealed a world of endless movement and bird song. I found Agile Wallabies and unfamiliar birds like Yellow-tinted Honeyeaters, Pallid Cuckoos, White-winged Trillers, Diamond Doves and Red-tailed Black Cockatoos.
Thanks to dryness and warmth, evening meals were often taken outside: the light from the decking just picking out the branches of nearby trees. It was on one of these that a Boobook Owl sat for moments as we ate. It seemed to be watching us out of simple curiosity.
Other night experiences were just as graphic as those in the daytime. Skies were wiped clean of cloud and haze. There was no ambient urban light and, around a blazing fire in the first hour of darkness, the Milky Way was like a scattering of talc as we were treated to the illumination of both Venus and Jupiter.
There are some who look at undeveloped land and see only a potential for exploitation of those resources demanded by the economies of the modern world. Yet, if you explore it and see it for what it is, you can understand that its real potential is already on clear display: in itself it is emphatically a resource to nurture our wellbeing.
to be impressed.
deep coughing sounds like the
About
That Tree
with Tree Surgeon Tony Wootton, our local arborist and author, meeting the Hinterland's tree needs since 1996
Ioften talk about big trees and the risk of them falling. and the dangers associated with having large trees on your property, but in this edition I would like to talk about tree roots.
Roots of the tree can become an issue when they are planted too close to buildings and other infrastructure, such as driveways.
Installing root barriers can help mitigate the problem, but it is a fairly expensive and painful process that can easily be avoided by properly choosing the right tree for the right spot.
Tree roots will lift building foundations and crack driveways, and hunt for water in underground pipes like sewage pipes, greywater pipes, and domestic water pipes.
Wet Feet II
Last month we spoke about how we can repair and improve biodiversity in areas that remain wet by using sedges and rushes. While the species in this layer form the core of our wetland plants, there are many other local species that appreciate wet feet which can form the other layers in the system.
Shrubs for wet areas feature some of the most beautiful and instantly recognisable of our local area and can be used in the smallest of spaces.
Starting at the smaller end is the stunning Thyme Honey Myrtle, the smallest of the local Melaleuca species growing to around a metre tall and featuring large purple flowers attracting a diversity of native bees.
Water is a big draw for Kimberly birds – especially in the evening after a day’s heat. A homestead we visited, had
For something a little larger but equally at home in the wet is Melastoma malbathricum, commonly called Bluetongue due to the colour it stains your tongue after eating the delicious fruit. Bluetongue puts on a display of large pink flowers throughout the year.
Also in this size range is the iconic Banksia robur or Swamp Banksia. A beautiful banksia with huge leathery leaves and large flower spikes providing an important food source for many species of birds and insects.
For those with a little more room in their wet area, there are several larger species to fill the middle and canopy layers. These include other Melaleuca species like Weeping and Willow Bottlebrush, the Large-leaved Cheese Tree, Creek Sandpaper Fig and at the largest end the impressive Eucalyptus robusta or Swamp Mahogany, of which excellent examples can be found at the northern end of the range around Mapleton.
These are just some of the local plants we can use to restore biodiversity in areas that hold water. If you’d like to learn more and see some of these species growing, please visit us at the Barung Community Nursery. Happy planting!
The problems associated with tree roots can vary from species to species. Fig trees are particularly aggressive when it comes to hunting down underground water supplies, such as domestic plumbing pipes.
The Blue Quandong tree roots present other issues, because they are buttress roots and they radiate out from the trunk, much like the way the legs of a starfish radiate out from the centre.
These buttress roots can take up a huge area and once they encounter a building, they grow around it, but then they start to compress it as they grow, in much the same way that a carpet python slowly constricts its prey.
The way that fig trees have almost completely engulfed the temples in Cambodia also springs to mind. So be aware of what trees are near your home, and where you are planting trees in relation to your domestic pipes!
The Australian Bustard is a magnificent
Spinifex Pigeon - image Paul Fraser
HOLISTIC HEALTH AND WELLBEING
A PAIN IN THE BACK!
The Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA) has released new national survey data which reveals that 86.7% of Australian women suffered back pain in the past 12 months.
Of those women afflicted 57.5% experienced mental fatigue, 54.8% reported it added to their mental load, and 47.6% experienced a moderate-to-extreme mental health impact as a result of back pain.
The survey also highlighted spinal health issues in the context of family households revealing that back pain extends well beyond individual sufferers affecting 9.7 million Australian households (89.7%) with respondents reporting that in 5.4% of households a child under 18 is also living with back pain.
ACA Women In Chiropractic Chair Dr Ali Young said, “Although it’s well documented that back pain and mental health conditions are linked and can cause an impaired quality of life, the survey data is unambiguous with women suffering from back pain reporting higher rates of mental exhaustion, sleep disruption, depression and mental load compared to men; and were less likely to have sought diagnosis or professional treatment.
“With 53.7% of women suffering back pain reporting they’ve never sought a formal medical diagnosis, saying the barrier is partly financial; 49.7% of women said the cost of living has prevented them from seeking treatment which
Comprehensive denture services direct to the public
Aaron Pryor
Dental Prosthe st and O ner 4/66
“The survey results should prompt a serious national conversation about how women can improve their spinal health because back pain is not just a musculoskeletal problem; it incorporates mental health, equity and quality-oflife issues that deserve far greater attention," she said.
“With numerous studies finding people living with chronic back pain are at heightened risk of experiencing mental health problems including a study by the International Association for the Study of Pain (2021), the significantly high number of women reporting chronic back pain is concerning,” Dr Young continued.
"Women are managing back pain alongside the mental, physical and financial demands of family life with the data showing the combined load is substantial.”
“With back pain posing a major public health burden impacting millions of women across Australia and longterm chronic back disorders projected to cost the Australian economy an estimated $638 billion in lost productivity over the next decade; greater awareness of the back pain burden women carry, early intervention and improved affordability would make a meaningful difference to the health and wellbeing of Australian women and their families," Dr Young concluded.
Women are encouraged to access free spinal health resources, practical guides and information for families and schools at spinalhealth.org.au to improve their spinal health and overall wellbeing.
RETURNING TO WHO YOU ARE
Along the coastline, stories of Selkies have been told for generations. In Celtic mythology, the Selkie is a seal who sheds her skin to walk on land, often becoming separated from the sea and forgetting the way back to herself. It is a story that resonates deeply with the lives of many women today.
“For me, the Selkie symbolises the therapeutic journey of returning to who you are beneath the layers of stress, survival and disconnection,” says Bec Combs, founder of Selkie Counselling & Psychotherapy.
“As women move through life, they often find themselves responding to the needs of others – raising children, nurturing relationships, navigating careers, caring for family and carrying the invisible emotional labour of daily life.
At Selkie Counselling & Psychotherapy, Bec sees therapy as a process of remembering who you truly are and returning.
As a PACFA-registered counsellor with a Master's in Gestalt Therapy, she offers a warm, relational and traumainformed space where women can slow down, deepen awareness and reconnect with themselves.
Bec works with individuals, couples, children and teens navigating anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, relationship difficulties, life transitions, burnout, motherhood, and experiences of disconnection or overwhelm.
“In the process, parts of themselves can become hidden beneath expectations, responsibilities and the relentless pace of modern living. What once felt instinctive, creative and alive can become distant or difficult to access.”
“In Women Who Run With the Wolves, Clarissa Pinkola Estés writes about the importance of reclaiming our authentic and instinctive nature. She reminds us that the feminine psyche longs to be remembered.
“Like the Selkie searching for her seal skin, many women arrive in therapy sensing that something essential has been lost, yet knowing there is a deeper part of themselves waiting to be rediscovered.”
Bec's approach supports people to explore their experiences with curiosity, compassion and greater understanding. Grounded in Gestalt therapy, her work is not about fixing what is wrong. Instead, it is about bringing awareness to what is present and welcoming back the parts of ourselves that may have been silenced, abandoned or forgotten.
Through greater awareness, these parts can begin to integrate, softening internal conflict and creating space for greater wholeness, resilience and choice.
“Like the Selkie returning to the sea, healing can be a journey of returning to who you are beneath the layers of survival,” Bec shares.
“Through awareness, relationship and genuine connection, it is possible to move from surviving to living, rediscovering a deeper sense of belonging, authenticity, awareness and choice.”
For more information, visit @Maleny Holistic Health Centre or selkiecounsellingandpsychotherapy.com.au
was 10.9 percentage points (a relative increase of 28.1%) higher than men (38.8%).
Use Your Mental Edge Focus on yourself
The only way to beat the competition is to stop trying to beat the competition.
by JAMIE MILNE
rying to beat the competition is one of the biggest mistakes teams, athletes, and coaches make. They’d do far better to focus on the process of performance, which is quite different.
When you focus on defeating an opponent, you’re focusing on something largely outside your control. This creates tension, pulls your attention into the future, and often takes you out of the present moment.
“The most successful companies focus primarily on beating the competition.”
The reality, Collins says, is that:“Visionary companies focus primarily on beating themselves.”
The same is true in sport, business, and life. The highest performers don’t obsess over outcomes. They focus on what they can control:
In order to achieve the goal, we must stay fixed on the process of achieving the goal.
Jim Collins, bestselling author of Good to Great and Built to Last, listed twelve myths regarding great companies. Myth number one:
Actions –The behaviours, habits, effort, preparation, and execution required today.
Decisions –The choices made under pressure. What to focus on, what to ignore, and what standards to uphold.
Perception – The meaning we give events. Is this a setback or feedback? A threat or an opportunity to learn and adapt?
The competition may influence the result. But your actions, decisions, and perception influence your performance. And performance is where your greatest leverage exists. jamiemilnetraining.com
Authentic You byKERRIE FRIEND
we’ve been shaped by our circumstances; our upbringing or any of the other life situations that can often derail us. It’s about being “real” and not about chasing perfection, but allowing others to see your imperfections, your growth and your truth.
People who are great at what they do, see what they do differently than anyone else and serve others doing it, and that’s makes them fearlessly authentic.
So where do we start? Connection is the key. First connect with yourself. Consider people who you know in your world such as doctors, teachers, restaurateurs, and others who truly serve with their gifts.
What they do comes so easily and effortlessly to them it seems to leak out of their souls and connects them to you.
This is the second key, connection and specifically connecting to others. Sincere authenticity draws people to you and creates trust. It’s not based on appearances or selfindulgence; it’s sharing your authenticity.
Ralph Waldo Emersom once wrote, “Nothing great was ever accomplished without enthusiasm”, and that is exactly what living authentically does.
Life becomes more about sharing and caring as you are now aligning with your authentic self.
Life is too short to not live with meaning and purpose, so connect with who you are on the inside and become all you were intended to be.
The world really does need that special gift that only you can give and when you start to give it, you’ll see life through the eyes of serving others and that’s where true authenticity lives.
Don’t wait for perfection just align with your talents and see your life expanding authentically.
Blessings, Kerrie x
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ASTROLOGY
Heart Mind Astrology with Ruth Donnelly
Explore your life with astrology, bringing you insight at times of turmoil, transition and transformation. Online consultations available. 0409 564 276 astrology@ruthdonnelly.com.au
AUDIOLOGIST
Sunshine Coast Audiology
Emryn and Anita are experienced audiologists who have started a new independent audiology clinic to care for all your hearing needs. Conveniently located in Sippy Downs. Ph. 5378 2226. www.sunshinecoastaudiology.com.au
CHIROPRACTORS
Maple Chiropractic Maleny
Dr. Samuel Lowe, Dr. Catherine Metcalf, Dr. Rebel Hungerford & Nikki Duncan-Exercise Physiologist. Gentle, effective care for the whole family. Concession, family rates & HICAPS available 45 Maple St, Maleny 5494 3322 maplechiropractic.com.au
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COLON HYDROTHERAPY
Bottoms Up Colonics - Nambour Time to let your S##t go!
We support the whole body assisting elimination pathways, allowing the body the opportunity to heal holistically. Book now on 5220 8859. www.bottomsupcolonics.com.au
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Christian Dunham Specialising in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy, a combination of clinical hypnotherapy and psychotherapy used to treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, phobias and other chronic conditions. Free initial consultation. Ph: 0448 303 013 www.christiandunham.net
AYURVEDIC HERBALS
Eumundi Medicine Man
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Guaranteed Age Old Natural Remedies.
CHIROPRACTORS
FITNESS, PERSONAL TRAINER ,DANCE
Get Active Fitness & Personal Training
MENTAL PERFORMANCE
Knowledge is the greatest medicine. Potent Vedic remedies that give results when co-ordinated with diet and lifestyle wisdom. Order or email online at www.eumundimedicineman.com
Hinterland Chiropractic
Dr Josephine Sexton. Using gentle, safe and effective techniques to maintain spinal health and wellbeing. Concession rates, Family discounts and HICAPS available. 2/70 Maple Street, Maleny. Ph: 5435 2987
Maple Chiropractic Maleny
Beautiful group fitness studio with a variety of classes to suit all ages/fitness levels. A fun supportive environment, fully qualified trainers. Book your first session FREE Ph. 0423 618 945 Bunya St, Maleny.
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HOME CARE
RangeCare
Jamie Milne Training Jamie Milne SEQ's leading Mental Performance Coach. Finding your Mental Edge is Jamie's specialty. His approach is unique in delivery and the results speak for themselves. Contact: jamiemilnetraining.com or call 0431 339 975.
PHYSIOTHERAPY
Range of Motion Physiotherapy Maleny, Mapleton and Imbil Russ, Karl, and Kathryn. Providing the highest quality care to restore & maintain optimal physical function & mobility. Ph: 5478 6600 www.rangeofmotion.com.au
TUTORING NEW
Dr. Samuel Lowe, Dr. Catherine Metcalf, Dr. Rebel Hungerford & Nikki Duncan-Exercise Physiologist. Gentle, effective care for the whole family.
Concession, family rates & HICAPS available 45 Maple St, Maleny 5494 3322 maplechiropractic.com.au
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Offering in-home and respite care services to support independent living. Our tailor-made services are available to everyone in the community. We can deliver your home care package. Ph: 5445 7044 Visit: www.rangecare.com.au
Alborz Premedical College APC Tutoring Centre Maths, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, English & Social Science. Individual & Group Classes for High School Years 10 to 12 and University Graduates Preparing for GAMSAT & UCAT, Face to Face & Online, Caloundra. Ph: 0448 866 951
CALL ANY TIME
1800MEDICARE (1800 633 422) offers a free, 24/7 helpline where you can speak to a registered nurse about any health concern.
The nurse will ask about your symptoms and guide you to the right care, whether that’s looking after yourself at home or getting help from a health service in your area.
You can also access key health information, electronic prescriptions and more through the 1800MEDICARE app.
More ways to get health advice and information
Medicare has a Symptom Checker page when you are not sure if you need a doctor. Visit healthdirect.gov. au/symptom-checker
You can find healthcare services on healthdirect. gov.au/australian-health-services. Simply choose your category from the full list of services and enter your suburb or postcode.
For medicine information, visit healthdirect.gov. au/medicines, and search by brand name or active ingredient. There is also plenty of useful information about how to take medicines safely, side effects, what to do if you accidentally take too much, medicines and alcohol, medicines and breastfeeding, medicines and driving, medicines while pregnant, and much more.
Medicare offers a range of services from finding your nearest Urgent Care Clinics to Medicare Claims and help with bulk billing.
How Medicare Mental Health can help
When it comes to managing or improving your mental health, it can be difficult to know what to do or where to go.
Medicare Mental Health Centres and Kids Hubs can connect you with a range of mental health professionals for support, whatever your situation.
Find a location near you, or make a free call to the national phone service on 1800 595 212 (weekdays 8:30am-5:00pm, excl. public holidays).
You can also browse a range of resources and services on this website to support yourself or someone you care for.
Visit: medicarementalhealth.gov.au/medicaremental-health-centres, or medicarementalhealth.gov. au/finding-help/kids-hubs
CLOCK REPAIR
Montville Clockshop
Repairs for Cuckoo, Grandfather, Mantle, Wall Clocks. Antique clock restoration. We can supply quartz movement and parts, and repair quartz clocks. P: 07 5442 9409. www.clockshop.com.au enquiries@clockshop.com.au
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GUTTER CLEANING
Gutter Sucker
Gutter Sucker specialises in cleaning your guttering. a unique portable vacuum system for the efficient and effective removal of leaves and rubbish from all types of gutters and roofs. Ph: 1800 558 745 or 0402 456 391
HANDY MAN AND HOME MAINTENANCE
Montville Handy Man
30 years building experience. Available now for carpentry, home mainatenance and repairs, small concreting jobs, Propt and reliable service. Call Wayne 0434 724 030.
JEWELLERY - COMMISSIONS AND DESIGN
Wasshausen Gems + Jewels
LANDSCAPING & DESIGN continue
Stone on the Range Landscapes
Looking for creative ideas from a professional craftsman-then call Jim! Thirty years experience designing/building all aspects of gardens/stonework. Combining skills that utilize timber/stone and steel, as a designer, landscaper, stonemason. It is my passion to exceed your expectations. 0401 308 824 jimrstoneart@gmail.com
MOWING AND GARDENING
Blueys Garden Services
For all your gardening needs. Jobs include but not limited to: Mowing, Whipping snipping, Clear outs, Hedging, Tip runs, Minor landscaping and Weed management give us a call-0481 106 839
PLANT NURSERIES
Forest Heart ecoNursery
The Little Nursery with Big Diversity. Specialising in SE QLD native plants, cultivar native plants and fruit trees. 20 Coral Street, Maleny Ph: 07 5435 2193 - www.forestheart.com.au
Barung Landcare Native Plant Nursery
Your local community nursery stocks an extensive range of species indigenous to the Blackall Range and surrounds. Open to the public WednesdaySaturday 9am–3pm, Ph: 0429 943 152 E: nursery@barunglandcare.org.au
PLUMBING & WASTEWATER
POOL MAINTENANCE
SwimSafe
Mobile pool maintenance & repairs. Swimming pool safety inspections. FREE QUOTES
Clean gutters, Blocked downpipes, New & repair downpipes, Roof repairs & leaks, Fix leaking gutters, New gutters & fascias, Install & service whirly birds, Skylights & Water Tanks. Free quotes, local bloke, over 20 yrs experience Phone Brad 0419 712 081
TRANSPORTATION
UltiMate Transfers 18 years offering elite chauffeur services. Private airport transfers (Sunshine Coast & Brisbane), cruise terminals, weddings. Impeccable, discreet, and tailored travel. Reserve your experience at ultimatetransfers.com.au.
TREE SERVICES
Anderson Plumbing & Roofing
Fine individually designed and traditional handmade jewellery in a contemporary style with natural Gemstones, Pearls & Opals. Commision & redesign, alteration & repairs. Call Birgit in her Maleny workshop 0490 146 982
LANDSCAPING & DESIGN
Amber Leaf Landscaping
Looking for a landscaper who can deliver?
Tohm Hajncl heads the team that offers you guaranteed quality. Choose from landscaping consultations, designs, construction and planting, pre-sale makeovers and specialised maintenance services. Ph: 5445 9801 www.amberleaf.com.au
Brendan or Shiv a call on 0407 202 227 Advertise your business in the HT from $63.58 ongoing per month. Book directly by scanning Advertise your business in the HT from $63.58 ongoing per month. Book directly by scanning Advertise your business in the HT from $63.58 ongoing per month. Book directly by scanning
Handbuilt Stone QBCC 1235589
Licensed, range-based professional. Traditional rock walls, pillars, steps, paving, entrance walls and all garden features. Visit our website to see previous work for inspiration. Phone Chris on 0438 811 975 – www.handbuiltstone.com
QBSA1066328 Plumbing, drainage & roofing. New work, renos, maintenance specialists. Septic systems, blocked drains, high pressure ‘sewer jett’ drain cleaner, drain camera, cable locations, tank installations, roof & guttering. Ph: 5494 3340 or 0409 541 4757
Suncoast Liquid Waste Removal
Local owner/operator specialising in commercial / domestic waste water pump outs- septics, treatment plants, grey water, holding tanks, pond/ pool sludge, drains etc. Avoid costly blockages & system failure with prompt, reliable & expert service. Tank assessments available. EPA licensed and fully insured. Call 0439 646 707
The Plumbing Group NEW
We offer residential and commercial plumbing, roofing, guttering, drainage, maintenance, emergency repairs, leak detection, hot water systems, water filtration, clear blocked drains, and preventative servicing solutions for homes and businesses. Ph: 07 5470 2908 www.plumbinggroup.com.au
Tony Wootton Tree Surgeon. Dip Hort(Arb) Operating locally since 1996. Tree assessments and advice. Trees and shrubs pruned and detailed. Hazardous trees removed. M: 0403 467 664 Ph: 54 944 917 www.twtreesurgeon.com
UPHOLSTERY
with
quotes, pick-up and
throughout the Sunshine Coast.
GRAPHIC & WEB DESIGN NEW
Seedhead Design Consultancy
Need standout visuals and smarter online presence? Seedhead is a design studio specialising in userfocused brand creation, web design, web effectiveness reports and improvements. Function + Aesthetics + User Experience. Contact Paula on 0418 708 244 www.seedhead.com.au
LEGAL SERVICES
Baker Robinson Lawyers
Sophie Paras - Professional, efficient, relaible and friendly. 5494 2665 Suite 7, 43 Maple St Maleny. Email: sophie@brlawyers.com.au www.brlawyers.com.au
Easton Lawyers
Tove Easton Principal Lawyer Your Local Lawyers in Maleny 62 Maple St, Maleny. Ph: 5494 3511 Email: tove@eastonlawyers.com.au
LEGAL
SERVICES continue
Horizon Legal Group formerly Lember & Williams Suite 3, Banksia House, 66 Maple Street, Maleny 07 5495 1499 hello@horizonlegalgroup.com.au www.horizonlegalgroup.com.au
Contact Principal, Penny McCreery
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
Blake Gierke - Your Hinterland Property Expert.
10 years’ experience & multiple RMA awards. Innovative marketing strategies for maximum exposure. Get unmatched results. Blake 0412 266 719
Hinterland Property Specialist Local Expertise. Trusted Advice.
REAL ESTATE
We dare to be different! Our results speak for themselves, so if you are looking to sell your property DON’T SIGN ANYTHING .. .Call us. Ph: 07 5478 5288 or check out www.rogerloughnanrealestate.com.au
REMAX Hinterland
Your property is worth more with us! 07 5408 4220, 0447 737 737 sales@remaxhinterland.com.au remaxhinterland.com.au
32 Maple Street, Maleny
VETERINARY CARE
District Vets Maleny
Veterinarian Susan Portas and her team provide professional, compassionate care for your pets.
Hours Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri 8:30am – 5:30pm Wed 8:30am – 4:30pm Sat by appointment 7 Myrtle St Maleny Ph: 5499 9077
A page dedicated to community news submitted by the people for the Hinterland
www.sunnycoastmedia.com.au/news
I believe that the mighty planets circling in space loudly proclaim God’s existence; hence, I have no sympathy with the “God is dead” theology. I believe the God who made the worlds made me through my ancestors Adam and Eve, and not through animals; hence, I have no sympathy with the theistic evolutionary theory. I believe that God made me different from the animals; I have a responsibility to answer for my conduct on a specially appointed day of judgment; hence, I have no sympathy with the idea that this life is all there is, I do not believe in the “new morality” which is not new at all: it was practiced before the flood of Noah and caused it.
I believe I am incapable of determining what the Creator expects of me without a special revelation from him. Much evidence makes me believe that those sixty-six books called “The Holy Bible” are a special revelation from the Creator. I do not believe that any verse of that Bible is rightly interpreted two different ways. I am sorry to say that sometimes I have misinterpreted Bible verse, and have had to reverse myself. I believe that anytime two of us differ on the meaning of a Bible verse that one or both of us are wrong. And I believe that the things that are necessary to be saved are so plain and
that wayfaring people need not make a mistake.
THOUSANDS OF ADDITIONAL HOMES COMING
Following the success of Round One and overwhelming interest by Councils and industry, Round Two of the $2 billion Residential Activation Fund will be doubled from $500 million to $1 billion.
It is now the second time RAF funding has been doubled to cater to the demand for enabling infrastructure as well as the homes it delivers. The initiative is a key part of the Crisafulli Government’s Securing Our Housing Foundations Plan to deliver one million new homes by 2044.
The Crisafulli Government received even more submissions for Round Two – 209 submissions, with 73 in South East Queensland and 136 from regional, rural and remote Queensland.
The Residential Activation Fund helps ensure essential infrastructure like water, sewerage, roads and power is in place, unlocking more land to support growing communities.
Round Two continues to ensure regional Queensland benefits, with at least half of the funding to be allocated to projects in rural and regional Queensland.
Premier David Crisafulli said the Government was delivering on the fresh start that was promised, with a better plan for Queensland’s future.
“By fast-tracking the funding, we can get the critical infrastructure in place sooner, ensuring more Queensland families can have a place to call home no matter where they live.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said the overwhelming response to the Residential Activation Fund underscored its critical role.
“We’re literally building momentum. Homes are already out of ground and keys are being handed over thanks to the Residential Activation Fund, which is delivering new housing supply, fast,” Deputy Premier Bleijie
“Availability equals affordability and by ensuring supply is unlocked, while also delivering a record number of social and affordable homes and support for first homebuyers, we’re delivering a place to call home for more Queenslanders.”
The Crisafulli Government’s has a range of initiatives to help more Queenslanders find a place to call home, including more than $2 billion in joint Federal and State funding to unlock 51,000 homes, including 20,000 for first home buyers; releasing underutilised State land for housing under the landmark Land Activation Program; supporting first home buyers by removing stamp duty on new builds; introducing a nationleading Boost to Buy shared equity scheme to help reduce the deposit gap, and increasing rental availability by lifting subletting restrictions.
Substantial Character Home Minutes to Maleny!
n the heart of Reesville, Rosalea is a remarkable, circa 1995 Queenslander that combines timeless character with modern family comfort, set on a private one-acre parcel just minutes from Maleny.
Wide wraparound verandahs, soaring ceilings, polished timber floors and traditional Queenslander details create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Generous living spaces provide flexibility for growing families, multi-generational living or those seeking a peaceful lifestyle retreat.
Designed for effortless entertaining, the heart of the home opens to expansive outdoor living areas overlooking the sparkling swimming pool and beautifully landscaped grounds. Perfect for hosting
family gatherings, enjoying summer afternoons by the pool or relaxing with friends around the outdoor pizza oven, every aspect of this property has been crafted for enjoyment.
Whether you're seeking a private family haven, an exceptional lifestyle property or a tranquil Hinterland escape, this outstanding residence offers an enviable combination of space, beauty and breathtaking surroundings.
For more information or to arrange your private inspection, contact Susan on 0428 573 170.
Agency: Brant Property
Contact: Susan Brant Phone: 0428 573 170
2/20 Maple Street, Maleny Qld 4552
The Enduring Romance of the Queenslander
ew homes capture the imagination quite like a Queenslander. These iconic residences represent a way of life woven into the fabric of Queensland history. With their soaring ceilings, wide verandahs, polished timber floors and graceful proportions, Queenslanders evoke a sense of nostalgia while remaining remarkably relevant to modern living.
Designed to embrace our subtropical climate, Queenslanders welcome breezes, frame garden views and encourage a slower, more considered pace of life. They are homes that invite conversation on the verandah, family gatherings beneath high ceilings and quiet reflection as the afternoon light shifts across timber floors.
In the Maleny Hinterland, Queenslanders often become cherished landmarks in their own right. A superb example is “Gables” at 24 Obi Vale, North Maleny, a magnificent late-1800s Queenslander that beautifully demonstrates why these homes continue to captivate buyers generations after they were built.
Combining timeless craftsmanship, privacy and generous living spaces with the convenience of a sought-after North Maleny location, it embodies the very qualities that make Queenslanders so enduringly desirable.
