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WRITERS
Travis Earsman
Proudly Human
I’ve been looking more and more into the AI world of late, when it comes to media content, due to numerous conversations I’ve been having. Much of the AI-generated content out there is slop, and working in the media business, I can see it within a few sentences or a couple of paragraphs at most, but many people say to me they can’t always spot it.
Here are a few tips to spot AI/ChatGPT. Look for clichés like ‘nestled in the hinterland’, or soft intensifiers like ‘quietly potent’, ‘deeply transformative’. Look for short sentences. Constantly. (See what I did there? ☺)
The worst culprit is the constant ‘it’s not X, it’s Y’ sentence structure. Examples are everywhere: ‘It’s about more than work experience, it’s about showing young people there are careers here’, ‘self-improvement isn’t a trend, it’s a lifestyle shift’, ‘it doesn’t just taste good, it makes everything else taste better’, ‘this isn’t a cup of coffee, it’s a moment of meditation’. Now you’ve read this, I guarantee you will start seeing ‘it’s not X, it’s Y’ sentences almost every day!
The sad thing is, people can genuinely create a sentence with this structure occasionally, but now it’s so connected to datacentre vomit that it generally makes me stop reading on.
Something is happening, though, the backlash against AIgenerated content and ads with fake humans is growing. For example, I saw a musician recently saying they won’t go to gigs by people who promote their music using AI ads, as they are not supporting other creative humans.
A futurologist I know shared that it’s predicted people will be returning to community events, classes and gatherings more and more, where they can trust what they see and experience.
So, how do we prove we are humans, writing content? I recently found a website called proudlyhuman.org, an independent, international certification organisation that ‘verifies and labels humancreated content, services and products in all industries’.
Take a look at their website, who their founding members are and what their ethos is, and if you love and support humans and human creativity, spread the word.
I know I have been on about AI a few times of late, but I see the damage it is causing in the creative industry and it breaks my heart and makes me angry. Digital slop, encouraging people not to use their own brains, not to overcome difficulties and relish the struggle and resolution they have achieved themselves.
Proudlyhuman.org shares how 44% of new music uploaded to streaming platforms each day is AI-generated. Is this what we want? Is this how we support our local musicians, writers, artists, ourselves?
Again, I am proud to say that our feature stories are written by humans, about humans – I hope you enjoy them, and thanks for supporting them!
The new Queensland Government is driving down crime and restoring safety where you
Victim numbers are down 7.2%* and serious repeat offenders are down 17%^ under Adult Crime Adult Time, but there’s more to be done.
*Compared to 2024 (Jan to Dec), per capita. ^Compared to 2024 serious repeat youth offenders.
COVER STORY
Photo: The Maleny Singers bring the operetta Patience, which hilariously satirises the aesthetic movement of the day, to the Maleny Community Centre this June
Photo: Marsha Fotogràfiê Page 16-17
Rebecca Mugridge
Louise Tasker
We are very happy to announce our annual competition
THE HINTERLAND TIMES
YOUNG WRITER OF THE YEAR
For 2026, the subject is…. Don’t Give Up
Fact or fiction, humorous or serious, any genre of prose is acceptable.
Age limit: 10 – 17 years
Word limit: 600 words (a little leeway given)
Please send submissions to editor@hinterlandtimes.com.au with your name, contact details, age and story title on page 1, and the submission on page 2 onwards.
Closing date for entries August 31, winner announced in the October edition.
(The HT writing team’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.)
WINNER
A personal, unique illustration for their story by professional artist Jim Cox
$300 from an anonymous donor
$100 from Outspoken, Maleny
$100 book voucher Rosetta Books, Maleny, $100 gift voucher from Forest Heart Nursery, Maleny
TWO RUNNERS UP
$100 each from The Falls, Montville
2 open tickets for the spring/summer ‘Outspoken Presents’ season
$50 voucher each from Rosetta Books
ALL THREE WILL BE ON THE HT OCTOBER FRONT COVER, HAVE THEIR STORIES PUBLISHED IN THE OCTOBER ISSUE AND RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE
The Hinterland Times would like to say a HUGE thank you to our generous sponsors for supporting young writers across the Range
Lending a hand in Laos
Project Vietnam Inc. is an overseas volunteer aid group that was formed in 1990 on the Sunshine Coast, with members throughout Australia and overseas.
Janet PerryWatson is a Nambour nurse who has been volunteering with them for 25 years, and she recently shared some rewarding details of their work.
By VICTORIA MCGUIN
Project Vietnam Inc. (PVI) has provided aid work in Vietnam, Cambodia and more recently Laos.
The Project Vietnam Inc. Vision, according to their website, is to: Meet the medical equipment, health, education, housing, community development and the well-being needs of people in poor communities in Vietnam and any bordering country, using professional input from Australia, Vietnam and such bordering country in developing programs in specific areas to improve their quality of life.
I spoke with Janet Perry-Watson, a registered nurse from Nambour, who has been involved with PVI for 25 years as a volunteer and loves their approach.
“Values are vital to PVI,” Janet shared. “The organisation is independent from any religious or political affiliation, and has operational freedom as a not-for-profit Australian volunteer organisation.
“They are accountable and transparent at all levels, which is so important, and they clearly appreciate and recognise the skills and experience of all their volunteers.
“We feel valued and supported, and love that they celebrate the diversity of culture and contribution from all involved.”
Janet has recently returned from Laos, where she worked on the building team to renovate a kindergarten, in Pak Mong.
“We spent two weeks with a team of 13 working on the kindy, which had been derelict 12 months before.
“PVI sent money for local builders to start the renovations, fix the walls and put a roof on before we arrived. When we got there we did the windows, the doors, painted the outside, painted the fence, inside the ceiling.
“We installed electricity, safety switches, wiring, fans and lights; put up decorations and posters. PVI provided money for a water tank for the toilet, as there was no water or electricity to the classrooms before we got there.”
The Baci ceremony in Thapene
The team also painted two primary school rooms, and a water tank was put up in primary school, and pipes connected to the town water supply for toilets.
At the same time, two weeks before, another team built four little houses in Battambong, in Cambodia.
Janet Perry-Watson with some of the schoolchildren in Thapene
“They also worked with local builders,” said Janet, “and PVI volunteers have built over 100 houses in six years for the local villagers who are in little shanties. These are bamboo houses which cost about $3k each.”
Janet keeps busy with PVI, usually taking on a couple of projects each year.
“The year before, there were four PVI projects, a kindergarten, a community centre, hospital accommodation in Ngong Khiaw, and a classroom.
“I was in the team to renovate a classroom in a village called Thapene. There were eight of us attending to a fallingdown toilet and shower inside a classroom! We demolished it and removed to another location.”
The main work of PVI is renovating hospitals, clinics, and community centres, and this has all happened since 2015.
“Before that there was a medical team I was on,” explained Janet, "and we did nursing education, lectures, and hands-on stuff. When that side of it stopped, the nurses involved all joined the building team!”
I asked what the response has been from the locals with the latest project in Laos?
“Fantastic!” exclaimed Janet. “The community helped us; the chief of the village organised them to paint, fix the garden, and help with roofing. Kids would come during the day and say hello.
We were the novelty of the village, Pak Mong.
“They did a big ceremony, called Baci, once the two weeks were finished, where they tie bits of white cotton around your wrists and do blessings, and the elders wish you luck. It’s an honour.
“The villagers wore traditional costumes to do a dance for us, which was so lovely, and the kindy teacher was crying when we handed over keys,” Janet smiled at the fond memory.
Janet became a life member of PVI this year.
“They awarded it to me,” she said. “It’s a lovely recognition for 25 years of being involved, 23 years of trips. I wasn’t expecting it.”
Many people make their volunteer time part of a holiday, and if this may be of interest to you, PVI is always ready to welcome more members to the team.
What could be better than having a holiday and knowing you have given children the benefit of school and clean water systems?
All funds are raised here on the Sunshine Coast by volunteers and members, as PVI receives no government funding. Most importantly, they have no overheads, so all donations and membership fees go directly to their overseas projects.
“Please come and join our team,” said Janet with a big smile, “you won’t be disappointed.”
Visit projectvietnam.com or find them on Facebook
Community volunteers
Local girls in traditional dress in Thapene
As we are close to Mother's day, I thought it useful to raise
t h e i s s u e o f
purchase for your Mum - or indeed gifts that you receive because you are a mum - and what happens when the goods you have just purchased or received do not meet your expectations The Competition and Consumer Act (2010) (Cth) (the Act), and incorporating in its Schedule 2 the Australian Consumer Law, provides uniform legislative protections for all Australians, based on the premise that goods must be of an 'acceptable quality'
Prior to the Act's introduction, rather than considering whether goods were of 'acceptable quality' you would
c
genera lly meant that goods bought only had to be
'acceptable' in description and price In other words, the new requirement of 'acceptable quality' demands a great level of quality than merely that of 'merchantable quality' How then does one establish whether goods are of an 'acceptable quality'? The Supplier guarantees that the goods must be:
Ÿ fit for the purposes for which goods of that kind are commonly supplied
Ÿ acceptable in appearance and finish
Ÿ free from defects
Ÿ safe and durable
Therefore, goods that are of 'merchantable quality' might not be 'acceptable' to a consumer if, for instance , there is minor blemish in the appearance Note, however, that, if the blemish was brought to your attention at the time of purchase it may be regarded as a product of “acceptable qualit y ” as you were made aware of the defec t, and elected to continue with the transaction.
A s u p p l i e r m ay h ave b re a c h e d t h i
'acceptable quality' if :
Ÿ the product would not be acquired by a reasonable consumer fully acquainted with the nature and extent of the failure; or
Ÿ the product did not match a description or a demonstration model; or
Ÿ the product did not meet the standard that is expected of goods of that nature, or
Ÿ the supplier did not disclose that the goods are unfit, or
Ÿ the goods are unsafe
Depending on the type of guarantee and nature of the breach, there are numerous remedies that a consumer may seek , although most consumers will seek a refund or the replacement of the goods Suppliers are required to remedy any defects in a reasonable time, and if they fail to do so, legal action can be initiated
Handmade with Love
Artist Angel Goulter knows the value of handmade things; the magic of creating something unique through imagination, and the delight it brings to another person.
by TRAVIS
The autumn rain clouds had finally parted and a divine golden light filled the hinterland as I sat down with local artist Angel Goulter and her dog Flower at The Joy Cafe.
I’ve known Angel for many years, and my enduring impression of her is that she is indeed the quintessential artist. She lives and breathes creativity; not just in her work but in her words and manner as well. No one I know inhabits the artist's mantle quite as comfortably as she does, and she lives to provide a sense of magic and imagination for others.
“Art is probably the only thing that's been consistent throughout my entire life. It's something that I've always felt that I needed to do. It's an extension of myself, it's a way of sharing my inner world.”
child would get their very own personalised toys in different colours, each one unique, magical and filled
Angel’s artistic life can be traced back to her grandmother, Mimma, who would make little knitted toys, finger puppets and dolls for her grandkids. Every
Thus her early life was enriched with the brightness and joy of handmade creativity, and it is this simple ohso-human tradition that she seeks to retain not only in her life, but in the lives of those around her. It could be argued that this is the very purpose of art.
As a child, a family friend gifted Angel some modelling clay. This gave her something tactile to work with, which inspired her to make her very own set of miniature horses. Each one was a different colour and each had their own name and personality. These were the first toys that Angel made, and it is upon these humble beginnings that her artistic life
“I certainly didn't think, as a child, ‘I'm going to be a toy-maker.’ I wanted to be an artist, but I didn't know exactly what that meant or how that would look. I was always very creative and I would sketch a lot.”
When Angel became a mother she naturally began making toys for her children out of odds and ends, but it
wasn't until her daughter, Willow, asked her for a special ‘wolf toy that was really cute’, that her toy-making really started to take shape.
She began by simply wrapping some fur around a tennis ball, adding eyes and a nose to make a face. Before long this had developed into adding antlers, feet and wings. Over the years the creatures she conjured up became more and more magical, detailed and imbued with personality.
“When I create, I do feel like it's something that I'm birthing, something coming through me rather than me creating it. I’m always excited to see the character that's on the other side of that. I love seeing kids (and the inner child of adults as well) light up, and they remember something magical exists in this world. I love connecting, being a bridge in that way.”
Angel isn't just a toymaker, however. She also channels her creativity into the making of ceremonial drums and of course there are her canvas paintings. She views her canvas work as ‘therapy’ and it is perhaps best described as textural painting; she uses all manner of materials to explore and express her feelings and emotions.
“I sit in front of a blank canvas and I just tune in to my inner child and get in a space where I just ask her, ‘what colour do you want to use, what texture are you feeling?’ I will use my hands, and just get my mind completely out of the way, and have no attachment to the outcome.
“I just treat it as a session of expression.
Once again, I'm always quite surprised with what comes out at the end. I'm not trying to control the process.”
As well as having her work on display and selling pieces that way, Angel also loves to create customised commission pieces. She loves this work because people tell her their story and what they're after, and then she gets to bring that magic from their imaginations into their hands. It brings her great joy to know that her creations are going to people who will love and appreciate them,
“My work is really for people that understand and appreciate the value of handmade things. If you can look at something and realise that there's nothing else that exists anywhere exactly like this or ever will again, if you can feel the love and time and joy that went into creating it, you get a sense of a unique ‘personality,’ that’s where its true value lies.
“Of course you can buy something made in a factory at a fraction of the cost, but it lacks the soul that so many people say they feel comes through in my creations. I don’t think handmade toys are something you really see much of anymore.
“The people who understand the value and feel the love in what I do, are exactly the people I want my precious toys going to. Because they are going to love them as much as I do.”
Some of Angel’s toys will be on display at The Joy Collective in Maleny until September and are available for purchase either there or directly from her Instagram @angelgoulter.
Angel's canvas piece - Seeds Grow Where They Are Sewn
How the New AML Legislation Will Affect Real Estate in Queensland (From 1 July 2026)
From J l , significant changes to A stralia’s A n M
Financing frame ork ill come into effect, directl impac ng the real estate ind str across the co ntr , incl ding Q eensland These reforms e pand the e is ng AML/CTF regime to incl de sectors pre io sl o tside the frame ork, s ch as real estate agents, p ro p e r
acco ntants.
Historicall , AML obliga ons applied mainl to banks a n d fi n a n c i a l i n s t o n
Go ernment has iden fied the real estate sector as lnerable to mone la ndering d e to the high al
comple o nership str ct res. The ne legisla on, commonl referred to as “ Tranche ” reforms, aims to c
professionals.
compliance program before pro iding ser ices.
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 t r a n s a c o n s , a n d m o n i t o r i n g t r a n
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.
O erall, the ne AML la s represent one of the most significant reg lator changes to the A stralian real estate ind str in recent decades, req iring agencies to adopt stronger compliance s stems and reshaping ho propert transac ons are managed from J l on ards.
From the appraisal to
Angel's canvas piece - Through Disappointment
Sheila’s Story
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.
Known by many hinterland locals for her incredible curries at Shali’s Cafe in Montville (now closed), most of us are unaware of the incredible life story of Susheila ‘Sheila’ Ramanand. It’s truly worthy of a book and a film. This is part two of an account of Sheila’s life, based on interviews with Sheila and her daughter Shali, July –October, 2025.
by CATE PATTERSON
Now, in January 1973, John Carnevale was bringing his Indian wife home to the farm in Montville. A telegram to the neighbour, Graham Butt, ensured they were met at the airport and driven to the farm.
Sheila’s first impressions of Montville and the farm were favourable, even though the little farmhouse was rundown, she would be happy to make her new life here.
Over time she met the neighbours – Graham’s wife Heather, a teacher at the school, Barbara and Philip Stevens (builder) right next door, and Vince and Betty Sinclair, dairy farmers just across the road, but there was little time to develop friendships as Sheila was needed to work the farm right from the beginning.
John would tell Sheila what work needed to be done each day and she was the sole labourer; although for a time, John could drive the tractor around as she weeded, mulched and fertilised the trees and harvested the nuts.
However, one person Sheila did become friends with was Lorna Power. John had known the couple from his time in Mt Isa, and took Sheila with him to visit at their brick home along Balmoral Road. Lorna became a second Mum to Sheila.
Sheila’s mother arrived from India on September 16, 1974, and John drove Sumitra and Sheila to visit Lorna a few days later. After a pleasant visit, they arrived home, and getting out of the car Sheila’s waters broke, so John was sent into the house to fetch the little suitcase Sheila had packed for the hospital and they made their way directly to the Nambour Hospital.
Sheila remembers the maternity ward was busy, and when she arrived in the early evening around 6.30pm old Mrs Polley from further along Western Road was the midwife. She asked Sheila, “Can you hang on for a bit?”
But there was no holding back the baby, and little six-pound Shalini Carnevale was born around 7.30 that Thursday night. Mrs Polley told John, “Sorry, you don’t have a tractor driver.”
When John went around to tell Lorna that Sheila had a baby girl, Lorna was shocked, because she, like all the other neighbours, had no idea that Sheila was even pregnant. Sheila had seen no doctor and had told no one of her pregnancy. It just never came up in conversation.
On returning home from hospital with her tiny daughter, it was the usual routine of work for Sheila. At this time John was getting about using two walking sticks. She was grateful for her mother’s company, and Sumitra stayed for six months. Sheila was caring as much for John now as she was for Shalini – along with doing all the work on the farm.
John modified the trailer, creating a little wooden playpen that Sheila padded and covered with a mosquito net, filling it with rugs and toys for Shalini.
Sheila made a cake for Shalini’s first birthday, and set it up on the table. In an offhand remark her father said to Shali, “If you want some, get up and get it.”
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
Sheila took baby Shali everywhere with her as she worked on the Western Avenue Macadamia Farm
So, she did! It was Shali’s first steps and a fitting first to mark the occasion of her first birthday.
Despite the long hours managing the farm and caring for Shali and John, Sheila gained her citizenship in 1978.
With John’s deteriorating health, Sheila knew she couldn’t continue to manage 23 acres on her own. So, in 1979 Sheila and John sold the farmhouse block to Tony and Shirley Carmichael and their four children, and built a long driveway to their new modular house site further back from the road. They lived here for the next 27 years.
Sheila’s farm routine was to get up around 5am in the morning and jump on the ranger tractor, mow around the trees and do other jobs before returning to the house to make breakfast at about 7am and have Shali ready to be picked up for school. Back out on the farm, Sheila had 300 macadamia trees to manage, so there was always a rotation of mowing, weeding, spraying, harvesting, drying nuts and then boxing them ready for market. In addition to the macadamia trees, there were avocados, custard apples, guava, pear, apple and coffee trees in the ‘fruit salad’ corner of the farm.
It was about this time that John met a fellow called Kingsley (King) Hancock, a plant operator in Nambour who needed help reconditioning, and repairing diesel engines for machinery and equipment, especially water pumps. He brought the first engine to John, who was unable to work with the small pieces of the engine, and it was not long before Sheila, and later Shali, dismantled, cleaned, degreased and reassembled, first one, and then many other engines. No wonder her friends thought she was remarkable!
In 1987 Shali started at Maleny High School, and Sheila had an operation for a bowel obstruction at Nambour where it was discovered that she had nonHodgkins Lymphoma. There were trips to Brisbane, the ordeal of a spinal tap, and then treatment
There were side effects, but Sheila pushed through it all and continued working on the farm. John was unsupportive and showed little compassion at this difficult time; his attitude was “Just get on with it.”
And Sheila did! Shali did all she could to help her Mum and with her support Sheila was declared free of the
Shali began working at the old Montville Village General Store when she was 14. She loved that it was a one-stop shop with
a grocery, newsagency, takeaway and fuel bowsers as well. The year Shali completed her Year 12 she met Matt Carroll and a friendship developed. For a time, Matt worked as a baker and chief pastry chef at the Montville Patisserie and Bakery. (Continued P10, 11)
HINTERLAND MARKETS
YOUR GUIDE TO WHAT'S ON
SECOND SATURDAY OF THE MONTH
Montville Growers and Makers Market 7:30am - 12pm
Piping hot pancakes, buskers, genuine locally grown food, handmade craft, barista made coffee, under historic fig trees, profits maintain our Village Hall. Stall holder enquires: Liz 0424 042 376
The Montville General Store, Christmas 1994
Sheila’s Story
Life for Sheila revolved more around caring for John who had suffered another fall when the Post Office was still at the corner of Western Road and Main Street which further aggravated his left leg with the pin. It was at an annual check-up that the doctor ordered an x-ray. That x-ray showed that the pin had snapped and the two bones had slipped beside each other resulting in a 2 ½ inch difference between the two legs.
They were told that an orthopaedic surgeon was flying out from England and would arrive the next day. The surgeon was able to repair the leg, but, in 2001, complications from his diabetes necessitated the amputation of John’s left leg.
It was after this that doctors told Sheila she wouldn’t be able to continue to care for John at home, and he went into a nursing home until his death in March 2002.
Shali worked for about 10 years at the Store, but the redevelopment of the town square brought changes that Shali was not enthusiastic about and she looked for a way to fill the gap after the store went upmarket and stopped offering the popular fast food.
Shali was 24 when she married Matt Carroll in 1998 and worked in the bakery until she took up an offer to purchase the café business beside the bakery from Max
and Ion Ranson. It became the iconic Shali’s Café and opened on December 10, 2001. Sheila had told Shali that whatever she chose to do, Sheila would support her. Shali had completed an accountancy course, and was very familiar with ordering, dealing with suppliers and managing staff and she was delighted at the positive reception her burgers, fish and chips and sandwiches received. In fact, she hadn’t really taken into account the heavy demand for takeaways during the popular holiday season.
In hindsight, it had been a crazy time to open, not just a gentle launch, but a full ‘thrown in the deep-end’.
Although unwell, John was also able to be driven past Shali’s café, and take pride in his daughter’s accomplishments before his death in March 2002.
Sheila and John had created a business name in order to sell their macadamias to Nutworks at Yandina. After his death, Sheila was happy to close the business and sell the farm.
Craig Farmiloe, a local businessman and vet purchased the farm. Matt and Shali had built a ‘shouse’ (a converted shed) on the property, but when the farm sold, they moved to Cynthia Hunt Drive
Shali and Sheila enjoy a moment together
Sheila with Shali at her wedding, 1998
Shali even took on a second shop at Maroochydore at a tourist park, but when it was redeveloped as an over 50s resort and the clientele changed, Shali decided the café was no longer viable. With the end of her marriage, the Flaxton home was sold, and Shali and Sheila bought a block of land at Nambour and built a four-bedroom brick home.
These years for Sheila were busy as she worked alongside Shali making a wonderful range of curries and samosas. In 2019, after Sheila was involved in a car accident while driving up the Range from Nambour, Shali decided to sell everything and they rented a place closer to Shali’s Café along Balmoral Road for 12 months before moving into a tiny flatette behind The Bower Bird (now Ben Messina Landscapes Gallery) owned by Craig Farmiloe where they stayed for another 12 months.
Sheila’s eyes had been gradually deteriorating and she gave up driving and was grateful to live close by the shop, helping Shali when needed, but having more time for herself. When Craig Farmiloe decided that he didn’t want to continue offering his three-bedroom unit behind the one room studio as an Airbnb, Shali and Sheila took over the rent and moved in, along with a friend, Mary.
Shali expanded her business into the bakery shop around 2018 operating at first as two separate shops. However, with the arrival of Covid in 2020 changes had to be made to keep the business operational. The bakery was then moved into the cafe side to enable Shali and
Four years later on June 30 2024, after almost 23 years, Shali decided the time had come to close the cafe and focus more on regaining a lifestyle for herself and her Mum, and also dedicating more time to caring for Sheila in her twilight years.
Just days later on July 4, Shali began work at the IGA Express. Shali quickly became a much-valued addition to IGA owner, Ann Wells’ team and brought fresh ideas to provide more ready-made meals and soon Shali’s curries were in the shop deli section, and of course Sheila helped.
Customers too, were delighted to see Shali’s cheerful smile and enjoyed her business-like efficiency and helpfulness.
Now twelve months since Shali began at the IGA, she and Sheila are looking forward to continuing to work with Ann’s team in a one-stop shop that is at the heart of Montville, a community they claimed, and that in turn, has claimed them.
Remarkable Sheila, who is Mum, Mother, Ma, Mama, Mama Bear and Mother Bear to so many locals has finally shared her story and we can honour her spirit of resilience and tenacity, her hard work and gentle nature.
Sheila to continue running the business by themselves when needed. It proved to be so successful that it became a permanent change.
Sheila enjoyed a special 80th birthday, and celebrated her 86th birthday this year ALWAYS BUYING and SELLING
Shali and Sheila at Shali's Cafe before it closed
Jake and Dan had a problem.
Despite living and farming in what they see as some of the best grazing country in Australia, they were frustrated by how hard it had become for local families to buy genuinely local premium beef directly from the people producing it.
Too often, beef promoted as “local” simply wasn’t produced locally and had travelled hundreds of kilometres through complicated supply chains before reaching consumers.
The connection between farmer, food and community was disappearing behind marketing and unclear sourcing.
That frustration led to the creation of Obi Pasture Co.
Founded by the two Maleny locals, Obi Pasture Co. was built around provenance, transparency and keeping
local food connected to local people. Their cattle operations are connected throughout the Obi Obi Creek system in the Maleny region, with a shared belief that some of the best beef in Australia should come from, and stay connected to, the country and community that produces it.
Dan Cork is a fifthgeneration beef and dairy farmer whose family has farmed locally for generations, while Jake Sullivan is a long-time Maleny local with a passion for beef cattle farming and agriculture.
For Jake and Dan, provenance is simple. If it carries the Obi name, the cattle must be raised locally throughout Maleny and the surrounding hinterland on the mountain.
Their cattle are raised and finished on soft seasonal pasture country with a focus on quiet cattle, low-stress handling, regenerative farming and maintaining strong nutrition. They intentionally grow their cattle out longer than many commercial systems, believing the extra time improves flavour, consistency and eating quality.
“There’s a lot more to quality beef than just putting cattle in a paddock,” Jake said.
Jake and Dan are also heavily involved in local sporting clubs and community groups. Obi Pasture Co. proudly sponsors the Maleny Rangers Soccer Club and supports the Maleny Show Society, two organisations close to their hearts.
“Rather than hiding behind a gate, website or social media profile, we want locals to visit the Farm Shop at Witta, meet their farmers and see where their food comes from,” Dan said.
“People can stop in and buy anything from a couple of steaks to a simple pack of mince.”
The Farm Shop is open Thursdays and Sundays from 9–11am, every third Saturday morning of the month, or customers can order anytime through obipastureco.com.au.
Every Friday, Jake and Dan deliver free throughout Maleny and the surrounding hinterland, with curated packs, bulk 1/4 and 1/2 animals, or custom orders built to suit local families.
T-bone and rib eye steaks from cattle raised and finished on soft seasonal pasture country
Dan Cork is a fifth-generation beef and dairy farmer, and Jake Sullivan, is a long-time Maleny local with a passion for beef cattle farming and agriculture
Why choose DUNCON ELECTRICAL ?
In an industry where trust, reliability and quality workmanship matter more than ever, Duncon Electrical is quickly becoming one of the Sunshine Coast’s standout emerging businesses. Built on genuine values, hard work and a commitment to doing things properly.
Founded with a strong work ethic and a “whatever it takes” attitude, Duncon Electrical has grown into a respected name across the Sunshine Coast and surrounding regions, delivering high-quality electrical, solar and air conditioning solutions for both residential and commercial clients.
However, beyond the technical expertise and growing project portfolio, it’s the people behind the business that continue to set the company apart. We spoke with Corey and Taryn Dunn, and Matt Huleatt, find out more about their values and work ethic.
“As a young Australian-owned business, we believe Duncon Electrical represents the next generation of trade professionals, driven, community-minded and passionate about raising the standard within the industry,” shared Matt.
“Our team prides itself on honest communication, reliable service and treating every project with the same level of care and attention someone would expect for their own homes or businesses.”
From complex commercial installations to residential solar and battery systems, Duncon Electrical approaches every job with professionalism, precision and a solution-focused mindset.
“Our experience spans electrical services, air conditioning, solar energy systems, battery storage solutions and compliance upgrades, helping Sunshine Coast homeowners and businesses future-proof their properties while improving energy efficiency and performance,” said Taryn.
“I think our business has also gained attention for its strong focus on innovation and sustainability, particularly within the solar and battery space,” Corey continued.
“We stay ahead of industry changes and invest in quality products and ongoing education, that way Duncon Electrical continues to position itself as a trusted provider in the rapidly evolving energy sector.”
However, success for the team has never just been about growth.
“At its core, Duncon Electrical remains deeply connected to the Sunshine Coast community that has supported the business from the beginning,” said Taryn.
“Whether it’s supporting local suppliers, building relationships with clients or contributing positively to the local industry network, this company is passionate about creating long-term impact within the region.”
That commitment to excellence and community has recently seen Duncon Electrical recognised through its involvement in the prestigious NECA Awards, recently entering the awards and waiting to see if they make the next round, further highlighting the business as one to watch within the Australian electrical industry.
For a relatively young company, just being in a position to enter and be interviewed is a testament to the dedication, resilience and vision of the team behind the brand.
“In a time where authenticity and trust are everything,we really focus on Duncon Electrical continuing to build its reputation the old-fashioned way, through hard work, strong values and consistently delivering for clients,” Matt said with a
As the business continues to expand across electrical, solar and air conditioning services, one thing remains clear, and that is that Duncon Electrical is not just building projects, they’re building a business that genuinely reflects the hardworking spirit of the Sunshine Coast. Learn more on the team, or for any enquiries visit: dunconelectrical.com.au or call 1300 386 151.
Duncon Electrical owners, left to right: Matt Huleatt, Taryn Dunn, Corey Dunn
Other members of the team: Che Pyers, Callum Dudley (not pictured: Zoe Carnegie)
LOCAL MUSINGS
So, you think that you are an Australian! This
by DOUG PATTERSON
It was inevitable that the media would be drawn into the Australian Identity debate despite the obvious risks. It’s one thing for politicians to tell us who we are and what we value – we really don’t take much notice of their opinions on social and cultural matters because we know they are coloured by their own political agendas.
But the media is held to be more accountable for the information it propagates. It now seems that the only fair-dinkum Aussie is a Bogan and that Paul Hogan, Shane Warne and Russell Crowe are outstanding examples of the Aussie Bogan. Really? I wonder just how many Australians feel that they belong to this sub-cultural group?
The term Bogan, “an uncultured or unsophisticated person” is believed to have first appeared in the Australian vernacular in the late 1970s. One source believes that it was first used in the working-class western suburbs of Melbourne, replacing the slang term “Westies”. Another source claims it originated in the Bogan Shire in the western plains of New South Wales.
It was first officially recognised in 1985 by the National Dictionary Centre that defined it as a slang term describing an outer suburban, lower socio-economic demographic.
Bogans were identified firstly by their clothes. On top, they wore either look-alike blue ‘Jackie Howe’ singlets, ‘flannies’ or rock band tee-shirts. Below, stubbies, trackies, or torn jeans were standard for males with females often choosing black leggings. Thongs, Ugg Boots and Doc
Martins were the footwear of choice if any were worn. Nothing covered the obligatory mullet.
Bogans were laid back and anti-authoritarian, loudly patriotic, stubby drinkers, who flaunted their ‘bad taste’ and boorish behaviour in defiance of middle-class acceptability. (It was only in recent years that they became attached to the ‘hot-rod’ car phenomenon.) Most of the so-called famous Bogans highlighted in recent documentaries just aren’t Bogans at all.
Australia has two antecedents that have led to this romanticising of the Bogan; the Larrikin and the Ocker.
Larrikin is a 1800s Cockney term adopted in colonial Australia for a person who was ‘larking about’ – having a bit of fun or taking the mickey. It was first used in Sydney to describe members of rowdy, young street gangs or hooligans – a ‘mischievous or frolicsome youth’.
It morphed into a larrikin streak that was a bit irreverent, non-conformist and willing to break social rules/norms in a witty, almost charmingly boyish, light-hearted manner. Hence Bob Hawke was described as a ‘Larrikin Prime Minister’ and Dawn Fraser as a ‘Larrikin Olympian’, while the Australian Digger was frowned upon as being an irreverent ‘Larrikin’. It almost became a term of endearment and as such has been recognised as a part of an Australian identity.
On the other hand, the Ocker of the 1990s was a boorish, loud, uncultivated and uncouth, beer-swilling, racist, flag-waving Australian male who was both chauvinistic and misogynistic - characterised by Barry McKenzie.
Although the Ocker was popularised in satire and parody, it has never been seen as a desirable aspect of an Australian identity, despite its obvious presence in today’s
protest marches. Although not as offensive, the Bogan has never played a critical role in shaping an Australian identity either. They are both cultural sub-groups in Australian society that are no more important than truckies, boaties, tradies, athletes…..
Any attempt to define the Australian identity must be based on history and be careful not to romanticise subcultures past and present or ignore its darker side – the subjugation through domestication of women up until WW1, the ‘boong bashing of the ‘50s and ‘60s, the ‘poofter’ bashing of the ‘80s and ‘90s, the migrant bashing of today.
We have to accept that there is a difference between an ideal Australian Identity most of us aspire to and the reality that Australia has many sub-cultures in its population, including some that most of us cringe over, outright reject or fear.
It’s how we accommodate or challenge these that has been at the heart of our successful, multi-cultural democracy. We are far from the mythical ideal we are inclined to believe in and must accept that ‘New’ Australians may well contribute to a richer, fuller and more diverse culture.
The Australian Identity, the Australian Way, Australian Values are not something that are fixed in a time capsule. They have evolved and will continue to evolve as our population grows and changes.
We have to move past the divisions of gender, race, religion, culture, class, generation and wealth. We have to put aside our banners and chest-beating and work together for a more egalitarian future, if we are to have a future at all.
The views expressed in the Local Musings column are the writer’s and not necessarily the views of the HT team.
Open Membership Day
A Members Classic Car Display ranging from Vintage to Classic will be held at Nut Works Car Park, Pioneer Road, Yandina, on Saturday June 13 from 9am to 1pm.
It will be a Meet-and-Greet Membership Day with an exhibition of their unique cars, and members will be available to talk to the public and answer any questions they may have.
This is a free family event with classic Fords, Holdens, Chryslers, European cars, and more on display
The Sunshine Coast Car Club was established in 2017 to provide a friendly, socially inclusive environment for anyone interested in using and preserving our motoring and machinery history, and to provide technical assistance between members.
Members come from as far south as Beerwah, and north to Valdora ,and enjoy driving in their historic cars to roam all over the Sunshine Coast, enjoying the scenery and a bite to eat with good friends.
The Club is keen to welcome new members and looks forward to making new friendships! Anyone interested in joining can do so on the day, enquiries are also welcome.
More information including upcoming events can be found at: maroochyvehicleownersclubinc.org.au
Ten years ago Muzafar Ali and his wife Nagina escaped the Taliban in Afghanistan. They found themselves living in Indonesia as refugees when the Australian government, ‘stopped the boats’. Determined to do something, they started a small school against the advice of the UNHCR. All they had were a few notebooks and pens.
This humble school, Cisarua Refugee Learning Centre (CRLC), was the first refugee-established and managed school in Indonesia. This one school, a refugee initiative, has gone on to inspire a refugee-led education revolution!
A decade on, CRLC has educated over 1300 refugee students and engaged 130 refugee teachers. Its approach has been followed by 10 other refugee-led schools and there are currently over 1800 refugees receiving an education at these schools in Indonesia. This is a truly heart-warming story of triumph over adversity, indomitable spirit, and a belief in the power of education. (Pictured: Farahnaz Salehi started as a student at the CRLC and became the beloved art teacher, she is still stuck in Indonesia after 12 years - image Jolyon Hoff.)
Come along to the screening of, We Are Not Powerless at the Maleny Community Centre, and be a part of this education revolution. The film will be followed by a Q&A with Muzafar and Jolyon.
Be sure to book, as there are limited seats, doors open at 6pm for a 6.30pm start, tickets are $25/$20 concession, and children under 10 are free. There will be a light supper, tea and coffee available for purchase and a licensed bar.
For more information contact Ann on 0407138182. or go to trybooking.com/DLQSI.
We Are Not Powerless
This year, to celebrate Refugee Week, Maleny Refugee Advocacy Group (MRAG) - formerly Welcome to Maleny, will be hosting a not-to-be-missed event, showing the award-winning documentary, We Are Not Powerless, on Saturday June 13.
Returning to Maleny for the screening of their latest film are Muzafar Ali and Jolyon Hoff. Supporters of MRAG have loved their previous films, The Staging Post and Watandar My Countryman, and hundreds flocked to the launch of Muzafar’s Ride For Education at the same time last year. Over the years, Muzafar and Jolyon have developed a deep connection with Maleny locals and broader Sunshine Coast communities.
We Are Not Powerless, which recently premiered at the Adelaide Film Festival, continues on with the narrative - beautifully portrayed in The Staging Post. It tells the story of what can happen when a community refuses to give in and works together for hope, love and education.
Treasures & Togetherness
RangeCare invites locals and visitors alike to connect, give back and enjoy a relaxed day out in Mapleton.
Treasures & Togetherness—an op shop celebration of giving, finding and connecting will be held on Monday June 29 from 10am to 1pm at the RangeCare Op Shop on Obi Obi Road. Free to attend, the event is all about bringing people together in a warm and welcoming community space.
For one day, the much-loved op shop will transform into a vibrant hub of activity. Visitors can browse a unique range of pre-loved treasures, uncover hidden gems, and soak up the easy-going atmosphere that captures the charm of Hinterland living.
Families will feel right at home, with free games and activities creating plenty of entertainment for all ages. A complimentary sausage sizzle, along with other food and drink options, will keep everyone fuelled throughout the morning.
There will also be limited-edition merchandise available, and a special 40-year celebration guest book where visitors can leave a message and be part of RangeCare’s ongoing story.
Treasures & Togetherness showcases the important role op shops play in supporting essential services across the region. Every purchase and donation helps fund programs for individuals and families who need it most.
Community News
Walkies time? New rules to know before you go on the Sunshine Coast
If you're heading out with your dog on the Sunshine Coast, there are new rules to know before you go, starting July 3. Dog access is changing across beaches, parks, sports fields and reserves, with some areas introducing on-leash, timed or seasonal restrictions. Dogs are no longer permitted in certain reserves, bushland, on sports fields, rocky foreshores and headlands. Before you head out for walkies, check the map on Council’s website, follow local signage and make sure you’re being a responsible pet owner. Protect our spaces – keep the Coast safe and enjoyable for everyone.
Buy Local Day: spend where it matters
Buy Local Day is Saturday 27 June – a celebration of Sunshine Coast businesses that keep our community strong. When you shop local, you support jobs, families and a thriving region, with every dollar making a difference. Find out more at Council's Level Up Business website.
Thinking about building or renovating? Get instant advice 24/7
Whether it’s a shed, townhouse or home renovation, Council’s AI development assistant tool helps you understand what approvals you may need before you start! No technical knowledge required. Just enter your address, answer a few quick questions and you’re on your way. Visit Council’s website to get started and feel more confident about your next project.
Watch Council’s next Ordinary Meeting View on Council's website or at Sunshine Coast City Hall Chambers on Thursday 18 June at 9am.
Turning community ideas into reality Council’s Minor Grants round is open for applications from 8 June–13 July. If you’re an arts group, heritage society, local hall, chamber network, sporting group or another non-profit seeking funding for projects, events or activities benefiting locals – why not give it a go? See Council’s website fo details.
Healthy Sunshine Coast: find your flow
Enjoy more than 80 affordable activities across the region – from chair yoga and outdoor Pilates to Qi Gong, meditation and family art. Classes are just $10 (or $5 with a Health Care or Pensioner card) and registration is free. Discover a fun, supportive way to boost your physical, mental and social wellbeing. Visit Council's website to register today!
What's happening this month?
As temperatures drop, the Sunshine Coast comes alive with events this June. Don’t miss How Soon is Now? by Brisbane artist Bruce Reynolds at Caloundra Regional Gallery. Grassroots to Glory celebrates the journey from local fields to the world stage, at Landsborough Museum! Explore free and low-cost events at your local library. Learn more about these events and many others at Council’s website.
CREATIVE CUTS
GOODFEST IS COMING TO MALENY
GOODFEST (Gathering Of Oral Delights Festival) is a three-day spoken word/poetry/storytelling event, from July 31 to August 2, celebrating the legacy of the late Irish Joe Lynch (pictured), a much-loved icon of Maleny and the Australian festival circuit.
Promoters Nick Grivas of Liquid Lyrics and Robin Archbold of Sunshine Coast Spoken Word have gathered 32 of the most dynamic spoken word artists in the country to compete in The Joe Lynch Memorial Cup with $2500 to the winner and $500 to competitors reaching the final.
Proceedings begin with a Poetry Slam in Maleny Lane on Friday night with $500 and $250 to the winner and runner-up. Heats, semi-finals and final of The Joe Lynch Memorial Cup span Saturday and Sunday in the Maleny Community Centre.
The Saturday night Gala Charity Showcase profits will be donated to the Maleny Hospital Auxiliary.
GOODFEST emphasises entertainment, inspiration and community connection.
Tickets for Goodfest (Gathering Of Oral Delights) Festival are available via Humantix with a Festival Pass to nine events for $80 or separate tickets to individual events.
Jazz lovers on the Sunshine Coast are set for an unforgettable evening as acclaimed young vocalist Jess Spina takes the stage at The Jazz Sessions on Thursday, June 18 at The Presynct.
Renowned for her expressive voice and deep connection to the music, Jess Spina has been captivating audiences since her first jazz performance at just nine years old. Inspired early on by legends such as Ella Fitzgerald, her passion for jazz quickly evolved into a remarkable career. She has since performed internationally, including appearances at the Siena International Jazz Festival in Italy, and earned national recognition with a third-place finish at the National Jazz Awards in 2020. Her nomination for the Freedman Fellowship Awards further cemented her reputation as one of Australia’s most exciting jazz talents.
Backed by her dynamic quartet, Spina will present a carefully curated program that blends beloved jazz standards with fresh interpretations of hidden gems. Drawing inspiration from iconic vocalists including Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae and Mel Tormé, the performance promises both nostalgia and discovery for audiences.
Spina says, “Jazz compels you to be present, to listen, to take risks, and to never stop learning. It’s a space where everyone can tell their own story while creating something together.”
In addition to her thriving performance career, Spina has recently joined the Jazz Music Institute faculty as a Principal Study Vocal Teacher, where she shares her passion for music with the next generation of artists. Her teaching philosophy centres on creativity, individuality, and making music an inclusive and joyful experience.
Audiences can expect an intimate, emotionally-rich performance that showcases Spina’s technical brilliance, and her sincerity and warmth as a storyteller through song.
The event will be held upstairs at The Presynct, with doors opening at 6pm and music from 6.30pm to 9pm. With limited seating available, early bookings are strongly encouraged. Tickets are $19–$45 via Oztix, enquiries email info@ sassyjazz.com.au
OPEN FOR ENTRIES!
Entries are open for the Mary Valley Art Festival which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Artists have until July 6 to lodge the paperwork for their entries, which must be delivered no later than July 13 for the festival. From July 23-26 the Imbil Public Hall will be filled with hundreds of artworks. Festival President, Heinke Butt, said the festival continued to attract strong participation, with more than $10,500 in prize money and a wide range of categories, including a dedicated youth section. 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.
It has been a big year for Mary Valley Artslink, which opened a purpose-built fine art gallery in Imbil in February. Art on Yabba has a growing following and opens its next exhibition Evoke Modern on Saturday June 6 at 4pm. Evoke Modern is presented by the Forshaw and McGannon Studios from Doonan. The eight contributing artists push the boundaries of their personal styles in this collection of 2D and 3D works.
COWBOY ROCK
The Australasian Country Music Association Inc (ACMA) welcomes acclaimed band Cowboy Rock to the stage as special guest artists at their country music concert on Sunday June 21!
Cowboy Rock is a new local band based in the Noosa Hinterland, playing a variety of modern and classic country tunes with an up-tempo groove.
Drawing on music from a range of artists including The Mavericks, Keith Urban, Dwight Yoakum, Roy Orbison, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Elvis, Chris Isaak and Merle Haggard, to name a few, Cowboy Rock aim to entertain audiences with fun, foot tapping sets guaranteed to get the party started! Our newly acquired dance floor is waiting for dancers!
You’ll also enjoy popular country music and other upbeat, crowd-pleasing favourites from talented local artists backed by a great house band.
See you at the Hall of Fame, 24 Steggalls Road. Doors open 10am. 11 am start. Raffle and door prizes, refreshments, sausage sizzle, free tea and coffee, entry $15, members $10. This is a not-for-profit organisation and the proceeds will go towards the upkeep of the hall.
This month, the gallery supports the GourMay Mary Valley Food Festival with a feature exhibition, Palate and Poise. This group exhibition brings together celebrated artists exploring the theme of food—from the natural sources that sustain us to contemporary interpretations of still life. The exhibition runs throughout the month, with the gallery open Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 2pm.
Mary Valley Artslink has also secured funding to deliver an exciting year of arts programming, with the launch of a new 12-month workshop series. Led by highly respected tutors, the program aims to provide accessible, high quality creative opportunities for both local artists and the wider community. The initiative has been made possible through the support of the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, part of the Department of Education. Full program details and booking information will be released via the Mary Valley Artslink Facebook page. (Pictured: Om Mandala by Lisa Stanton.)
MONTVILLE ART EXHIBITION
The Blackall Range Visual Artists (BRVA) first met on March 4, 2003, in the Old School House in Mapleton. Members now meet weekly at Mapleton Bowls Club.
The group aims to help inspire each other's artistic pursuits, reflect on their individual endeavours and sustain a passion for the Arts. BRVA is a recognised part of the vigorous and extensive art community of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
Group exhibitions are held at Montville's St Mary's Hall at least four times a year coinciding with Queensland School Holidays. Blackall Range Visual Artists proudly donate all commissions from sales to help maintain this historic hall. Their next exhibition runs from June 27 until July 2, 10am - 3pm.
OUTSPOKEN WITH KATE HOLDEN
MIRTH WITH THE MALENY SINGERS
What do Victorian England and modern social media have in common? According to Gilbert and Sullivan’s Patience, quite a lot.
The Maleny Singers’ upcoming production of Patience at the Maleny Community Centre proves that celebrity culture, trend-following and public obsession with image are nothing new. Written in 1881, the operetta hilariously satirises the aesthetic movement of the day, where self-important poets, dramatic fashions and “good taste” became wildly fashionable.
Sound familiar? In Patience, two rival poets compete for attention from a group of swooning admirers, while a regiment of bewildered Dragoons struggles to understand why they have suddenly been ‘dumped’ and become unfashionable. Beneath the absurd comedy lies a surprisingly sharp commentary on people chasing status, popularity and the latest cultural trends.
At the centre of the chaos is Reginald Bunthorne, played by Rod Johnson. Bunthorne is a deeply theatrical poet who has carefully crafted himself into the height of artistic fashion.
His rival, Archibald Grosvenor, played by Colin Dunn, is handsome, talented and universally adored…in other words, everything Bunthorne pretends to be. His arrival sends the young ladies into even greater hysteria and leaves Bunthorne scrambling to hold onto his celebrity status.
Meanwhile, the long-suffering Dragoons provide some of the show’s biggest laughs. Matthew Gray plays the Duke of Dunstable, an aristocrat so weary of high society that he escapes into the army, only to find himself caught in an even more absurd world of aesthetic poetry and fashionable nonsense.
Ian McMaster’s Colonel Calverley grows increasingly bewildered as the soldiers attempt to reinvent themselves as sensitive aesthetes in order to win back their admirers, while Rob McArthur’s Major Murgatroyd watches much of the unfolding chaos with mounting disbelief and exasperation.
Lady Jane is played by local favourite Viera Keogh, and she views the entire romantic circus with a more cynical eye.
“Lady Jane steals scenes because she says what everyone else is afraid to admit,” says Musical Director Margaret Taylor OAM, who played the character of Patience during her time with the English National Opera. “Gilbert gave her some wonderfully sharp observations about vanity and human nature that still land today.”
The production features a full live orchestra from the Maleny Performing Arts Orchestra, bringing Sullivan’s sparkling score to life with all the energy and colour the music deserves.
With memorable melodies, colourful costumes and plenty of tongue-in-cheek comedy, Patience promises an entertaining afternoon for both devoted Gilbert and Sullivan fans and newcomers alike. Performances are at the Maleny Community Centre on June 13, 14, 20 and 21 at 2pm. Tickets are available at trybooking.com/DJMPE or from the Maleny Visitor Information Centre. (Image by Marsha Fotogràfiê.)
MAZARINE ALBUM LAUNCH
Mazarine is a 9-piece ensemble performing original compositions influenced by Middle Eastern and Mediterranean traditions. With repertoire ranging from orchestral soundscapes to upbeat folk style tunes, Mazarine effortlessly combines rhythmic complexity with layered textures and timbres, taking the listener on an uplifting and inspiring musical journey.
This June 26, from 6.30-9pm at the Maleny Community Centre, Mazarine will be launching their debut album, Sweet Moon Language, a collection of original instrumental pieces, composed by Michael Taylor and inspired by nature, travel, friendship, love and loss.
Michael is a multi-instrumentalist and composer specialising in the oud, exploring its potential within a contemporary intercultural context, while respecting the oud’s intrinsic voice and musical heritage. He will be joined by a group of talented musical friends with a long history of collaborations and performance in the Australian world music scene.
For tickets to the Maleny show, visit trybooking.com/DLRSI
In TheRuinofMagic, Kate Holden presents a series of essays meditating on what it means to make ourselves a home in an Australia that is still finding its way amidst old (and, often, avoided) truths.
A multi-generation Australian herself, she is curious to understand what it means to belong; she writes of her instinctive yearning for a long-ago Europe - engaging in a conversation with many of its most esteemed thinkers and authors from the last century - and how that plays out against the natural attunement she feels for the Australian landscape. Kate is the author of The Winter Road, winner of the 2021 Walkley Book Award and the 2022 NSW Premier’s Award for Nonfiction, as well as two memoirs, InMySkin and The Romantic. Outspoken is delighted to welcome her back to Maleny. Elegantandwhip-smart,thisisaworkofbeauty-asoberyetjoyfulquesttofindhomeandbelonging… Susan Johnson
The evening’s introducing author is Georgia Harper, Georgia’s first novel What I Would Do to You won Best Debut Book at the 2025 Davitt Awards and was shortlisted for Best Crime Fiction Debut at the 2025 Danger Awards.
Her new novel begins when the central (eponymous) character, Dove, has a violent confrontation with the man next door. In response she paints a sign on the front wall of her Sunshine Coast Hinterland farm: 'What would you do if you had a whole day on earth free of men?' When tourists and local women answer by recounting their pent-up frustrations, fears and confessions, it strikes a nerve with the local blokes. With nowhere to hide from exposed secrets and shameful legacies, tensions rise, just as the town hits the headlines over a missing teen.
GeorgiaHarpertakesabigswingandhitsitoutofthepark. Dove ischaracter-drivencrimethatasksdeepphilosophicalquestionsbut refuses to offer simple answers. Ambitious, wry and deftly drawn - I loved it. JP Pomare Kate Holden will be in conversation with Steven Lang, on Wednesday, June 24, 6 for 6.30pm, tickets $30 and $20 for students. To book, visit: outspokenmaleny.com (Image of Kate Holden by Darren James Photography.)
Letters
Beware the Sociopath
I recently caught a story on 612 about an eminent Canadian psychologist warning of an increasing danger to social cohesion from sociopaths. She began by describing the traits and behaviours that are exhibited by sociopaths.
These include a charismatic personality with extreme self-confidence that often exceeds competency; a need to control and hold power over social and political interactions; being manipulative and deceitful in social interactions with a blatant disregard for rules and laws; and forming short term, superficial relationships that are often transactional and lacking any sense of long-term commitment and empathy as they have a tendency towards narcissism.
Crossword
LETTERS, LEUNIG AND LIGHT
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.
based on research, logic and planning, that makes them so unpredictable and untrustworthy.
When challenged, the sociopath becomes very aggressive and exhibits behaviours like gaslighting, blame-shifting and egoistical denial to rebut criticism.
The sociopath becomes a danger to social cohesion through an attraction to power and control and an addiction to self-aggrandisement. When joining a community organisation or a political party, a sociopath inevitably wants to change the rules, amend the constitution, shift the goals; ignore the rules completely.
If unchecked, the sociopath will ultimately create division and distrust both within the organisation and the wider community until power is withheld.
politics. The current breakdown of international law and order is clearly a result of sociopathic behaviour.
Similarly, when our politicians have been questioned by the media, the courts, auditors and the public, alarms have sounded about similar behaviours.
However, the impact of the sociopath in a small community can be particularly destructive as they move from one community agency to another, leaving behind a trail of division and distrust and a discarded, no longer needed, group of ‘friends’ whose transactional value has been depleted.
Do we have a sociopath operating in our community? Look for someone who moves from organisation to organisation, from one social group to another, promising a vision for something better but not really committing to anything.
However, it is their impulsive and erratic decisionmaking, at times contrary to an agreed position, Quick Quote
Bad Jokes of the Month
Where do bad rainbows go?
To prism. It’s a light sentence, but it gives them time to reflect.
Honestly, it’s not the way I look that reveals my age, it’s my use of complete sentences when I text.
Which country’s capital is growing the fastest? Ireland’s - every day it’s Dublin.
There is enough evidence to suggest that sociopaths have seized power at many levels of
1 Eg Plato (11)
9 Mammal that eats bamboo (5)
10 Kind or sort (3)
11 Break apart forcibly (5)
12 Nocturnal insects (5)
13 Person who rebels (8)
16 State of Australia (8)
18 Covered with water (5)
21 Recurrent topic (5)
22 Road vehicle (3)
23 One-way flow structure (5)
24 Branch of physics (11)
2 Small villages (7)
3 Subatomic particles such as electrons (7)
4 Solitary (6)
5 Lyrical poem or song (5)
6 Authoritative proclamation (5)
7 Likeness (11)
8 Very tall buildings (11)
14 Indefinitely many (7)
15 Cherubic (7)
17 Deer horn (6)
19 Pertaining to the ear (5)
20 Total disorder (5)
“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.”
— Ernest Hemingway
Doug Patterson
Sudoku
Unscramble the letters in the shaded squares to reveal a themed word:
Check out the
Poets
THE INTERVENING HAND
My life is full of memories of the time I spent with you
The things we did together and all that we went through
It was amazing just how quick our love did grow so strong
With the foundations we began with, how could anything go wrong?
But our faith in one another did slowly disappear
As we saw each others weaknesses and discovered all our fears
The duals between two lovers, the fights that 'had to be' 'Naked' before each other, the real you, the real me.
So what kept us together? The answers at the start 'What God has brought together will never break apart.’
Yes! At times you proved 'too much' for me and I 'too much' for you
But God would send His Angels to make sure we made it through. Strange it seems when I look back, as if it all was planned There were many times we saw it - that Intervening Hand.
A second frame freezes you and I Fixed on a yacht like mariners Blurs beneath a pale blue sky You stare out at the future I hold to the mast of the past Stories of little consequence to tell Without a wedding guest Albatross or sound of ship’s bell.
Vaccines are among the most effective public health interventions, significantly reducing morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases. Despite their proven efficacy, vaccine hesitancy has emerged as a pressing global challenge. Accurate information and open communication is vital to safeguard population health.
Widespread vaccination can produce a phenomenon known as “herd immunity,” which then protects most people. The majority of infectious agents need a decent number of susceptible hosts to maintain their presence in a population. After a threshold of immunized individuals is achieved, generally in the range of 90%, the infectious agent disappears entirely, and even those without immunity are safe.
However, when a sufficient number of members of a community forgo vaccination, the percentage of immunised individuals can fall below the threshold for herd immunity, which gives the infectious organism a chance to reestablish itself.
How vaccines are developed
It can take many years to develop and gain approval for a new vaccine. Vaccines go through many phases of development: research, discovery, pre-clinical testing, clinical testing, regulatory approval.
Sometimes, increased resources and funding, and concurrent clinical trials can fast-track development, such as with COVID-19 vaccines. (For more information on this, visit health.govcms.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/ covid-19-vaccines)
Every vaccine in Australia must pass three trial phases before the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) registers it for use.
Phase 1 trials - The new vaccine is given to a small number of healthy adults to assess safety.
Phase 2 trials - If the new vaccine is found safe, it is given to hundreds of people to test: how effectively it stimulates immune responses; how much or how many doses need to be given to protect against the target disease, and whether there are any side effects.
Phase 3 trials - If the vaccine is found safe and effective, it is given to thousands of people to test: if it protects large populations from the target disease, and if there are any uncommon or serious side effects.
Vaccine safety monitoring
Vaccines are like other medicines and can have side effects. However, all vaccines used in Australia provide benefits that greatly outweigh their risks.
All vaccines must be rigorously assessed by the TGA and meet high standards before they can be registered and approved for use in Australia. This includes analysis of: clinical trial data; ingredients; chemistry, and manufacturing.
The TGA also assesses the quality of every batch of vaccine before it can be supplied in Australia.
After vaccines are given to people, their safety continues to be monitored using passive or active surveillance. Passive surveillance requires people to report side effects to the TGA.
Consumers, health professionals, the companies who supply vaccines, and state and territory health departments can report side effects or adverse events to the TGA. (Find out more about this on the TGA website: tga.gov.au/vaccines-overview)
Active surveillance is done using a system called AusVaxSafety. Participating vaccination clinics send short SMS messages to people after they received vaccines (or their parents or carers) to ask if they had any reactions. Independent experts analyse the responses to make sure that any safety issues are detected quickly. (Read more about active surveillance on the AusVaxSafety website: auxvaxsafety.org.au/our-work/national-vaccine-safetysurveillance)
More information
It’s normal to have questions about vaccination. Misinformation on the internet and social media about the safety of vaccines has also caused concern for some people.
Learn more about vaccines and safety by visiting: health.gov.au/resources/publications/questions-aboutvaccination)
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
A multi-billion dollar problem
In 2021 CSIRO estimated the financial cost of managing Australia’s 3,000 invasive weed species to be around $25 billion – a figure that doesn’t factor in the immense cost of managing the environmental damage caused by these pest plants.
In Australia, invasive weeds were cited as the number 1 leading cause of biodiversity loss and species extinction.
With such high stakes Sunshine Coast Council has spent the past five years testing cuttingedge technology through its Environment Levy funded, Invasive Weeds Project.
Onground trial sites at Maleny and Witta provided the setting for the project, where teams used innovative management techniques to detect, manage and restore weedy landscapes.
Half a decade later, armed with scientific data, research results and hands-on learning, Council is working with the community to wage a war on invasive weeds.
The project explored drone mapping and artificial intelligence to detect invasive weeds at scale, environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling to identify weeds spreading through catchments and waterways, and trials of alternative control methods to reduce longterm reliance on herbicides.
Sunshine Coast Environment and Liveability Portfolio Councillor Maria Suarez said invasive weeds posed a significant risk to the region’s biodiversity, waterways and productive land.
“Thanks to the Environment Levy we’ve been able to try some really innovative technologies to find out what actually works so that all landholders and land managers can more effectively tackle weeds on their properties,” Cr Suarez said.
"Through the project we’ve developed a simple, practical approach to weed management, empowering everyone from primary producers to back yard gardeners to gain the knowledge and confidence to take action.
“Unfortunately, weeds don’t recognise boundaries, so this project is a great way to share the load and together, build a greener and more connected Sunshine Coast.”
Sunshine Coast Council’s Environment and Liveability Portfolio Councillor Tim Burns said that during May, Council hosted a series of events and workshops to share information with the community.
“The event series offered practical hands-on demonstrations that showed participants how to work with the land, not against it, restore habitat, protect wildlife and save themselves time and money in the long term,” Cr Burns said.
“The old adage ‘teach someone to fish’ really comes into play here.
Every land parcel is different and people have different constraints. These sessions provide a playbook to choose from so people can tailor the solution to suit their situation.
“There are two community days still to come where we hope to inspire a lot more people to our weed army.”
Sunshine Coast Council’s Division 5 Cr Winston Johnston said the four simple steps, developed as an outcome of the project were available to follow on Council’s website.
“Each of the methods tested at the trial sites are available to view, alongside results and application data, an extensive project resource library with everything from study data and plant lists to plant identification and hire equipment,” Cr Johnston said.
“Together, this project is helping remove invasive weeds, bring back native plants, and help all landholders manage weeds more effectively.”
The invasive weeds project is proudly funded by the Environment Levy, ensuring levy contributions are reinvested into protecting the region’s environment and supporting resilient landscapes for the future.
IIn
the Wild
Things that go bump in the night
f you live in, or near the bush, you will inevitably hear the sounds of various critters going bump, grunt, squeal or even scream in the middle of the night.
For those of you who have watched one too many horror movies, these sounds might conjure up paranoid images of axe wielding, mask wearing homicidal maniacs - argh… I’m even getting scared just talking about this stuff!
The reality, however, is that when the sun goes down and we move to the safety, warmth and security of our homes, many animals are just waking up and starting their day … I mean night!
Take for example the Mountain Brushtail or Bobuck (Trichosurus vulpecula). An hour or so after the sun goes down these amazing local critters get active, searching for leaves, fruit, insects, smaller animals and pet food –practically anything really!
They make a sound somewhat like a cross between a bark and a cough, which if you were really paranoid, you could presume to be a potential burglar with asthma – however these guys are only a threat to your fruit trees, and are such charismatic neighbours that it would be stingy not to share a little with them.
A wild sound that might scare you in the middle of the night (or day for that matter) and that surprisingly comes from one of our favourite cuddly Aussie icons, are the grunts, growls and howls that can emanate from the Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus).
When a male Koala wants to sweet talk the ladies or indicate that you are not welcome on his territory he makes a series of calls that sound like they come from some bizarre donkey/ lion hybrid. The depth of sound appears to be completely out of proportion to their size and obviously designed to carry through the forest.
The howl of the Dingo (Canis lupus dingo) is a sound we may be more familiar with, as it’s deeply etched in our evolutionary memory as the call of a potential predator. Sometimes we can hear the call of these and “wild dogs” (Canis lupus familiaris) on the Range.
Perhaps the most disturbing of calls, if you are unfamiliar with them, are the screams of various animals such as the Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio prorphyrio) and the feral Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes).
Yet again, the wonder of the internet gives us the opportunity to verify and check the calls and noises that many animals make. But, as always, the best way to get to know your local wildlife (just don’t be tempted to feed them), is to go outside on a moonlit night, go for a stroll and familiarise yourself with the very normal sights and sounds of your local bushland.
with Spencer Shaw
Invasive Weed Project, Maleny Event
Maleny community day weed ID
Thirty years of Botanic Garden action
The Friends of Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens (MRBBG) recently celebrated 30 years since their formation, sharing a sumptuous afternoon tea with Mayor Rosanna Natoli and early Members and supporters.
Back in 1996, the initial group of Friends urged the then Maroochy Council to purchase the initial 82 hectares of land at Palm Creek Road at Tanawha. Legend has it that the Hummingbird Cake baked by Maureen Sheargold (Founding President) was shared with members of the Council at the proposed site back in 1996, and that helped to clinch the deal. It was fitting that Maureen baked another Hummingbird cake to share with guests 30 years later at this celebration!
Aunty Bev Hand provided a warm Welcome to Country and congratulated Members on their tenacity, guidance and three decades of achievements.
TEDDY IS READY FOR A FRESH START
Five year old Teddy may only weigh in at just over 3kgs, but this little Pomeranian gent has plenty of love to give.
Teddy was surrendered into the care of 4 Paws Animal Rescue due to a change in family circumstances. He’s now searching for a calm and loving home where he can settle in and feel safe and confident again.
Described by his foster carer as very affectionate and loyal, Teddy loves company and is never far away from the action. He’s a healthy, active little man who walks well on a lead and loves his daily walk and playtime.
Wet Feet
Mayor Natoli reflected on the 30-year journey of the Gardens from first being “imagined and then reimagined”. She recalled her own experiences from family picnics to reporting as a journalist on events such as the creation of sculptures and Christmas light shows.
As the landscape architect responsible for the 1998 Master Plan for the site, Mr Lawrie Smith AM also reflected on the role of the Friends in the development of the Gardens, noting the Friends have been there “every step of the way.”
Lawrie also provided a vision for the future development opportunities for the MRBBG for the next 30 years and encouraged the Sunshine Coast community to embrace these opportunities.
He stressed the value of the Gardens to the community’s understanding of local biodiversity, its scientific and landscape value: “Ideally this will demonstrate and
Teddy loves his people and gets along well with other small dogs. While he’s settled in well in his foster home, he really needs the long-term love of a forever family. Like many small dogs experiencing big changes, he may need a little support and consistency with toilet training initially, but he’s a very clever boy and is already learning quickly.
Teddy will thrive in a home where someone is around much of the time and can provide him with patience, structure and plenty of affection. In return, he promises unwavering loyalty and companionship.
Teddy is vet checked, desexed, vaccinated, microchipped and ready for his new home.
To learn more about Teddy or to submit an adoption application, please visit the 4 Paws Animal Rescue website: 4pawsanimalrescue.org.au.
Do you have any areas on the land that you care for that hold water? Whether gardening for biodiversity or larger scale rehabilitation projects, wetland areas require an approach that respects the ecological balance. When planting out a wetland area, sedges and rushes should form the backbone of your planting.
This
particularly frogs and birds. This can be clearly seen, and heard, in the Maleny Community Precinct wetland area, a lovely walk which is very accessible from the Barung Community Nursery or a short walk from town.
encourage the use of regional species in the rural and urban residential gardens,” he said.
His thoughts were echoed by Mr Ralph Bailey, who was the architect of the Arts and Ecology Centre at the MRBBG.
Maureen Sheargold OAM, the Founding President of the Friends, was described by the Master of Ceremonies as “indefatigable” in her vision and contribution to the Gardens over 30 years. In her speech Maureen modestly asked to “Let the gardens speak for themselves”.
The Friends continue work in co-operation with the Sunshine Coast Council to provide practical and financial support for the Gardens and adjacent bushland reserves that now span almost 200Ha. Teams of volunteers including gardening, construction, guiding and propagation crews have worked tirelessly for 30 years to maintain garden areas to a standard that matches the natural appeal of the bushland itself, which now includes a growing network of walking trails through koala habitat. Many of the guests at the celebration explored the new butterfly garden, the newest joint project between the Friends and the Sunshine Coast Council that has been five years in the making.
The ‘Friends of MRBBG’ are keen to accept new Members and hear from supporters to help continue their work for another thirty years and beyond. Contact: friendsofMRBBG@ gmail.com (Pictured: Mayor Rosanna Natoli with the Friends of MRBBG - image by Greg Miller.)
About That Tree
with Tree Surgeon Tony Wootton, our local arborist and author, meeting the Hinterland's tree needs since 1996
Lately we’ve been working on some really big trees. I’m talking 50 m tall trees. On suburban blocks. Unfortunately, it comes to a point where it’s really not practical just to allow these trees to keep growing. They either need pruning to reduce the size of them, or in some cases removal, because the consequences of them failing would be catastrophic. These arboricultural operations require a whole new level of equipment and expertise. But we love a challenge!
I’ve talked about it before, but the Maleny Plateau is now coming into a stage where the trees that were planted in the '80s and '90s last century are now into the 50-metre-tall range.
If it is an area that has permanent shallow water, gets flooded after rain events and retains moisture or an area on the margins of a wet area that retains moisture, there are several local species of sedges and rushes that will thrive in these spots.
An easy way to tell the difference between the two is to remember that sedges have edges and rushes are round.
For local sedge species there are several in the carex genus and for rushes some options include Juncus and Ficinia species. Lomandra hystrix is also a great option for the edges of wet areas planted amongst the sedges and rushes which will help to keep cane toads from accessing these areas.
If you’d like to learn more about sedges and rushes and restoring wetland areas, please visit us at the Barung Community Nursery for a chat.
In the photo, you can see Jackson standing on the stump of one of them that failed in North Maleny late last year. It was 50 metres tall, a big Dunn’s White Gum, Eucalyptus dunnii. Thankfully, it missed the house.
Now the new owners have wisely decided to get the other trees reduced. There are three more of them. This is being proactive.
It is difficult, if not impossible, to guarantee the safety of any large tree because even the healthiest of them is prone to lightning strike and storm damage just by virtue of their enormous height and size.
Mobile: 0403 467 664
Landline: 54 944 917 www.twtreesurgeon.com
So it really comes down to the level of risk that people are happy to live with, and, unfortunately, there’s also the potential for the tree’s failure to impact on neighbouring properties as well, so all these factors have to be considered when assessing these large trees.
Mobile: 0403 467 664 www.twtreesurgeon.com
first layer in a wetland provides vital habitat for a diversity of wildlife,
Mayor Rosanna Natoli with the Friends of MRBBG
Delivering a place to call home for more Queenslanders
The new Queensland Government is unlocking new housing supply to deliver more Queenslanders a place to call home.
Before a home can be built, the right foundations need to be laid.
Infrastructure for water, stormwater, roads, sewage, power, and telecommunications all need to be in place.
That’s why the Queensland Government is funding these types of essential infrastructure projects that are ready to start immediately – so more homes can be built sooner.
The $2 billion Residential Activation Fund is part of a range of housing initiatives being delivered across the state, and a key pillar of the Queensland Government’s Securing Our Housing Foundations Plan, unlocking housing supply and ensuring communities have the infrastructure needed to grow.
Alongside the new Residential Activation Fund, the Queensland Government is also:
▶ supporting first home buyers by removing stamp duty on new builds, helping 2204 Queenslanders since May 2025. Eligible buyers save $9096 on a median-priced house and land package in Queensland.
▶ extending the $30,000 first home owner grant to 30 June 2026 – which has already helped 2629 people this financial year.
▶ delivering a nation-leading Boost to Buy shared equity scheme to help reduce the deposit gap, already helping 150 Queenslanders get into their first home. Round two is now open.
▶ increasing rental availability by lifting subletting restrictions.
▶ delivering one million homes, including 53,500 social and community homes by 2044.
To find out more visit aplacetocallhome.initiatives.qld.gov.au
The Government is also unlocking underutilised government-owned land, allowing surplus sites to become much-needed homes for Queenslanders, through the Land Activation Program.
Round one of the Fund is already supporting 98 projects across the state, unlocking land for more than 98,000 new homes.
At least half of the $2 billion in funding under Round two is dedicated to fasttracking land supply for housing in regional Queensland.
Inside the $2 Billion Residential Activation Fund
The new Queensland Government’s Residential Activation Fund is delivering a place to call home for more Queenslanders, supporting one million new homes by 2044, with at least 50 per cent of the overall funding invested in regional, rural and remote Queensland.
The Fund is delivering essential infrastructure like new water and drainage pipes, new roads and transport links, and improved connections to power and telecommunications.
Delivering critical infrastructure is driving housing supply and easing housing pressure, with land unlocked for more than 98,000 new homes for Queenslanders.
Round one of the fund is already supporting 98 projects across the state. With $500 million available in round two, and fifty percent of those allocated to regional Queensland, more Queenslanders will have a place to call home sooner.
Queensland Property Council Executive Director Jess Caire said the funding had been warmly received by industry.
“The Property Council advocated strongly for this funding due to the obvious feasibility gaps for new housing that were clearly precipitated by a lack of sufficient infrastructure,” she said.
A growing Queensland needs more housing. That’s why the new Queensland Government’s $2 billion Residential Activation Fund is delivering the essential infrastructure needed to build more homes sooner.
This includes new water and drainage pipes, new roads and transport links and improved connections to power and telecommunications for more Queenslanders. Because before a house can go up, the groundwork has to go in, helping everyone find a place to call home.
“The Residential Activation Fund goes to the heart of this issue, and we congratulate the Government for announcing and enacting it so quickly.”
To ensure these projects deliver results quickly, they need to be ready to start within 12 months of the project being announced and completed within three years.
Local Government Association of Queensland Chief Executive Officer, Alison Smith said the initiative is delivering game-changing infrastructure that will see thousands of new homes built right across the state.
To find out more visit aplacetocallhome.initiatives.qld.gov.au
Authorised by the Queensland Government, Brisbane.
Projects to change lives across Queensland
Across Queensland, the Residential Activation Fund is unlocking land to get Queenslanders into homes sooner.
I n South East Queensland, the $2 billion Residential Activation Fund is unlocking land and accelerating housing supply to meet the growing needs of communities.
Projects delivering at least 52,000 new homes in South East Queensland, include:
Ipswich: Up to 11,300 new homes are being unlocked through two critical infrastructure projects - $15.8 million to upgrade Fischer Road including stormwater drainage, street lighting, turning lanes, and a 3m shared path. $57.9 million to transform Ripley Road into a four-lane urban arterial road with stormwater drainage, cycle tracks, footpaths, bus stops, and a service road.
Moreton Bay: Unlocking more than 10,300 homes through four critical infrastructure projects, including a new Caboolture River bridge for Waraba and $24 million towards upgrading the Bellmere Road Corridor. This $45.8 million investment is supporting vibrant new residential communities.
Brisbane and Scenic Rim: A $47 million boost towards the Gardner Road Extension in Rochedale, unlocking 685 new homes. $14.7
million investment in the Rochedale Road and Ford Road Stormwater Project, unlocking 600 new homes. In the Scenic Rim, a $7.3 million investment in Beaudesert for road, water and sewer infrastructure supporting sustainable growth for 384 homes.
Sunshine Coast: Delivering more than 1800 new homes in the Maroochydore City Centre, placing residents close to transport, jobs, and services. This initiative is supported by a $82.9 million investment in critical upgrades.
Logan: Unlocking 20,000 homes by enhancing essential infrastructure with $135.98 million investment in the Chambers Flat Wastewater Treatment Plant. Delivering another 8250 homes in Flagstone and surrounding growth areas with $30 million of investment.
Yarrabilba: $10 million boost supporting a new $20 million intersection at Jimbillunga Drive, providing greater connectively with a crucial second exit and access point for the community.
The nation leading Land Activation Program
A6.4-hectare site in at Banyo - 16km north of Brisbane’s CBD - brought to market, is paving the way for up to 400 new homes through the Queensland Government’s Land Activation Program.
Unlocking underutilised governmentowned land, the program fast tracks housing developments by turning surplus sites into much-needed homes for Queenslanders.
A transforming family-friendly suburb with excellent transport links and amenities, the Banyo site is just one
Social
Boost to Buy bringing ownership dream to reality for more Queenslanders
For first-time home buyers
Mitchell and Samantha Stanger, the dream of owning a home felt like a distant reality – until they discovered the new Queensland Government’s nation-leading Boost to Buy shared equity scheme.
Boost to Buy helped the Stangers bridge the deposit gap, turning years of saving into the security of home ownership for their young family.
“Even though we were working hard and saving, the deposit gap kept our goal of owning a home out of reach,” Mr Stanger said.
“We had been living with our in-laws on the Gold Coast along with our twoyear-old and four-year-old to try to save as much as we can.
example of the program’s potential.
Developers will also be able to nominate unused government land for consideration, with assessments completed in just 30 business days.
Land supply is critical to meeting the Queensland Government’s one million homes by 2044 target, and with further sites set to be released across the state, Industry leaders welcomed the initiative.
Urban Development Institute of Australia Queensland President Michael Loney
said unlocking land for new homes was a crucial step to deliver more homes for Queenslanders.
“Housing supply is our way out of the housing crisis. To get housing supply we need land supply,” he said.
“The Institute has long supported efforts to identify surplus government land and give it a new life as housing for the community.”
To find out more visit edq.qld.gov.au/land-activation-program
and Affordable Housing at the heart of Queensland’s long-term plan
T wo periods of homelessness and a stint in emergency housing would shake any family. For Amy and Floyd, they’ve found what every parent wants for their kids – a safe, secure, and affordable place to call home.
The journey wasn’t easy for this Wide Bay family of seven. With five children aged between four and 20 years, including three with ADHD and intellectual disabilities, Amy and Floyd faced significant challenges in finding stable housing. But with the support of the RentConnect team at the Bundaberg Housing Service Centre, they were able to turn their situation around and secure a Helping Hand Headlease on a suburban 4-bedroom home.
Amy says life is much easier now. “Before, we were living day-to-day,” she said.
“Now, we can see the future and make plans to own our own home. We couldn’t
do that before because we were terrified of being homeless again.”
With a $5.6 billion pipeline for additional social and community housing and $500 million in annual funding locked in from 2029–30, the Queensland Government is committed to creating 53,500 social and community homes by 2044.
This investment is about more than building houses – it’s about giving Queenslanders like Amy and Floyd stability and opportunities.
The Government is also supporting Community Housing Providers through the $4 million Community Housing Futures Program, which helps them build their capacity and grow to deliver more social and community housing.
Community Housing Industry Association Queensland CEO Julie Saunders said
the government’s pipeline shows what long-term funding can achieve.
“Through the Queensland Community Housing Investment Pipeline and the Community Housing Futures Program, providers are growing portfolios and delivering affordable homes faster,” she said.
QShelter CEO Fiona Caniglia agreed sustained investment is key.
“The extension of the Community Housing Futures Program means every dollar of funding turns into more homes for those who need it most,” she said.
The Queensland Government’s A Place to Call Home initiatives are about more than bricks and mortar – it’s about creating opportunities, fostering independence, and helping every Queenslander thrive in a home they can call their own.
“With the Government’s equity contribution, we were able to buy and have payments we can manage and ultimately have the security of knowing we have a place to call home.
“I’m so proud of myself and my wife and my family that we were able to achieve this goal in a short amount of time thanks to the Boost to Buy scheme.”
The Stangers’ story highlights the Government’s commitment to unlocking more homes and supporting first home buyers.
Three months since its launch, more than 150 buyers now have the keys to their first home through the scheme.
Round two applications for the scheme are now open, with an additional 500 placements available, and half reserved for regional Queensland.
The Boost to Buy scheme provides a government equity contribution of up to 30 per cent for new homes and 25 per cent for existing homes, and to be eligible, home buyers need to have saved a minimum of two per cent deposit for the purchase price of a property up to $1 million.
The Queensland Government has committed $330 million for up to 2000 places in the scheme over three years.
To find out more visit aplacetocallhome.initiatives.qld.gov.au
Flagstone Priority Development Area, Logan, is set to unlock thousands of new homes.
First-time home buyer Mitchell Stanger said the Government equity scheme turned something that felt like years away into a reality for their young family.
HOLISTIC HEALTH AND WELLBEING
ne-size-fits-all aged care system failing the vulnerable
According to Parkinson’s Australia, older Australians with progressive, incurable neurological disorders are falling through the cracks of the Federal Government’s new Support at Home program.
Over 65s with Parkinson’s, Parkinson’s Plus, Essential Tremor and other chronic conditions are not having their disabilities recognised by the recently restructured inhome aged care services program.
Parkinson’s Australia CEO Olivia Nassaris says that the Support at Home aged care system simply isn’t working for people with Parkinson’s and other progressive illnesses – or their carers.
“87,000 older people have been assessed and approved for home care packages, but have not yet received one or are waiting on an increased level of support,” Ms Nassaris says.
“There is no use being assessed as high needs Level 8 if there is no package to actually provide the services.
“If you’re diagnosed with Parkinson’s at 66, you go into the aged care system –full stop – there’s no choice, no alternative, and no guarantee the support you receive will match the complexity of your condition.
condition. The system is failing to help the people it was
“That’s why we’re launching our #NeedsNotaNumber campaign for a system that looks at what you actually need, not just the number of years you’ve lived.”
Ms Nassaris says people with Parkinson’s, Essential Tremor, Parkinsonism and other chronic conditions are seeking recognition of their progressive conditions in the Support at Home framework.
They want to see ongoing allied health therapies funded and NDIS participants over 65 protected from losing their disability supports.
“When the system falls short, families fill the gap and carers are not a free resource,” Ms Nassaris says.
“The hidden cost of inadequate support is paid every day by the people who love someone with a chronic
One such case study is self-funded retirees Wayne and Olga. Wayne, 79, has advanced Parkinson’s disease and in December suffered a fall and broke his femur.
Wayne and Olga have been registered for aged care for four years and Wayne has been assessed as needing the highest level of care – Level 8.
His Parkinson’s symptoms include tremors and difficulty swallowing, which means he needs in-home allied health treatment including speech therapy.
The family has used all available rehabilitation care and privately funded as much respite and home care as they can afford, as well as about $3000 worth of mobility and bathroom equipment.
They’ve even borrowed an old wheelchair from a friend, which they can only use when daughter Melanie is around because it is too heavy for her
Melanie has been navigating the system since January, advocating for her parents but so far has been unable to unlock the Support at Home care her parents need.
This specific case has been forwarded to the Minister for Health and the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, by Parkinsons Australia.
For more information, please visit parkinsons.org.au/ campaigns/aged-care-reform.
Aaron Pryor
Use Your Mental Edge The most important education you’ll never be given
by JAMIE MILNE
eyond university degrees, certifications, and formal education, some of the greatest growth in my life has come through self-education. Not just intellectually but emotionally and psychologically.
The ability to regulate emotion under pressure, build resilience, think critically, and develop what I call “psychological robustness” has largely come from the books, mentors, and ideas I pursued outside the classroom.
that meaning, purpose, and attitude can sustain the human spirit even in unimaginable suffering.
• The Winning Mindset — A practical and grounded exploration of elite performance psychology, focusing on habits, standards, and the mindset required to perform under pressure.
A bend in the road byKERRIE FRIEND
the most valuable distracted world.
• Belonging — Explores how
I believe this will increasingly become the way of the future. Information is now everywhere. The challenge is no longer access to knowledge, it’s the ability to interpret it, apply it, and use it to improve the quality of your life.
Here are six books that have significantly shaped my thinking:
• Man’s Search for Meaning — Viktor Frankl’s reflections from surviving Nazi concentration camps remind us
— A powerful framework for understanding emotional reactions and learning how to better manage the mind under stress.
• Antifragile — Challenges the idea of merely surviving adversity, arguing instead that some people and systems grow stronger because of chaos and difficulty.
Sometimes, one good book can change the trajectory of a life. jamiemilnetraining.com
One of the most valuable things we can do during a bend is to stop and reflect, because our initial response is often worrying and that accomplishes nothing. Give most bends thirty-six hours and you’ll frequently see them differently.
When faced with a bend you are going to have to believe in yourself and not let it cripple you. Use self-control and focus on a plan to overcome the bend rather than let it defeat you. Reflect on past bends you dominated and gain strength in the knowledge of them.
See the bend before you in relation to the road you’ve already travelled on and investigate the distance to see the destination you are trying to reach. Too often we forget about our past successes and only focus on our failures.
There are many valuable lessons in bends when we fully embrace them knowing they are an integral part of life.
In life we regularly go through some bad things to get to the good and mostly the only way there is around a bend.
Eleanor Roosevelt (US President Roosevelt’s wife) said, “You gain strength, courage and confidence with every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the things you think you cannot do”.
Bends are not the end but a new beginning, look them in the face and bravely go around them.
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
Protecting Mudjimba Island Reef
As well as protecting Mudjimba Island Reef, here are some of the ways the new Queensland Government is delivering for the Sunshine Coast:
• 50c fares made permanent
• Delivering a new connection to the Sunshine Motorway at West Coolum Road
• Delivering a new TAFE in Caloundra
• Delivering generational infrastructure like The Wave
• Delivering lighting for Sunshine Coast sporting clubs
• Delivering long-term protection for the Pumicestone Passage
• Delivering mental health support with endED short-term accommodation in Woombye
• Delivering the Congestion Busting Plan for Caloundra Road
• Delivering the Nambour Police Beat
• Delivering the Sunshine Coast Stadium upgrade for 2032 and beyond
• Upgrading Diddillibah Road and Nambour Connection Road intersection
• Upgrading Mooloolah River Interchange.
Authorised by the Queensland Government, Brisbane.
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
10 years’ experience & multiple RMA awards. Innovative marketing strategies for maximum exposure. Get unmatched results. Blake 0412 266 719
Sunshine Coast Hinterland Property
Sales & Property Management
Curated Marketing for Hinterland Homes & Estates
Marlene Thomas | 0423 850 473
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
If salvation were dependent only on good moral works, it would be a waste of time to try to identify the New Testament church, for some people were of excellent morals before the church was established, and some are of high principles now, both in and out of the churches. Jesus’ cruel death was not necessary, and was senseless, if morality gets a sinner to heaven. But if his blood is essential to salvation, also is his church, for his blood bought the church (Acts 20:28): that is, his blood pays the price of redemption for every sinner who obeys the Gospel, and that sinner, now cleansed of guilt, is a member of that group of people who are likewise saved. That group is the New Testament church. To be a member of that group thus means salvation from past sins and faithfulness in that group means heaven. To be out of that group means lack of salvation and lack of promise of heaven. This contrast underscores the imperative of one’s identifying that church.
At Corinth sinners heard the story of Jesus and were immersed into hm. (Acts 18:8; cf. Rom. 6:3-5) Those sinners, now purified from past sins, were addressed as “the church of god at Corinth.” (1 Cor. 1:2) It follows then that if sinners anywhere hear Jesus’ story, respond to it in the obedience of faith (Acts 16:31; Rom.
"The Housing Industry Association (HIA) welcomes the Commonwealth and Queensland Government’s announcement of more than $2 billion agreement to support the delivery of up to 51,000 new homes, including 20,000 exclusively for first home buyers across the state” said HIA Managing Director, Jocelyn Martin
“Under the agreement, more than 20,000 homes will be reserved for first home buyers, supported by a $2 billion Australian Government contribution, including
$399 million in grants and $1.6 billion in concessional loans for essential infrastructure. The Queensland Government will match grant funding with a further $399 million investment.
“The announcement forms part of the Albanese Government’s commitment to work with states and territories to help deliver up to 100,000 homes for firsthome buyers, with a focus on unlocking housing supply through targeted enabling infrastructure funding.”
50 Gardners Lane, North Maleny
moving to the Maleny Hinterland, singlelevel living consistently ranks as one of the most important property considerations. Ease of movement, longterm comfort and future-proofing quickly become priorities once inspections begin.
Hinterland homes with minimal internal stairs and easy access from parking to living spaces allow buyers to enjoy acreage and views without sacrificing practicality. These properties support everyday living - carrying groceries, hosting visitors, moving between indoor and outdoor spaces - without physical strain.
valued when paired with generous living areas, natural light and a strong connection to the outdoors. Buyers are increasingly selective, preferring homes that will adapt with them over time rather than require costly alterations later.
At REMAX Hinterland, we consistently see stronger enquiry and longer-term ownership appeal for Maleny properties that prioritise functional, single-level design.
Agency: REMAX Hinterland
Contact: Melissa Chaddock
Phone: 0400 550 035
32 Maple Street, Maleny, Qld 4552
Jocelyn said the recent announcement recognises that increasing housing supply is critical to improving affordability and one of the largest impediments to delivery of more housing faster, includes boosting funding for “key last mile’ trunk infrastructure.
“HIA has consistently called for targeted investment that unlocks land, accelerates delivery and supports industry to build at scale, and we welcome the Commonwealth’s continued focus on supply and work with State and Territory Governments to make this happen,” Jocelyn said.
“Builders often tell us that getting this key ‘last mile’ infrastructure is what holds many projects back from being delivered in a more-timely fashion, this recent announcement is a key plank in addressing that.”
HIA Executive Director Queensland, Michael Roberts, said builders across the state are ready to deliver more homes but continue to face constraints that delay projects and increase costs.
“Queensland builders are ready to deliver, but too many projects are slowed by infrastructure constraints and delays outside their control,” Michael said.
“Any investment that helps unlock land, bring forward essential services and get homes to market sooner will make a real difference for Queensland firsthome buyers, and ease broader supply constraints.
“Getting the fundamentals right - land, infrastructure and approvals - is the key to improving housing affordability in Queensland.
“This welcome funding sends a clear signal to industry that governments are serious about boosting housing supply, and builders are ready to get on with the job of delivering more homes for Queenslanders.”
8 Laurel Street, Maleny
ositioned in the tightly held Maleny Glen estate, 8 Laurel Street offers a rare blend of privacy, quality craftsmanship and peaceful Hinterland living, all within easy walking distance to the vibrant heart of Maleny.
Set on a generous 1,645m² north-east facing block, the home is elevated to capture cooling summer breezes, morning sunshine and calming treetop views across the surrounding reserve. With a quiet nothrough road, abundant birdlife and even the occasional echidna passing through, the setting feels like your own private retreat while still being moments from town.
A spacious open-plan living area flows effortlessly onto a sun-drenched, north-
facing wraparound deck, the perfect place to entertain or relax. The newly renovated kitchen features a large stone benchtop, quality appliances, double pantry and generous storage, all framed by tranquil leafy views.
Whether you're searching for a private family sanctuary, a quality-built hinterland home, or a lifestyle upgrade with long-term appeal, this property delivers on all fronts.
Contact Susan on 0428 573 170 to arrange your private inspection.
