NEWS SUMMARY – Snapshots of Sunshine Coast news.

FUTURISTIC ART EXHIBITION

If you have ever asked yourself what the future will look like – then now is the time to visit the Sunshine Coast’s Regional Gallery, where Dystopia/ Utopia: 2070 presents a view of our world 50 years from now. Curated by Artisan, a Queensland craft and design organisation, and toured with the assistance of the Australian Government’s Visions of Australian program, Dystopia/Utopia: 2070 is artists’ responses to future scenarios. Curator Kevin Wilson says the exhibition looks far into an uncertain future and features the works of seven artists, chosen for their willingness to push their practice into unknown realms. The exhibition is on show until March 20 at Caloundra Regional Gallery.

NEWS REVIEW

$10,000 FOR TWINNIES

A Landsborough set of twins passionate about helping sick and injured seabirds have received a $10,00 donation from the state government. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says she is impressed with the work of Bridgette and Paula Powers of Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue. “Their dedication and passion as wildlife conservationists is truly admirable, and their track record of voluntary work over so many years deserves our backing,” she says. “Our $10,000 contribution will hopefully inspire others to also support them and their mum Helen to help meet their running costs,” Ms Palaszczuk says. For more than 20 years, Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue has been caring for birds that have been injured or are sick.

$500,000

73,000

Sunshine Coast community groups with great project ideas to make the region more active, vibrant, inclusive, resilient or creative are urged to apply for a Major Grant through Sunshine Coast Council’s Community Grants program. More than $500,000 in funding is up for grabs in the latest Major Grants round, which is now open. In the last council Major Grant round for this financial year, eligible not-for-profit organisations can receive up to $15,000 for projects, events and activities that provide community benefits. Grants up to $30,000 are also available for infrastructure projects that involve developing, maintaining or improving buildings or land that contribute to providing a safe, accessible and inclusive community facility. Visit sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au and search ‘Major Grants’. Applications close on March 14.

Adventurous Sunshine Coast conservation scientist Professor Andy Marshall has gone out on a limb to help solve the question: how many tree species exist in the world? While crawling through thorny vines or trekking remote forests in storms, he’s also helped unearth amazing new species, including a ‘hot spot’ of yet-to-be discovered trees in northeast Australia. Professor Marshall, from the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) Forest Research Institute, and almost 150 scientists spent years identifying trees both common and rare around the world. The answer to the question — about 73,000 species — was published in early February in US science journal PNAS. “It’s hugely exciting,” Professor Marshall says, who did most of his fieldwork in East Africa and Australia.

PET RESCUE MONTH

The Petbarn Foundation is calling on Sunshine Coast residents to help save hundreds of pets from euthanasia by promoting adoption during Rescue Month this February. Each year postChristmas, there is an increase of pet surrenders in shelters and pounds, an issue now enlarged thanks to the housing crisis, and sadly resulting in a higher number of abandoned pets and a rise euthanasia rates. It is estimated more than 200,000 dogs are surrendered to shelters each year and up to 44,000 of those dogs and puppies are euthanised. Pet owners can support the cause by opting to feed their dog SavourLife food. To find animals up for adoption visit petbarn.com.au.

TURTLES SET FREE

A pair of rehabilitated turtles has been released at Mooloolaba Beach, as conservation experts urge the community to help protect marine life. Green sea turtles Dasher and Blitzen re-entered the ocean in early February, with the help of SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast Aquarium, Sunshine Coast Council and the Mooloolaba State School’s Environment Squad. The turtles were found extremely unwell suffering from “floating syndrome” just before Christmas and they spent the festive season at SEA LIFE. Dasher was discovered in the shallows of Mooloolaba Spit in December, while Blitzen washed up on Teewah Beach in November. They were taken to the Mooloolaba aquarium, and nursed back to health, munching on more than 500 grams of food per day.

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Ballet show a hit with local audiences

A professional dancer and actress with a special connection to Queensland refl ects on Ballet International Gala, a production that is set to change the arts scene into the future. WORDS: Caitlin Zerafa.

It began with a big dream to bring bite-sized pieces from some of the world’s well-known ballets to Australian shores.

Now, three boys from Brisbane are celebrating big success after the launch of Ballet International Gala (BIG), which came to Caloundra on February 5.

As part of BIG, a host of international dancers from Australia, America, England, Cuba and Kazakhstan, plus Brisbanebased rock trio Selfish Sons, performed seven shows at Brisbane’s QPAC in January before two special Sunshine Coast shows.

This show fused classical ballet with modern rock music – all performed live – showcasing snippets of Spartacus, Le Corsaire, Grand Pas Classique, Romeo and Juliet and White Swan.

The production was co-produced by Joel Burke, Beck Phillips and Khalid Tarabay and was well received by audiences, with several sold-out shows and standing ovations.

“We’re so delighted with the success of BIG – I can’t think of another ballet that has received a standing ovation in every performance,” Mr Phillips says. “It’s comforting to know audiences enjoy what we’re providing because we’re really pushing boundaries with ballet by incorporating our rock elements.

“I think the mix really excites audiences and has opened ballet up to an entirely different crowd.”

One of the many stars on stage was Juliet Doherty. With dancing in her blood and hundreds of pairs of worn pointe shoes in her wake, she is best known for her leading roles in High Strung: Free Dance and Driven to Dance on Netflix.

A fourth-generation dancer, she is a two-time gold medallist of the Youth America Grand Prix International Finals, and has been a featured artist at the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and Radio City Music Hall.

Ms Doherty tells My Weekly Preview it was an honour to perform as part of BIG, her first live theatre performance since February 2020.

“It feels really special to be part of this production in particular, because it’s not only the first edition of BIG, but it’s the first production of its kind to bring this quality out to Brisbane [and the Sunshine Coast] as well as mould all these different expressions of arts forms together.

“You quite rarely see rock music paired with ballet, so it’s that type of energy and just something brand new and so rare.

“It’s [had] such a good reception and just to hear how much everyone is enjoying it too just makes it feel incredibly worth it.

“To have that connection again, to be back into the theatre after such a long hiatus, to have everyone together in a room experiencing that moment together, it feels quite special.

“It’s a one-of-a-kind feeling, all the nerves and everything involved, but having to really be present in the moment and be connected to everyone in the audience that is giving you’re their full attention.”

She says it was extra special dancing in Queensland, the place her father was born and grew up in, and for her Australian family to see her on stage for the first time.

“It’s really special to be in Brisbane and the Sunny Coast performing.

“I even had my uncle and cousins in the audience for the first time.”

The 24-year-old, who has been dancing en pointe since she was nine and loves the ballet Romeo and Juliet, says a ballerinas can often go through a pair of shoes a night when dancing a lead role.

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Billboards will be used to promote a new healthy eating campaign

ARE YOU ONE OF THE 32 PER CENT? CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TO GET THE NATION EATING MORE VEGETABLES

With alarmingly low levels of vegetable consumption on the Sunshine Coast (just 32 per cent of us eat vegetables daily) and more broadly across Australia, a national campaign has kicked off this month to encourage consumers to eat more vegies.

As part of the Better Than You Remember campaign, developed by Health and Wellbeing Queensland and supported by Nutrition Australia and Outdoor Media Association (OMA), hundreds of billboards, public transport sites and bus shelters across Queensland and Australia will promote the message encouraging people to think differently about how they consume vegetables.

Costing more than $3 million, the pro bono campaign aims to reignite the joy of vegies, increase vegetable consumption, and highlight the importance of health and boosting immunity.

Despite the significant health benefits of a vegetable-rich diet, including boosting the immune systems of people of all ages, according to the 2021 My Health for Life consumer survey, only eight per cent of Australian adults and five per cent of children are eating enough vegetables, making this campaign more important than ever.

Aimed at tackling obesity and other serious health issues including diabetes and heart disease, commuters will see billboards, public transport sites and bus shelters covered over the next four weeks with stunning campaign imagery of vegetables.

The campaign aligns with the OMA National Health and Wellbeing Policy, which restricts the advertising of discretionary food and drink products on signs within a 150-metre sightline of a school. The policy aims to meet community expectations and support government efforts to tackle obesity in Australia.

Health and Wellbeing Queensland chief executive Dr Robyn Littlewood says she is delighted to be joining forces across sectors to get this message out in Brisbane, regional Queensland and all other states in Australia.

“Given the current environment, now more than ever, getting more vegies into your diet can actually help boost your health and wellbeing,” Dr Littlewood says.

“Vegetables are nutritional powerhouses that can also help us prevent and manage obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Vegies are food-as-medicine – they taste great, and they are easy to cook with.

“We know every town and city across Australia is experiencing different food supply chain issues, so we’re encouraging people to make the most of what is available and try different ways of cooking with vegies.”

“If you can’t get your tried and tested favourites, substitute with fresh, frozen or tinned vegies. They are all going to serve you well.”

The Better Than You Remember campaign also points people to a comprehensive website full of great vegetable recipes, tips on how to include them in your daily diet as well as comprehensive blogs and other great nutritional information.

Visit boostyourhealthy.com.au

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Andrew Wallace, MP and Wishlist CEO, Lisa Rowe

ONWARD AND UPWARD: WISHLIST CENTRE UNDERWAY

Australian-first facility Wishlist Centre is another step closer to opening opposite the Sunshine Coast University Hospital to help patients and families facing a health crisis.

This week formworkers, scaffolders, concreters, blocklayers and a crane crew will converge on the Birtinya site to complete Wishlist Centre’s level three suspended slab.

Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace MP secured the $12-million Federal Government grant for the build of Wishlist Centre while local philanthropists Roy and Nola Thompson donated an additional $2 million.

“I’ve been told by the Wishlist team that around 40 tradespeople will be onsite per day, representing up to a dozen trades, and the final 142 cubes of structural concrete will be completed,” Mr Wallace says.

The charity is calling out for tilers, painters and carpenters to lend a hand at the end of March as part of ‘The House the Coast Built’ campaign which will involve the fitting out of 18 accommodation rooms within Wishlist Centre.

If you are a tradie who can dedicate your expert skills, phone 5202 1777, visit wishlist.org.au or scan the QR code. Spend $150 or more on fashion, beauty or homewares at Spend $150 or more on fashion, beauty or homewares at Sunshine Plaza to receive a FREE* personalised wine glass Sunshine Plaza to receive a FREE* personalised wine glass to be hand-engraved with your initials, plus a token to to be hand-engraved with your initials, plus a token to donate to one of three charities. donate to one of three charities.

Each donation token will help share the love between Each donation token will help share the love between local Sunshine Coast charities, voted by the community. local Sunshine Coast charities, voted by the community. Choose to donate to one of three amazing causes including, Choose to donate to one of three amazing causes including, STEPS, Bloomhill Cancer Care or Wishlist by voting at the STEPS, Bloomhill Cancer Care or Wishlist by voting at the centre’s Love Local Station. Your vote will help these centre’s Love Local Station. Your vote will help these charities earn a share in $10,000 in donations on behalf of charities earn a share in $10,000 in donations on behalf of Sunshine Plaza. Sunshine Plaza.

To claim your FREE* gift and token, visit Sunshine To claim your FREE* gift and token, visit Sunshine Plaza’s customer service team and present your receipt(s) Plaza’s customer service team and present your receipt(s) dated between February 10-28 from eligible retailers. Voting dated between February 10-28 from eligible retailers. Voting closes on February 28 at 5.30pm. closes on February 28 at 5.30pm.

Finally, Sunshine Plaza is also celebrating the ones you Finally, Sunshine Plaza is also celebrating the ones you love. If you know a special someone that deserves to be love. If you know a special someone that deserves to be showered in love, appreciated, or are simply thankful for, showered in love, appreciated, or are simply thankful for, then visit Sunshine Plaza’s True Love heart display, write a then visit Sunshine Plaza’s True Love heart display, write a message from the heart, and tie it onto their giant heart of message from the heart, and tie it onto their giant heart of love. Located at Centre Court from February 10-28, during love. Located at Centre Court from February 10-28, during centre trading hours. centre trading hours.

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