DIVISION 11 COUNCIL REPORT

Samford Parklands Development Update

I am pleased to say that things are moving forward in this development of land acquired by Council more than 20 years ago, which is well known as an iconic part of the Samford Valley landscape and which has the potential to become great area for the community.

In 2022, a lot of positive community feedback was received as the vision and values for the proposed Village Green in Samford Parklands was developed. Since then, Council has been working with a team of designers to refine the concept plan. The plan is underpinned by a strong rural heritage and identity, shared values of education, sharing, teaching and connecting.

The new spaces build on the uses and functions already present on site (SCHUB, Eco-corridor, walking paths, agistment etc) and are designed for reflection and connecting to nature in a communal environment.

The Village Green (concept plan below) will include a large lawn for big gatherings, small event spaces, picnic shelters and seating, productive planting beds and trees, a play space for children and additional carparking with access road. Council is now in the detailed design phase of the Village Green project, following which a tender will be advertised to construction contractors.

It is anticipated that construction of the Village Green area will be undertaken over two years, beginning in late 2023/early 2024. If you would like more information on the journey so far for the Samford Parklands, Village Green concept, go to Council’s website www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au and search ‘Village Green’.

Cr Darren Grimwade

Arana Hills Library Regular Activities

Every Mon, Thurs & Fri: Playtime, 9.30am – 10am.

Introduce your child to the wonderful world of free play. Have fun playing with your child, making up stories together and sharing in their delight as they make new discoveries.

Playtime is a fully resourced opportunity for parents and children 0 - 5 years to play, pick up early literacy tips, network

Keeping You Informed

with other parents and make new friends. Limited spaces available*, which will be allocated as people arrive.

Every Tues, Wed & Sat: Baby Rhyme Time, 9.30am – 10am.

Baby Rhyme Time helps develop the skills needed to communicate and to learn to read. In a friendly and relaxed environment, you and your baby can learn rhymes, action songs and finger play to share together. For parents and children, babies to 2 years. Wednesday 19 July: LEGO ® Engineers Club, 3.30pm – 4.30pm. Develop design thinking and engineering skills as you build and create with LEGO ® bricks. Meet other brick fans and complete challenges, group builds and more! Ideal for ages 6-12. Registration required*. This event runs on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month.

For bookings and to find out more of what’s happening each week, go to mbrc. qld.gov.au/libraries or visit us on Facebook @MBRC.libraries

Arana Hills Library, 63 Cobbity Cres, Arana Hills

Samford Parklands Village Green Concept Plan

Overall Concept

Lively Bluegrass and alt Country at Samford Live

Our winter afternoon live music series continues every fourth Saturday in July and August at Little Tree Bake and Brewhouse here in Main Street Samford.

For our next show on Saturday 22 July, we present the four-piece, toe tapping, festival favourites The Long Johns. From Woodford, Maleny and Brisbane Festivals to the Gympie Muster and Wallaby Creek, The Long Johns are heading to Samford for the hottest hoe down in town!

Be prepared for upbeat, alternative country and bluegrass with an old-time swing – a real four-piece possé! The Long Johns original material is peppered with the spiciest of flavours - songs of hope, loss, and hauntings. Fresh from launching their brand-new EP Bones on 8 July, The Long Johns are ready to ride shotgun and bang out their show right here in our valley.

With a line-up of banjos, sousaphone, national guitar, and pots and pans, they are Sian Evans, Steve Buchanan, Skritch and Paul Watson. A tincture of dark country, hillbilly roots and barnyard bangers.

“Brilliant...great talent”…”wish I had the words to tell you how much I love this” …”an awesome gig” – just a few of their fans.

Grab some friends and soak up the atmosphere at an afternoon at Little Tree. Enjoy tasty, shared plates, seasonal produce and beverages from the bar. Book soon to be sure of securing tickets – most Samford Live shows have been sell-outs.

Coming in August don’t miss two local greats – indie/pop singer Zoe Quinn and folk favourites Freight Train Foxes. Part of Samford Live’s community-based mission is to promote local artists, and these are two standouts. Both perform original material with Zoe Quinn having recorded at Samford’s famed Airlock Studios, and Freight Train Foxes have chalked up two Queensland Music Award nominations.

Saturday 22 July

The Long Johns – spooky old-time swing & alt country.

Saturday 26 August

Zoe Quinn & Freight Train Foxes –local indie folk pop heroes.

Doors open 3.00pm, music from 4pm, $15/$20 + bf

Little Tree Bake & Brewhouse Main Street, Samford Bookings advisable. www.samfordlive.au

Samford Live is a project of Samford & Districts Progress & Protection Association, proudly supported by Moreton Bay Regional Council.

Chris Bowen

participants and volunteers with two accessible toilets (one with adult change facilities), a shower and a laundry room. Currently, there are no amenities in close proximity to the centre, and the washing of horse rugs and other equipment is carried out off-site.

Samford Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) President, Rebecca Clemmey, thanked the Council and acknowledged Cr Grimwade’s unwavering support for the project over many years. She said the funding commitment would fill a ‘gap’ in vital infrastructure at the centre and was greatly appreciated by all who used or worked at the centre.

Samford RDA is recognised as a leading RDA centre in Australia with a covered arena and dedicated administration and tack sheds.

“I was very excited to announce the funding for this important piece of infrastructure that will assist the volunteers and members of Samford RDA,” Cr Grimwade said.

Long-awaited amenities block for RDA

Moreton Bay Regional Council has allocated $345,000 in the next budget to build an amenities block at the Samford RDA centre at Samford Showgrounds – a welcome announcement that will meet a long-awaited need.

According to Cr Darren Grimwade, the Council will fund the project through his divisional Local Community Infrastructure Program. The work will provide RDA

“After visiting the facility at Samford Showgrounds and personally seeing the difficulties the group has with no amenities suitable for their members, I was compelled to ensure that this project ranked number one on my list of local projects to be included in the 2023/24 financial year budget. I look forward to working with the committee of Samford RDA to ensure that the final design is perfect for the requirements of the group.”

QCWA Samford

Can you guess this handmade doll’s name? We’re getting ready for QCWA competition season and Megan made this beautiful Caribbean doll as we are learning about Trinidad and Tobago. She is such a cutey!

Do you ever feel good when you know your actions help others? Here at Samford QCWA, we feel great when we’re helping others. Members had this special feeling when we wrapped up pencils, erasers, crayons, readers, exercise books and paper for our International Kits for Kids. We made up seven boxes full of stationary. We are chuffed.

We’re getting ready for the Samford Show which is always a delicious time of year for those who drop into our stand. This year, our sweet Strawberry Jam (for the scones with cream) has been lovingly made and it tastes extra delicious thanks to Luv a Berry, who provided the strawberries. We’ve also sponsored the Perpetual Cup for the Show Cookery this year. Don’t forget to get your entries into the various categories. It’s always very popular.

DATE REMINDERS:

Monday 17 July: AGM, 9.30am. Please come to support the other members. Bring a Plate.

Wednesday 19 July: Regular monthly meeting, 10am. Visitors are welcome. At our previous meeting we greeted visitors Trish and Victoria. We also welcomed new members Margaret and Christina. Bring your lunch to enjoy after the meeting.

Sat & Sun 15 and 16 July: Samford Show. Start making those beautiful chutneys and relishes as we always sell out.

Saturday 29 July: Division Competition for craft, art, floral, sewing a denim wearable product, photography, story writing. Start thinking of what you may wish to create members!

Fun activity to come will be Roma Street Gardens. Date to be announced soon.

Catering events are going very well. QCWA Samford Branch caters for small to medium group functions and other special occasions. Give Fiona a call on 0421 353 272 if you’d like to book some local catering.

Our hall has a new lock box, a new parquetry floor, new kitchen and is airconditioned with our solar roof panels. It’s looking good. If you’re interested in hiring the CWA Hall in Main Street, please call Lilah on 0421 709 723.

You can be as involved as you want or have time for at QCWA. We’d love you to join us. Thank you members for helping make CWA Samford the wonderful meeting place it is. Visitors always welcome as we all enjoy not just baking but craft, music (ukelele lessons), book sharing, and of course friendship.

Marnie