Dickson Community Awards Winner: Hayley Grant

Last edition we reported on the Dickson Community Awards and let you know we would be featuring our local awardees in future editions.

The awards recognise those who have made our community a better place through their volunteer work, with local resident Hayley Grant named as a recipient of the Community Service Award.

Apart from running local business, HMG Home Loans, Hayley dedicated much of her time and skills last year to contribute to the success of the Samford State School 150th celebrations.

Hayley joined an eager team of parents, teachers and community members to organise this major school event. She was responsible for sponsorships and the major raffle, and was extremely successful in raising funds for the school and its celebrations.

“Being part of the Samford State School family as well as the Samford local community is incredibly rewarding. We are so lucky locally to have such a fabulous community vibe and a local school that has an amazing culture and spirit,” Hayley said.

“From sponsorships to the raffle, almost all businesses I contacted locally wanted to contribute and were thrilled to help our school. I felt immense pride and was blown away by the level of engagement and the generosity.”

Federal Member for Dickson, Peter Dutton, conferred the award, noting that Hayley was highly regarded in the local community for her ongoing efforts to raise the profile of Samford State School.

“Hayley wholeheartedly gave her all, day in, day out, to help produce what’s regarded as the best fete Samford State School has seen to date,” he said. “She is known for her engaging and joyful personality and the ability to bring people together. This is a truly amazing awardee with great community spirit.”

Hayley’s community involvement stems from her love of social connection and engaging with others around her.

“Having a sense of community embraces spirit, character and togetherness,” Hayley said. “I truly feel blessed to live in Cedar Creek and be part of the Samford and surrounds community. We are so incredibly lucky to have such a village feel,” she said.

An appreciation of everything Samford has to offer inspires Hayley to give back to the community she greatly feels a part of.

“I’m proud of what we have locally; from the schools, local businesses, sporting groups, volunteer groups and other community groups. I love that I can go on a morning walk or visit a local business, and everyone is so friendly and engaging.”

Tanya Hall

As we reported last edition, the latest Census showed 140 people aged 85 years and over living in the Samford area. We thought it would be interesting to get in touch with some, to share their stories. Here’s the first. Get in touch if you or someone you know fits in this awesome age group. @editor@villagepump.org.au

Yesteryear Samford: Byron and Margaret Moss

While Samford has changed from its bushland beginnings, one thing that remains the same is why many families choose to live here in the first place.

A love of the great outdoors brought Byron and Margaret together after meeting at a bushwalking club over 60 years ago; it also drew them to the Samford area when they married soon after. Now aged 87 and 86 respectively, Byron and Margaret Moss remember Samford life not so long ago, including novel ways people made an income from their land.

In 1961, Byron and Margaret moved to a 5-acre lot, subdivided from a dairy farm on a dusty Camp Mountain Road.

“It was an event when they laid bitumen on Camp Mountain Road while we were there. That was a huge improvement for us,” Byron said.

The couple went on to raise six children in the Samford bushland: Joanne, John, Daniel, Michael, Naomi and Kelly.

“It was like a dream come true to live in the country. The space, the mountain views were wonderful and it was a great way to bring up a family,” Margaret said. “The children had a lot of joy growing up here, just doing simple things like going down to the creek, hiding in bushes and building all sorts of things.”

While Byron continued work in Brisbane in the Customs Department, the couple tried their hand at different ways to use their land, recalling interesting endeavours from other locals as well.

“Lots of land around here was covered with Blue Couch Grass, which was favoured for lawns in Brisbane. There was quite an industry for (landscapers) to come along with a broad axe to cut the turf, load it on their trucks and pay us a royalty,” Byron said.

Byron and Margaret had a go at producing eggs for the Egg Board and grew many of their own vegetables. And while we may be impressed with today’s Coles delivery service, this was the normal way of shopping in 1960s Samford.

“Food was delivered back then,” Margaret said. “We’d crowd around a van to buy bread and there’d be a bun for the toddlers thrown in.”

“Our vegetables were good enough that we used to exchange them with Mr. Mitchell from the fruit shop. So, when he’d bring his ute with fruit and veggies to sell, we’d buy some off him and he’d buy some off us,” Byron said.

Growing produce was no mean feat in an area not serviced by water infrastructure and where bores often ran dry.

“Water was always a problem and you could never grow the sorts of trees and plants that people grow now. When reticulated water came along, everything looked a lot better out here,” Byron said.

“The beauty of the place has been enhanced now,” agreed Margaret. “Back then beyond the Village it was pretty dry

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bush, but now people have created beautiful gardens which we just love.”

For those still reliant on tank water, Byron notes that the cost of storing water today is more manageable than it was 50 years ago. The pair tried to dig their own bore but gave up when the difficulties of the task came to light.

“We used to need to buy another 1,000 gallon rain tank each time a baby was born,” Margaret remembers.

Along with a greater access to water came a backyard theme park on Mt O’Reilly Rd which the public paid to visit. Built by a local psychiatrist ahead of his time, the theme park existed before any came to fruition on the Gold Coast and provided much appreciated entertainment in the area.

“Adventureland used the contours of the hill for a great big slide. There was a castle, a pool, hay fights and people would dress-up in medieval clothes. There was also a big rubber chute that stretched down towards a gully that people would slide through,” Margaret said.

“I suppose today people wouldn’t make something like this as there’s too much risk. But 40 years ago, it was great for local families,” Byron said.

While Adventureland no longer exists, today’s Samford as an intersection of city and country retains its sense of adventure for families, old and new.

Tanya Hall

Samford Landcare is hosting a Clean Up Australia Day Walk in Samford on Sunday 5 March to engage people in making a difference within the environment and our community.

One of the major waste issues is plastic and according to Clean Up Australia, Australia creates 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste each year, equating to an incredible 100kg per person! Only 12 per cent of this is recycled, with the rest ending up in our parks, roadsides, bush, waterways and oceans, or in landfill as rubbish. More concerningly, around 130,000 tonnes of the plastic we consume leaks into the marine environment each year. By 2025 it is predicted that 99% of seabirds worldwide will have ingested plastic. This is an horrendous statistic and we are all responsible for changing it.

Walk With Us

We can all play our part on Sunday 5 March, joining with Samford Landcare who will supervise volunteers to follow an easy 4.5km loop from Samford Village and back, collecting plastic and general rubbish along the route. The walk is generally flat, very scenic and we’ll have a number of interesting stop points to learn about their special environmental role in the Samford area.

When And Where

Let’s gather at the Samford Landcare marquee in John Scott Park alongside Main Street Samford in time for the departure at 8.00am. The expected return time will be 9.30am. You are encouraged to collect plastic and general rubbish from your local area, or on your journey to the walk, and bring it along to deposit in the bins provided by Samford Landcare at the event. Clean up bags will be provided and we ask that you please bring your own gloves. Full details can be viewed at www. samfordlandcare.org.au.

Let’s get involved in Cleaning Up Samford (Australia)

David Reed

SAMFORD LIVE It’s official

From Saturday March 25th, Samford Live kicks off! Our volunteer-run team has been busy behind the scenes, scheduling acts, choosing a logo, seeking a venue and building a website. Now we’re ready for to enjoy a quality live music series in the heart of the village. Locals and visitors alike can choose from regular performances of diverse live music, featuring the best of Samford and visiting artists. Mark every 4th Saturday of the month in the diary.

First Show

We’re thrilled to announce that our season will open with First Nations and local artists. Wuthathi and Meriam Singer/ Songwriter Toni Janke will open our series, accompanied by Samford based John Hogan on guitar. Toni is an award winning artist, has performed at festivals and events across Australia, released four albums and in 2004 took out a national Deadly Award for Best Female Artist of the Year.

Engaging Cedar Creek quartet Feed Lucy will also perform, sharing fresh retro folk/pop, original songs, and superb vocal harmonies throughout the evening.

Atmospheric Venue

We’re proud to announce we’re at Little Tree Bake & Brewhouse. With its custombuilt stage, rainforest setting, seasonal menu, local produce, artisan bakery goods and full bar, it’s a perfect fit. Our partnership with Ven, David, Joumana and the Little Tree team will help realise our vision for something unique in Samford Valley.

Event Details

Samford Live featuring Toni Janke with John Hogan and Feed Lucy. Saturday 25

March, doors open from 6pm. This is a family friendly event, with those under 14 attending by donation.

Special opening ticket price of $15.

Information and bookings at: www. samfordlive.au. Special opening prices and inclusions on offer, so book tickets now. Join our mailing list to be first in the know and for special offers: samfordlivemusic@gmail. com. Follow Samford Live on Facebook and Instagram for all updates - we would love your support!

Samford Live is proudly supported by Samford & Districts Progress & Protection Association and Moreton Bay Regional Council.

Chris Bowen Image: Toni Janke (artist’s own)

Advanced Veterinary Care Right

Our Region

Congratulations to all the riders and helpers at our first Showjumping competition of 2023. Over 120 riders ascended onto the club grounds and were provided with a well run competition to start the year off with a bang.

None of this could be achieved without such a huge amount of help and support from so many volunteers and supporters of the club. It was a hot January day, but all the riders utilised the shade and the shelter available to get some fun jump rounds in.

Mother and daughter team Terrina and Charlie (pictured) had a great time competing together and both came home with great results and trophies for all their hard work. Well done to each and every SGVPC rider who competed, assisted and made the day a success.

For Muster times and dates please see website or Facebook for all 2023 details.

Claire