Noosa Today - 21st May 2020

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COVER STORY

NO SHOW COVID CLAIMS ICONIC EVENT IN 111TH YEAR PAGES 4-5

MORE TO LOVE The editor’s desk It’s encouraging to see the Queensland Palaszczuk Government taking steps to actively support the state’s tourism sector during these difficult Covid-19 times. The $50 million package announced this week by the Premier comes amid furious debate over the timing of re-opening of Queensland’s borders, which has given rise to some interesting tourism perspectives.

For example, some Queensland tourism operators argue that the longer the Queensland border remains closed the better it may be for local tourism, in that it will keep domestic tourists from our own state spending their dollars here, particularly in South East Queensland. Like a lot of the Covid-19 recovery tourism’s, at least initially, will most likely be home-grown, and the ‘drive’ tourism market to regional Queensland destinations like Noosa will be crucial.

Jeremy Sollars

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LENSCAPE

GOLF UNDER COVID Golfers at the Noosa Golf Club returned to competition last Saturday however there were some notable differences and new rulings (some local) for players to adhere to. See Casey O’Connor’s Spin on Sport to find out more on pages 14-15.

PIRATES FLYING

Cloudy Sunset last week over Laguna Bay! Picture: SANDI VAN DER STER

All systems are go at the headquarters of Noosa Prirates, as columnist Ron Lane explains in this week’s Talking Sport column. Turn to page 16 to find out more.

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Thursday, 21 May, 2020

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NEWS

TOURISM NOOSA’S BIG PLAN Planning is underway at Tourism Noosa for a new strategic plan to take the tourism industry forward over the next two years in Noosa.

Tourism Noosa CEO Melanie Anderson said the current strategic plan for Noosa is no longer applicable in the current environment.

"COVID-19 and travel restrictions has literally changed tourism in our country and for Noosa, our current plan with a focus on interstate and international travellers is simply not possible at this point in time".

"The Tourism Noosa Board and our team are developing a new strategic vision for the future leadership and management of tourism industry in our community with a focus on the next two years as we rebuild post COVID".

Tourism Noosa CEO Melanie Anderson said the current strategic plan for Noosa is no longer applicable in the current environment.

"As part of this process, we are undertaking a comprehensive consultation phase with our members, industry and key stakeholders within our community

to gain their thoughts and ideas and importantly their needs as we plan for the future of our region" said Ms Anderson.

Tourism Noosa member Liam

Kennedy from the Stay Noosa Group said "COVID-19 has put the handbrake on our industry and there is no doubt that every business individually and collectively will need to pivot and adjust who their customer is and how they market to them. Having a strong strategic plan for our region will help support and navigate businesses in our region through these challenging times".

Tourism Noosa encourages both members and community groups to respond to the engagement paper and will make the final report available to those that participate.

The Tourism Noosa Board and team will then use the information gathered to develop a 2 year plan to guide tourism destination management in Noosa over the next two years. ●

PREMIER ANNOUNCES HUGE BOOST FOR TOURISM Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced an extra $50 million to “help support our tourism businesses and our iconic theme and animal parks get through Covid-19”.

Ms Palaszczuk told Parliament on Tuesday 19 May that her government would also “deliver a domestic marketing campaign to align with the easing of restrictions to encourage Queenslanders to holiday at home”.

The announcement comes as the Palaszczuk Government fields criticism over maintaining a hard line on the re-opening of Queensland’s borders, which it says may not be happen before September.

The tourism funding boost was announced as part of ‘The Queensland Economic Recovery Strategy: Unite and recover for Queensland Jobs’.

“Queensland’s tourism industry - our state’s backbone, our state’s lifeblood - has been dealt a crippling body blow by the pandemic,” the Premier said.

“Personally, it has been heartbreaking to witness.

“It has been heartbreaking to make tough but unavoidable decisions - like the decision to close our borders and place hard restrictions on the industry knowing that they would hurt while at the same time understanding they were critical to save lives.

“Tourism was contributing $27 billion to Queensland’s economy and more than 230,000 jobs before COVID-19 hit.

“Nearly one in three jobs have noosatoday.com.au

The tourism funding boost was announced as part of ‘The Queensland Economic Recovery Strategy: Unite and recover for Queensland Jobs’. been lost in accommodation and food services in Queensland due to restrictions.

“This is an impact I never imagined I would witness in my lifetime.

“History will tell the story of a vital industry - one of our state’s most important industries being brought to its knees by this

unprecedented time.

“That’s why we are today committing another $50 million to support our tourism businesses and our iconic theme parks and animal parks.

“We want them to get through this and survive and come out at the other end stronger, more resilient and able to continue to make their critical contribution to Queensland.”

Tourism Minister Kate Jones said Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) were in the final stages of preparing the domestic tourism campaign, which will be officially unveiled in early June ahead of the school holidays, but said the message in the first instance would be clear.

“Tourism supports one in 10 Queensland jobs. Safeguarding these jobs is a major priority for this government,” she said.

“Obviously state borders remain closed for the time being but restrictions on intrastate travel are beginning to ease.

“We have a very simple message

for Queenslanders - get out and explore your own state.

“The June-July school holidays are shaping as a crucially important time for our tourism operators, who have been severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“By having the campaign in market ahead of time, we’re aiming to fill beds and get people enjoying our experiences so money flows back into the tourism economy.

“That will just be the first step of the campaign, with plans to re-enter the southern domestic markets in July.

“Ahead of interstate travel resuming, we’ll be working hard with our airline partners to deliver great fares and I’m confident Queensland will have a strong appeal for the nine million Australians who take an international trip each year and won’t be able to in 2020.

“At the end of the day this is all about jobs and rebuilding tourism in Queensland which is such a vital part of the economy.” ●

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NOOSA TODAY 3

COVER STORY Noosa Show Society proudly accepting the grant from Llew O'Brien.

NO SHOW

COVID CLAIMS ICONIC EVENT resident of the Noosa Show Society Charlie Pattison this week announced that the Noosa Country Show, which runs on September 11 and 12, will be postponed until further notice.

The two-day country event, which was due for it’s 111th year, is now unlikely to run this year with no return date in sight.

Mr Pattison is adamant though that the show will go on, with talks of the Pomona Show Grounds hosting a one-day make up event.

“Unlike many other show societies, we own our showgrounds and this gives us the flexibility to reschedule.

“So when this situation resolves, our aim is to hold a scaled down, one-day show towards the end of the year.

“We envisage this to be a donation on entry event, a coming together for the community after

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navigating this difficult time.

“We will make further announcements about our new community show in coming months,” Mr Pattison said in a press release.

In light of this announcement, this week - May 19 - Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien announced a grant for the Noosa Show Society to help maintain better lighting for the grounds.

An $85,675 grant will help create a bright future for Pomona Showgrounds.

Noosa Show Society will receive the funding to reinvigorate the main arena of the Pomona grounds, under the Morrison Government’s $20 million Regional Agricultural Show Development Grants program.

Mr O’Brien said the funding would help make the showgrounds safer and more accessible, allowing the region’s agricultural show to be bigger and brighter than ever before.

“The new lighting system will

Thursday, 21 May, 2020

benefit not only the Show and other large-scale events, but will benefit the Pomona community throughout the year and in emergency situations as we saw with the recent bushfires,” Mr O’Brien said.

“This funding from the Federal Liberal National Government means more people will be able to enjoy the use of the Showgrounds, including during the cooler mornings and evenings, for events including everything from gymkhanas to tennis and cricket.”

Minister for Agriculture, David Littleproud, said the grants would benefit both agricultural show societies and regional communities.

“Agricultural shows are the heart and soul of our regional communities. They bring and keep communities together, bridge the divide between country and city and provide a key injection into the local economy,” Minister Littleproud said.

“These events showcase the hard work and innovation that goes into

producing Australia’s food and fibre.

“Upgrading show facilities means more visitors to these regional events, more local employment, and more purchases for local businesses.

“I’m aware that many regional towns have had to cancel events this year due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

“These grants will help our show societies refurbish their show grounds and facilities so that when their next event rolls around they will be even more attractive to showgoers.

“The Australian Government wants to see our agricultural shows continue to thrive so they can be enjoyed by Australians for generations to come,” Mr Littleproud said.

Mr Pattison said the grant for the Pomona Show Grounds will assist greatly for lighting issues and in turn will allow for more events to be held at the grounds in the future. noosatoday.com.au

The Pomona Show Grounds is set to recieve new lighting thanks to the Morrison Government’s $20 million Regional Agricultural Show Development Grants program.

SHOWS WIN SOME. LOSE SOME Across Australia there are 580 regional and state agricultural shows which bring in an estimated billion dollars to the Australian economy, this year all shows have come to a complete standstill in the face of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The peak body representing royal and country shows across Australia is calling on the Federal Government to invest in a support package to ensure the survival of the events beyond the Covid-19 pandemic.

Agricultural Shows Australia (ASA) estimates shows contribute $1 billion to the national economy - a figure which has all but dried up overnight with the cancellation of four royal shows and hundreds of country shows to date because of Covid-19.

There are 580 local, regional or state shows held in Australia each year which are not-for-profit organisations with a charter to support the development and promotion of primary industries across the country.

ASA’s proposed recovery package comprises three components; up to $30 million for capital city royal shows, up to $12.175m for state affiliated agricultural societies and $500,000 in operational support for ASA over two years.

This is based on fixed overhead and unrecoverable direct show costs for the capital city royals and the state affiliated societies based on show size.

ASA Chair Dr Rob Wilson said agricultural shows have been an integral part of rural communities for over a century, with some agricultural societies approaching their 200th year.

ASA welcomed last week’s funding announcement from Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud as part of the Regional Agricultural Show Development Grants program, with those grants noosatoday.com.au

awarded to successful applicants for infrastructure projects.

However, ASA was now calling for support to cover ongoing fixed costs, such as utilities and insurance, for all its members.

“Agricultural shows have never relied on government support and have never been a drain on community resources, but have been a net contributor to local community prosperity and goodwill,” Dr Wilson said.

“With shows cancelled due to the pandemic, there is no revenue for show societies and no possibility of revenue for the foreseeable future.

“The impact on the shows industry will be catastrophic as these groups are likely to use what financial reserves they may have to survive the short-term, if at all.”

Dr Wilson said cancellation of the capital city Royal Shows will have significant repercussions for all regional and country shows due to the connectedness of exhibitors, competitors and show ride operators as well as the huge network of suppliers, stallholders and entertainers which rely on these shows for their livelihoods.

“Operational support for ASA will enable us to continue to represent and support agricultural shows and their youth competitions until financial stability returns to their membership base,” he said.

“The current financial and social impacts on shows is unavoidable, so the decision of Government to financially support the continuation of these iconic events will define the Show movement for further generations of Australians.”

Dr Wilson said the cancellation of other events which utilised existing show infrastructure - including concerts, exhibitions, corporate events and functions - dealt a further blow to the finances of agricultural societies.

“It is clear from the forecasts that

Federal MP for Wide Bay Llew O'Brien, Noosa Mayor Clare Stewart and Noosa Show Society President Charlie Pattison.

The Noosa Country Show will be postponed to a later date. all agricultural societies and their respective membership affiliations will encounter severe economic pressures and this impact will extend into 2021,” he said.

“Without financial assistance, some of these agricultural societies face the very real proposition of not being to host a show in 2021 and beyond.

“Support during this year will assist a post-Covid-19 show recovery in 2021 and contribute to an improvement in the local and community economy, and ultimately the Australian economy.”

Dr Wilson said agricultural shows were iconic events which provide community connections and wellbeing.

“They also encourage agricultural education through competitions and benchmarking of agricultural pursuits and produce,” he said.

“Without financially secure agricultural societies, many regional communities may fragment, particularly where they are tenuously holding together following the ravages of flood, drought and fires.” ●

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NOOSA TODAY 5

NEWS

$1.2M SPENT ON ROAD SEALING Noosa Council has finished its 2019/20 road reseal program early, with 17 hinterland roads resurfaced at a cost of $1.2 million in the past 12 months.

These include: · Old Tewantin Road at Lake Macdonald. · Beddington Road at Doonan. · Laguna Street at Boreen Point. · Mary River Road at Cooroy. · Swift Drive at Lake Macdonald.

“Our staff and contractors have resurfaced more than 6km of hinterland road, compared to 3.2km of road in the coastal part of the shire,” Mayor Clare Stewart said.

“We’re able to cover more ground in the hinterland for each dollar spent as the majority of the road surfaces on our rural roads are spray-sealed, which is a more cost-effective solution,” Infrastructure Services Director Carl Billingham said.

“The surface we use on our coastal roads costs a bit more as it has to handle much more traffic and it provides a smoother surface for cyclists and motor scooters. It also needs to last longer as we reseal the coastal roads less often.”

Coastal roads resurfaced this year include Noosa Drive, Moorindil Street at Tewantin and Bicentennial Drive through the busy Sunshine Beach school precinct.

“These roads needed to be resurfaced as the existing surface had reached the end of its useful life and wasn’t protecting the pavement underneath. Letting water into the

pavement below reduces the life of the road and makes for a rougher ride for all road users.”

This week contractors will be putting the finishing touches on Black Mountain Road in the hinterland. They’ve also completed repairs to Cootharaba Road.

“In addition to resealing, Council has also replaced several gravel roads in the hinterland with sealed road, including Tewah and Hector Streets at Boreen Point. And work is about to start on the gravel stretch

of Ambulance Street at Pomona,” Mayor Stewart said.

“This work will complete some missing links in our urban sealed road network.”

Mayor Stewart said Council was finalising next year’s reseal program, which would again provide better roads for the hinterland.

Cr Stewart said Council was committed to ensuring that the whole of the Shire was well resourced in regard to road resealing. ●

AQUATIC CENTRE TO REMAIN CLOSED Noosa Council has reviewed the current situation and has opted to keep the Noosa Aquatic Centre closed.

It has been concluded that opening the pool to only 10 patrons at a time would not be viable, Noosa Covid Response Taskforce chair Kerri Contini said.

The Noosa Aquatic Centre will remain closed for at least the next four weeks as re-opening the facility in line with Queensland Health’s restrictions of a maximum of 10 people per pool isn’t practical and would place a substantial financial burden on ratepayers.

Council said re-opening the facility during the winter months would trigger significant costs relating to heating and staffing the pools. These costs are hard to justify in light of the limited use permitted under stage one of the Queensland Government’s roadmap to easing Covid-19 restrictions.

The roadmap provides a general framework and although 6 NOOSA TODAY

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The Noosa Aquatic Centre will remain closed for at least the next four weeks. public pools are allowed to open from Saturday, Council considers it financially responsible and appropriate to wait until further restrictions are lifted.

Thursday, 21 May, 2020

Council is committed to opening its public facilities when the right balance can be struck between safety, access and financial responsibility. ●

MOTORBIKE STOLEN FROM CLUB

BY TANIA PHILLIPS Detectives are searching for a man who stole a motorbike outside a Coolum Surf Club on 9 May. Police said the incident occurred just after 4pm outside at the club on David Low Way with the man stealing a silver 2015 Suzuki UK110, Queensland registration 095QU. They allege the man had tried to steal a car from a residence on First Avenue at Coolum Beach around 3.30pm on the same day but was confronted by residents and ran from the scene.

Police describe the man as Caucasian in appearance, of a solid build with short dark hair. He is also described as having New Zealand accent and wearing a black shirt and shorts at the time.

Anyone with information that could identify the man, or the whereabouts of the scooter, is urged to contact police through Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/ reporting.

Information can also be reported anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.

Quote this reference number: QP2000959139 within the online suspicious activity form. ● noosatoday.com.au

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NOOSA TODAY 7

NEWS EARLY DAYS OF THEATRE

This trial is based on similar projects throughout the country.

A WATERING WIN-WIN Ensuring our healthy, smart, creative region continues to thrive, Sunshine Coast Council will soon join the growing list of communities around the world providing an innovative way to water street trees.

From May, Golden Beach will be the first suburb on the Sunshine Coast to trial a functional, costeffective and sustainable watering solution.

The trial will see a range of methods implemented to collect and capture stormwater run-off from our roads and kerbs, which will then be redirected to the roots of our street trees.

The stormwater and nutrients delivered directly to the trees will aim to improve tree growth and survival rate, reduce maintenance costs and reduce the amount of drinkable water used.

Divisional Councillor Terry Landsberg said this simple initiative would help to improve water and hydrologic quality as well as provide a reliable water source for our street trees.

"It's especially important to keep our established street trees alive, as these provide us with much-needed shade and take so much longer to 8 NOOSA TODAY

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replace," Cr Landsberg said.

"It's a win-win in my opinion.

"Having the ability to combine street tree planting with irrigation technology that can harvest stormwater that would otherwise run-off into our creeks or impact on our local road networks, all while improving tree health and water quality.

"The trial is based on experience from similar projects carried out across Australia and will be slowlyrolled out very soon in Golden Beach.

"A number of methods have been designed to reduce the risk of blockage and to be most cost effective for each location, residents may see a garden bed method while others will have underground infrastructure.

"Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, there is no one-size-fits-all approach for a project like this.

"Council will monitor and observe the trial area with the hope to improve and adapt the project to suit other locations across our region.

"The success of the trial will be measured by the health and growth

Thursday, 21 May, 2020

rates of the trees, the storm water levels and the reduction of pollutants in our water."

Council will monitor and learn from the project so it can be improved and adapted to suit other locations across the Sunshine Coast in the future.

Project facts and benefits: · Golden Beach is the first Sunshine Coast suburb to trial stormwater solutions · Golden beach has 102 recommended planting locations representing 10.4 kilometres of verge · The trial aims to reduce the impact of urban stormwater run-off · Improve tree health through the redirection of water to the roots · Street trees provide a range of economic, environmental and social benefits within residential areas · Streets to be prioritised include Taylor Street and Coronation Avenue south of Nelson Street, Coronation Avenue between Earnshaw and Mclean Streets and Palmer Avenue between Gregory and Earnshaw Streets ●

In Celebration of 50 years of Noosa Arts Theatre, actress and director Jane Rivers writes: I was working at Cooloola Cruises in 1985 and Joan Cubis was the office manager. She was heavily involved in Noosa Arts along with CC’s owner Paul Scott and fellow workers Bronnie Norman, Sue Clapham, Wend Mahy and skippers Paul Weaver, Kurt Horn, Mike Kerley. A Noosa Arts involvement must have been in the job description! One of my duties was to type out the Noosa Arts newsletter and print it out on the Gestetner!

Photocopiers were a rare beast back then. Joan recruited me to the Noosa Arts family as a prompt and the rest is history.

My early recollections were those wonderful grand dames of the company - Val Warren, Ivy Lawton, Gwen Oswell and Vi Read.Those girls made taught me so much about stagecraft and especially respect for the unsung heroes in a production, the crew.

The theatre auditorium had a flat floor, one dressing room only complete with shag pile carpet (the men had to change in the props room), corrugated tin walls, two toilets, no air con., cask wine kept cold in a washing up bowl with ice, a bench that was both box office and bar and the worlds noisiest extractor fan and ceiling fans.

For all that we had the best parties with so many good times, shared with so many colourful and talented locals. ●

Jane Rivers, Eileen Walder and Margaret Courtney. noosatoday.com.au

NEWS

BECKMANS AND SIX MILE FIX After three years of relentless campaigning, Noosa MP Sandy Bolton has confirmed that she has secured over $27 million in the 2020-21 financial year to address the historical hot spots of Beckmans/ Cooroy-Noosa Road intersection and Six Mile Creek Bridge #7.

“I am thrilled to announce that what I set out to deliver to the Noosa electorate, will be," Ms Bolton said.

"At Christmas, pre-construction, and pre-works funding of $2.8 million was announced to ensure these sites were ‘shovel ready’, and we now have the ‘shovel’.

“Firstly, $9.5 million for stage one of the Tewantin Bypass roundabout at the Beckmans/Cooroy Noosa Road intersection, and secondly, $18 million for a brand new two-lane, flood-resilient bridge to replace the dangerous one-lane Six Mile Creek Bridge #7,” she said.

“Both projects are expected to be completed within the next two years, providing much-needed vital infrastructure for our community,

improving safety as well access, especially during Six Mile Creek flood events. There is the added bonus of jobs during construction phase, and increased opportunities for developing the local hinterland economy via the Noosa Country Drive.

"It has been a long journey to get us to this point, and I would like to thank Minister Mark Bailey and the Department of Transport and Main Roads team for responding to our relentless pursuit, and to Premier Annastacia for this welcomed news through the Queensland Economic Recovery Strategy.

“As soon as I have further details, we shall post up. Until then, I look forward to turning that first ‘sod’ and celebrating with our community when I get back from Parliament.

"Congratulations Noosa, we did it,” Ms Bolton said. ● Noosa can expect to see some big changes in the next few years.

TEWANTIN FREEHOLD SELLS FOR $1.025M

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which is welcome news to the new vendor.”

“Our Sydney investor had very tight buying parameters for his investment purchase and the seller had based their sale price on an independent valuation,” Ms Ryan said.

“This created some spirited negotiations from 2019 when the property was first for sale as an off-market proposition until final agreement was reached five months later.

“Tewantin is a busy retail centre which is undergoing a revitalisation as the demographic in the area moves away from retirees to young families investing in the large blocks at prices slightly below neighbouring Noosa.” ●

email: noosaville@totaltools.com.au

EU

An interstate investor has snapped up the freehold of the long-standing Tewantin Market Garden on the Sunshine Coast for $1,025,000 at Shop 2/93 Poinciana Avenue.

The asset, that was completed in 2016 and formed part of the ‘Tewantin Place’ strata complex, offered an approximate 142 square metre building area.

The property was leased, marketed, and then sold by Ray White Commercial Noosa and Sunshine Coast North Property Consultants David Brinkley and Tracey Ryan.

“Tewantin Market Garden relocated from a below street level position within Tewantin Plaza further up the street which they’d occupied for the better part of two decades,” Mr Brinkley said.

“The tenants had made the decision to relocate to this site on the Poinciana street front which gave them not only a street presence, but an opportunity to custom design a modern layout in larger premises, which enhanced their business and benefited their customers.”

“The business has adapted to the changed Covid-19 environment, with their business proving it has what it takes to survive the tough times with a loyal customer base,

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NOOSA TODAY 9

LIVE

ART LESSONS TO FOLLOW AT HOME

BY TANIA PHILLIPS Budding young artists will have a chance to learn from home thanks to a new online video art class series launched by Noosa Regional Gallery.

The Art At Home program gives school students from seven to 17 a chance to learn a range of art techniques via instructional videos - aimed at being easy-to-understand and using readily available materials.

Gallery Director Michael Brennan said the series replaces the Gallery’s popular After School Art Class program, on-hold this term due to the Covid-19 restrictions.

“Our After School Art Classes typically have waiting lists - they’re in such high demand. Given the restrictions imposed on us all

by Covid-19, we’ve attempted to replicate the success of the program to make it accessible to everyone online,” he said.

“Unlike previous iterations of the program, however, taking it online means we won’t have to restrict class numbers. It will now be available for all.”

He said Art At Home promotes

creative learning, engaging students with multiple art styles and support to develop their independent artistic skills.

“We’ve seen firsthand during recent months how crucial the arts are in connecting and engaging communities. It’s been long understood that creative activities play an essential role in promoting positive mental health - both in times of crisis like this, but also as an activity during our everyday lives,” Mr Brennan said.

“For this reason, we really want to ensure that kids in our community are encouraged to express their own experiences of what’s happening in their world.”

To make the program accessible to all, it’s free to take part.

Art At Home sees the return of popular Gallery Educator Lyndon Hallows who has taught the original After School Art program at the Gallery for the past two years.

It provides an opportunity for four individual winners across four competition categories, as well as a People’s Choice Award. More than $2000 in prizes will be up for grabs.

DRAW19, Year 9 winner, Carly Schwenn, A dramatic point, 2019, graphite, 15.5 x 13.5cm.

Picture: NOOSA SHIRE COUNCIL also via the website https://www. noosaregionalgallery.com.au/. New episodes are released progressively. ●

Interested students can enter via the Gallery website, and can access The Art at Home video series

PUZZLES

SUDOKU

ACROSS Way (4) Reject (9) Monarch (4) Final (4) Quarrel (4) Fleece (4) Trial (10) Rival (10) Comfort (4) Beak (4) Bird (4) Prejudice (4) Insect (9) Relate (4)

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DOWN CRYPTIC PUZZLE NO. 7634 Card game (5) ACROSS Dance (5) Leave secretly (6) Stalker (6) King’s ransom (4) Rigidity (9) Offensive (9) Maintain (4) Horse (4) Fustrate (6) Singing voice (6) Vigorous (5) Stand (5) Musical instrument (4)

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7 6 5

How to Sud

Fill the gr every row 3x3 squar the digit 9 5 2 6 4 7 8 3 1

Solution 4 1 3 8 5 2 9 7 6

9

CRYPTIC PUZZLE NO. 7634 - SOLUTIONS Across - 1, Lick. 7, Co-ntaine-d. 8, Beat. 9, M-e-an. 10, Toad (towed). 11, As-p-s. 14, On the Cards. 16, Sets to work. 19, Sa-g-s. 22, Stun (rev.) 24, W-if-e. 25, Mine. 26, Dead wrong. 27, S-end.

Down - 1, Libra. 2, C-lamp. 3, C-over-t. 4, Stance (anag.)

5, List. 6, R-egard-ing. 12, S-event-een. 13, Sows. 15, Ask(it)’s. 17, Onward (anag.) 18, Off-end. 20, A-li-c-e. 21, Spend. 23, No-ds.

4 6 5 8 7 9 5 1

6 3 8 5 7 9 1 4 2

5 6 1 2 9 3 4 7 8

8 9 2 7 5 4 3 1 6

4 7 3 1 8 6 2 5 9

2 1 5 8 3 7 9 6 4

3 8 6 9 4 5 7 2 1

Solution No.4297

9 4 7 6 1 2 5 8 3

Fill the grid so that every row and every 3x3 square contains the digits 1 to 9

Thursday, 21 May, 2020

1 5 9 4 2 8 6 3 7

|

7 2 4 3 6 1 8 9 5

10 NOOSA TODAY

Gravely mistaken? (4,5). 27. Post second last (4).

DOWN 1. Sign for the balance (5). 2. Caught by a light, but strong, holder (5). 3. Hidden over in the court (6). 4. The attitude in ascent is different (6). 5. Tilt the table (4). 6. Seeing Edgar going to pieces in the arena (9). 12. Happening to have looked about perfect for the ingenue role (9). 13.

Broadcasts that may have heard on the farm (4). 15. When Kit’s disposed of it, makes enquiries (4). 17. Do warn about, ahead (6). 18. Displeased, but not from the beginning (6). 20. Woman many an untruth has been written about (5). 21. While away, find the shops enticing (5). 23.

Agrees there aren’t any old coppers (4).

9 2

4 2

1 5 2 7 5 9 3 1 6 3 8 3 1 2 8 9

YPTIC PUZZLE NO. 7634

ACROSS 1. Beat the speed (4). 7. Held the fish net in a coil inside (9). 8. Outpoint in the round (4). 9. Intend to point the man out (4). 10. Drew, we’re told, a funny-looking creature (4). 11. “Reptiles,” twit, has a P in it! (4). 14. Where it’s quite likely the gambler’s eye will be (2,3,5). 16.

Knuckles down and gets the TVs repaired (4,2,4). 19. The silly ass holding the key can’t keep up (4). 22. Be surprised and, in turn, touched (4). 24. If you and I capture the partner (4). 25. The one I have to booby-trap (4). 26.

Gravely mistaken? (4,5). 27. Post second last (4).

DOWN 1. Sign for the balance (5). 2. Caught by a light, but strong,

6 5

5

4

Cryptic Clues CRYPTIC PUZZLE NO. 7634

MED No.4

How to solve Sudoku!

1.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

14.

16.

19.

22.

24.

25.

26.

27.

3 4 5 2 6 3 6 8 7 3 8 1 5 9

DOWN 1. Card game (5)

ACROSS 1. Way (4)

SUDOKU No. 4297

Quick Clues

QUICK PUZZLE NO. 7634 - SOLUTIONS Across - 1, Path. 7, Repudiate. 8, King. 9, Last. 10, Tiff.

11, Rook. 14, Experiment. 16, Competitor. 19, Ease. 22, Bill. 24, Wren. 25, Bias. 26, Butterfly. 27, Tell.

Down - 1, Poker. 2, Tango. 3, Decamp. 4, Hunter. 5, Mint.

6, Stiffness. 12, Obnoxious. 13, Keep. 15, Mare. 17, Thwart. 18, Treble. 20, Alive. 21, Easel. 23, Lute.

QUICK QUICKPUZZLE PUZZLENo. NO. 7634 7634

noosatoday.com.au

7 8 6 1 9 3 5 4 2

5 4 1 2 7 9 6 8 3

8 3 7 5 1 6 4 2 9

LETTERS

Send your letters by email to newsdesk@noosatoday.com.au

A BIG THANK YOU

WORRY ABOUT YOUR OWN BACKYARD It would take someone with higher qualifications than I have, to work out what drives residents (we all know who they are), of another shire, in this case the Sunshine Coast Council area, to spend so much time worrying and commenting by way of their letters, on what is happening in their adjourning shire, Noosa, where they have no say.

This has been going on for years.

There must be a psychological reason for this type of behaviour.

Perhaps it is because they made a mistake and did not do enough due diligence when purchasing their property, and thought they were buying into the Noosa Shire, where they obviously crave to be part of.

Perhaps this is their way of handling the situation.

Their discontent, whatever it is, has had a fair airing in letters to the editor over the years. It is really time they took a step back and concentrated on their own shire area.

They must realise no matter what they think and say it is not going to make any difference in Noosa.

The authorities a long time back noosatoday.com.au

LENSCAPE

This was taken on Mother's Day from beach in front of the Yacht and Rowing Club along Gympie Terrace in Noosaville. After a glorious family day out day along the river at around sunset, this amazing storm cell rolled in across Tewantin towards Noosa northshore, bringing with it a stunning lightning show - a spectacular end to a beautiful Mother's Day. Picture: IAN MARTIN made sure we all knew Peregian Springs, Verriredale, Doonan etc would not be part of the Noosa Shire.

It is time for them to start worrying about the Sunshine Coast Council area where they do have a chance to change things.

Jo Ball, Noosaville.

ALL CLEAR ON CLARE Some recurring themes in recent letters shouldn't go unchallenged so here goes.

First, the insinuation that there is some conspiracy behind the election of Clare Stewart as Noosa Mayor because of her big spend on advertising, compared to former mayor Tony Wellington.

This overlooks the fact that she was a relative unknown up against an experienced incumbent who could point to achievements as a councillor and mayor. He also had the support of some influential Noosa identities who expressed their views in lengthy published letters.

Unfortunately for Tony, some of his policy directions were obviously divisive and this was ultimately reflected at the ballot box. But he bowed out gracefully, recognising the result was democracy at work and it would be good for Noosa if a few of his disgruntled supporters could do the same and give our first female mayor a chance to prove herself in this key role.

Secondly, a couple of writers have called for more funding for the ABC, in line with a campaign launched by left-wing activist group Get Up and a similar call by Labor's Federal leader, Anthony Albanese. This is totally incongruous with the fact that restrictions in the wake of the Covid-19 virus are hitting Australia's economy

by an estimated $4 billion a week, about 600,000 workers lost their jobs last month, unemployment surged to more than six per cent, and thousands of businesses are also at risk.

The ABC already receives more than $1 billion a year courtesy of taxpayers and if this is not enough to support their massive multiple television, radio and online presence, they should consider cutbacks similar to those forced on commercial media operators or try selling advertising outside their own back-patting selfpromotions. They would then learn that ratings really do count in the real world.

Or maybe Get Up could divert some of the millions spent trying to unseat conservative politicians. This failed rather miserably when Scott Morrison won the "unwinnable election" just 12 months ago, and is also now streets ahead in the preferred PM stakes.

John Mikkelsen, Noosa.

Alexandra Headland so busy with pedestrians and vehicles since the Christmas school holidays in 2019.

The sudden release from what many have felt was a cleithrophobic state has resulted in great masses travelling within and up to the perimeters allowable this weekend.

Much of this sudden influx of people is largely due to visitors from Brisbane.

It’s great for the local economy, but rather daunting considering the potential health implications from here on in.

Brigid Muir

WALKING IN OTHER’S SHOES With thousands of people losing their jobs, falling into the dole queues, trying to live a life less fortunate than ever before, then maybe a more compassionate society may emerge?

Thoughts and praise?

Margaret Wilkie, Peregian Beach.

COVID APP FAIL Australians (journalists included) who were extremely adamant we all had to get the CovidSafe app for the good of mankind are now probably a little riled up that it still isn’t functional whilst the country starts opening up.

Australians were bombarded with government lines about how fundamental this app was, how unprecedented its development was, and how Morrison/Hunt were geniuses. It was marketed as a digital condom, a panacea. But for all the bluster, it still isn’t actually usable.

I’ll be fascinated to read about all the actual metrics that will be uncovered by senate estimates and FOI. I’ve not seen Mooloolaba and

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I had a complete knee replacement done at the Noosa Hospital on 14 May at 1pm.

I was in Ward G 11.

Everyone that I met at the Noosa hospital from start to finish carried out their jobs they had to do to the highest standards.

I would like to give a big thank you to Michelle who had arranged for all the appointments for my operation with Dr James Cox, who performed my total knee replacement operation, nothing was too much for her, well done.

James went through everything I needed to know and was very professional in every way throughout my time on the hospital.

Also a big thank you to Sue who did my pre-op - very well done Sue, and all the doctors and nurses in theatre whom relaxed me and made me comfortable before my operation to make it go smoothly.

And of course I can't forget the sisters, nurses, the meal and tea ladies that looked after me during my recovery and the physios.

If I have missed someone out a big thank you to you as well.

Well the main person to thank is my Dr James Cox who performed my knee complete operation, well done James.

You are a professional at what you do, well done again.

I am one very happy patient, when i walked out of the hospital i never had to use my crutches at all.

Glen Heaslip, Tewantin.

Editorial newsdesk@noosatoday.com.au Published by Star News Group Pty Ltd ACN 005 848 108.

Publisher/Managing Director, Paul Thomas.

All material is copyright to Star News Group Pty Ltd. All significant errors will be corrected as soon as possible.

For our terms and conditions please visit noosatoday.com.au/terms-and-conditions/

Thursday, 21 May, 2020

|

NOOSA TODAY 11

SPORT TODAY

ASH STILL COMPETING... VIRTUALLY Seven time Noosa Triathlon champ Ash Gentle and her partner Josh Amberger have been keeping busy in lockdown, participating the first Trans-Tasman Ironman VR PRO Challenge.

Competitors participated in a virtual race while locked down at home.

Coming off a big break from training, Ash Gentle knew it was going to be a big ask of the body but she found some positives in the ride and the early morning start.

“It was definitely early but a lot of fun in a strange way. It was quite painful and hard to keep focused the whole time. I just enjoyed the fact that we could do some racing when we can’t do it in real life yet.”

Ash finished fourth.

The women’s event was won by Kiwi National Time Trial champ Teresa Adam, who called on all every bit of her cycling pedigree to survive a very early morning start and dominate challenge.

While compatriot Hannah Wells got off to a flying start winning the first ‘prime’, it was Adam who eventually triumphed, using the

same awesome skills and tactics that saw her set a new bike course record at Ironman New Zealand earlier this year.

“I had a really fun time and really enjoyed the event. It is definitely tough riding indoors with the heat and you need to keep cool, so I had this massive fan. I enjoyed the whole ride and throwing in the 30 seconds max efforts was a killer. But I had a lot of fun.

“I definitely enjoyed ‘riding’ in California, I have never been to that area and it was so realistic I felt like I was there. The course really suited me, I like to settle in and hammer away, so it was great. I just think it is great that we can get online and do some racing and have everyone around the world doing it with us,” she said Second placed Hannah Wells went into the challenge with no real expectations other to have some fun and know she was in for some genuine pain.

“I had no idea how it was going to go, so I thought I would start out pretty solid and see what the other girls were doing. I found myself in

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Thursday, 21 May, 2020

Ash Gentle wins her seventh Noosa Triathlon last November. the front and I thought I may as well go for that first prime. That probably put a bit of sting in my legs until the end of the ride, but it was so much fun.

“I loved being involved and getting into these things at this time because it is pretty hard just working away at home by yourself. My advice is just keep ticking along and get involved in these virtual races because you want to be ready when the racing is back on the calendar.

Keep at it and I will see you on the start line soon.”

With international time zones the way they are the Aussie girls were at a slight disadvantage in the Ironman VR6 Pro Challenge, not only enduring the tough racing but the shock of the alarm going off at 2:40am.

‘SuperMum’ Radka Kahlefeldt was looking for any support she could find and had a virtual ‘daughter’ helping her turn the legs over.

“I had my daughter Ruby’s favourite doll here on the aerobars to support me. It was a bit early for Ruby to be up at 5am. I don’t think I have ever had to race this early.”

Josh Amberger was third in the men’s challenge, finishing behind Kiwi pair Mike Phillips and Braden Currie.

The Brisbane based Amberger destroyed the Kiwis in the Facebook popularity poll with a massive 43 per cent of the votes from his legion of

fans across the globe.

In a cheeky reference to cricket’s “Chappelgate” in 1981, Amberger defended his team mate Tim Reed, whose plan to stick it to the Kiwis went awry at the 40 minute mark. In the middle of a “Watt Bomb”, when Reed literally destroyed his trainer and virtually rolled to the side of the road with his morning done.

“I think it was an underarm bowl there from the Kiwis claiming victory when Reedy had those technical difficulties,” Josh laughed.

The early morning start was all in vain for Reed but he was philosophical and happy to be competing.

“It was a little bit disappointing.

Halfway through the “Watt Bomb” I lost all resistance on the trainer and given the pain you go through to get to 40 minutes into the ride I was a little bit bummed to have to withdraw. I guess the upside is I now have an excuse to go out riding on the road to finish the 40km.”

“As a pro or an age grouper having these events is really inspiring and motivating. I know it has been a little bit of a struggle to get out the door and train really hard without an event coming up and as soon as this was announced I went out and did an 800km bike week because I got really excited about it. It is important to give yourself goals and keep challenging yourself,” the former Ironman 70.3 World Champion said. ● noosatoday.com.au

HOOK, LINE & SINKER

JACK MANGROVE

GREAT CONDITIONS PREVAIL

noosatoday.com.au

Ethan Wrack with a 65cm Diamond Trevally. the flats of the dog beach, frying pan and Weyba there have been some chunky flathead and whiting caught on live beach worm and even taking small surface lures skipped across the surface during run out tides.

The freshwater dams and lakes are now open and the break has seen the bass fired up. These fish are smashing slow wound hardbodies and vibes. If fishing Borumba then head into the sticks and keep leaders around 12lb as these fish will try and run you into cover. The surface bite has slowed so keep surface lures in one spot for longer. Small poppers lightly twitched and paused will call up fish from afar so be patient if you think the area looks fishy.

Lake MacDonald is also on fire with small soft vibes and heavy weighted 2-3 inch soft plastics securing the bite. You can drop leaders down here as the snags

aren’t as bad as Borumba. Always have an active SIPS permit and wash down boats and trailers before leaving Lake Mac to avoid

the spread of any weed.

So on behalf of Jack Mangrove, best of luck on your fishing adventures! ●

Tide Times Thursday 21sT May To Wednesday 27Th May 2020 Time

height

Time

1:02 aM 6:47 aM

0.67 m 1.62 m 0.64 m 1.59 m rd

sAT 23

MAY

2:21 aM 7:59 aM

0.62 m 1.55 m

Light showers. Mostly cloudy 23 / 17 °C

Fri 22 MAY 12:58 PM 7:30 PM

0.41 m 1.88 m

1:29 PM 8:04 PM

0.39 m 1.94 m

2:01 PM 8:40 PM

0.40 m 1.97 m

sun 24 MAY

2:35 PM 9:18 PM

0.41 m 1.98 m

Mon 25 MAY

3:11 PM 9:58 PM

0.44 m 1.97 m

3:52 PM 10:44 PM

0.49 m 1.94 m

Fri 22nd MAY 1:42 aM 7:23 aM

noosA WeATher ForeCAsT Thu 21 MAY

Height

Thurs 21sT MAY

Light rain. Mostly cloudy 17 / 14 °C

sAT 23 MAY showery. Mostly cloudy 17 / 13 °C rain showers. Morning clouds

sun 24Th MAY 3:03 aM 8:37 aM

0.62 m 1.49 m

3:46 aM 9:17 aM

0.63 m 1.43 m

Tues 26Th MAY 4:33 aM 10:02 aM

0.64 m 1.36 m 0.65 m 1.31 m

22 / 8 °C

Tue 26 MAY decreasing cloudiness 22 / 11 °C

Wed 27 MAY

Wed 27Th MAY 5:25 aM 10:54 aM

19 / 11 °C afternoon clouds

Mon 25Th MAY

12449462-SG21-20

With light winds early in the week anglers got the chance to enjoy some great conditions.

The Noosa Bar had shoulder to head high swell rolling through but remained passable. With cloudy skies the birds hitting the surface feeding tuna has quietened down so keep eyes peeled for balled up bait when running sounders.

Sunshine Reef is providing anglers with smaller snapper, tuskies, pearlies and solid sweetlip.

There should also be some big trout lurking so go in heavy and hard.

Stopping off for live yakka is a must as the big trout love these.

There are some solid cobia swimming about mid water and a floated pilchard on a gang hook is the perfect method to target these fish. Keep leaders long and no more than 30lb to give a more natural presentation. Out wider North Reef has a few bigger snapper and mixed reefies along with longtail tuna.

This is the time of year you can expect to see jewfish turning up, so fresh slab baits on snelled rigs is a must.

Halls Reef, headed north is a consistent producer of big fish. Slow trolled dead baits set out to 40-60 meters helps get them down and having two different baits can help weed out those fussy fish.

Whole slimy mackerel and bonito are two consistent producers of big pelagics. Make sure you keel weight gang hook setups and check how baits swim before sending them out the back.

The beaches have seen some great gutters formed this week with good sized jewfish reported. These fish can be hard to find, but paying attention to any creek run off, new gutters and rocky sections all help provide a jewfish an ambush point and a place to take shelter from current and swell. Nothing beats a clump of live beach worm on a 4/0 worm hook so load them up. Slab baits are best snelled to give the best possible presentation with fresh mullet a favourite.

The Noosa River has high numbers of small flathead sitting along the shallow flats and drop offs around Lake Cooroibah, Makepeace Island and Woods Bay. Snelled whole whitebait and frogmouth pilchards feed out in the current is a great way to locate the fish.

Golden trevally are starting to show up and drifting around the coastguard with small 2 inch soft plastics loaded with scent is a great way to find them. Keep leaders around 4-6lb as the clearer water lets heavier leaders stand out and goldens have great eyesight. Around

4:40 PM 11:35 PM

0.55 m 1.89 m

Thursday, 21 May, 2020

rain showers. Broken clouds.

20 / 13 °C

|

NOOSA TODAY 13

THE SPIN

RUGBY TRIO SPRINTING CLEAR Going on the recent form of some NRL players it may be hard to believe but three of the Queensland Reds playing group surged to favouritism and took the lead in the 2020 Stupidity Stakes earlier this week when they refused to accept Rugby Australia's competition-wide player pay-cut proposal.

Is it possible that Wallabies lock Izack Rodda and Queensland teammates Isaac Lucas and Harry Hockings are so out of touch with reality? Their agent also advised they would not register for the government's Job Keeper subsidy.

All other contracted Super Rugby players agreed to an average 60 percent pay cut after RA hit the pause button on the season.

Rugby union, like so many other sports, is in a dire financial situation.

When the Reds returned to training on Monday it was without Rodda, Lucas and Hockings. There are whispers that the trio is looking for an easy exit from their contracts and a passport to French rugby, but it is unlikely RA is unlikely to play ball and if that is the case perhaps they and their manager should have been paying more attention to the unemployment queues at some Centrelink offices in recent months.

They might just be joining them after all three down were stood down without pay. Welcome to the real world fellas.

Like many other sports and businesses across the country the ARU is trying to negotiate their way through these testing times.

Rugby Australia is keen to retain all three players however it is understood the players are investigating their legal position.

They are fortunate the QRU and RA are keeping the lines of communication open and that the players not to have burned their bridges at a time when as Queensland Rugby Union boss David Hanham put it, "The QRU is trying create a financial bridge to the other side of this pandemic."

GOLFERS BACK TO COMEPITITION Golfers at the Noosa Golf Club returned to competition last Saturday however there were some notable differences and new rulings (some local) for players to adhere to.

The social distancing requirement of 1.5 metres still applies and water fountains, ball washers and vending machines have been removed or are unavailable. While Alcohol can now be served with meals in the clubhouse consumption remains prohibited on the course.

14 NOOSA TODAY

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Golf is back, albeit with a few modifications due to Covid-19.

It is important that groups maintain their position in the field so that congestion is avoided. The club has increased the tee time interval to assist with this and a marshal will be supervising this.

A reminder that the marshal is there to ensure players comply with the governments requirements.

It is now acceptable to approach the next tee or green if the previous group is still there but the limit of 10 people in one area still applies. The number of people on the practice range has been increased to eight people.

Flagsticks cannot be handled.

This is a temporary local rule and any breach will a two stroke penalty.

Players are encouraged to read the Temporary Local Rules board before playing.

Some changes also on the putting greens where a noodle buffer has been inserted so that the ball will be easily retrievable and does not fall to the bottom of the hole. The ball still needs to be at rest within the confines of the hole to be considered holed. Circular ball retrievers attached to the ends of the putters will work and members are asked to take care to avoid damaging to the lip of the cup.

There are no bunker rakes so players should smooth as best as possible with their feet. The

Thursday, 21 May, 2020

temporary local rules board will include the option of preferred lies in bunkers with the reference point being the position of the ball and the relief area one card length, no nearer the hole.

It is also permissible to mark your own card and sign it but the score must be verified with your marker at the end of the round with only one signature required. All competition cards must be returned by 5pm.

While social play is permitted in the competition times, please be mindful that you may be taking a spot that would have allowed someone to play the competition. If you are able to play socially outside the competition times then please consider that alternative.

Players are also urged to use the MiScore App to assist Administration Staff and / or Committee volunteers. It is not necessary to for players using the MiScore app submit a scorecard.

Here are a few pointers for new users of the MiScore App:· Log in is your normal Noosa Golf Club member number and password. · The GPS function is unavailable. · The app is quite battery hungry so please make sure you phone is fully charged. · The screen will go blank between holes but just swipe up and it will come back.

· One person may sign both signature boxes but you must confirm the scores with the player. · You cannot upload your own score. If your marker does not have the app you will need to submit your card. · The app does not work on early model phones with unsupported operating systems.

Further information is also available on line at https://help. miclub.com.au/support/solutions/ articles/14000100198-miscoremobile-app.

SEVEN MORE SLEEPS MAYBE The countdown to the restart of the 2020 NRL season is on in earnest with only seven sleeps until the kick off between the Broncos and Eels at Suncorp Stadium But wait there could yet be a fly in the ointment or perhaps wax with the Professional Rugby League Match Officials Association, essentially the Ref 's Union (who knew that body even existed) unpleased by the decision of the blokes who run the game to revert to one match referee. They the PRLMO lodged a formal dispute notice with the Fair Work Commission and Tuesday's hearing did not bring a resolution. The refs and are threatening strike action. noosatoday.com.au

email: wickets-stpe@bigpond.com

CASEY O’CONNOR

IN THE 2020 STUPIDITY STAKES Referees on strike - what next? It could almost be comical.

Like many others I fail to understand the referees stance. Noone has lost their job. The people who run the show want to change the rules and in international games, lower grades, Intrust Cup and NSW Cup etc there is only one on field referee anyway.

Referees maintain they are concerned for player welfare.

Players and many coaches apparently think it is a positive change. Refs are also concerned that their standing in the game will be diminished. Please spare me the violin music.

It's pretty obvious that despite two on field referees, a pair of touch judges (someone please explain their role) and the million dollar bunker the quality of the game's decision makers has not markedly improved nor their standing in the game.

The players, administrators, broadcasters, health and bio-security experts and several governments have worked hard to get to the starting gates ready to reboot the 2020 competition. It seems that a previously unknown, Silvio Del Vecchio seems intent on derailing all the hard work. Del Vecchio, the boss of the PRLMO Association appears to be better known as the owner of Erina Laser Clinics Australia in a Terrigal shopping centre which apparently specializes in Brazilian waxing, lip injections, double chin sculpting and full face needling according to the website.

With no resolution forthcoming on Tuesday the NRL is headed to an 11th hour arbitration hearing in front of the full bench of the Fair Work Commission next week.

Just when you think you've seen it all in Rugby League.... words simply fail me.

BACK TO THE BISTRO BUT NOT THE GREEN The Tewantin Noosa Bowls Club has taken the opportunity during the Covid-19 shutdown to apply a lick of paint in the club and new flooring in the bar and bottle shop. This week the club announced that following the easing of some restrictions their bistro will re-open on Friday (22 May) for lunch (11.30am-2pm) and dinner (5.30pm-9pm) with a maximum of only 10 patrons at all times. Bookings of course are essential and takeaways will be available Wednesday - Saturday.

While bowlers are keen to return to the greens they remain closed for both competition and roll ups. This situation will be reassessed prior to the stage two easing of restrictions and in line with Bowls Queensland recommendations. noosatoday.com.au

Oceanex wins the Andrew Ramsden at Flemington on Saturday to be the first horse qualified for the 2020 Lexus Melbourne Cup.

GREATEST GAME OF ALL V GREATEST RACE OF ALL Seems Peter V'Landys is quite adept at upsetting the Victorian racing world. He drew the ire of Victorian Racing and plenty of others when he had the temerity to challenge the sanctity of the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

V'Landy's scheduled the running of the Everest, the World's Richest Race on turf at Randwick to clash with the VRC's Caulfield Cup Day. And now with the announcement of the revised dates for the 2020 State of Origin Series it seems he has done it again. It has been confirmed Origin will be played after the completion of the NRL season. The dates of 4, 11 and 18 November have been locked in with venues yet to be confirmed.

Some in racing circles fear State of Origin will take the gloss of the Cup which will be run on November 3.

Can't say I subscribe to that theory although I'm sure the rescheduling is more likely to put a dent in a few mad Monday celebrations.

One group who will not be blindsided by State of Origin or anything else is the syndicate that owns Kiwi bred mare Oceanex who last weekend grabbed a golden ticket into the Melbourne Cup when she won the listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington.

Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr Oceanex is the first horse to gain entry into the 2020 Lexus Melbourne Cup .

I'm sure her connections will

have more on their mind than what will be happening in the rugby league world.

TIGERS LYING IN WAIT Early in the year the Noosa Tigers were looking forward to defending their premiership title in 2020 however they are another community sporting club that currently find themselves in limbo.

As preparations continue to get the game up and running at the elite level up and running across the country there is still no confirmed start date for the commencement of the 2020 QFA Division One season.

It is hoped that some decisions regarding community league will be made in coming weeks however one of the hurdles is likely to be the tyranny of distance that the club and others are required to travel to and from games.

General Manager Jack Harper says that despite the situation the feel around the club remains positive and hopeful a season will eventuate.

Senior coach of the club Adam Bovalino urged his players at the start of the lock down to remain positive and focus on their fitness and health. Meanwhile the Tigers are lying in wait for their chance to defend their premiership.

The Tigers, as well as their rugby league counterparts the Noosa Pirates are urging fans to support the sponsors of their codes during their unprecedented times.

MOVING HOME FOR SOME NRL CLUBS The ARL Commission announced on Tuesday that only six venues will be used for the next nine rounds of the 2020 competition. They are

Bank West Stadium, Campbelltown Stadium, Central Coast Stadium (Gosford), Suncorp Stadium and Qld Country Bank Stadium (Townsville) and AAMI Park (Melbourne).

The decision means the Eels Bulldogs Rabbitohs Sharks and Roosters will call BankWest home for the next seven rounds at least.

The Panthers, Raiders, Tigers and Dragons will call Campbelltown their home ground from the 28 May restart.

The Central Coast Stadium set to be the new home ground for the Knights, Warriors, and Sea Eagles.

Teh Broncos and Titans will share Suncorp Stadium, while the Cowboys and Melbourne Storm retain their home grounds the new QCB Stadium, Townsville and AAMI Park Melbourne.

Interim NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said: "Each venue requires customised infrastructure to meet the strict bio-security requirements. "We've adopted a phased approach for venues should restrictions be eased in the future.'"

The NRL has chosen three consolidated venues for clubs in and around Sydney to ensure there are no double headers at venues and in different parts of the region to meet the geographical challenges we face.

With at least seven rounds to be played in the set venues, it means at least 56 games will be squeezed into six stadiums.

The official draw for the remainder of the season will be revealed on Thursday 21 May. However only venues for the first nine rounds will be announced. â—?

Thursday, 21 May, 2020

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NOOSA TODAY 15

TALKING SPORT

RON LANE

ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR PIRATES As projects go it was not big, just a small flyover roof to cover the deck in front of the club house; but the end result has been incredible.

When you step out from the bar of the Pirates Rugby League Club on to the deck the atmosphere could not be better.

Looking straight on to the revitalized playing field you could understand the players feelings, for this, to them is surely - the green, green grass of home - home of the Noosa Pirates, a club that is once again on the rise.

“Considering the circumstances and restrictions, the work that our people have done is great,” said Pirates general manager and coaching director Brett Winkler.

Having being appointed to the position in early 2019 he has indeed made his presence felt; and all in a positive fashion.

“It is definitely something for them to be proud of. There is a good feeling across all sections of the club and our junior and senior divisions are now linking closer together as one: and with the QRL talking dates and player numbers it could not have happened at a better time.”

Regarding their teams, Senior division 1 and 2 (As and Reserves) U/18 and Women’s Open, the numbers are looking good; however, Pirates are still working to increase the numbers in Division2.

This is a move that would give them more strength and player depth for their senior division.

All indications are that for this season Pirates will indeed be very competitive.

“Away from the playing fields all our people have been very supportive: our sponsors have stayed with us; the mums and dads are great and our supporters are taking note. The role of the parents is vital: as soon as possible we would like to get our juniors playing, thus keep them active in the club.

“Apart from the roof work we have also been active on our other field. We will soon have both under lights at Tewantin and we are also working in close liaison with the Touch Football Association: with the facilities we now have, there is great potential for other major events.

Also, up at Cooroy the playing field has been upgraded and seating and cover facilities have been improved” In his capacity as general manager, Brett is responsible for the day to day operations of the club and as such reports to the management committee. Then on the playing field he is coaching director: in this he works as head coach of Division 1 and overseas other seniors as 16 NOOSA TODAY

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Pirates general manager and coaching director Brett Winkler.

director of football.

One of the major projects that faced the new GM (and is now under way) was to organise and have a full revision and update of the club constitution: in the world of business and club life this is of the utmost importance if the club is to stabilise and above all succeed.

When Brett Winkler walked

Thursday, 21 May, 2020

through the doors of Pirates in 2019, the club had seen better days on the playing fields: team work was very scarce morale was not good.

The result of 2018 saw them, at seasons end, with the unenviable title of wooden spooners; the title that nobody wants.

However, later in 2019 things started to change and they came

from the bottom of the ranks to make the finals: their morale was up and their culture, the true culture of the Pirates was back.

For Coach Winkler his own outstanding achievements as a player and coach in other clubs, has indeed been an inspiration for all Pirates: we wish everyone involved the very best in the times ahead. ● noosatoday.com.au

LIFE OF BRINE

PHIL JARRATT

RE-INVENTING WALTER HAY As we slowly come out of Covid-19 life, I’m noticing how all the newspaper and online columnists I enjoy reading on a regular basis are running out of things to write about.

Back in March as the drawbridges went up and the shutters came down, they were deliriously happy to tell us about the delights of not shaving, of wearing pajamas all day, of catching up on books they’d missed or bingeing on Netflix. But now the great Philip Adams has resorted to writing obits on his fallen mates (well, he is over 80 and that can happen to the best of us) while Richard Glover in the Sydney Morning Herald has taken to writing in the persona of his dog (once a rare treat) almost every week.

I can’t say I blame them, but I have a simple solution for those times when I’m bored with the present and uncertain of the future.

I seek solace in the past. History becomes my doona, I bury myself in its many lessons and comforts. Most of all, I love researching everything I can find about a person or an event, then placing myself there. If you’re a regular reader, you may have noticed that I tend to time travel quite a bit, and I make no apologies for my quiet obsession, particularly now as I’m imagining Noosa when it was barely more than a name on a map, often spelled “Newsa”.

This week I’m imagining myself Walter Hay, the “father of the shire”, as it says on his Tewantin headstone, stockman, trailblazer (literally), businessman and visionary. I’m imagining him trudging up the hill to his Bayview guest house (now Halse Lodge) after a sleepless night at sea, to have a meeting with a couple of boring councilors. Here’s a snippet: ‘“Access is the issue! Without access we have nothing, ye hear me?”

‘Walter Hay slammed his tankard down hard on the fine single-cut kauri table-top (a product of the Dath Henderson mill upriver) and cast his dark eyes around the table at the Widgee men who seemed to think they knew best. One by one they met his gaze only fleetingly with the weakness he had come to expect of the men who were being charged with the running of the settled, or about to be settled, divisions of the colony. With the uncuffed sleeve of the shirt he had slept in, Walter wiped the spilt ale from the table, saw to the dregs of the tankard and called a servant for more. However it was not a servant but his second wife, Susannah, who pushed back the flyscreen and emerged on the covered veranda overlooking Laguna noosatoday.com.au

A rare photo of Hay’s Bayview guest house around 1900.

Bay, bearing four fresh drinks and a platter of Weyba oysters. Walter’s bad mood had by no means abated, but he patted Susannah’s hand as she unfolded a linen napkin across his lap.

‘It was a fine spring day in 1881, a cooling breeze pushing down the bay from Double Island Point and just enough of it filtering through the trees to Bayview, as Hay had named their cottage. He and Susannah Jane Bull were well into the fifth year of their marriage, and already she had borne him two healthy sons, Percy and Ernest, bringing the count of his living offspring into double figures, while keeping her girlish figure and, for the most part, her good humour.

And my God, he tested her on that.

He patted her hand again, this time with more affection, as she withdrew it and herself to the interior of the (so far) modest hillside cottage.

‘Hay’s bad mood had nothing to do with his wife. He had been called back from important business in Brisbane to meet with representatives of the Widgee Divisional Board, the Gympiebased body that had in 1879 been given responsibility for Noosa, Tewantin and what was becoming known as the “lakes district”, as well as the back country as far west as Kilkivan. Widgee Division covered almost a thousand square miles, with Gympie an island at its centre, and the government, in its

Picture: JOHN OXLEY LIBRARY

While we got a few waves on the points here last weekend, nothing to match the Gold Coast’s Superbank, where it pumped solidly, drawing the usual crowd of spectators to Snapper’s take-off rock. Veteran surf photographer Mal Sutherland shot this alarming pic early on Saturday.

Come on people! As soon as the shackles come off just a little, we forget all about social distancing? Do the right thing, remember it’s a long way from over. wisdom, had given it virtually no funding to cover this enormous jurisdiction. Like the rank amateurs he knew they were, the Widgee men had arrived unannounced the day before, and, having been informed of their presence by telegraph, Walter, in order to accommodate their impending departure for Gympie (taking his own damn shortcut track, mind) had been forced to take a sleep-deprived overnight voyage on the Culgoa, suffer a difficult bar crossing, have a tender from the pilot station on Hay’s Island meet him in the channel and deliver

him to the inlet, whereupon he had trudged up the hill track in the building heat of the morning, and barely had time to settle himself in his veranda chair before their arrival. And here they were. At least he had been spared the damned impertinence of the journalist fellow from the Gympie Times, apparently off shell collecting.’

I don’t know if old Walter suffered fools gladly, but he got things done! And I’m having fun attempting to bring him, and other key figures from our history, to some kind of life. ●

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Mini Chef Sessions Join us for mini chef sessions at Noosa Civic these upcoming school holidays.

You’ll also get your own mini chef hat and apron to take home as our gift to you!

Dates: Monday 23rd September to Friday 4th October daily Times: 9am and 11am Cost: $5 donation to Slow Food Noosa Location: Outside Red Rooster Bookings essential.

Visit noosacivic.com.au for details.

IMAGE

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Big W Woolworths 100 speciality stores 28 Eenie Creek Rd (Cnr Walter Hay Drive) Noosaville Ph 5440 7900

PAGES 4-5

Mini Chef Sessions

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Join us for mini chef sessions at Noosa Civic these upcoming school holidays.

You’ll also get your own mini chef hat and apron to take home as our gift to you!

Dates: Monday 23rd September to Friday 4th October daily Times: 9am and 11am Cost: $5 donation to Slow Food Noosa Location: Outside Red Rooster Bookings essential.

Visit noosacivic.com.a u for details.

Big W Woolworths 100 speciality stores 28 Eenie Creek Rd (Cnr Walter Hay Drive) Noo

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Thursday, 21 May, 2020

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