Local Future's in our hands

John Hartley, left, and Kym Neaylon outside the Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre

Photo: Alan Lander

Local future’s in our hands

By Alan Lander

MANY of its paths are not yet known –but they will emerge in time.

Cooroy Future Group (CFG) grew out of the old Cooroy Lower Mill Board, which was set up after the demise of the town’s sawmilling industry. That led to refurbishment of the heritage boiler and kilns in 2008, followed by the sale of remaining commercial land, regeneration of the riparian zone – then the biggest step: design and construction of Cooroy Library in 2010.

In 2015, the Board changed its name to Cooroy Future Group, which would then utilise the Butter Factory precinct to generate revenue and be a crucible for a range of community endeavours.

At present the group’s primary activities are the Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre (BFAC) which, since 2016 has operated a retail outlet within the building called the Artisan Store, and which is a first stop for anyone looking to buy a totally unique gift for a friend or family member at a reasonable price.

Meanwhile the gallery spaces for art showcasing and classes are booked out more than a year ahead - and have been since 2017. And if you think that’s business-asusual in the regional arts world, think again.

But CFG doesn’t stop there, and its reach is not confined to activities within the BFAC precinct.

Apart from its contribution to the annual Christmas in Cooroy event, it also operates the rather exclusive Great Noosa Trail Walk, an annual three-day, limitednumbers trek through Noosa’s hinterland.

“Unique to Australia, this walk ends each night in a different small country town in the hinterland,” CFG president Kym Neaylon said.

“It’s three half-days [long] if you’re fit.

“We transport all sleeping bags, tents, where they will be waiting for you when you arrive.

“When you get to the end of the day, we’ll supply dinner and breakfast via the Kin Kin Progress Association and the Cooran Cutters football club.

“People love the camaraderie, the whole experience.

“There’s always limited spaces, a maximum number of people, so everyone enjoys it.

“It’s 56km over three days, through some private property. There is an end of walk meal together at the Pomona Distillery.

“As an extra, participants can climb Mt Cooroora afterward,” he joked.

He said people from as far as Melbourne and Hobart come up for the walk.

“It brings a lot of people to the hinterland; we want to cap numbers, to keep it fresh and special. But we do get people coming back every year for it.”

As with practically everywhere in Australia if not the world, many activities, present and future, were hit hard by the COVID-19 years of 2020 to 2022, but CFG, as with so many others, is emerging intact.

True some things have gone by the wayside, such as CFG’s popular Cooroy Fusion Festival – but now the group takes the view that “regular, small community events” - plus the end of year community party in conjunction with Christmas in Cooroy event - are a better use of its resources.

And unlike other community groups, there are really no limits as to what CFG can consider.

The make-up of CFG’s board is diverse: Kym is a relative newcomer to the town, who brings national and international

management experience in engineering, with a PhD thrown in.

In roles requiring many moves, his wife following in support, Kym said she would be deciding his post-career location.

“She said ‘when we retire, I’d like to do the choosing’ – and here we are,” Kym said.

Not that he’s got a problem with it.

“Everyone is so friendly here; it’s so opposite to living in the big cities. I thought I’ll get involved in the community – I’ve never been able to before due to work.

“CFG seemed like it would suit me. It’s a fantastic group of people.”

John Hartley is the treasurer, who has lived in Cooroy since 1999 and has a lengthy career with ABC Radio and Television. A former Cooroy - Noosa Genealogy & Local History Group president, he knows the town well, with Kym calling him “the ideas man”.

“I’ve seen lots of changes here; the population has expanded quite dramatically,” John said.

Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre

“We’re putting our heads together [in this group], to experience what-ifs, what we can do.”

One of John’s most recent ideas was to offer two bursaries to young people for further studies, which he organized in tandem with fellow board member Angela Lisle, who just happens to be Director for Creative and Digital at TAFE Queensland. Other members include long-time locals Stan Ryan, Barbara Luff, Carol Watkins and recent addition Daniel Washusen.

CFG is also in a financial position to hire staff, and one key appointment is Tash Ballantyne, who brings solid marketing experience to the table.

While the butter factory is the physical epicentre of the group, it’s not all about art. Ideas being considered in one form or another include a curated biosphere trail walk, which could include speakers and advisers on a range of relevant issues such as koala protection and beekeeping, with the walk “finishing at Black Ant Café/

Restaurant”, Kym said.

Another idea being workshopped is the development of a regular jazz weekend, encouraging quality jazz performances either in a permanent venue or pop-up alternatives.

Regular artisan markets are ticking another potential box, as something that once existed locally - and can do so again.

There is to be later talk of providing some services to young people who are experiencing mental difficulties that are all too familiar in life for so many at present, but ideas are in their infancy and it will be some time before plans come to fruition.

John is also keen to create a means of bringing many separate and disparate groups together to pool ideas if not resources together.

“There could be networking between clubs and groups,” he said.

“Otherwise we’ve got diverse people, but you don’t know [you have] until you talk to them.”

CFG has recently met with the Cooroy Chamber of Commerce along such lines.

One topic was the CFG’s contribution to last December’s Christmas in Cooroy event, which overall was hugely successful.

Great Noosa Trail Walk

Photo: Kaya Cleary

“We reckon there was about 8000 people in town at Christmas in Cooroy,” John said.

He said visitors to the butter factory were big, many of whom didn’t know what was there.

“People are not aware CFG runs the butter factory.

That CFG has a wide range of potential activities acts as a beacon to people interested in making a difference by joining the community group.

“We even had a barrister from down

south with senior corporate experience express an interest in joining – he approached us,” John said.

If you want to know more about Cooroy Future Group, visit www.cooroyfuturegroup.com.au, or drop into the Cooroy Butter Factory.

Christmas markets at Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre