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WHILE the rain poured, the artistry and creativity shone brightly at this year’s Australian Body Art Festival.
Artists travelled from around Australia to compete in various competitions but the big winners of the day were everyone who got to experience the amazing creativity that flowed throughout the festival. As well as the amazing body painting and wearable art, there were fantastic art installations, rock art, Gubbi Gubbi workshops, music and awesome performers. Despite the gloomy weather, the spirits of everyone were high and there was still plenty of fun to be had.
The winners were: Brush & Sponge: 1st - Kelly Tyler Dowd, 2nd - Ayesha Henderson, People’s Choice - Ratih Widyastuti. Airbrush: 1st - Nadia Vanek, 2nd - Kelli McAlpine. Special Effects: 1st - Morgan Scott, 2nd and People’s Choice - Robyn McKenzie. Face Painting: 1st - Vavara Naumova, 2nd - Ayesha Henderson, People’s Choice - Kate Modini. Wearable Art: 1st & People’s Choice - Carlene Adorn, 2nd - Margaret Wretham. Best Model Saturday: Karim Kamara, Best Model Sunday: Alicia DC.
A huge congratulations to all the artists, models, judges, volunteers,
sponsors, supporters and spectators who got involved and made it a special event for our region! It is a shame mother nature didn’t put on as good a show as the festival did! For more photos follow their Facebook page @australianbodyartfestival
The Australian Body Art Festival is proudly hosted by the Eumundi & District Historical Association, with support from the Australian Government through Festivals Australia, the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland’s Destination Events Program, and the Sunshine Coast Council through the community grants program. This event would not be possible without the invaluable support of our sponsors, including Eumundi & District Historical Association, Experience Eumundi, Eumundi & District Community Association, Matso’s Sunshine Coast, Cooroy RSL, Face Paint Shop Australia, XO Art Co, Dan Purdie MP, Noosa Outback, Qld Body Art Society, Eumundi Voice, Eumundi CWA, Fairy Tale Events & Equip4Hire, Firefly Solutions, Your Local Lifestyle, Matt Blak, Derivan, and Hinter-Coast Transport.
Lest we forget.
Live Music Fridays 6pm: 3rd Booka
Table & The Maitre D’s | 10th Allan
Gumm | 17th Billy Guy | 24th Janice
Smithers | 31st Kerrie O’Keefe
Bingo: Thursdays from 9am, great jackpots & fun!
Kids Eat Free Sunday Night: with purchase of adult main meal
$10K Member’s Promotion on now!
Join for $5.50 at reception
We now offer online bookings at: www.cooroyrsl.com.au
25 Maple Street, Cooroy 5447 6131
“THANK YOU so much to Andrea from Cooroy IGA who comforted me when I had a breakdown at the checkout. Your kind words mean so much during this life changing, devastating time.” Anonymous
“BIG SHOUT OUT to a couple of North Arm locals for running their mower around North Arm Park today, it’s been over a month since any contractors have been out to mow. At least people can access the toilet and play equipment a little better now ... until contractors can finish the job.” North Arm Locals
What a night to remember!
Congratulations to our ‘Front Of House’ superstar Payton who was crowned Gympie Show Society’s Junior Showgirl and Gympie Showgirl Entrant - Hannah Johnston who was crowned Gympie Show Society Charity Showgirl who raised over $75,000. What an amazing achievement. We are very honoured to have been able to support these young women on their journey over the past year. Thank you both for all of your efforts and supporting Gympie Show Society. The Kandanga Hotel
Queensland Music Awards - The winner of the 2024 Queensland Music Awards ‘Festival of the Year Award’, presented by Oztix and TheMusic.com.au is Gympie Music Muster - Congratulations to all involved!
HAPPY 10th Birthday to The Kindness Club! Thank you for doing such a wonderful job touching hearts in our community.
“We are so lucky and thankful for our P&C funding this magnificent mural by Austin over the school holidays. A much needed pop of colour to our SEP area.” Cooroy State School
To Woombye Cheese Company for coming SECOND at the World Cheese Awards in Wisconsin last month in the ‘Washed Rind’ Category. It’s a huge achievement for our local cheese company. Go out and try this award winner - Blackall Gold Washed Rind! Apparently it’s an absolute Belter!
“Happy Earth Day to our wonderful Plastic Free Noosa Community. To all our volunteers, members and followers who are playing their part to keep this beautiful place we call home free from single use plastics and litter, thanks for all you do!
If you want to get involved in any upcoming events or beach cleanups like these little legends sign up at https:// www.plasticfreenoosa.org/sign-up-wastewarriors” Plastic Free Noosa
An easy and
flavourful
one pot chicken recipe that all the family will enjoy.
Serves: Cook/Preparation: 1 hours 35 minutes
Ingredients:
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 brown onion, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, finely chopped
• 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
• 2 rashers bacon, chopped and rind removed
• 1.8kg whole chicken
Method:
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 Litre Chicken Stock
• 350g packet McKenzie’s Lentils, Freekeh and Beans Superblend, rinsed
• 2 tsp finaly grated lemon rind
• 6 sprigs fresh thyme
1. Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan-forced).
2. Heat oil in a large flameproof casserole dish (16-cup capacity) over a medium heat. Add onion, carrot, celery and bacon. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 3 to 4 minutes, or until soft. Stir in paste and chicken sock. Add chicken. Bring to boil. Cover with lid.
3. Cook in oven for 30 minutes. Remove. Add Superblend, rind and thyme. Cover. Return to oven. Cook for a further 20 minutes.
4. Increase oven temperature to 220°C (200°C fan forced). Remove lid. Cook about 20 to 25 minutes, or until chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
5. Remove chicken from the dish. Stand for 5 minutes. Cut into serving pieces.
6. Serve chicken over Superblend mixture from pot.
GOURMAY Mary Valley is back in 2024 to celebrate the region’s agricultural and food industries, with a fabulous collection of ‘Satellite’ events, along with a Festival Day and Gala Dinner Party.
The month of GourMay includes breakfast, morning tea, lunch, dinner and tapas along with camp oven and damper competitions. Farm gates will be open to meet the people who bring food to the table, and mouths will be fed.
There’s ‘Walking With Macadamias’ and ‘Mary Valley Food Trail & Rattler Experience’. You can sing for your supper –well at least help write the song – and leave the singing to singer songwriter, Amanda Emblem. Event Coordinator Malcolm Oakley said, “some of the events are already sold out, but there are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy the hospitality and flavours of the Mary Valley.”
Festival Day on May 25 brings Imbil to life with cooking demonstrations –bush tucker and sourdough – talks on soil management, wild macadamias and
other farming practices, and competitions galore including the GourMay Mary Valley Cooking Challenge. Host for the day is Sunshine Coast Foodie, Martin Duncan.
To conclude GourMay Mary Valley 2024 - the grandest event in the Mary Valley, the GourMay Mary Valley Gala Dinner Party will have it all. A 3-course dinner and canapes (exploding with local produce), Aspy Jones and Favourite Kid, a DJ to keep the feet tapping, and a spectacular show from internationally acclaimed performers. It’s our secret so you’ll have to come along to find out. When... Saturday June 1.
Film, art and flowers will also accompany food. Ratatouille served with ‘Ratatouille’ by the Mary Valley Film Society at Kandanga Hall, and ‘The 100 Foot Journey’ presented by Slow Food Noosa accompanied by a fabulous 3-course meal. Details for everything GourMay Mary Valley Food Festival 2024 can be found at gourmaymaryvalley.com.au, or by contacting gourmaymaryvalley@gmail.com
THE first round of Cooroy RSL’s biannual Community Donations Program is open, providing up to $2000 for local community clubs and activities.
For community organisations located in the areas of Cooroy, Pomona, Lake Macdonald, Eumundi and surrounding areas, the Cooroy RSL has a bi-annual community donations program to support activities undertake in the community.
Some of the recipients of the Oct 23 round
There are five main areas that the club supports including service veterans and their families; local schools, kindergartens and educational organisations; heritage and historical groups; local service clubs and community groups; and sport and recreation clubs.
Applications need to be completed by May 17 and you can apply online at: www.cooroyrsl. com.au/community/
DISCOVER all things Rosella at Petersen’s Farm’s annual Rosella Field Day!
Rosella Field Day is an annual event that celebrates the harvest of rosella fruit and promotes the love of farming locally. The event brings together farmers, community members, and visitors who all share a
passion for agriculture and sustainable food practices.
The day features a variety of activities, including tours of the farm, talks with farmers, forums, cooking demonstrations and tastings, farmers markets, entertainment, including face painting and Rosella-themed games. Plus this year they are offering an exclusive VIP ‘Paint, Rosella & Nibble’ experience - creative paint session wiht Gympie artist and ‘paint and sip’ teacher, Jordi Kate. Tickets available online. Head to the website to find out more or to buy tickets to these events.
Big Rosella Field day is happening May 4-5 at the Petersen’s Farm. 2 Reilly Rd, Woolooga https://petersensfarm.com.au/big-rosellafield-day/
COOROY custom framing business Frame Tree has jumped on board as a new sponsor for the annual Mary Valley Art Festival.
Owner operator of Frame Tree Custom Framing, Belinda Richardson, is excited about her involvement with the festival. Her $500 prize goes to the winner of the drawing category, one of 10 sections in the show being held at the Imbil Public Hall, Imbil from July 25-28.
“We are thrilled to be a sponsor in this year’s Mary Valley Art Festival. There is always such amazing artwork coming out of the area,” she said.
“We like to nurture and support new talent, and encourage all emerging and established artists to enter.”
She has more than 20 years’ experience in design and visual arts and said the quality of entries at the art festival was always outstanding.
She began work as a graphic designer for 15 years at The Illawarra Mercury before moving to the Sunshine Coast with her young family, where she studied a Diploma in Visual Arts and trained to be a trade qualified picture framer.
The new sponsorship means the prize pool this year is $11,500 which includes the RJR Property Best in Show award for
$3000, and $1500 for the Open winner from Gympie’s Bendigo Bank. Transport company Masondale sponsors the People’s Choice award of $1000.
A total of $350 is up for grabs in the youth section.
The festival is part of the Gympie Region Studio Trails, which celebrates artists, artisans and creatives and invites you into their private studios, ateliers, and creative spaces to share their work, their skills, their stories and their inspiration. More information at https:// www.gympie.qld.gov.au/studio-trails Entries open on May 15 and you can use the online form or pick up a print entry form at local outlets. Entry forms are due by July 8 and you can find them and terms and conditions online at www.maryvalleyartfestival.com.au
VIEWED from below, the Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove looks like a bit like a rainbow paddle pop. This psychedelic-looking bird is named for the distinctive violet cap on the top of its head.
This is a smallish pigeon, quite shy and more often heard than seen. It is happiest in rainforests but can sometimes be found in wet woodlands or botanic gardens.
Because humans have removed so much rainforest,
IF YOU DON’T KNOW EVERYONE’S FAVOURITE MC AND RACONTEUR RICHARD HANSEN IN COOROY, YOU MUST BE NEW TO THE TOWNBy Alan Lander
OVER the last 10 to 12 years, Richard has popped up all over the place, whether it’s to be the biggest town single-day fundraiser ($222,000 – beat that), or hosting a major dinner, or emceeing a political meet-the-candidates event, you can be pretty sure the bloke on the stage hanging off the end of the microphone is Richard.
But it’s certainly not how he started out.
While today he can easily nail the running of an important town function, it was a very different kind of nailing in the early days – and soon he’ll be putting properties under the hammer.
Born in Thangool in central Queensland, about 10 minutes’ drive from Biloela, to a small crop farming family of Danish origin, Richard had an idyllic life keeping the farm operating through every possible job, as is the way, before the family moved into Biloela proper.
“I was aged 15 when I left home,” Richard said.
“I first worked on a property near Moura, then I worked cattle stations around Hughenden and Charters Towers for a few years.”
That included the bucolic pastime of chasing bulls, and catching them from the passenger door of the ute.
“We never had harnesses; it was either pull them down or the passenger had to fly out the door,” he said.
Suffice to say, don’t try that at home, folks … But it didn’t take long for him to work out there wasn’t much future.
“I’d realised there were 10 stockmen and one head stockman, so there was not much chance of climbing the ladder.
“[But] one guy twigged my interest as a farrier; I like to work with metals. So I took it up.
“A farrier is basically a blacksmith that shoes horses. Years ago a farrier used to be a vet, while blacksmiths shoed the horses.”
Farrier apprenticeships were pretty rare in Queensland back then – “no-one was taking them on and if they did it would be in Ipswich. I think there were only six” – so Richard did the next best thing, and took off to study the trade in the United States in 1989.
“I was there for four months, then back, then back there for another three months,” the then 20-year-old said.
“I studied at Montana State University in the town of Bozeman, then worked for a few different guys.
“In those days Bozeman was still small even though a university town. Not now.”
Work back in Queensland for an experienced farrier was easy to get.
“The number of horses was constantly increasing. I never really worked on the racing side, more in equestrian; [racing] wasn’t my cup of tea.
“Everyone talks about the price of racehorses, but now jumping horses are very expensive. It was nothing for me to shoe a horse worth maybe fifty or sixty thousand dollars. I never treated them any differently.”
Richard first worked for eight years in Mareeba as a farrier, then moved to Brisbane for a while – then enjoyed a 15year spell in real horse country at Samford to the west of Brisbane.
“I had a good run there: I had two apprentices working for me and I worked
a lot with Brian Sheehan of Samford Valley Vets who was well-known in his field, and did a number of major events. I still love Samford; it’s a great place.
“I competed internationally as a farrier, and all round Australia – I won both the National and Queensland high point awards about six times along with many winnings/placing in individual competitions around the country.
“I also competed for five years at the World Blacksmithing Championships held at the Calgary Stampede in Canada.
“To my knowledge I believe I am still the only Australian to have reached the top 10 finals at the world championships and the creative forging class.
“It was an incredible experience competing against the best in the world often with up to 23 countries represented. Eventually an elbow injury stopped me doing any more.”
Richard is still active in the business.
“Even now, I still judge a lot of competitions – and the Australian competitions at the Show in Brisbane, commentating on that.
“It’s a bit frustrating at times: sometimes I want to just drag someone over and say ‘here’s how you do it’.”
Richard eventually came to Cooroy from Samford about 12 years ago, as his thenwife’s parents moved here.
“I loved the town, and fitted in right away,” he said.
“I think Cooroy is a real community, probably more than any other town I’ve been in. I don’t think the community spirit here could be found anywhere else.”
He had no trouble getting work, and was still commuting back to Samford three days a week, while getting into presentation design locally.
“I also did some shoeing horses here, and did a lot of hosting events.”
Richard’s background did not lend him
immediately to having the ‘gift of the gab’.
“I used to sell as an auctioneer when I was in Mareeba, but I never thought I would find that as a career.
“I was nervous as hell. I joined Toastmasters when I was in Brisbane, and gained a lot of confidence from that.
“Hosting requires separate skills again –making everyone look good, making things run smoothly, talking to everyone.”
Not that everything always went to plan.
“One time in Brisbane I had to creep under the stage to pull cords and leads together. The Brisbane Tech guy was too fat to get under the stage, so I ripped my jacket off to get in and sort it out, as things weren’t going right.
“You have to keep the show going; you sneak around making sure things are going to plan. Once I was in, I gained a lot more confidence really quickly.
“I did some stand-up comedy as well and won various humorous speaking contests including the District 69 division covering Queensland and Northern NSW. It was from there people asked me to host events, then I started getting asked to do the big shows.
“I’ve done all sorts, from share market conferences to ag shows, street events, the lot. I was going all over the place, and preCOVID I started to do some weddings.
“The key to hosting is to never focus on yourself - that’s where a lot of mistakes are made – it’s not about what you should or shouldn’t say, it’s about finding out about you. That takes the pressure off, and then you focus on time management. You have to manage time.
“The stand-up was always interesting. When you go to a [dedicated] venue club it’s good; when you’re in the corner of a pub it’s ridiculously hard. And you can’t do stand-up comedy without offending someone, and I think on that front it’s getting a bit harder.
“But if you can get through the first ten seconds, you’re good. I make the most of my country town background – slowtalking country boy Queenslander. You can take the p*** more easily if you’re in the same boat [as the audience].
“Comedy’s not a big part of my life, but it helps with hosting.”
Richard’s Mareeba auctioneering experience came rushing back when he was asked to give it a go.
“There are two auctioneering licences: real estate, and chattel auction licences. I
had to go through the whole course to get them both.”
This first auction was in antiques over on Diamond Street, a subject which Richard knew little about.
“But at the end of the day your job is to sell. I sell a lot of things, from teacups to tractors,” he said, adding “I’m a lot happier selling tractors,” he quipped.
Now Richard has his own auctioneering business in Cooroy’s Jarrah Street.
“I’m the lead auctioneer, and I have another one who works for us. We still run room sales, and now we go onsite too.
I think Cooroy is a real community, probably more than any other town I’ve been in. I don’t think the community spirit here could be found anywhere else.
“We’re now fully set up to simulcast the auctions anywhere, but we still believe in the live auction method. Most are multivendor, collectors, dealers, and a lot of deceased estates along with farm clearance sales.
“Bidder numbers average between 180 to 220 per auction split between floor and online bidders. We can get up to 350 at some big auctions, across the country.”
Some items are unusual, with no
apparent value, “but we had a thing called a ‘western electric cinema bell, full of copper”.
“I would have used it as a doorstop, but two Americans fought for it and it went for five to six thousand.
“At the other end, something you think is gorgeous doesn’t go anywhere.”
He also auctioned an eagle created by former Kin Kin artist Steve Weiss which went for $14,500.
Richard is also in the process of starting his real estate auctioneering career, which requires a different (and slower) style of bid calling.
Aside from his various career activities, Richard still serves as an executive on Cooroy’s Chamber of Commerce, and enjoys hosting the town’s much-loved community events.
“I still do a bunch of charity auctions here.
“I hold records for the most money raised in one day in Noosa Shire, with $222,000 raised in one night for an event called Mingle with the Mayor: that particular year the money went to Cooroy Family Support Centre.
“I sold a dinner with Gina Reinhart and
Dawn Fraser for $80,000 for four people, with a helicopter ride for ridiculous money.
“I do Pink October at Cooroy RSL, Noosa Studios, charity auctions because there’s no rules as long as I’m not being paid.
“Christmas in Cooroy – I reckon I’ve been doing that for eight years. It’s a great event. Even today after COVID it’s changed, evolved, and all the businesses get involved.
“I still do the Sunshine Coast Show, and this year also running a jumping show. We’re putting up $16,500 with the Show Society for the inaugural event. The equestrian side of riding here is strong.
“And I started doing the Noosa Show last year.”
formidable 96km Gold Coast Kokoda Challenge at 16 years of age in 2018, an event that is recalled to be a highlight of his high school years. The challenge holds deep significance to the sisters as it falls on the same day as what would have been Marco’s 22nd birthday.
“I knew from the moment I saw that the date was Marco’s birthday, I had to do this,” Danica said.
“It was tough, both physically and mentally but even when training, Marco was there helping me push through. I knew on the day, he was going to get me to that finish line.”
IN a heartfelt tribute to their late cousin Marco Sassetto, sisters Danica Austin (a Cooroy local) and Nicole Talbot took on the 30km Sunshine Coast Kokoda Challenge in Kenilworth last month.
Marco, who tragically took his life in November 2023 at age 21, completed the
“My sister and I need to do this together for our cousin’s memory and to raise awareness on how suicide affects so many lives,” said Nicole. “Life can be hard and if you need help, please reach out to someone. Your family and friends need you in their lives and they want to help you, if you feel like you have no other option, please, please speak to someone.”
If you’re in crisis or feeling unsafe, please call 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
• Dr Kit Haydock
• Dr Anna Eakins
• Dr Gabby Jarrett
Dr Kathryn Dalmer
Dr Huw Adams
THE Noosa electorate is home to many incredible, selfless and inspirational unpaid workers. Our volunteers, and businesses that pro bono their services donate thousands of hours and contribute to making our community so special. Now is the opportunity to share and recognise the efforts they do for your club or organisation!
Celebrating its eighth year, the latest opportunity to honour our unsung heroes comes in the form of the 2024 Noosa Electorate Queensland Day Awards.
Award sponsors, Sandy Bolton MP, Cooroy RSL and Noosa Today are excited to present this fabulous event once again.
“Queensland Day is an opportunity to
celebrate our culture, heritage, people and unique identity. We also get to honour inspiring Queensland role models who encourage us all to do better and be better.” Sandy shared.
Nominations will be accepted until noon Wednesday, May 22. The awards are open to recipients who have volunteered for a minimum of two years for the Noosa electorate and who have not previously received this award. There is a limit of two nominations per organisation.
For more information about the awards, contact the Noosa Electorate Office on 5319 3100 or complete on online nomination at www.sandybolton.com/qld-day-awards.
Dr Richard’s approach to therapy is focused on creating an empathic, compassionate, supportive, and non-judgmental environment in which to help facilitate change and growth.
Richard has an interest in the full spectrum of mental health issues relating to adults. His special interest and passion is helping adults with anxiety related issues. This includes OCD, PTSD, GAD Social Anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, and mixed anxiety and depression. This interest also extends to more chronic and enduring issues such as Developmental PTSD, Personality disorders, and Alcohol & Drug Addictions.
WHEN a bank dedicates up to 80% of its profits to the community, it’s more than a promise – it’s a testament to values. Community Banks understand the importance of investing in the well-being of the communities they serve.
The success of Community Bank Sunshine Coast began in the late 1990s when Cooroy faced the closure of the Big 4 bank branches. Instead of accepting it, locals partnered with Bendigo Bank to establish the Community Bank Cooroy, followed by Marcoola and Tewantin-Noosa branches.
Owned by local shareholders, these Community Banks have given back over $4 million via the profit with purpose model. Trish Radge, Chair of SCCFSL, says, “We channel most profits back into our communities. Banking with Bendigo Bank
becomes a powerful way for you to make a difference. We all need a bank so why not choose one that benefits you and your community?”
Last year, over 70 organisations benefited. Notable donations include helping to fund local DV housing, a pavilion for Permaculture Noosa and Cooroy Community Gardens, a projector for Noosa Art Theatre, and studio refurb and tech upgrades for Noosa FM101.3. We support the film industry, sponsor meetups at Peregian Digital Hub, and provide educational scholarships.
Discover more about Community Bank Sunshine Coast on socials @ CommunityBankSunshineCoast. Your choice in banking matters – it impacts lives daily. Reach out via socials and make your banking count.
THE Independent Member for Noosa, Sandy Bolton MP, aims to distribute as much of her office operating budget back into the community as possible.
In previous years, Sandy has funded programs to assist our young Noosans access sports, major initiatives such as the all abilities mat at Noosa Main Beach via our ‘Seeds for Change’ program, provided emergency accommodations and the
‘Be: Noosa Connect- SCUH Transport Pilot’ which has resulted in transport for vulnerable residents to hospital treatments who were ineligible for other subsidies.
This year, Sandy provided Quick Start Grants again to help offset rising costs for our local organisations.
“Thank you to all of our amazing community organisations who applied, with more applications this year than we
have ever had! You and your volunteers are vital to our community, providing essential services, supports and activities that we are deeply grateful for,” said Sandy.
State Members of Parliament have a set amount of funds allocated to operate their Electorate Offices for the purchase of equipment, mail outs, community event hosting as well as other ‘day to day’ expenses.
Sandy and her staff are extremely frugal to ensure there is direct monetary aid available each year.
Sandy has updates on many local matters on Noosa 360 at www.
SandyBolton.com/Noosa360. To receive information straight to your email inbox, please consider subscribing to their monthly newsletter via www.SandyBolton.
MARTIN DUNCAN STEALS HEARTS AND CREATES JOY WHEREVER HE GOES. ‘FOOD FOR THOUGHT’ IS HOW HE DESCRIBES
USING HIS HAND MADE SCONES TO BRING MUCH NEEDED SOCIAL CONNECTION TO OUR MORE SENIOR CITIZENS
By Margie Wegener
MC for GourMay Mary Valley Cooking demonstrations in Eumundi
I MEET Martin very early on a Tuesday morning as he prepares for another hugely popular Sconetime Cooroy event. The Cooroy Memorial Hall is aflutter with activity as volunteers lay out the tables and lovingly prepare the fine china teacups, saucers and plates.
Martin talks as he multi-tasks, “I originally started making scones for a group of businesses in Paddington. I used to have a dessert cafe. Once a month I would have all the businesses come for scones and coffee. Everyone would have a coffee and a scone and the media were invited to do stories on the business people like a networking event.”
For those not in the know, Sconetime was the first event in the freshly renovated Cooroy Memorial Hall back in 2018. Martin had seen a clip on Facebook about a 96 year old Scottish lady, who with no
living family, had started a charity to combat loneliness in elderly people like herself. The charity hosted magical tea parties to bring elderly people together. Inspired by her story and the Cooroy community’s passion to save the hall, Martin sprung into action.
“I watched the clip when the hall was being renovated. I love, love, love this building. It has a lot of history being a memorial hall. I saw the uproar when it was looking like it was cheaper to bulldoze it and start again, than to save it. I saw how the community got behind it. This was a memorial hall for World War I and then the World War II diggers would have tea dances here. So it is a pretty amazing history here,” Martin says.
Martin was born in Temuka, a sheep and dairy farming region, south of Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island. “I grew up in Temuka, famous for pottery and dairy, with two cheese factories,” he says.
He has many fond food memories from his grandparents, on both sides of the family, but his fondest combines the most humble of ingredients. His grandad would visit and and take him to a local tomato grower to harvest vine ripened tomatoes. They would go home and make tomato on toast.
Martin recalls, “Mmm hot toast, New Zealand butter, tomato, salt, pepper. Magic!” His grandad would eat banana on toast sprinkled with salt and strawberries and a sprinkle of pepper, making Martin even more curious about food.
School holidays were often spent at grandad and grandma’s farm.
“Grandma was a great cook and an incredible baker,”Martin says.
When he was just seven years old she gave him a cookbook which inspired him to take over his mother’s kitchen. He took over the cooking, until he left to take up an apprenticeship in a boutique hotel, where
he earned his City and Guilds of London Certificates, becoming a qualified chef.
Since 1996 he has called southeast Queensland home and has settled in Glass House Mountains. His main culinary focus these days is The Curated Plate Food and Drink Festival where he is a co-host of the Glasshouse Country - Long Lunch.
As a previous president of Country Noosa Martin became very active in promoting local food producers in the Mary Valley, Noosa and the Sunshine Coast.
“I was with them for a long time, hosting loads of workshops for local producers, supporting the Cooloola Farmers Trail, Noosa Slow Food and encouraging agritourism, he says.
Known widely as the Sunshine Coast Foodie, and now also Moreton Bay Foodie, Martin’s passion is to promote farm to fork experiences and highlight the important contribution of local agribusiness to consumers.
As a former chef and restauranteur he has a passion for promoting restaurants, cafes, producers and local products, and connecting people within those industries. He will MC the Festival Day of the upcoming GourMay Mary Valley Food Festival.
“Over the years I’ve connected with a lot of awesome producers in the Mary Valley Country Co-operative and Country Noosa and I enjoy catching up with these amazing people plus showcasing them at GourMay,” Martin says.
These days his work has expanded to include the nursery industry, a significant horticultural business sector, and he is an ambassador for Bassett Barks.
“They are a landscape bark and potting media company. It’s a nice fit for this passionate foodie as Bassett Barks specialise in potting mixes for nurseries growing vegetable seedlings, native bush food, herbs and many other varieties of fruit trees. Yes, lots of our food starts off in our potting mix!”.
Bassett Barks CEO Sue Joseph supports Martin’s commitment to Sconetime and together they believe that social isolation is a significant health and wellbeing issue in Australia, particularly for older folk. Sconetime is their way of addressing isolation at a community level, by creating an event that has a positive impact on all those involved, including the volunteers.
Retired lawyer, Helen Duncan (no relation) at 86 years of age, has been a volunteer since the first Sconetime.
started with him when he started Sconetime. He’s lots of fun but he’s very good about cleanliness. He’s very professional. Sometimes he will come and take me for coffee or lunch. He likes a chat,” she says laughing.
As a former chef and restaurateur he has a passion for promoting restaurants, cafes, producers and local products, and connecting people within those industries.
Helen donated her mother’s Royal Albert tea set to kickstart the event and has sorted the vintage tea cups and saucers, dressed in her black and white maid’s outfit, at every single event. She shows me one of the delicate china cups from her mother’s set.
“I bought the tea set for my mother. It was very expensive and she loved it”.
Setting up the tea cups and working on Martin’s team brings her obvious joy.
“He is a funny man, I can tell you. I
“The crowd loves him.”
Martin says, “Many of our volunteers are still part of our Sconetime family nearly six years on. After setting up the hall, serving scones, jam and lashings of cream with Noosa Black Coffee, we pack up and then go to lunch. So whilst we have done our heart thing for the community we have also formed special friendships and love seeing each other.”
Sconetime has created many meaningful community connections between old-time locals, newcomers, visitors, politicians, community leaders and local businesses.
“I’ve had a thing about scones for a long time and I thought Sconetime was
appropriate to connect the community.
• 1 egg
• 21/2 cups milk
• 1 cup yoghurt
• 1 tsp vanilla
Hand rub 125g chilled and grated, salted butter into 1kg Self Raising flour in a bowl with 11/2 tsp baking powder
• Mix together wet ingredients
• Combine wet and dry ingredients without over mixing them. Add more milk if required for a moist dough
• Pat the dough onto a floured board and cut into squares, place on tray lined with baking paper
• Bake for 15 minutes at 180°C in a fan forced oven
Elsie, a Sconetime attendee, had her 100 year birthday celebration in the hall with family. She is now 102-and-a-half years young,” he says. “I’m excited to say we started Sconetime in June 2018 so this June, Tuesday 11, is a special anniversary coming up and we’re joining up with the HinterNoosa team and doing a Biggest Morning tea fun fundraiser for the Cancer Council.”
• Top with lashings of jam and cream
so lovingly spread. We are honoured to share Martin’s scone recipe on these pages. The simple scone, puffy in height, light and flakey, with a moist and tender inside, reminds us of a simpler time when life was slower and conversations were face to face. It’s the perfect recipe for social connection and friendship. Enjoy!
Martin has a secret ingredient which he has happily revealed to me. He says laughing, “Not so secret anymore! It wouldn’t hurt to have the recipe out there. I put yoghurt in and the yoghurt makes it a moister, lighter scone. It makes it moister in the mouth. Some scones can be quite dry.”
For Sconetime Cooroy, Martin makes this recipe with the quantities tripled and he does that four times! That’s a lot of scones and a lot of energy for one man to
The GourMay Mary Valley Food Festival is a month long celebration of the region’s food bowl, culminating in Festival Day on Saturday May 25. Sunshine Coast Foodie, Martin will MC the day which includes the Great Mary Valley Cooking Challenge, a cook-off between four locals, aiming to win ‘Dish of the Year’.
For full program details visit www. gourmaymaryvalley.com.au
You can keep up with Martin Duncan on Facebook at Sunshine Coast Foodie.
BOLD AS LOVE
24 Maple Street, Cooroy 5472 0933
Silver Heart Necklace and more in-store
COOROY COUNTRY
WEAR & JEANERY
28 Maple Street, COOROY 5442 5379
cooroycountrywear.com.au
Dress Mum up in Classic Shirts, Jackets, Jeans & Belts
26 Maple Street, COOROY - 5447 6028
6 Memorial Avenue, POMONA - 5485 1270
A variety of beautiful gifts - just for Mum!
COOROY BUTTERFACTORY ARTS CENTRE
Artisan Store - 11 Maple St, Cooroy
Unique Glazes on functional ceramic wares. Priced from $6 - $110
IKATAN DAY SPA
46 Grays Rd, Doonan - 5471 1199 Ikatanspa.com
Give the Gift of relaxation this Mother’s Day with an Ikatan Spa Treatment or Gift Certificate. Quote Code VIP LOCAL and Ikatan Spa will add a Complimentary Upgrade of choice to any booking or Gift Certificate as a Mother’s Day Gift.
COOROY SHOES
24A Maple Street, COOROY - 5447 6017 cooroyshoes.com.au
Cosy and Comfy Spanish slipper from DeValverde. More styles in store.
GROW LANDSCAPE YARD
GELIGNITE JACKS
2 Emerald Street, COOROY - 5442 6744 Beautiful
GATHAA FIRST NATIONS
SUNDAY MAY 12, 8AM-1PM
FOREST GLEN VILLAGE
GATHAA (GATH-ER) Come down to meet Sunshine Coast First Nations artisans showcasing their wares and talents.
CBFAC, SATURDAY, MAY 11
Featuring a stunning selection of 20 stalls selling unique creations from ceramics, jewellery, art prints and more.
Quote Code: VIP-LOCAL to receive a complimentary upgrade
COOROY HOTEL
SAUERS PRODUCE & GARDEN CENTRE
3 Diamond St, Cooroy
9 Tozer St, Gympie
Flowers - Bunches & Potted Giftware & Pots
FULL MENU FOR LUNCH & DINNER
38 Maple Street Cooroy, Ph: 5472 1900
Full Pizzeria & Takeaway menu available. Lots of lots of fresh Salmon and Barra. Bookings Recommended. cooroyhotel.com.au
FLYING WEST CAFE
SUNDAY MAY 12
OPEN FROM 6.30AM TO 2PM
9 Fellowship Drive, Doonan
Join us for a delightful Mother’s Day celebration! Indulge in our freshly brewed coffee, mouthwatering treats and fun vibes. Open the Mother’s Day weekend for eat in or takeaway.
THE REEF HOTEL
MOTHER’S DAY HAMPERS TO WIN
19 Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads, 5430 7500
Happy Mother’s Day. Join us this year and spoil Mum! 2 fantastic hampers to be won, all day dining, chef specials and so much more! Call now to book your table 5430 7500
POMONA DISTILLING CO
A-LA-CARTE BREAKFAST, 7.30am to 4pm
18 Reserve St, Pomona. 1300 904 633
We have our famous a-la-carte breakfast from 7am- 9:30am (last orders at 10am) and lunch bookings available from 11 - 4pm. Live music for breakfast from Angus Hall and Lunch with Will Outridge. Bookings are essential and are to be made via the bookings link on the website. pomonadistilling.com.au
DELICIOUS BUFFET BREAKFAST, 8-10AM
120 Poinciana Ave, Tewantin
Make this Mother’s Day special with a delicious buffet breakfast full of all your Mums brekky favs. Adults $36 | 6-12 years $15 | Under 5 FREE. Bookings essential. THE
FREE GLASS OF BUBBLES, 7.30am to 4pm
Main Street, Kandanga
Spoil mum this Mother’s Day with a complimentary glass of bubbles for all mum’s with a meal purchase. To book a table call 5484 3162 KANDANGA HOTEL
SATURDAY MAY 5 - 10am-Late
HILL STREET, WOOMBYE
SWING into a Rockabilly Roll with live bands all day and night! Classic Cars, Market Stalls, Jumping Castle, Pin Ball Machines, Petting Zoo, Beer Garden, Food and Drink Vans, Rock'n'Roll dance classes and heaps more! www.woombye.com.au/happy-days/
MAY 16, 17 & 18
GYMPIE SHOWGROUNDS
ALL the favourites are back with Sideshow Alley, Pig Races, Stud, Prime and Dairy Cattle, Animal Nursey, Rides, Food Stalls, Poultry, 3 days of Horse Events and the renowned Show Rodeo.
@Gympie District Show www.gympieshow.com.au
SATURDAY MAY 11 - GATES OPEN 11am
NAMBOUR SHOWGROUNDS
SO much fun to be had with an array of Food Vans, Mechanical Bucking Bull and of course the main events!
@Ray White Nambour Rodeo 2024
SUNDAY MAY 19
ACMA 'HALL OF FAME' - 12noon-4pm 24 Steggalls Road, YANDINA - Entry $10
BE entertained with popular country, including more diverse, crowd-pleasing favourites. Guest artists the T Birds. Raffle and door prizes, byo lunch, free tea and coffee. Enjoy a great afternoon! We are a not-for-profit organisation and the proceeds will go towards the upkeep of the hall.
@FB Yandina Country Music Hall of fame
SUNDAY MAY 19 - 9am
KENILWORTH SHOWGROUNDS - FREE
FACE Painting, Jumping Castle, Kite Flying, Educational Events and more. The Kenilworth Chamber of Commerce is proudly sponsoring the day in Conjunction with the Kenilworth Arts Council.
@ Kenilworth Family Fun Day
GOOMERI PUMPKIN FESTIVAL
MAY 24-26
GOOMERI
THE Great Australian Pumpkin Roll returns!, Check out our Sunday Street Parade, 'Wine & Cheese Under the Stars' event on Friday night, hosted by South Burnett Wine. Marvel at free attractions all throughout Goomeri, with the wonderful Hula Hoop Brisbane, Guy McLean, Gilmore Family Entertainment, Matt Golinski - Official, Live music across two stages & street performers & more @ Goomeri Pumpkin Festival https://www.goomeripumpkinfestival.com.au/
MAY 24-26
KENILWORTH SHOWGROUNDS
GREAT artists performing at our concerts which will be held in the beautiful Kenilworth Hall. Jam sessions will be held in the village marquee at various times in the afternoons. Open Mic Sessions, Poets Corner and more. www.sunshinecoastukulelefestival.com
MILLION PAWS WALK NOOSA
SUNDAY MAY 26 - 8.30am
TEWANTIN NOOSA LIONS PARK
REGISTRATION opens at 8:30am and the walk will kick off at 10am. Enjoy Food Vans, Market Stalls, competitions, games, family entertainment and raffles, all in support of a great cause. Walk to fight animal cruelty! Purchase your event tickets today: https://bit.ly/3UVUpxZ @ RSPCA Million Paws Walk
COLLECTORAMA FAIR
SATURDAY JUNE 1
NAMBOUR SHOWGROUNDS @ Collectorama Fair
SUNSHINE COAST SHOW
JUNE 14-16
NAMBOUR SHOWGROUNDS sunshinecaostshow.com.au
QLD GARDEN EXPO
JULY 4-7
NAMBOUR SHOWGROUNDS qldgardenexpo.com.au
POMONA FAMILY FUN DAY
SUNDAY JULY 28
STAN TOPPER PARK, POMONA @Cooroy Pomona Lions Club
SCONETIME
THE pecan is the fruit of a variety of hickory tree native to southern USA and Mexico. They are more buttery and sweet than a walnut, and are often used in sweets such as pecan pie, biscuits, crumbles and pralines, but are a great addition to savoury salads and rice dishes.
A desiduous tree that grows up to 40 metres, the pecan is well suited to our South East Queensland climate – liking long, hot, humid summers and plenty of water for successful fruiting in Autumn.
If you have a tree you generally have to fight the cockatoos to get any nuts, but miraculously they haven’t touched ours this year, and I’ve been collecting them each day as the green husks split and turn black to reveal the soft shelled nut inside. I use two nuts to crack them open, gently squeezing one against the other till they split and you can gently peel the shell off to keep them in perfect halves.
When I was a kid I made this torte to take to school for a food sharing day in my grade 8 German class – I picked the nuts from our trees, cracked them all, baked the cake, iced it and carried it to school, and about 20 seconds after I put it on the table the rest of the class swooped in and ate it all and I never actually got to try it, so I decided to make it again 39 years later and keep it well hidden.
INGREDIENTS:
For the pecan cake:
225gm unsalted butter, softened
225gm brown sugar
225gm plain flour
100gm pecans, finely chopped
4 large eggs
1tsp salt
1tsp baking powder
30ml espresso coffee
For the espresso butter cream:
225gm unsalted butter
280gm icing mixture
45ml espresso coffee
15ml kahlua (optional)
For the candied pecans:
16 pecan halves
150gm castor sugar
5ml white vinegar
50ml water
METHOD:
Preheat oven to 170C and grease and line a 22cm springform tin. Put all ingredients for the cake in the bowl of a mixer with a paddle attachment and mix until well combined. Scrape into the cake tin and bake for 30 – 35 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a cake rack to cool completely.
Whip the butter, icing mixture, coffee (and kahlua) with a mixer until light and fluffy.
Cut the cake into 3 rounds and layer with the butter cream, then ice the top and sides and refrigerate. Place the sugar, vinegar and water in a small saucepan and bring to the boil.
Simmer until the sugar turns to caramel, then submerge the base of the saucepan in a bowl of cold water to stop it from cooking any further. Drop the pecan halves into the caramel and one at a time pull them out with a fork onto a tray lined with baking paper. Allow to cool completely before arranging on top of the cake. (Note – working with toffee can be dangerous, so if you’re not an experienced cook it might be safer to decorate the cake with plain pecan halves, or you could dip them in chocolate.)
Serves 12 - 16
IT is a preconceived notion that expensive wine is better than affordable wine. This is not necessarily a truth because less expensive wines can offer as much enjoyment and flavour as an expensive bottle of wine. Here is the second part of this series.
The best vines grow where there is a struggle, such as hills with low-nutrient soil or near rivers providing fertile ground and are low yielding which maximises flavour. Restricted grape clusters will intensify the taste of grapes. Older vines naturally produce fewer grapes which means less wine, increasing the price.
Mostly inexpensive wines are made from grapes grown in hot regions with fertile soils. These environments grow grape crops
easily and quickly, but they lack the subtleties from different climates. Usually, inexpensive wines are made from grapes that are grown rapidly and in massive amounts.
There’s some debate about the impact of machine-harvesting versus handharvesting, but the basic argument says that machines are too rough and aren’t able to check for quality as well as human picked. Low yielding grapes are handpicked for the perfect grapes, which is time consuming and expensive.
I also suggest reading the back label when you have selected. Happy Hunting.
YOUR LOCAL WINEPRESS#1 with Lisa Vanska info@winepress1.com www.winepress1.com.au
David Williamson’s latest play, Aria, had its world premiere in Noosa on Friday night. It was a glamorous event, catered by Matt Golinski and directed by Hot FMs Sam Coward. The play stars Noosa Mayor, Frank Wilkie and local identity Jo Hendrie. The reviews are in and the audiences are loving it. It is a smash hit and sold out before it opened! Fingers crossed they add more shows.
CRITICALLY acclaimed guitarist and Sunshine Coast local, Andrew Veivers, brings his bold new collaborative project, Guitarra y Cuarteto, to southeast Queensland this May.
With a nod to Spain in its title, directly translating to Guitar and Quartet, Guitarra y Cuarteto introduces a fresh blend of Veivers’ original compositions and iconic Spanish works, performed with unparalleled finesse by the Black Square Quartet and Veivers himself.
Touring to Brisbane, Ipswich, Coolum Beach, Bribie Island, Maleny, Pomona, and Eudlo, the concert series draws on Veivers’ extensive career, deep passion for flamenco guitar and is inspired by legendary musicians such as Manolo Sanlucar, Steve Reich, and Manuel de Falla.
However, Guitarra y Cuarteto also
MAY
takes Veivers in a new artistic direction incorporating Spanish waltzes, movie scores, lullabies, theatre music, Brazilian jazz and flamenco. He explains, “these are musical styles that I have enjoyed socially with family and friends for decades but, for the most part, have only rarely drawn on for my composition and performance. This project has afforded me the perfect opportunity to infuse elements of these beautiful musical traditions into my work.”
When considering the project Veivers knew the Black Square Quartet would be the perfect group to collaborate with. He notes, “The Quartet are formidable musicians each in their own right and with their commitment to championing new and Australian music I knew they would bring a fresh perspective and unparalleled dedication to the work. Their passion
for pushing musical boundaries aligns perfectly with my vision for this project, making them the ideal collaborators.”
Performing at The Majestic Theatre,
Pomona, Friday May 24, 7pm. Tickets: themajestictheatre.com.au
For other performance venues head to https://www.redchair.com.au
AN artist’s emotion-charged tribute to “precious days of presence and deep love”, created as she cared for her partner in his final moments, has earned the Sunshine Coast’s top art prize.
Susan Schmidt was crowned the Local Contemporary Art Prize ‘Best in Show’ winner and recounts why she felt
compelled to create the artwork, Breathe (coming up for air). “Through painting I found a sense of catharsis, in giving space and purpose to grief,” Ms Schmidt said.
Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Rosanna Natoli congratulated Susan on her award.
“Breathe is a magnificent work and a welcome addition to Council’s collection.
“The art prizes and exhibition play a key role in supporting our local artists and the arts in our wonderful Sunshine Coast,” Mayor Natoli said.
Breathe is one of 40 finalist works on show at Caloundra Regional Gallery until May 5, in the Local Contemporary Art Prize 2024: reflections on here & now exhibition.
12th – Claire Anne Taylor & Band “Giving it Away” Album Launch with Andrea Kirwin supporting.
19th – “Speakeasy” Take yourself back to the roaring 20s.
24th – Andrew Veivers – Spanish guitar maestro.
31st – Dave Graney & Clare Moore – “strangely/emotional”
JUNE
2nd – Numerous Notes – Barry Charles & Jo Camilleri
8th – Melissa Western – “Are you lonesome tonight”. The back catalogue of Elvis Presley
14th – Pauline Maudy – “Take me to Paris” her new show.
15th – Beatles Rooftop Concert – The Honeygliders
16th – Felicity Urquhart & Ben Cummings “Birdsong” tour
29th – Movie “The Blues Bros” Interactive event. –
JULY
5th – Stand-up Comedy Gold - Anthony Lamond & Friends
14th – Gentlemen Prefer Blonds – Marilyn Monroe & Jane Russel on V big screen. Museum Fundraiser.
23rd – Noosa Slow Food – Movie “A taste of things” + Dinner
26th – Acoustic Guitar Spectacular – Guitar maestros
MAINSTAYS
Silent Films – Every Saturday at 12 noon
Noosa Jazz Club – 4th Thursday of every Month in 2024
MAINSTAYS
Andrew Veivers with The Black Square Quartet
A bold collaboration for guitar and strings with a Spanish twist
Coolum Civic Centre, Fri 17 May, 7pm
Maleny Community Centre, Sun 19 May, 4pm
Majestic Theatre, Pomona, Fri 24 May, 7pm
Eudlo Hall, Sun 26 May, 4pm
SAREN Dobkins’ studio is nestled in the front yard of her home, in a sunny subtropical slice of Tewantin. She moved to the region from Melbourne in 2018, and now the studio looks entirely settled and lived-in. Surrounded by tropical plants, bathed in dappled light and adorned by a beautiful black cat, Mars Black (named after a black pigment) it is at once a peaceful and inspiring space.
“My dad who is an architect, designed this studio for me. Now I finally have a studio after thirty odd years. It’s a lovely space,” she says.
Saren takes a morning tea break in her work day, easel standing nearby with a work in progress and over coffee we talk about what fuels her work. She is thoughtful and eloquent.
A lifetime of art practice and personal transformation has led her to this point and she is quietly content.
of our times, it was a beautifully curated collection of contemplative works.
Saren’s oil paintings can at first appear whimsical and intriguing. On further inspection the colourful and emotive works depict deeper human conditions that require investigation. Recurring themes within a contemporary and intellectual framework are laid out like a story.
Saren explains how she is inspired to describe an idea that bridges a moment of uncertainty and unknowing into a ‘work’ that expresses itself in a lyrical and unexpected way. Using language in the title of the painting to provide a key to understanding the process of reading the painting is intimately connected to the evolution of the work. The work begins with an idea and transforms into a canvas which expresses an emotion.
I realised you can paint to express an emotion. You can actually use paint to say something profound
“I usually get in a full days work, everyday, in the studio. I love being here. Mars Black keeps me company. I often paint paintings that explore the inner conflict between who we are on the inside and the personas we share. Hiding in Plain Sight is about who you are when no-one is looking,” Saren shares.
Hiding in Plain Sight is the alluring name of her current exhibition at Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre and it follows a recent show at Gympie’s Art Post Gallery.
A Sigh of the Times was a collection of 24 works, spanning nearly thirty years. Intended as social commentary, featuring works that address the pressing issues
Saren grew up in Zambia and moved to Australia with her family. She went to high school in Alice Springs and afterward studied art in Adelaide, before backpacking her way around the world in the late eighties.
“I did a certificate in sculpture then I got into graphics. We learnt life drawing, colour theory, photography, print making. I’ve looked at paintings from when I was quite young and thought, how did they do that?”
She was working on a Kibbutz during her travels when she had a profoundly life affirming moment as an artist.
“I was in Jerusalem and I walked into a gallery and saw an exhibition by Yosl Bergner and that’s when I realised you can paint to express an emotion. You can actually use paint to say something
profound.”
That desire to contribute something of value has broadly informed her art practice since.
Saren has found a sense of home and settled into a peaceful and productive practice, finding her place within the local art community.
“It means for the first time I can be myself. Through opportunities like participating in Noosa Open Studios I have met like-minded people and with that, found a sense of community. The sunshine is great. There’s just a peace now which is all I want. I think it’s all that anyone wants. And so I have that and it’s good, really good.”
NOOSA Arts Theatre is proud to present one of their favourite annual festivals on June 1 and 2, Shorts on Stage. It’s a very popular festival as plays come from all around the Sunshine Coast and interstate and it heavily promotes local acting, writing and directorial talent.
There’s a great variety including several youth plays. Sam Coward, local 91.1 Hot FM Breakfast Host is the adjudicator. He will be presenting the ‘Best of Anything’ and ‘Best Director’ Awards on the Saturday night (June 1), then the famous Audience Choice Award on Sunday afternoon (June 2). Here’s some teaser synopses to whet your appetite: A boy and girl meet on a rooftop in Brisbane and circumstances indicate that not all is as it first seems. Written and directed by Alison Venning Put a uni student and her eccentric grandmother together, add some weird knitwear and anything can happen. Written and directed by Di Thomson Is acting an honourable profession? Well
God’s Visit by Little Seed, directed by Johanna Wallace
Where does a hoarder’s stuff go when they die? Told through the eyes of the adult daughter of a hoarder, this poignant, sometimes humorous story reveals the secret shame of a hoarder’s existence. I’m Not a Hoarder but... written by Catherine Gamble 46,000 children are currently in foster care across Australia. Every person deserves to feel love and be loved in return, but how do they comprehend the life that could have Unknown from Strike Youth Theatre from North Lakes.
SINCE 2017 Little Seed Theatre Company has been staging an annual Shakespeare at the Lake production set in the Noosa Botanical Gardens at the amphitheatre that overlooks beautiful Lake Macdonald. Returning in blazing glory for its eighth year this year’s installation of Shakespeare at the Lake is Hamlet
A story of revenge, passion and deception, set against a timeless backdrop, Hamlet is a portrait of a young man struggling with the death of his father, his mother’s hasty remarriage to his uncle, and the vision of his father’s ghost looming in his mind’s eye. Family turns on family, friendships disintegrate and the ghost of his father pushes Hamlet’s entire world to its brink.
The cast is led by Nathan Habermas as Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Nathan played the role of King Arthur in Spamalot for Little Seed Theatre Company last October and has performed in numerous shows for the company including FAME!, The Taming of the Shrew and Under Milk Wood
Audiences are invited to pack a picnic, a cushion and a bottle of wine as they while away an afternoon in the gardens as the play unfolds.
Playing May 18, 19 , 25 and 26. Tickets are available at www.little-seed.com.au
2.30pm - May 18 ,19, 25, 26
www.little-seed.com.au
POMONA Railway Station Gallery will host three new exhibitions and its popular Art Market in the Paddock during a busy May.
Three Sunshine Coast artists have combined their talents for a mixed media exhibition, titled Melange a Trois, at the Pomona Railway Station Gallery from April 27 until May 22.
Stella Edmonson, Tina Pietzsch and Suzanne Beaver have all explored and developed different techniques, so the artworks to be displayed are imbued with texture, design, and colours to create abundant variety.
flowers and delicate watercolour paintings.
Stella specialises in the ancient art of rug making with her folk-art style embellished hooked rug tapestries. Tina’s medium is abstract acrylic paint pouring and modern abstract art. She also uses the ‘skins’ from her pours to make jewellery. Suzanne works in water colour and acrylic paints, and according to how the mood takes her, varies between traditional to abstract style paintings.
Art and Glass is the title of an exhibition by Virginia Spencer-Bower and Niknotglass’ John Tonkin from May 3 to 29.
This exhibition represents a combination of hard and soft, of strong and delicate. It blends John’s glasswork made from geometric fitment of glass pieces or abstract layering with Virginia’s abstract acrylic
Jan Murphy’s All Shook Up Ah! Ha! Is a diverse exhibition, highlighting Jan’s multiple talent across mixed media, collage, photography, and acrylic paints. Jan’s exhibition will run from May 25 to June 26. Jan will be at the gallery every Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 1pm demonstrating her work.
The volunteer-run Pomona Railway Station Gallery is at 10 Station St, Pomona. Opening hours are 10am to 4pm Tuesday to Friday; 10am to 2pm Saturday and Sunday.
It’s been rescheduled and is on again Saturday, May 4 (over the Labour Day Long Weekend). Art Market in the Paddock is known to attract a wide variety of emerging and well-known talents creating paintings, pottery, jewellery, textiles, woodwork, and more. Applications are welcome from all local artists and artisans. Email pomonagallery@gmail.com or message via FB or Instagram for an application form.
ART in Conflict is a new touring exhibition of contemporary art from the collection of the Australian War Memorial.
Hosted by Noosa Regional Gallery, the exhibition, says curator Dr Anthea Gunn, “reveals neglected histories, untold stories, and deepens our understanding of Australia’s experience of conflict, both past and present.” Art In Conflict includes more than seventy paintings, drawings, films, prints, photography, and sculpture. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, a collection priority for the Memorial in recent years, is featured, with works by Tony Albert, Paddy Bedford, Robert Campbell Jr, Michael Cook, Shirley Macnamara, and Betty Muffler.
ART IN CONFLICT will run until June 9. Entry to the exhibition is free. Visit: www.noosaregionalgallery.com.au
AFTER a long period closed for renovations, and the first group of exhibitions almost over, the blooming of the Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre is in full swing with another diverse smorgasbord of exhibitions. And of course, we can’t forget our Mother’s Day Market on Saturday, May 11, which features a stunning selection of 20 stalls selling unique creations from ceramics, jewellery, art prints and more.
From May 18 we are indeed blooming with mother and daughter Ilana Cowan and Sara Yael coming together with an exhibition titled In Bloom. Over two gallery spaces they will present an eclectic array of paintings, indigo textiles and furnishings. The exhibition is inspired by the Japanese concept of Oubaitori, the idea that people, like flowers, bloom in their own time.
In the large Butterbox gallery, Robert Faulkner’s exhibition From Vietnam to Life Transitions charts a life journey depicting the very real results of service to his country - the nightmares, sometimes despair, humour, self-assessment and finally redemption. He hopes that the viewer/ observer will find much to reflect on and perhaps see the madness/futility of war and comprehend the price to be paid.
In our upstairs gallery Christian
Dunham and Jodie Allen, in their collaborative exhibition titled Sentience, create large portraits in charcoal, exploring the profound concept of sentience. The exhibition seeks to unravel the artistic nuances surrounding the perception of sentience by the viewer, with a specific focus on the human eyes as a symbolic gateway to understanding consciousness. These new exhibitions run until June 16. Don’t forget on your visit to explore our
NOOSA’S ONLY LOCALLY GROWN COFFEE
NOOSA’S ONLY COFFEE PLANTATION
Noosa Black is a family owned and run coffee plantation nestled at the head of a picturesque valley near Kin Kin in the Noosa hinterland. We are the only commercial coffee grower in Noosa Shire.
wonderful shop. And if you want to take in a masterclass join Ruth Horton on Saturday May 18 for a workshop on working with oil paint on canvas and linen surfaces and Julie Maddocks on Saturday May 25 for an engraving on board workshop to create intriguing effects that are not always achievable in drawings on paper. See the CBFAC website for more details. www.butterfactoryartscentre.com.au
POMONA WRITERS GROUP
Looking to unleash your creativity? Join the Pomona Writers Group every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at the Pomona Community House. Led by facilitator Lee Jones, this supportive space allows you to hone your craft. Don’t miss out—call 07 5485 2427 to find out more!
BECOME A LITERACY
VOLUNTEER
Do you want to help change lives by supporting people with their reading, writing and digital literacy skills? Applications are open for the next literacy volunteer training course starting on Monday 15 July at the Baringa Community Centre. Applications close Friday 24 May. https://library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov. au/services/volunteer/literacy-servicesvolunteer
STORYTIME AND CRAFT
Celebrate National Simultaneous Storytime at Peregian Beach Community House! Join us for a special reading of Bowerbird Blues by Aura Parker. After the reading stay and enjoy getting hands on making your very own Bowerbird Bower.
Wednesday, May 22, 10-11am. Free, no bookings required. Held at the Peregian Beach Community House, 5-7 Rufous St, Peregian Beach.
NOOSA’S ONLY LOCALLY GROWN COFFEE
We first planted our 6,000 coffee trees in 2005, nurturing them until we produced the award-winning coffee that we proudly offer today.
WHERE TO BUY: IGA Cooroy, IGA Noosa Junction, IGA Pomona, Cooroy Harvest Fresh, Farmer & Sun Gympie, Tewantin Market Garden, Pomona Little Pantry
NOOSA’S ONLY COFFEE PLANTATION
BUY ONLINE: Get your Noosa Black Coffee direct from the farmer
WWW.NOOSABLACK.COM
Noosa Black is a family owned and run coffee plantation nestled at the head of a picturesque valley near Kin Kin in the Noosa hinterland. We are the only commercial coffee grower in Noosa Shire.
Ilana Cowan, Turquoise Bay, 2023 June 1 at 2pm & 7:30pm June 2 at 2pm
ALL TICKETS $25
MENDELSSOHN’S ELIJAH
MENDELSSOHN’S oratorio Elijah has been much loved ever since its first performance in 1846. A full orchestra, four soloists and the Noosa Chorale are conducted by Kim Kirkman.
The dramatic rhythms, stirring fourpart choruses, and beautiful solos make for a masterpiece that is as thrilling to sing as it is to listen to.
Performing Friday May 24, 7pm and Saturday May 25, 2pm at The J, Noosa Junction. www.thej.com.au/elijah-noosachorale/
Following a successful debut exhibition in Tewantin, artist Rob Ramage is set to unveil his latest collection at the Bendigo Community Bank Cooroy until May 31. Inspired to create during the pandemic lock downs Ramage’s work captures the vibrant essence of the Sunshine Coast, blending acrylic and oil to depict scenes ranging from bold beaches to tranquil hinterlands. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore Ramage’s passion for the region through his captivating artwork.
CALLING ALL ART LOVERS!
THE Kandanga Country Club’s first Art Exhibition of 2024 will be showcasing the work of the amazingly skilled artist Amanda Brooks! Starting in June, the walls will be adorned with her amazing artworks. All available to purchase!
A painting by Tewantin artist Jo Hawkins received the Seeing the Soul Art Prize’s Major Prize of $2500 at Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre.
Unconditional depicts the unconditional love of a woman and her dog by the self-taught artist and former graphic designer.
Other prize winners were Ellie Sutton for the photograph Little Bird; Jasmine Veronique for the painting Innocent Harmony and Ellenie Faith Kirkman for the painting Kindred Spirits.
Selected by judges Nina Shadforth (Sunshine Coast Art Collection Curator, Caloundra Regional Gallery), Megan Williams (Manager, University of the Sunshine Coast Art Gallery) and Steve Clarke (Branch Manager, Bendigo Community Bank Cooroy), prize winners were selected from 82 entries by 48 local, Queensland and interstate artists.
“We’re encouraging the public to visit the exhibition over the next month and cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award, which will be announced at the conclusion of the exhibition,” said Hoofbeats Sanctuary Founder and CEO, Barb Blashki.
Seeing the Soul is a major fundraising initiative to support and promote Hoofbeats Sanctuary’s work by celebrating and
showcasing artwork inspired by the human/ animal connection, while raising awareness of mental health.
Located at Doonan, Hoofbeats Sanctuary is a safe, restorative space that brings people, animals and nature together to improve the emotional well-being of people living with mental health challenges resulting from trauma.
‘Seeing the Soul’ Art Prize and Exhibition continues until May 12. All exhibition artworks are for sale and can be purchased through the ‘Seeing the Soul’ website: seeingthesoul.org.au/ exhibition2024.
IT’S quite funny really… as soon as the cooler weather begins to creep in ever so slightly, I notice that some people tend to slow down with their exercise regime, sleep in or miss classes and quite simply begin the hibernation process. I drive out of my driveway every morning in the pitch-black dark. I understand that bed is nice and toasty, and it can be hard to get motivated before the sun rises. But I urge you to please try to keep some sort of positive pattern with your fitness and wellbeing schedule from now and during winter.
And if you’ve been thinking about becoming more active, don’t put it off any longer. Now is also the perfect time to start!
When you think of it, working out in any form usually involves you getting a bit puffy, warm and often sweaty. When the outside air is crisp, breaking that sweat doesn’t seem nearly as harsh and exhausting as in summer. Even having to put a sweatshirt on after working out when your body temperature begins to drop again is so much nicer than struggling to turn down the beetroot colour on your cheeks! That is just one of the amazing positives about working out during the cooler months.
Also, wouldn’t you prefer to be feeling and looking fit and healthy once spring hits, and you’re keen to hit the surf? If we
put our activities on hold, it can create a real snowball effect on our mindset, our bodies and our fitness. And then it’s even harder to get back into the swing of things when you’re ready again.
I always seem to mention it but it’s always so true, we really are spoilt for choice around this area for amazing physical activity options. There are now countless gyms and wellbeing facilities popping up everywhere, and if working out indoors or paying for fitness isn’t your cup of tea, just peek out your window. From the trails to the mountains, the river to the beach, and everywhere in between we really do have it all. And now is the most magical time to be feeling inspired, getting active and doing more.
I always feel that May is that pivotal month where you feel a change in the air, and even though the days are shorter, I always feel a real inspiration and keenness to move.
If you’re struggling to find things to do, check out what your local gyms, clubs and outdoor activity hubs are offering. Or get some mates together and get outside into that amazing landscape and fresh air.
So, the next time your alarm goes off in what seems to be the middle of the night, jump up out of bed with mindfulness and determination and prove to yourself that you can do it. You will do it. And your
mind and body will thank you for it all throughout winter and beyond.
E Fitness in Pomona is offering a 31 day challenge in May, where you have the option to do one metafit class everyday in May. Metafit is a high intensity, short, fast and fun bodyweight workout performed at the studio and also outside.
There is also my Trail Trotters running group that has shown to be super fun, supportive and popular. We’re always welcoming newbies. It’s such a great way to get out there, add a few more k’s to your day than you may have done and experience our awesome local trails.
And speaking of trails, I’m also super excited to be teaming up with Andrew from Skyline Cycles in May for free monthly guided mountain bike rides along our awesome trails too! How cool is that!
These three simple ideas are just a few things at my studio - there’s a whole array of other options out there also.
Find something that you enjoy, that makes you feel good and something that you look forward to. If you love it, you’re more inclined to keep it up! Keep moving and grooving! E x
MEET OUR TEAM OF DOCTORS: Dr Leon Venter
Dr Tom Phillips | Dr Robyn Amring | Dr Rosalyn Hunt
Dr Jennifer Celestino | Dr Antoinette Du Toit
Dr Rakibul Hasan | Dr Lisha Pollocks | Dr Hannah Gough
Dr Hannah Newell Kraus | Dr John Bilenki
Dr Kate Baggott and Dr Lauren Mac Arthur
GENERAL SERVICES:
• Men’s Health,
• Women’s Health,
• Children’s Health,
• Skin Cancer Checks/ Excisions,
• Vaccinations,
• Pre-employment Medicals,
• Preventative and Chronic Disease Health Care,
• Iron Infusions
SPECIAL SERVICES:
• Contraception services including Implanon, copper IUD, Mirena insertions and removals
• Aesthetic medicine and the application of stem cell therapies
• Drug and alcohol testing - no appointment necessary
Workshops will be running at 10 different locations around the community that help you to learn simple tools and techniques to navigate the pressures of everyday life.
In these sessions you will:
• Move your body to release stress and tension;
• Harness the power of your breath to relax your body and clear your mind; and
• Learn simple meditation techniques to cultivate a calm state of being. These sessions are FREE. You are welcome to drop in for one or more sessions, and you don’t need to reserve a spot. Everyone is welcome and no previous experience of breathwork or meditation is necessary.
Workshop dates and locations are available online at https://bit.ly/4d0prLF
IT was brought to my attention recently that many of us are very confused about what food is classed as a good for us to eat.
Who could blame us? Last week eggs had scientifically proven health benefits. This week they have been scientifically proven to be unhealthy. Unfortunately, in my line of work it can be very frustrating to be recommending a certain food as
Come
Friday, 17 May
it all back a week later. I am constantly bombarded with questions on what to eat and what NOT to eat. As I am sure you can appreciate in my line of work, keeping up to date with the latest research on food is time consuming, but it is also a necessity.
For most of us information is just a click away and Dr Google is very busy providing a long list of ‘do’s and don’ts’. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. You only get information overload if you go searching for it. Pretty simple really.
I suggest we remember that eating too much of anything can be unhealthy. For instance eating too many carrots can make you ill and your skin will turn orange.
If you’re sick of doing the Google thing try slowing down a little and thinking about what you are putting into your body. Listen to how your body feels. Keeping a food diary for a few days can often be a great way to realise what foods may be causing a reaction, if any.
If all else fails talk to a professional. Dr Google maybe free but it is not regulated for information accuracy or authenticity. You are what you eat!
Noosa Council’s ‘Living Well’ program is helping you step into a world of calm and self-discovery with our ZenZone workshop, designed specifically for young minds under 24 seeking balance and tranquillity.
The classes are running every Monday until June 30 at the Noosa Aquatic Centre, 6 Girraween Court, Sunshine Beach between 3.30 and 4.30pm.
The workshop offers a safe and supportive space where young people can explore mindfulness techniques, cultivate self-awareness, and develop valuable tools for managing stress and navigating life’s challenges with resilience. Led by an experienced instructor, each session is thoughtfully curated to engage participants through interactive exercises, breathing techniques, and gentle movement, fostering a sense of connection and empowerment.
Check-in at the Noosa Aquatic Centre front desk and the team will show you the way to the newly renovated Wellness centre. Free, but bookings are essentialas numbers are limited. SMS ‘Teens’ to Kelly on 0413 342 910
10am-12pm and 3pmCommunity Connect Creativ and more Community Garden
Sunday, 26 May Volunteers Fair 9am-12pm An
Saturday 4th May l 8.30 am to 5 .00 pm
Sunday 5th May l 8.30 am to 5 .00 pm
Monday 6 th May l 9.00 am to 4.00 pm
| 22a Maple St Cooroy
ARE you new to town or wanting to know ways to meet people? Perhaps you want to offer some time and make a contribution to your community? Then drop on by your local neighbourhood centre.
It’s Neighbourhood Centre Week May 13-19, followed by National Volunteer Week May 20-26, and there’s lots going on at Pomona & District Community House (PCH).
Pomona & District Community house is an inclusive not-for-profit neighbourhood centre supporting all the Noosa hinterland towns. It’s been operating for over 20 years and is all about social connection, information, support and community empowerment. PCH offers a rich program of activities, support, information and events for all ages. A range of social groups are on offer too! Did you know the social groups are run by local community
members and range from cuppa, cake and conversation, rummikub, health and wellness, to astronomy, creative connection, languages, and more.
Stronger Together is the theme for Neighbourhood Centre Week. It is a tribute to the incredible strength that blossoms when diverse individuals unite for a common purpose. Through collaborative initiatives, inclusive programs, and shared spaces, an environment is cultivated where every voice is heard, every story is valued, and every community member contributes to the vibrant mosaic of their community. That sounds like our beautiful hinterland communities!
PCH is inviting everyone to the Community Connect on Friday, May 17 in the PCH Community Garden 10am12pm and 3pm-5pm. There’s often lots going on in our busy lives and we so
easily forget to give ourselves time for us; to breathe deeply; to think; to play. Join us for a relaxing and creative playdate with members of the Cooroora Creative Recovery team. You’ll have a chance to make straw creatures to take home or to hang at Community House. Come and connect. All ages. All welcome.
Sunday May 26, 9am-12pm at Pomona Memorial Hall is the Volunteer Fair presented by PCH. Another chance for community to connect. Explore the myriad ways to get involved, and meet representatives from local groups, clubs, and not-for-profit organisations. Whether you’re passionate about the environment, arts and culture, community support, or sports, there’s a volunteer opportunity for you!
Discover how your skills and interests can make a difference and find flexible volunteer opportunities that fit your
Are you tired of struggling to hear conversations clearly?
Traditional hearing aids fall short, offering a one-size-fits-all solution that doesn’t meet your unique listening needs.
But now, there’s a groundbreaking solution: Oticon Intent™.
And this technology is not just an update on previous hearing aids, it is a complete game-changer!
Powered by 4D sensor-driven technology, Oticon Intent™ revolutionises the way you hear.
The technology helps you hear more clearly, stay more engaged, and enjoy
schedule and lifestyle. Enjoy a chai, cuppa and tasty treat while listening to a range of short talks on opportunities to help out in your community. A range of activities on offer, including playful movement and craft and free tube plants thanks to Noosa Council. Join us and discover how you can be a part of building a stronger, more vibrant community in the Noosa Hinterland.
PCH is contacting all organisations/ groups/clubs in the hinterland that need volunteers but please reach out if you have not heard from them to admin@ pomonacommunityhouse.org.au pomonacommunityhouse.org.au. 1 Memorial Avenue, Pomona. Tuesday-Friday 9am to 4pm (open to 6pm Wednesdays).
life fully.
It seamlessly incorporates information from head and body movement, conversation activity and the acoustic environment into the world’s first 4D Sensor technology. The sensors utilise the above information to help you better understand speech in a wider range of environments.
With the innovative 4D Sensor technology, Oticon Intent™ has taken hearing aid technology to the next level!
Say goodbye to the frustration of missing out on so many important mo -
ments – Oticon Intent™ ensures you stay focused on what matters most. Feel more confident in a variety of moments. From navigating the room, having an intimate conversation or talking within a group of friends. Call 5443 6633 today and experience the difference Oticon Intent™ can make.
ENTER the Imbil Rail Park Inc’s Inaugural Camp Oven Competition for a chance to win big on Sunday May 5. Keen to show off your backyard cooking skills? Showcase the local produce of the Mary Valley and the Imbil Rail Park Inc’s could purchase your meals to help cater the first ever Camp Oven Dinner as part of this years GourMay Mary Valley Festival. Meals are to contain a minimum of 50% local Mary Valley produce. Entry fees for both main course and dessert are $10. There are cash prizes for winning entries. Scan the QR code for more details. Can’t wait to see you there.
AS the seasons change, so do the nature of the phone calls to the WILVOS 5441 6200 Hotline. It may be an increase in calls about orphaned marsupials or stranded ducklings, or maybe it is a general wildlife query. In these past weeks many calls have been about little ringtail possums. Ringtail possums can usually be identified by the white colouring at the end of their tail. When a female ringtail possum is found dead, there is often a report of a joey in the pouch. Our Hotline volunteers are quick to inform people that these possums may have more than one joey in the pouch.
After sharing a pouch with a sibling, if only one survives the remaining joey is even more frightened, so it is imperative that these animals have company as soon as possible. A lone ringtail possum joey is not happy.
This week has seen a number of very small possum joeys come from RSPCA’s Eumundi Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital.
WILVOS are contacted daily by these local wildlife hospitals who desperately need rehabilitators to care for orphaned and injured wildlife Once settled into cosy pouches with fellow orphans, they soon settle back into their routine of drinking milk and eating copious amounts of leaftip.
A diet high in sugar can be lethal for a young ringtail possum.
WILVOS supply all our possums with ‘houses’ and the animals are eventually released in these. Shelter is a major component in assisting them in their quest for survival in the wild. Where a brushtail possum will be provided with a nestbox, the little family of 4 or 5 ringtail possum joeys will have a drey similar to a large, enclosed birds nest. Wildlife carers do their best to imitate these by using wire hanging baskets, interwoven with leaves as disguise. This gives them shelter until they construct their own dreys.
Then we hope, months later on release day, that we have given them their best chance of survival.
Join Dr. Adam O’Toole at the Cooroy Community Gardens for an educational and interactive journey into the benefits of biochar. Learn what biochar is, the simple science behind it, and its potential benefit as a soil quality improver and climate change solution. You will have the opportunity to explore a commercial bio char kiln, and weather-permitting, receive a short demonstration on how to create a small-scale biochar setup for your backyard or small acreage farm. Held at the Cooroy Community Gardens, Tuesday, May 14, 9-11am. Free, bookings required. Scan the QR code for further details.
MAPLETON Falls National Park is in the heart of the Sunshine coast Hinterland, located just down the road from the township of Mapleton on Mapleton Falls Road off Obi Obi Road.
This beautiful little park offers a riparian rainforest (the portion of landscape surrounding rivers and streams) with an open eucalypt forest trail as well as the falls. It is well maintained with plenty of information plaques and information hut.
To see the falls you step out onto a magnificent viewing platform. The falls plummet 120 metres into the plunge pool below, while you take in the stunning views of the Mary Valley.
I recently went at sunset and it did not disappoint!
The Wompoo Circuit is an easy 1.2km walk though one of the nicest little rainforests I’ve seen. As you enter, you make your way down some stairs to a short winding board walk through the piccabeen palms which takes your breath away. It is very damp at the moment with lots of mossy rocks and fallen trees, and if you look carefully there is a variety of fungi. Remember to look up as you will see vibrant green Crow’s nest ferns, Elkhorns and Staghorns with orchids in the canopy above. I have also just learnt that it is not just the Fig tree that has buttress roots.
Mostly found in rainforests the roots are believed to:
• help the tree take in oxygen from the air as the lower roots are in waterlogged soil.
• retain leaf litter around the base to provide nutrients.
• help the tree resist strong winds. As you get a little higher the trail opens up and reveals a wonderful eucalypt forest which leads you to Peregrine Lookout. The views are limited but still worthwhile with a couple of bench seats to relax. You’ll then
head back into the rainforest sharing it with bush turkeys, lace monitors and large golden orb spiders. This walk is suitable for all levels of fitness and is great for kids. There is plenty of room to throw down a blanket or enjoy lunch at one of the picnic tables. With parking and toilets it’s a really good little place to visit. For those of you not so keen on the walking the Falls are right next to the car park. As always remember your sunscreen, hat and water - Happy Hiking!
Capturing the magnitude of the Falls
The only down side is that you don’t get a full view of the falls, but it does not take away the magic of this beautiful place. Thanks to Liam Lester Photography for sharing his photo of the falls. It really captures the magnitude of them from his drone. Check out his Instagram @_liamlester_
I’ve signed up for The Bloody Long Walk to conquer 35km in one day! I’m walking to support people living with mitochondrial disease (mito), a terminal disease that affects thousands of Aussie kids and adults. Mito is a cruel disease that can strike anyone at any age. There is no cure. Please support my 35km walk by making a donation through my fundraising page: https:// event.bloodylongwalk.com.au/ fundraisers/andreataylor
Noosa District Orchid & Foliage Society
Noosa District Orchid & Foliage Society will hold their annual Mother’s Day Orchid Show in Cooroy Memorial Hall in Maple Street on Friday May 10, 8.30am-4pm and Saturday May 11, 8.30am-2pm. Entry is $4. Whether you’re an experienced grower or simply admire the beauty of these plants, the Mother’s Day Show offers something for everyone. For more information about the Noosa District Orchid & Foliage Society and their upcoming events, interested individuals can visit their website or contact them directly.
THE Off Grid Lifestyle Expo is gearing up to make its mark at the Gympie Showgrounds this year. Offering a diverse lineup of over 70 exhibitors and food vendors, the event promises something for everyone.
Scheduled for August 3 and 4, the expo will showcase a range of exhibitors sharing their knowledge on all things Off-Grid.
“We are thrilled to host the expo at the Gympie Showgrounds, offering a platform for exhibitors to share their expertise and passions with our visitors,” remarked Di Woodstock, one of the event’s organisers.
Preparations are in full swing, with the
event’s website undergoing regular updates and new workshops in the pipeline.
Those interested in showcasing their businesses or leading workshops are encouraged to reach out to the organisers. Tickets, priced at $10 per adult or $15 for the weekend, can be purchased online or at the gate, with limited numbers available for workshops.
For further information and updates, visit www.offgridexpo.com.au or connect through the expo’s Facebook page. Alternatively, contact Di Woodstock at 0419 224 628 or Dee White at 0434 630 510.
HAVE you noticed the mass of yellow flowering plants at the moment? This is the weed species, Easter Cassia - Senna pendula var. glabrata
Noosa Landcare crews have been working on controlling Easter Cassia, alongside other woody weed species, in Yurol State Forest in preparation of planting works.
Easter Cassia is one to actively remove if you have it on your property. If not managed, this species can readily become the dominant under-story of your and nearby natural bushland.
Small individual plants can be removed by hand pulling, particularly in moist soil. Larger individuals may be dug out with a mattock or similar garden tool. The whole crown must be removed for the achievement of long-term control.
For those too large to manually remove you can use the cut and swab method to effectively control them.
For more information about this weed and treatment methods check out https:// www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farmsfishing-forestry/agriculture/biosecurity/ plants/invasive/other/easter-cassia
SOMEONE very famous once said: “Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust. All segregation statutes are unjust because segregation distorts the soul and damages the personality. It gives the segregated a false sense of inferiority. One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.” - Martin Luther King Jr
Sacred (definition from google): something that is holy, devoted to a religious ceremony OR simply worthy of awe and respect. Whenever I enter this park it makes me very conscious and aware that I’m stepping into a very special place, an ancient place of awe and wonder that our utmost respect. It reminds me that we should all tread lightly on this beautiful planet that is mother Earth.
Australian families have walked the Mt Warning summit trail for four or five generations. It has become a rite of passage or coming of age for some, a family
tradition.
To anyone with any sense of adventure it calls you to the view from its summit, as it must have to our pioneers because they built a magnificent windy low gradient trail to its summit over 100 years ago.
A magnificent 4.4km rain forest trail to an 1160m summit with four platforms looking to the four compass cardinals, suitable for anyone of reasonable fitness, young or old. A quote from the NSWNP Mt Warning guide book 1993 states “Age does not appear to be a barrier for those who attempt the climb. Children as young as five have reached the summit unaided. Likewise people in their 80s are also successful. A reasonable degree of fitness and a determined attitude would seem to be the necessary criteria”.
This trail was closed at the beginning of COVID under the guise that NP couldn’t keep COVID off the chain near the summit. Two years on it was closed permanently to respect a tribes claim that
it is sacred to their men and they believe others visiting the summit is an act of desecration. Back in the 90s NSWNP acknowledged others as the traditional caretakers, the Ngarakwal tribe, and their elder’s response to visitors was, “I do not oppose the public climbing Mt Warning. How can the public experience the spiritual significance of this land if they do not climb to the summit and witness creation”, said Aunty Marlene Boyd – RIP, survived by her son Sturt Davis who is campaigning for her dying wishes.
At Re-Open Mt Warning and Save Our Summits Inc we have been campaigning for public access to this trail for the past three years. We believe that respect for all cultures should be considered equally. NSWNP have stated that Mt Warning had over 100,000 visitors a year prior to its closure, so you can imagine the effects on local businesses.
Andy Flanagan
If you would like to help, please join us on face -book or subscribe with email at our website www.SaveOurSummits.org Thanks. See you on the trails.
SPORT WITH the season now underway, the Pomona/Cooran Cutters are thrilled to announce that we have the privilege of hosting one of QRL’s “Best Nominated Coaches” for a special clinic with the Rugby League Roo at our home grounds. Mark your calendars! On Saturday, May 18, Rugby League Roo will be hosting an exciting Coaching Clinic at the Pomona/ Cooran Rugby League Football Club in Cooran. This clinic is open to players from U6 to U11 age groups, and we welcome participants from all over the community and clubs to join us for a day of fun and skill development.
to president@pccutters.com.au. We’re here to help you secure your spot and answer any questions you may have. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity! Remember, players must register prior to the event to secure their spot. See you there!
Exciting news! Rugby League Roo has generously reduced its fees for the Cutters to an incredible $15 for each Clinic session. Join us for a full day of Rugby League fun at the Pomona/Cooran Rugby League Football Club in Cooran. Here’s what’s in store:
• Designated Age Clinics led by Brooke Tennant, a skilled Rugby League Roo Coach
• Free Play area supervised by local coaches while other clinics are underway
• Raffles and giveaways with fantastic prizes
• The canteen will be open, serving delicious treats and refreshments
• Participate in our Kick a Goal Competition for a chance to win prizes
• Browse and purchase Rugby League products available for sale
For inquiries and bookings, please reach out to Brooke at 0487 778 850 or Sharon at 0407 852 320. You can also send an email
STILL TAKING NEW PLAYERS FOR THE SEASON IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO JOIN RUGBY LEAGUE – AGES U5-U11
Cooroy-Eumundi Cricket Club’s Annual Presentation night saw 6 players receiving the coveted green 10 year jacket. A huge achievement - Congratulations to you all!
Kokoda Challenge 2024 completed! The team - Lennox Riley, Banjo McVerry, Levi Pipia, Dylan Millard and Mr Cunnington came in 4th in the first wave and individually placed 22nd - 26th out of 415 competitors over the gruelling 18km sloppy, slopey, slippery course. Top effort boys raising a huge $1292.
CONGRATULATIONS WILL SCOTT
Winnning Most Improved and The President’s Award out of all the club teams - Cooroy Eumundi Cricket Club.
2024 Sunshine Coast Kokoda Challenge. 2nd place in the 48km team run - Dallas Annetts, Luke Martin and Jarrod Sunderland
ONCE again, Impact Boxing and Fitness Centre hosted their annual Sunshine Coast regional titles over the weekend at the Noosa District High School. This event was supported with over 200 nominations from boxers all across Queensland and interstate.
Out of the 200 boxers nominated, we managed to match 70 evenly matched bouts. 140 boxers in total attended the event. We had great support from the local community and people travelling from afar, with an estimated 400 to 500 people walking through the doors.
Across the day, the boxing started at 10am in the morning and finished at 10pm at night, and it was great to see so many people turn out and support, considering that the day was quite rainy and drizzly.
All the Impact Boxing boxers competed well. We had nine wins out of the 12 boxers that competed. The three losses that we had were extremely close, so as a coach, I am extremely proud of the efforts and the performance of all of our boxers and our athletes. It’s just great to get them up there in front of their home crowd.
We only hold this event once a year, so it’s a big thing for them to be able to box in front of their home crowd, their family, friends and supporters. A big shout out to our community for their continued support. These shows just continue to grow and get
Next year, we’re looking at restructuring the event and we will have two boxing rings running at the same time. With the continuing growth of this event, we are anticipating probably 80 to 100 bouts for next year’s event.
Anything sold at the venue is all bought locally, so a big shout out to our local businesses that got behind us. Massive shout out to all our sponsors. We had 40 sponsors in total that sponsored the title belts that were up for grabs for the winners. So we appreciate all our sponsors, all our supporters, and just everyone that supports Impact Boxing and Fitness Centre.
These shows are the pinnacle of our year, and we take great pride in presenting them to the local community. So a big thank you to everybody that came and supported, and we’ll see you all next year when we do it again. Thank you, Coach Mark Evans.
Breed: Labrador Retriever / Australian Cattle Dog (Mixed)
Gender: Female - Age: 3 years
I’m a happy Cattle dog cross female looking for a quiet older home with just me as your number one. I have a little jealous streak so it needs to be all about me... sorry... I love my food and won’t share. Sorry no kiddies, I’m retired from all that too - I just want a human to love and cherish me.
Hope to BEE yours soon xxx
And when he found out his four-year-old nephew Jack had been diagnosed with the deadly neuroblastoma in May last year, Damien decided to run – for Jack’s life – in the 80km Noosa Ultra in March, taking place on his own birthday, to kick-start a funding campaign.
For almost 10 months, his brother Trent and Trent’s wife Jaimee have been running under the radar, doing the best they could while facing every challenge that Damien describes as nothing but extraordinary strength.
“I guess when you are dealt such a brutal blow in life, in every parent’s worst nightmare, you just find strength to ride that horrible rollercoaster,” Damien says.
“After competing in Muay Thai for a number of years, I have seen some battles and strong men through my career, but the strength, fight, and pure determination that Jack Jack – as he is known to those closest to himhas in him, would put any weathered fighter to the test.”
In January, Trent and Jaimee decided to go public, as they had only one choice for Jack - getting him over to the United States, where there are two amazing drugs not available in Australia, giving him the best chance of survival.
Neuroblastoma is a rare cancer in young children and even though Jack has responded well this far with an arduous array of treatments, from eight rounds of chemo, an eight-hour surgery, bone marrow transplant, and 12 rounds of radiation.
He has suffered horrible side-effects through neuropathy, loss of fine motor skills, reduced eyesight, and he will be infertile. Yet he still walks into hospital jauntily singing his favourite tune: “Don’t give up, don’t give in, just get up and try again”.
The hard truth is that neuroblastoma has a 50% relapse rate. And if Jack relapses, his chances of survival plummet to just 5%.
The cost of the drug is extremely expensive at $500,000, including six return trips to the states over two years.
RATE My Agent, Australia's foremost review marketing platform for real estate agents and mortgage brokers, has announced Hinternoosa as the recipient of an impressive four Rate My Agent Awards for 2024.
RSPCA NOOSA
Cnr Hollett & Eumundi Rd, Noosaville QLD 4562
Phone: 5449 1371
Hinternoosa proudly claimed the prestigious Agency of the Year award for both Cooroy and Verrierdale. Principal and Director, Sirah Robb, remarked that this achievement serves as "a testament to our commitment to excellence and unparalleled service in these vibrant communities." Mrs Robb highlighted Hinternoosa's dedication to tailoring exceptional real estate solutions to the
A go fund me page has been set up to help the family reach their target and get their beloved son to America.
Having spent a lot of his childhood in and around Noosa Shire, Damien knew this was the challenge for him.
“My parents owned the Cooroy Pub from 1992 to 2003, where Trent worked in the hotel for a number of years,” he said.
“Both my brothers and I have a big connection with the shire and have some fantastic memories and great mates up here, so I just had to do this run and endure, in comparison, the smallest amount of pain for Jack Jack and get it done.
“I certainly thought about Jack every step of the way. I even made a terrible mistake and had a little 5km detour which played in my head.
“But once I realised the extra distance I did was the age Jack will be on his next birthday, I told myself that’s the universe in bedding in me that every step is for Jack, so suck it up, pain is zero compared to what Jack has to endure.”
“Cancer is horrible and its ripple effect for the family is known,” Damien says.
“Jack has an older brother Ted, who is six and I see him missing out on so much as his mum and dad have been in and out of the hospital endlessly the past 11 months and sometimes Jack and Jaimee are in hospital in isolation for six weeks at a time for treatments; it’s horrible to see.
“I have seen my brother and his beautiful family be one day the typical fun-loving Australian family, to the next day where their world has literally been tipped upside down.”
To find out more about Jack’s journey, you can go to https://behindthebear.org/ and follow his progress.
To support Jack and for donations, you can go to the GoFundMe page https://www.gofundme.com/f/fundaccess-to-drugs-for-jacks-cancer-treatment.
unique needs of each locality, further solidifying its position as the trusted leader in the Noosa Hinterland property market.
Sales agent Alisa Wythes was honored with the Top Agent title for the third consecutive year in the suburb of Cooroy, showcasing her dedication, expertise, and commitment to delivering exceptional results for clients.
Hinternoosa's Property Management Department secured the esteemed Rental Agency of the Year award in Cooroy. Additionally, the Property Management Division was elated to be recognised as one of the Top Five Rental Agencies on the Sunshine Coast, distinguishing
itself as the only agency in the Noosa and Noosa Hinterland region to achieve this status. Sirah emphasised, "This recognition highlights how well our Property Management team cares for our owners and their investments."
The Rate My Agent Awards celebrate Australia's premier real estate professionals, placing a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction as the primary selection criterion. Hinternoosa is thrilled to share this achievement with its team and valued clients, acknowledging their significant role in earning these accolades through their unwavering support and trust.
YOU may have heard that Telstra will switch off its 3G service on June 30 2024, which means that if you have a device that can only use 3G, it won’t be able to connect to Telstra’s network after this date.
There are concerns about the potential impacts of the 3G shutdown on access to Triple Zero and emergency services, particularly for those living in areas where there is no 4G coverage availability.
If your mobile device doesn’t have Voice over LTE (VoLTE) technology, even if it uses 4G data, it will not be able to make calls on the Telstra network after June 30 2024. Not all VoLTE enabled devices support emergency VoLTE calling, so if your device doesn’t, it won’t be able to make calls to Triple Zero once 3G closes.
People who rely on 3G medical devices and businesses with equipment that requires 3G coverage should check if their device supports 4G and can access VoLTE. If you have a 3G only device, or one that does not support VoLTE, it is recommended that you contact the device supplier as soon as possible to upgrade.
Telstra has released a 3G SMS Checker Tool which will provide advice about whether devices need to be upgraded to be
able to access the 4G and 5G networks.
The Checker Tool can be accessed via SMS by texting the number ‘3’ to number ‘3498’ or ‘3GXT’ which corresponds to the letters on your phone’s dialling keypad, to receive almost instant advice on your device. Further information about the 3G closure is available at www.telstra. com/3Gclosure.
The Australian Parliament’s Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee has begun an inquiry into the shutdown of the 3G mobile network and telecommunications services and will be examining the potential impacts this closure might have on regional Australia.
I encourage Wide Bay residents who are concerned about their access to mobile and telecommunications services after the 3G closure to have their say and make a written submission to the Senate Inquiry before the end of May.
Further information about the Senate Inquiry and how to make a submission is available at www.aph.gov.au/ Parliamentary_Business/Committees/ Senate/Rural_and_Regional_Affairs_and_ Transport/3GNetworkShutdown.
SANDY BOLTON State Member for Noosa
FIRST, thank you to all of the amazing organisations who applied for our 2024 Noosa MP Quick Starts Grants, with more applications than we have ever had! You, and your volunteers, are vital to our community, providing essential services, supports and activities that we are deeply grateful for. Grants to be issued include to Patches of Cooroy to purchase a defibrillator for CWA Hall in Cooroy, Pomona Lions Club for new book shelves that support fundraising efforts for various organisations including Pomona & District Community House, Pomona Meals on Wheels, Cooroy Scouts, and PTSD Dogs as examples! There are many others in our hinterland that were successful in their applications such as Kin Kin Community Group, SevGen, the Tall Trees Art Festival, Save Noosa Hinterland and Mens Shed Pomona. Congratulations to all! In response to advocacy, reforms were recently passed in Queensland Parliament regarding electric bikes and scooters. These expand the application of careless riding offences for personal mobility devices and bicycles encompassing roads as well all roadrelated areas such as footpaths and bicycle paths. Riders are now legally required to stop and provide their details in the event of an incident, with offences carrying a maximum fine of $6,192 so please let family including children and friends know! If you witness any breaches of the Queensland Road Rules, please report these to the QPS by emailing Policelink at policelink@police.qld.gov.au or by calling on 131 444. These reforms provide
TED O’BRIEN Federal Member for Fairfax
VALE ASH GOOD
I am deeply saddened, like many in our community, to have heard of the tragic events that unfolded at Westfield Bondi in Sydney.
One of the six people who fell victim to the attack, Ash Good, lived and worked in our community for a number of years before moving to Bondi. I am told she left an indelible mark on our community and will be dearly missed by friends and family.
Vale Ash Good.
MILLION MOVES IN MAY CAMPAIGN
– JOIN THE CHALLENGE!
Did you know that 75% of us don’t do
enough physical exercise each day?
That’s why my colleagues and I have committed to the Million Moves Challenge
which encourages people to move 75 times each day for 21 days in May.
This program is part of a broader mission by AUSactive to encourage greater physical activity among Australians. They’re starting by motivating the Sunshine Coast and Moreton City communities in the electorates of Fisher, Fairfax, and Longman, to collectively complete 1 million moves. Join me in the challenge at millionmoves.org.au.
COST OF LIVING PRESSURES
Latest inflation data is a reminder of the extraordinary financial pain that hardworking local families and businesses are experiencing.
Real disposable incomes have collapsed by 7.5% per capita since the Albanese Labor Government came to power, and 12 interest rate rises have put even more pressure on mortgage holders. Meanwhile rents have increased by 26 per cent. It was also disappointing to see that Labor’s promise of a $275 reduction in household electricity bills was officially broken recently with Australians instead being forced to pay among the most expensive energy bills in the world under this Government.
If you are experiencing trouble paying your energy bills, or if I or my office can be of assistance in any other way, please do not hesitate to reach out on (07) 5479 2800 or at ted.obrien.mp@aph.gov.au.
police with more enforcement options; however, this is only one step in the right direction and our advocacy will continue to create greater safety for all.
In response to the cancellation of the much-loved, historical King of the Mountain (KOM) race event, I asked a Question without Notice (QWN) during Parliament to the Queensland Minister for Environment. Understandably, many in our community are upset about what has eventuated, however encourage all to support the KOM committee in their decision as well as the Pomona Family Fun Day which will still run. Remember, it takes a village!
The Noosa MP Queensland Day Awards are open! We all know of wonderful volunteers and businesses who provide pro bono assistance in our community and go above and beyond for us! Show your gratitude by nominating them for this award via any of the organisations they do great work for. Nominations close 12pm Monday 22 May 2024.
With so much to share and not much space, please stay ’in the loop’ via Noosa 360 (www.SandyBolton.com/Noosa360) with updates on a range of important issues we are working on. In addition, follow ‘Sandy Bolton MP’ on Facebook to receive information as soon as available, and subscribe to our e-newsletter at www. SandyBolton.com/Newsletters which also ensures you are advised when Noosa specific surveys are held. Always, if you have any questions or require assistance regarding state-related matters, do not hesitate to contact my office on 53193100.
Until next month, Sandy x
Despite hundreds of hours of public hearings, listening to the evidence from stakeholders and first responders, and the heartbreaking stories of victims and their families, it was an absolute disgrace when the Government used its numbers in Parliament last week to dissolve the Youth Justice Reform Select Committee. As part of that committee, I and my fellow LNP members were committed to finding solutions to the youth crime crisis. We were committed to reforming the youth justice system, and giving our police the laws they need to keep our community safe. However, we have now learnt that the committee was nothing more than a political stunt by Labor. Not only did they shut down victims, they also tried to silence the media to improve the perception of crime.
Queenslanders will have the chance to have their say on how the Government is managing youth crime later this year.
If elected, removing detention as a last resort will be one of the LNP government’s first legislative priorities.
The LNP’s Making Queensland Safer Laws will also include putting the rights of crime victims first, putting more police on the beat and delivering gold standard early intervention. These laws are the strong crime laws Queenslanders have been demanding. To find out more, give me a call or visit www.lnp.org.au/rightpriorities/
Our local community had some great success in the recent round of Gambling grants. Congratulations to the Eumundi & District Historical Association, which secured $35,000 to replace the airconditioning at the historic School of Arts hall, and to the Eumundi State School P&C, receiving $35,000 to purchase musical instruments and robotic equipment.
It’s great to see these funds benefit such worthy local organisations. Just a reminder that the next round, which closes at the end of this month, is a Super Round, with up to $100,000 up for grabs.
NESTLED in the heart of a serene rural landscape, this property embodies boundless potential for your dream lifestyle.
Just a stone’s throw away from the pristine shores of Peregian Beach, and conveniently located 10 minutes from vibrant Eumundi and 15 minutes from the bustling hub of Noosa, the possibilities are endless.
Discover a spacious canvas awaiting your creativity, boasting a newly painted, expansive 24m x 13m shed with a versatile split-level mezzanine, ideal for a home office space. With powered infrastructure already in place, seize the opportunity to customize this space to your heart’s desire.
Spanning 9820 sqm of level, usable land adorned with mature trees and a tranquil dam, envision your oasis
taking shape. Ample parking, dual road access, and a loading bay ensure seamless functionality, while 3 x 20,000 litre water tanks, irrigation and a reliable drainage system guarantee sustainability.
In the coveted local school catchment area, with convenient proximity to Coles at Peregian Springs and pristine beaches, embrace the epitome of convenience without compromising tranquillity. Don’t miss your chance to build the ultimate retreat in this idyllic locale.
Embrace the rural lifestyle you’ve always envisioned – seize this opportunity today!
Contact: Brendan Weatherill
Property Providore
Phone: 0466 248 345 brendan@propertyprovidore.com.au
NESTLED in the picturesque township of Cooroy, this property presents an exceptional opportunity for stylish family living. This low-set, lowmaintenance home features four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a double lock-up garage, offering both comfort and functionality.
Recently fully painted inside and out, the residence welcomes you with open-plan living areas complemented by a separate media room. The heart of the home is its newly renovated kitchen, adorned with modern stone benches, gourmet stainless-steel gas and electric cooking appliances, and a convenient butler’s pantry/laundry. All this flows out to the under cover
entertainment area looking over the pool and back yard.
Experience the perfect blend of comfort, style, and convenience in this exceptional Cooroy residence, offering a sought-after lifestyle within the heart of the Noosa hinterland.
Price:
Address:
Straker Drive, COOROY Agent: Warren Berry - Hinternoosa
0407 730 987
PERFECTLY positioned at the end of a serene cul-de-sac in the prestigious enclave of Doonan a magnificent home awaits. The grandeur of the residence commands attention, its meticulously landscaped grounds beckoning you to explore further.
The main home boasts open-plan living areas with high ceilings, ducted air conditioning, and solid hardwood floors. At the heart of this sprawling expanse lies the kitchen boasting stone benches and a vast walk-in pantry. Seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living, the main living area extends to a spacious undercover entertainment area overlooking the pool. Integrated under the same roofline
is a fully self-contained two-bedroom residence with its own kitchenette, bathroom, and living area.
With just over one acre of land this home offers a perfect blend of cleared, usable space and sprawling lawns.
LOCATED just minutes to magnificent Lake Macdonald and Noosa Botanic Gardens is this truly lovely, lush acreage parcel - 3.1 acres with quality horse-friendly infrastructure, a picturesque dam, and a house pad on an elevated site to maximise the glorious outlook across the property and beyond.
A long sweeping driveway framed by mature native trees brings you into the property and sets a tone of privacy, peace, and calm. Currently set up as a horse property with four paddocks with hardwood post and rail fencing, shelters, and a full size area with an imported wax and fibre sand surface - equine aficionados will love this on sight!
Other features of the property include the dam, rich fertile soil, and the perfect site - cleared and ready to build on. There are masses of room for extra infrastructure including sheds of various sizes, and plenty of potential to create a permaculture garden and live a gentle, self-sustainable lifestyle in harmony with the environment.
Lake Macdonald is home to many stunning acreage lifestyle residences and has established itself as a dress circle Noosa hinterland property belt. This is your opportunity to custom
design that home you’ve been dreaming of and visualising for years, with no fear of overcapitalising in this blue-chip locale.
Within walking distance to the lake itself and only five minutes to access Cooroy’s many amenities including schooling, medical, retail, dining, parks/ playgrounds, golf, sporting/leisure, and rail to Brisbane. At 20 minutes to Noosa River, and 25 minutes to Noosa
Main Beach - you can be swimming at Laguna Bay in the morning, brunching on Hastings Street afterwards, and then back home for a horse ride in the afternoon. Sound idyllic?
Current owners have taken wonderful care of this pristine acreage, and it holds a special place in their heart, but circumstances have meant it needs to be sold, and they are receptive to genuine offers prior to Auction.
Price: AUCTION
Date: May 3, 2024, 10am
Address: 166 Lake Macdonald Drive
LAKE MACDONALD
Agent: Kimberlea & Eliot Krause
Countryside Realty Noosa
Phone: 0409 920 861
At Countryside Realty Noosa, our team is our family and we take pride in our enduring presence and deep community connections.
With over 20 years of experience in the Noosa Hinterland, we offer a bespoke service and strive to create a positive experience for buyers, sellers, renters and landlords.
We are honoured to have been nationally recognised for our expertise at the 2023 National Real Estate Business Awards, as the winners of the Sales Campaign of the Year.
Should you seek our professional advice, please contact us today.
P: 07 5447 7733
info@countrysidenoosa.com.au
countrysidenoosa.com.au
YOU to all of our advertisers and those who have supported YLL over the past 4 years
back to the community with sponsorship & promoting events ! As a small local business we have so much pride in being able to pay it forward, without our Advertisers support this would not be possible - so wherever and whenever you can, please support our Advertisers and they will do a little dance! THANK YOU - Janet, Lil & the Team @ YLL PROUD
