2022 MARY VALLEY VOICE - DECEMBER 14, Vol.32 #12

Photo courtesy Sam Starshine © 2022 Gheerulla, Mary Valley

Jill GuldbransenV

It’s that time of year again with Christmas just around the corner and Santa will once again be dropping into the Kenilworth Show Grounds, on Saturday 17 December for a visit to the annual Kenilworth Community Christmas Party

This annual festive night has lots of family fun to be experienced with free admission and free kids rides from 4pm-8pm.

The committee has carefully selected a range of rides to suit all ages with the return of the giant slide, jumping castle, cup and saucer ride, rock climbing wall; plus the ever popular trackless train and a free balloon artist.

There is something for the whole family. Please bring along your picnic rugs, chairs, a drink for the adults and relax back. The kids will enjoy all of the free entertainment offered!

Here’ locations throughout the Kenilworth township. Look out for the signs in our local business windows. ”

 There are also mega multi prize draw raffles to win; all generously donated from the local businesses.

A barbecue dinner will also be available, including steak burgers, hamburgers, sausage on bread and hot chips.

Santa's special gifts for children on the night can be pre-sourced from ‘Santa Shops Here’ locations throughout the township. Look out for the signs in our Kenilworth business windows. Santa arrives around 6pm.

The Kenilworth Christmas Committee looks forward to seeing you all on the night and we wish everyone a very merry Christmas 2022

Kym Smith, President KCC, Kenilworth Rural Supplies.

MARY VALLEY COMMUNITY NEWS ASSOC. INC

NEW PRESIDENT'S REPORT

“ As we say goodbye to 2022 and welcome in the New Year, many of us reflect on the year gone and what we have planned for ahead. At the recent AGM of the *Mary Valley Community News Assoc. Inc I accepted the role of President. My husband and I moved here mid 2019 from rural SW QLD and have spent the last few years integrating and acknowledging ourselves with the area and community. It has been very welcoming and I have always been a volunteer in my working life in a small rural town so know what challenges we face but also the rewards of the choice of our lifestyle.

A local newspaper is a great asset but it takes a committed team and community for it to thrive and be appreciated. In this competitive world, advertising is vital and information is necessary. So let us all work together to make our paper something that is part of our daily lives and know we can make an effort to keep it going and to improve along the way.

I will be attempting to familiarise myself with all current subscribers, advertisers and clubs that provide reports and items of interest for the community to access. We have a committed team focused on the year ahead and are in the process of selecting a new Editor for The Mary Valley Voice .

Distribution is an area I would like to improve on so The Mary Valley Voice is readily available throughout the whole Mary Valley region. Please feel free to contact any of us regarding articles for submission or areas of concern. My email address is provided and I look forward to your contact.

I would also like to thank Jill Guldbransen for her many years of tireless work as Editor.

Remember ‘TALK’ ‘LISTEN’ ‘COMMUNICATE’ ‘RESPOND’

I would like to wish you ALL A MERRY, SAFE AND ENJOYABLE CHRISTMAS. ”

Barbara Smith barbannesmith60@gmail.com

“ Santa’s gifts for children on the night can be pre-sourced from any ‘Santa Shops

*Officer bearers elected were Vice President: Di Donovan | Secretary: Vanessa Paulger | Treasurer: Lenore Meldrum

KENILWORTH FLOODING 1972 - 2022

Since the subdivision and sale of the Kenilworth township blocks in 1921 flooding has been a problem for residents. Floodwaters enter the town at 10 metres river height.

The photographs indicate that little has changed to the threat of inundation in the past 50 years. The picture with the sign of the “Flying Red Horse” was taken in the 1950s when McGaws Garage was situated where Boxsells shed now stands. The photograph to the right shows that, even with the growth of trees along the roadside, flood waters still come as high in the 1999 flood.

The bottom two photographs of the flooded land below George

Street show how easily the river becomes part of the township in flood periods. Thanks to our policeman Pierre Senekal for sharing his photographs of the 2022 flood.

If you live in a flood prone area – have you prepared your evacuation plan? Do you have a “grab bag” with all your identification items ready to go with you in the event of “getting out quickly” in a natural disaster becomes necessary?

It is better to have such items and not need them than to need them and not have them.  Some recommendations include:all household and car keys, wallet, handbag, cell phones and any credit cards you keep in a drawer that you might need. Complete phone list or phone address book (snail and email), including mobile phone numbers of neighbours and family. I would add to that all medications and copies of your prescriptions and all your re-charging bits and pieces. Further information is available on:https://www.qld.gov.au/emergency/dealing-disasters/ prepare-for-disasters

The support by this community of the Kenilworth Museum over the past twelve months has been greatly appreciated. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2023 to all.

RAINFALL MOY POCKET – NOVEMBER

This November 85mm. Last November 213mm. 21 year average November 90mm.

Rain fell on 13 days, average 11 days. Total rain for three months of Spring 355mm. Last Spring 383mm. Average for Spring 227mm. Total rain for 11 months 2499mm. Previous wettest January-November was 2013, 1434mm. Same period last year 1067mm. January-November average 1097mm. 12 months total end of November 2593mm. 20 year annual average 1196mm.

2022 by Graham Brennan

Lenore Meldrum, President Kenilworth & District Historical Assoc. Inc.

1950s Mobil's 'Flying Red Horse', Kenilworth 2022 February

1972 12 February - Cnr Elizabeth & George Sts 11.58m flood

1999 9 February - Elizabeth St 11.9m flood by David Pearson

1999 9 February - Mary Rr Bridge 11.9m flood by David Pearson

2022 February - Elizabeth & Charles Sts

1999 9 February - Brooloo Rd 11.9m flood by David Pearson

2022 February - Elizabeth & George Sts

CHRISTMAS WELLBEING

CHEERIO FROM THE CHURCHES

Avery enjoyable concert by the well known Kim Kirkman accompanied by his friends was held on 3 December 2022. This was a “joint venture” by St Luke’s and St John Bosco’s churches with the concert in St John Bosco’s and the afternoon tea at St Luke’s. Our thanks to all who made this such a pleasant afternoon.

St Luke’s Saturday Holy Communion services are back on track 4.30pm with refreshments afterwards. The social gathering after church is always a happy occasion with lots of talk and laughter. Come along and enjoy the fellowship.

 Our Christmas Day Eucharist will be at 8am with the Rev’d Kaye Pitman the celebrant. There’s Christmas cake and cordial afterwards. Congratulations and very best wishes to Rev’d Kaye as she celebrates thirty years since her ordination as one of the first women priests in Queensland.

• A very happy occasion recently at St Luke’s was the confirmation service for Phil, Sue and Nathan by Bishop Jeremy. It was indeed a joyous day for all the family and friends.

Campers and caravaners at the showgrounds – do come and join us on Saturday afternoon and on Christmas morning. No doubt some of you are regular church-goers but some may attend occasionally or not ever! It doesn’t matter to us! We would love you to join us. Everyone is welcome. We’re a friendly lot!

A special cheerio to our friends, two Peters and Nathan as they recovers from illness.

KENILWORTH ARTS COUNCIL NEWS

Note 2023 is a big year for Kenilworth ArtsFest! It’s our 25th art exhibition in the Kenilworth Hall. We started in 1997 but we were out of action for two years due to COVID. It’s our Silver Jubilee and we hope the community will support us and help us celebrate. The 2023 Kenilworth ArtsFest will run from 26 May to the 28 May. Entries are now open. Visit our website for details.

Our KADS (Kenilworth and District Singers) have had a very successful year. Starting as a group just singing for fun, they are now in demand for performances! Our sincere thanks to Trish Coles who has lead KADS this year. Congratulations to you all!

 KAC is joining with the Information Centre and the Craft Shop to present “A Country Christmas” on Sunday 18 December, starting at 8am. Arts and crafts will be on sale at the Craft Shop while KAC will be selling all sorts of country cooking – cakes, slices, scones, biscuits etc.

An warm invitation to all visitors to Kenilworth – campers, caravaners or day trippers to sample our Christmas goodies! Kindly submitted by Shirley Moreland, President KAC.

SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY BY COMMUNITY

Callout for Christmas Hamper donations by Kenilworth Suicide Prevention Working Group.

Last year the group inaugurated a Christmas Food Hamper drive and will be partnering with St Lukes to provide this support for local people again this year.

 They are requesting donations of tinned/non-perishable food items and toiletries and will be offering the hampers to local people in need of the support.  Any donations can be left at the front of St Lukes Anglican (17 Anne St, Kenilworth, 4574).

National Help Lines:

Rural Aid 1300 327 624; Mensline Australia 1300 789 978 mensline.org.au; DV Connect Women’s Line 1800 811 811; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800 kidshelpline.com.au; Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467; www.areyouboggedmate.com.au

Ben Burns – Community Development Worker, Suicide Prevention in Local Communities ben@calcomm.org.au

CONONDALE VALLEY ASSOCIATION NEWS

The Conondale Valley Association has just had its 2022 AGM electing Viv Bochow (President), Barry O’Connell (Treasurer), Christabel Wilson (Secretary) plus Roger Westcott. We acknowledge and thank outgoing executive members Mary King and Paul Beavis for their substantial contributions, particularly in maintaining this organisation intact throughout the pandemic and ready to be handed on!

We recognise that we must broaden our scope by going back to our community for their direction in order to move on.

We are so grateful to both the former and new owners of Maleny IGA for their Community Benefit Fund contribution of nearly $4000; and with this windfall plus more community involvement we’ll be able to once more become a strong force for advocacy and action on behalf of our wonderful district.

Our community has an impressive history of self-reliance for us to build on, including forming the Save the Upper Mary Valley Association (now the CVA) to successfully prevent the State Government from flooding most of our valleys!

With soaring inflation, energy costs and cost-of-living – not to mention climate change – community action groups like ours are needed more than ever!

 Soon we’ll be inviting you to a public meeting in the Conondale Hall early next year to meet the new committee, fellow neighbours and new settlers; identify major issues; be reminded of Conondale’s great history of self-reliance; and finally reinvigorate this organisation.

KENILWORTH

STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE MURAL

Community support can look and feel like many things; from joining committees, coming to meetings, volunteering, attending functions, donating time, resources and funds. Kenilworth State Community College is a small school that strongly values our students and their families and equally values our ties to our local community. Any support shown is always greatly appreciated!

Kenilworth State Community College would like to send a big thank you to the Kenilworth Hall Committee for the recent generous donation of $1000. This donation has given the school the opportunity to start the school grounds artwork beautification plan. The cost of quality paint has risen significantly in the past year, and without this donation the project would continue to be on hold until next year. We were able to purchase enough quality Dulux paints to launch our plan. The first mural that I’ve completed was the long awaited “Buzzy Beehive” which supports the school’s ‘Positive Behaviour for Learning’ program. The design and bright colours have transformed the most used communal area of the school into a cheerful space that reinforces our four school expectations for positive behaviour choices. Over the upcoming school holidays, more artworks are planned for students to enjoy. A big thankyou to our community for your ongoing support this year – we appreciate and value you!

Theresa Lyndon, Prep/Year 1/Year

2

Teacher, Kenilworth SCC

Kenilworth ARTS

BUSY TIME FOR MRCCC

MRCCC, the Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee, has wrapped up another Mary River Month with a raft of activities and things haven’t gotten any quieter since.

The AGM at Mimburi, where Belli Creek meets the Mary River, had over 70 people in attendance, keen to hear of the MRCCC’s work in the twelve months previous.

A number of MRCCC’s project officers gave presentations of works carried out during the year and these, along with the Chairman’s Report made up the Annual Report, copies of which were available on the day but which can also be accessed via the MRCCC website – mrccc.org.au

“ Another AGM highlight was drone footage by MRCCC’s Caitlin Mill, with musical accompaniment by Steve Burgess and Andy Tainsh, of the recent Catchment Crawl, following the Mary from upstream of Conondale all the way to River Heads where it enters Great Sandy Strait.”

Councillors Winston Johnstone and David Law for their assistance in purchasing new monitoring equipment for the networks in their regions. The report of the findings of this year’s Catchment Crawl is being prepared but a good summary is available in the Annual Report.

The annual Spring in the Mary photo competition had 73 talented entrants across a number of sections, and, once again, judges were impressed with the high standard of entries.

The guest speaker was Tom Espinoza, speaking on “Mary River Cod: where we’ve got to and where we’re going”, summarising recent information collected on genetics, habitat use, movement and (DNA ageing) that have been developed for the species. He also addressed knowledge gaps that remain and how we can start to address these through collaboration, strategic onground activities and strengthening consortiums.

An additional highlight of the day was drone footage by MRCCC’s Caitlin Mill (with musical accompaniment by Steve Burgess and Andy Tainsh) of the recent Catchment Crawl, following the Mary from upstream of Conondale all the way to River Heads where it enters Great Sandy Strait.

The Catchment Crawl, an annual event in October, saw two teams of water testers over two days, testing water quality at a number of sites along both the trunk of the river, as well as a number of tributaries and augments the work done by the volunteer Waterwatch network throughout the year.

On the Catchment Crawl and at the AGM, certificates of appreciation were presented to Sunshine Coast

A “Mary River Rehabilitation” field inspection saw a mix of landholders and stakeholders visit various sites just upstream of Kenilworth to see at first hand, the impressive way that works had stood up to earlier flooding and how tree plantings at the sites were progressing.

Releases of endangered Mary River Cod fingerlings have taken place into suitable sites on both river and tributaries and relocation of some Mary River Turtle nests to predator and flood proof cages in Goomong and Moy Pocket has been carried out.

• The general meeting in Gympie was back to the old meeting place at Albert Park Bowls Club, a venue which had been completely submerged in the floods earlier in the year. Guest speaker was Rebecca Powlett from Queensland Hydro, providing delegates with information about, and taking questions on the Borumba Pumped Hydro Proposal.

MRCCC’s Annual Report, the Spring in the Mary results and the Catchment Crawl video are all available on the MRCCC website. Kindly submitted by Ian Mackay, MRCCC Chairman.

 Pictured above centre, under a patch of impressive remnant trees, Ana Perez from the Great Barrier Reef Foundation addresses at the River Rehab field day.

 Mimburi provided an excellent venue for the AGM, pictured left.

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VALUING NATURE

Burnett Mary Region moves Australia to front of the race to unlock billions in investment.

Natural resource manager, the Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) together with partners, has announced registration of Australia’s largest regional-scale environmental account.

An environmental account is a stocktake of the health of the region’s natural assets, such as:

• Vegetation cover

• Plants and animals (incl. aquatic fauna)

BMRG’s CEO, Sheila Charlesworth said the account is the first step towards unlocking billions in conservation investment.

“As climate change forces the world economy to decarbonise, investors are looking to direct billions of dollars into protecting the ecosystems that sustain us,” Ms Charlesworth said.

“To facilitate that investment in natural assets, we must first place a value on them, but we can’t value assets until we know what they are, where they are and, how much there is. Our environmental account answers these questions. We now have a 5.6 million hectare stocktake of the Burnett Mary region’s natural assets,” said Ms Charlesworth.

• eDNA metabarcoding, portable water sensor smart-stations, satellite remote sensing and Bayesian modelling was used to collect data.

These high-tech methods were complemented by consultations with traditional owners, land managers and scientists.

BMRG Ecologist, Matt Taylor said the account revealed a wealth of natural capital in the region and a few pleasant surprises.

“The Mary River Turtle (Elusor macrurus) was detected by our eDNA metabarcoding survey at eight locations, which is great news, given the Mary River has been impacted by the worst flooding on record,” Mr Taylor said.

BMRG received funding from Andrew and Nicola Forrest’s Minderoo Foundation, to develop accredited environmental accounting methodologies with the support of a scientifically based framework from Accounting for Nature®.

Accounting for Nature’s Director and former federal Treasury Secretary, Dr Ken Henry says the environmental account methodologies will be made publicly available.

“ Environmental accounting measures natural capital such as flora and fauna, soils and waterways, and values them as assets. The system will make funding models more sustainable. Governments and the private sector are coming together to recognise that environmental assets need to be recorded and valued. I'm very proud that BMRG will be leading this across Australia.

I've had calls from more than 20 countries who are interested in what we're doing.

It's going to help us make a difference in this world and a huge difference in our beautiful region.”

~ Sheila Charlesworth, Chief Executive, BMRG.

investments and L’Oréal is investing millions into the preservation of biodiversity and circular use of resources,” said Martijn Wilder, founder of climate and nature investment advisory firm, Pollination.

“With this environmental account verging completion, Australia moves to the front of the pack, in the race to unlock billions of dollars in untapped Natural Capital investment,” said Mr Wilder.

The account will be combined with fire and flood risk data to better understand the impact on environmental assets in the Burnett Mary region.

Adrian Turner who leads Minderoo’s Fire and Flood Resilience initiative which funded the environmental account, believes it is a game changer.

“By measuring things like the impact of cool burning by traditional owners to reduce fuel loads or clearing waterways to prevent flooding in a standards-based way, we will enable multi-party investment in landscape-based resilience.”

BMRG’s Sheila Charlesworth summarised environmental accounting as the foundation stone to a completely new way of investing.

“I think it was one of Bill Clinton’s advisers who once quipped ‘It’s the economy, stupid.’ If he was around today, he might say ‘The natural environment is the economy, stupid.’ For without it, we are nothing,” Ms Charlesworth said.

A webinar featuring presentations and conversations with leaders from BMRG, Accounting for Nature, Minderoo Foundation and associated partners will take place in the near future. To register your interest email:naturalcapital@bmrg.org.au

Definition of an Environmental Account:

Environmental Accounts measure and track the condition of environmental asset classes – soil, native vegetation, native fauna, water, within three realms – land, ocean, freshwater. Environmental accounts provide a source of truth for sustainability claims made with respect to landscape or marine conservation and restoration.

“Farmers, traditional owners, governments and researchers will now have access to a consistent methodology for measurement and reporting of native vegetation, fauna and freshwater, linked with biomass and soil carbon as well as fire and flood risk mapping for environmental accounting across the country,” said Dr Henry.

The next phase of the project is to present the environmental account to financial markets looking to invest in Natural Capital. This work is being supported by the NAB Foundation and the Pollination.

“We know companies like Unilever have announced a €1 billion climate and nature fund, Apple is directing capital to nature-based

These accounts can underpin government and philanthropic grants, issuance and tracking of green bonds and other financial instruments, monitoring the efficacy of sustainable land management activities, consumer labelling on food and fibre products, undertaking due diligence on impact investments, and credibly linking environmental co-benefits to carbon offset units under different internationally recognised standards.

Environment Account Registry: https://www.accountingfornature.org/afnproject-47

 BMRG source link that explains it more: https://bmrg.org.au/portfolio-items/natural-capitalenvironmental-accounting-project/#

Mary River restoration project

RJR Property

The Business of Real Estate

ANYTIME IS THE RIGHT TIME!

As real estate agents, we are often asked these questions:

Q: When is the right time to sell?

A: When you’re ready, there is no right or wrong time! The right time is the time that suits you. Making the decision to sell is the hard bit. Selling is easy, just leave it to the RJR team.

Q: Do you buy first and then sell, or sell first and then buy?

A: The best method is to do both, at the same time. Otherwise, you can get caught out. You will find the perfect new home and need to sell quickly, or you sell and have nowhere to go.

Q: What is the state of the current real estate market?

A: While this is a great market, it won’t get any better in the short or medium term! However, as most people are buying & selling in the same market, the changeover remains relatively constant.

Christmas time is a decision time for most people. It’s when we get organized and make plans for the next year, or two! If a property sale is on your mind, talk to one of the sales agents from RJR Property before the break. They will discuss the current market and where your property sits in that market. They will give you the information that you need to make those decisions.

On behalf of the team at RJR Property, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a safe, prosperous & Happy New Year. We look forward to seeing you all in 2023.

RJR Property market & manage lifestyle choices from three conveniently located offices in Imbil, Kenilworth & Montville.

Call us today on 1300 000 RJR (757) or visit our website www.RJRproperty.com.au

...It’s a lifestyle choice!

Sign up to council’s Opt-In Disaster Alerts

Better informed is better prepared. Where you previously had to go looking for disaster information, it now comes to you. You can sign up to the FREE Opt-In Alerts service by visiting council's Disaster Dashboard at disaster.gympie.qld.gov.au.

Click on the 'Opt-in Alerts' button and follow the prompts to sign up. You can also scan the QR code to get started today!

Connect, reflect, celebrate 2022

This year has been memorable for our Sunshine Coast for so many reasons. We received our UNESCO Biosphere designation in June. We are on the path to 2032 and set up our Legacy Plan Community Reference Group to help guide what our region wants to achieve as a delivery partner in the Olympic and Paralympic Games. We undertook an early and extensive engagement exercise with our community on a new planning scheme. And so much more! You’re invited to look back on 2022 by watching this year’s annual State of our Region address by Mayor Mark Jamieson and members of our community. It’s available now on Council’s website, YouTube and Facebook platforms.

NYE fireworks to go off with a bang! This New Year’s Eve, enjoy firework displays in Mooloolaba at 8.30pm and midnight. You’ll find a family zone with Paw Patrol, glow shows, live music and food. Plus, a youth stage with live DJs, Red Frogs and free bungy trampoline rides. Plan your journey home and get more info at Council's website.

CUSTOMER CONTACT

sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Council/ Contact-Council

Mega Youth Market

Venue 114’s Mega Youth Market is the perfect opportunity for Sunshine Coast youth to make some extra cash or nab a bargain. The one-day-only youth market on Friday 13 January 2023 from 10am to 2pm will provide a safe space for young people to sell preloved and handmade items and shop sustainably. Book your stall at venue114.com.au.

One for the calendar Watch Council’s next Ordinary Meeting online on Thursday 8 December at 9am.

Summer holiday fun

Keep the kids entertained this summer holiday with activities from Council. Try the new slides at the Nambour Aquatic Centre, choose from 250 adventures on Adventure Sunshine Coast, go on the koala trail at Maroochy Botanic Garden, enjoy Christmas craft sessions at Bankfoot House or kids' activities at Landsborough Museum. Visit Council’s website for all the top things to do this summer.

GOURMAY PROGRAM CLOSES END-OF-JANUARY, ARE YOU IN?

GourMay Mary Valley Food Festival 2023 is up and running with a host of events and activities already planned to showcase Mary Valley farmers, producers and creators. Satellite events will be spread across the area and include farm tours, dinners, lunches, cooking demos, guided tours and more.  Confirmed events will be hosted by:- Bunya Grove-Our Farm, Your Food; Artist and Artisan, Green Bowl Edifice; Kandanga Farm Store; Kandanga Country Club; Dingo Creek Winery; Imbil Sports and Community Club; Wild Vine Cafe; The Macadamia Conservation Trust; Mary Valley Rattler; Forage Farms; Creative Tours and Hub at the Ridge with hopefully more surprises to be listed as cutoff is 31 January 2023. Would this suit your business model? Festival Day 6 May 2023 will be held in Imbil with cooking demos, competitions and presentations featuring Wild Macadamias with The Macadamia Conservation Trust, Bushfood with Peter Wolfe from Cedar Creek Farm and Cheesemaking/ Dairy Farming by Kenilworth Dairies. There will also be a photographic and creative exhibition, a kidzone plus live entertainment. With a marketplace and food vendors there should be something to satisfy all. Sponsors so far are Qld Hydro and Kenilworth Diaries; the more the merrier! For details about GourMay's fantastic month of foodie fun with benefits for sponsors, call Malcolm 0405 105 702 or mvococ.secretary@gmail.com  Above, GourMay's launch in November. 70 people gathered on Amamoor's Village Green.

CR DAVID LAW DIV 10 SUNSHINE COAST

Highlights of 2022: I was pleased to see the launch of Council’s regional anti-racism campaign – Shine A Light On Racism. The campaign featured freely available and unbranded marketing content, posters and videos, with the hope to generate widespread community awareness on the importance of being proudly anti-racist.

Along with the Kulangoor Cemetery upgrade, it’s great to see many local parks receive upgrades for families to enjoy. I hope the children are enjoying the new multi-play unit, springer and swing set at Browns Road Corner Park. There was also the completion of the new dog off-leash area in Lilyponds Park in Mapleton.

I’m looking forward to seeing renewals get underway next year for Kenilworth Town Park after the community provided their ideas and feedback earlier this year. Thankyou! david.law@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au | @DavidLawDivision10

CR WINSTON JOHNSTON DIV 5 SUNSHINE COAST

What a year! From our nomination as a UNESCO Biosphere to establishing the 2032 Sunshine Coast Legacy Plan Community Reference Group, 2022 has been a wonderful and successful year for our region and especially Division 5.

2022 has once again shown the resilience, connectedness and strength of our Sunshine Coast community. State of our Region provides an update on some of the memorable moments of 2022, key achievements and programs delivered for our community, and highlights what we have to look forward to in the future.

I invite you all to head to council’s website and read the State of our Region online story and reflect on what has been a memorable year for the Sunshine Coast.

Season’s greetings: I would like to share my best wishes to you and your family. Everyone experiences this time of year differently, so please look after one another. www.facebook.com/winstonjohnstondivision5scc

Maroochydore

YOUTH WEEK 2023 – WE NEED YOU!

Are you aged between 12 and 25, live in the Gympie region and are interested in having your say about Youth Week 2023? Gympie Regional Council has the ‘gig’ for you!

Help us design a series of events and activities for Youth Week 2023 – by youth, for youth.

From Tuesday 11 April to Monday 17 April 2023, Youth Week will focus on the creative power of young people in the region.

An annual celebration of young people and the positive contributions they make to Queensland communities, Youth Week provides an opportunity for collaboration, developing new skills and getting involved in activities and workshops. All contributions and ideas are welcome and can be shared via council’s Youth Week Survey or the QR code, left. To get some hands-on experience email Council's Community Development team at community@gympie.qld.gov.au

WATCHING OUT FOR EACH OTHER

Crims with their eyes on Kenilworth should beware they will likely find eyes on them.

The locals might be laidback, friendly, and happy to lend a hand to someone in need, but they also know when someone or something is out of place or just not right.

Kenilworth police officer-in-charge Senior Constable Pierre Senekal said members of the public made it easier for police in rural areas to keep law and order.

“They’re my eyes and ears. People are quite vigilant when people show up in their driveway. In the cities, people often don’t know who their neighbours are, they don’t know when someone strange is in the street. But here, people notice when a strange car stops in the street, or when people show up who don’t live in the street,” he said.

Information from members of the public led to an arrest after items were recently stolen from a Belli Park property.

“We identified the car, the car was around one day and someone called the police. We were trying to catch them but they drove away. It went through Gympie and Maryborough and an arrest was made.”

Locals have been on high alert after reports on social media of people being found on private properties, often claiming to be lost or looking for someone but possibly scoping out potential break and enter targets.

Snr Const Senekal said break and enters did not happen too often in the Kenilworth area. However, he did have some simple security tips to help reduce the chances of being a victim.

 Lock up. Lock up vehicles, sheds, homes, gates.

“Most break and enters, they go through open doors and windows. Criminals are by nature lazy. If they have to work for something, they’ll go somewhere else,” he said.

 Lock keys away or keep them hidden.

“Most cars these days have security systems which are hard to get into unless they actually get the keys. It makes it really hard for police when thieves can walk in the door and pick up the keys.”

Snr Const. Senekal said it was the usual form for car thieves to joy ride and buy fast food before swapping their stolen for another one before they got caught. Making it harder to steal cars made it harder for them to swap stolen cars which helps reduce crime.

 Install CCTV.

Snr Const. Senekal said CCTV was not just useful for solving crimes, it was useful as a deterrent, particularly if cameras were placed in positions where they were obvious upon entry.

“A lot of these criminals are looking for a soft target. If they see CCTV around, they will go on to the next place and look for somewhere that doesn’t have a CCTV.”

Interview by Janine Hill, MVV journalist.

We love our Mary Valley Beautiful place to visit - Great place to live

JANUARY

15th MV Film Society free film Bitter Springs, Kandanga Hall

11-16th Qld Caravan Club, Maleny showgrounds

17th Imbil Bull Bronc & Barrels Round 1 for MVSC P&C

FEBRUARY

17-18th Summer Warm-up Festival, Maleny showgrounds

MARCH

5th Clean Up Australia! – 2023 Rethink Waste

APRIL

7-10 Easter 2023 long weekend

22-23rd Gheerulla Hall Art Fair

25th ANZAC Day

29th Maleny Wood Expo weekend

29th Imbil Bull Bronc & Barrels Round 2 for Imbil Pool

MAY

6th GourMay Mary Valley Festival Day, Imbil

5– 7th Sth Qld Outriggers Championship – Rainbow Beach 18-20th Gympie Show 26-28th Kenilworth 25th ArtsFest – Silver Jubilee

JUNE

Kenilworth Quilt & Craft Show

2-3rd Maleny Show, Nambour

9-11th Conondale Classic Weekend S/Coast Motorcycle Club 23-25th Maleny Music Winter Solstice Festival Kenilworth P&C Annual Campdraft

JULY

1-3rd Knitfest, Maleny

7-9th Queensland Garden Expo, Nambour showgrounds

15th Mary River Festival, Kandanga

22-23rd Accent Benchtops Rally Qld motorsport, Gympie 28-30th Mary Valley Art Festival, Imbil

27-30th Noosa Alive! 2023 Festival

AUGUST

20th Yandina Street Fair 24-27th Gympie Music Muster, Amamoor 26th Mary Valley Show, Imbil Cooroy Mountain Spring Festival

Kenilworth Classic Car Show Kenilworth Chook Chase (non-competitive) motorcross

SEPTEMBER

3rd Mary Valley Scarecrow Festival (month-long)

8th Noosa Country Show, Pomona showgrounds

8-10th Kickarse Music & Camping Festival, Kenilworth 9– 11th National Chevrolet Festival, Gympie showgrounds

15-17th Mitchell Creek Rock N' Blues Fest weekend 16th Kenilworth Show & Rodeo

30th Imbil Bull Bronc & Barrels Final for MVSC P&C Gheerulla Hall Art Fair

Cooroora Woodworkers Woodcraft Expo, Cooroy

OCTOBER

16th UlyssesRV National Rally, Maleny

Heart of Gold International Film Festival, Gympie S/Coast Ukulele Festival, Imbil

DECEMBER

MV Community Xmas Fair, Imbil Kenilworth Christmas Party Cooroy H/made & Artisan Fest

Image Sam Starshine

FREE SCREENINGS AT THE NEW MARY VALLEY FILM SOCIETY

Residents of the Mary Valley are warmly invited to free monthly screenings of classic movies from the mid-1930s to the late-1990s at Kandanga Hall.

The Hall’s Committee believes the free screenings are a good way for residents from Mary Valley’s many villages to gather for a great movie, plus hear a five-minute talk from a Mary Valley community organisation about their group. Then followed by with a “strict five minute” Q&A.

The first of these talks will be from Tony Hawkridge, President, Friends of Kandanga.  Screenings occur on the third Sunday of each month starting 15 January, 2023. Hall doors open at 4.30pm. Tony’s talk at 5pm sharp. Movies start 5.15pm sharp!

Kandanga Hall has just installed one of the largest cinema screens in the Gympie region. The retractable screen is four metres by 2.6m high, with a highspec 6000 lumens laser projector, both brand new, courtesy of a Queensland Government grant.

MVFS will screen the best of brilliant but little-known Australian, American and British movies from around a thousand feature films per year that the global film industry produces. Plus, the odd foreign language film, and if

available with sub-titles for the hard of hearing.

 Pictured far left, our first screening a 1950 Australian/British movie, Bitter Springs, with a contemporary theme.

It’s the first movie made on the conflict between settlers creating new lives establishing grazing properties on land occupied by Aboriginals.

Stars the best-known actor from the period, Chips Rafferty and some who later became TV/movie stars: Michael Pate and Bud Tingwall plus Aboriginal actor, Henry Murdoch and others who all speak in Pitjantjatjara language.

Gold coin entrance fee for tea and coffee provided at start, while the film is free. It’s ok to invite people from outside Mary Valley. If you arrive late, please enter quietly.

Kindly submitted by Jim Beetson, Kandanga.

PROUDLY PRINTED BY GT PRINT, KUNDA PARK, SUNSHINE COAST

Proudly supporting Mary Valley local publications.

 Kenilworth Fire Brigade Open Day demo. Dangerous results when water is used on an oil fire. Image by Yvonne James.

Tonia

Carol

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Terry

Phil

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