2019 Mary Valley Voice March 13 Vol 29 #03 by The Mary Valley Voice

MaryValleyVoice

The

13 MARCH 2019 Vol. 29 #03

connecting communities

SUNSHINE COAST UKULELE FESTIVAL S

unshine Coast Ukulele Festival is set to bring the 6th annual ukulele festival to the beautiful Mary Valley town of Kenilworth from Thursday 11 April to Sunday 14 April 2019 at the Kenilworth Showgrounds. Artists from the UK, USA and all around Australia will be performing and teaching their own unique styles of fabulous music and songs all played on the little ukulele, now the most popular instrument to play world-wide. The festival’s special event this year is the Mary Valley Rattler train ride to Gympie and back, playing ukuleles and singing all the way. There’s great anticipation and excitement for everyone going on this trip.

The festival will be presenting lots of great workshops to suit all standards of ukulele playing and workshops on singing, dancing and drumming. There’ll be plenty of merchandise to buy including music books, CD’s Ukebox (UK) and new ukuleles, because we can never have enough ukuleles, our annual songwriting competition with great prizes, open mic sessions at the Kenilworth Hotel and spontaneous jam session will be popping up all over the festival site. The joy of playing the little ukulele and singing along in a big group of likeminded people of all ages, race and gender is incomparable. It brings everyone together

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JOIN the

Rattler Picnic Train! Every Thursday aboard the Red Rocket Bring a picnic hamper or pick one up at the Platform No.1 Cafe and jump aboard!

for the love of making music and singing like nothing else does. Everyone is welcome to come along. Bring your tent or caravan. • Don't miss out on any of the live music acts, workshops and 'Size doesn't matter!' ukulele festivities. For tickets and / or site bookings and other festival information visit www.sunshinecoastukulelefest.com

FREE FAMILY FUN TENNIS GHEERULLA TENNIS CLUB

Corner Moy Pocket Road & Eumundi-Kenilworth Road Sunday 24 March 2019 from 9am – 12 noon

Trains now running Wednesday to Sunday. BOOK NOW - maryvalleyrattler.com.au Historic Gympie Station, 10 Tozer Street, Gympie, Qld P 07 5482 2750 E info@maryvalleyrattler.com.au @maryvalleyrattler

2 | 13 MARCH 2019

• Junior and Adult Coaching Clinics • Sausage Sizzle • Cardio Tennis Exhibition • Social Round Robin • Free giveaways and prizes • Tennis Ball Machine • Inflatable Speed Machine For enquiries contact Sue Field (0412 495 169) Robyn Pfeiffer (0403 516 699)

The Mary Valley Voice

COMMUNITY ROUND THREE

ongratulations to the recipients of the third round of my Nicklin Heroes Grants. The quality of the applications for this program continues to amaze me – there are some impressive community organisations and individuals in the Nicklin electorate doing and achieving great things. Congratulations to: • The Yandina and District Historical Society to assist them to cover costs of a 'thank you' event for their 20 volunteers who have been doing such a great job of collecting and preserving local history for our community since 1985 and managing and maintaining Yandina Historic House, which attracts over 11,000 visitors each year. • The newly formed Blackall Range Lions Club Branch to assist with set-up costs to allow them to hit the ground running with the great community projects the Lions Clubs do so well. • Elijah Dixon who is in year 10 at Burnside High and has been selected to represent Australia in the ‘U21’ volleyball championships in Thailand in April. • Shontel Pascoe of Burnside High who is a driven sporting allrounder – making State levels in volleyball and netball. • Rhys Hassall who has represented Burnside High in volleyball for four years and last year helped the team come fifth at the National titles and is now off to compete at the Australian/New Zealand competition on the Gold Coast. Well done to you all and thank you for your contribution to our community. These grants are for community groups to cover the costs of equipment purchases and other expenses for special events. They are also open for individuals pursuing artistic, sporting or academic excellence, to cover the cost of travel, purchasing equipment, or entering regional and national competitions. • Round Four of the Nicklin Heroes Grants will open 1 May 2019 – for more information go to www.martyhunt.com.au

ZEN RETREAT IN KENILWORTH

half-day Zen meditation retreat will be held in Kenilworth on Saturday 13 April from 9am until 12 noon. This is an opportunity for anyone interested in learning about this practice to join the local group and experience this particular form of meditation. The group is a member of Sun Mountain Zen Society based in Brisbane Although Zen was born within Buddhism it is a practice that transcends cultures, languages, beliefs and religions. “Zen practice offers concrete guidelines toward a realisation of our connectedness with mountains, rivers, with every sentient being, with all that there is. This realisation of our connectedness with one another is the key

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to healing ourselves and to healing our Earth.” (Ruben Habito) The retreat schedule will include meditation practice, mindfulness practice, an optional introductory talk for newcomers, and a talk related to a specific aspect of zen. Date: Saturday 13 April. Time: 9am – 12 noon (newcomers invited to arrive 15 minutes earlier). Venue: St John Bosco Church, Philip St, Kenilworth. Cost: Suggested donation of $15 or as able. BYO lunch afterwards. For more information contact Sue Wolter 0439 130 158.

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PILATES OR YOGA?

ith so much talk about healthy living and fitness these days, you will have surely heard the words 'Pilates' and 'Yoga'... but do you really know what they are? Or why you would choose one over the other? Sherrelle Dolphin is here to explain the differences and why she loves them both! “For me, Pilates keeps me strong and balanced on the outside, and yoga keeps me flexible and calm on the inside!” Sherrelle lives on the Sunshine Coast and has been teaching weekly yoga classes here for nine years and Pilates for four years. Her background as a professional circus performer contributes to her deep understanding of movement as she was introduced to both Pilates and yoga over twenty years ago. “I really started exploring both yoga and Pilates more after I retired from performing with the circus and at the time chose to pursue yoga. I loved the fluid movement in classes and how clear my mind felt after relaxation. It wasn't until I came back to Pilates a few years later that I fell in love with it. Now, my body has never felt so strong and I'm constantly impressed with the results I see in myself and with my clients through the Pilates repertoire.” Sherrelle encourages anyone who is curious to come and try her Kenilworth classes. “I adore the Kenilworth Hall and working under the fairy lights makes each class feel rather special!” • You can try 'Pilates for Beginners' on Thursdays at 9.15am or 7.30am for the early birds. Sherrelle also offers one-on-one sessions for specific ailments which she says can be safer and more effective than classes for acute conditions. • Restorative yoga is held on alternate Sunday afternoons at 4pm. Bookings are appreciated. Contact Sherrelle on Rainwater Specialist • Roof & Gutters • Pumps 0438 097 747 or visit All Drainage Systems • Hot Water Systems www.liveyouryoga. Gas • New Homes • Renovations com.au Rob Morris 0427 479 242 See advert page 3. MARY VALLEY VOICE © 2019

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The Mary Valley Voice

13 MARCH 2019 |

KENILWORTH & CARTERS RIDGE TO ESTABLISH A SHOW IN 1919 – NO SMALL FEAT

ow difficult was it for the early settlers to organise their first official agricultural show? The only means of communication seems to be either personal contact or by letter with mail services delivering correspondence three times per week. The article on page 3 of the Gympie Times and Mary River Mining Gazette, published on 7 June, 1919 may explain the urgency felt by residents to have telephone communication. The article reports:Mr G.H. Mackay, M.H.R., after meeting the Eumundi deputation in this request to him to use his influence in obtaining a telephone line direct from Eumundi to Kenilworth, was driven by Mr Pickering to Kenilworth. A meeting at night was in the Oakey Creek Hall. Mr. E. Pickering presided. The settlers laid their case, which was on similar lines to the Eumundi deputation, before Mr. Mackay. A discussion followed, in which it seemed the consensus of opinion was that a private line would be the best under the circumstances. Messrs J.C. Hassall, E. Pickering and Harvey were appointed to join the Eumundi committee. Two will also be appointed from Belli. Many in the room promised to have the phone installed and to subscribe liberally towards its construction. • Historic Note: Yahoo Creek Receiving Office opened on 25 May, 1899 with Mr Richard L. Sims as the Receiving Office Keeper. The name of the office was changed to Gheerulla in September, 1910.

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Tuesday 26 March 2019 7pm at the RSL Room, Kenilworth Public Hall

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MARY VALLEY PRODUCE SWAP LAST SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH 9AM TO 11AM BRING YOUR SURPLUS PRODUCE, PRESERVES, SEEDS OR CUTTINGS, TO SHARE AND SWAP. BYO cuppa. Starts at 9am at Mary Fereday Park, Poulson Road, Carter’s Ridge. All welcome! Nothing to share? Option to bring morning tea to share. Or just come along and meet other keen gardeners. The goal of the Produce Swap is to share the wonderful fruit and vegetables we grow in our gardens, build community, share gardening knowledge and make new friends! Vivienne Wynter vwynter@bigpond.com

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The Gheerulla Telephone Exchange was installed in the Sims home in 1924, the first telephone exchange in the district. As well as problems with communication the settlers had also to face the onslaught of the influenza pandemic that swept the world in 1919 as was reported on page 5 of the Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser, 19 September:- Another round of flu has visited this district during the last fortnight. It is not quite so severe as on the first occasion, though bad enough. Very few of those who escaped the first visitation are escaping this time, and it is worthy of note that those who suffered by the first round are not getting a second case. Drought conditions were frequently referred to in district reports in both the Gympie Times and Nambour Chronicle in the latter months of 1919. Throughout these challenges the settlers battled on to begin a tradition which remains until these times – an annual agricultural show for Kenilworth and district. We honour their foresight and fortitude in planning for an annual 'Show' that future generations could support and enjoy. • The Kenilworth Museum has a new display covering the century of shows in the district. Come along any Sunday 10am to 2pm and learn a little more about how the shows have progressed over the years. Lenore Meldrum, President Kenilworth & District Historical Assn Inc. Pictured top left – An early cord type magneto switchboard catering for up to 30 subscribers and eight junctions or trunks of the type that would have been available for early telephone exchanges in Queensland. http://www.telemuseum.org/exchanges.php

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COMMUNITY FIRST MEETING FOR PROPOSED OBI SCHOOL MIXES IT UP

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he new school proposed for the Obi Obi Valley is slowly but surely gaining momentum. The first meeting at the Obi Obi Hall went for more than two hours as ideas were shared and people got to know each other. As it is going to be a school “for the people – by the people” there was a great mix up of ideas while whittling away at what was important. The instigator of the proposed school, Melissa Van Kenyon, was blown away by the enthusiasm. "One suggestion from the new Secretary was the possibility of flexischooling, having morning and night classes. Another idea from a registered teacher who is willing to volunteer was that the school offer an aboriginal language. As for me, I am very interested in setting up a Stephanie Alexander kitchen garden and enticing brilliant chefs to make lunch with the kids with food from the garden. What an excellent and exciting mix up this school will turn out to be.” The school still has places to fill on the committee before it can incorporate and become a legal entity. It hopes to offer the Australian Curriculum in a fun and practical way in a beautiful environment through the skills and energy of many volunteers. The school is hoping that many retired people will offer their valuable time, skills, patience and quirky / dynamic personalities to build a new generation of happy and healthy children. If you like the idea of a school with a dedicated mud pit, a cool shady hammock rest area and a“let's enjoy this short and wonderful life we have been given” policy, then please contact Melissa at mvankenyon@gmail.com or on 0490 215 632. • Meetings are held on the first Monday of every month at Obi Obi Hall 3.30pm. Children are welcome.

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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Obi Obi & Kidaman Creek District Community Hall Inc "The Obi Obi and Kidaman Creek communities and other interested people are invited to attend our Annual General Meeting (AGM)" Obi Obi Hall, 856 Obi Obi Road, Obi Obi

Tuesday, 26th March 2019 at 7.30pm Our AGM will be preceded by a barbeque at 7.00pm and the AGM meeting to start at 8.00pm Enquiries, contact the Association Secretary, Dennis Woodford 5446 9154, denwood@skymesh.com.au

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MARY VALLEY What's in the Spotlight Enter Innovation Awards The 2019 Mayor's Telstra Innovation Awards are now open. If you're a student with an innovative or technological idea just waiting to be discovered, don't miss your chance to enter these awards. For more details visit council's website and speak to your school. Entries close April 23.

Celebrate Harmony Day On March 23 wear orange and head to Cotton Tree Park from 10am - 3pm and join in the Sunshine Coast Voices of Harmony event. Enjoy live music, cultural dance and performances, multicultural cuisines and more. More details via our website.

Traineeship opportunities Are you looking to gain practical on-the-job work experience and a certificate level qualification? Sunshine Coast Council traineeships are an excellent opportunity for people with limited qualifications and work experience to kick start their future employment potential. Council is currently offering traineeships in civil construction, parks and gardens, business and administration and libraries. Applications close March 24. For more information visit our website.

Community land permits open Applications are open for new or existing local businesses to operate on community land. The three-year high-use / high-impact permits will be awarded for approved activities and locations such as surf schools, beach hire equipment and mobile food vans. Permits are available for the period July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2022.

CR JENNY MCKAY

DIVISION 5 SUNSHINE COAST COUNCIL

eet the Makers – celebrating our coast’s amazing food and produce I was fortunate to join several members of the Food and Agricultural Network (FAN) in support of the Meet the Makers 2019 event, a celebration of the Greater Sunshine Coast’s amazing food and produce. Along with council, I’m incredibly proud of FAN, the fastest growing food industry not-for-profit network in Australia, and I thoroughly enjoy supporting our Sunshine Coast businesses as they showcase their delicious products to buyers. Pictured L-R – Karen Lindsay (Little White Goat Cheese), Joe Rocha and Zara (Lisboa Caffe), Cr Jenny Mckay , Kim Durant (Gourmet Fudge Company), Chris Bond (Pomodoras Fine Foods) and Emma Greenhatch (FAN) gather to celebrate Meet the Makers 2019. Request for meeting at Booloumba Creek I’ve been asked by residents of the Booloumba Creek area to address a number of issues concerning environmental impacts on Conondale National Park after a television program was aired on The Great Weekender. I extended an invitation to the office of the Minister for the Environment for an onsite meeting in mid-March with residents, other council and state government representatives, and the police service. At this meeting, we will address the challenges of the park’s growing popularity. Upgraded bridge at Beausangs Lane, Conondale Many thanks to all those involved in the bridge works on Beausangs Lane in Conondale. This is a great outcome and help secures milk supply to our communities. Thanks as well to the community for your understanding during the upgrade. Cambroon Caravan Park I’d like to share a warm welcome to the new owners of the Cambroon Caravan Park. I look forward to working with them on any potential redevelopment on the park. Reminder –Major Grants close Monday 18 March The next round of Major Grants from Sunshine Coast Council close 18 March 2019. www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Living-and-Community/Grants-and-Funding

RAINFALL MOY POCKET – FEBRUARY 2019 by Graham Brennan This February 101mm. Last February 289mm. The 18 year average for February 180mm. We had rain on 14 days. 18 year average 16 days. For the three months of Summer 348mm. Last Summer 484mm. The 17 year average for Summer being 544mm. First two months for 2019 was 127mm, driest start to year since 2014 with 62mm. The 18 year average for first two months 364mm.

Council meetings Ordinary Meeting 9am March 28, Caloundra 07 5475 7272 mail@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

6 | 13 MARCH 2019

The Mary Valley Voice

COMMUNITY TED O'BRIEN MP

oad Trip –You might have seen my mobile office recently in Kenilworth and Mapleton as part of my Summer Road trip. I always get a great turnout in the Mary Valley and people make the most of the chance to meet face to face and discuss everything from grants to financial policy. I have been conducting seasonal road trips across Fairfax for more than two years and people say they are getting used to seeing me out and about and appreciate the opportunity for direct interaction. I’ll be on tour again in Autumn so stay tuned for dates and locations. Bloomhill Saved – Thank you to everyone who signed up to my savebloomhill.com.au campaign – we did it! The local cancer wellness charity has been thrown a lifeline by the Federal Government of $850,000 over four years ending the threat of staff and service cut backs. Likewise, no cap will be put on future admissions to Bloomhill. I would also like to thank Health Minister Greg Hunt for listening and understanding the value of this wonderful local charity and for stepping in and ending Bloomhill’s funding crisis when the State Government refused to. School Chaplains –I have long been an advocate for school chaplains and firmly believe they play an important pastoral care role in the community. Sometimes, young people don’t want to talk to teachers, parents or even counsellors but they feel an affinity with the school chaplain. The Federal Government has reached agreement with all States and Territories to keep the program running and will invest $247million to support chaplains through to 2022. School chaplains will also be required to undertake anti-bullying training provided by the Office of the eSafety Commissioner at no cost to schools or the individuals. As always, please get in touch with issues, concerns or enquiries on 5479 2800, email ted.obrien.mp@aph.gov.au or visit 17 Southern Drive, Maroochydore.

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COMMUNITY TRANSPORT KENILWORTH COMMUNITY TRANSPORT SERVICE

s Cr Rogerson said in the last Mary Valley Voice, “the wheels are turning” on the proposed Kenilworth Community Transport Service. They certainly are! The KCTS Committee is up and running, working through the various procedures and processes with the Sunshine Coast Council and the Qld Dept of Transport and Main Roads to ensure all the regulations are followed. Our goal is to start the transport service in April. The project has the support of the Qld Dept of Transport and Main Roads who are keenly interested in seeing how our service works as it could be a model for other like communities. The transport service is a trial to see if a permanent service would be viable. Residents are asked to register as users. This simply means filling in the registration forms which will be widely distributed via a letterbox drop and through the Information Centre. The service area has been set at a 6.5km radius from Kenilworth Post Office as the crow flies. However, we encourage all residents in the Kenilworth area to register. The more registrations we receive the better. The service will run from Kenilworth (and return) to Mapleton, Nambour, Eumundi, Maleny and Yandina. At this stage, there will be set days and times to go to Nambour and Maleny and residents will also be able to book the service for personal trips to these destinations. The service will not be available to take people to Kawana to the hospital but can drop off at Nambour Hospital. The fare will be $8 per person per round trip. Booking details are still being finalised but bookings can be made by phone (number to be confirmed) and at the information Centre. More information on this soon. The car is a seven seater Kia Sorento from the SC Council fleet. Yes, it can take wheelie walkers and wheelchairs if passengers can get from the wheelchair into the car. There is no wheelchair lift. There are ten volunteer drivers who will complete a drivers’ course for accreditation. If you would like to be a volunteer driver, we’d love to hear from you. The KCTS Committee wants to spread the word far and wide! Please tell your friends. We will be putting up signs and giving out information to make sure everyone knows about the service and will use it. This promises to be a great service for Kenilworth and district. But it’s a case of “USE IT OR LOSE IT”. We encourage all Kenilworth residents to support the KCTS because if it lacks community support, it will not succeed. As well, your feedback will be vital! So, let’s be positive! We encourage everyone to book a trip – several trips – and then some! For more details:- KCTS Committee kactuskworth@gmail.com

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CR GREG ROGERSON

DIVISION 10 SUNSHINE COAST COUNCIL

e may boast the fourth best beach in Australia according to TripAdvisor but surf and sand aren’t the only reasons tourists take a liking to the Sunshine Coast. Our hinterland is a huge drawcard for visitors, who flock to the picturesque towns of Maleny, Montville, Mapleton, Yandina, Eumundi and Kenilworth by the hundreds of thousands every year. So with that in mind, I’ve made it a priority to create unique ‘points of difference’ within each of the towns in my council division which capture the character of these towns. • We’ve got the Lilli Ponds in Mapleton, the sun dial in Yandina, the world famous markets in Eumundi, the tramway project in Nambour and the ‘designer dunny’ in Kenilworth. The idea for designer dunny was born at a community meeting in Kenilworth a number of years ago where the need for toilet facilities in Isaac Moore Park were being discussed. Regina Wagner of Lasting Impressions Gallery came up with the idea to design this new amenities block with an artistic flair that would set it apart from ‘the norm’. From there, we staged a design competition which drew entries from around the world. Michael Lennie, an architectural illustrator and animator from Maleny was the eventual winner for his entry entitled ‘Canistrum’. Since then the project has featured on national breakfast television, there’s been hurdles and hoops aplenty we’ve had to jump through but persistence has paid off and I’m extremely proud to say we’re finally ready to make it happen! Security fencing is going up in Isaac Moore Park and this $600,000 project will be finished, come hell or high water, towards the end of 2019 – an early Christmas present you could say! An ANZAC special on ANZAC Day I’m rapt to report that Colonel Scott Gills will be a very special guest at three of this year’s local ANZAC Day events. I’ve invited Colonel Gills to travel up from Canberra to speak at the Nambour Dawn service, the Mapleton service and the Kenilworth service on ANZAC Day. Scott Gills grew up on the Sunshine Coast and was a student at Kenilworth State School and Burnside State School before joining the army in 1991. A graduate of the Australian Defence Force Academy and the Royal Military College Duntroon, he was commissioned into the Royal Australian Armoured Corps where he served in the 1st Armoured Regiment. His incredible career has taken him as far as the Pentagon in the US, where he provided direct support to senior US civilian and defence decision and policy makers and saw him awarded a US Defence Intelligence Agency Director’s Award for his efforts. So I really encourage everyone to get into the spirit of ANZAC Day 2019 and attend one of these services with Colonel Gills. I’m also hopeful of securing a bugler for the Kenilworth service. What did the judge say to the dentist? Do you swear to pull the tooth, the whole tooth and nothing but the tooth? Catch you in the valley soon, Rogo!

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The Mary Valley Voice

COMMUNITY GETTING CREATIVE WITH RECYCLABLES

he annual Australian Body Art Festival in Cooroy is a festival of colour and creativity and one of the signature events is the Bendigo Bank Wearable Art competition. Says event manager, Danielle Taylor. “It’s a great chance to be really outlandish and use weird and wonderful up-cycled materials.” Judges look for creative edge and originality of material, so designers are encouraged to think outside the square when brainstorming their wearable art designs. The theme for the 2019 Australian Body Art Festival is “Other Worlds” and it will be held on 6 and 7 April, 2019 at Apex Park, Cooroy with a special opening night ticketed function on 5 April. As well as the awesome wearable art there is body and face painting, music, street performers, public art projects, a kids zone and lots of fun! Pictured top 2017 Winner Special Effects – Holly Hughes (photo by Owen Lyell).

KENILWORTH ARTS COUNCIL 'THIS & THAT'

t the AGM on 4 March 2019, the following were elected as office bearers for the coming year:President Shirley Moreland, Vice Pres. Leah Leckie, Secretary Lisa Rohan and Treasurer Susan Hennessy. A very pleasant evening was held for the AGM at Kenilworth Bowls Club with a lovely spread of finger food. Our own famous poet, Ian Mackay, kept us laughing with his wonderful poetry renditions. Our thanks go to Cr Greg Rogerson who chaired the election of office bearers for his unwavering support for Kenilworth Arts Council. Greg outlined the history of the designer dunny 'Canistrum' and its value to Kenilworth, with its construction starting very soon. While this is not strictly an Arts Council project, KAC supports the designer dunny as a piece of public art where art and practicality have come together. • This year, KAC is planning six workshops ranging from painting to print making, jewellery making and mosaics. An Ideas Box at the AGM supplied some really good ideas from members for future events. How does “Pizza and Poetry in the Park” sound for an enjoyable late afternoon function? Consideration is being given to having regular “member forums” for member participation into planning and presentation of events in an enjoyable social setting. • KAC is joining with the Artists Alliance Australia from Caloundra to present an exhibition, “Bush to the Beach” 28 June till 1 July. • And our own award winning Pam Black will be presenting a Studio Exhibition of her works from 21 June to 30 June. • Planning will be starting soon on our annual Kenilworth ArtsFest. • Membership to KAC is open to anyone and everyone. You don’t need to be able to draw, paint, sculpt, sing, dance or play the flute or any other musical instrument! For membership, go to our website www.kenilwortharts.org.au Call Jenny & Glen Carlson today!

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13 MARCH 2019 |

NEIGHBOUR DAY WEEKEND 30-31/3 SHOWCASE YOUR EVENT OR BUSINESS

tallholders – Expressions of Interest most welcome. Are you looking to get more eyes on your Mary Valley events, activities, business or creative offerings? Want more business, more members or more work? Kandanga Hall Committee are hosting this year's Mary Valley region event at the Kandanga Hall for Neighbour Day weekend. They are inviting any individuals, small businesses, community groups, sports, recreational groups in all manor or industries and genres, interested in displaying or demonstrating, or having a stall to sell/promote their Mary Valley offerings at this event. So long as your offerings are available in the Mary Valley region. Stallholder Expressions of Interest are most welcome. A small space will be available for incorporated groups for free unless they are selling or offering samples of any kind, and they will be considered a general stallholder. • Official Charities, (currently openly operating in the Mary Valley), are invited to a small space for free (room for table and chair) however, these spaces are all very limited so enquire now. Any person or business or group interested in more details about the Mary Valley Lifestyle Expo, or to express interest in becoming a stallholder please email business.carolyn@outlook.com.au or phone co-ordinator Carolyn 0428 665 786.

MARY VALLEY LIFESTYLE EXPO

ree entry! 9am to 2pm Sunday 31 March 2019 at Kandanga Public Hall, 81 Main Street, Kandanga. Come along to this all-inclusive family event showcasing our local businesses. There will also be information on services for the aging and people living with disabilities, health and fitness, and more! Enjoy good food stalls, activities, workshops, demonstrations, a photo competition and displays. Enquires Carolyn 0428 665 786. These events are supported by the Gympie Regional Council.

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eighbour Day/Hall Open Day starts from 3pm Saturday 30 March 2019, at the Upper Kandanga Hall, Sterling Road, Kandanga. Come along and enjoy a free family event with afternoon tea, fun and games for the children including – • 3-legged races • sack races and more • board games and card games for the adults. Join us for a family BBQ before everyone goes home. Enquiries to Glenda 0428 842 144. These events are supported by the Gympie Regional Council.

CR BOB FREDMAN

DIVISION 8 GYMPIE REGIONAL COUNCIL

he new property valuations in the Mary valley are due out soon. Surely they will show a significant increase. It’s fairly obvious that the Valley market is hot, as it should be. This place has been a secret for too long. Of course with higher valuations there may be changes in your council rates. Our rating system is based in part on valuations, but there are other factors in the calculation that ensure that the impact of the valuation changes should be limited. Higher rates for some might be a downside, but the upside happens when you go to sell because your property has obviously increased in value. While the latest cyclone was bad for the beach, it was a fizzer for the Valley. The river still needs a good flush out, so possibly the next cyclone or east coast low will give us more to think about. Phone or SMS me on 0418 708 745; or email bob.fredman@ gympie.qld.gov.au if I can assist in any council matters.

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MARY VALLEY CHEERIO FROM THE CHURCHES

ell, here we are in Lent with Easter fast approaching. Lenten studies are being held at St John Bosco’s Church on Thursdays at 10am after meditation which starts at 9am. This group is part of the World Community of Christian Meditation. • Mothering Sunday (not Mothers’ Day) will be held on 31 March. This celebrates the tradition, in the Anglican Church, of servants in days gone by having the day off to travel home to see their mothers. A special cake, Simnel Cake, is always given to those attending church on this day to remember their mothers. An ecumenical service will be held at St Luke’s Sunday 31 March at 9am. Rev’d Jeanette Jamieson will be the guest preacher. • Easter Services are:- St Luke’s Anglican Church – Palm Sunday 9am, Good Friday 9am and Easter Day Eucharist 9am. St John Bosco Catholic Church Easter Day Mass at 10am. The traditional Washing of the Feet service will be on Maundy Thursday at St John Bosco’s at 5pm. Bring a plate to share. The Maleny Anglican Parish will be holding a cake stall in Kenilworth Town Park on Easter Saturday. On sale will be cakes and loaves (whole and by the slice), biscuits and slices. Any donations can be left at St Luke’s Church by arrangement. • St Luke’s will be holding street stalls on 6 April, 8 June, 17 August and 23 November 2019. • On Sunday 28 April, Bishop Jeremy Greaves will celebrate Holy Communion at St Mary’s Montville at 7.30am and at St George’s at 9am, marking St George’s Festival. A parish lunch will then be held in Montville . • The Anglicans and the Catholics are getting together to put on a Celtic Concert with Kim Kirkman’s Tapestry Choir on the first Saturday in May. The concert will be in St John Bosco’s Church and the afternoon tea in St Luke’s Hall. Tickets are $20 ( including refreshments) and will be available at the door. • As this year marks the centenary of the foundation of St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Nambour, St John Bosco's will be joining in the celebrations during August. The parish school was run by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan who lived onsite in the convent which has recently been renovated for multi-purpose use, including wedding receptions. • The hills are alive with the sound of music! Yes, they really are! St George’s in the Hills is presenting four concerts – 27 April 'Kim Kirkman’s Choir', 16 June 'Cologne Chamber Soloists', 28 July 'Classic Clarinets' and 8 September 'Mandolins of Brisbane'. See you in church! Cheerio from the Churches

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oosa Orchestra based at Good Shepherd Lutheran College welcomes Beatrice Colombis, 15 year old virtuoso violinist to play as Soloist at their two Autumn Concerts on 24 and 31 March – playing two spectacular pieces from the Violin repertoire. • Dates: 2.30pm Sunday 24 March at Good Shepherd Church, Noosaville and 2.30pm Sunday 31 March at Cooroy Memorial Hall. “A first class performance with polish and sophistication” C. Logan, Head of Music, University New South Wales Beatrice was born in Italy to an Australian mother and an Italian father who met while they were both studying piano at the Moscow Conservatorium – so is it any wonder that Beatrice has grown up to be a fine musician? She started learning violin before her 3rd birthday and starting young certainly gets results! She has given concerts playing in Australia, Italy, England and Japan. Beatrice received her L.Mus.A. with distinction in 2017 at age 14 years. And why are we lucky enough to have this Sydney based virtuoso play in Noosa and Cooroy for us? ... well, her grandfather Paul McDonald retired to Noosa in 2012 and now plays Viola in the Orchestra. Yet another positive reason for welcoming migrants from the south! He, of course, tells us that whatever minor musical talent he has, he inherited from his daughter and his granddaughter! In addition the Noosa Orchestra will play Moldau by Smetana and Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony. Our youngsters from the Noosa String Ensemble and Noosa Strings will also feature in what will be two memorable concerts. • All details of the Noosaville and Cooroy Autumn Concerts are on the website and discounted tickets can be pre-purchased at www.noosaorchestra.com.au or www.Eventbrite.com.au It is recommended to book early to avoid disappointment.

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13 MARCH 2019 |

COMMUNITY MARY VALLEY COUNTRY TOURISM LEADING THE WAY

GYMPIE FUTURES BUSINESS BREAKFAST – IT’S ALL ABOUT THE ECONOMY

ourism in the Mary Valley is set to benefit from an exclusive tourism data research project. The project will influence product development and promotional opportunities as well as guiding business planning and subregional marketing strategies, it will also provide a clear and differentiated tourism position and confirm brand positioning for the Mary Valley. Julie Worth, Chairman of Mary Valley Inc., said that the tourism organisation had been successful in gaining $19,191 worth of funding from the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government's Building Better Regions Fund for a project to 'accelerate tourism' in the Mary Valley. She said "Mary Valley Inc is pleased to continue supporting the local tourism industry through the delivery of in-depth research unique to this area which will empower our local tourism businesses and organisations". The research data and marketing strategy will also underpin delivery of workshops to upskill business about tourism sector marketing, thus delivering enhanced economic outcomes. Similar workshops will also be delivered to not-for-profit community organisations responsible for delivering events to assist with overall event and community sustainability. Growing Tourism Leader Sessions will provide a developmental approach to growing sustainable tourism leadership by mentoring, encouraging and identifying new leaders. Secretary of Mary Valley Inc, Jan Watt, in describing the significance of the project said "This will deliver a level of research not available for sub-regions in standard tourism data". She said that emerging tourism nodes such as the Mary Valley were traditionally limited in effective marketing due to a lack of detailed understanding of visitor trends and market specifics to their area. “This level of research data this project will provide will place the Mary Valley in a very positive position” she said. This project follows on from the original Mary Valley research and market positioning paper also undertaken in 2010 by dtb! Advertising, through the support of Tourism Sunshine Coast and Tourism Events Queensland. The brand which was developed as an outcome of the report was ‘Mary Valley Country – Come Out to Play’ has underpinned successful sub-regional marketing since that time. Mrs Worth said "We will continue with the findings of the initial research and achieve a greater understanding of the region’s product development, messaging and attractiveness to existing and emerging markets". Pictured top – presentation by Llew O’Brien (centre) to Mary Valley Inc representatives Julie Worth Chairman (far right), Jan Watt Secretary (second on left) and business representatives Donna Dodson, Kenilworth Dairies (far left) and Bec Edmonds, Kandanga Kitchen (second on right).

12 |13 MARCH 2019

ympie Regional Council in collaboration with the regional Chambers of Commerce are inviting members of the public to attend the Gympie Futures Business Breakfast. The event will be held on Thursday 21 March from 6.45am to 9.30am at The Gympie Civic Centre, 32 Mellor Street. The event will focus on the future of the region, and in particular where the Gympie region economy is headed, and where focus should be directed to future proof the region for the next 10 years and beyond. • The event includes a variety of presenters including keynote speaker, Bernard Salt (OAM), who is one of Australia’s leading social commentators and business analysists. Bernard is the Managing Director of the Demographics Group and a former partner in a global advisory firm. He writes two weekly columns for The Australian newspaper and is one of the most indemand speakers on the corporate speaking circuit. Bernard draws on a range of data sets to interpret social change, both now and into the future. He argues that social and cultural change are powerful forces that are reshaping the way we live, the way we work and even how we form relationships. Gympie Regional Council Mayor Mick Curran, Gympie Regional Council Chief Executive Officer Bernard Smith, Director of Specialist Research Wayne Carlson, and Gympie Regional Council’s Manager of Gympie Futures, Lynne Banford will also be in attendance. Mayor Mick Curran said he is looking forward to the forum as it will provide insights and information to help the region plan towards economic prosperity, aspects that Gympie Regional Council are looking at very closely. Tickets are free for any current member of a Gympie Regional Chamber of Commerce or $20 per person including breakfast. Register online www.gympiefuturesforum.eventbrite.com.au For more information, please contact Council on 1300 307 800 or economicdevelopment@gympie.qld.gov.au

IMBIL POLICE BRIEF FEBRUARY 2019

male person has been located deceased in bushland at Borumba Dam on the 18th of February 2019. Although formal identification is yet to be formally completed, Police are investigating the connection to the deceased male person Bruce Skewes who was believed to be camping in the Borumba Dam area since 5/2/19. The find came on the back of further searching rugged terrain by SES. There are no suspect circumstances and a report will be prepared for the coroner. Gympie Police Inspector Steve Donnelly highly praised the efforts of the local police, SES volunteer searcher and the QPS search coordinators. “This was a protracted land, air and water search in very challenging terrain. We had our best search coordinators on this and the dedication and perseverance of the SES teams on the ground has brought closure for the family and friends of Mr Skewes.” A 50 year old male from Oxley was detected on Mary Valley Road Kandanga doing 173km in a 100 zone on the 26th of January 2019. The male received an infringement notice for $1218 and 8 points. A 52 year old male from Cooroy was detected driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .075% on the 1st of February 2019 at Yabba Road Imbil. The male is due to attend the Gympie Magistrates Court on the 21/02/2019. The next Imbil Rural Watch meeting will be held at the Kandanga Hall at Main Street Kandanga on the 1st of April 2019 at 7.30pm. The Mary Valley Blue Light had a great 2018 with record numbers of kids attending. We would love to hear from people who hold or are eligible for a blue card to help volunteer to continue to make it a great night for the kids. Please come along if you're able to help out.

The Mary Valley Voice

COMMUNITY O

GOODBYE FOR NOW SOLE OF AFRICA

n Sunday 24 February 2019 my beautiful Sole of Africa store closed its doors. It was a sad day for me as I have worked so hard to create something special for my family and for Kenilworth. At the end of December we moved to a farm close to Tin Can Bay and the big drive made it impossible for me to remain open. I am so incredibly grateful for the wonderful year I had in the store and loved being part of the Kenilworth community.

I wanted to say a heartfelt thank you to the Mary Valley community for supporting me. I also wanted to thank Ross and Dot from the Kenilworth Boutique Accomodation for the beautiful space and a special thank you to the Kenilworth Information Centre; Leanne and her staff at Nana McGinns and all the other shop owners for their support and for sending people up my drive on a daily basis. I am so grateful. Having sold the Tsonga brand before and after buying nine pairs of shoes from me over the past year, Toni from 'Affordable on Elizabeth' has kindly taken over some of my stock and will hopefully continue selling the brand. It will be lovely for the Mary Valley to still be able to purchase some beautiful leather sandals in town. Goodbye for now Kenilworth. Lots of love, Ronel

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COMMUNITY NEW GENERAL MANAGER APPOINTED AT MARY VALLEY RATTLER

ayors in the region are strongly opposing proposed water pricing increases currently being considered by the Queensland Competition Authority. Cr Mick Curran, Chair of the Wide Bay Burnett Regional Organisation of Councils (WBBROC) said that the Queensland Competition Authority should not be “rubber-stamping” the huge price increases being sought by State owned bulk water providers. Under the current review of water pricing, a proposal was submitted for increases in water charges that could impact a wide range of users. In some schemes, the new charges will amount to 174% of current prices and impacting irrigators, industrial users and urban communities of Wide Bay Burnett. A price rise of this size could force many irrigators to reconsider their future plans and could discourage further investment reliant on affordable water in the region. The flow-on effects to economic development, productivity and jobs could be significant. Mayor Mick Curran, believes that providing water at an affordable price should be a key part of the State’s support for regional communities. He said, “Collectively, all the Mayors in the Wide Bay Burnett hope that the Government understands the key role that water plays in the economy of the Wide Bay Burnett.” WBBROC has previously identified water as a key enabler of economic development in the WBB. The proposed price increases potentially affect a large number of irrigators at a time when rising electricity costs, drought and low commodity prices are affecting the sector’s viability. The biggest factor is the introduction of increased charges in 2020 to recover cost blowouts from previous regulatory periods. On top of these price rises, the cost of dam safety upgrades totalling $12.5million are also being considered and these costs could also be passed on to irrigators under the review. Cr Curran said that the Wide Bay Burnett region currently has plenty of available water, but we can’t afford to continually pay higher and higher prices if we are to compete on an equal footing. WBBROC will be advocating to the Treasurer and Minister for Natural Resources Mines and Energy to limit cost increases. WBBROC is concerned that the pricing structure currently proposed doesn’t put our farmers out of business. • In particular, WBBROC is concerned about the punitive measures on farmers who decide to give up their water allocations. The termination fees for doing so require a payment of 11 times the annual water charges. Cr Curran added that “It’s not as if water users can go anywhere else for water. Like rail and electricity, the State runs a service monopoly through it’s bulk water providers and that prevents customers transferring water purchases elsewhere. It will be the QCA’s role to ensure that the review recommendations do not allow this advantage to exploit water users.” WBBROC has made a detailed submission to the QCA review outlining its concerns and proposing alternate measures to protect the regions water security.

he Mary Valley Rattler Railway Company is delighted to announce it has appointed a new General Manager, David Thompson. Mary Valley Rattler Chairman Ian McNicol said Mr Thompson, formerly the long-time General Manager at the Sunshine Coast’s Aussie World started in the role on Monday 4 March 2019. “After an extensive search, we are thrilled to be able to share with you the news that David Thompson is coming on board as the General Manager of the Mary Valley Rattler,” Mr McNicol said. “David is clearly a ‘people’ person, having a long history working in the tourism and hospitality sectors and there’s no doubt he’s the right person to lead our large team of personnel at the Rattler, most of whom are volunteers. He brings with him not only a wealth of experience in managing this kind of attraction and growing visitor numbers, but an extensive knowledge of Health and Safety, one of the foundations the Rattler’s return to regular service has been built on.” The Mary Valley Rattler reopened in early October 2018, after an almost seven-year hiatus to allow for significant upgrades to century-old trackwork and infrastructure, and now boasts services five days a week, along with a schedule of Twilight and Special Event Trains running on special occasions. “The Rattler is enjoying a real renaissance of sorts, with services showcasing the different locomotives in our fleet running every day from Wednesday through to Sunday,” Mr McNicol said. “We recently launched the Rattler Picnic Train which is a lovely laid back 3-hour return trip to Amamoor aboard the Red Rocket and are seeing strong visitation on the Classic Rattler Run which heads out on a return trip to Amamoor three days a week as well as growing interest in the Rattler Retro Fridays half hour trip to Monkland, with breakfast or lunch included in the ticket price. “Our headquarters at historic Gympie Station on Tozer Street, which is one of the best examples of timber railway architecture in Queensland, are also home to a gift shop, historical display and the Platform No. 1 café which has been used as a wedding venue and function space. David has demonstrated experience in many facets of hospitality and retail management so we’re very much looking forward to seeing what he does with these spaces, which have all been refurbished to a high spec and part of our really unique offering.” Mr Thompson said he was delighted to accept the new role and relished the challenge of taking the newly relaunched tourism attraction to the next level – “I look forward to continuing the great work already done in the past few months since the beginning of operations by the Rattler team, to ensure the Mary Valley Rattler is a major economic driver for the Gympie region.” The news of Mr Thompson’s appointment has been welcomed by Simon Latchford, CEO of Visit Sunshine Coast. “The Mary Valley Rattler is one of the region’s peak attractions, and the combination of the romance of steam trains, beautiful countryside, historic villages, adventure activities and high-class food and accommodation really adds to the diversity of the Sunshine Coast’s tourism offer,” Mr Latchford said. maryvalleyrattler.com.au – Mary Valley Rattler 5482 2750

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14 |13 MARCH 2019

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Maleny Kenilworth Eumundi

19 Elizabeth St, Kenilworth Q4574

URGENTLY SEEKING PROPERTY LISTINGS – BUYERS READY & WAITING

For your f ree Market Appraisal please contact me on 0407 135 797.

MOY POCKET 6.3 ACRES – LARGE DAM – FAMILY Q’LANDER

$425,000

New to the market this lovely small acreage property has usable fertile land with an excellent water supply. • Large timber Queenslander home with two bedrooms plus two sleepouts. • Open plan living area that opens out onto a spacious covered timber deck. • Timber flooring throughout which would polish up beautifully. • Generous size kitchen and dining area with near new gas stove. • Family bathroom including a traditional claw foot bath with shower over. • Underneath the home is completely concreted and provides another large area for entertaining. • Laundry, extra shower and extra toilet downstairs. • Fenced and currently used for horses this lovely block is mostly cleared with a large dam with pump and piping included. A mixture of undulation (not steep) and some flatter areas. Access around the block is very good. • Small fruit orchard of mature trees. • Older timber farm shed that is used as a tack room/ feed room and storage. • Three rainwater tanks and one septic system.

Set back from the road the home commands a perfect elevated position with excellent views.

BELLI PARK – VACANT SECLUDED LAND – 49 ACRES WITH DAM 49.4 Acres of partially cleared land (mostly timbered). • Situated in popular Belli Park - 20 mins west of the Bruce Highway between Eumundi and Kenilworth. • Partly fenced with a small dam.

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