Cooroora Connect August 2020

Cooroora Connect August 2020

An Initiative of Pomona & District Community House

New generation volunteers step up Ben Chalmers of Cootharaba (pictured) is a rare bird – a younger generation volunteer supporting our hinterland institutions, in this case the Pomona Railway Station Gallery. Ben is a painter – literally. He recently helped paint the walls, but bashful of his own artistic talent.

The 29-year-old is volunteering while he searches for work in the hospitality and retail sales sector, where he has past experience.

Noosa ratepayers began receiving their rate notices for the first six months of the 2020-21 financial year from 20 July. And, if you are quick, a discount applied for an extended period.

Business group formed Determined that the businesses of the Northern Hinterland emerge from the coronavirus restrictions stronger and more resilient, 25 owners of diversified enterprises met on 27 July to discuss formation of a Chamber of Commerce for the region from Kin Kin to Pomona. A further 30 people from across the district indicated their interest in joining, but did not brave the cold night.

A steering committee was formed to consider the proposed new group’s vision, mission statement and priority tasks ahead of possible incorporation.

DISCOUNT FOR RATES PAID BY 21 AUGUST

variety of businesses supportive of a chamber. “The group should be a voice for the area, provide an advocacy for business interests and be a conduit for information dissemination,” Ms Colley said. While discussion was free and diverse, those present saw a Chamber’s role as being business development that respected Noosa’s sustainability objectives and the community’s desire to be ‘resilient’.

The meeting was addressed by the CEO of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland, Stephen Tait - a resident of Cooroy, and Noosa Council’s The meeting was called by Amy Colley, Economic Development Manager, the Northern Hinterland representative on Noosa Council’s Business Roundtable. Antony Dow. Both stressed the need for the group to be focussed and to establish Ms Colley said she was impressed with the skills set of those in the room and the a realistic agenda.

Noosa Council has extended its rates discount period from 30 days to 60 days to provide some relief for ratepayers during the current tough economic environment. A five per cent discount on the general rate will apply to payments received by 21 August, with a 2.5 per cent discount applying on the general rates component paid by 21 September.

Most Noosa ratepayers will pay no more in rates for 2020-21 than they did last financial year after Noosa Council passed a deficit budget with the twin aims of stimulating the economy and directing payments to ‘grass roots’ projects in the hinterland.

An unexpected $4.6 million injection of state and federal government funding underpins a $27 million capital works program. Full coverage, pages 16-18.

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Biosphere focus of tourism campaign

Amazing Grace! New hand at helm of florist business

Noosa’s most powerful natural asset will be promoted in a new ‘cooperative’ advertising campaign that Tourism Noosa has devised to attract domestic visitors in post-COVID-19 Queensland.

Titled Enter the Biosphere, the campaign promotes the shire’s natural assets as a recreational space. Tourism Noosa members are being invited to partner up and contribute to the campaign success.

“Over the next 12 months, we plan to continue marketing Noosa in a staggered and nimble approach to ensure we get the best results possible for our members,” Tourism Noosa CEO, Melanie Anderson, said.

The campaign is designed to include members of all levels and ensure they can leverage from marketing activity between late July and October in 2020.

“The cooperative advertising campaign utilises social media, digital platforms and traditional print media to reach our target audience, interstate and intrastate. There are packages to suit every size business and additional extras for amplification of any messages,” Ms Anderson said.

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From hospital ward to flowery bower – Grace Matthews, florist, with apprentice Joey Sherwell of Palm Woods.

It should be easy for Grace Matthews to take over as the new owner of The Flower Room (next to IGA) florists business, Pomona. She has cycled from London to Paris, and as a nurse, Grace worked in a health team that helped suppress an outbreak of deadly Ebola virus. Grace and her family have a busy family life at their Dickie Beach home.

Grace has been a nurse for 25 years and a florist for 20, recently deciding to defer a PhD assignment to research rural and remote Indigenous health to satisfy her passion for flower arranging. The Flower Room is what Grace

calls her ‘job into retirement’.

“I will be chained to the shop,” she said. “I only found out that a competition business at Gympie North, part of the Petals (formerly Interflora) chain, has gone out of business, leaving me a distribution area of 500 sq km,” she said.

Originally from Toowoomba and with family in South East Queensland, Grace said she will look to move closer to the business, but will need to sell a house in Scotland, which she can’t visit due to the coronavirus.

For the record, Grace's favourite flower is the Bird of Paradise.

NEW PRINT ARRANGEMENTS The people who are the subject of this story will never read it. We refer to the staff of the APN Warwick print centre who have worked assiduously to produce the Cooroora Connect for the past two and half years, receiving the completed pages on a Wednesday and delivering the printed papers Friday morning without fail.

APN Warwick, the sister printing plant to APN Yandina, shut at the end of last month. It was the fourth largest employer in Warwick – closed in the wash-up of the transition of most News Corp. regional daily, community suburban and country newspapers to a digital platform. They include the Sunshine Coast Daily and the Noosa News.

We welcome Printcraft, Eagle Farm,as new printers of Cooroora Connect and look forward to a productive relationship.

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State gifts another $2m for Noosa capital works To the $1.8 million Works for Queensland package approved for Noosa Shire last month to restore economic activity following the coronavirus restrictions, the Queensland Government has approved a further $2 million for local works, badged as a ‘Unite and Recovery’ stimulus package.

Mayor Clare Stewart has welcomed the extra capital funding windfall, saying the 2020-21 council budget had also focussed on grassroots projects across the shire. She said investing in community amenities and ‘well-being projects’ would create jobs and boost economic activity further.

The latest round of unexpected state government funding will go towards 15 community and tourismenhancing projects. Almost 20 per cent will be directed to improving facilities and infrastructure at the Boreen Point Campground.

“The $410,000 allocation includes a significant upgrade of the toilet amenities, improvements to water treatment facilities and replacing concrete water storage tanks,” Cr Stewart said.

“Twelve of the shire’s aging toilet amenities will get much needed improvements, while new laundry, shower and toilet facilities will be built at United Synergies for the at risk, vulnerable and homeless in our community.”

metres of footpaths’ in Noosaville, Tewantin, Pomona, Cooroy and Sunshine Beach. The grant funds would help complete the final stages of the Noosaville Wallace Park pathway project.

However, while the Cooroy works are known – a footpath along Myall Street, the exact nature of path works at Pomona has yet to be released by Noosa Council.

“Many of these grassroots projects were earmarked for future capital Sublime – the Boreen Point works budgets, but can now be Campground with Floating Land Festival brought forward to make a real creations in Lake Cootharaba. difference to a number of our local resident communities,” the mayor said.

The Peregian Beach Boardwalk will Last month, the Queensland be completed with a $230,000 cash Minister for Local Government, splash, while the Noosa Regional Gallery will receive a $200,000 spruce Stirling Hinchliffe, announced a $264,000 grant to rebuild the toilets -up, with a foyer makeover and in the Pomona Memorial Hall, in upgraded amenities to make them addition to $45,000 provided by the disability-compliant. The Lake hall committee.

Macdonald playground will also be refurbished.

NEW TICKET MACHINES Meanwhile, footpath upgrades at Pomona and Cooroy are among projects to be funded from a $450,000 component of the $1.8 million Works for Queensland package approved by the state government to restore economic activity following the impact of the coronavirus restrictions.

Cr Stewart said the $450,000 would be used to construct ‘hundreds of

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Following replacement of a slippery section of the cross-town path, Queensland Rail work crews have returned to the Pomona Railway Station to install two new electronic ticket validation machines at the bottom of each of the access ramps leading to the platform. They replace a single gocard machine located awkwardly and largely unseen when the station was reconstructed.

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KIN KIN NEWS

Send your Kin Kin news to: relleschuh@gmail.com Left: The faces of Kin Kin are smiling as the village continues to punch above its weight. Black Ant Gourmet is just one of the businesses thriving as part of the renewal. Steady population growth has occurred.

Right: Zach Luxford mans a stall at the Kin Kin markets, which start on 2 August. For details contact Maz and Trev on 54855309 or 0388023248 Far Right: Bishop Jeremy Greaves addresses the public meeting called to consider the future of St Luke’s Anglican Church, which may have to be sold.

Kin Kin – prosperous and progressive village

by Narelle Schuh

operating in Queensland since the 1940s and remains a relatively intact example of a small mill originally The Noosa Hinterland town of Kin Kin is just a picturesque 30-minute drive from Noosa Heads and part established to produce timber for fruit packing cases. of the Shire of Noosa. While steeped in dairy history, At the heart of the village is the Kin Kin Community today it is home to an eclectic and growing group of Group Inc (KKCG) which provides a forum for locals to artisans, artists, foodies and nature lovers. discuss ways to enhance the community experience, With a population of just 800, residents and visitors are celebrate the town’s heritage and potential, and promote spoilt for choice. More than 80 local businesses operate the uniqueness that is Kin Kin. within the area.

The tight-knit community offers accommodation and health retreats, outdoor art galleries, an award-winning restaurant, a traditional country pub and even a gift shop recently opened on Main Street.

Former KKCG President, John News, says that as Kin Kin is a hub for the Noosa Trail Network, it very much is in the spotlight now with the recent unveiling of the Noosa Trails Masterplan to promote trail-based tourism in the Noosa Hinterland.

“There are currently four trails beginning at Kin Kin – a Founded in 1902, Kin Kin interestingly boasts more Countryside Loop and trails to Cooran and Lake heritage-listed dwellings than anywhere else in the Noosa Shire. The Kin Kin sawmill is the only sawmill still Macdonald. With Tourism Noosa's commitment to upgrading these trails, we are excited about the future opportunities a high-quality and sustainable trail network will bring to our town.”

KKCG operates the Kin Kin Creations Market which is held from 8am to noon on the first Sunday of each month, featuring fresh local produce, art and secondhand treasures. On the drive over the range, you can visit the Kin Kin Arboretum which – thanks to a recent collaboration between KKCG, Noosa Council and Noosa and District Landcare – recently received an upgrade.

Visitors can access QR codes and explore Noosa’s native plants website where a full description of each species is available. It is a great experience for nature lovers.

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Gathering moves to save St Luke’s Anglican Church Six years shy of its centenary year, a push is being mounted to examine alternative community uses for St Luke’s Church, Kin Kin, after the Cooroora Anglican Parish Council passed a motion seeking permission from the Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane to commence the process of closing the church permanently as a place of worship.

Regular services have not been held at the church for the past five or six years, although it is packed for events such as the annual Anzac Day commemoration and remains a significant building on the Noosa Shire Heritage Register. This places restrictions on any future renovations or building alterations under new ownership.

The passing of the motion is the first step on a path to deconsecration as a church and possible sale of the building – a prospect not palatable to a meeting of about 20 parishioners and members of the public convened last month to consider the building’s future. The meeting was chaired by the Bishop-in-Charge of the Northern Region of the Archdiocese of Brisbane, the Rt Rev. Jeremy Greaves.

Those present proposed the opening of a diologue between the parish council and the Kin Kin Community Group about transference to community ownership for possible use as a flexible gathering place.

Cr Karen Finzel, representing Noosa Council, said unspent Heritage Levy money could be used for this purpose. A commercial wedding chapel was among other possible uses discussed.

Luke’s to be administered by stronger Anglican parishes at Gympie, Noosa and Nambour.

“This parish must find other ways we can provide church to the community,” he said.

Bishop Greaves said the collection plate revenue from just 40 regular churchgoers across three churches in the Cooroora Parish simply could not sustain the $140,000 budget needed to pay a priest and provide for necessary costs.

Before its sale, ultimately to be decided by the Archbishop of Brisbane acting on the advice of his Diocesan Council, Bishop Greaves said community uses for the church and adjacent hall would be considered, and welcomed.

The stopping of worship during the Coronavirus pandemic had been a contributing factor, he said. Locum clergy serve the parish currently.

Construction of St Luke’s Anglican Church began in 1923. It was dedicated to God on 19 November 1926 by Archbishop Gerald Sharp.

The bishop warned: “We cannot direct what will happen if the property is sold.” He added that alternatives had been explored for St

It was damaged by a storm in 1985, as was much of Kin Kin, and was rebuilt with the support of the entire community.

Community unity is new president’s goal Newly-elected president of the Kin Kin Community Group, Jann Bonsall, points to eight new babies in recent months – half of them home births – as a sign of community growth leading to a revitalisation of the village. She was elected to her position at the group’s AGM on 24 July.

Ms Bonsall, who observes the town through her role at the post office, sees her immediate task as ‘getting people engaged with each other’

through a number of sub-committees to be formed under the umbrella of the community group. “It is a very broad church here and the town has so much potential. We are growing quickly and those who are coming here want to be in the community.

My job is to have them consider common goals and not wander in disparate directions,” she said. An immediate objective is to consider possible community uses for the St Luke’s Anglican Church building.

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Bendigo Bank helps develop ‘Mimburi’ property A productive partnership between Bendigo Bank and the Noosa District State High School (NDSHS) is helping transform ‘Mimburi’ – a 300acre former cattle farm bordered on one side by the Mary River at Belli Creek. The outdoor classroom site is managed by NDSHS and contains important Indigenous cultural heritage sites containing high biodiversity values.

The Cooroy and Pomona community branches of Bendigo Bank have been long-time benefactors of NDSHS, through financial and professional support of school projects and programs. Both branches have committed to a three-year sponsorship of the Mimburi Campus, Members of the Bendigo Bank team and representatives of the Noosa District High School inspect the Mimburi property at Belli Creek. to the amount of $10,000 per year.

This allows the school to continue developing the campus and increase the opportunities on offer to visiting groups. The initial injection of sponsorship to Mimburi in the 201920 financial year saw construction of a new flexible learning area, or ‘Bendigo Bluff Community Deck’.

Materials were sourced from local timber mills to match the timber and raw poles of the existing structure and its rustic aesthetic. It increases substantially the flexible learning zones available at Mimburi, and provides an expansive view toward the western side of the property and beyond to Kenilworth Bluff.

With COVID-19 restrictions coming into place towards the end of Term 1

this year, Mimburi staff shifted focus from working directly with visiting students and groups towards major facilities.

High has embarked on since 2016.

Josh Fuller, NDSHS junior secondary Guidance Officer, told the story of the YABBA Program (Young Adults Becoming Better Australians) and The recent official opening of the how this program and Mimburi had new deck provided an opportunity worked in partnership over the past for an inspection by Bendigo Bank board members Toby Bicknell, David few years to achieve some great Green and Tony Freemen, who were outcomes for young men.

The short tour of the property joined by Marketing Manager, Ian afterwards was a busy, yet extremely Williams, and Cooroy and Pomona enjoyable, few hours for school staff Branch Manager, Sam Atholwood. and the Bendigo Bank team.

All were welcomed to Mimburi with some billy tea and damper around The Cooroy, Tewantin Noosa and the campfire where teacher, Andrew Pomona Bendigo Community Bank Mahony, and caretaker, Stan branches alone have invested more Chandler, shared the history of the than $1.1 million into local property and the journey that Noosa community projects to date.

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CARPARK USE TO BE MONITORED The use of the Cooroora Creek Park carpark will be monitored by Noosa Council amid reports of a surge in park users experiencing difficulty finding a vehicle parking spot during busy times. Some vehicle owners have been parking at other locations at the park edges, particularly during the period of the pandemic.

The council’s Local Laws Manager, Phil Amson, said the issues relating to parking at Cooroora Creek Park warranted investigation. “I have tasked officers to investigate and include the area of concern into operational patrol logs,” Mr Amson said.

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Creative precincts a priority in Cultural Plan review Noosa Council has renewed emphasis on its Cultural Plan activities for 2020-21, including the identification of ‘nodes and precincts’ to support co-location of artisans into clusters where creative industries can be supported and developed.

Additionally, it will focus on providing a range of creative professional and skills development opportunities to support local artists following the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a review of the cultural plan revealed to councillors at their July round of meetings, Acting Libraries and Galleries Manager, Tracey King, said the council had approved in 2019 a budget for a pilot ‘placemaking plan’, to be implemented in 2020-21.

Both announcements follow the state government’s decision to preserve the old Forestry Building at Pomona, which had been earmarked for demolition. That has been stayed pending negotiations between the state government and Noosa Council about its inclusion in a ‘community purposes reserve’.

In further moves, the council has announced it will explore options for improving buyer access to local products and help artists expand markets. Planning has started for the development of a touring exhibition focussed on wood-fired ceramics from the Cooroy region with the view to brand this ceramic work as a marketable product.

Noosa Council continues to explore the feasibility of a new signature This, she said, addressed a principal Regional Gallery through an internal review of the existing Noosa Regional objective to ‘enhance local identity and character through quality design Gallery. In June 2020, a contractor and the inclusion of arts and heritage was selected to undertake the prefeasibility study, which will be in public places’. completed by December 2020. This

may recommend a new regional gallery on a greenfield site, as yet unidentified.

The council has begun consultation with the Kabi Kabi First Nation Traditional Owners Native Title Claim Group to build and strengthen relationships, identify cultural heritage project priorities and develop a consultation protocol.

Property prices rise While hinterland property values have come off the boil from prices being fetched early last year, they still are attracting buyer interest according to the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ).

The median price for a threebedroom house in Pomona is $530,000, while at Cooran it is $430,000. On the coast the REIQ notes that Noosa recorded a median house price increase of 2.8 per cent during the March quarter to $837,500, making it Queensland’s most expensive suburb or location.

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TOGETHER, CELEBRATING OUR CULTURAL DIVERSITY Australia – the world in one country According to the 2019 Australian Bureau of Statistics, the people of Australia represent 220 countries, 220 languages and 100 religious beliefs. 2.8 million of us speak a language other than English, 5 million of us are born overseas and 44 per cent of us have one parent born overseas.

Here in the Noosa Hinterland we are lucky enough to have a wide range of cultures represented in our community. Read a few stories from locals below.

while I was travelling that I met my determined our future! As refugees, future husband – in the middle of the our family resettled in Brisbane in Nullarbor, in fact! the early 1960s. It’s amazing how quickly one learns the language We went back to Switzerland for because of the basic human need to another 10 years and in 2015 we want to connect with others in order finally came to settle in Australia – to gain some sense of belonging. back to the area where my husband grew up.

Donatella — Cooran I was born in Locarno in the state of Ticino, which is the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. Switzerland is surrounded by five other countries, so Swiss people are brought up speaking several languages. I speak Italian, German, French and English.

Some of my favourite memories of Switzerland are of hiking and sleeping in alpine huts. Switzerland has a first-class network of hiking trails and nearly everyone there goes hiking. The mountains are on our back doorstep.

As a child, food was simple; lots of potatoes and polenta, but we would forage for wild herbs and mushrooms which were delicious.

After working as a high school economics teacher for several years, I decided I needed to take some time off. In 2003 I came to Australia for a holiday. It was only when I started travelling around Australia that I began to get a sense of how big it is. I loved the vastness, the huge expanses and it kind of ‘soaked’ into me. It is so different from Switzerland where everything is so crowded. It was

However, it wasn’t really until I I love that there is beautiful bushland moved to Cooran in 2000 that I felt a sense of connection with others. It and a stunning coastline and I love was the friendliness and openness of that there is at least one mountain the people, especially the welcoming close by. I really appreciate our property with its native animals and reception my son experienced as he plants. I am much more careful about first entered the school yard of Cooran primary. And, I was foraging for food here though, as I immediately drawn to my roots upon don’t know the plants as well. seeing the stunning views of the I really like that there are people ancient volcano, Mt. Cooroora. And from all over the world in this area, when I heard that familiar warm with so many stories to tell. There is sound, ‘pkk pkk pkk’ of the also so much to do here. I get a sense neighbour’s chooks and the early here that people are taken care of by morning crow of the rooster, then I the community and I love that. really felt I had come home at last!

Jim — Cooran Flying out from Wales in December ’82 with our two young sons, we were leaving behind cold weather, limited prospects for the boys, family and a Maggie Thatcher Britain which Albertina — Cooran accommodated American cruise When asked about my cultural missiles that were making us a background, I often reply in a cheeky potential target if the Cold War ever way that “I’m a mixed-up colonial hotted up – I was seriously looking at kid” of Indonesian-Dutch origins. building a (futile) nuclear fallout Sadly, after a most idyllic childhood shelter! in West Papua, political turmoil

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9 But we flew into Melbourne with a sense of anticipation and adventure.

Australia. When they had earned enough money they sent for my mother and my sister. I was the first of my family to be born in Australia.

From Leonora we moved to Kalgoorlie, which I loved. I remember playing out in the bush, growing up with easy friendships with people of all races.

We got the adventure in the first two months – a two-year drought, a dust storm and Ash Wednesday bushfires!

Eventually Mum got through on the phone after a week of trying: ‘Are you all right!? We heard that Dandenong was surrounded by bushfires!’ ‘No, Mum. That’s the Dandenong Ranges. Starting school in Perth was the first time I experienced any kind of We are quite safe.’ racism. I slid between a close-knit Looking back, the last 38 years have Italian family, Italian food and, of been incredible – so many stories to course Italian spoken at home, and a tell. Mine is not untypical of a world where I was labelled as multitude of immigrants’ stories – ‘different’ and called many other ‘Same dog, different leg action’. It’s things too. It wasn’t just the Italians been very hard at times, and not who were targeted; it was anyone seeing family growing up is tough, who was ‘different’. but it’s what you make of it. There I arrived in the Noosa Hinterland in are no regrets. Australia gets into the early 1990s and bought my your blood and I believe our property in 1991. I love it here. I love wonderful lifestyle is the envy of the climate, and the flora and fauna. many.

This is a great area. There are people The future? I hope that we can from all over the world who bring so overcome our tendency for much with them. I won’t move from complacency and work together at here. all levels to tackle the biggest threat to our lifestyle – climate change.

sledding in winter, not just down grass, but down roads because there were no cars. In summer we would go to the coast and swim in the Adriatic Sea. Life was simple. We walked to school past fruit orchards. Sometimes we would jump over the orchard walls and quickly grab some fruit and then run as fast as we could so we didn’t get caught.

We would go to my grandparents’ home, which was quite rustic. My grandmother cooked on an open fire.

Food was simple but delicious. We ate a lot of polenta and used sour sheep’s milk in cooking. I loved it.

When I was 18, I went to England.

There I met a bunch of Aussies who persuaded me to come to Australia.

I moved to this area from Brisbane in 2018. I love it here. It is beautiful and I love the quietness, the slower lifestyle. The community I live in is kind and people are generous. On the one hand I am thoroughly Australian, on the other I will always be Croatian.

Food, of course, has changed, but there are still methods and recipes I use that my mother taught me. After all these years I still have an accent.

When cross I swear in Croatian without thinking.

Branka — Cooran Pietro — Cootharaba My father and grandparents emigrated from central Italy in the 1950s and went to work in the goldfields at Leonora in Western

I was born in Croatia in the early 1950s.

I have fond memories of my childhood growing up in a very different climate. I remember

I remember feeling a little sad leaving Croatia after a visit. Then I got to Dubai airport and suddenly, there I was surrounded by a crowd of Aussies on their way home, and I thought: “Yes, on my way home too, home to Australia.”

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10 the first permaculture communities – Starlight – at Yandina. From there I moved up to Kin Kin where I lived in a bus and then to Cooran where I lived in an old goat shed.

I love being outside and I don’t think I’d adapt to the English climate and having to be indoors for long stretches.

Jon — Cooran I was born in England, near London, in the early 1950s. Believing Australia to be ‘the land of opportunity’, my parents brought the family to Australia in 1962 when I was 11. I vividly remember the sights and sounds of all the new places the boat visited on its way here; the hustle and bustle of Port Said and even the sight of flying fish and dolphins amazed me.

Not long after arriving in Brisbane, my father headed out to Charleville as part of the team that built the Bank of NSW. It was so different to what I was used to, but I didn’t mind, I liked it and I remember falling in love with a beautiful Indigenous girl.

After 6 months in Charleville I moved back to Brisbane where I finished my schooling in Inala.

In 1992 I felt the need to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city, came up the coast and got as far as Noosa! After living on the coast for a while I decided I really needed to be in the bush and moved into one of

I love this area, there’s such a strong sense of community. There are wonderful creative people here; people who look after each other.

Barbara — Pomona I spent my childhood in the then Australian Trust Territory of Papua and New Guinea. I am the daughter of a mixed-race woman and an Australian, Melbourne-born, father who had returned to the warmth of the tropics after World War II ended.

He had served in Papua and New Guinea and on his return to cold Melbourne, he decided to go back to the tropical country, lured by a warm climate and adventure.

He took up a job with the Australian Petroleum Company and travelled around Papua with the company; this is how he met my mother.

My mother, at that time, lived on a plantation at Kouraona, south-west of the capital, Port Moresby, with her Welsh father and Papuan mother, from whom I inherited my brown skin. I guess, like my father, my grandfather was an adventurer. He arrived in Papua in the early 1900s as part of Britain’s colonial expansion into the Pacific. He established and managed a rubber plantation to provide this much-needed resource to Great Britain. He took for his wife the daughter of a Nara chief and they had five children, of whom my mother was the youngest. The Nara clan occupies an extensive area. My grandmother was from Oroi village.

My grandfather and his wife and children eventually moved to Kouraona, where he established his own plantation, producing copra, from which coconut oil is extracted.

They lived a self-sufficient lifestyle growing vegetables and fishing.

The house was just a short walk from the beach. They even collected their own kapok to make mattresses and pillows. I loved walking through the forest with the family, looking for kapok trees and collecting the cotton balls to take back to the house where we would separate the fibres. I have many fond memories of the times we spent at Kouraona and of my grandmother, to whom I was very close.

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11 Tipperary in Ireland which is another part of my heritage. One day I would love to have an exhibition that combines stories from both Celtic and Aboriginal traditions.

with 360-degree views. We have always been a close little mob and while being all proud black fellas and very culturally aware, our kids have a rich mix of bloodlines - Aboriginal, Irish, German, English, Turkish, My time is spent between creating my art, teaching and public speaking. Chinese, Filipino and Spanish As an Aboriginal person with strong which truly speaks of the diversity spiritual beliefs and understandings I we call Australia. am never afraid to speak on the FUN WITH INDOOR BOWLS topics of spirit, mind and body.

Every Wednesday morning sees a I picked up my brush so I could Peter — Kin Kin lively group gather for indoor bowls reclaim and reconnect with my My full name is Peter Muraay Djeripi culture and I am forever indebted at the Pomona Memorial Hall. The Mulcahy and I am a Gamilaroi and inspired by those I call my elders group meets at 8.30am for a 9am Aboriginal artist and storyteller. start. and ancestors.

I was born in Wynnum, Brisbane and I am very proud to have been asked Cost is $2 which includes morning grew up in a very typical 1970s to design and paint (with the help of tea. Casual dress and flat shoes are household with my beautiful mum, required. All ages welcome. local school children) the station in dad, brothers and sisters. I remember Pomona. I feel that it brings vibrancy For more information contact Alan riding bikes, shooting air rifles and Kenzler on 5447 6223. and colour to the area and that it finding guppies up on the golf helps create a conscious awareness of course. My favourite foods were my Aboriginal culture and of the mum’s rock cakes and stewed apples dreamtime. with rice, milk and sugar.

I’ve been in the hinterland with my In 1988 I joined the police force but wonderful wife Zymar and three just before I was due to finish, I amazing children for eighteen and a upped sticks and decided to go half years in a beautiful old travelling for 12 months. I went to Queenslander on 10 acres. It’s an explore Europe and in particular idyllic place to live set in bushland

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NEWS IN BRIEF Pest plant eradication Pomona district properties will be surveyed in the next few months for signs of a noxious invasive species known as the Mexican Bean Tree. Noosa Council staff will be working in the area from 3 August to 5 October and it is not necessary for property owners to be present while the survey proceeds. However, if you require further information, phone 0408 159 534.

The Mexican Bean Tree is listed as a restricted invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014.

The plant is native to tropical America and is among the most abundant weed species across large parts of Central America.

Fruit bats and birds spread the seeds of the fast-growing plant, which has the potential to cause serious and irreversible damage to native ecosystems.

Funding bid fails Tourism Noosa and Noosa Council have failed in an initial bid to attract money from the state government’s Growing Tourism Infrastructure Program to fund the first stages of the Noosa Trails Masterplan recommendations.

There were 272 submissions for the $25 million available, and it is understood the Noosa bid was knocked back because it did not identify with sufficient emphasis the number of jobs the planned work would create.

Landcare nursery closed The Landcare Nursery at Station Place in central Pomona is closed indefinitely during the Coronavirus pandemic, but it is a hive of activity as the nursery area is being made bigger, ready for an eventual reopening.

Just some of the Noosa Landcare workers who helped plant 24,000 trees to complete Stage 1 of the Noosa Koala Habitat Rehabilitation Project.

WHAT’S THIS ABOUT? The Yurol Ringtail Environmental Project is the most significant environmental undertaking in which Noosa Council has engaged in recent years.

In October 2017, the council approved a project, part-funded by its Environment Levy, which will result in 2400ha of land within the Yurol and Ringtail State Forests transitioning to National Park status over 10 years. More than half of the area is subject to long-term plantation harvest

rights held by HQPlantations.

Under a landmark arrangement involving the council, Noosa Parks Association and the state government, HQP is being paid $3.5 million for the early surrender of its rights to harvest timber within its Plantation Licence Area.

The area will become national park over time, providing valuable habitat for a range of threatened species including the koala.

New deal will speed In a deal that could see transition of the Yurol and Ringtail State Forests to National Park accelerated and additional funds applied to their restoration as prime koala habitat, Noosa councillors have agreed to negotiations that, if successful, would see an extra $4 million pumped into the conversion process.

The offer has been placed on the table by Greenfleet, a not-for-profit organisation that plants native biodiverse forests to offset carbon emissions on behalf of supporters and help counter the effects of climate change. It receives funding from private sector organisations to offset their carbon emissions.

funding a buy-out of HQPlantations’ long-term rights to harvest timber from the state-owned land, focussing on 1492ha known as the Noosa Koala Corridor Project, linking the Cooloola and Tewantin national parks.

Greenfleet’s offer of an additional $4 million involves it obtaining carbon offset rights from the state government in exchange for what Noosa Council CEO, Brett de Chastel, describes as an opportunity to ‘make a good project even better’.

He has been authorised by Noosa Council to manage the arrangement on its behalf.

“The proposal from Greenfleet to Under a $3.5 million memorandum undertake broad scale and significant of understanding negotiated in 2017, remediation is a positive one,” Mr de the state government, Noosa Council Chastel said. and the Noosa Parks Association are

Pomona & District Community House - Keeping You In Touch With Your Community

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Massive community support for Stage 1 of forest rehabilitation Conscious of our responsibilities as residents of a world Biosphere, the people of Noosa are planting koala habitat trees to replace those in natural habitats lost through land clearing and housing development elsewhere across South-East Queensland.

The first stage of the Noosa Koala Habitat Rehabilitation Project, involving the planting of 24,000 trees grown by the Noosa Landcare nursery, has been completed thanks to major corporate backing and the work of scores of volunteers.

The World Biobridge Project, funded by The Body Shop and its Australian affiliates, saw rehabilitation of 80ha of former pine plantations at the northern end of the Ringtail State Forest, which is transitioning to national park under an initiative involving Noosa Parks Association, Noosa Council and the

Queensland Department of Environment and Science.

Stage 1 of the project was developed in partnership with the Queensland Koala Crusaders and involved undertaking weed control and revegetation of eucalypt species in the most northern section of ex-pine plantation in Ringtail State Forest developed in partnership with Queensland Koala Crusaders.

It involved weed control and revegetation with eucalypt species.

Noosa Landcare crews were assisted by the community, who participated in two planting days in June 2019 and February 2020.

Through those efforts, more than 3500 trees were planted by more than 270 people.

Stage 2 is underway, due in part to the generosity of Peppers Noosa Resort and Villas.

Grant will help protect Mary River habitats The Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien MP, has announced a $20,000 grant to the Mary River Catchment Coordinating Group to be used for revegetation works aimed at improving the habitats of the river’s land-based and aquatic fauna.

The Mary River is home to 1746 species, including the Mary River Cod and a ‘bum breathing turtle’, only identified as a separate species in 1994.

“The Mary Valley is an area of outstanding, unspoilt natural beauty, and I am pleased to be able to support the good work of Glenda Pickersgill and the Save the Mary River Co-ordinating Group in protecting our unique flora and fauna so that future generations can enjoy it too,” Mr O'Brien said.

More information: www.mrccc.org.au

up transition to National Park “Greenfleet have also negotiated with the local Kabi Kabi native title claimant group and have pledged employment and other opportunities for the local Indigenous community if this project proceeds.”

required of it if the Greenfleet proposal went ahead.

Greenfleet is proposing to undertake tree planting in the Yurol Ringtail Forest areas in the coming years as scheduled harvesting is completed.

This planting would cover the harvested pine and harvested hardwood areas.

The state government and Greenfleet are working through the legal complexities associated with the proposal.

“At this stage, we are proposing that Noosa Council would not need to undertake any further remediation work. Rather, funding that we would For the deal to advance, however, the have otherwise committed to state government has sought remediation would be quarantined ‘agreement in principle’ from the for potential future acquisition of original signatories to the more environmental land in the partnership to allow buy-in from Yurol-Ringtail precinct if that Greenfleet. opportunity arose,” he said.

Mr de Chastel said the council was seeking to ascertain what would be

tenures transition from Plantation Licence Areas to State Forest to National Park,” Mr de Chastel said.

“Council has assisted in facilitating discussions between the various parties, in particular the Kabi Kabi group,” he said.

“It is the state government, not Noosa Council, who has the carbon rights for this land. There are considerable legal complexities in managing carbon offset rights as land

Pomona & District Community House - Keeping You In Touch With Your Community

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Pomona & District Community House

A very special birthday for Heather

1 Memorial Ave, Pomona Ph: 5485 2427 Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm Referral & Information Internet & Computer Access Copying, Printing & Scanning Emailing & Faxing Laminating & Binding Venue & Room Hire Justice Of Peace Service

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One-on-One Computer Lessons Tuesday - by appointment Donation $5 per visit Booking Essential Ph: 5485 2427

Pomona & District Community House acknowledges funding from Department of Communities Noosa Council

A card was never going to be big enough for all of Heather Christie’s friends to sign with their best wishes on her 80th birthday, so they made her this big banner.

A recollection of times past Betty Maher has fond memories of Pomona and district going back 89 years and writes of times past.

These are my memories from six years old. I have lived around the area all my life and have seen huge changes.

I was born in Pomona on 27 February 1931 and my father died of a burst appendix in the Cooroora Hospital on 9 July 1935.

We lived at No. 4 Railway Parade.

Mum had a house cow called ‘Sticky’ and sold the leftover milk.

My mother, sister and I would visit friends at Applebys – tea for her and milk for we two. Mum would take bought chocolate biscuits with copha and icing sugar to Applebys – they were very tasty.

where the IGA [supermarket] is today. He was a blacksmith and sold the business to B. Etherington and then Barry Stewart bought it.

George Law had a butcher shop where the [Raine and Horne] real estate office is. Where True Value [hardware] is today was a tailoring shop. The pizza restaurant was a lolly shop and where Pomona Distilling Co. is was a bakery (Pomona’s first).

The bottle shop today once was an illegal horse betting establishment!

The cops probably were paid to keep out. I know they were because my uncle was in on it.

Laurie Lennox had a butcher’s shop near where Gitsham’s is located. His phone number was No.7. Below him The Ambulance House was shifted was a grocery and haberdashery [to Reserve Street] from Ambulance store owned by Overells, who lived in Hospital Street.

Street in 1949. In 1951 we played basketball in Joe Bazzo Park, In the early 1940s and 50s, the office opposite the ambulance house. opposite the Pomona Hotel was where people could have their taxes The Noosa Advocate and Cooroora sorted. Opposite Woods and Advertiser newspaper was printed where the Ambulance Station is, in Bubbers was a jewellery shop and then a grocery shop where my late a big hall with about 10 steps in front. A dentist by the name of John husband and I bought our groceries.

Irwin had a practice next to the old hall.

Harry Bauhman built a big tin shed

We used to get our bread in a sugar bag, delivered out to the farm in 1955 by our cream carter.

Pomona & District Community House - Keeping You In Touch With Your Community

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as she recalls her teaching days Heather Armitage’s (nee Christie) family has a very long association with Pomona and district.

Heather began school in 1946.

After the Junior year, Heather was accepted into the Kelvin Grove College and studied for her senior qualification at night.

farm at Middle Creek, Federal where Heather still resides.

She is best known to many locals from 1975, where Heather rejoined the Pomona school staff, continuing her teaching right up to retirement.

She has taught parents and In 1959, she came back to Pomona children and is still fondly remembered in taking students on to teach grade two. Heather and school camps.

Doug married in 1966 and raised two boys, Ian and Ross, on their

Push for new police station Marty Hunt MP, the Member for Nicklin, has launched a petition to have the Cooroy Police Station replaced with a better designed and bigger building suited to modern-day policing.

Mr Hunt says the current station, the former Department of Primary Industries Building, is 50 years old and no longer fit-for-purpose.

The state government owns land at the rear of the police station – the former Queensland Rail maintenance gang site.

LIBRARY RESTRICTIONS EASED

customers are permitted in the libraries at any one time.

There has been a further easing in the restrictions applying to the use of the libraries at Noosaville and Cooroy. Since Monday 13 July, a maximum of 90

To provide a safe lending service, customers are required to exercise safe hygiene practices and maintain social distancing.

WHATS ON IN AUGUST !!!

Book online for events @ www.themajestictheatre.com.au. Silent movie tix sold @ the door no need to book Pomona & District Community House - Keeping You In Touch With Your Community

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SPECIAL REPORT:

NOOSA COUNCIL BUDGET 2020-21 WHERE COUNCIL WILL DIRECT FUNDS Here is where major works spending will be allocated in 2020-21 and following years.

remove and replace amenities – $50,000.

FEDERAL The hall doors will be painted, $500. In HINTERLAND the forward years, Residents of Federal This is the big ticket item of the Budget. can expect a $2.1m upgrade of Middle Two-thirds of all 2020-21 road surface Creek Rd, to be built in stages costing projects are in the hinterland, with $2.7m $300,000 a year, but starting in 2026-27. set aside to resurface hinterland roads KIN KIN and a further $410,000 for gravel road Wahpunga Lane Bridge renewal, $1.48m. resheeting. Cooroy has $1.78m earmarked Of this sum, $763,661 represents a grant for sealed road resurfacing work, while from the federal government. The Kin Cooran has $616,000 allocated to upgrade Kin School of Arts Hall will undergo roads. repairs at a cost of $30,000, the biggest The mobile library will be replaced with a new service for smaller communities, the details of which have yet to be announced, but believed to involve book dispensing kiosks and a delivery vehicle.

The cost allocation is $790,000 for 202021.

Hinterland villages and towns can expect to benefit from a park furniture renewal program across the shire, costing $50,000 in 2020-21 and $80,000 in 2021-22.

BOREEN POINT A $410,000 allocation for the ‘significant upgrade’ of the toilet amenities, improvements to water treatment facilities and replacing concrete water storage tanks at the Boreen Point Caravan Park.

COORAN Tablelands Rd Bridge renewal, $1.06m: $904,576 in 2020-21 and $159,096 in 202122.

cost being restumping of a section to prevent the front of the building pulling away.

POMONA New pathways will be constructed along School St and Subway Ave. As announced recently, $309,000 will be spent improving amenities at the Pomona Memorial Hall – $264,000 from the federal government and $45,000 from the hall committee. In addition, the back stairs, handrail and balustrade will be repaired ($3000).

Railway Station Gallery – Banana Shed repairs ($2000), replace chamferboard on western side ($6000), replace roof ($11,000) repair handrail and stairs ($5000).

Pomona Community House – repair deck ($14,500).

Pomona and District Kindergarten – Replace distribution board ($5000), fix Projecting forward, the Cooran Skatepark plumbing ($8000). will be renewed, $150,000 in 2021-22.

Pomona Lions Den – Trim rafters to Straker Park will be upgraded in 2022-23 make compliant ($6000). at a cost of $97,000. Separately, it’s Noosa Shire Museum – ramp repair proposed that Straker Park and Chris ($1000).

Kenny Oval will receive major upgrades in 2026-27 ($952,000).

In future, new fitness equipment at Cooroora Creek Park will be installed in COOROY 2021-22 at a cost of $151,000.

More than $3m has been earmarked for Cooroy projects, including $1.7m for road Another pathway link is listed for funding in 2022-23, cost $80,000. resealing work.

Camphor Laurel Timber Initiative,

RIDGEWOOD Hall rewiring work ($4000).

Kerbside rubbish run is cancelled, will be reviewed The impact of the global coronavirus pandemic has forced Noosa Council to defer the annual kerbside rubbish collection, with residents to be given a say about its future in a round of community consultations leading to formulation of a 2021-22 civic Budget.

Mayor Clare Stewart said the cancellation of this year’s kerbside pick-up of bulky goods would save $250,000.

The council would continue to have to meet the cost of illegal dumping on street corners and in bush locations, she said.

The mayor said the economic effects of the pandemic had caused a $1.4m budget shortfall this year, which had to be considered when developing the 2020-21 budget.

“For this budget, we have had to make some difficult decisions. Deferring this program allows us to save costs and allocate funds to grassroots services such as improving our roads and infrastructure, particularly in the hinterland.

“I emphasis that we’ve only deferred the kerbside collection, and as the economic situation improves we can look to press on with it,” Cr Stewart said.

“We must save where we can and spend only where we must during the year ahead.”

Pomona & District Community House - Keeping You In Touch With Your Community

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No new rate rises for most as Noosa Council brings down $125 million deficit budget Eighty per cent of ratepayers can expect not to pay any increase in their total rates bill for 2020-21 after councillors voted to take Noosa Council into deficit to implement a $125 million annual budget aimed at bringing the local economy out of its COVID-19 hit while meeting commitments to ramp up spending in the hinterland.

boosted by a $4.6 million windfall from state and federal governments – against a reduction in fixed levies for 2020-21. The environmental levy drops from $70 to $56, the sustainable transport levy decreases from $30 to $22.50 and the heritage levy halves to $5.

The levies would be brought back to current levels over time, the mayor The additional support for COVID-19 said. recovery has resulted in a forecast The council has saved money also by operating deficit of $1.8 million for suspending the annual roadside the 2020-21 financial year. Council’s bulky goods pick-up, countered by a financial plan shows a gradual return $2.1 million expenditure commitment to an operating surplus position in to expand the refuse cell at the 2023.

Noosaville landfill site and install a

Repair and maintenance works, totalling $45,000, are set for community halls in Federal, Kin Kin, Ridgewood, and Cooran.

More than $3 million has been put aside for Cooroy projects this financial year, including a start on its new regional playground.

Cr Stewart said: “Despite the challenges of COVID-19, we are spending about $56 of every $100 in general rates we receive directly on either maintaining, replacing or building roads, bridges, pathways and other community infrastructure.”

An economic relief package targeted at helping residents and business through the COVID-19 pandemic crisis includes waiving lease fees for community groups, waiving rents on Some $27 million has been set aside council facilities and adopting a flexible approach to footpath dining, for capital works spending – 55 projects in total – including two large as well as providing business grants.

The council will pay bills submitted bridge projects at Kin Kin and from local and regional suppliers “By putting residents and businesses Cooran, and 12 different projects at within seven days. first with a financially responsible Pomona, including significant budget, I’m confident that we are upgrades for the Memorial Hall and The environment has not been well placed to not only recover, but the Railway Station Gallery. forgotten either. Some $422,000 will come out even stronger than before,” Pomona’s footpath network will be be spent on sensitive environmental Cr Stewart said. extended. land management and $375,000 is in the environmental grants program. A The ‘no change for most ratepayers’ Future expenditure has been has been achieved by offsetting an earmarked for additional projects in quarter of a million dollars will be used to implement the Zero Missions increase in capital works spending – the ‘out years’.

Noosa strategy.

To assist ratepayers, the discount period for paying rates has been extended from 30 days to 60.

Mayor Clare Stewart described her first fiscal agenda as a ‘grassroots projects budget’ based on the principle of ‘saving where we can so we can spend where we must’.

second weighbridge ($560,000) to improve traffic flow. A further $750,000 goes towards expanding the resource recovery area.

COUNCIL ADOPTS OPERATIONAL PLAN Several issues impacting Noosa’s northern hinterland form part of the Operational Plan that the council has adopted for the 2020-21 financial year.

It plots a future towards achieving a set of strategic goals and key focus areas, among them:    

continued implementation of the Yurol and Ringtail Forestry Project a review of options for mobile/outreach library services establishment of a placemaking team and a start on a pilot project the completion of ‘asset management plans’ for pathways and boardwalks and for parks and playgrounds.

The deadline for the next issue of Cooroora Connect is 18 August.

Prime space for lease A prime multi-purpose space is available in the centre of Pomona with ample parking adjacent.

This high profile location is the ground floor area beneath Pomona Community House. The premises are suitable for a shop or professional offices and include main office/reception/display area, three separate offices, kitchenette and toilet facilities.

Contact Heather on 5485 2427 or 0411 114 077

Pomona & District Community House - Keeping You In Touch With Your Community

18 NOOSA COUNCIL BUDGET

Cr Finzel welcomes spending for 12 hinterland projects This is an edited version of Cr Karen Finzel’s speech, delivered before Noosa councillors passed the 2020-21 Council Budget.

When this council came together for the first time in mid-April, unprecedented and unpredictable challenges lay ahead for the people, businesses and communities of our shire.

When I decided to run for council, I made a commitment to people of the hinterland that I would be their voice at the table and do my upmost to secure infrastructure investments.

each for Kin Kin and Cooran, and a significant road resurfacing program.

I can’t overstate how important wellmaintained roads are for our community.

I am pleased to announce that this budget has allocated more than $6.5 million to be invested across 12 hinterland projects.

Having good roads is a very literal and necessary means for making sure people are connected.

Among them are upgrades for cultural sites such as the Pomona With the tireless, diligent work of Memorial School of Arts Hall, the councillors and staff, we have museum and the Railway Gallery. delivered a sensible 2020 Noosa Council Budget that is empathetic to For locals, these are important facets of our heritage and collective community needs and which will ensure the continued delivery of vital identity. services.

As we encourage tourists to return to Many people are facing tough times our towns, these rich, unique and we must do what we can to offer cultural experiences can attract visitors and complement local relief and support resilience. businesses.

Achievement of the goal to deliver The capital works program also has a services without increases to most significant hinterland focus. There people’s rates is to be celebrated. are two major bridge projects – one

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We know marginalised groups across Australia have been most affected by COVID-19. I am very proud that our council has made a measured commitment of $250,000 through community grants to construction of vital crisis accommodation.

This is a timely and vital resource for vulnerable people, particularly women and girls in volatile living situations.

While there is still a lot to do, this budget shows that our council stands ready to respond to any challenges.

Together, we strengthen communities.

Changed grants arrangements benefit two hinterland groups The Noosa Council Community Development Team is preparing to restart Round 13 of the Community Grants Projects Program, which aims to build community skills and reliance through funding for eligible sporting and other groups.

The details about how to apply are listed on the council website, with applications closing at noon on Thursday 27 August 2020.

help organisations that have immediate essential needs as a result of the COVID-19 impacts.

Traditionally, two funding rounds for Community Project Grants are run and budgeted for each financial year. However, due to COVID-19 a hold was put on the first round (Round 13) to become the first of two rounds for the 2020-21 financial year.

Local recipients to benefit under the changed Meanwhile, the council has arrangements include the decided to allocate $27,000 Hinterland Art Group remaining from the 2019($900) and the Lake 20 Community Grants Cootharaba Sailing Club budget to the Community ($1250). A product Disaster Response and donation was made to the Recovery Grant category to Noosa Show Society.

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Council adopts amended Town Plan In what Mayor Clare Stewart describes as a ‘milestone for the community’, Noosa Council has adopted an amended Town Plan that becomes the blueprint for shaping the shire and its towns for the next 20 years.

There will also be monitoring to ensure the plan achieves increased diversity regarding industrial land and industrial precincts.

The council will also publish a comprehensive guide explaining the regulatory requirements The New Noosa Plan 2020 for operating short-term is a complete re-write of accommodation. There the 2006 Planning Scheme was unanimous support to conform with state among councillors for legislation and follows pursuing a Local Law for considerable public short-term letting, which comment and input. includes an associated In passing the new Noosa code of conduct.

Plan 5-2, councillors Some of the strategic endorsed a two-year outcomes of the new monitoring period to Noosa Plan supports are: ensure the plan is strong  Settlement largely enough to achieve more dispersed and shaped affordable and diverse and bound by Noosa’s housing choices for those natural features and in need. open space reserves; “We are clearly on the  Consolidated urban same page regarding the development within need to look after the most boundaries so as to vulnerable, so this maintain the distinct amendment places a focus character of individual on that within the new communities and planning scheme, Cr preserve landscape Stewart said.

RENEWED EMPHASIS ON CREATIVE INDUSTRIES The status of creative industries as a component of the economy, as well as contributing to residents’ lifestyle, is recognised in the new town plan.

It lists creative industries as including music, film and television production, entertainment software production, writing and publishing, the visual arts and professional services such as architecture.

“These activities ... have significant potential for wealth and job creation through generation and exploration of intellectual capital,” the report said.

“Such industries and businesses are creators and early adaptors of technology. They generally like to cluster with other creative industries to further build collaboration and partnerships. Recognising and encouraging these industries will be important to the future sustainability and viability of this sector in the shire.”

features; 

In particular, the hinterland should accommodate vibrant villages, rural living, architectural and complementary enterprises and natural bushland tracts against a backdrop of mountains, ranges, lakes and waterways;

Mayor Clare Stewart Heads, Tewantin and Cooroy.

Endorsement of the new plan is the culmination of  The majority of new growth to be located in four years of tireless work the existing urban areas from planning department staff. of Noosaville, Noosa

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Cooroora Connect Advertising/Editorial deadline for the next issue 18 August 2020 heather@pomonacommunityhouse.com.au

Cooroora Connect Cooroora Connect is an initiative of the Pomona & District Community House Inc. The material published in Cooroora Connect may be reproduced only with appropriate authorisation and acknowledgment.

The views expressed in Cooroora Connect are not necessarily the views of the editor, publisher or Pomona & District Community House. Inc. Claims in advertisements are those of the advertisers and not the publisher.

Our aim is to produce and distribute Cooroora Connect in a timely manner to ensure we meet all deadlines. However, due to unforeseen circumstances that are beyond our control, we take all care but no responsibility if circumstances arise.

Free Legal Advice & Referral Phone Appointments Ph: 5443 7827

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21

Art gallery is open for exhibitions once more The Pomona Railway Station Gallery is again open for visitors to see and enjoy the immense talent of local artists that we have in the Noosa Region. Paintings, ceramics, photography, textile, glass and woodwork are showcased in the old rail station buildings located on Station Street.

Throughout August, the 10-member Outsiders Art Group will exhibit a captivating collection of 2D and 3D works, known as the Inside Out exhibition. The members usually enjoy ‘en plein air’ painting and drawing together in the spectacular landscapes around the Sunshine Coast region.

However, during these unusual times, the artists have relied on Whats App and Zoom to share their inside art pursuits of still life, interiors, abstracts and ceramic works, which will be included with their landscapes in this very diverse exhibition running until 26 August.

But there is much more to see at the gallery, which boasts three exhibition rooms.

Members of the Outsiders Art Group get their inspiration from nature for works currently on display at Pomona Railway Station Gallery.

The Banana Shed and the Blacksmith Shed are occupied by resident artists who use the space to create their works. All the buildings are surrounded by beautiful garden areas.

Exhibitions change every four to six weeks so the artworks on display are refreshed on a regular basis.

For those who want to be friends of the gallery or to display there, 2020-21 membership is open and costs $20.The gallery is a non-profit organisation and is entirely run by a team of volunteers.

If you or anyone you know would like to work three hours once a week in a creative environment, please drop in.

RUMMIKUB @ Pomona Community House Wednesday 1pm - 3.30pm Donation $3 includes tea & coffee

DE-STRESS / IMPROVE YOUR BREATHING LEARN NEW SKILLS / HAVE FUN Lisa is an experienced voice arts practitioner in voice, breath and song workshops. Come alone and increase your confidence, improve your breath, reduce stress, have fun and sing in a informal and relaxed singing group.

There will be eight - 2 hour workshops from Saturday 15 August, then fortnightly till end of November. Please note this in not a choir and no experience needed. Just book and turn up.

Venue: Pomona Community House - Lawson Shed, Pomona Time: 10am - 12pm

Cost: $15 per session

Email: lisavoiceandsong@gmail.com Ph: 0433 225 658

The artist acknowledges Noosa Council and RADF Grants and Arts Queensland to facilitate these workshops.

Pomona & District Community House - Keeping You In Touch With Your Community

22

Health program gives over 65s chance to stretch

Cooroy RSL refurbishment

Encouraging over 65s to bend and stretch in a bid for better well-being is the objective of Ageing Well Noosa – a series of low-cost exercise classes for seniors that aims to improve balance, strength and mobility. Originally scheduled to launch earlier in the year, the classes were put on hold during the pandemic.

The program began on 13 July across three locations – Noosaville, Cooroy and Cooran.

Noosa Council Community Development Officer, Cheryl Pattison, said the classes were as much about the social benefits as the physical ones.

“As we age we tend to wind down on our physical exercise, so these gentle one-hour exercises are specifically designed to get seniors moving, taking into consideration common ailments such as arthritis and mobility,” Ms Pattison said.

The Cooroy RSL Club has undergone a refurbishment while the club has been closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

These components were made locally – at Pages Furniture, Pomona.

Freshly painted walls, new carpets and new table tops, complemented by a refurbished set of toilets and reconfigured gaming area, combine to provide modern facilities for patrons. It is a case of ‘well done’ all round.

“For as little as five dollars, our over65s can come along and enjoy a range of gentle exercises followed by a few laughs and a free cuppa,” Ms Pattison said.

Here the manager, Helen Hollingworth, shows off the new wraparound bar. The club also has a new reception desk and contemporary foyer.

“Carers are also welcome and can participate for free.”

Roadshow will answer queries about trail

Ms Pattison said the sessions were designed to be particularly good for reducing arthritic pain, improving balance and flexibility and for creating a great social hub for over65s.

The Cooroy sessions are held at the Uniting Church Hall from 7.30am to 8.30am Monday to Wednesday.

The Cooran sessions are held at Cooran Memorial Hall, Tuesday 9.15am to 10.15am and Thursday 8am to 9am.

For more information/bookings call Micheala 0449 047 746.

Tourism Noosa (TN) and Noosa Council will embark on a hinterland ‘roadshow’ in coming months to explain the Noosa Trail Masterplan, outline Tourism Noosa’s new marketing campaign and present its food tourism strategy.

Announcing the move for greater community inclusion in its planning, TN CEO Melanie Anderson said her organisation would welcome any feedback and recommendations put forward by those attending. Meanwhile, Ms Anderson said Noosa Council had

been able to apply for a Growing Tourism Infrastructure grant for two key recommendations contained in the trail masterplan and would be searching for more available funds from state and federal governments during the next few years to bring about the concepts presented in the plan and boost the hinterland economy.

“One of the first key recommendations is to form a steering committee overseeing implementation of the masterplan,” she said. “Stay tuned for more information on this.”

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Hope for ‘mini show’ dashed following funding withdrawal Plans for a scaled-back ‘community show’ planned for October – replacing the normal September Noosa Country Show – have had to be cancelled in what is a deep disappointment to all involved.

Noosa Show Society president, Charlie Pattison, issued this statement to the Cooroora Connect: “In September this year we were due to hold the 111th Noosa Country Show, which had been postponed to 24 October as a Community Show.

“Unfortunately, and after further lengthy discussions within our committee, with Queensland Ag Shows (formerly known as the Queensland Chamber of Agricultural Shows), our Show sub-branch, Noosa Council, major stakeholders and acting in the best interests of the community during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have finally had to cancel the 2020 Show entirely.

“This decision has not been

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an easy one, and I personally would like to apologise to everyone who has offered their support, help and enthusiasm to our planned scaled-down community show.

“New outbreaks of COVID19 have created major issues for us and led to circumstances whereby we could offer no guarantee to conduct the show this year in any form.

“It has been a very trying predicament for us to be in and one that will be ongoing for an indefinite period.

“The final contributing factor in cancelling the 2020 show was the loss of tens of thousands of dollars in funding withdrawn due to COVID19.

“The Noosa Show Day is a gazetted public holiday, and we confirm that Friday, 11 September 2020 will still be a public holiday in the Noosa Shire,” Mr Pattison said.

GYMPIE BYPASS TO START SOON The first of two major contracts for construction of the $1 billion Bruce Highway bypass of Gympie will be let this month, paving the way for 576 direct new jobs to be created across the Cooloola Region and extending south to the Northern Noosa Hinterland. The bypass is being built in two stages – Woondum to Sandy Creek Road and Sandy Creek Road to Curra. It is the final stage in the Bruce Highway upgrade between Cooroy and Curra.

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FIRE SEASON STARTS IN AUGUST

Pomona & District Community House - Keeping You In Touch With Your Community