Cooroora Connect July Edition 2019

The Cooroora Connect July 2019

An Initiative of Pomona & District Community House

Pomona comes to life in Winter

The King Of The Mountain race and festival is expected to attract more than 10,000 people to Pomona, as the town celebrates winter in style.

By Phil Saldais It’s only a month to go until the starter gun cracks and around 100 runners take part in this year’s Bendigo Bank International Mountain Challenge. Yet there is so much happening in Pomona this time of year, and the big race is just a capstone to a flurry of other activities going on.

The Cooroy Pomona Lions Club has once again put on a fantastic spread of activities for everyone to enjoy at Pomona this winter.

The next event to literally roll up to is the Queen of the Mountain Bowls Club Competition which is held on the 17th of July. The Men’s event, the King of the Mountain Bowls Club Tournament is held later over the weekend of the main festival on the 27th and 28th July. It is a long-

standing and well-supported event that has stood the test of time and brings some of the best bowlers from the Sunshine Coast.

The future champions of Australia’s mountain running could well be nestled close to the town of Pomona with the Zinc 96 Prince and Princess race taking place on the Saturday at 2pm, the day before the main event.

The event is categorised for 9-13 year olds and it’s a great way for young kids to see if they would one day be interested in tackling the main event as it very closely follows the same course. There are fantastic prizes on offer and if you’re a local in the area, Leslie Webb is conducting training to help competitors get to know the steep and tricky terrain.

When the sun rises early on the 28th of July, there will be a flood of

activities happening in Pomona. All in anticipation of the build-up to the big race.

True Value Hardware is supporting the King of the Mountain Bike Ride which gets going at 9am. There’s three levels of difficulty and it’s a great way to see some of the pristine scenery around Pomona.

For those who would prefer to run, but not to the top of Mt Cooroora, there’s the Nestle 3km family fun run for those who might want to get in amongst the action and still run some of the main race course.

It’s then back to the juniors again with Reid Signage Services hosting the Primary School relays which are open to all schools in South East Queensland. Last year over 400 children participated!

Continued page 2

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PLANNED STREET CLOSURES Road closures for Pomona King of the Mountain Festival, Sunday 28 July: Reserve St between School St and the eastern side of the railway crossing from 6am to 5.30pm.

Memorial Ave between Church St and Station Street from 6am to 5.30pm.

Big crowd expected for race that stops town of Pomona Page 1

Hospital St between Mountain St and Memorial Avenue from 6am to 5.30pm.

area are via School St, Factory St, Railway Pde, Red St and Rectory/Church St.

School St between Mountain St and Reserve Street from 8.30am to noon.

Detour signs around the affected areas will be posted.

Mountain St between School St and Church St from 12.30pm to 5pm.

Alternative routes around the festival

Festival goers are reminded to take care when using the path over the railway tracks. Trains will slow through Pomona on the festival day.

Each participant powers through a 700m loop of Stan Topper Park handing on the baton. It’s a great way to get involved in the spirit of the festival and brings together that friendly competition amongst Queensland Schools.

For those who are interested in a corporate gathering, the Raine and Horne Tug o’ War challenge can sort out those office squabbles with teams of 5 attempting to see who can become ‘King of the Rope’.

If you’ve got an eye for fine crafts and antiques, pop in and see Clive and Jane Ford who help host the Antiques and Collectables Fair held over the weekend.

Who knows, if you’ve been training and you’ve got a good eye for things, you might win a prize and walk away with something of value as well.

Finally, the entire festival culminates in the Bendigo Bank International Mountain Challenge. Having recently been recognised on the Queensland Trail Running Championships calendar, the big race is sure to grow in its notoriety in the coming years.

It truly is an epic race with competitors scrambling uphill from the very start, only to literally run into a trail that slows to a crawl and a single track at times.

Runners jostle for position up to that point and hope that all their hard work has paid off before holding their nerve and rapidly descending down the trail holding onto the chain for dear life.

Other highlights include the heritage markets, art exhibitions, Cooroy Rag animal farm, LiveLife Pharmacy Skate Park Competition, amusement rides, local cuisine and live music on the Pomona IGA stage all within the beautiful hinterland setting of Pomona. www.kingofthemountain.com.au

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Town prepares to crown its king for 2019 For the 41st time, Noosa’s historic hinterland town will host one of Australia’s most gruelling mountain races.

Pomona King of the Mountain chairperson, Heather Manders, said the festival remains one of the best opportunities for the community and visitors to get together.

“Who would have thought a simple bet in a pub in 1958 would see us all here Ready for Pomona King Of The Mountain Festival on Sunday 28 July are the Cooroy Pomona Lions Club and the staff from Pomona in 2019 preparing to cheer on amazing athletes and Community Branch of Bendigo Bank. celebrate hard working volunteers - particularly the PLEASE SUPPORT OUR 2019 SPONSORS Cooroy Pomona Lions Antique & Noosa District Pantry Club?” Heather said.

Collectables Fair

Landcare

Raine and Horne

Atlass-Aerometrex

Noosa Trophy &

Reid Signage

Pty Ltd

Engraving Centre

Service

Bendigo Bank

North Coast Law

Sandy Bolton MP

Caltex Pomona

Overlanders

Scissor Rock Hair

Cooroora Screens

Motorcycle Event

Shell Pomona

& Blinds

Support

Spilldebeans

Cooroora Tax

Page Furnishers

State Emergency

As part of its commitment to the race it has sponsored since 2010, Bendigo Bank customer relationship manager, Jo Winter, said it’s always a special time of year and is a festival ingrained in Noosa’s culture.

“We love it and there’s nothing else like it on the coast. We’re proud to be here again and it’s precisely what we’re about supporting the community that supports us.

Our Pomona Community Bank branch is delighted to commit $6,000 to the staging of the event again in 2019,” Jo shared.

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Sunshine Coast

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Supplies & Pet

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Power

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Pomona Bowls

Unicycles

David Longo

Pomona

This Bird Florist &

Design Divaz

Community House

Creative Studio

Gitsham Prime

Pomona

Tourism Noosa

Foods

Newsagents

Unity Water

Gympie Skips

Pomona Tilt &

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IGA Pomona

Crane Hire

Historical

Livelife Pharmacy

Pomona True

Machinery Club Inc

Nestle

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Zinc

Noosa Council

Pomona's Little

Pomona King Of The Mountain Committee is working with Tourism Noosa and Plastic Free Noosa to reduce the waste generated from stalls and activities on the day. This includes special rubbish bins to separate waste items.

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Interest builds in local property sales

Flowers recognise friendly community service

Even before the Reserve Bank reduced its interest rates to a record low of 1.25 per cent last month, property values and interest in buying homes at Pomona held steady in June, to exceed the median price of homes at Cooroy.

The property website realestate.com.au lists the median price of a three-bedroom house at Pomona in the month of June at $527,500, compared with $502,500 at Cooroy.

The median price for a four-bedroom Pomona home last month was $639,000 ($572,500 at Cooroy).

More people are scanning the website for homes at Pomona – 663 visits per property for Pomona, 383 visits per property at Cooroy.

In a further sign of confidence in the local property market, the empty shop beside the LiveLife Pharmacy (known as the Sunshine Cafe) has been sold – fixing a gap tooth space in the retail centre of town.

Many are familiar with Maree Kidd (above) whose friendly face greets them regularly behind the counter at the Pomona Post Office.

Recently, Maree received her own special parcel—a beautiful bunch of flowers from This Bird at Pomona in recognition of the exceptional community service she provides and the helpful advice she imparts to customers.

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Noosa hinterland celebrates Indigenous culture week NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is an opportunity to support your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

Each year, a theme is chosen to reflect the important issues and events for NAIDOC Week.

lives of Indigenous people in their communities and beyond; to promote Indigenous issues in the wider community; or the excellence they’ve shown in their chosen field.

The theme for 2019 is: Voice. Treaty.

On Wednesday 10th July, Truth. Let’s work together for a GOOMBUCKAR CREATIONS will shared future. be presenting a range of activities at In July of each year the annual the Lawson Shed in Pomona to National NAIDOC Awards Ceremony celebrate NAIDOC Week. recognises the outstanding Starting at 10.00am the day will contributions that Indigenous include Australians make to improve the

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short historical talk on NAIDOC,

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a display and discussion of Indigenous artifacts

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a demonstration of how to make lemon myrtle tea and fried scones

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how to make baskets out of Piccabeen

Venue: Lawson Shed, Memorial Avenue, Pomona Date: Wednesday 10 July Time: 10.00am – 2.00pm Cost: $10.00 – includes light refreshments BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL Phone 5485 2427

MP continues to advocate for Six Mile Creek solutions A frustrated Sandy Bolton MP, the Member for Noosa, continues to push for solutions to the Six Mile Creek bridge traffic black spot, revealing that the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is considering a number of remedial measures, including cutting back an embankment on the Pomona side to improve visibility for motorists, “in response to ongoing efforts to address the safety concerns on this dangerous bridge as we continue to build the case for a replacement prioritisation,” Ms Bolton said in a Facebook post.

“However, we do not accept that the near misses and incidents that continue after the improvements made last year are the result of poor driver behaviour, as analysed

by TMR from camera footage, and will not stop until we see improved safety for all who travel this stretch.”

The mix of solutions being considered includes speed limits and more strategic signage. Ms Bolton said the clutter of existing signs represented ‘visual noise’ that diminished the effect of the essential signs.

Improved line of sight for motorists may involve cutting into a bank and removing trees.

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Funding boost for two iconic institutions Two of Pomona’s most cherished institutions – The Majestic Theatre and the Noosa Shire Museum – have received council funding to help conduct operations and, in the museum’s case, better plan its future.

Harding, with ongoing funding conditional upon satisfactory implementation of the plan, the council minutes state.

Mr Tarrant’s advice was that the museum objects and displays be reordered to present ‘thematic interpretation of key regional themes’.

A sum of $7842 to Pomona Arts Inc., the theatre operators, adds to recent state government grant funding for improved projection equipment.

The $5230 that Noosa Council is granting the Cooroora Historical Society, which operates the museum, will be used to prepare an action plan that addresses the findings of a 2017 Noosa Shire Museum Situation Analysis report conducted by Mr Josh Tarrant, a museum development officer at the Queensland Museum.

Jane Harding management. Much improvement has followed, especially in the management of the museum collection by an enthusiastic band of volunteers using an updated catalogue and tracking database known as Mosaic.

Moving the museum forward to a new era by refreshing displays and current modes of interpretation would better engage the community, raise its profile and, in turn, boost visitor numbers and revenue, according to a discussion paper prepared by the museum.

The museum has already moved to provide professional development His report urged the museum within its team of volunteers, management to follow best practice The action plan will be prepared with especially how it presents the within the museology sector in terms the assistance of Noosa Council’s museum to the public, school groups of presentation and collection and visitors.

Heritage Coordinator, Ms Jane

FESTIVE CELEBRATIONS ON COUNCIL It will be a very merry Christmas at Kin Kin and a joyous New Year at Boreen Point at the end of 2019, thanks to community grants from Noosa Council to two local groups.

The council will give the Kin Kin Community group $1568 for Christmas celebrations in the town.

Meanwhile, the Lake Cootharaba Sailing Club will get $3137 for its traditional New Year’s celebrations at the lake.

Pomona has not missed out in the latest round of grant funding. The Cooroy-Pomona Lions Club receives $2500 to stage the 2019 Pomona Night of Lights event.

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Awards highlight all that’s great about community Where would we be without our volunteer workforce?

showcased a younger, emerging group of volunteers. The concert band from St. Teresa’s On June 6, we celebrated Catholic College shared Queensland Day right their musical talents to across this great state. In treat the audience to an Noosa, a deserving bunch entertaining variety of of volunteers were songs to kick off honoured at the Noosa Electorate Queensland Day proceedings.

Awards at The J. Young and old, community A total of 42 people, from a members celebrated the broad range of community spirit of our community and our collective and business sectors, dedication to protecting Pomona and District recipients of the Noosa Electorate Queensland including community our unique culture.

Day Awards for volunteerism. associations, professional services, sporting clubs, regional events and local initiatives, received a Queensland Day medallion and certificate of appreciation.

Older people are indeed over-represented in the volunteering community, but the ceremony also

Virtually every person who lives in Noosa has made a conscious decision to come here and having made that decision has joined a not for profit group of their choice to give back.

Since its inception four years ago, one of the Awards’ major sponsors has

been Bendigo Bank. Cooroy and Pomona branch’s Simone Flavelle and Tewantin Noosa branch manager, Linda Oliver, joined the celebration, and Simone said partnering the Member for Noosa, Sandy Bolton’s awards continues to be an easy decision.

“Our point of difference is our connection with our community and many of them were represented at

the Awards again this year,” Simone shared.

“The fact that our Noosa branches in Cooroy, Pomona and Tewantin work so closely with so many of them makes it all the more special.

“We return profits to where we all live and work. It’s still our point of difference and why our customers choose to bank with us at Bendigo Bank,” she said.

Dark skies over Cooran Astronomer Ken Wishaw of Sunshine Coast Dark Sky Astronomers will be holding a talk entitled The Beauty of the Night Sky And How To Preserve It at Cooran Memorial School of the Arts, King St, Cooran, on Sunday 21 July at 2.30pm.

Ken's talk will run for 45 minutes and will be accompanied by a stunning slideshow of the galaxy.

There will be a questions and answers session followed by afternoon tea. A $5 donation is required for entry and includes afternoon tea.

MENS SHED GRANTED $8359 Mens Shed Pomona will use a total of $8359 provided through two Noosa Council community project grants to conduct a mental health seminar next month ($2019) and to purchase new machinery ($6340). A lathe, band saw and ‘thicknesser’, all considered old and unsafe, will be replaced with new certified equipment.

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Council plans to discontinue mobile library Noosa Council has revealed plans to retire the mobile library that serves hinterland towns and replace it with new arrangements that may include a smaller ‘outreach vehicle’ without internet access, home delivery of books and items ordered on-line or the use of existing community facilities serving as library outposts.

All options are on the table.

In a surprise to many, the council says it has begun a conversation with the community and customers about the nature of the library service beyond 2020, which is when the new arrangements are likely to start.

The existing mobile library was launched in 2006 and is 13 years old.

It has reached the end of its useful life and is off the road frequently for repairs, a council spokesperson said.

changing customer needs meant it made sense to review the service.

“To gain a better understanding of how the mobile library is used, we’ve been consulting with our existing customers.

This process is helping us understand their priorities and what this might mean for future outreach services.

“For instance, in 2019, with internet access widely available, it’s not surprising we’ve found that the mobile library’s public internet computers aren’t well used, so these would unlikely need to be a feature of a new service,” the spokesperson said.

“Council is exploring a variety of options. These include a smaller outreach vehicle that can visit more locations, library kiosks or book vending machines, home library services, bulk loans of collections, or the use of existing community facilities. We could employ He said advances in a combination of any or all technology, the availability of these options,” he said. of Noosa Library services at The spokesperson stressed the Cooroy Library and that Noosa Council was

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still in the early stages of researching alternatives.

“In the meantime, council staff will continue to consult with customers and the wider community.”

Have your say on the Noosa Council website.

A-frame and footpath signs would go under strict policy now open for public comment Hinterland businesses that rely on A-frame and tearshaped fabric signs to advertise their businesses and services have until 26 July to make their views known about a Noosa Council plan to restrict signs and maybe even ban footpath advertising altogether.

Plans to consolidate existing advertising signage requirements into a draft local law is now open to the community for their thoughts.

The Environment and Sustainable Development Director, Kim Rawlings, said the proposed changes aim to preserve the unique ‘look and feel’ of Noosa as enshrined in the Noosa Design principles to ensure signage does not dominate the landscape.

The draft local law proposes a ban on Aframe, ‘teardrop’ and realestate pointer signs that clutter footpaths and often,

the council says, pose a safety concern.

“Council feels the current requirements are adequate, but is considering eliminating the use of Aframes to ensure footpaths remain clear for pedestrians, including those with prams and in wheelchairs,” Ms Rawlings said.

Council proposes to maintain the status quo on the amount of signage allowed, which includes 10 square metre signage per tenancy and a size limit of 4 square metres for certain signs.

Ms Rawlings said most businesses were doing the right thing. “However some are pushing the limit and the proposed local law will assist us to level the playing field.”

To review the draft local law and provide a comment, visit yoursay.noosa.qld.gov.au.

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Hinterland projects earmarked for funding

Rates to rise by 1.8 per cent A sensible budget centred on the fundamentals of maintaining the liveability of Noosa and meeting community expectations is how Mayor Tony Wellington describes the $129 million Noosa Council Budget.

Cr Wellington said the 2019 -2020 budget demonstrated a commitment to delivering vital community infrastructure and maintaining, or in some cases increasing, service levels.

“More than three-quarters of Noosa property owners will experience either no general rate increase or a

modest 1.8% increase in the minimum general rate.”

“When waste charges and levies are included, this equates to about an extra 70 cents a week for the average ratepayer,” Cr Wellington said.

Around six per cent of property owners will have a decrease in their rates, based on last year.

“Our lower rate increase has been achieved while incorporating a 2.5 per cent wage increase for council staff , increasing service levels, adding new staff positions, and providing another massive $28 million capital works

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formation of a dedicated Noosa River Management Unit.

A massive $28.4 million Capital Works program is another feature of the budget, Cr Wellington said.

“About $58 of every $100 we spend goes towards either maintaining, replacing or building roads, bridges, playgrounds, pathways and other infrastructure for our community.

This year’s capital works spend is again more than twice the size of the average capital works budget of the Noosa Council prior to “The increase in the amalgamation.”

Environment Levy is to There are 61 capital help progress the proposed projects across the Shire Noosa River Plan with the this coming financial year. program,” the Mayor said.

The Environment Levy has been increased by $10, but all other levies remain unchanged.

SHIRE PATHWAYS REVIEW Noosa Council will conduct a shire-wide review of pathway network connections following a number of requests for new paths from residents. This includes several requests from hinterland communities, according to the council Design Coordinator, Mitch Turner. “The review will be undertaken in the coming year and will assist council in determining where money can best be spent to benefit the greatest number of residents,” he said.

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Proposed hinterland works schedule The Noosa Council Budget includes expenditure, actual and planned, for a range of initiatives across the hinterland, but most have been scheduled for up to five years away.

The major item the council has planned for the hinterland is a regional ‘all abilities’ playground for Cooroy, which receives $300,000 in 2019–20 to kick-start the project. At Pomona, a $200,000 allocation will see the sealing of the gravel section of Ambulance Street.

It is the only Pomona project to proceed in financial year 2019–20, amid myriad spending on Noosa coastal infrastructure. One project that has sat on the council agenda for years is School Road pathway construction, but it won’t be built before 2022–23, at a notional cost of $80,000. That same year, the first stage of a pathway and connectivity program for the town will be rolled out, at an estimated cost of $150,000.

trail equipment upgrade, to cost $151,000 in 2021–22. Stan Topper Park is earmarked to receive $197,000 in 2023–24 for a public amenities upgrade, although details are sketchy.

The big-ticket item for Pomona is a planned sports park, where the budget says $2.57m will be spent in 2027–28 on its ‘establishment and embellishment’.

At Cooran, a Tablelands Road bridge renewal program will proceed this financial year at a cost of $100,000 – half met by the council, with the remainder coming via grants.

A further upgrade of Cooran’s Pioneer Park can proceed following confirmation of a $65,000 allocation in 2019–20, but the teenagers of the town will have to wait until 2022–23 for a $150,000 renewal of their skate park. It’s a further wait until 2024–25 before a $97,000 upgrade to Straker Park occurs.

$1.8m expenditure item.

Hector Street, Boreen Point, will receive improvements worth $97,000, including kerb and channelling, while Teewah gravel roads will be graded and improved at a cost of $250,000.

The good news for Kin Kin residents is that the Wahpunga Lane Bridge will be renewed this year at a cost of $200,000 (half contributed by Noosa Council).

Meanwhile, Kin Kin will have to wait until 2025–26 for a sports facilities upgrade ($307,800) and, that same year, an upgrade to the tennis courts and car park ($200,000).

The council has signalled it will instigate a shire-wide Pathway Linkage and Connection Program. It will finalise a cycleways study to identify missing links. And it plans to establish a place-making team and commence a pilot project.

The joggers and runners at Cooroora Middle Creek Road at Federal will be Pomona interests are hoping this will take place in their town.

Creek Park will benefit from a fitness widened and sealed in 2021–22 – a

Pony Club helps QR test cross-town path design Construction of the much-anticipated cross-town path over the railway tracks at Pomona will proceed next month after the final touches were made to the design, with the assistance of the Pomona Pony Club.

Last month, Queensland Rail (QR) constructed a mock-up of the proposed path chicane, but needed to know whether it would be suitable for all users, including riders on horses. While QR officials looked on, pony club members and their horses walked and rode

through the mock-up while the warning sounds users will hear were played. The design passed with flying colours, even when two horses were required to pass, walking in opposite directions.

The new path will be fitted with electronic signals, similar to those at a normal pedestrian crossing, with the addition of another sign indicating ‘another train coming’. This is designed to indicate that two trains are about to pass each other at Pomona and users should be alert to a second train bearing down on the crossing.

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Environment plan aims to improve quality of Mary River catchment We are used to regular monitoring of the Noosa River catchment as the cleanest in South-East Queensland.

Now Noosa Council has set itself a target of checking the health of the Mary River catchment and reporting on its condition every year. Work to achieve this outcome will proceed during the next two years as the council implements its new Noosa Environment Strategy.

also has plans to divert all green and food waste from landfill by the same 2030 deadline.

The council has also pledged to identify potential areas for carbon sequestration in the Noosa Shire and to support landholders taking advantage of available opportunities.

The Mary River sub-catchment report card will be reviewed regularly. Cooroy and Pomona rainwater feeds into the Six-Mile Creek catchment, which flows to the Mary River.

The Noosa Environment Strategy Implementation Plan recognises that everyone in the community has a shared responsibility as stewards of the environment and that there are benefits in utilising the collective knowledge and skills available through productive and enduring partnerships.

By 2030, the council wants half of all land in Noosa Shire managed for its environmental values. Currently, 36.5 per cent of land on public and private land is managed for its environmental values. The council

These include partnerships with community groups, traditional owners (Kabi Kabi), universities, research institutes, other management agencies and environmental organisations.

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Start on our biggest environmental project ever Council award for koala habitat project Enthusiastic volunteers eagerly took part in a community tree planting project on World Environment Day last month to kick-start what will be the biggest environmental project in Noosa’s history.

Noosa and District Landcare provided trees and supervised the planting to begin creating an important wildlife corridor benefitting not only koalas, but many threatened and endangered species.

The planting of 1000 trees near McKinnon Drive on 22 June flowed from Noosa Council’s successful management of the YurolRingtail State Forests conservation project that resulted in the council being awarded a 2019 Local Government Management Association (Qld) ‘Excellence in Collaboration Award’ recently.

Above: Noosa Landcare team on the job at tree planting day.

Left: Noosa Council CEO Brett de Chastel (centre) receives the award with (l-r) Council’s Principal Environment Officer Peter Milne, Council’s former Governance Advisor Paul Bright, LGMA President Susan Jarvis, and State Member for Redlands Kim Richards. progress the reafforestation and transfer of 2400ha of State Forest into National Park under a $3.5m deal signed last November. The money is being used to buy out commercial timber removal concessions held

by HQ Plantations.

Mayor Tony Wellington said the award The award recognises acknowledged the tireless genuine and effective efforts of council staff, collaboration with particularly CEO Brett de partners, resulting in better Chastel. “This project is a outcomes for councils and great example of what can their communities. be achieved when Noosa Council collaborated governments, community with the State Government, and business work together for a common goal,” the local environment group Mayor said.

Noosa Parks Association, and HQ Plantations to

$5000 FOR SKATEBOARD EVENTS Noosa Council has granted $5000 to the Australian Skateboarding Foundation (ASF) to organise a series of skateboard events across the shire in 2019-20 – to build interest and professionalism in the sport.

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FLOATING LAND FESTIVAL THEME NAMED It remains a sublime expression of local artistic endeavour that this year will see the Floating Land Festival link urban and rural Noosa across two sites at Boreen Point and the Noosa National Park from 12-24 October.

Visitors will be invited to experience thoughtful, challenging and environmentally aware works that engage sensitively with these special and spectacular spaces.

Race your fingers through a mountain of books!

year’s festival – Floating Land: Point to Point. Local artists were briefed about the theme and how they can participate at information sessions held in February, in conjunction with acclaimed contemporary artist Brook Andrew, a 2017 recipient of the Smithsonian Artist Research Fellowship.

Those wishing to take part in Floating Land:Point to Point should contact Noosa Regional Gallery on 5329 6145 or email Noosa Regional Gallery has floatinglandnnoosa.qld.g ov.au. named the theme of this Pomona Pacers is a friendly group whose members walk for around 60 minutes at a medium-brisk pace on a variety of town routs and bush tracks, interspersed with regular coffee mornings and excursions. To join, simply meet outside Pomona Community House at 1 Memorial Ave, Pomona every weekday (except public holidays), currently at 7am. Enquiries to Leonie on 0409 628 646

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Grants possible for PomonaCooran bike path link The Director-General of the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), Mr Neil Scales, says Noosa Council is eligible to apply for state government funding through the Cycle Network Local Government Grants Program for construction of a pedestrian and bicycle path linking Pomona and Cooran.

In a letter sent to petitioners from both towns in support of the project, Mr Scales said his department would welcome an application from Noosa Council for money to build the path.

Mr Scales went on to say that he can see the value in creating an active transport short-cut for pedestrians and cyclists between Pomona and Cooran, in preference to an 8km journey by road.

Pomona and Cooran people petitioned the council to advocate with the state government for the path, which is included as an uncompleted project on the Queensland Principal Bicycle Network, with a category B rating, meaning a start on construction is 10 to 15 years away.

Mr Scales outlined the steps forward, among them: 

Noosa Shire management of the project and the grant application



Noosa Shire development of the project scope, given the mix of land ownership involved and the need to bring forward this project into the Priority A category.

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State proposes pedestrian refuge in Factory St State transport agencies have rejected a proposal by the DontDividePomona Committee to extend the cross-town path across the railway tracks at Pomona via a pedestrian crossing over Factory Street.

Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey; advising that low traffic volumes and reasonably good visibility for pedestrians crossing the street puts the project low on the list of road safety projects in South-East Instead, the Department of Queensland.

Transport and Main Roads The full length of the (TMR) has put forward the reconstructed Pomona possible alternative of a Railway Station platform pedestrian refuge in was made available to Factory Street similar to travellers last month. Work the one in Reserve Street, on the realigned crossoutside the veterinarian’s town path is expected to office. start in August.

It won’t be built soon, says Tam van Alphen, chief of staff to the Minister for

It will join Station Street and Factory Street with a sealed bicycle and

INDONESIAN FUN & EASY!!

Language & Culture Courses

SPEAK in just 6 weeks!

Everyday Fluency in just 30 weeks!

Pomona Cooroy

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From: 10 July Day or Evening Qld.Reg. Teacher Albertina Banks Ph: 0429 329 743 albertinabanks699@gmail.com

pedestrian path to form an east-west active transport axis that locals hope could extend into Cooroora Creek Park.

Landscaping proposed for the railway station has been postponed until after the pedestrian path is well under way and the weather is warmer.

In further transport developments, the CEO of Queensland Rail, Nick Easy, has confirmed that single door access to InterCity Express (ICE) trains calling at Pomona station will remain until that class of train is retired from service.

“The train configuration leaves an unacceptable gap between the new platform and the train. The issue had been identified at the time the design for the new station was being finalised,” he said.

“While relocating the platform was investigated to mitigate the problem in the interim, this would have moved the station away from the town centre and car park, and ticketing infrastructure,” Mr Easy said.

“Unfortunately, QR is not

yet in a position to advise the retirement date for the ICE units. They are the only trains in the South-East Queensland fleet equipped with Automatic Train Protection (ATP) technology and, therefore, are scheduled to operate Gympie North services.

“I am pleased to advise that QR is investing $30m to replace the current ATP technology with the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 1 trackside system from Caboolture to Gympie North. This will enable trains fitted with ETCS technology to service this line,” Mr Easy said.

“We acknowledge there are more improvements to be made in terms of the reliability of the Gympie North Services and I can assure customers that this is a priority.

“In respect of suggestions for a shuttle (train) service between Gympie North and Nambour stations, this is not in scope at this stage, but QR will provide further consideration to this proposal within future timetable developments,” he said.

FAMILY DRUG SUPPORT FDS runs regular Family Drug Support Group Meetings on the 1st Tuesday of the month.

Starting at 7pm to 9pm at Gympie Community Place, 18 Excelsior Road, Gympie.

For 24 hours a day support, call toll free 1300 368 186

Free Legal Advice & Referral Family & General Law Pomona Community House 1 Memorial Ave, Pomona Tuesday evenings Fortnightly 6.pm – 7.30pm

Ph: 5443 7827

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Everything old is new again at Second-hand fashion classes REVAMP is an exciting new initiative for the hinterland where a new and improved purpose is found for something already existing.

For coordinator Megan Twidle it is all about repurposing things in order to reduce the impact of waste on the environment.

starting at 9am to 3.30pm on Saturday 20 July at the Lawson Shed, with the first hour costing $35, being a beginners sewing class. The main workshop starts at 10.30am to 3.30pm.

The $145 price includes all material and equipment, as well as access to a rack of clothing from which participants can make their own fashion statements.

It is also a lot of fun. Megan has arranged a course for beginners and a more comprehensive course Bookings may be made via the to follow for those who wish to Eventbrite website. participate and be creative. https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/ “ReVamp will inspire you to see revamp-upcycled-clothing-creativeyour wardrobe and future sewing-workshop-ticketsclothing purchases in a whole new 64150095663 way,” Megan said.

“Learning to sew, honing your skills and using your creativity can give you a new outfit on a teeny budget.

“Let your imagination go wild, meet some like-minded people and go home with a garment that you love to wear.”

Megan has the skills to lead this course. She is the creator/ designer and maker of women's and men’s clothing label - Stytchy Wytchy.

Megan Twidle wearing one of her fashions.

Mary Valley Show 100th anniversary With preparations gearing up for the Noosa Country Show at Pomona on 6 -7 September, our cousins in the Mary Valley will mark a major milestone for their annual show on 17 August 2019. The Mary Valley Show celebrates its 100th anniversary this

year. The gates of the Imbil Showground swing open at 8am.

Planned highlights include rides, entertainment, ring events, rodeo, show jumping, stud cattle, poultry section, miniature goats, a woodchop and pavilion displays.

MEDICAL PRACTICE SOLD

Plans for the Cooroora Family Health medical practice at Pomona to become a patient-owned cooperative have not gone ahead, with the practice Her UpCycled Clothing Creative now sold. The new principal doctor will take over in mid-August, according Sewing Workshop ReVamp will to its Facebook page. The search continues for new doctors to join the practice. A new doctor started on 17 June. Phone 5485 1321 for more details, be held over six and half hours or to book an appointment.

BOOMERANG BAGS POMONA Come & Sew A Bag, share conversation, friendship and “real” coffee.

Feel good about helping to replace plastic one-use shopping bags with reusable bags made from donated, recycled fabrics. All materials supplied.

Monday 9.30am to 3.30pm Lawson Shed Pomona Anya 0457 042 782

Tewantin Noosa RSL Morning Melodies Lunch

Wednesday 24 July 11am - 1pm Please book on 5447 1766

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Pomona Community House Groups & Services 1 Memorial Ave, Pomona PH: 5485 2427 FAX: 5485 1702 Pomona & District Community House acknowledges funding from Qld Government Department of Communities and Noosa Council.

Making Music at A432

Wednesday - by appointment Donation $3 per visit Booking Essential

Wednesday Mornings $5 per 1/2hour

Pomona Astronomy Club 4th Wednesday of the month 7.00pm Cost $3 per person Lawson Shed

Lawson Shed Tuesday 9.30am - 12pm Cost $3 per person includes tea & coffee Contact: Noel Bird Ph: 0403 173 851

 PHOTOCOPYING  COLOUR PRINTING  SCANNING / EMAILS  LAMINATING / FAXING  TYPING

Venue Hire & Room Hire Workshops Functions Meetings

Cliff 0474 025 215

Phone 5485 2427 Pomona Creative Writing

Office Services 9am to 4pm

Teaching Piano & Things With Strings

PH: 5485 2427

One on One Computer Lessons

REFERRAL & INFORMATION

PH: 5485 2427 Centrelink / Medicare Access Point

Trash to Treasure Craft Group Workshop To Be Advised Ph: 5485 2427

9am to 4pm Self Service Access Point  Computer/Printer/Fax  

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

Ph: 5443 7827 Free Legal Advice & Referral Family & General Law Pomona Community House 1 Memorial Ave, Pomona Tuesday Fortnightly

Stan Topper Park Pomona Friday 8am to 9am Cost $2.00 per Class

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NDIS appoints local area coordinator for Hinterland

Cooran Village Market First & Third Sunday of each month Bonsai Brewhouse Veranda

Do you (or someone you know of), have an impairment or condition that you would have for the rest of your life?

Do you usually need support from a person or equipment to do everyday things for yourself, due to this condition?

If you answered 'yes' to one or both of these questions, you may be eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The NDIS Local Area Coordinator for the Noosa and Sunshine Coast hinterland, Leysha Penfold, is holding regular drop-in sessions in Cooroy, Pomona, Kenilworth, Tewantin and Noosa.

28 King Street, Cooran Happening: 7 July 2019 Time: 9am to 1pm Leysha Penfold Coordination Partner in the Community for the Sunshine Coast, Noosa Hinterland and Gympie region.

Carers Queensland's role is to help those eligible in the community understand how to apply for NDIS services and to facilitate the process for participants.

Contact: Trish Kearton Market Manager Noosa Museum Phone: 0413 794 866 www.noosamuseum.org.au

"In addition, we have a role in helping build a more accessible The first of these will be held at and inclusive community where Pomona and District Community people with a disability are House on 25 July, between welcomed and valued," 9.30am and 11.30am. They will be a spokesperson said. a regular occurrence every fourth Carers Queensland's NDIS LAC Thursday of the month. No PITC Program in Maroochydore, bookings required. located at 43 Plaza Parade For Cooroy residents, the venue Maroochydore, runs workshops will be the Cooroy Library, Maple and drop-in sessions throughout Street, on the first Friday of the the region, including those newly month, between 9.30am and -established at Pomona, Cooroy 12.30pm. Bookings are not and Kenilworth. required.

For more information please The NDIS provides funding to contact Carers Queensland on people with disability to help (07) 5409 3300 or them get the support they need SunshineCoastLACncarersqld.co so their skills and independence m.au. improve over time.

Connect on Facebook The scheme is administered by nNDISSunshineCoastLACPITCC the National Disability Insurance arersQueensland for details of all Agency and Carers Queensland is the NDIS drop-in sessions in the the NDIS Local Area region.

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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.

Cooroora Connect Advertising/Editorial deadline for the next issue 19 July 2019 heather@pomonacommunityhouse.com.au

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.

Support Your Local Lions Club Feeling generous? Want to give back to the community? You can by donating your excess bottles, cans, etc to the Cooroy Pomona Lions Club.

Simply bag them up in a white plastic bin bag, go to the Cooroy Bloomhill Op Shop and just inside the door is a machine which prints out labels.

The Cooroy Pomona Lions Club number is C10041804.

Stick the label on the bag and place in the industrial bin located at the side of the Op shop.

Bloomhill Op Shop is located between the Cooroy RSL and the Kindy – parking available right outside.

Lions Recycling Project Pomona Community House is now officially a collection centre for used spectacles without cases.

Lions Recycle for Sight Australia is part of the Lions Clubs International Worldwide Eyeglass Recycling Program which collects used spectacles and sunglasses.

The program cleans, grades and re-labels 450,000 pairs annually of used spectacles and sunglasses at our three centres in Queensland.

The re-labelled end product is packed into boxes of 200 pairs, half of one prescription and 100 of the next higher prescription, under strict quality control rules.

Social Indoor Bowls

Pomona Tennis Club

Pomona Table Tennis

Harmony Dance Club

Pomona Memorial Hall

Pomona Showground

Social Ball Room Dancing

Wednesday 9am - 11.30am Arrive 8.30am for a 9am start

Tues Social Tennis 9am - 12pm - $2.50

Pomona Hall Lower Room

Fri Social Tennis 7pm $4.50

Casual Dress & Flat sole shoes

Thurs Juniors /Beginners 3.15pm - 4.15pm

Contact Alan Ph: 544 76223

Contact Roger Ph: 0419 886 101

Next to Red Cross Op shop

Wed/Fri 9am-11am Contact Peter 5485 0259 Pomona State School Mon/Wed - 5pm Contact Bernard Ph: 5485 0888

New Vogue & Old Time Dancing Pomona Hall Tuesday 7pm - 9.30pm Cost $5 includes supper Contact Pat & Norm Young Ph: 5485 2007

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Pomona rocks in search of creative happiness Have you found any beautifully painted rocks around town?

Painted rocks similar to these are being hidden all over Pomona to create an imaginary treasure trove for the young and young at heart to search for and record.

If so, please take it, re-hide it and consider painting your own to hide.

Alternatively you may keep it and replace it with one of your own painted rocks.

This crafty initiative has been devised

by Pomona Rocks - a movement to share happiness and joy in our community.

The group has developed its own Facebook page to track activity.

For those who wish to participate, they can join the group. (Search Pomona Rocks and request to join.)

Members are invited to put the group’s symbol on the back of their created rock and post pictures of family members painting and hunting for them.

Of course, they are to look at and replace.

decorative eyes, glitter or stickers, as we care about animals and the environment.

Please don’t hide any rocks in grass which is likely to be mowed, or around trees likely to be whipper-snipped, on bike paths, private property or cemeteries. Be very careful not to damage any plants or go off paths.

Participants are asked not to use

Every Tuesday from 5.30pm Pomona Anglican Church Grounds Cnr Memorial Ave & Rectory St, Pomona (Opposite the Post Office) All Welome - Free Meal Phone 5485 0206

PCH MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS DUE Here is an opportunity for you to join in activities that support the community by becoming a member of Pomona and District Community House or renewing an existing membership.

Community House activities include computer lessons, writing group, music lessons, youth groups, social games, information workshops and more.

The membership renewal applies from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020 and costs $5 per person.

Call in to Pomona Community House for a membership form or visit our website.

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People with influence

PLOD’S PAGE

Recent traffic operations in Pomona Division in 2019 have shown up some interesting trends relating to driving while affected by or under the influence of substances. Eight drink drivers have been detected in the year to date, with a hit rate of about 1 per

by Sgt Dan McNamara OIC 600 random breath tests.

Pomona Police Station This is a relatively good result Ph: 5480 1733 and these offences appear to be declining. awake or within the marked Drug driving, where a driver is lanes. subjected to a roadside saliva We’ve had Cannabis’ positive test, resulted in 15 offenders drivers state with a serious face fronting court. Err…not so that they couldn’t help it as good considering that, of the they were heading to the servo subjects targeted for saliva due to a bad case of the testing, the result was an munchies. Folks, very few of almost 100 per cent hit rate. them drive Kombi vans with This is concerning because in peace symbols on the side Australia over the past five these days. years, 18 per cent of drivers Amphetamine and Ecstasy use and motorcyclists killed were can lead to reduced vision, positive to THC, the active speeding, erratic driving and ingredient in Cannabis. Eleven increased risk-taking and per cent deceased drivers had aggression, and is commonly ecstasy, speed or Crystal Meth linked to road rage incidents.

(Ice) in their systems. If you’ve The results, if convicted of taken even a low dose of drug driving, are similar to Cannabis you may drive too that of drink driving with slowly, have trouble staying substantial monetary fines and licence suspensions ranging Federal Hall from one month to absolute Rec Club disqualification (for life) for Meals Available incorrigible repeat offenders.

Licenced Bar 2nd & 4th Friday Starting at 6pm

All Welcome Contact Rosemary 0413 477 473

who doesn’t have drugs in their system. 

Arrange for a friend or family member to transport you.



Use public transport.



Arrange to stay overnight.

The ones that intend to continue using and driving, (please drop us a line and let me know who you are or), get used to more targeted traffic enforcement out this way, where you may experience a very different kind of trip.

Funny that A circus performer was intercepted by police for speeding. As the officer was writing out a ticket, he noticed several machetes on the driver’s rear seat.

The cop asked what they were for and the driver said: “They’re part of my act, I’m a juggler”. Suspicious, the officer demanded the driver demonstrate his juggling at the side of the highway.

The driver commenced juggling three then four and finally seven machetes, overhand, backhand, putting on an amazing show; dazzling the officer.

Another car passed by, the driver did a double-take and I’m hopeful, but not so naïve said: “My God, I’ve got to give as to think you’ll all stop using up drinking! Look at the when you read this so here are sobriety test they’re giving some pretty obvious now.” suggestions if you’ve taken Until next time, stay well and drugs and need to travel: be good to each other.  Organise a driver you know

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For all your local Advertising

The Cooroora Connect heather@pomonacommunityhouse.com.au POMONA True Value Hardware PH: 5485 1351 10 Reserve St Pomona

HARDWARE, TIMBER, GARDEN, PAINT, LP GAS, RURAL & PRODUCE NEEDS

Pomona Barber No Appointment Necessary

COOROORA SCREENS & BLINDS

Open Tuesday to Friday

19a Factory Street, Pomona

Located behind The Caltex Garage Factory Street, Pomona

P: 5485 1287 / M: 0419 655 901

PH: 0477 043 071

* Screens & Security Doors * * Shutters * Awnings * * Verticals * Venetians * * Roller & Roman Blinds *

NEW FITNESS CLASSES Aimed at over 50’s We Care, Support & Nurture

100Hp 1.5m wide

$10 p/class $90 for 10 classes

1st Clas s

Jason Hall 0412 020 789

Cooran Memorial School of Arts, 14 Kings St, Cooran

Tuesday 8am - Gentle Stretch Class Helping to increase flexibility & movement Anglican Church Hall Cnr, Miva St & Tewantin Rd, Cooroy

Friday 7.30am - Beginners Mat Pilates Engage your core to improve you balance, posture & become stronger 8.30 Gentle Stretch Class Helping to increase flexibility & movement ** Please bring mat, towel & water bottle **

Phone or Text Micheala 0449 047 746

Ames Frames Pomona’s Custom

*framing *canvas stretching *mirrors quality work at reasonable prices

by appointment 0481 238 722

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