Events bring Cooroy to life

FREE I Phone: 5442 6699 I Email: editorial@cooroyrag.com.au I 20 October 2021

Congrats class of 2021!

NOOSA District State High School Year 12 students celebrated their final year with a glitzy formal at Sunshine Beach Surf Club, last month. Plenty of fun was had! See the official photos supplied to the Cooroy Rag on page 22.

Events bring Cooroy to life

BY ALEX PURCELL

AFTER a tumultuous year, Cooroy has come alive again.

This month, three major events have brought people to our town and our community together.

On October 9, thousands of people attended the German Bakehouse Cafe and Saw & Mill’s first annual Oktoberfest (see photos page 16 and 17).

Saw & Mill Manager, Kimberly Bateman, told the Cooroy Rag that it was bigger than they expected.

“We had over 2000 people come through on the day and because it was a community-focused event, there were lots of families.

“We had coffee and cars on the lot next door, and an old fire truck came along that was cool for everyone to see. The giant hotdog and pretzel eating competitions were hilarious to watch, and kids went home with lots of prizes from the pretzel toss.

“It was a big day. Everyone enjoyed themselves.”

On the Bowling Green, event-goers sampled traditional German food from the German Bakehouse together with beer, while being entertained by the LifeLine fashion parade, best-dressed competition and later, live music.

Inside, the Saw & Mill restaurant was pumping out their famous pork knuckles.

“We didn’t expect it to get so busy so quickly and we sold over 300 pork knuckles on the day. We know the German Bakehouse had a really successful day as well, and we are looking forward to next year.”

Already the two businesses have picked the date for next year’s Oktoberfest.

“It’s October 1, 2022, and it will be bigger and better again.”

On October 12, 65 local businesses and community members joined Noosa Council Mayor, Clare Stewart, for the Cooroy Chamber of Commerce’s Dinner with the Mayor (see photos page 18).

Cooroy Chamber of Commerce President, Chris Bell, told the Cooroy Rag that the annual event is always well attended.

“There is always a good vibe at this dinner. When Clare was walking around, she wasn’t greeting constituents, she was greeting friends. The Hinterland is kicking goals at the moment and Cooroy is the heart of the Hinterland.”

And on October 3, over 100 frocked up and fabulous guests came together for the annual Noosa Polo Cup on the fields of the Noosa Country Polo Club, beneath Cooroy Mountain (see photos page 15 and story page 30).

These recent events are on the back of other successful ones in August and September such as the Cooroy Rag’s Community Celebration, the Mingle with the Mayor Ball, the Noosa Country Show and the Majestic Theatre’s 100-year birthday celebrations.

After a number of other events were cancelled last minute due to Covid, such as Cooroy Fusion Festival and Cooroy Mountain Spring Water Festival, it is heartwarming to see events going ahead and people supporting them.

And we’re not finished yet. Following the Pink October fundraiser breakfast at Saw & Mill on October 29, the major celebration for the Cooroy community is yet to come. Christmas in Cooroy is happening on December 10 and this year, the free and family-friendly community event, put on by the Cooroy Chamber of Commerce, will feature late-night trading, the lighting of the tree, food and entertainment and the oldie but a goodie, Santa Race (see page 19).

Meanwhile, many Cooroy businesses are exclaiming it has been “busier than ever” since the September school holidays.

Statistics from the managers of Cooroy Chamber of Commerce’s RV Stop Over, show vans staying at the park have increased 57 per cent this year.

And let’s do our bit and support all our wonderful businesses with our regular trade and Christmas shopping.

From your editor’s desk

Cooroy Rag editor, Alex Purcell

EVERY edition we think ‘This edition is our best edition yet’.

But if the response to our last edition is anything to go by, it really was ‘our best edition yet’.

We have been inundated with calls and messages of support following our front-page story, earlier this month, from people all over Australia requesting a print edition, to locals, family and friends, all thanking us for re-telling the tragedy at Cooroy Creek in 1981 and remembering Derek, June, Shayne and Ricky.

It has been humbling and heartwarming.

Many said they hadn’t forgotten. Many said they would never forget. How could they?

That is our point exactly.

I was born in Cooroy in 1983, and sadly, I first learned of the tragic deaths of Derek, June, Shayne and Ricky only recently.

That’s not right. They deserve more - as do the unknown victims of this tragedy, who were emotionally affected and whose stories may never be known.

This tragic event is a part of Cooroy. Just like Derek, June, Shayne and Ricky.

And their legacies need to be remembered.

That is why we are advocating for a memorial to be erected at the site. So everyone will know their stories.

And their memories can live on for generations to come. Your editor, Alex

BOUQUET to Andrew at Andrew’s A Grade Mechanical in Pomona for dropping everything to immediately attend to the slow puncture in my tyre. What a soldier.

BOUQUET to Noosa Country Polo for putting on an event that brought together businesses and the community for a fun and entertaining day. Can’t wait for next year.

BRICKBATS to whoever stole the orchid from the footpath of a house on Maple Street. It had been there for 12 years! BRICKBATS to the teenagers seen using the picnic table in the park opposite Pomona IGA car park and leaving it in a terrible state. Pick up your rubbish. What a mess.

OUR PURPOSE

To be an independent voice for the Cooroy and Noosa Hinterland community, reflecting its views, championing its causes, celebrating its people and sustaining its way of life.

OUR PROMISE

We will deliver news you can trust and content that informs and promotes our community while ensuring profits generated from local advertisers are invested back into the community that we are proud to serve. Events bring Cooroy to life ......................1

Memorial for tragedy embraced by community ....3

This Bird mural defaced......4

Cooroy jailhouse future a topic of discussion..............5

'Tis the season to get...married .................. 6

Sconetime organiser recognised with award........7

Remembering former Cooroy Rag owner, Margaret Chinn....8

What's hot this Melbourne Cup.............10-11

Local mum's champion jams and chutneys........... 12

Agent nominated as rising star for extra service........ 13

Events..........................14-21

Schools....................... 22-23

Community ................. 24-25

Your say.......................26-29

Sport................................ 30

Classifieds........................31

Trades and services ... 32-33

Real estate ..................34-39

Weather forecast for Cooroy

*Source: www.theweathernetwork.com

October 19 October 20 October 21 October 22 October 23 October 24 October 25 October 26 October 27

Rain, at times heavy, top of 21° low of 18° o/n

Risk of a thunderstorm top of 21° low of 19° o/n A mix of sun and clouds top of 21° low of 18° o/n

Mainly sunny except for a few afternoon clouds top of 28° low of 15° o/n A mix of sun and clouds top of 22° low of 18° o/n Sunny, top of 27° low of 19° o/n Sunny top of 25° low of 19° o/n

Cloudy with showers top of 23° low of 19° o/n

Chance of a shower top of 22° low of 20° o/n

RAG CONTACTS

OFFICE Phone: 5442 6699 EDITOR Alex Purcell editorial@cooroyrag.com.au ADVERTISING Judy Painter advertising@cooroyrag.com.au PRODUCTION Geoff Crockett production@cooroyrag.com.au ADMINISTRATION Jodi Brennan admin@cooroyrag.com.au

Twice a month, 7500 copies of the Cooroy Rag are distributed throughout our community to Tewantin, Doonan, Eumundi, Noosaville, Boreen Point, Imbil, Gympie, Cooroy and Pomona.

“ We genuinely give a SHED!”