WHAT’S ON?

Noosa Ultra-Trail

Early bird entries are open for the Noosa UltraTrail scheduled for 21-24 March 2024. The trail runs through the Noosa hinterland and is expected to attract 1,800 runners. There will be a mix of terrain and a choice of six distances from 15km to 100km. Visit: noosaultratrail.com.au.

Pomona Gallery summer exhibitions

The Pomona Railway Station Gallery has a series of new exhibitions lined up for summer. The first is Diversification with works by Linda Evans and runs from 2 December-3 January. Linda uses all mediums in her art which is inspired by her travels.

Realism to Abstraction shows works by Nicky Orange and Cameron Gillespie and runs from 6-31 January. Nicky works mainly in acrylics and said the quirkier her subjects, the better. Cameron’s works are influenced by nature.

The World is a Strange Place exhibits works by Roger Callen from 27 January-28 February. Roger’s art consists of abstract works mainly on paper and canvas. Visit: pomonartgallery.com.

Sunshine Coast Youth Theatre

The Sunshine Coast Youth Theatre presents Disney’s rousing musical Newsies Jr at The J Theatre at 2pm and 7pm on 13 January. This abridged version has a cast of 55 talented performers all under 18yo. Inspired by the true story of the newsboys in turn-of-the-century New York, Newsies Jr follows Jack Kelly who rallies other newsies to strike against publishing giant Joseph Pulitzer after he raises the prices at the newsboys' expense. Visit: thej.com.au.

Sunshine Swing Band

The Sunshine Swing Band has provided oldtime dance music since the 1960s including at the opening of Qld Parliament, debutante balls, show balls, fundraising events, cabarets and local dances in halls and civic centres from Beerwah to Gympie and west to Toogoolawah and Warwick.

The band played at Belli Hall every six weeks for 20 years and before that old-time dances were held one week at the Palmwoods Hall and the next at the old Beerwah Hall.

Come along to the Sunshine Swing Band reunion night at Woombye Hall on Hill St on 1 December. Doors open at 7pm with music from 7.30pm. Tickets available at the door are $10. BYO supper. The current band will play with many past members coming back to celebrate. Visit: t.ly/ PzNPE.

A Christmas Celebration

The Sunshine Coast Symphony Orchestra will give their final performance for 2023 – A Christmas Celebration – at The Events Centre, Caloundra on 9 December. They will play muchloved pieces by Vivaldi, Handel, Tchaikovsky and Britten interspersed with modern classics such as Sleigh Ride, Let it Snow and the suite from The Polar Express. Tickets from $39 at theeventscentre.com.au or phone 5491 4240.

Want better public transport?

If you would like better public transport on the Sunshine Coast, the Qld Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) wants to hear from you regarding future considerations. Bus service improvements are being planned to improve connections between stations, key destinations and areas across the Sunshine Coast. This can include introducing new bus routes, additional trips and longer operating hours. You can tell the planners about the locations you want for services and share your thoughts on what improvements you would like to see.

The Northern Sunshine Coast Public Transport Strategy is also planning our future public transport system in partnership with Sunshine Coast and Noosa Shire councils. Give your feedback to help planners understand challenges, opportunities, ideas and priorities to help inform the strategy's development.

There are two projects at the southern end of the Sunshine Coast. The Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line is a proposed heavy rail 37km passenger rail line between Beerwah and Maroochydore. The Sunshine Coast Public Transport project –the Mass Transit project – is looking at options including an enhanced public transport connection between Maroochydore and the Sunshine Coast University Hospital at Birtinya, with a possible extension to Caloundra. Have your say on the DMTR website, visit: t.ly/7P_xg.

Dementia wellness

Noosa Regional Gallery and Noosa Council will introduce a new creative arts program supporting quality of life and wellbeing for people living with dementia.

Brushing Memories: Artful Journeys for Dementia Wellness is a creative program that engages participants through art making and conversation. The free program will commence in 2024 with sessions available to residential care facility residents and members of the public. In readiness for the new program the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) in collaboration with Noosa Regional Gallery will present a specialised training workshop for local arts and health professionals. This will be delivered by a Sunshine Coast-based artist educator and supported by Noosa Regional Gallery volunteers. It is available to Noosa residents from February 2024 and participation is free. Visit: noosaregionalgallery. com.au.

Altitude Nine opens

Now open in the Maroochydore city centre, Altitude Nine is the Sunshine Coast’s newest premium venue offering panoramic views from the ninth floor of Sunshine Coast City Hall.

Mayor Mark Jamieson officially opened the venue to 110 guests including representatives from the events and tourism sector, community groups, local businesses and media. Altitude Nine is now taking bookings for a range of community, business, private and charity functions and can accommodate up to 180 people. Email: altitudenine@sunshinecoast.qld. gov.au.

WELCOMING