WHAT'S ON
The program aims to keep holiday boredom at bay by encouraging children to continue to read over the break – whether a book, graphic novel, magazine or audio book. Register for the Summer Reading Club at: library. sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au, your local library or with Mobi 1 or 2. Pick up a copy of your Cabinet of Curiosities challenge card from your library and complete three explorations to be in the running for prizes. Entries close at 5pm on 31 January with winners announced on 2 February.
Santa at The Ginger Factory There’s still time to catch Santa at The Ginger Factory from 9.30am-1.30pm until 24 December. Pop in and tell him your Christmas hopes and wishes. Visit: gingerfactory.com.au.
Woodford Folk Festival app Woodford Folk Festival now has an app available for Apple and Android to help you tailor your program and include reminders for shows you really don’t want to miss. It provides access to the Woodford Playlist, event information and allows you to book workshops. There is an interactive map that shows locations and venues so you can’t get lost or be late to a performance and live tracking for shuttle bus services.
COMMUNITY
Summer Reading Club Sunshine Coast Council Libraries’ annual Summer Reading Club is back and waiting for children and teens to join the free interactive program. Each child receives a Cabinet of Curiosities challenge card to help undertake three explorations, unlocking prizes along the way. Challenges could include building a reading fort or reading aloud while sticking out your tongue. 8
Car-free holidays The global phenomenon of converting parking spots into more sociable and family-friendly activation sites is set to be trialled at the Main Beach carpark next to the Surf Lifesaving Club with a Pop-up People’s Park this holiday season. Dubbed the Main Beach People’s Park the concept will create a fun, relaxed gathering place for beachgoers. Acting Infrastructure Services Director Shaun Walsh said the partial closure of the carpark has the full support of local businesses and Hastings Street Assn is supporting the two-week trial by providing buskers. “We are returning the carpark to the people from 23 December to 7 January 2024. There will be a drop-off and pick-up drive-through lane and disability bays available but the remainder of the carpark will be transformed into a setting of picnic tables, chairs, marquees and live music," said Shaun. “We are looking to create a place where people can socialise, relax and enjoy a picnic while visiting the beach.” The partial closure of the carpark is coupled with council’s free Go Noosa holiday buses. From 9 December to 21 January there are five free Translink services running across the shire. The Translink Services include the 626, 627, 628, 629 and 632 only. The electric shuttle runs every 15 minutes from 7am-7pm and half-hourly until 10pm linking Noosa Heads, Noosa Junction, Weyba Rd and Noosa Pde. Returning is the additional free temporary route 064 servicing Peregian Beach to Noosa Heads which runs north hourly from 7.30am-5.30pm. Visit: translink.com. au or noosa.qld.gov.au or phone 13 12 30.
