OUT AND ABOUT

Camp

Sculpture on the Edge

Sculpture on the Edge at Flaxton Gardens was once again a beautiful setting for around 200 internal and external sculptures. Artists from around the world submitted works and this year there was a prize for emerging local artist won by Mieke van den Berg.

B Active Christmas games

Teams limbered-up for the annual B Active Christmas games at the Eumundi Amphitheatre on 8 December. Much merriment ensued with the tossing of Christmas wreaths, wrapping the human Christmas tree and hunting for elves all with a healthy dose of squats, wall-sits and pushups. Thank you Brooke for another year of fitness and fun!

Hall celebrations

Eumundi and District Community Association members celebrated the recent upgrade of a new verandah for the Old Scout Hall with a lovely luncheon catered by Belinda Sale. Many thanks to local architect Andrew Hillhouse and builder Daniel Lees for doing such a great job.

Christmas in Cooroy

Christmas in Cooroy was celebrated with lots of jingles and laughs. Santa arrived in style and his sleigh outside Memorial Hall was greeted by a long queue of children waiting to tell him their Christmas wishes.

The Great Santa Race was a success as always, the children’s decorated bicycle competition a treat to behold and The Butter Factory art exhibitions and craft stalls were popular. The evening concluded with the lighting of the Cooroy Christmas tree.

Noosa District Orchid & Foliage Society

Noosa District Orchid & Foliage Society members and their partners enjoyed a Christmas lunch at Cooroy RSL on 9 December. New president Trevor Cook welcomed everyone and presided over the numerous lucky-door ticket prize draws.

The society's first meeting for 2024 is at Tinbeerwah Hall on 3 February. A bus trip is organised for 10 February to see the Aspley Orchid Society’s display at the Botanic Gardens, Mount Coot-tha followed by a visit to Red Fox Orchids near Caboolture. For information on membership visit: noosaorchidsociety.com.au.

EHA & ECCO Christmas Party

The Eumundi and District Historical Association (EHA) and Eumundi Combined Community Organisation (ECCO) shared some Christmas joy on 13 December. A magnificent lunch was prepared by Peter and Shauna Wolfe for carparking, museum and Christmas Extravaganza volunteers. Guests were entertained with Christmas carols and the delightful Happy Tappers. Carols at Sconetime

The “reindeers” were in full flight at Cooroy Memorial Hall on 12 December with the Eumundi Magic of Voice Choir singing messages of peace and well-known carols to a packed crowd enjoying the final Sconetime for 2023. New choir members are always welcome. Phone Jo: 0403 841 856.

Pomona Night of Lights

Stan Topper Park was full of families enjoying the entertainment and perfect weather. With carols, a sing-along, community choir, music, food, xmas raffles and a laser light show, there was something for everyone.

Recollections of Christmas

Most of our memories of Christmas as kids are similar – Christmas trees, presents, family gatherings and maybe even cricket in the backyard. Mine were no different, only the location. I was born in Bangladesh as my parents were Australian missionaries stationed there from 1943.

Bangladesh is predominately a Muslim country with around 0.3% Christians but Christmas was still celebrated by Christians in the traditional way by going to church. December 25 is not referred to as Christmas Day but rather ‘Bara Din’ meaning the big day in Bengali. People greeted each other with “Shubho Bara Din” – Happy Big Day.

Bangladesh is a hot country but you could still find fake snow and very colourful Christmas decorations in most towns. Villagers decorated with cut banana trees planted to form arched walkways and decorations made from colourful paper.

My favourite part of Christmas – besides the presents of course – was going to church where men traditionally sat on one side and women on the other. They would perform the Kirtan, a song within the Bengali Christian culture where a singer leads the singing and everyone follows. The song begins at a slow pace and gradually gets faster and faster and those following form a circle around the lead singer and walk and dance around him. I remember joining in and feeling very happy and euphoric as we danced and sang.

Following the Kirtan there was a feast called

Preeri bhoj – meaning love feast – including curries, rice, snacks and sweets. I would eat until I couldn’t fit any more in. To this day my favourite meal is a good curry and rice with Indian sweets to follow.

When it was time to go home we played an international test cricket match in the rather expansive backyard with the missionary kids vs the local Bangladeshi kids. Great fun and lots of good memories!

Greg Ison

Christmas crackers

Even the local wildlife are checking out what's happening in the local area! This curious cockatoo was spotted reading Eumundi Voice high up in a tree. The first issue of Eumundi Voice for 2024 hits the streets on Thursday 25 January so there is plenty of time for you to send in your local stories and photos. All issues of Eumundi Voice can be found online at: issuu.com/ eumundivoice or at: eumundivoice.com.au.

RSPCA Christmas raffle

The Noosa RSPCA Animal Care Centre is running a Christmas raffle with tickets for $5 or three for $10. There are great prizes to be won including a $1,000 gift card and a wheelbarrow full of Christmas cheer. Drawn on 23 December, tickets are available at the RSPCA centre cnr Eumundi and Holletts Rd, Noosaville, at the Eumundi Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays or phone: 5449 1371.

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Love Actually celebrates 20 years

For many Christmas has come early as one of the most watched romantic comedies of all time Love Actually returned to cinemas on 7 December to celebrate its 20th anniversary.

The film brings back to the screen a star-studded cast including Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Keira Knightly and Bill Nighy with a new 4K presentation including 10-minutes of bonus content featuring the acclaimed actors two decades on.

The movie has stood the test of time with millions of people around the world watching it at Christmas each year. Add it to your Christmas 'to do' list and visit a Hoyts, Events or Palace cinema to enjoy the magic on the big screen.

We’ll be back on Thursday 25 January 2024

Magpies end of year event

The Eumundi Magpies FC wrapped up 2023 on a high note with the participation of one of our teams at a tournament on the Gold Coast. This was followed by the club’s traditional end of year party at EATS Eumundi, in conjunction with a successful AGM that helped elect new committee members for next year. Organisers thanked the players, parents and members for a great year and are looking forward to continuing in 2024 with weekly sessions for competitive and non-competitive divisions. The club is also potentially looking to expand its offering to those in the community who are interested in soccer.

Eumundi Magpies FC would like to invite any 8-12yo to come and join them at the Eumundi Showgrounds and Sports Complex, 1 Black Stump Rd, Eumundi for a social kick-around from 4-5.30pm every Friday until 19 January 2024.

Their teams will be offering complimentary training and are happy for others to warm-up, do some skills training and play games with the team. Depending on numbers there may also be a parents/adults' kick around after training. Visit: eumundimagpies.org.au, facebook.com/ EumundiMagpies or phone 0434 557 807.

Coach Fern

ESS Yr 6 Graduation

The Yr 6 graduation ceremony at Eumundi State School (ESS) for 2023 was a spectacular event with the student-led program featuring singing, dancing, band entertainment and the presentation of academic and feature awards. All 95 graduates received a graduation gift at a ceremony watched by proud families, community supporters and distinguished guests.

Ban on single use vapes

The first stage of Australia’s new vaping reforms is set to commence on 1 January with further protections to be implemented during next year. The crackdown is aimed at curbing the growing popularity of these nicotine-filled devices amongst young people.

The government will introduce a ban on the importation of disposable single use vapes – subject to legislative and administrative arrangements being approved.

In parallel with this ban a new Special Access Scheme pathway to prescribe vapes will commence on 1 January to facilitate improved access to therapeutic vapes. Nurses and all medical practitioners will be able to prescribe their use where clinically appropriate.

The government has confirmed from 1 March further changes are expected to commence including the cessation of the personal importation of vapes and a ban on the importation of non-therapeutic vapes. Throughout 2024 product standards for therapeutic vapes will be strengthened including limiting flavours, reducing permissible nicotine concentrations and improving pharmaceutical packaging. A transition period is planned for businesses to comply with the new requirements.

The government has stated it will also introduce legislation to prevent the domestic manufacture, advertisement, supply and commercial possession of non-therapeutic and disposable single-use vapes to ensure comprehensive controls across the supply chain.

Tania Watson

Energy efficiency kits

Two new energy efficiency toolkits are available to borrow free-of-charge from Noosa Libraries and aim to help residents cut their power bills and reduce emissions. Each energy efficiency kit includes a plug-in energy monitor to reveal how much power an appliance uses and the cost of running it over a year.

“These kits help residents make informed decisions about becoming more energy efficient in their homes, reduce emissions and ultimately save money,” said Noosa Council’s Carbon Reduction Project Officer Annie Nolan.

Other items in the kit include tools for measuring the flow rate of taps and showers and a thermal camera for identifying hot and cold spots around the home.

Cooroy Residents Ally and Garry said the kits were really easy to use. “I was able to measure how much power my TV uses just in standby. Using the thermal camera I could identify a number of hotspots which make my air conditioning work harder and cost more, and ways to reduce electricity and save costs."

Residents can also borrow a portable induction hotplate to test out the new cooking technology and keen chef Ally said using the kit was great. Council is loaning the cooktops to encourage residents to consider high efficiency induction technology when upgrading older stoves. “This portable unit heats up quickly and allows people to have a go in their own home and see if induction technology suits their individual needs,” she said.

If you have a free library membership the kits and cooktops are available for a seven-day loan from Noosaville and Cooroy Libraries.

Simple saving ideas

“You can make money two ways – make more or spend less,” said American financial literacy entrepreneur John Hope Bryant.

We all know the cost of Australian household living is rising due to increases in mortgage interest charges with insurance, financial services and transport costs also major contributors. Here are some simple suggestions to save money on household costs:

1. Use energy-efficient LED bulbs and appliances to reduce electricity bills.

2. Adjust your thermostat and seal windows and doors to save on heating and cooling costs.

3. Cancel subscriptions or memberships you don’t use often such as gym memberships, streaming services, magazines, apps or data plans.

4. Create a gift cupboard and purchase items in advance during sale periods for birthdays.

5. Swap or borrow instead of buying books.

6. Plan meals and purchase online to avoid impulse purchases, take advantage of specials and prepare freezable meals in batches.

7. Review your electricity, insurance, internet and phone bills regularly. Negotiate with providers for better rates or switch to more affordable plans.

8. Grow your own vegetables or create an edible garden.

9. Carpool, use public transportation, bike, or walk when possible to save on fuel costs.

10. Sell, swap or donate items you no longer need instead of letting them create clutter and lose value.

11. Switch to reusable products such as silicone lunch bags, reusable shopping bags and refillable water bottles.

12. Buy in bulk for non-perishable items.

13. Learn basic DIY skills for household repairs and maintenance to avoid calling professionals for minor fixes.

14. Create a household budget and track expenses to identify areas you can cut costs and save more effectively.

By implementing some of these strategies you can effectively reduce household expenses without significant lifestyle changes and several of them are good for the environment too.

Robyn Simpson

Rare sighting

In the rarest of finds, a shorebird with an identification tag has been spotted after she arrived from a mind-blowing 10,000km nonstop flight from the Arctic.

The female Bar-tailed Godwit was sighted during a recent survey in a flock of around 120 Bartailed Godwits feeding on Pumicestone Passage sandbanks. Bar-tailed Godwits are world-record holders of the longest non-stop flight and fly directly from Alaska to Australia, sometimes taking 10 days or more.

Migratory shorebirds are the world’s most threatened species of birds. These amazing birds spend most of their time feeding on the mudflats and sandbanks of the Pumicestone Passage and Maroochy River as they need to more than double their body weight and store essential energy for their long journey back. They also need space and peace to rest, recover and prepare for their return journey.

Flagged birds are a rare find with this bird identified by a green leg flag and a unique three-letter code used by the Qld Wader Study Group. She was originally banded – a process by which the flag is placed on her leg – at the Port of Brisbane roost in February 2016. She has only been sighted once at Nudgee Beach in November 2019 and since then she would have flown from here to the Arctic and back again four times!

All sightings are recorded on the Qld Wader Study Group website: waders.org.au.

A bamboo story

For 18 years Bamboo Australia has supplied the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) with long poles to be used as markers at various Antarctic bases. Our poles are harvested here, packed and sent to Hobart, loaded onto ships and forwarded to Casey, Mawson, Davis and Wilkins bases. It's a long way from sub-tropical Belli Park!

When questioning how the poles are utilised I was informed on many occasions that an empty beer can is attached to a pole to provide a radar reflection. Yeah – pull the other one! After many years of requesting proof some images and a story have been kindly forwarded to me by the AAD Newsletter and yes – the story is true.

They even have a small team with a dedicated vehicle fitted with drilling equipment to drill a hole into which a pole is inserted. Once inserted, water is poured into the hole which freezes and locks the pole into position.

Maintaining the cane lines connecting the station to field huts on the plateau is a project undertaken every year. Bamboo canes up to six metres long are placed at 500-1,000m intervals to mark safe travel routes.

Navigation these days is mainly by GPS which makes it possible to keep moving and stay on-route even in poor visibility, however it is reassuring to see a cane come into view to confirm you are in fact heading in the right direction!

Extract from an AAD Newsletter – Durnford Dart, Bamboo Australia