Eumundi Voice - Issue 89, 21 March 2024

Issue 89, Thursday 21 March 2024

PRIDE OF WORK AWARDS 2024

The Rotary Club of Eumundi’s Pride of Work celebration on Thursday 14 March recognised 18 nominees who work in our local establishments and help make them successful. These awards have been given by Rotary clubs Australia-wide since 1975.

“The awards publicly recognise locals in and out of town who have demonstrated notable pride in their workplace. This could be by consistently providing great service, dedication and community spirit at work, singly or as part

of a team in a commercial or not-for-profit environment,” said club President Joyce Turnbull. Eumundi’s (new) Tiki Bar proved a convivial and lively spot for 80 attendees with Rotary and community members, awardees, their families and workmates mingling and enjoying platters of finger-food and bar drinks.

The impressive sounds from local youth band Unmuted, a group of talented 12-13yo musicians, got the event started.

Eumundi Rotary sharing the voices of Eumundi and surrounds

99% 4000 30 Average days on market Enquiries received Occupancy Rate

108

$700 4.8

Average rental per week achieved Properties leased Star rating

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Awardees and where they work were: Jonny Green (Line Electrical), Neil McDonald (Plumbing), Jason and Kieran Porter (Fruits of Noosa), Nina and Ben West (Flying West Roasters), Penny Watson-Green (Popina Restaurant), Tom Rumble (Eumundi Coffee Roasters), Robyn Simpson (Choose the ‘Tude), Derek Robinson (Eumundi State School), Bec Summers (North Arm State School), William Bell (Cooroy Computers), Kellie and Gavin Hamburger (Hamburger Music Productions), Joe Hextall (Eumundi Museum), Rebecca Ali-Mumtaz (Hinternoosa Real Estate), Melanie Haigh (Ochre Medical) and Tina “Barbertina” McKay our town barber at The Pavilion Eumundi.

All were presented with a commemorative plaque to publicly recognise their efforts displaying a work ethic that goes beyond the norm and representing the community in a positive manner.

Locals support locals and our generous community provided $50 raffle prizes from Berkelouw Books, Eumundi Service Station, The Real McCaul, Eumundi Village Pharmacy, Original Eumundi Markets, Pearls for Girls, Matso’s Sunshine Coast, The Imperial Hotel Eumundi, Eumundi Style and The Creative Frog.

Congratulations to all the recipients and their families and everyone who made it a great night out.

Ruth Hickey

Cont. from p1

WHAT’S ON?

Easter Art Expo

The Coolum Art Collective will present its Easter Art Expo at the Coolum Civic Centre from 9am to 5pm, 29 March to 1 April. Original artworks by 20 artists will be offered for sale with modern and traditional styles in oils, watercolours, acrylics, mixed media and pastels. Entry is free.

All are welcome to attend the official opening at 3pm on 30 March. Local group The Shoplifters will provide entertainment on the morning of 29 March and at the opening. To vote for the People’s Choice Award visit: t.ly/20otc.

Harmony Week

Pomona Community House is hosting a community event at Cooran Hall on 23 March for Harmony Week which is celebrated nationally from 18-24 March and focuses on bringing together Australians from different backgrounds.

Workshops start at 3pm and include a Bollywood-style dance session and a language walk aimed at building confidence to learn another language.

Enjoy a meal from 5-7pm followed by music with High Life Dance band, Cooran and Pomona State School choirs, Cooran choir, a Bollywood-style dance moment and a raffle. Pomona Community House will also host a cultural awareness workshop on 27 March. Visit: pomonacommunityhouse.org.au.

Noosa Eat and Drink

Tickets for Noosa’s Eat and Drink Festival from 30 May to 2 June are now on sale. Signature events sell quickly so check the program to avoid missing out.

The Festival Village with 80 local, Australian and international brands will be held on 1 and 2 June at Noosa Woods. The Long Lunch will take place at Arcadia St, Noosa Junction on 31 May. The festival regularly attracts 10,000 visitors to the region. Tickets:noosaeatdrink.com.au.

Learn new tricks

Noosa Bridge Club is offering lessons from 8 April for eight weeks. Classes run from 9-11am at their clubrooms, 3 Wallace St, Noosaville and cost $80 which includes a copy of Paul Marston’s Introduction to Bridge.

Bridge keeps your memory active and is a game for a wide range of ages. “Everyone wishes they had started playing bridge earlier,” said committee member Julie Scott. Once the basic skills have been mastered the club holds competitions where players of the same ability compete in a friendly atmosphere. To register phone 5447 1341 or visit: noosabridge.com.

Coolum Crossing by Sharon McCarthy

Marylou Shaw, Susan Rodgers, Chrissie Baynes, Jean Pearce & teacher John Gill

WHAT'S ON

Kilkivan Great Horse Ride

Tickets are still available for the Kilkivan Great Horse Ride from 5-7 April. Horse trails range from 12-30km and there is a 15km carriage trail. Events at the Kilkivan Showgrounds include a camp oven cook-off, youth talent show, working cattle dog demonstrations, leather workshops, a Riding for the Disabled demonstration and a fancy dress competition.

It has been almost 40 years since the first Great Horse Ride. The main parade will start at 4pm on 6 April led by riders from the Fifth Light Horse Regiment, Gympie Troop. The Tennessee Lights Band will play in the evening. Camping available. Visit: kilkivangreathorseride.com.au.

Lake Gkula camping

For a spring or autumn school holiday experience, camping and glamping sites are available at Lake Gkula set amongst 500 acres of bushland that is also the site of the annual Woodford Folk Festival.

Lake Gkula is around an hour south of Noosa or 40min west of Caloundra. Facilities include amenity blocks with flushing toilets, warm showers and hand washing stations. All tap water is potable. A small number of powered sites are available for vans, RVs, caravans and camper trailers.

Bookings for Easter are full but Lake Gukla’s autumn bookings extend to 14 April. Alternatively consider the spring school holidays from 13-29 September. Lake Gukla camping is not available at other times due to major events. Visit: woodfordia.org.

Little Seed Theatre Company

Little Seed Theatre Company is performing Alice in Wonderland at the Lake MacDonald Amphitheatre at 2.30pm on 6 and 7 April before going on a Sunshine Coast regional tour. This age-old story still holds magic for children and adults alike. Visit: t.ly/GHpJl.

Registrations are now open for Little Seed’s Easter holiday programs for juniors from Prep to Yr 6. A workshop from 2-5 April will focus on acting, singing and dancing. By the end of the week budding actors and actresses will perform Princess & the Frog. From 8-12 April another workshop will be held culminating in a performance of Hercules. Visit: t.ly/Wg9Ws.

Little Seed recently started classes for juniors, seniors and adults in Pomona at The Majestic Theatre on Tuesday afternoons and evenings. Keep an eye out for future programs.

Nambour Expo

Nambour Expo at the Nambour Showgrounds from 12-14 April is the premier one-stop shop for auto and 4WD accessories, caravans, camper trailers, marine vessels and more. There will be RACQ on-road and off-road demonstrations, camp cooking, a wildlife show and more than 200 brands of outdoor gear to tempt adventurous spirits. Tickets: nambourexpo.com.au.

WHAT'S ON

Open Studios

Registrations are open for the Noosa Open Studios Art Trail from 30 August to 8 September. The trail allows artists to engage with the local community by providing them with an opportunity to visit painters, potters, ceramicists, sculptors, metalworkers and more, on art trails from the coast to countryside. Visit: noosaopenstudios.com.au.

Open Studios Sunshine Coast takes place from 18-26 May with coastal studios opening on 18 and 19 May and hinterland studios on 25 and 26 May and there will be plenty to see. Artist registrations have closed. Take a self-guided tour, buy art, join workshops and gain a new appreciation for the region’s rich and diverse art scene. A trail guide will be available soon, profiling participating artists and suggesting art trails and maps to help plan your self-guided tour. Visit: openstudiossunshinecoast.com.au.

Red Hot Summer Tour

Jimmy Barnes has added Tewantin to his Red Hot Summer tour on 18 May with tickets on sale now. Performing with him will be The Living End, Birds of Tokyo, Pete Murray, Kasey Chambers, Mahalia Barnes and The Soul Mates.

The Red Hot Summer tour marks Jimmy’s return to live performances following his hospitalisation in November 2023. The only other Qld venue on this tour will be Cairns a week later. He will perform at the Noosa District Sports Complex, 31 Butler St, Tewantin from 1pm. Tickets: ticketmaster.com.au.

The Lion’s Den

Looking for a good book? The Cooroy Pomona Lions Club runs a bookshop from 8am-12pm Friday and Saturday at The Lion’s Den, 2 Mountain Rd, Pomona just behind the markets. There are hundreds of good reads, reference and rare books for sale at ridiculously low prices. Proceeds go to the club and book donations are always welcome.

Alex Lloyd live in Eumundi

Alex Lloyd is live in The Brewery at The Imperial Hotel Eumundi on 23 March. He burst onto the music scene in the 1990s with his debut album Black the Sun and went on to a string of charttopping hits including Green, Coming Home and Beautiful.

Alex's music is not limited to one genre and blends rock, folk and pop. In recognition of his incredible talent he has received numerous prestigious awards including APRA Song of the year and four ARIA awards. Tickets at Oztix or: imperialhoteleumundi.com.au.

Dr Hoda Morris MBChB, MRCGP, FRACGP, DFSRH

Dr David Heppell MBChB, MRCGP, FRACGP

Dr Karen MacMillan MBChB, MRCGP, DRCOG, FRACGP

Dr Gillian Cairney MBChB, MRCGP

NEW PATIENTS

Dr Paul Baker BMBS, PhD, BSc (Hons), DipAppSci WELCOMING NEW PATIENTS

Dr Simon Menelaws MA (Master of Arts), MBChB

Dr Carl Faldt MBBS

End of an era – King of the Mountain

With great sadness we learnt in early March that Pomona’s King of the Mountain (KOM) race will no longer be run. The main race – the Bendigo Bank International Mountain Challenge – was a 5.2km steep, almost vertical climb up and down Mt Cooroora. The event will now be replaced with a Pomona Family Fun Day on 28 July organised by the Pomona Cooroy Lions Club. The first person to run to the top of Mt Cooroora was Bruce Samuels in 1958. Astonishingly, he made the run as a personal hangover cure. There

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Noosa Hinterland Specialist

M. 0402 221 823 | E. lian@sutersmithcleine.com.au

was no fanfare and afterwards his mates at the pub didn’t believe him when he said he had done it inside the hour. The following year Barry Webb decided he could better Samuels’ time and made it to the top in 35mins.

From 1959 the race became a regular event but no one knows how many times it was held until 1979 when the Lions Club took over its organisation. To promote the town they called it the Pomona King of the Mountain Race. Crowds gathered to cheer the runners and Mt Cooroora became known as one of the toughest shortcourse mountain races.

Over the years the race developed into a family fun day. In addition to men’s and women’s races, trails were developed for children who could claim the titles Prince and Princess of the Mountain. In 1984 Cliff Young – winner of the first Westfield Ultramarathon from Sydney to Melbourne – participated and was a big hit with the crowd.

In 1985 Rosalie Hyland from NZ competed, accompanied by her husband Howard who was the race organiser for the Tasman Mountain Race held on Mt Edgecombe in Kawerau, NZ. Rosalie was Queen of the Mt Edgecombe race and won the women's category in a record time of 31:17mins. The seed for a trans-Tasman challenge was sown and since 1986 Pomona and Kawerau have exchanged teams to compete in each other's event.

In 2021 Queensland Parks and Wildlife service (QPWS) advised the Lions Club that the track from the base of the mountain up to Checkpoint A would be closed. The 2022 King of the Mountain course became 1km longer and other courses shorter. In 2023 Jorge Hernaez Navarro crossed the finish line in a record 31.15mins as the King of the Mountain, with Lachie Hudson as Prince in 11.45mins and Charlotte Reed as Princess in 12.20mins.

The continued deterioration of track conditions prompted the QPWS to impose stricter conditions for permit approval. The Lions Club felt the new permit conditions required the race to be adjusted in a way that would compromise its essence and decided to no longer hold the event. Rhonda Piggott

Monday - Friday, 7 am - 3 pm

‘We welcome you to experience our selection of French Pasty’s made by Caesar, our French Patissier.

Enjoy a complimentary Toby’s Estate Co ee with any of Caesar’s delicious creations in Air-conditioned comfort.

You’ll find us near the Chemist on Memorial Drive.

Help for our wildlife

The Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre at Eumundi is having a very busy year. There are road accident traumas, fishing line entanglements, dog attacks, misadventures of baby birds and other young animals – including possums – affected by debilitating dermatitis or burns from hot tin roofs.

It is also a record year for rainbow and scalybreasted lorikeets suffering from Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome. This is caused by a mysterious toxin and renders lorikeets unable to walk, eat, blink and eventually move at all. While potentially deadly, the syndrome is treatable if found early enough but requires weeks or months of intensive care and rehabilitation.

The centre is currently looking after 150 lorikeet victims of this mysterious syndrome and the dedicated team of paid staff and volunteers is stretched to the limit. If you are interested in volunteering as a wildlife assistant or receptionist visit: rspcaqld.org.au/volunteer. For tax deductible donations over $2 visit: t.ly/ m2g1a. Donations of old towels and newspapers are always welcome.

Susan Devereux

Agent of the year

RateMyAgent – one of Australia’s leading review marketing platforms for real estate agents – has announced David Berns Real Estate as the winner of the 2024 Agent/Agency of the Year award. The agency took out the trifecta with David Berns winning Agent of the Year – Doonan, Heidi Woodman, Agent of the Year – Eumundi and George Andrews, Agent of the Year – Tinbeerwah.

The awards recognise Australia’s top real estate agents and agencies, celebrating their

dedication to the highest standards of customer service. Award winners and nominees are selected based on customer satisfaction ratings across the country and the total number of reviews collected from Australian vendors and buyers.

Principal David Berns said, “I am very proud of the efforts of my work colleagues and their commitment to delivering professional strategies and service to owners in fulfilling their property dreams. These awards have come from hard work and dedication and it has been an absolute pleasure servicing the hinterland community. We look forward to an even stronger 2024.”

Sala Thai’s 15th birthday

Jang and John Etheridge were joined by community members, loyal customers and friends to celebrate Sala Thai’s 15th birthday on 10 March. Congratulations to Jang and John for all you do in our community and for providing wonderful Thai cuisine!

Coolum Women’s Shed open day

The Coolum Women’s Shed held its open day on 9 March with 80 people visiting including Federal MP Ted O’Brien and local Cr Maria Suarez. Pictured is Ted with the President of Coolum Women’s Shed Delia Murray, members and visitors.

David Berns

Cooroy Butter Factory renovations

The Cooroy Butter Factory exhibition spaces are closed until 12 April for renovations. The artisan store remains open and the pottery studio will continue regular classes. Exhibition spaces re-open on 12 April with exhibitions from Hoofbeats Sanctuary, Saren Dobkins and Helen Saint-Smith. Visit: butterfactoryartscentre.com. au.

Waste facility upgrade

Noosa Council plans to expand the Eumundi Noosa Rd waste facility to ensure it keeps pace with the growing demand for recycling and meets the latest safety and environmental controls.

An independent planning assessment and a review by an external ecologist has placed a number of conditions on clearing a portion of vegetation within the site. The facility will accommodate a new sediment basin to manage site run-off, freeing-up the smaller existing basin for expanded resource recovery and recycling operations.

“The volume of concrete waste dropped-off at the landfill for recycling has been steadily increasing,” said then Mayor Clare Stewart. “If we’re to keep processing all of this material including steel and green waste to keep it out of landfill then we need more space and stringent sediment controls.

“The larger sediment basin – which the state has told us we need – will protect downstream aquatic habitats, vegetation and wetlands from sedimentation as our resource recovery operations grow.”

Development and Regulation Director Richard MacGillivray said the subject area has long been set aside by council for waste and resource recovery uses. "Planning conditions will ensure six new trees for every tree removed will be planted on a site at the southern end of the facility as an environmental offset.”

More than 76% of the 322-hectare waste facility site is already protected. “Council previously set aside the most ecologically sensitive and valuable parts of the waste facility site for permanent protection as a nature refuge,” said Mayor Stewart. Wildlife spotters will also oversee site clearing to minimise the impact on fauna.

Mayor Stewart added: “By expanding our waste operations onto this remaining portion of the site we will future proof our waste and resource recovery to cater for growth, while fulfilling environmental compliance obligations imposed by the state. We’ll also be boosting safety by creating a buffer between the drop-off areas used by the public and our on-ground recycling operations.”

In Australia there are approximately 3.1 million privately owned swimming pools. Almost 15% of the Australian population live in a house with a swimming pool. Approximately 38% of all swimming pools in Australia are in Queensland. Swimming pool ownership is on the increase.

The Pulzball is made locally to meet the growing demand of private swimming pool, not only in Australia but all round the world for pool owners who wish to keep their chemical footprint to a minimum or those who just wish to save money, power & time.

We have been making the Pulzball for over 8 years in Caloundra….

This is what some of the pool owners have to say about the Pulzball.

“I have had the pool ball for 3 months, it is fantastic. Our pool had a 2” black around the top and after 3 weeks the ring has disappeared. Amazing product” - Diane

“Love this. Black algae has gone. 8 months of the pool guy being really surprised!” - Ann

“Super amazing, we haven’t used chemicals in our pool since getting the Pulzball” - Louise

“Wow. Amazing, the Pulzball has saved us so much money over the past 4 years!!!” - Aaron

“It works! It really does. Copious amounts of rain and still no chemicals needed. Try it, you’ll love it” - Debbie

“No chemicals needed in the pool at all. It has never looked cleaner. Amazing! Thank you” - Leanne

“Our pool was always fluctuating with chemical requirement. With the Pulzball we have had 18 months of ZERO issues” - Rainei

“Zero chemicals needed all winter, pool has been clearawesome”- Marie

“Highly recommend. No more chemicals. Makes the water feel lovely and soft” - Nick

“We are very happy with this product. Our pool has never been better, no maintenance.” - Kevin and Cheryl.

“Best product ever for my salt water pool. Only chemical I have had to buy is salt. Soooo good” - Jenny

“The pool looks clear and beautiful since we got our ball” - Maureen

The Pulzball is available online: pulzball.com  or from David Cooper at Eumundi Square on Wednesday or Saturday.

Don’t fuel the fire

The waste industry is seeing a sharp increase in fires on garbage trucks and in waste facilities. Many of these incidents are a direct result of waste contaminated with lithium batteries and other household batteries which are a nogo for kerbside bins. Any battery has potential chemical energy stored that can be released if it is damaged.

In Qld discarded batteries are believed to have caused many fires on Brisbane garbage trucks. These incidents force truck drivers to dump their hot loads on suburban streets.

According to industry experts, disposable vapes are causing at least five fires a day inside Qld recycling plants alone. National Waste and Recycling Industry Council CEO Rick Ralph said the fire risk has reached crisis levels across the country. The Qld figure can be multiplied by seven when making an assessment of the national risk.

"That's about 35 fires a day, in some form, in recycling facilities," said Rick. "It is directly

attributed to lithium-ion (li-ion) batteries because there is no effective or easy proper disposal for these items. A vape has an embedded battery and more than 1.8 million are being dumped into general waste every week."

As the incidence of battery fires in landfills continues to grow, they create hazardous fumes which are dangerous to firefighters and landfill operators. According to the hazardous waste infrastructure needs and capacity assessment report by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, the surge of li-ion entering the waste stream is particularly concerning.

The report estimates that by 2036 waste li-ion batteries will grow by more than 300% a year. The result is the generation of between 100,000 and 187,000 tonnes of waste per year. To put this into perspective, the Sydney Opera House weighs roughly 165,000 tonnes!

The fight for fire safety within the waste industry requires concerted action to tackle Australia’s rapidly growing li-ion waste stream. This can be addressed by further developing current battery recycling ecosystems to keep household batteries out of kerbside bins.

A nationwide effort such as this demands cooperation from the public, waste service providers and industry to support stewardship programs such as B-cycle, Australia’s official recycling scheme launched in January 2022. In its first six months of operation the scheme collected over 900,000kg of batteries for recycling from more than 3,200 drop-off points across all states and territories. Visit: t.ly/SqYp8 for your nearest drop-off point.

This page is sponsored from funds raised from market car parking to acknowledge and support Eumundi’s

Safe and sustainable alternatives are also being developed by Australian companies as a longterm solution to the li-ion waste problem. Brisbane-based Redflow and Sydney-based Gelion have developed batteries with world leading zinc-bromide flow technology. Zincbromide batteries offer a safer and more reliable alternative to li-ion batteries. These next gen batteries also provide performance advantages over li-ion batteries by maintaining 100% state of health even after thousands of cycles.

Apart from new and emerging technologies, battery recycling education remains the waste industry’s best safeguard against waste fires. Cleanaway provides free resources for Australians to learn how to properly discard batteries and other potentially hazardous household waste. This includes information on free battery and e-waste recycling programs for residents to bring in their end-of-life household batteries as well as tips on handling and managing different battery types. Visit: t.ly/pJjbV. Tania Watson

Even easier to recycle

It will soon be even easier to do the right thing for the environment thanks to more recycling bins being installed by Sunshine Coast Council (SCC) at popular beaches and parks.

Cans, drink cartons, plastic and glass bottles, and clean paper and cardboard can go in the new public recycling bins. Takeaway coffee cups can’t be recycled and should be put in the landfill bin. Items with batteries in them, including vapes, should be taken to the closest battery return point as batteries must not go into landfill or recycle bins due to the risk of fires in trucks and

at the recycling plant. To find the closest battery return point visit: recyclemate.com.au.

“Materials that would have otherwise ended up in landfill can now be recycled,” said SCC Manager of Waste and Resource Management John Hogg. “Recycle bins will be rolled-out in stages to prominent areas across the region with 208 new bins to be installed over the coming months.

“Thanks to the new Nambour Material Recovery Facility which opened in December 2023 we have been able to improve opportunities for the community to recycle. The facility can accept material seven days a week as opposed to the previous plant which was only open Monday to Friday.”

Clear instructions are attached to the front of each recycle bin to show what can go in. Council will place the bins in areas of greatest benefit, including Eumundi. It takes into consideration community feedback, whether trucks can access bins and the type of activity that takes place in a location.

This page is sponsored from funds raised from market car parking to acknowledge and support Eumundi’s

Community Spirit

For Sale

16 Balkin Road, Eumundi

Perfect Acreage Home So Close To Town

- Well-constructed, well -maintained family home

- First time offered to the market in 36 years

- Picture -perfect block ideal fruit/veggie gardens

- Creek on rear boundary, dam, lovely outlook

- Two full -length lined verandahs for entertaining

- Large lounge with combustion heater, family room

- Modern kitchen, built -in bedrooms, ample storage

- Garage has extra height clearance, workshop area

- 3* minute drive (2.3km) to Eumundi township

- 24* minute drive (20km) to Noosa Main Beach

For Sale

Present offers by 4pm on 5th April 2024

Vicki Pain

0427 655 209

vicki.pain@raywhite.com

Sacha Laing

0437 309 052

sacha.laing@raywhite.com

Your Local Office with an International Network

Auction

‘Fern Hill’ Brisbane Valley Highway, Ottaba

381* Picturesque Brisbane Valley Acres

- Elevated homestead and working cattle property

- Selectively cleared, private, spectacular views

- 3 x lots totalling approx. 381 acres (154 Ha)

- Paddocks, infrastructure, improved pastures

- Bores, dams, 160,000 -litre tank storage, creek

- Large 5-bedroom home with multiple living areas

- High ceilings, air -conditioning, immense storage

- Wide, cool verandahs, saltwater pool, pavilion

- 7-bay shed with 40 solar panels, 10kW storage

- 10* min. drive to Toogoolawah, 10* min. to Esk

Auction

12th April 2024

10am

111 Eagle St, Brisbane

Vicki Pain

0427 655 209

vicki.pain@raywhite.com

Ray

EUMUNDI ROTARY CLUB

Clean Up Eumundi

The Rotary Club of Eumundi and community volunteers set off on Sunday 3 March to clean up Eumundi and its five tunnels. Despite Eumundi having the reputation of being a tidy town there was still plenty of rubbish collected. Throughout Australia the event attracted 750,000 participants over 10,000 sites.

Kidney Kar Rally

Kidney disease is not as well-known as breast and prostate cancer but affects two million Australians annually. Local resident Graeme Meade spoke at a Rotary Club of Eumundi meeting recently

about the importance of getting checked by your GP for signs of kidney problems. Raising awareness of the disease and the impact on those diagnosed and their families, Graeme is fundraising for notfor-profit Kidney Health Australia (KHA). Along with co-driver Bruce Chamberlain, Graeme will drive his car in the 35th Kidney Kar Rally from Deniliquin via Handorf to Leeton from 3-10 August to help support kids and young people affected by kidney disease.

The rally is a fun and exciting event that raises funds for KHA's KidneyHealth4Youth programs.

It involves multiple teams driving thousands

Graeme Meade (KHA) & Ruth Hickey (Rotary)

Dressing up Sunny Coast style

of kilometres across the Australian countryside with one ambition – to change the lives of children and young people affected by kidney disease. It is not a conventional race but a test of skills, fun and adventure with like-minded participants.

Eumundi Voice recently donated $500 towards Graeme’s fundraising goal of $5,000. Support him at: t.ly/1kJFq.

Find out more about looking after your kidneys at: kidney.org.au/kidney-helpline or phone 1800 454 363.

Eumundi Magpies celebrate

Eumundi Magpies Futsal Club recently celebrated the end of their indoor soccer season

with an awards celebration at the Eumundi Aquatic Centre. Attendees enjoyed a lovely afternoon with players, parents, relatives, sponsors and supporters.

Players were presented with trophies sponsored by Choose the 'Tude and Eumundi Voice before finishing the day with a wonderful cake from Eumundi Bakery. Eumundi Magpies FC thanks their sponsors, volunteers, committee members and supporters for a very successful season. Visit: eumundimagpies.org.au.

Man vs Australian paper wasp

“Ouch!” A common complaint heard frequently amongst gardeners during this summer – one agreed by many Sunshine Coast locals as the hottest and sweatiest they can remember. Garden weeds have grown quicker and taller

than ever while mozzies have multiplied to uncomfortable levels.

In my garden, “Damn!” is commonly heard when I fall prey to a paper wasp. These critters – whose venom stings like a bullet – have left me with a swollen eye socket and a hand three times its normal size. After the second sting, and despite my philosophy to let nature be, I was sorely tempted to dash to Bunnings to purchase the strongest pesticide. Firstly, however, I decided to research the beasts and this is what I discovered ...

Australian paper wasps (Polistes humilis) are found throughout the country. There are around 35 species ranging from 8-26mm in length and all are either yellow, brown or black striped. Their nest – a cluster of hexagonal cells made from saliva mixed with wood fragments – appears like an inverted cone made from paper. The nests host a small wasp colony and hang under tree branches and house eaves where maggot-like wasp larvae develop inside its papery cells. So, how does this affect the decision to kill or let live? Well, wait for these stunning facts ...

OPEN 7.30-2

The Australian paper wasp eats many insect pests including leaf-mining flies which would otherwise damage commercial crops. They also feed garden caterpillars to their larvae making this a natural form of caterpillar control. As adult wasps feed on nectar, like bees, they are an important garden pollinator.

Google tells us that the Aussie wasp is at least far less aggressive than their European counterpart. Only seven Australian deaths in 20 years have been attributed to wasp stings, mainly among known allergy sufferers who were not carrying their preventative medicine.

So should we learn to live with Aussie wasps, let them work their magic in our gardens and weed their target plants only during the evening when the critters are less active? In my case, after being stung twice more without any provocation, I headed to Isle 30 Bay 3. Enough is enough – they have to go. Letting the paper wasp win is not an option for me. But now you know the facts I’ll leave the decision in your garden up to you.

Liz Stapleton

YOUTH

Room on the Broom

Room on the Broom flies into The Events Centre, Caloundra on 27 March following popular seasons across Australia. The witch and her cat fly on their broomstick until a stormy wind blows away the witch’s hat, bow and wand. A helpful dog, bird and frog find the witch’s belongings and hop on the broom for a ride – but five is too many and the broom snaps in two! Just when it couldn’t get any worse, a hungry dragon appears. Who will save the witch?

Room on the Broom combines physical theatre, music and puppetry in a story about friendship, sharing and working together. Suitable for children aged 3-8, shows are at 10am, 12pm and 4pm. Tickets: phone 5491 4240 or visit: theeventscentre.com.au.

Gateway to adolescence and adulthood

More than 100 Yr 9 students from Good Shepherd Lutheran College and their families gathered at 6.30am at the Noosa River mouth recently to participate in a 'Calling and Departure' ceremony.

Infant milestones are easily documented and mapped out but as a child grows older these milestones change, become less defined and crucial points in time don’t always receive the

recognition they deserve. Good Shepherd Lutheran College recognises the importance of one such milestone – the transition from childhood, to adolescence, to young adulthood. The ‘calling’ encourages students to show gratitude for their childhood and calls them on their journey to young adulthood while the ‘departure’ involves parents, carers and teachers joining students for an opportunity to learn, reflect and look forward.

Breaking away from childhood attachment and security allows children to acquire freedom and responsibility to develop independence and differentiate themselves from their parents and childhood and establish their own unique identity.

Program coordinator Sandy Page said: “Much like a creek develops into a river and meanders into the ocean, our students started life as small young children. Over the years with the many and varied influences on their lives they have grown, a bit like an ocean, into more independent young adults.”

Your Local 5-Star Plumbers

Let me be me

Cooroy children's author Lateisha Hurst is a former student of Eumundi State School and recently wrote a children’s picture book – beautifully illustrated by Artsoluki – to be released on 25 March.

Let me be me is aimed at children aged 3-8 and about building confidence and appreciation for who they are as individuals. In the story, a koala finds it hard to fit in, particularly in new bushland filled with a diverse community of quirky and boisterous animals where things can often get wild. If other animals take time to stop and listen however, they might learn something new about their furry neighbour.

Growing up in Cooroy in a large family, Lateisha loved creating art and imaginative pieces. It led her to try many creative avenues with the dream of becoming a teacher and writing a children’s picture book. Her teachers allowed her to pursue her passion with confidence and inspiration.

“When creating my characters I knew they needed to be relatable. In choosing animals to tell the story, the longer I thought about it the more I realised animals have unique personalities and traits. This is the message I wanted to channel most of all.”

Copies available at: orders@shawlinepublishing. com.au.

What can the internet do with your face?

Around 2018 Facebook developed a facial recognition tool that can ‘scrape’ any face off the internet. It uses an algorithm to identify who a face belongs to and once a face is identified it can search and find everything about an individual. The photo could include anyone’s face, even if it was randomly snapped in a crowd.

Can you imagine the implications? Perhaps

some random stranger takes a photo with you in the background together with someone you did not want to be seen with. Facebook made a choice not to release the tool as they realised it could have superpower possibilities if used incorrectly and be dangerous to society. They thought beyond the company's profits and considered the global impact on citizens.

BLUEBERRY LANE THERAPIES:

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At Blueberry Lane Therapies, we believe that everyone deserves a safe space to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and believe in the power of therapy to help you gain insight, develop coping skills, and make positive changes in your life. Lisa Bell runs an at home compassionate practice providing guidance and support to achieve emotional wellness and personal growth, and receive the care and attention you deserve. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, menopause symptoms or grief and loss, or simply seeking self-exploration and personal development, Lisa is available to help.

Lisa offers a variety of counselling services tailored to meet your unique needs, including online and face to face therapy created in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Lisa is trained to use a range of modalities, including cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness-based therapy, and solution-focused therapy. Located in a peaceful and welcoming environment, take the first step towards a brighter future, you don’t have to face your challenges alone.

You can book online via the website: www.blueberrylanetherapies.com.au or email: info@blueberrylanetherapies.com.au

Clearview AI also developed the same technology around the same time, initially staying in the shadows. It originally had 30 million face images and is currently scraping hundreds of thousands of facial images a day. Claiming a 98.6% facial recognition success rate, they chose to secretly sell the technology to law enforcement in the USA and around the world.

There are now other companies that provide the same technology for a fee and countries are choosing it for various uses. In China for example, facial recognition was initially used for safety and security purposes. Once the infrastructure was in place it became obvious the technology could be used for other curious uses including:

• Ticketing jaywalkers automatically.

• Publicly shaming people for going out in their pyjamas.

• Monitoring the use of toilet paper in public bathrooms to catch thieves.

We should be aware of the images we place on the internet and who we allow to take our photos.

Jenny Brice

ART

Stevens Street Gallery

Land and Sky exhibition at Stevens Street Gallery in Yandina runs until 28 April focusing on the connection between our diverse landscape and the sky above. The artists' different styles promise to evoke feelings about the vistas in our landscape. Featured artists include Lucinda Leveille, Wayne Smith, Domica Hill and Katrina Pennock. Open Wednesday to Sunday. Visit: stevensstreetgallery.com.au.

Turquoise Skies, Lucinda Leveille

BOOK REVIEW

The Chocolate Factory – a delicious treat

Smooth, exciting, rich and delicious. Once you have started you have to tuck in again and again until finished. Chocolate? Yes, but this also describes Mary-Lou Stephens latest novel The Chocolate Factory.

One of my favourite school excursions in the 1950s was to the Cadbury factory on the outskirts of Birmingham. The thick smell of raw chocolate hit as we drove through beautiful gardens to the entrance.

Guides in white coats and cheesecloth hats with very strong 'Brummy' accents – which we loved to mimic – bribed us with a small cup of hot chocolate. They escorted us through rooms of noisy machinery and rows of women who were forbidden to look up as they hand-folded cardboard boxes or squirted patterns on top of endless conveyor streams of chocolates.

After about 30mins, up and down stairs and long factory corridors, the overwhelming smell

made some visitors nauseous. We reached fresh air back at the entrance and the strong ones accepted another chocolate or two and a booklet of Cadbury history.

Published to coincide with the 200th anniversary of John Cadbury opening his shop in Birmingham, Mary-Lou’s The Chocolate Factory stirred many memories. I journeyed with Dorothy Adwell in 1921 from her successful position at Bournville across the seas to help establish Cadbury’s in Tasmania.

Mary-Lou’s in-depth research reveals the problems, frustrating delays, opposition and jealousy from newly taken-over Pascals' and Frys' employees. Women were struggling in a male-dominated world facing poverty, family expectations, mistrust of Quakers and even industrial espionage.

We meet efficient secretary Sarah, the bright but impoverished Maisie and several other female employees who knew that once married, employment ends. Romantic feelings must be hidden. Dorothy fights for her girls, the future of Cadbury, the man she loves and a powerful secret she protects.

POSITION VACANT DIGITAL PRINT - PRE PRESS

We are a small team of 5 full time and 2 part time. Air conditioned purpose-built factory provides comfortable working conditions all year round with expert support team.

We are looking for an “All rounder” with Digital production experience a person with a background in offset prepress / Label Production / Signage.

Sunprint has the experience and can train the right person in some areas if required. We have

new, up to date equipment producing and distributing of high quality work Nationally at very competitive rates.

Pay commensurate with experience as a starting point, reviewed after qualifying period.

Some flexibility in working hours can be arranged.

Please send a one-page outline of experience and contact details to steve@sunprint.com.au

After dabbling in bands, producing CDs and acting, Mary-Lou got a 'real job’ in commercial radio as a music director and ABC presenter including 15 years on the Sunshine Coast. Her broadcasts and interviews from the Woodford Festival became compulsory listening. Her first book Sex, Drugs and Meditation discusses how she changed her life and found a husband. In How to Stay Married, a pair with cabin luggage only adopted a light attitude to extreme locations and temperatures which reflected their marriage. The Last of the Apple Blossom still appears on best seller lists.

The Chocolate Factory is truly a labour of love. With her husband, Mary-Lou spent a year slow touring in Asia to write without distraction. “This is a book of my heart set in Tasmania where I grew up. Through it I found a genre that fascinates and inspires me – historical fiction.”

You can no longer tour the Tasmanian Cadbury factory so devour this delicious book or treat someone you love to a copy this Easter.

Eileen Walder

ON THIS DAY

Autumn equinox

Autumn officially began on 20 March following what is known as the vernal or autumn equinox. At the equinox, Earth’s two hemispheres receive the sun’s rays equally. The length of time it takes for the whole sun to sink below the horizon happens more quickly at the equinoxes, giving us the fastest sunsets and sunrises of the year and heralding the onset of later sunrises, earlier sunsets and cooler temperatures.

Wherever you are at the Autumn and Spring equinoxes – except the North and South Poles – the sun rises due east and sets due west. These points mark the intersection of your horizon with the celestial equator.

The equator has a latitude of zero degrees and the celestial equator is a projection of the equator out into space. It is the line that divides the sky into the northern and southern hemispheres. As the equinoxes are the only times of the year that the sun rises due east and sets due west, viewing the location of the sun on the horizon with reference to surrounding landmarks is a great way of knowing east and west from your home.

Rhonda Piggott

MARCH 2024

21-24 Noosa Ultra-Trail Festival, Cooroy, globe noosaultratrail.com.au

22

How to export to India workshop, City Hall Maroochydore, globe tiq.qld.gov.au

23 A Dog’s Life: Pet Expo, Lion’s Park, Noosaville, globe fb.me/e/5b6SfO6Af

23 Alex Lloyd Live, Eumundi, globe imperialhoteleumundi.com.au

23 Plant Sale, Noosa Botanic Gardens, globe noosabotanicgardensfriends.com

23 Harmony Week community event, Cooran Hall, globe pomonacommunityhouse.org.au

28

29-1

Flickerfest Short Film Festival, The J, Noosa, globe thej.com.au

Coolum Art Collective Easter Art Expo, Coolum Civic Centre, globe coolumartgroupinc.com.au

30 Art Market in

Paddock, Pomona, globe pomonartgallery.com

31

Mary Valley Rattler Easter Express, Gympie, globe maryvalleyrattler.com.au

ISSUE 90 KEY DATES:

Copy & advert artwork deadline:

THURSDAY 28 MARCH 2024

Available from:

THURSDAY 4 APRIL 2024

ISSUE 91 KEY DATES:

Copy & advert artwork deadline:

THURSDAY 11 APRIL 2024

Available from:

THURSDAY 18 APRIL 2024

PUBLISHER: Eumundi Rotary Initiatives Ltd trading as Eumundi Voice. ACN 628 234 891

EDITOR: Narelle Schuh

- One dog, two ducks communications

For more info and to book, please scan the QR code.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Heidi Jenkins - The Creative Frog

PRINTER: SunPrint

DISTRIBUTION: Rotary volunteers and supporters deliver up to 5000 complimentary copies fortnightly to mail boxes and outlets in Eumundi, Doonan, Verrierdale, North Arm, Eerwah Vale, Belli Park, Yandina, Kenilworth, Cooroy and Noosa Info Centre.

CONTACT EUMUNDI VOICE:

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All advertisements and submissions will be published at the discretion of Eumundi Voice and may be subject to editorial changes. Eumundi Voice does not accept responsibility for claims published in Eumundi Voice. Factual errors in material submitted are the responsibility of the contributor. All submissions received, including photographs, are deemed to be authorised for publication by the contributor who has gained any required permissions to publish. All editorial and advertising in Eumundi Voice is published in good faith based on material provided by contributors and advertisers. All care is taken by the publisher Eumundi Voice however responsibility is not accepted for errors or omissions and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher of Eumundi Voice

Repainted within the last 2 years, this high-set Queenslander has lots of original features with VJ walls, high ceilings and window hoods. Open plan living and kitchen flow out to a wide back deck for easy entertaining and keeping an eye on the kids! Three bedrooms, one bathroom, study area and double carport on fully fenced block. Storage under and separate laundry. Elevated flood free location

Character cottage 3 bedroom home with 2 bathrooms and side access down to a tinker’s workshop and shed. The home sits on a level useable 869m2 block which is fully fenced and has room for the kids and animals to play and space for a trailer, caravan or boat. Functional and spacious kitchen, open plan lounge dining area with fireplace, air-conditioning and polished timber floors. Carport with extra height adjoining the huge undercover deck. Walking distance to the sporting centre and township of Eumundi.

Situated on an elevated block with amazing views towards Mt Cooroy this home comprises large living, kitchen with dining, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, office nook (or hobby room) along with large laundry and adjoining storage room. Features included a/c, dishwasher, screens, security screens, curtains and blinds. Large covered patio at front to enjoy the views and overlook the pool. Double carport with adjoining storage room plus additional parking for 3 cars. Pets considered. Monthly pool service included.