Eumundi Voice - Issue 94, 30 May 2024

CLUB OF EUMUNDI

Issue 94, Thursday 30 May 2024

The establishment of a new building following a devastating electrical fire in January 2022 reached an important milestone on 15 May for the owners of the site and members of the community who have sorely missed the café formally known as HumDrum Espresso.

Sunshine Coast Council (SCC) has issued planning approval for a replacement building proposed as a café as per the drawing on page 3 at 100 Memorial Dr Eumundi.

With planning approval in place, SCC issued

a demolition permit which the Gray family responded to by immediately engaging a demolition contractor who very promptly completed the demolition on 20 May.

The next stage, expected to take some months is now underway to obtain endorsement of the civil, structural and hydraulic engineering plans by SCC.

Originally a butcher shop, the building was renovated as a coffee shop. After Eumundi Meats moved its business to Noosaville, the Cont. p3

site was renovated utilising the existing fascia as part of the design to maintain the heritage look of the original store.

Humdrum Espresso began as a coffee cart at the Eumundi Markets before moving into the former butcher shop. While renovations occurred, the business had a pop-up shop in a shipping container at the rear of the building before moving into the newly renovated premises in December 2020.

After the fire the business was quick to set up a coffee caravan in the back car park to enable

WHAT’S ON?

Sunny Coast Showdown Showfest

The Sunshine Coast’s best film and TV will be on show at the Showdown Showfest film festival on 21-22 June. Showdown aims to develop the Sunshine Coast film industry by mentoring and helping emerging filmmakers, creating local employment and attracting world-class projects to Qld. The Showdown Showcase gives the community an opportunity to see some of that emerging talent.

There will be three events over the two days. The first, Lights, Camera, Lunch is a story-telling lunch with Showdown founders Dan Munday and Jon Coghill and Showdown 2023 winner Emma Morgan at Bella Venezia restaurant

them to keep trading. Mel and Craig Manley, the previous owners of the Imperial Hotel, were kind enough to offer the business a space to continue trading out of the rain as a pop-up shop.

However, after waiting over 9 months it became evident that the rebuild process would not be a speedy one and the owners made the difficult decision to close the pop-up store.

The Eumundi community is keen to see the space revived and are looking forward to sharing many ‘cuppas’ in the near future. Cont. from p1

Mooloolaba on 21 June from 12-3pm. For tickets visit: events.humanitix.com.

The inaugural Pacific Island Filmfest will be held on 21 June from 6-10pm at The Station SC, Birtinya and will feature short films from the Pacific region. On the evening of 22 June, The Showdown Showcase will premiere six winning short films as they compete for the Festival’s Gold Yewwy award. Visit: sunnycoastshowdown. com.au.

WHAT’S ON?

New book of Eumundi history

Eumundi Museum is publishing a book: A History of Eumundi Volume I 1873-1919, loaded with more than 100 fantastic photographs from the museum’s extensive collection and covers the first five decades of the town’s European settlement.

The town’s characters are brought to life through the periods of the timber industry, the arrival of the railway, the immigration of the dairy farmers from NSW, the commercial expansion, and into and through WWI.

It has been written by Eumundi Museum’s director Joe Hextall, who has built the volume by combining the museum’s own research over the past fifty years and the contemporary newspapers of the day.

It will soon be available for $30 at the Eumundi Museum and other shops in Eumundi and across the coast.

A History of Eumundi will be launched on 13 June from 6pm-7pm at Eumundi Museum. RSVP to hello@eumundimuseum.org for catering purposes.

Eumundi Connection Hub

The Eumundi Connection Hub, located at The Pavilion Eumundi on Memorial Dr, is the home of the Eumundi Writing Group and Eumundi Book Club — Readers on Fire.

The next meeting of the book club is on 31 May

from 10.30am to noon at Berkelouw Books in Eumundi. The Writers Group meeting will be held on 11 June from 5-7pm. For details of these or future meetings email: lisa@lisajayne.me.

Cinema on the Rooftop

Cinema on the Rooftop at the Cooroy Library is on again from 6-8pm on 1 June, showing the movie Migration.

A family of ducks decides to leave the safety of a New England pond for an adventurous trip to Jamaica. However, they get lost and wind up in New York City.

Bring your family, a blanket and a picnic to enjoy a movie under the stars. Soft drinks and popcorn are available to purchase. Best to arrive before dark to set up your spot. Admission by donation. Visit: libraryevents.noosa.qld.gov.au.

Sconetime Cooroy

The very popular Sconetime at the Cooroy Memorial Hall, 25 Maple St at 10am is a chance for seniors to get together over a ‘cuppa’ with jam, cream and scones. Tickets are $8 per person.

To help plan ahead here is a list of dates for Sconetime Cooroy for the rest of the year:

• 11 June: trybooking.com/COSJZ.

• 13 August: trybooking.com/COSKG.

• 8 October: trybooking.com/COSKM.

• 10 December: trybooking.com/COSKS.

WHAT’S ON?

Kind Community Project

Don’t forget the first meeting of the Kind Community Project, hosted by the Rotary Club of Eumundi on 6 June at the Eumundi QCWA Hall from 6-7pm.

The previous edition of Eumundi Voice featured the initiative by Robyn Simpson — founder of Choose the ‘Tude — to promote a positive impact on current and future communities by inspiring, sharing and celebrating acts of kindness. We read enough bad stories in the press and social media. Here’s a chance to connect to a positive part of the world.

The Kind Community Project will focus initially on Eumundi and Cooroy as ‘Kind Towns’. The 6 June meeting will explain the concept and discuss how you can get involved.

As Robyn says: “Kindness is contagious. Make it a habit because if you’re being kind, there’s no room for nasties.” RSVP until 5 June: bit.ly/ KCPEumundiCooroy.

Noosa STARS Alive!

Do you love the glamour, excitement, costumes and the thrills of Eurovision? Do you long to win Australia’s Got Talent? Are you between 8-18 years of age? Why not audition for Noosa STARS Alive! 2024.

Audition registrations are open until 31 May for soloists, duos, trios, bands, singers, dancers, variety acts and performers — so hurry with registering. Groups are limited to ten people. Finalists will perform in front of a live audience on Sunday 28 July 2024 at the River Stage, Noosa

Lions Park, Gympie Tce, Noosaville, hosted by Damien Anthony Avery-Rossi — aka Mr Hollywood in OZ.

The winner receives $1,000 and will perform at the 2025 Noosa Alive! Festival. To register go to t.ly/FgV04 and click on ‘Get tickets’. It’s free to register and you will be sent an entry form and details. If you have any problems email the Festival Director: i_mackellar@outlook.com.

Music in the gardens

The popular music in the Noosa Botanic Gardens on the first Sunday of each month has been washed out for the past two months but they have not lost hope and have scheduled the next event for 2 June.

Start with a guided walk of the gardens at 8.30am or explore the Shade Garden at 9am, before finding a place under the poincianas at 10am for music by Jay Bishop and friends through to midday. Bring along a picnic and blanket or set up at one of the many tables dotted throughout the gardens.

Since the weather is still unpredictable, check on Facebook at the Noosa Botanic Gardens Friends site for the latest advice. Noosa Botanic Gardens are on Lake Macdonald Drive, about 4km from Cooroy CBD.

WHAT’S ON?

Show jumping horse sale

The inaugural Australian Show Jumping Horse Sale (ASJS) will be held in conjunction with the Sunshine Coast Agricultural Show at the Nambour Showgrounds on 15 June. ASJS will be conducted as a live and online auction.

Equine sports and show jumping are an integral part of agricultural shows across Australia and holding the auction alongside the show creates an obvious meeting place for buyers and sellers. Despite that, this will be the first ASJS held in conjunction with an agricultural show.

Briston Toft, Equestrian Qld CEO, congratulated the Sunshine Coast Agricultural Show on its innovation to plan and deliver the 2024 ASJS. Visit: qld.equestrian.org.au.

Come2gether Festival

Noosa Come2gether Festival runs on 8-9 June at the Pirate Park, Noosaville — next to the Noosa Yacht and Rowing Club.

The free festival kicks off on 8 June with the Noosa final of the Australian National Busking Championships from 9am to 3pm and is a great way to support local musicians and performers. It will be followed by the Come2gether Music Festival on 9 June from 10am to 6.30pm where you will find kids’ rides, three stages with live music and an international food court.

Funds raised go to the Yacht Club’s ‘Sailability’ program, Riding for the Disabled (RDA) and an emergency fund for domestic abuse and homelessness. Visit: noosacometogether.com. au/festival.

Noosa Eat and Drink Festival

Noosa’s signature foodie festival — the Noosa Eat & Drink Festival — runs from 30 May to 2 June. The festival has been running for over 20 years but had a break for the past few years due to Covid restrictions.

Some events such as the Arcadia St Long Lunch and the Sunday Festival Sundowner on Main Beach have sold out but there’s still time to purchase tickets to the Festival Village at Noosa Woods on 1-2 June and other restaurant or brewery events. Visit: noosaeatdrink.com.au.

Noosa Gaff Rig Regatta

Noosa Yacht and Rowing Club is holding its 5th annual Noosa Gaff Rig Regatta on 8-9 June on the Noosa River, Gympie Tce.

A gaff rig is a four-cornered sail, controlled at its peak and usually its entire head by a spar (pole) called the gaff.

First prize is a barrel of Bundy Rum. Funds raised go to the club’s ‘Sailability’ program which gives people with a disability the opportunity to learn to sail. This year, the club is expecting around 20 boats so it should be spectacular. Visit: nyrc.com.au.

Dr Paul Baker BMBS, PhD, BSc (Hons), DipAppSci

WELCOMING NEW PATIENTS

Dr Carl Faldt MBBS

WELCOMING NEW PATIENTS

Dr Hoda Morris

MBChB, MRCGP, FRACGP, DFSRH

Dr Gillian Cairney MBChB, MRCGP

WELCOMING NEW PATIENTS

Dr Simon Menelaws MA (Master of Arts), MBChB WELCOMING NEW PATIENTS

Dr David Heppell

MBChB, MRCGP, FRACGP

Dr Karen MacMillan

MBChB, MRCGP, DRCOG, FRACGP

Ochre Medical Centre Eumundi Suite 6 / 2-6 Etheridge St, EUMUNDI

WHAT’S ON?

Ampersand launch event

Ampersand will be celebrating the release of their new song Entry Level on 9 June from 4-8pm at the award-winning Land and Sea Brewery in Noosa. Entry is free thanks to funding from Noosa Council’s Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) grant program.

Featuring a stellar lineup of local music, including Henry Catania, Hati, Ella Joy, Harriette & Tatum, Moneyshot and of course, Ampersand jamming out their EP live. Come along to support local artists and businesses.

RSVP at: t.ly/RVQsn.

Shorts back on

Last chance for tickets to Shorts on Stage at Noosa Arts Theatre on 1 June at 2pm and 7.30pm and 2 June at 2pm!

Eight years ago, Convenors Jane Rivers and Sue Sewell had the idea of presenting original short scripts, written and performed by locals, all enjoyed in one session. Sue said the festival continues to grow with entries from North Lakes, Buderim, Noosa and Mapleton. Many writers direct their entry.

Guest judge, Sam Coward of 91.1 Hot FM, will announce the Adjudicator’s Choice awards on the evening of 21 June. The Audience Choice Award will be announced after the final performance on 22 June. All tickets are $25. Tickets: noosaartstheatre.org.au.

Noosa EV and Electrify Everything Expo

Now in its 6th year, the free Noosa EV and Electrify Everything Expo is on 16 June at Sunshine Beach Rd in Noosa Junction from 9am to 1pm. This is a chance to talk to exhibitors and find out more about EV vehicles, bikes and scooters. For the first time, the expo will also showcase ways to electrify your home or business to reduce energy costs.

Arcadia St and both sides of Sunshine Beach Rd between Berrima Row and Noosa Dr will be closed from 6.30am to 3pm. Take advantage of the Go Noosa Weekend free buses - 626, 627, 628, 629 and 632. The first 250 visitors who arrive by foot, bus or e-transport will receive a voucher for a free native seedling donated by Noosa & District Landcare.

If you are coming by car, parking will be available in car parks at Bottlebrush Ave, Transit Centre car park, Cooyar St car park and Lanyana Way council car park. Visit: noosaevexpo.com.au.

Buderim Craft Cottage

The Buderim Craft Cottage is a community association with over 300 members who promote art and craft at 5 Main St, Buderim. Thirteen groups meet regularly across interests as diverse as yarns and fibres, silversmiths, painting, drawing, calligraphy, photography and pottery. Their Atrium Gallery exhibits members’ work to the public seven days a week from 10am to 2pm.

Upcoming exhibitions include the Mixed Media Exhibition from 14-16 June, a Needlework, Patchwork and Machine Embroidery Exhibition from 19-28 July and a Painting Expo from 9-19 August. Visit: buderimcraftcottage.com.au.

L-R Convenors Jane Rivers and Sue Sewell

WHAT’S ON?

Photo credit: Nicole Plint

Sunny Coast Herbfest

The Sunny Coast Herbfest, with a focus on kitchen medicine, is on 16 June at Coolum State School, Barns Lne.

There’ll be around 40 stalls, face painting for the kids and live music for all from Solua. Workshops topics include how to use plantain (type of large banana) as a herbal remedy, cook chocolate truffles from your medicinal garden, use herbs to help balance nutrition, make use of native herbs and use herbs to improve your mood and emotional well-being. Learn to make a delicious medicinal dahl with Jess Holdsworth from Greensmith Grocers.

Tickets are $20 for the day, kids free. Visit: everydayempowered.com.au.

The Wizard of Oz

Little Seed Company presents The Wizard of Oz at The J on 5-6 July with matinee and evening shows each day.

In this ever-enduring story, Dorothy and her dog Toto travel the yellow brick road to the Wizard of Oz, making new friends along the way - The Tin Man, Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion. Tickets: thej.com.au.

Kenilworth Quilt and Craft Show

The Kenilworth annual Quilt and Craft Show is on 8-9 June at the Kenilworth Community Hall on Elizabeth St from 9am to 4pm. Wheelchair access is available.

There’ll be stalls with items to purchase and locally crafted quilts, craft and woodwork. Admission $5. Phone Olive 5446 0131 or Paula 5446 0229.

COMMUNITY

Community collaboration

Twelve Eumundi-based community organisations met on 14 May, to identify how the Eumundi community can share relevant information about what is happening in our town.

Experience Eumundi in association with the Rotary Club of Eumundi organised the forum, which included organisations that represented all aspects of our community, including Eumundi State School (ESS) and sporting organisations. It was a dynamic meeting with people willingly sharing information and learning from each other.

The outcomes from the inaugural meeting were:

• The group agreed to meet once a quarter to share information.

• A second meeting is scheduled for August 2024.

• A meeting between the ESS principal and representatives of the Experience Eumundi board will identify areas where the organisations can work collaboratively for the benefit of Eumundi.

• Experience Eumundi will identify the resources they can provide to help the town have a welcome to Eumundi Community Pack. Five organisations have already agreed to support this at the meeting.

A special thank you to volunteers who provided an impressive morning tea funded by the Rotary Club of Eumundi.

Jenny Brice

Community Garden assistance

Eumundi Community Garden members are looking for some assistance after obtaining a

grant from the State Government Gambling Community Benefit Fund last year to purchase some wicking beds, a shade house and a water tank.

The shade house is now operational. The wicking beds have been delivered with the new water tank set to arrive imminently. Besser blocks have also been gifted which will be used to form the base for a proposed pizza oven.

The gardeners plan to run a hands-on wicking bed workshop from 9.30am-1pm on 30 June with a $15 lunch included. In return for the exchange of knowledge, some physical help with filling the beds is expected. The community gardeners would love as many people as possible to come and help. A separate workshop will be held on how to construct a pizza oven at a later date.

The members are keen to gauge who may be interested in using the new beds and pizza oven. To share your input and ideas contact Sue on 0416 215 877.

COMMUNITY

Dick Caplick Park upgrade

The Rickety Bridge in Eumundi’s Dick Caplick Park is set to be removed and replaced as the existing structure has timber rot and is no longer safe to use. An independent audit of the structure recently confirmed concerns and as a result the bridge was closed for safety reasons. A temporary fence has been set up to prevent access to the structure until its removal. Council is seeking community input on a new design next month.

A fig tree in the park has been identified as dying despite council attempts to save it. The tree poses a public safety risk and will be removed in the coming weeks.

Council arborists will also trim some of the branches of an adjacent strangler fig tree to make them lighter and possibly secure some staghorn/elkhorn plants with wire to prevent them falling onto the path and playground.

Eumundi Chamber AGM

The Eumundi Chamber AGM was held on 22 May at the Imperial Hotel, Eumundi where President Cindy Suters shared their achievements with attending members.

The report highlighted:

• A growing membership with 31% net YTD growth with a current membership of 70.

• Revenue generated by the Lonergan Lne market stalls by way of a licence agreement with ECCO Ltd (trading as Experience Eumundi) provided supplementary income beyond the traditional revenue streams of

membership and event fees.

• Employment of an administrative assistant to support the management team.

• Improved member services, marketing and communications using a digital transformation solution to enhance the chamber's digital capabilities.

• Growth in member representation and engagement with the chamber through the popular breakfast Coffee Connect and After 5 Drinks After work gatherings.

• Strengthened regional and local ties with neighbouring Chambers of Commerce and industry partners and associates including Business Chamber Qld, Sunshine Coast Economic Development, Visit Sunshine Coast, Tourism Noosa, Regional Development Sunshine Coast and the Food and Agri Business Network.

• Enhanced member value through funded programs which included self-development workshops and professional development and mentoring programs to facilitate business growth.

The contributions of the outgoing executives of Ashlee Collins (Treasurer), David Perez (Vice President) and Craig Manley (Eumundi Traders Representative) were acknowledged and the new executive team for 2024/2025 were warmly welcomed.

The 2024/2025 Executive Committee are: Cindy Suters (President), Louise Formosa (Secretary), Janene Pearson (Vice President), Andrew Walcott (Treasurer) and Tom Rumble (Eumundi Traders Representative). The Chamber Directors for the Experience Eumundi (ECCO-EE) board are David Perez and Tom Rumble.

For more information about joining the Eumundi Chamber visit: eumundichamber.com.au.

Cr David Law with staff from SCC council

Fig tree to be removed

L-R Louise Formosa, Cr Maria Suarez, Andrew Alcott,Tom Rumble, Cindy Suters, Janene Pearson (Vice President - absent)

Brighter, stronger future

Sunshine Coast residents are invited to provide their feedback on the draft refreshed Sunshine Coast Community Strategy and Action Plan 2024-29.

The community strategy aims to help us live healthier and more active lifestyles, better connect with our communities, create more vibrant and connected places and celebrate our creativity and First Nations culture and heritage. The strategy has undergone a refresh after feedback from more than 1800 community members.

Priorities highlighted included collaborative solutions to transport, housing and homelessness support, emphasis on community facilities and local activities to bring our communities together and a renewed focus on inclusion and diversity in all its forms.

Residents also suggested ensuring balance in the built and natural environment, strengthening community connections as we grow and developing further recognition of First Nations people.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said, “The draft refreshed Community Strategy reflects our changing Sunshine Coast community priorities” .

“Residents can provide their feedback by attending one of our community sessions, completing the online survey or, for more detailed feedback, using the feedback template before 10 June.

“Residents can also get creative and enter the photo competition by sharing a photo that represents our strong Sunshine Coast community.”

Community members who enter the photo competition can win gift vouchers of up to $500, with open and junior categories available. Visit: t.ly/4OQEB.

MUSIC

Entry Level

Local nu-funk/soul/retro pop fusion band Ampersand are set to release a new EP called Entry Level on 6 June. Entry Level is a collection of the group’s favourite original tunes, each selected by one of the 5 band members.

The idea to release an EP started when Originality, Birthday Blues, Boy Bye, Drive Away and Honey Beez were written back-to-back over a couple of weeks in their home studio. Two grants and a marathon studio session later, Entry Level was born.

The tracks tell personal stories drawn from the band’s individual and shared experiences with life, love, laughter and many ludicrous rehearsals. The release will be accompanied by a special music video for Drive Away with a release date to be announced.

The EP’s creation was made possible by the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund, provided through Regional Arts Australia, administered in Queensland by Flying Arts Alliance. Noosa Council’s Regional Arts Development Fund also assisted with the marketing, releasing, music video filming and launch show for this project.

Stream on Spotify, iTunes and wherever you listen to your music from 6 June or pre-save it to help Ampersand out with the streaming algorithms at: gyro.to/EntryLevel. Visit: ampersandbandnoosa.com.

CRIME

Crime report, Queensland

The Qld Statistician’s Office Crime report, Qld 2022-23 is an interesting read as it provides an overview of the volume and nature of crime in Qld. The data covers nine years from 2012-13 to 2022-23.

Crime rates have changed unevenly over those ten years. Liquor and drug offences per 100,000 people decreased by 71.1% and 17.6% respectively but breaches of domestic violence orders rose by an alarming 255% and assault by 164%. The top three locations where crimes occurred were residential dwellings (35%), street or footpath (21%) and retail (20%).

The Sunshine Coast fared the best of the 19 statistical regions across the state, with a 2.5% increase in the rate of total recorded offences over nine years per 100,000 resident population. This was compared to a statewide rate of 18.2%.

That was in stark contrast to Qld-Outback and Townsville which recorded increases of 54% and 51.5% over the nine years.

In every region in Qld, the overall rate of offences against the person increased in 2022–23 compared to 2013–14, with Townsville and Qld–Outback showing the greatest increases. Smaller increases occurred in every region compared with 2021–22, with just one exception. The Sunshine Coast experienced a decline of 7.4% in 2022–23 compared with the previous year.

When compared with 2013–14, only two regions in Qld, Ipswich and the Sunshine Coast, showed a decline in the overall property offence rate at –5.6% and –2.4% respectively, compared to a statewide rate increase of 20.7% per 100,000 population.

Assaults skyrocketed across the state. In 2013-14, the rate of assaults was 391 per 100,000 persons and by 2022-23 was 1,035. Nearly three in four victims of crime have fallen prey to an assault. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are over-represented in that data. Confrontingly, less than 30% of assaults were committed by a stranger.

Media reports of a youth crime wave in Qld are not borne out by the statistics. The rate of youth criminals between 10-17yo fell 26.8% over nine years. Fewer younger people are committing crimes but the downside is that those who do commit crimes are more likely to be repeat offenders.

Since 1 July 2021, Qld Police have recorded data on domestic and family violence (DFV). Even in that short period, the number of recorded incidents with DFV-related assaults rose from 154.1 per 100,000 population in 2020-21 to 518.9 per 100,000 population in 2022-23. According to the report, it is difficult to quantify how much of the increase can be attributed to the reporting change. Increased public awareness and media coverage of DFV likely have increased reporting to police. There is no denying the numbers are stark.

For the full report visit: qgso.qld.gov.au/ issues/7856/crime-report-qld-2022-23.pdf.

Rhonda Piggott

In issue 92 we gave an overview of car park expenses and the money donated to volunteers. This edition is an overview of the money Experience Eumundi has committed in the first four months of this year.

$8000 Australian Body Art Festival

$800 Eumundi Magpies

$10,000 Eumundi Primary P&C Chaplaincy Program

$2,850 Replacement of Eumundi Tennis club court light

$3,344 Eumundi Rotary AV/IT equipment and training

We approved another $1,700 for a men’s tennis tournament.

Going forward the board has developed a criterion for requests for sponsorships and a feedback process on the success of the projects sponsored.

Once next financial year’s strategy is complete, the community will be updated on where the money raised by the car park will be allocated.

Has the car park been at maximum capacity this month?

Due to persistent weather conditions, it hasn’t. More information about investment in the car park will come once the strategy has been finalised.

Who makes the decisions for Experience Eumundi? Last week we said what organisations made up the board. The six voluntary members are:

David Campin (EHA)

Louise Formosa (EDCA)

Kate Gyngell (EDCA)

David Perez (Chamber of Commerce)

Cindy Suters (Chamber of Commerce)

Donata Page (EHA)

What consultation has happened with the community this month?

Each major organisations representatives are meeting this month to discuss the overview of the ECCO proposed strategy and identify how the community organisations can best communicate with each other. More being booked, watch this space.

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OUT AND ABOUT

Long service awardees presentation: L-R Judy Holcombe, Marcella Garcia, John O'Halloran, Lisa Chilman and Sharon Watts

Riding for Disabled Sponsors’ Day

Last Wednesday donors, volunteers, riders and their supporters gathered at the Sunshine Coast Riding for Disabled (RDA) facility at Monak Rd Yandina for Sponsors’ Day. Set during May’s National Volunteer Week the event acknowledged the success of an “incredible” team of volunteers backed by generous sponsorship.

There was a great home-cooked morning tea, lots of introductions, inspections and a presentation of pins to RDA donors and volunteers. The long service awardees presentation between the five volunteers acknowledged 55 years of combined service. What an achievement!

For anyone interested in volunteering at RDA visit: crda.org.au.

Ochre Health celebrates Ochre Health staff members celebrated their 10th birthday recently, with neighbouring business representatives, service providers, and past staff sharing celebratory food and good cheer.

Joyce Turnbull provided a ‘trip down memory lane’, recounting how the community worked together to maintain a medical service for several challenging years and that everyone was relieved to finally have a permanent centre reinstated. Congratulations Ochre Health Eumundi!

MARY VALLEY RATTLER

Family Fun Day

Sunshine and lots of entertainment: that was the Kenilworth Showgrounds on Sunday 19 May for the Art Show and Family Fun Day. Kids got involved with the farm animals at the petting zoo, flew some kites, did some drumming, built up their courage on the rock wall and enjoyed story time or some aerial gymnastics. The Art Show was a great success with a wide range of styles in painting and sculpture.

Hinternoosa turns 35!

Hinternoosa Real Estate agents based in Doonan and Cooroy celebrated their 35th birthday with a soirée at the Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre on 18 May.

Community members, clients, business owners, members of their professional services network

and employees attended. After a walk down the red carpet, all enjoyed an evening of delicious food and drinks in good company.

Director and Principal, Sirah Robb said “Hinternoosa today has grown and evolved so much from the Hinternoosa of 1989, yet the core remains strong. I feel like a custodian of this legacy that has now become the combined story of so many incredible people and agencies.”

She toasted the 35-year journey that has evolved into the new look Hinternoosa of today and everyone who was part of that journey over the years.

All Shook Up. Ah! Ah!

Exhibi�on of diverse art by Jan Murphy showing in the The Banana Shed, 10 Sta�on St, Pomona Qld

Friday May 24th to June 29th

Official opening 11am Sat 25th May Tue—Fri 10am to 4pm Sat and Sun 10am to 2pm

Each weekend Jan will be pain�ng in The Banana Shed. Come in and see her artwork in the making. Gallery on 07 5485 2950 or Jan on 0499 551 700 email jgfiji1988@yahoo.com.au

HEALTH

Angelbird Therapy

Eumundi welcomes Kat, a resident Senior Occupational Therapist and Mental Health Clinician with clinic rooms at The Pavilion, Eumundi.

Kat has over 20 years’ experience and assists with the developmental processes of childhood through to young adulthood in young people 2-20yo and their families. Many of her clients are neurodiverse or have a background of trauma, which may be linked or unrelated to diagnoses such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or a

range of other social and emotional challenges. Her treatment programs utilise a combination of strategies that include sensory, creative, play, interest-based and psycho-therapeutic approaches. Kat is trained in a program called Circle of Security — an attachment-based parenting program. She also runs circles for teenage girls that incorporate art and movement and is a Somatic Feminine Yoga teacher. There is a range of funding options available through Medicare, Mental Health Plans and NDIS offering telehealth and consultations. Bookings are available on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

For further information contact Kat at anglebirdtherapy@gmail.com or visit: anglebirdtherapy.com.

Child Health Clinic

The Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service holds an Outreach Child Health Clinic at the Cooroy Library every Thursday from 9am-1pm.

Appointments cover services for families with children from 0-5yo, breastfeeding and infant feeding support, children’s routines, behavioural issues, support for healthy growth and development, and parental support. The service is free but bookings are essential. Visit: libraryevents.noosa.qld.gov.au.

EUMUNDI ROTARY CLUB

Trivia Night

What state is Lake Disappointment in? Who was the first female premier in Australia? How does a cricket hear? These were just a few of the brainracking questions 100 players tried their best to answer at the Eumundi Rotary Club’s Trivia Night held at the Cooroy RSL on 22 May.

Encouraged by Quiz Master Eileen Walder, tables of potential winners pooled their collective wisdom, spurred on by the on-screen score board. A novel approach was to select which of five categories could ‘double’ your points, so the winning table was not known until after the final questions. Congratulations to Hello Possums for their win!

The night raised just over $1,000 for Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC) through which 50 children each year from developing countries in the Pacific receive lifesaving surgical treatment in Australia or New Zealand.

Phil Smith from Noosa Daybreak Rotary shared the story of ROMAC which this year is celebrating its 400th patient. In New Zealand and Australia, the group enlists assistance from medical experts, hospitals, nurses, physiotherapists, pathology and radiology services, airlines, sponsors and other supporters. Visit: romac.org.au and make your donation.

Welcome Sacha Laing!

The Rotary Club of Eumundi was excited to welcome new member Sacha Laing who joined the club on 9 May. Sacha is a real estate agent at Ray White Eumundi.

Sacha immediately saw the value of wearing the Say No to Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) T-shirt, supporting the Rotarians 4 Mental Health project. Expect to see her delivering Eumundi Voice magazines and wearing the shirt every Friday to raise awareness of DFV.

Why not join her and wear a shirt too? To purchase a shirt email Tex Pipke at: hrtex800@ gmail.com.

In a changing market experience matters. Feel free to get in touch for a personalised sales campaign for your property

LIAN SCOTT Noosa Hinterland Specialist M. 0402 221 823 E. lian@sutersmithcleine.com.au

Sacha Laing

ART ABOUT

People’s Choice Award announced

A charcoal drawing of a young child asleep with her puppy by emerging young Woombye artist Brianna Campbell is the winner of the 2024 Seeing the Soul Art Prize People's Choice Award. Her work was voted for by visitors to Seeing the Soul: Hoofbeats Sanctuary Art Prize and Exhibition held recently at the Cooroy Butter Factory Art Centre. Brianna Campbell will receive the $500 prize for her poignant image of a little girl with 'her forever friend finally in her arms'. Hoofbeats Sanctuary CEO Barb Blashki congratulated Brianna, an emerging artist who is a studio student at Art School Co. Brianna contributed two other artworks to the exhibition, Synergy and Whisper.

"Funds raised from the sale of art works in the exhibition go directly toward funding Hoofbeats Sanctuary's mental health programs that are available free of charge to those who need them to be," said Barb Blashki.

Unsold donated artworks can be purchased through the Hoofbeats Sanctuary website: hoofbeats.org.au.

A ‘Showdown’ in June

There was excitement for Belli Park locals recently when a film crew took over the Belli Hall and invited them to be ‘extras’. The film The Hoist is part of this year’s Sunny Coast Showdown festival to be held on the 21-22 June.

Created in 2022 by Powderfinger’s Jon Coghill and US Survivor producer Dan Munday — both former Nambour High students — this not-forprofit festival aims to ‘incubate local ideas and talent’. It showcases six finalist scripts by local writers with local actors appearing alongside familiar film and TV faces.

The Hoist stars Rhys Muldoon, whose extensive career covers film, television, music, theatre and radio. His performances include series such as Chances, The Genie from Down Under, Big Sky, The Secret Life of Us, Lockie Leonard and House Husbands.

Legendary comedian Darren Gilshenan stars in Stiffs, written and directed by former Federal policeman Stephen Walker, alongside Anna McMahon, daughter of Noosa Arts Theatre director and actor, John McMahon. Anna said, “this story of two attendants in a morgue on April Fool’s Day, was a gift to be in, especially playing opposite that amazing man. I am still early in my career and am always learning so it was such a wonderful opportunity.” Anna and Stephen also starred in last year’s Showdown winner Bin Day written and directed by Ryan Butler.

Anna said this year had attracted more sponsors and so the budget has grown, with even more well-known TV stars. The winning scriptwriter

Anna McMahon

receives $1,000 plus mentorship and funding to show their film at international festivals. Visit: sunnycoastshowdown.com.au.

Eileen Walder

Sunshine Coast Film Festival

If you have a hankering for foreign films, there’s still time to catch a movie at The Sunshine Coast French Film Festival (SCFFF). Films screen at the BCC Cinema in Noosa Junction on a Wednesday evening or Sunday matinee and at Caloundra and Maroochydore until 9 June.

The festival began in 2008 when Alliance Française Sunshine Coast began screening films to encourage a love of all things French. Screenings began in Noosa and Nambour and expanded to Caloundra in 2017. Partnerships were formed with the Noosa Film Society and the Caloundra Film Festival and the SCFFF is now the biggest regional French Film Festival in Australia. Visit: scfilmfestival.com.

HISTORY

Titanic’s feline survivor

From passenger records and memories there were at least 12 dogs onboard the RMS Titanic, numerous chickens and birds but only one cat, Jenny.

Jenny was the ‘official’ ship’s cat transferred from sister ship the Olympic in Belfast, to control rats and mice onboard during the Atlantic voyage. Giving birth onboard in early April 1912 mother and kittens were lovingly cared for by Irish stoker, James (Jim) Mulholland.

Stewardess Violet Jessop, who survived the sinking, wrote how the cat loved Jim and always placed her kittens close to him. He fed her scraps from the kitchen and kept her kittens safe in a corner while she patrolled the ship for vermin.

Just before sailing from Southampton Jim saw Jenny carry her kittens one by one to dry land, never returning to the RMS Titanic. He saw this as an omen and also stayed behind when the ship sailed for New York. Violet Jessop reported Jenny’s ‘maternal’ instinct saved herself, her babies and Jim. Eileen Walder

VOLUNTEERING

Council thanks volunteers

Volunteers are Australia’s largest workforce said Volunteering Queensland CEO Mara Basanovic at the Noosa Council’s breakfast to thank volunteers from the many charities and not-forprofit (NFP) groups in the region. Mara, a former Performing Arts teacher in WA, shortly retires after almost 9 years in her current role.

The guests enjoying Breakfast at Tewantin Noosa RSL on 24 May included Mayor Frank Wilkie, former Mayor Clare Stewart and several councillors who heard that volunteer numbers had dropped by 20% in the past 20 yrs.

The benefit to Qld equates to $117.8B a year saved, due to hours and work done by volunteers. But many charities and community help organisations have recently closed due to lack of volunteers. Many schools cannot support a P&C or tuckshop, or get help in the classroom or during excursions.

Mara said most younger people volunteered for one-off or annual events such as a festival, sporting events or Christmas fairs. They like to work with friends, often lacking the confidence to join an established organisation. They also reported a lack of welcome or support from long time volunteers.

The decline in numbers, Mara said, is also due to the number of hours spent volunteering and ‘out of pocket’ costs not being reimbursed such as petrol, using own equipment and tools, and printing.

The newly introduced Qld Volunteering Strategy offers grants to help charities and NFP groups continue such as part-payment to ‘managers’ to relieve the load on group members. Between $10,000 and $20,000 a year is available and local Federal MPs can provide $5,000 annually to groups deemed in need.

It is worth remembering that volunteers report they get far more from volunteering than they give; feel they are making a difference; increase their self-confidence; make new friends and socialise, use their skills and experience and have a say in their community.

Individual volunteering is also needed for a variety of activities such as walking dogs at a refuge, fostering a PTSD puppy, making garments for premature babies, being a ‘voice’ on a helpline, recording a written book to voice. Knitters can make tiny jumpers for Victoria’s Fairy Penguins. To find out more visit: volunteeringqld. org.au.

Eileen Walder

Noosa Mayor Frank Wilkie with Volunteering Queensland CEO Mara Basanovic

ON THIS DAY

National Volunteer Week

National Volunteer Week 2024 ran from 20-26

May and highlighted the role of volunteers in our community. This year’s theme was Something for Everyone, reflecting the fact that there’s a place where your interests and skills can flourish, whatever they may be.

Eumundi Voice is the product of volunteers and returns any profits made to community

organisations through Eumundi Rotary Initiatives Ltd (ERIL). The diverse background of our writers helps keep our magazine interesting and quirky, reinforcing the theme that there is Something for Everyone. We are always keen to welcome new writers or deliverers to the team. It’s a great way to get to know people in the community or just keep up to date with what’s going on locally. Visit: eumundivoice.com.au.

Noosa Council’s Community Development Program provides a range of services to assist not-for-profit organisations, including helpful workshops on operating effectively. Visit: t.ly/ z31B5. Volunteering opportunities also exist across council such as at the Botanic Gardens, the Noosa Libraries and Regional Gallery, bushland care and Noosa Seniors.

Sunshine Coast Council’s volunteering program offers opportunities across its libraries and museums, heritage and environmental visitor centres, festivals, events and more. Visit: sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/living-andcommunity/volunteering.

After celebrating over 500 property sales, Penny will be taking long service leave until June 19th and is looking forward to returning refreshed with ambition and dedication to delivering outstanding service and results.

During this time, please get in contact with Penny via email to penny@pennyneeprealestate.com or WhatsApp on 0400 404 213.

ENVIRONMENT

The dinosaur bird

There are only 1,500-2,500 cassowaries in Australia, making them an endangered species. It’s hard to come across them in the wild but they live in the rainforests of Far North Qld. I have tried unsuccessfully to spot cassowaries in the Daintree so was quite excited to see them recently in the wild at Etty Bay, a small beach south of Innisfail.

It’s not hard to imagine that cassowaries are descended from dinosaur ancestors. The largest cassowaries can weigh up to 80kg and cannot fly but can run as fast as 50km/h. They are strong swimmers and move quickly on land and in water.

The cassowary is usually considered the world’s most dangerous bird as far as humans are concerned. Two deaths have been recorded in Australia caused by a cassowary kicking the throat of the person on both occasions. Generally speaking, they are not aggressive but can become so if they get used to hand feeding.

Around Etty Bay, where there is a small caravan park, there are numerous signs asking people not to feed the cassowaries. Qld Govt installed some placards around the beach area using Dog on the Moon cartoons to warn people about bad behaviour by cassowaries.

One such sign said: The cassowary is not your friend. It wants your food and it will attack you if it thinks this will help to get it. Please hide your food and stay as far away as possible. Let us enjoy the magnificent cassowary from a safe distance. Otherwise, it might try to kill you (not even joking).

Of course, I and other campers took photos but we didn’t feed the cassowaries – and they were magnificent. Rhonda Piggott

Fireweed alert

Landowners, council and Biosecurity Qld have managed to contain and limit the spread of fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) on the Sunshine Coast for 30 years. However, it is now

Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis)

starting to take off again and it is important to increase our efforts to protect our region from this toxic, prolific and destructive weed.

Fireweed is a small herbaceous plant with bright yellow flowers about 2cm wide and serrated leaves. It invades pastures and is poisonous to horses, competing with native plants in natural areas. Seedlings usually appear in Autumn, and it quickly produces flowers within 6-10 weeks with seeds remaining viable in the soil for several years. Fireweed can easily be confused with dandelion species as well as similar native plants.

If you think you might have fireweed on your property please contact council for assistance with identification via phone, text or email: mail@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au. You will be protecting our region’s farmers and our beautiful natural areas. Biosecurity Qld also have some helpful information on their webpage which can be found at: t.ly/MwrIO.

For more information on invasive plants and how to manage them visit: t.ly/JnOe9.

Rhea

Phelan – Vector and Pest Plant Officer (SCC)

What’s blooming?

The Noosa Botanic Gardens have some fabulous colours at the moment, which will bring a smile after all this rain. Look out for the glorious red of the Brazilian Red Cloak or Red Justicia (Megaskepasma erythrochlamys) which flowers in the southern hemisphere, May through August.

Originally from Venezuela, it’s an evergreen bush that grows to 2.5m and is useful as border or shrubbery to brighten the area. For more flowers, choose a sunny spot, but they like a bit of shelter from the intense sun. If a friend has one, then propagate from semi-hardwood cuttings with the assistance of a rooting liquid or powder.

Source: gardensonline.com.au/gardenshed/plantfinder/ show_3063.aspx.

RETIREMENT

Enjoying your retirement

Retirement … ah! What a lovely word. Something we either look forward to for many years – or hope to enjoy for many years.

Recently, I attended a seminar hosted by the Australian Independent Retirees (AIR) Noosa Branch at the Noosa Springs Golf Club and Spa for folk who are in the retirement phase of life.

AIR is a national volunteer organisation which provides independent retirees with quality information and has a strong advocacy presence to ensure the concerns and needs of members are considered by government policy makers. AIR represents the 43% of Australians at retirement age who are fully or partly selffunded or planning to be so.

Clare Stewart, the previous Noosa Mayor, spoke about setting and working towards personal goals. In the same vein, Bec Wilson – one of Australia’s most respected authorities on

modern retirement – took the audience through 12 key strategies for a fulfilling retirement from her bestselling book How to Have an Epic Retirement.

Bec noted that life expectancy is now 85 yrs for men and 88 yrs for women and retirement could last 20-25 yrs, a far cry from the five or so years that was the case fifty years ago. It’s important to think how you are going to spend those years. Having “financial confidence” is one of the first hurdles towards enjoying retirement, but not the only one.

Another of Bec’s key steps was having a “sense of purpose” in your retirement, finding happiness and fulfilment through identifying your “gifts, passion and value” through activities that keep you enthralled and engaged; not a mere hobby, but something that involves regular commitment.

Retirement can be the time to take up an activity that is challenging and personally satisfying. It may mean learning to play that guitar that’s been gathering dust in the shed that you’ve been holding onto for “one day”. This step may be to start art classes and take up watercolour … what a great excuse to sit by the river and enjoy the sunshine. It could be to get involved in an exercise group and keep track of your heart health.

Another step involved in maximising your retirement so it’s not the absence of something (not just ‘stopping work’) is to actively plan for holidays. Get involved in the planning … what to see, where to stay, what to pack, which travel card to take, and all the other choices which

Bec Wilson with AIR members

Jan Ford, Ruth Hickey and Bec Wilson

will help get the most from your holiday. To keep “engaged” with a trip on returning home, a friend of mine learned video editing, to make non-boring presentations to her U3A club’s Travel Night.

Remember that insurance costs seem to jump exponentially when you hit 75. So, if you like to travel don’t hold off … plan now. Bec suggested considering an “annual travel policy” that may prove cheaper than separate policies – and might encourage you to travel more to maximise the benefit.

Bec said “Never tell yourself you are too old” because there is always something you can do. She talked about not just ‘life span’ (life expectancy) but ‘health span’ (years in good health) by which she meant to consider

“engaging with looking after yourself”: get those annual tests, diarise your vaccinations, and “get out there and do things to increase your health span”.

Her book emphasises that “actively looking after your health is your responsibility” and suggests we stop putting off those annual blood and cholesterol tests. Think about your gut biome, lose abdominal fat, try fasting, improve muscle mass, and get the recommended 150 minutes per week of exercise.

Take one of Bec’s steps towards your own epic retirement and “be proactive about your retirement planning, improve your financial literacy, and create new friendships” by joining your local Noosa Branch of AIR. Visit: facebook. com/AIRNoosa.

Ruth Hickey

Being involved in Rotary's Eumundi Voice magazine is a satisfying commitment for Eumundi retirees (L-R) Greg Molyneux, Pam Moffat and Greg Ison

30- Noosa Eat and Drink Festival, 2 June Noosa, globe noosaeatdrink.com.au

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TRADES & SERVICES

Lots of extras here! The large double garage with epoxy flooring has 3.4m clearance for your RV so no need to park it elsewhere! 2 Bed, 2 bath + study with Plantation shutters throughout, soaring ceilings and tropical backyard! Quality appliances, built in storage and fabulous facilities here at Ingenia Lifestyle Natures’ Edge, one of Australia’s most sought after retirement locations.

Large pole home with salt pool available for longterm tenancy located in an elevated, private setting. Comprising open plan living with kitchen, multi-purpose upper mezzanine level, main bedroom with walk-in robe and ensuite plus 2 more bedrooms with main bathroom, separate toilet and laundry. Features include 3kw solar system, air-conditioning, ceiling fans, insect screens, curtains and blinds, electric cooking, dishwasher, timber floors, robes, linen cupboards plus additional storage underneath the stairs. Large 9 x 6m garage/shed.

CAN YOU AFFORD NOT TO BE IN OUR WINDOW?

With over 30,000 visitors to the markets each week, we can offer great exposure for your property!

If you would like an update on what your home may be worth in the current market, please give us a call for