The Superheroes of Conondale State School

CONONDALE State School Prep/1/2 teacher Rosanne Kirkham and her class won an award at the Kenilworth Art Festival on May 26 for their book ‘If I was a Superhero’.

The class and their teacher won the Primary School Children Highly Commended Poetry and Art award, for a book they wrote about world issues and how the students would solve them if they were superheroes.

Conondale State School won two vouchers worth $60 from the Kenilworth Bakery for their award, which Rosanne said the principal will use to buy donuts for all students and staff. She also said it was important for her to write this book with her class, to excite her students about literacy, and the competition’s theme of superheroes and villains helped that intrigue for the kids.

“My inspiration as a teacher was to get them excited

“We didn’t enter the competition to win an award, we just wanted to get kids excited about books and even creating books, including the illustrating and bringing the final product together.”

The writing process with the class included brainstorming ideas with the starting line “If I was a superhero, I’d know what to do;” and then the student would suggest world issues they wish they could fix.

“We wrote this together to generate a feeling of accomplishment and success in reading and writing, and mainly to encourage the students and to bring them joy in literacy,” she said.

“The kids hear adults talking about these things or see images on the TV, writing a book like this makes them feel like they are a part of fixing something in society and having ideas to make the world a better place.”

As well as the benefits to improve their reading and writing skills, Rosanne said it was beneficial to the students to complete this book to give them a feeling of accomplishment.

“The students felt success through the process of writing a book. That feeling is important for them to know they can achieve reading and writing goals and can put something together for people to enjoy,” she said.

with Winston Johnston Division 5 - Sunshine Coast Council

Maleny Skate Park Halfpipe

I’M EXCITED to announce that a brand new eight-metrewide half pipe will be constructed in Maleny, just in time for the summer school holidays. Due to age and safety concerns, the extremely popular existing metal half pipe, adjacent to the main concrete skate park within the Maleny Showgrounds, will be demolished in early June 2023.

The new, eight-metre-wide half pipe will feature four-tofive-foot transitions and a high performance Skatelite wear surface. Tenders have now closed, and work is expected to commence in the coming months. We have worked closely with the Maleny community on this project, heard loud and clear that these free recreational facilities for youth, families and the young-at-heart are so important to support physical and mental health. The main concrete skate park within the showgrounds remains open for action. Otherwise, head out and explore one of the other 26 skate parks across our region. Fee relief for people in temporary housing

I am pleased to share that Council will continue to waive permit fees for those having to temporarily live in a tent, car, caravan or mobile home who, due to extenuating circumstances, find it difficult to pay. Council recognises the impact of the housing crisis and increasing cost of living pressures and the importance of providing reassurance to vulnerable people who are living in temporary accommodation. Information on Council’s website can assist applicants in understanding and navigating the approval process.

Horizon Festival

From 25 August to 3 September, the highly anticipated Horizon Festival will captivate locals and tourists alike with a diverse array of music, cabaret, theatre, comedy, and family events.

Horizon Festival salutes the vibrancy of the Sunshine Coast, with artists, their stories, and the community at the heart of this year’s program. Staged in stunning locations and unique venues, the 2023 program is bursting with free and ticketed events for all ages and interests.

For program information, bookings and Festival updates, visit horizonfestival.com.au and follow @horizonartfest on social media.

Flourish don’t perish

I HAVE the greatest respect and admiration for the indigenous people of Australia. True indigenous people, not those claiming to be indigenous. I acknowledge the horrors and atrocities that have been inflicted on them in the past. However, atrocities occurred on both sides and also between the many original tribes. Equally there has been an enormous amount of good that has come to the indigenous peoples from the new arrivals.

I have been told repeatedly by indigenous people that they do not ‘own’ the land. They have a very strong spiritual connection to it. I respect that and I have felt it myself.

The lifestyle of the original people of Australia worked for the few hundred thousand individuals living here. It can never work for the 26 million-odd people that inhabit the land now. There has to be compromise on both sides.

Instead of looking back and apologising incessantly for something no living person today had control over, could we not look forward? Can we not unite and learn from each other’s varied knowledge and combine that knowledge to enhance and improve OUR country?

The indigenous people of Australia legally have exactly the same rights and benefits of every Australian. It is in the Constitution. They have advisors and political representatives already in Government - proportionately far more than the non-indigenous population.

If we continue to divide the community we will be doomed. The land will survive and probably blossom but the population that inhabits the land now, that is you and me, will perish.

Name and address supplied

Nice one, boomer

Look out! The Boomers are coming.

They will not go gently into the night.

There is rising wrath, out there in Boomerland. They, it seems, are no longer happy to look on as a bunch of corporates and their political stooges pillage the planet and lay waste their grandchildren’s future. Rather than meekly sitting in their retirement homes, the boomers are getting out there, getting themselves arrested and gaoled, and making their opinions felt by the politicians and plutocrats who have dictated to them for half a century.

Retirees are radicalising in a global movement to rescue the human future. People who for a lifetime being ‘good citizens’ have had enough. Boomer organisations are being created all over the World. In Australia, the Knitting Nannas is an “international disorganisation where people come together to ensure that our land, air and water are preserved for our children and grandchildren.

More Boomers are realising that the legacy being left to future generations is the most accursed in history – a world with a ruined climate, landscape, oceans, air; vanishing species of plants and animals; scarcities of water, trees, soils, fish; chemical poisons; disease pandemics; a teetering global food supply; imminent nuclear peril; and a human species with an unlimited capacity for selfdeception about the crisis it has engendered.

Part of the motivation is a rising fury that our courts and police forces – supposedly created to defend society, its rights and freedoms – are being universally conscripted to do the dirty work of the $7 trillion fossil fuels lobby, insidiously tightening its control over governments democratic, autocratic and in-between. Politicians and corporate executives should tremble. How the Baby Boomers vote, buy, invest or disinvest decides the fate of governments and businesses in Australia.

Ethical Boomers know their grandchildren are being handed a rough deal, a planet more damaged and dangerous, and a society less free, fair, safe, healthy, just and equal, than they themselves enjoyed. More and more, they are putting their voices, brains and financial power behind things like renewable energy, clean-up campaigns, political pressure for wildlife and landscape restoration, safer food, better healthcare, opposition to war and militarism, and a renewal of trust and investment in those pillars of modern society, education and science.

It is a timeworn saying that young people are the future and the hope of our species. Now it is equally true that old people are, too.

Condensed from an article by Julian Cribb –Pearls and Irritations 12/6/23)

Ken Dyer Landsborough

Faith is a wonderful foundation

In response to RI being removed from schools. RI provides more of a faith-based perspective for living life, rather than simply presenting a creationist theory of how we got here. This holistic approach is taught as an introduction to faith and we know that faith provides a great foundation for living.

It speaks on the relevance of God and provides insight to each student on how to live with morals that better our relationships with each other and with God. The RI lessons also reinforce the learning ethos held by the school and makes for a great partnership between the school and community.

We know that it is currently an “opt in” for parents on behalf of their children, and when families opt in, RI provides the benefits of a broader world view for each child to discover and explore.

Pastor Aaron Jackson Beerwah

Beware of scammers

This week I got terrible news from a family member that they lost $13,000 to a scam. They wanted to buy a tiny house/cabin for their property, so they contacted what they thought was a legitimate company, paid the money, but never received the product. They have reported it to the bank and police who said there’s not much hope of catching these criminals. The scammers impersonate a real company, so it’s very easy to get conned. A Current Affair did a story about this issue recently because lots of people have lost money to similar scams, which is devastating for these families. So, please be careful before paying any money!

Name supplied RI is an asst to us all

In 2014, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki said the living cell had about as much complexity às the city of Brisbane.

In recent decades, our knowledge of the machines which populate the cell has grown enormously.

Machines like ATP Synthase, Chaperonin, DNA Polymerase and DNA itself are amazingly complex, and could not possibly come into being by chance.

The theory of evolution requires all these machines to happen by chance at the same time. It also requires the first cell to be able to reproduce itself.

Ken Dyer in ‘You Said It’ on June 13 says evolution through natural selection is the only scientific explanation of why the universe is the way it is today.

No-one disputes natural selection, as it can be observed.

What is not observed is the means of creating the material which can then be selected. But what about the long ages required for the theory of evolution?

Radiometric dating methods are the basis for most assumptions of age.

These methods rely on assumptions which can never be proved.

Mt Nguruhoe in New Zealand erupted in the 1950s and 1970s. Lava flows observed from those eruptions have been dated by the Potassium Argon method at 300,000 to 3 million years old.

This raises the point that if this method is not reliable on rocks of known age, why would we trust it on rocks of unknown age?

There is much more.

There are many creationist organisations (you can google that term) which employ scientists who have a different point of view to the evolutionist.

Some may say “If God made this, then who made God?”

I can’t answer that question any more than the evolutionist can say where the material for the alleged big bang came from.

When children are told they got where they are through survival of the fittest, why are we surprised when they behave accordingly?

Good quality religious instruction in schools is an asset to our society.

Phil Garrad Beerwah

Use local mechanics

I OWN a Mazda BT50. A few months ago, an engine symbol came up on the dash. I ignored it for a while – as you do. My bad.

All of a sudden, I was losing power, so I took it to the dealer to get checked.

Well, this service bloke came in and said it was the DPF, and that it needed to be replaced because it was 20% blocked.

This would cost about $8000.00 to fix.

I was shocked. After they picked my jaw up off the floor, he came back with the proper quote of $6280.00.

He tried to talk me into leaving my car there. I said, “no thank you”.

When I got home, I rang my local mechanic Michael from Glasshouse & Landsborough Automotive Service. He said to bring it in on Monday morning.

Around smoko time he rang me and said they can perform a manual DPF regeneration to clean it out, however I did require a new DPF fuel vaporiser, which he could order in. Around 4pm he rang me and said the car is ready.

The total bill was $1274.00.

$5000.00 cheaper than Mazda!

The whole point of this letter is to firstly say thank you to Michael and encourage everyone to support local mechanics, who often do a much better job with servicing and repairs than the big car dealerships! If I was a gullible person, I would now be $5000.00 out of pocket, so be aware of these dealers and get a second opinion (I don’t think it is only Mazda doing this sort of thing).

I’d be very interested to hear from other people if you’ve had similar experiences.

Alf Kwarcianyi Cedarton

CONDITIONS Please keep your letters under 300 words, your name, address and daytime phone number must be supplied. Letters must focus on issues and not be personal attacks on individuals. Letters may be edited. SEND TO: editorial@gcnews.com.au or PO Box 99, Beerwah 4519 or text to 0488 444 525

Paying the price

I’VE just been alerted to a con job that I’ve been complicit in since Covid.

Back then we were told you would die a painful death from handling cash and we believed it.

Well I believed it anyway and have duly turned to the phone and cards.

But now an audit of my account by my better half has alerted me to the cost of this blind acceptance.

It turns out every time I go and buy my almond soy cinnabon skim latte I’m not just paying my $7 but an extra few cents on that transaction.

Then there’s every single other transaction through the day.

I’ve done a deep dive audit and I’m genuinely shocked.

Can’t these retailers just price it in and let me drink my gross beverages in bourgeois ignorance.

what they’re doing.

Even if it’s like having to read the small print at the end of a contract, the warning was there. I’m changing, literally. Cash only.

Budgets and bubs

What is it about the state government and kids. First they’re saving them from drowning with a few free swimming lessons, then they’re saving them from their parents by offering free kindy.

That’s $645 million so parents get to work longer, be more exhausted and pay more taxes. Is it the equivalent of having an extra child for your country?

Beerwah Art Project Launch

Time: Tuesday June 20, 10:30am-12:00pm

Where: ‘The Hub’ Beerwah- Located next to the Skate Park

Peachester Heritage Centre Open Day

Queensland Garden Expo

Jun 20

Info: Celebrate the new tunnel murals with the amazing young artists who brought the space to life. All are welcome to this event, and will have a sausage sizzle for attendees.

Australia’s finest pianists to perform at Lucas Parklands, Montville

Time: Wednesday 21 & Thursday 22 June, 3pm

Where: 126 Narrows Road, Montville

Jun 21-22

Info: Enjoy a world class performance overlooking the stunning Kondalilla National Park when internationally renowned pianist Piers Lane performs a beautiful afternoon piano recital at Lucas Parklands. Bookings please contact 5478 5667 or visit www.lucasparklands.com.au

Maleny Markets on the Green

Time: Thursday June 22, 8am - 2pm

Where: Between Peace of Green and Maleny Realty on the grassy knoll in the main street.

June 22

Info: To book a stall this Thursday, email malenymog@gmail or text 0498953190. Stalls are $25. Hope to see you there to grab a bargain or something unique. Like our page to keep up to date with our market news.

Dancing at Lughnasa

Time: Fridays & Saturdays 7pm, Sundays 2pm

Where: Playhouse, Maleny Showgrounds

June 23-25

Info: Directed by Andrew Wallace, Maleny Players will take you on a drama of love, loyalty, loss and dancing. Arrive at 6pm on either of the Friday nights to enjoy a hearty Irish stew. Tickets: Adults $25, Concession $20 and Members $20. Booking Options: malenyplayers.org or trybooking.com/CIGOR

In Process - Form and Function’

Time: Saturday June 24, 6pm

Where: Maleny Equestrian Arena, Maleny

Showgrounds

Jun 24

Info: Ambitiously challenging the boundaries between product and process, studio, stage and gallery this multi-faceted creative event gives local audiences an opportunity to experience high-calibre performance art without having to travel to New York, Edinburgh or a big city arts festival! A collaboration of local creatives; figurative artist David Bongiorno, choreographer Fiona Jopp and singer and composer Tobias Merz this unique performance work offers an immersive journey where the studio process becomes the stage. Tickets $45, on sale now and more details are available via www.davidbongiornoart.com/performance

The

Families of Fairview

Time: Saturday, June 24. 1- 4 pm

Where: 15 Porters Lane North Maleny

Jun 24

Info: Fairview (Pattemore House) welcomes you to come and explore the wonderful heritage of our area. Films, oral histories, surveying displays and amazing images tell the tale of this 1907 pit-sawn farmhouse. Homemade afternoon teas are served on the graceful verandahs, overlooking the pretty restored gardens! Disabled access, plenty of parking. $5 entry - kids free.

Down Under Craft Group

Time: Saturday 8am-12noon

Where: Landsborough School of Arts Hall

Time: Sunday June 25, 10.00am to 2.00pm

Where: 956 Peachester Rd, Peachester

Jun 25

Info: Entry $5.00, children free. Have you seen the latest addition to the “A Woman’s Work…” exhibition? Entitled “Making”, it highlights the many things created by the busy hands of the women of the house!

NDIS and Carers QLD Morning Tea

Info Session

Time: Monday June 26, 9am-11am

Where: Glass House Mountains Neighbourhood

Centre

Jun 26

Info: Come along to the Glass House Mountains Neighbourhood Centre for an information session morning tea with Paul from Carers Queensland. Carers Queensland offer guidance, information and assistance to people with disabilities seeking NDIS access, and those who have existing NDIS plans needing help to utilise their plans. Limited spaces available RSVP: Glass House Neighbourhood Centre, admin@ghmnc.com or 54387000.

Club Glasshouse Kids Bingo

Time: Wednesday June 28, 10:30am - 11:30am

Where: 6 Gardner Street, Glass House Mountains

Jun 28

Info: Looking for something to do with the children over the Winter holidays? Join us on Wednesday 28th June for Kids Bingo! $5.00 per child, prizes to be won, morning tea provided. Book by Tuesday 27th June… Adult supervision required, please let the team know of any dietary requirements prior to event, by clicking ‘going’ on this event does not secure your spot please call us to book on 5436 5000.

Emergency Services Day

Time: Saturday July 1, 10am-1pm

Where: Mooloolah Public Hall, 42 Bray Rd, Mooloolah

Jul 1

Info: A great time for the little kids and big kids to come and visit all the emergency service providers and learn more about their vehicles. QLD Ambulance Service will be offering CPR skills and every hour Mooloolah Fire & Rescue will be demonstrating a kitchen fire. BBQ and Barista coffee cart on site selling food and drinks.

Knitfest Yarn & Fibre Arts Fair

Time: Saturday July 1, 9am-5pm. Sunday July 2, 9am-4pm and Monday July 3, 9am-4pm

Where: Maleny township

Jul 1-3

Info: This year’s theme is Wild Women. Yarnbombing, Workshops, Masterclass Monday, Trade stalls as well as a suitcase market, Competitions and Demonstrations. For more information see the website www.knitfest.com.au, email knitfest@hotmail.com or phone 0417 626 167.

Muzika in Maleny

Time: Thursday July 6, 6.30 to 9.15pm

Where: Maleny RSL, Lawyer St, Maleny

Jun 24

Info: Down Under Craft Group under the Landsborough School of Arts Hall. Handmade gifts for everyone. Open for sales every Saturday morning 8am – 12noon. Classes held every Tuesday and Wednesday from 9am to 12noon. All welcome to join.

July 6 https://www.facebook.com/MuzikaMaleny/

Info: This month amongst others it will feature: the outstanding Brisbane-based blind, country rock singer guitarist Steve Sparrow and poet Rose Waters. Contact whitickerm@bigpond.com.

Time: Friday July 7, Saturday July 8 and Sunday July 9. 8am to 4pm

Where: Nambour Showgrounds

Jul 7-9

Info: More than 360 exhibitors including 55 nurseries. 60,000 plants for sale daily. New and exciting workshops

Giant organic kitchen garden. Free lectures and demos all day, every day. Free advice from leading gardening experts. Food courts, entertainment and free kids playground. For more information visit www.qldgardenexpo.com.au

The Musos in Beerwah

Time: Tuesday July 11, 6 – 9pm

Where: Beerwah Hotel, 53 Beerwah Parade, Beerwah

Jul 11

Info: A monthly music event (the second Tuesday), featuring our most impressive local musicians and guests from all around. This month will include The Levee which in their repertoire feature the music of acts such as the 70’s icon, Led Zeppelin, and regulars including Deni Chapple and Malcolm Holz playing both originals and covers. Coordinated by the Glasshouse Musos with its great PA sound, each act has a short set, so contact us if you’d like to book a spot. We might be able to squeeze you in if you turn up, but best to book. Contact whitickerm@bigpond.com. https://www.facebook.com/MuzikaMaleny/

Sex and the City Quiz

Time: Wednesday July 19, 6pm for a 6.30pm start

Where: Glasshouse Tavern, 10 Reed Street, Glass House Mountains

Jul 19

Info: Heaps of prizes, 2 course dinner and show package - $60. Main meal and show package $45. To book your tickets please call 5493 0933

Festival of Music and Singing

Time: Sunday July 23, 1:05pm to begin at 1:55pm

Where: Caloundra Uniting Church, 56c Queen St, Caloundra

Jul 23

Info: The 2023 Festival of Music and Singing, followed by a splendid Welsh afternoon tea, is on the afternoon of July 23 at the Caloundra Uniting Church. See QR code on brochure for booking, can book online until 10am the day of where cash will be accepted at the door. Tickets are $27 for the general public, $25 for WSSC members, per person in groups of 10 and more $25 each. Enquiries to Emrys Jones - emandmo@bigpond.com or Susan James at simplesusans@gmail.com

Family Support Morning Tea

Time: Monday July 24, 9.30-11.30am

Where: Glass House Mountains Neighbourhood Centre, 1 Ryan Street, Glass House Moutains

Jul 24

Info: Are you looking for connection or support for your young family? Are you aware of what is available for families in your local area?

Come along for a free and fun Morning Tea with Holly and Aimee from Caloundra Community Centre and explore what services and activities are there to support you and your family. RSVP admin@ghmnc.com or phone 5438 7000.

Outspoken

Time: Wednesday July 26, 6pm for 6.30pm

Where: Maleny Community Centre

Jul 26

Info: Our next Outspoken event is with the remarkable Anna Funder (of Stasiland fame). Her new book, Wifedom, will be released in early July. It’s bound to be quite controversial as, apart from a whole lot of other things, it gives a different picture of George Orwell to that which we are accustomed. Tickets $25 and $18 for students. Bookings https://www.trybooking.com/events/ landing/1065087?eid=1065087&

Dedication of the children to God

Contributed by Kylie Woodhead

WE recently held a dedication service for the families in our Church to dedicate their Children to God. This simple part of the service was to pray for each family and partner with them in raising their children. The parents of these children will raise their children as they see fit, and it’s a privilege as a Church community to offer support through the different stages of each child’s growth and development. The support we provide is available upon request from each family as they navigate the trials and challenges of parenting.

What do you see?

THE way you see other people affects your life powerfully, be aware of this fact. It affects the life of every human being.

A story of a young couple moved into a new house. The next morning while they were eating breakfast, the young woman saw her neighbour hanging the washing outside.

with Fr. Ejikeme Ntamaka Catholic Community

As people pursue their choices and convictions around faith, the Church has a role to nurture through support and encouragement. It was such a joy to see so many consider this step of faith and the value of living a life that honours God.

“That laundry is not very clean; she doesn’t know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better soap powder. Her husband looked on, remaining silent.

Every time her neighbour hung her washing out to dry, the young woman made the same comments.

A month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband, “Look, she’s finally learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this.”

The husband replied, “I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows.”

And so it is with life - what we see when same way that you judge others, and the measure that you use for others will be used to measure you. “Why do you take note of the splinter in your brother’s eye but do not notice the wooden plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye,’ while all the time the wooden plank remains in your own? You hypocrite! First remove the wooden plank from your own eye, and then you will be able to see clearly enough to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye. (Matt. 7:1-5)NCB https://www.cotrmaleny.org/

There was everything from clothes to coffee machines. One person even scored an air conditioner. We estimate well over 100 people attended and had the opportunity to take home free gifts. Pastor Rodney Jobe said the free mart is also an expression of God’s grace to us, where we can freely receive something without any cost to ourselves. He said that’s the message of Christianity. The church is looking to have more Free Marts in the future to support the community.

They meet at the Maleny Sports Club via Porters Lane each Sunday at 9.30am. Phone 0402 345 477.

Lutherans host Vanuatu youth

Contributed by Tom Jantke

CALVARY Lutheran Congregation, Glasshouse Mountains, have enjoyed a number of young people from Vanuatu worshipping with them for the last couple of months. They are accommodated at Beerburrum and are picking tomatoes on a farm near Nambour.

Members at Calvary have been able to help them with some warm clothing for our cool winter mornings and they have enhanced the Calvary church worship with some songs, both in English and their Vanuatu language.

Festival of music and singing

Contributed by Susan

James

THE Welsh Society Sunshine Coast is a not-for-profit group that serves the interests of people interested or connected in any way to Cymru/Wales.

The 2023 Festival of Music and Singing, followed by a splendid Welsh afternoon tea, is on the afternoon of July 23 at the Caloundra Uniting Church. Doors open at 1.05pm and the Festival starts at 1.55pm. Booking is through www.trybooking.com/ events/landing/1053378 from June 1 until 10am on the day. Thereafter cash can be taken at the door.

Admission - General Public - $27 WSSC members - $25 per person in groups of 10 and more $25 each.

The Festival has evolved from two traditional Welsh singing and musical events. The ‘Gymanfa Ganu’ is a Welsh

Community Singing Festival and the ‘Noson Lawen’ is a fun night and concert. In the spirit of the Gymanfa Ganu, the audience will sing and join in a few community songs and is invited to ‘raise the roof.’ After the Festival concert, patrons are invited to a delicious Welsh afternoon tea with plenty of Welsh cakes and Bara Brith. After last year’s enjoyable and successful Festival, this year’s concert will be even better!

Performances will be given by Sacha Gibbs-McPhee, Kim Kirkman, Michelle Bull and Ceri McCoy.

Everyone is invited to go along, enjoy listening to superb guest artists, join in the community singing and partake of a scrumptious Welsh flavoured afternoon tea. Enquiries to Emrys Jones - emandmo@ bigpond.com or Susan James at simplesusans@gmail.com “.

Welcomes you each Saturday at 27 Maleny Street

9:30am - All Age Bible Study Hour

(Includes Children and Youth programs)

11:00am - Worship Service

First Saturday of the monthCommunity Lunch Contact p: 0424 901 301 f: @LandsboroughChurch w: landsborough.org

We must come to appreciate life: our life and others’ lives. What we appreciate, appreciates in our eyes. Remember, anytime you objectify someone, you view them in a negative light, and they will most likely respond negatively in return. Seeing them as a person casts a positive light and can only enhance the relationship. The next time you meet someone, do your best to appreciate and respect something about them. By seeing them as a person of value, they will most likely value you in return.

Catholic Weekend Masses

Saturday 5pm: Peachester Rd, Beerwah

Sunday 7am: Caloundra St, Landsborough

Sunday 9am: 45 Cedar Street, Maleny

Ph: 5430 9390 9am to 1pm Mon-Fri www.caloundracatholicparish.net

A Bible Teaching, Community Loving, Hope Filled Church on the Hinterland

Sundays @ 9am

12 Cedar Street, Maleny malenypc.org.au

BEERWAH CHURCH 27 Beerwah Parade

Sundays 9 30am & Kids Church

Arise Youth: Fri 7pm (grade: 7-12 | term time)

E: wecare@cotr.org.au W: churchontherise.org.au

MALENY CHURCH Maleny Sports Park, via Porter’s Lane Sundays 9.30am & Kids Church

E: info@cotrmaleny.org W: cotrmaleny.org

JOHN MCGRATH – WHY WINTER IS A GREAT TIME TO SELL IN 2023

One of the biggest myths in real estate is that Winter is a bad time to sell. Actually, the opposite is usually true, and that’s especially the case this year. Let me explain. Selling in Winter is actually advantageous for vendors in two ways.

Firstly, there is typically a lower number of homes for sale in Winter (because of the myth!). What that does is tighten up supply, and that strengthens buyer competition for the homes on the market. Buyers who want or need a new home do not stop looking because the weather gets cold!

Secondly, if your strategy is to buy your next home after you’ve sold your existing one, then selling in Winter means you’ll be ready to buy in Spring – when there are usually a lot more homes for sale. These two advantages are present every year, but in 2023, the supply/ demand advantage is magnified.

This is because we’re at a point in the market cycle when stock is already very low, which means buyer competition will be even stronger for the homes available for sale during Winter this year. The market is now on its way back after a 12-month correction. Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane are leading the charge. CoreLogic data shows there has been three consecutive months of growth in Sydney home values and two consecutive months of growth in Melbourne and Brisbane. Australia’s combined regional markets have also recorded two consecutive months of growth. While buyer demand is clearly increasing, stock levels are not yet improving. This creates good selling conditions. CoreLogic data shows the number of new listings coming onto the market is more than 20% lower than last year in every individual capital city and

‘rest of state’ region across the country.

The shortage is especially acute in Brisbane, where new listings are down 32% and in regional Queensland where stock is down 27%.

We can see the trend in real-time with auction clearance rates across the combined capital cities averaging 65% in April –that’s 10% higher than the rate recorded in December 2022. Clearance rates are strongest in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra at above 70%. A clearance rate of 60% indicates normal market conditions.

Stock is especially low because of where we are in the market cycle. But it may not last long. Sellers are still holding off for now but CoreLogic estimates an “accrual of pent-up supply since September 2022”, so this Spring could be very busy if we

McGrath CEO & Founder - John McGrath see strong results – as expected –during Winter. This may give a lot of sellers who have been waiting on the sidelines since last year the confidence to list and that could change the supply/demand dynamic pretty quickly. So, I see a great opportunity for sellers to do very well this Winter in the suburbs with particularly tight supply.

Property portal realestate.com.au recently released a list of suburbs in which listing numbers are significantly lower than last year and buyer enquiry on their web ads is trending higher.

If you’re thinking of selling this Winter talk to Cassi Nuske, your local McGrath Sales Specialist, to find out more around the current supply and demand dynamics in your area to see if this season presents a particularly timely opportunity for you.

Finally, here are a few tips for maximising your home’s appeal in the Winter selling season.

• Clean your windows to maximise the flow of natural light

• Use candles and lamps to make darker areas feel cosy

• Heat your home well before the open or auction

• Clear gutters and pathways so rainwater can drain away easily.