Vandals hit Mount Beerwah

MOUNT Beerwah has been closed after vandals defaced parts of the iconic hinterland peak by using power tools to carve words into rock.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife said the attack took place on either May 20 or 21 and came just weeks after Jinibara man, BJ Murphy, urged people to consider the cultural importance of the site.

“I encourage people to connect with country, just be mindful and consider the request of local custodians in honouring their significant and sacred sites,” he said at the time. The mountain, which has already claimed the life of a climber this year will be closed while repairs are made.

“Regardless of what it says, the graffiti is a terrible act. It looks clumsy and awful, and rangers and the community take a zerotolerance approach to offences like this in our national parks,” QPWS said.

“The mountain is an iconic feature of the Sunshine Coast and extremely important to the Jinibara People, the local Traditional Owners, and to the people of Queensland. “To have it defaced like this is appalling and QPWS will work with the Jinibara People to minimise the long-term visual damage.” Authorities are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying those who were involved. “Not only has this callous person/s extensively defaced an area of rock, but they have also caused immeasurable damage and hurt to the Jinibara’s well-being,” Regional Director Geoff Brittingham said.

“The mountain won’t be reopened until the healing has taken place and the environmental vandalism has been repaired.

“For the Jinibara people, I hope this will in some way provide time and space to seek to heal deeper cultural wounds.”

Contact QPWS on 5494 3983, or make an anonymous call on 1300 130 372.

Despite ongoing pleas to the community in recent years and attempts to engage additional volunteers and support for the aging committee, not one new person attended the final call on May 24 to determine a probable future for the event.

Management committee members said that it was with a heavy heart that they were left with no other alternative but to end the 52-year association with the Beerwah Sportsground and local community as of May 31, 2023.

Outgoing President Bruce Page who has been involved since 1971, said he felt it was a sad day for the community but acknowledged that without new volunteers and the issue compounded by recent changes to management of the Beerwah Sportsground; to continue would have been difficult.

He said the secret to success of long running events like the Beerwah Charity Sports Day had always been the active involvement of the community, and a strong sense of community ownership, purpose and camaraderie. “Whenever you see something like this event that has proven to be so successful for so many years - it all comes down to the community working together,” Bruce said.

“Although it is sad to have to call time on the even, we are proud that as a committee we achieved a great deal for our community and that we raised a lot of money for a great cause.

“It was wonderful to be part of such a rewarding event for so many years and see our community come together. It was hard work, but we all enjoyed it and made a lot of good friends.

“The community pride, fun and fellowship that came from these annual events was incredible.”

Bruce said while it was a difficult decision to end the event and disband the committee, he sincerely hoped that down the track something will emerge again to take its place.

“Apart from the huge contribution to cancer research and patient support, the Beerwah Charity Sports reflected community spirit at its best,” he said.

“We hope people enjoyed the event as much as we did and maybe one day, the community will decide to reinstate a Beerwah show or event for the future.”