MaryValley The Voice
19 APRIL 2023 Vol. 33 #04 connecting communities GOURMAY 1, 2 Medical centre loss 8 Anzac Day activities 11 Fire season prep 13 Vandals or Vigilante 15
Photo courtesy Kandanga farm store
2 | 19 APRIL 2023 The Mary Valley Voice
CELEBRATING REGION’S RICH FOOD DNA WITH GOURMAY
GourMay Mary Valley is a celebration of the farmers, producers and creators, whose hard work and passion bring flavours to the plate. It’s a great opportunity to meet the people behind the produce, who put joy on the plate. It’s a month full of events that will appeal to lovers of good food and authenticity.
Festival Day will be held on Saturday 6 May in Imbil Town Square and Rail Park, providing a perfect introduction to have an initial ‘Taste’ of the Mary Valley. There will be talks, cooking demonstrations, exhibitions, and competitions.
A wide range of produce-led events will be held during the month of GourMay, including:
• WINE DEBUT: From Vine to Glass. WindRush Estate's Tempranillo 2020 Launch Event
• WINE LUNCHES: Dingo Creek Vintners Lunches
• FOOD FESTIVAL: Kenilworth Tasting Festival
• CAMPFIRE DINING/MUSIC: 'Bellbird and back...a taste of the trail' involves a gentle half-hour stroll to a bellbird habitat then relax with new and old friends while listening to music under the stars.
• HERITAGE railway, the Mary Valley Rattler will operate Tasting Trains throughout May.
• FILM: A short films festival will be held at Kandanga Hall themed around "Food at their Heart".
• ART: The epicurean theme continues with master artist Ian Mastin exhibiting a collection of food inspired works at the Art on Yabba gallery in Imbil.
• PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION: There will also be a GourMay Mary Valley photography competition based on photos taken during the festival.
GOURMET GOODNESS IN MAY The Mary Valley Voice 19 APRIL 2023 | 3 LANTANA CONTROL & PADDOCK MULCHING ...woody weeds removed by the roots then mulched! Reducing lantana regrowth and herbicide use. Light footprint 65 HP tractor. CONTACT FORESTFARMER 0754 944 746 OR 0418 786 143 THE MARY VALLEY VOICE © 2023 EelCreekRd ReganRd Moo o o dR Burgess Rd MARY VAL L E Y ROAD M ARY VA L YEL R O AD Calico Creek Rd LawsonRd MaryValleyLink Rd AmamoorCreek Rd KENILWORTHEUMUNDI ROAD NADNAK G AMB L RD M1 Traveston Amamoor Kandanga Imbil Brooloo Kenilworth Langshaw 18 TO GYMPIE → → TO MALENY M A R Y R I V E R Satellite Events Apr 30 - June 3 AMAMOOR STATE FOREST TO EUMUNDI → LAKE BORUMBA 17 10 14 5 6 13 1 4 3 11 8 7 9 Ex NOOSA 12 15 2 M1
HISTORICAL
WHEN DID KENILWORTH FIRST COMMEMORATE ANZAC DAY?
The first Anzac Day march in Queensland was held in Brisbane on 25 April 1916 to mark the first anniversary of the landing of the Australian and New Zealand troops on Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey.
The earliest recorded service in Kenilworth that could be found by this researcher is from 1932 as published on page 7 of the Nambour Chronicle on April 29.
Anzac Day was solemnly observed in the Kenilworth township hall. There was a large attendance,
Mr. A. P. Myers presiding Rev C. Biggins, Mr. H. Rowe, Cr. S. Kelly, Mr. A. Burley
Kipling's Recessions.
The report published of page 3 of the Nambour Chronicle May 2, 1941 detailed the following;
"Anzac Day was celebrated in Kenilworth by a commemoration service in the hall. Councillor A.E. Tanner presided and was joined on stage by Rev S.H. Down, Rev Taylor, Mr. D.E. Pickering and Mr. S.B. Jones. The proceedings opened with the National Anthem followed by the hymn “God of Our Fathers”. The uniform resolution was moved by Mr. H.R. Welch, seconded by Mr. S.B. Jones and supported by the Revs Down and Taylor. The Rev. Down rendered the solo “Nearer
My God to Thee”. While the five minutes silence was being observed, Mrs. Down, who officiated as pianist throughout, played “The Dead March” (in Saul). Country Women’s Association supplied afternoon tea. C.W.A. President Mrs Rowe conveyed the association best wishes to all who attended. Mr. J. Adsett replied for the returned men and Mr. Ben Rodgers for the parents of service personnel."
Twenty-nine of the district young men went to fight for King and country in the first World War. Eight did not return and seven are buried in Europe. Our community honours the service of those 29 and all who have served in military conflict since that time.
2023 Anzac Day commemoration begins with a community breakfast in the town park at 7.30 a.m., followed by a march to the memorial at 9.00 a.m. Service to commence in Peter Dobson Park at 9.20 a.m.
"Thoroughly enjoyed the experience!"
"The tour guide really involved the kids and my 6 and 9 year olds loved it "
2020
Tuesdays Kungfu 4.30-6.00
Thursday Qigong 5.00-5.45
Private studio in Gheerulla. For further details Eamon 0414 366 604.
This March 55mm. Driest March since 2015 23mm. Last March 137mm 22 year average for March 147mm. Rain fell on 15 days, March average 18 days.
Total rain for first three months of the year 163mm, Previous driest start to the year 2005 with 238mm, Same period last year, 1465mm, January - March average, 543mm 12 month total (till end March) 1254mm, 21 year annual average 1261mm
RAINFALL MOY POCKET – MARCH 2023 by Graham Brennan
THE MARY VALLEY VOICE
Open every Sunday 10am - 2pm 7/9 Alexandra St
Kenilworth Museum Kenilworth Museum
Easter was a busy time for the churches of St Luke’s and St John Bosco’s. The traditional Washing of the Feet service was held at St John Bosco’s on Maundy Thursday and the Stations of The Cross at St Luke’s on Good Friday. Both churches welcomed locals and visitors to the joyful Eucharistic services on Easter Day. Holy Communion is held at St Luke’s on Saturdays at 4:30pm. We love to welcome visitors especially those camped at the Showgrounds. Do come along and say “Hello”
~ Cheerio from the Churches!
KENILWORTH ARTS COUNCIL
What a fun night we had at our St Patrick’s Day dinner on 17 March! The KADS were in top form and we sang happily along with Irish melodies. We all enjoyed the delicious food that was brought along and the Irish Stew was a hit! Thanks to everyone who contributed to a very enjoyable evening.
KAC and Kenilworth Library will be co-hosting a morning tea in the Library on Friday 5 May at 10am. This is part of ArtsFest’s Silver Jubilee. KADS will be there.
We hope all the family is preparing the entries for KAC’s two fun and nonsense competitions at the Family Fun Day on 28 May at Kenilworth Showgrounds.
Join in the fun! No entry fees! Get creative! Enter the competitions - “Get a Handle on This”( decorate anything with a handle) and “Wheely Wheely Well Decorated” ( decorate anything with wheels). Judging at 12 noon. The judges say they have a very flexible set of rules!
Bookings are now open for the Chinese Brushstrokes Work shop with Stephen Cassettari 17/18 June. Details are on the KAC website.
The AGM will be held on Thursday 22 June at 6pm at KAC.
~ Cheers from KAC
THE PLANT OF THE MONTH FOR APRIL IS ROSEMARY (SALVIA ROSMARINUS)
This month is a Love letter, an affirmation, a poem. Autumn is here and inspiring, by Lisa Delanoue.
The act of planting a Rosemary bush is an act of pure Love. Every Rosemary ever planted anywhere, is an intentional act of Love.
Look around and wherever we go, we see; Rosemary is everywhere.
Love is everywhere.
And, Rosemary remembers why.
Every Mother, Father, Daughter, Son, every Sister and Brother, Every Grandmother and Grandfather. And Great.. Rosemary remembers…
Rosemary smells of memories.
I remember we all ate at her table.
Through good times and bad, Rosemary was there. There in kindness and with strength.
Warm and dry, comforting and calming.
A salty tear.
Healing and nourishing.
Heart and blood.
Loving gentle Rosemary. A breath of fresh air. Rosemary is everywhere, everywhere we go.
July 15, 2015 The Mary Valley Voice 19 APRIL 2023 | 5 COMMUNITY NEWS
Kenilworth ARTS
www.kenilwortharts.org.au S e n d y o u r c o m m u n i t y n e w s t o m a r y v a l l e y v o i c e 3 1 @ g m a i l c o m A D V E R T I S E H E R E S M A L L S Q U A R E F R O M J U S T $ 5 0 / M O N T H 2 5 0 0 C O P I E S P R I N T E D ! Contact Sam, 0425620719 maryvalleyvoice31@gmail com
COUNCIL
KAC DIARY DATES
Every Friday 10am-12 noon. The KAC KADS group is back enjoying their weekly Singalong behind the library! KAC AGM Thursday, 22 June at KAC 6pm.
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ArtsFest
Jubilee
Kenilworth
Silver
Sunday 28 May Family FunDay at Showgrounds
ArtsFest 26-28 May – details online: kenilwortharts.org.au
The Mary Valley Voice 19 APRIL 2023 | 7 THANK YOU ADVERTISERS 1300 000 RJR (757) www.RJRproperty.com.au IMBIL 120 Yabba Road 07 5488 6000 MONTVILLE 188 Main Street 07 5478 5550 KENILWORTH 7 Elizabeth Street 07 5446 0164 Hinterland property … it’s a lifestyle choice!
LOSS OF IMBIL MEDICAL CENTRE
Live in Imbil and want to see your local GP? It’s now a one hour, 70km round trip.
Imbil Family Medical closed on 17 February and its doctors, Martinus Nel, Lize Wessels and Rakib Hasan, as well as patient records, have relocated to Excelsior Medical Centre, Gympie.
The Imbil centre was operated by the same Brisbane-based business group that operates Excelsior Medical and Pomona Family Medical, which closed at the end of last year.
The closures come even although hinterland populations have been topped up by the great covid exodus from the cities.
Attempts by email and phone to seek an explanation for the closure through Excelsior Medical were unsuccessful.
However, Damien Kiely, a director of the company which owns Excelsior Medical, was reported in other media as saying rising equipment costs and the inadequacies of Medicare were to blame.
Doctor Roger Faint, president of the Sunshine Coast Local Medical Association, said medical centres were encountering three main obstacles to their operations.
Dr Faint said a shortage of GPs, insufficient Medicare rebates and difficulties luring GPs out of the cities presented challenges for medical centres.
“Firstly, we’re not getting the doctors coming into Australia that we used to. We’ve been quite reliant for years, probably more than we thought, on overseas doctors getting residency in Australia or coming to enjoy the lifestyle in Australia,” he said.
“Secondly, we’re not training enough GPs and haven’t been for a long time.”
“Ten years ago, 50% of medical students went to general practice and that’s down to 15% so that’s all contributed to this significant issue.”
Dr Faint said it was financially more attractive for trainee doctors to specialise rather than choose general practice which reduced the flow of young GPs into the system.
Medical centres in rural and regional areas struggled with the doctor shortage more but the problem was not confined to these areas, he said.
Dr Faint said Medicare had also been an issue for years as rebates had not kept pace with inflation.
He said the issues had been building for some time and their combined effect was now being seen in the closure of medical centres and difficulties for patients trying to access GPs.
“The people, they either find somewhere else to go or end up in emergency departments” he said.
“Older people find it particularly challenging. They need proactive health care and they can’t necessarily travel.”
“It can cause a lot of grief and frustration.”
Dr Faint said patients’ frustration often transferred to frontline staff, such as receptionists, who simply could not offer appointments with doctors because none were available.
Patients of Imbil Family Medical were
unimpressed about the prospect of travelling to Gympie to see their usual doctors or trying to get on the books of medical centres elsewhere when many are already at capacity.
Federal member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien said the closure of both the Imbil and Pomona clinics had worrying left both communities without local access to general practitioners.
“The Wide Bay electorate has an ageing demographic, many of whom are pensioners and suffer from chronic health conditions which require regular visits to their GP,” Mr O’Brien MP adsvised.
“In December last year, I wrote to the Minister for Health and Aged Care, alerting him to the pressures faced by general practices and seeking additional support for them. I also raised these closures in a speech to Parliament in February 2023.
“In particular, changes the Federal Government has recently made to Distribution Priority Area classification have made it easier to recruit doctors to metropolitan areas.
“As the pool of doctors is limited, this change makes it much harder to attract them to regional communities like Wide Bay.
“Disappointingly, the reply I received from the Minister’s chief of staff indicated no intention to change this policy."
Mr O’Brien MP said he was working with the Central Queensland, Wide Bay, and Sunshine Coast Primary Health Network (PHN) to facilitate ongoing access to primary health care for the Pomona and Imbil communities.
The PHN is currently investigating the options available to facilitate ongoing access to primary health care for affected residents, including commissioning a short-term primary care hotline for the residents of Imbil and Pomona, to enable the availability of GP telehealth consults for residents without leaving their community.
The aim is to provide a multidisciplinary model of care that works with other healthcare businesses in the area, such as pharmacies and pathology providers and may include other healthcare professionals, such as nursing, pharmacy, and allied health, to support residents to access care alone, and those who need assistance with accessing a technology solution.
However, these measures aren’t a substitute for having local access to general practitioner services, where and when people need them. Mr O'Brien MP said he will continue to work with the PHN and encourage the Government to implement solutions for our communities in Wide Bay that have been left without local primary health care providers.
Local resident Marguerita Vorobioff responded to news of the Imbil Family Medical closure by flagging on social media the possibility of an integrated health centre.
Although she has had some discussions with key people, she emphasised this was only at a preliminary level and support would be needed from residents and local business people to make it a reality.
8 | 19 APRIL 2023 The Mary Valley Voice
~ Janine Hill
“ We’re not getting the doctors coming into Australia that we used to. We’ve been quite reliant for years, probably more than we thought, on overseas doctors getting residency in Australia or coming to enjoy the lifestyle in Australia”
~ Dr Roger Faint
“ Possibility of a local integrated health centre”
~ Marguerita Vorobioff
THANK YOU TO OUR ADVERTISERS
PUBLIC NOTICE
Community Wild Dog Baiting Program
Autumn 2023
Class 1960 - 1962
6th June 11am
Banana Bender Pub, Aussie World (Frizzo rd, Palmview)
RSVP by 6th May
Kerry Lynch
0407811277 or John Kropp
0458594220
0402764701
Sunshine Coast Council in partnership with Biosecurity Queensland is supporting a community-based coordinated Wild Dog Baiting Program. Failure to control wild dogs can result in livestock losses, attacks on domestic pets and the loss of native fauna. Landholders have a legislative responsibility to control declared pests on their land and participation in this program is an effective way to help meet this responsibility. The Wild Dog Baiting Program will be held throughout Bald Knob, Beerburrum, Belli Park, Cambroon, Conondale, Coochin Creek, Crohamhurst, Curramore, Eerwah Vale, Elaman Creek, Kenilworth, Kidaman Creek, Obi Obi, Peachester, Reesville, and Witta areas from 17 April-19 May, 2023.
For more information please contact:
Sunshine Coast Council
T 07 5475 7272
E mail@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
The Mary Valley Voice 19 APRIL 2023 | 9
23072 03/23.
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Anzac Day Lest we Forget 07.30 - Sausage Sizzle at Kenilworth Park 08.50 - March Form Up 09.00 - ANZAC Day March to Cenotaph - Service, laying of wreaths and last post - National Anthem, Kenilworth School 11.00 - Kenilworth Bowls Club Opens 12.00 - Meals until 13.00 13.00 - Bar Opens 14.00- Bare Foot Bowls (Names in by 13.30) 15.30 - Two Up APRIL 25 ~ Everyone Welcome ~
Help the Sunshine Coast be stronger together
Community members of all ages and backgrounds are invited to attend the Stronger Together Forum on 16 May to share their experiences, insights and ideas to help create a renewed Community Strategy Action Plan for 2024-2029. Places are limited. Register today on Council’s website.
Innovative student awards
Sunshine Coast students who have a great invention, business idea or new technology have the chance to bring their idea to life and share in more than $10,000 worth of prizes. Entries for the Mayor’s Telstra Innovation Awards close 27 April. Find out more at studysunshinecoast.com.au.
CUSTOMER CONTACT
sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Council/ Contact-Council
Burn season has begun
Keep up-to-date with the annual burn schedule on Council's website and Facebook page. Seven sites across the region will be treated as long as the weather remains dry and conditions are suitable. Planned burns help plant species that rely on fire to regenerate and also reduce fuel on the ground before bushfire season.
One for the calendar
Watch Council’s next Ordinary Meeting online or at Sunshine Coast City Hall Chambers –Thursday 27 April at 9am.
Need help
to
fund something great?
Minor Grants of up to $2000 are available for community groups to deliver projects, events and activities that provide community benefit. Visit Council’s website to apply and for further information.
Exciting work experience opportunity
A unique work experience program is open to students in Years 10, 11 and 12 looking to obtain on-the job skills and experience with Council's Parks and Gardens Branch. Students will experience first-hand basic technical skills within their chosen field while gaining insight into the various parks and gardens-related professions. For more information, visit Council’s website.
Get the latest Council news delivered directly to your inbox each week.
Sign up for the OurSC enewsletter here
CR DAVID LAW, DIVISION 10 COUNCILLOR, SUNSHINE COAST COUNCIL
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Kenilworth Library community engagement program last year. Findings from the community engagement have been collated into the Kenilworth Library Community Engagement Report, written by an independent expert. The report provides an overview of the community engagement results and feedback gathered from within the local community.
The ideas and feedback received in this engagement will be used to develop a plan to improve usage of the Kenilworth Library.
Kenilworth Library improvement plans include:
• Trial of workshops, programs and events
• Refresh of the library space
• Refresh of the garden frontage to increase visibility from the main street.
The Libraries Team will continue to review recommendations made in the report to identify future opportunities.
Visit Council’s Have Your Say website for more information or to read the report.
BUNYA TREES: I am very disappointed with the senseless act of destruction of the Bunya Trees. I am aware that some members of the community are not in favour of the planting of these trees along the road as an entry to Kenilworth. Our Council spends time and resources creating beautiful, natural spaces for our community and visitors to enjoy. In response to some of the feedback about the planting of the trees, I have organised a community meeting on May 9 to provide information about the plantings. Residents and business owners are invited to attend this information session on Tuesday, May 9 at 9am at Isaac Moore Park.
Then, come and have a chat on Tuesday, May 9 at a drop-in session and pick up a free tree from 10am – 12 noon at Kenilworth Town Park.
Don’t forget if you have any questions please contact me at email: david.law@ sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au and follow my Facebook page for regular updates: @ DavidLawDivision10.
BENEFITS OF TEACHERS AND STAFF WORKING IN THEIR LOCAL SCHOOL
Teachers and staff play a critical role in shaping the future of their communities by educating the next generation. Their work goes far beyond just curriculum and content delivery; they also provide guidance, mentorship, and support to their students, helping them to develop essential life skills and shape their world view. Local schools are often the heart of their communities, serving as a hub for social activities, events and learning opportunities. Teachers and staff who work in local schools have a unique opportunity to build strong relationships with the students and families, as well as collaborate with other local organisations and businesses. In addition, working in a local school often means that teachers and staff are more aware of the needs and resources available in their community.
At Kenilworth State Community College, all of our teachers and the large majority of staff live in Kenilworth and the surrounding countryside. In fact, two of our staff attended the school when they were students. It is certainly my privilege to lead this dedicated, hardworking team. Kenilworth SCC is a small community school set in expansive grounds with experienced local staff, up to date facilities and resources. Our students enjoy learning in multi-age year level classes. Having older siblings and friends in the classroom brings a caring, supporting vibe where we work together, help and care about each other and learn happily.
Being in blended classrooms has so many advantages for learning, growing selfconfidence and resilience, and forming and supporting positive friendships.
We have been fortunate to replace long time Kenilworth SCC teacher Mrs Keelee Bosworth, with Ms Emma Fox who now resides in the town and joins our local team. Ms Fox comes to us as an experienced multi-age senior teacher. Look out for her an introduction next month.
~ Mr Adam Head, School Principal
12 | 19 APRIL 2023 The Mary Valley Voice COMMUNITY NEWS
2022 Anzac parade
PREPARE FOR FIRE SEASON
Landholders have been urged to make the most of a window of opportunity to minimise fire risks on their properties.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s has forecast below average rainfall and warmer than average temperatures from March to May.
The conditions are likely to dry off an abundance of vegetation produced by two years of good rainfall during a La Nina weather cycle which appears to have wound up over summer.
Rural Fire Service area director Andrew Allan said it was all pointing towards a high fuel load for the next fire season.
“We are drying out a little bit, there’s no doubt about it, for the next season. Come August, we’re going to have a whole lot of extra fuel if we don’t get on top of it over the new few months,” Mr Allan said.
“We never had a fire season this year so we’ve got a whole load there and as that dries out, and we do get that wild, windy weather, with that fuel load, we’re certainly going to have some problems then."
Mr Allan said late Autumn-early winter was the best time to get on top of the growth.
“There’s a lot of fuel, a lot of long grass and coming into April, May, June, that’s our best time to do some strategic burning to reduce the fuel load,” he said.
He said rural fire brigades worked with councils, Transport and Main Roads and corporate landholders to help them reduce their risk but he urged private landholders to do the same.
“Anytime is a good time to clean up your property and reduce the risk, not just during fire season but also storm season,” he said.
“Keep your gutters clean, don’t leave a whole lot of stuff lying around your yard.
“If you’ve got long grass, look at what you can do to reduce the risk, for example, slashing or talk to the RFS about burning.”
Mr Allan said anyone interested in hazard reduction burning on their property should contact their local fire warden to discuss the matter, obtain a permit and arrange to have rural firefighters on hand for support.
A donation towards vehicle fuel was appreciated but not mandatory, he said.
To find your local fire warden, go to https://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/ safety-education/using-fire-outdoors/ fire-wardens or search “find your fire warden”.
The North Coast region has had it easy with fire this summer compared to the Western Downs.
Ten fire trucks with volunteers from the North Coast region have been sent to bushfires around Moonie which have kept local rural fire services busy.
Mr Allan said volunteer numbers were down a little at all rural fire services in general more were always needed.
Kenilworth is one of the rural fire services which can do with a hand after a few volunteers have moved on or opted to have a break.
Mr Allan said interested people should keep an eye out for an “open house” at their local rural fire service to get a taste of what it was all about.
~ Janine Hill
The Mary Valley Voice 19 APRIL 2023 | 13
WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY
Please suppor you found them It tr
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LOCAL BUSINESS
SPOTLIGHT
T o g e t y o u r b u s i n e s s s e e n b y C o n t a c t S a m , 0 4 2 5 6 2 0 7 1 9 , m a r y v a l l e s to ad f e
OR VIGILANTE?
COMMUNITY RESPONSE
One of the many issues is The Sunshine Coast Street Tree Master Plan 2018 states it will consult with the general local Community regarding the selection and placement of any tree plantings. THIS NEVER HAPPENED. The Sunshine Coast Tree Master Plan 2018 states “In a landscape that continues to grow and change, ensuring we plant ‘the right trees in the right places’ is more important than ever.”
This is between the Kenilworth Community and the Sunshine Coast Council to resolve. We are in talks with the Sunshine Coast Council and with common sense and good grace this matter will be peaceably resolved without stirring up a hornets nest.
~ Kaye Linck
APOLOGY
The Mary Valley Voice has a policy of maintaining an apolitical stance on all matters concerning the community regardless of the personal opinions of the committee or the employees of the organisation. Readers will note that the articles written by journalist Janine Hill carefully detail both sides of any matter published. Unfortunately in one article recently published, the opposing view to that author was not given the opportunity to put a case. This has apparently caused some angst amongst the community. For this the management committee apologises.
Because the management committee do not wish to see this matter escalate and cause a rift in the community the Mary Valley Voice will no longer be printing any long articles regarding the Bunya Tree debate. 'Letters to the editor' of a maximum 50 words will be considered. Further correspondence regarding the Bunya Trees should be directed to the office of Councillor David Law, Eddie DeVere building, 130 Currie Street, NAMBOUR Q 4560 as it was the Sunshine Coast Council that planted the trees and ultimately it will be them who decide whether the trees are retained, removed or replaced.
~ The Management Committee of the Mary Valley Community News Association Incorporated.
BUNYA UPDATE
The Bunya seedlings have been a topic of hot debate in Kenilworth since the council planted them late last year. Parks and Gardens staff inspected the seedlings after being informed of the vandalism and determined that, having been snapped from the top, they would likely die.
The council will remove and replace the bunya trees which will be surrounded by more substantial structures to stabilise the new trees and provide further protection.
Sunshine Coast Council Division 10 councillor David Law has been disappointed by the senseless destruction of the plantings.
“Our council spends time and resources creating beautiful, natural spaces for our community and visitors to enjoy,” he said.
“I am aware that some members of the Kenilworth community are not in favour of the planting of these trees along the road as an entry to Kenilworth. I am preparing for a community meeting on May 9 and will provide information about the plantings.
“The bonye or bunya tree is of great significance to the Kabi Kabi /Gubbi Gubbi people of the Sunshine Coast.
“It’s disrespectful to the broader community that an individual, or group of individuals would be so selfish to destroy these trees.
Kenilworth local and Mary River Catchment Coordinating Chairman, Ian Mackay said, “The Bunya tree, Araucaria bidwillii, is much more than just a tree with prickly leaves and large fruit. It was so revered by first nations people that the Bunya Proclamation of 1842 not only recognised the significance of bunya country but it prevented settlement there-in, as well as the cutting down of the trees themselves.”
“This avenue of thirty or so Bunyas planted on the eastern approach to Kenilworth provided an opportunity to reflect on not only the significance of these stately trees (“majestic”, as explorer Ludwig Leichhardt had described them in 1844) but also that Kenilworth (Hinkabooma, as it was called) was regarded as the heart of the bunya country, not far from the site of bunya gatherings in Baroon Pocket on Obi Obi Creek."
The council has reported the vandalism to police. A statement said it was an offence to damage vegetation in this manner and a maximum penalty of $114,800 was applicable.
Anyone with information or who would like to report damage to council-maintained property can email mail@sunshinecoast. qld.gov.au or phone 5475 7272, or make a report to police online or on 131 444.
The Mary Valley Voice 19 APRIL 2023| 15 PROUDLY
PRINTED BY GT PRINT, KUNDA PARK, SUNSHINE COAST VANDALS
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“ Inspecting the wilful vandalism to nine of the recently-planted bunyas I feel sadness and outrage”
~ Ian Mackay
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