2023 MARY VALLEY VOICE - MARCH 15 Vol. 33 #3

Photo courtesy Mary Valley Action Group, 2023

MARCH PLANT OF THE MONTH: MACADAMIA TREE (MACADAMIA INTEGRIFOLIA)

THE STORY OF MY MACADAMIA TREE.

Her saw-toothed leaves are scratchy, her boughs roughly haphazard. She's messy and full of ants. But I love her wild ways.

My old tree, in this antique orchard here - is all knuckles and bolts. There have been times when she has spent years slumbering under the invasive vine weeds that grow so fast and readily. There are such gnarly suckers at her base and she's all twists and turns where she has reached and reached for the sunlight.

The colours of her khakis and camo greens seem so very at home in the landscape. In the context of the orchard, surrounded by fruit trees from all around the world, it is so obvious that only she truly BELONGS here. In this place, in this habitat, in this natural environment.

I'm not sure that I fully understood before researching this article that Macadamia trees are native to the Mary Valley! (SE Qld, Central Qld and Northern NSW). I didn't know that before macadamia nuts were cultivated to become a food crop that is grown all over the world, they were found growing wild in this very special place that we call home.

When Macadamia was 'discovered' by white settlers a few nuts found their way to the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, and a tree was grown there by botanists. They observed that the nuts seemed edible, which led to nuts from this tree going to Hawaii, where they were developed into the commercial crop we grow today. Because of this unique scenario there is not much genetic diversity at all in our cultivated trees, they are very much like genetic clones of each other. They lack the genetic diversity that is found in wild native populations. But it is genetic diversity that gives wild populations of trees the capacity to adapt to changing conditions, to continue to evolve in response to changes and threats. This means that valuable commercial crops may be vulnerable to changes in climates and to pests and disease! This is why the Wild Macadamia Hunt Project was established and funded by the Macadamia industry.

There are remnants of wild native bushland and forests right here in the Mary Valley where old wild macadamia trees can still be found and scientists are hunting for more.

The Wild Macadamia Hunt is a project where people are encouraged to tell the story of their Macadamia trees, especially trees that might be old from wild genetic stock. If your tree is likely one that is from wild stock or around 100 years old - they are keen to get a leaf sample for genetic analysis. If your tree is confirmed to be of the old wild stock it's nuts can be gathered and grown to ensure that the old wild genetics are not lost. Because even though Macadamia trees are now grown far and wide on her native ranges, most of which have at some time been cleared, she is a threatened species.

You can join the Wild Macadamia Hunt and tell your trees story here… https://hlw.org. au/project/the-wildmacadamia-hunt/

I wonder, is my tree here from that old wild stock? I really don't know… but I may be able to find out now, which is super cool! Still there is no doubt, she is really special to me. There's a HUGE bumper crop of nuts at the moment. I have never seen her so loaded with nuts before. This season's weather patterns must have really suited Macadamias!

Now is a great time to get baking and cooking with delicious Macadamia nuts. White chocolate and macadamia nut cookies are my personal favourites!

My old macadamia nut tree is not just a food tree. I keep poultry in the old orchard and It is the tree where my family of Turkeys go to roost every night. They feel safe up high in her scratchy leaved gnarly branches. I'm so grateful for the home she provides them.

When I am not eating the macadamia nuts that I gather off the ground - I collect as many nuts as I can and keep them handy. I find that the nuts are really useful as biodegradable ammunition for my sling-shot (that I use to scare off pests and predators from my poultry). So if, on a clear day, of you can hear the gunshot sound of macadamia nuts banging off an old corrugated iron roof echoing across the valley - that's probably me!

~ Lisa Delanoue

Mary Valley Film Society FREE screening in March is Hobson’s Choice (G) 106 min, a romantic comedy set at the start of the 20th Century in class-conscious Lancashire at 5pm Sunday 19th March at Kandanga Hall.

HOW OUR MAIL TRAVELLED TO THE 21ST CENTURY

New South Wales issued the first stamps in Australia on 1 January 1850, introducing prepayment of postage with charges for mail: one penny (1d = 1 cent) for delivery within town limits. Tuppence (2d = 2 cents) for delivery elsewhere within the country. Thruppence (3d = 2 cents) for carriage by ship. The other Australian colonies followed the lead of New South Wales and adopted prepayment of postage by issuing stamps – Victoria (then known as Port Phillip District) on 3 January 1850, Tasmania (then known as Van Diemen’s Land) in 1853, Western Australia in 1854, South Australia in 1855 and finally Queensland in 1860. Thus by 1860, Australia had six colonial postal systems, each issuing its own stamps, a practice that continued until after Federation (https://australiapostcollectables.com. au/articles/stamps-through-timenineteenth-century).

When Queensland became part of the Commonwealth of Australia it continued to use its own stamp until Australian stamps were issued in 1913 (https://www. stampdomain.com/country/queensland/)

Prior to Federation a number of Receiving Office Keepers who were responsible for the distribution of mail were appointed in the district. Their roles continued after Federation and ended with the establishment of designated Post Offices.

In 1896 Mt Ubi Receiving Office opened with Mr Duncan Beattie the Receiving Office Keeper (ROK). This office closed in April 1926/27 when Mr Frank Rodgers moved the Post Office into the township of Kenilworth.

Yahoo Creek (Gheerulla) Receiving Office opened May 25, 1899 with Mr Richard Sims as ROK. The name was changed to Gheerulla in September, 1910. March 19, 1927 this office was designated a Post Office. The name was changed to Lower Kenilworth in December 1928 – but changed back to Gheerulla in August, 1929. The service closed to the public on July 12, 1965.

Obi Obi had a series of Receiving Office Keepers (ROKs)

• 8 Dec, 1894, Herman Kuch

• 1 January, 1897, John & James Hornibrook

• 1 January, 1903, William Carnell

• 17 January, 1903, William Liekefett

• 1904, A. Goeths

• 1 January, 1913, J. Hornibrook

• 25 February, 1913, T. Free

• 1 June, 1917, Miss R. Clune (a teacher)

• 1 October, 1925, Mildred Slack

• Designated a Post Office 1927

• 1927, Mildred Slack became Postmistress

• Post Office closed November 7, 1930.

These pioneers of postal services contributed greatly to the development of the district and should be remembered for their dedication.

Brooloo’s first ROK was Mr George Hordern appointed March 31, 1914. The service was elevated to Post Office in mid 1915. April 30, 1915 Brooloo number 2 Post Office was opened at Brooloo Railway Station. Mrs Hordern was appointed ROK on June 19, 1915 and closed at that site February 12, 1922. The Office name was changed to Brooloo Post Office on February13, 1922 when it moved to the Kenilworth Farmers’ Co-operative Store when Mr Miller became ROK. The Office survived a temporary closure order issued on December 1, 1971 until permanently closing on May 16, 1972.

Kidaman Creek became a Receiving Office November 20, 1922, and was designated a Post Office late in 1927 and closed on December 31, 1930.

Kenilworth Museum opens on Sunday from March 5 at 10 a.m.. Come along and learn a little more about those who contributed to the establishment, development and growth of this district.

~ Lenore Meldrum, President, Kenilworth & District Historical Assn Inc.

This February 50mm. Last February 1041mm. 22 year average January 213mm. Rain fell on 12 days, Feb average 16 days.

Three months of summer total 165mm, Driest summer since 2014 when we had 111mm, Last summer 1423mm, Summer average 560mm 12 month total (till Feb) 1335mm, 21 year annual average 1261mm

CHEERIO FROM THE CHURCHES

Lenten studies have commenced at St John Bosco’s Church on Thursdays at 10:30 am, following Meditation which starts at 9:30am. Morning Prayer is also on Thursdays at St Luke’s at 9am.

Communion is celebrated at St Luke’s on Saturday afternoon at 4:30pm, followed by refreshments. If you are visiting our lovely town, you are very welcome to join us on Saturdays or Thursdays. We’re a friendly lot!

The next Taize service will be at St Luke’s on Saturday 25 March at 4:30pm.

Holy Week Services at St Luke’s and St John Bosco’s: Palm Sunday will be celebrated on Saturday 1 April at 4:30pm at St Luke’s; Maundy Thursday April 6 at St John Bosco about 5pm; Good Friday at St Luke’s at 12pm; Easter Day Sunday 9 April at 9am.

One of our parishioners is urgently looking for a house to rent in the area .If you know of anything available, please let us know on 0427 723 848.

~ Cheerio from the Churches!

KENILWORTH ARTS COUNCIL

The KADS (singers) continue to have a joyous time every Friday at the KAC Shack from 10am till 12. KADS will be strutting their stuff at the St Patrick’s Day Dinner at KAC on Friday 17 march at 6pm – a night of Irish fun and sweet songs! There is no cost but BYO drinks and a plate to share if you wish.

The Mary Valley Rafflers are in town every Saturday morning, fundraising by selling tickets in our beautiful raffle. There is also an instant $50 prize from our Lucky Numbers board. First prize is a watercolour by Barry Green, valued at $700 and second prize a fantastic picnic set full of tasty goodies. Once again, we are seeking helpers with our raffle. If anyone could spare an hour or two on a Saturday morning, that would be very much appreciated.

Kenilworth ArtsFest is coming closer! Again, we are seeking sponsors. There must be someone out there who would like to sponsor a prize and help us celebrate our Silver Jubilee!

The Kenilworth Chamber of Commerce is helping KAC with a wonderful Family Fun Day on 28 May. There will be fun activities for young and old. KAC is organizing children’s art activities and a couple of fun competitions. One is “Get a Handle on This” with prizes for the most original/ best decorated item with a handle – anything from a teapot or a bucket to a handbag. The other is “Wheely Wheely Well Decorated” with prizes for the most original/ best decorated object with wheels – anything from a bicycle to a wheelbarrow! We’re looking for some spectacular entries! Do join in the fun!

There will be another Chinese Brushstrokes Workshop with Stephen Cassettari on 17/18 June. Mark your diary. More details later. KAC will be hosting AAA - the artists group from Caloundra on 7/8/9 July in the Kenilworth Hall. Their paintings are always worth a look.

~ Cheers from KAC

NEWS FROM GHEERULLA HALL AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION

AND GHEERULLA TENNIS CLUB

Under the umbrella of the Gheerulla Hall and Recreation Association Inc., the Gheerulla Tennis Club was successful in obtaining a grant through the Sunshine Coast Council Major Grants Community Facilities March 2022 program. The Gheerulla Hall Association received $4,235 for boundary earthworks to be carried out to three sides of the Gheerulla tennis courts. Grading of the uneven surfaces surrounding the courts has assisted in maintaining the integrity of a newly laid synthetic grass surface on one court, aiding in the prevention of water and weeds from encroaching the new surface. The Gheerulla Hall and Recreation Association Incorporated and the Gheerulla Tennis Club, acknowledge the generous contribution of funding from the Sunshine Coast Council Major Grants program for this project, which will aid the longevity of the synthetic grass surface.

ART ON DISPLAY AT KENILWORTH ARTSFEST

The Sunshine Coast has so many talented visual artists! One of them is local Kenilworth artist , Yvonne James. Her special area is animal portraits, achieving amazing subtlety of colour and texture with coloured pencils.

Yvonne works in this medium to achieve her wonderfully life like portraits of dogs, cats, birds and native wildlife. Her works are very popular with pet owners and her display is a feature of the annual Blessing of the Pets service in Kenilworth.

“People are often surprised that I use coloured pencils in my portraits,” Yvonne commented. “People usually associate coloured pencils with children’s art but it can be extended as a very good medium for adults to work in.”

Yvonne’s art will be part of the 2023 Kenilworth ArtsFest Art Exhibition at Kenilworth Hall from 26 to 28 May along with other art works from landscape, seascape, human form, still life, animal life and abstract.

The prizes this year for visual art categories are $5000 for the Kenilworth Art Award, $1000 for general 2D work, $300 for the Encouragement Award and $500 for People’s Choice. Entries are now open on our KAC website.

Kenilworth ARTS COUNCIL www.kenilwortharts.org.au

KAC DIARY DATES

Every Friday 10am-12 noon. The KAC KADS group is back enjoying their weekly Singalong! St Patrick’s Day Celebration, Friday 17 March at KAC at 6pm. Bring a plate! Irish Stew would be lovely! Lilting Irish melodies by KADS. KAC AGM Thursday, 30 March at KAC 6pm.

ArtsFest Silver Jubilee

Sunday 28 May Family FunDay at Showgrounds Kenilworth ArtsFest 26-28 May –details online: kenilwortharts.org.au

• What changes could be made to the way we currently manage our waste and recycling?

• Exploring new services for waste management.

• Exploring new technologies.

This survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Fill it out today by scanning the QR code or visiting gympie.qld.gov.au/waste-survey

COMMUNITY DISSENT FOR

The Mary Valley has once again been asked to bear the brunt of infrastructure to service growing needs elsewhere in Queensland. Thirteen years after fending off Peter Beattie’s Traveston Dam plan, the Valley is now in Powerlink’s sights for high voltage powerlines to connect a proposed hydro-electricity plant at Borumba dam with the Tarong or Halys substations, near the Bunya mountains, and the Woolooga substation, north of Gympie.

Powerlink has cast three proposed corridors between the dam and Woolooga. An eastern corridor steers through Kandanga, Dagun, Amamoor, to Pie Creek and Fisherman’s Pocket on its way to Widgee Creek and Woolooga substations. A central corridor cuts across western parts of Amamoor, through the Mary’s Creek state forest and then through one of two routes through Widgee to the Woolooga and Widgee Creek substations.

A western route heads through Gallangowan state forest past Black Snake towards the future Cinnibar and Oakview solar farms towards Woolooga. Two southwest routes run from Borumba through to Halys. One runs cuts across Jimna and the Sunday Creek state forest towards Linville and then skirts north of Benarkin and Blackbutt to Tarong and Halys substations.

The other southwest route runs via Mt Stanley to Tarong and Halys but could hook up to Borumba through either Jimna state forest, or through the Yabba Creek and Diaper state forests.

The MVV has been told the powerlines will traverse properties used for ecotourism, camping, an eco resort, and farming, including organic and permaculture properties. The MVV understands a number of residents are so worried about the potential effect on their incomes and the value and liveability of their homes, often their major asset that they are experiencing physical symptoms such as stomach upsets and difficulties sleeping.

Four motions were moved at the meeting, including that the Powerlink corridor should be predominantly on state owned land and no individual should be disadvantaged by the corridor.

The meeting also moved that Powerlink’s inclusion of the eastern corridor as an option had brought, “undue harm to the community” and was “an attempt to split the community and build support for other corridors” when a decision was made, and that it was an “unwarranted attack on the Mary Valley community” that they would stand united against.

A Mary Valley action group has been formed to coordinate the community’s fight against the lines.

Widgee resident Shea Rule, who has taken a lead role in the Say No to the Lines campaign, said Widgee had already copped a solar farm, roadworks associated with the farm, heavy vehicles associated with the farm’s construction and its repair after a storm.

She said that the feeling across all of the potential corridors was that a state-owned project should be on state-owned land.

A number of residents felt it would be best if the Borumba hydroelectricity plant did not go ahead which would negate the need for any of the corridors, she said.

Powerlink maintains that no final decisions have been made on the location of the transmission lines or towers.

~ Dawn Johanson, pictured with neighbour Oscar above.

A spokesperson said letters had been sent to more than 3200 property owners within the draft corridors inviting them to provide feedback.

Following the release of the draft corridor options in November, Powerlink organised 20 drop-in sessions between December and February which had been attended by almost 2000 people and feedback had been received from 1200 so far.

Dawn Johanson is one of the Dagun residents who would be affected by the eastern corridor. Dawn already has a powerline easement on her property but as she understands, the high new proposed voltage line would be right next to or over the top of her hundred-year-old home. Dawn, who has been on the property for 35 years, fears the line would make her home unliveable.

“It’s upsetting. It’s upsetting for all the residents who are affected,” she said.

Dagun resident Reg Lawler, a former teacher and pineapple farmer, has got involved in the battle although he is not directly affected. Reg said the eastern corridor would affect a number of people – the most out of the three options north to Wooloogaalthough Powerlink had claimed it was trying to cause the least possible disruption. He said local residents did not feel anyone should be burdened by the powerlines and that they should traverse state-owned land. Reg convened a meeting of Dagun and Amamoor residents on 5 February where they decided to insist that Powerlink not adversely affect anyone.

“It is a State project to benefit all in Queensland and it is unfair that any person is selected to carry the costs of the project by having Powerlink forcibly intrude on their land and offering minimal compensation for the loss incurred by the individual.

“Ideally, Powerlink should be on land owned by the State and where this is not physically possible, any affected landowner must be properly compensated."

“Insights from landholders, community and other stakeholders will help to identify a single recommended corridor which will be released for feedback in March/April 2023,” the spokesperson said.

According to the spokesperson, Powerlink would analyse

“ It’s upsetting for all the residents who are affected”

A big thumbs down from Mary Valley residents

HIGH VOLTAGE POWERLINES

technical considerations along with potential environmental, social and economic impacts in making its decision “with the recommended corridor to have the least overall impact to landholders and the wider community”.

More drop-in sessions would be held in May to obtain feedback on the recommended corridor before a final decision expected mid-year, the spokesman said.

The spokesperson said that due to the size of the hydroelectricity project, two new connections were required and the existing network was already heavily used and did not have the necessary capacity.

The power to be generated by the hydro-electricity plant would be used across Queensland and feed into the wider National Electricity Market, the spokesperson said.

~ Janine Hill

FACEBOOK PAGE LIKE OUR

CONNECTING COMMUNITIES

Community

Kenilworth Hall and Showgrounds AGM

Monday 17th April 7pm Kenilworth Hall RSL Room

All invited

AGM Wednesday 13th April

7pm Kenilworth Hall RSL Room

We are looking for volunteers and extra stewards to make the 2023 Show and Rodeo another success All Welcome!

"The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members "

Coretta Scott King

Help create a place of cherished nature and ecological wonder

It's time to have your say on the Sunshine Coast Ecological Park draft master plan. Council is proposing to restore former farming pasture in the hinterland to lush rainforest creating a place of cherished nature and ecological wonder for generations to discover and enjoy. Submissions close 20 March. Visit Council's website for more details.

Invigorate your life

Have you registered for Council’s low-cost Healthy Sunshine Coast program? The 2023 program has kicked off and includes meditation, family yoga, Zumba, Tai Chi and so much more. For more information and to register, visit Council’s website and search ‘Healthy Sunshine Coast’.

CUSTOMER CONTACT

sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Council/ Contact-Council

Ride to school for a chance to win

Ride, scoot or skate to school on 24 March for National Ride2School Day for your chance to win! Four lucky students will win bike shop vouchers valued at $500*. Register on Council’s website before 5pm on 24 March. *Conditions apply.

One for the calendar

Watch Council’s next Ordinary Meeting online or at Sunshine Coast City Hall Chambers –Thursday 23 March at 9am.

Everyone Belongs

Celebrate our vibrant and diverse region with Harmony Week in 2023 beginning 20 March. The festivities will showcase a colourful array of food, dance, culture, sport and more! To see what's on, visit Council’s website.

Grow it local to win great prizes

Wonky backyard veggies and creatively named chooks, it’s your time in the sun, with entries open until 30 March for the annual Grow It Local Awards. Sunshine Coast growers in the backyard, school patch, kitchen windowsill or community garden have the chance to impress the nation and win a bumper crop of prizes. For more details, visit growitlocal.com.

Get the latest Council news delivered directly to your inbox each week.

Sign up for the OurSC enewsletter here

TED O'BRIEN MP

My biggest survey: Do you have big ideas about how to can make our local community an even better place in which to live, work and play? I want to hear your views and I’ve launched the Biggest Survey to find out. It’s an honour representing you in Parliament and with your help we’ve secured some big wins. But, for me to continue fighting to deliver the outcomes our community needs, I need to know what’s important to you. Head to www.tedobrien.com.au to complete the survey by 31 March.

Electricity bills: Are your electricity bills going up? The increasing cost of living is stretching household and business budgets and is forcing many people to make difficult spending decisions. The cost of electricity is at the centre of this with treasury forecasting a rise in electricity costs of more than 56 percent. Households and businesses are hurting and desperately need relief and this is a top priority for me. I am seeking local examples of rising energy bills to help document and understand the ongoing impacts of the skyrocketing cost of living. Please let me know by emailing ted.obrien.mp@aph.gov.au.

CR DAVID LAW, DIVISION 10 COUNCILLOR, SUNSHINE COAST COUNCIL

Iam happy to advise that works to upgrade the existing amenity block at Pioneer Park in Gheerulla has now been completed and is opened to the public. The works involved upgrading the current composting toilets to flushing toilets.

HARMONY WEEK: Sunshine Coast residents and visitors will be able to take part in a wonderful array of free events, including workshops, concerts, food adventures, sport and art experiences, held by local community organisations during Harmony Week (2026 March). I would like to invite everyone to experience, explore and appreciate the Sunshine Coast’s wealth of cultural, faith, linguistic and ethnic diversity this Harmony Week. Council has partnered with the Nambour Community Centre and the Sunshine Coast Multicultural Network to support a number of cultural groups and community organisations to host activities and events. I encourage everyone to come along and celebrate our diverse region. Visit Council’s website and search ‘Harmony Week’ for more information and to see a full list of events. 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.

CR WINSTON JOHNSTON DIVISION 5 – SUNSHINE COAST COUNCIL

Free building design workshops: Are you renovating, buying, or building a home on the Sunshine Coast? Join Sarah Chalkley, from Sunshine Coast Council’s Design and Architecture team, to discover important house design tips. There are 7 sessions available at Sunshine Coast Libraries across our region in March. To book visit Sunshine Coast Council’s library website and search ‘Cool Homes’.

Mind Fit: Register now to take part in Council’s health and wellbeing program –Healthy Sunshine Coast. Once signed up, residents will be able to attend a range of lowcost, weekly activities around the region. It is all about creating a happier, healthier, more connected, and resilient Sunshine Coast community. Be sure to join the MIND FIT sessions in Maleny for a fun class for everyone, that grows a healthier mind and cognitive skills. Visit Council’s website for more information and to find classes near you.

Keeping you connected: keep an eye on my Facebook page for the latest Division 5 news and information. Visit www.facebook.com/winstonjohnstondivision5scc

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING GHEERULLA HALL AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION INC.

You are invited to attend our AGM Thursday 25th March 2023 at 3pm Gheerulla Hall

Enquiries - Kathleen Mullins - email

greasykate@hotmail com

Come along, all welcome. Refreshments afterwards

Earthen Roots Collective is a blossoming artisan boutique located at The Pavilion in Eumundi founded by 3 local artisans, Hali from Kokedama Mama, Joanna from Creators of Bliss and Sammy from Ciganka Artforms from Nature.

The boutique has been curated for local artisans as an outlet to showcase their unique and authentic handmade artistic works for local community, offering a memorable experience that is sure captivate you. The focus on earth centric products created using sustainable practices with minimal environmental footprints is a common thread among all their artisans.

Earthen Roots Collective intends on also supporting workshops in a diverse range of arts and crafts, original live music and spoken word events. Expressions of interest are welcomed from local creatives who would like to bring events in arts/crafts and culture to The Pavilion hub in Eumundi. Every Sunday local Artist Edwina Masson holds the ‘Live Loops choir’. You have to hear them to believe it!

Find the them on Instagram, the current display of local Artisans include:

Hali @kokedama.mama1

Jo @creatorofbliss

Sammy and Seb @ciganka_artforms_from_nature

Mel @Nartural_Creations

Frederique @Vira_ilou

Cat Green and Heidi Merika @everyday.empowered

Lorraine @hazel.el.wren

Gemma @oleariabotanics

GHEERULLA HALL STALWARTS IN FINE FETTLE

Must say they’re a staunch lot of folk out at Gheerulla Hall and Tennis Club. Thirteen well-honed stalwarts turned recently for a working bee on the grounds and inside ready for all the events of the year. Mowers, whipper snippers, mops, brooms, gurneys galore were out in force. Must say the place looks absolutely spiffing. So good, in fact, we may have to think of hiring out our team. Any takers?

(Garden Club, exercises, dancing, craft, the Art Fair, Groove, tennis, weddings, etc.)

Our regular events include the growing in popularity Garden Club on the first Monday of every month. This March we all became very knowledgeable about soils, thanks to a great talk by Paul, who will teach us more later in the year. Permaculturalist and seed saver Zela is lined up to speak in April. Other regular events include Irene's Keep Fit and Dancing sessions on Wednesday and Thursdays, Suzanne's Groove Fitness on Tuesdays, and the Tennis Club (home of the famous Gheerulla Gems) activities playing both social tennis on Tuesday evenings and fixtures on Fridays. A veritable one-stop-shop for all your activities. The Hall itself is available for hire for weddings, parties, and almost anything.

For anyone who wants to join this outstanding crew, our AGM is Saturday 25 March at 3.00 pm. Followed by the obligatory cup of tea and cake. All welcome.

Hali and Joanna at the store.

Tennis Club Maggie showing excellent forehand on the gurney

KENILWORTH MARKET GIVES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

Part of the objective for the local market is to give back to the local community. The market is a registered not-forprofit association and once overheads and operating expenses are met then the members and committee meet and work out donations.

Spokesperson, Secretary Cheryl Boyte said, “We were delighted to make an $800 donation to the Kenilworth branch of the SES recently and pictured is the market committee doing a handover. Accepting the donation are Katrina and Chloe for the local SES.”

The SES are also a volunteer-based organisation and would love to speak with you about joining. Don’t worry, you will receive comprehensive training to ensure you have the skills and knowledge you need to do the work safely and effectively. Most of us here in Kenilworth have good reason to thank these people for their help in times of crisis. They really are, as they put it, “ordinary people doing extraordinary things”

To discuss joining you can register your interest online or contact your local SES in Kenilworth.

Kenilworth markets committee want to thank you too. You have visited this market and encouraged our local small businesses. To the stallholders who have contributed stall fees to keep the market running and to be able to give back, you are all wonderful. To the committee members, past and present who have put hours of voluntary work in – thank you.

KANDANGA POOL DEVELOPMENT CAMP

Kandanga & District Swimming Club recently held their third annual development camp at Cotton Tree Caravan Park. We are so grateful to have received grants from RACQ Gympie and the Cooroy Rag to help subsidise this important part of our Club’s season. We had 62 people attend the camp which is a great opportunity for our families to gather together to participate in a range of activities that aren’t available in Kandanga.

The camp challenges and supports our swimmers in new ways. Formal activities include beach games, a training session in the Cotton Tree ’50 metre’ pool, a fun run to Alexandra Headland and culminates in an ocean swim from Mooloolaba Spit to Mooloolaba Main Beach. Many challenges are overcome and it was wonderful to see children and parents, from ages 6 to 60, jump into the ocean and swim their way to shore.

This great experience would not be possible without our awesome families who volunteer their free time to support their kids. Our Club has become a great starting point for many friendships and is quite a social hub in our small community.

New members are always welcome, and as our Club’s 43rd season soon ends, we look forward to many more years of fitness and fun. Contact 0468494029 for more information.

Faux Fox Lashes , Beauty & Nails

~ Sam McDowall, Kandanga and District Amateaur Swimming Club Secretary

PRICKLE PARANOIA?

What a strange and sad irony that last month’s Plant of the Month the Bunya tree, along with Lisa Delanoue’s lovely piece on preparing bunya nuts for eating, as well as the piece on Bunya Dreaming, should be brought down to earth on page 8 with the call to remove the recentlyplanted avenue of bunyas at the town entrance.

The reason that the young Bunyas, which incidentally are growing beautifully, have attracted the ire of a few seems to be the concern that people walking along the roadside will encounter prickly bunya leaves or maybe a falling cone.

This objection is truly lame, as anyone walking alongside a well-used road is ill-advised to be doing so in bare feet. All those who have picked up roadside litter on Clean-Up Australia Day will tell of broken glass, tin cans and more, lurking in the grass, often rendered even more dangerous by having been run over by the slasher or mower.

The wider world does not share this paranoia for prickles. In pride of place in Queen’s Park in Maryborough is a large Bunya tree reputed to have been planted by John Carne Bidwill after whom the plant was named. Presumably Maryborough residents, as well as tourists, have the sense to wear shoes and to avoid walking under the truly majestic tree when the cones are falling. There are a number of bunya trees happily resident in the old botanical gardens in Brisbane too, and even some at Government House.

No, the prickles in feet and falling nuts are not a valid reason for removal of the Bunya avenue approach to Kenilworth.

The Bunya Araucaria bidwillii is far more than just a big tree with prickly leaves and whopping great nuts and it needs to recognised as an integral part of the history of this area.

At the start of European settlement, Bunya trees were in great abundance in south-east Queensland. It was Andrew Petrie, Commissioner for Works in the Moreton Bay settlement who was the first to bring back samples of the Bunya and who recognized its significance, to first nations people. Bunya gatherings, both at Baroon Pocket and what we now call the Bunya Mountains, drew up to 5000 attendees travelling long distances to attend.

It was Petrie’s representations to Governor Gipps in Sydney (Queensland was still part of New South Wales at the time) that lead to the Bunya Proclamation of 1842

"It having been represented to the Governor that a District exists to the northward of Moreton Bay, in which a fruit-bearing tree abounds, called Bunya or Bonye Bonye, and that the Aborigines from considerable distances resort at certain times of the year to this District for the purpose of eating the fruit of the said Tree:- His Excellency is pleased to direct that no Licences be granted for the occupation of any Lands within the said District in which the Bunya or Bonye Bonye Tree is found. And notice is hereby given, that the several Crown Commissioners in the New England and Moreton Bay Districts have been instructed to remove any person who may be in an unauthorised occupation of Land whereon the said Bunya Trees are to be found. His Excellency has also directed that no Licences to cut Timber be granted within the said Districts."

Explorer Ludwig Leichhardt, who experienced a bunya gathering in 1844 wrote, “The grandeur and solitudes (of the Blackall Ranges bunya forests)... produces a strange feeling of exultation... What can I say about the Bunya Bunya brush? ...About the majestic tree whose trunk seems like a pillar supporting the vault of Heaven? About its cones, their fall, sounding through the silence of the brush?”

Effectively the Bunya Proclamation should have meant that Bunya country would be a sizeable reserve for first nations people, but settlers eyed off the land and timber–getters eyed off the trees and one of the first acts of the parliament of the newly separated state of Queensland, in 1860, was to repeal the Bunya Proclamation and open the area up for settlement and deforestation.

To have an avenue of bunyas flanking the road (but sensibly planted well back from it) makes a great entrance to the town and a tangible reminder of a time that goes way, way back before the early days of a fledging Kenilworth. Trees that have been around since the dinosaurs, to be given the chop on an ill-founded concern about prickles in feet. I think not.

PROUDLY PRINTED BY GT PRINT, KUNDA PARK, SUNSHINE COAST

~ Ian Mackay

“Trees that have been around since the dinosaurs, to be given the chop on an ill-founded concern about prickles in feet. I think not.”

~ Ian Mackay

Obi Obi Creek Waterfront with 10ha irrigation licence.

$2,450,000

75 SHARRYS ROAD KIDAMAN CREEK. This rural property was once used as a dairy farm and over the past years has been running Beef Cattle. The land comprises of 204 acres in total which is on two titles. The land is a combination of alluvial creek flats to a section of undulating land, all good for grazing cattle. There is approximately 1.5klm of Obi Obi Creek frontage with a 10ha irrigation licence, fantastic news if you are looking to grow crops or feed for your cattle. The original family home is a spacious old two storey farmhouse which has had some renovations over the years. Upstairs are 4 generous bedrooms, large living area, bathroom, sunroom and verandah area with beautiful views over the land and towards Obi Obi Creek. Downstairs is another bathroom, large living area, storeroom and family size kitchen. You will either renovate the house or rebuild a new one (it’s your choice). There are several older outbuildings on the property which could be useful. The Zincalume shed is 16mtr x 9mtr with concrete floor, large sliding door panels and power connected, ideal for machinery or large workshop. Location is ideal; private and down a ‘no through road’ with only a few immediate neighbours. An easy 20-minute drive to either Maleny or Mapleton from the property.

Commercial and Residential – All in one neat package.

Offers over $625,000

65 MAIN STREET KANDANGA.

“KANDANGA COTTAGE” as it is known to the locals was the original bakery in the Main Street of this beautiful country town. The quaint shop front is currently used as a hairdressing salon with a good tenant in place. The residence is a timber cottage which is also separately tenanted. Both buildings have their own access and separately metered for power. The home has 3 bedrooms, open plan living areas, sunroom and a large functional kitchen. There is a side verandah and rear balcony with views over the local park. The area for the house has plenty of outdoor space. Under the house is ideal for storage and there is a colour bond shed - 9mtrs x 7mtrs with mains power connected. All of this on a 1507m2 block of land. Kandanga offers a public swimming pool, primary school, local snack bar, country pub, bowls club and Tennis club. The property has been used as a rental investment for the past 9 nine years. However, if you are looking to owner occupy the property is available. All inspections are by appointment.

0407 135 797

tonia@boxsells.com.au

Tonia Murtagh