The Sunshine Coast Chamber Music Festival is back in 2024, presenting an opportunity for music lovers from around the country to immerse themselves in the innovative program.
The 2024 festival, from June 6-9, includes internationally celebrated classical artists alongside First Nations, jazz and world musicians, all coming together to share their passion in some of the most stunning natural locations and intimate venues across the Sunshine Coast.
“Since its inception five years ago, the festival has simultaneously looked to the origins of chamber music (in the intimate and cosy homes of the artists with no conductor), and forward to what chamber music is becoming in the 21st century,” co-directors Lynne Bradley and James Lees said.
This year’s program features several Queensland and Sunshine Coast premieres, and some of the biggest names in classical music in Australia including Elena Kats-Chernin, Tamara-Anna Cislowska, Simon Tedeschi, Alex Raineri and the Orava Quartet. Tickets are on sale now.
Business help for migrants
A program that supports migrants help and establish their small businesses is open for applications.
The Migrant Business Ready program is welcoming expressions of interest, before April 29.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the program can help people plan and grow their dream business.
“Participants will learn essential business skills and sessions will help them turn their vision into a reality,” she said.
The program includes 10 fortnightly sessions to be held at Maroochydore on Tuesday nights, with the first session kicking off on May 14. The scholarships are valued at $1200, however successful applicants will only pay $65. Applicants need to be living on the Sunshine Coast, be at least 18 years of age, have a current ABN and be committed to attending all coaching sessions. Visit council’s website to see a full list of eligibility criteria.
Business investment in focus
The Sunshine Coast Business Council’s upcoming ‘Outlook for Business Investment’ conference, slated as a reality check on business investment in Australia and Queensland, promises expert insights into the national economy and the flow of business investment vital to economic growth.
“The Sunshine Coast has enjoyed a strong run of business investment over the past decade largely through the big mixed-use and residential developments and government infrastructure funding, and more recently the redevelopment of the Sunshine Coast Airport and the new Maroochydore city centre,” SCBC chair Sandy Zubrinich said.
“However, the forward investment pipeline appears to have slowed – a trend the SCBC board has been actively bringing to attention for some time.
Presented in partnership with sponsors Property Council of Australia, Walker Corporation, Stockland and Sunshine Coast Airport, the conference will be held on Friday, May 3, at Maroochy RSL. Bookings close on Monday, April 29, or when fully booked.
Sustainability program takes root
The first of 10,000 trees purchased by Sunshine Coast businesses, visitors and tourism operators through the Sunshine Coast Sustainability Program have been planted to mark World Earth Day, which falls on April 22.
The planting of trees by Noosa Landcare at Kurui Cabin in the Cooroy Mountain Wildlife Corridor marks a milestone for the pioneering initiative, and anyone who buys a tree from now until May 3 will go in the draw to win a two-night stay there plus a bushtucker cruise and tickets to one of the most popular attractions on the Sunshine Coast valued at over $2000.
Created by Visit Sunshine Coast in conjunction with Reforest and Sunshine Coast Council, the sustainability program encourages businesses and tourists to offset their carbon impact by buying trees to plant locally.
“It’s the tourism industry’s way of giving back to the community, removing carbon and restoring natural habitat here on the Sunshine Coast,” Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Matt Stoeckel said.
New base for service
The ties between a service which supports Sunshine Coast seniors and a local church have been strengthened.
Carinity Home Care Sunshine Coast now has a new permanent home base at KawanaLife Baptist Church at Warana.
The new collaboration was officially launched with a dedication at the church.
“We have been overwhelmed by the very generous support of KawanaLife Baptist Church, providing this vital local service with a wonderful new home,” Carinity Community Services state manager Janelle Heyse said. “We graciously thank the pastors, leadership team and congregation for welcoming Carinity into their church community.”
War memorial exhibition to open
A new touring exhibition of contemporary art from the collection of the Australian War Memorial, Art in Conflict, will be showcased at the Noosa Regional Gallery from Saturday.
Exhibition curator Dr Anthea Gunn said it “reveals neglected histories, untold stories, and deepens our understanding of Australia’s experience of conflict, both past and present.”
Three major new bodies of work debut in this exhibition: two recent official war art commissions, by Susan Norrie (Iraq, 2016) and Megan Cope (Middle East, 2017), and a landmark commemorative work by Angelica Mesiti.
Art In Conflict includes more than 70 paintings, drawings, films, prints, photography, and sculpture. It is supported by research from an Australian Research Council Linkage Project.
The exhibition, which is free to enter, will run from April 20 to June 9. The opening will be held on April 20 from 3-5pm and free tickets are available via the gallery website.
Art prize winners named
A painting by Tewantin artist Jo Hawkins has received the Seeing the Soul Art Prize’s $2500 major prize at the exhibition opening at Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre.
Unconditional depicts the love of a woman and her dog by the self-taught artist and former graphic designer.
Ellie Sutton (Blue Mountains, NSW) won the runner-up prize of $1500 for the photograph Little Bird; Jasmine Veronique (Yandina) won the highly commended prize of $1500 for the painting Innocent Harmony, and Ellenie Faith Kirkman (Tewantin) won the under-18 emerging artist prize ($500) for the painting Kindred Spirits.
Selected by judges Nina Shadforth (Sunshine Coast Art Collection curator, Caloundra Regional Gallery), Megan Williams (University of the Sunshine Coast Art Gallery manager) and Steve Clarke (Bendigo Community Bank Cooroy branch manager), prize winners were selected from 82 entries by 48 local, Queensland and interstate artists.
Seeing the Soul is a major fundraising initiative to support and promote Hoofbeats Sanctuary’s work by celebrating and showcasing artwork inspired by the human/animal connection, while raising awareness of mental health.
Located at Doonan, Hoofbeats Sanctuary is a safe, restorative space that brings people, animals and nature together to improve the emotional well-being of people living with mental health challenges resulting from trauma.
The Seeing the Soul Art Prize exhibition continues until May 12. All exhibition artworks are for sale and can be purchased through the website.
Future of koalas in spotlight
The first Sunshine Coast Koala Forum will be held on April 18, in a bid to unite communities to safeguard the future of koalas in the local area.
The forum brings together council officers, policymakers, wildlife researchers and the public to discuss koala health, population trends and local conservation efforts within council areas.
Part of an ongoing series across South-East Queensland, the event will also feature wildlife conservation stalls, informative talks, interactive discussions with experts and networking opportunities.
The forum is on Thursday, April 18, from 4.30-7.30pm at Venue 114 in Bokarina, and online. Register by clicking here.
Beloved chef visiting Coast
Many cheered when she launched to fame as Australia’s first MasterChef, but few know of the hidden battles Julie Goodwin has fought and won.
Sunshine Coast food lovers will have a rare opportunity to hear from – and be inspired by – Julie Goodwin at the Events Centre in Caloundra on Tuesday, April 30.
In this exclusive event presented by Sunshine Coast Libraries, Julie will talk about her new autobiography Your Time Starts Now with popular radio presenters Sami Muirhead and Todd Widdicombe.
Tickets are $25 per person. Book here.
New way to borrow books
Book lovers in one of the Sunshine Coast’s fastest-growing communities are set to enjoy a first for the region.
It’s a Book Locker, also known as an express library, that looks like a vending machine but one that contains food for the mind, not the body. Residents at Baringa, in Aura at Caloundra South, will be the first to enjoy the literary treats from the Book Locker just installed inside the Baringa Community Centre at 20 Edwards Terrace.
“It is simple to use, conveniently located and will encourage reading within this growing community,” Division 1 Councillor Jenny Broderick said.
Use of the Book Locker is free and available to anyone with a full library membership. It will be accessible Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm. Learn more about the Baringa Book Locker here.
Leadership expert releases new book
Sunshine Coast-based workplace and leadership expert Dr Brenda Jamnik has released a new book, The Science of the Happy Employee.
The University of the Sunshine Coast lecturer shares insights into what employers can do to assess their staff’s happiness and enhance the level of psychosocial safety in the workplace.
Dr Jamnik includes many practical experiences and stories she has encountered in her 30 years of consulting in the private and government sectors. These range from toxic work environments requiring intervention to positive examples of proactive employers who went out of their way to create a safe and happy workplace for their employees.
She has previously written the book When the Rubber Hits the Road, which details leadership lessons learned from decades of experience consulting in the infrastructure industry.
Surf legends host screening
To celebrate the 25th anniversaries of Mark Occhilupo’s 1999 world surfing title and multi-award-winning film The Occumentary, legendary surf film maker Jack McCoy and Occhilupo are hitting the east coast of Australia to show the film on the big screen, including a visit to Noosa.
“I’ve spent hundreds of hours blowing up the film from its original VHS release as a 4:3 aspect, to 16:9 widescreen. When I watched it back for the first time it was like watching a whole new movie, people’s minds are going to be blown,” McCoy said.
“Occy managed to do what many believed was the impossible. It’s truly one of the most inspirational and motivational stories in the history of Australian sport.”
The screening will be on May 1 at The J, Noosa. To purchase tickets click here.
Lightning sponsorship deal
Suncorp Super Netball team the Sunshine Coast Lightning has received a bolt of energy with its foundation partnership with AVID Property Group confirmed for its eighth consecutive year.
“AVID is thrilled to continue its support of Lightning as we extend our corporate sponsorship for another year and put our support behind our local team in the national competition,” AVID general manager Queensland Anthony Demiris said.
Storm Group CEO Justin Rodski added: “As one of our longest-standing partnerships, we thank AVID for their continued support of our club, and look forward to seeing what we can achieve together in 2024.”
The Lightning will play their first match of the season on Sunday, April 14, against the Swifts at the University of the Sunshine Coast Arena.
Flag football trial
Parents looking for something for the kids to do on the last day of school holidays can get them to try NFL Flag.
Children aged 9-12 are invited to come and try the modified, non-contact version of American football at the Kawana Sports Precinct on Sunday, April 14.
The game involves five players a side, where both boys and girls can play together. Players wear flag belts and instead of tackling, an opposing player pulls the player’s flag which brings the attack to an end.
Register for the free event here.
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