Journey into Time – A (soft) Rock Opera
Inspired by the music of Pink Floyd, The Moody Blues, Simon and Garfunkel, Cat Stevens and Leonard Cohen, this 24-song rock opera is set to take audience members on an interstellar journey through space, time and within themselves.
All ticket sales will go to Katie Rose Cottage Hospice and the Salvation Army, Noosaville.
Composer and arranger Dick Wittington said the opera was written in 1981 and had been “languishing in drawers, gathering dust since then”.
“It has only recently been recorded, at the insistence of my daughter, and put on a double CD in anticipation of this one-off stage performance,” he said via the promotion.
“This has been a journey of discovery for myself, and it has been my great pleasure to work with several local artists and musicians in the making of the CD and who will also be performing the opera on stage.”
The event will be held on Thursday, August 10, from 7.30pm, at The J Theatre in Noosa Heads. It’s $39 entry. For more see TicketSearch Online.
Nurse shares story of upbringing in Kenya
A clinical nurse with the Sunshine Coast Mental Health Service has published a book that explores her upbringing and the taboos that children endured, and continue to endure, in Kenya.
Lillian Muchiri’s book Looking Back To Move Forward was inspired by her early life, when she saw children and women experience hardship.
Ms Muchiri, who moved to Australia 15 years ago and earned a masters degree at the University of Queensland, encouraged others not to give up in life.
She has purchased a two-acre block of land in her village to give back to women and children.
Beagles inspire author
A children’s book author from Marcoola, whose love of beagles kickstarted her writing career, has just released her seventh book.
Lyn Lysaught’s current pooches, Harris and Lucy, feature as characters in the latest Inspector Maisie chapter book: ‘The Case of the Alien Invaders’.
In this new adventure, Inspector Maisie once again uses her incredible brainpower, calm reasoning and logic to solve yet another seemingly unsolvable mystery.
This is the third Inspector Maisie chapter book in the series and it will appeal to readers around seven or eight who enjoy detective stories and solving mysteries.
Ms Lysaught has also written four picture books, suitable for three to six year olds, which feature a cheeky little beagle, also named Maisie, a character based on her previous beagle.
The Inspector Maisie series is available from Harry Hartog Bookseller at Sunshine Plaza. The Maisie picture books can be found at Lindy Lou Books.
Ambulance service celebrates milestone
A special event was held to celebrate and pay tribute to the long history of Cooroy Ambulance services, as it turns 100 this year.
Community members were invited to attend the event, at the Cooroy Memorial Hall on Saturday, when they looked at the last century of ambulance service within the region.
Memorabilia and heritage ambulances were on display, and guests learned how to perform CPR, met local paramedics and enjoyed a complimentary sausage sizzle.
Past and present staff were in attendance to cut a celebratory centenary cake and acknowledged a number of officers who were set to receive National Service Medals for their exemplary efforts during Cyclone Debbie in 2017.
The Cooroy Ambulance services started as a Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade Honorary Centre in 1923.
Community clubhouse opens
The Caloundra-based WindanSea Surf Club opened its much-anticipated community clubhouse at Anne Street in Ballinger Park on Saturday.
Club president Terry Landsberg said he was thrilled the journey that commenced 10 years ago and resulted in protracted legal arguments was now open for the whole community to enjoy.
“This is a great moment for our club and our members,” he said. “This year we hosted our 49th Ma and Pa Bendall surfing competition so it’s going to be great to have our clubhouse open for people to enjoy while they watch some of the best local, national and even international surfers compete for our 50th event next year.
Building committee chairman Don Smith said the community clubhouse would be a terrific boost for local youth, club members and the wider public, who now have a base where they can pursue their passion for surfing and other pursuits.
“Over 50 per cent of the club’s membership is juniors, with women and girls representing a growing 20 per cent of total membership. A further 30 per cent are males aged over 18 so we have a strong young membership base,” Don said.
The clubhouse was constructed with funding from a range of sources including federal, state and local government grants, community grants, club fundraising and pledges for building materials and labour from local businesses.
New facility for sailors with disabilities
A specially designed hoist facility has been installed at Parrearra, to help sailors with disabilities train for racing events.
The facility was installed on the pontoon at Double Bay, which is regarded as a the perfect location to hone racing skills, because of its light, variable, high-rise affected conditions.
Sailor Mark Anderson’s determination to train with the racing sailors was the catalyst for the project. Now, he and fellow sailors have a hoist that can get them on and off their specialist boats.
Anderson was among a weekend training group – along with Saltwater Veterans’ sailor Sharon Dalton, Tiarne Burkett, Sonja Macfarlane and Hayden Southwell – to use the facility for the first time.
Four of these sailors will compete in the Hansa 303 Queensland Championships on the Gold Coast in September. The sailors were chosen from Sailability Sunshine Coast’s participation program which is run on the Mooloolah River every Tuesday and Friday.
The hoist was installed through the support of the Sunshine Coast Council and The Jetty Specialists.
– Tracey Johnstone
Fund provides $100,000 grant for food relief
The Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund has provided a $100,000 grant to Gateway Care Food Centre, to support its Food Rescue Program.
The centre plays a vital role in providing emergency food relief to families in crisis and those experiencing financial hardship on the Sunshine Coast.
Gateway Care chair Lani Refiti welcomed the grant and said it would make a significant impact.
“The assistance we provide is often the difference between survival and despair for these vulnerable families, and this grant will enable us to support the growing number of families during the current cost of living crisis” he said.
The Buderim Foundation is a philanthropic organisation which harnesses the power of giving by generating income from donations and bequests and providing grants for worthwhile community projects.
Day care centre and aged care centre connect
A day care centre and an aged care centre have forged a remarkable relationship.
The Mountain Coolum Day Care Centre and nearby Estia Health have connected, allowing young children from the centre and residents from the aged care facility to interact.
Day care centre manager Julie Oatles said the collaboration provided a platform for children and aged care residents to develop emotional security, trust, and lasting connections.
“The bonds being built between the children at Mount Coolum Day Care Centre and the residents of Estia Health go beyond ordinary connections,” she said.
“They provide emotional stability, foster trust, and open doors to meaningful relationships.
“We firmly believe in bridging the gap between generations and creating a strong sense of community.”Mary, a resident of Estia Health, shared her experience.
“Spending time with the children at Mount Coolum Day Care Centre and reading them stories has brought me a sense of accomplishment and success,” she said.
“It has significantly decreased my feelings of depression and social isolation.”
Bound for karate world championships
Fifteen members of Sunshine Coast Karate are set to represent Australia at the Chito-Ryu Karate World Championships in Japan in August.
The athletes, who have trained hard for 18 months, will be presented with their national team jackets during a special ceremony on July 23.
The Head instructor of Sunshine Coast Karate, Martin Phillips, said he was “immensely proud” of them.
“Their dedication and unwavering commitment have been truly inspiring, and we have full confidence that they will represent Australia with integrity, passion, and outstanding performance,” he said.
They will compete in various categories, including Kata (forms), Kumite (sparring) and Kubujyutsu (weapons).
Birds of a feather
The Sunshine Coast Budgerigar Association’s annual show is on July 16 at the Nambour State College primary school hall.
This show is supported by members across the Coast, with breeders attending from around South-East Queensland.
Classes include young birds, old birds, juveniles and nest feather.
Raffle prizes will be on offer, drawn on the day prior to presentation. Beverages, bacon and egg rolls (until 10am) and a sausage sizzle will be available.
For more details follow SCBA on Facebook or click here.
Festival of Music and Singing
The not-for-profit Welsh Society Sunshine Coast’s 2023 Festival of Music and Singing, followed by a Welsh afternoon tea, is on the afternoon of July 23 at the Caloundra Uniting Church.
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.’
Doors open at 1.05pm and the festival starts at 1.55pm. Admission is $27, members $25 or groups of 10 or more $25 each via this link or cash at the door.
Out of this world
Budding Year 5 scientists from Our Lady of the Rosary School Caloundra were hard at work earlier this month helping save humankind from a hypothetical asteroid collision with the moon.
Using the Makers Empire design and print app to create nine 3D printed life support systems, the students took out the Queensland finals of the Andy Thomas Space Foundation Kids in Space challenge, powered by the Australian Space Agency at Griffith University on the Gold Coast.
“I am truly blown away by how our students passionately shared their learning and showcased their ideas,” principal Michael Stewart said.
As part of their win, the Our Lady of the Rosary School team will attend the Australian Space Discovery Centre in Adelaide in October to represent Queensland with their innovative inventions.
On a roll
A lawn bowls group that meets once a month to raise money for charities around the region is preparing for its next event at Tewantin, on July 11.
The Sunshine Men’s Bowls Association aims to foster a positive relationship between players, clubs and industries, while supporting local charities.
The group meets and competes on the second Wednesday of each month at various venues around the Sunshine Coast.
The SCMBA was forged from the Queensland Hoteliers Association. It was originally formed by hotel publicans in 1951, for competitive bowls and to embody camaraderie within the hotel industry.
The concept of the original format then shifted from hotels to lawn bowling club venues, whilst retaining a close association with suppliers to the industry.
For more information contact Garry 0414432663 or Bill 0414727952.
Community grants announced
Noosa Council has committed more than $140,000 to support 15 community projects, events, equipment, infrastructure and programs, in the latest Community Grant round.
The latest cash injection includes funding for Pomona Arts Inc to renovate their green room, Cooroora Woodworkers Club Inc to refurbish their clubhouse, and Noosa Pickleball Inc to purchase equipment, alongside a range of other successful applications.
“The whole refurbishment will freshen up the inside of the building and make it more appealing and improve the amenities for club members and public alike,” Cooroora Woodworkers Club secretary Jim Stevenson said.
The next round of Community Grants will open from August 1. For more information visit Council Grants.
Funds for a good cause
The Caloundra Veterans Golf Club has raised and donated $4500 to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and the Sunshine Coast Prostate Cancer Support Group, at a special fundraiser on June 16.
“Working with the foundation and donating to the cause over the past years have been one of the Caloundra Veterans Golf Club’s most rewarding achievements,” Caloundra Veterans Golf Club president Richard McKenzie said.
The event had support from several local corporate businesses, which boosted the total donation amount.
Leave mark on college building
Suncoast Christian College in Woombye is offering individuals and families the opportunity to have their names immortalised within the college’s new primary school campus.
In the countdown to the August unveiling, principal Greg Mattiske revealed that 6000 stainless steel discs will be laser-etched on one side of the new building, collectively forming an eye-catching honeycomb design created by architects m3architecture.
Naming rights per commemorative disc can be purchased at a cost of $50 for an individual or family name, or $100 for a business name. The opportunity is open until mid-July via Suncoast Christian College.
Step Out for Parkinson’s
After the first event in 2022 exceeded all expectations, raising $13,000 for Parkinson’s Queensland and becoming its second-largest fundraiser of the year, Step Out for Parkinson’s is returning to the Sunshine Coast.
The event is to generate funds for Parkinson’s Queensland and to create a tight-knit community among those living with the disease, their support workers, friends and families. The ultimate goal is to make this event an annual tradition that brings people together.
The event will take place at the University of the Sunshine Coast on July 23. To donate click here.
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