Mary Valley Rattler Mates Ambassadors - John and Margaret Cochrane-web

Gympie locals invited to become a Mate of the Mary Valley Rattler

Published on: September 13, 2018Category: News

With the Mary Valley Rattler soon to be back on track, the not for profit community organisation behind the prominent tourism attraction is offering Gympie residents the chance to be part of an exciting new membership program.

Rattler Mates membership is available exclusively to Gympie Regional Council residents and rate-payers and provides card holders with one complimentary train ride, a 50% discount off subsequent single fares and a range of other discounts valid until June 30 2019.

Mary Valley Rattler Chairman Ian McNicol said Rattler Mates would give members the opportunity to experience the timeless character of the Rattler’s magnificent heritage trains and a chance to share in the region’s history.

“We hope Rattler Mates will give members a sense of ownership of the Rattler,” Mr McNicol said.

“Our train tours offer a great rail journey through the Mary Valley, with spectacular scenery, that changes not only with the seasons, but with the time of day as well.”

Mary Valley Rattler C17 974 and heritage carriages at Amamoor Station from the air-web

First Mary Valley Rattler steam train run to Amamoor

Published on: September 3, 2018Category: News

The Mary Valley Rattler is even closer to being operational with the successful first run of the C17 974 steam engine and heritage carriages on the Mary Valley Rattler line, as part of continuing volunteer driver and safety training on the weekend.

The journeys are the next vital step in final preparations for relaunching the Mary Valley Rattler, according to Mary Valley Rattler general manager Lisa Raklander.

“This was the first time the steam engine has operated to Amamoor since September 2012 when operations were suspended until vital track upgrades could be made.

“There was lots of excitement on both Saturday and Sunday at Gympie, Dagun and Amamoor Stations as well as along the route, but this was also an important stage for us in terms of our driver and safety training.

“We are now closer than ever to the Mary Valley Rattler tours resuming which will be an important tourism boon for the region, with the tours previously attracting more than 33,000 guests a year.

Ms Raklander said driver and safety training would now continue for the next few weeks.

“We continue to urge caution around the tracks and encourage parents to use the opportunity to teach children about rail safety as for some this is the first time they have seen trains on the Mary Valley line.

“We will be ready to make an announcement about when we will launch soon.”

Image karma for a farmer

Sunshine Coast bars unite for epic afternoon to support struggling farmers

Published on: August 29, 2018Category: News

The owners of seven Mooloolaba bar venues are banding together to present Karma for A Farmer next month, a local initiative of our beachside businesses to raise money for drought-effected farmers.

From midday on Sunday 9 September, Taps, 313 Social, Dirty Moes, Good Bar, Beach Bar and Grill, Boston Shaker and The Dock Mooloolaba, will be offering thirsty patrons the chance to make a donation to the Aussie Farmers Foundation in exchange for a craft beer.

Organising the local event is the owner of Taps Mooloolaba, Steve Barber, who said it was just one way to help out those in rural communities, many of whom visit the area on holidays.

Buderim Foundation 2017 Community Grant recipients - photo by Ross Eason-web

Buderim Foundation’s Community Grants Celebration set to be biggest yet

Published on: August 27, 2018Category: News

The Buderim Foundation is set to host its biggest ever Community Grants Celebration next month, with a record amount of funding expected to be awarded to local community groups.
On Saturday,15th September, the popular philanthropy group will announce this year’s grant winners, the recipients of which are all community-based organisations providing services and support for residents in the 4556 postcode.

This year, the Buderim Foundation will award more than $75,000 to be shared by 23 community-based organisations which provide services and support for residents in the 4556 postcode.
Buderim Foundation Grant Committee Chair Lisa Edward said the event is the most important day on the Foundation’s calendar and continues to grow each year.

MVR safety coordinator Julis Avis speaking to Dagun State School students

Mary Valley Rattler takes safety message to schools by train

Published on: August 16, 2018Category: News

The “Safety Train” will this week travel along the Mary Valley Rattler track to local schools in an effort to spread the TrackSAFE message.

Mary Valley Rattler safety and training coordinator Julia Avis said the visit, on Thursday 16 August, is not only to illustrate the importance of rail safety, but also a unique opportunity for students to see one of the Mary Valley Rattler’s fleet of diesel engines in action.

“Children always love to see trains and the meticulously restored carriages in the Rattler fleet,” Ms Avis said.

Industry Legend - Deen Saint

Sunshine Mitre 10 scoop annual Hardware Industry Awards

Published on: August 3, 2018Category: News

Queensland’s largest independent hardware chain, Sunshine Mitre 10, has taken out the top honour at the Queensland Hardware Industry Awards, with its Kunda Park store beating out some tough competition to win the Trade Store of the Year category.

Sunshine Mitre 10 CEO Travis Cunnane said the award was recognition and reward for the long-term investments the business has made to increase their product offerings.

“We are absolutely thrilled one of our stores has been recognized as the Trade Store of the Year; we’ve made improvements including larger ranges, increased stock levels across all departments and new and additional racking,” Mr Cunnane said.

“The Kunda Park store, like many of our stores around Queensland, has been configured to give trade customers the easiest and best possible experience in store.”

“Our undercover Trade drive through offers a comprehensive selection of Trade Timber and Sheeting Products in conjunction with the latest ranging of Trade Fasteners and Building Supplies.

“Trade customers make up 70% of our business and we also offer daily site deliveries using some of our extensive fleet,” he said.

BF Buderim Craft Cottage raffle prizes

Unique artwork donated by local artists to be raffled in aid of Buderim Foundation 2018 Community Challenge

Published on: July 31, 2018Category: News

Eight beautiful works of art representing the remarkable talent of local Buderim artists and artisans have been donated to the Buderim Foundation as prizes for a very special raffle in support of the Buderim Foundation 2018 Community Challenge.

The unique work has been produced by members of art groups comprising Buderim Craft Cottage, a much-loved artists’ collective in the heart of Buderim village.

Some of the eight pieces of artwork included in the raffle have been created by individual artists. Others have been designed and made as a collaborative effort by a number of artists.

One of the prizes created as an artistic collaboration is a splendid contemporary quilt titled “Xanadu”. Designed by the Cottage’s Patchwork Group, and constructed from batik cottons, the quilt is designed for display in a foyer or large room, although it could be used as a bed quilt.

BF Youth Movie Night Poster 270718-crop

Budding philanthropists host movie night to help fund local projects

Published on: July 12, 2018Category: News

Senior students from two Sunshine Coast high schools will join forces next week to host an open-air movie night as part of a local youth initiative from the Buderim Foundation.

On Friday 27 July, budding philanthropists from Matthew Flinders Anglican College and Sunshine Coast Grammar School will present Disney’s Academy Award-winning film Moana as part of the Community Youth Movie Night.

Starting at 4.30pm at the Buderim Mountain State School oval, the Movie Night will have family friendly activities including face painting, sack races, prizes for best dressed, popcorn, sausage sizzle, lolly bags and a coffee van to enjoy before the film starts at sundown (5.30pm).

Neil, Sue, Geoffrey, Bev & Aart

“Foote-tapping” Concert on again in Buderim

Published on: July 6, 2018Category: News

The extremely popular Foote -Tapping concert is set to be held again this year in Buderim’s beautiful Foote Sanctuary heavily treed wilderness area.

Singers at the Foote-Tapping Concert include Duo Neil and Sue, and Bev Gourlay and Aart Schouten with Geoffrey Hole of the Foote Sanctuary Association (centre).

The date set is Sunday July 22 with food, craft and plant stalls and a sausage sizzle opening at 11am and the Concert of local singers and players coordinated by the popular and talent Bev Schouten to begin at noon.

The address is Park Lane Buderim which can be reached of Mooloolaba Road via Foote Ave then Fountain Street. Parking is tight in the Lane but space can.

also be found in Eckersley Ave with a stroll down to the SanctuaryLocal performers Bev Gourlay(Schouten) and husband Aart, Ken O’Flaherty, Trevor Mitchell, BYTES,and singing duo Sue & Neill have a marvellous repertoire of “Foote- Tapping” songs and music.

Entrance is by a gold coin and it is suggested to bring your own seating or rugs to relax and enjoy a wonderful afternoon’s entertainment. All money raised goes towards the purchase of rain forest trees native to the area. This year the Foote Association volunteers have planted over 300 new trees with a target of 600 by year’s end.
Patrons are invited to come early for lunching before the entertainment begins.

Call Geoffrey Hole on 0415 265534 for any inquiries including media and directions for safe parking.

Wharf Tower to Chances & Marina wide shot_2_Feb_2018-40

Five exciting new businesses to call The Wharf Mooloolaba home

Published on: June 21, 2018Category: News

The second stage of The Wharf Mooloolaba’s $10million refurbishment is well underway with five new ventures to open in the precinct between now and mid-July.

The new food, retail and activity businesses launching are further evidence the precinct is once again gaining a reputation as the place to be in Mooloolaba.

Wharf Mooloolaba co-owner Dirk Long said the new businesses included The Booking Box – an activity booking and information centre, Meraki Thread Co – a new fashion boutique specialising in vintage and up-cycled clothing, Boston Shaker -a new cocktail bar with a jazz vibe, La Finca -a new café from the owners of Colombian Coffee, and Fior di Latte Gelateria – a great new gelato bar from the owners of Pitchfork Restaurant at Peregian.

“With the Booking Box and Meraki Thread Co open this week and three more openings coming up, it’s very exciting times at The Wharf.”

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