MVR Chairman Ian McNicol blowing the whistle to signal new start

Historic Mary Valley Rattler First Run Day this Saturday

Published on: October 4, 2018Category: News

The historic Gympie Railway Station will be the place to be this Saturday, as the Mary Valley Rattler celebrates its First Run Day with a very special inaugural return trip to Amamoor via Dagun on the historic railway, alongside a fun-filled day of activities and entertainment.

Doors open to the free event at the station on Tozer Street at 8am for what promises to be an unforgettable start to the iconic railway’s welcome return to regular services.

Tickets for Saturday’s First Run Day are close to selling out so if you want to be on the historic first train, buy your tickets now. While you are at the station enjoying the festivities, you can also book future trips or jump online and book at maryvalleyrattler.com.au.

Highlights of the packed day-long program include musical performances from X-Factor contestant Caitlyn Shadbolt to a classical harpist, a live broadcast and giveaways from local radio station Zinc FM and a slew of children’s entertainers.

Mary Valley Rattler C17 974 engine and heritage carriages heading back toward Gympie-web

Excitement as Mary Valley Rattler Launch Date Announced

Published on: September 26, 2018Category: News

It’s full steam ahead for the Mary Valley Rattler, with the iconic tourist attraction hosting a day of festivities for First Run Day early next month after the announcement today of the start date for the historic railway’s regular services.

To celebrate, the beautifully refurbished historic Gympie Station on Tozer Street will come alive with a carnival-like atmosphere from 8am on Saturday 6th October, 2018.

Along with live entertainment from The X Factor Australia contestant and local, Caitlyn Shadbolt, a broadcast from local radio station Zinc FM, face painting, and station tours.

There will also be exclusive opportunities to be the first to ride the trains – these exclusive First Run Day tickets are $100 for adults and $50 for children and include a return ride on the train on Saturday 6th October as well as a welcome drink, a gift bag for each passenger and a First Run Day certificate.

Lunch En Blanc 2017

Lunch En Blanc Returns To Buderim

Published on: September 21, 2018Category: News

In what promises to be the most elegant dining experience of the year, Lunch En Blanc, an afternoon of fine food and entertainment inspired by the global phenomenon returns to Buderim next weekend Sunday 7 October at the Buderim Memorial Hall.

After the runaway success of last year’s inaugural event, 2018 Buderim Foundation Lunch En Blanc is the perfect opportunity to celebrate with friends, and to raise funds that go to supporting the Foundation’s philanthropic activities.

Inspired by the original Parisian chic picnic, Lunch En Blanc is now a worldwide event in which people dressed in white gather in a public space and set up a temporary, chic dining area to share food and comradery.

Locally, it is a chance to dress (fearlessly!) in all white and assemble your own bountiful picnic basket to share with others amid a splendid setting of long white tables.

BF grant celebration recipients 2018 - photo by Ross Eason-web

Buderim Foundation’s biggest ever Community Grants Celebration

Published on: September 17, 2018Category: News

The Buderim Foundation awarded a record amount of more than $75,000 in grants to 23 community-based organisations today, as part of its biggest ever Community Grants Celebration.

During a lively spring afternoon filled with community spirit, the popular philanthropy group announced the grants from the grassy lawn of the Buderim Village Park located on the corner of Gloucester Road and King Street.

The Buderim Foundation 2018 Grant recipients – photo by Ross Eason. Click to see link to high-res photo. Please include photo credit when publishing.

Buderim Foundation Grants Committee Chair Lisa Edward said this year’s Community Grants Celebration marks not only largest total amount of annual funding ever awarded by the Foundation, but the largest number of recipients.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to be able to award a total of $75,605 to community groups here today, in what is the 11th year of the Community Grants Program,” Ms Edward said.

Westside Private Hospital Taringa building aspects-web

Only nine medical suites remain available in new Westside Private Hospital

Published on: September 17, 2018Category: News

Only nine of 22 medical suites remain available in what will be a hospital for the future – Westside Private Hospital – due to open in October.

Transact Property Solutions agents Brett & Matt Beamount in front of Westside Private Hospital, due for completion in October.

The Evans Long and Montserrat Hospital joint venture development, at 32 Morrow Street, Taringa, is almost fully leased and it’s not hard to see why, when you examine the building’s facilities.

The ten-storey building will not only be home to Montserrat’s newest short-stay overnight facility but represents a new approach providing patients with a more integrated model of healthcare, where everything is centred around the patient.

In addition to two floors of specialist consulting suites, the hospital floor will include four operating theatres, a large procedure room and three treatment rooms as well as Westside Haematology and Oncology, a new addition to Montserrat Cancer Care Services, located on the third floor.

Essence Medi Apartments & Suites will occupy three floors and offer an affordable, conveniently located, out-of-hospital accommodation option for the surgical and oncology patients before, during and aftercare.

The building also includes a Guardian Child Care Centre, Allied Health facilities, a café and food retailers and concierge services. There are 185 car parking spaces, 90 of which will have 3-hour free parking for Westside Private patients. The location also offers easy access to train and bus services.

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.

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