The Rattler Picnic Train - picnic with the girls - photo by Leeroy Todd-web

Feel the love aboard the Mary Valley Rattler Picnic Train on Valentine’s Day

Published on: January 31, 2019Category: News

Long associated with the romance of a bygone era, the Mary Valley Rattler will celebrate this year’s Valentine’s Day with the launch of an ongoing new lunchtime service, The Rattler Picnic Train, on Thursday 14th of February.

Powered by the ‘Red Rocket’, one of the first railmotors introduced onto the Mary Valley line, The Rattler Picnic Train will leave historic Gympie station every Thursday at 11am, on a return 3-hour journey to Amamoor, with gourmet picnic hampers filled with local delicacies also available.

Mary Valley Rattler Chairman Ian McNicol said The Rattler Picnic Train is an excellent opportunity for visitors to sample the many delights the region has to offer.

SM10 kickboard comp poster

Sunshine Coast Wanderers kickstart 2019 season with design competition

Published on: January 11, 2019Category: News

Popular local sporting team the Sunshine Coast Wanderers Football Club have joined forces with Queensland’s largest independent hardware chain, Sunshine Mitre 10, in the search for a budding artist to design an illustration for a vital piece of equipment ahead of the start of the 2019 season.

As the Club’s Platinum Sponsor, Sunshine Mitre 10 is generously donating a $500 gift voucher as part of the prize, with the group’s CEO Travis Cunnane saying the competition was a great way to connect the wider community with the sporting group.

“Sunshine Mitre 10 is delighted to be the major sponsors of the Sunshine Coast Wanderers, and this competition is an extension of our support for the club, and the community,” Mr Cunnane said.

“We’re used to seeing our customers express themselves creatively through DIY and home improvement, so we’re looking forward to seeing the kind of design entrants come up with using a different sort of paints, pens, pencils or even digital tools.”

The winning illustration will feature prominently on the Sunshine Coast Wanderers’ kickboard, also known as a rebounder, one of the most visible surfaces on the pitch at over 8 metres long and over 2 metres high.

First Run Day Poster

All Aboard the Mary Valley Rattler’s Aussie Express

Published on: January 7, 2019Category: News

With a toot of the horn on its iconic steam engine, the Mary Valley Rattler will start celebrating the Australia Day long weekend early this year, with the Aussie Express Twilight Train departing the historic Gympie Station at 5:30pm on Friday 25th January.

It’s the first time the iconic heritage railway experience will mark the occasion since returning to regular services in October last year, and a rare opportunity to enjoy a very special trip on the Mary Valley Rattler at night.

Mary Valley Rattler Chairman Ian McNicol said the Aussie Express will be just the second time the popular tourism attraction has run a night-time passenger service, after running a similar return journey to Amamoor in mid-December.

Mary Valley Rattler High Resolution-4

Mary Valley Rattler schedules record number of services

Published on: November 28, 2018Category: News

The Mary Valley Rattler will mark a major milestone next month, with a record number of train journeys scheduled for December, as strong demand from visitors builds.

The heritage railway experience is on track to run 34 services in December, a 30% increase from its regular timetable of the 26 services spread across Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays since the popular attraction reopened in early October.

Mary Valley Rattler Chairman Ian McNicol said the significant jump is a result of special Christmas services, an extension of the Retro Fridays trial and the demand for group bookings.

“We’re thrilled with the way Queenslanders have embraced the return of the Rattler, so much so that we will continue with our trial of Retro Fridays, the short haul trip to Monkland on the Silver Bullet rail motor paired with breakfast or lunch at the Platform No.1 Café throughout December. We have also planned some very special trips to celebrate Christmas,” Mr McNicol said.

“There will be a special Christmas service scheduled next month, with two additional charter services to run for private functions.

Mary Valley Rattler Christmas -wreath only

All aboard the Mary Valley Rattler Christmas Train

Published on: November 26, 2018Category: News

The Mary Valley Rattler will celebrate its first Christmas since regular services resumed with a special Twilight Christmas Train journey, along with the opportunity to take your own photos with Santa Claus every Sunday in December in the lead up to Christmas.

The inaugural Mary Valley Rattler Twilight Christmas Train will depart historic Gympie Station on Tozer Street on Friday 14th December at 5.30pm, on an extended return trip to Amamoor Station.

Mary Valley Rattler Chairman Ian McNicol said the Rattler’s Twilight Christmas Train is a rare opportunity to take in the sights and sounds of the scenic Mary Valley at night.

Christmas Boat Parade

Mooloolaba Christmas Boat Parade to light up December!

Published on: November 17, 2018Category: News

A flotilla of local boats will light up The Mooloolah River with the spirit of the season again this year for the 15th annual Mooloolaba Christmas Boat Parade, organised by Mooloolaba Yacht Club.

MYC Vice Commodore Josh Close said the Parade, starting at 6.30pm on Saturday 22nd December, will be the biggest and best yet with a record level of entries expected not only from boat owners but homeowners along the Parade route too.

Rebecca Ramsay - photo by Ross Eason

New faces help to take Foundation to the next level

Published on: November 15, 2018Category: News

Two new directors including a local lawyer and business success coach have been formally appointed to the Board of the Buderim Foundation at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting held recently.

Paul Kusy from My Legal Group and Rebecca Ramsay from Clear Light Capital join ten current directors and replace retiring directors – John Kruger and Lisa Edwards.

In announcing the new appointments, convener of the panel of Members responsible for their selection, Mr. Rod McKinnon said each of the new directors has an acknowledged track record of success and achievement in their respective fields.

“They each bring a great deal to their new roles adding further breadth and depth to this outstanding community organisation,” Mr McKinnon said.

Silver Bullet at Gympie Station - photo by Leeroy Todd (38 of 75)web

Come join Retro Fridays at the Mary Valley Rattler

Published on: November 13, 2018Category: News

By popular demand, iconic tourist attraction the Mary Valley Rattler announced today it will start Retro Fridays, a fun filled journey every Friday morning aboard the gleaming 1960’s Silver Bullet railmotor with complimentary breakfast or lunch.

As part of a trial, every Friday 10am, the beautifully restored Silver Bullet diesel railmotor will travel a portion of the Mary Valley heritage rail corridor on a return trip to nearby Monkland, a suburb on the north-east bank of the Mary River home to the Gympie Gold Mining and Historical Museum.

With a meal included in the ticket price, passengers will also enjoy either a delicious breakfast or lunch from Platform No. 1 Café prior to or after travelling.

At 30 minutes for a roundtrip, Mary Valley Rattler Chairman Ian McNicol said Retro Fridays are an ideal way to sample just some of the magic of heritage rail travel the Mary Valley Rattler is known for.

BWMCA Carols 2018_Photo by Ross_Eason EAS5864a

Date set for Buderim Community Christmas Carols

Published on: November 1, 2018Category: News

The Buderim Village Park will come alive with festive spirit, with the date set for the Buderim Community Carols on Sunday, 9th December.

The 2017 BWMCA Community Carols Crowd – photo by Ross Eason

With pre-show entertainment from 6.00pm for a 6.30pm start, along with a special appearance by Santa Claus, locals and visitors alike are invited to join in on the popular annual event, hosted again this year by the BWMCA and Buderim Bendigo Community Bank.

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