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.

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.

Whale 2 cropped - Shot with special permission for USC research by Dr Javier Leon-web

USC gets drone’s eye view of migrating whales

Published on: October 18, 2018Category: News

Inexpensive drones are offering scientists from the University of the Sunshine Coast a spectacular birds’ eye view of migrating humpback whales.

Two times a day, three days a week, researchers are setting sail in a Sunreef tourist boat into the waters off Mooloolaba.

Tourism researcher Dr Vikki Schaffer said the drone was an inexpensive consumer-grade model chosen so that the experiment could be replicated in other areas.

“Drones offer an aerial view that is absolutely changing the game for whale research which, to date, has been challenged because of the logistics around getting close to whales,” she said.

Brad Johnson from Bedouin Traders, Janine Gee from Trasnact Property Group, Miki Grubic from Mikimi Resortwear & Jess Bos from Meraki Thread Co-web

Exciting new fashion & homewares businesses to call The Wharf Mooloolaba home

Published on: October 17, 2018Category: News

As part of The Wharf Mooloolaba’s $10million refurbishment, some exciting new retail ventures will open their doors this week, joining a mix of cafes, restaurants, bars and recreational attractions already busy operating in the open-air precinct.

The launch of these new retail businesses is further evidence The Wharf Mooloolaba is firmly re-establishing a reputation as the place to meet, eat and explore at Mooloolaba and on the Sunshine Coast.

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.

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.

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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