Sunshine Coast Hinterland Times » Editorial

From the Editor

admin — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:15:58 +0000

Michael Berry

This issue brings good news and sad news. The sad news is the passing of an outstanding Maleny resident - Jill Jordan. Her contributions on several

levels of the community, from seeding co-operative ventures to stimulating employment, business and youth projects will go down in the social history of the town. The Hinterland Times provides its own tribute to this remarkable woman.

Another prominent Maleny person with a keen involvement in community was Grant Hammer who also passed away recently. His passion and input to TS Centaur, and the mentoring of young people is well documented.

The good news is the exciting business development being initiated by the Maleny Credit Union - one of the ventures Jill Jordan helped to create more than 25 years ago. MCU is launching a new brokerage company which will extend the borrowing reach of Credit Union members. MCU Financial Services will be headed up by Marlene Jackson, a woman with strong international experience in the property, financial and management sectors.

This magazine is always looking for ways to improve the quality content for its readers, and so we’re constantly checking out what others are doing. For example, we are fortunate in this edition to be publishing extracts from the latest Griffith REVIEW on The Food Chain. This refreshing collection of essays and articles is essential reading for the widening group of producers, growers and activists in our local food industry. We thank the editors of the REVIEW for letting us pick out a range of views from its contributors.

We’re always keen too, to reach out beyond the Hinterland to find out what our locals are up to interstate or overseas. For the past 12 years Maleny Hospital nurse Bernice McLennan has been managing a surgical team that spends two weeks in the Philippines each year repairing the palates and lips of dozens of impoverished children. On the other side of the world Emily Berry has been producing a video about the children of Burkina Faso who get new sight through a spectacles collection scheme in France. As Emily notes, a little help goes a long way.

We received more than usual response to our story last month on the Parrots in Paradise story. Residents simply didn’t know this ‘bird circus’ at Glasshouse Mountains existed. This month we visited another little known venture - Nambour Museum - a wonderful volunteer effort with Council support. If you like the idea of stepping into rooms of 19th century homes, then this is the place for you. More good news this month - we’re 48 pages for the first time. So plenty more to read. We hope you enjoy it.

From the Editor : January 2010

admin — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 08:37:52 +0000

JANUARY TENDS to be the month of deep relaxation for most Australians with the country only getting back to serious work after January 26 - Australia Day. So, our issue this month is designed for holiday reading

- we even have our first piece of fiction - ‘The Ormolu Clock’ -from Joyce Lee, who is a member of a new Hinterland writing group. I think you’ll be impressed.

I met Garrey Foulkes recently, a self-confessed child of the sixties who has made a remarkable contribution over seveal decades to the Chenrezig Buddhist retreat and study centre at Eudlo. Garrey has become an Australian expert in the design and building of Tibetan stupas and his achievements at Chenrezig are astonishing.

On a different journey is John Wilson, now an elderly but still alert dingo trapper from Nambour. John tells of the ongoing threat from dingoes and the feral dogs that now proliferate around the urban areas of the Sunshine Coast.

Dail Malins from Glasshouse is lucky not to be bothered by dingoes because she looks after a wonderful assortment of parrots, galahs and assorted cockatoos. Dail’s mini circus show reveals the astounding intelligence of parrots. She has trained her Alexandrines for example, to perform complex tricks from riding a skate board to completing puzzles.

This month sees the annual Maleny Festival of Australian Films. This year, apart from showing the outstanding ‘Balibo’ and ‘Samson and Delilah’, the Festival will be fortunate in having screenwriter, David Williamson as its guest. Also on screen will be Hinterland documentary- maker Paul Alister’s film ‘White Skin Black Spirit’. This film has been sold to ABC Television for its Message Stick series and it tells the moving story of a Hinterland resident’s search for identity.

As usual in the Hinterland Times we profile a number of

talented artists, the youngest this month is 15 year-old Lauren Maree Edmonds whose exhibition at Cooroy has been a sell-out. Lauren’s intricate surreal imaginings are inspired by Picasso.

Hinterland glass blower with a national reputation, Marc Kalifa, has been commissioned to make special glass orbs as Australia Day awards. The subject of these delicate pieces says Marc, are the dreams that all of us have in one form or another.

I am sure you will enjoy this edition of the Hinterland Times and Faith and I wish you all a healthy and fulfilling new year.

Michael Berry

From the Editor

admin — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:52:06 +0000

I know it’s bad form to skite but when the Hinterland Times wins the same award for the best looking regional paper in country Queensland, two years in a row, it’s hard not to mention it. (Story: right). Well done to our small team and our printers, Horton media.

Another award-winner this month is the remarkable Settlers Rise for its delicious Shiraz. This Hinterland company goes from strength to strength, and so does the quality of its wines.

An important issue for the entire Sunshine Coast this month is the much anticipated decision by federal environment minister, Peter Garrett on the future of the Traveston Dam. Environmentalist and teacher Ian Mackay pulls together the threads of this long-running debate.

Closer to home, Sammy Ringer assesses the water pipeline to Maleny and asks how it was that high rainfall Maleny was not modelled as the ideal place for sustainable water supply.

In keeping with this magazine’s highlighting of Hinterland business success, we talk to Trevor Hart. Well known state- wide as a musician and band leader, Trevor has shifted focus to producing buffalo Mozzarella - one of only three producers of this sublime cheese in Australia.

An exhibition by Hinterland painter, Peter Hudson is always well attended. Peter continues to surprise with his latest set of paintings inspired by “things we forget” and the raw beauty of outback Australia.

Finally, I should mention that the Hinterland Times continues to expand its circulation. We are now in key Brisbane hotels and in entertainment venues like the Centro Cinemas in Fortitude Valley. Copies can be picked up along the Coast at information centres and tourist resorts from Caloundra to Noosa. Hinterland accommodation houses also provide guests with copies of the magazine. If you want to be a subscriber and send the HT to relatives interstate or overseas, let us know via our contact details below. Michael Berry

Food on Slow Thursdays

admin — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 04:42:33 +0000

Julie Sheldon (left), Leader Slow Food Sunshine Coast Hinterland, sharing a celebratory drink. With Julie are (from left) Leonie Furber, Chair - Slow Food Australia, Vanda Evison, State Leader, Slow Food Queensland, Bob MacLennan, Leader, Slow Food Brisbane.

Churchill Fellowship winner Julie Shelton is all fired up to spread the Slow Food word and to get more good quality food produced for local distribution.
Julie has launched a new group serving the whole Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
“We are supporting food producers - providing advice, advocacy, lobbying and information services,” says Julie. “The core of our activities will be a gathering every Thursday at the Maleny Community Centre, hence the group name Slow Thursday”.
Julie says the Thursday group meetings will encourage relationships between producers and co-producers, retailers, chefs, restaurateurs and consumers. Food-related movies will be screened, and cooking demonstrations will showcase local food. There will be talks and forums with stakeholders and regulatory bodies.
Not to exclude youngsters, there will be Kids Go Slow with sensory education, talks from producers and chefs, and demonstrations on growing food.
“I hope to encourage other organisations and enterprises in town to get behind this idea”, enthuses Julie.
“I would like them to hold events or do something special in their shops to promote the ‘Slow’ philosophy. For example, offering a dish that uses local ingredients, and displaying who the producers are, or celebrating our local food producers and local artists. Contact the Slow Thursday group: sunshinecoast.queensland@slowfoodaustralia.com.au

From the Editor

admin — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 01:50:49 +0000

This is the month for the launch of the Festival of the Walks - a magnificent marketing exercise coordinated by the Blackall Range Business & Tourism Association. This great variety of hinterland walks, each with its own BRBTA map, will attract residents and visitors to discover the rich environment of this region. Four pages focus on the events which will accompany the Festival starting on August 29
In this edition we feature Olga Tarling, whose career includes her achievement as the first female air traffic controller in Australia. Another fascinating personality is Dr Tony Burlingham, a recent arrival to the Range, whose career as a critical care doctor brought him onto the front line of medical emergency work. A forensic specialist of a different kind is Steve Chaddock a qualified archaeologist who was invited to be part of a team that excavated the site of Ned Kelly’s last stand at Glenrowan in Victoria. Steve was also part of an international documentary, presented by the BBC’s Tony Robinson.
This month I was able to pin down federal MP Peter Slipper and get his views on Tibet and his recent meeting with the Dalai Lama in Daramsala. Peter expresses a passionate commitment to a free Tibet and wants the Australian government to be more upfront about human rights abuses in that part of the world.
A couple of interesting hinterland businesses are also featured this month. Sound Images, the video and TV production house has been here 28 years, quietly making films for governments and companies around the country. And in a completely different direction we talk to Geoff MacKie, recently moved to Reesville with his family. Geoff is CEO of Ideal Introductions, an upmarket introduction agency based in Brisbane. Geoff explains that modern mating has become a sophisticated business where successful coupling is often based on old-fashioned values.
So, another rich and varied magazine about the Hinterland.

Michael Berry

From the Editor

admin — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:56:52 +0000

The Hinterland has been a magnet for artists of all colours for many years, and not only for the obvious environmental and scenic reasons. Artists say there’s an energy here that is hard to define, and our magazine this month reflects that energy - the prestigious Maleny Art Awards, Gary Myers wonderful new arts complex, galleries full of stimulating new exhibitions, artists demonstrating their skills in PNG and Japan, and the exciting new Earth, Dreams, Magic book which is set to promote our creative industries far and wide.

Creative energy on the Hinterland is seen in other ways too. For example, they say that the sign of a vibrant community is whether or not it has book shops. Several Range shops sell new books and this month we also go inside two of the most popular and second-hand bookshops up here on ‘the hill’. Markets are flourishing too - at Mapleton, Montville, Maleny and Eudlo ; something to do with the recession no doubt.

Another popular activity is watching films and the Maleny Film Society now draws long queues from residents across the Range every second Saturday night. And it’s the combination of stimulating overseas films, quaint candlelit dinners (food courtesy of Pomodoros), wine and good chat that defines the night. Even reserving your seat with a soft cushion adds to the ambience of a Society that has grown over its 18 year life.

Our cover story is a positive look at one young man who’s helping other young people to keep their lives together. In articles that probe where we’re headed as a region, State MP for Glasshouse, Andrew Powell spells out his views on growth on the Sunshine Coast, and Curramore resident and Queensland health consultant Stephen Alexander reveals an interesting trial of GP super clinics that may take the strain off local hospitals.

So, there’s plenty of interesting winter reading this month.

Michael Berry

From the Editor

admin — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 07:05:10 +0000

We’ve re-designed the magazine this month, hopefully to make it a more pleasant read. We are ever mindful that the balance of advertising and editorial content is important and while we need advertising income you, the reader, want to be informed and entertained.
We have a couple of new columnists in April - Hanrahan, with his often wry look at ourselves and a professional gardening column from the talented Sarah Stirling.
Our cover story on the Conondale rodeo reminds us of our Hinterland rural traditions and there’s nothing quite like climbing onto a bull to bring us back to earth… literally.
The thought-provoking piece by Dr Kate Crawford looks at our defence force undergoing change, but set against digger courage and ANZAC initiative that never seems to change.
In the year of Queensland’s 150th birthday we’ve all been asked to nominate our favoured icons. Our own Blackall Range and painter Rex Backhaus-Smith is on the shortlist as well as thongs and lamingtons!
I was interested to see that in a large Sydney department store display recently, Easter was all about chocolate. Not so shocking to we chocoholics, but what was intriguing was that the chocolate bilby is now a serious challenge to the traditional bunny. That’s encouraging given our bilby is nearing extinction, and it needs all the help it can get.
There are more talented achievers in this issue - Maleny Gym trainer, Ray Louden has just won gold in the national Masters Weightlifting Championships in Victoria, and fresh from hanging in the Archibald Prize in Sydney, painter David Paulsen has a major exhibition at the Fireworks Gallery in Brisbane.
We have details too about the Wood Expo in May and our usual wide coverage of Hinterland arts, performance and places to eat.
Enjoy the April edition of the Hinterland Times.
Michael Berry

Hanrahan

admin — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 07:04:47 +0000

I know the conventional wisdom is that we’re all going to hell in a handbasket, that if Climate Change doesn’t get us then the Global Financial Crisis will, that, in fact, as my namesake foretold, we’ll all be rooned, but, I thought, for my inaugural column, I would push against type and consider at least a couple of things that are going right in the world. Just so that, as the rants become more vitriolic, I can say to those critics of my negativity look what I wrote in April, month of mists and mellow fruitfulness…
So, lets start with the really big picture. Here’s a remarkable thing: according to the World Bank we’re on track to deliver one of the major Millenium Development Goals (MDGs); that is to halve the number of people living in poverty by 2015.
Hold on a moment. Sorry. Did your eyes glaze over there? I don’t know what it is but I can only get half-way through the word millenium before I fall into a trance. Combine it with ‘development’ and ‘goal’ and I’m gone.
I don’t think I’m alone in this. Fortunately help is at hand. Switch on your computer, do it this minute, I mean it. Go to www.ted.com and, under ‘Speakers’ type the name Hans Rosling, then watch his talk - Debunking Third World Myths - if you like it – and you will – watch the speech he gave a year later. They are both remarkable, beyond wonder.
Not only does this unassuming Swede (who co-founded Medicins sans Frontieres in Sweden) illustrate statistics so they make sense, he also manages to demonstrate that nearly every assumption we harbour about the state of the world is wrong.
Incidentally the whole TED website is outstanding. It is an example of what we dreamed the web could be – the only problem with the site is the sheer volume of ideas presented, and where to begin. Recent speakers include athlete and activist Aimee Mullins, talking about her dozen pairs of prosthetic legs, Nicholas Negroponte, on his One Laptop per Child Project, and Bill Gates unplugged.
But back to the MDGs. Peter Singer has recently been talking up his new book, The Life You Can Save. One of the more extraordinary stats he mentioned was that, even though there are twice as many people on the planet now as there were in 1960, there are, in fact, fewer people in real poverty (defined as living on less than US$1.25 a day).
Singer is not, however, promoting complacency, or being self-congratulatory. What he wants us to do with this information is to realise that what we’ve always assumed was impossible, is within reach: we now have the ability to lift the entire population of the world out of abject poverty. That not only can we do it, but we need to do it, if not for moral or ethical reasons, then as a sound investment in our own future.
The evidence is now well and truly in, that it’s only when people have their basic needs met that they have time to become aware of how they affect the environment.
Great times we live in, if we grab the moment. Singer, in his usual difficult way, wants us to take hold of it firmly. If we all give just three percent of our income to help alleviate poverty we’ll win, he says. If we don’t we’ll all be rooned. I said that.

Hanrahan

From the Editor

admin — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 01:48:53 +0000

A state election campaign is upon us so we have policy statements from candidates covering the two Hinterland electorates - Nicklin and Glasshouse in this edition.
Uppermost in the minds of Hinterlanders will be a government that has tried to impose an unwanted dam at Traveston Crossing, has taken away income from our well managed water resources, and continues to insist on high urban development despite this region electing a local government with the opposite agenda.
On the other side we’re offered a new Liberal National Party which is untested but is a serious attempt to provide a united state opposition to Labor. We are going through the worst economic conditions in our history, and history shows that at such times we remain conservative when we step into the voting booth. Election day will confirm whether or not voters believe ‘It’s Time’ for a change, they feel more secure with the politicians they know, or make a protest vote in favour of the Queensland Greens.
At local government level we have the first major media interview with the Sunshine Coast’s new CEO, John Knaggs. He is an impressive administrator - calm and reflective, but decisive and clear about where he needs to take the Coast. John took on the job after being CEO of Maroochy Shire, and as he says, this has become one of the biggest and most challenging local governments in Australia.
Our cover story is about the amazing Lloyd Pennicuik, a paraglider about to take on the most dangerous race in the world. It’s an astonishing adventure. Kevin Baker has had his own adventure - collecting classic auto parts. His juices flow when he finds a rare rotor arm or coil.
We hope you enjoy this edition, which is once again a reflection of our amazing Hinterland.
Michael Berry

From the Editor

admin — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 02:54:44 +0000

The Hilton bombing thirty years ago was the first major terrorist act in Australia. The organisers have never been caught although the Indian social service group, Ananda Marga was blamed. Margii member Paul Alister was one of three men linked to the Hilton bombing when they were charged and convicted of another alleged bombing attempt. He spent seven years in prison but was eventually cleared and financially compensated by the NSW Government - a perversion of justice claimed Judge Marcus Einfeld at the time.
In this month’s edition, Range resident Paul Alister, prompted by the 30 year release of Cabinet papers, reflects on that period and how meditation pulled him through many dark days and nights.
A significant benefit of Paul’s move to Maleny is the creation of the Ananda Marga River School. Fifteen years on, this success of neo-humanist teaching has a long waiting list.
Also in this edition, - there’s a buffalo conference coming to the Range with farmers Margaret and Mal Thompson talking up the benefits of buffalo milk. We also meet Montville, retiree Doug Reinhardt who regularly visits an isolated community in the Solomon Islands where he’s helping to build a bible and vocational school. Discover too the astonishing talents of Greg Pleming who has written a children’s fantasy, and made life-size models to go with it. Once again proving there’s magic in the Hills.
Michael Berry