RALPH DART was an early Montville pioneer whose generous donation of land to the Methodist Church sees that donation celebrate 100 years in 2012. Ralph Dart acquired 58 acres on Negus Lane in 1898. He named his farm Coulridge, and grew oranges with pineapples planted between the rows to be marketed, with a wide variety of fruit trees and vegetables for home use. Other paddocks were planted with paspalum to provide grass for stock.

In 1900 Ralph married Minnie Meise, of Palmwoods and they had five children. Unfortunately, the Hinterland climate did not suit Ralph and he developed a ‘chest complaint’. In 1911 Doctor Penny travelled by horse and buggy from Nambour to advise the family to move west to a drier climate, away from the dampness on the Range. The family leased out Coulridge for four years and moved to Dalby, where Ralph set up a shop to sell consignments of fruit from the Montville area. Ralph had earlier acquired a block of land in Montville which he donated to the Methodist Church, and a church was built on the site in 1911. Sadly, while he saw construcion of the building start, Ralph couldn’t be in Montville for the opening of the church in January, 1912. In 1914 the Darts returned to Montville to continue the development of their farm. They travelled by train through Toowoomba and Brisbane, and then by wagon up the Razorback from Palmwoods. By 1918 however, Ralph’s health had deteriorated to the point that his doctor advised that again, he move away from the Range, suggesting they go as far west as Roma. Ralph’s son, Will, remembered the Sunday prior to the long journey west: “We all met at the home of our grandparents… After dinner and a great deal of talking, with so much to be said, the company joined in singing ‘God be With You ‘til we Meet Again’. The next day the family set out on their journey. Ralph Dart passed away within a month. His brother, Monty Dart, and brother- in- law, T H Brown, travelled from Montville to provide support for the family, and assisted them to move to Brisbane shortly after Ralph’s death.

Ralph Dart was only 41 when he died and Minnie lived to be 92. Their children made several journeys to Montville to visit their grandparents and uncles, and their grandsons will visit Montville in May 2012 for the anniversary celebrations of the Montville Uniting Church. Ralph’s father, William Dart, lived for 26 years on the property that is now the site of local business, Montville Auto and Air.

Material for this article is taken from the book 100 Years of Blessing: Montville Uniting Church 1912 – 2012

A H Brown loaded his truck with children for their annual Sunday School picnic at the beach in the 1960s. Ms June Brown is about to climb into the passenger seat.

Several contributors to the new Montville Methodist/ Uniting Church commemorative book, “100 Years of Blessing” recall their childhood association with that church and the community stories surrounding it.

ONE VERY dexterous young girl somehow managed to tie a piece of cotton around a March fly. She recalled then letting it go to fly around the church “while all the kids sniggered.”

Others confessed to also being rather naughty, but had only positive memories to share.

As the centre of the community, the little Methodist church, with only around 30 members, held a ‘Christmas Tree’ each December for local children for many decades. In 1931, over 150 gifts were distributed at the event by an older, white- bearded church member dressed as Santa Claus.

By the 1960s, the Sunday School teachers had the privilege of going to Brisbane to shop for gifts on Santa’s behalf. Jenny Williams remembered being in trouble one year for buying bubble blowers, because “bubbles landed on the angels’ dresses and marked the satin!”

During the 1960s the combined Montville- Palmwoods youth group had over 60 members. The group was run by the Rev Kadel, who made up little ditties to amuse the smaller children. Wendy Cuthbertson remembered this one:

I’ve stuck to Montville But as far as I can see It’s only when it’s raining That Montville sticks to me!

These were the days when anyone could purchase their own fireworks to celebrate Guy Fawkes Night, and the Methodist church for several years held November bonfire and barbeque nights on Clive Williams’ paddock on the edge of the range, much to the delight of the local children.

Clive constructed a frame for a Catherine wheel, and the church provided sparklers and Roman candles for the young ones.

In 1960, the church ordered 56 lbs of meat – mince, sausages, steak and saveloys – from Hobson’s butcher shop in Palmwoods to cater for guests at the event. The following day the Williams children and their neighbors combed the paddock to find as many unfired tom thumbs as they could in order to let them off.

It was the Sunday School picnics though that people remembered most fondly. For many years these were held at Alexandra Headland, and for most Montville children, the picnic was the only time they visited the beach and saw the ocean.

After a morning of swimming under the watchful gaze of lifesavers, a huge lunch was prepared by the mothers and Sunday School teachers. The afternoon was for sandcastle building competitions, sack, egg and spoon and three-legged races.

For those children who had come without their parents, they were piled onto the back of Mr A H Brown’s truck for the ride home to Montville, all seated on the makeshift seats of planks set on pineapple packing cases.

The truck returned its passengers to the general store on the corner of Western Avenue, where those parents who couldn’t get to the picnic waited to collect their tired and sunburnt children.

Pleasant memories indeed!

(Material for this article is taken from the book 100 Years of Blessing: Montville Uniting Church 1912 – 2012 Mapleton Library have copies of the book for sale. The cost is $20. )

ONE OF THE most vibrant groups at the Blackall Range Care Group in Flaxton is the Cottage Bell Ringers.

For just over three years, this musical group of ‘hard knocks’ has been meeting at Flaxton to ring a set of Whitechapel Foundry-forged handbells made in the 1880s.

The group consists of a mixture of local residents who are elderly and / or have disabilities ranging from cerebral palsey to dementia.

The group’s set of bells were used in a church just outside Glasgow, Scotland, to play hymns in the absence of an organ. They ‘migrated’ to Australia about 20 years ago and were used by a local group who eventually donated them to the Blackall Range Care Cottage.

The group meets once a fortnight to ring tunes such as The Skye Boat Song, Eidelweis and Walzing Matilda.

Right now the Cottage Bell Ringers are trying to save up to buy one small bell missing from the set. Warne Wilson ( famous Aussie tower bell ringer), emailed the Whitechapel Foundry to price the bell and it comes in at a cost of nearly $500 Australian.

“The group will be giving a concert at the Cottage at Flaxton on Wednesday December 7,” says musical director, Caitlin Danaan, “and we feel it’s time we shared what we’ve created with the wider community.

“When the group is in full ringing flight”, Caitlin adds, the sound of the harmonics produced is amazing and many of our clients over the years have either rung these bells or formed part of a delighted audience.”

Even though I am a musician and it is my job to run musical activities at the Cottage, I had never come across these bells before but knew that they were very special the first time I took them out of their old oak box. I was in awe at their sound and the energy they carry.”

Handbell ringing has unique characteristics which make it ideal as a medium to teach musical performance and appreciation to non-musical adults and children.

Unlike an orchestra in which each instrument has a complete range of notes within itself, a set of handbells is like the separated notes of a piano being shared between several people.

The Cottage Bell Ringers ask those coming to their concert at the Cottage to donate a gold coin to help the group buy their $500 Eflat bell.

Contact Caitlin by email or phone: 0407 181 495 or 5445 7044 if you are interested in attending the Cottage Bell Ringers concert during the afternoon of December 7.

Current Cottage Bell Ringers are: Benny Neirinckx, Peter Magner, Dell Windus, Ilga Junghans, Carmel Donovan, Don Naulls, Marilyn Large, and Terry Stoddart. The group is directed by volunteer, Warne Wilson and Caitlin Danaan from the Cottage staff.

The recent $1.65m commonwealth grant to complete the Maleny Community Centre refurbishment was a shock windfall according to the building’s management committee.

According to committee member Bryan Hughes, the grant from RDF Australia, “will make us totally self-reliant, with no need to go cap in hand to Council for large funds”.

The committee realised that in current economic times it was always going to be a tough ask to fundraise the money needed for the complete renovation of Maleny’s highly prized community centre.

The Maleny Community Centre is unique for being owned, run and maintained by the community not by Council.

A renovation plan for the building has been the main focus of the MCC committee for the last seven years.

The committee had already raised $580,000 for the first stage of renovation, which included the replacement of asbestos walls and substantial remodelling of the rear of the building to provide a refreshed Senior Citizens room and the creation of a “green” room.

Faced with raising almost three times that sum to complete the renovation, the MCC committee was buoyed up when invited to apply for a Regional Development Fund grant.

The successful application was put together over a frantic three weeks by President Heather Spring, Kate Crawford, Bryan Hughes and design architect, Norman Richards, all working as volunteers.

Kate Crawford who drafted the submission document said the midnight oil was burned several times as the grant application came together.

RDF Australia was clearly impressed with MCC’s previous professional fund-raising activities, and its far-sighted, commercial building upgrade by award-winning local designer, Norm Richards.

Outgoing MCC president, Heather Spring(pictured above) has been the driving force for the Centre renovations in recent years. She said it would not have happened without the support of Bryan, Kate and Norm and the ongoing support of the committee, especially Pam Walker, Brian Baillie, and Keith Kuchenmeister.

The MCC already enjoys more than 1000 hirings a year, with almost 70,000 people coming through its doors.

The $1.65m grant money will see to completion the renovation of a building that will broaden its usage to include, theatrical and musical events supported by the installation of digital technologies.

The roof will be replaced and carry solar panels to make the Centre self-sufficient in energy use.

The existing Maple Street frontage will be re-modelled to include a veranda over the footpath and four new commercial spaces will be created for lease to local organisations.

These spaces will ensure the Centre remains financially sustainable into the future.

Once the Community Centre is fully renovated in 2012, the Committee will turn its attention to developing No 1 Bicencentary Lane. A purpose-built, performance centre is planned with tiered seating for 250 people.

At the recent 2011 AGM, Heather Spring stood down from the Presidency and Michael Howard has taken over the leadership of the committee.

In thanking Heather for her outstanding professionalism and commitment, the Committee also acknowledged Heather’s enormous contribution to the ongoing life of the Maleny Community Centre.

Organised by the parent committee, the River School will open its doors with a variety of interesting stalls, live music featuring Purusha, Laurie Elshaug, Hayden Hack Infusion, the Doonan family, Sue Moxon and the River School kids.

There will be a Dance Space with workshops from Aboriginal to yoga dances, a Learning Space with lectures and demonstrations, anda variety of treatments in the Healing Space, plus an original Film Festival. Arrive early for the Indigenous Opening Ceremony.

The Art Space will offer a chance to make your own rainbow tie-dye t-shirt and other crafts. Buy books from Budburra Books from Cherbourg, Maleny’s Rosetta Books and a used book stall. Stop by the “Beauty Parlour” for face painting, crazy hair and hair wraps.

The River School tuck shop will serve up its delicious menu of healthy lunches and treats, or enjoy a cob oven baked pizza or Indian lunch.

Tours will show off new school buildings and gardens nestled in the rainforest valley.

For program details and bus timetable, go to www.amriverschool.org/festival or call the school on 5494 3559. Festival entry is by gold coin donation.

Due to school parking constraints, a shuttle bus will run regularly from 9:30 am from the Showgrounds and Cooke Park to the River School on the day.

MALENY High student Ruby Scott, 15, is having the adventure of a lifetime as an exchange student in Costa Rica for six months. She’s living in Puntarenas, on the Pacific coast, and attends the local high school. We asked her to write us a ‘postcard’ and tell us about life in Costa Rica and what she misses about the hinterland.

Maleny High student Ruby Scott at home in Costa Rica with her host sisters, five year-old twins Alma and Sara Sosa Vega

Ruby: “What I love about Costa Rica is the palm tree- lined beaches, the almost unbearable heat in the morning and the electrical storms in the afternoon. I love the warm smiles of the local ‘Ticos’ and the cheap price of bananas! Life here is a lot more relaxed than in Maleny. Costa Ricans really have no sense of time, but I’m enjoying that!

The language barrier hasn’t been too difficult. I’ve found that I’m learning really quickly and I’m making use of the phrase ‘actions speak louder than words’. Of course it’s quite frustrating being unable to have long conversations, but I’m hoping that will change.

Going to a Costa Rican school is both different and interesting. I don ́t understand a lot, but the classes are so much more relaxed and we really don’t do much work (woohoo!) It’s very different to Maleny High considering it’s ten metres from the beach and in the centre of Puntarenas. At lunchtimes we roam the streets eating delicious Costa Rican bakery goods and tacos, and drinking tropical fruit smoothies. We even go shopping during lunchtime which is absolutely awesome!

People here really believe that Australia is deadly! They say to me things like, “Yeah, I’d love to go to Australia but I’m scared of spiders and snakes.” I have a very fearless attitude to maintain.

My host family are so lovely. My host father is a doctor and speaks English, my host mother is very beautiful and I have three sisters. One 13 year-old, and twin five year-olds.

We have a nice modern home with a pool and a starfruit tree. I’m so grateful I was placed with such a great family and because of this I haven’t really experienced any extreme homesickness or culture shock. I do see a lot of poverty here though, and it never gets easier.

I realise that there are a few things I take for granted in Australia. One is the large variety of products available, anything from vitamins to deoderant. Two, the comfortable climate that doesn’t leave you sweating every second of the day. And three, having my friends and family so close.

I miss waking up to find my four year-old sister Lilian has snuck into my bed through the night. I miss play fighting with my brother Banjo. I miss my step-dad Ian and my mother Lisa. I miss my soccer team and my old out-of- tune piano, along with my piano teacher Laurie, who was pretty much my psychologist. I miss the cleanliness of Australia and the freshness of its air.

The culture here is very social and family orientated. They love being loud, they love to fiesta and they love food! The food here is so delicious, it’s really hard to resist. All I hear is  ́ ́¡Comer, comer! ́ ́ (eat,eat!). I made Anzac biscuits for my family a few days ago and well… they loved them! The whole box was gone in one night!

I’m having a wonderful time in this beautiful country, but I am excited for when I breath Australian air again. See you in January!

Love from Costa Rica,

Ruby

Team manager Jo Fowell

IT’S EARLY August and the afternoon sun is beating down on the young farm workers. Jesse Price, Matt McMahon and Jenna Best are busy digging a new garden bed and are more than happy to take a break while they pose for the camera.

They are part of a team of 17 school leavers with intellectual or physical disabilities who are working on a biodynamic farm at an eight-hectare property at Hunchy.

The property was purchased by Palmwoods-based charity, The Compass Institute, in September 2010 to provide a place where people with disabilities could gain diverse work experience and enjoy paid employment after leaving high school. It is an extension of the Compass Education and Training a not-for-profit service formed in 2003 to assist people with disabilities to take up valued roles in the community.

The trainees began working on the farm in November 2010 and by the end of June 2011 had created 41 market garden beds. The aim is to make 85 and create a profitable farm with a retail outlet and cafe.

Trainees Jenna Best, Jessie Price and Luke Fitzgerald love working on the farm.

Under the leadership of Rob Birse, who has a background in Steiner education and biodynamics, the trainees are growing lettuce mix, carrots, potatoes, broccoli, beetroot, tomato, cauliflower, beans, spinach, sugar snap peas, along with herbs, flowers and tree seedlings. They also provide eggs, honey and a range of value added items made from produce on the farm, including wooden craft items and herbal soaps/bath products.

Team manager Jo Fowell, who has worked for Compass for two years, is excited about the project, which was initiated by the chief executive of Compass, David Dangerfield.

“The trainees are learning a new skills base with cultivating gardens,” says Jo. “Seeing them progress over the past six months has been great, and their health and fitness has really improved.”

Compass farm manager, Rob Birse, has a background in Steiner education and biodynamic farming.

Farm manager Rob Birse says it feels wonderful to be providing work that is actually meaningful for the young adults. “That’s why David is so keen to get this going, otherwise they’d be sitting around playing video games. There’s not a lot for them after they finish school.

“I’ve seen enormous changes in them. When they first came here most of them just wanted to sit on their butts. Chris would plonk himself on the garden and just sit. Now he works all day. They’re really fit and happy now, and they’re always laughing and carrying on.

Rob says while he finds the work immensely rewarding, it also has its challenges. “A lot of them aren’t very physically capable and have poor fine motor skills, so it’s difficult for them to plant seeds,” he says. “Discriminating between what’s a weed and what isn’t is difficult for them, so we have to use a lot of repetition and get them used to what’s what.

“I’ve found I really enjoy working with them. I’m not particularly outgoing and it has forced me to take a leadership role. I can see the changes appearing in them and to see the garden growing, this place could be extraordinary in 20 years.”

The small amount of produce currently grown at the farm is being snapped up by a Doonan seller, but the plan is for it to become a commercially viable entity.

“We’re a demonstration farm; we want to show people that small acreage can support itself,” says Rob. “When we start selling more we’ll turn the profits back into the farm, but currently there are more bills than there are profits.”

Rob would like to introduce arts, crafts and music to the farm, and there is also talk of adding a small café and retail outlet in future, which would provide further training opportunities.

The ninth annual Joining is being held on September 22 to 25 and the program is the most comprehensive yet.

This year’s gathering embodies a growing maturity in relationship, celebrating and healing what has been, and moving forwards with renewed vision.

The gathering is filled with profound and moving ceremonies that bring the ancient spiritual wisdom of tribal culture and reverence for unity, connectedness and sacredness.

One of the highlights of the three days is a cabaret night, when all who wish to, are invited to take the stage with music, poetry, storytelling and funny skits. From performances by seasoned performers to nervous debuts, it’s always an entertaining evening.

Workshop facilitator and committee member, Aravindah D’Angiolillo says: “The Joining is a lot of fun. There are heaps of amazing workshops on offer and a really in-depth and supportive community to become part of. We do a lot of inner work, and in the past there have been amazing connections formed and ongoing relationships that began at The Joining continue to this day.”

While there are many structured activities at the Joining, none are compulsory and participants are encouraged to experience the gathering in whatever way feels comfortable.

This year 30 workshops run by experienced facilitators are being offered over the three days.

For more information visit www.thejoining.com.au or call Nivannii on (07) 5494 3969.

Email: bookings@thejoining.com.au

Seen with Lavina Wagner, new principal of the Blackall Range Independent School are (front row): Myah Bahloo-chambers ( Yr 7), Jeyda Glazebrook (Yr 3), Franzi Strasse ( Yr 4) Back row: Eden Tonks (Yr 10) and Joshua Arnold ( yr 9).

“It is an amazing community of families here who all care about and are involved in the school’, says Lavina. “I have always believed that small schools hold a magical formula for being able to make students feel like they are part of a big family and that all ages have to work together to make things happen.

“I am excited to be here and look forward to working with all students and parents to continue the school’s reputation of preparing students to ‘care for themselves, care for others and care for the environment”.

It was way back in 1975 that a group of dedicated parents set up their concept of an alternative school in the old Kureelpa Hall. There was a handful of students and very little equipment , no money, but lots of enthusiasm.

The following year, the school moved across the road to occupy the old one-room Kureelpa State School building set on a couple of acres of attractive rural land. By this stage the school had received approval and funding from both the Commonwealth and State Schools Commissions.

The tradition continues today with parents highly involved in the school from the executive committee to helping in classrooms, the school’s gardens or running workshops for students.

“The school currently has 40 students enrolled from prep to year 10”, says Lavina. “The cosy cluster of brightly painted classrooms enhances the family atmosphere at the school, and it feels more like being at home than it does being in a school. There are currently three class groups from years P-3, 4-7 and 8-10. The school also boasts high school art and music rooms and a first class library completely run by dedicated, volunteer parents.

“I have been working in education for 20 years”, adds Lavina. “I am passionate about learning environments that take into account student interest and ability. When we are interested in what we are doing , our learning is enhanced. Here we carefully match students interests to the curriculum.

“I am also excited about education that prepares students to be able to work with others to create sustainable futures. Our children are inheriting a planet with complex environmental and social issues. They will need knowledge and skills to be able to work together to find ways to live sustainably.

Where possible, learning through the Independent School is tied to real life experiences where there are countless links to the curriculum. For example, a small group of students attend the Eumundi market regularly to sell art and craft that they have made at school. The school also aims to equip students with the skills and understanding to bring about a more just and peaceful future.

The school also focuses on a democratic approach to learning, something observed most easily in that students call teachers by their first names and discuss with them their learning needs. This enables students to learn what they particularly need to know.

At the Independent School, a student can go back and learn year 5 maths if they need to or similarly a student who is achieving higher than their grade level can design a program with their teacher to work at a higher level.

“I am also a passionate supporter of home schooling,” says Lavina. “Home schooling is a valid way to educate children and at BRIS we acknowledge that. We hold a home schoolers day on Fridays with lots of resources here that we are happy to share with home schooled children. They can join in number games and investigations in the morning, then participate in the workshops for the remainder of the day. Workshops include, art, gardening yoga and music.”

“Due to our small numbers”, says Lavina, “our classes have several ages and so everyone gets to be both teacher and learner at different times. It is all about teaching individuals here rather than teaching a particular grade level. “

For more information visit www.brischool.com.au or phone 5441 5227 to arrange a tour of the Blackall Range Independent School.

“It will also involve landscaping works, making toilets accessible, installing ramps for wheelchairs and fitting fire alarm devices,” he said. As work progresses Mr Todd said he would be calling on the Friends of Pattemore House group to find appropriate architectural artefacts missing from the original design.

“The variety of uses for the house have not been fully determined yet, but it could be used by other precinct groups, council, and potentially other groups as a public events location, including catering”, Mr Todd added.