But try having a coffee with your dog in tow and you will soon run into difficulties. That’s because under existing Queensland laws, dogs (other than guide dogs) are not allowed anywhere near the food areas of cafes and restaurants in this state.

Nor are dogs allowed to run off the leash anywhere in Maleny with the exception of the showgrounds.

That might seem an odd state of affairs in a town which appears to have more than its fair share of canines But a local organisation with the cute name of Pups in Paradise is trying to change all that, and has been collecting names and addresses on petition forms for some time now. This petition will be presented to the state government in October, and they hope to change the law to expand the areas where dogs can be exercised off-leash, right across the Sunshine Coast.

Plans are also afoot to convince the government that dogs should be allowed in alfresco areas of cafes and restaurants with their owners, as long as the cafe owner is happy with this.

Well over 500 signatures have been collected so far, just in Maleny, Montville and Mapleton, and the process is ongoing. Outlets that have the petitions are reporting enormous interest in, and support for, the move towards easing restrictions on dogs.

Petitions are available to be signed at Maudy’s, The Farm Barn, Monicas, The Swiss Bakery and the two vet surgeries among others in Maleny; at Poets Cafe and Soothe Hairdressing in Montville; and at Criollo’s Chocolaterie and the Daily Grind cafe in Mapleton.

So if you want a coffee with your dog, whether it’s a Great Dane or a Maltese Terrier, then get in on the act and support Pups in Paradise!

Pups in Paradise has a website: pupsinparadise.com.au, where you may sign the petition online. Phone enquiries can be directed to either Keri Gazzard on 0408 007 070 or Suzanne Wright on 5474 8767.

Helen Evans

Ian and Lee Lucas contacted the wildlife retrieval crew at Australia Zoo. Sadly, the koala had leukaemia and could not be saved.

International concert pianist Pascal Roge is passionate about wildlife conservation and when he heard the koala story from Ian Lucas he offered to do a benefit concert to in Montville to help Australian wildlife.

Amazingly, Pascal agreed to detour from his current US concert tour and perform in Montville on September 4.

Ian and Lee are delighted that Pascal is bringing his wife Ami, also a concert pianist to play in their home in Montville, paying his own way and donating all concert proceeds to the founder of Australia Zoo.

We were able to relay the story to Bob Irwin and his wife Judy, says Ian. Bob is happy to attend the concert and will speak from the heart regarding his strong commitment to wildlife conservation.

Pascal and Ami suggested they play Carnival of the Animals, a piece by French composer Saint-Saens for two pianos and a small orchestra. Gwyn Roberts, who is head of strings at the University of Queensland, will conduct the orchestra and narrate the Carnival piece from a text using predominately Australian animals, all of which are in the Australia Zoo.

Contact Lucas Parklands: 54 78 5667

It’s called ‘Cinderella: The Sequel’ and we find out what happened to her after she married Prince Charming. It may not be the story that innocent children are familiar with.

However, it’s author assures us that there are the usual pantomime characters

– a wicked witch; the Ugly Sisters; Buttons and fairies galore, plus lots of slapstick, comedy, music and song.

Auditions for the show are being held at 11am at the Maleny Playhouse on Saturday and Sunday August 2122.

The pantomime is being written by David Crewe (right), artistic director of the Players, and will be performed on the last weekend before Christmas from December 1619.

Said David: “There has already been a lot of interest from people who want to take part in the show, so I have had to write in some more characters.

Anyone interested in auditioning can contact me on 5494 2998 or email thecrewes@bigpond.com.

Gheerulla Falls bush walkers Group

THE SECOND Sunshine Coast Hinterland Festival of theWalks will feature over 20 guided walks from August 21-29.

The guided walks, which range from 20 minute strolls to parts of the ‘GreatWalk’ of over five hours, will showcase the unique beauty and charm of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.

The Festival is held in the Blackall Range villages of Montville, Maleny, Mapleton, Flaxton, Conondale, Kenilworth and the Glasshouse Mountains.

“The Festival includes walks, photographic and bush poetry competitions, a street party, markets and exhibitions,” said Festival of theWalks co-ordinator Richard Hill.

The walks with experienced and knowledgeable local guides and bushwalkers include the dog friendly walk, garden walks, nature walks, artists walks and the Community CareWalk.

This 10 kilometre walk, which is expected to attract 200 participants commences at Mary Cairncross Park to raise funds for the Blackall Range Care Group and Barung Landcare.

The Community CareWalk is on August 21 and finishes with the participants joining in the fun of the Maleny Street Party in Maple Street. Music, buskers, food tastings and old fashioned novelty events will celebrate the end of the charity walk.

Penny Riddoch Photographics

A similar event, ‘The Montville Family Day Out’will be held the next day, in the charming village of Montville, popular for its cafes, restaurants and eclectic specialty shops.

The Sunshine Coast Hinterland area covers such diverse habitats as subtropical rainforest, open eucalypt forest, waterfalls and the spectacular Glasshouse Mountains. They range in degrees of challenge from easy to strenuous.

The walks descriptions are set out on the website, but to name a few:

The TrachyteWalk covers 5.7 kilometres in two hours in the shadow of Mount Tibrogargan volcanic plug. Trachyte, a spectacular type of volcanic rock, forms the Glasshouse Mountains. The track covers heath and openWoodlands, and then offers unique views of the mountains.

The Lake Baroon to KondalillaWalk in the national park follows Skene Creek through riparian rainforest, crossing bridges over palm and vine forested streams. There are dramatic views of the Gorge, Obi Obi Creek and Lake Baroon. The walk finishes at Kondalilla falls with a swim in
the natural rock pool (for the hardy!) after the four-five hour walk.

TheWildlifeWalk explores the Bellthorpe Forest old growth eucalypt, rainforest and creek cascades. Along the way of the seven-eight hour walk, visitors can expect to see kangaroos, wallabies, sugar gliders and reptiles.

Walk guide Susie Duncan is an expert in spotting wildlife as well as the endemic species.

The Montville Coffee Photographic Exhibition is expected to attract over 200 entries.

“Photographers love rainforest with its majestic trees, light filtering through the canopy, raging waterfalls and still pools,” said Richard.

The competition offers a $1000 first prize for adults and a digital frame for children.

Entries will be displayed at Flame Hill Winery at Montville. The top nine entries will have their photos printed and framed courtesy of Holden’s gallery and will be announced at the festival opening cocktail party at the winery on Friday 20th of August.

The festival will wrap up at the Mapleton Markets Street Party on Sunday August 29.

From 7:30 am to 2:30pm, the Village will come alive with market stalls, emerging performance artists and a bush poetry performance.

The Mapleton Markets have built a reputation for offering genuinely local produce and crafts. All food must be grown or created in the area by locals who live and work there.

The bush poetry event attracts well known performers from all over Australia regularly, including John Majors and Jackie Bridle. The audience will also be encouraged to contribute their own bush poetry and yarns.

“The festival is expected to attract large numbers of nature lovers and walkers,” said Richard. “As many of the walks have limited numbers we urge people to book early”.

Participants can join ‘Friends of the Festival of the Walks’ to register. Registration is $20 per person or $40 for unlimited Walks.

“Accommodation for the Festival is available in over 1800 beds in the many charming B & B’s, guesthouses, small hotels and private rentals on the range,” said Richard.

“The new Spicers at Clovelly Estate and Spicers Tamarind will be newly opened, so it’s a great launch party for those new properties”.

Visitors can find accommodation options and information at www.hinterlandtourism.com.au.

WHILE the walk includes three new walkers’ campgrounds and is intended as a four-day experience, it also provides the opportunity for a number of shorter walks as well.

When opening the walk in early July, the Acting Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability explained it was the sixth of the state’s great walks and declared “ they had left the best till last”.

While other great walks like those at Cooloola and the Blackall Range offer a diversity of experiences for the walker, the new Conondales walk brings with it decades of history of forestry, community and conservation involvement.

In 1966 Kenilworth scoutmaster, Ross Scott, door-knocked Kenilworth with a petition for a National Park in the Conondales, but, though unanimously supported locally (even by the local branch of the Country Party), it was shelved by the state government.

The Save the Conondale Range Committee was established in 1976 following the work of a number of young researchers who were more than impressed with the areas unique flora and fauna, most notably the Gastric Brooding frog Rheobatrachus silus.

There was great urgency in these early days as the lowland rain and vine forest around Little Yabba Creek was being cleared and the whole area was ear-marked for clearing to make way for pine plantations.

Now, more than four decades on, Ross Scott’s original National Park proposal has been more then realised with a large area of 35 500 hectares having been progressively declared. Sadly Rheobatrachus isn’t around to see it. The last one was sighted in the early 80s and is generally considered to be extinct, one of a number of victims of the introduced Chytrid fungus.

To wander the newly created trails is to walk back through time. The tree fern gullies and mountain creeks suggests links to our Gondwanan origins when such forests were far more widespread. They speak of our indigenous forebears heading up the waterways laying lobster traps as they went, for mountain lobster were highly prized.

Other sections speak more loudly of a forestry past. The walk out from Peters Creek, in particular, takes you past old log-loading ramps and giant stumps from, many of which have re-shot, and much of the walk utilises old forestry tracks, now being reclaimed by forest. While the views from the Mt Allan fire tower are spectacular, the walker is reminded that the tower is but one of a network (including the iconic Jimna Fire Tower) built to protect the forest estate from unplanned fires.

The walk will eventually include an on-site sculpture by internationally renowned artist Andy Goldsworthy who visited the area last November.

The 56 km four day walk includes three campgrounds with daily sections of between 11 & 17km. Bookings for the low-key campgrounds are necessary before commencing and can be made at www.derm.qld.gov.au/great-walks or by phoning 1300 130 372. Some shorter walks are also outlined on the map and other possibilities (like the 10.4 km round trip from Sunday Creek Road to Peter’s Falls) can be readily identified. Walkers are advised that rocks in the creeks in the Conondales become very slippery when wet.

Ian Mackay has been President of the Conondale Range Committee for “quite a long time” and last year was made a life member of the Sunshine Coast Environment Council

Image this page by Arkin Mackay – www.stoppress.com.au

Saurday August 14 – MICMACS

(France) M – Comic Fable – 105mins

From the quirky, crazy mind of French filmmaker Jean-Pierre Jeunet (Delicatessen, Amélie) comes Micmacs, the story of a man named Bazil who sets out with his newly found misfit friends to destroy two big weapons manufacturers.

This film is reminiscent of Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin . It will be unforgettable for anyone who likes this style of whimsical action-packed comedy. Though it has a serious theme -war, killing and armaments -the atmosphere is upbeat and you never lose hope that the good guys will win. For the most part, goodness, innocence and friendship win the day. Visuals and plot are clever and astonishing. Micmacs is a wild ride.

Saturday August 28 – SOUL KITCHEN

(Germany) – MAComedy/Drama – 110mins

Fatih Akim’s latest film, Soul Kitchen (winner Special Jury Prize, Venice Film Festival 2009) follows the fortunes of the energetic and likeable Zinos, owner of greasy-spoon Hamburg restaurant “Soul Kitchen”, who is down on his luck. His girlfriend Nadine has moved to Shanghai, his customers are boycotting the new gourmet chef, and he’s having back trouble. Things start looking up when the hip crowd embraces his revamped culinary concept, but he decides he must fly to China to see Nadine, and this means leaving the restaurant in the hands of his unreliable ex-con brother. In this film, made with flair and a great deal of fun, we see a melting-pot of characters coming together, forgiving each other’s flaws, and partaking of the sensual pleasures of food, sex and music.

The Nambour Museum in Mitchell Street is celebrating 100 years of the Wimmers Cordial Factory. The history of many other past Nambour businesses will also be on display. Penneys, Bayards, the Nambour Wax Factory, the Moreton Central Sugar Mill, Collins Café will surely evoke memories from past residents.

The Museum’s special open day is on Saturday 15 May from 10 am to 4 pm.

Admission of $5 for adults and $1 for children includes morning or afternoon tea. The display will also be open on following Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1–4 pm. Fay (5441 2083) will open the museum at any time for group bookings. Phone 5441 2083 for further information.

National Archeaology Week aims to increase public awareness of Australian archeaology and to promote the importance of protecting Australia’s unique archeaological heritage. Held from the 16th to the 22nd of May 2010, this exciting nationwide program of events and activities will include public lectures, seminars, exhibits, demonstration excavations and displays.

Panorama 1880s - Cootharaba mill settlement, circa 1880s. Photo courtesy of Queensland Women's Historical Society.

THE REMAINS of one of the Sunshine Coast’s earliest European settlements lie hidden amongst the trees south of Cooloola in the Great Sandy National Park.

The Cootharaba sawmill and its surrounding settlement existed from 1869 until 1892 generating huge amounts of timber for the housing and construction boom of the late 19th century Brisbane.

Over 100 workers and their families resided on the shores of Lake Cootharaba at what is now known as Mill Point. Archeaologists from the University of Queensland have been investigating the site for more than five years and have discovered interesting insights into the ways that the families lived their everyday lives at this frontier settlement.

You are welcome to join UQ archeaologists on a free guided walk of the site and learn about its history and archeaology. Meet at 1:00pm on Sunday 16 May at the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Elanda Point office, Cooloola section, Great Sandy National Park, 5km north of Boreen Point.

Remains of a chimney at the site of the 19th century Cootharaba mill propietors house, and a lter 20th century farmhouse, Mill Point, Great Sandy National Park.

Remains of ceramic plates and cups from the Cootharaba mill residents recovered by archeaologists at the Mill Point Settlement Site.

Discover your community heritage

You’re invited to come along to a presentation about community heritage by Cultural Heritage Consultant Steve Chaddock at Maleny RSL Hall on Tuesday May 18 from 1pm.

Steve will cover the history of local State Heritage listed Pattemore House, a lowset timber dwelling constructed of Beech in 1907, and consider how new information might help shape the future of this important dairy farming residence.

For more details about these and other events visit www.archeaologyweek.com

Bankfoot House, as it looked at the turn of the 20th century.

A FASCINATING range of historic items will be on display in the grounds of Bankfoot House on Sunday April 18 for the Sunshine Coast Heritage Festival. There will will antiques, works of art, vintage cars, restored furniture, old photos and books, as well as firearms, old radios and agricultural machinery.

The Grigor family clan will gather at Bankfoot House which was their family home for five generations until it was left to the Sunshine Coast Regional Council in 2002.

The Bankfoot House pianola has undergone a major overhaul and cleaning by a local pianola tuner. He has taken care not to alter the patina of this 80 year old instrument. This work is being undertaken through the generosity of Heather Gowen.

On a practical level there will be native plants on sale and a period cooking demonstration by Linda Nelson. A period costume competition encourages visitors to come in their bustles and frock coats – any clothing suitable to the period 1868-1938.

There will be guided tours of Bankfoot House during the day, revealing the many changes of this original coaching station.

Coaching day memorabilia is on display at the Australian Teamsters Hall of Fame – across the road from Bankfoot House – and also used for parking. Steve Ralph will have traditional tea and damper available.

Glass House Rotary will provide catering in the grounds of Bankfoot House which is at 1998 Gympie Road, Glasshouse Mountains. Ph: (07) 5493 0197
Website: www.bankfoothouse.org
Email: friends@bankfoothouse.org

A couple of years ago Pam Walker of the Community Centre committee asked Norm if he would support the fundraising campaign to renovate the Centre. Not wanting to simply sign a cheque he thought about what he could do personally for the building he regards as “the heart of our
town”. With some like-minded people he came up with the idea of staging an evening of Bowl, Feast and Frolic in which a personal food bowl is the central feature.

Norm takes up his own story: “The people come to the hall. It will be an event based on Oliver Twist holding out his food bowl to ask for more. The Maleny Players will stage songs from Oliver the musical like Food Glorious Food and there will be some form of rollicking frolic later in the
evening. The caterer, Sacred Chef, will produce a three course meal – canapés, a one bowl main dish and dessert.”

Norm’s astonishing input is to make more than 250 individually designed and glazed bowls, all separately numbered on the base. His large kiln behind his home in Maleny has been working overtime during the past year as he has thrown, fired and glazed each of these 250 stoneware bowls.

“After the canapés, the bowls will be unveiled”, says Norm, “and people will select one from the
250 and collect their food. The menu takes into account gluten free, vegetarian and other
specialised food requirements.

“At the end of the night you take your bowl home and its number will be recorded against
your name.”

Norm’s long term focus on the ‘bowl project’ is typical of a man who at 74 still admits to a passionate temperament. While a young art teacher in Wollongong Norm discovered the joys of pottery.

“I tend to become enthusiastic then passionate about things, and I began my long romance with clay in 1964 in Wollongong. I built myself a kiln, then a kick wheel and I put it into our lounge room. ”

Norm spent 18 years teaching in Canberra and his passion for pottery continued. He was a teacher in the day time, fitting in his pottery at nights and weekends. He built a huge pottery kiln and exhibited his creations in a number of ACT galleries.

“I was a deputy principal of a high school in Canberra, but I developed hearing loss so they
retired me. Robin and I used to come up to Flaxton to see Robin’s aunt in the 1980s and during one visit we saw a pottery and tea rooms in Montville, next to Misty’s. We bought it and turned it into the Eureka Pottery and Craft Gallery. It’s not there any more.

“I have enjoyed building on my knowledge and techniques of pottery, but I’ve never had any formal pottery lessons. I think I’m a specialist in firing pots. I think the throwing is easy, but it’s getting the whole thing fired and to a stage where you’re happy with the whole presentation; that is a challenge”.

The MCU’s ‘Bowl, Feast and Frolic event will be staged on May 15 at 6pm at the Maleny Community Centre and the fundraiser cost will cost $75 a ticket. The aim is to sell 200 tickets in advance, and if guests want to buy an extra bowl, Norm says there will be a limited number for sale at $50 each on the night.

If you want a beautifully-designed stoneware bowl as a memento of your support for the next stage of renovations for the Maleny Community Centre, book one of the 200 seats at Bowl, Feast and Frolic.
Tickets from the Maleny Bowerbird, Maple St, Maleny.