There is new entertainment, live music, specialty children’s entertainers,new competitions

NEW HEADLINE ACTS this year include Eljay and his team of motor cycle and push bike trials doing extreme jumps and daredevil acts. The Crack Up Sisters are heading back to Maleny with new routines to suit the whole family.

On Friday night, Brisbane band, Golden Child will perform around the cattlemans bar, and on Saturday night you can catch Paul McKenna also performing live with his well known classic rock.

Some exciting news for all the kids, is that this year the Silly Billies are heading to the Show, on both days for some fantastic children’s entertainment and workshops. These guys are fast making a huge name for themselves in the children’s entertainment world, and it’s a tremendous thrill to have them attend our Show.

The main Showgrounds oval will play host to all of the magnificent horse events each day – one of the staples of the Maleny Show.

The entertainment oval will also be a place not to be missed with performances and events running on both days of the Show – everything from our celebrity cook off, shows of reptiles and snakes, whipcracking demonstrations, as well as comedy, camel rides, stunt bike shows, cheer leading, dancers, and the QLD Police pipes and drum band.

Don’t forget our Silly Billies workshops, and also our chats and displays with local producers where you can learn about a host of rural activities from alpacas to bee keeping.

The Maleny Show will always reflect the traditional aspects of rural life with activities that include working dog displays, guess the weight of the fat bullock, animal nursery, wood hops, fireworks and the ever popular rodeo.

The Show would not be the same without the buzz of sideshow alley. Big kids or small never fail to make their way to the fast and furious rides down side show alley.

The Ute Muster is on Saturday morning as well a Grand Parade each Day.

New to this year’s Show is our novice cookery judges competition, where anyone can join in on Friday, up in the main pavilion. Novice judges can try their hand at judging cakes and cookery under the expert guidance of our cookery experts. You never know, you might discover a hidden talent for picking a prize sponge cake.

Beef cattle displays and judging runs both days, as does the Dairy Pavilion, where you can get a real hands-on experience of how milking was done in the old days with the Nambour High School presenting their historical milking display. You can milk a cow by hand, separate the cream and make butter as well.

For those of you who feel you would like to dress up to come to the Show, there will be prizes on offer for fashions on the field.

The crowning of the 2013 Maleny Showgirl, Show Princess, and Rural Ambassador will take place before the Show on May 18 at the show dance in the Show Pavilion from 7.30pm till late with dancing and music by the Sunshine Swing Band.

The Maleny Show has always been a great opportunity for the community to come together, catch up, share stories and news and be proud of all that is great in our town and surrounding district. The Maleny Show Society is the largest volunteer group in town, and has been going strong since 1922.

That’s why the current committee want to continue to promote and display the best of our region’s agriculture and farming traditions. But they also see their role as encouraging newcomers and young people to get involved in their local Show; understand what it’s all about and why it’s a very important part of our community.

Membership of the Maleny Show Society is on sale now, via the printed Show schedule of events, or online at www.malenyshowsociety.org.au or phone the show office on 5494 2008 to ask for further details.

Lois White

Curt Svenson uses 200 year-old tools and techniques in traditional chair making

THREE VERY DIFFERENT master woodworkers will run WoodShed Workshops at this year’s Maleny wood Expo.

Maleny’s Donald Powell, an award-winning wood sculptor, will give a Wood-carving Workshop each day.

Don teaches extensively, contributes regularly to national wood magazines and received a Churchill Fellowship to study wood-carving teaching
methods in 1996.

A virtuoso carver, his work ranges from miniature to life size with a special affinity for realistically depicting figures, faces and wildlife.
Don’s “Pandora’s Box” took equal first in the inaugural Wootha Prize competition in 2004.

Another Maleny favourite, Richard Knight, will run several short Mortise and Tenon Workshops.

Richard’s introductions to this age-old technique can lead a creative woodworker anywhere and his sculptural art that doubles as functional rustic furniture is living proof.

He combines new ideas with age-old techniques – including humble mortise and tenon joinery.

Richard Knight even has youngsters queuing for his Mortise & Tenon workshops

Curt Swenson grew up in America’s Northeast surrounded by descendents of the original Pilgrims and Swedes – all furniture and house builders.

A woodworker from age 12, Curt progressed to crafting the traditional Windsor chairs that graced his surrounds using the techniques and tools that have been employed for over 200 years.

His workshops will teach the basics of chair construction. Students will take home the skills required to tackle construction of more advanced
chairs – as well as a traditional milking stool.

2013 marks Curt’s tenth year as a Maleny Wood Expo exhibitor – his favourite show – and to celebrate he has donated a beautiful Windsor chair
to the Wood Expo raffle.

For further information and to book into the WoodShed Workshops visit www.malenywoodexpo.org.au

Seven spindle Windsor
chair is 1st Prize in 2013
multi-draw Expo raffle

Promoting sustainable use of timber resources and concern for the ongoing availability of native timbers, dictates that wood exhibitors utilise only sustainably harvested native timbers, or weed or recycled timbers.

Although small by comparison to its big city woodshow cousins, the Expo continues to attract both exhibitors and visitors who appreciate the ethic, the space and the ‘country’ atmosphere of the Maleny event.

In 2012, more than 6,000 people flocked to the Expo in search of fine craftsmanship, original designs and a great day out in the hills.

As well as the ‘woodies’ – the furniture makers, sculptors, chainsaw carvers, mobile millers and sellers of cut timber – visitors can glimpse the skills of the timber cutters who ‘opened up’ the region, and catch up with the very best in both hand-crafted traditional and high tech tools.

There are plenty of activities for the kids, plants to purchase, environmental displays and more.

As Expo Coordinator, Steve McLeish, says “The Expo has something for everyone – whether you love wood or just want a great day out in a great place.”

“And when you’re ready for a break, pull up a hay bale, sit back, enjoy live music, street theatre and tasty food.”

The Barung Nursery moves to town for the weekend – walking the talk and encouraging visitors with even the smallest backyards to take home native plants and create habitat for our native fauna.

And last but definitely not least, the foodies and entertainers are gearing up to keep the visitors fed and happy. These artists will make sure that everyone – from small children to grandparents – has a day to remember at the 2013 Maleny Wood Expo.

The Maleny Wood Expo is supported by Tourism and Events Queensland’s Regional Development Program as part of a growing calendar of events throughout the state.

For full program: www.malenywoodexpo.org.au

Jeff Willis, (seen below with his wife, Jill), owner of Sunline Alpacas at Palmwoods, said: “Alpacas are really interesting animals and not many people have had the chance to get up close and interact with them. It’s amazing how many people fall in love with alpacas once they get to know them.

“We’re inviting everyone from the Sunshine Coast and its hinterland to come along, “Pat a ‘Paca” and learn all about the animal’s really interesting history and the importance of its fleece.”

There will be plenty of alpacas to pat, and there will be fleeces available for the home spinners to purchase,

plus some farms have alpaca products for sale. Information and advice is free.

National Alpaca Week 2012 is an educational initiative of the Australian Alpaca Association.

It aims to demystify the alpaca and to educate the wider community about the luxuriousness of alpaca fleece.

There are three farms open to the public on Saturday and Sunday, 12-13, and Sunday 19 May between 10am and 4 pm, with some opening between these dates.

Phone the individual farms for more exact information on opening times.

National Alpaca Week

Saturday, Sunday May 12-13 Sunday May 19

Farms open on the Sunshine Coast:

MALENY - NATTAGINNI ALPACAS 75 Aplin Road, Maleny 5499 9590

PALMWOODS - SUNLINE ALPACAS 95 Jubilee Drive, Palmwoods 5445 0882 / 0412 061 911

TANAWHA - SAMAKIEN ALPACAS 762 Ilkley Road, Tanawha 5445 9592 / 0411 097 744

These lovers of timber and woodwork come from everywhere to soak up the wonderful world of wood. They come from Bundaberg and Byron, from Toowoomba and Tweed Heads, from the north, the south and the west.

Loaded with ideas they haul trailers to take home that perfect slab, burl, plank or piece of hand-crafted furniture.

Although the Expo is small by comparison to the big city wood shows, Maleny Wood Expo visitors just love the country atmosphere. The beautiful surroundings and the friendliness of the volunteers bring them back year after year for a great day out in the Hinterland’s hills.

In preparation for the weekend, woodcrafters across the coast and further are hard at it putting finishing touches to the pieces they exhibit so proudly to the many visitors.

They are slabbing, cutting, joining, polishing and burnishing timber for the myriad of pieces that will go on

show. From fine furniture to bbq settings, these woodworkers produce an extraordinary range of furniture, sculptural pieces, artworks, and everything else that can be fashioned from timber.

And the Wootha Prize finalists are also hard at work – vying for first place and the $2500 up on offer. Rapidly becoming a prestigious award, the Wootha Prize will form the feature exhibition on the Main Pavilion stage at the

2012 event. Don’t forget to cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award on offer for the first time this year.

And all of this woodwork is created from sustainably harvested native timbers, weed or recycled timbers in line with theExpo’s sustainability ethic and concern for ongoing availability of timber resources.

But it’s not only the woodworkers who are gearing up for the Expo. It’s also the local producers who display their gourmet goodies in the Taste Maleny Produce Store, and the businesses who share with Expo visitors tips on making their own homes more sustainable.

The Barung Nursery moves to town for the weekend – walking the talk and encouraging visitors with even the smallest backyards to take home native plants and create habitat for our native fauna. And displays by other groups will show just how much is being achieved across the region for our environment.

And last but definitely not least, the foodies and entertainers are gearing up to keep the visitors fed and happy. These artists will make sure that everyone – from small children to grandparents – has a day to remember at the 2012 Maleny Wood Expo.

For more information on the Wood Expo over the coming weeks visit www.malenywoodexpo.org.au

In Richard’s workshops, to be run serveral times over the weekend, participants will learn the age-old technique of making mortise and tenon joints. This workshop is suitable for beginners of all ages.

These one and half hour workshops are guaranteed to be fun as participants use very simple tools to produce a mallet, walking stick or paper towel holder.

Randy will share his love and knowledge of patinas and gilding on timber in his two hour workshops where he will introduce the basics of gilding on wood.

Sessions will include preparation of blanks, applications of glues and leaf, using chemicals to create patinas, incorporating different mediums to add texture, and finishing and stabilization of the gilding.

For further information on these workshops go to www.malenywoodexpo.org.au

Places in all workshops are limited and participants must book prior to the Expo weekend. If you would like to receive the full workshop program please contact Steve McLeish on 0428 674 335 or steve@malenywoodexpo.org.au

2011 Wootha Prize judges, Norm Richards, Ashley Sewell and John Whan with last year’s winner, Sandra Skodnik. Her winning entry (inset) is a hardcarved camphor laurel sculpture called Nature’s Design.

THANKS to the support of committed sponsors for the 2012 Wootha Prize, significant cash prize awards will be made to this year’s winners.

Forestry Plantations Queensland, Landcare Queensland and Wasabi Marketing, Maleny, have all committed increased prize monies for the Wootha Prize during this year’s Maleny Wood Expo.

A first prize of $2,500 is generously sponsored by Forestry Plantations Queensland, with Landcare Queensland offering a second prize of $750, and Wasabi Marketing, a third prize of $500.

A $500 People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Forestry Plantations Queensland, will be offered for the first time in 2012.

Judges will also nominate artists to receive the coveted Design Excellence and Craftsmanship Awards.

The Wootha Prize forms the feature exhibition at the annual Maleny Wood Expo, held at the Maleny Showgrounds in early May, and in the past has attracted entries from as far away as Western Australia.

The 2012 competition theme – “One Door” – is open to artistic interpretation, and entries may be contemporary or traditional in design. All works must be constructed of sustainably harvested Australian timbers, or recycled or weed timbers, and may incorporate other mediums.

The Maleny Wood Expo is also accepting applications from woodworkers interested in having a site at the 2012 event.

2012 Wootha Prize Application forms can be downloaded from http://www.malenywoodexpo.org.au

Both Wootha Prize and Exhibitor Application forms can be accessed by contacting Steve McLeish on 0428 674 335 or steve@malenywoodexpo.org.au

Applications for the 2012 Wootha Prize competition are due at the Barung Landcare office in Maleny by Friday 24 February.

Jacques Reymond “Jacques Reymond Melbourne”

MARTIN DUNCAN’S stunning Freestyle Escape outdoor cooking school, near to Dulong on the Sunshine Coast hinterland, has attracted a swag of celebrity chefs for 2012.

Freestyle’s class sizes ensure that each participant’s experience includes valuable one-on- one time with some of Australia’s most talented chefs.

Those chefs attracted by Martin (below right) to this wonderful culinary environment include Martin Boetz of Longrain in Sydney and Melbourne, Dominique Rizzo of Ready Steady Cook, Jacques Reymond of Jacques Reymond, Melbourne and Richard Cotton of Brewbakers, Brisbane.

Dominique Rizzo “Ready Steady Cook”

Martin’s specially designed outdoor undercover kitchen is just over one hour north of Brisbane and is set amidst rainforest where amazing birdsong can be heard throughout the day.

Part of each class involves strolling through the orchard with wonderful glimpses out over the beautiful backdrop of the Sunshine Coast.

Top Sydney chef Martin Boetz of Longrain will be in Queensland for only one day for his Thai food class.

As Martin says, “For lovers of Thai food this really will be an unforgettable culinary experience. You may well lock in Sunday 19 February 2012 as the day you ‘really’ did Thai.”

The Celebrity Chef series at Freestyle Escape was launched in 2010 with French chef Bruno Loubet, and Martin Duncan has since hosted many truly talented chefs -Adriano Zumbo, Matthew Kemp and Matt Wilkinson to name a few.

Martin Boetz “Longrain” - Sydney and Melbourne

Check out the list of chefs and their dates on the Freestyle Escape website: www.freestyleescape.com.au

Richard Cotton “Brewbakers, Brisbane

Although the honour is hotly contested, the most popular chef at Freestyle so far has been patissier extraordinaire Adriano Zumbo.

“I’m not quite sure if it was the lure of dessert or the lure of Adriano himself,” laughs Martin. “Even if we’d asked him to stay with us for a week, there still would’ve been a waiting list as long as my arm!” Freestyle Escape Cooking School presents Martin Boetz on Saturday, 19 February 2012.

Cost: $295 per person for a memorable experience including lunch with wine and morning/afternoon tea.(Tickets are strictly limited).

For bookings call 07 3262 3077 or purchase online at the website: www.freestyleescape.com.au

Tues 10 Jan: 7am Bush Walk – Baroon Pocket to Kondalilla Falls. Medium/Hard walk. 3.5 hrs/11 klms

Tues 17 Jan: 7am Bush Walk – Mapleton National Park – T3 track. Easy walk. 2.5 hrs/7 klms

Tues 24 Jan: 7am Bush Walk – Booloumba Falls to Booloumba Creek Day Use Area. Medium walk. 3 hrs/9 klms

Tues 31 Jan: 7am Bush Walk – North Arm to Eumundi. Easy walk. 2.5 hrs/7 klms

Tues 7 Feb: 7am Bush Walk – Kureelpa Falls. Medium walk. 3 hrs/8 klms

Tues 14 Feb: 7am Bush Walk – Mt Tinbeerwah. Medium walk. 2.5 hrs/7 klms

Tues 21 Feb: 7am Bush Walk – Chambers Gully Circuit. Easy walk. 3 hrs/7.5 klms

Tues 28 Feb: 7am Bush Walk – Baxter Lookout. Easy walk. 2 hrs/6 klms

Tues 6 Mar: 7am Bush Walk – Upper Cedar Creek. Hard walk. 3 hrs/7 klms

If you’d like to join us, free of charge, for any of our walks, just send an email to Mike at bushbeachwalkers@gmail.com for further information. Tuesday walks start by meeting at the Mapleton Tavern Carpark at 7am and finish with a coffee and chat at a local cafe. New walkers are always welcome.

In recent years Tom Keneally has taken to writing history, giving himself the task of producing a three-volume History of the Australian Peoples, entitled simply The Australians. This November sees the launch of the second volume: Australians: Eureka to The Diggers.

The book picks up from the aftermath of the Eureka Stockade in 1854 and follows the story of our nation through to World War One. With a novelist’s keen eye Keneally brings to life the vast range of characters who have formed our national story. During those sixty five years Australia became a nation but retained provincial objectives; it was independent but craftily subservient; built walls against Asia but nevertheless saw Asia kick down its door; made a legend out of bushrangers, industrial fights and brutal wars; honoured anti- authoritarianism, but saw no revolution arise; saw immigrants increase and Aboriginals diminish.

This was the nation of the larrikin and the emergent artist; of the prophetic and the hard- nosed; of radical oratory and ultimate respect for society’s structures. Suffusing it all was the idea that, although provincial, we were a special people; that although distant we were a society the world had much to learn from; that we were better than those who thought us crass, and that unleashed, we could show the world a thing or two.

Tom Keneally is rare amongst highly talented and successful authors. He is a passionate and entertaining speaker; always amusing and always surprising. Outspoken is delighted to be able to bring Tom Keneally to Maleny for a conversation with local author Steven Lang. Maleny Community Centre – 30th November, 6pm. $12/ $8 for students.

Bookings: Maleny Bookshop 5494 3666.