What’s On: Coming up soon in the Hinterland

Maleny artist Lara Cooper is looking forward to opening his studio doors in 2024.

How to join Open Studios  

Time is running out for established and emerging artists as well as passionate hobbyists who would like to be a part of one of the Sunshine Coast’s biggest art events – Open Studios 2024 (May 18 – 26).

Organised annually by not-for profit organisation Arts Connect Inc (ACI) since 2010, registrations are open until February 2 for both first time and returning artists to join the event.

Maleny artist Lara Cooper is a contemporary painter in oil and watercolour, who produces work based on the observation of beauty and simplicity of real life.

“Last year I opened my studio space to the public for the first time, which was a brave move–because like a lot of artists, I’m actually quite private and my art space is sacred to me. But fortunately for the visitors I also like to share my art,” said Lara.

Coastal venues will be open on May 17 and 18, Hinterland venues open on May 24 and 25, with workshops and exhibitions taking place on the weekdays in between.

Contact the Open Studios Co-ordinator Lea Parkes via email openstudios@artsconnectinc.com.au or go to www.openstudiossunshinecoast.com.au.

Mapleton Book lovers gather on Valentines Day

Lovers of Books is an annual event that began in 2013 and is held by the Mapleton Library in the Library and Community Centre. It coincides with Valentine’s Day, February 14, and the timing of 5.30pm – 7.30pm is deliberate, with the intention that people can go on to dinner or have a drink afterwards at one of the Blackall Range’s lovely restaurants or pubs.

Lovers of Books celebrates books written and illustrated by local authors who live on the Sunshine Coast and its Hinterland.

Our speakers this year are: Patty Beecham, Fiona Lawley, Kerryn Lawley, Peta Miller, Lillian Muchiri, and Dr Sarah Pye who have all written quite diverse books from children’s books to historical novels to memoirs.

Organisers would love to see you there – www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1160437. $10 per person includes a plate of finger food. An entrée before you head out for dinner.

New Tai Chi Classes Starting 2024

Make a healthy start to the new year with Tai Chi. Benefits include stress-reduction, pain relief, and improved balance, flexibility and overall health.

New introductory courses will be starting in Nambour on Wednesdays from 9-10am, starting 31 January at the Nambour Uniting Church Hall, 37 Coronation Ave. The courses are being offered by the Taoist Tai Chi Society.  

The courses will run weekly for approximately 3 to 4 months. The first session is obligation free.  The sessions are designed for brand new beginners and are open to all ages and health conditions. Email sunshinecoast@taoisttaichi.org, or phone 1800 108 801.

Join Wilvos 

Join Wilvos as a carer, transporter or hotline volunteer. Volunteers work from home, making a big difference for our little Aussie mates.  Wilvos provides free educative talks to groups, schools and retirement villages. Please contact Roslyn for talks: awareness@wilvos.org.au To register for training workshops, please contact Sylvia: membership@wilvos.org.au .

Montville citizens to be honoured on Australia Day

Montville Village Association will celebrate  Australia Day on Friday 26 January in true village style at Montville Village Hall.  A welcome and acknowledgement of traditional owners (at the flag poles outside at the hall entrance) will be followed by the national anthem sung by Mapleton Choir and a flag-raising by Montville State School Captains Paul Linder and Jessica Fitzgerald.

Then there will be a formal ceremony in the hall and introduction of guest speaker  Wayne Parcell. Mr Parcell will also Present a Montville Citizen of the Year Award and a Montville Lifetime Award.

Kenilworth ArtsFest returns in May

The Kenilworth ArtsFest is on from May 17 to 19 at Kenilworth Hall and Showgrounds. The ArtsFest this year is a satellite event on the GOURMay Mary Valley Food Festival Calendar.

For artists, there will be a specialty prize of $2000 for a 2D work featuring any aspect of Mary Valley food or process.

This could be still life, landscape, dairy cows, goats, camels. It just has to be food-related.

On Sunday 19 May, in conjunction with the Kenilworth Chamber of Commerce, there will be a Family Fun Day with lots of free activities and entertainment at Kenilworth Showgrounds. Try your hand at damper making in the “Camper Damper Competition”. No entry fees for this but there is a prize!

For information contact shirleymoreland@bigpond.com.

Live@the Chapel

Live@the Chapel Nambour returns on Saturday February 3, from 6pm to 8pm with special guests Darin Browne, Erick Buma & Friends. A special night of encouraging music & singing with a host of family & friends joining the two best mates, Darin & Erick, on stage.

Entry is free. Donations accepted to support the artists. Drinks & nibbles available to purchase. Bring your dancing shoes to Ignite Christian Church, 29 Short St, Nambour. Phone 0412 747 315 for info. 

Blues Legend at Eudlo Hall

You can be “Alone in Bad Company” on Saturday night February 3, when Eudlo Hall hosts legendary Australian blues guitarist and song-writer Jeff Lang for the first time. That of course is the name of his most recent album.  

Lang has produced more than 25 albums so far in his career which has included collaborations with the likes of roving guitar anthropologist Bob Brozman, American blues-rocker Chris Whitley, India’s desert-dwellers Maru Tarang and world music virtuosos Bobby Singh and Mamadou Diabate.

Eudlo Hall Association is so proud to be finally bringing Jeff Lang to Eudlo Hall after several attempts that were thwarted by Covid 19.  Doors open at 6.30pm.  

Tickets ($30) online at https://www.trybooking.com/CNJOA. Eudlo Hall volunteers will provide a bar and snacks as fundraiser for the Hall.

Workshop to help residents prepare for bad weather 

Hinterland residents are invited to a free EmergencyRedi™ Workshop offered by NRMA Insurance and Australian Red Cross at the Nambour Community Centre.

The event will take place at the centre at 2 Shearer Street on 31 January, 5.30pm to learn about local weather risks and how to prepare for an emergency.   

Workshop participants will learn about their risks and be equipped with the knowledge and tools to prepare for future emergencies. All attendees will build their own emergency RediPlan which includes key contacts, meeting places, animal plans, key documents, special items, medical information and stress management plans. All your vital information in one emergency plan.

To register visit nrma.com.au/helpnation.

What’s On Day by Day in the Hinterland …

January 

• January 26: Hinterland Aussie Day Expo 2024 returns to its previous full capacity format at the Maleny Showgrounds. Free event featuring around 50 community clubs and organisations at the Maleny Showgrounds.

• January 26: Montville Village Association celebrates Australia Day with awards and ceremony at Montville Village Hall.

• January 28: Sunshine Coast Friendship Force General Meeting with an Australiana theme at Mapleton Men’s Shed. Email info@ffsunshinecoast.org.au for details.

• January 28: 2pm-4pm. Hinterland Blues Juniors Sign-on Day at Property Lane Oval, Palmwoods. All ages and abilities welcome. Contact Trent Carter at 0439 754 316.

• January 28: Junior Crushers Rugby League Sign On Day from 10am-2pm at Crusher Park. Register to join all teams (mixed U6s – U12s inclusive, Girls U13s, U14s, U15s and U17s teams and Boys U13s – U17s teams). Head to juniorcrushers.com.au for more details.

• January 31: 5.30pm. Free EmergencyRedi™ Workshop at Nambour Community Centre, 2 Shearer Street, to learn about local weather risks and emergency preparation. Register at nrma.com.au/helpnation.

• From January 31: New Tai Chi classes in Nambour every Wednesday from 9-10am at Nambour Uniting Church Hall, 37 Coronation Ave. Email sunshinecoast@taoisttaichi.org or phone 1800 108 801.

February

• February 1-2: Matso’s Sunshine Coast officially opens with live music, DJs, and entertainment. This quirky venue offers a pet-friendly experience and plans for regular live music events.

• February 2: Friday Bingo 9:30-11:30am. Fun and laughs at the Mapleton Library and Community Centre. $12 includes a tasty morning tea. Phone 5445 7011 or email mapletonlibrary@gmail.com.

• February 2-11: “Tell Me on a Sunday” at The Black Box Theatre, Nambour. Bookings at 0415 421 045.

• February 3, 6pm-8pm: Live@the Chapel in Nambour with Darin Browne, Erick Buma & Friends. Free entry. Ignite Christian Church, 29 Short St. Phone 0412 747 315.

• February 3: Eudlo Hall hosts blues legend Jeff Lang at 6.30pm. Tickets ($30) at https://www.trybooking.com/CNJOA. This intimate performance in Eudlo will display Jeff’s fire for a return to the stage, where the alchemy happens in presence of friends.

• February 4: Maleny Anglican Church Contemplative Taize from 5pm: A simple and meditative time of contemplation with prayers, song-chants and restful silence in the tradition of the Taize community in France. In February we also celebrate St Brigid with the blessing of candles - bring your own special candle from home. Everyone welcome! 

• February 4, 11, 18, 25: Maleny Sunday Markets 

• February 5: Maleny Library Start Studying. How to take that first step to Uni 10 - 11:30am.

• February 7: Mapleton MADCA General Meeting.

• February 10: 7.30am - 11.30am Montville Market, Montville Village Green. Handcrafted treasures, fresh produce and tasty treats from our local growers and makers.   

• February 12: 10am-12noon: Maleny Library  Intro to Guitar: Making Music Together.

• February 14: Lovers of Books evening event, Mapleton Library and Community Centre.

• February 14: Montville Village Association Monthly General Meetings. Montville Village Hall, Memorial Close, Montville. 5.30pm for 6pm start - Division 5 Council Candidates will present with a Q&A.

• February 14: Anglican Churches in Montville and Maleny Ash Wednesday Services 8am Montville and 9.30am Maleny.

• February 14: 5pm St Mary’s Montville Anglican Church St Valentine’s Day Service – All married and committed couples are welcome to this service of renewal, affirmation and blessing.