Time is up for the old Boonah town clock, which is being revamped by internationally-renowned sculptor Christopher Trotter as part of the Council’s new Public Art and Collections Policy.
The Council has adopted a new framework policy for public art installations within the Scenic Rim.
The Boonah town clock will be reborn as the Blumbergville Clock in the first project undertaken as part of the new policy.
Boonah resident, Christopher Trotter, and local clockmaker, David Bland, will construct a clock from scrap metal and other discarded items.
It’s just another day in the office for Trotter, who is behind some of Queensland’s most recognizable public artworks. His stock in trade is to turn other people’s junk into works of art.
Residents have been encouraged to contribute items to the new clock. (more…)
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Archive for the ‘Local Characters’ Category
Time is up for town clock
Tuesday, December 4th, 2012
Big crowds enjoy celebration of Scenic Rim produce
Monday, July 2nd, 2012
The second-annual Eat Local Week event was a great success, with big crowds reported for the range of events.
Visitors travelled from Brisbane, Toowoomba, the Gold Coast and from around the region to enjoy the activities which focused on supporting local food producers.
The week culminated in the FEAST Celebration Dinner on Saturday night. The dinner attracted more than 200 people and was attended by State Minister for Agriculture, the Honorable John McVeigh.
Queensland Food Fellow, Alison Alexander, also attended the dinner, along with Mayor John Brent, local councilors and residents from around the region.
The dinner featured a menu made almost entirely from ingredients produced in the Scenic Rim.
The live entertainment was performed by Scenic Rim musicians and the room was themed and styled by locals – including wall murals by students from the Aratula State School.
Good crowds were reported to most Eat Local Week Events.
The Robotic Dairy at Tamrookum was a big success, particularly with children. (more…)
Buying blonde makes good sense
Thursday, June 21st, 2012
When most people select beef they are concerned only with cut and price.
But cattle breeder Matthew Arkinstall of Rathdowney Blondes relies heavily on science to choose his beasts.
Matthew and his family raise a breed of cattle called Blonde d’Aquitaine on their Rathdowney property.
The breed hails from Europe and produces a fine-textured meat, with very little fat, which means customers get more meat for their dollar.
But not only is the meat supply plentiful, the breed is also very efficient – that is each cow requires less feed to produce more meat.
And you don’t have to take Matthew’s word for it … he has the scientific results to back it up.
After school Matthew studied Information Technology at university. After uni Matthew returned to the family farm and about two years ago he used his computer skills to design a computer program and camera set-up which scientifically records just how efficient the blondes are. (more…)
Mayor opens new Binna Burra Sky Lodges
Saturday, May 26th, 2012
Mayor John Brent opened the new $12-million Sky Lodges development at Binna Burra this month, marking a new direction for the historic hinterland retreat.
The opening comes nearly 80 years after tourism pioneers Arthur Groom and Romeo Lahey first invited guests to stay at their Binna Burra Lodge.
Members from the Groom and Lahey family attended the opening, as did LNP member for Beaduesert Jon Krause and Yugambeh Aboriginal Elder Aunty Ruby Rose.
The Sky Lodges development remains true to the founder’s original vision to introduce visitors to the wonders of the Lamington National Park, however it makes that introduction in a very modern way.
Guest comfort was upper-most on the minds of the Binna Burra board and the project architects, dm2 architecture when they designed the 20 Sky Lodges, which offer a stylish and contemporary alternative to Binna Burra’s traditional cabins.
Perched on the side of a mountain with stunning north-facing views across Coomera and Numinbah Valleys, the Sky Lodges are fully self-contained and have been finished to the highest of standards.
Ann Neal, the granddaughter of Romeo Lahey is the only surviving member of the first Christmas Camp, held by Romeo and Arthur in 1933. She joined Arthur Groom’s son Richard at the Sky Lodges opening. About 220 people attended the opening, before enjoying lunch on the Coomera Terrace. (more…)
The Drumley Walk to honour indigenous elders
Tuesday, April 24th, 2012
The Drumley Walk to honour the Aboriginal Elders of yesteryear has been split into three, shorter walks to be conducted over a three-day period, beginning in Beaudesert and finishing in Southport.
The walk follows the footsteps of Billy Drumley, who regularly walked from Beaudesert to Southport to visit his younger sister Jenny Graham and her large family, during the 1930s and 40s.
This year the walk headlines The Drumley Walk Arts Dinner, which will be held on Friday May 4 at The Centre Beaudesert.
The Arts Dinner will feature performances by internationally-acclaimed acts David Page and William Barton.
The first walk will leave Beaudesert on Saturday May 5.
Two walks are available, a 4km or a 17km walk. On Sunday May 6, visitors can join the 5km Drumley Walk and on Monday, May 7 the final leg of The Drumley Walk will be held in Southport. (more…)
High tea and high notes
Monday, March 5th, 2012
Visitors to Zengarra Country House near Boonah can now enjoy a private recital of light classical and romantic music while they enjoy a homemade afternoon High Tea.
Zengarra owners, Christine and Mike Leah, are renowned for providing visitors with experiences to remember.
Christine is a classically-trained musician who has played at international venues in Hong Kong, Australia and Europe, including The Royal Albert Hall.
Their newest promotion will see you relaxing on their decks overlooking the Scenic Rim, while Christine plays the Korogi Concert Marimba.
It’s an ideal outing for small clubs and interest groups, birthdays and family gatherings.
A homemade afternoon High Tea will be served, featuring traditional English delights such as beribboned cucumber sandwiches, Fortnum & Mason teas and delicious savouries and small cakes, all produced from the finest ingredients at Zengarra. (more…)
Scenic Rim operators in the news
Tuesday, November 29th, 2011
Scenic Rim tourism operators have been in the news recently, promoting the fabulous experiences they offer visitors.
Pam and Doug Hardgrave and their Lillydale Farmstay were featured in the Sunday Mail as part of the Tourism Queensland Pledge promotion.
The Sunday Mail is Queensland’s biggest circulating newspaper and the coverage celebrated the Hardgrave’s achievements and the unique experience they offer holidaymakers.
A newer operator, Tim Scarisbrick and his EcoSafaris Queensland, were recently featured on Queensland Weekender. Tim conducts boutique tours of the Scenic Rim. He offers a home pick-up service and says his wine and food tours are proving very popular. Queensland Weekender featured a tour which took in Queen Mary Falls, Spring Creek Mountain Cafe, Destiny Boonah’s Eco Tour and a glass of Australian champagne at sunset.
National Geographic China recently asked Tim to take them on a tour of the Scenic Rim. Watch the National Geographic video now.
Albert River Wines, Wallaby Ridge Retreat and Balloon Hot Air were all featured in a travel piece which ran in the Gold Coast Bulletin’s Paradise Magazine.
Something to crow about
Thursday, September 29th, 2011
Last year's Festival winner.
Tamborine Mountain’s population will jump this month, when some rather prickly visitors move into town.
The annual Tamborine Mountain Scarecrow Festival is on from October 14 to 16 and will feature a small army of scarecrows.
The Festival has been running since 2008 and provides great entertainment for families and lovers of scarecrows.
Explore the scarecrow trail and enjoy the Mountain’s charming cafes, craft and antique shops, art galleries and wineries.
Book into some local accommodation and make a weekend of it.
Prizes for the best scarecrows will be awarded and all entrants will be out in their scarecrow best on the Scarecrow Trail which stretches across the Mountain.
The scarecrows will be out on the trail by noon Friday October 14 and entertainment will be on in Main Street on Saturday and in Gallery Walk on Sunday.
Source a map of the Scarecrow Trail here Find out more about the Festival here.
Michael stars in UK TV series
Tuesday, March 29th, 2011
Multi award-winning Tamborine Mountain distiller, Michael Ward, will star in a 13-part series set to air on ITV1 in the UK.
The series, featuring Poms living in Australia, will be seen by up to 12 million people in England, during May.
Michael and his wife Alla run the very popular Tamborine Mountain Distillery and their exotic creations, which feature Australian native produce, have won many international awards.
Filming for Michael’s TV appearance is already underway and will focus on the life he has carved out for himself in the Scenic Rim.
Michael moved to Australia in 1964, initially establishing himself as a property developer in Tasmania.
He moved to Tamborine Mountain in 1992 and has been there ever since.
Filming took place on the Mountain and in Sydney, where TM Distillery has more than 60 customers.
* Image courtesy of the Tamborine Times
Volunteers take Canungra to Oprah
Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011
Oprah fever has hit the Canungra Visitor Information Centre.
Three of the VIC’s longest-serving volunteers were given free tickets to see Oprah’s Aussie shows in Sydney.
Wearing their Scenic Rim t-shirts and hats, Carol Mahony, Gina Firth and Vivienne Rowe made the trip south to see the American television star make her small screen magic.
The women have been volunteering at the information centre for 10 years, nine years and seven years respectively.
Tourism Queensland offered them the tickets in recognition of their dedication to the local tourism industry.
(more…)