Sunshine Valley Gazette

Vaughan Jones’ pinball business was in good shape but its position is untenable without the cinema. by Janine Hill THE pending closure of Nambour’s Majestic Cinemas means the Sunshine Coast’s only pinball arcade will also fall as collateral damage. Sunshine Coast Pinball, which is next to the cinema in the C-Square complex, will trade through Easter with the Majestic before owner Vaughan Jones shuts up shop. Vaughan knew the future was uncertain for his business when it was announced in February that Majestic Cinemas had entered voluntary administration.  For six weeks, he had hoped that the Nambour cinemas would remain open but news of the closure forced his hand. “I’m okay, however, it’s been a bruising and crushing week or two, and it’s not been any easier in the last week, that’s for sure,” he said. “I’ve been in a position of uncertainty where you’re desperate for some news, one way or other, but then reality is hitting you and you realise it’s the thing you expected all along.” Vaughan said times had been tough and would have been made more difficult by a planned refurbishment of the centre even though the business had been in a good position. “It was challenging but my business was trimmed up really well. It was ready to capture the next busy period. I […]

Majestic Cinema Nambour in better times.Photo credit: Mike Korsos – Korsos Photography by Janine Hill SIX WEEKS after Majestic Cinemas went into voluntary administration, the company has announced it will close its Nambour venue. The company CEO, Kieran Dell, had been hopeful of re-negotiating rents with landlords to retain as many of the Majestic cinemas as possible but planned work at the C-Square building thwarted his hopes of hanging on to Nambour. “Unfortunately, our current administration process coincides with plans for an impending major refurbishment of the C-Square building, and as a result, it makes sense for us to close our doors at this time,” said a Majestic Cinemas statement. The cinema will remain open for the Easter break and school holidays but will cease trading on 14 April. The closure comes despite a call by community members, such as Sunshine Coast councillor David Law, for people to go to the movies to save the cinema. In the same week that the closure was announced, members of the public posted online that there were only one or two people seated at some screenings. The numbers were poor despite tickets being competitively priced compared to Event Cinemas at Maroochydore, the nearest

The precinct, between Nambour Connection Road and the Bruce Highway,  is labelled ‘Nambour Woombye District Sports Park’ on Google Maps. by Janine Hill ABOUT 200ha of land bought by the Sunshine Coast Council for hinterland sports facilities remains unused while clubs look for ovals and courts. Ten years ago, the council announced it had bought 100ha of land in two parcels fronting Diddillibah Road, Woombye, to meet the sporting and recreational needs of the growing population in the Nambour, Woombye and Palmwoods areas. However, former councillors Jenny Mackay and Greg Rogerson, who were both on council at the time of the Woombye purchase, are wondering when that land will be used for its intended purpose. The council did not provide a timeframe for the Bli Bli or Woombye sports faciltiies when the Gazette submitted an enquiry, instead offering the following statement by a spokesperson: “These parcels of land were purchased by Council for $2.28 million for future sport and recreation purposes.  Council is investigating the feasibility and costs of developing the sites.” Fields would relieve pressure Ms Mackay, former president of the Sunshine Coast Show Society, said the Woombye sports grounds were needed to take some of the pressure off

President Rowan O’Hara says show patronage is on track to beat numbers not seen for more than 30 years by Janine Hill THE Sunshine Coast Show has become so successful it verges on outgrowing the Nambour showgrounds. Sunshine Coast Show Society president Rowan O’Hara said in the last six years, show attendance had grown 92% to almost 36,000. Mr O’Hara said patronage was on track to beat numbers not seen for more than 30 years when a house-and-land package was given away in a 1990s show promotion. “That was probably the last year they had 40,000 people at the show and we’re probably set to hit that mark this year, all going well,” he said. He put the show’s success down to the good work of a strong committee. “I have a very good committee that are very much driven to put on the best product that we can achieve, and it’s all volunteers apart from a couple of paid positions,” he said. He said the Sunshine Coast Show was now the fourth largest and biggest show in Queensland and brought $4 million into the region, “all in a ground that’s smaller than most country shows”. Mr O’Hara used a

‘The Bank Manager’ stars Gyton Grantly. lickerfest, renowned as Australia’s premier short film festival, marks its 33rd year with a showcase at Majestic Cinemas in Nambour on the 22nd and 23rd of March at 7 PM. Celebrated for its Academy® Qualifying and BAFTA Recognised status, the festival brings a selection from over 3,400 entries, providing audiences with a glimpse into some of the world’s most compelling short films, fresh from their Bondi festival premieres. The festival’s National Tour is set to captivate Nambour film enthusiasts with the ‘Best of International Shorts’ on Friday, featuring an array of globally-inspired tales. Notable screenings include the UK’s heartfelt drama ‘My Week With Maisy’, starring Joanna Lumley, and ‘Last Days Of Summer’ from the Himalayas, a film that entwines mystery with youthful curiosity. Ireland contributes ‘Clodagh’, a story of exceptional talent that disrupts the monotonous life of a priest’s housekeeper. Saturday’s ‘Best of Australian Shorts’ programme pays tribute to local talent and cultural narratives. Standouts include ‘Cold Water’, a poignant film interspersed with humour and led by the iconic Bruce Spence. Comedy enthusiasts can look forward to ‘Ashes’, showcasing the genius of Michael Caton and Michala Banas, and the Queensland-based ‘The Bank Manager’, featuring

Dean Hartley said a safe parking area, where people living in their car could camp and have a shower was desperately needed. by Janine Hill EIGHTEEN months ago, Dean Hartley had a job and a roof over his head.  Now he lives in a tent and survives on sausage sizzles, church burger nights, food hampers and whatever else he might be offered by a passer-by. Dean, 57, is one of the homeless folk in the Nambour area who have been campaigning for disused buildings to be turned over as shelter and for the provision of safe parking for those living in their cars. Dean became homeless when working as a cleaner when 13 hours a day became too much and he threw in his job. “The cleaning just got too busy – six days a week,” he said. He had been living on a boat for $200 a week because renting a room had been too expensive. But he realised he could not keep that up without a job. “I was sleeping in my car for a while. It’s probably been a year in the tent.” While homeless, he has written two books which he said he had been tasked

Watching Venus Axiax bowl are Peter Cole, Peter Nixon, Gerry Peterson & Robyn Perren. by Janine Hill “HUMP day” might be a little easier for Nambour’s workforce to take next month. The Nambour Bowls Club has organised Business Bowls Challenge in April for workers to have some fun and to promote the club. The challenge will run over four Wednesdays – the 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th – from 6-7pm, finishing up with a sausage sizzle each night. The challenge is open to up to 24 teams of four, who can be workmates, friends or family representing a business. To keep the match-ups fair, registered bowlers are not allowed in the challenge. Entry is $12 per person, per week, with no experience necessary. Bowlers must wear flat-soled shoes, runners or go barefoot, and team shirts are encouraged but not essential. Organiser Peter Nixon said the short, sharp sessions were designed to be a bit of fun after work without taking too much time out of the week. “I’ve been involved with bowls a long time and if you have it too long, it becomes too much of a commitment,” he said. Peter said the business challenge was one way the

by Janine Hill DIVISION 10 candidate Peter Walsh appeared to have snared division 10 from councillor David Law in the primary vote but did not like his chance of hanging on after the allocation of preferences. Mr Walsh said he might still “jag it” but believed preferences from Greens candidate Sue Etheridge would favour Cr Law. Mr Walsh was sitting on 35.98% versus Cr Law on 33.64% as of yesterday. Ms Etheridge achieved 16.70% of the vote while retired medic and homeless advocate Camillo Primavera had won 13.68%. Although he was ahead in the primary vote, Mr Walsh believed he would be “rolled” by Cr Law in the distribution of preferences. “I might pick up some second preferences but not as many as David is going to get,” he said. Cr Law was not ready to jump to conclusions. ‘Community’ versus ‘back to basics’  “The result is too close to call at the moment,” said Cr Law. “This will now come down to preferences.  “I’m very grateful to my incredible team of volunteers who spread their positivity and kindness across this election process.” Cr Law painted the contest for Division 10 as a clear choice between “creating community”, with himself,

Cr David Law has worked hard to push the Nambour Special Entertainment Precinct and Nambour Place Plan. DIVISION 10 councillor David Law keeps a tall jar full of ribbons on his desk. The ribbons were tied on a construction fence at the Nambour Aquatic Centre when work was about to begin on a new carpark soon after he was elected to council in 2020. To try and gauge public support for saving large fig trees that were to be removed for the carpark, the new councillor tied a ribbon to the fence on a Friday afternoon and invited others to do the same. “When I met with the council staff on the Monday morning, the fence was a sea of ribbons and colours and it was remarkable,” he told a Nambour Chamber of Commerce meet the candidates event. “The plans were re-drawn and six of the eight trees were saved and we still got all the new parking spaces. He has kept the ribbons as a reminder of “what community consultation looks like, feels like, and that is what the result is when you do it well and you truly engage with your community.” Cr Law said he made two

The Vogue in the late 1950s or early 1960s. It later became a Dimmeys store until 2019. Currie Street’s The Vogue Theatre is poised for a grand revival, transforming from its original cinema glory into a bustling music and entertainment hub.  Closed in the 1980s and later becoming a Dimmeys store until 2019, the iconic venue is about to embark on a new chapter that blends nostalgia with modern innovation. Owner  Trent Laing and renovator Dean Carlile, have meticulously restored The Vogue back to its 1950s splendor, complete with chandeliers and vintage fittings.  Yet, cutting-edge audio technology ensures a modern experience for audiences. The transition from movie theatre to a vibrant entertainment venue marks a significant shift, aiming to inject life back into Nambour’s evening CBD offerings. The Vogue’s historical significance is undeniable. Originally built in 1947 on a different site it became known as ‘The Tin Shed’. The current building was inaugurated in 1958, heralding a new era for Nambour entertainment. With a capacity to host over a thousand patrons, it was the town’s cultural focal point. Scheduled to reopen on Saturday, March 9 with a blues night, Mr Lang wants The Vogue to become one of the premier