Model of yesteryear

Jim Cushing with the Palmwoods Memorial Hall model

BUILDING a scale model of the original Palmwoods Memorial Hall has turned out to be as fun as it was challenging for local residents Jim and Lyndal Cushing and Ray Knight.

For the past three weeks, the trio has been hammering, gluing and painting the realistic model which is to take centre stage on a float celebrating the Hall's 75th Anniversary, at this year's Sugar Festival parade in Nambour.

Jim and Ray have spent most of their spare time on construction while Jim's wife Lyndal has been painting in the detail and adding the finishing touches.

The model, based on photographs of the original hall, has a silver tin roof, brown plywood walls and an authentic hardwood floor and stage.

Measuring four feet wide by eight feet long, it is one tenth the size of the original hall.

"We have made only a few minor changes to make sure it is practical. For example, the original building's windows were grouped close together towards the stage, but we've evened that out to let in more light throughout," Jim said.

"We've also made the model taller to give it more useful room inside, but we've painted it to the correct proportions on the outside."

It will be raffled after being paraded through Nambour as the Palmwoods Progress Association's tribute to the hall's 75th anniversary. Tickets will be available at the Sugar Festival, and later in Palmwoods.

Jim, Ray and Lyndal hope the winner will put it to good use.

"I think it would make a good dolls house or cubby house," Jim said. "It could also be used as a dog kennel, but it would have to be the nicest dog kennel in the area."

The Sugar Festival Parade will be in Currie Street on Saturday, August 9, from 12.30pm. A contingent of Palmwoods groups and clubs, led by the Palmwoods State School Band and with the Rural Fire Brigade bringing up the rear, will represent the local community on the day.

The hall's anniversary fits well with the parade theme celebrating the centenary of the Nambour sugar mill. The Palmwoods model will point out that Palmwoods had its hall just 25 years after the mill took its place in Nambour.