SOCIAL NEWS
with Val Brooke

THE official opening of the Palmwoods Arts and Craft Group’s Festival of Arts on the evening of September 5, was a cultural success for Palmwoods.

The artwork was of high standard and admired by all those who attended. Not only did the patrons of the evening come from Palmwoods and district - Littlers, Gannons, Butlers, Uebegangs, Murrays, Whittingtons and Venns - but also Gympie, Toowoomba, Brisbane and northern New South Wales.

Master of Ceremonies for the evening was the capable Gordon Percival, but praise for the three day festival must go to convenor Joy Breen and her helpers.

The art and various craft on display and sale on the weekend was wonderful and drew a steady stream of viewers and buyers. Congratulations to all involved.

THE annual Open Day of the Palmwoods Riding for Disabled Association attracted many visitors to their complex at Palmwoods Park on Hunchy Road.

The program presented by the RDA was interesting and entertaining. The work and patience of the horses and coaches and trainee coaches - in fact every single one of the volunteers - must be commended.

The Palmwoods RDA, one of the first to be formed in Queensland, started in 1979. The Larards made their land at Hunchy available and daughter Helen, sho had been accredited in England as a riding instructor with RDA, made herself available to assist.

Members of the Nambour Pony Club promised their help and a quiet pony was provided by Ross Hooke, a well known Palmwoods resident.

RDA founder Ailsa Stubbs-Brown was able to assess the disability of each rider and trained volunteers to lift the riders on to the saddled horse.

Eighteen years later, some of those early volunteers are still part of the association - Peg Adena, Dianne Roberts, Kim Evans (hon. vet since day one), George and Leigh Crowe, and Mrs Ailsa Stubbs-Brown who has stopped lifting special riders on to saddles, but still sponsors a special horse.

Today, more than 60 riders benefit from the therapy provided by Palmwoods RDA.

THIS district’s loss will be Caloundra’s gain when Rosemary Beasley of Simba Road, West Woombye leaves to live nearer her mother in Caloundra.

The Beasley family have made a lot of friends during their past five years in Woombye. Rosemary said she would always remember the love and local support she and her family received when her late husband David was ill. And she will always be grateful for the ongoing compassion and friendship from the St Augustine’s Anglican parish community, the Palmwoods-Woombye Lions members and the Palmwoods RDA.

Rosemary will miss the enjoyment of being part of this community has promised to keep in touch.

LOCAL councillor Geoff Littler has been honoured by the Rotary Club of Nambour. He was made a Paul Harris Fellow at Nambour Rotary’s dinner meeting, early in September.

The Paul Harris Fellowship is the supreme honour bestowed by Rotarians and commemorates Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary International.

Geoff was invited to become a Rotarian 30 years ago when the Littler family lived at Mount Hagen in Papua New Guinea. He kept up his Rotary membership throughout the years in various districts of PNG and again when the Littler family settled in Palmwoods and his membership was transferred to Nambour.

The Rotarian motto of Service Above Self was particularly evident when Rotarian Geoff had to leave his celebratory dinner early, to attend a public meeting in Palmwoods as Cr Geoff Littler. Congratulations Geoff, such awards are not given lightly.

RESIDENTS of Palmwoods and district would have been saddened to hear of the death of 76-year-old Bishop Ralph Wicks OBE, who died on September 11. Bishop Wicks was in charge of St Augustine’s for about three years from early 1992, and built it back to parish status.

He made himself available to all people, creeds and groups, schools and clubs in this area, and endeared himself to many.

He often referred to Palmwoods as a "delightful town in its picturesque setting". My husband and I were able to attend his funeral service at St John’s Cathedral in Brisbane on Friday September 19.

Bishop Wicks was ordained as a minister of the church 52 years ago and rose to Bishop in 1973. It was not surprising to find the cathedral filled with mourners.

Many travelled to the service from St Augustine’s Palmwoods and other Sunshine Coast Anglican parishes where he had served their community. He will be kindly remembered.

WINNER of the recent Palmwoods Community kindergarten Father’s Day fuel raffle was none other than the centre’s director Lesley McGrath who held ticket B 72.

FROM LEFT: Ailsa Stubbs-Brown and Hazel Larard of the RDA receive wecome
donations from Cathie Stephens and Margaret Finnimore of the North Coast Horse
Trail Riders who donated $1000 from their recent Ettamogah Pub ride, and Mike James
of the Phoenix Dance Club who donated the proceeds of a recent dance.