Palmwoods celebrates Australia Day

POLITICIANS representing all levels of government turned up at Kolora Park on Australia Day for the annual celebration which this year included, for the first time, a citizenship ceremony.

Six "new" Australians from Palmwoods, Eudlo, Woombye, Montville, Maleny and Nambour took the oath or affirmation from Maroochy Shire Mayor Don Culley at Palmwoods.

And six local residents were recognised for their efforts for the community at the fourth annual Palmwoods Australia Day Citizen Awards.

Guests included Federal Member for Fisher Peter Slipper, who gave his "maiden speech" in the electorate he will represent after the boundary distribution which takes effect at the next election.

He was joined by Speaker of the House and State Member for Nicklin Neil Turner and local councillor Geoff Littler.

Other special guests were members of the Flight Seven Air Corps who presented arms for the official flag raising while Rebecca Whittington led the national anthem.

Members of the Palmwoods Scouts then formed a guard of honour for the official ceremonies.

Those taking part in the citizenship ceremony were Brian Streeter of Palmwoods, Jason Flynn of Eudlo, Philippa Pirie of Montville, Larry Fraley of Maleny, Louise Emenheiser of Woombye and Diana Fisher of Nambour.

A highlight of the ceremony was when one of the excited new citizens took the microphone and said "with all due respect" and let out a loud "cooee".

Award recipients, clockwise from front left,
Hazel Larard, Dorothy Whittington (inset),
Wes Rudd, Ian Griffith, Paula Griffith
and Marie Kretschmer.

Palmwoods Progress Association president Ron Corelli and Cr Littler then presented Australia Day awards to six local citizens. They were:

HAZEL LARARD, for her work with Riding for the Disabled which she founded in 1979.

Riding sessions are still held on her Palmwoods property on Tuesdays and Saturdays as a therapy for disabled children.

Hazel was a foundation member and Vice President when Riding for the Disabled Queensland was formed in 1985 and when she retired from the executive in 1990, she was awarded Life Membership and elected co-Patron.

"This dedicated lady who is small of stature and large of heart has been the driving force behind the Miss Pony Club Quest since its inception in the mid seventies," Mr Corelli said.

"She was also involved with the Palmwoods Boy Scouts Association, serving as their Secretary for 13 years and has won numerous community special awards in recognition of outstanding services rendered for the Sunshine Coast Community."

These include the Nambour Quota International Woman of the Year, Maroochy Shire Australia Day Citizen of the Year and in the 1986, New Years Honours List, the British Empire Medal Citation for services to the Nambour/Palmwoods Community and to the disabled.

MARIE KRETSCHMER for her consistent contribution to the Palmwoods community. She has been active on committees such as St Augustine’s Anglican Church, Mother’s Union and the QCWA for more than 50 years. She has been a president, secretary and treasurer of the CWA over many years and is currently secretary.

She is also a member of the Palmwoods Memorial Hall Association and the Palmwoods Progress Association and is on the Palmwoods Hostel Auxiliary. For many years she served on the Palmwoods women’s Auxiliary of the RSL.

During the war, Marie worked for Red Cross, Pastime Club, comfort Fund and was also on Scouts and Guides Committee.

WES RUDD for his service as an active member of the community for more than 40 years.

He has been secretary of the Palmwoods Cricket Club, a Member of Palmwoods Fruitgrowers for 11 years and Exhibit organiser at the Nambour and Brisbane shows for 10 years.

Wes has also clocked up being a founding member of the Palmwoods Bush Fire Brigade, fire warden Palmwoods East Bush Fire Brigade a life member, president, secretary and treasurer of the Palmwoods RSL sub branch; president and Delegate Sunshine Coast Zone of RSL; president and secretary Palmwoods Progress Association; chairman of the Palmwoods Centenary Committee; president Palmwoods Memorial Hall Association, life patron of Palmwoods Singers Theatrical Society, Patron Palmwoods Primary School, P & C Member Woombye Primary School and a member of the Palmwoods Anglican Church Council.

IAN AND PAULA GRIFFITH for their contribution to Scouting and the young people of Palmwoods.

"Their commitment to youth in the district has meant devoting all their leisure to developing young people’s self worth and commitment to a brotherhood to help others," Mr Corelli said.

"They have always ensured involvement of the Palmwoods Scouts in activities which assisted the Palmwoods community such as Palmwoods Country Fair, Steam Train Days, Anzac Day and Australia Day celebrations and the Sugar Festival.

Ian and Paula have promoted the Scouting movement within the community and have always been well received by the community whenever the Scouts have represented themselves or asked for support in their continual fund raising efforts.

They have committed themselves to the youth of the Palmwoods and surrounding district and encouraged the group to be involved in all scouting activities.

DOROTHY WHITTINGTON as an ambassador for Palmwoods.

During the past 20 years in Palmwoods, Dorothy has been actively involved in community activities and introduced and published the Palmwoods District News.

"This has been a most effective media in her quest to promote and support local organisations and their causes, being the heartbeat of the Palmwoods community" Mr Corelli said. "She has given her time and expertise to produce brochures and printed materials for numerous community organisations in Palmwoods and has been a great ambassador."

Palmwoods Scouts, from left, Damien Goodrich, Josh Peick,
Matt Lewis, Therese Griffith and Daniel Griffith
fire up the damper and tea.

Mr Corelli said numbers at the park celebrations had been slightly down this year, a fact he has attributed to Australia Day falling on a Monday and families heading off for a long weekend.

"We noticed in particular that there were fewer children than usual," he said. "However those who came enjoyed a great morning of community spirit and I would like to thank the many local organisations who assisted in various ways, in particular the Palmwoods Woombye Lions."