Social News
with Val Brooke

IT was an important day for the junior group of the Palmwoods Singers on May 23, when they sang at the wedding of Wendy Murray and Russell Southam at the Presbyterian Church in Maleny.

Wendy has been with the Singers since the group began and is now a life member, devoting much of her time to training the young groups.

Russell’s parents John and Jane Mills, brother and bestman Aaron, travelled from the United Kingdom for the ceremony.

Groomsmen were Alan Murray, Warren Zeller and Anthony Moore.

Wearing pink gowns, the bridesmaids were Wendy’s sisters Nikki, Rebecca and Kirrilee and her friend Alison Dunn.

After the ceremony, celebrations continued at the Palmwoods Memorial Hall and many guests who had travelled long distances enjoyed the drive down the range.

Russell and Wendy spent their honeymoon in Bali before returning to their new home in Coolum.

Mother of the bride Marjorie shared the celebrations with a surprise 50th birthday party. Guests from the wedding and friends converged on the Murray residence the following day to continue the celebrations.

CONGRATULATIONS to the residents of this area who gave up their time and talents to participate as helper or exhibitor at the Sunshine Coast Show. Audrey White of Palmwoods was once again a worthy winner in the Fine Arts pavilion.

In the cut flower display, Sue Montagu of old Palmwoods Road scooped the pool of certificates in the section for carnations. Also in the horticultural pavilion was John Marshall with his wonderful display of hibiscus blooms. The Marshall hibiscus property is also on Old Palmwoods Road.

Will anyone ever surpass the knitting skill of Maria Harkins of Rainforest Drive? For many years Maria has been exhibiting and winning prizes at the show for her knitting. The Grand Champion Exhibit in the pavilion this year was that of Maria Harkins’ flawless, fine lacy knitting from extremely fine yarn, hand spun by Ann Farrow who lives and spins up on the range.

The time and effort expended by the Palmwoods/Woombye Lions who worked as traffic marshals during the three-day show should also be commended.

IT WAS a great occasion for Vera Usher when her sons David and John, organised a surprise party for her 80th birthday on June 25. Long-term friends from Sydney made the trip as well as Vera’s many friends from Palmwoods. Her grandson Peter was also among the guests. It will be a birthday that Vera, a great supporter of the Sundale Hostel Auxiliary, won’t forget. She also received a huge bouquet from her sister, Doris Boffin, in the U.K. Happy birthday Vera.

CHIHO Watanabe is an exchange student from Japan being hosted by Winston Road residents Neville and Sandy Greene. Chiho, 17, is from Susoni city, which is about 100km from Tokyo.

She is one of four students from her school in Susoni who are now in Queensland on a student exchange program. Chiho is currently attending the Christian Outreach College at Woombye and as well as paying due attention to her lessons, taught English. She is also obligated to keep abreast with the curriculum of her school in Susoni city. Chiho will be in this district for about 1 months.

Her host family’s eldest daughter Tiffany is living and working in Japan, teaching English to Japanese students. Tiffany’s sister Stacey is currently a student at the University of Queensland. Neville and Sandy’s only son Saxon, after returning from 12 months student exchange in Guatemala, has enrolled at the Sunshine Coast University.

ANYONE for a game of golf? There is to be a Red Cross Charity Golf Day on Sunday, July 26, at the Headland Golf Club. There will be many great prizes to be won. The fee will be $15 for each participating golfer in the single stableford for men and women. Hit off will be between11am and 1pm. A great day is ensured so golfers who wish to participate should phone the Headland Golf Club after July 19, on 5444 5800 for your appointed hit-off time.

EIGHT years ago, a Malaysian teenager travelled to Palmwoods from Kuala Lumpur as a member of the Lions Youth Exchange program. For her visit to Australia, Siew Ling was the house guest of Jim and Ellen Hughes of Woombye-Palmwoods Road. Siew Ling enjoyed her holiday so much that she has kept in regular contact with the Hughes family ever since.

Siew Ling was married in late June and the Hughes family were invited. Jim was unable to make the trip to Kuala Lumpur but Ellen accepted and was accompanied by daughter Sandra Morrison and her 11-year-old twin daughters. Ellen was far from well prior to the departure date and there was considerable doubt she would be able to regain her fitness in time. The morning of boarding she stumbled and twisted her ankle and bruised her head. But Ellen’s determination to attend Siew Ling’s wedding won the day and they will stay on for about three weeks in Kuala Lumpur.

There will be great excitement when they return to Palmwoods as Jim and Ellen’s son Peter and his wife Kerrie-Ann and sons Lachlan and Riley have returned after two years living and teaching in Oman on the Persian Gulf. They will not be home for long as Peter has signed a two year contract to teach at a school in Saudi Arabia, leaving early September.