Mt MEE NEWS Dec2009
By Ian Wells
As I write, the shade temperature on my verandah is a fraction over 40 degrees, the ground is as dry as an Afghan’s sandal and the grass cover, (what there is of it), is scorched and brown.
So far, it has been a very disappointing spring indeed – just one tiny flush of growth from just enough moisture to hatch the over-wintering ticks and buffalo fly. And as the dollar continues its climb against the greenback, the terms of trade continue to deteriorate for our cattle industry. It’s almost enough to make one start whingeing!
But there is some good news – Santa is coming! I can almost hear those sleighbells now!
In more good news, the Look-Out Anzac Memorial working group has received sufficient donations to enable it to go ahead with firm orders for the bronze plaques. Quotations for the necessary contract work are in hand, and the project is clearly achievable. We look forward too to a useful boost in finances from the cake stall at the Mt Mee Markets on December 6th.
In much less than good news (for Mountain residents) I have to report that Mrs Christine Schulz, head of the Mt Mee School for more than ten wonderful years, has decided to retire at the end of this term. You can read more about this elsewhere in this edition, but the key question remains unanswered – is she going to join in Schoolies?
The “Afternoon at the Proms” Sunday concert in the Mt Mee Hall attracted a capacity audience – and not one person was disappointed. The orchestra, the choir, the conductor and the audience all tackled the event with enormous enthusiasm, and the outcome was simply enjoyment all round. What ever you do – don’t miss their next performance on the Mountain!
The November Dance was just as enjoyable as predicted. Pianist Mike Woollett had injured his ankle the night before – under circumstances he refused to discuss (muttering something about the 5th amendment). He turned up on crutches and in quite evident pain, but was quite undeterred when he sat at the piano. At the formal conclusion of the dance – at the late hour of almost 12.30am, he and his drummer proceeded to give a mini concert, with some good old drum numbers including “Caravan” – and then into some great ragtime, including Winifred Atwell’s “Black and White” rag.
What a wonderful night it was. Keep your eyes open next year for the dance ads featuring “Rhythm Plus” and drag the spouse along.
Architect/builder Matthew Graham-Duffy is working on plans for a deck to be built alongside the Mt Mee Hall supper room – money and other circumstances permitting. This, with some minor rearrangement of the kitchen, will be a huge boon on Market days if it comes off, and be a help with supper seating for the large crowds we are seeing at monthly dances. The hall has a significant sum in hand for the job, but in the final boil down, whether it goes ahead will depend on the availability of Council funding.
Christmas Day will see the end of an era when the Mountain Top Church holds its last service in the Hall before shifting to new meeting rooms in Settlement Road. Services will be held under cover outside until the new chapel is built.
The Mountain Top Church Meeting Room is almost ready for the first service. Construction of the Chapel will begin in the next few days.
But there is some good news – Santa is coming! I can almost hear those sleighbells now!
In more good news, the Look-Out Anzac Memorial working group has received sufficient donations to enable it to go ahead with firm orders for the bronze plaques. Quotations for the necessary contract work are in hand, and the project is clearly achievable. We look forward too to a useful boost in finances from the cake stall at the Mt Mee Markets on December 6th.
In much less than good news (for Mountain residents) I have to report that Mrs Christine Schulz, head of the Mt Mee School for more than ten wonderful years, has decided to retire at the end of this term. You can read more about this elsewhere in this edition, but the key question remains unanswered – is she going to join in Schoolies?
The “Afternoon at the Proms” Sunday concert in the Mt Mee Hall attracted a capacity audience – and not one person was disappointed. The orchestra, the choir, the conductor and the audience all tackled the event with enormous enthusiasm, and the outcome was simply enjoyment all round. What ever you do – don’t miss their next performance on the Mountain!
The November Dance was just as enjoyable as predicted. Pianist Mike Woollett had injured his ankle the night before – under circumstances he refused to discuss (muttering something about the 5th amendment). He turned up on crutches and in quite evident pain, but was quite undeterred when he sat at the piano. At the formal conclusion of the dance – at the late hour of almost 12.30am, he and his drummer proceeded to give a mini concert, with some good old drum numbers including “Caravan” – and then into some great ragtime, including Winifred Atwell’s “Black and White” rag.
What a wonderful night it was. Keep your eyes open next year for the dance ads featuring “Rhythm Plus” and drag the spouse along.
Architect/builder Matthew Graham-Duffy is working on plans for a deck to be built alongside the Mt Mee Hall supper room – money and other circumstances permitting. This, with some minor rearrangement of the kitchen, will be a huge boon on Market days if it comes off, and be a help with supper seating for the large crowds we are seeing at monthly dances. The hall has a significant sum in hand for the job, but in the final boil down, whether it goes ahead will depend on the availability of Council funding.
Christmas Day will see the end of an era when the Mountain Top Church holds its last service in the Hall before shifting to new meeting rooms in Settlement Road. Services will be held under cover outside until the new chapel is built.
The Mountain Top Church Meeting Room is almost ready for the first service. Construction of the Chapel will begin in the next few days. There is tremendous activity on site to ready the facility as I write.
Many will be relieved to learn that Squire Tumbridge had a clear histopathology result following his oral surgery, and that Don Pickering is holding his own after some nasty moments with his eyes. Meanwhile, Marge Pedwell has moved from hospital in Brisbane into a high care retirement village in Caboolture.
Finally, the compliments of the season to my faithful readers – especially those with the patience to wade to the end of this column.
Many will be relieved to learn that Squire Tumbridge had a clear histopathology result following his oral surgery, and that Don Pickering is holding his own after some nasty moments with his eyes. Meanwhile, Marge Pedwell has moved from hospital in Brisbane into a high care retirement village in Caboolture.
Finally, the compliments of the season to my faithful readers – especially those with the patience to wade to the end of this column.
