MT MEE Oct09
By Ian Wells
September was a busy month for Mountain people.
It began on the 5th with the annual Mt Mee Spring Ball, with top music (as usual) by Pam’s “Just Me and Leanne”. There was a good crowd, a huge supper and a lot of fun.
Some of the costumes were magnificent, and judging – under the leadership of local MLA Andrew Powell, was very difficult indeed. I know, because like Leigh Knight, I was roped in to help with the task. We did reach agreement and select a ‘best ball gown’ and a ‘best dressed couple’. But it could have gone many ways. Congratulations to all who dressed up for the occasion. It just made the night.
That very same evening, one of the matrons of the Mountain celebrated a milestone birthday. Lenore argued that she had never had a birthday party. This one made up for that and more – it was a GOMPU* of epic proportions.
Then came the Savoyard Singers concert on Sunday 13th. There was a large and very appreciative audience and a great afternoon tea on the lawn. The music was good too! It is hard to pick highlights, because everyone’s tastes are a little different. But for me, Ross Muirhead’s treatment of “What Kind of Fool Am I?” with Jan Ashworth’s very sensitive accompaniment was just superb – as was the combined singers “As Time Goes By”. I couldn’t help but call out “Play it Sam!” as it ended.
That was followed on Saturday 19th by the ceremonial “tying of the knot” for Amanda Teske and Bob Thorn in the Mt Mee Church – with festivities following in the Mt Mee Hall. The crowd for the service spilled out of the Church into a large marquee on the lawn, fitted out with sound and vision, and then moved across the road to another marquee on the Hall lawn just to get the fluid balance into kilter before the serious celebration got under way. What a finely tuned and magnificently catered celebration that was – complete with genuine French cooking, French champagne and Grandfather port! Fortunately, Bob had no race meeting for the GT3 scheduled for the weekend and was able to attend in person.
More wedding bells rang the following weekend for Tess (Teresa) Hennessey – daughter of Kay and Kevin. Tess married Terry Collins, a Tara lad, in Caboolture. They repaired to the Woodford Hall for the post- nuptial feast.
So there have been some sore heads about – many had scarcely recovered from the Rock and Roll Dance when it happened again and again – and again!
There are at least three forthcoming events that are “musts” for the diary.
There is the monthly November dance, at which Mike Woollett’s stirring “Rhythm Plus” combo will do the music. Mike plays astonishing piano – almost in traditional bar room style. At previous appearances in our Hall, people have stopped dancing to watch and listen in awe. This music really swings, it’s all done without electricity or black boxes, and even if you can’t dance a single step it is worth coming to hear and see. And the supper is always good too!
Then there is the Melbourne Cup Fashion Luncheon put on by the Sports Association. (Where else can you see the pick of our local matrons parading in borrowed finery?).
The other is the Hall’s last Sunday concert for the year – on November 29th. This will again feature the Sunshine Coast Orchestra with the Sunshine Chorale. It was a great show last year – and bookings are already open – phone Kay on 5498 2104 or Joyce on 5498 2270.
Finally, a word about another new Mountain project – small but important.
For many of us, Anzac Day is the most sacred day of the year, and upwards of 300 people have chosen to attend the Dawn Services at Mt Mee’s Dahmongah Lookout each year. It is a magnificent venue for the Dawn Service- the sun rises at the foot of the valley, the mists rise, the seats (like many eyes) are wet with dew and the two WW2 Chipmunk trainers in RAAF livery fly past in low level formation. And afterwards there is coffee, a bite to eat, and a very welcome “tot’ for the navy types – and their friends. It really doesn’t get any better!
Len Pedwell planted a descendant of the actual Gallipoli “Lone Pine” (completely destroyed by gunfire during battle) after the service eighteen months ago, and Councillor Raedel – who provided the mast from his boat at the last service, has since caused Council to install a real flagpole.
That very same evening, one of the matrons of the Mountain celebrated a milestone birthday. Lenore argued that she had never had a birthday party. This one made up for that and more – it was a GOMPU* of epic proportions.
Then came the Savoyard Singers concert on Sunday 13th. There was a large and very appreciative audience and a great afternoon tea on the lawn. The music was good too! It is hard to pick highlights, because everyone’s tastes are a little different. But for me, Ross Muirhead’s treatment of “What Kind of Fool Am I?” with Jan Ashworth’s very sensitive accompaniment was just superb – as was the combined singers “As Time Goes By”. I couldn’t help but call out “Play it Sam!” as it ended.
That was followed on Saturday 19th by the ceremonial “tying of the knot” for Amanda Teske and Bob Thorn in the Mt Mee Church – with festivities following in the Mt Mee Hall. The crowd for the service spilled out of the Church into a large marquee on the lawn, fitted out with sound and vision, and then moved across the road to another marquee on the Hall lawn just to get the fluid balance into kilter before the serious celebration got under way. What a finely tuned and magnificently catered celebration that was – complete with genuine French cooking, French champagne and Grandfather port! Fortunately, Bob had no race meeting for the GT3 scheduled for the weekend and was able to attend in person.
More wedding bells rang the following weekend for Tess (Teresa) Hennessey – daughter of Kay and Kevin. Tess married Terry Collins, a Tara lad, in Caboolture. They repaired to the Woodford Hall for the post- nuptial feast.
So there have been some sore heads about – many had scarcely recovered from the Rock and Roll Dance when it happened again and again – and again!
There are at least three forthcoming events that are “musts” for the diary.
There is the monthly November dance, at which Mike Woollett’s stirring “Rhythm Plus” combo will do the music. Mike plays astonishing piano – almost in traditional bar room style. At previous appearances in our Hall, people have stopped dancing to watch and listen in awe. This music really swings, it’s all done without electricity or black boxes, and even if you can’t dance a single step it is worth coming to hear and see. And the supper is always good too!
Then there is the Melbourne Cup Fashion Luncheon put on by the Sports Association. (Where else can you see the pick of our local matrons parading in borrowed finery?).
The other is the Hall’s last Sunday concert for the year – on November 29th. This will again feature the Sunshine Coast Orchestra with the Sunshine Chorale. It was a great show last year – and bookings are already open – phone Kay on 5498 2104 or Joyce on 5498 2270.
Finally, a word about another new Mountain project – small but important.
For many of us, Anzac Day is the most sacred day of the year, and upwards of 300 people have chosen to attend the Dawn Services at Mt Mee’s Dahmongah Lookout each year. It is a magnificent venue for the Dawn Service- the sun rises at the foot of the valley, the mists rise, the seats (like many eyes) are wet with dew and the two WW2 Chipmunk trainers in RAAF livery fly past in low level formation. And afterwards there is coffee, a bite to eat, and a very welcome “tot’ for the navy types – and their friends. It really doesn’t get any better!
Len Pedwell planted a descendant of the actual Gallipoli “Lone Pine” (completely destroyed by gunfire during battle) after the service eighteen months ago, and Councillor Raedel – who provided the mast from his boat at the last service, has since caused Council to install a real flagpole.
“Dahmongah’s Aleppo “Lone Pine” stands sentinel over the valley.”
The tree has done well – with weekly watering by Len – and the Woodford Sub Branch of the RSL is now working with local residents and Council to put a small commemorative stone and bronze plaques in front of the tree, as a focal point for wreath laying. This will be discreet, and it will blend with what is already a beautiful site.
The steering committee aims to have it in place for next Anzac Day – but needs funds. The National Anzac Day Committee will subsidize the plaques, the local RSL can find some money but estimates that at least another $1000 in cash must be raised for the job. Council will provide “in kind” help.
Fund raising is about to begin with raffles and a cake stall at the Markets. But that is a long hard road. Direct donations to get the show started would be very welcome indeed!
Please help! Call Neil Eiby of the Woodford RSL on 5496 1457 – or the writer on 5498 2104.
*GOMPU- Good Old Fashioned Monstrous Piss-U
The steering committee aims to have it in place for next Anzac Day – but needs funds. The National Anzac Day Committee will subsidize the plaques, the local RSL can find some money but estimates that at least another $1000 in cash must be raised for the job. Council will provide “in kind” help.
Fund raising is about to begin with raffles and a cake stall at the Markets. But that is a long hard road. Direct donations to get the show started would be very welcome indeed!
Please help! Call Neil Eiby of the Woodford RSL on 5496 1457 – or the writer on 5498 2104.
*GOMPU- Good Old Fashioned Monstrous Piss-U
