Nov2011_Mt MEE NEWS
by Ian Wells
It is a strange season – not a lot of winter rain when you add up the totals, but enough to keep the mountain green. As October advanced, the ground began to warm and the grass started to come away in a very promising early spring. Meanwhile, the unwanted herbage – crofton weed (Eupatorium adenophorum) in particular, put on a great spring flower display. Like its invasive little sister mistflower (Eriparium), it is very poisonous to horses, in which it can cause serious breathing problems
The sad news of the month is that Mt Mee Public Hall Committee has decided that January 2012 will see the end of the traditional monthly dances. Committee reluctantly recognised that times change as do people’s tastes, and that the disappointing trend in attendances to dances in the present format is irreversible. We know that many other dance venues are experiencing similar problems and are looking at similarly hard decisions.
The Mountain owes a great deal to Les and Betty Hyde who revived the dances after a long layoff and worked so hard to make them viable. Since the Hydes’ retirement it has been Ron and Glen Tumbridge who have run the dances, bringing some good live music and consistently excellent floors. Thanks Ron and Glen!
The Committee plans to replace the monthly dances with several licensed evening functions featuring live bands next year – perhaps a mix of Country, Jazz or vintage R&R.
The Committee is hopeful that, in contrast to the New Vogue dances, this might bring local people away from their television sets.
On a brighter note, October saw local author Peter Wise introduce two new books at his October book launch in the Mt Mee Hall. There was a crowd of 50 to 60 there to drink Peter’s grog and look at his “Kimberley Killers” and “Palomino Gold”. Most hold that these latest works are his best yet.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Brian Ponting, was guest of honour and made a number of misleading statements about our Peter and there was a fair smattering of retired ‘wallopers’ amongst the crowd, reflecting Peter’s early working life as a Queensland policeman.
October also saw fifteen or so aged veterinarians, with assorted spouses, descend upon the Dayboro Veterinary Surgery. These old gentlemen (including the writer) were in fact celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of their unlikely graduation from Queensland University and had gathered from all over Australia, New Zealand and England. Amongst many other reunion activities they were very interested to see the Dayboro teaching practice with its student residential accommodation. “Nothing like that in our day!”
This visit was found to be thirsty work, and the next stop was the Ocean View Winery, where hostess Kate provided the necessary fluid and an excellent lunch.
Meanwhile the Mt Mee Garden Club, in some force, visited the garden of Elizabeth and Ron Mandla in Wights Mountain Road in the Samford Valley. While the women enthused over the thoughtfully planned and very beautiful gardens, the men in the party enthused over Ron’s thoughtfully planned and very beautiful wine cellar.
It was a highly successful day.
The November visit is to Joyce Knight’s garden – phone Pam 5498 2098 for details – all welcome!
The Mountain real estate market is awakening after quite a period of inertia, and a number of blocks that were on the market for some time have recently changed hands.
Sadly, Les and Cathy Stuart have had to sell their Gannon St home in view of Les’s continuing poor health. They will move to Victoria Point – a sad loss to us, and to the Sunshine Coast Symphony Orchestra.
Derek (Honeyman) and Jean Phillips have also been forced to sell by health circumstances. Fortunately, they have compromised so as to be “off the Mountain” as directed, but not too far away. We can expect to continue to enjoy Derek’s company and wares at the Markets.
Finally, can I remind you that no matter how miserable our weather seems to be, it is bliss compared with Auckland! Your writer is still barely recovering from the lurgies he contracted in that virus factory!
