Oct2013_Mt Mee Ramblings
By Ian Wells
Never mind the false promises of the professional weather forecasters! A wet spring seems about as likely as the political rebirth of Julia Gillard. And to continue with far fetched but thought – provoking similes, until a couple of days ago things on the Mountain were already as dry as a Pom’s towel.
And then came that unexpected storm and some 36mm of beautiful rain. But this season does seem to be repeating last year’s difficult start. Sadly this is reflected in the total buyer disinterest seen at local store cattle sales.
Ah … life on the land! It is always either too wet or too dry.
As I write, the Mt Mee Hall Committee is preparing for the eightieth Anniversary celebration – to be a luncheon in the Hall on Sunday 22nd September. While it is open to all with any personal Hall connection, formal invitations have been sent out to those special people who shouldn’t miss it on any account. So far, there are more than 100 acceptances, which indicates that it will be at least as successful as the fiftieth and seventieth celebrations of yesteryear. Sadly, many of those attending the earlier celebrations have passed on, but later generations still have plenty of interest.
In a generous display of community solidarity, the local P&C has agreed to manage the kitchen on the day – giving Hall kitchen stalwarts a much appreciated afternoon off!
Talking P&C! That lively organisation is planning an art show/auction in the Hall for Friday 1st November and the morning of Saturday 2nd. Put a ring around those dates on your calendar, because it will be a quality event.
Let’s also keep in mind the annual Sunshine Coast Symphony Orchestra concert in our Hall, on Sunday 10th November. This will be a sell-out. Kay (5498 2104) and Joyce (5498 2270) are already taking bookings – so don’t hang about too long!
And in some quite exciting news, the Mt Mee Hall has been chosen by Woodford Folk Festival and MBRC as the venue for a folk music concert, to be held on the evening of Saturday 21st December. It will feature international and local performers slated for the Festival itself, and is part of a new drive to bring elements of the Festival to some selected local halls throughout the State. Ours is one of the few halls chosen in SE Qld and the only one within the MBRC area. We will be hearing Canadian singer Rose Cousins and vocalist/guitar picker Jordie Lane from Victoria. Entry will be of the order of $27.00, including a generous supper.
We are clearly gaining a reputation (through performance) as a centre of seriously good music of many genres – jazz, country, R&R, ‘pop’s orchestras and vocals from the great shows. Some folk music will be a welcome addition – especially as the Festival is looking after the organisation!
All going well, this will become an annual event for us – immediately preceding the opening of the Festival itself.
There are two past events worthy of note – “Mt Mee Reunion Day” and the concert by the Savoyard Singers.
“Mt Mee Reunion Day”, organised as usual by Kay Hennessey and the indefatigable Anne Pedwell was very successful. An astonishing number of ‘old timers’ made the effort to climb the Mountain to meet up with old friends, and to reminisce on the past (and comment on the future) over a cup of tea. And there certainly was plenty of talk!
The other notable event was the concert by the Savoyard Singers. A modestly sized but very enthusiastic audience hugely enjoyed what was probably the ‘Singers’ most polished performance ever, and the range of songs selected was just magical. They varied from the bright and tuneful pieces from the like of Richard Rodgers and Lerner and Loewe, to some very moving stuff from “Evita” and “Les Miserables”.
New accompianist Roger Martin (a final year Med student) was a great find – not only as a very gifted player, but as one with wonderful ‘ears’ for the performers, and loads of colour in his delivery. What superb traits for a young doctor!
As I write, we are mid way through the spring wild dog – baiting programme. In some good news, Council has been granted a substantial sum by State government for wild dog control. The bad news is of course that government regulations, which prescribe minimum distances for bait -laying from residences, prevent baiting over much of the Mountain. So the wild dogs (and foxes) in the more settled areas run free!
Let’s hope that the assured funding will at last enable Council to undertake some serious trapping throughout those areas, and let’s hope that shooters Len Maroske and Rod Thomas continue to pick up sufficient reward from their clients – especially in those areas, to keep up their interest.
For those landholders involved in baiting programmes, there is more very welcome news. Council will now take care of all notifications to other residents and landholders, and it will continue to supply the meat and the poison for baits without cost.
Like the All Blacks contesting the Bledisloe Cup, all we need do is turn up on the day! All enquiries re joining the programme – either baiting or trapping, should go to the Council’s Darren Shiel on 3480 6778. Len of course can be contacted about problem dogs on 5498 2134, (but don’t mention my name!)
There are presently plenty of wild dogs about, and the more cooperators we can pull into the integrated programmes, the better they will work for everyone!
