Mt Mee News Oct 08
By Ian Wells
The weather gods continue to smile on the Mountain and we have had some very useful rain since last column. Grass is good, water is good and the livestock happy. This has not been our spring song for years!
It is sad to report the passing of Maurie Thomason on 11th September. Many will be thinking of Irene at this time.
Maurie at 87 was the second oldest of the “original” Mt Mee residents (Marie Hewitt has that honour). He spent all of his life farming on the Mountain other than for a brief sojourn at Kilcoy and was a wonderful repository of local history. He had a great sense of humour and he never ever lost his keen eye for a skirt.
He simply passed away peacefully at home after completing his regular morning walk. Vale Maurie.
In better news, Joyce Knight OAM is home from hospital and recovering brilliantly from surgery and a nasty fright. Joyce is the quiet mover behind so much that is good that happens on our Mountain.
The Savoyard Singers attracted a good crowd for their Sunday afternoon Hall concert. They put on a great show, despite the ravages of the “flu” that sidelined both Phyll Griffin, their artistic director and key performer and soprano Mary Ewing, and also a sizeable wedge of the audience who had booked.
There was something for everyone, and everyone seemed to love it. The packed program ranged from light classics (Schumann, Schubert et al) and assorted light opera melodies through to Rogers and Loewe, Jerome Kern and even Roger Miller. My favourite was the presentation by Ross Miurhead of “Once before I Go” from The Boy from Oz. (Note that the Savoyard Musical Comedy Society is doing “Boy from Oz” later this year and will run a show at Caloundra).
The Savoyard Singers are a phenomenon, and we are so fortunate to have such polished talent visit our little country hall!
And our thanks to Helen of Ocean View for the screens she donated. They worked a treat!
The annual Mountain Spring Ball was held this year in aid of the planned Woodford Aged Care Centre, and it cleared more than $600. Dorothy Pratt, our wonderful MLA, drove all the way from Kingaroy and back to judge the costumes (and to chat!!!). The Commodores put on some good live music, the supper was superb and almost everyone stayed until
We are now on final countdown for the biennial “Country Music Night and Dinner” and you can read elsewhere in this Grapevine for details. Suffice to say here is that these Country nights are legendary. Don’t miss it – get up a party and book!
The more observant will have noted that a couple of Lillypillies are missing from the garden bordering the new car park opposite the Hall. This marks the spot where a motorist made an unorthodox evening entry, to park untidily below on his roof. The poor devil was probably feeling a bit tired and emotional.
There is palpable local concern at the news that Council seems to be giving credibility to the Biosphere proposal. Indeed, it has coughed up $200,000 over two years.
The concern is that no-one really knows what it is all about, and what effects it could have on our businesses, lifestyle and property values. Those who attended the meeting held in Dayboro a few months ago emerged little the wiser.
It is time for some plain talk on the issue and we are asking Council to convene a meeting to explain things. If we like what we learn, that’s fine. If not, we can take the matter further with Council and State Government.
This is a matter which is relevant to all Mountain ratepayers.
Finally, another quote about a car test from the irrepressible Jeremy Clarkson of “Top Gear”.
“Much more of a hoot to drive than you might imagine. Think of it, if you like, as a librarian with a G string under her tweed pants!”
