Family Fun Day

23/04/201304/03/2015Leave a comment

I am living in an absolutely beautiful part of the world right now. Kilometres of pristine beach for swimming, fishing, snorkelling, diving, windsurfing, stand-up paddle-boarding (I really need to try this one), kite-surfing*, windsurfing, kayaking** and sailing. There are two great bike paths, a more direct one that runs through the centre of town (that I use most often) and a meandering but more scenic one with stunning views out over the Pacific Ocean.

And while there are loads of activities and events, there seems to be little effective communication. There are three local papers, but they often seem to report what already happened this week – and I often think “Pickle and I would have liked to have done that”. With that in mind, I have plugged into various Facebook pages, websites and e-newsletters with the hope of keeping on top of events that both Pickle and I would enjoy, and will share them here in the endeavor to get the word out, and maybe even make some more friends in the community.

The next free event that I’ve come across is the Family Fun Day put on by the Hervey Bay Community Centre.

It sounds like a blast with loads of games and activities planned: jumping castle, face painting, music, dance, market stalls and a sausage sizzle. Hope to see some of you there!

Location: Hervey Bay Community Centre, 22 Charles Street, Pialba

Date: Saturday, 11th May 2013
Time: 10am to 3pm

I’ll keep you posted with upcoming events. There will likely be a focus on kid-friendly and foodie events (where my obvious interests lie), and while not all of them will be free, they will be budget-conscious.

Are there any types of events in particular that you’d like to know more about in advance?

Cheers, KangaRue 🙂

*does it count that I held on to the back of my friend doing this, and only let go when we really started to fly?
**planned for the near future – if it’s not too embarrassing, I may blog about it. Actually, if it’s really embarrassing, I’ll probably blog about it sooner!

This is not a sponsored post.

Culture on the Coast

29/03/201304/03/2015

One of the things that worried me when I moved from ‘the city’ to the Fraser Coast was the possible absence of a bit of ‘kulcha’, if you know what I mean.

I love being part of a city that plays home to a range of cultures, evidenced by the people you see in the streets and the variety of food and entertainment available.

Which is why I was stoked to learn that the Fraser Coast hosts a cultural festival each year. The Fraser Coast Cultural Festival is an annual event featuring a range of activities and across the Fraser Coast.

Supported by local businesses and government, the festival not only welcomes guest artists from elsewhere in Queensland and Australia, but also provides local residents with a chance to share some of their own culture with their neighbours and community.

This year it involved films, a luncheon and community workshop and culminated in a concert at Maryborough’s Brolga Theatre and a family day held at Scarness.

My mum attended the gala night at the Brolga and couldn’t stop raving about the quality of the acts. She was a little disappointed at the crowd in attendance and said they really missed out on something special.

Some of those same acts featured on one of several stages at the festival parade and fun day on Sunday in Hervey Bay. Thousands took the opportunity to visit the craft and food stalls, view basket-weavers in action and even try circus tricks. I must admit – despite my own hatred of crowds – I was excited by what was on offer.

Congratulations and thanks should go to the local organisers, volutneers and participants and if you can make it to the Fraser Coast in/around March make sure you pop along to the Cultural Festival.

Get fit for free on the Fraser Coast!

13/03/201304/03/20153 Comments

Argh! I now have absolutely no excuse at all not to exercise. And I blame the Fraser Coast Regional Council.

Since moving back into the area I’ve scoped out gyms but procrastinated about joining any. It’s easy to find excuses: the sessions don’t suit; it’s too expensive; I don’t have time.

But the Fraser Coast Regional Council’s latest initiative has put an end to my most-definitely-believeable array of ~~excuses~~ legitimate reasons.

From 18 March 2013, Council is launching its 8 week community exercise program across Maryborough and Hervey Bay. And… there’s something for everyone: from Boxercise, Circuit Training and Pilates in Maryborough to Aqua Aerobics, Bootcamp, Slacklining* and Stretch, Strengthen and Sculpt classes in Hervey Bay.

Specific classes target Mums and Bubs while others are aimed at Seniors.

All classes are absolutely free and all you need to do is turn up on the day with: closed-in shoes, water, towel and a hat, along with stacks of enthusiasm. (You might want to get in early though as classes are limited to 25 participants.)

A full timetable is available on the Council’s website along with terms and conditions and additional detail.

* You don’t know what this is? Nah, me either! I did google it though!

Z-PAC: The Importance of Being Earnest

11/03/201304/03/20152 Comments

Rehearsals are underway for an Oscar Wilde’s masterpiece, The Importance of Being Earnest, which will open at Z-PAC Theatre, Zephyr Street Scarness on Friday 22 March.

Oscar Wilde’s masterpiece, The Importance of Being Earnest, has stood the test of time like so few others. This is a farcical comedy of manners that is often regarded as one of the greatest plays of all time.

Wilde’s acerbic wit and tantalising manipulation of the English language have crafted a satire so perfect it has remained unmatched for well over a century.

The play follows Jack and Algernon: two bachelors in Victorian England who, bored with the hypocritical nature of their society, both adopt the pseudonym ‘Ernest’ to escape from their routine lives.

When Jack falls in love with the sharp-tongued Gwendolen, and Algernon with Jack’s innocent ward Cecily, whilst both under the guise of Ernest, each man must find a way to shed his alias without disrupting the delicate thread of romance.

The production stars Michael Ware as the nervous and uptight Jack, Taylor Dunn as his icy girlfriend Gwendolen, and welcomes another talented newcomer, Tayla Harding, who brings an air of sweetness to the role of the innocent Cecily. Familiar faces of Z-PAC regulars Judith La Forest – as Cecily’s tutor Miss Prism, a kind lady with a dark past – and Tamara Bailey as Gwendolen’s draconic mother, Lady Bracknell. Neil Gee brings a gentle naivety to the role of Dr Chasuble, and Jonathan Dunn is hilarious as Algernon’s long-suffering butler.

Z-PAC’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest is directed by newcomer Bradley Chapman, who also plays Algernon. Brad, a Gold Coast native who arrived at Z-PAC Theatre last year. A senior drama teacher at Hervey Bay High School, Brad holds a Bachelor’s Degree in drama and film and another in secondary education, with a Performer’s Certificate from Trinity College of London. He is thrilled to have the opportunity to direct this masterpiece.

The show is rated ‘G’ and runs from March 22nd ’til April 13th. Tickets on sale soon at Mary Ryan Bookshop, Pialba. Adults $20, Concessions and/or groups 10+ $17.

Life in a Tourist Town

11/03/201304/03/2015Leave a comment

(First published 5 February 2013)

Three months have passed since I moved into my esplanade apartment at Hervey Bay, and I have just survived my first holiday period as a local* amongst a throng of holidaymakers.

The biggest fear I had about my choice of ‘home’ was that – my esplanade view and lovely modern accomodations would be counteracted by living in an apartment complex which would possibly be home to noisy holidaymakers on a regular basis.

I’m not, you see, the most (ahem) tolerant of people… so I had visions of myself screaming at drunken tenants partying at 1am or devil-possessed children frolicking about our complex pool.

But, I have to confess – it hasn’t been as bad as I expected.

Sure there were the guys in the apartment below me trying to channel Freddy Mercury before dinner one night; and there were a few badly behaved children in the pool – torturing siblings or crying hysterically about some world crisis or another. (Bloody little sooks!) And of course, the place in general has being busier than usual with overflowing caravan parks and beachside apartments.

But, on the whole… it was quite pleasant to see my new home AND hometown being enjoyed by so many visitors.

The people-watching is surprisingly interesting and has the potential to be quite exciting. Like Hotel. Or Adventure Island. Or Melrose Place. Or similar.**

I got a giggle out of a couple of oldies who seemed to strike up a bit of a romance friendship at the poolside. And smiled every time another guest headed off to the local pier with his fishing rod and supplies (and came home empty-handed); proud that my new hometown offered such simple pleasures.

And then there’s the opportunity to chuckle in a smug superior manner when visitors do those silly things that cause we locals to roll our eyes. “Tourists!” we groan.

And now… school’s back in and the Vacancy signs are again littering the esplanade as the holidaymakers have headed back to their own part of the world.

Although I haven’t been too disrupted by our visitors, I must confess I much prefer having the place and the town to ‘ourselves’ again.

There’ll be no more queueing for a table at the Boat Club for a while, no need to book at pub down the road and no need forpatience at the overflowing playgrounds. And the supermarkets will again (mostly***) belong to we locals.

* I grew up nearby so feel I can call myself a local despite having only lived here for thee months!
** There could be a TV series in this!
*** I say mostly because I DO live in a beachside town so there are always a few overseas tourists and weekend vacationers here.

PS. Am showing my age and channeling The Dream Academy’s Life in a Northern Town in the title. In case you didn’t get the ~~way-too-clever~~ reference!

And your thoughts…Tourists: love em or hate em?

Fraser Coasting

Category: Activities