Things to do around the Fraser Coast.
I met Jill Perry when I first moved to Hervey Bay and was entranced as she told me how she first came across these magnificent creatures about 25 years ago.
Recent legislative changes have put Hervey Bay whale watch operators at a disadvantage in comparison to those further south, and as part of an interview with the Fraser Coast Chronicle, Jill shares her first brush with our annual visitors.
It’s Show time here on the Fraser Coast again, which naturally means we’ve all been expecting rain.
Although I have absolutely no intention of setting foot anywhere near the Maryborough Showgrounds over the two day period, I’ve allowed myself a little walk down memory lane.
This first pic is of my nanna and poppie with their oldest child and my dad as a baby. As he was born in April 1939 this photo dates back quite a bit.
I’m (quite frankly) a bit disappointed that the dress standard has now slipped and think that a bit of class could be reinstated with a new dress code.
And… I’m pretty sure my dad wouldn’t have made the height restrictions on any of the rides… being 1mth old and all!
* In unrelated news, isn’t my poppie a handsome man?!
These could be my first two visits to the Maryborough Show (obviously when it was still being held in the Pallas Street Showgrounds – now home to peeps who dressed like those in the first picture).
I just hafta say though… WTF is with the guy in the second picture?! Perhaps my mum, taking the picture, was a bit dishy back then.
Obviously by 1973 I’d been able to ditch my older brother who – I must add – was a bit of a wuss when it came to showrides. We have a home movie of a pre-teen me getting off a ride called The Zipper, with one of my brother’s best friends. My brother was nowhere to be seen.
Although I remember my velvet phase fondly, I’m a tad embarrassed about the other pics. I was a bit of a basketballer back in the day and started getting bored with scary fast rides around the same time I realised I was good at the basketball game – despite its rigged weighted balls. Fortunately this coincided with the realisation the laughing clowns and their ping pong balls were a waste of friggin’ time! Suddenly it was all about the spoils!
The Show had moved to its current location by the final pics and although I was a HUGE lover of the show in my younger years, I gave the whole thing a big miss in my final year of school. In retrospect, I moved through all of the phases:
The last time I attended the Maryborough Show was in the early – mid 1990s. My aunt was in town (for a family funeral) and we wandered about with my parents looking at boring stuff animals, cooking, cars and the like. We skipped the dagwood dogs in favour of a steak sandwich and left before the fireworks. But what I most remember, is that my aunt, mother and I decided to go on the matterhorn. For old time’s sake.
And. Oh. My. God. The fearless me of my childhood had long departed. I felt ill and found my eyes glued to the ride’s machinations (nuts and bolts ‘n’ stuff) wondering who’d screwed them together. Plus… I was almost sick afterwards.
I realised that the Show of my childhood had long disappeared. It was someone else’s turn.
Just as I suspect there are teenagers and young adults ‘dissing’ the Fraser Coast Show this year, I’m sure there are as many five, six and seven year olds out there whose Christmases have all come at once!
*Actual info about the Fraser Coast Show can be found here! There is – as usual – heaps on for those with kids or an interest in livestock, cooking and a myriad of other events.
I’m embarrassed to confess that it took me six months of being back on the Fraser Coast before I ventured to Maryborough’s trendy Gatakers Artspace and precinct.
Sadly time didn’t permit an excessive amount of sightseeing so I skipped the Bond Store and the Military & Colonial Museum (which I’ve also visited previously); but as the much beleaguered Muddy Waters Cafe was reopening after repeated floodings and a new art show, by local artist Gina Davey was being launched, I figured it was a good time to pop down there.
I’d been to Gatakers Artspace years ago and decided then that I could indeed live in the venue. Its renovation / refurbishment reminds me of some high spec house which should be featuring on Lifestyle TV or the like. I must confess (though) to being a bit underwhelmed last time I visited the gallery – with mostly local knitting on display. This visit however, was much more fruitful, with Davey’s Person of Interest exhibition featuring downstairs and an array of artwork and sculptures upstairs.
In fact I was so mesmerised with a series (by a local artist whose name I’ve forgotten – in bottom right corner of pic) that I even contemplated whether my current state of poverty would permit me to buy one of the pieces.
I was keen to show Muddy Waters Cafe some support after the bad luck they’ve experienced. I know that building by a river is fraught with danger, but am pretty sure they didn’t expect five floods in three years. The Cafe is now in the Customs House building (home of the former Port Residence), which offers some pleasing views.
Owners Michael and Mia Cox say they are starting small; they are yet to get their liquor licence and only open from 9 – 4 (Tuesday – Sunday) at the moment.
I’ve decided I’ll cut them some slack, as they’re still getting started, but in my case – as a coeliac – gluten-free options were very limited. In fact they were practically non-existent. The helpful waitress said that they could just remove parts of a dish, but it seemed wasteful to pay for something and only receive half of it and nothing tempted me anyway. We were also offered the breakfast menu (all day breakfast I assume) but again there was no GF bread and they were unsure about the chorizo and bacon.
It’s not cheap and I have to admit I won’t be rushing back at this stage. I’ll keep an eye out though because if their menu expands, it is a nice spot and might be worth a second chance. I know people thought well of it previously.
On the suggestion of my mother and a few locals I also visited Janet’s Art while at that end of town. And… Oh. My. God. I was super-impressed. “Atmosphere and gluten-free options galore!” I tweeted afterwards. I saw several things I was keen to buy, but only left with some cards (Mother’s Day was approaching!).
I picked up a takeaway menu and was pleasantly surprised at the array of GF options on offer. There’s a lovely space out the back which should prove nice during winter and I love that the store supports local artists and jazz.
I’m keen to return to the precinct to make it to Gatakers by Night, which is staged from 5-9pm on the last Saturday (of each full weekend of the month) and features music and artists-in-action. And it’s nice to see that the beautiful space is being put to good use.
I really need to start staying at home on weekends. Or… get into an exercise routine so I feel less shame, if I’m going to continue to visit sporting events around the Fraser Coast.
The Hervey Bay Triathlon was depressing enough: fit-as-a-fiddle lycra-clad athletes whizzing past on bikes or pounding the pavement, as I lolled about on my blanket wondering what I’d eat for brunch. But this past weekend my body-image issues returned as I attended the inaugural Fraser Coast Regional Beach VolleyBall Invitational in Hervey Bay.
While the weather and crowds disappointed a little on the Saturday, a steady stream of people did take advantage of the fact that talented and professional athletes were again on our doorstep, frolicking about in an incredibly large sandpit!
Olympians and those among the best in the State and country were on hand to show us exactly how one looks good in swimwear while throwing themselves onto the sand.
I’ve previously confessed my hatred of getting sandy, so the notion of being sweaty and diving into the sand (no matter how pristine) is like all of my nightmares come at once!
But, in addition to the amazing bodies (from a strength and fitness point of view, rather than sleazy pervy way. Of course!), there was some fantastic sporting prowess on display.
The usual beach volleyball pairs offered us some great athleticism but it was the fours that impressed me. All eight invitees (of either gender) on court at once resulted in some amazing rallies and closely fought tussles.
I’m stoked that it’s reported that the competition will return. From all accounts the players were impressed by the facilities and – as a spectator – I was impressed at the event’s organization: from the array of food on offer, to the activities for kids (jumping castles and face-painting) as well as the chance for spectators to rub shoulders with the pros on the practice court. As a social media fiend I was also impressed to see regular Facebook updates and some fabulous pics of the matches.
The lack of protection from the elements was a bit of a problem.
It was either too hot and sunny in the stands or those present got saturated by the pesky rain which hung about most of Saturday.
I’m not sure how undercover areas would be catered for, but a bit more shade would have been handy. Perhaps if the court was ‘moved’ a little there would be some shady spots under trees.
As for the boring important bits… Mike Watson and Will Mercer took out the men’s title from Dan Carey and Joshua Slack; while super-impressive Townsville gals, Natasha Chapman and Rebecca Matheson defeated the sisters’ Mowen (Jordan and Justine) for the women’s title.
It’s great to see national and world-class athletes on our doorsteps (roads, ocean and beaches) and I’m stoked to have had the chance to be privy to their awesomeness. It’s also worth thanking the sponsors, including The Hervey Bay Boat Club and the Queensland Volleyball Association. I’m already looking forward to next year!
I’m just home from a sensational night at the Last Band Standing (battle of the bands) at Hervey Bay RSL. The finalists were all superb, and I’m thrilled that one of my favourite bands of the night, Auraview, won!
The event was a great showcase of live music talent available in the area. Original songs, energetic and tight execution. Just brilliant.
Arcade Vandals put up tough competition. There will be another chance to see them at the Fraser Coast Music Fest. I’m hoping that Auraview will also be performing there (no confirmation yet, so fingers-crossed please). Unfortunately I missed most of Locus, as the venue was at capacity and I had to wait until enough people left before it was my turn to enter, but I heard good things from others in attendance.
I’m absolutely buzzing after a great night out. Big thanks to my Mummy for babysitting Pickle, so I could have a cracking night out.
Fraser Coasting 