Noosa Today - 6th February 2026

Noosa Heads’ welcoming accolade

Noosa Heads has been named one of the Top 10 Most Welcoming Towns on Earth, and the only Australian destination to make the global list, according to the 14th annual Traveller Review Awards by Booking.com. The recognition places Noosa alongside leading destinations around the world and celebrates the exceptional hospitality delivered by local accommodation providers, tourism operators and the wider business and local community.

Based on more than 370 million verified customer reviews, the Traveller Review Awards recognise travel partners who consistently deliver outstanding guest experiences. Tourism Noosa CEO Sharon Raguse said the recognition reflects Noosa’s long-standing commitment to welcoming visitors in a way that aligns with community values and environmental stewardship.

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Noosa people like Tourism Noosa volunteers Bernadine and Wendy, restaurant worker Tatsu and Noosa Lifeguard Isaac make it the most welcoming town in Australia.

Five years after Noosa Council conducted its first Liveability Survey in November 2021 it is asking residents to complete the 2026 survey to gain an understanding of what residents value most about their neighbourhood and how they rate it.

By taking part in the 2026 Noosa Liveability Survey you can rate your neighbourhood and tell Council what is working well and what would improve Noosa as a place to live, work and play.

“Your priorities may have changed since the last survey in 2021,” Mayor Frank Wilkie said.

“We want to hear directly about what you value most about living and working in Noosa so that your council can respond to local values and priorities when future planning.”

In 2021 participants in the survey said the top five things most important to them were the natural environment, protection of the environment, the general condition of public open space such as parks and footpaths, a sense of neighbourhood safety, landscaping and streetscaping.

Council has partnered with social research organisation Place Score to deliver the 2026 survey as it did in 2021.

Council’s Director of Environment and Strategy, Kim Rawlings, encouraged the community to get involved, with more than 1655 people having completed the survey in 2021, and rating Noosa

one of the most liveable places in Queensland.

“This survey helps us understand what our community values and how those views may have changed since we undertook the first liveability survey with Place Score at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic back in 2021,” Ms Rawlings said.

She said the community named walking, jogging and cycling as key priorities in the 2021 survey and that feedback directly influenced Council planning.

“We prioritised implementation of the Walking and Cycling Strategy actions and it informed delivery of the priority footpath ‘missing links’ program,” Ms Rawlings said.

The 2026 Noosa Liveability Survey takes around 15 minutes to complete and closes Sunday, 8 March 2026.

Council encourages all Noosa residents and workers to take part. As a thank you, participants have the chance to win one of 10 x $100 vouchers for Coles, JB Hi-Fi or Bunnings.

To learn more or complete the survey, visit yoursay.noosa.qld.gov.au or go directly to the survey at placescore.org/noosa-web

For a summary of the previous survey’s findings, visit Council’s website at noosa.qld. gov.au/Community/About-Noosa/Liveabilityin-Noosa

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Shot Roo doing well

By Steve Linnell

A male kangaroo shot with a bow and arrow at the Noosa Golf Club late last year continues to recover well, with staff confirming he is being closely monitored and remains active on the course.

Golf Course Superintendent Scott McComas told Noosa Today the kangaroo is seen daily and appears to be doing well following the disturbing incident.

“We see him daily. He’s doing very well,” Mr McComas said. “Everyone keeps an eye out for him. It was pretty appalling and disturbing when

it happened.”

The kangaroo was discovered late on Tuesday, 19 December, after being shot in the back with an arrow. An extensive search was carried out by Wildlife Noosa volunteers before the injured animal was located in nearby bushland.

The large male roo was subdued and stretchered out before being transported to Sunshine Coast Vets in Pomona for treatment. Veterinarian Romilly Haslam said the arrow, which did not have a barb, pierced the skin above the spine and caused damage to the lumbar muscles.

“He was very lucky,” Ms Haslam said at the

time. “We cleaned and flushed the wound and gave him antibiotics. I think he’ll make a full recovery.”

Following surgery and recovery, the kangaroo was released back into his natural habitat at the golf course and has since been spotted moving freely and grazing normally.

Wildlife rescuers had earlier warned of the risk of capture myopathy, a stress-related condition that can be fatal days or even months after an incident. Ongoing monitoring has eased those concerns.

Noosa Host named top welcoming town

From page 1

“Noosa has a long history of embracing its visitors and sharing exceptional hospitality, and to be recognised on a global stage as one of the world’s most welcoming destinations is incredibly rewarding

“This acknowledgement is something we can all be proud of. It belongs to our local community, our local tourism industry and business operators - from accommodation hosts and tour operators to retailers and hospitality staff, who consistently go above and beyond to ensure visitors feel genuinely welcome while respecting what makes Noosa so special.”

Ms Raguse said this result reinforces Noosa’s positioning as a premium global destination that values connection, care and authentic experiences.

“Visitors are drawn to Noosa not just for its natural beauty, but for the warmth of our people and the pride our community takes in sharing this place responsibly.”

The Booking.com accolade noted that the Awards “highlight destinations where the guest experience feels personal, authentic, and genuinely cared for”.

“Noosa has long been celebrated for its relaxed coastal lifestyle, pristine National Parks, and thriving boutique and restaurant scene –qualities that appeal to both local and global travellers. Its appearance on the 2026 list reflects the dedication of local hosts, operators and businesses who continually deliver the warm and welcoming atmosphere the town is known for.”

Ms Raguse said the Noosa Visitor Information Centre in Hastings Street, which Tourism Noosa operates with a team of 70 volunteer Noosa ambassadors, along with bookings specialists, was a perfect example of Noosa’s welcoming nature.

One of the longest-serving volunteers at the centre which welcomes thousands of visi-

tors from around Australia and the world every month, Bernardine Devereux, said it was a privilege to help visitors to Noosa.

“I’ve been a volunteer at the Visitor Information Centre for 25 years, and I still love welcoming people to Noosa and helping them make the most of their visit,” she said. “Whether it’s recommending a favourite walk, a local cafe or a hidden gem, it’s incredibly rewarding to share what makes Noosa so special.

“Meeting visitors from all over the world and helping them create great memories is what keeps me coming back.”

Booking.com is a global leader in connecting travellers with incredible places to stay and transport options including flights, car rentals and airport transfers.

The Awards results showed accommodation continued to take centre stage in traveller reviews, with travellers seeking home-style hospitality and authenticity more than ever.

Booking.com Oceania’s Regional Manager, Todd Lacey, said: “The 2026 Traveller Review Awards celebrate our Australian partners who consistently go above and beyond to deliver

warm, thoughtful and memorable experiences. We’re incredibly proud to see Noosa Heads recognised as one of the world’s most welcoming cities this year, alongside the record number of Australian partners being acknowledged.”

SeetheTravellerReviewAwards2026athttps:// awards.booking.com/en-us/accommodations

Wildlife rescue measures cut bat entanglements

By Margie Maccoll and Steve Linnell

Wildlife rescuers have conducted a daily rescue mission for more than a week to save the lives of little red flying foxes that have become entangled in driving range nets at Noosa Golf Club while stakeholders came together last Thursday to find a longer term solution.

Wildlife rescuer Bernard Jean said two flying foxes were trapped on Sunday, one rescued, one managing to escape by itself, and another one entangled Monday morning rescued and delivered to Eumundi Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre by 6.30am.

Sunshine Coast wildlife carer Katrina Odgers said about 15 were lost last Wednesday, and another 25 were trapped Thursday morning.

“The nets are so high. These bats are flying into them and they are exhausted,” she said.

Ms Odgers said they were transferring the bats in a critical condition to Australia Zoo.

The situation spiked on Tuesday 27 January when more than 50 flying foxes were caught in the nets resulting in multiple wildlife rescuers attempting to untangle the surviving animals and deliver them to Australia Zoo or Eumundi RSPCA Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, but unfortunately many of them died.

Noosa Golf Club, which alerted wildlife rescuers to the trapped flying foxes, paid almost $2,000 a day for a cherry picker to assist wildlife carers to retrieve the bats.

Terrie Ridgeway of Bat Rescue Inc, who had taken an entangled flying fox into care a week prior to the mass entanglement, alerted both RSPCA and the Department of Environment Tourism Science and Innovation (DETSI) to the situation.

Last Thursday flying fox specialists, Noosa Golf Club representatives and Gabba Sporting Nets met, arriving at immediate and long-term measures to address the problem and improve wildlife safety.

Wildlife South East Queensland (SEQ) president Antony Born said they were satisfied with the response from the golf club.

“They’ll be putting up wildlife-friendly nets with reflectors and lights. We’re grateful everyone has come together to try and solve this issue.”

Mr Bourn said the agreement marked a positive step forward after what he described as a confronting and largely preventable tragedy, highlighting the risks posed by large-scale netting in known flying fox flight paths.

Noosa Golf Club president Dale Officer told Noosa Today the club had begun implementing interim measures, including additional lighting installed to make the netting more visible to flying foxes as they travel at dusk and during night feeding movements.

He said the club planned to remove and replace the top two decks of the existing netting over the next two weeks, reconstructing them using wildlife-friendly materials, reflectors and improved lighting systems designed to reduce the risk of further entanglements.

Ms Ridgeway said the little red flying foxes

were Australia’s most important pollinators and seed dispersers and vital to the health and regeneration of native forests due to their transportation of pollen and seeds over large distances. She described their capture in the nets as a horrible situation in which the animals could have suffered dehydration, heat stroke, broken bones, concussions.

Little Red Flying-foxes are regular visitors to Noosa as they seasonally migrate to Southeast

the

and

Flying-foxes are protected under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992 and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

Authorities and wildlife organisations will continue monitoring the site as the upgrades are rolled out, with further updates expected in the

Georgia shines in Tamworth

Georgia Stafford, an 11-year-old country music singer/songwriter from Noosa, attended her second Tamworth Country Music Festival with three clear goals: to open for Lee Kernaghan at TRECC, compete in the Golden Gig, sponsored by Macca’s, junior talent quest and debut three newly recorded original songs while busking on Peel Street.

Georgia achieved all three and more.

In addition to opening Lee Kernaghan’s concert at TRECC, Georgia caught the attention of acclaimed country artist Taylor Moss, which then led to a collaboration with high-energy country-tech DJ Y.O.G.A (Reuben Styles of Peking Duk). Georgia was also awarded third place in the Golden Gig, sponsored by Macca’s junior talent quest, earning her a place in the festival street parade alongside multi Golden Guitar winning artist Amber Lawrence and country music greats

including Troy Cassar-Daley, James Johnston, The Wolfe Brothers and Max Jackson.

“Tamworth Country Music Festival really is the Boulevard of Dreams,” Georgia said. “Everyone is so kind and respectful. It feels like coming home every time.”

While Georgia appears like any other elevenyear-old; polite, smiling and a little giggly, it is her voice that stops people in their tracks.

Y.O.G.A, currently on the Cow-Tech tour, discovered Georgia while she was busking on Peel Street. “I was pretty blown away when I walked past Georgia Stafford singing on the street, the vocal maturity and the experience in her voice, it was shocking considering she is 11 years old. I was blown away and absolutely grateful that my stage was blessed with her presence shortly afterwards. I think it’s something I’d love to do again and who knows maybe one day we could try and

write a song together,” Y.O.G.A said.

Taylor Moss launched a social media search to findtheyoungbuskerperformingherAPRA-nominated song The Women Who Raised Me.

Georgia later joined Moss for a special acoustic performance on a farm outside Tamworth.

“Taylor was so generous with her time,” Georgia said. “Singing together under a tree on a farm was something I’ll never forget.”

Georgia also credits Lee Kernaghan as a major influence on her growth as an artist. After first discovering her last year, Kernaghan invited Georgia to open his 2025 TRECC concert and again support him in 2026, where she performed two songs including her original Ruby the Pit Pony.

Inspired by Kernaghan’s advice to focus on original music, Georgia recorded three original songs at Airlock Studios in December, completing the session in a single 12-hour day with a live band.

With more songs written and recording plans underway, Georgia hopes to release her first album this year, continuing to build her career one performance at a time under careful guidance from her music teachers Kellie & Gavin at Hamburger Music Productions.

The 54th Tamworth Country Music Festival held from 16-25 January welcomed more than 300,000 visitors, with over 700 performers appearing across free and ticketed events. Peel Street alone hosted more than 450 buskers, while Toyota Park drew crowds of over 8,000 fans for its free concert program.

The 54th Tamworth Country Music Festival also marked the retirement of long-time Festival Manager Barry Harley OAM, whose contribution has been instrumental in the festival’s longevity. Harley will remain involved in an advisory role.

Cooroy man charged over South Burnett corpse

By Arthur Gorrie

A near-Gympie man was arrested on Friday 23 January and charged with torture, deprivation of liberty and extortion, following the discovery of a man’s body in the South Burnett region last year.

The tiny community of Maidenwell was rocked by the news last August and investigations have continued since then.

Friday’s arrest of a man, 44, from Lake Macdonald, near Cooroy, followed charges in August of torture and murder against three other men, one from North Lakes near Brisbane and two from the Sunshine Coast, police said today 24 January.

Brisbane CIB and Homicide Investigation Unit detectives said the news followed the suspicious disappearance and alleged murder last year of 56-year-old Andrew Burow.

The spokesperson said Mr Burow was taken by car on 21 August from Kelvin Grove in Brisbane to “multiple locations across South East Queensland between 21 and 25 August, where the three men allegedly tortured him.

The trio, one from North Lakes and two from the Sunshine Coast, are accused of having then killed Mr Burow and left his body

beside Brooklands Pimpimbudgee Road at Maidenwell.

Police appealed for public assistance and the three were arrested on 8 October.

They are a 26-year-old North Lakes man, a 38-year-old Sippy Downs man, and a 57-yearold Buderim man.

Police at that time said the three faced one count each of murder, kidnapping, extortion and misconduct with a corpse.

Police have alleged that Mr Burow and the North Lakes man were known to each other.

“Mr Burow’s out of character disappearance was reported to police on 24 August”, the spokesperson said.

“Late on 26 August, investigations led detectives to believe the disappearance to be suspicious.

“Early in the morning on 27 August, an Incident Centre was established by Brisbane City Criminal Investigation Branch under Operation Veer.

“Between 27 August and 3 September police issued several appeals for information, which ultimately led to a Crime Stoppers report leading investigators to locating Mr Burow’s remains at Maidenwell on 2 September.

“On 8 October, police charged the first three men with murder, kidnapping, extortion and misconduct with a corpse by interfering.

“The Buderim man was charged with an additional one count of torture. The North Lakes and Sippy Downs men were previously charged with this offence on 27 August.

North Brisbane District Detective Acting Inspector Murray O’Connell said there was no scenario in which investigators were prepared to give up on finding justice for Mr Burow.

“This was a complex investigation – with the investigative team working around the clock to canvas a significant portion of South East Queensland to locate Mr Burow.”

“The report which led to us locating Mr Burow’s body demonstrates how important every report from media and tips members of the public report to police can be in solving a bigger piece of the puzzle for investigations.”

Until then, police had not given up hope of finding him alive.

“Media and public are thanked for their assistance throughout the investigation.”

The Lake Macdonald man was now expected to appear before Brisbane Magistrates Court on 5 February, a police spokesperson said.

15 charged in police operation

Sunshine Coast police have charged 15 people as part of a large scale high-visibility random breath testing (RBT) operation to target unsafe driving behaviours and enhance community safety.

Operation Coolsafe was held between, Saturday, 24 January and Sunday, 25 January at a number of locations across the Sunshine Coast.

Officers conducted more than 1,100 random breath tests (RBTs) resulting in six people being charged for alleged drug driving, nine for allegedly drink driving and 13 traffic infringements issued.

Just after midnight on 25 January, officers intercepted a black Audi Q5 on the Sunshine Coast Motorway, Bli Bli as part of the operation.

The driver, a 43-year-old Mudjimba man allegedly returned a breath alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.135 per cent. His licence was suspended, issued a notice to appear and charged with one count of was in charge of a motor vehicle when over the middle alcohol limit.

He is expected to appear before the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on 10 February.

About 10 minutes later, officers intercepted the same black Audi Q5 on Sundew Street where the driver, a 38-year-old Mudjimba woman who had allegedly left the RBT site with two children in the car, allegedly returned a breath alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.151 per cent.

Her licence was immediately suspended, and she was issued with a notice to appear and charged with one count of driving under the influence of liquor.

She is expected to appear before Maroochydore Magistrates Court on 24 February.

At 9.30pm on 24 January, officers intercepted white Toyota Hilux on David Low Way at Pacific Paradise as part of targeted roadside breath testing.

The driver, a 25-year-old Palmview woman allegedly returned a breath alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.087 per cent and returned a positive roadside drug test reading. Her licences was suspended and she was charged with one count each of did drive motor vehicle when over the middle alcohol limit and driving while relevant drug is present.

She is expected to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on 9 March.

Coolum Beach Sergeant Joel Bryant said despite ongoing enforcement activities and media campaigns police continue to encounter road trauma related to liquor and drug affected drivers.

“Police experience what the public does not; seeing the bodies of deceased victims, and the emotional toll of delivering death messages to victims’ families of avoidable road tragedies,” he said.

“If you drink or drug drive, you’re not just irresponsible, you’re dangerous to other road users; an apology won’t reverse the agonising regret and remorse you’ll experience if you injure or kill another person on a road driving affected by liquor or drugs.”

Happenings in Noosa

By Noosa MP Sandy Bolton

Seeing across our electorate the joy emanating from residents celebrating being an ‘Aussie’, with flags, snags, music and family, was a powerful reminder of the importance of being able to acknowledge ‘us’. Shared pride and sense of belonging is part of our social fabric ‘glue’ and was in abundance also at The J where we joined 57 Noosans becoming citizens. As I have previously shared, I get misty eyed as I listen to and watch our newest Australians take their pledge and wish I could bottle the gratitude and love they have for our community! The beautiful energy in that room, and at the river side festival held by the Tewantin Noosa Lions Club, was truly beautiful, and a reminder that keeping our country special comes with individual and shared responsibility, as well a commitment to our social contract with one another.

That ‘contract’ at times becomes contested, whether through media ‘grabs’ sensationalising what was the norm decades ago, for example a shark sighting, or misinformation and disinformation via social media posts in relation to the new anchoring laws that the changes are a result of Noosa being ‘classist’, or a very uncaring MP who is happy to see residents made homeless! This was especially hurtful, given my own early childhood experiences, including in a backyard shed to avoid sleeping on the street, as there was no welfare nor housing assistance for single or abandoned mums back then. This is why I take into my home those who are facing homelessness, as even with the kinds of supports including housing in this era available, this at times in not enough as I continue to raise in Parliament.

Media and commentary that deliberately incite, are not assisting our community and create divisions. This is not unlike political parties and those who fund them, with the most recent affront to the social contract governments are supposed to have with all, is the putting forward of legislation using the words ‘reform’ and ‘fair’ when instead it is a pathway for potential corruption. This is happening right now in our 2026 parliament, and instead of what is sought, including an end to all big campaign donors, as has occurred on South Australia, ours instead will be growing. No wonder support for the major parties continues to decrease, as Australians increasingly become more knowledgeable about what is happening around them.

Social contracts whether between us as individuals, or between communities and governments, involve staying informed about what may affect you directly, or others, especially around disaster warnings and shared spaces. It also means knowing who your elected representatives are so you can contact them with your views and concerns. A strong ‘listening ecosystem’ can only

evolve by residents engaging and given we have so much community consultation, surveys, polls and channels to have your voice heard, there is ample opportunity.

So, what does any of this have to do with what is occurring currently in our community? The updates below give an indication, and I am sure I do not need to say anything further except as I did to our newest ‘Aussies’, being a true Noosan involves caring, sharing, staying updated and enjoying that ‘snag’ or ‘lamo’ as we did!

Noosa River Management Plan

The final stage, although previously to commence in October 2025, commenced on 1 January 2026, introducing a 28-day anchoring limit across the entire river system. These changes are the culmination of community advocacy going back to 2015 with Noosa Council’s Community Jury, ensuing recommendations from the Noosa River Stakeholder Advisory Committee (NRSAC) and then extensive public consultation by Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ), which have been broadcast through multiple channels over the years. Of note, there was no legislative requirement for MSQ to go through the long processes of the NRSAC or community consultation as the existing regulations could have been changed arbitrarily under their existing powers. However, they gave opportunity for all to engage over the years while drafting these changes, and that this is being criticised by some overlooks vital points including that liveaboard regulations have not changed, only the anchoring regulations, which apply to all vessels over five metres in length. There has always been a requirement for anyone living aboard a vessel to hold a permit and comply with related regulations, including anchoring and pollution controls, and any with a registered mooring and a liveaboard permit are not impacted by the new rules. As of last week, there was approximately 120 non-compliant vessels, with 20 of these being permanent liveaboards and 10 weekenders, with 20 per cent of the ‘20’ having contacted MSQ assessed in hardship. We were advised MSQ has not issued permanent liveaboard permits since 2005, only some temporary permits, which on initial meetings with those non-compliant seems to have created some confusion as to whether they were temporary. We continue to investigate this as well have requested a ‘Statement of Reasons’ and review of the implementation of the regulations from MSQ, and a location for a short-term holding/laydown area for vessels whose owners are endeavouring to comply but are currently unable due to financial or other constraints. Since the plan’s release in 2023, we have been very clear that no resident was to be left homeless because of any changes, and for me this is non-negotiable. MSQ have consistently given reassurances on this, and reiterated the importance of anyone in difficult circumstances

to contact them on 5373 2310 or via MSQnoosa@ tmr.qld.gov.au, and as I have asked previously, to cc’ my office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au. Decommissioned Tewantin TAFE site

As reported, the reassessment of the buildings has been completed by the owners, the NRA Collaborative, with the original proposal to reinvigorate as a school of design no longer viable due to deterioration. The alternate proposal is for independent seniors living. This is one of the few allowable uses under the site’s zoning, with assurances given by the owners that no clearing or impact to biodiversity overlays and koala habitat will occur. While the proposed development addresses an identified housing need, we continue to advocate that affordable worker accommodation, as the most pressing need in the Noosa Electorate, be prioritised and have reiterated the importance of Noosa Council being fully involved in the assessment and consultation process, to ensure that the views of the Noosa community and the intent of the local planning scheme are properly considered. Understandably, as a community we remain angry over the sequence of events since 2014 that allowed the devastation to this site to occur, however it is time to move forward and work to ensure this type of waste by governments never occurs again. The full history of the site including its closure without community consultation or warning, decision by Noosa Council not to purchase, and the Expression of Interest process and resulting outcome, is available at www.sandybolton.com/decommissioned-tafe-site-federal-court-native-title-claim-update-october-2024/ Operation Sandstorm

QPS conducted further enforcement operations across Noosa North Shore, Teewah and the Cooloola Recreation Area over the Christmas period, with more than 230 Traffic Infringement Notices issued, including over 90 for speeding, with 75 of those offences and the highest recorded speed of 83 km/h occurring within the 40 km/h Teewah zone. More than 500 Random Breath Tests and 60 Random Drug Tests resulted in charges against three drink drivers and eight drug drivers. These efforts are appreciated, and we continue to raise with the relevant ministers the need for stronger measures to address unacceptable and dangerous behaviours including restricting permit access for offenders within national parks. The Cooloola Recreation Area Man-

agement Plan is expected to be released early this year, and we will update the community once it becomes available.

Turtle Nesting Season

The Teewah Turtle Trackers have been hard at work since the beginning of the nesting season to locate turtle nests on Teewah Beach, with them reporting 21 nests at the time of writing, with a number disturbed by vehicle traffic resulting in damaged and destroyed eggs. Hundreds of viable eggs have been moved to safer positions so that these loggerhead and green turtles get to hatch in the coming weeks so please, can everyone assist by slowing down, not driving during high tide and staying well off the dunes when walking or driving.

Noosa MP Community Survey

Thank you to everyone who took part in our annual survey, which assists us identifying the ‘temperature’ of responders on state related issues or what may be raised in Parliament. 600 responses, even though considered an appropriate sample, is not at the level we would like to see as broader engagement, especially from that elusive ‘silent majority’ is our goal! We are currently collating the results for release before next month and welcomed constructive critique from a resident on the methodology, which has resulted in some funds normally dedicated to community grants used to address the concerns raised.

Assistance for Community Committees and Boards

Every year there can be changes to committees who have been elected to our various community and resident organisations, and sometimes with the ‘changeover’ comes different contact information. So don’t forget to update your club’s details after your AGMs to Noosa Council, your federal MPs as well us to ensure we all know who and how to contact when needed!

Finally, there has been so much on this last month, including an increase in poor behaviours between commenters on Facebook. Our office must focus on what needs to be done and those who require assistance, not monitoring the ridiculous and offensive. There are no reasons for anyone to spread misinformation, as issues are broadcast online, via Noosa 360, in these and other columns, on radio and our newsletter. A knowledgeable, informed community makes good decisions, so as I said earlier, please keep spreading the word to engage and participate so that our home remains the sensational place it is to work, rest and play!

Until next month embrace the many gifts that we all enjoy living where we do and give appreciation to those who make possible those gifts. And if you need any assistance, please call us on 53193100 or email noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au. as my staff are back from their holidays and look forward to hearing from you!

Gardens Friends need plan for living collections

By Margie Maccoll

A living collection management plan is a vital component required in the draft Noosa Botanic Gardens masterplan to address a lack of focus on the stewardship and development of plant collections, according to the Friends of Noosa Botanic Gardens.

The Friends is a volunteer group of more than 160 members which since 2013 has assisted in the maintenance and management of the gardens.

Last month Friends members Willy Ostwald and Jill Brownlee delivered a deputation to Noosa Council’s ordinary meeting to explain the need for a living collection management plan in the masterplan that is being reviewed to guide the gardens for the next 25 years.

“Without this there is a real risk of turning this botanic gardens into a beautiful park with plants rather than a true botanic institution with purpose, scientific value and educational value for future generations to enjoy,” they said.

The volunteers said a living collections plan would include interpretation, valuation of existing collections, identification of any gaps in the collection, a detailed management plan and records management. It would assist in overcoming some of the issues facing the gardens and assist in identifying future funding in trying to maintain the gardens.

Some of the issues raised by the volunteers included the result of five garden supervisors in the past six years, all with different ideas on plantings of garden.

“This has resulted in lack of clarity. Gar-

dens were planted then pulled up 12 months later,” they said.

“Collections have become fragmented, diminishing its educational observation and curatorial value. There’s little focus on record keeping of gardens.

“In the absence of council action Friends have taken the initiative of identifying, classifying and mapping existing plants. This information was provided to consultants preparing the master plan.”

The volunteers said without its own budget the gardens has no maintenance program in place.

“Recently the bridal walk structure was removed, it was rotted so badly. This area is no longer used for weddings and we understand there is no budget for its replacement,” they said.

The Friends said they agreed with many aspects of the draft Noosa Botanic Gardens masterplan.

“Community feedback clearly enforces the revamped entrance zone and arrival area, the establishment of successful pathways including the promenade, the rejuvenated amphitheatre and seating and shade to make space more useable and new community shelter and new community shelter and information hub with kiosk,” they said.

“These changes will allow more users to access the gardens.

“Our primary concern is the draft master plan does not address one of its key objectives to be stewards of the botanical collection through respecting, enhancing, protecting and promoting the legacy of the existing and future collections. The plan is all about struc-

tural improvement of gardens with next to no planning of future botanical collections which is key reason people visit a botanical gardens in the first place.”

Friends want to collaborate with council to achieve a living collection management plan using the toolkit provided by BGANZ, (the Botanic Gardens of Australia and New Zealand), the organisation most botanic gardens belong to including Noosa.

“We strongly recommend a plan be amended to include the immediate appointment of project working group to develop a living collection management plan,” they said.

“The working group should include representatives from council, friends, and external horticulturalists with botanic gardens experience.

Implementation of living collection management plan could be achieved in the short term, over the next 12 months, at minimum costs but will provide huge benefits in protecting and planning future of botanic gardens.”

A Noosa Council spokesperson said a review of submissions and feedback on the draft Noosa Botanic Gardens masterplan was continuing.

Infrastructure Services director Shaun Walsh said the extensive and productive feedback would help refine the draft plan, which will provide a 25-year vision for the gardens.

“This plan, once finalised, aims to reflect the community’s aspirations and guide new works as funding opportunities arise, including opportunities for grant funding.”

“The Friends of Noosa Botanic Gardens remain a key stakeholder in our discussions, and we look forward to further talks with its

members and the Stakeholder Reference Group, as the masterplan is finalised,” he said. The final report will be tabled in Council later this year.

Noosa sharks overview

By Oceans for All

Oceans for All (OFA), formed in 2023, is a working party of representatives from multiple groups with a shared goal: to replace and update the Shark Control equipment in the Noosa area with modern technology that protects both humans and marine life.

The Queensland Shark Control Program (SCP) is a catch-and-kill program aimed at mitigating shark risk by reducing the coastal shark population. This is achieved through continuous fishing using mesh (shark) nets or baited drumlines (Cardno review, 2019). In essence, the program operates as a shark culling program. Neither baited drumlines nor shark nets provide direct protection to beachgoers; the only protection they offer is the random chance that the shark caught is not the one that may interact with a water user.

The 2024 KPMG report supports this view, stating that “the capture and euthanasia of target sharks serve as a practical proxy for reduced human-shark interaction, based on the logic that removing a shark situated near water-users eliminates the potential risk of that shark interacting with humans.” The same report also notes that the consensus among stakeholders is that SCP operations are not entirely effective in safeguarding water users.

The 2020 fatal shark attack at the netted Greenmount Beach, and the fatality at Bargara Beach in 2024—a beach with numerous drumlines—sadly demonstrate this limitation. Several recent shark attacks in NSW have also occurred at beaches where shark nets were in place, including the death of a 12-year-old.

A 2020 James Cook University research paper, The Scientific Basis for Global Safety Guidelines to Reduce Shark Bites, available on the Queensland Government website, makes an important recommendation. Supported by multiple research papers, it advises that beachgoers should not swim or surf near shark nets, as any marine animal caught in the nets may attract large sharks to those locations, increasing the risk of negative shark-human interactions.

The peer-reviewed research Increased Shark Bite Survivability (2022) identifies another often-overlooked factor: during the same period that shark nets were introduced in Queensland, lifeguard services and emergency medical response also improved. While fatal attacks declined following the introduction of nets, the overall number of shark bites continued to increase. The research found that improved observation (such as drone programs), better-trained first responders, and enhanced medical equipment had a greater impact on reducing shark fatalities than the SCP itself.

Recent motions by Noosa Mayor Wilke and Councillor Lorentson support the work OFA has

been undertaking. Importantly, the call is not to remove shark control measures at Noosa, but to replace shark nets with updated programs that provide real protection for swimmers and beachgoers. Claims circulating in the media and on social media that “removing” shark nets at Noosa will put lives at risk are misleading and untrue. Research shows no statistical difference in the number of shark bites at netted versus non-netted beaches since 2000.

In NSW, The Sydney Morning Herald reported that there were no shark attacks at beaches where smart drumlines were combined with drone surveillance. Prior to their implementation, those same beaches had recorded 19 attacks, suggesting that smart drumlines may reduce shark-human interactions.

This pattern is also evident in Queensland. In Cairns, shark nets were replaced with smart drumlines in 2013, and in Mackay in 2015. Since those changes, there has not been a single shark attack at either location, despite both areas previously recording shark-human interactions.

One persistent myth in the Noosa shark net debate is that there have been no attacks at Noosa Main Beach since nets were installed. This claim is incorrect. The Australian Shark Incident Database, maintained by the Taronga Conservation Society and containing records dating back to 1791, documents several incidents.

The first recorded shark attack at Noosa occurred in 1961 and was fatal. A local resident was bitten by a bull shark and died three days later from blood poisoning. Shark nets were installed one month after this incident.

In 2001, a surfer at Noosa Main Beach experienced a shark encounter when his board was bitten. In 2013, another surfer’s board was bitten, and he sustained minor bite marks to his arm. In both cases, a tiger shark was identified as the species involved.

The Noosa Shire has experienced two additional shark-human encounters. In 2002, a surfer was injured by a whaler shark at Sunrise Beach. In 2011, a swimmer sustained a minor injury at Peregian Beach after provoking a wobbegong shark.

Based on these figures, it can reasonably be concluded that there is no meaningful difference in the number of shark incidents at netted beaches compared with non-netted beaches in the Noosa Shire. The species most associated with incidents in the area is the tiger shark.

However, shark bite statistics must be used cautiously when assessing the effectiveness of the SCP. The KPMG review highlights several limitations, including under-reporting, the inclusion of provoked bites, unreported near-misses, and incidents occurring in the open ocean.

The review also notes that between 2001 and

2020, Queensland recorded 67 shark attacks, including 10 fatalities—an average of 3.35 incidents per year. Between 2021 and 2024, only four attacks were recorded, averaging 1.04 incidents per year. Several of the attacks since 2001 occurred at beaches where shark control equipment was in place.

A Noosa Today article asked why groups such as OFA—described in the article as advocating for shark net removal (a description we dispute, as we support replacement rather than removal of shark control measures)—cite the KPMG review in support of their position.

The answer is straightforward. Like any robust review, the KPMG report examines both sides of the issue. It should be read in full and assessed based on its data and conclusions, rather than selectively quoted to support a predetermined position. The report presents multiple recommendations to government following its analysis.

Recommendation 3.2 specifically calls for a trial removal of nets during the winter whale migration. This recommendation aligns exactly with what OFA and the Noosa Council are advocating.

When Is a Shark Not a Shark?

The Queensland Shark Control Program 2025 report lists 37 shark species caught by the SCP in that year, but only seven are classified as “dangerous” and included on the catch-and-kill list. In reality, only three species pose a significant risk to human life: the bull shark, tiger shark, and white shark. Of the remaining four species classified as “dangerous,” only one has ever been recorded in a coastal attack, resulting in injury in 1980.

Debate around the SCP should therefore focus on these three species. Sharks caught that are not on the dangerous list are released alive where possible and recorded as by-catch. This distinction is often overlooked, with the incorrect assumption that all sharks caught by the program are dangerous to humans.

According to the Queensland Government QFish website, of the 3,623 sharks caught by the SCP in 2025, only 996 sharks were species that could potentially cause harm to humans. Some of these were juveniles and posed little risk. The remaining 2,627 sharks were classified as by-catch and released.

OFA bases its policies and recommendations on the most recent government review (KPMG) and the latest Noosa-specific catch data.

Data supplied by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) shows catch figures for Noosa Main Beach nets and drumlines from 2019 to 2023. During this four-year period, 13 bull sharks were caught (10 in nets and three on drumlines), 33 tiger sharks (29 on drumlines and four in nets), and two white sharks (one in a net and one on a drumline).

This equates to an average of 3.25 bull sharks per year, a reduction from the 7.25 annual average

reported in Noosa Today for the preceding eight years. Tiger shark numbers remained relatively stable, averaging 8.25 per year from 2019–23 compared with 6.75 previously. White shark numbers increased slightly from 0.3 to 0.5 per year. Notably, based on these averages, more whales than bull sharks were caught by the Noosa main beach SCP last year.

These figures highlight that catch numbers fluctuate annually sometimes widely. Marine biologists consulted by OFA inform us that weather patterns play a significant role, with warmer waters associated with El Niño weather events, such as the one we are experiencing now, consistently increases shark activity.

The KPMG review and Noosa data also show that clustered drumlines, which cover an area similar to nets, are more effective at catching dangerous sharks than nets alone. In Noosa, the two nets caught 19 dangerous sharks over the reported four years—an average of 9.5 per net—while the three drumlines currently in place, caught 33 dangerous sharks over the same period, on average 11 per line.

If shark culling were the primary solution for protecting beachgoers, drumlines would clearly be the more effective tool.

Noosa has historically been an outlier, with more bull sharks caught in nets than on drumlines, though this pattern is not reflected elsewhere in Queensland, where the figures are much closer.

Shark population trends remain a topic of debate. Within the context of shark control programs, the populations of the three dangerous species are the only relevant ones that should be considered. While some in the fishing community report high shark numbers, dive boat operators and whale-watching businesses report difficulty locating sharks. Further research is needed before a complete picture emerges.

Fish depredation is another important issue. A local PhD student has conducted research in this area that is currently undergoing peer review. Using small cameras attached to fishing lines, the research found that much of the depredation attributed to sharks was actually caused by fish escaping the line or by other species, such as barracuda.

Where sharks were involved, they were generally not large sharks that could be considered dangerous to humans.

Peer-reviewed research has established that tiger and white shark populations have been declining for some time. Bull shark populations remain less well understood, though local researchers are currently working on population estimates. Until this research is completed, OFA will not adopt a position on shark population and fish depredation and will continue to base its policies on established, verifiable facts.

Finding the middle ground

As we head toward the southbound whale migration in August, September, and October, we enter the period when entanglement risk is at its highest. During these months, whale calves travel closer to shore, seeking the safety of shallower waters. Unfortunately, that is exactly when traditional shark nets pose the greatest danger. This is not theoretical. It is well-documented science, and it is something our community has witnessed time and again.

Before anything else, I want to acknowledge the recent shark attacks, including those in New South Wales, and the families who are grieving. These tragedies are devastating. They remind us that behind every headline is a person, a family, and a community forever changed. They also underline the responsibility we carry to continually improve how we manage coastal risk—calmly, carefully and based on evidence, not fear.

This discussion is often framed as a choice between human life and marine life. That is a false choice. The real question before us is how we protect both.

In January—before these tragic events—I brought a notice-of-motion to Council calling for a targeted two- to three-month trial of modern shark mitigation technologies during the southbound whale migration. That motion received unanimous support from Council. Importantly, this specific request has never been put forward to the Minister before.

Previous requests sought full-season trials using alternative measures and were knocked back. This proposal is different. It is deliberately limited in time, location and scope. It asks the Minister to consider a short, clearly defined replacement of shark nets at Noosa Main Beach with smart drumlines, drone surveillance, and acoustic pingers during the period when entanglement risk is highest.

This is about finding the middle ground.

It is important to be clear about what is being proposed—and what is not. At no point has anyone suggested permanently removing shark nets. This is not about leaving beaches unprotected. And it is certainly not about taking risks with human life.

The proposal is for a temporary replacement only—limited to August through October, limited to the southbound migration, and focused on reducing the risk to whale calves and other marine life while maintaining, and potentially improving, swimmer safety. Human safety remains the priority. That is the position of both Noosa Council and the State Government.

The technologies proposed are not experimental. Smart drumlines, drones and pingers have been independently assessed by KPMG and Cardno, demonstrating up to 97 per cent less bycatch compared with traditional nets. They are already in use in other regions. They are proven, modern tools that provide real-time monitoring, faster response times, and more targeted risk management.

The recent shark attacks have understandably heightened community concern. People want reassurance that when they swim, surf or send their

children into the water, everything possible is being done to keep them safe. That is precisely why this trial matters. Smart drumlines and drones do not reduce safety; they enhance it. They offer better detection, better data and the ability to respond quickly and intelligently to real threats.

We also need to be honest about risk. There have never been shark nets at the river mouth, nor any form of protection between the rock walls—and yet people continue to surf there every day. Our community understands that the ocean carries inherent risk, and that reality will never change. What we can change is whether we continue to rely on outdated technology in locations where it is known to cause harm, or whether we are willing to trial something better where the evidence supports it.

Noosa also has a unique responsibility. As part of a UNESCO-designated biosphere, we are recognised globally for balancing human activity with environmental stewardship. That recognition carries an obligation to lead with best practice, not default to the status quo when better options exist.

We are now five months out from the next migration season. That gives us time to advocate to the State, but it also means we cannot afford to delay. Doing nothing guarantees that nothing changes. Doing nothing means accepting the likelihood of another entanglement—another preventable tragedy that would devastate our community and damage our reputation.

This is what responsible compromise looks like: not extremes, not inaction, but a measured, evidence-based step that reflects both community concern and scientific understanding. A two-to-three-month trial during the highest-risk period is reasonable. It is proportionate. And it allows us to test whether we can do better—without locking anyone into permanent change.

This is not about nets alone. It is about coastal risk, modern science and whether protections designed decades ago still serve us today. It is about recognising that safety and environmental responsibility are not mutually exclusive, and that good policy evolves as evidence improves.

Let’s lead with integrity. Let’s lead with science. And let’s show that when faced with a challenge, Noosa chooses progress—different by nature, in action, not just words.

(Please note: This article reflects my personal views. It does not represent the official position of Noosa Council.)

Raising the bar for accommodation on the Sunshine Coast

To say it’s been a long time between drinks for new hotel developments on the Sunshine Coast is an understatement. The last branded leisure hotel opened in 1988, and for reference that was before the world wide web even existed.

A lot has changed since then. Tourism now contributes $5 billion to the local economy and supports more than 29,000 jobs. Yet for all this growth, our accommodation supply hasn’t kept pace.

That’s why there’s a real buzz on the Coast right now. After more than three decades, a new branded leisure hotel is finally on the way, with Avani Mooloolaba set to open in April.

I recently took a hard-hat tour of the site and it’s clear Avani will set a new benchmark for Mooloolaba. Its 180 contemporary rooms are exactly what the market needs, but the real excitement lies in the hospitality offering. The standout is the rooftop bar, with its slick design and knockout views. It’s destined to become the Sunshine Coast’s new go-to venue. I’m fairly certain you’ll find me there most Fridays after work.

Adding to the momentum is the newly transformed Elysium Noosa Resort. Formerly the Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort, it has undergone an extensive refurbishment that blends a sense of wellness and luxury to really elevate its coastal charm. Its new dining venues, Cibaria and Bar Capri, are equally impressive.

There is hopefully more good news to come, with the Crowne Plaza Maroochydore set to break ground this year. Further south, the recently approved tourism park at Coochin Creek will provide much needed new accommodation for those seeking nature-based stays as well. And of course, anticipation continues to build for the longawaited Calile Noosa.

Together, this new wave of hotels will lift our standard of accommodation and help ease pressure on other forms of accommodation, particularly short-term rentals that aren’t always purpose-built for tourism.

Community consultation must be more than notification

Effective community consultation requires clear, accessible information and meaningful engagement before decisions are made. It relies on transparency, timely communication and opportunities for community input that can genuinely inform outcomes.

Noosa Council’s current consultation approach makes extensive use of its website, limited letter drops, pop-up events, Facebook posts, one-on-one meetings and “Your Say” surveys. While these methods may be efficient for Council, they do not always provide equitable access for all residents. Website-based engagement can be difficult for those without the time or technical capacity to navigate complex planning material, and pop-up events and digital platforms may not suit all sections of the community. Surveys are widely perceived as outcome-driven rather than genuinely consultative.

These issues are illustrated by the process surrounding 62–64 Lake Macdonald Drive, Cooroy. Planning intentions for the site were included in the Noosa Housing Strategy 2022, with activity commencing years earlier, yet no community consultation occurred until 2024.

Initial notification in May 2024 did not include all nearby streets, which was later acknowledged by Council. A wider letter drop in August 2025 expanded the notification area, but by that time key elements of the project were already well progressed, including agreement on land purchase terms, secured grant funding and signed Memoranda of Understanding. Consultation should have already occurred.

Following this initial correspondence, residents sought further engagement and participated in meetings with Council. These meetings are now described as community consultation, although attendance was limited and information was not consistently shared publicly. Decisions that affect the wider community and set precedents for hinterland towns like Cooroy, require broader and more open engagement.

Concern has increased following Council’s January 2025 resolution requiring community consultation of future use of Lots 2 and 3 of the site, while civil works currently underway appear

LENSCAPE

to pre-empt those decisions.

Cooroy’s expectations are reasonable:

• A public forum in Cooroy on the future use of the site

• Clear non-digital-only notification of the forum

• Open information sharing, including the implication of $178,000 in Federal Housing funding and $4,099,040 from Queensland Government’s Residential Activation Fund in 2025, on future land-use options

• Assurance that community views will be genuinely considered and reflected in outcomes Cooroy does not oppose development but residents value constructive engagement. Consultation must inform decisions, not follow them.

Pat Spicer, Cooroy

Responsible stewardship

It seems that if there is ever a conflict between recreational pursuits and native wildlife, there is only one winner. Think camping and dingoes, swimming and sharks, and golfing and flyingfoxes.

More than 100 animal species ( including over 30 mammals) have become extinct in Australia since European settlement. We have also lost more than 50 plant species, with another 500 listed as endangered.

We know that all life on earth is interconnected through a shared evolutionary history, genetic code and ecological interdependence. Man’s dominion over nature should not be interpreted as a license for exploitation and destruction, but for responsible stewardship.

Bruce Hallett Tewantin

Democracy to the Letter

Recently, a story about General Motors boss Mary Barra stopped me in my tracks. She runs a $75-billion global corporation, yet replies by hand to every letter she receives, whether positive or negative.

No spin doctors. No automated replies. No “your feedback is important to us” nonsense. Just a leader taking personal responsibility for genuinely listening and responding. It made me wonder why something so simple

feels extraordinary, especially when many of our own representatives seem to be drifting further away from the people they’re meant to serve.

Across all levels of government, the gap is widening. When ordinary Australians raise real concerns, what do we get? Invariably, a form letter, a media line, or a carefully staged photo-op. Anything, it seems, except genuine engagement. We’re not asking for miracles. We’re asking for honesty. We’re asking for leaders who remember that their job is to represent people, not play politics like it’s a spectator sport.

If the CEO of a mammoth multinational can pick up a pen and respond to a stranger, surely our elected representatives can manage more than a pre-approved paragraph drafted by a highly paid lackey in an office remote from our daily reality.

The truth is that too many of our leaders have become insulated. They are surrounded by advisers, pollsters, and party strategists who treat ordinary Australians as just another line in their polling spreadsheet rather than worthy citizens.

The more distant these self-entitled politicians become, the more trust evaporates.

Democracy doesn’t break overnight. It erodes slowly, every time a politician dodges a straight answer, every time a community is fobbed off, every time accountability is replaced with a theatrical performance or the sickening spectacle of tribal bloodletting.

A handwritten letter won’t fix everything. But it symbolises something we’re sorely missing: a willingness to listen without filters, without spin, and without treating the public as an inconvenience.

We deserve better. If a global CEO can manage it, our representatives have no excuse.

Garry Reynolds, Peregian Springs

Australians

Who can forget the dawn raid by black shirted immigration officials, dragging parents and two pre-schoolers from their beds with last minute efforts to prevent their deportation? America 2026? Germany 1936? No - Biloela, Australia 2018. Just remembering.

Margaret Wilkie, Peregian Beach

Iconic event, big impact

By Steve Linnell

The iconic Eumundi Market has been confirmed as one of South East Queensland’s most significant tourism and economic drivers, generating an estimated $54 million in annual visitor expenditure and supporting more than 1,000 jobs, according to a new independent report.

Commissioned by Experience Eumundi and prepared by Urban Economics, the economic impact study found the world-famous market attracts around 1.2 million visitors each year, placing it alongside Queensland’s best-known visitor attractions. Despite operating twice a week every week of the year, the market rivals the annual visitation of some of the state’s largest purpose-built tourism assets.

Experience Eumundi general manager Mark Cameron said the findings provided long-awaited, data-driven confirmation of what locals have long known.

“Eumundi Markets are not just a much-loved national icon - they are a tourism asset of statelevel significance,” Mr Cameron said.

The report shows the markets generate more than two per cent of all non-accommodation tourist spending on the Sunshine Coast, while supporting approximately 1,000 direct jobs across 600 stalls, with total direct and indirect employment exceeding 1,300 positions. The economic benefits extend well beyond the market grounds, with an estimated 30,000 room nights generated annually, contributing about $9.3 million in accommodation spend across the Sunshine Coast and Noosa. Around $7.5 million is also returned each year to local community organisations, with roughly eight cents of every dollar spent reinvested back into the community.

Queensland Industry Tourism Council chief executive Natassia Wheeler said attractions like Eumundi Markets played a crucial role in strengthening regional tourism resilience.

“Strong hinterland experiences encourage longer stays, disperse visitors and spread economic benefits across a destination,” she said.

The report also highlights the markets’ role as a major business incubator, offering low-barrier entry for local producers, artisans and food businesses to test and grow their enterprises.

Mr Cameron said the findings raised important planning considerations, noting a discon-

India birds

Ken Cross has just returned from his sixth birding trip to India. What is it about this country that attracts Ken? He proclaims, “India is a truly mega-diverse nation, home to more than 1,300 bird species and an extraordinary range of charismatic mammals such as tigers, leopards, and elephants. It is a country of deep history, immense cultural richness, and remarkable natural landscapes.”

Ken Cross is the convenor of BirdLife Sunshine Coast, an enthusiastic world birder and a happily retired secondary school teacher. He has led birding tours across Australia and internationally, including Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, China, India, Nepal, Canada, the USA, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Namibia, Spain and the United Kingdom. In this presentation, Ken will take an in-depth look at the birds, mammals, and habitats of India, along with personal experiences from the field. Come along to Friday Environment Forum on February 13th to learn why Ken keeps returning. Be warned: by the end, you may find yourself inspired to join him on his next Indian safari!

Everyone is welcome at the Noosa Parks Association Environment Centre, 5 Wallace Drive, Noosaville which starts at 10:30am with morning tea available from 10-10:25am. Entry is $5 by ‘tap & go’ at the door which includes morning tea/coffee. Entrance for NPA members is free at this forum with proof of 2026 membership. Join the bird observers at 8:30am in the carpark for interpretive birding.

nect between the scale at which the markets operate and how they are recognised in current planning frameworks.

“Formal recognition of their role is critical to protecting the markets, local amenity and the experience that draws people here,” he said.

The report provides a strong evidence base for future discussions around infrastructure, investment and long-term planning to ensure Eumundi continues to thrive.

Powering up

This is the second ZEN article on EV chargers in Noosa. The first (published 16 January) looked at what infrastructure already exists. Now we are exploring options to better meet both current and future needs.

It’s predicted that the number of EVs in Noosa will overtake the number of internal combustion engine cars around 2041, with a forecasted 44,000 EVs in Noosa. This growth will require a corresponding growth in EV charging infrastructure.

How, where and when these 44,000 EVs will charge will depend on a range of driver habits and preferences. Cars are sitting idle for most of the day so there is plenty of time to charge; so it’s not surprising that at present over 90% of EV owners charge at home. This currently tends to be done overnight when the car is parked for 8 hours

or more. While convenient, the overnight electricity (at present) is largely coal powered. Charging during the day, where possible, is better because, even if the driver doesn’t have their own solar panels, the grid is drawing in a lot of rooftop and farmed solar. At night, the grid relies more on coal because the storage options of batteries and hydro aren’t at capacity yet. The other consideration for EV drivers is cost - home charging is cheaper than public charging.

People living in strata units and people without off street parking are the most challenged. Extension cords across walkways are not a viable or safe solution. While Councils in urban areas such as the Inner West of Sydney are installing kerbside chargers, these chargers may be less suited to the Noosa context.

Some people living in strata complexes in Noosa have been frustrated by their Body Corporates’ rejection of requests to install charging points in the car parks. But safe, reliable options exist including 10-amp power points that can meter the kWh used and then bill the appropriate car owner.

Enabling drivers to plug their EVs in at their workplace would also be a game changer, as cars are usually parked for several hours during the sunniest times of the day. For a minimal cost, employers can provide Level 2 charging points in their car parks for employees. This is a more cost-effective solution than installing the faster but more expensive Level 3 chargers and it means cars are charging using solar power during the day.

Other businesses can also benefit. We’re already seeing resorts offering chargers for their guests. Any business where they want guests or customers to stay for a period of time could consider installing Level 2 or Level 3 chargers. Somewhere like Bunnings, Noosa Civic or Noosa Junction with space and a high turnover of visitors are examples of ideal locations.

Council’s role in increasing the number of charging facilities in the Shire would largely be to create awareness and incentives for businesses to take these easy steps, and as necessary set aside council parking bays to commercial chargers. Another creative solution that Council could take is Park and Ride facilities co-located with EV chargers. This would reduce congestion by offering tourists free parking and regular buses. If tourists are going to be away from the carpark for several hours then Level 2 or 3 chargers, powered by solar, could be recharging their EVs while they enjoy our beaches and cafes.

To explore a wide range of EV options and to talk to private owners and salespeople, come along to Zero Emissions Noosa’s annual EV and Electrify Everything Expo on 21 June at Noosa Junction www.noosaevexpo.com.au.

ACMA welcomes Billy Guy as guest artist to our concert on Sunday 15 February. With his on-stage energy and wide range of songs, you are guaranteed entertainment.

You’ll also enjoy popular country music and other upbeat, crowd-pleasing favourites from talented local artists backed by a great house band. See you at the Hall of Fame, 24 Steggalls Road. Doors open 10am. 11 am start. Raffle and door prizes, byo lunch, free tea and coffee. Entry $15, members $10.

1 Unhappy to be away from residence (8) 5 Perfect state (6) 10 Binge (5)

Unexamined (9)

Hate (6)

Animal (8)

Blades (6)

Settle cosily (6) 20 Ready (8)

On the spot (7) 24 Edge (6)

Dear (9) 28 Departing (5) 29 Platforms (6) 30 Decreased (8)

Sibilate (4)

Sifting implement (5)

Bunches (8)

Sedition (7)

Metal rod for stirring a fire (5)

Greeted (9)

Cicatrice (4)

Reflects upon (9) 16 Cinnabar pigment (9)

17 First showing of a movie (8)

19 Well-educated (7)

22 Prefix meaning above (5)

23 Doppelganger (4)

25 Royal (5)

26 Old (4)

1 What is the largest country in South America by area?

2 On what planet would you find the largest volcano in the solar system?

3 In Jonathan Swift’s novel Gulliver’s Travels, what is Gulliver’s first name?

4 In what city was the band U2 formed?

5 In French folklore, who does Père Fouettard (Father Whipper) accompany?

6 What is rum distilled from?

7 Who was the first person to win the Nobel Prize twice?

8 What was the last novel completed by Charles Dickens?

9 Hans Zimmer (pictured) is best known for his work in what area of filmmaking?

10 In the 1967 film Cool Hand Luke, Paul Newman’s character accepted a challenge to eat 50 what?

The Guide

PICK OF THE WEEK

OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES MILANO

CORTINA 2026 OPENING CEREMONY

Nine, Saturday, live at 5am, replayed at 1pm

From Leonardo da Vinci to the late Giorgio Armani, Italian design and creativity have shaped the world. It’s a tradition that continues with the stylish Opening Ceremony of the Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games, which pays tribute to Italy, its art, innovation and history. Olympic cauldrons will be lit in both Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, underscoring the theme of “armonia” (or harmony). Whether you’re up early to watch live, tuning in on demand or catching the encore at 1pm, this promises to be an event to remember, with performances from Mariah Carey, Andrea Bocelli (inset), Laura Pausini, Pierfrancesco Favino and Sabrina Impacciatore.

Friday, February 6

ABC TV (2)

DOMINIC WEST: EXTREME SILK ROAD

SBS, Sunday, 7.30pm

After playing a conceited cop in TheWire, a philandering author in TheAffair and winning a BAFTA Award for portraying a serial killer, actor Dominic West is ready for a change of scenery. TV’s go-to bad guy steps back in time with this rugged new docuseries that explores the ancient Eurasian trade route known as the Silk Road. Starting in Kyrgyzstan, West seeks to understand the country’s nomadic heritage, visiting modern-day yak herders and markets before embarking on a horseback trek with his TheWireco-star Clarke Peters (pictured, right, with West) and adventurer Alexandra Tolstoy.

SBS (3)

SEVEN (7)

AUSTRALIAN IDOL Seven, Monday, 7.30pm

After 25 years of twists, turns and shock reveals, it seems that Australia’s reality TV industry is back where it began: BigBrotheris live at Dreamworld, Gretel Killeen is hosting a televised social experiment (this time it’s TheTraitors) and Marcia Hines is scouring the nation for up-and-coming singing sensations on AustralianIdol. The noughties nostalgia is strong, with this year’s hunt for vibrant vocalists taking Hines, Kyle Sandilands and Amy Shark (pictured) to all corners of the country. The series’ biggest auditions round to date is focused on uncut gems, including Karratha guitar player Cody and nervous teen Nicholas, who hails from Gawler, South Australia.

MISSION TO SPACE WITH FRANCIS BOURGEOIS

ABC TV, Tuesday, 8.30pm

Francis Bourgeois’ love of trains has taken the enthusiastic engineering student around the world, documenting his passion for all things railway-related for a social media audience of three million followers. But does his excitement for transportation extend to spacecraft? You bet. The 25-yearold TikTok star is a man on a mission in this two-part special, taken under the wing of British astronaut Tim Peake as he follows a childhood dream: launching into orbit. A gruelling training regime lies ahead for Bourgeois (pictured) as he is tested for health issues and subjected to G-forces before a zero-gravity flight. The end result is more “space oddity” than odyssey.

NINE (8, 9) 6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 News. 10.00 Solar System With Brian Cox. (R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Muster Dogs. (PG, R) 2.00 Dog Park. (Ml, R) 2.30 In Limbo. (Mal, R) 3.00 Would I Lie To You? (PG, R) 3.30 Anh’s Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 4.00 Love Your Garden. (R) 4.45 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.35 All Creatures Great And Small Christmas Special. (Final, PG)

8.35 Art Detectives. (Final, PGa) Mick’s father is taken hostage.

9.20 Hard Quiz. (PGa, R) Hosted by Tom Gleeson.

9.50 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. (PG, R)

10.20 Dog Park. (Ml, R)

10.50 ABC Late News.

11.10 Smother. (Mal, R)

12.55 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv) 5.00 Rage. (PGadhlnsv)

6am Morning Programs. 9.00 Barkley Manor. (PG, R) 10.00 Paddington Station 24/7. (PGal, R) 10.50 Mountain Vets. (Ma, R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24. 12.55 PBS News. 1.55 South America With Simon Reeve. (PGaw, R) 3.00 Nula. 3.30 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Secrets Of The Terror Whale. (R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Southern Cyprus: Aphrodite’s Paradise. (Premiere) Looks at the sights and sounds of Cyprus.

9.30 Isle Of Wight: Jewel Of The South. (PG, R) Marine biologist Theo Vickers goes in search of a sea slug to photograph.

10.25 SBS World News Late.

10.55 Sisi. (MA15+ds, R)

11.50 Babylon Berlin. (Mav, R) 1.40 Silent Road. (MA15+v, R) 4.25 Bamay. (R) 4.55 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 12.35pm Ben And Holly. 1.20 Octonauts. 2.15 Peter Rabbit. 2.35 Daniel Tiger’s. 2.50 The Makery. 3.05 Play School. 3.30 Wiggle. 4.15 Andy’s Aquatic Adventures. 5.40 Kangaroo Beach. 6.05 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.25 Paddington. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.05 Gardening Australia Junior. 7.40 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 8.05 Scooby-Doo And Guess  Who? 8.35 My Adventures With Superman. 8.55 Robot Wars. 9.55 TKO: Total Knock Out. 10.35 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 7.20 FBC News. 7.50 Euronews. 8.10 NHK Newsline. 8.40 CBC The National. 9.30 BBC News At Six. 10.00 France 24 English News. 10.30 The Food That Built The World. 12.05pm DW The Day. 12.35 Blaktrax. 1.10 Mastermind Aust. 3.50 WorldWatch. 5.50 If You Are The One. 6.50 Jeopardy! 7.45 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 MOVIE: Risky Business. (1983, M) 10.20 Adam Hills: The Last Leg. 11.10 Homeland. 1.15am Sex Before The Internet. 2.05 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’s National News At Noon. 1.00 MOVIE: One Of A Kind Love. (2021, PGa) Jocelyn Hudon. 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia. Hosted by Larry Emdur.

6.00 Seven Local News.

6.30 Seven News. 7.00 Better Homes And Gardens Summer. Joh and Pete explore a LiveWorkShare House.

8.30 MOVIE: Pretty Woman. (1990, Mal, R) A businessman, in need of an escort for the evening, gives a sex worker a first-hand look at the  lives of the mega-rich. Richard Gere,  Julia Roberts, Hector Elizondo.

11.05 To Be Advised.

12.50 Dare Me. (MA15+asv)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 5.00 Dr Harry’s Animal Encounters. (PG)

7TWO (72)

6am Morning Programs. 11.30 The Real Seachange. Noon Better Homes. 1.00 Escape To The Country. 2.00 Home In WA. 2.30 Weekender. 3.00 Room For Improvement. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Medical Emergency. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Wildlife ER. 8.30 Escape To The Country. 11.30 Secrets Of Beautiful Gardens. 12.30am Escape To The Country. 1.30 Home In WA. 2.00 Harry’s Practice. 2.30 Medical Emergency. 3.00 Better Homes. 4.00 Late Programs.

7MATE (74) SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. Noon MOVIE: LUV. (2012, M) 1.40 Words Matter. 2.00 Kriol

TEN (5, 1)

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning.

12.00 Married At First Sight. (Mls, R) 1.30 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Highlights of the Milano Cortina 2026 games. 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30 Tipping Point Australia. (PG) 5.30 WIN News.

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Night. 12.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Post Midnight. 2.00 Next Stop. (R) 2.30 World’s Greatest Myths And Mysteries. (PG, R) 3.30 Beyond The Dream: Ice Breakers — Chasing Olympic Gold. (R) 4.30 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026: Opening Ceremony Pre-Show. The Opening  Ceremony of Milano Cortina 2026. 5.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 Opening Ceremony. The Opening Ceremony of Milano Cortina 2026.

9GEM (81, 92)

6.00 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 6.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer. 7.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG) Hosted by Rebecca Gibney. 7.30 AACTA Awards 2026. Honours Australian television creatives and performers. 10.00 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sport and weather. 11.00 10 News+. (R) Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 11.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 12.30 Home Shopping. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Morning Programs. 11.00 Surfing Aust. 11.30 Parental Guidance. 2pm Golden Girls. 2.30 Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.00 Bewitched. 6.00 Golden Girls. 6.30 Nanny. 7.30 MOVIE: The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader. (2010, PG) 9.45 MOVIE: Stargate: Continuum. (2008, M) 11.45 Psychic Kids. 12.45am Love Island UK. 1.45 The Vampire Diaries. 3.30 I Love VIP Pets. 4.00 Barbie It Takes Two. 4.30 Hop. 4.50 Booba. 5.10 LEGO Jurassic World: Legend Of Isla Nublar. 5.30 Late Programs. 6am Post-Show: Riyadh.  7.00 Oz Fish TV. 7.30 Creek To Coast. 8.00 A Football Life. 9.00 America’s Game. 10.00 American Resto. 10.45 NFL: Road To The Super Bowl. Noon NFL. Awards show. 2.00 More Power. 3.00 Timbersports. 3.30 Tougher In Alaska. 4.30 American Resto. 5.00 Storage Wars. 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 Road Wars. 8.30 MOVIE: The Longest Yard. (2005, M) 10.50 NFL Tailgate. 11.20 Storage Wars. 11.50 American Pickers. 1am Golf. LIV Golf League Riyadh. 9GO! (82, 93)

6am Morning Programs. 7.50 The Amazing Mr. Blunden. (2021, PG) 9.20 The Movie Show. 10.25 Limitless. (2011, Mdlsv) 12.20pm Indecent Proposal. (1993, Mals) 2.30 Discovering Film. 3.25 Time Bandits. (1981, PGahv) 5.35 Whale Rider. (2002, PGal) 7.30 Escape From Alcatraz. (1979, Mav) 9.35 Harry Brown. (2009, MA15+dlsv) 11.40 End Of Watch. (2012, MA15+lv) 1.40am The Quiet American. (2002, MA15+av) 3.30 Hounds. (2023, Malv, Berber, French) 5.10 Hajjan. (2023, PGav, Arabic)

6am Morning Programs. 11.30 M*A*S*H. Noon Recipes For Love And Murder. 1.00 Poirot. 3.00 Antiques Roadshow. 3.30 Shakespeare And Hathaway. 4.30 Yorkshire Auction House. 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. 6.30 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. A preview of Milano Cortina 2026. 7.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Night. 7.30 New Tricks. 8.40 MOVIE: Lethal Weapon. (1987, M) 10.55 The Equalizer. 11.55 New Tricks. 1am Creflo. 1.30 MOVIE: Some People. (1962) 3.30 Late Programs.

Saturday, February 7

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

6am Morning Programs. 12.00 News.

12.30 Call The Midwife. (PGa, R)

1.30 Art Detectives. (Final, PGa, R)

2.15 All Creatures Great And Small Christmas Special. (Final, PG, R) 3.10 Extraordinary Escapes. (PG, R) 4.00 Human. (Final, PG, R) 5.00 Aust Story. (R) 5.30 Dr Karl’s How Things Work. (R)

6.00 Kath & Kim. (PGals, R)

Kim moves in with Kath.

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

Presented by Tom Gleeson.

7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.

7.30 Call The Midwife. (PGa)

Joyce faces a difficult situation when a mother suffers postnatal complications.

8.30 Midsomer Murders. (M)

Two teams compete in the local lawn bowls’ championship as the season draws to a close.

10.00 This England. (Ml, R)

Looks at Boris Johnson winning the 2019 general election and COVID-19 emerging in Wuhan. 11.05 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

Continuous music programming.

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Children’s Programs. 3.30pm Thomas. 4.15 Dino Dex. 4.40 Gardening Australia Junior. 5.05 Superworm. 5.40 Super Monsters. 6.05 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.25 Paddington. 6.50 Andy And The Band. 7.05 Piripenguins. 7.30 Hard Quiz Kids. 8.00 Chopped Jnr. 8.40 Shaun Tan’s Tales From Outer Suburbia. 9.25 Fresh Off The Boat. 10.10 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

6am Morning Programs. 1.45pm Volcanic Odysseys. 2.35 Walkabouts. 3.00 The Last Ice Hunters. 4.20 Glen Thomas: Beyond The Walls. 4.45 First Australians. 6.00 Haututu Hunters. 6.40 The Other Side. 7.30 Alone Australia. 8.30

MOVIE: The Exorcist. (1973, MA15+) 10.40 Soh Presents: Generations And Dynasties. Midnight Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24. 1.00

PBS News. 2.00 Figure Skating. ISU Four Continents Championships. Highlights. 4.00 Going Places. (R) 4.30 Cycling. Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. Elite Women’s. 5.30 Imperial Crown: The Myth, Mystery And Majesty.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Secrets Of Britain’s Historic Houses: Goldfinger. (PG) An avantgarde work of art needs restoration.

8.40 Swiss Alpine Rail Journeys: The Tenacious Davoser Railways. (R) The funiculars of Schatzalp and Parsenn in Davos pull travellers through an alpine winter wonderland.

9.35 The Secret DNA Of Us: Bathurst. (PG, R) Marc and his team unravel the DNA of Bathurst, a regional and agricultural hub just three hours west of Sydney.

10.40 Lord Lucan: The Trail. (Malv, R) Lucan’s younger brother is located. 11.45 Outlander. (MA15+asv, R)

2.30 Beyond Signs. (MA15+a, R)

4.25 Bamay. (R) 5.15 Euronews. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31)

6am Morning

Programs. 3.05pm Heroines. 3.45 WorldWatch. 5.45 Mastermind Aust. 6.45 The Food That Built The World. (Return) 7.35 Engineering From Above. 8.30 Icons Unearthed: The Simpsons. 10.20 Marcella. 12.10am WWE Legends. 1.40 Dark Side Of The ‘90s. 2.30 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera.

SEVEN (7)

6.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (R)

7.00 Weekend Sunrise.

10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend. (PG) Highlights from the past week. 11.30 Horse Racing. Inglis Millennium Day And Caulfield Charity Family Day. 5.00 Seven News At 5. 5.30 Creek To Coast. (Return) A look at the latest in outdoor activities.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R) Two men keep changing their stories.

7.30 MOVIE: The Mummy. (1999, Mhv, R) A former soldier disrupts the burial place of a 2000year-old mummified Egyptian priest. Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz.

10.00 MOVIE: American Made. (2017, MA15+l, R) A pilot is recruited by the CIA to carry out one of the largest covert operations in history. Tom Cruise, Domhnall Gleeson.

12.20 MOVIE: Daughter In Disguise. (2021, Mav, R) Emily Alatalo.

2.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 It’s Academic. (R) 5.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

7TWO (72)

6am Morning Programs. 12.30pm This Rugged Coast. 1.30 Better Homes And Gardens Summer. 3.00 Better Homes. 4.00 Wildlife ER. 5.00 Escape To The Country. 6.00 Luxury Escapes: World’s Best Holidays. 6.30 Bondi Vet. (Return) 7.30 The Yorkshire Vet. 8.30 Lewis. 10.30 Escape To The Country. 11.30 The Amazing Homemakers. 12.30am Late Programs.

6am Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 Opening Ceremony. 7.30 Weekend Today. 10.30 Find My Beach House Australia. (R) 11.30 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. 1.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 Opening Ceremony. 5.00 News. 5.30 Find My Country House Aust. (PG, R)

6.00 9News Saturday.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 1. From Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Hosted by Alison Langdon and James Bracey.

12.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 1 – Post Midnight. From Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Hosted by Leila McKinnon.

3.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 1 – Overnight. From Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Hosted by Leila McKinnon, Sylvia Jeffreys and Dylan Alcott.

6.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Narrated by Mark Coles Smith. 7.30 Love It Or List It Australia. (Return) A couple have outgrown their property. 8.40 Sort Your Life Out. (PGa, R) Stacey Solomon and her team help families declutter and transform their lives. 9.50 Ambulance Australia. (Ma, R) A code one comes in for a two-year-old. 10.50 Matlock. (PGa, R) Matlock and Olympia race to protect each other. 11.50 Elsbeth. (PGlsv, R) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.

6am Morning

6am Morning Programs. 12.55pm Gloria Bell. (2018, Mdlns) 2.50 The Movie Show. 3.25 The Amazing Mr. Blunden. (2021) 5.00 Mia And The White Lion. (2018, PGal) 6.50 Eloise At The Plaza. (2003) 8.30 The Voyeurs. (2021, MA15+lnsv) 10.40 La Maison. (2022, MA15+adnsv, German, English, French) 12.20am Late Programs.

Sunday, February 8

ABC TV (2)

7MATE (74)

6am Morning Programs. 1.30pm Cool Cars With Dermott And Elise. 2.00 Rides Down Under: Workshop Wars. 3.00 Motor Racing. Alpine Rally of East Gippsland. 4.00 Desert Collectors. 5.00 Counting Cars. 6.00 Pawn Stars. 7.00 Storage Wars. 7.30 MOVIE: Ghostbusters: Afterlife. (2021, PG) 10.00 MOVIE: In The Line Of Fire. (1993, M) 1am Late Programs.

Programs. 12.35pm MOVIE: Hell Is A City. (1960, PG) 2.25 MOVIE: Train Of Events. (1949, PG) 4.20 MOVIE: Piccadilly Incident. (1946) 6.30 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 1. 7.30 Death In Paradise. 8.40 MOVIE: Rambo: First Blood. (1982, M) 10.35 MOVIE: The Driver. (1978, M) 12.25am Late Programs. 6am Shopping. 9.00 I Fish. 9.30 JAG. 3.30pm Soccer. A-League Men. Brisbane v Central Coast. 6.00

6am Morning Programs. 2.55pm Surfing Aust. 3.25 Swimming. Aust Open Water C’ships. H’lights. 3.55 LEGO Masters. 5.35 MOVIE: Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed. (2004, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban. (2004, PG) 10.15 MOVIE: Gretel & Hansel. (2020, M) Midnight Late Programs.

RYTHME MÉLODIQUE

MAJESTIC THEATRE POMONA

THURSDAY 26TH FEBRARY 1.00 PM TO 3.30 PM PAUL HENDON (SAX/CLR), PAUL WILLIAMS (SAX/CLR), JO BLOOMFIELD (PNO), DAVID BURROWS (GTR), HELEN RUSSELL (BASS). www.noosajazzclub.com

SBS (3)

SEVEN (7) 6.00 Rage. (PG) 7.00 Wknd Brekky. 9.00 Insiders. 10.00 Offsiders. 10.30 World This Week. (R) 11.00 Compass. (PG, R) 11.30 Praise. (R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Landline. (R) 1.30 Gardening Aust. (R) 2.30 Muster Dogs. (PG, R) 3.40 The Piano UK. (PG, R) 4.30 Amanda & Alan’s Italian Job. (PG, R) 5.00 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.00 Grand Designs Transformations. (PG, R) 7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Muster Dogs. (PG) Training begins for the puppies.

8.30 Dog Park. (M) Roland tries to guide his daughter Mia through a breakup while facing his own crumbling relationship.

9.00 This England. (M) Looks at Britain during COVID-19.

9.50 Call The Midwife. (PGa, R) Joyce faces a difficult situation. 10.55 Midsomer Murders. (Mv, R) 12.25 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 4.00 Dream Gardens. (R) 4.30 A Bite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.00 Insiders. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Children’s Programs. 3.30pm Tiddler. 3.55 Children’s Programs. 4.45 Gardening Australia Junior. 5.10 Super Monsters And The Wish Star. 5.55 Octonauts. 6.50 Andy And The Band. 7.05 Piripenguins. 7.30 Shaun Tan’s Tales From Outer Suburbia. 7.50 MOVIE: Space Jam: A New Legacy. (2021, PG) 9.45 Fresh Off The Boat. 10.05 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 12.30 PBS Washington Week. 12.55 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 1.00 Speedweek. 3.00 Cycling. AlUla Tour. Highlights. 4.00 Going Places. (PG, R) 4.30 Cycling. Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. Elite Men’s. Highlights. 5.30 The Anti-Soviet Fighters.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Dominic West: Extreme Silk Road. (Premiere)

8.25 Grand Canal: China And Its Wondrous Waterway: The South. Presented by Andrew Field. 10.15 Dunhuang: Ancient Frontier Fortress. (MA15+v, R) 11.15 George Michael: Portrait Of An Artist. (Mdls, R) 1.00 Unlocking The Secrets Of The Nazca Lines. (PGa, R) 1.50 Rise Of The Nazis: The Downfall. (Mav, R) 2.55 The Great House Revival. (R) 3.55 Rediscover Victoria. (R) 4.25 Bamay. (R)

5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 Euronews. 5.30 PBS News Horizons.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) SBS VICELAND (31)

6am Morning Programs. 2.15pm Jeopardy! 4.20 WorldWatch. 5.15 PBS News Compass Points. 5.45 Icons Unearthed: The Lord Of The Rings. 6.40 The Architecture The Railways Built. (Return) 7.35 Abandoned Engineering. (Return) 8.30 Mysteries Unearthed With Danny Trejo. (Premiere) 10.10 The Grudge. 10.40 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

6.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (R) 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Cycling. Santos Tour Down Under. H’lights. 1.30 Unfiltered: Cricket. (PG, R) 2.00 MOVIE: Close Encounters Of The Third Kind. (1977, PGh, R) Richard Dreyfuss. 5.00 Seven News At 5. 5.30 Weekender. (Return)

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Australian Idol. (PGal)

8.40 The Fall Of The House Of Beckham. (Premiere) Follows the public fallout of one of Britain’s most famous family, the Beckhams, playing out in real time on social media.

9.40 The Royal Rich List. (Premiere, PG) Looks at royal assets worth £21 billion.

11.10 Crime Investigation Australia: Most Infamous. (MA15+av, R)

12.20 Temple. (Mal) 1.20 Travel Oz. (PG, R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 4.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (R) 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

7TWO (72)

6am Morning Programs. 1pm Luxury Escapes: World’s Best Holidays. 1.30 Harry’s Practice. 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 Medical Emergency. 3.00 Better Homes. 4.00 The Amazing Homemakers. 4.55 Secrets Of Beautiful Gardens. 5.55 Escape To The Country. 6.55 Vicar Of Dibley. 8.30 Vera. 10.30 Miss Scarlet And The Duke. 11.30 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 12.40pm Dating Amber. (2020, Mals) 2.20 Whale Rider. (2002, PGal) 4.15 Mr. Holmes. (2015, PGa) 6.10 Big Fish. (2003, PGav) 8.30 For A Few Dollars More. (1965, Mv) 11.00 Sundown. (2021, MA15+sv) 12.30am The Voyeurs. (2021, MA15+lnsv) 2.40 Late Programs. 7MATE (74) 6am Morning Programs. 3pm I Am Smokin’ Joe Frazier. 4.35 Stompem Ground. 5.15 Soh Presents: Generations And Dynasties. 6.45 Volcanic Odysseys. 7.35 Most Endangered Species New Zealand. 8.25 The Issue With Tissue. 10.35 MOVIE: The Chant Of Jimmie Blacksmith. (1978, M) 12.40am Late Programs. NITV (34)

6am Morning Programs. 1pm Fishing Addiction. 2.00 Red’s Fishing Adventures. 2.30 Merv Hughes Fishing. 3.00 Pawn Stars. 4.00 Deep Water Salvage. 5.00 Counting Cars. 6.00 Border Security: Int. 7.00 Border Security. 8.30 MOVIE: Jason Bourne. (2016, M) 11.00 MOVIE: Skyscraper. (2018, M) 1.05am Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 7.00 Weekend Today. 10.00 Golf. Jack Newton Celebrity Classic. H’lights. 11.00 Fishing Aust. 11.30 Take Me Home. (PG, R) 12.30 Forging Champions. (PGl, R) 2.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 1 – H’lights. 5.00 News. 5.30 My Way.

6.00 9News Sunday.

7.00 Married At First Sight. (PGls) In the final two weddings, one bride takes a big leap of faith in an experiment first.

8.35 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 2 – Night. Coverage includes women’s downhill alpine skiing, men’s 10km cross-country skiing and men and women’s parallel giant slalom qualifiers and finals.

12.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 2 – Post Midnight. 3.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 2 – Overnight. 5.30 Today. The latest in news and current affairs.

6am Morning Programs. 6pm Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 2 – Night. 8.35 David Attenborough’s Frozen Planet II. 10.35 Major Crimes. 11.35 M*A*S*H. 12.05am MOVIE: That’ll Be The Day. (1973, M) 1.50 MOVIE: Victoria The Great. (1937) 4.05 My Favorite Martian. 4.30 Avengers. 5.30 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 1.30pm World Endurance Championship: Season Review. 2.30 Snackmasters. 3.50 LEGO Masters. 5.00 Young Sheldon. 5.30 MOVIE: Three Men And A Baby. (1987, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Ocean’s Eleven. (2001, M) 10.00 MOVIE: Tango & Cash. (1989, M) Midnight Gotham. 1.00 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 9.30 My Market Kitchen. (R) 10.00 Farm To Fork. (R) 10.30 GCBC. (R) 11.00 Well Traveller. (PGa, R) 11.30 Pooches At Play. (R) 12.00 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (PGal, R) 1.30 Basketball. NBL. Round 20. South East Melbourne Phoenix v Sydney Kings. 3.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) 4.00 Lingo. (R) 5.00 News.

6.30 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 7.00 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (PGal) Hosted by Julia Morris and Robert Irwin.

8.30 NCIS: Sydney. (Mv) A car owned by a US Navy cyber engineer explodes just as her teenage daughter is about to take a driving lesson. 9.30 Law & Order: SVU. (Mav) Bruno suspects a bomb was planted to destroy DNA evidence and Benson investigates a connected murder. 10.30 NCIS: Origins. (Mav, R) Gibbs works a case involving a missing girl. 11.30 10 News+. (R) 12.00 Home Shopping. (R)

Monday, February 9

ABC TV (2) SBS (3) SEVEN (7)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 News. 10.00 Midsomer Murders. (Mv, R) 11.30 Back Roads. (PG, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 The Great Australian Bee Challenge. (Final, R) 2.00 Parliament. 3.00 Would I Lie To You? (Final, PG, R) 3.30 Anh’s Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 4.00 Love Your Garden. (PG, R) 4.45 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30.

8.00 Australian Story. Australians tell personal stories.

8.30 Four Corners. A continued look at the Bondi Beach terror attacks.

9.15 Media Watch. (PG) Presented by Linton Besser. 9.35 Planet America. A look at American politics.

10.05 Dr Karl’s How Things Work. (R) 10.35 ABC Late News.

10.50 The Business. (R) 11.10 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. (PG, R) 11.40 Love Your Garden. (PG, R)

12.25 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 1.15 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 4.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Children’s Programs. 3.30pm Wiggle. 4.10 Andy’s Aquatic Adventures. 4.35 Vida The Vet. 5.40 Kangaroo Beach. 6.05 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.25 Paddington. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.35 Ninjago. 8.00 Deadly 60. 8.35 TKO: Total Knock Out. 9.15 Kids BBQ Championship. 9.55 Merlin. 10.40 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

6am Morning Programs. 11.55 The Issue With Tissue. 2pm Kriol Kitchen. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.30 The 77 Percent. 6.00 Bamay. 6.40 Volcanic Odysseys. 7.30 Who Do You Think You Are? 8.30 Karla Grant Presents. 9.30 MOVIE: Ghosts Of Mississippi. (1996, M) 11.45 Turn Up Respect. 12.05am Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 12.05 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News Compass Points. 1.30 Al Jazeera News Hour. 2.00 Karnak: The Largest Temple In The World. (R) 3.05 Going Places. (R) 3.35 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Secrets Of The Killer Mega Shark. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Inside The Tower Of London. (Return) The Constable’s Dues is prepared.

8.30 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. (M) Hosted by Jimmy Carr.

9.25 Never Mind The Buzzcocks. (M) Hosted by Greg Davies.

10.05 SBS World News Late. 10.35 Other People’s Money. (Premiere, Mn)

11.30 Vigil. (Malv, R) 2.30 The Great House Revival. (R) 3.30 Rediscover Victoria. (Mls, R) 4.00 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31)

6am Morning

Programs. 2.30pm Mastermind Aust. 3.30 WorldWatch. 4.25 PBS News Compass Points. 4.55 WorldWatch. 5.25 The Fast History Of. 6.15 Curse Of Oak Island. (Return) 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 Triumph: Jesse Owens & The Berlin Games. 10.05 The Secret DNA Of Us. 11.15 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

6am Morning Programs. 11.45 For A Few Dollars More. (1965, Mv) 2.15pm Mia And The White Lion. (2018, PGal) 4.05 Eloise At The Plaza. (2003) 5.50 Madison. (2020, PGal, German) 7.30 La La Land. (2016, Ml) 9.50 One Of A Kind. (2023) 11.45 Falcon Lake. (2022, Mls) 1.40am Sundown. (2021, MA15+sv) 3.10 Late Programs.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 NFL. NFL. Super Bowl LX. Seattle Seahawks v New England Patriots. 2.00 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R) 2.30 Border Security: International. (PG, R) 3.00 The Chase. 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.

6.00 Seven Local News.

6.30 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGa)

7.30 Australian Idol. (PGal) Hosted by Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie.

9.15 9-1-1. (Mav) As Athena and Hen navigate their way back home, Athena is forced to confront what it means to live without Bobby.

10.15 I Cut Off His Penis: The Truth Behind The Headlines. (MA15+av) 11.15 Crime Investigation

Australia: Most Infamous: The Family Murders. (MA15+av, R)

12.35 Conviction. (MA15+av, R) 1.35 Harry’s Practice. (R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (R) 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

7TWO (72)

(8, 9)

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 Married At First Sight. (PGls, R) 1.30 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 2 – Highlights. 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30 Tipping Point Australia. (PG) 5.30 WIN News.

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Married At First Sight. (Mls) After nine weddings, the next phase of the experiment begins. The couples come face-to-face with each other for the first dinner party of the season.

9.05 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 3 – Night. Coverage includes men’s team downhill alpine skiing, women’s ice hockey and freestyle skiing slopestyle finals.

12.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 3 – Post Midnight. 3.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 3 – Overnight. 5.30 Today. The latest in news and current affairs.

9GEM (81, 92)

6am Morning Programs. Noon Australian Idol. 2.00 Weekender. 2.30 This Rugged Coast. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Medical Emergency. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Doc Martin. 8.30 Endeavour. 10.30 Air Crash Inv: Accident Files. 11.30 Doc Martin. 12.30am Bargain Hunt. 1.30 Home In WA. 2.00 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 6.30pm Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 3 – Night. 9.05 The Brokenwood Mysteries. (Return) 11.05 London Kills. 12.05am M*A*S*H. 1.05 Creflo. 1.35 MOVIE: The Tales Of Hoffmann. (1951) 4.05 London Kills. 5.00 M*A*S*H. 5.30 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 3 – Early Morning.

7MATE (74)

6am Morning Programs. Noon Border Security. 1.30 Rides Down Under: Workshop Wars. 2.30 Motor Racing. Alpine Rally of East Gippsland. Replay. 3.30 Tougher In Alaska. 4.30 American Resto. 5.00 Storage Wars. 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 Outback Opal Hunters. 9.30 Aussie Salvage Squad. 10.30 Mighty Planes. 11.30 Late Programs.

(5, 1)

6.00 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 6.30 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant Denyer.

7.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG) Hosted by Rebecca Gibney. 7.30 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (PGal) Hosted by Julia Morris and Robert Irwin. 9.00 Matlock. (PGad) Matty and Olympia continue to test the boundaries of their friendship while helping a group of nuns. 10.00 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sport and weather. 11.00 10 News+. (R) 11.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 12.30 Home Shopping. (R)

9GO! (82, 93)

6am Morning Programs. 2pm Golden Girls. 2.30 Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.00 Bewitched. 6.00 Golden Girls. 6.30 Nanny. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: Civil War. (2024, MA15+) 10.40 Seinfeld. 11.40 The 100. 12.35am Love Island UK. 1.30 The Vampire Diaries. (Final) 2.25 Surfing Aust. 2.55 Late Programs.

Tuesday, February 10

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

SEVEN (7) 6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 News. 10.00 Aust Story. (R) 10.30 Planet America. (R) 11.00 Human. (PG, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Call The Midwife. (Ma, R) 2.00 Parliament. 3.00 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R) 3.30 Anh’s Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 4.00 Love Your Garden. (R) 4.45 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) 7.00 ABC News. 7.30 7.30. 8.00 Dr Karl’s How Things Work: Ice Cream.

8.30 Mission To Space With Francis Bourgeois. (Premiere) Presented by Francis Bourgeois. 9.20 Grand Designs Transformations: Booker Bay Studio And St Peters Extension. (PG, R) 10.35 ABC Late News. 10.50 The Business. (R) 11.05 Four Corners. (R) 11.50 Media Watch. (PG, R) 12.10 Love Your Garden. (R) 1.00 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 1.45 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

4.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Children’s Programs. 2.15pm Peter Rabbit. 2.45 The Makery. 3.05 Play School. 3.30 Wiggle. 4.10 Andy’s Safari Adventures. 4.35 Vida The Vet. 5.40 Kangaroo Beach. 6.05 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.25 Paddington. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.35 Ninjago. 8.00 Deadly 60. 8.35 Whale With Steve Backshall. 9.25 Planet Weird. 10.15 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

6am Morning Programs. 2pm Kriol Kitchen. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.30 Going Places. 6.00 Bamay. 6.40 Wild Survivors. 7.30 Big Backyard Quiz. 8.30 Unleash The Beast. 9.30 Boy Called Piano: The Story Of Fa’amoana John Luafutu. 10.30 MOVIE: The Unknown Country. (2022, PG) Midnight Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 10.50 Mountain Vets. (PGa, R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Queens Of Ancient Egypt. (PGa, R) 3.00 Going Places. (PG, R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour. (R) 3.35 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Secrets Of The Tasmanian Tiger. (PG, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Who Do You Think You Are? Camilla Franks. (PGa, R) Camilla Franks explores her roots.

8.35 MOVIE: I Am Raquel Welch. (2025) Celebrates the life of Raquel Welch. Nina Colman, Eugenio Derbez.

10.10 Rock Legends: Diana Ross And The Supremes.

10.40 SBS World News Late. 11.10 Exit. (MA15+ads)

12.05 DNA. (Malv, R) 1.50 We Hear You. (PG, R) 2.40 The Great House Revival. (R) 4.35 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31)

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’s National News At Noon. 1.00 Seven News With Alex Cullen. 1.10 Blankety Blank. (PGa, R) 2.00 Bridge Of Lies. 3.00 The Chase. 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.

6.00 Seven Local News.

6.30 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGad)

7.30 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. (PG) From Edinburgh Castle, Scotland.

9.30 Doc. (Ma) A popular weight loss medication reveals the cracks in a couple’s relationship. Two sisters face an unexpected diagnosis.

10.30 St. Denis Medical. (PGal)

11.30 Autopsy USA: Anthony Bourdain. (Madl, R)

12.30 Childhood’s End. (Premiere, Mav)

2.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (R)

5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

7TWO (72)

6am Morning Programs. 2.20pm Mastermind Aust. 3.25 WorldWatch. 5.25 The Fast History Of. 6.15 Curse Of Oak Island. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 Shark. (Premiere) 10.20 Casketeers Life & Death Across The Globe. 11.15 Out Of Bounds. (Premiere) 12.45am Then You Run. 2.30 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera. 6am Morning Programs. 11.30 Home In WA. Noon Australian Idol. 2.00 Creek To Coast. 2.30 Air Crash Inv: Accident Files. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Medical Emergency. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Call The Midwife. 8.45 Judge John Deed. 10.45 Northern Lights. 11.45 Bargain Hunt. 12.45am Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

6am Morning Programs. 11.50 La La Land. (2016, Ml) 2.10pm Mr. Holmes. (2015, PGa) 4.05 Roxane. (2019, PGals, French) 5.45 Enigma. (1982, PGasv) 7.35 Walkabout. (1971, Maln) 9.30 The Blue Caftan. (2022, Mans, Arabic) 11.45 Fathers And Mothers. (2022, Mdlns, Danish, Icelandic) 1.35am One Of A Kind. (2023) 3.30 Late Programs.

7MATE (74)

6am Morning Programs. 11.30 American Pickers. 12.30pm Pawn Stars. 1.30 Outback Opal Hunters. 3.30 Tougher In Alaska. 4.30 American Resto. 5.00 Storage Wars. 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 Outback Truckers. 9.30 Railroad Australia. 10.30 Deadliest Roads. 12.30am Storage Wars. 1.00 American Pickers. 2.00 Late Programs.

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1)

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 Married At First Sight. (Mls, R) 1.30 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 3 – Highlights. 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30 Tipping Point Australia. (PG) 5.30 WIN News. 6am Morning Programs. 7.30 Farm To Fork. (R) 8.00 Lingo. (R) 9.00 The Finish Line. (R)

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Married At First Sight. (Mls) Over two nights, a new task is revealed and the photo ranking returns, where connections and cracks start to form.

9.15 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 4 – Night. Coverage includes short track mixed team relay finals, 500m and 1000m qualifiers, women’s alpine skiing and men’s moguls qualifiers.

12.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 4 – Post Midnight.

3.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 4 – Overnight. 5.30 Today. 6.00 10 News+. 6.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer. 7.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG) Hosted by Rebecca Gibney. 7.30 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Hosted by Julia Morris and Robert Irwin. 9.00 NCIS. (Mmv) Reeling from his father’s murder, Parker goes to extreme lengths to hunt down the woman he holds responsible. 10.00 10’s Late News. Coverage of news,

9GEM (81, 92)

6am Morning Programs. 6.30pm Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 4 – Night. 9.15 Agatha Christie’s Marple. 11.15 Miniseries: The Pale Horse. 12.15am M*A*S*H. 1.15 Creflo. 1.45 MOVIE: Operation Bullshine. (1959) 3.30 Miniseries: The Pale Horse. 4.30 M*A*S*H. 5.30 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 4 – Early Morning.

9GO! (82, 93)

6am Morning Programs. 2pm Golden Girls. 2.30 Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.00 Bewitched. 6.00 Golden Girls. 6.30 Nanny. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: Expend4bles. (2023, MA15+) 10.30 Seinfeld. 11.30 The 100. 12.25am Love Island UK. 1.25 Kardashians: The Billion Dollar Dynasty. 2.25 Surfing Aust. 2.55 Late Programs.

Wednesday, February 11

ABC TV (2) SBS (3) SEVEN (7)

6am Morning Programs. 11.00 All Creatures Great And Small Christmas Special. (Final, PG, R) 12.00 News.

12.30 Press Club. 1.35 Media Watch. (PG, R) 2.00 Parliament. 3.00 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R) 3.30 Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 3.55 Love Your Garden. (R) 4.45 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30.

8.00 Hard Quiz. (PGa) Hosted by Tom Gleeson.

8.30 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. (PG) A satirical news program.

9.00 Dog Park. (M, R) Roland guides his daughter through a breakup.

9.30 QI. (Mls) Hosted by Sandi Toksvig. 10.00 Planet America. (R) 10.35 ABC Late

(PG, R) 1.30 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 4.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Children’s Programs. 3.30pm Wiggle. 4.10 Andy’s Safari Adventures. 4.35 Vida The Vet. 5.40 Kangaroo Beach. 6.05 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.25 Paddington. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.35 Ninjago. 8.00 Deadly 60. 8.55 Adv Time. 9.40 We Bare Bears. 9.55 Shaun Tan’s Tales From Outer Suburbia. 10.15 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

6am Morning Programs. Noon Piri’s Tiki Tour. 12.30 Unleash The Beast. 1.30 The Lake Winnipeg Project. 2.00 Kriol Kitchen. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.30 News. 6.00 Bamay. 6.40 Wild Survivors. 7.30 Shepherdess. 8.40 Earth Oven. 9.30 MOVIE: Steel Magnolias. (1989, PG) 11.35 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 10.15

Paddington Station 24/7. (PGa, R) 11.05

Britain By Beach. (PG, R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Queens Of Ancient Egypt. (Mav, R) 3.00 Going Places. (R) 3.30 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Race For The Sky. (PGalv, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Saving Yellowstone. (PG)

8.30 Seven Wonders Of The Ancient World: The Colossus Of Rhodes And The Statue Of Zeus At Olympia. (PG, R) Bettany Hughes sets sail to Greece.

9.25 Trespasses. (Mls)

10.20 SBS World News Late. 10.50

Face To Face. (Ma, R) 11.40 Darkness:

Those Who Kill. (Mav, R) 1.30 Golden Boy. (MA15+s, R) 2.20 The Great House Revival. (R) 4.15 Bamay. (R) 4.50 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31)

6am Morning

Programs. 3.50pm WorldWatch. 5.50 The Fast History Of. 6.15 Curse Of Oak Island. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 Adam Hills: The Last Leg. 9.20 MOVIE: Dangerous Liaisons. (1988, M) 11.35 MOVIE: The Flowers Of War. (2011, MA15+) 2.10am Tales From The Territories. 3.00 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

6am Morning Programs. 12.45pm Falcon Lake. (2022, Mls) 2.40 Discovering Film. 3.35 A Handful Of Dust. (1988, PG) 5.45 The Big Steal. (1990, PGls) 7.35 My Own Private Idaho. (1991, Madlns) 9.30 Bare. (2015, MA15+ds) 11.10 National Anthem. (2023, MA15+dlns) 1.05am Walkabout. (1971, Maln) 3.00 Late Programs.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’s National News At Noon. 1.00 Seven News With Alex Cullen. 1.10 Blankety Blank. (PGas, R) 2.00 Bridge Of Lies. 3.00 The Chase. 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.

6.00 Seven Local News.

6.30 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGad)

7.30 The 1% Club UK. (PGl) Hosted by Lee Mack.

8.30 Highway Patrol. (PGl) A driver lands in hot water when they head out for hot food in an unregistered car.

9.00 Operation Dark Phone: Murder By Text. (MA15+av) The authorities identify dangerous criminals.

10.00 Air Crash Investigations: Deadly Charter. (Return, PGa) 11.00 The Disappearance Of Gabby Petito. (Mav, R) 12.15 The Last Weekend. (Malv) 1.15 Travel Oz. (R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (R) 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

7TWO (72)

6am Morning Programs. Noon Better Homes. 1.00 Escape To The Country. 2.00 Weekender. 2.30 House Calls To The Rescue. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Medical Emergency. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Heartbeat. 8.45 Inspector George Gently. 10.45 The Queen Unseen. 11.45 Bargain Hunt. 12.45am Late Programs.

7MATE (74)

6am Morning Programs. 12.30pm Pawn Stars. 1.30 Outback Truckers. 3.30 Tougher In Alaska. 4.30 American Resto. 5.00 Storage Wars. 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 Highway Patrol. 8.30 The Force: BTL. 9.30 Caught On Dashcam. 10.30 World’s Wildest Police Videos. 11.30 Live PD Presents: PD Cam. Midnight Late Programs.

(8, 9)

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 Married At First Sight. (Mls, R) 1.30 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 4 – Highlights. 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30 Tipping Point Australia. (PG) 5.30 WIN News.

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Married At First Sight. (Mls) Revelations week sees the couples show some vulnerability as a new task begins. In front of peers, raw truths will be exposed, but it’s one grooms honesty that leaves the room speechless.

9.05 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 5 – Night. Coverage includes women’s snowboarding halfpipe and moguls and men’s super alpine skiing.

12.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 5 – Post Midnight. 3.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 5 – Overnight. 5.30 Today. The latest in news and current affairs.

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6am Morning Programs. 6.30pm Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 5 – Night. 9.05 Midsomer Murders. 11.05 The Madame Blanc Mysteries. 12.05am M*A*S*H. 1.05 Creflo. 1.35 MOVIE: Jules Verne’s Rocket To The Moon. (1967) 4.00 The Madame Blanc Mysteries. 5.00 M*A*S*H. 5.30 Late Programs.

9GO! (82, 93)

6am Morning Programs. 11.30 LEGO Masters: Grand Masters. 2pm Golden Girls. 2.30 Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.00 Bewitched. 6.00 Golden Girls. 6.30 Nanny. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: RoboCop. (2014, M) 10.55 Seinfeld. 11.55 The 100. 12.50am Love Island UK. 1.50 Kardashians: The Billion Dollar Dynasty. 2.55 Late Programs.

6.00 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 6.30 Deal Or No Deal. (PGa) Hosted by Grant Denyer. 7.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG) Hosted by Rebecca Gibney. 7.30 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Hosted by Julia Morris and Robert Irwin. 9.00 Elsbeth. (PGav) A rivalry reaches a climax on Halloween night in Sleepy Hollow after a

Thursday, February 12

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

SEVEN (7) 6am Morning Programs. 10.30 The Weekly. (Ml, R) 11.00 Creative Types. (PGv, R) 11.25 QI. (Mls, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Bergerac. (Mv, R) 1.45 Camel Capers. (R) 2.00 Parliament. 3.00 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R) 3.30 Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 3.55 Love Your Garden. (R) 4.45 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R) 6am Morning Programs. 10.15 Paddington Station 24/7. (PGl, R) 11.00 Britain By Beach. (PGa, R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Queens Of Ancient Egypt. (PGa, R) 3.00 Going Places. (R) 3.30 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Race For The Sky. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R) 7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30. 8.00 Grand Designs Transformations: Balaclava Hat Factory And Paddington Japanese. Two properties are transformed. 9.00 Amanda & Alan’s Italian Job. (PG) Amanda takes the reins of the master bedroom.

9.30 The Piano UK. (R) Hosted by Claudia Winkleman.

10.35 ABC Late News. 10.50 The Business. (R) 11.05 Love Your Garden. (R) 11.55 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 12.40 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 4.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.00 A Bite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Children’s Programs. 2.45pm The Makery. 3.05 Play School. 4.10 Andy’s Safari Adventures. 4.35 Vida The Vet. 5.40 Kangaroo Beach. 6.05 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.25 Paddington. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.35 Ninjago. 8.00 Deadly 60. 8.35 Secrets Of The Zoo. 9.20 The Secret Life Of Our Pets. 10.10 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

6am Morning Programs. Noon Earth Oven. 1.00 The Panther Within. 2.00 Kriol Kitchen. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.30 Going Places. 6.00 Bamay. 6.40 Wild Survivors. 7.30 Going Places. 8.30 Reckless.

9.30 MOVIE: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. (2000, M) 11.40 Late Programs.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Toronto Airport Uncovered. (PG) Storms ground outbound flights.

8.25 Robson Green: World’s Most Amazing Walks. (PG) Robson Green explores the Jurassic Coast. 9.20 In Flight. (Madlv) Sonny is kidnapped.

10.15 SBS World News Late.

10.45 Before We Die. (MA15+v, R) 11.40 Forest Of The Missing. (MA15+asv, R) 1.40 Silent Road. (Ma, R) 3.35 Celebrity Mastermind. (PG, R) 4.35 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31)

6am Morning Programs. 2.15pm Mastermind Aust. 2.45 Insight. 3.50 WorldWatch. 5.50 The Fast History Of. 6.15 Curse Of Oak Island. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 History’s Greatest Mysteries. 10.05 Brassic. (Return) 12.05am MOVIE: Homicide: The Movie. (2000, M) 1.40 Epstein Didn’t Kill Himself. 3.15 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

6.00 Sunrise. News, sport and weather. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) The latest news and views. 11.00 Golf. LIV Golf Adelaide. Day 1. 4.00 Seven News At 4. 5.00 The Chase Australia. Contestants race to answer quiz questions correctly to avoid being caught by The Chaser.

6.00 Seven Local News. 6.30 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGad) Harper’s guilt surges.

8.30 MOVIE: Sweet Home Alabama. (2002, PGl, R) A New York socialite returns to Alabama to divorce the man she married and left behind years earlier. Reese Witherspoon, Josh Lucas, Candice Bergen.

10.50 To Be Advised.

12.30 Dare Me. (MA15+asv)

1.30 Harry’s Practice. (R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (R) 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

7TWO (72)

6am Morning Programs. Noon Better Homes. 1.00 Escape To The Country. 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 The Queen Unseen. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Medical Emergency. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Father Brown. 8.30 The Inspector Lynley Mysteries. 10.30 Murdoch Mysteries. 11.30 Late Programs.

7MATE (74)

6am Morning Programs. 12.30pm Pawn Stars. 1.30 Highway Patrol. 2.30 The Force: BTL. 3.30 American Resto. 4.00 LIV Golf League Post-Show Adelaide. 5.00 Storage Wars. 5.30 American Pickers. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 More Power. 8.30 AFL Origin Countdown. 10.00 MOVIE: Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City. (2021, MA15+) 12.15am Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 12.05pm My Own Private Idaho. (1991, Madlns) 2.00 Roxane. (2019, PGals, French) 3.35 Enigma. (1982, PGasv) 5.30 55 Steps. (2017, PGanv) 7.35 St. Vincent. (2014, Malsv) 9.30 The Mattachine Family. (2023, Malns) 11.20 Some Kind Of Beautiful. (2014, Madls) 1.10am Late Programs.

(8, 9)

(5, 1)

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 Married At First Sight. (Mls, R) 1.30 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 5 – Highlights. 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30 Tipping Point Australia. (PG) 5.30 WIN News. 6am Morning Programs. 7.30 Farm To Fork. (R) 8.00 Lingo. (R) 9.00 The Finish Line.

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 6 –Night. Coverage includes men’s skeleton runs, snowboard cross, moguls qualifiers and finals and women’s super alpine skiing. 12.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 6 – Post Midnight. Coverage includes men’s snowboard cross final and women’s 10km cross-country skiing and 5000m speed skating final.

3.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 6 – Overnight.

5.30 Today. The latest in news and current affairs.

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6am Morning Programs. 6.30pm Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 6 – Night. 7.30 TBA. 8.30 MOVIE: Mermaids. (1990, PG) 10.45 Major Crimes. 11.45 Recipes For Love And Murder. 12.45am Innovation Nation. 1.00 Creflo. 1.30 MOVIE: Dulcima. (1971, PG) 3.30 Recipes For Love And Murder. 4.30 M*A*S*H. 5.30 Late Programs.

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6am Morning Programs. 12.50pm Rugby Sevens. SVNS Series Perth. H’lights. 2.00 Golden Girls. 2.30 Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.00 Bewitched. 6.00 Golden Girls. 6.30 Nanny. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: Jupiter Ascending. (2015, M) 11.00 Seinfeld. Midnight The 100. 12.50 Love Island UK. 1.50 Late Programs.

6.00 10 News+. 6.30 Deal Or No Deal. 7.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG) 7.30 Attenborough’s Parenthood: Jungles. (Final, PGa) David Attenborough looks at parenthood in the jungle. 8.40 The Graham Norton Show. (Mls) Timothée Chalamet, Emma Thompson, Rowan Atkinson and Edward Enninful join Graham Norton on the couch. 9.50 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sport and weather. 10.50 10 News+. (R) 11.15 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG)

Home Shopping. (R)

We sit under oak trees in a walled garden. Cinzia, wrapped in a floral apron, brings a saucepan of tagliatelle mingled with tomato and basil to our table. Simple, delicious, uncomplicated. Her mother brings almond biscotti from her oven. Scooping biscotti from a hot tray we dunk them into golden Vin Santo.

Half day excursions lead to enchanting villages. We visit Renaissance gardens, hunt truffles, prepare artichokes and have 15 minutes alone in a Chapel dissecting and re-assembling a painting by master Beato Angelico.

Heraldic banners flutter from windows; beating drums and trumpets call us into battle! A crimson cloaked Dame prompts cameras, but a handsome silver-haired town crier on horseback steals the attention, until we make way for a platoon of guards in pantaloons. The festival celebrates the miraculous blooming of a single dried cherry stone. Saved from starvation, townspeople rebelled against despotic Frederick Barbarossa.

Today we investigate ‘A Sputnik in Paradise’, an extra-terrestrial painting? We have lunch with Stefania, Isabella’s friend. Stefania breaks fresh eggs over wild asparagus and slips a tray into the oven. Simple, delicious, uncomplicated.

This evening we watch the stupendous valley cloak itself in darkness. Lights sparkle across the hills from nearby villages, and the sky fills with stars. Where could that lady-in-red be going, striding below the wall so purposefully? We have 5 more days to find out.

Isabella lived in Tuscany for 25 years. She offers 10 night stays for 8 women in May and October each year for $3,950.00pp. No single supplement.

• Info & Itinerary: isabelladusi039@gmail.com

• Telephone: 0481 192 868

India is a destination that awakens the senses like nowhere else on earth. From the spiritual rhythm of ancient rituals to the grandeur of royal palaces and the buzz of modern cities, it is a country best experienced with insight, care and local expertise. Noosa Travel’s fully escorted tour to India offers exactly that - an immersive, wellpaced journey through the country’s most iconic regions, all while enjoying the comfort of quality accommodation and the reassurance of expert local guidance.

This thoughtfully curated itinerary begins in Delhi, where guests spend two nights discovering the layers of India’s capital. Highlights include a rickshaw ride through Old Delhi, weaving past historic laneways, bustling markets and centuries-old architecture, it’s a thrilling introduction to India’s energy and charm.

From Delhi, the group travels by first class train to the sacred city of Varanasi. Here, two nights are spent soaking in the deeply spiritual atmosphere of the River Ganges. A serene boat ride at sunrise offers a moving glimpse into daily rituals that have taken place for thousands of years, providing an unforgettable cultural connection.

The journey continues to Agra for two nights, home to the world-renowned Taj Mahal, followed by three nights in the Pink City of Jaipur. In Jaipur, guests enjoy a jeep ride up to the magnificent Amber Fort, along with a memorable high tea at the exquisite Rambagh Palace. Cultural experiences are woven throughout the

tour, including a henna painting and traditional turban-tying session - small moments that create lasting memories.

In Jodhpur, the tour takes on a regal tone with a two-night stay at the stunning Ranbanka Palace. This former royal residence offers a unique opportunity to experience India’s heritage in authentic palace-style surroundings. The journey concludes with three nights in vibrant Mumbai, a city of contrasts where colonial history, modern India and coastal beauty come together.

Throughout the tour, guests stay in carefully selected 4-star accommodation and enjoy daily breakfast and dinner, allowing them to relax and focus on the experience rather than logistics. A dedicated local guide accompanies the group for the entire journey, providing valuable insight, cultural context and seamless coordination at every step. Most importantly, the tour is fully escorted by Noosa Travel, offering peace of mind, personal support and a sense of familiarity that makes travelling through India both comfortable and rewarding.

This escorted tour is ideal for travellers who want to experience the richness of India without the stress of navigating it alone. With its blend of iconic sights, vibrant cultural encounters and premium inclusions, Noosa Travel’s India tour promises a journey that is as enriching as it is unforgettable. For more information please phone Noosa Travel on 07 5449 7000.

Discover Northern India

12-26 November 2026

Small group tour full escorted by Noosa Travel Highlights: Delhi, Varanasi, Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Mumbai.

Inclusions:

• 14 Nights 4 star accommodation with breakfast daily and 13 dinners

• Internal flights Varanasi to Delhi, Jodhpur to Mumbai

• Entrance fees to sights and monuments

• English speaking National tour guide and local guides

• Train journey Delhi to Varanasi in Executive Chair Car

• High tea at Rambagh Palace, boat ride on River Ganges

• Rickshaw ride in Old Delhi

• Air conditioned transport for all transfers and sightseeing

• Fully escorted by Noosa Travel

*Conditions apply. International airfare additional.

7 Nights

Dec 2026 - Mar 2027

Your unforgettable holiday includes:

Iconic Experiences, Expertly Escorted

Full day Barossa Valley tour with lunch and wine tastings including: Saltram wine estate, lunch and wine tasting at Lambert Estate, visit to Barossa Valley Chocolate Company, photo stop at Menglers Hill Lookout, vineyard tour & wine tasting at Jacob’s Creek visitor centre, stop at Beerenberg Farm, and free time in Hahndorf to explore the historic German settlement

2 day Kangaroo Island tour including: Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery, Clifford’s Honey Farm, In-Flight Birds of Prey Display at Raptor Domain, Seal Bay Conservation Park guided beach walk, lunch at Emu Bay Lavender Farm, Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, and Flinders Chase National Park

Full-Board River Elegance

3 night Murray River cruise on board PS Murray Princess with all meals and sightseeing

Tour of Murray River Bridge and historic Roundhouse

Guided nature walk of Salt Bush Flat

Taste Riverland food and wine

Dragon-Fly flat-bottomed boat wildlife tour

Hand-Picked Hotel Stays

3 nights four-star hotel stay in Adelaide with breakfast

1 night four-star hotel stay in Kangaroo Island with breakfast, lunch and dinner

All Flights, Taxes & Transfers

in Veranda Stateroom

LYON

SAIL • MAY-NOV 2026; MAY-NOV 2027; 2028

From $5,895pp in Veranda Stateroom From $7,795pp in Penthouse Veranda

PARIS & THE HEART OF NORMANDY

Roundtrip Paris

8 DAYS • 1 COUNTRY • 6 GUIDED TOURS SET SAIL • JUN-NOV 2026; 2027; 2028

From $6,495pp in Veranda Stateroom From $8,295pp in Penthouse Veranda

NEW RIVER VOYAGES BROCHURE

Choirboys bring rock show

Back in 1978, a group of twenty-something mates from Sydney’s Northern Beaches formed a band called Choirboys. Surrounded by the wild, hedonistic chaos of the ‘70s youth culture, they soaked it all in—every misstep, every party, every outrageous moment. That life would ultimately give birth to their defining anthem: Run to Paradise.

Fuelled by the stories that have long echoed through the halls of rock history—Run to Paradise became more than a hit; it became the opening line in a book of untold stories. Now, more than 40 years later, the band is ready to open that book and spill everything.

Part concert, part story, Run to Paradise is a raw, hilarious, and jaw-dropping journey through the golden era of Australian pub rock. Told in their own words, the Choirboys share the stories you were never meant to hear—wild nights, backstage madness, and the kind of insanity only

a rock band could survive... all, as these Oz pubrock icons recall it.

“They didn’t call it Pub Rock back then,” says frontman Mark Gable, “but we were there at the start—and somehow, we’re still here. It’s hearsay, it’s memory, it’s what we lived, what we were told.

Calling all wood artisans

By Steve Linnell

Woodworkers and artisans from across Australia are being invited to showcase their finest creations, with entries now open for the 2026 Sunshine Coast Wootha Prize - one of the nation’s most respected and environmentally focused woodworking competitions.

Now in its 15th year, the Wootha Prize celebrates excellence in timber artistry, sustainability and craftsmanship, and in 2026 enters a new chapter as part of the Montville Timber Trail.

The finalist exhibition will be held at the Montvale Glasshouse in the hinterland village of Montville from 1–4 May 2026.

Hosted by Barung Landcare and supported by key sponsors including Sunshine Coast Council, the prize has built a national reputation for championing environmentally conscious woodworking.

All entries must align with the competition’s guiding ethos: “Sustainable by Nature, Beautiful by Design.”

Works are required to be made from sustainably harvested native timbers, weed timbers, or repurposed, salvaged or recycled wood.

The 2026 competition is open themed, giving artists freedom to express their own creative vision across three core categories: Furniture, Sculpture and Tiny Treasures.

From large-scale functional works to intricate small objects, the prize highlights both traditional skills and contemporary innovation.

Woodworkers of all experience levels - from emerging makers to established professionalsare encouraged to enter.

Finalists will be in the running for the cov-

eted $10,000 overall first prize, with additional category awards and a People’s Choice prize also on offer.

Barung Landcare said the Wootha Prize continues to demonstrate how strong environmental values can sit alongside exceptional design and craftsmanship, while offering the public a rare opportunity to engage directly with sustainable timber art.

Entries close Friday, 20 March 2026, with the exhibition and awards taking place 1–4 May 2026 as part of the Montville Timber Trail celebrations.

For competition guidelines and entry details, visit www.barunglandcare.org.au/woothaprize

The Sunshine Coast Wootha Prize has been presented by Barung Landcare since 2004 and continues to play a leading role in promoting sustainable creative practice across Australia.

Paws out on the promenade

By Steve Linnell

Noosa’s most loved celebration of all things canine is making a return to the river, with A Dog’s Life: Pet Expo set to bring Dogtopia back to Gympie Terrace on Saturday 2 May 2026.

Taking place from 8am to 1pm at Lion’s Park, near Pirate Park, the free, family-friendly event will transform the Noosa River foreshore into a tailwagging playground packed with entertainment, activities and shopping for dogs and their humans.

Presented by Sunshine Coast Music & Events, powered by SumUp and supported by Doggy Anchor, A Dog’s Life has quickly earned its reputation as the Sunshine Coast’s favFURite dog event of the year. Organisers say the 2026 expo will be the biggest yet, with more than 50 vendors attending from Gympie to the Gold Coast.

A highlight of the day will be the ever-popular Doggy Fashion Parade, hosted by Carlie Wacker, where stylish pups will strut their stuff in the race to be crowned Noosa’s Best Dressed Pooch. The crowd-favourite Best Mini-Me competition will also return, celebrating matching dog-and-human duos.

While the focus is firmly on four-legged companions, there’s plenty for the rest of the family to enjoy.

Children can take part in face painting, dogthemed crafts and interactive activities, while

adultsbrowsestallsfeaturingthelatestinpetproducts, nutrition, grooming, obedience training, pet first aid and enrichment.

Families are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket, swimwear and settle in for a relaxed morning at one of Noosa’s most popular dog-friendly locations.

Unique experiences, competitions and prizesincluding the much-loved ‘Smooch a Pooch’ Puppy Love stand will add to the festive atmosphere.

Dog lovers are invited to dress their pampered pooches, bring friends and family, and celebrate the special bond between humans and dogs. For more information, visit www.adogslifepetexpo.com.au

And a lot of it is just plain stupid... but that was the magic. There were no rules.”

Led by frontman Mark Gable, alongside original members Lindsay Tebbutt (drums) and Ian Hulme (bass), and later joined by Brett Williams (guitar), Choirboys cut their teeth in a time when live music poured out of pubs like beer from a tap.

“We had no idea what we were doing or where it would end up taking us,” Gable recalls.

Run to Paradise catapulted the band to stardom. It hit the Top 10 on the Australian charts, and even cracked the US Billboard charts—an achievement few Aussie rock acts can claim.

The hits didn’t stop there. Songs like “Boys Will Be Boys”, “Never Gonna Die”, and “Struggle Town” became fixtures on pub jukeboxes and festival stages alike. Backed by three Top 30 albums and a recording deal with legendary label Albert Productions (home to AC/DC, The Angels, and

Rose Tattoo), Choirboys were embedded in the very DNA of Australian rock.

In 2023, Choirboys took their story to the stage—literally—with the launch of Run to Paradise: Great Australian Rock N Roll Stories.

Set to a soundtrack of the era’s most legendary tracks—from AC/DC, The Angels, Dragon, Screaming Jets, Deep Purple, Divinyls, and more—plus all the Choirboys’ greatest hits, Run to Paradise is the ultimate tribute to the chaos, humour, and heartbeat of Australian rock. As they continue to tour and inspire new generations of rock fans, one thing remains crystal clear: You just don’t get much more Rock ‘n’ Roll than Choirboys.

Run to Paradise: Great Australian Rock N Roll Stories will hit The J Theatre on Thursday 26 February. Phone 5329 6560 or visit www.thej.com.au

The Freddys in February

Local favourites The Freddys bring vintage classic rock to Tewantin-Noosa RSL on Valentine’s Day, Saturday 14 February, 8-11pm. So if you feel like dancing give it a whirl. Prior to that you’ll find the trio at the historic Apollonian Hotel, Boreen Point, well-known for its popular smokehouse

spit-roast lunches, on Sunday 8 February, 123pm. The Freddys also perform Thursdays at The Jetty Noosa 10am-12pm weather permitting. BYO chairs for river shows.

As they say: ‘Music is good for the heart, soul and mind’.

Community update

From singing and bush care to service clubs and art, there is a wide variety of groups in Noosa.

ORCHID SOCIETY

Noosa District Orchid & Foliage Society welcomes visitors and members to its monthly meeting at 12pm on Saturday 7 February, Tinbeerwah Hall for socialising and plant sales, with meeting from 1pm. Meetings are first Saturday each month, excluding December and January. Visitors can attend two meetings for free before joining. For more information visit noosaorchidsociety.com.au or phone Trevor Cook on 0419 431 008.

ARTS NATIONAL NOOSA

Presents a year long program of art and cultural presentations by international and Australian experts. Come along on Saturday, 14 March and hear about new research highlighting Frans Hals’ influence on the art of portraiture. Enjoy wine, canapes and companionship after. Enquiries and to book email visitorsan.noosa.gmail.com. Fee $30.

RSL WOMEN’S AUXILIARY

The AGM of the Tewantin-Noosa RSL Women’s

Auxiliary will be held on Friday 6 February at Tewantin-Noosa RSL at 10.30am. All members, friends and visitors welcome. Phone Kay 5447 5042.

ROVING RESTORERS

Join the Roving Restorers Noosa Chapter at Black Mountain on Friday 20 February from 8.30am. Works undertaken will improve the biodiversity and ecological health of the surrounding landscape. Please contact Noosa Landcare Project Officer – Ered - ered.fox@noosalandcare.org for further details.

SQUASH PLAYERS

Squash players needed, week day mornings Noosa. Phone Karen 0412 485411.

SENIORS INDOOR BOWLS

If you are interested in a low impact, friendly activity then indoor bowls is for you. We are a group of seniors enjoying the health benefits of interacting with like minded and friendly people. Experience is not necessary and a high standard is not expected. The aim is fun and friendship. We meet every Friday at the Noosa Leisure Centre in Wallace Drive. Arrival time is between 8.30 and

The Freddys. (Flossie)

8.45 for a 9am start. Pop in to see how it works or ring me (Pam) on 0407493402.

TENORS AND BASES - Noosa Chorale needs you!

If you are a tenor or bass, and would like to sing in a choir with a great bunch of people under the direction of a talented conductor in preparation for our Vivaldi concert in May, Noosa Chorale would love to welcome you to our rehearsals. No auditions are needed. An ability to read music is an advantage, but is not essential. Send us an email to register your interest (noosachorale@ gmail.com). Rehearsals are every Monday night 7- 9pm at The J Theatre. For more info, see www. noosachorale.org.au/sing-with-us

MAGZ JAZZ

Increase strength, flexibility, energy and wellbeing. Dance exercises and stretch. Learn new dance moves and routines to inspired music. Jazz & Latin style dance keeps body moving, mind agile, memory working and spirit lifted. Tuesdays 8am-9.30am in Tewantin. Phone Margaret for details 0425 269 988

JOIN ZONTA CLUB OF NOOSA

For over 30 years, the Zonta Club of Noosa -proudly affiliated with Zonta International - has strived to empower local women through education bursaries, and health initiatives, providing advocacy and support for issues caused by gender-based violence and homelessness. We host fundraising and advocacy events throughout the year. Join us for our monthly dinner meetings. Visit www.zontanoosa.org or email admin@ zontanoosa.org

HERE’S A NOVEL IDEA

So you want to write a best-seller? Or perhaps you’ve had the idea of a story rattling around your brain forever. If that’s the case, bring your novel ideas or part-written fiction and join us at Noosa Novelists at our meetings on Monday mornings at Wallace House, Noosa, when we read and comment on pre-emailed chapters of each other’s work, offering ideas and suggestions in friendly discussion to help develop our stories. If interested, please email Noosa Shire Arts and Crafts at create@noosaartsandcrafts.org.au and head it ‘Novelists enquiry.’ Please give details of any publications past and present, or work in progress.

Estate of Joan Ellen Mackay Late of 297/126

Cotterill Ave Bribie Island, Deceased

Date of Death: 21/12/2024

Probate Granted in the Supreme Court of Queensland, File Number: SE06857/25

Notice is hereby given that the Executors of the estate of Joan Ellen Mackay are seeking the whereabouts of Gillian Ellen Mackay who is believed to be entitled to a share or interest in the said estate as a beneficiary under the Will dated 22/08/2024.

Gillian Ellen Mackay is described as follows:

• Last Known Whereabouts: Tewantin, Queensland.

• Relationship to Deceased: Daughter

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Gillian Ellen Mackay is requested to contact:

Pathway Legal

Attention: Siobhan Allison PO Box 208, Maroochydore QLD 4558 (07) 5446 6857 sunshinecoast@pathwaylegal.com.au

QUINN, Beverley Esther

formerly of Doonan. Passed away peacefully on 20 January 2026. Aged 84 years, in the loving care of the wonderful staff at Arcare Peregian Springs.

Dearly loved wife of her late husband Brian (“Quinny”), beloved mother of Lisa and Julianne, cherished Nanna to Kyan, Kayla and Rachel, and much-loved sister of John (dec’d), Helen, Raymond, Grahame, Alan and Kevin.

Following a private cremation, Bev’s memorial service will be held on Thursday 12th February 2026 at the Cooroy Hotel from 12 noon. Wearing Mauve or purple will be the theme to reflect Bev’s favourite colour.

Tender

Description Tenders are invited from suitably qualified, experienced and resourced respondents for the construction of a Changing Places amenities facility at Gympie Terrace Foreshore, Noosaville.

An information session is scheduled and all information regarding this Request for Tender and the information session may be downloaded from Council’s website. IMPORTANT: Tender documents including submission requirements are available on Council’s website under ‘Current Tenders’ via ‘Business > Tenders & Procurement’. All submissions must be electronically lodged.

Locals driving for charity

By Steve Linnell

For families living in regional Australia, especially in the Outback, the challenges of daily life are often magnified when a child faces a life-threatening illness.

Specialist treatment is frequently hundreds of kilometres away, forcing families apart for months at a time, with one parent relocating to a city while the other remains at home caring for siblings and property.

This March, Noosa Heads locals Sally-ann and Anthony Caligari will once again put their hearts - and their Subaru Impreza - on the line, taking part in the 10th Riverina Outback Rally to raise funds for Country Hope.

The charity provides family-centred support programs for country children with cancer and serious illnesses.

“I’m a car enthusiast, I’ve done this the last few years with a friend,” Anthony said, recall-

ing previous rallies.

“You get to see places in the Outback and it’s all for a good cause.”

The rally covers about 2,500 kilometres over five days, starting in Wagga Wagga and finishing near Tamworth, although the exact route is only revealed to participants along the way.

The Caligari’s, having grown up in regional Victoria, will drive more than 2,000 kilometres to reach the start and return home afterwards.

Over the past six months, the couple have been preparing their modified Subaru Impreza to tackle Australia’s harshest and most remote roads.

Sally-ann described the rally as “an amazing week, travelling through outback Australia with a great group of generous people and meeting plenty more along the way. In the past, we’ve also stopped to visit some of the sick kids and their families who are receiving help from Country Hope. It’s incredibly emo-

tional yet heart-warming, and it makes us even more determined to raise money for these amazing families.”

The Caligaris’ effort is supported by local Noosa businesses, with sponsors including Humacology, Butler Aviation Insurance, Noosa Watersports, Noosa Dream Boats, Baker’s Pantry, AM Auto, Canvas and Marine Covers CMC, and Tom Offermann Real Estate.

Their Subaru will be plastered with these sponsors’ logos, turning it into a moving billboard across more than 5,000 kilometres, promoting both the cause and Noosa as a holiday destination.

Sally-ann works locally as a disability support worker at Sunshine Butterflies, while Anthony is part of the in-house media team at Tom Offermann Real Estate.

“We’ve been blown away by the support from the Noosa community,” Sally-ann said.

“We’d love more generous Noosa business-

River rangers in action to keep river healthy

By Steve Linnell

We push off from the Noosa Sailing Club jetty at 8am, the river still glassy in the early morning light.

Today’s mission isn’t fishing or sightseeing. We’re in search of the big one - rubbish.

I’ve joined the crew of NICA, the Noosa Integrated Catchment Association. It’s a bit of a mouthful - maybe they should change their name to Noosa NatureWatch, Noosa River Guardians, Flow Noosa, or something like that…

But their purpose is simple: look after the Noosa River and everything that depends on it.

On board this morning are Peter and Yanni Van Zijl, along with our skipper, Justin Campbell, a veteran of these waters.

Between them, they’ve seen just about everything the river can throw up, including what people leave behind.

The river today is beautiful.

The water is clear, the banks lush and green, birdlife busy along the shoreline.

It’s the kind of morning that reminds you why Noosa’s river system is so special and why protecting it matters.

It doesn’t take long to find our first targets.

By 8.12am, just minutes into the patrol, we spot an assortment of plastics and rubbish snagged along Noosa’s North Shore.

Peter and Yanni hop off the boat and start collecting, moving methodically through the reeds.

This is River Ranger work, and it happens every fortnight. Supported by Noosa Council, NICA’s river rangers patrol the waterways, collecting litter and reporting issues that need the attention

of local authorities.

It’s not glamorous, but it’s vital.

We idle further up the river, stopping whenever something unwanted comes into view.

By 8.30am, the haul already includes broken plastic lids, coffee cups, water bottles, lolly wrappers, bait bags and discarded fishing line - all items that pose a real threat to wildlife.

Then comes the pièce de resistance: a plastic toilet seat, half-hidden in the vegetation.

Not long after, we recovered a 20-litre plastic water container. There’s also a soggy reminder that wipes don’t break down in water — something the river doesn’t need, but gets anyway.

Peter and Yanni have been doing this for more than 20 years.

Two decades of quietly helping to keep Noosa’s rivers clean, one piece of rubbish at a time. It’s a long-term commitment to a task that never really ends.

We find more odds and ends - a stubby bottle, lengths of rope - before turning back downstream.

By 9.30am, the boat is already carrying a sizable load of garbage, the kind that clogs waterways and wreaks havoc on flora and fauna alike.

Just as we think we’re done, one last flash of colour catches the eye: a yellow life jacket tangled in weeds near the bank. We stop and retrieve it. Nothing gets left behind if it can be helped.

In two weeks’ time, this same crew will be back out here, doing it all again.

River patrols are just one part of NICA’s broader work across the Noosa River Catchment. The organisation is supported by Noosa Council and applies for grants from Queensland and Federal

es as sponsors to come along for the ride, also auction prizes and donations to bolster and exceed our target.”

Every kilometre driven in the Riverina Outback Rally makes a tangible difference. Last year, 80 cars and their support teams raised more than $600,000 for Country Hope, directly supporting families during some of their toughest times. This year, all funds raised will once again go directly to the charity, helping country children access life-saving treatment without the added financial and emotional burden.

The 2026 Riverina Outback Rally kicks off on 9 March. For donations, sponsorship or more information, visit the Caligaris’ rally page here https://www.mycause.com.au/ page/374681/wrxpedition or email Anthony at producer@offermann. com.au

Tewantin tennis serves up smash hit

The Tewantin Noosa Tennis Club hosted its first and hugely successful Tennis Party over the weekend, drawing more than 200 locals to its picturesque bushland courts for an afternoon of fun, fitness, and community spirit.

governments, along with other non-government organisations, to deliver projects that protect and improve the environment.

Each month, NICA coordinates water quality and nutrient testing in the river and lakes, providing valuable data about the health of the catchment. Volunteers also monitor shorebirds and waders near the mouth of the Noosa River, with results recorded in a national database that contributes to national conservation efforts.

NICA’s influence stretches well beyond the riverbanks. Through its Urban Wildlife Gardens program - supported by Noosa Council and other grants - residents are encouraged to turn backyards into biodiversity havens. Members receive an initial garden visit, free plants and resources, a regular newsletter and access to monthly talks and workshops.

Every March, NICA also coordinates Clean Up Australia Day across Noosa and the hinterland, organising around 20 clean-up sites that bring the community together for a shared purpose.

Back on the river, the morning patrol winds down. The water looks much the same as when we left - calm, inviting, deceptively pristine. But the pile of rubbish onboard tells a different story.

“We’re just caretakers of the River,” Yanni said. “Someone needs to do it.”

Keeping the Noosa River healthy isn’t a oneoff clean-up. It’s an ongoing job, carried out by people who care deeply about this place — and who’ll be back on the water in another fortnight, hunting the big one once again.

To get involved with NICA, email admin@ noosariver.com.au or visit www.noosariver.com.

Held under Noosa’s blue skies and afternoon breezes, families, social players, and seasoned competitors turned out to enjoy a wide range of tennis activities. The club’s coaching team led by Pete Taylor from Launch Coaching Academy ran energetic coaching clinics for all ages, while the courts buzzed with social tennis sessions that welcomed newcomers and regulars alike. One of the day’s biggest drawcards was the lively single-point slam competition, which delivered plenty of laughs and dramatic, winner-takes-all rallies.

The always-popular fastest serve competition let amateurs compare their serves to the pros on display at the Australian Open. Local member Tom Stewart claimed the prize with a 145km hour thunderbolt.

Set against the natural bushland backdrop that makes the Tewantin Noosa Tennis Club such a unique community venue, the event offered something for everyone. Off the court, families relaxed under the trees, kids played on the grass, and volunteers kept the barbecue sizzling with a classic sausage sizzle that proved as popular as the tennis itself.

Club President Bruce Campbell described the day as “a celebration of community connection and the growing enthusiasm for tennis across the region”. With strong attendance and plenty of smiling faces, the Tewantin Tennis Party is sure to become a highlight on the local social-sporting calendar.

For those that missed out on the taste of what the Tewantin Noosa Tennis Club has to offer, more information on how to get involved with tennis can be found at the club’s website –play.tennis.com.au/TewantinTennisClub or by emailing ask.tntc@gmail.com

Talking Sport

Ron Lane

Our People a success story

The Noosa Dolphins Rugby Union Club is a prime example of an amazing success story in sport. Now, Jerry Lewis guides us through what has become a significant part of the club’s history. Established in 1984, when the Queensland Rugby Union sought a team to participate in the newly formed Sunshine Coast Rugby Competition, a group of “Our People”, stepped forward and accepted the challenge.

The Noosa Dolphins Rugby Union Club not only consolidated, but also achieved success, becoming one of the most respected clubs within the Queensland Rugby Union.

Dr Charles Elliott, a local GP who later became the first president, placed a classified ad in the Noosa News inviting interested parties to meet at Noosa Heads SLS Supporters Club. Among those who responded were current club patron David Nicholson, Max Gunthorpe, Brendan Ryan, John Ford, Trevor Luff, as well as several others.

At a successful meeting, members agreed to form a club. Since the meeting was held at the Noosa Club, whose colours were maroon and white, those colours were chosen for the rugby club as, a gesture of thanks. However, since the club lacked funds for new jerseys, the QRL provided a white jersey with yellow numbers.

Following a successful meeting they adjourned onto the verandah of the surf club to celebrate. While doing so their attention was drawn to a pod of incoming dolphins. A frantic Nordic tourist suddenly ran down the beach waving a towel shouting, “Noosa dolphins, Noosa dolphins.”

Drinks were ignored then someone in the group yelled and they all picked up the message “Noosa Dolphins, Noosa Dolphins- you bloody beauty “So not only was a club formed, but a name also chosen and the colors were agreed to. Because the club could not afford to buy jerseys, the QRU supplied as stated.

Nevertheless, this marked the beginning of the club, which, over the years, has encountered various challenges and achievements. Today, its culture continues to strengthen annually. A highlight is the annual visit to New Zealand by the Dolphins Junior Rugby Union Team. The impressive aspect of this concept was its community

support. In summary, people from diverse backgrounds unite to help.

This is a brief narrative presented from the viewpoint of an individual who serves as a coach, manager, father, husband, and member of the community. Fundraising for the 2025 U15 team began a year prior. The fundraising committee, composed of players’ parents, did an excellent job. They balanced work and family, while at the same time promoting their concept to local businesses for donations, sponsorships, as well as organizing raffles.

All the local businesses that made donations and supported the tour, also deserve recognition—their contributions truly demonstrate the strong sense of community we share. One of

the virtues of this tour, (and the fundraising required,) is that it gives our youth the opportunity to grow into young men.

They were taught the importance of good presentation: maintaining appropriate eye contact, demonstrating confidence when communicating with older individuals, being punctual for events. Most important, remaining mindful of the financial aspects necessary when organizing such a successful event.

Before departing for New Zealand, the club hosted a sponsors evening and send-off. This allowed players and families to thank the businesses that supported them. The club also sought to instill in the boys an understanding of the importance of international tours, highlighting the

responsibility and distinction involved in representing their community, their club, and themselves while traveling abroad.

There is also big emphasis on making the tour a rite of passage where boys can mature into young men. We feel that it is very important for boys to understand their roles in the community, to represent themselves and to be strong leaders.

‘’We should be proud of what we did as a community, club, parents and players to make this tour not only a possibility but also a success. The first NZ tour was in 2004. What started as a group of passionate parents and coaches coming together to support their players has grown into a proud tradition within the junior program. To all, OUR PEOPLE, well done.” Tim Ellei.

Noosa Pirates on the move with pre-season training

By Ron Lane

A recent flyer from the Noosa Pirates Rugby League Club reports that pre-season training is well underway - with robust attendance and enthusiasm as the club’s junior teams, prepare for the forthcoming season.

Club secretary Tim Burger reports, that the current junior squads are U13, U14, U15, and U16 Boys, plus U15 and U17 Girls. All are hard at work building fitness and sharpening skills ahead of round one. Junior teams from U12 Boys and Girls, through to U17 Girls will train twice weekly, splitting sessions between Cooroy Fields and Tewantin Fields. Full training details are available via the Noosa Pirates Facebook page.

A key development for the club this season is the confirmed merger between the Noosa Pirates and the Gympie U17 Boys teams. The squad will join select training sessions with the U19 Men under coach Jye Ballinger, offering players a useful development pathway.

Younger age groups will begin training throughout February, with U12 Boys starting on February 3rd, followed by U11 Boys and U 11 Girls on February 17. The U10s commence on February 16, while U 6 to U9 begin on February 19. U6–U10 training is on Thursday at Tewantin. Training times for the U13 Girls squad is expected to be confirmed shortly.

Senior Pirates will also return to the training paddock in February, with the club ready to release full senior training schedules in the coming weeks. Registrations remain open across all age groups, and the Noosa Pirates encourage new and returning players to get involved ahead of the season. Updates, schedules and registrations information can be found on the clubs Facebook.

The club is scheduled to hold a fundraising event on Sunday, March 1, at the Royal Mail Hotel in Tewantin. Special guests include local legend and Queensland State of Origan star Moses Mbye, premiership winner and Dally M medallist Nicho Hynes, and Australian cricket power hitter Chris Lynn. All proceeds from the event will support the establishment of Noosa Pirates Junior Academy and a new club gym, helping to develop the next generation of Pirates. Details and ticket purchase can be found on the Royal Mail Hotel website and the Noosa Pirates Facebook page.

Once again it is a joy to read about the time and effort that is being put into junior sport: with Pirates starting at U6 to U9s and so on. Family’ contributions to junior leaguers (and so many other sports) are often overlooked, so we at Noosa Today take the opportunity to thank you most sincerely.

Senior Pirates are scheduled to resume training in February. The first few weeks will be all in training sessions, with the teams breaking into squads later in the month. Senior squad schedules will be announced soon. Surf lifesaving.

Good news from the world of competition. Owing to the good work of Noosa member Jack Lewis a body surfer of renown, the art of body surfing is now getting a big revival and a big body surfing competition will be held on the 17-19 April. Also, big interest coming from the Alexanda Headlands club. Also, big news. For the first time ever, a body surfing teams’ event will be held at the State Titles

Another event the belt race it is now back getting more attention on the agenda. This event, previously regarded as a premier occasion, appears to be experiencing renewed growth. This was once crucial in rescue work, but with the introduction of rescue boards, IRBs, and rescue tubes, it is no longer used. But as a traditional swim it is back.

Good to see some of Australian traditions are not being totally forgotten. Tradition and pride are integral values that contribute to the effectiveness of any reputable rescue team.

The Noosa Club’s U23 girls crew, the Cluckers, competed impressively at Burleigh Heads in the ASRLQ Super Series, taking on A grade crews from the eastern seaboard.

The girls have shown they belong with the best with a second place and a fourth over the weekend. Their speed and determination were clearly evident as they competed against some of Australia’s top athletes. The girls can confidently prepare for the Australia Surf Rowers League carnival in two weeks.

Rob Frey has been awarded the Fire Service Medal in recognition of his exceptional service. Congratulations to him! Rob has been a great nipper supporter as well as having a son as a patrol member of the Noosa club and wife Donna also involved. Definitely a family making a big contribution to our community.

Phil Jarratt - philjarratt.com

Big Jack gets A-Day gong

The late, great Jack McCoy received a well-deserved Order of Australia in last week’s Australia Day honours list, for “significant service to surf cinematography”.

Not to cast aspersions on Jack’s gong, but the citation is stupendously understated. If you look at the statistics, Jack’s contribution wasn’t just significant, he owns the art form. With 26 surfing features produced and (in the main) and self-distributed between 1975 and 2018, no other surf film producer, in Australia or anywhere in the world, gets close to his output, and no one is likely to ever do so going forward.

And the quality of Jack’s work over more than 40 years puts him right up there at the top of the scale. Put simply, no one has ever worked harder to bring the true essence of surfing to the screen.

I was fortunate enough to be there right at the beginning of Jack McCoy’s illustrious career, in Bali with him and Dick Hoole, his partner in Propeller Productions, frequently in the water at Uluwatu during those seminal seasons of 1974 and ’75, when Bali was still a dream come true. Then, at the end of the decade, I worked on the narration script in the edit suite with Jack, Dick and editor David Lourie on Propeller’s second feature, Storm Riders.

Jack branched out on his own not long after, but he and Dick remained the closest of friends over the rest of his life. Dick was still there to help his old mate as Jack finished his final four-wall tour last winter, as was I at Nambour, the very last show Jack did, just two days before he died.

I was looking back over my Jack files last weekend, hoping to find some material that defined Jack as a cinematographer and photographer. I couldn’t go past the Millennium Wave.

On 17 August, 2000, big wave legend Laird Hamilton set off from the boat ramp at Teahupoo in the dark at 4.30am, with his tow-in team and a posse of photographers and cinematographers, hoping to surf the ultimate day at the famous and ridiculously dangerous reef break at the end of the road. The swell had been on the rise for two days and was expected to max out that morning.

As the sunrise revealed the magnificent sight of perfect, glassy mega-tubes exploding on the shallow reef, Laird and his tow partner Nelson Kubach took a moment to pray before circling around the lineup to watch and wait. It was a long wait. At 8.30am Kubach positioned the ski for action as a massive set rolled in, but Hamilton called him off, a decision photographer Tim McKenna says probably saved Laird’s life.

The surfers elected to take a break and then reset, Laird now being driven by Darrick Doerner. By the time they did so, Jack McCoy was on the back of Tahitian surf legend Vetea “Poto” David’s jet ski. Jack recalled: “I asked Poto if he’d put me in what he calls ‘the box seat’, at the very end of the deep reef crack, just before the wave unloads onto the reef as a big close-out. I could see that Darrick was about to yank him into a bomb.” Jack was right. It was a rogue set twice as big as anything they’d seen that morning. In the box seat, Jack aimed his high speed camera and waited. At 11.38am, Doerner towed Laird into the biggest, meanest, most perfect tube anyone had ever ridden.

Jack: “So I’m on the back of the jet ski, got one eye framing the picture, the other watching the biggest, thickest wall of water coming at us and I’m almost haemorrhaging at what I’m seeing. This is not only the craziest thing I’ve ever seen in the surf, it’s the m.ost insane moment I’ve ever witnessed in my life. Gripped with fear, for myself, for Poto and, most of all, for Laird, who with one wrong move is dead, I keep shooting, trying not to shake.”

No more than 20 people witnessed what is still regarded as the greatest wave ever ridden. Only one saw it from the box seat. Jack’s work was all over Surfer Magazine and the footage has been seen over and over again by disbelieving surfers. If AI had been around 26 years ago, you’d put it down to that. But this was real, very real. We miss ya, Jack McCoy AM.

FOOTNOTE: As I write this column, the Lexus Pipeline Challenger event is proceeding in a mix of huge, clean barrels and onshore junk, but whatever Huey throws at it, some serious consequences for surfers hoping to make the tour cut are going down almost every heat. Full report here next week.

PROPERTY

NOOSA’S NATURAL APPEAL AT THE FORE

PROPERTY MATTERS

WHEN the Girraween Estate at Noosa Heads was released by Noosa Shire Council in the 1980s it was highly sought, due to its location between the emerging Noosa Junction and Noosa River.

At the same time it has shown to be handy to Hastings Street and Main Beach.

Resting within the leafy streets is a Queenslander-style house that Tom Offermann Real Estate’s Beau Lamshed is taking to auction Saturday, 7 February, at 12pm.

The four-bedroom, three-bathroom, three-car house with pool at 13 Tarina St offers privacy, warmth and a relaxed sophistication.

Sheltered within established tropical gardens, the lovingly-appointed home has three spacious bedrooms upstairs and two bathrooms, centred around open-plan living and dining spaces.

Timber French doors with brass hardware open to a covered wrap-around timber deck, while the kitchen’s servery window enhances the flow to outdoor entertaining.

The in-ground pool creates the perfect backdrop

On a private 638sq m, the house includes a contemporary kitchen with stone benchtops and stainless steel appliances.

There is a skylight, air-conditioning and ceiling fans throughout

The lower-level retreat, complete with its own private entrance and bathroom, offers outstanding flexibility - whether visiting family, independent teenagers, guest accommodation or as an income opportunity.

Rich in character, the home is framed by lush, fully-fenced tropical gardens.

PEREGIAN ORIGINAL IN KEY POSITION

It’s an original apartment from the early ‘90s with some of the best views in South Peregian Beach.

On the second level of the Bougainvillea

A four-bedroom, three-bathroom, three-car house, pool, at 13 Tarina St, Noosa Heads, goes to auction Saturday, 7 February, at 12pm. (529488)

Sands building of only five apartments, 4/47 Lorikeet Dve goes to auction with Adam Offermann of Tom Offermann Real Estate at 11am on Saturday, 7 February.

The two-bedroom, two-bathroom, one-car apartment features a north-easterly corner position, with views across the park and beach reserve.

Early interest has been from locals and Brisbane, looking to improve their position as well as enjoying low-maintenance living or looking for a second dwelling.

Tightly held by its original owners since 1994 as a much-cherished inter-generational holiday home, the light-filled apartment has elevated ocean views.

Banks of glass invite the sunshine in and frame the vista while attracting the summer sea breezes.

The apartment has been meticulously maintained and is vacant ready to move into.

While in excellent, mostly original condition, there is potential to value-add, Adam said.

Existing features of note include two split system air-conditioners, ceiling fans, dual vanities in ensuite, floor-to-ceiling tiles in both bathrooms, full-sized shower over bath in the main bathroom, plush carpets in bedrooms, easy-care tiled flooring in expansive living/ dining, and quality window furnishings.

Bougainvillea Sands is a quiet building with no resort-style facilities onsite to push up body corporate fees or create additional noise.

It is within walking distance to Peregian

A four-bedroom, three-bathroom, three-car house, pool, at 13 Tarina St, Noosa

Beach’s village hub, along with surf club. HOW’S THE SERENITY?

Laguna Real Estate’s Warren Evans has conducted some memorable sales in his distinguished career spanning four decades.

Saturday, 14 February, Warren is taking a rather exquisite Noosa North Shore property to auction.

“It’s going to be a cracker,’’ Warren said. “This is a great opportunity to have a North Shore home and walk to the beach yet be in complete seclusion.’’

The one-bedroom, one-bathroom, three-car livable dwelling on 2.02ha at 3 Papertree Track, Noosa North Shore, goes to auction in rooms at Laguna’s 111 Poinciana Ave, Tewantin office at 12.30pm on the day.

“I like the street theatre of auctioning inrooms with people walking past.

“The dwelling has a cathedral roof, and rather than corrugated walls it has block with Rockcote render.

“This is like a 2ha park. You are looking over the billabong through the trees, while being a 10-minute walk to the Frying Pan at Noosa River or taking your board to the open beach.

“Properties come up on the north shore but not as exquisite as this.’’

Likely buyers are from Brisbane or Toowoomba, looking to go fishing, holiday or with the idea to retire there.’’

Let The Dreams Begin! Exceptional North Shore Tranquillity Awaits

The property features a comfortable and beautifully-presented, one-bedroom converted residence with sealed floors, high vaulted ceilings and expansive open-plan living.

A smart galley-style kitchen complements the space, while multiple high glass doors capture north-east views across sweeping lawns, native flora and four billabongs.

Solid masonry Rockcote walls add durability and character to the home’s relaxed charm.

Vehicle and equipment storage comprises a three-bay shed providing space for classic cars, a motorhome and the like.

PERFECT LOCATION

A classic dual-living house at 73 Moorindil St, Tewantin, has been sold by Warren Evans to local buyers downsizing and attracted by the location.

The three-bedroom house with two-plus bathrooms, two-car garaging and pool was for sle at $1.950m.

“They love the village life of Tewantin,’’ Warren said. “It is the perfect location for them, within walking distance to the town shopping.’’ Approved for holiday or permanent rental, the house is east facing with open-plan living spilling out to a large timber deck.

A modern granite kitchen comes with quality Bosch and Blanco appliances while the main bedroom suite has spa bath, double vanity and walk-in robe.

Two bedrooms, bathroom and second living area are on the lower level.

A four-bedroom, three-bathroom, two-car duplex apartment with pool at 14B Wyandra St, Noosa Heads, is for sale at $3.25m. (530253)

A four-bedroom, three-bathroom, two-car duplex apartment with pool at 14B Wyandra St, Noosa Heads, is for sale at $3.25m. (530253)

MULTI-LEVEL APARTMENT

Attracting attention is a brand-new fourbedroom duplex with pool in Noosa Heads.

Jesse Stowers at Tom Offermann Real Estate is marketing 14B Wyandra St at $3.25m.

With three bathrooms and two-car garaging, the multi-level apartment is a blend of contemporary sophistication with Palm Springsinspired style.

Artfully designed interiors with wall-to-wall glass and high ceilings welcome natural light throughout the one-of-a-kind floor plan.

Expansive open-plan living stretches from indoors to alfresco, with terraces and a pool.

Design functionality with exceptional finishes means there is everything to love in a custom kitchen with the latest high-end, brand new appliances.

There is a butlers pantry and a built-in barbecue as well as under-bench wine fridge in the undercover alfresco terrace.

Upstairs, comfortable and timeless engineered oak flooring flows throughout the bedrooms and hallways, blending with the modern finished bathroom and ensuite.

Burnished concrete across the lower level brings a hard-wearing and artistic terrazzo flair. With private access, there is a ground-floor fourth bedroom or home office/home gym with segregation from the main living area.

Wyandra has been designed by Molti and built by Archend. Quality is centered around the property’s construction with immense concrete foundations, rendered concrete block on every external wall and a thick suspended concrete slab between the upper and lower floor.

AUCTION ACTION

SATURDAY, 31 January

Noosa Heads

• 31 Stormbird Dve: 5bed, 2bath, 2car house, Craig Taylor 0421 283 951 Jasmine Taylor 0430 848 277 Laguna Real Estate. Sold prior to auction

FRIDAY, 6 February

Sunrise Beach

• 30 Ventura St: 4bed, 2bath, 2car house, pool, 11am, Jesse Stowers 0414 367 282 Tom Offermann Real Estate

SATURDAY, 7 February

Noosa Heads

• 13 Tarina St: 4bed, 3bath, 3car house, pool, 12pm, Beau Lamshed 0402 699 303 Tom Offermann Real Estate

• 4 Naturi St: 4bed, 2bath, 2car house, 1pm, Adam Offermann 0475 804 467 Tom Offermann Real Estate

Peregian Beach

• 4/47 Lorikeet Dve: 2bed, 2bath, 1car apartment, 11am, Adam Offermann 0475 804 467 Tom Offermann Real Estate.

30 VeNTURA ST ReeT , SUNRISEBEACH

Orientated to showcase CoralSeaviewsfrommultiple vantagepointswithinthischarmingandimmaculate homethathasbeenthoughtfullydesignedtowelcome abundantambientnaturallightalongwithfresh seabreezes,thereisa greatfeelingof comfortand atmosphere fromthemomentyou stepinside. Theopenplandesignfacilitatesseamlessinternal/ external flowto thewraparounddeckoffering covered

andalfrescospacetorelax,entertain,andsavourthe stunningseavista.Observe thewhalesontheirannual migratoryjourney,witness aglorioussunrise,and watch thewaves rollinallfromtheprivacyofhome. Positionedonlya fewminutes’ walk to thebeachand popularChaletcafé;plus, walkingdistancetoschools, shopsandparks:it’slifestyleandlocationbliss!

Auction Friday6 February11.00am View Friday10.30am

Agent JesseStowers 0414367282 jesse@offermann.com.au

13 TA RIN AS TReeT , NOOS AH EAD S

Restinggracefullywithina covetedenclaveofNoosa Heads,thischarmingQueenslander-style residenceisa refined expressionoftimeless coastalelegance,where privacy, warmthand relaxedsophistication callhome. Shelteredwithintheestablishedtropicalgardens,the homeoffersa sun-filledsanctuary-likeoasiswhile remainingjustmomentsfromHastingsStreet, Main BeachandSunshineBeach. Lovinglyappointed,the

residencerevealsthreegenerousbedroomsupstairs and twobathrooms, centredaroundlight-filledopenplanlivinganddiningspaces.Timber Frenchdoors withbrasshardwareopentothe coveredwraparound timberdeck,whilethekitchen’sserverywindow enhancestheseamless flowto outdoorentertaining. Theingroundpoolshimmersinthenorthernlight, creatingtheperfectbackdropforfamilygatherings.

Auction

Saturday 7February12.00pm

View Saturday 11.30am

Agent BeauLamshed 0402699303 beau@offermann.com.au

12 MAHERTE RR ACE, SUNSHINEBEACH

Imaginetheultimatelavishbeachhouseentertainer, cossettedconfidentlyontheprizeddune,viewing idyllicallynorth-eastfromtheNoosaNational Park Headlandwithexplosive180°views,acrossthe Coral Seaalongthecoastline toMooloolabaandmere minutes to squeakysand.

Theinspired ravishing residence with6-bedrooms anddesigned byrenowned avantgardearchitectTim

Ditchfield,embracesandadvancestheidyllicsubtropical vernacularas wellaslivinglavidaluxe Lookbeyondthegallery-stylehallway.Expansivespaces albeitentertainingnirvanahasdisappearingdoors on twosides.Oneopens to theundercovermain terrace with‘secret’steps to therooftop terraceandeagle-eye elevatedviews;in-betweenis awide wallofglassalso capturingthespectacularsight. A 6 B 5 C 3 D

Price $13.75M View Saturday 11.00am -11.30am

Agent NicHunter 0421785512 nic@offermann.com.au

15 BAYVIEW R OAD, NOOSAHEADS

Boasting apeerless5-starLittle Cove address, seeminglypoisedintheNoosaNational Park steered by 180° wow-worthyviewsfromLagunaBay,NorthShore, ColouredSandsandbeyond,the resplendentresidence is exceptional by design.Livingareashave angled disappearingglazed wallsopeningin concertwith parallelnorthside terracesonewithadazzlingpool.

Naturallightinvitesitselfintoshadowdanceover gloriousspottedgum flooring.After40 yearsof exceptionalholidaymemories,thisfamilytreasure mereminutes to LittleCoveBeach,istheultimate investmentprize.

Price $10.5M

View Saturday10.00am -10.30am

Agent RebekahOffermann 0413044241 rebekah@offermann.com.au

Agent Luke Chen 0417600840 luke@offermann.com.au

Thinkirrefutableandirresistible.TheHolyGrailof Noosa Paradeis a700-metrerow of35 residences plus aone-onlyhighdesirablesitebesideapark,with the covetedabsoluteriverfrontaddressand,onthe doorstepofglamorousHastingsStreet. Boastingincrediblegun-barrelviewswhichare never compromised,andanidyllicnortherlyaspectacrossa wideandtranquil reachoftheNoosaRiver.

Imagineaquintessentialaquamarineplayground,and picture apotential5-startotallyuberluxury residence, a20-metrewaterfrontage avantgardedesign by Jarrod Poole.Itpromises toextendbeyondallexpectations, indulgeeverypossiblepersonal extravagance,need, whimandnecessity,withthelatestaesthetics, materials,and technical excellence throughout.

Price $17.8M

Agent EricSeetoo 0419757770 eric@offermann.com.au

48 THEPENINSULA , NOOS AW AT ERS

Visualisean exclusivedeepsapphirebluewaterway, an exclusivepeninsularculdesaclocationmorphing across awhopping1083m2block, a41m waterfront, gunbarrelnorth-facingviewsand asprawlinglaid-back residencewithwhispersofPalmSprings.Admirethe eye-catchingwhitefacade,geniusdesignwithmultiple andimmeasurablelivingspacesof varyingscaleand moods,whilestealingthelimelightandblurringthelines

to alfrescoisbeyond expectation.Thinkopportunity gold byreimaging contemporaryliving, totally redefiningluxuryasmodernas tomorrow or adareto-bedifferentshowstopper by arenownedAustralian avantgardearchitect.

Price $7.95M

View Saturday1.00pm -1.30pm

Agent RebekahOffermann 0413044241 rebekah@offermann.com.au

Agent TomOffermann 0412711888 tom@offermann.com.au

VIEWS OF THE NOOSA RIVER COULD BE YOURS

IMAGINE an irrefutable extravagance in so many ways: a significant sand-fringed absolute water frontage, a never-to-be repeated jetty attribute, and one of only three highly coveted supersized sites on the Noosa River with highwater-mark boundaries and dazzling water views optimising the perfect northerly aspect.

The monumental 1374m2 distinctive site offering, is without peer. The recently sold neighbouring site and the next adjoining have luxury residences planned, effectively taking them off the market for decades, thus making this site the first and last chance to secure an absolute aquatic paradise to treasure forever, on a wide tranquil reach of the Noosa River estuary.

Prized also for good reason is the 5-star address on Hilton, in fact at the fortuitous number of 88. It also arguably boasts the shire’s finest private jetty. Understandable given it’s concrete, extra-long, extra wide and sits within the exclusive and expansive seabed lease.

Picture the thought-provoking idea of seducing escapes and an everyday idyllic subtropical climate whilst considering land remains the foundation of all wealth, and among all property classes in Australia, premium waterfront has consistently proven the most rewarding to own. With supply permanently limited, values for these rarest of holdings can only continue to escalate.

Discover the epitome of riverside sophistication with a proposed lavish design, the beneficiary of acclaimed Blight Rayner Architects’ vision, juxtaposing the spirit of indoor-outdoor spaces for all seasons and reasons, with the energy of a remarkable setting.

A central landscaped courtyard draws in natural light deep coalescing the interiors and riverfront. Living areas open to the water are calibrated rather than overt, framed by deep thresholds tempering light, climate, and privacy whilst maintaining the river as a constant presence.

Defined by a disciplined palette of concrete, brick, and glass, the architecture resists excess, relying on proportion, material integrity, and structural clarity to evoke calm and longevity. Strong horizontal planes anchor the home to its site, reinforcing its dialogue with the river.

The infinity-edge pool is embedded within the architecture, extending the inhabited ground plane and amplifying the experience of water at every level. The result is a substantial riverfront dwelling, monumental in its restraint, timeless in its intent, and crafted to endure confidently within its place over time, elevating

the atmosphere of subtropical living to its very best.

“A year of design decisions has been saved; simply add your personal preferences and plan towards your moving in date.“ suggest Tom Offerman Real Estate marketing agents Rebekah Offermann and Adam Offermann. “Sounds like the quintessential dream come true? It is.“

“And what about the second-to-none location? Just 5km from sophisticated Hastings Street and Noosa Main Beach, around eight minutes by car or fifteen by bike, however the best way to arrive is, of course, by boat. Drop anchor on the beach at The Woods riverside at the end of Hastings Street, to shop, dine, relax, swim, surf and repeat! And if you’d rather stay closer to home, there’s a wonderful choice of classy and casual restaurants within an easy stroll.“

Insider Intel:

• Land: 1374m2 absolute sand fringed water frontage; zoned medium density; 1 of 3 highly coveted super-lots on the river each with high-water-mark boundaries & sunny north aspects.

• Water frontage: 21.2m; length 68.2m

• Jetty: extends 30m long & 2.7m wide w 8.5m x 3.4m head, plus lower 6m x 1m landing dock; solid concrete construction sited within its own 621m² exclusive marine reserve; Noosa’s finest private jetty

• Views: NE along Noosa River to Noosa National Park, Noosa Heads, Quamby Place ’peninsula’, direct north to Noosa North Shore & NW along Noosa River to Noosa Marina; amazing sunsets to Mt Tinbeerwah.

• Proposed Design: Blight Rayner Architects plans; conceived as an architecture of permanence, shaped by the breadth of the Noosa River and the rare scale of its north-facing site. 2-level residence w roof garden; central landscaped courtyard; 5-car garaging, 4-bedrooms, 5 bathrooms all oriented to capture river views; 510m internal incl multiple living lounge & leisure spaces; 117m2 proposed

Address: 88 Hilton Terrace, NOOSAVILLE Inspect: Saturday 12-12:30pm & Wednesday 5-5:30pm Auction: Saturday 21 February 11am Contact: Adam Offermann 0475 804 467 and Rebekah Offermann 0413 044 241, TOM OFFERMANN REAL ESTATE

open spaces incl alfresco terraces; infinity pool w window wall; 909m2 soft/hard landscaping

• Location: 5km Hastings Street, 8 mins by car, 15 mins by bike or boat; drop anchor on riverside beach at end of Hastings Street to shop, dine, or relax; easy stroll to Gympie Terrace w cafes, bars, boutiques, watercraft hire, walk/cycle ways, picnic areas, Noosa Marina, Noosa Library & Noosa Leisure Centre; short drive to Noosa Main Beach & Noosa National Park; close to transport links, schools, shopping precincts & essential services

HOME FOCUS

BEACHSIDE LUXURY - DIRECT ACCESS TO SAND

THIS residence enjoys one of the most coveted privileges in Sunshine Beach: direct access to the surf and sand via a private back-gate pathway. From the pool area, a sandy trail leads straight to the beach, giving all the benefits of absolute beachfront living-daily swims, barefoot sunrise walks, and the soothing rhythm of the ocean just steps away.

There are also homes that whisper of luxury, and then there are homes that express it with quiet confidence. At 21 Crank Street, Sunshine Beach, you find the latter-a contemporary coastal sanctuary that blends architectural sophistication with the effortless ease of true beachside living.

Completely renovated to an exacting standard, the transformation was guided by two architectural minds working in concert: Noel Robinson, NRA Architects, and Noffke Architects.

Here, the language of modern luxe is spoken fluently-felt in every curve, every surface, every sweep of glass that draws the ocean into daily life. This is more than a residence; it is a statement of lifestyle, a declaration of intent, and an address that elevates the life lived within it.

Perched on the east-facing ridge, the home captures one of the rarest luxuries of coastal living: unbroken ocean views that expand endlessly toward the horizon, paired with a level stroll into the heart of Sunshine Beach village and its iconic Surf Club. To live here is to be cocooned in privacy while remaining deeply connected to the community's vibrant coastal culture.

Contemporary architecture, at its best, responds to place. This home embraces its elevated position with expansive east-facing glazing that welcomes natural light from dawn to dusk. The ocean becomes a living artworkits colours, energy and moods changing throughout the day.

At the heart of the residence, open-plan

living spaces bring kitchen, dining and lounge together in a seamless orchestration of light and proportion. The kitchen is both a chef's workspace and an entertainer's stage: sleek

cabinetry, abundant storage, integrated appliances, and a sculptural island bench that gathers family and friends effortlessly. From here, the ocean remains a constant backdrop.

The outdoors becomes a natural extension of the home. The terrace is not merely an alfresco dining zone-it is a living room beneath open skies, cooled by sea breezes and accompanied by the soundtrack of rolling surf. Below, the resort-style pool glistens beneath the Queensland sun. Designed with the aesthetics of a boutique retreat, it is the perfect setting for family afternoons, lively gatherings, or moments of quiet indulgence. Thoughtful landscaping ensures privacy, while the level grassed area offers an easy, usable space for children and pets.

With four bedrooms and three bathrooms, the home accommodates family and guests with understated luxury. The master suite, positioned to maximise panoramic ocean views, is a true retreat-where dawn light washes across the horizon and the rhythm of the waves greets each day. The additional bedrooms are generous and beautifully considered, ideal for family, guests, or creative spaces.

Nature is ever-present here. The horizon shifts with the seasons-turquoise calm, silver dawn, dramatic storm fronts. Dolphins regularly play in these waters; whales migrate past; seabirds trace arcs across the surf. It is coastal living in its purest form.

With direct private beach access, the patrolled surf beach becomes your backyardoffering morning swims, surf breaks, and easy strolls to the Sunshine Beach Surf Club, where community spirit and oceanfront dining meet.

Beyond Sunshine Beach, Noosa's cosmopolitan charms await. Hastings Street's boutiques, galleries, and fine dining are close by, as are the pristine walking trails of Noosa National Park. From sunrise surfs to sunset cocktails, every day offers a new rhythm.

For those seeking a residence of rare quality, amenity, and location, 21 Crank Street awaits-a home where architecture, lifestyle, and the ocean exist in perfect harmony. ●

Address: 21 Crank Street, SUNSHINE BEACH Description: 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 garage Price: $12.9M Inspect: Saturday 7 February 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM Contact: Tom Offermann 0412 711 888 and Roark Walsh 0437 447 804, TOM OFFERMANN REAL ESTATE

HOME FOCUS

AMAR | A DESIGN MASTERPIECE

PERCHED high above the lush landscape of the Noosa Hinterland, Amar captures a rare fusion of sophistication, serenity, and spectacular natural beauty. Overlooking Cooroy Mountain and stretching to the glittering Noosa coastline, this near-new architectural showpiece redefines modern luxury in complete privacy.

Created by the renowned Paul Clout Design and flawlessly constructed by Clout Build, every element of Amar reveals a meticulous dedication to craft and design excellence. From the moment you enter through the secure electric gates, a sense of refinement unfolds - from the circular driveway framed by a statement date palm to the home’s bold presence.

Inside, vast open spaces, clean lines and carefully framed vistas draw the eye to the horizon, creating a seamless harmony between indoors and out. A soft palette of marble and oak flooring enhances the home’s timeless elegance, complemented by expansive glazing that captures light and views at every turn.

Key Features

• Paul Clout Design & Clout Build residence

• Infinity-edge pool with breathtaking mountain and coastal views

• Private wellness retreat with gym and sauna

• Cinema room and home automation

• Temperature-controlled wine cellar and bespoke whisky room

• Ducted air-conditioning throughout

• Five luxurious ensuite bedrooms

• Gas fireplace, private lift, and three-car garage

The main living area is a peaceful sanctuary, anchored by a sculptural gas fireplace and floor-to-ceiling sliding doors that open to the cantilevered terrace. The infinity pool appears to drift above the mountaintop, while the adjoining spa and daybed invite slow afternoons spent

HOME ESSENTIALS

under the sun.

The gourmet kitchen is a statement in design and functionality, showcasing sleek stone benchtops, an integrated fridge and dishwasher, and a fully equipped butler’s pantry. Every detail speaks to refined taste and effortless entertaining.

Five indulgent bedrooms each feature their own private ensuite, with the master suite offering a front-row seat to panoramic ocean

and mountain views. Step through the grand double doors to discover natural stone finishes, travertine feature tiles, a freestanding bath, dual vanities, and a generous walk-in robe.

A dedicated wellness retreat merges calm and luxury - complete with a rejuvenating sauna, gym, and breathtaking outlooks across the hinterland. Wine enthusiasts will be drawn to the climate-controlled cellar with ambient lighting and a central tasting table, while the

Address: 108 Panorama Drive, DOONAN Description: 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 11 garage Price: On application Inspect: By appointment

Contact: Rachel Sellman 0422 719 041, CENTURY21 CONOLLY HAY GROUP

adjoining whisky room, lined with warm cedar, offers a private escape for quiet reflection or conversation.

Completing the picture is a three-car garage, cinema, and private lift - all designed to make every day feel like a five-star retreat.

Amar isn’t just a home; it’s a lifestyle of uncompromised luxury, peace, and connection to nature, just minutes from Noosa’s vibrant heart.

QUAINT TEWANTIN UNIT

POSITIONED upstairs within a well-kept complex of just six, this charming unit delivers a smart, compact layout and effortless lowmaintenance living. Featuring two bedrooms, one bathroom, a generous sized kitchen and a dedicated carport with storage, it’s an ideal option for first-home buyers, savvy investors, or singles and couples alike.

Set amid expansive common grounds, the

HOME ESSENTIALS

unit enjoys a secure and elevated position in a highly convenient location just moments from Tewantin town centre, public transport, schools, Noosa Marina with live entertainment, and everyday amenities. With low body corporate fees and an address that continues to perform, this represents an affordable entry into a tightly held and ever-popular area. And just 15 minutes to Noosa’s Main Beach and Hastings Street.

Address: 4/46 Poinciana Avenue, TEWANTIN Inspect: Saturday 10.00am-10.30am

Description: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1 garage Price: $750,000

Contact: Chris Forde 0411 328 428, LAGUNA REAL ESTATE

PREMIUM COMMERCIAL

DAVID Brinkley and Paul Butler from RWC Noosa & Sunshine Coast are pleased to present 97 Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads - a high-calibre commercial investment positioned within one of Australia’s most tightly held coastal markets.

Positioned on one of Noosa’s busiest corridors, at the gateway to the Noosa Heads CBD, this prominent 940m²* freehold asset offers exceptional exposure and long-term security. In 2023, TH7 Body Labs secured the property on a 10-year lease with a 5-year option - a testament to their confidence in the location, the strong local demographics, and the growing demand for wellness and lifestyle services. The tenant has invested significantly, transforming the building into a state-of-the-art recovery and wellness facility of the highest standard.

PROPERTY FEATURES

• Freestanding commercial building on 940m²* land 662m²* net lettable area plus outdoor breakout zone

• Basement car parking for up to 19 cars

HOME ESSENTIALS

plus secure storage areas

• High exposure main road position at entry point to Noosa Heads CBD

• Secure lease to TH7 Body Labs until 2033 plus a 5 year option

• Net income of $294,586 per annum*

• Substantial tenant investment in highquality, specialised fitout

Located within the tightly held Noosa Junction precinct, poised for continued growth and development investment

* Approx. Note: Property uses are STCA (Subject To Council Approval) and subject to change. We recommend independent town planning advice be sought by buyers and lessees.

Address: 97 Noosa Drive, NOOSA HEADS Inspect: By appointment

Price: Expressions of Interest, closing at 4:00pm on Friday 27 February 2026

Contact: David Brinkley 0448 594 361 and Paul Butler 0418 780 333, RWC NOOSA & SUNSHINE COAST

Ke� hi�hli�hts of the turnke� Corporate Investment opportunit� include:

�,644Ha - 374Ha planted & 3�5Ha for future plantin�

Hi�h performin� varieties - MCT� (4�%), Daddow (30%) & A�6 (��%)

Existin� hi�h calibre mana�ement team in place

Natural Capital potential - Domestic/International Carbon & Biodiversit� Landbankin� opportunit� in one of Australia’s premier shires (Noosa Shire)

Rainfed orchard (�,500mm) with state-of-the-art irri�ation s�stem & draina�e

One of Australia’s most water secure assets - 6 bores, dams and �,500mm of rainfall

Hi�h qualit� operational & support infrastructure, extensive qualit� P & E

One of, if not Australia’s hi�hest �ieldin� �rowin� re�ion for one of its onl� trul� native crops, forecast production of up to �,830MT on full maturit� of existin� plantin�s and up to 3.500MT once full� developed and mature.

Border Real Estate alon� with the Vendor’s Adviser, Maven Libera Capital are pleased to brin� Noosa Natural Farm to market. The lar�est Freehold parcel in the Noosa Shire, Noosa Natural Farm is a once in a �eneration Macadamia orchard which has been meticulousl� planned and developed to the hi�hest possible standards. FOR SALE BY PRIVATE TREATY CONTACT DAVID LEEDS 04�8 594 4�6

11.00AM -11.30AM53MapleStreet 312 OffersConsideredHinternoosa0415111 370

NoosaNorthShore

OPENHOMES

Saturday7th February 11.30AM -12.30PM3 PapertreeTrack1 13 AuctionIn

Noosaville

10.00AM -10.30AM

-11.45AM

-1.00PM

1.00PM -1.30PM259DukeRoad3 22

Saturday7th February 8.30AM -9.00AM 1&2/23EdwardStreet 322 OffersFrom$4.3MCentury21ConollyHayGroup0417624059 9.30AM -10.00AM 10 JuneCrescent3 22 OffersConsideredHinternoosa0415111 370 10.00AM -10.30AM 7LaburnumCrescent 31+2 AuctiononsiteLaguna

Wednesday11th February

9.30AM -10.00AM20Berrima Row4

-10.30AM

11.00AM -11.30AM314/61NoosaSpringsDr

11.00AM -11.30AM27HoneyMyrtleRd

-12.30PM2 JanStreet 322 From$3,400,000TomOffermann RealEstate0409685211

Thursday12th February

Noosa Waters

Saturday7th February

PeregianBeach

Saturday7th February

Pomona

Saturday7th February

OPENHOMES

SunriseBeach

Friday6th February

10.30AM -11.00AM30VenturaStreet 42 2Auction TomOffermannRealEstate0414367282

11.00AM -11.30AM1/73 SouthernCrossParade4 32 From$2,600,000TomOffermann RealEstate0409685211

Saturday7th February

10.00AM -10.30AM1/73 SouthernCrossParade4 32 From$2,600,000TomOffermann RealEstate0409685211

10.30AM -11.00AM 6RidgewayStreet 432 $4,350,000 TomOffermannRealEstate0437447804

SunshineBeach

Saturday7th February

9.00AM -9.30AM6/43DukeStreet 22 1$1,850,000 TomOffermannRealEstate0468922519

9.30AM -10.00AM21CrankStreet 432 $12,900,000TomOffermann RealEstate0437447804

10.30AM -11.00AM 7ArakoonCr 552 ContactAgentCentury21ConollyHayGroup0438259956

11.00AM -11.30AM 12 MaherTerrace 644 $13,750,000

NoosaHeads

AuctionDiary

Saturday7th February

12.00PM-12.30PM13TarinaStreet

-1.30PM20Berrima Row4

9.00AM -9.30AM27HiltonTce 43+2 ForgetAll

RealEstate0407379893 10.00AM -10.30AM29OutlookDrive3 24 $1,750,000 Laguna RealEstate0434236 110 10.00AM -10.30AM4/46 Poinciana Avenue 211 $750,000Laguna RealEstate0411328488

12.00PM -12.30PM27HiltonTce 43+2 ForgetAll Previous Prices!Laguna RealEstate0407379893

PeregianBeach

10.00AM -10.30AM20 PacificViewDrive 422 OffersOver$1,395,000Hinternoosa0410243487

10.30AM -11.00AM860Sunrise Road 43 12 OffersOver$1,850,000Hinternoosa0407730987

SunriseBeach

February

9.00AM -9.45AM 19 LaceyLane4 48 OffersOver$6,500,000Hinternoosa0407730987

YOUR OPPORTUNITY:

VERSATILE DUAL- LIVING

OFFERING exceptional dual-living or multigenerational living potential, this spacious residence sits on a generous 1022m² block and features two fully self-contained levels, providing complete independence and flexibility for large families, extended relatives, or guests. This property also presents excellent rental potential - ideal for generating additional income, leasing one level while living in the other, or creating a profitable dual-income investment opportunity. With six bedrooms plus a dedicated office, the home is designed to adapt to every lifestyle.

Upstairs, beautiful hardwood floors span the main living areas, while the bedrooms are comfortably carpeted. The main bedroom is thoughtfully positioned separate from the additional bedrooms, with the living area creating a sense of privacy and separation. It also enjoys direct access to the balcony, offering a peaceful, retreat-like space with seamless

HOME ESSENTIALS

indoor–outdoor flow.

A large kitchen with a servery anchors the upper level, perfectly suited for gatherings and day-to-day living - an entertainer’s delight. Downstairs, concrete tiles add durability and style to the second fully self-contained living space.

Lifestyle comforts include a gas fireplace, inbuilt spa bath, and a sparkling saltwater pool. Solar power enhances energy efficiency, and a good-sized shed provides excellent storage or workshop capacity.

The grounds feature established eureka lemon, meyer lemon, and mandarin trees, along with a herb garden, offering fresh produce right at home.

Located just one minute from Pomona Town Centre and 35 minutes from Hastings Street and Noosa’s Main Beach, this versatile home combines convenience and flexibility with a relaxed hinterland lifestyle.

Address: 7 Signal Street, POMONA Description: 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 4 garage Price: Offers Over $1,950,000 Considered Inspect: By appointment

Contact: Craig Taylor 0421 283 951; Jasmine Taylor 0430 848 277, LAGUNA REAL ESTATE

SELL THE CAR! PRIME NOOSAVILLE LOCATION

CALLING savvy buyers, investors, builders and downsizers — this one is all about location and potential.

Set just off Gympie Terrace, this solid, single level brick home sits quietly yet close to everything that makes Noosaville so sought after. The Noosa River is only a 250 metre stroll with sandy shores, walking paths and parklands right at your doorstep.

Leave the car at home and walk to Noosaville’s vibrant cafe and restaurant scene, the Noosa Yacht & Rowing Club and the Noosa Ferry. Supermarkets, specialty shops, schools, professional services, the library and sporting facilities are all nearby. Hastings Street and Noosa Main Beach are just a 7 minute drive.

The home itself is a charming, low maintenance original cottage, recently refreshed inside with a new kitchen, sleek bathroom and airconditioning — perfectly comfortable to enjoy or rent out now.

Sitting on a corner block with a huge future upside, there’s a massive garage and plenty of room for a boat or caravan.

Live in, lease out, renovate or start again and build your dream home — the choice is yours. Opportunities like this in prime Noosaville are increasingly rare.

Scheduled for Auction – don’t miss it.

HOME ESSENTIALS

Address: 7 Laburnum Crescent, NOOSAVILLE Description: 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 2 garage Price: Auction On Site Saturday, 14 February at 11am

Inspect: Saturday and Wednesday 10.00-10.30am Contact: Melanie Butcher 0407 379 893, LAGUNA REAL ESTATE

1 A 1 B 3 C

•A naturalsanctuary of2.02haoftranquil, pristinenative parkland

•Justa 200m walkthroughNational Park to theriveror nearby surf

•Rockcotedliveabledwellingwithsealedfloorsbed,bathand kitchen

•Extensive storagefor cars,van,boatinthe 3bay shedandcaravan port

•4 Billabongs,2 dams,reticulation,ample water, undergroundpower

•Launchthe canoeandpaddletoNoosa,or take thecar ferry

•Anexceptional holiday addressthe family(and grandkids)willadore

•Liveimmersedin nature nowwithfuturebuild potentialinatightly heldlocation(Nowarrantyisgivenas to councilapprovalof existing structures)

AuCtIOn AuctionSat21stFeb at 10am VIEW Saturday 11.30am-12.30pm

Warren Evans 0428711163

warren@lagunarealestate.com.au

Room ForA Boat OrCaravan

29 OutLOOkDRIVE, tEWAntIn

3 A 2 B 4 C D

•Beautifully renovatednorth facing,singlelevel homeon705m2

•Openplanlounge, dining andkitchen to alfrescoand BBQarea

•Designerkitchenwithintegrated appliancesand large pantry

•Master, built-inrobes,stylishensuite;2 queens w/main bathroom

•Rakedceilings,timberandstone accents,louvresfor ventilation

•Ductedairconplusa 7.8kWsolar system

•Oversizedshedis afeature,secureparking,doublelockupgarage

•Fully fenced,family home nearschools,transport,localshops,Noosa

Marina.Tenminutes to HastingsStreet

FORSALE

$1,750,000

VIEW Sat& Wed10-10.30am

Anitanichols 0434236110

anita@lagunarealestate.com.au