The Cooroy community has received a gift of a new community website, from local company Firefly Solutions as part of their 15^th birthday celebrations.

“Firefly Solutions started in Cooroy 15 years ago in November.  Over the years many we have worked with many of the businesses in Cooroy and several of the community groups to produce some amazing projects and events,” said Firefly Solutions’ Director, Danielle Taylor.

“We’ve always been incredibly grateful for the support of the Cooroy community and so we thought it was fitting on our 15^th birthday to give the community a gift of its own community website.”

The Cooroy website includes a business and community directory, events calendar, news section, history and plenty of information about things to do and see around our beautiful township. 

Businesses and community groups can be listed in the directory website for free and can also share their news and events on the website and Facebook page. 

Check it out at www.cooroy.online!

Firefly Solutions was founded in Cooroy in 1995 is a business consultancy providing a comprehensive range of marketing services including social media, websites, advertising, media releases and event management specialising in community and corporate events.  The company was founded in Cooroy calling it home for over a decade before relocating to Traveston.  The business still has strong connections with Cooroy providing services to many of the wonderful businesses and community groups.  Firefly Solutions provide their services to Noosa, Sunshine Coast & Gympie – for more information visit www.fireflysolutions.com.au or visit their Facebook page @fireflysol and don’t forget to give them a like!

The view that inspired Firefly Solutions …

It was a long trek there but after two forced reschedules due to bushfires then COVD_19 restrictions, over150 people took to the neighbourhood for the Great Noosa Country Trail Walk this month! 165 walkers plus a valued team of volunteers and trail guides took part in the long anticipated 3-day and 56km trek through the Noosa Hinterland during the first weekend of October. The community-driven event, managed by the Cooroy Future Group with assistance by event founder Shaun Walsh, was met with rave reviews this week, almost 18 months since plans for the event were set in motion. CFG representative Jim Ennis said adventurers of all ages arrived from across South-east Queensland to partake. With multiple community groups on board, he said the benefits were widespread. “After months of restrictions and delays it was exhilarating to see the event finally coming together for our 165 participants plus our numerous volunteers,” Mr Ennis said. “This event is designed to ensure all funds are absorbed back into our Hinterland Communities, and especially in these difficult times it has been very much appreciated by all the community groups and businesses who contributed.” The Great Noosa Country Trail Walk traverses the country towns of Cooroy, Kin Kin, Cooran and Pomona via a series of dedicated walking trails through farmlands, natural forests and spectacular lookouts of the hinterland through to the ocean. “All our local food providers (community groups and local eateries) were greatly appreciated by the walkers. The quality and friendly delivery was outstanding and commented on by many. “Many walkers sought to support local business where they could to consciously injected funds into our Hinterland,” Mr Ennis said. Organisers partnered with Tourism Noosa, Noosa Shire Council and Plastic Free Noosa this year to deliver a plastic and waste free event. As rave reviews flood the event’s social media channels, it’s looking like CFG and its core group of volunteers are getting ready to deliver again in 2021. “The interest and demand for this event grows every year, mostly by word of mouth. We look forward to showcasing the Noosa Hinterland for many years to come!”
Find out more online at http://www.greatnoosacountrytrailwalk.com.au/about.html or via social media. – ENDS – Contact Jim Ennis CFG representative, Great Noosa Country Trail Walk for photo or media opportunites: 0402587298 / gntw@cooroyfuturegroup.com.au
IMAGE: Views from the 56km, 3-day trail on Day two of the Great Noosa Country Trail Walk. Image by volunteer Trail Guide, Sam Bingam.

If anyone knows who owns the bike can they contact the Cooroy Police Station on 54425030 please.  They will need to provide proof of ownership.

Sgt Mal Scott of Cooroy Police Station praises the CCTV camera system that was installed in Cooroy three years ago when Cooroy Chamber of Commerce received a Safer Streets Grant from the Australian Government, citing two recent examples of the CCTV footage being instrumental in the solving of crimes.

Two 14 and a 15-year-old male youth from Cooroy and Imbil have been arrested and charged with multiple enter premises, vehicle and stealing offences which occurred on the 8th of April, 2020 in a Cooroy residential area. The 14-year-old Cooroy youth has also been charged with going armed in public to cause fear when he allegedly threatened a 23 year old man with a baseball bat after being confronted by witnesses during the commission of the one of the offences. The youths were apprehended shortly after committing the offences by Cooroy police. Evidence was then gathered which included CCTV footage of the juveniles leaving the scene of the offences and also from witnesses who observed the youths committing the offences. Once again, the Cooroy CCTV Security Camera system proved instrumental in the solving of these offences as it has done on many other occasions since being installed just over 3 years ago. It is also pleasing to note that several members of the public were prepared to confront the youths and call the police when they witnessed the youths acting suspiciously early in the morning. The Noosa Child Protection Investigation Unit (CPIU) Detectives have charged the two offenders after a comprehensive investigation with both due to face Maroochydore Children’s Court in the near future.

In a separate incident, the Cooroy Junior Rugby League fields were damaged on the night of the 14th April 2020 at about 11.30pm when a car was driven onto the main footy field of the club and damaged by the vehicle hooning and spinning its wheels, resulting in turf being ripped up and deep furrows being dug. The damage required extensive repair work by the club’s volunteers.  The Cooroy Footy Club is run by community volunteers who take extreme pride in their club which is the envy of the entire Sunshine Coast Community due to its pristine playing surface and outstanding club house, facilities and Club Spirit.  Like most other sporting organisations, the club is going through hard times at present, so the timing of this damage was a real kick in the guts for the club.   What the perpetrators of this crime didn’t bank on was the community spirit turning their attention to catching the culprits with three youths quickly identified by police and the Noosa CPIU identifying and charging two 15-year olds and a 17 year old youth with the damage. Footage obtained from the Cooroy CCTV Footage was also instrumental in solving this incident.  Small town policing often sees police involved in local sporting clubs on a personal basis so good work to the Noosa CPIU Officers for rounding up the Offenders.

UPDATE: Due to Covid-19, the Noosa Hinterland Property Expo 2020 will be rescheduled. We will advise of the new date as soon as possible. In the meantime, visit their Facebook Page for updates about the fantastic businesses that are supporting this inaugural event as sponsors and exhibitors.

The Noosa Hinterland Property Expo will showcase a boutique collection of local businesses including some of the most knowledgeable property experts and home and garden specialists in the region.

If you have an interest in anything to do with property or living in the Hinterland, or just want a fun day out, there will be something at the expo for you.

“We’ve had a lot of early interest in the first ever property expo for the hinterland from exhibitors, sponsors and attendees.  Our aim is to provide an abundance of local connections and a wealth of knowledge under the one roof.  It will be a must attend for home owners looking for fresh ideas, people new to the area and wanting to learn about the region, anyone wanting more information on acreage living or how to be self-sufficient and sustainable, or if you are in the market to buy, sell or invest,” said Sirah Robb, founder of the Noosa Hinterland Property Expo.

Some additional highlights of the Expo include Celebrity Guest Speaker, Shelley Craft from Channel 9’s program, The Block; a full day of presentations from experts on a variety of topics; over 30 exhibitors; and a host of activities including succulent planting, macramé keyring making, photo booth, balloon artistry, bouncy castle and more! 

Exhibitor opportunities are being snapped up quickly by savvy local business owners and as spots are limited, exhibitors need to book now to be involved in this landmark event for Noosa.  Details on Exhibitor and Sponsorship opportunities are still available and information can be found at www.noosahinterlandpropertyexpo.com.au or contact Event Co-ordinator Kimberley Williams on info@noosahinterlandpropertyexpo.com.au or 5472 0033.

The event has been supported by Noosa Council.  Wythes Real Estate are the Event Sponsor and additional sponsors include The Shed Company, Mower and ATV Solutions and Cub Cadet which are Major Sponsors and Activity Sponsors, Andrew Morris Legal, Noosa Prestige Painters, Palm Lake Resort Cooroy Noosa, Prestige Roof Transformations, Jim’s Building Inspections, SMS Finance, Bentleys Sunshine Coast and Hemisphere Electrical & Solar.  

Over 100 people gathered in Cooroy Memorial Hall on Friday evening to celebrate two important milestones, the official launch of the Noosa Hinterland Property Expo and the 9^th Birthday of event sponsor, Wythes Real Estate.

The Noosa Hinterland Property Expo is planned for Saturday 8 August 2020 and will showcase a boutique collection of the most knowledgeable property experts and suppliers in the region.  If you have an interest in anything to do with property or living in the Hinterland, or just want a fun day out, there will be something at the expo for you.

“This is the first ever Property Expo for the hinterland and it will provide an abundance of local connections and a wealth of knowledge under the one roof.  It will be a must attend for home owners looking for fresh ideas, people new to the area and wanting to learn about the region, anyone wanting more information on acreage living or how to be self-sufficient and sustainable, or if you are in the market to buy, sell or invest,” said Sirah Robb, Principal and Director of Wythes Real Estate and founder of the Noosa Hinterland Property Expo.

Highlights of the Expo include Celebrity Guest Speaker, Shelley Craft from Channel 9’s program, The Block; a full day of presentations from experts on a variety of topics; over 30 exhibitors; and a host of activities including succulent planting, macramé keyring making, photo booth, balloon artistry, bouncy castle and more! 

Wythes Real Estate have come on board as Event Sponsor for the inaugural event and took the opportunity to celebrate their 9^th Birthday at the Expo launch together with exhibitors, sponsors and special guests.  Additional sponsors for the Expo include Major Sponsors, The Shed Company and Activity Sponsors, Andrew Morris Legal, Noosa Prestige Painters, Palm Lake Resort Cooroy Noosa, Prestige Roof Transformations, Jim’s Building Inspections, SMS Finance, Bentleys Sunshine Coast, Hemisphere Electrical & Solar. Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are still available and information can be found at www.noosahinterlandpropertyexpo.com.au

The 2019 Australian Body Art Festival saw colour, activity and amazing art and it was all captured by a dozen photographers competing to get the best shots in the photographic competition.  This year two local photographers took the winning shots in the two competition categories.

Winning the Photo Print Category sponsored by Cooroy RSL was Owen Lyell from Eumundi with his shot of the first prize face painting piece by Yenni Redding.  The photograph was captured at the Chinese take away in Cooroy. 

Monique Vecchio from Cooroy won the Digital Art category sponsored by Gelignite Jacks with a photo of first-time body art entrant Morgan Scott’s Special Effects piece edited onto a ghostly forest background.

“The festival is a huge attraction for photographers and as part of the festival we have a photographic competition which is available to a limited number of photographers who get an access all areas pass to capture all the fun of the two-day festival,” said event manager, Danielle Taylor.

“The theme of Other Worlds this year produced some truly spectacular living artworks and the photographers have captured some beautiful photos.  With photographers coming from all over Australia it was great to see that two local photographers took out the prizes.”

This festival is run by the volunteers at Cooroy Chamber of Commerce with sponsorships from Eumundi & District Historical Association, Tourism Noosa, Cooroy Community Bank Branch of Bendigo Bank, Wythes Real Estate, Noosa Outback, Sunshine Coast Daily, Outback Queensland Tourism, Wattle Media, Cooroy Supa IGA, Fiducian Financial Services, Face Paint Shop Australia, Regional Training Services Qld, Sunny Coast Accountants, Mehron Australia, Face Paints Australia, The Looney Bin, Derivan, RACV Noosa, SPV Accounting, Butter Factory Arts Centre, Gelignite Jacks, Black Ant Gourmet, Firefly Solutions, Junkies Magazine, The Blacksmiths, Cooroy Menswear & Jeanery, Original Eumundi Markets, Geoff Cook Signs, Mudputty, Not Just Another Salon, and Fairytale Events & Equip4Hire.  The 2019 event was also funded by the Australian Government through the Building Better Regions Fund and the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland’s Destination Events Program.   For more information visit www.australianbodyart.com.au