SEPTEMBER
Bravery in heroic rescue
In the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, with conditions among the most dangerous seen on the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Beach lifeguard Tommy Cervi and life member Max Pettigrove launched a jetski into the extreme surf in the fad- ing light of the day to rescue two teenage swim- mers swept out to sea.
Last Friday night the men were presented with Surf Life Saving Queensland Bravery Medals at Sunshine Beach surf club in recognition of their heroic rescue in March this year.
Support grows for Daniel’s Law
Bruce and Denise Morcombe announced the opening of submissions for the landmark Daniel’s Law at Daniel House in Palmwoods on Wednesday 3 September.
The law establishes Queensland’s first pub- lic child sex offender register.
They were joined by the chair of the Justice, Integrity and Community Safety Committee and Nicklin MP Marty Hunt.
Daniel’s Law is named in honour of Sun- shine Coast teenager Daniel Morcombe whose life was tragically taken in 2003.
It follows two decades of advocacy from his parents, and through the Daniel Morcombe Foundation.
Noosa Show shines
This year the Noosa Country Show attracted more than the usual number of entries across all categories.
Show president Rob Graham said there were great numbers of entries in everything from arts and photography to horse events. There was even a lineup of young bull riders keen to test their skills at the rodeo.
Mr Graham said the committee were im- pressed with the success of the show and the big crowds that attended on both Friday and Satur- day of the show.
Stars light up the stage
Noosa STARS alive! finals 2025 showcased a daz- zling line-up of talented Sunshine Coast perform- ers aged eight-18 years when it was presented by NOOSA alive! on the River stage Gympie Terrace last Saturday.
Hosted by Mr Hollywood in Oz, Damien An- thony Avery-Rossi the finals delivered 12 acts to the stage to perform a range of crowd-pleasing pieces.
Dental clinic is needed
Investigations by Noosa MP Sandy Bolton has found there is sufficient patient demand to retain the Noosa Dental Clinic that was being consid- ered for closure by the state government due to low patronage and high costs.
OCTOBER
Call on shark nets
A majority of environment, business and water user groups overwhelmingly supported the trial removal of shark nets during the whale migra- tion season when they were called to a meet- ing last Friday, organised by Oceans for All and chaired by Noosa MP Sandy Bolton to gauge their positions on the subject.
The meeting comes two years after the Sun- shine Coast Branch of Surfrider initiated a round
table discussion regarding the removal of shark nets in the Noosa Shire, also chaired by Noosa MP Sandy Bolton, during which the working party, Oceans for All, was formed.
Protest calls grow
“We’re here to voice our dis- approval of the ongoing shark nets, particularly during the whale migration season,“ for- mer Mayor Tony Wellington told about 200 people who gathered in Noosa Heads Lions Park on Saturday before deliv- ering their message in a peaceful protest march along Hast- ings Street and Main Beach.
$1.9m AI fraud
Noosa Council was the victim last December of a “well-organised cyber fraud” that used “sophisti- cated social engineering AI techniques” to extract a financial amount of $1.9 million, CEO Larry Sengstock and Mayor Frank Wilkie announced at
a press conference Tuesday morning.
“We haven’t been able to divulge this infor-
mation until now because it’s been subject to an international and national investigation and we were obliged to stay quiet on this,” Mr Sengstock said.
The Australian Federal Police Joint Policing Cybercrime Centre advised council this was a highly sophisticated, strategic fraudulent inci- dent.
Roadkill rescue
A call for greater awareness by Noosa motorists to help reduce koala road strikes has been made by Wildcare Australia’s Koala Rescue Team.
“We estimate there is a 40 per cent increase in koala deaths and injuries across the shire in the last 10 months so far compared to the previous year.” said Rachel Lyons, who co-coordinates the rescue team.
Noosa Plan changes
Changes to allow for more affordable hous- ing, tiny homes, a greater supply of smaller dwellings and limits on short-term accom- modation in all residential zones are among the updates to the Noosa Planning scheme passed by council.
This is part of delivering on our promise to those who don’t have a voice in the public debate, the least advantaged people in our community; those that don’t have the basic human right of a roof over their heads, Mayor Frank Wilkie said.
The amendments take effect from 26 Sep- tember, following more than seven weeks of community consultation and two State in- terest checks over three years.
Local heroes awarded
It was just common sense to Noosa men Remy Roberts and Louie Greenland to go to the aid of a tour boat in trouble in July, 2024, but last week their efforts that may have saved the lives of two women, were recognised by the National Search and Rescue Council (NATSAR Council) at a ceremony at Queensland Parlia- ment House.
NOVEMBER
Tributes for Finley
Tributes and condolences have flowed for 21-year-old Finley Bone who died after being struck by lightning at the Cooroy Sporting Com- plex about 5.30pm on Thursday 30 October.
Ms Bone was taken to Nambour Hospital in a critical condition but later died.
Her mother, Donna Markert, told the ABC the family was in complete shock.
“No-one can believe this happened,“ Ms Markert said.
“Fin had her life taken away in a minute.“
Hauser and Fullagar impress at Triathlon
Australia’s Matt Hauser and Great Britain’s Jess Fullagar have claimed the men’s and women’s titles at the 2025 Garmin Noosa Triathlon, with both athletes impressing on their way to the top step of the podium.
Noosa: top town
Noosa has taken out the title of ‘Best Town’ in the prestigious Australian Traveller 2025 Read- ers’ Choice Awards, voted by thousands of travel- loving Australians.
Beating some of the nation’s most iconic desti- nations including Byron Bay (NSW), Port Douglas (QLD),
Mudgee (NSW) and Margaret River (WA), Noosa’s recognition as Best Town reaffirms its place as one of Australia’s most beloved holiday destinations.
Best in business celebrated
The Sunshine Coast’s business community came together last Saturday night to celebrate three decades of excellence, innova- tion, and resilience at the 2025 Sunshine Coast Business Awards
Gala, with Noosa Black Garlic crowned Business of the Year.
E-bikes banned
State High Schools of Sunshine Beach, Noosa District and Coolum will ban all e-bikes and e- scooters from school sites from the beginning of the 2026 school year.
Parents were notified by email of the ban which comes after schools consulted with the Queensland Police Service and reached out to school families regarding the use of non-compli- ant vehicles.
SES celebrate half a century
This year SES will mark its 50th year of op- eration in Queensland with celebrations of the milestone occurring in November.
To mark the occasion Noosa SES will stage a celebratory week beginning on 24 November with a special function at its Tewantin SES facil- ity for all members and special guests including Noosa MP Sandy Bolton, Noosa Mayor Frank Wilkie and Councillors, high ranking QPS, QAS, and Fire & Rescue officials, plus other support- ive Noosa community members.
Storms hit Noosa
Severe storms with cyclonic-like winds lashed Noosa on Monday night leaving behind a path of destruction with fallen trees, powerlines and debris.
Energex reported 9000 power outages across Noosa with restoration of power likely to take un- til Wednesday. SES Noosa local controller Warren Kuskopf said areas were hit hard at Boreen Point, Noosaville, Noosa Heads, Pomona, Kin Kin and Peregian Beach.
Community mourns teen
Tributes have been flowing for a 17 year-old boy who was killed in a traffic incident in Noosa Heads.
Solomon Tucker, a Noosa Christian College student, was struck by a vehicle on Claude Batten Drive about 2am on Sunday, 23 November and died at the scene.
