By Phil Jarratt
A month has passed since the announcement that Noosa would become the 10th World Surfing Reserve in 2018, and we figured it was time to celebrate!
I know it’s Christmas and the social whirl is at its most intense, but don’t miss the first community celebration of Noosa World Surfing Reserve at Halse Lodge this Sunday. It will offer something for everyone – from the very young to the, ah, pretty old, and you don’t have to be a surfer to appreciate this new feather in Noosa’s trucker cap.
Join the Stone and Wood crew from 2pm for “karma kegs” and barbecue, and rock out to The Myths (average age 10), Noosa’s newest and coolest indie alternative band, who write and perform original music, and chuck in the odd classic cover.
Having seen bits and pieces of The Myths on social media over the past few months, I can’t wait to see these kids live. They’ve come through that great institution, the Eumundi School of Rock, and thanks to a bunch of incredibly supportive local parents who transport them to gigs and rehearsal sessions, they’ve come on amazingly.
The Myths will be kicking off the live music at around 3pm, followed by a surf memorabilia auction and raffle draw.
Then, as the afternoon shadows form over historic Halse Lodge, we’ll be grooving to the salty sounds of The SandFlys (total age, over 200). Ado, Chris and Wayne have forgotten more songs than most bands ever learn!
If you haven’t heard them down at the Sandbar on the river, you’re in for a special treat. I love their easygoing mix of bluesy vocals and laidback instrumentals, like Hell’s Gates, that evoke the local coastal lifestyle.
The special World Surfing Reserve Stone and Wood Sunday Sesh is a free entry-all-ages family affair, presented by the Noosa World Surfing Reserve and Halse Lodge. Beer specials and full bar, barbecue and restaurant meals available, plus great bargains on Christmas gifts for the surfer in the family.
No reservations required, just rock up. See you there! Like Noosa National Surfing Reserve on Facebook.
Nev’s pitch wins the Palace over
Surfboard visionary and now sustainable shelter guru Nev Hyman won out over 25,000 submissions from around the world at the global Pitch@Palace finals at St James Palace, London last week, with awards patron Prince Andrew, Duke of York, declaring the NevHouse project Entrepreneur of the Year.
As “His Royal Hyman” noted excitedly when he shared the news with mates an hour after receiving the award, “This is a long way from Burleigh Heads!” Indeed, it’s a long way for any surfer or surfboard designer to crack the big time in a field so far removed from everything that preceded it, but it happens more often than you might think, starting with Florida surfer Gary Propper inventing the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and continuing today with Wollongong surfer Richard Tognetti leading the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
But Nev’s designation as entrepreneur of the year doesn’t quite do NevHouse justice. I prefer the Firewire founder’s own description of “philanthrocapitalist”, which might be an awkward mouthful but accurately describes the sustainable business model by which he aims to use recycled plastic to provide affordable housing for communities in need around the world.
It’s a big idea, but that’s Nev. He doesn’t pull back. Nev and his team will be building an exhibition NevHouse on the beach at Festival Village, First Point, as part of the Laguna Real Estate Noosa Festival of Surfing next March, and Nev will be special guest at a dinner during the week, where he’ll describe his remarkable journey from mowing foam to pitching the palace. Watch this space for details.
Annie’s last hurrah
Annie Grossman and I have been doing book gigs together for quite a few years now, and no, she’s not feeling poorly or leaving town! The above headline was just a cheap bit of clickbait to suck you into this unabashed self-promo.
Now, having outed myself on that, let’s get back to Annie, whose eponymous book store at Peregian Beach continues to be the greatest supporter of local authors. No-one puts more time and energy into creating an event out of every book launch and signing session than Annie, and believe me, I’ve done a few. And whether it’s a big new national release or a self-published local history, Annie does her homework and gets out and sells for you, talking it up on radio and to every interested customer.
After receiving another miserable royalty statement, I sometimes go into Annie’s Books and pretend to browse while she goes to work flogging my titles. This is good for the self-esteem, but she’s so damn good I often find myself buying my own books!
Anyway, after a busy year in which we’ve done several successful gigs together, I’m stoked to be finishing it with a signing session of my memoir, Life Of Brine (named after this column) and the new edition of my Surfing Australia history, this Saturday from 10am out front of Annie’s. We’ll have a few surprises too, so please come along and say hi.
