Men in Beaudesert gather at the Beaudesert Hotel on the first Wednesday of each month to discuss books and life. The group is the Scenic Rim Chapter of Tough Guy Book Club, which first met in July. Its president, Dale Rogers, says the club gives men a regular reason to socialise, which matters in a region where towns and properties are far apart. The group was founded in Melbourne in 2012 and now has more than 150 chapters in several countries. New members are welcome, with no fees and no need to finish the book.
An afternoon high tea and fashion parade, run by Zonta, was held at Erica Bates' home. The rain cleared before the event, and guests enjoyed tea and coffee while watching the local fashions. The clothing was very well received. The story is also tied to Scenic Rim Media, the company behind the Beaudesert Bulletin, Canungra Times and Tamborine Mountain News, where journalist Susie is a partner.
Beaudesert Hospital held its second Welcome Baby to Country ceremony on September 22 at its Gathering Circle. Mununjali Elders and hospital liaison officer Uncle Dave Bestmann led a smoking ceremony and traditional dances by Mununjali Ngari dancers. Uncle Dave said the morning strengthened ties between the local First Nations community and health services, particularly the maternity ward. Among the families attending were Brent and Sara Irvine, who wanted their son Harrison to connect with the Mununjali community and Country.
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Scenic Rim Regional Council has cut funding for its five visitor information centres by 30 per cent, reducing the total budget from $140,000 to $100,000. Council director Leo Jensen said the cuts were necessary to account for rising costs, but assured that services would not be significantly affected. Tamborine Mountain Visitor Information Centre manager Janice Smart expressed frustration over the reduction, particularly its impact on volunteer payments, but remains optimistic about finding alternative revenue streams.
An afternoon high tea and fashion parade, run by Zonta, was held at Erica Bates' home. The rain cleared before the event, and guests enjoyed tea and coffee while watching the local fashions. The clothing was very well received. The story is also tied to Scenic Rim Media, the company behind the Beaudesert Bulletin, Canungra Times and Tamborine Mountain News, where journalist Susie is a partner.
Residents of Tubber Street in Beaudesert have raised concerns about increased traffic and speeding, which they attribute to recent roadworks and a speed limit reduction on nearby Brisbane Street. Long-term resident Finella Loch and trauma nurse Mel Goodland have both expressed worries about accidents and dangerous driving. They have contacted local councillor Jennifer Sanders and police for assistance, suggesting measures like radar speed signs and a lower speed limit to address the issue.
Karen Hardgrave is undertaking a fundraising trek inspired by Thea Hinton, a toddler with vision impairment. Hardgrave, known as Thea's 'bonus grandmother,' aims to raise $5000 for Vision Australia's Seeing Eye Dogs Youth Program. The 2027 Trek for Vision will see Hardgrave journey through Tasmania's Three Capes with vision-impaired participants and their guide dogs. The initiative seeks to support young Australians in accessing assistance and enhancing their societal participation. Hardgrave and Thea have formed 'The Snack Sistas' to promote the cause, with a trivia night planned for Valentine's Day 2027.
Rachael Wilson's upbringing on a Queensland farm instilled a strong work ethic, shaping her nursing career and entrepreneurial ventures. After graduating from Beaudesert State High School, she pursued nursing, inspired by wartime nurses, and now works at Blue Care. Wilson balances her professional life with motherhood, raising three children, and running a family beekeeping business. She also competes in Strongwoman events and demolition derbies, driven by a desire to inspire her daughters. Her diverse pursuits reflect a commitment to embracing challenges and new experiences.
Gleneagle State School celebrated 70 years of play on September 16 with an Under 8s Day attended by more than 150 community members. Children, parents and extended family took part in pony rides, cookie decorating, loose parts play, sensory play and hula hoops. Local police and firefighters also visited. Under 8s Day coordinator and Prep teacher Shannon Taylor said the event gave families and younger children a welcoming way to connect with the school before starting Prep.
Trilogy Accounting, a local accounting firm, is celebrating 15 years in business. Directors Samantha Newsham and Noela Lee say their active community involvement, including helping found the Canungra Chamber, has helped the business grow. Noela said the firm values the long-term trust built with clients. The early years were difficult, with some days passing without payment, but the team has continued to support local residents and businesses with their finances. Samantha said many startups seek advice before making decisions.
Real estate professionals Peter and Liza Conaghan have launched their own independent agency, Local Properties Australia, alongside sales agent Ethan Johnston. The business will focus mainly on its local region, drawing on the team's knowledge of local properties, communities and the market. Peter said the team is excited by growth across the Scenic Rim, pointing to new housing, businesses and services. He said patience and sensible pricing can be important when a property does not sell quickly. The agency combines the couple's experience in sales, marketing, negotiation and client care.
Tamborine Mountain U3A is bringing mature residents and retirees together through a wide range of classes and events. The group has run on the mountain since 2007. Members can take part in activities including ballet, card games, pickleball, language classes and novel discussions. Branch Secretary Bev Kirk says the group helps prevent loneliness and keeps members engaged. The U3A also runs events at local businesses, including a Great Gatsby Murder Mystery Night on October 23 at the Fox and Hounds.
Detectives are treating a fire that extensively damaged a shop in Flagstone as suspicious. Employees of a nearby business saw flames coming from the premises on Wild Mint Drive shortly after 10pm on Monday night and called emergency services. No one was inside, and no injuries were reported. The cause has not yet been determined, but the fire is believed to have been deliberately lit. Police are asking anyone in the area near Wild Mint Drive and Homestead Drive around that time to come forward.
A 19-year-old woman has been identified as the critically injured victim of a shooting at a Loganholme pub during a boxing event. Vana-Reese Schuster-Togiatau, from Jimboomba, was shot in the head and neck and remains in a critical condition. Police allege two masked men opened fire from a car, hitting four people, and are investigating possible links to organised crime. The shooting has raised concerns about retaliation and the reputation of boxing events.
Police say they do not believe there will be a retaliatory attack after a drive-by shooting outside a pub south of Brisbane left four people injured. Two masked men opened fire on a crowd at a boxing night at Fitzys on Bryants Road at Loganholme on Saturday. A 19-year-old woman from Jimboomba is in a critical condition, while three men are stable after surgery. Chief Superintendent Mel Adams said the attack was not targeted but was not random, and police are asking the community for information. The hunt for the offenders continues.
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Yarrabilba resident Jan Ebbers has been playing Pokémon GO since it launched 10 years ago, and now leads a local community. She is a Community Ambassador, a volunteer role run by the game's developers, and was accepted after an extensive background check. The Yarrabilba group has about 800 members on the Campfire app and 300 on Facebook. Meet-ups are held several times a week, often at Darlington Parklands. Ms Ebbers says the group welcomes players of all ages and experience levels.
Shop owners on Gallery Walk were left shocked after a plant was stolen from outside their business on September 23. Kenneth Veitch, who owns A Wee Bit o' Scotland with his wife Laura, saw a woman take the plant and walk away up the road. Laura said the shop has often had cuttings taken from its plants, but removing a whole plant was different. Volunteers from the Tamborine Mountain Garden Club had recently revitalised the gardens ahead of Springtime on the Mountain. Kenneth said the theft has made him reconsider replacing the plant.
Shontae Iafeta is building practical experience while she studies journalism. She feels a strong commitment to regional reporting and believes it matters to the communities it serves. Iafeta is known for forming genuine relationships with the people she interviews. She holds the view that everyone deserves a chance to have their experiences shared publicly, and she often points to the idea that everyone has a story worth telling.
First-home buyers have been locked out of 169 previously affordable Queensland property markets since the federal 5 per cent deposit scheme was expanded a year ago. An analysis of Realestate.com.au data found that 852 of 890 house and unit markets have risen in value. Deagon houses jumped 31.2 per cent to $1.187 million. Since October, new Queensland mortgage lodgements have fallen 30 per cent, with first-home buyer applications down 18 per cent, according to Loan Market. Buyer's agent Lauren Jones said rising interest rates and living costs have cut borrowing power, leaving young buyers largely absent from the market.
Women in business in the Logan area are invited to a breakfast on Thursday 5 November that looks at speaking up and managing hard conversations. Hosted by Logan City Women in Business, the event runs from 6.45am to 8.30am at Froggies Rest in Logan Village. Guest speaker Antonella Spatola will deliver a talk titled The Permission You Never Needed. Topics include clear communication, setting personal boundaries and finding useful phrasing for difficult discussions. The morning also leaves room for attendees to build local business contacts. Tickets and booking options are available through TryBooking.
A Queensland adjudicator has rejected an urgent bid to switch off an electric vehicle charger at The Pavilion Apartments in Bulimba. Resident Kin Chen argued that the basement car park lacked fire safety systems to deal with a possible electric vehicle fire. The adjudicator found there was no immediate urgency, noting the charger has operated since about 2020. The body corporate committee had granted retrospective approval last month, with conditions including annual servicing. The broader challenge to that approval has yet to be decided, and the charger remains in use for now.
Hope Vale angler Justin Convent won the adult prize, a Quintrex boat with a motor and trailer, at the Cooktown barramundi competition. More than 1100 anglers entered the event held from Friday to Sunday. Junior winner Nickalah Cobus also took home a boat. Thomas Hone caught the heaviest fish, weighing 7.4 kilograms. Local business owners said the weekend brought many shoppers into town.
Gympie Regional Council is asking the community to help shape renewed playgrounds at Crab Creek Park in Tin Can Bay and Clive Colburn Park in Kandanga. Both projects were funded in this year's Budget and aim to deliver modern, safe and accessible play spaces. The Crab Creek playground sits on the foreshore and is popular with locals and visitors. The Clive Colburn playground is heavily used on game and training days at nearby sporting fields. Surveys close at 5pm on Thursday, 12 November 2026, and the renewals are expected to be completed by 30 June 2027.
Isaac Regional Council has announced a delay in kerbside waste collection for Moranbah residents. Due to mechanical issues, the general and recycling collections scheduled for Tuesday, 27 October 2026, will be completed on Wednesday, 28 October 2026. Residents are requested to keep their bins at the kerbside until the delayed collection. The council has expressed apologies for the inconvenience caused and thanked residents for their patience. For further details, residents can contact the council's 24/7 Customer Service Centre.
