Cooroy Rag Community Newspaper

06/09/2026

Cooroy CCTV upgrade gains major funding from governments

Cooroy’s ageing CCTV network is set for a major overhaul, with $141,329 in funding secured to replace the town’s 10-year-old cameras and improve surveillance across key areas.

The project is jointly funded by the Queensland Government, Noosa Council, Bendigo Bank and the Cooroy Chamber of Commerce, with $70,664 provided through Round 2 of the Queensland Government’s Secure Communities Partnership Program. Noosa Council and the Cooroy Chamber will jointly fund the remaining capital cost.

The upgrade was announced on August 6 outside Cooroy Memorial Hall, with Member of Nicklin Marty Hunt MP, Frank Wilkie Noosa Mayor, and Cooroy Chamber of Commerce vice president Roy Vanderberg outlining the plans.

The existing CCTV network has been operated and maintained by the Cooroy Chamber for the past decade in partnership with local businesses, Queensland Police Service and community stakeholders.

Marty Hunt said the investment would deliver a practical improvement to community safety and support businesses in Cooroy town centre. “Cooroy is a proud and vibrant community, and people should feel safe when they are visiting the town centre, running a business or going about their daily lives,” he said. “This project will replace the existing CCTV network, which I understand has experienced regular outages due to the age and condition of the current technology.”

The new system is expected to provide clearer and more reliable coverage, while footage will continue to be relayed to Cooroy Police Station for monitoring under current arrangements and in accordance with existing agreements. Marty said reliable CCTV could help deter criminal activity and provide Queensland Police with evidence when incidents occurred.

The project will now move into the planning phase, with Noosa Council to work with the Cooroy business community, Queensland Police Service and the Cooroy Chamber to determine the locations, technology and operating procedures for the upgraded system. Council will also investigate emerging technologies as part of the planning process, with the aim of ensuring the network remains useful as technology changes.

Mayor Frank Wilkie said the project demonstrated what could be achieved through cooperation between different levels of government, local businesses and police. “This project is a great example of what can be achieved when local partners work together to deliver practical improvements for the community,” he said.

Chamber vice president Roy Vanderberg said the investment recognised the importance of keeping Cooroy’s town centre safe and supporting local businesses. “The Cooroy Chamber of Commerce has long recognised the importance of maintaining a safe and prosperous town centre,” he said. “This funding is an investment in the future of Cooroy.” He said improved CCTV would also provide valuable evidence for police investigations and assist in identifying offenders when incidents occurred.

The state government funding comes as councils across Queensland receive support through the Secure Communities Partnership Program for crime prevention measures, including surveillance systems, lighting and other security infrastructure.

For Cooroy, the immediate priority will be replacing the existing cameras and establishing a more reliable network capable of supporting businesses, residents, visitors and police for years to come.

31/08/2026

The latest edition of the Cooroy Rag is out on stands across the hinterland!
We're covering the latest local stories including:

🎡 Country shows bring tradition, thrills and community together
🚧 Holts Road proposal draws community concerns
📹 Cooroy CCTV upgrade gains major funding
🏗 Residents question scale of Kenilworth development
🔋 Community battery powers up local solar future
🏠 Hinterland housing supply grows as challenges remain
🌳 Council reports strong progress across key priorities
♻ Doonan compost facility moves one step closer
🛒 Eumundi Markets give back to community

As always, you'll also find our regular features such as What's On, Property, Community, Sports, Comics and more.
Pick up a paper or read it online!
The Cooroy Rag - connecting our community since 1961

29/08/2026

Saturday Spotlight: Impact boxers shine at national championships

Impact Boxing and Fitness Centre celebrated outstanding success at the 2026 Australian Under 19 Championships, with one national champion and two silver medallists returning from the tournament.

Leading the results was Theo Rivera, who claimed gold in the junior male 63kg division to become Australian champion and the nation's top ranked boxer in the weight class. Rivera also received the award for best junior male boxer of the tournament.

His path to the title included a first round technical knockout victory over a South Australian opponent in the quarter final, a second-round technical knockout against a Victorian boxer in the semifinal, and a third-round knockout win over a New South Wales opponent in the final.

The championships also marked a successful national debut for Mika Davey, who claimed silver after reaching the final of the junior women's competition. Davey faced three-time Australian champion Belle Spicer of Victoria in the gold medal bout.

Jackson Davey also earned a silver medal after advancing to the final in only his second appearance at the Australian Championships. He met two-time Australian champion Nash Wall from New South Wales in the title contest.

Club officials praised the performances of all three athletes, highlighting their preparation, discipline and composure throughout the tournament.

Theo's national title was described as the reward for months of hard work and dedication, while the silver medal performances by Mika and Jackson demonstrated their potential against some of Australia's most experienced junior boxers.

The results continued a strong record of success for Impact Boxing and Fitness Centre at national level and reflected the quality of athletes emerging from the club.

Coaches also acknowledged the support provided by families, teammates, sponsors and volunteers throughout the athletes' preparation and competition.

The achievements capped a memorable championship for the club and reinforced its growing reputation for developing talented young boxers on the national stage.

28/08/2026

Tourism workforce program targets local accommodation crisis

A new $1 million Queensland Government -funded initiative aims to help tourism businesses overcome one of their biggest workforce challenges, by connecting workers with affordable accommodation and employment opportunities.

The Seasonal Mobility and Staff Accommodation Exchange (SMASE) will be piloted across key tourism regions, including the Sunshine Coast, Noosa and hinterland, as part of efforts to address ongoing staff shortages affecting hospitality and tourism operators.

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council - QTIC secured the funding through the Queensland Government's $6.84 million Workforce Connect Fund which supports industry-led projects designed to address critical workforce shortages across sectors including construction, health, manufacturing, community services and tourism.

The initiative was developed in response to feedback from tourism businesses struggling to attract and retain workers due to limited affordable accommodation, relocation costs and transport barriers.

QTIC CEO Natassia Wheeler said many tourism operators had vacancies available but were unable to fill positions because workers could not find suitable places to live. "One of the biggest challenges facing tourism businesses isn't a lack of jobs; it's finding somewhere for workers to live," Natassia said. "In many of Queensland's most popular tourism destinations, businesses are telling us they have vacancies they simply can't fill because prospective employees can't access affordable accommodation or afford to relocate."

The program will establish a statewide workforce mobility network supported by a digital platform connecting employers, workers and accommodation providers. Dedicated regional coordinators will also work with businesses and workers to help arrange placements, verify accommodation options and coordinate relocation support.

The Sunshine Coast is one of five regions selected for the pilot program, alongside the Whitsundays, Far North Queensland, Fraser Coast and Southern Great Barrier Reef. South East Queensland will act as a feeder region, providing workers who can relocate to destinations experiencing peak tourism demand.

Natassia said the program was designed to provide a practical solution by making better use of existing accommodation, supporting workforce sharing between regions with different seasonal peaks and helping workers move to areas where they are needed.

"Rather than simply highlighting the problem, QTIC took a practical solution to the government," she said.

"SMASE has been designed to connect the dots by bringing together employers, workers and accommodation providers through one coordinated, industry-led platform."

Tourism operators across the Sunshine Coast have faced ongoing workforce pressures, with high housing costs and limited rental availability creating additional challenges for businesses seeking seasonal and permanent staff.

The initiative comes as Queensland's visitor economy prepares for increased demand ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Tourism currently supports more than 277,000 jobs across the state and contributes $45.5 billion in annual visitor expenditure.

Making sure local businesses can access a competent workforce will be critical for the future. "As Queensland prepares for Brisbane 2032, ensuring tourism businesses have access to a skilled, mobile workforce is essential," she said. "This is about creating more opportunities for people to build careers in tourism while giving businesses the confidence they can access the workforce they need to grow and continue delivering world-class visitor experiences."

The pilot program is expected to provide a new model for workforce mobility across Queensland's tourism regions, helping businesses access staff while creating more pathways for people seeking employment in the industry.

19/08/2026

📰 2026 Cooroy Rag Community Grants Program open! 📰

The Cooroy Rag Community Newspaper is pleased to announce our 2026 grant program:
💰 $10,000 for organisations working to benefit community causes across the Cooroy Rag distribution area
🎯 Grants ranging from $500–$2,000, awarded by our management committee
⏰ Get in quick! Applications close next Friday, 28 August
👉 Read more and apply here:

The Cooroy Rag Community Newspaper is pleased to announce the launch of its 2026 grantprogram. This year, $10,000 will be available for organizations working to benefit community causes inthe Cooroy Rag distribution area. Grant applications can range from $500-$2,000, and final decisions and amounts...

19/08/2026

Noosa fights proposed disaster funding changes together

Noosa Council has joined a growing statewide campaign opposing proposed changes to federal disaster recovery funding, warning the reforms could leave local communities paying millions more to rebuild after natural disasters.

Councillors unanimously supported a Mayoral Minute from Frank Wilkie Noosa Mayor at last month’s Ordinary Meeting, committing Council to join a Queensland Government petition calling on the Australian Government to retain the current Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Mayor Frank said the proposed changes would significantly reduce Commonwealth support following major disasters by removing safeguards that allow the Australian Government to contribute up to 75 per cent of recovery costs when they exceed a state's capacity.

"Under the proposed model, Queensland would receive no more than 50 per cent Commonwealth funding, regardless of the scale or severity of disasters," he said.

The mayor said the current funding arrangements had delivered substantial benefits to Noosa, helping the region recover from repeated severe weather events over recent years.

Since the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements began in 2018, Noosa has received approximately $198.2 million in disaster recovery funding. Council estimates that, under the proposed model, the Queensland Government and/or Council would have faced an additional $27.7 million in costs over the same period. “If the proposed arrangements had been in place during that period, the Queensland Government and/or Council would have faced an additional $27.7 million in costs – a cost shift of around 22 per cent,” he said.

"That level of funding shortfall would affect our ability to restore essential infrastructure such as roads, drainage networks and waterways after disasters," Mayor Frank said.

He also stated that about $182 million had been received since 2021 alone to restore damaged infrastructure, while the existing funding model had also enabled major projects such as the $40 million reconstruction of the Black Mountain Road landslide. The three-year project was jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments, with Council contributing $400,000.

Mayor Wilkie also expressed concern that the proposed reforms could reduce funding available through Category C and D recovery programs, which support community recovery, resilience projects and the restoration of public assets. Since 2018 Noosa Council has received almost $14.8 million through these initiatives.

"The proposed reforms could also reduce support for evacuation centres, sandbagging, emergency response activities and rapid repairs to essential infrastructure," he said. “With natural disasters becoming more frequent, severe and costly, these changes risk reducing resources for recovery, resilience and preparedness.”

The concerns come after a summer in which 71 of Queensland's 77 local government areas experienced disasters, including cyclones and widespread flooding.

Along with signing the state petition, Council will write to the National Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Member for Wide Bay, and Queensland senators outlining its concerns. It will also provide feedback to the Local Government Association of Queensland as part of a coordinated statewide response.

Mayor Frank said that with natural disasters becoming more frequent, severe and costly, maintaining strong disaster recovery funding was essential to protecting Queensland communities and ensuring councils could restore vital infrastructure when it was needed most.

17/08/2026

Cooroy Memorial Hall celebrates a century of community memories

For 100 years, generations of locals have walked through the doors of Cooroy Memorial Hall to dance, get married, celebrate, watch sports, debate, perform, farewell loved ones and connect as a community. This month, the town is celebrating the centenary of one of its most treasured landmarks, with a weekend of events recognising both the historic building and the people who have kept its spirit alive.

Officially opened on 20 August 1926, the hall was built as a living memorial to local servicemen following World War I and has remained at the heart of Cooroy life ever since. According to Heritage Noosa, the idea for a memorial hall began in 1921 when the Cooroy Sub Branch of the Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League identified a park adjoining the existing School of Arts as a suitable location.

Fundraising followed, and by 1925 the Memorial School of Arts Committee was working with prominent local sawmiller Fred Fenwick on plans for the new building. By 1926, construction was ready to begin at a cost of £1700. Designed and constructed using timber sourced and milled from native trees in the Cooroy district, the hall was also built with the help of local volunteers.

One of the building’s most remarkable surviving features is the original dance floor crafted from locally grown crow’s ash, also known as Australian teak (Flindersia australis). According to Heritage Noosa, the exceptionally durable hardwood was selected because it could withstand decades of dancing and heavy community use, with its natural oils helping protect it from termites and wear.

The hall was also designed as an early entertainment venue, featuring an overhead projection box for silent films along with a front ticket office. Interestingly, according to Heritage Noosa, the hall wasn’t connected to electricity until 1941. The two front rooms were also intended as a reading room and library, while a space was set aside for the Cooroy Women’s Guild in recognition of their wartime support work.

The future of the much-loved building was uncertain a decade ago. After years of decline and failing modern safety standards, the hall was closed by Noosa Council in 2015 and faced possible demolition. Instead, the community rallied. The Cooroy Memorial Hall Association was formed, bringing together residents, Noosa Council, Bendigo Bank, local businesses and supporters to save the landmark. A major restoration project between 2017 and 2018 returned the hall to its original 1926 appearance while upgrading essential services.

The association says the centenary is a celebration of the people who have filled the hall with memories. “For a century, the hall has been far more than timber, brick and roofing iron,” the association said. “It has hosted weddings and dances, meetings and markets, concerts and community gatherings. It has witnessed celebrations, farewells and countless moments in between.”

The 100-year celebrations will run from Friday to Sunday 21–23 August, beginning with a historical exhibition by the Cooroy-Noosa Genealogical and Historical Research Group featuring photographs, family histories and stories from the town’s past. Noosa Libraries will also present a display of Cooroy Memorial Hall images from Heritage Noosa photos in the hall throughout the three days.

The highlight will be the 100th Anniversary Street Party on Saturday 22 August, with Maple Street closed between Garnet and Emerald Streets from 1pm to 5:30pm for live music, dancing and entertainment celebrating different eras, a display of vintage and classic vehicles spanning the decades, roving street performers, performances by the Noosa & District Pipe Band, and performances by local schools, kindergartens, sporting clubs and dance schools. Fairy floss, children’s activities and plenty of family fun will also be on offer throughout the afternoon.

The weekend will conclude with Back to Cooroy Day on Sunday, giving past and present residents the chance to reconnect over morning tea, share memories and celebrate the hall’s enduring place in the community.

“The Cooroy Memorial Hall belongs to all of us,” the committee said. “Its centenary deserves to be celebrated accordingly.”

The Cooroy Memorial Hall 100th Anniversary Street Party is proudly supported by Noosa Council together with event partners Hinternoosa, The Cooroy Rag, McDermott Aviation, Bendigo Bank Cooroy, Cooroy RSL, Your Local Lifestyle, and Sutton’s Cleaning Service.

Event Details: Cooroy Memorial Hall 100th Anniversary Celebrations. Friday 21 – Sunday 23 August, 23 Maple Street, Cooroy. Free entry. Visitors are encouraged to register their attendance via the Facebook event page.

11/08/2026

The latest edition of the Cooroy Rag is out on stands across the hinterland!
We're covering the latest local stories including:

🏫 Cooroy Memorial Hall celebrates a century of community
🌾 Noosa Council updates plan to tackle biosecurity threats
🏡 Tourism workforce program targets local accommodation crisis
🐔 Bird Flu detection prompts community vigilance across the hinterland
🆘 Noosa fights proposed disaster funding changes
👩‍🌾 Flanno Day supports farming families nationwide

As always, you'll also find our regular features such as What's On, Property, Community, Sports, Comics and more.
📰 Pick up a paper or read it online!
The Cooroy Rag - connecting our community since 1961

10/08/2026

Sunshine Blokes rally for local families

Black Mountain's Graeme and teammate Tony are calling on the Noosa hinterland community to help them raise funds for the 2026 Sunshine Coast Dunga Derby in support of regional charity Rally for a Cause.

Competing as Sunshine Blokes, the pair are preparing for Graeme's fifth charity rally, with all funds raised helping families and individuals facing serious medical conditions or severe hardship beyond their control.

Since its inception, Rally for a Cause has assisted more than 400 families and individuals across Queensland, raising more than $5 million to provide practical support when it is needed most. Graeme is encouraging residents and local businesses to get behind the team's fundraising efforts.

Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible, while businesses can also sponsor the team by displaying their logo on the Sunshine Blokes' charity rally car. "We encourage all members of the community to donate and help those less fortunate than ourselves," Graeme said.