CHAPPY CHAT July 2022

Learning Community

During June, participants in the Learning Community have been involved in a wide variety of activities that have added some great experiences to their homeschooling program.

One of the highlights was assisting Mo Riggs, local artist and art tutor, in creating a turtle display out of recycled rubbish to raise awareness of how rubbish impacts our oceans at the World Oceans Day stand at the recent Rainbow Beach market.

Curtis from the Gympie Library, who visits local schools with a fantastic robotics program, made the trip to Rainbow so that our young ones could join in the fun.

Ze is helping everyone to decorate their own Rainbow Learning t-shirt and Cindy from Hartbeat Training spent a morning teaching the children about what to do in an emergency, which included everyone having a go at bandaging – with Cindy as one of the patients!

Lee McCarthy from Cooloola Coast Today paid us a visit, sharing about how she started her career and her current role as a reporter, with some fascinating insights as to what is needed to make a good story. At least one young person was inspired to think they would like to become a reporter/journalist when they grow up, focusing on sport.

Community Bush Dance

Did you make it along to our winter Bush Dance that was held on Saturday 25 June at the Rainbow Beach Community Centre?

Bush dances seem to be few and far between these days but they are still a wonderful way of bringing a community together.

The old dances like ‘Strip the Willow’ and ‘Heel and Toe Polka’ are timeless and according to the Bushwackers Band who have been teaching bush dancing in primary and high schools since 1981, they have many benefits because they:

• Create a great connection between people of all ages;
• Provide a fun, healthy, energetic and positive way to get exercise;
• Are ideal for teaching listening skills, following instructions and working in a team and maybe best of all –
• You can’t bush dance and be on your device!

The musical talents of band ‘Flashjack’ who played Celtic and traditional Australian music on flute, guitar, pennywhistle, banjo, lagerphone, and spoons made for a special night with many families enjoying the opportunity to get together as a community. Lucky door prizes drawn throughout the evening were donated by Bunnings, Rainbow Beach Horse Rides, Rainbow Fruit, Mo Riggs, Cooloola photographer Aimee Everson, and Mini Mosca Children’s Clothing & Gifts.

It was wonderful to see all ages having fun together learning the dances and enjoying each other’s company. Delicious food was enjoyed by those who attended provided by the families of the Learning Community.

Community Pantry

Due to popular demand, we are increasing the number of hampers that we provide to locals each week.

For two weeks last month we were able to add watermelons to the normal pantry items that are purchased at low cost from Foodbank in Brisbane which were gratefully received.

See the attached photo of my poor old Prado filled to the brim with watermelons!

From the beginning of June, Rainbow Beach Transport has kindly taken over the transport of hamper items from McClintock’s Transport in Gympie and we would like to thank Brent for his generosity in providing this service free of charge.

To work in with Brent’s normal daily delivery from Gympie to Rainbow Beach, our distribution time on Thursdays has changed to 12.30-1.30pm in the Community Centre car park. It is lovely to see several kind-hearted people buying a hamper for a neighbour or friend to show they care.

Visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/Rainbow-Beach-Community-Pantry if you would like to register for a hamper that includes fresh fruit and veggies and pantry items that cost $10 but are worth between $40 & $50. You can also contact me on 0413 135 867 if you would like to be added to the list.

Ronnie Timperon