Introducing: Len and Karin Sharman
Len and Karin Sharman, the new owners of Rainbow Beach Gas, have called Rainbow “home” for years now even though they have only lived here permanently for 12 months.
Len started surfing at Rainbow when he was in his teens and never wanted to go home. His word for our community is “fantastic.”
The couple raised their kids in Brisbane and Len worked on the waterfront, then ran a charter boat business in Noosa. But for the past 11 years they have come back to the holiday home they built here. Their extended family, from Bribie Island and New South Wales, come up often for holidays and always have a great time.
When asked about their reason for buying the Rainbow Beach Gas, Len said, “It fitted in perfectly with our lifestyle. When I’m not working I go crabbing or fishing or take one of my boards out. I would love to do more surfing; I haven’t done enough!”
Karin laughed when asked about her role. “I do everything except the driving! Sometimes I manage to go out on my boogie board as well.”
When he’s not deciding whether to take out the longboard or the shortboard, Len drives around the Cooloola Coast and Fraser Island delivering domestic gas, with delivery on the house. He is also proud not to charge any bottle rental.
“Although businesses know we are around,” he said, “many locals on the Cooloola Coast don’t realise what a fair price we offer. We think all residents should be able to buy local.”