Cap Coast - 2023 ANYTHING GOES

We were regaled with both stories and live music. There was much chat and social interaction. New friendships were made and existing friendships cemented. A great day!

A big THANK YOU to Valda for organising the event, to our MC, photographers, able entertainers and members.

OCTOBER 2023
GUEST SPEAKER
(on healthy aging)

Some thirty-plus members enjoyed Leslie Milligan's presentation about being 'stronger for longer,' both emotionally and physically. In her informative, and sometimes humorous, presentation she looked at the importance of healthy aging. She also brought the video (on the right - Never too old to dance) to our attention.

NEVER TOO OLD TO DANCE!
Click to watch video on Youtube.

SEPTEMBER 2023
GREAT KEPPEL ISLAND

We were warmly welcomed at Great Keppel and treated to a tour of the resort and talks about turtles and reef health.

It was a most enjoyable day of conversation, information, lunch and coffee; as well as perfect weather.

JULY 2023
TI TREE FARM AT BYFIELD

A large group of U3A members visited Waterpark Ti Tree farm at Byfield on Thursday 20 July.

The tour began with a talk about the history of the farm dating back 100 years to now being a large successful acreage of Ti Trees with a range of products.

A ride on the back of the truck through the cattle to view the trees at various stages of growth with an explanation of the harvesting procedure and the durability of the crop followed.

Later we viewed the steaming process involved in producing the final products. This was followed by Morning tea and then a boat ride which took us quietly along the beautiful Waterpark Creek. A stunning morning at this beautiful property bordered by majestic aged trees delighted all those attending.

JUNE 2023
COCKSCOMB VETERANS RETREAT

On Tuesday 27th June, 22 members enjoyed a visit to Cockscomb Veterans Retreat at the stunning southern face of Mt Wheeler renamed now by the Darumbul people as Gai-i.

A member’s talk explained the history, the plans and pride in this special retreat which was originally set up for the returned veterans from Vietnam, to offer recuperation in an affordable quiet, tranquil, bush environment. The retreat is now open to all veterans, their families and friends as well as members and families of first responders.

We were treated to a delicious morning tea on arrival, a BBQ lunch and felt privileged to be welcomed to this special place.

MAY 2023
GROVES TROPICAL FRUIT FARM

Last week, 16 of our members enjoyed an amazing morning at the Groves tropical fruit farm at Bungundarra.

After a fruit tasting, Ian and Sandra spoke about the history and the huge operation of this property, from the growing of a large range of tropical fruits, to the picking and preparation for the transportation to southern markets. We were all then given a buggy tour over the 500 acres, through the orchards, to the lake, and on to the hill tops, which was a thrilling experience.

We were blown away with the spectacular postcard views, and came away feeling thrilled to have been part of this special morning.

APRIL 2023
GREAT KEPPEL MARINE ANIMALS

A large group attended to hear Denise Weisse, environmental enthusiast, and long term resident of Great Keppel Island give an interesting insight into the history of Great Keppel Island and the work being undertaken now to protect the marine animals in the area.

Denise grew up on and around Keppel Island with her Father and now works at the Hideaway Resort and lives on a yacht in the Bay. She spoke of the history of the island and her family connection.

Denise set up the Keppel Turtle Fund, a volunteer organisation who monitor Turtle nests which are logged each season, and retrieve injured turtles to send to Quoin Island for rehabilitation before release.

She spoke of the ways they were protecting the nests, how to identify the tracks and logging the numbers. Keppel Turtle fund is also raising awareness of the pristine environment in Keppel Bay and the diverse marine life through education.

GKI in 1960s
(Weisse family pics)

MARCH 2023
WETLANDS BIRD WATCHING

A group of bird enthusiasts were recently privileged to visit the large wetlands north of Yeppoon. The waterways were teeming with birds amongst the beautiful flowering water lilys. An amazing forty-one species were identified and the group was overwhelmed with the diversity and beauty of the area.

Birds identified at Wetlands: Australasian darter, Australasian grebe, Australian magpie, Bar-shouldered dove, Black swan, Brolga, Brown honeyeater, Cattle egret, Channel-billed cuckoo, Chestnut teal, Comb-crested jacana, Cotton pygmy-goose, Dusky moorhen, Eurasian coot, Forest kingfisher, Golden-headed cisticola, Great egret, Grey teal, Laughing kookaburra, Little black cormorant, Little pied cormorant, Magpie goose, Mangrove honeyeater, Masked lapwing, Mistletoebird, Nankeen kestrel, Pacific black duck, Peaceful dove, Pheasant coucal, Purple swamphen, Radjah shelduck, Rainbow bee-eater, Red-backed fairy-wren, Rufous whistler, Striated pardalote, Tern sp., Torresian crow, Wandering whistling-duck, Welcome swallow, Whistling kite, Willy wagtail