It certainly was a trip down memory lane when the Marcoola Community Group celebrated its 50th anniversary with a 60’s themed party at the Marcoola Surf Club on Saturday with many locals coming forward to share their memories on what makes the tranquil village so popular amongst those who have called it home.

Susie Chapman, President of the Marcoola Community Group — which was formerly known as the Marcoola Progress Association — says the sense of cohesion in the community is what makes Marcoola so special and what keeps people returning time and time again.

“What I’ve found from all the discussions and stories this 50th milestone has provoked, is a common thread through all the spirited conversations that everyone absolutely loves this little piece of the world. Many have moved away only to return again, and now many of the younger folk that grew up here as kids are coming back to raise their own families here.”

“Marcoola is treasured by all who have and do live here which was evident both on Saturday afternoon and when the community group first started. The report of the First Annual Meeting of the Marcoola Progress Association on 9 June 1968 stated that ‘….we have a lovely area and only the residents, present and future, can ensure a progressive future’, which we continue to do as members of the Marcoola Community Group with good support from the local council and state agencies,” Ms Chapman said.

“In the same year this first meeting was held, the determined community successfully worked together to reject a proposal to establish a sand mine in the area, thus leaving the beaches and foreshores in their natural condition and retaining the charm of Marcoola as a beachside village.”

“Another significant project which further galvanised the local community more recently was its protest against the offshore desalination plant proposed in 2009. As a community we knew the impact this would have on our beautiful beach and I’m proud to say we fought Anna Bligh’s decision and won that battle.”

Marcoola, which was named due to its location between the hubs of Maroochydore and Coolum, became home for well-known personality Barry Whitehead when he was asked to come up from Sydney in the early 1970’s to be the foreman on the Surfair construction site.

“I remember the directions I was given to find Marcoola so well. I was told ‘go to Nambour and turn right, you can’t miss it’ and yet, as there was nothing there, I missed Marcoola altogether and ended up in Coolum,” Mr Whitehead said.

Surfair soon became the entertainment hotspot for the area including hosting the Duke and Duchess of Bedford at an extravagant Arabian Nights themed weekend in the mid-1970s – which for a $200 price tag included a room and all food and drink, including ‘continuous champagne’.

Marcoola Community Group member Barry McDowall fondly recalls big music nights with touring rock bands being hosted on Wednesday nights at Surfair during the 1970s leaving the sides of the David Low Way littered with cars on Thursday mornings thanks to those who didn’t make it home the night before.

Long-term Marcoola resident Margie Hewitt recalls dancing Saturday evenings away to the jazz swing band, with Marcoola identity Syd Hillier on drums, in the restaurant at the top of Surfair.

Ms Chapman said the 50th celebration event was much fun with more than two hundred peace-loving party-goers enjoying an hilarious cocktail party complete with the limbo rock at the Marcoola Surf Club.

“Our MC was television identity and local wag Scott Hillier who kept the crowd in uproar with his tales of the early ratbags, the scary coast track and the man with the porpoise teeth,” Ms Chapman said.

“Dave McLean filled in the timeline of those fifty years with colourful and amusing tales, Kabi Kabi man Kerry Jones showed images and spoke of his forebears including Herb Chilly Snr known to many in the room for his deep fishing knowledge and Kerryn Vincart from Bendigo Bank paid tribute to her bank’s commitment to community.”

“This event wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support from the Marcoola Community Bank branch of Bendigo Bank, North Shore Realty, Fiona Simpson, Sunshine Coast Council and the North Shore Traders and I’d like to thank them all for the great outcome.”

“The great team spirit of the active members of the Marcoola Community Group shone through in the organization and execution of such a successful event.”

Debbie Johnson, previous President of the Marcoola Progress Association for twelve years and leader in some of the major community campaigns including the stand against a desalination plant, agreed.

“It’s truly wonderful to get together for a joyous celebration rather than only gathering for a fight.”

Ends.

Media contact: Maya Gurry – Fresh PR & Marketing P: 0410 109 102 E: maya@freshprm.com.au