What’s on around the region this week?

SATURDAY 5 October GFHS Interest Group - DNA If you have had your DNA done and want to understand it, this is the group for you. Join the Gympie Family History Society in their rooms at 1 Chapple Street between 9.30 to 11am to find out all about it for the tiny cost of $5. For more information head to the GFHS website or call (07) 5482 8211 or email gympiefamilyhistory@gmail.com

Although most of these activities are for adults, we’ve added kid-friendly, free activities around the region. These are denoted by asterisks beside the title and ages will be indicated in the listing.

FRIDAY 4 October

*Kids Learn to Sew – Beginner*

Join us at the Gympie Library from 3.30pm over four weeks as we teach you the basics of sewing. Participants will have the opportunity to complete a new project each week. These sessions will inspire creativity and build life-long basic skills while having fun at the same time. Suitable for ages 8-12 years. Spaces are limited so booking is essential on 5481 0859.

Rainbow Beach Art Group

Join us at the Rainbow Beach Library from 10am for a fantastic morning of fun and creativity. Each session covers something different with the aim of exploring different styles of art. Come along and enjoy a morning getting in touch with your inner artist. Tea and coffee will be provided. Phone 5486 3705 for more information.

Mary Valley Prisoners of War

Did you know that during the 1940s many farms in the Gympie region housed approximately 214 Italian prisoners of war? Come along to this presentation at the Gympie Library from 10am to hear an interesting personal account and see photos of how the Italian prisoners of war lived and worked in our region. This session will be presented by long-term local Mr Alex Miles, who grew up on a farm where his family housed Italian prisoners of war. Bookings are essential.

Night Market

The Gympie Night Market has a great selection of locally sourced and handmade produce and products and services, live music, and food vendors on offer. Proceeds will be going towards funding a Gympie neighbourhood centre for vulnerable people. It’s held on the first Friday of every month in the lower section of Mary Street and the Memorial Lane District from 4.30pm to 7.30pm. For more information contact Mandy on 0409 475 913 or hello@beehiveevents.com.au.

Wolvi Hall Open Mic Night

Head along to Wolvi Hall on the first Friday Night of the month to discover the very newest local talent. All PA and Back Line are provided and the night starts at 6.30pm and is arranged in 3 songs, 15-minute sets to give everyone a go. Then it’s rinse and repeat or jam until 11.30pm. Plus there’s a bar onsite and a kitchen. For more information, follow them on Facebook.

Sewing Machine Introduction

Drop into the Gympie Library on the first Friday of every month at 10am to learn how to get started with machine sewing. Join in the fun with this interactive workshop to learn more about and practice the basic techniques you need to operate our sewing machines and overlockers. No previous experience is required but spaces are limited so booking is essential. To reserve your place, visit the website or phone the library at 5481 0859.

Tin Can Bay Silent Book Club

Join fellow readers at the Tin Can Bay Library from 5.30pm for an uninterrupted hour of reading, with a quick catch-up at the start and finish.

AA Zoom Meetings

Gympie hosts the Gympie Goldfields Friday night Zoom meetings at 7pm. Connect via the aa.org.au website and click on Online Meetings, or contact Andrew on 0491 646 598 for help with connecting via a device or mobile phone.

*First Five Forever Storytime*

Head to the Goomeri or Kilkivan Libraries between 9.30-10am each week for an enjoyable session of stories with an emphasis on fun! This is an interactive program for pre-schoolers and is suitable for ages 3-5 years. Bookings essential on 5481 0859.

Social Badminton

Head along to the James Nash Sports Hall (Alenola Street entrance) from 6.30pm to try your hand at social badminton. All levels of age and experience are welcome. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for those under 18 and includes equipment use, or bring your own. For more information contact Tribe Leisure Gympie at tribeleisure@gmail.com or follow them on Facebook.

SATURDAY 5 October

GFHS Interest Group – DNA

If you have had your DNA done and want to understand it, this is the group for you. Join the Gympie Family History Society in their rooms at 1 Chapple Street between 9.30 to 11am to find out all about it for the tiny cost of $5. For more information head to the GFHS website or call (07) 5482 8211 or email gympiefamilyhistory@gmail.com .

*Creating Characters and Creatures for Comics and more*

Ever wanted to write and draw your own character or creature of a comic book? Animation? Web comic? Role playing game? Join Dr Paul Mason (The Deep season 4 cartoon) at the Gympie Library from and learn the best ways to design and draw your own character. Suitable for ages 12-17 years. Bookings are essential.

*Fun Palace*

Everyone’s a scientist and everyone’s an artist! Roll up your sleeves at the Gympie Library and get stuck into a one-day-only celebration of arts and sciences, learning, play, and adventure from 9am. Fun Palaces are about all of us making things together: a public event where arts and sciences meet. Take part in experiments and games; draw, write, dance and explore the scientific mysteries of our weird and wonderful world. Suitable for ages 5 and up.

Long Flat Dance

The Long Flat Hall Committee will be hosting an old-time and new-vogue dance at the hall, starting at 7.30pm. Entry is $10 per person, bring your own supper. Inquiries to Bruce on 0427 967 568 and Judy on 0437 532 232.

Widgee Markets

Head along to the Widgee Markets, to help out ANARRA with their fundraising at the Widgee Memorial Hall. There are various stalls with plants, homemade cards, crochet items, local Widgee honey, garlic ginger, and bric-a-brac. Grab yourself a Devonshire tea of fresh baked scones and jam, or tuck into the sausage sizzle with egg and bacon rolls and cappuccinos, lattes, or just flat white. This market is run on the first Saturday from 7am-midday. For more information phone 0411 635 459.

Amamoor Markets

Amamoor Alive Markets are on from 8am – to midday at the Amamoor Station every Saturday. Handcrafted goods and local produce are on offer. Phone 0429 555 485 for more information.

Dagun Markets

Don’t miss the Dagun Growers Market at the Railway Station in Kimlin Lane, between 3pm and dusk every Saturday. There you’ll find all the finest produce the Mary Valley has to offer. For more information call 0459 225 399.

Social Tennis

Head along to the Queens Park Tennis Club for social tennis every Monday and Thursday nights from 5.30pm, and Saturday mornings from 6.30am (weather permitting). For more information or court hire contact Murray Irvine at 0407 868 755, Greg Hampson at 0407 136 725, or Jenny Kachel at 0402 775 023.

AA Recovery Group

If you or someone you know has developed a drinking problem, you may want to consider calling one of the following people. There are no dues or fees for AA membership – the only requirement is a desire to stop drinking. The recovery group meets at 4.30pm in the Catholic Church at 14 Church St, Gympie. Contact Alwayn on 0482 174 431 or Rob on 0401 074 159.

SUNDAY 6 October

Kin Kin Markets

There’s always plenty on offer at the Kin Kin Markets. Held on the first Sunday of every month from 8am – midday, you will find them set up on the Kin Kin Oval in Main St. Call 0431 452 940 for more information.

Duck Pond Markets

The Gympie Duck Pond Markets happen at the Lighthorse Oval at the Gympie Gold Mining and Historical Museum, Brisbane Rd, Gympie. Held on the first, third, and fifth Sundays from 7am-midday these popular market stall sites fill quickly. Call 5482 3995 for more information.

Imbil Country Craft Markets

The Imbil Country Farmers and Craft Markets are every Sunday, 8am-1pm in Central Park on Yabba Road. Come along and experience fresh country produce, live music, and handcrafted goods. Call 0411 187 157 for more information.

MONDAY 7 October

Tin Can Bay Family History Group

Pop into the Gympie Library on the first Monday of every month from 1-4pm and join other family historians to share hints and tips as well as work on your own projects.

Tennis coaching

There will be a free women’s and girl’s tennis coaching program every Monday and Wednesday night from 6-7pm at the Queens Park Tennis Club. For more information, call Jenny on 0402 775 023.

*Tinker Table @ Gympie Library*

Drop in between 3.30-4.30pm to take part in some fun activities that are all based on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Maths). No bookings are required but space is limited. Suitable for ages 5-12 years.

Al-Anon Family Groups

This support group for relatives and friends of people with a drinking problem meets on Mondays at 1 pm and Thursdays at 7 pm. For more information including meeting location please call 1300 252 666.

*First Five Forever Storytime*

Head to the Gympie Library, or the Rainbow Beach Library between 9.30-10am each week for an enjoyable session of stories with an emphasis on fun! This is an interactive program for pre-schoolers and is suitable for ages 3-5 years. Bookings essential on 5481 0859.

Gympie Library Craft Group

Come and share your current project at 10am with the Gympie Library Craft Group. Bring along a piece you’re working on – be it knitting, sewing, crocheting or cross-stitching – and share ideas and learn with other craft-minded people. There’s no leader and no pressure; you can work, watch, or simply enjoy a friendly chat.

Gympie Bowls Club Bingo

If you have always wanted to try Bingo and meet some very nice people on Monday mornings, starting at 9am, you would be very welcome and we would assist you if required. Morning tea is provided. Phone 0477 960 578 or just come to the club at 9am at Gympie Bowls Club Southside, at the end of Bowlers Drive. Eyes down at 9.30am.

Gympie Indoor Bowls

Want to take up a gentle activity make new friends and meet interesting people? The Gympie Indoor Bowls group is just what you are looking for. Everyone is welcome regardless of age or ability at the centre at 35 Graham St, One Mile between 1-4pm. For more information contact Lil on 5482 8261.

AA Big Book Steps Meeting

If you or someone you know has developed a drinking problem, you may want to consider calling one of the following people. There are no dues or fees for AA membership – the only requirement is a desire to stop drinking. The Steps meeting meets at 5.30pm in the community hall on the corner of Pine and Myall Streets, Gympie. Contact Therese on 0411 121 554 or Rick on 0412 224 666.

GUSTO Ukulele and Guitar Sessions

Each Monday, 6 to 8pm, and each Thursday, 10am to 12 noon, the GUSTO Ukulele and Guitar Sessions are held at the AICM Building, Channon Street Gympie. All are welcome and the cost is $5 per session. For information contact Robyn Hamilton on 0429 011 783.

Kilkivan Nibbles and Giggles

This social get-together at the Kilkivan Library every Monday at 9.30am is to chat over a coffee or tea and allows you to meet people in your local community and borrow a book or DVD from the library. Coffee, tea, and biscuits will be supplied.

Rainbow Beach Boomerang Bags

Rainbow Beach Boomerang Bag Sewing Group meets MOST Mondays from 1.30-4.30pm. This small group sews their hearts out to help reduce the use of plastic bags, by providing reusable cloth bags made from recycled, donated fabric. For more information please phone the Rainbow Beach Library.

TUESDAY 8 October

*Kids Fun Tennis Program*

There’s lots of fun to be had at the Queens Park courts on the corner of the Bruce Highway and Jane St from 4 to 5pm. The cost is $3 per child or $5 per family. No bookings are required. Just turn up with a hat, water bottle, and racquet if you have one, or you can borrow one if necessary. The kid’s canteen is available. All enquiries to Jenny on 0402 775 023.

Social Seniors Cards

Head along to the Senior Citizen’s Centre on Tuesdays and Fridays between 10am and 2pm for some card game fun playing 500. Everyone over 50 years is welcome and there’s a $4 playing fee per person, which goes into a donation fund for worthy local charities. Just turn up and join in! Inquiries to Mel on 0431 184 978.

Indoor Bowls

Drop into the Senior Citizen’s Centre between 10am and 12noon to take part in some indoor bowling fun. Seniors (those aged 50+) are welcome to come along and give it a try, with the first two sessions free – after that a $4 playing fee each week goes into the donation fund for Gympie charities. Call Mel for more information on 0431 184 978.

*First Five Forever Rhyme Time*

Head along to the Gympie Library between 9.30-10am for Rhyme Time, an interactive and joyful session full of songs, rhymes, and dancing. Suitable for toddlers aged 1-3 years. Bookings essential on 5481 0859.

Mahjong Mornings @ Goomeri

Pop into the Goomeri Library at 10am for a social get-together to chat over a coffee or tea with the opportunity to play a round or two of Mahjong. Phone 4168 4340 for more information.

Trivia Tuesdays @ Gympie Gympie Library

Come along and make some friends, have fun, and test your knowledge with trivia questions from 10am.

Tin Can Bay Art Group

The Tin Can Bay Library is calling all artists, between 10am-12pm to join them to share work and ideas and connect with artists in the community. Bring your work in progress join in a friendly chat and exchange ideas. All artists, levels, and mediums are welcome. Phone 5486 4355 for more information.

Mahjong @ Tin Can Bay

Head along to the Tin Can Bay Library between 1-4pm for a wonderful afternoon playing Mahjong. Mahjong is an ancient Chinese tile game of strategy, calculation, and skill with a measure of chance. This group is open to everyone, young and old, wanting to learn this ancient Chinese game.

AA Big Book Study Group

If you or someone you know has developed a drinking problem, you may want to consider calling one of the following people. There are no dues or fees for AA membership – the only requirement is a desire to stop drinking. The study group meets at 9.30am at the Salvation Army complex at 42 Stumm Rd, Southside. Contact Nichola on 0410 654 855 or Kevin on 0439 310 774.

*Tinker Table @ Kilkivan Library*

Drop in between 3.30-4.30pm to take part in some fun activities that are all based on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Maths). No bookings are required but space is limited. Suitable for ages 5-12 years.

WEDNESDAY 9 October

Parkinson’s Support Group Gympie

The Gympie Parkinson’s Support Group meets on the second Wednesday of every month. Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of the nervous system. It results from damage to the nerve cells that produce Dopamine, a chemical that is vital for the smooth control of muscles and movement. Their next meeting is at 10am at the Southside Bowls Club, 16 Bowlers Drive, Southside. The group is a friendly, supportive group and happy to welcome new members. For more information phone Jodi Coyne at 0448 559 207.

Gympie Quota Club

Gympie Quota is a women’s service club supporting the local community and meets every second and fourth Wednesday of the month. As a part of the Service program, any lady needing a chit/chat and free coffee is very welcome to come to the Museum Cafe every fourth Friday of the month from 9.30 to 11am. For further information please call Noela at 5482 3206 and Heather at 5482 5235.

Cards with Friends @ Goomeri

Love to play cards? Then why not come and play a game or two while enjoying the relaxing atmosphere of the Goomeri Library? The fun starts at 9am on Wednesdays and Fridays and all are welcome.

Albert Ladies Bowls Club

Come along for the Albert Lady’s Social Mornings every Wednesday. Arrive at 9am for the 9.30am play start. All are welcome. Inquiries to Lyn on 0428 356 210.

*First Five Forever Baby Bounce*

Between 9.30-10am Gympie Library is the place to be for Baby Bounce, an interactive session aimed at babies from 0-1 years and their caregivers. Come along and meet other parents and babies for a fun session of nursery rhymes, fingerplays, and songs. Bookings essential on 5481 0859.

Cooloola Card-Makers @ Tin Can Bay

At the Tin Can Bay Library from 9.30am they make all sorts of greeting cards, so come and join us for a fun morning. Make and take your card creations. Beginners and experienced card-makers are welcome. Join this friendly group and let your creative juices flow.

Gympie Library Card and Board Game Group

From 10am, join in the fun with a game of cards, scrabble, chess, backgammon, and more. Play all your favourites or try something new.

Gympie QCWA

The Gympie QCWA gets together to meet every Wednesday. But, depending on which week it is, it will be either a Meeting (1st), Craft Day (2nd and 4th) or Coffee Date (3rd). If the month contains a Fifth Wednesday, catch up with the ladies to finish your UFOs or Unfinished Objects. Other chapters around the Gympie region meet on different days. For more information or inquiries, contact Brenda at 0418 190 049, email gympieqcwa@hotmail.com, or like them on FaceBook.

Learn Scottish Country Dancing

Scottish Country Dance is not Highland dancing but gentle movements to Scottish music to exercise the body and mind. The group meets every Wednesday at the Girl Guides Hall in Shanks Street. Classes are held from 9am until 11am, followed by a casual morning tea. Bring your own cup. No partner or special shoes are required. For further details phone Kay on 0407 242 677 or Ann on 0419 647 269.

THURSDAY 10 October

All about Android Tablets

New to the world of tablets? Come along to the Gympie Library at 1pm to learn how to adjust the security, privacy, and accessibility of your device, how to use the camera to take great photos, and manage your notifications. Bookings are essential.

Bad Art Night – Ghost Painting

Let off some steam at the Gympie Library with Bad Art Night. Let your creativity flow from 5pm without the pressure to make something good. Learn new skills and have some fun. Come along and make something truly terrible. Spaces are limited so bookings are essential.

Learn to play Ukulele

Come along and learn a new skill, or refresh an old one at the Rainbow Beach Library from 10-11am. Bring your own ukulele or use one of the supplied ones and see how much you improve over the four sessions. Singers are welcome to join. Spaces are limited so booking is essential by phoning 5481 0859 or visit the website.

Lions Morning Tea

The Lions Club of Gympie will host their Community Morning Tea at 10am on the second Thursday of every month at the Senior Citizens Centre in Mellor Street, Gympie. All members of the community are welcome to attend and the cost for the morning is a very affordable $5 per person. Anyone interested in serving their community as Lions Members or wanting more information about the Morning Tea can contact Gympie Lions by email at gympielions@gmail.com or by phoning 0427 276 933.

Kilkivan Social Scrabble

Pop along to the Kilkivan on the Second Thursday of every month at 10am for some social Scrabble! Stretch your vocabulary, enjoy a cuppa, and make new friends in the welcoming space of the Kilkivan Library. New and experienced players are welcome!

Gympie Older Women’s Network

The Older Women’s Network welcomes Ladies over 50 to join them for a morning of friendship with a guest speaker or a novelty morning of fun. The meetings will be held at 9.15am once a fortnight on a Thursday at the Gympie Lawn Bowls Club, 16 Bowlers Drive, Southside until further notice. For more information please contact Marilyn (Convenor) Ph 0409 256 603.

Table Tennis

Come along for table tennis each Thursday night from 7-9pm at the Indoor Bowls Centre on Graham Street, One Mile. All player levels are welcome. For more information, call Peter on 0438 408 089 or Grace on 0412 884 015.

*First Five Forever Storytime*

Head to the Imbil or Tin Can Bay Libraries between 9.30-10am each week for an enjoyable session of stories with an emphasis on fun! This is an interactive program for pre-schoolers and is suitable for ages 3-5 years. Bookings essential on 5481 0859.

Scrabble Thursdays @ Goomeri

The Goomeri Library is the place to be from 1pm to test your word knowledge and enjoy a friendly game of Scrabble.

Mothers Group

The Gympie Mother’s Group will be held weekly at the Gympie RSL from 10am – 12pm. Come along for a coffee and a chat in the Atrium Bar.

AA ID Group

If you or someone you know has developed a drinking problem, you may want to consider calling one of the following people. There are no dues or fees for AA membership – the only requirement is a desire to stop drinking. The ID group meets at 8pm at Community Place, corner Excelsior and Stanley Streets, Gympie. Contact Trevor on 0431 405 339 or Maree on 0419 837 798.

*Thursday Robotics*

Come to the Gympie Library from 3.30pm and get hands-on in one of our fun, relaxed sessions. No bookings are required but space is limited. Suitable for ages 5-12 years.

If you have a listing you would like included on our free community noticeboard, send details to newsdesk@gympietoday.com.au or drop into the office at 2 Chapple Street during opening hours and we’ll include your event.