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.
DAILY
AA Meetings
If you or someone you know has developed a drinking problem, you may want to consider contacting Alcoholics Anonymous. There are no dues or fees for AA membership – the only requirement is a desire to stop drinking. There are meetings daily at different times and venues around the region. To find one close to you call 1300 222 222 or head online to aa.org.au
*First Five Forever Storytime*
Head to your local Library between 9.30-10am for an enjoyable session of stories with an emphasis on fun! This is an interactive program for pre-schoolers and is suitable for ages 0-5 years. Different libraries have this fun activity on different weekdays with Gympie and Rainbow Beach hosting Mondays, Thursdays at Tin Can Bay, Imbil and Kilkivan Libraries, and Goomeri Library on Friday. Bookings essential on 5481 0859.
FRIDAY 14 February
*STEM NIGHT*
Stay back late at the Gympie Library from 5pm for a fun evening of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) based activities, crafts and games. Suitable for all ages but bookings are essential.
*Kids Learn to Sew – Beginners*
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. Spaces are limited so booking is essential. Suitable for ages 8-12 years.
Author Talk with Kristina Ross
Pop into the Gympie Library from 10am to hear from Kristina Ross, a writer and producer for the stage and screen. A graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts and a recipient of the Queensland Theatres’ Young Playwrights Award, she has had the pleasure of working as an actor for the Melbourne Theatre Company, Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre, the Artisan Collective and the ABC. Bookings are essential.
Rainbow Beach Art Group
Join us at the Rainbow Beach Library from 10am until noon for a fantastic morning of fun and creativity. Each session covers something different with the aim of exploring different styles of art. Enjoy a morning of getting in touch with your inner artist.
Learn about Bookbinding
Join us at Gympie Library at 1pm for a real page-turner of an event. The Queensland Bookbinders’ Guild will be showcasing how to bind your own books as well as discussing the skills and equipment you will need to get started. The Queensland Bookbinders’ Guild was formed in 1977 with the aim to promote, foster and practice the art of bookbinding in its traditional form and to embrace the related graphic and kindred arts. So, if you have ever wondered about the history of bookbinding or how to get started this is the session for you. Bookings are essential.
Library Lovers Afternoon Tea
Celebrate Library Lovers Day at the Rainbow Beach Library at 2.30pm, chatting about a book or author you have discovered. Enjoy an afternoon tea and all the things you love about your local library. Bookings are essential.
3D Printer Introduction
Want to try 3D printing but thought it looked too hard? Then come to one of the free learn-to-print sessions at the Gympie Library on the second Friday of the month at 10am. They will teach you how to design your own 3D model and then turn it into a real-life object that you get to keep. Spaces are limited so booking is essential on 5481 0859.
SATURDAY 15 February
Long Flat Dance
The Learner Dance Group will be hosting a 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 Janet on 0419 824 317.
*Clay Bowls*
Join us at the Tin Can Bay Library from 10am for a two-week course where you will be able to create and decorate your own clay bowl. Suitable for ages 8-17 years. Bookings are required.
Sustainable Saturdays – Locally native plants and their uses in the garden
In this presentation at the Gympie Library at 10am, Emma will speak about how to use locally native plants to create magnificent gardens in South East Queensland. Emma will highlight her favourite plants to use in the garden and in containers, how they can create a unique space, and detail any other special benefits they may have. Bookings are essential.
Tin Can Bay Markets
No trip to the coast is complete without a look in at the RSL Community Hall, 45 Tin Can Bay Rd, for the Tin Can Bay Markets on the third Saturday. The markets are run from 7am-midday most months except for during winter when it changes to 8am-midday in June, July and August. Stall sites cost from $20 and all inquiries should be directed to Sid on 0418 711 897.
Gympie Artisan Markets
Every third Saturday from 4.30-8pm a very special markets take place at the Old Gympie Station in Tozer Street, with the Artisan Markets. All the items offered have been lovingly handcrafted by skilled craftspeople, to create unique and beautiful items that cannot be found anywhere else. The Artisan Markets are part of the Mary Valley Grazing Lane which, in addition to providing a venue for several different street food vendors, also offers trips on the historical silver bullet railmotor for $10. For more information, contact Mandy on 0409 475 913.
Social Tennis
Queens Park Tennis Club, on the corner of the Bruce Highway and Jane St has social tennis on Monday and Thursday evenings from 5.30pm and Saturday mornings from 6.00am, weather permitting. All ability levels are welcome. For more details, contact Jenny on 0402 775 023.
Amamoor Markets
Head along to the Amamoor Station, 3 Busby St, every Saturday from 8am-midday to enjoy fresh local grown produce, handicrafts and more. For more information or to book a stall site, call Celeste on 0416 117 541.
Three Creeks Farm Stall
Make sure you get along to the corner of Marys Creek and Eel Creek Rds, Mary Creek every Saturday from 8-11am to pick up the best and freshest seasonal produce direct from the producer. Depending on the season, you could be tucking into fresh mangoes, ripe avocados or any manner of local crops, direct from the farmer. For more information, call Sarah on 0421 755 153.
Pomona Country Markets
Every Saturday from 7am to midday, Stan Topper Park at Pomona is the place to stop for the markets. There’s loads on offer, with stall sites available from $20. For more information or to book a site, contact Jeff on 0499 146 857.
Kenilworth Markets
The Kenilworth Town Park, on the corner of Charles and Elizabeth Streets is the place to be every Saturday, 8am-1.30pm. Experience all the best this fertile region has to offer with fresh produce and hand-crafted goodies. Call Cheryl on 0487 866 948 to ask about booking a stall.
SUNDAY 16 February
Gympie Duck Pond Markets
Head along to the Gympie Gold Mining and Historical Museum on the first, third and fifth Sundays from 7am-midday. To book a site, call the cafe on 5482 3995.
Bingo
Join in every Sunday at 1.30pm at the Rainbow Beach Sports Club. No bookings are required.
Imbil Markets
Mark the Imbil Memorial Park on your itinerary this Sunday and head on down to Yabba Rd to find some fantastic Mary Valley produce and more. The markets are on every Sunday, 8am-1pm and Jeff will book you a site if you want one at 0411 187 157.
MONDAY 17 February
*Tinker Table @ Gympie*
Drop into the Gympie Library between 3.30 and 4.30pm for some fun and educational activities based on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths). No bookings are required but space is limited. Suitable for ages 5-12 years.
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.
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.
TUESDAY 18 February
Senior Citizens Club activities
Head along to the Senior Citizens Centre on Mellor Street to take part in card games and dominoes or indoor bowls. Every Tuesday and Friday there are plenty of players looking for partners between 10am and 2pm, or have fun with indoor bowls on Tuesday between 10am and midday. It costs $4 per session to play, $1 to join the Senior Citizen’s Club and $5 per year to join the centre – but why not come and try, with the first two sessions absolutely free? Anyone over the age of 50 is welcome to join. For more information contact Judy and Mel on 0431 184 978.
Rainbow Beach Boomerang Bags
Rainbow Beach Boomerang Bag Sewing Group meets MOST Tuesdays from 2-4pm. 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.
*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 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 at 1pm 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.
Bingo
Join in at 9am for a 9.30am heads down at the Rainbow Beach Sports Club. No bookings are required.
WEDNESDAY 19 February
*Tinker Table @ Kilkivan*
Drop into the Kilkivan Library between 3.30 and 4.30pm for some fun and educational activities based on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths). No bookings are required but space is limited. Suitable for ages 5-12 years.
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.
*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.
THURSDAY 20 February
All about Android Phones
New to the world of smartphones? Learn how to adjust the security, privacy and accessibility of your device, how to use the camera to take great photos and how to manage your notifications at this workshop at the Gympie Library from 1pm. Bookings are essential.
Page Turners – Margaret Hickey
Find out all about award-winning author and playwright Margaret Hickey at the Gympie Library from 5.30pm. Originating in North East Victoria, she has a PhD in Creative Writing and is deeply interested in rural lives and communities. She is the author of bestsellers Cutters End, Stone Town, Broken Bay and The Creeper. Her collection of short stories, Rural Dreams, about country life was released in January this year. Bookings are essential.
Trivia
Join in for weekly trivia at the Rainbow Beach Sports Club from 7pm, with no cost to play and prizes including meal vouchers at the club.
*First Five Forever Rhymes, Rhythm and Tales*
Drop into the Gympie Library from 10.30am for an interactive, storytelling adventure with movement, music, rhymes, and play. A fun-filled morning, suitable for 3-5 year olds.
*Thursday Robotics*
Come down to the Gympie Library from 3.30pm to get hands-on in one of our fun, relaxed sessions. No bookings are required but space is limited. Suitable for ages 5-12 years.
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.
Gardening Group
Pop into the Kilkivan Library on Thursdays at 9.30am to catch-up with other like-minded locals to talk about how to grow plants from seeds and exchange gardening tips.
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.
