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 9.30-10.30am 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 and their families and carers. Different libraries have this fun activity on different weekdays, with Gympie, Kilkivan, and Rainbow Beach hosting Mondays, Tin Can Bay, and Imbil Libraries on Thursdays, and Goomeri Library on Fridays. Bookings essential on 5481 0859.
*Make and Create*
Stop by the children’s area at your local library branch for some free craft activities during these school holidays. Every day between 2 and 3pm at the Gympie Library, and 11am and 12 pm at Tin Can Bay, you can pop in and have some creative fun. Kilkivan Library craft will be held on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10am. Imbil Library craft starts on Tuesdays at 10am. Goomeri Library will host their free craft workshops on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10am, and just pop into the Rainbow Beach Library any time during opening hours to see what’s happening. Suitable for children aged 3-12 years and their carers.
Device advice
Have a quick question that needs answering? Book in for a one-on-one, half-hour session at your local Library to ask your questions and resolve your concerns about your smartphone or tablet. From resetting a password, connecting to Wi-Fi, making a call or downloading a library app, the friendly staff will do their best to assist. Bookings are essential. Book between these hours for these libraries: Rainbow Beach, Mondays 10.30am-12pm; Tin Can Bay, Tuesdays and Fridays 2.30-4pm, and Gympie, Wednesdays and Thursdays 9am to 12pm.
FRIDAY, 12 December
Duckponds Twilight Markets
Head down to the Lighthorse Oval on the highway side of the Gold Mining Museum from 4-8pm on the second Friday of every month for the Twilight Markets. Pick up fresh produce, have a food truck feast, or grab yourself some unique handicrafts, second-hand goods, and more. For more information, contact the Gold Mine Cafe at the Museum on (07) 5482 3995.
The Social Stride
Join the team from the Gympie RSL Veterans’ Centre every Friday from 9-10am for a walk around the town. Bring a friend or find one along the trail. All fitness levels welcome. For more information, call 5483 7707 or email vcadmin@gympiersla.com.au
Goomeri Gardening Group
Join other like-minded individuals at the Goomeri Library at 9am to talk about how to grow plants, swap seeds and cuttings, and exchange gardening tips. New and experienced gardeners are welcome.
Live Music
Join in for Live Music from 7.30pm at the Rainbow Beach Sports Club. No bookings are required.
SATURDAY 13 December
Christmas in the Park
Head along to the Christmas in the Park celebrations at the Nelson Reserve. This free, family-friendly event will have fun rides for the kids, food trucks, festive fun, and, of course, Christmas Carols. Head along to meet Santa and his elves and enjoy a great evening full of festive cheer for the whole family. The action starts from 4pm and finishes with a fireworks spectacular at 8.30pm.
*Decorative Christmas Trees*
Pop into the Tin Can Bay Library at 10am to make a festive Christmas tree for your room. Suitable for ages 5-12 years. Bookings are essential.
Long Flat Dance
The Learner Dance Group will be hosting an old-time 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.
Poets Corner
Enjoy the second Saturday morning of each month at the Tin Can Bay Library from 9.30am, listening to the words of Patterson, Lawson, Whitman, Frost and many more. Bring along your favourite works to share with others.
Goomboorian Hall Markets
There’s something for everyone at the Goomboorian Memorial Hall, on every second Saturday from 7am-midday. Devonshire teas, plants, produce, second-hand goods and lots, lots, more. Give Jan a call on 0488 769 588 to book your $5 stall site or for more information.
Mothar Mountain Hall Community Markets
It costs just $5 to have a site at the Mothar Mountain Hall for this market, which is increasing in popularity every month. Held on the second Saturday from 9am-1pm you can find all manner of goods, from plants, bric-a-brac, fresh baked goods, produce and second-hand goods. For more information or to book a site, call Allona on 0419 748 489.
Lower Wonga Hall Markets
Located just off the Wide Bay Highway on Lower Wonga Hall Road, these popular monthly markets get a good deal of passing trade, along with the friendly locals. They are held on the second Saturday from 7.30-11.30am and offer plenty of great items. Stall sites cost just $5, but make sure you call Ron on 0481 054 537 before the Wednesday before to book your spot.
Gunalda Hall Markets
Drop into the Gunalda Hall, at 27 Balkin St, once a month to grab a great selection of plants, produce and more. The markets are on the second Saturday from 7.30-11am. Stall sites cost $5, so give Tanya a call on 0402 615 469 to secure your spot.
Liiv Well Pilates
Drop into the Gympie RSL Veterans’ Centre for pilates between 11am and 12pm on Saturdays’ reformer classes and Thursdays’ floor sessions. The cost is $5 per person, and there are only a limited number of spaces, so bookings are essential. For more information, call 5483 7707 or email vcadmin@gympiersla.com.au.
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 6.30am, weather permitting. All ability levels are welcome. For more details, contact Jenny on 0402 775 023.
Amamoor Markets
Every Saturday and Wednesday mornings between 8.30 and 11.30am at the Amamoor Village Green, 3 Busby Street, you will find market stalls selling a variety of homemade handicrafts and other items. These markets operate to coincide with the arrival of The Mary Valley Rattler. For more information or to book a stall site, contact Celeste on 0416 117 541.
Three Creeks Farm Stall
Make sure you get along to the corner of Mary’s Creek and Eel Creek Roads, Mary’s 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 in Pomona is the place to stop for the markets. There are 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.
Music Bingo
Join in for Music Bingo at the Rainbow Beach Sports Club at 8pm. No cost to play.
SUNDAY 14 December
Gympie Showgrounds Sunday Market
The Showgrounds at 77 Exhibition Rd, Southside are the place to be on the second and fourth Sunday from 7am-midday during most of the year, except for winter when they run from 8am-midday in June, July and August. To book your $20 stall site, call Sid on 0418 711 897.
Jiu Jitsu
Get a discounted membership to a local club and exclusive, free 10am Sunday sessions with a veteran coach at the Gympie RSL Veterans’ Centre. For more information, call 5483 7707 or email vcadmin@gympiersla.com.au.
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 15 December
*Decorative Christmas Trees*
Pop into the Kilkivan Library at 1pm to make a festive Christmas tree for your room. Suitable for ages 5-12 years. Bookings are essential.
*Christmas Tree Decorations*
Get down to the Rainbow Beach Library at 12.30pm or the Gympie Library at 2pm to make Christmas-themed decorations to hang on your tree for the holidays. Suitable for ages 5-12 years. Bookings essential.
Trivia
Every Monday from 7pm at the Queenslander Hotel. It’s free to play, with multiple prizes available and a wide range of questions such as songs, multiple choice, sports, history, current events, pop culture and more.
Girl Guides
Come and try the first three weeks free! Join the High Schoolers on Monday from 3.30-6pm, or the primary school girls on Wednesdays from 4-5.30pm. The Guides also accept PLAY ON government assistance vouchers. Volunteers are also welcome to help out with activities for girls, and there are also Olaves for 18-30 year olds and Trefoil for adult women of all ages with or without previous Girl Guide experience. Visit guidesqld.org.au for more information or call Leonora on 0425 850 360.
Guitar Lessons
Ever wanted to play a musical instrument? Drop in to the Gympie RSL Centre, and BYO guitar, and learn a brand new skill. These classes are open to any level of experience and run from 5-6pm. For more information, call 5483 7707 or email vcadmin@gympiersla.com.au.
Bingo Monday
Head along to the Gympie Bowls Club, Bowlers Drive Southside, from 8am every Monday (including public holidays) for raffles and lucky door prizes. Eyes down at 9.30am. Friendly and welcoming, with a gold coin donation for morning tea. For more information, contact Belinda on 0401 768 040.
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.
Gympie Spinners, Weavers and Crafters
Join in to spin wool, fleece, fibres, and more, or learn and participate in all kinds of fibre artistry and crafts at the Salvation Army Hall, 42 Stumm Rd, Gympie. Meet at the Hall on Monday from 9am-12pm and Wednesday evening from 7pm-9pm. For more information, contact Sue on 0417 648 535.
Boomerang Bag Sewing Group
This group meets MOST Mondays from 1-3pm at the Rainbow Beach Library. 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.
*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.
TUESDAY 16 December
*Christmas Snowglobes*
Make a Christmas-themed snow globe for the holidays at the Goomeri Library at 10am or Gympie Library at 2pm. Suitable for ages 5-12 years. Bookings essential.
*Christmas Tree Decorations*
Get down to the Imbil Library at 1pm to make Christmas-themed decorations to hang on your tree for the holidays. Suitable for ages 5-12 years. Bookings essential.
*Afterschool Board Games*
Come down and join in the fun at Kilkivan Library from 3.15pm, playing your favourite
board games with friends. No bookings required, but space is limited. Suitable for ages 5 -12 years.
Senior Citizens Club activities
Head along to the Senior Citizens Centre on Mellor Street to take part in card games and dominoes. Every Tuesday and Friday, there are plenty of players looking for partners between 10am and 2pm. Also, on a Tuesday only, there is indoor bowls from 10am to midday. It costs $4 per session to play (either games or bowls), $1 to join the Senior Citizens’ 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.
*First Five Forever Toddler Time*
Head along to the Gympie Library between 9.30-10am for an interactive and joyful session full of songs, rhymes, and dancing. Suitable for toddlers aged 1-3 years. Bookings essential on 5481 0859.
Goomeri Mahjong Mornings
Pop into the Goomeri Library at 9am 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
Come along and make some friends, have fun, and test your knowledge with trivia questions from 10am at the Gympie Library.
Tin Can Bay Art Group
The Tin Can Bay Library is calling all artists at 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.
Tin Can Bay Mahjong
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.
*Tuesday 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.
WEDNESDAY 17 December
*Christmas Snowglobes*
Make a Christmas-themed snow globe for the holidays at the Kilkivan Library at 1pm. Suitable for ages 5-12 years. Bookings essential.
*Decorative Christmas Trees*
Pop into the Gympie Library at 2pm to make a festive Christmas tree for your room. Suitable for ages 5-12 years. Bookings are essential.
Music Bingo
Every Wednesday from 7pm at the Queenslander Hotel, come along for music bingo. It’s free to play, great for all ages, and there’s no skill required, with lots of prizes available. Just like bingo, but instead of numbers, we play songs. Featuring music from the 50s to today’s hits in many different genres.
*Tinker Table @ Kilkivan and Imbil*
Drop into the Kilkivan or Imbil Libraries 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
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 Rhyme Time*
Between 9.30-11am, Gympie Library is the place to be for two interactive sessions aimed at babies from 0-1 years and their caregivers. Come along and meet other parents and babies for nursery rhymes, fingerplays, and songs. The first session runs from 9.30 to 10am and then from 10.30 to 11am. Bookings essential on 5481 0859.
Tin Can Bay Papercraft
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.
Just Craftin’ Around
Looking for a welcoming and creative space to indulge in your love for card-making? Look no further! Join our friendly card-making group at the Gympie Library at 10am where you can connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for creativity. Bring your own materials and settle in for a delightful crafting session.
THURSDAY 18 December
*Christmas Movie Night*
Bring along snacks and a cosy cushion or blanket at 4.30pm, settle in and enjoy! Check in with our friendly team at Gympie Library to discover which film will be playing. Suitable for ages 5-12 years. Bookings are essential.
*Christmas Snowglobes*
Make a Christmas-themed snow globe for the holidays at the Tin Can Bay Library at 10am. Suitable for ages 5-12 years. Bookings essential.
*Christmas Gingerbread Houses*
Make a festive pretend Gingerbread house and showcase your decorating skills at the Gympie Library at 2pm. Suitable for ages 5-12 years. Bookings are essential.
Gympie Older Women’s Network
Their last event for the year will be on 18th December with a morning tea at Gunabul. The OWN ladies wish everyone a healthy, Happy New Year. The Older Women’s Network regularly welcomes Ladies over 50 to join them for friendship or a novelty morning of fun. Their usual meetings are held at 9.15am once a fortnight on a Thursday at the Gympie Lawn Bowls Club, 16 Bowlers Drive, Southside. For more information, please contact Marilyn (Convenor) Ph 0409 256 603.
Karaoke
Fancy yourself a karaoke whizz? Do you like to sing into your hairbrush, wooden spoon or other vaguely microphone-shaped object? Then get along to the Queenslander Hotel every Thursday from 8pm, for your chance to stun your friends and family with your vocal talent.
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.
Goomeri Scrabble Thursdays
The Goomeri Library is the place to be from 1pm to test your word knowledge and enjoy a friendly game of Scrabble.
Has your community group been listing their recurring events with us? We will be wiping the slate at the end of December, so make sure you contact newsdesk@gympietoday.com.au or drop into the office at 2 Chapple Street during opening hours before 19 December to check the details are still correct, and to roll your listing over for next year.
