Eumundi Voice Magazine

Eumundi Voice

21 hours ago

When the volunteer team from Zero Emissions Noosa (ZEN) recently spoke to Eumundi Rotary Club members, they proved excellent guides for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the fast-changing world of renewable energy options.
Their core message to the community was simple: there are free ways to maximise your energy savings simply by understanding how you consume power, because there is no "one size fits all" solution. ZEN highlighted the free EnergyFlex app as a brilliant tool to map out a solution tailored to each specific lifestyle, budget and future plans.
The team also demystified electric vehicles (EVs), diving into the different types on the market, the exciting potential for EVs to act as mobile storage batteries for the home, and the practicalities of recharging.
Perhaps the most exciting buzz in the room revolved around the Noosa E-Bike Library. Many attendees were surprised to learn that Noosa Shire residents can trial a bike for 2 weeks to "test before they buy". With support from ZEN, Ecotekk Noosa and Noosa Council , the program delivers and collects the bike completely free of charge. The borrower's only obligation is to arrange their own personal accident and liability insurance available through Bicycle Queensland. With 5 different styles of e-bikes to test – ranging from commuters and folding bikes to cargo models – it is the perfect way to see how an e-bike fits into your daily routine.
For local business owners ZEN also provides another free service – the Business Energy Advisor program. Small and medium-sized businesses within the Noosa Shire can have an advisor review their electricity bills to uncover savings, recommend better packages and assist with future energy planning. Visit: zeroemissionsnoosa.com.au. There is always something to learn and enjoy at Eumundi Rotary Club meetings. Join us each Thursday from 5.30pm at the Eumundi QCWA Hall. ... See MoreSee Less

Eumundi Voice

2 days ago

Matt Golinski - Official is well known on the Sunshine Coast as a chef who is a passionate promoter of fresh, seasonal produce. Whether he is cooking at a “foodie” event such as GourMay Mary Valley or hosting a dinner at Kandanga Farm Store, Matt makes a point of sharing the story behind each ingredient. For him, connecting diners with the farmer behind the food on their plates is one of the main reasons he keeps such a busy schedule.
For small-scale producers, finding a place in the market can be difficult. Rising costs, long hours and unpredictable weather all add to the challenge. Some, including Mary Valley Country Harvest Co-operative work together through co-operatives and sell online and at local markets. Others look for distinctive ways to stand out, such as Noosa Black Garlic with its oils, preserves and honey, or Eastwell Farms with its regenerative approach to beef and mushrooms. Lindols Macadamias have diversified by combining farming with café culture and agritourism. Matt says producers take enormous pride in their work, a sentiment captured by Alex from Eastwell Farms who said, “The thing that gets us up each morning is the knowledge we are bringing food to the plates of our customers exactly as nature intended it.”
Matt said people increasingly want to know where their food comes from, whether they are cooking at home or eating out. “This year’s GourMay Mary Valley included a bus trip to 4 local farms. Tickets sold out quickly and participants loved having that direct access to the farmers.”
The Curated Plate and Noosa Food & Wine festivals have also highlighted the personal relationships that grow between chefs and producers. Matt said those connections often leave the strongest impression on diners. “At a dinner event, if I talk about where the capers I used in a dish came from, who grew them and that they were hand-picked, that is the part of the evening that people remember, rather than the dish I created.” For Matt, it comes back to a simple purpose: connecting people with producers, and producers with the people who enjoy their food. ... See MoreSee Less