Words and photos by Linda Nathan, Wood Review Editor
BOM got it totally right as far as the weather forecast went for May 1 and 2 in SE Qld. A major rain event was predicted but no one imagined just how extreme that would be. Tragically five people died, swept away in flash floods. All this on top of recent cyclonic and flood conditions in NSW that also caused loss of life and property.
However, I was invited to act as one of the judges for the Wootha Prize, a competition and exhibition which annually features at the Maleny Wood Expo, so rain or no rain, I headed north on the Bruce Highway at around 12 noon. We were lucky as the weather we experienced on that drive was nothing compared to what those who were later stranded on the same highway endured for literally hours and hours due to flash flooding.
Judging done and the opening night presentation had to be cancelled however – it was bucketing down and some people couldn’t even leave their properties so it was really a no-brainer to postpone.
Early in the evening the rain simply stopped, even the stars came out. Next day the ground was soggy but it was full steam ahead for the Expo, cars piled in through the gates and the whole place came to life as people streamed through the entryways.
The Expo takes place on the Maleny Showgrounds, much of it outside under tents, so with green expanses everywhere and plenty of room to move there is a festival atmosphere.
Entertainment abounds, from programmed acts in the main tent, through to one-man bands, join-in marimba stations and even a large percussion contraption on wheels – in fact there is a constant and pleasant backdrop of sound. Various showground buildings such as the Downunder Pavilion, The Toolshed, and the Main Pavilion house a variety workshops and exhibitors who display all kinds of tools, timber, furniture, woodware and more.
We do love all our wood shows but there really is no other event like this in Australia that is organised and run by what is basically a volunteer group like Barung Landcare.
I went a bit crazy with the camera, snapping here, there and everywhere – if you want a little bit of info and also to put names to some of the faces you can hover over the photo or click on one of them to arrow through.
Queenslanders are so lucky – in two weeks time we get to do it all again at the Brisbane Timber & Working Wood Show. Wood Review has a stand there, so hope you can call by for a chat!
A report on the Wooth Prize exhibition is here.
More info on the Maleny Wood Expo is here.
Below is also some video footage from the Expo set to a mix of the sounds and music recorded live. In particular you can hear the fantastic music of Dave Johnson aka Didgera, see his website for more details http://didgera.net