You may be forgiven for thinking that these gentlemen where extras from a well known pirate movie? But nay, it's NOOSA FM's very own Chris Lofven (left) and Jim Toomey of 'The Tourists' fame.

Apart from being involved in setting up our station with Barry Charles back in the day, Jim Toomey was the drummer in 'The Tourists', a UK band (1976-1980)  featuring Annie Lennox & Dave Stewart who went on to form Eurythmics.

Jim has written a lively account of those rocking days titled We Were Tourists and came on board the Magic Bus last Saturday to have a chat with Chris.

The Natural Culture have taken the time to pop into NOOSA FM to discuss their music and current tour with John Shaw on 'It's Global'. The award winning group's 'A Bag of Apples and a Six Pack' tour will take in coastal centers from Brisbane through to Airlie Beach.

Image courtesy: thenaturalculture.com

NOOSA FM is doing an Outside Broadcast (OB) at the Booin Gari Festival for the Gubbi Gubbi people.
 
On Tuesday 25th of September NOOSA FM will be airing a live broadcast from 10 am to 2 pm at the Lions Park near the Noosa Yacht & Rowing Club on Gympie Terrace, Noosaville.
 
We are looking forward to seeing you there enjoying the festival activities and hope you get a chance to pop over to the NOOSA FM tent to say Hi!

9:30  am – 9:40 am Emcee introductions and acknowledgements
9:40 am – 9:50 am Welcome to Country by Lyndon Davis
9.50 am – 10:00 am Parade with Gubbi Gubbi Dance, Drums of Mer, Tewantin State School and creation story puppets
10.00 am – 10:45 am Chris Tamwoy and Tania-Rose
10:55 am – 11:40 am Emily Wurramara

TRADITIONAL DANCE:
11:45 am – 12:15 pm Gubbi Gubbi Dance
12:15 pm – 12:45 pm Yulu Burri Ba Dancers
12:45 pm – 1:15 pm Butchulla Dancers
1:15 pm – 1:45 pm Drums of Mer
1:45 pm – 1:55 pm Soraya Contemporary Dance
2:00 pm - 2:40 pm Fred Leone and band
2.50 pm – 3:30 pm Mufussa and the Pride

9:45 am – 11:30 am Paint your own returning boomerang with Brent Miller
11.30 am – 1.30 pm Kids colouring-in space
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm Paint your own canvas using ochres with Melinda Serrico

10:00 am – 10:40 am Torres Strait Islandert storytelling, song and dance workshop with Drums of Mer
10:45 am – 11.25 am Aboriginal Artefact Display and Cultural Talk on local Kabi Kabi history with Lyndon Davis
11.25 am – 11.45 am Possum Skin Rug story with Melinda Serrico
2:00 pm – 2:40 pm Jandamarra Cadd artist talk
2:45 pm – 3.15 pm Lyndon Davis: Ancient Geometry in Nature and Art

WOMAN AND GIRL'S WEAVING USING TRADITIONAL FIBRES:
9:45 am – 11:45 am with Kilagi Neilson
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm with Renee Bahloo
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Emu Feather Jewellery Making with Jacquie Sandy

ALL DAY: Children’s sailing, retail, community and food stalls;
Nandjimadji Artist Display - a safe space for art, yarning and connection

We are pleased to announce, that the band Bohemian Rogue with their entry 'Ode to Moffs' where voted the winners of the NOOSA FM 21 Summers Song Writing Competition.

And what a night the finalists concert was. Held at the J, a near packed concert hall of happy revellers where entertained by an exciting and diverse selection of local music.

The night started out with a tradition welcome to country from representatives the Gubbi Gubbi people. This included an entertaining and informative introduction to local indigenous culture and traditional perspectives, which was enjoyed by a very appreciative audience.

The evening was ably hosted by two of our NOOSA FM presenters, Therase Burke and Chris Lofven, who kept us entertained with their banter, especially during changeovers. The superlatives to describe the evening are endless with pretty well all of the 'fantastic night'  boxes being ticked.

The other awards on the night where: 2nd Place going to the family band First Bay and their song 'In Your Bones', and
3rd Place went to Stellerize with her composition, 'Be Your Babe'. There was also an Encouragement Award given out to 11 year old Indigo Walsh and her entry 'When The Sun Ain't Out'.

21 SUMMERS SONG COMPETITION 
for Singer/Songwriters.
 Proudly presented by NOOSA FM 101.3
 
The theme is 'Summer' and the 10 best, new compositions, selected by NOOSA FM in-house jury will be invited to perform on Saturday 2nd June 2018.
 
Representatives of the Gubbi Gubbi people will be opening the event with welcome to country,
dancing and traditional insights.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top 3 acts as voted by YOU the audience!
 
* Support your local singers and songwriters*
* Get to vote to your favourite 21 Summers song *
* Come along to celebrate with NOOSA FM and be part of this fabulous live music event *

So leave this date open for a big party!!
 Saturday 2nd June 5.30 pm to 10 pm. at The J Theatre
 
with the assistance of the Community Broadcasting Foundation.

Get your music out there and on-air. An opportunity to preform your original song live.
Prizes to be won and fun to be had...

NOOSA FM is celebrating 21 summers of continuous 24/7 broadcasting and we invite you to join in the celebrations by calling on
all musicians, all age groups, professional and amateur, and especially you casual dabblers, to compose a song for our
21 Summers Music Festival, with of course, Summer as the main theme. 

So why not throw on the kettle, sit down with your fav instrument and get into it...
When you are happy with your creation, record it, and save as a MP3 file. 
It may be a song that you had previously composed - that's ok too. As long as it is your original work and unpublished.

Then simply click the red entry form button below, fill in your details (including your song file) and send.
No entry fees, totally free and prizes to be won. It really is that simple!

Entries close: 12 midnight - Thursday, 10 May 2018

All accepted entries will be posted on our web site as well as being actively promoted and played on-air,
with our listeners having the opportunity to vote for the finalists and the overall winner.

The finalists will be invited to perform live at The J on Saturday, 2nd June,
in the NOOSA FM live broadcast of our 21 Summers celebrations.

Cash Prize Pool:
1st Prize - $1000
2nd Prize - $500
3rd Prize - $300

For inquiries call us on
07 5447 2233

Produced with the assistance of the Department of Communications and the Arts
via the Community Broadcasting Foundation - cbf.com.au

Playwright David Williamson dropped in to NOOSA FM to discuss his most recent play 'Sorting out Rachel' with Jo Hendrie. Be sure to listen to the interview on the 'Breakfast with Jo & Simon' show from 6am - 9am this Tuesday, 20 March.

Coming to Noosa direct from the World Premiere of  SORTING OUT RACHEL at the Ensemble Theatre in Sydney, NOOSA alive! Australia’s foremost regional community performing arts and culture festival proudly presents four ‘only’ exclusive fundraising performances, taking place at The J Theatre, in Noosa on Wednesday 21 March 2pm (matinee) & 7.30pm, Thursday 22 & Friday 23 March, 7.30pm.

SORTING OUT RACHEL opened in Sydney on Wednesday, January 24 to resounding success with the Sydney season already close to totally sold!  By all accounts this show is not to be missed! With only four performances in Noosa (with no possibility of extension), we urge you to book quickly to avoid disappointment.

These performances of SORTING OUT RACHEL honour David Williamson AO, the most produced playwright in the history of Australia (amongst his many other accolades across literature, theatre, film and television).  

A fierce believer in ‘giving back’ and in the importance of culture to community, David has generously donated royalties from SORTING OUT RACHEL to NOOSA alive!

‘Culture needs to be supported and encouraged by community, without it we risk being an empty shell. The greatest fun of all is to get involved and to create ‘occasion’. The Festival, now in its 17th year is something for Noosa to be proud of. It’s the only festival of its kind in Australia and it has been delivering the very best of culture and performance to the Noosa community for a very long time. It’s great to see the recognition it gets and the calibre of performer, local and visiting, that the festival attracts and showcases. Jump on board to support the Festival’s future – You will have a great time doing something truly valuable for our community!’
David Williamson AO.

Named as one of Australia’s living national treasures, David is no stranger to Noosa, in fact he and wife Kristin are synonymous with Noosa having lived locally for many years and remain founding Patrons of NOOSA alive! (formerly the Noosa Long Weekend Festival).

Uncle Charlie Chambers was born in Cherbourg in 1936. His parents were “Stolen. Generation from Far North Queensland.  He helped R M Williams make his mark at Rocky Bar cattle station. His art is what he sees, not what others expect. It is his own, yet has a familiar simplicity and unique quality, with wondrous ways to depict the beauty of the land.

Champion footballer and boxer, all-round hard worker, softly-spoken and compassionate man, these days he lives to tell his remarkable stories and display his life's work in art, a life which until 15 "..were the best ...", he says, but where to then, no work in Cherbourg?

Uncle Charlie wanted to earn his own way through life, regardless of the limitations imposed upon him and others under the Aboriginal Protection Act, " ...I wanted to be a drover... so I escaped Cherbourg".

He finished up head stockman and manager on R M Williams "Rocky Bar Station" Eidsvold. He was inducted into the Stockman's Hall of Fame and was introduced to the Queen on that occasion. He features in a TV documentary about his life “Man Of Many Talents and renowned for his art.

Uncle Charlie was born on the  Cherbourg mission, just 2 hours North-West of Noosa. On the 4th December 2017 he visited Noosa Heads, on the coastal border of the country on which he spent his early life and spent several hours at Noosa FM, telling his stories and displaying some of his art. In the early days, children from Cherbourg traveled to Halse Lodge for holidays and many would like to visit today to revive memories of what were the few good times, and a welcome break, from dormitory life on the mission.

It was an enjoyable day for Uncle Charlie, who has recently commenced dialysis treatment, but he hopes to return soon with a full exhibition of his art work.

All information contain has been published with the permission of B. J. Chambers. For further information on this and other details, please contact Uncle Charlie's son, Billy Joe Chambers on 0498 686 792.​

Selected photographs from the filming of the TV documentary about Uncle Charlie Chamber's life “Man Of Many Talents".

Congratulations to the Carol Singers from Good Shepherd Lutheran College for their beautiful LIVE performance this morning on NOOSA FM! Well done Tosh, Madeleine, Mijili, Grace, Coco and Bailey! A big thank you to Jo and Simon for having the students on your breakfast show and also to Debra Casey, the students’ singing teacher, for being such a wonderful mentor.

We look forward to seeing you all on Sunday 3 December at the Doonan Community Christmas Carols!

Please note: We are keeping our eyes on the weather for Sunday. There is a chance that the carols will take place inside the large hall, which is onsite at House With No Steps. Phew! Great to have a wet weather option! :)
Still plenty of room for everyone, including a visit by a certain "man in red" on a very exciting "sleigh"!! ;)
See you all on Sunday... Rain, Snow or Shine!

The Carol Lloyd Award will be presented to an emerging female identifying singer-songwriter, who was either born in, or resides in, Queensland.

The successful applicant will be awarded $15,000, and with this, will have the opportunity to RECORD their own full length album or record and tour their own EP.

This award will give recipients a head start in their career, the means to broaden their experience within the music industry, and help them to realise their goals as an emerging artist.

Applicants can submit up to three tracks of original material and supporting material. For full details, please download the Award Guidelines: http://qmf.org.au/carol-lloyd-award/

NOOSA FM proudly supports Australian artists and emerging artists through dedicated airplay. We especially love to support our local musicians, singers and bands.

We wish every applicant to the Carol Lloyd Award the very best of luck!

The NOOSA FM Team

Solli Raphael is Australia's new slam poetry champion. At the tender age of just 12 he is the youngest person ever to hold the title.

NOOSA FM's Mike Scott, and trainee Broderick Cameron, were fortunate enough to interview Solli this week and discuss his thoughts on recent events and his achievements.

Who is Solli? Known as a game-changer and a leader among his peers, Solli enjoys writing powerful and emotive poetry based on his understandings of the world around him. Solli is an eager homeschooling high-school student who has an affiliation with the likes of Martin Luther King Jr., Macklemore and many great leaders of the past.

With a vision to be an influential person among his peers, and within society in the hope to create change, Solli also enjoys running in Marathons, playing Tennis, and is currently learning to play the Saxophone.

Extracts from: www.solliraphael.com.au

Celebrated Queensland artist, Kelvin Hawley popped into the station recently. These where familiar surroundings for Kelvin as he has been previously interviewed by other community radio stations, especially in relation to his portraits of, and creative association with, Chopper Reid. It was a little known fact that Chopper in his latter years had been intensely involved in raising funds for children's cancer research. It was through this association that Kelvin came to know and appreciate a side of Chopper Reid that few got to experience.

Illustrator of over a 1,000 children's books (the exact total being a little blurry), and popular art tutor, these days Kelvin is heading back to the easel  to focus once again on his own painting and subject matter.

Kelvin's life experiences are many and varied. From tangoing (local version) with people of Brazilian jungles, to numerous out of body astral experiences, and that's just for starters. For most of us, our passing on will be one-off event, yet Kelvin, so far, has experienced it (heart stopping for substantial periods), four times to date.

As you can imagine he has an interesting story or two to tell, so we are hoping to get Kelvin back to NOOSA FM at some stage for an on-air interview.

B. for NFM

An exciting and entertaining Open Day event was held at the studios of Noosa FM 101.3 on Saturday, 15th July 2017.

Among the many great entertainers performing on the day, are Barry Charles accompanied by Wayne Carlson (of the Boppin' the Blues show - see photo below). Barry is co-founder of Noosa FM way back in 1995, with 24/7 broadcasting commencing in 1996!  

Pineapple Crush (photo above) appearing, led by the unsinkable Chris Lofven of Magic Bus fame. Other big names include: The Zane Duo, The Dennis Sisters (Top 30 2016 X Factor contestants) Chontia Robinson with Parris McLeod. Finishing up with a jam-session with all bands.

Other delights are: face-painting; sausage sizzle; art show; refreshments; lots of fantastic raffle prizes and there'll even be an ambulance on-site for you to investigate!  And, if you want to know how a radio station "ticks over" then here's your chance, with a tour of the Noosa FM studios. 

You can find out how you can become a presenter, or how to become involved in any capacity. Try out the "hot-seat" for yourself, and you'll have the chance to record your own CD, make a voice over to be used for broadcasting.

So don't miss out, head for the Noosa 101.3 FM studios at the j, Noosa Junction - 60 Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads (opposite the post office). 

For further info, call Noosa FM on 5447 2233 (weekdays) or check the website: www.noosafm.org

Noosa Mayor Tony Wellington and Councillor Jess Glasgow turned out in force to help us support and celebrate this year's 2017 Booin Gari Festival.

Video: Noosa Mayor Tony Wellington interview with Therase Burke at 2017 Booin Gari Festival.

Therase Burke also spoke with Councillor Jess Glasgow at the Booin Gari Festival 2017.

Emily Wurramara being interviewed by Therase Burke at the 2017 Booin Gari Festival.
​
Originally from Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory, growing up Emily loved hearing her uncles sing, but also realized that women from her community rarely sang in public. Wanting to inspire and empower members of her community, especially young Indigenous women, to find their voice,
Emily sings original music both in English and Anindilyakwa, her original language.(Source: www.emilywurramara.com.au)

BOOIN GARI - Come This Way in Gubbi Gubbi language.
​
Another highly successful Booin Gari Indigenous Culture Festival last Tuesday at the Lions Park, Noosaville, thanks to the Gubbi Gubbi people of this area. Noosa FM 1013 were there again this year, capturing the sights and sounds of this wonderful educational and entertaining annual event, and you can see highlights on our Events Page as we continue to upload photos, stories and videos of the day.

West Side Story @ Noosa Arts Theatre

West Side Story brings new life and a fresh burst of creativity from the dynamic and energetic young cast of the classic musical, West Side Story.

Bookings are already pouring in for this September production at Noosa Arts Theatre where the cast are currently tackling six-hour choreography sessions as they carve the bolder, edgier version of this 1957 epic into the performance space.

Sunshine Coast artist Jandamarra Cadd is in line for Visual Artist of the Year at this year’s Deadlys. The Deadlys vision is to showcase the achievements and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to our community and to Australian society as well as excellence in their field, and this is the second time Jandamarra has been up for the gong.

“I was a finalist in 2011 as well”, shares Mr Cadd, “and the experience of being amongst so many amazing people of our mob in the Opera House was quite humbling and awe-inspiring”.