Council exhibition to commemorate Noosa's history

Noosa Council is mounting an exhibition to tell the story of the last 50 years of Noosa’s history.

The exhibition, What’s up, Sunshine?, is part of a range of activities planned to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the naming of the Sunshine Coast.

The exhibition will focus on the people and events that have shaped the region over the last 50 years and explore themes such as holidays, tourism, surfing, environment, festivals, planning and development.

“These are all elements which have played a role in developing the Noosa we love and enjoy today,” said Jane Harding, Noosa Council’s Heritage Librarian, “and many people would have fond memories of some of these things.”

Council is calling on local residents to donate memorabilia for possible inclusion in the exhibition. 

"We are looking for anything people have – photos, flyers, programs, tourist maps and brochures, quirky souvenirs or memories – that will help us tell Noosa’s story," Ms Harding says.

"Noosa has a rich history of beach holidays and family camping trips; surfing pilgrimages and competitions, festivals, events and creative arts, community and environmental activism, built heritage, and local businesses.  We want to capture this in the exhibition.

“If locals have photos of family camping trips, memorabilia from surfing competitions, quirky souvenirs of local tourist attractions, postcards, maps, brochures, films, funky clothing, or other objects reminiscent of the last 50 years, that they are willing to loan or donate for the exhibition, we’d love to hear from them,” Ms Harding says.

August 2017 marks 50 years since the adoption of the name ‘Sunshine Coast’ to describe the region from Caloundra to Noosa.  The then Landsborough, Maroochy and Noosa councils endorsed the name to cover the three shires for promotional purposes, replacing the name “near North Coast”, which had been in use and which was not considered distinct enough or identifiable by southerners.  The name was officially gazetted by the Queensland government in July 1967 to take effect from 1 August 1967.

Noosa Council is partnering with Sunshine Coast Council to deliver a program of activities across the region during 2017.

What’s up, Sunshine? will open on 15 June and run until 23 July 2017.

The exhibition is proudly supported by Noosa Council’s Heritage Levy. 

If you are interested in lending or donating material or sharing your memories of the Noosa region over the past 50 years, or if you are seeking more information on the project, please contact Council’s Heritage Librarian on (07) 5329 6534.

9 May 2017