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The Mary Valley Scarecrow Festival began in Maleny and Conondale around 1995.

In a setting behind Queensland's glorious Sunshine Coast, one of the best scarecrow festivals around Australia has happened during early spring almost every year since the mid 90s.

It now runs from mid September until the late in October. 2012: 15th Sept - 28th Oct

Kenilworth joined in to the fun the year after its humble beginnings. Since then it has spread down the Mary Valley to include Brooloo, Imbil, Ridgewood, Kandanga, Amamoor, and Dagun.

Artistic Winners Announced for 2011
Written by Graham Miller   

The celebrities have come out of their huddle and are proud to announce the winners for the 2011 Artistic Category of the Mary Valley Scarecrow Competition.

The Good SportIt has been truly wonderful to work with the breakfast crew of ABC Coast FM on the Sunshine Coast. They have added a lovely sense of excitement and interest to our festival. I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Majella Marsden and Rob Blackmore for their participation as judges this year.

So without ado, here are the winners:-

We heartily congratulate these very worthy winners!

These placegetters receive a certificate, rosette for the 'crow, and the winner has their name emblazoned on a plaque on the perpetual trophy which can be displayed on their premises for the next 12 months.

Don't forget that the scarecrows will be on display around the valley until the end of October.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 19 October 2011 14:32
 
Artistic Judging for 2011
Written by Graham Miller   

RobBlackmoreAnd after quite some media attention during the week, Thursday morning saw the breakfast announcer for ABC Coast FM on the sunshine coast, Rob Blackmore, team up with his produce Majella Marsden, to embark on an adventure around our beautiful Mary Valley and judge the artistic scarecrows.

During their journey, Rob and Majella failed to locate a few of the artistic finalists. So they went on air the following morning and let everyone know about the missing crows. An avid listener in Gympie heard the story and phoned in. The goat farmer had found Rita in front of his place thinking it was dumped rubbish. Thankfully, owner and scarecrow are now reunited.

Going by that Friday morning broadcast, Rob and Majella had quite a bit of fun travelling around the valley "scarecrow spotting". They took some sound bites as they went around and took some scarecrow photos as well.

If you are looking for the winners of the artistic category, I am afraid you will have to wait just a little longer. Rob will announce the winners on Monday morning during his breakfast radio show. After we find out, we'll post them here.
Last Updated on Sunday, 16 October 2011 13:00
 
Traditional Judging for 2011
Written by Graham Miller   

Well, the finalists have been chosen by each of the towns, and we've published them in the 2001 Finalists menu entry to the left. Check them out.

Today (10th Oct), Peter Wellington MP is traveling around the valley judging the traditional scarecrows. I hear he is having considerable difficulty choosing from the quality scarecrow entries. But as soon as he is finished judging, we'll update this article with his comments.

So Peter, how did it go judging the scarecrows?

"There were some definite standout entries around the valley. And I went to some places I had never been before." Peter said. "I was quite taken by the community spirit in Little Bella Creek Rd up near Borumba Dam. Many of the residents had scarecrows out."

102_ico

Peter also remarked about the community spirit this brings out in people. Construction workers on the bridge over the Mary River at Cambroon, on noticing the scarecrow in front of the Caravan Park, put their heads together and scrounged all sorts of rubbish to make their own scarecrow. "What a fantastic effort" he said.

And after much deliberation, here are our traditional winners:-
Last Updated on Wednesday, 19 October 2011 14:33
 
Rita has been stolen
Written by Graham Miller   

News Flash!

104_icoRita, the rider from Rita Rom and Rex fame, has been removed from her home in Ridgewood. Greg and Jude Moore are quite perplexed about why anyone would take bundles of old rags and straw stuffed into some old clothes, but gone she is.

If anyone knows the whereabouts of Rita, would they please contact the organisers using our contact page.
Last Updated on Saturday, 15 October 2011 16:01
 
Town Scarecrow Registrations Streaming In for 2011
Written by Carol Miller   

Town Coordinators and Scarecrow Builders have been busy across The Mary Valley.

Town Scarecrow Registration details are filtering in and being entered into the website.  You should be seeing some Scarecrow Photos on the website for 2011 early next week, followed by our Mary Valley Scarecrow Festival Google Map of Scarecrow Locations.

Late Registrations are welcome.  Scarecrows on display to 30th October 2011.

Letters of appreciation for Volunteer 'Crows and Scarecrow Builders across the Mary Valley can be forwarded to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Visit the 2011 Entries link to see the scarecrow entries as they arrive.

Enjoy.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 27 September 2011 17:56
 
Volunteers Wanted
Written by Kaili Parker-Price   

Living scarecrows needed to run annual festival

The annual Mary Valley Scarecrow Festival needs people on the ground to make it happen.

Organiser Carol Miller is in desperate need of "living 'crows" to help the stuffed ones make their comeback in the valley.

Scarecrow season kicks off on September 24 and it is time to get the registration forms out to the local residents to encourage entries.

"But we can't do that without a person in each town to handle inquiries," Mrs Miller said. She said towns without a local contact would miss out on being included in the festival.

Entry is free and there are three categories – children aged five to 15 years, artistic and traditional – but scarecrows cannot be judged unless they are registered and given a catalogue number.

The Mary Valley Scarecrow Festival runs from September 24 to October 30. Check out the website www.scarecrows.org.au  and contact Mrs Miller on 5446 0100 if you can help out.

She said the job requires a small amount of time and a little organisation.

Living scarecrows needed to run annual festival
Last Updated on Friday, 26 August 2011 13:44
 
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Primary Sponsor

This website is provided courtesy of:
Web Enhanced Solutions
For the benefit of our local community.

Contribution:

  • Web site design
  • Joomla customisation
  • SOBI2 Directory module configuration
  • Data and photo preparation and entry
  • Web site hosting

We also put in a great deal of hours of festival coordination.

Sponsors

We would like to thank the following sponsors:-

Mary Valley Inc for assistance with printing & promotion.

Cr Jenny McKay for signage around the southern end of the valley.

Kenilworth SES for lamination of registration numbers.

This year's Artistic Category Trophy was brought to you by:
Cedar Creations
Jack Wilms - Artist
cedarcreations.com.au
Phone: (07) 5472 3996

And Kaili Parker-Price for all sorts of assistance including photography, story writing and information dissemination.