Gallery: New era for Montville Chamber as long-serving president steps down
The newly elected Montville Chamber of Commerce Board includes, from left: Treasurer Shiralee Cooper, Illume Creations; Terri Koepenick, The Country House at Hunchy; Alan Dryden, The Falls Montville; President Arabella Lubbers, Montville Woods Gallery; Richard Sargent, Crystal Multiverse; Vice President Daniel Hoffman, The Clock Shop Montville; Tamara Large, Lovestone Cottages; David Moore, Emperor’s Medicine; Wayne Parcell, The Rangebow Festival and Secretary Nicole Hilton.
Montville is preparing for change with its Chamber of Commerce welcoming new leadership and the village welcoming a raft of new businesses to Main Street.
Outgoing president Shiralee Cooper has stepped back from the role after 12 years at the helm. Ms Cooper, a popular leader who has overseen countless initiatives to strengthen Montville’s profile and economy, said her time leading the Chamber had been both fulfilling and inspiring.
“My journey as President has certainly been a most rewarding experience. We have been blessed with so many exceptional Executive Members over the years. I am very proud of how much we have achieved together and how cohesively we have worked over the years,” she said.
Stepping into the role is Arabella Lubber, owner of Montville Woods Gallery and former Chamber treasurer. Ms Cooper described her successor as bringing “exceptional commitment and boundless energy” to the Chamber, and said her leadership marked an exciting new chapter. “It will be wonderful to have a younger person heading our organisation as we work closely with the Sunshine Coast Council Economic Development Team,” she said.
The Chamber’s annual general meeting was held at Flaxton Gardens on September 24. Most of the executive team will continue, with the exception of Lynn Fallon from Mystic Mountain Tours, who is taking a gap year to focus on business demands. Ms Fallon’s departure opens a vacancy filled by Wayne Parcell from The Rangebow Festival, who joins the Chamber with strong links to the region’s creative sector.
Alongside these changes, Montville itself is buzzing with fresh energy. Visitors strolling Main Street will soon notice new arrivals, including the Montville Bakehouse soon to open in the former newsagency, while whispers suggest a wood-fired pizza venue is on the way. Fiorio and Co has also relaunched as a French restaurant, adding to the town’s diverse dining scene. Waffle On has moved to the front of The Village Square.
Other new shops etc which have opened in the past year include:
The Montville Market Garden (near Poets Cafe); The Candle and Quill Bookshop (just down from Poets); The Witches Cottage, near the bookshop; Range Pilates (under the Opalcutter); Jata Holistic (just up from Pilates); Daja Gallery not far from Monty's with Harmony Design Studio near Priscilla's Gallery;
Rangebow Festival HQ is in the Witch's Hat; with Calibre Men's Stylist next door; Montville New Pharmacy near the IGA; Pop up Arts Connect Gallery; Tania Small Gallery, behind Crystal Multiverse; and The Edge Function Centre.
On the tourism front, Montville is being featured in Visit Sunshine Coast advertising campaigns across Australia and New Zealand over the next three months, as well as on lifestyle program Weekender – a boost expected to bring more visitors to the hinterland.
