Chinderah is my town

MY Daily News journalist Mairi Manley, photographer John Gass and videographer David Stuart visited Chinderah.

 

The cocktail pianist with a story to tell

ALL sorts of people come out of the woodwork when you visit Chinderah.

My Daily News happened across one of the village's talented residents this week when cocktail pianist Kerry Swan shared snippets of his life with us.

Originally from Newcastle, Mr Swan settled in Chinderah due to its tranquil beauty and friendly residents.

"It's a great little place to live," he said.

Mr Swan is a dab hand on the grand piano and the Hacienda Holiday park where he resides has benefited from his talents, housing a huge grand piano that allows him to "tickle the ivory" at will.

Mr Swan has plated all over the world, with a five month stint in Alaska and several ship cruises to add to the list.

"My mum lived at Chinderah and that's what originally brought me here," he said.

"Now I'm just loving the life here.

"But I still love my piano playing."

He's already written an autobiography of his travels and experiences as a pianist and wants to follow up with a short movie.

"I've got a tale to tell," he said.

"I've met some very interesting people on my travels."

 

Handy man goes the distance for golf

SOME people will go to any lengths to enjoy a game of golf.

Not too many would go to the trouble of decking out a campervan from scratch to enjoy the privilege.

But if that game of golf is in North Queensland then what else is a handyman, ex Tweed Shire councillor and iron wielder to do?

My Daily News found Alex Pearson under a shady tree by the Tweed River in his home town of Chinderah.

"You need a nice shady spot to work on a campervan," he said.

"It can get pretty hot in the van when you're hammering, drilling and fitting it out," he said.

When the project is finished it will be a veritable "bedroom on wheels," according to the golfing DIYer.

Mr Pearson served on council 30 years ago and has seen a lot of changes in his town of birth.

"Chinderah was once a hub of activity and industry of sorts," he said.

"There was a two-storey pub, a cinema and two jetties where the ships came in to load up goods from the farms at Cudgen and sugar from the refinery.

"There was a huge general store that would rival Myers, with everything you could imagine for sale.

"I grew up here and have a real sense of belonging and a strong emotional attachment.

"I love Chinderah."

 

Flooded in with family

WHEN Emsa Folaw came over from New Zealand to visit her daughter at Chinderah she never imagined what lay ahead of her.

And when she popped over to the local store, the last thing she expected was an interview with My Daily News.

But the happy turn of events allowed her to tell her tale of flooding rivers and an unpredicted evacuation last week as rain and flood water inundated the quiet river village.

"I came over with the mind to look after my granddaughter Tansi when my daughter got sick and had to go to hospital," she said.

"Who would have thought that I'd find myself fleeing rising flood waters as the Tweed River broke its banks?"

Ms Folaw's bid to rescue her daughter in a time of need led to another rescue as she rolled up her sleeves, grabbing little Tansi, some valuables and true grit to escape "the rapids."

"It was quite an unexpected turn of events," she mused.

"But what an adventure!

"I still love Chinderah.

"I can tell everyone back home about how lovely the town is and how pretty the river is.

"But now I also have a tale to tell.

"It's all good."