Tom Sharp's
Blog
03-10-2023
Eve Curtis – author, researcher, editor, environmentalist consultant, lover of nature and guardian of the mountain
Eve Curtis turned 95 on 15th September this year. Eve has spent her entire life in service to Tamborine Mountain, and it is more than just her hometown – it is her sanctuary.
Although time has slowed her a little, she still looks the picture of health, still has her razor-sharp mind, and continues to write and research the mountain's history. Her late father, a passionate botanist, instilled in her a love of nature.
As an environmental consultant for the local Government, Eve worked tirelessly to ensure that development on the mountain was sustainable and respectful of its natural beauty. She found herself in countless meetings, advocating for the protection of vulnerable ecosystems and advocating for responsible land use. It was challenging work, but she knew it was necessary to safeguard the mountain's future.
Over the years, Tamborine Mountain faced increasing pressure from developers who saw its beauty as an opportunity for profit. It was a constant battle, but Eve was determined to preserve the natural wonder that had been her home for so long. She was an active member of the 108-year-old Tamborine Mountain Progress Association. She was editor of its newspaper, the Tamborine Mountain News, established in November 1958 (now the Scenic News), – for 42 years.
It was with great sadness recently that she witnessed her own Council, led by Mayor Greg Christensen, and all his Councillors, bar Cr Swanborough, act to recover court costs from the Association that led to its winding up at its last meeting on 5th September.
Eve has published her popular book “The Turning Years, A Tamborine Mountain History” and now has turned her attention to completing her work on the history of the Tamborine Mountain Progress Association. The very first minutes of the Progress Association, many years ago, were given to the Beaudesert Historical Society for safekeeping. Eve will now seek access to the documents from the Society to finalise her work.
At the very first meeting of the TMPA in 1915, the minutes read that meetings were to be held monthly on the first Saturday nearest the full moon, because natural light was needed as there was no electricity, and farmers rode through dark forests on horseback carrying lanterns to see their way to attend meetings.
Eve has seen countless Mayors and Councillors of the district come and go over the years, including statesmen like Sydney Curtis, Jim Sharp (Tom Sharp’s grandfather), Alan Struss and Michael Fraser, and the much-respected Jeff Sharp, Tom’s father, who was Chairman of the Beaudesert Shire’s finance committee for a nearly a decade.
Eve has no hesitation in saying Tom Sharp is a fine candidate and would help restore respect in the Office of Mayor for all Scenic Rim residents.
Photos: Tom Sharp catching up last week with Eve Curtis
and: Photograph taken mid-70’s at Kooralbyn Airport – a joy flight taking in the Border Ranges and Mountains Barney and Lindesay of the Scenic Rim. From left: Tom Sharp. Hugh Curtis, Eve Curtis and Raymond Curtis
Although time has slowed her a little, she still looks the picture of health, still has her razor-sharp mind, and continues to write and research the mountain's history. Her late father, a passionate botanist, instilled in her a love of nature.
As an environmental consultant for the local Government, Eve worked tirelessly to ensure that development on the mountain was sustainable and respectful of its natural beauty. She found herself in countless meetings, advocating for the protection of vulnerable ecosystems and advocating for responsible land use. It was challenging work, but she knew it was necessary to safeguard the mountain's future.
Over the years, Tamborine Mountain faced increasing pressure from developers who saw its beauty as an opportunity for profit. It was a constant battle, but Eve was determined to preserve the natural wonder that had been her home for so long. She was an active member of the 108-year-old Tamborine Mountain Progress Association. She was editor of its newspaper, the Tamborine Mountain News, established in November 1958 (now the Scenic News), – for 42 years.
It was with great sadness recently that she witnessed her own Council, led by Mayor Greg Christensen, and all his Councillors, bar Cr Swanborough, act to recover court costs from the Association that led to its winding up at its last meeting on 5th September.
Eve has published her popular book “The Turning Years, A Tamborine Mountain History” and now has turned her attention to completing her work on the history of the Tamborine Mountain Progress Association. The very first minutes of the Progress Association, many years ago, were given to the Beaudesert Historical Society for safekeeping. Eve will now seek access to the documents from the Society to finalise her work.
At the very first meeting of the TMPA in 1915, the minutes read that meetings were to be held monthly on the first Saturday nearest the full moon, because natural light was needed as there was no electricity, and farmers rode through dark forests on horseback carrying lanterns to see their way to attend meetings.
Eve has seen countless Mayors and Councillors of the district come and go over the years, including statesmen like Sydney Curtis, Jim Sharp (Tom Sharp’s grandfather), Alan Struss and Michael Fraser, and the much-respected Jeff Sharp, Tom’s father, who was Chairman of the Beaudesert Shire’s finance committee for a nearly a decade.
Eve has no hesitation in saying Tom Sharp is a fine candidate and would help restore respect in the Office of Mayor for all Scenic Rim residents.
Photos: Tom Sharp catching up last week with Eve Curtis
and: Photograph taken mid-70’s at Kooralbyn Airport – a joy flight taking in the Border Ranges and Mountains Barney and Lindesay of the Scenic Rim. From left: Tom Sharp. Hugh Curtis, Eve Curtis and Raymond Curtis