Following the resounding success of the Channel Nine Brisbane Extra Television Coverage, and the Ride for Jimna Fire Tower, the Jimna Fire Tower Action Group (JFTAG) has responded to solid supporter request to promote similar public awareness events. JFTAG is also extremely grateful for the many offers of assistance during any organised function or event, so if the day suits and you are available to help in any way at all, please call Rhonda Affoo on PH  5497 1878 – you will be made very welcome.

After careful consideration for the long weekends and school holidays coming up soon, JFTAG is proud to announce that Sunday the 18th of March 2007 has been selected to promote a “BIG DAY OUT FOR JIMNA FIRE TOWER”. It is envisaged that the day will provide families and friends the opportunity to plan a day excursion, that can embrace not only a stop at the Jimna Fire Tower, but also visit nearby attractions such as Peach Trees Camping Grounds, Landcruiser Mountain Park, a return route through Conondale National Park Tourist Drive via Sunday Creek road, maybe coffee at historic Kenilworth or alternative shopping at Maleny, with the added bonus of enjoying the myriad of beauty spots along the way. For the more adventurous, the drive via Mt Buggery to Barumba Dam and Imbil, where the popular tourist steam train, “The Mary Valley Rattler” (a fantastic treat for the kids), can be seen at Imbil station between 12noon and 1pm each and every Sunday, is certainly worthy of inclusion in any itinerary.

For the thirsty and hungry, the JFTAG committee will be conducting a fund raising BIG SAUSAGE SIZZLE at the Jimna Visitor Information Centre, 4 Currawong St., Jimna, situated right across the road from Bellbird Park, Jimna, (where plenty of off road parking will be available), subject to local council approval. The sausage sizzle will also provide a cold drink, or if preferred a hot cuppa, and will be operating from 10am till 2pm to cater for late breakfast, a light lunch or a quick snack on the way home. So there you go, treat your family to a great day out in the great outdoors and at the same time you will be supporting a very worthy cause.

Despite persistent showers causing depleted numbers and some itinerary changes , some fifty gleaming Harley Davidson motorcycles descended upon Jimna on Sunday 18/02/07, participating in the ride for Jimna Fire Tower. For an event that was on the brink of being postponed, the turnout was extremely impressive, providing visitors and locals alike with scenes never witnessed in Jimna before. The usual sounds of chainsaws, timber trucks, or FWD vehicles echoing through the Jimna Ranges, were temporarily replaced by the trademark throb of the Harley engines, which were eerily heard from Jimna, as soon as they topped the Jimna range five kilometres away.

The assembly of bikes and bodies at the Jimna visitor information centre for morning tea was truly spectacular, with a monetary value of machinery estimated to be in excess of two million dollars. Members of the Jimna Fire Tower Action Group (JFTAG) were joined by visitors and locals alike, to mingle with and welcome our guests, providing an exciting atmosphere, and a significant show of support for the Jimna Fire Tower. JFTAG wishes to sincerely thank the Sunshine Coast Harley Owners Group, the HOGS, for initiating and providing this memorable event, along with the JFTAG committee members, partners, and local helpers who pitched in to provide a hearty morning tea.

After an excitingly noisy and fond farewell, while parading through Jimna town, it was off for a video and photo shoot, where the group paid homage to our Heritage Listed Tourist Icon, the Jimna Fire Tower. JFTAG is under no allusion of the fact that it is events like this, and the ever increasing public support, that will eventually encourage decision makers to invest in our Heritage instead of negatively attempting to destroy it.

Between 70 and 100 Harley Davidson motorcycles are destined to gather at Jimna on Sunday 18th February 07 in support of the campaign to save the Jimna Fire Tower. Event organisers, Ross McKay and Ron Strong from the Sunshine Coast Harley Owners Group, otherwise known as the Sunshine Coast HOGS, started planning the ride almost immediately upon hearing of the demolition threat to the tower, and hope that other recreational groups may consider an excursion of support to Jimna.

The Jimna Fire Tower Action Group (JFTAG) will host morning tea, and sincerely thanks the HOGS for their generosity in offering the ride as a fund raiser for the tower. Although final details of the exact route are to be advised, the ride will pass through Kilcoy twice, with a short stop on the return journey around midday.

JFTAG also sincerely thanks everybody who turned up last Thursday for the Channel Nine  Brisbane Extra film shoot and interviews. It was a monumental turning point with regard to public exposure into Brisbane. The TV crew, headed by Presenter Doug Murray, were genuinely amazed by the imposing nature of the tower structure, the magnificent views from the site and were deeply moved by the passionate appeal for the tower to be preserved from all those interviewed, especially the builder of the Jimna Fire Tower 80 year old Arthur Leis from Nambour.

Future plans for promotion and fund raising include car rally’s, camping weekends etc,. JFTAG invites any suggestions or ideas from anybody out there, especially those who belong to a club or a group, or from those who simply enjoy the great outdoors

The campaign to save the Jimna Fire Tower has attracted television interest from Brisbane, with Channel Nine’s Brisbane Extra crew scheduled to visit Jimna on Thursday the 8th of February 2007. Brisbane Extra presenter, Doug Murray, has expressed interest in the Jimna Fire Tower’s Heritage significance, it’s value to the local community and it’s popularity as a Tourist Destination, and is keen to interview people who have experienced the exhilarating climb and panoramic view. 

The Jimna Fire Tower Action Group (JFTAG) will host the visit, with representatives from a broad section of community groups generously giving of their time, including the builders of the tower, Arthur Leis and his son Garry, who will travel from Nambour. Special thanks to Arthur and Garry and also to Bill Hauritz Executive Director of the Woodford Folk Festival, who also has found time to attend. JFTAG expects this Channel Nine visit to inspire other media outlets to become pro active to the tower’s demolition threat, as well as providing long overdue exposure of the issue to the general public of South East Queensland.

Other good news is that an article featuring the Jimna Fire Tower is due to appear in the February edition of the National Trust of Queensland’s Newsletter.