On Friday 15th May, the Blackall Range Lions Club’s annual “Taste of the Hinterland” event returned to The Barn on Flaxton, bringing together a vibrant mix of local residents, community groups, and regional food and beverage producers. The well-attended evening served as both a showcase for the Blackall Range’s premium small-batch makers and a testament to the region’s distinct community connections.
A Response to Community Need
Now firmly established on the local calendar, the event originally began as a grassroots response to residents seeking more evening activities across the Range.
“It was never intended as a fundraiser, though the thought was that if we made a profit it would be a happy bonus,” explained event organiser Marcia Jensen, from the Blackall Range Lions. “Lions do not restrict themselves to only one form of service, we say ‘where there’s a need there’s a Lion’, so providing a community event if residents felt the need for one seemed a logical step.”
The event was held at The Barn on Flaxton, a well-known eatery highly regarded for its hospitality and its consistent role as a generous supporter of local community events and organizations. On the night, an array of high-quality, complimentary finger food was provided to guests, featuring exceptional options such as gluten-free gyoza, pulled pork buns, and assorted cakes. Attendees were also treated to a complimentary drink on arrival, with a bar available throughout the evening.
Co-owner Danielle (Dani) noted that hosting the gathering aligns perfectly with the venue’s purpose. “We’re proud to support an event that celebrates the incredible people, produce, and community spirit of the Hinterland,” Danielle said. “The Lions do such a fantastic job bringing everyone together, and for us it’s important to be part of something that strengthens local connections while also showcasing what makes this region so special.” Danielle, alongside co-owner Rachele Jenson, worked to ensure the space was welcoming for all.
Highlighting Regional Producers
To maintain a varied showcase, the event is intentionally kept intimate, limiting participation to eight or nine local small-scale producers with a strict policy against doubling up on specific product types. This year featured eight regional businesses spanning a wide range of artisanal products, with owners taking the time to share what makes the evening so valuable to their crafts:
- AJ’s Country Meats (Palmwoods): Run by fourth-generation butcher Justin Beard and his wife Andrea (who is also a Blackall Range Lions member), the business showcased a selection of award-winning smallgoods. Samples included traditional and contemporary charcuterie, such as their Polish and Honey Garlic Kabanas, alongside Honey, Gherkin & Cheese, and Vegemite & Cheese Beer Sticks. Andrea and Justin generously donated all of their takings from the night back to the Lions Club. “For us, it’s not just a job, it’s a passion built on creativity and craftsmanship,” Andrea noted. “Making products by hand is like creating art, with every step of the process contributing to the final masterpiece.”
- Maleny Chocolate Company: Led by Troy Wainwright, the team featured their handcrafted, small-batch chocolates. Troy noted that the small-scale format of the event allowed for meaningful engagement with customers, providing an opportunity to highlight consistency and craftsmanship. “Working in small batches allows us to maintain consistency, carefully monitor every stage of production and ensure each product meets the standard we’re proud to put our name to,” Troy explained. “It also gives us the flexibility to be creative, seasonal and hands-on in everything we do.”
- H two M Japanese Pastries: Owned by Harumi Birch, the business offered authentic, traditional Japanese desserts. Inspired by her mother’s culinary background in Japan, Harumi utilises the platform to introduce unique regional Japanese flavours to the broader Sunshine Coast community. “Our motto is to provide authentic Japanese pastries in Australia, so we joined the event to share our favourite traditional Japanese dessert with a wider audience,” Harumi said. “Everybody we spoke to was so friendly and welcoming, and we had a wonderful time.”
- Restoring Hope for Parkinson’s Disease: A local Parkinson’s support group heavily backed by the Lions, the organisation raised funds through the sale of their “Hope Spreads” honey, which is regularly available at The Barn. The group is invited each year specifically so they can raise vital funds and connect with the community.
- My Dillybag (Forest Glen): Belonging to Dale Chapman (Aunty Dale), this specialist specialist producer features bush tucker products, including pasta, sauces, and snack foods infused with native plant ingredients and distinct Australian flavours. On the night, local Lions Club members stepped in to manage the stall and showcase the unique native range on the business’s behalf.
- Le Relais Bressan (Maleny Hills): Operated by Thierry Clerc and Cindy Clerc, the local café and Maleny Hills Motel providers presented a range of smoked salmon, fresh pasta, specialty sauces, and pre-prepared retail meals.
- Sunshine & Sons (Woombye): Represented by Michael Conrad, the prominent local distillery located near the Big Pineapple featured its range of small-batch spirits, with a primary focus on gin. Organisers noted that Michael expressed his fondness for the gathering’s distinct environment, relaying after the event that it is a wonderfully pleasant, laid-back evening that he always looks forward to attending.
- Hillbilly Produce: Operated by Helen Adams, this regular Kenilworth market vendor offered a broad selection of homemade relishes, jams, and savoury sauces, including her popular “Redneck Relish” line. Following the evening, Helen shared her appreciation for the attendees: “What a lovely group of visitors tonight. I totally enjoyed engaging with them all.”
Grassroots Support and Practical Outcomes
Producers reported highly positive feedback from the crowd, citing the relaxed, conversational atmosphere as a primary reason for their participation. Helen noted that the collaborative spirit extended to practical support on the night, with Lions members assisting vendors with heavy lifting and stall setup directly from their vehicles.
The ticketing logistics further demonstrated regional cooperation, with physical ticket sales managed directly through local distribution points including the Montville Post Office, Mapleton Post Office, Maleny Hills Motel, and The Barn.
While the evening focuses primarily on social connection and promoting local enterprise, the financial dividends allow the Blackall Range Lions to maintain a wide scope of community assistance. Because the event operates without taking a commission from the participating food and beverage vendors, all direct producer sales remain with the independent businesses, while ticket profits go straight into the Lions’ general service fund.
The proceeds from the evening are earmarked to sustain a variety of un-funded, immediate local projects that arise throughout the year. Recent examples of the club’s localised funding and hands-on service include replacing a section of damaged timber flooring at the regional kindergarten, refurbishing the public bus stop shelter located on Flaxton Drive, and providing morning tea catering for local attendees on ANZAC Day.
The club also funds essential fruit supplies for the Mapleton State School tuckshop to support students arriving without adequate lunches, and purchases mandatory back-to-school book packs, uniforms, and seasonal Christmas hampers for struggling families identified by local school staff.
Marcia noted that the club recently consolidated its annual fundraising milestones at its concluding seasonal meeting, approving $18,000 in broader donations allocated across regional organisations and national specialist projects, including the Lions Assistance Dogs program, the Lions Medical Research Foundation, and the Children’s Mobility Foundation.
A Shared Success
By the end of the evening, as raffle tickets were drawn and the venue was restored for the next day’s trade, the prevailing sentiment was one of shared pride and regional unity. The success of this year’s showcase underscores how a small, dedicated group of volunteers, independent makers, and community-minded businesses can come together to create something lasting. With vendors already looking forward to securing their spots for next year, the Taste of the Hinterland continues to prove that the Blackall Range thrives best when it works together.
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