Somerset Regional Council Highlights – 2 April 2026

Published on 02 April 2026

	Somerset Regional Council Mayor Jason Wendt with members of the Esk Men’s Shed and Valley of the Lakes Garden Club at the official handover of the historic Esk Railway luggage trolley.

Esk Men’s Shed brings new life to historic trolley

A group of Esk men have refurbished a hundred-year-old, four-wheeled historical attraction, popular among locals and tourists to Somerset.

Somerset Regional Council officially received the restored railway luggage trolley from the Esk Men’s Shed on Thursday, 2 April.

Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said the project began four months ago when the Valley of the Lakes Garden Club requested Council to fix up the trolley for the 2026 Esk Garden Fair.

“Our Council recommended the project to the Esk Men’s Shed and they were more than happy to take it on,” Cr Wendt said.

“The Men’s Shed has done a superb job fixing up the old wagon and we’re so grateful for their efforts.

“We look forward to displaying the new trolley in Pipeliner Park, right by the old Esk Railway Station for all Brisbane Valley Rail Trail users to admire.

“Thank you also to the Brisbane Valley Timbers in Esk for kindly donating some lumber to the Esk Men’s Shed for this project.”

Esk Men’s Shed Secretary Paul Clifford said the team was proud of their handiwork.

“The whole team played a role in dismantling it, measuring it up and refurbishing it,” Mr Clifford said.

“It is an old relic of Esk and the railway, and it’s one of those things that should be restored for posterity.”

Midday Movies returns after Easter

Somerset seniors are invited to relive movies of the 50s through to the 80s with a morning tea and a movie at the Kilcoy Visitor Information Centre.

Midday Movies, a popular event delivered through Somerset Regional Council’s seniors connection program In Good Company, invites seniors to screenings of popular movies from their youth.

Due to a clash with Easter Sunday, the next session 'To Kill a Mockingbird' will be held on Sunday, 12 April at the Kilcoy Visitor Information Centre with morning tea at 10.30am and movie from 11.30am.

Following this, sessions will return to the first Sunday of the month.

Bookings essential - contact Council on 5424 4000 or mail@somerset.qld.gov.au

For more information on the In Good Company program, visit somerset.qld.gov.au/IGC

The In Good Company program is funded by the Queensland Government.

Learn how to identify Glossy Black-Cockatoos in Fernvale workshop

Somerset Regional Council is partnering with Glossy Black Conservancy to deliver a free training session for bird lovers in Fernvale.

The workshop, held 9.30am on Saturday, 18 April at the Fernvale Visitor Information Centre, is designed to help bird watchers feel confident and ready for the Great Glossy Count in May 2026.

Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt encouraged the community to get involved in the event.

“This is an opportunity to get to know fellow citizen scientists and sharpen your skills in identifying Glossy Black-Cockatoos, one of Australia’s rarest birds,” Cr Wendt said.

“You’ll learn key techniques like how to identify Glossy Black-Cockatoos by sight and sound.

“You’ll also learn how to recognise and record important findings out in the field.

“The event speaker, Liz Gould, has been involved with the Glossy Black Conservancy for nearly 20 years and recently finalised the 2025 Glossy Black-Cockatoo Habitat mapping Update for South East Queensland.”

Nature lovers, volunteers, birdwatchers and anyone passionate about the conservation of a vulnerable species is encouraged to attend the workshop and to support the Great Glossy Count on 16 and 17 May.

To register for the Fernvale workshop, visit bit.ly/greatglossycount

This event is proudly supported by Somerset Regional Council.

Come and Chat with your Somerset Councillors

Somerset Councillors are hosting an evening ‘Come and Chat’ session in Toogoolawah on Wednesday, 15 April.

The Come and Chat session will be held from 6pm-8pm at Alexandra Hall on Cressbrook Street, Toogoolawah.

Due to other commitments, not all Councillors may be in attendance.