The beginning of construction of Scenic Rim’s PCYC marks the end of a local institution – the Beaudesert Markets.
Market organiser Jenny Young has announced the final market in Dick Westerman Park will be held on Saturday September 5, 2026.
“We’ve been told they are starting work mid-September,” Jenny said.
“It won’t be a good environment to hold a market once that starts. There will be no toilets, not enough room, it is just not possible to continue.”
The markets raise funds for Beaudesert Community Arts and Information Centre and have been run on a volunteer basis by Jenny and Mick Young for over 30 years.
The centre officially opened on November 3, 1995, and the first market was held the following day.
Beaudesert Community Arts and Information Centre president, Lynne McKechnie, thanked Mick and Jenny for their work over the past three decades.
“They’ve done an excellent job on our behalf and they will finish one market short of 31 years,” she said.
“They come from their property to run the markets every month. People don’t realise the work they have put into it as volunteers.”
While it has been suggested that the markets could run elsewhere, Jenny and Mick have made the difficult decision not to continue.
“We’ve made such lovely friends,” Mrs Young said.
“The stallholders are beautiful. It’s one big family – that’s the sad bit for us. But I’m 77 now and Mick is 84, starting again is too difficult.”
Lions step in
Beaudesert Lions Club treasurer Jacquie Hapgood said it is imperative for the Lions that the markets continue.
“We raise 98 per cent of our funds from the burger stand we have at the Beaudesert Markets,” Mrs Hapgood said.
“We will not be able to continue to support the community in the way we have if the markets close – the schools, Tracey’s Pantry and many other projects will suffer.”
On behalf of the Lions Club, Jacquie and her husband Malcolm have been investigating options for the markets, however they said help will be needed.
“We can’t do it on our own. We are asking other service clubs and any interested stallholders or volunteers to contact us if they would like the markets to continue.”
Jacquie added that Jenny and Mick Young have done an amazing job over the past year years and she would like to see the markets continue without a break.
“We want to get this organised as soon as possible to ensure continuity, even if it is in a new location. We don’t want a couple of months break between markets. That would make it very difficult to get it up and running again.”
Anyone interested in assisting with the markets should contact Malcolm and Jacquie by email to beaudesert.qld@lions.org.au
