Yes, those were real headlines that made the front page of the Brisbane Courier Mail, television and many other news outlets at the time.
What generated so much interest? A painting!
Now this pert painting - a prominent piece of Noosa's history - and the cover of a book written by a prominent academic and political scientist and other wonderful artworks are moving interstate with their artist owners and their home of almost 40 years is to start a new chapter.
"Palm Cottage", as the property is known, is also a part of Noosa's history.
38 years ago, drawn by the landscape, the beach and ocean views the then young couple, both keen surfers, restauranteurs and entrepreneurs, set the foundations for what was to become an avant-garde, one of a kind home on a site where they could be completely at ease and unwind amidst a natural habitat
Using a melange of sustainable materials and up-cycled second hand and custom-made goods, the home grew, spreading out and around in a succession of spaces linked by sun decks and pathways under a canopy of palms, a veritable cornucopia of fruit trees Poinciana and Mango trees.
Palm Cottage is definitely not your everyday "cookie-cutter" style home.
A configuration of three structures, it's inviting, quirky, tactile and replete with meaningful installations, sculptures even a gargoyle looking over courtyards, gardens, the hinterland to the west and ocean to the east.
The main home is a mix of rendered brick and hardwood timbers. Tongue and groove interior walls are almost 2cm thick, hardwood timber floors and ceilings reach almost 5.5metres.
The fireplace in the dining area is built with hand-picked bricks from the original kiln of the Cooroy Brickworks
The Red Cedar bannister on the flight of stairs leading to upper bedrooms has a glass orb in the form of a globe engraved with the world's continents.
Kitchen, living room and master bedroom open onto an expansive deck linking the studio to the main building, creating a massive indoor-outdoor connection exploiting the benefits of the sun and sea breezes edging deep into the rooms and pleasing views for the rooms that wrap around the deck.
Adjacent to the main home is a two-level structure with a "turret". Windows in the turret were salvaged from the fire at Jim Sherwood's store in Hastings Street years ago.
Originally created as a meditative space for painting and sculpting and the "turret" for yoga and checking out the surf. With the completion of a purpose-built art studio at the rear of the property, the master bedroom now occupies the former studio.
Well separated from the main building behind a pair of tall, handmade doors and masonry walls is the studio. Overlooking Burgess Creek reserve, it has a peacefulness of place; the ideal location for creation and production.
From here you can see the sunrise over the ocean as well as watch the sun setting over the hinterland, hear the sound of the surf and see the ocean, feel the sea breezes and see them passing through the bushland in the valley beyond.
The interior is a true atelier filled with tchotchkes and a special blend of eccentricity, high ceilings with exposed beams, air conditioning, a slow-burning open fireplace, kitchenette/wet bar, a private courtyard home to "Pen" the Blue Ring Octopus fountain, and a covered entertaining patio.
At one time the owners had considered converting the current storeroom into a bathroom and laundry to make the studio self-contained but never had the need to do so.
The position of Palm Cottage is perfect. Hidden from the street, the ocean just 7-8-minute walk along a sandy track to the pet-friendly surf beach and kilometres of golden sand.
Schools, shops and medical facilities are only a few minutes' drive or 20-25-minute walk at the most. The Noosa Aquatic and Tennis Centre are a similar distance/walk-time. Noosa's public bus service (free at peak holiday times) is just a few doors away.
Over the years, the owners have created picturesque gardens with a strong connection with the house. Open any window or door and the leafy gardens with their mix of heady aromatic herbs, fruit trees, Jacarandas ornamentals, palms and evergreens are only metres away.
Recent upgrades to the property include the installation of LED lights in November 2018, 8 top of the range solar panels, photoelectric smoke alarms and new gas HWS.
The gardens remain lush all year with the water supplied from the 5000litre rainwater tank.
Apart from being private and unique another twist to the tale is the potential to increase the size of the site by applying to the Department of Natural Mines and Resources for the land on the western side of the current property line to the Council-built off-street roadway that gives driveway access for the home.
If you have been looking for a home with personality plus, Palm Cottage is certainly one to put at the top of your must-see list.
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