What’s in the water at Nambour? The suburb has a star-studded history with many celebrities born there such as Powderfinger drummer Jon Coghill. Jon spoke exclusively to Yelo music editor Penny Brand about growing up in the suburb, and his vision for its future.

Channel Nine’s Weekend Today will be at Nambour Forecourt on Saturday for a homecoming like no other.

Sunshine Coast’s favourite artists have banded together for the event which will put the spotlight on the suburb.

Nambour is quickly becoming the region’s live music capital, with an incredible underground music scene at its core.

Jon, a Nambour College Graduate, will join fellow high school alumnis Channel Nine weatherman Dan Anstey, and Hollywood producer Dan Munday (Survivor, The Apprentice and Real Housewives).

Nambour soul queen Andrea Kirwin will perform.

A true blue Nambour boy

Jon (pictured left with Powderfinger) grew up in Nambour, playing soccer for Nambour Reds and footy for Nambour Crushers.

The Peregian Beach resident says while the Coast has Maroochydore’s Solbar as its major epicentre for global and local acts, it’s now time for Nambour to step up.

“Solbar is a prime spot for original music and we’re lucky to have such a dedicated venue to support original local music,” Jon says.

“We need more places like it.”

A live music capital

Council and lovers of the suburb have been pushing for years to reinstate the suburb to its former glory.

And as the Coast grows exponentially since Covid-19, with thousands of new residents seeking warmer weather, locals are pushing harder than ever to see Nambour thrive.

Council recently announced plans to turn Nambour into a ‘Hinterland Heart‘ with several projects in the pipeline to reinvigorate its quintessential heritage buildings.

Council admin offices moved in to start the trend, and monthly music event Nambour Forecourt Live kicked things off to establish the precinct as a community hub.

“Nambour probably needs some kick arse bands and kick arse venues to really make a mark,” Jon says.

“A little band called The Chats, (from Peregian) have proved that having a bucket load of talent means there are less boundaries to making it big.

“I reckon we all can look to The Chats for guidance – play killer shows, write killer songs, don’t be scared of being fucking clever and irreverent and you can be successful.

“I’m so impressed with the band, their work ethic and the fact that they have energy to burn.

“It sort of reminds me of the single-mindedness that Powderfinger had when starting.

“Everyone was moving south to Sydney and Melbourne, but I think we showed that good songs and hard work earns you the right to pull crowds, no matter where you’re from.

“The Chats are full-on high-quality punk rock, not just good punk rock. They do shit really, really well, and that’s what I think it takes.

“I don’t want to sound like a been-there-done-that goose, but it would be fantastic to see some more musicians with really high quality work ethics.

“Like people who bleed to get better and play better venues. I think because we live in such a beautiful region, it’s sometimes hard to want more, to want to be really fucking good.

“Sometimes being really good takes some serious obsession and hard work. I think anyone who realises that is going to do well.

“I mean, you’re gonna stand out because the audience will feel you’re the real deal.

“That’s why The Chats are such an awesome role model for anyone doing music and wanting a career out of it.”

Live music venues needed

Jon says musicians find it impossible to stay motivated without venues to play at.

“How do you get good without more venues? The facility growth is driven by talent.

“You get good talent, really good dedicated and hardworking bands and musicians then you’ll get studio growth and we’ll retain more musicians.” 

I Am Nambour campaign

Business owner and ambassador Rhonda Billett (pictured), of I Am Nambour, has lead the campaign to put the spotlight on Nambour.

She told the Sunshine Valley Gazette the event is the perfect “Happy Father’s Day, Australia”.

Rhonda says it will showcase much of what the hinterland is famous for – with food and a laidback rural lifestyle as tourism drawcards.

“The glitz of the Today Show cameras and lights will (also allow) locals a chance to be a part of the action.

“We want as many people as possible. People who follow the show would be aware that Dan is extremely Nambour proud, he mentions his hometown frequently to the nation and now it is time for him to come home and have a whole lot of fun.

“Being able to get Jon and Dan here as well has blown everyone’s mind. It’ll be a proud day for Nambour and a chance to promote the whole area to a huge audience.”

Nambour’s famous lineage

And don’t forget former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd also hailed from the school, but unfortunately we don’t think he will make an appearance.

Rudd re-entered local news after driving tipsy people safely home from a night out in Noosa, after being mistaken for an Uber driver.

You never know, he could turn up barefoot with his pants rolled up. And a guitar?

All the details for your early start

Join Weekend Today live at Nambour Forecourt, Cnr Currie St and Bury St, from 7am-10am, on Saturday.

Locals are invited to brings signs to the live broadcast, with locally-donated prizes for best sign to be judged hourly.

There will be a free sausage sizzle, face painting, local food samplings, classic cars, and an ice cream truck! (AM sugar hit, peeps?)

Wildlife HQ will entertain, and there will be food from Downtown Burgers, Maiori Pizzeria and Small Change Espresso.

Coverage continues on Sunday with a Weekend Today Father’s Day Special at Sixty6 Acres, Woombye, with limited space available.

Photo: Jon Coghill takes a selfie at the exhibition of another Nambour State College peer, Darren Blackman, who recently held an exhibition in Brisbane. Jon says, “Darren is an Indigenous artist. His stuff is killer.”