Fifty years ago it was just the "Near North Coast".
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But everyone believed that meant nothing to tourists, who were bewildered about the way they were being lured north to Caloundra, Maroochydore, Coolum and Noosa and into the hills around Maleny.
So 50 years ago in November 1966, the Real Estate Institute of Queensland adopted the name "The Sunshine Coast" and one of Queensland's best-known regions got a name it has been proud to stick with.
The Gold Coast finally had a northern neighbour; the Sunshine Coast.
On Monday the term "Sunshine Coast" turned 50 years of age and launched a 2017 calendar that includes photographs submitted by residents to become a community symbol to mark the Sunshine Coast's 50th years.
The formal adoption of the name cam in August 2017.
This is the first in a series of calendars.
It includes the beach shots, the river shots and the pineapple plantations of the Sunshine Coast during the 1960s and 1970s.
Here they are; the first of the faces of the Sunshine Coast, chosen by the people of the Sunshine Coast.
The cover shot.
Young women at Kings Beach in 1965.
January
The Sunshine Coast judging of the Miss Australia quest in Nambour 1961.
February
Holidaymakers at Alexandra Headlands in 1971.
March
Diving Blocks
Bulcock Beach at Caloundra 1962. Photo by Angie Gott.
April
The Old Caloundra Lighthouse 1965. Photo: Clifford Traurrs
May
Pineapple planation, Wombye, 1960s.
June
Kings Beach, Caloundra 1960
July
Point Cartwright ferry 1960s. Photo Margaret Smith.
August
The "Sunshine Coast" promotion unit in 1971.
September
Family Fashion Contest
Maroochydore, 1972. Photo by Marie Nevin.
October
Trawlers moored by the jetty at Bulcock Beach at Caloundra, 1966.
Photo by Graham Smith.
November
The Main Bar at Nambour's Club Hotel 1962.
December
The Kiorgaard family at Ryhope's Guest House at Buderim in 1960.
The calendar is backed by the Sunshine Coast Council and by the heritage groups on the Sunshine Coast.
"This year, it showcases photos from the 1960s and 1970s drawn from the collections of six winners of the heritage calendar photographic competition and the council's own Picture Sunshine Coast collection," Sunshine Coast mayor Mark Jamieson said.
"It showcases the Sunshine Coast during the vibrant 1960s and 70s, including sugar cane trucks on their way to the Moreton Sugar Mill and pineapple picking in the Woombye district.
"Of course it wouldn't be a Sunshine Coast calendar without the inclusion of images featuring our beautiful beaches and waterways."
The official celebrations start on August 1, 2017, and run through until New Year 2018.
