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Network Opportunity For South Burnett Groups November 14, 2007 - The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry has organised a South Burnett Futures Forum to be held in Kingaroy later this month to allow community groups from current shires to network ahead of next year's "super shire" council amalgamation. The KCCI believes the formation of the South Burnett Regional Council will provide challenges (and opportunities) for local community groups which currently have relationships with councils which will no longer be in existence. The Futures Forum will provide an opportunity for these groups to network and make short presentations to Transition Chief Executive Officer Shane Gray and Mayor David Carter from the Local Transition Committee. The Forum will be held at the Kingaroy RSL Club's Tobruk Room from 6:30pm on Tuesday November 27. Cost is $15 which includes a two-course meal. Please RSVP to John Carey at the KCCI on (07) 4162-8466 by November 26. For more information, please download the attached flyer (62kb PDF)

Newspaper Telegraphs Changes In Appin Street November 13, 2007 - A new publication appeared unexpectedly on footpaths outside South Burnett homes last week ... the Bush Telegraph. The paper is published by the Bush Telegraph Trust, from Shop 1, 2 Appin Street, Nanango and can be contacted on (07) 4163-2043 or by email Spokeswoman Holly Batten said it was intended that the free publication would be distributed weekly from Benarkin and Cooyar to Yarraman, Nanango, Kingaroy, Wondai, Proston, Murgon, Goomeri and Kilkivan. Also new at Shop 1, 2 Appin Street, Nanango is Our Magic Water which supplies bottled ionised alkaline mineral drinking water. Our Magic Water can be contacted on (07) 4171-0140 or by email. Injury therapist The Blue Healer (Matthew Butler) who used to be located in these premises has relocated his business to 386 Stretton Drive, Teelah Heights, Blackbutt. He can now be contacted on (07) 4163-0752.

Taabinga Homestead on Channel 7 November 12, 2007 - Historic Taabinga Homestead, (right), located just south of Kingaroy, was featured on Channel 7's Queenslander Weekender on Saturday. The Heritage-listed homestead was built in 1846 and is one of Queensland's oldest continually occupied homes. Owners Libby Leu and Colin Marshall offer B&B packages with accommodation in cottages in the gardens of the homestead. Taabinga is also home of the annual classical Taabinga Spring Music Festival. Click here for the Queenslander Weekender report

RSVP Today For Meet'n'Greet November 9, 2007 - The next KCCI Meet'n'Greet will be held on Monday night at Endeavour Business Services (better known as Endeavour Biscuits) at 17 Kingaroy Street. Presentations will be made by Shane Gray (South Burnett Regional Council Local Transition Committee Interim CEO), Sue Kratzmann (QDPI&F - Skills Formation Strategies) and Hazel Patterson (Endeavour). The Meet'n'Greet will include a tour of the facilities and taste testing of new food products. Cost is $14 including drinks. For catering purposes, please RSVP to the KCCI on (07) 4162-8466 today.

Caravanners Vote Kingaroy RSL Club As Top Dining Spot November 8, 2007 - The caravanners taking part in the recent Combined Caravan Clubs of Queensland State Rally in Kingaroy in September were asked to tally up their local spending and nominate their favourite businesses in several categories. Their answers make interesting reading. The total spend was $122,565, which included several major purchases from local businesses. Favourite Dining Venue - Kingaroy RSL Favourite Retail/Shopping Outlet - Woolworths Favourite Entertainment/Recreation/Attraction/Tourist Venue - Endeavour Biscuits / Kingaroy RSL (tie)

Tarong Energy Ready For Summer November 7, 2007 - All four generating units at Tarong Power Station will be on line to boost the security of south-east Queensland's power supply during summer, Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson announced yesterday. Tarong has had two generating units at its Nanango site off-line since April to save water from Boondooma Dam. “After the welcome rain of recent weeks in Wivenhoe and the water savings already made by generators, Tarong Energy is now able to bring the other two generating units back on line for this summer's peak demand,” Mr Wilson said. “All four generating units will be on line in early December but will remain at reduced levels to save water. They can be ramped up to full capacity at a moment's notice,” he said.

New Supermarket Quickly Taking Shape November 6, 2007 - The new $14 million supermarket complex on the corner of Kingaroy and Avoca Streets, Kingaroy, is quickly taking shape with construction due to be completed by the end of the year. The complex will include a 2200 sq m Supa IGA supermarket, a cafe, off-street car parking and another large retail area (next to Pound Street). For more information, and to view artists' impressions of the new building and a floorplan (6.3Mb PDF), visit the DGS Property Group website.

And The Winners Are ... November 5, 2007 - The annual Heritage Kingaroy Business Excellence Awards, organised by the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry, were announced at a glittering three-course dinner held at Kingaroy Town Hall on Saturday night. The winners were: Customer Service of the Year - Neil Koehler (Bob Jane T-Mart), Highly Commended - Elizabeth Benson-Stott, Encouragement Award - Gavin Pates Outstanding Apprentice - Adam Pedron (PCA), Highly Commended - Jamie Sellars Outstanding Trainee - Kimberley Reynolds (PCA), Highly Commended - Kimberley Scott (South Burnett Visitor Information Centre) Mature Age & Disability Friendly Workplace - Ken Mills Toyota Outstanding New Business - In Touch Chiropractic Tourism Ambassador - Bethany Cottages Hospitality & Tourism Services - Shadylane Vineyard Cottages Manufacturing Trade & Agricultural Services - RBM Industrial Bags Professional Services - Aggregate Corporation Professional Services Sales & Marketing - Print & Beyond Retail & Wholesale Services - Lonsdale's Soul Pattinson Chemist Sport, Recreation & Health Services - Hair Dimensions Motor & Transport Services - Driver Training & Education Kingaroy Corporate Citizen of the Year - Peanut Company of Australia, Highly Commended - The Peanut Van Business of the Year (selected from the winners of the business categories) - Driver Training & Education Kingaroy Three-time winner Lonsdale's Soul Pattinson Chemist was inducted into the Hall of Fame, joining Ken Mills Toyota and The Peanut Van

Congratulations to All Kingaroy Business Award Nominees! November 2, 2007 - The 2007 Heritage Kingaroy Business Excellence Awards will be announced at a gala dinner at Kingaroy Town Hall tomorrow night ... and sorry, it's all booked out!. Today's South Burnett Times newspaper includes a list of all the people and companies nominated in these prestigious awards. Congratulations to everyone who has been nominated! Awards will be presented in the following categories: Corporate Citizen of the Year Customer Service of the Year Hospitality & Tourism Services Manufacturing, Trade & Agricultural Services Mature Age & Disability Friendly Workplace Outstanding Apprentice Outstanding New Business Outstanding Trainee Motor & Transport Services Professional Services Professional Services - Sales & Marketing Sport, Recreation & Health Services Retail & Wholesale Services Tourism Ambassador Good luck everyone!

Hard Core Workshops For Small Business November 1, 2007 - "The Hardcore Truth" ... that's what these workshops put on by the University of Southern Queensland and ENACT Business Architects promise for small business people. What it takes to build a successful business Case studies on how businesses have made the grade Simple strategies that work in all businesses Learn about "business architecture" There will be two venues: November 22, 8:30am-10:30am - Maryborough, The Globe, corner Ward and Cheapside Streets; and November 22, 11:30am-1:30pm - Pialba, Hervey Bay RSL, 11 Torquay Road For more information and to register visit the Enact Business Architects website

New-Look WBBACC Newsletter Available October 31, 2007 - The latest edition of the Wide Bay Burnett Area Consultative Committee's electronic Regional Update newsletter is now available. The electronic newsletter - which has been totally redesigned - is the main communication tool for the Wide Bay Burnett ACC and provides all the latest information on events, activities and grant opportunities distributed by the Federal Government. To join the email mailing list, contact Cameron Bisley at the WBBACC on (07) 4121-7099 or email him

Central Number for Wildlife Carers October 30, 2007 - The Wildlife Wanderers Carers Association now has a new centralised contact telephone number: 0447-196-704. The Nanango-based group specialises in wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and release and will travel anywhere to assist a native animal in need. Co-ordinator Angelique West said the volunteer carers are fully trained and attend special workshops to update their skills. Some have special permits to care for echidnas, bats and koalas while others have been trained to handle raptors. Some of the members have also been vaccinated so they can care for bats and flying foxes.

Congratulations to South Burnett Tourism Winners! October 29, 2007 - The South Burnett has again scooped the pool at the annual Fraser Coast South Burnett Regional Tourism Awards which were announced at a gala dinner in Wondai on Saturday night. Local winners were: Captains Paddock (Winery) Hillview Cottages (Unique Accommodation) Hillview Cottages (General Accommodation 3-4 Star) Shadylane Farm Vineyard Cottages (Hosted Accommodation) Dimities Cottage Restaurant and Tea Rooms (Eateries and Cafes) Kingaroy Information, Art & Heritage Precinct (General Tourism Services) South Burnett Regional Timber Industry Museum Complex ( Regional Attraction) As well, three-time winner Bethany Cottages was inducted into the Hall of Fame, an honour which will be bestowed upon Captains Paddock next year.

Movember Madness Moves Martin October 26, 2007 - Martin Stern, soccer fanatic and owner of local business Print and Beyond, has vowed to "grow a mo" - but it's all in a good cause. November is "Movember", an Australia-wide fund-raising effort for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and BeyondBlue (the national depression initiative). Martin is taking part as a member of the "Orange Army", the Queensland Roar Supporters Club. To sponsor Martin's mo (which we don't think will look quite as good as this one) visit the Movember website and enter his registration number (69788) and follow the on-screen instructions. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

Have Your Say On Councillors' Pay October 25, 2007 - The newly appointed Local Government Remuneration Tribunal is seeking submissions from the community, councils and interested groups on salary levels for councillors and mayors. The three-person tribunal - which consists of Queensland Industrial Relations Commission Deputy President Adrian Bloomfield, Tarong Energy CEO Helen Gluer and former Queensland MP Di McCauley - will finalise its first determination by December 1. When setting pay scales, the Tribunal will consider the population of local government areas, the geographical area, workload of councillors and the extent of services provided. Submissions close on November 14. For more information, visit the Department of Local Government website.

Aviation Industry Invites Local Businesses To Regional Forum October 24, 2007 - South Burnett businesses have been invited to promote their products and services at an Aviation Industry Forum to be held in Maryborough next month. The forum, organised by the Department of State Development and Aviation Wide Bay will be held at the Carriers Arms Hotel, 405 Alice Street, Maryborough on Thursday, November 22 from 1-4pm. For more information, a registration form and a capability statement form (which will be used to promote businesses at the forum), please contact Adam Vieglais at State Development on (07) 4121-1780.

Promotional Opportunity In Brisbane October 23, 2007 - The Kingaroy Information, Art and Heritage Precinct will be representing the South Burnett at a Southern Downs & Granite Belt Regional Tourism "Picnic in the Park" promotional event to be held in the Roma Street Parklands in Brisbane on November 18. More than 200 trade and media representatives have been personally invited to attend and the day is also being heavily promoted to the general public so it should be a great opportunity to showcase the South Burnett. South Burnett tourism operators - including wineries and food producers - have also been invited to take stands. For more information contact Tourism Project Manager Narelle Colquhoun on (07) 4162-6271 or download flyer (459kb PDF)

Last Chance To Book At Earlybird Rate! October 22, 2007 - Tomorrow is the last day to book tickets for this year's Heritage Kingaroy Business Awards dinner at the earlybird rate of $48! The glittering night at Kingaroy Town Hall on November 3 will feature all local produce and professional entertainment from comedian Ian McLaren. For more information contact KCCI Manager John Carey on (07) 4162-8466 or download booking form (70kb PDF).

Success In Succession October 19, 2007 - The Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation, in conjunction with AusIndustry, will be presenting Succession Planning workshops in Nanango and Wondai soon. The full-day workshops will be divided into two sessions: "Planning for Success in Succession" and "Financial Consequences of Business Succession". The Nanango workshop will be held on October 31 and the Wondai workshop on November 1. Cost is $30. For more information - including starting times and venues - and to book, contact BIEDO on (07) 5484-1652 or by email. Download flyer (49kb PDF)

Three Federal MPs Cover South Burnett Super Shire October 18, 2007 - We're only big enough for one council, but apparently three MPs are needed to look after the South Burnett's Federal requirements ... If the shire boundary changes aren't enough, there's going to be even more confusion come November 24 at the Federal Election! Under new electoral boundaries, Kingaroy is no longer part of Blair (233kb) (held by Cameron Thompson - Liberal) but rather part of the massive seat of Maranoa (96kb) which stretches west to the Northern Territory and South Australian borders. Nanango, Yarraman, Blackbutt and Cooyar are in also in Maranoa (currently held by Bruce Scott, Nationals). Oddly, the rest of Rosalie Shire is in the Toowoomba-based seat of Groom (80kb) (Ian Macfarlane - Liberal). Wondai and Proston are now in Flynn (133kb) - a new seat created by redistributions. Murgon, Cherbourg, Goomeri and Kilkivan are in Wide Bay (102kb) (currently held by Warren Truss - Nationals ) NB. Lady Flo Bjelke-Petersen will be opening the Kingaroy campaign office of Bruce Scott at 9:30am tomorrow in the former jeweller's shop in Haly Street (near O'Neill Square).