Home Page

Dam Good Opportunities For Local Business? June 20, 2007 - The Australian Industry Engineering Manufacturing Network Ltd will be running an information forum in Kingaroy next month to help local businesses identify business opportunities associated with the construction of the Traveston Crossing Dam south of Gympie. The forum will be held at the Kingaroy RSL Club on Thursday July 5 from 10:30am. To attend, contact the Department of State Development on (07) 5437-1300 or send them an email.

NAIDOC Week Films in Kingaroy June 19, 2007 - As part of this year's NAIDOC Week commemorations, the Kingaroy Information, Art and Heritage Precinct will be presenting Looking Forward, Looking Blak ... a collection of 10 short films from the Australian Film Commission's Black Screen program. The films range in length from 10 minutes to 52 minutes and will be shown on: Monday July 9 from 9am, Thursday July 12 at 9am and 6pm; and Saturday July 14 from 10am

Chip In For The Kids! June 18, 2007 - Radio station Heart 10-71 has organised a Casino Night to be held at the Kingaroy Town Hall on June 30 to raise funds for the children's charity "Give Me 5 for Kids". Tickets for this classy night out cost $30 (which includes two drink vouchers) and are available from Heart 10-71 on the corner of Glendon and Alford streets, Kingaroy. Doors will open at 6:30pm, and there'll be show girls, great prizes to be won (holidays, electrical goods, mystery prizes) and an auction. Phone (07) 4162-1433 for more information.

New Website For Kingaroy Business June 15, 2007 - Geoff Clayton from Kingaroy Holiday Park this week launched a new website for his touring business, South Burnett Country Tours. South Burnett Country Tours, based at 48 Walter Road, Kingaroy, offers regular bus tours to South Burnett wineries, the Bunya Mountains National Park and Maidenwell Observatory as well as flexible itineraries for group tours. Geoff can be contacted on (07) 4162-1808 or by email

World Class Dinner Speaker Coming To Murgon June 14, 2007 - The Murgon Business and Development Association, in conjunction with the Wide Bay Burnett Area Consultative Commitee and CROW-FM, is inviting local business people to enjoy an inspirational dinner with guest speaker Dr Phil Jauncey, (right), sports psychologist for the Broncos, Lions and Qld Bulls. Dr Jauncey, who also works with the QRL, Australian Institute of Sport and assisted teams at the 1992, 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games, will be at the Murgon RSL on June 28 from 6pm. He will speak about the six steps for success, the importance of taking action now, dealing with staff and customers, taking ownership (excuses are for losers) and avoiding "if only" and "but" statements. Cost is $25, which includes a two-course meal, and bookings are essential. RSVP by June 20 to Margaret Long on (07) 4168-2922.

Funding Boost For 2007 Festival June 13, 2006 - The Queensland Events Regional Development Program has announced that the Kingaroy Peanut Festival - a project of the Kingaroy Chamber if Commerce and Industry - has been successful in its application for funding for 2007! The KCCI is extremely grateful for the on-going support of Queensland Events over the past few years. Their support - and the assistance of the Peanut Company of Australia and other loyal sponsors - is the main reason why the Peanut Festival has been able to go ahead in leaps and bounds. Watch for news about some of the exciting events planned for locals and visitors to enjoy on September 8! And don't forget ... this year's festival is being held at the Kingaroy Showgrounds and will have a whole new look and feel to previous festivals. Why not form a team and compete in the inaugural Strong Man Games! Phone the KCCI on (07) 4162-8466 for more details.

New Workplace Licences From July 1 June 12, 2007 - The training, assessment and licensing of high risk occupations will undergo a major change from July 1. Employment and Industrial Relations Minister Mr John Mickel said yesterday anyone wanting an occupational licence from Workplace Health and Safety Queensland must now undertake formal and informal training and be assessed for competency by a registered training organisation. Workers affected by the new legislation include scaffolders, doggers, riggers, crane and hoist operators, load shifting equipment operators and pressure equipment operators. Five-year renewable photographic licences, recognised in all States, will also be gradually introduced.

Project Report Open To Public June 8, 2007 - Kingaroy residents interested in the proposed Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen Cultural Memorial Centre have been invited to peruse a copy of the consultant's report (right) at the KCCI Offices in O'Neill Square. KCCI President Mr Rob Patch urged people to view the 94-page report (plus appendices) prepared by the Pacific Southwest Strategy Group for Kingaroy Shire Council before criticising the project. The complex will provide a much-needed conference centre in Kingaroy, a performing arts venue and facilities for high school and TAFE students to use. The report suggests operating surplus will cover annual maintenance costs after four years of operation.

$20m Boost For Power Station June 7, 2006 - What weighs 180 tonnes, costs more than $20 million to supply and install ... and is proof that Tarong Power Station is not about to close down? This Hitachi stator, (pictured above), arrived at the station on Tuesday, part of Tarong Energy's asset renewal program which aims to secure the power station's long-term future by ensuring it can continue producing reliable electricity at an efficient price. Tarong Power Station Manager Bill Renshaw said transporting the stator from the Port of Brisbane to the power station had posed a significant challenge. Four prime-movers and a trailer with 112 tyres carried the load on its 60-hour journey.

Skills For The Future Forum June 6, 2007 - The Wide Bay Burnett Area Consultative Committee (WBBACC) has invited businesses struggling with skills and labour shortage issues to attend a "Skills for our Future" forum to be held in Maryborough next Wednesday. The forum, at the Brolga Theatre, will examine practical solutions to this critical issue and challenge participants to convey their individual skills/labour challenges and advise government if there is more they should/could be doing in particular areas. For more information, see the WBBACC's May 28 newsletter.

New Faces At Country Focus June 5, 2007 - Ross and Sandy Towell are the new faces at the Country Focus community newspaper which is distributed fortnightly in Nanango Shire, Yarraman and Cooyar. They can be contacted at 57 Drayton Street, Nanango, on (07) 4171-0753 or reached by email

Workshops Explain Succession Planning June 4, 2007 - The Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation, in conjunction with AusIndustry, is presenting two Succession Planning workshops in the South Burnett this month. The workshops will be held on June 12 at Kingaroy TAFE College and on June 13 at the new conference centre at Bahun Jal Mono at Ficks Crossing, near Murgon. They will cover topics such as smooth inter-generational handovers, exit strategies to reduce tax and retirement options. Cost is $30. For more information - including starting times - and to book, phone BIEDO on (07) 5484-1652.

ASK Flying High on Biz June 1, 2007 - Peter McNamara, from Air Services Kingaroy (ASK), is the latest South Burnett business to take advantage of a free poster page on Southburnett.biz. ASK is based at Kingaroy Airport and offers flight training in recreational aircraft as well as recreational aircraft maintenance, overhauls and repairs. Peter can be contacted on (07) 4163-2733 or by email

Relay For Life On Again! May 31, 2007 - The South Burnett Relay For Life community fund-raising event - which was such a huge success last year! - is on again in August but at a new venue ... the Kingaroy Showgrounds. The event will start at 3pm on Saturday August 25 and conclude at 9am on Sunday August 26. Teams of between 10 and 15 people will each aim to raise $1000 to aid in the fight against cancer. Last year in Kingaroy 44 teams raised an amazing $71,000 for cancer research and patient services! For more information about this year's event, visit the Relay For Life website or phone Storme Vunderink on 0411-339-772.

Craig Lowndes To Visit For Store Opening May 30, 2007 - Australian V8 Supercar driver and 2006 Bathurst 1000 winner Craig Lowndes (right) will be coming to Kingaroy on Saturday to be the guest at the grand opening of Star Tyrepower's renovated premises at 190 Haly Street. Lowndes will be in-store to meet fans and sign autographs. Star Tyrepower's Peter Ploetz has also organised a sausage sizzle from 10am-2pm and there will be a live broadcast by Radio C-FM to add to the atmosphere.

Community Fund Calls For Submissions May 29, 2007 - Rio Tinto Coal Australia's Tarong Mine Community Development Fund is calling for applications for its funding round which closes on June 15. Since 1999, the fund has distributed almost $1.2 million to community-led projects in Kingaroy, Nanango and the northern part of Rosalie Shire. It aims to assist projects that will help local communities meet economic, social and educational challenges. Guidelines are available from Margie Magnussen on (07) 4160-7231.

Tarong Energy Opens Info Centre May 28, 2007 - Tarong Energy has opened a information centre in Yarraman to provide local communities and property owners in the New Acland and Kunioon coal transport corridors with information about the project. The centre is located at 13A Margaret Street (opposite the IGA Supermarket) and is open Tuesday-Thursday from 9am to 5pm. A community sausage sizzle will be held outside the centre this Friday (June 1) from noon-4pm.

Last Chance To Have Your Say On Council Mergers! May 25, 2007 - 5pm today is the deadline for councillors, council employees, ratepayers ... in fact anyone concerned about the forced amalgamation of local councils ... to have their say to the review commitee. The Local Government Association of Queensland-sponsored website Local Democracy explains how you can make a formal submission to the State Government (which may be a bit late now) but also includes a feedback form which will be forwarded to Premier Peter Beattie, Local Government Minister Andrew Fraser and State MPs. This is an opportunity for all residents to have their say on what the future boundaries of our South Burnett councils should look like.

Shadylane Vineyard To Host Meet and Greet May 24, 2007 - The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry's May Meet'n'Greet will be held from 5:30pm next Monday at Shadylane Vineyard Cottages, 293 Weekes Road. Topics for discussion include: An overview from Kingaroy Shire Council on the council amalgamation issue, Discussion re the retention of historic railway infrastructure in the CBD, A presentation by South Burnett CTC on student work placements, and An overview of planning for the new-look 2007 Peanut Festival. KCCI members ($11) and non-members ($14) are invited to attend but for catering purposes, please RSVP to the Chamber today on (07) 4162-8466.

2007 Wine Conference in Toowoomba May 23, 2007 - South Burnett wineries and grape growers have been invited to attend the 2007 Wine Business Conference which will be held in Toowoomba on July 24. Conference topics include consumer trends in wine, marketing and branding, vineyard management and inventory management. Cost is $45 (including lunch). Booking forms and more information can be downloaded from the State Government's wine industry development website.