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Drought Tolerant Plants in Murgon May 11, 2007 - A new listing on SBBiz is the Delheidia Nursery at 15180 Bunya Highway, Murgon. The business, run by Adele Shepherd and Dianne Pour, features drought-tolerant native plants and ornamentals and also sells water crystals to help keep plants healthy in these dry times. Adele and Diana can be contacted on (07) 4168-3845 or by email

First Meeting of New Wine Club May 10, 2007 - Do you love wine? Then the inaugural meeting of the South Burnett Wine Appreciation Society tomorrow from 7:30pm at the 1913 Council Chambers in Edward Street, Kingaroy, should be a highlight of your week! The idea for the new group has come from Tony Harrington who was a member of a similar group in the Granite Belt before moving recently to the local area. The proposal is to form a social club which holds tastings, lunches, dinners etc and generally has a good time. Tomorrow night's meeting will discuss ideas for the new club. For more information, contact Tony on 0428-982-703 or by email

Sunny Ridge Gardens Re-Opens To Public May 9, 2007 - One of the South Burnett's prettiest gardens and outdoor wedding venues, Sunny Ridge Gardens, at 118 Couchmans Road, Kingaroy, is back open to the public after a short closure. Owner Kathy Masters said the gardens are now open 10:00am to 5:00pm on Thursdays to Sundays (entry by donation). Other times and light refreshments can also be arranged. Visitors are invited to wander through the acres of gardens which are also suitable for functions and photo sessions. Buses are also welcome. For more information, contact Kathy on (07) 4162-7090.

Why Do You Love Living In Kingaroy? May 8, 2008 - Children ... here's your chance to win great prizes during Kingaroy Shire Council's Queensland Week Colouring-In Competition. All children in Kingaroy Shire are invited to submit a drawing on A4 paper depicting what they love most about living in the Kingaroy region. Attach your name, address, age, school grade and school name to the entry and either drop it into the Visitor Information Centre in Haly Street (opposite the peanut silos) or mail to PO Box 272, Kingaroy, 4610 by Thursday May 24. Also add a description of the drawing (up to 50 words). The good news is you can enter as many times as you like! The entries will go on display at the Visitor Information Centre during Queensland Week (June 3-10)

Have Your Say On Council Amalgamations! May 4, 2007 - Councillors, council employees, ratepayers ... in fact anyone concerned about the forced amalgamation of local councils (and the sudden axing of the voluntary Size, Shape and Sustainability review which would have involved a referendum in local communities) have been invited to have their say on a new website. The Local Government Association of Queensland-sponsored website Local Democracy explains how you can make a formal submission to the State Government before the May 25 deadline and 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.

Interested in Learning a Trade? May 3, 2007 - The Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation has secured $74,000 from the State Government to co-ordinate trades training across the Inland Burnett. The main focus is on steel fabrication (boiler making, welding, fitting and turning etc) however BIEDO will try to assist anyone interested in other areas. Different training options are available suited to different levels of maturity, experience & skill. For more information contact Tracy Sutton on (07) 4163-6870 or by email. Download an application form (137kb PDF).

KCCI Golf Day Success! May 2, 2007 - The 2007 KCCI Golf Day at Kingaroy Golf Club last Saturday was a huge success despite (or more likely because of) the slightly damp conditions. In a strong turnout, 75 players took to the greens to compete in the three-ball ambrose. Winners were Russ Mackay, Michael Mackay and Greg Nord (pictured at right with KCCI president Rob Patch). Runners-up were Jason Naumann, David Hosking and James Bartlett. Congratulations and many thanks to all the sponsors and competitors who took part!

Guest Speakers To Explain Sharemarket May 1, 2007 - Interested in learning more about the sharemarket? A community education night at the South Burnett Enterprise Centre, 6 Cornish Street, Kingaroy on May 16 may be able to answer some of your questions. The two-hour program, which begins at 7:30pm, will include general information about the sharemarket, the international and national economic outlook for 2007-2008, and an overview of the factors that drive the market. This will be presented by stockbroker Robert Hartwin. Commsec Business Development Manager Stewart Thallon will then explain the Commsec website and different investment options. For more information, contact Valerie Sapin on (07) 4162-2542.

The Last Train To Kingaroy? April 30, 2006 - Fourteen railway "section cars" (small self-propelled vehicles built to run on rail tracks) visited Kingaroy on Saturday as part of a run from Goomeri billed as "The Last Adventure" by the Australian Society of Section Car Operators. Ros Hunting, (right), from Gatton said ASSCO had heard rumours the line was about to be removed so they believed this would be their last opportunity to run down this section of the track. The small "trains" pulled into Kingaroy platform briefly before beginning their return trip to Goomeri.

Ch 7 To Preview Smashing Pumpkins April 27, 2007 - Channel 7's Sunrise show is coming to Goomeri to preview the 11th Annual Goomeri Pumpkin Festival! The Festival (and the Great Australian Pumpkin Roll) will be held on Sunday May 27 and the preview is expected to be filmed on Thursday May 3. The Pumpkin Festival - which has been entered into the Fraser Coast South Burnett Regional Tourism Board's Hall of Fame - attracts more than 13,000 people to Goomeri every May to watch rolling pumpkins meet their doom.

Fig Jam Seeks Assistance April 26, 2007 - Community-minded musicians Fig Jam Music are seeking sponsors and interested musicians for their Boggy Creek Slim Dusty Tribute weekend which will be held in June at Wooroolin. Fig Jam are a bunch of local musicians who provide an outlet for younger and older players to jam as well as teach musical skills to those financially unable to do so. For more information, contact Steve on (07) 4164-2311 or Tony on (07) 4164-2326.

Local Products To Woo Coastal Visitors April 24, 2007 - Carolyn Knudsen, from the South Burnett Visitor Information - Kingaroy, will be spruiking all things South Burnett next month at the first of the '"Taste the Magic / Uncork the Magic" information sessions for volunteers of Sunshine Coast Visitor Information Centres. These are the people who can refer tourists our way, so it's vital that we make a good impression! Carolyn is seeking local products and produce to take with her and is offering to purchase a limited number of consumerables at half price. Each supplier will be featured during the tasting sessions. She is also seeking support from accommodation providers in the form of discount offers and incentives. If your business can help promote the South Burnett, contact Carolyn on (07) 4162-6272 by April 27.

New Faces at Leading Edge Electronics April 23, 2007 - Well-known local businesspeople Kelly and Morty Douglass have taken over Leading Edge Electronics / South Burnett Computer Services in Alford Street, Kingaroy. The computer parts and electronics store also offers computer and network repairs (with 24-hour support Monday to Friday), new computer systems, electronic toys and appliances, software and telephone and communication equipment. Kelly will also be continuing with her own business KJD Digital which handles digital editing and photography; DVD editing; VHS to DVD transfers (specialising in wedding videos) and DV tape and 8mm film to DVD.

Shires To Amalgamate by 2008 April 20, 2007 - The State Government's Local Government Reform Commission - named this week - has been given just three months to recommend new boundaries for amalgamated shires throughout Queensland so they can be established in time for the 2008 council elections. The Size, Shape and Sustainability voluntary review - which had been progressing for more than 12 months in the South Burnett - has been scrapped. The website covering the proposed Crows Nest - Rosalie merger (which was passing through a public consultation process towards a vote by shire residents) has already disappeared. There will be no public vote under the new arrangement although the LGRC "will take submissions from councils, organisations and the community" to assist with their deliberations. For more information, visit the Local Government Reform website to read the Minister's press statement and FAQs, and to download the Local Government Reform report.

Web Targeted By Clay Shooters April 19, 2007 - Kingaroy Clay Target Club has a new website which lists upcoming events, recent results and club photos. The club, which is located opposite Kingaroy Airport, holds regular shoots on the first Sunday of every month and visitors are most welcome. For more information, contact president Gary Brown on (07) 4169-0351 or secretary Steve Kelly on (07) 4162-5122.

Learn How To Manage For Profit April 18, 2007 - The Department of State Development will be hosting two workshops in Kingaroy next month designed to assist small business owners to manage profits and cash. The Managing For Profits workshop will be held from 6-9pm on Wednesday May 9 at Kingaroy RSL Club. This will help identify the financial elements of a small business and how to calculate financial ratios to monitor business performance. The Managing Your Cash workshop, which will cover cashflows, will be held a week later (May 16) at the same time and venue. Cost is $27.50 per workshop, which includes GST and light refreshments. For further information or to register, email State Development.

Caravan Rally Seeks Local Support April 17, 2007 - The Combined Caravan Clubs of Queensland State Rally will be held in Kingaroy from September 26 to October 3 this year ... and a staggering 350 plus caravans are expected! The last time they dropped by (in March for a quick preview of the town) they spent an amazing $55,000 in just three days. And this was just 60 vans! The organisers are publishing a Rally Program which will be distributed to all the visitors. It will feature things to do and see in the local area. They are now seeking advertising support from South Burnett businesses to help offset the cost. This should be a great opportunity for all local businesses to target their goods and services directly to these visitors. For more information, contact Bob McKernon on 0408-887-139 or by email or download the attached ad booking form (77kb PDF)

Bush and Beach in Kingaroy April 16, 2007 - Hivesville artist Shannus O'Sullivan, (right), has a whimsical series of bush and beach works on display at the Kingaroy Shire Art Gallery this month. Shannus made the South Burnett home in 2004 and is currently putting the finishing touches to a gallery and work area at his Hivesville home. This is his second showing in Kingaroy and his 36th one-man show. The artworks will be on display at the Kingaroy Shire Art Gallery in Haly Street until the end of April.

Jim and Marg On Track In Kingaroy April 13, 2007 - Jim Macdonald and Marg Tainton have just moved their Trak Upholstery business to Kingaroy Shire. They specialise in furniture upholstery but also do trimming for cars, boats, trucks and tractors. And you don't have to carry your heavy furniture around town for a quote! Just ring, and they'll come out and see you. Jim and Marg can be contacted on (07) 4163-6674 or by email.

Learn How To Protect Your Identity April 12, 2007 - Did you know identity fraud is the fastest growing crime in the world? Detective Senior-Constable Rod Shelton from the Qld Fraud Squad will be presenting an information session on Identity Fraud at the Town Common Hall in Oliver Bond Street from 7pm on Wednesday May 9 ... so mark your diaries! The evening, presented by Kingaroy Neighbourhood Watch in conjunction with Kingaroy Police, will cover methods used to obtain false IDs, the costs to the community, credit card skimming and how individuals can prevent identity theft. All local businesses and interested community members are invited to attend. Admission is free but please RSVP for catering purposes to Shane or Peter at Kingaroy Police Station on (07) 4160-4900 by April 27.