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Helen Takes Top Prize at PCA Cook-Off March 12, 2007 - Kingaroy Hotel-Motel chef Helen Pratt, (right), took out the major prize for "Best Overall Dish" at the fifth annual PCA South Burnett Regional Culinary Competition in Kingaroy on Saturday. Helen prepared a white chocolate cheesecake on a peanut/biscuit crumb base served in a partially hollowed out dragonfruit served with a blueberry kir made with Cranes sparkling shiraz. The "Best Matching of Dish and South Burnett Wine" category was won by Karen Ford (Kingaroy Hospital Auxiliary) for her Peanut and Kahlua Pie dessert served with Crane Wines Late Harvest Frontignac. The "Most Innovative Use of Peanuts in the Cooking Process or Presentation" prize was won by Ben Best (SB Food Distributors) for his organic duck breast served with a peanut, pear and chili salsa Encouragement Awards were given to apprentices Matthew McMurdy (The Bell Tower Restaurant), Lance Webb (Taabinga Room Restaurant, Kingaroy TAFE) and Margaret Powell (Kingaroy Hotel-Motel).

Commerce Qld Training Calendar March 9, 2007 - Commerce Queensland officers visited the KCCI recently to remind local businesses they offer a range of training courses covering workplace health and safety, professional development and management skills. The courses are usually held in Toowoomba but in-house training can also be arranged. The latest training calendar, which covers January to June 2007, can be downloaded here (312kb PDF). For more information, contact Commerce Queensland on (07) 4639-3277 or visit the CQ website

Australian Hotel Sold March 8, 2007 - There's been a string of changes at South Burnett hotels lately. Jill Tiernan has sold The Australian Hotel-Motel, (right), in Murgon and is heading off to enjoy her retirement. The Tiernan family has owned the hotel for 85 years - possibly an Australian record - and Warren Muller is the new manager. There are also new operators at the "Broady" ... the Broadway Hotel in Kingaroy Street. Warren and Brett Macbeth have taken over the running of this well-known Kingaroy pub. And at the Commercial Hotel in Haly Street, Kingaroy, Restaurant 167 is about to open after extensive renovations.

Is Exporting For You? March 7, 2007 - A workshop to be held in Kingaroy later this month may help you to answer this question ... is exporting for you? The workshop, the first of a series of five to be held throughout the Wide Bay region, will evaluate the export capability of your business as well as introduce the government agencies that can help. It will be held on Wednesday, March 21, from 11am to 12:30pm at the Kingaroy RSL Club. The workshop is free but registrations are essential. Phone the State Development Centre on 13-26-50 or email Jan Carlson by March 14.

WBBACC Seeking Committee Members March 6, 2007 - The Wide Bay Burnett Area Consultative Committee is seeking suitably qualified volunteers interested in becoming a WBBACC member. Area Consultative Committees provide a link between the Federal Government, business and community. The WBBACC is seeking expressions of interest from people involved in business, government or the community. Selection criteria and more information about the role of ACC members can be obtained by phone on (07) 4121-7099 or email. Expressions of interest must be lodged with the WBBACC by March 12, 2007.

Cooking for Living March 5, 2007 - Interested in learning how to cook nutritious meals for the family? Kingaroy Community Health Centre, in conjunction with The Artists Cottage, is holding a series of cooking lessons on Tuesdays from 5pm-7pm at Kingaroy State High School. Cost is free but bring along enough cash to cover the cost of ingredients (about $15, but this varies depending upon the recipe cooked). Places are strictly limited and the courses run for just six weeks. To book - or for further information - phone (07) 4162-9220.

Two Councillors Selected For Forum March 2, 2007 - Cr Keith Campbell (Kingaroy) and Mayor Cr David Carter (Wondai) are among the 10 new representatives selected to serve on the Wide Bay Burnett Ministerial Regional Community Forum. Other Forum members are Don Gayler (Hervey Bay), Warren Holloway (Bundaberg), Zoe Jameson (Miriam Vale), Jim Mullet (Kolan), Barbara Paterson (Maryborough), Judy Pippen (Isis), Lorraine Pyefinch (Bundaberg) and Stephanie Whitaker (Biggenden). The Forum is a voluntary group which advises the State Government on regional issues. Forum members represent a broad cross-section of social, economic and environmental interests throughout the region. They will be holding their first meeting on March 26.

Polly is Going Nuts in Kingaroy! March 1, 2007 - Meet Polly Birchall, (right), who began work yesterday at the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry as the 2007 Peanut Festival co-ordinator. Polly recently moved to Kingaroy from the United Kingdom with her husband and young family and is already making a great impression in the local community. Welcome Polly to Kingaroy and the Peanut Festival!

Computer Bytes For Anglers February 28, 2007 - The DPI&F has released a nifty electronic calendar - actually a screensaver - which includes fishing news, hints and cartoons. It also includes information on moon phases and school holidays as well as practical help on fishing rules and regulations. Best of all, the DPI&F promises that it will automatically update itself each month. The screensaver - and copies of the guide to Qld Recreational Fishing Rules and Regulations - can be downloaded from the DPI&F website

Helen Can Pamper You! February 27, 2007 - Beauty therapist Helen Jenkins recently opened her Classique Skin and Beauty Clinic at 19 Wieden Street, Kingaroy. Helen offers "pamper packages" as well as the usual range of beauty treatments including facials, waxing, tinting and make-up. She can be contacted on (07) 4162-7311.

Latest WBBACC Newsletter Available February 26, 2007 - The latest edition of the Wide Bay Burnett Area Consultative Committee's electronic Regional Update is now available online. The electronic newsletter is designed to provide 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

Good News for Country Brides February 23, 2007 - A Country Bride, at 43 Edwards Street, Wondai, specialises in new and pre-loved wedding fashions ... with bridal gowns starting from an amazing $100 and ranging to $600. Owners Cindy McLachlan and Helen Dempsey also have gowns for bridesmaids and flowergirls as well as formal and ball gowns. They also stock accessories such as tiaras, veils, wraps, jewellery etc. They can be contacted on (07) 4169-0536 or by email

Award-Winning Author Listed February 22, 2007 - Murgon author Barbara Hartmann King, who penned the Australia Day Cultural Prize-winning novel Coloured Sands, (right), is one of the latest listings on SBBiz. Coloured Sands is the first of a planned trilogy. The second novel, Valley of the Eagle, has also been released. Barbara's books are available from the Murgon Information Centre or from her website

Seminar on WorkChoices Agreements February 21, 2007 - Commerce Queensland will be hosting another of their WorkChoices seminars in Kingaroy next month. This information session - aimed at employers - is on agreement making and includes information on mandatory and prohibited content. The seminar will be held at Kingaroy RSL on March 7 from 9am to 11am. It is free but bookings are essential by March 5. For further details contact Gail Clifford on 1300-138-470, by email or download a flyer (147kb PDF)

Kingaroy Airport to Host $60,000 UAV Competition February 20, 2007 - A competition with $60,000 in prizes to design, build and fly unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will be held in Kingaroy from September 24-27 this year. The Australian Research Centre for Aerospace Automation's inaugural Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Challenge - Outback Rescue competition is the first of its kind in Australia and is open to secondary and university students, as well as hobbyists and film makers. Competitors will design and build a UAV and put it through its paces in a hypothetical course that will involve dropping off emergency medical supplies to people lost in the bush. There are three categories: for high schools, uni students and others; and the best documentary about a team preparing for the Outback Challenge.

Special Women's Business ... February 19, 2007 - The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry will be throwing light on some special Women's Business in Kingaroy later this month. Guest speakers from Ladies Initiating Prosperity and Success (LIPS) will be presenting hints on life balance, time management, goal management, planning, decluttering, self-motivation and healthy relationships. Then guest speakers from the National Australia Bank will be talking about financial planning and wealth creation. The all-day women's seminar will be held on Tuesday February 27 at the Kingaroy Hotel-Motel Restaurant in Youngman Street from 8:45am to 3:00pm. Cost is $30 per person, which includes morning tea and lunch. Bookings to the KCCI on (07) 4162-8466 ASAP! Funding for this event was provided by the State Government's Office for Women's 2006 Partnership Grants Program.

Grand Opening of Largest Mitre 10 Store February 16, 2006 - The official "grand opening" of Turner's Mitre 10 Home & Trade store - the largest Mitre 10 Home and Trade store in Queensland - will take place from 8am tomorrow at Rogers Drive, Kingaroy. Turner's Timber and Hardware section relocated into the new complex in November and the hardware area opened a few days before Christmas but an offical opening was held off until the store was fully stocked. The official opening will include presentations by celebrity design presenter Tara Dennis at 10am, 11:30am and 1:15pm, entertainment by Kingaroy State High School band, free face painting and jumping castle, animal nursery, Lions Club sausage sizzle and wine tasting.

KCCI Farewells Project Officer February 15, 2007 - The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry is today farewelling Project Officer Lis Buzzo (right). Lis shepherded the KCCI through the 2006 Peanut Festival, Christmas Carnival and the very successful Heritage Business Awards night. She was also the "voice" of the KCCI on Radio KFM and in the Kingaroy Mail for the past nine months and organised the Chamber's popular "Women In Business" group and Meet'n'Greets. Although she finishes officially with the KCCI today, she'll still be working in the background for a while to assist the new Project Officer to settle in to the role. She has resigned to take up a position with John Provan Building. All the best Lis!

Two New Local Websites Listed February 14, 2007 - Two new websites have been listed on SBBiz this week ... for Musician's Oasis and Dimitie's Cottage Restaurant and Tea Gardens. Musician's Oasis, at 20 Alford Street, Kingaroy, sells musical instruments and sheet music as well as offering tuition in drums, guitar, bass, piano, saxaphone, clarinet, flute and trumpet. Brett and Angelina Chaseling can be contacted on (07) 4162-4523. Dimitie's Cottage, at 49 Haly Street, Wondai, serves light lunches as well as hosting functions and regular smorgasbords and pasta nights. The Mitchell family can be contacted on (07) 4168-5744.

Database To Track Rural Training Needs February 13, 2007 - The DPI&F has launched a new online tool to assist government planners identify what training is needed - and where - in rural Queensland. Farmers - and anyone else associated with rural industries - have been invited to log on to the Skills Telegraph website and record their training needs. The online database is part of the DPI&F's Rural, Skills, Training and Labour Strategy aimed to develop a sustainable workforce in rural communities.