Home Page

New Computer Enterprise at SBEC February 12, 2007 - Michael Pinwill and James Eckart have just opened a new computer consultancy business based at the South Burnett Enterprise Centre in Kingaroy. Cyonic, located in Shed 11, offers services in computer repairs and networking, hardware and software sales, website design and hosting, software development, system engineering and contingency planning. They can be contacted on (07) 4162-5300 or by email.

Kingaroy Workers In The Running February 9, 2007 - Are you an officeworker putting on a few kilos? Well, there's no excuse now with the formation of a new social running group in Kingaroy with times designed for busy workers. The Kingaroy Running Group has no joining fees and offers running times for both seasoned runners and beginners: Thursday - 5:45am, Memorial Park, Women's Beginners Group Thursday - 6:15pm, Apex Park, Mixed Group Training Session There's also a 9:15am session in Memorial Park on Mondays for Women Beginners and a mixed group run on alternate Saturdays from 5:30pm at changing venues. For more information on any of these groups, contact Colleen on (07) 4162-5146.

Ellis Equipment Showcased In US February 8, 2007 - Kingaroy's own Ellis Equipment will be showcased at the world's largest farm show, World Ag Expo 2007, which is being held in the United States next week. The agricultural machinery manufacturer, who will be highlighting their Hardhitter range of "wear parts with muscle", is one of 30 Aussie agribusinesses to be hosted by Austrade in the Australian Pavilion at the Expo, which is being held in California from February 13-15. The 40th annual World Ag Expo will feature 1600 exhibitors from 60 countries who will be displaying the latest innovations in agricultural equipment, technology, products and services to an audience of more than 100,000 visitors.

CROW On The Move In Murgon February 7, 2007 - CROW-FM has relocated its Murgon shopfront from 80 Gore Street to 114 Lamb Street - the old JJs Sound Centre music store. The new CROW-FM Shop will sell CDs, music and music products as well as being an agency for Goodyear Jewellers. It will also handle advertising sales for CROW-FM. CROW-FM's Murgon representative Brendon Smith can be contacted on (07) 4169-5907.

Grant Writing Workshop In Kingaroy February 6, 2007 - Does your group need money? If so, the Wide Bay Burnett Area Consultative Committee will be presenting a "Guide to Grant Writing Workshop" in Kingaroy next month. The one-day workshop, to be held at the South Burnett Enterprise Centre from 9:30am on Saturday March 3, will cover the following topics: Grant sources Saving time in grant submissions - developing a re-usable template Hints when submitting a grant application Winning/Losing - what to do in each case How to write progress reports/acquitting funding/evaluation outcomes The workshop has been heavily subsidised to keep costs down to $25 per head. Positions are limited, so early bookings are encouraged. For more information, download the flyer or contact Roberta on (07) 4121-7099.

Online Maps Lost in Cyberspace February 5, 2007 - Google today unveiled their new Google Maps Australia online and mobile service which allows you to burrow down to street name level in towns right across Australia. This could prove to be a handy service for anyone looking to find their way around the South Burnett ... but it's by no means perfect. For example, Kingaroy Railway Station is still clearly marked (pity there's no trains) and O'Neill Square doesn't exist (it's still part of Mary Street). Memorial Park (home of Wine and Food in the Park next month) is called "Kingaroy Park", and a non-existent road looping around the Industrial Estate is clearly shown ... and this is just Kingaroy. So be warned!

Tarong Fund Calls For Submissions February 2, 2007 - Rio Tinto Coal Australia's Tarong Mine Community Development Fund is calling for applications for its funding round which closes on February 9. 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. NB. The fund has assisted many worthwhile South Burnett projects get off the ground ... including this website!

No Decision Yet On Mine: Tarong Energy February 1, 2007 - Tarong Energy yesterday scotched widespread rumours that a decision to go ahead with the Kunioon Mine, near Kingaroy, had already been made. Group Manager for Coal Mining Mark Turner, pictured at right with KCCI President Rob Patch and Jenny Todd (TEC), emphasised at a KCCI Breakfast Meeting that no decision had yet been made between the three options - New Acland, Glen Wilga or Kunioon. He said it was a "very complex" decision which had to balance quality and quantity of the coal, geography, transport and mining costs, combustion and engineering issues as well as community and environmental impacts. A team of more than 100 people were still evaluating these issues. The KCCI is concerned that if Kunioon does not go ahead, the impact on the Kingaroy economy will be enormous. "As a community we have everything to lose in this, while the other communities have everything to gain, " Kingaroy mayor Cr Roger Nunn noted. "But council is in a bit of a dilemma about how far we should go with talking to the shareholders of the power station and the Board. Do you feel we should lobby in any way to try to get the Kunioon message across?" Mr Turner said Tarong Energy valued what the community had to say. Although community impact was already factored into the decision-making process, lobbying "would clearly send a signal" and he would encourage it. Have your say on Kunioon! Write to the South Burnett Times or any of the people listed on the KCCI website

Everyone Has A Story ... January 31, 2007 - Do you have memories (or photographs) about life in earlier times in Kingaroy? Then Kingaroy Memoirs wants to hear from you! This project, which is being co-ordinated by Steve Lancaster at the South Burnett Enterprise Centre, has volunteers collecting, scanning and repairing photographs, residents being interviewed, and videotapes and films being collected and collated. The finished DVD will be given to local organisations to distribute. Steve can be contacted on (07) 4162-9051 if you have memories to share (or if you'd like to volunteer to help with this project)

Country Star Heads Festival Line-Up January 30, 2007 - Leading Australian singer/songwriter Graeme Connors, (right), will be heading the entertainment line-up at this year's Tarong Mine Wine and Food in the Park Festival on March 10 in Kingaroy. Connors has recorded 13 top-selling albums (including the Platinum album "North"), won 11 Golden Guitar awards and penned songs for artists as diverse as John Denver, Jon English and Slim Dusty. The Wine and Food Festival will also feature the fifth annual PCA South Burnett Regional Culinary Competition which will again feature local chefs demonstrating their skills on stage and competing for great prizes.

Show Society Launches Website January 29, 2007 - The Nanango AP & M Society Inc (better known as the Nanango Show Society) has unveiled its new website. The society not only organises the annual Nanango Show in April and the immensely popular monthly Nanango markets, it also looks after the Nanango Campdraft and the Nanango Country Music Muster. The website includes details about all these events and more! Sandra Shearn from the Nanango AP & M can be contacted on (07) 4163-1273 or by email

Tarong Energy To Address KCCI Members January 26, 2007 - The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry's next breakfast meeting will feature a presentation by Tarong Energy personnel about the Kunioon Mine and other topics. The Breakfast Meeting will be held in the main dining area of the Kingaroy RSL Club from 7am on Wednesday January 31. Cost is $12.50 for a hot breakfast. Bookings please to Lis on (07) 4162-8466 by January 29 for catering purposes.

Testimonial Dinner For Long-Serving CEO January 25, 2007 - A testimonial dinner will be held next week for Wondai Shire Council Chief Executive Officer Alan Keates OAM who is retiring after 42 years of dedicated service to the council. Mr Keates, who has served 32 years as Shire Clerk / Chief Executive Officer, will be guest of honour at the dinner which will be held from 6:30pm on Saturday February 3, 2007 at Wondai Memorial Hall. Cost is $20.00 for a three-course meal and entertainment by Tom McCahon. Limited tickets are available and bookings should be made to Wondai Shire Council on (07) 4169-2555.

Honey, Come Home! January 24, 2007 - Has anyone seen Honey? While we don't usually publish lost dog requests, this one is special because it has a business twist. Honey the golden labrador, (right), is an integral part of Deshons Retreat B&B in Kingaroy so it's not only the Deshon family that are missing her, the guests are traumatised too ... She wandered off on Saturday morning with a new blue heeler pup. The pup was returned yesterday, but no Honey. She is very friendly, a little deaf and is wearing a leather collar and "Honey" tag. If anyone has any information please phone Jayne on 0438-040-548.

eBay Workshop in Kingaroy January 24, 2007 - If you have Internet access (and, of course you must if you're reading this), you may have wondered at some time about selling on eBay. Well, the State Development Centre has organised the workshop for you! The eBay for Small Business workshop will be held at Kingaroy RSL Club on February 7 from 6-9pm. Topics covered will include safe trading, how to handle disputes and growing your business. Cost is $27.50 which will include light refreshments. Bookings are essential by email or phone 13-26-50.

Kunioon Mine - Have Your Say! January 23, 2007 - The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry is urging local residents to have their say on the proposed Kunioon Mine development. The KCCI is concerned about the economic effect on the region if the mine does not go ahead. A list of people to write to has been published on Page 3 of today's South Burnett Times newspaper and is also available on the KCCI website. However, if you do not have the time to write a letter, you can still make your voice heard. The SBT has also published a poll coupon which you can fill in, clip out and drop off to the SBT office in Haly Street, Kingaroy. Have your say!

Luke Offers On-Site Welding Service January 22, 2007 - Luke Cooke Light Engineering, based at Tansey, is one of the latest businesses to be added to SBBiz. Luke, who can be contacted on 0438-221-558 or by email offers an on-site service for welding and repairs. He also does machining and lathe work and has steel and industrial supplies for sale.

Hope Farm Is New B&B Retreat January 19, 2007 - Kingaroy Shire has another new B&B ... Hope Farm Retreat which is located on top of the Booie Range at 637 Kingaroy-Barkers Creek Road. Owners Karyn and Wayne Walker can be contacted on (07) 4163-6265 or by email. Hope Farm Retreat is a fully self-contained two bedroom cottage which sleeps four. It features a fireplace and reverse cycle air conditioning plus 180 degree views overlooking the valley and bushland.

Preliminary Assessment Suggests Council Merger January 18, 2007 - The Preliminary Report from the Northern Downs Size, Shape and Sustainability review of Rosalie and Crows Nest Shire Councils has been released for public comment. The report, which shows that a merger of the two Councils would have a "significant advantage" over other options, can be downloaded or is available at no cost at various locations in both shires. An independent facilitator Mr Noel Playford was appointed by the two councils to assist them with the review. The four options assessed were: Resource Sharing Through Service Agreements Resource Sharing Through Joint Enterprise Significant Boundary Changes Merger / Amalgamation Comments and suggestions must be received in writing by 4pm on Monday 19th February 2007 at Rosalie Shire Council, PO Box 50, Goombungee, 4354 or Crows Nest Shire Council, PO Box 35, Crows Nest, Qld, 4355. Public meetings will be held on Monday 5th February at the Community Hall, Old Homebush Road, Gowrie Junction and on Tuesday 6th February at the Memorial Hall, Munro Street, Cooyar.

Kunioon Mine Key To South Burnett Economy January 17, 2007 - If Tarong Energy does not give the green light to the development of the Kunioon coal deposit near Kingaroy, the South Burnett economy faces the loss of up to 500 jobs and $100 million a year, the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry has warned. Kunioon is vying with mines at Glen Wilga (near Chinchilla) and the New Acland mine to be selected as the preferred coal supplier when the Meandu mine at Tarong closes in three years time. KCCI President Rob Patch said the loss of jobs, both directly as mine employees and contractors, and indirectly in the local community would have an enormous effect. Click here to read the full press release (51kb)