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Bundaberg Solution To Forum Request November 30, 2006 - A Skilling Solutions Queensland office will be established in Bundaberg - with a mobile consultant to service other regional towns - in response to a request made at the Ministerial Regional Community Forum held in Kingaroy in June. The forum requested that a face-to-face training and career information service be established in the Wide Bay-Burnett Region with a mobile outreach capacity. The official State Government response to the forum can be downloaded here (40kb PDF)

Worried About Bird Flu? November 29, 2006 - The Department of Environment, Health and Community Services has provided the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry with booklets entitled "Being Prepared for a Human Influenza Pandemic". These are aimed at the business community and encourage strategic planning within businesses to cope with the effects of a pandemic. A limited number of copies are available at the the KCCI Office at O'Neill Square, Kingaroy. Further information is also available on the Federal Government's Pandemic Business Continuity website

Cole Inquiry Clears Kingaroy Company November 28, 2006 - South Burnett-based duboisia processor Alkaloids of Australia has been cleared of allegations that it paid illegal kickbacks to the Iraqi government of Saddam Hussein. In his report released yesterday, Commissioner Terence Cole said there was no basis for any adverse findings against Alkaloids, its directors or its export manager Chris Joyce. "I am satisfied that neither Alkaloids nor Mr Joyce paid, agreed to pay or intended to pay any 10 per cent fee to Iraq," Mr Cole wrote. "The evidence does not establish that Alkaloids of Australia, its directors or Mr Joyce might have breached any Commonwealth, State or Territory law by Alkaloids exporting hyoscine to Iraq during the oil-for-food program." A full report can be found on The Australian's website.

November Tourism Talk November 27, 2006 - South Burnett Local Government Association Tourism Project Officer Narelle Duggan has released the latest edition of South Burnett Tourism Talk, her regular newsletter on tourism happenings around the region. This edition includes a review of the Peter Howard Masterclass at The Belltower, information on the Great Bunya Drive launch and the Regional Tourism Association Annual Conference. Click here to download Tourism Talk (309kb PDF).

Bethany Finalist in State Awards November 24, 2006 - Congratulations to Bethany Cottages, who was a finalist in the Hosted Accommodation section at the recent Queensland tourism awards. Bethany, run by John and Karyn Bjelke-Petersen, was the only South Burnett tourism business to make it into the finals although the Fraser Coast South Burnett Regional Tourism Board was a finalist in the Destination Marketing category for its Fraser Coast campaign. Click here for a full list of winners and finalists

Bio Fuel Forum On Tomorrow November 23, 2006 - Don't forget the Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation's Bio Fuels Regional Forum will be held in Kingaroy tomorrow. Companies and councils that use alternative energy and fuels for vehicles and machinery - as well as industry technicians - will be discussing the production, processing and use of bio-fuels. The forum will be held at the Kingaroy TAFE College from 8:30am. For more information about the forum download an information pack (117kb) and registration form (88kb)

Football Websites Kick Off! November 22, 2006 - Two new South Burnett soccer websites have been launched in recent weeks. The first belongs to Kingaroy Junior Soccer Club and the second to South Burnett Football, the controlling body for all senior and junior soccer in the South Burnett. Both websites were built by Martin Stern, self-confessed football tragic and Queensland Roar fan, from South Burnett-based Print and Beyond

Community Feedback Sought Over Ash Storage November 21, 2006 - Tarong Energy has identified dry land storage as the best option available for its new storage area for ash from Tarong and Tarong North power stations. An Environmental Impact Statement has been compiled and went on display at Nanango, Kingaroy and Yarraman libraries yesterday for community feedback. It will remain on display until Monday, December 18. As well, a series of community information sessions has also been scheduled: November 29 - Nanango Cultural Centre, 10am-2pm and 4pm-8pm November 30 - Kingaroy Town Hall, 10am-2pm and 4pm-8pm December 1 - Yarraman Community Hall, 8am-noon

Building Supplies In New Complex November 20, 2006 - Turner's Timber and Hardware has relocated from Kingaroy Street, Kingaroy, into the brand new Mitre 10 Home and Trade Store complex, (above), at Lot 10 Rogers Drive (just near Huston Ford). The rest of the complex, which will be Queensland's biggest Mitre 10 Home and Trade Store, is expected to open in the New Year.

LNQ Sponsors Pastel Workshop November 17, 2006 - Learning Network Queensland (located in the old bus terminal building in Glendon Street, Kingaroy) has organised a Pastel Painting Workshop with well-known local artist Karol Oakley on November 28. Karol has works in both public and private collections around Australia and overseas. This is an opportunity to try your hand at something different! The workshop will run from 9am to 2:30pm and a pastel starter pack is included. For more information, phone Suzanne Veivers on (07) 4162-4455. Bookings are essential.

Business at Breakfast November 16, 2006 - The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce will be holding another of their popular Business Breakfasts from 7am on Tuesday December 5 at the Kingaroy RSL Club. This will be the last social function for the KCCI for 2006 and an opportunity to meet the newly elected Executive. Guest speaker will be recently appointed South Burnett magistrate Steve Guttridge. Start the day with a hot breakfast and great company! Cost is $12.50 per person and bookings are essential. Phone Lis on (07) 4162-8466.

Jobfind Centre Comes To Kingaroy November 15, 2006 - JobNetwork agency SkillCentred at 19 Markwell Street, Kingaroy, is no more ... it's now a branch of Jobfind Centres Australia. Jobfind Centres Australia was established in 1998 and is part of the privately owned Angus Knight Group. They have a string of branches in NSW, the Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania. SkillCentred Queensland began in Gympie almost 30 years ago and grew to have more than 20 offices throughout southern Queensland. Phone contact details for the Kingaroy office remain the same.

South Burnett's First Podcasts? November 14, 2006 - You may have heard ABC Radio spruiking its podcasts (downloadable audio files that you can play on your PC or iPod), but did you know that podcasts have now come to the South Burnett? James Barclay's South Burnett Maidenwell Astronomical Observatory website has begun posting podcasts, including one about the recent Transit of Mercury. The next special event planned at the Observatory is an all-night vigil on the Maidenwell Sports Oval from 11pm on November 18 to dawn (weather permitting) to watch the famous Leonids meteor shower. For more information phone James (above) on (07) 4164-6194 or 0427-961-391. And while you're there, why not check out the new 60-seat Education Centre and Star Theatre which the Observatory recently added to its list of attractions?

Four New Faces on KCCI Executive November 13, 2006 - Four new members were elected to the Executive at the Annual General Meeting of the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce & Industry last week. The new faces are John Boland, Maria Lynch, Sharon Bale and Peter Ploetz. The executive for 2006-07 is President Rob Patch (The Peanut Van), Vice-President Dave Chadwick (C.Q. Tec-Service), Treasurer Trudy Muller (South Burnett Book-Keeping), Secretary Anne Miller (AM Publishing) and Executive Members Sharon Bale (National Australia Bank), Karyn Bjelke-Petersen (Bethany Cottages), John Boland (Shadylane Farm Vineyard Cottages), Keith Campbell (Kingaroy Shire Council), Maria Lynch (BGA Real Estate), Bruce Partridge (South Burnett Times), Peter Ploetz (Star Tyrepower), Bernadette Upton (Kingaroy Veterinary Surgery) and Jennifer Walters (Argue & Co).

Quota Club Unveils New Website November 10, 2006 - Quota International Club of Kingaroy this week launched their new website with news about the club's activities. Club members meet at 7pm on the second Monday of every month at the "Biscuit Tin", the small building behind St Mary's Church Hall at 15 Albert Street, Kingaroy.

Kingaroy Cheese On Brisbane Menu November 9, 2006 - Chris Ganzer from Kingaroy Cheese is tickled pink that his Stuart River Triple Cream Brie has been chosen to be served at this year's Queensland Tourism Awards in Brisbane on November 17. "And most importantly, it is not a sponsorship (something unusual in this era)," Chris said yesterday. "I have made the assumption that this is due to the hard-working people at Tourism Queensland and the Department of Wine Industry Development." Chris said sales of Kingaroy Cheese have increased about 30 per cent for the financial year so far.

Christmas Markets At Durong November 8, 2006 - The annual Durong Country Christmas Markets will be held on Saturday November 25 from 8am at the Durong Community Hall. This is a great opportunity to buy your Christmas gifts and support local community groups such as Durong South State School P&C, Durong Playgroup and the Big Scrub Art Group. There'll be Devonshire teas, a white elephant stall, wooden furniture and toys, plants, shoes, clothes, beads, cosmetics, organic pork and sausages, crafts, paintings, clocks, picture frames, ducks, geese, kittens, turkeys ... plus lots more. To book a stall, contact Leeann on (07) 4168-0273.

KCCI Annual General Meeting November 7, 2006 - The annual general meeting of the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry will be held tomorrow night from 5:30pm in the Chamber office at O'Neill Square, Kingaroy. All KCCI members are urged to attend because a quorum is required for the meeting to proceed! For more information, contact Lis on (07) 4162-8466. For your diaries: The next KCCI Women in Business lunch will be held on Wednesday November 15 at 12:30pm at the Kingaroy Hotel Motel. Guest speaker will be Georgie Somerset from Durong Country Beef. Cost is $10 for KCCI members and $12.50 for non-members.

Two-Day Management Training Seminar November 6, 2006 - Murray Harney, from Harney Financial Planning, and Sunshine Coast accountant Barry Johnson will be holding "Income/Outcome Business Simulations" two-day seminars for business owners and managers later this month. The "world's best practice" management training has been organised by the Wide Bay Burnett Area Consultative Committee and will be held at two venues: November 15-16 - Spinnaker Restaurant, Quay Street, Bundaberg November 21-22 - Kondari Resort, Elizabeth Street, Urangan. Cost is $100 which includes morning and afternoon teas, lunches and workshop notes. For more information contact Peter Gregory on (07) 4121-2300 or download a flyer (449kb PDF)

More Tourists Come To Region November 3, 2006 - The Fraser Coast-South Burnett tourism region was one of only two regions in Queensland which showed an increase in visitors in 2005-2006, according to statistics in the regional tourism board's annual report. The region welcomed 1.3 million domestic and international visitors who stayed a total of 5.3 million nights, an average of 3.9 nights (up from 3.7 nights in 2004-05). Takings from accommodation were a massive $33.7 million. At the Fraser Coast South Burnett AGM held on October 24, John Bjelke-Petersen (Bethany Cottages) was elected to the position of General Industry Representative on the Board. He joins other South Burnett-based representatives - Bruce Hurley (The Left Bank), Carolyn Stone (Passchendaele), Wayne Kratzmann (Tingoora Hotel) and Max Lehmann (Rock-al-Roy).