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Coalition Vows To Seal Bunya Mountains Road June 1, 2006 - While the national media was in a spin about merger talk, Nanango Shire residents will probably be more interested in another result from the gathering of National and Liberal Party politicians in Kingaroy yesterday. If elected at the next State poll, they've promised to seal the "missing link", the gravel gap in the Maidenwell-Bunya Mountains Road which has been discouraging tourists from visiting the Bunya Mountains from the Nanango side. National Party candidate John Bjelke-Petersen has been pushing for some time for the Coalition to look at including this in their election package. Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg (pictured above with John Bjelke-Petersen and Shadow Treasurer and Deputy Opposition Leader Bob Quinn), confirmed last night that this was now the case ...

Food Forum At Taabinga Homestead May 31, 2006 - An all-day forum aimed at food manufacturing businesses will be held from 9:45am on Tuesday June 13 at Taabinga Homestead, just south of Kingaroy on Stuart Valley Drive (off the Bunya Highway). The free forum - organised by the State Development Centre Maryborough / Hervey Bay - will include an update on the Food Act 2006, a talk by Mr Bryant Ham (president of the Food Industry Machinery Manufacturers Australia) and an overview of "Latitude 25", a food and beverage network. Morning tea and lunch will be provided. For more information or to book, phone Bridget Evans on (07) 4125-9270 or download the attached registration form (218kb PDF)

Bunya Mountains Guide To Be Launched May 30, 2006 - A new tourism publication, A Guide To The Bunya Mountains, will be officially unveiled this Saturday (June 3) at the Bunya Mountains. The 60-page guide has been written by Wayne Ellis, author of "Silent Sentinels: A Guide to the Glasshouse Mountains", and is designed to help tourists discover the natural beauty and secrets of the Bunya Mountains. Copies will be available at the Bunya Forest Gallery.

Warm Welcome To Lis! May 29, 2006 - A big hello to the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry's new project officer Lis Buzzo, right, who officially took up her new role today! Lis will be organising all the Chamber's functions from now on, including Meet'n'Greets and Women In Business lunches, and will have a major role in the Peanut Festival, Christmas Carnival and 2006 Business Awards. She was formerly with Centacare South Burnett. Welcome aboard Lis!

Two More Real Estate Agencies Open May 26, 2006 - Two new real estate agencies have opened their doors in Kingaroy. Former Booie vintner John Crane is the principal at Ray White - Kingaroy located at 179 Kingaroy Street. The agency can be contacted on (07) 4160-4700 or by email BGA Real Estate, currently operating from BGA Agriservices in Youngman Street, will open in new premises at 27 Alford Street (the old Workcover office) in a fortnight. Principal Maria Lynch can be contacted on (07) 4162-5787.

Jacaranda View Moves To Widgee May 25, 2006 - Jacaranda View Stables has relocated from Kingaroy to Widgee and has a new website The business sells custom-made riding clothing for children and tiny tots as well as a large range of equestrian accessories. Owner Dianna Kimball can be contacted on (07) 5484-0265 or by email. Jacaranda View is also the home of Jacaview Australian Stock Horses and Ponies.

Learn More About New WorkChoices Legislation May 24, 2006 - Two free seminars will be held in Kingaroy soon to help bring residents up to speed about the Federal Government's new WorkChoices industrial relations legislation. The first will be held on May 31 at Kingaroy RSL Club. This has been organised by the Federal Government's Office of the Employment Advocate which is the body that accepts lodgements of workplace agreements. The OEA provides free supports for both employers and employees on agreement making. For more information and to book phone (07) 3223-1490. Download brochure (33kb PDF) The second seminar is an Employer Advice seminar being held by Commerce Queensland in conjunction with the Federal Government's Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. This will be held at the South Burnett Enterprise Centre on June 13 from 6pm-9pm. Registrations are necessary. Phone 1300-138-470. Download brochure (164kb PDF)

New Phone Number For Council May 23, 2006 - Wondai Shire Council has a new phone number for its main switchboard: (07) 4169-2555 All calls to the old (07) 4168-5155 number will be re-directed for 12 months which will give ratepayers plenty of time to learn the new number. All other contact details, including the fax (07) 4168-5808, will remain the same.

Come Along Tonight! May 22, 2006 - The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry's regular six-weekly Meet'n'Greet will be held tonight at the Kingaroy Art Gallery, Haly Street, Kingaroy. Guest speaker will be Storme Vunderink who will explain the upcoming Qld Cancer Fund "Relay For Life" event and gallery curator Paul Van Vegchel. There'll also be the opportunity to enjoy local South Burnett wines as well as all the usual hot nibblies and cold beer! Cost is $5 for KCCI members and $7.50 for non-members and everyone is welcome.

James Can Solve Your Rural Fencing Problems May 19, 2006 - James Mulcahy's Jammar Rural Fencing Contractors, based in Kingaroy, is the latest listing added to Southburnett.biz. The team has new, modern equipment and will travel anywhere in south-east Queensland for any size job (from one acre to 10,000 acres, says James). Jammar Rural Fencing can be contacted on 0427-621-442 or by email.

Take Control Of Your Computer! May 18, 2006 - Roley Jacobsen has opened a new Wondai-based business, PC Skills, to service the needs of computer users throughout the South Burnett. Roley, who has a Diploma in IT, offers on-site computer training in homes and businesses. He will design a package to suit your needs rather than squeezing you into a pre-designed training program. He can be contacted on 0448-830-451 or by email

Tourism Forums Invite Discussion May 17, 2006 - Two tourism forums are being held in the South Burnett within days, a demonstration of the importance this industry now plays in the local economy. The Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation (BIEDO) is holding its annual "Practitioners Long Lunch" at the Belltower Restaurant on the Booie Range this Friday from noon. This is an opportunity for people involved in economic and community development to share ideas about inland tourism development and community renewal. RSVP to BIEDO on (07) 5484-1652 as soon as possible. Next Monday (May 22), the Fraser Coast South Burnett Tourism Board (in conjunction with the South Burnett Tourism Association and the South Burnett Wine Industry Association) will be holding a Tourism Industry Update from 2pm-3:30pm at the Nanango Cultural Centre. RSVP to Narelle Duggan on (07) 4162-6271 by Friday.

WH&S Workshop For Small Business May 16, 2006 - A State Government workshop on Workplace Health and Safety will be held on Monday May 29 from 6-9pm at the South Burnett Enterprise Centre, 6 Cornish Street, Kingaroy. The workshop will be presented by a Small Business Adviser from Workplace Health and Safety Queensland. Cost is $27.50 which includes refreshments. To book, contact the State Development Centre Maryborough on (07) 4121-1780 or visit their website. Download press release (24kb PDF)

Michael Takes Over Kumbia Pub May 15, 2006 - The Kumbia Hotel at 46-48 Bell Street has new owners. Michael Souter-Robertson recently took over the well-known Kumbia icon, which is located in the heart of town. The pub is open from 11:00am-midnight seven days with meals on Friday and Saturday nights from 6:30pm-8:00pm. Accommodation is also available. Phone (07) 4164-4166.

Changes at Petzarama May 12, 2006 - Leeann McGovern's pet grooming business Petzarama has relocated to Shop 1, 49 Drayton Street, Nanango. Leeann offers cat and dog grooming, professional clips, hydrobaths and blowdrying and is now also branching out into pet food and pet accessories. Dog obedience classes can also be booked. Petzarama can be contacted on (07) 4163-2664.

New Restaurant In Nanango May 11, 2006 - Brian Meskanen's Biente Restaurant and Bar is the latest eating establishment to open in Nanango. Biente, located inside The Palace Hotel at 77 Drayton Street, is open for lunch from noon to 2pm and dinner from 6pm-8:30pm, Tuesdays to Saturdays. Brian can be contacted on (07) 4163-2572 or by email.

Two B&Bs Open At Wondai May 10, 2006 - Two new B&Bs have opened in Wondai Shire, conveniently located halfway between the Murgon and Kingaroy legs of the South Burnett Wine Trail. Sleepy Hollow B&B and Farmstay is a free-standing cottage on a working cattle property at 252 Flats Road. Owners Felicity and Murray Evans welcome both children and caravaners and also have farm produce, flowers, plants and art for sale. They can be contacted on (07) 4179-9070. Rosie's Place Bed and Breakfast is situated at 15 Slaters Road. Chris and George Suter offer affordable accommodation in their family home and a continental breakfast is included in the tariff. Rosie's Place can be contacted on (07) 4168-5022 or by email

Go Back To A Magical Time May 9, 2006 - Enter the age of knights, dragons, myth and magic ... right here in the South Burnett! Sonja Walker has opened Medieval Majik at Shop 2, 195 Haly Street, Kingaroy. Medieval Majik sells books, incense, clothes, gifts, candles and swords as well as pewter and resin figures. Sonja can be contacted on (07) 4162-2224 or by by email

Bushland Hideaway at Hillsdale May 8, 2006 - A new B&B will be opening very soon at Hillsdale (near Booie). Hillsdale Hideaway is located at 166 Hillsdale Road and is set in native bushland not far from cellar doors and all the best the South Burnett has to offer. Owner Maureen Allott said handicapped guests are especially welcome with the floor-plan on ground level. The modern-style colonial has five rooms available with two shared bathrooms (one with handicapped facilities). Maureen can be contacted on (07) 4162-4689 or by email

Vikki Is Going Nuts For Kingaroy May 5, 2006 - You have probably seen Vikki Jimenez's highly decorated car on South Burnett streets - emblazoned with "Vikkis.CJB.net" - and guessed she was an artistic type ... and you'd be right! The Nanango-based artist and author mainly sells her works on-line however she also has some artworks on display at the Kingaroy Motel in Knight Street. Now she is branching out into some special souvenirs just for Kingaroy. Her "Little Nuts" are baby peanut fridge magnets and bookmarks and can be purchased at the Kingaroy Motel, RC's Cafe and the South Burnett Visitor Information Centre - Kingaroy. Vikki can be contacted on 0415-686-539.