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New Listings At Nanango August 2, 2005 - Two new Nanango listings have been recently added to southburnett.biz: McDonald's House Painting and Roof Restoration and Head Games Hair Studio. Peter McDonald is a fully licensed housepainter for new buildings, repaints and roof painting. He handles both commercial and domestic work and one of his latest projects has been the internal repainting of the Westpac Bank in Kingaroy. He can be contacted on 0419-660-471. Michelle Dioth operates Head Games Hair Studio at 88 Drayton Street, Nanango (former Charlie's Camera Shop). She specialises in cuts, colours, perms, waxing, acrylic and gel nails and spraytanning and appointments can be made on (07) 4163-3188.

Some Titbits For Women & Babies August 1, 2005 - Women's lingerie and baby wares retailer Titbits has opened at Shop 3, 13 Alford Street, Kingaroy (the location of the old "B'Mused Puzzles and Gifts"). Leeann Moloney and Annie McGill describe their business as "a choice piece of something" but in reality they specialise in lingerie (including maternity and larger sizes), baby clothing, cots and other baby wares. Titbits can be contacted on (07) 4162-4900.

Welcome To The Country Coast! July 29, 2005 - We're proud to announce that Lynnelle Richardson (better known as the KCCI's project officer) has won the $10,000 Wide Bay Burnett Regional Organisation of Councils / APN Newspapers competition to find a regional name and a regional logo for the Wide Bay-Burnett region. Lynnelle's logo (above) and the concept "Country Coast" well describes the huge area that stretches from Fraser Island to 300km or more inland. WBBROC is the umbrella organisation which includes all South Burnett councils as well as councils from the rest of the Wide Bay region. For more information, visit the WBBROC website

Interested In Team Training? July 28, 2005 - The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry is seeking expressions of interest from people who would like to take part in a "team training" workshop in Kingaroy in late August. The all-day course will be presented by Chris Murphy, former CEO of the Victims of Crime Association and the current director of a national charity. The workshop will cover conflict resolution, rules and boundaries, roles and responsibilities etc. For more information phone Lynnelle on (07) 4162-8466 or download this information sheet (PDF 35kb)

Updated Websites Unveiled July 27, 2005 - The Left Bank B&B at Kilkivan recently unveiled updated versions of its two websites. More information about the B&B, cafe and art gallery, located in the old bank building in Bligh Street, Kilkivan, can be found at www.theleftbank.com.au Owners Bruce and Rae Hurley also operate an online business South Burnett Hampers (www.southburnetthampers.com.au) where gift hampers of local produce can be ordered.

Two More Kingaroy Changes July 26, 2005 - There's been a couple more changes in ownership in the Kingaroy Shire businessworld over the past few weeks ... The Kingaroy IGA Supermarket in 18 Alford Street is now operating under the FoodWorks banner and there's a new manager, Phadara Chiv. All other contact details remain the same. And Greg Horne has taken over the excavating and hire business Dino's Bobcat and Bitumen at Wooroolin. Greg can be contacted on (07) 4164-2336 or 0419-642-336.

Creative Business At Kilkivan July 25, 2005 - Creative Figurines and Leadlighting is the latest Kilkivan Shire business to be listed on southburnett.biz. Anne-Marie Steen handcrafts stained glass items and glass figurines and also wholesales leadlight kits and other supplies as far away as Western Australia. Creative Figurines and Leadlighting can be contacted on (07) 5484-1642 or by email

Pickers Ready For Work July 22, 2005 - A new Nanango business has been set up to try to make life easier for Queensland farmers seeking fruit pickers or weed chippers. Ken and Glenda Sanderson established South East Qld Pickers just a few months ago after identifying a glaring need. They already have 80 local workers on their books. Ken emphasises they are not a labour hire company. South East Qld Pickers employs the workers which means the growers don't have to worry about paying individual wages, superannuation or Workcover. They can be contacted on (07) 4171-0291 or by email

Rose Stitches Up Ice Business July 21, 2005 - Rose Christie, from In Stitches Embroidery at Nanango, has taken over the South Burnett Iceworks wholesale party ice and block ice business. Both businesses are operating from 13898 D'Aguilar Highway, Nanango and can be reached on (07) 4163-1214. When she's not making ice out of rainwater, Rose can still look after all your embroidery needs - on workwear, towels, linen etc.

Free Careers Expo On Tonight! July 20, 2005 - A free Careers Expo will be held at the Indoor Sport Centre, Kingaroy High School, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm this evening. There'll be displays from at least nine universities as well as TAFE colleges, apprenticeship and training groups, employment agencies, the Australian Defence Force, Queensland Police etc. Earlier this week, Qld State Development Minister Tony McGrady urged young people attending the expo to also consider jobs in manufacturing industry by logging on to the www.createitmakeitliveit.qld.gov.au website.

Name Change As Simple As ABC July 19, 2005 - Childcare centre Kingaroy Care For Kids (located in Ivy Street) is no more ... it has joined the nationwide ABC Developmental Learning Centres group. New manager is Peta Clarkson. The centre is open from 6:00am to 6:00pm weekdays and caters for children aged from six weeks to 13 years. ABC Developmental Learning Centres can be contacted on (07) 4162-7122 or by email

Makayma Back After A Break July 18, 2005 - Amanda Howley has reopened her nails and beauty therapy business Makayma Therapies in Kingaroy after an eight-year break. Amanda was born in Kingaroy but trained and worked on the Sunshine Coast for many years. The business is based at her home at 4 Daphne Street. As well as gel and acrylic nails, Amanda does waxing, pedicures and facials. You can make an appointment by phoning (07) 4163-6894 or sending an email

Get Your Very Own Peanut Pal! July 15, 2005 - Colourful Peanut Pals will form an integral part of fund-raising for this year's Kingaroy Peanut Festival. The first bunch of the 1m plywood characters made their public debut at the Endeavour Rally on Thursday morning. Also watch for them in the South Burnett Times over the next few weeks! The Peanut Pals are a special bonus for sponsors who donate $500 or more to the Festival. For $50 more, one can be designed that is specific to your business. For more details, phone the KCCI on (07) 4162-8466 or send an email PS. If anyone has spotted our Policeman Pal looking sad and lonely could they please return him to the safe custody of the KCCI?

New Faces At Old Businesses July 14, 2005 - Some new faces have recently taken over the reins at a couple of old South Burnett businesses. Laurie and Sandra Gavin are now running the Benarkin General Store located in Scott Street. The community post office also sells groceries, newspapers, petrol and gas. Meanwhile, Ivan Virgo ("the last man in Kingaroy to let you down") is retiring from H.P. Virgo and Son funeral directors in Alford Street, Kingaroy. Gympie Funerals has purchased the family-owned business but Ivan will stick around for a few months to help new manager Liam Yewdall settle in. H.P. Virgo and Son was established in 1939 and covers the shires of Kingaroy, Nanango, Murgon, Wondai and Kilkivan with a 24-hour service.

Don't Miss The Great Endeavour Rally Blast Off Tomorrow Morning July 13, 2005 - The Great Endeavour Rally will be blasting off in Kingaroy early tomorrow morning ... and everyone is invited to join in the fun! There'll be music and a sausage sizzle in Glendon Street from about 6:30am before the cars are flagged off at 7:30am. They're heading to Coffs Harbour - the long way, via Tasmania! You can also get a sneak peek at all the competitors in a street parade around the Kingaroy CBD this afternoon at 3:30pm.

Aircraft Factory Plan Moves A Step Closer July 12, 2005 - Dean Wilson Aviation, the Queensland-based aircraft designers who have announced plans to assemble and test light aircraft in the South Burnett, have moved a step closer to making their Kingaroy production facility a reality. As reported in today's South Burnett Times, Dean Wilson Aviation have signed a memorandum of understanding with aircraft parts manufacturer Aerostaff in Melbourne to supply items for the project. Dean Wilson Aviation's website provides photos and information about their Boomerang light aircraft.

Opportunity to Quiz Rural MPs July 11, 2005 - A special "Pollie's Panel" at the AgForce 2005 State Conference in Kingaroy next week will offer delegates the chance to quiz State and Federal MPs about issues affecting rural Australia. Qld Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Henry Palaszczuk, Shadow Minister Mike Horan, Federal Shadow Minister for Agriculture Gavan O'Connor and Queensland Senator Barnaby Joyce will all be at the conference. The "Pollie's Panel" has been scheduled for the second day, Tuesday July 19, from 11:00am.

Crystals Opens On Haly July 8, 2005 - A new licensed restaurant and music venue Crystals on Haly has opened in Kingaroy. Crystals on Haly is located in the former Elios Spaghetti Western building at 199 Haly Street. The fully licensed restaurant and lounge bar offers al fresco dining and an a-la-carte menu including seafood, steaks, pastries, pancakes and a large selection of desserts. Owner Graham Rogers said there will be live jazz on Saturday nights and club music from midnight to dawn on Friday and Saturday nights. Crystals on Haly is open Monday to Wednesday from 7:00am to midnight and Thursday to Sunday 24 hours (closes midnight Sunday).

Business Woman of the Year to Speak in Kingaroy July 7, 2005 - Australia's top businesswoman will be among the speakers addressing delegates at the AgForce State Conference in Kingaroy next week. 2005 Veuve Clicquot Australian Business Woman of the Year Wendy Erhart, (right), co-founded Withcott Seedlings in the Lockyer Valley 25 years ago. Agforce members will also get some tips on crossing the finishing line ahead of the competition from top sports psychologist Dr Phil Jauncey. The AgForce conference will be held at Kingaroy Town Hall on July 18-19. For more information and a schedule, visit the Agforce website.

Your Region - Your Future - Your Conference July 6, 2005 - Former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett will be the keynote speaker at the “Your Region Your Future” Wide Bay Burnett Regional Leaders Conference which will be held at the Brolga Theatre, Maryborough, on July 27. The inaugural conference last year - organised by the Wide Bay Burnett Regional Organisation of Councils (WBBROC) - was a huge success. Registrations for this year's event cost just $35. The aim is to bring together key leaders from business, industry, government and the community to work together to drive the development of the Wide Bay Burnett. For more information, download a registration form (181kb PDF) and a conference agenda (314kb PDF).