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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).

Flash New Website Listed July 5, 2005 - The latest website to be listed in the southburnett.biz directory is Mandala Grove's impressive site at www.mandalagrove.com (complete with mood music and bird calls). Mandala Grove, based at Goombungee in Rosalie Shire, markets avocado, macadamia and olive oils as well as having an extensive olive grove. The Mandala Grove website also includes recipes which can be downloaded and printed out.

Quicktags To Fill NLIS Shortfall July 4, 2005 - A shortage of approved tags under the compulsory National Livestock Identification Scheme, which came into force on July 1, has prompted the DPI&F to set up a temporary scheme to supply "emergency" tags to beef producers. These "Quicktags" should be available from today but to be eligible, a producer must have placed an order for their own NLIS tags at least two weeks prior to their application and have a "genuine need" to sell cattle. Applications can be made via phone to the DPI&F Hotline on 13-25-23.

New Hours for Yarraman Cafe July 1, 2005 - The coming of winter has brought new trading hours for Cafe Rosie Jo's at 65 Barr-Smith Street, Yarraman. The cafe - which offers homemade-style meals and hotbox specials, dine-in and takeaway - is now open from 8:30am to 8:00pm from Tuesday to Saturday and 9:00am to 7:30pm on Sundays. Owners Joanne and Neil "Dancing Barman Karaoke" Rose can be contacted on (07) 4163-8357. PS. Rick's Place Cafe and Gifts, at 24 Toomey Street, Yarraman, has closed

South Burnett Wine Trail Updated June 30, 2005 - Southburnett.biz's long-standing poster page on the South Burnett Wine Trail has been upgraded to include the new South Burnett Wine Industry Association map released recently. The South Burnett Wine Trail page also includes clickable links to the websites of all the cellar doors / wineries featured.

Great Way To Get To Toowoomba June 29, 2005 - The new daily return coach service linking Gympie to Toowoomba via the South Burnett will roar into action next Monday. As we reported on May 31, former Nanango resident Graeme Bliesner, (right), recognised the need for such a service - especially for South Burnett residents with medical appointments in Toowoomba. Greatway Coaches will make pick-ups and set-downs in all major South Burnett towns along the way and will also carry freight. For more information and timetables, contact them on (07) 4633-0355 or by email

Kingaroy, Nanango & Part of Rosalie Shire Join Drought List June 28, 2005 - Despite the recent rain, Kingaroy and Nanango Shires and the eastern part of Rosalie Shire were yesterday added to Queensland's drought-declared list, meaning more than 60 per cent of the State is now officially in drought. "Rainfall over the past 12 months has been inconsistent, with February and April the driest months on record for some areas. This has made it exceedingly difficult for producers," Primary Industries Minister Henry Palaszczuk said. Drought declarations entitle eligible producers to freight subsidies. For further information, farmers should contact the DPI&F Call Centre on 13-25-23.

Poster Pages For Local Businesses June 27, 2005 - Two new South Burnett accommodation providers have been the latest businesses to take advantage of Southburnett.biz's free poster page service. Lee Farmstay is located in Kingaroy Shire close to local cellar doors at the southern end of the South Burnett Wine Trail. Barambah Lodge is situated in the heart of Murgon, an ideal base to explore the northern part of the Wine Trail around Moffatdale and Redgate.