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QAS Opens Local Office May 27, 2005 - Queensland Apprenticeship Services has opened an office in Kingaroy, situated in the Old Railway Station Building in O'Neill Square. Peta Baines (right) will be covering all the South and Central Burnett areas from her Kingaroy base. QAS is a state-wide New Apprenticeships Centre contracted by the Federal Government to provide apprenticeships and traineeship services to both employers and new apprentices. Peta can be reached on (07) 4163-6986. She'll be sharing the O'Neill Square building with the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry and AM Publishing.

Youngman Street Update May 26, 2005 - There's been some changes at Shop 3 in the Youngman Street Industrial Estate in Kingaroy. In is the Robyn Lennox Massage and Counselling Clinic. Robyn offers deep tissue and relaxation massages and chakra balancing. She can be contacted on (07) 4162-1877. On the move is the Kingaroy Weight Loss Centre owned by Marina Headlam. Marina is now offering a mobile, in-home weight loss counselling service and can be reached on (07) 4163-6390.

Tree Controllers Up Stumps May 25, 2005 - Queensland Tree Control has shifted into new premises in Kingaroy. Jim and Julie Carlile's tree removal and pruning business is now located at Shop 1, 18 Stolzenberg Street, Kingaroy - around the corner from their old premises in Cornish Street. Other details remain the same - you can phone them on (07) 4162-8111 or contact them by email

Durong Business Expands Down South May 23, 2005 - Durong-based business Big Scrub Graphics has announced that it has opened a base in NSW, significantly expanding the area which it covers. Owner Martin Stern - who also runs Durong Online - says Big Scrub Graphics can now service the rapidly-growing NSW Central Coast as well as southern Queensland. Big Scrub Graphics offers graphic design, printing, web design, advertising services and short-run digital printing.

Submissions Sought For Tarong Fund May 20, 2005 - The Tarong Mine Community Development Fund is a marvellous initiative by Rio Tinto Coal Australia which has helped economic development in the South Burnett region over the past six years. In fact the fund has assisted many worthwhile local projects get off the ground ... including this website. Now the fund is seeking applications for consideration in the next round of funding which closes on Friday 10th June. An information leaflet outlining fund guidelines is available from Margie Magnussen on (07) 4160-7231.

New B&B Opens At Murgon May 19, 2005 - A new B&B has opened at Murgon ... Barambah Lodge is located at 148 Lamb Street. Hosts are well-known local couple Terry and Wendy Blackburn and the fully self-contained cottage can sleep up to five in three bedrooms. For more information, contact the Blackburns by phone or 0417-712-921 or email

Small Business Park Takes Shape At Widgee May 18, 2005 - Former farmer Lesley O'Hern couldn't find any premises available in the Gympie area for new small businesses at an affordable cost ... so she decided to do something about it. Stage 1 of the Widgee Rentals Trade and Light Industry Centre (which is under construction now) will consist of a number of independent, lockable suites as well as a cold room. The 3m x 7m cold room will be divided into a number of bays which can be hired separately. For more information on the TLI Centre, phone Lesley on (07) 5484-0341 or email her.

Fun Golf Day Planned May 17, 2005 - The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry has planned a fun golf day for local business people (it doesn't matter if you're not a member of the Chamber!) at the Kingaroy Golf Course on Saturday May 28. It will be a 3 ball ambrose and is open to all players – novice, juniors and seniors (or basically anyone who can swing a club ...) Activities will get underway with a BBQ at 11:00am followed by tee-off at noon. Cost is $20 (which includes the BBQ). Further information is available from the Golf Club on (07) 4162-1720.

Mad Mick Open Seven Days May 16, 2005 - Mad Mick's Discount Barn, run by Michael Anderson, opened recently in the old Discount Den premises in Margaret Street, Yarraman. The discount store sells the usual lines of toys, hardware, gifts and kitchenware and is open seven days a week. As the nearby IGA Supermarket is also open every day, it seems Yarraman could be THE place to shop on a Sunday! Mad Mick's Discount Barn can be contacted on (07) 4163-8656.

Free MYOB Courses To Be Held Throughout South Burnett Region May 13, 2005 - The Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation (BIEDO) is offering a series of FREE two-day courses on the popular book-keeping software MYOB throughout the South Burnett region over the next few weeks. Training has been pencilled in for most local towns however places are limited so bookings are necessary. For information about dates and venues, contact Joanne on (07) 5484-1652 or download more information here (82kb PDF)

Competition To Create New Image May 12, 2005 - The Wide Bay Burnett Regional Organisation of Councils (WBBROC) and APN Newspapers, publishers of the South Burnett Times, have launched a competition to find a regional name and a regional logo for the Wide Bay-Burnett region. Other areas have catchy names such as the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Coral Coast etc ... why shouldn't we? Entries close on June 10 and there's $5000 in prize money to be won. 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

New Faces at Moonya Street Store May 11, 2005 - Harry and Karen Shepstone this week took over the Moonya Street Store, one of Kingaroy's busiest little convenience stores. Harry and Karen had a cropping property between Proston and Murgon but were looking for a change of lifestyle. When the Moonya Street store was advertised they jumped at the opportunity. The store sells the full range of convenience items, including bread, milk and newspapers along with grocery lines, cold drinks, ice creams and a small range of fresh fruit.

Rally To Blast Off In Kingaroy May 10, 2005 - The 2005 Great Endeavour Rally is roaring into action in Kingaroy on Wednesday July 13 with more than 130-150 cars expected and more than 350 people. The entrants will be trekking from Kingaroy to Coffs Harbour but in the best Great Endeavour tradition are going via Tasmania! This is a great opportunity for the South Burnett to receive national media promotion and a real financial boost for the area. If your business could help competitors on July 12-13 with either free or discounted services (all money raised is going to support a great cause!) please contact the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry on (07) 4162-8466. Entrants may require last-minute mechanical repairs or adjustments so support from local mechanics is especially sought!

Doing It The Country Way May 9, 2005 - Decorators with a love of country-style living will be pleased with the new shop that has opened in the old Argue's office at 151 Kingaroy Street, Kingaroy (next door to the Broadway Hotel). Janelle Frohloff has opened Somethings Country which features country homewares and gifts as well as caneware, glassware, ceramics and teddy bears. Somethings Country can be reached on (07) 4162-2040 and is open Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings.

On The Move After Half A Century ... May 6, 2005 - John and Marie Shaw's business Sew-N-Circle has been a landmark in Alford Street, Kingaroy, for more than 25 years (and for more than 50 years when you count the previous shop started by Marie's father). Now this is all changing. John and Marie (right) have decided to relocate their business to their home at 39 Burnett Street from the end of the month. They'll still be doing sewing machine and overlocker servicing as well as clothing repairs and alterations but will no longer be selling sewing machines. A new business will be opening in their old premises around the end of June. We'll keep you posted!

More Changes in King Street May 5, 2005 - The reshuffling of businesses in Kingaroy's King Street is continuing. The recently opened Burnett Motorcycle Repairs has shifted from No 36 to No 34, making room for Ken Stead's Kingaroy Windscreens and Auto Care. A few doors down, hairdresser Wendy Shepherd has relocated her business Wendy-Maree Salon after 25 years in King Street. She's now working from 10 Barbara Street in a purpose-built salon attached to her home. She is open daily and after hours by appointment.

Debbie Has It All Stitched Up May 4, 2005 - Deborah Smith has turned her sewing skills into a fully-fledged business with the launching of Kraftee Krafts in Blackbutt. Debbie does home-based sewing, repairs and general alterations (with a pick-up and delivery service) but also includes haberdashery lines, ceramics and tapestries. After urging by friends she also plans to offer her goods at local markets. She can be contacted on (07) 4170-0170 or by email

Let's Keep Our Competitive Edge May 3, 2005 - A conference for South Burnett Tourism operators "Keeping Our Competitive Edge" will be held from 9:30am to 3:00pm on Wednesday May 18th at the Kingaroy RSL Club, 126 Kingaroy Street. Guest speakers include Tony Mowbray (solo world navigator and survivor of the tragic 1998 Sydney-to-Hobart race) who will speak on the power of commitment; and travel journalist and comedian Christine Retschlag who'll explain why journos will "travel to the ends of the earth for a great story". Cost is $20, payable on the day, which includes morning tea and lunch. RSVP by Thursday 12th May to Debbie Postle on (07) 4162-3199 or email her

State Funeral To Start At 1pm April 29, 2005 - The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry would like to advise South Burnett business owners a public holiday has not been declared for the State Funeral of Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen (right) on Tuesday. However KCCI President Rob Patch said Kingaroy businesses may wish to consider closing their doors as a mark of respect for the duration of the service which is due to begin at 1:00pm at Kingaroy Town Hall. “Obviously this is not compulsory,” Mr Patch said, “but it would provide an opportunity for both business owners and staff members to pay their respects." Prime Minister John Howard, Premier Peter Beattie and Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg will be among the dignitaries in attendance. Funeral Program: The Town Hall will be open at noon (entry via front door only). After the service the cortege will pass along Glendon, Haly, Kingaroy, Markwell and Youngman streets to H.P. Virgo's in Alford St. At 4:30pm, the cortege will leave for a private interment at Bethany.

New Furniture Store Opens April 28, 2005 - A new furniture and home decorator store, Goomeri Reproduction Furniture and Gifts has opened in Boonara Street, Goomeri, next door to the Pumpkin Pie. Phil and Nicki Lawson - who also own Goomeri Antiques further up the street - have stocked the new store with a wide range of quality mahogany reproduction furniture, leadlight lamps, English-style porcelain and glassware. Both stores are open Thursday to Sunday from 10:00am to 5:00pm.