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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.

Forum To Discuss Trades Skill Crisis April 27, 2005 - A forum to discuss a possible solution to the trade skills crisis in the South Burnett will be held in the Taabinga Room at the Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE's Kingaroy campus (corner Bunya Highway and Geritz Road) tonight from 6:30pm. Representatives from local engineering firms, schools and employment agencies have been invited to hear Peter Walsh and Noel Brownsey, from the Dalby Manufacturers Group, explain how the predicament has been overcome in Dalby. For more information, phone SQIT Marketing Manager Kerry Harrison on (07) 4694-1802.

New B&B and Cellar Door April 26, 2005 - The South Burnett will soon have a new B&B and cellar door with the re-opening this week of the historic Boonara Homestead (right) in Kilkivan Shire. Sandra and Ted Nesbitt have worked for two years to restore the cedar and ironbark homestead, built in 1862, to its former glory. For many years the property belonged to Mr David Jones (of department store fame) so it's truly a grand colonial property. Two bedrooms are available in the homestead and lunches and evening meals will be served to B&B guests. Lunches will also be available at the cellar door and Boonara Homestead can also be booked for functions and weddings.

Lucas Is Hooked On Fishing April 22, 2005 - Lucas Kerkow has had a life-long love of sportsfishing on our great local dams and further afield. He thought it was about time Kingaroy had it own tackle shop ... so he did some about it. Bass to Barra Marine, located in the old Adviser/Earle's Paint building at the entrance to the Youngman Street Industrial Estate, opened about three weeks ago. There's plenty of room out front for cars towing boats to pull up and the shop covers a wide range of freshwater and saltwater fishing requirements, including bait. Charter trips on local dams and from Hervey Bay can also be booked.

Fun Night Festival Fundraiser CANCELLED April 21, 2005 - The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry is planning a fun night out on May 7 at Whipbird Chapel, Coolabunia, as a fundraiser for the 2005 Peanut Festival. There'll be free wine-tasting at Stuart Range Wines followed by a bus trip to Whipbird Chapel, dinner and live music from Fat Cow. Cost is just $38.50 per person and there are a very limited number of tickets. To book, phone Lynnelle on (07) 4162-8466 or email her

Happenings at Hivesville April 20, 2005 - Exciting things are happening in the small Wondai shire town of Hivesville. The well-known Hivesville Hotel now boasts a restaurant - the Hideaway, which is open four days a week. There's also new owners at the cafe in town, colourfully called the Road Kill Cafe. An organic fertiliser company Orgro is located in the old peanut factory. Orgro also has a wide range of produce store lines including chemical-free hay and owner Warren Bailey has exciting plans in store for the old Hivesville picture theatre too ... keep tuned!

Secure Your Financial Future April 19, 2005 - Centrelink's Financial Information Service will be holding two free information seminars in Kingaroy about financial security and investment choices. The first seminar, "Retirement Reality and Investment Choices", will be held tomorrow from 6pm in the Tobruk Room at the Kingaroy RSL Club in Kingaroy Street. The second seminar, "Understanding Income Streams", will be held at the same venue from 6pm on Wednesday May 4. Booking are essential; phone 13-63-57 to reserve a place.

Subway Opens In Kingaroy April 18, 2005 - The first Subway restaurant in Australia opened in Perth in 1988 ... there are now more than 700 Subways in Australia - including the Kingaroy store which opened last week. Subway Kingaroy is located at Shop 1, 99-100 Youngman Street (near Supercheap Auto) and as well as counter sales they accept faxed orders from businesses.

South Burnett Internet Network Now Reaches 1.2 Million People A Year April 15, 2005 - The South Burnett Online network (which also includes Southburnett.biz) celebrated its 5th birthday recently by breaking a new traffic record. The network now attracts an audience in excess of 1.2 million visitors each year. This makes it the largest online network of any rural area in Queensland. The network is led by regional portal South Burnett Online. This site drew more than 200,000 unique visitors itself over the last year and seems set to draw more than 250,000 in the year ahead. SBO Project Manager Dafyd Martindale said the network's success was a tribute to the foresight of the South Burnett Local Government Association and the region's councils who first formulated the concept in late 1999. "Instead of being left behind by the Internet our region is right at the forefront of using this technology to benefit residents," he said. "This is something that should make everyone who lives here very proud."

NLIS Business Opportunity April 14, 2005 - Individuals and businesses interested in providing a fee-for-service NLIS device reading and data transfer service to primary producers have been invited to register with the Queensland DPI&F. The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) is an Australia-wide livestock tracking system using electronic tags which was introduced earlier this year. People interested in registering as fee-for-service providers can do so online at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/NLIS

Swickers Butcher Shop To Close April 13, 2005 - The butcher shop located at Swickers Kingaroy Bacon Factory will close permanently on April 29 however Kingaroy shoppers will still be able to purchase Swickers products locally. Larry Frohloff's Kingaroy Butchery in Haly Street will stock Swickers' range and two well-known Swickers' employees - Wayne Hancock and Wade Sutton - will be on hand to assist their old customers. Swickers decided to close their butcher shop because of safety concerns caused by the large increase in heavy traffic on-site.

Two New Laundromats Open April 12, 2005 - The booming housing market seems to have prompted a mini-boom in laundromats in the South Burnett. Yarraman has a new laundromat (located near the IGA Supermarket) and Blackbutt now has two ... the original laundromat at Maudsley's Blackbutt Store and a new one inside the Blackbutt Internet Lounge (where you can also hire DVDs, videos or PlayStation 2 games!). Here's our full list of laundromats ...

Some More New Faces In King Street April 11, 2005 - Aussie Land and Livestock and related company Aussie Pork Suppliers will be moving into new premises at 8 King Street, Kingaroy, at the end of this month. The companies are fairly new but the principle John Dunstan has more than 40 years' experience in livestock and property marketing. A.P.S. was set up in February last year to provide a marketing outlet for pig producers; A.L.L. was established a few months later to sell cattle through the Coolabunia Saleyards (above). The latter company now also handles real estate marketing and clearing sales.

New Medical Services Director Appointed April 8, 2005 - Dr Ben Bartel has been appointed Director of Medical Services for the South Burnett Health Service District. Qld Health Minister Gordon Nuttall said Dr Bartel would be based at Kingaroy Hospital but would work closely with the Medical Superintendents at Nanango, Wondai, Murgon and Cherbourg. Dr Bartel knows the South Burnett area well as he has formerly worked as a Medical Officer at Kingaroy Hospital. More recently he has been working in the Medical, Obstetric and Emergency areas at Ipswich Hospital.