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Workplace Health & Safety Training April 7, 2005 - The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry will be holding a Workplace Health & Safety Training seminar on Wednesday April 27 in the function room of the Motel Kingaroy, Knight Street, Kingaroy. The two-hour session will cover the basic concepts of WH&S, obligations in the workplace, risk management, regulations and advisory standards, and offences and penalties. Cost is $99 per person and there will be two sessions available, starting at 9:30am and 1:00pm. To book, contact Lynnelle on (07) 4162-8466.

Community Forum To Discuss Tourism Opportunities April 6, 2005 - The Wide Bay Regional Ministerial Regional Community Forum will be meeting in Wondai next Monday to discuss tourism opportunities for the local area - including greater promotion of freshwater fishing and indigenous tourism. The forum provides a direct link between local residents and State Cabinet and it is expected that both Attorney-General Rod Welford and Tourism Minister Margaret Keech will be in attendance. For more information phone Steve Waddell on (07) 4151-9748.

Video Postcards Released April 5, 2005 - Former Nanango News proprietor Ray Smythe has opened a new business Sunrise AV Productions which is creating 15 minute video "postcards" that tourists can mail back home as souvenirs. Mini-disc postcards of Nanango are already available at Nanango Post Office and the Visitor Information Centre. Ray also has postcards planned for other South Burnett towns including Goomeri and Kilkivan. Sunrise AV also offers other video services including filming, dubbing and editing.

Stumped For A Business Idea? April 4, 2005 - When Ray and Colleen Hobson moved to Murgon recently they wanted to get some tree stumps removed but could not locate a Murgon stumpgrinder. So they bought the equipment, removed their own stumps and now have set up a speciality business to service Murgon and surrounding districts. Hobbo's Stump Grinding (they don't do tree-lopping!) can be reached on mobile 0417-739-850.

Free Seminar For Business April 1, 2005 - A free two-hour Small Business Answers Seminar to be held in Kingaroy this month has been billed as "the 2005 business event of the year". The seminar, organised by the Wide Bay Burnett Area Consultative Committee and sponsored by the South Burnett Times, will be held from 1:45pm on Wednesday April 20 at Kingaroy RSL Club. It will be an opportunity to hear presentations by AusIndustry (the business program division of the Federal Government), Industry TechLink (free access to technology consultants) and the Australian Institute For Commercialisation (a not-for-profit organisation that assists businesses to commercialise R&D). All South Burnett businesses are invited to attend but bookings are essential. RSVP by Friday April 15 to WBBACC on (07) 4121-7099.

Kingaroy's King Street Shuffle March 31, 2005 - There's been changes aplenty in and around King Street Kingaroy in recent months. Kingaroy Brake and Radiator Service recently moved across the road into the old Kingaroy Springworks building. Their old premises at No 36 has become home to Burnett Motorcycle Repairs. Bunya Motors has moved into No 38 (the Dundas building); their old used car yard in Youngman Street has become a carpark for the expanded and relocated Kingaroy Fitness Centre. And last but not least! RSL Home Care has taken up residence in the old vet surgery (Kingaroy Veterinary Surgery relocated to Youngman Street last year). No wonder we need your help to keep SB Biz up to date!

New Diesel Service For South Burnett March 30, 2005 - Brad Trace and Debbie Dennien opened South Burnett Diesel Service in Kingaroy's Pound Street Industrial Estate at the start of March. Brad formerly worked for Kingaroy Machinery Centre for 18 years and has purchased their diesel injection equipment for his new business. South Burnett Diesel Service will repair all diesel pumps and injection systems - from farm machinery to 4WDs.

Daniel 'n' Aaron Offer PC Service in Nanango March 29, 2005 - Nanango has a new computer sales and service business D'N'A Computer Services run by Daniel Bosel and Aaron Smith. The pair have been operating since February from an office and workshop at 1 Wills Street. "We thought it was about time Nanango had its own computer business. We're out to provide a service for Nanango, not just make a profit," Aaron said. D'N'A have new and used computer systems for sale, do upgrades, provide basic computer tuition, and can sort out your networking woes as well as handle mobile phone car kit installations, connections and handset upgrades.

Opposition To Sunday Trading March 24, 2005 - The KCCI's forum on Sunday trading this week demonstrated strong opposition to the concept by local shopkeepers. Jaye Price from the Queensland Retail Traders and Shopkeepers Association presented the "no" case while Gary Black from the National Retailers Association urged the "yes". Fred Korn, right, from Kingaroy Photo Lab presented a petition against Sunday trading which had 65 signatures he collected in just two afternoons while visiting Kingaroy CBD traders. The State Industrial Relations Commission will decide now whether Sunday trading is extended to the South Burnett region.

New Owners at Hotel Cecil March 23, 2005 - The Hotel Cecil at Wondai has new owners ... Carol Halkett and Greg Nicholas who have moved to the South Burnett from Bargara. The pair have great plans for the grand old pub including a new-look restaurant area, accommodation and a nightclub. Renovations and repairs have already begun! The pub's eatery will provide even more competition for Wondai's other popular dining out venues which include Dimitie's Cottage and Tickled Pink.

Free Seminar On Farm Safety March 22, 2005 - Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is conducting a statewide audit of mobile plant in rural workplaces. Since 1990 more than 115 people have been killed and 104 seriously injured while using mobile machinery on Queensland farms. A random sample of farms will be audited soon. To help South Burnett farmers understand how to meet their legal obligations and prepare for the audit, a free seminar will be held on Thursday April 14 at The Whipbird Chapel, 21 Chaseling Street, Coolabunia from 1:30pm to 4:00pm. To book phone (07) 4121-1714 (the seminar may be cancelled if there are insufficient numbers).

Guest Speaker at Women's Lunch March 21, 2005 - The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Women in Business group will be meeting for lunch this Wednesday on the balcony of the Carrollee Hotel, King Street, Kingaroy. Cost is $10 for KCCI members and $12.50 for non-members. Guest speaker is Michael Jones from Global Investments. Everyone welcome but please RSVP to Lynnelle today on (07) 4162-8466 for catering purposes. PS. Don't forget the KCCI discussion meeting on Sunday trading will be held at the Motel Kingaroy (Knight Street) from 6pm tonight!

Real Estate Agent Opens In Wooroolin March 18 - The South Burnett's real estate boom is continuing - and so is our list of real estate agencies! The latest is South Burnett Real Estate, owned by Jacqueline Fox, which opened last week in the main street at Wooroolin and is already gathering listings. The business has its own website and is handling all types of sales - domestic, commercial and rural - as well as rental properties.

2005 Touring Guide Released March 17, 2005 - The new 2005 South East Queensland Country Touring Guide - which covers six regions including the South Burnett - has been released by Tourism Queensland. The guide is offered to tourists at Visitor Information Centres and includes information on "Grapes, Gourmets and Galleries" and accommodation providers as well as information about attractions in the shires of Nanango, Kingaroy, Wondai, Murgon and Kilkivan. There is also a new section featuring the Bunya Country Touring Route which winds its way from Toowoomba through Oakey and Dalby to Kumbia, the Bunya Mountains, Maidenwell, Nanango, Wondai, Murgon and Kilkivan to Gympie.

Friday Deadline For Awards March 16, 2005 - Tourism operators throughout the South Burnett (who are members of the South Burnett Tourism Association) have until this Friday to nominate for the annual Fraser Coast South Burnett Tourism Awards For Excellence. Nomination forms are available on the FCSB Regional Tourism Board's website (follow the links to the membership area). For more information, phone awards co-ordinator Ian Mason on (07) 4122-3444. Local tourism businesses have had great success in these awards in recent years with category winners including Bunya Forest Gallery, Captain's Paddock, The Peanut Van, Bethany Cottages, Hillview Cottages and The Left Bank.

Businesses On The Move March 15, 2005 - Two Kingaroy businesses are pulling up stumps and migrating to new locations across town. Orca Accounting, run by Susan AhQuee, is in the process of relocating to 101 Kingaroy Street, next door to Garry Ogden Real Estate. Another business on the move is Jasmaine Country Crafts which will be re-opening at Shop 16, 119 Youngman Street (the industrial estate behind Kingaroy Plumbing Works). Jasmaine Country Crafts has been operating successfully since it opened two months ago in Pound Street but owner Sharmaine Terry believes the new premises will attract more women customers. She has some exciting plans on the horizon ... and who knows, a cafe may be in the works sometime!

Tourism Map Updated March 14, 2005 - Copies of the recently updated South Burnett tourism map (right) are now available for free at Visitor Information Centres and tourist businesses throughout the region. This is the third edition of the popular map which was first produced in 2002. Production was funded by the South Burnett Local Government Association and the South Burnett Tourism Association and it was printed locally by Nichol's Printing. On the reverse are details of local accommodation providers and cellar doors, other tourist attractions, a list of major annual events and dates for local country markets.

New Newspaper In Nanango March 11, 2005 - A new free fortnightly community newspaper Country Focus has hit the streets in Nanango and Rosalie Shires. Publishers Peter and Christy Stephens, from Nanango Country Design and Print, were formerly involved with The Adviser before its relocation to Kingaroy and have built up strong ties with the Nanango community. Country Focus is being distributed via Australia Post in Nanango, Yarraman, Blackbutt, Benarkin, Maidenwell, Cooyar and Brooklands and will also be available in information centres along the Brisbane Valley Heritage Trail to Kilcoy and Esk.

Have Your Say On Sunday Trading March 10, 2005 - Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry's next Meet'n'Greet will host a forum on the proposal to extend Sunday trading into rural areas of south-east Queensland. Representatives from the National Retailers Association and the Queensland Retail Traders and Shopkeepers Association will present the "for" and "against" in the debate. All business operators from South Burnett shires are invited to attend to listen to the speakers, ask questions and have their say on the proposal. For an explanation of current trading hours legislation, download this PDF (168kb) from the Qld Government's Wageline website The Meet'n'Greet will be held from 6:00pm on Monday March 21 at the Motel Kingaroy in Knight Street. Cost is $5 for KCCI members and $8 for non-members (which includes drinks and finger food). Please RSVP for catering by March 17 to Lynnelle on (07) 4162-8466.

Students Keen To Find Jobs March 9, 2005 - There are still about 70 high school students registered with the Wide Bay Group Training Scheme looking for South Burnett employers willing to take on a school-based trainee. WBGTS Area Manager Michelle Waters (right) says hiring school-based trainees is a great way for employees to trial potential employees and also encourages young people to receive vocational training. You can read the full press release from SQIT and WBGTS here (12kb PDF)