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Ergon Energy Helps the South Burnett Unplug June 9, 2011 - Kingaroy State High School students are getting Unplugged with the help of the Queensland Arts Council and Ergon Energy. The students were among the first in the State to see the new performance of the play which explores how young people can conserve electricity but still continue to live modern lifestyles. The story is set in a share house with two friends balancing study, work, cash and bills. ABOVE: Unplugged characters Toni (Sarah McLeod) and Damo (Kyle Walmsley) connect with Year 8 students Renee Shaw, Nicola Ballinger, Tahnia Miller, Daniel Thompson and Brandon Taylor with the help of Ergon Energy Area Services Manager John Box. * * * The South Burnett Energy Centre at Nanango is also spreading the word about energy conservation this month with special displays from June 18-24. Did you know that the average Ergon Energy residential customer uses about 21kWh of energy per day which produces about 21kg of greenhouse gases? Have you ever wondered what you could do to reduce your energy consumption? "Wise Up to Energy Use" will kick off with an open day on June 18 from 11:00am. There'll be LED lightglobe giveaways, displays by energy efficient suppliers/providers as well as a variety of information on energy conservation and renewable energy alternatives plus fun activities for the kids, including a free Queensland Arts Council performance of "Unplugged", (see story above).

Spencer Named Interim CEO June 8, 2011 - Controversial former Toowoomba Council CEO Philip Spencer has been appointed interim Chief Executive Officer of the South Burnett Regional Council. He has been appointed for a period of three months and will start work a week before current CEO Tony Hayward leaves for NSW. Mr Spencer resigned from Toowoomba Council in 2008 after alleged run-ins with Deputy Mayor Paul Antonio, the former Mayor of Millmerran Shire. Read more about Mr Spencer's shock resignation three years ago on the Toowoomba Chronicle website

Council Committee To Investigate Naming Options June 8, 2011 - A public campaign to re-think the naming of the Kingaroy Town Hall Forecourt area appears to be gaining some traction within the South Burnett Regional Council. At its May meeting, councillors voted unanimously to name the refurbished area the "Dr Ellen Kent Hughes Forecourt" in honour of the former Kingaroy Shire Councillor who was the first woman elected to Local Government in Queensland. An immediate campaign was launched on Facebook and elsewhere claiming the area should not be named after "an obscure politician" but should recognise former Test Cricketer Matthew Hayden, who it was claimed, "had put Kingaroy on the map". At their meeting today, Councillors will be asked to approve a compromise position to identify "a suitable venue" to recognise the sporting achievements of Hayden. The proposal is that Council create a committee consisting of Crs Barry Green and Damien Tessmann, a representative of the Hayden family and three community members who will report back to Council identifying possible venues that could be named in recognition of Hayden's sporting achievements. UPDATE 4:30pm - Councillors today rejected the formation of the consultative committee, opting instead to contact Hayden directly and seek his consent for a future naming project in the region. There was no decision to rescind the original motion to name the forecourt after Dr Ellen Kent Hughes. * * * Goomeri and Kilkivan business people are urged to have their say about local business conditions in an online survey organised by Gympie Regional Council. The regional survey closes this Friday, so time is running out ... To take part just click here and follow the instructions.

Ruth Helps Students Beat Exam Nerves June 7, 2011 - South Burnett dance and music students have no more excuses for complaining about "exam nerves" after weekend workshops in Kingaroy conducted by AMEB examiner Ruth Bonetti. Not-for-profit arts group South Burnett Arts Inc, in conjunction with the South Burnett Regional Council RADF program, brought Ruth to Kingaroy for the weekend of workshops to help students tackle practice and performance issues. Ruth has spent more that 30 years as a professional musician, teacher and speaker and has presented student and faculty seminars across Australia and in Europe and America. Students learned "practice is not a dirty word" and how to "get the A out of AMEB". ABOVE RIGHT: Ruth Bonetti talks to students. BELOW RIGHT: Flautist Leah Noll, from Kingaroy, was led through a Mozart piece while Ruth demonstrated ways to improve her performance

Dr Peter Wynn 'Alive & Well' June 6, 2011 - Kingaroy doctor Peter Wynn is alive and well, it was confirmed this morning. A Courier-Mail story - now removed from the newspaper's website - sparked fears amongst the popular GP's patients when it labelled him "missing". The story claimed Dr Wynn's family was concerned for his safety and that police had issued a "be on the lookout" alert about 6:00pm. However, Dr Wynn's surgery confirmed this morning that he was in Brisbane and would be returning to Kingaroy shortly. The concerns arose after Dr Wynn's car hit a kangaroo.

MRAEL Launches Discounts for Trainees & Apprentices June 3, 2011 - Kingaroy-based apprenticeship and group training service MRAEL is helping local apprentices and trainees stretch their hard-earned dollars a little bit further by developing a discount program, dubbed "Employer of Choice". MRAEL is partnering with different organisations to provide discounted services and other incentives to MRAEL apprentices and trainees, including: Mobile phone and internet packages with Vodafone, Discounts from Super Cheap Auto Discounted gym memberships with Cardio Central Corporate health care cover with Medibank Discounted travel and accommodation packages with Flight Centre and Quick Beds Corporate Corporate banking with the Commonwealth Bank Student rate prices with Kingaroy Satellite Cinema Kingaroy apprentice Ben Bird, who is hosted with Wards Electrical, says the MRAEL program will provide opportunities that he otherwise would not get. "The discounts will really help out because we don't earn that much money, it will take the stress out of the little things," he said. ABOVE RIGHT: MRAEL Group Apprentice Specialist Frances Ross with discount provider Steven Hudson (Kingaroy Satellite Cinema) and trainee Ben Bird (Wards Electrical)

Ergon Energy Boosts Envirofund to $150,000 June 2, 2011 - Ergon Energy's 2011 Envirofund program is offering $150,000 in grants to local community groups for projects with an energy conservation and environmental focus. And in the wake of a devastating summer of natural disasters across Queensland, the corporation has boosted the program with an extra $50,000. More than 30 not-for-profit community groups and organisations in regional Queensland have shared in $200,000 funding since 2009. Projects funded have included a mobile energy education trailer in South West Queensland, a program to rehabilitate injured turtles in Cairns, solar heating a barramundi tank at a Townsville school and establishing organic community gardens in Toowoomba. In the last round of funding, eight groups from the southern region were awarded Envirofund grants. These local projects included establishing a bush tucker trail at Wondai and bird-proof bins at Kingaroy High School. Grants range from $200 up to $10,000, depending on the size and merit of individual projects. Preference would be given to projects with an energy conservation focus, however other environmental benefits will also be considered. Applications close on July 20. For more information and an application form, visit the Ergon Energy website

Anita Offers Help To Local Tourism Businesses June 1, 2011 - South Burnett tourism operators have been promised assistance from a State Government Tourism Industry Recovery Officer (TIRO) to help the region get back on its feet following this year's floods. The officers will help tourism operators to determine their recovery needs and advise them about assistance programs available. Anita Adams has been appointed as the TIRO for the Darling Downs / Western Downs / South Burnett regions and will work in conjunction with the Queensland Tourism Industry Council to assist local operators. She can be contacted by email or on 0400-020-374.

Farmers Invited To Apply For Study Scholarships May 30, 2011 - South Burnett primary producers have until June 30 to apply for a $29,000 2012 Nuffield Australia Farming Scholarship. The scholarships enable participants to undertake overseas travel and develop a study program which suits their industry. It also provides an opportunity to rub shoulders with other Nuffield scholars and be updated on domestic and international agricultural issues. Nuffield Australia is offering 23 scholarships to practicing farmers or farm managers. Each scholarship offers successful applicants a six-week global focus program after which they will pursue an individual study topic for a further 10 weeks. Applicants should intend to remain involved in primary production and be aged between 28 and 40 (although people outside this age range can also apply). Academic qualifications are not a pre-requisite. Application forms can be downloaded from the Nuffield website . For more information contact Nuffield Australia CEO Jim Geitch on (03) 5480-0755.

Roll On Up To Goomeri on Sunday! May 27, 2011 - The South Burnett's biggest - and wackiest - annual festival, the Goomeri Pumpkin Festival is on again this Sunday with all the fun of the fair ... including the traditional pumpkin roll down Policeman's Hill which literally stops the traffic. As well as the Great Australian Pumpkin Roll, there'll be cooking demonstrations by celebrity chef Matt Golinski (Ready Steady Cook), street markets, antique cars, children's entertainment, delicious pumpkin foods and a huge street parade. For more information, check out the festival's website

Rugby League Stars To Visit South Burnett May 27, 2011 - Wests Tigers firstgraders Todd Payten and Geoff Daniela will arrive in the South Burnett today for a three-day visit to host rugby league skills clinics in the local area. Todd Payten, (right), is probably best-known as the prop-forward who scored a try for Wests Tigers in the last minute of the 2005 Grand Final against the NQ Cowboys. He played his 250th NRL game a few weeks ago. Geoff Daniela, (left), starred in Wests Tigers' defeat of South Sydney in April but unfortunately finished the game with a severe pectoral muscle injury which has ruled him out for the rest of the NRL season. The players will hold a skills clinic at Cherbourg from 4:00pm this afternoon and then back up tomorrow in Kingaroy where they will watch the junior games (U7s, U8s and U10s) between the Kingaroy Red Ants and Cherbourg Hornets before heading to Nanango to watch the Nanango Stags' U12s, U14s and A Grade sides in action. On Sunday they will conduct a junior kids clinic at Nanango from 10:00am. Todd and Geoff's visit is part of the NRL's Adopt-a-Club program for rugby league clubs in areas affected by the January floods.

CEO Denies Rift With Mayor Sparked Decision To Leave May 26, 2011 - South Burnett Regional CEO Tony Hayward, (right), is moving to Port Macquarie as General Manager of the local council but denies it has anything to do with his relationship with Mayor David Carter. Rumours of a rift have reached SBBiz over the past few weeks with one council source, speaking off the record, saying the Mayor and CEO were not on speaking terms. But Mr Hayward says this isn't so. "I don't have a bad relationship with the mayor. In any relationship, as you know, there are ups and downs ..." he said. Tony has served three years of his four-year contract with the SBRC. He has given five weeks notice and will start with the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council on July 18. He admits Mayor Carter was "certainly surprised" when he gave notice earlier this week, but only as surprised as Tony was when he learned on Monday that his job application had been accepted. When he saw the NSW role advertised, Tony saw it as an opportunity to move closer to his elderly parents and decided "to toss his hat into the ring". He's no stranger to Port Macquarie. Tony completed Year 12 in the town while his father was stationed there as a bank manager. His parents later retired there and built a home. His father is now 88 and his mother 85 and Tony wants to spend more time with them. He believes he's leaving the South Burnett council in better shape after working through many of the problems caused by amalgamation. "There were issues at the Murgon end but things have happened that are positive for the town, for example Yallakool has re-opened. We couldn't resolve all the issues straight away because of finances but we've been chipping away," he said. And although there are still things to be done "the building blocks are place". Tony sees his biggest achievement as helping to get the Council Budget back into the black. The first Budget was $6m in the red and the second was $4m in debt. The current Budget has a $700,000 surplus and Tony expects a surplus to be maintained when the books are closed off on June 30 despite the floods and rain earlier this year. He is confident about the future of the South Burnett. "It's a great place and very under-rated. When Council ran a stand at South Bank, I was surprised at how many Brisbane people still don't know where Kingaroy or Nanango are. Some know where the Bunya Mountains are but don't understand that Kingaroy is close by," he said. "The South Burnett is very much like the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast. It's as good a place as Montville or Maleny ... it's just the way it is marketed, but of course this requires money and we have limited funds. If we can reach these markets somehow ..." He sees benefits from the "Hand Made in Country" project, (see story May 3), perhaps rebadged as a "Hand Made in the South Burnett", if it lives up to its promises. Council will now advertise the fill the CEO's position but Tony does not believe it will have much trouble filling the role. In contrast, his new role as General Manager at the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council will have plenty of challenges. The nine councillors were sacked in 2008 when a public inquiry into the construction of the Glasshouse Entertainment Centre, (left), examined allegations of mismanagement after the budget for the project blew out from about $6m to $42m. The Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is currently run by an administrator until fresh council elections are held in 2012.

Just Look For the Logo For A Good Food Choice May 25, 2011 - Selected meals at nine dining venues in Kingaroy have been designated "good food choices" as part of a community nutrition program to increase the consumption of healthy food outside the home. The Good Food Choices program is being implemented RHealth and the South Burnett Healthy Community Committee. The process involves accrediting dishes which are a Good Food Choice at participating venues. So far, 50 dishes have been accredited in nine Kingaroy venues with three more accreditations pending. Good Food Choices are defined as meals that contain little fat or good fat, are low in sugar, low in salt, a good source of fibre and include at least one serve of vegetables. The nine accredited venues offering Good Food Choice dishes are: Utopia Cafe Kingaroy Seafood & Takeaway Red Pepper Deli Pioneer Lodge Motel Taste South Burnett Lee's Kitchen Burning Beats Captain's Paddock Cafe Accents Restaurant

Ergon Deadline Looming For Solar PV Installations May 24, 2011 - Ergon Energy has been inundated with applications to connect solar photovoltaic systems ahead of reductions in Federal Government incentives. For the best chance of approval and connection before the Federal Government's rebate is reduced on July 1, the Corporation is urging that applications for systems 5kW and greater be submitted by this Friday (May 27). May 27 is also the cut-off date for systems 2kW and greater being connected to a single wire earth return (SWER) section of the network. Applications for systems less than 5kW should be submitted by Friday, June 10. An Ergon Energy spokesman said all efforts would be made to process applications within these timeframes, however due to the large volume it could not guarantee approval would be granted in time for customers to qualify for the greater rebate. Ergon Energy customers can also apply for the Queensland Government Solar Bonus Scheme. After Tuesday, June 7, the scheme will be restricted to systems 5kW and less. Ergon customers wishing to install systems greater than 5kW should submit their connection application to the Corporation by 5pm June 7 in order to qualify for the scheme. It is a legal obligation to gain approval from Ergon Energy before the system is connected to the wider electricity network. * * * Craftspeople interested in registering with the Hand Made In Country project, (see story May 3), are urged complete the following survey by Friday (May 27). The information collected will be used for the development of the project and funding and sponsorship applications. Click here to complete the survey.

Information Sessions For Associations and Consumers May 23, 2011 - The Office of Fair Trading will be conducting free information sessions in Murgon, Cherbourg, Kingaroy and Wondai next month to provide information for members of Incorporated Associations and the general public. At the sessions, Fair Trading officers will provide advice and tips on: The requirements and responsibilities of Incorporated Associations including auditing requirements, annual reports and Annual General Meetings Consumer rights and issues, including refunds, warranties, credit and hire purchase, scams and door-to-door traders. At the end of the presentations, there will be an opportunity to ask questions. The sessions will be held at: Murgon - Tuesday, June 7, at The Australian Hotel. 9:00am-10:00am (general consumer information) and 10:00am-11:00am (Incorporated Associations) Cherbourg - Tuesday, June 7, at The Ration Shed. 2:00pm-3.00pm (general consumer information) Kingaroy - Wednesday, June 8, at Kingaroy RSL Anzac Room, 10:00am-11:00am (general consumer information) and 11:00am-noon (Incorporated Associations) Wondai - Wednesday, June 8, at Dimities Cottage, 2:00pm-3:00pm (general consumer information) Reservations for the information sessions are not required * * * Congratulations to Glen and Judy McKewen, Goomeri, and Ray and Marilyn Sippel, Murgon, who have been named among the top 5 per cent of suppliers at the 2010 Parmalat Excellence in Milk Quality awards held in Toowoomba last week.

New Blood To Breathe Life Into Kingaroy Peanut Festival May 20, 2011 - A new committee has been elected to guide the future direction of the Kingaroy Peanut Festival. At an Extraordinary General Meeting held last night, Kevin Krosch was elected president of Peanut Festival Inc and Stewart Parfett was elected Secretary. Ray Wilton was re-elected Treasurer. Outgoing President Dafyd Martindale and interim Secretary Anne Miller, who resigned from the Executive Committee earlier this year, were thanked for their service to the association. The first order of business for the new Committee will be organising the inaugural South Burnett Motors in Motion event which will be held at the Kingaroy Airport in October.

Cooking Star To Visit Local Libraries May 19, 2011 - TV cooking star Kim McCosker - of 4 Ingredients fame - will be appearing at Nanango and Wondai libraries next Monday (May 23). The best-selling author, (right), who grew up on a citrus farm in Mundubbera, will be presenting Food Tales which is described as "a narrative feast" - an exploration of the stories behind favourite recipes or memorable food experiences. Kim and her fellow author Rachael Bermingham have enjoyed phenomenal success after publishing their first cookbook in 2007. "4 Ingredients" was the best-selling book in Australia in 2008. Two TV series have followed plus international book deals. Kim will be at Nanango Library from 9:30am-12:30pm and at Wondai Library from 2:30pm-3:30pm. Food Tales in a joint initiative of the Queensland Writers Centre and the State Library of Queensland.

Trudi Shares Her Strategies For Business Success May 18, 2011 - Kingaroy businesswoman Trudi Bartlett is launching her new business consultancy From Headache To Heaven with free workshops in Murgon and Kingaroy this month. Trudi promises that in just a couple of hours she can share with participants seven successful business strategies which can help turn business struggles into success. Her first workshop is on tomorrow (Thursday) from 6:00pm at the Wakka Wakka Centre in Murgon. The Kingaroy workshop will be held at the Kingaroy RSL Club next Monday (May 23) from 6:00pm. For more information, and to book a seat, contact Trudi by email * * * The Burnett Catchment Care Association has released the latest edition of its Burnett Buzz newsletter which contains information about upcoming rural workshops and local events. It can be downloaded here (965kb PDF)

Singer-Songwriters To Pass On Skills At Murgon May 17, 2011 - Four of Australia's leading singer-songwriters will be heading to Murgon in July to conduct a Queensland Music Festival workshop with local budding lyricists. Kev Carmody, Clare Bowditch, Dave Faulkner (Hoodoo Gurus) and Stephen Cummings (The Sports) will conduct a free four-hour song-writing workshop for anyone aged over 16. The workshop will offer tips on composing lyrics and learning how to overcome creative blocks. The workshop is free but pre-registration is essential due to limited spaces. Online registrations opened yesterday and close on July 8. To register online, visit the QMF website The Song Trails project has been organised by the Queensland Music Festival and is sponsored by Tarong Energy, APRA and Queensland Rail. * * * The South Burnett Regional Council is seeking feedback on the recent South Burnett Biz Expo held at the Kingaroy TAFE College last month. If you'd like to fill in the short survey form, click here

Porters Honoured With Life Memberships May 16, 2011- Former Kingaroy residents Col and Marie Porter have been honoured with life memberships of the Livestock Transporters Association of Queensland (LTAQ). The Association celebrated its 30th anniversary in Brisbane recently. Col and Marie, who have retired to Hervey Bay, founded Porters Livestock Transport in Kingaroy and Col was an inaugural member of the LTAQ and a former delegate. Porters was the first livestock carrier in Queensland to operate B Double trailers on livestock. In 2009, it carted 604,955 head of cattle and covered 4,115,000km. The company is now known as Martins Stock Haulage after joining the Martin Group of Companies and operates a fleet of semi-trailers, B Doubles and Road Trains from Oakey, Roma, Kingaroy and Rockhampton. Read more about the LTAQ conference on the Queensland Country Life website