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KCCI Christmas Break-Up Tonight! December 14, 2009 - The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry's 2009 Christmas Break-Up Meet'n'Greet will be held from 5:30pm tonight at Rhonda and Lindsay Kath's award-winning Mulanah Gardens B&B at Inverlaw. The venue is located at 736 Deep Creek Road (turn west off the Bunya Highway into Kingaroy-Burrandowan Road at the Kingaroy Golf Club): View Google Map The event is being sponsored by BGA, SB Building Approvals, the KCCI and Mulanah Gardens which means entry will be free for KCCI members. For more information, contact the KCCI on (07) 4162-8466.

Parish History Recorded By Kay December 11, 2009 - Just in time for Christmas, St Mary's Catholic parish in Kingaroy is releasing a new book this weekend which details the history of the Kingaroy and Kumbia parishes. St Mary's in Kingaroy celebrated its 100th anniversary this year while Kumbia's Our Lady of Peace church marked 90 years. The history book, prepared by local parishioner Kay Dove, includes many photos of the "early days" as well as photos and stories about early parishioners. Copies are $40 plus $3.85 postage and can be ordered via Kay on (07) 4162-4214 or by email

Open Night At South Burnett's New Crematorium December 10, 2009 - Virgo Funerals will be holding an open night at their new multi-million dollar South Burnett Crematorium complex in Pioneer Avenue, Kingaroy, tomorrow evening. The building, located opposite the gates to Taabinga Cemetery, also includes a chapel, hospitality area and many other features. There will be guided tours of the new building from 5:00pm and at 7:00pm there will be an ecumenical Christmas Service of Remembrance in the new chapel, followed by light refreshments. Everyone is welcome to attend but an RSVP would be appreciated to help with catering. For more information, contact Virgos today on (07) 4162-7988.

Aldi Supermarket To Open Tomorrow December 9, 2009 - Aldi's long-awaited Kingaroy store will be opening its doors to the public at 8:30am tomorrow. The no-frills supermarket, located on the corner of Markwell and Youngman streets, will carry about 1000 product lines, predominantly Aldi's own exclusive label brands as well as fresh fruit, vegetables and meat. City shoppers have been using the $2 coin charge for trolleys for many years but the introduction of this system at Aldi is a first for Kingaroy. The charge, which is refunded upon the return of the trolley, helps ensure that nearby streets are not left cluttered with abandoned trolleys. Smokers should note that the Kingaroy Aldi - like all Aldi stores in Australia - will not be selling cigarettes. This dates back to the 1961 split between Aldi founders Karl and Theo Albrecht in Germany. Theo wanted to sell cigarettes and Karl didn't. Theo formed Aldi Nord and Karl formed Aldi Sud. Australian stores are part of the Aldi Sud group.

Is Your Business Listed With Us? December 8, 2009 - Are you a South Burnett business or community group? Are your business details listed on this website? If they are, are they up-to-date and accurate? If your business or community group is not listed you are not only making it harder for people to contact you, you are missing out on a potential monthly audience of 9900 unique visitors (Oct 2009 statistics) - and this is just viewers to the front page of the website! There were an extra 24,700 database queries that same month!! If your details are not accurate ... or, if you are not listed, please ring us on (07) 4163-6854 or fill in the online registration form SBBiz is a not-for-profit community website which has been running since May 2001. Our purpose is to help promote the economic growth and development of the South Burnett. We try to list ALL South Burnett businesses, from one-person hobby enterprises to multinational companies that have local offices. The aim is to encourage local residents to use local businesses and at the same time promote South Burnett businesses outside the region. Don't forget, all listings are FREE! Can you afford not to be listed? We also depend on our readers to let us know when businesses that we have listed have closed or relocated. If you see an error, please send a quick email to info@southburnett.biz

Action Group Demands Halt To Cougar Project December 7, 2009 - A newly formed action group is calling on the State Government to demonstrate safe environmental procedures and halt Cougar Energy's local Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) project immediately. It has demanded a full environmental impact study and hydro-geological survey be completed before any more work proceeds. Group chairman and Coolabunia dairy farmer Gary Tessmann, (right), said local landholders and many Kingaroy residents were fed up with what they saw as the State Government's lack of action in addressing their "common sense" concerns about the serious threat to water supplies and air quality. He said the State Government has granted Cougar Energy permission to burn 20,000 tonnes of coal underground and emit potentially toxic gases over Kingaroy and surrounding areas. A local water source that supplies water to more than 100 clients within a 100km radius of Kingaroy could also be seriously damaged. "Water supplies in the area are vital to business and why should they be jeopardised by Cougar's coal experiment?,” Mr Tessmann said. "When the CEO of this company said he cannot 100% guarantee the safety of the local water supply at a landholders' meeting, it is obvious the State Government is not demonstrating due care and attention in allowing the coal burning experiment to proceed."

Kingaroy Pilot's Lucky Escape December 4, 2009 - Future Kingaroy Fly-Ins will be missing a popular attraction following a spectacular crash near Crows Nest yesterday. A fully restored Yak warbird, (pictured above at the 2009 Peanut Festival Fly-In), was written off when pilot Neil Dunn was forced to land in a paddock after suffering engine trouble. Fortunately Mr Dunn and his teenage passenger were not injured in the crash. Watch video of the crashed aircraft on the Toowoomba Chronicle website

TAFE Students Save Kingaroy's Christmas December 4, 2009 - The Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE's Frontline Management course students are determined to make sure Kingaroy does not miss out on a Christmas Carnival this year. The students, teachers and friends met on November 26 after publicity that there was no carnival planned this year. It's a very last-minute thing, but the committee is enthusiastic and is certain it can get the Carnival up and running on Thursday December 17 in O'Neill Square, Haly and King streets. But they need your help! The organising committee is seeking any sort of sponsorship that local businesses or individuals can provide ... in-kind, products, services or cash donations. Any unspent monies left after the carnival will be donated to a local charity. Please download the attached flyer (211kb PDF) for some ideas how you can help. For more information about the 2010 Christmas Carnival, contact Tina Torrens on (07) 4160-4415 or 0417-010-292. If you would like to sponsor the event contact Candace Dahms on (07) 4160-4421 or 0438-773-763 Interview with Tina Torrens on Hot Country 1071AM (courtesy Gary Wakely)

Major Workplace Changes Start January 1 December 3, 2009 - South Burnett employers have been alerted to major changes in the workplace which will kick in on January 1, 2010, as employees move onto new awards. Frances Ross, from Busy at Work Apprenticeship Services, said the State Government's Wageline information service would cease to operate on December 31. This is because from January 1 all employers and employees in Queensland - with the exception of State and Local Government workers - would be covered under a national industrial relations system administered by the Federal Government. Frances said all employers and employees, including apprentices and trainees, should refer to the Fair Work Infoline on 13-13-94 for more information, visit the new Fair Work website or download a fact sheet (118kb PDF). The State Government has not yet released details on how the Modern Awards will affect Queensland Apprenticeships and traineeships. Non-corporate employers (generally individual sole traders or partnerships) and their employees will continue to operate under the jurisdiction of the Queensland industrial relations system.

Definitely Australia in December at Wondai December 2, 2009 - Maleny artist Keith Blake is the featured artist in the Wondai Art Gallery exhibition which will be officially opened on Friday night at 6:00pm. Keith's exhibition, entitled "Definitely Australia", consists of oil landscapes in a traditional style. Also on display will be works by Maree Cameron, Cherry Carroll and Jennie Want. Kidz Korner will feature the work of students from South Burnett Home Schooling. Cost to attend opening night is $5 which includes finger food, punch and live Christmas carols. Wine from Cranes Wines will also be available to buy. The exhibition will remain on display throughout December and January.

Tarong North Sale Completed December 1, 2009 - Joint partners Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) and Mitsui & Co yesterday formally completed the sale of their 50 per cent interest in the Tarong North Power Station. TN Power Pty Ltd, a fully-owned subsidiary of Tarong Energy Corporation, purchased the holding from TM Energy, the investment vehicle established by the Japanese companies in 2002. Tarong Energy, a Government-Owned Enterprise, now has 100 per cent ownership of Tarong North. Tarong Energy foreshadowed the purchase in September. A statement by TEPCO and Mitsui said the sale was due to a strategic asset review by both companies. TM Energy was 35 per cent owned by TEPCO and 15 percent by Mitsui.

Virgo Funerals Shifts Into New Building November 30, 2009 - The South Burnett's oldest funeral directors Virgo Funerals shifted into new premises today, (above), adjacent to Kingaroy's Taabinga Cemetery. The new street address is 24 Pioneer Avenue, just off the Bunya Highway. The company's phone and fax numbers have also changed. The new landline is (07) 4162-7988 and fax (07) 4162-1529. The new building incorporates the South Burnett's first crematorium as well as a large chapel and function area.

Party With A Pollie November 27, 2009 - Deputy Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg will be the guest at three functions to be held in the South Burnett next month. Interested South Burnett residents can have: "Dinner with the Deputy" at the Royal Hotel, Yarraman, from 6:30pm on Friday, December 11. Cost is $30 and bookings are essential. Phone the Royal Hotel on (07) 4163-8219. "Breakfast with the Borg" at Ringsfield House, Nanango, from 6:45am on Saturday, December 12. Phone Ringsfield on (07) 4163-3345. "Lunch with Lawrence" at the Maidenwell Tea Gardens, Maidenwell, from noon on Saturday, December 12. Phone the Maidenwell Trading Post on (07) 4164-6166. Phone Jim Bond on 0419-668-656 for more information about any of the above functions.

Nickel Drilling To Start Soon November 26, 2009 - Exploratory drilling will start for nickel south of Kilkivan before the end of this year, retiring D'Aguilar Gold chairman Ian Levy told shareholders at the company's recent annual general meeting. D'Aguilar Gold's nickel exploration subsidiary AusNiCo has agreed to merge with Canadian copper-molybdenum explorer Lions Gate Metals Inc. Investigation of D'Aguilar Gold's Kilkivan tenements will begin as soon as this merger is completed. Mr Levy withdrew his candidature for re-election at the AGM, citing a decision to pursue other interests after "seven years hard labour" with the D'Aguilar Gold group.

Changes At Shoppingworld November 25, 2009 - There have been some changes at Kingaroy's Shoppingworld complex with two new businesses opening recently and one undergoing a name change. The Laubman and Pank optometrist is now part of the OPSM chain and has been renamed. Key cutting and shoe repairs are now available at the Mr Minit booth that has opened at the top of the travelator. Mr Minit can be contacted on (07) 4162-5888. A new woman's fashion store, Ice, has opened in Shop 34 (next to the Cellarbrations liquor store). Ice can be contacted on (07) 4163-6341.

Light Up LEDs For Christmas November 24, 2009 - Ergon Energy is encouraging South Burnett residents to erect energy-efficient displays of Christmas lights by sponsoring a new category in the South Burnett Regional Council's Christmas lights competition. Ergon Area Operations Manager Tony Bygrave said residents should consider using solar and LED lights rather than traditional incandescent bulbs in their displays. Entrants in the new category will be required to have a minimum of 20 per cent of their lighting from solar or LED lights. "This will progressively increase to at least 80 per cent in coming years to give existing entrants with a large stock of incandescent lights the chance to be eligible for this category while gradually switching to energy efficient alternatives," Mr Bygrave said. "Equally, there is an opportunity for new entrants to be in the running by having a higher concentration of solar and LED lights because the judges will consider both the energy efficiency and the quality of the display in deciding the three prize winners." Mr Bygrave said there was also another bonus ... power bills would be lower!

Local Businesswoman Launches E-Zine November 23, 2009 - The South Burnett will have its own "e-zine" (electronic magazine) next month with the launch of the South Burnett E-Zine by Kingaroy businesswoman Renae Mills. Renae says the newsletter will be mailed free every month to subscribers. To sign up - and get information about advertising rates - visit the JBIT Services website. Renae is also looking for club and community news to publish. She can be contacted on (07) 4162-4653 or by email

Micro-Algae To Be Harnessed At Tarong November 20, 2009 - Melbourne-based company MBD Energy will begin construction soon of a commercial algal synthesiser at Tarong Power Station which could eventually halve the station's carbon dioxide emissions. Algal synthesisers capture waste greenhouse gases at the source and use them to promote the growth of oil-rich micro-algae. These algae produce oils suitable for plastic, fuel and fertiliser production. All the algae is recycled: 35 per cent as oil and 65 per cent as low-methane stockfeed. The process also produces fresh water and oxygen. MBD Energy has already built a 5000sq m test plant at James Cook University in Townsville capable of producing 14,000 litres of oil and 25,000kg of algal meal from every 100 tonnes of carbon dioxide. It hopes to have a 1ha pilot plant at Tarong running within six months. The aim is to expand this to an 80ha facility by 2011 which could theoretically produce 11 million litres of oil. With further expansion over the next five to 10 years, the facility could eventually consume more than half of Tarong's daily carbon dioxide emissions. MBD Energy has also signed agreements with the Loy Yang power station in Victoria and Eraring Energy in NSW. One of the world's largest mining companies, Anglo American, recently bought a 20 per cent stake in the company. ABOVE RIGHT: John Cornelius (MBD), Dr Kirsten Heimann (James Cook University) and Regional Development Minister Desley Boyle get close and personal with algae at James Cook University ABOVE LEFT: An artist's impression of an algal synthesiser plant

A Bauxite Future For Kingaroy? November 19, 2009 - A report in today's Toowoomba Chronicle has hinted that a bauxite mine and aluminium refinery could form part of the South Burnett's future. Sydney-based bauxite explorer Volcan Holdings has applied for mineral exploration permits at Kingaroy, Childers, Pittsworth, Ravenshoe and Atherton. Volcan chairperson Mrs Pnina Feldman told the newspaper they wouldn't have taken up the tenements if they didn't think they were worth it. She said world demand for aluminium was growing and her company had received a lot of investor interest. In a project report (2Mb PDF), Volcan Group Chief Geoscientist Dr Simon Pecover said extensive deposits had been located previously at Kingaroy. Exploration almost 10 years ago had located major deposits considered to be suitable for establishing local alumina refineries using the Bayer process. The Bayer Process involves washing the ore in a very hot solution of caustic soda converting the alumina to aluminium hydroxide and creating a leftover red mud. Volcan Australia's application area in the South Burnett

Encapsulate Your Memories With Rotary November 18, 2009 - The Rotary Club of Kingaroy is celebrating its 60th birthday by preparing a time capsule which will be buried on Australia Day next year. It has invited all local businesses, corporations and families interested in preserving their history of this time to purchase an envelope from the club to store their memorabilia. Items to be included should not be affected by future changes in technology ... will anyone know what a CD is in 2048? Envelope sizes are A3 (corporate - $500), A4 (business - $200) and DL (family - $75). For more information, contact Time Capsule co-ordinator Ron Roberts on 0429-636-232 or by email