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Nominations Sought For Australia Day 2010 September 23, 2009 - Nominations are now being called for the 2010 Australia Day Awards in the South Burnett. Award categories are: South Burnett Community Event of the Year South Burnett Cultural Award South Burnett Junior Sports Person of the Year South Burnett Senior Sports Person of the Year South Burnett Sports Administrator of the Year South Burnett Small Communities Award Kingaroy Citizen of the Year / Young Citizen of the Year Murgon Citizen of the Year / Young Citizen of the Year Nanango Citizen of the Year / Young Citizen of the Year Wondai Citizen of the Year / Young Citizen of the Year South Burnett Citizen of the Year / Young Citizen of the Year The official awards ceremony will be held on the eve of Australia Day, Monday 25, at Wondai Memorial Hall. Nominations must be received by the South Burnett Regional Council by November 30, 2009.

Severe Fire Threat in South Burnett September 22, 2009 - The State Government yesterday announced a Total Fire Ban in the South Burnett region until at least Thursday because of the very high to severe threat. Hot weather and winds are a diabolical mixture for local residents so now would be a good time to review some basic bushfire safety and survival tips provided by the Rural Fire Service. Click here for more information. For an overview of current bushfire hotspots, visit Geoscience Australia's Sentinel website and click on the map of Australia. NB. These maps may not be "real time" so must not be relied upon in an emergency situation.

Financial Support For Chambers of Commerce September 21, 2009 - The South Burnett Regional Council has voted to support local Chambers of Commerce and Development Associations financially for 2009-2010. At its September meeting, councillors voted unanimously to approve grants of $6500 to the Murgon Business and Development Association, $3500 to the Wondai Chamber of Commerce and $7500 to the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry. An amount of $1000 was proposed for distribution in Nanango however Council resolved that further discussions should take place with the relevant organisations in this town.

Childcare Centre Planned For Oasis Estate September 18, 2009 - A childcare centre, offices, takeaway food store, restaurant and medical centre can now be built within the Oasis Estate development in Kingaroy following a ruling at the September meeting of the South Burnett Regional Council. Councillors voted unanimously to approve the development subject to several conditions, including that it be built in no more than two stages. Construction also cannot begin until development permits for building works, plumbing and drainage work have been issued.

Council Sets Registration Fee For Cats September 17, 2009 - From December 1 next year, it will be compulsory for all cats and dogs in the South Burnett to be registered with Council. Registration fees for cats will be the same as dogs, ie $85 for an entire animal or $18 for a desexed animal. Any resident found to be owning an unregistered cat will be fined $200. From the same date, all cats and dogs under the age of 12 weeks must also be microchipped. The South Burnett Regional Council will be encouraging cat owners to "test drive" the new registration system for free during a voluntary registration period from January 1, 2010 to November 30, 2010.

Second Award For Santina September 16, 2009 - Santina Schmocker's passion and commitment to the Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE's Nurunderi campus at Cherbourg has won her another award. Santina, (pictured at right with Department of Education & Training Director-General Ms Julie Grantham), was presented with a special commendation at the recent Queensland Training Staff Recognition Awards. The awards aim to recognise excellence in achievement by individuals within the training industry. Santina is a Business Co-ordinator at Nurunderi and was nominated for the award by her peers. Earlier this year, she won the Service, Teamwork and Attitude Award at SQIT's annual staff conference for her efforts in designing training programs to meet community and industry needs.

Cockatoo and Cougar To Share Resources September 15, 2009 - Coal exploration company Cockatoo Coal, which is conducting exploratory work in coal seams south of Kingaroy, has struck a deal with Underground Coal Gasification project driver Cougar Energy which is developing a pilot UCG plant near Kingaroy. The two companies have agreed to retain rights to investigate prospects for open cut coal and UCG-suitable resources in their respective holdings throughout the Surat Basin and to separate any suitable resources. Priority will be given to development of open cut coal resources by Cockatoo and to UCG resources by Cougar where no conflict with open cut mining occurs. Cockatoo has a minority interest in Cougar after it relinquished its title rights to the UCG agreement area near Kingaroy in return for 15 million Cougar shares.

PCA Sets New World Record! September 14, 2009 - The Peanut Company of Australia is basking in glory after its team, (above), recorded the fastest time in Saturday's Peanut Thresher pull, a highlight of the 2009 Kingaroy Peanut Festival. The 15-man PCA team pulled the giant Amadas peanut thresher 15m in an amazing 13.12 seconds, smashing last year's record of 13.78 seconds which was set by Thiess. Records of the pull will now be submitted to the Guinness World Record office in London for confirmation of the world record. The PCA team recorded the fastest pull on the day, but were beaten by Kingaroy Fitness in the best average of three pulls, the criteria for winning the All-Comers Cup. The Australian National Title Farmers Cup was taken out for the second year running by the Kingaroy North team (the "Swamp Rats").

Tarong Energy Buys Out Japanese Joint Venture Partners September 11, 2009 - State Government-owned corporation Tarong Energy has signed an agreement to take full ownership of the Tarong North power station. Tarong North is currently a 50/50 joint venture between Tarong Energy and TM Energy (a company owned by Tokyo Electric Power Company TEPCO and Mitsui & Co) but is operated by Tarong Energy under contract. Tarong Energy will have to satisfy a number of pre-requisite regulatory and commercial requirements before moving to full ownership of Tarong North. Tarong Energy Chairman Mr Graham Carpenter said there would be no job losses as a result of the acquisition. Download the Tarong Energy press release (36kb PDF)

My Town - Kingaroy September 10, 2009 - For anyone who happened to miss the "My Town" segment on World Food Spectacular on Channel 7HD on Tuesday night, here's a YouTube link we found (just click on the Play button): At SBBiz, we're thinking that The Peanut Van's Rob, Chris and Jamie Patch had better steer clear of Swickers ... they might just get packaged up as hams!

Top Musicians Heading To Wondai September 9, 2009 - The newly formed South Burnett Arts group is assisting with two visits to Wondai this month by top-class classical musicians. Buskers from the Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra will be at the Wondai Garden Expo on Saturday September 26. The following day, the Brisbane-based St Peters Chorale, (above), will be performing at Wondai Town Hall from 2:00pm. The chorale is one of Australia's leading youth choirs and has performed throughout Europe and America. The singers are in Years 10-12 at St Peters Lutheran College and are under the direction of conductor Graeme Morton. For more information on either event, contact Jane Iszlaub from South Burnett Arts on 0411-118-510.

Two Record Attempts At Peanut Festival! September 8, 2009 - Two Guinness World Record attempts will be held during Saturday's PCA Kingaroy Peanut Festival at Kingaroy Showgrounds: The Peanut Van Peanut Thresher Pull - Farmers' teams from Kingaroy South and Kingaroy North, as well as teams from local businesses, will again be competing to pull the massive Amadas peanut thresher 50m in the fastest time. The current world record is 13.78 seconds held by last year's fastest team Thiess Pty Ltd. The Peanut Van Peanut Toss - How far can you throw a peanut in the shell? Amazingly, the current record is 37.92m (124'4") set by Colin Jackson in Cardiff, Wales, in February 2008. Other highlights of this year's PCA Peanut Festival include: Parade - NB. The parade is at the Showgrounds! Ping Pong Ball Drop Harvey Norman Great BBQ Cook-Off Little Peanuts Games Helicopter Joy Flights Country music star Lance Friend & band live on stage Arm-wrestling tournament Cars, bikes and vintage farm machinery display There will also be the usual market stalls, amusement rides, hot food and a licensed bar. Admission is $5 with under-18s free (free entry for parade entrants)

ABC Radio Visits Energy Centre September 7, 2009 - ABC Radio Southern Queensland recently featured the new South Burnett Energy Centre in Nanango on its breakfast show. If you missed the original broadcast the resulting interview (and photographs) are now on the Internet. Getting A Buzz Out Of The Energy Centre The Nanango Visitor Information Centre has also relocated across the road to the Energy Centre in Henry Street and has a new phone number. They can now be reached on (07) 4171-0100.

Cougar Raises $8.29m For Kingaroy Power Project September 4, 2009 - Cougar Energy announced yesterday it has raised $8.29 million for its Kingaroy Underground Coal Gasification project. A placement of 100,500,000 new fully paid ordinary shares at 8.25c per share was made to institutional and other investors in Australia and overseas. Settlement is scheduled for September 8. Cougar Energy also announced that a $6 million share purchase plan offer would be made to eligible shareholders giving them the opportunity to also subscribe for new fully paid ordinary shares at 8.25 cents. The funds raised will be used to complete the construction and operation of the Kingaroy Project pre-production facility, on-going drilling programs at other sites, forward design for the Kingaroy Power Plant and on-going working capital requirements. Read the full story at OilVoice Footnote: Coolabunia farmers, Council representatives, Environmental Protection Authority officers and Cougar Energy CEO Dr Len Walker met at the South Burnett Enterprise Centre in Kingaroy last night to discuss issues which have been raised locally in regards to the Kingaroy UCG project. The sometimes fiery meeting discussed problems which have occurred during preliminary exploration and testing and was briefed on technical aspects of the ongoing project. Cr Keith Campbell, Cougar Energy CEO Dr Len Walker, Coolabunia farmer Damien O'Sullivan and South Burnett Mayor David Carter at last night's Cougar Energy discussion meeting held in Kingaroy

Career Opportunity At Proston September 3, 2009 - There's a linesperson apprenticeship available at Proston in 2010 ... and Ergon Energy is keen for people in the South Burnett to apply for the position. A spokesman reported this week that the company has had a big response to its statewide call for apprenticeships to fill its 2010 intake, with almost 2000 hopefuls applying for positions. However, Ergon are trying to encourage a greater response for the Proston job. Potential applicants can find out more on the Ergon Energy website and must apply by next Monday (September 7).

Report That Flickering Street Light September 2, 2009 - Ergon Energy will today begin a major program to repair broken, damaged or vandalised street lights in Kingaroy to improve public safety. Acting Area Operations Manager Tony Bygrave said yesterday contractors would inspect street lights on the main traffic routes across town tonight. Any lights found to be faulty will be fixed within a fortnight. There are 320 street lights in Kingaroy and about 1000 in the South Burnett. Keeping them all working well is a priority for Ergon but they do need help from the public. "We urge residents to report any street light malfunction or abnormal operation on 13-10-46. This includes lights that are not operating and any that are flickering," Mr Bygrave said. Street light problems can also be reported via Ergon Energy's website

5 Small Stones Can Create A Ripple Around The World September 1, 2009 - Well-known Kingaroy businesswoman Lynnelle Richardson, (right), has launched a new online store dubbed 5 Small Stones. The business sells original photography and inspirational gifts and offers fundraising partnerships for schools and community groups. At the moment, 5 Small Stones is assisting the Highway Christian Church raise funds to build a rescue home for girls in Cambodia. Fundraising products purchased online before September 12 with the code HCC0109 will help stop slavery and poverty and give these young Cambodians a future. For more information, contact Lynnelle on 0419-719-120 or by email

Calling All Bookworms! August 31, 2009 - The Kingaroy-Taabinga Rotary Club will be holding its popular annual Bookarama bookfest at Kingaroy Town Hall on Saturday, September 26. Organisers promise there will be thousands of pre-loved books at bargain prices. As well, there'll be a raffle, lucky door prize and sausage sizzle. For more information - or to donate books for sale - contact Darryl on 0408-718-843 or Paul on 0447-485-246. Funds raised will be used on Rotary projects both locally and internationally.

Very Busy Time At The Artists Cottage August 28, 2009 - Karla and Garry Eyre, from The Artists Cottage in Kingaroy, are looking for local craftspeople interested in forming a Crafters Co-Operative and sharing a studio space. A very popular Artists Co-Operative is already based at The Artists Cottage and the new group would be based along similar lines and provide an outlet for local craftspeople to show and sell their wares. As part of the South Burnett Spring Festival, The Artists Cottage will also be hosting a Heritage Arts Festival on Sunday September 13 to mark the Cottage's fourth birthday. There'll be an art exhibition, displays of Taabinga Village history, antique cars, bikes and saddles as well as working artists doing printmaking, woodworking, doll-making and needlework.

Walkers Follow Culture Trail To Brisbane August 27, 2009 - As part of the 2009 Brisbane Festival, a 275km trek has been scheduled to begin in Cherbourg on September 12 passing through local towns and villages until participants arrive at Boundary Street, West End, in Brisbane on October 3. The Cherbourg Walk is being co-ordinated by Norman Hegarty from Cherbourg. Participants can join the walkers for segments of the journey sharing knowledge about traditional folklore, food sources, songs and art. More information will be available on the Brisbane Festival website after September 1. The concept is similar to the popular Drumley Walk which is held from Beaudesert to Southport. Download a press release (10kb PDF)