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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)

Workshop To Help Rural Women Build Resilience August 26, 2009 - A free five-hour workshop will be held in Kingaroy on October 15, 2009 to help entrepreneurial rural women to build "Resilience Thinking". The workshop will be presented by Denise Quinn CSP (NSAA), founder of the Rural Women's Forum Program, as part of the "Engaging Women Farmers Project". It will focus on business and life skills development, including developing long-lasting resilience strategies, achieving goals and business improvement. For more information and to register online, visit the RRR Women website

Nanango's Latest Attraction Will Electrify Tourists August 25, 2009 - The South Burnett Energy Centre at Nanango, (right), opened its doors to the public for the first time yesterday. The centre, in Henry Street, also houses the new Nanango Visitor Information Centre, making it a one-spot stop for tourists. Displays highlight the history of power generation in the South Burnett and include the original motors from the Butter Factory which provided the first reticulated power to Nanango in 1933 (pictured at right, just after they were lifted into their new home). There is also information about alternative energy sources and interactive displays. South Burnett Mayor David Carter said the Energy Centre formed part of the Queensland Energy Trail and had been developed by Council in consultation with the Queensland Energy Museum.

Welding Apprentices To Compete In Kingaroy ABOVE: Gearing up for the WorldSkills competition are apprentices David Smith (Austrian Energy & Environment), John Dangerfield (Swift Engineering), Jackson Purcell (Tarong Energy) and Jarrod Hancock (Tarong Energy). August 24, 2009 - Metal manufacturing apprentices from the local region will be competing in a regional WorldSkills competition to be held at Kingaroy TAFE campus this Thursday. Fourteen apprentices will have the opportunity to showcase their skills. The winners will then compete in the national finals which will be held next year. Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE metal fabrication teacher Peter Towns said WorldSkills was a great opportunity for young trade apprentices to test their skills against others and perhaps gain the opportunity to compete in an international competition. The students will be doing MIG and Stick welding to Certification 3E and 8G tickets. Local employer Tarong Energy has provided the steel for the competitors to work with during the competition.

Were You Ever a Peanut Festival Queen? August 21, 2009 - One of the popular parts of past Kingaroy Peanut Festivals was the formal ball and the crowning of the Peanut Festival Queen. This year, the Kingaroy Peanut Festival is marking the 50th anniversary of the first festival on September 12 and the organising committee is trying to hunt down former "Queens" and other peanut "royalty" to feature in the Showgrounds parade. There are some famous "Queens" are out ... including Moya Hayden, (right), mum of champion cricketer Matthew. If you're a Peanut Festival Queen - or know someone who is - please contact Dafyd Martindale on (07) 4162-3899 as soon as possible! Photo courtesy: Kingaroy Heritage Museum

Splatt And You're Under Attack August 20, 2009 - Hannah Winter and Steve Peterson know that their business will go "splatt" ... in fact, they're banking on it! Splatt Sponge Attack is an interactive fairground attraction that allows groups of eight to fight it out by shooting each other with wet sponges propelled by air compressor-powered "guns". Hannah told SBBiz Splatt Attack was very popular with teenage boys but is also suitable for all ages and genders. Splatt Sponge Attack can be contacted on (07) 4162-5465 or by email