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Calling All Local Apexians! March 9, 2009 - Kingaroy Apex president Jodie Butcher is trying to track down all former members of the Kumbia and Kingaroy Apex Clubs for a grand reunion to be held next month at the Kumbia Hotel. The idea for the get-together occurred after Jodie noticed the old Kumbia Apex Club Honour Board hanging in the hallway at the Kumbia pub. The reunion will be held on Saturday April 18 from 6:30pm. Accommodation and camping is available at the hotel. "I have been able to track down the names on the Honour Board but I want to invite anyone who was a member or a wife/partner of a member who may no longer be with us, to come along," Jodie said. "We just want to try and reach as many people as we can." Bookings are essential for catering purposes. Phone Jodie on (07) 4164-4167 or send her an email Andrew and Sue Wolski at the Kumbia Hotel have a special link to Apex. Andrew was a member of the previous Kingaroy club and Sue's father is Ray "Sug" Robson who was also a well-known member.

New Website For Speedway March 6, 2009 - The South Burnett Speedway Club may not currently have a racetrack but they do have a new website. The club is not racing at the Kingaroy Showgrounds this season due to safety concerns about the fence but members have been competing at a number of other venues including Maryborough and Gympie. Negotiations about the club's local venue have been taking place with the South Burnett Regional Council and other organisations and an announcement is expected soon. NB. The KCCI has advised that the free "Surviving Tough Times" seminar, organised by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland, which was to be held in Kingaroy on March 17 has been cancelled due to lack of interest. Recession, what recession?

Shoppingworld Celebrates Its Winners March 5, 2009 - Congratulations to the recent winners at the Shoppingworld Business Awards: Food Excellence Award – Cellarbrations Mixed Fashion Excellence Award - Millers Fashion Club Health, Beauty & Fashion Accessories Award - Bou's For Men Services Excellence Award - Heritage Building Society Giftware, Variety & Technology Award - Network Communications Major's Top Performer Excellence Award – Best & Less Specialty Chain Excellence Award - Donut King Independent Retailer Excellence Award - Volume II Marketing Excellence Award - Wendy's Special Acknowledgment Award - Donut King Encouragement Award - Eagleboys Retailer Of The Year Award - Thorps Showcase Jewellers

Cougar Can Now Move To Next Stage March 4, 2009 - Cougar Energy plans to start the Pilot Burn stage of its possible 400MW power station project near Kingaroy later this year following the announcement this week that the State Government had granted its application for Mineral Development Licence (MDL). Cougar says the granting of MDL 385 confirms the Government's recently announced policy of supporting the progressive development of Cougar's Kingaroy underground coal gasification (UCG) project. The move also allows Cougar to complete the agreed purchase from Cockatoo Coal Ltd of its remaining interest in the UCG Designated Area at Kingaroy. "Cougar's past drilling programs have confirmed a ... resource of 73 million tonnes of coal suitable for the UCG process, which is sufficient to fuel a 400MW combined cycle power plant for at least 30 years," Cougar's Managing Director Dr Len Walker said. Lady Bjelke-Petersen to fight mine plans

Our Visitor Information Centres Are The Best in Queensland! March 3, 2009 - The Wondai and Kingaroy Visitor Information Centres have both won trophies in the 2009 Queensland Visitor Information Centre Of The Year competition. The Wondai VIC competed in the "one paid staff and volunteers" section against Warwick, Dalby, Boonah and Beaudesert. Kingaroy VIC competed in the "more than 3 paid staff and volunteers" section against Blackall, Cairns and Gladstone. The wins were announced on Sunday night at the Queensland Information Centres Association Conference held in Stanthorpe. ABOVE RIGHT: Kingaroy Visitor Information Team Leader Jayne Deshon with volunteer Gwen Woodall

Electricity Council To Meet In Maryborough March 2, 2009 - The Wide Bay-Burnett Regional Electricity Council will be meeting in Maryborough on Thursday to consider supply and distribution issues raised by local residents. Wide Bay-Burnett REC chairman Craig Hodges said issues likely to be discussed include proposed changes to the local network, environmental issues and vegetation management, customer relations, major infrastructure projects, impact on local communities, the reliability of supply and network maintenance. "All community interests, including business, industry, local government, town and country are welcome to put their views to the Council," he said. The Council provides advice and community feedback to the Mines and Energy Minister, to the Office of the Energy Ombudsman and to Ergon Energy on electricity distribution and retailing within the region.

Local Electrician Goes Green February 27, 2009 - Two businesses listed this week on SBBiz will be familiar to South Burnett readers but are back with a difference ... Licensed electrician Greg Taffe has launched Go Green Generation. The contract solar electric installer also offers energy-efficient home re-wiring and home products and will do home and business energy audits. Greg can be contacted on 0458-937-439 or by email His wife Kelly is also planning to re-open her business, Kelee's Makeup Artistry Waxing and Beauty, at Shop 2, 32 King Street. Kelly told SBBiz she hoped to have the doors open in May. Kelee's Makeup specialises in all waxing and beauty needs including wedding, formal and special occasion make-up. She can be contacted on 0412-779-122.

Nurunderi Staff Win SQIT Awards February 26, 2009 - Staff from the Nurunderi TAFE College at Cherbourg have been recognised by their peers at the recent Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE's annual staff conference. Nurunderi Business Co-ordinator Santina Schmocker won the Service, Teamwork and Attitude Award for her efforts in designing training programs to meet community and industry needs. The campus's administration team, consisting of Ms Schmocker, student support officer Margaret Cobbo and administration officer Sheryl Zelinski (pictured above with SQIT Director Paul Murphy) won SQIT's Outstanding Service to Students Award. The awards were open to 420 staff from the nine SQIT campuses across Southern Queensland.

Powerful Work In Kingaroy February 25, 2009 - Ergon Energy crews from far and wide, (above), descended on Kingaroy last Sunday to continue work on a $500,000+ upgrade of the power supply for the CBD. Ergon spokesman Craig Harris said a major upgrade of the Kingaroy East feeder was necessary to cater for the increased demand from customers in the main business district. "This project involves replacing the poles in Haly Street and stringing new aluminium conductor with greater capacity in this section of the 11,000-volt feeder," Mr Harris said. More Ergon crews will be out and about on Sunday, March 8, to complete the work.

Looks Like We Got Us A Convoy... February 24, 2009 - South Burnett truckies have been invited to take part in the annual Lights on the Hill convoy which will be held along on the Warrego Highway next Saturday. The convoy will leave Toowoomba Showgrounds and BP Archerfield at 11:00am to head to the Gatton Showgrounds for a day of entertainment which includes pig races, tarp tying, country music and children's activities. Registration fees will go towards the Queensland Truck and Coach Drivers memorial wall at Gatton. Additional collections will also be made to the Victoria bushfire and the Queensland flood appeals. For more information, contact Kathy White on (07) 5465-7634 or 0427-739-112.

Download Rail Trail Brochure February 23, 2009 - A brochure depicting the picturesque Linville to Blackbutt section of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail is now available for download as a 711kb PDF from the Rail Trails of Australia website. The 23km section of former railway line passes through pockets of hoop pine forest and features spectacular scenery including mountain ridges, grass trees and remnant vegetation. It is suitable for mountain bikes, horses and walking. NB. We apologise if you have experienced any hiccups with our service over the past 24 hours. Southburnett.biz relocated overnight to a bigger, faster server however as with any large IT project, there may have been some minor glitches during the process. Any problems should disappear rapidly.

Self-Catered Accommodation in Kingaroy February 20, 2009 - A new accommodation option has opened in Kingaroy, just in time for the Wine and Food in the Park Festival. Rhylan Cottage offers self-catered accommodation at 17 Curtis Road, Kingaroy, in a garden setting. Owners Jan and Frank Pritchard can be contacted on (07) 4162-3784 or by email.

TAFE Opportunities At Cherbourg February 19, 2009 - Popular courses at TAFE's Nurunderi Campus at Cherbourg so far this year include Certificate IV in Community Services Protective Care, Indigenous Primary Health Care, Hospitality, Business Studies and Frontline Management. However Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE Business Manager for Nurunderi Santina Schmocker said there were still places available in many interesting and affordable courses this year with full-time or part-time options available. "The courses are very affordable because students don't have to pay Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) fees and concession holders receive discounts on course costs,” Ms Schmocker said. "There are also flexible payment opportunities." Programs with places available at Cherbourg in 2009: Certificate III in Aged Care; Certificate II and III in Business; Certificate IV in Training and Assessment; Literacy and Numeracy; Certificate III /Diploma in Child Care; Certificate IV in Massage; Certificate IV in Community Services Protective Care (Child Safety); Certificate III / IV in Indigenous Primary Health Care; Computer Studies. For more information, contact Nurunderi Campus on (07) 4169-9999. ABOVE RIGHT: Nurunderi TAFE Administration Officer Sheryl Zelinski and Student Support Officer Margaret Cobbo are waiting to help students enrol at Nurunderi TAFE campus this year

Blackbutt Development Proposal On Website February 18, 2009 - Washington Developments' proposed Blackbutt Central development will include a shopping centre, medical centre, hardware store, bank and several small tenancies, according to information on the company's website. The company has posted the commercial plan for Blackbutt Central as well as information about 20 lots it is selling at The Diggings estate in Nanango. Download the Blackbutt Central commercial plan (494kb PDF)

Locals Snapped Up By Ergon Energy February 17, 2009 - Two South Burnett apprentices are among 45 selected from 1600 applicants for positions at Ergon Energy. Shane Cliff, from Murgon, and Glen Cross, from Yarraman, were presented with their personal protection equipment last week by Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson, (above right), at Ergon Energy's Banyo facility in Brisbane to mark the beginning of their training. "To be offered an apprenticeship with Ergon Energy is a great opportunity for each of you," Mr Wilson said.

Premier Tells Council: No Big Rate Rises February 16, 2009 - Land tax valuations in the South Burnett Regional Council area have been frozen as part of a State Government package of cost-saving measures for business. Premier Anna Bligh said the land valuations had been undertaken before the true impact of the global financial crisis had hit Australia. "As a result, these valuations will not be issued for residential and industrial land because now is not the time for tax increases just as it is not the time for big rates rises," she said. She said she hoped the freeze on land valuations would convince the 17 local councils affected, which includes the South Burnett, to limit unreasonable rate rises.

Channel 7 Spotlight On South Burnett February 13, 2009 - Celebrity chefs Alastair McLeod and Andrew Mirosch, (pictured at right with producer Ashleigh Frater), and a Channel 7 film crew visited the South Burnett late last year for a special about the South Burnett Cuisine Trail. The team visited a number of local establishments including Crane Wines, the Tingoora Hotel, Clovelly Estate Wines, The Peanut Van, Burning Beats and Bottle Tree Hill Organics at Crownthorpe. At Bethany, Alastair prepared pumpkin scones for morning tea under the watchful eye of Lady Bjelke-Petersen. At Bjelke-Petersen Dam, the chefs went fishing with local charter operator Matthew Mott. While in Kingaroy, they toured PCA's processing plant and took a trip to the top of the silos on the oldest operating lift in the Southern Hemisphere. The Queensland Weekender special will air on Channel 7 from 5:30pm tomorrow!

$14m+ Buyout Secures Future of Swickers February 12, 2009 - The future of Swickers Bacon Factory - and the jobs of 400 South Burnett workers - are secure today following an announcement that former part-owner CHM Alliance has purchased the remainder of the Kingaroy factory. Industry sources put the value of the sale in excess of $14 million. The CHM Alliance consists of three large independent piggery companies and is a major producer of pork and replacement breeding stock. Swickers was jointly owned by Hans Continental Smallgoods and CHM Alliance when Hans went into voluntary administration last November. Michael Smith, from administrators KordaMentha, said the sale was a good result for Swickers and Kingaroy because it secured continuity of operations and employment. "It means Swickers will change hands in the least disruptive way and the jobs of 400 workers are secured," he said. "The CHM Alliance is a supplier to Swickers and is right on the cutting edge of the pork industry, especially with breeding and genetics. The sale demonstrates the underlying strength of Swickers because the Alliance would know the business from back to front." South Burnett Regional Council Mayor David Carter said the sale was a positive indication of the confidence in the region. "This is the best outcome we could have hoped for, with jobs saved in the South Burnett and an alliance with primary producers in Southern Queensland," he said.

Deadline Tomorrow For Event Funding February 12, 2009 - Tomorrow is still the deadline for funding applications by South Burnett event organisers under the latest round of the Queensland Events Regional Development Program. There could be confusion caused by media reports that the deadline has been extended to February 27, but this only applies to those areas of North Queensland affected by the current floods. All other applications must be received by Queensland Events by the close of business tomorrow. The QERDP has provided more than $11.5 million to more than 548 regional events since it started in 2001. Local events to have received support include the Kingaroy Peanut Festival, Goomeri Pumpkin Festival, Great Kilkivan Horseride and the South Burnett Wine and Food in the Park Festival. "These events bring in business, create jobs, attract tourists, fuel growth and prosperity and give a tremendous sense of pride for the local host communities," Premier Anna Bligh said.

The Rock Comes To Nanango February 11, 2009 - An agency for Central Queensland's The Rock building society has opened inside the Nanango Newsagency at 64 Drayton Street, Nanango. The new outlet is part of an aggressive expansion plan by the Rockhampton-based building society, which is opening eight new agencies over an eight-week period to extend its network to 31 locations. Nanango Newsagency owners Peter and Alison Warren also stock a large range of office stationery and equipment under the Officesmart banner. Nanango Newsagency can be contacted on (07) 4163-1135.