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Funding Offer For Local Festivals November 26, 2007 - Festivals Australia is calling for applications from local community and regional festivals for funding under two programs: Festivals Australia - funds new arts projects at community festivals Festivals Australia Regional Residencies - funds communities to engage artists to help them develop new locally-themed projects for community festivals or celebrations. For more information phone 1800-819-461, send an email or visit the Festival Australia website

Don't Forget To Vote In The Other Poll ... November 23, 2007 - The Australian Electoral Commission has begun posting out ballot papers to the estimated 700,000 eligible voters affected by forced Council amalgamations in Queensland. Local Government Association of Queensland executive director Greg Hallam has urged people to vote in the poll in an interview with ABC News today. "We think there could be a turn-off factor (with the Federal election)," he said. "We say to them, this is a once in a lifetime chance. Don't throw this opportunity away. People have fought incredibly hard to secure the right for you to have a vote on the future of your local government, please participate in the process." NB. The results of a plebiscite are not binding on the State Government

New KCCI Executive Elected November 22, 2007 - The Annual General Meeting of the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry was held last night. The Executive Committee for 2007-08 is: President - Rob Patch (The Peanut Van) Vice-President - Karyn Bjelke-Petersen (Bethany Cottages) Treasurer - Jenny Walters (Argue and Co) Secretary - Anne Miller (AM Publishing) Executive Members: John Boland (Shadylane Vineyard Cottages) James Bredhauer (Aussie Land & Livestock) Keith Campbell (Kingaroy Shire Council) Dave Chadwick (CQ Tec-Service) Jacqui Irwin (South Burnett Hire & Sales) Bruce Partridge (South Burnett Times) Leanne Stallwood (Realway Property) Chris Tuffield (National Australia Bank) Bernadette Upton (Kingaroy Veterinary Surgery) Rob Patch congratulated new faces James, Chris, Leanne and Jacqui on their election and thanked resigning members Maria Lynch (Across Country BGA Real Estate), Trudy Muller (South Burnett Book-Keeping), Peter Ploetz (Star Tyrepower) and Sharon Sippel (NAB) for all their assistance over the past 12 months.

Labor To Restructure ACCs November 21, 2007 - The ALP would build the existing Area Consultative Committee regional structure into a new body called Regional Development Australia if elected at Saturday's federal poll. Regional Development Australia would: Develop strategic regional plans in close consultation with local government, State, regional development bodies, private sector and regional communities, Support local projects in line with their plans, Identify infrastructure needs in their regions, Liaise across government about the needs of regional communities. Labor would continue to support Regional Organisations of Councils but would make it mandatory that all relevant applications are developed in consultation with Regional Development Australia. Asked to respond to Member for Wide Bay Warren Truss's promise of $15 million regional funding over three years (see story below), the ALP supplied their Regional Development For A Sustainable Future policy document (144kb PDF)

KCCI AGM Tomorrow Night November 20, 2007 - The Annual General Meeting of the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry will be held from 5:30pm tomorrow night at the KCCI Offices in O'Neill Square, Kingaroy. Everyone is invited to attend but only financial members of the KCCI are eligible to vote or stand for office. Members of the Executive Committee must also be nominated and seconded by financial members. Nominations can be taken from the floor of the meeting on the night. For more information and nomination forms, contact John Carey on (07) 4162-8466.

Truss Promises $15m If Coalition Re-Elected November 19, 2007 - Southern Queensland - including the new North Burnett Regional Council area, the South Burnett Regional Council area and Cherbourg - would share $15m of Sustainable Regions funding over five years ... if the Coalition is re-elected in the Federal poll on Saturday. Trade Minister Warren Truss, (right), announced the new Southern Queensland Sustainable Region in Kingaroy this morning. It will stretch from St George and Goondiwindi to Monto. It replaces the former Wide Bay Burnett Sustainable Region whose funding expired in June 2006. Several local businesses successfully accessed support under this program including Dean Wilson Aviation, Barlil Organic Poultry and Murgon Leather. "We have identified the Southern Queensland region as being in need of assistance, based on a range of socio-economic indicators including real incomes, education levels and diversity of economy. The impact of the drought has also been a big factor in choosing this particular region," Mr Truss said.

Multi-Million Dollar Announcement on Monday November 16, 2007 - SCOOP! Minister for Trade, Deputy Leader of the Nationals, Federal Member for Wide Bay - and former Kingaroy Mayor - Warren Truss will be making "a multi-million dollar regional funding announcement" in Kingaroy on Monday. The announcement will be made in front of invited guests at the Kingaroy Visitor Information Centre on Monday morning.

Annual Picnic at Bunyas November 16, 2007 - The annual picnic of the Bunya Mountains Natural History Association - a modern Bunya Mountains tradition - will be held from 10am on December 1 at Cedarvale. The annual get-together is for those people who live, or have lived, on the Bunya Mountains and surrounding areas. Free morning and afternoon tea, lunch and entertainment are provided. For more information, contact Ruth Humphrys on (07) 4663-4744 or Audrey Sampson on (07) 4164-6198.

Where Did That Three Hours Go? November 15, 2007 - Meetings ... can't work with 'em, can't work without 'em ... the Wide Bay Burnett Area Consultative Committee promises its latest seminar will help you conquer the challenges of meetings and make them work for you. The four-hour seminar, which will be delivered by Our Community from Melbourne in Kingaroy on November 26, will cover: Why and when you should meet Developing an agenda that works Use of sub-committees and reporting back Managing conflicts of interest The role of the chair - keeping the meeting on track Cost is $10 and bookings are essential. For more information, contact WBBACC Small Business Field Officer Peter Gregory on (07) 4121-2300.

Network Opportunity For South Burnett Groups November 14, 2007 - The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry has organised a South Burnett Futures Forum to be held in Kingaroy later this month to allow community groups from current shires to network ahead of next year's "super shire" council amalgamation. The KCCI believes the formation of the South Burnett Regional Council will provide challenges (and opportunities) for local community groups which currently have relationships with councils which will no longer be in existence. The Futures Forum will provide an opportunity for these groups to network and make short presentations to Transition Chief Executive Officer Shane Gray and Mayor David Carter from the Local Transition Committee. The Forum will be held at the Kingaroy RSL Club's Tobruk Room from 6:30pm on Tuesday November 27. Cost is $15 which includes a two-course meal. Please RSVP to John Carey at the KCCI on (07) 4162-8466 by November 26. For more information, please download the attached flyer (62kb PDF)

Newspaper Telegraphs Changes In Appin Street November 13, 2007 - A new publication appeared unexpectedly on footpaths outside South Burnett homes last week ... the Bush Telegraph. The paper is published by the Bush Telegraph Trust, from Shop 1, 2 Appin Street, Nanango and can be contacted on (07) 4163-2043 or by email Spokeswoman Holly Batten said it was intended that the free publication would be distributed weekly from Benarkin and Cooyar to Yarraman, Nanango, Kingaroy, Wondai, Proston, Murgon, Goomeri and Kilkivan. Also new at Shop 1, 2 Appin Street, Nanango is Our Magic Water which supplies bottled ionised alkaline mineral drinking water. Our Magic Water can be contacted on (07) 4171-0140 or by email. Injury therapist The Blue Healer (Matthew Butler) who used to be located in these premises has relocated his business to 386 Stretton Drive, Teelah Heights, Blackbutt. He can now be contacted on (07) 4163-0752.

Taabinga Homestead on Channel 7 November 12, 2007 - Historic Taabinga Homestead, (right), located just south of Kingaroy, was featured on Channel 7's Queenslander Weekender on Saturday. The Heritage-listed homestead was built in 1846 and is one of Queensland's oldest continually occupied homes. Owners Libby Leu and Colin Marshall offer B&B packages with accommodation in cottages in the gardens of the homestead. Taabinga is also home of the annual classical Taabinga Spring Music Festival. Click here for the Queenslander Weekender report

RSVP Today For Meet'n'Greet November 9, 2007 - The next KCCI Meet'n'Greet will be held on Monday night at Endeavour Business Services (better known as Endeavour Biscuits) at 17 Kingaroy Street. Presentations will be made by Shane Gray (South Burnett Regional Council Local Transition Committee Interim CEO), Sue Kratzmann (QDPI&F - Skills Formation Strategies) and Hazel Patterson (Endeavour). The Meet'n'Greet will include a tour of the facilities and taste testing of new food products. Cost is $14 including drinks. For catering purposes, please RSVP to the KCCI on (07) 4162-8466 today.

Caravanners Vote Kingaroy RSL Club As Top Dining Spot November 8, 2007 - The caravanners taking part in the recent Combined Caravan Clubs of Queensland State Rally in Kingaroy in September were asked to tally up their local spending and nominate their favourite businesses in several categories. Their answers make interesting reading. The total spend was $122,565, which included several major purchases from local businesses. Favourite Dining Venue - Kingaroy RSL Favourite Retail/Shopping Outlet - Woolworths Favourite Entertainment/Recreation/Attraction/Tourist Venue - Endeavour Biscuits / Kingaroy RSL (tie)

Tarong Energy Ready For Summer November 7, 2007 - All four generating units at Tarong Power Station will be on line to boost the security of south-east Queensland's power supply during summer, Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson announced yesterday. Tarong has had two generating units at its Nanango site off-line since April to save water from Boondooma Dam. “After the welcome rain of recent weeks in Wivenhoe and the water savings already made by generators, Tarong Energy is now able to bring the other two generating units back on line for this summer's peak demand,” Mr Wilson said. “All four generating units will be on line in early December but will remain at reduced levels to save water. They can be ramped up to full capacity at a moment's notice,” he said.

New Supermarket Quickly Taking Shape November 6, 2007 - The new $14 million supermarket complex on the corner of Kingaroy and Avoca Streets, Kingaroy, is quickly taking shape with construction due to be completed by the end of the year. The complex will include a 2200 sq m Supa IGA supermarket, a cafe, off-street car parking and another large retail area (next to Pound Street). For more information, and to view artists' impressions of the new building and a floorplan (6.3Mb PDF), visit the DGS Property Group website.

And The Winners Are ... November 5, 2007 - The annual Heritage Kingaroy Business Excellence Awards, organised by the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry, were announced at a glittering three-course dinner held at Kingaroy Town Hall on Saturday night. The winners were: Customer Service of the Year - Neil Koehler (Bob Jane T-Mart), Highly Commended - Elizabeth Benson-Stott, Encouragement Award - Gavin Pates Outstanding Apprentice - Adam Pedron (PCA), Highly Commended - Jamie Sellars Outstanding Trainee - Kimberley Reynolds (PCA), Highly Commended - Kimberley Scott (South Burnett Visitor Information Centre) Mature Age & Disability Friendly Workplace - Ken Mills Toyota Outstanding New Business - In Touch Chiropractic Tourism Ambassador - Bethany Cottages Hospitality & Tourism Services - Shadylane Vineyard Cottages Manufacturing Trade & Agricultural Services - RBM Industrial Bags Professional Services - Aggregate Corporation Professional Services Sales & Marketing - Print & Beyond Retail & Wholesale Services - Lonsdale's Soul Pattinson Chemist Sport, Recreation & Health Services - Hair Dimensions Motor & Transport Services - Driver Training & Education Kingaroy Corporate Citizen of the Year - Peanut Company of Australia, Highly Commended - The Peanut Van Business of the Year (selected from the winners of the business categories) - Driver Training & Education Kingaroy Three-time winner Lonsdale's Soul Pattinson Chemist was inducted into the Hall of Fame, joining Ken Mills Toyota and The Peanut Van

Congratulations to All Kingaroy Business Award Nominees! November 2, 2007 - The 2007 Heritage Kingaroy Business Excellence Awards will be announced at a gala dinner at Kingaroy Town Hall tomorrow night ... and sorry, it's all booked out!. Today's South Burnett Times newspaper includes a list of all the people and companies nominated in these prestigious awards. Congratulations to everyone who has been nominated! Awards will be presented in the following categories: Corporate Citizen of the Year Customer Service of the Year Hospitality & Tourism Services Manufacturing, Trade & Agricultural Services Mature Age & Disability Friendly Workplace Outstanding Apprentice Outstanding New Business Outstanding Trainee Motor & Transport Services Professional Services Professional Services - Sales & Marketing Sport, Recreation & Health Services Retail & Wholesale Services Tourism Ambassador Good luck everyone!

Hard Core Workshops For Small Business November 1, 2007 - "The Hardcore Truth" ... that's what these workshops put on by the University of Southern Queensland and ENACT Business Architects promise for small business people. What it takes to build a successful business Case studies on how businesses have made the grade Simple strategies that work in all businesses Learn about "business architecture" There will be two venues: November 22, 8:30am-10:30am - Maryborough, The Globe, corner Ward and Cheapside Streets; and November 22, 11:30am-1:30pm - Pialba, Hervey Bay RSL, 11 Torquay Road For more information and to register visit the Enact Business Architects website

New-Look WBBACC Newsletter Available October 31, 2007 - The latest edition of the Wide Bay Burnett Area Consultative Committee's electronic Regional Update newsletter is now available. The electronic newsletter - which has been totally redesigned - is the main communication tool for the Wide Bay Burnett ACC and provides all the latest information on events, activities and grant opportunities distributed by the Federal Government. To join the email mailing list, contact Cameron Bisley at the WBBACC on (07) 4121-7099 or email him