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JLA Opens New Office April 3, 2007 - Property valuers John Logan and Associates have moved into the old Gary Ogden Real Estate office at 101 Kingaroy Street, Kingaroy. JLA, who have been operating in Kingaroy for a number of years, have also launched a new website. Paul Turner can be contacted on (07) 4162-7822 or by email.

New Face Of The KCCI April 2, 2007 - The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry has a new face behind the wheel ... KCCI Manager John Carey, (right), officially started work today. John was formerly Community Development Officer at Rosalie Shire Council for six years and before that was with Brisbane City Council. He is looking forward to assisting the KCCI meet its objective to service its members, especially through targeting funding opportunities. He will also be organising all the Chamber's regular activities including Meet'n'Greets, Business Awards and Women In Business Network. He can be reached on (07) 4162-8466.

Stuart Range Toasts Butter Factory Centenary March 30, 2007 - To mark the centenary of the Kingaroy Butter Factory, Kingaroy winery Stuart Range - which is located in the old butter factory complex in William Street - has released a special limited edition red wine. "Cow and Grape" has been made from grapes harvested last year from the 850 vines planted adjacent to the old factory. Only 850 bottles have been produced with each bottle hand-numbered and sealed with red wax. The souvenir bottles are available only at the Stuart Range Cellar Door.

Christmas Shop On The Move March 29, 2007 - The Aussie Christmas Shop, Woodcraft and Gallery at Murgon has closed but the business lives on ... as a mobile and mail-order service. Owner Gina O'Brien still offers a huge range of Christmas, garden and Australiana cut-outs, novelty and vinyl signs as well as woodcraft items and promotional products. She can be contacted on (07) 4168-3533 or 0427-062-854. South Burnett CTC will be opening an office soon in the old Christmas Shop premises.

Rates Relief For Drought-Hit Farmers March 28, 2007 - Rural producers receiving Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payments can now get a 50 per cent rebate on their Shire rates. “The main criteria is that producers need to be receiving the Centrelink ECRP to access the shire rates rebate and must pay their rates in full to claim the 50 per cent rebate,” Agforce president Mr Peter Kenny said. The rebate, which will be paid by the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority, will only apply to the rates component of the bill and excludes any services such as water and waste disposal. It is available on rates paid in the 2006-07 and 2007-08 financial years. To apply, producers can download a form from the QRAA website or call 1800-623-946.

Rosalie Shire Info Booklet Online March 27, 2007 - Rosalie Shire's annual Council Information Booklet (right), which contains handy information about the shire, is available to download from the council's website (521kb PDF). As well as rates information, the booklet contains information about Council's library services, a useful Council contact directory and information about other council matters. NB. The bi-monthly Kilkivan Shire newsletter is also available from that Shire's website.

Wondai Hotel Unveils New Website March 26, 2007 - The Wondai Hotel has launched its own website, built by local Wondai company Southedge Design. The Wondai Hotel, at 35 Haly Street, Wondai, offers accommodation as well as dinner and lunch seven days a week. Publican Jim Sloane can be contacted on (07) 4168-5833 or by email.

Kingaroy To Host Rotary District Conference March 23, 2007 - In a big coup for the South Burnett, the Rotary District 9600 Conference - hosted by Kingaroy, Kingaroy-Taabinga and Murgon Rotary Clubs - will be held in Kingaroy on April 13-15. It is quite unusual for a Rotary conference to be held in a country town. The big day is Saturday when the afternoon's activities will be open to the general public. In the afternoon, the guest speaker will be Robyn Moore (How Green Was My Cactus). From 4pm to 6:30pm, there will be displays by the South Burnett Wine Industry Association, Visitor Information Centre, The Peanut Van and Kingaroy Cheese in the "House of Friendship". Cost for the afternoon's activities is $10 with tickets available at the door. For more information, contact Geoff Aird on (07) 4162-4628.

Audit Update For Associations March 22, 2007 - The State Government has announced changes to the Associations Incorporation Act designed to simplify the annual auditing and public liability insurance requirements of registered associations in Queensland. The amendments introduce three levels of financial reporting requirements linked to revenue and current assets. Associations will also no longer be required to take out public liability insurance unless they own, lease or hold land in trust. The managment committees of all other associations must decide whether or not there is a need to take out insurance. Download press release (14kb)

Council Amalgamation Moves A Step Closer March 21, 2007 - The possible amalgamation of Rosalie and Crows Nest shire councils has moved a step closer with the release of the Draft Final Report by Independent Review Facilitator Noel Playford. The proposed recommendations include that the two councils request Local Government Minister Andrew Fraser amalgamate the two Shires and create a new Council named Northern Downs Shire Council which would have 10 Councillors and no electoral divisions. The draft report, incorporating reasons, community feedback and relevant maps, can be accessed online and at libraries throughout both shires. Mr Playford is now seeking submissions on his draft report by April 16, 2007. These can be mailed to either council or emailed. If, after considering these submissions, he proposes the amalgamation go ahead, either Council may ask the Minister to refer the matter to the Electoral Commissioner for a referendum of electors in both shires.

Nominations Sought For Tourism Awards March 20, 2007 - Nominations have opened for the 2007 Fraser-Coast South Burnett Tourism Awards. The format for this year's awards has been revamped with a recommended word limit of 250 per category to encourage "short, sharp responses" and submissions will be judged on content not presentation. The judges' site visit will also count towards the awards points. Nominations close on May 11 and all submissions must be received by 5pm on August 24. Winners will be announced at the Tourism Awards night on October 27 which will be held at Wondai Town Hall.

Carolyn Re-Elected SBTA President March 19, 2007 - Carolyn Stone (Passchendaele Farm Holidays) was relected unopposed as President at the South Burnett Tourism Association Annual General Meeting held at Ziebarth Wines last week. Other Executive committee members elected unopposed were: Vice-President John Boland (Shadylane Vineyard Cottages) Treasurer Max Lehmann (Rock-al-Roy B&B) Committee member John Bjelke-Petersen (Bethany Cottages), Committee member Bruce Hurley (The Left Bank) Nominations were taken from the floor for the remaining committee vacancy with Bernie Cooper (Crane Wines) and Cathy Davis (Hillview Cottages) nominated. An election was held and Cathy Davis was successful. No nominations were received for the position of Secretary.

James Has Got It Covered March 16, 2007 - James White's Canvas & Upholstery Workshop has relocated to Shed 7, 13192 D'Aguilar Highway, Nanango (the South Nanango "business strip"). James does all canvas work as well as auto trimming and domestic upholstery. He also offers an in-home service. He can be contacted on (07) 4171-0397 or by by email.

Child Safety Workers Move In March 15, 2007 - The South Burnett Child Safety Service Centre's Kingaroy branch has relocated from Kingaroy Street into its brand new premises at 180-182 Haly Street. The new building, erected on the site of Kingaroy's old fish and chip shop, is also temporarily housing the Murgon branch of the same government child safety organisation while its offices in the Murgon Courthouse complex are being refurbished. The Kingaroy office can be contacted on (07) 4164-9400.

Durong Online Back Online! March 14, 2007 - One of the South Burnett's oldest town-only portals, Durong Online, has been re-launched after a break off the Internet. Owner Martin Stern, from Print and Beyond, decided to give the community website a second chance as more and more locals are becoming net savvy. Residents, community groups and businesses in the Durong area have been invited to contact Martin by email if they have any news or event they would like to publicise. Martin has also started a free classifieds page.

Training For Community Group Board Members March 13, 2007 - The Wide Bay Burnett Area Consultative Committee has organised Certificate IV in Business (Governance) training to be held in the region to assist community groups improve their effectiveness. This accredited training will assist Board members gain the expertise to improve the governance of their group. The four-day course is being held in two sections and both must be attended for a Certificate to be awarded. Day 1 will be held on Saturday April 21 between 9am and 4pm at the South Burnett Enterprise Centre, Kingaroy. Days 2-4 can be attended at either Mundubbera (April 30-May 2) or Maryborough (May 3-5). For a registration form, phone (07) 4121-7099 or send an email

Helen Takes Top Prize at PCA Cook-Off March 12, 2007 - Kingaroy Hotel-Motel chef Helen Pratt, (right), took out the major prize for "Best Overall Dish" at the fifth annual PCA South Burnett Regional Culinary Competition in Kingaroy on Saturday. Helen prepared a white chocolate cheesecake on a peanut/biscuit crumb base served in a partially hollowed out dragonfruit served with a blueberry kir made with Cranes sparkling shiraz. The "Best Matching of Dish and South Burnett Wine" category was won by Karen Ford (Kingaroy Hospital Auxiliary) for her Peanut and Kahlua Pie dessert served with Crane Wines Late Harvest Frontignac. The "Most Innovative Use of Peanuts in the Cooking Process or Presentation" prize was won by Ben Best (SB Food Distributors) for his organic duck breast served with a peanut, pear and chili salsa Encouragement Awards were given to apprentices Matthew McMurdy (The Bell Tower Restaurant), Lance Webb (Taabinga Room Restaurant, Kingaroy TAFE) and Margaret Powell (Kingaroy Hotel-Motel).

Commerce Qld Training Calendar March 9, 2007 - Commerce Queensland officers visited the KCCI recently to remind local businesses they offer a range of training courses covering workplace health and safety, professional development and management skills. The courses are usually held in Toowoomba but in-house training can also be arranged. The latest training calendar, which covers January to June 2007, can be downloaded here (312kb PDF). For more information, contact Commerce Queensland on (07) 4639-3277 or visit the CQ website

Australian Hotel Sold March 8, 2007 - There's been a string of changes at South Burnett hotels lately. Jill Tiernan has sold The Australian Hotel-Motel, (right), in Murgon and is heading off to enjoy her retirement. The Tiernan family has owned the hotel for 85 years - possibly an Australian record - and Warren Muller is the new manager. There are also new operators at the "Broady" ... the Broadway Hotel in Kingaroy Street. Warren and Brett Macbeth have taken over the running of this well-known Kingaroy pub. And at the Commercial Hotel in Haly Street, Kingaroy, Restaurant 167 is about to open after extensive renovations.

Is Exporting For You? March 7, 2007 - A workshop to be held in Kingaroy later this month may help you to answer this question ... is exporting for you? The workshop, the first of a series of five to be held throughout the Wide Bay region, will evaluate the export capability of your business as well as introduce the government agencies that can help. It will be held on Wednesday, March 21, from 11am to 12:30pm at the Kingaroy RSL Club. The workshop is free but registrations are essential. Phone the State Development Centre on 13-26-50 or email Jan Carlson by March 14.