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WBBACC Seeking Committee Members March 6, 2007 - The Wide Bay Burnett Area Consultative Committee is seeking suitably qualified volunteers interested in becoming a WBBACC member. Area Consultative Committees provide a link between the Federal Government, business and community. The WBBACC is seeking expressions of interest from people involved in business, government or the community. Selection criteria and more information about the role of ACC members can be obtained by phone on (07) 4121-7099 or email. Expressions of interest must be lodged with the WBBACC by March 12, 2007.

Cooking for Living March 5, 2007 - Interested in learning how to cook nutritious meals for the family? Kingaroy Community Health Centre, in conjunction with The Artists Cottage, is holding a series of cooking lessons on Tuesdays from 5pm-7pm at Kingaroy State High School. Cost is free but bring along enough cash to cover the cost of ingredients (about $15, but this varies depending upon the recipe cooked). Places are strictly limited and the courses run for just six weeks. To book - or for further information - phone (07) 4162-9220.

Two Councillors Selected For Forum March 2, 2007 - Cr Keith Campbell (Kingaroy) and Mayor Cr David Carter (Wondai) are among the 10 new representatives selected to serve on the Wide Bay Burnett Ministerial Regional Community Forum. Other Forum members are Don Gayler (Hervey Bay), Warren Holloway (Bundaberg), Zoe Jameson (Miriam Vale), Jim Mullet (Kolan), Barbara Paterson (Maryborough), Judy Pippen (Isis), Lorraine Pyefinch (Bundaberg) and Stephanie Whitaker (Biggenden). The Forum is a voluntary group which advises the State Government on regional issues. Forum members represent a broad cross-section of social, economic and environmental interests throughout the region. They will be holding their first meeting on March 26.

Polly is Going Nuts in Kingaroy! March 1, 2007 - Meet Polly Birchall, (right), who began work yesterday at the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry as the 2007 Peanut Festival co-ordinator. Polly recently moved to Kingaroy from the United Kingdom with her husband and young family and is already making a great impression in the local community. Welcome Polly to Kingaroy and the Peanut Festival!

Computer Bytes For Anglers February 28, 2007 - The DPI&F has released a nifty electronic calendar - actually a screensaver - which includes fishing news, hints and cartoons. It also includes information on moon phases and school holidays as well as practical help on fishing rules and regulations. Best of all, the DPI&F promises that it will automatically update itself each month. The screensaver - and copies of the guide to Qld Recreational Fishing Rules and Regulations - can be downloaded from the DPI&F website

Helen Can Pamper You! February 27, 2007 - Beauty therapist Helen Jenkins recently opened her Classique Skin and Beauty Clinic at 19 Wieden Street, Kingaroy. Helen offers "pamper packages" as well as the usual range of beauty treatments including facials, waxing, tinting and make-up. She can be contacted on (07) 4162-7311.

Latest WBBACC Newsletter Available February 26, 2007 - The latest edition of the Wide Bay Burnett Area Consultative Committee's electronic Regional Update is now available online. The electronic newsletter is designed to provide 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

Good News for Country Brides February 23, 2007 - A Country Bride, at 43 Edwards Street, Wondai, specialises in new and pre-loved wedding fashions ... with bridal gowns starting from an amazing $100 and ranging to $600. Owners Cindy McLachlan and Helen Dempsey also have gowns for bridesmaids and flowergirls as well as formal and ball gowns. They also stock accessories such as tiaras, veils, wraps, jewellery etc. They can be contacted on (07) 4169-0536 or by email

Award-Winning Author Listed February 22, 2007 - Murgon author Barbara Hartmann King, who penned the Australia Day Cultural Prize-winning novel Coloured Sands, (right), is one of the latest listings on SBBiz. Coloured Sands is the first of a planned trilogy. The second novel, Valley of the Eagle, has also been released. Barbara's books are available from the Murgon Information Centre or from her website

Seminar on WorkChoices Agreements February 21, 2007 - Commerce Queensland will be hosting another of their WorkChoices seminars in Kingaroy next month. This information session - aimed at employers - is on agreement making and includes information on mandatory and prohibited content. The seminar will be held at Kingaroy RSL on March 7 from 9am to 11am. It is free but bookings are essential by March 5. For further details contact Gail Clifford on 1300-138-470, by email or download a flyer (147kb PDF)

Kingaroy Airport to Host $60,000 UAV Competition February 20, 2007 - A competition with $60,000 in prizes to design, build and fly unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will be held in Kingaroy from September 24-27 this year. The Australian Research Centre for Aerospace Automation's inaugural Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Challenge - Outback Rescue competition is the first of its kind in Australia and is open to secondary and university students, as well as hobbyists and film makers. Competitors will design and build a UAV and put it through its paces in a hypothetical course that will involve dropping off emergency medical supplies to people lost in the bush. There are three categories: for high schools, uni students and others; and the best documentary about a team preparing for the Outback Challenge.

Special Women's Business ... February 19, 2007 - The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry will be throwing light on some special Women's Business in Kingaroy later this month. Guest speakers from Ladies Initiating Prosperity and Success (LIPS) will be presenting hints on life balance, time management, goal management, planning, decluttering, self-motivation and healthy relationships. Then guest speakers from the National Australia Bank will be talking about financial planning and wealth creation. The all-day women's seminar will be held on Tuesday February 27 at the Kingaroy Hotel-Motel Restaurant in Youngman Street from 8:45am to 3:00pm. Cost is $30 per person, which includes morning tea and lunch. Bookings to the KCCI on (07) 4162-8466 ASAP! Funding for this event was provided by the State Government's Office for Women's 2006 Partnership Grants Program.

Grand Opening of Largest Mitre 10 Store February 16, 2006 - The official "grand opening" of Turner's Mitre 10 Home & Trade store - the largest Mitre 10 Home and Trade store in Queensland - will take place from 8am tomorrow at Rogers Drive, Kingaroy. Turner's Timber and Hardware section relocated into the new complex in November and the hardware area opened a few days before Christmas but an offical opening was held off until the store was fully stocked. The official opening will include presentations by celebrity design presenter Tara Dennis at 10am, 11:30am and 1:15pm, entertainment by Kingaroy State High School band, free face painting and jumping castle, animal nursery, Lions Club sausage sizzle and wine tasting.

KCCI Farewells Project Officer February 15, 2007 - The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry is today farewelling Project Officer Lis Buzzo (right). Lis shepherded the KCCI through the 2006 Peanut Festival, Christmas Carnival and the very successful Heritage Business Awards night. She was also the "voice" of the KCCI on Radio KFM and in the Kingaroy Mail for the past nine months and organised the Chamber's popular "Women In Business" group and Meet'n'Greets. Although she finishes officially with the KCCI today, she'll still be working in the background for a while to assist the new Project Officer to settle in to the role. She has resigned to take up a position with John Provan Building. All the best Lis!

Two New Local Websites Listed February 14, 2007 - Two new websites have been listed on SBBiz this week ... for Musician's Oasis and Dimitie's Cottage Restaurant and Tea Gardens. Musician's Oasis, at 20 Alford Street, Kingaroy, sells musical instruments and sheet music as well as offering tuition in drums, guitar, bass, piano, saxaphone, clarinet, flute and trumpet. Brett and Angelina Chaseling can be contacted on (07) 4162-4523. Dimitie's Cottage, at 49 Haly Street, Wondai, serves light lunches as well as hosting functions and regular smorgasbords and pasta nights. The Mitchell family can be contacted on (07) 4168-5744.

Database To Track Rural Training Needs February 13, 2007 - The DPI&F has launched a new online tool to assist government planners identify what training is needed - and where - in rural Queensland. Farmers - and anyone else associated with rural industries - have been invited to log on to the Skills Telegraph website and record their training needs. The online database is part of the DPI&F's Rural, Skills, Training and Labour Strategy aimed to develop a sustainable workforce in rural communities.

New Computer Enterprise at SBEC February 12, 2007 - Michael Pinwill and James Eckart have just opened a new computer consultancy business based at the South Burnett Enterprise Centre in Kingaroy. Cyonic, located in Shed 11, offers services in computer repairs and networking, hardware and software sales, website design and hosting, software development, system engineering and contingency planning. They can be contacted on (07) 4162-5300 or by email.

Kingaroy Workers In The Running February 9, 2007 - Are you an officeworker putting on a few kilos? Well, there's no excuse now with the formation of a new social running group in Kingaroy with times designed for busy workers. The Kingaroy Running Group has no joining fees and offers running times for both seasoned runners and beginners: Thursday - 5:45am, Memorial Park, Women's Beginners Group Thursday - 6:15pm, Apex Park, Mixed Group Training Session There's also a 9:15am session in Memorial Park on Mondays for Women Beginners and a mixed group run on alternate Saturdays from 5:30pm at changing venues. For more information on any of these groups, contact Colleen on (07) 4162-5146.

Ellis Equipment Showcased In US February 8, 2007 - Kingaroy's own Ellis Equipment will be showcased at the world's largest farm show, World Ag Expo 2007, which is being held in the United States next week. The agricultural machinery manufacturer, who will be highlighting their Hardhitter range of "wear parts with muscle", is one of 30 Aussie agribusinesses to be hosted by Austrade in the Australian Pavilion at the Expo, which is being held in California from February 13-15. The 40th annual World Ag Expo will feature 1600 exhibitors from 60 countries who will be displaying the latest innovations in agricultural equipment, technology, products and services to an audience of more than 100,000 visitors.

CROW On The Move In Murgon February 7, 2007 - CROW-FM has relocated its Murgon shopfront from 80 Gore Street to 114 Lamb Street - the old JJs Sound Centre music store. The new CROW-FM Shop will sell CDs, music and music products as well as being an agency for Goodyear Jewellers. It will also handle advertising sales for CROW-FM. CROW-FM's Murgon representative Brendon Smith can be contacted on (07) 4169-5907.