Home Page

New Faces At Yarraman Produce April 27, 2006 - Richard and Annette Speedy have taken over Yarraman Produce & Hardware, the landmark business located on the corner of Emmert Street and the D'Aguilar Highway at Yarraman. The Key Hardware outlet stocks a wide range of rural merchandise including stockfeed, irrigation equipment, water tanks and pumps, fencing and gates, as well as regular hardware lines. Richard and Annette can be contacted on (07) 4163-8639.

Changes at Golf Course Shop April 26, 2006 - Roger Naumann has opened Burnett Golf Cars and Pro Shop at Kingaroy Golf Course. The shop specialises in sales and servicing of golf cars (apparently "karts" is no longer the preferred term amongst golfers!) as well as stocking all the usual golf accessories and clothing. Roger can be contacted on (07) 4162-7699.

State Govt Releases Discussion Paper For Small Businesspeople April 24, 2006 - Small and medium-sized business operators have until May 12 to respond to a Discussion Paper released by the State Government. The paper covers such matters as the importance of competing in a "fair" marketplace, the difficulty in attracting and retaining skilled employees, management skills development, the administrative burden of State taxes and charges, and the need to reduce red tape for business. The Discussion Paper is available online and responses can be made via email, post, fax or online. STOP PRESS! A forum will be held in Hervey Bay next Wednesday (May 3) to consider this Discussion Paper. Phone the State Development Centre on 13 26 50 for more information.

Open Day To Mark Sir Joh's Anniversary April 21, 2006 - The Bjelke-Petersen family is holding an open day at 'Bethany' this Sunday (April 23) to mark the first anniversary of the passing of former Queensland Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen. "We want to say thank you to the local community for all the support we received during the time of Dad's illness and passing," daughter-in-law Karyn Bjelke-Petersen said. Local residents are invited to visit Bethany (and Sir Joh's gravesite) from 1:30pm to 3:00pm. Tea and coffee will be available and entry is a gold coin donation to Blue Care.

Sign Up For a Fun Day of Golf! April 20, 2006 - The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry's annual golf day for local business people (it doesn't matter if you're not a member of the Chamber!) is on again this Saturday at the Kingaroy Golf Course (April 22). It's a three-ball ambrose and is open to all players – novice, juniors and seniors (or basically anyone who can swing a club ...) Activities will get underway with a BBQ at 11:00am followed by tee-off at noon. Cost is $20 (which includes the BBQ). Further information is available from the Golf Club on (07) 4162-1720.

Regional Employment Solutions? April 19, 2006 - Do you have some great ideas that would boost employment in the South Burnett region? Then the Wide Bay Burnett Regional Community Forum is keen to hear your thoughts! Forum members, which advise the State Government, are concerned that statistics may not be accurately reflecting the region's employment situation. Unemployment has officially fallen from 11pc to 7pc in the Wide Bay Burnett over the past three years but the region is still identified as a "high unemployment" area. At the same time, the South Burnett has a shortage of skilled workers. Written comments should be sent to Mark Rewald at PO Box 1939, Bundaberg, 4670 by Friday April 21; or you can fax them to (07) 4151-9750 or send an email. Forum members will be discussing their findings with the State Government at a meeting in Kingaroy on June 19 but unfortunately there will be no opportunity at this meeting for public input ... so this is your opportunity!

Unleash The Power Within With TAFE Training April 18, 2006 - The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry and SQIT have joined forces to present some short training to assist local businesses. These are the courses you have asked for! Time Management and Email Management using Outlook - Wednesday, April 19, 5:30pm-8:30pm, $33 (inc. light supper) STOP PRESS: This course has been postponed until Tuesday May 9 so there's still time to book! Make Your Point with Powerpoint - Monday, April 24, 9:00am-11:00am, $31.25 Customer Service - Wednesday, April 26, 5:30pm-8:00pm, $23.75 (inc. light supper) Design Effective Fliers - Thursday, April 27, 8:30am-10:30am, $30 Create Simple Web Pages - Monday, May 8, 9:00am-noon, $26.75 Use the Internet More Effectively - Wednesday, May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm, $26.75 (inc. light supper) Market With Imagination - Wednesday, May 10, 5:30pm-8:00pm, $30 (inc. light supper) Quick Tips (Word) - Friday, May 19, 8:30am-10:30am, $31.25 Concession prices also available. Participants must be enrolled at least 24 hours before the class to enable computer access to be organised. Phone (07) 4160-4400 to enrol.

Internet Access At Visitor Info Centre April 13, 2006 - If you're visiting the South Burnett over the Easter long weekend you may be interested to know that there is now public Internet access available at the South Burnett Visitor Information Centre - Kingaroy (opposite the peanut silos in Haly Street). Cost is just $3.00 per half-hour (or part thereof). No bookings will be taken and temporary internet access registration forms must be completed and identification sighted. The Visitor Information Centre will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Sunday but will be open every other day from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Enjoy your Easter break and drive carefully!

Encourage Pride In Workmanship April 12, 2006 - The Rotary Club of Kingaroy is giving local employers the opportunity to reward workers who display "pride in workmanship". Rotary says the sense of responsibility to do a job well ("Do It Once, Do It Well") is one of the greatest intangible assets in the community. For this reason, the local club is giving employers the opportunity to nominate one of their employees whom they believe is displaying this quality. For more information and nomination forms (which must be returned by April 28), contact Merewyn Wright on (07) 4171-6200.

New Website For Taabinga Homestead April 11, 2006 - The historic Taabinga Homestead, (right), located at 7 Old Taabinga Road, Haly Creek (just south of Kingaroy), has unveiled a new website. The B&B offers accommodation in cottages in the gardens of the 1846 homestead which is also home to the annual Taabinga Spring Musical Festival. Owners Colin Marshall and Libby Leu can be contacted on (07) 4164-5531 or by email.

Community Store Opens in Kingaroy Street April 10, 2006 - The Kingaroy Community Store - staffed entirely by volunteers - opened its doors for the first time today at 99 Kingaroy Street (next door to Ogdens Real Estate). Olivine Rowe, Mercia Murray and Mary Cox will stock secondhand clothing, furniture, toys and bric-a-brac and all profits will go to local charities and projects. The shop is open from 9:30am to 4:00pm on weekdays. The trio is also looking for donations of items to be sold. Pick-up and delivery of large items is available. You can contact them on (07) 4162-1920.

KCCI Farewells Project Officer April 7, 2006 - The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry yesterday farewelled Project Officer Lynnelle Richardson (right) who has resigned to take up a contract with Education Queensland. Lynnelle has been the "voice" of the KCCI on Radio KFM and in the Kingaroy Mail for more than two years and will be sadly missed. She was also the mover and shaker behind the Chamber's popular "Women In Business" group as well as toiling away in the background on many events such as the Kingaroy Christmas Carnival, Peanut Festival, Business Awards etc. The position is advertised in today's South Burnett Times and further details will also be available soon on the KCCI's website. All the best Lynnelle!

Training For Budding Gym Stars April 6, 2006 - Allstar Gymnastics has opened a facility for budding gymnasts at 95 River Road, Kingaroy. The company has taken over an industrial shed and installed sprung floors, turning it into a purpose-built training facility. Manager Juanita Tones said the gym could cater for students aged 2 to adult (boys as well as girls!). Juanita said the training programs help to develop fine and gross motor skills and can also lead to the opportunity of taking part in competitive events. For more information, phone Allstar on (07) 4162-5870.

Luke Takes Over Community ISP April 5, 2006 - Former Burnett.net.au employee Luke Radunz, who left the BIEDO-established community ISP several years ago to establish his own company Datawave IT, has returned with a vengeance ... he has purchased his old employer! Burnett.net.au will still be based at 20 Mackenzie Street, Wondai, and all the contact details will remain the same. Datawave IT also offers computer sales, repairs and maintenance; network installation and maintenance and sells both home and business software.

Open Bower Unveils New Poster Page April 4, 2006 - Wondai-based home decor and gift store Open Bower is the latest South Burnett business to take advantage of an SBBiz poster page. Chris and Elizabeth Stewart recently opened Open Bower at Shop 4, 34 Mackenzie Street, Wondai. The couple stocks a range of different and unusual decorative items at "less than city prices". The can be reached on (07) 4169-0666 or by email

Alan and Marion Have It All Stitched Up April 3, 2006 - Alan and Marion Lees have opened a unique accommodation venue just outside Kingaroy targeted at a specialist market of crafty people, quilters and sewers. The Quilter's Rest is located on their 850 acre 'Tamalba' cattle property at 562 Weens Road. Guests are invited to being their "UFOs" (unfinished objects) and share sewing time with friends. Classes in quilting, embroidery, needlework, doll-making, scrap-booking and other crafts are also available. Weekend stays are offered from Friday through to Sunday. Weekdays are also available (minimum stay two days). For more information, phone (07) 4162-3987.

Peter Retires From A&S March 31, 2006 - Peter Shanahan has retired from Kingaroy engineering company Ashcroft and Shanahan Engineering Services, leaving Steve Ashcroft at the helm. However A&S, located at 1-3 Stolzenberg Rd, isn't planning on changing its name which is well-known throughout the South Burnett. A&S do commercial and industrial welding, boilermaking and fitting and also have a mobile service which can come to you. They can be contacted on (07) 4162-8299 or by email.

Building Up Business in Goomeri March 30, 2006 - A new listing on SBBiz is Kovatex Pty Ltd, the business name for Goomeri builder John Taylor. John, a member of the HIA, is registered with QBuild and says "no job is too big". As well as home-building and commercial sheds he also does renovations. Kovatex can be contacted on (07) 4168-4416 or by email.

All Installs From All_Installz March 29, 2006 - Wondai couple Steven and Leah Good have opened a specialist business to service the satellite and radio communications market. All_Installz handles the installation of CBs, UHF and VHF radios in cars and trucks as well as mobile telephone hands-free kits. However they also handle the installation of satellite equipment to handle pay TV and free-to-air services. The business services the whole South Burnett as well as west to Chinchilla and north to Gayndah. It can be contacted on (07) 4164-1047 or by email

March Tourism Talk March 28, 2006 - South Burnett Local Government Association Tourism Project Officer Narelle Duggan has released the March edition of South Burnett Tourism Talk, a regular newsletter on tourism happenings around the region. This edition includes information about the 2006 Brisbane Escape Expo, the Qld Wine Business Conference and the Great Bunya Drive project. Click here to download Tourism Talk (327kb PDF)