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Two Record Attempts At Peanut Festival! September 8, 2009 - Two Guinness World Record attempts will be held during Saturday's PCA Kingaroy Peanut Festival at Kingaroy Showgrounds: The Peanut Van Peanut Thresher Pull - Farmers' teams from Kingaroy South and Kingaroy North, as well as teams from local businesses, will again be competing to pull the massive Amadas peanut thresher 50m in the fastest time. The current world record is 13.78 seconds held by last year's fastest team Thiess Pty Ltd. The Peanut Van Peanut Toss - How far can you throw a peanut in the shell? Amazingly, the current record is 37.92m (124'4") set by Colin Jackson in Cardiff, Wales, in February 2008. Other highlights of this year's PCA Peanut Festival include: Parade - NB. The parade is at the Showgrounds! Ping Pong Ball Drop Harvey Norman Great BBQ Cook-Off Little Peanuts Games Helicopter Joy Flights Country music star Lance Friend & band live on stage Arm-wrestling tournament Cars, bikes and vintage farm machinery display There will also be the usual market stalls, amusement rides, hot food and a licensed bar. Admission is $5 with under-18s free (free entry for parade entrants)

ABC Radio Visits Energy Centre September 7, 2009 - ABC Radio Southern Queensland recently featured the new South Burnett Energy Centre in Nanango on its breakfast show. If you missed the original broadcast the resulting interview (and photographs) are now on the Internet. Getting A Buzz Out Of The Energy Centre The Nanango Visitor Information Centre has also relocated across the road to the Energy Centre in Henry Street and has a new phone number. They can now be reached on (07) 4171-0100.

Cougar Raises $8.29m For Kingaroy Power Project September 4, 2009 - Cougar Energy announced yesterday it has raised $8.29 million for its Kingaroy Underground Coal Gasification project. A placement of 100,500,000 new fully paid ordinary shares at 8.25c per share was made to institutional and other investors in Australia and overseas. Settlement is scheduled for September 8. Cougar Energy also announced that a $6 million share purchase plan offer would be made to eligible shareholders giving them the opportunity to also subscribe for new fully paid ordinary shares at 8.25 cents. The funds raised will be used to complete the construction and operation of the Kingaroy Project pre-production facility, on-going drilling programs at other sites, forward design for the Kingaroy Power Plant and on-going working capital requirements. Read the full story at OilVoice Footnote: Coolabunia farmers, Council representatives, Environmental Protection Authority officers and Cougar Energy CEO Dr Len Walker met at the South Burnett Enterprise Centre in Kingaroy last night to discuss issues which have been raised locally in regards to the Kingaroy UCG project. The sometimes fiery meeting discussed problems which have occurred during preliminary exploration and testing and was briefed on technical aspects of the ongoing project. Cr Keith Campbell, Cougar Energy CEO Dr Len Walker, Coolabunia farmer Damien O'Sullivan and South Burnett Mayor David Carter at last night's Cougar Energy discussion meeting held in Kingaroy

Career Opportunity At Proston September 3, 2009 - There's a linesperson apprenticeship available at Proston in 2010 ... and Ergon Energy is keen for people in the South Burnett to apply for the position. A spokesman reported this week that the company has had a big response to its statewide call for apprenticeships to fill its 2010 intake, with almost 2000 hopefuls applying for positions. However, Ergon are trying to encourage a greater response for the Proston job. Potential applicants can find out more on the Ergon Energy website and must apply by next Monday (September 7).

Report That Flickering Street Light September 2, 2009 - Ergon Energy will today begin a major program to repair broken, damaged or vandalised street lights in Kingaroy to improve public safety. Acting Area Operations Manager Tony Bygrave said yesterday contractors would inspect street lights on the main traffic routes across town tonight. Any lights found to be faulty will be fixed within a fortnight. There are 320 street lights in Kingaroy and about 1000 in the South Burnett. Keeping them all working well is a priority for Ergon but they do need help from the public. "We urge residents to report any street light malfunction or abnormal operation on 13-10-46. This includes lights that are not operating and any that are flickering," Mr Bygrave said. Street light problems can also be reported via Ergon Energy's website

5 Small Stones Can Create A Ripple Around The World September 1, 2009 - Well-known Kingaroy businesswoman Lynnelle Richardson, (right), has launched a new online store dubbed 5 Small Stones. The business sells original photography and inspirational gifts and offers fundraising partnerships for schools and community groups. At the moment, 5 Small Stones is assisting the Highway Christian Church raise funds to build a rescue home for girls in Cambodia. Fundraising products purchased online before September 12 with the code HCC0109 will help stop slavery and poverty and give these young Cambodians a future. For more information, contact Lynnelle on 0419-719-120 or by email

Calling All Bookworms! August 31, 2009 - The Kingaroy-Taabinga Rotary Club will be holding its popular annual Bookarama bookfest at Kingaroy Town Hall on Saturday, September 26. Organisers promise there will be thousands of pre-loved books at bargain prices. As well, there'll be a raffle, lucky door prize and sausage sizzle. For more information - or to donate books for sale - contact Darryl on 0408-718-843 or Paul on 0447-485-246. Funds raised will be used on Rotary projects both locally and internationally.

Very Busy Time At The Artists Cottage August 28, 2009 - Karla and Garry Eyre, from The Artists Cottage in Kingaroy, are looking for local craftspeople interested in forming a Crafters Co-Operative and sharing a studio space. A very popular Artists Co-Operative is already based at The Artists Cottage and the new group would be based along similar lines and provide an outlet for local craftspeople to show and sell their wares. As part of the South Burnett Spring Festival, The Artists Cottage will also be hosting a Heritage Arts Festival on Sunday September 13 to mark the Cottage's fourth birthday. There'll be an art exhibition, displays of Taabinga Village history, antique cars, bikes and saddles as well as working artists doing printmaking, woodworking, doll-making and needlework.

Walkers Follow Culture Trail To Brisbane August 27, 2009 - As part of the 2009 Brisbane Festival, a 275km trek has been scheduled to begin in Cherbourg on September 12 passing through local towns and villages until participants arrive at Boundary Street, West End, in Brisbane on October 3. The Cherbourg Walk is being co-ordinated by Norman Hegarty from Cherbourg. Participants can join the walkers for segments of the journey sharing knowledge about traditional folklore, food sources, songs and art. More information will be available on the Brisbane Festival website after September 1. The concept is similar to the popular Drumley Walk which is held from Beaudesert to Southport. Download a press release (10kb PDF)

Workshop To Help Rural Women Build Resilience August 26, 2009 - A free five-hour workshop will be held in Kingaroy on October 15, 2009 to help entrepreneurial rural women to build "Resilience Thinking". The workshop will be presented by Denise Quinn CSP (NSAA), founder of the Rural Women's Forum Program, as part of the "Engaging Women Farmers Project". It will focus on business and life skills development, including developing long-lasting resilience strategies, achieving goals and business improvement. For more information and to register online, visit the RRR Women website

Nanango's Latest Attraction Will Electrify Tourists August 25, 2009 - The South Burnett Energy Centre at Nanango, (right), opened its doors to the public for the first time yesterday. The centre, in Henry Street, also houses the new Nanango Visitor Information Centre, making it a one-spot stop for tourists. Displays highlight the history of power generation in the South Burnett and include the original motors from the Butter Factory which provided the first reticulated power to Nanango in 1933 (pictured at right, just after they were lifted into their new home). There is also information about alternative energy sources and interactive displays. South Burnett Mayor David Carter said the Energy Centre formed part of the Queensland Energy Trail and had been developed by Council in consultation with the Queensland Energy Museum.

Welding Apprentices To Compete In Kingaroy ABOVE: Gearing up for the WorldSkills competition are apprentices David Smith (Austrian Energy & Environment), John Dangerfield (Swift Engineering), Jackson Purcell (Tarong Energy) and Jarrod Hancock (Tarong Energy). August 24, 2009 - Metal manufacturing apprentices from the local region will be competing in a regional WorldSkills competition to be held at Kingaroy TAFE campus this Thursday. Fourteen apprentices will have the opportunity to showcase their skills. The winners will then compete in the national finals which will be held next year. Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE metal fabrication teacher Peter Towns said WorldSkills was a great opportunity for young trade apprentices to test their skills against others and perhaps gain the opportunity to compete in an international competition. The students will be doing MIG and Stick welding to Certification 3E and 8G tickets. Local employer Tarong Energy has provided the steel for the competitors to work with during the competition.

Were You Ever a Peanut Festival Queen? August 21, 2009 - One of the popular parts of past Kingaroy Peanut Festivals was the formal ball and the crowning of the Peanut Festival Queen. This year, the Kingaroy Peanut Festival is marking the 50th anniversary of the first festival on September 12 and the organising committee is trying to hunt down former "Queens" and other peanut "royalty" to feature in the Showgrounds parade. There are some famous "Queens" are out ... including Moya Hayden, (right), mum of champion cricketer Matthew. If you're a Peanut Festival Queen - or know someone who is - please contact Dafyd Martindale on (07) 4162-3899 as soon as possible! Photo courtesy: Kingaroy Heritage Museum

Splatt And You're Under Attack August 20, 2009 - Hannah Winter and Steve Peterson know that their business will go "splatt" ... in fact, they're banking on it! Splatt Sponge Attack is an interactive fairground attraction that allows groups of eight to fight it out by shooting each other with wet sponges propelled by air compressor-powered "guns". Hannah told SBBiz Splatt Attack was very popular with teenage boys but is also suitable for all ages and genders. Splatt Sponge Attack can be contacted on (07) 4162-5465 or by email

Garry's Having A Dreamtime With Reptiles August 19, 2009 - A recent listing added to SBBiz must be one of the South Burnett's most unusual businesses ... Dreamtime Reptiles owner Garry Sippel has put together a live reptile show for festivals and community events which features goannas, blue tongues, pythons, venomous snakes and even a baby crocodile! His website also includes a spectacular gallery of photos of Australian reptiles. Garry can be contacted on 0407-681-131 or by email

Council To Consider Motel Plan August 18, 2009 - Kingaroy could soon get a new motel if a development application being considered by the South Burnett Regional Council tomorrow gets the green light. Jaerok Pty Ltd, a company linked to well-known local developer Ian Thomas, has an application before council to approve a Material Change Of Use for land at 36-38 King Street. The proposal is to to erect a 31-room motel and restaurant on the site which for many years housed a used car business.

Local Businesses Launch New-Look Websites August 17, 2009 - Two Kingaroy-based businesses that service the whole South Burnett region recently launched new websites to promote their services. Virgo Funerals, currently located at 44 Alford Street, Kingaroy, have been servicing the region since 1939 and were one of the first local businesses to have a web presence. Their new website can be found at www.virgofunerals.com.au. Builders K&P Homes are a much more recent arrival in the South Burnett but owners Keith and Polly Birchall are already very well-known because of their community activities. Polly organised the 2007 and 2008 Kingaroy Peanut Festivals and is a former Project Manager for the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry. K&P Homes' new website can be found at www.kphomes.com.au

Work To Start Soon On Forecourt Upgrade August 13, 2009 - The South Burnett Regional Council has released the design plans for the upgrade of the Glendon Street Forecourt area in front of Kingaroy Town Hall, (click on image above for larger version). Work will begin soon with council staff adding new garden beds and grassed areas and planting advanced trees and shrubs. Undercover and shaded seating will create an outdoor area ideal for workers to enjoy their lunch. Access to the Council offices will also be upgraded with an extra ramp being built leading directly from the footpath to the main Council entrance. More lighting and new signs will also be installed.

TAFE Open For Lunch On Wednesdays ABOVE: Food and Beverage student Karen Finney practices one of the chicken dishes that will be available on the menu August 13, 2009 - For the next eight weeks, hospitality students at the Kingaroy TAFE will be practicing their skills by serving up lunch in the on-campus Taabinga Room restaurant on Wednesdays. The training restaurant will be open to the public from noon to 2:00pm to give the 15 students practical experience in a real-world situation. The students will also receive valuable experience in assisting with food preparation and learning how to prioritise orders within the kitchen. To book a place at lunch, call (07) 4160-4400.

ACICC Funds More Local Projects August 12, 2009 - The Aboriginal Community Interest Consultative Committee, (ACICC), a partnership between Tarong Energy and the Bunya Wakka Wakka Cultural Heritage Corporation, has released its 2008 Annual Report, (right), which details projects funded in the South Burnett during the previous year. There are two Tarong Energy representatives on the ACICC along with two Wakka Wakka traditional owners and two non-Wakka Wakka Aboriginal people who represent the wider Aboriginal community in the region. Applications funded must deliver positive, constructive, real and sustainable outcomes to the South Burnett indigenous community. Projects funded in 2008 included the Outreach Program for Murgon-Cherbourg YACCA, a Murri business showcase, mentoring program at Iron Bark Ridge Services and an annexe transition program at Murgon State High School.