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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.

Cougar Energy Confident After Successful Tests August 11, 2009 - Cougar Energy Limited has announced the successful completion of air linkage testing at its Kingaroy Power Plant project. The testing in three production wells has verified the suitability of Underground Coal Gasification (USG) technology to the Kunioon coal seam and has given Cougar Energy confidence to move to the operating phase of pre-production of gas at Kingaroy. The State Government has not yet approved Cougar Energy's full-scale UCG project but the company appears hopeful. "We look forward to the imminent receipt of appropriate approvals ... so that further site work on this important commercialisation of the UCG technology can continue," Managing Director and CEO Dr Len Walker said. Download the Cougar Energy press release Listen to a Boardroom Radio interview with Cougar Energy CEO Dr Len Walker. UPDATE August 20: Cougar Energy discovers massive coal deposit near Wandoan

Cropduster Clips Powerlines August 10, 2009 - A blackout occurred in some parts of Kingaroy on Friday morning after a cropduster clipped powerlines near Borcharts Road about 9:20am. About 1600 Ergon Energy customers lost power but fortunately the aircraft was not damaged and the pilot landed the plane safely back at its base. Power was restored to all but 200 houses within an hour with remaining repairs completed by about 2:00pm.

$20,000 Grant To BIEDO August 7, 2009 - The Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation (BIEDO) has been given a $20,000 grant under the State Government's Our Place, Our Future initiative. The program is to assist rural and remote communities to plan and implement practical initiatives that support liveability, sustainability and prosperity. It targets two key issues raised during the Blueprint for the Bush consultation process: the engagement of community members in developing practical plans, and helping to implement action from existing plans and priorities. BIEDO CEO Linda Silburn told ABC Radio the grant would focus on three major points: How can we best capitalise on growth opportunities in our region? How can we ensure that we've got the best stability, particularly at a time of economic hardship or economic change? and How can we minimise our weaknesses?

New CEO at Peanut Company August 5, 2009 - The Peanut Company of Australia today announced the retirement of Managing Director Bob Hansen after 16 years' service to the company. He will be replaced by Craig Mills, (right), former CEO of Golden Circle, who was appointed to fill a temporary vacancy on the PCA Board in July. PCA Chairman Ian Langdon thanked Mr Hansen for his outstanding contribution to PCA. "Bob will be assisting Craig through a transition period over the next three months and the Board is delighted that he has agreed to make himself available for a consulting role beyond that period so his extensive experience and expertise will stay with PCA and the peanut industry," he said. Craig Mills has 20 years' experience in the food industry with Nestlé, Uncle Bens (Mars) and Dairy Farmers. In the financial year to 31 March 2009, PCA increased its revenue from $62.9 million to $71.8 million with net profit after tax increasing from $2.4 million to $3.6 million.

Council Negotiating With Sunwater Over Dam August 5, 2009 - The South Burnett Regional Council Council announced today is is negotiating with Sunwater for the reopening of facilities at Bjelke-Petersen Dam to allow the public to continue using the recreational area. The recent closure of the public toilets at BP Dam was a result of a decision by Sunwater, who owns the land. Council has maintained the area through an agreement with Sunwater for a number of years however Sunwater wishes to discontinue the maintenance agreement. As a result Sunwater has closed the facilities at the day-tripper area of the dam reserve. In the meantime, the general public can access public toilets located near the tennis courts at Yallakool Park. The toilets will be unlocked between 10:00am and 4:30pm each day.

Second Round Of Council Funding Opens August 4, 2009 - The second round of the South Burnett Regional Council's Community Assistance Grants for 2009 opened on 1 August. The program has three strands of funding for not-for-profit organisations: Major Events and Projects - Funding of up to $10,000 per organisation in support of major cultural and/or community events or projects Minor Events and Projects - Funding of up to $4000 per organisation in support of cultural and community events or projects Elite Performance Grant – Funding in support of elite performers in the areas of sport, music, art and education. The amount of funding available in this round is $45,000 however Council has advised that the number of eligible applications received will be a determining factor in allocations.

SQIT Trainees To Compete In State Finals Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE teachers Sharon McFarlane and Debbie Jackson with award winner Mary McCallum, (centre) August 3, 2009 - Three business trainees from Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE's Kingaroy campus competed this month at the Wide Bay/Sunshine Coast Regional Finals of the Queensland Training Awards. Michaela Graaf (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student of The Year), Mary McCallum (Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year) and Tim De Caluwe (School-Based Trainee/Apprentice of The Year) were nominated for the awards which were held at Caloundra RSL on July 18. Michaela and Mary won their sections and will now compete at the State finals in Brisbane on September 11. Traineeship Co-ordinator Sharon McFarlane said the trio had worked hard for a place in the regional finals. "There were more than 600 nominations for the seven award categories and students had to go through a rigorous interview process prior to being selected," Ms McFarlane said. "We felt all the Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE finalists were excellent candidates and we are really proud of them."