Home Page

Show Society Pulls Out Of Sir Joh Project September 26, 2008 - The proposal to build the Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen Memorial Cultural Centre, (above), on land at Kingaroy Showground has been scrapped following a decision by the South Burnett National Show Society to withdraw from the project The proposal, which has been under development for several years, had been to locate the Cultural Centre on Showground land adjacent to Avoca Street. It would have included, (right), a large show pavilion suitable for conferences, a performance auditorium, rooms for music and drama classes for school students, a kitchen and an "interpretative area" for tourists looking for information about Sir Joh. However the Show Society has declined the offer to be included in the project due to time and financial constraints and the need to replace current pavilions urgently. It has been suggested a smaller project involving an auditorium, music rooms and a small museum space may now be considered for the grounds of Kingaroy High School. PS. Don't forget to tune into Channel 7's The Great South East on Sunday at 5:30pm. It will feature many parts of the South Burnett during the "Bunya To The Bay" feature.

Towns Push For Community Banks September 25, 2008 - Two South Burnett towns are currently working towards establishing community banks in their areas. ABC Local Radio is reporting that a group of Nanango residents is meeting today to form a steering committee to work towards the establishment of a Bendigo Bank in Nanango. This follows the decision by the National Australia Bank to close its branch on the grounds it was no longer viable. SBBiz understands Blackbutt residents are also interested in establishing a Bendigo Bank in their town and have already begun collecting pledges for its establishment. There is already a Bendigo Community Bank operating in Yarraman.

Community Store Moves Up Kingaroy Street September 24, 2008 - The Kingaroy Community Store, a not-for-profit secondhand shop that supports local charities and projects, has shifted location closer into the Kingaroy CBD. It is now at 129 Kingaroy Street, in the old Budget Fabrics location. Steve Ogden Real Estate has reclaimed the Kingaroy Community Store's former home at 99 Kingaroy Street. The Kingaroy Community Store, which is open 9:30am to 4:00pm Monday to Friday, can be contacted on (07) 4162-1920. Steve Ogden can be contacted on (07) 4162-1759.

Welcome UAVers! September 23, 2008 - A very warm South Burnett welcome to all the UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) teams who are in Kingaroy today competing in the second annual UAV Outback Challenge! University and high school students, as well as professional UAV enthusiasts from all over the world, will be competing over the next three days for a total of $70,000 in prize money: $50,000 – winning team (open category) $10,000 – winning team (high school category) $8000 – winner documentary challenge (open category) $2000 – winner documentary challenge (high school category) Teams are searching high and low for "Outback Joe", a "missing bushwalker" who is "lost" somewhere in the scrub. The UAVs will be using high-tech sensors to find Joe and drop him a bottle of water.

Joint Committee To Investigate Tourism Move September 22, 2008 - All members of the South Burnett Tourism Association - and all interested tourism stakeholders - have been urged to attend the Association meeting which will be held this Thursday from 5:30pm at Ringsfield House, Nanango. The SBTA membership will be considering a recommendation from the SBTA Executive that the Association be represented on a new Joint Steering Committee which will examine the possible formation of a new Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO) which would also incorporate the Southern Downs RTO and Toowoomba and the Golden West RTO. SBTA President John Bjelke-Petersen, (above right), said there were a lot of issues to be considered before a new RTO could be formed. These included different fee structures and the issue of paid employees in some regions. "My feeling is that we should head down this track," John said. However this was not meant to suggest the Fraser Coast South Burnett RTO had not been doing the right thing by the South Burnett. "People aren't aware of a lot of the things that are done and the assistance they do give. I believe Fraser Coast has done all it could with what it was given by the State Government to work with." A light meal will be available on Thursday night at a cost of $15. Please RSVP to Tony at the SBTA by email NB. One of the options suggested earlier this year in the Queensland Tourism Network Review report was the formation of a new body to be known as the South East Queensland Country Regional Tourism Organisation.

Nominate Your Favourite Kingaroy Business! September 19, 2008 - Nominations opened today for the 2008 Heritage Kingaroy Business Excellence Awards. A coupon to nominate your favourite business is in today's South Burnett Times newspaper and will appear in every edition until Friday October 10. By nominating a business or employee for an award, you could win one of five $50 Heritage accounts. Three independent judges will assess the entries and trophies will be awarded in a number of categories. The overall winner will be presented with the Business of the Year Award at a gala dinner in Kingaroy Town Hall on Saturday November 8. For more information about the individual award categories, see the South Burnett Times or visit the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry website For more information about the Business Awards Dinner, phone Polly Birchall at the KCCI on (07) 4162-8466.

Fresh From The South Burnett September 18, 2008 - South Burnett pigs are proving popular with consumers eager for "country fresh" ham. Hans Continental Smallgoods' new premium ham brand Hans Country Fresh is being sourced from piggeries in the South Burnett and Darling Downs. "To be selling more than 91,000 units per month already from a sales base of zero proves we got it right," Hans general manager marketing Terry McMahon said this week. "With sales results exceeding our expectations, we are shifting between 10 and 12 tonnes a month. This is great news for our farmers."

South Burnett RADF Funding Available September 17, 2008 - The next round of the South Burnett's Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) program opens on September 29. The program is a continuation of the arts funding programs which were managed by individual councils prior to amalgamation and will operate under the same guidelines. For more information, contact South Burnett RADF Liaison Officers Paul and Fran Van Vegchel on (07) 4162-6273. Application forms are available from all South Burnett Regional Council libraries and art galleries and online. Applications must be received at the South Burnett Council office in Kingaroy by 4:00pm on Friday October 10.

Robertos Opens At Dusty Hill September 16, 2008 - There are new faces (and a new name) at the Dusty Hill restaurant at Barambah Road, Moffatdale. Robert and Jenny Davidson are now looking after the re-named Roberto's on Dusty restaurant (located on the Dusty Hill Estate). The restaurant, formerly known as Molly's Cafe, offers lunches Friday-Sunday and breakfasts on Sundays and is open for dinner on the last Saturday of each month. A separate function room is available for booking any time. Robertos incorporates the Dusty Hill cellar door and Robert and Jenny say bus tours are welcome, although prior notice is required. Roberto's on Dusty can be contacted on (07) 4168-4700 or by email NB. Frank and Margaretha Prendergast are still the correct contacts for Dusty Hill Estate

Kingaroy Street Store Re-Opens September 15, 2008 - The doors re-opened today at the Kingaroy Street Store & Takeaway at 34a Kingaroy Street, Kingaroy. The well-known takeaway which services the Kingaroy Industrial Estate and surrounding homes had been shut for several months because of the ill-health of the previous owners. New owner Robyn Howell said today the shop would now open daily, from Monday-Friday 6:00am-7:00pm and weekends 9:00am-2:00pm. It will specialise in home-style cooking and will feature an "all day" breakfast. All the usual convenience items as well as newspapers and magazines will also be stocked. The Kingaroy Street Store can be contacted on (07) 4163-6785.

Spring Into Art and Craft at Kingaroy Gallery September 12, 2008 - Mark your diaries now ... the Kingaroy Information Arts and Heritage Precinct will be holding a Spring Festival of Arts & Crafts on Saturday, September 27! There'll be fun two-hour craft classes for just $10. Learn how to make a concertina book, a pottery magic pot or moulded bowl, a rag rug, cards or scrapbooking. Watch craftspeople demonstrate their skills and artists at their easels. There'll be displays of folk art, knitting, paper making, wood turning, block printing, glass beading and lots, lots more. To enrol or pick up a program, visit the Kingaroy Art Gallery, opposite the peanut silos, in Haly Street , Kingaroy from 9:00am to 4:00pm Monday-Friday or 10:00am-4:00pm on weekends.

The UAVs Need You! September 11, 2008 - Volunteers are needed to help make this year's UAV Challenge at Kingaroy Airport a huge success. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) from all over Australia - and the world - will be competing in the UAV Outback Challenge from September 23-25. Volunteers are needed to assist with a number of tasks, including food and beverage, parking, and manning the perimeters of the flying course. They will receive a challenge satchel, lunch and plenty of opportunities to watch the UAVs take to the skies! If you can help, contact Liesl Larsen on (07) 3224-7134, mobile 0447-179-429 or by email

$5m Project At Tarong To Capture Carbon Dioxide September 10, 2008 - The CSIRO and Tarong Energy yesterday announced a $5 million two-year pilot project to capture greenhouse gases at Tarong Power Station. A Post-Combustion Capture (PCC) plant will be installed which aims to capture 1500 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. The pilot plant is expected to be operational by early 2009. CSIRO spokesman Dr John Wright said while the project would not immediately reduce emissions, the information gathered from the research would be used to select technology for commercial-scale applications. In the PCC process, (illustrated above), the power station's flue gas is passed through a chemical solution where 85-95 per cent of the carbon dioxide is captured. The carbon dioxide can then be released in a controlled way, compressed and cooled into a liquid for transportation to a sequestration site. Read more on the CSIRO website or download the Tarong Energy media release (34kb PDF)

Business Opportunity To Speak To Government September 9, 2008 - Small businesses in the South Burnett region have been invited to attend a networking event in Kingaroy next week with members of the Queensland Small Business Advisory Council. The Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry is hosting the free meeting at the Kingaroy RSL Club from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on Thursday September 18. It will provide an opportunity to raise business issues with the Advisory Council members and to network with other local small business operators. Light refreshments will be served. The Queensland Small Business Advisory Council provides a grassroots link between small business and the State Government. To RSVP, contact the Maryborough Regional Centre on (07) 4121-1780 or by email

Big Day Planned in Blackbutt September 8, 2008 - Blackbutt will be celebrating 120 years of European settlement with a heritage day at the Blackbutt Showground on Saturday October 4. The Blackbutt Day celebrations will include a a parade, live entertainment, stalls, displays, historical machinery, wood chopping and re-enactments by the Blackpowder group. Events will kick off at 10am. Entries from the the Blackbutt Day Photographic Competition will also be on display. Local photographers are invited to enter this competition, which has good prize money on offer. Entry forms are available at all South Burnett art galleries or contact Blackbutt Day secretary Zinnia McDade on (07) 4170-0952 or by email.

Keith Scopes Out Advertising Promotions September 5, 2008 - Former local radio announcer Keith Gray is putting his media experience to great use by launching a new business called Promoscope in Kingaroy. The advertising consultancy will specialise in creating targeted advertising campaigns for clients as well as improving yields in existing campaigns and devising alternate promotional methods to generate sales. Keith can be contacted on (07) 4163-6860, on mobile 0411-166-850 or by email.

There's Safety 'n Numbers! September 4, 2008 - South Burnett businesswoman and trained nurse Liz Nicholson has opened a new mobile business servicing the local region offering first aid training and first aid supplies. Safety 'n Numbers offers courses in CPR and Senior First Aid on-site with nationally recognised qualifications. You can either join a course or organise a group booking. For more information, contact Liz on 0439-615-742, by email or drop into the Gone Bonkers discount variety store at 74 Lamb Street, Murgon (which Liz also operates alongside husband Sean).

From Smoked Ham to Ham and Pineapple September 3, 2008 - Private equity group Anchorage Capital Partners is in the process of purchasing Hans Continental Smallgoods, owners of Kingaroy-based Swickers Kingaroy Bacon Factory and Sun Pork Foods. The closing date of the share transfer from Japan Tobacco is scheduled for September 9. Hans Smallgoods became part of Japan Tobacco when that company took over Asahi Kasei Corporation in 1999. Japan Tobacco is Japan's largest cigarette manufacturing company and is partially owned by the Japanese Government. It has now decided that Hans Continental does not fit in with its existing businesses. Sydney-based Anchorage Capital is also the major shareholder in Golden Circle Ltd.

Future Energy Forum in Kingaroy September 2, 2008 - The Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation (BIEDO) will be hosting a two-day Future Energy Forum in Kingaroy later this month. Sponsored by Tarong Energy, the Wide Bay Burnett Area Consultative Committee and the Burnett Mary Regional Group, the forum will cover topics such as biofuels, energy audits and the urgency of "peak oil". There will also be workshops on solar power rebates, gas-powered vehicles, small-scale methane production, biogas and sustainable housing. The Forum will commence on Wednesday September 24 with a dinner at Kingaroy Town Hall from 6:30pm. Guest speakers will be Sunshine Coast Regional Council Mayor Bob Abbott and Bill Hauritz who will present a light-hearted view of climate change. The following day the Forum will shift location to the Kingaroy TAFE and will run from 8:30am to 4:30pm with guest speakers, trade displays, field demonstrations, workshops, lunch and entertainment. Cost for the dinner is $25 per person and registration for the main forum day is $105. For more information, phone BIEDO on (07) 4169-7851.

Monitors Measure Carbon In Power Station Fly Ash September 1, 2008 - Tarong Energy has purchased three Scantech Carbon in Fly Ash Monitors after a successful trial at Tarong Power Station. The monitors are part of a bid to more accurately monitor emissions of carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide. Unburnt carbon in fly ash is carbon which has not been released as carbon dioxide. When a carbon trading scheme is introduced, the precise calculation of emissions will be important financially to the power station. The new monitors allow the carbon value in the flyash to be measured and a more accurate calculation of carbon dioxide emissions be made. A technical paper on the CIFA350 monitor, (right), written jointly by Tarong Energy and Scantech, will be presented at the Australian Coal Preparation conference in Sydney next month.