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Tourism Conference To Be Held In November September 27, 2006 - South Burnett tourism operators have been invited to attend the 2nd South East Queensland Country Conference which will be held at Kooralbyn Hotel Resort (near Beaudesert) on November 2. The conference is designed to provide training on the key issues identified in the South East Queensland Country Destination Plan. Guest speakers will present "best practice" case studies on food and wine, country-style hospitality, regional collaboration and drive tourism. For more information, contact Kerrie Beck on (07) 3535-5470 or email her

Provan Joins Auzland Team September 26, 2006 - John Provan Building at 133 Youngman Street, Kingaroy, is now the South Burnett franchisee for Auzland Homes. Auzland offers more than 90 floorplans as well as design-your-own homes. It fits in well with John's other agencies, Unique Garages and Aussie Outdoor Patios and Carports John Provan Building can be contacted on (07) 4162-5922 or by email

South Burnett Stars at Hervey Bay September 25, 2006 - Congratulations to all the South Burnett winners announced at the glittering Fraser Coast-South Burnett Regional Tourism Awards dinner in Hervey Bay on Saturday night: Bethany Cottages, Kingaroy - Hosted Accommodation Captain's Paddock, Kingaroy - Wineries Dimities Cottage Restaurant, Wondai - Eateries and Cafes Kingaroy Information, Art and Heritage Precinct - General Tourism Services Shadylane Farm, Kingaroy - New Tourism Business Spring Gully Olives, Booubyjan - Tourism Retailing As well, Simon Berry (Kingsley Grove Winery, Kingaroy) was named Young Tourism Achiever of the Year. The Kingaroy Historical Museum was highly commended in the Heritage & Cultural Tourism category and a Judges' Special Award was presented to Booubyjan Homestead The Goomeri Pumpkin Festival, The Peanut Van and Bunya Forest Gallery were all entered into the Hall of Fame. Congratulations to all our South Burnett winners!

Everything for Equines September 22, 2006 - Trevor Scott Handcrafted Saddles, located at 5918 Burnett Highway, Goomeri (next to the showgrounds), has everything horse lovers could possibly want - from saddles to rugs and reins. Trevor recently updated his SBBiz listing with information about his website and contact details. He can be reached on (07) 4168-4500, mobile 0427-684-048 or by email but as he's sometimes away on campdrafts, it's probably best to phone ahead!

Foodies With Their Own Websites September 21, 2006 - Well-known South Burnett "foodie" Jason Ford (right) - the face behind the annual South Burnett Culinary Cook-Off competition as well as numerous media spots - now has his own "culinary resource" online. The Ford On Food website lists some of Jason's favourite recipes as well as information about culinary ingredients. Jason's wife Karen, from Cakes By Karen, now also has her own website which provides information and photographs of the festive cakes she creates.

New Faces At Utopia September 20, 2006 - New owners have taken over the Utopia Cafe at 199 Kingaroy Street, Kingaroy. Beryl Rankin has decided to discontinue the Internet side of the business, concentrating instead on offering light meals for breakfast and lunch as well as the ever-popular range of coffees. Utopia is open from 8:30am-5:00pm Monday to Friday and from 8am "until end of trade" on Saturdays.

Murgon Leather Part of No 1 Company September 19, 2006 - Teys Brothers - beef processors and owners of Murgon Leather - has topped the BDO Kendalls survey of Queensland's top 400 companies for the third year running. The Q400 companies boast a combined revenue of almost $14.25 billion. Companies are assessed on their turnover, full-time staff numbers and assets. Teys Brothers, which has an annual turnover of more than $1 billion, purchased Murgon Leather earlier this year to process hides from its abattoir operations.

Latest WBBACC Newsletter Available September 18, 2006 - 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

Another Busy Week For Chamber September 15, 2006 - The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry is not pausing for breath after organising last Saturday's successful Peanut Festival. The KCCI's regular six-weekly Meet'n'Greet will be held on Monday night (September 18) from 5:30pm at the Dean Wilson Aviation facility at Kingaroy Airport. On Tuesday (September 19), the KCCI's Women In Business group will be meeting for lunch at Burning Beats Restaurant from 12:30pm to hear guest speaker graphic artist Roley Jacobsen. Bookings are essential for both functions for catering purposes. Phone Lis on (07) 4162-8466.

Karol Is An Artist On The Move September 14, 2006 - A recent addition to SBBiz is Nanango visual artist Karol Oakley. Karol holds regular pastel painting workshops in Nanango Shire and will also do painting commissions of houses, still-lifes and landscapes. She is also planning an international escorted painting tour which will provide participants with the opportunity to paint in exotic locations. She can be contacted on (07) 4171-0013 or by email.

Whipbird Back In Business September 13, 2006 - Sheree Strauss has taken over management of the old Whipbird Chapel at Coolabunia, now known as the Whipbird Function Centre. Whipbird is located at 21 Chaseling Street, Coolabunia, just off the D'Aguilar Highway and is available for all sorts of private and business functions. Sheree also handles external catering jobs. For more information, contact Sheree on (07) 4163-6131 or by email

Kingaroy Rural Supplies Now Norco September 12, 2006 - Kingaroy Rural Supplies, at 97 River Road, ceased to be yesterday ... it is now a Norco Rural Store. Contact details, (07) 4162-3035, remain the same however a new manager, Geoff Mason, will be taking over soon. Norco stocks rural supplies including seed, chemical, fertilizers, stockfeed, fencing and irrigation equipment. Wayne Barron has relocated the hardware, tools and engineering products side of the old Kingaroy Rural Supplies business to Kingaroy Equipment Sales, located on the corner of Youngman Street and River Road. Kingaroy Equipment Sales can be contacted on (07) 4162-4555.

Lynda Explains Her Passion For Song September 11 - Kingaroy singer and singing coach Lynda Teh-Ogden, (right), has her own website which explains her passion for music. The talented singer, who sings in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien, Japanese and Indonesian, performed in Singapore and China before relocating to Australia. She is now a singing teacher in Kingaroy and performs at charity events. She can be contacted on 0438-481-194 or by email.

Foodies Plan Masterclass September 8, 2006 - Food personality Peter Howard will present a "masterclass" using South Burnett cuisine at the Bell Tower Restaurant on the Booie Range next month. Peter will team with well-known local TAFE teacher Jason Ford and Bell Tower chef Brad Clark to present the class on Monday October 16 from 3:00pm. This will be followed by a dinner from 7:00pm where there will be an opportunity to taste each course which has been prepared. For more information, contact SBLGA Tourism Project Manager Narelle Duggan on (07) 4162-6271 or by email.

Website For Booubyjan Homestead September 7, 2006 - Another new local website launched recently promotes the historic Booubyjan Homestead, located on Booubyjan Road (north of Goomeri). The Heritage-listed Booubyjan Homestead consists of pioneer slab and shingle buildings and was established by the Lawless Family in 1847. It is open for inspection by appointment. Contact Stephanie and Michael Lawless on (07) 4168-6262 or by email.

Bell Tower Unveils New Website September 6, 2006 - The Bell Tower Restaurant on the Booie Range near Kingaroy has a new website. Contact details for Brad and Megan Clark remain the same. Bookings can be made by phone (07) 4162-7000 or email. The restaurant and function centre is open for a-la-carte dinner Friday and Saturday nights, lunch 10am-5pm daily (except Mondays) and breakfast on Sunday from 9am-11am.

Fish'n'Chips Back On Kingaroy Dinner Tables September 5, 2006 - Since the almost-overnight disappearance of Kingaroy Seafoods back in March (the shop was demolished to make way for a new complex currently under construction), there's been a dearth of takeaway fish and chips in Kingaroy. But now RC's Cafe and Health Bar, located at 30 Glendon Street, has come to the rescue! Owner Rosie Carlaw has enlarged her menu to offer fresh fish and chips and has extended her opening hours to meet the demands of seafood lovers. RC's Cafe is open Monday-Tuesday 7:30am-4pm, Wednesday-Friday 7:30am-7:30pm and Saturday-Sunday 3pm-7:30pm.

Stage 1 of New Kingaroy Acreage Estate Opens September 4, 2006 - A recent addition to Southburnett.biz is Premier Acreage Estate, sponsors of the Street Parade at the 2006 PCA Kingaroy Peanut Festival. Premier Acreage Estate is located at Premier Drive, Kingaroy (off Curtis Road, about 4km north of town). The five-stage acreage sub-division is being developed over five years with sales of Stage 1 starting recently. For more information, contact Steve Turner on (07) 4162-4264, mobile 0417-726-895 or by email

Barambah Ridge Vines Now Barambah Wines September 1, 2006 - Steve and Jane Wilson, owners of the historic Barambah Station near Murgon and now Barambah Wines (the former Barambah Ridge vineyard), will be releasing their first vintage later this year. The new Barambah Wines, at 79 Goschnicks Road, Moffatdale, is growing shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, and semillon vines. The wine, which will be sold under the "First Grid" label, is being made at nearby Clovely Estate. Spokeswoman Manda Duffy said long-term plans could include re-opening a cafe or cellar door at the property. However in the meantime, people interested in purchasing Barambah Wines should phone 1300-781-815.

Two New Businesses In Nanango August 31, 2006 - Southburnett.biz recently listed two new (but related) businesses in Nanango. The Wood Bloke is Ashley Kerr who supplies firewood, fenceposts and garden logs, either delivered to your door or by pick-up. Eezi-Dress belongs to Yolande Crouch who provides clothing for disabled and incapacitated people at home or in nursing homes. Ashley and Yolande can be contacted on (07) 4163-5206 or by mobile 0439-953-372. PS. The KCCI would like to thank The Wood Bloke for supplying the fuel for the Mission Australia Mary Ann steam locomotive (above) which will be in Kingaroy on September 9 for the PCA Peanut Festival.