Western downs farmer june 2017

FARMER

Ruralweekly

JUNE 2017 EDITION NO. 8

DIGITAL DELIVERY Technological advances on display at CRT FarmFest \ STORY PAGE 3

2 WESTERN DOWNS FARMER

chinchillanews.com.au Thursday, June 22, 2017

Welcome WELCOME to the June edition of Western Downs Farmer.

This month’s publication brings you all the latest from the CRT FarmFest, which heavily featured all manner of agricultural innovation.

Technology is constantly improving, leading to efficiencies for farmers both on the field and off.

FarmFest’s focus on innovation this year was obviously well-received, with organisers claiming it was the biggest one yet.

Still on the technology front, if you turn to page six you’ll find an interesting story on drones - a burgeoning industry which is now having an impact on how farmers perform day-to-day tasks.

Gary King has invested a lot of time and money in his new drone business, and he hopes to turn Toowoomba into the agricultural drone capital of Australia.

But while agriculture has its sights firmly set on the future, tradition is just as important.

The show season has just wrapped up, and we’ve got plenty of photos of all the eager faces who turned out to support the Chinchilla and Miles shows - you’ll find them on pages 20 and 21.

VOLUNTEER POWER: The Braking the Cycle crew at Dalby PCYC.

Dalby PCYC helps to break the cycle

contact us EDITOR Matthew Newton, Phone 07 4672 9900, Email editorial@chinchillanews.com.au ADVERTISING (CHINCHILLA NEWS) Bobbie Gorring, Phone 07 4672 9930, Email bobbie.gorring@chinchillanews.com.au ADVERTISING (DALBY HERALD) Nicole McDougall, Phone 07 4672 5502, Email nicole.mcdougall@dalbyherald.com.au GENERAL MANAGER Erika Brayshaw, Phone 07 4672 9921, Email Erika.brayshaw@apn.com.au All material published in Western Downs Farmer is subject to copyright provisions. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission for the publisher.

DISCLAIMER: The information contained within Western Downs Farmer is given in good faith and obtained from sources believed to be accurate. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. The Chinchilla News or Dalby Herald will not be liable for any opinion or advice contained herein.

PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

BRAKING the Cycle is an initiative of the Queensland Police Citizens Youth and Welfare Association (PCYC) that works with disengaged youth to enhance employment, road safety and youth development.

The Braking the Cycle program enables learner drivers to develop a core life and employment skill that supports further opportunities in the workplace, training and education environments.

As award winner of Regional Achievement & Community Awards 2016 for Prime Super Community Group of the Year, Braking the Cycle has established a positive reputation in

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I feel empowered that I have had a small part in their achievements and feel proud of them.” the community for being able to deliver a quality program to those most disadvantage in the community.

Through the success of the program Braking the Cycle, sponsored by Arrow Energy has

been able to achieve 113 provisional licences over 80000 Kilometres and 2305 driving hours.

The program ise seeking volunteers to become mentors to help supervise driving lessons only asking for one hour a week. If you are interested in please contact Kelly on 4672 2400 or email: kelly.ryan@pcyc.org.au One of the program’s mentors said: “When I speak with (participants) and hear they have passed their drivers licence and have obtain employment because of that, I feel empowered that I have had a small part in their achievements and feel proud of them.”

Melanoma deaths on the rise in Queensland men THE number of Queensland men dying from melanoma continues to increase, despite skin cancer being one of the most treatable forms of cancer if detected early.

New figures released by Cancer Council Queensland for Men’s Health Week show an estimated 220 men die from melanoma each year, an increase from 125 men in 1995.

Cancer Council Queensland chief executive

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survival.

“It’s vital that men get to know their own skin and if they notice a new spot or lesion, or a spot or lesion change in shape, colour or size, they visit a GP immediately.

“Queenslanders with fair skin, skin that burns easily, the presence of many moles and a family history of skin cancer are at greater risk of developing melanoma.”

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Do you have 1 hour per week to spare and want to make a difference to someone’s life?

Braking the Cycle will match you with a person who faces barriers to obtaining a drivers licence.

As a mentor you will use BTC vehicles and assist the person to gain valuable driving experience prior to sitting their test.

Mentors develop an ongoing relationship with the young person by meeting each week for a supervised driving session.

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officer Chris McMillan urged men to prioritise their health.

“Men over 50 continue to be at highest risk of being diagnosed with melanoma and dying from the disease,” Ms McMillan said.

“While more research is needed to fully understand why melanoma mortality rates among men have increased, we know that early detection plays a key role in long-term

Dalby PCYC: 0408 164 191 kelly.ryan@pcyc.org.au

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WESTERN DOWNS FARMER 3

Thursday, June 22, 2017 dalbyherald.com.au

Control at your fingertips Next generation chaser bin gives the operator complete control in their palms THE PROCESS of utilising new technology to further improve the farming industry is never ending.

Innovation is at the heart of the new era of farming in Australia, and as farmers from across the country descended on Toowoomba for FarmFest this month, a new generation of chaser bins caught the eye of many in the industry.

Finch Engineering has attempted to revolutionise the chaser bin, by placing complete control of the machine in the operators hands.

The new bin is controlled by a small remote that allows the operator to be in the best spot while the grain and fertiliser is being delivered through the seed cart.

This new technology removes the need for

the farmer to be near a manual lever, which will improve the accuracy and safety of work on the farm.

Brett Edwards, national sales manager of Finch Engineering, said the new chaser bin, a seed and fertiliser option with remote control, would take the guess work out of the operation.

“This is an electric over hydraulic set-up with a remote control that fits into the palm of your hand which allows the Farmer to fill a seeding cart with the chaser bin while standing in the best vantage spot,” Mr Edwards said.

“This eliminates the need for an operator be stationed near a manual lever which can be impractical and unsafe.

“The operation of filling the seed cart is now more accurate as the operator can be right where the grain or fertiliser is being delivered, hence taking any of the guess work away.”

Accuracy and safety are at the heart of improving the process, while the remote control also aims at increased profitability for farmers.

“Additional benefits of remote control also include enabling the operator to be well clear of the machine in certain applications while still

be able to start and stop grain delivery as required,” Mr Edwards said.

“The remote control feature also enables the filling and planting process to be carried out by just one operator, thus reducing costs and making this whole process more efficient.”

For Mr Edwards, there is not another product on the market that can complete the task with as much efficiency and ease.

The ability to have one person control the process saves farmers time and also man power, as it would usually take two workers to complete the task.

Freeing up one worker reducers the amount of “down-time” there can be on a farm, and also savers farmers in running costs.

For this reason, Mr Edwards believe the innovation behind the new machine can change the way farming is conducted.

“This is just like the evolution of life, if you sit around and do not develop your machines they will not survive,” he said.

“This bin is 100% perfect for harvesting and 99% perfect for planting.

“While this used to be a two man job with one on the tractor, now one person has control over the whole machine.”

“It is a simple solution to many problems faced by farmers.”

“Many farmers do not have the man power for two people to operate these machines.

When they do, there is a lot of down time for one of the workers as they are only refilling the bin.”

The remote control system is fitted to the side of the bin and operates the internal "Split Cut-Off Plates" which controls grain or fertiliser flow to the auger.

The remote control is wireless can operate up to four separate compartments, and is simply charged with a USB cable.

“Farmers also have the option of adding other hydraulically operated components to this block if required,” Mr Edwards said.

Mr Edwards said the feedback Finch Engineering has received has been from testing completed at the end of last year and at FarmFest this month.

“Last year we did a research and development with farmers and the feedback we got was just fantastic,” he said.

“We had many farmers come to us at FarmFest wanting this and ordering bins for their farms.”

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4 WESTERN DOWNS FARMER

chinchillanews.com.au Thursday, June 22, 2017

A taste of the country Cookbook of paleo treats released JACINTA CUMMINS

COOKING UP A STORM: Nicole McDowell has released her cookbook, Inspired Energised Treats. rather than just giving it enough fuel to keep it operating day to day," she said.

Nicole said that paleo was more of a whole mindset than a diet.

"It focuses on getting balance across your life, whether that’s how you manage stress to being able to switch off and rest your mind as well as your body.

"Our bodies are not used to producing cortisol (a hormone produced as a response to stress) all the time and if we

are constantly producing it, it has a bad effect on our bodies."

Even if a person does leave the office on time, often they are still connected over the phone or email or they simply don’t disconnect from technology after hours as they use social media or shop online.

Nicole suffered from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which can be exacerbated by stress and suffered from cramps and digestive problems, but found

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worth the overall benefit for mind and body.

She’s since moved to Emerald for a job with Suncorp Agribusiness and shares the paleo recipes she developed for both her business and her cookbook through her website and social media.

The cookbook was nearly two years in the making and of course, countless hours in the kitchen to create recipes which are not only tasty and healthy but easy to follow.

The book is also sprinkled with quotes and sketches to

make your day that bit brighter.

"It’s more than just food, it’s a way of life; you don’t have to be paleo, but becoming more aware of how to get the goodness out of food can improve your life so much overall.

"It’s about the memories you’re creating when you’re having dinner with your family or taking treats to church on Sunday, it’s about much more than just taste."

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her symptoms seemed to improve as her diet did.

"I was relying on a lot of supplements to deal with my symptoms, but as I went to a healthier diet, I was sleeping better and I had more energy.

"My IBS not only eased, but I just felt better overall so I have been able to cut back on a lot of supplements because I’m using my food to get that nutrition now."

Nicole juggled her new approach to food while living in Miles and mining camps but said the extra effort was

PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

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THEY say a good deed never goes unnoticed.

And so it was that Nicole McDowell’s talent for cooking was discovered when she sent a batch of treats to work with her then partner in July 2013.

She started her business "Nic’s Paleo Treats" making Paleo treats for cafes in Miles, Chinchilla and Dalby in 2013 and just released her a cookbook Inspired Energised Treats in April.

"It’s funny how all the different things in life work together to get you somewhere," Nicole said.

"I’m no longer with that gentleman anymore, but if it hadn’t been for him sharing my cooking with the Creek Café manager who worked in the same building, I probably wouldn’t have realised that there were people in Miles who were looking for delicious food which wasn’t bad for them."

The paleo diet, also known as the caveman or the primal diet, is a hunter-gatherer based one where you can consume anything which you can gather or grow and catch but avoid processed foods, sugars and additives.

It may be a cliché, but Nicoles says Paleo really is based on the belief that you are what you eat.

While this approach may seem hard in country areas with limited shops, Nicole said it’s worth the effort to switch processed foods and sugars for whole grains and fruits and vegetables for your overall health, not just your waistline.

"It’s really about getting the best out of your food so you are keeping your body healthy

WESTERN DOWNS FARMER 5

Thursday, June 22, 2017 dalbyherald.com.au

Better than ever before FarmFest 2017 has been hailed as the biggest in its history Michael Doyle

Michael.Doyle@dalbyherald.com.au

FARMEST 2017 was hoped to be one of the biggest in its history, with new streets in the venue opening the door for new exhibitors to showcase their products and services.

Innovation and cattle was emphasised this year, with new machinery and a large livestock area being hailed as a success by organisers.

While the infamous wind of FarmFest made its usual appearance, the event experienced clear and fine days.

With the good weather and the promise of a one of the biggest FarmFest’s in history, thousands of people filed through the gates in Toowoomba.

Group manager of Fairfax Regional Events, Kate Nugent, said crowd records were broken this year.

“We had over 60,000 through the gate and Tuesday was one of the biggest first day crowds seen in the last 14 years,” Mrs Nugent said.

“Also, the Thursday was considered one of the leading days it has seen in its history.

“With the clear weather we had a fine day, there is no doubt that FarmFest 2017 has been hugely successful.”

Mrs Nugent highlighted the events success, with over 2000 companies on site, as well as strong feedback she said had been received by the organisers.

“I am going to make a grand statement and say this year was the biggest,” she said.

“This is because of the focus on innovation and new technology this year which was exciting to see.

This year’s FarmFest placed a high

PURE BRED: Emily Gorton from Kandanga Valley Stud in Gympie with Lauchie, a 20 month pure bred Charbray Bull. importance on demonstrations. With the large number of companies on display across the three days and the record crowds, expectation was high for a large number of sales.

“This event provided enormous opportunity to showcase services and products,” Mrs Nugent said.

“We had a strong focus on demonstration this year for the first time in a long time.

“There was a lot of expectation to see accelerated sales and leads and that is what we heard back from exhibitors.

“We have raised the bar at FarmFest and it is just such a big show which now has a big

PHOTO: MICHAEL DOYLE

influence on the Australian agricultural industry.”

“FarmFest has been able to deliver on leads and those leads if converted can generate tens of millions of dollars of sales for our Queensland agriculture industry.”

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6 WESTERN DOWNS FARMER

chinchillanews.com.au Thursday, June 22, 2017

NEXT GEN: Toowoomba’s Gary King, who is launching his new store Universal Drones, wants to make the Garden City the agricultural drone capital of Australia.

PHOTO: TOM GILLESPIE

Region’s drone potential New drone store owner wants to make Toowoomba the agricultural drone capital of Australia Tom Gillespie

tom.gillespie@thechronicle.com.au

GARY King has watched drones go from gimmicks to hi-tech military equipment and now stocking fillers for kids at Christmas.

Now he wants to make Toowoomba the home of agricultural drones.

The businessman and former army officer will open Universal Drones on James St next week.

On top of being one of the largest retail shops in Queensland for drones, the business will feature a secure research and development facility, flight simulation and testing rooms to let customers try out the machines.

Mr King said half the business would be

aimed at farmers and primary producers, who now used hi-tech drones to spray crops, scan large areas for water points and weeds and even muster livestock.

“I’ve been working with drones since 2002 and we have the largest agricultural drones in Australia in terms of size and weight,” he said.

“We’re talking about crop spraying, analytical crop count, your water analysis.

“Our focus is about 50% agricultural, then we work with parallel industries and also consumer products.

“Our goal is to have Toowoomba as the agricultural drone capital of Australia within two years.”

The store will have some of the largest agricultural drones available, with machines weighing up to 50kg and a wingspan of nearly

3m.

Mr King, who worked with Theresa Zhang of Laguna Apartments to invest millions into bringing the latest in drone technology to the new store, has also hired 10 staff from Toowoomba to run all the departments, including the research and development facility.

“There is no company in Australia that’s doing serious R and D on drones,” he said.

“Basically, in the back of our store we’re going to have an R and D facility that will find out how we can advance drone use.

“In the past four years there have been 7400 changes in drone hardware technology, (but) computers in that time have only made 180 changes.

“That would mean the industry would still be

going, but it wouldn’t be able to continue to progress until the software side picks up.”

Having worked with drones and model aeroplanes since 2002, he said education on the laws and rules around the activity needed to catch up with the fast increases in technology.

“It’s also about educating people about the rules and laws, because more people are wanting them and the laws are still catching up,” Mr King said.

“We want to educate people across south-west Queensland and educate them about what you can and can’t do, because people honestly don’t know.”

Universal Drones opened its new store to the public on Saturday morning, with a special preview for guests the night before.

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WESTERN DOWNS FARMER 7

Thursday, June 22, 2017 dalbyherald.com.au

IAWO program to continue

20,000 reasons to take advantage of this beneficial program DAVID LITTLEPROUD

BUSINESS SUPPORT: Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud and Treasurer Scott Morrison discuss the importance of agriculture to our national economy and how the Coalition Government’s Budget move to extend the $20,000 instant asset write-off will support small business. growing rural small business.

There are more than 25,500 small businesses in Maranoa and I’d like to see this number grow because when small businesses are doing well, we have more jobs in our region.

Our tax cut to 27.5% backs small business and I’m proud this government is cutting red

– to claim an instant deduction on capital equipment with a value up to $20,000.

The $20,000 instant asset write-off – what it means: ■ The instant asset write-off allows small business – with a turnover of up to $10 million

■ The measure started on May 12, 2015, and was scheduled to finish on June 30 this year before it was extended in the 2017-18 Budget.

Pat

YOUR FEDERAL MEMBER FOR MARANOA

DAVID LITTLEPROUD

tape and has extended the IAWO to help small businesses pursue their dreams.

MP

• Fully funding the NDIS to support those with a disability.

• An additional $8.4 billion to fund the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail.

• Better access to telecommunications through the Mobile Black Spot Program and NBN roll out.

• Committed almost Federal Budget $500 million in total to the Building Better Regions focused on our region Fund to support more projects in rural, regional and remote areas.

• Cutting red tape for small business and will extend the $20,000 instant asset write-off for a further year.

• Trialling drug tests to target welfare-fuelled drug use and help those affected kick addiction.

PO Box 641, Dalby QLD 4405 David.littleproud.mp@aph.gov.au www.davidlittleproud.com.au

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WEIR MP

Member for Condamine

Pat Weir MP Member for Condamine

As the member for Condamine I am extremely proud of the strong agricultural heritage of the Darling Downs region and acknowledge the significant contribution that primary producers make to the Queensland economy. The Condamine electorate lies in the very heart of the Darling Downs and is well known for its rich and diverse agricultural history. Agriculture and the people who work in primary production are invaluable to the future of our region, state and country.

Pat WEIR MP Member for Condamine 129 Cunningham Street, Dalby, QLD 4405 condamine@parliament.qld.gov.au 4570 4100 https://www.facebook.com/PatWeirMP/

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FARMERS are at the forefront of the Coalition Government’s budget move to extend the $20,000 instant asset write-off (IAWO) program for another year.

As a farmer, you’re also a small business and I really encourage you to take advantage of the government’s IAWO measure.

Now, remember this amount isn’t cumulative – it applies to each and every purchase under $20,000.

This is a huge increase from the former $1000 asset write-off with the government recently announcing the $20,000 IAWO would be extended for another year and I want to make sure you will take advantage of one of the biggest Federal Budget announcements for the small business sector.

I’ve spoken with farmers in many different communities across my electorate and heard how helpful the instant asset write-off is for investment in capital equipment on the farm and in the office.

From new computers or iPads to make doing farm books simpler, to tools and machinery in the shed, the write-off means farmers can buy the capital equipment their business needs and write it off immediately.

This initiative is not only great for updating equipment but also, if you buy locally, you’ll be helping out other businesses too.

The write-off doesn’t have to be tangible, it can cover website development for your business – the cost just has to be less than $20,000.

This Coalition Government is serious about

8 WESTERN DOWNS FARMER

chinchillanews.com.au Thursday, June 22, 2017

Antiques show reveals histories older than Wandoan

ANTIQUE SURPRISE: Terry Holland was delighted to discover that his swan shaped flower vase and its stand was over a century old and worth $400 at Wandoan’s Antiques Show.

PHOTO: JACINTA CUMMINS

WANDOAN’S Cultural Centre was the setting for Australia’s answer to the BBC's Antiques Roadshow on Saturday June 3.

Fifty people turned out to see antiques valuer Ray Dalton value items belonging to more than 30 people.

Terry Holland of Wandoan had a swan flower planter on a stand and a bush landscape picture made entirely of tiny pieces of bark by a Sydney artist, G Middlemass, for valuation.

Mr Dalton valued the picture at $300 to $400, but much like the fabled ugly duckling had its day, it was the swan which was the standout with a valuation of $400.

Mr Dalton dated the lusterware piece back to 1890-1900 and said it had been hand painted in England with a small crack on its wing the only sign of wear and tear.

Lusterware is a ceramic or porcelain piece which has a special glaze applied to give it an iridescent appearance.

This practice dates back as far as the fourth century AD. Middle Eastern countries invented the art but the English adopted the technique and then changed it to incorporate platinum at the end of the 18th century to achieve a silver, copper or gold finish instead of the earthy tones favoured by earlier Islamic artisans.

Mr Holland occasionally uses the swan for flower arrangements, but he and his wife, Margaret, don’t know its full history.

"Margaret’s mother’s family owned it when we met in Sydney fifty years ago, but her parents never spoke about it so we’ve no idea where it came from," he said.

Mr Dalton also valued some furniture Mr Holland’s father bought at a clearing sale in 1942 during one of several home visits after the antiques show.

The dressing table, wardrobe and Edwardian

washstand take pride of place in the Hollands’ home despite Mr Dalton saying it was now unusual for antiques to be in daily use.

"As house designs have changed, there aren’t many areas like mantelpieces to showcase pieces like this swan, which is a pity and this has affected the market value slightly," Mr Dalton said.

There’s no danger of that happening at the Hollands’ as ceiling height was one of the main criteria when they chose their home so they could give their family heirlooms pride of place.

The Wandoan Antiques Show was hosted by the Juandah Heritage Society to celebrate Queensland Day with Mr Dalton travelling from Victoria and sharing his insights into the background and history of the different items as he valued them.

Anna James was another local in for the shock of her life when she discovered that a wooden chair which had been thrown in for free at a sale in Toowoomba was potentially worth $4000-$5000.

Mr Dalton said the chair was carved from heavy English oak between 1670 and 1680 and that its barley twist legs were a keynote of the Elizabethan era.

Despite some damage due to age, Mr Dalton said he had never expected to find a piece of that era in the region and that careful restoration would increase the chair’s value from $600 in its current condition to anywhere between $4000 to $5000.

Mrs James will have the chair restored once she has found the right person for the job, but it may take her a bit longer to tell her son Reuben the chair’s real value.

She and Reuben have a friendly dispute over the chair’s ownership, as she was the one who bought it, but it graces his unit’s entrance.

"There will probably be a bit more of a battle over it now we know its value," she laughed.

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By JACINTA CUMMINS

WESTERN DOWNS FARMER 9

Thursday, June 22, 2017 dalbyherald.com.au

LNP names candidate JACINTA CUMMINS TAROOM’S Colin Boyce will contest the seat of Callide for the Liberal National Party at the state election.

The current member and former deputy premier Jeff Seeney has held the seat comfortably since 1998, but is retiring at the next election due by May. Mr Boyce was announced as the successful candidate on June 14.

Mr Boyce has lived in the Taroom district all his life and served as a councillor on the Taroom Shire Council from 2005 until 2008.

His wife Terri was elected to the Banana Shire Council in a by-election in March.

A member of the LNP since 2010, Mr Boyce beat four other challengers including a former advisor to Barnaby Joyce, Melinda Hashimoto, and Deputy LNP Leader Deb Frecklington’s brother, Ross Stiller from Guluguba, in the preselection battle.

In an echo of Mr Seeney’s slogan "All about country towns and country people", Mr Boyce is seeking election

so he can represent country Queensland’s interests in George Street.

"I’m frustrated by the number of politicians who don’t have real world experience and don’t understand or care what the ramifications are for regional areas when decisions are made in Brisbane," he said.

"What works in Brisbane and is needed there doesn’t always apply to regions like ours.

"We need to be able use common sense."

Common sense is something Mr Boyce believes has been missing from Labor’s approach to redrafting vegetation laws which he said would be disastrous for the region.

He vowed to defend the rights of farmers to sensibly manage their land.

"As a farming family, I know the importance of protecting my family’s assets and income.

"I will stand up to the greenies and Labor Party to protect our regions’ farming communities."

Mr and Mrs Boyce have

three children and run cattle on their family farm.

Mr Boyce also owns and operates an engineering business with his sons Tom and Scott which services the farming and earthworks industries.

The Callide electorate is considered a safe LNP seat, but One Nation has been predicted to pose a threat in some country areas by poaching voters who are single issue voters or those disenfranchised with the LNP. One Nation announced Elise Cottam as its candidate for Callide in December, but dumped her after she refused to buy her election promotion materials through a company associated with Senator Pauline Hanson’s chief-of-staff James Ashby.

Sharon Lohse is now running for One Nation against Mr Boyce. The redrawing of electoral boundaries means Callide will expand to include Miles and Chinchilla in the south and across to Bell in the east. The statewide redistribution will increase the number of Queensland state electorates from 89 to 93.

RUNNING: Colin Boyce, from Taroom, has been named as the LNP Candidate for Callide.

PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

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10 WESTERN DOWNS FARMER

chinchillanews.com.au Thursday, June 22, 2017

Early detection is the key

JACINTA CUMMINS

WHEN Caitlin Vayro was little, she just thought the farmers in her father’s family at Jandowae and Condamine were big bush men who were tough.

Her grandad, great uncle and her father’s brothers didn’t talk about their feelings.

Or she can’t remember if they did.

"There was always this ‘I’m tough exterior’, but as I got older, I started wondering if they

really were that tough or if they just didn’t express their feelings," Miss Vayro said.

"Were they too afraid to ask for help?

"Or if they did ask for help, could they get it out there?"

So she set out to find answers.

This led to her choosing the topic "The Barriers and Facilitators of Mental Health Help Seeking in Farmers" for her PhD candidacy in the Institute for Resilient Regions at the University of Southern Queensland.

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SKILLED: These participants undertook the RRMH Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) workshop at Nanango in May. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

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The project is ongoing with two parts.

The first part saw Miss Vayro interview farmers, their partners and rural GPs (doctors) across Queensland to find out what the biggest influences on farmers’ mental health are, how farmers dealt with their mental health, and what steps they took or where they would most likely go for help if they needed it.

The second phase involves modelling this information to work out what things have the most impact on mental health help-seeking

and see where the needs or gaps in mental health promotion and services are in rural areas.

This research will then be used to devise solutions for how GPs, partners and professionals can help farmers to more proactively seek help for mental health concerns.

"I haven’t finished the data modelling yet, but when I first started researching this area, it became obvious that while there were things to help farmers when they were experiencing severe mental health problems or suicidal thoughts, there wasn’t much to stop them getting to this stage," Miss Vayro said.

"If people get to this stage and then get help, it can turn things around, but it can also take a lot longer to recover or in the worst case, be too late.

"It’s a lot easier to tackle something early on and that’s what I want to find out.

"What would help farmers recognise when it was more than just things being a bit tough, and what would be their first point of call when they decided to ask for help?"

Statistics show approximately one in five Australians will experience mental health issues, either intermittent or ongoing at some point in their life.

While this statistic is stable countrywide, the outlook is a lot worse for those suffering in the country than for their city cousins.

The suicide rate in rural areas is about 40 per cent higher than it is in major cities.

Reduced access to mental health care, higher economic and time costs associated with seeking help as well as greater stigma around mental illness are reasons cited for this difference.

"A lot of farmers tend to deal with stress or cope by many of the traditional ways such as using humour or social drinking but others bury it and just didn’t talk about it," Miss Vayro said.

"So far the information shows that the earlier the contact is, the more effective it can

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Thursday, June 22, 2017 dalbyherald.com.au

to saving people’s lives them, negotiate to keep them safe and then help them to connect with resources that can help them with the underlying issues."

Mr Saal hopes to reschedule the workshop for Wandoan in the coming months with Miles and Taroom residents also welcome to take part.

"The community approached us about running this training so my colleague, Deb Smith, from Chinchilla and I will run it in our own time on a weekend if that’s when it suits the most people," he said.

People interested in participating in the workshop can register their interest by emailing Mr Saal at timsaal@rrmh.com.au.

Miss Vayro presented on her project to the

❝

...It became obvious that while there were things to help farmers when they were experiencing severe mental health problems or suicidal thoughts, there wasn’t much to stop them getting to this stage," — Caitlin Vayro Rural Doctors Association of Queensland conference on June 10, but needs more farmers to complete a 30 minute survey to expand her research.

To complete the survey go to http://tinyurl.com/producer-wellbeing.

If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health issues, contact a doctor or call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

If someone is suicidal, dial 000 immediately.

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be and that it can help reduce suffering for both the diagnosed person and those around them.

"It generally seems to be up to the individual to make the choice to ask for help, but many said if a partner or friend asked them how they were going or said they were worried about them, that they might ask for help sooner."

Rural & Remote Mental Health (RRMH) offers a range of mental wellbeing and suicide intervention training in country areas.

Tim Saal is RRMH’s Programs Manager and said the organisation’s programs aim to prevent suicide by training people to recognise and deal with the early warning signs of suicide and help the sufferer receive treatment in time.

The two day RRMH Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) workshop is sponsored through funding from the Darling Downs West Moreton Public Health Network.

A workshop scheduled for June 10 and 11 in Wandoan was postponed because there needed to be one more participant to meet the requirements to deliver it.

Mr Saal said while there may be fewer mental health resources for rural residents, the more people know, the more empowered they are to help themselves or others.

"I’ve worked in mental health for over a decade and this workshop is the gold standard for actually helping anyone who takes it, rather than just trained professionals," he said.

Sue Algate participated in a RRMH ASIST workshop in Nanango in May. Ms Algate has always been interested in mental health and what happens to those left behind after a suicide, but wanted to update her skills in recognising and responding to someone who is suicidal.

She said the course was a brilliant resource for anyone no matter what they knew about suicide.

"The course teaches the participant how to recognise someone who may be at risk of suicide, raise the issues appropriately with

12 WESTERN DOWNS FARMER

chinchillanews.com.au Thursday, June 22, 2017

Versatility is key on farm NEW Holland’s T8 SmartTraxTM matches the overall versatility of a wheeled tractor with the high traction and flotation of rubber tracks.

Although based on the established GENESIS® T8 Series, SmartTraxTM tractors have detailed design differences. These include purpose-developed high torque axles that match large-diameter front wheels with the rear tracks.

This enables full power to be delivered between the front wheels and rear tracks for optimum performance.

Developed to deliver the proven versatility of a wheeled tractor the T8 SMartTraxTM offers the enhanced traction and flotation of rubber tracks.

The rubber tracks are matched to large diameter front wheels to deliver excellent manoeuvrability overcoming some of the issues that may arise with conventional twin tracked vehicles.

A key feature of the T8 SmartTraxTM is the ability to turn tightly and cleanly at the headland. Versatility is the key, making these tractors also suitable for work such as spraying and top dressing.

Designed by New Holland specifically for high power applications, the T8 SmartTraxTM provides minimal soil disturbance due to a larger contact patch with the soil, enhancing traction and reducing ground pressure and compaction. The reduced ground pressure allows earlier access to drying land and can provide extended working time in the season with a reduced risk of damage to the structure of the soil.

The T8 SmartTraxTM benefits from wheeled tractor agility. Topsoil disturbance in a tight

headland turn is minimized, with the rear tracks following the path of the front tires without forming a "berm" ridge. The combination of wheeled front axle and rear tracks enables a New Holland T8 SmartTraxTM tractor to operate at full power in turns around wet field areas or on the headlands. This full power turn capability is a key advantage over twin tracks, which shut down power in one track to make the turn, when full power can get you through the tough working conditions.

Purpose-developed axles have the high strength build required to transfer high power and torque to the ground as well as carry heavy loads. The front axle is designed to transfer full power to large diameter wheels while still allowing a 55o turn angle. This ensures a T8 SmartTraxTM can turn tightly for optimum productivity.

Offering the choice of undercarriage, the T8 SmartTraxTM tractors can be specified to offer a choice of working widths, with track spacing choices of between 76 and 152 inches (1930 to 3960mm). The track belt width can also be matched to suit specific needs; narrow undercarriage models will come standard with 18 inch (460mm) tracks. For use in more extreme conditions, to include steep difficult terrain or extremely wet conditions, wide undercarriage models are offered with 24inch (610mm) tracks.

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WESTERN DOWNS FARMER 13

Thursday, June 22, 2017 dalbyherald.com.au

CMT in it for the long haul Miles-based, family owned haulage business has a range of services on offer

CMT Haulage continue to prove why they are leaders in their field thanks to their vast and ever-changing fleet.

The company boasts an unwavering commitment to offering clients the latest in CSG rig support services and with their most recent acquisition, are now offering a more localised service as well.

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The stick rake attachment on the front-end loader is 20-foot wide and is driven by the 220-horsepower tractor.

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14 WESTERN DOWNS FARMER

chinchillanews.com.au Thursday, June 22, 2017

LEFT: CCCG’s Darryl Bishop, vice chairman Trevor Draper and chairman David McCabe, at the London Bridge crossing at the confluence of Rocky and Stockyard Creeks. ABOVE: Glen Beasley, Jenny Kerr and David McCabe.

PHOTOS: MATTHEW NEWTON

Salt dump spat continues

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facility. Council first rejected the facility in March 2016 on the basis of environmental concerns, specifically rehabilitation of the site after operations ceased.

We Kando appealed against the decision in the Planning and Environment Court, and the council, acknowledging the State Government’s new Chain of Responsibility laws, settled the appeal in July, with strict conditions.

Western Downs Farmer understands the council had received legal advice it would be dragged into a costly and ultimately unsuccessful legal battle with We Kando if they fought the appeal because the development application conformed to the former Chinchilla Shire Planning Scheme.

In the early stages of engaging with We Kando, the council, having never dealt with an application for a salt storage facility before, contacted a third party consultant for a recommendation on how to classify the development, and was told it should be labelled as a “public utility”.

Western Downs Farmer understands this

recommendation was backed up by legal advice.

That classification of the DA as a “public utility” meant the DA conformed with the planning scheme and left council without a leg to stand on in We Kando’s appeal against the initial rejection.

But Mr Beasley said he would still be interested to know “if there was a more appropriate classification representing what the facility was”.

“It still leaves in my mind a question as to the veracity of the legal / expert advice they got in that regard,” Mr Beasley said.

“It does seem very strange.” Mr Beasley said the CCCG was waiting on advice from the Environmental Defenders Office on the steps involved in going to the ombudsman.

“Beyond that, then there is the Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, and we would once again, depending on advice from the EDO, consider mounting a challenge through that avenue as well.”

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salt storage facility with Shadow Minister for the Environment Dr Christian Rowan.

The CCCG is concerned over the facility’s close proximity to Stockyard Creek, a tributary of the Condamine River, and would like to see its approval overturned.

Mr Ellwood said he was grateful for the men taking the time to travel to Brisbane to meet with him and said he would provide a copy of the assessment report underpinning the State Government’s approval of the salt dump “so they were able to understand the material the decision maker had in front of them at the time and how they reached that decision”.

Mr Beasley said the group sees writing to the state ombudsman as their next avenue. “(The ombudsman) can consider firstly what we consider to be an improperly made decision to grant an Environmental Authority back in 2014 by the DEHP,” Mr Beasley said.

With the DEHP approving the company’s EA back in 2014, the company began engaging with Western Downs Regional Council to put forward their development application for the 6613731ag

“I THINK it’s terribly sad that people will now accept as normal what five years ago we would have said was outrageous,” mused Glen Beasley, a Chinchilla landholder.

He is of course talking about fatigue - and the community’s flagging interest in what industrial developments are occurring on their doorstep.

But for Mr Beasley and other members of the Cameby Concerned Citizen’s Group, they’re not ready to give up yet.

The CCCG is now taking its fight against an approved salt storage facility 10km west of Chinchilla to the Queensland Ombudsman.

CCCG committee member Glen Beasley, deputy chair Trevor Draper and Chinchilla Landcare chairperson Don Bell – vocal opponents of We Kando Pty Ltd’s approved salt storage facility situated 10km from Chinchilla – travelled to Brisbane recently to bring their case to the attention of DEHP deputy director general Dean Ellwood.

The meeting, facilitated by Warrego MP Ann Leahy, also saw them raise the issue of the

WESTERN DOWNS FARMER 15

Thursday, June 22, 2017 dalbyherald.com.au

Devons are quiet achievers LEONIE Daley loves her south devons so much even retirement can’t keep her out of the game.

Mrs Daley and her husband recently sold up the family farm in south Gippsland to go into retirement, but she still found herself in Toowoomba for the South Devon Cattle Society annual general meeting.

After that it was on to CRT FarmFest to promote the breed further.

Mrs Daley said it was something she was passionate about after 20 years of breeding the gentle giants and spending three years as

national president of the breed organisation.

She said despite not having the budget for promotion that some other breeds had, south devons were a worthy addition to any commercial breeding program thanks to a number of traits.

She believed if they had the promotional budgets of breeds like angus and hereford, south devons would be a lot more prevalent.

They also crossed well with other breeds.

“They’re a British breed and known for their quiet temperaments,” Mrs Daley said.

“They’re safe to handle and very quiet, which

I think is important.

“Also, as far as temperament goes, every south devon breeder would tell you that the less stressed the animal, the better the meat.”

She said the fast-growers also featured strong maternal traits like high milk production because they were initially bred as a dual-purpose animal, but in recent years breeding concentrated on the meat production.

“They’re good mums and raise a good calf with good weight,” she said.

“Around 400kg at weaning is ideal.

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country in carcase competitions and at the grass-fed trial.”

She said the trials involved 50 steers including both pure and cross breeds and the south devons regularly came up with the best weight gain and carcass attributes.

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PHOTO: MEGAN MASTERS

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16 WESTERN DOWNS FARMER

chinchillanews.com.au Thursday, June 22, 2017

DON’T TELL ME NO: Larissa Levingston thrives on a challenge and settling into her new position as Livestock Territory Sales Manager for Elders, Miles.

PHOTO: JACINTA CUMMINS

Keeping up with the boys Larissa’s love of livestock has fuelled her career, from shearing to her new stint as an Elders Agent

By JACINTA CUMMINS IT’S five o’clock on a Thursday, but there’s no such thing as a regular work day for Larissa Levingston.

There’s cattle to source and another client wants her to find somewhere to agist his mob to get it through the dry season while boss Michael Mawn reminds her of a teleconference first up at 7.30am tomorrow Gone are the days of regular smokos and cracking a drink at 5pm for the former shearer, who traded her combs and moccasins for the pink shirt and wide brimmed hat of an Elders agent in April.

"This job is a totally different type of work to shearing, it’s more mentally demanding instead of physically demanding, but that’s what I love about it," Larissa said.

"Things are always changing depending on how the season is, what people are looking for in breeds and you’ve got to be across it all the time to find an answer for your client’s problem."

Larissa admits some clients can struggle with the idea that as a 23-year-old woman she’s just as capable of handling cattle as any bloke her age, but she is used to proving people wrong.

"I wanted to be a shearer when I left school.

"My family have always been shearers and my mum’s a woolclasser, so it meant a lot to me to be the sixth generation shearer in our family.

"I was the only woman shearer in my family

and a lot of contractors wouldn’t give me a go because of that, but that was just more incentive to show them that their mentality is wrong."

So Larissa moved from her home at Walcha in New South Wales to Robe, South Australia to get her much sought after start and spent the next four and a half years working across Victoria and NSW in shearing teams.

Of Australia’s 3100 shearers, only 100 are women so Larissa quickly developed a thick skin and broad shoulders.

On her best day, she shore 176 crossbred ewes while an average day would see her shear 130 sheep.

But as sheep sizes continued to increase, Larissa had to look for other options.

"My body wasn’t going to let me shear all my life and I’d always been drawn to cattle more than sheep growing up."

Elders Miles branch manager Michael Mawn used to be a shearer so when the livestock sales manager position came up, he offered it to Larissa.

❝

"Having been a shearer, I knew the sorts of things Larissa would’ve dealt with as a woman in the shed and if she could handle that, then she could definitely handle this," he said.

"The reason I hired her was because she had the ability to work which a lot of people just don’t have nowadays."

Michael said Larissa is faced with the same demands as any other agent and doesn’t get any special treatment as a woman.

"No matter who you are, at the end of the day your word is your bond," Michael said.

"You have to make sure you do everything properly and ethically and keep your nose clean to survive in the industry.

"There aren’t as many women in the industry as men, but slowly and surely there are a few coming in and Larissa’s willing to learn and to work hard, so if she keeps that up, she can go far."

In fact, Larissa thinks her gender may actually give her an edge.

"I’ve always worked in male dominated industries and I’ve had a few setbacks, but I’ve

This job is a totally different type of work to shearing, it’s more mentally demanding instead of physically demanding, but that’s what I love about it

— Larissa Levingston

also had a lot of mentors and it’s just made me work hard and be more determined to get to where I want to be," she said.

"I have excellent attention to detail which means I can pick up on things that others might miss and I’m persistent.

"I’ll approach someone and just keep on following up with them.

"At the end of the day, you just have to do your best and show that you will go above and beyond to deliver for a client."

Being a realist, she knows she can’t win everyone over, but she doesn’t let that hold her back.

"When I was 17 and wanted to be a shearer, plenty of people thought I couldn’t do it, but I learnt that while everyone is entitled to their opinion, it doesn’t have to affect my hopes and dreams."

And just what is Larissa’s dream?

"Well, the dream has always been to head north and work with Brahmans, I’ve always liked them, there’s just something about them," she explained.

"I also want to work in the stud stock side and the live export side of things.

"I went to auctioneers’ school recently and there aren’t many other female auctioneers out there, so I’ve sort of set my eyes on that as well!"

Wherever she ends up, this woman leaves you with no doubt that whatever goals she does set, she has a pretty good chance of achieving them.

WESTERN DOWNS FARMER 17

Thursday, June 22, 2017 dalbyherald.com.au

FLA CEO steps down FOOD Leaders Australia CEO Ben Lyons has announced he is stepping down from his role with the company after accepting a private opportunity in the region.

Dr Lyons returned from China in 2015 as Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise CEO, before going on to direct the growth of then-newly formed Food Leaders Australia organisation as CEO. Dr Lyons said his time as FLA CEO had been marked by major milestones in the region for agriculture, producers, and agribusiness.

He said some of the highlights included working alongside other stakeholders to establish the Cathay Pacific freight flights through Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport as well as the first international passenger flight from the airport to Shanghai last year for AccessChina’16.

“Helping to convince Cathay Pacific to believe in the region as export capable, off the back of its agricultural expansions, is a great achievement that we see every Tuesday night as the plane comes in,” he said.

“It’s been rewarding to see established companies like Oakey Beef crack their China market and overcome access issues.

“To see all of the horticulture companies that came on AccessChina’16 expanding and looking to export shows the power of our region’s capability.

“There’s a lot of opportunities yet to be tapped and we’ve proven that with insight, private and public investment, collaboration and innovation, our region’s story is still developing.”

Dr Lyons said the QGC/Shell Western Downs

NEW OPPORTUNITY: Food Leaders Australia CEO Ben Lyons has resigned from his role.

PHOTO: KEVIN FARMER

Eastern Opportunities project that further developed export pathways for producers was another highlight of his work with FLA. “It’s been amazing to assist in the journey for our smaller producers, finding their own path to the export market, and that project is one that has continued long past AccessChina’16.”

He said the recent second annual 400m AgTech Investment Forum was another strong indicator of what could be achieved in the agribusiness space.

“I’m staying in the region with my family. I believe in the region and I’m a great believer in what TSBE/FLA can achieve and the work they still have to do,” he said.

“We have a pan-regional approach to how we do business, and we need to think bigger than just Toowoomba. We have to build up the regions around us and to build the capability of the wider area.”

Dr Lyons finished his role as CEO at FLA on May 31, but will continue to consult for TSBE and FLA on projects including Activate China and Access Hong Kong.

TSBE executive chairman Shane Charles said Dr Lyons had been an instrumental and driving force behind agricultural growth.

“The region’s profile as the agricultural hub of Australia has been strengthened under Ben’s leadership, and we’ve seen that promoted and developed through conferences like 400m AgTech here in Toowoomba,” Mr Charles said.

“The achievements for FLA under Ben cannot be understated.” A general manager will be sought to fill the position.

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18 WESTERN DOWNS FARMER

chinchillanews.com.au Thursday, June 22, 2017

CHARGING: Glenda Sutton on Ace at the 2015 Tara Camel Races. TOP: Richard Norman with 50-50 and Artiene. ABOVE: Jockey and Trainer Glenda Sutton with Chief after winning the 2015 Tara Festival Cup. PHOTO: STEPHEN MOWBRAY PHOTOGRAPHY AND JOSH MCGROREY

Tara hosts camel royalty

Every two years, the kings and queens of camel racing descend on the Western Downs JACINTA CUMMINS HORSE racing may be the sport of kings, but Richard Norman says there’s nothing quite like a good camel race.

And he would know, having traded the buzz of Randwick Racecourse in Sydney for camel racing in Queensland.

After learning his craft as a farrier, Richard travelled Australia shoeing horses but a chance encounter saw him learn to catch camels in the late 1980s.

“I was breaking horses for the Sultan of Brunei at Kings Creek Station near Alice Springs, but then they (Brunei) wanted female camels for the breeding program, so I wound up going out to catch them and it just sort of all started from there,” he said.

His adventure eventually turned into a business with Richard owning and operating a camel ride business at Kings Creek.

When he moved to Tara 26 years ago,

everyone called him “Camel” so it was only natural that he decided to also turn his hand to camel breaking and racing.

He’s had wins at Bedourie, Winton, Boulia and Tara, but it’s taken blood, sweat and tears along the way.

His most prized win was the Quinella (first and second) in the Tara Camel Plate in 2013.

“One of my camels, ‘What For’, struck me in the face that day and knocked me out for 14 minutes,” he said.

“He took out a lot of my teeth so I was actually lying in the Toowoomba Hospital when they told me my camels had won the Quinella, so that was sort of a best and a worst day in one.”

He laughed as he reflects that’s just the nature of camels – sometimes unpredictable.

Richard likes to break his camels in at four years old and give them a bit of time before assessing whether they’re destined for the racetrack.

“A camel paces like a train, so I like to see all four hooves high and clear off the ground with a good amount of time before he touches down, gliding smoothly is key.”

He reckons he’s onto a winner for this year’s Tara Camel races with his six-year-old bullock Artiene.

“I bought him at the camel tagging at Winton when he was four months old.

“He stood out from the other camels because he’s such a dark brown that he almost looks black.

“We’ll see how he goes, he has a really nice gait and he just seems to have that racing attitude…camels can be a bit hard to predict, but a winner is a winner!”

Richard might have the home town advantage, but he has stiff competition to beat with the “Queen of Camels” Glenda Sutton travelling from Victoria to race her camels.

Ms Sutton took out the 600 metre camel cup on her camel Chief in 2015 and is keen to

retain her crown.

“Chief has 56 wins under his belt and my other camel Ace has 19,” she said.

Chief’s Australian record was 13 wins straight.

Ms Sutton has trained and raced camels for nearly two decades after seeing an advertisement looking for riders to go to the United Arab Emirates in 1998.

“I saw the ad and decided that I would be selected for that team no matter what and it just went from there,” she said.

Both Richard and Glenda list Tara as the highlight of Queensland camel racing.

“Tara’s atmosphere is the best, the track’s excellent and there’s so much more than just the races going on so you really do get a great crowd who mightn’t go to camel races otherwise,” Richard said.

The Tara Festival of Culture and Camel Races is on August 4-6. For more information visit www.tarafestivalncamels.org.au

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WESTERN DOWNS FARMER 19

Thursday, June 22, 2017 dalbyherald.com.au

Folks come from far and wide

The 2017 instalment of FarmFest brought thousands of people from across the country to the Darling Downs.

This year was hailed as the biggest event on record, with a positive response from patrons highlighting this year’s impressive sales, demonstrations, cattle and innovation.

From Red Angus to drones, there was something for everyone at the event.

Here are some of the social pictures taken from this year’s FarmFest, with friends reuniting, and fathers and sons bonding.

Charlotte, Vince, Josie, Sally and Darcy Thompson came from Ashford, NSW.

BROTHERS BOND: Gathrie and Tex Cornford love seeing the tractors and quad-bi

kes.

PHOTOS: MICHAEL DOYLE

Sean McDonald with Robert Mumford and Jade Harrison from Derbyshire.

Robert Gratwick, Helen and Laura Darlington and Olivia Berlin enjoyed the opening day.

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Moss Donovan discussing cattle with Kev and Sue Sutcliffe from Jimbour.

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chinchillanews.com.au Thursday, June 22, 2017

SHOW TIME: Jasmin Brown is all smiles with the farm animals at Chinchilla Show. TOP: A large crowd gathers ring side for the Chinchilla Show rodeo. ABOVE: Heidi Lean checks out side show alley.

PHOTOS: JULIA BAKER

One fine Chinchilla Show Numbers may have been down this year, but Chinchilla show still went off under sunny skies MOTHER Nature turned it on for the long weekend and while numbers were slightly down this year, everyone agrees it was a mighty fine Chinchilla Show.

Greg Stanke said he finished his tenure as president on a “high note” and felt proud of what the society achieved at this year’s show.

“It went well but I think the numbers were

down a little bit, but otherwise the exhibition of the show, the pavilion, it was extraordinary,” he said. “It was one of the best for a long time.”

Show society secretary Rhonda Bruggemann agreed and said the fireworks were a “big hit” and the return of Maranoa MP David Littleproud went down well with the crowd.

“I think overall the general feeling was that it

was a good show,” she said.

“The weather was beautiful… we hit the fine weather. It was a beautiful lovely weekend – whether that was one of the reasons for the numbers being down a bit, being a long weekend and good weather.

“It was really good to have David Littleproud there to present that trophy, to take a day off

Mackenzie Small and Steph Garnsey check out sideshow alley at the Miles Show.

Canberra to come back to Chinchilla.

“Not only is he an MP but he’s born and bred in Chinchilla too, so it wasn’t just being an MP but having a local face to present the trophy.”

Mr Stanke and Mrs Bruggemann both said the post ripping event was popular with show-goers and, as in previous years, the rodeo drew a big crowd.

Show spirit on display at Miles this year

GOOD SHOW: Miles Miss Teen Show Girl Louisa Mullins and Miss Show Girl Brooke Gearney.

PHOTOS: JULIA BAKER

Cruz and Chelsea Kill enjoy the Bubble Muffin cooking club at the Miles Show.

Kim Hill, Jenny Noe and Adrienne McDonald at the Miles Show.

Barb Cormack with her champion bird, Warren, at the poultry show in Miles.

WESTERN DOWNS FARMER 21

Thursday, June 22, 2017 dalbyherald.com.au

Chinchilla Show fun and games

EVERYTHING old was new again at this year’s Chinchilla Show which was a big hit with locals and out-of-towners. Big crowds gathered for the rodeo for a night of heart-thumping action, which was a favourite among show-goers.

Tried-and-true program offerings such as the wood chopping, pig races, the pavilion and the fireworks delighted and entertained.

Terry Ryan, Jamhal Hamilton and Tony Hair catch up at the show.

SHOWTIME: Maggie Latimore and Noelene Merritt watch the rodeo

Zayden Gibson takes a shot at a prize at Sideshow Alley.

Indiana Forrest sky-high at the show.

together.

Mikyla Hogno takes a break with Cooper at the Chinchilla Show Rodeo.

PHOTOS: JULIA BAKER

Tom Lattimore, George Lattimore and Lachlan Burgh settle in for the rodeo.

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22 WESTERN DOWNS FARMER

chinchillanews.com.au Thursday, June 22, 2017

Opera in July IT’S time to dust off your finest attire and start trying to hit those high notes so you can join The Merry Widow to party the afternoon away at the Opera at Jimbour on Saturday, July 22.

Organisers expect 8000 people to flock to the biennial event from across Queensland and indeed, Australia.

This is the seventh Opera at Jimbour with the crowd record of 8500 people achieved for Opera at Jimbour in 2009 which featured an afternoon performance by renowned Queensland performers, the Noonan family: Brian and Maggie and their son and daughter Tyrone and Katie.

Members of the public auditioned in February to be part of Opera Queensland’s Toowoomba Community Chorus with successful applicants set to perform hits from the 1905 Franz Lehár operetta alongside the Queensland Conservatorium Orchestra.

In a move sure to delight people who are more fans of the Andre Rieu type concerts which feature huge dancing casts than opera purists, the Jimbour ballroom will also be open for audience members to waltz around in just like the Merry Widow herself following the successful response this received at the 2015 performance of Fledermaus.

The gardens of Jimbour House will also be open for visitors to walk through before "the curtain rises".

The gates will open for Opera at Jimbour at 10am on Saturday, July 22 with market stalls showcasing local and artisan food, produce and wares. Entry is free.

Western Downs Regional Council will also be running free return bus rides to Jimbour House from Thomas Jack Park, Dalby.

Go to www.eventbrite.com.au or call 4679 4461 to book your bus ticket.

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WESTERN DOWNS FARMER 23

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24 WESTERN DOWNS FARMER