WIDE Bay Rowing Club recently celebrated 100 years since their historic King’s Cup Australian Rowing Championship win.
This significant achievement was celebrated to mark a century since the Club became one of only two in Queensland to claim this prestigious national title.
Founded in 1881, the Wide Bay Rowing Club has long been a pillar of the rowing community, fostering talent and promoting the sport across generations.
The club’s triumph in the King’s Cup in 1924 not only secured it’s place in Australian rowing history, but also solidified its reputation in the sport.
To honour this centennial milestone, the Club celebrated by christening a number of their boats after the rowers who took part in this event.
At an open event last weekend, the club hosted a special exhibition showcasing the clubs rich history and achievements.
Wide Bay Rowing Club President Cameron Waterson said celebrating 100 years is a
testimony to the longevity of the club and the members who have supported it.
“Celebrating 100 years since our Kings Cup victory is a testament to the enduring spirit and dedication of our club members past and present,” Mr Waterson said.
“We are immensely proud of our legacy and enjoyed sharing this special occasion with the wider community.”
From it’s inception in 1878, the King’s Cup has been Australia’s blue-ribbon annual rowing event for men and has been contested by state representative ‘senior heavyweight men’s eights’ at the annual Australian Interstate Regatta each year.
Since 1973 the Regatta has been conducted on the final day of the week-long annual Australian Rowing Championships.
Anyone interested in joining Wide Bay Rowing can get more information on taking it up as a hobby, sport or just for fun and fitness, by contacting secretary. wbrc@gmail.com or the clubs Facebook page.
MARYBOROUGH’S WINNING CREW: (Back) R Cozens, P Finney, M Raffin, (centre) D Castle - Cox, S Axelsen, A Clarke, V Sullivan, E Lohse, (front) RS Goodwin, D Roche – Manager, N Goodwin, D McDowell.
million training facility
derelict TAFE
MANUFACTURING
Minister Glenn Butcher and local MP Bruce Saunders last week announced that the previously rumoured Manufacturing Centre for Excellence will go ahead in 2025, under a Labor State Government.
The Centre “will put the region’s workforce at the forefront of the state’s manufacturing industry” according to announcement documents, by giving local workers and jobseekers the skills they need to fill training gaps within “identified sectors with a strong focus on upskilling more workers to support Queensland’s significant investment in train manufacturing.”
The Manufacturing Centre of Excellence will provide world class facilities that could skill workers in advanced machining, CNC, robotics and augmented welding, along with integrating extended reality (virtual, augmented, and mixed).
Downer have signed on as a foundation member, partnering with Manufacturing Skills Queensland to deliver training in advanced manufacturing.
This will provide sustainable, long-term and local training opportunities that will support train manufacturing and industries in the manufacturing supply chain across the Fraser Coast region, developing job opportunities.
“We’re not just manufacturing trains here in Maryborough, we’re creating a lasting legacy for our region’s industry that will deliver good local jobs for generations to come.” said Member for Maryborough and Assistant Minister for Train Manufacturing, Regional Development and Jobs, Bruce Saunders
“Queensland’s Big Build is booming, so this new facility will put Maryborough - and the locals who’ll
benefit- at the front of the queue for the good manufacturing jobs we’re creating.”
Commercial Director QTMP, Kerry Armstrong: said that Downer was excited to be part of such a transformational initiative for Queenslanders.
“Students at the Manufacturing Centre of Excellence will have the opportunity to learn advanced manufacturing techniques, that can be employed during the operation of our train manufacturing facility at Torbanlea once it is completed The Centre of Excellence will include state of the art equipment and processes that support robotics, augmented reality and virtual reality. The facility will showcase best management practices in manufacturing and safety.
“Downer is proud to play a key foundational role in developing the Fraser Coast region into Queensland’s rail manufacturing hub. In
order to successfully deliver 65 six-car train sets, we need suitably qualified people.” she said.
The Centre of Excellence will enable us to train these people right on the Fraser Coast, on the doorstep of the train manufacturing facility.”
Manufacturing Skills Queensland CEO, Rebecca Andrews said “Manufacturing is one of Queensland’s most
significant and innovative industry sectors collectively contributing billions of dollars to the Queensland economy and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs
“The Queensland Train Manufacturing Program, builds on the significant manufacturing investment in the region, and will require a vibrant training sector to deliver a range of vocational courses and a large pool of skilled
available labour.”
The TAFE Campus has long sat disused and abandoned with locals calling for action on the site.
Recent announcements on the campus’ future have included the opening of a new headquarters for the Rural Fire Service Queensland which is slated to begin construction in early 2025.
Representatives of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, MSQ CEO Rebecca Andrews and local MP Bruce Saunders at the recent launch. (Craig Winter)
STROKE AWARENESS
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the amazing Australians who have once again embraced National Stroke Week, which ran from August 5 to 11 this year.
This year, we urged the community to keep looking at their loved one, their mate, their mum or dad, to ensure someone in every household and workplace in Australia can recognise the F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech and Time) signs of stroke so they can save a life in the event of a loved one experiencing stroke. We heard heartwarming
LETTERS
stories from every corner of the country, including a daughter who saved her dad’s life from 200 kilometres away after a series of unusual text messages, a mother and son who each had a stroke, five years apart, and a man who was hitting a personal best time during Parkrun when he had a stroke, an off-duty paramedic saving his life.
These stories highlight the fact that stroke does not discriminate. What we don’t see is the ripple effect strokes have on the community, they are felt by their family, friends and loved ones, for years
to come.
A stroke can happen to anyone at any age and research tells us the number of working age people (aged 18-64) having strokes is increasing.
These people are not just numbers, they are mums, dads, sons and daughters.
They have jobs and families and plans for the future.
While our national awareness week is over for another year, our efforts to educate the community must continue.
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More than 445,000 Australians are living with the impact of stroke.
After a stroke, around 1.9 million brain cells die each minute. In most cases, the faster a stroke can be diagnosed and treated, the better the chance of a good recovery.
Time saved equals brain saved.
I encourage the community to keep spreading the F.A.S.T. acronym all year round.
Knowing the F.A.S.T message and sharing it with your family and friends can be the first step in saving a life and avoiding ongoing disability.
It may be your own life or that of someone you love.
The F.A.S.T message will help you recognise the most common signs of stroke:
Face - Check their face. Has their mouth drooped? Arms - Can they lift both arms?
Speech - Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you? Time - Time is critical.
If you see any of these signs, call triple zero (000)
straight away.
Stroke is always a medical emergency.
Please know what to do when stroke strikes.
Think F.A.S.T. and act fast at the first sign of stroke.
- Dr Lisa Murphy Chief Executive Officer Stroke Foundation
PARIS OLYMPICS
We read on 23rd August 2024 a letter which simply asked for the disagreement literature to be published.
I disagree with your decision “nothing to be gained” to publish any ongoing discontent and other people’s points of view.
Letters are the people’s only way for their point of view, not an Editor’s last say.
- Merle Rayner
TAFE CAMPUS
It’s exciting to read of something finally happening out at the TAFE Campus, but I question whether it will all go ahead if Labor don’t win the forthcoming election.
We know how elections work...each side makes promises to help get us to vote for them, because they’re more concerned with winning the election that actually providing for the constituents.
Promises are easy, delivering on them not so much.
Let’s hope that either way, we see something constructive happen to a great community asset that has been forgotten for too long.
- T. Mayer
We welcome Letters to the Editor but cannot guarantee that they'll all be published.
We may sometimes edit them to fit, provided we can do so without detracting from the author's intended message.
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New homes to help ease crisis, says Government
SEVEN new homes are under construction in Maryborough under the State Government’s Homes for Queenslanders plan.
Queensland firm New State Builders have been contracted to build the one- and two-bedroom units.
They will be built on vacant land near the CBD.
The homes will be targeted at single people, couples, people living with a disability and older locals looking to downsize from their current social housing – freeing up bigger social housing properties for families.
Two will meet the “gold level” of Social Housing Design Guidelines, making them accessible for people with a disability and seniors with mobility needs.
Maryborough MP Bruce Saunders said he would always advocate for more new housing.
“It’s the Miles Government that has been doing what matters for Maryborough –with $1000 off power bills, 20 per cent off car rego and building more homes locally,” Mr Saunders said.
“When I say I’m putting the Maryborough electorate first that means fighting for more homes to be built – because it’s what matters to our community – and I’m excited to see another project get shovels in the ground,” he said.
“Unlike other LNP MPs in our region who say this government building homes is ‘too much’ and actively vote against them, I’ll always advocate for more to be built.”
The Federal Government is investing $3.5 million in the project through its $2 billion Social Housing Accelerator.
Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon said federal funding was critical to the state rolling out its Homes for Queenslanders plan, and that last week’s announcement by the Coalition that it would cut $100 billion put thousands of new homes in the state at risk.
Federal shadow treasurer Angus Taylor last week flagged axing $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund and $5.5 billion Help to Buy scheme if elected.
Ms Scanlon said that meant 30,000 social and
affordable homes were in jeopardy of not being built, including thousands slated for Queensland.
Cuts to the $5.5 billion Help to Buy scheme meant more than 8000 Queenslanders could lose out on the opportunity for home ownership, she said.
Ms Scanlon said the Queensland Government was getting more tradies on the tools to build the one million homes she said Queenslanders needed.
“Queensland has been one of only two states to increase both public and community housing in the last decade, and Queenslanders are seeing us deliver even more through our Homes for Queenslanders plan,” she said.
“But the LNP have sharpened their knives, ready to cut thousands of homes for Queenslanders at a time when we need more construction, not less.
“The LNP voted against 30,000 social and affordable homes, and have spent months railing against home ownership for thousands of Queenslanders – now it’s clear why, because the
first thing they want to do is take an axe to them.
“We’ll get on with the job of building more homes, but revelations of a $100 billion razor gang show Queensland just cannot risk the LNP at any level of government.”
Queensland Senator Anthony Chisholm said the nation’s housing crisis was due to a lack of supply.
“Building more homes,
through projects like this, is one way we can solve this issue, which is why we are committed to delivering $32 billion in new housing initiatives,” Senator Chisholm said.
“We have the ambitious national goal of building 1.2 million homes across our cities, suburbs and regions, like Maryborough, by the end of the decade –because more homes mean more affordable housing.”
“We’re stepping up and working with all levels of government, and the housing sector, to tackle the challenges we inherited from almost a decade of inaction under the LNP.”
Anyone who needs housing assistance can contact the Maryborough Housing Service Centre during business hours on 4324 8600 or the 24/7 Homeless Hotline on 1800 474 753.
Bizzare burglary ends in shot foot
A
The group then returned to the residence, armed with a firearm, about 11.30pm and attempted to break in.
spokesperson
During the incident, the firearm was discharged and a 32-year-old man sustained a wound to his foot.
He was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The group left the scene in the stolen Civic before police arrived.
Investigations remain ongoing.
Anyone with information or footage that could help with investigations is asked to contact police.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink
by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov. au/reporting or call 131 444.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www. crimestoppersqld .com.au.
MP Bruce Saunders says the new homes aimed at singles, couples and the aged will help free up larger social housing properties for families. (Supplied)
A MAN has been shot in the foot during a bizarre attempted burglary in Maryborough.
police
said a group of people had broken into and stolen a black Honda Civic from a Jupiter Street home just before 8pm on Friday, August 30.
Your guide to Wings & Wheels
THE skies will be buzzing next Saturday as Fraser Coast Wings & Wheels gets underway at the Maryborough Airport.
One of the most popular attractions is the T-28 Trojan, an impressive warbird.
Prepare to step back in time and witness aviation history as the Trojan T-28 graces the airshow this year.
This iconic warbird was originally designed as a trainer for the U.S. Air Force and Navy and has become a symbol of strength and precision in the skies.
The T-28’s rugged design, powered by a robust radial engine, ensures an unforgettable display of power and grace.
It’s distinctive silhouette
and unmistakable growl make it a crowd favorite.
Marvel as skilled pilots demonstrate the aircraft’s agility and versatility, showcasing it’s combat heritage.
Rod Flockhardt’s amazing Extra 300 will also be at the event.
The Extra 300 is a highperformance aerobatic aircraft renowned for its unparalleled agility and precision in the air. Pilots and aviation enthusiasts alike are in for a thrilling display of skill and power.
This nimble beauty, designed by Walter Extra, boasts a lightweight carbon-fiber frame and a 6 cylinder 8.8L 300hp engine that propels it through the air with astonishing speed and grace.
With its incredible roll rate and a maximum load factor of +10/-10 Gs, the Extra 300 can execute breathtaking maneuvers that will leave spectators on the edge of their seats.
Watch in awe as the Extra 300’s pilot pushes the envelope of what’s possible in the world of aerobatics, performing
gravity-defying loops, mind-bending rolls, and heart-pounding inverted flight.
General entry, Adults $20, children under 12 free, concession $15.
Early bird tickets available now at frasercoastwingsandwheels.com.au
Aero Club aircraft on display during Wings & Wheels
SINCE 1932, the Maryborough Aero Club has been gracing the skies over the Fraser Coast.
The Club boasts around 30 aircraft located in the hangars adjoining it’s club rooms, the historic Operations Centre for the RAF during WWII.
Members range from local professionals to ex-military personnel, who are active in flying, participating in trips around the state and beyond each week.
President Craig Winter said that the MAC was one of the most active aero clubs in the state.
“We’re lucky to have an historic airport from which
to base our activities.
“The members take advantage of the good weather and ideal location provided by Maryborough to fly regularly.”
The Club will be providing it’s traditional fundraising sausage and hot dog sizzle during Wings & Wheels, next to it’s Clubrooms, along with event merchandise and displays of club aircraft, Plane Sales and the new Cirrus piston single.
Members will be on hand to have a chat, and show off the new SportStar aircraft available for members’ use.
New flight simulators will soon be installed
for introductions to flight for first timers, as well as offering advanced scenarios where experienced pilots can challenge themselves in different situations.
For more information on the Club, go to www. maryboroughaeroclub. com or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ maryaeroclub/
Community Flights relies on charitable funding
COMMUNITY Flights is a not-for-profit registered charity with a mission to “close the gap to healthcare access” for regional and rural Queensland patients, and is the main recipient of the proceeds from Wings & Wheels.
The charity provide free aircraft transport for patients and carers to non-emergency medical treatment and services.
CEO Mark Mcmurtrie says that they have now provided more than one hundred flights for patients on of the Fraser Coast to medical
treatment in Brisbane and beyond.
The flights help immunocompromised patients reach their appointments quickly, and avoid the often arduous journey via public transport.
Community Flights now relies on eight volunteer pilots who give up their time to assist those in need.
For more information on Community Flights or to make a donation, go to www.communityflights. org.au/
THE Maryborough Military Aviation Museum will open to the public on Saturday 14 September 2024 coinciding with Fraser Coast Wing & Wheels at the Maryborough Airport.
President Jenny Elliott said “We are very excited to have a space at the Maryborough Airport to operate out of and share with the public the history and stories of the site from when it was a RAAF Station during World War II.
“Members have been busy setting up the space with exhibits that will give visitors a glimpse of items from the museum collection.”
“It will be an ongoing process with the exhibits added to in the coming months. We are immensely proud of what has been achieved and look forward to welcoming visitors to the museum.” she said.
The heritage listed former Terminal Building is in itself a part of the museum collection as it was used as the parachute packing building during World War II.
Benches ran the length of the building, and it was operated by the Women’s Auxiliary
Australian Air Force (WAAAF).
The Museum has a large supply of second-hand aviation related books that they will be selling as a fundraising activity at Fraser Coast Wings & Wheels. This year, the second-hand books can be found inside the museum.
The 24 composite steel panels forming a ‘Memorial Wall’ have been installed.
The Memorial Wall is preserving an important part of Australia’s wartime aviation history as a legacy to the men killed in active service, who came from all parts of Australia and trained at 3WAGS, Maryborough.
The larger items of the museum collection can be found at the recently built Association shed where members will demonstrate the progress that has been made on some of the restorations projects such as the Tiger Moth wings and Wackett aircraft.
From the 18 September, the Museum will be open to the public on Wednesdays and Saturdays 9am to 1pm with a gold coin entry.
The museum can also open by request.
This year’s event will feature the Trojan T-28 (left) and a host of other aircraft. (Craig Winter)
OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER
GATES OPEN 9am-2pm
Air displays - 11am-1pm
Trojan Warbird joy flights
RAAF aircraft adventure flights
High performance aerobatics
Red Thunder - YAK formation flyers
Maryborough Military Aviation Museum
Maryborough Aero Club displays
Car & Bike Show
Kids Fun Zone
All day large games and jumping castle for the kids.
Rum City Vintage Machinery Display
A collection of vintage machinery will be running to demonstrate the omnipotence of the internal combustion engine.
Dinky D’s Express Train
This year there is a hop-on-hop-off train the whole day between the car park and plane city, stopping at the car show along the way. Jump on for free!
Fire and Rescue - car extraction
10am and 1:45pm Local Fire and Rescue will demonstrate cutting a trapped passenger from a car using the jaws of life.
Markets
An array of local artisans, stalls and vendors will be on display for you to purchase their wares. Supporting small local business to help our community grow.
Rural Fire Brigade
The Rural Fire Brigade will be on display to demonstrate their vehicles, and even let the children (and children at heart) have a go at spraying the fire hose.
PHOTO: Craig Winter
Coal cairn celebrates town’s past
From the Fraser Coast Mayor GEORGE SEYMOUR
I ALWAYS like to look closely at monuments placed around our region. They help to illuminate what the community has seen as important whilst telling different aspects of our history.
Sometimes these monuments are on the side of the road, and there is a very interesting stone memorial on the Howard side of the Burrum River just before you get to the bridge on the way to Torbanlea.
Having seen an image of it in an old black and white photograph, I decided to stop and have a closer look at.
The inscription on the plaque states that “This cairn was erected to commemorate the centenary of the discovery of coal on the opposite bank of this river by John Miller on 17 April 1863.”
The Burrum district around Howard and Torbanlea was for many years a highly productive coal mining region.
Brothers John and Robert
Miller first discovered coal here on banks of the river whilst harvesting timber.
This discovery led to the opening of many mines and the extraction of millions of tonnes of coal.
When this cairn was unveiled in April 1963 to celebrate the centenary of the discovery, there were mines across the region.
Standing around the cairn, in the old photograph are a number of people who contributed to the region in different ways.
The man standing near the centre, with his arm draped over this monument is Jack Pizzey, the local State MP.
Five years after the photograph was taken, he served as the Queensland Premier.
Unfortunately, he only served as Premier for about six months before dying of a heart attack.
The woman on the other side of the cairn, also standing on the base, is Dame Annabelle Rankin.
She grew up nearby, at Brooklyn House in
Howard. Rankin was a highly successful politician and diplomat.
She served as a senator, federal minister for housing and later as the High Commissioner to New Zealand.
In 1997, the last mine, the Burgowan No 12 Mine, closed and what was once a major industry is now a part of our history.
It was through the coal mining industry that Howard and Torbanlea grew and developed to the communities they now are.
Every year in July, the Burrum Coal Discovery Festival (Coalfest) celebrates this important part of the region’s history.
The Burrum Coal Discovery Festival attracts hundred of visitors each year with music, food, market stalls, machinery and blacksmithing demonstrations and the Grand Parade.
You can find our more about Coalfest by following the event on facebook at https:// www.facebook.com/
WASTE
Up to 4m3 or 1 tonne of green waste can be taken to Council’s waste facilities for free (excluding Aramara).
Please ensure that branches are no longer than 1.2m in length and 40cm in diameter.
Council recycles your green waste into mulch, which saves landfill space, reduces emissions, and promotes a circular economy.
Illegal dumping: It is an offence to put your garden waste onto land that does not belong to you. Fines apply!
More high rise for Bay
A 16-STOREY
apartment complex and a 10-storey hotel are set to be built in the Hervey Bay city centre across from Seafront Oval.
Acting CEO Gerard Carlyon said Fraser Coast Regional Council had sought expressions of interest to buy and develop council-owned land at 7-19 Hillyard Street in Pialba, and had accepted a $5 million tender from HBC Build Australia, subject to conditions.
The council bought land for $3.4m in 2019 as a potential site for a new administration centre but subsequently decided to build that on the corner of Main Street and Torquay Road.
HBC Build Australia proposes building a 10-storey Radisson Hotel with 152 rooms and a 16-storey Sunlife over50s complex with 150 apartments, along with a wellness centre, multipurpose conference room, restaurant and bar, and food and retail precinct.
Mr Carlyon said the council would now seek to negotiate a development lease agreement with HBC Build, under which the council would still own the land until the contract conditions were met.
“This is the first of several steps before a land transfer can take place, and the hotel and apartment complex proposal will still need to go through the development application process and be assessed by council,” he said.
“Council shortlisted three tenderers and HBC Build Australia demonstrated a thorough understanding of the project and a capability and readiness to deliver.
“This is an important
parcel of land, and we want it developed in a way that provides maximum social and economic benefits for the Fraser Coast.”
The announcement came just a month after councillors voted to approve an application to build an 18-storey apartment complex and Sheraton Hotel on the Esplanade in Torquay.
Meanwhile, work is set to begin on additional car parking as part of the city centre revitalisation
The $2.5 million extension will deliver an additional 168 parking spaces.
It’s being funded with $1.3 million from the Federal Government and $1.18 million from Fraser Coast Regional Council.
The parking is designed to allow locals and visitors better access to businesses and shared spaces in the CBD, which is currently under redevelopment as part of the Hinkler Regional Deal.
The redevelopment includes the construction of a new Hervey Bay Library and Council Administration Centre,
a $108 million project that will receive $40m funding from the Federal Government.
Work on the car park is being undertaken by local company Kirbro Contracting Pty Ltd and is expected to be completed by December.
Fraser Coast councillor Denis Chapman said the new library and administration building would be the backbone of the city centre.
“More than threequarters of this development will be community space, with study zones, meeting rooms, creative spaces and areas for large functions available for community use, day and night,” Cr Chapman said.
“With more people coming into the Hervey Bay City Centre, there will be a need for more car parks, both for the general community and for council staff.”
Water taste sparks comment
IS THERE something in the water in Maryborough?
“Swamp water”, “filthy sludge” and “bloody terrible” were some of the responses to posts on social media last week about the taste and odour of the city’s reticulated water drinking supply.
But a Fraser Coast Regional Council spokesperson said the council had not received any reports of taste or
odour issues.
“Fraser Coast Regional Council can confirm that the water in the Maryborough Drinking Water Scheme is safe, and all results from our verification testing are well within the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines,” the spokesperson said.
“The treatment plant and reticulation network are fully functional and operating as expected.
From 2 September 2024, long-distance train
“To date, council has not been made aware of any taste or odour issues.
“Council takes any concerns over water quality seriously, and we encourage residents who may have specific concerns to contact council directly.”
Typically, Fraser Coast Regional Council takes over 300 water samples each year and tests for a variety of pollutants and contaminants.
The Tilt Train and Spirit of Queensland coastal trains and Spirit of the Outback train to Longreach will run at different times. Before you travel, check the timetable and you’re ready to go! Scan here for
Opposition visit cancelled over asbestos concern
QUESTIONS have been raised after the discovery of asbestos at Downer’s Maryborough factory the day Opposition MPs were scheduled to visit.
Deputy Opposition leader Jarrod Bleijie, manufacturing spokesperson Deb Frecklington and transport spokesperson Steve Minnikin had been due to visit the train factory on August 14.
But that had to be cancelled after asbestos was found in the boardroom that morning.
In Parliament, Ms Frecklington asked if Manufacturing Minister Glenn Butcher had been involved in sabotaging the visit.
“I do hope the asbestos has been cleaned up, I hope that all of the workers at Downer are safe, and I do hope that it was not the big hand of the Miles government trying to stop us visiting Downer,” she said.
“This minister is under
“Imagine the poor person at Downer who had to make the call to us and say, we’ve found asbestos in the boardroom so you can’t come, the Minister has said you can’t come.”
Mr Butcher rejected the suggestion and said he’d encouraged Opposition MPs to visit Downer, including during Estimates recently.
“I actually told the member to go to Maryborough and see what train manufacturing is,” he said.
“She forgot what train manufacturing is about because those opposite sent the building of trains overseas.
“I was encouraging her to get in a car, head to Maryborough and even meet with [Maryborough MP] Bruce Saunders, the Assistant Minister for Train Manufacturing, to have a look at the trains being made here in Queensland.
“I was not aware of the
said small traces of nonairborne asbestos had been found at the Maryborough site.
access controls deployed and a range of control measures implemented to protect the workforce,
Call to ban children from unfenced areas on K’Gari
FRASER Coast Mayor George Seymour has called on the State Government to ban families with children under the age of 12 from camping outside fenced areas on K’gari.
There have been 16 attacks this year alone on children under 17 years old, and Mr Seymour has suggested that young families holiday elsewhere rather than worry about protecting themselves from dingos.
“This is getting to the stage where it is frightening, whether the next one will be a fatality or not,” he told the ABC in a recent interview.
But many Fraser Coast locals don’t agree, suggesting that the dingoes have been mismanaged and are now in much larger numbers than ever before.
“In days gone by, dingoes were never a real issue
“K’Gari is now overpopulated with them and there needs to be a management plan put in place to cope with the extra numbers, and to ensure their sustainability.”
Mr Seymour has lodged a formal submission to the State Government asking that it push through the proposed ban.
“I just don’t think that it is an appropriate place for children to be, given the number of attacks, the changing nature of attacks, and the
Ready for Marvellous?
A plea for the dingos
LINDSAY TITMARSH
IMAGINE this scenario.
Mum and Dad Citizen decide to take their three children and themselves on a dream holiday to K’Gari (formerly Fraser Island).
They arrive in their 4WD vehicle and set up camp for the night in one of the beachside dingo proof camping enclosures.
The next morning, they decide to take a walk along the beautiful nearby ocean beach.
A ranger informs the family that their two youngest kids who are under 12 years of age, are banned from walking outside of the enclosure.
He said the adults could drive down to the beach, but the two youngsters would have to remain in the vehicle for the rest of the day.
A situation such as this could never eventuate in Queensland we might say.
On K’Gari, it certainly could if Mayor George Seymour gets his way, as he has a thoughtless plan to ban all children under 12 years of age from walking outside of the camping compounds.
The reason being potential danger from out-of-control dingoes stalking women and children.
In Australia, we have a species of animal, whose personal safety depends on where in its adopted country it is standing.
If this beast occupies land within a National Park, then it is fully protected by law - harsh penalties apply to anyone harming it.
If the park adjoins grazing land, a fence between the two areas will be required to keep domestic
animals from entering the government land.
If a landowner sees the animal in question standing on the park side of the fence line, then he or she must not harm it.
If it takes half a dozen steps, resulting in it then standing in the ‘cow paddock’, then by law it is compulsory for that person to eliminate it.
Not only does the law require landholders to kill this then ‘noxious animal’, but in some areas the local council will pay a LARGE BOUNTY to them for doing so.
Welcome to the living conditions of an Australian dingo.
Ancestors of the Australian dingo were imported to this country from Asia 4-5000 years ago – they are NOT native animals.
In a natural situation, dingoes are wary animals – they do not interact with humans.
If one is sighted, it usually moves away to safety.
In nature, food availability and living conditions govern numbers. In these modern times we live in, sustainability in nature is what is expected.
How then can a place be sustainable where NON-INDIGENOUS dingoes run rampant at the expense of all other NATIVE animals?
The old-timers from yesteryear who holidayed on the then Fraser Island, quite often reported seeing only a dingo of two, in maybe two weeks.
Others said that on sighting a dingo way up ahead on the beach, that it quietly walked into the bush before they arrived at that spot.
That is how the interaction should have been.
Dingoes on the island have bred up to totally unnatural levels due to being fed by tourists.
They have now become aggressive as the majority of the handouts have ceased.
‘Back in the day’ most men considered it their duty to respect and to protect women and children – in many cases those days are sadly long gone.
With aggressive dingoes killing a young boy (Clinton Gage 2001), chasing women and children into the surf, and biting an innocent sunbaking woman, the old blokes would have sorted the situation out long ago.
How can authorities think the K’Gari story is nature at its best? Imagine being a small native animal trying to survive over there.
For 62 years we have had shark nets set offshore from popular Queensland beaches.
Over the years, countless numbers of sharks and other unfortunate creatures have been ‘taken out’ by these out of sight barriers.
Almost all the victims (who knows how many) were just innocent Aussie creatures minding their own business only to be killed in case one of them decided to have a human steak.
We tend to not hear a lot about this program.
So, if heaps of Aussie sharks can be killed over many years ‘just in case’, then how can city bureaucrats explain the following.
Why are you not acting
when you know that with K’Gari’s aggressive dingoes, it is not a case of maybe, but when, another person is killed?
To bring the numbers back to somewhere near to the natural sustainable level of 60 years ago, more than half of all dingoes on K’Gari should be removed.
The remainder should be made to revert to living in the bush, as they happily did prior to the tourist boom.
Don’t relocate them to mainland districts as was secretly done a few years ago – we do not want them.
At my family property Tandora, we have for many years, received visits from busloads of primary school students, the latest being 45 from St James Lutheran College in April.
These kids love ‘a day at the farm’. We also attend district schools for educational sessions with the students. Most of these kids are eager to learn and are a pleasure to work with.
Could Mayor Seymour please explain this.
Mr. Mayor, on K’Gari, how can you consider aggressive feral animals present in out-of-control numbers, to be more important than a whole generation of our special Aussie kids.
Why do you not recommend control measures such as those used on our native Aussie sharks – do you consider dingoes to be more important than people?
Mr. Mayor are you prepared to attend a school to inform the students that if your suggestion to the Queensland Government is made law, then any child under the age of
12 will be banned from walking on the ocean beach of K’Gari.
Then advise the kids of the danger posed by feral dingoes, and that you do not recommend any control methods for them.
If the kids ask why the only thing you will do to ensure their safety is to ban them from having fun on the beach with their older friends, what would be your answer?
The kids will soon figure out that on the island, the red dogs (as farmers have always called them) are considered far more precious than our younger generation.
I am sure that the great people from Parks and Wildlife, as well as politicians, will ‘knock on the head’ the suggestion to ban Aussie kids from K’Gari beaches.
Hervey Bay Regional Council regulations state that for conservation reasons, all landholders are legally required to control all feral animals on their land - ‘Wild Dogs’ are at the top of the list.
As K’gari is government land situated in the council area, does the council believe that the whole of the island has less conservation value, so
it does not matter if feral animals are allowed to run rampant.
The wild dogs we landholders are required to eliminate, just happen to be the same species as those wild dogs on K’Gari that travel under the name of dingo.
Giving the same animal different names, is an attempt to deceive the public.
This is the species that until recently, our council had a bounty on.
Are double standards at work here?
Many years into the future, are our then ‘do-gooders’ also going to worship our imported feral pests such as foxes, rabbits, toads, fire-ants etc?
The only difference with the dingoes is that they have been here for a longer period of time.
I suggest we restore the island to its former paradise for tourists and native animals, rather than allowing feral animals to run the show as they do now.
George, I am appealing to you to reconsider your K’Gari plans for Aussie kids.
This docile red dog enjoys a walk beside Tandora Road, 1990’s. (Lindsay Titmarsh)
Council support for Rural Fire Brigades and LifeFlight
FRASER Coast Regional Council will provide $290,000 to the Rural Fire Brigades and LifeFlight to assist them in continuing to provide vital emergency services to the local community.
Mayor George Seymour said both organisations had a crucial role in safeguarding Fraser Coast residents, and the Council was providing a financial contribution to support them using funds collected from the Disaster Management Levy.
“The Rural Fire Brigades provide invaluable fire prevention and mitigation activities such as hazard reduction burns and community education, in addition to responding to bushfires and other emergency incidents,” he said.
“The brigades are powered by volunteers and rely on financial contributions from Council and other sponsors to maintain their operations and provide effective emergency services.
“LifeFlight is a lifeline in emergency situations, offering rapid-response
aeromedical services that can be the difference between life and death.
“They are crucial in rural and regional areas, delivering advanced medical care and facilitating emergency evacuations during disaster events.
“The safety and well-being of our community is a top priority, and these funds from Council will help ensure that the Rural Fire Brigades and LifeFlight have the resources they need to respond swiftly and effectively in emergencies.
“Council’s support reflects our deep appreciation and gratitude for the tireless work of both organisations in keeping our community safe.”
At its meeting today, Council resolved to allocate $260,000 in funding for the 2024/25 financial year to the Queensland Fire Department on behalf of the 28 Rural Fire Brigades operating in the Fraser Coast region.
An additional $30,000 in funding was also approved
for LifeFlight for the 2024/25 financial year.
LifeFlight Wide-Bay Burnett Regional Advisory Committee chair Neil McPhillips said:
“LifeFlight is proud to help communities in the Fraser Coast region and beyond. We’re extremely grateful for the support of the Fraser Coast Regional Council for LifeFlight’s
Ask any Queenslander and they will tell you we’re number one. Number one for sunshine and lifestyle. We are also number one to benefit from coal royalties.
Coal royalties help to pay for cost-of-living support like electricity rebates and free kindy. They also help pay for infrastructure and services.
services.”
LifeFlight aeromedical crews airlifted over 300 people in the Fraser Coast region in the past financial year.
The rescue chopper crews were tasked with 57 primary missions, which included ocean-based search and rescues, motor vehicle accidents and jellyfish stings on K’gari.
Raptors are subject of wildlife talk
From the Fraser Coast Branch of WILDLIFE QUEENSLAND
THE Wildlife Library talk for September is an occasion not to miss.
The Fraser Coast Branch of Wildlife Queensland has invited Mark Grimsley to speak on raptors.
He will be presenting on September 20 at the Hervey Bay Library and on September 27 at the Maryborough Library.
Mark will share his experiences while encountering different types of birds of prey on the Fraser Coast.
He has a disability and he uses photography as a coping mechanism.
It has become more than just photography for Mark.
It is more like an adventure each time he points the camera from his four-wheel drive wheelchair he uses on the beach to photograph these majestic creatures.
He is passionate about sharing his story and
images so people can become aware of some of the neighbours that we cohabit with and mostly go unnoticed.
He likes to show what people can achieve especially those with disabilities or challenges.
His goal is to inspire others to explore this great region in which we live.
You can book for these talks by going online to Eventbrite or by phoning the Library on 4197 4220.
The talks run from 1pm to 2pm.
Queensland is the world’s largest exporter of coal used to make steel for wind turbines and electric vehicles needed for the global transition to clean energy. This demand means a record 44,000* people have jobs in Queensland coal mines.
(Mark Grimsley)
Granville to gather for market fun
GRANVILLE will gather together for the very first twilight market on Saturday September 15.
Organiser of the ‘Granville Gather’ Tracey Chilcott says that there will be plenty to experience on the evening.
“The grand opening of this community event will see lots of live local musical acts, dinner and drink options, boutique market stalls money boards and raffles, fire twirling and much more.”
Old MacDonalds Farm will be there along with displays by Tattianna, and belly dancing.
The market is run by the Maryborough City Progress Association, and aims to become a regular feature of the Granville area.
The Granville Gather Twilight Markets, Sunday 15th September 3pm-7pm at Brendan Hansen Park, Granville
For more information, go to the webpage at www. facebook.com/share/g/ tocGCczPXaEcQknE/
Satellite hospital announced for Fraser Coast
PREMIER Steven Miles has this week announced a new Satellite Hospital will be built in Fraser Coast, if elected in October.
The Fraser Coast Satellite Hospital will have a Minor Injury and Illness Clinic, which will open from 8am to 10pm and provide free treatment for non-life threatening illnesses and injuries like fevers, ear aches, cuts, burns and broken bones, and is run by doctors and senior nurses.
It will also offer specialist outpatient services, specifically targeting the needs of the local community.
That could include renal dialysis, chemotherapy, oral healthcare and mental health support.
The announcement follows the success of seven Satellite Hospitals delivered across South East Queensland - which have already provided critical care to more than 160,000 patients since their staged opening.
The Satellite Hospital program has been proven to alleviate pressure on
local hospitals – with up to a 26 per cent drop in less serious, nonemergency presentations to hospitals located close to a Satellite Hospital.
The Fraser Coast Satellite Hospital will be delivered by through a $78.3 million investment, funded by borrowings.
“Our hospitals are under pressure – exacerbated by the rapid growth of our state and the decline of primary health care,” the Premier said.
“Publicly owned, free Satellite Hospitals work in reducing pressure on our Emergency Departments and giving families greater access to care when and where they need it.
“While we are expanding the Hervey Bay and Maryborough Hospitals and delivering a new hospital in Bundaberg, the addition of a satellite hospital will help to ease pressure even further.
Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services
Shannon Fentiman said “We’ve heard so many stories from people who love their local Satellite Hospital, and how they’re providing savings for household families who need urgent access to minor healthcare.
“We’ve also seen how successful they’ve been at taking pressure off our emergency departments.
“Not only do they look after people with minor injuries, but they also provide access to vital services such as dialysis and mental health support closer to home.
Two new faces to meet this week
From the MARYBOROUGH
ANIMAL REFUGE
EVIE
For all the wolfhound lovers out there, we have the perfect girl for you!
Introducing Evie, Evie is a 2-year-old wolfhound looking for her new forever family.
She is playful, affectionate, goody and loyal.
Evie walks well on a lead and enjoys going on adventures to meet new people.
Evie is always up for playing a game and chasing toys around. She wants to please everyone and picks up on what is asked by her quickly.
Evie needs a family that is going to show her as much love as possible as she has a heart of gold and shows love to everyone around her.
If you’re ready to welcome endless cuddles and
companionship, come and meet Evie!
Evie’s adoption fee is $350.00
She has had the following vet work completed.
- Desexed
- Microchipped
- Flea’d
- Wormed
- Health checked.
- Current C5 vaccination.
- Council registration in Fraser coast region
ICY
Meet Icy.
Icy is a lovely 6-year-old German Shephard looking for her new family.
Icy is best suited to being an only dog.
She is good with men, woman and children.
Icy walks well on a lead and enjoys going on adventures, she loves to be with her humans and follow you around like a shadow.
She has previously lived with horses.
Icy is happy to lay around and soak up the sun all day long.
Icy’s adoption fee is $350.00
She has had had the following vet work completed.
- Desexed - Microchipped - Flea’d
- Wormed
- Health checked.
- Current C5 vaccination.
- Council registration in Fraser coast region.
The Maryborough Refuge can always use donations of food, blankets or cash.
Please contact the Refuge direct if you wish to contribute.
Train station design unveiled
CONCEPT designs for a new Maryborough West Station have been unveiled, and locals have just days left to give feedback.
The designs, created following a round of initial community consultation, feature new facilities including an air-conditioned passenger lounge with improved seating.
Upgrades to car parking and passenger pick-up zones will likely also form part of the project
Accessibility improvements include tactile ground indicators, handrails, variable desk height at check-in desks and new accessible toilets.
Creative elements include timber screening, a Mary Poppins statue sitting on one of the bench seats and an indigenous garden.
Public feedback is open until this Sunday, September 8. In-person consultation was held at the station and Station Square Shopping Centre last week.
Maryborough MP Bruce Saunders has previously described the existing
station as looking like it was from Soviet East Germany.
“Maryborough West railway station is a key regional travel hub that saw more than 42,600 customers move through the station last financial year,” Mr Saunders said.
“It connects thousands of people to towns across Queensland’s coastline with the Tilt Trains, Spirit of Queensland and Spirit of the Outback all operating through the station,” he said.
To provide feedback, visit https://queenslandrail. mysocialpinpoint.com. au and click on the Maryborough Upgrade link.
Improving stations for everyone
Queensland Rail is proud to connect communities throughout the state. Our services provide critical connections to jobs and essential services as well as to family and friends.
Over the past eight years, more than 80 stations have received, or are undergoing, improvements to deliver enhanced levels of safety, security, accessibility and comfort for all customers.
More than $1.5 billion is being invested in station improvements across Queensland.
New concept designs have been released showing what the multi-million-dollar upgrades to Maryborough West, Bundaberg and Rockhampton railway stations could look like, with the local community invited to provide feedback.
To learn more visit qr.com.au/StationUpgrades
Tandora can educate us about land management
From the Fraser Coast Branch of WILDLIFE QUEENSLAND
FRANK EKIN
SO NEAR to both Maryborough and Hervey Bay and out of sight is one of Fraser Coast’s true gems.
Off the MaryboroughHervey Bay Road is an enormous cattle property carrying some 2500 head.
But it is a cattle property with preserved permanent and ephemeral wetlands, native forest subject to
naturally ignited and also planned traditional fire management.
There are healthy and diverse mangroves along the well preserved river banks.
The Tandora cattle property was the site of the August 2024 Wildlife Preservation Society [Wildlife Queensland] Walk.
Tandora is an example of the preservation of the natural fauna and flora of this region commensurate with a productive
cattle property. Such preservation is one of the objectives of WPSQ.
Indeed, Tandora is a site for Koala studies - it also hosts wallabies and kangaroos. The different habitats support many of the local reptile and insect species.
Education by all means possible for all sections of the community is a major objective of WPSQ.
University veterinary students attend residential cattle management courses for hands-on cattle management on this environmentally aware property.
Professors of archaeology, geology and also Professor Duke of Townsville, a mangrove specialist, have studied it’s natural environment furthering the educational value of Tandora.
The WPSQ walkers appreciated that the property is an exemplar of how to develop land without willful destruction and exploitation of the natural environment.
The proprietor, Lindsay Titmarsh, has developed wetlands, and led education groups on mangrove explorations.
Contrary to so much development characterised by wholesale tree and scrub clearing, this productive cattle property has encouraged woodlands and natural vegetation to flourish.
The centrepiece is a very large irrigation dam. This provides diverse habitats like mud banks for little waders such as dotterels, banks with uncut grass for seed-eating birds such as finch, reed beds for reclusive water birds and trees for perching.
Another WPSQ objective is to encourage land use in a way to complement the natural environment.
Birdwatchers of Hervey Bay and those of Maryborough attest the success of the development of Tandora respecting and
enhancing the natural environment. through their bird spotting on this property.
For the past 25 years, 158 species have been identified and studied. On this WPSQ walk two bird enthusiasts identified 53 species.
The 28 WPSQ walkers retired for lunch at the homestead.
Their environmental interests were overtaken by exploration of Lindsay’s museum of local artifacts.
An amazing collection of Aboriginal tools and sharpening stones have been preserved and gathered on the property.
Geological samples revealing the hundreds of thousands of years of
geological history have helped understand the physical geography of the Greater Maryborough region.
In a nearby shed, amongst a fine collection of old 20th Century vehicles and machines was a collection of timber posts.
To Lindsay these posts held a story, a story of their growth, the climate which they endured and their use by humankind.
WPSQ is hugely appreciative of the enthusiasm, imagination and the unbounded hospitality of Lindsay.
WPSQ September Walk. Spring flowers, Poona Sunday 1st September.
See WPSQ website for details.
The Tandora property. (Craig Winter)
Council survey to detect mozzies around homes
MOSQUITO control will be in the spotlight when Fraser Coast Regional Council and Queensland Health staff survey a selection of houses across the region this month to check for breeding sites.
Cr John Weiland said about a hundred homes on the Fraser Coast would be visited as part of the twoday mosquito survey.
“Mosquitoes can carry serious diseases like Ross River virus that you can catch if bitten, and items that hold water provide perfect conditions for mosquitoes to breed,” he said.
“Council Public Health officers and Queensland Health staff will ask residents for permission to check for mosquitoes breeding in standing water around their houses.
“The mozzie survey is designed to increase understanding of the prevalence of mosquitoes in the region and share the message with the community about how they
can help control mosquito numbers.
“Mosquitoes can fly many kilometres, but if they’re breeding in pots on your patio, they don’t have far to go to find someone to bite.”
Cr Weiland said residents could take simple but effective steps to minimise the risk of mosquito bites.
“Applying insect repellent, wearing loose clothes to cover arms and legs
and wearing closed-in shoes can significantly increase protection against mosquito bites,” he said.
“At least once a week, empty all flower vases, old tyres, bird baths, drip trays under pot plants and other containers that hold water. Thoroughly wipe the inside of the containers to remove any mosquito eggs. To prevent the spread of eggs, dispose of the cloth in a bin.
“Keep roof guttering
in good condition and regularly remove leaves to prevent pools of water from forming. If it can hold water, it can breed mosquitoes, and as the weather warms up, this process is much faster.”
More information about preventing mosquito bites and removing potential breeding sites is available at https:// www.qld.gov.au/health/ conditions/all/prevention/ prevent-mosquito-bites
COMMUNITY & THE ARTS
Boost to arts funding
COUNCIL has partnered with Arts Queensland to deliver a significant $120,000 funding boost for the 2024/25 Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) program, demonstrating a strong commitment to nurturing local arts and culture.
Cr Sara Diana Faraj highlighted the importance of this coinvestment, which will empower individuals and community groups to advance their professional development, enhance their skills, and engage in high-quality arts and cultural experiences across the Fraser Coast.
“Arts Queensland has contributed $52,250 to the RADF program, with Council adding $67,750, resulting in a generous $120,000 budget for the upcoming year,” she said.
The funding will be available through two key streams:
• Strategic Arts Development Fund:
$70,000
• RADF Community Grants Program: $50,000
“The Community Grants Program offers three categories of funding, designed to support
individuals, groups, and organisations in accessing professional development opportunities in the arts and engaging the community to participate in high-quality arts and cultural experiences,” Cr Faraj said.
“Applications for the 2024/25 RADF Community Funding Program will open on Monday, September 2, for projects commencing between November 18, 2024, and June 16, 2025.”
Council also recently called for nominations to fill four community positions on the Fraser Coast Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) Advisory Committee.
Cr Faraj welcomed Yuen Butler, Greig Bolderrow, Lesley Reid and Hannah Stanton as the four new community members on the Fraser Coast RADF Advisory Committee and thanked outgoing members Nicky Fernandes, Paul Damms, Jillian Thompson and Suzanne Bushell.
The four new committee members join existing community members Cherie Treloar and Kym Walker, and elected representatives Cr Sara Diana Faraj (Chair) and Cr Zane O’Keefe.
For more information about the RADF program and how to apply for funding, visit www. ourfrasercoast.com.au/radf
Celebration
Senior stars wanted for 2024 Talent Quest
FRASER Coast Regional Council is on the hunt for hidden talent to join in the fun at this year’s Seniors Talent Quest at the Hervey Bay RSL Club on Sunday October 27.
Seniors Liaison Officer Juls De Waard is encouraging anyone over 50 with a talent to enter this year’s Senior Talent Quest, as a grand finale to Senior’s Month activities.
“The event promises to be a spectacular showcase of senior talent. Whether you’re a singer, musician or dancer, there are six categories to choose from, offering something for everyone,” she said.
Last year’s ‘Best Group Act’ winner, the Hervey Bay Inspirations Singing Group, is already hard at work rehearsing their performance for this year’s show.
Sylvia Friend, who has been with the Inspirations for eight years, said the group is thrilled to return to the
stage with the talent quest a highlight of the year.
“The more people who enter the show the better,” she said. “Whether you are performing or simply coming along to watch the show, you are guaranteed a great afternoon with lots of laughs and some seriously good singers!”
Ms De Waard said the Talent Quest is planned for Sunday, 27 October, at the Hervey Bay RSL Club and will follow the format of TV shows like Australia’s Got Talent, with a panel of judges awarding prizes in each category.
“The entry fee for competitors is $5 and tickets to attend the event are $5 which includes afternoon tea and can be pre-purchased from the Halcro Street Community Centre at 30 Halcro Street, Pialba. Doors will open at 3pm on the day for a 3.30pm start.
“The Seniors Talent Quest is one of many events which will take place during Seniors Month
throughout October.
“It’s all about bringing people together, uniting them through shared interests and promoting positive community attitudes towards older people and ageing.”
Seniors Month programs will soon be available online via Council’s website, or hard copies will be distributed to Council’s Customer Service Centres, Libraries, and Local Seniors Services. frasercoast.qld.gov.au/ seniors.
What’s on in local arts
Maryborough Regional Art Society Gallery
282 Kent Street, Maryborough
SEPTEMBER 2024
In the main galleries: exhibitions by June Head, Kerri Dixon and students, Jo Weatherburn, and Jenny Ogden.
Jinx Gallery
92 Ellena Street, Maryborough
A gallery concentrating on repurposing and assemblage.
Tuesday to Friday 9am - 5.30pm and Saturdays 9am - 12pm. Art classes for adults and teens and paint parties on request.
Contact Nora on 0404 204 361
Exhibition at Hervey Bay Regional Gallery until 8 Sept
•Hervey Bay Art Society: 40th Anniversary of ACAE
Exhibitions at Gatakers Artspace until 15 Sept:
•Hervey Bay Spinners, Weavers and Fibre Artists: Traditional Textiles in the 21st Century
•Jamie Congdon: On a limb
•Lucinda Dumont: Faces
•Stefano Guseli: A Trilogy - Cultural Diversity, Quietude of Profit & Woman in White
Tastings & Treasures
By Appointment, Bond Store
Aldridge Album Launch and Music Night
Tue 3 Sept, 6pm, Brolga Theatre
The Kings of County Rock Tour
Fri 6 Sept, 8pm, Brolga Theatre
The Descendants of Disney - Kaitlin’s Aerials & Dance Academy
Sat 7 Sept, 2pm, Brolga Theatre
Qld Conservatorium Brass Band in Concert Sun 8 Sept, 2pm, Brolga Theatre
Connections in the Dust - a Normanton Experience: Nora Hanasy & Jo Williams
14 Sept – 29 Sept, Gatakers Creative Space
Holiday Herbal Sachets
14 Sept – 29 Sept, 9.30am-2pm, The Story Bank
Shannon Noll ‘That’s What I’m Talking About’ Tour 2024 Sat 14 Sept, 7.30pm, Brolga Theatre
Ditch the Tech Workshop
Tue 17 Sept, 10am, Gatakers Creative Space
Hal and Bacharach - The Hit Makers Sat 21 Sept, 7.30pm, Brolga Theatre
Exhibitions at Hervey Bay Regional Gallery from 21 Sep
– 17 Nov
• Phoebe Paradise: ‘Burbs to the Bay
• Regional Spotlight
• Forest to Fibre: FCRC Hardwood Plantations
Exhibitions at Gatakers Artspace from 21 Sep – 3 Nov
• Creative Generations 2024 (North Coast) - North Coast Region
High School Students
• Twenty24 - St Mary’s College
Celtic Illusion 2024
Mon 23 Sept, 7.30pm, Brolga Theatre
Apollo Jackson - Beyond Illusion
Wed 25 Sept, 7pm, Brolga Theatre
Billy vs Elton Fri 27 Sept, 7.30pm, Brolga Theatre
FOR Kids BY Kids
Hello Maryborough!
Hello Maryborough! My name is Phoebe Lee and I am twelve years old. For Kids by Kids talks about interesting topics and activities from kids’ point of view.
SEPTEMBER is here at last, bringing springtime with it!
Get ready for the weather to warm up, to bring out those zooper doopers and admire the blooming flowers, because Springtime in Australia is full of fun (and my personal favourite of the four seasons).
This begs the question, however - how do other countries celebrate or experience a springtime of their own?
Across the world, there are many different traditions that people have to celebrate spring, including festivals, flowers, and lots of delicious food.
Let’s take a look at some examples:
● Hanami, Japan: This is a celebration dating as far back as the early 1700s in Japan, where people go to view the famous sakura, also known as cherry blossom trees.
Thousands of people gather for this popular celebration, gathering for picnics under the sakura to share traditional Japanese sake and other delicacies.
It’s important to arrive early for the festivities, however — it gets really crowded.
In the Netherlands, Spring is celebrated in a Flower Parade, known as the Bloemencorso Bollenstreek.
The parade is made up of colossal floats decorated from head to toe in flowers, that begin in Noordwijk (nordvague), and end in the city centre of Haarlem.
This makes for a 42km journey in total across the Netherlands.
The most popular place to watch this parade, however, is in Keukenhof (coe-ka-hoff), where you can also visit some Dutch tulip fields.
● Martenitsa, Bulgaria: In Bulgaria, on the 1st of March (the first day of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere), one of their oldest traditions is celebrated - Martenitsa, often a bracelet made from wool or cotton yarn, that is made for a loved one, to wish them good health and luck for the coming year.
The person that is given a Martenitsa must wear it until they see the first signs of spring - often a storm, or a flower in bloom.
Once they see this, they can finally remove the bracelet and wrap it around a tree (sometimes a fruit tree), to wish the tree in turn good health and longevity.
● Holi, Originating in India: Holi is a Hindu festival originating in India, a festival of colour celebrated in Spring.
“Colour”, a type of powder that is easily able to be washed out of clothing,
is thrown around, symbolising happiness and love.
This is celebrated for two days, including special foods and ceremonies.
However, you do not just have to be Hindu to celebrate Holi - it is a festival for everyone!
There are many
celebrations of this colourful time all around Australia, to be celebrated on the 14th of March next year.
What do you think about Springtime around the world? Did you enjoy this article? If you have any suggestions for a future article, please be sure to email marysun. phoebelee@gmail.com.
with Phoebe Lee MARYBOROUGH SUN SUPER-CUB REPORTER
Swamp
Bushy Tales
Insanity Streak
Ekka proves an eyeopening experience
From Canegrowers
Chairman OWEN MENKENS
As farmers, we’re very passionate about what we do. We put food on Aussie tables and clothes on Aussie backs.
We help generate green electricity to power homes and we create sustainable biofuels that lower prices at the pump.
We drive massive export industries that contribute tens of billions of dollars to the nation’s economy every year.
But, despite all this, we can often feel misunderstood.
As we deal with all the physical, financial, and regulatory burdens that come with the job, we can sometimes feel that folks from the city just don’t get it.
They don’t understand the challenges we face to ensure they have the food and fibre they need.
In fact, they may even have negative views about agriculture.
I know because, as a sugarcane grower from the Burdekin region, I’ve been guilty of this myself on occasion.
But, if evidence was needed that our city friends do in fact appreciate farmers
and care about regional communities, it was on full display at last week’s Royal Queensland Show in Brisbane.
During the week, I had the privilege of working on the sugarcane industry stand for an afternoon and it was a truly enjoyable and eyeopening experience.
Far from getting negativity or questions about the reef and the environment, as I had expected, I was surprised by how interested and enthusiastic people were about the industry.
It was amazing to realise how many people have a connection to sugarcane, whether through family or friends, having worked in the industry, or having visited cane-growing regions as children.
So many people just wanted to come to the stand and reflect on their positive experiences with our industry.
I was only there for one afternoon, but over the course of the nine-day event around 10,000 came through the sugarcane stand, which was one of the biggest attractions in the Ekka’s Ag Hall.
Once again, we had a virtual reality experience, which took people on a journey through the industry, from planting and growing through to harvesting, milling, and
Suncorp Stadium Grounds Manager to share turf tips and tricks
LOCAL sporting groups, groundskeepers and lawn care industry professionals are encouraged to attend the Fraser Coast Turf and Water Maintenance seminar and field day in October to get some tips and tricks from the best in the business.
Fraser Coast Regional Councillor Lachlan Cosgrove said the free event would offer attendees the opportunity to gain expert advice, explore the latest equipment, and learn best practices for year-round turf maintenance.
“The event is particularly targeted at those managing large grounds and sporting fields or who are involved in lawn care businesses, but homeowners passionate about lawn care may also benefit from attending, with the Fraser Coast Lawnies to be one of the speakers,” he said.
top condition.”
The Fraser Coast Turf and Water Maintenance event on Thursday 24 October includes:
• Field Day: Fraser Coast Sports and Recreation Precinct, 1pm – 4pm (No bookings required)
exporting raw sugar.
This was a huge drawcard, with people of all ages and walks of life enjoying the immersive experience. And the feedback was one hundred percent positive.
Overall, working on the Ekka stand was a very positive personal experience, and one that I would encourage more farmers to try if they get the opportunity.
Talking to hundreds of people as they came through the stand made me realise that by-and-large city folk appreciate the work farmers do and care about our agricultural communities.
They may not always know about or understand all the challenges, but they’re interested, and they care.
That’s why I am really proud of the significant efforts CANEGROWERS is going to every day to work harder to get the positive stories about agriculture out to the whole community.
The Ekka’s Sugarcane Industry stand is hosted by CANEGROWERS, with strong support from Sunshine Sugar, Sugar Research Australia, and the Queensland Farmers’ Federation.
“A highlight will be keynote speaker Suncorp Stadium Grounds Manager Matthew Oliver, who will share his insights into maintaining one of Australia’s most iconic sporting venues.
“Come along to learn from industry experts, get hands-on experience, and discover new ways to be water-wise and to keep your turf and lawns in
Cr Cosgrove said the Field Day would include practical demonstrations of the latest turf technology.
“The Field Day at the Fraser Coast Sports and Recreation Precinct is a fantastic opportunity to get up close and personal with the tools and techniques that can make a real difference in turf maintenance,” Cr Cosgrove said.
winterauctions
The evening seminar will cover a range of essential topics, including soil testing and reporting, the use of pre-emergent herbicides, preparation for major events, and costeffective turf maintenance techniques. Attendees will also learn how to prepare their lawns for the cooler months and keep their irrigation systems running efficiently.
For more information about the Fraser Coast Turf and Water Maintenance event, email Council’s Sport and Recreation Officer Kieren Stoneley at community@frasercoast. qld.gov.au
FARM SHED CLEARANCE
10am Sunday 13th October - TBA
Viewing and registration from 8am on the day
Fergie 165, Ford 7710 with bucket, Hinomoto 19HP, 2007 Millard Horizon caravan in excellent condition, Hilux ute, construction and farm tools, antique plough/rake etc, firefighting equipment, cement mixers, posthole attachment, feeders, timber slabs, general farm items and more. Watch our Facebook page for more photos and details. Full catalogue online October 1st.
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MOTORING
Zeekr seeks Australian audience
ZEEKR, a global premium
brand, yesterday offered an exclusive preview of the Zeekr X at a media event held in Sydney’s Walsh Bay.
This compact lifestyle vehicle, designed for urban environments, will be the first of two models introduced to the Australian market this year. Following the Zeekr X, the company plans to launch the Zeekr 009, a pure-electric luxury MPV, by the end of 2024.
To meet the growing demand for electric mobility in Australia, Zeekr has established a subsidiary in the country and will adopt a franchise dealership distribution model to provide comprehensive customer experience to Australian customers. The Zeekr X will be available for pre-order in September, and the company has been actively collecting expressions of interest from Australian customers via its official website.
Zeekr is also a proud sponsor of the upcoming SXSW festival in Sydney, an influential platform
for innovators, thought leaders, and changemakers. The official launch of Zeekr’s models will take place at this event in October, with vehicle deliveries to follow shortly thereafter.
Zeekr is the luxury electric vehicle brand from Geely Holding Group, a leading global mobility company headquartered in Zhejiang, China.
Geely Holding focuses on innovation and sustainable mobility solutions, owning and managing a diverse portfolio of brands including Geely Auto, Lynk & Co, Zeekr, Volvo Cars, Polestar, Lotus Cars, London Electric Vehicle Company, Cao Cao Mobility, and aerospace technology company Geespace.
Making a splash at the brand’s debut, the Zeekr X is the brand’s first model to be launched in the Australian market. Built on the Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA), the Zeekr X will offer customers in Australia an unrivalled balance of design, technology, driving dynamics, performance
and safety, together with an enviable range and fast charging.
The Zeekr X is a global premium compact SUV created for urban lifestyles and the megacities of today – compact on the outside while spacious and luxurious inside, it is the perfect companion for adventurers seeking new challenges and new environments to explore.
The Zeekr X uses the brand’s proprietary stateof-the-art electric motor and battery technology to deliver an ideal balance of long-range, high efficiency, and excellent performance. The 66kWh lithium-ion battery, neatly packaged beneath the floor to enhance interior space and lower the vehicle’s centre of gravity, aiding its dynamic handling and ability, uses nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) cells supplied by CATL for optimum energy density and durability. Benefitting from an eight-year/160,000 km warranty, the battery will – at end-of-life – be recycled in line with global directives.
Zeekr X models have a 66kWh lithium-ion
battery, which can deliver up to 540km of range (ADR 81/02) in the single motor, rear-wheel drive standard model. (Zeekr X: Combined power consumption in kWh/100km: 13.9, Combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 0). Complementing the 150kW DC charging, which can replenish the battery from 10-80 per cent in less than 30 minutes, the standard 7.2kW AC on-board charger can fully charge the battery from empty in about seven hours (RWD model 7.2kW, AWD model 11kW)
The Zeekr X’s intelligent, 5G-enabled digital cockpit offers cutting-edge technology, a wealth of connected features, and intuitive controls to offer a truly immersive user experience, all designed to make every journey more enjoyable and more convenient. At its core is a Qualcomm 8155 chip, which offers all the processing power needed to provide super-fast responses and exceptional functionality, while overthe-air software updates ensure that the system is always up-to-date and improve over time as new features become available.
The infotainment system also benefits from the Zeekr Voice Assistant. Using natural voice commands, this intelligent, AI-powered technology enables effortless control of numerous vehicle features, such as navigation, climate, and media playback – enabling the driver to keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel.
A security feature known as Sentry Mode is also offered: when the Zeekr X is parked and locked, it will create a video of the area around the vehicle.
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CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Ray Alloway
Passed Away Peacefully at home 12th July 2024
A CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR RAY
Will be held at the Brolga Theatre Friday, October 4, 2024 at 11am Friends & Family
welcome to attend this happy event
Please RSVP by 22nd September, 2024 for catering
To: Elva (07) 4122 1857 Or Debra on 0400 101 731
IN MEMORIAM
MEYERS
John Wallace 138269RQR
Warrant Officer Class 2 2-9-2022
Though your smiles have gone forever And your hands I cannot touch I shall never lose the memory of a Husband, Son Geoff and Daughter Karen I love and miss so much
MEETING NOTICES
Fraser Coast Agriculture Show Society Inc. 2024 Annual General Meeting
Tuesday 24th Sept 2024
Maryborough Bowls Club, 506 Kent Street
6.30pm for 7pm Start
RSVP Tues 10th Sept 2024 for catering Nominations for Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Directors close 3pm Tues 10th Sept 2024 Forms are available from the office 84 Gympie Road, Tinana, Maryborough Ph: 0417 343 493, Emailed on request or on website www.frasercoastagshow.com Phone Karen (07)
Email: classifieds@marysun.com.au
(Include your name, address and phone) Visa – Mastercard – Eftpos – Bank Transfer Deadline 11.30am Fridays (Prior to Printing)
In loving memory of Ronald James Wyeth
Ron passed away on 8th September 2023 and was reunited with his beloved wife, Fay Catherine Wyeth, on 2nd August 2024
They are both dearly missed by their daughters, Dianne and Susan and their families, sister Adele and sister-in-law Neva, as well as other family members and friends. They will be forever in our hearts
Council, at its meeting held on 22 May 2024, resolved to proceed with public notification relating to a proposal to permanently close Unnamed Road 673 to vehicular traffic in accordance with Council’s Local Law 4 (Local Government Controlled Areas Facilities and Roads) 2011 Section 8, Clause 3 (a) (i) & (iii). Council further resolved to consider any submissions received relating to this proposal. Should you wish to make a submission, please email engineeringservices@frasercoast.qld .gov.au by 27 September 2024. Road 673 is an unformed Council controlled road reserve from Springvale Road and continues past Yangoora Avenue. Council has no plans to construct this road, and the proposal to permanently close this road will preserve the environmental nature of this area.
IMPOUNDED
Phone Karen on 3112 7847
10am Tuesday 17 September 2024 Maryborough Airport Impound Yard 30+ Vehicles with NO RESERVE
Lots will start at $175 – Cash & cards accepted. Cars to be paid for & removed by 3pm on the day. Viewing
CLEARING SALES
MARYBOROUGH CLEARING SALE NO RESERVE, NO BUYERS PREMIUM
Property Sold Saturday 21st September 9.30am Lot 11 Yerra Road (runs off Maryborough/Biggenden Rd).
TRACTORS/VEHICLES: Lamborghini 774-80 with McCormick loader air cab 4wd (4in1 bucket, forks, blade, 2471hrs), Ford 5000 rops, Ford 5000 rops, 2015 Toyota Hilux single cab 4wd diesel (one owner, 88,300klms), 1979 Hino KL series truck with 18ft crate (RWC).
MOTORBIKES/QUADS: C Force 400 quad bike 4wd (307klms, as new), Kawasaki 360 quad bike, Yamaha XT250 motorbike (RWC), Yamaha 200 AG bike, Yamaha 200 AG bike.
IMPLEMENTS: Seabrook 9ft seeder (as new), Howard EHD series 6ft gal slasher, Ford 20 plate wheeled offsets (new spacers & bearings), Superior 7ft slasher, 9ft trash rake, 7 tyne chisel plough, 2 furrow C tyne ripper, Vicon fertilizer spreader, Sitrex fertilizer spreader, post hole digger with 4 augers, front bucket for tractor, 2 x carry all, 2 x lifting jibs, 3 point linkage hydraulic forks, 200lt 12 volt sprayer, 50lt 12 volt sprayer.
CATTLE EQUIPMENT: James stock saddle Ringer Mark11, James stock saddle Santa Mark11, 2 x stock saddles, assorted saddlery, 2.35 x 1.8 galvanised stock crate, branding furnace, brands, barb wire, 360 x split posts, round bail feeder, 4 ton grain feeder, troughs.
COLLECTABLES: Timber out house, camp ovens, bakerlite radio, blacksmith forge, assorted axes (Kelly, Plumb, HB, Elwell), Castrol oil bottles, oil cans, cast iron bath, tram wheels, adze, cross cut saws, 11 x milk cans, sythe, separator parts, sulky seat, bottles, tins, bike, hinges, 2 x bullock yolks, retro table/chairs, animal horns, jacks, cow bells, & more.
CHAINSAWS AND TOOLS: Stihl MS 661C Magnum (as new), Stihl 036, Stihl 051AV, Husqvarna 365, Husqvarna 300 with atom borer, atom borer (new), 2 x air compressors, socket sets, spanner sets, air tools, grease guns, drill press, electric tools, hand tools, garden tools, Makita cordless drills, bench grinder, Boc Inverweld welder, Makita drop saw.
MISCELLANEOUS: Cox 11.5hp ride on mower, Honda fire fighter (new), Honda pump, cement mixer, farm trailer, 2 x push mowers, extension ladder, trestles, fire lighters, work benches, shed cabinets, safe, gun safe, drum pumps, stainless sprayers, electric fence, Stihl blower, hydraulic rams, tap fittings, poly fittings, nuts and bolts, chains, welding rods, saws, concrete pipes, assorted timber, gal posts, railway iron, tank stand, poly pipe, wire rope, roofing iron, 44 gal drums, pallet of Urea, timber doors, assorted household items, safety signs, fork extensions, timber gates. 2016 John Deere Gator XUV855, 2016 Polaris 1000 crew cab.
All Enquiries Contact Bundaberg Auctions Australia Wide MATT BEER 0427 527 926
ALL SERVICES
AA Waste Disposal – Pump Out Professionals. Mick Munn. Servicing Maryborough & surrounds. Mobile 0409 488 436. Eftpos now available
ADVANCE Tree Works. Removal of dead & dangerous trees, tree trimming, stump grinding, land clearing, 24 hours emergency works. Phone Office (07) 4124 7516
ASBESTOS Removal. DJ & MA Hose. QBCC 42753. Demolition, House raising, lowering. Phone (07) 4121 6644, 0418 764 236 or 0412 988 906
BOVERCON Pty Ltd – General Home Maintenance, carpentry & drywall. No jobs over $3300. Phone 0410 818 868 dane@bovercon.com.au
CLOCK and Watch Repairs. Office hours Mon – Fri 8:30am – 4pm. Phone Glen Powell (07) 4123 4488 or Mobile 0417 640 604
FITZROY Mowing Maryborough. Reliable Professional Services. Mowing, Edging, Hedge Trimming, Weed Spraying, Green Waste Removal, Tree Trimming Removal Ph 0458 780 155
FRASER Coast Shutters – Plantation Shutters. Competitive price. Fast turn around installation. Local Maryborough based. Call Ed or Karen on 0401 288 644
JAMIE’S Tree Services 0448 641 007 – Jamie & Lachlan Forbes. Father & Son business. Local to Maryborough. Fully Insured, free quotes, competitive rates
LATE Model Caravans wanted to buy. Cash Paid. Hervey Bay Caravans. Ricky 0417 033 852 or (07) 4128 1777
Come join our Friendship Group Every Thursday at Granville Tavern - 11:00am
MARYBOROUGH MASTERS GAMES
Between Saturday 14th September and Sunday 27th October 2024
Any new sports clubs wishing to be in the Games should ring Secretary Ed Francis 4123 3839 or 4121 6121
Maryborough District Orchid Society Inc.
ORCHID SHOW
St
• Entry $2.00 (children
•
• Raffle
• Advice from experienced growers
Rdt Angels invite you to register for our 3rd Mystery Road Trip Sunday 22nd Sept. 2024
Where: Our Facebook Our drive-thru bbq Wed/Sat 8-12 Hwy-end Alice Street Driver & Navigator $30 Seat-belted Passenger $5
Food/Drink/Entertainment inclusive Win Prizes
Text for info: Eleni 0433 633 899 Teresa 0409 032 222
Maryborough Pensioners Association Inc
Market Tombola Sundays at 1:30pm Bingo – Thursdays Eyes Down 6:30pm Bingo – Saturdays
Eyes Down 6:30pm
All Welcome Enquiries Lyn 0407 627 036 84 Adelaide Street
Prostate Cancer Support Group
Maryborough Meets at 6:00 pm first Monday of each month (February to November)
Wesley Auditorium - Uniting Church Hall 21 Sussex St Information Phone 0447 765 525 Supporting men and their partners –All welcome
Maryborough Services Memorial Bowls Club Inc. 220 Lennox Street, Maryborough Bookings & Functions (07) 4121 4394 Men’s & Ladies Open Play Wednesdays & Saturdays 1:00pm Barefoot Bowls Last Friday
SPORT
Maryborough Bears AFL team hunt down grand final victory
GLEN PORTEOUS
AFL: Maryborough AFC Reserve Men’s team have claimed a hard fought grand final win over the Pomona Demons AFC last weekend at Keith Dunne oval.
In a difficult game that could have gone either way, it wasn’t until the end of the fourth quarter the Maryborough Bears could claim bragging rights in the AFL Wide Bay Reserve Grade Men’s Competition Grand Final.
In the first quarter, Maryborough Bears had a slight two points lead over Pomona Demons however going into the half-time break, Pomona Demons turned it around to lead 15 to 12.
It was some grand final heroics by Maryborough Bears winger Kosie Williams, the deserved Man of the Match winner who kicked a ripper of a goal from the boundary in the third quarter to help get his team out of it’s second quarter hibernation.
The Maryborough Bears stepped up in the third and fourth quarters to close out the game to win 39 (6.3) over Pomona Demons 22 (3.4).
Man of the Match winner Kosie Williams said it was a really good team effort from everyone to win the game.
Bears club president and grand final player Nathan Dahan said the win was a
reward for the effort put in both on and off the field.
“It was a tough game and we didn’t have it easy but glad to get the win,” Dahan said.
Grand final winning coach Jason O’Brien said the team’s hard work and culture at the club showed great success both on and off the field.
The results for the other finals: AFL Wide Bay Senior Grade Women’s Competition – The Waves Eagles Senior Women’s 40 (6.4) defeated Bay Power AFC Senior Women 7 (1.1).
Hervey Bay Bombers AFC Senior Mens 38 (5.8) defeated Bay Power AFC Senior Men 23 (2.11).
Maryborough hockey to play host to Fraser Coast League finals
GLEN PORTEOUS
HOCKEY: There will be intense cross-city rivalry this Saturday night when defending champions Granville Tigers take on Hervey Bay Brothers in the Fraser Coast League men’s final.
Granville Tigers will be aiming for back-to-back grand final wins with the Fraser Coast League competition after they added the Premier League victory earlier this year to their trophy cabinet.
Hervey Bay Brothers will be out to make amends for their 3-1 loss to Granville Tigers at Bundaberg earlier this year and turn the score to their favour this Saturday.
Granville Tigers had to work hard to make the grand final with a 2 – nil win over Magpies in a close match.
Granville Tigers coach Aaron Kenny was happy to make the final but said there was still some work to do for the upcoming grand final.
“Happy to get the result and to make the final
however not with the way we played,” Kenny said.
“We turned over possession too much and took short cuts and made it hard for ourselves.”
The stand out player for Granville Tigers was Joel Helmstedt and for Magpies, Nick Dawes and Nick Griffin.
In the other men’s semifinal, Hervey Bay Brothers were clinical in their 2 – nil win over CBR with Phil Taylor and Alex Kruger the stand out players for Brothers.
In the women semifinals, Granville defeated Bolts 4 – nil and Uniroos defeated Magpies 5 – 1 in the second semifinal.
Grand Final Times
Saturday: 2.15pm – D3W Granville vs Uniroos. 6pm – FCW Uniroos vs Granville. 7.15pm FCM Granville vs Hervey Bay Brothers.
PLAY TO WIN (top four): Maryborough Hockey will play host to this Saturday’s Fraser Coast League grand finals. Pics (Glen Porteous) and Division 3 Womens (lower two) grand final will be a hotly contested match.
WINNERS ARE GRINNERS: Maryborough Bears AFL Reserve Men’s team claimed a well earned grand final victory last weekend. (Glen Porteous)
Bass season now open
The team from FREEDOM FISHING SUPPLIES
HELLO Spring!!
The Fraser coast has made it through another season change – I don’t know if fish have calendars, but they have definitely reacted to the slight change in the weather.
Let’s have a look at this fortnight’s local report.
We’re only five days into spring and yet the variety of fish species have changed.
Along with the warmer days come the mighty mangrove jack.
Best off targeting this hard fighting fish around dense snags and structure with small livies or flesh strips for bait, or alternatively 70 – 100mm suspending or shallow diving rusty/goldy
THIS WEEK'S BRAG BOARD
type lures.
But in saying all that they are also a lot of fun to catch on the surface with larger walk-the-dog or popping action lures which have been known to annoy a jack to the point of no return.
The water turn and big tides have increased the bait numbers so it’s no wonder anglers are getting a good feed – the Mary River has been producing great catches of grunter up to 2.5kg with most taking prawns.
black and silver bream are still around taking chicken or mullet gut plus the threadfin salmon are starting to be more active.
The best catches have been from live herring or prawn however soaking the same dead bait is getting results.
Patience is a virtue whilst targeting these fish.
They have been known to play with their food.
Our beautiful barramundi
are also starting to fire up.
The Great Sandy Strait has held strong as the most popular location to collect a wide variety of fish.
The amount of good summer whiting being landed is awesome and the flathead are with them up on the sand flats, bream around the mangroves, pelagic’s chasing the bait around in the open water and reef fish stalking their prey off the coffee rock ledges and bommie reefs.
Heading out into the bay boaties have still been getting a quality mixed bag of reefies such as grassy sweetlip, trout, squire and snapper plus some really decent cod.
As of the first of September 1st, we also had the opening of our bass season and with the warmer weather they should be on the bite.
Lenthalls Dam is also shaping up to have a great season with reports of barra and bass increasing every day.
First up is Ben with a nice coral trout. Tyson had a great trip landing this beautiful largemouth nannygai. Rocket Rod was also onto the fish with this red emperor coming over the side. Michael hit a local creek and the mangrove jack were out to play in this warmer weather. Last but not least is Jorja with a tasty looking purple tusk fish.
Pic of the week
Bowls Results
DOON VILLA
Raguse / Pollard Shield match 18/8/24
The Burgowan bowlers visited Doon Villa to contest the bi-annual Shield event between the two clubs.
Doonvilla’s name goes on the shield this time, after a hard fought game all the way. Overall scores - Doon Villa 81 shots, Burgowan 73 shots.
Jackpot Pairs : L. Atkinson, A.Hartwig d J.McCoombe, B.Stimpson
19-17. E.Johnson, N.Johnson d R.Chelett, Marco 19-12. T.Jackson, P.Clarke d W.Raguse, C.White 2019. B.Turnbull, K.Turnbull d R.Andersen, B.George 22-20. T.Buckley, G.Kemp d L.Mullins, R.Cheslett 36-9. N.Gambie, G.Gambie d J.Fraser, K.Pieper 30-7. L.Johnson, K.Johnson d N.Weinheimer, J.Demarco 28-13. G.Kuhn, K.Paxton d I.Axelsen, Hut 28-23. - C White, scribe
Ben was on again with a coral trout and a red emperor.
