Country Journal, Week #71 - May 16, 2022

4000 COPIES DISTRIBUTED WEEKLY IN THE SOUTHERN DOWNS REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA + DAILY JOURNAL & STANTHORPE RECORD

CountryJournal Week commencing 16th May 2022

Mural reaches station

Polocrosse history

Seventh heaven

Foot and mouth on doorstep Staff Reports editor@thedailyjournal.ink

The Department of Agriculture has announced that Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has been confirmed in Indonesia. FMD is a highly infectious viral infection of domestic and wild cloven-hooved animals, including cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, camelids, and buffalo. It does not infect horses. If transmitted to Australia, it would severe consequences for animal health and trade, including considerable economic losses with restrictions being placed on both domestic and international markets.

The disease is not present in Australia but growers need to remain vigilant. Livestock owners should take steps to prevent introducing or spreading FMD, be aware of the signs in animals and report suspect cases immediately.

Signs A wide range of signs can occur, ranging from minimal

An outbreak of FMD in Australia could be caused by food contaminated with FMD virus being illegally imported and fed to pigs.

Preventing these illegal activities is the best way to prevent an outbreak of FMD. It's safe to feed pigs fruit, vegetables, grains and commercial livestock feed. Read more about what can and can't be fed to pigs.

lesions to severe disease. It is extremely contagious and many animals on a farm may become affected simultaneously.

Clinical signs include: · vesicles and ulcers in the mouth, feet and teats · lameness · fever · unwillingness to eat · excessive salivation · abortion · drop in milk production · sudden death in young animals.

(07) 46 619 835 FMD is generally much E warwick@rfsteelbuildings.com.au milder in small ruminants than in other species.

Prevention

If you know of prohibited feed being fed to pigs, report it to Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23. Livestock owners are also encouraged to make sure they have biosecurity measures in place on their property and ensure their biosecurity plan is up to date.

Reporting

Early detection is vital to rapidly contain FMD and limit its impacts. If you suspect the presence of this disease you must report it to Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 or contact the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

Better Potato failure conditions for volunteers The Allora Show Society is excited to receive a grant of $3300 to purchase a new evaporative air cooler in the Canteen.

The grant is from the Culture, Heritage and Arts Regional Tourism Program (CHART). "[The cooler] will improve the working conditions of our volunteers and guests," the Allora Show Society said, "particularly in the Canteen where conditions become quite hot during the course of the day."

Bangles, baubles, and beads

It looks like there will be a mass exodus of potato growers in Australia, according to recent reports by the ABC.Peak bodies claim that spud farmers are considering their futures as cost pressures make the staple crop financially unfeasible in Australia.

Pricing of potatoes, unlike other fruit and vegetables, does not rise and fall with sup-

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Many growers have already abandoned potatoes as a crop while others will “drop out this season”, according to the West Australia Seed Potato Producers spokesperson.If family farms discontinue growing potatoes, the crop will be at the mercy of corporate farms and consumers can expect a 10-cents-a-kilo rise in costs and control of the industry.

s u p e rmarkets similar to how dairy milk is bought and sold.The market has been described by some growers as “not really a free market” because of the stagna-

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

Around the shire Elizabeth Voneiff editor@thedailyjournal.ink

Spare a thought for Cr Andrew Gale who suffered a heart attack last week in Warwick. He is recovering well in hospital in Toowoomba and has received a stent. He reminds everyone out there that if you have any weird sensations or pains in your chest, get to the emergency room. He reports that he almost ignored the signs he was having a heart attack because they were not that painful.

Andrew has retained his sense of humour, happily, and sent the Country Journal a photograph of his heart.

There are two art exhibitions currently running in the Southern Downs that are worth driving into town for. The first is a photography exhibit of Lightening Ridge, NSW at the Warwick Art Gallery

by Brisbane photographer Joe Ruckli. His work captures all the weirdness of the town and the people living there using stunning photographic techniques. In the Granite Belt, the Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery is hosting a selection from the world-famous APT (Asian Pacific Triennial)

exhibit from the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art. The Federal election is in full swing and everyone will have noticed the plethora of yellow signs hanging off every available fence and signpost. In the seat of Maranoa, David Littleproud is almost certain to be re-elected with One Nation candidate Mike Kelly perhaps giving him a run for his money.

The Clive Palmer event recently held in Warwick did not get much traction and the Greens and Labour candidates probably don't have a prayer.

Nevertheless, it is excellent to have a full dance card of candidates to keep the conversations rolling.

Council this week was directed by a judge from the Planning Tribunal to tighten up and change the conditions for a dog breeding facility previously approved by Council in Emu Vale. Residents who fought the application have won a victory in that many of their concerns

have been recognised and will have to be addressed by the landowners.

Council is asking residents to please be patient with the current situation with damaged roads throughout the shire. The entire State of Queensland is suffering from one rain/flooding event after another and the work cannot be done any faster. In many cases, contractors cannot be found to carry out the works. Council has

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taken on additional staff and are working full steam to keep the roads passable. It will take several years to recover from the damage done to roads this year. Remember

all these stories and more are in the Daily Journal and Stanthorpe Record, on sale where newspapers are sold, Tuesdays and Fridays

WARWICK CREDIT UNION

Go 50/50 in $1,000!

Refer a new home loan customer for purchases, investments, building or refinancing 0.25% discount & $0 application fee applies to the Essential Plus Home Loan!

Lending criteria, fees and charges and terms and conditions apply. Full terms and conditions available at wcu.com.au. Minimum loan amount of $150,000. The referrer must be an existing customer of the Warwick Credit Union (WCU). The ‘friend’ must be a new home loan customer.

You cannot ‘refer yourself’ to WCU. $500 payments only made in relation to approved and funded home loans and are made at the settlement of the loan. Maximum of $1,000 paid per eligible loan. Eligible new home loan applications must be approved by 31/05/2022 and drawn down by 31/07/2022. Not valid in conjunction with any other offer.

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

Fraser makes polocrosse history Les Fraser has been honoured as the longest playing member in the history of polocrosse.

Every year since the early1960s, Les has saddled up for games of polocrosse.

In 2002 in a media interview in the lead-up to the first World Cup, Les was asked about his passion for the sport of polocrosse and said "you don't play polocrosse for 40 years and not enjoy it".

Hosting a World Cup was a long-held vision Les had for polocrosse and he has now run three cups at Morgan Park with great support from his wife and club treasurer Robyn and the members of the Warwick club.

He created the Barastoc Interstate Series and the club has run two carnivals a year since 2003. Previously the club ran one carnival each year.

Les began playing polocrosse at the age of 13 when introduced to the sport by the Easey Brothers, Norm, Bruce and Vern, who were drivers at the time for the livestock transport business run by Les' father Charlie Fraser.

Ross, Les' older brother, recounts the Easey boys calling past the family home late on a Friday night after they had finished carting livestock for the day, to pick up Les and travel "hell, west and crooked" for a polocrosse carnival.

It may have been the Easey Brothers who got Les playing the game but it was his father Charlie - an astute horseman in his own right - who really championed Les' take to the game - no better cemented than his $100 spend on a thoroughbred mare by High Road who launched Les' competitive playing. it was also Charlie who instilled the 'breeding bug' into Les. Les has bred and continues to

from that time that big things lay ahead.

"I remember it like yesterday the first time I came across Les," Blake said.

"It was at Chinchilla; they were hosting the Australian titles and I played against Les for the first time.

"He was on a roan horse and I thought to myself, if this fella sticks at it, he is going to go places."

Blake was right...Les has represented and captained Australia on numerous occasions both here and abroad.

breed horses with a strong mix of Australian Stock Horse and often with a splash of thoroughbred purposely built for the game.

It's a passion...he is the walking and talking almanac of every champion mare and gelding that has ever played the game and still today he has the Midas touch with Australian lady player Beth Hafey playing a Les Fraser bred horse in the Adina International Anzac Test Series this month.

Les has a polocrosse resume like no other...friend Blake Finlayson can clearly remember the first time he played against Les and knew

He represented Queensland at 10 national titles, competed fiercely in the renowned Warwick A-grade side for four decades and has held every administration role possible along with being awarded the Prime Ministers Medal for sport dedication in 2002, Queensland Volunteer of the Year in 2007 and in 2019 he was awarded Queensland sports' highest administration accolade - the Queensland Government Service to Sport Award. At this same event, Les' wife Robyn was recognised as the Queensland Sports Volunteer of the Year despite having never played a single chukka of polocrosse.

Polocrosse afforded Les and Robyn the chance to meet and they have gone on to become two of the game's strongest workers and leading innovators.

Les said "he attributed every success of his polocrosse career both on and off the field to the unwavering support from Robyn and her determination to get the job done right".

Photos show Les Fraser and Bobbi, winner of Australian Champion Polocrosse Pony 1971;Les Fraser Captain of Australia - 1983

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

Here comes the rain again....

Elizabeth Voneiff editor@thedailyjournal.ink

As the Country Journal goes to press, widespread and severe flooding has again paralysed Southeast Queensland.

Flooding alerts from Cooby Creek to Millmerran, Killarney, Allora, Warwick, Stanthorpe and everywhere in between arrive overnight and into the day.

The Cunningham Highway, which was treacherous and nearly impassable on Thursday afternoon, was shut by floodwaters on Friday.

Areas of the Lockyer Valley are under evacuation orders.

Amelia Wilmer in Emu Vale contacted the Country Journal on Friday morning with photos of the flooded Yangan bridge and news that folks in Emu Vale were pretty well stranded.

“Lake Emu Vale spreads inexorably into farmer Ian Glasby’s cultivation and the Darragh grazing paddock. And more to come!” she said.

Newspapers were not able to be delivered to the Cash and Carry.

Literally dozens of roads across the shire were closed or deemed hazardous on Friday.

Rainfalls over the 24 hours leading up to Friday morning across the shire ranged from over 200 mm around Allora to close to 100 mm in the Granite Belt, with more rainfall expected throughout the weekend.

Most locals schools closed on Friday from Allora to Applethorpe due to flooding.

Council has been strug-

gling to repair damage to 3000 kilometres of roads in the shire since the last flooding event, and the heavy rains in the summer months. Cr Stephen Tancred has urged residents to please be patient during what has been an extraordinary period for Council operations staff.

Photos show Yangan bridge flooding on Friday morning (13 May) and a before and after we’ve seen a lot of this last few days...in tihs case “Lake Emu Vale” photos courtesy of Amelia Wilmer.

ALLORA SHOW SOCIETy Black Toyota BULL RIDE

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Let's be honest, we're getting a little slower and stiffer and less able to leap over skyscrapers in a single leap. Ah, well, at least there's some hope in Chair Yoga. The Yoga Partnership and Rural Doctors Foundation are offering rural and regional folks a free online chair yoga class starting in early June.

Chair Yoga is an uplifting, modified form of traditional yoga suitable for people with limited mobility, lack of flexibility, a problem with joints or recovering from injury or illness.

Each of the stretches are done while seated, so you don't have to ever be on the floor. Classes are open to both men and women and our ages range from 60 years old. Join online from home for six weeks starting 2 June. When you join, you will receive a link that you click on and then you can see the teacher on the screen. This is a great opportunity for those who might not have access to a class to learn great movement skills.

Register at theyogapartnership.com.au/rural

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

Experimenting with grapes Krista Bjorn krista@smallnewspaper.com.au

W

henever I'm in Stanthorpe, I make time to stop at local fruit and veg shops to pick up boxes of whatever is in season to take back home.

This week I scored a whole box full of seedless green grapes, brought them home and then wondered how on earth two of us we're going to eat an entire box of grapes before they went off.

So, I brewed a cup of coffee, cosied in to Bear's big, green armchair with my notebook and pen and started scribbling grape-y ideas.

I considered grape jelly, but I already have way too many jars of white peach jam and pear ginger jam to get through.

I thought of juicing the grapes and freezing the juice, but that didn't sound very exciting.

Finally, I landed on two ideas that would use up all the grapes and result in something unique and scrumptious: fermented grape soda and a roasted grape tart.

Fermented Grape Soda I make a fermented lime soda every year that is absolutely delicious, but I've never tried a grape one before and was eager to try. It turned out beautifully. Light, effervescent and so refreshing. Simply simmer 4 cups of grapes with 2 litres of water and 1 cup of sugar for about 20 minutes until grapes have burst their skins. With a potato masher, squish the fruit to extract all the juice, then strain through cheesecloth and let cool to room temperature. Stir in ½ cup of whey (or ¼ tsp champagne yeast), pour into swing top bottles and leave for 2-3 days until fizzy. Make sure to open the lids at least once a day to prevent explosions. When fizzy, place in fridge to chill and slow down the fermentation. Drink cold.

Roasted Grape Tart Roasting grapes may seem like a bizarre thing to do, but it

Remove from the oven and cool completely before using.

Assembly

really is a wonderful way to use up a lot of grapes or ones that have gone a bit soft. The roasting intensifies their sweetness and makes them a perfect topping for a tart or filling for a pie.

Crust This tart crust is quick and easy. Simply stir together flour, lemon thyme leaves, brown sugar, and almond extract then pour in melted butter and mix until no flour is visible.

Press evenly into a 23cm tart pan, bake until golden brown then set aside to cool completely.

Almond Cream The cream filling is simply made by softening crème fraiche or mascarpone, stirring in maple syrup and almond extract and spreading it evenly into the cooled tart shell.

Roasted grapes Simply toss fresh, seedless grapes with a bit of olive oil, sea salt, and raw sugar, maple syrup, or honey until evenly coated. Then pour them in a single layer on a baking sheet, tuck in a few sprigs of lemon thyme and roast a good 20-30 minutes until they've softened beautifully.

Once all the components of the tart are cooked and cooled, set the tart shell on a serving platter and fill evenly with the almond cream. Then scoop up roasted grapes with a slotted spoon and place atop the almond cream, reserving the pan juices to serve with the tart. Just before serving, sprinkle the tart with fresh lemon thyme leaves and edible flowers.

Roasted Grape Tart Ingredients: Crust: 1 cup wholemeal flour 3 Tbsp brown sugar 1/2 tsp lemon thyme leaves ½ tsp salt 1 tsp almond extract ½ cup butter, melted Roasted Grapes 4 cups seedless grapes, washed and stems removed 1 Tbsp olive oil 3 Tbsp raw sugar

or honey or maple syrup ¼ tsp salt 1 bunch lemon thyme, broken into branches Almond Cream: 1 cup mascarpone, softened 1/4 cup maple syrup 1 tsp almond extract Directions: Crust: Preheat oven to 190C. In medium bowl, stir together flour, sugar, thyme, lemon pepper, and salt. Add almond extract and melted butter and stir until dough forms.

Press dough evenly into a 9-inch tart shell with removable bottom.

Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown.

Set aside to cool completely.

Grapes: Preheat oven to 200C. Spread grapes evenly on baking paper lined baking sheet.

Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sugar, salt, and lemon thyme branches.

Roast for 25-30 minutes.

Set aside to cool completely.

Almond Cream: In small bowl, stir together softened mascarpone, maple syrup, and almond extract.

Cover and keep at room temperature while other components cool.

Assembly: When all components are at room temperature, fill the pastry shell with almond cream, top evenly with roasted grapes, and garnish with lemon thyme leaves and flowers.

Chill until ready to serve.

Photo shows roasted grape tart. Photo by Krista Bjorn.

COUNTRYJOURNAL

Orange angels Contributed by: Rosemary Eaton If there is a flood, fire, in fact any form of a disaster, orange clad men and women from the State Emergency Service Volunteers (SES) will be found giving their time and energy to help those in need.

To date Warwick SES has assisted in flood work, traffic duties, chainsaw clearing, swift water rescues, assisted Fire brigade by assisting with welfare and resupply, airbased operations, (filling water tanks on planes and helicopters for fire management), arranged supplies to be airlifted to stranded residents, searched for evidence in police investigations, monitored storm damage, assisted with communications, performed vertical rescues and administered First Aid, a huge effort for a group of fifty -one volunteers. In addition, members assist the local community in the Anzac Ceremonies, provide information in education and recently managed parking and traf-

fic control at Covid Inoculation Centres.

Local SES members fundraise for their local group to buy additional necessary equipment. Recently Warwick SES raised $2500 to purchase a mule stretcher, used to transport injured patients in areas inaccessible to vehicles.

Of interest, Warwick SES Headquarters doubles as an incident Control Centre for SES, QFRS and RFS in times of major emergencies.

SES members receive world class training and their primary purpose is to assist the most vulnerable members of the community.

Volunteers have a six months basic training period and then may choose to learn more in a specific area of their choice, for example, Swift Water Rescue.

Open Days are conducted and schools visited, to promote their work and delivering valuable information, for example, tips for safe bush walking, assembling a survival kit, evacuation plans for pets,

SCAN TO REGISTER

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IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, contact planning an escape route and organising a kit containing valuable the SES on 45925201 for further info. personal needs and details.

Wa r w i c k SES is constantly seeking volunMEMBER FOR SOUTHERN DOWNS teers. The organisation is an outlet for retirees to use their skills, an opportunity for young people to extend their skills and b e i n g involved with activities such as abseiling and a chance for e: southern.downs@parliament.qld.gov.au people of all ages to give • 9 Victoria St, Stanthorpe ________________ (Mon-Fri) back to the • 56 King St, Warwick_________________________ (Mon-Tue) community.

James Lister MP

Ph: (07) 4524 7700

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

Seventh Hand organics Ben Boland While organics and permaculture are definitely popular today Michelle and Markus Repo have been farming organically in the Southern Downs for 30years. Far from being in a rut however they are continuing to innovate on their 13-hundred-acre farm. Where they produce a diverse range of products including, firewood, organic meat chickens, organic eggs, organic pork organic honey as well as grass fed angus, dorper's, onions and garlic as well as running a building business and local ACC church and raise four kids and be the family face of the Stanthorpe Eco expo, all this with only one employee who works in the building business.

Given this diversity and complexity we asked Markus how they do it all! His answer was that while recently planning a holiday they struggled as they 'simply love what we do'. Certainly, part of the answer is also strong family engagement (with Markus's parents living in the farm) and both they and the kids (the youngest being 3 and 5) being actively involved. Unsurprisingly Michelle and Markus prioritise both communication and their relationship. Which is guarded by two daily catch ups. Six to Seven am coffee on the deck and 90% of the time five to six in the afternoon is 'wine time'. It is relevant to not however they have often been working for three hours before the coffee on the deck and are back at it after the wine. Another factor in their success is their strong focus on mechanisation.

Markus told the Country Record they work on the principal 'If you need a to buy it. Buy the best as the poor man buys it twice and is always frustrated'. Personally, as my very old and often repaired slasher is out of commission again I think they may be on to something.

A great example of this willingness to invest in technology is Seventh Hand Organics hydroponic barley sprouting facility. Which they refer to as their 10,000-acre paddock as it can produce 6 tonnes of sprouts per day enough to feed 450 head of cattle with minimal labour. Critically the setup is incredibly water efficient using just two mega litres of water per year (including cleaning). The other advantage is sprouting the barley means no crushing/cracking is nec-

essary and the cattle count as pas- and through the ture raised. It is therefore unsurpris- S t a n t h o r p e ing particularly when they first set Railway Station up the system they had people farmers markets come from across both Australia demand has outand the world to see it. stripped supply as The only problem they face with they are taking the sprouter was the drought. Water orders three was easy (indeed they gave much of months in their water away to tomato growers) advance and at the but the price of barley relative to time of writing tion of no till farming, stock rotathe price of beef. When they set up (mid-February) will not have any tion and composting. Composting the system (five years ago) barley meat birds available till mid-April! also allows them to recycle other was $180 per tonne and cattle were If you are interested in ordering any farm 'waste' such as cow manure, worth $4/kg. During the worst of of the produce from Seventh Hand and pig and chicken bedding. the drought barley rose to being Organics go to they are on Additionally, they no longer burn $800 per tonne while cattle dropped Facebook and Instagram. stacks of tree, instead they harvest to $2 per kilogram which made it As mentioned previously Seventh fence posts, saw logs are set aside uneconomic to run the sprouter. Hand Organics also produce free (they are looking to purchase a The end of the drought means range pork. With hybrid pigs to get bandsaw mill), branches mulched barley has returned to $180 per hybrid vigour and pigs which thrive for the compost and everything else tonne and beef is great at $6-7 per outside. Traditional piggeries are cut up for firewood. The plan being kilogram but this also means buy- often stocked with Australian Large to use the milled timber from the ing in new cattle is not economic. White pigs, as they live up to the saw logs to support both the buildAs such the Repo's plan to breed up name of being LARGE! The prob- ing business and to build a number there 80 head of Angus and they lem is they are also very white and of cabins along the river as well as have installed a large silo and have thus subject to sunburn if kept campgrounds to facilitate farm stay plans to install more to allow them outside. The Repos thus use a large, accommodation and farm tours. to have up to two years' worth of coloured boar to ensure the piglets Other future plans include possibarley on hand to face the next are big and sun safe. bly producing turkeys, increasing drought.

Going organic is not without honey production as well as selling The drought also led them to challenges however, which are not part of the farm to the Granit Belt further diversification and invest- simply related to not having chemi- Irrigation Project (Emu Swamp ment in permaculture in the shape cals on hand. With the exception of dam). The Repos are passionate of chemical free farming or to onions and garlic they do not grow proponents of the dam not because quote Markus 'bugs not drugs. any commercial vegies due to the they need the water, but because Specifically, insects and other creep- need to use fertilisers and pesti- they see it as critical for other farmie crawlies are central to their flocks cides. Additionally, while Seventh ers and the district. Furthermore, of chicken (Isa Browns for eggs Hand Organics pigs enjoy some Markus was loud in his praise for and meat birds). local food waste, the Repos' will not Granit Belt Irrigation Project, sayWhat some people, may not feed their stock crops which have ing they have been 'amazingly fanknow is the term 'free range' is been treated with chemicals. tastic to deal as they have been, owned by the supermarkets and Additionally, they only place their compliant, flexible and easy to defined as up to 15,000 birds per beehives in areas which are not work with'. hectare. Seventh Hand Organics by treated with chemicals. contrast produce 'pasture raised Instead, they have been improvPhoto shows Seventh Hand birds and eggs, which means the ing their pastures with a combina- Organic pigs birds are rotated to a new paddock each week and have a maximum stocking rate of 400 birds per hectare. In addition, the Repo's seek to work with as opposed to against nature. This means they do not shoot or poison predators instead they rely on electric Open 7 Days netting fences and as quolls Members’ Price - $11.50 are 'shock proof' the birds roost inside automated elecPermanent Membership tric pens at night. Under these Available - $5 conditions and with suppleNightly Specials mentary feeding with mixed Sunday to Thursday grain they grow day old chicks to table birds in just eight weeks.

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

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SUIT HOME BUSINESS • Clad 2 bed cottage • North sunroom at entry • Separate lounge • Kitchen has electric appliances, bench space & pantry.

• Bath has shower over bath, vanity, toilet • Laundry nook & second toilet • U/cover entertaining & fernery • 506 m² fenced yard, Single carport

WORKIN WEAR - WARWICK $ 170,000 + STOCK

HENDON MULTI-TITLE INVESTORS OPPORTUNITY!!

• Sell products always in demand

• 1.01 Ha (2.5 Acre) with rural views • Power in Street

• Main Street location • Workwear, work boots, safety supplies & more

• 23K (20 mins) North of Warwick • Buy single lot for • Buy 1 acre (2 Titles) • Buy 2 acres (4 Titles) • Buy all 5 Titles for...

$65,000 $120,000 $220,000 ???????

• Solid customer & account base • Open 5 ½ days • Steady growth since 2008 • Easily run by Owner + 1 or 2

URGENT!!

STOP WE NEED RENTAL PROPERTY IN GOOD REPAIR PRESS Call …Helen Harm Real Estate 4661 3663

WE HAVE NO VACANCIES!!

PLEASE CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY IF YOU HAVE A RENTAL AVAILABLE

BUILT IN 2020

Offers Over $ 435,000 • 3 Bed, main ensuite/walk-in robe • 2 Bath • Open-plan lounge flows to entertaining deck • Kitchen has electric appliances, Butler’s pantry • Bath has shower over bath, vanity, separate toilet • Laundry utility • Undercover entertaining • 2 Car garage • 2292m² with room for sheds, vegie patch ….

53 FITZROY STREET, WARWICK www.helenharm.com

CBD UNIT

$ 230,000 • Brick 2 bed, built-ins • Aircon in lounge living • Good kitchen/ dining • Shower, vanity, toilet & laundry • Storage • Fenced court yard • Garden shed • On city bus route, close to schools & shops

INVESTORS:- Renting at $270 per week.

LAND

• WARWICK - 1170m², new estate, bitumen frontage, power, views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $145,000 • WARWICK - 25930m², High profile, 2 street frontage, Zoned specialised . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,210,000 • LEYBURN - 2023m², level block, town water available, power, bitumen frontage . . . . . . . . . . . . $75,000 • PRATTEN - 4047m² (2 available), bitumen road, water & power available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $90,000

See www.helenharm.com for more listings

0408 457 496

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COUNTRYJOURNAL GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CROSSWORD

ACROSS 3 Name the Australian soldier 7 8 9 10 11 14 17 18 19 20 21

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who was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1945 (3,5) What is a particular savoury custard tart (6) Which term indicates that which occurs at a more suitable period (8) Name a renowned Australian Test cricketer, Keith ... (6) Which term describes that which is starlike (8) What are projecting corners called (6) To climb upwards, is to do what (6) What is a boastful person known as (8) To develop gradually, is to do what (6) Which language is spoken in Beijing (8) What is the process of colouring fibres, yarns or fabrics (6) The sign “men only” implies what (2,6)

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Act Axe Bulb Far France

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is to be what (7) 6 To have worn down by friction, is to have done what (7) DOWN 1 To take a decisive, irrevocable 11 Name the white of an egg (7) 12 Which hooked device step, is to cross the what (7) is used for grasping or 2 Name the small, light holding something (7) knife, used in surgery (7) 13 Which part of the UK 3 What are groups of four (7) is bordered by Wales 4 Which persons look after Letters have a (7) number value and Scotland (7) the animals in a zoo

E-QUATIONS 7

B R C O O O

Nap Not Now Owl Owner

14 When one is present,

which officer, is to investigate by inquest (7) 16 What, in Buddhism, is the ultimate state achieved after a series of reincarnations (7)

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Tea Use

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Unicorns were once widely believed to be real creatures. Marco Polo mistook a rhino for a unicorn and Vikings sold rare ‘unicorn horns’ (actually narwhal horns) for gold; one sold for the price of a castle. Elizabeth I of England kept a ‘unicorn horn’ in her cabinet.

BIYWORD

E-QUATIONS

Letters A to Z have a number value. Some are shown in the right-hand cells. Create remaining values using clues in centre cells.

M-L N÷V L+H L+L V+U O-V M÷O

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Find the following words in the grid. They may be read in any direction, even diagonally.

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Build it yourself using the clues and each of the twenty-four letters once only to form ten words: five across and five down. A key word (bold clue) builds on the letter set in the grid.

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CLUES: Between new and newest (5) Morose (3) Of a more recent time (7) Outback wells: arterial ... (5) Series (abbr.) (3) Soft floury roll (3) Train tracks: ... Line (7) Treat leather (3) Used diligently (5) Works hard (5)

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5 Exit, 6 Else, 7 Seem.

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E-QUATIONS H:7, L:13, M:20, N:26, O:10, U:8, V:2

QUICK THINK

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MINI WORD FIND F B U L B A R P S T R C A X E N O T N A A O W L C P O W E R

SUDOKU

COUNTRYJOURNAL

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Good week for apple-growers Elizabeth Voneiff editor@thedailyjournal.ink It's been a good week for apple growers in the Southern Downs.

Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud, this week announced the Federal Government would be backing fairer prices for horticulture growers through funding totalling $1.75 million to improve market transparency and bargaining power for the industry.

APAL Head of Government Relations and Advocacy, Jeremy Griffith, said this is a welcome announcement for the apple and pear industry.

"We are very pleased the Federal Every farmer would have plenty of memories of things that have happened on the farm but one for me was when the sheep pushed the Holden Ute down the hill at our property at Greymare.

I was in a paddock called the Red Ridges as it has a red hill and was feeding corn to woolgrowers on the side of the hill during one dry time.

The sheep really love corn, and also cottonseed, and I pulled up and called the sheep and it didn’t appear they were coming.

Then in the rush, I didn’t put the ute in gear or the handbrake on and as I feed the corn out of the back of the ute, the sheep started to push the ute and it started heading down a steep hill.

I had no chance of getting in and stopping it and luckily it went to the left and ran over a log with a sharp end and got caught on the log.

I wasn’t able to drive the ute home but the damage wasn’t major. If it didn’t hit the log and travelled driverless to the bottom of the hill and lined up a tree, it could have been a write off.

Can’t quite remember but suspect I fed the rest of the sheep from where the ute ended up.

Talking feeding sheep, we often fed in winter, regardless of whether it was a dry or wet season, the corn warmed the sheep up.

Those were the days before the impact of dingoes really started to

seasons on record and growers are not being able to cover their basic costs.

"Undertaking a cost of production study, will help buyers and consumers better understand the true cost of production and hopefully assist in ensuring sustainable long-term pricing.

"Also, by prioritising the apple and pear industry sends a strong signal that our industry in particular is struggling."

Government has recognised that growers are not getting a fair price

The Long Paddock with Gerard Walsh

help reduce sheep numbers on the Southern Downs.

Our last mob was about 200 and we had 20 bitten by a dingo.

Good to see a fair bit of exclusion fencing has gone in which has let some producers and some areas return to sheep.

Much of the western part of Southern Downs is traprock country which is best for sheep rather than cattle.

On our property, we have half traprock and half granite.

The granite is more suitable for cattle and has a higher valuation than the traprock.

Tuesday prices It was interesting to see where the owners of some of the highest priced cattle at the Warwick Cattle Sale on Tuesday were from.

I am on the email distribution list for some of the agents and two lots of the highest priced cattle were from Warwick, one from Stanthorpe, one from Glen Aplin and one from Goomburra.

So the Warwick Saleyards cover all of the Southern Downs Regional Council area as well as the Goondiwindi Regional Council area, a lot of the

their apple and pears," Jeremy said.

"It has been one of the toughest To o w o o m b a Regional Council area and sellers from further afield.

Down the years in writing weekly stories at one stage on the Warwick Cattle Sale, I met a lot of producers from Clifton, Nobby and Greenmount, areas which supported the Warwick Saleyards on a Tuesday rather than Toowoomba on a Monday.

The Warwick market reported that McMahon Brothers Pty Ltd bought the highest priced vealers and yearlings. The McMahons usually buy the highest priced cattle for the domestic market.

Photo shows MP David Littleproud on the Granite Belt.

Out on our farm, it is week four of our latest feedlotting operation and we will have to order some more grain this week as the four and two-tonne feeders are below half full for our 25 steers and five heifers on grain.

Each week, we are giving the cattle a bale of barley stubble.

You can see how important the stubble is to their digestion by the way the cattle move around the ute when you are putting the new round bale in the feeder.

Historic mural complete Krista Bjorn krista@smallnewspaper.com.au

A

fter more than two years of fundraisers, grant applications, and seriously hard work by award-winning artists Malcolm Nicholson and Kerry Nicholson, the Tannymorel Shed Mural is finally done.

“Except for a couple of signs of recognition that are to be added, the Tannymorel Shed Mural is now finished,” Malcolm reported. “Many thanks to Ian Grice, Leanne Bell, the Tannymorel community and Southern Downs Regional Council and all those people that ran functions to fund the project, Leanne Mundey for keeping the Facebook page going also all the tourists and visitors to the project.”

The Nicholson brothers have been working on the 44 metre by 6 metre mural since November. It is painted on the western side of a 129-year-old rail shed that has been standing in the community since 1891, and depicts images of

the rail industry that once flourished around the Tannymorel and Mount Colliery areas.

“Kerry and I would like also to thank Tony Hausfeld (Rooster) and the owners Shane Roberts, Nexus Electrical, Zooma Signs for their three separate cherry pickers/ knuckle booms lent to the project over a drawnout period,” Malcolm said.

“Lloyd Gilliam for the image of his T model Ford truck and of course the Late Col Mundey who, along with Ian Grice, took us into the mountains and educated us about

Mahogany trees. Thanks to Ian's dad for spending time talking with us and watching our progress.”

The Tannymorel Shed Mural Committee is thrilled with the outcome.

“Thank you Nicholson Art Company for the wonderful mural you have created for our little community," they said.

“We look forward to formally thanking you and all those that have helped towards the mural soon. Keep an eye out for the opening day we have coming up soon.”

The Tannymorel project was one of 12 local initiatives

approved as part of the Queensland Bushfires Community Recovery Package.

The others include new music and arts festivals in Stanthorpe and Killarney.

“We hope it brings benefits to Tannymorel and surrounding districts for years to come,” Malcolm said. “It will add another link to the wonderful mural and sculpture trail already in existence on the Southern Downs.”

Photo shows completed mural. Photo by Malcolm Nicholson.

Markets slightly off the highs Contributed by: Ross Ellis McDougall and Son

The threat of rain saw numbers come back for most livestock sales this week. Agents yarded 533 head to the Cattle sale and 876 head to the Sheep & Lamb sale. The markets were in line with other sale centres with the rate coming off the recent highs. The stylish stock presented were the least affected with the price coming back due to presentation and finish. Sheep & Lamb numbers were back also, particularly in the trade and export types with the yarding leaning to restockers and flock replacement buyers.

Vealer steers averaged

561.7c/kg topping at 620.2c/ kg or $1362.62 to $1798.62 Vealer heifers averaged 513.9c/kg topping at 572.2c/ kg or $1322.00 to $1800.00 Feeder steers averaged 521.6c/kg topping at 566.2c/ kg or $2318.67 to $2506.04 Feeder heifers averaged 473c/kg topping at 538.2c/kg or $1689.42 to $2357.19 Yearling steers averaged 527.1c/kg topping at 640c/kg or $1770.84 to $2452.72 Yearling heifers averaged 488.6c/kg topping at 580.2c/ kg or $1652.79 to $2819.25 Steers averaged 426.8c/kg topping at 510c/kg or $2198.63 to $3140.88 Heifers averaged 417c/kg topping at 510.2c/kg or

$2066.28 to $3252.78 Cows averaged 337.9c/kg topping at 391.2c/kg or $1925.96 to $3064.75 Bulls averaged 352.6c/kg topping at 544.2c/kg or $2139.12 to $3660.21 Lambs topped at $237 to average $161.40 a drop of $26/head Hoggets topped at $220 to average $213.05 a rise of $17/ head Ewes topped at 234 to average $120.91 a jump of $5/ head Wethers topped at $210 to average $190 a jump of $27/ head Rams topped at $270 to average $181.50 a drop of $27/head

Ewe & Lamb units topped at $295 to average $236.67 par on last sale Lamb rams topped at $184 to average $143.54 a drop of $214/head ewe lambs topped at $230 to average $175.20 a drop of $29/head Sale average of $161.98 was $24/head down on previous sale.

Pig and Poultry numbers were also in short supply.

Baconers sold to $98, Light Pork sold to $180, Stores sold from $31 to $170, Pork sold from $173 to $190. Roosters sold to $7.50, Hens sold to $6.00, Pullets sold to $20, Ducks sold to $12.50, Guinea Fowl sold to $17.50