Country Journal, Week #73 - May 29, 2022

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

CountryJournal Week commencing 29th May 2022

Ukrainian casualties

Gerard Walsh on election

Cluster funds

New faces of Norco Leonie Fuge editor@thedailyjournal.ink

A Southern Downs dairy farmer and his young son are now the faces of a Norco cream marketing campaign after the co-operative opened new supply chains to help farmers impacted by floods.

In a strategic move that will positively impact Norco's 281 farmer members, Norco struck a deal with Woolworths to put Norco cream products on shelves in 127 stores across Queensland and New South Wales. With many dairy farmers impacted by the floods, Norco acknowledged how quick Woolworths were to lend support.

Norco General Manager Commercial & Strategy Ben

Menzies said the floods were critical.

"With the loss of the icecream factory (in Lismore floods), we had to re-evaluate how to best utilise our fresh cream that would have otherwise made our great tasting ice cream.

This expanded ranging is just one of the ways we're helping to safeguard a prosperous future for our hard-working dairy farmers who have been doing it especially tough in recent times, and we're grateful for Woolworths' support which has enabled us to make this business pivot."

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

Drought in Auckland According to vegetable growers in Auckland's rural south, drought conditions are playing havoc with their operations and will only add to increased prices for consumers. It follows the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) declaring the drought a "medium-scale adverse event" in south Auckland and the Waikato on Monday, along with a support package for affected farmers and growers.

Pukekohe vegetable grower Colin Sue says unusually dry conditions over the last couple of years have made it a challenging time for those in the industry and is leading to the high prices consumers are paying.

According to Auckland Council's Climate Action Framework released in 2019, it generates $327 million a year, which is the equivalent of 26% of NZ's total domestic value of vegetable production.

Pukekohe Vegetable Growers Association president Kylie Faulkner said the unusually dry conditions have hit the local horticulture industry hard.

Sessions include: · labour options · tips and tricks for attracting and retaining workers · an interactive session on getting to know your pest and diseases to start the season right. · DAF will also be showcasing the temperate strawberry seedling variety trial · Berries Australia will provide an industry update Have a special opportunity to network and socialise with fellow

event. As lunch, afternoon tea and dinner will be provided, we request that all attendees register to assist us to plan catering.

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Berry sessions Berry growers in the Granite Belt should think about attending the Queensland Berry Industry's Prep 'n'Party on the 23 June at the Applethorpe Research Facility.

Kick off the 2022 Summer season with a preparation workshop featuring sessions covering labour options, tips and tricks for attracting and retaining workers, and an interactive session on getting to know your pest and diseases to start the season right.

DAF will also be showcasing the temperate strawberry seedling variety trial and Berries Australia will provide an industry update.

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Morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea & a BBQ dinner will be provided.

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

Ag workforce summit

Bad harvest Elizabeth Voneiff editor@thedailyjournal.ink

Think twice about planting a lucrative cannabis crop.

Five people in the Lockyer Valley were last week charged with drug offences after detectives seized cannabis plantations worth an estimated street value of $1.7 million from two rural properties.

Detectives from the Crime and Intelligence Command's Drug and Serious Crime Group, with assistance from the Ipswich Tactical Crime Squad and Laidley police executed a search warrant at a Redwood Drive, Brightview rural property yesterday morning.

The property consisted of four greenhouses containing 4,581 cannabis plants of varying sizes, along with hydroponic growing chemicals, irrigation and machinery, which police will allege was used for the large scale production of cannabis.

Police also seized 28 kilograms of dried cannabis located in a shed on the property.

Five men - two 27-year-olds, a 46 year-old, a 36-year-old and a 21-year-old were charged with producing dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs and possessing anything used in the commission of a crime. All are due to appear in Ipswich Magistrates Court today (May 18).

As part of the investigation, detectives executed a second search warrant on a Boyces Road Mount Tarampa property yesterday afternoon, where a greenhouse with a sophisticated

Agribusinesses across the Southern Downs and Granite Belt are invited to join the Queensland Agworkforce Summit to be held virtually from Wednesday 3 to Friday 5 August.

The summit is hosted by the Queensland Farmers’ Federation and the Rural Jobs and Skills Alliance together with Jobs Queensland and the Queensland Government.

The future growth of the Queensland agriculture sector and the ability to seize new market opportunities are dependent in a highly trained and skilled workforce. The Summit aims to bring together Queensland agribusinesses to discuss workforce issues and strategies to ensure they have a sustainable workforce over the next five years.

The Summit will feature a presentation about the five-year

3

Workforce Plan for the state’s agriculture sector, including the consultation process and results. The Plan will respond to the major issues experienced by the industry while anticipating future workforce demand.

Participants at the Summit will be asked for input to guide implementation of the plan.

The discussion will take place across four themes and include presentations and insights from experts and agribusiness: 1. Adaptability - Growing business capability for innovation and adaption to change 2. Attraction - Growing a diverse and inclusive future agriculture workforce 3. Retention - Growing agriculture careers and growth opportunities and becoming employers of choice 4. Skilling - Growing future workforce in agriculture For more information, click on qldagworkforce.org.au.

Expressions of interest opened 3 May and early registration deadline is 1 July.

WARWICK CREDIT UNION hydroponics system and a further 144 cannabis plants were seized.

State Drug Squad Detective Acting Inspector Stephen Thiry said police allege both properties were being used by a criminal syndicate for the large scale production of cannabis.

"This was a substantial cannabis production and we will continue targeting and dismantling such productions and the illicit proceeds of criminal syndicates given the risk they pose to the community," Detective Acting Inspector Thiry said.

"Investigations remain ongoing and we encourage the community to report suspicious behaviour to Crime Stoppers," Detective Acting Inspector Thiry said.

Pictures of QPS on site in the Lockyer Valley.

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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

New faces of Norco Continued from page 1

To promote the new cream initiative Norco didn't market with the face of a high-flying celebrity, instead the 127-yearold farming co-operative decided on a more down to earth approach and captured the essence of the company in a Goomburra farmer and his son.

Andrew Mullins, a 5th generation dairy farmer, Norco co-operative member and the new face of Norco cream joked, "If they are relying on my face to sell cream then sales will plummet."

However, in all seriousness, Andrew is grateful.

"Filling Woollies shelves with Norco cream is great news for us, especially at the moment with the cost of farming going through the roof."

Andrew and his brother own a farm of 220 Holstein dairy cows and feed crops and like other farmers are worried about rising inflation.

"Everything is going up, electricity, fuel, chemicals, fertiliser," said Andrew.

It's not just inflation impacting farmers, years of extreme weather events on the Southern Downs are also taking their toll.

"It has been tough. We have come from a water deficit to

floods. During the drought we were bringing in feed, now the paddocks are soggy, which also puts stress on the animal's reducing production."

The brothers contract 2.8 million litres of milk yearly to Norco and will experience a two-fold benefit from the sales expansion. The sale of any Norco products will come back to the farmers as profit from company growth and in increased milk sales.

"Every sale will help the farmers," said Andrew who would like to put up some shade sheds for his stock to protect them from severe weather.

The media team from Norco had visited Andrew's farm during the drought for filming and discovered Andrew's wife, Nay, is a professional photographer running her own business, DNM photography.

"They called up and asked if Nay could take a photo for the cream sales," the farmer said.

Though he wasn't overly excited as he "doesn't like the spotlight," Andrew posed with his son Ned and they are now the poster farmer and son for Norco cream.

Picture of Andrew and Ned Mullins on the Southern Downs on the front page...

Cluster funds Elizabeth Voneiff editor@thedailyjournal.ink

Southern Downs growers will benefit from $4 million in cluster fencing grants thanks to the State Government.

Queensland sheep and goat industries will get a $4 million grant boost over two years to invest in cluster fencing.

Applicants are eligible for up to $200,000 per business.

Minister for Agriculture and etc. Mark Furner says that the government hopes to double the value of sheep and goat production and "we want businesses to keep pace with new opportunities this will bring."

"We want businesses to grow and diversity," he said.

IN 2015, Premier Palaszczuk said that she listened to graziers talk about fencing and wild dogs and feral pests killing livestock.

"The situation had become so bad that the number of sheep in Queensland fell from

over 8.5 million in 2001 to 1.8 million in 2016, a decline of over 80 percent."

It is unclear if those figures also represent calamities to stock due to drought.

Certainly, cluster fencing has reduced the wild dog predation problem and wool prices and demand for goat meat remain high.

Mr Furner says that under the State's Sheep and Goat Meat Processing Strategy, they are striving to double the value of sheep and goat production to $150 million per year.

For more information on grants and applications visit qrida.qld.gov.au/program/ rural-agricultural-development-grants.

Applicants will need to submit and EOI and match any funding with a minimum co-contribution of 50 percent.

Picture of cluster fencing.

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

Get your free flu shot Thulimbah Bunnnings Elizabeth Voneiff editor@thedailyjournal.ink

Viruses seem to be the gift that keeps on giving. First COVID, then monkey pox and now the worst flu season seen in years.

This year's flu season has started so badly that Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that the Queensland government would foot the bill for all Queenslanders to get a free flu jab as quickly as possible as the State faces a severe outbreak.

COVID-19 measures had reduced flu cases to almost nil since 2020 but more than 4,000 cases have already been reported in 2022. Cases in Queensland are doubling every week increasing from 1,848 to 4,282 in the past week.

Dr Hudson, director of the Condamine Medical Centre, told the Daily Journal that "the increasing influenza cases in Queensland, some of which have occurred in Warwick and the Southern Downs, is concerning particularly in the context of continued widespread COVID-19 infections.

He added that "the combination of both these infections produces poorer health outcomes for patients."

The program will be limited from 24 May to 30 June 2022 and you must be a Queenslander to qualify for a free flu vaccination.

Influenza A is predominantly a virus impacting young and old age groups more than others and cur-

rent vaccination rates and immunity levels are low. Case numbers are climbing fast and the health system cannot take more absenteeism, interruptions to supply chains with a "simultaneous outbreak."

The Condamine Medical Centre has already immunised over 2600 people under the Commonwealth government program and is preparing for a new influx of vaccine-seekers. They will commence the state-funded flu clinics this Saturday (28 May) by appointment on their website.

Pharmacists will also be able to give the flu vaccine.

Dr Hudon reminded residents that there are different vaccines for different age groups and to ask the provider to confirm the right vaccine is being administered.

"To fight COVID19 and the flu is doubly hard," said the Premier, and influenza A is more severe than influenza B and leads to more people needing hospital care.

Currently, vaccination rates for children six months to less than five years of age is just 6%.

The 2017 season saw more than 750 people in intensive care and our 2019 season saw about 300 people. The fact that more than 4,000 cases have already been detected when flu season hasn't even officially started is "very concerning".

The vaccines will be available free

from GPs and pharmacies from now until the end of June.

All Queenslanders should speak with their local GP or pharmacist to see which vaccine is available to them.

There are no changes for people already eligible under the National Immunisation program. People eligible under the National Immunisation Program should continue to access influenza vaccine from their usual vaccination providers.

accident

Bee Day

Q u e e n s l a n d Ambulance Service reports that a female patient was transported to Stanthorpe Hospital in a stable condition with a head injury following a single-vehicle rollover on the New England Highway and Thulimbah Road just after midnight on Friday morning.

World Bee day was marked at Warwick Bunnings with a stall run by local bee keeper John who reported people particular appreciated the frame of bees.

The frame amazed onlookers with the warmth of the glass due to the bees as the ambient temperature was not much above 14 degrees. Indeed the stall was so popular it ran an extra day.

-Ben Boland

To our new Federal government When Australia voted last weekend, it demanded transparency and accountability from Government.

The Morrison Government’s decision to gift $178.6 million to the Emu Swamp Dam project and the 50 irrigators that will benefit economically from the project has never been subject to any independent review.

TO PROTECT TAXPAYERS WE'RE ASKING THE NEW FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO UNDERTAKE AN INDEPENDENT AND PUBLIC REVIEW OF THIS PROJECT. Given the projected cost has blown out from $84 million to an estimated $210 million, does this project deliver value for money to the taxpayer or just the 50 irrigators who will have access to the dam? www.PowEmuSwamp.org

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

15% of livestock lost in Ukraine Iurii Mykhailov Agriculture Journalist, Ukraine

Y

ou know about the wheat shortage in the Ukraine, and the tractors and other farm equipment being hauled back to Russia, but now the world is learning that around 15 percent of Ukranian livestock has been lost in the war with Russia.

Before the invasion by Russia, Ukraine had 2.6 million livestock, 1.6 million of which were cows. About 98% of those cattle were dairy cows, and milk production was 8.7 million tons. Main dairy production is concentrated in Western, Northern, and Central Ukraine. Due to the war, about 15% of cattle have been lost. (Note: There are practically no beef cattle in Ukraine.)

Since more than 4 million Ukrainians have left Ukraine (other estimates show this figure to be closer to 5 million) and many people have lost their income, the lack of demand has caused a price drop of 12%. The price of beef has also dropped from 2.1 to 1.3 euros/kg.

The loss of feed in occupied territories and hostile zones has also contributed to the decrease of production. For example, some oilseed crushing plants have stopped. In addition, the war has forced some producers to change the feed ration to decrease their herds' productivity. As a result, the profitability of the dairy business has significantly decreased.

The dairy products export market is not very big and includes mainly butter and skimmed milk powder. On the import side, Ukraine imports a large amount of cheese, mostly from the EU. In 2021, the beef production from dairy bulls and dry cows was 288,000 tons. About 10% (27,000 tons) of that meat was exported to China, Kazakhstan,

Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Moldova, and the Middle East. From February 24, until April 10, there was a ban on the beef exports.

The pig industry in Ukraine is distributed fairly evenly throughout the country. Before the war, there were 5.6 million pigs, and pork production was 750,000 tons. The number of pigs has now dropped by 20%.

Although pork prices dropped at the beginning of the war, they have recovered (from 1.3 to 1.45 euros/kg).

The biggest meat market in Ukraine is poultry. In 2021, poultry production was 1.6 million tons (live weight) of which 400,000 tons was exported to Saudi Arabia, The Netherlands, Slovakia, UAE, and Azerbaijan. That same year, there were 202 million birds, a number that has now fallen by 15%.

At the beginning of the war, there were shortages of veterinary medicines but that problem seems to have been resolved. However, animal producers and processors are experiencing a shortage of spare parts for equipment.

Due to the blockade of Ukrainian ports, exporting meat and meat products by sea is impossible. The export via EU countries is also difficult because of the EU veterinary restrictions. Even the transit of meat and meat products to the non-EU countries is not allowed. Therefore, the export of beef and pork has stopped.

Because there are problems with refrigerators (no electricity, for example) in several regions of Ukraine, many meat processors have begun shifting from deep freezing to producing canned meat that can be stored at an ambient temperature.

Originally printed in Successful Farming

What breed is that?

The Ukrainian Grey is an ancient breed of cattle related to the Podolian breed. It has long been used for meat and draught power and is similar to the Hungarian Grey. In this primitive breed, both cows and bulls have horns. The breed has contributed genetic material to the Lebedin, the Red Steppe and the Malakan breeds.

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

7

Real Estate

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

Hearty dessert for cold weather Krista Bjorn krista@smallnewspaper. com.au

I do love a comforting, old-fashioned dessert, and these Hazelnut Quince Jam Squares hit the spot beautifully with their oaty, nutty dough, rich quince filling, and delectably spicy fragrance.

There's nothing fussy about these lovely squares. They can be made quickly in one pan and easily transported to a barbecue, dinner party, or your living room coffee table to accompany blissful hours of reading or movie watching with a hot cup of tea.

Unlike some desserts that can dry out overnight, these Hazelnut Quince Jam Squares just as good the next day with the layer of preserves keeping them moist and tender.

They pair nicely with a glass of cold milk or a cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or tea.

Dough Jam Squares can be made with an array of different doughs, from shortbread and sugar cookie to a hearty oat and nut combo. I love

the oats and nuts version, not just because they taste good, but because they bring a delightful chewy texture and toasted flavour that goes well with the sweet jam.

Nuts You can use any sort of nuts with the oats, such as walnuts, pecans, almonds, or macadamias. They all bring unique textures and flavours to the dough that are great, but I love hazelnuts best of all.

Hazelnuts bring an earthiness, almost a hint of bitterness that keeps these squares from being too sweet. Chop them fairly fine so the dough holds together well and doesn't crumble into a tasty but awkward mess.

Try a new crop Be honest: have you secretly been interested in giving something new a try? Like growing amaranth, cocoa, industrial hemp, hazelnuts, jujube, Murray cod, or pine nuts?If so, you are invited to join the launch of AgriFutures Emerging Industries Program Strategic RD&E plans.The eight new and emerging industries listed above will be fully

Spices Oats and nuts are invariably better with a hint of spice to elevate them, and these are no different. You can stick with one spice like cinnamon or cardamom to keep things simple, or add a few layers of flavour by including a teaspoon of ground nutmeg, ginger, or even a pinch of clove.

Jam These squares are well suited to any kind of jam so long as it's not runny. I used my homemade quince jam in these squares because I love the rich flavour of quinces and how well they go with hazelnuts and oats. Other great options are strawberry jam, peach jam, or plum jam.

discussed during the program.

Mandalay Venture Partners will speak about how to unpack these emerging industries and how they may meet changing consumer demand.Thursday, 9 June, 10-12 pm AEST.The Online webinar will includes a range of g uest speakers and five-minute plan overviews for each emerging industry.To register, click : https://www.agrifutures.com.au/rural-industries/emerging-industries/

Baking The squares will bake quickly in a hot oven, just be sure to watch them the last 5 minutes so the tops don't get burned. Let them cool completely before cutting and serving. You can eat them plain or serve them in bowls topped with ice cream or whipped cream.

Hazelnut Quince Jam Squares Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened ½ cup dark brown sugar 1 cup all-purpose flour 2 cups rolled oats ¾ tsp baking soda 1 tsp cinnamon ½ tsp nutmeg ½ cup hazelnuts, chopped ¾ cup quince jam Directions: Preheat oven to 200C. In large bowl beat together butter and brown sugar until

creamy. Set aside.

In medium bowl stir together flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon, and hazelnuts.

Add dry ingredients to butter mixture and stir until no flour is visible.

Grease an oblong baking dish.

Divide dough in half.

Press half evenly into bottom of baking dish.

Spread evenly with quince jam, then sprinkle with remaining dough, pressing gently so it sticks together and isn't too crumbly after baking.

Bake 25 minutes until top is golden.

Remove from oven and cool completely.

Cut into squares and serve at room temperature.

Photo shows Hazelnut Quince Squares. Photo by Krista Bjorn.

James Lister MP MEMBER FOR SOUTHERN DOWNS

Ph: (07) 4524 7700 e: southern.downs@parliament.qld.gov.au • 9 Victoria St, Stanthorpe • 56 King St, Warwick

(Mon-Fri) (Mon-Tue)

________________

_________________________

COUNTRYJOURNAL

Lamb and mutton Ross Ellis McDougall and Sons

A

gents today yarded a total of 1230 head for the weekly sale, the offering was a 60/40 split between lambs and mutton with the lambs predominantly in the light feed on categories. This saw the trade lambs and butcher weight lambs firm but the average was down.

The numbers of the export and trade lambs and mutton available saw the main exporters lacking volume to operate. Lambs today topped at $225 to average $142.11($42down), hoggets topped at $190 to average $174.29($8up), ewes topped at $204 to average $116.91($18up), wethers topped at $170 and averaged $170 a rise of $7, rams topped at $450 to average $266.33($78up), ewe & lamb units topped at $230 to average $202.73($40down), ewe lambs topped at $324 to average $240.18 ($38up). The sale average of $148.59 was $33 down with the emphasis on the volume of light trade and number of Merino light lambs affecting the sale average.

McLean Farms took a change of direction and sold a run of Black head Dorper ewe lambs in lamb for $324, $280, $265, $256, $250, $254 and $210 all purchased by restockers Gordon Donovan sold Xbred lambs in the wool 49.4kg to Ashtons for $193 Michael Wright sold Aussie White wether lambs 57.5kg to

Ashtons for $222 Wissemann F/T sold 2nd x Dorset lambs 53.3kg to Ashtons for $196, 43.2kg to Shelley F/T for $158 John Larkin sold Dorper x lambs 48kg to Ashtons for $214, 44kg to Highchester Meats for $189 Phil Aldridge sold Dorper x lambs 40.8kg to GR Prime for $160, 35kg to Highchester Meats for $151, wethers to Take It Easy Meats for $170 Evelyn Hughes sold Xbred lambs 40.8kg to GR Prime for $146, 37.1kg to Whites Trading for $126, 33.5kg to restockers for $111, ewes to restockers for $48 Phillip & Julia Harpham sold Dorper x lambs 37.5kg to Highchester Meats for $156, 32.1kg to restockers for $133, ewe hoggets 52kg to restockers for $168, ewes to restockers for $138.

Gary O'Rourke sold Suffolk lambs 41.25kg to GR Prime for $150, 36 and 35kg to restockers for $141 and $131 Jack & Sally Sloss sold Merino store wether lambs 35kg to GR Prime for $120, 32 & 33kg to restockers for $99 and $89, 33kg to GR Prime for $81, 29kg to restockers for $60. Merino ewes to restockers for $151& $146, to GR Prime for $136, $129, $78, xb ewe to Take It Easy Meats for $180 Paul Mc Laughlin sold Dorper x ewes to GR Prime for $144, rams to restockers for $174

9

New cafe opens in Allora

Krista Bjorn krista@smallnewspaper. com.au

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llora is now home to three excellent cafes after the grand opening of The Golden Wattle Café over the weekend.

“It’s a beautiful area to sit on a nice verandah or in nanna’s kitchen,” Manager Sharon Ryan said. “I want people to feel like they’re coming to visit, like it’s home.”

Ms Ryan has been cooking for as long as she can remember.

“Cooking is my passion,” she said. “I am happy when I am in my kitchen and I aspire to be a Maggie Beer.”

Her other passion is making delicious food accessible to all, through good times and bad.

“My intention is to keep prices low so people can afford to come out for a coffee,” she said. “I buy local whenever possible,

direct from the farmer whenever I can. We live in a really beautiful area and to me it just makes sense to use what we have.”

Ms Ryan describes her cooking rustic, homestyle, and tasty.

“Whatever I feel like cooking on the day is what people are going to get,” she said. “I love cooking hearty stews, casseroles, and curries.”

In winter The Golden Wattle Café is open Wednesday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

They will do Big Bush Breakfasts once a month on Sunday mornings where patrons can load their plates with whatever they want for $15.

They will also schedule theme nights once a month and are happy to cater for weddings and functions in the RSL. The Golden Wattle Café is located at 22 Warwick Street, Allora.

Photo shows cafe manager Sharon Ryan. Photo by Krista Bjorn.

10

COUNTRYJOURNAL GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CROSSWORD

ACROSS 4 What do we call one who 8 9 10 11 12 14 18 21 22 23 24

struggles persistently against heavy odds (7) Name a group of persons who associate closely (7) Which place is set apart for young children (7) Which person has ginger hair (7) To make someone servile, is to do what (7) What is an edible marine bivalve mollusc (6) What are companies of lions called (6) Which stones are used as abrasives (7) What, in England, are country gentlemen known as (7) What is another term for a waterfall (7) Which site is used for dramatic presentations, etc (7) Who are the fastest shearers of a group (7)

DOWN 1 Name the eighth sign

1

2

3

4

5

6

748 7

8 9 10 11

12

13

14

15

16

17 18

19 21

23 24

E-QUATIONS 7 Create remaining values using clues in centre cells.

E-QUATIONS

M÷N Q-N P+L M-N K+L T+K Q-K

N M B A R E

D T R I T E

I I I S G S

M E D T U G

Man Mob Mrs Rid Rim

Seats She Stems Tan Tie

Tore Tug

16 What might we call 17 18 19 20

a lawyer who uses questionable methods (7) What are useful things or qualities (6) Name another term for a trotter (5) Which device is used for moving heavy weights (5) What is strong, stern, or fierce anger, known as (5)

CURIO

049

A tiger’s roar has the power to paralyse people – before they can even hear it.

Their roar starts at a frequency outside of our hearing, can travel up to 3km (even passing through mountains) and may reach 114 decibels, which is like being next to a speaker at a rock concert!

BIYWORD

059

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

K L M N P Q T

A A E O Y H

Are Big Did Dim Eye

22

to the point towards which the wind blows (7) of the zodiac (7) 7 What is a word agreeing with 2 What is a thorough another in terminal sound (5) 13 Name a large Australian examination and analysis desert in south-eastern NT of a particular subject (5) and parts of Qld and SA (7) 3 What is something provided 15 What is an alternative without charge (coll) (7) name for a small stream, 4 Which term describes Letters have a number value or a brook (7) a drinking spree (6) Some values are in the right hand cells.

M S T E M S

049

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

Some letters are used more than once.

20

5 What are novices also called (5) 6 Which nautical term relates

MINI WORD FIND

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.

N

8

049

CLUES: Bend from the waist (3) Doctors (abb) (3) Evil sneers (5) Friend (coll) (3) Pampers (7) Parliamentary record (7) Pig pen (3) Sat for artist (5) Skeletal parts (5) Tired (5)

10

A A B C D D

E E E H L O

O P R R S S

S S S T W Y

© Auspac Media - meq0059

5 6

E R H R Y M V E

No. 748

) ong, stern, or fierce anger, known

7

Solution CROSSWORD

E S H Y E S T R E R

SUDOKU

8 18 9 10 17 15

B A T T L E Y E N U R S E D O W E N S L A R R P R I D A I S V W S Q U I R E L A T H E A T S T H

2

4

S S F C O T E R I O U E R E D H E A P Y B I I O Y S T E R I P U M I C E A P R C A S C A D E O N R I N G E R

L M N P Q T

3

BIYWORD

K

2

QUICK THINK

1

DOWN 1 Not barefoot 2 Prefix with -nautics 3 Unit of weight 4 Proficient

GS

K:2, L:8, M:18, N:9, P:10, Q:17, T:15

ACROSS 1 Heroic tale 5 Flavour enhancer 6 Word-of-mouth 7 Cupola

c24-049

Solve the crossword.

Each answer has four letters.

SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1 Saga, H 5 Herb, 6 Oral, 7 Dome.

P A L DOWN: 1 Shod, 2 Aero, B O N E S © 3 Gram, 4 Able.

C O S S E T S W E A R Y D R S D

049

E-QUATIONS K:2, L:8, M:18, N:9, P:10, Q:17, T:15

QUICK THINK

M E D T U G

049

MINI WORD FIND M A N D I S A M T I T E B R I E O A I S M Y R T G S H E E S

SUDOKU

COUNTRYJOURNAL

11

Great friends and good memories Marg Wilkie Wesley Indoor Bowls Club My heart is full of hope for the future of our club with our present membership standing at 37 with another prospective member attending this week. A big welcome to each and every one!

On a sad note, we were deeply saddened to lose our late esteemed Patroness, Mable Mott last month.

Mabel was a member for over 50 years and her mother, Mrs March was an inaugural member of our club.

In 2023 our club will be celebrating its 70th Birthday - 70 grand years of bowling, friendships and fellowship. On the eve of this anniversary, I feel it appropriate to give a little history of

I

go right back to Scott Morrison’s holiday in Hawaii for the start of the downfall of the Liberal National Coalition Government.

Morrison was travelling pretty well but when he was on holidays with his family and many areas of New South Wales were on fire, it was a bad look.

Every politician is entitled to a holiday but the timing was just so bad and in my opinion he didn’t quite recover.

The Federal Election reminded me of the old days in Queensland when Joh Bjelke Petersen was premier.

It was often said Joh didn’t get a high percentage of the vote but was still elected but with a preferential voting system you could almost add the National and Liberal vote together.

On Saturday night, it was the same with the Labor and Greens vote almost being added together. Labor finished with 32 per cent of the total vote before preferences were distributed.

It would be interesting to know who would have

Warwick Indoor Bowling.

The churches, St Marys, St Marys, St Andrews and the Methodist (Wesley) each formed a lady's club who played in the afternoons with the mothers bringing their little children with them and then, the men played in the evenings.

These clubs along with various others banded together to form the Warwick and Districts Indoor Bowls Association which remained until 2020, when it disbanded due to the lack of office bearers.

In the early days approximately 20 teams competed in the association for various shields and championships with Freestone, Victoria Hill, Allora, Buffaloes, City Council, Senior Citizens and the four church clubs - just to name

those that come to mind.

The various clubs also held shield competitions and open afternoons with strong but friendly competition and camaraderie, along with delicious afternoon teas and suppers.

For our club's first open afternoon in this hall (when it was built in 1999) we had 60 bowlers and 5 mats with 12 bowlers on each.

Sadly, with the pandemic and loss of the association, these open afternoons ceased.

Another interesting shield competed for by the Warwick Association and Stanthorpe was the Maroon Shield.

When the Maroon family first arrived here and opened their drapery store, Mr Maroon travelled around the nearby little towns and districts with his drap-

The Long Paddock with Gerard Walsh

won if it was first past the post but I am an advocate for preferential voting.

If your first candidate is knocked out, it is good that your vote goes to your second candidate and so on.

There was a lot said about Anthony Albanese being a bit vague on some policies but if there is a swing on against a Government, that doesn’t matter.

The Nationals vote held up better than the Liberals who lost votes galore to the Greens and Teal candidates, especially in inner

city seats. Reminds me of going to Downlands College to represent the National Party at a political forum in front of a class group of 150.

I was only in my early 20s and was up against much older representatives from the other parties, including the then Member for Toowoomba North.

One of the students asked me about our environment policy and I didn’t have a clue.

I said we were very concerned about the environment and left it at that, a bit like the incoming prime minister was when asked about the NDIS policy of Labor in this election.

In the Senate, I voted number 2 for Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party. I remember him from the National Party many years ago. He was the instigator of a Young National Foundation to raise funds for the youth political group which was a

ery merchandise. To thank his customers he kindly donated the Maroon shield.

Stanthorpe bowlers competed in Warwick in March while Warwick took a full bus of bowlers to Stanthorpe in November.

These were wonderful evenings of bowling, friendship and hospitality. Unfortunately, this competition has also ceased.

Caring for each other is an integral part of our club, celebrating special and happy occasions and then expressing our heartfelt sympathy for those grieving and having a special prayer. We also keep in touch with members when they are unwell.

My wish is for our bowls club to be still going for at least another 70 years.

fairly ambitious idea and it is not surprising he has been such a success in business.

His party was well represented at polling booths on Saturday and I know one party supporter spoke a lot about freedom when voters were heading to the polls at the showgrounds.

Interesting how the Legalise Cannabis Australia in early counting was seventh in the battle for six Senate seats in Queensland.

While the opinion polls all point to climate change and an integrity commission being the two major issues, I also believe the

Government lost support as they didn’t do more to encourage the Solomon Islands not to sign a pact with China.

Defence could have been a vote winner for the Coalition but even a phone call to the Solomon Islands leaders would have at least been something.

Good to see new Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong has already started visiting the Pacific Islands and has been to Fiji. In my option, she will represent us well in that portfolio.

12

COUNTRYJOURNAL

Wool: storm clouds on horizon Bruce McLeish Elders

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very solid market across Australia last week saw the Eastern Market Indicator rise by 7 cents in local currency terms and 10 US cents, although all fine merino types were 20 to 30 cents dearer in Sydney, and up to 50 cents dearer in the west. Cardings were also particularly strong in all 3 centres.

Medium merino fleece and pieces were pulled back collectively by the higher fault lots, although again the numbers in the West were more positive than in the East, which usually points towards a stronger market in the offing for the following week, but also illustrates the slightly less congested state of export facilities over there compared to Sydney and Melbourne dumps and wharves. Despite the local currency edging upwards against the US Dollar, the positive tone of the Australian wool market was evident right through until the close on Wednesday.

Chinese, Indian and European buyers have all been active since the close of auctions on Wednesday, and with the currency markets moving just as dramatically as the global equity markets, trading wool has become just that bit more challenging. Still, those traders with a bit of patience, and just a little luck have been

able to match up their stock with the right timing on the currency markets, and get some more business booked.

Neither side, the export fraternity nor the overseas buyers are looking to book large quantities, but both are equally keen to keep the wheels turning and desperately hope that containers will get loaded and shipped more quickly than has been the case for the past two months.

Things are certainly moving better in China now, with lockdown conditions eased slightly in Shanghai over the past couple of days. Individual citizens are now allowed out of their apartments for some much-needed fresh air, but they are still unable to venture far. Private cars are not yet allowed on the roads, and no public transport is operational, so traffic is not the hassle it usually is. Offices, shops and restaurants remain closed, so everyone is still working from home, but they are at least allowed to walk around the block. The pleasing thing for the wool industry is that the hundreds of containers which have been lying at the wharf, or on ships banked up in the harbour are moving fairly swiftly to the mills now.

Production which had been delayed or stopped in the case of some smaller mills is now cranking up again as operators desperately try to make up for lost time. Transport from one mill to another, or even across

country is now possible, with certain conditions and plenty of paperwork, but it can be done.

So, the wheels of the Chinese textile industry are turning once again. It remains to be seen what damage has been done to the volume of orders and more importantly the activity of consumers.

One report on a Chinese government website did record a drop in apparel clothing of 25% for April which is not a good sign, but those of us who have emerged from a sustained lockdown have also seen how active the recently uncaged consumer can be too.

The real test still remains September/October when the major retail season for woollen garments kicks in, and for those in China there will be a lot more testing and swabbing to be done in the meantime, with hopefully not too many further lockdowns.

The strain is also beginning to show in Europe with most mills still very active, but the pressure is building. In some cases, labour shortages are acute, and the extra cost of employing new staff, with the flow-on effects of salary increases for the new workers too great to absorb in some cases, leading to a reduction in shifts because of the reduced manpower available. Inflation across Europe is much higher than we are experiencing in Australia to date, and the energy hungry textile industry is

definitely feeling the effects of the Russian situation acutely.

Still, most mills across Europe are so pleased to have been able to operate without restrictions of Covid for the last few months, so that despite these rising costs, it is head down, and run flat out for the short term while they can. There are not many in the European textile scene however who are not at least a little wary about what the future holds, because of the inflation situation, the potential return of Covid in the Autumn, and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Data from the world's largest consumer market America, continues to be supportive for consumer activity, and if the Fed Reserve can manage the inflation risk adequately their consumption may be enough to drag the rest of the world along with them. However, across the textile spectrum price resistance is being felt by the manufacturers.

Cotton is at such a high price level, and looks like going further, that some manufacturers are looking to substitute that fibre with alternative, cheaper polyester. At the very fine end of the wool market price resistance is also being felt, although not so acutely, but it is there. So, the outlook for the near term remains positive, but storm clouds are building on the horizon.

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