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

CountryJournal Week commencing August 23rd 2021

Green from the New fruit dust... opportunities

Mystery car’s heritage

Australia’s biggest native fruit orchard has set a mark in the sand for the future of truly Australian fruit growing. Planted by the Mamabulanjin Aboriginal Corporation, the orchard of Kakadu plum are expected to bring in around $5.6 million a year, long term, but the project shines a light on a potential new path for producing fruit trees that are literally ‘born’ for our local conditions. Page 5 has more.. What was once empty ground at Hirstglen, covered with couch grass and kikuyu is now a verdant oasis of 9 garden beds, rambling grape vines, an orchard with 60 trees, numerous flower beds, and a burgeoning bush tucker food forest. Carolyn Crawford moved to her Hirstglen property about ten years ago and immediately began getting the ground ready for gardens. In this edi-E warwick@rfsteelbuildings.com.au tion, Carolyn shares her secrets with Krista Bjorn...and our readers...on page 12.

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A car that apparently drove around America in the roaring 20s before ‘retiring’ to do farm work cutting chuff on the Southern Downs, is the centre of a burning question for a lover of classic American vehicles. See page 7.

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Country briefs Killarney Co-op coping The Killarney Co-op is reassuring its customers and staff that they are doing their best to work through the difficulties of deliveries and staffing while the border is firmly closed. The bulk delivery service still appears to fit within QLD requirements and hopefully a solution to grocery deliveries can be found. Thank you for your patience.

Cabbage machine

Agriculture labour shortages are as significant in the UK as they are in Australia. Crops left in the ground amount to a huge waste of investment and a disruption to the food supply. Automation is one solution that is on the table with a newly developed cabbage harvester now on the market. The machine is made in Belgium and lifts cabbages from the ground together with the root. The largest model can harvest about six acres a day, which is the work of nearly 30 labourers. The company claims that the return on investment can be recovered in as little as one season. The same company is also spruiking mechanical herb and leaf harvesters which reduce labour, it is claimed, by up to 90%; this model may be in competition with an Italian machine soon on the market that harvests lettuces. This may be the future of agriculture.

Australian mulberries

Mulberries, a childhood favourite, are not a popular fruit to grow commercially due to grey mould issues, short shelf life, and need to be hand picked. One South Australian farmer has put some thought into reviving the fruit’s commercial potential by using the ancient method of espaliering the tree into a trellis system. An espaliered tree produces fruit that can be machine harvested. The South Australian project now grows 4 hectares of mulberries and will produce 50 tons of fruit in 2022, much of which will be picked and flash frozen for bulk sale to juicing companies. The espalier system solves one problem, but not the delicate shelf life apparently.

Pratten-Bony Mountain fire call

The Pratten Bony Mountain rural fire brigade meet each month on the first Sunday for training. REsidents of Pratten and the surrounding areas are encouraged to attend the fire shed and meet the volunteers who keep them protected. New members sought. For more information call Martin Shepherd on 0413 037 965.

Fireants on our doorstep Two Scenic Rim postcodes, just across the Range, have been added to the fire ant biosecurity zone, bringing the pest ever closer to the Southern Downs. In July, fireants were discovered in the Tarome and Coulson areas. Tarome is now in fire ant biosecurity zone 1 and Coulson in zone 2. If you’re shipping soil, gravel, mulch, potted plants or turn to or from these zones please visit daf.engagementhub.com.au ....

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Darling Downs Health will be hosting a five day extravaganza at the Showgrounds...with a chance to get the Pfizer vaccine without having to jump over too many verticals (the pole jumps in showjumping, for the unitiated). Just turn up with you ID, your Medicare card, a pen...and apparently water and some comfortable shoes, as the wait can last a while (not big city queues, but still). The Warwick even takes place from the 24th (Tuesday) to the 27th (Friday, 8:30 am to 3:50 pm and a bonus half day on Saturday8:30 am to 1 pm at the Warwick Showgrounds.

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A COVID-19 vaccination ‘roadshow’ has passed through Texas (last week) and Stanthorpe (the week before) but this week, the show goes on...in Warwick. For country folk, there’s a chance to get the jab in the familiar surrounds of the Warwick Showgrounds.

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Three men have died from asphixiation in a manure pit in Ohio in the US, in a tragedy that illustrates the hidden risks of working with manure. The three men, brothers, appear to have died from asphixiation caused by intoxication by hydrogen sulfide while performing pump maintenance earlier this month. Researchers at the University of Purdue have looked at the 91 deaths and 21 severe injuries related to manure gas in the United States from 1974-2004, and the found that over a third of deaths occurred dujring maintenance and repair activities...with a further 22% involving those attempting to rescue those rendered unconscious by gas poisoning. The most dangerous manure gas is the one that killed the brothers, and is capable of causing immediate asphixiation if found at high levels. “Some of today’s economic imports to the farm, such as distiller’s grains or gypsum bedding, increase sulfur levels in manure,” Robert Meinen, senior extension associate in Purdue’s Department of Animal Science. “Microbial degradation of sulfur compounds in storage leaves hydrogen sulfide as a byproduct.” Australia has had a good run with poisoning deaths from manure pumps and stockpiles--partly because of livestock management approaches are different here to the States. Here, tractor deaths continue to be the most reported (and high profile) cause of unintentional deaths...and by far the most common cause of death of farm workers remains farm vehicles, tractors, ATVs and cars. Since 2001, over 1500 people have lost their lives on a farm due to non-intentional injury in Australia. Suffocation does rate in the Australian numbers, but it is dwarfed by the numbers that are injured and killed by machines.

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Death by manure

COUNTRYJOURNAL

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

FACE TO FACE Kim Zerner with gerard walsh

the trials and miracles of country living

AFTER being brought up on a property 42km west of Charleville, Kim Zerner came to Warwick to a role as a Farm Financial Counsellor. She worked in an office at the government building in Fitzroy St next door to her future husband Gary Zerner. “Gary and I started our relationship about a year after I arrived in Warwick,” she said. Now they are married with 15-year-old twins and this year have bought a business, Downs Heating, Cooling and Outdoors in Grafton St. Gerard Walsh: Tell me about your childhood in the west. Kim Zerner: We lived on our main property Mayfield, west of Charleville, and also had another property, Arranfield, further west. GW: What about schooling? KZ: I completed my schooling in Charleville, though I would have liked to attend boarding school for my senior years. My father was originally from Windorah and went to boarding school from the age of five. He then vowed he would never send his children to boarding school. GW: How did you get to school?

KZ: We travelled on the school bus, driven by local mums, which took one hour. After the school bus had been involved in a serious accident, it was restricted to travelling at no more than 60km/hr. GW: Did you achieve your objectives at school? KZ: School at Charleville got me to where I wanted to be academically. I then took a gap year and worked so I could save some money to put myself through university. At that time, the wool reserve price scheme was removed and this had a massive financial impact on my parents, along with the continual impact from droughts. I completed a Bachelor of Business majoring in Accounting. My first year at university was in Rockhampton and I then finished my degree at USQ in Toowoomba. After completing university and commencing my working career as an Accountant, I furthered my studies and became a Certified Practicing Accountant which I have maintained to this day. GW: Where did you start your career as an accountant? KZ: I wasn’t planning on returning to Charleville, however, an employment opportunity lead me home. I spent five and a half years as a taxation accounPublished, Printed, Designed, Owned, Administered....here tant, though wasn’t Not London. Not New York. passionate about staying in that role. Main phone number: GW: What about your move to 07-4641 7953 Warwick? Head office: 69 Dragon St Warwick KZ: I moved to A.C.N. 167 171 217

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Warwick after being appointed to a position of Farm Financial Counsellor in Warwick and worked at the DPI office in Guy St. When I resumed work after the twins were born, I became project manager for a local developer and then moved into a consultancy role for the government in both small business and primary production. I then spent time as a financial planner before returning back into the role as a Rural Financial Counsellor for the Federal Government. GW: What were some of the challenges in this role at the time? KZ: There were good times and bad times in the farming sector as a Financial Counsellor. Seasons, natural disasters, health issues, marital problems or difficulty with inter-family relationships were what we dealt with daily. At times we would involve Legal Aid to assist in mediating situations with family continued page 6..

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Big business in bush fruit Australia is a tough country, and trying to squeeze a living out of some of the more marginal acres from an agricultural perspective can be a struggle. When it comes to fruit, the apple--which DNA analysis suggests originated in the mountains of Kazakhstan, or the grape which was first cultivated in Asia Minor (think Turkey)--can be a hard sell to farmers working with the limits of water supply in Australia. Perhaps it’s not surpising then that a trend towards farming native Australian plant foods--think quandong, utjera, untries, finger lime, Davidson’s plum, and riberry--is starting to take off. Recently, the biggest native fruit orchard in Western Australia announced itself, growing the Kakadu plum (the Terminalia ferdinandiana), a fruit with an extremely high vitamin C content and antioxidents. This plum is more like a cherry in size...and even when

ripe, bitter, but it’s often used in concentrates for everything from chutneys to icecreams. The orchard has been under planning for six years and two months ago about 900 trees, irrigated and on a fertilizer regime, were planted by the Mamabulanjin Aboriginal Corporation. The trees, called gubinge, should produce five kilos of fruit per tree each season. It is estimated that the first hectare would garner $156,000 in income so an orchard of 30 hectares would be valued at about $5.2 million. There’s a lot of potential to be had... there are an estimated 25,000 species of plants native to Australia and 2400 of these are fruiting rainforest plants found in Queensland alone--and not all of

COUNTRYJOURNAL

them are tropical species. Back in 2019 an analysis selected the Kakadu plum as one of ten Australian fruits likely to make it big: in addition, they picked the bush tomato Solanum centrale, Davidson’s plum Davidsonia pruriens, desert lime Citrus glauca, finger lime Citrus australasica, lemon aspen Acronychia acidula, muntries Kunzea pomifera, quandong Santalum acuminatum, Tasmanian pepper berry Tasmannia lanceolata and riberry Syzygium luehmannii and the Illawarra plum Podocarpus elatus as another likely contender. In terms of the climate around here, a number of these (including the Tasmanian plum, the riberry and the pepper berry) may be an option, and there are native figs to be found that have potential. However don’t think in terms of sending your produce to the Rocklea markets....these are specialist foods, with specialist markets, and specialist prices... Prices for whole finger limes can be as high as $80AU/kg, for example.

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continued from page 4... farms and creditors. Farm financial counsellors were there for financial analysis of scenarios and emotional support. I experienced farmers who were struggling or at times suicidal where we would refer them to other services for support, such as Lifeline. Some days were extremely tough, witnessing men my father’s age in tears was devastating. GW: What area did you cover? KZ: I worked in the Southern Downs Region, across to Inglewood, Clifton and over the range to Boonah. GW: Tell us about the birth of your twins? KZ: I was 28 weeks pregnant and we travelled home to Charleville as my parents, Chas and Dawn Cartwright, were having a clearing sale on the home property. We arrived in Charleville on the Friday night, the sale was on the Saturday and then my water broke at 7.30pm Saturday. I had no idea what was happening as it was my first pregnancy. I had experienced complications on the way. Gary contacted our doctor in Toowoomba and drove me to the Charleville Hospital. I was flown to Mater Mothers Hospital in Brisbane by the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the twins were born 12 weeks premature at 7.30am on the Monday. GW: How were the twins at birth? KZ: Our twins were born quite healthy though we were warned they would have a ‘honey moon period’. Life in the ICU was a rollercoaster. We saw our babies stop breathing many times. Bryce was ventilated on day two and at two weeks of age, Alexis contracted bacterial meningitis. Alexis was in ICU for four weeks and Bryce for seven weeks. I

had to live in Brisbane at the time, luckily the hotel was only 100m from the hospital. Our premmie twins spent 8.5 weeks in Brisbane before being transferred to Toowoomba and later home. They are both in good health now with

Alexis, as they had been apart since birth. From that moment he breathed on his own. There is a special bond between twins. Bryce and Alexis are our Mater Little Miracles. GW: What about sport for the family? KZ: The children played soccer and hockey in Warwick for many years. Last year, we stepped away from weekend sport to allow us to go away for weekends and caravan, however, Covid put a stop to those plans. GW: What made you take on a business? KZ: We weren’t looking for a business at the time but when it was presented to us by a friend, we recognised the success and potential for growth and opportunity. I look at everything as a business and it comes down to the figures and once we completed our due diligence, we knew it was for us. We took over the business on February 1, 2021 and love what we do. GW: Was it tough during the pandemic going into business? KZ: We knew the business was already operating sucKim Zerner reflects on the ups and downs of cessfully through Covid due her family’s life on the Southern Downs. to its diversity. We are local gas distributors and sell Bryce wood and gas heaters, air conditioners only having mild asthma. and camping equipment. GW: How tough was that period the Unbeknown to us, we were the biggest twins were in hospital. supplier of wood heater spare parts in KZ: It was a worrying time given we Australia, we not only supply and dissaw many babies not survive. As strong tribute in Australia, we export to six as I was, I cried when we were called countries which is unbelievable. We back to the hospital late one night to be told Alexis had meningitis. This was our have an online business in addition to lowest time and there was a risk of long our shop front in Grafton St. GW: Have you been involved in farmterm brain damage. Bryce was reliant ing? on a breathing apparatus (CPAP) until continued next page.... the day he was reunited with his sister,

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COUNTRYJOURNAL continued from previous page... KZ: We both grew up on the land and my financial roles were mostly in Agriculture and Gary was always in this sector. In recent years we ran a livestock business with cattle on agistment in NSW where Gary would buy and sell but did a lot of research on the cattle business and used a trading program. He was analytical about when it rained, carrying capacity, grazing and weight gain charts. This was financially successful for us though it was hard for us emotionally to sell our cattle as we moved forward into this business. GW: What about your new dealership? KZ: We are becoming the local reseller of Kings Camping and 4WD equipment as a further expansion. GW: How do you see the future of Warwick?

KZ: It is growing, it is incredible to see the number of people moving from Brisbane, the Gold Coast and other states who are all installing a wood heater. GW: What about the future of farming? KZ: Who knows, the nation has to be fed but there are many unknown factors in farming. Some sectors will prosper and some may not. I strongly believe in a business approach to whatever you do and who would have envisaged we would have COVID-19. Farmers have an emotional connection to their business as does any business owner, there is even a greater connection in a farming business when livestock are involved. Anyone struggling with depression can call Lifeline on 131114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224636

An American classic’s Southern Downs mystery

The story goes that in approximately 1920 a sheep farm in the Southern Downs had a particularly good year and the family celebrated with a trip to the USA where they bought a Willys-Knight Model 20 Sedan (four door) which they toured in then shipped back to the farm. Story goes this rare car was converted to drive farm machinery powering chaff cutters for example... but when the engine stopped, it was consigned to the farm dump. Around 1970 it was rescued by Norm Bartlett with assistance from the son of the original owner, taken to Brisbane, where it survived the 1974 flood. The restoration has provided strong evidence in support of this story in term of fitting and marking. However, the original location and owner is still a mystery which the current custodian is keen to solve. So, if you know of an old timber wheeled Willys-Knight sedan which was in the district can you please contact 0408609331. Contributed by Ben Boland

Boogie Bounce at CWA Get excited for the Killarney Boogie Bounce is coming to Mt Colliery. The Boogie Bounce Pop Up Class will start on September 18 at 9 am at the Mt Colliery CWA Hall. Boogie Bounce is a complete exercise program on a mini trampoline, choreographed to an eclectic mix of popping music. Suitable for all ages. To book your spot, phone Nadia on 0439 518 503.

Book fair, Yangan kids Book Week 2021 is almost nigh in Yangan. Wednesday 25 August, 9amYangan State School’s Book Week parade-students come dressed as their favourite character. Followed by the Yangan Book Fair on Thursday 26 to Tuesday 31 August. Come spend up big on the latest titles at the book fair open 8:15 am - 8:45 am, lunch breaks and until 3:30 daily.

What’s on Thulimbah resin art Fancy creating a work of art in resin? The Thulimbah State School is holding resin workshops for anyone aged 16 and over as a fundraiser for the school. The workshops start Sunday, 12 September at 11 am at the Eukey Hall. The lazy susan workshop is fully booked out but there are places still available for the serving tray workshop ($75) and the chopping board and 4 coaster workshop ($80). For more information email jharv142@eq.edu.au

Wheatvale prep mornings The Wheatvale State School is holding its first prep open morning on 1 September from 9 - 11 am. This is important to attend if your child is turning 5 before June 30, 2022. Other prep open mornings will be held in October and December. Register your interest today by emailing admin@wheatvaless.eq.edu.au

COUNTRYJOURNAL

It is getting around to that time of the year again, the Warwick Rodeo, which stands out as one of the three biggest events in the Australian Professional Rodeo Association calendar.

The Long Paddock with Gerard Walsh

I recall hearing rugby league teams from Toowoomba complaining about travelling to Goondiwindi once a season. The men and women in the APRA think nothing of driving from Warwick to Nebo, Emerald or even further for one event, up to eight seconds on the back of a bucking bull or horse, or a little longer chasing a catch in a timed event. The busiest period in the APRA in Queensland is from June to August when the Northern Run has 10 or more rodeos. While many riders do stay in the north between Cloncurry and Mt Isa Rodeos, others fly from interstate to compete at two of the big three, the other being the Ariat National Finals Warwick Rodeo. In the past three or four years, two of the Eastwell Brothers, Mitch and Brock, have been major winners in rope and tie at the national finals in Warwick. To compete in the finals, riders must finish in the top 15 in prizemoney and success at Mt Isa last weekend almost secures a spot in the finals. Due to COVID-19, prizemoney in 2020 and 2021 is added together to determine the standings leaders. It was good to see Warwick rider Mitch Eastwell win round 1 of the rope and tie at Mt Isa, in a time of 11.6 seconds. Kylie Hancock gave Warwick more success with a third in round 1 of breakaway roping and 5th in the aggregate at Mt Isa. Fred Osman now lives in the west but at one time was calling Gore, halfway from Warwick to Inglewood, home. At Mt Isa, he was first and third in the rounds and first in the aggregate in the bareback bronc ride. Interesting to see the oldest competitor in

Australia in the sport, perhaps the world, Bob Holder, 90, compete in open and over 55s team roping at Mt Isa. He travelled from Cootamundra in New South Wales and had plenty to celebrate as daughter Kerrie was first in round 1 and the aggregate in the ladies barrel race. One wouldn’t hazard a guess about what will happen to community and top level sport in the next six months due to the pandemic. The reality is that a town like Warwick needs the economic stimulus of the rodeo. We have missed one and a bit rodeos in the past 30 years. Even though it often rains during rodeo week, an outstanding quality arena means the action is almost non stop. Last year, there was no rodeo due to the pandemic and the only other year was 2007 when equine influenza hit all horse sports. I went to my third cousin, twice removed, Google, to see what year EI hit the horse industry and the answer is 2007. The most interesting Google answer was that there was equine influenza in North America in 1872. One hopes that the gaps between COVID19 are just as long as the gap between EI here and in North America as per my Google search. Going through the Mt Isa results, past Warwick Rodeo bull ride winner Troy Wilkinson won the open bull ride at Mt Isa and western New South Wales rider Anthony Caldwell was first in the saddle bronc. My first memories of rodeo was watching a cowboy like Taroom star Jimmy McGuire in action at the Warwick Rodeo.

Now 40 odd years later, he could have a grandson roping in Warwick after one enjoyed a minor placing at Mt Isa. A smaller arena was put up in 2007 to have a cattle only rodeo. There was more emphasis on a women’s steer ride and the men had more chances to compete in the bull ride. I reckon 2007 was the scariest I have been at a rodeo. I don’t take photo of bucking bulls in the arena but we all feel for a ride who is in trouble. One bull didn’t want to run out of the arena in 2007 and officials let Dale Groves out on the next bull. After Dale’s ride, both bulls lined him up. I spoke to Dale afterwards and it was no big deal for Dale to be between two mighty Brahman bulls. There were a few injuries in the cowgirl ranks but the rodeo did go ahead without horses. If COVID-19 continues to be more of a problem in the southern states than in Queensland, we could end up with more stock from the Sunshine State, especially stock from the Southern Downs region, at the Ariat National Finals Warwick Rodeo. Handlers must come with the stock. And I am leaving the most important fact to last, the rodeo events in Warwick will be on October 27-31 with the campdraft starting a couple of days earlier.

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Kiwis enjoying high livestock prices Australian livestock prices have enjoyed significant growth this year and, unsurprisingly, our cousins in New Zealand are enjoying a similar phenomenon. New Zealand sheep and cattle achieved historic price highs this week, with lamb and mutton prices reaching 908cents and 660 cents/kg cwt, respectively, amid dwindling supply and strong demand. Beef prices in particular climbed to new peaks, with slaughter steers and cows reaching 607 cents and 461 cents/kg cwt respectively, according to a report by Meat and Livestock Australia.

Sheepmeat prices in New Zealand have, since March this year, risen briskly thanks to huge demand and reduced slaughter levels. MLA reports that an earlier offload

of prime lambs in 2021 resulted in winter slaughter supply shorter than expected. Australian lamb prices are also at their highest level since March last year with the heavy lamb price currently at 978cents with mutton at 680cents/kg cwt. New Zealand beef prices have been pushed upwards due to the demand from the US and China combined with limited Australian supply. Heavy steer prices in Australia reached 786cents/kg cwt, higher than New Zealand levels. Nevertheless, high beef prices are encouraging an offload in New Zealand with slaughter steer and cow prices reaching 607cenets/kg and 461cents/kg cwt respectively, the highest levels for about two years.

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Seasonal labour? Southern Downs growers desperate for seasonal labour will be interested to know that Queensland has opted into the Pacific Labour Scheme and Seasonal Worker Programme. To participate, employers must be an approved employer and receive Australian Government approval for their recruitment plan; for on-farm quarantine, this plan must include an International Quarantine Plan and approved employers must coordinate with each other. It is a reasonably onerous process which is explained on the DAF website. The Courier Mail earlier this year reported that 160 overseas workers were quarantining at Grantham east of Toowomba to help a severe shortage of labour on the vege farms of the Lockyer Valley, with more to come...

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

Crossdraw Country bigger and better Look out, Southern Downs, the retail sector is doing well and moving up. A beloved Southern Downs quality country-wear shop has moved to larger premises in Palmerin Street, Warwick, just outside the entrance to Rose City Shopping. Tanya Roache, owner of Crossdraw Country Co. told The Daily Journal that they moved locations on Tuesday last week after three years in the previous spot. "Business is good," she said, "Jumpers & Jazz was really good, we feel very lucky." Tanya has a keen eye for quality cottons and denims and can tell from a distance if a lady is wearing top of the range denims with a cut that suits her body type or just a run-of-the mills brand. Crossdraw Country attracts a diverse customer base from country ladies looking for practical but fashionable shirts, pants or dresses to men needing hats or comfortable shorts to kids ready to try n their first Thomas Cook plaid shirt or Cinch White Label jeans. For the traditional woman, Crossdraw

Country carries a line of curvy chic wear including Ariat jeans in different cuts and hoodies. Hand tooled wallets for both men and women are on display as are a super-cute range of western-style handbags, tote bags and gear bags. Crossdraw Country Co. also offers jewelry, including Montana Silversmith, accessories, leather handbags made in Queensland, a wide

range of footwear and even unique toys like the BCT Liittle Bucker Mutton Buster for toddlers or the BCT Duck Hunting Set. With space to browse and plenty of change room space an entire morning can be easily whiled away in the airy, well-appointed shop. Customers appreciate Tanya's product knowledge and it is no surprise to hear that her customers have remained loyal to the brand for several years now. Can't make it to town? Order on Crossdraw Country's extensive website and follow them on Instagram.

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

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$287,000 LOW MAINTENANCE

$245,000

• 5 bed unit, all built-in, main kingsized/ensuite • Formal lounge • Air-con open-plan family/dining • Outdoor entertaining & landscaped courtyard • Modern kitchen - gas hob, electric oven, dishwasher & pantry • 2nd fenced courtyard - garden shed • Shared communal BBQ, playground, sporting facilities

Well-maintained home in an estate where comfort is king . • 3 bedrooms, all built-in • Main bedroom has ensuite • Open-plan living with slider to undercover entertaining • Atrium windows above modern electric kitchen • Laundry in garage • Rain water tank in enclosed courtyard

INVESTORS: Renting at $300 per week

STOP URGENT!! 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

COTTAGE ON ACREAGE

$299,000 • 3 bed, north facing verandah • Main bedroom has built-ins • Separate lounge has wood fire • Modern kitchen dining combo • Split system air-con • Solar hot water • Entertainment area • Double garage • 3 fenced paddocks

INVESTORS: Currently renting at $300 per week

53 FITZROY STREET, WARWICK www.helenharm.com

INVESTORS: Renting at $280 per week

RURAL ACREAGE

$500,000 Set up for horses - dam, bore feeding tanks, water troughs in each paddock • 10 .45 ha fenced to paddocks & laneways • Main sheds - 20m x 8m, 12m x 5m, 4 bay garage/workshop/shed • 3 bed hardiplank – open plan • Electric kitchen, dining & family • Fully screened north facing full length verandah • Large bathroom, separate toilet & laundry

LAND • WARWICK - 2851m², high profile Commercial, flat block, power, town water, curb & channel . . . . . . . . .$427,000 • WARWICK - 1330m², near facilities, power, town water, curb & channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$185,000 • WARWICK - 1 .16 Ha on spring fed creek, bitumen frontage, power, fenced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$189,000 • MARYVALE - 2023m², power nearby, school, bitumen road frontage, VIEW . . . . - Under Contract . . . . . . .$85,000 • MARYVALE - 3642m², power available, character with gully, VIEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$50,000 • LEYBURN - 2965m², power available, close to school, VIEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - SOLD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$50,000 • HENDON - 3819m², adjoining blocks, 2 deeds, power at road, new home area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$80,000 • PRATTEN - 4047m² (2 available), bitumen road, water & power available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$90,000

See www.helenharm.com for more listings

0408 457 496

COUNTRYJOURNAL

Krista’s Country

with Krista Bjorn

Verdant oasis in Hirstglen Preparing gardens for spring is a big job, but by breaking it down into smaller tasks, you could soon have a flourishing garden filled with flowers, veggies, and maybe even a few fruit trees. Carolyn Crawford moved to her Hirstglen property about ten years ago and immediately began getting the ground ready for gardens. “Gardening keeps me sane,” she said. What was once empty ground covered with couch grass and kikuyu is now a verdant oasis of 9 garden beds, rambling grape vines, an orchard with 60 trees, numerous flower beds, and a burgeoning bush tucker food forest. Carolyn can't remember a time when she wasn't gardening. “My first job, I was five,” she said. “I used to pick vegetables for a Chinese market gardener.” She comes from a long line of independent women who gardened, including her grandmother who raised eight children on fruit and vegetables she grew on terribly rocky soil then traded

any surplus for necessities.

Carolyn Crawford with the bounty of her garden. Photo: Krista Bjorn.

When spring approaches, Carolyn's first job is preparing the soil. “You've got to kill the grass first,” she said. “Then pile on lots and lots and lots of composted cow manure, or whatever manure you can get your hands on. Spread it over the patch, as much as you can get.” Finally, she adds a

thick layer of lucerne mulch. “You can use sugarcane or whatever,” Carolyn said, “it'll do the job of retaining water. But lucerne contains a lot of protein and minerals and it feeds the soil as it breaks down.” If she's short on time, Carolyn will dig in the cow manure to give it a head start on breaking down, but she much prefers the sit and wait approach. “If you've got time, let it sit and the worms will take it down to the soil for you,” she advises. “Save your back and let them do the work for you.” Once the soil is prepared, the plan- continued next page..

COUNTRYJOURNAL ning and planting begin. Carolyn is a firm believer in only planting what she actually enjoys eating. “There's not much point in planting things you're not going to eat,” she said. She also plants more than she and her family can eat so that she has plenty to share with others or exchange at her local food swap. When she was younger, Carolyn would plant everything, but nowadays she's transitioning to perennials like asparagus and sweet potatoes and plants that last a few years before needing to be replaced like chillies and silverbeet. She saves the annuals If you are an essential for pots worker and hold an XQ, clustered XN and X pass allowing around her you to cross the QLDhome NSW border, you are now where she required to have at least can easily one dose of a COVID vac- water, feed, cination and are eligible weed, and to walk into the vaccinaharvest withtion centres without a out stressing booking. For more infor- her back. mation visit daf.engageShe invests menthub.com.au/ much of her ag-covid-vaccine. time and

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effort in her orchard and food forest now, planting trees and bushes that will provide her with fruit, nuts, and seasonings for years to come. In her orchard she's adding to her vast collection of mulberries, avocados, macadamias, cherries, stone fruits, citrus, pears, and passionfruit. Her bush tucker food forest is sprinkled with sturdy seedlings of Flinders Plum, Burdekin Plum, lil-

Warwick Saleyard Report CONTRIBUTED BY ROSS ELLIS MCDOUGALL & SONS Agents yarded smaller numbers to the weekly sales across all livestock divisions. Cattle numbers were at 471 head, sheep and lamb numbers were at 638. The markets were firm across all sections with some stock back to the paddock at dearer rates. Feeder steers averaged 499.3c to a top of 564.2c/kg or $2112.47 to $2509.44 Feeder heifers averaged 464.2c to a top of 496.2c/kg or $1634.36 to $1796.08 Vealer steers averaged 588.7c to a top of 684.2c/ kg or $1532.18 to $2064.99 Vealer heifers averaged 540.2c to a top of 588.2c/kg or $1392.90 to $1764.42 Yearling steers averaged 507.6c to a top of 719.2c/kg or $1732.29 to $2457 Yearling heifers averaged 460c to a top of 594.2c/kg or $1568.72 to $2530 Steers averaged 437.5c to a top of 536.2c/kg or $2206.82 to $2550.33. Heifers averaged 374.2c to a top of 506.2c/kg or $1735.21 to $2036.65 Manufacturing steers averaged 379.2c/kg to make $2294.16. Cows averaged 314.1c/kg to a top of 345.2c/kg or $1670.38 to $3124.06. Bulls averaged 340.4c to a top of 524.2c/kg or 41767.43 to $2791.36 Lambs topped at $270 to average $197.10 a rise of $8/head week on week. Hoggets topped at $190 to average $177.50 a rise of $4/head week on week. Ewes topped at $202 to average $143.75 a drop of $7/ head week on week. Wethers topped and averaged $185 up $15/head week on week Lamb rams topped at $390 to average $360.40 up $124/head week on week. Ewe lambs topped at $270 to average $252.86 up $37/head week on week Poultry prices were up and down depending on the quality, Ducks sold to $30, Drakes to $17.50, Ducklings to $30, Hens to $25, Roosters to $15, Guinea Fowl to $15 Pigs were down in numbers but sold quite well with Boars to $130, Sows to $290, Baconers to $164, Pork to $185 and Stores selling from $50 to $148 per head.

lypilly, gumbi gumbi, cinnamon myrtle, lime myrtle, and a peanut tree. Carolyn loves that when it comes to gardening, you can always adjust your plans to suit not only your terrain, climate, and taste buds, but also your health and energy levels. All photos, Krista Bjorn

GEORGE & FUHRMANN, WARWICK VENDOR DESCRIPTION - Cents/KG - WEIGHT - $TOTAL BULLS Paroo Contracting , Dalveen, Murray Grey Bull, 307.2/705/2,165 COWS S Sonego, Pozieres, Hereford Cow, 335.0/660/2,211 G & S Hardcastle, Old Koreelah, Hereford Cows, 335.0/608/2,038 STORE COWS Midway, Elbow Vy, Charolais x Brahman Cows, 341.2/485/1,654 BULLOCKS Plainsview, Wyreema Angus/Limo (0-2t), 437.2/583/2,550 Lacefield Pty Ltd, Goomburra Limousin (0-2t), 429.2/568/2,439 EXPORT HEIFERS Plainsview, Wyreema, Angus/Limo Heifers (0-2t), 440.0/506/2,226 G & S Hardcastle, Old Koreelah, Hereford Heifer (6t), 354.2/575/2,036 HEAVY FEEDER STEERS Tommax, Tannymorel, Angus Steers (2t), 552.2/454/2,509 Salileo’s Farm, Glen Aplin, Angus x Steers (4t), 498.2/500/2,491 Lacefield Pty Ltd, Goomburra, Limousin (0t), 490.2/464/2,273 Gilmore Grain & Grazing, Clifton, Angus x Steers (0t) 487.2/430/2,094 DOMESTIC FEEDER STEERS W Fearby, Inglewood, Angus Steer, 564.2/380/2,144 TH9 Pastoral, Nobby, Angus x Steers, 530.2/370/1,961 WEANER STEERS W Fearby, Inglewood, Santa x Steers, 596.2/282/1,679 C & T Lockhart, Junabee, Angus Steer, 596.2/265/1,579 WEANER HEIFERS R & M Roche, Maryvale, Angus x Heifers, 562.2/314/1,767 C & T Lockhart, Junabee, Angus Heifer/530.2/250 /1,325

COUNTRYJOURNAL

weather snapshot Spring (September to November) rainfall is looking interesting from both a rainfall and temperature perspective, and today’s maps make that strikingly clear. So, there is likely to be above median (most common, rather than ‘average’) rainfall for the eastern two-thirds of Australia (see the blue-themed map to the right). Maximum temperatures for September to November are likely to be above median for the northern tropics and far south-east Australia, but for us, maximum daytime temperatures are likely to be average to cool. It’s when you turn to the prophecies for above median MINIMUM temperatures that things get very interesting--that blanket dark red means that meteorologists are almost certain that overnight temperatures are going to be on the warm side. The negative Indian Ocean Dipole is

forecast to continue for spring, and large parts of the eastern Indian Ocean are warmer than average. This is having an influence, naturally: the Dipole can favour above average winter–spring rainfall for parts of Australia. The El Niño–Southern Oscillation is neutral, with cooling of the tropical Pacific likely in the coming months. This may also be increasing the chances of above average spring rainfall. As for this week, well it looks a bit like the forecast for spring itself: very decent chance of above median range (above 60% in the border reigon), pretty normal day-time temps but overnight temps very very likely to be warmer than we are used to. If you want something a little more precise than that, check your rain gauge and thermometer :)

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

A hall from the days when little towns had picture theatre CONTRIBUTED BY HILARY NEDEN The Mt Colliery QCWA Hall (pictured) was built in 1918 and stands on Githabul Country. At the time, it was run by a trust of local residents in the mining village of Mt Colliery. It was the social hub for coal miners, timber getters, farming and community families. The town had a library, picture theatre, stage for theatre productions, card evenings and dances. There was never a pub in Mt Colliery and locals will tell you the miners would walk four kilometres to Tannymorel, which had three pubs, to have a beer or two and by the time they walked home they were sober! In 1949, the Mt Colliery branch of the Country Women’s Association was formed by Mrs. Bridget Roach (MBE). Over the years, the hall has been under threat of closure and in 2016, following a public meeting, a new QCWA committee was formed. Since then, the Hall has become the social hub of the community with Jumpers and Jazz in July, arts and craft days, Community Christmas function, workshops, private functions and now, the Festival of Small Halls. The Mt Colliery committee is very proud of their 103-year-old timber hall with its original stage, flooring and structure, and plan to keep this building available for the community in the years to come. The current committee is president Vanessa Taylor, secretary Hilary Neden and treasurer Tracy Spragge. This year, Mt Colliery attracted a crowd

of 200 for its Jumpers and Jazz event which included stalls, morning and afternoon teas and lunch. Some J and J patrons went from Freestone and Mt Colliery halls on the first Saturday of Jumpers and Jazz and on to Killarney for the Bonfire Night. This year’s Festival of Small Halls will start at Glen Aplin on September 1 and ends on September 12 at Mt Colliery. Other halls involved with the festival this year are Eukey, Wallangarra, Dalveen, Cunningham, Leyburn, Allora, Freestone and Karara. The doors for Festival of Small Halls will open at Mt Colliery Hall at 6.30pm on September 12 and cost will be $20 per person, children under 17 free.

There will be refreshments available. The entertainment at Mt Colliery will be from Paddy McHugh, Sue Ray and the Fern Brothers, James and Thomas. September will be a busy month at Mt Colliery as the annual Saddle, Waddle and Pedal will this year start at Mt Colliery Hall on September 26 and be a ride and walk up Farm Creek and back to Mt Colliery. Mt Colliery QCWA volunteers will provide the food for the day. The last major upgrade to the hall was funding to upgrade the veranda. The hall committee is now seeking funding to paint the hall and some ongoing maintenance.

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