Country Journal, Edition #12 - August 30, 2021

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

CountryJournal Week commencing August 30th 2021

Rise of the super clouds

Australia experienced more of these once-highly unusual weather-generating fires in the 2019-20 bushfire season than in the previous 30 years, the royal commission into national natural disaster arrangements was told. Huge, thunderstorm-type clouds called pyrocumulonimbus formed over fires, a case of fire creating weather as much as weather creating fire. Of course, down below, conditions were hot, dry and dangerous before the clouds even formed, but once they formed, these superclouds were capable of generating their own winds, their own lightning strikes...their own fires... More on the pyro super clouds, inside back.

One stop hub/ shop

The idea of creating a ‘farm to fork’ opportunity for Southern Downs producers to easily share the products they grow and produce with the local community has got local gardeners Carolyn Crawford and David Crowther keen, and ambitious.

The two gardeners envision a hub in the community, a central location where established producers, home gardeners, and local artisans can bring their wares and the community and travellers can have easy access to the very best produce, body care products, plants, and crafts the Southern Downs has to offer. Krista(07) 46 619 835 Bjorn lays outE warwick@rfsteelbuildings.com.au the story, page 13

Rose Bowl heart racer

Bill Gross from Gross Wholesale Meats with Jimmy Grills (Albury Holbrook) who won the champion horse award and best horse and rider at the IOR Rose Bowl Polocrosse at Morgan Park, with his horse Scarlet. There was a dramatic end to the IOR Rosebowl Ope Final at Morgan Park near Warwick, with a golden goal in extra time needed to decide the champions. Full report inside.

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

Country briefs Dog job advertised A new station hand role provides the unique opportunity to lead a team of dogs.

Tobacco haul on border

Angus dominated beef herd.

The main responsibility of the job is the movement, management and welfare of livestock, with the role providing the unique opportunity to own a team of efficient and effective working dogs.

Police intercepted a New South Wales registered semi-trailer at the Queensland – New South Wales border checkpoint at Coolangatta this week, locating a large quantity of illicit tobacco and tobacco related products.

The full-time, permanent position, comes with a host of benefits, as well as a working dog allowance, annual vaccinations and registrations for up to two dogs, as well as training and development opportunities.

Ashmore Station is looking for a Senior Station Hand - Livestock to join the team.

Stocking 30,000 sheep, the 7,354ha property produces fine wool, prime lamb as well as having a 3000 head

Officers from the Crime and Intelligence Command, Major and Organised Crime Squad – South East Region stopped and searched the vehicle after it crossed into Queensland.

Police located illicit tobacco and tobacco related products, with an estimated value of $600,000. A 59-year-old man has been questioned and investigations are continuing.

Interested persons can apply for the job on Seek.

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At around 3.40pm police intercepted the tow truck at the border and directed the male driver to open the boot of a sedan positioned on the tray.

A search of the trunk uncovered a 49-year-old woman hiding under blankets and clothing.

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A woman was fined for attempted to cross the border concealed in the boot of a car that was on the back of a tow truck in Goondiwindi last week.

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The woman had been denied entry to Queensland at the same border crossing in Goondiwindi on two previous occasions. She was arrested and transported to Boggabilla in New South Wales and fined $4,135 for Fail to Comply – COVID-19 Border Direction.

Containerless Shipping container demand growth continued to run ahead of supply growth in the second quarter of this year. The combination of strong US goods consumption, higher throughput capacity and re-opening in Europe are expected to drive average year-on-year container demand growth at around 2%-4% for the second half of 2021.

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

Meatworkers to get priority for vax this week Food security is a clear priority: Premier

Workers at Southern Downs meatworks and abattoirs are urged to get a COVID-19 vaccination--and there’s a good scientific reason why concerns are focused on the industry: they keep conditions inside their plants deliberately chilled.

What do you think of Community Grants scheme?

Southern Downs Regional Council is calling on the community to provide feedback on the 2021 Grants to Community Policy and its associated guidelines. A huge number of local organisations and projects receive some funding from Council each year, so public input is critical to the revised policy. In recent years Council has had a larger role in providing grants to local initiatives. Mayor Vic Penissi told The Country Journal that he can remember when the pool of Council grant funds was only about $2000. In 2021more than $1 million committed to local community, cultural and environmental initiatives in the budget. To participate visit the SDRC website.

EA SY

of one of the staff at the plant testing positive, but the plant, a key employer in the region, stayed open. That was the 25th of March.

Less than three weeks later, 644 staff at the factory had tested positive...and the factory only closed when a staff member died.

The direct death toll (of plant workers) rose to four, but the plant proved to be an incubator for the city, with 41,895 confirmed cases to date, and 443 deaths in a city smaller than Toowoomba.

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Lab studies with coronaviruses show that hot weather tends to kill of COVID on exposed surfaces, while comfortable room temperature can see the virus last for several days. At refrigeration temperatures and the relatively low humidity associated with refrigreration, COVID-19 can last a month or more.

Therefore it comes as no surprise that workers at some of Queensland’s largest meatworks and food distribution centres will be prioritised for vaccination as part of a plan announced by the Queensland Government.

The Southern Downs is home to several meat processors including John Dee at Warwick and Carey Brothers at Yangan--but the Big W Distribution centre is al Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said vaccination coordinators were working with eight food distribution centres and 20 meatworks that the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries had identified as critical for food supply throughout Queensland.

From this week, employees at crucial food depots will be offered the chance to be vaccinated at work.

“Food security is a priority,”the premier said, “but anecdotally, we know that the take up at food distribution sites across the state has been low. From next week, we’ll begin a program to vaccinate employees on site at a number of our largest food distribution centres and meatworks.”

If one looks to the example of the US, it’s easy to understand the state government’s concern. The largest ‘hotspot’ of COVID in the US in 2020 emerged very early on in the ciris a the ninth largest pork processing facility in the US, at Smithfield in South Dakota. An eight-story white factory parked beside the Big Sioux River processes 19,500 pigs a day, and hosts 3,700 workers around the clock. On the 25th of March, the daughter of a couple working at the plant leaked to the media notification

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

Getting on the right path CONTRIBUTED BY RICK HUMPHRIES

change paints a stark and alarming picture extremes. Its focus on soil health, ground in regards to the emerging and future cover and biodiversity is not necessarily impacts of a more unstable and volatile clinew, but regenerative agriculture connects The Regenerative Agriculture Symposium mate. Nowhere is going to escape the up the dots and looks at these specific to be held on 4 impacts of human-induced climate management issues within a whole farm September n Stanthorpe change, including the Southern Downs system.” has taken on renewed and the Granite Belt,” said GBSAN “We are bringing farmers together with relevance with the recent President Rick Humphries. experts to discuss regen ag from a grower’s release of the United “We are fully aware of the impacts of perspective with a view to promoting its Nation’s latest report on the recent record-breaking drought. uptake, while recognising that the diversity the causes and impacts Now we are experiencing a record of agriculture on the Granite Belt and of climate change. The breaking “winter wet”. Who knows within the Southern Downs means there is Report makes for soberwhat the spring and summer will bring. no “one size fits all approach.” ing reading as it highWhile the Australian climate is noted lights the real and for its extreme emerging impacts of clievents, the fremate instability on agriquency and intenculture across the world. sity of these The Symposium, organised by the extremes seems Granite Belt Sustainable Action Network to be increasing (GBSAN), features nationally recognised Warwick Mower Centre will hold an Open Day on Saturday 4 which is consisauthor and regenerative agriculture advoSeptember from 9am to 1pm, to celebrate the re-opening of their tent with the cate Dr Charles Massy as well as Paul refurbished Ride-On Mower Showroom, incorporating a new extenmodeling,” he McDonald, CEO of Southern Queensland sion...There’ll be a sausage sizzle, giveaways and some serious lucky said.

Landscapes and Prof John Bennett, an door prizes – a Bushranger push mower, and a B645 Stihl bat“The ideas and expert in soils health and management management sys- tery-powered blower. from University of Southern Queensland.

Murray and Cheryl Sondergeld purchased the business on 1 April Most importantly, the event is designed to tems behind 1982. In 1991 they purchased the existing building at 34 Palmerin regenerative give a voice to local Granite Belt and Street from the late Rita Cooney. In 2003 they expanded by purchasagriculture offer Southern Downs farmers in regards to primary produc- ing the adjoining building at 36 Palmerin Street to suit their ever-exhow they view regenerative agriculture, ers more tools to panding range. and issues and barriers limiting uptake of When they first acquired the business they had one part-time better deal with more sustainable agricultural practices. mechanic and an apprentice. They carried two models of ride-on these climatic “The most recent UN report on climate mowers, the biggest being a 10hp with a 30” cut and six models of Stihl Chainsaws. Now they have numerous models on display, plus 20 models of chainsaws available.

In 2011 Murray stepped back from the everyday running of the Published, Printed, Designed, Owned, Administered....here business to pursue his other interests – one being the Steam Not London. Not New York.

Railway. Matthew has now taken on the management role together with Cheryl, mechanic Ben and apprentice Ryanna. Murray is still Main phone number: keeping his presence by providing his expertise and knowledge when required.

07-4641 7953 The new showroom has been seven months in the making, due to the current conditions, but has been worth it. A big thanks to the Head office: 69 Dragon St Warwick tradespeople and the support from our loyal clients.

A.C.N. 167 171 217

Open Day catches the eye...and grass

The Small Newspaper Company

• Editor: Elizabeth Voneiff editor@thedailyjournal.ink * Sales: Gordon Bratby 0437 417 736 * Sales: Peter Schmidt 0447 105 846 sales@thedailyjournal.ink A little bit of legals While every care is taken to compile this newspaper accurately, we cannot be held responsible for any errors that may occur with advertisements or articles. All submitted content does not necessarily represent the opinions of The Small Newspaper Company or The Country Journal All art and editorial content remains the property of the relevant copyright holder and may not be reproduced without permission. If we have got something wrong, get in touch, and we will print a correction in our next edition...and apologies in advance!

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

Rural restoration recognised

Nominations are closing soon for the 2021 State and Territory Landcare Awards which recognise individuals, groups and organisations across the country for their outstanding contributions to preserving the unique Australian landscape.

Faced with the devastation of the Black Summer bushfires, drought, floods and the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of climate change, Landcarers across Australia have rallied in the wake of unparalleled challenges.

Restoring fragile habitat, rebuilding communities and providing an avenue for physical and mental wellbeing during the toughest of time, the 2021 State and Territory Landcare Awards is an opportunity to celebrate and honour Landcare heroes from urban and rural communities excelling in sustainable agricultural practices, environmental protection, conservation of land and waterways, coastlines and biodiversity.

Nominations are encouraged from groups, networks and individuals involved in protecting and improving their local environment. They include:

•Sustainable farmers and farming systems groups •Indigenous land and sea managers •Landcare networks, groups and individuals •Landcare Facilitators •Urban landcare groups including ‘Friends of’ and bushcare groups •Coastcare, Rivercare, Dunecare groups and individuals •Environmental community groups •Natural resource management agencies •Local government •Research agencies •Agricultural co-operatives, industry associations, suppliers or individual primary producers •Junior Landcare (including day care centres, primary and secondary schools) •Youth groups including Scouts and Girls Guides Winners from the 2021 State and Territory Landcare Awards will go forward as

1080 phase out Local governments across Queensland will receive grants totalling almost $370,000 to support the move away from state government-supplied 1080 concentrate for management of feral pests.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said all 46 local governments which had applied for funding under Round 6 of the Queensland Feral Pest Initiative (QFPI) had been successful.

“Since the 1970s, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has provided 1080 concentrate to local councils or landholders to control wild dogs, feral pigs, foxes, feral cats and rabbits, but that stockpile is now depleted,” Mr Furner said this week.

“There are now many commercial providers of 1080 and other products, and manufacturers have sufficient supply for our current needs.

“Through QFPI, the Queensland Government has now committed more than $25 million over five years to support the construction of cluster fencing and the control of invasive plants and animals.

“This funding is complemented by a $14 million investment from the Federal Government.

“As with previous rounds, these grants help reduce the impact of feral pests and support more jobs in the regions as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.”

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finalists for the 2022 National Landcare Awards that will be held in August 2022 during the 2022 National Landcare Conference.

Eight State and Territory Landcare award categories are now open for nominations: •Australian Government Individual Landcarer Award •Australian Government Partnerships for Landcare Award •Australian Government Landcare Farming Award •Coastcare Award •ACM Community Media Landcare Community Group Award •Woolworths Junior Landcare Team Award •KPMG Indigenous Land Management Award •Steadfast Young Landcare Leader Award If you are aware of a group, organisation or individual that needs to be recognised for their contribution to caring for our environment and communities, nominate them for a 2021 State and Territory Landcare Award at https://landcareaustralia.org.au/landcare-awards-2021/

COUNTRYJOURNAL

FACE TO FACE with gerard walsh After being brought up on a farm at Freestone, Bruce Shelley took up body building and has operated a family business for the past 48 years.

The business in Albion St was run by Frank Kelly and Bruce started an apprenticeship as a coach and motor body builder on February 1, 1967.

After finishing his apprenticeship and working for six years for Frank Kelly, he moved to Brisbane to work as a truck body builder.

“I didn’t like it in Brisbane and once Frank put his business up for auction, I bought it and started my own business on April 1, 1974,” he said.

The business, Shelleys Industries, now employers a staff of 15.

“We were up to 28 but every man and his dog got into truck and ute body building. We also have less local businesses which sell new utes and trucks,” he said.

He married Sherryl Swan (from Junabee) and they have two daughters, Jayne and Samantha, and three grandchildren.

Gerard Walsh: How tough was it at the start?

Bruce Shelley: There was only me working in the business and then my brother-in-law Bob Pollard would give me a hand after working all day at the fire station.

GW: What has been the toughest period in the business?

BS: Definitely 1976 as we had one metre of water through the shop in the big flood. The flood nearly put us out of business.

GW: What about more recent floods?

BS: The 2010 flood got to the front door and we had 300mm water through the business in 2011.

GW: Have you thought to move shop?

BS: No, we have a lot of traffic coming past each day.

GW: What about the introduction of GST? BS: GST made it easier as we didn’t have to add different levels of sales tax to different

Bruce Shelley the ‘body builder’

jobs, tools, steel and equipBruce Shelley at the entrance to Shelleys Industries ment. in Albion St. Photo: Gerard Walsh GW: Looking back, did you enjoy time on the farm at age. We would need more room for a major Freestone? expansion.

BS: I enjoyed the farm and during holidays GW: What were some of your biggest jobs? helped in the butcher’s shops at Freestone BS. The Big W Distribution Centre, we mainand Maryvale. I would feed the pigs and yard ly made alterations as needed during consheep and cattle twice a week. struction. We also did a lot of work for GW: Tell us about the early farm partnerMangan’s Slaughter Yards. ship?

GW: What is needed in Warwick?

BS: My uncle Oswald would do most of the BS: We need more manufacturing industries farming and my father Percy and older broth- in the town. The closure of the dairy factory in er Graham worked in the butcher shops and Victoria St was a major blow. We (Shelleys ran a mechanical business. I have two more Industries) did a lot of work at the factory. siblings, Lynette and Laurence. Now Laurence GW: Have the welders been getting better is working in Shelleys Industries with me. down the years.

GW: Have you had your own farm?

BS: Neil Steketee has been with me for 44 BS: After Sherryl’s mother died, we had a go years and is using one of the early MiG weldat farming but it was too much to farm along ers which is around 35 years old. with running the town business.

GW: What has the rain done to the industry?

GW: How far do you sell truck and ute bodBS: There has been a massive boost in our ies? business since the rain. People have confiBS: We go from Warwick and St George and dence Thargomindah and GW: You are a cricket tragic, tell us about through North your time as president of the Warwick Cricket Queensland to the Association?

Northern Territory.

BS: We kept cricket strong at the time.

GW: What have been GW: What cricket clubs have you played for. the changes in the BS: I started with Buffaloes then Sovereign, business?

BS: We always had Diggers and Diggers Mayfair.

GW: What about premierships? the front shop but have put in a bolt sec- BS: I remember playing in a winning Diggers Mayfair A-grade premiership side and was tion. The front shop has worked out pretty captain of reserve grade when we won a couple of premierships. I was mainly a wicketwell with the body keeper. building business at the back.

At that time, the Lucas family played for GW: Any thoughts of Diggers Mayfair, now some of Phil’s sons have played international rugby sevens and for the expansion?

Reds.

BS: No, not at my 03MH024Tue_CJ_Fon

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

Around the halls: Karara

7

GW: Who are some of the best cricketers to play in Warwick?

BS: Bruce Ready, Paul Johnston, Doc Bodimeade, Mark Steketee and Reg Freak who was phenomenal behind the stumps.

GW: You employed Queensland Bulls and Brisbane Heat paceman Mark Steketee for a time, how was that?

BS: Mark was at the front counter in the business and was a pleasure to work with, just like his father Neil. Mark was here for 12 months before he got his contract with the Bulls and Heat.

GW: What about the future for Mark?

BS: He is a good enough bowler to play for Australia. We were all excited at work when Mark was selected for the Test squad tour to South Africa and then disappointed when the tour was cancelled due to the pandemic.

The hall was built by the Bill said the thunderstorm GW: You have been part of the board

BY GERARD WALSH of the Warwick RSL Memorial Club, did community in 1927 and was lifted part of the roof and then you enjoy that time? continued page 9...

THE Festival of Small Halls initially a long narBS: Yes, I enjoyed my time on the row building.

There will come to the 94-year-old board, I was vice president but never Karara Hall on September 11. was a narrow supper stood for president as the president room on one side but There will be a display and needed more time than I could give to no stage. In 1956, talk by the Karara Rural Fire put into the club. A lot of good voluntimber from the area teers put their time into the board.

Service on Bush Fire prewas milled and the GW: How has life been in Warwick? paredness and three performwidth of the supper ing artists, Josephine Birch, BS: I have lived here all my life after room was doubled to going to Freestone State School and Paddy McHugh and Sue Ray. fit two rows of tables Warwick State High School. I saw what Bill and Joyce Fearby were and chairs. life was like when I worked for 10 custodians of the hall for 37 months in Brisbane so I have seen the Part of the hall at years, Bill as president and other side of life and didn’t like it. the front (north west Joyce as secretary/treasurer GW: What about the future of side) was converted before they moved to Warwick Warwick? to a stage. a decade ago. Their son Phil is BS: I believe a few decisions down the Things almost years have held the town back. Tourism now president, Ian Cullen vice changed for good in Gordon Bratby on 0437 417 736 president, Nadine Richards is a major industry for Warwick and or Peter Schmidt on 0447 105 846 a thunderstorm on secretary and Ben Hammond Morgan Park is a major drawcard.

Christmas Day, 1957. or email: sales@thedailyjournal.ink treasurer.

I recall playing cricket on two pitches at Morgan Park, we had to worry about sheep dung and stones in the days of cricket at Morgan Park but it is great to see the sporting hub that it is today.

GW: What are your hobbies?

WE ARE PLANNING BS: I remember fishing with TWO LUCKY DOOR Edgar McCulloch and his son PRIZES Eric. We fished in Leslie and Connolly dams and the 1. Bushranger push mower Condamine River as well as at (model 46TL4M) Texas and Goondiwindi. My uncle Jack McMonagle taught 2. Stihl battery powered blower me most of what I know about (model B645) fishing, TO CELEBRATE THE RE-OPENING OF OUR GW: What is the best fishing Hustler - Stihl - Cox REFURBISHED RIDE-ON MOWER SHOWROOM spot? representatives New extension incorporates a fully dedicated showroom BS: We had the most success will be present to for Stihl and Honda battery powered products in the Dumaresq River at Texas. answer any questions Down the years, I have also gone fishing at Moreton Island with past Diggers Mayfair cricketer Tony Chapman, Laurie Ogden and Bruce Ready. We were all good mates and liked fishing. My biggest catch was a 16kg cod at Texas.

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

We are feeding 10 steers on grain at our Greymare property at present hoping to make a profit from buying and selling cattle.

The 10 steers were bought along with 90 heifers in the past year.

We have had our second delivery of feedlot pellets for the 10 steers, grain with a few additives, and the cattle seem to be doing well.

This is our fourth attempt at putting pellets in a grain feeder and feeding the cattle in a paddock of at least four hectares.

There is no need for government or council permissions to have a feedlot for such small numbers and when fed in a paddock situation.

The extra cost is buying some roughage for the cattle which is a must with grain feeding.

We had two round bales of barley straw left from the drought and are now on some sudan hay which is much better quality.

It is surprising the difference in prices for hay now compared to the middle of the drought.

Politicians talk about getting prepared for the next drought.

From what I see, many producers have made a lot of big bales of hay.

There are still small bales being made for easy lifting by hand but most of the summer feed and the stubble is being pressed in large round or rectangular bales.

The Long Paddock with Gerard Walsh

If we plan to continue to feedlot cattle, we need to invest in a set of scales so you can work out the profit and loss figures.

With the market improving since we bought our steers, the odds are we will do well from the grain feeding.

Last week, we had 13.4mm rain and it is unbelievable how wet it is. Even with a four-wheel drive ute, there are areas you simply can’t drive, particularly in the granite country. It hadn’t rained for about three weeks but it is now the wettest it has been with in the old money, half an inch of rain.

Mice down Good to see the mice plague is not as bad as it was a month ago.

People talked about the rain helping to reduce the numbers of mice and perhaps that is the case.

I know of farmers who sprayed a number of times to reduce the number of mice and others who simply didn’t harvest crops.

Farming is a great leveller, we end up with a good season and the mice turn up.

As for mice around our farm and in the sheds, the numbers have dropped right off.

When you walk into a produce agent and see mice bait available in large quantities it is a good guess that the mice numbers are

down.

The scariest thing about bait is your dogs can get poisoned so I always bought the one likely to cause the least problems for dogs and keep it away from the dogs as well.

Weight loss

I am currently talking to the group of six who joined in the Country Journal Weight Loss program.

Seems like we won’t all achieve our aim of losing 5km in the run up to Father’s Day. I have done some walking, gone to hydro and swam laps in the big pool at WIRAC but haven’t done it consistently enough.

I am still buying biscuits. In fact, a farmer from Pratten saw me with a cake in a food store and said I shouldn’t be eating cake and he was right.

Two cakes a month is two too many if you are trying to lose weight.

I reckoned doing more physical work on the farm would remove some kilograms but it is not as easy as it seems.

The important thing is for all those overweight to lose a few kilograms for better health.

When I retired from full-time sports reporting at the Daily News 22 months ago, I got into fitness and more farm work and probably 100 people told me I had lost weight. Only one person has told me in the past six months I have lost weight so there is room for improvement in me, just like the Broncos.

A golden goal at the Rose Bowl

By GERARD WALSH A golden goal was needed in extra time for Tansey to beat Albury Holbrook in the IOR Rosebowl Open Final at Morgan Park at the weekend.

Wandoan won the junior final from Tansey, Tansey beat Warwick in the ladies final before the open final went into extra time.

Albury Wodonga led 24-17 at the start of the sixth and last chukka but the Tansey combination of Trent Collins, Tom O’Neill and Justin Hafey won the chukka 8-1 to make the score 25-all.

Tansey scored the first goal in extra time to win 26-25.

Major horse and player awards went to Jimmy Grills (Albury Holbrook) and Laura Hafey (Tansey).

Ten teams played in the Warwick Polocrosse Club carnival. The final carnival for the season is the state championships at Wandoan on September 3-5.

Kellie Doherty (left) representing sponsors Warwick Credit Union, with the winning ladies team Tansey at the IOR Barastoc Interstate Series Polocrosse at Morgan Park, Warwick. They beat Warwick in the final. Photo Gerard Walsh

9 WARWICK SALEYARDS COUNTRYJOURNAL

Around the halls: Karara continued from page 7.... dropped it back down.

“One sheet came off which let the pressure go,” he said.

The hall was lined in the 1970s under RED Scheme funding with a tradesman on the job with labourers.

Volunteers extended the hall to the south east to fit a bar and then a grant was secured to restump the hall about 10 years ago.

“Steel stumps were used this time and the hall committee put in around $3000 to finish the project,” he said.

Showers and toilets were upgraded on the north west side of the hall and the kitchen has also been upgraded.

One of the busiest times at the hall was for 26 years from 1976 when the Karara Karnival was held on the first Saturday in October.

There was a mini rodeo as well as chain saw races, running events and numerous stalls and novelty events.

Bill said the Karara Karnival ended when the cost of insurance was greater than the amount of money made on the day.

Karara had a cricket team down the years which played in Warwick, Back Plains and Warwick competitions again with a cricket field between the hall and Canal Creek.

With Karara no longer fielding a cricket team, campdrafts became one of the big Karara events of the year and it was deemed unsafe to have a cricket pitch on the ground and the pitch was ripped up.

There is a closed shed from where tennis tournaments were run on the three courts adjacent to the hall and two open sheds which are used at functions.

George & Fuhrmann, Warwick

Dances, weddings, birthday parVENDOR DESCRIPTION - Cents/KG/WEIGHT/$TOTAL BULLS ties, pre-wedding parties, fareR & J Breen, Goomburra, Brangus Bull, 340.0/835/2,839 wells, fundraisers and benefit G Ruhle, Clifton, Limousin Bull, 330.0/880/2.904 functions were held down the COWS years.

RD & CE Hughes, Freestone, Brangus Cow, 353.2/730/2,578 MA Benn, Dalveen, Charbray x Cow, 348.0/590/2,053 In a written history of the hall, J, J & M Patane, Severnlea, Angus Cows, 345.2/593/2,045 Frances Symonds said school was BULLOCKS held in the hall in 1961.

B Eastwell, Pilton, Santa Bullocks, (0t), 408.2/623/2,541 “There was a gap between leavEXPORT HEIFERS R & K Cope, Texas, Droughtmaster Heifers, (6t) 367.2/549/2,015 ing the old school and teaching at Peterson Partnership, Old Koreelah, Hereford Heifer, (6t) 351.2/530/1,861 the new school so the Education P Byrne, Warwick, Angus/Hereford Heifer, (6t) 345.2/595/2,054 Department paid the princely sum HEAVY FEEDER STEERS of $6 per week to use the hall for DI & EE Mauch, Yangan, Angus Steers, (0-2t), 541.2/458/2,476 classes,” she said.

Beebo Pastoral Co, Texas Charolais/Angus Steer, (0t) 480.0/480/2,304 N & L Simpson, Elbow Valley Angus/Angus x Steers, (0-2t)478.2/517/2,476 “The connection between the hall DOMESTIC FEEDER STEERS and the school continues today.

D Vaughan, Danderoo, Angus Steers, 578.2/348/2,014 “Motorhome and caravan enthuBeebo Pastoral Co, Texas, Angus x Steers, 568.2/373/2,121 siasts organise club weekends at B Donnelly, Warwick, Angus Steers, 560.2/320/1,792 FEEDER HEIFERS the hall.”

R Clarkson, Warwick, Angus Heifer, 490.2/365/1,789 The United Graziers Association F & M Roche, Maryvale, Angus x Heifers, 490.2/355/1,740 (now AgForce) and dingo destrucGD & AE Fearby, Texas Limousin x Heifers, 488.2/374/1,826 tion association and the former YEARLINGS Karara QCWA branch all made the B & M Hardacre, Tannymorel, Limousin Steer, 498.2/390/1,942 M & S McMahon, Warwick, Angus x Steer, 490.0/460/2,254 Karara Hall home for meetings A Sparksman, Allora, Angus Heifers, 440.0/396/1,742 and functions.

WEANER STEERS The main activities now are Beebo Pastoral Co., Texas, Angus Steers, 720.2/210/1,512 sheep dog trials and campdrafts Beebo Pastoral Co., Texas, Angus Steers, 646.2/278/1,795 C & J Erbacher, East Greenmount, Charolais x Steers, 638.2/215/1,372 and weekly craft mornings.

Rockland Grazing, Warwick, Angus Steers, 630.2/222/1,402 The Festival of Small Halls for WEANER HEIFERS Karara is on September 11 at G & D Roche, Maryvale, Angus Heifers, 542.2/285/1,545 5.30pm to 9.30pm.

F & M Roche, Maryvale, Angus Heifers, 530.2/304/1,609 C & J Erbacher, East Greenmount, Droughtmaster Heifers, 514.2/220/1,131 As well as the fire brigade talks and entertainment, there will be a meal at a cost of $15 which includes Gluten Free Noodle Boxes with vegetarian option, Crackers with fresh fruit and cheese and Cheesecake.

Open 7 Days RSVP for catering and Members’ Price - $10 special dietary requirements on 4667 4120 and Permanent Membership 0410 674 166 .

Available - $5 BYO tea,coffee and water Nightly Specials or all can be purchased at Sunday to Thursday the hall.

To reserve tickets, call 133 Palmerin St, Warwick - 4661 1922 0428 061 622 www.condaminesportsclub.com.au Follow us

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

Back to Goomburra!

The Goomburra Valley is abuzz with expectation in the lead up to the Back to Goomburra Day on Saturday September 11.

The committee and members have been busy ensuring attendees will have a great day reliving memories and making new ones.

Over the last month or so, past and present Goomburra residents have been submitting their stories for the photo storybook which has been published and will be available for purchase on the day.

Organisers received a diverse range of submissions featuring the Goomburra valley and its residents from both his-

torical and present-day perspectives.

The day will begin with a vintage car parade which will signal the arrival of some VIPs who were born in the valley, after which Member for Southern Downs James Lister, Mayor Vic Pennisi and Goomburra Town Hall President Gina Tranberg will formally open the event.

Following the official opening, the time capsule which was established at the 1988 Bicentennial Back to Goomburra Day will be raised once again.

The time capsule was previously raised in 2006 by President Lyle Johnson and the organising committee.

This year, organisers have purchased a stainless steel, air tight time capsule that will maintain the integrity of the items when it is raised in 2071.

Those who attend will have the oppor-

tunity to purchase their place to sign the roll or write on a card, especially made for time capsules, ensuring that in years to come the next generation will see who attended the celebration.

During the day people will enjoy listening to the Warwick City Band as they play tunes from the past stirring memories of years gone by and educating our young ones.

The Dalrymple Bush Band will also perform a great range of songs that people young and old will be able to move to. There will be free old-fashioned games for children to enjoy, the hall will be open with a history section, with the contents of the time capsule open for viewing. If you have a market stall and would like to attend the day, contact the Goomburra Hall Committee via e-mail or Facebook to book your spot.

At the closure of the day, the time capsule will be entombed, with the event to conclude with the sell-out Grand Dinner.

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

Krista’s Country When Carolyn Crawford read about the recent launch of the Farm 2 Fork Collective in the South Burnett region, she immediately forwarded the details to her friend and fellow gardener, David Crowther, with the words, "What do you reckon?"

The idea of creating a similar opportunity for Southern Downs producers to easily share their products and produce with the local community got both Crawford and Crowther excited, but they want to take it a step further.

"It's not to be just food," Crowther said. "If you just have food, you're limiting your talents. I'm sure there are a lot of crafty people around, a lot of talented people in this area, people who make soap, make cheese, repair computers, do pottery, art, weaving, and knitting."

The two gardeners envision a hub in the community, a central location where established producers, home gardeners, and local artisans can bring their wares and the community and travellers can have easy access to the very best produce, body care products, plants, and crafts the Southern Downs

with Krista Bjorn

David Crowther and Carolyn Crawford hope to launch a local Farm 2 Fork Collective on the Southern Downs. Photo: Krista Bjorn has to offer.

They know from personal experience that home gardeners often have a glut of delicious and interesting produce that isn't readily available in shops.

“At certain times of the year I have a massive excess of heaps of stuff,” Crowther said looking

around at his hilltop orchards and sprawling veg patches. “I grow a lot of stuff that you can't buy in the shops because they don't travel, like mulberries and persimmons.”

Crawford often finds herself in the same situation.

"I had so much lettuce last year I just fed it to the chooks," Crawford. "And there comes a point that you really can't make one more bottle of marmalade. It would be great to have an outlet for all our excess produce, and there have got to be other people in the same situation who have different stuff they'd love to share with people."

They love the idea of people contributing a diverse array of unique and interesting continued next page..

COUNTRYJOURNAL continued from previous page herbs, plants, fruit, berries, food products, body products, and skills that would benefit the Southern Downs community.

Crowther would happily sell unique medicinal herbs like moringa, goto kola, ashwaghanda, and borage in addition to fresh fruit and buckets of roses and lavender, while Crawford would gladly share from the abundance of her orchard with piles of huge avocados, macadamias, glossy limes, and mulberries.

Such enterprises require organisation and

hard work to bring together all the details.

There's a location to secure, council hoops to navigate, and the coordination of participants and products. Not to mention marketing and managing. Crawford and Crowther are willing to put in the effort with other committed community members, but first they want to know if this is something the Southern Downs community is interested in.

Would a central hub for local produce, crafts, and skills be something the community would support and contribute to?

13

Are there growers, producers, artists, and skilled workers who would like to be part of such an endeavour?

“There's no religion, no politics,” Crowther said, “It would just be a place for community people to sell their produce, plants, art, crafts, and skills.”

If you are interested in supporting or contributing to this initiative, you can email Carolyn Crawford at carolyn.crawford@ hotmail.com and David Crowther at david. solai@outlook.com .

Crop loss register data reported Since the launch of the National Lost Crop Register, almost 100 growers have reported $60 million in crops that have gone to waste for a lack of harvest labour.

The National Lost Crop Register has been designed and developed by Growcom and endorsed by the National Farmers' Federation Horticulture Council.

Growers are encouraged to report their losses as new harvest seasons arrive around Australia.

The lack of labour across Australia available

to producers of fresh fruits and vegetables has already resulted in lost crops.

With no silver bullet in sight, industry experts sadly expect this to continue through summer and into next year.

A Growcom spokesperson said it is vitally important that the industry records and tracks these losses.

“The evidence we gather through this national register as this issue unfolds will enable us to inform decision-making and improve our ability to advocate for greater government

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intervention where necessary,” the spokesperson said. “Losses recorded in the register should be only those experienced as a direct result of not having access to enough labour to pick or pack all or some of your produce.

The register is hoping to capture losses resulting from not being able to afford enough labour at wage rates inflated by the current lack of labour--and there is no limit on how many entries you post. The register will ask for crop, value and location details, including postcodes. All responses are entered anonymously.

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

weather snapshot The summer of 2019-2020 must seem like a halycon period...before the extreme botheration of COVID 19 changed the way we think about the world, but in fact there were plenty of clouds on the horizon then--clouds of a particularly unusual type. Massive thunderstorm-type clouds called pyrocumulonimbus formed over fires, a case of fire creating weather as much as weather creating fire. Of course, down below, conditions were hot, dry and dangerous before the clouds even formed, but once they formed, these superclouds were capable of generating their own winds, their own lightning strikes...their own fires...

Australia experienced more of these once-highly unusual weather-generating fires in the 2019-20 bushfire season than in the previous 30 years, Professor David Bowman told the royal commission into national natural disaster arrangements.

2020-2021, at least on the pyrocumulonimbus front, was much quieter, but our television sets have brought the issue into focus, with an outbreak of these super fires in the northern hemisphere.

We’ve seen them in Siberia, a part of the world that is more commonly associated with intense cold and ice.

These clouds form quietly at first, out of a smoke plume, which rises into the atmosphere, cooling

and expanding as it rises. Once it has cooled sufficiently, water vapour begins to condense on the ash to form a grey or grown cloud that is observable above the plume. Like ordinary cumulus clouds there can be rainfall, intense and focused, emerging from these clouds, but the rain is a mixed blessing, creating winds that can carry embers from the original fire far beyond its origins--with winds of up to 160 kmh recorded in some instances--and even fire tornadoes. These superclouds have one more lasting effect: they push aerosol pollutants like smoke and ash, into the upper atmosphere. At one stage it was thought that these particles were sourced solely from volcanoes. A study by the American Meteorological Society claims that in fact that is rarely the case.

Climate sceptics often point to volcanoes as a ‘far bigger’ contributor to climate change than the exhaust pipes of cars and trucks (for example), but in fact it’s worth looking at bushfires rather than volcanoes for the really heavy hitters in the carbon release stakes: Australia’s 2019-2020 bushfire

season released 830 million tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere--placing those fire events just behind CHina, US, India, Russia and Japan as the most polluting ‘country’ on earth that year.

COUNTRYJOURNAL

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A week in which we passed on wool CONTRIBUTED BY BRUCE MCLEISH, ELDERS

domestic market is going through its usual slowdown, while manufacturers wait for signals from their retail clients about the new season’s collection, and there is said to be enough greasy wool lying about, but very little wooltop or yarn stock. Some of the stock would be Chinese domestic wool from the recent harvest, which can be used in blends for cheaper knitwear and uniforms, and

or manage supply. The free market rules, correctly, preclude any other form of intervention, or supply restriction, and it is only individual growers making the decision to withWeek 7 in the wool marketing season of hold or withdraw their product from market 2021/22 was initially rostered to sell 42,000 until such time as demand improves that is bales. Then it increased to 46,000 bales as going to prevent the market from falling furbrokers encouraged their grower clients to ther. Those further along the chain have done sell wool, and keep the registers ticking over. all their hard work last season buying the But that was before the auction market had greasy wool, shipping at greatly opened badly after the recess, and people increased rates to factories around the all along the pipeline realised that the world, designing the collections, promarket didn’t really want or need a lot of ducing the garments and now hope to wool at present. Collectively, and intelliA Murdoch University team is testing one of hte assell the majority of them quickly. It gently the growing fraternity, came to the makes sense that the demand decreases sumptions graziers have in the back of their minds: realisation that the market simply at such times, and will inevitably that leaner Merinos produce more wool.

Profescouldn’t consume this volume of wool increase once the pipeline begins to sor Andrew Thompson and his team are half way and so withdrew (the smart option) or flow again. passed-in (the less favourable option) through a 4-year Australian Wool Innovation-funded The positive aspect of the current nearly 50% of the initial figure. At the project, and while they are still collecting data, one market is that the European fraternity, end of a fairly short 2-day sales week a thing is clear...or not clear. There is no reliable corled by the few remaining Italian manutouch under 25,000 bales had changed relatoin between fatness and the wool cut...and so facturers, are quite bullish about the hands, with a sizable drop on Tuesday, farmers who have one eye to the meat market, and upcoming season. From a retail perbut with a firmer tone being evident one eye on fibre can get the best of both worlds. spective the sheer volume of dollars, or across most segments on Wednesday.

Exactly how is likely to be the topic of the next half euros lying around in consumer’s pockWhether week 7 will be seen as the of the study. ets is enormous, largely as a result of turning point still remains unclear, but it Prof Thompson did some influential work prior to not being able to travel as before. This will certainly be seen as when finally, the this study examining earlier predicts of wool promoney will be spent in a variety of supply matched the demand. Until the ways, but in simple terms the amount duction finding that it COULD be predicted by changbulk of the withdrawals were registered of disposable income each consumer and buyers realised they were not going has at present, to spend on discretionto be swamped with wool the market was still wobbly. On Tuesday, with all 3 cen- there is certainly plenty of crossbred wool in ary items such as clothing has not been this greasy stocks around the globe with some in high for years. Given the renewed emphasis tres selling, the market for merino dropped by 50 cents, and crossbreds were back anoth- South American growers about to shear their on the environment in the lead up to the third clip of stock. By Mid-September the sig- Glasgow Climate Change Conference the er 20 cents. But on Wednesday with only slow, sustainable, earth friendly fashion Sydney and Melbourne in operation, and clip nals should be clear, and the mills can react accordingly. Some of the larger topmakers aspects of merino will get a huge boost. after clip being withdrawn to sell another have obviously decided not to wait too long, Informing customers about why they should day, the tone was different and some categoand made their presence felt in the auction be buying merino instead of plastic has never ries lifted by 20 cents. Throughout the whole this week. Partly opportunistic, with the been so topical. Add to this the desire or the week, those lots with premium specificaindent buyers taking a backward step, but need of those emerging from a lockdown to tions, or the much-favoured RWS certification also knowing that they are unlikely to see feel good, reward themselves, and look propapers fared very well. Those lots which wool prices much cheaper than this point in fessional opens up the whole gamut of meriticked both boxes have been selling at signifithe coming season. no clothing from athletic/casual wear right cant premiums, and certainly those with through to bespoke suiting which can be Even though the market has corrected by Italian grade specifications have found strong advertised and promoted to the cashed-up nearly a dollar over the past 2 weeks, it is not support. consumer. Those retailers who have overabnormal nor a dire emergency.

The supply The market is still overall dependent on come the logistics issues in their supply and demand function of the market is sendChinese support, both from a domestic conchains could be in for one of the biggest selling the correct signals to the grower, and the sumption aspect, and also from the early ing seasons in a long time. market is using the one tool it has to regulate stage processing for re-export. The Chinese

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