Country Journal, Edition #15 - September 20, 2021

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

CountryJournal Week commencing 20th September 2021

Man of many talents

Helping hand on the farm

Glen Whitton might be known as a rugby league player, coach and volunteer but it was in swimming where he first starred in sport.

His father, the late Jim Whitton, was a stock and station agent with Donovan and Sons in Allora and later a livestock buyer for the Riverstone Meat Company for 30 years while his mother Heather still lives in the family home at Allora. Glen is a Territory Manager, for Riverina Australia, and spent three days on the road last week to clients in Theodore, Wandoan, Taroom and Miles. He has been with Riverina for more than 18 years.

Spring water boost

Twenty-one volunteers worked on three farms in the Upper Freestone and Swanfels area helping farmers repair fences damaged in the bushfires two years ago or in more recent floods. Chris Mauch, who has been on the land for 50 years, had kilometres of his fencing destroyed by fire. He says it’s unbelievable how his new fencing ended up as ashes and is grateful to the Rural Aid volunteers to help him fence for a week.

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Water has been released in the Granite Belt for the first time in some years, thanks to wet spring and winter weather. A release of 1060ML of unallocated water from the Accommodation and Pike creeks in the Stanthorpe region has delivered a boost for 24 local farmers and irrigators. The water made available is unable to be used for town drinking water given the location of where it is being released from and is already accounted for in the water planning process for irrigation use and is within sustainable usage limits.

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

Country briefs Resistant barley Researchers have discovered genes from exotic barley lines that breeders can use to devlop crops resistant to powdery mildew. The three genes share mechanisms for fighting the barely powdery mildew pathogen, making them the best hope yet of achieving long term resistance to the disease.

For more information, contact the Grains Research Development Corporation (GDRC) website.

Confident farmers Australian farm sector confidence is at one of its highest levels in the survey’s history due to ongoing positive seasonal conditions and exceptionally-high commodity prices, with more than 90 per cent of Australian farmers expecting the current conditions to continue or improve further over the coming 12 months.

This is the second consecutive year of good seasonal conditions and high commodity prices, which is shielding Australia’s farming sector from the broader economic uncertainty of COVID. The latest quarterly Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey shows that

farmer sentiment has surged in recent months.

US soybeans high US soybeans and grains were higher in overnight trading on indications of improving demand the past few days and as the condition of the corn crop declined week-to-week.

Exporters sold 132,000 metric tons of soybeans in for delivery to an unnamed buyer in the 2021-2022 marketing year that started on Sept. 1, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a report yesterday.

The agency also reported sales of 132,000 metric tons of soybeans to China last Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and a sale of 327,300 metric tons of hardred winter wheat last week.

US dairy low American dairy cow numbers could be at a plateau, with expected lower prices into next year and an expected increase in feed prices putting pressure on already stressed margins, according to RaboResearch.

U.S. milk supplies remain ample, but there are warning signs that margin pressure may be starting to have an impact on milk cow numbers.

The report notes that between June 2020 and May 2021 milk cow numbers went on a 12-month steady increase, totaling 153,000 head over that period. June and July of 2021 saw decreases of 6,000 and 3,000 milk cows, respectively.

Cotton briefs Cotton growers have long been criticised for the amount of water they use, but according to the latest research, they've improved.

Both government and non-government water use studies confirmed that over the past 25 years, cotton growers have almost halved the water they use to grow one bale of cotton.

The studies measured all water usage on the farm, including water from rivers, bores, rainfall, harvested rainwater runoff, and soil moisture, and any water lost through evaporation and seepage during storage and delivery.

The results showed that water usage had fallen from 1.43 megalitres per bale to 0.74 megalitres per bale.

Cotton growers are excited by this improvement but will not rest on their laurels. They hope to lower water usage even further to 0.71 megalitres per bale by 2024.

Big tractor sales With dealers making “aggressive” orders, tractor sales were 40 per cent higher in August 2021 than they were at the same time last year, according to the latest news from the Tractor & Machinery Association. The results build on impressive numbers in 2020, and despite continuing concerns about supply line disruptions.

Holy guacamole An earthquake in Mexico last week forced the evacuation of a food packing plant. Avacados Aguirree SA was pacing avacados to ship to Europe, France and the Netherlands with 80 employees in the building when the earthquake hit.

The sorting machine started moving and the floor moved, too, according to reports. Only after the employees were evacuated and the building was inspected by engineers did avacado packing restart the next day.

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Rural Aid comes to Southern Downs

EA SY

NG KI

Australia’s leading rural charity, Rural Aid, recently deployed a team of volunteers to the Warwick region to help with ongoing natural disaster recovery.

Twenty-one volunteers have just finished working on three farms in the Upper Freestone and Swanfels area.

Two farmers had fences damaged in the terrifying bushfires that swept through the region two years ago. One farming family had fences damaged in recent floods.

Upper Freestone farmer Chris Mauch had kilometres of his fencing destroyed by fire.

“It’s unbelievable to cut a long story short. I put a brand new fence up there before the fires and it turned to ashes,” Mr Mauch said.

He said he was grateful to have a team of Rural Aid volunteers help him fence at for a week. “I’ve been on the land 50 Rural Aid team working on fencing in Upper Freestone . Photo supplied. years, all my life, and it’s hard enough to be on the land. It’s just great to get a hand to “I put a brand new IENDLY BAN repair all those fencFR fence up there before the fires, es that are in desperate need. I’m indebt- and it turned to ashes” WARWICK CREDIT UNION ed to Rural Aid.” Upper Freestone farmer Chris Mauch Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the volunteers were originally slated to be in tough fencing work Victoria for Rural Aid’s ‘Our Towns’ event, in rugged terrain.” but Covid-19 forced a change of plans.

“Having fences “One of Rural Aid's strengths is being down for two years resilient, and we’ve been able to reroute has been a burden our Queensland volunteers closer to home for these farmers, with a visit to Warwick,” Mr Warlters said. continued next “It’s fantastic to see the farmers and volunteers form friendships while toiling away page...

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Rural Aid comes to Southern Downs continued from previous page... so it’s great to lend them a hand to tick this job off their list. These big jobs would normally take these farmers months of effort, but together, they were able to get it done within a week.”

The volunteers stayed at the Warwick Showgrounds, thanks to a donation from the Southern Downs Council.

Mayor Vic Pennisi praised the volunteer’s efforts. “Our region continues to recover from bushfire and floods, and Rural Aid has been a pillar of support to our rural communities throughout the journey,” Mr Pennisi said. “At a time where negativity dominates the airwaves, Rural Aid offers a lifeline to our farmers doing it tough and these heroic gestures of kindness breathe hope into our communities.”

Photo shows Freestone farmer Chris Mauch repairing fences destroyed by fire. Photo supplied.

Drought funds available Southern Downs residents are eligible for some available funds through Lifeline Darling Downs.

Residents of drought-affected communities in Maranoa, Lockyer Valley, Toowoomba and the Southern Downs can access some financial support through grants to individuals or families impaced Published, Printed, Designed, Owned, Administered....here by the drought and Not London. Not New York. requiring assistance with the cost of living.

Main phone number: Non-farming small business operators 07-4641 7953 such as tradesmen Head office: 69 Dragon St Warwick and retail operators A.C.N. 167 171 217 who rely on regional economies and the • Editor: Elizabeth Voneiff agriculture that editor@thedailyjournal.ink underpins these economies to earn an income are also * Sales: Gordon Bratby 0437 417 736 included under the * Sales: Peter Schmidt 0447 105 846 program. sales@thedailyjournal.ink Other entities such as schools and Parent & Citizen Associations A little bit of legals can also apply for While every care is taken to compile this newspaper funding for school accurately, we cannot be held responsible for any errors that related items. may occur with advertisements or articles. All submitted content does not necessarily represent the opinions of The “We encourage Small Newspaper Company or The Country Journal All art and members of the eligieditorial content remains the property of the relevant copyright ble communities who holder and may not be reproduced without permission. If we are experiencing have got something wrong, get in touch, and we will print a correction in our next edition...and apologies in advance! financial hardship to

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complete an application form. The available grants range from $1,000 for an individual to $2,000 for a family, small business or entity”, Chief Operating Officer Human Services, Rachelle Patterson said.

For further information on the Community Drought Support Grants and to apply please visit https://bit.ly/3h9fOyW The Community Drought Support Grants program is funded by the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disabilities Services.

INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING? 3,000+ rural households AND inserted in the Daily Journal AND the Stanthorpe Record Gordon Bratby on 0437 417 736

or Peter Schmidt on 0447 105 846 or email: sales@thedailyjournal.ink

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

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Water release in Granite Belt Water has been released in the Granite Belt for the first time in some years, thanks to wet spring and winter weather.

A release of 1060ML of unallocated water from the Accommodation and Pike creeks in the Stanthorpe region has delivered a boost for 24 local farmers and irrigators. The water made available is unable to be used for town drinking water given the location of where it is being released from and is already accounted for in the water planning process for irrigation use and is within sustainable usage limits.

The 1060 megalitres of surface water reserved from Accommodation and Pike Creeks, south-west of Stanthorpe, was available through a competitive tender process and achieved almost 100 per cent takeup.

Storm King Dam. Photo: Sandra McEwan.

Seeking submissions

Hope & Growth

2019 BUSHFIRE COMMEMORATIVE PHOTO EXHIBITION

Through the Hope & Growth themed exhibition, Southern Downs residents are invited to share their bushfire recovery stories by submitting photographs for inclusion in the travelling exhibition that will depict the ‘then and now’ of the 2019 Bushfire event through images reflecting the impacts of the fires at the time and the recovery that has occurred since.

All submissions will go into a Shop Local card prize draw!

HOW TO SUBMIT: recovery@sdrc.qld.gov.au Facebook.com/MySDRC www.sdrc.qld.gov.au/bushfirephotos Submissions close Friday 17 September

This exhibition has been jointly funded under the Commonwealth/State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements 2018

COUNTRYJOURNAL

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

Lifeline grants open Lifeline Darling Downs currently has Community Drought Support Grants available for people impacted by drought who live or work in the Southern Downs.

Grants are available to individuals, families and business operators and range from $1,000 to $2,000.

The grants can be used to pay for outstanding bills, school uniforms, stationery, text books, replacement tuckshop equipment, as well as school breakfast programs.

Those eligible for assistance, include individuals or families who have been impacted by drought and who require assistance with the cost of living pressures, non-farming small business operators such as tradesmen and retail operators who rely on regional economies and the agriculture that underpins these economies to earn an income, as well as entities such as schools and Parent and Citizen Associations.

Each individual, family or business/entity may only apply for funding once.

You will be advised within 14 working days of the end of the month if you were successful and within 14 working days of the end of the quarter if you were unsuccessful. This means that you may not hear back about your application for 3 months.

If successful, the money will be deposited directly into your nominated account within 14 working days of the end of the month.

To apply, download the form from the following link: https://www.lifelinedarlingdowns.org.au/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=2e8187dc-865d-4293-b0c0943e7c79158b When you have answered all of the questions, forward your application and supporting documentation to the Community Drought Support Grants Program at CDS@ lifelinedarlingdowns.org.au For further information, visit https:// www.lifelinedarlingdowns.org.au/community-drought-support-grants

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Farmers can benefit from climate-friendly approach: Ernst & Young report Australian farming families can diversify their incomes, increase productivity and profit from strong climate policy, a new report from economic consultants Ernst & Young has confirmed.

The report, commissioned by Farmers for Climate Action, which has one of the highest memberships among farm bodies in Australia with more than 6,000 farmer supporters, lays out the opportunities good climate policy creates for farming families.

The economic consultants modelled an easily achievable pathway to zero emissions without shrinking Australian agriculture nor the cattle or sheep herd, and this landed on the year 2040.

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

FACE TO FACE

Glen Whitton might be known as a rugby league player, coach and volunteer but it was in swimming where with he first starred in sport.

His father, the late Jim Whitton, was a stock and station agency with Donovan and Sons in Allora and later a livestock buyer for the Riverstone Meat Company for 30 years while his mother Heather still lives in the family home at Allora.

Like his father, Glen worked for eight years as a stock and station agent.

His wife Janelle, nee Watt, is originally from Freestone.

They have two daughters, Danielle and Sally, and five grandsons.

Glen and Janelle were married the day before the Cowboys rugby league reggies won the 1986 grand final.

This week, they are heading to Albany Creek to watch grandson Williamplay fullback for the Sunshine Coast 15 years team in the state championships.

Glen is a Territory Manager, for Riverina Australia, and spent three days on the road last week to clients in Theodore, Wandoan, Taroom and Miles. He has

gerard walsh

Glen Whitton A family tradition...

COUNTRYJOURNAL been with Riverina for more than 18 years.

Janelle has worked for Hynes Newsagency for 41 years.

Glen has been heavily involved in a lot of major Cowboys events, including functions where teams of the decade were celebrated.

Gerard Walsh: How far away do you have clients?

Glen Whitton: I have clients from Northern Victoria, the Riverina area in Southern New South Wales and the south-east of South Australia through to the Gulf in Queensland and the Kimberleys in Western Australia?

Gerard: Is Riverina product from the stock mill in Warwick sent to the Kimberleys?

Glen: The product produced for our clients in the north comes out of our Oakey mill. We sell dry licks and feedlot mixes and send a lot of calf pellets to North Queensland. All the molasses based products for feedlots and molasses based pasture supplements and pellets come out of Warwick Gerard: Tell us about your trips overseas in your role as a territory manag-

er?

Glen: I have been to North America on four occasions, taking groups of 40 to 50 feedlot clients on agricultural and feedlot tours where our trips included visiting Texas, Kansas, Nebraska and Wyoming. In 2019, I had a trip to Kentucky in the United States and also went down to Argentina and Chile. I spoke about our Background Select molasses based pasture supplement at a conference in Hawaii.

Gerard: Do you enjoy your work?

Glen: Yes, you need to have a passion for cattle and nutrition in my role and always need to remember the people we sell feed to need to make a profit and I work with them to get the right product for their production needs.

We have a really good crew at Riverina in Warwick, including longterm staff in the office and mill and especially the truck drivers.

I have also helped Bill Gross with the carcass competition in Warwick.

Gerard: How is your farm near the walking track across the Condamine River from Hamilton Oval?

Glen: It is a 12-acre (5 hectare) block

which was bought from former Warwick vet Graeme Garde. It is a good bit of soil. I trial some new Riverina products on my own cattle on the block.

Gerard: What about floods?

Glen: The floods of a decade ago were pretty devastating but that is what it is.

Gerard: Sport has been an important part of your life journey, let’s start with the swimming.

Glen: I went to Allora State School and Warwick State High School and won a bronze medal in butterfly in the state swimming championships in Brisbane when 16.

I went to the state championships the next year and was disqualified as they said my stroke wasn’t right. I also swam for the Allora Swimming Club, I loved swimming.

Gerard: What about your cricket?

Glen: I played cricket for Allora and Victoria Hill. As a 17-year-old, I took five wickets against Nobby for an Allora team captained by Keith Masters.

Gerard: You played in a golden era of rugby league for the Warwick Cowboys.

Did you play in the 1986 reserve-grade continued on page 17

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

The

Country briefs Stock routes upgraded

feedback on the discussion paper, visit haveyoursay.resources.qld. gov.au/stock-routes

A million-dollar investment will upgrade Queensland’s vital 72,000 km stock route network ahead of proposed changes to its management. Nine local councils will receive maintenance and capital projects from McKinlay Shire in the north west to Goondiwindi on the border. The stock route network is a key piece of infrastructure for our $18.5 billion agriculture sector, with drovers moving and feeding up to 330,000 head of stock across the network each year. The funds will allow councils, the network’s primary caretakers, to carry out the works they have nominated as a priority so that Queensland graziers can continue to rely on the network. AgForce and the Local Government Association of Queensland have welcomed the release of the discussion paper. To get involved and provide your

Nanoworms

An antiviral surface coating technology sprayed on face masks could provide an extra layer of protection against COVID-19 and the flu.

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

Real Estate

INVESTOR ON BIG BLOCK

$265,000 WALK TO CBD

$170,000

Potential to subdivide 1325m² lot •1960’s timber 3 built-in bed home •Window air-cons in lounge, main bed •Lounge media off entry hall •Open-plan tiled living has aircon •Kitchen has slow combustion+elec . appliances, bench space & pantry •Bath has shower over bath, separate toilet •Laundry utility, ramp to yard •Close to private schools, golf course & sports fields

Investment opportunity!

• CBD Unit with an elevated aspect to capture breeze • Air-con, 2 built-in large bed • Open-plan living with good sized kitchen, combined bathroom laundry • Views over Warwick and beyond from deck & living areas • Separate lock up storage, 1 car garage

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$395,000 ALLORA - Business situated in main street • 2 Showrooms • 2 Offices • Storage • Staff amenities – kitchen, bathroom & laundry • Solar System – leased with income • Parking off back street entry • Rainwater tank in fenced backyard on 1019m²

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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 . . . . . - SOLD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$85,000 •MARYVALE - 3642m², power available, character with gully, VIEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$50,000

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

Late in 2019, the last two horses we had on our Greymare property were sold, Don and Spud.

In the past month, I often think about letting the horses into the house garden to eat the clover and then I remember we have no horses.

Reckon we have the best clover crop I can remember. It is one foot high in the old measurement or 30cm.

When the house garden had great feed, I always put the horses in for a few hours.

They will only chew at the trees when there is not enough grass.

Looking back, two of my horses have been Toby and Blue. I remember Blue putting me on the ground once in front of the house and then Don stumbling near a tree on some sandy country and I ended up on the ground.

Now, I chase cattle in our buggy or on foot with the help of our cattle dog cross Max. Even though it was tough getting the horses through the drought, I miss the horses, even if they were a hassle at gates when I was trying to drive through.

I always planned to get my fathers saddle done up for a keepsake and still might although there is less incentive when we don’t have a horse to saddle up.

Fifteen years ago, we were minding some horses for a neighbour and one was missing.

Horses don’t generally get through fences, even if the fence is old and not cattle proof. If the horse had died, we should have been able to find the carcass.

A friend found the missing horse in a fallen down tree, the horse went in between the branches of the tree and didn’t work out reverse was needed to get back out. He was one happy horse when rescued.

Sport short

The Long Paddock

Warwick women’s rugby league captain Lisa Croft is playing in the same position as her father did at the Cowboys.

Both are halfbacks, Warren in the first premiership winning Cowboys A-grade team in 1987 and Lisa in the first Cowboys women’s team this season.

The Croft family is from Inglewood but Lisa is now a teacher in Warwick.

Warren had a great halves partnership with Rod Wilton in 1987.

I have seen Rod twice in the past five years, both times at Cowboys grand final appearances at Clive Berghofer Stadium in Toowoomba.

He was a super kicker in general play and was also the Cowboys 1987 goal kicker.In a book, former Wallabies flyhalf Michael Lynagh (Gregory Terrace) rated

with Gerard Walsh

Rod Wilton (Nudgee) the best flyhalf/fiveeighth he has marked.

Rod was the number 10 for Nudgee College in GPS firsts rugby union and was rated higher by Lynagh than legendary All Blacks flyhalf Grant Fox. They marked each other from 1985 to 1993.

This season, Lisa has been a great leader for the Cowboys women, a team which attracts a large crowd to all games.

Women’s body contact sport is here to stay across all codes both at the professional and local levels.

Cowboys half Lisa Croft in action for the Warwick women’s side this season. Photo Gerard Walsh

AUCTION

COUNTRYJOURNAL

13

SATURDAY 16TH OCTOBER 2021 - Onsite 10.00am

Followed by Clearing Sale LOT 1/172 FREESTONE CREEK ROAD, FREESTONE QLD 4370 A/C Estate of the late John Gosen

BRICK RESIDENCE ON 20 ACRES

Solid 3-bedroom residence on 20 acres just 15 minutes east of Warwick in the fertile Freestone area. Open-plan kitchen and dining area with formal lounge, 3 spacious bedrooms plus a large office. 3 bay lockable shed with concrete slab & steel machinery shed approximately 50’ x 25’ enclosed on 2 sides. 90% cultivation with quality black soils. Excellent north facing outlook.

CLEARING SALE SUMMARY REMINDER

AUCTION FURNITURE & HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

2679303aaH

•Horse drawn carriage, 3 x sulky’s, 1 x 4-wheel buggy, qty sulky lights •Sulky saddles & collars, qty horse gear, trunks/chests •Massey Ferguson 178, John Deere 2010, Deutz D68 06 tractors, rear forks •N/H 469 hay bine, N/H 3 PTL 57 hay rake, I.H.C. 440 baler, Ferguson 6’ tool bar •14 run Sunshine combine & small seed box, Silvan 400L 6m boom spray, harrows •John Deere 100 Series 15.5hp B/S ride-on mower, Howard 4’6” slasher, •1996 Ford Econovan 1 tonne tray truck (U/R), 29TH AUGUST 2009 ON SITE 10AM 2008 Mitsubishi Triton Ute (U/R) 57 BAGULEY STREET, WARWICK •1927 Chevrolet Radiator Cowell, qty metal toy cars, A/C BRUCE MAUNDER. single axle trailer

TODAY

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

Around the halls: Eukey The Eukey Hall has a special birthday coming up when the community will celebrate the hall’s 100th anniversary on October 9.

Warren and Lexie Harvey are life members of the Eukey Hall Committee and have been part of many events at the hall down the years.

A report in the Stanthorpe Border Post in 1916 stated the residents of Eukey had asked Stanthorpe Shire Council if the council would have any objections to the residents applying to the Lands Department for the use of a two-acre reserve for the hall.

The Council did not oppose the application and the hall was built by voluntary labour.

It was reported that a gala ball was held to commemorate the opening and that the hall would hold a crowd of 250.

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•Oil Bottles, Tins, Racks, Cans, Stands, Signs, Fuel Bowsers •500 Rabbit, 100 Dog & Animal Traps, Imperial Collectors Figures •100+ Bells, Old Tricycles, Scooters, Tin Car, Steel Wheels •Cast Iron Pots, Boilers, Saucepans, Kettles, Camp Ovens, Fountains •Blacksmith Anvils, Vices, Swage Block, Forges, Tools •Enamel Cannister Sets, Jugs, Billy’s, Saucepans, Basins, Stone Ware •Tobacco Cutter, Corn Cracker, HUGE Shellers, Chaff Cutter COLLECTION SALE •Pack Saddles, Dray, Over 5000 Items Haynes & Collars & Shearing Gear TO BE HELD •MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS OVER 2 BIG DAYS! TOO NUMEROUS TO MENTION For Photos Visit - www.stuartbondrealestate.com.au AUGUST 2009 ON SITE 10AM PAYMENT29TH STRICTLY DAY OF SALE•EFTPOS AVAILABLE•CANTEEN

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Concerts and old time dances were some of the events down the years.

The former Eukey QCWA met in the hall as did Local Producer Association (LPA) members.

Warren said in the Great Depression of the 1930s, there was some talk of shutting the hall but that just spurred on residents to keep the hall going.

There were two tennis courts next to the hall. In 1956, the inside of the hall was re-lined and more concerts have been held in recent years along with a wedding or two.

“There were presentations at the hall when

local boys went off to the Second World War,” he said.

State and Federal voting is at the hall where the ramp for wheelchair access can be used.

Lexie said the hall committee had put money into the hall from grants from Jupiters and the Southern Downs Regional Council.

They have what they call Friendly Fridays from 5pm every month, it is just a get together with drinks and nibbles, and on some of these nights a volunteer cooks a meal for $10, kids free. The hall committee asks people to email numbers for catering.

Craft days are on the first Tuesday at 1pm and the third Thursday 1pm of every month.

The hall committee has an annual Christmas breakup with Santa giving out lolly bags.

Secretary Jane Kerridge said the concert as part of the Festival of Small Halls was booked out with 50 tickets sold, there were another 10 volunteers plus six small halls and three rural fire representatives.

A new stainless steel kitchen was installed and commercial dishwasher purchased a few years back Would you like from a gambling grant , YOUR local hall this has featured in the made caterCountry Journal? ing easier. A Get in touch at the cont’d next editor@thedailyjournal.ink page....

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new fence was erected in 2018 to make the hall safer and family friendly.

The anniversary celebrations on October 9 will start at 2pm with cake cutting and presentations at 3pm, a camp oven dinner and dessert from 6pm along with entertainment, a jumping castle, cash bar operating and an auction on the night.

Cost is $20 per person, $5 for 12 years and under.

Bookings https://www.trybooking.com/BUCVE The hall committee has approval for a new storage shed from a Southern Downs Regional Council grant and the shed will be up

by Christmas.

Clinton Miller is hall committee president, Jane Kerridge secretary and Lexie Harvey treasurer.

Bookings on 0414 951 923 or email eukeyhall@gmail.com

The buzz on bees

CONTRIBUTED BY BEN BOLAND

Honey on toast is one of my favourite meals. Yet few people know the effort which goes into every drop of honey. Not simply on the part of bee keepers but from the bees. On each pollen/ nectar flight a honey bee visits between 50 and 100 flowers. Yet over a bee’s life span it produces only 5ml of honey, which means a teaspoon of honey requires the work of 12 bee’s! So, honey is certainly valuable. The value of bees of course far exceeds honey production as bees are critical for pollination both of farms, gardens and native plants.

On the topic of natives, it is important to note while honey bees were introduced Australia has a number of native bees. Our native bees produce very little honey, but are stingless. So, if you have always wanted to keep bees, or want to improve the polli-

nation of your garden without the risk of stings and the work of keeping honey bees then a hive of native bees could suit you.

Alternatively, you may want to join the growing number of Australians who keep honey bees as a hobby. The costs are relatively low and the fruits of your labour

will be sweet! As with any livestock/ pets it is best to learn before acquisition but there are a range of resources

15

available. My recommendation would be to join the Amateur Beekeeping Association Southern Downs which meets monthly in Warwick.

Finally, we are in the midst of swarming season, so there is a chance you may come across a swarm of bees. If so, please do not be alarmed, swarms are quite placid as they do not have honey or babies to protect. If you don’t want the swarm, or if you

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

Try a bisconie instead of a scone BY: KRISTA BJORN STAFF WRITER I've long been a fan of both scones and biscotti for an afternoon tea party, but I never tried combining the two until this week when I made my first bisconie.

Bisconie take the deliciousness of a freshly baked scone and marry it with the light as air, crunchy texture of biscotti. The result is truly delightful, an eminently dunkable and tasty treat that goes particularly well with a steaming mug of milky tea.

Not only do bisconie taste great, they are also a smart thing to have on hand since they stay fresh for ages. The drying process keeps them crispy as long as they're stored in an air-tight container.

One of the beautiful things about bisconie is how wonderfully open it is to interpretation. You can make nutty ones or fruity, plain or spicy, sweet or bland. All you need is your favorite scone recipe and you're on your way to making a stash of bisconie that will last for weeks.

I really like biscotti with chunks of toasted nuts in them that provide flavor and texture, so I decided to make bisconie with chopped walnuts and beautifully crunchy cacao nibs. Laced with a generous amount of vanilla extract, these beauties are incredibly fragrant as they bake and dry.

Bisconie Dough

To make good bisconie, you need to start with a great scone dough. I made these with all-purpose flour so the cacao nibs and walnuts would be the star of the show, but you could also use half whole wheat flour to make them a bit healthier. I also used real butter since I love the flavor so much.

The key to light bisconie is the same for light scones, don't overwork the dough.

Cutting While scones are usually cut in circles or triangles, I cut mine into squares so I could have more uniform slices of bisconie. Just press the dough into a square about ¾ inch thick, and cut into 16 equal squares. Brush each piece with beaten egg and bake until the tops are a beautiful rich brown.

Cooling Once the scones are baked, let them cool before tackling the next step as you don't want to burn yourself.

Drying Once the scones are cool, slice each square into three equal slices from top to bottom. At this point you can choose to dry them in a dehydrator or an oven. I used a dehydrator because I don't have to

worry about oven temperature and checking on the bisconie all the time. I just lay the slices cut side down onto the dehydrator trays, set the timer, and came back 5 hours later to have gorgeous bisconie, light, crispy, and excellent accompaniment for my afternoon cup of tea.

Storing Let the bisconie cool to room temperature, then store in an air-tight container until ready to serve. If you want to get fancy, you could dip the bisconie in melted dark, milk, or white chocolate, or drizzle them instead. Just know that the chocolate will introduce moisture to the bisconie, so they won't be as crunchy as the nonglazed version.

Walnut Cacao Nib Bisconie Ingredients: continued...

2 cups all-purpose flour ¼ cup white sugar

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

Greg Whitton interview

continued from page 9.... grand final which Warwick won in their first year in the Toowoomba competition?

Glen: I played reserve-grade and some A-grade in 1986 but missed the reservegrade grand final with a neck injury. My brother-in-law Peter Watt was reservegrade captain.

It was a big thrill to be in the team and the club which won reserve grade premiership in the inaugural season of the Cowboys in the TRL. In 1988, I was captain-coach of the third-grade team which made the preliminary final. The Cowboys won A grade for the second time that year and also made the grand final in reserve grade but lost the final.

Gerard: Who were some of the thirdgrade players in 1988?

Glen: Players included Dave Broadhouse, Mick Dunne, Tim McMahon and my brother-in-laws, Gary Watt, Terry Watt and Peter Watt.

Gerard: Tell us about the year you coached A grade?

Glen: At the time, there were nine Warwick players in the Broncos colts

1 tsp salt 4 tsp baking powder ½ butter, chilled and cut in pieces 1/3 cup walnuts, finely chopped 1/3 cup cacao nibs 1 egg ½ cup milk 1 tsp vanilla 1 egg, beaten (to brush tops of scones) Directions: Preheat oven to 450F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In bowl of food processor (or large bowl) add flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder and pulse (or stir) to combine.

Add butter and pulse (or cut in) until mixture resembles damp sand.

Stir in walnuts and cacao nibs. Set aside.

In small bowl, whisk together egg, milk, and vanilla. Add to dry mixture and stir gently with a fork until combined.

Pour dough onto light-

team which was playing under the Newtown banner. Michael Coorey and Josh Hancock were both based in Brisbane that season.

I was at a meeting with 10 or 12 people in the old Langham Hotel and Greg Carey asked me if I would be the interim coach in 2001 and I was coach all season.

Gerard: What position did you play in rugby league?

Glen: I started as a lock and second rower and later in my career moved to the front row. In 1989, I made 74 tackles in a game against Brothers which was at the time a club tackling record.

We were short on numbers due to the Broncos colts but would be helped by some rugby union players at home games.

I remember one Tuesday night at training when we talked about the future after being told if we forfeited we would be kicked out of the Toowoomba competition.

Glen: We played reserve and A-grade on away games with 17 to 19 players altogether. I played most of the two games myself each week at the age of 37. The team was getting bashed each week but we kept turning up. These

ly-floured board or counter top and knead gently just until it comes together. Press into a square about ¾ inch thick. Cut into 16 squares and place on baking sheet about an inch apart. Brush tops with beaten egg and bake for 10-12 minutes until tops are golden brown.

Remove to counter and let cool.

Once cool, slice each scone into three thick slices from top to bottom. Lay cut side down on trays of dehydrator, cover, and dry for 4-6 hours.

If you're using an oven instead, set a cooling rack inside a baking sheet and top with slices of bisconie. Bake at a very low temperature for a few hours until dried throughdried dry and crisp. Store in an air-tight container until ready to serve.

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players are the Legends of the Club and kept it going and seeing the club where it is now with four senior men’s teams and the women’s team is incredible. The Warwick Cowboys are the only Toowoomba club with five senior teams.

Gerard: Who are some of the best players from your era?

Glen: Ray Bowman and Rod Wilton were two of the smartest players in my time at the Cowboys, they could put your through a gap like you wouldn’t believe.

Mick Cockram was also a good organiser, a bit like Daly Cherry-Evans for Manly in the NRL. Peter Roser was one of the hardest players I played with, he kept up to his nickname Tractor.

Three of the best I played with were Brian Dunne, David Abood and the late Jason McGrady.

Gerard: Do you still do some auctioneering?

Glen: I do auctioneer a bit at charity events and have auctioned footy jerseys at the Cowboys.

Gerard: Where do you and Janelle holiday?

Glen: Burleigh Heads at the Gold Coast.

School hol fun at WIRAC As we have become accustomed to, WIRAC is putting on a range of exciting activities for the kiddies for the September school holidays.

Whether you have Ninjas or a future Ian Thorpe at home, the YMCA has something running to keep everyone entertained and fit.

"The school holiday programs are usually quite busy," Karen Peters, director of WIRAC, told The Daily Journal.

Mondays and Wednesdays from 10-12 is the now-famous Ninja Warrior course which allows WIRAC staff to dress up and create a fun obstacle course full of challenges and hilarity. An inflatable & swim session will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays and on Friday an under 12 free

swim session will be held from 10-12.

"My staff is mad, dressing up and doing all sorts for the Ninja Warriors" Karen laughed.

"We've also got a holiday intensive learn to swim as well, five days of intensive swimming for the littlies which get's them ready for summer," Karen pointed out, at a reasonable cost of $65 for the week.

Lessons are available for Octopus to Tuna level and run for five consecutive days.

The reception area of WIRAC is currently being renovated in readiness for the summer onslaught so be understanding of any mess and confusion and enjoy the September holidays! (Picture from Facebook)

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

weather snapshot

COUNTRYJOURNAL

RACQ grants open

It was a wet winter, as if we didn’t know, but that’s not quite the full story. The region traditionally (during 1981-2010) receives between 10% and 20% of its annual rainfall during winter, but this year, winter was wet, but not as wet as you might think. Rainfall for winter was 4% below the 1961–1990 average, but was still the highest since 2016. Winter rainfall was close to average in many areas with few locations either very much above or very much below average.

The national mean temperature for winter was 1.18 °C above the 1961–1990 average, the fourth-warmest on record after 1996, 2009 and 2013.

The mean maximum temperature was 1.27 °C above average, the seventh-highest on record; warmth was especially pronounced in the tropics with Queensland and the Northern Territory both ranking in the top five. At the other end of the thermometer, the mean minimum temperature was 1.08 °C above average, the ninth-highest on record; the most pronounced warmth was in the northern tropics, and in Tasmania and Victoria.

In terms of peaks and troughs, it’s additionally itneresting to note that a record was quietly broken when it comes to the chill factor.

There were no significant record low minimum temperatures during the winter of 2021. It is also the first time since observations became available from the Snowy Mountains in 1957 that there has been a winter in which no Australian site has had a minimum below −10 °C. Bureau of Meteorology.

The RACQ 2021 Community Grants Program is now open.

RACQ Foundation supports Queensland community groups impacted by natural disasters including drought. Eligible applicants can apply to RACQ Foundation for funding of up to $50,000.

Southern Downs community groups or charities to apply who meet the following criteria: Queensland charities or community organisations that have been significantly affected by natural disaster; and Queensland charities or community organisations whose activities and purpose aligns with the RACQ Foundation.

Apply online and view more information on the website racq.com/foundation. This round closes on 22 October.

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The return of the yo-yo CONTRIBUTED BY BRUCE MCLEISH ELDERS

The yo-yo has returned – not dramatically, but the market is beginning to bounce up and then down, week in, week about. After a 20 cent drop the previous week, a bit of business was done, then quantities were pruned back in line with the drop in price, but also grower expectations that now is not the best time to sell, and thus we saw a 30 cent jump last week. A little too much, too quickly in the opinion of most in the trade, so predictions for this week currently range from just firm, to a few cents off – so the yo-yo goes on.

Last week saw a fairly consistent 30 cent rise across all the merino fleece categories, although a couple of the indicators in Melbourne in particular did get pushed out of whack by a few RWS accredited clips. The 21 MPG in Melbourne looked to be around 30 cents too high for most people, but a more normal selection of wools in the coming weeks should re-align things again. The scarcity of RWS accredited wools is pushing up the premiums for these wools significantly. Once the orders have been filled, or more growers are accredited the premiums will normalise. Around 10% is generally accept-

ed as the price premium, however on occasions such as last week, an extra scarcity factor of additional 5% seemed to be added. Not having a Cape sale no doubt contributes to the scarcity factor, as generally 50% of the merino clip in South Africa has been accredited to one scheme or another, and Argentina is approaching 100% of their merino clips being sold under RWS accreditation, or will be by the end of the year.

Different retailers are chasing and promoting different methodologies, and it is always going to be difficult for the grower sector to pick which scheme is going to be most in demand. Everyone has a story to tell about their accreditation, and the values behind it and what the consumer is willing to contribute. Given the current state of the market, with China quiet, and Europe relatively active we are seeing what some consider to be a top-heavy accreditation scheme or specialty market. The Europeans simply know how much of this particular wool they will need in the next 6 months, and are working to procure it now. We are also seeing some organic orders in the market under the GOTS system – the only remaining valid global organic accreditation for wool.

Similarly, there seems to be a lot of RWS orders in the market, as the Europeans, and Italy in particular try to fill their orders to avoid getting squeezed later in the season.

The business done since the auction last week is certainly a little less in volume than at the same point the previous week, hence the expected yo-yo movement. There is however enough business being written for people to remain generally optimistic about the longer term. The majority of the Chinese spot business is carbonising types, and other short wools for knitwear, with only a smattering of fleece enquiry. China overall is relatively quiet, as expected at this time of year, but Italy and Europe in general, is making up for lost time and buying quite heavily, looking for quick delivery, sometimes not even waiting for a sample, such is the haste to get wooltops in front of their spinning machines. Chinese mills are hopeful that some of the recently announced government stimulus is directed towards the textile sector, but nothing has been said officially yet.