Country Journal, Edition #20 - October 25, 2021

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

CountryJournal Week commencing 25th October 2021

Farm army at the ready

Rural Aid has upgraded its website to make it easier for growers to find volunteers and casual workers to bring in the crops. More than ten thousand volunteers, job seekers and grey nomads are already part of the Farm Army and receive regular job updates. One regional pumpkin owner, with a mouse emergency, was able to host several helpers to save what was left of her crop. Register your property with Rural Aid and check out the Farm Army website. See page 3...

Face to Face with Jamie

Leaving land fallow

Allora boy and now Acting Inspector Jamie Deacon is known to just about everybody in the Southern Downs. Some for better reasons than others. His father was in local government for 50 years, his mother was a local teacher and he went to school in Allora. But did you know that he misses a good game of golf, worked in the Lockyer Valley during the 2011 floods and reckons drugs are one of the biggest problems locally? See (07) 46 619 835 Gerard Walsh’s E warwick@rfsteelbuildings.com.au in-depth interview inside.

Why does the country with one of the highest productivity levels in its agricultural production leave its fields unplanted one year out of seven? It is an ancient tradition in Israel and also considered good practice.

During the “shmita year” many growers will let their land lie fallow, while others ‘symbolically sell’ their land to others and buy it back after one year. Some consumers are very strict about what produce they eat and demand produce grown in these conditions.

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

Country briefs Quad bike safety New safety standards for quad bike use came into effect during October, National Safe Work Month.

A safety standard for quad bikes was introduced in two stages from 2019. Stage 1 commenced in October 2020 and required all quad bikes to meet certain international safety standards and come with better safety information and warnings.

“Over the past 10 years 166 people have died in quad bike related incidents, and sadly six people have been killed this year,” Minister Fentiman said.

“Many of the people who died were working at the time, on farms and at other rural workplaces. In fact, from January 2011 to 21 December 2018, Safe Work Australia found that 62 of fatalities occurred whilst the rider was using their quad bike for work purposes.”

Stage 2 requires all new and imported second-hand general use quad bikes to have an operator protection device either fitted into the bike or integrated into the design. They must also meet lateral roll and front and rear pitch stability requirements.

“These changes are absolutely vital to improve the safety of quad bikes and help reduce the high number of quad bike related deaths and injuries in Australia,” Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Shannon Fentiman said.

Due to the nature of rural work, quad bikes are often driven over rocky or uneven ground, crossing slopes, towing attachments, or carrying heavy or unstable loads. All these things increase the risk of a rollover significantly.

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Since supply chains were disrupted during the pandemic, the government understands that quad bike stock ordered before the Stage 2 regulations were imposed may not arrive until later in the year.

“To assist these small businesses, the safety standard was amended to make general use quad bikes exempt from stage 2 requirements if they were ordered by a dealer before 1 July 2021 and supplied by 31 December 2021,” Minister Fentiman said.

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Low vax rates in the states too

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“While the new safety standard will go a long way to help reduce serious injury or fatality when using quad bikes,” Minister Fentiman said, “there are still responsibilities that fall into the hands of the rider and workplace management.”

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It’s not just Australian rural areas that are generally suffering low vacination rates... In the US, rural COVID double vax rates stand at 43.2%. Nationally, that figure is exactly at two thirds of the population, 66.7%. On the Southern Downs area the proportion believed to be double vaccinated is just under 50%

COUNTRYJOURNAL

Rural aid volunteers waiting online to help

EA SY

the Farm Army and receive regular job updates," Mr Warlters said.

Retirees and Farm Army members Sandra and Peter Kearns have taken a few jobs on properties across Australia through the Farm Army platform.

"We were looking for something other than just being on the road and travelling on the road, we were looking for something meaningful" IENDLY BAN The couple have FR helped muster sheep, crutch sheep, WARWICK home schooled CREDIT UNION farmer's kids, and done some cooking on a property.

The Farm Army is open to primary producers who are registered with Rural Aid. For more information, check out the Farm Army website www.farmarmy.com.au

Mouse eaten pumpkins on Pauline’s property. Photo supplied.

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As local as you.

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Yet another organization is working to alleviate the problem of farm labour shortages in the region.

Rural Aid has upgraded its Farm Army website to make it easier to find workers. The platform is where volunteers and workers apply for jobs listed by growers and has operated since 2015.

One regional pumpkin grower has had several volunteers help on her property after a tough few years dealing with flood, drought, mouse plague, personal injury and covid-19.

"We couldn't find any help. We would normally employ people but with the mouse plague here, the mice were eating our pumpkins faster than we could get them picked. We tried to find local workers but we couldn't get backpackers and nobody could take us up on the paid work. We found it really difficult," she said.

"Just to have another person on deck for my husband to work with... it just made such a difference to us."

"Everything that gives you a bit of hope, helps you to keep going," she said.

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the Farm Army is a valuable resource in the current climate.

"We know finding workers for harvest is difficult at the moment, which is why we are excited to relaunch the Farm Army website now," Mr Warlters said.

"The platform is great for filling other jobs too. Keep an eye out for truck driving work, farmhand jobs and caretaking and housesitting roles too.

"More than ten thousand volunteers, job seekers and grey nomads are already part of

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

Open borders equals more labourers New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet has announced that international arrivals won't have to isolate when entering NSW if they are fully vaccinated and test negative for the virus before and after their flight. The state’s farmers hope that the opening of international borders will ease the critical labor shortage in their industry as they try to harvest what they claim is ‘a sensational crop’ with very few workers.

Forecasts show this season's crop will reach tip 16.08 million tons, but farmers desperately need laborers who often come from Pacific nations. NSW Farmers President James Jackson warned there was still a massive task ahead for primary producers grappling with the problem of a once in a generation ‘sensational crop’ with few laborers.

"This is a positive step but our farmers are still in a very desperate situation. They are trying to source workers for harvest and even though the removal of quarantine

will help, we are concerned the workers won't arrive in time," Jackson told perthnow.com.au. "The state government has opened a window to the world and now we need harvest workers to go to the farms where they're needed."

Aussie avos driven to $1 A massive avocado oversupply means

downs that kept the hospitality industry from serving up the fruit.

“About 20 per cent of Australia’s avocados go into the food service sector and when you’ve got restaurants and cafes all shut down, then obviously they’re not they’re not moving any,” Tyas told news.com.au.

As a result, the huge crop is piling up, and some farmers are getting just peanuts for a single avocado.

The situation comes after the nation upped its avocado intake in recent years, with people dining out on everything from smashed avocado on toast, to guacamole and avocado ice cream.

Australian farmers are struggling to offload their fruit for a decent price. Sources say several growers have had to dump their crops or risk their produce withering on the tree until demand improves.

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John Tyas said this situMain phone number: ation was the result of a ‘perfect storm’ of 07-4641 7953 extreme Australian production and the lockHead office: 69 Dragon St Warwick

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Need some advice?

Mentoring has always been a part of farming and growers have a tradition of learning from their neighbours, friends and family.

Building on this tradition, the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation is calling for farmers, people in agriculture and with industry experience to join the program, connect with others in the community, share advice and tackle common challenges together.

More than 270 people have already signed up to become a mentor or mentee as part of the Drought Resilience Leaders Mentoring Program and now round 2 applications are open for application.

The programs pairs farmers as well as people working in agriculture with experienced mentors. They will work through a series of six virtual mentoring

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sessions to address topics and issues related to their goals and needs.

The program is funded by the Federal government's Future Drought Fund initiative. The purpose is to create simple and easy connections to share knowledge, work toward goals, solve problems and seek support and advice.

Apply here https:// rural-leaders.org.au/ drought-resilience-leaders-mentor-program As part of the Drought Resilience Leaders Program, the ARLF is hosting an eightpart 'lunch and learn' webinar series which will explore what it takes to make Australian rural communities drought and climate change resilient and ready to take on the future. The first two sessions will be held on 26 October 2021 and 18 November 2021 at 12.00 pm AEDT.

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

Fallow fields in Israel Israel is well known around the world for its good quality fruit and vegetable exports such as citrus, avocados, mangoes, dates, cherry tomatoes, peppers and also potatoes as well as sweet potatoes, but this year will a bit different.

The Israeli New Year started on 7th of September and this year is Shmita, a sabbatical year where the Torah calls for the land to lie fallow for the year. This happens every seven years.

“This does not mean that every grower in the country will not work the land, there are people with different beliefs or less strict beliefs who will plant and harvest crops during the seventh year, it also only applied to the biblical land boundaries within the country,” explains Ziv Dotan UK Branch Manager at MIKSHAR an Israeli

import/export agency specialising in fruit and vegetables.

“During Shmita many growers will let their land lie fallow, while others ‘symbolically sell’ their land to others and buy it back after one year. Some consumers are very strict about what produce they eat and will only eat produce which comes with a certification that it has not been

grown on this land, these consumers are prepared to pay more for imported produce. Also, during Shmita import duties are relaxed for the licensed Shmita importers to keep the prices down..”

Fruit and vegetables being grown by people who do not follow Shmita can still be exported and sold domestically.

The Shimta year has just started and at the moment there are good stocks of some products, for example potatoes, apples and pears. Anything harvested before 6th of September can be consumed.

“Around December there will a requirement to increase imports of vegetables such as tomatoes, potatoes, beetroot, courgettes, onions, carrot etc, and later we will require apples, pears, grapes and other fruit.”

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$10000 dollar mango box The annual Brisbane Produce Market Mango Auction has had another successful virtual event, raising more than $27,000 for children with cancer in September. The 2021 event embraced the online web space with five items and experiences put up for grabs last month, plus the coveted Mango Monarch crown.

That title went to Domenico Casagrande from Megafresh in Chandler and Carina who bid $10,100 for the year's symbolic first tray of mangoes. Mr Casagrande said mangoes were a summer favorite for Queenslanders and the annual mango auction was the perfect way to give back to the community.

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beginning of summer, which was an exciting time of year for local shops, who do a lot to support their communities. "I'm a family man and we have a family business, so it's important for us to support charities like Redkite as they support other local families," he told goodfruitandvegetables.com.au.

Brisbane Markets Limited managing director and chief executive officer Andrew Young said that with the 2020 event cancelled due to the health pandemic and the 2021 event moved online, it was more important than ever to reach the $1 million milestone.

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

FACE TO FACE

Jamie Deacon

with gerard walsh After starting his education at Allora State School, Jamie Deacon attended Toowoomba Grammar School as a boarder before a long career in the Queensland Police Service.

He worked with the Department of Justice, including time in the Lands Department, for two years between school and going to the Queensland Police Academy at Oxley.

Jamie has worked in Toowoomba, Brisbane, Goondiwindi, Gladstone, Toowoomba again and now Warwick and has no regrets he became a police officer.

Currently he is the Acting Inspector for the Warwick Patrol Group which includes his hometown Allora. The Warwick Patrol Group covers an area from Killarney west to Talwood and from Clifton south to the Queensland/ New South Wales border. The Patrol Group has three larger stations being Warwick, Stanthorpe and Goondiwindi.

He has four children, Carter works for computer giant Apple, Taylor is an early childhood teacher, Ryan will finish a podiatry course this year and already has a job in Toowoomba and the youngest Bailey has worked in a variety of jobs to do with early education.

Jamie is the youngest of three children of Jim and Vivienne Deacon. His siblings are Janece and Craig, Their mother Vivienne was a primary school teacher at Allora and father Jim was a farmer and in local government for more than 50 years.

Jim was chairman of Allora Shire Council and then mayor when the council was amalgamated with Rosenthal, Glengallan and Warwick City to make up the Warwick Shire Council in 1994.

A further amalgamation in 2008 put Warwick and Stanthorpe shires together into Southern Downs Regional Council.

Jamie said Allora was a lovely area and he thoroughly enjoyed his upbringing in the “best little town on the Downs”.

“I see it as a logical step for me to be living in Allora well before my retirement from the police force,” he said.

Gerard Walsh: What did you think of the amalgamation of Allora with other local authorities?

Jamie Deacon: I was really proud when my father became chairman and then mayor and recall how upset he was about the forced amalgamation. He saw that as a little bit that he was a failure because the

State Government Jamie Deacon talks youth crime, drugs and his golf game. came along and amalgamated four Stanthorpe (Amosfield Rd) and Killarney. local authorities. I think he, and many of GW: What has been the biggest change in the chairs and Mayors of the smaller coun- policing in your time in the QPS? cils, thought it was a backward step for the JD: There has been many changes in my smaller communities to be forced into 32 odd years. From the cars we drive, to amalgamation. mobile phones, police radios right through GW: What do you recall about the family to the technology that we have now been involvement in farming? provided with. I see the QLiTE’s, which are JD: My parents had a farm on the southIpad technology for police systems, and ern side of Allora and a larger farm Body Work Cameras as great steps forward between Allora and Clifton. They sold the for our professionalism and accountability. larger farm in the 1990s and then continAs a community, social media has benefits ued to live in the house adjacent to the but also many negatives. Bullying and Allora township. trolling behaviour is rife. People seem to GW: What does your role as acting believe that they can say anything they inspector encompass? want on these platforms – whereas they would not say such things to a person’s JD: It is largely a management role overface. Many people perceive what they see seeing the 13 divisions that comprise the on social media as being true. Journalists Warwick Patrol Group. We are blessed to have a very strong and capable team within can get story ideas on social media – and the Warwick Group so the role of Inspector we get quite a few calls from media and journalists querying what is said on social is ensuring the staff get what they need to media. My thoughts are that isn’t real jourdo their jobs and provide some direction nalism and I will not comment on such and clarity where it is required. I do try to matters unless they are reported to police. visit police stations as often as possible however it is a large and diverse area and GW: What does the rodeo this week mean technology has made meetings easier. for police?

GW: What about COVID-19?

JD: The Rodeo is a great event for this JD: I was appointed to be the key point of region. It usually attracts quite a large crowd. Any such events create some chalcontact and command the border within lenges for police. With the service of alcothe Warwick Patrol Group when the borders closed again in August. Again, my role hol, we look on the rodeo from a community safety perspective. is made easier due of the work of the Officers in Charge of the border divisions In preparation we liaise with Liquor and their staff. It is a busy role and chalLicensing and the Warwick Show and lenging as we staff five borders, Rodeo Society. As police we want everyone Goondiwindi, Texas, Wallangarra, to have a great time at these events. They

continued next page...

COUNTRYJOURNAL are a community event and ‘everyone’ over the Easter Weekend. Wherever you wants to have fun. Sometimes that is have mass gatherings there is the potential ruined by the actions of a few. I see our for problems and anti-social behaviour. role as upholding the level of good GW: What are some of your early memobehaviour that the community expects. ries of policing?

Police will be operating inside and outJD: I touched on the advances in equipside the venue. There will be a lot of ranment earlier. But my earliest memories in dom drug and alcohol testing on roads in terms of actual policing is the reason most the area. police We want people to have a good join in “We see a lot of offenders time but they must be responsible the across all ages brackets stufor their own actions. first pidly using their phones whilst place.

The liquor area at the rodeo is is to cordoned off and people will need driving – particularly attempt- Ithelp to show ID to enter the licensed ing to text. It is illogical to put people area. when GW: What are some of the biggest their own or other lives at risk they events you have officiated at? to send a text....” need JD: The largest in terms of comActing Inspector Jamie Deacon it, to plexity was definitely G20 in arrest Brisbane. I was fortunate enough people to be part of the Venue Command that Team for the Chinese Presidential comDelegation. The whole event had a lot of mit terrible acts.

The core function of moving parts and a layer of complexity policing is to provide help to people when that I had not experienced before then. In they call us for help – whatever that may terms of large events, the now defunct Easterfest in Toowoomba was quite a large be. We often talk to people at the darkest and most vulnerable times in their lives. event and attracted a very large crowd

9

There wouldn’t be many police officers who have not visited a person or family to deliver bad news that will change those family members lives forever.

My role has changed from those early days, but the core basis of policing remains. My role now, as is the role of all our Officers in Charge, is to lead staff within this Patrol Group and provide them the direction and guidance they need to do their job well.

GW: What are some of the changes in policing in your 32 years?

JD: Change is inevitable, essentially our job is to provide assistance to people in the community. There are many things that have changed in my time. Legislation change, technology and equipment changes among many others. Community standards have changed. Domestic Violence is one that springs immediately to mind.

Domestic Violence committed by perpetrators against people they are meant to love and protect defies logic. There is no place for it in any community. It is a whole of community problem and everyone has a responsibility to act against it.

GW: What about the

continued page 13...

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

Around the halls: Glen Aplin The Glen Aplin Memorial Hall was built in 1953, replacing a galvanised iron structure that had served for many prior years.

Remembrance boards were included in honour of those locals who served in World Wars One and Two. Since then, including many improvements and upgrades, the facility has provided a valuable venue for many community activities including markets, social events, weddings, funerals, reunions, special school functions, dances, concerts, table tennis and indoor bowls.

Current weekly functions include a Meditation Class and Ladies Bible Study Group, who utilise the QCWA rooms.

A feature of the Hall’s interior is a continued page 12...

Cr Stephen Tancred from the SDRC opening the recent Quilt Show at the Glen Aplin Memorial Hall. The Glen Aplin QCWA presented the quilt show. (From left) Cr Stephen Tancred with key members of the QCWA, Julie Spencer (centre) and Kay Heran.

Helen Harm

COUNTRYJOURNAL

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

$ 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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$ 265,000 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

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0408 457 496

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continued from page 10... massive hand painted backdrop to the stage created by Elva Hallet.

The Glen Aplin QCWA is an integral part of the hall activities, meeting regularly in their rooms.

The recent three-day Quilt Show they organised, with sponsorship from SDRC and RADF, was an outstanding success. Another very popular function earlier this month was a Festival of Small Halls Concert.

A flagpole stands beside the hall entrance and is used in Anzac Day and Remembrance Day activities.

Glen Aplin Rural Fire Brigade has its vital station and equipment within the property boundary.

Current office bearers are: President Lucy Low, Secretary Lindsay Saunders and Treasurer David Dunn.

The hall is available for bookings, please ring: Lucy Low 4683 4197 or 0448 327956. (Information supplied by David and Marilyn Dunn)

Hall history – Glen Aplin

The Glen Aplin Memorial Hall was erected in memory of those from the district who served in the First World War and Second World War. Building materials were scarce but Glen Aplin community volunteers worked with ingenuity and persistence to make bricks with sand from the nearby Severn River.

In 1953, the hall was opened with a Gala Ball attracting people from far and wide to celebrate and try out the dance floor, the largest on the Granite Belt at that time.

The Gala Ball included prizes for the most charmingly dressed lady, the most original fan, the most colourful tie and a balloon waltz.

Since then the hall has continued to host many community celebrations, weddings, wakes, markets and dances along with sporting and social activities.

In later years many improvements have been added to maintain relevance for current times including wheelchair access, refurbished kitchen and amenities, replacement of electrical wiring, a new roof and rendering of the exterior.

A feature of the interior is a magnificent full wall panel painting at the rear of the stage carried out by Elva Hallet in 1997.

The Glen Aplin QCWA has always been and remains a valuable and integral part of the facility.

Glen Aplin is a growing community located on the Granite Belt, 10 kilometres south of Stanthorpe. The region is famous for its Mediterranean climate, fruit, vegetables, wine and various tourist facilities.

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COUNTRYJOURNAL number of detections remains higher than we would like. future?

The message is clear, if you have been JD: Youth crime is a major issue on a drinking, don’t drive. whole of state basis and there is work GW: Were you on duty in the going on in that space with the Youth Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley floods.

Justice Review currently being undertaken.

JD: Yes, I was in a co-ordinating role, we Again, this is somewhat complex with saw water up to the awnings on some many agencies involved in this space. buildings on the CitySafe cameras in Assistant Commissioner Cheryl Scanlon is Toowoomba.

We had 1500 calls for help in chairing that review and it is hoped there one hour and there were reports of homes may be some improvebeing washed ments regard to youth “The desire to finance a drug away at Murphy’s offending into the Creek. habit is also the underlying future.

I was fortunate Young offenders are cause of a lot of property to work with some frequently involved in theft....” of the best police property crime includActing Inspector Jamie Deacon officers I have ing the theft of cars been involved with and dangerous driving at that time. behaviours. Youth They include the crime in Toowoomba has received significant media attention. It now Deputy Commissioner Stephan Gollschewski, Assistant Commissioner impacts in this Patrol Group and is comBrett Schafferius, Superintendent Mark mitted by our residential offenders, relaKelly and Superintendent Andy Morrow, tives and friend of those passing through. among many others. The work of all the GW: What about the Eight Mile?

JD: The work underway at the Eight Mile will eliminate a point of confusion at the intersection of the Cunningham and New England Highways. There have been notable crashes at the intersection and the new work will eliminate that possibility where the highways cross.

GW: If you could change something in policing, what would it be?

JD: I would love to do more on the inattention and distraction caused by mobile phones, it is the biggest threat to our safety moving forward.

The younger generation have a reliance on mobile technology. I police and emergency services involved at would like to say that this is entirely the that time was phenomenal. younger generation that offends in this The floods were tragic with the loss of 23 way, but that would not be correct. We see lives and taught me a lot about operating a lot of offenders across all ages brackets in times of extreme adversity and presstupidly using their phones whilst driving sure. I was exposed to some exceptional – particularly attempting to text. It is illog- police leaders in that time, and whilst tragical to put their own or other lives at risk ic, I look back at the lessons I learnt in that to send a text. Drivers are removing their period quite often. attention from the road to focus on their GW: If there was one area you would phone. love public co-operation, what would it be?

Put the phone down and focus on driving JD: Drugs remain a persistent issues in responsibly. most regional areas, and we are not GW: What about speeding? immune in this area. I would encourage JD: The prevalence of very high speed people to call Crime Stoppers with inforrecordings are much less than they once mation on drugs which are a scourge on were. It is the same with drink driving, we society. don’t get the .3 or .4 recordings we once The desire to finance a drug habit is also did, the readings seem to be lower, but the

Continued from page 9...

13

the underlying cause of a lot of property theft.

Please call with information on drugs, you shouldn’t be reluctant to call.

Information can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers. No one wants drugs in our communities - our children should not be exposed to it. We know it happens, but we need information from the community to help us to tackle it.

GW: What about sport?

JD: I have always lived for sport. I was heavily involved in sports from a young age and have played almost everything.

When I joined the QPS, sport was big in the police. Golf days would attract a large number of players, there was touch footy, cricket and rugby league.

There are now less organised police sporting events. They still occur in some form but the attendance and participation rates are substantially lower. I think it is fair to say that there has been a change in culture since I joined the police force.

GW: What about your own golf?

JD: I am a member of the Allora Sports Club but haven’t played much competition golf for quite a while. I will certainly play more golf as I get closer to retirement.

GW: What about sport as a junior?

JD: That was a long time ago now, but I used to be half handy at athletics and I played for Wattles in junior league. We won an under-12 rugby league competition but after that I played rugby union at Toowoomba Grammar School.

I also played rugby union for Bears (formerly Aubigny) where I broke my collarbone.

When I was transferred to Goondiwindi with the QPS, I played on the wing for the Goondiwindi Boars under coach Terry Kajewski but broke my collarbone again so that was the end of the footy career. I then went to touch footy.

GW: What about sport in Warwick?

JD: I played a couple of games for the then Warwick Roses in rugby union after I left Grammar and before I joined the police force. I continued to play in the Police league carnivals for a few years.

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Our wheat crop in the backyard at our town house is growing with great vigour.

The recent rainfall has boosted growth and I suspect it is about six weeks from harvest.

We used some wheaten hay for mulch in the garden and all the seed came up.

When ready for harvest, we will cut the tops off the plants to get the seed which will be given to someone with chooks.

We had about 35 years without chooks at Greymare and then had up to four for about 10 years in Warwick when our boys showed interest in having a few chooks.

Two months ago, one chook died and the other one flew next door so we gave away our last chook.

I never did the figures for what it cost to feed chooks and the value of eggs produced but suspect it is a bit like milking your own dairy cow.

It is easier to buy eggs and milk which are not expensive.

During the drought , our house cow would have been like our horses, she needed feed to get through the drought.

The Long Paddock with Gerard Walsh

Sale time

In the past month, I have been to clearing sales at Nobby and Talgai, my wife Margaret went to one at Freestone and we both went to a large auction in Lyndhurst Lane, I bought a slasher, scarifier and boat at the Nobby one and part of a cattle weigher at Talgai.

After Nobby, I went home satisfied I had bought everything that was good value and would be useful on the farm.

Perhaps because of my major purchases a week before, I didn’t bid quite as aggressively at Talgai and was thinking about a small slasher, feed drum and chains I could have bought with a few more dollars.

I did buy some two-inch polythene pipe I didn’t really need.

It might sound silly but sometimes at an auction you are in the (buying) zone and at other times you are not, a bit like a sports person who plays with a lot of

confidence one week and not as much another week.

First time

I drove through Ellinthorp for the first

Country in Warwick in 1970.

Basil D’Oliveira hit some sixes in the game which were remembered for some of the biggest sixes at Slade Park.

Local players to hit massive sixes down the years include Charlie Carrie, Adam May and John Cleary.

Paceman John Snow played for the MCC and Les recalls sharing a beer with great English batsman Colin Cowdrey..

That’s not grass...that’s wheat growing in the backyard of the

time last Walsh home in Warwick.

Saturday and was surprised there is a village with about six homes, some A media report in England said the virtually new.

Warwick game was the first time Snow There is also a grain feed business in had been given a fair go against Ellinthorp and the railway line goes Australian teams. straight through the village.

The suggestion was all the wickets One afternoon a week ago, my wife before Warwick were slower than a pace Margaret and I went east along Upper bowler of Snow’s class would like.

Freestone Rd and McMaster Rd for the Local players in the Queensland first time.

Country team that year were batsman I was surprised there was a lot of win- Malcolm Duff (Back Plains), bowler John ter crop turned into round bales.

Ryan (Texas) and Warwick batsman and past state cricketer Don Seccombe.

The bits of rain in the past fortnight have been good for the grain crops D’Oliveria scored 105, including nine which are yet to be harvested on the fours and seven sixes, and Cowdrey 53 way up the valley. in the England score of 300 which came in 145 minutes as a storm approached, Fair to say, there are some majestic Don Bichel was the best country bowler views on the northern side of the with 4-122.

Freestone Valley.

Queensland Country had earlier made 89, Snow, Ken Shuttleworth and Peter Groundsman Lever all taking three wickets.

Retired Diggers cricketer Les Retired Greymare and Wheatvale crickMeiklejohn remembers being the eter Matt Cleary has one major memory Warwick cricket groundsman for three from the 1970 game, a square cut for six years which included a game between continued next page... the MCC (England) and Queensland

COUNTRYJOURNAL

15

continued from previous page...

by D’Oliveria. (Scores from Wikipedia).

Seagulls move

Wattles outside back Matthew Christensen has been approached by Wynnum Manly Seagulls to play in the Brisbane colts (under-21) competition next season.

Matthew was a star for Wattles this season scoring two late tries to keep his team in one of its finals matches.

He was the most consistent Wattles back and scored the club’s most tries, 27, in the round games.

Matthew was second in the battle for the leading tryscorer award in TRL A grade.

Earlier this season, Matthew scored five tries in the Wattles win against Brothers.

CONNECTING WITH

The Allora team walks off Slade Park in a game this season, a venue where England played Queensland Country in 1970. Photo Gerard Walsh

Council

Wednesday 3 November 2021 10am

Meet your Council inLeyburn Connect and engage with Southern Downs Mayor Vic Pennisi and Councillors as they travel to venues across the region to meet with community members. Come along and share your challenges, triumphs and innovative ideas to help make Southern Downs a great place to live, work, play and stay.

Leyburn QCWA Hall 89 Macintyre Stree, Leyburn COVID-safe event RSVP essential 07 4661 0358

Southern Downs online

SOUTHERN DOWNS. A great place to live, work, play and stay.

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

Waffle cake with cruchy bits - what’s not to like?

I like to make dessert on the weekends when we actually have time to linger and enjoy it. This weekend I made waffle cake, a delightful confection consisting of layers of golden waffles sandwiched with double cream and topped with caramelized bananas and roasted hazelnuts.

It is not a pretty cake, my friend says it looks like it has a great personality, but wow, is it ever delicious.

Not only is a slice of this cake comfort on a plate, it may well be the easiest layer cake you've ever made. There are no multiple cake tins, no fiddling about trying to get all the layers even, and no feverishly brushing off cake crumbs to keep your icing from looking like it fell in the dirt. If you're in a rush, you could even make it with ready-made waffles and go from no dessert to something decadent in just a few minutes.

Waffle Cake Recipe with Caramelised Bananas and Roasted Hazelnuts Waffles I used oval-shaped Belgian waffles for this cake because I like how thick and sturdy they are, but you could use any size or shape that takes your fancy. Just be sure to let them cool to room temperature before you use them or the filling will melt and you'll be left with a gooey, sloppy mess.

Filling The topping for this teatime waffle cake recipe is lusciously sweet so I kept the fill-

Not pretty but great personality: waffle cake. Photo: Krista Bjorn. ing creamy and unsweetened. I spread the waffles with a thick layer of double cream, but you could easily use crème fraiche, mascarpone, or even sour cream.

If you have a strong sweet tooth, you could beat in some real maple syrup, sugar, or molasses to the cream before spreading it.

Topping I admit that I'm not a huge banana fan, but somehow, the combination of caramelized bananas and cream called to me with this recipe, and I wasn't disappointed. Sliced bananas simmered in a gener-

ous amount of salted butter and a spoonful of real maple syrup made a topping so divine that we saved the extra and poured it over French toast for a truly decadent breakfast.

Crunchy Bits With the tender waffles, creamy filling, and silky topping, this cake really needed a bit of crunch to make it just right. I think toasted walnuts, pecans, or almonds would all be great additions, but I chose roasted hazelnuts for their wonderful slight bitterness that would offset the caramelized bananas. continued next page...

COUNTRYJOURNAL continued from previous page...

Chopped roughly and scattered over the top, they add a most satisfying crunch with every bite.

Serving Although waffles are generally considered breakfast food, this waffle cake recipe is worthy of finer moments. Save it for morning tea or afternoon coffee with a dear friend or someone who needs a bit of cheering up. It's also a great dessert to make with kids since it's so easy to assemble and rather fun to carry to the table.

Waffle Cake with Caramelised Bananas and Roasted Hazelnuts Serves 4 Ingredients: 2 Tbsp salted butter 2 ripe bananas sliced 1 Tbsp real maple syrup 3 waffles 1 cup double cream 1/4 cup roasted hazelnuts, roughly chopped Directions: Set a frying pan over medium heat. Add butter and stir until melted. Add banana slices and maple syrup. Cook, stirring often, until bananas soften around the edges but still retain their shape.

Remove from heat and set aside.

Set one waffle on a plate and spread with half the double cream. Top with next waffle and spread with remaining half of double cream. Top with final waffle. Just before serving, warm banana mixture then pour over waffle cake, sprinkle with roasted hazelnuts and serve.

Local family history years in the making The Allora Historical Society recently received several copies of the book, “The Crookeys of Hendon” which are now for sale.

Compiled by Bruce Nickel, this local history is the result of over 12 years of collecting material by Lola Crookey.

“Family history go beyond just an account of successes and failure, happy times and sad times,” Nickel wrote in the preface. “In time, branches of families drift apart.

A history brings them together.”

Nickel believes that it’s only by surveying an entire family across generations that one can see the contribution that the family members made to the community in which they lived.

“The more one reads of the struggles and hardships of past members,” he wrote, “the more one becomes proud of being a member of that family.”

“The Crookeys of Hendon” is available for $25 from the Allora Historical Society or their online shop on Facebook.

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Pop up clinics, Warwick, Stanthorpe With a community case of COVID appearing on our radar, the Queensland government has stepped up its campaign to build vaccination rates in the regions as quickly as possible. COVID vaccinations will be on offer in two Southern Downs schools this weekend, so take advantage and get the jab. The Stanthorpe State High School Super Saturday clinic will be on Saturday, 23 October from 9 – 2 pm and the Warwick State High School clinic will be on from 8 – 2 pm on Saturday. Anyone over 12 is eligible, no bookings required, no questions asked.

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Hail damage help Farmers impacted by hail and storm damage can apply for assistance from the Queensland government.

The severe storms across the state over the past week were a timely reminder for lawmakers that the Queensland environment can be challenging for farmers.

"There have been reports of hail, heavy rain, and even tornados on the Darling Downs and Central Queensland," Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural communities Mark Furner said. “Any producer that has been impacted by these events can apply for an Individual Disaster Stricken Property (IDSP) declaration."

The IDSP declaration gives producers access to freight subsidies of up to $5,000, as well as Disaster Assistance loans of up to $250,000 at a concessional interest rate to help fix damaged infrastructure such as fences, sheds and hail netting.

Mr. Furner urged farmers not to wait for a disaster to be declared by state or federal

Wool report.

authorities.

"If your agribusiness has been affected by storms and if you need assistance, you could consider applying for an IDSP," he

“It’s shaping up to be a busy storm season," Mr. Furner said, "and I want Queensland’s producers to know the Palaszczuk Government will always stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them in good times and in bad.”

For more information on Individual Disaster Stricken Property Declarations contact DAF on 13 25 23 or visit daf.qld. gov.au.

Largest hail stone recorded in Australia this month..

said. "You can apply online or via the phone and a Departmental officer will visit your property for assessment. Our officers are experienced in providing rapid assistance to our farmers and in conducting these assessments."

Applying for IDSP declarations is a simple process. It only takes a phone call to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) to put the process in motion.

continued from back page... economy, or having people unable to heat their homes in the upcoming winter is not a decision that is palatable to the government. Chinese domestic demand has kicked back into gear, at least temporarily, having been waning since the resumption of sales after the recess. If it is sustained, this will provide a very good base for the wool market, as European activity, although a little quiet last week, still has a lot further to run this season. So, all being equal, we should see firming prices, starting this week, but then more or less continuing through until the new year.

Some of the other textile fibres have been going berserk in price, and so the backdraft from when their balloons pop could be tumultuous, but overall the trend for the wool market should be gradually rising through until Autumn 2022.

The currency is another significant factor which will come into play and affect the fortunes of wool growers in coming months.

There is no doubt that rising energy costs, oil prices and logistics costs are all contributing to higher inflation pressures around the world and all Reserve Bank Boards. Once it gets out, it is particularly difficult to contain again, so maintaining a little bit of inflation, but preventing it from becoming a big bit of inflation is their driver to acting early. How the average consumer fares during this economic balancing act will be interesting. But, increasingly the wool industry is focussing on the high net worth, environmentally conscious, affluent consumer who has plenty of cash reserves built up after 100-odd days spent in lockdown and is certainly double vaxxed.

On Tuesday last week, seasonal storms hammered north Queensland, but there was something special brewing in the skies... The largest hailstone ever to fall in Australia was officially recorded, a 16 cm diameter monster, hit the record books near Narramore, or, as the American media reported it “more than half a foot in diameter”. The procession of storms have broken records, windows and farmers’ spirits across the east coast already this season, with Granite Belt farmers reporting some of the worst hail storms in decades.

Pencilhead solutions R M M S R E V E A L E D

S O W C H I L D R E N A

T E A I S T M A F A G I

T R E D D I O E N C H N

R T I J T E X W I E O S

Trap Street Wordfind: Hidden Phrase: “Sometimes it’s just a good excuse for a mistake.”

A I F C X G L T N M S E

P I S A K O Y Y O S T R

X U C C O P Y R I G H T

M T B C H E C K R I W P

O A I L P O C U F U O A

B N P A I D U S R N R R

Spot the Difference: Ans: Lil Street is the trap street.

L C N S T S S A O W L K

O I T U A A H G N A D S

C E F U T U R E T R S K

K N A V E N U E S Y T E

A T L A S E E R A S E D

Copyright: Auspac Media.

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Lacklustre Chinese demand but outlook positive CONTRIBUTED BY: BRUCE MCLEISH, ELDERS

Australia’s wool market eased slightly last week, not helped by a stronger local currency, nor subdued Chinese demand.

Superfine merino fleece lots with good specifications were again the wools which found best buyer support and largely closed at slightly better levels than the previous week. Medium merino types closed down 20 cents on the whole, whilst skirtings for knitwear production with less than 5% VM achieved similar results to their fleece counterparts, but those with more than 5% VM struggled a bit more.

Crossbred wools still appear lost and looking for friends, and so drifted lower. Carding wools, again mostly destined for the knitwear sector were mixed, basically sold according to their processing characteristics, with good colour, well prepared lines faring better than those containing excessive stain.

Chinese demand was very lacklustre at the beginning of the sales period as mills in the main processing area of Zhejiang Province reported either zero electricity availability, or restricted supply, which obviously affected their ability to process greasy wool and therefore their appetite to buy more. As the week went on, discussions with local government officials - who hold the keys to the power boxes - sorted things out a little more and given the cheaper prices on offer, new orders began

to appear. The wool market firmed on the second day of selling as a result, and by the close of auctions the market was humming along quite nicely again, and some reports had prices back to where they started the week. Enquiry from China has continued since the auctions closed and most people are suggesting a dearer market this week by as much as 30 cents – so

the yoyo continues.

In other wool markets around the world mixed results were evident. In South Africa, where 36% of the merino wools carried one sustainability stamp or another, prices were 1.5% dearer than the previous week. In New Zealand, despite the buyers pedalling furiously, prices were 2% cheaper. In Argentina shearing is underway but growers are reluctant to part with their wool, and potentially lose a large chunk of the proceeds to the government, so farm stocks are building. In

Uruguay more sales of greasy wool took place than the past couple of months, and over a wide variety of microns, but they tended to be spasmodic, one-off deals with no consistent pattern emerging.

Crossbred stocks, over there in particular, are building as new shearing adds to those clips already held in store or on farm, given growers reluctance to sell at current crossbred prices.

Australian crossbred growers do need to take note and heed the market signs, as we are but a ‘drop in the ocean’ when it comes to world production of crossbred wools.

So, the outlook for the Australian wool market in the short term is positive, with plenty of fresh Chinese business having been done, in addition to the existing orders from Italy and to a lesser degree India. If the Chinese local government officials can find a way to prioritise electricity supply to businesses, and not incur the wrath of Beijing the early stage processors in China should have plenty of appetite in the coming months. It would appear that COP26 has come around at the wrong time for China. Although they are keen to participate and turn around the massive carbon emitting ship, which is the Chinese industrial economy, turning off factories and further slowing an already weakening continued inside back...

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