Somerset Sentinel News 7 Sept 23

Henry Somerset

Clearing the crap

SOCIAL MEDIA has been turned off in this household since Covid started.

That was done to avoid the tsunami of crap that was flowing through my devices.

But a friend last week showed me the messages he was receiving on The Voice referendum.

He was particularly concerned that he would have to stop his farm developments because he would need to get permission from local Aboriginals.

Furthermore he would have

to pay them a percentage of his farm income.

His daughter was about to put a stop to her new house build because the builder said he couldn’t proceed without local Aboriginal approval.

They were both genuinely concerned.

But on what basis?

‘The Voice’, they said.

I asked to see the evidence.

That’s when I was bowled over by a tsunami of social media.

‘It’s all there in black and white,’ they said.

Black and white type and lots of colourful images and language.

All of it crap, total and utter crap. Some of it clever crap.

Much of it took the ill considered West Australian legislation, designed to stop mining companies blowing up Aboriginal artefacts, which some dumb bureaucrats extended to farms, houses and even school buildings.

The WA government

quickly realised its stupidity and reversed the legislation. It is now defunct, but the damage has been done.

In any case it did not apply in Queensland - WA law only applies to WA!

But the social media pile on was not helped by some radicals voicing that it ‘should apply’ to farms, houses and schools etc. Yes, there is a fringe of radical Aboriginals and their over eager supporters who want to take back ownership of Australia but they are a minuscule minority

disowned by the federal and state governments.

But with no fact checking on social media, they get traction.

No wonder ordinary folk trying to understand The Voice get confused.

The facts are The Voice is in three parts.

First is recognition of indigenous people - which is fairly uncontested.

Second is establishment of a Voice of indigenous people as an advisory committee to Federal Parliament - just like thousands of bodies advising on everything from housing to health to transport policy. Having been on two over the years, they can put up recommendations which are thoroughly vetted by politicians and bureaucrats and only occasionally accepted or enacted after plenty more public consultation and publicity.

Third is giving Parliament the power, subject to the Constitution, to enact The Voice.

Given the WA situation, where public protest led to a fast withdrawal of Parliamentary overreach, much of the concerns

about Voice overreach should come down to your faith in democracy and the survival instincts of our Members of Parliament.

In WA, the opinion polls showed that the popularity of the government there dropped by a quarter within weeks of their legislation’s negative effects being publicised. Many MPs who voted too quickly and without full consideration for that legislation saw their stay on comfortable government seats being tossed out of office. Facing unemployment, they quickly reversed.

As WA showed, MPs are very aware that any threat to the home and property ownership of Australians is a significant vote loser.

Don’t think every federal MP hasn’t recognised that.

Just that they should give Australians confidence that their home or farm or business is not under threat from The Voice.

Henry Somerset, born in South Africa and educated in England, came to Australia to manage rural properties in the 1880s. After time in central Queensland, he managed properties in this region and took up a holding near what is now Somerset Dam. That water storage is testament to his work, after the 1893 floods which devastated Brisbane, to have a dam built at Stanley Chasm. He fought for this as a parliamentarian from the region from 1904 to 1920.

He was so popular for his work on behalf of the region and its pioneering people that he was elected seven times, often unopposed, to Queensland Parliament.

He believed that water storage would not only prevent floods, but also attract population to develop the Brisbane Valley. As reward for his far sighted promotion of the valley, the dam, the region, the council (and this newspaper) take the Somerset name.

Double win at Regionals for Toogoolawah

A BRILLIANT 12 months for Toogoolawah Show Society has been enhanced with the announcement that 2023 Toogoolawah Miss Showgirl Michayla Cowley, and Toogoolawah Rural Ambassador Stephanie Laycock, won the regional finals at the West Moreton and Brisbane Valley Sub Chamber finals at Esk last Saturday night.

Last year’s Toogoolawah Showgirl (and West Moreton and Brisbane Valley Sub Chamber Showgirl) Olivia Harrison was runner-up at the Showgirl state finals at the Brisbane Exhibition (Ekka) in August, and now Michayla and Steph will go on to represent the region over the next 12 months and compete at the state finals at the 2024 Ekka.

Toogoolawah Show Society President, Vern Doyle, thanked everyone for their support at the regional finals.

“It’s the first time ever a show society has had, at the same time, a Showgirl and Rural Ambassador go to the next level of finals,” Vern said.

Jonella Dargusch (Toogoolawah Show Secretary), Olivia Harrison (former Toogoolawah Miss Showgirl, Regional Showgirl winner and State Showgirl runner-up), Michayla Cowley (2023 Toogoolawah Showgirl and West Moreton and Brisbane Valley Regional Showgirl winner), Stephanie Laycock (2023 Toogoolawah Show Rural Ambassador and West Moreton and Brisbane Valley Sub Chamber Regional Ambassador winner), Vern Doyle (Toogoolawah Show President) and Annette Eggleston (Toogoolawah Showgirl Co-ordinator) at the Regional Showgirl and Rural Ambassador finals held in Esk on Saturday night.

Frecklington questions Minister on Cressbrook Creek Weir

THE silt build-up in the Cressbrook Creek weir on Skopps Lane near Toogoolawah has drawn the attention of State Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, who has questioned the Minister for Water about the issue.

Mrs Frecklington said she had recently met with Cressbrook Creek Irrigator’s Association members who shared concerns about the management and safety of the weir.

“Irrigators who are part of the Cressbrook Creek Water Supply Scheme approached

me with valid concerns about the weir at Skopps Lane, in particular the impact of the silt build-up in the weir and its impact on the criteria for releases from Cressbrook Dam,” she said.

“I took the opportunity to inspect the weir with local irrigators and it is obvious the weir has a large amount of silt build-up which is affecting the weir’s operation and safety of the weir wall.

“On their behalf, I have asked a Question on Notice to the Minister for Water, Glenn Butcher, seeking clarification about whether the Department

of Water has any plans to desilt the weir.

“The irrigators have also raised the issue of water meter re-validation as the Department has ordered them to revalidate their meters by November 2023.

“This will come at a cost of thousands of dollars for primary producers and places an unnecessary burden on their already stretched businesses.

“I agree with them that there needs to be an extension to the arbitrary deadline and a complete rethink of the regulation.”

Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, with a member of the Cressbrook Creek Irrigators Association, inspecting the Cressbrook Creek weir at Skopps Lane.

Somerset Dam – burns

A MALE in his 20s sustained burns to his legs after a petrol can caught alight from a camp fire at a location off Esk-Kilcoy Road, Somerset Dam shortly before 7pm last Saturday.

The man was transported in a stable condition to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

Woolmar – caravan fire

PARAMEDICS attended a caravan fire on the corner of Gaults Lane and Gregors Creek Road, Woolmar at about 7.51pm on August 29. The caravan was unattended when paramedics arrived.

Lowood kindy fete generates fun and entertainment

MORE than 1000 people descended on Clock Park on Saturday August 26 for the Lowood Kindergarten’s annual fete.

Many past, current and future families associated with the kindy were among the attendees as there were visitors

from as far as Toowoomba in addition to locals.

Pony rides were a great hit while face painting, farmyard animals, jumping castles and the Wildcall Wildlife Show were also popular.

Nearly $9,000 was raised overall, with the funds to go

back into running the Lowoodbased kindergarten which is a not-for-profit community organisation.

Lowood Kindergarten director Lisa Kennedy said the fete was a massive success, while it was lovely to receive so much community support.

“Families had commented that they enjoy coming every year as it’s an event that is suitable for young families,” she said.

“Everything was affordable and child friendly.”

Lisa thanked all event sponsors and organisers as well as the Lowood Lions and Lowood Freemasons, after the Lions and Freemasons helped run the food stall which was busy all day.

With the Lowood kindy turning 60 years old this year, a celebration day is next on the agenda.

Hall Of History: 39 Hope St, Kilcoy

IGA: 38 Mary St, Kilcoy

Indoor Sports Centre: Hope St, Kilcoy

Kilcoy Motel: 6 William St, Kilcoy

Kilcoy Quality Butcher: 12 William St, Kilcoy

Sentinel News Office: 2/47 Mary St, Kilcoy

United Petroleum: 63 Hope St, Kilcoy

L IN v ILLE

Linville Store: 28 George St, Linville

LOw OO d

Drakes: 55-61 Main St, Lowood

Lowood Newsagency: 93 Main St, Lowood

M OORE

Pol’s Moore Store: 7 Main St South, Moore P EACHE s TER

Peachester Store: 24 Coochin St, Peachester sOMERs ET dAM

Caravan Park: 2210 Esk Kilcoy Rd, Somerset Dam The Dam Shed: 2 Guldbransen St, Somerset

Community Gym: McConnell Park, Toogoolawah

Cressbrook News: 95 Cressbrook St, Toogoolawah

Exchange Hotel: 11 Cressbrook St, Toogoolawah

Mitre 10: 43 Cressbrook St, Toogoolawah

Nutrien Ag Solutions: 9 Dingyarra St, Toogoolawah

Post Office: 24 Abbotsford St, Toogoolawah

Toogoolawah Roadhouse: 7172 Brisbane Valley Hwy, Toogoolawah

wOO d FOR d

CJ’s Pastries Woodford : 100 Archer St, Woodford

CJ’s Pastries Woodford Woolies: Cnr Arthur & George St, Woodford

Clews Newsagency: 99 Archer St, Woodford

Peries IGA Woodford: 102110 Archer St, Woodford Woodford Golf Club: 2/82

Golf Course Rd, Woodford

The 60-year celebration event is set to take place some time in October.

The Wildcall Wildlife show was a big hit at the Lowood Kindergarten fete.

Lisa Kennedy with Mr Piggy from Bendigo bank. The Lowood Lions were busy all day at the food stall.

Lowood Kindergarten staff Nicky Jaremenko, Lisa Kennedy and Shannan Graham.

Hazeldean fire brigade marks 50-year milestone

MORE than 100 guests converged at the Hazeldean Rural Fire Brigade on Sunday August 27 as this fire brigade had a 50-year birthday celebration.

The occasion provided the chance for many people to catch up for the first time in a long time, and many stories were shared while ample history of the Hazeldean-based fire brigade was on show.

A vintage display included old fire brigade signs, hoses, knapsacks and slip-on firefighting units.

There were also nine cork boards containing photos and newspaper clippings, historical notes, uniforms, certificates and other items of interest to generate an eye-catching trip down memory lane.

Attendees included local

residents, past and present Hazeldean fire brigade members, and members of emergency services and neighbouring fire brigades.

There were also 15 members from the Redcliffe and Glasshouse Mountains Ulysses Motorcycle Club, with the Hazeldean Rural Fire Brigade having previously catered for groups like these at meetings while the brigade would receive

donations in return.

Members of the Kunde and Bryers families attended the 50-year celebration to honour their ancestors, with members of the Kunde clan still actively involved in the brigade.

Bernard Kunde was in charge of the PA system throughout the official opening of the 50-year celebration, and current president Rodney

Kunde was among those to deliver a speech.

Rodney recalled there was a lot of fundraising in the early years in particular.

Others to give speeches were Kym Modistach, Denise Modistach, Jack Burford, Graham King, Tyson Purdie and Mark Saunders, while another speaker was Somerset Mayor Graeme Lehmann.

Rhonda Prior and Sue Bidgood worked hard in the kitchen to ensure food supplies were sufficient, and the Kilcoy Lions Club cooked a barbecue lunch.

Coff & Co Bakery made the celebration cake before firefighter widows Desley Cobbin, Lesley Scott, Grace Carseldine and Zandra Hollworth did the cutting.

Debbie Carseldine, Nicky Lambourne and Darren Lambourne.

Firefighter widows Grace Carseldine, Lesley Scott, Desley Cobbin and Zandra Hollworth cut the cake, accompanied by Rodney Kunde (far left) and Jack Burford (far right).

Pat Bleakley and Zandra Hollworth.

KILCOY State High School

An Independent Public School

Beyond School Expo 2023

KILCOY State High School

hosted our ‘Beyond School’ Expo on Thursday August 10, at the Kilcoy Memorial Hall.

The Expo provided information on senior school, post-school training, employment options and support services available for students, parents and the local community.

This expo was a fantastic opportunity not only for students and their parents,

but also local employers and community members who wanted to showcase what they offer our students in the work force.

The Expo also allowed students and parents to explore and discuss specific subject offerings with the relevant Heads of Department, subject area teachers, Guidance Officer, Deputy Principals and Principal from our school.

Thank you to all involved with this event.

What’s in the water?

MISS Smith’s year 10 science class has been testing the water quality of different types of waters.

The students tested school tap water, bore water, creek water and pond water. The students were testing to see if there was any phosphate,

ammonia and nitrate in the water and testing its pH as well.

The school water was good with only a small amount of ammonia in it while the water from the creek, bore and pond contained small amounts of the other chemicals.

Harness race meet in Kilcoy on Sunday

KILCOY Race Club will stage an afternoon of harness racing on Sunday, with eight races scheduled.

Entry will be free as the occasion is a Picnic Race Day,

with gates opening at 11.30am before the first race is likely to be at about 12.30pm. Mini trots will also be part of proceedings.

There will be the usual raffles, Pick the Card $500 prize and the $100 members draw, while the bar and cafeteria will be open.

Healing Garden workshop at The Condensery

JOIN friends and fellow creatives at The Condensery for an arts and crafts workshop that draws upon the healing properties of plants and flowers found in the Somerset region.

Chair of The Condensery Somerset Regional Art Gallery Advisory Committee and Deputy Mayor of Somerset, Helen Brieschke, said the workshop offered people a unique experience that culminated in being part of an exhibition.

“Participants can come together to create a garden installation which will later be displayed in The Condensery for the Healing Garden exhibition by internationally renowned artist Hiromi Tango, opening in December this year,” Cr Brieschke said.

“The workshop will be led by trained Healing Gardener, local artist Makiko Ramsay, who will show you how to recreate some of the beautiful flowers of the area. This will be a fascinating lesson in how to

make different types of petals, leaves and stems.

“The session will also be an opportunity to reflect on the natural environment, share stories, and experience the satisfaction of seeing your efforts combine to create a beautiful and unique garden.”

All materials will be provided, and participants are encouraged to bring recycled materials such as fabric, yarn,

cotton and flower baskets from home.

The workshop will be held from 11am to 1pm on Saturday September 23 at The Condensery, 29 Factory Road, Toogoolawah.

The event is suitable for all ages, however, children must be accompanied by an adult. RSVPs essential. Go to https://bit.ly/3OYcK8J to register.

Learn how to make flowers and foliage at the Healing Garden workshop

Two-day centenary celebration for Toogoolawah Ambulance

THE community is welcome to attend the Toogoolawah Showgrounds from noon to 4pm this Friday as the Toogoolawah Ambulance Station stages a centenary event, before a dinner and dance takes place on Saturday night.

The Mears Pavilion will contain a memory lane display featuring maps, old ambulances, log books, uniforms, old

equipment, and photos of bearers and superintendents.

A Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) van will also be on site, while people can talk to local paramedics and other emergency services personnel.

Attendees will also have the chance to learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and be able to make a fun game of it, to see who can perform CPR the quickest and

most effectively.

Bags of goodies containing flyers, first aid items and a water bottle will also be handed out.

Dignitaries are likely to include Federal Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann, and Somerset Mayor Graeme Lehmann and some of his fellow councillors.

Former Queensland Ambulance Service Transport Brigades (QATB) Toogoolawah committee deputy chairperson Tony Fitzgerald is also on the guest list along with his brother Emeritus, who was also involved with the Toogoolawah-based ambulance service.

Current officer-in-charge

Tanya King delved into the archives of the Toogoolawahbased ambulance service and noted that it never went into recess, and had remained open during the depression, war years and covid.

Saturday’s proceedings will start at 5pm while the display is still on show. Saturday will

Kilcoy Hospital Auxiliary to host AGM next week

THE Kilcoy Hospital

Auxiliary will stage its annual general meeting (AGM) at the Kilcoy Hospital Conference Room from 7pm on Tuesday, September 12.

The cost for yearly

membership is $2.

New members are welcome, as locals are invited to support the organisation which provides equipment and resources to the Kilcoy-based hospital to meet the needs of the patients.

feature a live band, an awards ceremony, a two-course meal, dancing, and fireworks.

Visiting the display on Friday will be free of charge, while tickets for Saturday’s

dinner and dance cost $40 per person and can be purchased from Two Galahs Gallery at Toogoolawah, or by phoning 0402 483 495.

Proceeds from Saturday’s

event go towards purchasing a Camel lifting chair for staff at the Toogoolawah Ambulance Station, to help with handling patients in order to reduce physical demands on the staff.

School holiday fun about to spring on Somerset

THE SPRING School Holiday Program is now available online with a great range of activities on offer to keep the family entertained.

Councillor Cheryl Gaedtke said the program provided a variety of activities for everyone during the school holiday period in September.

“We are delighted to deliver programs that cover all ages and interests of our residents. Council teams have put together some wonderful activities through libraries, our local sport centres and civic centre for the community for the upcoming holiday period,” Cr Gaedtke said.

“There is something for both younger and older children to choose from, whether creating or enjoying play time or having fun with friends at a movie night. Every member of the

family will find something to occupy or entertain them.”

On offer are art and library activities, a movie and sports nights, a Teddy Bears Picnic and plenty more for children and youth in the Somerset region.

One of the special events during the program will be Sports and Movie Magic nights. This free event for all ages includes a sausage sizzle and a variety of sporting activities to try out. This is a chance to try out gymnastics, futsal, cricket, netball or basketball.

Afterwards, relax and put your feet up to watch a screening of Super Mario Bros Movie. Get comfy and BYO chair, bean bag and rug. Drinks and snacks will be available to purchase.

Sports and Movie Magic is

happening at Kilcoy Indoor Sports Centre from 3.30pm to 8pm on September 19 and Fernvale PCYC from 3.30pm to 8pm on September 26.

For information, phone 5424 4000 or visit council’s website for a full list of activities: somerset.qld.gov.au/schoolholiday-program

The Toogoolawah Ambulance Station is marking 100 years of continued service as a self-governing centre. Centenary events will be held at the Toogoolawah Showgrounds this Friday and Saturday.

One of the archival photos from the Toogoolawah Ambulance Station.

New Aussie Citizens for Somerset

MAYOR Graeme Lehmann says while he loves his mayoral role, there are parts of his job that are especially fulfilling.

The task of officiating citizenship ceremonies for Somerset region’s newest Australians hits the top of his list.

“I feel very humbled to play a role in this exciting day for the Somerset residents who have come from other countries and made their home in our towns and rural districts,” he said.

“It’s wonderful to watch the individuals and families be conferred with Australian citizenship, a very special event in their lives. These people have made a huge life change to move to Australia and it’s

great to see them happily settle in our beautiful corner of south east Queensland.

“With Australian Citizenship Day just around the corner on

Local forums held ahead of Voice referendum date

FEDERAL Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann, held a series of community forums on the Voice to Parliament with retired businessman and seniors advocate Everald Compton last week, as the date for the referendum was announced.

The town hall-style meetings were held across Ipswich and the Somerset Region at the Leichhardt-One Mile Community Centre, as well as in Rosewood, Toogoolawah and Kilcoy.

17 September, all of us should take a moment to reflect on the value and meaning of living in this country as a citizen. We have responsibilities and privileges that we should never take for granted, and like our new Aussies, I am very proud of that.”

Thirty-eight people from six countries became Australian citizens on Friday 1 September at the Somerset Civic Centre, receiving welcome gifts of native plants as part of their citizenship ceremony.

If you’re interested in becoming an Australian citizen visit immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/ citizenship/what-does-it-mean.

It was during the Toogoolawah forum that the Prime Minister announced October 14 as the date for the Voice to Parliament Referendum.

The forums featured robust but respectful discussion around the Voice referendum with guest speaker and Voice campaigner Mr Compton keeping guests informed and entertained through his colourful stories and insights.

They provided an opportunity for many older and undecided

voters to ask questions, check facts versus fiction, and listen to an inspiring Australian.

Now in his nineties, Mr Compton previously ran a global fundraising consultancy, and was the founding director of National Seniors. He has been a lead advocate for regional rail and often referred to as the “father” of the Inland Rail project.

Originally from Linville in the Brisbane Valley, he has a longstanding passion for Indigenous Affairs and was celebrated in the local history book Goondeen, which is an Aboriginal word meaning a wise man or father figure.

Mr Neumann said that the Voice was a once-in-ageneration opportunity to finally recognise First Nations Australians in our Constitution

and make a practical difference for the future that will improve lives.

“The Voice will allow us to better listen to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on the issues that affect them, so we can close the gap and deliver better results on the ground.

“On 14 October, I’ll be voting yes to make our great country even greater.”

Mr Compton said the Voice would deliver better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

“In reality it is quite simply a positive step forward in integrating 65,000 years of heritage into our Constitution and our life as a nation.

“Creating a Voice is clearly a nation-building exercise that will benefit us all.”

Somerset Regional Council provides strong support to rural fire brigades

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SOMERSET Regional Council has continued its commitment to community safety by contributing more than $158,000 to local volunteer rural fire brigades.

The funding builds on the $1.5 million-plus Council contributions made in the past five years.

Somerset Local Area Finance (Rural Fire) Committee member Councillor Jason Wendt said funds were generated through Council rate notices.

“Continual investment by Council and

Fatal traffic crash, Colinton

POLICE are investigating a fatal motorcycle crash at Colinton last Saturday morning.

At 9.45am, emergency services were called to Emu Creek Road following reports a motorcycle had left the roadway and the rider had struck a tree.

The 53-year-old male rider from Dinmore was declared deceased at the scene.

The man was travelling with other riders at the time but no one else was injured.

The Forensic Crash Unit will investigate the cause of the crash.

community helps ensure the more than 20 volunteer brigades across Somerset receive the necessary equipment, training and resources and support to effectively safeguard our region,” Cr Wendt said.

“As the upcoming bushfire season approaches, our rural fire brigades play an indispensable role in protecting lives, property, and the natural environment.

With high bushfire risk forecast, Cr Wendt encouraged landholders across the region to take proactive steps to reduce the bushfire risk around their homes and properties.

“Simple actions like maintaining a clear and defensible space, regular maintenance of vegetation, and creating firebreaks can significantly contribute to minimising the potential impact of bushfires,” Cr Wendt said.

“We encourage everyone to play a role in safeguarding our region and to stay informed about bushfire preparedness and response strategies. By working together, we strengthen our ability to face challenges and protect our community.

“Council remains committed to promoting safety, fostering community resilience, and supporting our local heroes who volunteer on our rural fire brigades.”

Community members are encouraged to monitor Somerset Regional Council’s Disaster Dashboard at disaster.somerset.qld.gov.au for the latest information about weather warnings, road conditions and fire danger ratings.

Look for new options on the upper menu bar, which now includes separate tabs for up-to-date bushfire and flood restoration works information.

Woodford Golf Club to stage special Olympics event

SPECIAL Olympics Moreton North will have a golf event at the Woodford Golf Club on Sunday, September 10.

This will be the second time this year that Woodford hosts a Special Olympics event.

More than 50 athletes are set to take part as there will be 18-hole, 9-hole, and unified partner

alternate shot events.

The calibre of participants is sure to be strong after some of them recently returned from the World Games in Berlin.

Special Olympics Moreton North provides sports and social opportunities for athletes with an intellectual disability.

Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann held a series of community forums on the Voice to Parliament last week with seniors advocate Everald Compton ahead of the referendum on 14 October.

Mayor Graeme Lehmann enjoys a moment with a family of new Aussies at the citizenship ceremony on 1 September at the Somerset Civic Centre in Esk.

Somerset Regional Council Mayor Graeme Lehmann and Member for Blair Shayne Neuman MP welcome new Australians at the citizenship ceremony held on September 1 at Esk.

Under My Skin

You-and-Me Bank funding major sports

I KNOW this will raise a few hackles but when are we going to sit down and discuss the use of tax-payer funds to “develop” some major sports that have already developed into massive business enterprises?

There’s no need for me to name any sports because we all know them, love and support some of them, and generally watch from the sidelines as they grow bigger and more influential.

We saw during Covid how some sports virtually told governments what to do, and governments bowed and scraped to their every demand.

The recent Women’s Soccer World Cup again brought the topic sharply into focus and it would take a brave (stupid?) person to question calls for increased funding. But I’m going to anyway.

Let’s get a few things straight first. I love sport. I have played or been involved in administration of sport for almost all my life. I still follow several sports and watch junior sport especially.

I have also been intimately involved in government funding of sport at all levels in the past so I’m not just speaking from the sideline.

These days, some of the players are multi-millionaires before they reach their mid-20’s.

Their pay packets are massive and their on-going earning power is incredible. I have no problem with that.

But if some of these sports have that sort of money to throw around at the top level, why are tax-payer-funded subsidies to these sports bodies increasing year by year, with calls for more and more public funding growing to a crescendo?

Some of the taxes paid by all of us, including the lowest salary earners, go to them in various ways.

The average annual income in Australia is about $100,000. At that rate it would take 15 years for someone on that salary, with a family, to earn what a top young rugby league player would make in a season, a golfer in one four-day tournament, or a tennis player in a couple of week-long grand slams.

Ostensibly we are funding the “lower end” of the sports — the grassroots. But if there are organisations generating billions of dollars at the top, with multimillionaires at executive and player level, why are they not contributing more and taxpayers forking out less?

The balance is all wrong. If these sports want to be big business, let them play by big business rules. And if they

don’t support their sport at the grassroots level, the uprising should come from the grassroots, not from the taxpayer.

State and Federal taxes go to junior and community sports in a variety ways and Local Government also uses rate revenue to support the various codes.

Everything from playing facilities to uniforms and team travel gets support, even wages for employees in many instances.

Why don’t you ask your local councillor, State MP, or Federal representative for an explanation? The answers would be fascinating, especially if they could be catalogued.

But don’t expect any of them to do or say anything that would upset the major sports ruling cartels.

Of course it’s not only sport where the same imbalance and illogical thinking applies, but let’s think about one topic at a time.

Treasonable

IF YOU get the chance, get out to see the Qantas Museum at Longreach. It will remind you of what a great airline we once had — an airline Australians were proud of; an airline that put its customers first; an airline that didn’t

play grubby politics.

Anyone who refers to Qantas as our national airline should be charged with treason.

Marles on the mat

HOW CAN someone so out of touch with the average Australian, obviously a few frequent flyer points short of an upgrade, become so powerful in politics?

Deputy PM Richard Marles has racked up almost $4 million in VIP private plane hire this year, including $16,000 to fly to a Matildas’ soccer game.

Maybe I should leave it to Queensland Senator Matt Canavan to sum up what the majority of us are thinking: “We don’t know exactly where’s he’s flying because he’s not telling us. It’s outrageous. All this crap about security. It’s just a load of bullshit.”

Just briefly

THERE was only a feather separating the top contenders for Goose of the Week, Acting Premier Steven Miles and Treasurer Cameron Dick — and the State of Queensland is in their hands.

Malcolm Turncoat is voting Yes in the referendum. That’s enough to convince me to vote

By SKINHEAD

No.

This week’s JJJ (Juvenile Justice Joke): Police officer “See you in court”. Young offender “Don’t blink. I won’t be there long.”

Trust science? Sure can. How old is the universe? We (scientists) now think it’s 13.7 billion years old, two billion years younger than we previously thought, but that calculation could be out by a billion or so, depending on which calculation was used.

Trust science?

We don’t need an Olympic Games to tell us our transport system, road network, and associated infrastructure need upgrading. A competent government would have known that years ago.

Treasurer Cameron Dick wrote a newspaper column recently telling Queenslanders how Labor will win the next election — blame the Newman Government for all the Palaszczuk Government’s problems. That’s what we need — new, fresh ideas.

Review or revue?

HAVE YOU ever wondered why governments cost us so much? This pantomime is a classic example.

The Palaszczuk Government

considered appointing an independent adviser to monitor the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s investigation into Transport Minister Mark Bailey because there were doubts about the internal review being appropriate.

That’s right — an independent reviewer of the review to make sure the internal review was appropriate.

A sensible person would probably just have an independent review to start with but we’re dealing with government here. Sense doesn’t enter into it. No wonder the review turned into a revue.

Thought for the Week:

In the good old days you were obliged to give your name, rank and serial number. Give that these days and within minutes “big tech” will have taken your identity, emptied your bank account, and sold your children.

Quote of the Week:

“I’ll have fun doing the Premier’s job for two weeks.” — Acting Premier Steven Miles. Spoken like someone more qualified to be a B-grade court jester than Premier.

Take the free bus to aqua aerobics

SOMERSET Regional Council has extended funding for the Toogoolawah Aqua Aerobics group to help continue a free bus service to the classes. The bus will transport Esk residents to the weekly aqua aerobics classes held at Toogoolawah

Swimming Pool. The service operates every Tuesday, departing from the Esk bus stop (outside the newsagent) at 7.30am and returning from the Toogoolawah Swimming Pool at 9am for a 9.30am arrival back in Esk.

The bus will operate from

Free business mentoring

September 19 for 30 weeks until mid-April 2024, which coincides with the dates of Toogoolawah Swimming Pool’s swim season.

Contact Toogoolawah pool on 0420 974 683 for details, or Patty from Toogoolawah Aqua Aerobics on 0418 758 713.

Plenty of action at Somerset High Schools Sports Cup

THE FINAL day of the annual Somerset High Schools Sports Cup was held on Friday August 25 with Kilcoy, Lowood and Toogoolawah State High Schools battling it out for the trophy.

Councillor Sean Choat said the event involved a two-day competition between the three schools.

“Both junior and senior teams compete in four sports, including volleyball, soccer, touch football and netball, with

the games played across two days throughout the year,” Cr Choat said.

“The overall winner was Kilcoy State High School, who won seven of the eight sporting shields available for individual sport, while hosts Toogoolawah State High School won one shield for Junior Soccer.

“As always, the teachers versus police game of touch football was highly anticipated. Police officers, both local and from further afield, took part in the event. It was a close

match, but the teachers were the winners.”

Somerset Regional Council supports the event by providing transport for travelling schools, the trophy and shields, as well as general event support.

“Council thanks Toogoolawah State High School for hosting and coordinating the event, and Lowood and Kilcoy State High Schools and the police staff for taking the time to travel to the event and participate in this annual event,” Cr Choat said.

IN EXCITING news for the business community, Somerset Regional Council is partnering with the Queensland Government’s Mentoring for Growth (M4G) program to offer a free 60-minute mentoring session to eligible businesses.

Economic Development and Tourism committee member

Councillor Bob Whalley welcomed the initiative, saying it would give local businesses a chance to look at options for the future.

“Business owners in regional areas often have specific challenges and these mentoring sessions will give them a chance to ask questions and get advice about their individual

concerns,” Cr Whalley said.

The mentoring sessions will be held on Monday September 18 at the Somerset Civic Centre, 35 Esk-Hamtpon Road

Follow this link to register and secure your booking: bit.ly/3PcBVGc or for more information phone Council on 5424 4000.

Every bear is going to be there!

CHILDREN are invited to grab their favourite teddy bear and family and head on down to the Teddy Bears Picnic at the Somerset Civic Centre in Esk from 9am to 12pm on Thursday

September 21.

There will be plenty of free activities, with information stalls, a children’s disco, face painting, llamas and a teddy bear parade. A free sausage sizzle is also included.

Prizes will be given for the best dressed and most loved bear. Tickets are not needed, just come on down for a fun morning out with the family.

For more information phone Council on 5424 4000.

Council pools set to reopen in September

THE SUMMER swimming season in Somerset will start with a splash on Saturday, September 16 with each of Somerset Regional Council’s three pools reopening their doors.

“Somerset’s swimming pools are spread across the region at Lowood, Toogoolawah and Kilcoy and taking the plunge is a surefire way of beating the heat and getting fit,” Cr Kylee

Isidro said.

“The Toogoolawah Pool was refurbished last year and boasts a 25-metre pool, splash pad and adjacent community gym. Somerset Health and Fitness has been reappointed to manage the Toogoolawah Pool and Gym Precinct with Council recently awarding a three-year contract to the operator.

“Council is grateful to the

Queensland Government for its funding support for the Lowood pool upgrade under the SEQ Community Stimulus Package.”

Just Sports n Fitness manages the Lowood and Kilcoy facilities. Lowood Pool underwent major renovations in 2022 and offers a 25-metre pool and splash pad. Kilcoy Aquatic Centre features two lap pools and a splash pool.

Kilcoy Funeral Directors have been proudly servicing the Somerset and Moreton Bay regions since 1901. Phillip and Melissa have been journeying with families through their time of need and sharing over 35 years in Funeral Industry experience.

KATHY Sweeney is excited to present this fantastic opportunity to its newest owner.

Uncover the charm of 86 Kennedy Street, Kilcoy - a delightful home radiating Queenslander-style character.

Nestled right in the centre of the tranquil town of Kilcoy, this retreat combines homely appeal and modern conveniences, ready for you to move in or add it to your property portfolio.

Discover the welcoming ambience of this inviting home, featuring large bedrooms, a great living space, dining area and beautiful fresh renovations on the bathroom and kitchen. Timber-look flooring enhances the shared spaces and bedrooms, while large windows flood the

home with natural light. A split system air conditioner resides in the main living area and master bedroom, providing comfort throughout the year. All bedrooms include ceiling fans.

This property boasts an expansive, fully fenced yard where kids and pets can safely roam. With picturesque country views, this property will give you the true ‘retreat escape’ feeling when you arrive home from work. Add a back deck to complete this fantastic property and take full advantage of the gorgeous view.

Experience the charm of this completely updated country lifestyle gem. Call Kathy or Will on 0427 374 117 to view this fantastic opportunity.

Beautiful renovated home with stunning country views living

The storm season is now upon us

HAVE you considered what damage or injury may occur to your property or family during the storm season? Wild weather can impact on your trees, power poles, and electrical systems.

Here are some simple tips that may help you to prepare for the storm season.

• Are your tree’s limbs overhanging your power lines, home or sheds?

• Do you have any dead or dying trees? (Widow Makers)

• Look for signs of white ant nests and badly leaning trees.

• These may come down in wild weather causing damage to your property and power system or even worse, serious harm to your family and pets.

• Did you know that the owner of the property is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of their own poles and wires?

• Have a close look at your

property power poles. Your property poles will be within your property boundary and will not have a pole number.

• Look for signs of fruiting rot, white ants, splits and cracks.

• Are your poles leaning excessively?

• Do your poles all have pole caps to stop the weather getting into the pole and rotting it from top down?

• Check to see if your pole fittings are in good condition and attached.

• Are your aerial cables hanging lower than they should?

• Are your electrical conduits and meter box attached properly to the pole?

• You may wish to get an expert to remove your old bare cables and run one single bundled aerial cable or for peace of mind, you may wish to have underground cables professionally installed.

• Don’t get caught in the dark.

If you live on a rural block and lose power, you may also lose your pressure pump water supply. (No fun) These tips are a guide only. If you want some free advice, please call one of the professionals listed below. REMEMBER ALWAYS, DON’T PICK UP A FALLEN POWER LINE, PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL ENERGEX ON 13 62 62. KEEP YOURSELF A SAFE DISTANCE FROM THE POWER LINES AND KEEP OTHER PEOPLE, PETS AND ANIMALS AWAY.

If you are unsure, don’t hesitate to call the professionals for advice and free quotes.

For trees call Ben on 0406 006 830. For power poles call Graham on 0409 001 965. For electrical call Jeff on 0417 646 961. Remember, keep yourself and your family safe this storm season.

WEASEY’S PROPERTY REPORT

EACH week I take immense pleasure in being able to keep you informed and up-to-date about property matters affecting the wonderful region we are fortunate enough to live in, and I am very grateful to this newspaper for giving me the

opportunity to do so.

Your feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and it’s fantastic to hear.

This week, for the first time, I’d like to share a personal achievement.

Last month I rose to the top of RE/MAX national rankings, taking out the #1 agent spot in the Australian network of almost 400 agents.

What does this achievement represent?

It is evidence of your confidence and trust in me. It comes from consistently getting results for you, and

remains the reason why thousands of property owners have come to me to solve their real estate problems, to reach their goals and to help their dreams come true.

It demonstrates that people and property genuinely are my passion and expertise.

It says to me that my decision to be a real estate specialist in Somerset and Moreton Bay Shires - in my own backyard, where I have recently discovered I am a 5th generation local (not just 4th as we thought) - was the right one all those years ago.

Help up there with Pine Haven Property Power Poles.

Insights into the local housing market

My wife and I bought the home of my beloved grandparents Gladys and Roy Wease, who were dairy farmers in Kilcoy originally and later settled in Delaneys Creek. We raised our five daughters in that home full of warm memories and have a true connection to this beautiful part of the world. We work exceptionally hard to see clients find their own piece of paradise and experience all the benefits these regions bring. History matters to me, your stories matter to me. It also matters to me that my clients are treated with the utmost respect and are the

beneficiaries of my extensive knowledge and integrity.

I have worked hard to do the right thing by each and every seller and buyer because I appreciate the magnitude of the decision to buy and sell property, and the ripple in the pond effect that follows from choosing the right agent and achieving the best results.

So it is with tremendous gratitude that I say thanks for the honour and privilege of working for each and every client over the past 17 years, and I look forward to representing you again, and

living

many new clients, well into the future.

I look forward to hearing from you anytime - mobile: 0427 536 725 or email: cwease@remaxliving.com.au.

with Chris Wease, Senior Sales Agent at Remax Living, Woodford.

Dry weather continues to force cattle prices down

SHEPHERDSON AND BOYD reported a mixed quality yarding of 836 head at their fortnightly store cattle sale at Toogoolawah last Friday.

The market continued to ease for all types due to easing slaughter grid rates and the continuing dry weather.

T and W Davis of Linville sold Droughtmaster steers 24mths for $1,270.

Peter Stephenson of Delaneys Creek sold Angus cross steers 20mths for $1,170.

KDS Partnership of Gregors Creek sold Droughtmaster cross feeder steers 20mths for $1,100.

L and P Haynes of Linville sold Charolais cross feeder steers 16mths for $1,090.

R and T Tinney of Toogoolawah sold Charolais cross steers 16mths for $1,070.

Beckwith and Watson sold Droughtmaster steers 1820mths for $1,070.

G and T Reiser of Gregors Creek sold Charolais cross heavy backgrounder steers 14mths for $1,040.

May Ebbern of Linville sold Charolais cross weaner steers 6-8 mths for $790.

N Pakleppa of Moore sold Limo cross weaner steers 6-8mths for $720.

M and G Wilson of Blackbutt

sold Angus cross weaner steers 6-8mths for $760.

D and D Keen of Mt Kilcoy sold Charbray weaner steers 8mths for $750.

Moke Mountain of Linville sold Charolais cross heifers 18mths for $900.

L and P Haynes of Linville sold Charolais cross feeder heifers for $870.

JC Lord of Mt Stanley sold Euro cross heifers 16-18mths for $700.

Glenlee Farming sold Charbray cross weaner heifers 10mths for $420.

N Pakleppa of Moore sold Limo cross weaner heifers 8mths for $410.

May Ebbern of Linville sold Charolais cross weaner heifers 6-8mths for $380.

Angus cross cows and calves account Kokopelli of Kilcoy sold for $1,180.

Aged Charbray cows with young Charolais cross calves at foot sold for $1,050.

Pregnancy tested in calf Grey Brahman cows account Kokopelli of Kilcoy sold for $830.

Shepherdson and Boyd thank all their vendors, buyers and underbidders for their valued support. The next Toogoolawah Store Sale is Friday September 15.

Moreton cattle cheaper

AGENTS Boyd, O’Brien and Bartholomew reported a yarding of 375 head at their weekly live weight cattle sale at Moreton on Tuesday.

All descriptions sold to an easier market, with dry weather restricting restocker competition. A better yarding of cows came to hand and sold to easier market with restricted competition.

Light weaner steers: Warrigal Farms (Euro X) 246.2c $723.

Feeder heifers: Pecan Pastoral Co (Charolais X) 219.2c $801.

Supplementary fed: B and M Scheiwe (Charolais) 243.2c

TUESDAY 5th SEPTEMBER, 2023 375

descriptions sold to an easier market, with dry weather restricting restocker competition. A better yarding of cows came to hand and sold to easier market with restricted competition

For

$904.

4 tooth pasture ox: Mt W hitestone Droughtmasters (Droughtmaster) 286.2c $1,552.

8 tooth ox: P Mahony (Charolais X) 204.2c $1,322.

Medium cows: Stanley River Grazing (Droughtmaster) 183.2c $978.

Heavy cows: D Hodgson (Simmental) 189.2c $1,163; B and M Scheiwe (Charolais) 179.2c $1,478.

Bulls (medium) Gutzke Rural (Droughtmaster) 192.2c $1,287; (heavy) River Run Cattle Co (Charolais) 166.2c $1,678.

Backgrounder steers 14-months-old account G and T Reiser of Gregors Creek sold for $1,040 at Toogoolawah last Friday.

DISCUSPARKOURXDARTS

DISCUSPARKOURXDARTS

Find

Find the following words in the grid. They may read in any direction, even diagonally. Some letters may be used more than once.

TO RENT living

s TOR ag E UNITs 40ft containers, 2 available, $240/mth and 20ft containers, 2 available, $150/mth.

3 P RaTT sT, K I lc Oy https://www. remaxliving.com.au/21225209

6 Hayma N sT , B URPENga Ry Eas T https://www.remaxliving.com. au/21217690

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Sudoku Fill in the blank cells using numbers from 1 to 9. Each number can only appear once in each row, column and 3x3 block

Sudoku Fill in the blank cells using numbers from 1 to 9. Each number can only appear once in each row, column and 3x3 block

Are your tyres safe? Time to check tyre pressure

BILL’S Tyre Centre owner

Bill Hill is urging people to have their tyres checked for safety and to ensure efficient running of the vehicle.

Bill said tyres were unsafe if they were worn out, while another key factor was the need to know what the tyre pressure was because there were critical safety and economic implications.

The owner of Bill’s Tyre Centre said insufficient tyre pressure could negatively impact the brakes, suspension, steering and wheels, as well as the overall running of the vehicle.

“If the pressure is too low, the tyre could roll off the wheel altogether,” he said.

Bill said the tyres should be

cold when tyre pressures were checked, because warm or hot tyres were more likely to give inaccurate pressure readings.

“A car’s tyres are considered cold if the vehicle has been driven for less than two kilometres, or if the car has been parked for three or more hours,” he said.

Bill said road conditions and the weather were other factors that made it crucial to regularly check the condition of tyres.

“Screws, broken glass, little pieces of rock and other little sharp objects can be anywhere on the roads, and any of these can became lodged in the tyre and cause damage to the tyre,” he said.

“Sometimes the impact on the tyre is immediate, and

sometimes it takes a while for any defects to be noticed.

“Driving on unsealed roads can also cause wear and tear on the tyres.

“Potholes, particularly when the roads are wet, are also likely to take a toll on the tyres.”

Bill said the recommended tyre pressures could be found in the manufacturer’s manual or on the driver’s side door.

“If you can’t find this information, consult your vehicle manufacturer or qualified tyre professional,” he said.

“It’s worth visiting a tyre store each month to get your car tyres checked, because you never know when one or more of your tyres needs attention or replacing.” Bill’s

Queensland has the deadliest year for motorcyclists in five years

MOTORCYCLISTS face more vulnerabilities than car users across Australia, but in Queensland it can be deadly to be one.

The state has led the country in motorbike fatalities in 2021 and 2022 and this year 52 riders have lost their lives on Queensland roads, making 2023 to date the deadliest year for motorbike riders in five years.

Expert in motor vehicle accident law, Juliet Parsons, said Queenslanders are dying in motorcycle accidents at a rate higher than any other state or territory.

“So far this year 52 riders have lost their lives on Queensland roads, making 2023 to date the deadliest year for motorbike riders in five years,” she said.

“This is sadly consistent with what we know about motorbikes in our state, as data from the Federal Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Resource Economics showed that Queensland had the most motorcyclist fatalities in 2022 and 2021 as well.

“As a motor vehicle accident lawyer, I have seen an increase in road trauma and claims involving motorcyclists.

“Research from Queensland Police shows that motorcyclists are 30 times more likely to be killed in a crash than car occupants. In my line of work I see first-hand the severe injury and trauma motorbike accidents can lead to.

“The Bruce Highway in Queensland is one of the 22

deadliest roads in the world, and Australia’s only highway that made it on the list. When you consider that, plus the data from the Queensland Government stating that at-risk riders are often men, it puts the male riders of Queensland at an enormous risk of becoming another statistic.

“It’s not just dangerous roads though, it’s our complacency on them. While many of the roads in Queensland are prone to flooding, one of the main dangers on the Bruce Highway is illegal and dangerous overtaking.

“Accidents are often caused by people being distracted by phones, music, conversation, and not properly checking for motorbikes around them.

“We have a responsibility to each other on the roads. If we remember a motorcyclist’s vulnerability on the roads can be greater than that of a car user, and take more care and attention, we can do our part in changing these terrifying statistics.

“I would encourage riders and drivers to brush up on skills and road rules — including laws around edge filtering and lane filtering — to help save lives.”

Tyre Centre owner Bill Hill is advising people to visit a tyre store each month to have their vehicle’s tyres checked.

We go everywhere

Woodford, Esk, Wamuran, Maleny, Nanango & Surrounding Areas

Coloured & Exposed

Resealing Concrete Ring mark 0402 593 513

E: hulbysconcreting@hotmail.com QBCCLic#1104255

FInIshIng EQuIPmEnT hIRE avaIlaBlE

TonnE EXcavaToR dRy hIRE (Ripper, 200mm, 300mm & standard buckets & trailer with

PUBlic noTices

KILCOY RSL SUB BRANCH

clearing sales

STARIHA AUCTIONS

CLEARING SALE THORNTON

for sale

garDening anD elecTrical eQUiPMenT

sTiHl whipper snipper FS55, 2 stroke straight shaft as new $95. McCulloch hedger 2 stroke petrol motor 2' cut as new $85. Gardener’s Choice whipper snipper 2 stroke petrol motor as new $85. Bailey step ladder 7' and extending to 12'6" as new $85. Wheelbarrow 100L steel tub wooden handles $50. Rover mower and catcher 18" cut, 4 stroke Briggs and Stratton motor, $120. Victor mower & catcher 4 stroke B&S motor 18" cut $100. Edger “Poulan”

somerset regional council

Local Government Regulation 2012 (Section 142) notice of sale of land for overdue rates or charges

12 MAIN CAMP CREEK RD, THORNTON

16th September, 9am

A large selection of Tractors, Trucks, Quad bikes, Motorbikes, Caravans, Trailers, Farm Implements, Livestock equipment and lots more.

Please visit our website for a full listing and photos of lots on o er. Please give us a call or email if you are looking for any further information.

Inspection 15th September 12 noon – 5 pm

www.starihaauctions.com.au

Email: david@starihaauctions.com.au

David: 0412 704 456 Emily: 0427 961 701 Rodney: 0428 885 593

A/C: GG & G PTY LTD ATF THE GIBSON FAMILY TRUST for

sale

farM, foDDer & liVesTocK

cH ic K ens 12 x point-of-lay hens. $10 ea. PH 0409 001 965.

MelTon

farMs

Hay FOR SaLE - Rhodes Grass 4x4

$50 ea, Forage Barley small sq. $15 ea. PH 0459 960 965

PINE HAVEN

PROPERTY POWER POLES

CCA TREATED - ALL SIZES

Delivery & pole erection can be arranged.

Pole inspections, underground power & tree trimming.

12 ton tilt tray, 8 ton excavator & 13.5m cherry picker for hire.

Hay, grains & sugar cane mulch.

Ph 0409 001 965 or 07 5496 1796

2 stroke petrol motor, straight shaft, steel blade, as new $75. Ryobi whipper snipper

2 stroke, petrol motor, as new $75. Skil electric saw 2 1/8 HP, 184mm, 60mm cut, as new $50. Bosch pressure washer electric 1100psi, as new $40. Weldmate arc stick welder 100amps with a sheild as new $60. GMC angle grinder 100mm, 650 watt, as new $50. Ryobi whipper snipper petrol motor as new $85. Metabo jigsaw with spare blades $40. Skill battery drill and impact driver 20v 2 x batteries and charger brand new $60. Gardenline blower, petrol motor, near new $45. Ryobi Whipper Snipper, electric 525W $50. PH 5495 2557. Caboolture.

fUnerals

sMiTH, Lauren amy

Late of Crystal Lakes, formerly of Kilcoy. Passed on 9th august 2023. Aged 32 years

Dearly Loved Daughter of Darren and Sue. Much Loved Sister of Courtney and Cameron. Beloved Grand daughter of Robert and Robyn.

Family and Friends are invited to attend Lauren’s Service to be held at the Kilcoy Memorial Hall, Kennedy Street Kilcoy on Friday 15th September 2023 commencing 11am, followed by burial at the Kilcoy Cemetery, 469 Esk Kilcoy Rd, Woolmar QLD.

KilcoY fUneral DirecTors

PH 07 5497 1196

www.kilcoyfuneraldirectors.com

CAN'T STOP DRINKING?

Call 1300 222 222

Somerset Regional Council hereby gives notice that, unless all overdue rates and expenses of sale owing in relation to this land (which land is more particularly described in the Schedule below) are sooner paid, the said land will be sold by public auction at 11:30am on 22 September 2023 at the Simeon Lord Room, Esk Library Building, 19 Heap Street, Esk Qld 4312.

schedule – full description of this land

assessment Property Property land number address Description area 04451-00000-000 5220 Brisbane Valley Lot 1 on RP188821 18.86 hectares Highway, Esk, Queensland 4312 andrew Johnson chief executive officer somerset regional council

MarKeTs

Northern Gateway to Somerset TM

MARKETS

Saturday 9th September

7.00am - 12.30pm at Yowie Park

Enquiries: please call 0438 927 964

PosiTions VacanT

DUFFYS

Position Vacant

Duffys Mitre 10 Kilcoy requires an experienced person for customer service and sales. Sound knowledge of hardware supplies. Regular 3 days per week and half day Saturdays (flexible). Please forward resume to: Garth Duffy 50 Mary St, Kilcoy Qld 4515 Or email: garth@duffysmitre10.com.au

PUBlic noTices

10 Mile rUral fire BrigaDe agM

8am, sunday 10th s eptember at 612 Kilcoy Murgon Rd.

Craft,

KilcoY KrafTers

A hole-in-one for Lorraine

SPRING has officially sprung!

Let the games begin – and there are certainly some great golfing games to be had at Kilcoy Golf Club in this first month of Spring.

August was an eventful month, and it ended on a high with the Kilcoy Open Cup on Sunday the 27th.

This competition was well attended, with more than 30 players vying for the trophy which was donated by Don Thrupp and won by Rod Howard with a nett 65.

The end-of-month Ladies Golf was also well attended, and the Stanley Hotel awarded the trophy for this month to Delores Cole.

Runner-up was Louise Howard who also won the putting competition, with Kerryn Smith winning the approach shot on hole 11.

The next ladies 9-hole comp will be held on Saturday September 30.

Other highlights for August included the celebration of the opening of the clubhouse renovations, which was a fun night of dining and dancing.

Another highlight was the ADF event on August 16,

which attracted a large field of golfers. A considerable amount of money was raised for the Cancer Support Group, and the Golf Club thanks the Kilcoy RSL sub-branch for its wonderful support in running this day.

Last Saturday, Lorraine Barrett scored a hole-in-one on the 18th green. What a way to start the month’s golfing!

Lorraine commented that her achievement was due to being “plain lucky”, but this shot also requires some skill! Well done, Lorraine.

This Saturday will feature the Golf Father competition, with tee off at 2pm after a pregame lunch is available at noon.

Sponsored by Ray White, this is a 9-hole 3-ball Ambrose which promises to be a fun afternoon.

Teams can register for this event by calling the Golf Club on 5405 5705.

On Sunday (September 10), there will be a Junior Zone event held at Kilcoy, open to boys and girls between 5 and 17 years of age who have reached a minimum standard of golf skill to enable them to enjoy playing three or more holes.

Please note that the course

will be closed until 3pm on Sunday.

For more information on this and other Junior Futures zone events, check the Glasshouse Mountains Golf Zone Junior web page.

The monthly Kilcoy Exchange Hotel 9-hole event will be held this Saturday, and will be a 2-ball Ambrose as usual. Tee-off is at 2pm, and this event is open to all players.

The regular Wednesday competition will be held throughout the month along with a varied selection of weekend games, with details available on the Team app and club website.

Just a reminder that September is the final month for golfers to qualify for finals of the Kilcoy Golf Club’s three annual trophies: the Norm Tones Shield, Fred Greensill Memorial, and the Ladies monthly medal.

The finals for these competitions will be played towards the end of October.

Please register your entries for these events as soon as possible.

Beautiful one year, perfect the next

KEN Wearing took out this year’s Woodford Golf Club men’s championship which was played every Saturday from August 5 to 26, with more than 200 golfers competing on each of the four days.

Playing in the senior division, Ken proved too consistent for the A Graders as he had rounds of 71, 72, 72 and 74, while runner-up Stephen McAllister had rounds of 74, 68, 78 and 75.

Ken recorded a couple of bogeys midway through the final round, before he birdied the 15th and 16th holes to seal his six-shot victory.

Interestingly, Ken had a six-shot victory in the senior division at last year’s championship as there were three rounds, while his scores were 70, 77 and 77.

This year’s B Grade winner was decided on the very last hole, as long-term Woodford golfer Neil Buss made a fantastic up-and-down par out of the bunker to edge out Woodford Golf Club employee Ryan Lacey by one shot.

Ellen Adriaansen works feature at Kilcoy Courthouse Art Gallery

KILCOY Art Society thanks its August Artist of the Month (AOM) Terry Wilkinson for her lovely collection of artworks.

Artist of the month for September is Ellen Adriaansen.

Ellen moved to Delaneys Creek with her husband in 2009 after a career in management which concluded after a four-

year posting in an overseas development role in the Solomon Islands.

Since she was a child, Ellen has had a love for all things creative including mosaics, patchwork quilting, cardmaking and pottery but she has continually returned to drawing and painting.

“When I am creating, time disappears,” Ellen said.

Outside of craft, her artwork has focused almost exclusively on trying to accurately capture the beauty of the human form and animals, including commissions.

The artistic works of Ellen Adriaansen will be on display at the Kilcoy Courthouse Art Gallery during September.

all of them, particularly mixed media.

Neil had rounds of 85, 86, 91 and 90 while Ryan had 83, 88, 96 and 86.

In C Grade, the victor finished three strokes ahead of the second placegetter as Joe Whitney had rounds of 89, 97, 93 and 94 while Steve Soanes had 89, 93, 91 and 103.

Keith Emanuel won the senior division following rounds of 82, 77, 74 and 79 while fierce competitor Steve Collyer was next best with rounds of 78, 78, 79 and 81.

It was the second straight year that Steve placed second in the senior division, after he won it in 2021.

Meanwhile the nett winners were Kobe Palmer (A Grade), Colin Anderson (B Grade), Steve Soanes (C Grade) and Flores Romero (senior division).

Some of the golfers said how nerve-racking it could be when being around the lead for four weeks.

Event organisers thanked Blacks Betta Home Living for sponsoring again.

Her favourite models are cats, whether domestic (particularly her own ‘Cleo’), or wild, and they are the focus of this exhibition.

Ellen has no preferred medium, happily dabbling in

Ellen started exhibiting her art work in 2019 and has won many awards.

Please support Ellen’s art by visiting the Kilcoy Courthouse Art Gallery during September.

Lorraine Barrett was all smiles after landing a hole-in-one at the Kilcoy golf course.

Ken Wearing with his trophy for winning the Woodford Golf Club men’s championship.

Keith Emanuel won the senior division in the Woodford Golf Club men’s championship.

Wolves ready for grand final showdown

THE stage is set for a highly anticipated Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League (SCGRL) reserve grade grand final at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Saturday, with the Stanley River Wolves contesting the Bribie Island Warrigals.

Bribie has been undefeated all year and has been the only club to defeat Stanley River, with the teams having met twice this year.

Bribie’s 20-12 win against Stanley River on August 26 enabled the Warrigals to reach the decider, before the Wolves booked their grand final spot as they beat the Beerwah Bulldogs 20-16 in last Saturday’s preliminary final.

Beerwah led 6-0 before Stanley River evened the score about five minutes prior to half-time, and then hit the lead about five minutes into the second half.

The Bulldogs drew level at 12-all before a penalty goal and a converted try gave the Wolves a 20-12 lead with about seven minutes left.

Beerwah scored a try with about 90 seconds remaining and declined the conversion attempt in an effort to find enough time to seek a winning try, but the Wolves hung on nervously.

Interestingly, the Bulldogs beat the Wolves 24-10 in last year’s preliminary final with Ethan Szendrey coaching Beerwah, before he took on the co-coaching role at Stanley

River this year alongside last year’s coach Gary AtkinsonMaul.

Also, Jaye Allery and Daemon Cruise and Ainsworth brothers Tony and Lance played for Beerwah in last year’s preliminary final before lining up for Stanley River this year.

Allery and the Ainsworth duo also played in last year’s grand final, with Beerwah going down 24-4 to Coolum.

Stanley River’s preparation for this year’s preliminary final was unsettled after Nathan ‘Mambut’ Saliamungo, Deece Knight and Tom Matthews withdrew on three successive days in the lead-up. All of them may yet return for the grand final while John Snow isn’t expected to play after sustaining an injury during last Saturday’s game.

Casey Gray meanwhile is in doubt.

Last Saturday was the fourth time the Wolves and Bulldogs squared off this year, with Stanley River having three wins and one draw.

The tight scoreline last Saturday was far removed from the 46-16 drubbing which the Wolves inflicted in the previous encounter only two weeks earlier.

“I’ll give Beerwah plenty of credit. They certainly came to stick it to us,” Szendrey said.

“For us, I’m not at any panic stations but we certainly weren’t at our best.”

Szendrey said his team’s ball control “dropped off a bit” while the players “were a bit flat at times”.

“I thought our energy was lacking a bit,” he said.

Szendrey nevertheless said the Wolves got the job done.

Now awaiting the decider, Szendrey wasn’t concerned about facing a team which hadn’t lost a game all year, and he said there was an abundance of feelings towards reaching the grand final.

“A few nerves there, and proud of where we’ve come from at the start of the year compared to where we are now…nervous, excitement, it’s all in there,” he said.

Szendrey said he liked to keep things “pretty relaxed” and “keep it simple” in the days leading up to the grand final.

Szendrey said “it’s about getting the players ready” without playing the game in their head too much beforehand, while he emphasised not to over-energise or over-stimulate anything.

“It’s a big occasion, and we’ve got a lot of guys who haven’t experienced a grand final,” he said.

Although saying the Wolves had a few things to work on, Szendrey said they “don’t need to reinvent the wheel” considering they “know what’s got us here”.

“One hundred percent the guys will be up for it,” he said.

Second place for Stanley Rivers in state polocrosse titles

THE Kilcoy-based Stanley Rivers Polocrosse Club earned a runner-up placing at the Queensland Polocrosse State Championships, hosted by the Cunningham Polocrosse Club at Bony Mountain near Warwick last weekend.

Missing a number of players due to illness or injury, Stanley Rivers fielded only one team as there were 68 teams in the championships; mostly from around Queensland while there were also several teams from NSW.

Each team comprised six players and, with spare and umpire horses, upwards of 700 horses were on the grounds.

After winning the C Grade division at Tansey a few weeks back, the Stanley Rivers team was relegated to G Grade at the state championships because of the high number of strongerrated teams.

Stanley Rivers had convincing wins against Gold Coast 5 and Warwick 3 and 4 in the knockout stage of the tournament.

Stanley Rivers progressed to the G Grade final, before going down narrowly to Gold Coast 4 in a see-sawing and tough game.

The season is now over, with the next one to start in April

2024 with a big year ahead. The national championships will be held at Chinchilla in June, with teams from all states attending.

Stanley Rivers will start pre-season training in February. For more information, contact Clay Colless on 0437 195 700 or stanleyriverspolocrosse@ gmail.com

Gallant Stelicans beaten but unbowed in junior league decider

THE Stanley RiverBeachmere Stelicans U13 girls put in a lionhearted effort on junior rugby league grand final day at Coolum last Saturday, as the Beerwah Bulldogs won the Pool B decider 42-18.

Beerwah scored nine tries to four.

Despite the result, the Stelicans could feel happy just to have made it to grand final day, particularly with a number of the players in their first year of rugby league.

The coaches and parents put in a lot of time and effort during the year to ensure the merged team functioned as smoothly as possible, particularly with driving between the two clubs for training each week.

Brisbane Valley soccer teams

chase premiership glory

SEVEN Brisbane Valley teams will line up on grand final day at Tivoli Sporting Complex in the Queensland Christian Soccer Association this Saturday.

The Eagles Div 1 senior men will take on Whitehill, with the Div 3 Hawks having bowed out with a 2-1 loss to Raceview in last Saturday’s preliminary final.

The Eagles women will

oppose the Blackstone United Dragons, after the Eagles edged out Raceview 2-1 in the preliminary final.

Brisbane Valley’s U18s will go head-to-head with Logan United, after the Eagles outfit pipped the Westminster Warriors 1-0 last Saturday.

The Eagles U16 boys defeated Silkstone Baptist 3-2 in the preliminary final, to set up a grand final showdown with

the Mansfield Eagles. After having a break last weekend, Brisbane Valley’s U16 girls will face off with St. Pauls Uniting on grand final day.

Brisbane Valley’s U11 and U14 boys teams also had a break last weekend, with the U11s to face Rosewood United on grand final day while the U14s oppose Sunnybank.

Stanley Rivers Polocrosse G Grade runners up: Clay Colless, Ross Burgess, Julie Stephenson, John Colless, John Donovan. Absent: Selena Stevens.

The Stanley River-Beachmere Stelicans finished runners-up in the U13 girls rugby league grand final.

Daemon Cruise has been a revelation for the Stanley River Wolves, after transferring from the Beerwah Bulldogs. He has been the leading try-scorer and point-scorer in this year’s reserve grade competition.

NRL finals series starts Friday

WEEK one of the National Rugby League (NRL) finals series is set to take place from Friday to Sunday, with two teams to drop out

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

of premiership contention while another two will progress to week three.

The two highest-placed losing teams will gain a

Brisbane Broncos (2) v Melbourne Storm (3), 7.50pm at Suncorp Stadium

The Broncos and Storm will meet at the venue known as ‘The Cauldron’ just eight days after previously doing so, but the two clubs will undergo numerous changes.

Both teams rested many players in the last round of the regular season, with Melbourne’s 32-22 win ultimately wrecking Brisbane’s minor premiership hopes while Melbourne ultimately climbed from fourth to third.

It’s the first time in four years that the Broncos have reached the finals, and the task awaiting them could hardly be more daunting.

The Storm have been the biggest bogey team for the Broncos, who haven’t beaten the Craig Bellamy-coached Melbourne club in any of the past 14 encounters.

Even more damning for the Broncos is the fact that they haven’t beaten the Storm on Brisbane soil since 2009.

While the Storm have undergone numerous changes since they most recently won the premiership – three years ago – their coach has remained the same.

The likes of Cameron Munster, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Christian Welch and Nelson Asofa-Solomona have been in numerous Melbourne victories against Brisbane over the years.

Meanwhile the Broncos will look to halfback and captain Adam Reynolds to lead the team effectively, while hoping mercurial fullback Reece Walsh provides the X-factor.

The winning team will earn a week’s break, while the losing team finds itself in a suddendeath situation from week two of the finals.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

Penrith Panthers (1) v New Zealand Warriors (4), 4.05pm at BlueBet Stadium

Penrith’s quest to be the first NRL club in 40 years to win three straight premierships remains

second chance, while the teams in the bottom half of the top-eight are in a do-ordie situation with every one of their fixtures.

a focal point of this year’s finals campaign.

The Panthers sealed the minor premiership last weekend, after the Broncos let the opportunity slip.

Penrith’s squad has plenty of premiership experience from the past two years, although the Panthers need to adjust without injured fiveeighth Jarome Luai.

Jack Cogger is expected to slot into the role, after covering for halfback Nathan Cleary when he was injured earlier in the year.

The Warriors meanwhile are making their first finals appearance in five years, having improved immensely this year after finishing second-last in 2022.

Penrith and the New Zealand team have met just once this year, with the reigning two-time premiers prevailing 18-6 on May 6 as part of ‘Magic Round’ when all of the round’s fixtures were in Brisbane.

The Warriors had a shock 34-10 loss to the Dolphins on Brisbane soil last Saturday, when a win to the Warriors would have sealed third place and a battle with the Broncos.

The experienced Shaun Johnson has played a vital role in his return to the Warriors this year, while captain Tohu Harris should relish a return to the finals arena after being a premiership winner for Melbourne back in 2017.

The winner of the first versus fourth match will have a break in week two of finals while the losers find themselves in a do-or-die situation.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

Cronulla Sharks (6) v Sydney Roosters (7), 7.50pm at PointsBet Stadium

The Roosters enter the finals on the back of a five-game winning streak, although none of those victories were against a top-eight side.

Nonetheless, last Friday night’s 26-12 victory over the South Sydney Rabbitohs was decisive considering a win to the Rabbitohs would have enabled Souths to play in the finals at the expense of the Roosters.

The Roosters have effectively found

themselves in a do-or-die situation for several weeks, and other teams will be wary of the experience in the team.

Despite their patchy season, the Roosters have continued to field several premiership winners including James Tedesco, Joey Manu, Luke Keary, Brandon Smith, Nat Butcher and Victor Radley.

This year will be a different experience for Smith, who joined the Roosters from Melbourne after the completion of last season.

Manu may return from injury although another premiership winner, Daniel Tupou, is likely to remain sidelined.

The Sharks have also been set back as Connor Tracey has been ruled out with a knee injury.

Another ex-Storm player to make a mark with a different club has been Nicho Hynes, who has been a key player in his second year with the Sharks.

The lone time that the Roosters and Sharks met in the round-robin season was on April 14, when Cronulla prevailed 22-12.

Following a disappointing 32-6 loss to Newcastle on August 27, the Sharks bounced back last Sunday with a convincing 24-6 win over Canberra.

Last year the Sharks finished second on the ladder but then failed to win a finals match, while the Roosters exited in week one of the play-offs.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

Newcastle Knights (5) v Canberra Raiders (8), 4.05pm at McDonald Jones Stadium

The Raiders have finished in eighth spot for the second successive year while the Knights have been one of the big improvers after coming thirdlast in 2022, although they were lowly placed after round 17 this year.

Newcastle enters the finals series on the back of nine straight victories, but its season will be over if the winning streak ends.

This Sunday will nevertheless be the first time in 17 years that the Knights host a final; a drought that should ensure Knights fans turn up in droves.

Canberra meanwhile has stumbled into the finals after losing three of its past four matches, and its preparation has been disrupted by the withdrawal of experienced prop Josh Papali’i due to injury, on top of the absence of the suspended Corey Horsburgh.

The Raiders suffered another blow, as Sebastian Kris earned a five-match suspension after being sent off for a dangerous throw in Canberra’s 24-6 loss to Cronulla last Sunday.

Canberra nonetheless still has a number of players from the team that lost narrowly to the Roosters in the 2019 grand final: Jack Wighton, Jordan Rapana, Nick Cotric, Joseph Tapine, Elliott Whitehead and Emre Guler, in addition to coach Ricky Stuart.

Dirt bikers brave dry and dusty conditions at Jimna rally

TWENTY-TWO riders

flocked to Jimna Base Camp on their dirt bikes for the Historic Motor Cycle Club of Queensland (HMCCQ) Pure Earth Rally on the weekend of August 26 and 27.

The riders came from Brisbane, Ipswich, Dalby, Gold Coast and Fraser Coast, while the trek spanned 156km of bush

tracks and scenery.

Conditions were dry and dusty, while requirements were for all bikes to be registered and be at least 30 years old.

The ride began along Jimna-Murgon Road through Gallangowan to Upper Widgee, and then lunch was taken before the return trip involved going to Wrattens-Kandanga

intersection to Hall Road, and onto Jimna-Murgon Road to the base camp.

A back-up vehicle and trailer followed the group in case there were breakdowns, but no breakdowns ensued.

Jimna Sports Club staged a subsequent dinner and awards presentation.

Phil Watson was presented

an award for his invaluable help in organising the ride, and Darren received the Hard Luck award after his BSA motorcycle wouldn’t start on the first morning.

Steve Peake won the award for having the biggest tank (although it ran out of petrol), and Lyndon Pay won an award for his outlandish riding style.

Riders and their bikes at the HMCCQ Pure Earth Rally.

Phil Watson receives an award from Matt Rees for his vital help in organising the recent ride in and around Jimna.

‘Fish’ sorts out his bike at the servo, during the Pure Earth Rally.