Thursday, 20 January, 2022
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Farms close gates for safety
Controversy in Covid decision
Best of life on the farm
Casey’s Spin on sport
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PAGES 29-31
April date for show?
Peter’s honour
The postponed Stanthorpe Show has a potential alternative date scheduled for the end of April. Stanthorpe Agricultural Society president Brett Boatfield said he is having ongoing discussions with Queensland Agriculture Shows to finalise this date. “It’s a bit of logistics to work it out, but we’re certainly looking at mid to the end of April,” Brett said. STORY PAGE 6
Stanthorpe Swimming Club unveiled their grandstand honouring Peter Jensen over the weekend. Peter Jensens family was in attendance, including his wife Neta, sons Timothy and Michael, daughter Leanne, and their families. Read more on page 10
RATs on tap While most residents of the Southern Downs are finding it impossible to get their hands on a Rapid Antigen Test, Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC) says they have 400 tests on the way to be used within the organisation. SDRC CEO Dave Burges stated that they have ordered 200 two-packs of the tests, and “the delivery is imminent“. He stated he’s not sure when they will be delivered, and that SDRC is still considering how those tests will be used. STORY PAGE 8
Stress at delays due to work commitments. “I don’t have the option not to work,” parent one said. “It also stresses me because I’m worried about my kids falling behind. “My kids don’t do well with an unsettled routine and this has thrown their routine out.”
In contrast, parent two said the delay has no effect as she is currently not working. “Health is more important than a week or two of school, that’s the priority,” parent two said. “But the kids are going stir crazy.” Education Minister Grace Grace said in a press conference on Monday that there have
been very positive responses to the announcement. “This common sense measure is to avoid opening schools during the predicted peak of the Queensland Omicron variant wave,” Ms Grace said. STORY PAGE 5
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The two-week delay to this year’s school start date has prompted mixed reactions from certain parents after its announcement last week. Due to privacy, the names of these parents will not be revealed and instead referred to as parent one and parent two. Parent one said the delay was frustrating because she had to pay for extra holiday care