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Moreton ws e Border N MORE THAN 27 YEARS OF SERVING THE COMMUNITY

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Edition No: 1315 | Thursday, 22 October, 2026

Swapping the magic of motorcycles PAGE 13

Top track show RACEGOERS and families from across the region headed to the Marburg Showgrounds on Sunday, 18 October for a day of harness racing and family fun at the Harriot Day 2026 - All Trotters Day. STORY PAGE 17

Getting a guest ride with experienced driver Tim Gillespie was youngster Louis Ball (Lyle Radford)

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NEWS

INSIDE RAMBLINGS ............................... page 14 DINING ....................................... page 15 REAL ESTATE.............................. page 16 SPORT ................................ pages 17-20

WEATHER THREE DAY WEATHER OUTLOOK

TODAY

SATURDAY

Cooler and mostly cloudy Min Temp 16°C Max Temp 21°C

Mostly fine Min Temp 17°C Max Temp 27°C

FRIDAY

SUNDAY

Partly cloudy Min Temp 17°C Max Temp 24°C

Partly cloudy Min Temp 19°C Max Temp 27°C

CONTACTS

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Last year’s Remembrance Day Commemorative Service was well attended. (Lyle Radford; 585615)

Reflect, remember on 11/11 AT THE 11th hour, on the 11th day of the 11th month, the local community gathers at the Rosewood Memorial Hall to commemorate the fallen, at a service hosted by the Rosewood RSL Sub Branch. Each year, invited guests, service personnel, the school communities, community groups and families come together at the sub branch in front of the Soldier Memorial. Remembrance Day is a significant day for Australia, significant on the sub branch calendar, and a special day for the community to remember our service men and women and to pay our respects. Sub Branch secretary, Carmel Luetchford said around 90 people were at last year’s service and at least 60 stayed on afterwards to enjoy the lunch. She said veterans and their families savoured moments like these because they’re able to talk to people with similar experiences. It’s a tradition of cameraderie, a quiet understanding of shared experiences, service and sacrifice. “Things went as expected and it was a really beautiful service that was well received within

the community,” Ms Leutchford said of last years service. “There were some new people there and it was lovely to see our RSL members making the new people feel welcome and chatting with them. “People are becoming more aware of what the day is all about and that’s remembering not only soldiers from the First World War, but all conflicts through the years to current ones today.” Importantly, the day was about saying thank you by commemorating and remembering what’s happened and the sacrifices made. The commemorations include the Ode to the Fallen and Last Post as part of the service tradition, but prior to that students from Rosewood State High School read out the names of the fallen. Then Rosewood State School students read a poem. Everyone is invited to attend the Rosewood Sub Branch service on Wednesday, 11 November at 10.30am.

EDITORIAL Cameron Thompson Editorial Co-ordinator E: cameron.thompson@StarNewsGroup.com.au Lara Hart Journalist E: lara.hart@TodayNewsGroup.com.au MANAGEMENT CONTACTS Renee Bennett Group General Manager E: renee.bennett@SAToday.au ADVERTISING CONTACTS Donna Collier Regional Sales Manager E: donna.collier@TodayNewsGroup.com.au Tony Field Account Manager E: tony.field@TodayNewsGroup.com.au Michele McCoombes Account Manager E: michele.mccoombes@TLSIndependent.com.au DEADLINES Advertising Bookings Classified Bookings

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Published by Ipswich Media Pty Ltd ACN 642 169 891. Publisher Damian Morgan. All material is copyright to Ipswich Media Pty Ltd. All significant errors will be corrected as soon as possible. Distribution numbers, areas and coverage are estimates only. For our terms and conditions please visit IpswichNewsToday. com.au/terms-and-conditions/

Guest speakers command an audience as they deliver a message so many need to hear first hand. (585632)

THERE’S something about older folk living large that I find comforting because it’s evidence life only becomes boring when you let it. This month I’ve written about seniors with quirky collections and passions, they make full use of their creative talents ... and I love it. Marburg was buzzing with activity on Sunday when racegoers and their families headed to the show ground for a day of harness racing. Now that’s something I’d love to give a go because as far as a sport goes, being pulled around sounds right up my alley. If you’re a motorcycle geek you’ll love what we have on page 13. Our reporter Jesse Hamilton writes about the annual Laidley motorcycle swap meet. And Byron Peszko writes about a special 60th anniversary, where former St Mary’s College and St Edmunds College students came together at Ipswich City Golf Club. Remembrance Day is coming up and Rosewood RSL Sub Branch will host a ceremony at the Rosewood Memorial Hall to remember the fallen. The day is significant because it brings the community together as they pay their respects to those who paid the price for the freedoms we enjoy today. Whenever I have attended a ceremony, it is the youth participation I find comforting and I pray this never changes. And in my Ramblings column, I write about the things that disappear into the ether like teaspoons, socks and hair ties. If you partake in Halloween, step into Bunnings Plainland for spooky surprises, creepy crafts and a maze of scary fun. - Lara Hart

Thursday, 22 October, 2026 | Moreton Border News

NEWS

No funding for deadly intersection By BYRON PESZKO Commuters accessing the notorious HaigsleaAmberley Road, Shultz Road and Warrego Highway intersection must wait years for a safer journey home, with Ipswich West MP Wendy Bourne protesting the lack of money allocated for much needed safety upgrades. The intersection is a blackspot for accidents and fatalities and the MP is incensed at the lack of progress. “Transport and Main Roads have told me there is no funding, Ms Bourne,” said. “If you’ve got such a dangerous intersection where there have been so many people who have died there and had near misses, why aren’t they doing something about it?,” she said. In March, it was reported the overcrowded road junction had produced a total of 66 crashes between 2014 and 2023, with one fatality in 2024. In July that year, the former Ipswich West MP Darren Zanow launched a parliamentary e-petition requesting immediate action on the notorious stretch. Ms Bourne said she had long requested a speed review, even asking the TMR Minister

Ipswich West MP Wendy Bourne.

Brent Micklberg for a please explain in a Question on Notice 16 months ago. “The Queensland Government is committed to completing the speed limit review for the Warrego Highway, including the intersection of Haigslea-Amberley Road, so that local residents’ safety can be maintained,” Minister

Brent Mickleberg responded at the time. The Minister said that earlier petitions 4116-24 and 4157-24-were tabled by a former Minister for Transport and Main Roads on 20 September 2024. These had indicated that the SLR would be completed in 2024, but the review did not occur.

“The SLR is currently underway and therefore the outcomes are unable to be shared,” Minister Mickleberg said. Ms Bourne said her own family was among locals terrified of using the current intersection. “I had a couple come up to me last weekend saying they’ve had two near misses and they’re terrified to use that intersection,” Ms Bourne said. She said TMR officers told her that an option to apply a left turn from Walloon onto the highway was being considered. “They would only let you turn left, and then you would go up and do a U-turn, and then come back down and head towards Brisbane,” she said. “What they’re trying to do is look at mitigation measures there.” But the MP said enough was enough. “The first thing they need to do is reduce the damn speed limit,” she said. “Secondly, they need to plan some funding there. “For local families, the danger is personal,” she said.

Thoughts of Christmas prompt a Rosewood Communi-tree THE change in seasons and warmer weather is a reminder the festive season will soon be here. To celebrate and create a feeling of belonging, the Rosewood Community Centre has invited residents to be part of a very special project. They’ve put out the call for donations of festive fabrics and knitted squares or blankets. The centre wants to use the donations to build a Christmas tree that belongs to everyone. The collaborative approach gives everyone an opportunity to be part of a festive display that will capture the spirit of the community. What’s needed are, Christmas fabrics and festive squares; knitted or crocheted sqares and blankets; and people with the creative skills to help sew, knit, crochet and craft the tree together. Donations can be dropped off at the Rosewood Community Centre.

Rosewood Community Centre

Rosewood Community Centre volunteers want to build a Christmas tree that belongs to everyone. (Image: AI generated)

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Moreton Border News | Thursday, 22 October, 2026

NEWS

Amberley history display cut back By BYRON PESZKO A reduction in opening hours for the RAAF Base Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre has sparked fears from locals over its long termfuture. But Defence says opening hours are subject to continual review to ensure the centre remains accessible to the public and the RAAF Base Amberley community. In September, the centre quietly reduced its weekly opening hours (Tuesdays and Thursdays) to Tuesdays from 9.00am - 3.00pm. While the previous schedule - every third Sunday of each month (except December and January) - will now be advertised on occurrence. Willowbank resident and No. 23 Squadron Association historian George Hatchman said the cut was due to funding issues. “From what I understand, they’re cutting back funding to the historical branch of the Air Force, and that goes down to the manning of the heritage centre,” Mr Hatchman said. “While there’s volunteers there, the Heritage Centre still has to be maintained by service personnel, so Defence has cut back their hours. “They don’t have the manpower to run it on weekends.

AAHC C-47 ‘ Dakota’ on display.

Mr Hatchman, says uncertainty prompted him recently to remove his World War Two Jeep from display. “Defence have been told they’ve got to reduce their footprint and consolidate their hangers from four to two,” he said. “I don’t know how they are going to be able to do that.” Mr Hatchman stressed the importance of the centre for the region. “It’s about the actual heritage of the Air Force,” he said. “It’s important that people can see what’s happened, how we responded to it, and how

Opening hours of the RAAF Base Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre have been quietly cut.

that’s matured into the fighting force we are today. “If you don’t have that display, then I think we’ve lost some of our human values and our Australian identity to some degree. “Unless you’ve got that, it’s all fly by wire at the moment. He said the other big drawcard was tourism. “It brings people into Ipswich,” he said. “The general public won’t be able to attend during the week because they work. It’s going to make it difficult. “If you pull the plug on one, it shrinks it up

the other, doesn’t it?” Mr Hatchman said. A Defence spokesperson said the ADF was committed to providing opportunities for the Australian public to learn about our rich military aviation history and heritage. “The RAAF Base Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre is staffed by Reserve personnel and a dedicated team of community volunteers, and operates on a part-time basis,” the spokesperson said. Ipswich Tribune Today understands planning for an expanded Sunday opening in reduced frequency is underway for mid-November.

Womanhood celebrated in pics at Lockyer Valley Art Gallery THE Lockyer Valley Art Gallery’s next exhibition takes a deep dive into HER. By Rhiannon Thistlethwaite, a body of work celebrating feminine power in all its forms. The exhibition explores the many dimensions of womanhood, celebrating its strength, softness, ambition, wisdom and individuality, while revealing the diverse qualities that shape women’s experiences. LVRC councillor, Julie Reck, said the exhibition offered visitors plenty to discover. “Each image features women from our community captured within familiar local landscapes,” Cr Reck said. “I think identity is something a lot of women struggle with, especially through the many chapters of a woman’s life.

“It’s an important reminder that every chapter we experience is important and provides us with experiences that shape who and what we are. “Photographic exhibitions are a wonderful addition to an art gallery, offering visitors an accessible and engaging way to experience visual art while seeing the world through someone else’s lens.” See HER at the Lockyer Valley Art Gallery, Lake Apex Drive Gatton until 29 November.

Her by Rhiannon Thislethwaite at the Lockyer Art Gallery. (LVRC)

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Thursday, 22 October, 2026 | Moreton Border News

NEWS

Murder, assault, kids loose in a car Firearm and drug offences, Wulkuraka

Jacque Cheung was last seen on Beaudesert Boonah Road, Wyaralong around 9:30pm last Sunday 11 October.

charged with one count of robbery and one count of extortion and are due in Ipswich Magistrates Court on 3 November Unrestrained children, Redbank A 36-year-old woman has been charged and fined nearly $7000 after allegedly driving without a licence and speeding with five children unrestrained in the back of her vehicle at Redbank last Friday. About 4.00pm, Ipswich Highway Patrol officers were conducting patrols when they intercepted a white Hyundai iMax allegedly travelling at 77km/h in a 60km/h zone on Brisbane Road. Police say five children, aged between four months and nine years, were travelling in the rear of the vehicle without appropriate restraints. They say the baby was being held by a five-year-old child. The woman was issued with $6,993 in fines, incurred 23 demerit points and was also charged with driving without a licence. She is due to appear in Ipswich Magistrates Court on 29 October. Racial incidents appeal, Greenbank Police are appealing to the public for information that may assist with investigations into two racial incidents across Greenbank earlier this month. Between 5.30pm and 6.20pm on Saturday 3 October, a child was assaulted by a group of people at a park on Tivoli Road. The group then made offensive remarks to the child. Further information indicates between midnight and 9am on Sunday, unknown persons attended an East Sentinel Drive residence and spray-painted the exterior of the property, including offensive language and prohibited symbols. Anyone with relevant information or vision is urged to contact police.

Moreton Border News | Thursday, 22 October, 2026

Police have arrested a man, following after allegedly locating a homemade firearm, ammunition, counterfeit money, an amount of methamphetamine and drug utensils at his property.

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POLICE have charged a man with weapon and drug offences following a search of a Wulkuraka property earlier this month. About 10.00am on 2 October, police attended an address where it is alleged the man attempted to flee before he was arrested. During a search police allegedly located a homemade firearm, ammunition, counterfeit money, an amount of methamphetamine and drug utensils. A 42-year-old Wulkuraka man has been charged with one count each of unlawful possession of a Category H weapon, possessing dangerous drugs, possessing counterfeit money, possessing utensils and authority required to possess explosives. He appeared in Ipswich Magistrates Court last Tuesday. Murder charge, Ipswich Police have charged a 28-year-old man with murder following the death of a three-monthold Ipswich boy earlier this month. Police commenced an investigation on 1 October after the infant presented to an Ipswich Hospital with significant internal injuries. The three-month-old boy was later transferred to a Brisbane hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries last Tuesday afternoon. The man, who was arrested at an Ipswich address is known to the child. He has been charged with one count of murder – domestic violence against a child. He appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court last Wednesday. Child charges, Blackstone A man has been charged following investigations into the assault of a teenage girl in Blackstone last Wednesday evening. About 11.30pm, police were called to bushland on Thomas Street, following reports a 13-year-old girl had allegedly been assaulted by a man, not known to her. The alleged offender, a 41-year-old man was located by police at a Cooneana Street, Bundamba, address on Friday evening. The man has since been charged with one count each of indecent treatment of a child under 16 and supplying dangerous drugs to minor under 16 years. He appeared in Ipswich Magistrates Court on Monday. Robbery and extortion charges, Ipswich Two people have been charged following an alleged robbery and extortion offence in Ipswich last Wednesday. About 10.00am, a man and a woman entered a business on Ipswich Street and threatened a 38-year-old man before assaulting him and forcing him to the ground. The pair then allegedly forced the victim, known to them, to transfer money into a bank account before leaving in a black MG MG3. Police tracked the vehicle to a bank in Springfield the same day, where the pair were arrested while allegedly attempting to withdraw funds. A 47-year-old Springfield Lakes woman and a 33-year-old Strathpine man were each

NEWS

Council revives river access points A two-year river restoration project has delivered weed treatment, revegetation and improved river access across public reserves along the Mid-Brisbane River Catchment. from Fernvale to Wivenhoe Pocket The Mid-Brisbane Reserves Project aimed to improve the environmental health and longterm sustainability of the reserves. Mayor Jason Wendt said the final report highlighted the excellent work in a short timeframe. “Our team delivered an impressive program of work across Council managed reserves including Burtons Bridge in Borallon, Savages Crossing and Twin Bridges in Fernvale, Lindemans Road and Lowood Bend in Lowood, Fielding Road in Vernor, and Shines Road in Wivenhoe Pocket,” Cr Wendt said. “These reserves are popular access points to the river for recreational users, but unregulated activity over time has caused damage to the reserves’ vegetation, wildlife, sediment and water quality. “This project sought to turn things around, with key works including pest weed treatment, revegetation, formalised access to the river and control measures to prevent irresponsible and damaging activity.” Across the reserves, the project delivered pest weed treatment to 22.8 hectares of land, regeneration treatment to 50.7 hectares and more than 11,000 square metres of formalised

Burtons Road Reserve after works.

parking and drainage works. Additionally, 2022 stems were planted for revegetation, 485 metres of bollards and 275 metres of wired fence were installed as exclusion measures, and eight ramps and two stairways were upgraded to create safer river access for recreational purposes. The Mid-Brisbane Reserves Project is part of the $40 million Resilient Rivers SEQ commitment with $10 million each from the Australian Government, Queensland Government, Council of Mayors (SEQ) and Seqwater. Resilient Rivers SEQ is one of 29 commitments being delivered through the SEQ City Deal, a partnership between the Australian Government, Queensland Government and Council of Mayors, aiming to improve the accessibility, prosperity and liveability of the region.

The ramp track to the river at Burtons Road Reserve was hardened to create safer access for recreational activities. (SRC)

Bunnings’ spooky Halloween By MORGANNE KOPITTKE SPOOKY suprises, creepy crafts and a maze of Halloween fun are set to take over Bunnings Plainland in late October, with families invited to dress up and enjoy an evening of kid-friendly activities. The free Halloween Family Event Night will run from 6 - 8pm on Thursday, 29 October at Bunnings Plainland on the Warrego Highway. Duck-a-licious, Lighthorse Plainland troop, Promising Paws Inc, Hatton Vale Summerholm Fire Brigade and Lockyer Valley Billy Carts will be among the community groups in attendance. A Bunnings spokesperson said it was a great opportunity for families to dress up, enjoy the activities and connect with the community groups making a difference in the local area. “We’re looking forward to welcoming local families to Bunnings Plainland on Thursday 29 October, from 6–8pm, for an evening of Halloween fun. There’ll be a kid-friendly spooky maze, Halloween craft activities, games, a mad scientist performance and a best-dressed competition, along with a free sausage sizzle and treats,” the spokesperson said. “We’re also delighted to have local community groups joining us, including Duck-a-licious, which will host a DIY duck-making stall to raise funds for the Great Endeavour Rally. The group regularly takes part in our in-store events and has built wonderful connections with our team and customers.”

Ph: 3281 2311 122 Glebe Rd Booval 12900910-MS39-26

Face-painting at Bunnings.

Halloween at Bunnings.

Thursday, 22 October, 2026 | Moreton Border News

ADVERTORIAL

‘It’s back!’ Rosewood native plant sale THE Rosewood Native Plant Sale and Enviro Day should be marked on every gardener’s calendar; it should be a Spooktacular sale for Halloween.

To call the event ‘popular’ is an understatement as it has earned such a must-do reputation that some of the visitors could be described as perennial, too.

But wait! The day’s entertainment, interactive displays and demonstrations offer something for everyone. Perennial organiser of the Native Plants Queensland Ipswich Branch event, Heather Knowles, almost ran out of breath when listing the day’s many offerings. New to the 2026 event on Saturday, October 31, is Rosewood History Group. You will find native plant stalls selling plants ranging from cycads to bottlebrushes and wattles. Skye will provide free facepainting. Stalls will include KellieBee natural beeswax products and Native Oz Bushfood products, The Rosewood Community Centre will be catering and a coffee van and an ice cream van will be available for refreshments. “That’s just a few of the many stalls that will be outside the Exhibition Pavillion in the Rosewood Showgrounds,” says Heather. One of the perennial favourites - the ‘ask the expert’ stand - will again be set up by the Native Plant Society. “You can bring a branch

from your garden to ask them to identify the plant or ask for advice on the best way to grow the plants you’ve purchased,”says Heather. And a crowd favourite from 2025, Wildcall Wildlife shows and demonstrations have been booked. “We were fortunate this year to get a grant from the Ipswich City Council through the Community Event funding program which assisted in paying for the table hire

and the Wildcall Wildlife shows,” Heather said. Bat Rescue, Birds Queensland, West Moreton Landcare, the Ipswich Koala Protection Society and the council’s Bushcare and Waste Management sections will be among the organisations with info stands at the event. Division 4 Councillors Jim Madden and David Martin will be in attendance and available to discuss any Council-related

matters within their division. The gates open at 9am, close at 3pm – entry is free and Eftpos is available. “Please BYO boxes or bags for plant purchases, we will have boxes available but it’s really great if people can bring their own” Heather said. No pets will be allowed inside the Exhibition Pavillion.

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Moreton Border News | Thursday, 22 October, 2026

NEWS

Jim Collins and Peter McKeown who flew in from America for the occasion. (Lyle Radford: 585211)

Kerry Scott and Jill Grayson.

Rob Leeuw, Leo Grayson, Phil Byrne and Graham Scott were catching up.

Lyn Connelly and Carmel Thomas were all smiles.

Eddies’, Mary’s pupils count 60yrs By BYRON PESZKO THERE were plenty of smiles on Saturday, as former St Mary’s College and St Edmunds College students came together for a special 60th anniversary celebration event. At Ipswich City Golf Club, former St Edmunds student and event organiser Jim Collins said the event had been years in the making. “We haven’t combined both schools since 2006, so this event is quite special,” Mr Collins said. “It’s taken almost two years to organise and find everybody.” Mr Collins said many former students had come from around the world for the special event. “We had some students come from the United States, Perth, and various states across Australia,” he said. As former students caught up over food and drinks, there was an array of powerpoint presentations, speeches and photos of students from then to now for students to look back on. “We had a bit of a chuckle,” Mr Collins said. Former St Edmunds student Leo Grayson said it was a great all-round event. “A lot of us haven’t seen each other since leaving school,” he said. Reflecting on 60 years, Mr Grayson was lost for words. “It’s staggering and mindblowing. “I left Ipswich but my mates had sons who went through St Edmunds. “Now they have their kids going through there and they’re all grandparents.” As the afternoon went on, it was a chance for students to exhange plenty of laughs, tears and most of all, memories from the last 60 years.

Former students Denise, Jim Kahler and Neil Hughes attended the event.

Thursday, 22 October, 2026 | Moreton Border News

NEWS

Sensational West Moreton seniors By LARA HART OCTOBER is Queensland Seniors’ Month and time to celebrate a generation whose stories, talents, passions and personalities helped create the colourful tapestry of our communities. Every community has characters whose stories are worth telling and age is no barrier when there’s passion. Among them are Rosewood’s Glen Dore’ and Mount Walker’s Norm Kerle. While the men’s interests could hardly be more different, they share a common quality, and that’s a passion for what they do. For Glen, creativity takes several forms, from painting murals to building and flying model military aircraft with his son. His artistic talents allow him to transform an ordinary surface into something worth stopping to admire, while his fascination with military aviation takes his creativity in an entirely different direction. Building model aircraft requires patience, precision and attention to detail, while flying them adds another dimension to the hobby. A mural painted by Glen is a standout feature at Rosewood Community Garden. He was commissioned to airbrush an image that children would like onto a large board. Once completed, it was attached to a fence in the children’s section of the garden. It is bright, colourful and filled with cartoon bugs and insects that have googly eyes. While Glen’s interests take him into the skies, Norm Kerle’s passion is firmly planted on the ground. Norm has amassed a collection of tractors, preserving examples of the machinery that helped shape Australia’s agricultural history. His interest in tractors began in 1952 when his father bought the neighbouring farm and was using draught horses to plough it. “I have a fair bit of horse drawn equipment here too, there is a lot of interesting history on those horse drawn drag headers, I have about

Mt Walker’s Norm Kerle is an avid tractor collector. (Lyle Radford: 585532)

six or seven of those horse drawn drag headers,” he said. “The oldest one I have is a 1907 stripper harvester, it doesn’t cut the heads off, it belts them off ground driven.” Norm said the idea was to have all the old farm machinery on display at his Mount Walker property. Although Glen and Norm have followed very different interests, both demonstrate the importance of having something that inspires enthusiasm, encourages learning and provides a sense of purpose.

Rosewood’s Glen Dore is a mural artist and model airplane enthusiast.

Uni studies apps to discover drivers heed police not safety DRIVERS using navigation apps to avoid police speed checks may be learning how to dodge fines rather than drive safely, according to new Queensland research. A University of the Sunshine Coast study found a majority of motorists were speeding before police enforcement alerts appeared on the Waze app, dropping to about 25 per cent afterwards. Researchers measured more than 9,000 vehicle speeds across 33 South East Queensland locations, including school zones, highways and roadworks.

Research Associate Dr Levi Anderson said drivers appeared more concerned about police presence than obeying speed limits. “Drivers weren’t slowing down because of the speed limit, they were slowing because their phone told them there would be police ahead,” he said. Alarmingly, 38 per cent of motorists continued speeding through active school zones despite receiving alerts. Researchers warned the technology could encourage dangerous driving when motorists believed police were absent.

Moreton Border News | Thursday, 22 October, 2026

A University of Sunshine Coast found most drivers slowed down to avoid a fine and not for safety. (University of Sunshine Coast)

RURAL

Crowds at the Kalbar Country Market.

Kalbar streets all were blocked off for the huge turnout.

Gerry and Michelle Mannion looked after the bush poetry section of this year’s Kalbar markets.

Visitors listen to the Kalbar state school students singing.

Kalbar Country Day salutes farming By LARA HART KALBAR was bursting at the seams on Saturday, when visitors flocked to the town for the biggest Country Day on record. Cars lined the streets, market stalls attracted a steady stream of shoppers and local community groups enjoyed a bumper day of trading as the town celebrated everything that makes country living special. Kalbar Progress Association member Suzy Baines said feedback suggested there were more people this year. Adding to the day’s success was a welcome change in the weather. For the first time in the last six years, it was actually overcast, so it was pleasantly cool, Suzy said. The weather was really lovely and very comfortable, I thought it was a great day. The Fassifern Lions were among those celebrating a particularly successful day, with their food stall doing a roaring trade. They kept having to run over to the butcher to get more food, Suzy said. The annual celebration transformed Kalbar’s main street into a bustling country marketplace, with more than 140 stalls. There was live music, bush poetry, vintage vehicles, children’s rides and activities providing something for all ages. The town’s agricultural heritage was also on display, with the traditional carrot throwing competitions adding a distinctly Kalbar flavour. Youngsters were catered for with an animal farm, reptile displays, face painting, balloon twisting and rides, while shoppers browsed everything from handmade crafts to local produce. Vintage tractors and cars added to the country atmosphere, while the people mover train transported visitors between the show ground and the town centre. (Lyle Radford)

Kalbar State School students.

Trevor Pfeffer with his 1973 Massey Ferguson tractor.

Youngsters try carrot tossing.

Mischa Molini and Bailey McGinn helping out at one of the dozens of stalls.

Huge crowds visited the annual Kalbar Country Market.

Thursday, 22 October, 2026 | Moreton Border News

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Moreton Border News | Thursday, 22 October, 2026

NEWS

Members of the community gathered at the Laidley RSL Sub Branch memorial service on Sunday, October 11, to mark the 25th anniversary of the Afghanistan conflict. (Adam Cullen)

Wreaths were laid during the service to honour the Australians who served in Afghanistan and remember the 41 personnel who never made it home.

Laidley RSL marks Afghan conflict THE Laidley RSL Sub Branch marked the 25th anniversary of the commencement of the Afghanistan conflict with a memorial service on Sunday, 11 October, honouring Australians who served during the conflict. The service was conducted by deputy president Allan Foster, with president Neville Hayne and Afghanistan veteran Adam Cullen laying wreaths. The branch remembered the 41 Australian service personnel who never made it home and honoured the more than 35,000 Australians who served in Afghanistan, along with their families.

The memorial came as the Returned and Services League of Australia renewed calls for stronger oversight of businesses providing compensation assistance to veterans. RSL Australia welcomed an ABC Four Corners investigation aired on Monday night into businesses accused of exploiting veterans and overcharging taxpayers. The organisation said it had warned for more than two years that some for-profit operators were charging commissions and contingency fees of up to 29 per cent of veterans’ compensation, as well as break fees sometimes

exceeding $27,000 when veterans changed providers.

rather than people to be helped,” Mr Tinley said.

In contrast, the RSL’s network of about 600 trained and accredited advocates provided the same support free of charge, a service it had offered since its establishment in 1916.

“Funding poured into this sector after the Royal Commission, as it should have; without regulation alongside it, that unrestrained funding became the incentive for a for-profit industry to explode.

RSL Australia president Peter Tinley AM said the investigation highlighted concerns about businesses charging veterans for compensation assistance.

“Veterans are not sales leads. They are not ‘avatars’. They are people who have served their country and come out of the armed services with health needs. They need care and support. They do not deserve further harm.”

“For too long, a few operators have treated injured veterans as customers to be squeezed,

State implements new laws to crack down on copper thieves STRONGER laws targeting scrap metal theft have passed Queensland Parliament, with changes aimed at reducing the theft and illegal trade of scrap metal. Local businesses, sporting clubs and community organisations across the Nanango electorate will be better protected under tough new laws aimed at combating scrap metal theft and damage to critical infrastructure. The new legislation introduces tougher penalties for offenders, stronger oversight of scrap metal dealers and improved measures to help law enforcement trace stolen metal through the marketplace. Under the reforms, penalties will better reflect the serious financial impacts and safety risks caused by scrap metal theft and damage to critical infrastructure. The highest penalty of 25 years imprisonment will apply where offending endangers life or occurs during a natural disaster. Mrs Frecklington said local businesses and community organisations had increasingly found themselves in the firing line.

“Metal theft is far from a victimless crime,” Deb said. “When offenders target copper wiring, telecommunications infrastructure, electrical equipment or other metal assets, the damage often extends well beyond the value of the metal itself.” “Across our region, businesses, sporting clubs and community organisations have been left to deal with costly repairs and significant disruption caused by these senseless acts.” “In some cases, offenders think they are stealing copper wiring, but instead damage fibre-optic cables that have no scrap value whatsoever, leaving taxpayers and infrastructure providers with significant repair bills.” “Whether it’s disrupting a local business, damaging infrastructure relied upon by our communities, or cutting essential communications during an emergency, these crimes have serious consequences.” Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington MP. (Deb Frecklington)

Thursday, 22 October, 2026 | Moreton Border News

NEWS

Huge amounts of Motorcycle parts on display.

A storm coming in during the swap meet.

Motorcycles and parts on display.

Swappers love tyred treasures By JESSE HAMILTON THE annual Laidley motorcycle swap meet brought motorcycle enthusiasts and vendors to the showgrounds on Saturday to see an unrivalled display of vintage bikes and rare parts. Lockyer Valley Historical Motorcycle Club chairman Graham Czislowski said the event catered for motorcycles from different eras, with items ranging from the early 1900s to modern-day equipment. “We get bikes and equipment coming here from the early 1900s right up to modern-day stuff,” he said. “A lot of what’s on show is from the ‘50s era. “Myself, I’ve got motorbikes that range from 1928 right up to 1972.” The swap meet, based in Laidley since 2013, attracts people who restore motorcycles and bring them along to sell, while some buyers turn older bikes into custom styles such as bobbers, with shortened fenders and a strippedback design. “We’ve got people that restore bikes and then they bring them down here to sell,” Mr Czislowski said. “There’s always a couple here that do that.”

Mr Czislowski said organisers expected between 180 and 200 vendors, with public attendance potentially reaching 1000 people. “We were about 700 or 800 last year,” he said. Vendors also had the chance to win $100 vouchers at the event, with the Lockyer club attracting strong membership as the newest HMCCQ branch. “We do five vouchers for $100 for the vendors, and that keeps our vendors happy because without vendors, you don’t have a swap,” Mr Czislowski said. “We’ve got 17 different historical branches in Queensland. Now in its second year, the Lockyer club has 50 members and organises regular rides around the valley, including a June rally for motorcycles built before 1931. “We do a rally. The rallies a mid-week ride on a Wednesday, and second weekend of the month, we always go for a ride somewhere around the valley here,” he said. “And then in June, my wife and I, we run what we call a pre ‘31 Rally that’s bikes older than 1931.” The club meets at the Gatton Historical Village on the last weekend of the month.

Steve Wright from Karalee with his motorcycle bits and pieces to sell.

Moreton Border News | Thursday, 22 October, 2026

Dieter with his 1972 Moto Guzzi V7 Sport motorcycle. (Lyle Radford: 585212)

Wayne Lyncoln and Kevin Richards with bits and pieces to sell.

Very hot chilli sauce was on offer at Horrible Haggis’s stand.

RAMBLINGS

Did socks run away with the spoon? By LARA HART THERE is a mystery taking place in homes all over the world, and frankly, I think it is time someone launched a full-scale investigation. I’m talking about the disappearance of ordinary household items. Not jewellery, money or anything remotely valuable. No, I’m talking about teaspoons, pens, socks, hair ties and those little plastic lids that seem to belong to absolutely nothing. Take teaspoons, for example. You can buy a perfectly respectable set of 12 teaspoons, put them in the cutlery drawer and, within six months, find yourself stirring your morning coffee with a dessert spoon because only two remain. Where do they go? Nobody has ever admitted to stealing a teaspoon. There are no reports of organised teaspoon trafficking rings, and I’ve yet to see a police appeal asking the public to keep an eye out for six missing stainless steel spoons, last seen in a kitchen drawer on Tuesday. And yet, they vanish. I have a theory that somewhere in the world there is a secret teaspoon retirement village where millions of teaspoons spend their days lounging beside swimming pools, sipping cocktails and laughing at the fools still stirring their tea with forks. Pens are another mystery. I can buy a packet of 20 pens, put them in a drawer and within days find myself searching the house for something to write with. I suspect pens are actually migratory creatures. They travel from the kitchen to the lounge, then to the car, before eventually joining a massive pen colony somewhere behind the refrigerator. Socks are sold in pairs, worn in pairs and washed in pairs yet somewhere between the washing machine and the clothesline, one decides to abandon its lifelong partner. The surviving sock then spends months sitting forlornly in the laundry basket, waiting for a reunion that will never happen. I have an entire collection of these lonely survivors. None match, and none appear particularly interested in forming new relationships. Some have been waiting so long that their elastic has given up before their hope has. Perhaps washing machines are actually portals to another dimension, where missing socks live happily alongside teaspoons, pens and Tupperware lids. Speaking of Tupperware, how is it possible to own 37 plastic containers and 52 lids, yet not find a single combination that fits? I suspect the lids sneak out at night and swap households, just to keep us guessing. Meanwhile, we stand in the kitchen holding a container of leftover spaghetti, trying to force a lid onto it that is clearly three millimetres too small.

The sock ran away with the spoon.

Eventually, we give up, cover it with cling wrap and shove it in the fridge, where it remains until it develops its own ecosystem. And what about the television remote? It has a remarkable ability to disappear precisely when you want to change channels. You search under cushions, behind furniture and even in the fridge, because apparently that’s the sort of person you’ve become. Eventually, it turns up in the most obvious place imaginable, usually exactly where you looked three times. Car keys have a similar talent, although they prefer to disappear when you’re already running late. They never go missing on a Sunday afternoon when you’ve got nowhere to be. You eventually find them in your handbag, in the very pocket you checked four times, and immediately accuse the universe of playing tricks on you. Then there are batteries. You know you bought a packet of eight AA batteries last month, but when the clock stops working, the only batteries you can find are AAA, C-sized or something that looks as though it belongs in a submarine. Fun fact, did you know most households keep their battery packs in the kitchen drawer three drawers down. The first drawer is where knives, forks and spoons are kept in order on a cutlery tray.

The second drawer has all of the larger cooking utensils like ladles, spatulas and bread knives. And there’s always the potato masher that jams an easy open. The third drawer is for batteries and those instruction manuals for items you bought eight years ago and no longer use. Then there is another category of household mystery, things that don’t disappear but multiply without explanation. Plastic shopping bags, for example. You start with two and somehow end up with a cupboard so full that opening the door causes an avalanche. Coat hangers breed in wardrobes, old phone chargers reproduce in drawers, and takeaway menus seem to appear from restaurants you’ve never visited. Meanwhile, the one charger that actually fits your phone has disappeared. And why do we keep every single charger we’ve ever owned? If anyone happens to discover a secret underground warehouse containing several billion missing household items, could you please check whether my favourite teaspoon is there? It’s stainless steel, has a slightly bent handle and disappeared sometime around 2019. I’d really like it back along with the other half of my favourite pair of socks although, after seven years apart, I suspect they’ve both moved on.

And knowing my luck, the day I finally find them will be the day I lose my glasses which, incidentally, will still be sitting on top of my head.

Thursday, 22 October, 2026 | Moreton Border News

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Moreton Border News | Thursday, 22 October, 2026

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PROPERTY NEWS

Dual living adds appeal at Marburg A near-new Marburg home offering five bedrooms and self-contained accommodation has sold for $1.28 million. The property in Toft Street sits on an elevated 3006sqm corner block with dual street access and features a four bedroom main residence and an integrated one bedroom granny flat. Built in 2024, the home has been designed to provide separate living arrangements for an extended family, guests or teenagers, with the granny flat incorporated under the same roofline but with its own private entrance. At the centre of the main residence is a large open plan kitchen, living and dining area opening to a covered alfresco entertaining space and the backyard. The kitchen features extensive bench space, modern appliances and a butler’s pantry, while a separate media room provides a second living area. The main bedroom has a walk-in robe and

ensuite, with another three bedrooms serviced by the family bathroom and separate powder room. The self-contained granny flat adds a fifth bedroom and third bathroom to the property and includes its own kitchen, dining and living area. It also has a private entrance and single lock-up garage, allowing it to operate independently from the main residence. The home has a triple garage and a 13kW solar system, while the property is connected to fibre-to-the-premises NBN. Outside, the relatively level block provides room for additional improvements, including a large shed or swimming pool. Its corner position and dual street access could also provide flexibility for accessing any future shedding or other additions. The property previously sold for $439,000 in 2023, before construction of the current home.

Thursday, 22 October, 2026 | Moreton Border News

SPORT

With colours almost matching, youngster Louis Ball takes a guest ride with experienced driver Tim Gillespie

Mini Trotters offered a bit of light entertainment for the kids as well as mum & dad.

Trotters entertaining on Harriott Day By MORGANNE KOPITTKE RACEGOERS and families from across the region headed to the Marburg Showgrounds on Sunday, 18 October for a day of harness racing and family fun at the Harriot Day 2026 - All Trotters Day. The event, which was held by the Marburg Harness Racing Association, featured the Goldbet Graham Harriott Memorial and Yabby Dam Farms Open Trotters Mobile. There was plenty happening on and off the track, with live music by Nathan Williams, mini trotters, free kids activities, merchandise and a costume race. The results were: • Race 1 - HARRIOTT FAMILY 2YO TROTTERS HANDICAP 2200m • First Place - POZZI TONOZZI (T: Tim Gillespie, D: Tim Gillespie); Second Place - BOSTON BLIZZARD (T: Jonah Hutchinson D: Jonah Hutchinson); Third Place STREAK APPEAL (T: Darren Weeks, D: Angus Garrard • Race 2 - EL TITAN MAIDEN TROT 2200m • First Place - OGDEN (T: John McMullen D: Pete McMullen); Second Place - SMOKEY BEAR (T: Tim Gillespie D: Angus Garrard); Third Place - ARIZONA SKYE (T: Darren McCall D: Darren McCall) • Race 3 - QSTA TROTTERS RATING HANDICAP (SKY 1) 2200m • First Place - LAYDOWNLUNA (T: Matt Crone, D: Angus Garrard); Second Place DINGANE (T: John McMullen D: Pete McMullen); Third Place - SECOND TO NUN (T: Stephen Cini, D: Greg Bennett) • Race 4 - YABBY DAM FARMS UP TO NR45 TROTTERS MOBILE (SKY 1) 2200m • First Place - LIZZIES SON (T: Jack Harrington, D: Jack Harrington); Second Place - LOCHINVAR SON (T: Tim Gillespie D: Tim Gillespie); Third Place - MACKEL SONNY (T: Tayla Gillespie D: Matt Elkins) • Race 5 - GOLDBET GRAHAM HARRIOTT MEMORIAL TROTTERS HANDICAP 2550m • First Place - WHIRLWIND WILBUR (T: Tayla Gillespie, D: Matt Elkins); Second Place - INSTANT DELIGHT NZ (T: Darren Weeks, D: Angus Garrard); Third Place - GETOVERROVER (T: Tim Gillespie, D: Tim Gillespie)

Mini Trotters line up

Hitching a guest ride with Anthony Gorman was youngster Kasey McInness, closely followed by Tim Gillespie driving with guest Louis Ball.

A big field of Mini Trotters.

Moreton Border News | Thursday, 22 October, 2026

Mini Trotters battle it out.

Mini Trotters provided light entertainment for the kids as well as mum and dad.

SPORT

Greg helps Tommy’s legacy live on By PETER FOLEY THE lessons Greg Cornish learned as a teenager from legendary Phar Lap strapper and trainer Tommy Woodcock remain at the heart of his training philosophy. Greg Cornish was a teenager when he left his parents’ North Queensland cattle station and flew to Melbourne to begin an apprenticeship with Woodcock. Four decades after Phar Lap’s famous exploits, Woodcock was training at Epsom, then Australia’s largest training complex. “I was Tommy Woodcock’s last apprentice. I used to live with him and his wife Emma,” Greg said. “I spent five years in Melbourne with him - ’75 to ’81. “My dad, Barry, was a horse trainer up in North Queensland. He only had a couple of horses. “From a cattle station to Melbourne, with a cowboy hat; never been on a plane before. It was a big deal. “There were a lot of good trainers at Epsom. It’s all housing now but it was massive. Johnny Meagher was there and Jim Maloney. “The Winders used to stay at our place.” Bill Winder trained 1975 Melbourne Cup favourite Suleiman, who finished fourth behind Bart Cummings’ Think Big. “We used to have the same setup that I have now. We trained out of paddocks. That’s why I train out of paddocks now.” Tommy Woodcock’s poster horse was Reckless, a kindly entire who won the Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane cups in the same season. Reckless was the people’s horse and the public longed for him to win the 1977 Melbourne Cup. He ran second to Gold and Black, also trained by Bart. Bruce Postle’s adorable photo of Tommy and Reckless lying together on the stable floor the night before the Cup is in the National Portrait Gallery. “Old Reckless, he was a beautiful horse. I won a couple at Flemington on him,” Greg said. “No horse will ever do what he did. I’ve been in horses all my life. I was 16 then.” Cornish is proud to have been Tommy Woodcock’s final apprentice before he died in 1985. Greg hadn’t planned to become a trainer, but racing was in his blood and he needed a way to stay in the game. “Anyone that gets into racing, it’s pretty hard to get out of it, for good and for bad, I guess. It’s the adrenaline rush.” Now in Beaudesert, Greg had his first win in February 2004 and his best horse so far is Stampe, the first stakes winner for Grandview Stud’s stallion Whittington. Greg’s wife Sheree Drake was a successful jockey before injury ended her career. They have two daughters, Kirsty and Jasmine. Jasmine was a leading apprentice. In 2023, Jasmine was riding one of her dad’s horses in a trial at Beaudesert when another

The Torque Factor, with Yvette Lewis aboard, races away with a dominant win in the TAB Handicap (1666m). (Trackside Photography)

horse in the trial was apparently spooked by a witches hat. The resulting chain reaction brought down Jasmine’s mount and slammed Jasmine onto the track. She suffered a broken back and fractured eye socket. Despite months of painful rehabilitation, a career that had promised so much was cut short. A recent Ipswich victory brought Cornish’s story full circle, drawing on the lessons he learned from Tommy Woodcock decades earlier. The Torque Factor, bred at Arrowfield Stud, is by the late champion sire Snitzel. He sold for $120,000 at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. But, after developing cardiac arrythmia, he was bought by one of his original owners for just $900 in an Inglis online sale in March and sent to Greg. “They must have thought he couldn’t race any more but you would think a nice-looking horse like that, $900 is a bit cheap,” he said. “I haven’t had any problems with him. “He’s trained out of a paddock now. I just let him roam around and be a horse. He’s a bit highly-strung. “I have had horses with heart arrythmia before. The horse Jasmine had a fall on, she had that. “Relaxing him is the big key.”

The field jumps in the Ipswich Party Hire Handicap (1666m). The Desleigh Forster-trained Swanfels (yellow sleeves), was the winner, ridden by Daniel Moor. (Peter Foley)

With Yvette Lewis in the saddle, The Torque Factor swept to victory at Ipswich by more than five lengths.

okay,” Greg said.

“He’s always had the ability; it’s just a matter of convincing his mind that he’s going to be

Thursday at Ipswich with victory in the Fouchard Racing Handicap (1680m).

The Torque Factor may have been more convinced of his ability after he backed up last

Thursday, 22 October, 2026 | Moreton Border News

SPORT

Valley Vixens Netball players Jaida Thomas, Sophie Lyons, Olivia Wallace and Mackenzie Fritz.

Valley Vixens Netball player Georgia Caplick.

Netballing Vixens take aim at 2027 By MORGANNE KOPITTKE BASED in Plainland, the Valley Vixens will hold an Open Day on October 31 to welcome new players and families, as the netball club starts preparing for the 2027 season. The Open Day will be held at the Lockyer Valley Indoor and Aquatic Centre from 9am 11am, with a team allocation and uniform day to follow at the centre on 14 November from 9am - 11am. Valley Vixens Netball Inc President and Founder Megan Walker said after such a successful first year, the club was excited to welcome new players and families interested in becoming part of the Vixen family. “The Open Day allows us to meet prospective players, learn about their individual abilities and aspirations, and begin preparing for the 2027 season by ensuring we can provide a positive, supportive and competitive environment where every athlete has the opportunity to develop and thrive,” she said. “For us, this Open Day is about so much more than simply filling positions in teams. It is about opening our doors to the community and showing families what Valley Vixens truly represents.” “From the very beginning, my vision was to create a club where young athletes felt valued, supported, encouraged and, most importantly, believed in,” she said. “A place where friendships are formed, confidence is built, challenges are embraced and every achievement, no matter how big or small, is celebrated.” The Valley Vixens places enormous importance on developing not only talented netballers but also strong, resilient, respectful and

Valley Vixens Netball Inc. (Margaret Lyons.)

confident young people. The club is built on the values of teamwork, discipline, leadership, commitment and looking after one another, both on and off the court. Walker said one of the most rewarding aspects of the club’s inaugural season has been

Moreton Border News | Thursday, 22 October, 2026

watching the incredible relationships develop between the players, their families, coaches and supporters. “As founder and head coach, I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved in such a short time, but what e xvnowing that we are only

just beginning. “Our Open Day is an opportunity to welcome the next generation of Vixens and continue creating something special for young athletes and families throughout the Lockyer Valley.”

SPORT

Queensland Raceway will add a new section of track, located in the bottom left hand corner, connecting the centre of the track to turn two.

Drivers use the simulators to get a feel for tracks they will face.

From the seat of a simulation at Queensland Raceway.

Driving the new QR before it is built By CLANCY NUGENT WITH Queensland Raceway set to add another section of racetrack for around $1 million, we have taken a behind the scenes tour to see how drivers can race on the new circuit before it is even completed. Focus Driver Performance, which is based at Queensland Raceway, has already added the additional section of track to its simulators onsite. The facility regularly welcomes Supercars drivers and up-and-coming motorsport stars, who use it to polish their skills on tracks right across the globe. In the lead-up to this weekend’s Gold Coast 500, it had competitors racing the streets of the Gold Coast to get accustomed to all the subtle changes that have been made to the track for the 2026 edition. In a sport where millimetres can be the difference between a victory and a high-speed crash, any slight adjustments to a track that can be replicated pre-race are vitally important to preparing the drivers. Simulation Engineer Shaun Field said it was a great opportunity to see the new track layout in action before construction even begins. “It’s great to be able to practice this stuff and get the head start on the new layout before everyone else,” Field said. “My main job here is creating unique track models for simulators. It is just really cool to get the first drive of the new track, just to understand how cool a new layout it is going to be, and how much fun it’s going to be for cars with the extra turns and the extra elevation. “It’s going to add a lot to the track,” he said. Field also said that their operation offers an environment for everyone to better their driving ability, whether that is perfecting their performances at major venues around the world or simply looking to learn the craft locally. “Our sims are the highest quality—we get drivers from Europe saying that these are better than the ones they’re driving over in Europe,” Field said. “We have got everyone from the absolute beginners right through to Supercar drivers who are doing practice in the next room right now.

Simulation Engineer Shaun Field virtually replicates tracks from across the world.

“It’s for absolutely every skill level, and we can do everything to improve your driving here. “We have tracks around the world, all the

cars around the world as well,” he said.

the track to increase from six corners to eleven.

The short new stretch of track, which will be added in at turn two, will see a new circuit created which uses other already existing parts of

QR owner Tony Quinn said the main reason for the change was to tighten the track up for motorbikes and drifters.

Thursday, 22 October, 2026 | Moreton Border News