Oakey Champion - 23rd November 2022

Work starts at New Acland

A small press conference was held last week to mark the opening of the New Hope Acland Stage 3 mine.

Heavy machinery won’t be accessing the site until next year, but the preparation is beginning now.

More than 1200 people have sent through expressions of interest for work, including many former mine employees.

New Acland operations manager Daniel O’Dwyer was on site with workers at Silverleigh, where the tip of the mine will be cut.

“It’s another historic moment for the entire team at New Acland Mine, and the local community who stood by us throughout the entire approvals process”, Mr O’Dwyer said.

“There is a lot of hard

work ahead of us and that starts with workers mapping out the areas, surveying the mine site, hammering in key markers and using drones to capture aerials.”

Mr O’Dwyer encouraged locals to apply for work at the mine.

“We need truck drivers, engineers, electricians, operators, administration staff and mechanics,” he said.

“Unlike a lot of other mines in Queensland, New Acland Mine does not engage fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workers, with more than 90 per cent of our previous workforce living within fifty kilometres of the site.”

Logistics company QUBE Operations Manger Mark Beckman said he was looking forward to the

benefits the mine would bring to the business.

“This is just fabulous, particularly for QUBE and the continuation of contract.

“Twenty years of mining is extremely important to us.

“QUBE bought out a previous contractor and we’ve carried that business on for the last ten years.”

“It’s really exciting for some of those staff that have moved up to Central Queensland and further afield that get to come back.

Opposition to the mine is not widespread in the town itself, however Mr O’Dwyer said he was confident no further challenges, legal or otherwise could stall the project

“Any action that our objectors want to take now is with the State

Government.

We have been through our processes with them and we feel that everyone has had a fair say with them.

With regard to environmental concerns, Mr O’Dwyer said the current existing pit will be backfilled, and the top soil put back.

“We will have even tighter environmental restrictions with our approval and we’ll have to be more diligent in the future,” he said.

“We will be taking the top soil and sub-soil and putting them into discrete parcels.

“We have been looking at the profile of the land, that it holds up to cattle underfoot and we are confident the land will transition back to agricultural use.”

New Acland Operations Manager Daniel O’Dwyer and QUBE Operations Manager Mark Beckman look over the site.

Class of 2022 says farewell

It was an emotional period for Oakey State High’s Class of 2022 as the students said goodbye to school.

Tears flowed, hugs were shared and parents watched on proudly as the Grade 12 cohort of Oakey State High School walked out of the graduation ceremony at the school’s assembly hall.

A slideshow of memories from their last six years of schooling was projected onto the stage screen, showing the departing cohort how much they had changed.

Principal Danny Keenan gave an impassioned address to his students, noting that 100 per cent of graduates at Oakey High, had received a QCE certificate, an outlier in Queensland.

Outgoing School Captains Samuel Ferguson, Macy Hall, Kirra-lee Lawrie and Cameron Newton shared their reflections on their last six years of high school, and how much they had changed and grown as people.

The school anthem was performed beautifully, for the last time this year, by outgoing Year 12 student Raquel Doudle-Waters.

The incoming school captains, Ally Darr, Deborah Heyze, Isla PriorMead and Sharmekha Young passed on their best wishes for the departing students of 2022.

This was a significant moment by itself, as it marked the first time in six decades of school history that all four of the Oakey State High School captains will be female.

At the end, parents, grandparents and supporters joined junior secondary students, who were watching via video link to form a guard of honour for the seniors outside the school hall.

Here at The Oakey Champion, we wish all graduates the very best for their future studies and careers.

ABOVE: Year 12 student Raquel Doudle-Waters sings the national anthem for the last time.

ABOVE: The outgoing school captains each delivered their own final reflection.

ABOVE: The first all-female group of school captains at Oakey State High School will take charge in 2023.

ABOVE: Principal Danny Keenan addresses his students.

ABOVE: Each student was farewelled with a handshake from Principal Danny and a certificate.

School cohort more engaged

Jondaryan man seriously injured in fatal car crash

Fire devastates Kingsthorpe home

Signs are good for this year’s cohort at Oakey State High with a survey showing that the students are more engaged with their education than their predecessors.

The 2022 Next Step survey showed that across the Darling Downs and South West region, overall engagement in education, training and employment for the most recent graduates has risen to 90.9 per cent in 2022 from 87.6 per cent three years ago.

State Education Minister Grace Grace said the results of the survey showed that the future was bright for the graduating class of 2022 from the Darling Downs and South-West region.

“The Next Step survey shows us that young people in the Darling Downs and South West have been highly resilient in their learning during the COVID pandemic, and they’re now in a position to prosper in life after school,” Ms Grace said.

“Between university, TAFE or employment, there are many great options for students from the Darling Downs and South West in their first year out of school.”

In Oakey, 89.4 per cent of Year 12 completers from Oakey State High were engaged in education, training or employment in the year after they completed school.

This is an increase of 6.4 per cent from 2021, when 83 per cent of Oakey State High completers were engaged in education, training or employment

and an even bigger increase on 2020, when only 77.4 per cent of Year 12 completers were undergoing tertiary education, or engaged in paid employment.

Of the 47 respondents in 2022’s survey there was a close to even split between those who continued in some recognised form of education and training and those who moved straight into a job.

Overall, 46.8 per cent of Oakey students were engaged in further education, with the most common study destination being VET certificate, with an apprenticeship and university the next most popular options.

A further 42.6 per cent of students transitioned directly into employment after school, with a plurality of 29.3 per cent students engaged in full employment.

Only 10.6 per cent were not engaged in education or training with 6.4 per cent in the process of seeking employment of some kind.

The Minister passed on her congratulations to this year’s graduating cohort of Year 12 students west of Toowoomba.

“I’d like to wish Year 12s in the Darling Downs and South West all the best in their future endeavours,” Ms Grace said, In Oakey, the preliminary data for this year’s cohort showed an encouraging level of educational engagement with all 55 Year 12 students receiving their Queensland Certificate of Education in 2022.

A 50-years-old man from Wilsonton died after the 300C Chrysler in which he was travelling collided with a Toyota Landcruiser, both travelling eastbound at night on the Warrego Highway near Mason Road on Tuesday.

The man, Jayson Halpin was found by LifeFlight medics critically injured at the scene and died a short time later.

Another passenger in the Chrysler sustained serious injuries and was flown to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane.

The driver of the vehicle escaped with minor injuries and was taken to Dalby Hospital.

The driver of the Landcruiser, a 55-years-old Jondaryan man sustained serious injuries and was assessed at the scene.

Police are investigating

and are appealing to anyone who may have dashcam or CCTV footage of the area around the time of the incident to come forward.

Investigators are appealing for anyone who may have seen the black Chrysler travelling along the highway before the incident to come forward.

Mr Halpin is being remembered as a rodeo rider, who offered assistance to many up-andcoming competitors.

His fellow passenger Nick McGuire, who was flown to Brisbane with serious injuries, was also a rodeo rider who won two National Bareback riding titles in 2001 and 2002, after being awarded the National Rodeo Association’s Rookie of the Year award ten years earlier.

Storm knocks out TV

A large storm shut down all three commercial television networks relying on signals from the Mount Mowbullan transmitting site on Sunday.

Wild weather across the Downs resulted in residents not being able to pick up signals from channels WIN (Nine), Seven and Ten.

A WIN TV spokesperson said that the signal was restored at 9.50am on Monday and that the site was running on the generator at that time.

Storm activity also affected television and radio signals across the Southern Downs, but the northern Downs, including the Oakey area, was the region most affected.

A house fire gutted a Kingsthorpe home owned by a young family last week.

The fire started in the front of the house on Tuesday morning at Willow View Court, when neighbours alerted QFES to the presence of smoke at the residence.

By the time fire crews arrived, the blaze had engulfed the front of the house

QFES personnel were able to be put out the blaze before it spread to the back of the house.

Despite the efforts of firefighters at the scene, there was still considerable damage to the property.

Investigations are continuing, but at this stage, police do not believe the fire was deliberately lit

Neighbour Aimee Collins has started a GoFund Me page for the family, aiming to raise $20 000 to cover damages.

As of Monday, over $3500 has been raised for the family through the page online, mostly in small amounts from community members.

A State Government survey shows students across the Darling Downs are more invested in their education.

A young family was not in residence at the time of an incident in which fire gutted the front of the property.

ABOVE: The aftermath of last week’s incident which destroyed much of the family’s home.

A rodeo rider from Wilsonton was killed in night-time accident on Warrego Highway between Jondaryan and Bowenville last week.

ABOVE: An RACQ LifeFlight helicopter attends the scene east of Bowenville. Photo, RACQ CareFlight

ABOVE: The departing cohort of 2022 heads out of assembly into the world of employment and tertiary education.

Following the promotion of Charles Abercrombie and his transfer to the head branch of the Bank of Australasia in Sydney in November 1919, he was replaced as Manager at the Oakey branch by Mr. Cardinal Jackson, formerly an accountant from Toowoomba branch.

He remained as Manager till October 1925 then was transferred to Bellingen, NSW.

Mr. H. S. Hamilton from Moree was his replacement till January 1928 when he was sent to Toowoomba and Mr. Roy McKenzie came to Oakey from the Kingaroy branch.

He served his term till July 1933 when he was transferred to Orange, NSW

The next Manager was

Mr. L. A. Collins who came from Toogoolawah and remained in Oakey up to July 1939 before being transferred to Toowoomba and replaced by Mr. Frederick Clifford Kemp also from Toogoolawah branch.

He was only the Manager a short time before he retired (his grandson Frederick Duncan-Kemp is owner of the now closed Agcare in Oakey).

In March 1951, a new Company was formed and named Australia and New Zealand Bank Limited with a capital of £17 million which took over the share capital and undertakings of the Union Bank of Australia and the Bank of Australasia, hence the name change on the facade of the original

building.

In May 1964, the brick building was demolished and rebuilt as the present day building by local Danish carpenter, Tom Hansen.

To be continued.

- Valerie Weise-Young

Neighbourhood Watch says watch for theft over holidays

Oakey Neighbourhood Watch says you can take simple steps to keep your home safe

Neighbourhood watch is building safe and healthy neighbourhoods with the help of our active communities.

As the holiday season approaches updating your

home security is more important than ever.

House-breaking is one of the most common crimes and can occur at any time of the day or night.

Good home security can

be achieved by following these key principles:

• Make it easy for an offender to be seen

• Make it difficult for an offender to gain entry

• Make it difficult for

an offender to exit with your property • Make it difficult for an offender to gain benefits from your property Homes with windows or doors left open or unsecured are more likely to attract a potential burglar.

Similarly, curtains closed during the day and mail left to accumulate will indicate you are not

home and increase your risk of an opportunistic break-in.

Thieves are often looking for cash or credit cards, small valuable items and electronic items which can be quickly sold for cash.

Thieves also target car keys that are left in sight.

Always ensure your car and house keys are secured and stored out

of sight and in the event they are stolen, have the locks replaced or keyless security reprogrammed immediately as thieves can return after their initial break-in if they have keys.

For more tips on home security residents are urged to attend the Oakey Neighbourhood Watch bi-monthly meetings or visit https://www.nhwq.org

Society disappointed by cuts

Cuts to the Agricultural Shows Development Grants program funding mean that new projects such as the pavilion at the Oakey Showgrounds would no longer be possible.

The Oakey Agricultural, Pastoral and Rodeo Society is unimpressed by recent changes to a major source of funding for developments in rural and regional shows, introduced by the previous Federal Government.

Society President Judy Byers said Oakey Agricultural, Pastoral & Rodeo Society accessed over $200,000 in the Agriculture Shows Development Grants funding to help build the new pavilion at the Oakey Showgrounds.

“We simply wouldn’t have been able to find the funds needed to build the new pavilion through cake

sales and raffles”, she said.

“$200,000 doesn’t come out of somebody’s back pocket.

“It’s very disappointing from a small agricultural show perspective, that funds are being ‘reprioritised’.”

When contacted for comment, Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said the funding was intended as a stopgap measure to support shows during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“While there were many competing priorities for funding in the October Agriculture Budget, the Federal Government’s overriding priority was

to strengthen Australia’s biosecurity defences,” he said.

Mr Watt said that the increased national biosecurity threats of diseases such foot and mouth and lumpy skin disease meant that funds in the Agriculture Budget had been re-allocated in this direction.

“The previous Ag Show funding was largely about helping shows survive COVID-19, and that challenge has now been overtaken by other priorities,” he said.

“The Government is looking at other avenues to support grants in this space.”

Flood Recovery Program

Emergency works Permanent repairs

Emergency works

over school holidays.

CARPET | VINYL | TIMBER | PLANK | LAMINATE | RUGS | BLINDS | SHUTTERS

Rise in car thefts across Queensland

The State Opposition has called attention to the fact that our state leads the way in stolen vehicles offences

Between July 2021 and June 2022 17,221 cars were recorded stolen in Queensland, over 2,500 more than in Victoria and over 6,500 more than New South Wales.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli said the new numbers and report showed the fact that the State Government had watered down youth crime laws was leading to the youth crime wave getting worse across Queensland.

“The Premier says crime is a problem across Australia. It is, but it is significantly worse in Queensland,” he said.

“Our state had the highest number of vehicles stolen despite our population being smaller than Victoria and New South Wales.

“This is unacceptable.

How many more Queenslanders will have their cars stolen before the Premier takes responsibility and starts listening to our solutions?. Enough is enough.”

In Oakey, several cars have been stolen recently, with opportunists and planned robberies occurring on a semi-regular basis.

Last week, a Pizza Hut delivery car was stolen before being recovered in Toowoomba two days late.

A private car was also stolen from Oakey was also found abandoned two days later in Jondaryan.

Cars aren’t the only targets either with a tractor falling victim to a juvenile male as part of an opportunistic break-in at Jondaryan.

The Opposition Leader

wants tougher conditions imposed upon offenders.

Oakey Golf Club secures grant to repair course

Like many places around the Northern Downs, Oakey Golf Club wasn’t protected from the February floods, which impact on the playability and the quality of the course.

The course was badly affected by the heavy rain, which caused damage to fairways and greens.

But now, thanks to Queensland’s Community and Recreational Assets Recovery and Resilience Program, the club has been able to start getting back on its feet.

Oakey Golf Club was the recipient of $63,629 to assist with recovery of the playing surface, along with replenishing equipment supplies, and supporting infrastructure development, after the

extraordinary disaster event.

Club President Andrew King said that the grant was much needed as the course had been heavily scoured.

“Following the floods from November through to March, the course suffered damage on three greens and five fairways,” he said.

“Water has imported various weeds onto the greens and the areas of the course around the creek have been eroded.

“Without the grant, the work would have taken

much longer, but now we’re hoping to have the course repaired by June next year.”

Letters To the Editor

BALLET CONCERT

Dear Editor,

As a ballet Mum and now a Ballet Grand-mum I have watched over many years this great concert

It is inspiring to see how all the dancers improve each year.

Many have gone on to become dance teachers and some now dance overseas.

What a great advertisement for Oakey.

This year’s concert was “A Magical and Mystical Garden” and it was easy to become part of the beautiful costumes, the experienced and new dancers.

For a couple of hours the real world was far away.

Well done Miss Trudy and staff and all the delightful dancers Merilyn Plant, Acland

Chappys’ Chat

REMEMBRANCE DAY, 2022

On Remembrance Day, Friday 11th November, 2022, we, as the RI (Religious Instruction) volunteers who visit the Oakey State School, were invited to attend the ceremony at the school.

We accepted the invitation with pleasure and felt it an honour to be invited.

There was an air of excitement and wonder as students from Prep to Year 6 entered the school hall at 10.30am.

I understand that Students from Year 6 researched and presented the reflection on Remembrance Day, assisted by their teachers and the Acting Principal.

The focus of this reflection was the Flanders Fields Memorial Garden, opened in 2017 and set within a formal grass court in the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, for even though Australian servicemen and women have served and lives have been lost in many places around the world, nowhere on earth do Australia’s war dead lie in greater numbers than in the soil of the Western Front in France and Belgium during the first World War.

As the students stated: “As we pause on Remembrance Day, our thoughts turn to war’s enormous cost and the toll it takes, not only on those who fall but on all who serve ……..May we draw strength from those who gave bravely, May we stand alongside others and bring our thanks today for the peace and security we enjoy”.

Two Students from each class were then invited to lay the wreaths the class had made at the base of the obelisk set up in the hall, the Ode of Remembrance was read, followed by The Last Post, a minute’s silence was observed and then the Rouse as flags were raised.

Kulpi man facing eight charges

A 37-years-old Kulpi man is one of two people charged in relation to a number of alleged property and driving offences which occurred in the Toowoomba area.

Police will allege that late on November 16, a man and woman forced entry into a Loudon Street address, stealing property including a Nissan X-trail.

The vehicle which was subsequently linked to the theft of Queensland registration plates from an East Toowoomba address, which were then attached to the stolen Nissan.

Police further allege that at about 11.30pm on November 17, patrolling police spotted the stolen vehicle re-fuelling at a Perth Street, Rangeville service station.

The vehicle reversed suddenly, striking a male police officer who was knocked to the ground, then drove towards him at speed, with the officer taking evasive action.

The fuelling pump handle was torn from the hose as the vehicle sped away.

It will be further alleged that at about 11.20pm on November 18, police were patrolling the Wilsonton area when they sighted the stolen Nissan and a short time later a tyre deflation device was successfully deployed.

The vehicle turned into Taylor Street, Dalmeny Street, then Tor Street where a man left the vehicle and fled on foot.

He was arrested in a nearby yard.

The vehicle allegedly continued driving dangerously, crossing the road towards oncoming traffic and proceeding through red lights, until it was stopped at the intersection of James and Anzac Avenue where the female driver was arrested.

A 37-years-old Kulpi man was charged with two counts of enter dwelling and commit an indictable offence, three

counts of receiving tainted property and one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, stealing and wilful damage.

He faced Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Saturday and was remanded in custody to re-appear on December 12.

A 36-years-old Wilsonton Heights woman was charged with two counts of enter dwelling and commit an indictable offence, three

counts of receiving tainted property, stealing and wilful damage, as well as one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle whilst disqualified.

She appeared in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Saturday morning and was remanded in custody to re-appear on Monday.

The officer was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Lastly, the poem “In Flanders Field” by John McCrae, written in 1914 was read by a June, a Religious Instructor.

- June, Tracy, Lesley and Alan Christian Religious Instructors, Oakey

No update on new Westbrook school

Toowoomba Catholic Schools is yet to formalise a time line for the construction and opening of St Francis Catholic College after it was formally announced in March.

The K-12 school will be built on close to ten hectares of land at the corner of Boundary Street South and Shoesmith Road at Westbrook.

One aspect of the school’s design that will be of particular interest is how traffic will be managed around the entry to the school on Shoesmith Road, which has considerable traffic during peak times.

Amid

Small

The worst part is, because this was pushed through without proper scrutiny, most small businesses don’t know what’s coming. According to a recent survey by the Franchise Council of Australia, 68% of small franchised businesses did not understand the industrial relations changes or how they might impact their business operations.

The Albanese Labor Government has rushed through its radical reforms to the Fair Work Act. The changes will put unions in the driver’s seat of Australia’s economy and drag the nation back into Whitlam-era chaos.

businesses are particularly vulnerable to this union power grab. The legislation exposes them to industry-wide bargaining and coordinated strikes. Business groups have warned of staff reductions and business closures as a result.

This latest move comes off the back of the Government abolishing the ABCC and brazenly excluding union officials from the scope of their new integrity commission.

the worst cost of living crisis in decades, Labor’s only response is to put control of the economy into the hands of unions.

Mary Aldred – CEO of Franchise Council of Australia met with Garth Hamilton MP at Parliament House, Canberra.

ABOVE The Oakey Pizza Hut was one recent victim of a stolen vehicle offence.

ABOVE: Several parts of the Oakey Golf Club course at Jondaryan were affected in last summer’s floods.

“Let’s make our communities safe.”

Tabletop renaming a step closer

The potential renaming of Tabletop mountain has moved a step closer with Toowoomba Regional Council endorsing a motion to consult with Traditional Custodians and registered Aboriginal Parties on the idea.

Moving at the Ordinary Meeting of Council on November 15, Mayor Paul Antonio said it was of critical importance to speak with Traditional Custodians and registered Aboriginal Parties before consulting with the wider community.

“The Department of Resources has outlined the process for submitting a new name and one of the key considerations they take into account is whether the level of consultation is adequate,” Mayor Antonio said.

“Since the topic was first raised there has been a lot of community feedback on how we should refer to Mount Tabletop.

“While it’s encouraging to see so much support on this matter, we need to first engage with the Traditional Custodians and registered Aboriginal Parties prior to consultation with the community.

“It’s also important we work cooperatively with the Lockyer Valley Regional Council throughout the

consultation phase.

“Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee is supportive of this process as there may be distinct cultural rights we’re not aware of.

“With Council endorsing this motion, officers will now progress this matter, ensuring we engage with all relevant stakeholders, as advised by the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships.”

At the meeting on November 15, Councillors voted that Council:

1. Consult with the Traditional Custodians and registered Aboriginal Parties (as advised by the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships) prior to

committing further consultation regarding the proposal to rename Mount Tabletop;

2. Be advised of the outcome from the consultation with Traditional Custodians and registered Aboriginal Parties, prior to wider consultation with the community;

3. Work cooperatively with Lockyer Valley Regional Council throughout the consultation phase to achieve a name acceptable to all stakeholders.

Regional Council’s huge investment in smart meters

Toowoomba

Following an initial trial of almost 2000 meters, TRC Water and Waste Committee Chair Cr Rebecca Vonhoff said Council had voted to commence full implementation of the program.

“This is a large financial commitment from Council so prior to rolling out the meters to all households we targeted as many suburbs as possible to make sure the technology was compatible for all areas within the Toowoomba Region,” Cr Vonhoff said.

“We’ve been able to detect leaks on customers’ properties which we previously wouldn’t have identified which is one of the main goals of this program.

“The system also has the ability to alert our team of any significant spikes in usage.

“Once the rest of the meters are installed we’ll be able to identify further

leaks which will help us save valuable water and improve our water security which is vital.”

Cr Vonhoff said residents will also be able to use an app to check how much water they are using.

“This will allow them to review their data and see what activities around their property use a lot of water so they can reduce their water use and also reduce their water bills,” she said.

“If properties have an underground leak, the meters will also help with early detection.

“Essentially, this means that Council will be able to operate more efficiently and residents will be able to monitor their own water usage effectively which will provide cost savings to both the resident and to Council.”

The cost of installation, operation and maintenance, is estimated to be $27,650,000 in total.

Council will consult with Traditional Custodians and Aboriginal Parties about the renaming of Mount Tabletop.

Regional Council (TRC) will spend upwards of $27 million over the next three years installing smart water meters to all properties in the Region.

Oakey Golf Club

Wednesday 16th November, Ladies played an 18 hole Stableford, the winner being Jenny Gordon with 31 points. Runner-up was Janice Little with 30 points.

Wednesday 23rd November, the Ladies will play an 18 hole Stableford. Hit-off will be at 8am.

Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th November, the Members played an 18 hole Stableford, the winner being Janice Little with 33 points. Runner-up was Brett McDonald with 30 points and the ball rundown went

to Terris Muir with 28 points. Pin on No. 3 was won by Bob Dearling and the pin on No. 8 was won by Michael Rietveld.

Next Sunday 27th November, Members will play an 18 hole Stableford with the Social Club. Hit-off will be at 7am for a shotgun start. The annual general meeting of Members will commence approximately 11.15 to 11.45am. Presentation of Honour Board trophies will be held at the conclusion of the AGM.

- Marlene Deans

Oakey Bears

Junior Cricket

Oakey Junior Cricket Club had a brilliant weekend out on the field.

The sun was shining and the balls were spinning.

Our players showed great sportsmanship and continued to improve both their batting and bowling skills.

OJCC Master Blasters vs. Highfields Thunder at Concordia (scores not available).

OJCC Sleepy Bears 0/98 vs. Souths Magpies Burrugaabu 0/127 at St Monica’s Primary School OJCC Tree Climbers 0/44

vs. Souths Magpies Crows 0/95 at Oakey State School

OJCC Caramellos 84 vs. TGCH Raptors 2/151 at Oakey State High School

OJCC Blinky Bills 30 vs. MECC Hearts TGS 8/172 at Trustees Oval

OJCC Drop Bears 90 vs. NBDCC 3/130 at Newtown Park

Our players of the match for each team -

Drop Bears - Billy Blinky Bills - Charlie Caramellos - Toby Sleepy Bears - Kayden Tree Climbers - Ocean Master Blasters - Jackson

Oakey Men’s Bowls

Competition results from Saturday November 19: “A” Singles: K. Ciesiolka defeated M. Park; Senior Singles: E. Dornbusch defeated W. Patterson; P. Maker defeated S. Cosgrove

Competition will be called for both Saturday and Sunday 3rd and 4th of December, absentee book if unavailable.

Result of Wednesday November 16: Winner: L. Bartz’s team; Runner-up: K. Kuhn’s team; B/Round: S. Tweedie’s team.

Thursday night winners: Alison & Col COMING EVENTS

Thursday November 24,

Night Bowls, names in by 5.30pm, play from 6pm.

Saturday November 26, Visit from Holland Park bowlers, 12.30pm start (mixed) C/S. Names on the board please.

Thursday December 8, Christmas Party, trophy presentations with mixed bowls and barbecue, 5.30pm start, names on the board please.

Sunday December 11, C/S 3 bowl pairs, 2 games of 14 ends, pre-Christmas ham day, 12 hams to be won. Sponsored by Elva and Len Fanning, 12.30pm start (mixed). Names on the board please.

Goombungee Golf Oakey Parkrun

Thursday 17th November, Men’s Single Stableford for a Club Trophy. Winner, Peter Mullins 40 points. Approaches: 4/13, Murray McLeod; 6/15, Jim Groat; 7/16, Wayne Nemeth. Ladies’ 4BBB Stableford Aggregate, secret draw for a Club Trophy. Winners, Jan Mullins and Denise Volz 67. Approaches: 2/11, Robyn Drowley; 4/13, Val Hartland; 9/18, Rose Edmunds.

Sunday 20th November, Single Stableford for Jason Hopkins and Golf World Trophies. Winner Men, Greg Schul; Runner-up, Noah Bonney. Winner Ladies, Carmel Cover; Runner-up, Val Drowley. Rundown: Gary Shea, Dave Lowe, Travis

Peters. Men’s pin shots: 4/13, Harry Herriman; 8/17, Bill Robertson; approaches: 1/10, Harry Cover; 9/18, Murray McLeod. Ladies’ approach: 1/10, Carmel Cover.

Members’ Draw No. 3, Glynn Skuse not present. Next week $35.

THIS WEEK

Thursday 24th November, Single Stableford for a Club Trophy. Ladies’ Single Stableford (String Ball) for a Club Trophy.

Friday 25th November, Chook Run from 3pm, all golfers welcome.

Sunday 27th November, Two Person Ambrose, Pioneer Arms Hotel Day. - Murray McLeod

Sunday 20th November we played a VSS on the front nine with 35 players. The winner was Paul Jones with +6 and the runner-up was Peter Flynn with +5 .

The winners of the pins/ approaches are: 1, S. Petrie; 2, Over 60, B. Dearling; 3, D. Harvey; 4, M. Krahenbring; 5, A. Cherry; 6, S. Petrie; 7, Over 60, D. McMonagle; Under 60, P Jones; 8, D. Harvey.

Long Drives: A Grade, D. Harvey; B Grade, G. Lang; Over 60, P. Flynn.

Members draw was 58. Troy Sharpe who was not present for $25.

Raffles going to numbers 8, P Flynn and 74, B. Dearling.

This week we will be playing a Single Stableford and teeing off at 7am in conjunction with the main club.

After the game there will be an annual general meetibng for the main slub and we would like all social players to attend if possible.

- Flynny/Macca

PHOTOS BELOW: Oakey Bears celebrate having fun.

There were 42 participants at the Oakey Parkrun on Saturday.

Young Jack Wilson again recorded the best time of 17 minutes 30 seconds.

The next best time came from Bradley McKay with 21:50, followed by Bradley Thorley on 22:09.

The fastest female this week was Belinda Kaiser of Running Mums Australia with a time of 28:06.

There were eight visiting

runners all up from five clubs.

This week’s field included 25 female participants, outdoing the males for a change.

Thanks to this week’s volunteers, Gary (Griffin) Bowen, Sarah Halter, Gina Lawrie, Faith McKay, Jessica McKay, Duncan Miller, Benjamin Vogelzang and Mark Wheatley, without whom the event would not be possible.

Cotton rises to become nation’s third biggest export

Australian cotton is forecast to become the third most valuable export commodity after wheat and beef, in a year that also witnessed a record export result for one month.

Official figures reveal that in August 2022 nearly $866 million of cotton was exported.

This is almost double the entire amount of cotton exported in 2020 – just two

years earlier.

Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay said the figures reveal the inherent risks in farming.

“In calendar year 2020, $455 million of cotton

was exported to various offshore markets,” Mr Kay said.

“That was reflected in the drought-impacted 2019-20 yield of less than 590,000 bales which was the worst result in recent history.”

Mr Kay said the drought stands in stark contrast to the flooding which made it difficult to get the 2021/22 crop off, also meaning considerable losses from downgrades in some areas and making it even more difficult getting the 2022/23 crop planted, resulting in lost winter crops.

“Our thoughts go out to all those growers facing losses and hardship,” he said.

US hungry for world’s beef

The United States – the world’s second-largest importer of beef after China – is likely to be looking for even more beef from global markets over the next three years, as its own domestic production declines, Rabobank says in a newly-released report.

While Australia is among the major global beef exporters that could help fill the gap, our own supply constraints mean we will be challenged to find additional export volumes.

The report says with production constraints in many of the world’s beef-producing nations, international markets will struggle to meet the gap left by the US contraction, potentially leading to an increase in global beef prices and the redistribution of trade volumes, although the impact of slowing economic conditions and waning consumer confidence around the world may also soften global demand, the report notes.

In its Q4 Global Beef Quarterly, the specialist agribusiness bank says

while the reduction in the size of the US cattle herd is “nothing new”, with numbers declining rather than building in recent years, it has, to date, not impacted the amount of domesticallyproduced beef reaching US consumers.

But that is expected to change soon, with the bank forecasting the tipping point to be reached in 2023, when US beef production should fall by three per cent, with annual declines of two to five per cent possible into 2026.

“On average, that is the potential loss of 400,000 to 500,000 metric tonnes of beef from the US production system per year during this period,” the report said.

The report’s lead author, Rabobank senior animal protein analyst Angus

Gidley-Baird said previous periods of decline in US beef production suggest the country’s retailers and restaurants will look to the global market to fill the void.

He said while neighbours Mexico and Canada, the two largest suppliers of beef to the US, are likely to take up some slack, Canada is going through its own cattle herd liquidation phase and likely limited in what it can supply.

Australia and New Zealand, the third and fourth largest US suppliers, are the logical next options. But Australia’s recovery from its own beef cattle liquidation phase is being drawn out with some questions as to whether it will have the cattle available to produce the same volumes it has done in the past.

Temporary work on Bypass

Temporary works are underway to repair a cutting above the eastbound lanes of the Toowoomba Bypass.

One lane will be open to traffic later this month, weather and conditions permitting.

Both eastbound lanes were closed in late October for the safety of motorists, after heavy rainfall caused significant movement in a cutting on the northern side of the road.

Transport and Main Roads Regional Director (Southern Queensland) Bill Lansbury said the safety of motorists was his priority.

“The contractor Nexus

is working as quickly as possible to reopen this important connection, but we’ll continue to prioritise the safety of the work crews and our community,” Mr Lansbury said.

“Extreme wet weather over 2022 has caused moisture to find its way into the cutting above the eastbound lane, causing movement to large wedges of material, and cracks in the concrete.

“A short-term solution has been planned which will allow one eastbound lane to reopen.

“The temporary works involve the installation of shipping containers filled with ballast, which will act as a protective barrier to prevent any rock fall impacting the traffic lanes.

“In the critical section, the 20-foot shipping containers are being secured by restraint wires connected to 72 anchor bars which are drilled and grouted into the sandstone under the road.”

The installation of the double-stacked shipping

containers will require the use of a crane parked on the bypass westbound lanes.

The westbound lanes will be closed on Friday (25 November 2022) to facilitate the work.

The extensive work required to permanently repair the cutting is scheduled to start next year.

For more information about the project, contact Transport and Main Roads on 4639 0777 or DownsSWR.Office@tmr.qld. gov.au

ABOVE: This year’s pool premiers, RSL 2: Ross Henry, John Byrne, Peter Rudken, Alan Bellette and Jesse Pointon.

ABOVE:

ABOVE: The darts runners-up, Bernborough Tavern 1: Margie Flyn, Trevor Flyn, Eric Bartman and Tony Simmons.

ABOVE: The runners-up in pool, RSL 1: Rex Dearling, Peter Wolski, (absent are Bob Dearling, Shane Bradford, Alan DeRoss).

St Monica’s student takes home artwork award

Artwork by Riley Scheuerle from St Monica’s Primary School at Oakey, Isabelle Sheridan from St Maria Goretti School at Inglewood and Briella Murphy from the Kulpi State School have been chosen for the June, September and October pages of the calendar respectively.

Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said WSHQ was inundated with 1,500 entries from budding young artists this year.

“The Farm safety calendar competition is a great way to get kids from all over Queensland thinking about safety at home and in their classrooms,” Ms Grace said.

“Jobs in agriculture are great jobs that provide

better services to Queenslanders, and we want to make sure the message is out there: be safe on farms.

“The standard of artwork over the years has been fantastic, and the latest edition of the calendar is no exception.

“The competition is a lot of fun, but the safety messages are serious.

“The agriculture industry employs around three per cent of Queensland workers but accounts for more than 30 per cent of workplace deaths.

“The 2023 calendar includes creative and colourful illustrations about electrical safety, animal safety, tractor and machinery safety, quad bike safety,

water safety and general health and wellbeing.

“The twelve winners will each receive a $250 Visa gift voucher, plus another $500 for their school, with their artwork and safety messages featuring in the calendar.”

Thirty thousand free copies of the 2023 Farm safety calendar are now available for Queenslanders.

St Monica’s Primary School Principal, Luke Barrett, said it was a wonderful opportunity for the school to be showcased in the Farm Safety calendar thanks to Year 6 student Riley Scheuerle’s winning entry.

“We are really proud of Riley and his achievement as he lives and breathes all

things farming,” Mr Barrett said.

“The prize money will be of great help to the school, and it will go towards classroom resources in the Media and Technologies curriculum.”

Other students to receive commendations included Sophie King, Sophie Scheuerle and Holly Scheuerle, the latter two of whom are Riley’s siblings.

The awards for each of the winning students were presented last Friday in front of other St Monica’s School students.

Queenslanders can order the 2023 Farm safety calendar for free from the Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) website.

Bowls club buys first new roller since 1961

A grant from the Toowoomba Regional Council has helped the Oakey Bowls Club buy a new roller.

2022 Carp Busters a hit with juniors and seniors

ABOVE: Club President Alan Jackson and Greenkeeper Bob Lucht with the club’s roller, replacing a UK-made one.

For 61 years, the Oakey Bowls Club has been rolling the greens with a British made electric roller, It’s been around so long, that it was already 12 years old when President Alan Jackson joined the club in 1973.

The new purchase is an ATM Optidrive Mover w/Groomer and was purchased with the assistance of Toowoomba Regional Council which contributed $7,927.50 as part of its Round 1 Sport and Recreation grants for 2023.

Greenkeeper of four years Bob Lucht says it’s an investment for the next generation of bowlers.

“It’s about looking to the future bowlers, whoever takes over,” he said.

Mr Jackson said the benefits of investment outweigh the costs, having heard stories of bowling clubs in other towns on the Downs which have to pay regularly to have their machines maintained.

“We should have this for a number of years without having to make any repairs”, he said.

“It should see out our lifetimes.

“This is for the young ’uns.”

If you’re looking to find more information on how to join the Oakey Bowls Club, ring 4691 1267.

Biddeston crash a

“timely reminder”

ABOVE: This year’s regional fishing competition attracted over 200 competitors and more than 100 juniors.

The competition was held on 12th November with 233 competitors, including 102 in the junior category.

Twenty-eight prizes were handed out across different categories, all of which were donated by local businesses.

Across the day, contestants caught 239 fish, weighing a total of 140.5 kilograms.

The biggest haul of the day was a carp weighing 3.6

kilograms, and the largest amount of fish caught by a single competitor was 43.

Secretary of the Oakey Freshwater Fish Stocking Association (OFFSA) Rodney Christensen said it was a great day out for fishers young and old.

“If creek conditions continue to be good we will hold another comp in 2023,” he said.

Anyone wishing to fish locally can check out the OFFSA Facebook page.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) says a two-vehicle crash on Toowoomba-Cecil Plains Road is an important reminder for road users going into the school holidays.

The incident occurred when a four-wheel drive utility failed to give way at a T-junction when merging onto the busy road last Wednesday.

Multiple ambulance sirens could be heard travelling through the centre of Oakey at 1.50 that afternoon.

Paramedics assessed three people at the scene on Toowoomba-Cecil Plains Road.

Two of them were taken to Toowoomba Hospital in a stable condition following the crash.

A QFES spokesperson said the crash could have been avoided and highlighted the importance of driver awareness.

Oakey Police also attended the scene, but at the last report it’s believed no one was charged in relation to the incident.

ABOVE: Riley receives his award in front of St Monica’s Primary School.

Three students from the Darling Downs and South West region are among twelve Queensland kids to be selected as winners of the 2023 Farm Safety calendar competition.

ABOVE: Mum Amanda Scheuerle stands next to award winners Riley, Holly and Sophie Scheuerle.