SEPTEMBER 2019 EDITION NO. 17
Green and Gold Chinchilla’s Darcy O’Sullivan competes for Australia ® PAGE 12
2 WESTERN DOWNS FARMER
chinchillanews.com.au Thursday, September 26, 2019
Welcome Welcome to our September Edition of Western Downs Farmer. We met up with Darcy O’Sullivan from Chinchilla, who travelled to Sydney to play in the Under 21 Australian Polocrosse team. Local fire Inspector Warren Buckley talks us through preparing your property for the upcoming bushifre season. Sydney school boy Jack visits Chinchilla after raising $1.5million for farmers in 12 months with his fiver for a farmer campaign. Wendell Sailor pops out to One Tree for the annual R U OK Day. Darling Downs Cotton Growers celebrates at their annual award night after a tough year. We hope you enjoy our September edition of Western Downs Farmer Nicole McDougall
HONOUR: One Tree Agriculture took out the AgriRisk High Achiever of the Year award at the Australian Cotton Awards. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED
contact us EDITOR Jordan Philp, Phone 07 4120 1017, Email editorial@chinchillanews.com.au ADVERTISING (CHINCHILLA NEWS) Jodie Williams, Phone 07 4672 9930, Email jodie.williams@chinchillanews.com.au ADVERTISING (DALBY HERALD) Nicole McDougall, Phone 07 4672 5502, Email nicole.mcdougall@dalbyherald.com.au GENERAL MANAGER Erika Brayshaw, Phone 07 4672 9921, Email Erika.brayshaw@apn.com.au All material published in Western Downs Farmer is subject to copyright provisions. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission for the publisher. DISCLAIMER: The information contained within Western Downs Farmer is given in good faith and obtained from sources believed to be accurate. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. The Chinchilla News or Dalby Herald will not be liable for any opinion or advice contained herein.
Farmers out west prove at national awards they do it best Shannon Hardy DESPITE the constant dry conditions, one Darling Downs business has demonstrated how resilient they can be during a tough season and displayed how their business practices are a cut above the rest. On July 24, at the Australian Cotton Awards in Griffith, James Traill and Ashley Tunks from One Tree Agriculture were fortunate enough to take out the AgriRisk High Achiever of the Year award. Operating 9500ha across 13 properties, spread from Warra to Jandowae, One Tree Agriculture joint farm manager Mr Traill said it was their use of technology that contributed towards the award. “I think what helped get us over the line is our paperless system,” he said. “We have a full paperless system, whether it be Workplace Health and Safety, purchase approvals, record keeping from time sheets to spray applications or agronomic reports.” One Tree Agriculture has also proven they are committed to the industry by being
myBMP (Best Management Practices) accredited and participating in the Better Cotton Initiative program. Working with fellow joint farm manager Mr Tunks for almost three years, the structure of two managers working together in unison across the whole farm, with the assistance of great staff, just adds to the business’s success. “We are quite a young team,” Mr Traill said. “There is only one outlier in his 50s and the rest of us all are in our 20s and 30s.” Keeping such young staff and encouraging them to stay around can sometimes be a challenge, however that doesn’t seem to be the case for One Tree Agriculture. They up-skill their staff daily, teaching them how to drive every piece of equipment across the farm and making sure they understand why they are doing the job by keeping them engaged. “It’s always hard to keep young people but we have been lucky enough to keep them here for a good few years now and they all seem happy here, so it’s great,” Mr Traill said.
“We always try to keep them motivated and make sure they are always involved in the business. “We like to give people a range of jobs, constantly up-skilling our staff, which only benefits us.” Even though the farm can experience some busy times, Mr Traill and Mr Tunks are constantly communicating with their staff and making sure they aren’t working too hard or getting bogged down in one thing. “We have a fatigue policy in place so we can work no more than 80 hours in a consecutive period,” Mr Traill said. “Anything over 80 hours is an automatic 24-hour period off and if you hit it again within a fortnight you have to have two days off.” Going through a pretty tough time at the moment with the drought, the news of getting the award couldn’t have come at a better time. “It’s been a massive morale booster,” Mr Traill said. “It’s extremely gratifying when you win an award that’s been judged by your peers. “It’s a huge honour.”
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Front cover photo: Chinchilla’s own Darcy O’Sullivan, taken by Polocrosse. Photos by Sue.
WESTERN DOWNS FARMER 3
Thursday, September 26, 2019 dalbyherald.com.au
Dry winter takes toll on crop success for Western Downs AgForce grains president discusses the scarce rainfall and its impact on post-June crops
IT has been a long, dry winter for many farmers in the Western Downs with almost no rainfall. Warra farmer and AgForce grains president Brendan Taylor had a barley crop in over the winter. When he spoke to Western Downs Farmer in early September, his crops were three or four weeks away from harvest. “There’s pocket on the northern downs, a small area… using the Warrego
Highway as the southern boundary from Macalister, north to Jandowae and then back to Brigalow… [that was] very fortunate to get one good fall of rain in early June,” Mr Taylor said. “20 to 30 millimetres fell in that one fall of rain at the start of June and those crops that were already planted off the back of March rain managed to establish a root system… and they’ve grown to what they are now, on basically stored sub-soil moisture, just because we had that one rainfall to
establish a root system. “Now those crops are exceptionally good, given the small amount of in-crop rainfall that they’ve had.” Mr Taylor said crops planted after the June rain event had not had enough rain since to establish a root system and were still growing very much on primary roots. “They’re struggling,” he said. “Some of them probably won’t be harvested, some of them will probably be sprayed out and just used as a cover crop.”
“Those better crops in that Warra-Jandowae region, a lot of those crops in the last week or two have been cut for silage and hay because it’s the only pocket on the Downs where there’s any crops of significance that have got any bulk on them that are actually worth cutting for forage. “Not many of them are going to actually get grown out for grain. The reason for this, Mr Taylor said, is purely economics. “The fodder value is considerably higher than the
grain value.” These promising results by no means signal a good season for the Western Downs as a whole with the June rainfall only affecting
that very specific area between Macalister, Jandowae and Brigalow. “It’s a very small pocket of the Downs that’s in that position,” Mr Taylor said.
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Shannon Hardy
4 WESTERN DOWNS FARMER
chinchillanews.com.au Thursday, September 26, 2019
Trespass laws protecting farmers from activists
Lower House unanimous on decision to crack down on inciting harassment or intimidation
NEW trespass laws have moved unanimously through the Lower House of Parliament, giving stronger protections to farmers who have been or could have been subject to farm invasions. Maranoa MP David Littleproud said farmers got the win they deserve with the new laws. “Farming families who grow our food deserve to be able to do so without fear of invasion on their property and harm to their children,” Minister Littleproud said. “These invasions are dangerous and intimidating, like when 20 activists broke into the Carey Bros abattoir in Warwick or when 100 activists invaded Lemon Tree feedlot in Millmerran. “This bill will better protect those families by deterring farm invasions. “Anyone who incites trespass over the internet could face 12 months in prison.” Minister Littleproud went on to say sometimes the people encouraging farm invasions need to be removed from society for a while to think about their actions. “It is completely out-of-line – endangering employees, farm business procedures and wasting police time. The Criminal Code Amendment (Agricultural Protection) Bill 2019 includes criminal penalties to protect farming families. It leaves offenders facing up to five years’ imprisonment for inciting harassment and intimidation. Minister Littleproud said farmers deserve to be able to grow their business in peace because they have a very important job feeding the nation. “I continue to call on the States to wake up and do their bit by beefing up their animal
activist laws and fully enforcing them,” he said. Minister for Agriculture Bridget McKenzie shared those sentiments and said the Bill sends a clear message to animal activists that if you use the personal information of our family farmers to incite trespass then you will be risking jail. “These laws are necessary to protect farmers and their businesses – most of them small family businesses – from potential trespass, property damage, theft and biosecurity breaches, and the substantial loss of income that could follow,” Minister McKenzie said. “The Morrison Government is committed to supporting Australian farmers their families and their businesses and this Bill introduced today delivers on that commitment to this critically important part of our economy, our $60 billion agriculture industry.” The Bill also covers other private agricultural businesses such as fishers and foresters. These new laws build on other actions taken by the Federal Government to protect farmers and their families, including prescribing Aussie Farms under the Privacy Act, meaning the organisation could face fines of up to $2.1 million for breaches of the Act. Activists have not taken the news of the new laws lightly with head of activist organisation Aussie Farms, Christopher Delforce, speaking to a parliamentary inquiry into the new laws in mid August. The Weekly Times reported that Mr Delforce said he would not take down his Aussie Farms map, which encourages activists to
ABOVE: Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud. RIGHT: Animal rights group, Aussie Farms, created an interactive satellite map pinpoint the exact locations and address of farmers' properties. PHOTO: MICHAEL NOLAN/CONTRIBUTED target farms, even if new laws made its existence an offence. Mr Delforce instead argued for the criminalisation of animal farming over the next 10 years and accused farmer
representatives of giving false evidence to the inquiry. The inquiry heard significant examples of the impacts of farm trespass and animal activism on farm businesses and families.
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WESTERN DOWNS FARMER 5
Thursday, September 26, 2019 dalbyherald.com.au
A Fiver for a Farmer founder Jack Berne, 11, during a visit to Chinchilla State School recently.
PHOTO: KATE MCCORMACK
Sydney schoolboy, 11, raises $1.5 million in 12 months for farmers Farm aid campaigner Jack Berne pops in to Drought Angels and talks to Chinchilla students HE MAY be the smallest kid in his Year 5 class but, to farmers across Australia, 11-year-old Jack Berne is a big deal. The young student has been the driving force behind raising $1.5 million in just 12 months for drought-stricken farmers through the A Fiver For A Farmer campaign he created. In mid-2018 Jack started the campaign at his Northern Sydney primary school with the first free-dress day held, encouraging students to dress as a farmer and donate $5 to the drought appeal. His campaign has spread to schools across Australia
and raised not only vital funds for farmers in need, but awareness of one of the worst droughts in history. “I first learnt about what farmers were going through after we watched a Behind The Scenes news video about the ongoing drought at school,” Jack said. “I couldn’t stop thinking about how hard things had become for Australian farmers but I had no idea what I could do to help so I spoke to my whole family – my mum, dad, sister and even my granddad – but they didn’t know what we could do either.” Jack decided to reach out for help and started sending emails from his mother’s computer, contacting as
many television and radio stations as he could to try and get the message out there. Within days he had caught the attention of Channel 7’s Sunrise program and the rest is history, with A Fiver for a Farmer raising an initial $20,000 in its first 14 hours. Within six weeks Jack had managed to raise $1 million and became a household name around the nation, receiving praise from media personalities and politicians including prime ministers Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison. Western Downs grain farmer Greg Evans told the Chinchilla News he was immediately inspired by
Jack’s go-get-’em attitude and generous spirit when he saw the initial news report last year. “As a farmer, I was really touched by Jack’s initiative and have been impressed by just how far the campaign has come,” Mr Evans said. “All the fundraising has added up and Jack’s small idea has grown into something amazing.” Now a year on from the first free-dress day at his school and as more than 1100 schools across the country registered with A Fiver for a Farmer, Jack said he was still the same kid just trying to do something good for someone else. Jack and his mother, Prue, travelled all the way to
Chinchilla last week to pay a visit to the Drought Angels, which are one of the charities supported by A Fiver for a Farmer. “I’m really grateful to my family, they supported me and told me to go for this,” he said. “My mum runs around like a headless chook looking after me and helping me make a difference for our farmers.”
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The well-spoken young man also met with Chinchilla school children to share his story and message. During his speech at Chinchilla State School, Jack told students that they shouldn’t let their age hold them back. “My mum always says to me ‘even though you are small, you have a mighty voice’ and that’s what I want other kids to know.”
Just because we are young doesn’t mean we can’t try and make a difference
— Jack Berne, 11, founder of A Fiver for a Farmer
6 WESTERN DOWNS FARMER
chinchillanews.com.au Thursday, September 26, 2019
Cotton industry awards honour our top growers Darling Downs Cotton Growers Industry celebrates success after a tough season Emily Bradfield HOPE for rain and positivity that it’s on its way was a sentiment shared by many at the Darling Downs Cotton Growers Annual Awards Night, keeping spirits alive after a tough season. Hundreds of growers from around the region gathered at the Dalby Events Centre on September 6, to celebrate their success despite the dry weather, and award the season’s high achievers. The major award, Grower of the Year was won by Miles growers Ashley and Rebecca Geldard. Highest irrigated yield award went to Jason and Briony Sinclair from Lakeland Downs, Condamine with 17.38 baler per hectare, a record yield for the region. Mike and Andrea Stewart from Byee took out highest dryland yield with 4.41 bales per hectare. Dalby-based Skerman farming was awarded the Greg McVeigh Trophy for Outstanding Yield with 14.08 bales per hectare and 1.969 bales per megalitre. Steve MacNellie won the unsung hero award, Dave and Liza Balmain from Nangwee took out high achiever of the year and the
service to industry award went to Lyn and Bobby Brazil from Broodstead, Condamine. Darling Downs Cotton Growers Incorporated president Georgie Kreig said the evening was not just about celebrating the award winners but coming together as a community to support each other through the drought. “A lot of people get together at things like this you can just get away from the dry weather and everything else going on in your life and just have a general catch up with friends,” she said. “We’re not just a group of farmers growing cotton, we’re a community of friends.” The evening also acted a fundraiser for Are You Bogged Mate, an organisation helping blokes in the bush talk about mental health and providing them with support. Together the crowd raised almost $8000.
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We’re not just a group of farmers growing cotton, we’re a community of friends
Grower of the Year Ashley Geldard and sponsor Bruce Vandersee. PHOTO: EMILY BRADFIELD
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WESTERN DOWNS FARMER 7
Thursday, September 26, 2019 dalbyherald.com.au
You work land, we work business Internode Agronomy helps farmers get back to doing what they do best FARMING is a field that is both ever-changing and forever the same. There is still a need to pay attention to what your land and crops need to thrive and be profitable but the design of farms and businesses is changing and growing. Independent agronomist Nikolaus Fritz said the nature of how farms operated was changing. “Instead of the farmer doing everything, I see a bit of a change as they’re turning more into the manager and they’re spending more time running their business,” Mr Fritz said. “Just the day-to-day things, marketing their produce or whatever that may be. “So I think there’s less time for growers to be out in the paddock to keep an eye on things and to keep up to date as well with what’s going on.” This is where agronomists like Mr Fritz and his company Internode Agronomy come in. Having spent his whole working life in the Dalby and Chinchilla areas, Mr Fritz knows the region well and has learnt how to best manage local farming lands. The service that Internode Agronomy offers is different to what most people might
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be used to when bringing on an agronomist. While still handling traditional agronomy with all crops, Mr Fritz also offers a complete consultancy package. “Not just looking at weeds and bugs but at how to improve the farm’s profitability,” he said. When choosing an agronomist there are benefits to going independent. “I’m unconstrained by sales,” Mr Fritz said. “That’s not to say I’m not going to recommend anything at all but if there’s a better product that fits, I’ll be leaning towards that rather than having to stick to a set list.” Mr Fritz spends all of his time on agronomy and does not have any other facets of business demanding his time. “So I can focus more in-depth on the farming enterprise and really get the agronomic aspect to drive the sustainability and profitability of the farm,” he said. Find out more about Internode Agronomy online at www.internodeagronomy.com, phone Mr Fritz on 0476 112 760 or email nik@internodeagronomy.com.
So I can focus more in-depth on the farming enterprise and really get the agronomic aspect to drive the sustainability and profitability of the farm
— Nikolaus Fritz
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8 WESTERN DOWNS FARMER
chinchillanews.com.au Thursday, September 26, 2019
Rural fire safety reminder
Don’t let complacency stop you – give your property the best chance of beating a bushfire Shannon Hardy AFTER a long, dry winter, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services and Rural Fire Service are asking property owners to make sure they are ready for fire season. Although the time for hazard reduction burns has passed, there are still ways to ensure your property is safe and accessible should a fire break out. Dalby QFES inspector Warren Buckley said one important move people could make was to clean up around their houses before fire season. “Sparks from some of these fires can get a couple of kilometres ahead of the fire so we might be under ember attack,” Mr Buckley said. “If you’ve got leaves in your gutters, leaves around the outside, car bodies outside with leaves in them, if we get sparks inside them and embers inside them, they’re going to burn. “So we ask people, make sure your gutters are clean, make sure you’ve got hose that can access all parts of your residence, your sheds and any valuable assets outside.” Ensuring your property is accessible to emergency services is another way landowners can be prepared. Mr Buckley explained how low-hanging trees could be among the hazards that blocked driveways and access points to a property. “We’re asking people to clean up their properties, we’re asking people to make sure the trucks can get in,” Mr Buckley said. If you’re unsure whether a QFES or RFS truck will be able to fit through entryways or driveways on your property, Mr Buckley has a simple measurement test. “If they can get a normal cattle truck down there, we’ll be able to get ours,” he said. Once your property is accessible to emergency services and you have cleaned up any materials that
could become fire hazards, there are a few more things you can look at. Rural Fire Service Darling Downs acting area director John Welke said they asked people to have water points accessible to firefighters with a 50mm male camlock. “Ideally if people had those water points marked, both physically at the water point itself as an available water point and on a map of their property (also) showing things like fence lines, access points, gate ways ... any fire-break infrastructure that’s been installed,” Mr Welke said. “Any of those things that can help responding crews when coming onto people’s property to be the most efficient we can be and minimise the damage and impact to people’s properties.” Mr Welke said the opportunity for hazard reduction burning had passed for the vast majority of landowners but they could still take proactive measures to ensure they had firefighting equipment on their property, serviced, available and full of water ready to go. “That’s things like their dozers or graders or tractors with buckets all available in safe working order and where possible people have constructed fire breaks around assets and infrastructure like cattle yards or bores or things out in the paddock that are high value to landowners,” he said. Mr Welke also said because it had been dry and a lot of areas were short on feed or available grass, there was a chance that complacency could happen. “Some people may have the opinion that because it’s been dry we won’t get much of a fire season but certainly, from our perspective, we’re anticipating that we’ll actually see more protracted fires, more protracted forest fires this year and just because there’s not thousands of acres of standing grass people still need to be prepared,” he said.
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Make sure your gutters are clean, make sure you’ve got hose that can access all parts of your residence, your sheds ...
— Warren Buckley
PREPARE NOW: Have a plan and do the work ahead of bushfire season
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10 WESTERN DOWNS FARMER
chinchillanews.com.au Thursday, September 26, 2019
New trading name and office locations for organisation Southern Queensland Landscapes better represents SQNRM’s work SOUTHERN Queensland NRM is now trading as Southern Queensland Landscapes – or SQ Landscapes – and has established two new offices in Roma and Charleville. The board chose Southern Queensland Landscapes after considering many options because the definition of landscapes – the visible features of an area of land, its landforms and how they integrate with natural or man-made features – best describes the basis for the company. Chairman Bruce Scott believes the new, more concise name is a better representation of the organisation’s work. “The change to Southern Queensland Landscapes was made to simplify the branding for our business and more accurately
represent what we do and where,” Mr Scott said. “A landscape contains the features that are important in a particular part of our region. So it seems fitting that our name represent our work in southern Queensland, helping to care for our environments, industries and communities.” The establishment of two new office locations has lined up with the change in trading name, with a newly built office set up in Major St in Roma, while the team of four in Charleville have moved into the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service space in Park St. “With SQ Landscapes covering such a large and diverse region, it’s imperative that we have our people based in multiple locations to provide connections, support and advice and ensure we have our fingers on the pulse
NEW ERA: Southern Queensland Landscapes chairman Bruce Scott and Mayor Paul Antonio. as we progress our business within various communities,” Mr Scott said. “These office locations, along with the Toowoomba-based office in Margaret St, are hubs for our
people, community groups and individuals undertaking environment and natural resource work to gather, share knowledge and discuss ideas for the betterment of our region.”
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WESTERN DOWNS FARMER 11
Thursday, September 26, 2019 dalbyherald.com.au
When should Aussies have skin checked?
Annual check could find cancer in early stages
IF THERE is one thing common to every Australian, it is the need to protect ourselves from the sun. Not only should we protect ourselves, we also require regular skin checks by a professional. Our health is too important to take risks with skin cancer. Research shows 81 per cent of all diagnosed cancers are skin cancer, making it by far the most common cancer in Australia and the one most people will develop in their lifetime.
WHEN TO CHECK?
Cosmetic Elegance Clinic advises people to have annual checks.
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It is important to have a check at least once a year or when you have a lesion you are concerned about. “Skin cancer is not a black and white science,” says Dr Albert Vermeulen. from Cosmetic Elegance Clinic. “If you are worried about something on your skin, have it checked out because it is just not worth the risk.”
Medical director Dr Eddie Roos explained: “Skin cancers are not always easy to diagnose because cancers don’t read the text books.” Dr Roos said other triggers for a skin check could be a sore that bleeds, heals and bleeds again or any sore not healing in six to eight weeks.
DEBUNKING MYTHS
Some of us are working with false information in relation to skin cancer. For example, did you know not all melanomas are black and raised? In fact, some are pink. Melanoma can occur anywhere and in places such as nail beds, between your toes and on the soles of the feet. Another common misconception is skin cancer is an older person’s disease. The most likely age for developing melanoma is 15–45 years. The important things to
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12 WESTERN DOWNS FARMER
chinchillanews.com.au Thursday, September 26, 2019
POLOCROSSE PLAYER IN AUSTRALIAN SQUAD Darcy O’Sullivan from Chinchilla was part of the under-21 team to compete in Sydney for an ‘all-time high’ in what he hopes will turn into a full-time career Kate McCormack IN July, polocrosse player Darcy O’Sullivan packed up his car, got his three horses in the truck and took a two-day road trip to Sydney for what became the highlight of his career. For the first time in his polocrosse journey, the Chinchilla player represented Australia in the under-21 Australian squad. Wearing the green and gold, O’Sullivan represented our country at the equestrian ground at Camden in Sydney. Although Australia didn’t
take the win, the experience was an all-time high point for O’Sullivan and his family, and everyone was incredibly proud of his performance. “The trip was really good,” O’Sullivan said. “It was enjoyable, and we had a pretty good side and a pretty good coach. “My performance wasn’t too bad either.” Although early on in his career, O’Sullivan already has an impressive resume, proving he does have the ability to succeed. At the end of last year, he represented Queensland at
the national championships in Perth. He also represented Queensland in the Barastoc competition held in conjunction with the Polocrosse World Cup in Warwick during April. A boilermaker by trade, O’Sullivan has to make extra time to train his four horses, ensuring they are fit and ready to go. Most afternoons O’Sullivan, along with his mum, dad and three brothers, train their horses for two and half hours afterwork.
“When we get home after work, we will get on our better horses first and try to keep them fit,” O’Sullivan said. “We will then get on our younger horses and ride with the racquets.” O’Sullivan, who has ridden horses since he can remember, gained inspiration from his dad and is proud to follow in his father’s footsteps. “Dad and his family played it when he was younger and he’s always had a fair bit to do with horses,” O’Sullivan said. Polocrosse is just a hobby
at the moment but his dream is to take it up full-time and, with a little more hard work, he thinks he will be able to get there. On top of his international success, O’Sullivan still represented home side Chinchilla at the Chinchilla Polocrosse Carnival in August. Playing in the A-grade
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competition with his brother, O’Sullivan helped his team reach a final for the first time in years, going down narrowly to Warwick in the decider. In what is described as a first-class facility, the Chinchilla Polocrosse Club hosted a successful carnival with 60 visiting teams and nine from Chinchilla.
It was enjoyable, and we had a pretty good side and a pretty good coach
Thursday, September 26, 2019 dalbyherald.com.au
WESTERN DOWNS FARMER 13
. PHOTOS: POLOCROSSE PHOTOS BY SUE/CONTRIBUTED
14 WESTERN DOWNS FARMER
chinchillanews.com.au Thursday, September 26, 2019
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Thursday, September 26, 2019 dalbyherald.com.au
WESTERN DOWNS FARMER 15
‘Low political act’ can’t stop fight to halt march of prickly acacia State Govt reneges on pledge but Federal Govt pushes on with plan MEMBER for Maranoa David Littleproud has confirmed the Federal Government will press ahead with fighting prickly acacia without the Queensland Government, which reneged on their half of a $10 million deal. Mr Littleproud said the program was going ahead despite the State Labor Government pulling out. “This has to be one of the lowest political acts in Queensland’s history,” he said. “Prickly acacia has already taken hold near places like Longreach and Winton, where it’s causing big problems. “This insidious weed cuts pasture production and makes it hard for stock to get to water. “Floods can spread its seed to new areas so it’s important we get onto this quickly. “This is too important – we can’t let prickly acacia get the upper hand, so the Coalition Government will press ahead with our $5 million without the State Government’s $5 million. “Since the State Government won’t take part the Commonwealth will be looking for delivery partners to run the program. “I hope State Government come to their senses and restore the $5 million promised for this program.”
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This insidious weed cuts pasture production and makes it hard for stock to get to water
— MP David Littleproud
BIG PROBLEM: The prickly acacia has taken hold near Longreach and Winton and must be stopped. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED
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16 WESTERN DOWNS FARMER
chinchillanews.com.au Thursday, September 26, 2019
Ekka titles to students
Dalby State High School has walked away from the 2019 Ekka with a plethora of prizes DALBY State High School’s students have again proven they know agriculture, with multiple wins at the 2019 Ekka. Early mornings and late nights of preparation leading up to and during the Ekka have paid off for the cattle team and their three heifers and five steers, which won four placings in the competition, going up against top competitors from around the state. For the second year, Dalby State High School won the prestigious inter-school team-judging competition, with students Mitch Franz, Chloe Jamieson and Charlie Salter beating teams from 27 other schools in Queensland. Aidan Schelberg won an individual third place in his judging against hundreds of competitors his age. Cattle program coordinator Sue Burrowes was over the moon with the students’ results, which she said was a testament to their hard work. “I couldn’t be more proud
of them, we’ve brought a team of students who have worked together tremendously, they’ve been organised, always on time and they have been so committed,” she said. “Win or lose, they always put in 150 per cent. “We also got positive feedback from other exhibitors about how well presented the students were.” Away from the cattle ring, the DSHS successes continued, with six students representing the school in the young agriculture sections at the show. The Youth in Agriculture exhibit received third prize overall for their creation, also taking out prizes for best backdrop, most effective movement and first place in grains sorting. Their exhibit incorporated grains, fresh produce and wool from the area to create a farming landscape, with a moving train and three wind turbines for added effect.
Subject area coordinator for agriculture Steph Banditt said the students had spent a term-and-a-half planning their exhibit to suit this year’s theme, “From little things big things grow”. “Last term we met and put together a sketch plan with what we wanted to achieve,” Miss Banditt said. “From there we grained all the backboard, we cut out all the wind turbine blades and we ordered our train, built the train and planned our floor. “This year we were highlighting the agricultural curriculum here at Dalby State High School. From little things, like going to school and learning about agriculture, they go on to bigger and better things, like farming, university or whatever it may be.” DSHS also took home more awards in the sheep sections, with a first place result in the restaurant pen of three prime lambs and grand champion grass-fed prime lambs pen of three.
WELL-DESERVED RESULTS: The DSHS Ekka teams.
PHOTOS: CONTRIBUTED
Thursday, September 26, 2019 dalbyherald.com.au
The essence of farming life There is no denying the pivotal role farms and farmers play in the continued prosperity and advancement of our nation and in recognition of this, News has produced the maiden edition of the South West Queensland Farming Guide THIS comprehensive and in-depth publication is a must-have for every farmer, offering insight into every essence of farming and agricultural life. From calving and beekeeping through to cropping and animal health, there is plenty here for all. The publication a mix of inspiration and no-nonsense practical advice and tips, broken down into concise and easily understandable sections. If cattle are your business, this publication outlines everything from identifying major breeds and choosing the right bull to pregnancy testing, vaccinating, drenching and castrating. The best veterinary advice on common problems such as mastitis, pink eye and the notiďŹ able Bovine Johne’s Disease has been sought to ensure the publication is as informative and up-to-date as possible There are chapters on all the major farm animals, including horses, goats, pigs and poultry. There is expert advice on farm fencing,
buying and maintaining farm machinery and controlling pests such as foxes, rabbits and kangaroos. From the best suited cattle dogs through to achieving successful drainage on your property, we have every avenue covered in this comprehensive and in-depth maiden edition of the South West Queensland Farming Guide. We hope we can play our part in continuing to strengthen the already thriving industries that are our farming and agricultural sectors and strongly believe this publication will be a handy companion for farmers now and into the future. This fantastic limited edition publication is available to readers of Western Downs Farmer by simply cutting out the coupon featured in hte edition of Western Downs Farmer and presenting it to the front counter of Dalby Herald, Chinchilla News, Western Star, Balonne Beacon, or Western Times. Do not miss out on your opportunity to become the most resourceful and successful farmer possible thanks to the incredible South West Queensland Farming Guide.
WESTERN DOWNS FARMER 17
18 WESTERN DOWNS FARMER
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Thursday, September 26, 2019 dalbyherald.com.au
Give a Farmer a Break
Big crowd turns out to hear keynote speakers at Dalby Rural Supplies’ event
Shannon Hardy DALBY Rural Supplies hosted three guest speakers to address growers and community member at their Give a Farmer a Break event at the end of August. Speakers included the Queensland LNP’s environment spokesman David Crisafulli, Mark Scanlon from Next Rural, and Warren Davies, the Unbreakable Farmer. Mr Crisafulli spoke about the numerous issues farmers are facing. Animal activists “who are now morphing themselves into extremists” were one of the key topics. “They have one purpose and that is to disrupt normality,” he said. “At the moment fines for those people in Queensland, for trespassing on someone’s property to make a point about animal activism, is a
whopping great big $1300. “That’s the maximum fine at the moment, that hasn’t been issued yet. “The government… is currently putting forward legislation to make that fine $2600.” Vegetation management and chemical regulation were also discussed. Despite the not so happy topics of discussion, Mr Crisafulli was not pessimistic about the future. “I believe in the future of agriculture, so should you, and long may good quality farming in this state continue.” Mark Scanlon from Next Rural was the second speaker of the afternoon. Mr Scanlon walked guests through the process his company uses for transition planning, also known as succession planning, for agricultural businesses. “I don’t like the word
succession at times,” he said. “I think mum and dad think it’s a case of out with the old and in with the new and it’s certainly not that.” Two of the main reasons Mr Scanlon said he’s found for people not completing a transition plan were lack of communication and no formal structure to address the planning process. The third speaker of the day, Warren Davies, as on Dalby Rural Supplies’ stand at this year’s FarmFest. Mr Davies is known as the Unbreakable Farmer. He uses his own lived experiences as a dairy farmer to talk to members of the agricultural community about how to recognise and address negative mental health. “We’re all facing challenges,” Mr Davies said. “Whether it’s a planning thing or some of the pressures that are forced on
us… we might be talking about some of the legislative stuff or… climate. “We get a lot of challenges put on us as farmers and on us as rural and regional communities. “I’m on a mission, and I have been for the last few years, around creating awareness, awareness around mental health and wellbeing. “Especially in regional rural communities because that’s where I come from.” Mr Davies led attendees through the story of his life and how he came to be known as the Unbreakable Farmer, including the worst day of his life: selling his cows. Having owned a dairy farm in rural Victoria, Mr Davies was no stranger to both floods and drought. He rolled with the challenges that life and mother nature threw at his
family, but things became harder the longer the drought continued. “One of the things that really had an effect on me… was my job is to look after those cows. “That was my job, or that’s what I thought my job was, and I was starting to struggle to do my job. “And that mental health spiral started to get quicker, it was really challenging me as a person. “I was starting to feel shame and guilt because I couldn’t do my job properly. “I couldn’t look after my family properly, I felt like a failure.” But he was able to find new meaning in life and now speaks about his struggles to help others in the rural community. In addition to having him speak at Give a Farmer a Break, Dalby Rural Supplies also took Mr Davies to some
of the schools to talk to senior students. Dalby Rural Supplies co-director Andrew Johnson said he felt it was a really successful afternoon. “We had probably 175 growers and community people attend the event which was great,” he said. “The day was about giving a farmer a break, it was sort of about getting them in and having couple of keynote speakers to discuss issues in the agriculture sector.” Mr Johnson said events like this were important to Dalby Rural Supplies because it was a community-oriented business. “We rely on the community to keep our business going,” he said. “John, my business partner, and myself are both born and bred local people here so the community give us a lot and it’s something we can give back to the community.”
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20 WESTERN DOWNS FARMER
chinchillanews.com.au Thursday, September 26, 2019
GETTING UNBOGGED: Lenny Veivers, James Traill, Boris Maben, Wendell Sailor, Mary O’Brien and Juston Karcher at the One Tree Ag R U OK? Day breakfast.
PHOTOS: KATE MCCORMACK
Getting out of your ‘bog’
New awareness initiative takes on more of a ‘blokes’ approach to combat regional mental health Kate McCormack
COUNTRY Australia is currently in the midst of a serious national health problem. Today six men will take their own lives. For every death there will be another 30 attempts and country blokes are twice as likely to commit suicide over their city counterparts. These gut-wrenching figures were presented by Dalby woman and passionate agricultural advocate, Mary O’Brien to a shed full of over 130 primary producers from across the Western Downs in an effort to fight back against the non-discriminatory disease that is robbing a nation of it’s men. In an effort to encourage regional men to start opening up and confronting the traditionally taboo topic, former Wallaby, Queensland Origin, Brisbane Broncos and All Stars legend, Wendell Sailor spoke out about his controversial two-year suspension after failing a drug test back in 2006, which ultimately put an end to his rugby union career. “At the end of it all I think it was the wake-up call I was
LEFT: Isaac Stone and Brent Rockliff from Woodlands Mechanical in their Trademutt work shirts, designed to start a conversation about mental health with the legend himself, Wendell Sailor at the One Tree Ag R U OK? Day breakfast. RIGHT: The One Tree Ag team with Wendell Sailor. desperately searching for,” Sailor admitted. “After my father passed away the black dog was starting to take form and my drinking and drug abuse started to get out of control.” Sailor admitted his salvation came in the form of a very surly Wayne Bennett after he called him and
flat-out said “you’ve really stuffed up this time” and began to organise for him to start seeing a professional to deal with his problems, rather than turning to the bottle. “I was convinced I didn’t need to see anyone about what was going on with me,” Sailor said.
“But within half an hour I was a crying mess, and it’s probably the best thing I ever did to this day because that’s when things started to turn around for me.” Both O’Brien and Sailor stressed how vital it was for regional communities to start making it easier to ask each other how they are really
doing and if they needed a hand getting out of their mental health “bog”. “You guys are on the front line of this war. You’re the ones that are going to spot the signs before any GP diagnosis, it’s time to make it a community-wide effort to take the time to check on each other and if you are
finding yourself getting into a bit of a bog, start asking the people around you to give you a pull,” Ms O’Brien said. “I can guarantee you no matter how bogged you think you might be, there’s always a way out of it.” For more information head to areyouboggedmate. com.au.
WESTERN DOWNS FARMER 21
Thursday, September 26, 2019 dalbyherald.com.au
Tara Festival’s record crowd for anniversary
Estimated 10,000 people turned out for 10th year of Festival of Culture and Camel Races
FOR almost two decades the Tara Festival of Culture and Camel Races has been drawing crowds and growing its reputation. The 2019 festival was the 10th anniversary and proved just how popular the event had become with record numbers arriving in town. It was estimated that over 10,000 people journeyed from far and wide to be part of the festival. This is a huge number compared to the 950 visitors that saw the inaugural event back in 2001. Festival president Linda Petersen said this year’s festival surprised them. “We had people coming from all over Australia, from Karumba, Charters Towers, Casino, Ballina, Sydney, Melbourne and a lot of places in between, plus a few from overseas, including New Guinea, Singapore and New Zealand,” Mrs Petersen said. Packed full of sights to see and activities to get involved with, variety really was the flavour of this year’s Tara Festival of Culture. Attendees got the chance to get amongst the bush spirit with sheep shearing demonstrations, whip cracking, camp oven cooking and bush poetry. Other classic entertainment included chainsaw sculpting, camel rides and yabby races. Parts of cultures from all over the world were also brought to the regional Queensland town. Japanese drummers, African dancers, a Spanish Mariachi band and Cuban dancers showed the crowds some of their culture. Some festival-goers even had the opportunity to learn some new skills themselves with Bollywood dance workshops. As if this was not already enough, the entertainment
continued with music groups including Celtic rock band Murphy’s Pigs and the festival headliners, the McClymonts. Of course, one of the biggest events is the camel races. There were some great results with jockey Kyrraley Woodhouse taking both the 400m and 600m Camel Cup finals on her camel Gunna. Mrs Woodhouse was also named best jockey for her performance over the weekend and her family team Woodhouse Camels won the prize for best handler. Mrs Woodhouse said she didn’t dream of winning both finals, the last race being
only her sixth ride on Gunna and his seventh ever on the track. Gunna had his first start in Boulia two weekends before Tara and he got off to a rough start, jumping over the inside running rail and throwing the jockey. But since then, he had proved worthy of his spot on the track. “I love him, he’s such a powerful camel,” she said. “He’s amazing to ride, he just floats, no whip, just ride him.” The Tara Festival of Culture and Camel Races is one of a number of festivals
Tara Festival of Culture and Camel Races.
in the Western Downs region that is gaining national attention. Work from volunteers and support from local businesses has helped the festival to grow over the last decade and has added it to the growing number of reasons why the Western Downs is becoming a top tourist destination. Mrs Petersen said they had been very lucky this festival to have had so many people help to get everything ready. “We are all volunteers and thousands of hours have been donated by these people,” Mrs Petersen said.
The festival has received support from all levels of government with the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund, the Queensland Government’s Arts
Queensland and the Department of Local Government, Racing, and Multicultural Affairs, and the Western Downs Regional Council.
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We had people coming from all over Australia, from Karumba, Charters Towers, Casino, Ballina, Sydney, Melbourne and a lot of places in between, plus a few from overseas, including New Guinea, Singapore and New Zealand
PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED
22 WESTERN DOWNS FARMER
chinchillanews.com.au Thursday, September 26, 2019
WEATHER IN WORDS: Waiting for the Rain details the realities of living through drought
Waiting for the Rain A poem by Ross Rolley about the harsh reality of drought – visit www.rossrolley.com Ross Rolley I LEAD them slowly through the gate, then further on to drink, I give them time to settle down, scarce fodder here I think. Tomorrow off the truck I’ll drop, bales of sorghum stubble, It will never make them fat, but still it’s worth the trouble. The horses fed I let them out, then walk up to the house, I sit to watch the sun go down and kiss my darling spouse. Ox tail soup a second night? I need to find a killer, It is a cost we must afford, t-bone on the griller. The lady of the house is busy, cooking for a crowd, Her hair a mess as well she knows, though of it she is proud.
By the time the lights go out, it will be brushed and shining, Her curling locks of pure gold, a crown of silken lining. From early on ’til sunrise, I lay in bed and reason, I think back when last we saw a wet and normal season. Our black soil plains have not seen rains, for past a thousand days, I fear this drought might stay and make an unborn weather phase? I often feel a problem, it’s hard to see and battle, It is an issue I can tell, unlike thirsty cattle. It sneaks around our home all night, a silent, viscous beast, It sees me sweating in our bed, a hapless, helpless feast. It’s not the lack of money or our kid not in his school,
Nor doubt about the future, this country’s not that cruel. It is something much more subtle, I cannot pin it down, I must focus and control it, my soul, I know, could drown. I’ll talk about it to the doc the next time he flies out, If he has time to hear me whinge and all my troubles tout, “I’ll be OK” I’ll tell him, when he asks how I feel, As he looks wisely from his chair and sees this man of steel. The dawn brings on another day, to test the blood and bone, The clouds of flies swarm on my back, the air as still as stone. The bull dust billows round my boots, when walking to the shed, I’ll drop off hay then drag away, those cattle lying dead. The heat and dust, the
bloody flies, total isolation, It is something we all know, our distant cattle station. Our parents warned and taught us, they conditioned well our brain, To keep on doing what we do, while waiting for the rain. To get my boy a game of cricket with mates from his old school, Two hours to town and two hours back and half a tank of fuel. I want him to work with me, as dad and faithful son, It will break his heart, I know, but nothing can be done. My wife is likely in her way, to speak up and confirm, Of how she dreams of coffee hot, a wash and gentle perm. To chew the fat, sit still and chat, in cool and clean conditions, Her hair and nails, her skin
and brows, enhanced by her beauticians. My bride she lodged a call and made for me a special booking, When I walked in, he sat me down, intently keen and looking, He put his hand upon my head and met me eye-to-eye, He peered at me and listened hard, then helped a grown man cry. We talked and then we talked some more, not saying very much, I must have been there half the day, I felt the healing touch. Thank God my wife she made that call, told him of our trouble, All I needed was his ear and bid him burst the bubble. I have seen him many times, he has become a mate, He checks things out, to
South West Queensland Farming Guide
just make sure I control that weight. It all worked well and I must say, those guys they have no peer, As working on my own all day, I do so without fear. The rain has been, the grass is green, the cattle happy and fat, Our son is back at school in town, with a brand-new cricket bat. Our friends come round and they can see, we made it through the drought, And know so well we are prepared to fight again, no doubt. I see now I came too close, to cashing in my chips, A constant weight, it held me down, tightly in its grips. It is still there and working on how to cause more strife, But I reached out and found my way, guided by my wife.
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chinchillanews.com.au Thursday, September 26, 2019
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