Community group meet ups in Kilcoy
• Kilcoy Hospital Auxiliary: 2nd Tuesday of each month. 10am at the Kilcoy Hospital Conference rooms.
• Kilcoy P.A.& I Society: 3rd Tuesday of each month. 6.30 at Showgrounds Dining Hall.
• Kilcoy District Historical Society: 2nd Thursday of each month 6pm.
• Kilcoy District Progress Alliance: 2nd Monday of each Month. 5.30pm at Kilcoy Information Centre.
• Kilcoy Lions: 1st Monday of each month. 5.30pm at Lions Den, McAulay Street.
• J.P. in the Community: Each Monday & Friday. 111pm at Kilcoy Library.
• St. Marys Food Pantry: Each Thursday 9am to midday at Kilcoy Anglican Church Hall.
• Friends of Kilcoy Cemetery: 3rd Saturday of each month. The summer starts at 7am. Winter starts at 9am.
• Kilcoy Tennis Club meet quarterly: 1st Tuesday of that month 11am. More groups on page 26.
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Kilcoy stands out for tourists
◗ Marina Gomide
KILCOY Visitor Information Centre (VIC) received the most amount of visitors across Somerset in December 2024, according to Somerset Council’s Tourism and Promotions Report December 2024.
According to visitor statistics in the report, Kilcoy VIC attracted the least amount of visitors from Somerset, but the most amount from South East Queensland (SEQ) (excluding Brisbane), Queensland, interstate, and international, bringing the total amount of December visitors to 404.
origins, the majority of Kilcoy VIC visitors (151) came from other areas of SEQ, outside of Somerset and Brisbane, with the second most coming from Brisbane (76).
When looking at visitors from the rest of Queensland,
This is nearly double the amount than the other VICs in Somerset, with Esk VIC welcoming a total of 194 visitors and Fernvale VIC a total of 280. The Condensery art gallery, while not a VIC, is also included in the list, as it serves as a tourist spot, having welcomed a total of 320 visitors.
When looking at their
the other two VICs and The Condensery (Kilcoy VIC 56, Esk VIC 11, Fernvale VIC 10 and The Condensery 1).
Internationally, Kilcoy also attracted nearly six times the amount of visitors, with 17 visiting the Kilcoy VIC, compared to three at Esk VIC and Fernvale VIC, and one at The Condensery. According to the report, the main motivator visitors stopped at the Kilcoy VIC was for maps and
directions, followed by caravan and camping, and, in third, outdoor activities.
The report also highlighted that, despite Kilcoy VIC welcoming the most amount of visitors in December 2024, it has the least amount of volunteers when compared to the other VICs, only having eight volunteers, compared to Fernvale VIC’s 18 and Esk VIC’s 10. This comes as Council was successful in obtaining funding from the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC’s) Digital Adaptation Program for the Kilcoy VIC to utilise the services of the Cerge Content Management Platform to showcase accessibility features at the centre.
The Cerge team attended the Kilcoy VIC in December to gather photos and video for use on the website, which will be integrated into the Experience Somerset website this year.
THE Kilcoy Bowls Club is on the verge of completing a major transformation to its green, as the longawaited installation of a new artificial surface is nearly finished.
After 77 years of hosting bowlers on its grass green, the club said goodbye to its beloved turf in late December and is ushering in a new era of play with a synthetic surface.
on... Kilcoy & Surrounds Farewell to 77 years of turf
The installation work, which paused briefly over the Christmas and New Year holidays, resumed in January, and members are eagerly anticipating the re-opening of the green.
The weather will play a key role in ensuring the project wraps up smoothly and as quickly as possible, and the club has promised
To mark the occasion and celebrate the end of an era, the club hosted a special event on December 14 –‘Turf the Turf’.
The green was transformed into a lively beer garden, with games, fun activities, and plenty of socializing. Attendees enjoyed an afternoon of nostalgia as they bid farewell to the grass green that had served them for nearly eight decades. As the club nears the final stages of installation, members are reminded that
Kilcoy Visitor Information Centre.
Beginning the resurfacing of the green with synthetic grass on January 28. Photo: Facebook.
Grass turf being removed in December. Photo: Facebook.
Kilcoy & Surrounds
GARDEN CENTRE
From gardening to landscaping
KILCOY’S Garden Centre sounds like a fantastic place for both gardening enthusiasts and those in the building industry.
We are hosting a workshop on Saturday
Morning tea will be at 9:30am followed by the workshop at 10:00am, please bring a chair. $10 per person – bookings essential.
They’re really focused on offering a variety of products and services, including sands, gravel, soil and mulches, at competitive prices and in quantities to suit the home gardener or wholesaler.
The new investment in a bigger truck (carrying 10CBM of hardwood chip, or 7CBM of gravel) for delivering larger quantities of mulch and gravel shows their commitment to growing the business and meeting customer needs.
Nothing is too small, or big to supply to your requirements.
They are also able to supply pavers, concrete sleepers, mushroom compost, turf and decorative pebbles.
If you don’t have a trailer they have a delivery service available 6 days a week.
Due to popular demand, they are planning a selection of different & varied workshops in 2025.
In March there will be a visit from Jill Coombe
from Searles, who is a horticulturist with over 40 years experience. They are also considering offering Australian Native Bonsais and are hoping to host an Orchid workshop in April.
Please call in to see them, or call them on 0499 299 378 or 5497 2743. And if you’re thinking of dropping by, their 20% off selected stock plant sale sounds like a perfect time to grab some new plants! The selected sale has just been extended until the end of February. You will find them at 14 Showgrounds Road, Kilcoy, or check out their website at kilcoysgardencentre. com.au, or find them on Facebook.
sandare
Kilcoy’s Garden Centre delivery truck.
Meet Kilcoy’s newest NDIS business and owner
HELPING you “branch out” and reach your NDIS goals is the motto of Kilcoy’s newest family-run NDIS company: Branching Out Support.
Owned and operated by registered nurse Karen McCormack, alongside her daughters Kate and Lauren, Karen is excited to be establishing her life and business in the Somerset Region.
“I’ve relocated and built in Kilcoy late last
year and have already felt so welcomed by the community,” she said.
“After raising my family and working in the South Burnett, I was ready for a change and felt Kilcoy was the perfect place to set down new roots.”
After working as a regional nurse across some of Australia’s most remote communities, Karen said she’s aware of the challenges faced by those navigating the disability
sector in small towns.
“I am looking forward to providing a high level of support and personalised care for my clients,” she said.
“It’s highly important to me that my clients feel they are being listened to and are able to achieve all of their goals and dreams.”
Karen has established a strong team of local support workers who can provide that next level of compassionate care for
Kilcoy and surrounds locals invited to chat
KILCOY and surrounds residents will have a chance to chat with Somerset councillors on February 19, as one of several ‘Come and Chat’ sessions in February and March across the region.
This is an opportunity for residents to speak directly with elected representatives and learn about Council’s projects and plans.
Kilcoy’s Come and Chat session will be held on Wednesday, February 19, from 10am-12pm at Yowie Park.
Other Come and Chat sessions include Linvilles, on March 5, from 9am to 11am at Ditchman Park, and Minden on March 19 from 9am to 11am at Minden Park.
Deb's Somerset Update
Deb's Somerset Update
Back to school for 2025
The 2025 school year is now underway, and I want to take a moment to wish everyone a fantastic year ahead. Did you know there are 45 schools across the Nanango electorate? It’s always a privilege to visit these schools and connect the broader community. Here’s to a successful and rewarding year for all! The Crisafulli Government
Review of Blue Card Child Protection
As Attorney-General, I am proud to announce that the Crisafulli Government has launched a major inquiry into the failures of the Blue Card Child Protection system under the previous Labor government. This marks the delivery of a key election commitment
The inquiry will examine system weaknesses and provide recommendations
System
to improve Queensland’s child protection framework. This vital step will shine a light on the issues within the system, helping to better protect children from hidden dangers.
Expert input, along with insights from victims of child sexual exploitation, will ensure the review meets the highest standards and incorporates modern child safeguarding practices. We must leave
is cutting red tape in Queensland schools by simplifying management plans, procurement, and recruitment processes. These changes are designed to reduce the administrative workload for teachers, helping them focus more on supporting students. Reducing red tape was a key promise in the government’s 100 Day Plan.
no stone unturned in identifying and addressing the gaps that are compromising children’s safety and implement the reforms urgently needed.
clients.
If you have any questions about accessing NDIS care with Branching Out Support, Karen will be located at the Kilcoy Library from 10 am to 12:30 pm on Tuesdays from February 11 onwards to discuss all your client queries.
To get in touch with Karen directly, refer to advertising flier for contact details.
Branching out NDIS support
am available to meet people needing NDIS support on Tuesday 11 th , 18 th and 25 th February, between 10am-12:30 at the Kilcoy Library.
Out
Kate and Karen McCormack from Branching Out Support, with Anna, the greyhound.