Issue 5 2014

Volume 9, Issue 5

www.mountmorgan.org.au

13th - 27th March, 2014

Proudly brought to you by Mount Morgan Promotion & Development Inc. ABN 21 391 526 801

Positive results for local policing efforts - pg 4

Anonymous Friends’ surprise gift - pg 6

News from our local wildlife carers - pg 10

Reece ready to lop locks The countdown is on for Mount Morgan State High School student, Reece Jones - who has decided to say goodbye to his shoulder length hair as part of this year’s World’s Greatest Shave.

The local student will have his hair shaved at the Mount Morgan State High School this Thursday.

See page 3 for full story.

Experience historic Mount Morgan with

Take a fascinating journey in time!

Venture the historic township and heritage Gold Mine.

The famous Open Cut Pit and Big Stack

Tours daily Bookings essential. Ph: 4938 1823 www.tmctours.com.au

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Breads, Cakes, Slices, Rolls, Scones, Pastries, Sausage Rolls

And don’t forget the Pies!

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Mount Morgan Contact your local agents Brian and Carol Glover Phone: 4938 1121 Freecall 1800 825 422 Providing you with peace of mind

ay Hotel w l i a R Mount Morgan

Regular Live Entertainment Raffles Fridays & Saturdays Airconditioned Motel Units

90 James Street Ph: 4938 1800

Join Our Social Club Coldest Beer in Mt Morgan Party venue & Catering available

How delightful to drive by the caravan parks in Mount Morgan and see all looking so attractive. There seems to have been a lot of effort made to the Silver Wattle Caravan Park of late - with clearing to the entrance and one side the ground terraced with small plants and the other displaying lovely hibiscus bushes. Well done to the new owners. Both parks are kept in pristine condition and either would certainly attract the tourist. This makes the entry to Mount Morgan very attractive and what a plus for Mount Morgan to have such a delightful entrance to town. First impressions count.

We continue with our “Snippets of History” for this edition and start at the year 1951...

The 2nd June that year saw the last issue of the Mount Morgan weekly newspaper, “The Mountain Echo” published. The paper sold for 3pence per copy and the owner/editor was Mr J Hardcastle. Of course “The Mountain Echo” was reborn in later years by Miss Evelyn Rogers who saw regular editions until the publication ceased some years later. We hope our “Argus” may never meet that fate.

Even though the Dee Associates (ladies) Bowling Club was established on 2nd July 1951 with Mrs Charles Walton as President, it was not till July 19th 1952 that the bowling green was officially opened by the then President of the Central Queensland Bowling Association, Mr Fred Harrup. The first committee comprised Mr Viv Barnes President, Mr G Hempenstall, Secretary and Mr Frank Golding Treasurer. A very interesting item about the bowling green was that the surveyor who performed the work was Mr Clem Jones. Clem Jones later went on to be the Lord Mayor of Brisbane for many years. How many people have had Mount Morgan connections?

On reading the Morning Bulletin of March 6th 2014, a letter to the editor finished with this paragraph, quote, “People will be surprised just how important Mount Morgan was to the economy of Australia”. This really brought home the next snippet of April 24 1954 when the official “Turning On” of the town’s first major water scheme, Fletcher’s Creek was performed.

Now, here we are 60 years later with Fletchers Creek a questionable water supply and being supplemented by water from the Big Dam, or is it vice versa?

We have a marvellous area at No 7 Dam and we feel it’s one of the best water recreation and picnic areas in CQ. It would be wonderful to see future development of a permanent water supply for the local area; which would not only see the continued current use of the Dam remain, but also some major benefits to population growth and industry possibilities.

As always “Think Clean – Be Tidy”.

Find the Argus on Facebook:

Reece ready to lop locks He’s well known around the school grounds for his long strawberry blonde locks, but soon, things will be looking a whole lot different for year nine local Reece Jones.

The Mount Morgan State High student has signed up for the World’s Greatest Shave, and is getting set to say goodbye to his silky strands in aim of raising funds for cancer research and support.

“Well honestly, it wasn’t my idea in the beginning,” Reece said on his initial involvement in the Leukaemia Foundation initiative.

“My mum and a few others I know suggested I should do it.

“I wasn’t sure about it at first but the more I thought about it, I thought yes I should.

“I have lost family members to cancer and this is something that will help others.”

Reece’s conclusion to be brave and shave has since turned into hundreds of dollars’ worth of donations for cancer research.

The inspiring teen commenced the fundraising project last month with aim of raising $500. Thanks to generous support, he has already surpassed his original goal.

“I was mostly planning to ask friends and family for donations, but we’ve also been going to businesses and organisations who have been really great,” Reece said.

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Reece will be well supported on the day, with Mount Morgan High holding a “crazy hair day” in support of his efforts. Students are set to arrive with coloured hair and/or unusual hairstyles with a gold coin donation to Reece’s fundraising project.

With the official date drawing close, it’s now a combination of nerves and excitement for Reece.

“I’m definitely nervous. I’ve had these locks for one and a half years,” he said.

“But I am quite excited. I have been able to raise a fair amount of money and that’s exciting.”

Reece will say goodbye to his locks at 9am this Thursday (March 13) at the High School’s MPA. All interested in attending the special parade are welcome to come along.

For those interested in supporting Reece’s efforts, donations can be made to the school office this week, or on the day.

Online donations can also be made up until March 16 – by heading to http://my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/RJ2000 Hair today, gone tomorrow: 13 year old Reece Jones is getting ready to have his hair shaved in aim of raising funds for cancer research and support.

And it isn’t just monetary donations that Reece is inspiring others to make.

His efforts are even seeing his mother and grandmother contemplate being brave and doing the shave in 2015.

“He’s been an inspiration,” Reece’s mum, Cass said.

“Hearing the comments back, especially going to businesses in town, I think they’re more chuffed that it’s a 13 year old going out of their way to do it. But it just got me thinking that I might have to step up and do it too.

“Reece said he may do it again next year and when I was talking to my mum about it, she was considering it too – so it may be a big family affair next year.”

The teen will farewell his shoulder length hair, which has been 18 months in the making, at a special parade at Mount Morgan High this Thursday.

9am - 1pm, this Saturday (March 15th) School of Arts Hall, Mount Morgan

------------------------------------------------------------------Further: don’t forget this Thursday will also see the Red Frog 4 Early Childcare support the World’s Greatest Shave when staff member, Marissa Brady has her hair shaved at the Red Frog Centre at 9:30am.

7:30pm, Saturday March 22nd Community Services Hall, Mount Morgan Light supper, entertainment, raffles!

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Team effort sees results up and crime down Since his appointment as Officer in Charge at the Mount Morgan Police Station seven months ago, Sergeant Mark Dean has been striving to see a major reduction in crime in the local area.

With the full support of a dedicated crew and a revised approach to day to day duties, Sergeant Dean and the local policing staff are already seeing the fruits of their efforts.

Recent reports for the local district has presented up to a whopping 40 percent decrease in reported crimes for Mount Morgan, compared with the same period the year before.

“Our monthly reporting periods in comparison to that of the year prior shows that our rate of reported crime has reduced to somewhere in the vicinity of 40 percent,” Sergeant Dean said.

“That’s in the last six to seven months and for reported crimes overall.”

Sergeant Dean said the recent warmer months particularly have proven quieter than the same reporting periods twelve months ago.

“Traditionally in the colder months, there is a lot less reported crime – which is often attributed to less activity late at night.

“This time of year though, in the warmer months, the reported crime rate is usually a lot higher than it is now.”

Sergeant Dean said he believes the decrease is a culmination of efforts made by the entire local policing team.

“Over the past months the police in the division have been working exceptionally hard to try and reduce rates of reported crime,” he said.

“I think that a big part of the reduction can be credited to the police being out on the street more frequently and being seen all the time.”

Sergeant Dean said the team have been actively working to become a stronger presence in the community, and not just on a law enforcing level.

“It’s important for us to be involved in the community and to be seen to be part of the community,” he said.

“I’ve really been encouraging our crews to get out and about in the community, and walk around the streets rather than just drive around. It isn’t uncommon to see us walking about and chatting to people or be out early in the morning.”

It’s an action which the crews have found has been well received by the community.

“As result, we’ve had numerous comments about us having more police in town over the last six months. We haven’t – the community have just seen them a lot more,” Sergeant Dean said.

The local team is made up of six sworn officers and a client service officer, catering to an entire policing division of roughly 4,000 people.

Further to the reduction, Sergeant Dean said tribute can also be given to the crew’s approach to offences.

He doesn’t sugar-coat the crew’s levels of lenience.

“We’ve got a no tolerance to offenders – so if you are caught offending in the area, you will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

“In saying that though we don’t want to just be seen as waving the big stick. As far as I’m concerned – we want everyone to enjoy themselves and have a good time and live life, but don’t ruin other people’s good time while you’re doing it.”

Along with their overall approach, Sergeant Dean said the local crew have been working hard to shorten response time to reported crimes.

“When things are being reported to us we are taking action quickly and as a result we’re getting offenders for offences that are being reported.”

He said the crew’s clear up rate is very high, with most reported offences running in a higher than 90 percent clear up.

“We have been involved in a number of substantial offences over the past six months also,” Sergeant Dean said.

“These have been in relation to drugs searches, illegal firearms and drug interceptions. We see that as a positive though, as it aims to reduce the level of illegal activity in the area – which is sadly in all communities.” ...Continues next page.

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Sergeant Dean said that the credit for the decrease should not go solely to the police.

  

“The decrease in crime is a reflection on how the community accepts or appreciates what we’re doing.

“We now have people reporting things which they haven’t in the past.”

“I’m really happy with how the town is reacting to the policing that’s been happening and we have had a lot of feedback on how the relationship between the police and the community has improved markedly.”

Sergeant Dean said he greatly values this relationship with the community.

“We’re all partners in the community, and we as the police are just one of those partners.

“The community members, the businesses, all other emergency services– we’re all in a big partnership and if we’re all working toward the same direction, it makes it a pretty great place to live.”

The importance of this combined effort was recently reiterated by Inspector Tony Wood - Supervising Commissioned Officer for the Capricornia District Country Patrol Group, who commended the local police on their recent efforts.

“The efforts of Sergeant Dean and the entire crew has come through loud and clear,” Inspector Wood said.

                                                                                

“They have put processes in place to address a number of issues in Mount Morgan which are achieving great results.

                    

“Their work to engage with the community has enhanced the standing of the police within the community. There has been positive feed-back from the community and the excellent results being achieved as a consequence of a combined effort,” Inspector Wood said.

                                 

“Sergeant Dean has taken ownership of his roles and responsibilities associated with policing Mount Morgan Division and his leadership is commensurate of the results being achieved and community satisfaction.”

                         

Sergeant Dean said he is looking forward to continuing to work with the local community, with further goals set for the future.

“We are really happy with what we have been able to achieve together so far,” he said.

“Of course, in saying that – the work isn’t finished yet and there are things that we will continue to work toward.

What we have been able to achieve is a great start though, and that is thanks to the dedicated efforts of the police division and the support of the community.”

 

Pictured left: members of the local team (left to right): Sergeant Mark Dean, Client Service Officer- Kerrie Lodewikus, Constable Jon Buckenham, Constable Larissa Woodroffe and Constable Tamara White. Absent from photo: Senior Constable David Schultz and Constable Chris Bowden.

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IGA staff bag surprise gift

Since kicking off in Mount Morgan in 2012, things have certainly been progressing well for Random Acts of Kindness.

The incentive has been proudly taken up by over 40 stores from around Central Queensland; with each participating business eager to offer their customers the opportunity to brighten someone’s day.

One such store is IGA Mount Morgan.

Through the Random Acts of Kindness program, the wonderful local staff regularly witness their customers become involved and pay forward items for future unsuspecting customers, or even make a monetary donation toward someone else’s grocery bill.

The World Kindness Australia cards are passed on with each gift through the program, and encourage the receiver of the card to find another person to do a kind act for. Each recipient of the card and kind act/gift can then record their Random Act of Kindness experience on the World Kindness Australia Website.

Mark said he wanted his business to be a part of the bigger picture which will allow individuals to become members and in turn benefit the community through kind acts.

Consider doing a random act of kindness for a stranger and brighten someone’s day today.

Pictured: IGA Mount Morgan staff members, James Clark, Kirby Shannon and Gavin Oakes with the gifts recently presented to the local IGA staff. Photo and article supplied.

Recently, the local IGA team experienced a different firsthand experience of the program; when the staff themselves became the recipients of a Random Act of Kindness.

The local team were recently presented with an IGA gift voucher for the staff to spend, along with a World Kindness Australia “Kindness” card.

The gifts were presented by Mark Ricks, Feel Good Promotions proprietor and creator of Random Acts of Kindness - Anonymous Friends program.

Mark has recently signed up as a member for World Kindness Australia, and passed on the items as part of an incentive of the national program.

News from the Mount Morgan RSL Club What a wonderful day! The information and memorabilia day for the Mount Morgan RSL Club that was held on Saturday, 22nd of February at the Community Services Hall, was a resounding success.

We doubled our membership in one day.

A big welcome to our new members. Don’t forget that meetings are held on the third Sunday of every month – at 10am.

A lot of the success on the day was due to our Treasurer, Eric Stevenson, for the wonderful display of memorabilia that he has collected over time, as well as some of the replica equipment that he has made. Thanks Eric.

Also, our thanks go to “Legacy”: Ruth was very helpful in matters of War Widows Pensions and Allowances.

Thanks also to Sonya and staff from Australian Hearing, for their display and information. And finally, thanks to Frank and Rose Molloy: Community Services Club for their effort supplying us with refreshments from the bar.

But – don’t let us stop here. We still need input and suggestions from the Community. The place to do that is at our meetings.

The next one is held 10am this Sunday, the 16th of March, at the Community Services Hall. Alternatively, you can also phone Jim (Club Secretary) on 4938 1395.

See you there.

Pictured top right: members of the 5th Light Horse Regiment, Mount Morgan Troop in attendance on Saturday. Photos and article supplied.

Pictured right: Mount Morgan RSL Sub Branch President, Mike Johnston and new club member, Ex Sergeant Monash University Regiment, Kathleen Francois.

7

Red Frog goes global

ENROL NOW FOR 2014!

At Red Frog 4 Early Childhood Education, the Kindergarten children are connecting to the world around them, and building positive relationships with others, by being involved and engaging in a program called “Flat Stanley”.

The basic principle of The Flat Stanley Project is to connect our kindergarten children with other classrooms from around the world.

Providing education and care from

Through this project, we send our created Flat Stanley to them, via mail, and they send us theirs. The Flat Stanleys visit the places they have been sent to and then brings back or takes back information about all the places they have been to or have seen. We have sent 4 “flats” out to America and France so far, and so far have received 2 “flats” back from America.

babies to 5 year old children

As a group we discuss where our visiting “Flat Stanley” could visit while he is in our country. Due to our children living in surrounding areas of Rockhampton the list is long and distinguished.

32 Thompson Ave, Mt Morgan (next to green shed).

The children will take turns taking the flat Stanley to places, taking photos of all the exciting things the children find interesting and we will write a little bit of information about it. The first place our visiting Flat Stanley will go to is with Marissa Brady (Our Kindy Teacher), to her Graduation on Thursday 6th March 2014. She will then take him on her holiday adventure and show the children when she comes back all the places the visiting Flat Stanley has visited.

Plus school age care

Phone Cecilia NOW on 4938 1051 for a no obligation tour Email: redfrog4ece@bigpond.com

----------------------------------------------In addition to Child Care Benefit (CCB) & Child Care Rebate (CCR), there is extra help available with the cost of child care: Kindy at low or no cost for Health Care Card holders for eligible families, Jobs Education and Training (JET) assistance where eligible parents pay $1.00 per hour, Grandparent Child Care Benefit (GCCB) and Special CCB (SCCB).

When our Stanley comes back, he will bring information from the places he has visited and we will send back our visiting Stanley’s with photos and information about our town and city.

Article supplied.

The end of Shelley May & AJ’s Following the official closure of Shelley May & AJ’s Clothing late last month, we would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank everyone who has shopped local to support our businesses over the years. Without your support we would not have been able to employ our lovely local ladies who served you on a regular basis.

After six years in Morgan Street, we officially closed the doors of the business and our rented location on February 27th.

We would like to apologise for closing a little earlier than initially advertised. This was due to circumstances beyond our control. Don’t forget, you can still have dry cleaning done – available from The Crafty Nanna, located in Morgan Street.

Once again, thank you to everyone for your custom and to all those people who passed on good wishes and kind help in the last couple of weeks of opening.

A big thank you to all our customers, from Anna and Kel, Sharryn and Sharon!

Article supplied.

- Competitive rates - Local bloke - Clean Ups - Maintenance - Repairs - Minor Home Repairs - Welding - Driveways - Landscaping - Fencing - Mowing and much, much more

- Lifts up to 1.5 ton and carry up to 5 ton - 9m Tri Axle Trailer 3.5 ton electric winch

Phone Paul on 4938 1321 or 0429 987 130 ABN: 43920044782

Jobs under $3,300 value

Find the Argus on Facebook:

8

Ted Malone MP Member for Mirani

Hi Argus readers, Well, March is here, which means nominations for the

2014 Mount Morgan Pride in your Town Community Awards are now officially open!

This year’s awards will aim to recognise our hardworking volunteers, skilled sportspeople and organisations.

see eight categories – which inspiring local individuals, green thumbs, artistic talents, much loved local businesses/

Help us recognise our local champions by nominating someone today. Head to our website (www.mountmorgan. org.au) for full details, or stop by our office (located at the Rail Complex) for a nomination form and award categories details.

Trivia night!

Don’t forget to join us for our trivia night on the 28th of this month!

This is the third trivia night we have hosted since mid-last year and we are super excited to be bringing it back once again. Who would have thought testing your knowledge and answering tricky questions could be so much fun?!

- 7pm Friday March 28, School of Arts Hall. Teams of 4 to 6. To register your team, please contact Camille at MMPAD: 4938 2312 or email mmpad@bigpond.com This time we will be teaming up with the Mount Morgan Rugby Union Club in aim of assisting the club raise funds for the 2014 Rugby Union Season. Funds will also be going toward this year’s restock of the Mount Morgan Dam – with 1,000 Sleepy Cod and 7,000 Golden Perch lined up for our local waterways in the upcoming weeks.

Mount Morgan billboard!

If you are heading through Rockhampton at all in the near future, you just may spot a few photos of some very familiar sites as you head through town…

Our “Experience Mount Morgan” Billboard is set to be installed at the Capricorn Spire this week and will remain on display for the rest of the year. We can’t wait to see it in full view! We hope it will inspire a few to head up the mountain and see what the golden Mount has to offer.

Watch this space for a photo or two once the billboard is installed.

Are you a Facebook fan?

Have a Facebook page?... Awesome, so do we!

Search Mount Morgan Promotion and Development Incorporated to find us, the team who bring you the Argus.

You can also keep up to date on the other local projects we are carrying out, upcoming community events, as well as all of the pics you see our Project Officer, Camille taking while out and about.

Have an idea for the Mount Morgan Argus?

Do you have an idea for a new column or regular inclusion for the Mount Morgan Argus? As your positive community publication, we’d love to hear more ideas from the community into other inclusions you’d like to see. Email your ideas to mmpad@bigpond.com A very big thanks to those who have already been passing on suggestions to our team of late. There have been some seriously good ideas, so be sure to keep an eye out for these in the near future.

PO Box 56, Sarina Qld 4737 Telephone: 07 4956 1555 Fax : 07 4956 1980 Freecall: 1800 812 340 Email: mirani@parliament.qld.gov.au

From your State MP Lauren Hewitt wins 2014 QLD Rural Women’s Award Lauren Hewitt from AgForce Queensland has won the 2014 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Queensland Rural Women’s Award.

Ms Hewitt will use her $10,000 bursary to improve onfarm profitability for broad acre agriculture.

“While life on the land can be tough, there are also innovative Queenslanders out there, people doing great things for the industry and supporting our farmers.

Our Government is committed to supporting and growing agriculture as one of the four pillars of our Queensland economy. We have an ambitious but achievable target of doubling agricultural production in Queensland by 2040.

It’s the leaders in agriculture, like Lauren and the other finalists in this year’s awards, who will help us to get there.

Calling all budding fashion designers for Project SPF A new sun safety campaign targeting the state’s fashionconscious young women has been unveiled by Queensland Health. This initiative also offers Queenslanders a chance to win a mentorship with international fashion designer, Juli Grbac. Research tells us that traditional sun safety campaigns aren’t reaching young people, because the majority of the information they access isn’t sourced through traditional streams.

The new campaign, Project SPF (Stay Pretty Forever) highlights the physical damage sun exposure causes and while it may not be conventional, the research tells us it is more likely to have an impact. Young Australians have the highest incidence of malignant melanoma in the world and while the rates are decreasing, there is still more we can do.

One of the components of the Project SPF campaign was to convince young women that sun protective clothing could be fashionable. I’m hoping this competition will help young women to think more about the dangers of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation and what sun exposure can lead to. Protecting our skin from the sun is so important for so many reasons. It’s great if we can achieve this through fashion.

Entries for the Project SPF competition close on April 31. For more information visit the Project SPF Facebook page, blog or Instagram www.facebook.com/ProjectSPF ANZAC community grants closing soon Applications will close at the end of next week for Queensland Government funding for local community projects to commemorate the Centenary of the First World War, don’t miss your opportunity to celebrate and remember all that has happened in our past and that we also provide a legacy for the future.

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The Grand Hotel in conjunction with the Golden Mount Festival Association will be holding “The Great Gold Rush” race/car rally as part of “St. Patrick’s” Day celebrations on Saturday the 15th of March, 2014 at The Grand Hotel.

We guarantee you’ll do more fun, diverse and crazy stuff in a single day than in any other event, while supporting the Golden Mount Festival.

The Golden Mount Festival Association in conjunction with The Grand Hotel are holding this “St. Patricks Day” fundraiser to raise funds to support the Golden Mount Festival for 2014.

Unlike a marathon, fun run, orienteering or obstacle event “The Great Gold Rush” will have teams deciphering cryptic clues, as you discover Mount Morgan’s rich history and landmarks.

“The Great Gold Rush” will show your team the best of the township of Mount Morgan and is a perfect way to get your friends and/or family in the car and drive around and learn about our unique and historical town. At each check-point, you will receive your next cryptic clue.

Team Registrations and Entries at 10:00am at The Grand Hotel on Saturday the 15th of March, 2014. Cost: $25 per vehicle/ car entry.

“The Great Gold Rush” will conclude at The Grand Hotel, where teams will be able to wind down with a few drinks.

There will be a BBQ, presentation of winners, mud crab races, open mic competition, raffles, fun and diverse games for e.g. “bar twister” challenge and “green jelly wrestling” in keeping with St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Come along and find the 4 leaf clover and win a “Pot of Gold”.

To top off the big day, competitors and patrons alike will be able to sit back and relax to the unique and diverse sounds of “Whiskey Remorse” who will entertain into the night.

“The Great Gold Rush” team registration/entry forms can be picked up from The Grand Hotel – Mount Morgan.

For further details phone: The Grand Hotel on 49382 300 or Katrina on 0412668130.

The Golden Mount Festival Committee, would like to extend our thanks to Teneille and her friendly staff at The Grand Hotel and look forward to seeing you all there!

See The Grand Hotel’s advertisement on page 11 of this issue for further details!

Mount Morgan Rotary Club

IT’S BACK!!...

Friday, March 28th 7pm, School of Arts Hall Entertainment Barbeque Multidraw raffle All welcome!

Casual dress.

Teams of four to six. $10.00 per person (Includes light supper).

$200 first prize! $100 second prize!

Proceeds to Mount Morgan Rugby Union Club & the 2014 fish restocking of the Mount Morgan Dam.

Registrations by March 24th. To register your team, please contact Mount Morgan Promotion and Development:4938 2312 / mmpad@bigpond.com

10

by Trish & Greg Mathers So when is an Agile wallaby not an Agile wallaby? When it is a Blackstripe!

Our little joey has furred up enough for us to properly identify her. She has a distinct black stripe running down her back – hence the name ‘Blackstripe’.

Blackstripe wallabies grow exceptionally quick compared to other species of wallaby. She was smaller than an average rat when she was taking her first tentative hops out of the pouch.

So tiny! It goes to show that even experience can be wrong at times. It is very hard to correctly identify any animal, or bird, until they have fur or feathers. Birds are really much harder.

Ever looked in a bird book? See how many different species there are? We can look at the beak, the size of the bird, and the feet, but that is about as many clues as we have. After a while it gets easier, the more you see of a particular species, the more you can recognise particular features of them. We can pretty much identify a baby magpie, even if it is only a couple of days old. It is really worth borrowing a bird or mammal book from the library, or buying one of each to learn about our astounding native animals.

Monday, 3rd March, was World Wildlife Day. How many people realised that I wonder? What a shame that things like this aren’t more advertised. Many of us would probably take the time to consider the plight of native animals, and how humans are impacting on their survival, if we had known that a special day was set aside to celebrate our beautiful wildlife. I was reading about a woman from England who made it her life ambition from just a teenager to come to Australia to care for some of our wildlife. Apparently England only has a couple of species of mammals, which are very rarely seen, and not a great deal of birds to speak of. We are just so, so lucky in Australia.

We really should appreciate and respect what we have.

Tree hollows play a really important part in the breeding and nesting of many of our native species. A tree hollow takes a minimum of 200 years to form, and yet we just cut them down willy nilly, without giving the least thought to who might be living in and relying on them. As almost all our native animals are territorial, the ones that do have a tree hollow will defend it fiercely. If we cut one down, there is little chance the animal will find another one to live in. I can remember thinking that the old dead trees full of hollow branches were dangerous.

Think again!. They have been there for hundreds and hundreds of years. The chance of them being dangerous is so, so slim it is almost non-existent. Please try to preserve any hollow branches and limbs you may have on your p r o p e r t y.

Lives depend on it.!!

Pictured: You can see the black stripe running down Woollie Jumper’s back in this photo.

Hi folks, We hope you have been enjoying the regular Queensland Police inclusions in the Argus of late, provided to you by the local team for the Mount Morgan area.

This issue of the Argus, we bring you the first “meet the team” as part of our regular inclusion.

Meet the team: Larissa Woodroffe

Hi my name is Larissa Woodroffe. I am a Constable of Police and have been working in Mount Morgan for almost 12 months now. Before I came to Mount Morgan I worked in Rockhampton with the Queensland Police Service. I am originally from Brisbane but have moved to Central Queensland for my policing career. I am an animal lover and love horses and dogs. I enjoy many sports in particular playing soccer.

If you have anything you would like to discuss with the Police feel free to come see any of us at the station. I am the Station Community Crime Reduction Officer and if you have anything you would like to discuss in relation to this topic I would like to hear from you.

Between 2014 and 2018, Australia will commemorate the ANZAC Centenary – recognizing 100 years since Australia’s involvement in World War I. In recognition of this event, we will be introducing a special display at the Mount Morgan Historical Museum.

For this, we are currently seeking interest from members of the community who would be interested in having some of their personal, relevant items on exhibition. Items can also include photographs (which we would happily make copies of).

For further details, please contact us 4928 2122 or drop in and see us at the Museum (Morgan Street).

Join us on April 25 to see the specially featured display, plus tea or coffee and ANZAC biscuits for a gold coin donation.

11

TRIVIA NIGHT every Wednesday from 6.30pm pm

Golden n

Mou nt Festival

FUnDraiSer

14-15th MARCh FRIdAy 14th

live entertainment From 7pm

sAtuRdAy 15thth

the

Great GolD rUSH

$25 per car reGiStration 10am at tHe GranD Hotel start: 10.30am finish: 12.30pm

St.witHPatricK’S Day bbq traDitional FooD From 12 pm

2pm 2.30pm opeN mUD crab mIC raceS from

GreaT prizes To Be Won!

CaLL CaLL 4938 4938 2300 2300 To To BooK BooK a a TaBLe TaBLe

4.30pm

twiSter & Green jelly wreStlinG

6pm

wHiSKey remorSe

For FUrtHer DetailS PHone: tHe GranD Hotel 4938 2300 or Katrina at GolDen moUnt FeStival 0412 668 130

12

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR BUSINESSES, TRADES & SERVICES

KINNY

Screens & Blinds

ABN No. 69293151026 Security Screens & Doors, Holland & Venetian Blinds, Vertical Drapes, Aluminium & Canvas Awnings, Glass & Window Replacement, Shower Screens Phone 4938 2055 ~ Mobile 0419 737 130 Cannot perform building work in excess of $3,300 FAX: 4938 2671 80a Gordon Lane, Mount Morgan

1st Tues of the Month

Trevlor Motors BP Now approved inspection station We also service: •mowers • ride ons • whipper snippers • mobility scooters

Now Stocking: parts & auto accessories!

Full driveway & friendly service

Phone: 49381 361

Proud particpant of Anonymous Friends

STEWARTS TOWING & SERVICE STATION Phone Jason on 4926 1001 Mobile 0419 175 338

6 Central Street, MOUNT MORGAN Phone: 4938 1283 24 HOUR SERVICE ~ 7 DAYS A WEEK

BSA - Jason Bean 121860

PAINTER & DECORATOR W. & S. Cruickshank BSA 75608

5 Calliungal Lane, Mt Morgan Phone 4938 2637, Mobile 0488 104774 Email: sandracruickshank@bigpond.com

Roofs airless sprayed from $1,700, Gutters & Facia from $250, Exteriors gurneyed from $300 All materials supplied at trade price Pensioner discount on Painting.

Prices apply only in Mt Morgan area.

MOUNTAIN MOWING SERVICES Obligation free quote

Free Appraisals!

Local Agent Dedicated to you!

Reliable & Dependable!

KEVIN COUGHRAN

Mount Morgan’s Local Harcourt’s Agent!

Mobile: 0428 678 096

Angela Douglas Harcourts Gracemere ph: 07 4933 1088 m: 0401 953 882 e: angela.douglas@harcourts.com.au

Owner

13

BUSINESSES, TRADES & SERVICES

ALAN HOUSMAN BUILDER

John Hawkey Plumbing ABN:93587510453 QBSA:43778

a

m lu lP

ABN 52 081 926 QBSA 19514

r!

Domestic & Commercial Work Specialising in: • Restumping • Extensions • Renovations • New Home

Yo ur L

Renovations Hot Water Systems Roof & Gutter Repairs Whirly Birds

oc

For All Your Maintenance Plumbing!

be

Mobile: 0448 168 939

Phone: 4938 1887 ~ Mobile 0419 741 611

Building locally for over 20 years ~ Quality Workmanship Guaranteed

Trade Qualified PROMPT RELIABLE SERVICE Sagging ceiling repairs or replacement New or rennovation work Free quotes Call Tony Work up to $3,300

MARK HUMPHREY’S ELECTRICAL 8 Baldwin Street Mount Morgan 4714 Electrical Lic. No. 74711

0420 208 763

Russell Cooper Optometrist now consulting from

PHONE 0439 727 609 FAX 4938 2885

DOMESTIC, RURAL, COMMERCIAL I N S TA L L AT I O N A N D R E PA I R S P R O M P T LY S E RV I C I N G M O U N T M O R G A N & W O WA N D I S T R I C T S

Mount Morgan Hospital

Phone 4922 6996 for an appointment Visiting 1st & 3rd Tues of the month

CONCREATURE CONCRETING SERVICE All aspects concreting Restoration old slabs a specialty Exposed - Colour - Stencil Jobs under $3000 value

0428 154 172

Lisa Wyvill Director

Computer not starting or SLOW? Give me a call.

All repairs done professionally at affordable prices VIRUS removal and full servicing.

OVER 10 years experience.

CAN build a brand NEW PC to YOUR needs All new computers come with a 12 month hardware warranty.

Call Nathan S. from 8am to 6pm Mon to Sat on: 4938 2451 or 0421 411 249

PO Box 139 Mt. Morgan Qld. 4714

Anniversary? Birth announcement?

Wedding? Graduation? Birthday?

Ph: 07 4938 1772 Fax: 07 4938 1776

The Argus would love to help you celebrate your milestone with a special congratulations message!

kindycare@bigpond.com

Email us to find out more: mmpad@bigpond.com

14

Interested in becoming involved in a local club/ organisation? Wondering what is happening monthly?

Here are some of the scheduled meetings and activities in the local area:

• Golden Mount Social Group - meets every Thursday morning 9.30am, Community Service Hall. Ph: 4938 1771.

• Community Support Group - will be meeting in the community house (old Dr res) at the hospital 3rd Tues each month. Phone: Rosemary 4938 1981 (please leave message).

• Mt Morgan Patchwork - meets every Tuesday, 9:30am - 2:00pm.

Welfare House. New members welcome. Ph Pam: 4938 1467.

• Diabetes Clinics - 2nd Tuesday of the month. Appointments necessary. Phone 49125100 • Diabetes Support Group - 3rd Thursday of the month- no appointments necessary.

• Mt Morgan Arts and Crafts - meetings 9:30am, second Thursday each month at Welfare House, Thompson Av. Ph Pam: 4938 1467.

• Mt Morgan Care and Share - meets every Thursday from 9am - 12noon at Welfare House. New members welcome. Phone Aisla: 4938 2888.

• The Dee River Oldies Group - (formerly Safe & Confident Living). Meets third Tuesday of each month. 2:30pm, Uniting Care office (40 Central Street).

• Euchre - meets every Tuesday 9am. Free Morning Tea, friendly social games. Community Services Hall.

• Mount Morgan Lodge - meets every second Thursday of each Month at the Mt Morgan Masonic Centre, Gordon Street at 10am.

Visitors especially welcome. Ph Barry: 0427 747 684 or Alan: 0428 469 341..

• Hoy - meets Wednesday mornings, 10am at the Mount Morgan Community Services Hall. All welcome.

• Social Group - meets every Monday at the Green Shed, near the Mount Morgan Child Care Centre, Thompson Street. Please bring a plate to share.

• Mount Morgan Rotary - meets every Thursday at the Leichhardt Hotel, 6:00pm for 6:30pm start.

• Mount Morgan Promotion and Development - Executive meetings 4th Wednesday of the month, 6:30pm at MMPAD Office (1 Railway Parade, Mt Morgan). General Members Meetings 4th Wednesday of every third month (next to be held April).

• Golden Mount Festival - meets at the Golden Nugget Hotel, every second Tuesday. 5pm. Next meeting: 28th January, 2014 • Mount Morgan Pensioners - meets 2nd Pension Day of the month.

12:30pm, School of Arts. New members welcome.

• Mount Morgan Show Society - committee meetings: 2nd Saturday each month, 9:00am, Mt Morgan Showgrounds.

• Calliungal Rural Fire Brigade - 1st Saturday of the month at 9am at the Brigade’s complex at Newman Oval, Mount Morgan.

• QCWA - meets 3rd Monday every month at 10am East Street.

• QCWA HOY -Wed & Fri Mornings 10am CWA Hall.

• QCWA Hall Hire - Best Rates Available: for information please phone May on 07 4938 1117.

• R.A.O.B - meets 3rd Sunday each month at CWA Hall, 10am.

• RSL - meets 3rd Sunday, 10am Community Services Hall.

• 5th Light Horse Drill - meets at the Show Grounds monthly call Jock Preston 07 4938 1453.

• Legacy Meetings - meets first Thursday of every month, 10am at The Hub. • ALP Mount Morgan Branch - meet 2nd Sunday of the month at the Community Services Hall, 9am

POOL: 34 Thompson Ave. Monday - Friday: 7:30am - 5:30pm Saturday: 12pm - 5pm / Sunday - 12pm until 4pm Phone 4938 1500.

TENNIS: Kabra Sports & Recreation Club Plays weekly. Please call Greer on 49381580 after 6pm most nights.

MOUNT MORGAN GOLF CLUB:

Anyone wishing to start or restart their golf is welcome to join us on Thursday and Sunday mornings (your first game is free). Juniors training- Sat mornings, 8:30am.

All welcome. Includes tuition and nibblies. Clubs supplied from the start. Ladies Day- Tuesdays, 7am.

18 prize raffles- drawn at Railway Hotel 8pm Fridays.

Including Jag the Joker. Phone the Golf Club on: 4938 1220 for enquiries.

ON THE GREEN:

Dee Bowls Club: Burnett Hwy (between the Caravan Parks).

Every Friday afternoon- $2 bowls and sausage sizzle, at 4pm. Mixed Bowls- Thursday and Sunday, afternoons, 3pm.

Function Room available for bookings.

Contact 4938 1090 or 0428178118 for further details.

Welfare Bowls Club: 28 Thompson Avenue Bowls Friday night (weather permitting). Names by 6pm, for a 6:30pm start. Sunday mornings - names by 9am for a 9:30am start, Tuesdays - names by 1:00pm for a 1:30pm start. For further information, like us on Facebook, Mt. Morgan Welfare Bowls Club, or phone the club: 4938 1131.

Indoor Bowls Club: Uniting Church Hall, East Street, Mount Morgan 2pm every Saturday at the Uniting Church Hall. $2.50, includes light refreshments.

For more information phone the Secretary, Babs Belfield on 4938 1028.

15

Creamy Turnip Soup Sunday 16th of March (It’s Irish, we know, not the 17th)

Now some people give the old turnip a bad rap, but we are heading into cooler weather and it’s time for a hearty soup which some veggos will love. If you’re vegans, you can sub soy cream for the cream. I know you’re going to love this soup.

Shopping list: • 4 large turnips - diced • 2 large onions - diced • 80 to 120gm butter •2 teaspoons sweet paprika • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg • a good pinch salt & pepper • 3 ltrs veggie stock or chicken stock • 600ml thickened cream

How to make it:

Firstly, dice up a couple brown “yellow” onions. Fry in a little butter with 2 teaspoon sweet paprika. Then peel (about 4 large) turnips and dice them. Add a little nutmeg and salt & black pepper into 2 to 3 litres of veggie or chicken stock and boil until soft. Add 600ml of cream and blend up into a creamy soup. Lovely on a chilly evening!

Guinness pies, Guinness Beer tastings, Irish stew, “Green Beers”, music, dancing, games!

“Capricornia Dance Exchange”, playing Irish acoustic music in the Beer Garden 12pm - 2pm.

Sunday $150.00 Social Club Draw at 1pm.

Pool comps! Sundays, 2pm & Wednesdays, 7:30pm.

Sunday roasts (Eat in or takeaway) only $8.00.

AGM Notice Saint Mary’s Senior Citizen’s Village Committee March 20th, 2014 6pm, Anglican Church Hall

Queensland Government Agency Program (QGAP) Rockhampton Regional Council’s Mount Morgan office is also a Queensland Government Agency Program (QGAP) office and offers you one convenient location to conduct business with government departments and agencies or obtain information about government services.

Customer Service Centre 32 Hall Street Mount Morgan Open Monday to Friday 9am – 4.30pm

Mount Morgan Blue Care Clothing Shed: will be open from 10am until 12:30pm each Friday morning.

Volunteers wanted: Volunteers needed to be marshals for the parade for the Golden Mount Festival. 2 hours approximately. Phone Nicholai 4938 2679.

The Dee River Oldies Group: held their first Street Stall for 2014 on Thursday 20th February. The winner of the raffle, a basket of groceries, was won by Ros Forshaw. Our next Stall will be held on Thursday 17th April, 2014. Membership fees for 2014 are now due.

GMF Garage Sale: the GMF Committee will be holding a fundraiser garage sale at 10am on the 6th of April, at the Mount Morgan School of Arts Hall. We are seeking donations of your unwanted items for the Garage Sale.

Please contact Barb on 49381 092 or Richard on 49381 205 if you would like to donate any items.

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CLASSIFIEDS WORK WANTED: Trailer repairs, small welding jobs, gates made to order. Phone Peter: 4938 2965 / 0411 893 778.

NEED AN ELECTRICIAN?: RJ Electrician Pty Ltd. Licence no. 72288. Phone: 0431 576 101.

HANDYMAN - ALLSORTS: home maintenance, mowing, gardening, rubbish removal and cleaning. Call Clayton on 0401 381 436.

MIM’S DETAILING: Cars, motorbikes, trucks and machinery. Wash, polish, interior cleans plus more. For a job well done call Mimi on 0438 518 626.

ABN: 54752593640.

SEWING: Mending and minor alterations. Reasonable rates. Located Mount Morgan. Ph 0400 66 0590/ 4938 1946.

WANTED: John Cani Hostel is seeking donations of working cassette players for our elderly residents to listen to book tapes. All working donations are gratefully and graciously accepted. Please contact John Cani during business hours on 4938 1699.

Date Claimers March 15: Arts & Craft Market Day. 9am - 1pm, School of Arts Hall. Displays, stalls, raffle, morning tea.

March 16: Alex Teeney Memorial Paddy’s Day Bowls.

Welfare Bowls Club, 9am for 9:30am play. Mulitdraw raffle, entertainment, BBQ, all welcome!

March 22: CWA Grocery Cent Sale. CWA Hall, 2pm.

March 22: Community Dance! 7:30pm, Community Services Hall. Dance the night away and enjoy a great night out. Entertainment for everyone, light supper, raffles, $200 IGA voucher and 2 x $50 IGA vouchers up for grabs! Entry fees: $6 - adults, $2 - children.

March 28: Trivia Night! School of Arts Hall, 7pm.

Phone Camille (MMPAD) to register a team: 4938 2312.

March 29: OES Cent Sale. Masonic Hall, 2pm. Good prizes & raffle, lucky door & lucky spots, tea & coffee prior to start. All welcome.

March 29: Mount Morgan Blue Care Auxiliary Trash & Treasure. 8am - 12 noon. 21 Gordon St. All welcome!

March 30: Scrapbooking Day. Recreational Hall, Bouldercombe. Children’s Session (for children aged 4 to 12). 10am - 12:30pm. $10, supplies provided. Adults Session, 12:30pm - 4:30pm. $20, supplies provided.

April 5: Mount Morgan Arts and Craft Cent Sale. 2pm, CWA Hall. Cent sale, multidraw, raffle & refreshments.

Doors open 1pm, cent sale commences 2pm sharp.

• HIRE 3 OR MORE NEW RELEASES FOR JUST $5 EACH • JUST $10 FOR 7 MOVIES FOR A WHOLE WEEK! • BUY DVD’S & CD’S FROM ONLY $1.00 EACH NOW THAT’S GOOD VALUE! GOOD THERAPY - TAKE 2 MOVIES & GO TO BED EVERY WEEK THERE ARE LOTS OF GREAT NEW MOVIES THAT YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF.... COME IN & SEE WHAT YOU’VE BEEN MISSING OUT ON; OVER 8,500 TITLES & CHANGING ALL THE TIME!

SOME OF THIS WEEK’S BIGGIES NOW AVAILABLE:

THOR- DARK WORLD: TURBO: GRAVITY: ESCAPE PLAN: RUSH: 2 GUNS: GROWN UPS 2: BLUE JASMINE (... AND MANY MORE ...)

• ASK ABOUT OUR 50/50 AMNESTY ON OVERDUES•

DOB IN A PIRATE: 1800 251996 LOCATED AT THE RAINBOW BUILDING NEXT TO THE WHITE ELEPHANT BURGER BAR...‘BEST BURGERS IN THE WORLD’

Out Thursday, March 27th, 2014.

Catch details on local efforts for World’s Greatest Shave, Saint Paddy’s Day celebrations in the Mount, an update on the Range reopening and the return of People in Profile!

If you have an inclusion for the next issue, send them our way by 2pm, March 21.

Email mmpad@bigpond.com or phone 4938 2312.

The Mount Morgan Argus is proudly brought to you

by Mount Morgan Promotion and Development Inc.