Birthday celebrations

Water security still on agenda Divisional Councillor Cherie Rutherford said Council was sharing lots of information to Rockhampton Regional Council it again: Rockhampton Regional ensure the community was kept have been taking steps to progress Council is committed to finding a informed. the long term water security of Mount Morgan since last month’s public meeting. Rockhampton Region Mayor, Tony Williams, said Council was sustainable long term solution to the water security issues in Mount Morgan, and we will not let the community go without water in the meantime.” “We filmed the presentation at the meeting and that, along with answers to over 70 questions asked on the night, is available to view on the Mount Morgan Water working hard to get things done. Water and Environmental page on our website. We’ve “One of the key commitments we made was to progress a study to look at the feasibility of the options for the long term water security of Sustainability Councillor, Donna Kirkland, said tanker deliveries had been ramped up to full capacity. called and emailed everyone who expressed interest in attending the meeting but weren’t able to, to let them know about that too. Mount Morgan. “At the time of the public meeting “If you don’t have access to a “Our officers have been compiling a report and this will be taken to the next full Council meeting so that we can get a formal resolution and lock in the next steps to looking at the affordability and sustainability of the different options available. “We have also spoken with the State Water Minister to update him on what was discussed at the meeting and what residents are experiencing, and we have put in a formal submission for the State Government to fund the water tankers, as they did with Stanthorpe. “I have said it before and I will say we were sending up around 9 tankers a day. We ramped that up to around 20 and that’s been going for a few weeks now. “We are hearing great feedback from residents about the taste and odour issues disappearing which is fantastic. We have not been taking any water from the dam for a few weeks, so all the water coming out of your taps is from the Gracemere reservoir. “We want to thank the community for all their hard work, and I truly believe that if we keep communicating we can get to a long term solution together.” computer our staff at Mount Morgan Library will be very happy to help you watch it in the library. We also published those Q&As in the Argus, and we will continue to share information and updates as we go through this process together. “Our dedicated section of the website – www.rrc.qld.gov.au/ mountmorganwater - has lots of information on. We will write directly to residents with major updates, as well as sharing them in the Argus, and of course you can always call us on 4932 9000 with any questions.”

MANE STREET HAIR SALON TURNS FOUR

Mane Street Hair Studio celebrated its fourth birthday at the end of April. Owner Kodie-Rae Dodd is pictured with employee, Sharnee. Since opening four years ago, Kodie has built the business up and weathered some pretty tough conditions, mainly with Covid which resulted in a 50 percent loss. There were thoughts of closing down for a while, but Kodie pushed through with Sharnee and now the business is doing better than before. “We have just opend our beauty room and services include spray tanning, lash lifting, eyebrow laminating, facial waxing and tinting,” Kodie said. Being consistent with your business plan is very important. Educating yourself on things you may not feel confident in, seek advice when things get tough and don’t be afraid to take risks are Kodie’s key messages. “Going in blissfully ignorant, I have slowly built the business up and wouldn’t change a thing. I am grateful for the support I receive,” she said.

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THE GRAND HOTEL, MOUNT MORGAN

FOR TWO HOURS STARTING AT 8 PM FRIDAY, 2 JULY 2021

TICKETS: $35.00. TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE GRAND HOTEL PHONE 4938 2300

FIRECLAY ‘DINOSAUR’ CAVERNS KEY TO UNLOCKING MOUNT MORGAN’S TOURISM POTENTIAL

Local MP, Stephen Andrew, has called for more investment in the historic town of Mount Morgan, and said it was time to re-open Mount Morgan’s Fireclay Caverns, once a major tourist drawcard for the region. “Mount Morgan is an absolutely unique Queensland town, with a rich and varied history” Mr Andrew said. “Getting tourism back up and running there, will benefit the town which suffers from one of the highest unemployment rates in the country” he said. The MP also said it was time for the Mount Morgan Fireclay Caverns to be re-developed and opened to the public. “They are the only caves in Australia, if not the world, with dinosaur footprints embedded in its sandstone roof” he said. “Once the new Mount Morgan mine site boundaries are established, we need the mine tours started up again as soon as possible”. “They are an iconic feature of the region and should never have been shut off from the public in the first place”. Mr Andrew said Heritage Minerals’ mine operations would be restricted to a small area and the company had promised there would be no “crossing of paths between their work and areas designated as future tourist spots”. Visitor numbers to Mount Morgan have plummeted since the caverns closed down, the MP said. “When the town was running tours through the caverns, visitor numbers reached almost 8,000 some years” he said. “Nowadays, the town is lucky if it gets a quarter of that”. The Caverns’ unique rooftop prints were discovered during the gold rush in 1952, after miners excavated a hill which was once a Jurassic lake. Paleontolgists have estimated them to be over 200 millions old. Hundreds of them are spread across the cavern ceiling, made by raptor-like creatures who once walked along the lake’s muddy shores. The site was closed down ten years ago by the Queensland Government, who claimed the caverns were too dangerous for the public to enter.

NEW OWNERS FOR MOTEL AND VAN PARK

Mount Morgan Motel and Van Park is under new ownership. Kristie and Keith Lavell bought the business from Caroline and George Watt and officially took over on 4 May. Formerly from the Yarra Valley in Victoria, Kristie and Keith managed a motel in Kerang for four and a half years. One of the key incentives to purchasing in Mount Morgan, apart from the appeal of the town was the fact that they were able to purchase the property freehold. Mount Morgan reminds them of where they used to live in the Yarra Valley. Kristie and Keith are not afraid of hard work having managed a 10-room motel with an attached function room which was often in demand for birthday parties and meetings. Kristie would also have to arrange and prepare meals as well. “I had one girl who used to help me in the kitchen, but that was all,” she said. Over the next few months Kristie and Keith will be tidying up around the park and undertaking repairs. As well as this, they will also be improving the park’s website and make their website more amenable to online bookings. Their daughter, Lacey who is in Grade 3 has been enrolled in school. The couple are planning a longterm stay in Mount Morgan to build the business up and make the town their home. Caroline and George owned the park for over seven years. Pictured: Keith, Kristie and Lacey, making Mount Morgan their home.

Two years ago, Roslyn Bennetts (above) decided to start painting - she was good at art in Primary School but up until 2019, hadn’t pursued this earlyrealised talent. For Roslyn who recently turned 50, the time between Primary School and now is quite substantial. When the No.7 Gallery was opened in August 2019, Roslyn decided to persue painting and recently opened her own little gallery in Morgan Street. The main reason for opening her own gallery is to provide her with a space where she can sit and paint. Roslyn hasn’t decided on her style of painting but can turn her hand to portraits, animal paintings and landscapes. She loves working with oil paint! Most of her work comes from commissioned work, although this will be put on hold a little over the next few months as she embarks on a project to support the Mount Morgan Citizen’s Club and the Soldier’s Rooms. During this time Roslyn will paint the portraits of 50 of Mount Morgan’s “locals”. These portraits will then be put up for auction over a week. The proceeds of the auction will be given to the Citizens Club. Some of the portraits to date include Andy Johnson, Kirra Swain and Rita Anderson. The subjects for each painting are nominated by Mount Morgan residents or have been chosen by Roslyn who feels that a particular individual has made life in Mount Morgan better. Roslyn is co-owner of Golden Mount Taxi with partner, Nathan Southwood. Shine Bright Event- How much fun did we have! The Rocky Improv Group, along with visiting Comedians from Mackay, really put on a fantastic show! But the entertainment didn’t stop there, guests also enjoyed nibbles and refreshments whilst listening to the Indie sounds of Biloela band “Ruby Come Back”. The setting was spectacular with fairy lights and suspended bulbs highlighting the stars above in the outdoor courtyard of the Gallery, and really set the cruisy vibe of the evening. A massive thanks to organisers, and Central Queensland Regional Arts Network (CQRASN) for including the No7 Gallery in the Shine Bright tour, and for a first-class night! Evolution of Ideas- This exhibition is a study of Series and Transitions and will be running from 24 July to 27 October. The opening on Saturday, 24 July at 5 pm will be another must do event, and all are welcome. Works to be submitted by Wednesday 21st July. Contact 0411 865 621 for submission forms and follow our Facebook page for updates. No7 Art Squad – The eight-week series of free workshops on Friday afternoons at 3 pm are going well, and open to all who would like to attend. Creations are well on their way to fruition, and the end result will be a variety of sculptures to be used for a festival display, and then ultimately mounted in the No7 Gallery Courtyard. We are focusing on a dinosaur theme to compliment discussion around the Mount Morgan Fireclay Caverns.

Clint Lennox bemoans being “short”.

Reid Willoughby talks about Tim Tams and milk.