SCHOOL LEADERS INDUCTED FOR 2025
It’s that time of year when Mount Morgan and other schools in the region induct their leadership teams for the school year.
Mount Morgan State High School and Central State School are no different with the Primary School inducting their leaders on Friday, 7 February and the Secondary inducting theirs on Monday, 10 February.
The High School leaders (pictured left) also attended the meeting of other school leaders from state and private schools across Rockhampton at St Josephs late last week.
Pictured top left are High School Vice Captain - Keeley Marshall (Student Council), Captains - Abbie Tyne (Student Engagement) and Dakota Bergin (Cultural) and Vice Captain - Destiny Veber (Community) cutting the school’s birthday cake.
Above top are Central State Captains Alira, Piper, and Vice Captains - Nathaniel and Jaedyn with Mrs Emery (Principal).
School Leaders...From Page 1
As is the tradition at the Central State School, the parents and guardians presented the badges to inductees. The schools’ house captains were also presented with their badges.
Primary School House Captains are Amelia and Toby (Blue House), Ambah and Tom (Yellow House) and Annie and Kayden (Green House).
The High School’s house captains are Mikhaila Grange and Kellen Coleman (Gordon House); Jack Davis and Austin Janssen (Kendall House) and Travis Ireland and Abbie Tyne (Paterson House).
Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation scholarships were presented at the induction ceremony to Year 11 Students who have had at least 85% attendance, demonstrated satisfactory effort and behaviour, demonstrated a willingness to fully participate in the life of the school, and a willingness to be a worthy role model for other students. Recipients were - Blake O’Sing, Dinah
Barlow, Justin Berry, Kiarna Strack, Lucy Mitchell and Monifer Steger
Necessity is the mother of invention. During the time when the pool was under development in 2024 the High School students held a dry land carnival. This carnival was held again this year, with Gordon House taking line honours. The day included such activities as Lassoing, soccer and dodgeball. Above Gordon House Captains hoist the Dry Land Carnival Shield.
Above: Tom with mum Tania and dad Mal. Middle: Ambah with mum Cass and far right, Annie with Sonya and Steve.
Above: Toby with mum, Lisa.
Above: Amelia with Mr McKay.
Above: Kayden with Mr McKay.
MOUNT MORGAN ARGUS DISCLAIMER
Argus
GRAND TAKES STAND AGAINST PRICE INCREASE
Dear Grand Hotel Patrons,
It is that dreaded time of year again when the never-ending hidden tax of excise is about to be imposed on our patrons. The Grand Hotel management understands that the increased pressure from the cost of living crisis is being felt right across our community, but reluctantly will need to increase the price of alcoholic beverages. To minimize the increase, the Grand Hotel will not pass on the full increase and will keep its prices affordable.
This supports our patrons with a breather from ongoing price rises, it supports employment through every part of the Grand Hotel and sends a message to our community that we need to be able to spend time together.
The Grand Hotel will continue to cater to its community, so when times are tough, it is suggested that it is better to bring communities together, share stories, meet new people and create relationship within our little town and not take more from your wallets, and that matters!!!
Please see the Media Release below from the Queensland Hotels Association for your awareness. Please do not hold the Grand Hotel responsible for this price increase, but the Government, who is responsible for these increases.
Venue Manager - Grand Hotel
QUEENSLAND HOTELS ASSOCIAITON - MEDIA RELEASE - 29/01/2025
Canberra’s Hidden Alcohol Tax Hits Aussies Hard: Enough is Enough
As Australians grapple with a cost-of-living crisis, Canberra is set to rake in a staggering $8 billion this year from taxing beer and spirits. This comes as the alcohol excise tax is set to rise for the 83rd time since 1983, making Australia’s beer tax rate the third highest in the OECD.
The Queensland Hotels Association (QHA) is calling for a discount or freeze on excise rates for beer and spirits sold "on premise" in licensed venues such as pubs, bars, and clubs. This discount would apply only to drinks poured into a glass by staff in these venues, not to bottleshops.
“With everyday expenses soaring, sharing a drink at the local pub with friends shouldn’t become a luxury. This tax hike is hitting Aussies where it hurts most – their social lives and wallets.“ said QHA Chief Executive Bernie Hogan
“Pubs are the heart of Australian communities, and this relentless tax increase is making it harder for locals to come together and enjoy a simple beer with mates. It’s time to say enough is enough.”
“This hidden tax isn’t just affecting drinkers – it’s a tax on the jobs of the people pouring your drinks. For a small country pub selling just 15 kegs a week, the tax collected is over $1,100 per week, a cost that inevitably gets passed on to customers. This is simply out of touch with everyday Australians” continued Mr Hogan.
**Background:**
The alcohol excise is indexed twice a year, in February and August, with the next increase due in February 2025. Since indexation was introduced in 1983, this will be the 83rd time the excise has risen.
The AHA’s proposal for a discount or freeze on excise rates aims to support licensed venues, hospitality workers and their patrons recognising the challenging economic times.
For further comment, contact: Bernie Hogan QHA Chief Executive - Email: bhogan@qha.org.au
THE MINE THAT KEEPS ON GIVING
The former Mount Morgan Mine and site can certainly be described as the “gift that keeps on giving”.
With the rich ore content discovered, primitive open cut methods by quarrying were utilised to extract the rock from the top and surrounds of Ironstone Mountain.
This eventually transitioned to underground mining which started in Mount Morgan in 1882. The Mount Morgan Gold Mining Company (MMGMC) formed in 1886.
MMGMC (or the “old” company as it became known) operated from 1886 to 1927 when a fire ripped through the underground mine workings, which was flooded to extinguish the fire. Unable to remove the water and continue mining, MMGMC went into voluntary liquidation. A new company formed – Mount Morgan Limited {MML) – rose phoenixlike from the ashes in 1929 and continued to operate until 1990. MML was a Peko-Wallsend subsidiary from 1968.
From 1981-1990 MML processed the tailings stockpiles and extracted
more gold, copper and silver. Despite several investigations by a range of Australian and international companies to reopen the mine, it wasn’t until 2019 that Green Gold became interested in establishing a reprocessing operation to extract more precious metals from the tailings stockpiles, forming Heritage Minerals to progress this project.
Mount Morgan pioneered many metallurgical processes to cope with the unique properties of the ore. From chlorine leaching in the early days to various smelting furnace techniques for the refractory ore; the Mount Morgan tailings stockpile has a rich and varied history.
State and Federal government support has ensured that Heritage Minerals has moved one closer to creating a new history for this famous mine site.
With this project well underway Heritage Minerals is looking to the future and is starting to give early consideration to other projects like sulphuric acid production – using the vast stockpile of pyrites on site.
The mine’s treasures were well hidden within a pyritic orebody, but pyrites was the most abundant mineral in the Mount Morgan orebody and it has a vital role to play in the production of sulphuric acid. The exposure of so much pyrite on the mine site has caused environmental issues from acid mine drainage.
Acid mine drainage describes a natural process produced when the mining activities expose sulphur-bearing minerals (mostly iron sulphides) to atmospheric oxygen, moisture, and acidophilic iron-oxidizing bacteria, resulting in sulphuric acid, dissolved iron, and precipitation of ferric hydroxide.
The sulphuric acid dissolves heavy metals from mined materials and forms an acidic pH solution with elevated concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, lead, copper and other metals. This solution infiltrates into the ground, making acid mine drainage the primary pollutant of surface and groundwater with significant effects on the environment
Continued on Page 5
Heritage Minerals, Director of Corporate Affairs, Craig Wilson said there was an estimated commercial supply of 20 plus years.
“This pyrite resource is very welcome given that Australia’s supply chain for sulphuric acid is at risk,” Mr Wilson said.
“Heritage Minerals believes there is a large economic development opportunity for Central Queensland locations, due to the need to build processing and transport infrastructure, potentially at places like Gracemere/Stanwell with supply chains linking to Gladstone, Rockhampton and North Queensland.
“Sulphuric acid, delivered with certainty and efficiency, is an essential input for critical minerals processing which will produce metals required for the new economy transition,” Mr Wilson said.
He said Heritage Minerals was
in the lucky position that it would have the processing plant able to reprocess the calcine for valuable metals, although it will not have the necessary roasting plants for part of the pyrite treatment process. The possible treatment of pyrite is currently at the conceptual stage, and it will take at least a couple of years to develop feasibility studies and other necessary documentation.
Mr Wilson said there were other advantages other than the obvious economic one.
“The main benefit is the permanent removal of acid forming rock (pyrite) and placement of subsequent waste streams into properly engineered tailings facilities.
“The refining process will produce a lot of waste heat which can be captured and sold into the grid,” he said.
Mr Wilson said early estimates suggests that the capital costs of a sulphuric acid production project would be several times greater
than the Stage 1 gold-copper project
Through fires, devastating tragedies, industrial action, closures, openings, pioneering of mining technologies and explorations, the mine continues to surprise with its enormous wealth.
There is certainly “gold in them thar hills”, but the gold referred to in this instance is the enormous pyrite resource that was exposed through the almost 100 years of heavy metal extraction.
Above: Heritage Minerals - Director, Corporate Affairs, Craig Wilson.
MIRANI MESSAGE
With
Glen Kelly, MP
Community and sporting groups are the heart and soul of the communities within my electorate of Mirani.
Often these groups are run on the smell of an oily rag by a group of hardworking volunteers, but are doing it because of the love they have for their community.
These volunteers work hard to help improve our communities through a variety of activities, and it’s important that they have opportunities to receive support to aid them to help keep the soul and spirit alive of our small towns.
Whether this is through more people volunteering so that the burdens aren’t shouldered on the same people over and over again, or through financial aid to make sure they can purchase the equipment they need or to run the community events that bring life to a town.
This is why the Queensland Government has already done 122 rounds of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund, with applications now open for round 123.
This program provides roughly $60 million in funding each year to not for profit community groups, enabling them to provide services, leisure activities and opportunities for Queensland communities.
Round 123 has opportunities for community groups to receive up to $30,000 in funding for a wide variety of items, like community events and training, equipment for the organisation including medical equipment, facility improvements, machinery, printing publications and marketing, vehicles and boats, workshops and conferences, and even solar.
Mirani had four lucky organisations with the last published round and I would like to see more community groups receive funding in round 123.
But to do that we need community groups to apply for this grant funding.
So if you are part of a community organisation or know of one that could take advantage of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund please tell them to reach out to my office for more information.
My staff are more than happy to help people understand the application process and about the different guidelines that need to be followed to be eligible.
One of the requirements that will need to be completed as part of the application is reference letters, and I am more than happy to provide these to eligible community groups to make sure that the places in the electorate of Mirani stay the great places of communityspirit that they are today.
Karaoke
MOUNT MORGAN CITIZEN’S CLUB
What a busy month we have had! Our very first attempt at hosting Karaoke was a resounding success, and what a fun night! It was fantastic to discover what amazing talent we have in our town, and an absolute pleasure to see young and old, belting out tunes, rocking on the dancefloor, and coming together as friends. Thanks to Amy's Lighthouse Karaoke, everything went so smoothly, and she has agreed to make it a monthly gig. The next one will be the 8 March, so start giving your vocal chords a workout.
Opera
We love trying new things, and last week we had the opportunity to present Hainian and Naomi Yu (Pictured below), who are classically trained in the art of Opera. Guests who attended were all thoroughly impressed by the callibre of the performance,. Many thanks to Hainian and Naomi for allowing us to share in your talent.
Our next Bush Dance is coming up 7pm, Saturday, 22 February. These are always well attended, and are a fun filled night for all the family.
To book the Soldiers Rooms Hall for your own events, please call 0419 605 662.
Arts Precinct
Activity will commence at the rear of the buildings this week, as we excavate disability pathways and an outdoor amphitheatre for al fresco performances and workshops.
Interior painting is also scheduled to proceed, as availability allows. If you are a keen “dab” with a brush or roller, feel absolutely free to join us!
Meetings are the last Sunday of the month at the Soldiers Rooms, 18 Morgan Street at 10:30am, and for enquiries, please call 0411 865 621.
WILD MOUNT MORGAN CLAY
Submitted by Louise Jones
Wild Mount Morga Clay - Family Day
Those who have grown up in Mount Morgan, will remember the tours which regularly brought tourists and visitors to the town and mine.
Whilst our town eagerly await the future reintroduction of such tours, Wild Mount Morgan Clay has launched a different kind of tour - wild clays tours found in the region.
Clay is frequently found in areas of gold deposits; the historic Bendigo Pottery was founded next to the Ballarat Goldfields in Victoria when clay was discovered and used to create the first basic crockery for the miners to use.
Here in Mount Morgan the mine site contains both clay caverns and pits alongside brickworks which baked the clay into bricks with which to build the mine and town buildings.
The first cohort of wild clay adventurers learnt how to identify quality clay seams or deposits with enough plasticity to be useful to build vessels from.
They dug, sifted and collected the rich chocolate coloured clay from a James Street location and then enjoyed the cool water of the No.7 Dam whilst finding the distinctive yellow fireclay many will recognise from their own backyards.
Once back at the studio the group slip decorated clay vessels with the white Baree kaolin clay ready for pit firing.
The pit was lined with banana fibre and newspaper and the simple decorated bowls laid around the circular pit. Piles of collected timber and pallet wood was laid on top with local rosewood logs to finish. Corrugated metal completed the pit fire once lit.
As the pit fire needs to reach Bisque temperatures of approximately 900 degrees and maintain heat for four-six hours the plucky adventurers got stuck into processing the harvested wild clay.
Using the separation technique the clay was broken up in a tray and soaked with water. Once the sand and rocks were mostly removed, the clay was wrapped and wedged to make usable balls of clay.
A number of children were able to try out the wild clay on the pottery wheel; they enjoyed creating rustic bowls and vases to be fired when dry.
Due to an overwhelming response to this exploration day, a more comprehensive day tour was held on 15 February where we examined a few more clay sites. If you have a decent area of clay on your land, we are currently looking for white, grey and red deposits to visit. Please contact Louise on 0427 314 410
Above: Working with Wild Mount Morgan Clay after exploring and gathering clays from around Mount Morgan.
Have something you need printed? or laminated?
Come down and see the friendly people at MMPAD. Contact us on 4938 2312 for prices or for further information visit us at the Railway Museum.
Tony
Harney
Discover the difference! Meet Angela Douglas: Local area agent Knowledgeable about the local community Listens to your needs
Proven results over and over Free, no hassle appraisals
Angela Douglas: 0401 953 882 www.discoverrealesate.com.au
Plumbing
Available for all domestic and commercial work.
Septic to Sewer Connections Blocked drains, leaking taps or any other maintenance issues
Phone Tony 0429 669 499
Servicing Mount Morgan
QBCC 1110090
ABN : 76 171 835 370 Clinic 1st Tuesday of the Month
Finlayson & McKenzie Funerals
Sandi Wood (nee Inslay) from Mount Morgan was born and raised within the Mount and is well aware of the needs of the Mount Morgan community.
Sandi is Mount Morgan’s funeral consultant and is available for all funeral advice.
Contact Sandi for more information and competitive prices with burials, cremations or prepaid funerals.
Sandi Wood your local consultant Phone: 4922 1269 fmckfunerals@live.com.au
MOUNT MORGAN IDENTITY TURNS 97
Well-known Mount Morgan personality, Miss Bette Broom celebrated her 97th birthday with friends on 13 February at Wattle Bee Next (Pictured above).
Bette was born to Mary Dora (nee Arnold) and Fred Broom in Mount Morgan in 1928, just before the Great Depression set in.
This was also just before Open Cut Mining started at the Mount Morgan Mine – a mine at which Bette worked for 47 years, starting out at age 15 as a junior clerk when she completed the Year 10 (Junior Equivalent) at Mount Morgan State High School. From junior clerk Bette moved through various positions in the General Office including clerking in the pay section, assistant cost clerk and ledger clerk, being put in charge of the accounting machines (the first in Central Queensland) to the eventual position of Office Manager (the first female Office Manager for Mount Morgan Limited). Bette’s father Fred (who came from England) was a baker (one of five in the town at the time), a grocer as well as working at the mine and Welfare Bowls Club as green keeper.
“Mount Morgan was a busy little place,” Bette says. Bette’s happiest times in Mount Morgan were during the days of the Mount Morgan State High School Past Pupils Association.
“We were all encouraged to become a member of the Association when we left school,” she said.
“These were some of the happiest days – we would organise entertainment such as parties, trips away, beach excursions and tennis matches to name a few.
All of these events were alcohol free, but everyone still had a great time,” she said.
Two of Bette’s great loves included golf and tennis and it was through the latter that she formed one of her longest lasting friendships.
“Elaine and I were first paired up for tennis when I was 11 at school. Elaine was two years older than me and she left school and got a job in the bank before I finished school.”
Elaine and Bette teamed up for many A-Grade tennis matches throughout their lives.
“Mount Morgan at one time had 15 tennis courts and it was nothing for between 150-200 people to play tennis fixtures on the weekend.”
Bette has also travelled extensively, spending 17 weeks overseas in England, Europe, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bali and Phillipines. She has also travelled to New Zealand and throughout Australia. Australia remains her favourite country. Bette has had some good life-long friendships.
“The sad part about reaching my age is that a lot of your friends are gone – friends like Jean Jenkins, Greta Boyle and Charlie and Joyce Lowrie. I have had a heck of a lot of friends.”
Bette believes wholeheartedly in volunteering and she has volunteered for a wide range of Mount Morgan organisations.
“I find volunteering very rewarding. as well as being
Continued on Page 11
instrumental to forming friendships, volunteering is the heart of any community and can lead to so many wonderful experiences,” she said. Bette has seen Mount Morgan’s good and bad days and believes while the town has lost much, it still has a lot of history that should be promoted.
“It would be good for a “top-notch” tourism operator to be employed whose sole responsibility would be to promote Mount Morgan.”
Her other dream is that Mount Morgan will get a proper water scheme.
“The town looks pretty after rain… with a water scheme, it could look pretty all of the time. Who knows it could also encourage people to live in the town?”
Bette and a couple of her friends also spent time researching the “Pride in Your Town” articles which ran in the Mount Morgan Argus every edition for over 12 years.
This article was written in 2021 for Bette’s 93rd birhday and interestingly enough one of her dreams - that of a proper water scheme has been turned into reality. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BETTE
Delivering bread on horseback
DEE RIVER OLDIES
Dee River Oldies Group meetings and morning teas are held in St Mary’s Hall, Gordon Street, Mount Morgan.
New and existing members are welcome to come along. New members must be aged 50 years or older. There is no cost for membership.
Our meetings are held on Tuesday, 18 February and Tuesday 18 March 2025 starting at 2 pm.
February Morning Tea is held on Wednesday 26 February, 2025 at 10 am. The guest speaker for the day will be Jenna from Ozcare who will talk about Dementia. The cost is $5. Raffle and lucky door prizes.
The Dee River Oldies Bus Trip to Bauhinia House for the St Patrick Day celebrations leaves the Morgan Street bus stop at 8.30 am on Friday, 7 March 2025. The cost is $50 and needs to be paid at our February Morning Tea. We have a limit on numbers for the bus. When paying let us know what you choose for lunch either Irish stew or cold meat and salad. We will be leaving Bauhinia House at 1 pm to return home due to the bus schedule.
Stay happy and healthy.
Carol Glover 49 38 1995 Colleen Constable 0427 161 131
MOUNT MORGAN BRANCH UPDATE
Submitted by Elizabeth Elliot- President
Do you want to chat with other women in a supportive environment, learn a new craft, attend presentations, support your community? Then look no further than the Mount Morgan branch of CWA. We're a welcoming bunch who know the value of listening and supporting and we do not get bogged down in formal meetings.
Have some fun! There's always something to keep you entertained and engaged. Laughter is the best medicine, and we have plenty of it! No matter your age, background, or experience, there's a place for you in the CWA. So, come on down, raise a cuppa, and join us from 9.30am Wednesday 19 February at the Green Shed or 26 February at the RSL hub near the swinging bridge. Call Elizabeth 0488 337 798 or 4938 1499.
Have something you need printed? or laminated?
Come down and see the friendly people at MMPAD. Contact us on 4938 2312 for prices or for further information visit us at the Railway Museum.
supplied by Margaret Sealy.
Pictured above is Harold Walter Sealy who delivered bread on horseback in the 1930’s. This photo was taken outside of Harold’s home in Crown Street. This photo was
“MINE! ALL MINE!” ART EXHIBITION
The Count Down is on for the Mount Morgan Art Exhibition: Mine all mine
Launching, Friday, 14 March with a VIP event, live music, over one hundred artworks, NON 1-7 wines and cheese platters, Lively Leopard coffee van and Heritage Minerals to open - the event promises to be picture perfect. The exhibition continues over the weekend at Baree Hall 10-2pm. The Launch is just $10 at the door and gold coin donation Saturday and Sunday.
Five local artists have created original artworks in response to the local historic gold mine and township. Newly created Not-ForProfit VISUALARTISTS4714 are proudly supporting the exhibition as part of their vision to increase local arts engagement, mentor emerging artists, promote artists and provide a platform for selling their works.
Mine All Mine: Artist ProfileNicholai Von Tonslamann
Nestled in a beautiful lee behind Baree township is the the lush backyard of musician and artist Nicholai Von Tonslamann. Most of Mount Morgan would recognise him from regular Soldier’s Rooms dances at which he provides musical entertainment along with his band Capricornia Dance Exchange. But Nicholai has a myriad of artistic experience and accolades under his belt along with his musical talent.
Unless you have visited his aweinspiring home filled with artistic wonder you would not realise his prolific talent in capturing Dionysus style frivolity and bucolic scenes in vivid colour. Nicholai first studied painting formally at the Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney for over six months. His foray into sculpture and the creation of moulds resulted in resin and fibreglass artworks. Nicholai is well travelled; He has lived and painted in India, Indonesia, and Singapore and produced corresponding solo exhibitions in his flamboyant romantic style. Key artist at Kings Cross Festival and Exhibitor at ANZ Art Gallery and OTC Sydney his works are highly collectible and noticeably inspired by the cultural and spiritual landscape of Asia.
Mount Morgan Pop Up Art Exhibition is his latest outing of mine and Mount related artworks to be shown in March at Baree Hall.
Nicholai paints predominantly in oil on canvas , with an occasional watercolour and ink on silk, in a beautiful realistic style with a touch of whimsy.
His exhibition contribution will include panoramic landscapes such as No.7 dam as well as still life paintings of mine objects. Nicholai’s work is all untitled; he prefers that the viewer interpret the painting void of place or time. Fans can look forward to his complete works being open to public viewing later on this year.
Mine All Mine: Artist Profle - Anne Copeland
It was twenty years ago that Anne
Copeland was looking for a pastime while working full time. She joined the Brisbane Watercolour Society and discovered the joy in sketching and painting the people, flora and fauna represented in her array of artworks. As anyone who has been taught watercolour painting will know, the technique has strict requirements and rules to be followed in order to be recognised as a watercolourist.
Since that time Anne has explored different ways of bending those rules and in doing so, ensuring that she retains her creativity and joy.
Tutor John Lovett inspired her to be more creative using mixed media such as watercolour, charcoal or acrylic. Anne’s work evidences this fun approach as she alters
tones, changes colour and plays around with her subject. Gouache is her latest experimentation in media; a more opaque paint than watercolour, it has greater flexibility in painting. Anne has expanded her repertoire to include painting on cardboard, which was a real turning point for her artistic practice.
During a summer school at USQ Toowoomba she encountered a tutor who encouraged students to use large sheets of cardboard on which to paint. In doing so, Anne was able to overcome the fear of perfectionism and size that had thus far limited her work to A4 size. She found she could play around with colour and paint quickly on a surface which was not precious canvas, but cheap, disposable and an excellent outlet for exploration.
In addition to the technical joy of creating Anne discovered the therapeutic value in painting by enrolling in a Health and Harmony online art therapy course and was able to explore emotions and wellbeing via colour theory.
No doubt visitors to the exhibition will enjoy her approach to the local scenery, as illustrated in her Gouache painting of the ‘Stack’ (pictured).
Mine All Mine: Artist Profile - Nancy Liddle
Nancy Liddle is no stranger to exhibitions; in the past year alone she has had a solo exhibition at Baree Hall, shown her work in the Queensland Contemporary Artist Group exhibition, entered
numerous competitions and displayed at markets.
It is just over two years since Nancy first picked up a paintbrush. A prolific painter in acrylic her output has depicted lushly expressionistic scenes of gannets in Scotland, her three dogs frolicking on the lawn, monasteries teetering on hilltops and snowy landscapes.
Since moving to Mount Morgan, she has been exploring the history of the town with a series of postcards of iconic buildings and mine related events. Her sombre earth tones reflect the red rock and sepia mist of miners’ past, the railway track up the razorback, machinery relics and aerial mine abstracts that will resonate with locals and visitors alike.
Based on two tours of the mine site and a painting ‘en plein aire’ thanks to Heritage Minerals her plethora of paintings will be a highlight of the exhibition.
Of late she has been completing the free Certificate III Visual Arts through CQU Tafe and developing her self-taught art practice to even greater expertise
New to Mount Morgan? Welcome!
At this time of year many people are in the process of moving to a new town and starting in a new workplace, business or school. Once you have settled in, drop into your local public library, located at 31 Morgan Street, just next door to the Mount Morgan School of Arts and discover what makes this library so well-loved in the community.
Mount Morgan Library is just one of four branches in the Rockhampton Regional Library Service, with sites located at 1 Ranger Street, Gracemere; 154 Berserker Street, North Rockhampton and 230
LIBRARY NEWS
Bolsover Street, Rockhampton. Library membership is free, so once you have registered as a library member you can borrow and return items at any of the library branches. Find a book you would like to read? Once a reserve or hold has been placed on a resource and is available, the item will be sent to the Mount Morgan Library for borrowing.
There’s lots of interesting spaces and resources to explore including a bank of freely accessible public computers, free Wi-Fi, a large range of digital content, books, magazines, DVDs, newspapers, jigsaws, games, newspapers,
workstations, comfortable chairs and best of all on these hot and humid days - beautiful cool airconditioning!
The Mount Morgan Library is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00am - 1:00pm, 2:00pm - 5:00pm, and every alternate Saturday from 9:00am - 12noon.
The Mount Morgan Library will be open on the following Saturdays1 March, 15 March and 29 March.
For more information, call the Mount Morgan Library during opening hours on phone 4936 8169 or Library Administration on phone 4936 8043.
DRIVING FORCE BEHIND MEALS ON WHEELS
Meals on Wheels (MOW) has played a vital role in Mount Morgan since 1969 when it first started. Initially it was first associated with the Uniting Church due to many of its volunteers being members of the church. While many people have volunteered their time to the organisation over the years, none more so than Margaret Pearce and Jean Morgenstern who between them have amassed 77 years of delivering meals to people in need in Mount Morgan.
Both Jean and Margaret are in their 80’s and at the end of 2024, decided to finish delivering the meals due to health issues. They both plan to remain active in the Meals on Wheels committee for a little while yetMargaret is President and Jean is Secretary.
In 1969, there were only a handful of clients, but this number has grown considerably over the years.
Jean joined the organisation in 1979, while Margaret joined in 1991. Both agree that they would still love to be delivering the meals, and may help out from time to time if needed.
There have been many legislative changes to the operations of Meals on Wheels.
When MOW first started meals were cooked at different hall kitchens in Mount Morgan. This was befor the purpose built kitchen was constructed in East Street.
As well as drivers, there were also volunteers who would prepare the meals - this was before preparation of the meals was handed over to the hospital over 10 years ago.
Over the years, Jean and Margaret have delivered thousands of meals - sometimes helping to deliver up to 50 meals a day.
“The people who received these meals were always appreciative and need for the service to continue is just as important as it was when started,” Jean said.
“We’ve met some beautiful people over the years,” Margaret said.
RSL
Mount Morgan
Veterans and family members – Your local sub-branch is open every Friday from 9am to 1.30pm. Chat with other Veterans, get support from the members running the hub and information for advocacy, DVA, support programs, events and so much more.
The kettle is always on and keep watch for updates as to when the bar may be opening. Any queries, call Howard on 0403 891 414.
The Mount Morgan Agricultural Show Society held it’s annual general meeting on 9 December 2024 with a roll-up of thirteen dedicated and interested persons.
The following executive was elected: -
President – Heather Barker, Vice–President - Eric Liekmeier, Secretary – Noel Barker and Interim Treasurer – Michael Rowe.
A Management Committee comprising Kristal Littlejohn, Cheryl McBay, Glen McBay, Barbara Gould, Jim Gould, Frieda McDougal, Grace Berry, Karen Holness and Kirsty Humphreys was also elected.
Planning for the 2025 Mount Morgan Show to be held on 9 August 2025 will now begin in earnest with the aim to again provide an attractive and enjoyable event for the Mount Morgan community.
All the normal show attractions of pavilions with arts and craft, art, photography, school work and Lego, farm and garden and horticulture, horses and cattle, poultry and caged birds will be catered for. Back again this year will be the popular Eden Bann Cuties Petting Zoo, Curly Lou with her Twisted Balloon, Party Face face painting and of course our magnificent not to be missed fireworks.
Society President, Heather Barker said the 9 August will be here before we know it, so anyone interested in entering exhibits or in helping out in any way is urged to “not let the grass grow” and get plying the needle, painting, making, clicking, growing, grooming and/or preening.”
Regular updates will also be posted on the Show’s Facebook page.
“The next meeting of the Show Society will be held on Sunday, 9 March at 9.00am at the Showgrounds and everyone interested in making the 2025 Show as memorable as previous Shows are urged to come along,” Heather said.
Help clean up our “patch of Australia”
Join Mount Morgan Promotion and Development Inc on Sunday, 2 March for Clean Up Australia Day. Meet at the Railway Station at 8.20 am
Register for the cleanup by emailing: mmpad@mountmorgan.org.au or by phoning 4938 2312.
“BINGO AT BOULDY”
MONDAY, 3 MARCH 2025
Doors open 9.30 am
Call starts 10 am @ Bouldercombe Recreation Hall
SAVE THE DATE! CLASSIFIEDS
FEB 22: Bush Dance, Soldiers’ Rooms in Morgan Street - 7 pm $10 Adults, $3 children. Raffles. Bar operating.
FEB 26: Dee River Oldies Group - February Morning Tea. Starts at 10 am and is held in St Mary’s Hall, Gordon Street, Mount Morgan. (Behind the Anglican Church). Cost is $5. The guest speaker is Jenna from Ozcare speaking about dementia. Raffle and lucky door prizes. See you there.
MAR 2: Country Music Afternoon. Soldiers’ Rooms. $10 adults, $3 Children. 12 noon to 4 pm. Afternoon Tea provided. Raffles and Lucky doo.
MAR 2: Clean up Australia Day. Starts 8 am from Mount Morgan Railway Station. Phone: 4938 2312 to join in the clean-up.
MAR 7: World Day of Prayer - Cook Islands. Mount Morgan Catholic Church`, Gordon Street. 10 am start.
MAR 7: Dee River Oldies Group – Bus Trip to Bauhinia House for St Patrick Day celebrations. The cost is $50 and money is to be paid at the February Morning Tea. Bus leaves at 8.30 am from the bus stop in Morgan Street. Let us know what you choose for lunch. There is Irish stew or cold meat and salad.
MAR 8: Baree Markets. 8 am - 12 noon, Creek Street Baree.
MAR 14: “Mine. All Mine” Art Exhibition Baree Hall, Creek St Baree. $10 admission. Wine and cheese evening. Starts 6 pm.
MAR 15-16 - “Mine. All Mine!” Art Exhibition - 10 am to 2 pm each day, Baree Hall, Creek Street Baree. Admission $2.
MAR 16: St Patrick’s Day Bowls - Welfare Bowls Club, Thomson Avenue - starts 9 am. RSVP
MAR 18: Dee River Oldies Group - March Monthly Meeting. It starts at 2 pm and is held in St Mary’s Hall, Gordon Street, Mount Morgan. (Behind the Anglican Church). Come along and put your ideas forward for 2025.
MAR 22: CQ Junior Sand Green ChampionshipsMount Morgan Golf Club.
MAR 26: Dee River Oldies Group - March Morning Tea. Starts at 10 am and is held in St Mary’s Hall, Gordon Street, Mount Morgan. (Behind the Anglican Church). Cost is $5.Raffle and lucky door prizes. Come along and enjoy the morning catching up.
APR 6: Men’s and Ladies CQ Sand Green Championships, Mount Morgan Golf Club.
JUN 7-8: Queensland Ladies Sand Green Championships. Mount Morgan Golf Club’s major event for 2025.
ROTARY CLUB OF MOUNT MORGAN
1st & 3rd Thursdays of the monthGrand Hotel - 6 pm for 6.30 pm. Visitors Welcome! E: mount.morgan@rotary9560.org
MOUNT MORGAN RSL SUB Branch Inc
Business meetings held 10 am Last Saturday of the month. 1 Cornes Street, Mount Morgan.
PAINTER:
Semi-retired. W. Cruickshank Phone 0488 104 774 or 0488 105 257.
LIGHT ON THE HILL CHURCH
EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT
Green Shed from 7 pm. Phone 0412 502 937
IN MEMORIAM
Bevan John Leigh - 25/12/1946 - 18/12/2023 He was gone without any warning. He had left hearts filled with pain, but though he is gone from amongst us, in our hearts he will always remain loved and remembered. Always your loving family - love you big brother.
World Day of Prayer for 2025 will be held on Friday, 7 March at 10 am in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Mount Morgan. All Welcome.
MOUNT MORGAN MEN’S SHED INC.
Meet 9 am - 12 noon Wednesdays & Saturdays Phone John on 0429 055 165
MOUNT MORGAN SHOW SOCIETY
Meets on the second Sunday of every month at the Mount Morgan Showgrounds, Showgrounds Road
MOUNT MORGAN QCWA BRANCH
Meets every third Wednesday of the month at the Green Shed Thompson Ave 9.30 am meet for 10 am start.
TRASH AND TREASURE
Trash and Treasure, 21 Gordon Street. Every Friday from 8.30 am to 12 noon. Every first Saturday of the month from 8.30 am to 12 noon. Clothing $1.00 unless otherwise marked.. Any donations please leave at 21 Gordon Street during opening hours
THE NEXT EDITION WILL BE PUBLISHED ON WEDNESDAY, 5 MARCH 2025
All inclusions required by: Tuesday, 25 February 2025 by 4 p.m. Ph: 4938 2312
Email: mmpad@mountmorgan.org.au
If you don’t receive your Argus, please contact us.