The Country Caller

Disco fever at Bassett Park marks start of Roma Picnics

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By HARRY CLARKE

AS PER tradition the Roma Picnic Races officially got underway with the Black Toyota Black Tie Ball as more than 520 ticket holders glammed up for this year’s “Disco” theme.

On Friday afternoon the car parks at Roma’s motels filled with either dusty farm utes or shiny SUVs, indicating punters had travelled to town from both the east and the west for the weekend’s racing celebration.

Guests walked through a leafy trellis adorned with hanging disco balls on arrival at Bassett Park, and were handed flutes of champagne and cups of beer as they began mingling under colourful lighting behind the main grandstand.

Roma Picnics committee president Andrew Harland* might have jinxed himself by telling the Caller earlier this week that the weather forecast was looking fine for the weekend, because a decent shower in the late afternoon created a few puddles on the bitumen and made for a steamy affair for those in penguin suits.

But the temperature cooled throughout the evening and the event was as jovial as ever.

SOCIAL PIC GALLERY – SLIDESHOW:

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Guests enjoyed at the tastes of beef curry with couscous provided by SEA Catering and danced to the sounds of popular corporate covers band Groove Elements, who’d travelled out from Brisbane complete with a saxophonist who was a dead ringer for Hollywood comedic star Seth Rogan.

Some, especially a large contingent of local Roma Cities rugby league players, were distracted for a couple of hours by the Battle of Brisbane footy game being broadcast on television over the main bar.

Punters danced the night way at Bassett Park and many then kicked on to the pubs in town.

Some were heard stumbling back to motel rooms as late as 3am having kept the party going at the Bulla Roma rodeo at the Club Hotel, ensuring themselves a decent headache as they line up for today’s races.

*It’s been a big week for Roma Picnic Races president Andrew Harland. The Caller was urged to make mention of Harland’s unbeaten 60 runs which brought victory for Railways in last weekend’s Roma and district cricket grand final.

Sustainability the focus at meat industry seminar

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By HARRY CLARKE

SUSTAINABILITY, biosecurity, animal welfare and innovation were among the main topics on the agenda at this week’s Protein 2023 Conference, hosted by Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise.

Dozens of delegates gathered at the Dalby Events Centre to hear from a range of industry leaders, business owners and event sponsors from across the beef, pork, poultry and dairy sectors.

Keynote speakers included The Sustainability Consortium director of retail Amy Scoville-Weaver and science and impact manager Teresa Garcia-Moore, and GOALSciences Global Observatory of Accurate Livestock Sciences Peer Ederer.

Panel discussion topics included the advancement of sustainable production systems, developments in biosecurity practices, animal welfare, on-farm production improvements, innovative energy solutions and “demystifying carbon markets and net zero”.

Panelists Niki Ford from Australian Organic Ltd, Cameron Best from Mort & Co and Sunpork Group CEO and managing director Dr Robert van Barneveld. IMAGE: Country Caller

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Delegates gathered at the sold out Protein 2023 Conference at the Dalby Events Centre. IMAGE: Country Caller

Mort & Co food supplement manager Cameron Best (pictured above) said the event enabled leaders throughout the meat supply chain to share knowledge about sustainability practice amid new legislative requirements aimed to help Australia reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions.

“It’s an opportunity to bring information and cognisance about the rangelands side of the equation because that’s where all the scope 3 emissions are. It’s the genesis of the supply chain, particularly the cattle supply chain, that is the focus of this conference and of this region,” Best said.

“I think we are very cognisant of the problem and now it’s about trying to bring solutions to that problem.

“It needs to be a mutual effort. We need on-ground truth and at the other end is the regulatory cost of production – how much are we going to have to pay for carbon or not, and some of the instability factors in the legislation.

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“It needs to be a mutual effort, both at the physical on-ground truth and the regulatory requirements about carbon, which is very fluid at the moment.

“It’s a case of getting both of those things stable so then you have the stability to entice investment into the problem.

Day Two of the Protein 2023 Conference event involved a site tour or Mort & Co’s Grassdale Feedlot south of Dalby.

Panelists Bruce McConnel from FarmedWell Ltd, Bryce Camm from Camm Agricultural Group, Jemma Postle from APIAM and Andrew Gray from Animal EyeQ. IMAGE: Country Caller

Maranoa prepares for kaleidoscopic Easter Sunday

SPONSORED | SENEX

EASTER in the Country celebrations will be brighter than ever this year when PCYC Maranoa and Senex Energy’s annual Senex colourXplosion fun run and walk bursts into action.

Held on Easter Sunday, entrants in the Senex colourXplosion can look forward to being showered in a vibrant kaleidoscope of colours when they take to Bassett Park in droves for the 5km fun run and walk. All profits from the event support PCYC Maranoa’s youth development programs.

Designed as a true family event, entrants are encouraged to wear fancy dress to run, walk, jog or even dance their way to the finish line. All participants receive paint powder for showering family and friends so everyone crosses the finishing line more colourful than when they started.

Senex Community Relations Manager, Trevor Robertson said Senex is proud to again partner with PCYC Queensland as a sponsor for the event.

“The volunteers and employees at PCYC Maranoa work tirelessly to support with our local community,” Trevor said.

“PCYC Maranoa’s delivery of vital regional youth development, crime prevention and community engagement programs that meet local community and youth needs are essential and so important to support.

“The best part of the day is that with Senex’s support, every dollar made on the event will be poured back into the Maranoa community.

“Senex is delighted to once again be supporting the greatest and the most colourful family event in the region.”

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER:

PCYC Maranoa Manager,Sergeant Dion Horn said the event is a win for anyone who gets involved whether they cross the finish line first, last or somewhere in between.

“It’s a win win event for the community, being a great opportunity for families to have a fun time and join with friends, neighbours and others all while raising vital funds to support PCYC’s work in their community,” Dion said.

“Fundraising events like the Senex colourXplosion make an invaluable difference in our local community and I’d like to extend a heartfelt thanks to those who support the event by taking part, our event sponsor Senex and our hardworking PCYC team.”

Register for the event by clicking here:

Man’s death in Miles being treated as suspicious

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By HARRY CLARKE

UPDATE:

POLICE have confirmed Miles man Jonathan Martin died of a stab wound suffered at a home on Hawkins St on Tuesday night, as investigators work to determine what led to his death.

QPS Inspector Garry Watts said Mr Martin went to the home with another man about 9.45pm. There was an altercation at the home with a third man, during which Mr Martin suffered a stab wound to the chest.

Police were called just after 11pm and found the alleged victim unresponsive. He was taken to the Miles Hospital but could not be revived.

“There was some sort of altercation – we’re still trying to piece together exactly what transpired – but as a result the deceased suffered an injury to his chest and collapsed,” Insp Watts said.

“He was treated by QAS at the scene and conveyed to the Miles Hospital, but unfortunately he passed away at the Miles Hospital.”

Insp Watts said investigators had spoken to multiple witnesses, and others in the Miles community, but made no further comment on what they believed the altercation related to.

No further description was provided of the implement used in the stabbing.

“The post mortem examination is being undertaken and I’m not prepared to elaborate on the injuries at the moment,” Watts said.

“We don’t have anyone in custody at the moment and we’re seeking the public’s assistance. If anyone knows any information relating to the death they can contact crime stoppers or Miles Police.”

Jonathan Martin with his longterm partner, Sue

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EARLIER:

THE identity of a man whose death in Miles is being treated as suspicious has been revealed as 44-year-old Jonathan Martin.

Mr Martin died on Tuesday night, March 21, after police were called to a home on Hawkins St just after 11pm.

He was found unresponsive at the home and was transported to Miles Hospital, where he was declared deceased.

The Caller understands Mr Martin had suffered stab wounds.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death, which is being treated as suspicious.

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Mr Martin, who’d moved to Miles from Chinchilla only recently, is the stepfather of two young girls and had been in a long term relationship with their mother.

A close friend told the Caller his family was shocked and traumatised by their sudden loss.

“I spent time with his Mum yesterday and she’s just devastated. Jono was her baby boy, her only son,” she said.

“(His partner) is not well at all. It’s so tragic for her and their two girls.”

Anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage from Hawkins St at the time of Mr Martin’s death (about 11pm on Tuesday, March 21) is urged to contact police.

Art lovers hanging out for Grammar gallery opening

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By CAITLIN CROWLEY

A SMALL army of volunteers has been assembled to transform the Toowoomba Grammar School (TGS) hall into one of the biggest galleries in regional Queensland this weekend, for the return of Grammar Art Show.

Hundreds of pieces from across the country are being unpacked and painstakingly hung ahead of Friday’s sold-out opening night event.

Art Show President Jodie Humphreys (pictured below) said it was exciting to see the months of hard work coming together.

“It is massive – I think we have more than 350 volunteer spaces over the weekend to pull it all together,” Humphreys said.

“We do have a lot of country artists who contribute and it’s always really fun, patching together how they’re going to get their art here.

“Calling on friends and neighbours and families at the school to bring their art in – it’s wonderful.”

Art Show President Jodie Humphreys preparing the works.

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The annual showcase set a new sales record in 2022 with more than $480,000 worth of art sold to collectors nationwide and overseas.

Work from 250 artists will be on display this year, but demand to be featured was much higher.

“We always invite the artists from the previous year who have sold and then this year we had 400 artists apply for another 50 new spots,” Humphreys said.

“So that’s a really great position to be in, but also really difficult because we’d love to have everybody’s art here but we just can’t fit it all in.”

Volunteers preparing displays for Grammar Art Show

While many of the works are priced in the thousands of dollars, visitors will be able to pick up pieces for as little as $25 thanks to a new addition to the program, TGS Under Wraps.

“We’ve asked a lot of our artists and the school community to paint little A5 paintings – but they don’t sign them so nobody don’t know who has painted what,” Humphreys said.

“They’ll be sold for $25 each, so it’s a little bit of a surprise and you find out who the artist is once you buy what you like.

“We wanted to involve the students a little bit more and make art more affordable and all of the proceeds from that are going to Yalari foundation.

“We like to have a big, broad range of different types of art because art is such an individual thing and we want people to walk in here and find something that they absolutely love.”

Grammar Art Show opens to the public Saturday March 25 at 9.30am and works can be previewed at the event’s website.

Roma races sponsor strengthens its rural connections

By HARRY CLARKE | SPONSORED

AMONG the thousands of revellers and punters at this weekend’s Roma Picnic Races will be a large contingent from Morgans, a leading Australian stockbroking, wealth management and corporate advisory firm whose longstanding sponsorship of the iconic event signifies its strong links to country Queensland.

Since the company’s proud partnership with the Roma Picnic Races began in 2011, staff and friends from Morgans’ Brisbane and Toowoomba offices have been making the trek west for a weekend of classic country fun and hospitality.

Morgans stockbroker Peter Clarke, a Roma Picnics veteran who grew up in Chinchilla, said the event was a great way for Morgans staff who enjoyed reconnecting with their rural clients at the races each year.

Morgans stockbroker Peter Clarke presenting the Morgans Roma Picnics Cup in 2022. IMAGE: Country Caller

“Country race meetings in general are great events to attend and an ideal setting for getting people together,” Clarke said.

“Morgans provides services to a large number of clients in South West Queensland and Roma’s central location in that region makes it the perfect place to participate in an event like the Picnic Races.

“We always have a great time out in Roma. We’ve got about a dozen people from Brisbane and Toowoomba attending this year and usually we get up over 100 people in our tent on race day.”

“Morgans has a big regional network and we’re really proud to continue supporting people in the country. We’re passionate about financial wellbeing, especially in areas where it can be harder to access quality financial and investment advice.

“We get behind the Roma Picnic Races because it’s a touch point to be in the community. It allows us to connect and build relationships with clients new and old.”

Anyone in attendance at Bassett Park on Saturday is invited to visit the Morgans tent to chat with a Morgans advisor about the company’s services and how they can help you to grow your wealth.

Morgans staff at the Roma Picnic Races in 2020. IMAGE: Supplied

In November last year Morgans hosted its fifth annual Big Dry Friday, a fundraiser which has generated more than $4.7 million for rural support charities including Rural Aid, Schools Plus, Outback Futures, the Rural Doctors Foundation and QUT Rural and Regional Teaching Bursaries.

Brian Sheahan, Brisbane-based Executive Chairman of Morgans, said “our business is a bit different to some of the other broker and financial advisory firms”.

“We’re very much a regional network and we always have been. It’s in our DNA. We’ve done a lot of work in the agriculture space and for regional businesses in general,” he said.

More than 520 people have purchased tickets to the Black Toyota Black Tie Ball, held traditionally on the Friday night before the Roma Picnic Races.

This year the ball is themed Disco, following on from Moroccan, Cuban and Roaring 20s themes in previous years.

Roma Picnic Races committee co-president Andrew Harland said organisers were excited to now be putting on the finishing touches in preparation for the historic event.

“The Roma Picnics has been running for 122 years now – every year aside from World War II and the pandemic, which is a pretty phenomenal effort for a local community event,” he said.

Morgans staff at the Roma Picnic Races Black Tie Ball in 2020. IMAGE: Supplied

“We’re very lucky to have the support of Morgans. They’re long time supporters of the Roma Picnic Races, they’re a great team and they have a big presence out here in the area.

“They draw a big crowd every year and they do an excellent job as stockbrokers. They’re based in Brisbane but they’re willing to spend time and money in the bush. Without their continued support our event simply wouldn’t run.

“It’s shaping up to be a great weekend, as always. We had a few issues with storms last year but there’s nothing forecast for this weekend so it should be a fine day.”

Roma Picnic Races presidents Andrew and Sarah Harland. IMAGE: Supplied

Government reveals roadmap to lower Ag emissions

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By CAITLIN CROWLEY

THE state government has released its plan to achieve cleaner and greener food and fibre production in Queensland, charting a path to lower emissions from the state’s agriculture industry over the next decade.

The Low Emissions Agriculture Roadmap 2022-2032 outlines a process aimed to achieve a sustainable future across five key pathways; reducing emissions from livestock, cropping and horticulture, using more renewable energy on-farm, carbon farming and land management, and improving supply chains.

Speaking in Rockhampton today, Agriculture Minister Mark Furner said the roadmap would help Queensland agribusinesses thrive while they reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

“It will give producers clarity on how they can actively prepare and implement practice change to manage risks to their business,” Furner said.

“Those who implement plans to lower greenhouse gas emissions now will have fewer transition costs and disruption to their business than those who delay and find themselves urgently responding to market forces.”

The five pathways to lower ag emissions in Queensland. IMAGE: Queensland Low Emissions Roadmap

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The roadmap was co-designed with industry partners after key themes were identified in a CSIRO report commissioned by the Palaszczuk Government in 2021.

The plan outlines the state government’s goals in each area, how it plans to work with farmers to achieve them and what producers can do now to start making changes.

Some of those changes are as simple as doing an on-farm “energy audit” to find efficiencies and supporting research into greener fertilisers and livestock feed.

Queensland Farmers’ Federation CEO Jo Sheppard said the roadmap would help coordinate some of the messaging around low emissions production, in what was becoming “an increasingly crowded marketplace.”

“The Roadmap will assist in providing clarity to farmers about some of the options available to them as they embark on their own low emissions journey,” Sheppard said.

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Agforce CEO Mike Geurin also welcomed the new plan.

“Queensland’s producers recognise the importance of adopting new practices and technologies to ensure the long-term sustainability of their industry,” Geurin said.

“We need to make sure that farmers are supported to achieve environmental outcomes whilst still being able to do what they do best in producing the world’s best food, fibre and foliage.”

The goals and strategies outlined in the roadmap will also be reviewed after five years.

WATCH: Fiery twister taste of hellish season ahead

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By CAITLIN CROWLEY

TOWERING flames fanned by ferocious winds during blazes on the Western Downs in recent months are just a taste of what the region should expect when bushfire season returns this spring, according to the state’s rural fire service.

The dire warning was issued by South West mitigation manager Michael Welsh who told the Caller the scale of the fires at Tara and Moonie were “almost unheard of” for this time of year.

A fire front on the Western Downs. IMAGE: QFES

“We are very concerned this is what we are going to see in the usual bushfire season,” Welsh said. “That’s around September, October and November.”

“When you’re getting fires that are creating twisters in those fires – we have evidence from our aircraft showing that – the fires are in the tree tops, they are going very fast across the landscape, that’s what’s happening now, outside our normal fire season.

“What are they going to do in the spring? Those fires are going to be way out of control. We can’t get anywhere near them.”

QFES captured this footage of a “fire twister” during the recent Moonie bushfires.

Welsh said there was a huge fuel load of grass and vegetation on the Downs thanks to extended periods of wet weather, but it was now drying out and heightening the region’s fire danger.

The Rural Fire Service is currently identifying high risk areas to be targeted with mitigation activities over winter, but Welsh said it was critical landowners and residents started preparing their own properties now.

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“Leading into winter, they need to start looking at getting their fire breaks in place to protect structures,” Welsh said.

He said efforts to save homes and sheds during the Moonie and Tara fires were a reminder of how important good fire breaks were.

“Anyone who’s had a well prepared property – they were well defendable – the houses and structures survived,” he said.

“The fires couldn’t have the intensity running up to the property.”

A bushfire at Tara earlier this year. IMAGE: QFES

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Welsh said it was also critical to have a bushfire survival plan ready.

“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail,” he said.

“When a fire is impacting on someone they panic. When they panic, they lose consciousness of time, they can’t think properly and they start making mistakes.”

The Bureau of Meteorology’s autumn outlook was for warmer and drier conditions than usual for much of Australia, after a drier than average summer in southern Queensland.

The Darling Downs and Granite Belt is in for another unseasonably hot week with maximums forecast to climb into the low to high thirties.

Qld calling tourists north for autumn adventures

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By CAITLIN CROWLEY

SOUTHERN Queensland tourism operators are gearing up for what they’re hoping will be another bumper autumn and winter season, after strong visitor numbers in recent years on the back of pandemic lockdowns.

Country Queensland communities like Thallon, 550km south west of Brisbane, are ready to welcome a steady stream of “grey nomads” and caravaners from interstate.

“We’re certainly doing everything we can to prepare for that,” Leanne Brosnan, from the town’s progress association, said.

“With the squeeze on the cost of living in recent times, people are looking for inexpensive, simple experiences.

“That’s where your country towns, your pub meals and your beautiful art comes in.”

Guests enjoying the view of Thallon’s silo art. IMAGE: Laura Rigney Photography

Last weekend Thallon hosted “Grazing at the Watering Hole” – a “unique outback dining experience” with around 200 guests treated to a lavish meal under the stars, against the backdrop of the town’s impressive silo art.

“It’s really good for the other local businesses in town, with the start of the tourist season for Thallon,” Brosnan said.

“The caravan park gets lots of people coming out for the event so it’s really nice. We’ve got a lovely mix of 50 percent locals and 50 percent visitors.”

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Brosnan said the town was determined to build on the tourism momentum generated by the silo art when it was first unveiled back in 2017.

“That’s certainly why we started ‘Grazing at the Watering Hole’ – to literally show the silos in a different light,” she said.

“Now we’ve actually got them with some beautiful up-lighting that’s permanent and it’s on a timer and they will come on every night during the tourist season.”

Guests enjoying Grazing at the Watering Hole. IMAGE: Laura Rigney Photography

Tourism and Events Queensland launched the next stage of its $5 million “Queensland is Calling” campaign this week with a competition giving away five unique Queensland holidays over the next five weeks, including an Outback adventure and an escape to Granite Belt wine country.

Melbournians received a “Queensland is Calling” preview on Wednesday when three commuters won a Luxury Escapes holiday package by answering a specially branded pay phone (pictured below) when “Queensland” called.

Phone booths in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne have been branded for the campaign. IMAGE: Supplied

Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Patricia O’Callaghan said the campaign was about driving awareness and creating intrigue about the Queensland experiences that should be on everyone’s list.

“We wanted to find a way to make people stop and rethink Queensland,” O’Callaghan said.

“Travellers are spoilt for choice, so we’re ensuring Queensland remains front of mind as the world continues to open up with this campaign supporting the hidden tourism gems ready to be discovered.”

Applications closing soon for CS Energy sponsorships

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SPONSORED | CS ENERGY

THE team at CS Energy is encouraging local community groups to apply for Round 10 of its Community Sponsorship Program.

Our sponsorship program invests in projects that we believe will have a lasting, positive impact in the local communities that host our operations.

At CS Energy, we’re committed to investing in the regions that host our power stations to help build more vibrant, liveable communities. One way we do this is by providing community sponsorships to support projects, events or initiatives that benefit the local community.

We provide sponsorships in two funding rounds each financial year. Our sponsorships typically range from $1,000 to $20,000 and are awarded to projects that we believe will have a lasting, positive impact on the community.

Previous CS Energy Community Sponsorship Program recipients

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Since our community sponsorships program started in 2018, we’ve invested more than $400,000 on community sponsorships in the regions that host our operations.

CS Energy invites not-for-profit groups, schools or educational institutions, organisations, clubs, associations and charities to apply.

We also encourage applications for projects that advance outcomes for Indigenous Peoples and communities and improves understanding of Indigenous culture.

Your project or event must be located within the Western Downs or Banana Shire Regional Council areas.

Applications close 23 March. Find out if you are eligible and apply here today: https://www.csenergy.com.au/community/sponsorships