THE close knit south west Queensland community of Mungindi is in mourning following the tragic death of pilot Tom Grey, who was killed when the crop dusting plane he was flying crashed in a paddock near Chinchilla yesterday.
Mr Grey, aged in his early 30s, died at the scene after his aircraft crashed about 30km north east of Chinchilla on a property off Chinchilla-Wondai Rd about 12.20pm.
Australian Transport and Safety Bureau experts from Canberra and Forensic Crash Unit officers from Toowoomba are at the crash site today investigating the potential cause.
Chinchilla Police told the Caller a bird strike may have been what brought the plane down. A report will be prepared for the coroner following a full investigation.
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Tom Grey was originally from Mungindi and joined a Darling Downs based crop dusting business earlier this year
Mr Grey was an experienced crop dusting pilot, having spent six years working for the Mungindi and Meandarra based Precision Aerial before joining Cecil Plains based Smart Air Services earlier this year.
Charlie Tootell, Mr Grey’s former employer, described him as a “beautiful kid” who was a hard worker and popular among his peers.
“We’re just devastated. This guy was so popular with his young age group and peers,” Mr Tootell said.
Tom Grey has been remembered as a hard worker and a “fantastic” pilot
“I don’t know of a young fella who has touched so many people. It’s just devastating for our town. He had a huge work ethic, he was a fantastic pilot and just a great friend too. I’m distraught.
“I can’t say enough kind words about that kid.”
Mr Grey was a boarding alumnus from Toowoomba Grammar School and came from a well known and respected cropping family from Mungindi.
It’s understood he moved to the Darling Downs earlier this year for his employment.
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Investigators have said early indications suggest a bird strike may have cause Tom Grey’s plane to crash
THE male pilot of a cropdusting plane, believed to have been in his 30s, has died in a crash while working on a property at Canaga, about 30km north-east of Chinchilla this afternoon.
Paramedics were called by a member of the public to a property off Chinchilla-Wondai Rd following the crash about 12.20pm.
Emergency crews from Dalby and Chinchilla rushed to the crash site but were unable to revive the man, who died at the scene. He was the sole occupant of the plane.
Emergency crews were called to the scene by a members of the public about 12.20pm. IMAGE: Country Caller
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The Caller has been told the pilot was spraying herbicide over crops on a property owned by an international agricultural company when the plane crashed.
Wreckage of the light aircraft remains in an open paddock beside to T Akin Rd, which is lined with thick bushland.
Investigations are underway to determine how the crash occurred.
A Queensland Fire and Emergency Service spokesman said gas testing had been required to begin investigating and recovering the plane wreckage.
The plane crash site about 30km north-east of Chinchilla. IMAGE: 9 News Queensland
WHAT’S described by CS Energy as a routine “overhaul” is underway at the company’s Kogan Creek Power Station, creating work for about 450 additional contractors and bringing $3 million in flow-on benefits to the Western Downs.
The overhaul, or shutdown, will take place between now and early November, employing 450 contractors to carry out maintenance works on the 750MW coal-fired power station.
A CS Energy spokeswoman said in a statement the works would involve statutory inspections to ensure the plant was meeting operation requirements as well as general maintenance and upgrades.
“The power station is taken offline and then workers open up the various components of the power station (e.g. turbine, generator circuit breaker, boiler) for inspections and maintenance,” the statement said.
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“At the completion of the overhaul these components are closed up again, ready for the plant to generate electricity back into the grid.
“Overhauls are a major logistical exercise that involves months of planning and preparation with our contractors to ensure the necessary plant and equipment is delivered to site on time and that we have our contractor workforce lined up ready to carry out the works.”
CS Energy CEO Andrew Bills
CS Energy CEO Andrew Bills said the timing of the shutdown would ensure the power station would be in prime condition for summer.
“This overhaul will have a peak workforce of approximately 500 people, comprising up to 450 overhaul contractors and about 50 employees from the power station’s permanent workforce,” Mr Bills said.
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“The contractor workforce will primarily be drawn from the three major contractors – Downer Group, Intertek and Siemens, and there are local contractors involved too such as RIE Group, Healy Contracting Group, and Chinchilla Fluid Power.
“This will provide an economic boost to Chinchilla and Dalby, both from the extra workers onsite and the flow-on benefits to local service industries such as accommodation providers, caterers and transport companies.
The last overhaul at Kogan Creek happened in 2019.
The 750MW Kogan Creek Power Station on Queensland’s Western Downs. IMAGE: Supplied
THE first turbine foundation has been poured at the construction site of the $2 billion MacIntyre Wind Precinct, 60km west of Warwick on Queensland’s Southern Downs.
After three months of earthworks and ground preparation, concrete has begun to pour for 180 foundations that will support some of the most powerful onshore wind turbines in the world.
Once completed the MacIntyre Wind Precinct will be the largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere, generating 1,026MW of renewable electricity – enough power 700,000 homes.
Brett Wickham, managing director of ACCIONA Energía, said construction was proceeding “at full steam”, creating nearly 700 jobs and supporting “hundreds” of local businesses.
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“We’re extremely grateful for the support we’ve received from the local community as we build this transformational project,” Wickham (pictured) said.
“We’ve committed to procuring as much work as possible from local businesses so that the benefits are felt right throughout the community.”
He said the project was procuring $500 million in work from Queensland businesses for services including earthworks, transport, accommodation and engineering.
The “precinct” project will be made up of two wind farms – the 18 turbine Karara Wind Farm owned and operated by state-owned enterprise CleanCo, and the 162 turbine MacIntyre Wind Farm owned and operated by ACCIONA Energía.
CleanCo has a power purchase agreement for 400MW of the energy to be produced at the MacIntyre Wind Farm.
“This very significant project, the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere, will be vital to CleanCo growing its renewable portfolio and supporting the Queensland Government’s net zero goals,” CEO Tom Metcalfe said.
Artist impression of the MacIntyre Wind Farm
This year more than $100,000 has been awarded to 25 local organisations under ACCIONA’s Community Sponsorship program, aimed to support of projects that promote sustainable development, health and education or help address social disadvantage.
One of this year’s recipients, the Rural Doctors Foundation, was awarded $10,000 to purchase additional medihoods for local hospitals to protect healthcare workers against the spread of COVID19 and other infectious diseases.
“Rural Doctors Foundation covers rural and remote communities to help them improve their health,” Rural Doctors Foundation CEO Fran Avon (pictured) said..
“Thanks to the generosity of ACCIONA Energia we were able to provide Medihoods to the hospitals in Warwick and Millmerran.”
“These devices help prevent the transmission of infectious diseases, which is especially important in smaller rural healthcare facilities where the absence of a doctor or nurse due to illness could mean the closure of the hospital service.”
Applications for the 2023 sponsorship program will open in February.
A WANDOAN photography exhibition is showcasing images taken by locals growing their photography skills at a workshop run by the Wandoan Arts Council and delivered by Toowoomba photographer Syd Owen.
The exhibition’s opening at the Wandoan Library was attended by a small but enthusiastic audience because of rain related road closures.
It features 28 framed photographs which are a mix of portraiture and landscape shots taken during the day and at night together with some crystal ball photography.
Crystal ball photography uses a glass ball to capture a refracted image, giving the photographer a fresh perspective on a subject which may have already been photographed many times.
Sue Ryals and Jessica Crisp. IMAGE: Jacinta Cummins
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Wandoan Arts Council spokeswoman Chris Sinnamon said the workshop was the second photography workshop the Arts Council had run recently following excellent feedback after a two day aerial and drone photography workshop presented by Fiona Lake in November.
“There are lots of people interested in photography not only from Wandoan, but from further away and these workshops attract them here so it’s a win-win; we are getting a name for the events we host and bringing more people to town at the same time,” Chris said.
Wandoan has established itself as a mecca for rural photographers in recent years with the Wandoan Photo Challenge more popular than ever in 2022 with 257 entries compared to just 79 when it was first held in 2017.
All entries must be taken within a 100 kilometre radius of Wandoan as the crow flies with the competition designed to showcase the Wandoan region.
Layne Sinnamon and Sam Rathbone. IMAGE: Jacinta Cummins
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Tracee Hay and Tania Baker. IMAGE: Jacinta Cummins
This year it was a mix of locals and budding and professional photographers from Brisbane, Chinchilla and Condamine who shared in the $5,500 cash prize pool.
Hope Powne and Leesa Rathbone are the new Wandoan Photo Challenge coordinators and took the opportunity to announce the new categories for the 2023 competition on Friday night.
The categories will be “Faces”and”Places” and it is hoped they will inspire photographers to document local history as they capture people and places.
The Wandoan Arts Council Photography Exhibition is on at the Wandoan Library untilFriday, September 23 and entry is free.
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Brett Sinnamon and Craig Baker. IMAGE: Jacinta Cummins
OPERATORS of the controversial New Acland Coal Mine hope to reach a new workforce peak of about 600 when the project comes back online following the long awaited approval of its mining lease expansion.
New Hope Group has opened an online “expressions of interest” portal on the company website to begin what it expects to be a months long process of mass recruiting enough workers to rebuild and operate the mine outside Oakey.
Queensland Resources Minister Scott Stewart last month approved a mining lease for New Hope’s major Stage 3 expansion at Acland, giving the mine up to an extra 25 years of life.
“The news a couple of weeks ago was really exciting,” New Acland Mine general manager Dave O’Dwyer told a press conference in Toowoomba today.
“The water licence is the last key approval that we need to get going out at Acland and start on the Stage 3 expansion.
New Acland Mine general manager Dave O’Dwyer with Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise CEO Ali Davenport
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“We’ve been working with the department for a long time on that, a lot of data has been produced, there’s been a lot of modelling done that’s been peer reviewed by numerous parties and the department themselves.
“We’re quite confident that the licence will be forthcoming and we’re working with the minister’s department at the moment to make sure that happens.
“In the meantime we’re going to kick off expressions of interest for jobs and for potential suppliers for the New Acland Mine and the associated capital works that will be going on with the expansion.
“There’ll be all sorts of jobs. We’re looking for everything. We currently have 20 people out on site in the care and maintenance crew and we need to rebuild an extra workforce.
The Stage 3 expansion area at Acland has enough coal supply for operations to continue for 10 to 15 years
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“There’ll be operators, maintainers, engineers, geologists, admin staff, safety professionals, so all sorts of jobs.”
O’Dwyer said that while the new mining lease allowed New Hope 25 years mine the Stage 3 tenement area, it was expected there was coal supply for another 10 to 15 years of operation.
“The approvals that we have allow us to go a larger operation, which would be 400 employees. There’s a lot of work to do during constructions so that would see a workforce of around 600 people during construction,” he said.
Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise CEO Ali Davenport added: “Hopefully we get this associated water licence, which will mean that Oakey has a huge new lease on life for their workforce”.
QUEENSLAND company Renewable Energy Partners (REP) has announced plans to build a 500MW wind farm near Wandoan on Queensland’s Western Downs.
The project will comprise 96 wind turbines across a 14,000ha site, making it one of the largest wind farms under development in the Western Downs region.
REP CEO Luke McDonald said: “We are excited to be developing another large scale renewable energy project in the Western Downs region of Queensland”.
“Having received strong support from both the Queensland government and the Western Downs Council for our other renewable energy projects in the area, we are encouraged to support the Western Downs region becoming the renewable energy powerhouse of Australia,” he said.
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The project is expected to create 250 jobs during construction and up to 22 jobs during ongoing operations.
A REP media release said the the wind farm would reduce 1.1 million tonnes of CO2 being discharged into the atmosphere each year and power up to 172,000 homes.
“Working with the key stakeholders on the project will be key to its success,” McDonald said.
“Given all of the CSG (coal seam gas) activity around Wandoan, working with the CSG companies on a layout of the wind farm that meets the operating requirements of the landowners, the communities expectations and is complementary to the existing gas infrastructure is our focus.
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“Allowing landowners to receive multiple income streams from both CSG and renewable energy related activities and giving back to the local community is a win-win for everyone involved’.
The Wandoan project will REP’s fourth wind farm project in Queensland, alongside the 500MW Wambo wind farm being co-developed with Cubico, the 900MW Proserpine wind farm, the 500MW Karma wind farm and the 500MW Eungella wind farm associated with the Bowen Renewable Energy Hub.
REP said it was also considering building a solar power system and storage battery within the project area during the feasibility phase of the wind project.
NEXT FRIDAY nominations will close for a unique and prestigious journalism award presented by the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAG), the peak body representing local councils across our state.
Now in its eleventh year, the LGAQ Journalism Award is given to regional journalists who demonstrate excellence in their craft through rigorous reporting and analysis of government and business decisions affecting Queensland communities.
Entry is free and the prize for the winner is some $15,000 in cash, making it one of the most lucrative awards in Australian journalism.
Incidentally, the award in 2021 was given to myself, having nominated a variety of five stories published via the Country Caller over the previous year.
Other past winners of the award include some great colleagues of mine, Queensland Country Life journalist Sally Gall and The North West Star editor Derek Barry.
Receiving the Bean Lockyer Ticehurst Award from LGAQ president Mark Jamieson
Needless to say the incredibly generous prize was greatly appreciated, and it’s been a huge help in continuing my mission of providing high quality news and analysis for regional Queenslanders.
But not only has the monetary injection been of great benefit, winning the award has also introduced me to many of the wonderful folks who make up Queensland’s local government industry.
Travelling to Mackay in October last year to receive the award at the LGAQ Annual Conference was a terrific networking opportunity that’s served me well ever since.
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The LGAQ comprises a great team of people who advocate on behalf of councils.
They open channels of communication between councils so that they can better share ideas and knowledge of how service delivery can be improved for local communities far and wide.
The fact that the LGAQ allocates $15,000 of its budget each year to invest in regional and rural news demonstrates the organisation’s understanding that it’s absolutely crucial quality journalism functions outside our metropolitan areas.
John Bean, Gary Ticehurst and Paul Lockyer. IMAGE: ABC
The LGAQ Journalism Award is officially titled the Bean Lockyer Ticehurst Award, named in honour of ABC news cameraman John Bean, reporter Paul Lockyer and pilot Gary Ticehurst, who were tragically killed in a helicopter crash while filming at Lake Eyre in August 2011.
LGAQ chief executive officer Alison Smith said the three were a pioneering storytelling team, popular and respected throughout the regional communities where they did their best work.
“Their tragic deaths sparked dismay in regional leaders who understood the huge contribution they made to ensuring regional Queensland was given a voice, locally and in the offices of decision-makers in the city,” Ms Smith said.
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“The LGAQ commemorates John, Paul and Gary with this annual award, and to encourage journalists to adopt the doggedness and professionalism for which they were renowned.”
The award is open to print, television/video, online and radio, with judging criteria including newsworthiness, incisiveness, public benefit, and impact on the understanding of the issues and challenges facing regional Queensland.
Entries close next Friday, September 16, and the winner will be announced at the LGAQ’s Annual Conference in Cairns in October.
I encourage all journalists battling in the bush to have belief in their work, and to put forward a nomination of their own. CLICK HERE for more information.
ORGANISERS of a charity ball aimed to support breast cancer patients and survivors has criticised what have been described as sexist comments made at the event by the master of ceremonies, Toowoomba deputy mayor Geoff McDonald.
Chair and president Dr Sharyn Donaldson wrote an open letter on behalf of the Blush Cancer Care Board saying members were “extremely disappointed” by remarks Cr McDonald made to the hundreds attending the Hutches Blush Ball at Toowoomba’s Empire Theatre on Saturday.
“As the Chairperson of an organisation that works hard to support women and men with breast cancer and their families, I’d like to personally assure you that our charity did not authorise and does not condone the comments made by the MC on the night,” Dr Donaldson wrote.
“The comments were inappropriate and we are concerned about the impact that these unscripted words have had on our valued supporters and the broader community.
“We are extremely disappointed that the comments, and the associated commentary, have overshadowed what was otherwise an incredibly empowering, encouraging, uplifting and heartfelt evening, filled with emotion, vulnerability and support.”
Facebook post by Cr McDonald regarding the Hutchies Blush Ball
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Cr McDonald had been called out in a media released published Tuesday by prominent Toowoomba businesswoman Sharné Lategan, an attendee at the ball, who said the comments he made “under the guise of humour” were “sexist, demeaning and totally inappropriate”.
Ms Lategan’s statement said” “Geoff made two separate statements on two separate occasions throughout the night that (a particular guest at the event) would:
Be pleased to assist the women in attendance during the night with this task (of checking their breasts); and
Be ready to meet the women in attendance during the night in the cubby house (a beautiful cubby house built … as an auction item to raise funds for this worthy cause) to assist them with the task of checking their breasts.”
The statement continued: “These statements are belittling, oppressive and sexist. It goes directly against what the event was all about.”
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“I personally refuse to accept we live in an era and in a city where a person of that stature and prominence can publicly say such disgraceful, demeaning and sexist statements (never mind at an event that is all about empowering and supporting breast cancer and the women [and men]) impacted.”
Cr McDonald told the Caller this week he apologised to anyone who took offence from the comments but doubled down on what he said was the point he tried to make.
“Under no circumstances whatsoever was it to be seen as derogatory or cause any distress, and for that I unreservedly apologise if that has happened,” he said.
“But I certainly want to double down on the reasons that I did that, which was to reinforce the message to get your breasts checked.
“The feedback I’ve had from organisers is that it wasn’t offensive and it reinforced the message, and that was the intent.”
Cr Mcdonald’s Toowoomba Regional Council colleague, councillor Rebecca Von Hoff (pictured), also took issue with the incident, saying the attempted humour while discussing the serious health matter of breast checks was inappropriate.
“Having had to have one last week, I know the radiographers, surgeons and so on who do them are professionals who perform them in medical settings – not cubby houses by people who aren’t highly trained,” she said.
GOONDIWINDI Polo Club is celebrating the return of its annual bush polo event on Saturday September 24 following a two-year hiatus caused by the pandemic.
The club missed out on celebrating its 110-year anniversary in 2021 after an eleventh hour forced cancellation, but it plans to mark the occasion on its return this year.
The renowned polo club was first formed 1911 and famously hosted Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh, during a tour of Australia for an exhibition match in 1968.
Vice President Andrew Coulton said: “It was such an honour for the Duke to show an interest in a small bush polo club and it really helped in putting the club on the map to the rest of the country”.
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RH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (centre), on top of the secretarys office at the Goondiwindi Polo fields, with Dick Doolin to his left and Sinclair Hill to his right in 1968. IMAGE: Doolin family archives.
Alongside royal interest, the club is also well respected and supported by the Australian polo community. Each year the renowned Ellerston Polo Club located in the Packer private estate send a team to the event.
During its long history, the club has brought the community together on the sporting field, while generating a social event which continues to bring crowds to the region.
“It’s really become a unique event on the bush polo circuit offering great quality polo games from teams throughout Queensland and New South Wales, while also providing a great atmosphere with plenty of delicious food and some great entertainment,” Coulton said.
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Crowds will be treated to a full day of polo action, country hospitality, live music, bon fire and the signature lunch event. Grazing at the Polo will offer a unique experience that will celebrate local produce from around the region.
Organiser Elizabeth Africano said: “We are so spoilt when it comes to producers throughout the Goondiwindi region and the lunch provides the perfect opportunity to hero these products, while also offering a beautiful lunch event for attendees.”
