The Country Caller

Hundreds hear Murilla’s message of women’s wellness

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By JACINTA CUMMINS | SPONSORED

THE Murilla Community Centre’s seventh Women’s Wellness Day drew around 200 women, volunteers and stallholders, from the Miles area right through to Dalby, Goondiwindi, Chinchilla, Wandoan and Roma.

Murilla Community Centre’s Cecily Brockhurst said the event’s success was the result of hours of behind-the-scenes work by staff and volunteers as well as generous support from major sponsors Senex Energy and Jemena.

“Today is about celebrating local women and giving them time to stop and just be present,” Cecily said.

“Women are often so busy juggling multiple roles from raising children and caring for elderly family members or friends to working on the land or in town to volunteering for local organisations or events, that they rarely get time for themselves.

“As the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup, so this is about allowing them to fill their own cups and just enjoy each other’s company.”

SLIDESHOW – Images by Jacinta Cummins

Anthea Green, Anthea Howe and Mandy Taylor
Dina McTigue, Condamine with Tiffani and Miley Nothdurft, Dalby
One of the models in the Lisa Kennedy fashion parade
Kath McUtchen, Lifeline Dalby and Pauline Hair, Chinchilla
Pam Kuhn of Miles with Laurel McKellar and Annette Bell, both of Drillham
Cecily Brockhurst with Katrina MacDonald from Roma
Chinchilla’s Jo Bender, Tess Bourke, Vicki Bock and Natalie Daggar

Moonie’s Benita Bensch spoke about her journey of being an overachiever and constantly raising expectations for herself and presenting that she “had it all” while she was amidst an unseen battle of inner chaos.

She said this is a common scenario for many women, especially those in rural areas.

Benita shared her experiences from struggling to conceive to becoming a mother and outwardly nailing motherhood before realising she was on autopilot and not present in day-to-day life.

But her key message was inspiring.

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“We grow up telling ourselves stories and we have beliefs entrenched from our early childhood about what is right or wrong and this self-talk can have a huge influence on our day-to-day lives,” Benita said.

“Often we don’t even realise the stories we are telling ourselves but we have the power to edit them and with work and time we can do this to create better outcomes.

“We so often look at the physical aspect of wellness, but it is the work that we do on our mental, emotional and spiritual health which most dictates our physical health.

“At the end of the day, we need to be compassionate to ourselves and aim for progress rather than perfection.”

SLIDESHOW – Images by Jacinta Cummins

Kate Bradley, Murilla Community Centre and Breanna Kirk, Chinchilla Community Centre
Senex Energy Community Relations Manager Trevor Robertson with guest speaker Benita Bensch
Delena Weldon and Barb Gray catch up at the Women’s Wellness Day in Miles
Sonia Morgan and Lisa Kennedy
Phoebe Nothdurft with her little sister Miley
Daphne Smith, Beth Crook and Noreen Bourne
Senex Energy Community Relations Manager Trevor Robertson with Jemena’s Stephen Coghlan

The women enjoyed lunch and were able to browse both community service and shopping stalls, but the highlight for many was a fashion parade by Lisa Kennedy Collections with a contingent of Condamine ladies modelling clothes selected with the lifestyle of rural women in mind.

The Queensland Country Women’s Association’s (QCWA) Country Kitchens also demonstrated simple yet effective ways for people to incorporate healthier options into their diet as part of a better lifestyle.

Senex Energy community relations manager Trevor Robertson presented on Senex’s $1 billion investment to expand its Atlas and Roma North natural gas developments in the Surat Basin.

The expansion will boost Senex’s gas production to 60 petajoules (PJ) a year; which is about 40 per cent of Queensland’s annual domestic gas requirements. Importantly, it will also inject more than $200 million into local businesses and regional areas to continue supporting events like this one.

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SLIDESHOW – Images by Jacinta Cummins

Susan Gale and Tianne Clarke busy prepping for the Queensland Country Women’s Association’s (QCWA) Country Kitchens demonstration
Kylie Drury modelling in the fashion parade
Senex Energy Community Relations Manager Trevor Robertson and Jemena’s Stephen Coghlan with Murilla Community Centre’s Cecily Brockhurst
Senex Energy Community Relations Manager Trevor Robertson, WDRC Councillor Kylie Bourne, Murilla Community Centre volunteer Mary Cook and Jemena’s Stephe
Bryanna Coleman, Miles, Kylie De Briais Backer, Chinchilla and Mandy Ambrose, Goondiwindi
Sue Newton and Kaye Bock, Chinchilla
Mother and daughter Kate and Olivia Drury

“Senex is committed to long-term community partnerships that promote vibrant and sustainable communities and we are delighted to again support the Women’s Wellness Day,” Trevor said.

“As one of the few men brave enough to attend today, it’s wonderful to see this event giving women time to stop, recharge and enjoy themselves.”

Stephen Coghlan is a commercial manager for Gas Markets with Jemena and travelled up from Melbourne to speak about the company’s long-term commitment to the area.

“Jemena plays a key role in the resource industry as owners and operators of open access infrastructure in the area and as part of this, the company is here for the long term and wants to give back to the region,” he said.

Just like the resource companies which power our industry and communities, the Women’s Wellness Day reinvigorated and reenergised many local women to continue their valuable role in their families, businesses and the community.

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SLIDESHOW – Images by Jacinta Cummins

Ann Gibbons and Mary Morgan
Bronwyn Howard and Sonia Sheehan
Guest speaker Benita Bensch and Sarah Conway, both of Moonie
Phoebe Nothdurft with her little sister Miley
Cecily Brockhurst with Katrina MacDonald from Roma
Kylie Drury with her granddaughter Olivia Drury and daughter-in-law Kate Drury

Deputy Mayor’s “sexism” as breast cancer ball MC

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By HARRY CLARKE

THE deputy mayor of Toowoomba Regional Council has been accused of making sexist remarks while carrying out Master of Ceremonies duties at a gala charity event aimed to highlight the cause of breast cancer treatment and awareness.

Councillor Geoff McDonald was the MC at the annual Hutchies Blush Ball held Saturday night at Toowoomba’s Empire Theatre, where hundreds gathered to raise money to support breast cancer patients.

Following an impassioned speech by a breast cancer surviver, Cr McDonald has been accused by a prominent Toowoomba businesswoman of making comments “under the guise of humour” that were “sexist, demeaning and totally inappropriate”.

Facebook post by Cr McDonald regarding the Hutchies Blush Ball

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In a statement to media, Enterprise Legal director Sharné Lategan (pictured) said the otherwise “heartfelt, empowering and beautiful” event was marred by two comments made by Cr McDonald towards the end of the night.

Ms Lategan’s statement said: “Followed by the last speaker and current survivor of stage 3 breast cancer’s passionate, moving and encouraging story and subsequent plea to make sure women check their breasts regularly for any abnormalities no matter their age or history, 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. Instead of empowering the women in attendance through fostering and creating a safe space for them to talk about the most intimate and vulnerable topic … Geoff chose on two separate occasions to minimise, to patronise and to foster the stereotypes, behaviours and attitudes that have no place at such a beautiful event, in our society or our city”.

“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”.

Facebook post by Cr McDonald regarding the Hutchies Blush Ball

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Toowoomba Councillor Rebecca Vonhoff (pictured) has also weighed in on the incident, telling The Chronicle: “Breast checks are health procedures. There’s nothing sexual about them”.

“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.

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Speaking to the Caller, Cr McDonald said he believed the matter had “got a bit carried away” and apologised for offence cause, 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.

“I’m pleased that someone has spoken up about it, because I’ll certainly take that on board and learn from it.”

He also told The Chronicle: “Whoever has put this in, they need to go to the prostate lunch and listen to the comments there.

“I thank the people for bringing it forward.”

Mr McDonald rejected that his comments were sexist, but said “if that has meant that to those persons, I apologise”, adding “it was to build on the emotive message of a young woman who has been diagnosed with cancer (in her early 20s)”.

Team of “robots” wins third straight grand final

COUNTRY CALLER FOOTBALL COVERAGE SPONSORED BY INTURA

By HARRY CLARKE

THERE was a moment in about the 60th minute of Sunday’s grand final when any hopes of an upset Mitchell Magpies victory were put to bed, and when spectators were left wondering how and when any club will mount a realistic chance of toppling the sublime Roma Cities from their dominating reign over the south western rugby league competition.

Cities centre Tom Barron had already broken a longstanding 10-14 deadlock earlier in the second half when he pounced on a loose ball under the posts to give his side a 10-point lead.

But the Magpies weren’t giving up, and in that 60th minute were mounting an enthusiastic approach towards the try line which might have kept their premiership hopes alive when Roma’s class suddenly broke the hearts of Mitchell supporters.

Roma Cities prop Cooper Dingle races away to set up the key winning try over Mitchell. IMAGE: Malcolm Waldron

Prop Cooper Dingle produced a thumping charge down and regather before sprinting away, finding his captain Tom Packer on the inside as Mitchell fullback Les Wortley ran the front rower down.

And when Packer didn’t quite have the legs either, halfback Cameron Bartley was there in support to receive the offload and score under the posts to put their third consecutive premiership beyond doubt.

“It was just sensational. He (Dingle) has broken all the prop rules,” Cities coach Peter Cherry said after the game.

“They’ve got trust and belief in each other. They know that the bloke beside them is not going to let them down, and they’re not going to let the bloke next to them down.

“It’s their hard work and commitment that showed today. It’s their commitment, their teamwork – just their faith and belief in each other.

“I’m always edgy in a coaching position but I knew the grind was going to happen and that they’d get out on top.”

Magpies were genuine contenders throughout that “grind” period, and there was palpable belief among the hundreds of Mitchell locals who travelled east for game that they might witness their team win its first title in two decades.

Halfback and five-eighth combination, coach Thomas Kennedy and captain Ollie Peak, lead from the front, while second rower Will Jones and hooker Isaac Page put up their typically formidable defence.

But it will require a better drilled team with greater depth across the park to finally beat the Cities team of “robots”, as Peak described them, who know and perform their roles with such consistency that they’ve been undefeated since the first round of 2021.

Roma ultimately ran away to record a 38-10 grand final victory.

Cities five-eight Alex Coonan spreads the ball. IMAGE: Malcolm Waldron

COUNTRY CALLER FOOTBALL COVERAGE SPONSORED BY INTURA

“This game 16 years in the making, so it’s a pretty special bunch of of boys coming through in the past five or so years or so,” said Peak, referring to the last time Mitchell played in a grand final.

“We’ve been building and building. Sometimes it takes a loss to win one, so we’ll see you back here next year. But I couldn’t be more proud of the team today.”

In Reserve-grade the Taroom Wandoan Battlers won their second consecutive grand final and minor premiership, overcoming Roma Cities who’ve been the only team to beat them over the past two seasons.

Captain Clancy Stanford and try scorer Cody Steadman were among the forwards who continually wore down the opposition.

Wallumbilla Under-18s captain Matt York was named best and fairest in the competition.

Stanford’s brother, fullback Sam Stanford, had a standout performance with two tries. He nearly scored three tries but for the fact his toenail grazed the touch line as he screamed away to score at the start of the game.

Veteran playmaker Jim Conway was awarded best and fairest in the Reserve-grade competition.

“Cities gave it to us today. It was ripper of a game,” Clancy Stanford said.

“We just wanted to keep it simple, play through the middle, complete our sets and earn the right to go wide or kick. It’s great to win two premierships in a row.”

The Under-18s premiership was won by the Wallumbilla Red Bulls, who racked up 40 points to beat St George, while St George beat the Red Bulls in a nail-biter in Under-16s.

St George celebrates their grand final victory over Wallumbilla. IMAGE: Supplied

Government approves Acland coal mine expansion

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By HARRY CLARKE

FIFTEEN years after New Hope Group first sought approval for the expansion of its open cut coal mine at Acland near Oakey on Queensland’s Darling Downs, the state government approved the company’s mining lease.

In a statement released this afternoon Resources Minister Scott Stewart said “after careful consideration I have approved the mining leases for stage three of the New Acland project.”

“The project also requires an associated water licence from the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water.”

The major development comes after the Land Court in January recommended the state government granted New Hope’s application to expand into Stage 3 of the $900 million Acland project.

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The decision follows more than a decade of litigation, including in the High Court, as the project was challenged by environmentalist and landholders concerned over the mine’s impacts on groundwater.

New Hope general manager Dave O’Dwyer said the “historic” development followed eight months of consultation between the company and key stakeholders, and meant that Water Minister Glen Butcher “can now grant” the associated water licence.

“The granting of New Acland Stage 3’s Mining Leases is a watershed moment in the long running approvals process,” O’Dwyer said.

“Minister Stewart’s decision to grant New Acland Stage 3 its Mining Leases is proof the Queensland Government believes the project makes sense environmentally, socially and financially.”

New Hope fears its Stage 3 expansion could be further delayed by objectors utilising the court system to engage in ‘lawfare’. IMAGE: Supplied

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In a statement to shareholders the company said it had begun preparations to resume mining operations and that the State Government approval was “very welcome and long awaited news”.

“New Hope and the local communities around Acland and Oakey are now only one step away from restarting the New Acland mine where there has been mining activity for over 100 years,” said New Hope chair, Robert Millner.

“New Acland Stage 3 stacks up environmentally, socially and financially and is consistent with and delivers on the recently released and extensive Queensland Government Resources Industry Development Plan.”

“Unfortunately after 15 years of seeking approvals, New Hope remains at risk of ongoing delays caused by objectors utilising the court system to engage in ‘lawfare’ to slow down the approval process, regardless of the merits.

“We are hopeful that the Queensland Government can see a way to finally approve New Acland State 3 with certainty to secure jobs in the region and significant economic benefits for Queensland.”

Visitors “blown away” by size of country town gym

By HARRY CLARKE | SPONSORED

A STATE of the art health and fitness gym in the heart of the Western Downs is bucking seasonal trends, having this year maintained steady growth in membership throughout the traditionally quieter Winter period.

Max Fitness, on the Warrego Highway in Chinchilla, is now edging close to some 900 members who are routinely making the most of its top of the range facilities and huge floor space not heard of in rural areas.

“More and more, people are realising the mental health benefits of regular exercise, and the stigma is being broken that gyms are places just for hulking weightlifters,” said Max Fitness manager, Tamara Pitt.

“What’s giving us a lot of joy is the number of older people who are signing up for classes, seeing them enjoy it and seeing what they’re getting out of it.”

Owned by a former recreational bodybuilder and run by a team of expert exercise professionals and personal trainers, Max Fitness boasts 1,000sqm of floor space and a 24hr operational period suited to the modern lifestyle and workforce.

Pitt said population growth experienced across the Western Downs over recent years had been reflected in the profile and volume of clients taking out memberships and making the most of the exercise classes on offer.

“Nowadays so many people aren’t working 9-5 – it’s all shift work – so being open 24 hours a day is really convenient for the workforce that we have in this area,” she said.

“The hours people work are very different, so we’ve got to be able to offer something for everyone – all ages and demographics.

As well as free weights and cable lifting machines, Max Fitness provides a range of cardio and circuit equipment

“And it’s massive. A lot of out-of-town workers who come in are blown away by how big this facility is for a country town.

“Obviously there are lots of fly-in-fly-out workers but the bulk of our members are locals, and more and more its the locals who are signing up.”

As well as the best in traditional free weights and cable weight machines, Max Fitness has a full range of cardio and circuit equipment, as well the expertise to help clients make the most of its facilities.

There are two saunas, a creche for youngsters which opens for two hours every Monday to Friday, and a designated ladies-only room to help women adopt their exercise routines in a comfortable environment.

Max Fitness boasts 1,000sqm of floor place and two levels with top of the range fitness equipment

“We have two classes every day and one class on Saturday, and there’s an average of 500-600 people every month,” Pitt said.

“I’ve added a senior class for over 50s and that’s become popular straight away. We have ladies in their 70s and men in their 80s, and they love it.

“It’s a social gathering. They come and exercise and then go for coffee. A lot of them didn’t even know each other, but now it’s a different group of people getting together.

“Our classes are a mixture of strength, cardio and circuit classes for all ages and all levels of fitness.

“It doesn’t matter which class you do – anyone at any age or level of fitness can do it.”

Six qualified personal trainers are on hand to assist with exercise routines

Max Fitness stocks a range of health supplements

Memberships for Max Fitness are $19.95 per week and become cheaper with lock in contracts or by paying up front for longer periods. Members receive an electronic key ring tag which gives access to the gym 24 hours per day, seven days a week.

Max Fitness was acquired by local businessman Josh Hardimon in 2017 and tripled in size in 2019 when it was relocated to its current location at the western end of the Warrego Highway in Chinchilla.

Pitt, who spent 10 years early in her career working as a strapper for the Queensland State of Origin team, said the team was proud of the service it was providing to the wider community.

“We’re lucky because this is Josh’s passion. He loves what the gym can do for you and your mental health,” she said.

“The main message we want to put out there is that this gym is for the whole community.

“It was built for anyone and everyone, and we want people to experience how great regular gym exercise makes you feel.”

Max Fitness manager Tamara Pitt with Johnathan Thurston in 2009 during her days with the Queensland Maroons camp

EXCLUSIVE: Kiwi charged over $300k NDIS fraud

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By HARRY CLARKE

A NEW ZEALAND national living in rural Queensland has been charged with defrauding the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) of more than $300,000, the Caller can reveal.

Police allege that the 47-year-old woman, who resides in the tiny town of Brigalow on Queensland’s Western Downs, routinely claimed payments from the Federal Government’s disability support service despite not providing care to patients.

It’s understood police believe the woman fraudulently claimed payments for well over 20 patients, raking in upwards of $300,000 over the offending period.

Police allege that in some cases she provided genuine disability care but ‘over claimed’ in payments from the NDIS.

The patients reside in widespread locations between Far North Queensland and Victoria.

The alleged fraudster (right) is a New Zealand national living in the Queensland town of Brigalow

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She was charged in Dalby today following a protracted investigation by the Queensland Police Service and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).

She is due to appear in court next month. Investigations are continuing.

The woman operated from a shop front on the Warrego Highway in Chinchilla (pictured above), which was emblazoned with a sticker saying “I love NDIS”.

The premises is now occupied by another tenant.

She also took to Chinchilla’s community Facebook page last year to spruik an “initiative to keep some of our disabled people in a job with their NDIS funding”.

The NDIS is expected to release a statement about the charges today containing comments from NDIS Minister Bill Shorten.

A Facebook post last year by the alleged NDIS fraudster

Footy finalists to fight until they’re black and blue

COUNTRY CALLER FOOTBALL COVERAGE SPONSORED BY INTURA

By HARRY CLARKE

MITCHELL in south west Queensland could well become a ghost town on Sunday as the community inevitably flocks to Roma to watch its local A-grade footy team play its first grand final for 16 years.

The mighty Mitchell Magpies produced an upset in the semis over the weekend, holding out a relentless attack from the Wallumbilla Surat Red Bulls to secure a 22-14 victory.

The win pits Mitchell in the big dance against Roma Cities, the south western rugby league premiers who’ve remained undefeated since the first round of 2021.

“It’s 80 minutes of A-grade footy, another job to do. We know how to do it, and we know we can do it,” Magpies captain Ollie Peak told the Caller.

Mitchell Magpies prop Tom Dawson in one of countless hit-ups on Sunday

The semi final on Sunday was a classic bush footy grind. Injuries on both sides depleted interchange benches, to the point where worn out and limping players had to start returning to the field just to keep full sides on the park.

Star Wallumbilla front rowers Kurt Rowbotham and John Russo had given the Red Bulls momentum all season, but a huge defensive effort by Mitchell managed to put the whole opposition forward pack on the back foot for much of game.

Mitchell prop Matt Newton charged over for try early in the second half to put his team slightly in front, but the game remained in the balance until captain and halfback Tom Kennedy dived through the defensive line to score the match winner with 9 minutes left on the clock.

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“It was a grind,” Peak said.

“We’ve found our line speed in the last few weeks and put the pressure on today to turn our defence into attack. If we get that defence right, the attack comes with it.

“It was definitely a defensive game. We knew that they had a bigger forward pack. We had to pick and chose and just chop them when we had to.”

Mitchell halfback at captain Tom Kennedy charges through for the match winning try

It’s been 20 years since the Magpies lifted the A-grade premiership trophy and they’ll have a huge mountain to climb to do it again as underdogs this weekend.

Seeing the Roma Cities spine take control of a game gives the appearance of a professional football team and they have seasoned try scorers all across the park.

But for all the finesse, Cities captain Tom Packer said the team would be focussing on three simple things during training this week.

“We just have to hold the ball, tackle well and keep backing up for our mates,” Packer said.

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“It’s always exciting to be in the grand final. It’s what you play footy for – to win the grand final. We play for it all year and it’s exciting that it’s finally come around.

“Mitchell played really well today. They had a lot of field position and were able to shift the ball well. Some of their more influential players really stood up and I thought that was the difference. We’re looking forward to the game on Sunday.”

Mapgies celebrate becoming grand finalist after the final siren

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Bulldogs pipped at the post in Reserve-grade nail-biter

A LATE season surge by Chinchilla’s Reserve-grade side came crashing down in the dying minutes of Sunday’s semi final, as Cities flyer Connor Lacey shot away from a Bulldogs defender and ran home to put his side two points in front.

Roma looked the better team when they put 12 points on Chinchilla throughout the first 40 minutes, but the Bulldogs rallied during the break to produce three tries and bring their grand final campaign back on track.

Both sides will be regretting a handful of clumsy errors which could have tipped the game in either favour, but the Bulldogs’ pressure of defending their line for several consecutive sets eventually broke to hand Cities a 16-14 win.

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“She was hard out there,” said Roma captain Jett Hicks.

“Chinchilla’s a good side. We watched them last weekend in the finals and we knew they were going to be tough. It’s good to get a two point win over them.

“I never lost faith. I remember a story about Ricky Stuart. The Australian team threw an intercept try back in the day and they were about to lose, but they had a seven minute set that they used to do at training and they ended up beating them.

“I looked at the clock today and saw there were six minutes left, so I knew that was plenty of time.

“I was pretty excited when he (Lacey) broke the tackle. I knew he had pace to burn and when I saw him coming at the fullback I was just hoping he’d have him beaten.”

Roma will take on reigning premiers, the Taroom Wandoan Battlers, in the grand final.

Bulldogs winger Benji Sheppy looks for space in the Reserve-grade semi

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It would be brave betting money against St George’s Under-18 team after watching their comprehensive victory over Chinchilla in the semi final.

The Bulldogs put up a gutsy effort and despite a surge in points during the second half, the guys in green were no match for a well drilled and highly physical St George outfit.

Proud coach Jaiden Davis said there’d be confidence at training among the squad this week ahead of their grand final against the Wallumbilla Surat Red Bulls.

“We’ve got a lot of talent across the board, we’ve just needed a bit of discipline in key areas. We’ve fixed up a lot of the those one-percenters over the last few weeks,” Davis said.

“Hopefully we can hold our defensive line, push together and push for one another, and we’ll come out on top.”

St George prop racks up another four-pointer against Chinchilla Under-18s

Council landfill converted to biogas energy in Qld first

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By BOB PRITCHARD

TOOWOOMBA Regional Council (TRC) will reduce its methane emissions by around three million cubic metres a year and produce about $3 million worth of carbon credits over seven years when the biogas electricity generating plant at Wetaller Water Reclamation Facility begins operating in mid-September.

In a first for Queensland, methane recovered from the 40 hectare Waste Management Centre landfill site next door is being piped to the electricity generator installed by LGI Limited (LGI) at Wetaller, which will provide up to 70% of the power required to operate the Water Reclamation Facility.

Cr Nancy Sommerfield, Portfolio Leader – Water and Waste Committee Toowoomba Regional Council, said it was exciting to see the project about to start operating after almost three years of research, planning and building.

“This is a win-win for Toowoomba, for Queensland, and for the environment,” Cr Sommerfield said.

“We are significantly reducing our methane emissions and at the same time reducing the electricity from the grid needed to run Wetaller, one of Council’s highest energy users,” she said.

LGI electricity generator will provide up to 70% of the power required to operate the Water Reclamation Facility. IMAGE: Supplied

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Adam Bloomer, founder and CEO of Queensland based LGI, said this was the first time his company had entered into a behind-the-meter contract where the Council provides the biogas, LGI provides the generator, and the Council buys the power produced.

Mr Bloomer said TRC was a leading example of what could be achieved when councils embraced green initiatives and implemented environmentally responsible and sustainable practices.

He said testing at the landfill site over the past two years had shown the site producing around 7.3million cubic metres of recoverable methane, some of which had been burned in flares, and had helped the Council reduce carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 69,000 tonnes.

“To put that number into context, it’s the equivalent of planting 1.2 million seedlings for the next decade,” he said.

“This is sufficient gas production to power a 1Mw generator now. In the future we may be able to add capacity by installing batteries, recovering more gas or both.”

This will be the first time LGI enters into a behind-the-meter contract where the Council provides the biogas, LGI provides the generator, and the Council buys the power produced.

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He estimated up to $10million capital expenditure would be needed at the site over the 25-year life of LGI’s contract with the Council.

“In addition to TRC, we are also helping councils in Gladstone, Bundaberg, Maryborough, Gympie, Moreton Bay and Brisbane capture biogas, decrease emissions and reduce their carbon footprint,” he said.

“At seven of our landfill project sites, we are currently producing more than 87,500MWh annually. That’s enough to power approximately 15,000 homes for a year.”

Funding for this project comes from the Federal Government Emissions Reduction Fund for the carbon abatement achieved through this contract.

The Global Monitoring Laboratory of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates that waste landfill sites around the world contribute about 16% of atmospheric methane produced by human activities.

Champion bronc rider gets hitched in rodeo arena

RODEO COVERAGE SPONSORED BY BOB KATTER

By HARRY CLARKE

IN A love story which could be described as a match made in the rodeo arena, champion bronc rider Fred Osman and his family’s one time jillaroo employee, Canadian cowgirl Kyla Dolen, have married on the hallowed red dirt of Buchanan Park.

And barely an hour later, a fairytale finish came for Osman when he won the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo bareback bronc title, remarkably for the fifth time.

The surreal image Kyla Dolen, his bride, striding onto the arena in a wedding dress was a delightful surprise to the thousands of spectators who turned out to watch Sunday’s rodeo finals.

Little did they realise when they arrived they’d be witnessing one of the sport’s modern legends marry his sweetheart, as Osman’s cowboy colleagues formed a guard of honour in the centre of the arena.

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Newlyweds Fred and Kyla Osman at the rodeo arena altar. IMAGE Pete Wallace

“It was actually Kyla’s idea to get married here,” Osman said told the Caller.

“Mount Isa has always been very special to me and we thought it would be something different. It was a lot of fun.”

The couple’s courtship, which began 12 years ago, came with a touch of irony.

Osman, a two-time Australian bareback bronc riding champion, was on a rodeo circuit in the United States while Dolen, who grew up on a cattle ranch in Northern Alberta, travelled to work as a jillaroo at Osman’s remote family property in Cameron’s Corner NSW.

The pair met after Osman came off a wild bronc in America, broke his arm and was forced to return home.

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The problem for Dolen was, he was not a single man at the time.

“But I knew he was special,” she said.

“I liked him from the minute I met him but he was already taken by someone, so I decided to go home, pine away and wait for him,” Dolen said.

And wait, she did.

Nine years later, Osman was back on the market and stopped in to visit Dolen while he was travelling through Canada. Love blossomed, and the rest is history.

“If the last three years are any indication, then the rest of our lives together will be great,” Dolen said.

“Today made the long game worth it!”

A makeshift ‘chapel’ set up on the hallowed red dirt of Buchanan Park. IMAGE: Pete Wallace’

Dirt, dust and $300k kicked up at Mount Isa Rodeo

RODEO COVERAGE SPONSORED BY BOB KATTER

By HARRY CLARKE

THE famous red dirt of Buchanan Park has been kicked into a cloud of dust as the Southern Hemisphere’s largest and most prestigious rodeo jumps out of the chutes for its 63rd year.

The Mount Isa Mines Rodeo, this year offering a record prize pool of more than $300,000, has lured the best in the business of Australian rough riding and horse sports.

All up there are 956 competitors vying for a slice of the cash in rodeo disciplines such as barrel racing, steer wrestling, cattle roping and bull riding.

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Ariat Pro Team cowboy Campbell Hodson skips off his 14yo gelding ‘CDee’ to stop the clock at 11.90 seconds in the open rope and tie. IMAGE: Stephen Mowbray’

The biggest pay cheque – a lions share of more than $30,000 – will go to the cowboy who takes out the open bull ride buckle.

To name but one of a plethora of cowboys and cowgirls in Mount Isa who ride rodeo for a living, last year’s reigning open bull ride champion Troy Wilkinson has returned to defend his title in 2022.

On Thursday night organisers held the inaugural Indigenous Rodeo Championships to showcase the prowess of Aboriginal rodeo riders and to honour First Nations folk’s contribution in the cattle country of Australia’s outback.

Kalkadoon man Dwight Daley, a Mount Isa local, behind the chutes at Buchanan Park

For Kalkadoon man Dwight Daley, whose tribe belongs to the wider Mount Isa region, the first time Indigenous only event had special meaning.

It was his first time competing in rodeo.

“It’s deadly aye, especially for your first ride,” Daley said.

“My old man’s been passed for a few years now, so I dedicate this to my father. I’m trying to do what he used to do.

“I’ve got a lot of family and friends here, just trying to bring all the young fellas through.

“I grew up on a station and ride horses on the station there, but when they’re buckin’ like that that it’s whole ‘nother story.

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Albury cowgirl and three time Mount Isa junior barrel race champion Ellie Gard rides ‘Rocs La La’ to a time of 17.881 seconds. IMAGE: Stephen Mowbray’

“It’s awesome aye. A lot of Indigenous fellas are shy, you know? (They) shy away from big crowds and that.

“This is good for the Indigenous. I reckon it’s the best thing that’s come here.”

Away from the rodeo area, the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo Rock concert has boasted a huge live music bill headlined by Guy Sebastian, McAlister Kemp and Baker Boy.

The bulk of Mount Isa prize money will be dished out tomorrow afternoon as the finals results roll in.