Rain, royalty, revelry and riches at Magic Millions polo

By HARRY CLARKE

CELEBRITY star power, bona fide royalty and luxury brand sponsorships continue to make the Magic Millions Polo & Show Jumping one of the Gold Coast’s fanciest social affairs, but increasingly the event is being recognised as an important marketeer of equestrian sports and a showcase of thoroughbred horses’ lives after racing.

Olympian Zara Tindall MBE, niece of King Charles, saddled up alongside Spanish model Elsa Pataky and Queensland legend Billy Slater for the star-studded and sold out Glitter Strip event, which coincides with the annual Magic Millions yearling sale and race day.

The addition of polo and showjumping to the racing program over recent years has been an initiative of Magic Millions owners Gerry Harvey and Katie Page, in part to bring the comparatively niche horse sports to a wider, mainstream audience.

“I think it’s really exciting. I think there’s a lot of people out there that love racing but there are a lot of people out there that just like horses,” said Will Matthews (pictured), competitor in the GPI Racing & Newgate show jump team.

“Probably a large portion of the people that are passionate racing supporters perhaps haven’t seen some of these disciplines, so I think it’s really cool to mix it all together in one place for people to come and enjoy it.

“There’s an awesome atmosphere and this is a huge event for people to come to. There’s a lot of prize money for the show jumping, which is really cool for us.”

In just three years the Magic Millions spectacle has become one of Australia’s most lucrative show jumping events. The senior class competition is held in a slot holder format, under which teams of four compete for a staggering prize pool of $1.45 million.

The big bucks yesterday were won, for the second year running, by the Equine International Airfreight team comprising Robert Palm, Jessica Pateman, Rhys Stones and Nick Taliana.

Having purchased a slot for $85,000, Equine International Airfreight claimed first place winnings of $245,000.

Jessica Pateman of the victorious Equine International Airfreight team in the Magic Millions show jumping. IMAGE: Flash Pony

Thousands flocked Doug Jennings Park for the event, held at The Spit on Gold Coast’s northern end and livestreamed online to an international audience.

The inaugural Queensland Off-The-Track Cup final featured riders who all had connections to the racing and breeding industry, and horses which were all former race horses.

Ex-racehorse Immortalis, ridden by champion Australian Olympian rider Peter McMahon, scooped up the lion’s share of a total $50,000 up for grabs in the Off-The-Track class.

Olympian Peter McMahon claims victory on “Immortalis” in the Magic Millions Off-The-Track show jumping event. IMAGES: The Blachet / Flash Pony

Yandina’s Emmy Ravenscoft, Gatton’s Claire Crocombe, and Toowoomba’s William Kropp were introducing their Dutch friend Lauk Kaeijzer to the polo and show jumping action.

The trio are heavily involved in horse sports. Ravenscroft and Crocombe are show jumping competitors while William Kropp, son of Toowoomba racehorse trainer Matt Kropp, had been at the Magic Millions yearling sales searching for the Kropp stable’s next champion.

Lauk Kaeijzer from the Netherlands, Emmy Ravenscroft from Yandina, Claire Crocombe from Gatton, William Kropp from Toowoomba. IMAGE: Country Caller

“We’ve been coming for a couple of years now and it’s a great day out because it brings everyone together. It’s fantastic,” Crocombe said.

“It’s a super idea. It shows horse disciplines other than the racing and the polo, it shows other perspectives. You’ve got celebrities and it brings everyone out here, especially on the Gold Coast because everyone wants to come down for a holiday as well.”

Kropp added: “I like the way they’ve got the thoroughbred initiative here with the show jumping. It’s really good to put a spotlight on what the horses can do after racing”.

Elodie Hook from Roma, and Sophie Ahern, Britt Furlanis, Joerg Rhau and Olivia Rhau from Brisbane. IMAGE: Country Caller

Self professed “horse dad” Joerg Rhau was dancing along the sidelines of the arena with a group of family and friends, all of whom were show jumping enthusiasts and some of whom were seeing live polo for the first time.

Rhau said the enormous prize pool had made the Magic Millions one of Australia’s most attractive events for the country’s strongest competitors.

“It’s an amazing effort, putting this together, and to get that much prize money together to make it attractive for an elite field to come here,” Rhau said.

“They’ve come from all over Australia. This has become a national event. There are competitors from South Australia – that’s a week long trip to come here. It’s a huge effort for them and the animals. 

“We’ve been overseas and watched international show jumping events there and this is a good match. It’s excellent, and it gets better and better every year,” Rhau said.

“Build it and people will come. I think it will become an institution, definitely.

“There’s a lot of people together who are in the horse industry. We’ve been catching up with people and we’ve dressed up and this is a space we don’t usually see each other in. Usually we’re in jodhpurs and shirts.”

Show jumper and Magic Millions spectator Gillian Hahn, from Germany. IMAGE: Country Caller

German national Gillian Hahn was among the thousands of spectators who braved Sunday’s wet weather to see the show.

Hahn, who is based in the city of Bonn in Germany’s renowned Rhine River equine region, is a competitive show jumper who’s attended countless events across Europe but was witnessing Australian show jumping for the first time.

“There aren’t many grass arenas in Germany – it’s more on sand. You have some grass competitions of course but it’s not that common,” she said.

“You wouldn’t see a sand arena as big as this one. This is quite a big arena and it’s a long way for the horses to go and they really have to have the right condition to do the course.

“It’s a great spectator sport because even if you don’t know anything about show jumping you can see what it’s all about. It’s easy to see how fast the horses are going, whether the poles come down, the different competitors. You can get into it quite quickly. 

“Even in Germany, when I take people to show jumping it’s easy for them to get in to it, whereas with dressage riding you really have to know what you’re looking at.”

Flying high at the Magic Millions Polo & Show Jumping. IMAGE: Gillian Hahn

Muttaburrasaurus named official Queensland emblem

By HARRY CLARKE

SIXTY years after grazier Doug Langdon unearthed an enormous prehistoric skeleton from the rich blacksoil within his vast outback Queensland property, the dinosaur from which it came has been named the state’s tenth official emblem.

The Muttaburrasaurus, a 100-million-year-old, seven-metre-long, plant eating ornithopod found in 1963 topped a public poll earlier this year to be recognised as Queensland’s favourite fossil.

With the passing of the Emblems of Queensland and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023, the Muttaburrasaurus now joins the likes of the Cooktown Orchid, the Great Barrier Reef Anemone Fish and the colour Maroon as an official Queensland emblem.

Below is a slideshow highlighting all 10 Queensland emblems.

The Muttaburrasaurus, nicknamed “Mutt”, on display at the Queensland Museum. IMAGE: Country Caller

“I’m thrilled to witness the recognition of Muttaburrasauras as a Queensland State Emblem,” said Queensland Museum Senior Scientist and Curator Palaeontology Dr Scott Hocknull.

“This remarkable dinosaur symbolises Queensland’s rich palaeontological heritage and the importance of preserving our unique prehistoric legacy for generations to come.”

The Muttaburrasaurus was found in 1963 on Roseberry Downs Station near Muttaburra by station owner Doug Langdon. It’s scientific name became Muttaburrasaurus langdoni as a homage to the place that it was found and the person who found it.

At the time it was the most complete fossil to be unearthed in Australia and became the nation’s first dinosaur to be cast, mounted and replicated.

The replica skeleton takes pride of place in the Queensland Museum in Brisbane and has been admired by an immeasurable number of proud Queenslanders, school groups, visitors to Brisbane and international tourists over the years.

The Caller‘s interview with Queensland Museum palaeontologist Dr Jonathan Cramb about the Muttaburrasaurus display can be heard via the YouTube clip below:

LISTEN: Country Caller editor Harry Clarke speaks with Queensland Museum palaeontologist Dr Jonathan Cramb

Queensland Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said dinosaur destinations like Muttaburra accounted for about 11 percent of regional Queensland tourism, and that the state’s new fossil emblem was already encouraging families to discover dinosaur trails in Outback Queensland.

“The passing of this bill recognising the seven-metre-long Muttaburrasaurus as the tenth official symbol of Queensland is a mammoth statement for tourism,” he said.

“Queensland is home to many of Australia’s best dinosaur fossil finds and I can’t think of a better home-grown ambassador for Outback destinations than the Muttaburrasaurus.

“Outback Queensland’s fossil attractions generate millions of dollars for the visitor economy with extraordinary potential to grow as the southern hemisphere’s paleo capital.”

SLIDESHOW: Queensland State Emblems
Source: documents.parliament.qld.gov.au

  • STATE BADGE: Adopted as part of the state flag on 29 November 1876, the state badge is officially described as “On a Roundel Argent a Maltese Cross Azure surmounted with a Royal Crown”. In 1893, the state badge was added to the Queensland Coat of Arms.
  • COAT OF ARMS: The Coat of Arms represents the Monarchs constitutional authority in Queensland. It was granted by Queen Victoria in 1893, making it the oldest Coat of Arms in Australia. The Coat of Arms showcases the major industrial strengths of Queensland in the 1890s – wheat, cattle, sheep and sugar cane. The red deer and the brolga “supporters” were added in 1977 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Silver Jubilee Year. The brolga is iconic to Queensland and the red deer were gifted to the state from the royal herds in the late 1800s. The State motto is Audax at Fidelis, which means “bold but faithful”.
  • STATE FLAG: In 1875, the Governor of Queensland received drawings of a proposed badge that was to represent Queensland on its vessels if they ever went to war. It was comprised of a representation of Queen Victoria’s head, facing right, on a blue background, encircled by a white band, with the word Queensland at the top. The Queensland Government decided it would be too difficult to reproduce the head of the Queen on a flag. An alternative design, a Royal Crown superimposed on a Maltese Cross, was then submitted to London and approved. It was placed on the Blue Ensign to become Queensland’s State Flag. The Queensland Government encourages the flying of our flag. Requests from schools and youth groups for free flags should be made through State Members of Parliament.
  • MAROON: It is not surprising that maroon – the colour many people associate with Queensland sporting teams – is also the official state colour. The Pantone Colour Matching System colour 202 is the designated shade of maroon used in official state communications. It was approved by the Governor in Council on 13 November 2003.
  • SAPPHIRE: The State gem for Queensland is the sapphire. This was formalised in August 1985. The sapphire gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum, was discovered in central Queensland in the early 1870s, near the present-day town of Sapphire. As found in nature, typical corundum is very dark coloured. With tinges of blue, green or brown, it is very nearly opaque. However, the transparent gem shows a wide range of colours.
  • BARRIER REEF ANEMONE FISH: The Barrier Reef Anemone Fish (Amphiprion akindynos) is well known for its habit of living with large, tropical sea anemones. It became Queensland’s official aquatic emblem in 2005 after strong public support in a newspaper poll. For a state with such a close connection with the coastline and the water, it is only fitting that an emblem symbolises this connection.
  • BROLGA: The brolga features on the Queensland Coat of Arms and was proclaimed Queensland’s bird emblem in 1986. Brolgas (Grus rubincunda) belong to the family of cranes, and are native to the parts of Queensland north of Rockhampton. They are famous for their intricate mating dances, spreading their wings in an elegant, graceful manner and occasionally jumping in unison.
  • KOALA: The koala was officially announced as the faunal emblem of Queensland in 1971 after a newspaper poll found strong public support for this iconic marsupial. The scientific name of the koala is phascolarctos cinerus. They are found south of Townsville along the east coast, although they have been found as far north as Cooktown and as far west as Cunnamulla.
  • COOKTOWN ORCHID: The Cooktown Orchid became Queensland’s floral emblem in 1959 to mark the state’s 100th anniversary. Its official name is Dendrobium bigibbum and is native to Queensland’s north tropics – hence the name Cooktown Orchid. The flowers are usually all-purple, although white and white-spotted flowers have been found.

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Cam attempts aviation record in RFDS fundraiser

By HARRY CLARKE

A CHINCHILLA pilot has built himself a unique “bush plane” which he will use in a gruelling attempt to break an Australian aviation record while raising money for a renowned medical service which helps to keep people living in remote areas safe and secure.

Cameron Obst has spent three years designing and assembling a recreational aircraft exactly to his liking, combining parts and designs from various planes to create the perfect recreational flying machine.

The result is the “Kangawallafox”, a light weight, slow moving plane with a box shaped fuselage, an exposed engine and high performance shock absorbers capable of taking flight within just 20 metres and landing in country that’s covered with melon holes.

In March next year, Obst plans to try and break the Australia record for the number of take offs and landings in a single day while raising money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. DONATE HERE

Cameron Obst spent three years designing and building the “Kangawallafox”. IMAGE: Country Caller

“I just think it’s a way for me to give back to aviation,” Obst said from his newly built hangar at the Chinchilla aerodrome.

“Living in rural and remote Queensland, the Royal Flying Doctor Service is really important for medical aid, so hopefully if I can raise some money for them it will help keep us all safe and secure if we need medical assistance.

“The previous two people that held the record did it as a charity fundraiser, so I thought it would be a really good way for me to test out the Kangawallafox to see what it could do, and I can raise some money for charity at the same time.

The current record for the number of take offs and landings in a single day is 140, set by Ron Watts in 2013.

Obst is aiming to reach 150, which will require him to take off, climb to 500ft, do a loop, land, and repeat that process 149 more times within daylight hours.

WATCH: Cam Obst shows off his Kangawallafox

“With the landing I just need to get all three wheels on the ground – I don’t have to come to a complete stop – so once my tail wheel is down I can blast off and go again,” he said.

“Essentially I’ll be doing that all day. I think it’s doable. I’ll do a few practice runs to see how long it takes to do a full circuit and then I should be able to extrapolate that to find out if it’s going to be doable in a day. 

“I need to be around three and a half minutes per landing and that should give me enough time to have a few breaks throughout the day and refuel.”

Obst plans to make the record breaking attempt on March 3 next year, weather permitting.

Donations can be made via the RFDS Kangawallafox page. CLICK HERE

Success or failure, Obst said he would be putting the Kangawallafox to good use after the record attempt.

“I hope to use it for chasing pigs,” he said.

“All the design features are for that maximum performance to take off and land in short distances.

“It’s only a slow aircraft, it doesn’t cruise very fast but that’s not what it’s for. It’s to get off the ground quick, it’s got very high visibility, it’s just a recreational, fun machine. 

“I could land this thing in melon hole country. It’s designed to land in rough paddocks. 

“I can legally fly around at 500ft, which is only about 150 metres and from that can I find a mob of pigs. I could put my dog in there, we could land in the paddock, get the dog out and go and catch a pig.

“Some people have boats or jet skies, motorbikes – I’ve got a Kangawallafox.

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Pride of place for Anthony “Boy” Turnbull’s new piece

By HARRY CLARKE

VISITORS to the newly refurbished Chinchilla Cultural Precinct are being met with a most stunning artwork produced by one of the town’s proudest cultural exports, indigenous artist Anthony “Boy” Turnbull.

Chinchilla on Charley’s, a vibrant, floor-to-ceiling mural which adorns the front entrance of the centre, is Turnbull’s homage to Charley’s Creek, which forms north of Chinchilla and runs through the town before meeting the Condamine River.

The mural is a blown up replica of the original Chinchilla on Charley’s piece and is the main feature of a $8.4 million revitalisation of the Chinchilla Cultural Precinct and Fuller Place, a public area in the centre of Chinchilla’s CBC which fronts the local cinema, art gallery, library and council offices.

Western Downs mayor Paul McVeigh and Lapunyah Art Gallery president Helen Dennis official open the Chinchilla Cultural Precinct’s refurbishment. IMAGE: Country Caller

Turnbull, who attended the official opening of the new facilities, said the piece was inspired by the natural features which characterise the Chinchilla district.

“It was commissioned by Broadspectrum when I was working for them and it was part of the Reconciliation Action Plan that they have every year,” he said.

“They wanted to know if I’d be interested in doing an art piece and working with the students of Chinchilla State High School. I had a vision straight away of Charley’s Creek.

Anthony “Boy” Turnbull with his artwork Chinchilla on Charley’s at the Chinchilla Cultural Centre. IMAGE: Country Caller

“Charley’s Creek was named after the Aboriginal man who was with the explorer Ludwig Leichhardt when he first came through the area in the 1840s.

“You’ve got kangaroo prints where they’ve gone through country and you’ve got different areas like the grasslands and the little water holes. Melon holes are also all around Chinchilla.

“Down the bottom there is a meeting place where you can see people gathering.

“There’s water moving through where they’re camped, you’ve got people sitting around, there’s a woman digging for yams, or she could even be digging for a goanna.

One of Anthony “Boy” Turnbull’s artwork on display at Chinchilla’s Lapunyah Art Gallery. IMAGE: Country Caller

“Then I’ve got the night sky, there’s old mate playing the didgeridoo, and there’s a brolga sitting over there, kangaroos and emus moving around. And there are some bottle trees on this country.”

Turnbull has two additional works currently on display at Chinchilla’s Lapunyah Art Gallery, which has been refurbished as part of the Chinchilla Cultural Precinct upgrade.

Lapunyah is a botanical name for the white gum which is abundant around Chinchilla.

Helen Dennis, president of Chinchilla’s Lapunyah Art Gallery, with two of her artworks in the background. IMAGE: Country Caller

The gallery’s volunteer president, Helen Dennis, who also has two of her own pieces on display, said the gallery upgrade would help to attract tourists and showcase local artists as well as touring exhibitions.

“It’s an amazing new facility which I hope the community will utilise to its utmost capacity,” Dennis said.

“It’s not just an art gallery, it’s an art space and small event space. It’s a space where people can come to be creative.

“Art galleries are not just about visual arts, they’re about all strands of arts, especially in contemporary arts practice, you’re going to see all different types of things like digital art and video art.”

(L-R) Western Downs councillors Megan James, Peter Saxelby, Carolyn Tillman, Andrew Smith, Kylie Bourne, Paul McVeigh, Kaye Maguire, George Moore, and Callide MP Bryson Head. IMAGE: Country Caller

All bar one councillor from the Western Downs Regional Council were able to attend the opening of the new Chinchilla Cultural Precinct upgrades, which were funded by the council and the Federal Government.

Also in attendance were Queensland Member for Callide Bryson Head and Bill McCutcheon OAM, who was the last serving mayor of the former Chinchilla Shire Council and who oversaw the establishment of the Fuller Place cultural centre at Chinchilla.

“It’s nice to get it refurbished. It’s been a very serviceable area for many, many years now and it honours a great man in Harvey Fuller, who was our mayor here for many years,” McCutcheon said.

“It needed a refurbishment to brighten the whole place up and this has certainly done that.”

Western Downs mayor Paul McVeigh and and former Chinchilla Shire Council mayor Bill McCutcheon. IMAGE: Country Caller

Outgoing Western Downs mayor Paul McVeigh, who announced he’d be retiring at next year’s Queensland local government elections, said the upgrade would offer an attractive public area for Chinchilla locals and visitors for years to come.

“What an absolute privilege it is to be standing here beside Bill McCutcheon OAM who did the first opening of this place many years ago, at the opening here today.

“It is significant for our community. It’s going to be a destination point where our community can come together, socialise, invest in the arts and grow the community.

“We’ve got two great things that happened through my term in Chinchilla.

“I always say that our best accomplishment is being a united council that delivers for our community, but some of the physical things are this place here that we’ve opened today, but also the Chinchilla Botanic Parkland, which the community is really utilising.”

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Ky Hamilton, Australia’s first bull riding world champ

By HARRY CLARKE

THE rodeo world has been left stunned by the toughness and determination of Queensland bull riding hero Ky Hamilton, who overcame a concussion, a broken rib and a night in hospital during the US National Finals Rodeo to sensationally win the premier event and become the first ever Australian to claim a bull riding world title.

Hamilton, from Mackay, was knocked unconscious when he was flung violently from the back of a bull named “MAGA” in the fifth round of 2023 Wrangler NFR in Las Vegas over the weekend.

The packed crowd in the hallowed Thomas & Mack arena fell silent as the 23-year-old was taken away in a stretcher to Nevada’s UMC Trauma Centre to be treated for concussion, a broken rib and bruising to the lung.

Local media began reporting that Hamilton’s come-from-behind surge toward his first world title was over.

But the following day, which renowned US rodeo commentator Steve Kenyon said “should probably be a day that everybody remembers in rodeo history”, Hamilton returned to the chutes and covered not one, but two bulls in thrilling 8-second rides.

By the end of Sunday’s final round, Hamilton had clinched the world title and set a new prize money record by winning $515,414 in a single year.

Ky Hamilton celebrates success in the Wrangler NFR in Las Vegas. IM AGE: Michael Magill

And as well as taking home the coveted Gold Buckle awarded to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) World Title winner, Hamilton was named overall Average Champion and Top Gun Winner for dominating the Wrangler NFR event.

“It’s a dream come true, not just for Ky but for Australians,” said Australian Professional Rodeo Association president Shane Iker.

“He’s an icon for Australia. He speaks so well and he represents us so well. It’s amazing.

“I don’t think I could put in words how big it is. It’s unbelievable. A huge feat.

“Bull riding is a tough enough game as it is… to be the best in the world at anything is good, but in a sport as tough as bull riding is just incredible.

“To do what he did in those circumstances – to get knocked out with a broken rib and then come back – I don’t know if they make stories like that anymore.”

Ky Hamilton on the bull “MAGA”, moments before his shocking fall. IMAGE: PRCA

Hamilton moved to Texas four years ago so that he could be among the best world’s cowboys and toughest bulls as he pursued his rodeo career.

In doing so he’s followed in the footsteps of some of Australia’s most decorated cowboys such as Troy Dunn and Greg Potter.

While Dunn won the Professional Bull Riders world title in 1995, Hamilton has become the first Australian winner of the prestigious Gold Buckle as PRCA world champion.

Hamilton’s cousin, Cameron Milner, said signs of Ky’s grit and determination were clear from a young age, and said he wasn’t surprised to see him return to the NFR arena after his injury.

“He always showed that he had the ability. He was always smarter than the rest. He rode correctly and his old man had him in the right spot, putting him on the right stock,” Milner said.

“He’s too tough. They would have had to strap him to the bed to keep him out of hospital. There was disbelief, but we knew he had it in him. He’s that tough and that determined.”

Rain pain for Downs farmers stuck in ‘green drought’

By CAITLIN CROWLEY

SOAKING rain across much of the Darling Downs in November has helped transform the countryside from bone-dry brown to lush green, with spirits lifting alongside commodity prices to end what’s been a tough year for farmers on a more positive note.

While last month’s downpours were a godsend for areas around Dalby and fire-ravaged parts of the Western Downs, producers like Belinda Callanan (main picture) at Nobby are still waiting for significant falls, finding themselves in a “green drought”.

While her property on the eastern Darling Downs recorded 65mm in November and 380mm rain for the year so far, that’s roughly just half of what the area’s annual average.

Callanan told the Caller, she’d like to have cattle at her Nobby property and be looking at planting a summer cash crop but instead, she’s had to de-stock and wait for a change in the weather.

Rolling hills of green on the eastern Darling Downs. IMAGE: Country Caller

“You might drive on the highway and you see it green on the sides of the roads, but in about 10 kilometres, it could be extremely dry still,” she said.

“So one neighbour can get it and the other neighbour might miss out. There’s a lot of people that have missed out, or haven’t had quite the right amount of rainfall.

“Here, we haven’t had enough rainfall to give us a good more moisture profile so we can’t really do anything until we get more rain.”

Kim Bremner on his property at Bowenville. IMAGE: Country Caller

It’s a different story for Bowenville grower Kim Bremner, who has been working flat out to capitalise on around 170mm which fell on his farm last month.

“It was magnificent rain, it was soaking rain – couldn’t be better,” he told the Caller.

“The biggest issue now is trying to get all the weeds under control, so we’re busy doing that – spraying and cultivating.

“We’ve got cotton in – we’ve down probably 50 percent on what we planted last year, but last year we had full ring tanks. Given how dry it was I think we should have cut back by another 50 percent.

“Even though we’ve had 170mm, another 100 would really help and for all those people who didn’t get the amount that we got, they need that 100.”

Bremner said there was a lot of excitement within the farming community when initial weather modelling showed ex-tropical cyclone Jasper bringing heavy rain to Southern Queensland, but hope of moisture from that system has now dried up.

“The Bureau said El Nino, then a month ago they said maybe neutral – who knows what they’ll come up with next,” Bremner said.

“I think there’s a fair bit of confidence out there because we’ve had a couple of good years, most farmers have had a chance to pay down debt and things have been pretty reasonable.

Winter grain crops near Cecil Plains in mid October. IMAGE: Country Caller

“The winter crop that had no rain on it went surprisingly well – every farmer I talk to with a winter crop was pleasantly surprised by the yield, it was well above their expectations.

“Your wheat and your barley have both done exceptionally well on the Downs, so most farmers are pretty happy with the crop they got for that.”

“Farmers are the eternal optimists so I’d have to say it was mostly positive on the Downs at the moment.”

Just 42mm fell in the official Dalby gauge between June and October this year, 120mm less than the long term average.

Toowoomba has recorded just over 500mm rain for the year so far, well under the long term average of 725mm.

While the wait for summer falls continues, Belinda Callanan said it had been great to see commodity prices lift in recent weeks, as it had been looking grim for cattle producers a month or two ago.

“I personally think there is a little bit of confidence because the cattle market has kicked a little bit, and that’s possibly because of the rain that we have had,” she said.

Wieambilla anniversary of darkest day, proudest place

By HARRY CLARKE

PHRASES like “mixed emotions” and “bittersweet” won’t fully summarise the feelings of Wieambilla residents today, as they gather to mark both the first anniversary of its darkest day and also a milestone for the community’s pride and joy.

December 12 will forever be remembered as a day of madness and tragedy, when last year two local police officers and a Wieambilla resident were killed in an act of terror that sent shockwaves around the world.

Tara police constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold were gunned down by murderous conspiracy theorists Gareth, Nathaniel and Stacey Train when the officers entered the Trains’ property, in response to a missing person report that had been issued for Nathaniel Train.

Wieambilla shooting victims Matthew Arnold, Rachel McCrow and Alan Dare

The Trains then killed neighbour Alan Dare, who came to the property to investigate, before being neutralised about 10pm in a shootout with specialist police.

Wieambilla changed overnight – from being a secluded bushland community enjoyed by residents for its peace and privacy, to a household name around Australia.

But a small brass plaque on the wall of a quaint brick building in Wieambilla reminds residents that December 12 also marks the establishment of its most cherished community asset.

Wieambilla South Country Club vice president Gayle Porter and president Tony Kelly. IMAGE: Country Caller

The Wieambilla South Country Club, a combined local pub, restaurant, camp ground, meeting place and community centre, today celebrates its 25th anniversary.

The building was opened by Don Whiteman, mayor of the former Tara Shire Council, on December 12, 1998, and was built with funding from the Wieambilla and wider Tara community, and from the Jupiters Community Benefit Fund.

President and life member Tony Kelly said the Wieambilla South Country Club had become the “heart and soul” of the community, where residents came to connect, socialise, and receive support.

“There’s a lot of history and a lot of good memories here,” Kelly said.

“Wieambilla people can come here, have a drink, dance, sing some karaoke, relax and socialise. We have a folk festival each year and all sorts of celebrations. This weekend we have our Christmas party.”

Wieambilla South Country Club president Tony Kelly with goods donated for bushfire victims. IMAGE: Country Caller

As well as being somewhere for locals to let their hair down, the Wieambilla South Country Club is also a place residents facing hardship know they will receive help, most recently during the bushfires which swept through the area in October.

The adjoining community hall is packed with clothing, bedding, furniture and appliances donated by Good Samaritans around Australia to help Wieambilla residents who lost everything get back on their feet.

By December 13 last year – the day after the shooting – donation boxes had been set up to support the families of Rachel McCrow, Matthew Arnold and Alan Dare.

Donation boxes at the Wieambilla South Country Club following the shooting last year. IMAGE: Country Caller

Asked about how the community was coping one year on from the Wieambilla shooting, Kelly said residents had showed tremendous resilience in “moving forward”.

“Nobody talks much about it. It’s hardly mentioned much,” he said.

“As a community we put this in our past, but it’s not forgotten. We just don’t want to focus on that. 

“There’s events in Australia or around the world happening every day. These bushfires – 60 houses and one death – that’s a tragedy too. It’s a different scenario, but it’s there.”

Wieambilla South Country Club vice president Gayle Porter said: “I think we need to promote how good this community is. The fires have been horrendous but there’s been lots of community resilience and generosity.

“A lot of people are really happy out there. There’s lovely fauna. We’ve got emus, kangaroos and the whole lot. It’s a beautiful place to be and there’s some really good people,” she said.

Kerry Dare and (inset) a pamphlet from Alan Dare’s funeral. IMAGE: Country Caller

Kerry and Alan Dare purchased their block of land at Wieambilla in 2004 and the couple moved there permanently, from their previous home at Ipswich, three years before Alan was killed.

They were due to celebrate their 26th wedding anniversary two days after the shooting.

Alan had spent 19 years employed at the JBS meat works at Dinmore before becoming a truck driver of 15 years. He and Kerry owned a truck and ran a small transport business together.

Alan never had children of his own but became a father figure to Kerry’s son and daughter, who were aged five and six when they met. He is also survived by seven grandchildren who knew him as “Poppy”.

Murdered Wieambilla neighbour Alan Dare with wife Kerry and their grandchildren.

They loved the bush. Kerry has told the Caller numerous times that her husband’s passion project was to gradually build a home “for me” on their originally vacant block on Wains Rd Wieambilla, which sits opposite the Trains’.

“He just looked after me like I was a queen. He was my carer,” she told the Caller on December 14 last year.

Alan was shot immediately after he and another neighbour, Vic Lewis, drove to the front gate of the Train property to investigate noise and smoke coming from the murder scene.

Kerry says the fact that Alan’s body lay in situ until the following morning, while amid police responded to the shooting, has added greatly to her grief and distress.

Ruth O’Gorman KC, Counsel Assisting Coroner Terry Ryan, has said the manner in which police approach “liaising with the families of people involved in critical incidents as they unfold and in the immediate aftermath” would be considerate at full inquest into the incident, scheduled for August next year.

Kerry Dare accepting the Queensland Police Bravery Award on behalf of her husband, Alan Dare, in February 2023. IMAGE: Country Caller

To mark a year since his passing, Kerry says she and her friends will today stage a “sit in” for 13 hours – the amount of time she waited behind a police cordon for Alan’s body to be retrieved.

“I was going to do it on my own there for 13 hours but people didn’t want me there on my own. That’s how long he was in the dirt for,” she said.

“I don’t want to keep being morbid about it. I don’t want yearly reminders because I think about this every day. I don’t need anniversaries or reminders or memorials. It’s not about that for me. 

“I hid for nine months and then I started to come out. It was just when I felt right to do it. 

Scene at Wieambilla in the immediate aftermath of the December 2022 shooting. IMAGE: Country Caller

“It’s about having good times with the people that I’ve met. 

“Beside the inquest, life is great – as good as it can be.

“I’m learning a lot because I have to. But I’m proud of myself. I watched him do it all, and now I’m doing it all. It’s a little bit harder but it keeps me busy and it makes me want a drink in the afternoon.”

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Family of slain Wieambilla cop’s anniversary message

SUPPLIED | FAMILY OF CONSTABLE MATTHEW ARNOLD

The 12th of December 2022 is a day our family will never forget.

A day when incomprehensible evil murdered our beautiful son and brother, for simply doing his job.

Matt had no chance of survival on that day, and this makes his death so unfathomable. It is so cruel and unfair that we never got to say goodbye.

We miss Matt’s laugh, kindness, empathy and willingness to help.

Terry and Sue Arnold with triplets Matthew, Hayley and James. IMAGE: Sue Arnold/ Facebook

These traits were what made him such an excellent police officer and made him love his job.

We also miss his pranks, ability to be the first to the pub, burrito rolling skills, sarcasm, cheeky looks and well-known bear hugs.

Matt has been stripped of being able to attend shared triplet birthdays, family holidays and family occasions. We will miss him at these events for the rest of our lives.

Most of all, we miss the sound of his truck arriving in the driveway, and him announcing he was home.

He was a bigger than life character, which has left a bigger than life hole in our hearts.

Constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, and Rachel’s mother, Judy McCrow

On this day, and every day, we think of Rachel McCrow and her family. Every day we are in awe of Rachel’s bravery and courage.

We will forever stand with the McCrow family in the pain they feel with losing Rachel. We thank both of Matt and Rachel’s friends and colleagues who have shared stories about their friendship, work shenanigans and fierce board game battles.

We also remember Alan Dare on this day.

To the evacuation team and Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) officers who attended on that day, we thank you for your bravery, and for allowing Matt to be returned to us.

Matthew Arnold with his triplet siblings Hayley and James. IMAGE: Supplied

Many of you were friends with Matt and Rachel, and we are sorry for what you had to go through on that day. Your names are etched in our brains forever, you are now family.

We wish we could count down the days until we see Matty again, instead we will live our lives as he would want, making him proud and ensuring no one forgets him and his sacrifice.

The tears still flow freely and will forever sting, but we can’t wait to share stories with him over a drink, and some country music again one day.

With honour he served.

Constable Matthew Arnold policing in the community. IMAGE: Supplied

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Romance author shares Downs’ inspo for new novel

By CAITLIN CROWLEY

FROM the pub feeds after footy training to hotly contested barefoot sprints at the end of a country race meet, Darling Downs readers will feel right at home within the pages of Clare Fletcher’s latest novel, Love Match.

But the freshly crowned “queen of the Aussie country town romance” maintains, the small town setting of ‘South Star’ and its colourful characters are strictly fiction.

Born and raised in St George, Fletcher will be sharing the rich Darling Downs’ history and inspiration behind Love Match at its Toowoomba launch this week.

Clare Fletcher’s debut novel Five Bush Weddings was released last year. IMAGE: Supplied

After the success of her debut novel, Five Bush Weddings last year, Fletcher told the Caller she had received lovely feedback from readers and was proud to have two books on the shelf.

“These stories are really set in areas inspired by the places where I grew up and I’m from St. George – because I haven’t lived there for a while I was a little bit nervous and I really hoped that it would feel true, for people in particularly regional Queensland but all kinds of regional areas,” Fletcher said.

“So when I heard from readers that it did feel like it reflected their own experience that was probably the best thing of all.”

While Fletcher acknowledged there were several authors contributing to Australia’s rural romance genre right now, she said she liked to think her comedy elements set her work apart.

“Especially with Love Match, the love story is actually between women and it’s got some queer romance in it and I think that’s not really something that we’ve seen in a mainstream regional romance in Australia before,” she said.

“It was a bit of a journey for me personally, writing the book.

“There’s a lot in there about mental health and internalised homophobia.

“It’s a romantic comedy, but it’s got some darker stuff going on and certainly when I wrote the first draft, it was not very funny at all, I had to rework it quite a bit.”

Fletcher said she worked with a sensitivity reader to ensure her story was inclusive and respectful, as she didn’t have lived experience of queer relationships.

“The other fun aspect of the historical plot line all about the 60s and I definitely did a bit of crowd-sourced research when I was in St. George last year for the launch (of Five Bush Weddings).

“I got to do a chat to the local CWA which was really sweet and I was asking them for all their memories of deb balls and the country dances on Saturday nights, so that was really helpful. So I might be able to do a bit more research this time around too.”

Maureen Collier and Clare Fletcher at Eaglefarm’s Old Tote building. IMAGE: Supplied

Fletcher’s extensive research for Love Match also included a visit to the Old Tote building at Eagle Farm racecourse, where she toured the museum with Maureen Collier (pictured above).

Maureen was a fixture at the track as trainer in the same era as one of Fletcher’s characters, Mabel Peters.

Mabel’s fabulous collection of vintage frocks, which was catalogued throughout Love Match, were also inspired by the real wardrobe of Darling Downs woman Dulcie Mason (pictured below)

“With money scraped together from selling eggs from her farm, she would buy fabric and describe her design ideas to her dressmaker friend Thelma Beutel,” Fletcher said.

“When Dulcie passed away in 2017 she left behind a collection of 70 dresses, spanning the 1940s to the 1990s. Stumbling upon Dulcie and Thelma’s partnership felt like a sign I was on the right track with Mabel’s story.”

Dulcie Mason with two of her gowns in 2017. IMAGE: Supplied

As Love Match has been on book store shelves for a few months now, Fletcher said she was a little nervous and interested to see how local readers felt about it.

“Getting back to Toowoomba and St George as well was really important to me and I’m so glad I could fit it in before Christmas,” she said.

“People always want to attribute characters to real people or pick out things that are real and I’ve certainly been inspired occasionally by memories of things that have happened but South Star is one hundred percent fictional.”

Clare Fletcher will be at Harry and Kit in Toowoomba for the local launch of Love Match Wednesday December 13, you can register for the free event here.

American man arrested over Wieambilla shooting

By HARRY CLARKE

A United States national has been arrested over the shooting deaths of two Queensland police officers and a civilian at Wieambilla on the Western Downs last December.

A Queensland Police Service (QPS) statement released this afternoon said the arrest came after investigators from the QPS Ethical Standards Command and the Security and Counter Terrorism Command travelled to the US, where they joined Federal Bureau of Investigation Agents and other law enforcement officers.

“On Friday morning, December 1, 2023 (US time) FBI Agents arrested a 58-year-old United States national near Heber Overgaard, Arizona, in connection to the religiously motivated terrorist attack on December 12, 2022 at Wieambilla,” the QPS statement said.

“Investigations by the QPS and FBI are ongoing in Arizona.”

QPS Assistant Commissioner Cheryl Scanlon and Federal Bureau of Investigation representative Nitiana Mann are expected to provide a “significant update” as part of “a major investigation” at 2.30pm today.

Wieambilla shooting victims Rachel McCrow, Matthew Arnold and Alan Dare

Police constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold, and civilian Alan Dare, were shot dead by Nathaniel, Gareth and Stacey Train after the officers approached the Trains’ property as part of a welfare check on December 12 last year.

Constables Keely Brough and Randall Kirk managed to escape the gunfire before Special Emergency Response Team officers moved in and killed the shooters later that night.

A coronial inquest scheduled for next August will investigate what led up to the shooting, how it unfolded and what preventative measures may improve officers’ safety in future.

QPS Deputy Commissioner Tracy Linford and (INSET) Nathaniel, Gareth and Stacey Train.

QPS Deputy Commissioner Tracy Linford in February said police investigations had established the shooting was a religiously motivated terrorist attack targeting police.

“Our assessment has concluded that Nathaniel, Gareth and Stacey Train acted as an autonomous cell and executed a religiously motivated terrorist attack,” Linford said.

“What we’ve been able to glean from that information is that the Train family members subscribed to what we would call a broad Christian fundamentalist belief system known as premillennialism. 

“It’s a belief system that comes from Christian theology. Its basic interpretation is that there is a belief that Christ will return to the earth for a thousand days and provide peace and prosperity, but it will be preceded by a time of tribulation, widespread destruction and suffering.”

More to come.