THE Taroom-Wandoan Battlers have shown they’ll once again be the team to beat in the south western Reserve-grade league comp, crushing a hopeful Chinchilla Bulldogs outfit on their home turf in round two.
The Battlers’ dream undefeated run which led to last year’s premiership trophy ended unceremoniously during this year’s preseason, when they were knocked out early in both the Lindsay Williams Shield and Terry Charles Cup competitions.
But their display at Bulldog Park on Saturday will put any concerns about loss of form aside, as they racked up a 38-10 victory against a strong Chinchilla squad.
COUNTRY CALLER FOOTBALL COVERAGE SPONSORED BY INTURA
Led by the slick nine-seven combination of Ashley Harth and Nathan Widgell, the Battlers managed to dominate field position for most of the game despite a strong kicking game from Bulldogs hooker Declan Bell.
Front rowers Toby Bennett and Jayden Baker were fierce through the middle in defence, and a majority of Battlers tries came on the edges.
Bullddogs hooker Declan Bell looks for space against the Taroom Wandoan Battlers
Coach Brian Argus said it had been a promising start to the season for the reigning premiers.
“It was a bit scratchy but we’ve got a pretty young side at the moment,” Argus said.
“Last year was pretty good, we were pretty dominant, and we’re just trying to build on it.
“A number of things we’ve been working on came up pretty well – speed of the play-the-ball, and running in behind the ruck and catching lazy defenders.
“We haven’t had much speed for a while so it’s good having more youth coming through.”
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Ringers player Tovia Tanrelu celebrating the occasion with the Chinchilla Bulldogs
DOGGIES DOMINANT IN GAME CUT SHORT
UNFORTUNATELY the A-grade game on Saturday was called off early in the second half, when a Western Ringers player suffered a potentially serious neck or spinal injury.
The player was ultimately airlifted to Brisbane but was thankfully cleared of serious injury. He’ll fly home to Charleville on Monday.
The Bulldogs had dominated the game, in which Chinchilla halfback Jeff Gilbert and Ringers halfback Nathan Widgell both made successful 40-20 kicks.
Gilbert’s fellow Bulldogs veterans, prop Jono Drysdale and second rower Darren Hooper, led the charge to the try line. Hooper scooted through under the post midway through the first half while Drysdale bagged two meat pies.
The final score was 32-6.
COUNTRY CALLER FOOTBALL COVERAGE SPONSORED BY INTURA
It was a long trip to Chinchilla with an unfortunate ending for the Western Ringers, which comprises players from around the Charleville district some five hours’ drive to the west.
Club president Sean O’Connell said the team this year was largely made up of Samoan and Solomon Islander nationals who are working at the Charleville meat works.
“We’re going alright. We’re just trying to get the guys into the community,” O’Connell said.
“A lot of the boys have only played rugby union but they’re all keen and enjoying playing a bit of league.
“The good thing is they’re in the community. They go down to the IGA and people say g’day. They’re not on their own.
Eddie Ramo runs it straight against the Chinchilla Bulldogs
“The town’s really supportive, we’ve got a lot of great sponsors this year. We want to get better as a team and it will come,” O’Connell said.
“Last week was a great home game. The guys were singing songs and they say a prayer before every game. It’s a different culture, which is good out west.
“The idea is to get the young ones coming up so they’ve got somewhere to play football when they’re older.”
In other south western rugby league A-grade fixtures, St George beat Miles in a tense showdown at Rowden Park, 34-28. Roma is hosting the Michell Magpies this afternoon while the Wallumbilla Surat Red Bulls have a bye.
Ringers second rower Jack Winters gets wrapped by Bulldogs halfback Jeff Gilbert and lock Matt Eising
BASSETT Park was a kaleidoscope of colours as 610 people played with 200 kilograms of coloured powder at the Senex Energy ColourXplosion coordinated by PCYC Maranoa in Roma .
This was a 50 percent increase on participants in 2021.
It was the second ColourXplosion for PCYC Maranoa manager Sergeant Dion Horn, who said volunteers were overwhelmed with registrations on the morning.
“It was a spectacular turn out and I’m sure most people will be cleaning colour out of cracks and crevices for a week – I certainly will be!,” he said.
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“There were tourists from Brisbane to the Gold Coast to Sydney who hadn’t registered but saw it and decided ColourXplosion would be great for their family to do together.
“A lot of people who’ve done it before also came back with their family and friends.”
For Dion, ColourXplosion is more than just a family friendly fun run.
“It gets the word out about PCYC and its mission,” he said.
“ColourXplosion increases awareness of PCYC and what we do because while many people have heard of it, they don’t realise PCYC stands for Police Citizens and Youth Club.
“It’s not until they see police officers in uniform at events that they ask the question and make the connection.”
There was an increase in community engagement PCYC and people signing up for PCYC activities after ColourXplosion in 2021 and Dion is hopeful this will happen again.
SLIDESHOW | IMAGES: Trina Ayers Photography
“ColourXplosion let the community know PCYC Maranoa continues to provide local support after Covid and focused on the organisation’s three pillars of youth development, crime prevention and community engagement,” he said
Dion thanked Senex Energy for sponsoring ColourXplosion again and assisting in the lead up and on the day.
“Events like this can only happen due to generous support so I’d like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Senex for partnering with our hardworking PCYC personnel.”
Senex Energy community relations manager Trevor Robertson said it was “heart warming” to see ColourXplosion go from strength to strength each year.
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“Numbers have doubled since Senex first partnered with PCYC in 2018,” he said.
“ColourXplosion’s success is because it’s a great family friendly event on Easter Sunday, which just adds to a weekend of fun.
“As well as raising awareness and funds for PCYC, events like ColourXplosion contribute to a full Easter in the Country program, which has a ripple effect on the wider community.
“Accommodation was booked out and local businesses benefit from the extra tourist trade.
“Senex knows this economic activity is vital to a vibrant and sustainable future for Roma.”
ColourXplosion funds will enable PCYC Maranoa to continue to deliver community and youth development programs.
SHOCKED and grieving workmates are gathered at the scene where a feedlot employee tragically died in a crash south west of Chinchilla this morning.
The crash occurred on Greenswamp Rd just after 10am, when the man’s single cab ute crashed into a tree on the opposite side of the road not far from the Goombi Fairymeadow Rd intersection.
The male driver’s ute collided with a tree at a bend on Greenswamp Rd
Country Caller has confirmed the young man was an employee of a major cattle feedlot on Greenswamp Rd.
It’s understood the man was travelling from nearby workers’ accommodation toward the main feedlot site when the crash occurred.
Police remain on the scene and are awaiting the arrival of forensic crash investigators.
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The feedlot on Greenswamp Rd where the male driver was travelling
NATHAN McDonald is running as the United Australia Party candidate for Maranoa in the federal election on 21 May.
McDonald has spent most of his life in Maranoa. Goondiwindi born and bred, he grew up on his family’s beef and grain properties in the Billa Billa district north of his home town.
After leaving school, McDonald studied education and after several years working as a teacher, he moved into school leadership.
For ten years McDonald has led two school communities as Principal, most recently at Chinchilla Christian College which grew from 171 to 468 students under his leadership.
McDonald was an LNP member until November last year when he became disillusioned with the party and gravely concerned about the direction that the country was heading in.
United Australia Party candidate for Maranoa, Nathan McDonald, with his family at the Chinchilla Botanic Parkland. IMAGE: Supplied
As McDonald said, “Under the LNP, our national debt has increased to around 1 trillion dollars, a massive figure which will place our country under considerable strain for many years to come.”
McDonald was shocked when the LNP committed to net zero emissions by 2050 in October of last year.
He said that he never thought this would happen, especially given earlier in February Nationals’ leader Barnaby Joyce declared, “If The Nationals supported net-zero emissions we would cease to be a party that could credibly represent farmers.”
Of net zero, McDonald said, “I fear it will threaten Australia’s world class industries, including our agricultural industry, and affect our standard of living. I am also concerned about what net zero will mean for the provision of reliable, affordable electricity into the future. With the UAP team, I want to see manufacturing return to Australia, but this won’t happen with rising energy costs. We need to review energy policy in this country.”
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McDonald said he was also disappointed with the government’s management of the pandemic.
He asserted, “I’ve seen first-hand, as I’m sure most have, the toll taken by confusing, inconsistent and unfair policy over the last two years. The division in families and communities, the struggles of local businesses, increased mental health issues and people losing their jobs because of a personal health choice are all impacts felt by those in Maranoa. People are hurting, who I know and love, along with people right across the electorate; and rather than strong leadership bringing us together, our leaders have driven that division, fear and loss.”
McDonald believes our country is in bad shape and that at this election, it’s time to get it back on the right path. He says, “We need a strong government that will genuinely serve the interests of the Australian people. The United Australia Party, a genuine alternative to the failing major parties, is committed to restoring our freedoms and putting Australia first. If we keep voting the same old way, we are going to get the same old results. It’s time for change.”
United Australia Party candidate for Maranoa, Nathan McDonald at his family property “Goondooee” north of Goondiwindi. IMAGE: Supplied
He went on to say, “UAP’s policies, with their strong focus on rural Australia, key infrastructure spending in the regions, investment and targeted tax cuts, align with my vision for my electorate.”
In particular, McDonald believes that UAP’s zonal taxation policy that provides for a 20% tax concession for individuals and businesses located more than 200 kms from a capital city would help encourage growth and investment in the regional communities of Maranoa.
He said, “The electorate of Maranoa generates considerable revenue for the government. I believe it’s only fair that tax payers in my electorate would receive this tax concession and end up with more money in their pockets.”
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He is also excited about UAP’s plans to save Australian homes by freezing home loan interest rates below 3% for the next five years and to pay down our national debt within 20 years by introducing a 15% export licence on iron ore.
McDonald stated, “By getting our national debt under control, we can introduce targeted tax cuts, increase the age pension and have free higher education in Australia once again.”
McDonald describes himself as someone who has lived a life true to his values, who stands up for freedom, truth, accountability, transparency and integrity.
He believes that having been a leader of a school community and as someone who has deep ties to the agricultural lifeblood of our electorate, he is in a unique position to understand the needs of Maranoa families, communities and producers.
McDonald said, “I am ready to listen to and work hard for the people of my electorate. I will get the job done and deliver a truly thriving Maranoa. If you want someone with these values and with this commitment and vision representing you, vote 1 McDonald for Maranoa.”
Nathan McDonald, the UAP candidate for Maranoa, can be contacted by emailing maranoa@unitedaustraliaparty.org.au or by phoning 0407 221 308.
THE 2022 Murilla Garden Group Morning Tea (formerly The Biggest Morning Tea) will be held in the garden of Steve and Kylie Bourne, “Sunnyview”, Miles, on Thursday 12th May, 9:30am-12:30pm.
The event will feature all of the fabulous elements the morning tea is known for – great company, beautiful food and barista coffee by Ludwig & Will.
Once again, an exciting collection of major raffle prizes will be on offer, as well as the cent auction, and plant and produce stalls.
Eight years on since they hosted the event in 2014, Steve and Kylie have kindly offered to open their garden gates once again to the community for this important local fundraiser.
Steve and Kylie Bourne’s property “Sunnyview” in Miles
Guests can expect to enjoy a relaxing and inspiring morning in the unique “Sunnyview” garden. Set on the peaceful banks of the Dogwood Creek, the garden is an oasis of creativity and artistic expression.
Welcoming lawns and colourful plantings are punctuated by upcycled metal sculptures, rambling climbers and interesting succulents.
A noteworthy feature of the garden is Kylie’s historic mosaics studio, a quaint timber cottage nestled under towering 100-year-old Jacaranda trees.
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The morning tea attracts many guests from the wider Western Downs region and provides the perfect opportunity for a day out with friends, in aid of a good cause.
This year the Murilla Garden Group has chosen to raise funds for the Miles & District Hospital Auxiliary – Milton House, and the Queensland Cancer Fund Accommodation – Olive McMahon Lodge.
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This long-standing event in the community has raised valuable funds for important causes over the years, primarily Cancer Council Queensland.
Over the past 28 years, over $170,000 has been raised through the morning tea in the Miles community.
The committee looks forward to welcoming many locals and guests from further afield to be part of another memorable morning tea this year.
Western Downs Regional Council is calling on residents to have their say as part of a milestone project to deliver a new standard of communications and community engagement across the region.
Council has commenced the development of a Communications and Community Engagement Strategy, which will deliver a clear vision for the organisation on how to best engage and communicate with residents both now, and into the future.
Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Paul McVeigh said the project would be delivered for the community, with comprehensive consultation to be undertaken as part of the development of the Strategy.
“One of our key priorities under our Corporate Plan is to achieve meaningful communications and community engagement, and the development of this strategy will ensure we are doing just that,” Cr McVeigh said.
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“We have engaged reputable Queensland public relations and strategic communications firm Phillips Group to develop the Strategy, which will consider the community’s expectations of communications and engagement and give us the knowledge and the tools to deliver on our Corporate Plan priority.
“In a very short period, we have seen a rapidly evolving media landscape and significant change in relation to the availability and accessibility of local news and information for residents, so it’s timely Council reconsiders how best to reach our community on issues that matter to them, and how best to engage with the community on Council projects, decisions, and initiatives.”
Council Spokesperson for Strategic Communications and Council Facilities Councillor Megan James encouraged residents to get involved and put their ideas forward.
“This consultation will allow us to establish a strong understanding of how people in the region receive information, how they like to be engaged, what they want to hear from Council and what they want to be engaged on,” Cr James said.
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“Information collected as part of the community consultation phase will help inform the strategy, so it’s really important residents take the time to have their say.
“We will also be reaching out directly to targeted stakeholder groups seeking feedback very shortly, and I encourage everyone in the region to complete the survey, share with their friends and family and help us deliver a Strategy to best suit our region’s needs.”
Residents will have until the 29th of May to complete the survey, which is available online, via hard copy at Council Customer Service Centres, Libraries, and selected Visitor Information Centres.
Residents are also able to complete their survey over the phone and are encouraged to keep an eye on their letterboxes for more information in coming weeks.
TWO professional bull riders from central and western Queensland have secured their debut spots at this weekend’s PBR State of Origin II event in Tamworth, and say they’re determined help their team stay ahead of the competition.
Yeppoon local Ben Moran, 18, and Barcaldine local Jackson Gray, 21, will both compete for Queensland at the 2022 PBR Monster Energy Origin Series after strong performances at the Toowoomba Invitational earlier this month.
Modelled after the State of Origin rugby league series, the blues and maroons bull riding showdown puts 10-cowboy Queensland and New South Wales teams head to head for an interstate competition.
Team Queensland is already dominating the dirt after surging to an early 1-0 lead at the first leg of the series in Newcastle last month.
Queensland celebrates taking a 1-0 lead at PBR Origin I in Newcastle
PBR Australia general manager Glen Young said while the team captains were selected earlier in 2022, riders must continually earn their place based on performances at events during the PBR Monster Energy Tour.
“Jackson Gray made his 2022 PBR Australia season debut in Toowoomba and courtesy of an 11th place result, secured his first-ever opportunity to compete at PBR Origin this weekend, where he is currently ranked No.19 in the race for the 2022 PBR Australia Championship” said Young said.
“Ben Moran delivered a career-best effort in Toowoomba to earn his chance to represent the Maroons this weekend when he covered Rip Slinger for 78.5 points.
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“Both riders will join the talented Team Queensland roster this weekend, where they’ll be eagerly helping the team defend their Championship title.”
As the anticipation continues to build for this weekend’s event, four-time PBR Australia Champion and Team Queensland captain, Aaron Kleier, said his team was determined to defend its championship title following back-to-back victories.
“It is a great privilege to put on this maroon jersey and have all the Queenslanders at home supporting you, we’re doing it for them really,” Kleier said.
Queensland captain Aaron Kleier on ‘Kit Carson’ at PBR Origin I in Newcastle
“Bull riding is such an individual sport, so when we get to do it as a team, especially to do it for Team Queensland, it just means a great deal.
“We just work good together as a team, have fun and get behind each other, you see us all there, all cheering for each other.
“We’ve kicked it off like we’ve kicked the other years off and hopefully just keep it on a roll and win the next two.”
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While the Blues fell short of the event win in Newcastle, team captain Cody Heffernan, seven-time PBR World Finals qualifier Lachlan Richardson, and NSW young gun Braith Nock were dominant in the individual competition, finishing second, third and fourth, respectively.
Heffernan said he was is hoping to turn the tables on Team Queensland this weekend in Tamworth and level the series ahead of the last PBR Origin event in Brisbane on May 21.
“We just got to believe in ourselves. Those first couple of bulls, make sure we get some qualified rides, get the ball rolling early,” Heffernan said.
“Every ride counts for the spectators watching. We’ll make Tamworth count.”
Young said this weekend’s Origin II event in Tamworth would be “make or break” for the series outcome and had the potential to determine which team will take out the overall Origin Series Championship.
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Nathan Burtenshaw on launched skyward on Ray Ban at PBR Origin I in Newcastle.
“The PBR Origins Champion will be the team that wins two or more events in the series, and the event winner will be the team with the highest combined score in the event aggregate,” Young said.
“Tamworth has the potential to be the deciding factor in who will take out the Championship title, so we’re looking forward to seeing if Team Queensland will pull off another event win or if we’ll see Team New South Wales make even ground.
There is $30,000 in prize money up for grabs this weekend in Tamworth and $40,000 on the line in Brisbane.
The best rider of the series gets a $20,000 bonus and this year’s Monster Energy PBR Australian Champion will receive a $50,000 year-end bonus.
“The atmosphere in Tamworth is always electric and we couldn’t think of a better place to hold the second instalment of our PBR Monster Energy Origin Tournament,” Young said
THE competition is called the Wandoan Photo Challenge but it was a photo taken by Carmen Keeffe near Condamine which won first prize in the People’s Choice Awards.
The same image also placed second in the Kids at Play category, with Judge Paula Heelan describing it as nicely composed with good light and great focus.
“It’s a lovely capture of bush kids playing with trucks in the dirt – a familiar, heart-warming sight,” she said.
“The standard of entries improves year on year, making the task of judging far from easy.
“The photos entered pull on the heart strings, make you smile and essentially, beckon you to the bush.”
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Senex Energy community relations manager Trevor Robertson presented local happy snappers and professional photographers from as far away as Brisbane with $5500 of prizes on April 1.
“Senex is absolutely delighted to sponsor the Photo Challenge for the fifth year,” he said.
“It’s great to see good outcomes from unfortunate events like the Show cancellation.
Playing by the cattle yards by Carmen Keeffe won the People’s Choice category
“The Wandoan Photo Challenge went online just as it did during the height of Covid-19 and it not only survived, but thrived.”
This year was the competition’s most successful yet with 257 entries compared to just 79 when it was first held in 2017.
Taroom’s Tracee Hay won first in both the Small Town, Big Country and Adults at Play categories with action shots from the Wandoan Rodeo while David Wilson of Brisbane’s photo of kids playing rugby league near Wallumbilla took out first in Kids at Play.
It was the first time that Chinchilla’s Donna Reading entered and it paid off with her shot Dino Racers placing second in Adults at Play.
Dino Racers by Donna Reading placed second in Adults at Play.
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Tomorrow’s photographers were well represented with Georgina Dahl’s aerial image overlooking a feedlot winning the Young Photographer’s category while Matthew Newton placed second with a quintessential bush image of cattle.
At just five years old, it’s clear Tessa Blackley has inherited her mother Emily’s eye with My little sister placing third in Young Photographers.
Tessa’s little sister also featured in a photo which saw Emily Blackley awarded Best Wandoan Local Photographer while James Klass was named Best Wandoan Local Young Photographer.
PRESENTATIONS | IMAGES: Jacinta Cummins
It was a family affair for Tania Banker (L) placing second in Small Town, Big Country with an image of her grandson Henry Booth (M). Henry’s mother, Jacynta Booth, (R) took home third in Kids at Play for a photo of Henry playing in the mud
Senex Community Relations Manager Trevor Robertson and Wandoan Photo Challenge Coordinator Helen Golden congratulate mother daughter duo Tania Baker and Jacynta Booth on their winning photos which both feature Jacynta’s son, Henry
Taroom’s Tracee Hay took out first prize in both open categories as well as the Best Photographer Award
Senex Community Relations Manager Trevor Robertson and Wandoan Photo Challenge Coordinator Helen Golden with Carmen Keeffe of Condamine whose photo placed second in Kids at Play and was also People’s Choice Winner
The Wandoan Photo Challenge expanded with winning entries coming from the very edges of its 100 kilometre radius. Senex Community Relations Manager Trevor Robertson and Wandoan Photo Challenge Coordinator Helen Golden with Chinchilla’s Donna Reading
Senex Community Relations Manager Trevor Robertson and Wandoan Photo Challenge Coordinator Helen Golden with James Klass who won Wandoan Local Young Photographer
Emily and Tessa Blackley
Emily Blackley won Wandoan Local Open Photographer with her five-year-old daughter Tessa Blackley who placed third in Young Photographer’s Small Town, Big Country
It was a family affair for Tania Baker and Jacynta Booth with the mother daughter duo both winning prizes for separate images of Jacynta’s son Henry at play.
The Best Photographer Award went to Tracee Hay for the second year running with the judge commending her “skilfully taken images” that are “vibrant, well composed and have the ‘wow’ factor”.
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Trevor Robertson thanked everyone involved.
“This competition has gone from strength to strength,” he said.
“It’s more than just a favourite Wandoan Show competition, it attracts attention from much further afield than Wandoan with entries coming in from the very edges of the 100km radius.
“It shows how good life out here is and Senex is proud to share this with the community.”
A WOMAN was strangled, a firearm was wielded from a car window and road spikes were deployed twice in a wild police chase stretching hundreds of kilometres from inner-city Brisbane to outback Queensland.
The shocking incident began in a public carpark at Taringa in Brisbane’s inner west about 2am on Sunday April 10, when a 19-year-old woman was grabbed by the neck and strangled as she tried to enter her Toyota Landcruiser.
Police say the alleged assailant, 25-year-old Stafford Heights man Cody John Schloss, pulled the woman from the vehicle and left her in the carpark with grazes and scratches to her neck, arm and elbow.
The Landcruiser has since been linked to a string of offences across country Queensland between April 10 and April 12, including fuel drive-offs at Rolleston, Alpha, Longreach and Dingo.
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Police are also investigating an incident about 6pm on Monday April 11 when the vehicle was allegedly driven at police officers at a roadside breath testing site on the Landsborough Highway at Longreach.
Then at about 2.40pm on Tuesday April 12, police were called to reports of a man in a Toyota Landcruiser driving dangerously in Dulacca.
It is alleged the vehicle was being driven erratically, leaving the roadway and swerving into oncoming traffic causing other motorists to take evasive action.
One motorist told police the driver of the vehicle pointed what appeared to be a firearm at a passing vehicle.
Police successfully deployed road spikes at Miles but the Landcruiser continued to drive on deflated tyres.
Officers pursued the vehicle to Chinchilla where the pursuit was abandoned due to safety concerns.
A second set of road spikes was successfully deployed at Warra and police attempted to intercept the Landcruiser. It collided with a police car and continued along the Warrego Highway.
The vehicle was intercepted on Oakey Connection Road at Oakey, where Mr Schloss was arrested and taken into custody.
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The Landcruiser after running over road spikes at Warra. IMAGE: Vess’s Photography
He was charged with unlawful entry of a vehicle for committing indictable offence at night (using violence), disabling in order to commit indictable offence (Taringa), armed robbery (using personal violence) and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
Mr Schloss appeared briefly today in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court, where he was remanded in custody and the matter was adjourned to June.
Investigations into other alleged offences are ongoing. Anyone with information or relevant dashcam footage is urged to contact police.
