Early Autumn deluge makes for promising dry season

By HARRY CLARKE

CREEKS and rivers continue to run across Queensland’s upper Murray Darling catchment and dams are all but full after pleasing amounts of rain across the region over March.

The summer season wasn’t ideal for dry land crops, but recent downfalls in excess of 100mm in parts of the Western Downs and South West has created optimism for farmers ahead of the dryer months.

Topping the list for seven-day rainfall during the first month of Autumn, according to rain gauge aggregator Oz Forecast, was Wieambilla east of Condamine with 147mm. There were reports of similar downfalls around Jandowae.

Nearby Warra and Hopeland received just shy of 100mm while further west, Roma, Mitchell, and Surat all exceeded 120mm. That rain filled Beardmore Dam at St George, giving growers along the Balonne River another year’s irrigation.

Beardmore Dam north of St George exceeded 100 percent capacity in March.

St George cotton grower Tim McDonald (pictured above with wife Fiona and daughter Harriet) said farmers in the region were relishing another good downfall following last year’s Balonne River flood.

“It’s been a massive turn around,” Mr McDonald said. “In 2019 we had about three inches for the year. Last year we had 22 inches and this year’s been good again.”

“It provides us with water security for next year. We know we’re going to get some cotton in the ground and we can plan financially. Everyone’s pretty happy.

“All the cotton’s looking good so we’re expecting pretty good yield. A bit of fine weather over the next couple of months to get all the picking done would be ideal.”

Rabobank analysts have estimated the national cotton yield to be as high as 2.5 million bales – a four-fold increase on last year’s crop.

Rabobank data has also indicated that moisture content across southern Queensland was generally above average for the month of February. Presumably that will increase further after the March deluge.

Dry land sorghum crop at Surat during March rain.

Grain growers in the Western Downs are expecting reasonable sorghum yields with pre-Christmas rain saving what could have been a bleak season.

For many the latest downpours were too late, but big rain further west around Surat came at the perfect time to finish crops around the southern Maranoa.

Hopeland farmer Greg Bender said last year’s heavy rain allowed a positive season for irrigated crops and local growers now had relative water security for the months ahead.

“It’s been a big benefit for us because we were just about running out of water to finish off our irrigated corn properly,” he said.

“For mungbeans it would have been a bit too late but the sorghum definitely benefits.

“Some people were still trying to harvest some of those early season crops, so the wet would have given them a bit of grief, but the benefits outweigh the negatives.”

Mr Bender said his 90mm was enough to return his ring tank to near 80 percent capacity, making way for a promising winter.

“It’s given us enough overland flow and rainfall to set us up for next year,” he said.

“It won’t be a one hundred percent guarantee, but at least it’s starting to build a profile of moisture and setting everyone up for a reasonable winter crop.

“Rainfall in late August or September sets you up for a good winter crop. We’re not guaranteed without that follow up rain.”

Hopeland grain grower Greg Bender was able to return his dam to 80 percent capacity during the March rainfall.

Roma rugby league welcomes Ringers from the west

By HARRY CLARKE

WITH lead-up tournaments done and dusted, rugby league communities across the Western Downs and South West are thrilled to finally be kicking off the 2021 season on April 11.

And, as officials thought, what better way to herald the return of the beloved game following last season’s Covid-cancellation than by introducing a new team to the competition?

Joining the Roma & District Rugby League draw this year will be the newly-formed Western Ringers, an outfit comprising players from the proud sporting districts around Charleville, Cunnamulla, Augathella and Quilpie.

Those towns previously held their own competition but dwindling participation over the years eventually saw the draw reduced to just two teams – Charleville and Cunnamulla.

The clubs would run a mini-season early in the year, then players who were keen for more footy would join the Mitchell Magpies and participate in the Roma comp.

But a dedicated group of players and organisers in the South West have now breathed new life into organised rugby league in the region by forming the combined Western Ringers team.

The Roma competition, now in its 38th year, will this season have seven teams – St George Saints, Wallumbilla-Surat Red Bulls, Roma Cities, Mitchell Magpies, Miles Devils and Chinchilla Bulldogs, as well as the Western Ringers.

The Western Ringers’ forward pack breaches Chinchilla’s defence at Miles. IMAGE: HARRIET BROWN

The Wandoan-Taroom Battlers will join the competition as the Ringers’ Reserve Grade side following a five-year affiliation with the Miles Devils.

The Ringers’ Cunnamulla-based president, Ethan Capewell, said the team was warmly welcomed by opposition clubs when they played a friendly pre-season competition in Miles mid-March.

“Everyone involved was really welcoming in having us there and they were really supportive,” Capewell said. “Off the field, between games, there was good friendly banter.”

“The lads just love footy and we’re stoked to be part of the comp this year. It’s a bit unfortunate to see our competition disappear but we’re doing what we can to keep playing footy.”

The elephant in the room is the enormous amount of travel that will be required for players, officials and supporters throughout what will inevitably be an exhausting 14-round regular season.

Players from Quilpie and Cunnumulla will have a round trip of roughly 14 hours every time they play an away game against Miles, Wandoan and Chinchilla.

For the players living in outback properties, the drive will be even longer.

“It’s a big ask of our players and supporters. It’s a long way to drive, but we get to play a bit of footy and hang out with our mates,” Capewell said.

“We’re getting four home games in Charleville and that’s pretty amazing – to get the opportunity to play in front of our friends and family.”

Training is another clear challenge for the team but twice a week players able to attend will gather at the Charleville showground under the coaching leadership of Shane Peacock (pictured above with player Charlie Aiken).

“This year our objective is to be competitive, to get through the year and to look to the future,” Peacock said.

“We want to secure our future in this competition and I think we’ve got a side that could upset a few teams throughout the season.

“We’ve got a fair spread of players so hopefully we can keep getting a few to training and slowly build. Everyone’s keen to do it and I’m sure once we get travelling things will go well.”

BATTLERS CHARGE TO VICTORY IN THE TERRY CHARLES

Battlers dummy-half Brendan Dann palms off Tara defence at the Terry Charles Memorial Cup competition. IMAGE: LINDA STEINOHRT

In a warning shot to opposition clubs ahead of the 2021 season, the Wandoan-Taroom Battlers secured a convincing victory in the annual Terry Charles Memorial Cup.

The annual Western Downs rugby league tournament, honouring the former competition president killed in a car accident in 1966, was held in Tara as a final hit out before the regular season begins.

The Battlers beat the Chinchilla Bulldogs 32-6 in their first knockout game and overcame hosts Tara Panthers 32-6 in the final.

Coach Brian Argus said pre-season form, especially following the club’s victory in the Lindsay Williams Trophy tournament two weeks earlier, was promising.

“We’ve got a lot of new young players this year. They seem to be coming from everywhere,” Argus said.

“Our defence has been really good. They’re a good bunch of fellas and they all seem to be doing the right thing.”

He said it was hard to chose standout players in the pre-season but named back rowers Clancy Stanford, Rob Patterson and Justin Becker, dummy half Brendan Dann and centre Tom Phipps as strong performers.

IMAGES FROM THE 2021 TERRY CHARLES CUP BY LINDA STEINOHRT.

Dam council works cancel Easter waterskiing

By HARRY CLARKE

ONE of the Chinchilla community’s favourite Easter pastimes will not be possible this year due to a combination of perceived poor timing by the Western Downs Regional Council and poor management by Sunwater.

The entire public recreation and ski club area at the Chinchilla Weir is currently closed due to council construction works, and will remain out of bounds to the public throughout Easter and beyond.

During a period when dozens of families would usually be flocking to the weir to enjoy waterskiing, boating and socialising, the banks of the popular waterway will remain an unsafe construction site.

The works are part of the Western Downs council’s “COVID Recovery Package” which it said was aimed to create jobs and enhance liveability to residents and visitors.

“To ensure the area is safe to the public throughout construction, access to the facilities is restricted,” the council said in a statement.

“While this is a short term inconvenience, the completed project will deliver a revamped facility which will include a range of new features such as an upgraded day use area, fire pits, shelters, bbqs, a new camp kitchen, fresh landscaping and improved overnight camping areas.”

CANCELLED: Easter waterskiing and boating at Chinchilla Weir

While the upgrades overall are welcomed by local boaties and waterskiers, the weir closures mean they’ll miss out on one of what they say are increasingly rare and short periods when the weir is sufficiently full for waters ports.

“It’s disappointing that for a second year in a row there will be no water skiing at Easter,” said Ronald Thompson, a long time member of the Chinchilla Ski Club.

“Last year it was closed due to Covid, this year the council’s upgrading the site during a La Niña weather pattern. Water in the weir is irregular at best, so restricted use is not welcomed.”

Large rainfalls of up to 150mm across the Condamine River catchment have filled the Chinchilla Weir by late March. At the time of writing the weir was at 137% capacity.

Given the need for downstream crop farmers to access water for irrigation and the time period remaining for the council works to complete, any water sport this season appears unlikely.

Chinchilla Ski Club spokesperson John Johnson said the timing of the council works was particularly disappointing, given that periods of high water at the weir appeared to becoming shorter and rarer.

“We’re happy that the council is spending money out at the weir and that the facilities are being upgraded. That’s what we’ve been asking for, for years,” Mr Johnson said.

“It’s a shame that we’ve got water now and we can’t use it. Perhaps they could have done something to open the boat ramp and cordoned off other areas.”

He said that since management of the weir was taken over by government-owned operator Sunwater, water appeared to be released sooner after rainfall and in larger quantities.

“It just seems the water’s not managed for the general public anymore. I’m not against irrigation, I just think the water is for everybody,” Mr Johnson said.

“The weir is a fantastic thing for the town but there’s rarely any water there now.”

Chinchilla Weir. IMAGE: Sunwater

In a statement Sunwater said the Chinchilla Weir was managed in accordance with the Chinchilla Water Supply Scheme’s operations manual, which is approved by the Queensland Government.

“Our responsibility is to store water in the weir and deliver to customers when ordered and in accordance with the scheme’s operations manual,” the statement said.

“Irrigators hold water allocation rights from the weir, which entitles them to water depending on availability.”

Exhibition celebrates 50 years of Glenmorgan art

By HARRY CLARKE

TO CELEBRATE the huge achievement and milestone of its 50th anniversary, the renowned Glenmorgan Art Group is showcasing some of its best work with a seven-week exhibition at the Dogwood Crossing gallery in Miles.

The Glenmorgan Art Group was established in 1970 and three of its founders remain active members today, highlighting the group’s remarkable passion and commitment to its craft.

The event in Miles is titled 2020 Vision: Glenmorgan Art Group 50th Anniversary Exhibition and it’s now actually 51 years in the making – celebrations were cancelled last year due to the pandemic.

2020 Vision will be on display at Dogwood Crossing from April 6th to May 15th. Organiser are hoping for a large public attendance at the offical opening on the night of Friday, April 9th.

On the following day, April 10th, the group will host a workshop with well-known post war and contemporary artist Jenny McDuff.

When asked by the Caller how the group the managed to stand the test of time despite monumental change and development in the community over the past half decade, members Shiree Wenham and Cindy Grimes (picture L-R above) both mentioned the term “encouragement”.

“At the core of the group are people who take their art practice very seriously,” Cindy said.

“It’s fact that we can bounce off other people and get that feedback and encouragement from working with eachother. But we’re always looking at ways to learn and grow as artists.”

Shiree added: “I joined the group because I think my husband got sick of me saying ‘oh look at the that sunset, isn’t that beautiful, I’d love to paint it’. I was eventually put in touch with the ladies.

“They’re just lovely, there’s so much encouragement. Pretty much everything that I’ve learnt, I’ve learnt at art group.

“Some people go fishing, some people play golf – whatever – it’s just that thing that you need to release and relax. It’s just really encouraging to be around these ladies who feel so passionate about it and are here to help me learn.”

For all information on the Glenmorgan Art Group and the exhibition visit the group’s official Facebook page.

Below are works by some of Glenmorgan Art Group’s foundation members. Click to highlight.

(Clockwise – ‘Still Waters’ by Dorothy Gordon who passed away in 1985, ‘Bungle Verticals’ by Carol McCormack, ‘Tree Fern’ by Jane Bridle, and ‘Saltbush’ by Penny Murphy.)

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BEEF 21: Tours to showcase Capricorn cattle & culture

ALL week throughout BEEF 2021, ticket holders can get a front row seat to see exactly where their meat comes from and how it’s produced through a series of property tours across the Rockhampton region.

Thirteen producers will be welcoming guests onto their properties. Transport, morning tea and lunch will be provided, and at each property guests will enjoy presentations and forums with top industry professionals.

Beef Australia selected properties that would provide “something for everyone” and highlight producer operations across a range of land types and management styles, showcasing innovation and best practice within the beef industry.

Guest will experience some of Northern Australia’s premier properties and see first hand why the Rockhampton region is acknowledged as the Beef Capital of Australia.

Away from the cattle farms, there will also be a series of tours showcasing the colour, culture and history of the Rockhampton region, from a cruise along the Fitzroy River, to a walk through the stunning Capricorn Caves network.

Below are the properties hosting tours. Tickets range from $125 – $195 and can be purchase through the official Beef Australia BEEF 2021 website.

Sam Becker with sister Alexandra of Jarrah Cattle Company at “Glenarchy” near Banana

Among the host cattle farmers will be Sam and Sarah Becker from the Banana property “Glenarchy”, home of Jarrah Cattle Company’s vertical integrated beef cattle operation.

Jarrah Cattle Company is a family owned and operated breeding business that aims to provide the most relevant, efficient and market orientated genetics to the Australia beef industry.

Coming from a family full of accountants, Sam Becker said he was looking forward to showing guests the data-based strategies used in their commercial breeding, backgrounding and bull breeding operation.

“One of the things we wanted to discuss is how to make the most out of your land, when land prices and cattle prices are so high,” Sam said.

“We’re really looking forward to showing our stud breeders and giving an insight into the depth of business analysis that goes into the operation. We really do try and collect a lot of data to take the operation forward.”

In an exciting coup for Jarrah, guest speaker on the day will be Herefords Australia CEO Lisa Sharp (pictured), appointed to the position following five years she spent as marketing and insights officer for Meat and Livestock Australia.

  • Brahman bull from the renowned ‘Belah Valley’ at Marlborough
  • Traditional dance demonstrations with the Woorabinda Pastoral Company

Other property tours will include the Woorabinda Pastoral Company, welcoming guests to ‘Foleyvale’ at Duaringa for a full day tour that showcases the indigenous organisation’s grazing and farming enterprises.

Renowned cattleman Alf Collins and family will host visitors at ‘Belah Valley’ at Marlborough and give insight into the CBV Brahman operation, including genomics selection, cost effective production and soil health and wealth.

Arrow Farmquip is hosting half day tour of the Arrow demonstration yards located at Nerimbera, just outside Rockhampton, showcasing the facility, including a fully operational set of stockyards with the latest low-stress stock handling products.

For the full list and details and Beef Australia property and Rockhampton region tours visit the official Beef Australia BEEF 2021 website.

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WATCH: Dirranbandi raffle winner stars in charity campaign

DIRRANBANDI mother of six Anne Brischetto is now the face of a nationwide Rural Aid campaign after winning big in a charity raffle.  

Mrs Brischetto features in a new video that has been published on the Play for Purpose and Rural Aid social media sites. See the video below. 

The Lott’s Play for Purpose raffle is a not-for-profit community raffle. Raffle tickets are $10, with a guaranteed minimum of $5 per ticket going directly back to the player’s charity of choice.  

The raffles have helped Rural Aid raise tens of thousands of dollars towards its life-changing programs.  

Mrs Brischetto said she chose to support Rural Aid because she knows how tough life on the land can be.  

“I usually have cattle on the place, but because of the drought, which we’ve had for nine years, I’ve had to shift them away,” she said.  

She said winning a prize in the last raffle was a huge thrill. 

“A lady rang me and told me that I’d won the third major prize in the raffle, which was $7500 of Myer vouchers. I didn’t actually believe her because I never win anything!” 

The video, which was premiered this morning, shows the headphones and home gym that Mrs Brischetto bought with her prize. 

“I think Rural Aid is a very good charity to donate to, because it supports the farmers and you’ve got the chance that you might win something that you wouldn’t normally have,” she said.  

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said it was great to see a farmer have a win. 

“We’re always appreciative of any donations made to Rural Aid by our generous Aussie supporters,” Mr Warlters said. “But it makes it that much sweeter when our donors benefit too!”

The current Play for Purpose raffle closes this Thursday with a $250k prize pack on offer. Tickets are still available at the official Play for Purpose website.

EXCLUSIVE: The “full of life” little girl in tragic dam drowning

By HARRY CLARKE

FAMILY and friends desperately trawled a dam north of Tara several times for Ruby Gulliver, but turned up nothing, before police divers eventually found her little body submerged about 1am.

The 2-year-old went missing about 3.30pm on Monday, March 8, when it’s understood her mother looked away briefly while using the bathroom at their property on Males Rd, on the southern edge of the Wieambilla forest.

Police say there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death. Detectives have been at the property this morning and it’s understood QPS Scenes of Crime officers will also attend to continue routine investigations.

Country Caller was welcomed onto the property by the owner’s nephew, Phillip Shier, who is a longterm friend of Ruby’s parents and also lives on the property in a separate dwelling.

Phillip said Ruby’s parents, Trent and Sky, were completely devastated when the hours-long search for their first born child ended in tragedy. They also have a second baby daughter, Sarah.

He said Ruby’s young mother collapsed in grief when police confirmed her body had been found in the dam. Her father was in a state of tearful shock.

Local police, the dog squad, SES, a police helicopter and workers from nearby gas fields were involved in the search. Authorities were called about 30 minutes after Ruby disappeared but it was hours before she was found.

“As soon as night hit they (police) stopped letting us (friends any family) help search, so we just sat there, twiddling our thumbs,” Phillip said.

“We had people in town searching the streets because they ended up locking the house, so no one was allowed to help (on the property). Everyone that wasn’t allowed in were just driving around the whole area.”

He said searchers had feared Ruby had gone into the dam, and had walked through the water several times to no avail before authorities arrived.

An aerial view of the Tara property where Ruby Gulliver was found deceased in a dam.

Ruby’s family had only lived at the property for about two weeks. Philip Shier said Ruby had “never wandered off, especially to the dam” during that time.

Leading the search effort was police inspector Terry McCullough, who said the tragedy served as a warning about children’s safety on country properties.

“This is a really tragic thing and unfortunately it’s not the first time it’s happened,” Inspector McCullough said.

“It was extremely sad news for everyone involved, our condolences go out to the family and the community at large there.”

Phillip Shier said Ruby was a “happy” little girl and a doting older sister to baby Sarah.

“She was full of life. She was a bit quiet if she didn’t know you, but if she knew you she never shut up,” Phillip said.

Trent Gulliver, Ruby’s father, told the Courier Mail she was “always full of energy, smiling and laughing” and that “you could not have asked for (a) better child.”

A report is being prepared for the coroner.

The home where Ruby Gulliver lived north of Tara.

Renowned lawyer Peter Boyce OAM to deliver keynote speech in Chinchilla

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RENOWNED solicitor Peter Boyce OAM, known as the lawyer whose advocacy helped to convict Daniel Morcombe’s killer, will be guest speaker at Property Rights Australia‘s AGM in Chinchilla this Saturday, March 13.

Mr Boyce will be talking about what improvements may be needed to the Acquisition of Land Act 1967 to make it as fair as the original drafters of the Act intended it to be.

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CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS & REGISTRATION, OR CALL (07) 4921 4000.

No-one in the community can take it for granted that they are immune from having their property acquired for public benefit. For Joanne Rea, Chair of Property Rights Australia, the issue became personal.

At end of 2016 her family and her neighbours were looking forward to a couple of days of doing only essential jobs during a fairly dry period when their hopes of a calm Christmas, if not a wet one, took a nosedive.

All landowners along the Eastern side of the Bruce Highway for more than 100 km received a letter from the Defence Department saying that all of their properties were to be acquired on behalf of the Singapore Military.

Advice at the time seemed to be to concentrate energies on obtaining the highest possible price. Some, many of whom had spent their entire adult lives, if not their entire lives on that property and knew its vagaries intimately, did not think there was any future in moving on and determined to fight on.

Some knew that the uncertainty was something that was taking a toll on their mental health.

Businesses in the small village near where these landowners lived were shattered to find that, unlike the landholders, they were not automatically entitled to any compensation in spite of the fact that they would be devoid of their customer base.

Whether it is for road, rail, government infrastructure, pipelines, some for natural gas, GCG and mining activity or just a large business which the government regards as desirable, there is not one of us who are immune from the vagaries of the Acquisition of Land Act 1967. 

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Speaker Peter Boyce has had a diverse and interesting career.

His most celebrated case is probably his cracking of the Daniel Morcombe case. He has also represented the parents of children who suffered poor outcomes in the medical system.

However, it is as a landowner representative that he came to our attention.

He acted on behalf of a landowner who twice had the transport department come back to him to acquire chunks of his property for new road extensions and was left substantially out of pocket.

His career has been one of service to the community.

The Acquisition of Land Act has been flagged by our members for some time as outdated and unfair.

Rather than just asking for it to be scraped or amended, particularly with a not necessarily farmer friendly government in power, we need to know what we would like in its place.

Peter Boyce is speaking at our conference to clarify that endeavour for us.

Raquel Bond of P&E Law (pictured) will speak about the rights or otherwise of neighbours to those hosting CSG or CSG infrastructure and ongoing issues about landowner rights.

Raquel is a Director and heads up the Chinchilla office. Raquel is a born and bred local with a wealth of knowledge of the Surat Basin and surrounding areas. Raquel has extensive experience in the CSG and mining sectors.

This means that Raquel has a great deal of experience in advising land owners in relation to Conduct and Compensation Agreements and land access matters under the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004 (Qld) and Mineral Resources Act 1989 (Qld), advising clients in relation to the impacts of exploration, mining and infrastructure associated with mining activities such as pipeline easements, powerline easements, gravel pits, etc, advising land owners on environmental law issues including under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (Qld) and the current “make good” arrangements under the Water Act 2000 (Qld) and advising clients in land resumption matters under the Acquisition of Land Act 1967 (Qld).

The Reef Regulations have the power, without a sympathetic rendering, to destroy all of agriculture in Great Barrier Reef catchments.

This is reality not hyperbole and not disputed by federal politicians with whom I have met.

There will be a discussion on the legislation at the conference plus a question and answer session.

Recently, a draft commercial cropping code which means you cannot just walk out into you paddock and plough it up after 1st June, 2021. For an area of 5 ha or greater you will have to have a very specific cropping history or obtain an environmental authority unless the crop is for fodder for your own use.

This is just a further reduction in property rights which seeks to limit management decisions as written and enforced by bureaucrats who know nothing about drought, crop and animal rotation, markets or any of the other plethora of things that go into a management decision.

The department has ticked the consultation boxes but wit green influence in the department greater than agricultural influences we are not hopeful that a positive result will be achieved.

WATCH: Unique Southern Downs businesses have their Stories Told

TWO unique organisations based on Queensland’s Southern Downs have become the subject of short feature documentaries by an exciting new media platform that aims to promote positivity.

Stories Told is the brainchild of former television journalist Mac Lyon, who established the online platform in early 2021 with a vision to help “shape a better future by telling better stories”.

Among the first organisations to be profiled by Stories Told is Echo Valley Farms, an environmentally friendly farm at Goomburra owned by Randal and Juanita Breen.

And, in time for International Women’s Day on March 8, Stories Told has also featured Wild Sage Collective, a cafe and women’s wellness centre in the town of Allora.

View the stories below. For more visit Stories Told on Facebook, Instagram, or its official website.

STORIES TOLD: Echo Valley Farms

STORIES TOLD: Wild Sage Collective