Qld

Estimates of around 1,000 trick or treaters and adults roamed the streets of Westbrook last Tuesday to celebrate one of the biggest days of the year for families. Rather than a traditional-style trick or treating arrangement, the Westbrook Lions organised a street closure in the part of town which sees the most houses participate.

The Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) celebrated the pumpkin on Halloween by opening entries for its iconic Giant Pumpkin Competition ... Veggie patch kings and queens and 2023 Champion Heaviest Pumpkin of Show title winner, Downlands College are planning a return in 2024 and they’ll be hoping to recreate their history-making win.

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The damage caused to the Dalrymple Creek bank by previous flooding was a wake-up call that some sort of prevention needed to take place. The answer was stabilising the creek bank.

Through the lens of the Allora Photography Club. Now showing at the Warwick Art Gallery, the exhibition will run until 2 December. This exhibition is a reflection of the group’s work to showcase the individuality, perspective and interpretation in various topics of photography.

A record number of 240 swimmers participated with 61 from the Allora Swim Club with this being the first swimming carnival for some of the younger swimmers ... Of the nearly 200 races held on the day there were many records broken and personal bests achieved.

Renewed focus on weed biocontrol through a collaborative initiative is set to deliver benefits to land managers and the environment in the fight against weeds. The initial phase of implementing the National Weed Biocontrol Pipeline Strategy includes the drafting of a national priority list of candidate weeds for biological control.

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“At the same time we have seen these shocking declines in volunteer numbers, without any genuine attempt to stem the flow, Labor governments have embarked on a land lock-up spree that has seen National Park size in Queensland increase from around 6.6 million ha in 2002 to more than 7 million ha in 2022 ... Then we have the Prime Minister running around the country saying he will protect 30 per cent of lands, meanwhile what is currently under lock and key are poorly-managed, ecological wastelands that raise the nation’s bushfire risk": Traeger MP Robbie Katter.

This December, RADIANCE illuminates the Rockhampton Botanic Gardens ... Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor Tony Williams said RADIANCE is an event the whole family can enjoy as the Botanic Gardens awaken nightly with a spectacular Christmas-themed sound and light experience.

Proving age is no barrier regarding charitable acts, Lachlan Baker, in Year 6 at Trinity Anglican School (TAS) Kewarra Beach campus hosted a dinner and trivia event, raising $1255 for local charity COUCH. Lachlan tells ARR.News about his first, and very successful, fundraising experience.

Opportunities for young people in rural communities to gain training and practical skills to make them more employable have been increased as a result of the Queensland Government’s Western Queensland Regional Community Forum, which meets for the last time for 2023 at Longreach.

Member for Groom Garth Hamilton is inviting local businesses to feature their products at Parliament House. The Parliament House Gift Shop has recently introduced the ‘National Showcase’ initiative.

Australian farmers are requesting donated hay at a phenomenal rate as drought and bushfire conditions bite ... Queensland cattle producer Betty Johnson, of Biggenden, this month received hay from Rural Aid ... “We’ve had no rain at all since about January which means that I’ve been feeding stock for ages. If you’re feeding stock, it costs money.”

The Festival of Small Halls stopped in at Pilton Soldiers Memorial Hall, performing in front of a big crowd. Lee ann Weekes from down the road at West Haldon opened the show. She was followed by Brisbane-based cellist Monique Clare and Canadian musician Shane Pendergast.

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In the 2023 Warwick Garden Competition Lynn Close at Roseneath Cottage at Allora was awarded 2nd place for her Large Home Garden and 2nd place for her magnificent roses.

As at Tuesday 31 October the Goomburra Fires are under control after many days of fire fighting and back burning. Each day about half a dozen units are attending the fires which are still burning in the hills.

The Allora mural designs have been completed and are ready for the Allora community to vote on the winning design. Artists Jordan and Steve have supplied an explanation on each of the designs and have taken on board the ideas so generously shared by the Allora community.

The ‘Westfund Regional Health Gap Report’ shows that access to healthcare remains an ongoing issue for Australians in regional areas, with half (49 per cent) of respondents considering the wait time to see their GP unreasonable, some having to wait up to six weeks to get an appointment, and many having to travel more than two hours for an in-person consultation with specialists ... Mark Genovese, Westfund CEO, answers some questions from ARR.News about general trends, specific initiatives for specific areas, digital health care and more.