Qld

Far North Queensland Regional Parliament will be held at the Cairns Convention Centre from Tuesday 9 May to Thursday 11 May ... “Regional sittings of Parliament are an important opportunity for locals – including our school students - to not only see democracy in action first hand, but to also hear all of the key issues for their area debated": Annastacia Palaszczuk, Premier of Queensland.

Senator Matthew Canavan and Member for Flynn Colin Boyce MP, have expressed their disappointment in NAB’s decisions to close the Biggenden branch ... "There are 47 community groups and 48 small businesses that are set to be directly impacted by the Biggenden branch closure. I urge NAB to support the community and keep this branch OPEN": Colin Boyce MP, Member for Flynn.

The Commonwealth Bank is closing a branch in an area it has itself labelled one of Australia’s most popular destinations for regional migration, breaking its pledge not to shut any regional branches while a senate inquiry into the impact of bank closures is in progress ... The Commonwealth Bank’s interpretation leaves Australia’s three biggest regional cities – Geelong, Wollongong and Newcastle – as well as the more densely populated regions along the east coast and places such as Bateau Bay, Gosford, Maitland, Murwillumbah, Raymond Terrace, Katoomba, Bacchus Marsh and Mandurah still vulnerable to the loss of their Commonwealth banks this year as they fall in the same category.

Robert Onfray. As we celebrate World Endangered Species Day on 19 May, I thought it timely this month to look closely at how species are faring in Australia, particularly in reserves authorities have established to protect them ... We don’t hear about this aspect of monitoring in our reserves because the government, bureaucrats and environmental activists don’t want the public to know just how poorly managed our reserves are.

After smashing records last year with attendance figures increasing an astonishing 28 per cent to 364,775 and generating $22.61 million in direct and incremental spending in Queensland, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers will this year bloom across all of September, with Toowoomba Region Mayor Paul Antonio launching the 2023 program at long-time Exhibition Garden host, Val Peachey’s garden.

In eight short months an overgrown small acreage block on Breydon Road Hodgson Vale has been transformed into a lush Thai market garden brimming with all the ingredients for authentic Thai cooking ... Chilli Kanon now supplies seven Toowoomba outlets and restaurants with her delicious hand made curry pastes, oils and jams and is a regular at the Cobb & Co Farmer’s Markets ...

Out now!

For over twelve years Allora Medical Support Group have been ensuring Allora and surrounding community has a medical facility locally. It is only through the generous support of the local community and a number of key visionary people that the Allora clinic is here.

On Sunday 23rd April, the Allora Landcare Group (ALG) officially launched the second edition of their book ‘A Pictorial Guide to the Birds of Allora Mountain Flora and Fauna Reserve’ ... Frank Coman, a CSIRO scientist based in Brisbane was the photographer for the book ... He spoke about the new bird species on the Reserve he keeps finding, and including these resulted in the new edition enlarging to accommodate them. The number is now well over 100.

While thousands of people across the UK are expected to gather around large screens in bustling city locations to celebrate the Coronation of his Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla, in the Queensland Outback Quilpie locals will celebrate in true Aussie style with a large scale bonfire that will be coloured a Royal red for the occasion and fireworks lighting up the crisp Autumn night at Baldy Top look out.

It’s a long way from the Clarence River in Grafton to the Thames in London, but stroke by stroke, a dedicated young crew of talented rowers from Brisbane Boys College (BBC), are continuing to make waves as they determinedly pursue their dreams of representing Australia on the international stage by competing in the prestigious 2023 Henley Royal Regatta.

Out now!

Marburg Show Society Inc.

As part of the Australia Government  Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program, council has engaged a contractor to undertake the design and construction of pavement rehabilitation works on the  Rolleston Aerodrome Landing Area runway.  The design phase is expected to commence in early June and conclude in mid-June 2023 with the construction phase to commence between July and September 2023.

Increased supply good news for consumers, but a challenge for Queensland growers. Sunshine Coast-based macadamia supplier Nutworks has revealed that macadamias are set to become more accessible for the average Australian, with increased supply of the premium product expected to lead to lower prices on supermarket shelves in the months ahead.

Powerlink is seeking community feedback on two recommended corridors for proposed new transmission line connections in the Gympie, Somerset and South Burnett regions. Powerlink’s Draft Corridor Selection Report (CSR) has been released publicly and provides detailed analysis of a number of corridor options against social, environmental and economic criteria.

The Wattles Under 15 Ladies League Tag team that played Warwick’s Eastern Suburbs at Platz Oval on Saturday.

The first formal commemoration of Anzac Day at Westbrook was organised in 2008 by the local Hall Committee and since then, attendances have improved each year.

The Eagers Shield Polo Tournament got underway last weekend at the Clifton Recreation grounds. Local and visiting players took to the field in what was the first tournament of the Downs Polo Club 2023 calendar.

A small but moving commemorative service was conducted by the Salvation Army on Tuesday at the local cemetery. Wreaths were laid, Hymns were sung and Marco recited a poem he’d written "Such is War". After the Ode, the Last Post and one minute’s silence the crowd dispersed to Herbert Street for the Parade.

If ever you thought crop farming was easy, a visit to Pacific Seeds Field Day would soon show you the wealth of knowledge our farmers possess and the amazing behind the scenes research and development carried out at Pacific Seeds in an endeavour to give our farmers the latest in seed innovation to help them adapt to changing climatic conditions.