Qld

The installation of a series of colourful storyboards in parks at Boonah and Beaudesert has marked  a new chapter for Scenic Rim libraries ... the Story Walks at Springleigh Park, Boonah, and Jubilee Park, Beaudesert, aim to encourage children’s early literacy through play while strengthening family connections and the Scenic Rim’s links to its Indigenous heritage.

Weipa residents will be given the chance to buy adjoining vacant land to their properties as Rio Tinto looks to relieve pressure on the town’s housing situation. The land-buy scheme is one of several initiatives released by the mining company as part of its long-awaited housing strategy.

Samuel Davis. “Excuse me brotha, can you help me?” A gentle hand touched my arm and a man with a pained expression met my eyes as I turned. Standing with a credit card in one hand and a sheet of paper in the other, he stood next to an ATM inside a Cairns shopping centre ... The only problem was Caleb’s new credit card wouldn’t work. Reluctantly, I leaned in to see if I could help.

Samuel Davis. Discipline and the occasional burst of individual brilliance has proven just enough to get Weipa Raiders over the line in a thrilling grand final at Andoom Oval on Saturday afternoon. Napranum Bulldogs entered the decider undefeated and favourites to claim the Western Cape Rugby League premiership cup.

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The resistance of  green peach aphid (Myzus persicae,  GPA)  to numerous chemical mode of action groups makes it an ongoing management challenge. In Australia, GPA has evolved resistance to synthetic pyrethroids, carbamates, organophosphates, neonicotinoids, and quite recently, to sulfoxaflor. And now, Australian researchers have found populations of GPA with resistance to spirotetramat, the active ingredient in Movento ® 240 SC Insecticide, as well as several generic products containing the same active ingredient.

Day 1 of the iconic Birdsville Races, originally scheduled to kick-off on September 2 has been postponed following unseasonal inclement weather that has made track conditions temporarily unsuitable for racing. The Saturday race program on September 3, which will include the headline TAB Birdsville Cup will proceed as scheduled.

Rick Powell has made the drive from Belyando Crossing to Camooweal for the last 20 years and he says he'll keep coming until he's no longer able to. "I just love it," he said from the Camooweal Drovers Festival on Friday afternoon ... While droving has disappeared from the Australian bush lifestyle, Rick said the festival must live on.

Guide Dogs Queensland have received a warm welcome in Mount Isa as it looks to pilot an accessibility program in the region. The program will allow organisations and community services to reach the one in six people who have a disability ... Accessibility allows everyone equal opportunity and access to the same information, said Client engagement and collection dog officer, Jonathan Hall.

All roads lead to Birdsville this week - or do they? While the Birdsville Race Club isn't expected to have its annual two-day meeting directly impacted by rain, there are concerns that roads leading there could be cut off to visitors. Unseasonal August rain hit the North West and parts of the Channel country earlier this week and some roads were quick to shut, albeit temporarily.

With the help of the local community to get them there, Cambooya teenagers Kyrna and Tomas Crump both won medals at the Australian Cross Country Championships in Adelaide. Representing their state, the pair competed in both individual and team events.

Wyreema State School is lucky enough to have access to its own Story Dog, Lady, on a weekly basis and the students love reading to her. Lady is directly sponsored by the Toowoomba West Lions Club but the program itself is run by the charity, Story Dog Australia, which covers the training and insurance of the dog.

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Keith Blaikie. In order to keep our students at the centre of the school’s vision, which is to be an inclusive community committed to high levels of learning for all, staff have been engaged in a body of research known as the Science of Reading.

We know the Melbourne Cup is visiting Allora on Wednesday 14th September but what we didn’t know is the Melbourne Cup will be here for the whole day - not just an hour or so. This is wonderful news as everyone will get a chance to see and maybe have a photo taken with the Cup ... Touring with the Cup will be well-known Champion Jockey John Letts who rode two winners in the Melbourne Cup.

Most of the staff are dressed as crayons to represent the book “The Day The Crayons Quit” by Drew Daywalt. After having a giggle at their teachers the P-10 students enjoyed the day by dressing as their favourite book character.

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Brian Joiner has promised not to make any hasty decisions as he wrapped up his first week as CEO of Cook Shire Council. Mr Joiner started last Monday with a packed schedule, including a council meeting, a councillor workshop and a community planning meeting at Lakeland.