LETTERS
Meaning of Christmas
The word Christmas is made up of two
words, Christ and Mass. It is the Mass, Holy
Communion, Lord’s Supper, that gives thanks
(eucharist) for the miraculous birth of Jesus
the Messiah (Christ).
Only at about 58 years after Jesus resurrection and ascension, Bishop Clement of
Rome (88-97) suggested May 20 as a suitable feast day to celebrate. December 25 was
eventually chosen to oppose the pagan festival the Feast of the Sun, converting it to the
birth of the son of righteousness.
It is celebrated on that day similar to celebrating the Queen’s Birthday, which is not
in June but April 21, 1926.
There is both external and Biblical evidence
to support that Jesus really lived here on
earth, with his actual birth occurring at about
6BC.
May we all recall the real Christmas has
nothing to do with presents, trees, parties,
Santa Claus etc.
In the disguise of humanitarianism, American commercialism has turned Christmas back
into a pagan festival.
As we enjoy this festive season may we
all reflect on what it really means and have a
very Holy Christmas. - Matthew
Weatherley, Highfields.
Clean energy jobs at risk
The thing most of the 21,000 people working in the renewable energy industry want in
their Christmas stocking this year is hope
that they will still have a job in 2015.
The Federal Government’s proposal to
slash Australia’s Renewable Energy Target is
bad news not only for the tradies who install
solar panels, the wind power technicians and
engineers, but for construction workers,
backhoe operators, truck drivers and the thousands of people who provide valuable services to the renewable energy sector in Australia.
The RET is the policy that supports all
these jobs and has been supported by all major
political parties since it was introduced in
2001.
While the government committed to the
current policy in the lead up to the last election, it has provided no credible reason why
it needs to be cut, particularly when more
than 80 per cent of the country wants more
renewable energy rather than less.
Cutting the policy will also increase our
reliance on high cost gas energy and lead to
higher power prices.
So while you are busily decking your halls
or decorating your tree, spare a thought for
these people in regional and rural parts of the
country who will be doing their best to forget
their troubles over the festive season.
They want a job supporting renewable
energy, but if Prime Minister Tony Abbott
gets his way they might end up with a lump
of coal instead. - Kane Thornton, Chief
Executive, Clean Energy Council.
State road toll on track for
five year low
RACQ plea for greater care over holidays
Queensland’s peak motoring body has urged motorists to drive safely over
the Christmas period to ensure Queensland’s road toll
stayed at its lowest level in
five years.
RACQ’s Lauren Ritchie
said the current road toll
was 221, down by more than
46 on the same time last
year.
“We’re heading into the
highest risk time for fatalities with more people on the
road driving longer distances,” Ms Ritchie said.
“The Fatal Five, drink
driving, not wearing
seatbelts, speeding, distraction, and fatigue, are the
key contributors to road
deaths in Queensland.
“We want to see all motorists arrive safely at their
destination every day but
particularly over the busy
holiday period.”
The RACQ said this
year the North Coast and
Wide Bay/Burnett region
had the highest number of
fatalities.
“More than 60 people
lost their lives in the North
Coast and Wide Bay/
Burnett region and while
this number is still high it
is lower than in recent
years,” she said.
on Queensland roads was
between 2 and 4pm.
“Drivers can be at risk
of lapses in concentration
when driving in the afternoons as fatigue sets in,”
she said.
“If you are taking a long
trip to visit family over the
holidays make sure you are
resting every two hours and
are not driving any longer
than ten hours a day.”
Ms Ritchie advised motorists to assess their ability to drive every time they
got behind the wheel.
“You need to ask yourself whether you are fit for
that particular trip, and not
Ms Ritchie said the high- fall into a habit of saying
est risk time for fatalities ‘I’ll be alright’.”
Election
dates
Queensland voters
will go to the polls next
year for State Government elections.
The State elelction
must be held before
June 20, 2015.
Local Government
elections will be held
in March 2016.
2 - HIGH COUNTRY HERALD - DECEMBER 23, 2014
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State Government approves Acland Stage 3
The New Hope Group has welcomed the Co-ordinator-General’s
decision to grant approval for the
continuation of the New Acland
Coal Mine.
New Acland is owned by the New
Hope Group, an Australian-owned
and operated energy company
which has been based in South East
Queensland for more than 60 years.
New Acland has played a key
role in the Darling Downs as an
employer and economic contributor since it began operations in
2002.
“This is an important project for
the Darling Downs and for Queensland,” New Hope’s Managing Director Shane Stephan, right, said.
“The New Hope Group has
worked very hard over an extended
period and has consulted widely
with the local community, on a revised compromise plan for the continuation of the New Acland mine
which addresses concerns over the
previous proposal.
“The approval of the New Acland
Stage 3 project ensures that the current employment and economic benefits are not lost to the Darling
Downs and that New Hope continues to be a major employer in the
region.”
Mr Stephan said the majority of
New Acland employees lived locally
and spent their wages in their local
communities.
“Stage 3 of the New Acland
Project will now provide a further
boost of $12 billion to the local,
state and national economies over
the life of the mine,” he said.
“The revised New Acland Project
plan will extend the life of the current operation to about 2029, taking the number of full-time operational jobs to about 435, and creating another 260 jobs during the construction phase.
“The number of full-time contractors will increase to around 170 positions, and indirect jobs will grow
by more than 1500.
“New Hope intends to source
new employees, where possible,
from the local region.
“The continuation plan will also
boost social benefits and economic
activity in the area through direct
and indirect employment, investment and business opportunities acting as an ongoing spur to the
Darling Downs economy,” Mr
Stephan said.
Museum event
Prehistoric creatures that roamed the Darling Downs are
coming to Cobb+Co Museum, Lindsay Street, Toowoomba.
Museum Director Deborah Bailey said the Unearthed holiday program would give children the chance to get up close
with megafauna.
“The Darling Downs is significant for the quantity of
megafauna fossils found and continues to be found in this
region,” Deborah said.
Unearthed runs from January 5 to 23. Cost is $10 per
child, which includes a Junior Palaeontology Activity Pack
and entry to one live show featuring Ian Sobbe. Drop in
activities are 10am to 3pm and live shows are 10am, 11.30am
and 1pm.
Unearthed at Twilight is a special version of the holiday
program on Friday, January 9, 5pm to 7pm. Find out more at
www.cobbandco.qm.qld.gov.au or cal 4659 4900. The museum opens daily 10am to 4pm.
Coal Action Alliance voice their disapproval
At 6pm Friday, December
19, as the country was reeling from a week of distressing news from the Martin
Place shootings and the
Cairns slaying tragedy,
Queensland Deputy Premier
Seeney announced approval
of the controversial Acland
Stage 3 mine.
The timing was deliberate,
according to spokesperson
from the Oakey Coal Action
Alliance president John Cook
who said the alliance was disappointed but not surprised.
Queensland has a blatantly
pro-coal government intent in
looking after their mining
mates, at the expense of good
farmland and water supplies,
rural communities, human
health and biodiversity.
Mr Cook said New Hope
Coal had donated more than
$700,000 to the State and
Federal LNP since the 2012
State election.
“By any measure this is an
incredible sum of money,
which makes the few bottles
of Grange Hermitage which
toppled the NSW Premier
look paltry.
“Add on the corporate
seats for Ministers at the
football, and gifts and hospitality to public servants, and
you will understand why
publicity of this approval
was done when the State’s
media had their attention elsewhere.
“New Hope Coal has
rarely been out of the news
since 2002 when they first
opened the Acland mine located in the rich inner Darling
Downs.
“The subsequent mine expansion has meant the purchase of 50 homes and 80 family farms in the Acland district.
“The Queensland Coordinator General, who as-
sessed this project, is not independent.
“His office is next to Mr
Seeney’s and he meets regularly with him. The mine is
kept informed of all letters
and submissions and are given
many opportunities to resubmit additional information,
while people are kept totally
in the dark,” Mr Cook said.
“If a project is as fundamentally wrong as this mine
is, then it should be failed.”
Mr Cook said the 250
pages of so called conditions
were unfair.
“New Hope is being permitted to revise soil tests,
water baseline studies and
ecological surveys, when these
should have performed satisfactorily years ago.
“We are told all the management plans will be policed
by the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection when this department’s
audit last year was damming
of their own failures.
“Of great concern to many
is the loss of good quality agricultural land and depleted
aquifers.
“There are 15,000 abandoned Queensland mines and
80 per cent of the State is in
serious drought, Mr Cook
said.
“The world is busy divesting from coal, and mines are
shutting down all over. One
of the conditions of Stage 3
approval is the purchase of
land equivalent in quality to
what is being destroyed. This
is absurd as there is still a net
loss of good cropping land.
“The Oakey Coal Action
Alliance and experts in renewable energy and agriculture
have shown that a large scale
solar farm and irrigated horticulture enterprise on the same
Acland land, could power
70,000 homes and produce
Deputy Premier
Mr Seeney
enough food energy to feed
70,000 people a year.
“There would be more than
200 jobs available forever, not
for just 15 years of mine life.
Federal approval for Acland
Stage 3 is now also required,”
Mr Cook said.
Why the local MP changed her mind
According to
the Member for
Nanango, Mrs
Deb Frecklington,
right, there has
been a lot of misinformation out
there in relation to
Acland. Let’s clear story: The proit up with the real posal has the
same name but is not
the same project. My
statement still stands.
I would not have
supported the then
proposed stage 3 due
to the impact on agricultural land and the
footprint of the proposal which included
the town of Acland. The
amended stage 3 includes the
following changes to the original proposal. Preserving the
course of Lagoon Creek,
moving the Jondaryan rail
load-out facility eight kilometres from the town, moving
mining activity 10 kilometres
from Oakey. Cont. page 4.
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HIGH COUNTRY HERALD - DECEMBER 23, 2014 - 3
Government grant goes
towards Highfields
sports park
Toowoomba Regional
Council will use a $1.5
million Queensland Government Get Playing Plus
grant to help build infrastructure at the new Highfields Sport and Recreation
Park.
Mayor Paul Antonio said
the Queensland Government funding would complement the $4.5 million
already set aside by the
council this year to address
the shortage of sports
fields in Highfields.
The council has already
spent more than $4.2 million acquiring the land,
planning and design development.
The park is located at
the end of Kuhls Road, on
the north-west side of the
Barracks Road and Cronin
Road intersection.
When developed, it will
be only a short walk from
the new Highfields high
school.
Cr Antonio said there
were 11 sports clubs based
in Highfields which are
serviced by just four sports
fields.
“The Regional Strategic
Sport and Recreation Plan
2010-2030 had identified
this as an issue and Council is working to remedy
this deficiency.
“Highfields is the fastest growing suburb in
Queensland and is expected to attract an additional 10,000 people over
the next 20 years.”
TRC Parks and Recreation portfolio leader Cr Sue
Englart said the $1.5 million would go towards Stage
1 development.
Acland community
reference group
New Acland community reference group members Lindsay Evans, Cathy Hartley,
Helen Bawden, Barry Mason and Graham Cooke tour the Acland coal mine.
The New Acland community reference
group welcomed three new members at the
first meeting of its new term.
The CRG, established in 2012 by the New
Hope Group, plays an important role in providing the company with grass roots community input into the New Acland Coal
Mine’s operational, development and planning activities.
Mayor Paul Antonio and Member for Toowoomba North Trevor Watts.
“Council’s vision for the deliver the entire project, of the community, providHighfields Sport and Rec- which is estimated at more ing health and social benreation Park is to create a than $24 million.
efits, so it is important that
high quality multi-sports
“We will continue to they have the right facilifacility for local clubs and work with the Queensland ties for members.
visiting sporting teams,’’ and Federal Governments
Cr Englart said.
to bring new facilities and
“Both Deb Frecklington
“We hope that the fields services to the Highfields (Member for Nanango) and
will not only be used daily area.”
I understand this,” Mr
for training and competiMember for Toowoomba Watts said.
tion, but will have the ca- North Trevor Watts said
“Deb and I are thrilled
pacity to host larger sport- the funding would contrib- that the people of Tooing events and carnivals.
ute to the sports park which woomba North, Highfields
“The Get Playing Plus includes three fields, eight and surrounding areas will
grant will help Council de- netball courts, two club soon benefit from a new
liver more of Highfields houses and ancillary facili- multi-field sports park, and
Sport and Recreation Park ties at Highfields.
I hope that it helps deliver
Stage 1 sooner and we are
“Sport and recreation greater participation at the
looking for partnerships to clubs are an important part grassroots level.”
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The CRG also helps administer the New
Acland Community Investment Fund by assessing applications and making recommendations to the New Hope Group on appropriate community development initiatives for
support.
CRG members come from a wide variety
of backgrounds, and represent a diverse range
of local community interests.
At the October meeting, New Hope’s Executive General Manager Mining Jim Randell
thanked the 2014 group for its commitment
to the local area before opening nominations
for membership of the 2015 Group.
“We are delighted that the majority of members renominated for the 2015 year and will
continue their valuable contribution,” he said.
• CRG members for 2015 are Helen
Bawden, Tracy Tully, Cathy Hartley,
Graham Cooke, Jodie Collins, Lindsay
Evans, Victoria Menkins, Barry Mason,
Glenys Bowtell, Andrew Langton, Matthew Boyd, Sarah Due and Cr Nancy
Sommerfield.
Acland Stage 3 - Why the local
member changed her mind
Continued from Page 3
Other amendments to the original proposal
included no relocation of the heritage-listed
New Acland colliery, reducing the impact on
strategic cropping land by around 2300 hectares, reducing throughput from up to 10 million tonnes a year to a maximum of 7.5 million tonnes a year, reducing the proposed mine
life from 2042 to 2029.
This amended project means hundreds of
jobs, securing the future of our small towns
while meeting the concerns of the community in relation to the footprint on agricultural land.
The Co-ordinator General has imposed
strict conditions to protect land and
groundwater, including baseline studies and
ongoing monitoring of water bores. Other key
conditions in the Co-ordinator-General’s report include a new rail load-out facility, 8km
from the town of Jondaryan, must transport
all product from day one of operating the
Stage 3 project, thereby replacing the existing
Jondaryan rail load-out facility which is 1km
from the town, stringent noise and dust lim-
its that require best practice, dust and noise
monitoring and management systems with
alarms to notify if limits are close to being
met, allowing for an immediate change in mine
activities, a new sealed road from Acland to
Jondaryan.
a flora and fauna conservation zone along
the section of Lagoon Creek in the mining
lease area, with a particular focus on improving koala habitat, independent verification of
the design and construction of the rail spur
infrastructure to minimise potential flooding
impacts.
The New Acland mine expansion will now
be considered by the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment for approval. If approved, the proponents would then need to
seek State Government approval for a mining
lease under the Mineral Resources Act 1989
and an Environmental Authority under the
Environmental Protection Act 1994 and will
also be assessed under the QLD Governments
new Regional Planning Interests Act which
came into effect in June this year.
Highfields Road upgrade resumes
The second stage of upgrade works on
Highfields Road will start from late January.
Cr Carol Taylor said motorists could expect some disruption while this major upgrade project was under construction.
Cr Taylor said work would be performed
on Highfields Road between Mather Street
and Polzin Road. The project is expected to
take six months to complete, weather permitting.
Following the stage one upgrade, the 2015
works include a $1.43 million upgrade to the
stormwater system, full pavement reconstruction, new street lighting and road safety improvements.
4 - HIGH COUNTRY HERALD - DECEMBER 23, 2014
“Occasional road closures are planned.
“A well signed detour will be established
for motorists to use during the project.
“Please obey all traffic control measures
that will be in place during the work.
“Highfields Road is a particularly busy
thoroughfare and I ask motorists to please
show patience and drive to the conditions.
“Council will make every effort to minimise disruption to the local community during construction. Dust suppression and noise
control measures will be used when needed
during construction generally from 7am to
5pm on weekdays. Some weekend work also
could be required.”
To advertise phone 4615 4416
ABC RADIO HEYWIRE WINNER - Jake Hoffman
Online dating experience pays off for Jake
Crows Nest is colloquially
known as God’s waiting
room, where old people go to
die.
It’s not really anywhere
near that morbid, but it is a
quaint little town with a cool,
temperate climate that country oldies seem to love.
I’d never felt so isolated
before I came here.
Four years ago I graduated
Year 12 and moved here with
my mum and dad.
I took on an apprenticeship at the local bakery, with
the prospect of learning new
skills and earning a bit of dosh.
This was a pretty exciting
time for me.
Less exciting though were
the hours, 11pm to 7am. Absolutely dreadful. As if moving away from all my high
school friends wasn’t bad
enough, now my schedule
meant that I rarely got to talk
or play games with them.
Lack of sleep from my
work hours was compounded
by isolation and I slipped into
what I would reluctantly call
a depression.
In the typical, stubborn
male fashion I kept it all to
myself.
Bursary winners
Something I wouldn’t recommend to anyone.
Life was pretty bleak.Until
one day things started to
change.
I jumped online into a
match of Halo. Little did I
know that I would be meeting my fiance for the first
time.
Her name was Allie. She
lived in California. She was
sassy and sweet. Smart and
funny. And we hit it off right
away.
After a month of talking
and playing online, before either of us really stopped and
thought about the whole situation, we were in love.
We both felt a little naive
having a purely online relationship, saying that fourletter word before we’d even
met. But we couldn’t deny
the feelings we had.
Nine months later, the day
after my 18th birthday, I was
on a plane over the Pacific to
a place where I would spend
the best and most important
two weeks of my life so far.
After another five trips and
two and half years, we’re engaged and so much closer to
closing the distance.
Often I’m led to believe in
fate.
I can’t help but think that
I wouldn’t have met Allie or
pursued a relationship had I
been less isolated here in
Crows Nest.
I wouldn’t have it any other
way.
Would I recommend a longdistance relationship?
No way.
But the only way to make
it through one is if you love
someone enough to ignore that
advice.
- Jake Hoffman, ABC
Radio Heywire winner.
Nesting boxes
Toowoomba Regional Council and Landcare have installed
new nesting boxes at the Toowoomba waterbird habitat off
Mackenzie and Alderley Streets.
Cr Sue Englart said the project started in early spring when
Landcare and volunteers joined a nesting box building session
at the habitat.
“There was a great response to the workshop and once the
boxes were assembled Landcare representatives and volunteers helped council staff install the boxes,” Cr Englart said.
Damian Cox Memorial Bursary winners have been announced. The bursary commemorates Damian Cox who died in a workplace accident on the re-building of
the New England Highway at Highfields in 2001. ABOVE: Flanking the winners
are Damian’s father Ken and his uncle David. Bursary winners are Dylan Myles,
Kyra Millis and Hannah Mathewson. Dylan has just been graded as an orange
and white belt in Brazilian martial arts. He is current Queensland 12 year old jui
juitsu champion and has just competed in the national titles in Melbourne where
he drew with the world champion who went on to win gold. Kyra went to the State
athletics titles this year competing in discus and track and field. She was placed
8th overall. She plans to go to the national titles next year. Hannah comes from a
family of photographers. She has won awards in the Heritage Bank, Bruce
McKenzie, and Suncorp photographic. She is working in marketing at the University of Southern Queensland. She has just completed a Bachelor of Business in
marketing and human resources.
Student crafts clock
for hospice
The HERALD welcomes news, photos and tips from all corners
of our vast circulation area. Contact details page 2
Concordia student Kirsten Noble presents her hand
crafted clock to Toowoomba Hospice chairman
Graham Barron and secretary Janice Swannell.
In the Year 12 component of Concordia College Technology Studies, students are asked to design and manufacture an
item for the benefit of the community. Kirsten Noble, has
presented the Toowoomba Hospice with a clock for their
meeting room.
She designed and crafted the clock from a piece of red
cedar.
A pyrographic technique was then used to create a butterfly border, representing the hospice logo of a butterfly.
Kirsten said she was aware of the work of the hospice and
she felt that she could make a positive contribution by giving
something to the community.
The presentation was made to Graham Barron, chairman
of the Hospice Association and Janice Swannell, secretary.
Mr Barron said Kirsten’s donation acknowledged the importance of the hospice in the community.
The Toowoomba Hospice in O’Quinn street Harristown
has provided Palliative Care for more than 1000 clients with
a terminal illness since opening on July 1, 2003.
Contact the hospice 4659 8500 or www.toowoomba
hospice.org.au
To advertise phone 4615 4416
HIGH COUNTRY HERALD - DECEMBER 23, 2014 - 5
Council approves Seniors clock Hanson stands in Lockyer
Toowoomba Regional Council’s approval of a town
clock for Crows Nest has been accepted with rapture by
Crows Nest Senior Citizens secretary Vivian Anderson.
The council has approved a project that would include
a clock provided by the Senior Citizens.
Mrs Anderson said she was extremely rapped with the
decision.
She acknowledged the criticism of councillors that
the proposed clock was to be sourced from America.
“We are still looking for a possible Australian clock
supplier,” she said.
She said she had received information from a clock
supplier in New South Wales but any decision would
have to be made by the Senior Citizens in the New Year.
The Seniors will also have the opportunity to decide
on any design changes that might have to be made.
“We have the site approved by the council, and now we
might have to modify the design.”
She said architect Lester Ehrlich would prepare a
final plan depending on the clock selected, and the size,
style and surrounds.
She said the Seniors had re-applied to PCCN for assistance in funding the project.
Mrs Anderson said she was happy the project had been
approved within 12 months.
She said naysayers said it would take five years and
some said it would never happen. - Miles Noller.
Pauline Hanson, pictured,
has announced she will stand
for the seat of Lockyer at the
State elections, due to be
called early in the new year.
Mrs Hanson has family
connections to the area going
back to her maternal grandmother born in 1888, and to
parents who emigrated from
Ireland to the area between
Forest Hill and Laidley.
They came to Australia to
begin a new life working the
land.
Her grandmother Alice had
five brothers and four sisters.
Due to a serious accident
on the farm during World War
1, her great grandfather was
prevented from working the
farm.
Crows Nest Senior Citizens - Vivian Anderson, secretary, Selwyn Polzin,
treasurer, and Daphne Taylor, vice president.
He could not call on his
five sons because they were
away on active duty fighting
for their country. Hence, her
great grandparents were
forced to sell the farm and
move to Wynnum, Brisbane.
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AS MANY LOCAL BUYERS AND SELLERS.
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Show
society
recognises
more than
a century
of service
More than a century of
combined involvement with
the Crows Nest Show has
been acknowledged with the
awarding of life membership
to Beras Vandersee and Myrtle Kanowski.
They received their life
memberships at the Show
Society’s Christmas function.
Each has served much of
their time in the household
section. Myrtle Kanowski
said she started assisting at
the show about 60 years ago,
helping her late husband
Arnold in the pig section.
“He entered pigs and also
was the steward and I helped
him,” she said.
But it was Beryl Littleton
who got her involved in other
sections.
Beras Vandersee has an association with the show going back 70 years or so, when
as a schoolgirl, she entered the
cake competition. Her association with the show developed into becoming a steward, and she served for a time
in the poultry and needlework
sections.
Beras and Myrtle continue
to help at the show in the
household section.
With the plum pudding that was served at the Crows
New life members of the Crows Nest Show Society, Beras Vandersee, left and Myrtle Kanowski, with show Nest Show Society Christmas function, are chief ring
president Athol Gossow, centre, and the Burgess brothers, Stewart, left, and Maurice, who nominated Beras steward Joyce Brazier, who made the pudding, and
Judy Archer, vice president.
and Myrtle for life membership.
Christmas morning tea
Vonnie and Trevor Gillies, life members of the society.
• Something to do over the break
A night of family fun on New Year’s Eve is
guaranteed with a bush dance being held at
the Crows Nest RSL and Community Centre
Hall. Live music and dancing instruction will
be provided by the Band ‘O’ Coots bush
dance band starting at 7pm until midnight
next Wednesday, December 31.
Admission is just $5 per person or $12 for
a family. Patrons are asked to bring a plate of
food to share for supper. Water bottle refills
will be available all night and soft drinks will
be on sale. This will be a fun, family night
with prizes, quizzes and lucky spots. Enquiries phone 4697 9216.
For a relaxing day out and a leisurely lunch
during the Christmas break, Bunnyconnellen
Olive Grove and Vineyard will be open on
Sundays from 10am to 4pm, with lunch avail-
able from midday. Bunnyconnellen is located
in Swain Road, just north of Crows Nest.
Visit www.bunnyconnellen.com.au or phone
Peter and Janie 4697 9555.
St Anne’s Anglican Church, Highfields, hosted a Christmas morning tea on Wednesday. Rev. Stephanie
Patching said the idea started four years ago when 20 people gathered for songs and entertainment.
This year more than 40 people enjoyed a program organised by Sandy Whybird. ABOVE: Amanda
Newton, Rev Patching and Lynne Newton.
Colleen Wildman and Jenny and John Smith.
6 - HIGH COUNTRY HERALD - DECEMBER 23, 2014
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Works starts on Stage 2 Gowrie Lilyvale Road
Toowoomba Regional Council
will start the second stage of upgrade works on Gowrie-Lilyvale
Road from late January 2015.
Cr Carol Taylor said the upgrade project would occur between Heiligs Road and Gilberts
Road.
“This new work follows the
stage one upgrade of GowrieLilyvale Road completed in
2013,” Cr Taylor said.
“The new $1.55 million project
includes drainage improvements,
full pavement reconstruction and
road safety improvements.
“In order to safely and efficiently complete the project,
Gowrie-Lilyvale Road will be
closed for around five months.
“Traffic detours will be in place
for the duration of the project.
“The first stage of the Gowrie- tion. Dust suppression and noise
Lilyvale Road upgrade project has control measures will be used
vastly improved road safety.
when needed during construction
generally from 7am to 5pm on
“This additional work will sig- weekdays.
nificantly improve safety and re“Some weekend work could be
liability for motorists using this needed.
road.
“We apologise for any incon“Council will make every effort venience caused and appreciate
to minimise disruption to the lo- your patience while work is comcal community during construc- pleted,” Cr Taylor said.
Crows Nest
State School
awards
night
pictorial
Crows Nest State School captains 2015 Bethany Campbell and Leigh Fowler.
Police issue ATM
skimmer alert
The State Crime
Command’s Fraud
and Cyber Crime
Group is warning
shoppers and merchants to be vigilant during the busy
festive season.
The Christmas shopping
period is a prime time for
transnational crime gangs to
visit major shopping locations and target ATMs and
stores.
Detective Superintendent
Brian Hay said in the past flyin fly-out criminals have targeted several cities in a coordinated set-up.
“They fly into the country, travel around the major
centres and fly out with thousands of electronically stored
compromised accounts,” he
said.
“They then rip the money
from those accounts in a coordinated manner simultaneously from multiple global locations.
“A number of ATMs have
been compromised in South
East Queensland and it is well
known that the festive season is a time favoured by
criminal ATM skimming operations,” he said.
The Australian Payments
Clearing Association reported
that more than $24 million
was fraudulently obtained
through skimming and counterfeit cards against Australian card holders last financial
year.
A further $11
million was attributed to cards
skimmed overseas
and used in Australia. Card fraud
on Australian cards
totalled more than
$321 million.
Tips for shoppers and
merchants to avoid being
scammed:
• When using an ATM look
for any suspicious device attached to the card entry point
of the machine and always
cover your hand when entering your PIN number.
• Examine your monthly
statement for suspicious
transactions, especially transactions which may appear for
$1 or $2 as this indicates your
card has been compromised
and the criminals are testing
the account is still active. If
you see this, contact your
bank immediately.
• Any suspicious people
hanging around an ATM
should be reported to police
immediately.
• Merchants should be
wary of groups of two to four
people seeking to buy multiple high end products and
using multiple credit cards to
pay for the goods.
Anyone with information
which could assist with this
matter should contact Crime
Stoppers anonymously via
1800 333 000 or crime
stoppers.com.au.
Seniors have a busy
year ahead
Winner of the Geoff Nunn Memorial Award Megan
Schefe and Mrs Ann Nunn.
Winners of the Emu Creek Landcare Award Marnie Parton and Megan Schefe
and Mr Frank Burgess.
Winner of the Crows Nest Cooyar Masonic Bursary
Tammekka Brown and Mr Frank Thicthener.
Winners of High Country Herald literary awards Junior secondary Shobelle Root
and Paris Nelson, and senior secondary Declan Maddern and Rebecca Trost.
Hospitality award winner Sebastian Pyers and Mrs
Shirley Cronk from Crows Nest QCWA.
Winner of the Courtney Smoothy Memorial Award Joshua Genrich with Kym
and Donald Smoothy and daughter Shannon.
To advertise phone 4615 4416
Crows Nest Seniors have
planned musical mornings in
April and November next
year.
These are very entertaining and enjoyable events.
Seniors Week celebrations
will be held on Wednesday,
August 19. As usual this will
be a big event not to be missed.
The Seniors have mixed
day time activities each
Wednesday with morning tea
at 10am. Members are invited to stay after lunch.
The entry fee to our activity days is only 50c per person with raffle tickets on sale
for 20c each.
Annual membership is still
only $10 per person which
entitles members to receive
heavily discounted bus trips.
The fourth Wednesday of
each month is our free day,
where lunch is served to all
members.
On other meeting days it is
a BYO system if you wish to
stay on for lunch and after.
The clock project is now
under way. As a group we
are extremely proud to be
given this chance to do our
bit in recognising past members of our club. It can only
benefit our town no end.
Keep in mind that we are
still looking into all avenues
regarding the actual purchase
of the clock.
Nothing is finalised as yet.
The Toowoomba council ratified the earlier recommendation to go ahead with the
project and I would like to
thank Mr Eddie Briffa for his
assistance in achieving this
result.
Questionnaires are still
available if anyone wishes to
share their preferences for our
new town attraction.
This project will be tabled
when Seniors resume in January, with the aim to finalising
the purchase of such and having a celebration when it occurs.
Crows Nest Senior Citizens will reconvene on
Wednesday, January 7.
Merry Christmas to all and a
Happy New Year to all members, families and townfolk.
So here is to an exciting
2015 for us all. - Vivian J
Anderson, secretary.
HIGH COUNTRY HERALD - DECEMBER 23, 2014 - 7
CHRISTIAN COMMENT
Have a blessed Christmas
By NOEL WILCIOX
Pastor Highfields Baptist Church
It’s that time of the year
again. How time flies when
you are having fun or just
plain busy.
It’s hot, the weather is unpredictable, there are seemingly an endless list of to-dos,
end of year break-ups and, for
some, a time to have some
downtime.
Yes. It is Christmas! A time
to remember the birth of our
Saviour, the Lord Jesus
Christ.
The words of the angel to
Joseph are so poignant at this
time of the year, “Joseph,
son of David, do not be afraid
to take to you Mary your
wife, for that which is con-
ceived in her is of the Holy
Spirit. And she will bring forth
a Son and you shall call His
name Jesus, for He will save
His people from their sins.”
It is a beautiful story of
hope, a story of God reaching down to earth to touch
this planet with his love in
the person of his son. A message for all mankind for all
time.
The coming of a baby is a
wonderful time for an expectant mother and her family.
The joy of a new born, born
for destiny.
Mary’s child was destined
to become the Saviour of the
world. In doing so He died on
a cruel cross for your sin and
for mine.
That is how He fulfilled the
destiny of His name. ‘Jesus,
for He shall save his people
from their sins.’
Christmas is a time to remember that Jesus came to
earth to pay the penalty for
your sin and offer you eternal life. Love, joy and peace
in His Name.
Take the time to thank God
for Jesus this Christmas and
if you have not already done
it ask Him to give you eternal
life. It is why He came.
Heritage slashes variable home loan rate
Heritage Bank has slashed its Discount Variable home
loan rate to 4.39 per cent, challenging prospective borrowers to find a better variable rate in Australia.
Heritage has cut its discount variable rate to 4.39 per
cent, down from 4.69 per cent (for loans greater than
$150,000 and with maximum loan-to-value ratio of 80
per cent), and 4.69 per cent, down from 4.99 per cent,
on its Standard Variable loan.
The reductions are effective from November 24.
Those cuts are on top of Heritage’s current offer to
waive application fees of up to $600 on Discount Variable and Standard Variable loans until Christmas Day.
The new low rates will be in place for a limited period
and reflect Heritage’s determination to offer customers
the best value possible.
CEO John Minz, pictured, said as a customer-owned
bank, Heritage was all about giving people an excellent
deal on their home loans.
“We’re more concerned about the best financial interests of our customers than about maximising profit. We
believe we offer the best overall package of rates, fees
and services to borrowers.
“In fact, we don’t think
any competitor in Australia is currently offering
a better variable rate than
the 4.39 per cent now
available on our Discount
Variable loan.
“That represents outstanding value, particularly as we are also waiving our application fee on
that loan until Christmas
Day.
“As well as that extremely low rate, Heritage
also offers the exceptional
standard of personalised
service that only a customer-owned bank can deliver.
“This reduced rate will be available for a limited time
only, so if you are in the market for a variable home loan,
make sure you talk to us,” Mr Minz said.
Goombungee police report
Between November 29
and 30 unknown persons
entered a yard in Mocatta
Street Goombungee and removed a louvre and clips
from the rear of a vehicle.
Between December 1 and
2 unknown persons entered
a yard at Meringandan
Shirley Road, Meringandan
West and removed a 1993
Yamaha DT200 motorbike.
Between November 29
and December 1 offenders
entered a work site at Storey Road, Kingsthorpe, and
removed a large quantity of
diesel from a storage tank.
Between December 8 and
9 unknown persons broke
into a shed at Old Homebush
Road, Gowrie Junction, and
removed tools and a vehicle.
The vehicle was later located
in Toowoomba.
On December 2 Police executed a search warrant at
Meringandan West and located cannabis and a utensil
to smoke drugs. A male, 31,
was issued a notice to appear at Toowoomba Court.
On December 4 Police executed a search warrant at
Goombungee.
A male, 44, was issued a
notice to appear at Oakey
Court for possessing utensils used to smoke drugs and
possessing dangerous drugs.
On December 12 Police
attended an address at
Gowrie Junction and located
a utensil used to smoke dangerous drugs.
A male, 19, was issued a
notice to appear at Toowoomba Court.
On December 13 a female,
38, was stopped for a random breath test at Gowrie
Little Plain. She recorded a
reading of 0.075 per cent and
was issued with a notice to
appear at court.
Police are reminding residents to secure valuable
items and lock vehicles and
houses even if only away for
a short time.
Anyone with information
that may assist Police with
their inquiries is asked to
contact Crime Stoppers on
1800 333 000 or Police Link
on 131 444.
For any urgent Police
matters please contact 000.
- Sgt Greg Finucane, Officer in Charge, Goombungee Police station.
Lights on for safer roads
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency
Services Jack Dempsey, Police Commissioner Ian Stewart and motor racing champion Craig Lowndes have launched a campaign to Light Your Drive over the Christmas period to highlight the importance of
road safety.
Commissioner Ian Stewart said motorists
are being encouraged to turn on headlights
while driving on highways, night and day
over the Christmas period as a visual reminder of road safety.
Commissioner Stewart said: “In addition
to the Light Your Drive campaign to raise
awareness for road safety, officers will be out
in force over the Christmas holiday period
focussing on the Fatal Five.
“If you speed, drink drive, don’t pay attention, don’t wear a seatbelt or drive while
tired, you will not only be caught by police,
but you risk your life and the life of every
other road user - and that is just not acceptable,” he said.
Police motorcycle radar
Queensland drivers will be
safer this Christmas as five
Queensland Police Service
motorcycles take to the road
fitted with mobile radar technology.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Michael Keating of the
Road Policing Command said
the use of radars on motorcycles would help bridge the
enforcement gap for the
Queensland Police Service,
particularly at locations
where historically it has been
8 - HIGH COUNTRY HERALD - DECEMBER 23, 2014
difficult for police cars to detect speeds and safely perform maneuvers to intercept.
“While radar technology
has been available for many
years, it has only recently
been modified to be compatible with police motorcycles,”
Acting Assistant Commissioner Keating said.
“The radar unit is compact
and fits easily to the Queensland Police Service motorcycles without the need of modification to existing equipment.
“The technology works in
a similar manner to the car
mounted systems however
motorcycle officers will undergo specialised training to
be certified in the use of the
new radars.”
The new year will see a
further 12 motorcycles across
the state be fitted with the
technology with the aim of
having mobile radar equipped
motorcycles in all major regional centres by the end of
January 2015.
Results from the radars already in operation have been
highly successful with one
motorist’s speed recorded at
154 km/h in a 100 km/h zone.
The Queensland Police
Service would like to remind
motorists to be aware of
speed limits and check their
speed over the busy holiday
period.
To advertise phone 4615 4416
Council under fire over signage
on unsealed roads
By MILES NOLLER
The failure of Toowoomba Regional Council
to respond to a request for
a new road sign, plus the
use of GPS type navigation
devices by motorists, is being blamed for yet another
victim on the GroomsvillePlainby Road between
Crows Nest and Goombungee.
Local resident John
Aylward said a truck carrying steel products recently
got bogged on the road after rain.
A farm tractor had to be
used to drag the truck to
firm ground.
Groomsville-Plainby
Road is a 6km minor road,
which connects PecheyGoombungee Road and
Douglas-Plainby Road.
It is steep, it has crests
and sharp bends, has some
gravel sections but also
some black soil sections,
and has probably not
changed much in more
than 100 years.
Mr Aylward said it was
not a road for commercial
trucks which should use either the Douglas-Plainby
Road or the Crows NestPlainby Road.
It is understood the
truck in question was
guided by a GPS device,
and that it did not have to
use Groomsville-Plainby
Road.
Mr Aylward said he contacted Toowoomba Regional Council some time
ago requesting a “dry
weather only” sign be
placed at the intersection
of the Pechey-Goombungee Road, so that heavy
vehicles did not even start
onto the road, because once
on the road, it was almost
impossible for most to turn
around.
Work starts on Crows Nest NBN
Member for Maranoa Bruce
Scott, pictured, has said the government’s efforts to speed up the
NBN rollout are paying off as work
begins to connect Crows Nest residents and businesses to super fast
broadband.
“Fixed wireless construction has
recently started to connect 147
premises in Crows Nest,” Mr Scott
said.
Mr Scott was involved in the Federal government’s communications policies and, since
the Federal election, the number of active
broadband connections on the NBN has more
than doubled.
“I have long fought for better
communication and infrastructure
in the regions and my advocacy is
represented in NBN’s rollout strategy where areas with the worst
broadband service will get priority,”
he said.
The government’s changes to the
NBN rollout will save $32 billion,
will see upgrades delivered four
years sooner than under Labor and
avoid Internet retail bills increasing by up to
$43 a month.
Detailed maps showing the areas where
construction has begun are available at
www.nbnco.com.au/rollout/rollout-map.
John Aylward, Plainby, at the start of a section of the Groomsville-Plainby Road
where a truck loaded with steel products was recently bogged.
“But the council was not
interested,” he said.
Mr Aylward said they
have encountered caravans
on the road, and cars that
were stopped because they
were lost.
He said there needed to
be a sign at the Goombungee Road end that
clearly indicated that it was
a minor road, and that the
Douglas-Plainby Road a bit
further west, was the major connection road.
“Council is not making
it clear,” he said.
Mr Aylward acknowledged there was a “dry
weather only” sign 2km up
the road. But by then, it
was difficult for most vehicles to turn around.
There was also a “dry
weather only” sign at the A “dry weather only” sign which is placed half way up
intersection of the road the Groomsville-Plainby Road, which by the time it is
with the Douglas-Plainby seen by trucks and caravans, does not allow them
Road.
space to turn around.
Have your say on fresh water fishing review
Fishers, stocking groups
and community members are
urged to provide comments
on proposed changes to
Queensland’s Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme
following the release of the
Freshwater Regulatory Impact Statement.
Fisheries Queensland consultation manager Tony Ham
said the proposed changes
seek to further expand the
successful SIPS scheme.
“SIPS is a highly successful scheme which helps to
ensure
the
ongoing
sustainability of fish in
stocked water ways,” Mr
Ham said.
“Most of the popular
dams in Queensland are
stocked each year with
fingerlings and under the
scheme, anglers pay a fee to
fish at any of the 32 registered dams across Queensland.”
Mr Ham said the options
outlined in the RIS have been
developed in consultation
with key stakeholders and
they are now seeking wider
community consideration.
“The scheme provides a
range of economic, environmental and recreational benefits for the surrounding local
communities,” he said.
“The RIS proposes changes
to permit conditions and impoundment additions to the
scheme.
“The proposed changes
will allow the expansion of
SIPS across the State and provide vital resources to allow
our stock fisheries to grow
and prosper.”
To have your say on the and submit your feedback.
future of Queensland’s SIPS Submissions close at 5pm,
and freshwater management January 27, 2015.
arrangements, download the
This date has been exRegulatory Impact Statement
from www.daff.qld.gov.au
To advertise phone 4615 4416
tended to allow more time for
the public to have their say.
For further information on
the consultation call 13 25 23.
HIGH COUNTRY HERALD - DECEMBER 23, 2014 - 9
Miles Noller photos
ART ON SHOW
Australia Day event
Australia Day celebrations at Glengallan, north
of Warwick, will be held from 8am on Monday,
January 26.
The Southern Downs Regional Council official
ceremonies and awards will be from 10am, with
markets opening at 8am.
The markets will include traditional Aussie fare,
games and entertainment.
For details about the event at the Glengallan
Homestead and Heritage Centre at 18515 New
England Highway, phone 4667 3866 or email
[email protected].
Crows Nest gallery features local artists
Gallery director Leanne Vincent, who organised the Bill Morton, Pechey, with one of a number of paintings he is exhibiting in the Crows
exhibition which features 13 artists from Crows Nest Nest gallery.
Keep your
district in the
news.
Send news
notes and
photos to the
Herald.
Contact details
page 2
Brian Chelman with fine woodwork pieces he is dis- Jan Scudamore has created a Spanish style textile
art piece on the wine, roses and song theme.
playing at the local artists exhibition.
Penelope Haskings is exhibiting five fine ceramic
objects. Her daughter Jasmine is displaying a “crazy
Diana Symes with fash- day coat of many colours” made from recycled materials.
ion art.
Gardeners meet January 17
The next meeting of the Crows Nest Garden Club has been
transferred to Saturday, January 17, as some members are
attending the show camp photography workshop at the
showgrounds on January 10.
The annual general meeting will also be held before the
usual meeting.
For more information phone president Margaret on 4698
1022.
Very punny
I changed my iPod’s
name to Titanic. It’s
syncing now.
Jokes about German
sausages are the wurst.
I know a guy who’s addicted to brake fluid, but
he says he can stop any
time.
I stayed up all night to
see where the sun went,
and then it dawned on
me.
This girl said she recognised me from the vegetarian club, but I’d never
met herbivore.
There should be no
punishment if no pun ish
meant. - Contributed.
DEATHS
Mrs Gladys Wressdell
Rutherford, 94, Chinchilla.
Died November 22. Funeral
December 10, Chinchilla.
Mr Bruce Patrick
Quinlan, 87, Meringandan.
Died December 5. Funeral,
December 10, Toowoomba.
10 - HIGH COUNTRY HERALD - DECEMBER 23, 2014
To advertise phone 4615 4416
To advertise phone 4615 4416
HIGH COUNTRY HERALD, DECEMBER 23, 2014 - 11
Resolution: Climb the world’s highest mountain
From GLENN AZAR
This is the time that many
of us start to think about what
they accomplished in the past
12 months and what they
would like to accomplish in
2015. Resolutions vary from
the biggest to the smallest of
things. Reconnecting with
family, losing weight, eating
better, working to make a
business or employment
more successful, saving
money next year and so the
lists go on.
Sadly for most of us these
resolutions rarely make it
past the first month and that’s
being generous.
Why do we set New Year’s
resolutions? And if we set
them, how do we stick to
them?
Toowoomba’s Alyssa
Azar, 18, has advice on setting and chasing goals. Her
2015 goal remains the same
as her 2014 goal, to stand on
the summit of Mount Everest.
That she didn’t achieve her
goal in 2014 has nothing to
do with lack of drive, commitment, or know how. She
was on Mount Everest in
April 2014 and had completed her first rotation up the
mountain and into the infamous Khumbu Icefall when
tragedy struck.
Just 24 hours after her first
foray into the icefall, the
mighty mountain rumbled
and an enormous avalanche
hit the slope just above the
icefall.
Alyssa has been climbing
mountains for much of her
young life. “You get used to
hearing avalanches in the
mountains, especially in Nepal. They’re a daily occurrence,” she said.
This avalanche had trapped
up to 18 climbers and sherpas.
“Reports streamed in
straight away that there were
many climbers up there and
we knew almost certainly that
some would not have survived,” Alyssa said.
As it turned out there was
a total of 18 deaths on Mount
Everest that day. The single
most devastating tragedy in
the mountain’s history.
Alyssa and the tight knit
climbing community were
struck immediately with the
tragedy. Climbers and sherpas
alike stood united to offer
prayers and assistance.
“The news was devastating. As climbers, we understand the risks we undertake
with these adventures but the
impact through a tragedy is
still very real, no matter how
prepared we are. Nature is
always in control, and we do
our best to challenge ourselves through nature’s highs
and lows.
“The tragedy brought us
all together, as tragedy has a
way of doing to any community.”
Mount Everest was closed
for the remainder of the season and the climbers returned
home to reassess their motives and resolve for doing
what they do.
“My sherpa, Ang, made
me promise to come back as
he wanted to climb with me
again, but I needed to go home
to process and reassess everything,” she said.
“When I left Nepal I knew
I would return. I just wasn’t
sure when.”
But after years of preparation through hard training
and many climbs in other
parts of the world including
Africa, South America, New
Zealand and Nepal, deep
down Alyssa knew she would
return. The fire within was
still there and she knew she
couldn’t ignore it.
“I just know I must fulfil
my dreams. I have worked
hard for this and it will burn
away at me for years, even if
I try to ignore it,” she said.
So what is it that makes an
18-year-old so driven? If the
rest of us struggle to keep a
gym routine, to give up smoking, to find a work life balance, blow our New Year’s
resolutions by the end of
January, then what’s the secret to getting up after a set
back and having another go?
“For me the biggest tip I
can give is find your passion.
Find out why you want to
do what you want to do,”
Alyssa said.
The ‘why’ behind your
goals or resolution is the biggest key and no one can find
it for you. Alyssa believes if
you can find a big enough
‘why’ to attach to your goals
then you will do whatever it
takes to keep on going.
“The easiest thing in the
world is to give up. People
do it all the time, but just take
time to work out why you
wanted to achieve the goal in
the first place. What was it
you were hoping to achieve?”
“If it was something important enough to you then
you will work out how to get
it. You will work out how to
get up and go again. If it’s not
important enough then perhaps it’s ok to let it go and
focus on a new and more important goal.”
She said there are two
types of motivation, internal
and external.
“External motivation is
where you do things for reasons outside of yourself.
You’re trying to impress
someone else, or you think
someone else wants you to
do this, or would like it if you
did.
“This is never a good
enough motivator to get you
through the tough times in my
opinion.
“Internal motivation is
where the reason is deep inside you. You’re doing it because it’s important to you.
Those are the goals that make
you get up after you’ve been
knocked down.”
For Alyssa, that goal is
Mount Everest. In 2014 she
went back to Nepal after the
tragedy on Mount Everest
and she made the summit of
Mount Ama Dablam, a mountain that Sir Edmund Hilary
famously said would never be
climbed. But he and others
have climbed it since.
This was Alyssa’s last
climb before the big one.
When she returns to Nepal in
March 2015 it will be to once
again aim for the summit of
Mount Everest.
“Whatever your goals or
dreams for 2015, you just
have to keep going. There
might be setbacks, but just
keep going,” Alyssa said.
Alyssa is no stranger to
adventure. She was just eight
when she achieved the amazing feat as the youngest person to cross the Kokoda
Track in Papua New Guniea.
At 10, she went to Nepal
for Everest Base Camp, and
at age 12 she climbed the ten
highest peaks in Australia –
known as the Aussie 10. In
2011, Alyssa reached the
5,895m summit of Mt Kilimanjaro in South Africa at just
14 years of age.
Add to these Mt Aconcagua 6900m, Manaslu
8160m, Ama Dablam 6400m
and numerous climbing
courses and even training with
Special Forces soldiers to gain
every edge she can on her way
to Mt Everest.
“I’m not that fussed about
the records, or holding the title of being the youngest per-
son to achieve something, I
just love to climb mountains
and test myself, ” Alyssa
said.
“I’m a big believer in daring to dream, and then doing
everything physically and
mentally possible to achieve
those dreams. You only live
once right?”
• Follow Alyssa’s journey
on Twitter AlyssaAzar
#aa8848 or on Facebook.
CHRISTMAS GET TOGETHER
Apthorpe Farm Market Place, which has recently relocated to the
Abbie Lane complex, Highfields, invited those who helped
them in their move to share in Christmas fare.
Leonie Berassey, Apthorpe Market Place, Michelle Kruger, Elders,
and Shelley Nicholls, Campfire Cafe.
Peggy Boardman, Apthorpe Farm Market Place, and Lyn Anscombe.
Tracey Mead, Highfields Escape, and Natalie Fogarty, Vigour Graphics,
and daughter Micarlia Fogarty.
Punishment
I tried to catch some
fog, but I mist.
They told me I had
Type-A blood, but it was
a Type-O.
I changed my iPod’s
name to Titanic. It’s
syncing now.
Jokes about German
sausages are the wurst.
I know a guy who’s addicted to brake fluid, but
he says he can stop any
time.
I stayed up all night to
see where the sun went,
and then it dawned on me.
12 - HIGH COUNTRY HERALD - DECEMBER 23, 2014
To advertise phone 4615 4416
• OUT and ABOUT PICTORIAL
Oakey based farmers lead the way in melon virus quarantine
By MILES NOLLER
Oakey based horticulture
producer Ruby Red Farming
has so far escaped an outbreak
of a virus that looks set to devastate the Northern Territory’s
water melon industry.
Ruby Red produces summer
water melons just north east of
Oakey and winter melons in
the Douglas Daly district of the
Northern Territory.
Strict farm quarantine and
other practices have probably
helped keep them virus free in
the Northern Territory.
Queensland’s Agriculture
Minister John McVeigh has
quarantined Queensland from
the Northern Territory to ensure the Cucumber Green
Mottle Mosaic virus (also commonly known as melon mosaic
virus) does not enter Queensland.
It was found in melons and
pumpkins in the Darwin and
Katherine areas about October
at the end of their production
season.
But a number of factors are
helping Ruby Red remain virus
free.
Company principals Michael
and Margot Black said their
growing area was in the Douglas Daly district, at least 200 km
from each of the affected areas
in Darwin and Katherine.
But a key for Michael and
Margot Black is their own selfimposed quarantine regime.
They started growing in the
Northern Territory in 2003.
“From the day we started, we
have pressure cleaned any
equipment being transferred
from Douglas Daly to Oakey,
and from Oakey to Douglas
ISOLATION
Daly.”
They believe their isolation
And after the wash down,
will help protect from the virus equipment is sterilised.
spread.
They said their property was
STERILISATION
inspected by quarantine officers
They have a sterilising bath
in the Northern Territory and at the entrance to their farm,
the tests were negative.
and no truck, tractor or vehicle
Michael Black said the last gets in, or out, without driving
outbreak of the virus was in Cali- through this bath.
fornia and that was where a lot
Incoming vehicles cannot
of Australian seed came from.
drive across their farm.
People in these vehicles have
It is unclear how the virus en- a steriliser sprayed on their
tered the Northern Territory shoes and the packing shed is
and if seed was involved.
fenced off.
But Ruby Red uses a slightly
different seed pathway to that of
“It’s our livelihood,” they
growers who have been affected. said.
Their tough quarantine procedure was initiated, not just for
melons, but principally for bananas. Their isolated Douglas
Daly farm is free from Panama
disease and banana freckle, two
diseases causing problems in the
industry.
Mr Black said the melon mosaic virus was identified at the
end of the growing season and
had little effect on production.
But he said next season, the
affected farms will not be able
to grow melons and other affected cucubits.
They thought these growers
would be seeking non-quarantined, clean land in the Northern Territory to continue growing melons.
Ruby Red is the only Queensland based grower which also
produces in the Northern Territory, but in the affected areas,
there are some from New South
Wales and Victoria. The melon
mosaic virus makes the fruit
unsaleable.
MICHAEL and MARGOT BLACK
Tough quarantine procedure
Queensland declared melon pest quarantine area
GROWCOM has welcomed the announcement by the Queensland Agriculture Minister John McVeigh that Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic virus has been
declared as a plant pest under the Plant
Protection Act 1989.
The virus, commonly referred to as melon
mosaic virus, has been found in melons and
pumpkins in the Northern Territory.
The announcement means the whole of
Queensland is now a pest quarantine area
and restrictions exist regarding the move-
ment of cucurbit plants, fruit and seeds, soil,
machinery and tools into the State unless they
are accompanied by a Plant Health Certificate.
The certificate certifies that the products have
been inspected and are from a virus free area.
Queensland’s surveillance for the virus of
commercial production areas of all cucurbit crops,
including cucumber, melon, pumpkin, squash,
zucchini, bitter gourd and bottle gourd, started
in early December, although cucurbits have been
monitored at the Brisbane Markets since September.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and
“This pest is very
Forestry has also supplied three specialist staff easily transmitted
to assist the Northern Territory.
on machinery and
transporting mateVIRUS NOT FOUND IN QUEENSLAND
rials.
Growcom Chief Advocate Rachel Mackenzie,
“We strongly
right, said the virus had not been found in urge all growers to
Queensland but it was important that growers be extra vigilant if
abide by the quarantine rules since prevention they have properwas better than cure.
ties in the NorthThere was no definitive evidence where the ern Territory,” Ms
virus originated.
Mackenzie said.
Buying or Selling - Produce - Livestock - Machinery - Real Estate - Anything
Advertise in the Herald and reach more LOCAL people. Phone 4615 4416.
To advertise phone 4615 4416
HIGH COUNTRY HERALD - DECEMBER 23, 2014 - 13
Marion, Steph & staff hope your
Christmas season is filled with joy,
love and laughter.
Closed from Christmas Day
and re-opening 2nd January
Next sale January 10, 2015
The Quilters Angel
Shop 3, the Village Green
1047 New England Hwy, Highfields Ph: 46 308 062
Of fering
exquisite
gi
and frie fts
ndly
service
Seasons greetings to all
our clients and thank you
for supporting us in 2014.
VILLAGE GREEN GIFT SHOPPE
Janelle, Karen, Leanne & Erin thank you for
your support in 2014. May the gift of love, peace
& happiness be yours this Christmas
Shelley & Scott & the team at Campfire Café thank you
for your support and hope that the Christmas season
fills your home with joy, your heart with love and
your life with laughter
Ph: 4698 7755
Team members at the
Highfields & District
Medical Centre wish all a
Merry Christmas.
May your Christmas sparkle
with moments of love, laughter
and goodwill.






Windamere
Homes Pty Ltd
Wishing the communities of
Highfields and surrounding
areas health and happiness this
Christmas season and in the
year to come.
Thank you for your support
in 2014.
www.windamerehomes.com.au
Mayor Paul Antonio would like
to wish you all the
happiness of the season
and peace and prosperity
in the New Year
Highfields Veterinary Surgery
31 Kuhls Road, Highfields
4630 8399
Thank you for your support
throughout 2014.
I hope you and your
family have a wonderful
Christmas, safe travels
and a
Happy New Year.
A
E
P
W
f
Shop 2/36 Alford Street, Kingaroy Qld 4610
[email protected]
4162 1381 or Free Call 1800 816 261
debfrecklington.com.au
/DebFrecklingtonMP
/DebFrecklington
Wishing you all a safe and Happy Christmas,
a great New Year and I look forward to
working with you to make Toowoomba North
an even better place to live.
The team at Eclipse Park Veterinary
Surgery would like to thank you for your
support in 2014 and wish you all the best
for the festive season
Left to Right: Rachel McMullen with Cody the cat, Anita Mairs, Jillian Lok,
Jane Sharp, Phoebe Bridges, Toni Trollope, Ursula Norton
14 - HIGH COUNTRY HERALD, DECEMBER 23, 2014
To advertise phone 4615 4416
BUILDER
COMPUTERS and IT SERVICES
BUILDER
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CONCRETING
BOBCAT and TIPPER SERVICES
BUILDER
CONCRETING
AUTO ELECTRICAL and AIRCONDITIONING
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BITUMEN DRIVEWAYS
BUILDER
CARPENTRY
DECKS and PATIOS
BLINDS and CURTAINS
BUILDER
CARPENTRY and RENOVATIONS
EARTHMOVING
BLINDS and SECURITY
BUILDER
CARPET CLEANING and PEST SERVICES
EARTHMOVING
ADVERTISING and PROMOTION
Advertise direct to your local target
market...............
Ask about a package to suit
your budget.............
Phone
4615 4416
or
0409 890 081
for a quote
– Dozer & Excavator –
‡6WLFN5DNLQJ‡6HHGLQJ
‡'DPFRQVWUXFWLRQGHVLOWLQJ
‡&RQWRXU%DQNV‡/DQGFOHDULQJ
To advertise phone 4615 4416
HIGH COUNTRY HERALD, DECEMBER 23, 2014 - 15
EARTHMOVING
ELECTRICAL SERVICES
HIRE EQUIPMENT
MOWER SERVICE and REPAIRS
EARTHMOVING
ELECTRICAL SERVICES
LANDSCAPE and GARDEN SUPPLIES
MOWING and SLASHING
EARTHMOVING
ELECTRICAL SERVICES
LIQUID WASTE REMOVAL
PAINTER
EARTHMOVING
FENCING
MECHANICAL SERVICES
PAINTER
ELECTRICAL SERVICES
GARAGES
MECHANICAL SERVICES
PAINTER
ELECTRICAL SERVICES
GARDEN SERVICES and SUPPLIES
MECHANICAL SERVICES
PAINTER
ELECTRICAL SERVICES
HANDYMAN and PAINTER
MOWER SALES and SERVICE
PLUMBING SERVICES
Site works, Desilting Dams, Land Clearing,
Megamulcher, Road construction.
DOZERS : GRADERS : EXCAVATORS
TIPPERS : BOBCATS : ROLLERS
DOUG. 0418 716 725
16 - HIGH COUNTRY HERALD, DECEMBER 23, 2014
To advertise phone 4615 4416
PLUMBING SERVICES
SEPTIC SERVICES
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS
PLUMBING SERVICES
TOWING SERVICES
BEREAVEMENT THANKS
PLUMBING SERVICES
TREE SERVICES
WORSHIP TIMES and MEETINGS
CONDOLENCES
St Anne’s Anglican Church
Christmas Family Services
and Eucharist
5.30pm Christmas Eve (Wednesday 24th)
8.30am Christmas Day (Thursday 25th)
Cnr Highfields & Kuhl’s Rd Highfields
Everyone Welcome!
EVENTS and ENTERTAINMENT
PLUMBING SERVICES
“If I died tonight, do I know for
sure that I would go to heaven?”
BIBLE STUDY - 0409 158 525
PUBLIC NOTICES
PLUMBING SERVICES
TREE SERVICES
SANDSTONE
TYRES, BATTERIES and SUSPENSION
CHIROPRACTOR
CROWS NEST
CHIROPRACTIC
will open in Crows Nest
in the new year
Phone Christopher Scott
0432 564 430
SECURITY SCREENS
TYRES, BATTERIES and SUSPENSION
MOTORHOMES
2004 SUNLINER FIAT DUCATO
ODYSSEY - $68,000
3 litre turbo diesel, 6 speed
manual, cruise control, 131500k,
2 house batteries, 2 x 80w
solars, d/bed ensuite, TV/DVD,
aircon and heaps more.
Inspect and you will buy.
Phone 4698 7717 or 0403 626 960
SECURITY SCREENS
UPHOLSTERY
FIRST FRIDAY DANCE
HIGHFIELDS PIONEER VILLAGE HALL
FRIDAY, JANUARY 2
Rae Blinco music - $7 p/p
73 Wirraglen Road, Highfields
Please bring a plate. Ph: 4696 9754
To advertise phone 4615 4416
HIGH COUNTRY HERALD, DECEMBER 23, 2014 - 17
CLASSES and
TUITION
MUMS, BUBS
TODDLERS
KINDY KIDS
Kindermusik Classes
Call Leisa 0488 776 565
www.leisasmusicplace.com.au
FLORIST
FOR SALE
HIGHFIELDS
FLORIST
Tel/Fax
4615 5056
www.highfieldsflorist.com.au
TOP SOIL - GRAVEL
DECOMPOSED GRANITE
Rhino Machinery Hire
• Bobcats • Excavators
• Slashing
Ryan - 0409 721 778
All styles catered for
0439 033 049
VACANCIES
MUSIC
• Piano
• Singing
• Theory
• All levels
Angie Cain
4696 6167 (message)
GARAGE SALES
LOST and FOUND
PLANS and DRAFTING
WOODEN
TOYS
FOR CHRISTMAS
CROWS NEST: 9 Esk Street.
Saturday, January 3. 7am to
noon. Homewares, kids stuff etc.
REWARD
OFFERED
PLANS & DRAFTING
order from
Gordon & Janette
at Highfields Automotive
Spare Parts
Phone 4615 5774
FOR SALE
Private
SINGING
LESSONS
FOR SALE
• SQUATTERS
CHAIRS
• SAW HORSES
• MYNAH BIRD
TRAPS
Highfields Mens Shed
Richard 0412 687 338
or Tim 0412 530 077
CONNOR Shea Napier hammermill mixer, good condition
$13,500 + gst. Semco hammermill, 5’ screen, fair condition.
Quinalow area. 0497 215 588.
PLANTS for sale. 38
Hartwig Street, Goombungee.
ADVERTISE
YOUR
GARAGE
SALE
for just $10
for up to
15 words
PHONE
4615 4416
Lost quiet pet yellow
Cockatiel with black
“birthmark” on one wing
and leg ring band #374.
Cabarlah area.
If sighted or any
information please
contact 4696 6140
LOST: Gold wedding ring with
inscription “I will love you always, Peter 14.4.79 and blue
and white sapphire dress ring.
Crows Nest shopping area. Reward. Ph: 0409 879 146.
LOST AND FOUND
notices are published
free as a service to our
community.
Phone: 4615 4416.
SMS: 0409 890 081.
Email: herald@highcountry
news.net.au
MANURE
for building work
Local Service
www.petersplans.com.au
QBSA No: 55773
Ph: 0428 978 144
PLASTERER
PLASTERER
LOCAL - RELIABLE
Call Gary 0418 733 749
QBCC No: 1002151
PUBLIC NOTICES
CROWS NEST
TENNIS CLUB
Raffle result
1. N. Hunter
2. J. Collings
3. N. McColl
4. K. Lovell
NEWSPAPERS collected for
recycling. Crows Nest Boys
Brigade - deliver to Crows Nest
Lutheran Hall - Ph: 4698 1205
OR Friends of Peacehaven
Highfields. Contact 4615 4416.
SPECTACLES recycled for
charity. Crows Nest Lions project. Drop to Crows Nest Realty or Highfields Herald office.
WOOL: Donate new/recyclable
wool to knit for charity. Drop
to High Country Herald office,
10485 N.E. Highway, Highfield.
RURAL SUPPLIES
and SERVICES
A comprehensive
range of rural
products
available from
4698 2299
PETS and PET
SERVICES
Seasons greetings and thanks to everyone who advertised in Herald Classifieds during the year.
Have a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.
RECYCLING
0459 791 451
Lot 10 Industrial Rd
CROWS NEST
(Next to Boral Concrete)
QUALITY LUCERNE
HAY and CHAFF
BUY - SWAP - SELL
HERALD CLASSIFIEDS
• MENDING
• ALTERATIONS
are read by an estimated 30,000 people in over 10,500 homes each week
Phone 4615 4416
Scotland Yard Nursery
& Gift Shop
Cuckoo Clock Centre
CABARLAH
0412 094 557 - Gary
MENDING and
ALTERATIONS
Machine Embroidery
for gifts including towels
and school requirements
(Chair bags, library bags etc)
Tricia 0429 864 084
The Herald is delivered
to all rural homes in the
distribution area
HORSE RUG REPAIRS
Dog rugs from $10
Crows Nest
0468 993 886
ADVERTISE HERE
FROM
JUST $10
ADVERTISING and PROMOTION
CHIROPRACTOR
HEALTH and FITNESS
REMEDIAL MASSAGE
BOWEN THERAPY
DRIVING INSTRUCTION
HEALTH and WELLBEING
SOLICITOR
BEAUTY and RELAXATION
FINANCE BROKERS and CONSULTANTS
OPTOMETRIST
TAXI SERVICE
NEXT VISIT
January 12
BEAUTY THERAPIST
GRAPHIC DESIGN and PRINTING
PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES
YOUR BUSINESS CAN BE HERE
AN ADVERTISEMENT
HERE FOR YOUR
BUSINESS WILL BE
WORKING FOR YOU
18 - HIGH COUNTRY HERALD, DECEMBER 23, 2014
To advertise phone 4615 4416
Goombungee police report
December 19 - At approximately
8pm a male, 62, was intercepted driving his vehicle on Kingsthorpe Haden
Road, Goombungee.
He was transported to Oakey Police station and recorded a reading of
0.125 per cent.
The driver was issued a notice to
appear at Oakey Magistrates Court.
At approximately 9.30pm a male,
37, was intercepted driving his vehicle on the Kingsthorpe-Haden Road
Goombungee.
He was transported to Oakey Police
Station and recorded a reading of 0.096
per cent and was issued a notice to appear at Oakey Magistrates Court.
Anyone with information that may
assist Police with their inquiries are
asked to contact CRIMESTOPPERS
on 1800 333 000 or Police Link on 131
444.
For urgent Police matters please contact 000.
Crows Nest bush dance
A night of family fun on New Year’s
Eve is guaranteed with a bush dance
being held at the Crows Nest Community and RSL Centre Hall.
Live music and dancing instruction
will be provided by the Band ‘O’ Coots
bush dance band starting at 7pm until
midnight next Wednesday, December
31.
Admission is just $5 per person or
$12 for a family and patrons are asked
to bring a plate of food to share for
supper.
Water bottle refills will be available
all night and soft drinks will be on sale.
This will be a fun, family night with
prizes, quizzes and lucky spots. Enquiries phone 4697 9216.
The Herald
will go into
recess for
two weeks
and return
on
January 13.
Our office
will open on
Monday,
January 5.
Round robin bowls tournament
GOLF
FISHING
BORNEO BARRACKS: December 10 - 4bbb
challenge. 4bbb stableford, Chris Butler trophies.
Winners V. Fiamingo, A. Bell 49, B. Bargenquast, D.
Lamb 48, B. Messer, M. Troughton 47, K. Clarke, P.
Callaghan 44, B. May, P. Hunt 44. Pins 1st M.
Troughton, 5th M. Sorenson, 10th G. Malcolmsen,
17th W. Owen. Winners of the 4bbb challenge B.
Bargenquast and D. Lamb.
December 13 - Christmas break-up. Sixes
stableford. Winners L. Jocumsen, J. Collins, J.
Thompson, C. Souriss 124, T. Arthur, B. Wiltshire,
T. Fulloon, S. Finlen 112, P. Callaghan, R. Backhouse,
A. Haddock, L. Bishop 109, P.Callaghan, M.Stark,
R.Woodcock, M.Woodcock 107. Pins 1st A. Haddock, 5th M. Stark hole- in-one, 10th B. Messer,
14th A. Haddock, 17th C. Stuart.
December 14 - Single stroke, monthly medals,
final of the medal of medalists A grade winner W.
Aitken 65, runner-up J. Aitken 66. B grade winner G.
Thompson 69, runner-up J. Lee 71. C grade winner
D. Newman 69, runner-up C. Butler 69.
Rundown G. Barnsley 68, G. Starkey 68, R.
Backhouse 69, B. Aitken 69, M. Arundel 71, K. Clarke
72, P. Jones 72, C. Reich 72. Pins 1st M. Goddard,
5th G. Barnsley, 10th C. Aitken, 17th J. Smith. Best
gross M. Stark 74. Medal of medalist winner D.
Newman. - Gary Small.
CROWS NEST: December 17 - Sporters winner R. Gardner 32, runner-up J. Somerville 32. Putting
R. Gardner 20. Pins 7/16 D. Haskings, 8/17 W. Cox.
CABARLAH: Cabarlah Fishing Club held their
trophy presentation at the Farmers Arms Tavern
Cabarlah.
Trophy winners 2014. Biggest yellowbelly Cliff
Jurd. Biggest Murray cod Tony Rayner. Biggest
bass Chris Gleeson, Tom Corling, Chris Jones. Biggest jew Tom Corling.
Biggest silver perch Rick Jones, Matt Gleeson
(tie) Highest catch of the year Tom Corling. Highest
catch of the year junior member Bryce Jones. Best
catch by a junior member Bryce Jones.
BOWLS
Another successful round robin bowls tournament has been completed at the Highfields Community Sports Club. Ten teams battled it out over several weeks with the Aussie Hotties coming
out on top. Thursday night bowls will resume in the New Year. Get down to the Sports Club and
nominate your team of four. Cost is $40 per team for the round robin tournament. The first 16
teams to nominate will be accepted. ABOVE: Aussie Hotties Ross New, Peter Clarke, Bill
Mason, Sports Club bowls co-ordinator, Rolfe Crouch and Bruce Mocatta. - Pat Fitzgerald photo.
CRICKET
CENTRAL DOWNS: December 21 - This week
saw three extremely tight games of Central Downs
cricket with wins to Kulpi, Nobby and Pittsworth,
while Southbrook had a bye.
At Oakey, Kulpi won the toss and sent the home
team in to bat.
Oakey eventually finished all out for 115 in the
40th over with B. Steer 56no, K. Charles 24 and J.
Curston 9 the best with the bat.
Best bowlers for Kulpi included B. Shick 2 for 9
off 8, G. Mostyn 2 for 19 off 8 and J. Klinberg 2 for
27 off 6. FOW 0, 11, 12, 39, 43, 47, 84, 89, 98, 115.
In reply Kulpi passed the total nine wickets down
in the 25th over with the top run scorers J. Hine 19,
B. Shick 16no and D. Sippel 15.
Best with the ball for Oakey was A. Delaney 4 for
41 off 8, K. Charles 2 for 7 off 5 and J. Curston 2 for
18 off 8.
FOW 6, 24, 56, 60, 76, 84, 84, 89, 100.
At Pittsworth, the home side lost the toss and
bowled first against Millmerran, with the visitors all
out for 116 in the 33rd over.
Best with the bat included J.Sinclair 38, D. Smith
38 and B. French 9. Best bowlers for Pittsworth
included G. Campbell 3 for 30 off 8, T. Mullins 2 for
16 off 7, J. Ellison 2 for 1 off 3 and J. O’Shea 1 for 13
off 4. FOW 29, 40, 48, 55, 60, 82, 87, 106, 114, 116.
Pittsworth then passed the total nine wickets down
in the 34th over with A. Cronin 26, J. O’Shea 24 and
M. Webster 12 the top run scorers.
Best bowlers for Millmerran included D.Smith 3
for 25 off 7, P.Harris 1 for 2 off 2 and J.Sinclair 1 for
23 off 8.
At Bowenville, Nobby batted first and were all
out for 87. In reply Bowenville were all out for 73.
No statistics available.
PUBLISHING ARRANGEMENTS
This week’s Herald - December 23 - is the last edition for the year.
Publication will resume on Tuesday, January 13.
Our office will re-open on Monday, January 5.
We wish all our readers, advertisers and friends safe and happy Christmas
and look forward to a bright and prosperous new year.
Promote your sport through
the Herald.
Contact details Page 2
CROWS NEST: This will be the last report for
about a month because our green is closed for annual
maintenence. I take this opportunity to thank the
Herald for providing the opportunity to circulate our
club news each week. The feedback that I usually get
from members, and at times non-members, indicates
that most times we are on the right track.
Merry Christmas to you, Ann and your staff, and
I hope that 2015 will be a happy and healthy one for
all of you.
Christmas break-up, December 13. Intraclub 201415 competition results. All scheduled games were
called off because of the impending inclement weather.
No games were called for Saturday, December 20.
December 14 - Christmas break-up, afternoon
winners were Roger Brashaw, Vonnie Gillies and Vince
Vaz, runners-up Tom Hamilton, Roger Haldane, Laurie
Cant and Ben Ruwoldt.
Many thanks to all who participated in the game
and also those who attended the post-match Christmas festivities.
The green is now closed for annual refurbishment
for two to four weeks. Many thanks to the volunteers who worked hard during hot days on the renovation.
On behalf of the management committee, President Ray extends the warmest of Christmas greetings
to members and their families and wishes everyone a
healthy and happy New Year.
Next scheduled management committee meeting
will be at 9.30am on Sunday, January 11.
New bowls players and visitors are always welcome at the Crows Nest Bowls Club. Contact secretary Jim on [email protected] or 4698 2278. Gary Baker.
Cabarlah Fishing Club president Doug Gale
and secretary Hazel Lowery.
Biggest silver perch Rick Jones, Matt Gleeson
(tie.)
To all our sports
correspondents
Our sincere thanks for
your regular notes,
results and photos.
We know our readers
appreciate your work.
The Herald will
resume publication on
Tuesday, January 13.
Our office will re-open
on Monday, January 5.
We look forward to
another busy
sporting year.
Biggest jew Tom Corling.
- Neil Lomas editor
Chris Jones tied in biggest bass catch.
To advertise phone 4615 4416
HIGH COUNTRY HERALD - DECEMBER 23, 2014 - 19
Saving food over
Christmas
Boxing Day is National Leftovers Day - how
much food can you save?
On December 26, Australia’s fridges will be
bursting with leftovers.
That’s why it’s National Leftovers Day! Now
in its sixth year, the day encourages Australians to
use up all their Christmas leftovers.
The event is organised by the DoSomething
charity.
Jon Dee, Managing Director of DoSomething
and the founder of Leftovers Day, said IBISWorld
estimates that Australians will spend $10.1 billion
on food.”
“Throwing out food over Christmas wastes
hundreds of millions of dollars and impacts the
environment.
“But we don’t have to be a scrooge to save food
and money.
“With a little forward planning we can still have
a generous feast without the waste.”
When it comes to household garbage bins, up to
40 per cent of the content is food. When we throw
out our Christmas leftovers, that figure significantly increases.
The top five ways to save food over Christmas:
• Buy only what you need. Draw up a shopping list and stick to it.
• Avoid the panic buy. Don’t buy food for people that might not turn up.
• Plan your portions. Try not to serve more
than people can eat.
20 - HIGH COUNTRY HERALD - DECEMBER 23, 2014
• If you have leftovers, put them in air-tight containers, it makes them last longer.
• Re-use your Christmas staples:
Turkey, ham, chicken and vegetables can be used
in sandwiches, quiches, soups and other meals.
What you don’t eat in the Christmas period can
be frozen and eaten in January. Leftovers recipes
are available from FoodWise.com.au.
DoSomething’s FoodWise.com.au website has
resources that will help people to save food:
• Some of Australia’s favourite chefs have provided their favourite leftovers recipes.
• Australians can plan their Christmas meals using the FoodWise online meal planner.
• Users can select recipes that use up the existing
food in their fridge, freezer or pantry.
To advertise phone 4615 4416

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