Diamantina Shire Council
Desert Yarns
June, 2013 Volume 4 Issue 63 Upcoming Events Distributed free to all residents. RADF Meeting - June 5 Message from the Mayor Queens Birthday Public Holiday - June 10 Hello all for another month. Ordinary Council Meeting - June 17 Probably the biggest news as far as Local Government is concerned, is the referendum that has been announced to coincide with the Federal Election in September. The Referendum is Birdsville Gymkhana - June 22/23 to alter Section 96 of the constitution to acknowledge the financial relationship between the Youth Council Meeting - June 28 Commonwealth and Local Government and confirm the continuation of direct federal funding for community infrastructure and services. Currently Local Government is not recognised in Bedourie Rodeo, Campdraft & Gymkhana - the constitution so the Federal Government cannot give funding directly to councils, the June 28/30 money first has to go to the State Government who may or not pass all or any of the money John Williamson Concert - July 8 on to the council. Past experience has shown that the temptation for the state to siphon off some of the money for themselves is too great. Local Government need this Referendum to Big Red Run - July 8/13 be successful to ensure we get full value of any federal funding. Bedourie Camel Races - July 13 Last week I attended, by telephone, an information session with Michael Dickson and Scott NAIDOC Celebrations - July 19 Leonard about Disaster Management Systems. It is my opinion that one thing that does need to change in disaster management is that all the emergency services e.g. Rural Fire, SES etc, Qld Music Festival Performance - July 22 should be under one control. Given that in small communities it is the same wonderful people who volunteer to do these great services why should they have to have 3-4 different uniforms for different events, and should you turn up at an incident in the wrong jumpsuit Message from the Mayor heaven help you. Surely a one for all scenario would be better. 1 Writings from the CEO 2 I would like to point out to small community groups that the State Government is changing the law so that small non-profit organisations will not need a liquor licence for small one off From the Tourism & Community Desk 3 events. One less job and expense for the good people who run these events.
Works Report 4 For some of the older residents who may remember, May Miller previously of Boulia has Positions Vacant 5 passed on. May was the wife of Eddie Miller, Boulia-Bedourie mail man for many years in the 60s and 70s. I wish the family of Eddie and May all the best; mine was only one of the many Council News 6 lives they touched.
Public Notices 7-11 Next Thursday evening the residents of Birdsville are invited to a community meeting at the Crocodile in Birdsville 12 Community Hall. This is to introduce members of Knauf Insulation, who want to turn Birdsville, one of the most isolated towns, into one of the most insulated towns. They want Photography Competitions 13-15 to insulate the whole town for little or no cost. I encourage all house owners to come along
and have a listen. While of course this is a promotion exercise, it is something useful for Information for Community 16-17 nothing and costs nothing to listen. Playgroup Catchup 18 As no doubt, everyone has heard Birdsville has a new resident, an Australian Freshwater Youth Council News 19-20 Crocodile. While it is meant to be harmless I suspect it hurting the tourist industry given that tourists are going from having quiet 2-3 nights along the river to going into the caravan Health News 21-22 park, where one night is probably enough. One wonders what the owners and trainers will
Police News 23-24 think race time with all the horses stabled along the riverbank with most of their staff on the ground in the same area. An unusual time for Birdsville! Community News 25-28 It has been good to hear the good rainfalls recorded in the northern parts of the shire, Bronco Branding/Campdraft/Rodeo 29-32 excellent news! While the southern parts continue to wallow in drought. Results Any way until next month, unless you’ve been bitten or run over by a roll of insulation DSC Events/Flyers 33-44 Mayor Cr Geoff Morton
Diamantina Shire Council 07 4746 1202 17 Herbert Street 07 4746 1272
BEDOURIE QLD 4829 [email protected]
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Writings from the CEO
Fire Preparedness
Representatives from the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service at Charters Towers met with community members in Birdsville on May 7 and in Bedourie on May 8, 2013 to discuss fire preparedness, specifically resources and training.
At present there are six slip on units in Diamantina Shire with a seventh arriving soon that are available to anyone requiring them.
Location Unit Particulars Birdsville Township 1 x new unit commissioned and ready With foam Mount Leonard Station 1 x new unit commissioned and ready With foam Bedourie Township 2 x new units commissioned and ready With foam Carlo Station 1 older yellow unit Craven’s Peak Reserve 1 older yellow unit Birdsville Township 1 x new unit not commissioned No foam
HF radio ‘ready reckoner’ cards will be placed in both appliances (Fire Trucks) to assist emergency volunteers with radio usage.
There was no response to the recent request by Council through Desert Yarns for information to ground truth fire ground maps with pet names for water points and tracks. As a result, the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service will provide all stations with a laminated A1 size map of their station with a number of plain copies. If there are anomalies in information, please liaise with Mr Gavin Fryar of the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, Charters Towers on 4761 5131 to update this information. While the imminent threat of fire damage is no longer prevalent, this is the time to prepare for the next season.
Council staff will soon service both appliances to make certain they are in tip top condition.
Local Disaster Controller Scott Mason
Fibre Optic Telecommunication Proposal for Diamantina and Barcoo Shire Councils
The Fibre Optic Cable proposal for Diamantina and Barcoo Shire Councils is progressing. Even though it was unsuccessful during the Round 4 Regional Development Australia (RDA) funding announcements, progress is being maintained in the event that one of the successful three projects ‘falls over’ during the funding process. Further, the respective Councils are open to pursuing other funding options in addition to Round 5 of RDA to see the proposal eventuate. The most recent advancement was the tender analysis which was held over two days in Windorah during early May.
On the back of the recent Federal Coalition National Broadband Network Policy announcement, Diamantina Shire Council has also approached Mr Bruce Scott MP, Member for Maranoa for written confirmation now, that should the coalition government gain power following the September Federal election, what type of support would a new government provide to the proposal. It is anticipated that this formal support will be used to leverage a financial commitment from the Queensland State Government.
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From the Tourism & Community Desk
It’s budget time and we are busy looking at projects for next year. The new Tourism web site is now under production and should be complete in around 1-2 months. The upgrade of the Bedourie Clinic has now commenced. Work is also scheduled to commence shortly on upgrading of the lighting, stage and audio facilities at both the Bedourie and Birdsville Community Halls. We’ve had some fantastic arts workshops held in each town this week as well as planning workshops for the development of the Cultural Plan. Congratulations to Jo Lewington for her role in making these happen and for all those who were involved. The recent Bronco Branding was another great event and congratulations to the organisers. Remember, if you’re in Brisbane between 5-11 June and would like to help promoting the Di- amantina then head down to the Showground and see Barbara Mason or give me a call. We are working on several projects associated with the Birdsville Races and are interested in finding ‘buskers’ for the food court area. Calls for quotations have now been released and we are seeking operators for the Shower Block, Airport 2013-2015 and Overflow Camping Block on Graham Street. I would also like to thank Birdsville Residents for their patience as we have carried out repairs to the reservoir and cooling ponds over the last few months. If you haven’t already done so be sure to ‘friend’ the two Diamantina facebook sites. We have both a corporate site for council and a tourism site for ‘The Diamantina’. If you are a user of social media you will find these sites a great way to keep in touch with what is happening and gain the latest information on road closures and events.
Until next month!
Steven Baldwin Tourism & Community Manager
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Works Report
HEALTH VISIT Council organised another round of health and wellbeing sessions in the Super Camp on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 and in the Gravel Camp on Thursday, May 9, 2013, followed by a session in Birdsville on Friday May 20, 2013. The Multi Skilled Crew joined in on the session at the Super Camp.
Mr Paul Mazdon, from The Alcohol and Drug Foundation Queensland (ADFQ) based in Longreach, Mr David Kerrigan along with Parker, Ms Sheryl and Ms Kara from Central West Health & Hospital Service again conducted one on one sessions. This involved brief written questionnaires and the taking of baseline information such Doug Sullivan with Parker as individuals blood pressure, cholesterol, sugar count and waist measurement.
Council Overseer, Mr Adrie Den Ronden attended both sessions in Super Camp and in Gravel Camp. Medicare Local Indigenous Outreach Worker, Ms Joyce Crombie, was also in attendance.
Roderick Sly getting a health check with Kara These sessions are beneficial to both the ATODS team and Councils work force and are appreciated by everyone. Council organised a Sausage Sizzle & BBQ dinners at the respective camps.
RECENT RAIN We have experienced very refreshing rains three times in this month. 48pts was Shai Booth on the Chain Gang. recorded on May 13 and 14, 2013, 7pts on May 15 and 16, 2013 and 34pts on May 21 and 22, 2013. These rains have cause several delays to the progress of work this month.
CONSTRUCTION CREW The Construction Crew is currently working on the Burrimurra pave and seal project. Crew members have graveled the Industrial Prescient road and the block. They have moved to Lake Machattie road to finish flood repairs.
GRAVEL CREW The Gravel Crew have completed repairs to the Big Red Road. They have started the RMPC (Road Maintenance Performance Contract) resheeting job at Big Farley’s, this job is 10km long.
MULTI SKILLED CREW The Multi Skilled Crew are working on the Stoney Crossing flood way concrete work and the Big Red Road drainage pipe work. This Crew are also working in Bedourie town on numerous small repair jobs.
PATROL GRADER CREW This Crew is currently patrol grading the Diamantina to Palparra Road.
Harin Karra Assistant Works Manager Left: Francis Warren & Ed working on SA grids Grader working on the Big Red Road
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A total of nine properties in Bedourie have had new fences or partial fencing installed. The new fences are a combination of either Colourbond and Sunshine (pool type design) or just Sunshine. The fencing replaces the old low chain wire fences making the properties safe for children.
Maggie den Ronden Property Officer Diamantina Shire Council
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Crocodile turns up in river near Birdsville
A senior ranger is not sure how a freshwater crocodile has ended up in an outback river system at Birdsville in Queensland's far south-west. The ranger-in-charge of the Simpson Desert National Park, Don Rowlands, says local residents spotted the one- and-a-half-metre-long reptile in the Diamantina River at the town this morning. Mr Rowlands says consecutive big years of flooding may have pushed the crocodile into the system or else some- one may have put it there.
He says he has been in the region for 60 years and has never heard of a croc so far from its normal habitat.
Mr Rowlands said a tourist reported a crocodile sighting earlier this month but locals did not believe it until now.
"There are more than a dozen of us here and we are all agreeing that it is a crocodile," he said. "Apparently it has been around for a while because tourists have made comment, but no-one in Birdsville be- lieved anyone. "It's only today when a local person saw it on the bank that it's bought the town out and we are all on the bank of the Diamantina River. "Although I haven't seen the total animal - but the others have - I have seen the head and it certainly does look like a crocodile."
Extracted from http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-27/crocodile-sunning-itself-on-a-log- in-diamantina-river-near-bird/4714828
Left: Makalya Gilby has shared this shot of the now infamous Birdsville Croc
Wildlife spotting in the Diamantina is sometimes as easy as looking out your front door. A regular about Bedourie, Bruce the Brolga recently made an unexpected visit to the Bedourie Outback Visitors’ Centre. Perhaps he was looking for information on the upcoming Bedourie Campdraft, Rodeo & Gymkhana.
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By the artists…for the artists
PO Box 396 Longreach Qld 4730 PH: 07 4623 2618 ABN: 70 674 698 387
PRESS RELEASE
Regional photography competition goes to the city
The annual Channel Country Photography Competition, run in partnership by Vast Arts and Desert Channels Group, is taking the essence of this unique region to the city.
In addition to over $8,000 in prizes and being included in the Desert Channels calendar for 2014, the twelve win- ning images plus twelve more chosen from the entries will form a curated exhibition which will be launched in a night time digital display at the Judith Wright Centre of Performing Arts.
“We are very excited to be taking the competition to the next level”, says Vast Arts Project Officer Nicole Harper.
“The digital exhibition gives photographers a chance to have their work shown at a world class venue, a far cry from the Channel Country where the photos are taken”, she said.
The competition is open to everyone; however the images must be taken within the Queensland catchment of the Lake Eyre Basin. There are categories for Open, Regional and Youth photographers as well as a Packers Prize.
Entry forms with terms and conditions are available at www.vastarts.net or contact Vast Arts [email protected] for more information.
Key dates Entries close 23 August 2013 Presentation of winners 12 October 2013 Digital exhibition 14 to 27 October 2013
Attached image: ‘Tank lightening’ by Douglas Rodgers, 2012 Open Encouragement winner.
END
Nicole Harper Project Officer Vast
Attached image: ‘Tank lightening’ by Douglas Rodgers, 2012 Open Encouragement winner. Arts Inc.
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Playgroup Catch - Up
As of Tuesday, June 4, Birdsville Playgroup Bedourie and Birdsville Playgroups now have will be returning to the previous morning the Toy Libraries for shire residents. hours. Residents are encouraged and welcome to Birdsville Bedourie borrow toys. Monday - Thursday Monday - Thursday Toy Libraries offer a range of toys and 9am to 12.30pm 8.30am to 12 noon Friday Friday equipment for use in playgroup sessions and 9am - 12 noon 8.30 to 11.30am at home. The toys complement playgroup activities. The prime objective of Diamantina Shire If you are interested in Council Children’s Services is to provide a borrowing please contact playgroup environment that will meet the the Early Childhood needs of families, caregivers and children within our community and to be responsive to Co-ordinators Mrs Kylie these changing needs. Diamantina Shire Scott in Birdsville or Mrs Council Children’s Services is committed to Anna Karra in Bedourie. equality of educational, recreational and social opportunity. Children must be supervised by the parent/ carer at all times. It is your responsibility to watch your children. This includes mixing with other children, as well as when they are using equipment, toilets and supplies. For further information or to enrol your child in Bedourie Playgroup celebrated Under 8’s Week on Friday, the Playgroup services please contact the 24 May 2013. Playgroup children and Bedourie State School Co-ordinators, Mrs Anna Karra in Bedourie or children together have participated in two fun activities – Mrs Kylie Scott in Birdsville. making Mr Grass heads and Pinnate. Mr Terry Morris, Corporate Services Manager from the Council has officially opened the celebrations with a brief Talk to the kids. Ms Seven Ryan has taken active role in facilitating the fun activities. These activities were followed by Morning Tea at the Community Hall. A total of 50 people Medicare Local visit to Bedourie Playgroup including School Staff and children, members of the On Tuesday, 21 May 2013, Kristy McGregor, Project Officer and Community, Parents of the Playgroup kids and few Council Cassandra Whatley, Health Promotion Officer from Medicare Local employees have joined Bedourie Playgroup to celebrate have visited Bedourie Playgroup. They had a brief conversation with the kids about healthy eating patterns. They have provided a Under 8’s week. healthy morning tea to the Playgroup children. They also helped Anna Karra, kids to make healthy food look more attractive on the plate. Bedourie Early Childhood Co-ordinator.
Page 19 Desert Yarns YOUTH COUNCIL ORDINARY MEETING DATES 2013
The Diamantina Shire Youth Council advises that its Ordinary Meetings will be held on the following dates.
DATE TIME VENUE Wednesday, June 28 3pm Bedourie Council Chambers
Thursday, July 11 5pm Birdsville Community Hall
Wednesday, August 21 5pm Bedourie Council Chambers Boarders to teleconference Wednesday, September 25 5pm Birdsville Community Hall Monday, October 28 5pm Wirrarri Visitor Information Centre Boarders to teleconference Monday, November 11 5pm Wirrarri Visitor Information Centre Boarders to teleconference Friday, December 13 5pm Bedourie Council Chambers
*** Meeting dates are subject to change. *** School Holidays
Cr Melissa Gadsby Youth Council Secretary
Saturday, October 5, 2013 commencing @ 10am
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Health News...
Central & North West Queensland Medicare Local Visit Birdsville - Monday, June 17, 2013 BEDOURIE AND BIRDSVILLE Bedourie - Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Clinic Opening Hours: Dr Doug Birrell Doug Birrell is a consultant physician who specializes in the Monday - Friday management of diabetes. His interest is in 9am - 12 noon diabetes in rural and remote areas, and he travels extensively 2pm - 5pm throughout south, central and western Queensland. Dr Birrell lives in Toowoomba and is based at St Andrew’s Hospital. Saturday
9am - 12 noon Diabetes Educator: Robyn A Diabetes Educator provides education and EMERGENCIES ONLY outside of ongoing support to people at risk of develop- these times. ing diabetes, newly diagnosed or have been living with the disease.
Telephone:
Birdsville - 07 4656 3245 Dietitian: Emma A Dietitian provides general nutrition and dietary advice to both individuals and groups Bedourie - 07 4746 1226 of all ages, assesses individual diets and pro- vides practical dietary advice to help manage and treat conditions such as diabetes, heart (PLEASE PUSH EMERGENCY BUTTON – DO disease, renal disease, gastrointestinal dis- NOT GO TO PRIVATE RESIDENCE AS eases, food allergies/intolerances and over- ATTENDING NURSE MAY NOT BE HOME) weight/obesity.
Physiotherapist: Blair RFDS Appointment Times The primary role of a Physiotherapist is to assess a patient’s condition and to find the underlying causes of pain, whether it be in Patients that arrive late to their the joints, muscles or nerves. RFDS appointments will be forfeited and will have to rebook for the following To make an appointment please contact your local fortnight. Please ensure that Primary Health Care Centre on 4656 3245 (Birdsville) or 4746 1226. (Bedourie) you arrive on time or a little earlier to avoid disappointment.
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Branding the Outback Blue
Fundraising was carried out at the Bronco branding to promote Prostrate cancer awareness. A cake stall, auction, sale of pins and stubby coolers and cattle prods all helped raise The day was well supported but this would not have been so if it weren’t for the cooks providing cakes for the cake stall, the buyers at the auction and those who bought pins and stubby coolers. Also thanks to those who sup- plied raffle and auction items. Many thanks to all those who worked behind the scenes to get the day up and running and also those who worked over the weekend to make it successful. Individual thanks won’t be made for fear of missing someone. Many thanks to the Birdsville Social Club Inc., for allowing us the opportunity to carry out this promotion. Prue Hannan Bev Morton and Joyce Crombie.
The Dentist Visits!
The dental van rolled into Bedourie on Sunday, May 12 and was prepared for the onslaught of patients to come. This annual visit with Dr Ian Swinton and assistant, Amber is an annual occurrence and much welcomed visit, to some! After spending the week in Bedourie the Service then moved on to Birdsville to spend the week there from May 20.
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Bedourie Police News
This month I have been targeting the school zone in the mornings. I am pleased to announce that everyone was going the speed limit and only one person was caught speeding. I will continue to target the school zone this month so don’t get caught!
On May 28, there was a single vehicle rollover on the Diamantina Developmental road about halfway between Monkira and Cluny. Thankfully no one was killed and even the dog walked away. Only one young international tourist was airlifted out for her injuries. It is a timely reminder to everyone to check your tyres, if they are not roadworthy they are not safe!
Bedourie gun club. The Bedourie SSAA monthly meeting is at the Royal Hotel, the next meeting will be held on Friday 28th June at 5:30pm.
Till next month, stay safe.
Senior Constable Tim Farran Bedourie Police Station
Photographs taken on a trip to the desert on the 4 wheelers in the month of May.
Left top is a salt claypan that Matt Young and I cautiously rode over.
Where: Bedourie Police Station. When: Saturday 15th June Ex Bedourie Policeman 2013, 7:30am Recognised What: Furniture. A Longreach policeman has been awarded a commendation Household goods for brave conduct - after rescuing a man trapped in a car in rising floodwaters. Sergeant Scott Spence was one of Sony Stereo several people honoured yesterday at a ceremony at Clothing Government House in Brisbane. Sergeant Spence and a colleague rescued the man in November 2010 from Massive range of Yarraman Creek, north of Winton. He dived under the DVD’s water in darkness and pulled the man through an open window of a vehicle. Sergeant Spence says the recognition Chest freezer means a lot to his family. “I think your family is quite happy Weight station. that you receive some recognition more I think than myself. They’ve seen me working shift work and coming home at ridiculous hours of the morning and night.” Come and have a look at what we got.
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Birdsville Police News
From the Birdsville Cop.
May has been an eventful month.
Firstly, there was a Crocodile in the Diamantina River after all. Oh well, you can’t be right all the time. Who knows how long it has been there and where it came from. He seems to be a happy Crocodile with a friendly smile. Remember the Crocodile is a protected species and freshwater species are not nearly as dangerous as the salt water variety. Please obey the Council signs relating to the Crocodile.
Photo by Sandra McShane Secondly, on the 20th of May, 2013 Birdsville Clinic Nurse, Prue Hannan along with John White driving the Ambulance, Peter Barbes, Birdsville Roadhouse and myself attended a Motor Bike accident 260 kilometres south of Birdsville on the K1 Line, Simpson Desert. Briefly, a male person fell from his bike at around lunchtime, his mates waited three hours for him to get better. He didn’t, so they left him there alone, with no communication and went to Birdsville via Clifton Hills Station without contacting the Birdsville Clinic or Police. When we finally found out what had occurred it was early evening. Planning began for a long trip into the Desert, we arrived at the accident site at around 2.00am. After Prue treated and administered pain relief he was placed in the Ambulance and driven to Clifton Hills to 2.30am 21/05/2013 be evacuated by RFDS. Unfortunately the RFDS couldn’t land at Clifton Ambulance, Police & Birdsville Auto vehicles at accident Hills as heavy rain had started to fall, so we had to travel onto Birdsville. K1 Line The patient was finally evacuated at 3.00pm on the 21st of May 2013. 27 hours after the accident.
It was an excellent team effort by everyone involved. It was a long, arduous and protracted rescue with the injured male making a full recovery.
The moral of the story. If someone is injured and they need medical treatment, make your first call to the Birdsville Clinic so professional advice can be given and medical treatment can be administered as soon as practicable.
Lastly, Inspector Paul Biggin from Mount Isa Police Station is transferring to Maryborough. Inspector Biggin has been in charge of all southern Stations including Birdsville and Bedourie since 2009. He was the Inspector in charge of policing the 2010 Birdsville Races when 5000 persons were trapped in Town due to heavy rain and safely getting travellers out of town when the roads finally reopened. Inspector Biggin has been a really good friend of the Diamantina Shire and excellent boss for both Tim and I and always available at any time of the day or night for advice and assistance.
Sandra and I would like to wish him all the very best for the future.
Stay safe!
Neale McShane OIC Birdsville Police
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A New Baby Boy Did you know......
80% of burglaries are committed by people Congratulations go aged 13-21. out to Quinton Half of all crimes are committed by people under the age of 18. Parsons and Miranda Half of all crimes are committed by people Palmer on the birth of under the age of 18. the son, Mack Shakespeare invented the words Kenneth Edward 'assassination' and 'bump'. There are a million ants for every person on Parsons. He came Earth. into the world on Over 100 people choke to death on ballpoint Monday, May 27 pens each year. weighing healthy 8 40% of McDonald’s profits come from the pounds, 6 ounces and sales of Happy Meals. New born babies have 350 bones. (by age 5 was 52 cms long at the Stanthorpe hospital. Mack the amount of bones merges to 206) is the first Grandchild for Jenny and Charlie Parsons There is no proof as to who built the Taj of Bedourie. Mahal. The sixth sick sheik’s sixth sheep’s sick' is said to be the toughest tongue twister. That in the 17th century the value of pi was known to 35 decimal places. (today to 1.2411 trillion) Achievements Tiger Woods' real first name is Eldrick. The Birdsville Hotel is pleased to let you know that our You use 72 different muscles while speaking. new Chef Kerryn Destrang will soon be sharing the kitchen Coconuts kill over 150 people each year. with My Kitchen Rules judge Pete Evans as he hosts a Food (more than sharks) and Fishing Safari at 'Sal Sails', Ningaloo Reef - 15-19th July. It took Leonardo Da Vinci 10 years to paint Kerryn went through a rigorous selection process and was selected from 100 people applicants and no doubt her Mona Lisa. years spent cooking in the Pilbara and in North Bali gave The most common disease is tooth decay. her the 'unconventional' kitchen skills required to cook Avocados have the most calories of any other safari style! fruit. American's eat 18 billion hot dogs a year. Apart from cooking for miners in the Pilbara, Kerryn has Emus can't walk backwards. also spent many years in Indonesia and North Bali (also were she met her husband Dek who is also a cook at The Birdsville Hotel) teaching cooking to local villagers. Well done to Don Rowlands on his We are excited to have her representing The Birdsville recent completion of Advanced Hotel and the Outback Loop when she heads West in July. Diploma of Conservation and Land Management.
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Faces & Places
This couple were recently spotted out and about in Birdsville.
Bedourie Camel Races
A meeting has been scheduled to be held on Friday 7 June, 2013 at 5.30pm at the Roadhouse. During this meeting we will be discussing the upcoming Bedourie Camel Races and Camp Oven Cook Off.
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Betoota Race Club Inc Cricket Day
Bedourie Bull stake out the 2013 Betoota Race Last Saturday the club held an Indoor cricket match to Club’s Cricket Challenge raise funds to have Mick Lindsay play at the races. Three teams being Bedourie, Birdsville and Adria The Bedourie Bulls, captained by Jim Smith, took out the Downs vied for the opportunity to have their name on Betoota Race Club’s Cricket Challenge against Birdsville the perpetual trophy kindly donated by Jim Smith and on Saturday May 18 in a landslide win. Geoff Morton. Bedourie were triumphant in both The scores were: matches - Congratulations Bedourie! The Leading TEAM 1: Birdsville lost 64 to Bedourie's 160; batsperson was Reg Green who was a tourist from TEAM 2 Birdsville lost 104 to Bedourie's 132. T Tasmania who just happened to, along with two friends Team members Brent Krause won best All Rounder turned up to see what was going on and ended up with his son Stacy Krause winning Best Bowler and Reg Green from Tasmania – a ring in for the Birdsville playing for Birdsville. The Leading Bowler was Stacey team – taking out best batsman. Krause and the Allround player was Brent Krause. Both played for Bedourie. The day was finished with a bingo night at the hall. Many thanks for everyone who helped make the day a great day- without you help and support the night would not have been (from left to right): Brent Krause, Jim Smith (Captain), Trevor Stewart, Stacey Krause and Kevin Gange. the night it was. Geoff Morton and Stacy Krause
Youngcare Simpson Desert Challenge
Congratulations to the 2013 Youngcare Simpson Desert Challenge team who just walked 300km across the geographical centre of the Simpson Desert to arrive in Birdsville on Saturday, May 18. Feet may have been sore, but there was plenty of beer flowing that night at the Birdsville Hotel.
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A practical jokester was out in full force a few weeks back to catch a certain Birdsville person out! After taking the “apparently needed” spare the person left a nice note explaining just that. After all was said and done the tyre was returned to the rightful owner.
The Bedourie Ute & Travellers’ Muster is revving up for a cracking 2013 season. Following on from some excellent feedback last year we have reintroduced popular categories from pervious Musters including Best Work Ute, Best Feral Ute and Best 4WD Wagon. We’ve also added in some fun new events such as a ‘Fluffy Dice Throwing Competition’. For the full list of categories see the Musters’ new website: www.bedourieuteandtravellersmuster.com.
This is your Muster and we are keen for it to go from strength to strength. So if you are interested in help- ing out we are looking for some enthusiastic volunteers to assist with judging and traffic control on the day (Saturday, 14 September 2013). Please contact either Kim Wildman (Ph: 4656 3050; E: [email protected]) or Alex Clowes (Ph: 4746 1040; [email protected]).
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Birdsville Bronco Branding
Good nominations in the campdraft – just under 400 runs. Everything ran smoothly with Janet Brook marshalling and Don Rayment on the microphone with Jeena Cramer with her stopwatch ready. Three judges, John MacNamara, Rob Jansen and Andy Lockyer deter- mined the winners & grinners as listed on the attachment. The Rodeo had good nominations in the Willy Harris Memorial Station Buckjump with Tim Norris getting his name on the trophy. Yet again the Harry Crombie Memorial Fea- ture Horse ‘Andrewilla’ remains unridden. The Bulls did their best with over half the rid- ers staying on for 8 seconds but Billy-Ray Degoumois did it the best with Sam Mason & Curtis Brown tying for second. The Bullocks were a bit tougher with a tie for first place between Will Goetsch & Peter Degoumois and Wade Daley placing 3rd. Our future rough stock riders came thick and fast for the Poddy Ride, 14 riders and another tie for first place – Trevor Gilby/Travis Baker and 3rd went to Jacob Kath.
Sunday started with the Frank Booth Memorial Open Singles Bronco Branding which the South Australia team – B41 with Bully Booth as catcher took out first place. This was followed by the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame Maiden event which catchers can’t have won a bronco branding event. The winning team was Catcher – Andy Lockyer (campdraft judge) Mike Allen, Michael Oelhman and our local clinic sister Pru Hannan. The Bill Brook Memorial Doubles event was won by John Kuhn (Longreach Q) & Alan Fennell (Lambina SA) calling themselves the Instructors. Judges John Jones, Liz Debney and Janet Brook (timekeeper as well) kept everyone on their toes and timekeepers Lorraine Kath, Nell Brook & Janet watching closely from the shelter near the end of the bronco ramp. The dust settling shower that Don Rayment on ‘Sir Winston’ went across at the end of the day on Sunday didn’t upset anyone. Outback nurse shines at Bronco Branding
The sport of Bronco Branding has a new face; Birdsville Clinic’s new nurse Prue Hannan. Proving she is more than just a pretty face, Prue took up the challenge to help team mates – Andy Lockyar, Mike Allen, and Michael ‘Boondi’ Oehlman – from the Winton Devils win first place in the 2013 Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame Maiden Singles beating out the teams from Glengyle and Durham Downs who came in second and third respectively at the Bronco Branding in Birdsville on Sunday 19 May. And she did it on International Nurses’ Day no less!
The Frank Booth Memorial Open Singles was won by B41’s Bully Booth, Jason Barnes, Bill Drew and Jon Cobb, with the Bill Brook Memorial Open Doubles going to Instructors’ John Kuhn, Allen Fennell, Tricia Bichsel and Jake Fennell.
Winton Devils lead the way in the Bronco Branding (Photographer: Kim Wildman)
Other first place results from the weekend, which included a Campdraft and Rough Stock Rodeo on Saturday 18 May, were as follows:
Campdraft Maiden: David Cross on Roanie; Novice: David Cross on Havelock; Encouragement: Benny Hewitt on Mustery; Ladies: Narda Grover on Grisham; Juvenile: Jack MacNamara on Schoolboy; Junior: Dan Cross on Tucker; and, Open: Whip Degoumois on Acres Confidential.
Rodeo Poddy Ride: Trevor Gilby; Calf Scruffing: Angus McPherson and Chris Sender; Bullock Ride: William Getsch; Station Buck Jump: Tim Norris; and, Bull Ride: Billy-Ray Degoumois.
Prue Hannan (Photographer: Shelly Dillon)
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2013 Campdraft/Rodeo/Bronco Branding Results
MAIDEN AUSTRALIAN STOCKMAN'S HALL OF FAME MAIDEN SINGLES 1ST WINTON DEVILS CATCHER ANDY LOCKYAR FRONT MIKE ALLEN BACK MICHAEL 'BOONDI' OEHLMAN BRANDER PRU HANNAN
2ND GLENGYLE CATCHER STEVE CRAMER FRONT JOE BOILEAU BACK CHRIS LIONS (GLENGYLE) BRANDER MIKE ALLLEN
3RD DURHAM DOWNS CATCHER RAY NICHOLLS FRONT KRISTEN AYLIFFE BACK WILL DALY BRANDER JOHN CALVERT
SINGLES FRANK BOOTH MEMORIAL OPEN SINGLES
1ST B41 CATCHER BULLY BOOTH 4.03 2.54 6.57
FRONT JASON BARNES
BACK BILL DREW
BRANDER JON COBB
2ND INSTRUCTORS CATCHER JOHN KUHN 3.04 4.42 7.46
FRONT TRICIA BICHSEL
BACK MICK BICHSEL
BRANDER JACK RADKE
DOUBLES BILL BROOK MEMORIAL OPEN DOUBLES 1ST INSTRUCTORS CATCHER JOHN KUHN 3.24 9.17 CATCHER ALAN FENNELL FRONT TRICIA BICHSEL BACK MICK BICHSEL BRANDER JAKE FENNELL
2ND DAVID CROSS CATCHER DAVID CROSS 4.15 10.09 CATCHER NAOMI BICHSEL FRONT LOCKIE FERGUSON BACK ROCKIE SCOTT BRANDER MEGAN THOMSON
3RD B41 CATCHER BULLY BOOTH 3.59 10.28 CATCHER DAVID MORTON FRONT JASON BARNES BACK BILL DREW BRANDER RICHARD OLDFIELD
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SINGLES FRANK BOOTH MEMORIAL OPEN SINGLES 4TH LAMBINA CATCHER ALAN FENNELL 3.34 4.43 FRONT JAKE FENNELL BACK BILLY FENNELL BRANDER KIM
5TH MARION DOWNS CATCHER ROB JANSEN 4.03 4.57 FRONT C MORRIS BACK C SINDON BRANDER K PETHOPS
6TH BLONDE BOMBER CATCHER VICKIE HESLIN 4.13 N/T FRONT DON RAYMENT BACK DAN HESLIN BRANDER PETER NUNN 4TH REDROCK CATCHER MICK BICHSEL 5.33 10.32 CATCHER TRICIA BICHSEL FRONT JACK RADKE BACK JOHN KUHN BRANDER NAOMI BICHSEL WINDORAH/ 5TH ADRIA CATCHER KEVIN (SPINNY) MONAGHAN 5.24 11.01 CATCHER DON RAYMENT FRONT TONY GEIGER BACK PETER NUNN BRANDER VICKIE HESLIN 6TH OLD HERB'S CATCHER WAYNE (HERB) GEIGER 5.06 11.43 CATCHER NEVILLE (NIFTO) GEIGER FRONT PETER (PUNK) GEIGER BACK TONY GEIGER BRANDER GEOFF MORTON
Rodeo Results
EVENT PLACE COMPETITOR WILLY HARRIS MEMORIAL STATION BUCKJUMP ‐ 12 COMPETITORS PODDY RIDE ‐ 13 COMPETITORS 1ST TIM NORRIS 1ST GILBY, TREVOR 2ND CHRIS LIONS 1ST BAKER, TRAVIS 3RD CURTIS BROWN 3RD KATH, JACOB BULL RIDE ‐ 12 COMPETITORS CALF SCRUFFING ‐ 12 TEAMS 1ST BILLY‐RAY DEGOUMOIS 1ST ANGUS McPHERSON/CHRIS SENDER 2ND SAM MASON 2ND PUNK GEIGER/TONY GEIGER 2ND CURTIS BROWN 3RD DAN HESLIN/LACHLAN REED BULLOCK RIDE ‐ 17 COMPETITORS 1ST WILLIAM GOETSCH 1ST PETER DEGOUMOIS 3RD WADE DALEY
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Instructors - Winning Open Doubles Team of the Bill Brook First Place to Winton Devils for the Australian B41 take out the winning spot for the Frank Booth Stockaman’s Hall of Fame Maiden Singles Memorial Memorial Open Singles. All photographs were extrac ted from Birdsville Social Facebook page. Club Social ted from Birdsville ted from Birdsvilleted from SocialClub page. Facebook All photographs were extrac were photographs All Sam Mason who came second in the Open Bull Ride at the Birdsville
Bull Ride place getters - Kurtis Brown, Billy Ray Degoumois and Sam Mason
Spectators - Dale Lander, Quinton Parsons and Andrew Rayment
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BEDOURIE-BIRDSVILLE-BETOOTA Contact details: Name Position Business Hours After Hours Contact Contact
Cr Geoff Morton Mayor (07) 4746 3250 (07) 4746 3250
Cr Garth Tully Deputy Mayor (07) 4746 1219 (07) 4746 1219
Cr Jody Barr Councillor (07) 4656 3095 (07) 4656 3095
Cr Don Rayment Councillor (07) 4656 3321 (07) 4656 3321
Cr Steve Cramer Councillor (07) 4746 1236 (07) 4746 1236
Scott Mason Chief Executive Officer (07) 4746 1202 (07) 4746 1009
Trevor Stewart Works Manager (07) 4746 1202 (07) 4746 1021
Terry Morris Corporate Services Manager (07) 4746 1202
Steven Baldwin Tourism and Community (07) 4656 3020 (07) 4656 3331 Manager 0408 824 179
Paul Veal Birdsville Town Services (07) 4656 3350 (07) 4656 3069 Foreman
Jodie Girdler Bedourie Town Services (07) 4746 1202 (07) 4746 1160 Foreman
Shire Profile
The Diamantina Shire is the second largest shire in Queensland, with an area of approximately 95,000 square kilometres and a population of 350 people. The 95,000 square kilometres includes three towns – Birdsville, Bedourie and Betoota. The shire is predominantly a beef producing area containing some of the best contaminant-free natural fattening country in Australia. The Diamantina Shire shares borders with the Northern Territory and South Australia and lies within the region known as the Channel Country. The Diamantina and Georgina Rivers, Cooper and Eyre Creek are the main players in a network in western Queensland Rivers. These three great river systems draw water from an area of 556,000 square kilometres. In the regular dry periods these systems contain numerous waterholes that can vary in depth and length.
Points of Interests Betoota Birdsville Bedourie
Deon’s Lookout Big Red Sandhill Aquatic Centre
Betoota Hotel Waddi Trees Mud Hut
Browns Creek Camping Area Simpson Desert National Park Diamantina National Park
Dreamtime Serpent Sculpture The Bilby Way Cuttaburra Crossing
Carcoory Ruins Historic Hotel
Burke & Wills Campsite Vaughan Johnson Lookout
The Meeting Place Sculpture Dust storm Sculpture To add your name to the newsletter mailing/email list, or to change your contact details, please advise Mrs Jo Lewington on 07 4746 1202 or email [email protected]. Alternatively, you may elect to remove your name from the mailing list and access the newsletter via the shire website at www.diamantina.qld.gov.au