CHATTER October 2018 BOULIA’S BUCK & BURN ON TRACK

Photo By: Ann Britton More photos on pages 3—5

AIRLINE SENATE INQUIRY ON TARGET The senate inquiry sparked by airline services recommendations would be announced in the impacting Queenslanders, is well un- new year. derway, according to a Spokesperson from Earlier this year inquiry instigator Senator Senator Barry O‟Sullivan‟s Office. O‟Sullivan travelled throughout Western The Spokesperson said it was anticipated the , including Boulia, to hear local inquiry would be nearing completion by De- resident‟s airline issues first hand and discuss cember this year and the findings and any concerns raised. The Channel Country Chatter is a Boulia Shire Council publication. Phone: 07 4746 3188 Email: [email protected] or find us on CHANNEL COUNTRY CHATTER October 2018

Boulia Represented at the Outback Highway AGM Boulia Shire Mayor Rick Britton has been Western Australia. voted back in as Vice Chair of the Outback Cr Britton said the group‟s plan was to con- Highway Development Corporation at their re- tinue working towards sealing the 2800km cent AGM in Alice Springs. Cr Britton shares stretch of road by 2025. He said after the latest the role with Damien Ryan from the Alice $160 million of funding announced earlier this Springs Town Council. Also retaining his role year was allocated, there would only be 900km was.long term Chair Patrick Hill from Laverton, of road remaining unsealed. CHANNEL COUNTRY CHATTER October 2018

BOULIA’S BUCK &BURN More than 50 competitors converged on the Boulia Racecourse Reserve for the hotly con- tested Boulia‟s Buck and Burn. Bike events in- cluded barrels, bending, key hole and the Rob- bie Age Memorial Wheel Stand Competition. Organisers were pleased with the event and have indicated they would look at making this a regular event on the Boulia calendar.

Photos By: Ann Britton Photo Below By: Tarsha Shaw CHANNEL COUNTRY CHATTER October 2018 BOULIA’S BUCK & BURN CHANNEL COUNTRY CHATTER October 2018

Boulia’s Buck & Burn Bull Ride Boulia‟s Buck & Burn event finished with an Open Bull Ride which offered $2000 up for grabs. Cowboys from came to con- test the title and walk away with prize money. First place went to Damien Clarke, second was Donovan Rudderford and third went to Jeremy Mitchell. Photos By : Ann Britton CHANNEL COUNTRY CHATTER October 2018 WHATS HAPPENING ON YOUR COUNCIL?

September saw the Annual General Meeting of the Out- section of the highway is nothing short of spectacular back Highway Development Corporation held in Alice being completed by both the Boulia Shire works crew Springs. The Mayor, tourism officer , Anna Karra and and the external contractor crews. I am now fully ex- myself attend the two day gathering of councils who are pecting rain though as bitumen has been ordered by our members of the group. The Outback Way – “ Australia‟s Construction team and whenever this happens – it Longest Shortcut” plays an important role in the future of means rain. Either which way we win! Boulia by linking strategic locations across Australia to open up transport options for freight, livestock and tour- This month also saw the launch of the new business ism. This was emphasised by the attendance of the system – Synergy Soft. It is a credit to the staff for their Deputy Prime Minister, Michael McCormack and Sena- positive attitude that the implementation of the first stage tor Nigel Scullion at a breakfast meeting held on the sec- was relatively smooth in comparison to other transitions ond day. The OHDC have been a valuable partner in the continued lobbying for funding to seal the Donohue I have witnessed in the past. The people of Boulia Highway. While it may seem like an overnight success should be extremely proud of the level of talent of the the real story is a long 20 year commitment to a solitary staff we have working within our council and the dedica- cause – the linking of east to west from Cairns to Perth tion of your Manager Corporate and Financial Services, via the Outback Way. The meeting also included a Mrs Kaylene Sloman without whom it would have been „tourism POW WOW‟ giving the tourism operators and so much more difficult. The choice to move to a new tourism officers (NT, WA and QLD) a chance to discuss system was prompted by the level of support being of- cross border alliances and how we can all benefit from fered by the previous supplier and the opportunity to be the completion of „Australia‟s Longest Shortcut‟. involved on a larger scale with the RAPAD Group of The trip across to Alice Springs provided us with a first hand view of the condition of the roads both before and councils who will now be operating the same system. after the NT border. The standard of the work along our This will provide opportunities in the future for joint train- ing, provision of relief staff and a commonality between councils not possible previously. Other achievement this month saw the finalisation of councils commitment under the ILUA with the Pitta Pitta group for the delivery of office space. The new space which was totally refurbished by our local builder Peter Tonkies who turned the unused area behind the Post Office into a beautiful open plan office space. We are pleased to be able to support the group in this way and wish them every success in the future. Council have been working with the Department of State development over the last few months to develop a functional Town Planning Scheme which will streamline future development applications. This plan will identify town areas, industrial areas, rural areas etc while still providing flexibility to enable future projects to be ac- commodated. The draft plan will be available for public comment and consultation early in the new year. We will be happy to hear any comments you have at that time regarding the future use of land within the shire. Bye for now. Cheers Lynn CHANNEL COUNTRY CHATTER October 2018

New Response Vehicle For Boulia SES In a combined effort the Boulia Shire Council and Queensland State Emergency Service have been able to purchase a new ATV for the Boulia SES unit. The vehicle presentation was made to the local voluntary SES co-ordinator Grant Jenson by SES representative Sandra Wallison and Bou- lia Shire Council at last months council m e e t i n g . Ms Wallison said the Kawasaki Mule 820 Pro EX ATV and trailer was a unique response ve- hicle would be a great asset to the Boulia SES group. She said it would enhance operational response and capabilities.

SAFETY OFFICERS FORUM Boulia Shire Council Safety Officer Julie Dor- ries recently took part in the annual Safety Of- Vacant land for ficer Forum for the Western Alliance. The fo- rum was hosted this year by the Winton Shire sale Council. More than 20 delegates representing Local Government also attended the 2 day fo- Corner block of Pituri and Hamilton street (old shell depot) rum. 2023m² with security fence, power and water supply There were several guest speakers from Bris- $16,000 o.n.o bane, Townsville and Charters Towers, who gave relevant and informative presentations for delegates. CHANNEL COUNTRY CHATTER October 2018 BOULIA ROCKS Boulia residents were treated to a night of en- tertainment courtesy of Tom Jones, Tina Turner, Dolly Parton and Elvis. More than 90 locals and visitors made their way to the Boulia Shire Hall for a complimen- tary meal and night out thanks to funding through the Department of Disability Services and Seniors (obtained by the RAPAD Group) and the Boulia Shire Council.. CHANNEL COUNTRY CHATTER October 2018

Photo By: Ann Britton All In The Name Of A Good Cause Harry Vidal and his Clydesdale Henry made Trail. They are travelling with a gypsy wagon, camp in Boulia recently on their trip up to the truck and a motorbike. Gulf raising money for the Beyond Blue foun- Harry said he anticipated the trip would take dation. then about nine months. The duo have already raised more than “We have been very fortunate so far, people $20,000 for the charity and are hoping to in- along the track have been welcoming and we crease this figure by the time they get to their have been able to raise the most in the smaller destination. communities.” Harry and Henry are following the Burke& Wills This is Harry's third fund raising venture. CHANNEL COUNTRY CHATTER October 2018

DANGI KIDS VISIT THE BIG SMOKE Six students from the State School ranging from year 1 to 4 embarked on a huge adventure recently. After boarding their plane in Mount Isa, they flew to where they spend a week doing the things that every youngster would love to do. Their travels took them to the Queensland Museum, the theme parks on the Gold Coast and much more. The Urandangi community along with the help of the shire road crews, fundraising events and passing travellers raised more than $12,000 to make the students dream a reality. CHANNEL COUNTRY CHATTER October 2018 Urandangi’s Georgina Cricket

Ashes

1PM 13th October CHANNEL COUNTRY CHATTER October 2018 CHANNEL COUNTRY CHATTER October 2018 CHANNEL COUNTRY CHATTER October 2018