Diamantina Shire Council Desert Yarns August, 2014 Distributed free to all residents. Volume 5 Issue 6 This month’s events 5th August: Bedourie P&C meeting 12th August: Birdsville P&C meeting 14th August: Great Australian Ride in Birdsville 16th August: Great Australian Ride in Bedourie 21st August: Melbourne Cup in Bedourie 22nd August: Melbourne Cup in Birds- ville and gala dinner 24th August: Market Day Bedourie 30th August: Betoota Races From the Mayor 2 From the Tourism Desk 3 Works Report 4 Diamantina Shire Youth Council 5 Community News and Notices 6 Clinic Notice, Community Profile 10 Way Out West Fashion Quest 11 Birdsville Pub Award 12 Bedourie Campdraft 13 The fist ever Bedourie Pig Races were successfully held in conjunction with the annual Big Red Run and Bash 14 Bedourie Camel Races on 11th July. Well done to everyone involved! Bedourie Pig and Camel Races 16 Melbourne Cup Tour 18 Mayor’s Report on page 2 eKindy, School News 21 From the Cops 22 If you have any news or photos that you would like to see in Desert From the Park Ranger 24 Yarns, contact Kelly Theobald at In Pictures 25 [email protected]. Event Information 26 Desert Yarns is released on the first Monday of each month. Content Event Calendar 30 is due on the Monday prior to release. Diamantina Shire Council 07 4746 1202 17 Herbert Street 07 4746 1272 BEDOURIE QLD 4829 [email protected] www.diamantina.qld.gov.au Page 2 Desert Yarns Message from the Mayor The most important thing happening on the local government front this month is that last week the council brought down its 2014/15 budg- et. As with federal and state budgets, there was little joy in it. But, I believe that we did the best we could with what we had to work with. The rates were particularly difficult due to the shire being revalued. Some properties went up or down by as much as 25%, and a level playing field was hard to achieve. In general terms there has been a rise of 2.6% in rate revenue. There has also been a reduction of $3 million in our cash position. While this is not our preferred position, I believe it is council’s responsibility to stimulate and maintain the community by try- ing to maintain our core workforce. If the council finances take a hit for the short term, so be it. Some of the things that are in the budget include new Bedourie subdivision pave and seal, which is costing $500,000; five new houses, costing $800,000; plant replacement costing $2.1 million; Birdsville street scaping, costing $100,000; resealing the Birdsville airstrip, costing $800,000; and main road network work, costing $6.4 million. Some annual expenses that can easily be taken for granted include maintenance of the Bedourie pool costing $120,000; Birdsville Races cost- ing $350,000; town halls and public conveniences maintenance costing $340,000; workplace health and safety at $190,000; council housing at $640,000; community housing costing $345,000; tourism development costing $800,000; TV and radio provision at $230,000; early childhood programs costing $170,000; Parks and Gardens expensed costing $1 million; and waste management at $280,000. Late last month I attended the Birdsville Horse and Motorbike Gynkhana. While the numbers of horses was slightly less than usual, there seemed to be plenty of bikes. Regardelss, it was a great weekend and I thank the Birdsville Social Club committee for their effort. Unfortunately, due to work commitments, I was unable to attend the two weekends in Bedourie. By all accounts they went off really well. To quote my friend Doug Cooms, they were some of the best weekends had in Bedourie, which is a big call as I’ve had some memorable weekends in Bedourie over the past 50 odd years. The same commitments also prevented me from seeing the Big Red Run. However, as mayor, I was privileged to be able to address their welcome dinner at the Birdsville Community Hall. I was also lucky enough to be able to attend the first of the two Big Red Bash concerts, which was a truly unique night in a great setting. It is my belief that the Big Red Run and Big Red Bash will develop to become an iconic event in the Birdsville area. Congratulations must go to event organiser Greg Donavan for his belief, commitment and passion to make this event happen. It has come to council attention that some people are still fraudulently handing in dingo scalps that were not secured within the shire. All scalps being handed in must be accompanied by a form signed by a landholder or manager declaring that the scalps were taken from that property. Given that it is unlawful to shoot on any road, common, reserve or public area, the only people with scalps should be someone connected with a property. I also attended the Betoota Race Club ‘Christmas in July’ dinner held at the Birdsville Community Hall on 26th July. This was a fundraising event that helps to pay for the entertainment at the Betoota Races. All attendees enjoyed a wonderful Christmas dinner with all of the trim- mings. I would like to thank the women of the Betoota Race Club for all the time and effort that went into hosting such a wonderful evening. Geoff Morton Mayor Page 3 Desert Yarns From the Tourism and Community Desk We have had a very busy month in July with numerous events including the Big Red Run and Big Red Bash, as well as the Bedourie Camel Races. These three events generated signifi- cant interest and in its first year the Bash received substantial visitors and positive reviews. We are now fast approaching the annual Simpson Desert Racing Carnival, which incorporates the Betoota, Birdsville and Bedourie Races. Interest has been ex- tremely high this year and the interest in the corporate marquee at the Birdsville Races has been unprecedented with both days now sold out. New French Line Cairn opposite the Birdsville Hotel. Photo: Steven Baldwin. There has also been strong interest from pilots looking to fly to the races and we have just received approval to again create a ‘special events zone’ (SEZ) at the Birdsville Aerodrome so that pilots and passengers can camp near their aircraft. The Ballina Aero Club will be returning for the second year to manage the airport during race week. There has been strong interest in the public ‘Tent City’ this year and this will be located next to the Birdsville Billabong. Council is currently seeking expressions of interest from community groups who may be able to operate the public showers during race week. Please contact me if you’re interested. Council will soon be holding public information sessions in both towns to confirm arrangements for delivery of the E-kindy pro- gram. If you would like to know more, please contact our Community Development Officer, Nicole Schellback, at [email protected]. At their recent meeting in July, council confirmed ‘in principle’ support for the Aussie Invader world land speed record attempt in the Shire and also confirmed support for the ‘My Diamantina’ photo competition and exhibition with the opening night to be held during Birdsville Race week at the Wirrarri Information Centre gallery. Until next month Steven Baldwin Tourism & Community Manager Page 4 Desert Yarns Works Report The Simpson Desert Racing Carnival, which is the busiest time of the year, is fast approaching. All crews are busy finishing jobs and preparing for the races so we have another year of successful events. The new Bedourie residential subdivision is progress- ing well. Water and sewer work is completed and com- munications and electrical work will commence in mid- August. The construction crew commenced heavy formation work on the Birdsville – Windorah road at Durrie. The patrol grader crew will soon join them to speed up the work and have it completed in time for the heavy traf- fic that the races brings to our shire. The gravel crew commenced maintenance work on the Bedourie – Windorah road. This crew will be working on this road for the next few weeks while the multiskill crew start patching the bitumen on town roads in both Bedourie and Birdsville, as well as the Bedourie—Birdsville road. They are also working on signage. The Birdsville parks and gardens team has done an excellent job assisting with the Big Red Bash and Big Red Run and ensured the event was a very successful one for the shire. They are now working on gen- eral maintenance work in the town. The Bedourie parks and gardens team has been busy with the Camp- draft, Gymkhana and Rodeo, cleanup after the camel races and with the new garden at the clinic, which they’ve been working on with the general maintenance crew. They have done a great job with the set up and clean up of the many events that Bedourie has recently hosted. Once again, please be aware that gravel roads are still corrugated, which is caused by the harsh and dry weather conditions. We advise everyone travelling on gravel roads to be cautious, drive safely and drive according to the road conditions. Harin Karra Assistant Works Manager Page 5 Desert Yarns Diamantina Shire Youth Council The Diamantina Shire Youth Council would like to welcome our new Community Development Officer, Nicole Schellback. We held a face to face meeting in Bedourie on 4thJuly, where the Youth Councillors had the pleasure of meeting Nicole in person.