CHANNEL Country CHATTER June 2018

CHANNEL Country

CHATTER June 2018

Photo By: Ann Britton

PM ON TOUR IN BOULIA

A whirlwind tour of the outback for Australian Boulia Shire Mayor Rick Britton said many is- Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has ended on sues facing rural and remote communities a high note in Boulia. were discussed with Mr Turnbull while he was In what has been dubbed as Mr Turnbull‟s Lis- in Boulia. tening Tour, he has made his way across “We spoke about drought and the adverse af- Western New South Wales, and into Queen- fects it has on our communities, the increasing sland, stopping at Blackall, Charleville and fin- decline in rural and remote populations and the ishing in Boulia. A spokesperson for Mr possible redistribution of Financial Assistance Turnbull said the Prime Minster was visiting Grants,” Mayor Britton said. rural and remote towns affected by drought “We would like to see the wider factors taken and consulting with residents as to how the into account when the FAG allocations are be- Government can assist in making life easier. ing made, this would include considering Pg2 CHANNEL COUNTRY CHATTER June 2018 individual council rate bases, population and land mass.” Also discussed was the introduction of in- creased tax zone rebates to bring them in line with the current CPI. “According to Senator Ian Macdonald, Zone A tax rebate should be in the vicinity of $20,000 and $25,000 per annum.” Hot on the topic agenda was the Outback Way and the many benefits improved conditions of the “Longest Shortcut” would bring to the small communities along it‟s path. “I believe the general consensus of outback communities is that the Government needs to invest more in regional and remote Australia. We are not asking for a hand out, rather a hand up,” Mayor Britton said.

THANK YOU Boulia Shire Council would like to thank Boulia State School, Rick and Ann Britton and the Goodwood crew and also the many local and regional residents who welcomed the Prime Minster to Boulia. Without your help and support, the auspicious occasion would not have been possible.

SCHOOL LEADERS MEET WITH COUNCIL LEADERS In an impressive imitative, Boulia State School students meet with Boulia Shire Councillors at last months council meeting. Students put forward their long term visions for both school and the town they call home. Some of their ideas included an overhaul of the school oval, new murals, painted hand ball courts and additional play equipment. Their vision for the shire comprised of more sports clubs, introduction of holiday camps, town beautification and recycling. CHANNEL COUNTRY CHATTER June 2018

NEW TYPE OF ZEBRA What started as a quick glance on Facebook by Boulia Shire Mayor Rick Britton has ended in a project that can claim to be the first of it‟s kind in Australia. The 3D Zebra Crossing has worked success- fully in countries including India, the United Sates, Malaysia and Ice land. The crossing is designed to gives drivers the optical illu- sion of a raised surface, therefore they slow down. Boulia Shire Council Works and Operations Manager Harin Karra said council had initially trialled the 3D crossing on the existing crossing bordering the school and health clinic. A second crossing was transformed at the front of the school and a third crossing is currently in the pipeline. “We are gathering statistics as to the amount of traffic and speed motorists are travelling before we undertake the third crossing project,” Mr Karra said. CHANNEL COUNTRY CHATTER June 2018 60th Year Celebration

A $480,000 make-over and a lot of TLC has brought the 60year-old Boulia Shire Hall back to it‟s former glory. Thanks to a grant from the Drought Communities Programme along with an allocation from the Boulia Shire Council, the hall was officially re-opened by Mayor Rock Britton and Councillors Beck Britton and Sam Beauchamp. The 2018 Dia- monds and Dust Ball provide the perfect opportunity for the whole township of Boulia to be part of the ceremony. IDENTITY DISCOVERED

Following recent publicity seeking help to find the deceased person in an isolated grave on Herbert Downs, we are happy to report his identity has been revealed. He was 14-year- old John George Trewenack/Rundle born in South Australia in 1884. He is believed to have passed away in 1898. Marion Downs Manager Rob Jansen plans to put his new found information to good use by erecting a plaque dedicated to John. This will be mounted onto the steel fence Rob will in- stall around the grave to preserve the structure. Rob has also said after telling his staff about the young lad, they have all chosen to chip in to purchase the plaque. CHANNEL COUNTRY CHATTER June 2018 BELLES & BEAuTIES More than 80 people donned their ball gowns and suits for the annual Diamonds and Dust Ball in Boulia. The night‟s festivities raised about $2000, which will be donated to the Royal Flying Doc- tors Service (RFDS). Photos By: Jan Norton CHANNEL COUNTRY CHATTER June 2018

2018 Annual General Meeting Boulia Branch

Date: Saturday 28 July 2018

Time: 9.30am

Venue: QCWA Cottage

Contact: Linda Welldon

Secretary, Boulia Branch

Ph: 0408 188897

Everyone is welcome to come along. Opportunity for you to learn about the work the QCWA does within the Boulia community, and the organisation’s initiatives on a wider stage CHANNEL COUNTRY CHATTER June 2018

ANNUAL MUSTER Late last month, the Boulia Shire Council held their annual common muster. A contin- gent of locals who own cattle on the common took part in the mustering of more than 30,000 acres of crown land. Boulia Shire Council Works and Operations Manager Harin Karra said the common land is available for small stock agistment for a fee. He said Boulia Shire rate payers can have up to 30 head per household. For resi- dent of the Boulia Shire who are not rate- payers up to two head of livestock per household can be agisted. Photos Contributed By: Heidi Coventry and Graham Smerdon CHANNEL COUNTRY CHATTER June 2018 Stonehouse Turns 130 Photos By: Jan Norton Boulia residents came together recently to celebrate the iconic stonehouses existence for the past 130 years. Ancestors of past owners and occupiers of the home were on hand to cut the birthday cake and celebrate with a morning tea thanks to Boulia Heritage Complex staff. Event organisers said the celebration was a great success and were extremely happy with the number of residents who attended. “We like to encourage our local residents to be part of our extensive town history and the Boulia Heritage Complex is a great place to discover the early history of the shire.” CHANNEL COUNTRY CHATTER June 2018

QCWA Boulia Branch

Host Mothers Day Photos By: Ann Britton

Morning Tea for Dangi Mums Photo0s By: Pam Forster CHANNEL COUNTRY CHATTER June 2018

WHATS HAPPENING ON YOUR COUNCIL?

If you have been living in a bubble for the last two weeks Tourism Association; Senator the Hon Ian Mac- it would be the only way you would have escaped the Donald, Chair of Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legis- media attention our quirky 3D pedestrian crossing, at the lation Committee; Ms Ann Leahy MP, Shadow Minister clinic end of the school grounds, has received. for Local Government; Ms Liz Alexander, Agribusiness Coordinator – Central Highlands Development Corpora- I don‟t think anyone could have guessed in a thousand tion; Mr Peter Keyte, Chief Operating Officer – Port of years the impact this fancy piece of painting on a road Brisbane Pty Ltd; Mrs Amanda Yeates, General Man- could have had – we are out there with the „ big boys‟ – ager Program Delivery – Dep of Transport and Main in the newspapers, on you-tube, on American TV, Aus- Roads; Mr Jason Riethmuller, Acting Chief Executive tralian TV -on the Project, on Twitter, email and Face- Director Central Region – Department of Natural Re- book….the list goes on. sources, Mines and Energy; Senator Chris Ketter, The idea came from the Mayor who thought it looked who Deputy Opposition Whip, Chair Economic Refer- great and might slow people down at the crossings. The ences Committee, Deputy Chair of Economic Legisla- impetus to get this done came from our Director of tion Committee, Deputy Chair of Select Committee; Works and Operations, Harin Karra and the manpower Senator the Hon Matthew Canavan, Minister for Re- came courtesy of our regular Work-Camp visitors. The sources and Northern Australia; Hon Stirling Hinch- end result is something quite special…Did it cost thou- liffe MP, State Minister for Local Government, Minister sands? – no, just a good engineers eye, a couple of tins for Racing and Minister for Multicultural Affairs; of paint and some enthusiasm and elbow grease. On With key people attending conferences such as these it Friday afternoon the Mayor attended a simple thankyou provides the opportunity to explain the challenges and BBQ to the Work-Camp crew before they headed off issues faced by Western Queensland to a wider audi- back to Townsville – no doubt they will be basking in ence. It is also beneficial for council to hear what activi- their glory as well. Photo Below By: Harin Karra ties are happening in the wider region which may have an impact on our patch. The conference was a success with the two motions put by Boulia being endorsed: 1. To identify priority freight transport infra- structure investments that eliminate bottlenecks caused by last mile network deficiencies. 2. Regulation on the fees across the board for pig snout bounty Boulia’s Shire Hall – working overtime! What a tremendous thrill it is to have the Hall back in operation. It couldn‟t have been possible without funding from the Federal Government drought funding, the doggedness and tenacity of our previous Deputy CEO, Western Queensland Local Government Associa- Jeff Sowiak, the attention to planning and detail of our tion Conference (WQLGA) Director of Works and Operations, Harin Karra and of The conference was held in Emerald this year with only course the meticulous workmanship of the builder / Boulia and Central Highlands putting motions up for re- carpenter /tradesman, Peter Tonkies. Thanks also to view and endorsement by the other councils. Attendees the electrical (Tim)and plumbing (Brent) contractors at the conference Hon Dr John McVeigh MP, Federal supported the project and did all the things needed that Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local we can‟t see but are vitally important to the project! Government; Mr Lachlan Millar MP, State Member for We kick started with an official Hall opening on the 12th Gregory; Shadow Minister for Fire, Emergency Services May (coinciding with the Halls birthday) and frolicking and Volunteers; Senator the Hon James McGrath, into the night with the delayed Diamonds and Dust Ball. Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister; Mr Peter Then the bookings just rolled in: Boulia State Schools Homan, General Manager – Outback Queensland Trivia night- what a great turn night , Ladies Pamper CHANNEL COUNTRY CHATTER June 2018

Day, Fascinator Workshop and Bingo jus to name a Rattling the chains on your behalf….. few. Coming up in July -the Naidoc Ball. The ongoing battle for the review of the Financial As- Progressing …onwards and upwards sistance Grant continues with Mayor Rick Britton seiz- Work is coming together on the council‟s new business ing every opportunity to have his voice heard and gar- system and with implementation in September we will ner support from the western councils to have this allo- have the first visit from the project managers in June cation of funding changed. which will ensure we are on track for a smooth delivery. The Financial Assistance Grant program consists of two All staff attended Cultural Heritage training at the begin- components: ning of May supporting the councils consistent attitude a general purpose component which is distributed to equality and understanding. between the states and territories according to population (i.e. on a per capita basis), and an identified local road component which is dis- The Outback Regional Roads Group continue to rep- tributed between the states and territories ac- resent the western councils with this months meeting cording to fixed historical shares. reviewing issues such as: regional prioritisation of roads, The Mayor believes that with a small change to the way TIDS road funding, blackspot funding, transport infra- this grant is currently delivered it will make a significant structure affecting tourism, a proposed submission for impact on funding available to remote and regional the region to the councils. Regional growth Fund ($272m). A regional priority at Donohue Highway State Road submission: After the present is to develop a framework for the submission of recent allocation of further funding to the Outback Way plant hire rates for NDRRA Flood damage to QRA. This (Donohue Highway section) the issue of this particular regional approach will assist smaller councils in the bal- section of road still being controlled, owned and oper- ancing of expense / cost / value for money outcomes. ated by Boulia Shire Council raised its head again. It will be financially unsustainable for the council to con- Drought funding: Many requests were received for the tinue to fund further upgrades (80% Fed – 20% LG) $75K drought funding allocation this year and council and therefore Mayor Britton will be handing a submis- deliberated at its last meeting. All submissions will re- sion for the Gazettal of the Donohue Highway to be- ceive a letter shortly as to the outcome of their submis- come a State Road to the Minister and Director General sion. For further information please call Nicole Tonkies of Transport and Main Roads for their consideration on 4746 3188 shortly. Below: Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull CHANNEL COUNTRY CHATTER June 2018

Sharing The Warmth At The Dangi With the cold weather nipping at our heels, Urandangi residents are keeping toasty and warm this winter with their new hand knitted accessories. Thanks to a coastal knitting group and the Royal Flying Doctors Service, bags full of beanies, mittens, scarves, jump- ers and vests were generously donated to residents. Dangi Pub Proprietor Pam Forster said the much appreciated winter woollies had been put to good use, clothing more than 10 residents.

JOIN US FOR A LADIES PAMPER DAY Where: Dangi Hotel When: Saturday 16th July Hand, foot and back massages, nail painting, espresso coffees, kids entertainment & more. CHANNEL COUNTRY CHATTER June 2018

Celebrate Oktoberfest with the QCWA Boulia Branch

At the Boulia Golf Club on Saturday 14th July starting at 6pm. Family entertainment, German food, drinks and activities. For further information contact Claire Britton on 0427 157 CHANNEL COUNTRY CHATTER June 2018

2018 QCWA Boulia Spring Fair

Date: Saturday, 25 August, 2018 Time: Doors Open 9.00am ROYAL FLYING Auction: 1.00pm DOCTOR SERVICE

(All Funds Raised are being ( COMPETITIONS donated to the (Open and Under 15 Years) Royal Flying Doctor Service,  ART Mount Isa Auxiliary)

 CRAFT  COOKERY  INTERNATIONAL (German Theme)  HORTICULTURE  LITERACY  PHOTOGRAPHY  PRODUCE

Market Table: Please contact Mrs Anna Karra  : 0435 889999 : [email protected] Mrs Julie Woodhouse Lucky Door

: 07 4746 3177 : [email protected] Prizes

Central Hire Pty Ltd Jim Addlington Curtains Boulia Shire Council Desert Sands Motel Murray Views Pty Ltd Mars George Bourne & Associates NAPCO Broncos RM Williams - Outback Brett & Mari Gundersen Shedsnow Pty Ltd Magazine Halls Oreillys Toby & Gem Harris Shane Hunter Locksmith Isa Creative Fabrics Mount Isa Garden Centre Buffs Club Goodwood Pastoral Company Bunnings Delonghi