JULY 10-11, 2021 Enduring love Opera’s greatest rom-com Dinosaur trail Outback fossils fuel tourism boom ‘It’s a chasm of sadness and grief’ After the utter devastation of losing his daughter, Goondiwindi Mayor Lawrence Springborg is finding solace in his family, farm and a return to the LNP FRANCES WHITING FEEDBACK knows and loves. The man who was dumped from the LNP executive in 2017 is also being wooed back to the party and is 8 being tipped to return as LNP president this month. In this in-depth and personal interview, Springborg speaks frankly about the utter tragedy of losing his 27-year-old daughter Megan last year. It’s a grief that no parent can ever recover from, and the father and THIS ISSUE husband shares how he and his wife have found a way to keep going. Family and their three other children play a big part, as do the farm, and serving his community Many readers would be familiar with and his party. seeing former opposition leader Lawrence Also this week Jeremy Pierce meets the Springborg in a suit from his days in state outback dinosaur hunters who are turning parliament. He still wears one in his job as their incredible fossil discoveries into Mayor of Goondiwindi but as writer tourism hotspots. Frances Whiting and photographer Mark And Phil Brown previews Opera Cranitch discovered when they travelled Queensland’s next big show, The to his farm outside Yelarbon, he’s equally Marriage of Figaro, which promises to be a comfortable out in his fields riding a throughly enjoyable, energetic drama with tractor in his blue workwear and boots. laughs and incredible music. The role of mayor has been a homecoming for Springborg, who is relishing representing the community he RED ALERT DIGGING IT While one may agree with Pauline Matthew Evans’ new book Soil is laying the Hanson on some of her policies (“Last groundwork for a regenerative future woman standing”, June 26-27), I believe it (“Dirt music”, June 26-27). I was fascinated is extremely irresponsible for her to state and heartened to learn that this form of Upfront Life+Style that she will “take the risk” and not get the agriculture makes the best use of our most Covid vaccination. Does she realise that finite and valuable resource. The world can Mel Buttle 3 Culture Club 19 this attitude is going to risk the only grow better from this knowledge. William McInnes 3 Fashion 20 community? While we all have the option Michael Wouters, Bundaberg Ordinary People 15 Cafe 21 of not getting vaccinated, Hanson should not be promoting her opinion to all GALLERY JOY You and Me 16 Dining 23 through the media. I experienced the European Masterpieces Travel 24 Sheila Duke, Balmoral exhibition (“Master stroke”, May 29-30) this week with friends. What a joy it was. Books Features 26 SWAN DEEP DIVE Outstanding! Truly privileged are we to Coming home 4 Weddings 28 It will be beneficial for many to see Dr have such an amazing opportunity in our Dinosaur hunters 8 Big Quiz 30 Norman Swan’s candid medical, lifestyle own home town. Go see it! and no-nonsense advice has been included Pip Berry, Mount Gravatt East Love for the ages 12 My Life 31 in his book (“Healthy habits”, June 26-27). Generally the community needs this FINAL SAY information more than ever with so much I do enjoy reading Last Word by Phil happening since Covid-19 and, coming Brown. He is indeed a clever writer and I from a respected and knowledgeable have a good laugh every time. Thank you, clinician, it is most appreciated. So many Phil. 23 24 have jumped on the “wellness” Florence Swan, Ferny Hills bandwagon that it is good to see a professional person calling much of this “bulls--t” and providing genuine Contact us alternatives to a healthy lifestyle. Claire Jolliffe, Buderim Write to the editor, Qweekend, and include full contact details so we can What a great article with Dr Norman establish bona fides. Please keep Swan, getting all the dos and don’ts sorted letters to 100 words or fewer. Letters health wise. Thank you, Dr Swan. I shall may be edited for brevity and clarity. buy the book to refer to when needed. EMAIL [email protected] Patricia Carlill, Hemmant instagram@qweekend facebook.com/qweekend qweekend.com.au Cover Lawrence Springborg Photography Mark Cranitch Editor Natalie Gregg Deputy Editor Alison Walsh Arts Editor Phil Brown Design Sean Thomas Advertising/ Sales Matthew Clymo, [email protected] Qweekend Magazine Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Brisbane 4006 02 QWEEKEND.COM.AU JULY 10-11, 2021 V1 - BCME01Z01QW MEL WILLIAM BUTTLE McINNES “Why won’t It’s a dry vodka freeze? argument It would I have a friend who’s doing Dry July. If you’re not familiar with it, it’s where make perfect somebody gives up the grog for a month and earns money for a charity that aids those living with cancer. ice cubes” My pal doesn’t drink for a month, I sponsor him and a bit of coin for a worthwhile effort is raised. So good is done all around. ike most things in life, science This giving up the grog has three has always been a complete months dedicated to it, Feb Fast, Dry mystery to me. I never July and Sober October. As a person enjoyed science lessons at who enjoys a drink, indeed it was once school; drama and physical said of me by the father of a girl I was Leducation floated my boat. I don’t think I dating, “You could drink the Dead Sea missed much though as, since high school, dry”, I always think Sober October has a I’ve not once been called upon at work to rather desperate ring to it, as if it’s last label the parts of a plant cell for the boss. chance saloon for a bit of sobriety before To me, the world is a baffling and the party end of the year. intriguing place and I often think, And while I have never engaged in maybe, just maybe, if I had access to any sober month festivity, although I a really personable scientist who had have gone dry for Lent a number of a day or two free to explain how things times, Dry July seems a good excuse to work to me, I’d finally get science. ruminate on some drink creations I However, I wouldn’t be quizzing said would have no problems giving up. scientist on atoms, or physics, instead I’ve Over-priced craft beer that tastes like put together a list of all the things I’d like Brisbane Bitter mixed with Passiona is to know the inner workings of: never an option, especially if it has some ● Why does water taste different out of sort of obnoxious name and illustration the bathroom tap, as compared to the on the can or bottle. kitchen tap? I’m all for diversity but fruity IPAs ● If ice is a solid, and more dense than are the beer equivalent of perms and a liquid, why does ice float on the top flares. And premixed cocktails or alco- of water? pops, bar a Bundy Dark and Stormy, are ● Why does inside my house feel colder sickly sweet concoctions chock full of than outside on winter mornings? sugar and wretched things to inflict on ● Why does rain smell so good? ● If tea has more caffeine than coffee, imagination and energy into that instead”. yourself. Drinks like an espresso martini ● How are trains silent until they’re really why don’t I get the shakes and anxiety You know you’re doomed in a subject never end well. I once had a blue close to you? from a cup of tea? area like science or maths if the teacher Hawaii, which is a concoction of white ● Why haven’t I ever seen a bird do a wee? ● Does my dog hate me when I pretend to says you have a “wonderful imagination”. rum, vodka, pineapple juice and blue ● When I sleepwalk, if I’m asleep why throw the ball? That’s a subtle hint to head for the curacao, that reminded me of an don’t I bang into the walls? ● How do they get the fortunes inside of humanities in senior school, which I, of Axminster carpet in a bad hotel. And I ● Why are there no snakes in the fortune cookies? course, did. Hello drama, modern history, still drank the bloody thing! New Zealand? ● How much does the Earth weigh? If we and English. Maths? Not for me either, I’ll never touch Brandivino, Stones ● Why won’t vodka freeze? It would put too much stuff on it will it collapse? how can you have a number less than Green Ginger Wine and Blackberry Nip make perfect ice cubes. ● Why does sand cling to towels so nothing? That’s where I got stuck. The again, even though they remind me of ● What’s the liquid that forms on top of intensely? only maths I ever mastered was working my first staggering steps on the social sour cream? Tip it out or mix it in? That’s just the tip of the iceberg; and out what 50 per cent of something was, so and party scene. And it’s a good thing ● Are really tall people’s organs bigger, or I’m also curious to know why icebergs I could see if I had passed science or not.