INDEPENDENTTHE BARCOO

Blackall’s own community newspaper

Page 12 - The Barcoo Independent, Friday, March 26 2010

March 26 2010 ISSN 1832-6129 RRP $2.00 Contact: barcooindependent@gmail.com

continued on page 4

SPORT ON THE BARCOO

3 bedroom carpet special is back!!

40 sqm @ $25 per sqm • fully installed over deluxe underlay40 sqm of Vinyl @ $38.75 • fully installed

“Be Quick!”

In sets of nine ends last Sunday at the Blackall Bowls Club, Ross Browning was far too good for Jenny Turner, winning the first set 15-2. Jenny then played some good bowls to go down by only 10-6 in the second set.

In A singles, Mitch Pfingst kept up his good form, beating last start winner Rob Doyle 31-17.

Father Col wasn’t so lucky, going down to Gary Whitfield in a good game 31-22.

In another A singles, and in the best game of the day, Trevor (the Fox) Brown and Tex Hayward had a great tussle. At 23-21 to Trevor after 29 ends and still leading 30-27 after 39 ends, the game went to 30-30 on 40 ends. Tex looked beaten but drew a shot with his last bowl to win 31-30.

In next week’s bowls, in A singles D Carter will play Woody and R Blucher will play J Blucher. In handicap singles C Pfingst will play M Pfingst. R Black and G Whitfield will play in B Singles, while T Hayward and L Kelly take on R Doyle and Gumby Chapman in pairs.

There is social play available. Games start at 9am.– Dally Holden

Up to $30,000 available to land managers and community

groups for natural resource management projects

If you’re a land-manager or community group, you may be eligible for grants under DCQ’s ‘Protecting our Future’ initiative.

Desert Channels Queensland provides project funding to land-managers and community groups to assist them in keeping the country in good shape for future generations.

We are now calling for applications from land managers for projects that focus on the following:

Applications close 16 April 2010

For more information, please contact Steve Wilson on 07 4652 7820 or 0427 427 966 or Craig Neuendorf on 07 4652 7814 or 0417 427 333 to discuss your project ideas and to request an application kit.

Small community grants up to $5000 are also available for improving ground cover, capacity building, biodiversity enhancement, strategic weed control (in-side containment lines) and on-ground works that benefi t endangered regional ecosystems.

DCQ is supported by the Australian Government’s Caring for our Countryand the Queensland Government.

• improving ground cover• endangered regional ecosystems (EPBC listed brigalow, weeping myall,

and GAB mound spring systems)

Mandy Duke (left), Julanne Doonar, Charlie Jensen, artist Jennie Scott and Will Jensen with the campdraft sculpture ready to be added to Blackall’s public artwork display

Trevor and Tex battle it out

Five Blackall shooters attended the Barcaldine Clay Target Club two-day carnival held on the weekend of March 13 and 14. It was well attended with around fifty shooters competing.

Danny Allan was shooting exceptionally well and took out the Overall High gun and the Continental. His first break was 106 targets.

Blackall held their monthly shoot last Sunday on a very windy day. This was also well attended with three squads of shooters making for an enjoyable day.

It is good to see new shooters taking up the sport. The next club day will be on April 18 at 9am.

Blackall Clay Target Club news

Tambo pip Blackall in golf AshesIt was a big weekend for Blackall golfers, with the

second round of the annual two-person Ambrose on Saturday and the first day of local competition for 2010.

Last Saturday twenty-four teams played the second round of the fiercely contested event between Tambo and Blackall golfers. The first tussle took place in Tambo and left the home town leading by 25 points.

Blackall golfers were successful in the second round at home last weekend, winning 551 to 448 but were unable to keep Tambo from the overall trophy, who won the Ashes by 22 points.

Shane Allan and Clinton Austin were the men’s winners on the day, while Katrina Austin and Pauline Fry took out the ladies’ title.

B Rogers and J Holmes played well for Tambo in the men’s competition, as did B Cooper and T Eckel.

J Holmes shot nearest to the pin on hole number 6, while C Austin was second on number 9.

Nearest to the pin on the ladies was K Holmes on number 11; ladies K Austin and P Fry were second on number 2.

The following day the Blackall golf club held the Universal Monthly Medal, the first local golfing event for 2010. Men’s winner Joe Walker had a pin shot on number 9. Eddie Austin was runner up. Katrina Austin took out the ladies competition, in front of runner up Lyn Macnamara who scored a pin shot on hole number 2 and nearest to the pin on number 11.

This Sunday is the Rural Traders Monthly Medal. Tee off is at 12.30.

It has taken a full six months to appoint a new sergeant to head Blackall’s police station.

Support Officer for the Longreach district inspector Trevor Mergard said that if there is a review of the appointment by other applicants, as there was in this case, it can stretch out the time frame considerably.

Mr Mergard said the appointment was confirmed several weeks ago.

“Having a permanent person at the head provides stability at the station, and sees a planning process put into place to bring everyone in working on the same line.”

“Having different leaders over

time, while it is sometimes unavoidable, isn’t the best management process.”

“This will say to the community that there is someone in charge.”

As of April 14, a police sergeant from Harvey Bay will take on the position at the Blackall station.

Sergeant Bruce Trickett has worked in the police force for 20 years; eight of those in New South Wales and twelve in Queensland, primarily in Southport.

Mr Trickett visited Blackall earlier this year, and said that despite the 43 degree heat, the town had a really good feel to it.

“My wife, Kim, and I are looking forward to getting involved in the

local community.”“I am originally a country boy; I

grew up near Tamworth.”“Obviously when I get out

there I will take some time at the beginning to assess the town and decide on a style of policing to employ.”

Bruce will join Senior Constables Brent Gerber and Craig Bew, and Constable Luke Johnson at the Blackall Police Station.

Blackall’s last sergeant Kevin Ongheen worked for seven and a half years in the Blackall community, and moved to Emerald with his family last September.

New Sergeant booked for AprilBy ROWAN HUNNAM

Despite several hectic final days, Cairns-based artist Jennie Scott has completed work on Blackall’s latest public sculpture, ‘Cutting Out’.

The sculpture, of a mounted horse and beast, celebrates the art of campdrafting and will showcase the collaboration between the arts and an Australian pastime.

The sculpture will be officially unveiled to coincide with the arrival of an anticipated 350 to 400 competitors from around Australia next month for the Australian Campdraft Association National Finals.

The project consists of primarily metal, driftwood and cement, and is now in place outside the Blackall Aquatic Centre on Salvia Street.

Throughout her two stints working on the artwork, Jennie has offered her sculptural techniques to volunteers from the community who were eager to assist her with all aspects of the

Cutting Out in place

The Barcoo Independent, Friday, March 26 2010 - Page 11Page 2 - The Barcoo Independent, Friday, March 26 2010

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Please direct enquiries, suggestions, stories and letters to the editor to: Rowan Hunnam

barcooindependent@gmail.comor post or call at Blackall Visitor Information Centre, 108a Shamrock St, Blackall Phone/fax: 07 4657 6966

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WHATS ON in 2010MARCH26 St Joseph’s Catholic School P&F Fete27 Central West versus Central Highlands Rugby League27-28 Blackall Dance Group Dance Workshops28 Keith Hayward Memorial Standard and Airpistol Pairs

APRILBlackall Equestrian Group Jump Club3

7-8 Personal Development Workshop with Elizabeth WilsonCommunity Market Day, Short Street10

13 Blackall Hospital Auxiliary Meeting / AGMBlackall Races1 Blackall National Campdraft Finals1-24

23 Nominations Close Landmark Beef Cattle Show and Sale29 Landmark Beef Cattle Show and Sale30 Landmark Cattlemen’s Presentation Dinner

MAY1 Dressage and Junior Stockman’s Challenge, Blackall Show

Woolscour Bush Dinner1 Blackall Show2 Woolscour Tour and Dinner5

8 Blackall Girl Guides Cent Sale8-9 “The Centre within the Course” Helen Everingham, Tambo9 Blackall Equestrian Group Jump Club

Woolscour Tour and Dinner12 12 Biggest Morning Tea14-17 Hebel Artist Workshop14-30 Heartland Festival Photography Exhibition15-20 Heartland Festival Sean Leahy Cartooning Workshop19 Woolscour Tour and Dinner21 Heartland Festival Food & Music Fiesta: Friends of Pedro22 Isisford Sheep and Wool Show22-23 Shockwave Youth Arts Festival22-26 Watercolour Workshop26 Woolscour Tour and Dinner28-30 Art Show

The pleasant weather continues after the concerns of the extent of cyclone Ului. Blackall Tambo Regional Council Manager of Works and myself are in Brisbane attending the Local Government of Queensland Infrastructure Symposium, while here I have been speaking to councilors from Mackay and other affected coastal centers who assure me that it was a terrifying time for everyone and how relieved they are that the damage is not as severe as it could have been.

The Minister for Transport and Main Roads Craig Wallace announced new funding of 7 million dollars for the Outback Regional Roads Group which is comprised of the seven regional and shire councils of the Remote Area Planning and Development Group. The funding is the result of a comprehensive submission, put together by the Councils involved in the Outback Regional Roads Group, the Roads Alliance and the Department of Main Roads. The submission has also been sent to the federal government in an effort to attract federal funds of a similar value to ensure that we can continue to make substantial progress on our local roads of regional significance such as the Jericho/Yaraka road which will require more funds to actually finish this project. The Alpha/Tambo road is another project which has been underway for some time but with the imminent prospect of mining at Alpha this will be an important access road. I am really delighted that the funding bid has been successful; it will mean a lot to all the Councils involved.

A panel discussion on population was extremely interesting, facilitated by Bernard Salt. Panel members were Bob Carr former Premier of NSW, Bob Abbott Mayor of the Sunshine Coast Regional

Council, Stephen Lunn, Paul Burton of the Australian newspaper, Don Henry of the Conservation Council and Brian Stewart of the Urban Developers Institute of Australia. The discussion has come from the prime minister’s call for a ‘Big Australia’ of 35 million people by 2050. While most took the view that we were unable to “carry” many more people than we have already, I really don’t think that 22 million people can say to 9 billion people, which is the projected global population by 2050, “you can’t come here” and expect to get away with it!

I have not had the opportunity to go through the Clem 7 Tunnel as yet… A treat in store!

Jan Ross

The Barcoo Independent, Friday, March 26 2010 - Page 3Page 10 - The Barcoo Independent, Friday, March 26 2010

EASTER CHURCH SERVICESBLACKALL/TAMBO

ST PATRICK’S CATHOLIC PARISH, BLACKALLOur Lady of Victories Tambo & Isisford

1st April – HOLY THURSDAY – 6.00pmMass of theLords Supper – St Patrick’s

2nd April – GOOD FRIDAY – 9.00am – EcumenicalService – Uniting Church

3rd April – EASTER VIGIL, Mass – 7.00pm Saturday – StPatrick’s

4th April – EASTER SUNDAY, Mass – 8.30am – Our Ladyof Victories, Tambo

12.00noon, EASTER SUNDAY – Mass – IsisfordEnquiries: Fr Matthew Moloney – Ph: 4657 4105

HOLY TRINITY ANGLICAN CHURCH, BLACKALLST MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS, TAMBO

1st April –MAUNDY THURSDAY – 7.30pm

2nd April – GOOD FRIDAY – 9.00am – EcumenicalService – Uniting Church

3rd April – EASTER VIGIL – 6.00pm

No Service Easter Day – Blackall

4th April – EASTER SUNDAY – 9.00am – St Michael & AllAngels Church, Tambo

Enquiries: Rev’d Beth O’Neill – Ph: 4657 4154

BLACKALL UNITING CHURCH

2nd April – GOOD FRIDAY – 9.00am – EcumenicalService – Uniting Church

4th April – EASTER SUNDAY – 9.00amEnquiries: Rev’d Bob Heathwood – Ph: 4651 2662

HEARTLAND – AN ASSEMBLIES OF GOD FAMILYCHURCH

4th April – EASTER SUNDAY – 9.00am – HeartlandChurch, 18 Leek St

Enquiries: Pastor Mark Whysall – Ph: 0437 941 607

POWER and water sources, the route of the rail line and the security of groundwater supplies were the main concerns raised by Alpha landowners at an information session with Hancock Coal on Tuesday night.

Opportunities for local businesses to become suppliers to the mine; growth prospects for Alpha and the impacts on road infrastructure were also raised with Helen Stehbens, the company’s executive communications and strategy manager.

Forty-five landholders attended the meeting which was called to inform residents about the company’s plans to develop the Alpha Coal and Kevin’s Corner projects which, at their closest, come to within 50 kilometres of Alpha.

With a total resource of 6.1 billion tonnes of thermal coal, each mine was expected to produce around 30 million tonnes a year when fully operational.

Production was expected to continue for 40 years at an open cut mine at Alpha Coal and 30 years with a combination of open cut and longwall underground mining at Kevin’s Corner.

Hancock Mining has held exploration permits over the area since the 1970s and after more than 1600 drills it was one of the most defined resources in the Galilee Basin.

The company planned to build a 495km stand-alone standard gauge rail link to deliver coal to a new export coal loading terminal at Abbot Point, with the route chosen to minimise hills so each rail journey would carry 25, 000 tonnes. The coal loader at Abbot Point would have two ship berths with an export capacity of 60 million tonnes a year.

The development would be 100 percent funded by Hancock Galilee Pty Ltd, Ms Stehbens said.

The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) would be completed by mid-year and the company had moved from a mining development lease to a mining lease application in December 2009.

It has applied to have the rail line declared an infrastructure facility of significance and applied for environmental authority to undertake a bulk sampling project. The bulk sampling would involve 40, 000 tonnes of coal to be exported to potential customers in Japan for testing to see if it met their requirements, and the company was actively pursuing coal supply contracts with other countries in Asia.

Ms Stehbens said mining would not begin until coal contracts were in place.

Groundwater security was a major issue for landholders; concerned that the EIS for the Clermont mines only required a 50 percent recharge of groundwater supplies within 150 years of the cessation of mining.

There were also concerns about the impact on groundwater supplies. Ms Stehbens said the company had been talking to Sunwater about building a pipeline, which would draw water from either the Commons River Dam or the Burdekin, and its plans for “pump tests” to monitor groundwater movements had been delayed.

Over the past 20-30 years there had been a lot of test wells dug particularly for the oil and gas industry, so there was a lot of historical data she said.

Pump tests involved pumping from a bore for two to four weeks and monitoring the effect on bores up to 40 kms away.

The company planned to use fly-in fly-out miners, and that would avoid many of the growth problems other towns faced from large mining projects, she said.

Mayor Rob Chandler commended the company for holding the information session and said it was the only Galilee Basin mine so far to undertake community consultation. – Noni Rutherford

Hancock Coal address Alpha landowners

Aspiring journalists Carly and Shanny Thomson spoke to Blackall resident Liz Harvey last week about cutting her hair for a good cause.

People often grow their hair to have it cut and swept into a bin or put away in a cupboard.

On February 24 Liz Harvey decided that she wanted to help the Alopecia Foundation by cutting her hair and donating it.

Although Liz’s hair was over 30 cm long and it had taken her three years to grow it, she was all smiles when Trish from Molly’s Hair Design snipped it off.

Liz will send the hair away to be made into a wig and given to a person who is in need of hair.

She is encouraging other people to do the same and donate their hair. Many more wigs could be made for people in need.

When asked if she would do it all again Liz replied, “I would be more than happy to donate again when it grows back.”

Alopecia is a condition affecting humans, causing hair loss from areas of the body, especially the scalp. The Princess Charlotte Alopecia Foundation accepts donations of hair to make new wigs for children and adults suffering from this condition.

To donate your hair it has to be over 30 cm long with no colours in it. Wash your hair thoroughly, dry

it and put it in a pony tail. Cut your hair off, add 3 or 4 hair ties down the length and place it in a plastic bag, cutting the corners off the bag (to stop wet hair going mouldy). Send it to the Princess Charlotte Foundation at PO Box 418, Balmain NSW 2041. Include a contact number.

So next time you lob off those locks, think about the difference you could make to one person. Just like Liz did.

– Carly & Shanny Thomson

Page 4 - The Barcoo Independent, Friday, March 26 2010 The Barcoo Independent, Friday, March 26 2010 - Page 9

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Across1 Where mail is deposited (8)6 Rap with the knuckles (5)9 Depressed (4)13 Forbidden (5)14 Smell (5)15 Fork over (3)16 Choose or elect (2-3)17 The solar calendar now in general use (9,8)19 Heavy weight (3)20 Monastery head (5)22 Repairman (5)24 Sol (3)26 Eyes (5)28 Showing broad-mindedness (7)30 Relieve from (3)31 Spongy ground used for fuel (4,3)32 "Come in!" (5)33 Temporary living quarters (4)34 Ethereal (4)36 Banish (5)39 Start of year (3,4)40 Nave bench (3)

41 Relaxing (7)43 Go without (5)44 "Absolutely!" (3)45 Elegance (5)47 Command (5)48 Little devil (3)50 Extremely conservative (17)54 Raw fish (5)55 Be quiet! (3)56 Pronounce sentence on (5)58 Filing clerk (5)59 Owl's hangout (4)60 _____ Mountains (5)61 A voluntary gift (8)

Down2 Stroll (5)3 John, to Ringo (3)4 “Flying Down to ___” (3)5 Rising from the ashes (7)6 “M*A*S*H” setting (5)7 Persecuted (9)8 Attuned (5)9 Bi-carb (11,2,4)10 German sub (1-4)11 Mark with a stigma (10)12 _______ room only! (8)

18 Russian overthrow of government (7, 10)21 Belfry (4,5)22 In favor of (3)23 Pink, as a steak (4)25 Diaper, in Britain (5)27 Not restrained (9)29 Account (3)33 Bowler hat (5)35 “To ___ is human ...” (3)37 Used for wine (10)38 A large and hurried swallow (4)

39 Grooviest (8)40 Nut with edible green kernel (9)42 “So ___ me!” (3)46 Run away (7)49 Ziti, e.g. (5)51 Duties (5)52 In a strange manner (5)53 Ice house (5)57 Anger, e.g. (3)58 Be the right size or shape (3)

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Halfway there! Zach Frost

Kye Gerber shaves it all off for charity

Below: Blackall State School students and teacher Peter Ward who shaved for a cure raising a grand total of $1485.20 for the Leukaemia Foundation. At back: Zach Frost ($222.40), Peter Ward, Jack Ward ($352), Aiden Wilson ($248) and Whylie Wilson ($60). At front: Rishabh Gandhi ($65.50), Kyle Williams ($52.90), Ryan Blucher ($99.15), Kye Gerber ($69) and Quinne Carolan ($20).

Good deed goes a long way

Liz shows off her donation

Gail Johnson, Cassie Swanson and Metka Skrobar at the opening of the latest Grassland Art Gallery exhibition

Ken and the hanging team admire the art, pottery and sculpture collection on display

The latest opening at the new Grassland Art Gallery in Tambo was held on Friday, March 9.

The private collection, on loan from Kennie Creevey of Fairfield House in Augathella, is now on show for several months until May 8.

The collection is an exciting blend of art, pottery and sculpture.

Kennie enjoys sharing the collection with others and the opportunity to assist in fundraising for rurally-orientated charities.

Proceeds from the opening will be donated to Angel Flight, and donations for the charity will be accepted during the exhibition showing.

New exhibition at Grassland Art Gallery

project.They have used their talents in

welding, rendering and painting, as well as their local knowledge of the style and appearance of a horse and beast in campdraft.

Artist Jennie Scott said that she was thrilled with the input from all the volunteers and encourages residents and visitors to view the sculpture as contemporary and stylised artwork, rather than a representative piece.

– Rowan Hunnam

‘Cutting Out’, stylised

Page 8 - The Barcoo Independent, Friday, March 26 2010 The Barcoo Independent, Friday, March 26 2010 - Page 5

Pens were running hot at the Blackall Club last week as over a dozen of Blackall’s sporting club administrators took down details of the latest funding announced by the state government for sport and recreation. Funding arrangements were reviewed in 2009 and limited money has been available since then for community groups. Debbie Hall from the Department of Communities delivered the information session on the new packages available. One of these is an Active Inclusion Program, with up to $50 000 for community projects and up to $5000 for sport and recreation organisations. The categories that will be funded are participation ideas that encourage more opportunities to be involved, education and training programs, and activities that help groups recruit more volunteers and keep them. There is also a new Infrastructure Program. The high priority areas for this are new spaces for sport and recreation participation, lighting of locations, and outdoor recreation trails and camping facilities. The government has also released money to help groups recover from damage caused by the recent storms and flooding, and has a Children in Care initiative to help these children participate in sport and recreation activities. Council staff members Lisa Goodman and Alison Shaw attended the session to familiarise themselves with the new opportunities for funding, and can help with advice on where to find more information on filling out applications.

Blackall’s Distance Education families had a busy time at Longreach headquarters last week, when the school played host to a Home Tutor Workshop, plus a Cultural Camp for students, and also a football/netball skills day and selection trials for small schools.

Over the three days of the workshop the school held sessions to provide its home tutors with skills needed to teach their children in the home school room. This is essential as tutors are the daily face of education in the distance education environment.

School principal Robyn Conlin said the workshop overcame restrictions that can happen with distance education and ensured students will receive the absolute best education and development possible so they all have the opportunity to realise their goals.

The Cultural Camp is held every second year. While home tutors are involved with professional development, the students are with visiting artists who hold interactive workshops in visual and performing arts.

This year students tried out circus skills, drawing, FrisbeeFit, ten pin bowling, dancing, scrapbooking, sculpture and art. They had a fabulous time with classmates, participating in all these activities.

Parents, students and staff all enjoyed the camaraderie of the school community on Tuesday afternoon with a fun filled evening of a barbecue, markets and the Outback Challenge.

Fundraising for Shave for a

Cure occurred where a very brave teacher, Shane Grubb was shaved for a good cause. Several teachers and a lot of students joined in the fundraising efforts and had their hair coloured.

The swimming carnival was held on Wednesday afternoon with fierce competition between Boree and Coolibah houses. The carnival was to be held earlier in the year but had to be postponed due to all the rain.

All students from Prep to Year 7 participated in the carnival with lots of loud cheering and war cries from students and parents. The competition was fierce but friendly, and Boree emerged the champions for 2010.

Robyn Conlin said it had been a very busy week for all in the school community, but the educational benefits for students, home tutors and staff were fantastic.

“At LSODE, education is a team effort and our school community is like an extended family,” she said.

“It is the extra effort made by the staff, students and parents that brings everyone closer together. We believe for a child to achieve the very best they can there needs to be a very positive relationship between the school and home, and this week proved just how successful these relationships can be.”

Students have also been busy with their regular papers and telephone lessons, and being rewarded with encouragement awards.

Between weeks seven and nine, Timalee Soro

(Year 1) received an award for great participation at cluster, Ivy Schmidt (Year 4) for her imaginative work with a Special Place assignment, Ella Pearson (Year 5) for her confidence and enthusiasm during telephone reading sessions, Alannah Kemp (secondary) for her timely submission of work, Nathan Lloyd (Year 1) for his WOW writing, and Hollie Taylor (Year 6) for a well structured and descriptive report on Pompeii.

Hollie also received a LOTE award, along with Gibby Rooney.

Busy week at LSODE for Blackall families

Rosie Alexander practices her Frisbee skills at the LSODE cultural camp

Below: Blackall students receiving age championship awards at the LSODE swim carnival were Hollie Taylor (back, 3rd right) – 11 years girls, Ella Pearson (front, 2nd right) – 10 years girls, and Gibby Rooney (back, far right) – 12 years girls

Blackall’s Barcoo Pastoral Society has engaged Elizabeth Wilson from the School of Deportment and Grooming to hold a two day workshop for young people on April 7 and 8, 2010.

The course content has been designed to build self-confidence and help young people realise that they can be successful throughout their lives. The course is traditionally for girls but Elizabeth Wilson is happy to include a couple of sessions for young males to help them with their etiquette, manners and grooming.

The Barcoo Pastoral Society is offering this to the youth of Blackall to help them with their personal development and hopes it will assist those who attend in their future quest for employment.

The Show society is also looking for two Show Ambassadors, a male and female, whose role will be to assist the President at the 2010 Blackall Show with trophy presentations and public relation duties. The winners will receive a sash and $100 open order from either Outback Emporium or Seymours. Participants in the Personal Development workshop will be strongly encouraged to enter the show ambassador competition.

Personal development workshop classes will be conducted over two days at the Living Arts Centre in Hawthorn Street, running from 9.30am to 4.30pm. Topics will include deportment, make-up, skin, hair and nail care, etiquette and table manners, top-to-toe grooming and will be followed by a graduation ceremony.

The workshop is aimed towards people aged 15 years and over and will cost just $50.

The workshop has been organized with support from the Blackall State School, Blackall Tambo Regional Council, Department of Communities, Blackall Cultural Association and Blackall residents who have donated money towards the cost of holding the event.

Show society secretary Lorelei Kiernan says the workshop is a wonderful opportunity for the young people of the Blackall and Tambo shire to experience.

For further information or to book a place contact Lorelei on 4657 6403.

Personal development workshop

Position VacantFull time Station

hand requiredHorsework, Grader

experience, Fencing, Waters

30 kms from Blackall

Ph 0427 465 747Fax resume to 7 4657 6613

In an exciting first, the Blackall Heartland Festival will introduce a stand alone Photography Exhibition and Sale held in the outstanding Grassland Art Gallery space on Arthur Street in Tambo.

This event will be held over the fortnight from May 14 to 30, 2010. May 14 will see the exhibition and sale officially open from 6.30pm with a black and white themed cocktail party reflecting this years decision to incorporate ‘Black and White’ images only.

The theme for this year’s festival is ‘Black Stump and Beyond’ and photography exhibition coordinator Lindy Hardie and her committee are extending this theme to the exhibition. The committee are “…encouraging images portraying our lifestyle in traditional and contemporary ways. Entrants are encouraged to explore beyond the black stump, in terms of showcasing their craft as well as types of subject matter”.

This is the first time the Blackall Heartland committee have separated photography from other artworks in the art show and given them their own profile and venue. This has been done as the photos entered in previous years have become increasingly popular and were taking up more space, this of course being an indication of their accessibility to the population. A stand alone exhibition helps to focus attention on what makes a good photo and the techniques involved, emphasizing that ‘point and shoot’ is not the ideal method of capturing saleable quality items.

An entry fee of $15 per artist for 3 items then $20 per item thereafter applies, with no limit to the number of entries submitted. Individual works sold through the Photography Exhibition and Sale will attract 20% commission.

For further information contact Lindy Hardie on phone 7 46575974 or email hardie_dumfries@bigpond.com.

From the Heartland Festival Committee

Page 6 - The Barcoo Independent, Friday, March 26 2010 The Barcoo Independent, Friday, March 26 2010 - Page 7

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Aerial baitingProperty inspections

3026956abH

A full panel of buyers was operating at the first Blackall cattle sale for 2010, with a record of over 100 vendors. After several cancelled sales due to constant rain, Blackall Combined Agents yarded 3000 fat and store cattle last Thursday.

Ray White Rural’s Paton Fitsimons says it is fantastic to be up and running again.

“Everyone wants to start making money and make the most of the market the way it is.

“The store cattle were very, very dear, and they stayed in local and Longreach areas... which is normal after such a wet season.”

ED and JL Atkinson ‘Lisburne’ Blackall had 38 steers sold to a top of 199.2 c/kg for 234 kg, averaging 180.6 c with an average weight of 308.6 kg to return $557.25. They also sold Santa cross heifers topping at 175.2 c/kg for 245 kg or $430 per head.

Charlie, Gail and Bill Prow ‘Glenora’ Blackall sold 96 steers ranging from 285-535 kg. They averaged 175.7 c/

kg or $682.30 for an average 388.4 kg. The top price was 193.3 c/kg for 295 kg or $578.50 per head.

Tim and Kylie Box ‘Lancevale’ Blackall sold a run of Santa cross weaner steers to a local grazier topping at 220.2 c/kg for 183 kg.

Woodbine Livestock Trading ‘Woodbine’ sold Simm/Brah cross cows to average 130 c/kg, 501 kg, $655 per head, topping at 133 c or $805.

La Plata Grazing Co ‘La Plata’ Blackall sold Braford/Simmental cross cows to average 127 c, 511 kg or $651 per head.

Jason and Anne Sprague ‘Neverfail’ Blackall sold Hereford cross cows to top at 130.2 c/kg, averaging 128.3 c for 482 kg, and returning $618 per head.

For Sale

Isuzu NKR58 truck•1989 model•363 000 kms•4.3 gvm•Registered until Sept ‘10•

$6 600 including GSTContact Glen or Dale on 4657 4684

Kitty grew up on the property Norwood (now called Cooper’s Run) which had been bought by her grandfather William Cooper around 1895. William had moved to Blackall early in its development and for many years was a Cobb & Co coach driver between Blackall and Pine Hill.

Kitty was the daughter of William’s eldest son John, who married Kate Walsh. John and his brothers had over time aggregated a number of properties which they sold in 1937. Kitty and her parents and four brothers moved into Blackall and lived in Thistle Street.

Kitty retained a great affection for the land. After working in the Blackall telephone exchange she commenced work with various stock and station agents including Goldsborough Mort, Winchcombe Carson and Dalgety. She was well known and respected for her work and her connections to and knowledge of rural people and the pastoral industry. Her work must have been most satisfactory, considering the number of past clients who have kept in touch with her over the years.

A dignified, fiercely independent and capable lady, Kitty was respected by the people of Blackall. Held in high esteem and loved by her friends, Kitty was great company and a well spoken and most interesting conversationalist. She was also very sociable and generous with her time and talents.

Kitty had an unwavering commitment and devotion to her faith, her family and her friends. She worked on so many fundraisers for her local church, including cent sales and selling raffle tickets. She was so reliable and very generous. She was there to help when needed with family problems. At the same time she let you know when you were not doing something she thought you should do. She did this in no uncertain manner.

She was fiercely independent and due mostly to her poor eye condition, to have to live as a permanent resident in the hospital must have been sorely trying. Although she was excited about moving into McLean Place when it opened, she still had lost a measure of her independence. Yet, she seldom complained. It was just recently that life started to become a heavy burden for her.

Her brother’s family was her great joy, and she delighted in seeing members from time to time, and in showing the latest photographs. She loved them all very much.

Kitty’s life was long, but the way she shared her gifts with family and friends would have brought great satisfaction.

Taken from tributes made by Colleen Skewes and Marie Messer at her requiem mass, and from the pen of Christine Campbell.

Catherine (Kitty) CooperDecember 26, 1918 – March 3, 2010

Catherine (Kitty) Cooper and her brother Jack in the 1930s

“PROPERTY PICK OF THE WEEK”

“RURAL OASIS”93 AERODROME ROAD BLACKALL Q 4472

$500,000

This large five bedroom air conditioned home, set on 24 acresof fenced land, is fitted out with a spacious kitchen, dining andlounge room, office and inside laundry, completed by beingtiled throughout. It hosts an enclosed entertaining area set ona cement floor. It also comes with an established businessdealing with Western Australian Flowering Eucalyptus, 12m x6m shed, 1 man shearing shed and cold room.

CHECK OUT OUR NEW LISTINGS AT RAY WHITE RURAL BLACKALL

PHONE: (07) 4657 4355 FAX: (07) 4657 6261EMAIL: rural.blackall.qld@raywhite.comPATON FITZSIMONS 0427 574 355

HELEN ASPINALL 0428 316 289

CATTLE SALE DATES: Weaner & Store Sale – March 25

Fat & Store Sale – April 1For results, contact Paton – Your Ray

White Specialist Agent

Record vendors at Blackall saleFor a small volunteer group, the Blackall Historical

Society remains one of the “in demand” groups of the area, with a full program of activities undertaken for the community throughout 2009.

Talks with the Blackall Cultural Association have seen the society come under its incorporation umbrella, bringing advantages such as being in a network with other cultural groups, use of the Living Arts Centre facilities, and the ability to apply for grants.

One of the constant jobs of the society is to respond to family history enquiries and a continual stream of these was dealt with again in 2009.

Dale Lane’s hours of unpaid research to answer these was acknowledged by Christine Campbell when she presented her president’s report at the society’s annual general meeting last week.

Christine noted that a resource sheet to send to family history enquirers was being developed, to try and simplify the workload for local volunteers.

The society’s resources have also been tapped by groups such as the RSL, the Blackall Visitor Information Centre and the Blackall-Tambo Regional Council, to source information relating to war service, indigenous records, and cemetery records.

Two public activities were held last year, a photo swap day during the Heartland Festival and the hosting of a Q150 travelling exhibition, and articles on explorers and artesian water were contributed to the Barcoo Independent.

“We are a very small group and we do our very best to provide a historical hub for Blackall,” Christine said.

She has been returned to the president’s chair for another 12 months, along with secretary Wendy Quilty and treasurer Jill Taylor. – Sally Cripps

Historical Society kept busy in 2009

Renowned children’s author Sherryl Clark has made the trek to Blackall this week to conduct a series of workshops and readings for students at Blackall State School.

Teacher aide and keen writer Karla Ward said she recognised a lack of workshops for students, so requested the author come to Blackall.

With 40 children’s books published and another four due to be published, Sherryl spent two days finetuning students’ narrative techniques. The students learnt many new skills on the art of fiction writing and Sherryl was impressed with the quality of work the children produced.

Children’s author Sheryl Gwyther will also be coming out to Blackall in the coming months to conduct workshops for adults, encouraging more authors to visit the west.

Melbourne author visits the Outback