southburnett.com.au - What's On In The South Burnett

Nanango Races

The Nanango Racing Club will be holding their popular Nanango Autumn Race Meeting meeting at the Lee Park Raceway off the D'aguilar Highway just south of Nanango from 1:30pm until around 4:30pm this afternoon. Today's meeting will have a "Dress To Impress" theme and everyone is encouraged to dress up in their best to be in the running for some great Moffatdale Ridge Fashions Of The Field prizes. Another really good reason to put on your finest is that famous Australian actor Martin Sacks (otherwise best known know as Detective PJ in Blue Heelers) will be putting in an on-course appearance today as part of the Big Screen Film Festival to warm up for this evening's Festival screening of The Cup (see entry further below). Today's meeting will be a 5-event programme and other special highlights include live music and amusements for children. The club's popular Pink Champagne bar will be running all day too and there'll also be a licensed bar and BBQ; bookmakers and an on-course tote, plus a few other surprises! Free buses will be running to the races from Kingaroy's Carrollee Hotel (noon) and Glendon Street Bus Depot (12:05pm), Blackbutt (noon), Yarraman (12:15pm) and Nanango (12:30pm). Gates will open at the track itself at around 12:00 noon so that go-getters can get a head start on socialising. Admission is just $10 for adults and $5 for pensioners (under-15s are free) and everyone is welcome! More details? Phone Rosemary on (07) 4163-2346.

2012 Big Screen Film Festival - Nanango

The 2012 Big Screen Film Festival will hold its first full day of screenings at the Nanango Cultural Centre in George Street, Nanango today, kicking off with the wildly acclaimed Australian comedy Red Dog at 10:00am, followed by the new Australian/US co-production Killer Elite at 5:30pm. But the biggest drawcard is likely to be the 7:45pm screening of The Cup, where this year's special guest (actor Martin Sacks, otherwise best known know as Detective PJ in Blue Heelers) will discuss his role in the movie. There'll also be a phantom Cup race call and a very real Fashions Of The Field amongst the guests for prizes. Tickets to any of today's screenings are just $5, and they can be obtained in advance by phoning Promotions Officer Sheena Uebergang at the South Burnett Regional Council on (07) 4189 9115. Some may also be available at the door if any particular session hasn't been booked out. Big Screen will conclude tomorrow with three more film screenings at the Nanango Cultural Centre and two at Kingaroy's Satellite Cinema.

Friendship Markets - Kingaroy

The third Saturday of the month Friendship Markets will be held at the Senior Citizens Centre in Avoca Street, Kingaroy from 6:30am to around 12:00pm today. The markets feature an array of arts, crafts, fruit and flower stalls and new stallholders are always very welcome! More details? Phone Doug on (07) 4162-7300.

Seafood Smorgasbord - Wondai

The award-winning Dimities Cottage at 49 Haly Street, Wondai will be holding another of their popular monthly all-you-can-eat Seafood Smorgasbords from 6:30pm this evening (dinner starts at 7:00pm sharpish). Cost is $35 per head (BYO) and since these dinners are usually a sell-out, bookings are essential if you want to be sure of a seat: (07) 4168-5744

Freestyle Motocross - Proston

A freestyle motocross exhibition will be held at the Proston Showgrounds on the Proston-Boondooma Road at Proston at 1:30pm this afternoon. Admission is free and there'll be a sausage sizzle lunch and drinks available from 12:30pm.

2012 Bjelke Bash Ski Races - Bjelke-Petersen Dam

Into water-skiing? The 2012 Bjelke Bash Ski Race will be held at Bjelke-Petersen Dam near Murgon from 9:00am this morning until (racing starts around 12:00 noon) through until late this afternoon. Boats and skiers from all over South East Queensland and northern NSW will be converging on the Dam for a breathtaking day of racing where many will race across the dam's waters at speeds in excess of 175km per hour. Racing classes will range from the Next Generation childrens race over 5km up to Unlimited Classes over a gruelling 90km course. Food, drinks and accommodation will be available on site throughout and it promises to be just as entertaining for spectators as it will be for participants. There's no entry fee either. More details? Call Trevor on (0419) 024-641. Note: The races will continue tomorrow up until around 12:00 noon if you can't make today's event.

Sammy Rowland - Kingaroy

Popular Brisbane DJ Sammy Rowland (pictured at right) will be spinning the platters at the Commercial Hotel at the corner of Glendon and Haly Streets in Kingaroy from 8:00pm until late tonight. Sammy was last seen at the Commy in March where she blew everyone away with the maddest set of beats this side of the Blackbutt Range, so the hotel's asked her back for a repeat performance. Admission is free if you get in by 10:00pm or $5 if you're late. More details from the hotel on (07) 4162-1380.

Friendship Dance - Kingaroy

The monthly Friendship Dance will be held at the Kingaroy Senior Citizens Centre in Avoca Street, Kingaroy (opposite Super IGA) at 7:30pm this evening, with music supplied by a local band. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for high school students and there'll be a raffle, a lucky door prize and lucky spots too. Everyone is welcome! More details? Phone Craig on (0417) 808-296

Salvation Army 2012 Red Shield Appeal Kingaroy Doorknocks

The Salvation Army's annual Red Shield Appeal will be held in the South Burnett this weekend, and volunteers will be knocking on some doors in Nanango and Kingaroy today in an effort to help the Salvos reach their 2012 target. The doorknock helps the Salvos continue their valuable social work programs in the South Burnett - vital things such as crisis housing; support for families in need; alcohol, drug and gambling rehabilitation programs; aged care services and telephone counselling. The Red Shield Appeal also helps the Salvos fill in the 25% gap that the Federal Government doesn't pay for. If you'd like to help the Salvos with a bit of door-knocking yourself, the really big collection day is tomorrow and your help would be really appreciated. You should assemble outside the Westpac Bank in Alford Street, Kingaroy at 8:00am (see entry that day for all details).

What's On At The Wineries This Weekend

The South Burnett's wineries and cellar doors will all be open this weekend if you want to relax in their cafes and/or taste their wines. The South Burnett is now the largest wine region in Queensland and (excluding the Granite Belt) larger than all the State's other wine regions put together. You can find out what our wineries' opening hours are this weekend, the individual facilities that each one offers and news about any special events they might also be running on South Burnett Wine

Just 2 Hot - Kingaroy

Popular entertainers Just 2 Hot will be performing at the Kingaroy RSL in Kingaroy Street, Kingaroy from 7:30pm to 11:30pm this evening. Admission is free. More details? Phone the RSL on (07) 4162-1755

Bowls Club Bingo - Kingaroy

The Kingaroy Bowling Club at 141 Youngman St, Kingaroy will be running bingo matches from 7:30pm this evening with over $1000 in prizes on offer. More details from the club on (07) 4162-1404

Horse Around Post-Race Party - Nanango

The Fitzroy Hotel in Fitzroy Street, Nanango will be holding a "Horse Around Post-Race Party" from 8:00pm until late tonight to help patrons wind down from today's Nanango Races (see entry elsewhere on this page). The South Burnett's most popular emcee DJdirex will be providing the entertainment and admission is free. More details from the hotel on (07) 4163-1506.

Seafood Night - Yarraman

If you can't make it to Dimities Seafood Smorgasbord in Wondai (see entry further above), the Royal Hotel at 18 Toomey Street in Yarraman will be holding another of their 3rd Saturday of the month Seafood Nights from 6:00pm onwards this evening. Bookings are advisable if you want a seat, though: (07) 4163-8219.

South Burnett Rugby League

The 5th Round of the South Burnett Premier League will be played this weekend at Kingaroy, Wondai and Murgon. In Kingaroy, the Kingaroy Red Ants juniors will take on Central Burnett and Blackbutt at T.J. O'Neill Oval in Youngman Street (U6s at 11:00am on the training field; U10s on the main field; then U8s at noon on the training field). This will be followed on the main field with he U12s at 1:00pm; U14s at 2:00pm; U16s at 3:00pm; and then the A-grade match of the day between the Red Ants and Blackbutt Timbertowners at 4:30pm. In Murgon (NOT Cherbourg as has been reported elsewhere), the Hornets will be playing the Murgon Mustangs at Murgon Sportsground. U6s 8:30am, U10s 9:30am, U12s 10:30am, U14s 11:30am, U16s, 12:30pm, 3:00pm A Grade. As well, the U18s Mustangs will take on the Maryborough Wallaroos at 1:45pm. In Wondai, the Wondai Wolves juniors and seniors will be taking on the Nanango Stags at the Wondai Sportgrounds off the Bunya Highway at Wondai.

South Burnett Soccer

The 5th round of the Evolution Solar Soccer League will be played out in Kingaroy and Nanango today. In Nanango, the 2nd division Nanango team will take on Wests at the Nanango Soccer Grounds at 12:45pm. This will be followed by the womens division where Nanango will clash with Wests at 2:00pm; and then the 1st division match between Nanango and Wests at 3:15pm. Meanwhile in Kingaroy, 2nd division Kingaroy Gunners will play Barambah at Tom Alford Oval in Oliver Bond Street at 2:00pm. This will be followed by a clash between the Gunnettes and Barambah in the women's division at 3:15pm, and then the first grade game between Gunners and Barambah at 5:00pm. Note: After spending the last several weeks at the Wondai Sportsgrounds, this weekend junior matches will relocate from Wondai to Nanango too. Games will commence at 8:30am this morning for all junior divisions. Spectators and supporters are most welcome!

Sculpture For Beginners Workshop - Nanango

The Winds Of Change Art Gallery at 8 George Street in Nanango will be offering the first day of a weekend-long "Sculpture For Beginners" workshop from 10:00am to 3:00pm today (and also tomorrow). The workshop will show you how to make your own sculptures for the garden or for your home with easy, step-by-step instructions from an experienced teacher using Hebal, a lightweight sculpting medium that's easy to carve with files and sandpaper and which doesn't involve any heavy physical work. No experience is required. The course costs $25 for Winds Of Change members or $35 for non-members and includes Hebal and morning tea on both days (BYO lunch). Participants should also bring safety eyewear, metal files, sandpaper and a dust mask. More details? Bookings? Phone Karren on (07) 4171-0928.