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

2012 Wondai Spring Garden Expo

The Wondai Garden Expo Committee will be holding the first day of their weekend-long 2012 Wondai Spring Garden Expo at the Wondai Sports Grounds off the Bunya Highway in Wondai from 8:00am to 5:00pm today (the Expo will also be running at the Sports Grounds from 8:00am to 1:00pm tomorrow). As is always the case with these very popular Garden Expos, keen gardeners will be able to enjoy a very wide display of plants, pots, fertilizers, outdoor products and much more from over 100 exhibitors in what's quite possibly the largest gardening display of its kind in south-east Queensland. There'll also be guest speakers (this year, ABC Garden talkback guru Rod Hultgren and experienced judge and pot plant specialist Bob Moore); live entertainment in the grounds including Geoff Grevell's "Love To Sing"; a Horticultural Show and display; and lots of food and refreshment stands too. In addition, there'll be a Spring Garden Competition with lots of gardens free to visit; lucky spot prizes all weekend; and a major multi-draw raffle as well as the Official Opening at 11:00am this morning. Entry fees are just $4.00 per person and young people under 15 who are accompanied by an adult are free. There's also plenty of free parking nearby. More details? Phone Fran on (07) 4168-5870 or (0488) 079-306, or email her. You can also get additional information on Wondai Garden Expo's website.

2012 Boots 'N' Bulldust Festival - Nanango

The 3rd annual Country Focus Boots 'N' Bulldust Festival will be held at the Nanango Showgrounds in Cairns Street, Nanango from 9:00am this morning (when the gates open) through until late tonight. This year's Festival will feature the Boots’n Bulldust Ute Muster and Bendigo Bank South Burnett Championship Ute Muster (from 10:00am) with judging in 11 different classes, as well as a Billy Cart Muster for youngsters and the young at heart. This will be followed at 3:00pm with an APRA Rodeo featuring an Open Bull Ride for $1,000 in prize-money; Open Saddle Bronc, Bull Ride, Bare Back, Rope & Tie, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping, Ladies Barrel Ride and Breakaway Roping events for $600 each; 2nd division Saddle Bronc, Bull Ride and Bare Back events for $400 prize-money each; and Junior Barrel Racing and Steer Wrestling event for $200 prize-money each. And all this - in turn - will be followed by the Boots 'N' Bulldust Concert from 9:00pm until around 1:00am featuring a wide variety of experienced and up-and-coming country music artists. During the course of the day there'll also be a lot of other fun events to keep visitors amused, including a Ute Jumping Dog Competition; Post Ripping; a Rural Iron Man/Iron Woman compeition; and a Wife Carrying competition; as well as musical performances throughout the grounds. Food and drink will be available in the grounds all day and night too, and overnight camping facilities are also available if you want to make a full weekend of it. Boots 'N' Bulldust is a fundraiser for mental health services - particularly those which help people with depression - and admission to this year's Festival is just $15 for adults; $10 for pensioners and young people aged 6 to 17 (under 5s are free) or $35 for a family of four. You can obtain more details about this year's event on the Festival's website

South Burnett On Show

The inaugural South Burnett On Show will be running throughout the South Burnett right through this long weekend. South Burnett On Show is an initiative of the South Burnett Wine Industry Association and it's designed to showcase the region's wineries, cellar doors, festivals and tourist attractions to both locals and visitors. A wide range of events will be running at many of the region's best wineries and cellar doors this weekend, and you can read all about what's happening where on South Burnett Wine. They include:

Sax On The Ridge (Saturday) and a Tuscan Feast (Sunday) at Moffatdale Ridge
The Big Booie BBQ at Cranes Winery (Saturday and Sunday)
Bubbles and Bocce (Saturday) and Peanut Tours (Sunday) at Taste South Burnett
Vineyard and Winery Tours and Wood-Fired Pizzas at Kingsley Grove (all weekend)
A traditional Roast Beef Lunch at Ringsfield House (Sunday) and...
French cuisine lunches at Clovely Estate's Old Dairy Restaurant (Saturday and Sunday)

Kingaroy-Taabinga Rotary Club Bookarama - Kingaroy

Fancy a ripper read? The Kingaroy-Taabinga Rotary Club will be holding their annual Bookarama at Kingaroy Town Hall in Glendon Street, Kingaroy from 9:00am this morning through until around 4:00pm this afternoon (and also tomorrow from 9:00am until 12:00 noon). There'll be thousands of great books on sale at bargain prices across all categories along with a great Lucky Door prize, a raffle and a sausage sizzle if you get peckish while you browse the aisles. All proceeds of today's event will go to aid Rotary's outstanding community work - both here in the South Burnett and internationally - and if you love books, this is something you really shouldn't miss. (PS: Book donations for today's Bookarama are very welcome too - if you'd like to make some, phone Darryl on (0408) 718-843)

Victor and Ben Bray - Kingaroy

Racing stars Victor Bray (pictured at right) and his son Ben Bray will be appearing at Sunshine Mitre 10 at Rogers Drive in Kingaroy from 9:00am to 2:00pm today as part of a charity fundraiser for local girl Chloe Blinco-Kregenbrink, 4, who contracted a virus when she was just 18 months old which left her with severe nerve damage. The Brays will be bringing along two of their supercharged 2000hp display cars - a 1957 Chevy and a 2005 Monaro ute - as well as their merchandise truck, and fans will be able to grab photos and autographs. Enchanted Faces facepainting, Zarly Anne’s Tone & Tan’s hoopercise, a best-decorated bike competition and a jumping castle will also be on the grounds to entertain young and old, and Kingaroy Rotary will be putting on a sausage sizzle, and there'll be a silent auction of some really great sporting memorabilia too. Everyone is welcome, and you can get more details on this page of our website.

BP Dam Family Fishing Classic

After an absence of 6 years, the BP Dam Family Fishing Classic will be returning to Bjelke-Petersen Dam this weekend. The Classic will run from 10:00am this morning (when nominations close) through until weigh-ins at 10:00am tomorrow morning, and it offers some really great prizes for anglers. Nomination fees are $20 for seniors, $5 for juniors (ages 5-12) or $35 for a family (2 adults and 2 juniots). More details? Phone Shona on (07) 4168-4746.

South Burnett Speedway - Kingaroy

The South Burnett Speedway Club will be roaring into life this afternoon and evening with the first race of the new season: a full weekend double-header meeting. Tonight's racing will feature the first round of Street Sedans (Queensland Title); 4 Cylinder Sedans (Kingaroy Gold Cup); and Junior Sedans (South Burnett Shootout); as well as Australian Stock Cars. Gates will open at 2:00pm and the first pedals will hit the metal at 5:00pm. Admission is $25 for adults; $15 for pensioners and students; or $65 for a family pass (2 adults and up to 3 students) - but under-12s can get in for free. The sercond (and final) rounds of all events except the Australian Stock Cars will be held at the same time tomorrow.

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

Burnett Simple Softball - Nanango

The Burnett Softball Association will be holding a Burnett Simple Softball coaching clinic for primary school aged children at the Nanango Sporting Fields in Burnett Street, Nanango from9:00am to 2:30pm today (matches start at 9:30am sharp). The cost of the clinic is $60, which includes all softball activities and a pack containing a softball and softball glove - but the first 25 people to register are free. Everyone is welcome, and you can obtain more information by phoning Maria on (0488) 621-000 or by emailing her.

Pig On A Spit Night - Maidenwell

Maidenwell's historic Maidenwell Hotel will be holding another of their popular monthly Pig On A Spit evenings from 6:00pm until late tonight tonight (dinner is served from 6:00pm to 8:00pm). There'll be live entertainment (this month, Jeff Hancox) and lots of cold beer, as well as more pork than you can possibly poke a stick at! The hotel's Pig On A Spit nights are held on the last Saturday of every month and they're always a lot of fun! The cost is only $15.00 for adults and $8.00 for children. More information? Phone the pub on (07) 4164-6133.

King Of The Park Challenge - Manar

The Manar Adventure Park near Proston will be holding the first day of their inaugural two-day "King Of The Park Challenge" today. The Challenge is based on the legendary "King Of The Hammers" event held in the USA every year and will involve Tuff Trucks, Winch Trucks and Offroad Racing Buggies all competing against each other for the title King Of The Park. Competitors will run against each other at the same time over some really rough terrain at the 15,000 acre park, trying to make their way between 30 GPS points spread throughout the property. Each team will need to think which way best suits their vehicle, and they'll only receive the GPS co-ordinates just before they leave the starting line. There'll be spectator points set up around the course that will enable you to look down and see muliple cars running against each other below you (which will provide some pretty great viewing!). There'll also be trade stands on show too, as well as a designated pit area. Spectators are very welcome, and a 1 Day pass is $10 per adult, $5 per child or $30 per family (2 Day passes are $15 per adult, $7.50 per child or $45 per family). And if you're interested in taking part as a competitor, phone the Manar Adventure Park on (07) 4161-2188. You can also get more information on the Park's website.

Strewth - Kingaroy

Entertainers Strewth 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

Centenary Of St Faith's Church - Mondure

A special ceremony to celebrate the centenary of St Faith's Church in Mondure will be held at the church at 11:00am this morning. The chuch was offically opened on October 6th, 1912 on a different site and relocated to its present site in 1924. All past and present members of the congregation and those with any connection to the area are very welcome. Today's service will be conducted by Bishop Robn Nolan.

Seafood Night - Booie

The Booie Bello Vista Restaurant will be running an A-La-Carte Night with fresh seafood from 5:30pm until lste this evening as part of the inaugural South Burnett On Show festival (see entry further above). Seating is limited, though, so a booking is recommended: (07) 4162-7632 (Note: The restaurant will also be putting on a local food lunch from 11:30am to around 2:30pm).

Kumbia Country Markets

The third Kumbia Country Markets for 2012 (run by the Kumbia Hall Committee) will be held in Bell Street and the precincts of the Kumbia Hall from 7:00am to 12:00 noon today. The markets feature homemade gifts, fashions, fresh fruit and vegies, plants and crafts and a sausage sizzle will be operating too! New stallholders are always welcome ($5.50 per site, $2.20 per table). More details? Phone Anne on (07) 4163-6548 or simply email her CANCELLED: This month's markets have been cancelled due to conflicts with other long weekend events. However, they'll return on the next 5th Saturday of the month as usual.