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

Melbourne Cup Day

Today is the first Tuesday in November: Melbourne Cup Day. This is a gazetted public holiday in Victoria and an unofficial public holiday virtually everywhere else in Australia. While nearly all businesses in the South Burnett will attempt to trade as normal - and all government and public offices will be open for the daily grind - the majority of people will either be taking a bit of time out or abandoning any pretence of following a normal day's routine from about noon onwards. As usual, the South Burnett will be celebrating the occasion with a number of Melbourne Cup Day functions along with the Kumbia Race Club's annual Melbourne Cup Day Race Meeting (see entry immediately below): a really great bush race meeting that's become something quite special to all of us over the years. But if you can't make it trackside at Kumbia, then here's how the rest of us will be celebrating our uniquely Australian love of the turf around our region today:

44th Annual Kumbia Melbourne Cup Race Meeting

The Kumbia Racing Club will be holding their 44th Annual Melbourne Cup Day Race Meeting at the Kumbia racetrack from about 9:00am this morning through until 5:00pm this afternoon (the first race leaves the barriers at 12:45pm). This very popular 5-card event is the only live Cup Day race meeting in the South Burnett and it always attracts a great crowd. As usual, the meeting will include a Fashions of the Field parade with prizes for the best-dressed man and woman and the most spectacular hat. There'll also be a bar, BBQ, and the Luncheon Hall in operation, along with the lively Wine & Cheese Bar, plus full Sky-TV race meeting coverage, a vigorous betting ring, and big screen coverage of that other race meeting in Melbourne. Admission is just $10 for adults and $8 for concessions, and a bus will be travelling from the Nanango Visitor Information Centre in George Street, Nanango to the racetrack at 10:00am, then returning at around 4:00pm if you'd like to avoid the drive (you can book seats by phoning Gloria on (07) 4163-2848 - tickets are $25 per head return, which includes track entry fees). More details? Contact the Kumbia Race Club Secretary on (07) 4163-7200.

Bets, Bubbles & Brumbies - Kingaroy

Kingsley Grove Estate Winery at Stuart Valley Drive off the Bunya Highway south-west of Kingaroy will be holding a "Bets, Bubbles & Brumbies" Melbourne Cup celebration from 11:30am to 4:00pm today. For $29.50 per head, the event offers a free courtesy bus from Kingaroy to the winery and return; sparkling wine on arrival; big screen coverage of the race; wood-fired pizza, sliders and wine ice-cream; entry into the winery's sweepstakes; and the chance to win wine. To help plan the catering, though, bookings are essential. You can make one by phoning Jo on 0414-230-128.

Melbourne Cup Luncheon - Proston

The Proston QCWA will be holding a Melbourne Cup Luncheon at the Proston Community Hall in Rodney Street today. It'll be a fantastic day of fashion, fascinators and fun and more details will be published as they become available.

Melbourne Cup Lunch - Kingaroy

A Melbourne Cup Day Lunch will be held at the Carrollee Hotel in King Street, Kingaroy from 11:30am onwards today. For $30 per head, guests can enjoy a buffet lunch including cold meats, prawns, salads and desserts; a complimentary glass of champagne for the ladies on arrival; Fashions Of The Field and sweeps. The hotel's TAB will also be open from 8:00am if you want to place a bet. More details and/or bookings? Phone the Carrollee on (07) 4162-1055.

Melbourne Cup Lunch - Blackbutt

A Melbourne Cup Day Lunch will be held at the Blackbutt Memorial Hall in Coulson Street, Blackbutt from 11:30am this morning. The lunch has been put together by the Blackbutt Singers and the Catholic Ladies and guests will be able to tuck into a great two-course lunch for just $25 per head (including a free drink). There'll also be raffles, sweeps, and prizes for the best dressed man, woman and hat, plus big screen TV coverage of the race. Everyone is welcome! More details? Phone Jocelyn on (07) 4163-2883.

Melbourne Cup Day Lunch - Wondai

The Warana Hotel-Motel in Mackenzie Street, Wondai will be holding a Melbourne Cup Day Luncheon from 11:30am today. They'll be offering a three course meal, TAB coverage and a big screen TV, plus a free bottle of wine for every table of 4 or more - but bookings are essential: (07) 4168-5366

Melbourne Cup Day Luncheon - Kingaroy

The Kingaroy Bowls Club in Youngman Street, Kingaroy will be holding a Melbourne Cup Day Luncheon today. Doors will open at 10:30am for lunch at 12:00 noon, and for $15 guests can get to enjoy the lunch, a fashion parade, sweeps, novelties and big screen coverage of the race. There'll also be a special prize for the guest wearing an outfit in the winning jockey's colours. Bookings? Phone Marge on (07) 4162-2068.

Melbourne Cup Day Luncheon - Blackbutt

The Radnor Hotel in Coulson Street, Blackbutt will be holding a Melbourne Cup Day Luncheon today. For $20 per head, guests can tuck into a cold ham or chicken and salad lunch which includes either a glass of champagne or a pot of beer (your choice). There'll also be $2, $5 and $10 per ticket sweeps plus big screen race coverage in the dining room. More details from the hotel: (07) 4163-0203.

Melbourne Cup Day Luncheon - Wondai

The Wondai Hotel in Haly Street, Wondai will be holding a prawn and chicken Melbourne Cup Day luncheon today. Bookings are advisable: (07) 4168-5274.

Melbourne Cup Day Luncheon - Kingaroy

The Commercial Hotel at the corner of Glendon and Haly Streets in Kingaroy will be holding a Melbourne Cup Day Luncheon with a difference today. For $39 per head, guests can get stuck into a set menu from 12:00 noon onwards, followed by a High Tea Dessert from the Giving Tree Cafe. The hotel also has an on-site TAB to take those Melbourne Cup bets, but bookings are advisable: (07) 4162-1380

Melbourne Cup Day Luncheon - Murgon

The Murgon Services Club in Lamb Street, Murgon will be holding a Melbourne Cup Buffet Luncheon from 12:00 noon today. For $35 per head, guests can get stuck into ham off the bone, prawns, a selection of salads and desserts and complimentary sparkling wine. Sweeps will be available from $1 up to $10 and there'll be prizes for the best dressed, lucky door and best hat. Admission also includes a free mystery bet on the Cup, and thanks to Betta Electrical Murgon there'll be lots of big screen coverage of the race too.

Murgon Cup Day Luncheon - Nanango

The Nanango RSL in Henry Street, Nanango will be holding a Melbourne Cup Day Luncheon from 11:30am today (the club's TAB will open at 8:30am for early bets). The luncheon will have sweeps and raffles along with prizes for the best-dressed man, woman and couple, and the club's free courtesy bus can ferry you to or from the RSL if you'd find the drive a bit much on Cup Day. More details? Bookings? Phone the RSL on (07) 4163-1375.

Danny's Diner - Kingaroy

Danny's Diner - a free community dinner - will be held at the Uniting Church Hall at the corner of Alford and Youngman streets in Kingaroy from 5:30pm to 7:00pm tonight. The dinner is an initiative of the Kingaroy District Ministry Association for the benefit of anyone who's hungry or otherwise doing it tough. While an RSVP isn't essential, it would be appreciated to help plan the catering. You can make one by phoning Lenelle on (07) 4162-8482. You can also read more about Danny's Diner on our website.

Kumbia QCWA Meeting

The Kumbia QCWA will be holding their regular first Tuesday of the month meeting at the Kumbia QCWA Rooms in Bell Street. The meeting will start with a cuppa at 9:30am before getting down to business at 10:00am. New members are very welcome! More details? Phone Lil on (07) 4164-4218 or Mollie on (07) 4164-4191.

Elgin Vale QCWA Meeting

The Elgin Vale branch of the QCWA will be holding their monthly meeting at the Elgin Vale QCWA Rooms at the corner of Manumbar Raod and Porters Road, Nanango from 10:00am to around 12:00 noon today. New members are always very welcome! More details? Phone Lois on (07) 4162-3824

Tuesday Social Dancing - Kumbia

Social dances and lessons for beginners will be held at the Kumbia Memorial Hall in Bell Street, Kumbia from 7:30pm to around 9:30pm tonight. Everyone is welcome! More details? Phone David on 0459-228-882.

Barambah Local Justice Group AGM - Cherbourg

The Barambah Local Justice Group will be holding its Annual General Meeting at Cherbourg courthouse at 3 Fisher Street, Cherbourg at 3:00pm this afternoon. All interested people are welcome to attend. More details? Phone (07) 4168-1190.

Tuesday Night Basketball - Kingaroy

Tuesday night B-Grade basketball games will be played at the Kingaroy State High School Sports Auditorium at 6:00pm this evening. Spectators are very welcome.

Nanango Scout Club Meeting

The Nanango Scout Club - which meets every Tuesday night during school terms - will be holding its regular weekly meeting at the Scout Den at 40 Henry Street, Nanango (just next to the police station) from 5:30pm to around 7:00pm tonight. The group currently has three sections in operation: Joeys (for children aged 6 to 8 years); Cubs (8-11 years); and Scouts (11-15 years). New members are always very welcome, and so are new leaders and youth members for all sections. More details? Phone Shirley Masnata on (07) 4163-7455 or send her an email.

Country Crafters Meeting - Blackbutt

The Blackbutt Country Crafters will be holding their regular Tuesday morning meeting at the Uniting Church Hall in Coulson Street, Blackbutt from 9:30am to 2:00pm today. The group caters for people interested in crafts and new members are always welcome. More details? Phone June on (07) 4170-0054 or Roslyn on (07) 4163-0682

South Burnett Chorale - Kingaroy

The South Burnett Chorale will be holding their regular Tuesday practice night at the Church of Christ Hall at the corner of Haly and Burnett Streets in Kingaroy from 7:30pm to 9:30pm this evening. The Chorale meets every Tuesday night during school terms, and new members are always very welcome! More details? Phone (07) 4162-1332 or send them an email.

Indoor Bowls - Nanango

The Nanango Indoor Bowls Association will be holding their regular weekly indoor bowls matches at the Nanango Cultural Centre in George Street, Nanango at 7:00pm this evening (matches start at 7:30pm sharp). New players are always very welcome. More details? Phone Keith on (07) 4163-1522 or Denise on (07) 4163-2263

Kingaroy Men's Shed

The Kingaroy Men's Shed will be open from 9:00am to 12:00 noon and 2:00pm to 4:00pm today behind the Salvation Army's headquarters at 44 Alford Street in Kingaroy. The shed is open to all men who'd enjoy the companionship of other men while undertaking woodwork, metalwork or similar projects or who'd just enjoy a chat. More details? Phone the Salvos on (07) 4162-5246.

Tuesday Trivia Night - Kingaroy

Kingaroy RSL will be holding a Trivia Night at 6:30pm this evening (gaming starts at 7:00pm sharp). Cost is $2 per person for $60 in prize-money and teams of up to 6 can take part. More details from the RSL on (07) 4162-1755.

Tuesday Morning Croquet - Kingaroy

The Kingaroy Croquet Club will be playing croquet games at the rear of the Kingaroy Bowls Club at 141 Youngman Street, Kingaroy from 9:00am to 12:00 noon this morning. New members are always welcome and free lesson are available. More details? Phone Chris on (07) 4164-4380.