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 picnic race outing that's become something quite special to all of us over the years.

Kumbia Races

The Kumbia Racing Club will be holding its annual Melbourne Cup Day Race Meeting at the Kumbia racetrack from about 11:00am this morning through until late this afternoon. This very popular six-card event is the only live race meeting in the South Burnett today and it always attracts a great crowd to "Flemington In the Bush". Race 1 will jump at 1:00pm. As well as the Kumbia Cup (1400m), there'll also be two special feature races: a heat of the Burnett To The Beach series (1200m), and a Country Stampede Qualifier (1000m). As usual, there'll be a big Fashions of the Field competition for men and women (this year's theme is "A Splash Of Pink"); a Dash For Cash foot race (after Race 6); a bar, barbecue, and the Luncheon Hall in operation plus full Sky TV race meeting coverage, a busy betting ring and big screen coverage of that other race meeting in Melbourne. A bus will be running from Kingaroy’s Carrollee Hotel to help punters enjoy the day without the hassle of driving. The bus will leave at 11:00am but there are only limited seats available, so call the hotel on (07) 4162-1055 to book a seat. Entry to the Kumbia racetrack is $20, or $15 if tickets are booked online.

Melbourne Cup Lunch - Nanango

The Nanango QCWA will be hosting a Melbourne Cup luncheon from 11:30am to 2:30pm today at their hall at 59 Fitzroy Street, Nanango (opposite IGA). Enjoy the race and take part in fun and games including raffles, sweeps and lucky door prizes. It's a fundraiser for the Nanango QCWA's hall maintenance. Book online and don't forget to wear your best fascinators!

Melbourne Cup Lunch - Kingaroy

The Kingaroy RSL Club, in Markwell Street, has a special Melbourne Cup lunch menu today with Fashions of the Field, sweep stakes, music bingo and a "create your own" fascinator table! Watch the big race on the big screen! The fun will start at 10:00am. More info? Phone (07) 4162-1755.

Melbourne Cup Lunch - Blackbutt

A fun Melbourne Cup Day lunch will be held at the Blackbutt Memorial Hall from 11:30am to 2:30pm today. Cost is $25 which includes a two-course lunch. There'll be prizes for the Best Dressed Lady, Best Dressed Gentleman, Best Dressed Couple and Best Headwear as well as games and sweeps. Book your tickets online

Melbourne Cup Lunch - Maidenwell

The Maidenwell Hotel will be holding a special Melbourne Cup luncheon from noon today. There'll also be calcuttas on the big race. Bookings essential on (07) 4164-6133.

Melbourne Cup Lunch - Nanango

The Commercial Hotel, at 69 Drayton Street, Nanango, will be offering a special three-course menu for today's Melbourne Cup lunch. Cost is $55 per person. There'll be lucky door prizes, sweeps and other fun activities. Pre-payment required. Phone (07) 4163-1208.

QCWA Craft Day - Kingaroy

Kingaroy QCWA hosts a craft morning every Tuesday from 9:00am to noon in their rooms at 122 Kingaroy Street, Kingaroy. Bring along your craft, something for morning tea and $2 for charity. If you'd like to learn a new craft, you can do that, too! More info, phone Lois on 0407-965-094.

Tuesday Night Trivia - Kingaroy

Kingaroy RSL Club in Markwell Street, Kingaroy will be holding a free Trivia Night from 6:30pm this evening. Teams of six. Numbers are limited so a booking is essential. Phone the club on (07) 4162-1755.

The Crafty Collective - Kingaroy

Centacare in the Biscuit Tin behind the church at 15 Albert Street, Kingaroy, will be holding its weekly Crafty Collective get-together from 10:00am to noon this morning. Anyone is welcome to come along for a cuppa, a chat and community-focussed craft sessions with materials provided (or just BYO craft project). However, an RSVP would be appreciated to help plan the catering: (07) 4162-5439.

South Burnett Gem & Fossicking Club - Wondai

The South Burnett Gem and Fossicking Club will be holding their regular Tuesday workshops at their clubhouse in the old Wondai Railway Station in Coronation Park (just down from the art gallery). There are two regular get-togethers held on Tuesdays: from 8:30am to noon; and from 4:30pm to around 8:00pm. The club embraces all aspects of lapidary (including gem hunting and cutting) and meets every Monday and Thursday in Kingaroy, and Tuesdays in Wondai. New members are always welcome. More details? Phone 0491-606-427.

Blackbutt Singers - Yarraman

The Blackbutt Singers will holding their regular Tuesday morning practice session at the Yarraman Community Hall in Browne Street, Yarraman, from 9:00am to around noon this morning. New members - male and female - are very welcome! More details? Call Julie on 0421-315-748.

Probus Meeting - Kingaroy

The Kingaroy Probus club meets on the first Tuesday of every month from 9:30am in the Kingaroy Town Hall Reception Room, Glendon Street.

Goomeri To Kingaroy Shopping Bus

Graham House will be running a shopping bus between Goomeri and Kingaroy today. The bus will pick up customers from their Goomeri address at 8:30am and transport them to the Kingaroy Mall (or other destinations if arranged beforehand), then make a return journey to Goomeri at around 11:30am. Tickets on the bus are $15 per person return and the bus runs fortnightly on Tuesdays, but places are limited so a booking is necessary. You can make one by phoning Graham House Community Transport on (07) 4169-8400.

Tuesday Croquet - Kingaroy

The Kingaroy Croquet Club play at Lyle Vidler Oval in Youngman Street, Kingaroy, every Tuesday morning. Games start at 8:30am (October-April) or 9:00am (May-September). New members are always welcome! More details? Phone 0419-778-015.

Tuesday Art Group - Kingaroy

The Tuesday Art Group meets every Tuesday from 9:00am to 11:30am at the old 1913 Council Chambers in Edward Street, Kingaroy. BYO materials and work on your projects while making new friends. Everyone is welcome!

Music Quiz - Nanango

The Commercial Hotel, at 69 Drayton Street, Nanango, is holding a music quiz - with prizes!- from 6:30pm every Tuesday night. The competition is free to play, but bring along your mobile phone. More info? Phone the pub on (07) 4163-1208.

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 6:30pm to 8:30pm this evening. The Chorale meets every Tuesday night during school terms, and new members are always very welcome!

Tuesday Bingo - Kingaroy

The Kingaroy Senior Citizen's club hosts bingo every Tuesday from 9:30am to noon at the Kingaroy Town Common Hall in Oliver Bond Street, Kingaroy. Everyone is welcome! More info? Phone Ellen on 0478-607-054.

Wooroolin Line Dancers

The Wooroolin Line Dancers will be holding line dancing classes for beginners and improvers at Wooroolin Hall on the Bunya Highway from 9:00am to 10:00am this morning (for beginners) and 10:00am to 12:30pm (for improvers). Course fees are $10. More info? Phone Paula 0498-210-073.

Nanango Indoor Bowls

The Nanango Indoor Bowls Club will be holding its regular weekly social indoor bowls games at the Nanango Cultural Centre in George Street, Nanango from 12:30pm (for a 1:00pm start) to around 4:00pm this afternoon. New players are always very welcome! Game fees are just $5 and include a lucky door ticket plus afternoon tea or coffee. More details? Phone Keith on (07) 4163-1522.

Chair Yoga - Cooyar

A chair yoga class will be held at the Cooyar Memorial Hall on the New England Highway at Cooyar from 9:00am this morning. The class is held every Tuesday and new members are always welcome. More details? Phone Jane on 0408-988-100.

Walking Football - Kingaroy

The Kingaroy Senior Soccer Club is holding Walking Football from 6:00pm tonight at the Tom Alford soccer grounds in Oliver Bond Street, Kingaroy. Everyone is invited to try out this sport and enjoy a fun, social night at the clubhouse. Footwear is runners (no boots) and there's no need for shin guards. No experience is necessary!

Kingaroy Men's Shed

The Kingaroy Men's Shed will be holding their regular morning meeting at the old Motor Pool building off Geoff Ralph Drive at Kingaroy Airport from 8:00am to 11:00am today. The group meets every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday morning and new members and visitors are always welcome.

Wondai Men's Shed

Wondai Men's Shed members meet every Tuesday from 8:00am to 3:00pm at 15 West Street, Wondai. New members are always welcome! More details? Phone 0458-554-617.

South Burnett Pantry - Kingaroy

The South Burnett Pantry will be open from 8:30am to 12:00 noon today at 1A (Lot 3) Railway Terrace in Kingaroy. The Pantry is a not-for-profit registered charity run by a Board of Management and staffed by volunteers, and it helps low-income families, couples and singles stretch their shopping dollar further. The Pantry offers $50 or $35 options to select food and the other items.

Alcoholics Anonymous - Murgon

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength and hope with each other to solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for membership. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organisation or institution. AA meets in Murgon every Tuesday and Friday at 12:30pm at the Baptist Church at 94 Macalister Street. For more information, phone 1300-222-222.