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:

43rd Annual Kumbia Melbourne Cup Day Race Meeting

The Kumbia Racing Club will be holding their 43rd Annual Melbourne Cup Day Races at the Kumbia racetrack from about 9:00am this morning through until 5:00pm this afternoon (the first race leaves the barriers at 12:25pm). 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 (bookings for this are essential), 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 Danielle on 0427-736-910, Marilyn on 0427-587-003 or Gloria on (07) 4163-2848 - tickets are $25 per head return plus the race entry fee). More details? Contact the Kumbia Race Club Secretary on (07) 4163-7200.

Melbourne Cup Day Lunch - Kingaroy

The Kingaroy Bowls Club in Youngman Street, Kingaroy will be holding a Melbourne Cup Day Luncheon from 10:30am onwards today (lunch will be served at noon). There'll be a Fashion Parade, sweeps and novelties as well as big screen coverage of the race. Tickets are $15 per head and everyone is welcome. More details? Bookings? Phone (07) 4162-1404.

Melbourne Cup Day Lunch - Kingaroy

The Commercial Hotel at the corner of Glendon and Haly Streets in Kingaroy will be holding a Melbourne Cup Day Lunch today. For $35 per head, guests can get to enjoy an entree, a choice of mains and a High Tea dessert, along with a Fashions On The Field competition (with prizes for the best dressed), live entertainment and big screen coverage of the race. And if you want to get in early to lay a bet on the Cup before work, the pub and its TAB will open at 7:00am this morning and there'll be breakfast available too. More details? Phone the hotel on (07) 4162-1380.

Mebourne Cup Day Lunch - Blackbutt

Blackbutt's Radnor Hotel will be holding a Melbourne Cup Day Luncheon from 12:00 noon today. For $15 per head, guests can tuck into a roast main course and dessert (along with a free glass of champagne for the ledies), and enjoy live music and a Fashions Of The Field competition with prizes for the best-dressed male and female and the best hat. There'll also be big-screen coverage of the race. More details? Phone the hotel on (07) 4163-0203.

Junior Curriculum Evening - Murgon

Murgon State High School will be holding a Junior Curriculum Evening at the school at 6:00pm tonight. The evening is for parents and students who will be in Years 9 and 10 in 2015, and will provide information which will help in subject selection. A light supper will be provided too, and everyone is welcome. More details? Phone the high school on (07) 4169-9222

Kingaroy Writers Association Meeting

The Kingaroy Writers' Association will be meeting between 9:30am and 12:30pm this morning at the Uniting Church Hall on the corner of Alford and Youngman Streets in Kingaroy. Members meet on the first and third Tuesdays of each month to share their work with other members and take part in writing and word exercises. Membership is $5 per annum and meetings are $3 to cover tea, coffee and insurance (bring a plate for a shared morning tea experience). New members are always very welcome! More details? Phone Barbara on (07) 4168-1675

Christmas Street Stall - Proston

The Proston QCWA will be operating a Christmas Street Stall in Blake Street, Proston today as a fundraiser. There'll be lots of good items on offer. Morer details? Phone Val on (07) 4168-9391 or Eileen on 0429-856-770.

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 10:30am to around 12:30pm today. New members are always very welcome!

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.

Mini Cent Auction - Maidenwell

The Maidenwell QCWA will be holding a Mini Cent Auction at Maidenwell Hall at 10:30am this morning. This morning's auction is a fundraiser to purchase gifts for the local children’s annual Christmas Tree function, and sheets of tickets will be available for just $1 each. Everyone is welcome! Note: Today's auction will be preceded and followed by the branch's monthly meeting (see entry below).

Maidenwell QCWA Meeting

The Maidenwell branch of the QCWA will be holding their regular monthly meeting at the Maidenwell Hall Supper Room from 8:45am this morning (when things will kick off with a welcoming cuppa) through until this afternoon. The branch meeting itself will commence at 9:30am and all ladies in the Maidenwell and Bunya Mountains areas are very welcome to come along and meet the other branch members! You can obtain more details by phoning Glenda on (07) 4164 6137 or by emailing her.

Indoor Bowls - Yarraman

The Yarraman Indoor Bowls Club will be holding their regular Tuesday morning meeting at the Lutheran Hall in McDaniell Street, Yarraman from 9:30am onwards today. New members are very welcome! More details? Phone (07) 4163-8860

Tuesday Night Karate - Nanango

Ko Tora Kai Karate Do will be running its regular Tuesday night karate classes at the CWA Hall in Fitzroy Street, Nanango (opposite Foodworks) from 6:00pm to 7:30pm this evening. The classes teach karate and self-defense for children, adults and families. The first class is free and if you decide to join, fees are $7 per class thereafter (discounts apply for families). Every level of fitness is catered for too. More details? Phone Kathryn on 0431-744-617 or send her an email

South Burnett Woodcrafters - Kingaroy

The South Burnett Woodcrafters will be holding their regular Tuesday morning meeting at their clubhouse, which is located behind the Kingaroy Visitor Information Centre in Haly Street. from 8:00am to around mid-day today. The group is for woodworking enthusiasts and new members are always welcome. More details? Phone Lee on (0427) 720-839 or Dick on (0432) 893-050 or visit the website.

Blackbutt Singers Practice Morning - Yarraman

The Blackbutt Singers will holding their regular Tuesday morning practice session at the Yarraman Community Hall in Browne Street, Yarraman at 9:30am today. New members are very welcome. More details? Call Maree on (07) 4163-0581

Judo Club Training Night - Murgon

The Murgon Judo Club will be holding its regular Tuesday training night at the Salvation Army Hall in Macalister Street, Murgon from 6:00pm to around 7:30pm this evening. Tonight's meeting is for seniors and some older juniors, and class fees are $4 for juniors and $6 for seniors. More details? Phone Stan on (07) 4168-3104 or (0414) 404-004

South Burnett Chorale Practice Night - Kingaroy

The South Burnett Chorale will be holding their regular Tuesday night practice meeting at the Church of Christ Hall at the corner of Haly and Burnett Streets in Kingaroy from 7:00pm to 9:00pm this evening. New members are always very welcome! More details? Phone Di on (07) 4162-1647

Indoor Bowls Night - 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 7:30pm this evening. New players are always very welcome. More details? Phone Keith on (07) 4163-1522 or Denise on (07) 4163-2263

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.

Tuesday Afternoon Karate - Murgon

Shorinjiryu Karate classes will be held at the Anglican Church Hall at 31 Taylor Street, Murgon at 5:15pm this evening. Classes are $6 for all young people up to 18, and $7 for adults. New students are always welcome! More details? Phone Leanne on (07) 4169-5930 or (0438) 684-705 or email her.

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.

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.

Girl Guides Meeting - Durong

The Durong Green Frog Girl Guides will be meeting at Durong Hall on the Durong-Mundubbera Road from 4:00pm to 6:00pm this evening. All young girls aghed 5 to 15 are very welcome to join, and you can obtain more details by phoning Leeann on (07) 4163-0273.

Tuesday Social Dance - Kingaroy

A social dance featuring Old Time and New Vogue styles will be held at the CWA Hall in Kingaroy Street, Kingaroy between 6:00pm and 9:00pm this evening. Admission is $5, which includes tea and a light supper. More details? Phone Derrick on (07) 4163-6294

Tuesday Night Darts - Blackbutt

The Blackbutt Darts Association will be playing their regular Tuesday night games at the Blackbutt Sports Centre in Janice Court from 6:00pm onwards this evening. New players are very welcome.

Men's Shed - Kingaroy

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.

Free Community Dinner - Kingaroy

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. The dinner is an initiative of the Kingaroy District Ministry Association and is for the benefit of anyone who's hungry or otherwise doing it tough.