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 pretense 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 55th Annual Melbourne Cup Day Race Meeting at the Kumbia racetrack from about 11:00am this morning through until late this afternoon. This very popular five-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 jumps at 1:00pm. As usual, there'll be a Fashions of the Field competition for men and women (the theme is "I Pink, Therefore I Am"); Dash For Cash foot race (after Race 5); 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. Admission is just $20 (or $15 if you book online).A bus will be running from Kingaroy's Carrollee Hotel for people who've booked seats, ph (07) 4162-1055. Check out the race fields here

Melbourne Cup Lunch - Murgon

Murgon Services Club will be hosting a Melbourne Cup lunch today with prizes for Best Dressed and Best Fascinator. There'll be a complimentary glass of bubbles and a mystery bet on arrival plus sweeps and lots of fun! Lunch will be available from $26.50 with desserts from $12. Book a table on (07) 4168-1819.

Melbourne Cup Lunch - Wondai

Wondai RSL Sub-Branch Club (the former Wondai Diggers) will have a buffet-style Melbourne Cup lunch from 11:00am today for $30 per person. There'll be Fashions of the Fields competition for men and women plus sweeps. Book with Michelle on (07) 4168-5297.

Melbourne Cup Lunch - Yarraman

The Royal Hotel in Yarraman is hosting a "seafood and bubbles" lunch today. There'll be prizes for Best Dressed, Best Table and Best Couple. Cost is $50 per person but booking is essential. Phone (07) 4163-8219.

Melbourne Cup Lunch - Nanango

The Fitzroy Hotel in Nanango will be hosting a Melbourne Cup lunch today with food, fun and champers. Cost is $30 per person for a two-course meal plus a complimentary drink but bookings are essential. In the evening, there'll be a $15 steak night. Phone (07) 4163-1506.

Melbourne Cup Lunch - Nanango

The Commercial Hotel in Nanango will be hosting a Melbourne Cup lunch from 11:30am this morning. A three-course gourmet lunch will be available for $55 per person with a free drink on arrival. There'll be sweeps, mystery trifectas and lucky door prizes but prepaid bookings are essential. Phone (07) 4163-1208.

Melbourne Cup Lunch - Kingaroy

The Carrollee Hotel in Kingaroy will have Best Dressed prizes and sweeps today with their full menu available. Full TAB facilities and SKY Channel.

Melbourne Cup Lunch - Kingaroy

Kingaroy RSL Club will be hosting a Melbourne Club lunch from noon today in the Tobruk Room. There'll be bites, bubbles, sweeps, raffles and prizes for Best Dressed and Best Fascinator! Book a table by phoning (07) 4162-1755.

Melbourne Cup Lunch - Maidenwell

The Maidenwell Hotel has a special lunch menu available today. Phone (07) 4164-6133 to book a table.

Melbourne Cup Lunch - Linville

The Linville Hotel will be hosting a Melbourne Cup lunch from 11:30am. There'll be a glass of bubbles on arrival, prize for the Best Headdress, lucky door prize, Fashions of the Field, games and giveaways and sweeps. To RSVP contact the pub by email

Melbourne Cup Lunch - Blackbutt

The Radnor Hotel in Blackbutt will be streaming the races live on the big screen. There'll be sweeps, prizes and loads of fun. Special seafood platters will be available for $49. Book a table on (07) 4163-0203.

SBLX Fat & Store Sale - Murgon

Aussie Land & Livestock will be running a Fat & Store Sale from 8:00am this morning at Murgon Saleyards in Pratt Street, Murgon. More info? Phone (07) 4162-2233.

Tuesday Night Trivia - Kingaroy

Kingaroy RSL Club in Markwell Street, Kingaroy will be holding a free Trivia Night from 6:30pm this evening. Dinner orders are available from 5:30pm. Play takes place in teams of two to six, but numbers are limited so a booking is essential. Phone the club on (07) 4162-1755.

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 Poker - Nanango

The Commercial Hotel in Drayton Street, Nanango will be running Tuesday night Texas Hold'em poker games from 6:00pm tonight (for registration - play begins at 6:30pm). Buy-in fees are $20 and everyone is welcome. More details? Phone the hotel on (07) 4163-1208.

Kingaroy Run Co

The Kingaroy Run Co social running group will meet up at Hunter Gatherer Trader in Alford Street, Kingaroy at 6:00am this morning for a 30-minute run that will finish with a cup of coffee. The group meets every Tuesday morning, is open to anyone of any ability level, and has no membership fee.

Blackbutt Darts Club

The Blackbutt Darts Club will holding its weekly meeting at the Lions Den inside the Showgrounds in Bowman Road, Blackbutt at 5:30pm tonight (for a 6:00pm start), finishing up around 8:00pm. New players of all ages are welcome - playing fees are just $3 - and food and drinks are available for purchase as well. More details? Phone 0468-354-163.

Tuesday Croquet - Kingaroy

The Kingaroy Croquet Club will be playing croquet games at the Kingaroy Cricket Club in Youngman Street, Kingaroy (just next to Beangrowers) from 8:30am to around 11:30am this morning. New members are always welcome and a $5 lesson is available if you'd like tuition in the basics (all equipment is supplied). More details? Phone 0428-991-659.

Wooroolin Line Dancers

The Wooroolin Line Dancers will be holding line dancing classes for beginners and intermediate dancers at Wooroolin Hall on the Bunya Highway at Wooroolin from 9:00am to 10:00am this morning (for beginners) and 10:00am to 12:30pm (for improvers). Course fees are $10 for improvers (morning tea included) or $5 for beginners. BYO mug. Everyone is welcome.

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!

Yarraman Indoor Bowls

The Yarraman Indoor Bowls group will be holding their weekly meeting at the Lutheran Church Hall in McDaniel Street, Yarraman at 9:00am this morning. New members are always welcome. More details? Phone Rod on 0400-523-330.

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.

Art Workshop - Nanango

The Nanango Community Centre - the old Scout Hall at 40 Henry Street - hosts an art workshop every Tuesday morning from 9:30am. They do a different project every week using a wide variety of materials. Cost is just $10 which includes all you need. More info? Email Sandie.

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 Kingaroy Shoppingworld (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.

Kingaroy Sportfishing Club Meeting

The Kingaroy Sportfishing Club will be holding their monthly meeting from 6:00pm tonight at the Kingaroy RSL Club, Markwell Street, Kingaroy. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of every month. More information is available on the club's Facebook page

Proston Men's Shed

The Proston Men's Shed will be meeting at their building at 5-23 Rodney Street, Proston from 9:00am until around 12:00 noon today. The Men's Shed opens on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and new members are always very welcome! More details? Phone the Men's Shed on 0477-235-429.

Kingaroy Men's Shed

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

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.

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 $40 pantry hampers that contain most of the food and personal cleaning items that most people need to get through part of the week (though you'll need to shop elsewhere for extras or special items). And anyone who's finding it hard to make ends meet is very welcome to make use of it. More details? Phone James on 0438-071-658. PS: If you'd like to help The Pantry in any way - either by volunteering or donating goods - please contact James about this too, or visit the website.