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 12 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 42ndt 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:

42nd Annual Kumbia Melbourne Cup Day Race Meeting

The Kumbia Racing Club will be holding their 42nd Annual Melbourne Cup Day Races at the Kumbia racetrack from around 11:00am this morning through until 5:00pm this afternoon (the first race leaves the barriers at 1:30pm). 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), as well as full Sky-TV race meeting coverage and a vigorous betting ring. Admission is just $10 for adults and $5 for concessions, and a bus will be travelling from the Carrollee Hotel in King Street, Kingaroy to the racetrack at 11:00am, then returning at the end of the day if you'd like to avoid the drive (you can book seats on this bus by phoning hotel on (07) 4162-1055 - tickets are $25 per head including the race entry fee). More details? Contact the Kumbia Race Club Secretary on (07) 4163-7200. Note: The Nanango Tourism & Development Association will also be running a bus to the Kumbia Races at 11:00am today (returning at 5:00pm). You can get tickets from the Nanango Visitor Information Centre in Henry Street or by phoning Gloria on (07) 4163-2848.

Mad Hatters Melbourne Cup Lunch Party - Blackbutt

If you'd like to celebrate Melbourne Cup Day in the Timber Towns with some real style, the Blackbutt Singers and the Blackbutt Catholic Ladies will be holding a gala "Melbourne Cup Mad Hatters High Tea Party" at the Blackbutt Memorial Hall in Coulson Street, Blackbutt from 11:30am onwards today. Apart from big screen coverage of the race and simply delicious High Tea fare, there'll also be prizes for 2 ladies and 2 gents with the most elegant and/or maddest hats; a Lucky Door prize; raffles, money boards and all the fun of a Cup Day get-together. Tickets are $20 per head (tables of eight are available) and include a complimentary glass of bubbly punch on arrival, but to assist with catering bookings are absolutely essential. You can obtain your tickets from the Blackbutt Visitor Information Centre in Hart Street, Blackbutt or the Nanango Visitor Information Centre in Henry Street, Nanango.

Melbourne Cup Day Lunch - Kingaroy

Kingaroy RSL in Markwell Street, Kingaroy will be holding a mini Cup Day party in the club's Purple Room today. There'll be sweeps, entertainment and big screen coverage of the race and it's all free (the club's previously advertised $30 a head Cup Lunch has been cancelled).

Melbourne Cup Day Lunch - Proston

The Proston Bowls Club in Murphy Way, Proston - in conjunction with the Proston QCWA and the Coverty Social Club - will be holding a Melbourne Cup Day Luncheon from 10:00am onwards today. Admission is just $12 per head and there'll be raffles, sweeps, prizes for the Best Hat and Winning Jockey Colours, plus all the fun of a Cup Day get-together. More details? Phone Judith on (07) 4168-9540 or Coral on (0429) 689-558. Tickets can also be obtained in advance from Margaret at the Proston Library in Blake Street.

Melbourne Cup Day Lunch - Kingaroy

The Kingaroy Bowls Club in Youngman Street, Kingaroy will also be holding a Melbourne Cup Day Lunch from 12:00 noon today (doors open at 10:30am). For just $15.00 a head guests will be able to enjoy a great lunch; a fashion parade; sweeps; novelties; and get to watch the race on a big screen TV. There'll also be a prize for any guest wearing an outfit with the winning jockey's colours. Bookings? Phone (07) 4162-1404.

Melbourne Cup Day Lunch - Yarraman

The Royal Hotel in Yarraman will be holding a Melbourne Cup Day Lunch from 11:00am onwards today. The $15 lunch includes a bonus glass of champagne or pot of beer on arrival, and there'll be prizes for the Best Dressed ladies and gents and the Best Hat, plus sweeps and big screen coverage of the race. Afterwards, the lunch will be followed by live music from 3:30pm to 5:30pm. For catering purposes, though, bookings are essential by Sunday November 3: (07) 4163-8219.

Melbourne Cup Day Lunch - Nanango

Nanango RSL in Henry Street, Nanango will be holding a Melbourne Cup Day Lunch from 10:00am onwards today. There'll be prizes for the Best Dressed male and female patrons; a Fashions Of The Field competition; sweeps and raffles throughout the day; and big screen coverage of the race. The club's TAB will also be open from 8:00am if you want to place bets, and the bistro will begin serving from 11:30am with a complimentary glass of champagne or beer with every meal. More details from the RSL on (07) 4163-1375.

Women's Health Seminar RSVP Deadline

Today is the last day you can RSVP to attend a free Women's Health Seminar being held at Kingaroy State High School next Wednesday night, November 13 (see entry that day for all details).

AFL 9s Come & Try Night - Kingaroy

The South Burnett Saints will be kicking off a summer season of AFL 9s at Lyle Vidler Oval in Youngman Street, Kingaroy with a free "Come & Try" session at 6:00pm this evening. AFL 9s is a nine-a-side non-contact game which features mixed sides of men and women. It is suitable for players of all abilities and ages from 12 upwards. There must be a minimum of three males or three females in each team, and the cost to sign up for the six-week "Carrollee Cup" competition which will start next Tuesday night is $50 per person. More details? Phone Will Reid on (0417) 144-062.

Tuesday Night Darts - Kingaroy

The South Burnett Darts Association will be holding their regular Tuesday night darts competition from 7:00pm to 10:00pm at their premises at Shed 1, 18 Stolzenberg Road in Kingaroy. A $6 playing fee applies, but there's also a fully liocensed bar and raffles too. New players are always welcome - the club caters for all skill levels from novice to expert - and you can obtain more details by phoning Kurt on (0403) 400-771 (after 5:00pm) or Bianca on (0431) 954-023.

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!

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.

Kingaroy Writers Association Meeting

The Kingaroy Writers' Association will be meeting between 9:30am and 12:00 noon 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 $2 to cover tea and coffee (bring a plate for a shared morning tea experience). New members are always very welcome! More details? Phone Geoff on (07) 4162-1885 or Jessica on (07) 4162-8476.

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.

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

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 7:30pm to 9:30pm this evening. New members are always very welcome! More details? Phone Di on (07) 4162-1647

Tuesday Evening Zumba - Nanango

Zumba dance fitness classes will be held at the Nanango Skating Rink in George Street, Nanango at 6:00pm this evening. The class fee is $5 and everyone is welcome

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 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 Afternoon Card & Board Games - Wondai

Tuesday afternoon card and board games will be played at The Studio at the rear of the Wondai Art Gallery on the roundabout at Wondai from 1:00pm to 4:00pm this afternoon. Some board games are available but you're welcome to bring your own too, if you like. You should also BYO afternoon tea, but otherwise admission is free and everyone is welcome. More details from the Gallery on (07) 4168-5926.

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

Swimming For Fitness - Blackbutt

The South Burnett Regional Council's new Swimming For Fitness program (for adults) will be held between 10:00am and 11:00am this morning at the Blackbutt Swimming Pool at the corner of Sutton and Margaret Streets, Blackbutt. This gold coin donation program is run by a local swimming coach and is open to adults of all fitness and ability levels. It aims to teach new ways to become physically active and how to stay active for life. If you're coming along, bring your swimming togs, a towel, sun protection and (if applicable) medication. More details? Phone Pam Hinton at the Council on (07) 4189-9444 or email her.

Wine & Food In The Park Festival Committee Meeting - Kingaroy

The Wine & Food In The Park Festival committee will be meeting at the South Burnett Enterprise Centre at 6 Cornish Street in Kingaroy at 5:30pm this evening to continue laying out plans for next year's Festival (which will be held at Memorial Park in Kingaroy on Saturday 8th March 2014). All interested people are very welcome to attend. More details? Phone Dafyd on (07) 4162-3899.