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.

Melbourne Cup Day Race Meeting - Kumbia

The Kumbia Racing Club will be holding its 54rd 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 Cup Day race meeting in the South Burnett and it always attracts a great crowd. As usual, there'll be a Fashions of the Field competition for men and women (the theme is "Perfectly Pink"); 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 vigorous 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.

Melbourne Cup Lunch - Kingaroy

Kingaroy RSL Club will hosting a Roaring 20s Gatsby-themed Melbourne Cup lunch from noon today at the club in Markwell Street. Cost is $35 which includes a two-course meal. There'll be sweeps and prizes for best dressed! Tickets can be booked at Reception or phone (07) 4162-1755.

Melbourne Cup Lunch - Proston

Emma's Coffee Shop, at 42 Blake St, Proston, will be hosting a Melbourne Cup Day luncheon from 1:00pm today. Win a voucher from NB Department Store for Best Dressed! Cost is $25 but spots are limited. Phone or text 0473-850-290 to book.

Melbourne Cup Lunch - Wondai

The Wondai Diggers Club, at 87 Mackenzie Street, will be hosting a Melbourne Cup Day lunch from 11:30am today. Doors open at 10:00am. Cost is $35 per person. There'll be prizes for best dressed and races will be on the big screen. To book, phone the club on (07) 4168-5297.

Melbourne Cup Lunch - Murgon

Murgon Services Club, at 70 Gore Street, will be hosting a two-course Melbourne Cup lunch from 11:30am today. There's a choice of crispy skin duck or slow-cooked red wine brisket, with trifle or pavlova for dessert. Cost is $40 which includes a mimosa cocktail or juice on arrival and a free mystery bet. There'll be lucky door and best dressed prizes and sweeps. To book a table, phone the club on (07) 4168-1819.

Melbourne Cup Lunch - Nanango

The TAB at the Nanango Services Club, 24-26 Henry Sereet, will open from 8:00am today, and all the races from Flemington will be on the big screen. There'll also be sweeps from 10:00am and the club's bistro will have a special menu. The bistro will open for diners from 11:00am.

Melbourne Cup Lunch - Bell

Bell Cares will be hosting a Melbourne Cup buffet luncheon from noon today at the Bell Bowls Club, Wallace Street, Bell. There'll be prizes for Best Dressed and Best Hat or Fascinator. Cost is $25, including complimentary tea, coffee, water or punch. The bar will also be open to buy wine, beer or other drinks. To book a spot, phone (07) 4663-1333.

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! More details? Phone Julee-anne on 0421-360-802.

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.

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.

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.

Nanango Indoor Bowls

The Nanango Indoor Bowls Association will be holding their regular weekly social indoor bowls games at the Nanango Cultural Centre in George Street, Nanango from 12:45pm (for a 1:00pm start) to around 4:00pm this afternoon. Play will take the form of 3 games x 10 rounds and 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 Gary on 0487-853-617 or Keith on (07) 4163-1522.

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.

Tuesday Night Blackjack & Poker - Nanango

The Commercial Hotel in Drayton Street, Nanango will be running Tuesday night blackjack 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.

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.

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.

Kingaroy Men's Shed

The Kingaroy Men's Shed will be holding their regular Saturday 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.

Chair Yoga Class - Cooyar

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

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.

Blackbutt Singers - Yarraman

The Blackbutt Singers will holding their regular Tuesday morning practice session at the Yarraman Community Hall in Browne Street, Yarraman from 9:30am to around noon this morning. New members - male and female - are very welcome, and you should BYO morning tea. More details? Call Jocelyn on 0409-275-915 or send an email

Gem & Fossicking Club - Wondai

The South Burnett Gem and Fossicking Club will be holding their regular Tuesday meeting at their club's Wondai workshop in the old Wondai Railway Station at Coronation Park in the town's CBD from 4:30pm to around 8:00pm tonight. The club embraces all aspects of lapidary (including gem hunting and cutting) and meets every Monday and Thursday in Kingaroy, with Tuesday workshops in Wondai for faceting and silverwork. New members are always welcome. More details? Phone 0491-606-427.

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.

Alcoholics Anonymous - Nanango

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 AA membership. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organisation or institution. AA meets in Nanango every Tuesday from 1:30pm at the Catholic Church hall at the corner of Alfred and Gipps street. For more information, phone 1300-222-222.