Labour Day Public Holiday
Today is Labour Day, a public holiday. Most South Burnett businesses will be closed today or operating on restricted hours. Labour Day celebrates one of Australia's most unique characteristics: our ongoing effort - as a society - to try to tame the worst excesses of unfettered capitalism; to treat all people decently; and to attempt to put human values before purely monetary ones. Labour Day first began in the 1860s when a general campaign for an 8-hour working day began to erupt around the civilised world. At that time most Australians were expected to work 60 or more hours a week and the social security net that underpins modern society didn't exist. This meant that everyday conditions for the majority of people were pretty awful. This inequity between the rich and poor inevitably led to widespread civil unrest. Labour Day was originally celebrated in March but this was moved to the first Monday in May in 1893 after the Great Shearer's Strike broke out at Barcaldine two years earlier. It's stayed on that same date in Queensland ever since (other states celebrate Labour Day on different days of the year). Footnote: Even though some workers achieved an 8-hour day by the 1890s, it still took until 1916 (an incredible 50 years of campaigning) before all Queensland workers won the 8-hour day struggle. Decent working conditions and a social security system are something that we all take for granted now - often without a second thought about how much effort our grandparents and great grandparents put into achieving it.
Cards & Bowls Afternoon - Kingaroy
- The Kingaroy Senior Citizens Club will be holding their regular Monday afternoon indoor bowls and cards competitions at their centre on the corner of Avoca and Kingaroy Streets, Kingaroy (opposite Super IGA) from 1:00pm onwards today. The $2 admission includes a cup of tea and everyone is welcome! More details? Phone (07) 4163-6191.
What's On At The Wineries This Weekend
The South Burnett's wineries and cellar doors will all be open this weekend if you want to relax in their cafes and/or taste their wines. The South Burnett is now the largest wine region in Queensland and (excluding the Granite Belt) larger than all the State's other wine regions put together. You can find out what our wineries' opening hours are this weekend, the individual facilities that each one offers and news about any special events they might also be running on South Burnett Wine
Hivesville QCWA Meeting
- The Hivesville QCWA will be holding their regular monthly meeting at the Hivesville QCWA Rooms in Main Street, Hivesville at 10:00am this morning. Entry is free and members are asked to bring a plate to share for lunch. Everyone is welcome to attend! More details? Phone Judy on (07) 4168-9892.
Nanango Senior Citizens Club Meeting
- The Nanango Senior Citizens Club will be holding their regular monthly meeting at the Nanango Cultural Centre in George Street, Nanango at 1:00pm this afternoon. However the Centre doors will open at 10:00am so that members can play cards and indoor bowls prior to the meeting, have a cuppa and a chat and generally socialise (BYO lunch). New members are always welcome too! More details? Phone Joyce on (07) 4163-1249.
Monday Evening Bingo - Blackbutt
- Bingo games will be held in the Blackbutt Community Hall on the D'Aguilar Highway at Blackbutt from 7:00pm this evening. There'll be 16 games overall as well as two continual jackpots. Everyone is welcome.
Widgee Bushman's Carnival & Campdraft
The third (and final) day of the annual three-day Widgee Bushman's Carnival (a combined rodeo and campdraft) will be held at the Widgee Showgrounds north-east of Kilkivan from early this morning until late this afternoon. The Carnival features bull riding, roping, barrel races, a poddy calf ride, saddle broncs, a campdraft and Pony Club events and it's always a great family day out! There'll also be catering and a licensed bar operating in the grounds. You can get more information on the campdraft from Cherril on (07) 5484-0177. You can also see some pictures of last year's pulse-pounding action on the Bushman's Carnival web site (click the Bushman's Carnival link on the right-hand menu of this site).
Wondai QCWA Meeting
- The Wondai branch of the QCWA will be holding their regular first Monday of the month meeting at the QCWA Rooms in Mackenzie Street, Wondai at 10:00am this morning. All interested people are welcome along!
