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 meeting that's become something quite special to all of us over the years.

52nd Annual Melbourne Cup Day Race Meeting - Kumbia

ABANDONED: The Kumbia Racing Club will be holding its 52nd Annual Melbourne Cup Day Race Meeting at the Kumbia racetrack from about 9:00am this morning through until 5:00pm this afternoon. 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, there'll be a Fashions of the Field parade for men and women; Dash For Cash foot races; a bar, BBQ, 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 $10 for adults and $5 for concessions, and buses will be running from Kingaroy's Carrollee Hotel and Nanango's Fitzroy Hotel for people who've booked seats at either pub. More details? Contact the Race Club Secretary on (07) 4163-7200. NOTE: Today's race meeting has been abandoned due to heavy rain at the track, but given the number of visitors travelling long distances to attend, Kumbia Race Club have announced they will hold a phantom meeting in the club's bar and canteen instead.

Melbourne Cup Day Grazing Platter Luncheon - Kingaroy

Kingaroy RSL in Markwell Street, Kingaroy will be holding a Melbourne Cup Day Lunch from 11:00am onwards today. For just $35 per head, guests can enjoy a complimentary drink on arrival plus two hours of non-stop, all-you-can-eat grazing platters; $2, $5 and $10 sweeps; prizes for best-dressed man, woman and best fascinator; a Lucky Door; and big screen coverage of the races. This is a ticketed event and numbers are strictly limited. You can book your tickets at the club's reception desk or by phoning (07) 4162-1755.

Melbourne Cup Day Lunch - Blackbutt

The Radnor Hotel in Coulson Street, Blackbutt will be running a Melbourne Cup Day Lunch from 11:00am to 2:00pm today. For $59 per head, guests can enjoy a three course lunch (each with two alternatives for starters, mains and dessert) plus a complimentary glass of beer or bubbly plus a TAB, sweeps, prizes and big screen race coverage. More details? Bookings? Phone the hotel on (07) 4163-0203.

Melbourne Cup Day Lunch - Yarraman

The Royal Hotel in Toomey Street, Yarraman will be running a Melbourne Cup Buffet Lunch from noon to 2:00pm today. For $25 per head, guests can graze the buffet, place bets at the hotel's TAB facility and watch the races live on the big screen. However, places are limited so a booking is essential: (07) 4163-8219.

Melbourne Cup Day Party - Cooyar

The Cooyar Hotel on the New England Highway at Cooyar will be holding a Melbourne Cup Party from noon onwards today. Guests will receive a free glass of bubbly on arrival and there'll also be free nibbles along with raffles; $1, $2 and $5 sweeps; prizes for the best dressed patrons; and big screen coverage of the race. Everyone is welcome! More details from the hotel on (07) 4692-6220.

Melbourne Cup Bistro Lunch - Nanango

The Nanango Services Club in Henry Street, Nanango will be holding a low=key Melbourne Cup Day lunch today. The club's bistro will be open from 11:00am to 3:00pm for lunch and there'll be sweep tickets available at the bar, along with big screen coverage of the race. More details from the club on (07) 4163-1375.

Melbourne Cup Day Lunch - Kingaroy

The Commercial Hotel at the corner of Glendon and Haly streets, Kingaroy will be running a Melbourne Cup Day Lunch from noon to 2:00pm today. For $60 per head, guests can enjoy a complimentary glass of bubbly on arrival, a two course lunch and big screen coverage of the race. You can book a seat by phoning the hotel on (07) 4162-1380.

Maidenwell QCWA Meeting

The Maidenwell branch of the QCWA will be holding their monthly meeting at the Maidenwell Hall Supper Room from 9:30am this morning through until this afternoon. The branch meets on the first Tuesday of each month (except January) and all ladies in the Maidenwell and Bunya Mountains areas are very welcome to come along and meet the other branch members! You can get more details by phoning Sue on 0488-987-136

Tuesday Night Bingo - Blackbutt

Bingo games will be held at the Blackbutt Memorial Hall in Bowman Road, Blackbutt from 7:00pm tonight (eyes down at 7:30pm sharp). These weekly bingo nights are a fundraiser for the Blackbutt and District Tourism and Heritage Association and everyone is welcome! More details? Phone the BDTHA on 0458-539-821 or send them an email.

Tuesday Night Trivia - Kingaroy

Kingaroy RSL in Markwell Street will be holding a free Trivia Night from 7:30pm this evening. Everyone is welcome! More details? Phone the RSL on (07) 4162-1755

Girls Self Defence & Fitness Classes - Kingaroy

The CTC South Burnett Safer Communities Program will be running a free self defence and fitness class for girls and young women aged 12 to 24 at Karate 4 Kids in Unit 11, 31 Pound Street in Kingaroy from 6:15pm to 7:00pm tonight. This class will run on Tuesdays every week until the December school holidays and no bookings are required - just wear comfortable clothing and bring along a water bottle and towel. More details? Phone (07) 4162-7788.

Proston Men's Shed

The Proston Men's Shed will be meeting at their workshop buildings at Railway Park in Rodney Street, Proston for their regular Tuesday get-together this morning, kicking off with a cuppa around 8:00am and continuing on until around noon. New members are always welcome! More details? Phone Geoff on 0439-694-000.

South Burnett Chorale

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 7:00pm to 9:00pm this evening. The Chorale meet every Tuesday night during school terms, and new members are always very welcome! More details? Phone Margie on 0424-924-632.

Wondai Indoor Bowls

The Wondai Indoor Bowls club will be holding their regular Tuesday night meeting at Wondai Town Hall in Mackenzie Street, Wondai at 7:15pm this evening. New players are always welcome! More details? Phone Brian on (07) 4168-5650

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 9:00am to around noon today. The group meet every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday morning and new members and visitors are always welcome.

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 (COVID Safe rules apply). 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

Nanango Community Choir

The Nanango Community Choir will be meeting at the old Masonic Hall in Gipps Street, Nanango for their fortnightly practice session from 7:00pm to around 8:30pm this evening. The choir is fun and open to everyone, and its repertoire is very varied (everything from folk, jazz, pop and musical theatre numbers through to sea shanties) and they meet for rehearsals on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Tuesday of each month. More details? Phone Janet on 0429-797-791 or send her an email

Nanango Indoor Bowls

The Nanango Indoor Bowls Association will be holding their regular weekly indoor bowls matches at the Nanango Cultural Centre in George Street, Nanango from 12:30pm (for a 1:00pm start) to around 4:00pm this afternoon. New players are always very welcome. More details? Phone Gary on 0487-853-617.

Tuesday Morning Card Games - Yarraman

Heritage House at 26 Millar Street in Yarraman will be hosting its weekly Tuesday morning 500 card games from 10:00am to around 1:00pm today, followed by a light lunch. Playing fees - which include lunch and a lucky door prize ticket - are just $6. Everyone is welcome! More details? Phone 0459-957-499.

Blackbutt Darts Club

The Blackbutt Darts Club will be holding its weekly meeting at the Lions Den inside the Showgrounds in Bowman Road, Blackbutt at 5:30pm tonight. New members are always welcome.

Blackbutt Car Enthusiasts Club

The Blackbutt Car Enthusiasts Club will be holding its first Tuesday of the month meeting at the Blackbutt RSL at the corner of Muir and Douglas Streets, Blackbutt at 7:00pm tonight. The club is for motoring enthusiasts - any make, model and vintage are welcome - and in addition to sharing their love of motoring, members take part in monthly runs and attend other local events for Show & Shines. New members are always welcome! More details? Phone Chris on 0427-782-573 or Dave on 0499-258-881.

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 9:00am to around noon this morning. New members are always welcome and a $2 lesson is available if you'd like tuition in the basics (all equipment is supplied). More details? Phone (07) 4164-5574.

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.

Alcoholics Anonymous - Nanango

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other to help 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, nor is it allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organisation or institution. AA meets in Nanango every Tuesday from 4:00pm at the Catholic Church hall at the corner of Alfred and Gipps Street. For more information, phone 0427-289-990.

South Burnett Pantry - Kingaroy

The South Burnett Pantry will be open from 8:30am to 12:00 noon today at 22 Stolzenberg Road 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.