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 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 working conditions for the majority of people were awful, and the inequity between rich and poor inevitably led to widespread civil unrest. Labour Day was originally celebrated in March but this was moved to the first Monday of May in 1893 after the Great Shearer's Strike broke out at Barcaldine two years earlier. Footnote: Even though some workers achieved an 8-hour day by the 1890s, it still took until 1916 before all Queensland workers won the 8-hour day struggle. Decent working conditions and a social security system are something Australians take for granted now - often without a second thought about how much effort our grandparents and great grandparents put into achieving it. Note: Some regular meetings and events will be running as usual today, and some won't. If you're thinking of attending any of them, it would be wise to phone first to verify they're proceeding as usual.
2022 Kingaroy Eisteddfod
The annual Kingaroy Eisteddfod will be running at Kingaroy Town Hall in Glendon Street, Kingaroy from 8:30pm until about 5:00pm this afternoon. Today is the third day of eleven days of dance entries, and the public is very welcome to come along and watch. Entry fees per session are $5 for adults, $3 for pensioners and children under 5 are free. The Eisteddfod will conclude on Sunday, May 8th.
Nanango Men's Shed
- The Nanango Men's Shed at the corner of Mt Stanley Road and Heathermore Lane, Nanango will be open from 8:30am to around 12:30pm today for its regular Monday get-together. The Men's Shed meets most Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays and new members are always welcome! More details? Phone 0491-102-087
South Burnett Express Rail Trail Relay
The Ashgrove Rangers Athletic Club will be holding a South Burnett Express Rail Trail Relay along the South Burnett Rail Trail between Kingaroy and Wondai this morning. The run will start next to the Liberty service station in Youngman Street at 7:30am and conclude back at O'Neill Square in Kingaroy with a BBQ lunch at about 12:30pm to 1:00pm. Spectators are very welcome!
Kumbia Hall Committee Meeting
- The Kumbia Hall Committee will be holding its first Monday of the month meeting in the meeting room at the front of Kumbia Hall in Bell Street at 8:00pm this evening. New members are very welcome! The Hall and/or Supper Room are also available for hire - phone Josie on (07) 4164-4384 for more details.
Yarraman Men's Shed
- The Yarraman Men's Shed at the end of Mill Street, Yarraman will be holding one of its regular get-togethers today. The Men's Shed is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays and new members are always welcome. More details? Send them an email
Proston SES Training Night
- The Proston SES group will be meeting at their shed at the corner of Collingwood and Nelson Streets in Proston at 5:30pm this evening for their regular weekly training night. New members are very welcome!
Yarraman RSL Meeting
- The Yarraman RSL branch will be holding its regular first Monday monthly meeting at the Yarraman Memorial Hall in Browne Street at 6:00pm this evening. New members are always welcome.
Sing Australia - Kingaroy
- The South Burnett branch of the Sing Australia singing group will be holding their regular Monday night meeting at the Uniting Church Hall in Alford Street, Kingaroy (opposite Shoppingworld) from 7:00pm to around 9:00pm this evening. The group have a welcoming, inclusive and fun approach to singing and meet every Monday except for school and public holidays. New members are very welcome, and you can obtain more details by phoning Sharron on (0431) 816-071 or by emailing her.
Wondai SES Training Night
- The Wondai SES will be holding their weekly training night at their shed at 22 McCord Street, Wondai from 6:30pm to around 8:00pm tonight. New members are always welcome! More details? Email Craig
Proston QCWA Crafts Group
- The Proston QCWA Crafts Group will be holding their regular Monday meeting at the Proston QCWA Rooms in Rodney Street from 9:00am today. The group's members pursue a wide variety of crafts and you don't need to be a QCWA member to attend and join in. More details? Phone Eileen on 0429-856-770 or Cheryl on 0409-361-989.
South Burnett Gem & Fossicking Club
- The South Burnett Gem and Fossicking Club will be holding their regular Monday meeting at their club's workshop in the shed at the rear of 44 Alford Street, Kingaroy from 8:30am to around 2:30pm today. The club embraces all aspects of lapidary (including gem hunting and cutting) and meets every Monday and Thursday. New members are always welcome. More details? Phone 0491-606-427
Line Dancing - Yarraman
- Weekly line dancing classes will be held the Community Hall in Browne Street, Yarraman from 9:00am to noon this morning. Class fees are $5 and everyone is welcome. More details? Phone 0422-889-530.
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 Road and Porters Road, Nanango from 10:00am to around 12:00 noon today. The branch meets on the first Monday of each month (except January) and new members are always very welcome! More details? Phone Andrea on 0427-631-700.
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.
