November 29, 2016
State Development Minister Dr Anthony Lynham made a whistlestop visit to Kingaroy on Saturday to congratulate emergency personnel and Swickers staff involved in the recent fire.
A free community barbecue – paid for by the State Development – was organised at Kingaroy Airport in the lead-up to the South Burnett Country Fair which was held later in the day.
Kingaroy Lions and Rotary club members cooked up hamburgers which were eagerly snapped up by the guests, which included a troop of Kingaroy firefighters.
South Burnett mayor Keith Campbell said the fact that Minister Lynham had come along demonstrated the support Kingaroy had been receiving from the Palaszczuk Government ever since the fire.
“Dr Lynham was on the phone within three hours of the fire starting asking what could be done to help,” Mayor Campbell said.
“But today is all about Swickers and the Swickers’ workers. Our hearts went out to you at the time that this fire started.
“Linchon Hawks – and his management team – have done an absolutely amazing job.
“The journey is not yet complete; in fact the journey has only just started.”
He said Council had met with construction company Watpac on Thursday, and plans were already in motion for the new building.
Dr Anthony Lynham praised the “beautiful community” in the South Burnett which had stepped in to help Swickers.
“When there’s a hard tackle into the gravel, there’s always a mate to help you up,” he said.
Swickers General Manager Linchon Hawks said he wanted to thank the firefighters, SES, police and all the emergency services.
“They were fantastic,” he said.
He also thanked Dr Lynham, Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington, Mayor Campbell, the rest of the South Burnett councillors and council staff.
“We definitely got support,” he said.
“I also must thank the kids, wives and partners who have been left at home. We have got our pound of flesh by picking everyone up and moving them (to Ipswich).”
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