December 6, 2021
Congratulations to Josh and Jo Gadischke – the owners of Plenty Foods – on their successful application to the Federal Government’s Modern Manufacturing Initiative grant program to help build a unique nut flour factory in Kingaroy.
Through the support of this Federal Government grant, their vision will now come to fruition, creating employment and significant flow-on benefits for the local supply chain and broader community.
Plenty Foods’ achievement is all the more remarkable when you consider that roughly 250 businesses around Australia applied to this program, but only seven were successful in this round.
We have seen this local, family-owned business grow from strength to strength over the past three decades to become one of the most advanced, specialty cold pressed oil processors in Australia and the world.
This extension of the Plenty Foods business will see the local manufacture of defatted nut flour – a gluten free alternative to ordinary flour – from nuts such as almonds, peanuts and macadamias.
Previously these types of products had to be imported.
But now they will be made right here in our own backyard, which is fantastic for our region!
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Race Day Excitement At Kumbia
There’s no better place to be on Melbourne Cup Day than at the Kumbia Races.
That’s been true ever since 1970 when the Kumbia Race Club ran its first Cup Day race meeting, and it was just as true this year when it ran its 51st meeting.
As usual, the course was packed with race goers and the Fashions Of The Field was as hotly-contested as ever.
Congratulations to the Kumbia Race Club on another fabulous race day!
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Suicide Prevention Group Celebrates 11 Years
I’m a very proud founding member of the South Burnett Suicide Prevention Working Group, which celebrated its 11th birthday recently with a dinner at Kingaroy Town Hall.
It was a special occasion to celebrate many years of work in our community by a dedicated and committed group.
A planned 10th anniversary dinner that was going to be held last year had to be scrapped due to COVID restrictions, so it was nice to be able to hold it this year.
We were also very lucky to have Sam Thaiday as the guest speaker on the night.
I’d like to pass on my thanks to all the founding and current members of this group for their ongoing commitment to our community, and in particular a big thanks to Sam for sharing his story and inspiration.
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Big Things Happening In Kingaroy And Nanango
There are two new attractions in our region that you really must see – Kingaroy’s Big Peanut and Nanango’s Big Bull.
These are two unique sculptures of which the South Burnett can truly be proud.
Congratulations to the “Kingaroy Needs A Big Peanut” community group for their determination to make the Big Peanut a reality – it looks truly amazing.
And Nanango’s new ‘Big Bull’, which was unveiled by the Nanango Show Society about a week later, is just as impressive.
This barbed wire creation was made by local sculptor David White, and it’s definitely worth a close-up look to fully appreciate the detail that’s gone into it and the work involved.
Well done to both groups! (and both sculptors).
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Centenary Of Wooroolin’s Anglican Church
For 100 years the Wooroolin community have gathered at St Andrew’s Anglican Church, which celebrated its centenary recently with a special service.
I’d like to thank Marabelle Kerkow and committee for inviting me to attend a wonderful morning celebrating our local history.
I’d also like to pass on my thanks to Bishop Cameron Venables for sharing this milestone with the Wooroolin community.
In recent years, Bishop Venables has presided over the deconsecration of St Peter’s Anglican Church in Proston and St Paul’s Anglican Church in Kumbia, both of which have sadly succumbed to declining congregations.
However, St Andrew’s Anglican Church in Wooroolin appears to be set for a long future.
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Rain Around The Region
We all love to see the rain falling across the South Burnett and it looks like we’ve received an early Christmas present this year.
I have been receiving lots of reports about our dams filling and our creeks flowing, and after so many years of drought I’m sure this is very welcome news for all our primary producers.
It’s also very welcome news for the South Burnett Regional Council, which was considering raising existing water restrictions if the situation hadn’t improved by late December.
But happily, that situation now seems to have turned around and the South Burnett now looks set to have water security for several years to come.
In the meantime, please stay safe and take extra care on our roads and around swollen waterways while the rain continues.
