CANADIAN company Innovative Energy Consulting (IEC) visited Blackall for the first time last week to inspect a site near Blackall where they have held a mineral exploration lease for the past two years.

Glen Gill and Glori Cowan from IEC have an exploration permit from the state government to explore a 270 square kilometre area, 35 kilometres south-east of Blackall.

According to Ms Cowan, the company is looking at the salt for its potash potential and its possible use as a storage medium, primarily for oil and gas.

“We are looking at Devonian age (around 390 million years ago) salt deposits, called Boree Salt,” she said. “Around the Blackall area, the salt is typically 2000 metres below the ground, and 500 metres thick.”

“It is very widespread; we’re at the northern end and it runs a couple of a hundred kilometres south, reaching depths of 3600 metres.”

Ms Cowan says that they are very confident about the storage capacity of the salt deposit, but are less certain

about the presence of potash.In order to use salt deposits for

storage, caverns are created by pumping non salt-saturated water down a steel casing into the salt. Over a period of up to 5 years, the salt is dissolved into the water. Ms Cowan explained that the salt-laden water is then injected into the salt water aquifers that lie beneath the fresh water aquifers, and a storage cavern is created, around 160 x 50 metres in size.

“Salt at that depth is very hard, so the cavern is solid and won’t leak; there is no permeability to salt.”

The storage industry is new to Australia; however it has been operating in Canada, United States and Germany for decades.

“It would be a very long-term business; there are caverns that were made in Canada in the 1960s that are still being used for storage.”

“There is currently no legislation for petroleum storage in Australia so we are working with the state government to develop that.”

Ms Cowan predicts that demand for underground storage of oil and

INDEPENDENTTHE BARCOO

Blackall’s own community newspaper

Page 16- The Barcoo Independent, Friday, May 21 2010

May 21 2010 ISSN 1832-6129 RRP $2.00 Contact: barcooindependent@gmail.com

SPORT ON THE BARCOO

By ROWAN HUNNAM

continued on page 3

Backpacker Matthew took time out from Athol for a shoot at the gun club last weekend

John Paye finished equal second in the 25 target double barrel event on Sunday

Bill Cripps (right) and Murray Allen took a turn at scoring inbetween shoots at the gun club on Sunday

Craig Scholes (second from left) has a shot at the gun club on Sunday while Sally Campbell (left), Bill Cripps, Stewart Campbell and Iain Scholes watch on

Mark Hancock, aka Maxwell Smart, and Kirstie Davison, as detective Mick Peters, were at the Murder Mystery dinner on Saturday. For more hilarious characters, see pages 8 and 10

Iain Scholes at the monthly gun club shoot in Blackall on Sunday. For more from the shoot, see page 16.

SOME top games of bowls were played last Sunday in good conditions on the Blackall green.

In A grade singles, Tex Hayward and Gumby Chapman had a good tussle. Gumby lasted in the end to win 31-24. Dave Carter was always in the lead against Rob Robinson, winning easily 31-19. Lou Kelly caused a bit of an upset, downing John Bowyer 31-23. Ross Browning got a big shock against young Mitch Pfingst, leading by only 18-17 after 19 ends, and 27-24 after 27 ends. Ross was too good in the end, winning 31-24. Julie Blucher kept Dally Holden busy over 39 ends. Dally just got the better of her in the last few ends, winning 31-22.

In social bowls, Loretta, Annie and Cookie were no match for the elderly team

of Hazel, Judy and Roy, who won 18-8.

Next week W Richardson will play Woody, L Dickson will play R Black, B Carolan v T Hayward, D Holden and J Turner will play, C Pfingst will play R Blucher and G Whitfield will play J Carter.

There are social games available. All play starts at 9.30am.

– Dally Holden

Austin Donaldson gave visiting Courier Mail cartoonist Sean Leahy some advice as he had a practice at the monthly shoot

Heartland Festival photography exhibition and sale organiser Lindy Hardie (right) spoke to exhibiting photographer Natalie Williams from Jericho. For more, see page 4.

Tambo businesses forging ahead with renewable energy

TRACEY and Scott Lewington at the Tambo Tyre Service met with consultant Howard Neilsen last week to talk about renewable energy ideas to reduce business costs and the possibility of forming a business sustainability group.

Tracey said that without people like Mr Neilsen, they simply wouldn’t be aware of the options that are available.

“We are looking to improve our business structure and reduce our energy usage, as well as make our infrastructure more energy efficient,” Tracey said this week.

At the meeting, Howard Neilsen talked to Tracey and Scott about a number of options, including insulated blinds and insulating paint for the roof.

“We really want to combat that strong western sun coming in. Some of these options have the ability to

First visit to local salt deposit exploration site

Top games of bowls on Blackall green

Monthly shoot at Blackall gun club

GREY skies and a busy weekend didn’t keep the regulars, beginners, a couple of backpackers and the visiting cartoonist away from the monthly shoot at the gun club last Sunday. Three events were held; a 25 target double barrel, 25 target single barrel and 25 target handicap. In the first event, Joe Taylor placed first, finishing with a perfect score of 25 out of 25. Danny Allen, John Paye and Austin Donaldson were tied for second place with 23 out of 25. Danny Allen took out the single barrel event, scoring 23 out of 25. Joe Taylor scored 21 to finish second, ahead of Austin Donaldson on 20. In the handicap event, John Webber was first on 29 out of 31, followed by Joe Taylor on 28.

Below: The Blackall CWA hosted 42 members of the RideWest team for lunch and dinner last Friday as the team neared Longreach after riding from Brisbane. The team look to have raised around $130,000 for the RFDS

continued on page 5

WHATS ON in 2010MAY21 Food & Music Fiesta: Friends of Pedro22 Isisford Sheep and Wool Show22-23 Shockwave Youth Arts Festival22-26 Watercolour Workshop24 Galilee Basin Focus Group Meeting26 Woolscour Tour and Dinner28-30 Art Show31-3 Supergene Evaluation Clinic, Longreach

JUNE2 Woolscour Tour and Dinner5 Blackall State School P&C Trivia Evening5 Woolscour Bush Dinner9 Woolscour Tour and Dinner16 Woolscour Tour and Dinner19 Blackall Equestrian Group Jump Club23 Woolscour Tour and Dinner26-27 Blackall Pony Club Shield Day and Open Gymkhana30 Woolscour Tour and Dinner

JULYWoolscour Bush Dinner1

3 Blackall Races7 Woolscour Tour and Dinner7-10 Onsite E-Business Solutions Training14 Woolscour Tour and Dinner21 Woolscour Tour and Dinner28 Woolscour Tour and Dinner

AUGUST4 Woolscour Tour and Dinner7 Woolscour Bush Dinner11 Woolscour Tour and Dinner18 Woolscour Tour and Dinner21 Blackall Colin Wood Shield Day and Challenge Weekend25 Woolscour Tour and Dinner

Page 2 - The Barcoo Independent, Friday, May 21 2010

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Please direct enquiries, suggestions, stories and letters to the editor to: Rowan Hunnam

barcooindependent@gmail.comor post or call at Blackall Visitor Information Centre, 108a Shamrock St, Blackall Phone/fax: 07 4657

Advertising Rates 2010 Contact

FROM THE MAYOR’S DESKSend your dates in!

Barcoo Independent TV Guide May 23 - 29ABC SEVEN Imparja SBS

Wednesday M

ay 26

4:30 Shortland Street5:00 Something in the Air5:30 The Einstein Factor6:00 Children’s Programs11:00 Big Ideas12:00 Midday Report12:30 National Press Club Address1:30 Talking Heads2:00 Parliament Question Time3:00 Children’s Programs6:00 Cheese Slices6:30 Poh’s Kitchen7:00 News7:30 7.30 Report 8:00 The New Inventors8:30 Spicks and Specks9:00 Lowdown9:30 Psychoville10:00 At the Movies10:30 Lateline11:05 Lateline Business11:30 Spooks12:25 Parliament Question Time1:25 Movie: Journey into Fear (G)2:30 Big Ideas3:30 National Press Club Address

6:00 Sunrise9:00 The Morning Show11:30 News12:00 Movie: (M)2:00 All Saints3:00 Infomercials3:30 Children’s Programs4:30 News 5:00 M*A*S*H5:30 Deal or No Deal6:00 News6:30 Today Tonight7:00 Home and Away7:30 Dog Squad8:00 Surf Patrol8:30 Lost11:00 Movie: Transporter 2 (M)12:35 Sons and Daughters1:00 Infomercials4:00 NBC Today5:30 News

6:00 Today9:00 Kerri-Anne11:00 News12:00 The Ellen Degeneres Show1:00 Danoz Direct2:00 Days of Our Lives3:00 Entertainment Tonight3:30 Children’s Programs4:30 News5:00 Antiques Roadshow5:30 Hot Seat6:00 News7:00 Two and a Half Men7:30 State of Origin: NSW v QLD Game 110:15 Blades of Glory12:15 Nightline12:45 Danoz Direct1:15 Eclipse Music TV1:45 Jessica Mauboy2:00 Alive and Cooking2:30 Danoz Direct3:30 Good Morning America5:00 News5:30 Today

5:05 International News1:00 Lionel Rose2:00 River of No Return2:30 Tales from a Suitcase3:00 The Nest4:00 A Fork in Africa4:30 The Journal5:00 PBS Newshour6:00 Global Village6:30 World News Australia7:35 Inspector Rex8:30 Desperately Seeking Doctors9:30 News10:00 The Killing11:05 Movie: By the Pricking of My Thumbs (PG)12:55 Australian Biography1:30 Movie: Samaritan Girl (M)3:15 Weatherwatch Overnight

Thursday May 27

4:30 Shortland Street5:00 Something in the Air5:30 The Einstein Factor6:00 Children’s Programs11:00 How the Earth was Made12:00 Midday Report12:30 Jeeves and Wooster1:30 Collectors2:00 Parliament Question Time3:00 Children’s Programs6:05 Grand Designs Revisited7:00 News7:30 The 7.30 Report8:00 Catalyst8:30 Voyage to the Planets9:30 The American Future: A History by Simon Schama10:25 Lateline11:00 Lateline Business11:30 Live from Abbey Road12:20 Parliament Question Time1:20 Movie: The Brighton Strangler (PG)2:30 Movie: She Couldn’t Say No (G)3:55 Can We Help?

6:00 Sunrise9:00 The Morning Show11:30 News12:00 Movie: Random Encounter (M)2:00 All Saints3:00 Infomercials3:30 Children’s Programs4:30 News5:00 M*A*S*H5:30 Deal or No Deal6:00 News6:30 Today Tonight7:00 Home and Away7:30 The Matty Johns Show8:30 Criminal Minds9:00 How I Met Your Mother9:30 The Amazing Race11:30 Flashforward12:30 Room for Improvement1:00 Infomercials4:00 NBC Today5:30 News

6:00 Today9:00 Kerri-Anne11:00 News12:00 The Ellen Degeneres Show1:00 Danoz Direct2:00 Days of our Lives3:00 Entertainment Tonight3:30 Children’s Programs4:30 News5:00 Antiques Roadshow5:30 Hot Seat6:00 News7:00 Two and a Half Men7:30 Getaway8:30 Sea Patrol9:30 The NRL Footy Show11:00 Nightline11:30 The AFL Footy Show Late1:30 Danoz Direct3:30 Good Morning America5:00 News5:30 Today

5:05 International News1:00 Food Lovers’ Guide to Australia1:30 Anthrax War2:30 Dateline3:30 Old Country New Country – Journey of a Kimberley Raft4:00 Feast Greece4:30 The Journal5:00 PBS Newshour6:00 Global Village6:30 World News Australia 7:30 Italian Food Safari8:00 Costa’s Garden Odyssey8:30 Equator9:30 World News Australia10:05 Movie: Beauty in Trouble (MA)12:00 Embedded with the Murri Mob1:00 Movie: Raja (MA)3:00 Weatherwatch Overnight

Friday May 28

4:30 Shortland Street5:00 Something in the Air5:30 The Einstein Factor6:00 Children’s Programs11:00 Catalyst11:30 The New Inventors12:00 Midday Report12:30 Enough Rope with Andrew Denton1:30 Rough Diamond2:30 Spicks and Specks3:00 Children’s Programs6:05 Meerkat Manor6:30 Can We Help?7:00 News7:30 Stateline8:00 Collectors8:30 Midnight Man9:40 Trial and Retribution10:55 Ladies of Letters11:20 Lateline12:00 The Graham Norton Show12:50 Rage

6:00 Sunrise9:00 The Morning Show11:30 News12:00 Movie: Cold Creek Manor (M)2:30 The Golden Girls3:00 Infomercials3:30 Children’s Programs4:30 News5:00 Hawk’s Active5:30 Deal or No Deal6:00 News6:30 Today Tonight7:00 Home and Away7:30 Better Homes and Gardens8:30 AFL: Essendon v Bulldogs11:45 Scrubs12:15 Movie: Reign of the Gargoyles (M)1:55 Auction Squad3:00 Infomercials4:00 NBC Today

6:00 Today9:00 Kerri-Anne11:00 News12:00 The Ellen Degeneres Show1:00 Danoz Direct2:00 Days of our Lives3:00 Children’s Programs4:30 News5:00 Antiques Roadshow5:30 Hot Seat6:00 News7:00 Two and a Half Men7:30 Friday Night Football: Dragons v Eels9:30 Friday Night Football: Tigers v Warriors11:30 Nightline12:00 Movie: Men in Black (M)2:00 Danoz Direct3:00 Gilligan’s Island3:30 F Troop4:00 Alive and Cooking4:30 Good Morning America

5:05 International News

1:00 The Food Lovers’ Guide to

Australia

1:30 Insight

2:30 Return of the Bible Plagues

3:30 Living Black

4:00 Countdown to Eurovision

4:30 The Journal

5:00 PBS Newshour

6:00 Global Village

6:30 World News Australia

7:30 Eurovision Song Contest

9:45 World News Australia

10:15 Striptease Unveiled

11:15 Movie: Backstage (MA)

1:15 Dig!

3:10 Weatherwatch Overnight

Saturday May 29

5:00 Rage10:00 Rage: Guest Programmer: Diplo11:00 Poh’s Kitchen11:30 Message Stick12:00 Stateline12:30 Australian Story1:00 Foreign Correspondent1:30 Can We Help?2:00 Rugby League4:00 Pilot Guides5:00 Bowls: International Test: Australia v England6:00 Nigella Feasts 6:30 Gardening Australia7:00 News7:30 Doc Martin8:25 News Update8:30 The Bill9:15 News Update9:20 Midsomer Murders11:00 Silent Witness11:55 Rage

6:00 Children’s Programs7:00 Weekend Sunrise9:00 Saturday Disney11:00 Children’s Programs12:00 V8 Xtra12:30 V8 Supercars1:30 Delish2:00 AFL: Cats v Melbourne5:00 Hook Line and Sinker6:00 News7:00 AFL: Lions v Collingwood10:10 Movie: On Her Majesty’s Secret Service12:55 Movie: Dangerous Attraction (M)2:30 Auction Squad3:00 Hot Property3:30 It Is Written4:00 Infomercials5:00 Dateline NBC

6:00 Children’s Programs7:00 Weekend Today9:00 Danoz Direct10:00 Children’s Programs2:00 Movie: Merrill’s Marauders (PG)4:00 Discover Downunder4:30 Postcards International5:00 2009 Finke Desert Race6:00 News6:30 Australia’s Funniest Home Videos7:30 Movie: Alvin and the Chipmunks (G)9:30 Movie: Licence to Wed (M)11:20 Movie: Simpatico (M)1:30 Movie: Entrusted (M)3:55 Rod Stewart - Soul Book4:05 Danoz Direct5:00 Global Shop Direct5:30 Rise and Shine

5:05 International News1:00 Golden Soundtracks2:00 The Wonderful World of Albert Kahn2:55 Empire of the World3:00 Views on Vermeer: 10 Short Stories3:55 Living with the Future4:30 PBS Newshour5:30 Road to the 2010 FIFA World Cup6:30 World News Australia 7:30 Eurovision Song Contest9:45 Movie: The Notorious Bettie Page (MA)11:20 SOS12:20 Swordsmen of the Passes2:00 Weatherwatch Overnight

The Barcoo Independent, Friday, May 14 2010 - TV GUIDE

A few points of rain registered over the weekend where the overcast sky certainly had us all looking for the warmth of a combustion stove or heater.

At our General Council Meeting on May 12, councillors welcomed Sergeant Bruce Trickett to Blackall and invited him to join them for morning tea. Council considered and approved the Blackall Tambo Regional Council media policy to establish definite guidelines for the management of communications between Council and the media. Council approved the former Tambo National Bank building be offered for sale by tender. There will be advertisement of the tender details in the local news media. Mrs Glori Cowan and Mr Glen Gill from Innovative Energy Consulting Pty Ltd attended the meeting to discuss their exploration of the Adavale Basin for the opportunity to expand into much sought-after salt cavern storage. It was indeed refreshing to actually meet with the Principals of the exploration company prior to their going onto the site. It certainly did a great deal for Council and company relations!

I understand that there are some real concerns with the front page news article featured in the Barcoo Independent last week regarding the identifying of government land for storage of waste. Please let me or Blackall Tambo Regional Councilors know of your concerns.

Council will write to Ergon Energy with issues raised by the Tambo community, as there has been no relief from the constant daily ‘brown outs’; requesting that they investigate the cause of the power interruptions again.

Tidy Towns judges Jo and Bruce Crowther were given an in-depth tour of both our wonderful towns, I trust they were suitably impressed.

The opening at the Grassland Gallery in Tambo of the Heartland Photographic Exhibition on Friday evening was a very well attended event with a fun auction of cartoons by Sean Leahy and the opportunity to purchase wonderful black and white works of art which were on display. The numbers were swelled considerably by the arrival of the 22-seater bus from Blackall. It was indeed a fun night.

However I was able to attend the Meet and Greet on Monday evening for visiting artists and authors, Sean

Leahy, Adrian and Denise, the Creative Pathways team and Sheryl Gwyther. The wine and cheese, as well as the informative and entertaining talks given by Sean and Sheryl, made for a lovely evening.

A road run from Tambo to Yalleroi and then on to Blackall took up a major part of the day on Wednesday, May 19. We were able to see works underway at the Blackall airport, the Ergon Block on the Blackall industrial estate, the widening of the Tambo-Alpha road from Tambo to the cemetery and industrial estate turn-off. While there is a lot to still be done we have made some notable progress in getting a good bitumen surface down. There are several severe wash outs and silted creek crossings across the top of the ridge before coming down into Yalleroi and travelling back on the Blackall-Jericho Road where work is being undertaken by the Barcaldine Regional Council. It has been a fairly busy week all up.

Jan Ross

The Barcoo Independent, Friday, May 21 2010 - Page 3TV GUIDE - The Barcoo Independent, Friday, May 21 2010

UnleadedDiesel

Regional Fuel Watch

BARCALDINE

134.9 ¢134.9 ¢

BLACKALL

143.9 ¢142.9 ¢

LONGREACH

142.9 ¢143.9 ¢

TAMBO

139.9 ¢140.9 ¢

Tracey and Scott Lewington from the Tambo Tyre Service talk to Howard Neilsen, the consultant working with businesses on a sustainability cluster group and founder of the GreenStreet website, at a recent business meeting about exploring ideas of renewable energy to reduce business costs

Barcoo Independent TV Guide May 23 - 29ABC SEVEN Imparja SBS

Sunday May 23

5:00 Rage6:30 Children’s Programs9:00 Insiders10:00 Inside Business10:30 Offsiders11:00 Asia Pacific Focus11:30 Songs of Praise12:00 Landline1:00 Gardening Australia1:30 Message Stick2:00 Travel Oz2:30 Athens3:30 New York and Paris4:25 Karsh is History5:20 Possessions5:30 Art Nation6:00 At the Movies6:30 Treks in a Wild World7:00 News7:30 Doctor Who8:15 Doctor Who8:30 News Update8:35 Foyle’s War10:05 Compass10:55 Scene by Scene11:50 Dame Elisabeth Murdoch in Conversation12:20 Movie: Joan of Paris (G)1:55 Movie: Playmates (G)3:30 Talking Heads4:00 First Tuesday Book Club with Jennifer Byrne

6:00 Children’s Programs7:00 Weekend Sunrise10:00 The Shape of Things to Come11:00 Movie: Support Your Local Gunfighter (PG)1:00 AFL: Adelaide v Brisbane4:00 Better Homes and Gardens5:00 Guide to the Good Life5:30 Great South East6:00 News6:30 Sunday Night7:30 Border Security8:00 The Force8:30 Bones9:30 Castle10:30 Scrubs11:00 30 Rock12:00 AFL: Carlton v Hawthorn3:00 NBC Meet the Press4:00 NBC Today5:00 Sunrise Extra5:30 News

6:00 Children’s Programs7:00 Weekend Today10:00 Wide World of Sports11:00 The Sunday Footy Show12:00 Sunday Roast1:00 Men in Trees3:00 Survivor4:00 Sunday Football: Dragons v Raiders6:00 News6:30 Customs7:00 Send in the Dogs7:30 60 Minutes8:30 Underbelly9:30 Australian Families of Crime10:30 V11:30 Embarrassing Illnesses12:00 Super League2:00 Skippy – the Bush Kangaroo2:30 Global Shop Direct4:00 Good Morning America5:00 News5:30 Today

4:00 UEFA Champions League Final7:00 International News10:30 A Fork in the Road11:00 Three Tales of Two Cities11:30 UCI BMX Supercross World Cup12:00 Australian BMX Championships12:30 World Superbike Championships1:00 Speedweek2:00 Cycling: Giro d’Italia3:00 Football Asia3:30 Futbol Mundial4:00 Les Murray’s Football Feature5:00 The World Game6:00 Road to the 2010 FIFA World Cup6:30 World News Australia7:30 Lost Worlds8:30 Dateline9:30 First Australians11:20 Movie: The 13 Roses (MA)1:35 Movie: Osama (M)3:05 Weatherwatch Overnight

Monday M

ay 24

4:30 Shortland Street5:00 Something in the Air5:30 The Einstein Factor6:00 Children’s Programs11:00 Landline12:00 Midday Report12:30 The Return of Sherlock Holmes1:30 The Cook and the Chef2:00 Parliament Question Time3:05 Children’s Programs6:00 Travel Oz6:30 Talking Heads7:00 News7:30 7.30 Report8:00 Australian Story8:30 Four Corners9:20 Media Watch9:35 Q&A10:35 Lateline11:10 Lateline Business11:35 Sin City Law12:30 Parliament Question Time1:30 Movie: Flying Leathernecks (PG)3:25 Bowls: Australian Open 2010

6:00 Sunrise9:00 The Morning Show11:30 News12:00 Movie: Mom at Sixteen (M)2:00 All Saints3:00 Infomercials3:30 Children’s Programs4:30 News5:00 M*A*S*H5:30 Deal or No Deal6:00 News6:30 Today Tonight7:00 Home and Away7:30 The Zoo8:00 Find My Family8:30 Desperate Housewives9:30 Brothers & Sisters10:30 Scrubs11:00 Trauma12:00 This Rugged Coast12:30 Hot Property1:00 Infomercials4:00 NBC Today5:00 Sunrise Extra5:30 News

6:00 Today9:00 Kerri-Anne11:00 News12:00 The Ellen Degeneres Show1:00 Danoz Direct2:00 Days of our Lives3:00 Entertainment Tonight3:30 Children’s Programs4:30 News5:00 Antiques Roadshow5:30 Hot Seat6:00 News7:00 Two and a Half Men7:30 Two and a Half Men8:00 The Big Bang Theory8:30 The Mentalist9:30 CSI: Miami11:30 Nightline12:00 Danoz Direct12:30 English Challenge Cup Rugby League2:30 Danoz Direct3:00 Global Shop Direct3:30 Good Morning America5:00 News5:30 Today

5:05 International News

1:00 Food Lovers’ Guide to

Australia

1:30 Humanimal

2:30 Dateline

3:30 Insight

4:30 The Journal

5:00 The Crew

5:30 Futbol Mundial

6:00 Living Black

6:30 World News Australia

7:30 Mythbusters

8:35 Man vs Wild

9:30 World News Australia

10:00 South Park

10:30 Entourage

11:05 Movie: Initial D (M)

12:55 Movie: The Magic Blade (M)

2:40 Weatherwatch Overnight

Tuesday May 25

4:30 Shortland Street5:00 Something in the Air5:30 The Einstein Factor6.00 Children’s Programs11:00 Big Ideas12:00 Midday Report12:30 The World’s Worst Disasters1:30 The Einstein Factor2:00 Parliament Question Time3:05 Children’s Programs6:00 Time Team7:00 News7:30 The 7.30 Report8:00 Foreign Correspondent8:30 Rick Stein’s Far Eastern Odyssey9:35 QI10:05 Artscape10:35 Lateline11:10 Lateline Business11:35 Four Corners12:25 Media Watch12:40 The Chaser’s War on Everything1:05 Parliament Question Time2:05 Poirot3:00 Big Ideas3:55 Good Game

6:00 Sunrise9:00 The Morning Show11:30 News12:00 Movie: Love’s Unending Legacy (M)2:00 All Saints3:00 Infomercials3:30 Children’s Programs4:30 News5:00 M*A*S*H5:30 Deal or No Deal6:00 News6:30 Today Tonight7:00 Home and Away7:30 Australia’s Got Talent9:00 Grey’s Anatomy10:00 Private Practice11:00 Serial Killers12:00 Hot Property12:30 Popstars1:00 Infomercials4:00 NBC Today5:30 News

6:00 Today9:00 Kerri-Anne11:00 News12:00 The Ellen Degeneres Show1:00 Danoz Direct2:00 Days of our Lives3:00 Entertainment Tonight3:30 Children’s Programs4:30 News5:00 Antiques Roadshow5:30 Hot Seat6:00 News7:00 Two and a Half Men7:30 Top Gear8:40 Survivor9:40 Two and a Half Men10:10 The Big Bang Theory10:40 Kitchen Nightmares USA11:30 Nightline12:00 Danoz Direct12:30 WWE Afterburn1:30 Entertainment Tonight2:00 Global Shop Direct3:30 Good Morning America5:00 News5:30 Today

5:05 International News

1:00 Eurovision Song Contest

Junior

3:15 Blue, Karma, Tiger

3:30 Living Black

4:00 Wine Lovers’ Guide to

Australia

4:30 The Journal

5:00 PBS Newshour

6:00 Global Village

6:30 World News Australia

7:30 Insight

8:30 Lani’s Story

9:30 World News Australia

10:00 Hot Docs

11:00 Movie: Blackout (M)

12:35 The Wehrmacht

1:40 Weatherwatch Overnight

reduce the temperature of a room by 10 degrees, which is a huge difference, really.”

“If we go ahead with the paint, for example, we wouldn’t use nearly as much air-conditioning as we currently do.

“It will cost a bit of money, some of the options are quite expensive, but in the long term I am sure that we will notice the benefits.

“By discussing these options, it puts ideas into your head that can help you in the long run.”

Tracey is also part of the Tambo tourism and business committee and says that she hopes to create better ways to dispose of some of their waste products.

Oil is currently collected fairly regularly free of charge by a company on the east coast, and tyres and cardboard are taken to the dump.

Tracey says that local residents frequently make use of old tyres on their properties, but hopes to encourage more people who might have a use for old tyres to contact the Tambo Tyre Service, rather than letting them go to waste.

Another Tambo business has moved to use another form of renewable energy. Earlier this year, Christine Bradshaw at the Tambo Post Office ordered solar power for her business premises.

“Our power bill comes to around $2, 500 each year for the post office, laundromat and our house,” Christine said. “So, to pay almost $10, 000 to install solar power for the premises makes a lot of sense to me.

“It will have paid for itself in around 4 years, so by setting this up, over time we will save ourselves a bit of money.”

She decided on the 2.2kw option, along with a 3kw inverter, which gives Christine the option of adding other solar panels if necessary.

A consultant explained to Christine that any unused solar power from their panels would be fed back into the power grid, essentially winding back the meter. Throughout the night, power is taken back out of the grid.

“… and hopefully that is the same amount as we are putting back into the grid during the daytime,” Christine added.

Christine and her husband Ken Bradshaw moved to Tambo three and a half years ago from Taroom, near Roma. Last week Ken started up a bus run for the school kids, driving 55 kilometres out to the furthest property and back again, twice a day. They installed two 5000 litre water tanks when they first arrived in town and have now added further value to their premises with the installation of solar panels; potentially seeing a significant reduction in their power bills.

Businesses in sustainability cluster groups in both Blackall and Tambo also have access to a device called Power Mate which measures the amount of power used by individual appliances.

According to Council Economic Development Officer Louise Campbell, the advantages of working together as a business cluster presents many opportunities including bulk buying commodities such as solar power systems. The feasibility of solar energy that feeds back into the main grid is a project now being investigated by the Blackall-Tambo sustainable business clusters in conjunction with Council.

Members of the Blackall-Tambo business cluster have also become involved with GreenStreet; a social network assisting people to become more sustainable in their homes and workplaces. Residents and businesses are encouraged to join and sign into the Blackall-Tambo street network. The site also offers practical ideas on how to become more sustainable and climate smart.

– Rowan Hunnam

continued from page 1Local businesses lead the way

The Tambo Post Office will soon be using solar power

Page 4 - The Barcoo Independent, Friday, May 21 2010 The Barcoo Independent, Friday, May 21 2010 - Page 13

Kirstie Davison, Tamara Hardie and Angela Strohmayer

Visiting cartoonist and special guest Sean Leahy spoke to Trish Arden from Augathella about her photographs at the exhibition opening on Friday night

Sally Cripps with Pat Blinco. Sally’s bottlebrush photograph was the first to sell on the night

Michael Butler and Ian Hardie had a look around the photographic exhibition and got right into the auction of some of cartoonist Sean Leahy’s artwork

Penny Wagstaff, Annette Banks and Jenny Donaldson enjoyed the wine and nibblies before having a look around the exhibition

Kiralee Fox, Sarah Taylor, Selina Courtice and Peta Batts, all from Tambo, enjoyed the range of photographs at the exhibition at the Grassland Art Gallery in Tambo

3 6 75 8 2

1 99 8 5 1

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31 9

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325914678749568312186327459964851237537249186218736945491685723873192564652473891

Down1 Tidied up (8)

2 A quick look around (6)3 Mine hidden underground (4,4)

4 Irritable (6)6 Rack for holding smoker's pipes (4,4)

7 Storage space for wines (6)8 Pledge (4)

12 Orbits between planets (8)14 Medieval weapon (8)

16 A binding agreement (8)17 New (6)

18 ______ St (6)19 Turbulent part of a river (6)

20 slang for afternoon (4)

Across5 Oration (6)

7 Found in cyber-space (4,4)9 Vindictive (8)

10 Give (6)11 Ruled by a prince (12)13 Sour to the taste (6)

15 Cut out (6)18 Fashionable young woman of the upper

classes (6,6)21 Edge of bread (6)

Left: Geoff Swanson and Don McKenzie, both from Tambo

Blackall Heartland Festival Photography Exhibition and SaleFor story and more photographs, see over page

SOLUTION

SUDOKU

22 Higher quality (8)23 Sci-Fi TV Show (8)

24 Figure out (6)

C R O S S W O R D

Page 12 - The Barcoo Independent, Friday, May 21 2010 The Barcoo Independent, Friday, May 21 2010 - Page 5

TAMBO’S Grassland Gallery was humming at the opening of the inaugural Heartland Festival photographic exhibition and sale last Friday, the first event in a packed festival fortnight.

Around 70 people, including a bus load from Blackall, heard Courier Mail cartoonist Sean Leahy open the exhibition, which consists of 59 works gathered from 17 photographers in the region.

“There is wonderful creativity here,” Sean said. “Many of the photos showed the beauty and isolation of this land.” Sean, the creator of the Beyond the Black Stump cartoon strip, said he was amazed by the friendliness of the area.

“You have every facility you could need out here,” he said. “I can see why artists would think of moving to the area.”

Festival chair Sally Cripps said the exhibition, a collaborative project between the Blackall Cultural Association and the Tambo Arts Council, was an example of what the Heartland Festival was all about.

“Innovation is our motto, exploring what’s possible in our quest to bring our communities to the attention of a national audience,” she said.

“This is what valuing creativity and thinking outside the square is all about – it gives us new ways to do good things for our communities.”

The exhibition was an example of people taking the next step from learning a skill at a workshop to sharing that and earning money.

“I hope that from this beginning, the Heartland Festival can nurture this and see it grow into something that encourages and showcases new talent from across the outback,” Sally said.

The exhibition features works by Charleville’s Trish Arden, Christine Bradshaw, Inge Gajczak and Janette Lawler from Tambo, Louise Gronold, Rebecca Donaldson and Douglas Rodgers from Barcaldine, Sash

Whitehead from Corfield, Natalie Williams and Jessica Pearce from Jericho, Catherine Mimms from Longreach, and from Blackall, Lindy Hardie, Jill Taylor, Rob Stockwell, Sally Cripps, Rowan Hunnam and Kirstie Davison.

A People’s Choice award will be given to the exhibitor with the most votes from viewers when it closes on May 28.

The cocktail party last Friday also featured an auction of some of Sean’s best political cartoons and Beyond the Black Stump comic strips, which raised nearly $1400 for the Heartland Festival.

– Sally Cripps

Photo show kicks off a huge fortnight for Blackall and Tambo

Carroll Nugent with Emma Coleman and Alison Hay at the exhibition launch

Sally Campbell looks at photographs at the Grassland Art Gallery. See previous page for more photographs.

The PRINCE of WALES Hotel, Blackall

... will be showing the State of Origin footy match on the big screen next Wednesday night !!

The wine and beer sale ends on May 25There are over 30 different varieties of wine available at the drive-through, as well as spirits and beer; the largest range in Blackall, at competitive prices.

Rosemount DiamondMcGuiganJacobs Creek

Jamiesons RunCartell

Hardies

andBrown Brothers

are just some of the range on offer

Supergene Evaluation Clinic A four day practical demonstration of the Beef grading system and meat tenderness at the Longreach Agricultural College. May/June 2010

Attend the Supergene Evaluation Clinic. Cattle producers can’t make a decent living because there is not a functional Meat Grading System based on eating quality and saleable meat yield (SMY). If you would now like to learn about the benefit of a better system for Saleable Meat Yield, attend the Australian Supergene Solution school in May/June 2010. We will conduct a practical demonstration of a grading system and meat tenderness at the Longreach Agricultural College. A favourable outcome would be a better grading system and payment for saleable meat yield, tenderness and palatability.

Supergene Evaluation Course. The week centres around the theoretical and practical training to those present in the basic principles of the Supergene Livestock Evaluation System. Supergene developer Mr Peter Chilcott leads the course and passes on to those present the features of the system. He takes them though the 26 main traits that are recognised carcass functional and material as the basic traits for the system and carefully explains each one before

proceeding to demonstrate how to recognise and assess each one on a large selection of live animals available. The trainees are then given time to work both in groups and individually to practice the points demonstrated. This provides an introduction to assessing cattle in a way other than they currently have in the past. The range of animals present at the time available will ensure that everyone has considerable time to train and practice, as well as to partake of Peter’s knowledge. One of the other highlights of the week is to see various grades of meat hanging up and to see a beast boned out to retail yield vs production price. This gives those present an opportunity to see such things as muscling and fat cover that had been pointed as part of some of the live traits in carcass form. It also provides an opportunity to become more familiar with the cuts of a carcass and the value of the middle cuts vs hind quarter cuts. Overall, the week gives those producers that attend an opportunity to take home new skills in cattle evaluation to work on with their own stock and this will eventually lead to a steady increase in the development of, and use of, the Supergene system, into their

own herds, also the course is based on fertility as the catalyst to the future. Australians have been paying a beef cattle levy since 1977. It is time for change before we all go broke. Act now before it’s too late! Or do we do the hard yards for another 33 years and pay $10 per head for every beast killed and still no results and no closure. The next change needs to be the right one!

4 day schedule.

TIME MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY - OPTIONAL Welcome Introductions Course Outline Live Tenderness

Revision Day 1 Revision Day 2 Revision Day 3 First Cycle Pregnancy Test at Tarabah 55, 000 acre property

08:00 – 10:00 Objectives Intro Supergene Introduction Manual Discussion

Carcass Traits Functional Traits Practice and Assessment

Maternal Traits Practice and Assessment

Tour of Tarabah Station

10:00 – 10:45 Morning Tea Audio Visual Presentation “index” Livestock Genetic Analysis

Morning Tea Audio Visual Presentation Carcass Trait Summary

Morning Tea Audio Visual Presentation Introduction to Maternal Traits

Morning Tea Audio Visual Presentation

Morning Tea

10:45 – 12:30 Introduction to Carcass Traits

Introduction to Functional and Maternal Traits

Maternal Traits In Yards Practice

See 12 years of cow crossing and consistency

12:30 – 13:30 LunchAudio Visual Presentation

LunchAudio Visual Presentation

LunchAudio Visual Presentation

LunchAudio Visual Presentation Live Bull Fertility

Lunch

13:30 – 15:30 Carcass Traits Functional Traits Maternal Traits

In the Field andEvaluation of Cow Fertility

15:30 – 15:45 Afternoon Tea Carcass Traits

Afternoon Tea Functional Trait Practice

In the Field Breeding Who to Whom Summary

Disperse mid afternoon End of Clinic

15:45 – 17:00 Select and Kill Cattle Maternal Practice Practice18:00 – 19:00 First Taste Test Dinner Guest Speaker / Dinner Dinner and Taste Test

For bookings, contact Peter on 0418 141 910, Maureen on 0428 141 942 or email supergene@bigpond.com or Henry Willersdorf at the Longreach Agricultural College on 0417 798 448 in case we are out of range. To secure your accommodation, please phone by May 22.

gas is fast-increasing with the improving Australian market.

Potash is the other commodity of interest in the exploration area. Potash is a group of potassium minerals used for fertiliser production with the most commonly extracted being potassium chloride salts deposited as sedimentary salt beds formed by the evaporation of historic seas. It currently retails for around US$500 per tonne. According to the 2010 Australian Business Report, the price of potash has doubled in the past three years.

Given that there is no production of potash in Australia, Ms Cowan is hopeful that there is potash in the exploration site.

“Australia is a very high user of potash particularly in the agricultural industry, so it would be beneficial to have access to it.”

IEC has held the five-year exploration lease for two years, and initial scoping studies have been positive. IEC are currently looking for investors, requiring $5 million before June 2010, to put down a well or two to continue exploration.

Boree salt depositcontinued from page 1

Page 6 - The Barcoo Independent, Friday, May 21 2010 The Barcoo Independent, Friday, May 21 2010 - Page 11

Builder available for town and country work Domestic and industrial building and renovations

Contact Allan Olsen on 0408 832 327

A COMPUTER program which helps take the guesswork out of buying rams has been developed for commercial sheep producers.

Buying sires which are best suited to an individual enterprise is a management challenge which is now made easier with the Ram Value Calculator.

Producers can learn all about the computer program and how to use it to improve their business performance by joining a broadcast over the internet on Thursday, June 3, at 1pm.

It will be presented by one the software developers, Jessica Richards, from Industry and Investment.

Ms Richards, who is based in Orange, NSW, has been working on a suite of precision sheep management projects funded by the Sheep CRC.

“The Ram Value Calculator allows producers to compare the genetic improvement individual rams would bring to their flock. Knowing the impact a ram is going to have will help determine how much it is worth,” Ms Richards said.

Webinar organiser and Leading Sheep South East Region Coordinator Noel O’Dempsey said he had already tried the Ram Value Calculator using flock data from his own property at Texas.

“I think it will be helpful to get the vest value for money spent on buying rams,” he said.

Mr O’Dempsey said the webinar offered a great opportunity for producers to learn about the technology without leaving home.

“I know some people have still not participated in a webinar, but it is a very simple process to join in,” Mr O’Dempsey said.

Webinar on new ram selection software

LANDMARK Blackall are undergoing substantial changes to the physical building on Shamrock Street, and according to local branch manager Paul Holm, changes that will result in an improved efficiency in conducting business.

Paul said that 10 years ago the current business premises were adequate for the operation of the business.

“Now, we are one of the top 5 suppliers of steel and fencing products north of Forbes in Australia, and the business has seriously outgrown the building,” he said.

Investor builder Paul Carter from Proconstruct purchased the current building, as well as the block of land beside it and behind the Blackall Memorial and Sports Club.

Paul Holm said that the Blackall building was one of the last buildings owned by Landmark, who will now lease the building from the new owner. According to Paul, the current building site is being completely demolished, apart from the front wall which will remain.

“The finished product will be a very large office and an attached shed,” Paul said.

“We will be in the NGS building for the next 4 to 5 months, so this will provide a few complications for clients and staff, but the end result will mean a much more efficient way of doing business and maintaining a presence in the main street.”

“It will also bring more money into the town because the renovations are going to be a big job.”

“It is something that the previous branch manager definitely wanted to do, and to no lack of his trying, he just couldn’t get it to work.”

“When the new state manager came in, he said something had to be done, we got approval from Council, and so here we are,” Paul said.

– Rowan HunnamSee photograph on page 9

BLACKALL Combined Agents yarded 2421 head at their weekly cattle sale last Thursday. Values followed market trends with values across most descriptions firm to dear. The only fall in the market saw store heifers ease 10 to 12 c/kg.

MJ & SEM Cameron Romulus, Blackall sold Shorthorn cross bullocks to a top of 176.2 c/kg to average 171.6 c for 611 kg, and returning $1049 per head. J M Allan & Sons Erne, Blackall sold Simbrah heavy heifers to top at 158.2 c/kg, 514 kg or $815 per head. Peel Northampton Downs P/L Northampton Downs, Blackall sold Santa cows for 137.2 c, at 574 kg to return $787.

A weaner and store sale is scheduled for June 3.

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FOR the first time in 10 years, only 1.4 percent of Queensland is in drought, as fifteen shires this week were revoked from drought status.

The former Blackall Shire and the area north of the Mt Playfair and Tambo Ward River Roads were revoked from drought status on April 24, 2008. The remainder of the now-Blackall Tambo Regional Council; the area south of the Mt Playfair and Tambo Ward River Roads, was revoked on June 3, 2008. There are still a number of individually drought declared properties within the Blackall-Tambo region, which have access to the same support that drought-declared shires do.

Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland Tim Mulherin said that the record wet season has resulted in Queensland’s drought declared areas reduced from 35 percent of the state in 2009 to 1.4 percent in May 2010.

“Many producers in the areas that were previously in drought have experienced record floods in the last couple of months,” Mr Mulherin said. “They are now in the unusual position of managing both drought and flood recovery, but are looking forward to the long term benefit of the rainfall. Drought declared areas now include parts of two local government areas, Banana Regional Council and Goodiwindi Regional Council, and all of the Toowoomba Regional Council.

“While these areas have experienced pasture growth from rainfall, there has not been enough rain to replenish water supplies to be confident of seeing livestock through to the next summer storm season,” Mr Mulherin said.

Mr Mulherin said the decision to revoke drought declarations is based on the recommendations of Local Drought Committees (LDCs), which are made up of local primary producers, government staff and industry representatives.

Only 1.4% of Queensland in drought

After 5 years of hosting a community Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser for the Cancer Council, the ladies organising the event have held their most successful one yet.

Around 153 guests came through the gates last Wednesday to enjoy an array of cakes and slices, all baked by very supportive community members.

Local business houses and individuals also supported the day with donations towards a very successful multi-draw raffle.

A special mention must go to the Blackall IGA store for their donation of the tea and coffee essentials which they have been generously giving since the start of this community fundraiser.

A total cheque for $3051 has been forwarded to the Queensland Cancer Council; $800 was received in donations, $1194 in multi-draw proceeds and $1057 in morning tea proceeds and takeaway morning tea platter sales.

It is really amazing the support which is given by the community of Blackall.

Each year we ask people to bake and donate towards the morning and we always have a tremendous response.

The people of Blackall are extremely generous and giving, towards not only this event but to any group who continually relies on a small country town population to support fundraising of some kind on an almost daily or weekly basis.

Not only are we relying on these people to donate towards fundraisers but we rely on these same people to attend these fundraisers as well, putting their hands in their pockets once more.

I would also like to mention the support we received from the year 8 students from the Blackall State School who helped out on the day.

I am extremely proud to live in a town which has such a wonderful community spirit when it comes to helping one another out and would like to thank everyone who contributed to our day in any way, helping to make this our most profitable yet.

Anne Hauff

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Robin and Ted Scholes, with Jane and Rhett Webb, at the wine and cheese evening at the Living Arts Centre with the visiting author and cartoonist

Cartoonist Sean Leahy, Alison Mobbs and Sam Mobbs with one of Sean’s books at the wine and cheese evening with Sean and Sheryl on Monday night. Photos by Karen Brook.

Landmark undergoing big changes

Blackall Tambo mayor Jan Ross chats to childrens author Sheryl Gwyther

Wine and Cheese

2421 yarded at Blackall sale

The Blackall Cultural Centre was awash with over 40 characters from black and white television shows last Saturday night, including Thurston Howell III from Gilligan’s Island, Agatha Christie, Ricky Ricardo from I Love Lucy, and the list went on.

Organiser of the Murder Mystery fundraiser dinner Kirstie Davison said the most interesting thing about allocating characters from that particular era was the obvious lack of female characters with any substance.

“It was an interesting look at a period of our history. Women have come a long way since then.”

She said the evening was a huge success and from the moment guests walked through the door, they were in character.

“Each guest got as much amusement from others costumes as others did of theirs!”

“A number of people commented that they needed to go home to rest their cheeks, as they hurt from smiling and laughing.

“I could not have asked for a more fantastic bunch of people.

“I think the group of people who attended were extremely varied. So, add costumes, the new personas and a dash of drama, and it worked beautifully.”

Shockwave crew member Andrew Gibbs, who played the character of ‘Beaver Cleaver’, was committed to the evening and shaved off his

The Barcoo Independent, Friday, May 21 2010 - Page 7Page 10 - The Barcoo Independent, Friday, May 21 2010

Carting wool, Blackall ~ c 1910

CLASSIFIEDSTHE BARCOO INDEPENDENTTAKING A LOOK AT HISTORY

CongratulationsThe winner of the Mother’s Day cake in aid of the Anglican Ladies Guild, drawn May 7, was Dawn Bailey from Isisford. Many thanks to all our supporters.

In Loving MemoryIn loving memory of Hazel Kathleen Dagan, passed away 23 May, 2002. Always in our thoughts. Sadly missed by Sally, Jack, Neil, Ross and their families.

In Loving MemoryIn loving memory of Ernie Dagan Junior, passed away 21 May, 2005. Sadly missed by Sally, Jack, Neil, Ross and their families.

Clue: Samantha Stephens (Alison Smith) from Bewitched looks through a spell book with I Love Lucy’s Lucy Ricardo (Colleen Morrison)

Jim Taylor discusses murder suspects with Louise and Clem Campbell at the Murder Mystery dinner

Mary Ann Summers (Andrea Sly) and Ginger Grant (Jess Doyle) from Gilligan’s Island with the Addams Family’s Morticia Addams (Belinda Schutt)

Maxwell Smart notices the body of Lois Lane (Lauren Pritchard) with help from Ian ‘The Chief’ Hardie

Lovey Howell (Jill Taylor), Della Street (Shockwave organiser Brooke Newall) and Miss Marple (Penny Wagstaff)

The crime fighters: Kirstie Davison, Rowan Hunnam, David Goodman, Brooke Newall, John Wagstaff and Lauren Pritchard

Murder Mystery continued...

The main street of Blackall, on a mid afternoon in September 1957. The goats and bottle trees on the street are a sign of times gone by. Photo courtesy of Fred Rich.

Blackall State School student Justin Johnstone and teacher Alison Diezmann in the grand parade at Longreach Show, with Bonny Lawrence, who came first, and Hamish Heard, who came third, in the Class 2 handlers class. Photo by Noni Rutherford.

Scott and Kerry Spinks from Spinks Concrete, Blackall at work on footpaths along Clematis Street from the laundromat to the Uniting Church. Blackall Tambo Regional Council CEO Ken Timms said it will cap off the construction of footpaths for 2010.“This street is a very high use area, so we saw it as advantageous to get people off the roads along there,” Mr Timms said.

long-term goatee to ensure he looked the part of the young boy.

Host Mardi Noonan won best dressed for her flamboyant costume of ‘Endora’, while state school teacher and murder victim on the night Lauren Pritchard won best in character for her portrayal of a flirtatious Lois Lane.

The dinner was amidst a busy opening weekend of the Heartland Festival, following the photographic exhibition launch in Tambo on Friday, cartooning, writing and hebel workshops, and a wine and cheese evening with visiting author Sheryl Gwyther and cartoonist Sean Leahy.

– Rowan Hunnam

Taking a break from carting wool with draft horses, in around 1910. The man sitting on the far left is unknown, next to George Thomas Gill (born 1857), George Gill Junior (born 1884 and father to Cecil ‘Dinny’ Gill), Frank Fuller, George Love Gill (born 1897) and Leon Nolan. Photo courtesy of Maureen Gill and Owen Stockwell.

The Barcoo Independent, Friday, May 21 2010 - Page 9Page 8 - The Barcoo Independent, Friday, May 21 2010

Miss Jane Hathaway (Sally Cripps) and detective Mick Peters (Kirstie Davison) got serious at the Murder Mystery dinner

Kylie Banks, Belinda Schutt, Mardi Noonan and Kym Hancock. For story and more photographs see page 10.

Jeremy ‘the Skipper’ Barron and Glen Davison, aka Milburn Drysdale from the Beverly Hillbillies, did a good job behind the bar on Saturday night

Bill Alexander, Penny Wagstaff, Alison Smith, Kurtis (nursing student on Prac from Toowoomba), and Sally Campbell

Fiona Ludgate and Angela Strohmayer were dressed well as Marilyn Monroe and Jeannie

Gilligan (Alan Hinds) and Thurston Howell III (Cameron Schutt) took a break from Gilligan’s Island

Kristie Olive, as Wednesday Addams, had a laugh with Bill Alexander, as Darrin Stephens from Bewitched

Murder Mystery at the Cultural Centre....

Sally Cripps and Sally Campbell, aka Miss Jane Hathaway and Agatha Christie, busied themselves with work on the typewriter at the Murder Mystery dinner on Saturday night

Visiting artist Adriaan Vanderlugt conducted one of the many Heartland Festival workshops available to residents and visitors; the hebel workshop. Pictured here with Lynette Davison from Blackall and Shirley Hick who travelled from Coowonga for the four day workshop, and their creations.

Blackall Cultural Association

ART SHOW & SALE

Something for Everyone

Paintings Textile Art

Jewellery

BLACKALL CULTURAL CENTRE 6pm 28TH MAY ---30TH MAY---$10 ENTRY

Blackall Tambo mayor Jan Ross (centre) met with Tidy Towns judges Jo and Bruce Carothers last week. Photo by Sally Cripps.

Construction on the Blackall airport apron has begun in earnest, according to Council CEO Ken Timms, to accommodate the larger Q400 plane.

Mr Timms said construction is expected to take a further four weeks, weather permitting.

“It is all going to plan at the moment,” he said. “We did have one interesting hiccup; they found a refuelling point under the old apron from when the Focker Friendship planes owned by the TAA used to land here around 20 years ago.”

Blackall has been without its third weekly flight since 2009. Mr Timms says he hopes the flight will be reinstated after construction has been completed.

“Council received confirmation from (the Queensland government) that the third flight would be subsidised, but we are yet to hear from Qantas about the third flight, and if they do fly in, whether it is with the Q400.”

– Rowan Hunnam

Local Landmark branch manager Paul Holm, Vince Prow and Regional Manager Bernie Hoch inside the old Landmark building. Demolition started this week.

Airport apron construction under way