The wrong of Wright

By Tuppy McIntosh
editor@longreachleader.com.au

IN a move which has left some Central Western Queensland shires feeling poorly understood, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has recommended a redistribution of federal electoral boundaries for the fourth time in ten years.

"This proposal threatens to disenfranchise the community," Winton mayor Bruce Collins has stated.

The electorate of Wright has been drawn through Central Queensland, meaning shires such as Winton and Longreach will be taken from the jurisdiction of the federal seat of Maranoa and instead represented nationally with the interests of Gladstone, Monto and Banana.

Wright is to be added to the twenty-eight already existing electorates, as Queensland’s expanding population entitles the State to an extra federal parliamentary seat.

To solve the redistribution quandary, the AEC has decided shires of the Central West would be repackaged with mining communities from the Central Highlands and the coastal port city of Gladstone.

In total Wright will extract nine Central Western Queensland shires - namely Barcaldine, Ilfracombe, Isisford, Jericho, Blackall, Longreach, Winton, Aramac and Tambo - from the seat of Maranoa which currently represents Queenland’s Outback populace.

Taking the brunt of the electorate reshuffle, Central Western Shires say their remote location often exposes them to second-class treatment from federal bureaucracy.

Cr Collins said he was very disappointed with the recommendation.

"Winton does not have the slightest ‘community of interest’ with Gladstone and is unlikely to have so in the foreseeable future.

"[Gladstone] is a difficult place to get to at the best of times, with no air service and no business connection."

Under the Commonwealth Electoral Act, individual electorates are to contain ‘community of interest’, including ‘economic, social and regional interests’ and ‘shared means of travel’.

Many Central West residents have joined vocal Outback councillors in defying the AEC’s suggestion that the Outback shared ‘community of interest’ with Gladstone.

"I’ve never even been there, and I’ve been all around the world," said local rural rights advocate Rosemary Champion.

"We have absolutely no connection with the people of Gladstone."

Aramac Shire mayor Gary Peoples said the Western Regional Body of Councils (RAPAD) would be meeting next week to discuss the rezoning.

"The AEC obviously hasn’t paid close enough attention to the composition of the Western shires, otherwise they would have not suggested such a redistribution," he said.

Federal Member for Maranoa Bruce Scott agreed, citing the lack of direct roads links and differing economies of the coastal and Outback regions enough to render the proposal nonsensical.

"Many of the towns included in the proposed new seat, which are currently in the existing seat of Maranoa, are small rural communities facing challenges of communication, road networks, education and health.
"This is quite different to Gladstone which is a much larger regional centre with an industrial focus and an international port."

Mr Scott suggested the federal Government acknowledged the inappropriateness of the reshuffle by zoning Outback shires in Western Queensland together with similar communities in New South Wales under the Sustainable Regions package.

Yet Queensland Senator Barnaby Joyce, in Longreach last weekend for a Nationals members dinner, said the AEC had spoken and his party should get on with the job of winning the seat, viewing the new electorate as an opportunity to add another Nationals representative to Canberra.

Central Western Queensland residents are able to lodge a formal objection to the suggested redistribution of federal electoral boundaries in their area by writing to The Australian Electoral Officer for Queensland, Level 7 Collection House, 488 Queen St, Brisbane 4000.

The nascent electorate, named after environmentalist and Indigenous affairs advocate Judith Wright, was released in a whitepaper last week.

Written objections need to be received by 6pm on Friday, July 21, 2006.
Copies of the Redistribution Committee’s report are available online at: www.aec.gov.au/_content/why/redistributions
or by phoning 3834 3431.

Musos open the mic

HOT on the heels of their winning performances at the Emerald Gems of Country talent search, Longreach musicians are gearing up to strum their guitars again, this time for a local crowd.

Ron Beezley, Emily Harrison, Frankie Calleja and Shannon Schloss are hitting the mics at the Longreach Club next Friday night and are inviting all closet musos to join them.

"It’s a hard game to do a gig by yourself and as an artist I love to perform my own songs," Frankie said.

"It sounds okay, but it is a thousand times better with a band; it’s what I call ‘ear candy’.

"There are a lot of people dabbling in the performance thing, but no one is actually doing it – that’s why I like open mic nights.
"As a solo artist you tend to develop bad habits, but playing with a band you have to stay true to form.
"Working with a band stretches you as a musician – you can’t cover up any mistakes in your performances."

The foursome came together earlier in the year to share their creative ideas and musical aspirations, but insist they are not a band.

"We are individual artists who come together to support each other," Frankie explained.

"We are fairly rough though, we’re not here to put on a show; we are here to have fun.
"Consider it live karaoke."

The trip to Emerald last weekend was a shining example of the passion of these locals, keen to support each other in the unrelenting world of country music.

"Every year I have thought about going to Emerald for the Gems of Country talent search," Emily said.

"But this year I found out that these guys were going, so I jumped on board.
"It was something different and it beats just sitting around and twiddling your fingers."

The Longreach performers were the only musicians to perform their own songs and compositions at this year’s Gems of Country and were justly rewarded with a bunch of accolades.

Even though it was Ron’s first performance in front of an audience, he managed a third place in the Male Vocalist category and stepped up for another performer, Vallis Backhouse, whose partner didn’t show up for a duo.

Shannon and Frankie came second in the duo competition, while Frankie also excelled individually, claiming third place in both the highly contested Country Edge category and the Female Gospel section.

Seasoned performer Emily Harrison had the audience in stitches in the Country Capers section, donning a flannel and pigtails to sing about the ‘one that got away’.

"It was my fifth festival and there was some really good talent and competition," Frankie said.

"I had a ball and it’s a good benchmark– you can see where, as a artist, you fit into the scheme of things."

Outback return strike to City

AFTER receiving a pummelling last year, the Outback has struck back with a vengeance, winning both curtain raisers to the city verses country match in Cloncurry last weekend.
Selected at the Outback Muster held in Barcaldine on June 10 and 11, both the A grade and under-19 squads only had limited time to prepare for their matches against the Brisbane Second Division and Central Highlands.
The Outback A Grade side led from the opening minutes but was forced to battle a spirited Brisbane side.
However the talents of local players Mark Wren of Barcaldine, Daniel Chilcott of Barcaldine and Joel Mann of Winton helped crush the hopes of a win for the visiting team.
Last year the Outback side was hammered 70-0 in a challenge against a representative team from Wynnum Manly.
The victory for Outback can be hailed as a logistical success, with players brought together from the far corners of Queensland to be coached by Mount Isa’s Anthony Kyle.
Both the Outback and Brisbane Second Division teams give valuable representative opportunities to players who may otherwise be overlooked due to their remote homes.
Event organiser and Cloncurry Shire councillor Graeme Lemmon was pleased with the weekend’s games and their impact on his community.
"It has done wonders for western rugby league to have this event out here," Mr Lemmon said.
"People have been bursting for it.
"It’s got all the juniors interested and the local people excited about rugby league.
"There’s only 3,500 to 4,000 people living in Cloncurry and we had 3,000 through the gates.
"It’s been a terrific week.
"We recognise we’re only a remote country town so, for us, this was just brilliant."
Results from the weekend were as follows: Outback A grade slaughtered Brisbane Second division 50–32.
Tries scored for the Outback team by Johnny Chapman 3 (Mount Isa), Mark Wren 2 (Barcaldine), Mitchell Munn (Mt Isa), Daniel Chilcott (Barcaldine), Chris Thinee (Mt Isa), Joel Mann 1 try and 7 goals (Winton).
Outback Colts defeated Central Highlands Colts 36-10.
Tries scored for the Colts by Daniel Goddard 2 (Mt Isa), Francis Oui (Richmond), Nathan Ramsey (Quilpie), Jon Kabay (Hughenden), Daniel Dodd (Mitchell)Vili Savuro 4 goals and 1 try (Mt Isa).
This weekend the Central West rugby league season gets back into swing with the Ilfracombe Scorpions hosting the Barcaldine Sand Goannas on Saturday night from 6.30pm, while the Magpies go head-to-head with the Thomson Tigers on Sunday at 3.30pm in Blackall.

Rustlers wrangle a win

IN a tight game right to the full-time siren, the Rustlers have firmly cemented themselves at the top of the Central Western rugby union table.

Trailing by one point and in the dying minutes, Rustler interchange Ross Tindall latched onto the ball after a quick pass from second-rower John Tully, to cross over the line and claim the win from a much improved Jumbucks team, 17-13.

"The Rustlers showed a lot of fortitude and didn’t give up," coach Rod Ross said.

"After a Jumbuck penalty, they spun the ball out wide, put it through a few quick hands to Tindall to make the try. It was a risky thing to do, but they saw the gap and took it.
"I am disappointed for the Jumbucks, they were a hell of a lot better last weekend, but I’m really impressed with the Rustlers. They played the full 70 minutes of the game and they were rewarded for their efforts."

While Ross was impressed with the Rustler’s game plan, he admitted the team needed to work on their discipline.

It was a heated game and plenty of obscenities were directed at referee Stirling MacDonald from the frustrated Rustlers pack.

"I think Stirling had a great game and in some respects we were lucky to walk away with the win.
"The team’s discipline was poor and on occasion they just didn’t accept the ref’s decision, which doesn’t help the team in any situation.
"We will be working on it at training."

With only five weeks of competition remaining in the season, the Rustlers lead the points table on 12, followed by Ilfracombe on nine, Barcaldine on six and Jumbucks on one.

"The competition is alive and well.

"Plenty of tight games are being played; it is not like sides are winning by 20 points.
"With only a handful of games to go, anyone can challenge for the premiership."

In the other game of the round, the Ilfracombe Titans managed a convincing win over the Barcaldine Boars, 19-5.

"It was a good game," Titans coach Andrew King said.

"I was impressed with players like half-back Wally Cooper, who led from the front and produced some darting runs, breakaway Louie Dodgson who performed well in the rucks and mauls, and Matt Nunn who took the ball up in both the lock and prop positions.
"In this round the Titans seemed to have more control of the ball and more go-forward, however their defence is still a bit scratchy."

Ahead of tomorrow’s clash with the Jumbucks, Mr King will look at the team’s commitment and focus on the field.

"Tomorrow’s game against the Jumbucks will be tight. Out of all the teams, the Jumbucks are the most improved. They are playing the full 70 minutes of rugby, which is something we will have to be careful of."

Ancient croc proves life begins in Isisford

AFTER nearly seven years, the Isisford Shire has finally been able to announce that the most primitive crocodilian fossils ever to be unearthed were discovered in their own backyard.

When former Isisford deputy mayor Ian Duncan stumbled across the fossilised remains in the mid-1990s, in a dry creek bed on the outskirts of town, little did he know it would set off a chain reaction of scientific events.

What Mr Duncan had found was an incomplete skeleton of Isisfordia duncani – the most primitive crocodilian species found on Earth – busting the myth that modern species of crocodile evolved in the northern hemisphere.

It would take University of Queensland palaeontologists another four years of scratching around the Isisford Shire before they would find the Holy Grail of crocodilian species: the complete remains of Isisfordia, including a previously missing head specimen.

Isisford Shire chief executive officer Rob Bauer explained that while it was difficult to keep the find under wraps, it was for the benefit of the community.

"There are two ways to deal with a bone – you can either announce it to the world without exactly knowing what it is or you can leave it to the professionals to determine what the specimen is.

"In order to do the latter, it takes time.

"The University of Queensland experts had to put together a thesis, and then seek comment on their work from other professionals in their field from around the world.
"The next step was to get their work published in a report. Then, and only then, could they put a name to it.
"It was pretty hot gossip around town and while a lot of people knew that something had been found, they didn’t know what it was or the significance of the find.
"The most common comment around town is: ‘This usually happens in other places’."

While the experts were busy finding fossils and publishing reports, the people of Isisford were left with the question: Where to house all these world-first fossils?

"We have gone through a process of our own, building the Interpretation Centre to house a replica of the find.

"A lot of exhibits across the country are man-made, but we wanted to have the whole centre revolve around nature – evolution, the Great Artesian Basin, fossils and the environment around us today.
"While the centre won’t cure all of Isisford’s problems, it will hopefully put us on the map and tourists will have an influence on the lives of the people who live here."

The new animal was described in the prestigious Proceedings of the Royal Society journal on June 14 by an international team of palaeontologists, led by UQ’s Doctor Steve Salisbury.

"These are the most complete crocodilian fossils yet discovered in Australia, providing us with valuable new insights into the early evolution of today’s crocodilians and their lifestyle as semi-aquatic ambush predators," Dr Salisbury said.

"Living 98 to 95 million years ago, Isisfordia predates the first recorded appearance of alligators and gharials by almost 20 million years, and the first true crocodiles by over 30 million years.
"Adults appear to have been just over one metre in length, and probably weighed no more than three kilograms.
"It may have been small by today’s standards, but it represents a very important phase in the evolutionary history of crocodilians."

Isisfordia duncani will be housed at the University of Queensland, while the Governor of Queensland, Ms Quentin Bryce, will unveil a replica at the Outer Barcoo Interpretation Centre opening on July 14.

Mail truck centenary gets into gear

WHILE the celebration date is still a way off, the Ilfracombe and Isisford Shire Councils have commenced planning for the 100 year anniversary of Australia’s first motorised mail run.

Billy Gillespie and Ellis Sutton are believed to have pioneered Australia’s first motorised mail run in the early part of the twentieth century between the burgeoning agricultural centres of Ilfracombe and Isisford.

A mail truck replaced packhorses and horse-drawn coaches from 1910, prompting the two Western Queensland towns to come together for a shindig in 2010.

Ilfracombe’s chief executive officer Vaughn Becker said he believed the commemorative event could include a historic recreation of that first trip.

"Nothing is concrete yet, but we envisage a re-enactment with a convoy of old trucks, starting in Ilfracombe, perhaps having a clay-pan boogey along the way, then finishing up in Isisford."

Mr Becker believes the first step in organising the centennial motorised mail run is to track down all interested parties.

"It will be a joint celebration between Ilfracombe and Isisford shires and we are looking at inviting descendents of Gillespie and Sutton.

"We have to chase some pictures and knowledge of the first mail run, as well as look into the opportunity to go wider, incorporating other people’s histories of motorised mail runs in the country.

"At this stage we are trying to find out the contact details of people who might have more information about this historic event."

The 90-kilometre day trip between Ilfracombe and Isisford not only revolutionised mail services across the country, it also provided a new experience for local townspeople.

"It would have meant a lot for the people of Ilfracombe and Isisford. It was a lot quicker than the coach, it could carry more material and it was more reliable."

The Ilfracombe Shire Council and Isisford Shire Council have also suggested that a reunion of all mail contractors/drivers and a historical display of all forms of mail transportation, including the indomitable Datsun 120Y, should form part of the anniversary festivities.

Anyone with information about the old mail runs should contact the Isisford or Ilfracombe Shire Councils.

Trucker sentenced for meth run

LAST week’s sentencing of a Longreach truck driver to six-and-a-half years in prison, for trafficking the highly addictive drug methamphetamine, has served as a timely reminder to keep safe on the roads.

In August of 2004, 38-year-old Stuart William Nicholson was pulled over by a Longreach highway patrol after officers noticed he was driving erratically on the Landsborough Highway.

Blood tests at the Barcaldine Hospital revealed Mr Nicholson had been using methamphetamine and a subsequent search of the truck revelled 26.7 grams of the drug - 13 times over the maximum amount that could have been legally supplied - leading to a more serious drug trafficking charge.

Forty-four drug and traffic related charges were ultimately laid by police.

After two years of subsequent court appearances Mr Nicholson was finally sentenced last Thursday at Rockhampton’s Supreme Court on three charges.

For trafficking methamphetamine Mr Nicholson received five years imprisonment, for being in possession of methamphetamine over the legally prescribed amount he received one year, along with another six months for possessing instruments used for trafficking.

He was also disqualified from driving for one year and ultimately required to spend one year in prison before being eligible for release with a suspended sentence.

Longreach Police acting senior sergeant Simon Palmer said his officers are taking a zero tolerance approach to drug use and trafficking in the district.

"A conviction of this magnitude has been the first for us in a couple of years.

"Nicholson has been taken away from his life and family for the next 12 months.
"We have a growing population and drugs are part of our society. While there are a lot of very good operators out there, there are also those who push the boundaries, and this case really bought the issue home for the community."

Another Brick in the Wall

A SCHOOL outing to State Parliament in Brisbane has prompted 14-year-old Alpha State School student Michael Hall to petition the government to allow students to walk off school campus to buy their lunch.

At the beginning of the term students at the Alpha school were informed of a new rule banning a 40-year practice of purchasing refreshments outside schoolgrounds at lunchtimes.

Previously children held written parental permission to cross the road and buy food from neighbouring shops on the four days each week the school’s tuckshop does not open.

After collecting over 280 signatures on a petition - the backing of over a quarter of the town - Michael is taking his fight for the right to purchase his favoured lunchtime pie to Brisbane.

"We want our rights back.
"All we want is to be able to go to town to get lunch – students have been doing it here for 40 years.
"I didn’t think they could really stop us and then I found out they can."

For Michael the battle isn’t just on behalf of his fellow students, it is also about the retailers who take an income from the lunchtime trade, as he outlined in his letter to Alpha Shire’s local MP Shane Knuth:
‘We all like to support our local shops.
‘I don’t believe small children should be going over town by themselves and would not consider the option of them leaving the schoolgrounds unaccompanied.
‘We [the older children] are always back within 15 minutes to eat our lunch in the playground and after 40 years of this happening I don’t understand how they can suddenly ban it now.’

Mr Knuth has taken up Michael’s call for a suitable explanation, tabling the 287-signature petition in parliament last week.

"I would like to stress that we are not talking about cities with trains, cars and buses running at frequent schedules, we are talking about a small community with a population of less than 1,000 people.

"When over a quarter of any town signs a petition you have to take notice.
"Some of these children are travelling up to 120 kilometres every day getting themselves to and from school.
"While I appreciate and understand that the principals and staff of every school have a duty-of-care towards their students, the ultimate responsibility remains with the parents, in this case parents who have given permission for their children to purchase their lunch off schoolgrounds.
"A common sense answer should apply in this situation."

When asked to explain the ban, Alpha State School principal Glenn Forbes immediately referred The Longreach Leader to Education Queensland, stating he wasn’t "really prepared to comment about it".

A spokesperson for Education Queensland seemed a little unsure upon which legal grounds the change had been made, and cited general duty-of-care criteria.

"Alpha State School made the decision to restrict students leaving schoolgrounds during school hours in order to bring the school in line with legislation.

"It was discussed with - and approved by - the Parents and Citizens Association.

"Schools have a duty-of-care and under the current legislation there are only a limited number of situations where principals can allow students to leave schoolgrounds during the day; this does not include buying lunch.
"The safety of students is the highest priority and students are unable to be adequately supervised if they leave school grounds."

When asked which section of the relevant act Michael and his friends were banned under, The Longreach Leader was referred to section 18 by the department spokesperson.

The section specified referred to students needing to leave schoolgrounds for medical, dental or specialised instruction reasons.

Mr Knuth has vowed to investigate the matter further and is expecting a response from the Minister of Education Rod Welford next month.

Queen honours Winton ambo

By Anthea Gleeson
news@longreachleader.com.au

FOR Michael Gaskin of Winton, being an ambulance officer in a small town means more than responding to emergency situations.
He believes it translates to becoming an integral component of a town’s lifeblood, whether by helping out at the local school or sitting in on the grassroots committees which make up regional communities.

"Out here we are a smaller station which doesn’t have a particularly high workload," Mr Gaskin explained.
"So we get involved with the community and local groups through committees and volunteer work."

For his dedication and service to the people of Winton, Mr Gaskin was acknowledged with an Ambulance Service Award on Monday as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

"I think ‘honoured’ would be a very good way to describe what the award means to me.
"These awards are fairly rare things, so it was a good feeling."

Mr Gaskin has been living in Winton for the past seven years with his wife Wendy and their two children Megan and Ben.

"Places like Winton and Longreach are fantastic little towns, with a great community focus.
"Wendy is from Blackall and we have always both loved the bush, so after some time working in Mackay, a job in Winton was on the cards.
"Moving back to the bush was one of the best things we have done."

Mr Gaskin started out in the ambulance service as a volunteer, becoming an accredited paramedic in 1998 after prompting from his family.

"I used to be a ringer on a station and helped out at the local volunteer ambulance service. With a family background in nursing, when this job came up I decided to take it.

"I really love the job – the look on people’s faces when you are able to help their loved ones is quite touching.
"Even the simple things, like responding to a call after a kid has fallen over in the playground only to find it’s a bruised knee – to give that news to the parents and see their relief is something."

Mr Gaskin will be presented with his service award in a special ceremony at the Governor’s House in Brisbane later this year, alongside fellow Western Queenslanders Jane Karkadoo of Doomadgee and Donald McDonald from ‘Devoncourt’, Cloncurry.

Ms Karkadoo was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to the Indigenous community of Doomadgee of which she is an elder, working towards local improvements in social justice, employment and women’s issues.

For his commitment to regional Queensland, in particular Cloncurry, Mr McDonald has been honoured as a Member of the Order of Australia.
Mr McDonald was recognised for his work in agriculture, transport infrastructure and community health.
This year’s awards celebrate 670 people who have been acclaimed for their contribution to others.
Awards in the Queen’s honour system represent the highest level of veneration handed out by Australia, and celebrate and recognise community values.

"These awards particularly recognise the quiet achievers; those who serve the community but do not seek accolades for themselves," Chairman of the Council of the Order Sir James Gobbo said.

"It is important that the honours system continues to uphold the national ethos of valuing diversity and recognises the contributions made by citizens to Australian culture and social life, regardless of background."

Racers sprint for the Birdsville Gift

From our Birdsville correspondent
THE inaugural Birdsville Gift race was run last Saturday with pros and amateurs competing neck-and-neck for posterity and some fantastic prizemoney.

Six professional runners travelled to Birdsville from Brisbane, along with four officials from the Queensland Athletic League (QAL).

Ken Telfer, 39, of Canberra, won three races including the 70m race, the 120m Plate and the major 120m Gift.

It was Ken’s second Gift win in nine years of professional running.

"To come somewhere so unique and win the first ever Gift race, well, words can’t describe it; I’m stoked."

Steve Minns, secretary of the QAL and winner of the 300m and 1600m races, said the quality of the oval was "like any typical suburban oval in any major city".

The grassed oval and running track were constructed by the Diamantina Shire Council with the generous support from the Pratt Foundation through the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal.

Local athletes Scott Owens - formerly of Longreach and now based in Charleville as an RFDS pilot - and Max Rayment, a local ringer with a nearby property, gave the professionals a run for their money with Scott gaining a close fourth in the 120m Gift and 70m finals.

Max finished sixth in the 120m Plate final and a well-earned fifth in the 1600m.

Organisers hope that as the event develops, more professional and local athletes will be attracted to Birdsville for the run.

Prizemoney totalled $11,250, with $5,000 set aside for the feature 120m Gift race. The event was run in conjunction with the Diamantina Shire Council and the Queensland Athletics League, with OBE Beef and the Birdsville Hotel as the major sponsors.

Flying Docs foster chaos and goodwill

THE streets of Winton were abuzz with the arrival of the 17th annual Outback Trek last week which wound through Orange in NSW to Queenland's Capricorn Coast.
As dusk fell on the colourful convoy of pre-1971 cars, Elderslie Street was cordoned off for the biggest single charity event of the seven-day road trip which fundraises especially for the Royal Flying Doctors Service.
Winton's special auction drew heavy bidding from locals and visitors alike, with Owen ‘Buddha’ Grant doing his bit for the cause and taking home a $2,000 Michael Klim swimsuit as an effect.
Mr Grant also acquired a very special pair of pottery boots, which have been directly cast from Senator Barnaby Joyce’s size 12 RM Williams - and filled with tawny port.
Although he has no grand plans as yet for his spur-of-the-moment purchases, and despite being a couple of grand lighter in his hip pocket, Mr Grant was more than happy to donate money to the RFDS last week.
"Something like the swimsuit doesn’t come up that often but I have no plans to sell it on eBay.
"The speedos are not going to fit me; that’s really something people wouldn’t want to see.
"They have come in a frame so I’m going to put it up at home as a bit of a talking piece."
Trek organiser Stephen Knox said every year brought new adventures for participants and 2006 has been no different.
"Doing it for the doctor brings the trekkers - most of whom are city folk - into close contact with the people of the Outback.
"We have been welcomed onto properties where other groups might not have been given such free access all because we are raising money for ‘their’ Flying Doctor.
"The trek bridges the city-country gap in such a positive and effective way."
The estimated $1.3 million raised over the week will be spent by the service on the purchase of a replacement aircraft which comes with a price tag of $8 million.

Youth Club scores at Origin time

LOCAL radio station 4LG’s Longreach Youth and Sport Club fundraiser on Monday was hailed a huge success by Club president Ted Burling, who was amazed at the final total of $2,596.

The crowd-puller? A Queensland State of Origin jumper signed by the 2006 team from game one, which included the John Hancock of Ilfracombe’s Matt Scott.

The jersey went for $800 to Matt’s sister Jo who plans to display it with pride on the wall of Ilfracombe’s Wellshot Hotel.

With the money going to a good cause Ms Scott said she would have gone as high as $1,000.
"I rang Matt last night (Monday) and told him what I had paid for the jersey.

"He said, ‘You have got to be kidding me’.
"For obvious reasons I had to have the jumper; there are very few of them out there.
"I’m going to get it framed and then it’s going to take pride of place on the wall at the Wellshot."

In bidding on the remaining 12 items, councillor Richard Murray bought return flights for two to Brisbane for $800 and two nights accommodation at the Sun Palms in Rockhampton for $155.

The Willersdorf family walked away with a Cowboys beanbag for $50 and Longreach mayor Pat Tanks bought a framed print by Kevin Best for $200, which boosted the final total over the $2,500 mark.

Along with the money raised on Monday it has been a week of good news for the Longreach Youth Club with 10 new computers finally up and running.

Longreach Shire Council youth development officer Wendy Hunt welcomed the arrival of the new technology as yet another string to the centres bow in offering youngsters appropriate support.

"The older kids are using them to surf the internet, log on to chat rooms and join forum discussions.

"The younger kids are mostly playing games; however anyone wanting to use them for homework or for school research projects will have priority.
"We are also looking into the possibility of running training sessions for adults, as well as for the younger ones, and the Youth Council are considering setting up an internet café."

Town rivalry for losers

By Liz Brooker
news@longreachleader.com.au

OUTBACK tourism operators got the hard word last Thursday at a high powered meeting: package yourselves as a single force to promote the region, or risk failing as individuals.

Tourism Queensland has been gifted $750,000 by the State Government to help boost visitor numbers, but Outback operators have discovered that they have a fight on their hands if they want to benefit from the windfall.

Two workshops featuring guest speakers Wayne Carlson from Queensland Rail Passenger Services, Tony Edwards from Qantaslink, Barry Duncan from the Outback Queensland Tourism Authority (OQTA), and Tony Mayell from Australian Outback Travel (AOT) joined local government officials, owner-operators and brand managers to combine over 200 years joint industry knowledge in the search for a new direction.

Despite only 30 of the 150 members of OQTA attending the Longreach workshop, those who were there agreed with what the experts were saying.

Mr Calson stressed to the group that tourism numbers in the Outback were only going to dramatically increase if individual operators began working together to offer ‘packages’, rather than competing with each other for every dollar.

"One of our adverts accidentally ran in the Courier Mail promoting a trip for $8,871 rather than the correct price of $871.
"We were still receiving calls.
"People were thinking to themselves it had to be a damn good holiday to cost that much.
"They want value.

"For Outback tourism to do this properly you have to be in for the long haul.
"Even if you begin today it is still going to be 18 months before anyone starts kicking the door down."

Mr Calson went on to tell the group that over $450 million was spent on press advertising alone last year for national tourism, and local level operators had to pull together to afford adequate promotion.

"Look at Port Douglas 20 years ago. Everybody has got to start somewhere, but you need to do it together.
"The Outback should be seen not as a destination but as an experience.
"You have got be positive and excited yourselves to bring the people here."

Marketing guru Don Jolly also believed numbers visiting the Outback would increase exponentially if only tourism operators and councils alike quit moaning and began crafting plans to generate regional action.

"It is easy to get carried away talking about what you haven’t got.
"You really need to be supporting this business and operators who want to get involved in it together.

"How you build the community or foster new relationships is one thing, but they all have to be in it for the long haul.

"With some money now being made available, all interested parties need to move forward and stop just talking about it."

"IF we can get local governments - and I mean all 11 shires - on board, we will really start being able to make an impact as a region in attracting the tourist dollars."
- For more tourism operator comments from around the Central
West, turn to Page 9 in The Longreach Leader.

Future of National Party fades

By Anthea Gleeson
news@longreachleader.com.au

THE Queensland Coalition was thrown into disarray last week when its secret plan to unify the two parties came to light through a leaked party document.

The Liberal document spelt out the details of a plan to absorb the National Party, leaving party members and supporters aghast.

It was not the first time the two conservative parties have tried the merger on for size and National Party Member for Gregory Vaughan Johnson believes it won’t be the last.

"I’m supportive of the idea, but it needs to include fairer input from both sides regarding branding and constitution," Mr Johnson said speaking in between parliamentary meetings earlier in the week.

"It was a five-minute secret-service rush job.
"The grass roots members need to be involved in the decision-making process.
"The time has arrived in Queensland to unify the conservative parties.
"Queensland has been made a small place through technology, with most of the population residing in the south east.
"We now need to become stronger and united in policy that is good for the whole of the State."

While the events of the past week have left some questioning the stability of the Queensland Coalition, Mr Johnson believes it is stronger than ever.

"The coalition is deadly united and committed to going forward.
"We need the three-corner contest eliminated to maximise the coalition vote and maximise the conservative vote."

Federal Member for Maranoa Bruce Scott, also a National Party man, found himself in the middle of the debacle last week, when Prime Minister John Howard and his deputy Mark Vaile threw the merger idea out the window.

"The overwhelming mood from people is that they are supportive of the idea but they want more information because there are a whole lot of issues to deal with," Mr Scott said.

"Politics is moving towards ‘presidential style campaigns’; for example people are either voting for Lawrence Springborg or Peter Beattie or another candidate.
"People are now looking for a local candidate who best knows local issues and is best able to fight for those issues in a parliament sitting – people like Vaughan Johnson," Mr Scott added skilfully.

Banter in political circles is now focusing on whether Premier Peter Beattie will cash-in on the Coalition fumble currently overshadowing the Government’s never ending health fiasco.

"One week is a long time in politics, however the recent events have certainly played into Beattie’s hands," University of Queensland political science senior lecturer Doctor Rae Wear said.

"The failed merger will give Beattie, and Labor, some ammunition going into the next State election.
"The writing’s on the wall for the Nationals.
"While they can keep trying, they are failing demographically.
"They will never become the ‘national’ party, they will forever be the ‘country’ party, and with demographics slipping away in the bush they haven’t got a very expansive future.

"The country seats are changing and being affected by people moving from the city to the bush - it is the whole ‘tree change’ phenomena and it’s affecting country politics.

"The future of the National Party lies in a merger and I think the time will be reached when they will come together with the other conservative party."

Longreach Show runs in the blood

PATRON of the Longreach Show, Mrs Ann Barrett hopes years of tradition will not be allowed to dwindle and die a slow death as discussions regarding falling competitor numbers stir throughout the West.

Early last month the Show stalwart took great delight in watching great granddaughter, Laura Allen, take to the ring on her pony Coco Pops, and she prays the four-year-old will have Shows to ride in for many years to come.

"There is so much else for people to do these days.

"Even finding the time to come into town for the two or three days of competition is hard.
"I do hope the tradition of the Show doesn’t fizzle out as the numbers get less and less.
"Competition has taught my girls so much.
"It is not as much about the winning, I’m sure losing has done them a world of good.
"I would have to say it has helped them to grow up into good people."

The family tradition of riding first started for Mrs Barrett growing up on her parents south western Queensland property ‘Cairns’, 70 miles out of Charleville.

With only a horse and cart for transport, the sheer distance from town meant Show days were a chance to watch rather than participate.

After a move to Longreach with husband David in 1961, Mrs Barrett and her seven daughters, Judith ‘Butter’ McClymont, Prudence ‘Pru’ Couton, Patricia ‘Jar’ Milne, Margaret ‘Pop’ Petersen, Sue ‘Wappy’ Smith, Helen ‘Baids’ McIntyre and Elizabeth ‘Thumper’ Clark, have been a regular feature in the ring ever since.

"I didn’t ride at the shows because I had to look after the babies and make sure those who were riding had everything they needed," Mrs Barrett said.

"Once one or two of the girls had started competing, the others wanted to follow.
"They all loved horses which was just as well; they never really had the choice to do anything else.
"The girls would ride in everything they could.
"At one stage when we had five or six of them riding, we didn’t have enough Show saddles and were constantly asking the judges to wait for 10 minutes while we frantically changed it over."

Running around during Longreach Show days became second nature for Mrs Barrett, but in these times she prefers to take things a little more quietly.

With 30-years on the Longreach Show committee, Mrs Barrett helps out wherever she can, whether it be setting up the pavilion or geeing up her great granddaughter for competition.

"I remember one year Pru couldn’t find her riding boots and so I sent her out into the ring in her bright pink slippers.
"The judge didn’t care about it at all and she still came away with a ribbon from that event.
"We had this rule you were never allowed to talk about a judge until we got home.
"Some nights that meant for a frightful meal at the end of the day."

Endurance race of princely proportions

LONGREACH rider and trainer Yvonne Strand will be more than happy to make the finish line next weekend when she and mount Sharuq enter the annual Tom Quilty Cup in Boonah.

Known as a sport of sheiks and princes, Strand will be lining up with some of the sports richest competitors as part of a Western Queensland team in the 160 kilometre race, testing not only the rider’s endurance, but the horse’s as well.

Considered one of the greatest and most challenging equestrian events in the world, over 350 entrants will take to the starting posts at midnight in an effort to complete the course in under 24 hours.

At the end of each of the five legs of the race, the mounts are fully checked over by a vet.

Along with assessment of the horse’s physical condition, heart rates must also be low before riders are allowed to continue on the endurance ride which covers a mixture of tough terrain.

Six years ago Strand’s horse Sardica was vetted out after pulling up lame.

The rider has since been working night and day planning to make sure Sharuq, from the Lindsay Park Stud, doesn’t suffer the same fate.

"I promised myself I would be back this year.

"I have been preparing this horse for three years; we have done hundreds of miles.

"Finding hills here has been a problem but we have been going out the 60km to Ilfracombe and back.
"It’s not so much the climbing up, it’s the climbing down. Finding a continual gradient is the problem."

One of the fastest growing equine sports in the world, riding in an endurance contest is only half the battle for Strand.

"We will be out there against some of the best in the world from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

"I have even heard there is going to be an Indian prince there.

"There is a 24-hour time limit on finishing and I am going to just be happy to finish before worrying where we end up in the field.

"In 2000 I couldn’t even remember the fourth leg I was so exhausted.

"It is going to take a lot of willpower to just finish."