SPORT ON THE BARCOO

Upsets on the Blackall green

THERE were a couple of upsets
in the bowls singles at the
Blackall green last Sunday. By far
the biggest was Loretta Dickens
beating John Bowyer in her first
ever competition game. A very
got hot against an in-form Gumby
Chapman, losing 31-9. Woody and
Dave Carter had a hard game but
Woody was never quite in it, going
down 31-21.
With a lot of experience and a lot
Tambo Little Masters
PLAYERS from Blackall, Longreach,
Isisford, Charleville, Morven,
Barcaldine, Alpha and Ilfracombe
travelled to Tambo on April 18 for the
Tambo Little Masters. The team from
Blackall consisted of 9 players and
the event was played over 27 holes.
INDEPENDENT
April 23 2010
THE BARCOO

Blackall’s own community newspaper

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

MacKillop Centre, “first of its kind”

capable bowler, John went down of luck, Ross Browning proved too The A Grade men competition
31-19. Although he gave Loretta strong for Roland Blucher in sets was won by Matt Miller, who shot
12 to start, that ended up being the of nines, winning 12-2 and 12-7. six under for the last nine holes,
winning margin. John managed to with a gross score of 96. Runner up
get within reach at 19-20 after 23 In social bowls, Hazel McHugh Clinton Austin of Blackall grossed
ends but Loretta kept her head for was a bit too strong for Judy Evers,
103. In B Grade men, Greg Glover
a great win. winning 23-13 after 24 ends.
from Tambo was successful in
In A singles there was another There are no competition bowls beating runner up Eddie Austin
upset with Ron Robinson beating next Sunday due to Anzac Day
from Blackall. B. Gray was the
a very good bowler, John Carter. activities. Social bowls will be held winner of the C Grade men, ahead of
Ron was leading all the way to on Monday with club selected
runner up Lam Pitt from Blackall.
take the game 31-22. In handicap games and prize money for In A Grade ladies, Mary
singles, Julie Blucher couldn’t winners and runners up. Be there Sunderland from Tambo won in a
give Trevor ‘the Fox’ Brown 5 start for a 9.30am start. playoff against Denise Vale from
to be beaten 31-24. – Dally Alpha. Mary won on the 29th hole.
In the B grade, Rob Doyle never In the final round Mary had a hole-
in-one – congratulations to Mary.
Blackall’s Wilma Pitt was the
winner of the B Grade ladies. Wilma
also won the B Grade nett, the overall
ladies nett and the veteran’s. Runner
up was Lea Williams from Barcaldine.
The C Grade ladies competition was
won by Katrina Austin from Blackall
with Hazel Rogers from Tambo in
second place.
Congratulations to all the winners
and thanks to all who took part.
It was good to see teams from the
Central West participating in this
event and supporting a fellow club.
Other golfing news. Golf Qld has
been very busy over the past week
implementing a new handicapping
system into Queensland. This has
been a huge task but has resulted
in some good news for golfers
The Blackall Mapgies travelled to Winton for competition
having their handicap increased.
Magpies in Winton for round robin The news has not been so kind
with other golfers who have had
FOR the first time in many years scored against them. The entire their handicaps reduced. The
the Blackall Junior Rugby League team performed well. Braeden changes should make for a fairer
travelled to Winton to contest a Carolan, who scored a couple outcome for golfers in general.
round robin competition against of tries and defended strongly, The Blackall Golf Club also had
the rest of the Central West deserves a special mention. a visit from professionally golfer
towns. This weekend we are at home Scotty Simmons last week. Scotty
The council bus was hired to against Barcaldine and these visited both schools and held a clinic
commute the players, as well as a games will be played at the State on Saturday for interested learners.
couple of very dedicated parents School due to the campdraft at the The Central West continues to
who took their cars on the 800 km showgrounds. receive this service and support
roundtrip. On Saturday, May 1 we will thanks to Golf Queensland and the
The under 10s and 12s both took travel to Longreach to play the Greg Norman Foundation.
full teams and competed well. We Thompson Tigers.
had one player in the 14s and two
played in the under 16 game.
The Blackall Magpies will be
marching on Anzac Day in full
The young under 12s magpies football uniform meeting at IGA at
This Sunday is ANZAC Day so
there will be no golf played but
keep an eye on the board as there
may be a social game on Monday,
didn’t lose a game; defending 9.15am.
stoutly, with only two tries being – Peter Hauff, President
April 26.
…PAR POSITIVE…
Page 16 - The Barcoo Independent, Friday, April 23 2010
By ROWAN HUNNAM
PRINCIPAL Tim Franzmann was pleased this week to
officially open the new multipurpose hall at St Joseph’s.
The building is the only one of its kind in Blackall, the
first of the Building Education Revolution buildings to be
opened in the Rockhampton dioscese, and the first building
to be named after Mary MacKillop in the same dioscese.
The MacKillop Centre, as it was named after much
deliberation, has been built on the site of the first Sisters
of Joseph convent in Blackall.
Costing almost $560,000 and measuring approximately
20 x 30 metres, the hall has been set up for a variety of
sports including basketball, tennis, volleyball, netball,
indoor cricket and table tennis. It will also feature a data
projector, a screen and surround sound for movie nights
and State of Origin, as was suggested at the opening.
Chris McErlean was the principal building contractor,
working with other subcontractors with heavy local
involvement. Work began on October 21, 2009 and
according to Chris, despite the weather playing havoc
and a few delays with parts arriving, construction of the
hall went very smoothly.
“It is a universal beam structure with colour bond
corrugated iron walls.”
“It was designed so that the reinforced piers are
independent of the concrete slab so they can move up
and down… due to the black soil.”
Some of the redeeming features of the building include
the natural lighting coming through the roof, automatic
roller doors, sporting lights and awnings.
continued on page 14
Wool carting 1920s
Wool carted from ‘Isisdowns’ to the rail head near Blackall
in the 1920s. See page 4 for story.
SPECIAL EDITION!!
Looking back 20 years since the 1990 floods
Celebrating with the community at the opening and
blessing of the MacKillop Centre at St Joseph’s were
Catholic Education Facilities Coordinator Paul Bryant (left),
principal building contractor Chris McErlean, Assistant
Director of Schools Western Region Ross Jones, Bishop
Brian Heenan, principal Tim Franzmann, the Hon Bruce
Scott MP, Father Matthew Moloney, Director of Catholic
Education Leesa Jeffcoat and St Joseph’s students.
New competition in Tambo
Stock Show wether trial
AFTER thirty years of much the same, the wether
trial at the Tambo Stock Show has been extended to
incorporate a production wether section.
The new competition will see sheep stay for an extra
year, instead of being sold for their carcase at the end of
the third year. At the end of the last 12 months, sheep
will be shorn and the wool production for the team as a
whole for the 4 years will be calculated. Teams will also
be awarded a fat score which will be added to the wool
score. This will give teams a total production score at
the end of the four years.
Wether competition section head Alison Shaw
said that with less people in sheep these days, and
wool a valuable resource, they hoped the revamped
competition will encourage more people to get involved
in the trial.
“This year we are down to 143 sheep, and although
10 more teams have entered (consisting of five lambs),
we have always aimed to keep the competition numbers
in the 200s.
“This will keep the numbers up and it will be really
interesting to see which team
continued on page 3
WHATS ON in 2010
APRIL Send your dates in!
FROM THE MAYOR’S DESK
I am writing this letter from Sydney where I
SPORT ON THE BARCOO New members make
21-24 Australian National Campdraft Finals am attending the Commsday Summit 2010.
Monthly medal results a family affair for a busy season
A visit from a Telstra representative has seen
22-23 Cement Workshop with Jennie Scott a red sticker put on the public telephone on GOLF at the Blackall Club has been On April 11, the club played for LAST Sunday the Blackall Gun
23 Blackall Combined Schools’ Anzac Service the corner of Bauhinia and Garden Streets in slow to get started this year due to a the Barcoo Butchery Monthly Medal. Club had a very good line up of
23 DCQ What Next? Forum Blackall. The sticker states that the community long wet season but the club finally This was well contested with the shooters for the monthly shoot.
23 Opening of ‘Speaking Stones’ Installation by Natalie Billing has 3 months to appeal the decision to remove got off to a good start in March with winning results a family affair. Lam Three squads ensured it was a
the public telephone box. This particular two monthly medals. Pitt won the men’s with a 62 nett and very busy day and made it necessary
23 Nominations Close Landmark Beef Cattle Show and Sale
telephone has generated $150 over the past year. On April 4, 16 players participated Les Williams was runner up with a 66 to have a second operational
24 Tambo Stock Show In Tambo the telephone box on Arthur Street between Garden trap. There was one squad made
in a 4 Ball Best Ball Stableford. Paul nett. Wilma Pitt won the women’s with
24 Wether Trial Shearing and Charles Streets is also under review as the funds generated Allen and Peter Fry were the winners a 64 nett while Christine Williams up completely of beginners, and
24 Whip Cracking Workshop amounted to $220 per annum. Please take note of the address on the day with 49 points. Runners was runner up with 72 nett. with a bit of training from the
25 Anzac Day Dawn Service, March and Morning Service and telephone numbers on which objections may be lodged. up were Lyn MacNamara and Nathan Other scores on the day in the regular shooters they improved
26-1 Skill Development Workshops with Christian Griffiths The General Meeting of Council was held in Tambo on April Cameron with 48 points. Lam Pitt men’s competition were W. Waugh on their shooting skills substantially.
14 with a very busy agenda to address. Congratulations to our and Shane Robinson shared the same 68, J. Walker on 72, E. Austin on 72, Some of the members are heading
28-29 Naturally Resourceful Course, Tambo management staff who won the inaugural CQ Local Government
29 Landmark Beef Cattle Show and Sale points (48) but lost in a countback. S. Robinson on 72, A. Loveday on 73, off in two weeks to Roma for the
Management Challenge Trophy, with Barcaldine Regional Council
30 Landmark Cattlemen’s Presentation Dinner Other scores on the day were A. F. Simpson on 76 and G. Schluter on State Trap Carnival on May 1 to
staff members, they blitzed the field to come home with the prize.
Council resolved to apply for funding for walking trails in Fry and M. Gane on 47pts, K. Choyce 77. In the women’s, K. Austin scored 3, and then on to Cunnamulla the
MAY both Blackall and Tambo. This is a part of our Corporate and and G. Fry on 45pts, C. Williams and 74, K. Choyce scored 76 and M. Hauff following weekend for their annual
1 Dressage and Junior Stockman’s Challenge, Blackall Show Community Plan as well as our Sport and Recreation Plan in C. Austin on 45pts, W. Pitt and J. scored 78. Trap Carnival. With all the new
1 Woolscour Bush Dinner support of healthy communities. Walker on 43pts and P. Fry and T. members it promises to be a good
A complimentary draft copy of the Blackall Tambo phonebook Davidson on 37pts. …PAR POSITIVE… year.
2 Blackall Show
will be available for each household on presentation of the
5
5
Club Committees Sport and Recreation Workshop
Woolscour Tour and Dinner
phonebook flyer to our branch offices. This is your opportunity Strong competition at Keith Hayward Memorial pairs event
to ensure your details are correct or that your details are actually
8 Blackall Girl Guides Cent Sale in the book before we go to final printing. THE Blackall Pistol Club hosted Unfortunately a few of the regular In the Sports Pistol event, the
8-9 ‘The Centre within the Course’ Helen Everingham, Tambo The RADF Committee welcomed new member for Blackall the second weekend of the Keith shooters were away for the weekend pairing of Peter Molle and Julie
and youth, David Goodman. Hayward Memorial Pairs events on and so numbers were short but a Russell finished with a total score of
9 Blackall Equestrian Group Jump Club
The Department of Transport and Main Roads has advised Sunday, March 11 with the Centre strong competition was still evident. 885 to take the winning medals from
11 Black Stump Invitation Sale Fire and Sports Pistol matches being The winners of the Centre Fire Spencer Astill and Jim McCarthy on
they will be applying an overlay to the surfaces of Shamrock St
12 Woolscour Tour and Dinner in Blackall and Arthur St in Tambo in the near future. This will contested. event were Len Russell and partner 806.
12 Biggest Morning Tea not include parking areas or intersections. Council will have to Many thanks to Glady Hayward and Bruce McPaul with a total score of The next official shoot will be the
14 BCI Ride West bear the cost of this part of the work. family for providing the memorial to 814, followed by the runners up Barcoo Butchery Rapid Fire and
15 Murder Mystery Dinner Alterations to the Blackall Airport apron and runway were Keith each year and being available to Arthur Elmy and Jack Milroy with a Wayne Dendle 25 metre Rifle pairs
14-17 Hebel Artist Workshop discussed. Council was informed that work will commence on May present the trophies to the winners. combined score of 624. events.
3. This is pleasing news as we are aware of the community concern
14-28 Heartland Festival Photography Exhibition regarding the restoration of the Wednesday flights back into Blackall
14-20 Heartland Festival Sean Leahy Cartooning Workshop and our Council concern of the time frame for the funding.
17-19 Writing Workshop The Blackall Tambo Regional Council has committed
19 Woolscour Tour and Dinner $2,000,000 to the management of all pests in the region for “PROPERTYPICKOFTHEWEEK”
21 Heartland Festival Food & Music Fiesta: Friends of Pedro the four years of life of the Pest Management Plan. Of this,
approximately $800,000 may be used for Wild Dog control. The 143ThistleStreet
22 Isisford Sheep and Wool Show Pest Management Plan has to be approved by the Department
22-23 Shockwave Youth Arts Festival “SimplytheBest”
of the Environment and Resource Management prior to 

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1/8 page: $16.50 1/2 page: $68.75 Please direct enquiries, suggestions, stories and 

Full pg/Insert: $137.50 letters to the editor to: Rowan Hunnam

CATTLE SALE DATES:
1/6 page: $27.50 Fat&StoreSale–May6
barcooindependent@gmail.com Forresults,contactPaton–YourRay
1/4 page: $34.65 Classified: $5 for 3 lines or post or call at Blackall Visitor Information Centre, WhiteSpecialistAgent
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Page 2 - The Barcoo Independent, Friday, April 23 2010 The Barcoo Independent, Friday, April 23 2010 - Page 15
 Anzac commemorative guide launched locally
Regional Fuel Watch
Left: President of the
Blackall RSL Major Terry
Brennan was presented
with the Australian flag. BARCALDINE BLACKALL LONGREACH
Below left: The Hon Bruce
Scott MP discusses the
commemorative guide Unleaded $129.9 $143.9 $135.9
with Blackall State School
leaders Karla Ward, Bonnie Diesel $129.9 $141.9 $138.9
Lawrence and Hamish
Heard Tambo wether trial Past student returns to Karl Beier to play
Above: The Hon Bruce Scott MP took the opportunity to officially launch continued from page 1
his Anzac Day commemorative guide at the statue of Edgar Towner VC comes out Blackall for research at Anzac Day
with school leaders Louise Ward, Bonnie Lawrence, Hamish Heard, with the best overall production.”
This year ‘Westbourne’ was the LESLEY and Michael Heatley’s
Kate Baillie and Andrew Davison. daughter Michelle returned to
winning milk teeth team, followed by
Blackall last week to conduct a
New sergeant urges Principal pleased with ‘Narada’, ‘Narada’ – James Turnbull
and ‘Lambert’. The highest valued group discussion with mothers
safe driving MacKillop centre fleece was awarded to ‘Westbourne’ who are planning, expecting or
BLACKALL’s new police continued from page 1 with a 9.2 kg fleece of 19.1 micron, had a baby.
sergeant Bruce Trickett is Mr Franzmann says the building valued at $70.99. The milk teeth team Michelle and two others have
urging motorists to drive rivals many of the facilities that with the highest comfort factor was travelled right across the state,
carefully on the roads over schools on the coast and in cities ‘Narada’ – James Turnbull. conducting the group sessions and
the Anzac weekend. have access to. In the open section, ‘Stirling collecting information on the needs
“With more traffic on "I am very happy with it... I think Downs’ took out the honours, with of mothers, and their suggestions
the roads, there will be an it provides a brilliant opportunity second and third awarded to two and experiences of maternity
increase in police targeting and facilities for the students and teams from ‘Lambert’ and fourth to care, to improve maternity care
traffic flowing through the community here in Blackall.” ‘Wyanga’. ‘Stirling Downs’ took out
Longreach district, including for Queensland women and their
"It is exciting for all our schools the team with the highest comfort families.
Blackall,” Mr Trickett said. factor as well as the highest valued
“Our main concern relates in the area to have the money and Michelle was born and raised in
resources to complete projects like fleece weighing 10.5 kg of 19.3
to driver fatigue, drink Blackall, and attended Blackall
this one." micron, valued at $84.79.
driving, speeding, failure to The sheep were shorn at the State School. She was the
wear seatbelts and other life "For a school of sixty students, we recipient of the McLean Brothers’
are very lucky to have got that." ‘Isoroy’ shearing shed last Saturday
endangering offences.” after running at ‘Narada’. The Bursary in 2001 and went on to
winning fleeces will be on display at study Psychology at the University

Naturally Resourceful
the Tambo Stock Show on Saturday,
April 24. The sheep will go to
‘Westbourne’ for the year ahead.
– Rowan Hunnam
a short course for rural women...
of Queensland the following year.
Michelle completed university in
2005, after conducting honours
research in doctor and patient
communication.
moved to the UK for two
She

years in 2007 and then The Blackall RSL has organised for
became a research assistant Karl Beier to return to Blackall to play

28 & 29 April Register now on back at the University of

Queensland.
the bagpipes for the Anzac dawn
service and Anzac march. He is the son

Tambo Town Hall 07 4658 0600 Michelle said she enjoys

coming back to Blackall, but
doesn’t come back as often
of Victoria Smith, grandson of Maymie
Law and the great great grandson of
Jackie Howe. He has been playing
the bagpipes for 22 years and is part
Workshop topics include: as her mother would like!
of the Highlanders Band in Brisbane.

• Health and Wellbeing • Communication

• Succession Planning • Rural business analysis

• Funding opportunities & Grant Writing • Biodiversity

• Planning for Positive Change • Much more

Frank and Janet Thygesen of Blackall were
pleased to congratulate their granddaughter
Contact DCQ for more information Shannon Warfield on her marriage to Brendan
Zimmerle on March 27 in Coolangatta.
07 4658 0600 or email colleen.james@dcq.org.au Shannon was attended by Jade Miles and
her sisters Casey and Tahnee Sheehan.
Brendan’s attendees were Adam Kim and his
brothers Michael and Jason Zimmerle.
Page 14 tambo
nrworkshop - The Barcoo
advertisment Independent,
18.43x13.5.indd 1 Friday, April 23 2010 7/04/2010 3:21:59 PM The Barcoo Independent, Friday, April 23 2010 - Page 3
Local paper goes online Senator talks to councillors

THE Blackall Newspaper Group held its annual general
meeting last Saturday, re-electing Terry Kingston as
president, Margaret Warren as vice president, Lynette
Davison as treasurer and Sally Cripps as secretary.
Kirstie Davison joined the ranks as assistant secretary.
The committee welcomed new member Matthew
BEEF
SPECIAL Minister of State, Senator Joe Ludwig spent
time with Blackall-Tambo regional councillors this
week as part of a tour to follow up with communities
affected by flooding earlier this year.
Senator Ludwig said the Rudd government had
committed to following through on its natural disaster

Moloney, who brought some fresh ideas to the table.
The meeting was also an opportunity to launch the
new Barcoo Independent website to promote the local
newspaper throughout the region, and to give readers
the option of viewing archived newspapers online four
#6--4

relief arrangements.
Councillors spoke about the difficulties faced by
people unable to get out and earn their living for a

number of weeks, and of the need for more information
on flood heights. Similar issues had been raised

BLACKALL
weeks after publication. when the Senator visited St George, Cunnamulla and
The idea came from requests from readers to Charleville earlier in the week.
access the newspaper online. The site, available at
www.barcooindependent.com, also gives people an
opportunity to contact the newspaper with story ideas
and to give feedback.
The Barcoo Independent is currently available for '03

purchase at the Blackall Newsagency, Bauer’s corner
store, Tambo Foodworks, Wandal Newsagency and via
a mail subscription.

NOW SERVICING "//6"-

#-"$,
456.1

TAMBO, SW QLD & SURROUNDING AREAS!

*/7*5"5*0/
4"-&








Blackall-Tambo councillors Peter Skewes, Sally Cripps
and Grahame Schluter met with Senator Joe Ludwig (left)
in Blackall this week

Mural revisits local history

PAINTED by local artist Bob Wilson, the mural
depicts wool being carted in the Blackall area in the
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1920s. The mural was based on a scene captured
in a photograph (see front page). The wagon, also 
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known as “The Don”, is loaded with 120 bales of wool
from Isisdowns and is being carted into Blackall to
the rail head at the time by 28 draft horses. "MM
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After road vehicles become the more prominent
mode of transporting wool, The Don was sold to a
property at Quilpie.
The wagon is now going to be restored by
a private individual on the Sunshine Coast. ²#VSFOEB³
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  Barcoo Retirement Committee Chairman Owen
Modern Fleet of Helicopters Stockwell said he chose to create a mural from this #SBGPSET
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²#FUUBGJFME³
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Two R22 Beta II’s photograph because it is part of the local history.
  “It is  part of Blackall’s  history with the early
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One R44 Raven I teamsters… and we have really got to start preserving
it.”
Specialising in: – Rowan Hunnam ²3PEMZO³

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Aerial stock mustering
Aerial spotting & surveying 4QFDJBMT
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Property inspections
For bookings call Lloyd or Alison
Lot 3 Landsbourgh Highway, Tambo Q 4478
Ph: (07) 4654 6991 Mb: 0428 104 478
Fx: (07) 4654 6921 E: threerhelicopters@bigpond.com
Page 4 - The Barcoo Independent, Friday, April 23 2010
8F
SFDPNNFOE
ZPVS
BUUFOEBODF
Grant Daniel & Long Pty Ltd | Blackall | (07) 4657 6000
Local artist Bob Wilson stands with a stock whip over his
shoulder in front of the completed mural outside McLean Catalogues are available now from GDL Blackall or GDL branches and Ruralco agents
Place on Shamrock Street. Photo by Robert Stockwell.
The Barcoo Independent, Friday, April 23 2010 - Page 13
Clockwise: Around 100 guests
joined St Joseph’s principal
Tim Franzmann as he officially
opened the new multipurpose
hall at the school, Bishop Brian
Heenan blessed the building at the
opening, school captains Andrew
Davison and Kate Baillie plant
the Mary MacKillop bottlebrush
with help from the prep students,
principal Tim Franzmann, Bishop
Brian Heenan and the Hon Bruce
Scott MP.
Blackall cattlesale market report
BLACKALL Combined Agents
yarded 2700 head at their weekly
164 c/kg.
Peter Adams ‘Anthony’ Blackall
fat and store sale last week. sold Brahman cows to a top of
A local vendor sold Charolais #8
bullocks weighing 717 kg to a top of
144.2 c/kg or $757 per head. Peel
Northampton Downs ‘Northampton
164 c/kg. Their cows also topped at Downs’ Blackall sold Santa cows to
148 c/kg and weighed 669 kg. a top of 159.2 c, weighing 604 kg
Tim and Kylie Box ‘Lancevale’ and $841 per head.
Blackall sold quality Santa cross
heifers to reach 190.2 c/kg for 197
Opal Creek Feeders ‘Elsinore’ Blackall
sold heavy Angus bulls weighing 860
kg. Adams and Son ‘Darracourt’ kg and reaching 133 c/kg.
topped the heifer market with their 5900 head were booked at this
heifers weighing 640 kg and fetching week’s special weaner and store sale.
Empowering rural women
EMPOWERING rural women is the focus of a workshop
being held at the Tambo Town Hall later this month.
DCQ Industry Liaison Officer and workshop organiser
Colleen James said, “We want to give rural women the
opportunity to build networks and access information
and training that is often difficult to receive in remote
areas.”
“We will focus on issues including communication,
succession planning, rural business analysis,
biodiversity, grant writing and funding opportunities,
arts, mental and physical health and well being.”
The workshops have been previously held in other
remote areas including Eromanga, Boulia, Winton and
Longreach with great support from local women.
An attendee from the Eromanga workshop said that it was
“…well worth making the time to attend. The course has
a large number of relevant topics and issues that women
living in rural and isolated areas face on a regular basis
with lots of contacts for further information provided.”
By delivering Naturally Resourceful women’s
workshops, DCQ aims to provide local women with the
networks and tools to build on their resourceful nature,
enhance their involvement in communities and develop
their skills, knowledge and understanding about natural
resource management and personal development.
The two days are specifically designed for rural and
remote women and will be held in Tambo on Wednesday,
April 28 and Thursday, April 29.
Page 12 - The Barcoo Independent, Friday, April 23 2010
‘Murder Mystery’ at
ANZAC DAY
the Cultural Centre
THIS year the Blackall Heartland
Festival is proud to support the
Blackall Kindergarten as they
host an evening of intrigue and
suspicion. Sunday 25th April 2010
After a similar and hugely
successful 2008 event, organiser
Kirstie Davison is hoping for a stellar DAWN SERVICE
crowd on May 15, when the Blackall
Cultural Centre becomes the scene of
a mysterious and dramatic murder.
Keeping to the festival theme, ‘The
Memorial Park
6:00 am
Black Stump and Beyond’, guests
attending the murder mystery
dinner will dress as characters from
black and white television shows.
A “murder” will occur during the
evening and the celebrity guests will
Complimentary Breakfast, Tea and Coffee
be called upon to solve the mystery.
MORNING MARCH & CEREMONY
Guests can expect to mix and mingle
and enjoy a bite to eat with the likes of
Mortisha Adams and Charlie Chaplin.
Kirstie said, “All who attended the
function in 2008 put a great deal of 9:30am - Assemble for March (in front of IGA)
time and effort into their characters
and came dressed in full costume”.
For $40 (single) and $70 (double)
you receive a two-course meal, a
9:40am - March Commences
dash of drama and a complementary
glass of wine. The bar will be
operating throughout the evening. 10:00am - Ceremony in Memorial Park
The Blackall Heartland committees
have been hard at work over the
past few months securing funding,
event managing and marketing the
2010 festival. To download the most
WREATHS
up to date calendar of events or to
find more information on this event Any individual, family or community organisation who would like to order
or workshops of your choice, please
a wreath for the morning ceremony, contact Donny Daly on 0427 400 754.
visit www.blackallheartlandfestival.
com.au. Wreaths available for collection (and payment) from Robyn Adams near
CLASSIFIEDS
THE BARCOO INDEPENDENT IGA corner prior to the March between 8:30 am & 9:15 am.
Nanny Required
Additional Anzac Events in Memorial Park– Everyone Welcome
Nanny required for 2 boys, aged 1 and 4 from Monday - Friday.
Negotiable wage, meals and accommodation all included. Friday 23rd April 9am
‘Lancevale Station’, 7154 Blackall-Jericho road. Ph 4657 5928.
Blackall Combined Schools ANZAC Service
Mary Neal
Remedial Massage Speaking Stones Exhibition by Natalie Billing
Therapist Open 6pm to 7pm Friday 23rd April & Saturday 24th April
Thursday from 8: 00 am In Remembrance of those who served, members of the Blackall RSL Ladies Auxiliary
place a symbolic Cross and Poppy on the grave of every serviceman and woman
At Barcoo Living MPS interned in the Blackall cemetery. They invite you to view these graves, and honour
2A Coronation Drive the memory and service of these individuals in your own personal way and time.
Blackall The Crosses will be on display from Saturday 24th to Tuesday 27th April 2010.
Ph: 07 4651 0955
Additional Information or Assistance – Contact Blackall RSL Sub Branch - President - Terry
Mobile: 042930 9111 Brennan on 07 4651 0939 or 0419 179 974 or Secretary / Treasurer - Donny Daly on 0427 400 754
The Barcoo Independent, Friday, April 23 2010 - Page 5

Iain Adams, Lachlan Krieg, Hugh Macdonald and his
cousin John Rice, who is mustering at ‘Prairie Vale’
Blackall Races April 2010
Ginger Morgan and Michelle Elmy with 5
month old Cooper
Sisters Meghan and Alise Murie
dressed up for the day at the
Angela Strohmayr and Katrina Austin
races
Peter Evans, Mark Duthie & Jack Banks after the day of racing
Tim Politch and Adrian Austin
Kerry Walker and Monica Bailey
shared a laugh at the Blackall race
meet on Saturday
Speaking Stones
An Anzac Exhibition by Natalie Billing
Friday 23rd April 2010
Official Exhibition Opening
Where – Memorial Park When – 6 pm to 7 pm
Complimentary Refreshments
Everyone Welcome
Natalie Billing a nationally recognised Brisbane based sculptor
originally from Blackall has generously brought her installation art work
‘Speaking Stones’ to Blackall for the Anzac week-end.
The exhibition made its debut last year as the first art exhibition ever held within the Shrine
of Memories in Anzac Square in Brisbane. ‘Speaking Stones’ is a combination of tactile
stones, recorded voices and filmed images including the recollections of veterans and their
families from Blackall.
The exhibition was inspired by the late Dooley Foster, Natalie’s grandfather who served in
New Guinea during World War Two. Natalie believes that the ‘Speaking Stones’ exhibition
provides the opportunity for veterans and families to speak their stories and let old become
new again. The installation has 7000 handcrafted clay stones, some inscribed with the words
‘We Remember Them’.
In presenting her concept to the Queensland RSL this is part of what Natalie explained:
My Grandfather CJ ‘Dooley’ Foster, was a Returned Soldier and a staunch member of the Blackall
RSL. It was one of his greatest joys to return home each year for Anzac Day and to lay a wreath
for his fallen comrades. Spending (his last) Anzac Day with him is one of my most cherished
memories. Seeing how he and the people of the Blackall community embraced the local war
memorial as part of their lives, and used it to honour memory and keep the stories alive is truly
inspirational, and I want to honour that. This is how a War Memorial should function, as part of an
active remembering process.

The Blackall Memorial Park Cenotaph will be the focus of the exhibition with
the memory stones laid around the obelisk.
Those who wish will have the opportunity to lay a memory stone.

‘Speaking Stones’ installation will be open to the public

6pm to 7 pm Friday 23 rd April and Saturday 24th April
Additional Information or Assistance – Contact Blackall RSL Sub Branch - President - Terry
Brennan on 07 4651 0939 or 0419 179 974 or Robyn Adams 07 4651 0939 or 0447 179 974
Bride-to-be Kerry Lipsett (front) shared a marquee at her hens gathering
Fashions of the field winners Alisa at the races with Leah Baillie, Joanne Bird, Christine Bird, Joleen Dendle, Generously supported by ‘Outback Sound’.
Remeikis (left) and Leah Gilmore from Kathryn Lipsett, Karen Bullion, Mandy Lucas, Beth Harlow, Priscilla Dendle,
Charleville (centre) with Karen Brook Missy Dehennin, Lisa Fry, Christy Olive, Lyn Harlow and Rebecca Walker.
Page 6 - The Barcoo Independent, Friday, April 23 2010 The Barcoo Independent, Friday, April 23 2010 - Page 11
 Looking back at the
“The only way out would have
been by helicopter.” Fred Rich,
Council Chairman 1989 - 1996

“During the 1990 floods, I was stranded
here. The only way out would have been
by helicopter. I kept in touch with our Shire
Clerk, Gerrard Kennet, regarding the flood
situation. On the day when the flood waters
reached their peak, I spoke to Gerrard in the
morning, and he told me that the river water
had reached the sewerage pumping station.
That afternoon I spoke to him again and
found that the river had risen substantially,
and that the SES boat was moored outside
of the ambulance centre (you can see the
flood marked/r there). The SES, under the
leadership of Don Wheeler, did a magnificent
job; shifting people and belongings by boat.
Without their services, the outcome could
have been very different. The aftermath
of the flood created an extremely serious
situation. People in the flooded areas had
lost everything in their homes. Council set up
a committee with the task of providing help to
those who needed it. The state government
made cash available to be distributed to both
businesses and homeowners and residents.
This task was handled by the flood committee,
as were many other tasks. This committee
played a vital part in distributing food clothing
and cash, to those who needed it. Following
the floods, and the cleanup, council decided
to shift homes out of the flooded areas, at its
cost. This was a voluntary scheme, and most
people took advantage of it.”
Anne Hauff
1990 floods
The Head Steward of the Memorial Club “There was no way
in 1990 was Jim McEnlly. He remembers
when the water hit the 1963 level at 4.45pm
of stopping the rising
outside the club. He recalls telling Pam water...” Jim McEnlly,
Carolan, “well it won’t rise anymore”. By Blackall Sports and
6.30pm it had risen another 3 feet (90cm). Memorial Club Head Scottish backpacker Neil Young (left), currently working
He was surprised at how quickly the water
rose. Council workers did their best to help Steward 1990 on ‘Bayrick’, at the Blackall races with Peta Batts, Anna
The Banks and McKay families were the excited winners
by sandbagging the front entrance, but there Nevell and Mick Doyle
was no way of stopping the water. While the of the Grant Daniel
& Long QTIS class
front entrance was being sandbagged, Mr
McEnlly remembers Pam running to tell them three handicap and
that the water was now coming in the back collected the trophy
door. “There was just no way of stopping along with trainer
the rising water.” The water rose as high as Charlie Prow,
the foot rail around the bottom of the bar, all strapper Rosie Kerr
the carpets were ruined from the water and
the sand from the failed sandbags. There
and GDL branch
manager Jeremy
was a hell of a cleanup afterwards. Mr
Barron
McEnlly said that Kerry Spinks came in with
a small loader and ripped up the carpets;
Right: Jess Doyle
there was no way of salvaging them as they
(left) with Leanne
were beyond repair. The council blokes
and Josh Griffiths
were fantastic with the clean up, recalls Mr Jim Taylor and Bill Cripps relaxing after a
McEnlly, and nothing was a problem, they
day’s racing at Blackall
took all the ruined carpet and rubbish to the
dump free of charge.

Barry Muir, Muir’s Garage 1990

"The flood in 1963 was by far the biggest in the history of (Muir's)
garage. So in 1990 we shifted all the stock in the garage up to
above the 1963 flood mark. In 1990, the water level rose to more
than a metre above that of 1963. It had devastating effects for
us. Dad had to put off one of our employees. On the day that the
water was rising, I woke up and could hear water roaring around
the pensioner huts. Because the main river channel was blocked
up with tea trees and undergrowth shrubs, the river poured down
Aqua Street and right through town. It tore up the bitumen – that
was the force of the current.”

Brendan Ward scooped

Chris MaCrae, John Geiger and Peter Hauff looked out at 16
Aqua Street as the flood waters rose around Spratty Blacker’s
house and ute. Anne Hauff said that the speed of the water rising
is what she remembers most about the 1990 floods. “No-one had
seen a flood like it at the time and everyone was speculating on
how high the water would rise, but nobody really knew. You just
had to sit and wait to see what would happen.”
Ronny Kent, Kent’s Food ‘n Fashion 1990 Lorraine Irwin from Ilfracombe and the pool in the best Blackall welcomed Sergeant Bruce Trickett to the
“The biggest thing that stands out in my mind is how many Kylie Hauff at the Blackall races dressed junior category races, here with Constable Luke Johnson
people came forward to help clean up. We had to close down
for a while due to the mess but people offered to take clothes
home and wash and ironed them for us. Some helped sweep out
the mud from the store, even people we hardly knew. It was just
outstanding the amount of people who offered to help.”

“...sand bagging shop fronts and evacuating people from their homes...” Greg Tierney
It rained for a month and the river kept rising, remembers Greg Tierney, who was a SES and Fire Brigade volunteer at the time. It
was common knowledge the river was going to flood the town and inundate many homes and businesses. Everyone pitched in and
helped with sand bagging shop fronts and evacuating people from their homes, before the river peaked in the middle of the night.
Greg remembers how everyone needed help, but at the back of your mind you were worried about your own home and family. The
SES set up an evacuation call centre at the fire station but had to move to the CREB power station, which is now the council depot
because the station also got flooded. Greg remembers the fire truck getting bogged on the move. During those turbulence times
there were also some lighter moments to make people laugh. Greg tells of how Spratty Blacker who lived in Aqua Street decided to
open both doors on his Toyota ute so the water could flow through and his ute wouldn’t float away. At the time it seemed like a good Aimee Donohoe, Megan Richardson and Jess
idea. Spratty returned after the water had gone down and found a large king brown snake sheltering in the cabin of his ute. Another Johnson dressed up for the races
lighter moment which would have been viewed as serious at the time, involved the food drops to the flooded properties. At the time Middle: Rachel Noble and Sally Cripps
only essentials were allowed – no alcohol or cigarettes. It is believed someone hollowed out a loaf of bread and hid a bottle of rum
in the bread for a much-needed drink at an isolated property. Unfortunately the rum never made it to its designated location. What Far right: Newlyweds Andrew and Vynka
Greg remembers the most and many people will agree with him, is how a small town worked together to overcome a huge disaster Russell put some bets on at the races on the
because everybody got in and got involved. weekend after honeymooning in Tasmania
Page 10 - The Barcoo Independent, Friday, April 23 2010 The Barcoo Independent, Friday, April 23 2010 - Page 7
 “How high was the water, Blackall?”
What do you
remember
about the
1990 floods?
Bob Wilson
“I was down at a Country Music Festival and I couldn’t get back.
Reg Stewart, Lyle Stewart and Rob Johnstone went into my house
(on the corner of Garden and Short Street) to get my gear out and
they had to swim out – it came up that quickly. After the water went
down, they went back and cleaned it all out. I must have killed
about 13 snakes around the house after that. I remember Reg said
that he was looking up at
the curtain and there was
a snake there. I had a
couple of pack saddles
and when I rolled it over,
there was one there too. I
would have had about 9
foot of water through the
house. It is only in the
last few years that I have
restored all of my antique
furniture that was in the
house then. It did a lot of
damage to everyone.”
“...water views in most directions.” Kim Avery
“After a few days of being caught in Blackall by the rain, we needed
to return to Westhill. The only means of travelling at that time was by
the ‘rattler’ as all dirt roads were closed due to the continuous rain.
Shortie, Chris, Ben and I packed food and clothes in preparation
to travel to Glenusk siding. From the siding we would either walk
or tractor to the homestead. We were greeted with a surprise at
the railway station; Kent, a football mate of Chris and Ben, awaited
us. Unbeknown to any of us, Kent had decided he was coming
too, as a few days in the bush would be a great way to spend the
holidays. After confirming that, yes, Kent’s relatives were aware of
his plans, even if we were in the dark, we all boarded the rattler for
the 16 mile journey to Glenusk siding. After the excitement of the
train trip, on arrival at Glenusk we divvied up our gear and either
walked or rode on the tractor the short distance to the homestead.
As the rain continued to fall intermittently, on Thursday night we
had a downpour that caused a whole new vista to appear with the
dawn light. There were water views in most directions; a sight we
had not seen before. Days later we realised that we had been very
fortunate indeed as our dam wall had collapsed and sent down a
wall of water. Any more rain and the bywash would most probably
have caused the homestead to be inundated and we would have
been awoken by floodwaters gushing through the house. All in
all memories of the 1990 floods remain strongly in our minds for
many reasons, not the least our unexpected water views.”
Page 8 - The Barcoo Independent, Friday, April 23 2010
From far left: The
Blackall bowling green
(Veronica Law), Kerry
Spinks and team begin
the clean up, water
inundates the main
street (Dot Tremmel),
water approaches the
Blackall hospital after
swallowing the golf
clubhouse (Sally Cripps)
“...the water reached 5 foot 8 which we
marked on our tube wall.” Joyce Carter
“The 1990 flood was one of the highest Joe and I experienced
during our 37 years as proprietors of Westpoint Service Station
(now the Blackall Tyre Service). The water reached 5 foot 8
which we marked on our tube wall. We were always very
fortunate as we could always count on local men, such as
Doug Birse, Wes Wisley, and Eric Osborn, to help us move our
valuable items out. They would back their trucks up to the back
entrance of the garage and our mechanics and friends would
help them load up and drive them to higher ground. Other tools
and equipment were raised to higher levels inside the building.
The office was also cleared of important papers and machines
in the same way. After the water went down, we had the local
fire brigade bring their hose across the road and they gave the
whole building a good clean up. We really never lost too much
apart from having no work for several days.”
Marie Messer
“It was during these floods that Blackall proved the old saying
that times of adversity bring out the best in people. The entire
town helped in some way by providing food for those affected
and during the huge cleanup period that followed. I remember
that the schools had to be closed, much to the delight of the
children, who had a great time paddling and swimming in the
flooded water. The closure of the schools was due partially
to the boggy roads, and to the number of teachers, including
the principal, who were caught up in the floods on their way
back from holidays. Returned solders were still remembered
with an Anzac march, although the numbers of marchers
were depleted, and the route was shorter. Perhaps that was
Blackall's way of saying that we too showed the Anzac spirit,
and could do our bit for our town and country.”
Robert Stockwell
On the four-wheeler with dogs Tiny, Tess and Jet, looking out
at the damage. “There was that much water that the southern
dam wall burst,” remembered Robert Stockwell.
“The cattle were better swimmers than the sheep” Sally Cripps
“A lot of water has flowed over the Melrose Crossing since 1990, and three more big
floods, so I had to check the rainfall chart and diary to refresh my memory. It had been
raining for a month (12 inches from March 23 to April 10) and properties such as Malvern
Hills had lost irrigation dams. We had only been at Melrose for five years, most of them
very dry, so when the river came out of its banks at the bottom of the hill at our place on
April 13, it was something that all the neighbours came over to see, and a good excuse
for a couple of beers. The next week we went about getting ready to shear what sheep
we could muster on the western side of the place, greasing our overhead gear and so
on. Because the river was so full already, when the heavens opened on the night of
April 17, there was nowhere for the water to go but outwards. “Biggest river ever seen at
Swan Hill” was one of our diary entries, “Water 18 inches over bridge at Northampton”
another. People on properties along our stretch of the river, at Moonbria and Birkdale,
made decisions to evacuate. There was no history of the Melrose homestead flooding
so we felt fairly secure, but as the reports of the disaster unfolding in Blackall on April 20
made their way to us – “One foot of water inside bar of Club, water in Clayton Scarce’s
building, two foot six away from entering the hospital, 700 feet of runway left on the
airstrip” – we were getting pretty darn nervous. We were very thankful that our telephone
system had been converted from a party line to digital radio concentrators just a month Standing knee-deep in flood waters, with
earlier – on April 21 the floodwaters covered the old telephone line. Because it was drinks in hand and smiles on their faces,
still attached to the house we were startled by the occasional loud twang as logs being at the Bushman’s Hotel on Friday, April 20,
carried downstream crashed into it. We were keeping in touch with the Fallons next 1990 were Frank Ptylick, publican Basil
door at Avington, who had a full house of tourists, as the water rose throughout the day. Thwaits, Mable Marks, Frank Marks and
Apart from climbing our high tank with binoculars and getting glimpses of water covering Tina Holden. From a collection belonging to
the paddocks on the eastern side, we were getting reports from all the choppers and Cecilia Neville.
planes flying overhead. “One sheet of water from the house to the sand ridge on eastern
boundary (about 6 kilometres wide),” Jim Taylor phoned to tell us after a helicopter “We knew it was coming.”
evacuated him from Coolagh. Bill was battling a wisdom tooth that wanted to erupt Don Wheeler, Blackall SES
during all this, and we had no strong pain relief medication in the house. After dosing
Controller 1975 -
himself with some stiff rums he went to bed at about 9pm and I was left with the torch
to peer out into the rushing torrent during the night. The noise always seems louder in “The director of State Emergency Services
at the time offered us 400 army personnel
the dark too. Sometime between 1am and 2am on April 22, I was so relieved to find that
who were at their service. They had been
the water had stopped rising. It peaked about a metre away from the garden fence. After
that, the water went down fairly steadily and Bill was able to catch a horse and check helping with the recovery effort in Alpha.
I said that it wouldn’t be necessary, that
that the stock on our side of the river were all walking around OK. The army dropped
us a food parcel too. On Anzac Day, April 25 when the river was finally back in its banks we had everything under control. We
knew (the flood) was coming. There was
and the silt dried out, we were able to row our tinny across to the other side. Normally we
6 and a half inches at Duneira the night
kept a motorbike over there but the river had been up for so long that year, we hadn’t had
before, following a period of rain like the
a chance to leave it, which was just as well – it would have been covered by water. As
we walked across the flat towards the Ponds, things didn’t look too bad, then we found one we have just had. People said they
appreciated having (the SES) driving
a dam that had all its walls washed away. All that was left of the 50 head of cattle there
were tracks where they had milled around on the highest ground before being swept around at 2 and 3am on the night the
water was rising. They said they didn’t feel
away. In the days that followed, Bill was able to cross the river downstream at Avington
with the help of the tourist barge, and borrow a vehicle at Moonbria to look around our alone, knowing that we were doing that.”
eastern side more extensively. He found an empty cement cup and saucer tank that was
only prevented from washing right away because of the poly pipe it was attached to – it Data taken from a fax sent from Blackall
SES Controller Don Wheeler to the
had been moved a fair way through the paddock in any case. We also joined the network
of people faxing (pre-internet days) brands and earmarks to each other, and we ended Longreach Area Director Dan Glendon:
Record: Major flood. Peaked 7.3 metres at
up getting most of our cattle back. They were better swimmers than the sheep in those
paddocks. With most of the fences that were down, we were able to stand them back 9.20pm. 7 business houses evacuated. 29
homes evacuated 120 persons evacuated
up and knock them back into the dirt with the bucket of the tractor because the ground
was so soft, for a change. They from homes. 4 food drops carried out by
fixed wing planes, 27 food drops carried out
didn’t survive the 1997 flood so
by Army chopper 766. 20 persons evacuated
well, but that’s another story.
by Army chopper. 10 persons evacuated
My strongest memory of the
1990 record flood is of the by SES boat. 56 persons carried over
Barcoo River by SES boat. 2 loads of milk
sense of community we had.
We all pulled together along on government plane. Fuel used by Army
Chopper 766 was 7,200 litres in Blackall
the river to help each other
out and people freely shared area. 20 business houses, fire brigade,
ambulance and courthouse evacuated.
their information and ideas.
We didn’t need jetting plants to Glenda Tierney
hose anything out and most of “What I remember most is lying in bed and
our flood damage was fixable hearing the roar of the flood waters and
over time, but it was good to how the sound reminded me of waves
have people to talk to and breaking at the beach, but not gentle
share the experience with.” waves more like rough stormy waves.”
The Barcoo Independent, Friday, April 23 2010 - Page 9