diamantina shire council. can only hope the season continues to improve. ... $5000 grant from the...

Diamantina Shire Council

17 Herbert Street

BEDOURIE QLD 4829

07 4746 1202

07 4746 1272

[email protected]


February, 2015 Volume 6 Issue 1

New welcome to Birdsville on the North Side of Town

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17 Herbert Street

BEDOURIE QLD 4829

07 4746 1202

07 4746 1272

[email protected]


Message from the Mayor

Well first report for 2015. Hope you all had a great Christmas and a happy New Year. School has also started again for 2015, so all children

starting school or starting at a new school all the very best. It was only 50 years ago that I started boarding school and I can remember what a

daunting experience that was.

It’s been 2 months since my last report, but with the council closed down and the Christmas break not a lot went on. In the last few days of

November, I attended a series of meetings in Longreach over 2 days. These included RAPAD, the road group, weeds and pest group, and water

group. A big issue for this group of councils is that some of the inner councils are considering extending the area enclosed by the Wild Dog

Fence. While this holds no interest for Diamantina and Boulia, and is not really a RAPAD issue, it is causing some division in those shires

involved.

Then at the beginning of December the councils were summoned to Cairns by the Local Government Minister, David Crisafulli, for a round table

summit. One of the main points was for councils to financially get their house in order and a few pointers on how to achieve this.

Mid December saw me in Longreach again, this time for a Regional Managers meeting.

Also mid-December I had the privilege of attending the council breakup. It was a most enjoyable afternoon, and by now, all would be back at

work again. I hope all had a great break and are ready to go again.

Last Monday was Australia Day. It was a great honour to be able to present the Australia Day Awards. I congratulate all those nominated, and

especially Jim Smith, M.J., Matt Fatnowna, Don Rayment, and the Bedourie Pig/Camel Races on their success.

We were also fortunate to have an Australia Day Ambassador. Our special guest was John Lazarou, who is a director of the Coffee Club Group.

He has a passion for marketing, public relations and helping others. He enjoys pursuing philanthropic and spokesperson opportunities for many

causes. John did a wonderful job and helped make the evening one of the most successful Australia Day Ceremonies I have been to. I would also

like to acknowledge the Birdsville Social Club for catering for the evening.

The next morning John was guest speaker at a Business Breakfast for local business people. I’m sure that all that were there would agree that it

was a very interesting morning. I thank John for taking the time to come out and visit us.

Since my last report the area has been lucky enough to get under some good rain. While very patchy and not enough to break the drought for

me, it was game changing rain. The 91mm Roseberth has had around the homestead this year is more than double last year’s total.

As I write this the river is rising at Bedourie and could be isolated in the next few days. It is early in the wet season so all signs are good at the

moment. Can only hope the season continues to improve.

I had my first trip on the Saab aircraft to Brisbane and back. While I’m sure it is a good point to point aircraft it is found wanting in a few areas as

a “milk run “aircraft. The main complaint is it gets a bit hot when one is left sitting on the tarmac in the plane with no air-conditioning. On my

trip we were 70 minutes on the ground at Charleville. Even when flying the air-conditioning is only just making the trip hard for those who do

not travel well. Another unusual idea REX has is they stop in Windorah for an hour so crew can have lunch and clean the plane. Is this aircraft so

complicated that two pilots need both hands all the time? Can the plane not be cleaned before the flight starts? Anyway I’m sure these are only

teething problems, and it is a lot better than taking a pack horse to Brisbane.

Geoff Morton

Mayor Three gene

rations of

Mortons -

Off to Sch

ool

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17 Herbert Street

BEDOURIE QLD 4829

07 4746 1202

07 4746 1272

[email protected]


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17 Herbert Street

BEDOURIE QLD 4829

07 4746 1202

07 4746 1272

[email protected]


Diamantina Shire JPs

Bedourie

Gordon Jones JP (Qual)

Shire Office 4746 1202 Ext: 115

Home: 47461070

Leon Love JP (Qual)

Shire Office

4746 1202 Ext:125

Leanne Hohnke-Jansen JP

(Qual)

Bedourie State School

4746 1224

Garth Tully JP (Qual)

Cluny Station

4746 1219

Ian Stevenson JP (Qual)

Shire Office

4746 1202 Ext: 129

Birdsville

Nell Brook JP (Qual)

Brook Proprietors

4656 3252

Don Rowlands JP (Qual)

National Park Office

4656 3272

Geoff Morton JP (Qual)

Roseberth Station

4656 3250

David Brook JP (C.Dec)

Brook Proprietors

4656 3252

Kate McDonald JP (C.Dec)

Birdsville Hotel

4656 3244

Andrew Cameron JP (Mag Ct)

Birdsville Clinic

4656 3245

Barbara Mason JP (Qual)

Wirrarri Centre

4656 3300

Community News

Upcoming Events

February

24th Cardiac Outreach Team

Birdsville

March

1st Clean up Australia Day

7th Bedourie Golf Day

April

5th Easter Sunday

11th Betoota Gymkhana

20th Angel Flight Car Rally

25th Anzac Day,

May

9th Birdsville Campdraft,

Rodeo & Bronco Branding

June

13th Bedourie Channel

Country Rugby League 9’s

27th Birdsville Gymkhana

27th Big Red Run

July

3rd Bedourie Campdraft,

Rodeo and Gymkhana

5-6th Big Red Bash

Clean Up

Australia Day Birdsville & Bedourie

Sunday March 1

Meet 8am at Anzac Park.

Followed by

a free sausage sizzle

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17 Herbert Street

BEDOURIE QLD 4829

07 4746 1202

07 4746 1272

[email protected]

Diamantina Shire Council Page 5

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17 Herbert Street

BEDOURIE QLD 4829

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[email protected]


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17 Herbert Street

BEDOURIE QLD 4829

07 4746 1202

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[email protected]


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17 Herbert Street

BEDOURIE QLD 4829

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Community Profiles

BIRDSVILLE CLINIC NEWS

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17 Herbert Street

BEDOURIE QLD 4829

07 4746 1202

07 4746 1272

[email protected]


Dermatologist Visit

Dr Leslie, a Dermatologist, will be visiting

Birdsville on Sunday 22nd March 2015

to conduct a skin clinic.

To see Dr Leslie you will need a referral

& a current Medicare card.

To arrange your referral and appointment,

please contact the Birdsville Clinic on 4656 3245.

Birdsville Clinic

Flying Doctors Dates 2015

These are tentative dates and are subject to change

at short notice

February 18.02.2015

March 04.03.2015

18.03.2015

April 01.04.2015

15.04.2015

29.04.2015

May 13.05.2015

27.05.2015

June 10.06.2015

24.06.2015

July 08.07.2015

22.07.2015

August 05.08.2015

19.08.2015

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17 Herbert Street

BEDOURIE QLD 4829

07 4746 1202

07 4746 1272

[email protected]


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17 Herbert Street

BEDOURIE QLD 4829

07 4746 1202

07 4746 1272

[email protected]


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17 Herbert Street

BEDOURIE QLD 4829

07 4746 1202

07 4746 1272

[email protected]


Hey All,

Welcome back to a new year. I hope everyone had a great festive season. In my absence Luke FLANAGAN from

Mt Isa relieved in the area and loved his time here. Thanks for making him feel welcome.

I returned to Bedourie to have some good news presented to me in hearing that we were successful in receiving a

$5000 grant from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal. I have ordered 1 spin bike, 1 rowing machine and

assorted Boxing equipment. This equipment is high grade commercial equipment and is some of the best equipment

that you can buy.

It will be a few weeks before it gets here and in that time, I will be having meeting with the Council to determine

the easiest and safest way for everyone in the community to have access to this equipment. I will also be starting a

circuit fitness group in the near future. We will also continue to apply for money to see if we can get more equip-

ment.

In even more important news, I have consulted with members of the community and we are starting a Bedourie

Yellowbelly Fishing Competition. This competition varies from others in that it will be run throughout the year. The

aim is to catch the longest yellowbelly and present it at the Bedourie Police Station or Simpson Desert Oasis Road-

house for measurement while it is still alive. To enter, you must pay a one off fee of $10 into the kitty at the

Roadhouse (at least 24 hrs prior to presenting the first fish). Whoever holds the longest fish by the DSC Christmas

Breakup (Mid December) will claim the entire contents of the kitty.

The longest fish of the time will be published around the town and regularly in the Desert Yarns. I am sourcing

sponsorship to boost the contents of the kitty, but the Roadhouse have already contributed $100 to start the pot.

Everyone is welcome to participate but it is $10 per PERSON.

I have attached a list of the rules which should hopefully answer any questions that people might still have.

QGAP is still open every afternoon except Friday from 12:00pm until 3:30pm or call if you need an appointment

outside these hours. See you all around the town.

Paul JACKSON

Senior Constable

OIC Bedourie Police

Ph: 4746 1220

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17 Herbert Street

BEDOURIE QLD 4829

07 4746 1202

07 4746 1272

[email protected]


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17 Herbert Street

BEDOURIE QLD 4829

07 4746 1202

07 4746 1272

[email protected]


Sandra and I have recently returned from a well-earned break and pleasing to see some green grass and the rivers and water holes full. Also

the weather has been mild for this time of year.

Not much to report for this month’s Desert Yarns so I thought I would remind residents of Diamantina Shires ‘Cold Cases’. Hopefully it

might jog someone’s memory and crack one or more of these cases wide open.

Case 1

Missing Person Paul Norman JESSOP date of birth 18th December 1951

CIRCUMSTANCES: The MP was last seen leaving Birdsville on 28/10/1992. On 1/11/1992 his vehicle was located with message “broken

down headed north” approx. 71 kilometres north of Birdsville. In October 1993 at Poeppel’s Corner, some 200 kilometres from the

location of the vehicle and in the opposite direction, property belonging to the MP was located.

Case 2

Missing Person David George Arthur HAMMOND, date of birth 7th of March 1945

CIRCUMSTANCES: In August 2004 the MP was sighted in a yellow Ford Laser sedan near ‘Big Red’ Sandhill. Some 6 months later on the 2nd

of February 2005 the vehicle was spotted from the air by David BROOK whilst checking on cattle 8 to 9 kilometres from Big Red.

The vehicle was partially obscured from view by branches and number plates removed. Despite a search and extensive enquiries in Australia

and overseas the MP has not been located. The vehicle is still at the Birdsville Police Station.

Case 3

Unlawfully kill animal. Noodle the Camel.

CIRCUMSTANCES: In mid-September 2012, Noodle, a pet camel was shot at Durrie Station, 100 kilometres east of Birdsville. After Noodle

was shot he was decapitated and his head removed from the scene. It was obvious Noodle was a pet camel as he had a nose peg and a very

friendly nature. Despite a reward being offered by businesses and members of the community this crime remains unsolved.

Noodle in happier times

From the Birdsville Cop

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17 Herbert Street

BEDOURIE QLD 4829

07 4746 1202

07 4746 1272

[email protected]


Case 4

Poisoning of dogs Pepper & Milo

CIRCUMSTANCES: At 2.00am on the 1st of October 2013 Dusty, Teresa and Adrian from Birdsville Bakery were woken by Teresa’s much loved

dog, Pepper, howling and crying. Pepper was in excruciating pain for almost an hour before she died. Just over a week later at the same time of

the morning on the 8th of October 2013 Dusty, Teresa and Adrian were again woken by Adrian’s dog Milo, howling and crying displaying the same

symptoms as Pepper. Milo after suffering for almost an hour also died.

Both dogs suffered a horrific and painful death. Both were friendly quiet dogs that were much loved by their owners. The deaths of both dogs,

particularly the way they died has caused untold stress, heartache and misery to Teresa, Dusty and Adrian. It was only after the death of Milo that

suspicion of the dogs consuming poisonous bait was raised.

Case 5

Senseless act of vandalism. Burning the shoe tree sign

CIRCUMSTANCES: Approximately 20 kilometres north of Birdsville on the road to Bedourie in late September 2014 unknown person(s) placed

a tyre under the sign post that had a large number of shoes attached to it. Residents of the Shire would know the sign as it has become some-

what of a tourist attraction. The tyre was set alight burning the shoes and damaging the sign, making it unreadable.

If any person has any information regarding any of our ‘Cold Cases’ or any other unsolved crime please contact Police or if you wish to remain

anonymous contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

These cases will always remain open until solved. ‘The truth never lies and justice never dies’.

Stay safe.

The Birdsville Cop

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17 Herbert Street

BEDOURIE QLD 4829

07 4746 1202

07 4746 1272

[email protected]


Bedourie P&C News

Diamantina Shire Youth Council

Hi all,

Youth Council just had our first meeting for this year with the

executive positions being all nearly filled. So far we have confirmed

that Cassie Kath will be the Chair for 2015, Makayla Gilby will be

spokesperson, and Leah Kath will be taking on the new role of

Event Liaison. Leah will be our contact with all of the community,

and will be happy to offer Youth Council to be more involved in

shire events throughout 2015. The positions of Deputy Chair and

Secretary are still vacant.

Youth Council is still only quite small and we are always welcoming

more people to join us. If you are aged between 12 - 25 and

interested in joining Youth Council please contact us for more

information.

Email - [email protected]

Facebook - Diamantina Shire Youth Council

And a reminder that our next Youth Council meeting is Tuesday 3

March at 4pm in Bedourie - boarders via teleconference.

Meg Mason

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17 Herbert Street

BEDOURIE QLD 4829

07 4746 1202

07 4746 1272

[email protected]


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17 Herbert Street

BEDOURIE QLD 4829

07 4746 1202

07 4746 1272

[email protected]


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17 Herbert Street

BEDOURIE QLD 4829

07 4746 1202

07 4746 1272

[email protected]


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17 Herbert Street

BEDOURIE QLD 4829

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[email protected]


I would like to say thank you to the Diamantina Community, especially Joyce Crombie (who started things

rolling) Judy Rayment, Don Rayment and Barb Mason. I was not aware of the award and did not intend

going to the council breakup. Barb Mason advised me that I had to attend (and who would go against Barb)

so I did thinking that something was being done for Geoff. Even when Don stood up, it did not occur it was

for me. The two who presented the gift also made it all the more special as Don’s daughter Cassie was one

of my first patients at the Clinic and Chas was the first of many deliveries I was involved with. My thanks on

the day were not adequate as I was overwhelmed by the shock of being thanked for doing what I love. The

Clinic was not a job for me but something I found very rewarding. The reason I left was I could not be in

the role I was when Medicare Local were service providers. Once again many thanks for the gift and

thoughts.

Thanks

Bev

A Note of thanks - from Bev Morton

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BEDOURIE QLD 4829

07 4746 1202

07 4746 1272

[email protected]


BIRDSVILLE

As most of you would know by now Regional Express or Rex Airlines will be taking over the regular passenger and

mail service from Brisbane through to Mt Isa.

While it is hoped that the transition on the 1st of January is a smooth one there are some small changes that

passengers need to be aware of. They will be detailed below the arrival and departure times.

Monday Arrival: 15:20 (3.20pm) Monday Departure: 15:35 (3.35pm)

Tuesday Arrival: 11:15am Tuesday Departure: 11:30am

Thursday Arrival: 15:20 (3.20pm) Thursday Departure: 15:35 (3.35pm)

Friday Arrival: 10:50am Friday Departure: 11:05am

Now for the changes:

Check in will open 1 hour prior to departure time. Checking will CLOSE 30 minutes prior to your departure time.

This means that if you are not checked in at least half an hour before the scheduled departure time of the plane

you will NOT be allowed to fly

Example: if your departure time is 11:30am on Tuesday you must be checked in by 11:00am not arriving to check

in at 11:00am. This is REX policy and is in place to ensure that flights are not delayed.

Baggage allowance is 15kg per person checked baggage plus 7kg per person carry on. There is a charge for over-

weight baggage. The fee is currently $7:00 per kilogram plus GST. Along with the excess baggage charge there will

be a label attached to your baggage. This tag is to identify overweight bags so that if the plane is overloaded these

bags are the first that are removed. Please be aware of this when packing your bags and ensure that all valuables,

keys medications etc are in your carry on baggage.

We are able to carry freight inter-port. Please call Kylie Scott on 0419 364 381 to organise this. Freight will need

to be finalized at least 3 hours prior to departure time. There will be a separate flyer sent around with freight

charges and requirements.

You may notice some other differences. Please feel free to ask the ground staff about any of these.

Kevin and Kylie Scott will be conducting the ground support operations for REX airlines. They are also able to take

bookings. Please call Kylie on 0419 364 381 with any enquiries or bookings.

Thanks to Barry and Narelle for looking after us up until now

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17 Herbert Street

BEDOURIE QLD 4829

07 4746 1202

07 4746 1272

[email protected]


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17 Herbert Street

BEDOURIE QLD 4829

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17 Herbert Street

BEDOURIE QLD 4829

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Padraic and Olivia O’Neill from Birdsville welcomed

Ashling Mary

on the 21st December 2014

in Adelaide South Australia.

Her brother Patrick and sister Kathleen are very excited to have a little sister.

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17 Herbert Street

BEDOURIE QLD 4829

07 4746 1202

07 4746 1272

[email protected]


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17 Herbert Street

BEDOURIE QLD 4829

07 4746 1202

07 4746 1272

[email protected]

Diamantina Shire Council Shire Profile

The Diamantina Shire is the second largest shire in Queensland, with an area of approximately 95,000 square kilometres and a population of 281

people. The Shire is home to three towns – Birdsville, Bedourie and Betoota. Our main industries are beef production and tourism. The Diamanti-

na Shire is part of the ‘channel country’, which is some of the best contaminant-free natural beef fattening land in Australia.

The Diamantina Shire shares borders with the Northern Territory and South Australia. The Diamantina and Georgina Rivers and the Cooper and

Eyre Creeks are the main streams in a network of western Queensland rivers. These three great river systems draw water from an area of 556,000

square kilometres. In the regular dry periods these systems fill numerous semi-permanent waterholes that vary in depth and size.

Points of Interests

Betoota Birdsville Bedourie

Deon’s Lookout Big Red Sandhill Aquatic Centre

Betoota Hotel Waddi Trees Mud Hut

Browns Creek Camping Area Simpson Desert National Park Diamantina National Park

Dreamtime Serpent Sculpture The Bilby Way Cuttaburra Crossing Carcoory Ruins Historic Hotel

Bourke and Wills’ Campsite Vaughan Johnson Lookout The Meeting Place Sculpture Dust storm Sculpture

To add your name to the newsletter mailing/email list, or to change your contact details, please

advise admin (07) 4746 1202 or email [email protected]. Alternatively you may access the

newsletter via the shire website at www.diamantina.qld.gov.au. Written submissions must be in

Microsoft Word format, photographs in JPEG format and flyers in PDF or JPEG format. Please email

admin for submission and editorial guidelines and style guide.

Name Position

Business

Hours

Contact

After Hours

Contact Email Contact

Cr Geoff Morton Mayor (07) 4656 3250 (07) 4656 3250 [email protected]

Cr Garth Tully Deputy Mayor (07) 4746 1219 (07) 4746 1219 [email protected]

Cr Jody Barr Councillor (07) 4656 3095 (07) 4656 3095 [email protected]

Cr Don Rayment Councillor (07) 4656 3321 (07) 4656 3321 [email protected]

Cr Steve Cramer Councillor (07) 4746 1236 (07) 4746 1236 [email protected]

Leon Love Chief Executive Officer (07) 4746 1202 [email protected]

Trevor Stewart Works Manager (07) 4746 1202 (07) 4746 1021 [email protected]

Ian Stevenson Deputy CEO (07) 4746 1202 [email protected]

Dave Hannan Birdsville Town Services Foreman

(07) 4656 3350 0407 146 902 [email protected]

Jodie Girdler Bedourie Town Services Foreman

(07) 4746 1202 (07) 4746 1160 [email protected]

The Diamantina Shire Council does not guarantee that submissions will be published and

reserves the right to reject content that is not in line with our editorial guidelines.

diamantina shire council. can only hope the season continues to improve. ... $5000 grant from the...

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