JUNE
Councillor Cynthia McDonald has continued the fight which led to her ejection by criticising the minutes of the council meeting for showing what she claimed was a sanitised version of events, even fabrications, that lacked transparency and democratic representation.
The much await book “Tin Town” made its debut as a pictorial passage through 150 years of Stanthorpe History. Authors Sandra McEwan and Paula Boatfield attention to detail has been astounding.
The 2023 Border District Eisteddfod came to a triumphant close after 10 days of drama, music, dance, and performance. The event attracted more than 2270 people – most of them children.
Southern Downs Regional Council have announced a general rate increase of 5.15 per cent and a hike in utility charge of 9.51 per cent.
After six months of closed doors, community favourite café Lilly’s has reopened after a car ploughed through the takeaway entrance and not only shattered the glass doors, but also damage interior wall, flooring, the back counter and the majority of the kitchen equipment.
A $2,000 CRT grant has given Applethorpe State Primary School a real charge, with the grant money going to buy a computer charging station capable of charging 15 laptops at a time.
The channel nine Today Show paid a visit to town to promote Snowflakes in Stanthorpe to the nation. People rugged up in their winter woollies to brave -3.7-degree temperatures.
St Paul’s Anglican Church in Stanthorpe celebrated its 150th birthday.
Survey work is currently underway to inform the final route for the Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline that will deliver long-term water security to the Southern Downs region.
Fourth generation Granite Belt farmer Ray Taylor was shocked to take home the Farmer of the Years Award for excellence in technology. The award celebrated excellence and innovation in agriculture across rural and regional Australia.
JULY
An estimated record crowd of more than 10,000 people descended on the biennial festival Snowflakes in Stanthorpe to enjoy the guarantee of snow and cold. The temperatures lived up to the hype but the welcome for the region was warm.
Ridgemill Estate has become a coveted one hundred-percenter in Tourism and Events Queensland’s Best of Queensland Experiences Program.
Megan Mahoney, the assistant principal of St Joseph’s School in Stanthorpe, was chosen to be the Catholic Schools of Toowoomba diocese recipient of the 2023 Spirit of Catholic Education Award.
The Southern Downs region is set to be part of the 12 areas the Queensland government have allocated to become renewable energy zones. The zones will be used to deliver largescale wind, solar, pumped hydro and green hydrogen projects.
Just Red Wines has taken out the title of the Best Queensland Wine of Show at the Royal Queensland Wine Awards in Brisbane.
Councillor Stephen Tancred answered many who questioned the budget split between the north and south by explaining of the $80 million capital budget, some $38 million is being spent on things that benefit the whole region, like new machinery and of the other $42 million of the individual projects, 27.2 per cent is being spent on the southern part of our region with the remainder in the norther region.
Stanthorpe was one of seven regional centres across Queensland to stage Hostplus Cup matches at the weekend as the Queensland Rugby League combined with the Queensland Government to bring to flight state football to country fans.
AUGUST
Stanthorpe Cheese at Thulimbah, celebrate this recent wins with their Stanthorpe Pepper and Granite Gold awarded bronze medals and the Sydney Royal Awards and to top it off, their Pepper got gold on their first attempt at entering the Royal Queensland Awards
Protea Place Warwick celebrated its grand opening with a momentous event, uniting supporters, donors, and local dignitaries in a powerful display of commitment to empowering women in the community. This new facility offers a safe and inclusive space where women can access various resources and support. The opening ceremony was filled with gratitude and recognition for the incredible teamwork and dedication that made Protea Place Warwick a reality, promising a transformative journey ahead for women in the region.
Stanthorpe has taken out the award for the Best Branch of the Year at Queensland Country Bank.
Cav Insure, founded by Josh and Cara Cavallaro in 2015, has been recognised as the Best New Practice at the Resilium Conference in Queenstown, New Zealand.
The Granite Belt region made a notable impact at the EKKA. Festival mascots Johnathan Apple and Isabella Grape represented the Apple and Grape Festival in Stanthorpe, attracting attention and sparking conversations about local produce and agriculture, the Granite Belt Growers Association (GBGA), also attended in collaboration with the QFVG to show off the amazing apples in Australia.
Minister for Water Glenn Butcher has assured Stanthorpe residents that in the event of another drought, the Palaszczuk Government will stand by its promise that no community in Queensland would be without water.
Over 70 members of the Stanthorpe community, school students and the RSL sub-branch attended a commemorative service for Vietnam Veterans’ Day to recognise the invaluable contribution of Australians who served in the Vietnam War
Southern Downs Regional Council Mayor Vic Pennisi said the smart meter installation was already proving its worth in Stanthorpe. Stanthorpe was the first part of the Southern Downs region to receive smart meters, with more than 2700 meters being installed while another 9000 are planned for households with reticulated water in the rest of the region.
Headspace Warwick marked its 15th anniversary with a grand celebration. Since its establishment in 2008, Headspace has provided essential support to the community, particularly in response to the alarming rates of suicides among young people in the area.
The Granite Belt Music Council’s call for a special entertainment precinct getting knocked back by the regional council is still causing a stir in the music scene.
After 27 years of bringing joy and unique treasures to the community, Maddie’s Gift Gallery, a beloved establishment, has announced its closure.
YMCA will take over operations at Stanthorpe’s public pool and fitness facilities after finalising a new management agreement with Southern Downs Regional Council.
Dalveen-based cattle producers Palgrove have taken home top prize at the Royal Queensland Show’s prestigious 2023 Paddock to Palate competition for the sixth year in a row.
In a heartfelt tribute to his unwavering commitment to the local community, Neville Bryant has been recognised by the Southern Downs Regional Council through its Volunteer Recognition Program.
SEPTEMBER
The Stanthorpe Rotary Club celebrated its 70th anniversary with great enthusiasm. Established in 1953 by a dedicated group of community members, the club has played a pivotal role in various community projects, charitable endeavours, and humanitarian initiatives that have left an indelible mark not only in Stanthorpe but also in the wider Granite Belt region, Queensland, and even internationally.
Australian country singer James Blundell has transitioned from music star to industry hemp grower after 30years of dedication to the plant. The versatility and durability of the crop is what drew Blundell in and with big plans to build the hemp manufacturing industry, he is making strides to put the Granite Belt on the industrial hemp map.
Southern Downs Mayor Vic Pennisi has apologised on behalf of council for overcharging several rural landholders on their general rates. According to Southern Downs Regional Council, only a small number of ratepayers were affected.
New leaked information about Stanthorpe water issues has surfaced at the Southern Downs Regional Council’s information session.
Stanthorpe Mechanical and Wrecking has received notice that the property they lease has been sold, leaving both the owners and the community in a state of disbelief.
Stanthorpe State School was buzzing with excitement as Australian country music singer Josh Arnold made a special visit to assist in the creation of their very own school song.
In a significant development for biodiversity conservation, the Dalveen blue box (Eucalyptus dalveenica), an endemic species of the Granite Belt region, has been officially listed as Critically Endangered under the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
Connie Taylor has recently made history by becoming the first female president of The Granite Belt Growers Association.
A newly formed Interact Club of Stanthorpe, a youth club focused on leadership and promoting peace, is set to make its mark with a grand launch event.
Granite Belt Wines have won big with four wineries in the region taking home various awards and medals. Ballandean Estate were the biggest winners with Most Successful Exhibitor and Best Viticulturalist (Angelo Puglisi and Robyn Robertson) as well as 4 gold, 4 silver and 6 bronze medals, bringing its individual medal tally to 14 for the winery. Another big win for the region was Mick Bourke from Jester Hill winning Wine Maker of the Year.
