Moreton Border News - 27th March 2026

Moreton BorderNews

Fuel taskforce on tap

WEATHER

FRIDAY, 27 MARCH

Mostly sunny with the chance of morning fog.

FEDERAL Member for Blair Shayne Neumann has welcomed the Albanese Government’s announcement it had established a Fuel Supply Taskforce to be led by Coordinator Anthea Harris, following a meeting of National Cabinet this week.

This is a new role and the Coordinator will be responsible for the following:

• Leading a new cross-agency Fuel Supply Taskforce that will be established in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

• Driving coordination between the Commonwealth, and the States and Territories on fuel security and supply chain resilience.

• Providing consistent, coordinated updates to the Commonwealth and States and Territories on our fuel supply outlook as well as our domestic fuel distribution.

all about making sure fuel is there when locals need it.”

Mr Neumann reiterated the Prime Minister’s message to motorists to not take more fuel than they needed.

“How you can help is to think of others, be a good neighbour, a good community member, and a good Australian. It’s not the Australian way to panic buy or stockpile at this time.”

The Government will be announcing more measures to prepare the nation for supply chain challenges over coming days and weeks.

IN a week where war and fuel costs are stressing communities throughout Australia, events like CMC Rocks offer relief.

Moreton Border News photographer Lyle Radford captured the delight of festival goers at CMC Rocks and the Rockabilly and Retro Twilight Carnival, and you’ll find that in this week’s issue.

SATURDAY, 28 MARCH

SUNDAY, 29 MARCH

• Supporting State and Territory governments to get fuels to the regions where they are in demand, and act as a single convening point for fuel supply and forward planning.

Mr Neumann said this was a cross-portfolio coordination role that would ensure we shore up our fuel supplies and fuel gets to where it is needed most.

“It will bring together experts and industry to protect our fuel supply, and make sure we have the latest information on supply and demand,” Mr Neumann said.

“We’ve already released additional fuel from our reserves, and changed the rules so we can keep more fuel here that would otherwise have been exported. This is

Mr Neumann also welcomed the ACCC’s decision this week to launch an enforcement investigation into alleged anti-competitive conduct in diesel supply by the major fuel suppliers Ampol, BP, Mobil and Viva Energy.

This follows the ACCC receiving reports concerning diesel availability to independent wholesalers and distributors servicing regional and rural Australia.

“Regional Australians, including people in my electorate, deserve transparency and the full protection of our competition laws,” Mr Neumann said.

“Although their investigation is still at the preliminary stage, the Government expects the ACCC to take firm action where it finds misconduct.”

Wendy Creighton’s birds of Rosewood series enters its fourth week and in it she writes about the Jabiru, Cattle Egret, Red-Browed Firetails, the Eastern Yellow Robin and the Superb Fairy Wren.

Jess Leis interviewed a Rosewood couple celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary and we report on a Mount Walker resident’s success with a group she started called Havachat.

Also covered is Harrisville’s Summer Land Camels, and how the company has raised enough money to infiltrate the lucrative US wellness market with its camel dairy products.

Happy reading -

Lara Hart

MONDAY - PUB CLASSICS $20 – 200g Rump, Chicken Schnitty or Grilled Barra, all served with chips and salad (Dinner only)

TUESDAY - TWO FOR ONE – Purchase two mains off our selected menu and receive the lesser value meal for free (Dinner only)

WEDNESDAY - PARMY PARTY $20 – Your choice of 6 different Parmy’s served with chips and salad. (Dinner only)

THURSDAY – BLACK ANGUS $20 – 250g Black Angus rump served with chips, salad and sauce. (Dinner only)

LUNCHES FROM MONDAY-FRIDAY

FRIDAY/SATURDAY/SUNDAY – ALL DAY DINING LUNCHES FROM $15 MONDAY-FRIDAY

Six decades, one hillside, a lifetime together

By JESS LEIS

PERCHED on a hill in Rosewood, where the wind rarely rests and the horizon opens in an unbroken circle, Cobby and Betty Claydon have spent six decades shaping a life as steady and enduring as the land itself.

Cobby was born in 1941, but their property carries the imprint of three generations and livelihoods - dairy cows and cream, chooks and crops, beef cattle and horses. Lucerne, corn, sorghum and melons, while children grew up beside them.

Before family life, there was a dance. It was at St Paul’s in Ipswich and a group of young men travelled from Rosewood to attend. Betty, who worked at a grocery store in West Ipswich, had planned to go to the pictures, but found herself on the dance floor.

“He picked me,” she said.

Four years her senior, Cobby was a skilled dancer after lessons in Brisbane, and he made an impression.The evening ended with Cobby driving Betty and her sister home, leaving his mates waiting behind.

Cobby’s working life had already begun to take shape, starting as an apprentice railway wagon builder. Only later did he take the chance, as he put it, to “go on as a chippy.”

TheymarriedonApril2,1966.

“We arrived at the church, and the minister didn’t know we were pulling up,’” Betty said.

The car had stopped and her father asked the minister what was wrong.

“Is the groom coming to the wedding?” came the reply. Betty

As they approach their 60th wedding anniversary alongside Cobby’s 85th birthday, the milestone reflects a lifetime built together.(Supplied)

laughed. “He said, ‘you’d better drive around the block again!”

“His mates from Bundamba race track took him out, (the evening before) and they had him in the bath in the morning to sober him up to get to the wedding.”

Still shaking off the night before, Cobby reached the altar, though the vows proved another challenge.

“He said ‘what’s your name?’ He couldn’t say Elizabeth Myrtle!” Betty laughed. “What a day that was!”

Cobby smiled at the memory.

Elizabeth (Betty) Myrtle Cooper married Alfred Crosby (Cobby) Claydon at the Raceview church, with Minister Llew Edwards officiating. The three-tier

wedding cake, decorated by Betty herself, featured pastel colours to match the bridesmaids’ dresses.

Their honeymoon took them to Sydney for the Royal Easter Show and the Doncaster races, reflecting Cobby’s lifelong connection to horses.

Lifeonthefarmwasneverpolished, but it was full. Their first child, Deborah, arrived followed by three more - Kathryn, then Kenneth and Stanley—growing up among paddocks, cattle yards and mulberry trees. Chores came before comfort, from carting water to tending livestock.

Together, they built more than a home; they built a legacy. Their four children have grown the family to 16 grandchildren and

16 great-grandchildren, with another on the way.

Through it all, their bond has remained constant.

“We had no secret,” Betty said. “We’ve just been there for one another and did what we had to do.”

“We look out for one another.”

As they approach their 60th wedding anniversary, and Cobby’s 85th birthday, there’ll be a meal with family, perhaps at their local, the Royal George. The days of parties and “rocking on the hill” may have passed, but what they built endures.

And inside the house, where generations have come and gone, two people sit side by side, hand in hand—still, in their own way, dancing.

Rockabilly gets Ipswich swinging and dancing

By BYRON PESZKO

THERE was an array of vintage flair, live entertainment and classic carnival fun on Saturday evening, as more than 3000 patrons attended the much-anticipated and loved Rockabilly and Retro Twilight Carnival event at Ipswich Showgrounds.

Postponed two weeks due to unfavourable weather conditions, a perfect sunset descended as locals enjoyed what the event had to offer.

Ipswich Show Society President Darren Zanow said the night exceeded expectations.

“It was a great night, very very busy and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves,” Mr Zanow said.

“In particular, the 83 display cars have turned up and the competition surrounding that went over really well

“It went off without a hitch, and everyone had a great time.

Families were spoilt for choice,

Breakaways Rock “N” Roll Dance , Social and Welfare Club danced to the enjoyment of the crowd. (Lyle Radford: 542282)

thanks to a line-up of food trucks, while a Mini Sideshow Alley with classic rides and carnival games kept kids entertained all night long.

The Main Arena was transformed thanks to the Classic Car Show and Shine area showcasing stunning vintage and classic cars

Patrons were kept well en-

tertained thanks to High-energy Rock n Roll dancing by the Breakaways Rock ’n’ Roll Dance, Social and Welfare Club, with retro beats provided from Swingabilly Ray.

Mr Zanow said despite the CMC event operating just up the road, it worked in their favor.

“We noticed some people at-

tending with CMC arm bands on.

“We are actually pretty stoked about that.

He says a return for Rockabilly and Retro Twilight Carnival for 2027 is already on the cards.

“We’ll certainly be making it bigger and better next year,” Mr Zanow said.

CMC rocks Willowbank - and don’t we love it

By BYRON PESZKO

CMC Rocks 2026 was a force to be reckoned with on the weekend, as more than 25,000 fans from across Australia and around the world made their way to Willowbank to experience three days of the world’s best country music singers.

Whether you were camping, or coming in for the day, Ipswich transformed once again for its 19th iteration of an event that remains a calendar favourite for the Ipswich region.

“It was one of the biggest and best CMC Rocks yet,” a CMC spokesperson said.

“Closing with an epic set from US country star Jordan Davis, breakthrough artist and festival favourite Tucker Wetmore joined Jordan on stage to close out the festival last night, accompanied by an incredible fireworks display.”

Although a bittersweet battle with wet weather ensued, it didn’t

dampen attendees’ enthusiasm one bit as headlining acts Riley Green and Old Dominion took to the stage.

Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the festival’s impact on the local community was huge.

“We know that more than 23,000 country crooners attended the festival in 2024 and it de-

livered more than $14 million to Queensland businesses and tourism operators,” Mayor Harding said.

Less than 24 hours later, CMC was already gearing up for its 20th anniversary of the festival in 2027.

“Event planners are already working hard on the 2027 event,

The new Queensland Government is delivering more health services right across Queensland.

It’s the largest investment in health Queensland has ever seen:

3 NEW HOSPITALS AND10 MORE UEXPANDED RIGHT ACROSS QUEENSLAND

2,600 NEW BEDS AN 18% INCREASE ACROSS QUEENSLAND

46,000 MORE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS 75% DOCTORS, NURSES AND FRONTLINE STAFF

We’re investing in our hospital and health services so you have access to health services when you need them.

a CMC spokesperson confirmed.

In a bigger tease, CMC dropped a cryptic message on their social media pages.

“The 20th festival is coming, it’s going to be a hell of a weekend,” it read.

CMC says dates and artist lineups will be announced in the coming months.

Bremer speed petition drives policy change

By BYRON PESZKO

EASTBOUND commutersonthe Warrego Highway may soon have a less stressful journey thanks to plans for Variable Speed Limit Signs at the crossing of the Bremer River at Karalee.

An e-petition with 1349 signatures, led by Karalee resident Michael Campbell, was sent to the Queensland Legislative Assembly in February.

Mr Campbell proposed the removal of the 70 km/h speed restriction, imposed after faults with the westbound bridge forced the introduction of regular diversions for over size, over mass (OSOM) vehicles and consequent disruptions to eastbound traffic.

“The current speed restriction of 70 km/h then 80 km/h has no safety bearing on the integrity of the Bremer Bridge itself,” Mr Campbell said.

In his request, Mr Campbell called for changes:

“1. Instruct TMR to reinstate

the former 100 km/h speed limit along the Warrego Highway, heading east from the Mount Crosby to Warrego Highway onramp over the Bremer Bridge and past the Dimore offramp exit.

“2. TMR to only reduce the speed limits at the times windfarm components need to travel that section of the highway.”

In a response, TMR Minister Brent Mickleberg said that to maintain a westbound travel route for oversize, overmass vehicles that were no longer able to utilise the westbound bridge, traffic sig-

nals and median crossovers were required.

“The introduction of these movements at an already complex andconstrainedsectionofthenetwork represents an elevated risk environment, particularly given the interaction between standard traffic, signalised control, and large, slow-moving OSOM vehicles,” he said.

“To mitigate these risks, the speed limit on the eastbound carriageway was reduced to 70 km/h.

“In consideration of this, I have

instructed my department to install VSLS’ at the Warrego Highway’s crossing of the Bremer River at Karalee.

“The VSLS on the eastbound bridge will enable the safe nighttime movement of OSOM vehicles, while minimising disruption to daily highway users.

The Minister said installation of VSLS wwould allow higher speed limits to apply under normal conditions, while enabling reduced speed limits for nighttime OSOM movements.

Quietly installed in April 2024, the reduced speed limits were met with hostility, anger and confusion from commuters, residents and Politicians alike.

Secretary and Treasurer of the Karalee and Surrounding Communities Association, Lyn Burnie said the problem wasn’t just congestion, but accidents caused by people slamming on their brakes.

“The highway speed returning to normal is the most important thing,” Ms Burnie said.

Community Catch Up

Wednesday 1 April | 9.00 am – 11.00 am Walloon CWA Hall, 534 Karrabin Rosewood Road, Walloon Join us at the RADSc Walloon Community Pop Up Hub

Wednesday 8 April | 9.00 am – 11.00 am Marburg Community Centre, 110 Queen Street, Marburg Join us at the RADSc Marburg Community Pop Up Hub

Monday 13 April | 9.00 am – 11.00 am Rosewood Library, Event Space, Level 1, 15 Railway Street, Rosewood

Wednesday 15 April | 9.00 am – 11.00 am Yamanto Coffee Club, Yamanto Central Shopping Centre, 488 Warwick Road, Yamanto

Wednesday 22 April 9.00 am – 11.00 am Funkibuds Cafe (near Aldi), Brassall Shopping Centre, 68 Hunter Street, Brassall

Installing a new playground and shade sails at Ipswich North State School

•Delivering a new grandstand for Ipswich State High School

•Delivering a second Ipswich Central river crossing

•50c fares made permanent

•Upgrading Marburg SES training facilities

•Delivering grandstands at Ipswich Musketeers Baseball Club

Delivering for Queensland

Find out what else we’re delivering for you.

As well as installing a new playground and shade sails at Ipswich North State School, here are some of the ways the new Queensland Government is delivering for Ipswich:

•Delivering more classrooms for Haigslea State School

•Delivering more homes for vulnerable women with The Lady Musgrave Trust

•Upgrading facilities at Norths Tigers Rugby League Club

•Upgrading Rosewood Showgrounds with new lighting.

Friendship flourishing in a chat group

By LARA HART

OVER the course of five years, Barbara Quinn has been bringing people together one conversation at a time through the group she founded named Havachat.

The gatherings have become a lifeline for many women in the community.

What started around Mt Walker as a simple idea to create a space for connection, has grown into a close-knit group where laughter, support and shared experiences are always on the agenda.

“It began with six members and now there are around 30 ladies who are members of our group,” she said.

“They don’t always all come at once but when we have activities like our last one, anywhere between 25 and 27 ladies participate.”

That activity was making cactus creations, and each member chose a cactus cutting then

designed it into a pot they’d selected.

“We bought the pots from Temu and I collected the cuttings from my garden,” she said.

“We are able to do things like this because we received a grant for approximately $3,600 from Bendigo Bank in November last year.

“That helps us with the activities for the whole year.”

EASTER SPECIAL 1 DAY SALE

The ladies pay $5 a week to be part of the Havachat and that helps keep the group running.

Meeting once a week, the Havachat ladies come together to enjoy a range of activities, from casual chats over coffee to games, crafts and the occasional outing.

“The first Tuesday of a month we meet at a cafe, and we do different crafts on the other three Tuesdays,” she explained.

But beyond the activities themselves, it’s the sense of belonging that keeps members coming back.

“For a lot of women, especially those who might be living alone or feeling isolated, this group is something to look forward to,” Ms Quinn said.

“It’s not just about what we do, it’s about being there for each other.”

THURSDAY APRIL 2ND

Rabbits, fairies, mice, Santa and…Wolverine

By LARA HART

THERE are two types of people in this world: those who accept things as they are, and those who lie awake at 2am wondering who first decided a rabbit should deliver eggs.

Origin stories exist for that second group, the curious, the sceptical, and the mildly sleep-deprived.

They’re our way of saying, “Look, this is weird, but here’s a story to make it feel intentional.”

Take Wolverine, a bloke with knives in his hands and anger issues you could set your watch to.

His origin story?

A revolving door of trauma, secret experiments, and memory loss.

Every time you think you’ve got a handle on it, someone rewrites it.

Atthispoint,Wolverinedoesn’t have an origin story so much as a subscription service. But that’s the charm. He’s the human embodiment of “it’s complicated.”

Meanwhile, over in the North Pole marketing department, we’ve got Santa Claus.

He started as Saint Nicholas, a generous fellow who quietly helped people out.

Fast forward a few centuries and he’s a globally recognised brand with a fleet of flying reindeer, an elf workforce, and a surveillance system that makes Big Brother look underqualified.

Naughty or nice? Mate, he’s been tracking you since July.

Then there’s the Easter Bunny - which feels like a story someone lost control of halfway through. “Right, we need a symbol of new life.”

“Good - eggs?”

“Perfect.”

“And who delivers them?”

“…a rabbit.”

“Why?”

“Don’t overthink it.”

And somehow, against all odds, it stuck.

LIGHTS, PUPPETS,

Bring stories to life with the Bluey Wooden Puppet Theatre. Includes Bluey, Bingo, fabric scenes, and a roll-down curtain for hours of fun. Made with FSC-certified materials.

Generations of children have accepted this without question, which honestly says more about children than it does about rabbits.

Now, if you want peak childhood confusion, look no further than the Tooth Fairy.

The deal is simple, you lose a body part, place it under your pillow, and a tiny winged stranger breaks into your house and leaves you cash.

No one calls the police.

No one asks follow-up questions.

It’s the only burglary in history where everyone wakes up and goes, “Nice.”

And in parts of Europe, they thought, “You know what this needs? Less fairy, more rodent.”

Enter the Tooth Mouse.

Same concept, different branding.

Instead of a magical sprite, it’s a mouse sneaking in at night to collect your teeth.

Suitable for ages

Which, if anything, raises more questions.

Chief among them, what is this mouse building?

What’s brilliant about all these origin stories is that they don’t really explain anything, they just make the weirdness feel official.

Wolverine’s chaos becomes identity.

Santa’s generosity becomes magic.

A rabbit with eggs becomes tradition.

Losing teeth becomes a financial opportunity.

They’re not logical, they’re not consistent ... they’re sticky.

They survive because they turn life’s odd, uncomfortable, or downright baffling moments into something with a punchline.

And maybe that’s the real origin story behind origin stories. Humans looked at the world, shrugged, and said, “This makes no sense… let’s make it funny.”

Birds of Rosewood and surrounding districts

By WENDY CREIGHTON

FROM the craftiness of birds using larger animals to scare up their food to one which uses a remarkable way to find prey in the dead of night, we offer you a quicksketch on somemore of our local birds.

JABIRU

When Australia’s only stork makes its infrequent visit from northern climes, it makes an impact. Our stork is a large white bird with black bands across its wings and has a stunning iridescent purple-green neck. Its big beakisevenstrongerthanitlooks and it uses it with aplomb when hunting snakes, frogs, turtles, eels and fish in swampy wetlands and shallow dams. While they can be seen in flocks in Queensland’s far north, sightings here tend to be of singles or pairs.

CATTLE EGRET

A small white heron with heavy salmontintsonitsback,headand breast during breeding season. Its yellow bill also brightens and its black legs turn red or yellow. Often seen sitting on the backs of cattle – an ideal perch to hone in on insects disturbed by the beast’s hoofs. Its preference is for grasshoppers but will also eat lizards, frogs, cane toads and small mammals. Often seen in small flocks, these birds breed in colonies in swampy areas in platform nests high up in trees and bushes.

RED-BROWED FIRETAILS

The bright red on its head, beak and tail are this finch’s call sign. It’s found in grassed areas but never too far from the protection tothickbushes.It’soneofthelittle birds you often see balanced on long, seeding grassheads. It also

feeds on insects. Parents share nest building duties as they build a domed nest with a side tunnel as the entry. They also share feeding duties when the eggs hatch.

EASTERN YELLOW ROBIN

Plump with yellow breast feathers offset by soft, grey-blue feathers on head and wings, the yellow robin is mainly found in treed areas as well as parks and gardens. It perches in branches and does a fast drop to the ground to capture insects. Its genus name translates

from the Latin to ‘dawn harper’ as it is often the first bird to be heard at the beginning of the day. According to the Australian Museum, breeding pairs may lay up to three clutches of eggs, but parenting duties from home building to feeding is solely the purview of the female.

SUPERB FAIRY WREN

The striking blue feathers in this speciesarereservedforthebreeding males while the markings of the females and non breeding

males tend to be a mixed bags of creams and light browns. The fairy wrens are definitely in the lightweight division with an average weight of between 8g and 13g. They are active feeders in lower foliage and on open ground but always positioned close to shelter. Breeding season is a delight for the fortunate onlookers with the males offering an array of courtship flight displays and they pluck yellow petals to show to their intended mate.

Tax call to fix fuel woe

By LARA HART

WITH fertiliser and diesel shortages hitting local farms, there’s a call for payroll tax relief to help growers in disaster zones and those struggling to stay afloat as the Iraq war threatens livelihoods.

Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Grower CEO Scott Kompo-Harms, has requested the temporary payroll tax relief from the Queensland Government to help support farm cashflow and recovery.

He put the request first on behalf of primary producers affected by natural disasters, but said it should be considered for those facing fertiser and fuel shortages, if the crisis continued to wreak havoc on their bottom line.

“I think the longer this drags on, that it needs to be an option,” he said.

“The State Government did things like that during COVID when there were supply chain disruptions by giving payroll tax exemptions to certain parts of the economy.

“It’s a good way to give a bit of a cash flow boost at a tough time, and hopefully give people confidence to keep going.

“When there are these kinds of disruptions, some growers may think it’s easier to just walk away, and that’s what we want to avoid.”

The ongoing conflicts in the Middle East as of March 2026 had severely impacted agricultural production in the Fassifern region as fuel and fertiliser prices skyrocketed.

Australia relied heavily on imported fuel. The conflict had disrupted supply chains and there was a risk that energy infrastructure could become a military target.

Mr Kompo-Harms said Australia imported 100 per cent of its urea and 70 per cent of that came from the Middle East.

Some growers were unable to plant winter crops because of the urea shortage.

Kalbar-based vegetable grower, Kalfresh is already working towards being self sustainable.

It recently started earthworks as an Australian first food and energy precinct that uses anaerobic digestion technology to turn food and farm waste into a suite of green energy products, including a renewable natural gas diesel replacement and a synthetic fertiliser replacement called digestate.

The ongoing conflicts in the Middle East as of March 2026 have severely impacted agriculture production in the Fassifern region as fuel and fertiliser prices skyrocket. (Stockphoto)

The company’s CEO Richard Gorman said the Bioenergy Facility would be delivered in 2027, and produce enough electricity to power electricity and fuel for vehicles and industry.

“While our lead times won’t meet the immediate needs, it does put agriculture in the driver’s seat for the future,” he said.

“This is simple proven technology that can provide both

sovereign security for fuel and fertiliser.

“And it’s tech that is already used extensively overseas to fuel truck and bus fleets and return fertiliser to farms.”

Mr Kompo-Harms said Australia’s vulnerabilities had been exposed.

“We need a longer term plan and that’s where the biofuel conversation comes in,” he said.

Rosewood digs offering extras, street appeal

A low set brick residence with lots of street appeal sold this month in Rosewood for $922,500.

The gardens and sandstone retaining wall give the home a clean, modern facade with wide driveway access and off street parking on the 750sqm block.

Positioned in a quiet crescent with views toward Mt Flinders, the home is private and family friendly.

Inside, there’s a wide tiled entry hallway leading to an open plan kitchen, dining and living area.

The modern kitchen features stone bench tops with a breakfast bar, striking dark tiled splashback, ample cabinetry, electric cooktop, stainless steel range hood and a Hisense dishwasher.

The large lounge area is air conditioned and has a ceiling fan and LED downlighting.

The master suite is privately positioned in the front wing of the home.

The remaining three bedrooms are well proportioned, have built-in wardrobes, ceiling fans, security screens and soft carpeting.

The main bathroom is modern in design with a separate shower and a separate toilet.

Outside the large covered alfresco area has ceiling fans and pull down outdoor blinds.

The backyard is fully fenced and landscaped with established tropical gardens, raised retaining beds and a dedicated children’s play area.

The property has dual side

Extras include a 6.6kW solar system (5kW inverter), heat pump hot water system, LED lighting throughout, and split

system air-conditioning in key areas of the home.

The property last sold in 2018 for $160,000.

Marburg and other tracks will host some big races.

Marburg offers Western Star in SEQ carnival

MARBURG is again set to host the Queensland Constellations to host the top performers in harness racing from around the country on June 21.

The carnival, across three SEQ venues, will be headlined by Australia’s premier harness racing series, the Ladbrokes Inter Dominion.

From June 20 to July 18 at Albion Park, Redcliffe and Marburg, more than $4 million in prize money and bonuses will go on the line, including in 15 Group races – eight of which will be Group 1 events.

The Inter Dominion will again take its place as the Constellations’ crowning jewel, with $1 million going on the line in the Pacing Championship Final, along with $500,000 for the final of the Trotting Championship.

The return of Group 1 feature

the Yabby Dam Farms The Great Square to the Queensland Constellations will provide another go-to destination for Australia’s best trotters this winter.

The carnival’s feature racing gets underway at the Peninsula on Saturday, June 20, for the Group 2 Redcliffe Gold Cup and Group 3 events the Redcliffe Derby and Redcliffe Oaks.

The following day, Marburg hosts their annual The Western Star meeting, before the action heads to Albion Park on Saturday, June 27 for The Queensland Sun, again serving as Queensland’s ticket into the $300,000 The Rising Sun.

A red-hot fortnight of racing will then get underway, starting with The Rising Sun night on July 4 with heats for both the Inter Dominion pacers and trotters, The Great Square will follow, and

the Group 3 Wayne Wilson Memorial Paleface Adios Classic.

The $300,000 Group 1 The Rising Sun will once again hold an additional $50,000 bonus for a three-year-old winner, as well as a $25,000 bonus if a 3YO runs second or third.

There will be further added incentive for the winner of The Rising Sun should they be a fouryear-old, progressing straight through to the Inter Dominion Pacing Final.

Additionally, the winner of The Great Square can also book their spot into the Inter Dominion Trotting Final, provided they are a 4YO and run the following week in the 3YO & 4YO Trotting feature on Friday, July 10.

Excitingly, invitations have already been extended to, and accepted by, Group 1 winners Captains Mistress to run in The

Rising Sun, along with Tracy The Jet for The Great Square.

The Constellations’ penultimate night on Saturday, July 11 includes the second round of Inter Dominion heats and the Group 1 slot race, the Benstud Protostar, being run exclusively for 2YO pacers.

“With eight Group 1s and over $4 million in prize money on offer, the Constellations continues to solidify its status as one of the nation’s premier and most lucrative harness racing carnivals,” RQ Acting CEO Lachlan Murray said.

“The return of the Inter Dominion for its second year during the Constellations will take the event to a new level in 2026, with the eyes of the harness racing world to be firmly on the Sunshine State,”

Sippel steers Laidley Mulgowie into box seat

By CLANCY NUGENT

A top class performance from Tom Sippel has paved the way for Laidley Mulgowie to be ahead of the game following the first two days of the Division One final against Centrals.

Laidley Mulgowie were struggling after losing the toss and being sent in to bat with Anthony Wilson’s 39 the only score of any substance from their top five.

At 4 for 43 Sippel walked to the crease and took plenty of time to get his eye in, intent on building an important innings to get his side to a quality first innings score.

When Wilson fell after his handy innings, Sippel was joined by skipper Alex Welsh and the two turned the tide for the Bluedogs.

Sippel scored a defiant 61 off 120 while Welsh fell for 44 off 71 deliveries, both top scoring and also giving their lower order a chance to make an impact against an older ball.

Tail-enders Ben O’Connell (14 off 63), Samson Noffke (27 off 49) and Nickolas Bischoff (18 off 21) all chipped in late in the innings to see Laidley crawl to a solid first innings total of 260.

With a bowling attack as good as theirs, each run was more to play with considering the grand final is extended to four days from the usual two.

After saving his side with the bat, Sippel completely toppled Centrals with the new ball.

He snicked off Jacob Anderson with the second ball of the innings on his way to a five wicket haul which featured five of Centrals top six batters.

The big quick single handidly dismantled Centrals’ top and middle order with none of them passing 21 runs.

Caleb Risson was the only batter in the top 6 to not fall to Sipple, but he was given out for hitting the ball twice, a wicket not credited to any of the Laidley bowlers.

Despite contributions from number seven Ezekiel Kugel (26

off 67) and eight Charlie Utz (38 off 59), Central fell for 149 and trailed by 111.

Thanks to the extended days, they had a chance to get back into the match with a strong second innings bowling performance and they took their opportunity,

getting six wickets for 97 runs in Laidley’s second innings.

Laidley now lead by 208 runs with four wickets in hand and two days remaining.

While still behind in the game, Centrals are still in with a chance

should they take a few quick wickets this Saturday.

Laidley are also in the box seat in the Second Divsion grand final, bowling Centrals out for 249 and sitting just three down for 199 in their batting innings.