Moreton Border News - 10th April 2026

Moreton BorderNews

Rodeo raises

Fernvale flag

ABOUT 2000 locals and holidaymakers rolled up for what’s thought to be the first rodeo in Fernvale for at least a decade at the weekend.

The Red Dirt Rodeo, which featured everything from barrel races to bull rides and a kids’ dancing competition was a great success - and could be enough to send an Australian team of young rodeo riders to compete in Texas this year.

Red Dirt Rodeo Australia secretary, Amy Wensley, said now it seemed likely the event could become an annual affair. STORY BACK PAGE

CrossesonthehillPAGE8

The new master plan proposed under a minor change application for the 35.6 hectare site.

More Thagoona lots

By WENDY CREIGHTON

THE developer of the Stirling Views Estate has again applied to increase the number of allotments in the Thagoona housing development.

The estate off Pindari Drive and Dances Road began as a 359 urban lot development over 15 stages.

The landowner, TPDP 2 Pty Ltd, won preliminary approval in 2023 for the master plan lot layout which took in three allotments (48-70 Pindari Drive, 84 Pindari Drive and 67-103 Dances Road). The go ahead was also granted for the first stage of the development which involved the three properties being subdivided into 24 allotments.

A subsequent ‘change application’ was granted preliminary approval by council in December 2025, to increase the overall lot number in the master plan from 359 to 483.

The developer, HCC Devel-

opments No 3 Pty Ltd, was also given approval for the first stage break up to be three lots into 32 lots.

It was noted in the developer’s application that in the ‘minor change’ … “the layout was adjusted to accommodate amended staging, general lot arrangements and road network, as well as to remove some land use aspects (dual occupancy, multiple dwelling and display housing), which resulted in the addition of 124 dwelling sites from the original approved layout”.

And now, the developer, has applied for another minor change to the approvals.

The developer wants to make minor changes to all aspects of the current approvals including increasing the lot yield from 483 to 490 and the residential allotment mix.

The three properties have a combined area of almost 35.6 hectares and are located north of

FROM the Moreton Border News, we hope you had a blessed Easter.

This week, we publish Lyle Radford’s photographs from the Crosses on the Hill Easter service at Coleyville.

The service attracted hundreds of people who came to worship together.

Cabanda Care is an important part of Rosewood’s history and the recent change in ownership is in this week’s issue.

There are photographs taken in the late 1970s of volunteers who worked hard to bring Cabanda into existence.

Members of the Showmen’s Guild are watching the price of diesel and making hard choices when it comes to their 2026 season of agricultural shows.

The show must and will go on, is the message from the guild’s president.

And Wendy Creighton writes about a Thagoonah estate development.

All this and more is inside.

Happy reading.

- Lara Hart

the Karrabin Rosewood Road.

under the proposed new master plan, 210 lots will range in size from 300 to 350sqm, 149 will range in size from 350 to 400 sqm, 85 ranging in size from 400 to 450 sqm and the remainder ranging from 450 to 1,000sqm.

Rosewood commuters wait on the platform

By BYRON PESZKO

AS Queensland Rail pushes ahead with staff cuts that will leave weekend and weeknight commuters vulnerable at unstaffed stations, Ipswich West MP Wendy Bourne, said it was part of a mounting case that Rosewood was left far behind.

A Rosewood resident of 32 years, Ms Bourne said she was on the first electric train that came into Rosewood and was welcomed by the former Ipswich MP, David Hamill.

She said patrons wanting to travel to Rosewood were still forced to change trains at Ipswich.

“I remember this was implemented when the rail motor was around,” Ms Bourne said.

“I’d get off that train, the train would turn around and go back down to Brisbane.

“The Rosewood one was sitting there, you just had to walk across the platform.

Decades on, she said those arrangements were not acceptable in a growing area like Ipswich in 2026.

“I don’t think you should have to change platforms,” she said. “We’ve got electrification all the way out to Rosewood for a reason.

“It’s to give people a service to and from Rosewood.”

Ms Bourne said the Rosewood line had its fair share of online critics, something that hadn’t gone unnoticed.

“OneofthemaincommentsI’ve seen online is that the Rosewood

line doesn’t have a lot of people using it,” Ms Bourne said.

“Don’t always think because there’s not a lot of people using the train that the services aren’t needed.

The MP said an influx of development applications, crippling road infrastructure, 50 cent fares and rising fuel prices would see more commuters wanting to use the line.

“Go down on a weekday morning and look at the parking situation,” Ms Bourne said.

“What they’ve got there is never going to be enough.”

She said QR needed to ensure Ipswich wasn’t left behind in terms of a service.”

“They need to look at the growth in the area and understand that,” she said.

“If you open up the services to commuters, make them more user friendly, more people will start to use it.

The latest move would see Rosewood station without staff on weekends and with staff limited on weekdays to 5.00am1.00pm.

Ms Bourne said it was short sighted.

DELIVERED DANIEL’S LAW

MAKING QUEENSLAND SAFER MAKING SAFER FOR OUR KIDS

In honour of Daniel Morcombe, the new Queensland Government has delivered Daniel’s Law, the State’s first public child sex offender register, available now. This online tool identifies certain reportable offenders living in your local area, or whose whereabouts are unknown to police. Parents and guardians can also apply for a search on unsupervised contacts.

Through Daniel’s Law, the Queensland Government is delivering access to vital information to help keep kids safe.

Fuel availability’s the question for our shows

By LARA HART

AS show societies in the West Moreton sub chamber gear up for 2026, participating producers are keeping an eye on diesel prices, because it could be a costly affair just getting to the gates.

Marburg is first in this sub chamber region to put on a show.

The cost and unavailability of fuel, diesel in particular, is also hurting all of Queensland’s agricultural show carnival operators.

Showmen’s Guild Australasia president Aaron Pink described fuel shortages and price increases,ashavingasimilareffectasthe pandemic.

The price spike is largely linked to increased fuel demand, supply chain issues, and geopolitical tensions, specifically in the Middle East.

“Our minds go back to the times of the pandemic quite easily because that too was an uncertain time,” he said.

“We hear all the time how [Australia] could run out of fuel and might start to ration it.

“If [the government] brings in rations I hope we are part of it.”

He described the carnival side of agricultural shows as vital because it brought show goers enjoyment.

“I know farmers need fuel too and I am not doubting that, but people also need have fun and that happens by keeping the agricultural show movement going,” he said.

Diesel is used in heavy duty haulage trucks driven by ride operators and their families, as they take equipment from one show to the next.

Travel now needs to be managed because not all service stations have diesel in the pumps.

That’s a problem because even if a showman can afford to buy fuel, there’s no promise service stations en route will have it in their pumps.

“Our members use an app to plan their route and minimise potential for being low on fuel and discovering a service station has no diesel, ahead of time,” he explained.

“There’s no other job for our operators and agricultural shows is their only form of income.

“This is how they feed their families so there’s no question of them not setting up and running their attractions.”

Then there are the generators used to power heavy-duty rides that use diesel.

“Just one ride used upwards of a thousand dollars in fuel costs over a two or three day event,” he said.

“And that’s just running two or three 300KPa generators and the larger rides consume a lot of fuel.

“It’s nothing for a ride to use around 200 litres of fuel in a two

or three day event.

“But that was normal pricing because filling up a four wheel drive car used to cost $150, now costs $300, and our costs are doubling too.”

Showmendon’tjustcomewith trucks, there’s the cars and caravans that have also doubled in their running costs.

It’s not just ride operators feeling the hit, side show ally game operators and food vendors also use generators to cook food and power games.

“We are not the sort of business that can pass that cost on because I have dodgem cars and if I put a session up from $15 to $20, I’d be priced out,” he said.

“We have no choice other than

maintaining our pricing despite the cost rising, it is a struggle but we don’t have another income.”

There are close to 500 members in the guild and within that, around 200 families.

“It is a big moving community and we move on a circuit from one show to the next,” he said.

“When we are in town, our members fuel their trucks, buy food and spend money, even the local mechanics get our business.

“Agricultural shows have been in our family for over five generations and I hope we can get through this unscathed.

The Marburg Show runs 8 and 9 May; Lowood Show is on 12 and 13 June; and the Rosewood Show is on 26 and 27 June.

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)

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

Rosewood railway relic making its way back

By JESS LEIS

A piece of regional railway history is set for a new lease on life on the former Marburg branch line corridor in Rosewood.

The old waiting shed, original remains from Fernvale station, sits on land managed by the Australian Railway Historical Society.

Restoration efforts are being led by the Queensland Rollingstock Preservation Group, a small but mighty volunteer organisation with a long term lease on part of the corridor.

President Mick Saffioti said his team was determined to safeguard this fragment of Queensland’s railway heritage, among a variety of projects involving railway-related artefacts across the state.

“There’s some of our articles in Mount Morgan, Murgon, Kingaroy. We’ve got stuff in so many places.” said Mr Saffioti.

“Our main thing, is we find

old rolling stock that’s worthy of keeping the story going,”

In Rosewood, years of exposure have taken a toll on the building.

“The termites have built a nest under the floors and proceeded to eat it out a fair bit. But it’s not beyond fixing. It just needs a bit of hard work and time,” Mr Saffioti said.

“We’ll slowly tidy it up and make it into a little office again.”

He estimated it could take around 12 months to stabilise and restore the structure, with

the first stage of work including removing graffiti, repairing the flooring and levelling the building.

The project recently received a boost from Rosewood real estate agent Megan Acutt of Acutt & Greet Real Estate, who donated funds to install security cameras after learning of the restoration plans.

“We’re trying to raise funds for this as well, to make it an attraction for Rosewood,” Ms Acutt said.

Although Mr Saffioti spent 50 years working in railways, he

acknowledged that the group’s strength lay in its mix of volunteers.

HesaidtheAustralianRailway Historical Society Queensland and the Queensland Rolling Stock Preservation Group shared common interests and support each other when needed.

ARHS Queensland president Steve Lamprecht said more volunteers were urgently required to help sustain the work.

“Both organisations, whether it be, you know, the ARHS through our Rosewood operation, or the Queensland Rollingstock Preservation Group, we’re just desperate for help, and for volunteers.” Mr Lamprecht said.

“People don’t have to commit to every weekend, it’s just whatever they can do, and there’s so many different tasks to be done there.” he added.

Contact via: management. committee@QRPG.net.au or visit the website: qrpg.net.au

A big jump in numbers of Walloon approvals

By WENDY CREIGHTON

In March, Ipswich City Council received more than 70 new home applications in Walloon.

Some of the applications were looking for a sign off from council on new builds, others were seeking a go ahead to begin construction.

Whatever the reason, the 73 applications concerning new homes in the district of Walloon in the month of March is unprecedented.

In the years 2020 to 2023, there were no new home applications for Walloon in March.

In 2024, only five new home applications were lodged in March and all were seeking approval to begin.

Last March, the numbers were boosted to 15, with 10 seeking approval to begin and the remainder requesting a final sign off by council.

And while this year’s boom sets a record for the month of March, it is not unexpected.

In many ways, it was anticipated more than 30 years ago by the old Moreton Shire Council with the identification of the Western

Growth Corridor which took in Rosewood, Thagoona and Walloon.

Early planning moves by the Moreton council were advanced by the Ipswich council after the country areas in the corridor became under the city’s purview.

The adoption of the new Ipswich City Planning Scheme in May 2025 placed much of the Walloon area into the Emerging Community Zone meaning it was in an area transitioning from

rural and residential to a highgrowth urban hub, to support a predicted substantial population increase.

The level of that increase was given a number by Cr Andrew Antoniolli when he announced council’s aim to formulate a Western Growth Corridor Structure Plan almost 12 months ago.

“Over the next two decades, we expect the number of residents who call the Western Growth Corridor area home to

grow from about 10,000 today to more than 70,000,” Cr Antoniolli said.

“The structure plan, supported by an infrastructure plan, will guide the area’s long-term development and provide certainty for residents, businesses and developers about how the area can be developed.

“It will address issues such as housing, infrastructure, environmental conservation and community facilities.”

Community alliance meets on development

LOCAL residents are invited to attend the second community meeting of the Western Corridor Community Alliance, a community forum aimed at development and related issues in Western Corridor communities.

The meeting will be held on Tuesday 14 April, from 6.00pm to 7.30pm, at the Walloon Uniting Church Hall, Queen Street, Walloon.

Under the auspices of Rosewood and District Supporting Communities Inc, organisers say they want to encourage open, factual discussion about issues affecting the region now and into the future.

The evening will begin with a report from Ipswich City Council division 4 councillors, Cr Jim Madden and Cr David Martin, followed by a presentation from

With significant housing growth planned for the area, the WCCA aims to ensure residents and stakeholders are informed, connected and involved in shaping a safer, stronger western corridor, both now and into the future.

Trent Rein, Director of Service Planning, Infrastructure Services with the Department of Education.

Mr Rein will outline current and future planning for new schools in the Western Corridor. Anticipated timelines will be dis-

cussed, along with opportunities for engagement between the department and local communities.

The final presentation will be delivered by local developer Chris Bennett, who has lived in the Western Corridor for the past 25 years and is experienced with smaller subdivisions and medium-sized projects. Mr Bennett will speak about development in the Walloon–Thagoona corridor, including an overview of undermining and a brief explanation of underground and open-cut mining.

He will discuss how Council assesses land affected by historic mining and why the corridor was rezonedforhousingmorethan30 years ago. Impacts on transport, infrastructure, topography, and services will be covered, together with advice on how residents can engage with developers, includ-

ing via solicitors. The meeting will conclude with a questions and discussion session.

The Western Corridor includes Walloon, Thagoona, Rosewood, Mt Marrow, Haigslea, Tallegalla, Calvert, Ebenezer, Ashwell, and Grandchester.

Community meetings are to be held bi-monthly, rotating between Rosewood and Walloon.

Contact: wcca-radsc@outlook. com.

What to Expect

• Updates from local councillors

• Information on future school planning

• Insights into development, zoning, and historic mining

• Guidance on engaging with developers

• An open question and discussion session

50c fares made permanent

•Delivering a second Ipswich Central river crossing

Delivering for Queensland

•Upgrading Marburg SES training facilities

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

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

•Delivering a new grandstand for Ipswich State High School

As well as delivering permanent 50c fares, here are some of the ways the new Queensland Government is delivering for Ipswich:

•Delivering grandstands at Ipswich Musketeers Baseball Club

•Delivering more classrooms for Haigslea State School

•Upgrading facilities at Norths Tigers Rugby League Club

•Upgrading Rosewood Showgrounds with new lighting.

Find out what else we’re delivering for you.

Coleyville crosses draw 700 to Easter Friday

By LARA HART

THE Crosses on the Hill service on Good Friday was well attended by approximately 700 Christians of all denominations who came to worship under a large outdoor marquee.

Theannualserviceisheldhigh on a hill at the corner of Eders Brothers Road and RosewoodWarrill View Road in Coleyville.

The open sided marquee is furnished with seating and a pulpit from which speakers lead in prayer, song and reading of the gospel message.

There’s even a free bus service that delivers visitors right to the front ‘doorstep’ of the marquee.

The crosses are also lit up throughout Holy Week.

One of the organisers is Norm Kerle. He helps erects the three crosses on the hill and said the event was in its 28th year.

“Noel Noack who is a retired Lutheran pastor led the service. He does locum or voluntary work around different churches,” he said.

Children sat at the front and a portion of the service was a youth pastor ministering to them.

“She asked them questions, then repeated their answers so that the whole audience could hear what they said,” he said.

“It made it so much more meaningful and some of the answers made us chuckle.”

The community campaign that built Cabanda

By LARA HART

A name and a change in ownership won’t erase the hard work and foresight of everyday residents who were there when Cabanda Care in Rosewood was built in the late 1970s.

Back then, residents’ decided the town needed an old age home care facility with a difference.

Yes, there were places older folk could move into, but they wanted somewhere more like home.

Fast forward to 2026 and now the home has transitioned to be run by Lutheran Services, but none of that would’ve happened had it not been for the hard work of locals.

Joyce Rieck is a long time Rosewood resident who said she was surprised by how few people knew Cabanda’s backstory.

Beforeitsestablishment,locals who needed residential aged care had to move to Laidley or Ipswich.

Rosewood in the 1970s was also very different to today.

Joyce recalled the campaign to support a Rosewood aged care facility.

“When I’m talking about Rosewood, I mean the Rosewood district, including Grandchester, Marburg, Walloon, Mt Walker and Ebenezer,” she said.

“The Chamber of Commerce was also active and in 1978 held a public meeting.”

A steering committee was formed and then the Rosewood Aged Peoples’ Home Committee was established as a trusteeship. A bank account was opened with a deposit of $18.

Joyce said the bank refused the committee’s request for a loan to buy the site, a four acre block just south of Johnston Park. But a deal was struck with the seller for $21,000, payable over two years.

“The fundraising began, there were door knocks, raffles, bingo games and some donations came in,” she said.

“A sub-committee was formed to plan and build the hostel. The estimated cost was $250,000.

“Rosewood has always been a working class community. How could it even dream of raising that amount of money?

“But they did.”

By September 20, 1987, the first residents moved in and on

Bottles were collected and locals did everything in their power to raise money to build a retirement home in Rosewood in the late 1970s.

October 17, the facility was officially opened.

Cabanda is more than just a retirement home, it is a place built by the community for the community.

Now it’s transitioned, the new owners want the community to know it is still Rosewood’s own.

The Cabanda name, heritage and connection to Rosewood will remain.

Carer support project in search of guidance

CARERS across Rosewood and surrounding districts are being invited to gather for a new community initiative designed to build support for those who care for others.

The Carer Support Group –Bringing Carers Together will be held on Monday 20 April at the Uniting Church Hall, 21 John Street, Rosewood, with two sessions - from 10am to 12 noon and again from 6pm to 8pm.

Organisers say the gatherings are intended to be a safe, welcoming space for carers of all ages and

backgrounds, including those caring for family members, partners, friends or neighbours.

“Carers play an essential role in our community, but they are often overlooked and can feel very isolated,” said community project worker, Tia Lancaster.

“This group is about creating a gentle place where carers feel heard, understood, and connected to others who truly get what they’re going through.”

The sessions will also offer an opportunity for connection with organisations that provide sup-

port, to exchange ideas, and begin building informal networks of mutual support. Feedback from the meeting will help determine whether the Carer Support Group will continue as an ongoing program in Rosewood.

According to Donna Hanlon, the first meeting will make no assumptions about what carers need “We want carers to tell us what support would be most helpful, and whether there’s interest in ongoing meetings shaped by the community,” she said.

Recognising that caring responsibilities can make it difficult to attend events, organisers are also encouraging community members who are unable to make either session to get in touch.

“Their voices are important in helping us understand how we can better support carers in the Rosewood area,” Ms Hanlon said.

For more information, contact the Rosewood Community Centre on 07 5464 1544 or email katheleen.rosewoodcc2022@outlook.com

AI for an eye means the truth ain’t the truth

By LARA HART

DID you ever say, ‘I will believe it when I see it with my own two eyes’?

How is that going for you?

Still believing what you see or has artificial intelligence (AI) taken our virtual virginities?

Nowadays it’s ‘I won’t believe it until I can verify it using multiple trusted sources’.

I was a 26-year-old journalist living in South Africa and my ex-mother-in law showed me an article from a big city paper that was completely inaccurate.

The more I tried to explain, the more she insisted that because it was printed in a newspaper, it had to be true.

You should’ve seen her face when I quipped ‘but I am a journalist and you disbelieve everything I write, say and do.

As you can tell, no love lost there.

The older generation finds it harder to sort fact from fiction.

I mean that with no disrespect.

I’m a 1970s vintage and referencing my parent’s generation.

My dad has always been clued up when it comes to technology.

He learned how to code in his 60s and flew to Australia from South Africa to get a company’s IT department up and running.

My brother has a degree in computer science and he along with dad, devised a way for police to call up information roadside using a fingerprint scanner.

My brother once travelled the world installing ATMs and said there was a tight group of IT nerds who knew a key component each, but never the full picture.

No Oceans 11 style heists, tsk tsk ... wasted opportunities.

Ten years ago, while there was AI, it was nothing like it is today.

And 10 years before that the bots were infants and still learning.

Remember the Terminator movies where the machines learned from human behaviour, well that’s exactly what happened

the past two decades.

A decade ago people were putting a photo into an app and AI had them doing silly, short songs where only their heads, eyes and mouth moved.

That is basic compared to what’s out there now and the problem is everyone and their uncle have jumped on board.

App stores have hundreds of AI transformation tools that make realistic effects.

Adverts on social media are non stop pleas to download and ‘turn yourself your Viking past’ or ‘prank your friends by making them do a cringe dance routine’.

And the ads look good, right?

I watch them and get the urge to make my husband dance while dressed as a stripper and wearing makeup.

And I want to see what I’d look like in my Viking past.

I check comments and reviews and many read ‘scam, doesn’t do what it says’ and ‘takes your money and then you have to buy credits’.

Not wanting to be fooled, most people assume everything they see is not real.

AI videos and images have become frighteningly realistic, and that realism is improving fast.

The machine is feeding off our reactions and adapting, it’s

learning and improving ... where are you, Sarah Connor?

The human mind is also an amazing machine because there’s a region called the fusiform face area.

That’s essentially a face recognition engine that doesn’t just register a face, it analyses fine grained patterns, spacing of the eyes, shape of the jaw, contour of cheekbones, brow ridge and lip fullness.

Sex differences in faces are often subtle averages rather than absolute traits.

Believing it with ‘our own two

eyes’ nowadays means training ourselves to slow down and take note of what we are seeing.

Does the bear levitate, then disappear through a fence?

Does the woman in the background have a hand that looks like a foot?

Did AI write the whole article or did the journalist?

If something feels off, check multiple credible sources before forming an opinion.

The truth lies out there and we just need to work harder to find it.

Vandalism, theft packs unwelcome punch

By Staff reporters

THEFT, break-ins and vandalism on rural properties and businesses sucked some of the joy out of Easter.

Walloon Hotel reported petty theft and abuse of staff over the long weekend, as well as two break ins over the past month that resulted in well over $10,000 in theft and damage.

The popular hotel put on a free community day last weekend and over 15 kilograms of treats were given away, and activities were free.

There was an early morning Easter hunt and it is understood a small number of people took advantage of the events, and demanded more than their fair share.

Some of the Easter decorations were stolen and two staff members were verbally abused.

An elderly Blenheim landowner reports a pattern of ‘unexplained interference and theft’ on his property over several years.

Gerard Luck runs cattle on a 141-acre holding, and said the issues had escalated to the point where both machinery and livestock appear to have been tampered with or removed, often while he and his wife are away.

Among the most concerning incident was with a tractor that looked to have parts swapped out.

“The blades weren’t cutting, and somebody had tightened the blades off and put others on,” he explained.

“Then I worked out that somebody took the rims and the tyres off and put old ones on.

“One had a different hub to the other, but the bolts, they put them around opposite way.”

He estimated the cost of damage and missing items to be significant, and said over a decade at least $50,000 worth had been lost.

“There were some rails taken that were against my shed. I had bought them at a sale with some pipe,” he said.

“Any bit of poison, they pinch it, break into the shed and pinch it.”

Beyond machinery, there are also concerns about livestock and he said cattle have gone missing under suspicious circumstances.

He installed cameras to monitor his property and raised his concerns with the police.

“It’s pretty heartbreaking because when you get old, you don’t want to live in town,” he said.

“You want to stay on the farm.

“The wife and I just want to have a nice peaceful life for the last few years of our life left.”

He has urged landholders to remain vigilant and keep a close watch on farm equipment and livestock, and to document any irregularities.

The folk at Walloon Hotel won’t stop putting on events that give punters a good day out at a decent price.

Most of their clientele are respectful, kind and the reason they put on free events and family fun.

Commanding views help to sell at Marburg

A Marburg home with wide view views of the countryside and a practical indoor layout has sold for $1,058,000.

It is located on a 3,543sqm block.

The home’s open plan lounge and dining area is bright and relaxed, oriented to take full advantage of the outlook, while the kitchen has stone benchtops and ample cabinetry.

Slidingdoorsopentoacovered alfresco space which is privately located yet is open to the views.

The home has three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

The master suite has a walk-in robe while the remaining bedrooms have built-in robes.

The open plan living area has air conditioning and is positioned to capture the views.

There’s a double garage with internal access and the internal laundry has linen storage.

The property last sold in 2013 for $127,000.

Sale highlights rise in Rosewood land values

THE sale of a 2,023sqm residential block outside Rosewood is indicative of the significant change in local land values since the Covid years.

In early 2020, the property sold for $200,000.

At that time, a medium sized, two bedroom cottage was located on the block.

Last month, the now vacant land sold for $600,000 – while the cottage was no longer on the property, there was a four bay shed.

The property, located at the corner of Karrabin Rosewood Road and Hospital Road, also has power, water and sewerage connections.

‘Crossing that line, there’s nothing like a win’

By PETER FOLEY

NO wonder Tahlia Fenlon smiles all the time at the racetrack: she loves riding horses, revels in working with inspiring people and thrills to the adrenaline rush of winning.

“In no other job do you get the feeling of crossing the winning line first,” Tahlia said.

“It never feels like a job. It feels like a good day out, riding horses.”

Her natural approach is to face the inevitable pitfalls of a jockey’s life with the same smile – when she’s down, she gets back on the horse, literally and figuratively.

“Everything happens for a reason; you’ve just got to overcome whatever’s put in front of you,” she said.

“You go through highs and lows all the time. When you have a good run, you enjoy it and when you have a bad run, you work hard to get through it.”

TahliaFenlonisaclassiccountry girl: humble, friendly and just a really nice person. She was raised on her parents’ 600-hectare farm.

“I’m from Rockhampton; I’m not from the city. I’ve had a good family behind me and I was raised very well. I’ve got to thank Mum and Dad for that,” she said.

“We had a property just outside of Rockhampton where we ran breeding cattle, Brahman and Charbray.

“We’ve sold it now. We have a smaller block along the river that we have weaners; we fatten them up and sell them. This one is just 120 acres.

“Mustering the cattle, we always had horses, and I did pony club; competed at high levels there - state titles.

“When we were old enough, our family friend was a trainer, Fred Smith. That’s where I began. I did my apprenticeship in Rocky.”

She rode trackwork before school in years 10, 11 and 12 at Rockhampton Grammar School.

“In year 11 or 12, they asked us what I wanted to do when I

finished school.

“I had no big plans. I finished school, but I wasn’t a fan,” she said.

“I was looking at being a vet nurse, actually.”

She had no intentions of being a jockey but because she had been riding trackwork, she left to go into the apprenticeship with Fred Smith.

“It was the best thing I ever did probably,” she said.

Tahlia had her first ride as an apprentice jockey in May 2021 in Emerald and the first of her 260 wins came a week later in Gladstone.

She was named champion country apprentice jockey for the 2021-22 season and rode mainly in central and north Queensland for the next two years.

Her indentures were transferred from Fred Smith to Chris Munce in 2023.

“I came down because I knew I’d never get another chance, and I ended up going to Chris and Corey and they’ve been really good to me. I’m glad I did it.”

Does she see Chris Munce primarily as a trainer or as a former champion jockey?

“To me he’s just probably a mate,” she laughed. “He’s very easy to talk to about anything, not just horses.

“But it is good having him as a former jockey. He probably sees it from a trainer’s point of

view first, then he sees it from the jockeys’ and, I guess, your point of view.

“I get along with him great. He’s probably the best trainer to ride for and in all aspects in life, he’s been a really good mentor.

“I’ve achieved a lot, a lot more than the goals I set originally. When I first came down here, I just wanted to ride one metro winner.

“I’ve outridden my two-kilo claim now and it’s been pretty good riding for big trainers like Ciaron Maher and Chris Waller. I never thought I’d get that opportunity.”

At Ipswich racetrack recently, Tahlia combined with Chris and Corey Munce to win on Capital Heart.

“I’ve had a good association with this horse. I ride him in trackwork every morning for my boss. It was good to know him inside and out,” she said.

“I think it helps immensely knowing that.

“I get enjoyment out of being on horses I’ve had a bit to do with.”? Tickets for the Ipswich Cup on June 20 are on sale. See: ipswichturfclub.com.au/events-blog.

Fundraising rodeo at Fernvale funds US trip

By CAMERON THOMPSON

STRONG support from about 2000 locals and holidaymakers who rolled up for the Fernvale rodeo at the weekend could be enough to send an Australian team of young rodeo competitors to the youth world rodeo finals in Texas this year.

Red Dirt Rodeo Australia secretary, Amy Wensley, said the decision to stage what’s thought to be the first rodeo in Fernvale for at least a decade was only made in November, but now it seemed likely the event would become an annual affair.

“It was really good,” Ms Wensley said, after completing the clean-up on Sunday.

“Our only issue was parking. We had plenty of free parking available out the back, but too many were parking and walking to the gates. “Apart from that, the police had one drunken fellow they removed. There was a lady who had a medical incldent and a young bloke who hurt his knee, but there were no injuries in the competition.

Sanctioned by the National Rodeo Association, the event drew 250 competitors in barrel racing and bronc and bull riding, including three young women who contested the under 18 girls bullriding - Elana Hyne, Chloe Webster and Kali Wolgast. “There aren’t a lot of young women into bull riding,” Ms Wensley said, “but the NRA has made it a part of the program this year.”

She said Red Dirt Rodeo was formed to help promote young competitors. “We’re a non-profit organisation,” she said. “So right now, everything we raise goes

into providing flights and accommodation for the ten kids we hope to send to Abeline in Texas in July.

Ms Wensley said the ten came

from Australia’s eastern states with locals from Kensington Grove, Crows Nest, Nanango and Cherbourg included.

“In Australia anyone can just

rock up for an event and get day membership of the NRA to compete. But for the youth finals in the US, there needs to be stepping stones and we’re organising that here in Australia.”