The Somerset November 25 2020

NATHAN GREAVES
After months of delays and
preparation, the Fernvale markets
finally made a triumphant
return over the weekend, with a
strong turnout for their official
reopening.
Dozens of stallholders, vendors, and
suppliers – seasoned veterans and new
sellers alike – turned out at the Fernvale State
School grounds on Sunday,
November 22, where plenty
of eager visitors came to greet
them.
Some of those in attendance
were understandably
disappointed to find less stalls
than usual, especially in the
area of fresh produce, but
there was still plenty to see,
do, eat, and buy throughout
the morning.
For younger visitors, there
was even a petting farm with
a range of furry and feathered
creatures to interact with,
from ducks and geese to
The Esk Club Hotel held a major
Rural Fire Brigade raffle draw on
Sunday November 22.
After many months of fundraising to support
such a fantastic team who go above and
beyond to protect our beautiful region from
extreme dangers, the team from the Esk Club
Hotel would like to thank the local community,
travellers to the region that supported our
raffle in aid of raising funds for the Somerset
Rural Fire Brigade.
Esk Club Hotel has been raising funds for our
local Rural Fire Brigades but we wouldn’t be
able to do this without the support from our
locals. Who supported and kindly donated
prizes for the draw.
What a wonderful community we call home.
On Sunday we had the pleasure of drawing
the raffle with the help of executives from the
Rural Fire Brigade.
The first prize, kindly donated by Royce from
Retrees was a handmade coffee table. Royce
produces amazing fine furnishings, with his
coffee table adored by many thanks to his
skilled craftmenship. Peter Booker took out
goats and calves.
Organisers said their hope was that more fruit
and vegetable sellers would be available at
future market days, while also mentioning
that vehicle issues and other circumstances
had forced some sellers to miss the reopening
event.
They also offered their thanks to the volunteers
who’d contributed to help run the event.
The Fernvale Markets will be on every Sunday,
from 6am to midday, with all profits going
towards the Fernvale State School P&C
Association.
first prize.
We would like to give a special thanks to local
Marco; who owns and runs City Body Art: for
his kind donation of second and third prize for
the event, totalling $700 worth of body art.
Con who arreived 5 minutes before the draw
for a cold bevarage, purchased a ticket and
won third prize.
There are so many people to thank in
supporting this
event but the Esk
Club Hotel would
like to say a big
thank you to the
local community.
The continued
support and
participation in
making this event
possible is seen
and very much
appreciated.
Pictured: Rural Fire
Brigade 3rd prize
raffle winner
Labor inner city Brisbane
Senator Murray Watt should
tell Queenslanders his party
will reverse its opposition to
a Collinsville power station
feasibility study if he’s serious
about its support for coal and gas.
Minister for Resources, Water and Northern
Australia Keith Pitt says the threat of Labor to
the resources industry can’t be undone by a
few friendly words from Senator Watt.
“Reports that the Senator will tell a
Queensland conference that Labor has seen
the light on coal and gas confirm the division
within the party,” Minister Pitt said.
“It’s a cynical attempt to claw back votes
in Queensland and to keep rogue MP Joel
Fitzgibbon quiet.
“The real test is whether Senator Watt would
stand beside Mark Butler in Adelaide or Mark
Dreyfus in Melbourne and make a similar procoal
speech.
“We all know that’s not going to happen
anytime soon,” Minister Pitt said.
“Senator Watt has been a vocal opponent
of the Government keeping an election
commitment to fund a feasibility study for
a coal fired powered station in regional
Queensland.
“If he’s serious about Labor’s new found
support for coal and gas, he should support
the study which could lead to hundreds of
new regional jobs.”
Esk Grand Hotel
‘For Lovers of Food’
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Carl’s Homemade Rissoles
THURSDAY NIGHT
Parmy Night
FRIDAY NIGHT AND
WEEKEND SPECIALS
• XLarge Homemade
Duck Spring Rolls, Whole
Ginger and Soy Steamed
Barramundi
Bookings available.
Phone: 5424 1141
BOTTLESHOP
• Great Specials •
• 700ml Spirits $36.99
• XXXX Gold Stubbies $39.99
The Toogoolawah & District
History Group held its last
general meeting for 2020 at the
Toogoolawah Hotel on Tuesday
November 17 which was followed
by a Christmas lunch to say thankyou
to all our volunteers.
It has been a very strange year but, despite
that, we have achieved a great deal. Between
February and November and despite three
hard months of lockdown, we had three
inspiring guest speakers on topics from
the real History of the Golden Casket in
Queensland by respected historian Carmel
Black in February, across to June, when author
Thea Hayes amazed us with her stories of rural
nursing and more, then the AGM in October
when the Committee were all re-elected.
The Group finished the year with a discourse
from one of Australia's living legends, author
Everald Compton, who spoke to us about his
latest book, Dinner with the Founding Fathers.
He made us think and made us laugh. Our
Federal MP Hon Shayne Neumann was also
Advertise in The Somerset NOW - Call 0411 896 004
on hand and did the Vote of Thanks. He knows
Everald well and did him proud. Copies of this
amazing book are on sale at the Toogoolawah
History Museum so pop in anytime between
10 AM and 2PM from Thursday to
Saturday to secure your copy. Everald
is donating $5 to the History Group,
from the sale of each book sold at the
Museum. The book sells for $20 per
copy. Every school library should have
one.
Another great 2020 achievement
was the design and erection of two
beautiful railway murals on the
walls of the storage shed beside the
Museum. Jeff and Winnie Fields from
Academy Printing did all the work
with support from several of our
volunteers on the day they went up.
It is proving extremely popular with
tourists. Support from the BVRT Users
Association through two key catering
jobs also enabled us to maintain our
financial viability and we hope that our
fund-raising will be topped off with a
Raffle Street Stall outside the IGA on
Thursday 24 December. So, when you
are doing your last-minute shopping, do stop
and give us some support. Our community is
our greatest strength. We have some great
plans for 2021 so watch this space.
121 Ipswich Street, Esk
Phone: 5424 1141
Like us on Facebook
THE SOMERSET - Wednesday November 25, 2020 - Page 7