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ROSEBANK STATION HOSTS 'BEST TRAC-BEST PRAC' GRADER WORKSHOP

23 November saw around 60 graziers gather at the 'Best Trac-Best Prac' workshop to learn from the expertise of Territorian Darryl Hill.  Darryl has studied erosion for more than 40 years and has run grader workshops across the Australian rangelands.

The workshop included practical guidelines, grader use demonstrations and provided people with access to information on design and maintenance of fire plough tracks, property access roads, fence lines and formed roads. A safer working environment, reduced travel time on property access roads, more effective fire breaks and track maintenance reduction time are some of the benefits landholders can expect from the 'Best Trac – Best Prac' tips that were provided on the day.

'BEST TRAC-BEST PRAC' GRADER WORKSHOPS COMING SOON

 Workshops start 23 November download flyer here 

• Rosebank Research Station, Longreach Monday 23 November, 2009 8:30am for 9am start
• Desert Recreation Club, The Lake, Aramac Tuesday 24 November, 2009 10am for 10:30am start (following the DUC meeting)
• Weona Station, Winton Friday 27 November, 2009 8:30am for 9am start
• Tucson Station, Winton Saturday 28 November, 2009 8:30am for 9am start
•  Alpha Town Hall Tuesday 1 December, 2009 8:30am for 9am start

 For catering purposes, please RSVP four days prior to your preferred workshop to either:

 Jenny Milson, QPIF 07 4650 1247 or jenny.milson@deedi.qld.gov.au

 Rosie Johnston, RFDS 07 4652 5806 rjohnston@rfdsqld.com.au

CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION FOCUS AT DCQ FORUM

CHANGING WITH OUR CLIMATE

The Climate Change Adaptation Forum is being held on Thursday the 12th of November at the Agricultural College Auditorium, and will feature highly qualified and experienced speakers according to organizer, Colleen James of Desert Channels Queensland.

Speakers include Emeritus Professor Bob Miles of Central Queensland University on the implications and risks to the pastoral sector and explores some of the ways forward; Queensland Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries Senior Scientist Dr Steven Bray on a greenhouse impact comparison of grazing versus destocking, discussing the tradeoffs in relation to livestock methane emissions reduction versus greater burning emissions; the CSIRO’s Dr Ed Charmley on reducing methane emissions while improving your bottom line; Tony Lovell of Soil Carbon Research, Bond University on using soil carbon to address biodiversity loss, build eco-system resilience, and help reverse desertification; and Alan Lauder, author of ‘Carbon Grazing - The Missing Link’ on reducing the impact of an increasingly variable climate. 

SOIL INFORMATION DAYS COMING TO PRAIRIE, WINTON AND BOULIA

•  From a ground-cover point of view, what are the issues, limitations and benefits associated with a particular soil type?
• How does soil type impact on pasture production?
• Soil information and importance of soil health with Ray O’Grady
• Run-off and infiltration demonstrations with rainfall simulator with Peter Burger
• Soil core extraction and information on soil type and properties with John Ross
• Field tour incorporating different soil types
• Delbessie soil condition monitoring information with Mike Cannon
• Bring a sample and talk to experts about your soil, pH and salt content testing.

DCQ CLEANS UP AT THE STATE LANDCARE AWARDS

First Place - Australian Government Landcare NRM Region Award for providing funding opportunities, extension facilities and support to groups and individuals to undertake Landcare activities.

First Place - Landcare Indigenous Award for the Traditional Knowledge Recording Project

Third Place - Landcare Indigenous Award for the Aboriginal Advisory Panel

 Budjiti Elder Phillip Eulo, AAP Deputy Chair Judith Harrison, DCQ Regional Coordinator Steve Wilson, Her Excellency the Governor of Queensland Ms Penelope Wensley AO and DCQ CEO Leanne Kohler at Government House for the awards ceremony.

DCQ HOSTS NATURALLY RESOURCEFUL AT EROMANGA 

Ladies from the southern boundaries of the DCQ region gathered at the Eromanga Town Hall to build their skills, knowledge and understanding at a two day workshop that covered topics including: Communication, personality profiling, financial and succession planning, biodiversity, grant writing, planning for positive change and health and wellbeing.

NATURALY RESOURCEFUL HEADS TO EROMANGA

NEW ONLINE REGIONAL EVENTS CALENDAR!

Jump online and see what's on at DCQ and across our region on our new DCQ regional events calendar. If you would like to include your event on the calendar send us an email at info@dcq.org.au.

WOMEN'S WORKSHOPS IN THE WEST

DCQ GETS GARDEN GURUS TOGETHER IN MAY

Over 200 people took the chance to look at ways to become more waterwise in the garden at DCQ's Waterwise Garden Expo - held from 22 to 23 May at the Longreach Civic and Cultural Centre. The expo included talks from industry professionals, 14 exhibitor displays and competitions.

In keeping with the gardening vibe of May, DCQ headed to Tambo and Aramac to host Waterwise Garden Workshops with around 50 people attending in total. The month also included the launch of the Longreach Botanic Walkway Signage Project, a primary schools 'staying sustainable' competition and a high school photographic competition.

SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED...

CLEARING THE MYTHS OF THE 3Cs - CARBON & CLIMATE CHANGE

The first of three DCQ 3Cs information days took place at Prairie yesterday. The days were a chance for local landholders to learn more about Carbon an Climate Change and to hear from experts in these fields.

Read more about the 3Cs day here.

MESSING WITH MESQUITE

'AUSTRALIA'S CANE TOADS BRAINS TRUST' SET SITES ON PEST

A forum touted as a meeting of 'Australia's cane toad brains trust' was held in Longreach from 29 to 30 April to share information and discuss the future of cane toad management as the pest moves further into the Lake Eyre Basin.

The forum attracted over 20 attendees from across Australia who collectively boast a long history and experience with ecology, biology, environment and natural resource management, conservation and pest management. The forum was co-hosted by South Australian Arid Lands NRM and Desert Channels Queensland.

Pictured above (from L-R) Professor Ross Alford (James Cook University), Professor Rick Shine (University of Sydney), Mark Williams (South Australian Arid Lands NRM), and Angus Emmott (Chair, Lake Eyre Basin Community Advisory Committee).

BLACKALL HONOURS ITS WAR HERO

On the evening of Friday 24 April, a bronze statue of local hero Edgar Towner VC was unveiled at a twilight ceremony in Memorial Park, Blackall. The following day opened with a dawn service in Memorial Park, followed by breakfast, ANZAC Day march and rededication of the cenotaph.

DCQ is proud to be a major sponsor of the Edgar Towner Memorial Dinner held last year to raise funds for the statue and supported elements of the ANZAC Day weekend program.

Read more about Edgar Towner in the March 2009 edition of the Basin Bullet.
(27 April 2009)
 

GREAT TURNOUT FOR BLACKALL INNOVATIONS FORUM

The inaugural Blackall Innovations Forum was hailed a success with over 90 people turning up on the day. There was a broad mix of sheep and cattle producers who travelled from far and wide to hear from other landholders about the innovations that have worked for them. Read more...
(21 April 2009)
 

LAUNCH OF DC SOLUTIONS & DESERT CHANNELS FOUNDATION

On Friday night Desert Channels Queensland staff and board launched its commercial arm, DC Solutions, and its philathropic trust, Desert Channels Foundation. For more visit the DC Solutions website and the Desert Channels Foundation website.
(6 April 2009)

RABBITSCAN CHALLENGE

RabbitScan is a new initiative that RMAG (the national Rabbit Management Advisory Group) developed to coincide with the 150 year anniversary of the wild rabbit being introduced.

The challenge is to record data about rabbits from at least 5000 sites across Australia that have rabbits. RMAG would like your help, to find and record the data. They will provide the tools you need to capture and record survey data for May, 'RabbitScan Month'.

Register now at the RabbitScan website.
 

STRATFORD STATION PROJECT VISIT LEAVES AN IMPRESSION

Robyn Adams and Terry Brennan (pictured front right) of Stratford Station near Blackall were host to Australian and Queensland Government representatives. The visitors were shown the work undertaken in partnership with local Aboriginal people through a DCQ funded project to help protect a significant Indigenous cultural heritage and biodiversity on their property. A DVD is available on the project - email DCQ to request a copy.
(3 April 2009)
 

REGIONAL VISIT FROM GOVT REPS

Three days in a 4WD!!! - DCQ's Steve Wilson (left) and Dave Thompson (right) are conducting field trips of the DCQ region and projects this week with (from L-R) Australian Government Facilitator Kathryn Galea and Regional Liaison Officer Mark Lodder, and Queensland Government Regional Liaison Officer Donna Robinson. So far the group have travelled to Edgbaston in Aramac, Winton and today will be in Blackall.
(2 April 2009)

FUNDING FLURRY NEARLY FINISHED

DCQ staff are busy finalising applications for funding under the Australian Government's Caring for our Country. DCQ's partnerships officer Sue Gardiner (pictured) is caught deep in thought checking over an application.
(1 April 2009)
 

DIGGING DEEPER INTO SOILS

The first of three soil information days hosted by DCQ kicked off at Kenya Station near Muttaburra with 25 people attending to hear from soil experts on how the health and type of soil can impact on ground cover and production. Pictured is the rain simulator demonstration. Read more...
(18 March 2009)
 

RANGELANDS TRAINING AT DCQ

Over three days DCQ hosted a Rangelands Australia course, with participants from DCQ, South Australia, Winton and Thargomindah. For more information on Rangelands courses visit the Rangelands Australia website.
(17 March 2009)
 

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS WITH A GOLD LINING

It was a case of a gold medal presenter for gold medal worthy achievements as environmental leaders and innovators in the region were recognised at the Nissan Central West Industry Excellence Awards 2009. Read more...
(14 March 2009)
 

SNAKES STOP TRAFFIC IN LONGREACH

The main street of Longreach came to a standstill as pythons stopped shoppers in their tracks on Friday and Saturday outside Barkers Newsagency. It was the launch of the publication Snakes of Western Queensland that brought the slithery duo out with authors local grazier Angus Emmott and DCQ's Steve Wilson setting up to talk to customers and sign copies of their recently released book.
(14 March 2009)
 

LAUNCH OF SNAKES GUIDE FOR THE WEST

Snakes of Western Queensland: a Field Guide, co-authored by local grazier, Angus Emmott (Hon MSc) and DCQ staffer, Steve G Wilson (BAppSc) was launched with a ‘special guest’ of the slithery kind, Daffodil the Olive Python. For more information on the book email info@dcq.org.au.
(3 March 2009)

NATURALLY RESOURCEFUL WOMEN IN WINTON

A short course to empower rural women to lead positive change on their properties and within their communities was hosted by DCQ in Winton. 11 women attended in Winton coming from Corfield and Winton areas.
(27 February 2009)

FIRST LADIES OF THE WEST

For the first time in the west women of the region had an opportunity to enhance their involvement in natural resource management at a property level and in the wider community through a short course delivered by Desert Channels Queensland. 20 women attended in Longreach from Longreach area, Eromanga , Blackall, Jundah, Isisford.
(24 February 2009)

SIGNS WORTH STOPPING FOR

Travelling out west just got more interesting and even educational for locals and tourists alike with new interpretive signage providing an added incentive to stop and appreciate Western Queensland. Read more...
(20 January 2009)

For more information on stories please call dcq on 07 4658 0600 or email info@dcq.org.au.