Bally's back home!

by David McLintock

There is probably only one thing that is certain in life and that is that nothing in life is certain. None of us know what tomorrow may bring. We can hope and plan but sometimes life throws a really big curve ball at us and we just never see it coming.

For Steven Ball, “Bally” to those who know him, on the 29^th June this year, his life took a devastating turn for the worse as his world was turned upside down and inside out in an instant and in fact, it nearly ended.

Steve was doing some work around his home and climbed up a tree to trim it back, when the tree branch snapped and he fell 3 – 4 metres onto his head, resulting in a severe brain injury.

He was flown to the Royal Brisbane and Woman's hospital where he stayed in ICU for 14 days and then moved to a ward where he stayed for a further 3 months.

I remember watching this young man play Rugby League in Yeppoon many years ago. I saw him tackle a player who I can only describe as “a mountain running with a ball” and Bally launched himself into this guy with every bit of force he could muster and I felt the ground shake and my own bones ache in sympathy as he met the tackle head on. I knew that if anyone could come through such an injury, “Bally” would be up for the challenge and once again face this challenge head on.

Because Steve's injury took place during Covid 19, his wife Kate created an Instagram page so his many family members and friends, who were unable to visit, could keep in touch.

“This platform has allowed them to follow along with Bally's progress,” Kate said. “It also helps spread the true strength of what love can do.”

The latest count of followers on their Instagram page is 1,229.

On Kate's initial Instagram message she wrote, “The pain is indescribable. The doctors in ICU definitely don’t sugar coat anything, the words, “if he comes out of this” or “he will never be the same again”. I remember walking out absolutely heartbroken. Devastated. I would never have my best friend, my husband back ever again. Thinking over and over, why us??!!! What have we done to deserve this pain?.

It was one doctor! What I remember of him is he wore these big gum boots. What I will never forget of him is the words he said to me! He said, “Kate, we wouldn’t be doing any of this or any of these procedures on your husband if we didn’t think he had a chance.”
That’s it! That’s all I needed to hear.”

Once Steve was awake it was all ahead of him. He had to learn to walk all over again, eat, shower and communicate along with other normal daily activities.

His rehabilitation continued at the Brighton Brain Injury Service for a further 5 weeks. Daily therapy consisted of speech, occupational and physio.

He was discharged on Tuesday 3^rd November.

“He still has a very long journey ahead of him,” Kate explained, “but he wouldn't have come this far without the love and support received by so many, in particular, the local community of Biloela.”

Steve is now back home in Biloela where he will continue weekly therapy sessions along side his wife and 4 children. His main goal being communication and speech.

“We are so incredibly grateful and proud to be part of this wonderful community,” Kate added. “I had to get Bally home as this is where he feels most comfortable and at ease. The support and kindness shown by so many is truly amazing and we hope to see Bally continue to strive and enjoy his life with us, his family.”

Kate's younger brothers, Kerryn and Chris Benecke, started a Go Fund Me page not long after the accident which has raised approx. $25,000. These donations have helped support Steve and Kate and their children to relocate to Brisbane during Steve's rehabilitation. There have also been other fundraising events organised by groups such as Biloela Little Athletics Club, Gracemere Cricket Club, Turkey Tussie and Callide Valley Touch Football Association.

Most recently, Kate has been announced the winner of the Local Queensland Hero for 2020 in a competition held by Intrust Super. The major prize is a lunch for her and 10 mates in Biloela with some of the Queensland State of Origin Greats.

“Bally is the real hero,” Kate declared, “and I can't wait to see his face when we get to the lunch and he meets these legends of the game. It's such a wonderful reward for all the courage and hard work he has shown and his determination to be back home here with his family and friends.”

You can follow Bally's progress and support this inspirational family on Instagram @love.will.heal.him

Eulogy: Arthur Pitman

 Vale Arthur Pitman

By David McLintock

(as published in the Callide Dawson Leader)

Arthur Neville Pitman was born on the 6^th of October 1927 at Ganters Gully, Mt Morgan and left this life on Monday, the 17^th August 2020 in the Mt Morgan Hospital.

Known to his family as “Poppy” and to some as “Grizz” but Arthur was best known as a man who had nothing but love for his family.

Arthurs parents were Walter Pitman and Elsie Gilbar. He was the 4^th child born of 11 children. His siblings are Eunice, Arnold, Des, Mavis, Elaine and Coral (who are deceased) and is survived by Ada, Pearl, Gwen and Glen.

School life commenced at the Mt Morgan State School in 1933 at the age of 5 years old. In September of that year his family returned to Lake Pleasant where he attended school until the end of 1934. In January 1935 the family moved back to Mt Morgan where they lived on River Street and he attended school there until December 1939.

It was January 1940 when the family returned to the farm again and he returned back to Lake Pleasant School. He finished his schooling in October of 1941 as his father took him out of school so he could help work on the farm.

Life on the farm was never without drama with so many siblings to share the workload with on the farm but throughout this Arthur and Mavis were inseparable and indeed throughout their lives.

A memorable time was the 1942 Floods and was always a topic discussed as to how they were isolated by flood waters. Arthur had a friend staying at the farm during this time, Ray Hoffman. The Callide Creek had broken its bank and they could see the flood waters coming.

Alan Shaw was in charge as Nanna McCubben was in Mt Morgan with the girls at this time. So Alan organised the boys to take the chickens, food and stove upstairs out of the flood waters. They collected some wood and lifted the piano up onto a wooden table under the house although it didn’t end up surviving the flood.

It was during this flood that the boys found 3 little pigs, little porkers, up on an island in the water so a rescue plan was instigated. The boys went and rescued them and took them upstairs too as the boys thought they could have a good meal out of one of them. So they were mustering the pigs while Arthur was on the bed waiting to catch one. One was hiding under the bed and Arthur thought he was about to catch it but instead he caught Ray’s head. They did catch one eventually and Alan dressed it for dinner.

Arthur's father Walter Pitman conducted Sunday School for all the children in the district at the farm house and Arthur regularly made his escape, his snowy hair bopping through the long grass as he made his way to the Edwards farm.

Arthur first met Barbara Joan Liddell when she visited her Aunt, Mrs Petchet who was the Station Mistress in Goovigen. This was the beginning of their romance.

Arthur and Barbara were married on the 13^th April 1945 in Rockhampton. They raised 3 children, Janice, Neville and Ann. After Janice was born Arthur and Barb went cane cutting with his brother Des, but that didn’t work out as Des broke his foot.

Arthur, Barb and Janice then went dairying on a share farm with Jimmy Minion on the banks of the Callide Creek. He taught Janice to ride a horse when she was 3 years old. It was during this time that Neville was born.

Arthur's farming days

Arthur purchased the farm at Lake Pleasant from Roy Inglis in 1950. Ann was born the following year.

In 1960 his family lived on the Gudman's farm while he went off cane cutting again. When he returned they all moved back to their farm.

In 1964 Arthur sold the farm and they moved back to Rockhampton and lived with Pop and Jean Liddell.

It was during this year that Arthur managed the Duaringa Hotel before starting his mining career at the Mt Morgan Gold Mine in 1965.

He worked at the Moura Mine for a few months before returning home to the Mt Morgan Mine. Half the population of Mt Morgan moved to work in the coal mines around Moranbah which saw Arthur and Barb also move in 1975 where he started his career at the Goonyella mine.

Arthur was a member of the building and ground work force and included truck driving and plain simple manual hard work.

After work Arthur spent most of his time at the Moranbah Race Club. Being a horse owner, he did his bit to ensure that the Race Club was always presented in first class condition.

Arthur took on the position of Bar Manager along with track surface preparation with Ken Bryant. Many long hours were spent with the maintenance of the track sprinkler system.

With all this in control then came the time to build the new members bar, jockey’s room, and admin building. Then it was the trainer’s residence and stable complex. At the close of each work session, Arthur would do a head count, disappear, and return with the number of stubbies for everyone to share a cold beer and help ensure that all would be back the next time to continue on with the project.

When the horse stabling complex was built, they named the building Pitman Lodge, as a dedication and in honour of his working effort.

Arthur would often also offer his services to help on projects around the district.

Arthur in 1943 - 16 yrs old

Arthur loved having all of his children living in the same town of Moranbah including all 8 of his grandchildren. He cherished and loved all of his grandchildren, Barbara, Wyman, Brett, Stephanie, Suzan, Paul, Kylie and Casey. They all looked up to their Poppy with the utmost respect and love, which they have carried into their adult lives. Arthur has 17 Great Grandchildren, Larissa, Samantha, Nicholas, Brooklyn, Jordyn, Harrison, Johnathon, Larissa, Caliden (deceased), Chloe, Tristan, Kate, Karli, Savannah, Jessye, Sienna and Elias. He is also blessed with 1 great great grandson, Austin.

He retired from the mine at 60 years old in 1987. He didn’t want to retire from life and he secured himself a job at the Black Nugget Hotel as their Gardener. There was a famous big tree at the front of the hotel, which dropped too many leaves, and messed up the lawn, which led to far too much raking, so it had to go. His farming skills in poisoning and cutting down trees came in handy.

Arthur, Barbara and Neville sold the house in Moranbah and moved to Rockhampton in the year 2000. In 2004 Arthur had bypass surgery on his heart so he could take care of Barbara who was ill at that time.

Arthur's Granddaughter Suzan Kingsley recalls, “I was with him in Brisbane during this time. Before he went into surgery he was on the phone with Granny and she was settling his nerves. During that phone conversation, Poppy told Granny how much he loved her over and over, and she expressed how much she loved him. It brought a tear to my eye.”

October 14^th 2004 Arthur lost his beloved wife Barb. It was a very sad time for him, losing the love of his life. The family all rallied around him during this time and Arthur fulfilled his promise to care for Barb's dog Taylor after she passed.

In 2005 Arthur purchased a house in Goovigen so he could be close to his siblings, Des, Mavis, Elaine, Gwen and Glen. He did a lot of house renovations on his house.

His love for working and staying active and his love for the family farm, drew him out to help Dennis and Edna Pitman. He loved fencing and all other farming duties and loved taking on that job and treasured this time to be able to work on a farm again.

He spent time driving out to Wowan-Dululu Multi Purpose aged care group where he enjoyed the company of farming friends from the old days and where they played cards and sang. He also took care of the garden at Willy’s Walk Park at the front of his house and hoisting the Australian flag.

In 2018, Poppy moved into the nursing home Summit Villages in Mt Morgan, due to his failing health.

Arthurs final days were shared with lots of loving from all his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandson who all loved him dearly.

Arthur Neville Pitman will never be forgotten as his memories are forever kept alive by his family.

“We gave him permission to leave this life and to go live in eternity with our beloved Granny. Peace be with you Poppy, may you rest in peace, we love you.”

Family Business No.1 with growers

 Family business No.1 with growers

by David McLintock

(Story previously published in the Callide Dawson Leader)

If you are a mung bean grower in Central Queensland then you no doubt are fully aware of Allenden Seeds right here in Goovigen and what they have to offer the growers.

What many may not know is that Sydney Allenden and his son Clint's facility is 100% Australian family owned and operated, something that is becoming less common throughout the country with overseas investors taking more and more chunks out of these businesses.

It was in 1974 that the Allenden famly first started growing mung beans on their farm and after being continually disillusioned with existing processing plants they decided to set up their own grading plant for their own use. In 1978 Syd Senior bought a small grading plant, air screen plant and gravity table from the Burdekin along with bucket elevators and brought it to the Allenden property. They pulled down an old dairy and set up their grading plant on the same spot and started processing their own beans.

Carter, Syd and Clint

During this time Syd was still working at the mines at Moura but in 1985 he came back to the farm full time and upgraded the plant as local growers were requesting their beans to be processed there as well. Initially, everything was done by hand including the 50kg bags and loaded them into the shipping containers. Originally all the containers were then loaded onto the rail at the Goovigen Railway Station and when that was closed down, to Earlsfield and then Biloela.

In 1990 they set up their first storage shed and in 2000 set up a new grading shed and have kept expanding ever since.

Belinda at the front desk of the office

It was in 2016 that they purchased a second hand robot system to bag and load the beans. This equipment was from South Australia where it was being used in a potato shed.

“We didn't really have any choice as it was very difficult to get the workers and during peak season we could ill afford to not have enough employees or have unreliable employees who might not even show up for work some days,” Syd said.

“The robot system we have now,” Clint said, “can do the work of six men.”

“The automated bagging machine is 100% Australian made in Melbourne and on one day we did 6,455 bags which is 161 tons of graded beans. We were loading 20 containers a week which was 4 containers a day in a 5 day week. In a good season we are exporting over 12,000 tonnes of graded beans a year.”

Clint beside the automated bagging machine

“When the gas pipeline was being constructed in the region we had a shore crane available at the Gladstone Port. All our beans went from site here directly to Gladstone,” Syd said. “When the gas pipeline finished, in their wisdom they decided to move the shore crane away from Gladstone, leaving the port without any means to load containers or anything else for that matter.”

“What we have to do now is road transport our containers to Rockhampton and then by train to Brisbane,” he explained. “Mind you if they don't have a full train they cancel it. Once they get to Brisbane they load them onto a ship and then send them back up the coast, past the Gladstone port on their journey to Asia.”

“This isn't just affecting our business. This effects everyone who is exporting from outside of Brisbane,” Syd said. “In Townsville the meatworks there send their containers to Brisbane where they put them on a boat to go back past Townsville. This applies to all the meatworks up the coast including Rockhampton, Mackay and the Biloela meatworks.”

Lachlan Sypher from Alpha picking up sugar drip seed

“Its obvious that they want everything concentrated in the South-East corner,” Syd said, “and it's not just our industry and the meat industry that this effects, it's all export industries outside of Brisbane except for coal and grain.”

Mr. Ellenden went on to say that if he could export out of Gladstone they would be able to cut their costs by up to $100 a ton which would go directly back to the growers.

“95% of our business is Mung beans and we have growers transporting their beans from not just throughout Central Queensland including Emerald, Capella and Clermont areas but as far away as Quirindi in New South Wales,” Clint said. “These growers have had their fingers burnt with all those grading sheds down south so they put it in a truck and drive it up here to us, nearly 1,000 kilometres away.”

With the grading business continually growing, Ellenden Seeds already have 30 storage silos with another 10 on the way which will give them a total of 6,000 tons storage capability.

Clint operating one of the many forklifts in the shed

There is also a new designed and larger gravity table due to arrive any day from America which will push through 15 tons of beans an hour. This is replacing the 4 smaller tables currently in use. It also has the added benefit of using half the amount of power as the previous 4 gravity tables combined.

Besides Syd and Clint the business employs both Carter full time (Office Logistic's Manager) and Belinda, full time in the office. During the busy periods of the year, they also employ casual workers, mainly back packers because they are so reliable.

“We might only have them for a couple of months but they want to be here and they want to work,” Syd said.

“Our business goal is all about being here for the grower and being able to move the beans at the best rate,” he said. “We have improved our storage capacity, upgraded our grading equipment and automated our bagging and stacking procedures so we are never in a position where we have to turn any grower away.”

REVIEW: The Golden Park Retreat Goovigen - by David McLintock

Hidden Gem discovered at Goovigen

There's many reasons why Goovigen is on the list of “must see places to visit” for so many grey nomads and tourists alike, and why it is ticking all the boxes on their wish list.

But it's not just the wonderfully low cost camping facilities, quiet surroundings and the nostalgic old buildings from a past long since left behind in this fast modern world we live in today that is drawing them to this sleepy little western town.

There are also hidden gems to be found and one of these gems is an amazing walk-through garden retreat which will leave you awe-struck with its beauty and what it has to offer.

The Golden Park Retreat truly is the hidden jewel and owned and operated by Rob Kummerfeld and Maree Tucker.

Rob Kummerfeld and Maree Tucker

Rob said that originally they started their garden park concept for their own enjoyment and built an island in 2011 with his own dozer. Their plan was to build their own home beside it to be able to look out over the water. But by 2012 they had already been bit by the bug and just kept on going, building new features and new buildings and sheds.

It was in 2013 when the district was hit with a flood that the Banana Shire Council first asked Rob and Maree if they would host a barbeque as a pick-up for the locals which saw over a hundred people arrive and enjoy their creation.

“It was following this night that the locals asked us if we would open it up to the public to help give the community a boost,” Rob said. “The Council was right behind us also and we started off with Billy Tea and Damper evenings which are still very much sought after today.”

“The Council followed up by asking us if we would conduct regular opening hours and be part of their marketing drive for tourism in the district,” he said. “I've been here most of my life and it's been really good to be able to help the town this way.”

I made my way to the entrance of the Golden Park Retreat, and found it at the end of the appropriately named Peaceful Lane. It is obvious just how much work and love has gone into the park, from the moment I drove in.

Golden Park Retreat entrance

The walkways take you throughout the three acres of the native trees and shrubs, over bridges and archways and ultimately to all the wonderful sites on offer. There is the Japanese garden area with it's very romantic seating enclosure which overlooks a pond adorned with flowering water lilies.

They have a wedding area which has been specially designed for country style weddings. As a photographer myself I instantly saw the endless possibilities for wedding photos all around me. In particular, all the old and antique cars, trucks and machinery with their appeal from the past, glowing in the sunlight, just waiting to assist a bride and groom with capturing their special day.

There are old buggies, tractors, cranes and trucks, too many to name them all but each on their own worthy of a trip to see, let alone this wonderful collection all together, in one place, for all to enjoy.

I was amazed at how many collections are to be found here. Rob and Maree even have a collection of old chainsaw and hand brace and bits and drills.

                           Many of their antique vehicles still actually run and operate.

“The land here was flat farmland, but I've contoured it with all my own machinery. The dam and moat around the island I built using my own TD6 dozer, which I rebuilt myself,” Rob said proudly. “I rebuilt the little International which has a diesel pump on one side of the block and a distributor and spark plugs for the petrol and kerosene on the other, and hitched it to the Tumbling Tommy to do all the earth work.”

Even in the middle of a drought this location is so picturesque 

“This dozer is one of the many antique machines on show here at the park,” Rob highlighted.

The Golden Park Retreat even has it's own museum. You could easily spend the better part of a day going over everything that Rob and Maree have in this building. There are antiques galore hidden away here, from washing machines, cream cans, wood stoves, lathes, motors and kitchenware.

“We are building a new and larger museum building soon and all the antiques will be moved into this to be once again proudly on display only with a larger viewing area to walk amongst them”, Rob said.

As I leave the museum I am surrounded with farming machinery from the past. There are dozens of old steel wheeled ploughs, offsets and planters. This place is a paradise for anyone who wants to gaze though a time window into our past and see how our forefathers worked the land.

Maree and Rob overlooking the Japanese Garden area

From the magic of the museum and antique farm equipment I walk across to the island completely surrounded by a moat full of water. The island is reached by walking over an archway bridge and has a gas barbeque and an undercover area with seating and tables as well as it's own fresh water rain tank.

I lost count of the number of park benches I passed whilst walking along the paths, which shows just how much thought has been put into the layout of this retreat.

“We have regular visits from retirement and nursing homes throughout the districts including Moura, Monto, Baralaba, Biloela and even Rockhampton,” Maree said. “All our walkways are weather, wheelchair and walker friendly with bench seating spaced around the park should anyone choose to sit for a spell and take it all in.”

I can say that one of my boxes to be ticked to qualify for the perfect venue requires well designed and well cleaned toilets. The Golden Park Retreat's “rest rooms” are spacious and clean and are set up for wheelchair access as well. These rooms are immaculate so this box has definitely been ticked.

Another dream spot for photographs

As I look around the park I can see why this place is no longer a well kept secret and has become so popular for not only the travelling tourists and locals alike but also for those special functions that require just the right venue.

Simply put, it is the dream location for couples to make their vows and celebrate their wedding with family and friends.

“To date we have had 7 weddings here in the retreat,” Rob announces. “ We are very proud of our wedding area.”

It was attending a friends 70^th birthday party here last week that I discovered “the magic of the park” and how I know first hand that it is an all weather venue. Before arriving to the party, a huge downpour of rain blessed the event which still went ahead as normal as if there hadn't been any rain at all.

The Putt Putt is very popular with the kids

It is also kid friendly. My three year old loved playing in the playground whilst mum and dad were mingling with the adults.

There is even a Putt Putt golf course for the kids.

And for those not so keen to venture onto the paths and be “at one with nature” there is an undercover pool table and TV area not far from the massive dining area which is large enough to cater for most functions.

“We have lots of work Christmas Parties every year and they are always a big hit,” Rob said. “Our biggest attraction would still have to be our Camp Oven Roasts and Dampers with Billy Tea. We have interstate travellers returning every year to not only enjoy the food but to take in the serenity of the park while doing so. With our camp oven roasts we use all our own home grown vegetables from our very own vegetable gardens here in the park.”

As I walk back to the main dining area I notice an old timber phone box beside the walking path and enquire as to whether it is the original red phone box from outside the Goovigen post office from many years ago. I am happy to say that it is, having been donated by Don and Kerry Nissen and was renovated by one of the parks faithful volunteers.

Camp Oven Roasts and Dampers with Billy Tea is still number 1 on the menu

"We couldn't do what we do here if it wasn't for our wonderful volunteers," Rob said.  "They always try and make themselves available to help with our big functions and without them we wouldn't be able to provide this service or be able to keep the park maintained as we do."

Goovigen's Golden Park Retreat most definitely ticks all the boxes for anyone who would like to have a function with a difference or even just an afternoon to relax and enjoy not only the renown camp oven roast dinners but to take in everything that this wonderful place has to offer.

 It's a big thumbs up from me and a big congratulations to Rob and Maree on their “not so hidden anymore” golden gem.