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Notes from the President...
 Dave Glasson
The idea of the rodeo was first discussed as a way of helping support the community and put Mount Isa on the map. This was back in 1958 and the first Inaugural Mount Isa Rodeo was held in 1959.
Little did these Rotarians know back in 1958, what they had created. The Mount Isa Rodeo is now regarded as one of the biggest rodeos in the world and is the biggest rodeo in the southern hemisphere. People come from all over the world and all over Australia every August just to soak up the atmosphere and the outback experience that Mount Isa and the Rodeo has to offer.
Over the weekend while wandering around the rodeo grounds I couldn't help but feel a little bit overawed looking at all the yards, chutes, grandstands, ferris wheel, the train and tracks and the big dipper that has been put in place, and most of it by volunteers. I won't pretend that I know all the people that had put countless hours into the building of Kalkadoon Park, but I know a few of them, and I have often been regaled with the stories of the good times and hard work that went into the making of the Mount Isa Rodeo.
There were countless weekends spent finishing work on Friday afternoons and heading off to Carandotta Station for the weekend to build yards and things for all the stock and to make sure the stock were ok, then travelling back on Sunday afternoons, occasionally getting waylaid at Moonah Creek just before the bitumen, for a bit of R & R before finally getting back in the early hours of Monday morning just in time to start work.
Then there was all the work at Kalkadoon Park itself the making of all the backyards, the chutes, the grandstands - virtually everything you see out there – was done mostly by Rotarians and volunteers. I was talking to someone on the weekend that used to work for Bill Weigh at Barkly Motors and had made parts for the ferris wheel. He also remembers doing some weekend work for $2.00 an hour making grandstands and reckoned he was on good money. This sort of dedication and hard work by all these Rotarians is something that would be hard to beat in this day and age.
Maybe somewhere in the new Rodeo complex there can be some recognition to all the old, and not so old, Rotarians and volunteers that put a lot of time and effort in to the making of Kalkadoon Park and the icon that it has turned into. But as so often happens, things change and the world moves on. Unfortunately, Kalkadoon Park for a number of reasons is no longer to be the staging ground for the Mount Isa Rodeo.
The Rodeo as we know is going to move into a purpose built facility at Buchanan Park. This gives the Rodeo a new lease of life and a chance to create something bigger and better than what we already have, a chance to enter the world stage of Rodeo with something new and exciting, the likes of which we haven't seen before, sure there will be a few hiccups here and there, but at the end of the day I'm sure Mount Isa will end up with a Rodeo complex that all the people who helped create Kalkadoon Park and the city of Mount Isa can be proud of.
By the way, the stadium area at Buchanan Park is starting to take shape. A lot of the concrete for the stands and various other pieces of gear are starting to turn up on site and the basic earthworks are finished. If you are interested, you can get a food view of all this from the back of the lookout.
While we're on the subject of Rodeo, I would like to thank all the businesses and people that entered the Best Dressed Premises awards. It was a bit slow in starting off, but by the end we had quite a few entrants taking part. I know a lot of work goes into doing the displays, but in the end it all adds to the atmosphere and build up for the rodeo.
On another note, back in the June newsletter, I made reference to the Federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell blocking a 160 million dollar development of a wind farm in Gippsland Victoria.
On the 7.30 Report on Wednesday night, the Minister commented that Australia needs to invest money on new technology to overcome the effects of greenhouse gases. This is a bit rich coming from the same Minister who blocked the Gippsland wind farm proposal.
Well, it turns out that he ignored advice from his own department that in short said the wind farm posed no serious threat to an endangered parrot and should be approved. The company that had the application in to develop the wind farm is now seeking to have the wind farm rejection set aside and for it to be reconsidered by the department.
THE 2006 CS ENERGY MOUNT ISA BUSINESS AWARDS
The 2006 CS Energy Mount Isa Business Awards are being held on the 21st October at the Mount Isa Irish Club. The night will commence at 6.30pm for a 7pm start and tickets are $65.00 p.p and are available now from the Mount Isa Chamber of Commerce office.
All together there are 17 categories for the awards, which are General Retail, Professional Services, Transport, Home Goods Traders, Food & Convenience Store, Accommodation, Tourism & Hospitality, Hair & Beauty, Health & Fitness, Manufacturing & Engineering, Automotive Services, Export, Customer Service, Community Services Organisation, Communication & IT and the Business of the Year.
This year will see the introduction of the Innovation Award and the Hall of Fame Perpetual Award for businesses that have won 3 or more times.
For your chance to win a $100 Harvey Norman voucher, simply fill out the nomination form in the North West Star from Wednesday 16th August. Nominations close 5pm Friday 1st September.
OCTOBER AFTERHOURS NETWORKING FUNCTION
The next October Afterhours Networking Function is on the 17th October and sponsored by MAS Mechanical and Outback at Isa. The function is being held at the Outback at Isa's Outback Park and will run from 6pm - 9pm.
As usual, the night will provide networking opportunities with senior members of the community and other members of the chamber, as well as great prizes, nibblies and drinks.
All you need to do is bring yourself and at least 6 business cards and RSVP to Monique or Cassandra by the 13th October by contacting the Chamber office on 4743 9881 or email
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If you know anyone who is interested in finding out more about what the Mount Isa Chamber of Commerce has to offer, please feel free to bring them along to the night.
CUSTOMER SERVICE RECOGNITION AWARD
SCOTT NICHOLLS - HARVEY NORMAN
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Scott Nicholls from Harvey Norman Furniture & Electrical is this month's Customer Service Award recipient.
He is an outstanding representative of good customer service due to his dedication to the cause whether it be something as simple as an enquiry for a $2.00 item or a sale for a house-full of furniture, Scott makes sure each client knows exactly how to use the product to its full capability. He also handles any complaints and enquiries promptly and efficiently.
Well done Scott.
Scott Nicholls from Harvey Norman
2006 BEST DRESSED PREMISES WINNERS
The Best Dressed Premises competition was held again this year by the Mount Isa Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with Centacare Employment and the Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo Committee.
Over twenty businesses and schools participated this year and the level of effort and enthusiasm was outstanding. All nominees were judged on the 8th & 9th August and the winners were announced at a morning tea on the 10th August at Outback at Isa.
Many thanks must also go to all who entered - we hope to see you back again for the 2007 Best Dressed Premises competition.
Congratulations to the 2006 winners!
- Category 1 - Business with More Than 10 Employees
- 1st Queensland Country Credit Union (see photos)
- 2nd Jays Real Estate (see photos)
- 3rd Indigenous Co-ordination Centre (see photos)
- Category 2 - Business with Less Than 10 Employees
- 1st Suncorp (see photos)
- 2nd Isa Barbers (see photos)
- 3rd Ray White Real Estate (see photos)
- Category 3 - Best Window Display
- 1st Mount Isa Institute of TAFE (see photos)
- 2nd Isa Barbers
- 3rd Ray White Real Estate
- Category 4 - Most Appropriately Dressed Staff
- 1st Department of State Development, Trade & Innovation (see photos)
- 2nd Ray White Real Estate
- 3rd Mount Isa City Council (see photos)
- Category 5 - Previously Unplaced Entrants
- The Beat Hair Studio (see photos)
- Category 6 - Schools
- 1st Healy State School (see photos)
- 2nd Mount Isa Special School
- 3rd Barkly Highway State School
- Category 7 - Non Profit / Community Organisations
- Blue Care Respite Centre (see photos)
Awards Presentation Photos
OUTBACK WOMEN ON THE MOVE LUNCHEONThe next Outback Women on the Move function is luncheon being held on the 22nd September at the Redearth Boutique Hotel from 11am - 2pm.
Guest speakers for the luncheon will be Jacqui Donegan, Karen Read and Annie Clarke. These ladies will inspire and entertain you during the luncheon.
For further information or to purchase tickets, please contact Cassandra Bird on 0404 840 113.
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At the moment, there are only 4 Mount Isa Hotels/Motels listed on the website and no tourist destinations/venues.
NEW MEMBERS WELCOME
- Isa Carpet One & Tiles
- IPA Personnel
- Signs Outback
- Taylor Made Kids
DATE CLAIMERS
SEPTEMBER
1st - Multicultural Festival
1st-2nd - Birdsville Cup Racing Carnival
2nd-3rd - Relay for Life Fun Run
3rd - Father's Day
3rd - Buffs Club Fathers Day Show & Shine Car Show
7th-10th - Hughenden Dinosaur Festival
9th - Casa Grande Ball
22nd - Outback Women on the Move Luncheon
29th-30th - Richmond Country Music Festival
30th - Mount Isa Spring Cup Race Day
TBA - Chamber AGM
OCTOBER
1st - Richmond Country Music Festival
10th - Chamber General Monthly Meeting
13th - APEX Rock Pop Mime Show
13th-14th - Oktoberfest Weekend
17th - Afterhours Networking Function
21st - CS Energy Mount Isa Business Awards
23rd - Pink Ribbon Day
28th-29th - Mount Isa Fishing Classic
Regards
David Glasson
President
Mount Isa Chamber of Commerce
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