Somerset Regional Council Highlights - 9 May 2025
Published on 09 May 2025
Somerset’s own appointed QRIDA’s first female chair
Somerset Regional Council congratulates Toogoolawah sixth-generation farmer and lawyer Caitlin McConnel on her appointment as the first female Chairperson to the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) Board.
The Queensland Government announced four new appointees on 1 May, each bringing private sector and agricultural expertise to the Board.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said it was wonderful to have such a passionate farmer like Ms McConnel representing the region in the esteemed role.
“The McConnel family has a special place in Toogoolawah and Somerset’s history, and Caitlin is well-known as a champion for women and young people in agriculture,” Cr Wendt said.
“She is a great asset to our region and an excellent choice for the QRIDA Board Chair.
“QRIDA plays a vital role in supporting producers with long-term disaster recovery, something Ms McConnel would be very familiar with given our region’s history of fires and floods.
“We congratulate Ms McConnel on this historic appointment and wish her and the new team of Directors well.”
Celebrate Small Business Month in Somerset
The Somerset business community is invited to celebrate Queensland Small Business Month with a free breakfast event at the Somerset Civic Centre in Esk on Tuesday, 27 May.
Somerset Regional Council’s annual Somerset Business Breakfast is an opportunity for business owners to network and learn from business leaders.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt will join guest speakers in the morning.
“This is a great event for both new and established Somerset businesses looking to connect and grow our region’s economy,” Cr Wendt said.
“We’ll hear from Small Business Commissioner Dominique Lamb and Somerset Business Chamber Vice President Mark Wells, and we’ll learn about local success story Healthy Lifestyles Australia with business owner Brady Schulz.
“Our local economy thrives when small businesses work together, so come along, enjoy a bite and help us build a stronger, more connected, Somerset region.”
Somerset Regional Council is a proud member of the Small Business Friendly Councils.
“As a signatory to this charter, we have made a pledge to support small businesses and this is just one of many services we are offering the business community,” Cr Wendt said.
The Somerset Business Breakfast will be held from 7am to 9am on Tuesday, 27 May at the Somerset Civic Centre, 35 Esk Hampton Road, Esk.
Bookings are free – reserve your spot at: SomersetBusinessBreakfast.eventbrite.com.au
Join business owners for the Somerset Business Breakfast on Tuesday, 27 May at the Somerset Civic Centre.
Artist Networking Event
Are you a writer, performer or artist living in Somerset looking to connect with like-minded creatives?
Somerset Regional Council is hosting a free event on Wednesday night, 28 May at the Somerset Civic Centre in Esk, catering to visual, literary and performance creatives.
The Somerset Artist Networking Event aims to strengthen connections, celebrate artistry, and to create a vibrant arts community in our region.
Arts, Culture and Heritage Advisory Committee Chair Councillor Kylee Isidro said the event was an opportunity for Somerset creatives to network and collaborate.
“Our guest speaker is Courtney Strow, Ipswich City Council’s Creative Industries Development Coordinator,” Cr Isidro said.
“She is leading part of an exciting movement which values the creative spark of local artists, ensuring key strategies are delivered and creatives are supported to thrive.
“Her goal is to create a space where Council and creatives can work together to enrich our arts scene alongside the region’s growth.
“We look forward to hearing from Courtney and enriching our region’s art scene.”
The Somerset Artist Networking Event will be held at the Somerset Civic Centre, 35 Esk Hampton Road, Esk from 7pm to 9pm on Wednesday, 28 May.
For more information, contact Council on 5424 4000 or mail@somerset.qld.gov.au
Ipswich City Council Creative Industries Development Coordinator Courtney Strow will present at the Somerset Artist Networking Event on Wednesday, 28 May.
Bring your folks to see Those Folk, live in Somerset
Transpacific troubadours, ‘Those Folk’, are coming to the Somerset Civic Centre in Esk at the end of May.
Australia’s Clare Quinn and the United States’s Lawrence Menard are charismatic, authentic and thoroughly entertaining folk artists.
Their music explores the sounds of the 1960s folk revival and contemporary Americana music, with breathtaking vocal harmonies alongside rich guitar, accordion, mandolin and banjo performances.
Those Folk are storytellers who make the audience feel like fast friends and have been compared to the likes of Simon & Garfunkel and Angus & Julia Stone.
Clare and Lawrence don’t just make folk music, they make music for all sorts of folk.
Those Folk are performing at the Somerset Civic Centre, 35 Esk Hampton Road, Esk on Saturday night, 31 May from 7.30pm.
Tickets are $35 per adult or $30 per person in groups of four or more, so make sure to bring your folks along for a nice discount.
Book online: somersetciviccentre.com.au
Those Folk’s Clare Quinn and Lawrence Menard are bringing music for all kinds of folk to the Somerset Civic Centre on 31 May.
Get to know Health Consumers Queensland
Help shape the future of healthcare in Somerset and across the state with a community information session later this month.
Health Consumers Queensland (HCQ) is holding a community information session in Esk on Tuesday, 20 May.
Supported by Somerset Regional Council, attendees will learn how HCQ partners with the health system to support Queenslanders influencing and leading better health outcomes.
The session will be held from 10am to 11am at the Somerset Civic Centre with morning tea provided by Council.
For more information, contact Council on 5424 4000 or mail@somerset.qld.gov.au
Trial housing loan open to Somerset buyers
Somerset residents who can afford to repay a home loan but are struggling to save for a deposit may be eligible for a low-deposit home loan from the Queensland Government.
The Department of Housing and Public Works’ Queensland Housing Finance Loan Regional Trial is open to residents looking to buy or build a home in 45 eligible council areas, including Somerset.
The regional trial allows buyers with an annual household income of up to $201,000 and a minimum deposit of 2% of the property’s purchase price to apply for a loan.
The two-year trial ends on 1 July 2026.
For more information and eligibility criteria visit bit.ly/QueenslandHousingFinanceLoan
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