The Southern Darling Downs and the Granite Belt and northern Tenterfield region are standing firm in their recovery from Drought, Flood, Fire and Covid.

We trust that the Ballandean Pyramid, Map R C6, is this region's modern day testament to the next couple of thousand of successful years. At Ballandean, turn east on Eukey Rd, over rail line, then turn right into Jacobsons Rd, drive for 1.7km. It is on private land, so is viewed from the road; a dedicated farmer just happened to have a few spare stones after farm excavation works. This pyramid, with 90 ha of land, is for sale; just ring David on 0418 717 979. (Photo credit: David Schnitzerling Real Estate.)

People have been fascinated with pyramids for thousands of years. Egyptians had built tombs in a shape of pyramids believed to assist transformation of an earthly form of their God-Pharaoh into his ascention to sky - and yes there were two women Pharaohs. The first confirmed as a woman ruler was Sobekneferu (the beauty of Sobek) who ruled in 1806 - 1802 BC. The second one was Pharaoh Hatshepsut (foremost of noble ladies) who reigned from about 1478 BC - 1458 BC. She is known as the pharaoh that initiated a long peaceful and prosperous period in Egypt.
Some people believe that the pyramid shape has special powers. With pseudoscientific (not really scientific) methods of his experiment, Antoine Bavois, a french hardware store owner and a dowser, claimed that his experiments proved that food stored in the pyramid shaped storage would last longer.

Despite the scientific opposition to the idea of any special power of pyramids, the idea latched amongst people and even the term 'Pyramid Power' was coined with significant number of followers.

In United States a family Onan built a 24-karat gold plated house in the shape of a pyramid in Illinois. It became a well visited trourist attraction.

In British Columbia, a Summerhill Pyramid Winery built a pyramid for aging and storing of their wine. They claim that the pyramid shape accentuates the quality of the wine. If the wine has a flaw it would accentuate its flaw. If the wine is good it would accentuate the taste to make it even more flavoursome and aromatic.

To return to the Ballandean pyramid, it may also have special powers drawing people to the area and hopefully bringing hope for better times after droughts, fires, floods and now Covid.

As the drought worsened, the federal treasurer, Josh Frydenberg stood in a parched paddock while he announced a special expenditure of $70 million federal govt funds to add to Qld state government's $13.6m and Stanthorpe irrigators' $23m, to build the new "Emu Swamp Dam" near Glen Aplin on the Severn River; this will have about 200 hectares of water, or 2 square kilometres. About 20 local property owners will be affected by land resumptions.

A drought brought on bushfires; in 2019 many towns were ringed by fire with smoke and using up the sparse water resources.

In what can only be the 'Australian way', major rain and floods followed the fires.
But a fourth catastrophe was not expected. The sudden effect of a microscopic virus, called variously, Wuhan Flu, Corona Virus and Covid-19. The state border closures affect family movements, schools and businesses; lead to closures of some export firms and of some newspapers.

Through these four items, the local residents have stood firm: protecting their property and lives, and assisting each other.

Mary Findlay, art director of the Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery, has arranged a virtual exhibition of Earth Air Fire Water with art about drought, fire and covid. This started in May with an end period of early September 2020. Contributors included Carol Smith, Jooyun Lim, Carolyn Idec, Keith Barnett, Francine Christensen, Michelle Conkas, Nigel Wesley, Norman Clayton, Maryke Miller, Janine Potter, Kerry Marie, David Wiggs, Philippa Hambleton, Shirlee Russell, Maggie Brockie, Amanda Thompson.

As stated on 3rd April 2020, for lengthy periods the Queensland Police at Toowoomba have reported the operation of these check points, usually by local police, and reported these completely closed these local border crossing points. Many of these conditions will change during 2020-21, so check closer to the time of your intended travel.

Police check points
Goondiwindi - Cunningham Hwy at roundabout with Newell Hwy
Killarney - Killarney Road and Border Road Killarney
Stanthorpe - Amosfield Rd Stanthorpe
Talwood - Boomi Crossing Talwood
Texas - Texas Rd Texas
Wallangarra - New England Highway Wallangarra

Complete road closures
Goondiwindi - Cullendore Road Killarney
Goondiwindi - Gunsynd Way / McLean St Border crossing Goondiwindi
Killarney - Barlow Gate Killarney
Killarney - White Swamp Rd Killarney
Stanthorpe - Border Rd Dalcouth (Stanthorpe)
Stanthorpe - Maryland Rd Thulimbah (Stanthorpe)
Stanthorpe - Ridge Rd Applethorpe (Stanthorpe)
Stanthorpe - Sugarload Rd Stanthorpe
Stanthorpe - Summit Rd Glen Niven (Stanthorpe)
Texas - Bonshaw Weir Road, Texas. Cement Bridge over Dumaresq River.
Texas - Cunningham Weir Rd Texas
Texas - Dumaresq Crossing Rd, Texas. Cement Bridge over Dumaresq Rv.
Texas - Mingoola Rd Crossing Texas
Texas - Riverton Bridge Texas
Wallangarra - Duke St Wallangarra
Wallangarra - Longs Ln Wallangarra
Wallangarra - Rockwell St Wallangarra
Wallangarra - Sailor Jack Rd Wallangarra
Wallangarra - Saxby Reid Rd Wallangarra
Yelarbon - Keetah Crossing Yelarbon

At Wallangarra, the local constabulary did discover a young chap travelling in the boot of a car … perhaps the trip became a tad more uncomfortable than intended!

In some of these road-closure areas, Lawrence Springborg, Mayor of Goondiwindi, has arranged keypad entry and passwords for some of the very close locals.

There is no doubt that one day soon the area will rid of calamities and be again bathing in abundance of fruit and wine for which it is so well known.

Regards
Gerry Clarke, B.PED.

Ballandeans Pyramid