HIGHLIFE MAGAZINE
Photo credit: Dana Gludze
Cotton Producers
Cotton. We all wear it and love it for its versatility and natural comfort. The fibre from one 227 kilogram cotton bale can produce 215 pairs of jeans, 250 single bed sheets, 1200 t-shirts, 2100 pairs of boxer shorts, 3000 nappies, 4300 pairs of socks or 680,000 cotton balls. The gross value of production for cotton in Queensland for 2012-13 was reported to be worth $640 million and some of the highest quality cotton in the state is grown in and around St George and the Balonne district.
Photo credit: Amanda Waterman
Hidden Talents
You might not expect to find a talented and award winning artist living 670 kilometres from Brisbane on a sheep, cattle and wheat property near Dirranbandi. Belinda Perkins calls Nelyambo home and when she is not busy working alongside her husband, Don, and their son, Tom, Belinda steals some time and retreats to her artwork. For 35 years, Belinda has painted with watercolour and in the last nine years she has ventured into solar plate intaglio etching. A thoughtful and gentle soul, Belinda finds great peace in her expression through art which can take her away from the sometimes challenging times on the land.
Photo credit: Jennifer Street
Creative Cooperative
A warm glow radiates from the shopfront of the Balonne Handmade Cooperative, a charismatic artisan craft cooperative tucked away off the main street in St George. Tonight it is Social Yarn Night. Soft music is playing and deft hands are busy knitting and crocheting. Kasey Lockwood instigated the formation of the Balonne Handmade Cooperative almost four years ago and the group’s efforts are gaining momentum and attracting interest far and wide.