Local Link Up Connects Community in Blackall
Published on 24 February 2026
What began as a simple idea shared over lunch between three friends has grown into a successful community networking event, with Local Link Up held last Friday evening at the Blackall Cultural Centre.
Designed to showcase the many organisations, businesses and clubs that make Blackall such a vibrant place to live, the event provided residents, particularly those new to town, with the opportunity to connect, learn and network in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
A total of 28 exhibitors took part in the evening, representing a diverse cross-section of community life. Jordan from the Blackall Caravan Park acted as emcee, while local catering business The Real Deal (Tracey and Trevor Brown) provided a fully catered spread enjoyed by attendees.
Hosted by Blackall-Tambo Regional Council’s Lifestyle and Community Hub and funded through the Neighbourhood Centre Program, the evening was widely regarded as a success.
The local State Emergency Service (SES) group reported gaining a new member on the night. SES Local Controller Greg Tierney thanked fellow member Glenda Tierney for coordinating their display and Jason Bearham for assisting with enquiries throughout the event.
Helen Allen, Hub Coordinator for Country Universities Centre RAPAD Central West Queensland, showcased the support available for local students, including access to study spaces, high-speed internet and academic assistance. A virtual reality demonstration allowed attendees to explore how the Country Universities Centre network supports people to study locally while remaining in the region.
Wendy Just, a key organiser of the event and representative of the Blackall Cultural Association — the umbrella body for the Blackall Historical Society and the Blackall Bushmans Hall of Fame — said the feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive.
“Despite numbers being down, the people who did attend all commented on how much they learned about the town and the huge variety of organisational information available,” Ms Just said.
“It was heartening to see the number of representatives who turned up. It was extremely beneficial for all the groups who attended, as everyone learned something about each other. I’d love to see it become an annual event.”
The Historical Society generated strong interest with a raffle featuring four of the earliest known photographs of Blackall, beautifully presented in a casement window frame. The group also ran a light-hearted survey asking attendees to nominate Blackall’s “worst bad boy”, sparking discussion about the colourful characters and dramatic events that form part of the town’s rich history.
Displays highlighting the new Blackall Cultural Precinct also attracted significant interest.
Exhibitors represented a broad range of sectors including sport, education, arts and crafts, fishing, aquatics, aged care, accommodation services and equestrian pursuits. Tennis and bowls clubs were also in attendance, along with community stalwarts such as the Queensland Country Women's Association (QCWA) and the Blackall Show Society.
The Blackall Tambo Education Group (BTEG) shared a table with the Isolated Children's Parents' Association (ICPA), hosted by Sarah who travelled from Tambo to attend.
Council’s Lifestyle and Community Hub anticipates that Local Link Up will become an annual event, continuing to strengthen connections between businesses, community organisations and residents across the Blackall-Tambo region.