Our complete list of the Western Down’s best for 2024

From the Western Downs’ cutest baby to best pub meal these are the ‘Best Ofs’ for 2024. Find out more

It’s been a big year in the Western Downs with lots of celebrate.

As the year comes to a close we look back at the best professionals, businesses, meals, babies and animals which were crowned the region’s favourites

Favourite hairdresser

Kira Smoothy has been voted the Western Downs' favourite hairdresser 2024

Taking home the 2024 crown for the Western Downs’ Favourite Hairdresser was Kira Smoothy from Chinchilla’s Sheer Perfection.

This is the second time Ms Smoothy has taken out the accolade being voted Chinchilla’s best hairdresser in 2020.

Second place was a three-way tie between Vanilla & Wood’s Jodie Allen, Dusty Blondes’ Tori Collins and Studio 249’s Monique Blanchard.

Ms Smoothy started her hairdressing career in 2010 and said she hadn’t looked back since.

“In 2010 I did work experience at Tuxedos and from 2011 she put me on as an apprentice,” she said.

“I finished my apprenticeship with Tash when she owned Sheer Perfection and purchased the salon just over a year ago.

“It’s been amazing, I wouldn’t have been able to do it without Chantel the other senior hairdresser here, I decided to buy it when I was pregnant with my second child so she has kept it running for me and been very helpful.”

Ms Smoothy said she loved being a hairdresser and was honoured people had voted for her.

“I love meeting new people, always doing something different everyday, there’s not one haircut that’s the same, its creative and you always get to speak to someone,” she said.

“I wouldn’t say that I’m any better than any of the other hairdressers around here, this town is very lucky to have some really good hairdressers.

“I am local I’ve been here all my life, so I don’t know maybe people recognise my name or like me as a person and that’s why they voted for me.

“It just feels really cool.”

The original story can be found here.

Western Downs’ best pub meal

The Bun Hotel won the award for the Western Downs’ best pub meal

After two weeks of voting, Western Downs’ favourite pub meal has been revealed with fan favourite the Bun Hotel taking out the top spot with almost double the votes of second place.

Owners Jaimee and Stephen Neilsen, who also own the Windsor Hotel in Miles which placed fourth behind the Australian Hotel Dalby and the Club Hotel Chinchilla, said it felt great to be recognised for their food.

“Stephen and I are proud of our team, our head chef Hailey Hopkins and everything they have done the last three years building the business up,” Ms Neilsen said.

“I believe we were voted for because of our it is consistency all of produce is made fresh to order.

“We crumb our own chicken, and make our own dressing instead of buying sauces, we believe that fresh is best.

“At the end of the day consistency is the biggest thing for us.”

Ms Nielsen said while they had an extensive menu that included all of the pub classics but there were two items that all guests needed to try.

“It comes down to appreciating the dollar and the fact your customers are choosing to spend their money in your business, you can’t take that for granted,” she said.

“It is a big deal when people choose to spend their money even when times are tough and we appreciate it.”

The original story can be found here.

Western Downs cutest baby

Aksel Nickolls won Western Downs' cutest baby 2024

After weeks of voting the results are in and the Western Downs’ cutest baby has been revealed.

Taking out 10 per cent of the votes and the crown for cutest baby is Dalby’s Aksel Thane Nickolls.

Described as a “special baby”, Aksel’s parent tried for eight years to have him before the adorable bub was born in May this year.

Mother Tiomi Nickolls said he was blessing to their family.

“It is really sweet, he is a special baby, we tried for eight years for him, he is an IVF baby and we didn’t think we could become parents, but thanks to IVF he is here now,” she said.

“It feels really special that other people thought his photo was cute and voted for him.”

Ms Nickolls said Aksel had brought so much happiness to their family.

“He has brought immense joy, it’s a lot at first but you realise how lucky you have to have something so special in your life,” she said.

“He’s starting to get a bit of a personality now, he loves to laugh to ladies in particular, he’s a bit of a ladies man.

“It was a lot of heartache those years we were trying but it was all worth it.

“I thought IVF would be a lot harder but looking back I’d do it as many times as I had to have something so special in my life.”

Ms Nickolls said she was looking forward to spending her first Christmas with Aksel.

“It will be so special, I’ve always imagined it. Every year I’ve put up the tree I’ve thought maybe next year when I put up the tree I’ll have a baby so this year it is pretty special,” she said.

“He will be spending time with family and all his little cousins so I won’t be the odd parent there with my dog.”

The original story can be found here.

Dalby’s cutest dog of 2024

Dalby cutest dog 24

We asked for Dalby’s cutest dogs and you delivered as dog owners from across the region nominating their best friend to be in the running for the title. After almost 200 nominations and weeks of voting the results are in and Dalby’s cutest dog has been revealed.

You voted and Dalby’s cutest dog for 2024 is two-year-old border collie Bailey.

Owner Manda Mirch said it was amazing to hear Bailey had been voted as Dalby’s cutest dog.

“I got Bailey as an eight week old puppy, we have always had working border collies and I just love their caring fun nature, but I really just wanted a house dog,” Ms Mirch said.

“We always knew he was cute and a very special dog. We are very proud of him.”

Ms Mirch said Bailey had provided happiness not only to their family but to the community.

“My favourite memories of Bailey is being able to take him with me to Bowenville State School for Story Dogs once a week,” she said.

“Story Dogs is a reading program where the students build confidence and enjoyment in reading to a dog that loves attention and lots of pats from the students.

“It is also a special time when we do hospital visits. The residents really love seeing him, and it helps them remember happier times of their past.

“We saw a very special side of Bailey early on, showing his caring, gentle and patient nature with our special needs child.

“Bailey is not only special to our family he is special to a lot of people. The Students of Bowenville State School where he visits once a week and the residents of Oakey Hospital where he visits once a month.

“It’s really a special time to see their faces light up when he enters a room.”

The original story can be found here.

Chinchilla’s cutest dog of 2024

Chinchilla cutest dog 24

We asked for Chinchilla’s cutest dogs and you delivered as dog owners from across the region nominating their best friend to be in the running for the title.

From puppies to senior dogs and of all breeds and varieties, this year’s entrants in our cutest dog competition was hard to split.

Now we can reveal the top dogs who took out our poll.

The winner of this year’s Chinchilla cutest dog goes to 21-month-old cavoodle Dusty.

Owner Cory Cook thanked everyone for their votes and said it felt “amazing” to be the owner of Chinchilla’s cutest dog.

“Previously I had a sausage dog but he was stolen and after five years I was ready for another dog,” he said.

“I always wanted a dog that didn’t drop hair so I picked cavoodle for the breed and named him Dusty, we loved him so much that we went back and got his brother Teddy the next day.

“I always love watching Dusty play, sleep, eat and live his best life.

“He just fits in so well with my family which makes it super special when they are like that.”

The original story can be found here