Tag Archives: children
Come and See the Next Generation of Stars in Country Music
The Annual Junior Country Music Talent Quest sponsored by Mountain Track Recording Studios and organised by Garden City Country Music Assn Inc will be held on 25 June at the Oakey Cultural Centre, Campbell Street, Oakey . Competitors from south east Queensland will compete against each other in sixteen different sections (sections such as bush ballad, vocal, country rock, gospel, instrumental, group and duo). Entries are well up on 2010 with an expected 130 acts for the day. The programme commences at 8.30 a.m. Saturday morning and will conclude with a performance by our 2010 winner Alice Benfer who recently won the senior section of the Urban Country Talent Search at Caboolture, prior to the presentation to the winners. Admission: Adults $8.00 per day Children (under 12) – $4.00 per day Under 4 years – free Pensioners $6.00 per day Canteen available all day. Proceeds from the event will go to aid Toowoomba Hospice. Further information call Dell 4635 6429 (a/h) or Paul Wilson 0448 772 972 Continue reading
Anzac Battles feature at 2011 Emu Gully Air & Land Spectacular
The explosive fuses are set and war trenches have been filled with mud! These dramatic backdrops are in place at Emu Gully, Helidon Spa (in Queensland’s Lockyer Valley), for the large scale re-enactment of Anzac battles to take place on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th May. In its third year, the Emu Gully Air & Land Spectacular will deliver Australia’s largest re-creation of Anzac war scenes, unrivalled in its display of battle action both on the land and in the skies overhead. The re-enactments will take Anzac stories out of the history books and bring them to life in an outdoor theatre on a spectacular scale. While ground troops fight from trenches and rumbling tanks, war birds will be flying overhead dropping special effects explosions on enemy targets. Amidst the action spectators will see Australia’s largest collection of operating military vehicles rumbling to life and again off to war! Amongst the iconic Anzac scenes will be, the Boer War’s Siege of Elands River, displaying what is said to have been the start of the “Digger Legend”. This battle will be brought to life with mounted troops and spectacular pyrotechnics. The famous Gallipoli battle will be recreated with Simpson and his donkey bravely transporting wounded men through enemy fire. Trenches filled with a ‘porridge’ of mud will provide a very realistic backdrop for the men who will re-enact the dreadful trench warfare of the Western Front. Re-enactments of WW2 will feature a German replica Focke Wulf 190 aircraft swooping to attack an allied fuel dump with explosive results, before it engages in an aerial duel with a ‘Spitfire’. Many of Australia’s most iconic Anzac battles will be seen, including the Pacific and Vietnam Wars. “The ground troops in the battle scenes are military re-enactor enthusiasts and they get a real kick out of performing in the trenches as military aircraft drop bombs and dog-fight overhead,” said Barry Rodgers, Event Director. “We have a record number of groups taking part this year, with new arrivals including the Italian troops from Regio Esercito History Group, the Queensland Permanent Artillery and vehicles from the Military Jeep Club of Qld.” The sweet tunes of the Andrew Sisters Tribute Band will set a World War II backdrop to be enjoyed by troops and spectators alike. The whole event site will be abuzz with military bands, military models in action and authentic encampments that show how the military lived when stationed abroad. The event offers an experience for those who like “big boy’s toys” or Anzac history, but just as much parents should seize the opportunity to deepen their children’s appreciation for our Anzac heritage. This ‘out of the classroom’ education will be a thrill for the entire family, with interactive experiences to include the Vietnam tunnel, joy rides in military vehicles, self-drive laser equipped patrol boats, pedal jeeps and opportunities to get up close with the ‘Animals that Went to War’. “This year will absolutely be our biggest and best yet, and we are expecting more than 5,000 spectators to attend over the weekend to enjoy the show,” said Mr Rodgers. “The funding we received this year from the Queensland Government under the Events Queensland Regional Development Program has enabled us to broaden our marketing campaign.” The full program can be experienced on both Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th May 2011, at Emu Gully Adventure Education Centre at Helidon Spa just off the Warrego Highway, 17kms east of Toowoomba. Tickets available at the gate ($20 adult, $10 child, $50 family, $15 students and concession). For more information visit www.airandlandshow.com.au or phone 07 4697 7865. Continue reading
New Website Ups Ante for Highfields High School
A HIGHFIELDS High School has come a virtual step closer with the April 29 launch of the www.highfieldshighschool.com.au website. The website is a non-political focal point for the community and families who would like their children to attend a Highfields State High School. It provides the reports which have been compiled supporting the need for the school, information on the criteria to establish a high school, milestones so far, family snapshots of those affected by the lack of a high school in Highfields. Website founder and long-term advocate for the school, Bronwyn Cairns, says the website gets information into the community about the need for the high school to be built and provides an avenue for people to become involved in the campaign. “The site has a link to an e-petition which closes on August 1, and also to a Facebook page which allows people to register their support of the cause,” Mrs Cairns said. “I am often asked what people can do to help achieve the high school and this provides everyone with a way to show their support.” Pressure from the community for a state high school in Highfields contributed to the state government purchase in March last year of land on O’Brien Road as the site for a future high school. “Various discussions with both politicians and state government staff have revealed that they don’t believe Highfields has the numbers yet to justify the school being built. We need to demonstrate to the state government just how big the demand is and how many families desperately need access to a state high school in Highfields,” she said. Submitted by: Bronwyn Cairns Phone 4698 7786 District High School statistics The 2006 census showed 922 high school students residing in the main catchment area or Highfields State High School, and a further 211 in the additional catchment area (Crows Nest for grades 11 & 12). The population growth of the area as stated by the Office of Economic & Statistical Research per annum from 2001-2009 was 5.9%. This equates to 1,120 high school students in the main catchment area in 2010. At the “Day 8” 2010 School Census, the enrolments of the Primary Schools in the catchment area were: Highfields State School – 806 Geham State School – 122 Meringandan State School – 157 Goombungee State School – 123 Mary Mackillop Catholic School – 405 This was a total of 1,613 primary school students enrolled in the Main Catchment area. With students currently attending a variety of schools in Toowoomba, projections show Mt Lofty numbers would not drop significantly. An Enrolment Management Plan for the Mt Lofty campus is currently in place due enrolment numbers becoming unsustainably high. This has already forced numbers down and has severely restricted choice for a large number of students. Highfields State High School would allow the removal of this Enrolment Management Plan and allow students in Toowoomba greater freedom of choice. On average in Queensland, 77% of students attending state primary schools attend a state secondary school. Data collected over a number of years from Highfields State School shows a much lower attendance at state secondary schools – as low as 39% in some years. This is not indicative of numbers that would attend a state high school in Highfields, but rather of the large number of choices available when having to attend school in Toowoomba. It also reflects a concerted effort by Toowoomba State High School, Mt Lofty campus to reduce its student population through its enrolment management plan. Continue reading
Santa arrived in a Red Car…Not a Sleigh and Reindeer
Santa arrived with a little bit help from the local police to attend the Christmas function held at the Toowoomba Hospice, due to his reindeers having a rest to be ready for their big Christmas Eve run. Qld Police helped Santa deliver some Christmas joy to the Toowoomba Hospice at their recent staff and volunteers Christmas function. He is greeted by Hospice Chairman Graham Barron whilst others who attended watch on. Toowoomba Hospice Chairman Mr Graham Barron OAM said It was wonderful to work with the Queensland Police Service for such an event, “The transport provided was much appreciated by the children and all those who attended.” This wonderful community spirit is shown to the Hospice everyday, whether it is from families, individuals, businesses or community groups/clubs and is sincerely appreciated said Mr Barron. Continue reading
Declaration of Maranoa Poll
At yesterday’s official declaration of the poll for Maranoa, re-elected MP Bruce Scott congratulates the hard-working staff of the Dalby AEC office. Back from L-R: Acting Divisional Returning Officer Gordon Marshall, Janette Dudgeon, Tracey Newton, Kristy Dun, Colin Juillerat, Liz Schulze & Bruce Scott Front from L-R: Melita Connellan, Cynthia Rathmell Bruce Scott was officially announced as the re-elected Federal Member for Maranoa yesterday,at the AEC’s declaration of the poll in Dalby. Acting Divisional Returning Officer Gordon Marshall announced that the poll for the electorate of Maranoa had been declared, with Bruce Scott re-elected with a result of more than 57,000 primary votes. Mr Scott said that whilst he was pleased his re-election was now official, he was disappointed to learn that the Coalition would not form government. “Mr Katter’s electorate shares many similarities with the Maranoa electorate, and I am pleased Mr Katter acknowledged that a Coalition Government would have been better for rural Queensland,” he said. Mr Scott was the only candidate for Maranoa who attended the official AEC declaration of the poll, where he thanked the hard-working AEC staff in Dalby who processed more than 90,000 votes. Chase Pollard – Media Officer chase.pollard@aph.gov.au www.maranoa.info “I would like to acknowledge the staff of the local AEC office in Dalby, who have worked tirelessly over the past two months to organise the many polling booths across the vast electorate of Maranoa,” Mr Scott said. Continue reading
Australia to have Labor Government
Labor will govern with support of 1 Green MP and 3 Independents. The Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter had announced earlier his support would go to the Coalition.The deadlock in Canberra was broken with Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott announcing they will support a Gillard minority Government. This gives Labor 76 seats to the Coalition’s 74 in the 150 seat House of Representatives. Continue reading
Julie Boyce Exhibition
Over 60 paintings in acrylics and watercolours inspired by the Australian Bush, 1st to the 30th of September 2010 from 10:00am to 4:00pm daily at Village View Gallery. Official opening on the 4th of September at 2:30pm by Jenny Gersekowski (Publicity Officer of Heritage Building Society Highfields Community Branch). Sponsored by Second to None Winery. Works are for sale and Julie has donated a special painting to raffle on the Opening Day to raise money for the Highfields Pioneer Village. All are welcome. Please bring a plate, Billy Tea and Damper also available. RSVP by 1st September 2010: Jody Ashford Village View Gallery Highfields Pioneer Village: 73 Wirraglen Rd, Highfields QLD 4352. Phone 07 4635 6223 or email: highfieldspioneervillage@hotmail.com Continue reading
Millmerran Sheep Races This Saturday
There are plenty of sheep and helpers to get them ready The Millmerran Sheep Races is a major fundraiser for St Joseph’s Primary School. We are a small school with 80 enrollments and the Sheep Races is now in it’s seventh consecutive year. The Sheep Races is a great family day and every effort is taken in making sure the whole family gets good value for money and that each member has a wonderful time. The children are catered for with side show alley style rides including sumo wrestling, face painting, bouncy boxing and of course the mechanical bull. The Macquarie Wagyu Wine Marquee promises to be a hit with the ladies with a fashion parade of woolen garments from AWI as well as the Fashions Of The Field with many categories. The Sheep Races are on this Saturday 28th August, gates open at 11am and the first of a six race program begins at 1pm. The calcutta draw and auction commence at 3.45pm and the final shall be run at 4.30pm. Our band Toowoomba’s “The Solitary Men” start playing at 5pm and will break while the mechanical bull competition takes place. Jumping Sheep at the Millmerran Races More information and pictures from last year are at www.millmerransheepraces.com or you can find Millmerran Sheep Races on Facebook. Submitted by Nikki Macqueen Ph 4695 6199 email: bnmacqueen@bigpond.com Continue reading
Advance Notice for Trash Ya Hair
Schools, Businesses, Clubs/Community Groups or individuals on the Downs and in the Lockyer Valley are encouraged to have a Trash Ya Hair Day during the month of October. You can colour, mousse, gel or shave your hair to raise money for the Toowoomba Hospice. These funds will assist the daily operations of this important community facility providing palliative and respite care for all ages. There are some great prizes to be won for Schools, Businesses, Clubs/Community Groups or individuals, that raise the most money! The Toowoomba Hospice’s mission is to provide optimal palliative care; based on mutual respect and trust, the needs of those who come to us and their families. For more information call Mark NOW on 07 4659 8500 or email him on admin.toowoombahospice@bigpond.com Continue reading
Advance Notice for Trash Ya Hair
Schools, Businesses, Clubs/Community Groups or individuals on the Downs and in the Lockyer Valley are encouraged to have a Trash Ya Hair Day during the month of October. You can colour, mousse, gel or shave your hair to raise money for the Toowoomba Hospice. These funds will assist the daily operations of this important community facility providing palliative and respite care for all ages. There are some great prizes to be won for Schools, Businesses, Clubs/Community Groups or individuals, that raise the most money! The Toowoomba Hospice’s mission is to provide optimal palliative care; based on mutual respect and trust, the needs of those who come to us and their families. For more information call Mark NOW on 07 4659 8500 or email him on admin.toowoombahospice@bigpond.com Continue reading
