Tag Archives: information

Free Family Fun Day At Milne Bay Aquatic Centre

Posted on November 10, 2010 by admin

The Toowoomba regional community is invited to a FREE Family Fun Day this Sunday 14 th November at the Milne Bay Aquatic & Fitness Centre, to help raise the awareness of the need to take a stance against all forms of violence The Toowoomba Says No to Violence (TSN2V) family event, from 3.00pm – 8.30pm, includes FREE ENTRY to Milne Bay Aquatic & Fitness Centre, Entertainment, Crazy Candles, Outdoor/Indoor Inflatable slide, Balloon Twisting, Food, lots of Family Fun PLUS FREE, the Disney movie G-Force from 6.30pm. Rain washed out the annual Queens Park Family Fun Day and street march last month.  However, with the generous support of the Toowoomba Regional Council, TSN2V has been able to organise a great family day at NO COST to families. The Family Fun day will also celebrate the Toowoomba community’s ability to host public events and celebrations in a friendly and safe environment for all the family. While it is acknowledged by the TSN2V committee that violence isn’t rampant in Toowoomba, the committee’s aim is to promote and keep Toowoomba a safe, healthy and peaceful community. By saying that violence is not an option, the Toowoomba community can maintain its reputation as a desirable place to live. The goal is to create a safe, healthy and peaceful Toowoomba by working together to reduce violence. The day also will bring together Toowoomba’s local entertainers and community champions to promote that violence is preventable and not inevitable. For further information, Peter Rookas  Ph. 4616 6166 Continue reading →

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Acquisitive Sculpture Prize Winners Announced

Posted on November 1, 2010 by admin

L to R:- Back:- Michelle Kudell, Cr. Bill Cahill, Tiffany Shafran, and Elissa Bellert Front:- Julie Murphy (Heritage Crows Nest Community Branch Manager) Jo Petrou Crows Nest Regional Art Gallery co-ordinator) Karen Canning & Beata Batorowicz ( Judge for 2010) . Crows Nest Regional Art Gallery’s acquisitive sculpture competition prize winners for 2010 were announced recently at the official opening held at the Crows Nest Community and R S L Centre, Crows Nest. Cr. Bill Cahill, Portfolio Chair for Environmental and Community Services officially opened the exhibition. Michelle Kudell with her winning Grand Champion sculpture:- "We Are Not Alone Nor For Ourselves Alone:- Gaia's Tree Homeorhesis" – Recycled books Grand Champion Acquisitive prize of $2,500 sponsored by Toowoomba Regional Council was awarded to Michelle Kudell for her work “We Are Not Alone Nor For Ourselves Alone: Gaia’s Tree Homeorhesis”- recycled books. Runner Up- Prize of $1000 sponsored by Crows Nest & Highfields Branches of Heritage Building Society was awarded to Karen Canning for “Cocoon” made from wire and beads. Toowoomba Regional Artist prize of $750 sponsored by Crows Nest & Highfields Branches of Heritage Building Society was awarded to Tiffany Shafran for “The Cosmonaut 2010″ – a found object assemblage. Highly commended prizes of $250 sponsored by the gallery were awarded to Phil Willy for “The Masses Are the Message” created in Raku fired ceramic, wood and wire and Keith Mitchell for “Black Dog Star” – a creation in resin. Commended certificates were awarded to Elissa Bellert for “Tiptoe Through The Teapots” – mixed media – recycled/reclaimed materials and Franzesca for “Thought” in ceramic. Crows Nest Regional Art Gallery volunteer Geoff Lawson and Crows Nest artist Marie Kruger chat with the evening's Masters of Ceremonies Randall & Catherine Machejefski. Judge for 2010 was Polish born Beata Batorowicz who migrated to Australia in 1984. She is currently a Visual Arts lecturer in Spatial Construction at USQ Toowoomba, Qld. She is renowned nationally for her textile and sculptural artworks which playfully unravel and retell western art history’s grand narratives through critiquing canonical art figures. Gallery co-ordinator Jo Petrou presented flowers to Grand Champion winner Michelle Kudell & Judge Beata Katorowicz who commented on the variety and high quality of the exhibits. The exhibition at the Community and R S L centre continues until November 28th. Opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Sunday 11.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Visitors are invited to vote for the People’s Choice Award which will be announced at the end of the exhibition. Phone the gallery on 4698 1687 for further information. Photos and Story by Jenny Gersekowski Continue reading →

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6th Annual ‘Trash Ya Hair for Hospice Care!’ Happening During October

Posted on October 21, 2010 by admin

The Toowoomba Hospice is a six bed facility which offers respite and palliative care for the terminally ill.  As part of our ongoing fundraising efforts, the Toowoomba Hospice is holding its ‘‘Trash Ya Hair for Hospice Care!’ this month. ‘Trash Ya Hair for Hospice Care!’ week is aimed at raising the awareness and profile of the Toowoomba Hospice in our local community. Each participating organisation selects a day during the ‘Trash Ya Hair for Hospice Care!’ month in which participants are encouraged to make a donation to the Hospice by colouring, moussing, gelling or shaving their hair. All monies raised on the day are donated to the Toowoomba Hospice with Prizes for Most money raised by: * An individual * A business * A club or community group* * A school* *To make it fair monies raised will be divided by total participants, ensuring a fair chance for all. Ambrosiussen Accountants’ staff getting trashed for the Toowoomba Hospice Peter Ambrosiussen Kate Harley Back – Susie Campbell, Craig Dawson, Paula Hansen, Michael Grogan, Peter Ambrosiussen, Front – Sam Wright, Cheryl Lesler, Kate Harley and Toni Skillington. The Hospice is a community organisation which relies heavily on Toowoomba and the surrounding districts for support. For further information please contact Mark Munro, Promotions & Fundraising Manager on 07 4659 8500 or email admin.toowoombahospice@bigpond.com Continue reading →

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One Of Exhibition at 53 Russell Art Gallery

Posted on October 1, 2010 by admin

The One Of exhibition is showcasing artwork from almost 40 talented artists from Toowoomba, Brisbane, Tamworth, Adelaide, Warwick, Yangan, Clifton and Michigan in the USA. Local artists include Jared Fountain, Chantel Schott, Darren Kiely, Jan O’Hanlon, Kym Breeze, Melissa Park and Harry Nuss with many more outstanding artists involved! "Flight" The exhibition is a blend of all forms of media and styles that creates a mixed bag event for viewers, taking them on an experimental journey of colour, form and imagination. To celebrate the exhibition’s success there will be an official opening on Friday 8th October from 6.30pm in the gallery at 53 Russell Street, Toowoomba. Admission is free and all are welcome. The exhibition runs from 1st – 25th October and is open Wednesday to Sunday between the hours of 10am and 4pm. Further information  Darren Kiely/Nathan Coleman Ph 4638 5686. Continue reading →

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Minister and Member Drop In On Tenants

Posted on September 29, 2010 by admin

Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine and Housing Minister Karen Struthers have visited tenants who have been living in a new social housing development completed in May. Mr Shine said the eight, two bedroom apartments in Wilsonton were built using funds from the federal government’s stimulus package and had been a great help to tenants looking to get back on their feet. He said the $1.7 million project had provided a safe and secure place to live for people doing it tough and generated jobs in the local construction industry. “Here in the Darling Downs region, we saw a 28% downturn in the construction industry between August 2008 and April this year,” Mr Shine said. “This project alone generated 15 jobs during that time. Across the Toowoomba area, we invested more than $25 million from the federal government and the state government in the last financial year to build social housing. All up, that supported almost 190 jobs. The investment has been a real lifeline to the local construction industry”. Hon. Karen Struthers (Minister for Community Services and Housing, and Minister for Women) and Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine outside the $1.7 million project of 8 two bedroom apartments in Wilsonton. Mr Shine went on to say “The great thing about this project here is that half of the units can be adapted to meet the access requirements of people with a disability. Two of the units are semi-adaptable and two are fully wheelchair adaptable”. Ms Struthers said Queensland could expect to see more than 4000 new social housing dwellings by June 2012 under the federal government program. “The help people receive from social housing is very significant when it’s added up,” Ms Struthers said. “When you add in other concessions, it works out to be about an average of about $14,500 a year in assistance that social housing tenants receive”. Further Information: Phone: 4638 5755 Fax: 4638 4056 Email: toowoomba.north@parliament.qld.gov.au Continue reading →

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Paris in Bloom – an Historical Overview of the City’s Gardens

Posted on September 15, 2010 by admin

A public lecture conducted by the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society, Toowoomba An expert on all things Parisian, Thirza Vallois will present a public lecture on the gardens of Paris for the Toowoomba Group of the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society (ADFAS) on 21 September. Everyone who has visited Paris is struck by its wonderful public gardens including the Tuileries, the Luxembourg and the Jardin des Plantes. In her illustrated lecture Thirza Vallois will take us on an historical journey through the gardens from the medieval to contemporary ones. Thirza Vallois has lived most of her life in Paris. She holds several post-graduate degrees from the Sorbonne University including the prestigious agregation, is an acclaimed author, lecturer and broadcaster. Thirza’s  lecture will be given in the Glennie Room, The Glennie School, Herries Street, Toowoomba on Tuesday 21 September starting at 6.45 pm and will be followed by supper. Members of the public are very welcome to attend. The cost is $20 for persons who are not members of ADFAS and $10 for students. For further information about this lecture and about membership of ADFAS contact the Secretary of ADFAS, Toowoomba on 07 4636 6164. Continue reading →

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Carnival Of Flowers Antique Collectable Fair

Posted on September 13, 2010 by admin

Collector’s and Dealer’s will gather in Toowoomba next Saturday the 18th & 19th September for the Carnival of Flowers Antique Collectable Fair to be held in the St Mary’s Sports Hall, 235 Herries Street Visitor’s to the Fair will step back in history as they view, or purchase items ranging from old Toys and old China to rare Bottles, Coins, Cards, Books and Antique Furniture. Stall Holder’s from many parts of Queensland will have some rare memorabilia items for sale to allow the public an opportunity to add to their collection, or to start off in this fast growing Hobby. The free admission to children under 14 years will give them an opportunity to learn more about Australia’s early pioneering days, and for the parents to recognise many items from their childhood. The Fair will be open to the public from 8am to 4pm Saturday 18th and 8am to 2pm Sunday 19th. Proceeds of the fair benefit the Queensland Endeavour Foundation organiser’s of the Great Endeavour Car Rally. Admission cost will be $5 Adults. Children under 14 years free. Further information contact Allan Lawson 0488 197 167 Continue reading →

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Toowoomba Regional Council News in Brief

Posted on September 5, 2010 by admin

Community forum The USQ Community Capacity Building Project in conjunction with the Community Development and Facilities Branch, Toowoomba Regional Council invites you to a Public Lecture – Understanding Youth Suicide (with Garry King, Guidance Officer, Teacher and Youth Counsellor specialising in the area of suicide prevention and Garry Hansford, Community Support Worker, GP Connections). To be held on Tuesday 14 September 2010 at 6.45 pm at the QCWA Hall, 263 Margaret Street. Light refreshments (tea/coffee) will be provided after the event. Details available at: www.usq.edu.au/commcapacityproject/communityevents Please RSVP by Friday 10 September to Glen Postle 0407 462 331 or postle@usq.edu.au or Darryl Bates 4688 6758 or darryl.bates@toowoombaRC.qld.gov.au Book Spring Bluff train trips Tickets for return train rides to Spring Bluff during Carnival week are on sale at Toowoomba Railway Station, Railway St. Apart from one service departing the station at 9am on Sat, Sept 25 two services will run daily from Sun, Sept 19 to Fri, Sept 24. The first diesel train trip leaves Toowoomba at 9am and arrives at Spring Bluff at 9.35am before departing at 11am. Afternoon trains leave Toowoomba at 1pm (arriving at Spring Bluff at 1.35pm) and depart at 3pm. Tickets must be bought in person at Toowoomba Railway Station from 9am to 3.45pm weekdays. No phone bookings. Prices: $16.50 adults, $8.50 child 4-15, Under 4 free if not occupying seats. Enquiries to QR on 4631 3381. Gallery seeks 2011 exhibition ideas Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery is seeking fresh exhibition proposals from regional artists for the first half of 2011. Artists who live in the council area are welcome to submit proposals for exhibitions to be displayed in the Cam Robertson Gallery from January to July 2011. Applications must be lodged with the Gallery by Friday, October 1. For more information, please contact Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery on 4688 6652 or email art@toowoombaRC.qld.gov.au Exhibition papers the walls Contemporary art and interior design will come together in a short exhibition at the Crows Nest Regional Art Gallery from September 7 to 26. The touring exhibition of wallpapers titled The Wallpaper Project is a collaboration between artist Simon Mee, wallpaper printer William Wilding and a number of contemporary artists. A floor talk by Simon Mee will be held at the gallery on Thursday, September 9 at 9.30am. Gallery hours are 10am-4pm Tuesday to Saturday. For details, please call 4698 1687 or email crowsnestart@toowoombaRC.qld.gov.au Local History Library Displays Toowoomba’s Local History Library is hosting two significant displays during Sept and Oct – a photographic display of the Carnival of Flowers during the 1950s, including the queens, gardens and parades, and an exhibition of photographs and programmes marking Toowoomba Repertory Theatre’s celebration of 80 years of entertaining. Visit 476 Ruthven St (9.30am-1pm Tuesday to Saturday) or phone 4638 7766. Free plant vouchers Ratepayers in the TRC area receive two free plants per year via a voucher included with their rate notices. Half of TRC residents would have received vouchers in April and the remainder would have received theirs in the past week. Please see the back of the voucher for collection points and opening times to collect your plants. For more information phone 4688 6654. Immunisation clinic times Council’s Wednesday immunisation clinic hours will vary this month. The service will operate from 9am to noon on Sept 8 and 22 at 12 Little Street, Toowoomba. Regular Wednesday hours (9am to 1.30pm) will operate on Sept 15 and 29. The clinic also provides vaccination advice for children and adults. Call 4688 6835 weekdays between 8.45am and 5pm. Lodge event support proposals Applications are being sought for the Events Support Grant Program which closes on October 3, 2010. This council initiative aims to support groups planning major regional and community events. Further information about the program and application forms can be obtained from the Economic Development, Tourism & Events Branch on 4688 6966. Plant a tree in Cambooya Help plant trees in Cambooya’s Paterson Park in George St from 9.30am on Saturday, September 11. Council, Cambooya Landcare Assoc, Toowoomba Probation and Parole and Toyota are joining forces to provide tools and plants. All helpers can join a free sausage sizzle and a drink. Enquiries to John Hughes (Landcare 0417 303 612) or Kristie Jenkinson on 4688 6514. Sign on for Bushcapades Spring holiday activities will be staged in Toowoomba’s bushland parks from Tuesday, September 21 to Friday, October 1. Craft sessions cover paper making, pressing flowers, candle making, pottery and tips for organic gardening. Small fees apply and children under eight must be accompanied by an adult. Bookings are essential by calling 4688 6572 during office hours. Get in early Ergon Energy Flower, Food and Wine Festival tickets, including the Heritage Building Society Live Concert Series (featuring Troy Cassar-Daley, the Hoodoo Gurus and Beatnix) are on pre-sale now at the Empire Theatre Box Office. Phone 1300 655 299 or visit www.empiretheatres.com.au Brush up on safe food handling Residents involved in catering at public functions during Toowoomba’s Carnival of Flowers can brush up on safe food handling tips at a free course on Thursday, September 9. The session runs from 9am-1pm, 2nd floor, 543 Ruthven St. Enquiries and bookings to 4688 6824. Rate notices Council’s rate notices have now been issued with payment due on September 21. Please check the back of your rate notice for the full range of payment options. Tombstone Tours Discover the region’s intriguing past on the 2010 Tombstone Tours of Toowoomba and Drayton Cemetery. Tours will run on Sunday, Sept 19 at 10am, on Wednesday, Sept 22 at 7pm and on Saturday, Sept 25 at 10am. Tickets cost $5 and must be pre-booked at the Local History Library, 476 Ruthven St (9.30am-1pm Tuesday to Saturday) or by phoning 4638 7766. Temporary closure Stephen St Qld Rail’s upgrade of Stephen St railway bridge from August 23 for approx 5 wks (weather permitting) will involve the temporary closure of Stephen St (between Duhig St and Fifth Ave). Detours will be in place. New 10-year Community Plan In late July, TRC endorsed the new community plan that sets out the vision, goals and outcomes the region’s community wants to see over the next 10 years. The Community Plan fulfils a legislative requirement of the Local Government Act 2009. Please log on to www.toowoombaRC.qld.gov.au and select Council Vision and Strategies to view the new Community Plan. Lodge request for Council service online Council is offering residents and ratepayers a further option when lodging a request for council services. Anyone wanting to submit a request for a specific council service can now do so online at any time of the day. Areas currently available for online lodgement are animal collection/nuisance, changes of address, overgrown allotments, parking meter faults or infringements, road and footpath maintenance requests, abandoned and nuisance vehicles, water meter issues and wheelie bin services. Explore Laurel Bank Park Grab your torch and be a part of the popular Twilight Tours of Laurel Bank Park in Herries St Toowoomba during the Carnival of Flowers. Running on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, September 20-22, the one-hour tours from 6.30pm and 7.30pm each evening will provide an insight into the park’s history and its many floral highlights. Gold coin donation. Bookings essential on 4688 6542. Continue reading →

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Glennie School’s New Hospitality Centre Officially Open

Posted on August 24, 2010 by admin

Students and staff at The Glennie School for in Toowoomba have celebrated the official opening of their new hospitality training centre recently. Member for Toowoomba North, Kerry Shine said the new centre was a major asset for the school community. “The hospitality centre offers an excellent training facility for hospitality students,” Mr Shine said. “It has a commercial training kitchen containing a barista-style coffee machine, and an industrial oven, and the neighbouring classroom can double as a function room for school events. “The hospitality students are putting it to good use – they helped cater for the Glennie Foundation cocktail party and have prepared morning tea for the official opening.” The State Government contributed $250,000 in capital assistance funding to the project, adding to the $850,000 raised by the school. From left: Right Reverend Rob Nolan (Anglican Bishop West Region), Kerry Shine MP, Wendy Ashley-Cooper (Head of Glennie School). The Member for Toowoomba North represented the Minister for Education and Training Geoff Wilson at the opening. Mr Wilson said the Queensland Government was pleased to help support the school’s ongoing development. “Over the past five years, The Glennie School (an Anglican school for girls) has received more than $5.6 million in recurrent funding and $1.9 million in capital assistance from the State Government.” Further Information Phone: 4638 5755 or Email: toowoomba.north@parliament.qld.gov.au Continue reading →

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Memorial Golf Day to Aid Cancer Unit

Posted on August 20, 2010 by admin

The third annual Leon Treadwell Memorial charity golf day in aid of the Oncology (Cancer Care) Unit at the Toowoomba Hospital will be staged at the City Golf Club on Friday 3 rd September. Leon was an avid golfer at City, representing the club in representative Pennant competition, before his untimely death at the young age of 32 due to an extremely rare cancer disease to his appendix. A schoolboy friend from Leon’s Charleville days, Kris Currie, contacted Toowoomba Hospital Foundation CEO Peter Rookas and so far the two memorial days have been a huge success, raising in excess of $10,000. Kris said Leon was a great friend and he appreciated how well he was treated at the Oncology Unit at Toowoomba Hospital during his illness. “I wanted to do something to perpetuate Leon’s memory so what better than a golf day to help the cancer care unit, and especially at his favourite golf club”. Hospital Foundation CEO Peter Rookas was easy to convince to help organise the day. ‘I played golf with Leon and know his wife Leah and their two lovely girls. And I knew our staff at the Toowoomba Hospital cared for Leon and remember him fondly so it was a natural to get involved with the day.’ The event will be a 4-a-side Ambrose with a shotgun start at 11.30am with the entry cost just $30 player ($120 a team) and there will be a host of great trophies on offer. The Leon Treadwell Memorial shield will be presented to the team with the best nett on the day. Leah with daughters Emily (l) and Jade (r) and good friend Kris Currie who came up with the idea of the Memorial golf day…. (Leon’s widow, Leah and local identity Michael Betros (who lost his wife Jodie to cancer) found romance and love after both their tragic losses and have a little boy, LACHLAN JOEL BETROS  – The name Joel is derived from their two precious late spouses, Jodi and Leon).. It is a great story and both Leon & Jodie were cared for at Toowoomba Hospital….) For nominations and further information, contact Peter Rookas at 46166 166 or 0418  713 138. Continue reading →

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