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Winton – There At The Beginning Of QANTAS

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Winton – There At The Beginning Of QANTAS

When QANTAS was formed as a Queensland company on November 16 1920, Winton was recorded as the Registered Office. When QANTAS held its first meeting of the Board of Directors, it was held at the Winton Club. When QANTAS first approached a bank, it was the Bank of New South Wales in Winton.

Winton is celebrating the 100th Anniversary of that first QANTAS board meeting (and the solid support shown by Winton residents), on Wednesday 10th February, again at the Winton Club – still standing.

At 10am all are invited to the launch of the new book, WINTON AND THE QANTAS STORY.This 117 page book was written to help commemorate the Centenary of that first QANTAS Board meeting, held at the Winton Club on the 10th of February, 1921.

It takes the form of a self-drive around Winton, visiting sites of significance in the formation of QANTAS. Couple this with local QANTAS stories, historical photographs, maps, clippings from the newspapers of the day and background to one of the keys to the successful formation of QANTAS, (Winton’s McMaster family), and you will see why Sir Hudson Fysh, one of the QANTAS Founders, wrote: The idea of QANTAS was conceived in Cloncurry, born in Winton and grew up in Longreach. Another real OUTBACK Queensland success story.

The book will be officially launched by the Mayor of Winton, Gavin Baskett.

In the evening of Wednesday 10th February, again at the Winton Club, all are invited to witness a ‘radio play’ recreating the first QANTAS Board meeting, 100 years ago to the day. This play is being performed  in honour of all those Winton aviation pioneers of 100 years ago who contributed money for shares, legal advice, secretarial services, landing strips, business through joy rides and charters, hangar space for the aeroplanes and piloting skills brought home from World War I.

To this end, all ticket sale monies will be donated to Jessamine Place, helping to keep today’s pioneers at home in Winton. A presentation by Jessamine Place will form part of the evening. The Winton Club will operate a cash bar. $10 Tickets are on sale at the Winton Newsagency.

NOTE: Author Jeff Close resides at Hampton and travels to Winton several times a year. Jeff and Bente Moller run Rhonda’s Refits at 100 Taylor Street, Toowoomba. Get your copy of Winton – there at the beginning of QANTAS” through outbackbooks.info or over the counter at Rhonda’s Refits.

2021 Chronicle Lifeline Bookfest Cancelled

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2021 Chronicle Lifeline Bookfest Cancelled

Lifeline Darling Downs has sadly announced that due to the ongoing concerns regarding COVID-19 and concerns about being able to successfully manage large crowds, they have decided to cancel this year’s Chronicle / Lifeline Bookfest which would have occurred in early March 2021.

They have however set up a Bookfest Pop-Up Shop” at the Wilsonton Shopping Centre so that all avid readers can still bag a bargain and stock up on their reading supplies. The store is located at the Wilsonton Shopping Centre, in the old Dimmey’s store and is open Tuesday – Friday 9am to 4pm and Saturday 9am to 2pm.

With our concern for public health and the instability of the COVID-19 situation, we have had to make the difficult decision to cancel Bookfest this year. With over 10,000 visitors over two days social distancing would just be impossible to manage”, Lifeline Darling Downs CEO, Derek Tuffield OAM said.

The annual Chronicle /Lifeline Bookfest is a major revenue generator for the organisation therefore, we had to find an innovative way to help supplement the income stream and at the same time make these books available to the general public, by opening the temporary Bookfest Pop-Up Shop at Wilsonton Shopping Centre”, Mr Tuffield said. “Customers can fill up a standard Eco-bag for $15 with books, CDs, or DVDs.”

As with all Lifeline stores and offices, customers are required to adhere to current social distancing rules and hand sanitiser is available in-store. EFTPOS continues to be the preferred payment method.

For all Lifeline shop locations and individual trading hours visit https://bit.ly/2Vx0S2X or call 1300 991 443.

 

Think Globally, Act Locally”

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Think Globally, Act Locally”

New Heritage brochure launched on Australia Day at Highfields Pioneer Village

Householders’ Options to Protect the Environment (HOPE) Inc. is pleased to announce that its new Directory of Heritage Facilities and Key Landmarks across the Toowoomba Regional Council Jurisdiction” brochure was launched during Australia Day celebrations at the Highfields Pioneer Village, on Tuesday, 26th January, 2021.

Publication of this brochure was made possible through grant funding received from Arrow Energy’s Brighter Futures program.

Arrow Energy’s support enabled us to engage a consultant to research content and develop a three-fold brochure detailing the many heritage facilities and landmarks in the Toowoomba region” said Mr Frank Ondrus (above), President of H.O.P.E.

HOPE undertakes project management, printing and distribution of the brochures throughout the region and online, and marketing of the availability of the brochures.”

The COVID-19 restrictions had closed many of our wonderful heritage facilities and landmarks for most of 2020 – wiping income from several events and festivals, as well as greatly reducing general visitor numbers.

This brochure is HOPE’s contribution to encourage support for, and increase visitation numbers to, heritage facilities in the Toowoomba region, as our community emerges from COVID-19 restrictions. Directory of Heritage Facilities and Key Landmarks across TRC Jurisdiction brochure (HOPE Inc., Jan 2021) (colour)
HOPE envisages the launching and distribution of our brochure will:
• increase awareness of heritage facilities and landmarks;
• increase visitor numbers to heritage facilities and landmarks;• improve financial viability of the heritage sector; and
• increase economic activity in the Toowoomba region – i.e. visitors spending on accommodation, fuel, food; and locals too, spending locally!

You can keep up-to-date with this and other HOPE activities on our website <http://www.hopeaustralia.org.au> and by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Show Your Pride Australia Day 2021

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Show Your Pride Australia Day 2021

Show your national pride by joining Toowoomba Regional Council’s (TRC) community award presentations and celebrations planned for Australia Day on Tuesday, January 26th.

Toowoomba Region Mayor Paul Antonio said the national day was a time to reflect on recent challenges, from bushfires and drought to the effects of the ongoing Coronavirus, while also celebrating the best aspects of living in Australia.

We have a lot to be thankful for when you consider our good fortune to live in Australia, compared with many places around the world,” Mayor Antonio said.

The herculean efforts of all health services workers, fellow emergency services personnel and all community agencies that pitched in to support our communities during the Coronavirus-enforced lockdown, hot on the heels of the previous year’s fires, reflect the best aspects of the Australian character.

We should be proud and grateful to every one of these people for their commitment to keeping our community safe here and around the country.”

TRC Australia Day coordinating committee chair and Deputy Mayor Geoff McDonald said Council had COVID-19 health and safety plans in place, thanks in part to National Australia Day Council grants, to ensure residents (or award recipients at the least), could attend their respective celebrations.

Council is pleased to be involved with regional Australia Day ceremonies at Pittsworth, Oakey, Highfields, Crows Nest, Cecil Plains, Cambooya, Clifton, Goombungee (invitation only) and the Picnic Point function in Toowoomba,” Cr McDonald said.

Some centres are concentrating on presenting their Australia Day awards to ensure they provide a safe event for residents to enjoy.

All events will align with the latest Queensland Health requirements that are issued. In line with current COVID-19 health advice from the state and federal governments, we remind people who are unwell to please stay at home.

Regardless of the celebration formats, our national day is a fitting occasion to celebrate the many and varied attributes and values of our national character.

Council and the organising committees encourage residents to fly the Aussie flag and join activities, where permissible, to share the national spirit.

There is no better way to celebrate Australia Day than with other Australians.

Australia Day awards will be presented to our achievers and community-minded citizens with most events featuring short flag raising functions and addresses. Councillors will be attending events across the region.”

Toowoomba’s Picnic Point function will be held from 9.30-11.30am, starting with a smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country, flag raising and the national anthem. Mayor Antonio will present the Toowoomba service area Australia Day awards and the W. H Groom scholarship.

Regional Events:Toowoomba – Picnic Point, 9.30-11.30am. Smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country, flag raising, national anthem, Australia Day award presentations by the Mayor, limited supply of lamingtons, entertainers.

Pittsworth – Pittsworth Town Hall. Australia Day ceremony and award presentations from 9am followed by morning tea until 10am.

Oakey – Arthur Shooter Park, Stanley Street, Oakey, 8am to 12.30pm. Award ceremony from 8.30am, free morning tea and billy boiling competition from 9.30am. 10am: Team and individual events: a new dunny race, open and junior iron man races, dry regatta, sack races with prize presentations from noon. Bring a chair, picnic blanket, hat and sunscreen

Highfields Australia Day Awards Ceremony – Highfields Cultural Centre, 7.30-9.30am. Free breakfast with live entertainment (High Country Community band), followed by an awards ceremony at 8.15am with a guest speaker, national anthem, Welcome to Country.

Crow’s Nest – Crows Nest Showgrounds. Celebrations start 4pm, awards ceremony 5pm followed by dinner at 6pm. Gold coin donation for barbecue.

Cecil Plains (incorporating Millmerran) – Cecil Plains Aquatic Centre, Cheetham St, Cecil Plains. 7-11am. Free entry and free barbecue breakfast from 7-8.30am. Australia Day presentations 9-9.45am, followed by a cuppa and swimming to 11am. Please wear togs as change rooms might not be available. Please bring own rug or chair, hat and sunscreen.

Cambooya – Cambooya Recreation Grounds, Lucy Street, 8-10.30am. Free barbecue and awards ceremony.

Clifton – Pioneer Park, King Street, Clifton. 7-9.30am. Free bacon and egg roll and awards ceremony. Please bring your own rug or chair, hat and sunscreen.

Goombungee – Goombungee Public Hall. Restricted to award recipients and invited guests. Award ceremony from 9.30am.

For a full schedule of regional events, please visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/australiaday

Submitted by:
Angus Moffatt,
Media Relations Officer,
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication
Toowoomba Regional Council

Young Guns Set To Dazzle In Garden City

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Young bowlers from across Queensland will take part in Queensland’s 2021 Junior State Championships held at North Toowoomba and Toowoomba Bowls Clubs from Sunday, 17 January to Friday, 22 January to showcase the extraordinary young talent being developed throughout the state.

Juniors compete in Singles, Pairs, Triples and Fours in the under-18 category, while there are also boys’ and girls’ Singles and combined Pairs events for under-15s.

Two rising superstars set to wow the crowds are Kane Nelson and North Toowoomba’s Jake Rynne, both selected for the Emerging Australian Jackaroos. Kane, who held the boys’ Singles U15 title in 2014 and 2019, was ranked number one in the National Player Rankings (men) last month, with Jake taking out the QLD Champion of Club Champion Singles in November representing his club North Toowoomba.

Young guns from across Queensland including Townsville, Mackay, Weipa, Bundaberg, Roma, Cunnamulla, South-East Queensland and the Glasshouse Mountains will be hoping for the opportunity to be selected to represent Queensland in the next big event for junior bowlers, the QLD vs. NSW Test Series.

BQ CEO Brett Wilkie said that selectors will be looking for players to represent the state in the test series against NSW in July. If they hold their position, they will represent Queensland in the under-18 National Championships,” Brett said.

All finals and semi-finals will be held at North Toowoomba Bowls Club in Lemnos Street.

More information:

Playing schedule

Draw

Queensland Junior State Championships
January 17 – 22, 2021; starting time each day is 8:30am
North Toowoomba Bowls Club, Lemnos Street, Toowoomba
Toowoomba Bowls Club, 40 Lindsay Street, Toowoomba

 

Be More Security Conscious With Vehicles

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Be More Security Conscious With Vehicles

Toowoomba Police are concerned at a rise in cars being stolen over the past weekend.

Since 9th January, five cars were stolen from the Toowoomba area, from Rangeville, Newtown, Middle Ridge and Cotswold Hills. Of these,  two had keys in the ignition when taken – one was unlocked and two were burglary breaks where the keys were taken from inside the house. Two of the vehicles were taken from the driveway whilst the owners were present at home.

Toowoomba police are worried that residents are leaving themselves vulnerable to this sort of crime and that it gives offenders the propensity for other crime to occur, such as Fuel Drive offs which then makes victims of the businesses.

Offenders are using the vehicles to be more mobile, taking them to locations to steal other vehicles and to other areas such as Ipswich and Brisbane.

Police are asking residents to take care, lock your vehicles, don’t leave the keys in the vehicles, lock your homes and secure the keys in less obvious locations, making it harder for the offenders to take your property.

Tony Rehn
Crime Prevention Officer
Darling Downs District
Queensland Police Service
Ph  07 4631 6907
P.O. Box 144, Toowoomba Qld 4350
QPS website: www.police.qld.gov.au
13 1444 Policelink
Crimestoppers 1800 333 000

 

Additional Drive-in COVID-19 Testing Site For Toowoomba

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Additional Drive-in COVID-19 Testing Site For Toowoomba

Darling Downs Health has opened an additional pop-up drive-in COVID-19 testing site at the Toowoomba Showgrounds in response to the evolving situation in Brisbane.

The Showgrounds pop-up site will re-open Saturday 9th January until Monday 11th January, 8am to 4:30pm. To access the site, please use the main entrance at the Toowoomba Showgrounds, and follow the road to the Founders Pavilion.

This weekend, you can also get tested at the below locations and times:

Charlton BP Truckstop
Open seven days a week, 8:30am to 4pm This testing clinic is available to people travelling in cars, trucks and vehicles with caravans.
Baillie Henderson Hospital drive-in site
Open until Monday 11th January, 8.30am to 4pm.
Warwick Hospital pop-up drive-in site
Open until Monday 11th January, 8am to 5pm. Please phone ahead on 4660 3900.
Stanthorpe Hospital pop-up drive-in site
Open until Monday 11th January, 8am to 5pm. Please phone ahead on 4683 3400.
Goondiwindi Hospital pop-up drive-in site  Open until Monday 11th January, 8am to 5pm. Please phone ahead on 4578 2400.

Opening hours for all our testing sites are subject to weather. Keep an eye out on the Darling Downs Health Facebook page for updates.

Our testing locations can be busy, so please be patient. Waiting times at testing locations can vary so please be prepared to wait and bring your Medicare card and other items you may need (for example, your mobile phone, phone charger, medications you may need to take while waiting, food and water, hat and sunscreen).

For more information about our testing sites, please visit www.health.qld.gov.au/darlingdowns or phone the Darling Downs Health COVID-19 Hotline on 1800 490 468.

We’re all working together to keep everyone safe. If your local testing clinic is crowded, consider attending another one. A full list of testing sites can be found here: www.qld.gov.au/covid19testing

Cressbrook and Perseverance Dams Closed

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Cressbrook and Perseverance Dams Closed

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has closed Cressbrook and Perseverance Dams for water-based activities until further notice.

TRC Mayor Paul Antonio said Council officers had made the decision to stop water-based activities at the two dam sites as required under recreational guidelines.

This is a precautionary closure to ensure visitors do not suffer any health concerns due to toxins present in Cressbrook Dam and elevated levels of E.coli in Perseverance Dam,” Mayor Antonio said.

Council will conduct its regular testing regime to determine when the dams can re-open.

We appreciate the timing of these closures aren’t ideal and while we would have preferred to have the facilities open for families over the Christmas period, we simply can’t take any health risks by allowing water-based activities at this time.

Fortunately, Council’s treatment plant is capable of treating this level of toxin and as such there will be no change to the picnic ground or camping ground sites so community members are welcome to use these facilities.

Council monitors its dams weekly for algae and numerous microbiological parameters including E.coli. We also test chemical parameters such as iron, manganese, alkalinity, hardness, ammonia, nitrate, colour, turbidity and phosphate

The treatment process is also closely monitored (daily). When the water leaves the treatment plant, we conduct tests in the distribution system under our Drinking Water Quality Management Plans.

These plans line up with the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008.

To view activities open or closed at the dams, please visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/damstatus

Brendan Steinhardt
Principal Media and Strategic Relations
Stakeholder Engagement and Communications
Toowoomba Regional Council

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