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Graduate Nurses Begin Their DDHS Career

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Graduate Nurses Begin Their DDHS Career

Fifty two new nurses have begun their journey with Darling Downs Health last week, starting their graduate program with four days of orientation.

Nursing and Midwifery Services Executive Director Andrea Nagle welcomed the 2020 cohort, and said, “The graduate program is a great opportunity for the participants to familiarise themselves with our values and vision, as well as learn more about their colleagues and new careers.”

We look forward to supporting them in their transition to registered nursing positions,” Ms Nagle said. It’s an exciting time for these nurses as they are commencing their nursing careers during International
Year of the Nurse and the Midwife.”

It is our year to showcase the incredible work our nurses do in providing care to patients from pregnancy and birth, through to end-of-life care.” The new graduate nurses will be located across Darling Downs Health facilities.

Nurses Maddison Britain and Hayley Weise

Graduate nurse Maddison Britain said she was excited to start her career as a graduate nurse on the surgical ward at Toowoomba Hospital. I wanted to be a nurse after having many family experiences in hospitals growing up and seeing how the nurses cared for patients inspired me to do the same,” Ms Britain said. I am really looking forward to this learning experience and being exposed to different areas of nursing on the surgical ward.”

Graduate nurse Hayley Weise is heading to Medical Unit Three at Toowoomba Hospital and said she islooking forward to learning new skills in a practical environment. I chose nursing as my career as I wanted to help make someone’s worst day into something better by
being a helpful person,” Ms Weise said.

Maddison and Hayley will be one of 36 early-career nurses to start at Toowoomba Hospital this year. The graduate program is for 12 months and is an opportunity for the nurses to put everything they have learned at university into practice.

Submitted by:
Media Officer
Media, Communication and Engagement
Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service

Dams Closed To Water-based Activities

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Dams Closed To Water-based Activities

Toowoomba Regional Council has closed Cooby, Cressbrook and Perseverance Dams for water-based activities until further notice.

Due to health concerns related to increased microorganism levels Toowoomba Regional Council Water and Waste General Manager Damian Platts says Council officers had decided to stop water-based activities at all three dams as a safety precaution .

Council will conduct its regular testing regime to determine when each of the dams can re-open,” Mr Platts said. The microorganism levels represent no risk to drinking water supplies as the water treatment, and disinfection process removes them.”

Council monitors the three 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.

Even if we are not using a particular dam, but a test shows that levels are too high for primary contact (swimming) or secondary contact (boating) we inform Council’s Parks and Recreation Services branch about closing a facility to the public.”

To view activities open or closed at Toowoomba Regional Council’s water storage dams, please visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/damstatus

Submitted by:
Michael Duff
Senior Media Relations Officer
Stakeholder Engagement and Communications
Toowoomba Regional Council

CUA calls on volunteers to Step Up in 2020

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CUA calls on volunteers to Step Up in 2020

Volunteer registrations for Clean Up Australia Day 2020 are open with an appeal to Australians to step up on Sunday 1st March, to reduce the amount of waste across the Darling Downs.

We are calling on Australians to step up to clean up and join us on Sunday 1st March to collect as much of this waste as we can before it causes harm,” Chairman Pip Kearnan said.

Clean Up Australia Day is the nation’s largest community-based mobilisation event, and last year more than 680,000 volunteers removed over 15,000 ute loads of rubbish from the 6,901 registered locations across the country.

She said “Australia creates 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste each year1.  Only 12% of this is recycled with the rest ending up in our parks, roadsides, bush, waterways, oceans or in landfill as rubbish.
[cleveryoutube video=”FDPFt2uEjQk” vidstyle=”12″ pic=”” afterpic=”” width=”” quality=”inherit” starttime=”” endtime=”” caption=”” showexpander=”off” alignment=”left” newser=”” margin=”true”] It’s our 30th anniversary in 2020,” Ms Kiernan said. To celebrate that milestone, we’d love to see 700,000 Australians cleaning up at 8,000 sites nationally on March 1st.”

Clean Up Australia is more than just volunteers picking up rubbish. The charity works with community, business, schools and governments all year round to reduce waste and fix waste problems.

For 30 years now we’ve been cleaning up Australia. But Australians are creating more waste than ever, so we need more help. If people are unable to join a Clean Up on March 1, they can step up by donating to help us all year round,” Ms Kiernan said.

100% of funds raised through donations are allocated to the provision of educational resources and clean up materials provided free of charge to community, school and youth groups across the nation, throughout the year.

If you can’t join the Clean Up but would like to Step Up and make a donation to Clean Up Australia go to cleanup.org.au. Clean Up Australia is a registered charity and all donations over $2 and tax deductable.

For more information visit www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au

Lifeline Darling Downs’ Fundraising Dinner

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Lifeline Darling Downs’ Fundraising Dinner


Lifeline Darling Downs and South West Queensland Ltd are hosting a fundraising dinner on Saturday, 21st March to raise funds for their local drought and fire relief services.

With this year being 2020, the organisation has taken the opportunity to hold a 1920’s themed fundraiser with guests encouraged to dress in the style of the 1920’s or formal attire. Outfits can be found at many of their op shops across the region.

Given the ongoing drought and now, the impact of the bushfires in both Stanthorpe and Crow’s Nest, we need to raise vital funds for our local support services.”

“In 2019 we deployed staff to fire affected areas in Stanthorpe and Crow’s Nest where they were based in the community to provide counselling and emotional support, as well as monetary assistance where possible, to those who had been impacted,” he said.

“From past experience we know that residents will suffer trauma within the following six months after a natural disaster so we need to raise funds so that we can be there to assist”, Lifeline Darling Downs CEO, Derek Tuffield OAM went on to say.

Every year Lifeline Darling Downs receives drought donations and promptly distributes 100% of the funds to farmers and families who have been affected by the terrible effects of prolonged drought
conditions. Recently the scope of the appeal was extended to support families in South West Queensland who have also been affected by fire.

The Return to the Roaring 20’s” Fundraising Dinner will be held at the Cathedral Centre, Neil Street, Toowoomba from 6.30pm until late.
Tickets are $145 per person or $1,120 for a table of eight and are available at https://toowoombatickets.com.au/event/10791

Come along and enjoy dinner, dancing and a fundraising auction and help us support our local drought and fire support services. We look forward to welcoming you”, Mr. Tuffield said.

Click here to purchase your ticket.

For more information please call 1300 991 443.

Submitted by:
Kirsten McGovern
Manager Fundraising & Marketing
Lifeline Darling Downs & South West Queensland Ltd
33 Russell Street Toowoomba Qld 4350

 

The Chronicle Lifeline Bookfest 2020

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The Chronicle Lifeline Bookfest 2020

The Chronicle Lifeline Bookfest is just around the corner and this year this major fundraiser for Lifeline Darling Downs & South West Qld Ltd celebrates it’s 40th anniversary!

This year’s massive book sale will be held on Saturday 7th March and Sunday 8th March at the Founders Pavilion, Toowoomba Showgrounds.

It is hard to believe that we have been running our annual book sale for 40 years. It is thanks to the generous donations of books, dolls and toys from the community that we are able to put on such a fantastic sale every year,” Derek Tuffield OAM, CEO Lifeline Darling Downs and South West Quensland said.

“The Chronicle Lifeline Bookfest is a very important event for our organisation with all proceeds staying in our local area to fund our crisis support and suicide prevention services. We rely heavily on the funds raised to ensure we can continue to support those who are most in need,” he continued
There will be literally thousands of donated books on sale with nothing over $5 and many a lot less. There will also be plenty of toys, DVDs and games.

Doors open on Saturday 8am- 5pm and Sunday 8am – 2pm at the Toowoomba Showgrounds, Glenvale Road. With free admission, free parking and Eftpos available, this is the perfect time to stock up on
your winter reading material.

Volunteers are still needed for the event so if you can spare a few hours please call Nate on 4699 1625. For more information on services or to support Lifeline Darling Downs with this and other life
changing programs please call 1300 991 443 or visit www.lifelinedarlingdowns.org.au.

Submitted by:
Kirsten McGovern
Manager Fundraising & Marketing
Lifeline Darling Downs & South West Queensland Ltd
33 Russell Street Toowoomba Qld 4350
Ph 1300 991 443 

Tram Finds Its Way To Queensland

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Tram Finds Its Way To Queensland
Highfields Pioneer Village Manager Ray Ashford with Melbourne tram

The Volunteers of Highfields Pioneer Village, Museum & Park Inc. are very excited to announce their latest acquisition… a W Class Melbourne Tram from VIC Track!

The W-class trams are a family of electric trams built by the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB) between 1923 and 1956. Over the 33 years of production, 752 vehicles spanning 12 sub-classes were constructed, the majority at the MMTB’s Preston Workshops.

A small fleet continues to operate on the tramway network of Melbourne, where they are used on the City Circle tourist route and the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant service. The W-class tram is a cultural icon to Melbourne; those that remain in Melbourne are classified by the National Trust of Australia. As well as Melbourne, W-class trams operate on tourist and heritage systems across the world.

In October 2016, the Victorian government announced the formation of a reference group to formulate a strategy for the over 237 in-store at Newport Workshops.

In 2018, the results of the condition audit were published as part of the Daniel Andrews State Government’s Retired Trams Strategy.  The audit found there were 237 W-class trams in storage in 2018, with most not in a suitable condition for tourist operations.  Of the 237, 17 were operational for use on the City Circle line or the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant, 134, had a condition or significance that did not lend itself to being preserved for operations in any way. 

These trams were offered to the public by the State Government under an expression of interest process, with trams offered for free to schools, community groups and non-profit organisations. Private buyers and business could purchase a tram for $1,000 plus the cost of transport, with owners having to explain how they would restore, repurpose and maintain the trams for use. A panel was established to assess applications, with priority given to maintaining public access. Trams were expected to be used for purposes like cafes or classrooms.

More than 1,500 applications were received through the process and Highfields Pioneer Village was successful in our application”. Volunteer Manager Ray Ashford OAM says.

The first two W-Class trams to leave Newport Workshop under the process were acquired by the City of Launceston in Tasmania in 2019 to be restored and used in a public space.

The Tram is an SW-6 class and were introduced in 1939 and were followed by the W6-class which were produced between 1951 and 1955, 150 were built in total”. Ray says.

At their introduction, W6-class trams were popular with passengers and crew alike for being fast, smooth and comfortable. The cab controls are the same as of other W-class trams. The first 40 had flip-over wooden seats in the end saloons, the remainder having upholstered bus seats. All had wooden seats in the centre saloon until the 1970s when the entire class was refurbished with upholstered seats throughout.

As of January 2020, one tram (961) remains in service with Yarra Trams in original condition. Two W6 and twelve SW6 trams are in the hands of preservation groups, one of which is used as a café tram in Bendigo. Three SW6-class trams also operate on the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant service.

When asked why a Melbourne Tram? Ray comments The Melbourne Tram is a wonderful piece of Australian History and deserves preservation. The Tram will be a unique venue for Weddings, photo shoots, birthday parties and an asset to our educational program for school groups as well”.

Highfields Pioneer Village volunteers are seeking donations from local businesses and individuals to help with the restoration of the tram, Highfields Pioneer Village is a registered charity and all donations are tax deductible. For more information please contact the Village office on (07) 4696 6309.

Submitted by:
Jody Dodds
Treasurer
Highfields Pioneer Village, Museum and Park Inc.
Non-profit organisation run entirely by Volunteers.
Open 10am to 4pm Daily

Hospice Nurses Shown Recognition

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Hospice Nurses Shown Recognition

The Toowoomba Hospice will be celebrating International Year of the Nurse and Midwife with a ‘Big Thank You’ lunch this Friday, 14th February 2020.

Toowoomba Hospice Chairman, Mr Graham Barron OAM says, Nurses come from all different ages and backgrounds, but are united in their efforts to help the Hospice’s vision ‘in providing quality palliative and respite care based on mutual respect, trust and individual needs.’

We appreciate our Nurses very much and we are extremely grateful for their commitment to the Hospice. This is why we like to have get togethers throughout the year to show our appreciation.” said Mr Barron.

Nurses and Midwives play a vital role in providing health services. These are the people who devote their lives to caring for mothers and children; giving lifesaving immunizations and health advice; looking after older people and generally meeting everyday essential health needs. They are often, the first and only point of care in their communities.

The world needs 9 million more nurses and midwives if it is to achieve universal health coverage by 2030. – That’s why the World Health Assembly has designated 2020 the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife. (source from https://www.who.int/news room/campaigns/year-of-the-nurse-and-the-midwife-2020 )

Toowoomba Hospice Director of Nursing, Mrs Eugenie Corbett said, Nursing and Midwifery will be in the spotlight throughout 2020, which has been declared the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife by the World Health Organization.

In conjunction with this, the Nightingale Bicentenary Celebrations are also taking place globally this year. At the Toowoomba Hospice we acknowledge that we cannot care for our patients without the dedicated, caring nurses, who are professionally trained in palliative care, and have a desire to work at the Hospice as ‘ministering angels’. They work quietly and  tirelessly on public holidays, weekends and nights. They provide holistic evidence-based care, but most importantly, they strive for a dignified end as they partner with families in their final journey”. said Mrs Corbett.

The Toowoomba Hospice also acknowledges the importance of future nurses, by providing a supportive mentoring role to USQ and Tafe Student Nurses, during their clinical placements at the Hospice. The nurses of the future keep us motivated.

The Toowoomba Hospice provides free Palliative care in partnership with the community for those with a terminal illness and is in O’Quinn Street. For more information on the Toowoomba Hospice or joining the Nursing team please call administration on 07 4659 8500 or email the Hospice on info@toowoombahospice.org.au

Submitted by:
Mark Munro
Toowoomba Hospice

Love is The Rose

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Love is The Rose

The Rose speaks to all Ages and in all Colours

The Queensland  State Rose  Garden’s Major Fundraiser of 2020 is their sale of Valentine’s Day floral arrangements. All Roses used  are purchased locally and NEVER PICKED FROM THE ROSE GARDEN.

Volunteers from Toowoomba’s Floral Art Group create beautiful arrangements  from  single Rose to Small, Medium and Tastefully larger at affordable prices. All proceeds go into  IMPROVEMENTS  in the Rose Garden.

Submitted by Regina Albion
Vice President
Queensland State Rose Garden
Newtown Park
Toowoomba

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