Following a successful launch of NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), USQ astronomers will be ready to begin planetary observations .
The TESS launch will mark a major expansion of the search for planets beyond the Solar system and is expected to catalogue thousands of exoplanets in addition to those already discovered by the Kepler mission.
NASA image
USQ will play an important role as host to the only Southern Hemisphere site fully dedicated to collecting and analysing ground-based observations – the MINERVA-Australis project at Mount Kent Observatory.
USQ astronomers will be watching the launch live on-campus. (Deferred from Monday, April 16, at 6.32pm in Florida (Tuesday, April 17, at 8.32am AEST) now rescheduled to Wednesday (Thusday April 19 at 8.51am AEST).
The launch of the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) â€â€Ã‚ from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station  has been delayed by at least 48 hours due to an issue with the spacecraft’s rocket ride, a SpaceX Falcon 9.
“Standing down today to conduct additional GNC analysis, and teams are now working towards a targeted launch of @NASA_TESS on Wednesday, April 18 (Thursday April 19 at 8.51am AEST)”,SpaceX representatives wrote on Twitter. (“GNC” stands for “guidance, navigation and control).”
The 3 Day Highfields Pioneer Village Easter Vintage Festival is running on Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday 31st March, 1st and 2nd April 2018. The theme of the festival is ËœFollowing Footsteps”. Come and experience rural life in the Australian Pioneer days! Milk a cow, learn how to crack a whip or be a blacksmith.
Animal Nursery
Enjoy Billy tea and damper made on authentic camp ovens. Don’t miss the spectacular Grand Parade and the baby animals nursery. There will be live music and great food. You might even encounter the infamous bush ranger Ned Kelly!
Whether you love history, you’re a vintage machinery buff or you are just looking for great entertainment, you will have a wonderful time at the Easter Vintage Festival. It is an affordable, entertaining weekend for all ages. Past visitors have come for a day and returned for all three!
Historic Tractors
The Queensland Government, via Tourism and Events Queensland, is proud to support the Easter Vintage Festival which features on the Live! in Queensland events calendar. Queensland, just the place to experience Australia’s best live events.
There truly is something for everyone at the Easter Vintage Festival, so gather up your family and friends and keep the Australian Pioneering Spirit Alive – just 15 mins drive north of Toowoomba at Highfields Pioneer Village, Wirraglen Road Highfields, Queensland.
The Village is open from 9am to 5pm each day of the Festival.
Entry Fees
$20 Adults, $15 Concession, $5 Child, $45 Family (2 Adults and 4 Children under 15yrs).
Please note there are now Eftpos and credit card facilites at the Village. There will be an ATM available for the three days.
For those people who want to save time this Easter- tickets for the Easter Vintage Festival are available for purchase online: http://www.eastervintagefestival.com/
Submitted by: Jody Dodds Treasurer Highfields Pioneer Village, Museum and Park Inc. (a non-profit organisation run entirely by volunteers)
Photo Report
Louise Howard, Christine Wells, Cherie Woodard of 19th Century QueenslandEaster Pioneer Village Easter Festival historical skit – Ned KellySoil Researcher Bevan McLeod with quality produce for sale at the Village Markets
Highfields Pioneer Village – Milking the CowHomebuilt tractor in the Grand ParadeCinderella Coach from the Village CollectionDoug Ashford and Jody DoddsScene from the Grand ParadeJoanne Kiepe and Richard W.
A documentary created by two lecturers from USQ’s School of Arts and Communication has been nominated for three awards in the inaugural OzFlix Independent Film Awards.
Written and directed by Leonie Jones and produced by Dr Daryl Sparkes, the documentary titled The Battle of Fire Support Base Coral tells the largely untold and unknown story of the longest and hardest battle fought by Australian soldiers in the Vietnam War.
The documentary took seven years to make, in which time, as part of her PhD research, Ms Jones travelled across Australia and Vietnam to interview more than 150 veterans who were involved in the battle at fire support bases in Coral and Balmoral. It was first broadcast in November, 2016 on Foxtel’s The History Channel and will screen again on Anzac Day 2018 in the lead-up to the 50th anniversary of the battle in May.
USQ lecturers Leonie Jones (second from left) and Dr Daryl Sparkes (far right) with narrator William McInnes and special effects technician James Miller (USQ Photography).
The OzFlix Independent Film Awards, dubbed “The Ozziesâ€Â, celebrate the achievements of independent Australian films made for less than $5 million and recognise the outstanding efforts of talented practitioners who work within the film industry.
Ms Jones, a lecturer in Film Production and Cinema Studies at USQ Toowoomba, said more than 100 films were up for nomination with The Battle of Fire Support Base Coral honoured in the same categories as multi-million dollar feature films such as Sweet Country and The Butterfly Tree. “We are up against some exceptional films and for our documentary to be recognised, in several categories in this class, is an honour,†she said.
“I am also very proud that an Australian story, the story of a Battalion of Australian Vietnam War soldiers, has been recognised and supported by the industry. The veterans of the Battle of Coral and Balmoral are now becoming one of our Anzac stories and I am thrilled for the recognition they will receive through this nomination.â€Â
The documentary was created with production support from special effects technician James Miller, camera operators Stuart Thorp and Daniel Maddock, and animations from Matt Nielsen.
The Battle of Fire Support Base Coral landed an “Ozzie†nomination in the categories of ‘Best Production Design’, ‘Best Sound Design’ and ‘Best Special Visual Effects’. The winners will be announced in Melbourne Saturday April 7th.
To learn more about studying media production at USQ, visit www.usq.edu.au/study/degrees/arts/film-television-and-radio.
Local singers will have their chance to shine on Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th March when Opera Queensland hold Project G&S auditions for its star-studded production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s Ruddigore, or the Witch’s Curse!, paving the way for 10 men and 10 women to sing and dance in the community chorus.  ÂÂ
Successful local  singers will take part in a free, intensive development program over eight weeks of rehearsals, honing their singing, dancing and stagecraft skills with a local chorus master and Assistant Director Sean Andrews.
Project G&S chorus members will also form new friendships, meet creative contacts and learn a thing or two about gothic horror, humour and hijinks †before taking centre stage at the Empire Theatre, Toowoomba on Thursday 23rd August 2018.
Opera Queensland will be working with a passionate Toowoomba chorus master, rehearsal coordinator and the Toowoomba Regional Council to ensure the highest standard of performance and personal development opportunities are achieved for the 20 selected local singers.
Five other regional communities † Rockhampton, The Gold Coast, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns †will take part in Project G&S.
With chorus ladies frocked up as bridesmaids and gentlemen donning cricket whites, successful auditionees will sing alongsideRuddigore’s impressive cast including stage and screen actor Bryan Probets, multi-talented Kransky sister Christine Johnston, effervescent soprano Natalie Christie Peluso and Helpmann award-winner Kanen Breen.
Opera Queensland has experienced great success since its world-first initiative Project Puccini in 2014, which saw hundreds of people in eight Queensland regions compete for 384 spots to sing in La bohème. In 2016 Opera Queensland delivered Project Rossini, which resulted in more than 250 Queenslanders performing in front of their home crowds in The Barber of Seville. Both projects changed lives and filled theatres across the state.
Opera Queensland’s Manager of Open Stage, Mark Taylor, said he couldn’t wait for Project G&S to transform the lives of more Queenslanders when auditions kicked off in February 2018.
“The past two community projects we toured across Queensland were honestly jaw-dropping experiences. The amount of talent we continue to find through our regional initiatives such as Project G&S is inspiring,†said Mr Taylor.
“This year, I have the pleasure of working with Opera Queensland’s star music director Narelle French, who will head the audition process. Narelle is one of Australia’s most respected and versatile pianists and musicians, and I can not wait for her to witness some of the great talent on offer.
“We urge everyone who loves to sing to give Project G&S auditions a go. The audition process is a fun, thrilling and surprising journey †you won’t know what will come of it unless you give it a try. You might get to star in a rare gem of the Gilbert & Sullivan repertoire.”
“Opera Queensland is passionate about bringing opera to regional Queensland,  and continuing to offer high-quality experiences and engagement programs such as Project G&S. So make sure you get involved.†Ruddigore, or the Witch’s Curse! enjoyed a successful Brisbane season in 2017 at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), it tells the story of the shy and law-abiding, gentleman farmer Robin Oakapple who is working up the courage to ask the beautiful Rose Maybud to marry him. But he has a dark secret; he is the heir to a terrible curse befalling all Baronets of Ruddigore and has been living in disguise to escape his fate. When the truth is discovered, Robin is bound to obey the family curse that dictates he must commit a dastardly crime every day †or face a torturous death.
Brilliant musical gems such as the ‘Matter’ trio and Rose’s ‘Etiquette’ song will dazzle, and this production reveals Gilbert & Sullivan in a way never seen before. Lindy Hume’s irreverent, fast-paced direction and Richard Roberts’ sepia-toned Victoriana-inspired designs promise a fun night out of madness and mayhem.
Regional Queensland can expect some delicious Pythonesque surprises, crazy larger than life characters, uninhibited villainy, the living dead and a haunted castle.
Project G&S is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland’s Playing Queensland Fund. ÂÂ
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Registrations close Friday 16th March at 5pm!!!! Don’t forget!
Also, remember to pick up your packs which include a race bib, event T-shirt and all the paperwork you need. They can be picked up at the following times:
Saturday 17th March : 2.00pm – 5.00pm from TACAPS Oval (1 Campbell Street, Toowoomba)
Sunday 18th March: From 5.30am from TACAPS Oval (1 Campbell Street, Toowoomba)
With some stunning weather expected, register now and have a fantastic day helping to raise funds for some really worthy local charities, Vanguard Laundry Services and the Milne Bay Military Museum, who are currently searching for a new home.
Rotary Edge is a club of younger, Toowoomba professionals who get together to run great events like this one, and to grow their friends’ circle. If you are looking for a way to ‘give back’ into the community, consider joining Rotary Edge. This growing, dynamic group are always looking for like-minded, giving locals to join their club.
For up to date information like our Facebook page.
Please feel free to share this info with your friends and to challenge any business you like. We will happily post the challenge on our Facebook page.
Sunday, March 18th Race packs and race check : Saturday 2.00pm – 5.00pm or Sunday from 5.30am Pre-race presentation 6.45am Race start – 7am 7km/15km/30km Trail Run/Walk through Toowoomba’s iconic Redwood and Jubilee Parks Lots of categories for teams and schools!
REGISTER NOW
Can’t wait to see you again this year!
Tressa Lindenberg – 0402 211 339 Event Director 2018 Milne Bay Military Challenge
Spring Bluff will commemorate the 76th anniversary of the departure of World War 2 Cabarlah Barracks troops this St Patrick’s Day, Saturday 17 March.
The service remembers the 1,000 strong 25th Battalion soldiers who made their way down the escarpment in darkness, and boarded trains at Spring Bluff railway station for the Brisbane Exhibition Grounds, Townsville and eventually Milne Bay.
The battalion fought in the battle of Milne Bay in 1942 and later the battle of Bougainville in 1945.
Cr Joe Ramia, chair of Spring Bluff Trust Management Committee, said the event holds special significance to the Toowoomba Region. “We’re a region of rich traditions and our region proudly commemorates our veterans,†Cr Ramia said.
“Our nation would not be the free society it is today without the sacrifice of those who fought for this country. The 25th Battalion marched from their base at Cabarlah barracks and this ceremony holds particular significance to the Toowoomba area.
“More than 200 soldiers did not return from battles with Japanese forces at Milne Bay in 1942 and Bougainville in 1945. “These troops are local heroes,†Cr Ramia said.
The President of the 25th Battalion Association is also encouraging families and friends of the Veterans from the 1942 march to attend the service
“It’s extremely important that we continue this tradition now and into the future,†Cr Ramia said. “Every year, the returned members of the Battalion join us to commemorate their comrades, and continuing this tradition is only possible through community support.
“The service falls on a Saturday this year, so the opportunity to attend is far easier for members of the public. I would encourage those with a connection to the men who marched on St Patrick’s Day 1942 to attend this special annual commemoration service commencing at 2.00pmâ€Â.
The Spring Bluff Trust committee – comprising Toowoomba Regional Council, Lockyer Valley Council and Queensland Rail – is proud to hold the commemorative service each year recognising the sacrifice made by the men of the 25th Battalion. This little Station means so much to the veterans and their families.
For more information, contact the Secretary of the Spring Bluff Railway Station Trust Management Committee on 4688 6883 or visit www.tr.qld.gov.au.
Drug rehabilitation centre Fresh Hope, after 19 years of helping mothers beat addiction, has sadly closed.
Founders John and Karen Bartlett have helped almost 400 women in the 19 years since they quit their jobs and began their rehab clinic which allowed mothers recovering from addiction to live with their children
Member for Toowoomba South David Janetzki said Fresh Hope kept children out of foster care as it was the only centre in Queensland which kept mothers and their children together during their 12-month rehabilitation program.
“Many mothers who sought help at Fresh Hope came from a long line of addicts who grew up in foster care themselves and then lost their own children because of their drug or alcohol addiction,†Mr Janetzki said. “Through Fresh Hope, John and Karen were breaking the generational cycle of addition by empowering mothers to develop a drug-free, healthy lifestyle for their families,†he said. “Services like this are what make our community great and we need to do what we can to support them in the future.†Mr Bartlett said Fresh Hope lost its $300,000-a-year federal funding to pay staff in 2016 because of disagreements over how to run the program.
“We were given our new contract at 3pm on the Thursday and told if it was not signed and sent back by noon Friday and the federal election was called, we would lose our funding,†Mr Bartlett said.
“I didn’t have time to present it to our Board, or a solicitor, or negotiate and sure enough the election was called that weekend. We discovered that all other drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres had received their new contracts one month before,†he said.
Since June 2016, Fresh Hope had been running on a volunteer basis using dwindling donations. Mr Bartlett has appealed to both State and Federal Governments for funding.
Mr and Mrs Bartlett have shed a lot of tears since the Board decided to close the doors at Fresh Hope on February 28. “This was our life 24 hours a day, seven days a week,†he said.“Since mid-December I have had over 70 phone calls from mothers wanting to access our facility and we’ve had to say no.â€Â
Tamara, 26, was the last mother to finish the Fresh Hope program in December and said it saved her life “Before I came to Fresh Hope my life was messed up,†she said.“I lost my kids and my life was all about drugs, violence and crime.â€Â
Tamara’s two daughters Dekota Rose, 4, and Deliha Rayan, 2, had been in foster care for 18 months before she began rehabilitation at Fresh Hope in March last year.
Tamara’s life of addiction began when she left home in her early teens. “First I was a paint sniffer, then a drinker and then I started using drugs,†she said. “I was on drugs for 12 years †heroin, methamphetamine, speed, cocaine, ecstasy, pot †I was on it all and having cocktails of it”.
“But then at Fresh Hope I started detoxing from all the drugs, I got my kids back and I became me again.â€Â
Tamara and the other women were taught about parenting, cooking, cleaning, how to budget, how to rent property, and develop a network of friends who will help them stay sober after they leave.
“It was challenging because they change your thinking,†Tamara said. “They get you out of the justifying and the self-pity and the ‘why me’ thoughts and brought out the woman in me,†she said.
Mrs Bartlett, a former social worker, said it was commonly understood that whatever age a young person began substance abuse was the age at which they stopped developing emotionally. “We could be teaching basic care and parenting stills to a mother who might have been 30 but emotionally was only 15,†she said.
Tamara is now living in her own home with her children who think of Mr and Mrs Bartlett as grandparents “Everything John and Karen do is from the heart,†she said. “Fresh Hope was amazing and I am just so happy †it brings peace to my heart to have my children at home with me.â€Â
Seen in happier times – from left to right Mary Jibson, John Bartlett, Lee Collins, with Deb Frecklington (Member for Nanango) and Will Curtis
Submitted by: Lacey Maguire
Media Adviser Office of David Janetzki MP Member for Toowoomba South Shadow Attorney-General and Shadow Minister for Justice Email:  toowoomba.south@parliament.qld.gov.au
World Science Festival Brisbane returns to Toowoomba with an incredible science event on Friday 16th March 2018. There are limited tickets available so book your tickets now so you don’t miss out!Join the fight against superbugs with cutting-edge science as your defence. Antibiotic drugs have saved millions of lives since the 1940s. However, while disease-causing bacteria have changed, our pharmaceutical weapons have not, raising the threat of deadly armies of superbugs. The medical and scientific community is rallying but will they crack the microbial codes in time?Our panel will discuss how science, government and industry must join forces to defend us in the escalating war of resistance.
Date: Friday, 16th March 2018 Venue: The Empire Theatre, Neil Street, Toowoomba Time: 7:00pm until 8:30pm Cost: Adult $15 / Concession & Student $10
