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FKG Tour of Toowoomba – 2014 Awards Finalist

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FKG Tour of Toowoomba – 2014 Awards Finalist

The FKG Tour of Toowoomba has been selected as one of three finalists in the Buzz Print Events and Tourism Award through this year’s Queensland Regional Achievement and Community Awards.

The annual awards program is presented by the Channel 7 Queensland and is supported by the Commonwealth Bank. The Awards recognise groups, business, individuals and communities who play a vital role in enhancing the social, environmental and economic prosperity of rural Queensland.

The Buzz Print Events and Tourism Award was developed to recognise community events and tourism projects in regional areas which encourage social, economic and tourism stimulus in their communities. These are events and tourism initiatives which help strengthen pride in a community and provide opportunities for new experiences, learning and enjoyment.
FKG Tour StartAs a four day, 5 stage road cycling race the FKG Tour of Toowoomba has become one of the largest regional National Road series events held within Queensland and uniquely it thrives with only a volunteer committee. The Tour is one of fourteen events that make up Cycling Australia’s, Subaru National Road Series competition. The FKG Tour of Toowoomba covers over 400km throughout rural roads within the Darling Downs and recently the committee has restructured the ride for the 2015 event, which is hoped to increase the appeal of the Tour with competitors, coaches and within key cycling bodies throughout Australia.

With strong support from local businesses, the community and media, the FKG Tour of Toowoomba brings over 5,000 spectators to the community along with over 144 competing riders. Working closely with local law enforcement and officials, the FKG Tour of Toowoomba has plans to increase event exposure by becoming a major sports tourism attraction and positioned as a World Pro 2 Tour by 2020.

The winner of the Buzz Print Events and Tourism Award will be announced at a Gala Dinner on Saturday 8th November at the Events Centre Caloundra. The winner will be awarded $2,500 thanks to the Commonwealth Bank and a hand crafted glass trophy.

Tickets are now on sale for the State Gala Dinner, to book please phone 1300 735 445.

The Awards are proudly supported by Queensland Country Life and Angove Family Winemakers.

Submitted by:
Erika Hanratty
Awards Manager
Queensland Regional Achievement & Community Awards
T: 1300 735 445 | F: 02 9643 1733 |E: erika@awardsaustralia.com

Queens Park In Toowoomba To Shine For Leukaemia

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Queens Park In Toowoomba To Shine For Leukaemia

The Leukaemia Foundation’s most visually stunning and heartwarming event – Light the Night is set to light up Queens Park, Toowoomba at sunset this Wednesday 15 October. Hundreds of participants are expected to walk with coloured lanterns in an uplifting display of hope and compassion for blood cancer patients and their families.

Leukaemia Foundation of Queensland’s CEO, Bill Petch said around 10,000 Queenslanders across 13 separate locations were preparing to share a special evening with loved ones and supporters in the community who wished to brighten the lives of those touched by blood cancer. “Since it was first held in Queensland in 2008 Light the Night has become a treasured event giving the community a chance to show their understanding and support for blood cancer patients,” Mr Petch said.

  • “In Toowoomba a spectacular procession of lights will be created as walkers carry coloured lanterns around Queen’s Park.” Mr Petch said the evening’s program would run from 5.30pm at Queen’s Park and feature family friendly entertainment, inspirational stories from Light the Night ambassadors followed by the highlight of the evening — the lighting of the lanterns at sunset and a short walk by participants carrying lanterns of different colours, but each with a special meaning:

white lanterns carried by those who are living or have lived through a blood cancer diagnosis

blue is for our supporters and members of the community who want to see a world free from blood cancer, and

gold to represent friends and family lost to blood cancer.

“If you register by 5pm on October 14 your lantern is free,” Mr Petch said. “Otherwise you can buy one at the event on the night for $10.”
To sign up to this free community event visit www.lightthenight.org.au/lightthenightau@leukaemiaqld to share the experience.
What: Queen’s Park to shine for leukaemia
Where: Queen’s Park, (Frog’s Hollow), Toowoomba
When: Wednesday, 15 October from 5.30pm (walk commences 7pm)
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Get Involved With Aussie Backyard Bird Count!

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Get Involved With Aussie Backyard Bird Count!

Our native birds are in trouble. Natural habitats are suffering from droughts, floods, land clearing and any number of other threatening processes. Urbanisation typically results in a landscape vastly different from the original, with the original vegetation often surviving only in small pockets.

With our changing gardening styles, loss of natural habitat, and climate change amongst a range of pressures facing our native birds, we are at serious risk of losing a great many of these species. Some bird species simply cannot make the transition into urban areas.

Join thousands of people from 20-26 October 2014 for the AUSSIE BACKYARD BIRD COUNT — BirdLife Australia’s first nationwide bird survey 20/10/2014 to 26/10/2014.

All you need is 20 minutes, your favourite green patch and some keen eyesight (or binoculars!). The ABBC will provide an important snapshot of the birds that live where people live. This is our first survey, but with each new year we will be able to look at the trends in our bird communities.

Even in this first year though we will make some interesting discoveries †which state has the most birds? Which birds are doing well? Who is not? Record the birds you see on our brand new Aussie Bird Count app (or website) and you’ll instantly see live information on how many people are taking part near you and the number of birds and species counted right across your neighbourhood and the whole of Australia!

Find out more on the Aussie Backyard Bird Count’s website.

 

Pittsworth Celebrates Spring With Craft And Fine Food Spectacular

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Pittsworth Celebrates Spring With Craft And Fine Food Spectacular

Held annually since 2004, the Pittsworth Craft and Fine Food Spectacular extends over three days, being held in the Pittsworth Town Hall on the 10th, 11th and 12th October in 2014. Run by St Andrew’s Anglican Parish, it has established a reputation of bringing together the best the region has to offer.

Craft and Fine Food Spectacular in Town Hall
Craft and Fine Food Spectacular in Town Hall

While in Pittsworth you’re invited to visit the competition gardens (maps available from the Town Hall), the Spring Art Exhibition in the Pittsworth Art Gallery in Short Street, and Amaroo, a historic 100 years old residence in Murray Street. Also see the church floral displays, quilt exhibition, shop window displays and more.

Click here for Report on this year’s event

 

“Raise Your Voice” and Support Australia’s Carers

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“Raise Your Voice” and Support Australia’s Carers

Australians everywhere are raising their voices as part of a new initiative for Carers Week, in support of this country’s 2.7 million unpaid carers – that’s 1 in 8 Australians who are taking care of someone who cannot properly look after themselves.

Carers provide unpaid care and support to family members and friends who have a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness, an alcohol or other drug issue or who are frail aged.

Carers come from all walks of life: from kids under 10 to people well into their 80s and 90s. Most of us don’t realise it, but at some point in our lives, it’s likely that we will either be a carer or we will need a carer. If all the unpaid carers stopped providing their support, it would cost Australia well over $40 billion annually to fill the gap.

There are more than 494,000 unpaid carers in Queensland; 60,300 of them are young carers aged 15 to 24.

October 12th to 18th is Carers Week, and this year Australians are being encouraged to celebrate the extraordinary contribution carers make to our country by raising their voices and showing their support online. It’s a chance to let carers know they’re not alone: that we recognise the selfless work they do every day.
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A not-for-profit organisation, Carers Australia is the peak carers’ body in Australia and works across all States and Territories to raise awareness and provide support, advice and opportunities that meet the needs of carers, regardless of their age, gender, circumstance or location. For more information on Carers Australia, contact Kath Caller at Carers Australia on 02 6122 9917
Carers Week Website

Minister In Toowoomba To Launch Open House

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Minister In Toowoomba To Launch Open House

Queensland’s Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection, Andrew Powell officially launched the 2014 Toowoomba Open House event at a function at the Cobb & Co Museum.  Guests were also addressed by Toowoomba Open House Coordinator, Stephanie Keays, Deputy Chair of the Queensland Heritage Council John Cotter, CEO of the National Trust of Australia (Queensland) Stewart Armstrong and Toowoomba Regional Councillor, Ros Scotney.

Minister Andrew Powell chatting with Stephanie Keays
Minister Andrew Powell chatting with Stephanie Keays
The Toowoomba Open House Festival of Architecture runs from October 12 – 19.  

Sunday October 12 Toowoomba Architects’ Design Trail
Monday October 13 Toowoomba Historical Society Public Lecture featuring the work of architect William Hodgen Jnr
Tuesday October 14 Launch of #toh4kids
Wednesday October 15 Volunteer training Masonic Temple
Thursday October 16 Architecture: Made by Women Exhibition Opens
Friday October 17 Laneway Discovery Walk
Saturday October 18
Drayton & Toowoomba Cemetery Tombstone Tour
Transport and Main Road Heritage Museum special open day
Toowoomba Open House official launch event
Artsong at the Inn (Royal Bull’s Head Inn, Drayton)
Sunday October 19 Open House for 30 Buildings

The website and Facebook pages have the full details of the program.

Residents Urged To Understand Bushfire Warnings

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Residents Urged To Understand Bushfire Warnings

Would you know what to do if you heard a bushfire Advice, Watch and Act or Emergency Warning message over the radio? Would you know the difference between the warnings issued or when to enact your bushfire survival plan?

rural firefightersRural Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ) South Western Regional Manager Lawrence Laing said during a bushfire incident, different warning messages could be issued to provide valuable advice to residents in an affected area. “Emergency services personnel issue community warning messages through media and social media channels during significant bushfire incidents,” Mr Laing said.

“Community warning messages are used to inform residents of threat to properties, time to impact, the direction and strength of the fire and the steps residents must take to survive, and may be heard on the radio or viewed online, as well as via other media channels, he said.

“It’s essential for all Queenslanders to educate themselves and their families and understand the levels of warning now to ensure they aren’t confused or panicked if a community warning is issued for their area this bushfire season. Being properly prepared can increase your chance of survival in an emergency, and knowing how to process these warnings is a part of bushfire preparation.”

Lawrence Laing (left) with Shane Hopton - Lee Constable photo
Lawrence Laing (left) with Shane Hopton – Lee Constable photo

Mr Laing said there were three official levels of bushfire warnings which could be issued by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) as an event escalated. These include:

Advice †you should monitor conditions and review your bushfire survival plan;

Watch and Act †conditions are changing and you should start taking action and follow your bushfire survival plan;

Emergency Warning †you are in danger and you should immediately act on your bushfire survival plan.

“If a community warning is issued in your area, you must tune into your local news broadcaster as emergency services personnel will be providing local radio with the most up to date information as it comes to hand,” he said. “Warnings are not only distributed by the media or on social media platforms. Firefighters, State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers or police may be doorknocking in the area or you could receive an Emergency Alert message on your mobile or home phone with advice on the situation and where to go for further information. ”

“If you feel that your property or life is threatened by a bushfire you should call Triple Zero (000) immediately.”

Mr Laing said it was also important to keep a close eye on Fire Danger Ratings in your local area and when travelling in an area of high bushfire risk.

“Every day during the bushfire season, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) will forecast an outlook of the Fire Danger Index (FDI). This takes into account temperature, humidity, wind speed and dryness of vegetation, and guides QFES to determine the Fire Danger Rating for the day,” he said. “The Fire Danger can range from ‘Low to Moderate’ to ‘Catastrophic’ and can assist you in preparing what actions you might take if a fire were to break out on a particular day.

“All of these methods of messaging are designed to be as informative as possible so you are able to make the best decisions for your family ahead of bushfire threat.

Mr Laing suggests visiting  the RFSQ website to learn about community warning messages and Fire Danger Ratings now.

For more information on community warnings messages visit https://ruralfire.qld.gov.au/Fire_Safety_and_You/Prepare.Act.Survive/Index.html
and for information on Fire Danger Ratings visit https://ruralfire.qld.gov.au/FDRG.html

Submitted by:
Jessica Saxton
Media Officer
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services

Ostwald Bros Wins Queensland Safety Excellence Award

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Ostwald Bros Wins Queensland Safety Excellence Award

Dalby-based construction and resource services company Ostwald Bros has been awarded the State’s highest construction safety accolade at a gala dinner in Brisbane .

The Queensland Project Safety Excellence Award, presented by the Queensland Major Contractors Association (QMCA), the construction industry’s peak body, is designed to recognise outstanding contributions to workplace health and safety at a project level. In particular, the Award seeks to recognise innovation and the project manager’s own personal commitment to safety initiatives.

Ostwald Bros COO Steve Abson said he was incredibly proud of the team involved with its APLNG Rig Pads & Roads Project who beat five other contenders to take out the top award. “The project, located in Queensland’s Surat Basin, involves the provision of appropriate access roads and stable, flat, safe rig pads on which gas drilling facilities can be established for the operation of an energised gas field,” Mr Abson said. “The project is spread over a vast area which is loosely bounded by the townships of Chinchilla, Miles, Roma and Wandoan and generally has no road network.

“Our team used modern technologies like Google Earth to develop a smartphone APP to make tracking patterns in remote and rugged terrain safer and also developing a pilot Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) system for site reviews without being exposed to the hazards of traversing the field. “We’re committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace in all of our operations but it’s definitely a great achievement for a privately owned family company like Ostwald Bros to achieve big things, particularly for innovative projects like this and to be recognised by industry peers at the highest level.”

QMCA President Tony Hackett said the Queensland Project Safety Excellence Award, now in its 14th year, is the State’s most prestigious construction industry safety award. “This year’s award was a closely fought battle with Ostwald Bros coming out on top against some of the biggest construction giants in the Queensland industry and I congratulate them on this accomplishment,” Mr Hackett said. “Ostwald Bros was a stand-out performer and their passionate approach and relentless pursuit in keeping people safe was definitely on display. Our annual safety excellence award encourages ever-higher safety standards and showcases the tremendous work of our member companies in this critical area.”

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