The local community has been generous in loaning memorabilia for display for ANZAC Day, 2014. Conceived by Highfields Community Sports Club manager Steve Lean, the display has been arranged by ex-servicemen Clarrie Stjernquist, Bill Mason and Anthony Lund. It’s well worth seeing! Some of the features are a portrait photograph of Australia’s first indigenous commissioned officer, Captain Reg Saunders MBE, a BSA despatch riders motor cycle and a rare, original Camel Corps bugle.
As Australians prepare to commemorate Anzac Day, Australia Post has released the first stamp issue in a five-year series designed to tell the chronological story of our nation’s involvement in World War I. Between 2014 and 2018 Australia will commemorate 100 years since WWI, a conflict which helped to define our country.
As the organisation that helped deliver precious letters between WWI soldiers and home, Australia Post is intrinsically linked to the Anzacs, a connection which it hopes to honour through this commemorative stamp issue.
“During the next five years of commemoration we hope to join all Australians in honouring the contribution made by Anzacs and hope that these stamps serve as a symbol of our appreciation to those who made the ultimate sacrifice,†said Michael Zsolt, Manager Philatelic, Australia Post.
Each of the five stamp issues has been developed in conjunction with the Australian War Memorial to encompass key events, battles and individuals relevant to each year of the centenary. Dr Brendan Nelson, Director, Australian War Memorial, says that the centenary stamp issue complements the War Memorial’s planned centenary activity.
“Through our centenary commemorations we hope to encourage Australians, young and old, to reflect upon and learn more about Australia’s military history. These stamps are a brilliant visual representation of Australia’s involvement in World War I, but more importantly, each tells a significant story that we can learn from and be proud of,” said Dr Nelson.
This 2014 stamp issue marks Australia’s involvement in the first months of war, with five domestic base-rate (70c) stamps entitled:
 War Declared! ! †Volunteers queuing to enlist in Sydney.
 Australians i n Action †The seizure of German New Guinea †the first action in which Australians were involved.
 Troops Depart †The enthusiasm of new recruits as they departed for Europe.
 Training Mena Camp †Australians with a mascot at Egypt’s Mena Camp.
 Our Boys †Three unknown soldiers in a studio portrait, representing the tens of thousands of young men who fought in a war half a world away.
The WWI centenary stamp issue comprises a minisheet, stamp pack, first day cover, maxicards, medallion cover, booklet of 10 x 70c self-adhesive stamps and two postal and numismatic covers. The stamps and associated products are available from participating Australia Post retail outlets, via mail order on 1800 331 794 and online at auspost.com.au/stamps from 22 April 2014 while stocks last.
 The Felton District is just 30kms south-west of Toowoomba and is a picturesque part of the Darling Downs. Felton boasts magnificent scenery, clean air, rich fertile black soils and a climate which enables them to grow food crops all year round.
Felton produces a wide variety of crops including wheat, barley, chickpeas, mung beans, sunflowers, lettuce, cabbages, beetroot, celery and onions. It is also home to significant production of beef, lamb, pork, poultry, dairy and eggs.
The ‘Felton Food Festival’ is a great day out for all ages with plenty to eat, see and do. The third Food Festival is to be held on Sunday 27th April, 2014 (from 9am-4pm) and it promises to be even bigger and better than previous years.
The plots of different seed crops proved of great interest last year and this year they will be harvested as well (weather permitting), while celebrities Alastair McLeod and Costa Giorgiadis will surprise us again with their food preparation and gardening exploits. .A children’s art competition is also planned for the 2014 Festival and musical entertainment will happen throughout the day.
Free buses will run from Toowoomba as well as organised bus tours from Brisbane. Click here to find out more about Stonesteet’s Coaches timetable.
The organisers are dedicated to keeping the Felton Food Festival both entertaining and affordable for everyone.
For more details visit www.feltonfoodfestival.org.au
Submitted by:
Sally McCreath
Committee Member
Felton Food Festival
Judy James, Director of the Wilsonton Community Gallery reports the Gallery is doing amazingly well, all run by volunteers.
From 22nd April to the end of the month, a large triptich art work on canvas, 3 metres long entitled “Galaxy 1†will be on display at the Gallery. “Galaxy 1†has been created by Toowoomba artist, Judith Emmerson James for clients in Melbourne.
New Tuesday art classes are starting in this school term. with many of the classes being run by art teachers in the studio space at the rear of the gallery on weekdays.
All art works in the gallery are by local artists and many are offering a discount on their art works for Mother’s Day gifts, with reasonable prices for all works, and laybys available.
The gallery has been acclaimed by all who come to view – some 900 visitors in three months, as being the first and only community gallery on the western side of Toowoomba, supporting local artists with interesting and changing exhibitions.
The Gallery, which is a community project sponsored by the Toowoomba Regional Council, is located in Wilsonton Shopping Centre, next to the NAB.  Find the Wilsonton Community Gallery on Facebook
Submitted by:
Judy James
Wilsonton Community Gallery
Catholic Super’s free seminar is designed to keep locals informed about Catholic Financial Services’ Aged Care Advice to help you make well informed decisions when the time comes.
Each 60 minute session will cover:
• The types of aged care services available
• The costs of residential aged care
• The payment options available to you
• Strategies to cover the costs and create an optimal financial outcome
• The impact of changes from 1 July 2014
Register your attendance: online: www.csf.com.au/seminars or telephone: 1300 730 327
Presented by Matthew Kalz, Catholic Super Financial Planner
Date: Wednesday, April 30 2014
Time: 5.45pm
Location: The Shrine, 502-514 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba
Cost: Free of charge
About Catholic Super
Catholic Super has been a leading provider of superannuation and retirement services to members and employers across Australia for more than 40 years. Commencing operations in 1971, With competitive fees, we have been consistently proven to be one of the best value for money super funds in Australia.
We have received multiple nominations for the “Super of the Year” and “Pension of the Year” awards, been recognised for excellence in member satisfaction and for demonstrating strong responsible investing and social principles.
Our funds are open to all investors and today we have around 70,000 members across Australia. We also offer financial planning advice through Catholic Financial Services. For more information about Catholic Super, visit our website www.csf.com.au or call 1300 655 002.
Looking for something for the family to do on Easter Saturday?? Head to Atkinson’s Dam in the Lockyer Valley for a big Family Fun Day.. There will be Go-kart racing, Jumping Castle, a Rock climbing wall & a Bungee Jumper…. Plus plenty of entertainment with Shane Kelly & Strange Brew on stage with special guests Kevin Borich & Phil Emmanuel….. Adults $10 and kids Under 14 free…. Proceeds to aid the Toowoomba Hospital Children’s Appeal… For further details 07 5426 4151 or 0412 323 696.
Submitted by:
Peter Rookas
CEO
Toowoomba Hospital Foundation
During the Easter weekend, most of Queen’s Park and some of Toowoomba’s CBD is converted into an event precinct for Australia’s largest drug and alcohol-free festival. Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend the ticketed and free events during three-day festival over Good Fraday, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday.
The artist lineup in 2014 is bigger than ever, with two of the headliners being Evermore and Jars of Clay, and performers representing heavy metal to traditional gospel, hip hop to country, punk to children’s entertainment. There will also be appearances by 2013 X Factor winner Dami Im.
For the first time, a separately ticketed event, Easter Jazz will run alongside the main Easterfest program showcasing ARIA award-winning acapella group, The Idea Of North, and international award-winning vocalist Kristin Berardi.ÂÂ
On Sunday, more than 1,010 people are required in Queens Park (ticketed area) to take part in a Guinness world record attempt. Bush dance band, the ‘smashing bumpkins’ will lead the attempt for the largest number of people bush dancing at once.
For full details on Easterfest, go to http://easterfest.com.au/
