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World-First Opera Project For Toowoomba

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Toowoomba is to be one of eight regional communities involved in an  Opera Queensland world-first project that will give nearly 400 everyday people the opportunity to perform in the chorus of a brand new production of La
bohème.

‘Project Puccini’ is a hugely ambitious $2 million initiative, which will train 48 Queenslanders in each participating region to sing and act alongside OperaQ’s principal artists and Queensland Symphony Orchestra musicians in a professionally staged opera.
Auditions for Toowoomba adults and children to become a part of the ‘Empire Theatre Chorus’ were held from 17 to 19th March 2014.
project-puccini-736x600la-boheme
Successful chorus members will then take part in a 10-week development program before performing in La bohème at Empire Theatre on 15 August. OperaQ will employ a local chorus master and rehearsal coordinator, and work with Empire Theatre and local sponsors to ensure the highest standard of performance and personal development opportunities for budding local artists.
Project Puccini aims to equip participants with improved music and drama skills, new social and creative networks, and an increased sense of community and wellbeing.

Known as the most romantic opera of all time, La bohème appeals to devotees and newcomers alike. Beginning on a snowy Christmas Eve in Paris, it tells the tale of Mimi’s love affair with the poet Rodolfo and their group of rent-dodging flatmates living and loving precariously on the edge of society.

Puccini’s beloved opera will be brought to life by award-winning theatre director Craig Ilott and internationally acclaimed designer Penny Challen.

USQ Vice-Chancellor Supports Government Review Into University Enrolment Numbers

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The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) Professor Jan Thomas has welcomed the Federal Government’s Review of the Demand Driven Student Funding System saying that the report’s recommendations will enable a new generation of Australians to obtain a university qualification.

Professor Thomas said she welcomed the Review’s main findings released today (Sunday April 13) that the demand driven system should be maintained for bachelor degree places, and the system expanded to include sub-bachelor places, and postgraduate places in courses with clear community benefit and modest financial rewards such as teaching, nursing and some other health disciplines.

She said since the government lifted its quota system on university enrolments it had allowed a number of first in family and those from low socio-economic regions to go on to higher education. Professor Thomas went on to say the report’s recommendation to continue the demand driven system will allow universities like USQ to better prepare students for the workforce and establish pathway programs that better meet the needs of students.

According to Professor Thomas many students coming from rural and regional areas were the first in the family to go on to higher education. “Unlike the majority of those who attend metropolitan universities and whose parents already have qualifications, those from low socio-economic backgrounds are more likely to struggle in the university system without ongoing support.”

Professor Thomas said USQ has been making determined efforts over the past few years to ensure that students enrolling in its courses were given every assistance to succeed.

Under the review universities will be encouraged to put in place a number of pathway programs for students allowing them to better assimilate into university life and enrol in specifically aligned entry programs that lead into degree level qualifications. “We need though to ensure that any changes to the university system are done in association with employer bodies so that graduates are ready for the workplace and that universities aren’t enrolling students simply to get their numbers up,” she said.

The review has also acknowledged the ground breaking work universities are doing in online learning and encouraged the development of digital based courses suitable for those who wish to study from home.

“At USQ more than 75 percent of our 28,000 students study online and with the review’s recommendation to foster continued growth in this area USQ will be able to take a leading role in the development of new and existing programs using a broad range of new technologies,” Professor Thomas said.

One of the report’s findings is for spiralling education costs to be reined in with the recommendation to consider adjusting the balance between a user pays system and contributions provided by government. “Any increase in student costs will be offset by way of government supported loans and fee help assistance programs.” The report also proposes extending the demand driven system to non-university providers that have met the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency registration requirements and course approvals.

Professor Thomas said the extension of the system could build on the significant partnerships or dual arrangements that already exist between regional TAFEs and regional universities.

 

E Waste Disposal Comes To Toowoomba

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Lifeline Darling Downs has secured a contract with Matthews Metal Management Pty Ltd to dispose of old computers, televisions and other e-waste to recover the valuable resources from these products.

“In today’s throwaway society we are finding more and more e-waste making its way into the waste stream”, said Angela Klein, Manager Business Services. “This program is a real environmental solution to a previous waste problem. Recycling of these products will take place in Australia, achieving a 95% product recovery rate.”

“Working closely with Toowoomba Regional Council we have identified the need to divert as many materials from landfill as possible. Ewaste products have the potential to leach hazardous materials such as lead, copper, nickel, and zinc into the environment, with potentially devastating results,” Angela said.
e wasteElectronic waste, or e-waste, is a term for electronic products that have become unwanted, non-working or obsolete, and have reached the end of their useful life. It includes computers and laptops, TVs, monitors, mobile phones, PDAs, VCRs, CD players, fax machines, printers and gaming consoles.

Fortunately, Matthews Metal Management is able to offer a solution and has been providing these services to other councils for the past 4 years. The service is offered FREE to Toowoomba Regional Council under the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme, which is governed by the Product Stewardship Act 2011 and Product Stewardship (Television and Computer) Regulations 2011.

“The scheme has been well supported in the major centres but has often left smaller regional areas without a solution. I am pleased to be involved and offer this service to the Toowoomba community and not only recover valuable resources from these products, but also help reduce the potential impact on the environment,” said Gordon Matthews General Manager of Matthews Metal Management.

Residents can recycle their unwanted e-waste, during normal trading hours by dropping it off at the following two Lifeline Centres –
· Lifeline Smart Tip Shop, TRC Toowoomba Waste Management Centre, Bedford Street, Cranley
· Lifeline Distribution Centre, 192A Stephen St, Toowoomba

Submitted by:
Suzie Washington
Manager Marketing and Fundraising
Lifeline Darling Downs & South West Queensland Ltd
P 07 4699 1682 F 07 4633 0919

 

Go Back To ‘The Olden Days’ At The Highfields Pioneer Village Easter Vintage Festival

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Highfields Pioneer Village is celebrating its 17th Annual Easter Vintage Festival Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday, from the 19th to the 21st April 2014. The theme of the festival is ‘Lets go back to the Olden Days’. Come and experience rural life in the Australian Pioneer days! Milk a cow, learn how to crack a whip or be a blacksmith.

Enjoy billy tea and damper made on authentic camp ovens. Don’t miss the spectacular Grand Parade and all the baby animals in the 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!
HPV Easter FlyerThe Festival will feature displays and demonstrations from all aspects of Pioneering life- including arts, crafts, music, vintage machinery and age old crafts such as Silversmithing, Tinsmithing and Blacksmithing. The kids will love to see the old steam engines and stationary engines working and the heavy horses are always a favourite too.

There will also be an extensive range of wood products from the Toowoomba Woodworkers on display. Local spinners and weavers will talk about wool usage in textiles and spin wool directly off the sheep’s back.

Come and see how the Australian Pioneers survived in bygone years and learn heritage skills. Get back to basics and away from the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy the atmosphere of the Village set in Pioneering days. Visit the Fashion Shop or the Historic National Bank – be careful you might be held up by Ned Kelly !

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 9:00am to 5:00pm each day of the Festival.
Ph: 07 4696 6309 or for further details or visit www.eastervintagefestival.com

Submitted by:
Jody Dodds
Treasurer
Highfields Pioneer Village,
Museum & Park Inc.

Steve Parish To Open Crows Nest Gallery Exhibition, Sunday April 13

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A photographer who has seen and photographed some of Australia’s most remote locations and unique flora and fauna is the special guest at a contemporary photography exhibition opening at the Crows Nest Regional Art Gallery this weekend.
Steve ParishRenowned Australian nature photographer and publisher Steve Parish will open Angle of View from 1.30pm on Sunday, April 13. Crows Nest Regional Art Gallery is participating in the annual Queensland Festival of Photography 5 run by the Queensland Centre of Photography. Please RSVP to attend the official opening by calling the Gallery on 4698 1687.

Angle of View presents four perspectives by four contemporary photographers who work in diverse genres of photography, while applying various techniques, both traditional and alternative. These four series of works range from contemplative, majestic landscapes and abstract aerial views, to digital explorations in intangible qualities, and the notion of personal identity in the family unit.

The exhibition of contemporary works by Queensland-based photographers will be displayed until May 4th.

Anna Gee is a recent Bachelor of Photography graduate from Griffith University, QCA;
David Nielsen is a photo-journalist who was awarded a prize in the prestigious 2013 Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Photography Award;
Greg Harm is known for his alternative digital explorations and has a wealth of photographic knowledge having worked for Steve Parish publishing for many years, and
Judi Neumann has photographed landscapes and the natural world in various locations around the world and has received a number of local awards.

Crows Nest Regional Art Gallery generally is open Tuesday to Saturday 10.30am-3.30pm and from 11.30am to 3.30pm on Sunday. Patrons are advised to phone 4698 1687 in advance to ensure the community art space is open.

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

Millmerran Family Fun Day

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Hi 5km Challenge

Toowoomba’s Margaret Street Markets A Resounding Success

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On Sunday, April 6th the Toowoomba CBD Markets were held in Margaret Street for the first time, with many thousands of people streaming through, some even from before the official opening time of 8am.
Margaret St Markets-Streetscape1The City Heart Toowoomba Group led by President Gary Wilson are appreciative of the invaluable assistance of Greg Johnson and the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce, Toowoomba Regional Council and Drew Vallejos of Easterfest in making the markets a reality.

The aim was to bring life and activity back into Toowoomba’s CBD, and the markets succeeded well beyond the expectations of the Group, thanks to the immense support of the people of Toowoomba and surrounding areas who attended en masse.

On the day, Margaret Street was closed between 6am and 5pm, to allow for 80 stallholders to set up, with the markets operating from 8am to 2pm. Many Margaret Street businesses also opened, as did a number around in Ruthven Street, and most report busier than usual trade.

Entertainment was provided by a number of buskers including John Colville, Mason Watts, Grace Drummond and John Miners, with dance performances by QJam and Dance Central.

The City Heart Toowoomba Group’s Market Convenor, Jan Gorring is to be congratulated on ensuring a great variety of vendors of quality items.  Stallholders are keen to return, and over twenty additional sellers who couldn’t be present at this inaugural market, have already booked their sites for the next market day which will be Sunday, 4th May.

 

Toowoomba’s Kokoda Challenge On May 4th

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Registrations are open NOW for team entries into the Toowoomba Kokoda Challenge.

In honour of the Kokoda Spirit, hundreds of locals will take part in the Toowoomba Kokoda Challenge 30km and 15km trekking event at Redwood Park, Range Escarpment on Sunday May 4th. Over 400 participants are expected, comprising of teams of young and old. Team members will endure blood, sweat and tears through heart and spirit breaking hills on a day that emulates The Spirit of Kokoda – mateship, endurance, courage and sacrifice.

The Kokoda Challenge in Toowoomba is being hosted & run by the Rotary Club of Toowoomba South and is being sponsored by Hutchinson’s Builders, Northpoint Shopping Centre, The Chronicle, Austereo 4GR & Ellipis Media.

All funds raised by the Toowoomba Kokoda Challenge will go towards funding Toowoomba teenagers to take part in the Kokoda Challenge Youth Program †an initiative that helps local teenagers who are at a crossroads in their lives to gain confidence, direction and life-skills.

The 30km and 15km distances, coupled with the beautiful trails, makes this the perfect event for beginners or for runners training on rough terrain. Teams of two, three and four will find the course is not without toils, as the ascents and descents are challenging – all contributing towards getting a taste of the meaning of endurance before arriving triumphantly at the finish line.
Toowoomba Kokoda Challenge For registration details: https://kokodachallenge.com/toowoomba-kokoda-challenge

Registrations close on 21st April and already 300 have registered for the Toowoomba event. There is also a help desk at Northpoint Shopping Centre on Sundays from 12 midday to 1.00pm to assist with team registrations.

For more information please contact:

Jo Clark 07 5538 4141 or email: jo@kokodachallenge.com

Peter Horn email: plhorn45@gmail.com

Submitted by:
Peter Rookas
CEO
Toowoomba Hospital Foundation

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