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My Chance, Our Future Campaign Launched In Toowoomba

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As Youth Unemployment In Toowoomba Reaches 12.7 per cent, young people will be given a new voice with the launch of My Chance, Our Future †a new campaign highlighting the urgent issue of youth unemployment.

The unemployment rate for young people aged 15 to 24 in the Toowoomba area is sitting at an unacceptable 12.7 per cent, according to new data from the ABS. In addition the Darling Downs †Maranoa region is at a rate of 9.8 per cent.
mike patonDISCO CEO Mike Paton stated that we need to address this urgent issue now. “It’s very important that the community understands the numbers, and if you consider that youth unemployment is double the rate of the base unemployment rate, we have a big problem” he said. “DISCO knows better than most how tough it is for our young people to get a job in Toowoomba and across the South West, so this campaign is sorely needed. We want to focus our community on our Youth Connections program which provides support to young people to help them to reengage in learning,  with the ultimate focus of supporting them to get a job and a career that’s the right fit for them”.

“Around 1 in 4 young Australians is neither DISCOworking nor studying full time. These young people really need our help to get that first job, so Youth Connections services are really vital for the Toowoomba and Darling Downs community”, Mr Paton said. As part of the campaign, the Brotherhood of St Laurence welfare group has released its new Youth Unemployment Monitor, setting out the key facts as well as the human stories of youth unemployment from young people.

“At Youth Connections we really encourage anyone in our local community who is concerned about youth unemployment to sign up to the new campaign so we can really start to tackle this growing problem together. Employers can help by registering vacancies with us, the community can help by encouraging young people to seek support and register for assistance with groups like ours to provide a hand up – not a hand out” Mr Paton said.

More information is available at the Brotherhood of St Laurence’s website:
http://www.bsl.org.au/Advocacy/Youth-employment.aspx

Mike Paton – CEO
Downs Industry Schools Co-operation Inc (DISCO)
Offices in Toowoomba, Dalby and Roma
Phone 4638 3088

 

Council Connections With Darren Burton: Week 4, February 2014

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Toowoomba Regional Council Connections

The weekly program keeping you up to date with Toowoomba Regional Council’s facilities, activities and services.

Council Connections with Darren Burton

This week Darren talks about a “Doing Business with Council” information night, we call for volunteers to help clean up and assist plantings in the Waterbird Habitat, the latest round of community sport and art grants, the Oceania Road Cycling Championships and the NRL Trial match (this weekend), the next Community Engagement forum, a reminder not to illegally dump rubbish in the area, ongoing OCR works in the CBD, moving of the Toowoomba Library and a reminder of  Council’s after hours emergency number.

Follow Toowoomba Regional Council on Twitter @ToowoombaRC

Australia’s Got Talent Winner Mark Vincent Supports Dinner On The Downs Fundraiser

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Acclaimed singer Mark Vincent will perform in Toowoomba next month as part of the Dinner on the Downs evening.

Mark VincentThe Australia’s Got Talent winner will entertain guests at Veraison Restaurant on March 22, to raise funds for MontroseAccess, a charity supporting children with a disability throughout Toowoomba and Queensland.

MontroseAccess fundraising manager Leanne Liesegang said guests would enjoy a sumptuous four-course dinner with tantalising wines at this classic old-world style dining occasion, while Mark Vincent shows why he is one of Australia’s greatest talents.

“Veraison,  at 205 Margaret St, is the perfect venue for this special evening,” Ms Liesegang said. “The restaurant been awarded a Chef’s Hat by the Australian Good Food Guide for third year in a row.

“This is the first time Mark Vincent has performed in Toowoomba, so it’s a special occasion.”

The evening is sponsored by Veraison, Summit Estate Wines and Andersens.

Tickets ($95) to this event sell fast so phone Leanne Liesegang on 3717 1109 or email lliesegang@montroseaccess.org.au.  Further information is available from Veraison, phone 4638 5909.

WHAT: Dinner on the Downs

WHEN: Saturday, March 22, 6.30pm

WHERE: Veraison, 205 Margaret St Toowoomba

TICKETS: $95 includes four-course dinner, wines and entertainment. Transaction fees may apply.

CONTACT: Leanne Liesegang ph 3717 1109 or email lliesegang@montroseaccess.org.au

Submitted by:
Belinda Warren
Journalist and Communications Manager
Campaign Group

Toowoomba Chamber Of Commerce CEO Resigns

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Mr Greg Johnson, Toowoomba Chamber CEO, has announced his resignation from the position, effective from Friday 4th July, 2014.

Greg Johnson
Greg Johnson

He said “I certainly agree that it is a long lead time however, there are a number of important Chamber projects I wish to complete before I leave.”

“The past two and one-half years has seen the Chamber grow considerably in terms of reputation, membership, activities and financial worth” he said. “It has been satisfying for me personally to contribute to that important part in the Chamber’s history.”

Mr Johnson continued “Along the way I have met with thousands of mainly small business managers and staff and I hope that I have contributed in some small way to the success of their businesses. I thank members and friends for their wonderful support over that period and pay tribute to my close colleagues and friends Tracey Kessels and Kristina Blue.”

He also thanked the Chamber of Commerce Board for giving him the  opportunity to serve business and industry in the Toowoomba Regional Council area. “To leave as the organisation’s longest serving CEO in its 115 year history is indeed an honour” Mr Johnson said.

Greg intends to remain in Toowoomba with his family, and over the coming months will be considering further professional opportunities after he leaves the Chamber.

He may be contacted by email info@toowoombachamber.com.au, mobile 0414 783 343 or home 4635 7779.

 

Crime Stoppers Receive Record Reports From Toowoomba Community

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Phone calls and online reports made by members of the Toowoomba community to Crime Stoppers have resulted in 93 local arrests and 178 local charges by police, and contributed to a record-breaking year for the not for profit organisation.

Toowoomba’s figures contribute to the record-breaking state-wide total of 2,226 offenders arrested on 5,565 charges in 2013, resulting from 24,919 intelligence reports passed on by Crime Stoppers to the Queensland Police Service.

Crime Stoppers Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mr Trevor O’Hara said intelligence reports in 2013 were up 19 per cent from 2012 and arrests were up 22 per cent.Total reports to Crime Stoppers reached almost 50,000 for the year, with more than 43,000 reporting via telephone and more than 5,500 lodging their information online.

“2013 has been the single best year of arrests resulting from Crime Stoppers reports since our program commenced operation in 1989,” he said. “Queensland communities have embraced the anonymity of Crime Stoppers.  The Toowoomba community, along with the rest of the state, has helped make Queensland safer, with 2,226 offenders arrested on 5,565 charges in 2013.”

Mr O’Hara said illegal drug related activity was the most reported crime to Crime Stoppers in 2013, resulting in 43 drug trafficking charges and 1,799 possession of dangerous drugs charges. In addition to this, he said a number of other significant results were also achieved last year.

“Queenslanders who came forward with anonymous information helped us provide information to police which resulted in six grievous bodily harm charges, 93 sexual offence charges, 210 weapons act offence charges, 43 wilful damage charges, 18 corrective services offence charges and 36 offenders arrested on outstanding warrants”.

Anyone can contact Crime Stoppers anonymously by calling 1800 333 000, going online to www.crimestoppersqld.com.au or downloading and reporting from the Crime Stoppers Queensland mobile app.

Submitted by:
Jackie McRae
PPR
jackie.mcrae@ppr.com.au

 

Council Connections With Darren Burton: Week 3, February 2014

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Toowoomba Regional Council Connections

The weekly program keeping you up to date with Toowoomba Regional Council’s facilities, activities and services.

Council Connections with Darren Burton

This week Darren talks about work on Garnet Lehmann Park, February’s sports action, the next ordinary meeting of Council, night works for Clifford Street, Community Engagement forums, reminding the public about illegal dumping, the OCR construction continuing, the Toowoomba City Library moving and general road works in the area

Follow Toowoomba Regional Council on Twitter @ToowoombaRC

Condamine Catchment’s Future Up For Review

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The region’s water, land and wildlife resources are THE big topics in the review of the Condamine catchment natural resource management plan.

Community, industry and government are working together to update the Plan and set the priorities and targets for managing the catchment’s natural resources over the next five years.

“The Plan undergoes a review every five years to reflect the changing issues affecting natural resource management in the catchment,” said Lucy Richardson, Condamine Alliance General Manager Programs.

“The Plan is a big deal and it’s essential we get it right so it reflects what the community wants and considers important,” Ms Richardson said. “It is a living document that sets out the priorities and targets for the region based on extensive scientific review and stakeholder consultation,” she said.

“The Plan considers local, regional, state and national priorities and also identifies the region’s major natural resource management challenges and opportunities and ways to address them.”

Community members, industry and government are invited to be part of the review and share their knowledge and ideas for the development of the draft Plan.

“The review is the ideal opportunity to have a say about what’s important and what needs to be done to make sure the Condamine catchment remains a healthy and productive home for everyone,” Ms Richardson said. “The Plan deals with critical issues that affect the whole community so it’s important everyone knows what’s going on and how to have a say.”

A free community information session on the project will be held on Wednesday 19 February from 5.30pm †7pm at the Burke & Wills Hotel in Toowoomba.

To RSVP, email info@toowoombachamber.com.au or phone 4638 0400. For more information about the NRM Plan review, visit www.condaminealliance.com.au/NRMplan2015

Submitted by
Heather Smith,
heather@wishbone.com.au

40km/h Zone Extended On Toowoomba Range

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The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) advises that the 40km/h speed limit zone has been extended on the eastbound (down) lanes of the Warrego Highway on the Toowoomba Range.

The 40km/h zone now extends from the top of the eastbound lanes down the Toowoomba Range to the area known as the Saddle.

The change will enable work to be conducted safely at the point where the new 1.2km eastbound alignment will join the existing down lanes. It will require construction activity close to traffic.

Additional signage has been installed to alert drivers about the change in the speed limit on this section of the Toowoomba Range.

From Wednesday 19 February 2014, the 40km/h speed zone on the westbound (up) lanes will be extended. The 40km/h zone will commence 200m downhill from the current 40km/h zone, closer to the Saddle.

TMR also advises that works on the track between Old Toll Bar Road and Stevenson Street adjacent to the Toowoomba Range escarpment will commence from Wednesday 19 February 2014 until April 2014. The access track was closed to local traffic and pedestrians on 10 February 2014 so that construction works can be undertaken safely.

Seymour Whyte Constructions has been appointed by TMR (in agreement with Toowoomba Regional Council) to upgrade the Old Toll Bar Road track. Work on the Old Toll Bar Road track will include pavement and drainage works until April 2014 (weather permitting).

For more information, please phone 1800 063 397 during business hours, or email reconstruct_darlingdowns@tmr.qld.gov.au  For up-to-date information on changed traffic conditions, please visit www.131940.qld.gov.au or call 13 19 40.

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