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Broncos Stars To Visit Dalby Fans

Arrow Energy are bringing the Broncos to Dalby this Saturday [February 1] to meet Darling Downs supporters at the Arrow Energy-Brisbane Broncos Fan Day.

Fans will be able to get up close and personal with many of the players from the Brisbane National Rugby League (NRL) club at the Dalby Leagues Club (cnr of Orpen and Drayton Street), from 9am to 11am. This is the third time Arrow has made the free regional event possible through its ongoing partnership with the Broncos.

Broncos mascot Buck with a young fan at the 2012 Fan Day. Arrow Energy CEO Andrew Faulkner said the event was exclusive for fans in regional Queensland. “These fan days are always a hit because they allow community members to meet the players and there’s always a relaxed family atmosphere,” Mr Faulkner said. “Many people from Dalby and surrounds usually attend and we also invite Toowoomba fans and regional junior rugby league clubs, too.”
Broncos mascot Buck with a young fan at the 2012 Fan Day. Arrow Energy CEO Andrew Faulkner said the event was exclusive for fans in regional
Queensland.
“These fan days are always a hit because they allow community members to meet the
players and there’s always a relaxed family atmosphere,” Mr Faulkner said.
“Many people from Dalby and surrounds usually attend and we also invite Toowoomba
fans and regional junior rugby league clubs, too.”

Many players including new co-captains Corey Parker and Justin Hodges, former captain Sam Thaiday and local Dalby league star Andrew McCullough, will be there. Fans will be able to play touch football with the players, meet team mascot Buck, grab a photo or autograph from their favourite players, as well as enjoy live music and a sausage sizzle in support of Dalby Devils Junior Rugby League.

Brisbane co-captain Corey Parker said the Broncos players were again looking forward to the fan day and a big 2014 with several large signings. “It’s always good to visit Dalby and meet our regional supporters. It’s our chance to give something back but also to encourage everyone to support the Broncos this year so we can start the year strong and make the finals together,” he said.

“I think it’s important the team continue to visit regional Queensland and meet the people who cheer us on every week but can’t always get to games. “It’s a fun day for the whole family and I’d encourage all fans in Dalby, Toowoomba and surrounds to come along and say g’day.”

Arrow and the Broncos will have stalls on the day as well as displays from local community groups including the Dalby PCYC.

Be there on the day for your free ticket into the draw to win:
ï‚· Gold Prize – Awesome Foursome 2014 family Broncos Membership Pack – 2 Adults and 2 Juniors
ï‚· Silver Prize 2041 Die Hard Fan Membership Pack – 1 Adult
ï‚· 2 x Bronze Prizes – a signed Broncos jersey.

The fan day will also be annual sign on for the Dalby Devils Junior Rugby League teams.

For more details on the event visit: arrowenergy.com.au/FanDay2014 , call Arrow on 1800 038 856.

Congratulations To The 2014 Western Downs Australia Day Award Winners.

Regional Award Winners
Citizen of the Year Award – Bill Blackley
Bill is an active member of the Wandoan Community and has held numerous executive positions within a wide range of community organisations. Bill was a councillor in the former Taroom Shire Council and was a member of the committee overseeing the amalgamation to the Dalby Regional Council. Bill is a valued and respected member of the Wandoan Community devoting much of his time to the betterment of his community, and Bill is to be commended on his dedication to the Wandoan community over many years.

Young Citizen of the Year Award – Christopher Bender
Christopher has a keen interest in politics and national affairs and enjoys public speaking and participating within the local community. He has been a member of the Chinchilla State High School Interact Club, winner of the Chinchilla Lions Club Youth of the Year and has achieved many academic and cultural awards whilst at school and in the community. Congratulations to Christopher on this wonderful achievement at such a young age.

Cultural Award – Jan Ferguson
Jan is a highly committed, active and skilled community. Jan’s initiative is meeting a significant need in our community — this being activities which enrich the lives of those most vulnerable in our region. Through her art classes, Jan brings joy, quality of life and a sense of achievement to the students she works with. Jan has on many occasions given up her time to run the art classes. Jan’s skills as an artist in addition to her care, time, positive reinforcement and adept teaching skills make her an absolute inspiration and someone who deserves recognition. Congratulations on this award.

Sports Achievement Award – Thomas Versace
Thomas has achieved at state, national and international level in the field of sport shooting. Thomas is currently ranked number 2 in the 50m rifle prone. Thomas has achieved a wealth of records and titles throughout his junior career and has now established his placing amongst the best in the world. Congratulatulations to Thomas on his remarkable achievements and all the best for his future shooting career.

Community Project/Event of the Year Award – Tara Festival of Culture and Camel Races
Last year was the seventh running of the Tara Festival of Culture and Camel races. Local community groups and artisans are encouraged to participate and benefit financially, with the 2013 festival contributing $80,000 to 20 local community groups. In 2013 the festival drew 11,700 people to the district with wide ranging economic and community benefits, including an estimated visitor spend of $1.4 million.

Dalby and District Local Citizen of the Year Award - Elaine Fox
Elaine has been a volunteer at Pioneer Park Museum for 22 years. Elaine has also been a Meals on Wheels volunteer for 11 years and has volunteered at the Catholic Church for 22 years. Elaine has been an integral part of the Dalby volunteering community.

Dalby and District Local Junior Sports Award  – Dominique Holtkamp
Dominique competed as a member of the Our Lady of the Southern Cross College equestrian team at state level and as a member of the Queensland Interschool Equestrian team at the National Equestrian Championships in Perth last year. She competed in dressage, combined training, showman and showjumping with top 5 placings in all disciplines and was the team reserve champion in combined training.

Dalby and District Local Senior Sports Award – Cameron and Julie McEwan
Both Cameron and Julie have achieved highly in the sport of long range target shooting. Cameron commenced long range target shooting in 1979 at the Dalby-Tara Rifle Club and Julie commenced in 2005. High level competition led to both to being selected to represent Australia at the 2013 F Class World Championships in the USA. This team went on to win the coveted gold medal.

Dalby and District Local Community Project/Event of the Year Award – Cancer Council Dalby Relay for Life
The Dalby ‘Relay for Life’ is an incredible overnight event where the community celebrates cancer survivors, remembers loved ones lost to cancer, and fights back against a disease that takes too much. In 2013, the event raised $62,000 bringing the total funds raised over the past seven years to $380,000.

Information by courtesy of Western Downs Regional Council

Australia Day At The Woolshed At Jondaryan

Jondaryan Woolshed Logo
The emphasis for the Australia Day celebrations at the Woolshed this year is our unique Aboriginal heritage. This will begin with the traditional welcome to country given by a local Aboriginal elder, followed by local Aboriginals led by Damon Anderson playing the didgeridoo and singing traditional songs, prior to the flag raising ceremony.

As always, we will be catering for the children and families with all kinds of entertainment for the children, but this Australia Day a special treat will be in store for the children, for they will be able to learn how to play and to participate in the games that Aboriginal children played, along with a number other traditional old-time games from our European heritage.

Damon Anderson is a very gifted well known Aboriginal painter from our local community, he will be on hand all day with an exhibit of his art and as a special treat for the children, he will be teaching them the techniques of the traditional Aboriginal way of painting.

Another special treat for the children to help cope with the hot dry conditions, will be a large water slide, which will be available for the children’s entertainment for the whole of the long weekend.

Contact The Woolshed on 4692 2229.

Submitted by:
Shana Rogers
Business Development Manager
The Woolshed at Jondaryan
www.jondaryanwoolshed.com

An Invitation To Celebrate Australia Day 2014 At Highfields Pioneer Village

Jody Dodds
Jody Dodds

Don your Aussie gear and join us in Highfields to celebrate the Australian Spirit together on Australia Day, Sunday January 26th,  Come  Rain, Hail or Shine!

Australia’s national day of celebrations starts at 9.00am and continues through until 5.00pm at the Highfields Pioneer Village.

There are  heaps of displays for the family to enjoy, with everything from artworks to bee keeping; whip cracking to cow milking and butter making.
See displays highlighting pioneer farming life on the Darling Downs with tinsmithing, silversmithing, pioneer toys, stationary engines and an animal nursery.

At noon, the lunchtime fiesta starts with traditional lessons in making damper followed by a dampermaking competition, more entertainment and most importantly – lunch.

The official ceremony starts at 2pm, with a Didgeridoo Performance by Don Nikkelson, raising of the flag by the local Scouts and the singing of the National Anthem. The local Australia Day awards presentations follow,  and the dampermaking competition prize winner is also announced. The ceremony ends around 3:00pm with the singing of Waltzing Matilda and a feast of damper, billy tea and a delicious sausage sizzle.

What: Australia Day Celebrations
Where: Highfields Pioneer Village, 73 Wirraglen Road, Highfields
Time: 9am-5pm
Cost: Free, gold coin donations are welcome.
Contact:Ph (07) 4696 6309

Program:
9am: Pioneer Village Hall opening.
9.15am: Aboriginal art talks by curator Cheryl Moggs.
9.30am: Milking, separating and butter making.
10am: Working draft horses.
10.30am: Sheep shearing.
10.40am: Family games.
10.45am: Vince Little discusses the first ambulance.
11am: Rope making.
11.30am: Beekeeping demonstration.
Noon: Damper making display and comp followed by lunch and entertainment.
1pm: Jeff Close’s whip cracking school.
1.25pm: Family games.
1.30pm: Wheel tyring at blacksmith’s shop.
2pm: Australia Day ceremony. Didgeridoo performance †Don Nikkelson, flag raising, national anthem, welcome new citizens, guest speakers including Australia Day Ambassador Mrs Hetty Johnston, awards presentation
2.30-3.30pm: Free billy tea and damper, musical entertainment by Don Nikkelson and Stars and Idols.

Everyone is welcome, please forward this invitation to your family and friends and come and enjoy a day out at Hoghfields Pioneer Village and take in how our Australian pioneers lived.

NB: We now have a community hall onsite as our wet weather contingency plan!

Submitted by:
Jody Dodds
Treasurer
Highfields Pioneer Village, Museum and Park Inc.
07 4696 6309

Highfields Pioneer Village is a non-profit organisation run entirely by Volunteers, dedicated to preserving the history of the Darling Downs for future generations.

Council Connections: Week 3, January 2014

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

Darren reports on Summer Tunes entertainment throughout the districts, Council’s next Ordinary meeting, coming Australia Day events, Council’s HPV immunisation course, four major sporting events coming to the region in February, the latest Friends of the Toowoomba Library book sale, a free 10-week healthy living course, and Council’s emergency after hours number.

Follow Toowoomba Regional Council on Twitter @ToowoombaRC

Ergon Energy Warns Of Phishing Email Scam

Ergon Energy customers are being targeted with phishing emails seeking personal information and payment of bogus electricity accounts. Group Manager Retail Service Channels Brett Milne, said customers in North Queensland and the Toowoomba areas had received emails from a company called Pacific Gas & Electric in the last few days.

“These customers knew the emails were a scam and rang to alert Ergon. There are probably substantially more customers who’ve also received the same email. To my knowledge there is no such electricity retailer as Pacific Gas & Electric offering services in regional Queensland,” he said.

Mr Milne said the emails are designed to seek credit card and personal information for fraudulent use.

“Phishing emails aren’t about buying something. They try to lure you by clicking on a link and entering your account and password information, which can then be used for financial gain. Our advice is never give out personal information over the phone or by email to people and or companies you don’t know”.

Mr Milne said “Customers receiving these emails should not respond but call the Office of Fair Trading hotline number †13 74 68 or contact them via their web site at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on 1300 302 502 or visit their web site www.scamwatch.gov.au ” .

Mr Milne said the Ergon customers should be vigilant as scammers become bolder in their attempts to elicit personal information.

Submitted by:
Rod Rehbein
Corporate Communications Manager
Ergon Energy

Downs Dairy Museum A Highlight Of Australia Day At Highfields Pioneer Village

A reunion for anyone connected to the The Downs Co-operative Dairy Association (Unity) Factory in Brook St, Toowoomba will be held at the Highfields Pioneer Village, Museum & Park Inc, 73 Wirraglen Rd on Australia Day, 26th January 2014.

The Pioneer Village opens at 9:00am, nibbles at 10:00am.

The Downs Dairy Museum dedicated to the history of the Unity/Dairy Farmers Factory is located within the Pioneer Village Complex – Entry by Gold Coin Donation.

Downs Co-operative Dairy Association Limited History
Ken Dunn

 
by Ken Dunn

 

In 1901 a controlled co-operative factory, run by a handful of farmers dependant on dairying was the vision on these dairymen’s minds. A drought in 1902 ended this idea for the time being. The first public meeting was held at Westbrook on Saturday, 23rd April 1904 for all persons interested in forming a co-operative butter factory.

downs dairy co-op
Downs Daiiry Co-op’s original factory

A meeting was also held on the 14th May 1904 to discuss the name for the company. “The Darling Downs Co-operative Butter and Bacon Company” was proposed by a Mr Bullock and seconded by Mr Lancashire. With better seasons returning, a later meeting would determine the name of the factory to be “The Down’s Dairy Association Ltd”. It was to be located near the railway line at or near Toowoomba. The meeting also agreed “that the company be formed solely by dairymen and only new machinery be installed in the new factory and the best Manager suitable for the task ahead” be appointed.

The prospective was adopted on the 11th June 1904 with Capital of 20,000 pounds in shares at 1 pound each. Manufacturing operation commenced on the 16th October 1905. The Downs Co-operative Dairy Association Ltd officially opened on the 2nd November 1905. Unity and Co-operation – one is synonymous with the other.
Downs Dairy Co-op BuildingThe Downs Co-operative Dairy Association Limited celebrated it’s Golden Jubilee: 1905-1955.

Fun Facts:
Pasteurized bottle milk commenced in 1940 with a quantity of milk received at the factory. For the first full year of operation 1940-41 was 785,850 gallons, 286406 gallons sold as liquid milk and 499,444 gallons made into cheese, returning to suppliers the total value of £29,634/19/9.

There were over 300 workers employed at the factory in the 1960’s.

Submitted by:
Jody Dodds
Treasurer
Highfields Pioneer Village, Museum and Park Inc.
Ph 07 4696 6309
http://highfieldspioneervillage.com.au/