First and second dose COVID-19 vaccinations for children are now available at Darling Downs Health’s community vaccination clinic. It has been eight weeks since five to 11-year-old children were first eligible to receive their vaccinations. And now, some are due to receive their second dose, and the full benefit of the vaccine.
Darling Downs Health COVID-19 vaccination program lead Matt Boyd said that it was important that parents and carers bring kids back for their second dose. Receiving a second dose provides better protection against serious illness or hospitalisation from COVID-19,†Mr Boyd said.
Since becoming eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination earlier this year, 3,136 children aged 5 – 11 have been vaccinated at the Clifford Gardens location.
For the next two weeks, we’ll be opening a little bit later in the morning and providing vaccinations right up until 6pm. These changed opening hours will also help those who work during the week, to call in after business hours. Our temporary hours will be 10.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 8.30 to 4pm on weekends.â€
The vaccination clinic will also be able to provide first, second, and booster doses to all eligible members of the public during the two-week change to opening hours. Walk-ins are welcome.
Submitted by: Media, Communications & Engagement Team
Darling Downs Health
Independent Candidate Suzie Holt says residents want politicians who are interested in them, not political games.
Out on the campaign trail, fne Independent Federal candidate for the seat of Groom has been inundated with stories from residents of Groom who are
suffering due to out-of-touch Federal policies. Everywhere I go, people are telling
me about their struggles related to unemployment and major delays in accessing
health, disability and aged care.â€
While the major parties squabble in the media, the people are concerned about how policies will affect them in their everyday lives. The issue of coal vs renewable
energy is a case in point. Listen to the Acland mine workers from Oakey who have
not had their concerns about job security addressed by either the Federal or State
governments – people need certainty to make decisions about their livesâ€.
People are also deeply concerned about the possibility of the Federal LNP
Government extending the use of the Indue card to the Electorate of Groom as
requested by the local State LNP branch.
Suzie Holt went on to say, People are already struggling to survive. The idea of the Federal Government making their lives even harder by bringing in the Indue Card is incomprehensible.â€
Submitted by: Suzie Holt, Independent Candidate for Groom suzieholt4groom@gmail.com
The Chronicle Lifeline Bookfest is just around the corner with the charity once again delighted to be able to host their major fundraiser. This year’s massive book sale will be held on Saturday 5th March and Sunday 6th March at the Founders Pavilion, Toowoomba Showgrounds.
It is through the generous donations of books, games and toys from the community that we are able to put on such a fantastic sale every year. The Chronicle Lifeline Bookfest is a crucial fundraising event for our organisation with all proceeds staying in our local area to fund our crisis support and suicide prevention services,” the new Chief Executive Officer of Lifeline Darling Downs said.
“I am looking forward to seeing this event now in its 42nd year come to fruition. We rely heavily on the funds raised to ensure we can continue to support those who need it most,” Lifeline Darling Downs CEO, Grant Simpson said.There will be thousands of donated books on sale with nothing over $5 and many a lot less. There will also be plenty of toys, DVDs and games. Doors open on Saturday 8am- 5pm and Sunday 8am – 2pm at the Toowoomba Showgrounds, Glenvale Rd.
With free admission, free parking and Eftpos available, this is the perfect time to stock up on your winter reading material. Patrons are advised that the current government guidelines for entry into the Founders Pavilion is that you must use the Check-in Qld App and be double vaccinated.
Volunteers are still needed for the event so if you can spare a few hours please call Angela on 0429 068 975.
For more information on services or to support Lifeline Darling Downs with this and other life changing programs please call 1300 991 443 or visit www.lifelinedarlingdowns.org.au
Submitted by: Kirsten McGovern
Manager Fundraising & Marketing
Lifeline Darling Downs & South West Queensland Ltd Ph 1300 991 443
Applications are open for Toowoomba Regional Council’s (TRC) next round of community grants.TRC Environment and Community Services Committee chair Cr James O’Shea said community and not-for-profit groups were welcome to apply for funding to assist their project or event. Applications must be lodged by March 1, 2022.
Cr O’Shea said the current funding program covered applications for the Sport and Recreation, Event Support, Community Support, Community Economic Development, Environment, Cultural and Arts Support and Sports Tourism grants.
Toowoomba Region Mayor Paul Antonio said Community Economic Development grants up to $5,000 (or in some cases up to $10,000 per applicant, with matched funding) were available to help community organisations deliver programs designed to benefit local businesses and the broader area.
Council is determined to support our Chambers of Commerce, Progress Associations and other not-for-profit groups who meet the selection criteria to deliver programs and job-creating projects that will benefit local businesses, particularly as our businesses continue to recover from the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic,†Mayor Antonio said.
This funding is aimed specifically at empowering local organisations to deliver the types of projects that they know will support economic growth and opportunities in their own communities.
Cr O’Shea said residents could call 131 872 to book a consultation with relevant staff to arrange for help with tailoring grant proposals.
Council appreciates the difficulty smaller groups face to find money for projects, services and facilities,†Cr O’Shea said. Preference is given to applications that fulfil a range of criteria covering community inclusiveness and interaction, a willingness to encourage community partnerships, upgrading facilities or services or establishing a new service, facility or initiative.
Grant applications in each category are assessed by a panel including TRC staff from the specified area, and Councillors. The competitive review process means that not all projects always can be fully funded. The current grant round is expected to be presented for approval by Council at its April meetings.
Cr O’Shea said Council approved more than $332, 000 covering 56 applications in the previous grant round in September 2021.
The Brisbane Chamber Choir will herald in Christmas this year with a diverse and joyful concert of choral works from across the globe titled ‘Christmas Cheer’ from 6pm at St Luke’s Anglican Church, Toowoomba on Saturday 11th December.
The festive concert program includes French composer Francis Poulenc’s sublime Christmas Motets, an uplifting Christmas Cantata from British composer Cecilia McDowell and wonderful arrangements of old favourites by composers from around the world, including Canadian composer Eleanor Daley. The choir will be joined by guest organist Eduarda van Klinken.
Conducted by Graeme Morton, the Brisbane Chamber Choir is comprised of singers from diverse backgrounds who are committed to performing music that surprises and delights its audience.
They are buoyed to be presenting its annual Christmas concert to audiences in Toowoomba this year.
The choir, which celebrates its 25th anniversary next year, performs regularly with esteemed artists and guests including the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, and tours both regionally and interstate, is looking forward to leaving listeners feeling merry and bright with a program of wonderfully rich, joyful and timeless choral works.
For hundreds of years choirs have sung songs of Christmas joy, creating a tradition that remains vibrant to this day. As the title suggests, this performance by Brisbane Chamber Choir will be a joyful musical celebration of hope, goodwill and Christmas cheer, which we hope will comfort and delight all who take part†Dr Morton said.
The Brisbane Chamber Choir invites audiences in Toowoomba to herald in the festive season with us and explore the joy that Christmas music brings across the world. The choir will be performing at 6pm at St Luke’s Anglican Church, Toowoomba on Saturday 11th December.
This is a COVID-safe event and tickets can be pre-purchased at http://www.trybooking.com/BVFKM (Adults $30, Concession $20, and school students $5).
More than 60 local artisans will come together for one night only at Cobb+Co Museum in Toowoomba to offer unique hand made products at the annual Hand Made Under the Stars twilight artisan market, on this Thursday 2nd December from 4pm-8pm.
Set outside this year against the backdrop of the Museum, ensuring the space for visitors to wander freely and can socially distance, visitors will have the opportunity to browse the best locally hand made products, and chat directly with the people who make these quality wares.
Bored Skateboards
Traditional Afghan Treats
Stall with Variety of Items
Wooden Toys
Bob from Holland Wines
Rohan Pidgeon Woodcraft
Melek’s Turkish Baklava
EPPA display house
Browsing the Stands
Hand Made Under the Stars is the ultimate twilight shopping experience and the perfect opportunity to support our local community artisans and get your Christmas shopping done early while exploring the museum at night.
A Toowoomba home with links to the origins of an iconic national property firm will feature on Heritage Bank’s annual calendar in 2022.
Historic Claremont†is a magnificently restored example of late 1800s Queensland architecture, sitting on a large block on Campbell Street, one of Toowoomba’s most prestigious tree-lined avenues.
In a much-loved tradition that began in 1982, each year Heritage selects a historically significant Queensland home to feature on its printed calendar. Claremont will be the 41st home featured in the Heritage Bank calendar series.
An artist paints a portrait of the home, which then appears on the calendar, accompanied by a brief story on the home’s history and significance. All but two of the portraits have been painted by the same artist, Cliff Sheldrake.
The calendar also serves a charitable purpose, with people able to obtain a copy by making a gold coin donation. Altogether since 1982, these donations have raised around $350,000 for worthy charities.
Heritage Bank CEO Peter Lock said the calendar was not only highly sought after by members but also played an important role in showcasing Queensland’s legacy of domestic architectural excellence.
Queensland has a wonderful and unique style of domestic architecture, making up a catalogue of homes that’s definitely worthy of recognition,†he said. The calendar is a way of celebrating the importance of our homes and the rich history behind them, contributing to chronicling the history of home architecture in Queensland.â€
Heritage Bank Chairman Kerry Betros, Claremont owner Liz Wagner and Heritage Bank CEO Peter Lock unveil the painting of Claremont to be featured on the 2022 Heritage Bank calendar.
The 2022 calendar house Claremont dates back to 1896 and has numerous links to the history of Toowoomba.
The first recorded owner of Claremont was Robert Wilcox, who came to Australia from England in his early twenties and originally lived in Ipswich and Stanthorpe, before he and brother Edmund began a grocery business in Toowoomba in the 1870s.
Robert and his wife raised two daughters at Claremont – Lucy and Florence. Lucy later married Frederick Gould, and their extensive art collection is now housed in the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery.
Florence married Ray White of Crows Nest – the founder of the iconic Ray White real estate firm, which is now a household name around Australia.
In another historical quirk, in 1906 Robert Wilcox purchased the wrought iron fence from the demolished former Toowoomba Town Hall and installed it at Claremont – a fence that still stands there today.
The Wilcox family lived in Claremont until 1933, after which it was divided into flats and later used as a dental surgery. Today it is a private home again.
Claremont is a wonderful example of combining the grandeur and elegance of its era, with renovations that cater for modern living. The home retains its pressed metal ceilings and panelling, hoop pine flooring, glass chandeliers, formal living and dining areas, and north-facing entertaining deck, as well as modern amenities.
Copies of the calendar are now available at any of Heritage’s branches for a gold coin donation
The five charity groups that will benefit from the monies raised in 2022 are:
· Sunshine Coast group Compass Institute which assists people with intellectual and physical disabilities
· Share the Dignity, a Queensland charity that provides essential items for women and girls experiencing homelessness and domestic violence
· Brave Companion Dog Rescue in the Lockyer Valley, which works to save and rehome dogs that are mistreated or unwanted.
· Ipswich Food Barn, which provides vital food relief to Queenslanders in crisis
· Sydney-based charity Dignity which supports people experiencing homelessness
The Toowoomba Hospice will start its Festive Season on Sunday 28th November 2021 at the Hospice in O’Quinn Street. Toowoomba Hospice Chairman Graham Barron OAM said the Hospice is celebrating the Festive Season with carols and lighting of the Hospice. The Toowoomba Hospice has been providing Palliative Care Services to the Lockyer Valley, Toowoomba and Darling Downs Communities since July 1st 2003.
We are excited to be able to celebrate our 19th Christmas and we want to thank the Community as a whole from the bottom of our hearts for supporting us so we can provide Palliative Care for those with a terminal illness especially at this time of the year.â€
Photo – L to R: Administration and Fundraising Manager Mark Munro and Chairman Graham Barron get the BIG HUG from Santa when he arrived at the last Hospice Carols in 2019 (Not held in 2020 due to COVID).
Mr. Barron said to celebrate this special occasion We are having Christmas carols here at the Hospice from 5pm, Toowoomba Municipal Band will be playing, High Altitude Harmony will lead the singing, there will be food and drinks on sale as well, so bring the family, a blanket or chair and kick off the Christmas season with us here at the Toowoomba Hospiceâ€.
Finally, Mr. Barron wanted to reassure all those who attend on Sunday that the ‘Big Fella’ in the red suit will be coming in from the North Pole for a quick visit. I have had our administration and fundraising manager Mark Munro on the phone to the North Pole coordinating a special visit from Santa, and I am pleased to say he is on his way and will arrive about 6 pm!!â€
Submitted by: Mark Munro Adminstration and Fundraising ManageR Dip.Community Education Dip.Management CertIV Business Administration Dip. Public Relations, Publicity & Promotions Toowoomba Hospice PO Box 6463 Clifford Gardens Qld 4350 Ph: 07 4659 8500 www.toowoombahospice.org.au
