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Now in its 64th year, the iconic Grand Central Floral Parade will once again wend its way through the heart of Toowoomba’s CBD to Queens Park on Saturday, September 21.

The Parade starts at the new time of 3pm and the theme is “A Storybook of Colour”.

Toowoomba Regional Council Tourism and Events Chair, Cr Geoff McDonald, said 37 incredible floats will take to the streets this year, with each one telling a fascinating and unique story that could win you a share in $5000 worth of prizes. “Each float will have a number to identify it, so Parade-goers are being asked to write down the ‘theme’ of each individual float (next to the corresponding number on their official entry form),” Cr McDonald said.

“Then all they have to do is submit their entry at any of the public address points along the Parade route.

A firm family favourite, the Grand Central Floral Parade promises to deliver a spectacular line-up of fresh floral floats, street performers, carnival characters, stilt walkers, walking groups and live bands all led by the Grand Central float carrying this year’s celebrity Grand Marshall – Alex the Lion from Madagascar!

Cr McDonald said even the smallest of crowd members can make their artistic mark on the Parade route (before it starts) with free pavement chalk distributed by volunteers. “This much-loved event attracts many tens of thousands of people annually, so remember to arrive early in order to secure the best spot and your complimentary parade cheering stick.

“And don’t forget that 3pm starting time.”

The fun continues at the Godsall Street Oval at the conculsion of the Parade, with floats on display for a closer viewing and entrants selling the potted colour, cut flowers, fruits and vegetables straight off their floats.

For more information on all Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers events, please go to www.tcof.com.au or call the team on 131 872.

Submitted by:
Madeleine Tiller
Online Communities Officer
Toowoomba Regional Council

Calling all car lovers!

Witness the history of motoring unravel before your eyes, as car enthusiasts compete for the coveted Carnival Classic Car Awards.

Toowoomba Regional Council Tourism and Events Chair Cr Geoff McDonald says the awards will take place Saturday, September 21 at the Godsall St Oval, Queens Park, Toowoomba.

This is one to really get car lovers licking their lips,” Cr McDonald said. With 12 trophies up for grabs, the free event is one of the region’s most popular car show & shines, showcasing some of the chic-est chassis to ever grace our highways.

In addition to the classic beauties, there is a wild chapter of hot rods, street machines and motor bikes on display. Competitors will be judged from 11am with winners announced shortly after 2pm.

For more information on all Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers events please go to www.tcof.com.au or call the team on 131 872.

Submitted by:
Darren Burton
Media Relations Officer
Toowoomba Regional Council

Looking for a Carnival bargain?

Toowoomba Regional Council Tourism and Events Chair, Cr Geoff McDonald, says there’s no better value than the special price of $6 entry (from 10am until 3pm) on Friday, September 20 to the Ergon Energy Flower, Food and Wine Festival.

“This is the one for the early Carnival visitors,” he said.

“Even more so for parents with kids, it gives you a great day’s entertainment which includes our Play Space with Kids in the Kitchen workshop, Farmer Rob, the Teddy Bear’s Picnic, and a host of other activities.

“Whether you come for the day or want to stick around and make a night of it, it’s our way of letting families enjoy the afternoon.  But if you can’t make it until after work, then there’s still exceptional value, with tickets just $25 for an adult ($20 concession), $12 for a child pass and $60 for a family for the evening program including the Heritage Live Concert performances”

For more information on all Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers events, please go to www.tcof.com.au or https://www.facebook.com/CarnivalFlowers call the team on 131 872.

Submitted by:
Madeleine Tiller
Online Communities Officer
Toowoomba Regional Council

 

The Darling Downs District – Toowoomba Crime Prevention Unit would like to remind residents of the importance of securing and removing property in their vehicles.

It can be tempting for motorists to leave vehicles unsecured even for short periods of time. Vehicles that have been locked but have property visible have been targeted by opportunistic offenders.

Police have identified a trend in property being left visible in vehicles,” said District Crime Prevention Coordinator, Sergeant Scott McGrath. An offender will usually act on easy or tempting opportunities, and when the risk of being caught is low.

One of the easiest forms of security is simply to lock and remove items of property from your vehicle. This should apply regardless of whether the vehicle is parked on streets, in carparks, or at home. Most offenders are usually looking for cash, handbags, wallets or small valuable items such as jewellery, DVD players, mobile phones, laptops, MP3 players and other electrical items.”

Police and Volunteers in Policing will be conducting security audits of vehicles in many areas of  Toowoomba in the coming weeks to raise awareness and remind motorists to ‘Remove It’!

For more information about property security, go to: www.police.qld.gov.au and follow the links to crime prevention.

Issued by Toowoomba Crime Prevention Unit
Phone – 07 4631 6 733

The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) will be alive with the sound of music as 4,000 primary and secondary school students showcase their musical skills at the 4th annual TYME Festival.

The TYME (Today’s Youth in Music Education) Festival will be held at the USQ Toowoomba campus this year on Thursday, September 19 and will feature everything from rock bands to choirs to orchestras to concert bands to solo acts. Thousands of performers from 40 primary and secondary schools will perform at eight different stages across USQ throughout the day and all are welcome to come along and listen to a few tunes, whether you’re into rock or classical.

Student Events Officer Amy Natalier said this would be the first year the event will be held at the USQ Quadrangle, having been held at Laurel Bank Park and the USQ Ovals in previous years. People can expect some excellent, high quality music entertainment from thousands of different performers,” Ms Natalier said. There will also be children’s entertainment, a travelling animal farm, ping pong, giant board games, fairy floss, a snow cone van, campus tours and much more.

The whole event is free so people are welcome to turn up, listen to some quality musicians at no cost and enjoy the spring weather.

USQ Vice-Chancellor Jan Thomas said the event was a celebration of young musical talent. It never ceases to amaze me to see what the diversity and richness of what the Darling Downs and South West Queensland region offers when it comes to education,” Professor Thomas said. The TYME Festival is one of those Education Queensland activities that inevitably receives rave reviews from almost everyone and USQ is proud to support this very worthwhile event.”

This Thursday’s event will be held between 9am and 3pm, with performances running between 10am and 2pm.
The event is run by Education Queensland, with support from USQ.

Submitted by:
Callum Johnson
Office of Corporate Communications and Public Relations
University of Southern Queensland
Toowoomba
Email: callum.johnson@usq.edu.au

USQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Jan Thomas and Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce & Industry CEO Greg Johnson have launched theirl Vice-Chancellor vs CEO Carnival Challenge for the second year.

Both Professor Thomas and Greg Johnson are wearing brightly coloured tropical shirts on each day of the 2013 Carnival of Flowers as they raise funds for two important causes, the Toowoomba Hospice and Australia’s CEO Challenge.

Important features of the Challenge will be a joint presentation to business leaders on Friday, 20th September at the Ergon Energy Flower, Food & Wine Festival and the entry of the Chamber’s first ever float in the Floral Parade on Saturday, 21st September.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Thomas and CEO Greg Johnson raised over $5,000 in their inaugural challenge and hope to top that amount this year.

Toowoomba has received two prestigious multicultural awards announced by the Multicultural Affairs Queensland Department of the State Government on 6 September.

The Cultural Diversity Ambassador (Regional) was awarded to Mrs Gitie House, President of the Toowoomba International Multicultural Society (TIMS). The award recognises an individual who has demonstrated an outstanding and sustained commitment to promoting the values of multiculturalism and promoting harmonious community relations.

The Regional community organisation award which recognises not-for-profit, community-based organisations that have shown leadership in supporting cultural diversity in regional Queensland was also awarded to TIMS. TIMS has successfully promoted the benefits of cultural diversity within south west Queensland, delivering an impressive range of community development initiatives for a small, volunteer, not-for-profit organisation. Notable achievements include the Toowoomba Language and Cultures Festival and cultural awareness programs.

Gitie House has made significant and sustained contributions to developing and increasing cross-cultural understanding in the Toowoomba region. Her work has been dedicated to creating an inclusive community through social, cultural and educational activities; crossing all age groups, faiths and cultures and recognising the rich cultural diversity of the region.
Accepting the Cultural Diversity Ambassador award from Premier Campbell Newman, Gitie House said, Queensland and the rest of Australia is becoming increasingly diverse. Prosperity and harmony in diversity comes from mutual sharing and learning. This takes a big heart so that we are all able to celebrate the diversity and enjoy the many facets in which it enriches our lives. It requires everyone to open their hearts and minds and make room for each other. I’d like to thank the Australian people past and present, the traditional owners, the long established, the mainstream and the new Australians and also all the levels of the Australian Government for their concerted efforts in striving to bring people together, to help break barriers, build bridges and bonds. Together we can continue to build a harmonious and peaceful society where people of all backgrounds can flourish.”

Vice-president Ms Daphne Fung accepted the award for TIMS from the Minister for Multicultural Affairs Glen Elmes. TIMS, is a grass roots community organisation whose members are all volunteers — individuals, families, cultural groups and organisations who are committed to building a harmonious multicultural community. Our members strive to work collaboratively with people from other backgrounds including Indigenous Australians, mainstream Australians, migrants and refugees to create an environment of mutual sharing and learning so that we can all enjoy the benefits of our different cultures in a harmonious way.”