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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.”

The quest to find Indigenous Australia’s best in 2013 has begun

Finalists have been announced in the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music, Sport, Arts and Community Awards, aka the Deadlys, and Sue Ray is a finalist in the Most Promising New Talent in Music category.

Brisbane-based country folk singer Sue Ray is steadily gaining recognition for her first solo album, Red Roses, which was released in 2011, and she has been performing at festivals all over Australia and in the US.

Growing up in a musical family in Toowoomba, Sue learned from a very early age that music was something to be valued and treasured. For the past 15 years she has followed a path that has taken her around the country and the globe.
In 2012, Sue ventured to the Americana Music Festival in the ‘Music City’ of Nashville, Tennessee, where she performed alongside some of Australia’s most iconic country-music performers.
She has been receiving rave reviews for her album “Red Roses” and notably her single Shake It Off”.

Her list of achievements over the last two years is impressive: in 2011 she was the winner of the ‘Breakthrough Contemporary Emerging Indigenous Artist Recording Initiative’ and performed at the Bigsound Music Conference Brisbane – Showcase; in 2012, she was a finalist for the Grant McLennan Memorial Fellowship, nominated for Best Country Album for Red Roses in the AIR Independent Music Awards and a finalist in the Queensland Music Awards, with two songs in three categories, where she took out the Indigenous Award for Red Roses”.

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music, Sport, Arts and Community Awards, aka the Deadlys, is back for its 19th year at the Sydney Opera House on 10 September 2013. Deadly Award finalists have been announced and voting in Australia’s largest Indigenous awards night is open at www.deadlys.com.au/vote
Voting closes on 18 August 2013, so get in and have your say on who’s Deadly.

Strong finalists across all award categories have ensured the Deadlys will be a night to be remembered.

Tickets to the Deadlys are on sale through the Opera House booking office (02) 9250 7777 or head to http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/whatson/the_deadlys_2013.aspx

Submitted by:
Maryann Weston
e: maryann@gjcvibe.com.au

The Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour is in Dalby for a full day of special events today to unite the community in celebration of ‘the race that stops a nation.’â„¢

Racing legend, John Marshall is accompanying the glorious 18-carat gold Emirates Melbourne Cup trophy to each event and to share his unique and memorable tales from the track. Some lucky members of the community of Dalby will have the unique chance to ‘don the white glove’ and hold the iconic trophy, valued at $175,000.

Dr Andrew Lemon, Victoria Racing Club representative, is also accompanying the Melbourne Cup Trophy on the Tour. Since 2003, the Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour has travelled more than 325,000 kilometres, visited more than 236 regional, rural and metropolitan destinations and engaged tens of thousands of people.

The Dalby itinerary is:

• 8:45am – 10:00am Visit to Our Lady Southern Cross Catholic College, Nicholson Street, Dalby

• 11:00am – 12:00pm Visit to South State School, Cnr Owen and Bunya Street, Dalby

• 12:30pm – 2:15pm Lunch at Mary’s Commercial Hotel, Cunningham Street, Dalby

• 2:30pm – 3:30pm Afternoon Tea at Ningana Retirement Village, Horace Street, Dalby

• 6:00pm – 9:00pm Cup Cocktail Party, 46 Drayton Street, Dalby

Since 2003, the Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour has travelled more than 325,000 kilometres, visited more than 236 regional, rural and metropolitan destinations and engaged tens of thousands of people.

Fine and sunny weather and almost summer temperatures drew many thousands of people to the eighth Toowoomba Languages and Cultures Festival at Queens Park on Sunday, August 11th.

This year’s festival, with the theme ‘One World – Many Faces’ features music and dance performances from scores of different cultural groups from across the Toowoomba region.

The centrepiece of this year’s fiesta was an Indonesian Spectacular.

“The day has become Queensland’s signature regional cultural diversity festival,” Events and Tourism Chair, Cr Geoff McDonald, said. “Stalls, art and music performances and workshops invite people from all cultures and faiths to learn a little about each other’s background. Every new community member adds a fresh dimension to our region and it’s important to welcome them to our city and region. This was the focus of the recent walk and event to declare Toowoomba a Refugee Welcome Zone.

Three non-stop stages featured Bollywood dancers, young Chinese performers, Korean word song, displays of Highland, Maori, German, Congolese and Indian classical dancers and many singing groups from South East Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

International food  and market and gift stalls were well patronised. The Interfaith and Health and Wellness marquees were also popular.

The Toowoomba Languages and Cultures Festival is a joint initiative of the Toowoomba International Multicultural Society and Toowoomba Regional Council, with assistance from many groups and organisations and volunteers.

Science is all about facts. And it’s a little-known fact that one of Australia’s most popular sporting legends, former cricketer Mike Hussey, is also a qualified science teacher!

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Mike (aka Mr Cricket), and the 2012 Young Australian of the Year and robotics expert Marita Cheng, are encouraging all Australians to get involved in the excitement of this national event, which runs from the 10th – 18th August.

Mike and Marita may seem worlds apart, but from a cricket ball to a robot and everything in-between, they both know that almost everything in day-to-day life owes itself to science. Without science, there’d be no mobile phones, no cars, no antibiotics, no Internet and – wait for it – no radio!

Now in its 16th year, National Science Week is a celebration of science in Australia, with more than 1,000 fascinating events taking place across every state and territory.

The Toowoomba Hospice will hold an Ecumenical service this Sunday, July 28th.
Hospice Chairman Graham Barron OAM says the Community is invited to help celebrate the success of the Toowoomba Hospices’ mission in “providing quality care in partnership with the community for those with a terminal illness.”

The Ecumenical service will be held at the Toowoomba Hospice, 57b O’Quinn Street at 10am on Sunday, to be finished by 11am. 

Bishop Bill Morris will lead the service to be supported by other religious denominations said Mr. Barron. We are delighted to have Bishop Bill joining us as they (Bishop Bill and Sister Frances) both worked closely with each other (especially during her time at the Bishop’s Office).

“The Ecumenical service is also to acknowledge and celebrate Sr Frances’ vision and inspiration, acknowledgement of the Management Committee, Staff, Volunteers, Benefactors and the Community,  as without assistance from all the above the Hospice would not be here today” said Mr. Barron

The Toowoomba Hospice provides free professional palliative care based on mutual respect, trust and individual needs to those who come to the Hospice. The facility is situated in O’Quinn Street Harristown.  For more information please contact the Toowoomba Hospice on 46598500 between 9am and 4pm.

Submitted by
Mark Munro
Promotions and Fundraising Manager
Toowoomba Hospice
PO Box 6463
Clifford Gardens Qld 4350
Ph: 07 46598500 Fax: 07 46598511
www.toowoombahospice.org.au

Toowoomba’s resident archaeologists, Professor Bryce Barker and Dr Lara Lamb will speak about their most recent ‘digs’ and discoveries.
Lecturers in Anthropology at USQ, the duo have worked on a range of ground-breaking projects. Their archaeological adventures have also led to extensive work on pre-European Aboriginal archaeology in the Whitsunday/Bowen region; to Papua New Guinea looking at the antiquity, origins and extent of the pottery trade along the coast; and local sites at the Eagles Nest Depression camp in Redwood Park, the old Toowoomba jail and the Ballard Cottage ruin.

This talk includes a post-show reception with the speakers – light refreshments will be served.

Date Wednesday 7 August 2013
Time 6.00pm
Duration 1 hour
Venue USQ Arts Theatre
Cost $20.00 Adult, $16.00 Concession, $14.00 Student, $9.00 Child

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Book Now USQ Artsworx Box Office 4631 1111 or Online

This talk is proudly sponsored by the USQ Office of Research and Higher Degrees.