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Toowoomba Regional Council’s portfolio leader for Tourism and Events Cr Geoff McDonald says the floral parade has come under the spotlight and there has been a suggestion that the parade be put back to 3pm to avoid the heat of the day – which makes perfect sense to me.”

He said a straw poll through the TCOF Facebook page back in late January, asked the community what they thought of changing the parade starting time to 3pm. 70% of respondents were in favour of moving the parade starting time to the 3pm timeslot.

“At that time, we also consulted our key stakeholders – police, parade organisers, sponsors, the SES, Main Roads and coach packaging experts – asking what they thought of a time change. All of them were supportive of a 3pm start.”[youtube width=”525″ height=”444”]http://youtu.be/FNTUUlq7Zk0[/youtube]
Cr McDonald went on to say “Being a family event and involving so many children in the parade, it made good sense to consider postponing the start time to 3pm. There is also a benefit to CBD businesses of having a later start as they can leave their doors open for longer on the morning of the parade.

Cr McDonald said the 2013 parade will start at 3pm and finish in Queens Park at 4.30pm (with the popular parade floral market taking place at 5pm). “It will fit perfectly with the Flower, Food & Wine Festival and Sideshow Alley in Queens Park and we’d encourage parade participants, their families and our many visitors to come join the fun and entertainment of these events,” he said.

“I have no doubt the 64th Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers will be yet another great experience and I hope to be in a position to make some more exciting announcements in a few weeks.”

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
Toowoomba Regional Council

Have you noticed how busy the skies have been of late? …. and here, I’m not talking about planes and helicopters …. beyond that!

This year started with a meteor explosion over Russia, and lately two comets, Panstarrs and Lemmon have been barely visible to the naked eye in the west, after sunset … and there’s more to come with Comet Ison in October, not to mention a solar flare likely to upset satelite communications after that!

The Space Pilots’ Club (or “Spacies” as we’re known), is a large group of boys who meet on Friday nights to learn more about science and space in particular, including the making of model aerospace-rockets.

This Saturday, 16th March, they’ll be launching some of their magnificent craft – and you are welcome to come and to be part of the action. They, and T.A.R.M.A.C. (the radio-controlled model aero club) invite you to come to the T.A.R.M.A.C. field on the New England Highway (just 10-minutes’ drive south of Toowoomba) just past The Mill – The Outlook at 1:30pm, and count-down with them as they launch each rocket. (Just look for the windsock on your right). Drive in and park.

The Weather Bureau has been predicting a beautiful day. Why not come and enjoy this exciting activity? It’s free! Yes, absolutely free. Bring the kids….

Submitted by:Barry Whisson
Space Pilots’ Club
Toowoomba
Ph 4635 3267

Marguerite Lumsden – Depression and Prostate Cancer, Psychologist Cancer Care Services, Toowoomba Base Hospital will be the guest speaker at the March meeting, Tuesday 19th.at 5.30 for a 6pm start. It will be held at the CCQ office 137 Herries Street Toowoomba. RSVP: Christine Ward, 07 4690 5800

“Marguerite Lumsden is a Psychologist of some 18 years experience. She holds a Masters of Psychology in Health & Community Psychology and is a graduate of the University of Southern Queensland. The vast majority of Marguerite’s experience was gained in Western Queensland where she lived and worked in Roma for 14 years as a Psychologist and in various community roles. Marguerite’s experience as a Psychologist is varied having worked with both children and adults.”
Your local Support Group has members from as far west as Wandoan, to the Lockyer Valley in the East and Gayndah in the North and down to the NSW border in the South.

There are Monthly meetings (3rd Tuesday of the Month) with guest speakers or round table informal discussions, plus a regular newsletter. Attendance at meetings is NOT a prerequisite of membership.

The Toowoomba Prostate Cancer Support Group is affiliated to the PCFA and supported by CCQ.

Submitted by:
David H Abrahams
Convenor & PCFA Ambassador
Toowoomba Prostate Cancer Support Group
Office: +61 (0)7 4613 6974
Fax: +61 (0)7 4635 4137
Mob: +61 (0)407 927 060
E-m: david.abrahams@bigpond.com

On St. Patrick’s Day 1942, the 1,000 strong Darling Downs 25^th Infantry Battalion left Cabarlah Barracks at 2.00am and marched down the steep range to the siding at Spring Bluff.   There the soldiers boarded trains bound for the Brisbane Exhibition Grounds, Townsville and eventually Milne Bay at the eastern tip of New Guinea.

Each year on the anniversary of the soldiers’ departure from Spring Bluff, members of the 25^th Battalion gather at Spring Bluff Railway Station for a flag raising ceremony, remembering the efforts of the 25^th Battalion in the 1942 Battle of Milne Bay and 1945 Bougainville campaign. Some 200 of their colleagues did not return home.

This year marks the 71^st anniversary of the night march from Cabarlah Barracks to the Spring Bluff Railway Station on Sunday 17 March, 1942. To commemorate this event, a special ceremony will commence at 10.00am at which members of the public are welcome to attend.

Futher information from Cr Sue Englart on 07 4688 6883.

This year’s theme for International Women’s Day, celebrated annually on 8 March, is: A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women.”
[youtube width=”420″ height=”315″]http://youtu.be/mEzfI8wMjqg[/youtube]United Nations Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet stresses that discrimination and violence against women and girls have no place in the 21st century. “Enough is enough,” she says in a message of both outrage and hope that discrimination and violence must end.”

From China to Costa Rica, from Mali to Malaysia, acclaimed singers and musicians, women (and men), have come together to spread a message of unity and solidarity: We are “One Woman”.
[youtube width=”420″ height=”315″]http://youtu.be/Dnq2QeCvwpw[/youtube]Launched on International Women’s Day, 8 March 2013, the song is a rallying cry that inspires listeners to join the drive for women’s rights and gender equality. “One Woman” was written for UN Women, the global champion for women and girls worldwide, to celebrate its mission and work to improve women’s lives around the world.

This year, International Women’s Day focuses on ending violence against women — a gross human rights violation that affects up to 7 in 10 women and a top priority for UN Women. As commemorations are underway in all corners of the globe, “One Woman” reminds us that together, we can overcome violence and discrimination: “We Shall Shine!” Join us to help spread the word and enjoy this musical celebration of women worldwide.

All proceeds of “One Woman” will go to UN Women and support our work to empower women and improve their lives worldwide. The song is also available on the music channels popular in your country.  Click on graphic to donate and download.

We thank you for your support!

Sunday March 10th will see the 13th annual Toowoomba Hotrodders High Altitude Hotrod Run Show ‘n’ Shine in Margaret Street, Toowoomba. The Show ‘n’ Shine is the final event in the weekend-long High Altitude Run which is hosted by Toowoomba Hotrodders Inc.

This High Altitude Run draws hotrod enthusiasts from across Queensland and northern New South Wales, and brings a wide range of quality cars of all colours and makes to Toowoomba. While the hotrods will be driving around various parts of the Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley regions over the weekend, this is a chance to get up close to the cars and admire the finer details and amount of work (and money!) that has gone into them.
The Show ‘n’ Shine is on from 9am – 12noon, in Margaret Street, between Ruthven Street and Victoria Street, extending into Duggan Street. Well over 100 hotrods and custom cars are expected to be on display.

During the morning this area is closed to traffic to allow people to wander around and appreciate the cars, enjoy the music of the live rock ‘n’ roll band and watch the Rockabilly Dancers. Trade stalls will also be operating. For those who like the sound of a grunty V8, they should hang around until the hotrods leave the area at noon.

The Show ‘n’ Shine is free to the public, and is a great way to spend a leisurely Sunday morning and vote for your favourite car. Local cafes open to serve breakfast, coffee and lunch and people can make a day of it by visiting places of interest in and around Toowoomba, Highfields and the Lockyer Valley such as parks, cafes and wineries.

Toowoomba Hotrodders Inc. acknowledges the generous support provided by Toowoomba Regional Council and Tourism & Events Queensland.

For further information, please contact Claire Moore on 0438 164 054.

‘Capitano Pretends Again’ arrives in Toowoomba and then Dalby, Roma and Charleville – Empowering people with a disability through theatre.

A production with a difference, Brisbane-based Blue Roo Theatre Company is touring the Darling Downs and South West Queensland showcasing ‘inclusive theatre’ which empowers people with a disability through arts and theatre.

Artistic Director Clark Crystal, with over 30 years professional experience in the production industry, is proud to open ticket sales for Blue Roo’s touring theatre performance ‘Capitano Pretends Again’ starting on 7th March  in Toowoomba and finishing up on 23rd March in Charleville. Blue Roo’s philosophy is to create a theatre production that is inclusive of all our actor’s abilities – working with professional production values and utilising Brisbane’s best in the music, choreography and production industry,” Clark Crystal said.
In the tradition of ‘Commedia dell’Arte’, Blue Roo brings a touring theatre production steeped in this classical Italian comic style. Performed in the original style of mask, live music and complete with mayhem, the Blue Roo ensemble will bring a touch of chaos to the Darling Downs and South West Queensland as characters Arlecchino, Zanni, Brighella, and Columbina attempt to foil Capitano’s insatiable fibbing.

While on tour, Blue Roo is also delivering carefully planned drama workshops to empower people with a disability through arts and theatre. We use drama, movement, music and theatre to build confidence, communication skills and encourage social inclusion,” Clark said. Blue Roo will be offering 3 days of drama workshops from Monday 11th-Wednesday 13th of March in Toowoomba.

Blue Roo will also offer a drama workshop before the public performances in Dalby and Roma at 9.30am, and at 11am in Charleville. Ticket prices are $15.00 for performance and workshop $10.00 for performance only $5.00 for workshop only.

Tickets for Toowoomba can be purchased from the Empire Theatre box office on 4698 9900 and at the door. To purchase tickets for Dalby, Roma and Charleville please call 0439 007 676 or tickets can be purchased at the door.