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Crime Stoppers Queensland has released its annual statistics for 2012 to coincide with the celebration of Crime Stoppers Day on Friday 8th February, 2013.

During 2012 Crime Stoppers Queensland received 40,321 anonymous phone calls. Chief Executive Officer Mr Trevor O’Hara said Intelligence reports were up 6.6% and online reporting through the Queensland website had risen by 54% during 2012. This indicates that higher quality information reports were being received from the public.”

As a direct result of this information flowing through the Crime Stoppers program, a total of 1,820 offenders were arrested on 5,502 charges during 2012”, Mr O’Hara said. That equates to a 1.3% increase in arrests and 17% increase in charges compared to the 2011 calendar year”.

A significant result for the organisation was the seizure of illegal drugs totalling $17.3 million during 2012, a 46% increase from 2011 and a 100% increase from 2010.

Whilst illegal drug related activity stood out in the range of calls received by Crime Stoppers during the year, 111 Weapons Act, 97 Break and Enter, 44 Unlawful Use of Motor Vehicle, 33 Armed Robbery and 85 Stolen Property offences were also finalised during the year. Importantly though, one Attempt to Unlawfully Kill charge was also achieved during the year” said Mr O’Hara.

Crime Stoppers Queensland has released these figures to coincide with Crime Stoppers Day being celebrated on Friday 08 February, 2013.

Submitted by:
Andrew Fox
Manager Corporate Communications
Heritage Bank

On Friday night 28th December 2012, Miles family Sandy and Dave Meehan and three of their children were visiting family in Childers (near Bundaberg) when their car collided head-on with a utility. Sandy died at the accident scene, while Dave sustained serious injuries.

Daughter Sharon (15) and son Dylan (13) suffered life-threatening injuries. Sharon and Dylan remain hospitalised in Brisbane as they face many months of recuperation and rehabilitation. Infant daughter Schayler was miraculously spared, suffering only bruising, while eldest daughter Skye was not travelling with the family when the accident occurred.

TOOWOOMBA musicians have offered their talents to help fund the long and expensive battle that lies ahead for the family after the horrific car crash. Cool Nights Big Band members have organised a night of entertainment and raffles at Darling Heights State School on Saturday, February 9th to coincide with a fundraising day being held at Miles.

Country music artist Brendon Walmsley will join Ron Williams and the Cool Nights Big Band on stage from 6-10pm. All funds raised will be donated to the Meehan Family Fund. Phone 0400 875 053.

Submitted by:
Peter Rookas
CEO
Toowoomba Hospital Foundation

Young people aged 17-25 represent less than 15% of the population yet account for over 25% of all deaths and injuries on our roads. Almost 30% of deaths within this age group are as a direct result of a motor vehicle crash with young men accounting for over 70% of these.

The time is right for community leaders from all areas, including those from the private sector, government, police, educators, business, emergency services, trainers and service groups to come together on this issue to make a real difference.
The Alive2Drive Program is not just about up-skilling young drivers, it is an inclusive approach targeting attitudes, skills, education, mentorship, trauma support and community ownership. The fact that it is simulator based means we can start legally at the earliest age without sacrificing safety or integrity of the program.

SIMULATION TRAINING
The high end simulation based solution is focused on enabling our youth to start to learn to properly operate a vehicle from as young as 14. By utilising simulators we can begin the training legally and in total safety.

Learners can be placed into risk situations which they must manage but without threat to their safety, that of the vehicle or the environment in which they are operating. They are then able to practice these skills over and over until they become instinctive. This is not possible with any other learning system.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Contact us and volunteer to work, donate time or money, or just get more info.

The Alive2Drive program is not just about up skilling young drivers, it is a holistic approach targeting attitudes, skills, practical understanding, mentorship, trauma support and community ownership.

Let us all get involved in protecting the precious lives of our Young Adults – Our Future.

Email: mail@alive2drive.com  Website: www.alive2drive.com

Toowoomba Hockey Association will unite with all other Hockey Associations in Queensland in February 2013 to implement an exciting new sign-on campaign which is set to bolster the profile of the sport across Queensland. The campaign called ‘Get into Hockey’ will feature a multitude of initiatives designed to enhance parents’ and children’s understanding of the opportunities that stem from playing hockey and the appeal of trying the fun team sport.
Just some of the initiatives developed to boost the profile and exposure of hockey include a state-wide television ad starring Olympic hockey gold medallist Nikki Hudson, as well as other media advertising promoting the specific details of the various district sign-on opportunities across the state.

The sign-on events themselves will also be revamped and will have a fun rather than administrative focus with have-a-go activities, sausage sizzles and pop music. There will also be a jumping castle for the kids at the Toowoomba sign-on.

The Toowoomba Hockey Family Fun Day and Sign-On will be held on Saturday 9th February, 2013 from 2pm to 4pm at the grounds at 564 Boundary Street, Toowoomba. All new and returning players are encouraged to attend the event with their family and friends.

Hockey Queensland CEO Kim Guerin said she is looking forward to seeing what the campaign can achieve for hockey in Toowoomba. The ‘Get into Hockey’ campaign is all about educating parents and children of the opportunities that stem from playing hockey and promoting hockey as a fun team sport that is embracing of new players,” Ms Guerin said.

Toowoomba has traditionally been a strong hockey centre and therefore we are excited about the potential of this campaign to greatly boost local junior numbers, and with time see an even greater number of talented Toowoomba players progress up the state hockey ranks,” she said.

For more information about the ‘Get into Hockey’ campaign visit www.getintohockey.com.au

With ex-tropical cyclone Oswald moving south, wet weather arrangements for Australia Day celebrations around the region will be as follows:

Clifton: FE Logan Hall – Clifton’s Australia Day Celebrations will be held in the FE Logan Hall, so there should be no problem with rain.

Crows Nest: Crow’s Nest Community and RSL Centre – Crows Nest, Goombungee and Yarraman Australia Day venues are all community halls, so no wet weather venues required. For more information: Barry Miller 0409 874 147.

Goombungee – Goombungee Public Hall – In the case of Goombungee where there are outside activities for children, the only impact from wet weather will be the big water slide & jumping castle. The committee will review on Friday night and again early Saturday morning. Contact: Bronwyn Holland 0427 574 056.

Yarraman – Yarraman Memorial Hall – Glenda Stimpson 0428 161 410.

Hodgson Vale (Greenmount district) – Hodgson Vale Clubhouse – Our wet weather venue for Hodgson Vale, is the clubhouse. For more information: Erin Ford 0488 716 660, Cr Carol Taylor 0417 723 948, Kathy Eddie 0414 922 726

Highfields – Highfields Cultural Centre – The Highfields Aust Day wet weather venue is the Highfields Cultural Centre. The centre will be used for the official ceremony only if the weather is too wet for Highfields Pioneer Village. Public access to the Cultural Centre from noon with the awards to commence at 2pm. A call on whether to use the cultural centre will be made by mid-morning. For more information: Eddie Briffa – TRC CLO, 0417 794 776, Jody Dodds – Pioneer Village, 4696 6309 Renee Blackburn – Cultural Centre Manager, 0417 568 151.

Millmerran and Cecil Plains – The Cecil Plains State School Hall and facilities. The school is right beside the Cecil Plains Community Hall and park. For more information: Lorrain Ryan 4668 0191, CLO Contact – Ann D’Arcy 0448 137311.

Oakey – Oakey Cultural Centre – The Oakey presentations are all in the Oakey Cultural Centre, so will not be affected by rain. The celebrations (raft race etc) may be affected, but the Oakey committee will “play that by ear”.

Pittsworth – The Pittsworth Australia Day event will now be held at the Pittsworth Show Pavilion.

Toowoomba – please note that Toowoomba’s celebration at Picnic Point will now be moved to the indoor venue of Rumours International in Ruthven Street, Toowoomba commencing at 10am & concluding at 1pm. The Awards Ceremony will occur at 11:15am. There will be entertainment either side of the Awards Ceremony.

NBN Co today announced certain parts of Toowoomba now have access to the National Broadband Network (NBN), allowing locals in the switched-on area to order a super-fast broadband service as from January 24th.

This is a great day for Toowoomba, with the live network now passing over 1,700 local homes and businesses,” NBN Co Community Account Manager, Ryan Williams said.

Toowoomba is the second place in Queensland to be able to connect, so it presents a wonderful opportunity for the local community to be at the forefront of this new digital age. We encourage home and business owners in the switched-on area to make an early change to the NBN to be among the first in the country to experience the benefits of super-fast broadband.”

Retail prices for NBN fibre plans based on wholesale speeds up to 25/5Mbps** are comparable to existing ADSL2+ packages*** With services delivered over the NBN you can enjoy great quality video calls, get the whole family online at once*, and download movies in minutes,” Mr Williams said.

To find out about switching to the NBN, residents and businesses can contact their preferred phone or internet service provider. A list of phone or internet service providers in each area is available at nbnco.com.au/switch or by calling 1800 OUR NBN (1800 687 626).

A team from NBN Co will also be visiting the Grand Central Shopping Centre, from Thursday the 14th to Sunday 17th of February to give locals the chance to learn about the NBN and the benefits of super-fast broadband. People will be able to come to the NBN Co Information Zone (on level one, opposite Roger David) during the centre’s opening hours to speak to an NBN representative.

Some of the region’s most talented artists have banded together to display & sell their works in aid of local Mental Health services at the Toowoomba Hospital.

Organiser & local artist Christina Renata has been the driving force behind the ‘Raw 2013 Art Exhibition’ that has been staged this week at The Hidden Room for Artists, 503 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba (next door to Betros Brothers). Artists include Christina Renata, Troy Cooper, Doreen Ward, Jamie Robertson, David Le May, Tye Robertson, Naomi Luscombe, Deb Beaumont, Tamara Werne and many more.
The quality of the art has already attracted many visitors and more than 10 pieces have already been sold.
The display will conclude on Friday evening 25th January, with a major auction of pieces in aid of Mental Health services at the Toowoomba Hospital.

Organiser Christina Renata is elated with the success of her first exhibition “The response has been outstanding. Thank you so much Toowoomba people, for being the community that you are; supporting and caring. The Exhibition has gone beyond my wildest dreams. Please call in as there is still great art on show,” she said.

WHERE: The Hidden Room for Artists
503 Ruthven Street (next door to Betros Brothers) culminating in a Charity Auction at 6.30pm Friday, 25th January.

Submitted by:
Peter Rookas,
CEO, Toowoomba Hospital Foundation
Ph 4616 6166

Fly the flag, slap on the zinc cream and belt out the national anthem at any number of Australia Day activities across the region.
Customer Services portfolio leader and Australia Day Committee chair Cr Anne Glasheen says Toowoomba Regional Council and local Australia Day committees are inviting residents to celebrate our national day on Saturday, January 26th.  There will be fun and entertainment throughout the region and we’d love mum and dad and the family to come along and share a special day together,” Cr Glasheen said.

We truly are a lucky country and it is the perfect time to get together with friends from the community and join in the festivities to mark our proud history.” Cr Glasheen said Australia Day activities would be held at Clifton, Highfields, Goombungee, Cecil Plains, Yarraman, Crows Nest, Pittsworth, Hodgson Vale, Oakey and Toowoomba.

What’s On:
Toowoomba – Picnic Point
· 7.45am: Caledonian Pipe Band
· 8am: Flag raising. Free billy tea, damper, flag handwavers (limited supply).
Also, 8am-3pm: PCYC All Abilities and Disability specific sports display
· 8.10am: Toowoomba Municipal Band
· 8.50am: Bush Poet
· 9am: Cactoblastis
· 9.30am: High Altitude Harmony.
· Free children’s activities (limited snow cones, fairy floss, temporary tattoos)
· 10am: Bush Poet
· 10.10am: Mosaic Judy
· 11.05am: Bush Poet
· 11.15am: Australia Day Awards presentation
· 11.30am: Free sausage sizzle (limited supply), The Webb Family band
· 12.15pm: Bollywood Dancers
· 12.30pm: Scout Revue
· 1pm: Dance Central
· 1.30pm: Penny Davies and Roger Ilott
· Organised activities until 3pm

Please note: Picnic Point’s top car park will be closed on Saturday, January 26 for the duration of Australia Day celebrations. The car park will be closed to all traffic from 4am to 3pm.

Cecil Plains – Memorial Hall Park
· 7-9am: Free breakfast
· Includes games and activities – egg and spoon race, tug-o-war, thong throwing
· 9am: Official ceremony and presentation of Australia Day Awards followed by mini triathlon with categories for children and adults. Barbecue lunch available

Clifton – F E Logan Hall, Meara Place, Clifton
· 7am: Flag raising, National Anthem
· 7.05am: Australia Day Prayer
· 7.15-8.15am: Free barbecue breakfast
· 7.15-8.30am: Nobby Barefoot Folk Orchestra; Tony Fenner (poetry)
· 8.30am: Lucky breakfast draw
· 8.35am: Addresses, including Australia Day Ambassador Christopher Raine, Awards presentation
· 9.15am: Cake cutting, damper for A 26ers

Crows Nest – Community and RSL Centre
· 6.30am: Cooked breakfast with tea/coffee for $2 donation. Cooked by Lions Club, served by Boys’ Brigade members – sausage and bread for children
· 7.30am: Flag wavers distributed
· 8-9am: Flag raising, national anthem, Australia Day Prayer, affirmation address by 2013 Crows Nest State School captains
· Guest speaker: 2012 Young Citizen and Regional award winner Samantha Gluer
· Presentation of Australia Day Awards
· Announcement of Regional Australia Day awards and Groom Scholarship recipient
· Naming of best damper cook
· 9am: Morning tea with competition dampers

Goombungee – Goombungee Public Hall
· 8-9.30am: Community breakfast
· 9am-noon: family activities: face painting, races, jumping castle, big
· slide, backyard cricket
· 10am: Australia Day Awards. Includes guest speakers and official ceremony (Acknowledgment of traditional owners, national anthem, community reflection, affirmation followed by Australia address)
· Closing address

Highfields – Highfields Pioneer Village, Wirraglen Road

· 9am-1.30pm: Activities including Aboriginal art display, milking and butter making, draft horse, sheep shearing and bee keeping displays, damper making demo and competition, whip cracking school, wheel tyring at the blacksmith’s shop.
· 2pm: Official Australia Day program starts. Didgeridoo performance – Don Nikkelson; Flag raising, national anthem; Welcome new citizens, guest speakers including Australia Day Ambassador Daphne Pirie, awards presentation; Trevor Dodds – I Still Call Australia Home
· 2.30-3.30pm: Free billy tea, damper. Musical entertainment continues

Hodgson Vale – Hodgson Vale Community Sports Club (Maydean Place)
· 8.30-10am: Free breakfast, children’s games (face painting, jumping castle, egg throwing comp and more), entertainment by James Anderssen
· 10.30am to noon: Official award ceremony, flag raising. Guest speaker and Australia Day Ambassador Professor John Pearn AM

Oakey – Oakey Cultural Centre
· 7.30am: Community breakfast
· 8.45am: Awards presentation, Australia Day Ambassador Uncle Albert Holt
· 9.45am: Morning tea
Oakey – Arthur Shooter Park
· 10.30am-noon: Oakey Creek Cup raft race and other creek-based activities (canoe races, billy boiling competition, Oakey Freshwater Fish Restockers display, Condamine Alliance river rescue displays and demonstrations, carp busting competition, remote control boats, magnetic fishing, water pistol war, waterslide and entertainment.)
· Stay on for a picnic after the formal program

Pittsworth – Pioneer Village, Pioneer Way
· 4pm: Face painting, balloon tricks, treasure hunt for Under 5s
· 4.30-6pm: Frisbee throwing (12 and under). Other events include men’s thong throwing, women’s shopping bag throwing, egg throwing in junior categories, Mums’ pram race (BYO pram), Under 5 egg and spoon race
· 5pm: Billy cart race (John Stephens Memorial – check in 4.30pm)
· 5.15pm: Children’s tug-o-war
· 5.30pm: Crosscut saw competition (men’s, women’s, jack and jill events)
· 6pm: Postle Gift – 75 yard sprint (Under 10 boys/girls; Under 14 boys/girls; Under 16 boys; Under 16 girls/women; open sprint)
· 7pm: Official ceremony – National Anthem/flag raising (Pittsworth Army cadets). Official address, Australia Day Ambassador Charlie Earp. Presentation of Australia Day Awards, event prizes and Gift trophies
· 7.45pm: Tug-o-war
· Ridgy Didge Bush Band plays throughout the program
· Organised activities until 9pm

Yarraman – Yarraman Memorial Hall, Browne Street
· 8.30am for 9am start: sit-down breakfast
· 10am: Presentation of Australia Day Awards
· 10.30am: Coffee and socialising

Information Provided By:
Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
Toowoomba Service Centre
Toowoomba Regional Council