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Volunteers are needed for the Lions Club of Toowoomba West’s Christmas Wonderland of Lights in the Botanical Gardens of Queens Park, Toowoomba throughout the month of December.
Toowoomba’s Christmas Wonderland has now grown to be one of Queensland’s biggest light extravaganzas with over 45,000 people visiting the lights display each year since 2006. However to run this event, there is a need for volunteers. Every night about 36 volunteers are necessary to run the show. Last year the community responded in grand fashion and there is a need for the same this year.

If you would like to volunteer and join in the spirit of Christmas, please log on to www.christmaswonderland.com.au and go to the Volunteers Roster.

The major beneficiaries this year include: Toowoomba Hospital Foundation, Lifeline and Toowoomba Hospice, with a number of other local charities to benefit.

Toowoomba’s Christmas Wonderland will run 7.00pm – 10.00pm each night from the 1st December to 24th December 2012, in the Botanical Gardens of Queens Park off Lindsay Street.

For further information,
Peter Rookas, Toowoomba Hospital Foundation,
Ph. 4616 6166

The annual awards program is presented by the Queensland Government, supported by the Commonwealth Bank and WIN Television. This year’s winners were announced at the Queensland Gala Awards Presentation Dinner at the Oaks Oasis Resort at Caloundra on Saturday, November 3rd.

There are six categories in the Regional Achievement & Community Awards.

The Clark Rubber Regional Service Award went to Sharon Boyce of  Toowoomba. Suffering a physical disability and confined to a wheelchair, Sharon has a passion to work with children with learning difficulties. She works part time in the early childhood education centre at the University of Southern Queensland. She has worked with Dr Michael Furtardo to run an educational consultancy program “Discovering DisAbility and Diversity”, and has exhibited her acrylic abstract paintings.
Sharon has also written and published an education resource folder called “Another Day in the Life of Sharon Boyce – A Person with a Physical Disability”. She has also written a book designed for ipads titled “Discovery at Paradise Island” which has been converted into a spoken book and a daisy format for the blind. Sharon receives $2,500 thanks to the Commonwealth Bank.

Other finalists from the Toowoomba Region were Toowoomba Clubhouse in the Salvation Army Business and Employment Award (won by Xstrata Mount Isa Mines), and Dianne Auchettl of Toowoomba also in the Clark Rubber Regional Service Award category.

Toowoomba Region Mayor Paul Antonio is encouraging the community to take a dive on Saturday, 10th November in aid of Multiple Sclerosis. Milne Bay Aquatic Centre will play host to the MS Swimathon, a 12 hour non-stop swimming challenge, which aims to raise $30,000 towards vital research.

A cause close to the mayor’s heart, Cr Antonio said the fundraising event is a fantastic initiative worth making a splash about. “Unfortunately so little is known about MS but if the community continue to get behind such events as the MS Swimathon, hopefully one day they may be able to find a cure,” Cr Antonio said.

Teams of up to 15 swimmers are required to swim for 12 hours straight, with one team member in the pool at all times. A number of celebrities, including Rugby League legend Shane Webcke will be visiting the centre throughout the 12 hour challenge.

As a Multiple Sclerosis Patron, Cr Antonio will officially kick start the event on Saturday November 10 at the Milne Bay Aquatic Centre on Herries Street, Toowoomba with the first swimmers taking to the water at 7am.

To register visit www.msswimathon.com.au/swim-locations/toowoomba

Rosalie Gallery has officially opened Enchanted” an exhibition by Wood Artisan, Sean Lloyd. This unique collection includes beautifully crafted chairs and furniture pieces from wedding settings to unique kitchenalia. All pieces are crafted from local timbers, vines and tree branches.
I have tried to capture the beauty of nature using mainly tree branches and vines and turning them into rustic furniture,” said Sean.

I grew up working on farms and learnt that if you wanted something you made it yourself.” Sean spent some years on an outback cattle station and learnt leatherwork from his father, making saddles and harnesses in his spare time. He has served in the Australian Army within the Infantry in North Qld and has taught woodwork on a volunteer basis at St. Monica’s School Oakey.

He enjoys the challenge of one off” pieces and has recently established an agent for his work in Sydney. When Sean isn’t working on one of his wood pieces, he enjoys playing electric guitar from blues thru to Neo classical. He has a keen interest in motor bikes and is also a published author. He is currently working on a book of short stories.

Previous exhibitions have been held in Art Galleries incorporated in Toowoomba and in Miles. His rustic furniture is available for hire at weddings and general functions.

The exhibition concludes on Sunday 4th November. Rosalie Gallery is in Mocatta Street, Goombungee. Opening hours are Wednesday to Sunday from 10.30am to 3.30pm. For further information phone the Gallery on 4696 5600.

Story and photo by Jenny Gersekowski

The Toowoomba regional community is invited to a FREE Family Fun Day this Sunday 28th October at the Milne Bay Aquatic & Fitness Centre, to help raise the awareness of the need to take a stance against all forms of violence and to culminate Family Week 2012 celebrations.

The Toowoomba Says No to Violence (TSN2V) family event, from 3.00pm – 8.30pm, includes FREE ENTRY to Milne Bay Aquatic & Fitness Centre, Entertainment with James Anderson, Crazy Candles, Dancing Stars, Outdoor/Indoor Inflatable slide, Balloon Twisting, Face Painting, Food, lots of Family Fun PLUS FREE on the Village Green across the road at 7.00pm, a fun family movie, ‘Puss ‘n Boots’. With the generous support of the Toowoomba Regional Council TSN2V has been able to arrange this wonderful family fun day at NO COST to families.
After another successful year of raising the profile of the need to stamp out violence in the community, the ‘Toowoomba Says NO to Violence’ committee has planned this day of family fun to make a statement about the need to reduce violence. Whether it be domestic violence, street violence, sexual violence or violence against children, the message will be made clear. Toowoomba says NO!!

The Family Fun day will also culminate Family Week 2012 and celebrate the Toowoomba community’s ability to host public events and celebrations in a friendly and safe environment for all the family. While it is acknowledged by the TSN2V committee that violence is not rampant in Toowoomba, the committee’s aim is to promote and keep Toowoomba a safe, healthy and peaceful community. By saying that violence is not an option, the Toowoomba community can maintain its reputation as a desirable place to live. The goal is to create a safe, healthy and peaceful Toowoomba by working together to reduce violence.

The family fun day also will bring together community champions of Toowoomba to promote that violence is preventable and not inevitable.

Submitted by:
Peter Rookas
Ph 4616 6166
Mobile:0418  713 138