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Remembrance Day (November 11) marks the anniversary of the Armistice that ended the First World War in 1918. More than 60,000 Australian soldiers were killed in World War One and another 156,000 were wounded or taken as Prisoners of War. Since then, more than 100,000 Australians have died during military service and more than 215,000 have been wounded or captured.

To commemorate their sacrifice, one minute’s silence is observed at annual Remembrance Day services held at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month.

The solemn gatherings pay tribute to the ANZACs who have died or suffered to serve the nation in wars, conflicts and peace keeping operations around the world. RSL Queensland CEO Chris McHugh said it is particularly important to remember the seven Australian soldiers killed this year while on duty far from home.
In the past decade, 39 Australian Defence Force personnel aged from 21 to 41 have been killed on duty in Afghanistan,” Mr McHugh said. More than 240 other soldiers and sailors have suffered amputations, fractures, gunshot wounds, hearing loss or brain injury.

While their losses cannot be remedied, we can honour their sacrifices by ensuring that their mission and their families are not forgotten or neglected.”

Thousands of Queenslanders are expected to attend more than 130 Remembrance Day services across the state on this Sunday 11 November.

District Services as advised by the RSL (Queensland Branch):
Crow’s Nest – William Street, Memorial, Crows Nest 10:45am
Dalby – ANZAC Park, Patrick Street, Dalby 9:30am
Djuan & District – Cenotaph, cnr Hartwig and Mocatta Streets,  Goombungee 10:45am
Highfields – Memorial, Highfields Cultural Centre, O’Brien Road, Highfields 10:45am
Millmerran – ANZAC Memorial Park, Herbert Street, Millmerran 10:30am
Oakey – Cnr Campbell and McDonald Streets, Oakey 10:45am
Pittsworth – Shrine, Yandilla Street, Pittsworth 10:45am
Toowoomba & District – Mothers Memorial, Margaret Street, Toowoomba, 10:30am

Further details and donations at www.rslqld.org/

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