Toowoomba’s Christmas Wonderland Launched 2nd December
The Governor of Queensland, Her Excellency Penelope Wensley has officially launched this year’s Christmas Wonderland of Lights at an invitation only evening function on site in Queens Park on Friday 2nd December.
The Toowoomba Regional Council has again approved the use of the Botanical Gardens for this year’s event and in fact, has granted even more park space for the extra lights displays.
Toowoomba’s Christmas Wonderland (TCW), staged by the Lions Club of Toowoomba West, has now grown into Queensland’s biggest public Christmas lights extravaganza with over 50,000 people visiting the lights display each and every year since 2006. In all, close to $300,000 has been raised for charity.
The major beneficiaries of TCW include: Toowoomba Hospital Foundation, Lifeline and Toowoomba Hospice, with a number of other local charities also to benefit.
Toowoomba’s Christmas Wonderland will run nightly from the 3rd to the 24th of December in the Botanical Gardens of Queens Park (off Lindsay Street).
The site is excellent for families, being close to the CBD, with adequate parking and an ambience that is ideally suited for holding a Christmas lights Wonderland.
Submitted by
Peter Rookas
CEO Toowoomba Hospital Foundation
Ph 07 4616 6166
Car Show & Shine at St Andrew’s Hospital, Toowoomba Saturday 26 November
The third St Andrew’s Show and Shine will be held today, Saturday 26 November 2011 between 3pm and 7pm.
Two of the cars to be seen, a Cadillac and 1961 Ford Convertible
The event attracts a large number of classic and vintage cars, hot rods, tractors, trucks and bikes.
This year there will also be Tappet Cover and Box Car racing. The Tappet Cover Cars are made from rocker covers of an actual motor. Box Cars are of any design. The vehicles are raced down a 10 metre track and both types of cars are powered by gravity.
The vehicles are placed at the top of a specially constructed incline, they are released at the same time and the first to cross a finish line at the bottom of the incline wins the race.
Entry to the event for the general public is $5 and for exhibitioners $10 per car, with all money raised going to the St Andrews’s Cancer Care Centre, John Stedman Unit. Food and drink stalls will be operating throughout the afternoon and evening.
The event will be held in the St Andrew’s car park with entry off Holberton Street, Toowoomba.
New Vice-Chancellor Appointed to USQ
The Chancellor of the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) Mrs Bobbie Brazil announced today the appointment of Professor Jan Thomas as USQ’s Vice-Chancellor and President. Professor Thomas succeeds Professor Bill Lovegrove who retires on December 31 after more than eight years in the position.
Professor Thomas comes to USQ from the University of Notre Dame Australia in Western Australia where she is Deputy Vice-Chancellor. She leads the Fremantle campus of the University and has University-wide responsibility for research and quality assurance across campuses in Sydney, Fremantle and Broome.
Prior to joining Notre Dame, Professor Thomas had a long and distinguished academic career at Murdoch University, WA, where she was Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) with responsibility for indigenous education, academic policy, academic planning, student support, student services, student recruitment, liaison and administration, library services, social justice, quality assurance, flexible delivery and staff development and organisational capability.
Mrs Brazil said, Most recently Professor Thomas has been a member of an expert advisory group to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations whose focus was on developing higher education performance indicators in association with the Commonwealth government.â€
Professor Thomas has been an auditor for the Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA) and an international reviewer for accrediting agencies in Oman and Hong Kong. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has spent ten years as a Director and Member of the Board of Governance for Western Australia’s MercyCare, a large community and human services organisation.â€
Mrs Brazil said that USQ was most fortunate to gain the expertise of someone of the calibre of Professor Thomas whose leadership and commitment to higher education has been recognised through numerous grants, awards and prizes in her career. In addition to her extensive organisational leadership Professor Thomas has an international reputation in her own academic background in veterinary and biomedical sciences,†Mrs Brazil said.
Speaking from Perth, Professor Thomas said she was looking forward to working with staff and those within USQ’s regions to take on the challenges of higher education and extend the work already undertaken to make university study more accessible to people of all ages.
The Chancellor paid tribute to Professor Bill Lovegrove as USQ’s longest serving Vice-Chancellor whom she described as having guided the University through a period of considerable and continuing change to its present highly acknowledged place in the Australian higher education system.
Mrs Brazil said Professor Thomas has been appointed for an initial term of four years and was chosen from an extremely talented field which included Australian and international applicants. Professor Thomas will take up the role of Vice-Chancellor on 16th January, 2012.
Submitted by:
Dr Aidan Burke
USQ Director Corporate Communication & Public Relations
Final Toowoomba Model Rocket Launch for 2011 on 19th November
There’s no need to remind you how close Christmas is, but before the very thought of it ‘consumes’ you, how about you treat yourself to a few hours of R & R at the last Model Rocket Launch of the year for the local and quite unique Space Pilots’ Club this Saturday 19th November at the T.A.R.M.A.C. field on the New England Highway, just a 10-minute drive south of Toowoomba.
The Toowoomba Amateur Radio-controlled Model Aircraft Club (T.A.R.M.A.C for short) and the Space Club invite you to come and see their lovingly-made aerodynamically-designed model rocket craft (some of them as tall as the makers themselves) soar skyward through a billowing cloud of smoke after an exciting ‘count-down’ by those watching.
Zac & Araon, Young Rocketeers in the Making
Not only the boys of the Club, but often their parents, sisters, and even their grandparents get in on the act to make their own rockets to launch. Even previous members like David Groves and Scott Patterson keep coming back to launch their rockets. This says a lot for the challenge of making craft that not only look good but fly well, in the process setting a positive example for younger rocketeers.
Where is the TARMAC field?….drive south of Toowoomba (past Nelson Street) and through Hodgsonvale, and when you reach The Mill – The Outlook†on your left, slow down and look for the TARMAC Model Airfield on your right. Drive in and park in the parking area near the shelter shed and make your way, with folding chair, to the shaded area. Sit back, relax and enjoy the ‘show’.
There are toilet facilities on site. There are also refreshments available.
Best of all …entry is FREE.
It all starts shortly after 1:30 pm and is usually over by 3:30pm. Come along, give yourself a deserved break and spend an enjoyable afternoon at the Space Pilots Club’s last model rocket launch for 2011.
Submitted by:
Barry Whisson
Launch Controller
15 Years of Celebrating Outback Talent
Toowoomba is celebrating the incredible creative talent of the outback at the Bush Christmas Exhibition, showcasing the works of 110 leading rural and remote artisans from Friday 18 to Sunday 27 November.
The exciting collection of handmade gifts, stunning artworks and gourmet delights is like nothing else around, and the quality of workmanship in each piece will ensure the perfect addition to any Christmas list.
Organiser Liz McClymont said Bush Christmas has been celebrating the incredible talent we have in rural and remote areas by recognising and promoting the unique and innovative work and providing each exhibitor with an avenue to promote and sell their work to a wider audience.
Affordability, quality and innovation are the characteristics that make this event unique and the diverse range and degree of excellence in every piece has helped to promote and support the artisans,†Mrs McClymont said.
With new exhibitors and some of the old favourites on display, you are sure to find something you love that is unique and generally not available in stores.†An extensive range of exciting products is for sale with everything from exquisite jewellery, textile creations and works of art, to beautiful homewares, soaps, books and cards.
The imaginative culinary creations of the bush will be on display with a multitude of gourmet delights and hampers which arecharacteristic of the heartwarming tastes of the country kitchen. And the kids have not been forgotten with inspiring handcrafted toys, clothes, accessories and books to enjoy.
The exhibition is set up as a gallery style sale of works, so it is easy to explore and find what you are looking for. With stocks replenished daily, there will always be something new and exciting to see no matter what day you attend.
Get a taste for some of the beautiful creations that are available for sale by visiting www.bushchristmas.com
15th Annual Bush Christmas Exhibition
Friday 18 November to Sunday 27 November 2011
9.00am to 6.00pm daily (Free admission)
58 Neil Street Toowoomba (Masonic Centre next to Empire Theatre)
Rosalie Gallery Exhibits 50 Years of Fashions and Friendship
Rosalie Gallery, Mocatta Street Goombungee is currently exhibiting Country Couture†an extraordinary exhibition of 50 years of frocks and accessories owned by Mrs Dulcie Mason of Oakey, formerly of Acland.
While milking cows and tending her chickens, Dulcie, a farmer’s wife dreamed of dancing. She sold over 1000 eggs per week in Toowoomba in order to afford the very best of fabrics and trims for her gowns. Dulcie now 88 years old designed one new dress a year and her friend the late Thelma Beutel an expert local seamstress sewed them.
It is a story of true friendship, heart warming memories and frocks fit for a country princess. Frocks, numerous handbags, hats, gloves, stories and memories are all on show at the gallery.
A crowd of over 150 people of all ages attended the official opening of Country Couture” on Friday 18th November at 7.00 p.m by Prue Acton O.B.E. In her address, Ms Acton said The choice of clothes we wear on important occasions mark these rites of passage forever in our hearts. I hear these stories everywhere I go – the first job, the first ball gown, 21st birthdays, weddings and christenings.”
“I also want to highlight, while I can, that they are part of a story where towns and enterprises die through lack of big picture thinking. The price of so called “progress” can just be too high,” said Ms Acton.
Special guests were Mrs. Dulcie Mason, Prue Acton O.B.E. and the Mason & Beutel families.  A country style supper was served after the opening.
Rosalie Gallery opening hours are Wednesday to Sunday 10.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m.
The exhibition continues until 4th December.
Story and Photos by Jenny Gersekowski
Up and Coming Fashion Designer Coming to Toowoomba 19th November
Toowoomba and Darling Downs residents will be treated to an afternoon of high fashion when former Toowoomba woman and couturier to the stars, Jacqueline Buck arrives this weekend.
Iconic family business, Wagners, is sponsoring the event for the Endeavour Foundation South West Committee in conjunction with the Downs Club, Cracker Print and Paper, Toni Ross Hair, Kate-e-h and Zazi Mineral Cosmetics.
Designer Jacqueline Buck with two of her creations modelled by Rachael Parker.
The former “Glennie Girl ‘ said she was excited to travel back to her hometown to present her latest collection which will feature items shown at the 2011 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival. I am really looking forward to coming home to present some of my designs and I hope to bring something new to Toowoomba,” Ms Buck said. I have always supported the Endeavour Foundation so I jumped at the opportunity to get involved and help raise much needed money for them.”
With her genuine, down to earth nature Ms Buck identifies with the needs of each client, working meticulously to create their dream dress. Whether it’s a unique outfit for the races, a cocktail party, black tie event or for the most special day of all, your wedding day, Ms Buck will delight you with her creativity and impeccable standard of craftsmanship.
Sourcing beautiful fabrics and materials from around the world, Jacqueline uses only natural fibres, which ensures each and every piece she has designed reaches its full potential.
Last year Jacqueline announced the release of a new second label in addition to her established line of Couture, a ready to wear collection under the label ‘Jacqueline Buck’ which was launched at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival held at Brisbane’s Southbank in August 2010.
Tickets for the event are $80 which includes champagne, raffle tickets, canapes and entertainment. The event will be held on Saturday, 19th November from 4 to 7pm at the Downs Club, Mylne Street, Toowoomba. Tickets are available from the Endeavour Foundation office at 88 Russell Street or by phoning 4619 9300.
Endeavour Foundation was established in 1951 and supports over 3,500 Australians with a disability in over 200 locations. Endeavour has services in the following regional areas providing opportunities for people with a disability.
QLD Cairns, Mareeba, lnnisfail, lngham, Townsvilie , Ayr, Home Hill, Blloela, Bowen, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Bundaberg , Hervey Bay, Maryborough, Gymple, Sunshine Coast, Metropolitan Brisbane, Gold Coast, lpswich, Gatton, Toowoomba, Kingaroy, Roma,Stanthorpe, Warwick. NSW Castle Hill, Mt Druitt, Seven Hills.