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The Lions Club of Toowoomba West will once again stage Toowoomba’s Christmas Wonderland throughout the month of December. Toowoomba’s Christmas Wonderland has now grown to be one of Queensland’s biggest light extravaganzas with over 50,000 people visiting the lights display each and every year since 2006.

However to run this event, there is a need for volunteers. Last year the community responded in grand fashion and there is a need for the same this year. Volunteers are needed each night & also during the day. The day work is simple. Just bring a good book, pull up a chair and keep on eye on the display. If any visitors pop in, just advise to come back at night.

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.

Toowoomba’s Christmas Wonderland will run 7.00pm – 10.00pm each night from the 3rd December to 24th December 2011 in the Botanical Gardens of Queens Park.

The Millmerran Historical Society is holding an Open Day on Sunday, 13th November from 10am – 3pm celebrating 100 yrs of rail to Millmerran.

Highlights of the day will be the launch of the book From Beauaraba to Back Creek” written by local author Grant Uebergang, and official opening of the relocated Yandilla Railway Cream Shed. The programme will commence with an Ecumenical Thanksgiving at the Railway Station.

Local Bush Poet Gary Fogarty will MC, and Town Crier Ralph Cockle willl introduce the formalities. Windy City Jazz Band will entertain throughout the day. Don’t miss the local Arts & Crafts Group’s Fashion Parade of 100 years of fashion. Vintage Cars and Trucks and Darling Downs Model Railway Club are some of the many displays. There will also be children’s activities, mini train rides and BBQ and light refreshments available.

Entry is by Gold Coin donation.

Sponsored by Toowoomba Regional Council and Heritage Building Society.

Submitted by:
Pat Walsh (Secretary/Treasurer
Millmerran Historical Society

Cancer Council Queensland has launched its new lodge for cancer patients, naming the Olive McMahon Lodge  after a local lady who left over $1 million to CCQ in her Will. CCQ also received a $3 million grant from the Queensland Government’s three-year $15 million Regional Patient Accommodation Scheme to purchase the former motel.

The premises at 2 Scott Street, East Toowoomba have been extensively remodelled and refurbished to provide a home away from home for cancer sufferers from across the Darling Downs and South West Queensland as they undergo therapy in Toowoomba. The Lodge offers 45 beds, an equivalent of 15,000 accommodation nights per annum.
Dignitaries attending the opening included CCQ’s chairman, the Hon. Justice Richard Chesterman AO RFD, CEO Professor Jeff Dunn and local State parliamentarians. Deputy Mayor, Cr Paul Antonio represented Toowoomba Regional Council. Representatives of the late Olive McMahon’s family, Olive’s sister Fran Donaldson and nephew Neil Donaldson assisted Justice Chesterman with the unveiling.

Cancer Council Queensland CEO, Professor Jeff Dunn said “Thousands of patients will benefit from this facility, enjoying a chance to recover from cancer treatment in a comfortable setting with all the support they need from the Cancer Council. This is a great achievement for regional cancer patients and a great outcome for the people of South West Queensland.”

Donations towards the $500,000 annual running costs are welcomed, and can be made online at www.cancerqld.org.au  or by phoning Cancer Council Queensland’s Toowoomba office on 4690 5800

The Nobby Heritage Festival was developed to promote the history of the Nobby district, with the involvement of the local community. It is a weekend festival incorporating the diverse range of attractions already established in Nobby and entertainment at the local hall.

The event will showcase the rural life of our local pioneers, enabling  younger community members to experience and gain a greater appreciation of early life in our small rural area. Displays and demonstrations by local skilled craftsmen and women will be a feature, and guided heritage walks from the Nobby railway station will be available both days. Markets will be held on  Saturday morning, 5th November commencing at 8am.

Nobby Heritage Festival Program
The historic village of Nobby on the Darling Downs is 30 minutes drive south of Toowoomba along the New England Highway. Nobby  is known for being the place where Arthur Hoey Davis wrote his Dad’n’Dave stories, and also where Sister Elizabeth Kenny pioneered her treatment of poliomyelitis.

The village of Nobby today still resembles that of its early pioneer days with the main street housing the original buildings. Come and enjoy a walk back in time to days of an easy rural lifestyle full of friendly smiles, traditional style cooking, relaxed atmosphere with plenty of historic sites and craftsmen/women showing their special skills.

The original Nobby Station building, opened in 1897, now located in the Nobby Park, has been utilised as the Visitor Information centre with local handcrafted items for sale.  A visitor map is proudly displayed in the waiting area of the Station, and will be the meeting place for the Historical Walk featured in the weekend Program.

Saturday 5^th November

Markets 8am-12pm, Nobby Station Craft shop, Nobby Forge-Wheelwright demo 1pm, Vintage Museum, sister Kenny Museum1-4pm, Axe display, Pepperina gallery concert 11am, Heritage walking tour 2pm.

Saturday evening at the hall
Fashion Parade 5pm, Sausage sizzle 6pm, Nobby school concert 7pm, Supper 8pm, Music & dancing 8.30-10pm.

Sunday 6^th November
Nobby Forge Blacksmithing, Vintage Museum, Axe display, Nobby Station craft, Sister Kenny Museum, Pepperina Gallery concert 11am, Heritage walking tour 2pm, Dillybag Gunyah country music & bush poetry, walk-ups welcome.

Louise Kennedy with your invitation to visit Nobby for the Heritage Festival

All events both days are 10am to 3pm or as published – food and drinks available (all day) from:

Nobby General Store/Berkana crystals, Rudd’s Pub.

Dillybag Gunyah- Billy tea and damper, and by group bookings only-camp oven stew.

All events are within easy walking distance of the main street and the Nobby Park, toilet facilities are located in the park, with picnic and children’s play area .

The Vintage Museum has a door entry fee of $5-00 adult, $3-00 child & $15-00 family, The hall, Saturday evening, has a door entry fee of $5-00 per person $15-00 per family, sausage sizzle $2-00 each. Most other events have a gold coin donation entry.

Submitted by:
Louise Kennedy
Ph 07 4696 3376

For more about Nobby, go to www.nobbyvillage.com.au