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This year marks the 152nd anniversary of Queensland becoming a separate colony from New South Wales. Here in Pittsworth we will be celebrating the occasion on Sunday 12 June at the Pioneer Village. Once again the Queensland Day Committee has organised a full program. Admission will be free.

A highlight this year will be the display of over 90 historic motor vehicles. Participants in the Queensland Historic Motoring Council’s 2011 rally will be joining our celebration and giving local car enthusiasts the opportunity to view some quality vehicles from yesteryear. The cars will be on display from 9.30am and visitors will be able to purchase tea, coffee and scones from the Beauaraba QCWA ladies.
Official proceedings will begin on the covered stage at 11am with the welcome by Cr. Ros Scotney from Toowoomba Regional Council.
Allan Petersen, who will be the MC for the occasion, will then invite Cr Ros to read the Declaration of Queensland Day. This will be followed by the flag raising ceremony led by the local Guide group and Mark Schuster will perform “God Save the Queen”. Proceedings will then move to the Post Office where Cr Ros will officiate at the naming of one of the display rooms.

Local land holders will then have the chance to record their cattle or horse brands for posterity on the Branding Board for $30 each. There will be displays by White Mischief and Amazing Soaps and the Craft Shop will be open. Gail Parish, Ruth Taylor and Barbara Harris will also have a lace and spinning display in the Post Office.

Local gardening identity Penny McKinlay will be presenting a talk in her unique style. Old time children’s games will be organized by Allan Petersen and Bill Krautz to ensure the day rounds off with a family flavour.

There’s no need for anyone to go hungry. Ron and Lyn Pearce and their helpers will use their camp oven expertise to provide traditional Aussie favourites such as stew, billy tea and damper with syrup. Cook’s Softdrinks will be on sale during the various activities.

Mark Schuster will continue performing on his button accordion throughout the morning and the Queensland Day Committee is awaiting confirmation on other musical entertainment.

Make sure you bring the family and join in what should be an enjoyable celebration at the Pioneer Village. It is envisaged that activities will be finished by 2pm.

Submitted by
Peter Ross

A public lecture conducted by the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society, Toowoomba

Tuesday 7 June 2011

The beauty of ceramics produced by the Royal Worcester pottery in England is well recognised and pieces are found in many Australian homes. Perhaps less well known is that the art of one of Australia’s premier artists of Australian flora and fauna, Ellis Rowan (1849 – 1922) is represented on many Royal Worcester pieces. Harry Frost, an unrivalled expert on Royal Worcester porcelain, will discuss the link between Royal Worcester and Ellis Rowan’s beautiful water-colours in an illustrated lecture on Tuesday 7 June for the Toowoomba Group of the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society (ADFAS).

After university where he graduated in ceramics, Harry joined Royal Worcester in 1976 as designer-modeller and followed that by his appointment as curator at the Museum of Worcester Porcelain. Harry Frost spent over 25 years with Royal Worcester and is now in great demand internationally as a lecturer on the work of the renowned pottery.

Harry Frost’s lecture will be given in the Glennie Room, The Glennie School, Herries Street, Toowoomba on Tuesday 7 June starting at 6.45 pm, and will be followed by supper. Members of the public are very welcome to attend. The cost is $20 for persons who are not members of ADFAS and $10 for students.

For further information about this lecture and about membership of ADFAS contact the Secretary of ADFAS, Toowoomba on 07 4636 6164.

Saturday 21st May is special for all who are interested in flight, especially in the realm of rocketry …. model rocketry in particular.

Locally, the first 2011 launch of model rockets made by boys (and often their sisters too!) of the Rangeville Community Church’s Space Pilots’ Club is programmed to get under way at the T.A.R.M.A.C field just 10km south of Toowoomba on the New England Highway(on your right, just past “The Mill – The Outlook”) just after 1:30pm.

There are expected to be more than 30 model rockets on show before launching high into the atmosphere to the excited “wow’s” of the watching crowd. Some of the model craft are unusual in that they are not ‘conventional’ !…some have gliders attached and there may well be the odd “2-stage” rocket. After the obligatory countdown five…four…three…two…one…IGNITION!….it is actually the maker of the rocket who gets to push the launch button! WOW ! Oh to be a kid again!

The best thing about those few hours of fun, is that it is all FREE !

Of special significance with this launch afternoon is that, only days ago we heard & saw the launching of what is said to be the last ever launch of the “Endeavour” Space Shuttle….a craft that saw the birth of the International Space Station, flew 116-million miles itself and some 4400 orbits and spent 283 or so days in space….quite a record! Of course, a remaining “Atlantis” shuttle will fly again in July, but it does not lessen the significance of this week in space history ….. short of actual planetary fly-bys and the like!

So…that all said, get a bit of ‘space excitement’ going, leave behind the demands of everyday for a few hours (it’ll still be there when you get back) and come, ENJOY ! Drive into the field to the carpark and be part of this ‘different’ type of activity. Bring a folding chair of course.  There are toilet facilities available….and shelter if you need it. Refreshments are also available.

T.A.R.M.A.C  and the Space Pilots’ Club invite you to  come…enjoy.

Submitted By
Barry Whisson
Launch Co-ordinator