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More than seventy entries have been received for the University of Southern Queensland’s (USQ) annual Escape from the Zoo exhibition and art award.

The award and subsequent exhibition showcase emerging artists from regional high schools.

Co-ordinator of the USQ Visual Arts program, Dr Kyle Jenkins said he and fellow USQ Visual Arts staff have been impressed by the entries. We have been overwhelmed by the high artistic and professional quality of the entries,” said Dr Jenkins. It is a reflection of the diverse and quality approaches to art-making being taught in local schools.”

I also think young people are taking their art much more seriously in general these days. Perhaps this is a reflection on the impact modern technologies have had on art – especially the internet which offers artists immediate promotion of, and response to, what they are doing.”

From the initial pool of entries, forty works have been shortlisted to appear in the exhibition which will range from painting, print making and sculpture to mixed media and photography.

Last year, we shortlisted less than half this number which in itself reflects the amazing quality of the entries we have received. We are extremely appreciative of the support this project has received from local art teachers and pleased to have contributions from secondary schools across the region including Fairholme College, Toowoomba State High School, Downlands College, Clifton State High School, St Joseph’s College, Lockyer District High School and Harristown State High School.”

A total of four awards are up for grabs, with prizes ranging from cash for the winner of the 2D and 3D categories, to a Murray’s Art & Framing material voucher for the runner-up; and a 2012 McGregor Summer School bursary for the overall winner.

Winners will be announced at the Official Opening of the exhibition on Wednesday 25 May at 5pm in the USQ Arts Gallery, Toowoomba. We hope everyone can come along to the opening and celebrate with the finalists, the high quality of their artistic achievements” said Dr Jenkins.

The exhibition will continue until 9 June.

Submitted by
Michelle Fox, USQ Artsworx,
+61 7 4631 1114

The Toowoomba Range is the domain of cyclists today, Sunday 15 May for the inaugural USQ Ride the Range event.

Approximately 250 riders are tackling the course which started in Toowoomba at Picnic Point, progresses along to Flagstone Creek road, through the Lockyer Valley and Gatton districts before the cyclists return to Picnic Point via the Toowoomba Range.

Professor Bill Lovegrove, Vice-Chancellor and President of USQ is proud to support the event and wishes the 25 strong USQ team well in the event. The event supports the Prostate Cancer Association of Australia and has been organised through the Rotary Club of Toowoomba,” Professor Lovegrove said. Many of the event organisers are members of USQ Corporate Club and we all hope the Challenge will grow into a major tourism event over the years to come.”

The riders have two ride options, a 60km option where they ride to Helidon, or a 100km ride to Gatton and back. Additional details are available at www.ridetherange.org.au

submitted by
Sam Tickell,
USQ Media

The explosive fuses are set and war trenches have been filled with mud! These dramatic backdrops are in place at Emu Gully, Helidon Spa (in Queensland’s Lockyer Valley), for the large scale re-enactment of Anzac battles to take place on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th May.

In its third year, the Emu Gully Air & Land Spectacular will deliver Australia’s largest re-creation of Anzac war scenes, unrivalled in its display of battle action both on the land and in the skies overhead. The re-enactments will take Anzac stories out of the history books and bring them to life in an outdoor theatre on a spectacular scale. While ground troops fight from trenches and rumbling tanks, war birds will be flying overhead dropping special effects explosions on enemy targets. Amidst the action spectators will see Australia’s largest collection of operating military vehicles rumbling to life and again off to war!

Amongst the iconic Anzac scenes will be, the Boer War’s Siege of Elands River, displaying what is said to have been the start of the Digger Legend”. This battle will be brought to life with mounted troops and spectacular pyrotechnics. The famous Gallipoli battle will be recreated with Simpson and his donkey bravely transporting wounded men through enemy fire. Trenches filled with a ‘porridge’ of mud will provide a very realistic backdrop for the men who will re-enact the dreadful trench warfare of the Western Front.

Re-enactments of WW2 will feature a German replica Focke Wulf 190 aircraft swooping to attack an allied fuel dump with explosive results, before it engages in an aerial duel with a ‘Spitfire’. Many of Australia’s most iconic Anzac battles will be seen, including the Pacific and Vietnam Wars.

The ground troops in the battle scenes are military re-enactor enthusiasts and they get a real kick out of performing in the trenches as military aircraft drop bombs and dog-fight overhead,” said Barry Rodgers, Event Director. We have a record number of groups taking part this year, with new arrivals including the Italian troops from Regio Esercito History Group, the Queensland Permanent Artillery and vehicles from the Military Jeep Club of Qld.”

The sweet tunes of the Andrew Sisters Tribute Band will set a World War II backdrop to be enjoyed by troops and spectators alike. The whole event site will be abuzz with military bands, military models in action and authentic encampments that show how the military lived when stationed abroad.

The event offers an experience for those who like big boy’s toys” or Anzac history, but just as much parents should seize the opportunity to deepen their children’s appreciation for our Anzac heritage. This ‘out of the classroom’ education will be a thrill for the entire family, with interactive experiences to include the Vietnam tunnel, joy rides in military vehicles, self-drive laser equipped patrol boats, pedal jeeps and opportunities to get up close with the ‘Animals that Went to War’.

This year will absolutely be our biggest and best yet, and we are expecting more than 5,000 spectators to attend over the weekend to enjoy the show,” said Mr Rodgers. The funding we received this year from the Queensland Government under the Events Queensland Regional Development Program has enabled us to broaden our marketing campaign.”

The full program can be experienced on both Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th May 2011, at Emu Gully Adventure Education Centre at Helidon Spa just off the Warrego Highway, 17kms east of Toowoomba. Tickets available at the gate ($20 adult, $10 child, $50 family, $15 students and concession).

For more information visit www.airandlandshow.com.au or phone 07 4697 7865.