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Dalby Pool Reopens After Floods Friday 4th February

The Dalby Swimming Pool has reopened, almost three weeks after floodwater washed through the facility. It was forced to shutdown when the wading pool and then the 50 metre pool were inundated with floodwater twice just prior to New Year’s Eve.

Dalby’s biggest flood in almost 30 years left patrons unable to utilise the facility, but from Friday, 4th February swimmers will relish the opportunity to make the most of the remaining summer with the pool reopening at 5.30am.

Western Downs Regional Council’s clean up crew have worked around the clock to bring the pool back to life after draining floodwater and removing fine sediment, whilst maintenance was carried out on electrical and mechanical equipment and the pools were refilled.

(l to r) John Merton WDR Council, Tony Murray, Cameron Smith and Sarah Delahunty from Arrow Energy & Jason King from General Petroleum

Spokesperson for Community Services, Councillor Charlene Hall said The pool is looking great once again and I personally want to thank Pool Manager Carolen Collins and all her wonderful volunteers for helping with the clean up,” she said.

Cr Hall thanked Arrow Energy, General Petroleum and Ancon Drilling for providing essential equipment and volunteers to assist Council with the clean up operation,  and Adam Luck Electrical.

She said it was a great joint effort from Council staff and local business and industry to get the pool back up and running. It has been truly inspiring to see how local businesses and industry have rallied around to help the pool bounce back, I really have to take my hat off to them all.  We’re pleased that the local pool is now ready and open for business as normal,” she said.

Submitted by Brett Hoefler,
Corporate Communication and Marketing Officer,
Western Downs Regional Council

Call for Volunteers to Clean Up Myall Creek Saturday 5th February

A working bee  is being organised to clean up flood debris along Myall Creek in Dalby this Saturday.

The effects of the December and last month’s floods is evident with a high amount of rubbish and debris cluttering the creek. That’s just part of the clean up task facing Western Downs Regional Council and Condamine Alliance and they are calling for help this Saturday.

Spokesperson for Environment and Health, Councillor George Moore said the majority of the debris is along the creek line that runs through the centre of town. There’s quite a lot of flood debris and rubbish entwined through creek bank trees and amongst vegetation as well, strewn across nearby green spaces and parkland and we’d appreciate any help from people  who wish to volunteer their time,” he said.

Residents who can help out are encouraged to contact the Council on 4672 1172,  or volunteers can  turn up on the day. You should  bring sturdy gloves and a rake, wear enclosed shoes, hat, sunscreen and insect repellent.

Volunteers are asked to meet at the Rotunda on Jimbour Street at 9am on Saturday, 5th February.

Submitted by Environment & Health Section,
Western Downs Regional Council,  phone 4672 1172

Amy Meredith To Appear For Flood Appeal

Up and coming Australian band, Amy Meredith, fresh from their recent gig at The Big Day Out in Sydney and their appearance at the tennis championship finals, will be in Toowoomba for a Flood Relief Appeal concert on Friday night, 18th of February. They are signed to Sony and 4 of the tracks from their album have been released as singles.  The second release, Lying, went platinum and was adopted as the theme song for the American TV show “Lie to Me”. Kosta (their drummer)is from Toowoomba, and they were only too ready to help the cause.

Rhonda Theodosis of Groceries & More in Margaret Street

Amy Meredith will be supported by Finnibah who are doing very well for themselves, and also have several members from the Toowoomba area. Local band Da Foe are also in the lineup. Tickets are on sale from Groceries & More Convenience Store in Margaret Street, Toowoomba (a few doors east of the Tatts Hotel) for $40. Rhonda Theodosis who is arranging the concert is hoping to raise $30,000 for the Toowoomba Appeal.  She says it is for ALL AGES. The venue is the Indoor Bowls Hall in Annand Street and doors open at 7.00pm on Friday, 18th of February.

Amy Meredith members will also be part of an Appeal Celebrity Day at OZ E Karts from 10am to 4.00pm on Saturday, 19th February.

Further information from Rhonda Theodosis
Phone 4632 0544 or mobile 0437 532 908.

Pittsworth Footballer Wins Postle Gift run on Australia Day

The A B Postle Gift commemorates the exploits of professional runner, Arthur Benjamin Postle (1881 – 1965) born at Springside near what is now Pittsworth, Queensland.

He achieved world fame in his crimson costume as ‘The Crimson Flash’, competing in England, Wales, Scotland, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Before going into semi-retirement in 1912, Postle set world records over 50 yards (5.1 seconds), 60 (6 seconds), 75 (7.2 seconds), 80 (7.75 seconds) and 200 (19 seconds), being virtually unbeatable over short distances.

The Postle Gift is run annually over 75 yards during Pittsworth’s Australia Day celebrations. The 2011 event was won in a close finish by Pittsworth Danes’ rugby league footballer, James Ellison.

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James received the Postle trophy from George and Pam Postle. This year’s event was also sponsored by Landmark Droney, so in addition he won $500 to be spent in Pittsworth.

Over $40,000 Raised at Toowoomba Disaster Appeal Breakfast

The Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce held one of their chief Disaster Appeal fundraising events at Picnic Point on Friday, 28th January.

Toowoomba Grammar 'Old Boys', Graham Turner, Chamber of Commerce President Geoff McDonald and Alan Jones

The venue was fully booked with 440 people in attendance to hear keynote speakers, Flight Centre founder and Managing Director Graham ‘Skroo’ Turner and Australia’s most popular Talkback Presenter and former Wallaby  coach and Balmain Rugby League coach, Alan Jones.

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Representatives from the Caloundra Chamber of Commerce made a presentation of just under $20,000 to the Disaster Appeal, the funds having been raised by their members.

Toowoomba Hospital Foundation CEO, Peter Rookas acted as auctioneer of goods and services specifically donated for the breakfast, and Allan Jones provided a State of Origin jersey and cap which brought  $1,600.  The purchaser was businessman John Cooling of SmartWorker who had driven up from Brisbane. Other items included a helicopter flight from Wagners, and charter of a 53 seat Stonestreets coach for a trip to Granite Belt wineries.  The auction brought in a further $15,000.

Federal Member, Ian McFarlane caught in serious conversation with Alan Jones
Auctioneer, Peter Rookas in action at the Toowoomba Disaster Appeal breakfast
(Standing l to r) John McDonald, John Cooling and Alan Jones displaying the State of Origin jersey

Toowoomba Range Traffic Congestion

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While work continues on repairs to significant damage to the Toowoomba Range crossing – both up and down sections – Police and Department Transport Main Roads staff are working to ease the congestion and the delays currently experienced by motorists in the area.

It is anticipated that both lanes on the ‘up section’ of the Range will be open by Sunday, January 30, however work on the down section will continue for several months. This work will necessitate a lane closure at a single point that is expected to cause ongoing delays during this period.

Authorities are advising that Murphys Creek Road is open to all traffic under 5 tonne, and while repairs continue along this road, it presents a viable alternative to the Range crossing.

Strategically placed variable message boards and other advice will continue to provide information on the Murphy’s Creek route option. Police are requesting motorists to be patient and to exercise caution on roads that have suffered damage in the floods and where speed limits have been reduced accordingly.

Check the Department of Transport and Main Roads traffic cameras on the Qld Government website

Issued by Police Media

Help Needed in Esk, Lockyer Waters, Fernvale, Lowood

I am gathering volunteers together to help in Esk, Fernvale and Lowood areas. We have heard from so many people in need, while also have talked to many people who want to help, but have been frustrated by being turned away. We’re trying to bypass the red tape by linking needs and volunteers.

We have a network of volunteer coordinators who can work via Phone, SMS, Facebook and Twitter.

We have a request from Vim Balachandran of the Esk Council. The Esk council has leased a shop and is using it as a distribution centre, but due to staffing issues may need to close it over the weekend. We’re trying to arrange volunteers to sort out donations and keep it open,  and continue to give them to people in need.

We have already found around a few people from Brisbane who are moving up and staying in Esk over the weekend to help out, but many more are needed. Vim Balachandran of Esk Council can be contacted on 0417 798 994. Volunteers are asked to arrive at the council office in Esk at 9AM on Saturday and Sunday and every day afterwards.

We have an immediate request for more helpers in Fernvale. – Call 0406 896 713.

We also have precise details for individual families who need help all around the Brisbane Valley, and we are in personal contact with them. If volunteers would like to assist individual families in need, you can contact me on 0411 887 926.

We are publishing needs and requests at http://twitter.com/briscleanup (The scope has expanded obviously.)

We are also  working together with the Facebook Adopt-A-Family group.

We are coordinating in the Facebook Brisbane Floods Volunteer Community http://on.fb.me/f9JHNa

Paul Moore
Horizon Infrastructure Architect
Flight Centre Technology
Mob : 0411 887 926

Police Appeal For Toowoomba & Lockyer Flash Flood Images

Police are seeking public assistance in obtaining photographs and videos of people caught in the flash flooding which occurred in areas of Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley on January 10.

During the afternoon a severe and sudden weather event struck the Toowoomba region causing flash flooding and the loss of a number of lives.

Anyone with images or videos is asked to call the Toowoomba Major Incident Room on 4631 6400 between 8am and 4pm to discuss their images or video and to make arrangements for their collection.

Anyone with information which could assist police with their investigations should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.

Crime Stoppers is a charitable community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service.

Issued by Police Media
www.police.qld.gov.au