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It was a scintillating evening at the Empire Theatre, Toowoomba on Monday, 13th September with the 2010  Carnival of Flowers Young Ambassador Awards Presentation Ceremony.

The 13 entrants stepped out on to red carpet on arrival at the Empire forecourt,  where an informal reception was taking place with fire twirlers, and drinks and nibblies.

Adjourning indoors,  the audience was treated to musical entertainment, past and present Carnival Queens and Ambassadors, and the Awards presentation ceremony, compered by Channel 10 Weather Girl, Amanda McLeay.

The TCOF Young Ambassador Program Committee called on three judges, Tony Minasi, Ann-Marie Ryan and Mary Wagner to ultimately select the individual awards.

The 2010 Young Ambassador was announced by Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor, Peter Taylor.

See and Hear the Announcement

And the Winners are:

2010 Young Ambassador Award: Lauren Gray (Sponsored by Downlands College)

Congenial Award (joint winner) Lauren Gray (Sponsored by Downlands College)

Fundraising Award: Lauren Gray (Sponsored by Downlands College)

1^st Runner-up: Nicole Whiting (Sponsored by FK Gardner and Sons)

Encouragement Award: Lauren Blakeley (Sponsored by Horizon Wealth Invest)

Congenial Award (joint winner): Kate Harley (Sponsored by Ambrosiussen Accountants and Advisors)

Entrepreneur Award: Dave Granfield (Sponsored by Star GardenTown Café and Chipironi Mountain Coffee)

All entrants, Dave Granfield, Lauren Blakeley, Kate Harley, Lucy Mayne, Leila Carrick, Nicole Whiting, Staicee Barber, Lauren Gray, Sarah-Jane MacDonald, Coralie Mainwaring, Natalie Webb, Jim Forsyth and Akech Manyok, can hold their heads high, having helped raise $30,000 this year for the Toowoomba Hospice and the Kath Dickson Centre, and truly embracing what it means to be an ambassador for the region.

Each year the TR Register Australia holds a National Meeting and Concours with the host venue moving annually from state to state. This year it is to be held in Toowoomba.

TR Register Australia was formed in the mid ‘70s to facilitate restoration and preservation of English Triumph Sports Roadsters manufactured from 1953 to 1961 (TR2, TR3 and TR3A).

The Queensland organisers of the 2010 TR Register National Meeting and Concours have chosen Toowoomba as the host destination at this time of year due to the proximity to the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. The opportunity to see Toowoomba in ‘full bloom’ has sparked the interest of many Register members and their partners with almost 70 vehicles and 150 members attending from all over the country including Tasmania and Victoria.

The Concours is an annual judging where each entered vehicle is lined up and judged – with awards available in a number of categories. It will be held from 9am to 4pm on Saturday, September 11 at the Godsall Street Oval of Queens Park. All welcome.

Bruce Scott was officially announced as the re-elected Federal Member for Maranoa yesterday,at the AEC’s declaration of the poll in Dalby.

Acting Divisional Returning Officer Gordon Marshall announced that the poll for the electorate of Maranoa had been declared, with Bruce Scott re-elected with a result of more than 57,000 primary votes.

Mr Scott said that whilst he was pleased his re-election was now official, he was disappointed to learn that the Coalition would not form government.

Mr Katter’s electorate shares many similarities with the Maranoa electorate, and I am pleased Mr Katter acknowledged that a Coalition Government would have been better for rural Queensland,” he said.

Mr Scott was the only candidate for Maranoa who attended the official AEC declaration of the poll, where he thanked the hard-working AEC staff in Dalby who processed more than 90,000 votes.

Chase Pollard – Media Officer

chase.pollard@aph.gov.au

www.maranoa.info

I would like to acknowledge the staff of the local AEC office in Dalby, who have worked

tirelessly over the past two months to organise the many polling booths across the vast

electorate of Maranoa,” Mr Scott said.

Labor will govern with support of 1 Green MP and 3 Independents.  The Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter had announced earlier his support would go to the Coalition. The deadlock in Canberra was broken with Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott announcing they will support a Gillard minority Government. This gives Labor 76 seats to the Coalition’s 74 in the 150 seat House of Representatives.

Community forum

The USQ Community Capacity Building Project in conjunction with the Community Development and Facilities Branch, Toowoomba Regional Council invites you to a Public Lecture – Understanding Youth Suicide (with Garry King, Guidance Officer, Teacher and Youth Counsellor specialising in the area of suicide prevention and Garry Hansford, Community Support Worker, GP Connections). To be held on Tuesday 14 September 2010 at 6.45 pm at the QCWA Hall, 263 Margaret Street. Light refreshments (tea/coffee) will be provided after the event.

Details available at: www.usq.edu.au/commcapacityproject/communityevents

Please RSVP by Friday 10 September to Glen Postle 0407 462 331 or postle@usq.edu.au or Darryl Bates 4688 6758 or darryl.bates@toowoombaRC.qld.gov.au

Book Spring Bluff train trips

Tickets for return train rides to Spring Bluff during Carnival week are on sale at Toowoomba Railway Station, Railway St. Apart from one service departing the station at 9am on Sat, Sept 25 two services will run daily from Sun, Sept 19 to Fri, Sept 24. The first diesel train trip leaves Toowoomba at 9am and arrives at Spring Bluff at 9.35am before departing at 11am. Afternoon trains leave Toowoomba at 1pm (arriving at Spring Bluff at 1.35pm) and depart at 3pm. Tickets must be bought in person at Toowoomba Railway Station from 9am to 3.45pm weekdays. No phone bookings. Prices: $16.50 adults, $8.50 child 4-15, Under 4 free if not occupying seats. Enquiries to QR on 4631 3381.

Gallery seeks 2011 exhibition ideas

Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery is seeking fresh exhibition proposals from regional artists for the first half of 2011. Artists who live in the council area are welcome to submit proposals for exhibitions to be displayed in the Cam Robertson Gallery from January to July 2011. Applications must be lodged with the Gallery by Friday, October 1. For more information, please contact Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery on 4688 6652 or email art@toowoombaRC.qld.gov.au

Exhibition papers the walls

Contemporary art and interior design will come together in a short exhibition at the Crows Nest Regional Art Gallery from September 7 to 26. The touring exhibition of wallpapers titled The Wallpaper Project is a collaboration between artist Simon Mee, wallpaper printer William Wilding and a number of contemporary artists. A floor talk by Simon Mee will be held at the gallery on Thursday, September 9 at 9.30am. Gallery hours are 10am-4pm Tuesday to Saturday. For details, please call 4698 1687 or email crowsnestart@toowoombaRC.qld.gov.au

Local History Library Displays

Toowoomba’s Local History Library is hosting two significant displays during Sept and Oct – a photographic display of the Carnival of Flowers during the 1950s, including the queens, gardens and parades, and an exhibition of photographs and programmes marking Toowoomba Repertory Theatre’s celebration of 80 years of entertaining. Visit 476 Ruthven St (9.30am-1pm Tuesday to Saturday) or phone 4638 7766.

Free plant vouchers

Ratepayers in the TRC area receive two free plants per year via a voucher included with their rate notices. Half of TRC residents would have received vouchers in April and the remainder would have received theirs in the past week. Please see the back of the voucher for collection points and opening times to collect your plants. For more information phone 4688 6654.

Immunisation clinic times

Council’s Wednesday immunisation clinic hours will vary this month.

The service will operate from 9am to noon on Sept 8 and 22 at 12 Little Street, Toowoomba. Regular Wednesday hours (9am to 1.30pm) will operate on Sept 15 and 29. The clinic also provides vaccination advice for children and adults. Call 4688 6835 weekdays between 8.45am and 5pm.

Lodge event support proposals

Applications are being sought for the Events Support Grant Program which closes on October 3, 2010. This council initiative aims to support groups planning major regional and community events. Further information about the program and application forms can be obtained from the Economic Development, Tourism & Events Branch on 4688 6966.

Plant a tree in Cambooya

Help plant trees in Cambooya’s Paterson Park in George St from 9.30am on Saturday, September 11. Council, Cambooya Landcare Assoc, Toowoomba Probation and Parole and Toyota are joining forces to provide tools and plants. All helpers can join a free sausage sizzle and a drink. Enquiries to John Hughes (Landcare 0417 303 612) or Kristie Jenkinson on 4688 6514.

Sign on for Bushcapades

Spring holiday activities will be staged in Toowoomba’s bushland parks from Tuesday, September 21 to Friday, October 1. Craft sessions cover paper making, pressing flowers, candle making, pottery and tips for organic gardening. Small fees apply and children under eight must be accompanied by an adult. Bookings are essential by calling 4688 6572 during office hours.

Get in early

Ergon Energy Flower, Food and Wine Festival tickets, including the Heritage Building Society Live Concert Series (featuring Troy Cassar-Daley, the Hoodoo Gurus and Beatnix) are on pre-sale now at the Empire Theatre Box Office. Phone 1300 655 299 or visit www.empiretheatres.com.au

Brush up on safe food handling

Residents involved in catering at public functions during Toowoomba’s Carnival of Flowers can brush up on safe food handling tips at a free course on Thursday, September 9. The session runs from 9am-1pm, 2nd floor, 543 Ruthven St. Enquiries and bookings to 4688 6824.

Rate notices

Council’s rate notices have now been issued with payment due on September 21. Please check the back of your rate notice for the full range of payment options.

Tombstone Tours

Discover the region’s intriguing past on the 2010 Tombstone Tours of Toowoomba and Drayton Cemetery. Tours will run on Sunday, Sept 19 at 10am, on Wednesday, Sept 22 at 7pm and on Saturday, Sept 25 at 10am.

Tickets cost $5 and must be pre-booked at the Local History Library, 476 Ruthven St (9.30am-1pm Tuesday to Saturday) or by phoning 4638 7766.

Temporary closure Stephen St

Qld Rail’s upgrade of Stephen St railway bridge from August 23 for approx 5 wks (weather permitting) will involve the temporary closure of Stephen St (between Duhig St and Fifth Ave). Detours will be in place.

New 10-year Community Plan

In late July, TRC endorsed the new community plan that sets out the vision, goals and outcomes the region’s community wants to see over the next 10 years. The Community Plan fulfils a legislative requirement of the Local Government Act 2009. Please log on to www.toowoombaRC.qld.gov.au and select Council Vision and Strategies to view the new Community Plan.

Lodge request for Council service online

Council is offering residents and ratepayers a further option when lodging a request for council services. Anyone wanting to submit a request for a specific council service can now do so online at any time of the day.

Areas currently available for online lodgement are animal collection/nuisance, changes of address, overgrown allotments, parking meter faults or infringements, road and footpath maintenance requests, abandoned and nuisance vehicles, water meter issues and wheelie bin services.

Explore Laurel Bank Park

Grab your torch and be a part of the popular Twilight Tours of Laurel Bank Park in Herries St Toowoomba during the Carnival of Flowers. Running on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, September 20-22, the one-hour tours from 6.30pm and 7.30pm each evening will provide an insight into the park’s history and its many floral highlights. Gold coin donation. Bookings essential on 4688 6542.