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Michelle Sunderland of Toowoomba and Erin Esplin of Glenvale, have gained new skills to support cancer patients by completing a three day contemporary cancer therapies course offered by Cancer Council Queensland in Brisbane this week. Ms Sunderland and Ms Esplin, Registered Nurses at St Vincent’s Hospital Toowoomba, were awarded a scholarship worth approximately $1,000 enabling them to attend the course to advance their cancer care skills.

Fourteen participants from throughout Queensland were selected and offered the scholarship based on their written application.

The course also provided an overview of community services provided by Cancer Council Queensland including the Cancer Council Helpline (13 11 20) and the Cancer Counselling Service.

Lyndal Bass

Media and Communications Advisor

Cancer Council Queensland

That loveable and ageless character Humphrey B Bear will return to Toowoomba Saturday (24th October) to officially launch the 2009 Toowoomba Hospital Children’s Appeal at Clifford Gardens Shopping Centre. The Humphrey B Bear Show” will be free to the public with balloons and lots of fun on offer for families and their children.

Countless thousands of children throughout Australia have grown up with Humphrey B Bear and have been captivated by his wonderful caring, loving nature. Children young and old love to cuddle the adorable bear and they will have the chance to get up close and personal with this fun-loving character in Toowoomba.

Toowoomba Hospital Foundation CEO Peter Rookas says it is a real coup getting Humphrey again to launch this year’s appeal. After having Humphrey launch previous appeal’s, we decided let’s get him back. Humphrey B Bear is an icon with kids of all ages in Australia and is renowned for his work with children. When approached, he was only too willing to make the trip up the hill to the Garden City again for such a special occasion. We hope the families of Toowoomba and district will turn out to see the show and help launch this year’s appeal.”

Mr Rookas says this year’s appeal is targeting $60,000 for much needed vital equipment for Children’s Health. Following careful consideration, we have identified needs within the Special Care Nursery & Children’s Ward at Toowoomba Hospital. Our ongoing success with previous appeals gives us great optimism that we can achieve our goal this year.”

The Appeal will run from the 24th October to 20th November with a number of major events including the wonderful production of A Christmas Wish” at the Empire Theatre and a Tropical Shirt Friday. There’ll also be a special family movie screening at Birch Carroll & Coyle Cinemas.

The The Humphrey B Bear Show” will commence at 10.30am with the launch of the appeal at approx. 11.00am on the Main Stage, Clifford Gardens Shopping Centre, Saturday 24th October, 2009.

Peter Rookas
CEO
Toowoomba Hospital Foundation
peter_rookas@health.qld.gov.au
Ph. (07) 46166166

A local business referral group in town called Toowoomba Backscratchers” has kindly ‘Adopted a Room’ for $3,500.00 to the Toowoomba Hospice making a grand total of over $36,000.00 since the Hospice became their charity July 2003.

Mrs. Naomi Wilson the immediate past president said As the name infers, our breakfast meetings are designed so that members are aware of other persons in other industries to whom they can refer work.  Whilst there is no compulsion to refer to other members of the group, it is naturally the intention of such an organisation and with every referral the Hospice is given at least $1.00”

Mr Mark Munro Promotions and Fundraising Manager said since attending the breakfasts not only has the Hospice been given over $36,000.00 dollars in donations from the group, the businesses also donate their time in helping by way of offering services We have a great variety of professionals in the group who offer their service either free of charge or at a discounted price”

Mr Munro said An added benefit of the group is the fellowship of like-minded business people who are interested in developing their individual businesses.” For more information on Backscratchers please call the Secretary Owen Raabe on 0746 323 434.

By popular demand, the Toowoomba Choral Society is revisiting the hugely acclaimed Les Misérables” as its 2009 annual musical production. The musical is based on the novel by French author Victor Hugo and follows the struggle of Jean Valjean to rebuild his life in a world filled with poverty and evil and to show compassion to others along the way.

Well known Toowoomba tenor, Martin Paroz , plays the lead, Jean Valjean, against Brisbane baritone Lionel Theunissen’s Javert. The production will be a family affair for Martin as his young son, Harry, plays the part of Gavroche in the musical. Other lead performers include Lisa Skerman as Fantine, Lucy Whyte as Cossette, Naomi Montey as Eponine, Ryan Gornall as Enjolras, John Condon as Thenardier and Vicki Bravery as Madame Thenardier.

The talented Michael Escober, who played the King in TCS’ 2008 production of The King and I”, and more recently the part of Cosmo Brown in The Empire’s Singing in the Rain”, will play Marius.

Director Rosemary Carter believes that with such a wonderful new cast, there’s no reason why this year’s Les Miserables” shouldn’t surpass the Choral Society’s previous productions. She says It’s a very emotional and timeless show. People can’t help but become involved in the story which is full of action. There’s an abundance of rich characters, both good and evil, from young university activists to the Thenardiers.”

Les Miserables”, one of the most inspiring musicals of all time, will be performed at the Empire Theatre, Neil Street, Toowoomba from 28th to 30th August. Tickets are on sale from the Empire Theatres Box Office (phone 1300 655 299). Group bookings of 6 or more are eligible for a discount.

Arts Council Toowoomba (ACT) is excited to be part of the 60th Anniversary of the Carnival of Flowers and is working hard to ensure that Avant Garden 2009 will once again showcase the region as a vital and creative centre for the arts and engage the community and artists during Toowoomba’s Carnival of Flowers.

To foster artistic diversity and encourage creative expression in all its forms, avant garden 2009 has grown to include new types of artists, to display the full spectrum of creativity that is blooming throughout Toowoomba and the Darling Downs.

Avant Garden 2009 will run in three sections, firstly to showcase what is already known and loved, Arts Council in conjunction with the Toowoomba Chronicle will run a people’s choice award competition from the previous ephemeral public art exhibitions called Bring Back the Favourites”.

Secondly, Artists in Gardens will be a new feature in 2009 with artists working in parks and gardens, interacting with the visitors to the festival. Works on paper and canvas will be produced on site through out Queens Park and the Botanic Gardens, giving the public the opportunity to witness artists in action. These works created will be available for purchase from the artists through out the week of carnival.

And thirdly, Performance Ephemera will bring the ‘live’ to Avant Garden for the first time in 2009. With the theme Celebration, we are calling for submissions from local small performing troupes, individuals and senior high school dance and drama students to create a vibrant street theatre setting for the two weekends of Carnival of Flowers.

These works and their creation will be overseen by an Artistic Director who will be working with these groups. Through funding from Festivals Australia, Arts Council Toowoomba is in the privileged position to ensure that the role of Artistic Director and all performers involved in Performance Ephemera will receive appropriate payments for their creative work.

We are seeking submissions for interested artists for the Artists in Gardens and Performance Ephemea. For further information please visit our website: www.actmba.org.au

Avant Garden 2009 has been made possible through the generous support of the Toowoomba Regional Council, The Toowoomba Chronicle and funding from Festivals Australia.

Submitted by Lara Nunn, VP, ACT

Wilsonton Lions Club has again shown their support to the Toowoomba Hospice by way of donation of equipment to help with the care of people who are suffering from a terminal illness.

Toowoomba Hospice Director of Nursing, Mrs. Alicia Trimingham-Turl, said The Wilsonton Lions Club has again given us equipment that can be used to help our clients have a more comfortable stay while we are caring for them in the Hospice. We are so very fortunate to have strong community support, and Wilsonton Lions Club is no exception.”

A Trolley for the Hospice suction unit (which was bought by the Wilsonton Lions last Year), a Dressing Trolley, Coffee Table and a PA System were donated from proceeds from the Wonderful World of Magic Show held each year in September at the Empire Theatre.” said Lions President John Bidgood.

Business houses from around the Toowoomba region purchase tickets for the Magic Show and then donate them back to us so that disadvantaged children and their carers and families can have a night out. We are very proud to be able to serve our community.

Toowoomba Hospice is a not-for-profit, community facility, caring for people with a terminal illness and their families, at no cost, The Hospice is located in O’Quinn Street, Toowoomba and needs to raise valuable funds to keep the service running.

Alicia Trimingham-Turl ph 07 4659 8500

Visitors to Cobb and Co. Museum this weekend will have the opportunity to watch two heritage trades workshops.

A knife making blacksmithing workshop will be held on 20 and 21 June and participants will have the opportunity to make a knife in different styles such as a dagger, skinning or kitchen knife over the two day weekend workshop.

This workshop is only open to people who have completed the beginners and advanced blacksmithing workshops at Cobb and Co Museum however spectators are welcome to watch between 10am and 4pm each day.

On Sunday, 21 June there will also be an introduction to felting workshop. Participants will make a series of sample pieces using four different techniques that can be turned into decorative objects including glasses cases, book covers and pin cushions.

After completing the introductory felting workshop, participants will be eligible to attend the beginners’ workshop on August 8 and 9 for an opportunity to create their own unique wool felted shawl.

Museum Director Deborah Tranter said this is a great opportunity for visitors to see how two very different heritage skills both can be successfully today to make unique contemporary items.

Participants in the blacksmithing workshops have created objects as diverse as a mirror stand, flowers in steel, wine rack and book stand and to see some of the clothes, hats and scarves created through felting is just amazing,” Mrs Tranter said.

To receive regular updates on all Cobb and Co. Museum activities and developments, contact the Museum on 0746 39 1 971 or email inquiries@cobbandco.qm.qld.gov.au.

Deborah Tranter

Carolyn Janes, of Toowoomba, has gained new skills to support cancer patients by completing a three day ‘Introduction to Cancer Care’ course, run by Cancer Council Queensland in Brisbane this week.

Ms Janes, a health worker at St Vincent’s Hospital, was awarded a scholarship worth $1,500, enabling her to attend the course to advance her cancer care skills.

The scholarship covers all course costs, including study materials and regional participants are provided with travel, accommodation and meal expenses.

Health Professional Education Co-ordinator at Cancer Council Queensland, Sheila Deuchars, says the ‘Introduction to Cancer Care’ courses enable health workers who care for people with cancer to maximise their skills and improve their specific knowledge of cancer, so their patients receive the best possible care, attention and support.

Health care workers attended the course from across Queensland and return to their workplace and community with a wider knowledge of the treatments, side effects and support services available for people who are affected by cancer,” she said.

Participants networked with other cancer care health workers and cancer nursing specialists who share their expertise with course participants. This results in positive impacts for attendees, their patients and the families they care for.”

The course was sponsored by ESA International who will sponsor two additional courses offered by Cancer Council Queensland in 2009.

Cancer Council Queensland offers this course to assistants in nursing, undergraduate students, personal care assistants and home care workers who care for cancer patients in Queensland.

Other cancer care courses are offered to Registered and Enrolled nurses throughout the year on specific cancers like bowel, breast and prostate cancer.