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$2 Million MAKO Robot Is Changing Lives

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$2 Million MAKO Robot Is Changing Lives

Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Darling Downs community, Toowoomba Hospital is now home to one of the most advanced surgical tools in Australia — the Stryker MAKO Robotic Arm. This $2 million piece of equipment is already transforming the way joint replacements are performed, improving the lives of patients across the region.

The Toowoomba Hospital Foundation Board recently visited the Orthopaedic team to witness the robot in action, guided by Director of Orthopaedics, Dr Chris Wall. The visit showcased not only the precision of robotic-assisted surgery, but the real impact donor funding is having on public healthcare.

Dr Chris Wall, said the MAKO Robot is a game-changer for both surgeons and patients. “For knee replacements and hip replacements, it’s going to make the position of the implants very easy, very precise, very accurate and we hope that will improve outcomes for our patients,” Dr Wall explained. “That means less post-op pain, quicker recovery, and more consistent long-term outcomes for our patients.”

With over 400 joint surgeries performed each year at Toowoomba Hospital, the introduction of the MAKO Robot makes these procedures safer and more efficient. It also helps attract top surgical talent and reduces the need for patients to travel to Brisbane for care — keeping world-class treatment close to home.

The Stryker MAKO Robotic Arm was entirely funded through community support, including proceeds from Wellbean Co cafés, hospital car park revenue, and generous donations from individuals and businesses across the region.

Submitted By:
Melinda Bond
Brand & Performance Officer
Toowoomba Hospital Foundation

Winter Warmth Appeal at Grand Central

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Winter Warmth Appeal at Grand Central

Clean out that cupboard and find those winter woolies to donate at Grand Central this May, to help those who need a bit of warmth during winter. Civic Assist’s Winter Warmth Appeal will again be supported by Grand Central with a mega collection point on Level One, near Myer from Wednesday 14th May to Saturday 17th May.

Civic Assist’s Helen Muller at the Mega Collection Booth , Grand Central

Civic Assist supports the Toowoomba community by distributing warm clothing and bedding to those people and families who are doing it tough.

Community Relations Manager Georgina Bayly said Grand Central was proud to support the work undertaken by Civic Assist by providing an easy donation point. “We invite the community to deliver quality pre-loved and new winter clothing and bedding to the redemption booth.”

“Bring in a large bag of good new or pre-loved winter clothing or blankets, and as a little thanks, the first 50 people to donate a large bag of goods will receive a $20 Gift Card to spend in Grand Central.” (Gift cards are limited, terms apply)

Civic Assists CEO says “A bag of warm clothes and blankets can have a profound impact on individuals and families. It makes such a difference to feel valued by people in the community, who give something to help them stay warm.”

Grand Central will be a donation point for the Winter Warmth appeal from now to Saturday 17th May, however the Civic Assist campaign continues until Friday 27th June with various donation points across Toowoomba.

The Enchanted Florist, Cnr Russell & Holberton Streets Newtown
Framed Espressobar, Hurstaway & Ruthven Streets, Toowoomba
City Civic Assist Support Centre, 258 Spring Street Kearney’s Spring

The Civic Assist Team may be contacted by emailing winterwarmth@civicassist.org.au or phone 4631 5822.

Submitted By:
Georgina Bayly
Community Relations Manager
Grand Central
Cnr Margaret & Dent St
grandcentralshopping.com.au

Bishop Ken Howell On The Death Of Pope Francis

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Bishop Ken Howell On The Death Of Pope Francis

Together with the priests, religious and lay faithful of the Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba I join my prayers upon learning the sad news of the death of the Holy Father, Pope Francis.

His Holiness dedicated his life to serving God and the Church with unwavering faith, compassion, and humility. As we mourn this great loss, let us also celebrate his remarkable legacy not just as the head of the Catholic Church, but as a world leader. May we find comfort in our shared faith and the hope of eternal life.

I find myself this morning remembering my two meetings with Pope Francis. The first was as a newly ordained bishop in 2017 attending a program of formation in Rome following my ordination. The Pope spoke briefly with us all and met us with warmth and great interest.

Pope Francis with Bishop Ken Howell on the occasion of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ visit to Rome in 2019. Picture supplied by Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba

The second was the occasion of the Australian Bishops visit to Rome in 2019. The Pope spoke with us for almost two hours where we discussed many matters with him in a very casual and relaxed meeting.This is a great example of his style as Pope. He welcomed every person he met with warmth and with a deep respect of the dignity of every human person. It was here that his light shone out, especially in his respect and care for the marginalised.

He preached that Christ came for all people especially those on the peripheries of society, and it was here that he showed particular care and deep interest in their lives.

Pope Francis was obviously deeply moved by some of the terrible conflicts happening in our world. He regularly called for peace, and we could tell that his heart was broken by the senseless killing of the innocent, and the destruction of their homes and family lives.

So much can be said about this humble and sincere servant of Christ. Pope Francis showed us how to be “holy” in the very best sense of that word. He was deeply in love with Jesus whom he served with great devotion, and he showed this in the way he loved the Church and worked tirelessly to share the fullness of the Gospel message.

May he rest in the peace of the Christ whom he both loved and served with energy and devotion.

Submitted By:
Ingrid McTaggart
Communications Officer
Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba
Email: imctaggart@twb.catholic.org.au

UniSQ Tech Could Transform Agriculture On Earth

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UniSQ Tech Could Transform Agriculture On Earth

Growing And Testing Plants In Space

The University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) is leading an out-of-this-world project to test machine vision technology for plant monitoring in space, which could provide vital clues to address food security challenges on Earth.
The technology uses an AI algorithm developed by Associate Professor Cheryl McCarthy from the UniSQ Centre for Agricultural Engineering to detect early signs of plant stress using regular camera footage well before it becomes visible to the naked eye or traditional methods and optimise growth.

The project builds on previous UniSQ research, which pioneered plant monitoring algorithms. The technology can monitor plant stress using regular camera footage, making its applications far-reaching.

The importance of testing plant health in space using machine vision technology is the unique data that will be provided from the harsh extraterrestrial conditions.

“Machine vision can play a crucial role in future food production systems,” Associate Professor McCarthy said. “The project will capture images of plants as they grow in space to monitor their health and development. Our goal is to detect early signs of stress and explore how this technology can be adapted for commercial farming on Earth.”

The iLAuNCH Trailblazer-backed initiative unites several industry and research partners, including Axiom Space, the University of Adelaide, Yuri, and Medicinal Harvest.

iLAuNCH Trailblazer Executive Director Darin Lovett said the project would position Australia at the forefront of space agriculture technology. “We are excited to help facilitate a project with such important potential outcomes,” he said. “It is vital work that could lead to innovative solutions that bridge space exploration and terrestrial food security.”

The project is targeted to take place in 2026.

Medicinal Harvest Director Tracey Perez said the machine vision technology also had the potential to greatly improve how medicinal plants are cultivated and monitored. “We are excited to be testing the machine vision technology developed at UniSQ in our Medicinal Harvest indoor cultivation facility in Queensland,” she said. “The ability to detect subtle changes in plant health as early as possible is vital to ensuring high-quality yields and more resilient plants.”

Read more about the work happening at UniSQ’s Centre for Agricultural Engineering and the iLAuNCH Trailblazer.

Submitted by:
Kavanna Trewavas,
Email: kavanna.trewavas@unisq.edu.au,

 

 

UniSQ Tracks Re-entry Of Space Capsule Over South Australia

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UniSQ Tracks Re-entry Of Space Capsule Over South Australia

A University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) research team led by Associate Professor Fabian Zander has returned from a mission to capture the re-entry of Varda Space Industries W-2 hypersonic re-entry capsule and its parent spacecraft over South Australia, gaining critical data to enhance understanding of atmospheric re-entry.

The W-2 capsule touched down at 1.02am local time on Friday last week after spending 45 days in orbit. The mission was undertaken in partnership with Southern Launch, which managed the re-entry and recovery of the capsule along with a team from Varda, which is based in El Segundo, California.

The W-2 capsule carried a spectrometer built by the US Air Force Research Laboratory and employed a heatshield developed in collaboration with NASA. The capsule also carried Varda’s expanded pharmaceutical reactor, which enables the production of lifesaving medicine in space.

Combining airborne and ground-based observations, the UniSQ team tracked the re-entry. The team is working to refine models that predict how space objects break apart and where they land – essential knowledge for ensuring the safety and sustainability of space activities.

A ground-based observation group led by Dr Andrew Lock and an airborne observation led by Associate Professor Zander made up the UniSQ observation team. The ground-based observations were positioned at two locations in South Australia, approximately 125km apart.

The teams focused on the high-precision tracking of the capsule and provided the trajectory data and expected landing location to Southern Launch to retrieve the capsule.UniSQ’s airborne observation experts, Associate Professor Zander (pictured) and Dr Byrenn Birch observed the W-2 capsule and spacecraft re-entry from a private jet outfitted with high-resolution cameras and scientific sensors.“Capturing a re-entry event in real time provides a rare opportunity to validate and enhance the scientific models that predict how spacecraft and space debris behave when returning to Earth,” Associate Professor Zander said. “This mission is part of a broader UniSQ research effort focused on the measurement of high-speed atmospheric events, including controlled and uncontrolled space debris re-entries, hypersonic test vehicle flights, and rocket launches.”

“The data collected supports the development of safer, more efficient space technologies and contributes to global efforts to manage space junk.”

The research has real-world applications, from helping space agencies predict where debris will land to improving the design of spacecraft that need to survive re-entry. The observation was made possible through funding from the UniSQ-led iLAuNCH Trailblazer program.

Learn more about the UniSQ Hypersonics and Rocketry Group.

Submitted By:
Chris Walker,
Email: chris.walker@unisq.edu.au

 

Shingles Awareness Week (24 Feb – 2 Mar)

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Shingles Awareness Week (24 Feb – 2 Mar)

New research reveals gaps in Aussie risk knowledge: It’s estimated that by the age of 40, more than 97% of Australians carry the inactive virus that causes shingles from a previous chickenpox infection.

The virus stays in your body for the rest of your life. Years later, the virus may reactivate as shingles.

However, alarming new research reveals over a quarter (26%) of Australians aged 50-79 do not recall previously having chickenpox and are at risk of shingles, without being aware of this risk.

In fact, over a third (36%) of Aussies don’t know that one in three people will develop shingles in their lifetime, and over a quarter (26%) don’t believe adults over 50 are likely to develop shingles.

Whilst it  isn’t life-threatening, it can be very painful. Shingles can occur anywhere on your body. It typically looks like a single stripe of blisters that wraps around the left side or the right side of your torso.

Vaccines can help lower the risk of shingles. Early treatment may shorten a shingles infection and lessen the chance of complications. The most common complication is postherpetic neuralgia. This is a painful condition that causes shingles pain for a long time after your blisters have cleared.

Whether you have a history of chickenpox or not, everyone 50 years or older should receive a shingles vaccine unless otherwise discussed with your healthcare provider. Adults under age 50 who are immuno-compromised may also be eligible.

Protect yourself and others around you from shingles by getting both doses of the shingles vaccine. This Shingles Awareness Week, talk to your healthcare provider today about scheduling your two vaccination appointments.

 

2025 Toowoomba Hospice Business Luncheon

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2025 Toowoomba Hospice Business Luncheon

Toowoomba Hospice is excited to announce its 3rd Annual Toowoomba Hospice Luncheon, taking place on Friday, 28th February 2025, from 12pm to 3pm at the Royal Hotel Toowoomba, proudly sponsored by Power Tynan.

Toowoomba Hospice Chairman Graham Barron OAM and Kerry Betros AM celebrate over 20 years of the Toowoomba Hospice providing end-of-life care to the terminally ill.

Business Manager Mr. Mark Munro shared his enthusiasm: “We are thrilled to host this event again and are excited to welcome Mr. Kerry Betros AM as our guest speaker. Mr. Betros is well-known in the Toowoomba community and is synonymous with business, banking, and community engagement.”

Ms. Amanda Kenafake, CEO and Executive Director of Power Tynan, expressed her support: “As a local business, we believe in supporting local charities. When Mark approached me about sponsoring this event, I was more than happy to help raise funds for such a vital cause.”

The luncheon will feature a Welcome drink on arrival, kindly sponsored by Hot Property, followed by a 2-course meal. The ticket price is $85.00, and tickets are now available at https://shorturl.at/TMeQs. Limited tickets are available, so be sure to get yours quickly—only 60 spots are available!

In addition to the delicious food and insightful presentation, attendees will have the chance to win exciting prizes, including a Lucky Door Prize, a Business Card Draw, and a Money Board prize featuring 2 tickets to the Toowoomba Hospice Annual Race Day.

Mr. Munro also shared his gratitude for the ongoing support from the local community: “We are incredibly proud of the ongoing support from the Toowoomba and Darling Downs communities, which enables us to provide free end-of-life care to over 2,100 clients and their families. Our services are based on mutual respect, trust, and individual needs, and we are deeply grateful for nearly 22 years of continued support.”

Join us for an inspiring and enjoyable afternoon in support of this important cause!

For more details and to secure your tickets,
visit: https://shorturl.at/TMeQs

Submitted by:
Mark Munro
Business Manager
Toowoomba Hospice
www.toowoombahospice.org.au

Garden Competition Entering New Chapter With Toowoomba Hospital Foundation

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Garden Competition Entering New Chapter With Toowoomba Hospital Foundation

For 75 years, the Chronicle Garden Competition has been at the heart of Toowoomba’s iconic floral celebrations, bringing the community together to showcase the creativity, dedication, and passion of local gardeners. Today, we’re thrilled to announce a new chapter in this beloved tradition — one that will ensure its legacy continues to bloom for generations to come.

The Toowoomba Hospital Foundation (THF) is proud to announce that it will be taking over the ownership of the beloved Garden Competition from The Chronicle.

Following six months of careful discussions, THF is excited to continue the legacy of this event while preserving its core traditions. The Chronicle will remain a major partner, with familiar faces continuing to play key roles in delivering this iconic competition.“Transferring ownership of our beloved Chronicle Garden Competition to the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation really showcases the Chronicle’s commitment to giving back to our community. We are extremely proud to assist with raising much needed funds for the Hospital Foundation, in particular the Regional Cancer Centre,” said Erika Brayshaw, General Manager at The Chronicle.

Toowoomba Hospital Foundation CEO Alison Kennedy emphasised that THF’s involvement is about safeguarding the future of the competition, not changing what makes it special.  “Our role is to support and sustain this event, not change it. The Chronicle Garden Competition has always been about our community; the talented gardeners who make our city bloom. That remains the driving force behind this event, and always will.”

With ongoing support from the Chronicle, the event’s format and structure will remain unchanged. THF will bring new energy and additional resources to continue elevating the competition while ensuring it remains accessible, inclusive, and a celebration of our region’s gardening excellence.

The Chronicle Garden Competition will remain free to entrants. As in previous years, the gardeners may ask for donations upon entry to their beautiful gardens, but this is optional.

Submitted By:
Melinda Bond
Media & Communications Officer
melinda@toowoombahospitalfoundation.org.au
Toowoomba Hospital Campus, Pechey St

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