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Tram Finds Its Way To Queensland

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Tram Finds Its Way To Queensland
Highfields Pioneer Village Manager Ray Ashford with Melbourne tram

The Volunteers of Highfields Pioneer Village, Museum & Park Inc. are very excited to announce their latest acquisition… a W Class Melbourne Tram from VIC Track!

The W-class trams are a family of electric trams built by the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB) between 1923 and 1956. Over the 33 years of production, 752 vehicles spanning 12 sub-classes were constructed, the majority at the MMTB’s Preston Workshops.

A small fleet continues to operate on the tramway network of Melbourne, where they are used on the City Circle tourist route and the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant service. The W-class tram is a cultural icon to Melbourne; those that remain in Melbourne are classified by the National Trust of Australia. As well as Melbourne, W-class trams operate on tourist and heritage systems across the world.

In October 2016, the Victorian government announced the formation of a reference group to formulate a strategy for the over 237 in-store at Newport Workshops.

In 2018, the results of the condition audit were published as part of the Daniel Andrews State Government’s Retired Trams Strategy.  The audit found there were 237 W-class trams in storage in 2018, with most not in a suitable condition for tourist operations.  Of the 237, 17 were operational for use on the City Circle line or the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant, 134, had a condition or significance that did not lend itself to being preserved for operations in any way. 

These trams were offered to the public by the State Government under an expression of interest process, with trams offered for free to schools, community groups and non-profit organisations. Private buyers and business could purchase a tram for $1,000 plus the cost of transport, with owners having to explain how they would restore, repurpose and maintain the trams for use. A panel was established to assess applications, with priority given to maintaining public access. Trams were expected to be used for purposes like cafes or classrooms.

More than 1,500 applications were received through the process and Highfields Pioneer Village was successful in our application”. Volunteer Manager Ray Ashford OAM says.

The first two W-Class trams to leave Newport Workshop under the process were acquired by the City of Launceston in Tasmania in 2019 to be restored and used in a public space.

The Tram is an SW-6 class and were introduced in 1939 and were followed by the W6-class which were produced between 1951 and 1955, 150 were built in total”. Ray says.

At their introduction, W6-class trams were popular with passengers and crew alike for being fast, smooth and comfortable. The cab controls are the same as of other W-class trams. The first 40 had flip-over wooden seats in the end saloons, the remainder having upholstered bus seats. All had wooden seats in the centre saloon until the 1970s when the entire class was refurbished with upholstered seats throughout.

As of January 2020, one tram (961) remains in service with Yarra Trams in original condition. Two W6 and twelve SW6 trams are in the hands of preservation groups, one of which is used as a café tram in Bendigo. Three SW6-class trams also operate on the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant service.

When asked why a Melbourne Tram? Ray comments The Melbourne Tram is a wonderful piece of Australian History and deserves preservation. The Tram will be a unique venue for Weddings, photo shoots, birthday parties and an asset to our educational program for school groups as well”.

Highfields Pioneer Village volunteers are seeking donations from local businesses and individuals to help with the restoration of the tram, Highfields Pioneer Village is a registered charity and all donations are tax deductible. For more information please contact the Village office on (07) 4696 6309.

Submitted by:
Jody Dodds
Treasurer
Highfields Pioneer Village, Museum and Park Inc.
Non-profit organisation run entirely by Volunteers.
Open 10am to 4pm Daily

Hospice Nurses Shown Recognition

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Hospice Nurses Shown Recognition

The Toowoomba Hospice will be celebrating International Year of the Nurse and Midwife with a ‘Big Thank You’ lunch this Friday, 14th February 2020.

Toowoomba Hospice Chairman, Mr Graham Barron OAM says, Nurses come from all different ages and backgrounds, but are united in their efforts to help the Hospice’s vision ‘in providing quality palliative and respite care based on mutual respect, trust and individual needs.’

We appreciate our Nurses very much and we are extremely grateful for their commitment to the Hospice. This is why we like to have get togethers throughout the year to show our appreciation.” said Mr Barron.

Nurses and Midwives play a vital role in providing health services. These are the people who devote their lives to caring for mothers and children; giving lifesaving immunizations and health advice; looking after older people and generally meeting everyday essential health needs. They are often, the first and only point of care in their communities.

The world needs 9 million more nurses and midwives if it is to achieve universal health coverage by 2030. – That’s why the World Health Assembly has designated 2020 the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife. (source from https://www.who.int/news room/campaigns/year-of-the-nurse-and-the-midwife-2020 )

Toowoomba Hospice Director of Nursing, Mrs Eugenie Corbett said, Nursing and Midwifery will be in the spotlight throughout 2020, which has been declared the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife by the World Health Organization.

In conjunction with this, the Nightingale Bicentenary Celebrations are also taking place globally this year. At the Toowoomba Hospice we acknowledge that we cannot care for our patients without the dedicated, caring nurses, who are professionally trained in palliative care, and have a desire to work at the Hospice as ‘ministering angels’. They work quietly and  tirelessly on public holidays, weekends and nights. They provide holistic evidence-based care, but most importantly, they strive for a dignified end as they partner with families in their final journey”. said Mrs Corbett.

The Toowoomba Hospice also acknowledges the importance of future nurses, by providing a supportive mentoring role to USQ and Tafe Student Nurses, during their clinical placements at the Hospice. The nurses of the future keep us motivated.

The Toowoomba Hospice provides free Palliative care in partnership with the community for those with a terminal illness and is in O’Quinn Street. For more information on the Toowoomba Hospice or joining the Nursing team please call administration on 07 4659 8500 or email the Hospice on info@toowoombahospice.org.au

Submitted by:
Mark Munro
Toowoomba Hospice

Love is The Rose

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Love is The Rose

The Rose speaks to all Ages and in all Colours

The Queensland  State Rose  Garden’s Major Fundraiser of 2020 is their sale of Valentine’s Day floral arrangements. All Roses used  are purchased locally and NEVER PICKED FROM THE ROSE GARDEN.

Volunteers from Toowoomba’s Floral Art Group create beautiful arrangements  from  single Rose to Small, Medium and Tastefully larger at affordable prices. All proceeds go into  IMPROVEMENTS  in the Rose Garden.

Submitted by Regina Albion
Vice President
Queensland State Rose Garden
Newtown Park
Toowoomba

Measures To Stay In Place

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Measures To Stay In Place

With heavy falls from slow moving thunderstorms continuing, Toowoomba Regional Council Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) remains on alert status.

Mayor Paul Antonio says the alert status would stay in place as a precautionary measure until conditions change.
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The Mayor said Council will also be making sand available for sandbagging to residents who would like to prepare themselves. Residents will be required to bring their own shovel and sandbags.

Council is delivering sand to these areas:
Oakey – Cricket Grounds at 4-20 Lorrimer Street in Oakey
Jondaryan – Duke Street in Jondaryan (near the steam train).
Quinalow/Maclagan – Quinalow Recreation Reserve at the corner of Pechey Maclagan Road and Daly Street
Yarraman – Barr Smith Street opposite the Council Depot near Watson Street intersection
Goombungee – SES shed at Corner of Mocatta Street and Cooke Street
(The SES only provides sandbags in emergency situations to protect a dwelling from inundation)

If your property isn’t facing immediate threat of inundation but you’re wanting to stay prepared in case water levels rise, we’ve provided sand for bagging at the following locations,” he said.

If your dwelling has been affected, contact the SES for assistance on 132 500.

For information on preparing for a flood, visit http://ow.ly/uRiN50yiXuD
To stay updated on local emergency news and for a full list of disaster contacts, visit www.disaster.tr.qld.gov.au
For updates on rain-affected local roads, visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/roads and report problems via info@tr.qld.gov.au or 131 872.

Submitted by:
Michael Duff
Senior Media Relations Officer
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication
Toowoomba Regional Council

Rainbow Faith Dinner

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Rainbow Faith Dinner

Launch of Equal Voices Toowoomba

This Friday night, Equal Voices Toowoomba is holding their first Rainbow Faith Dinner for LGBTQIA+persons of faith, their families and allies. The dinner aims to provide a safe gathering for Christians who have difficulty expressing their identity and finding affirmation in their own faith community.

Reverend Deborah Bird

The Reverend Deborah Bird observed that while churches are generally friendly, welcoming places, LGBTQIA Christians still routinely experience misunderstanding, discrimination and rejection. It can be tough to find a message of hope or a place of belonging if your gender or sexuality is diverse. But the church should always be a sanctuary – a safe place for all of God’s children.

“We hope Friday’s dinner will be a place to begin creating sanctuary for each other.” The dinner is also the launch of Equal Voices Toowoomba – the local branch of a national body that aims to support, sustain and empower the expression of diverse identities in faith communities and the public domain. Its members are Christians of multiple denominations who believe the church has a responsibility to protect the dignity and gifts of human diversity.

It is well established that our LGBTQIA communities are particularly vulnerable to the effects of discrimination, most especially so if they are a person of faith. We can’t say we’re upholding the  commandment to love one another if we’re not serious about making sure all of God’s children have a place to belong and a community that affirms them.”

The dinner follows last year’s successful visit of Susan Cottrell, a US mother whose work is to help Christian parents understand their LGBTQIA children. Susan’s events proved to be a great place for parents, friends and diverse people to meet and share their stories. We all need that kind of mutual support, and we all grow when we learn each other’s stories. That’s why the Christian tradition tells us community is so important. We do better together.”

The Rainbow Faith Dinner is a fully affirming place for LGBTQIA Christians of all denominations to express faith, sexuality and gender. 6pm Friday February 7, 2020 at the St James Parish Centre, corner of Mort and Russell Street, Toowoomba. Entry is free. (RSVP: RSVPS are not essential but will assist us with catering. Please also advise of any dietary issues).

For more information visit equalvoicestoowoomba.org or contact evtoowoomba@gmail.com contact Amie 0432 474 20

Submitted by:
(Rev’d) Deborah Bird

Darling Downs Pioneering Spirit Captured

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Darling Downs Pioneering Spirit Captured

Family historians have captured the stories of 60 pioneers from Toowoomba and across the Darling Downs.

The book titled “Men of Fire, Iron and Leather” gathers the history of coachbuilders, blacksmiths and wheelwrights, saddlers and bootmakers across the 19 th and early 20 th centuries.

The Toowoomba and Darling Downs Family History Society documents family histories and is celebrating 20 years at its permanent home which was moved from 61 Drayton Road to its present site on Drayton and Toowoomba Cemetery grounds in 2006.

President Marie Green said that the Society wanted to pay tribute to these special skills and the men that used them.

It is testament to the hard work of editor and contributor Diana Beal that this book has been completed” Mrs Green said. It tells the tale of our early pioneers who battled tough conditions to help create the beautiful region we enjoy today,” she said.

Member for Toowoomba South David Janetzki had the honour of officially launching the book.

Family history society designer Helen Hancock, Member for Toowoomba South David Janetzki and society vice-president and editor Diana Beal launching the book “Men of Fire, Iron and Leather”

The publication captures the resilience and determination of our pioneers who helped shape the recent history of the Darling Downs. I congratulate President Marie and in particular, Diana for her hard work gathering this important history for our future generations,” Mr Janetzki said.

“Men of Fire, Iron and Leather” is available to buy at the Toowoomba and Darling Downs Family History Research Centre, 452 South Street, Harristown at a cost of $20. The Centre is open Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm. To order email tddfhs@westnet.com.au or phone (07) 4634 7377. 

Submitted by:
Janice Nicholson
Office Manager
Office of David Janetzki MP
Member for Toowoomba South
566 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba Qld 4350
Email:   toowoomba.south@parliament.qld.gov.au

Chinese New Year Celebrations In Toowoomba

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Chinese New Year Celebrations In Toowoomba

Celebrate Chinese New Year in Toowoomba on Sunday 2nd  February, at The Goods Shed, at the northern end of Victoria Street.

There’ll be Market/info/food stalls and stage entertainment including a singer and dance troupe from Brisbane
Calligraphers
Choir
Martial art demo
Play Chinese majong and games
Chinese embroidery workshop and
Watch the lion dance.
There is also a best dressed Asian costume competition with a prize for kids. So bring the whole family, have great fun, dress up the kids and enjoy a great day out. Remember it’s free entry!

For more information call Daphne Fung on 0411 549 337.

Crow’s Nest Community Nursery Open Day

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Crow’s Nest Community Nursery Open Day

This Saturday (1st February) the Crow’s Nest Community Nursery will be open for all residents wishing to buy native plants.

Run by a group of volunteers, Toowoomba Regional Council Environment and Community Portfolio Leader Joe Ramia says the nursery has more than 200 species available for members of the public.

The Crow’s Nest Community Nursery specialises in the native plants of the Toowoomba Region
The volunteers are a cohesive group and a bring a great social atmosphere to the nursery with the group sourcing seeds from indigenous trees and shrubs that grow locally,” Cr Ramia said.

The species are all of local provenance and they are grown from local seeds and as such,  are much more likely to be adapted to our local climatic conditions than plants grown from seeds sourced elsewhere.”

The Crow”s Nest Community Nursery will be open this Saturday, 1st February from 8am to 2pm and is located at the end of Depot Road (off Timber Road) in the Crow’s Nest Industrial Estate – Native tubes $2 each, 90mm tubes $4 each.

For more information contact the Nursery on 4698 2990.

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