Crow’s Nest celebrated 20 years of community banking with a public event in Centenary Park on Saturday, 6th April.
Progressive Community Crow’s Nest Ltd opened their first joint venture branch with the then Heritage Building Society in 1999, followed in 2004 by the Highfields Heritage Community branch.
As other banks withdrew from Crow’s Nest, the Heritage Community Branch was there to provide financial services to residents of the district, with the joint venture returning $5million to the local community through local organisations and by funding community programs and projects.
Directors of PCCN say the partnership has simply been an outstanding success surpassing even their most optimistic expectations.
Progressive Community Crow’s Nest Ltd extended an open invitation to join in the 20th Anniversary celebrations with music by Slow Train Coming and street artists, food by Squealing Pig (Wofty Possum) assisted by the Lions Club and CWA, in Centenary Park.
(The Board of PCCN Ltd – Howard Littleton, David McEvoy, Baden Brown, Jeff Close, Paul McRae, Branton Woodhead, Dennis Nissen, Ged Brennan, Colleen Myatt).
PCCN Director, Howard Littleton pictured with Heritage Bank CEO, Peter Lock (left)
Slow Train Coming performing for PCCN in Centenary Park, Crow’s Nest
A new generation will be able to enjoy the dream of outer space with Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) launching work to rebuild the landmark Picnic Point Rocket.ÂÂ
TRC’s Environment and Community portfolio leader Cr Joe Ramia said that Council’s ‘Mission Control’ is keen for the rocket to take off with a new generation of space cadets.
“The iconic rockets mission was mothballed during the mid-1990s due to safety concerns, but the current works will rebuild the Rocket.
“The history of the rocket dates back to the mid-1960s before mankind kicked the moon, when landscape architect Arne Fink developed a plan for the area which included the famed rocket ship,” Cr Ramia said.
“The rocket was built around the 1970’s and became the well known playground feature that it has been until now.”
As part of the overhaul, the Rocket will be removed until the end of April, and when completed will return as a play item for all ages that complies with Australian Standards.
The revamped rocket will come complete with a slide, steps to get inside the rocket, new ladders and larger openings to get to each level, new footings, rubber soft fall material and even a fresh paint job!
The upgrade is expected to be completed by the end of May or early June, weather permitting.
Aspiring astronauts will be able to once again climb through the rocket and dream of travelling into the final frontier – space.
You’re invited to participate in some cameraderie and fun at the Mad Hatters Tea Party on Saturday, 30th March and at the same time support fundraising for worthwhile charities making a difference to people’s lives.
The Aussie Hero Quiltmaking is for the benefit of our military men and women serving overseas, Days4Girls is making re-washable sanitary products for females in third world countries, and Hope For Our Children in Toowoomba with items to fill backpacks such as toiletries, a toy, an outfit and a crocheted rug and beanie for the cold weather to come, and Scrap Booking people’s lives as a stress release.
It would be appreciated if you made contact through one of the above numbers to advise your intention to attend. The starting time is 2pm at Eiser Street Baptist Church House, 11 Eiser Street, Toowoomba (opposite the Big Four Caravan Park.
The Australian team with Toowoomba’s Cameron Stein thrid from right
A member of the team representing Australia at the inaugural World Junior Tenpin Bowling Championships in Paris last week, Cameron Stein has returned home this week and will be competing at the 2019 TBAQ State Championships at Sunset Superbowl in Toowoomba this weekend.
With three out of four athletes qualifying for the Masters at the event, head coach Shane Bernhardt said whilst the team didn’t bring home medals there was a number of positives and learnings to come out of the world’s pinnacle event for junior bowlers.
“We were in the top half of the field in most of the events with some countries with strong bowling programs finishing below us. All in all, I was pleased with our results.â€Â
“There are a number of learnings that we will take from this experience. From a bowling perspective, the importance of ‘repeatability’ is the biggest takeaway,†the junior national training squad head coach said.
(l-r) Nixon Chan, Amy Shoesmith, Cameron Stein and Sophie Martin
“Watching Korea and to a lesser extent the USA, the athletes have the ability and skill to continuously repeat their shot. This is something that our Junior NTS needs to work towards and I will be calling on the experiences of the four athletes that competed in the WJC to assist in leading this mindset.â€Â
After finishing 20th in the All Events Cameron Stein qualified for the Masters alongside Sophie Martin who finished in 19th and Amy Shoesmith finishing in 24th.
In step one of the Masters, Stein went down to Lithuanian bowler Laurynas Narusis 240-219 and 256-176 to see his tournament finish. For the Australian girls it was a similar story with Shoesmith unable to progress and Martin also bowing out of the tournament after Grace Gella from the Philippines won both matches.
With the Australians out of the competition the finals moved to the centre of the capital city of France to stage five consecutive gold medal matches on a special two-lane installation inside the Judo Institute on Saturday.
Having won already gold medals in Boys’ Singles and Boys’ and Girls’ All-Events, Korea won four out of five medals in the arena finals to dominate the medal tally winning 7 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze medal.
Korea’s Ji Geun, a 17-year-old lefthander, won all five gold medals in the boys’ division to set a record in the first edition of the World Junior Bowling Championships that can’t be broken.
With record-breaking entries, trophies and a prize fund of almost $20,000 Queensland bowlers in this year’s TBAQ Adult & Youth State Championships are heading to Toowoomba in droves.
Organising Committee chief, Morty Douglass said “The Centre will be buzzing with 164 bowlers competing in 656 events … it proves that our sport is doing exceptionally well in the State and to be honest it is all driven by great volunteers.â€Â
“The Gala Awards night being held in conjunction with the Queensland State Championships and the Toowoomba Regional Council 7pm, Saturday 30 March 2019 at The Annex, Toowoomba City Hall is aimed squarely at recognising not just our high achievers but volunteers like these and their contribution,†he added.
Competition resumes this weekend, with more squads commencing on Friday evening, 29th March and play continuing through until Sunday 31 March. Spectators are invited to Sunset Superbowl during the weekend to witness some of the country’s best ten pin bowling talent on the lanes.
Submitted by: Lynne Clay| Marketing | Media | Communications Tenpin Bowling Association of Queensland Inc. Sports House | 150 Caxton Street l Milton QLD 4064 e: lynne.clay@outlook.com | www.tbaq.org.au
This Sunday marks the ninth year for AEIOU’s Take A Hike Toowoomba, and what sets it apart is the strong cohort of tomorrow’s leaders who have signed up for the signature fundraising event, taking place on Sunday 31 March 2019.
With more than 100 registered hikers, the contingent includes over 50 students from Toowoomba Grammar School. The students are volunteering their time to participate in Take A Hike in support of local children with autism, and their families.
The young philanthropists will also work behind the scenes to ensure the smooth running of the annual event. “It’s inspiring to see how these young men have stepped up with the genuine intent of making a differenceâ€Â, Toowoomba Centre Manager Sandy Peachy said.
“In a world where we are time poor, it is heart-warming to see such commitment and generosity of time, raising funds and awareness for the amazing young children at our Toowoomba centre. Registrations remain open until the morning of the event, and we would love to welcome even more locals on the dayâ€Â, she said.
All funds raised will directly support young children with autism in Toowoomba, who are receiving vital early intervention therapy and care at AEIOU Foundation.
Autism Awareness Month commences the day after Take A Hike, and the entire month is dedicated towards raising awareness and encouraging inclusiveness. AEIOU Foundation invites the Toowoomba community to unite and Take A Hike in support of families receiving vital therapy and care at AEIOU.
Registration on the morning of the event is very welcome. Pets are also welcome, so bring the whole family and enjoy the fun!
When: Sunday 31 March 2019, registration opens from 6.30am, with staggered starts at 7am, 8am and 9am. Celebration BBQ for hikers begins at 10am. Where: Queens Park (corner of Margaret and Hume Streets), Toowoomba
About AEIOU Foundation:
AEIOU Foundation is a leading provider of early intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Our evidence-based therapy and education program is family focused and provides every child with the best opportunity to gain vital independence and achieve their full potential. Operating from ten locations, AEIOU supports children aged 2 to 6 years.
For more information about AEIOU Foundation visit www.aeiou.org.au
As you read this, 1.5 million Australians of all ages are experiencing kidney failure †failure that can lead to chronic kidney disease and the end of life as they know it. The alarming thing is: none of these people know that it’s happening, since you can lose up to 90% of your kidney function without any symptoms.
One of those 1.5 million Australians could be you… right now. You just don’t know it.
April 8-14 is Kidney Health Week 2019, a perfect time to remind all Australians not to be blind to kidney disease and the importance of undertaking a very simple online kidney risk test at www.kidney.org.au.
The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) is one step closer to helping reveal the true nature of new worlds following the expansion of its Mount Kent Observatory.
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrewsjoined USQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Geraldine Mackenzie on Wednesday, March 20th to launch the upgrades.
The $6 million facility includes an array of new telescopes and technology and will enable USQ researchers and students to be at the forefront of ongoing planet discovery work. USQ is playing a leading role supporting NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) which is currently searching for exoplanets.
With the expansion of the Observatory, the University is hosting the only southern-hemisphere facility dedicated to TESS support, and playing a critical role in the discovery and understanding of these planetary systems orbiting the stars of the solar neighbourhood.
“Mount Kent Observatory is a unique research facility for the future of astronomy and space in Australia. This expansion means USQ is now in the perfect position to take a leading role working with global partners, like NASA, to help bring to light new worlds and advance our understanding of Planetary Systems,†Professor Mackenzie said.
“USQ astrophysicists have contributed to the discovery of more than 100 exoplanets, with more than 30 alone in the past 12 months. Just this week the team has detected two more new exoplanets from the NASA TESS mission.
“This is an incredible feat and well and truly shows that our researchers are among the best and brightest in the world, and that this is just the start of a multitude of discoveries to come.â€Â
Mount Kent Observatory is Queensland’s only professional research observatory for astronomy teaching and research training and this year USQ is offering a Bachelor of Science (Astronomical and Space Sciences) degree for the first time.
“This degree will open more doors for students and allow them to work alongside leading researchers and access world-class facilities like Mount Kent Observatory,†Professor Mackenzie said. “This expansion will provide students with state-of-the-art telescopes and instruments and give them the opportunity to be a part of the international quest to understand nearby planetary systems.”
USQ Centre for Astrophysics Director, Professor Brad Carter said the new facilities not only offered the potential to better observe objects in space near and far, but also to capitalise on the growing opportunities presented by the Australian Space Agency and international space industry.
“USQ’s focus on the nearer stars and their planets means that we are playing a key role in surveying the local, solar neighbourhood for planetary systems or those planets that can be studied in greatest detail and worlds that we hope humans one day send robotic interstellar probes to visit,†Professor Carter said.
“We already have a lot to offer through existing capabilities and talent, however, this expansion will allow us to unlock even more opportunities and further cement our existing international partnerships.â€Â
Once the full expansion is completed, Mount Kent Observatory will have a total of 13 telescopes installed.
The University of Southern Queensland is a registered provider of education with the Australian Government.
(CRICOS Institution Code QLD 00244B / NSW 02225M, TEQSA PRV12081)
Crow’s Nest celebrated 20 years of community banking with a public event in Centenary Park on Saturday, 6th April.
Come along and chat with senior officers over a coffee, and ask the questions you have been yearning to ask – these are the people with the answers.
As part of the overhaul, the Rocket will be removed until the end of April, and when completed will return as a play item for all ages that complies with Australian Standards.
