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Excitement Building For Grand Central Floral Parade

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Excitement Building For Grand Central Floral Parade

Grand Central has given a sneak peek of the float that will lead this year’s Grand Central Floral Parade on Saturday, as part of the 2018 Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. 

Grand Central Marketing Manager Marieke Bridgeman said the centre was proud to once again be major partner of the Grand Central Floral Parade. “This is Grand Central’s 22nd year of sponsoring the parade.  There’s nothing quite like Carnival time in Toowoomba, and I’m really looking forward to seeing all the floats in this year’s parade,” she said.

“These floats are the result of thousands of hours of work by local community and business groups, and the dedication that goes in to making them is to be commended.”

Ms Bridgeman said the Grand Central float was designed by Joy Heylen from Urban Visual Arts & Sculpture, who took inspiration from the whimsical story of The Secret Garden. “We’re tapping into our childhood imaginations, our own special place in the secret garden where the creatures of the garden come to life, and flowers are bursting with colour,” she said. 

“It’s taken Joy’s team around 250 man hours to complete this float, which features an elevated tree house in the secret garden.  Hundreds of metres of foam has been used, and 800 flowers and plants will decorate the float on the day.”
 

Ms Bridgeman said the centre also had a range of free activities planned for the weekend, and encouraged people to visit Grand Central prior to the parade to get into the Carnival spirit. “Children can have their face painted, make their very own flower crown, or grab a flower balloon to take along and wave at the parade.  They can even have a ride on the carousel that featured in our 2016 float!

“And for the adults, make sure you pop down to Level 1 of the Retail Galleria where Priceline will have a Glitter Bar designed to snazz up your Carnival look, and blokes with a beard will be able to get something truly unique †a Tommy Gun’s flower beard!” she said.

“All activities run from 10am-2pm, so we’re hoping to see plenty of people at the centre on Saturday before they head into the CBD to line the Toowoomba streets to witness all the floats in the Grand Central Floral Parade.” Ms Bridgeman said from Sunday people can experience the float in person by visiting Grand Central.  It will be located near Vapiano after it makes the journey home to the centre.

For more information on the range of free activities on at Grand Central this weekend, visit www.grandcentralshopping.com.au.  For more information on the 2018 Carnival of Flowers, visit www.tcof.com.au.

Submitted by:
Diane Balke
Community Relations Manager
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Water Restrictions For Toowoomba Regional Centres

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Water Restrictions For Toowoomba Regional Centres

Council is taking action to commence medium-level water restrictions from Tuesday September 18 for several regional communities across the Toowoomba Regional Council area. This decision has been made due to signs of stress on local groundwater sources.

Mayor Paul Antonio said the earlier predictions by the Bureau of Meteorology that things would get worse before getting better have unfortunately come true, particularly for those communities that are not connected to the Toowoomba Bulk Water Supply Network.

“The communities affected by this decision include Brookstead, Cambooya, Cecil Plains, Clifton, Greenmount, Hodgson Vale, Pittsworth, Southbrook, Valeview all of which rely on bores for their water supply. Yarraman will also move to restrictions in line with other communities that rely on the Boondooma Dam as their water source.

“The drought conditions are causing significant stress on water supplies and Council bores are under pressure in a number of regional communities.

“Recent testing has identified changes in flow, aquifer level and trace elements in water being drawn from our acquifers,” he said.

“Medium level water restrictions will apply to Hodgson Vale, Valeview, Cambooya, Clifton, Greenmount, Pittsworth (including Brookstead and Southbrook), Cecil Plains and Yarraman. 

“Those communities currently connected to the Toowoomba Bulk Water Supply will not be affected by this decision because they are not reliant on aquifer supply.

 “This is the driest year for our region since 1901 and the decision to move to increase water restrictions will take pressure off local aquifers.

“Weather experts say Australia is moving into an El Nino period by the end of Spring, bringing dry and warm conditions. 

“Current forecasts from the Bureau of Meteorology indicate below-average rainfall and this means that various areas throughout our region are likely to move to higher restrictions in the future.

“We need the community’s help to reduce water consumption as the drought conditions continue to impact us all.  The more water we can save the better.

“Council will also look at other solutions to reduce the stress on our acquifers. 

“These include:

  • Implementing conservation measures;
  • Supplementing groundwater supplies by transporting water;
  • Re-starting non-operational bores; and
  • Using portable filtration systems to improve water quality in some systems.

“Our region has been badly affected by droughts and our neighbouring Councils have already taken steps. It won’t come as a surprise that we are at the point of restrictions.

“Toowoomba Region residents have demonstrated their ability to use water responsibly.

“As in the past we are asking residents to work with us through these water restrictions until our aquifers are replenished by rain.

“With the Millennium drought in our recent memory we call on you all to use water responsibly.”

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

Lifeline Darling Downs To Celebrate National Op Shop Week

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Lifeline Darling Downs To Celebrate National Op Shop Week

Lifeline Darling Downs is set to celebrate National Op Shop Week in October with a VIP Op Bus Shop Tour. National Op Shop Week is an annual event being held this year from September 30th †October 6th.

Guests will be able to sit back and relax as they visit four Lifeline Darling Downs Op Shops stopping for lunch at the City Golf Club. There will also be special VIP exclusive discounts on the day. The organisation has partnered with the Toowoomba Sightseeing bus so guests will have the pleasure of being driven around the city in the iconic bus.

Opportunity shops or ‘Op’ shops as they are more commonly known are more than an opportunity to bag a bargain they are a retail space where goods are repurposed and given a new lease of life.

“We are really looking forward to bringing this event to Toowoomba. Our shops are real treasure troves with a very special purpose as all proceeds from sales go towards funding our suicide prevention and crisis support services. It is thanks the support of our community that we continue to receive donations.

By purchasing goods at our Lifeline Shops customers helping us to ensure we can continue to provide high quality professional services at no cost to those most in need in our community. ”, Lifeline Darling Downs, CEO, Derek Tuffield OAM said.

The bus tour is being held on Wednesday 3rd October. Tickets are $45 and are on sale now. Seats are limited so people are being urged to book early.

Tickets can be purchased at https://toowoombatickets.com.au/event/7656   For further information please call 1300 991 443.

NOTE:
Lifeline Darling Downs & SWQ Ltd (LDDSWQL) is a community based organisation providing an array of crisis support and community services. For more information on services or to support Lifeline Darling Downs with this and other life changing programs visit www.lifelinedarlingdowns.org.au

Submitted by:
Kirsten McGovern 
Manager Fundraising & Marketing  

Toowoomba Tenpin Bowl Patrol Right Down Kids’ Alley

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Toowoomba Tenpin Bowl Patrol Right Down Kids’ Alley

Toowoomba Tenpin president Nathan Stein will soon be rolling out a new kids bowling program thanks to a grant of $8,375. Mr Stein said the grant would be used to purchase equipment for Bowl Patrol – a national junior tenpin bowling program designed specifically for primary school children.

“Bowl Patrol is a modified version of tenpin bowling, we roll out carpet and the kids learn to bowl from three-quarters down the lane,” Mr Stein said. “As they get better, they move further back. It’s a great way to make learning to bowl fun without using bumpers and without all the balls going in the gutter,” he said.

Member for Toowoomba South David Janetzki MP congratulated the club on using their grant to promote their sport to children.

“It’s great to see a club being proactive and getting kids like Blake, Cody and Shannon involved in their sport,” Mr Janetzki said. The Walker triplets Blake, Cody and Shannon said they liked bowling because it was “fun, enjoyable and you get to knock stuff down”.

Mr Stein said the club would also implement the Roll ‘n’ Strike tenpin bowling programs in schools across the Darling Downs and for accreditation of extra volunteers needed to run the new programs. “We have a great club. Our youngest members are kids as young as three through to our oldest league bowler who is in his late 80s,” Mr Stein said.

“In Australia bowling is a very small sport so there is a bit of a struggle to get it recognised as a sport rather than just a recreational activity,” he said. “Actually the number one bowling in the world is Australian Jason Belmonte †he makes his living competing in pro tours in America and Japan.”

A total of nine organisations in Toowoomba South received grants totalling almost $185,000 in the latest round of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund.

Toowoomba South grant recipients:

  • Downs Rugby Ltd – $6780 – purchase equipment and coach course fees
  • Drug Arm Toowoomba – $33,740 – purchase motor vehicle
  • Endeavour Foundation Ramsay Accommodation Support – $34, 371 – renovate bathroom
  • Golden West Tenpin Bowling – $8375 – purchase equipment
  • Hope Horizons – $3704 – purchase equipment
  • Multicap Toowoomba Hub – $16, 729 – upgrade kitchen
  • Toowoomba Valleys Rugby League Club – $15,970 – upgrade facility
  • Turbo Jets Swim Club – $34, 780 – upgrade facility
  • Toowoomba and District Woodcrafters Inc – $30,005 †purchase woodworking equipment and a shipping container

Submitted by:
Lacey Maguire
Media Adviser
Office of David Janetzki MP
Member for Toowoomba South
Email: toowoomba.south@parliament.qld.gov.au

Carnival Of Flowers Toowoomba To Helidon Steam Train Shuttle

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The Australian Railway Historical Society (Queensland Division) is in the 61st year of operating rail tours and has a steam train travelling Roma St to Toowoomba on both days of Queensland’s most well-known floral event on Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd September 2018.

This special steam train will be hauled by BB18 ¼ Class Steam locomotive No. 1079 †the locomotive was built in Maryborough and entered service in 1956 and is one of five steam engines kept available by QR for special events.

The people travelling to Toowoomba from Brisbane will be seeing gardens via coach, and dropped off down at Helidon for their return journey back to Brisbane.  During the time the passengers are looking at the gardens, the society is offering seats on board the steam train for locals or people that are visiting Toowoomba to travel from Toowoomba Railway Station to Helidon Station via steam train, and return to Toowoomba Station by coach. 

On Saturday 22nd September we have 9 Queensland Rail Heritage wooden carriages with approximately 300 plus seats hauled by steam train BB18¼, departing from Toowoomba Station at 2:15pm, travelling down the Toowoomba range and arriving at Helidon Station by 4pm, the coaches will be waiting for passengers at Helidon for their return trip to Toowoomba Station with arrival at around 4:50pm -5.00pm. 

On Sunday 23rd September 2018 the steam loco No. 1079 BB18¼ will have 5 of the vintage QR wooden carriages with approximately 200-250 seats on board, the steam train will again depart from Toowoomba Station at approx. 3pm, and arriving at Helidon Station by 5pm, with approximate arrival by coach at Toowoomba Station by 5:30pm. 

The Fare Rates for this years Shuttle will be $40 for Adults & $20 for Children (no discounted fares or concession/companion card fares)

Tickets are being sold at Toowoomba Railway Station at the Ticket Office, opened Monday to Friday only. Alternatively you can contact us at Australian Railway Historical Society QLD Division, and Sunshine Express Rail Tours Office on 07 3252 1759 between 10am and 3.00pm Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays, recorded message operates at other times. You can also BOOK ONLINE at www.sunshineexpress.org.au . We look forward to welcoming you aboard.

Submitted by:
Leanne West
Administration Officer
Australian Railway Historical Society Queensland Division
Sunshine Express Rail Tours
Email: arhsqld@bigpond.com

Do You Know An Inspirational Young Achiever?

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Do You Know An Inspirational Young Achiever?

Nominations for the Seven News Young Achiever Awards are now open and the search has begun for incredible young people under 29 from Queensland.

Everybody knows an inspiring young individual;
• Who we all wonder where they find the time to help others
• Paving the way for our future through innovative thinking
• Who is a leader and role model for their peers

We need to give thanks, and now you can by nominating them into one of these categories;

• LGIAsuper Community Volunteer Award
• iFly Online Achievement Award
• BB Print Regional Achiever Award
• First National Real Estate Leadership Award
• Soroptimist Women Empowering Others Award
• Kennelly Constructions Aboriginal Achievement Award
• The University of Queensland Create Change Award

One of the category winners will be named the 2019 Queensland Young Achiever of the Year.
Category winners will each receive $2,000 from Auswide Bank and a trophy. The Queensland Young Achiever of the Year will receive $2,000 from Auswide Bank and a state trophy.

To submit a nomination, simply go online to www.youngachieverawards.com and then click the gold ‘Nominate Now’.

Alternatively, make the process that much easier by calling us on 1300 055 096 and passing on their details and we will take it from there.

Nominations close Monday 3rd December 2018. For assistance please feel free to call the Awards Office or email qldyaa@awardsaustralia.com

The Young Achiever Awards began in 2016, with the purpose of acknowledging, encouraging and most importantly promoting the positive achievements of all young people up to and including 29 years of age. The awards aim to recognise the leadership, dedication and pursuit of excellence amongst young people throughout Queensland.

Royal Bull’s Head Inn Open Day †Father’s Day Sunday 2nd September

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Royal Bull’s Head Inn Open Day †Father’s Day Sunday 2nd September


Everyone is welcome to come along to the Royal Bull’s Head Inn, Sunday 2nd September between 10am and 4pm. This Open Day at the Royal Bull’s Head Inn we’ll have a number of plants for sale as well as free morning tea for every dad that comes through the Inn (entry fee’s apply).

                                         National Trust of Australia (Queensland)

   Toowoomba Branch

 Royal Bull’s Head Inn Sunday 2nd September 2018

10am to 4pm

 

Father’s Day Treat for Dad!

Free Coffee/Tea and Scone

PLUS

Mini-displays by local groups holding events during Carnival of Flowers.

Entry Fee:

$5.00 children/concession $7.00 adults $20.00 Family

Free for National Trust Members

Royal Bull’s Head Inn:

59 Brisbane Street, Drayton

Ph: 4637 2278

Email: toowoomba@nationaltrustqld.org

To keep up to date on what’s happening at the Royal Bull’s Head Inn, head to our Facebook Page or follow us on Instagram.  Also, if you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, or would like to make a private booking, contact the Trust on toowoomba@nationaltrustqld. org or phone Debby on
0490 363 719

Submitted by:
Tina Mundt
Media & Publicity

 

 

 

Ma Ma Creek Dance Weekend

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Ma Ma Creek Dance Weekend

Come & join us for a great weekend at Ma Ma Creek….

Doing the Marburg Waltz (photo contributed)


Starting 7.30pm on the Saturday night with “Dancing the Towns of the Great Southeast & Darling Downs” to the fabulous “Tony Gilbert Sound” by Patti & Tony.

Stay the night †bring your caravan, tent or swag to sleep in the hall (Sorry, NO shower facilities). Buy your meals across the road at the take away or BYO. For those that like the more comfortable sleep in a motel, Gatton is only 13km’s down the road.

Sunday morning †enjoy a sleep in, take a scenic drive around the valley or stay & socialize with other dancers.

Sunday dance starts at 1pm & finishes at 5pm. Dance the afternoon away, again to the fabulous music of Patti & Tony.

Toowoomba choreographer Mr Les Andrews has created several new dance sequences for the event and has been teaching them at various locations, so dancers within that community can participate in Dancing the Towns of the Great South East and Darling Downs.

Over the years Mr Andrews has kept a catalogue of every social dance ever written. “There’s about 3700 that exist” he said. “Each dance I’ve written is different, for example, the Marburg Modern Waltz is still a series of steps that make up a combination. There’s about 3700 that exist” he said.

“Each dance I’ve written is different, for example, the Marburg Modern Waltz is still a series of steps that make up a combination. There will be a great mixture of the new dances as well as the commonly known dances at both events, 2 circles being danced.”

Please bring a plate to share for the supper on Saturday night and another for afternoon tea on the Sunday. (refrigerator available).

Only $10 per person each session.

Also great prizes in the Multi Draw raffles – in aid of “Life Flight” and the “Toowoomba Hospice”

Glitzy Dance shoes will also be at both of these events. – Need some new shoes then come and see Ted & Cherry – Great for dancing, weddings, parties etc.

For more information please call Les on 0400 899 083 or Di on 0413 106 445.

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