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“Tasting Success” – 30 days until NDIS

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“Tasting Success” – 30 days until NDIS

On Friday 2 December 2016 Warrina Services will host an inclusive event to coincide with International Day of People with a Disability.

Ms Laura Scurr
Ms Laura Scurr

Local business people, community members and people with a disability, their families and carers are  invited to hear an inspirational speaker, Ms Laura Scurr and enjoy a shared barbeque lunch (from 11am to 1pm) in the grounds of 172 Bridge Street, Toowoomba . Our event will celebrate the achievements of people with a disability and encourage collaboration and positive actions to build a more inclusive community for all.

The day also marks 30 days until the launch of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in Toowoomba and surrounding communities. If you would like to attend or wish more information about “Tasting Success” please call Glenice (07) 4638 0399.

Celebrating 30 years

In December 2016 Warrina Services celebrate our 30th birthday. We are proud to be a local service, supporting local people. Our success has been realised because of the support we have received from our local community; our friends, families, partner agencies, local businesses and funding from the State and Federal Government.

To mark our 30th year as a disability service provider in the Darling Downs we will be sharing stories, pictures and milestones with you via our newsletters and website.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

Information Sessions

Our NDIS workshops for parents, carers, clients and interested community members are scheduled for:

  • Friday 19 February 2016          10.30am – 12.00pm
  • Wednesday 23 March 2016     10.30am – 12.00pm
  • Thursday 21 April 2016               1.00pm – 2.30pm
  • Tuesday 24 May 2016                 1.00pm – 2.30pm
  • Monday 13 June 2016              10.30am – 12.00pm

We will have guest speakers and provide you with the most up to date information about the NDIS.

Everyone is welcome to attend these sessions.

Advice For Residents To “Stay Cool” In Hot Conditions

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Advice For Residents To “Stay Cool” In Hot Conditions

Healthcare workers are reminding residents to be mindful of their health as the region braces for a possible heatwave at the end of this week. Darling Downs Public Health Unit Director Dr Penny Hutchinson said hot weather could lead to dehydration, sunburn and other more serious heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke.

“Heat stroke occurs when a person’s core body temperature becomes high and doesn’t cool down,” Dr Hutchinson said. The condition can be caused by not drinking enough water, spending too much time in the sun and not being able to cool down quickly.

Pixabay Image 100343“All Queenslanders are at risk during periods of hot or prolonged high temperatures, but some people are at a higher risk of harm, such as the elderly, especially those who live alone, babies and very young children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, as well as those who are physically active, such as manual workers or people who play sport.

“Some of the symptoms of heat-related illness include dizziness, headaches, bright or dark urine which indicates possible dehydration, nausea or vomiting, and fainting.”
In extreme cases, heat stroke can lead to confusion or slurred speech, a rapid pulse, vomiting and diarrhoea, and a loss of consciousness. “If this occurs, it is important to call triple zero (000) as soon as possible.”

Dr Hutchinson also believes it is important to remember sun safety messages in the summer months. “It’s important to wear a hat, keep out of the sun between 10am and 2pm, wear long sleeves and light clothing and apply sunscreen. “In times of high temperatures it is also important to keep an eye on family, friends and neighbours, especially those who may be more susceptible to the various forms of heat-related illness,” she said.

How to prevent a heat-related illness:

• Drink plenty of fluids; cool water is best. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink, but
instead drink regularly throughout the day.
• Urine colour is a good guide to hydration. It should be clear to light straw-coloured, not
dark or gold.
• Stay indoors in very hot weather, preferably in an air-conditioned building, or ensure
there is good airflow with fans and open windows.
• Public venues, such as air-conditioned shopping centres and pools, can provide refuge
from the heat.
• People can also stay cool by taking cool showers or baths, soaking their feet in a basin of
water or wetting a bandana or washer and wrapping it around their neck.
• Take time to adjust to the environment, pace yourself and limit strenuous outdoor activity
where possible.

Submitted by:
Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service

Temperatures On The Rise With Severe Heatwave Conditions For Queensland

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Temperatures On The Rise With Severe Heatwave Conditions For Queensland

Temperatures are forecast to peak in inland areas towards the end of the week with widespread temperatures in the low 40s, and gusty winds contributing to elevated fire danger across Queensland.

Severe to extreme conditions are forecast for much of southern and central Queensland from Thursday, and forecast to continue into early next week with temperatures up to 10 degrees above the December average.

temperature-risingHot conditions will combine with gusty winds, driving high fire dangers †particularly in inland areas. Stay tuned for specific Fire Weather Warnings in the days ahead.

Storms are also forecast to affect much of the state †particularly in the northern and eastern districts, and some of these storms may be severe.

The public are urged to check the Bureau of Meteorology website for the latest forecasts and warnings, and follow us on Twitter @BOM_Qld.

When temperatures are unusually hot over a period of time, with continuously high night-time and day-time temperatures, heat stress becomes a critical factor in human survival and infrastructure resilience. Further information on the Bureau’s Heatwave Service for Australia can also be found on our website: www.bom.gov.au/australia/heatwave

Issued: Tuesday, 29 November 2016

Hot weather can affect anybody, may make existing medical conditions worse and can cause heat-related illness. In some cases heat effects may be fatal. Heatwaves may also affect community infrastructure such as power supply and other support services.

Find out who is at risk and how you can prepare for and cope during a heat event and stay healthy in the heat by checking the Queensland Health website:

www.health.qld.gov.au/disaster/heat

Hello from Toowoomba’s Christmas Tree Festival!

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Hello from Toowoomba’s Christmas Tree Festival!

It’s on again in 2016 at Middle Ridge Uniting Church, Stenner Street, Toowoomba  from the 7th to the 16th of December

The theme for this year is ‘Christmas around the World‘.

Visitors to the festival are asked to contribute a gold coin donation which will be distributed to two south-east Queensland charities. 2016 donations will be made to Buy a Bale and Kairos Prison Ministries.

Again there will be the Empty Christmas Tree where visitors can bring non-perishable food or gifts to place under this tree. These offerings will be arranged into hampers to distribute according to family needs.

A Toowoomba Philharmonic Choir performing at the 2016 Opening Night

As in previous years, entertainment will be provided at 10:30am and 7:00pm, and the Festival is open from 9am to 9pm each day. Free refreshments include tea or coffee with Christmas cake or slice. In addition, Devonshire teas will be available for purchase.

Each evening from 5:00pm – 7:30pm the Rotary Club of Toowoomba will be operating a sausage sizzle from their catering van.

Throughout the festival a craft stall will be open offering lots of Christmas gifts.

Don’t forget to keep in touch via our Facebook page or contact us by email or telephone (07) – 4636 3850

First Sighting In 100 Years!

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Scientists have sighted a fledgling Night Parrot for the first time at Bush Heritage Australia’s Pullen Pullen Reserve in Queensland, confirming the 56,000-hectare nature refuge is successfully protecting a breeding population of one of the world’s rarest birds.

A young fledgling appeared from a hummock of spinifex in the late afternoon, and University of Queensland scientists Nick Leseberg and James Watson were able to photograph and observe the fledgling from a safe distance.

night-parrot-fledgling_credit-james-watson
Night Parrot (Janes Watson Photo)

“It was amazing, and we are privileged because this is the first Night Parrot fledgling that has been seen or recorded in nearly 100 years,” said PhD candidate Nick Leseberg.

The fledgling was observed at Pullen Pullen as part of Bush Heritage Australia’s ongoing Night Parrot research and recovery program that is building new knowledge about the rare, rediscovered bird.

Over three years, researchers led by Australia’s foremost Night Parrot expert, Dr Steve Murphy, have spent more than 250 days in the field at Pullen Pullen.

They have carried out the world’s first GPS-tracking of the nocturnal birds, installed 60 song meters (sound recorders) in the landscape, and collected a staggering 20 years of recordings that contain more than 5,000 Night Parrot calls.
“We’ve taken a great leap forward in understanding that the birds use a range of habitats beyond spinifex…we now know they don’t just rely on plants for their water needs and are more vulnerable than we first thought to predation from feral cats along creek lines,” said Dr Murphy.rob-murphy-paul-hales-annette-ruzicka

The next steps in the research program at Pullen Pullen involve further study into what plant species Night Parrots feed on and what habitats they use seasonally over the year; investigation of their breeding biology, including nesting success rates and how climate and landscape conditions affect nesting; and what impact climate change may have on Night Parrot survival.

This ongoing research will be supported by the University of Queensland, Bush Heritage Australia and the Australian Government’s National Environmental Science Programme through the Threatened Species Recovery Hub.

Temporary Closure Of Museum

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Temporary Closure Of Museum

marian-jonesMarian Jones president of the Milne Bay Military Museum would like to inform the residents of Toowoomba and the Darling Downs and the  Museum’s patrons that the Milne Bay Military Museum will be closed to the public to enable maintenance and refurbishment to take place from the 17th November, 2016.

The Museum is planning to reopen in early 2017, hopefully on Tuesday, 3rd January.

The Milne Bay Military Museum would like to thank the community of Toowoomba and surrounding areas for their continued support and looks forward to reopening in the New Year with an Open Day on Saturday,  7th January, 2017.

Submitted by:
Marian Jones
President
Milne Bay Military Museum

2016 Gidgee Coal Awards In Pittsworth

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2016 Gidgee Coal Awards In Pittsworth

Pittsworth. Queensland 14TH †20TH November 2016

Featuring:

Chad Morgan—Rex Dallas—Zeta Burns—Johnny Greenwood—Kylie Castle—Sharon Heaslip—Ken Lindsay—Bec Hance—Pete Wilson—Bruce Lavender—Gary Fogarty—Ray Essery—Keith Jamieson—Alisha Smith—Caitlyn Jamieson—Kev Groves and other 2016 Gidgee Coal Awards finalists (see below)…..

 

Gidgee Coal  Bush Ballad Awards Finalists
for 2016

ALBUM

Sharon Heaslip – “A Year of Firsts”

Michael Clare – “Sixty-three”

Jeff Brown – “Wanderin’ Man” – Winner

MALE VOCAL

Dale Duncan – “My Dog Nui Dat”

Jeff Brown – “Wanderin’ Man” – Winner

Michael Clare – “Australia We Love You”

FEMALE VOCAL

Dianne Lindsay – “Charlie”

Sharon Heaslip – “The Drover and The Brumby” – Winner

Rachel Jillett – “Blue Gums Calling Me Back Home”

GROUP OR DUO/COLLABORATION

Mark Lavender & Kathryn Coad – “Running from the Rain”

Jeff Brown & Anne Kirkpatrick – “Orchid Street” – Winner

Dianne Lindsay & Peter Simpson – “Brigalow Bill”

SONGWRITING

Dianne Lindsay & Peter Simpson – “Charlie”

John O’Dea & Ray Essery – “The Patchwork Quilt” – Winner

Jeff Brown & Vaughan Baker – “In the Bed He’ll Never Leave”

NEW TALENT

Dianne Coombes – “The Grey the Black and the Bay”

Michael Clare – “Here in Hay” – Winner

Mark Lavender & Kathryn Coad – “Running from the Rain”

COMEDY/NOVELTY

Sharon Heaslip – “Grandma Doin’ Bootcamp”

Michael Clare – “The Neighbours Turned New Age” – Winner

Jeff Brown & Chad Morgan – “Petticoat Rule”

INSTRUMENTAL

Lindsay Waddington – “By a Fire of Gidgee Coals”

Terry Bennetts – “Pardoo Station” – Winner

Ginger Cox – “Country Way”

chad-morganThe Winners concert is being held at the Pittsworth Town Hall from Midday on Sunday, 20th November-winners of the Gidgee Coal awards will be announced and performances by winners and special guest artists including the Sheik from Scrubby Creek, Chad Morgan.

A BBQ lunch will be available prior to concert from 11am at the Town Hall, and a courtesy bus will be available from the showgrounds to the Town Hall – Tickets $20 at the door.

The dates for the next Gidgee Coal Bush Ballad Awards are 13 †19 November 2017. 

 

 

Shanghai Surprise: More on Private Data Flowing Overseas

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Shanghai Surprise: More on Private Data Flowing Overseas

Call on Privacy Commissioner to urgently investigate reports of local mobile phones having data secretly sent to China

Senator Stirling Griff has today written to the Privacy Commissioner calling for an urgent investigation into reports that tens of thousands of Australian pre-paid mobile phones may have been automatically transmitting sensitive data to a Chinese company, located in Shanghai, without the phone users’ consent.

Senator Griff has also called on Telstra, which has partnered with Huawei and ZTE, to give a “full explanation” to customers as to whether several of their branded Android phone models have been involved in any privacy breach.

Reports from the New York Times and respected technology website ChannelNews state that the data of customers of Telstra branded phones include location information, the full body of text messages, contact lists and call history. Text messages and call logs are reportedly being transmitted every 72 hours and other data every 24 hours.

“These revelations, if correct, are a stunning breach of privacy that requires immediate action by the Privacy Commission. Telstra needs to either guarantee this has not happened, or if it has, notify all customers and compensate them for such a gross breach of privacy,” Senator Griff said.

Senator Griff has also asked the Privacy Commissioner to investigate whether any other Telco carriers in Australia have sold the Android phones in question.

The move by Senator Griff, Communications spokesperson for NXT, follows his call yesterday with his colleague Nick Xenophon for sweeping reforms to the offshoring of data overseas, following the Indian call centre scandals revealed by Fairfax yesterday. For a link to yesterday’s media release ‘Information Overboard’ click here.

Senator Xenophon said “this latest revelation highlights the need for much tougher safeguards for data breaches and penalties, and for compensation mechanisms to be put in place to ensure companies do everything possible to prevent their customers’ data and privacy being compromised.”

For further details please contact (preferably via text) Stirling Griff on 0413 999 100 or Nick Xenophon on 0411 626 677.

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