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A Message To Toowoomba South Voters

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A Message To Toowoomba South Voters

From Di Thorley, Independent Candidate for Toowoomba South

Di_ThorleyVoters in the Queensland State Electorate of Toowoomba South again head to the polls this Saturday 16 July 2016, to cast their votes. This by-election was forced upon constituents of Toowoomba South as a result of LNP sitting member, John McVeigh, resigning in order to pursue a career in Federal politics.

In the lead-up to this by-election there has been quite a deal of negative publicity and scaremongering through advertising, flyers and letters to voters directed towards Di Thorley. Unfortunately this is also influencing people’s perceptions of Toowoomba.

It has been brought to my attention by residents in Toowoomba South that there are dishonest leaflets being delivered and phone calls being made to voters. The phone calls are push polling †with the intent to influence people under the guise of an opinion poll. Push polling is banned by the Australian Market Research Society, because it is not polling.

What is being said about me is not what I am worried about, locals will see through it and know it is untrue. The issue is the character of the people who are doing this. This is exactly why people distrust politicians – the best and only way to send a message that it is not good enough is to vote for Di – make Di your message to the Parliament.

Voters must not reward this bullying behaviour. Unless the party responsible stop their bullying and repudiate the muck-raking then it
says they have not listened to the electorate. I challenge whoever is doing this to show they are fit for Government by stopping what
they are doing and apologising to the community.

I urge every voter who gets a call claiming to be an opinion poll to hang up †it is a disguised smear.

Regards,

Di Thorley
Independent Candidate for Toowoomba South

Gardens Of The Downs Next Major Event

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Gardens Of The Downs Next Major Event

Gardens of the Downs next major event , A Gardening Information Day will be held on Wednesday 10th of August 2016 at the Pittsworth Function Centre in Hume Street. The event will have a similar format to last year’s very successful Rose Day. Local nurserywoman Penny McKinlay has organised three specialists to come and pass on some of their knowledge.

Barbara McGeogh will be giving advice on tree planting.  Barbara and her husband James own Emaho, which is a huge advanced tree farm on the hillsides of Hampton. They export to China and advise on all aspects of treeplanting to various local councils all over Australia.  Barbara is also highly proficient in creating formal gardens and in keeping fit with traditional herbs and nutritional vegetables.

Sarah Caldwell and her husband David own Mole Station Native nursery on the Mole River outside Tenterfield. Sarah’s knowledge and love of indigenous species is extensive. How we use all of these in our landscaping and enhancing our environment will be a large part of her lecture.

Chief organiser Penny McKinlay is the seventh generation of her family to live in Pittsworth and has been involved in the nursery trade for over 40 years. She loves to help people create a cool, colourful environment for their home and family. In her talk Penny will concentrate on the tough exotics that survive well in our area.

Participants will have the chance to ask advice on a range of issues. and there will be a number of plants on sale. Cost of $35 includes morning tea and lunch.

The Seminar  is a fund raiser for the Gardens of the Downs committee, which has now held Open Garden events at Millmerran, Pittsworth and Allora. Over 20 gardens have been open, and more than $5,000 raised for various charities.

To book your Forum tickets please ring Belinda McKinlay on 0427 932 033.

Toowoomba South By-Election – Comment

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Toowoomba South By-Election – Comment

Di_ThorleyI’m receiving information from the community that the LNP is engaging in push polling carried out by Q and A Market Research.

An attempt is being made to create fear in the community by a panicked LNP candidate. One of the questions posed to the electorate was: “How do they feel about Di Thorley’s policy on introducing recycled water into Toowoomba’s water supply”. The issue of recycled water was dealt with in 2007 by the then Toowoomba City Council . It is no longer an issue due to Toowoomba’s water supply being secured via the Wivenhoe pipeline.

I am appalled that the inexperienced LNP candidate does not realise that domestic reticulated water supply is the jurisdiction of local government, not the Queensland Government. Is this scare campaign the depths that the LNP candidate will sink to in an attempt to secure continuity of LNP ownership of Toowoomba South?

This latest unconscionable behaviour by the LNP and its candidate should not be tolerated. I feel it is my responsibility to name and shame this behaviour.

If you wish to discuss please call me … 0417 787 466.

Regards

Di Thorley
Independent Candidate for Toowoomba South

By-election to be held on on Saturday, 16th July.
If you are enrolled in Toowoomba South, please remember to number all squares when you vote.

Want To Find A New Planet?

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Want To Find A New Planet?

Ever wished you could discover a new planet? You might have the chance at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) when it hosts its inaugural Winter Festival of Astronomy later this month.Helping to search the galaxies far far away will be an astronomical team of internationally acclaimed researchers to share their love and knowledge of space. Its star attraction will be NASA Professor Lynn Rothschild, an astrobiologist who is making her first visit to USQ as one of the University’s 2016 Visiting Research Giants.

jonti-horner Associate Professor and astral searcher Jonathan “Jonti” Horner said, “Professor Rothschild is involved in the search for life beyond Earth, and to have her visiting USQ and headlining our Winter Festival of Astronomy is a great coup for us here in Toowoomba.”

The festival, which runs from Tuesday July 19 to Friday July 22, features a series of free evening events, and coincides with the 47th anniversary of the first moon landing. “Just two decades ago, we had yet to find a single planet orbiting another star outside our Solar system. Now we know of more than 3,000 planets around stars other than our own,” Jonti said.

Known as exoplanets, these bodies are the focus of research by Associate Professor Horner and his colleagues at USQ, like Professor Brad Carter. The team have already played a major role in the discovery of several new planets, including Gliese 832c, which orbits one of the Sun’s nearest neighbours.

Thanks to funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC), Associate Professor Horner and the USQ team are now involved in building the multi-telescope MINERVA-Australis facility at USQ’s Mount Kent Observatory to look for new worlds among the stars.

USQ Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Jan Thomas said the University’s achievements in the astronomical and space sciences were inspiring minds of all ages. “We are delighted to be a local Queensland destination where science and technology comes together to search for life beyond earth,” Professor Thomas said. “USQ is fast becoming a key Australian research centre for astrophysics and the Winter Festival of Astronomy is a wonderful chance for students, amateur astronomers and others to hear from international leaders in their field.”

lynn-rothschild-nasaProfessor Rothschild is a leader of experimental programs on the International Space Station and the Eu: CROPIS Satellite, and will be speaking at the Winter Festival of Astronomy on the topic of Astrobiology and the Search for Life Elsewhere. Also speaking at the Festival will be Eminent Visiting Scholar Associate Professor Stephen Kane, Australian-born and educated and now an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at San Francisco State University. Associate Professor Kane has worked at the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute, the Hubble Space Telescope Science Institute and leading universities in the USA and UK; his research focuses mainly on finding and characterising exoplanets.

The stargazing event held after Associate Professor Kane’s presentation welcomes amateur astronomers and members of the general community to take a different view of the Solar system.

While the Winter Festival of Astronomy celebrates the role of physics and biology in the study of space, it also has a more local angle through its connection with history. “Fifty years ago, in 1966, NASA built the Cooby Creek Space Tracking Station. That was where Toowoomba’s connection with space exploration started †before anyone had walked on the Moon. In the coming decades, our exploration will push ever further †with USQ and Toowoomba at the forefront of that journey,” Associate Professor Horner said.

To find out more, go to www.usq.edu.au/winterfestival.

Evening events
Tuesday, July 19, 5pm-7pm
Lecture by Professor Lynn Rothschild: Astrobiology and the Search for Life Elsewhere
Wednesday, July 20, 5pm-7pm
Lecture by Dr David Ciardi (NASA/Caltech): Planets Everywhere!  The Revolution in How We View The Earth; followed by an open panel discussion featuring eminent astronomers.
Thursday, July 21, 5pm-7pm
Lecture by Associate Professor Jonti Horner (USQ): Rocks From Space
Friday, July 22, 5pm-7pm
Stargazing event and presentation by Associate Professor Stephen Kane on Planet Hunting

USQ Bar
Submitted by:
Rhianwen Whitney
Phone: 07 4631 2977

2016 Winter Garden Unveiled!

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2016 Winter Garden Unveiled!

2016_camellia_show

After many months of speculation the 2016 Toowoomba Camellia Show and Garden Expo Winter Garden can be revealed.

Peter & June Fearon
Peter & June Fearon

June and Peter Fearon have very generously offered their magnificent garden at 1 Mabel Street, Mt Lofty as this year’s Winter Garden.

Nestled at the far northern end of Stuart Street, the garden will delight the expected hundreds of local and interstate garden lovers who will make a beeline for this magnificent space.

The garden comprises a range of cool climate plants including Japanese maples, viburnums, conifers and azaleas which are, naturally, complemented by a stunning variety of camellias dotted throughout the garden. The two main features of the garden are the magnificent espaliered camellias on the northern and southern sides of Mr and Mrs Fearon’s home.
fearon-garden

Visitors will be temporarily lost in the “hidden” maple walk on the eastern side of the residence. Other cool climate plants, including magnolias and gardenias, plus a beautiful beech tree create interest throughout the property.

Peter Lock, CEO with Major Sponsor Heritage Bank said, “It is the generosity of good people like Mr and Mrs Fearon that make the Toowoomba region such a wonderful place to live.
They have dedicated years of their lives to make their special oasis one of beauty and tranquillity and now they are sharing it with the Toowoomba Camellia Show and Garden Expo and garden lovers throughout Australia.”

“Heritage is delighted that our support helps make this event possible and creates such a positive impact in our community.”camellia-bloom

Committee member Mike Wells of TAFE Queensland South West Horticultural Centre added, “The Fearon’s Winter Garden is the perfect partner for this year’s Show and Expo.

“After seeing all the attractions at the 16/17 July Show/Expo †the trees, shrubs and flowers; the exhibitions, speakers and presentations; the ‘living library’ of experts to answer questions about camellias and all things garden †visitors will be keen to transform their own gardens into places of beauty. A trip to our Winter Garden will be just the tonic to motivate.”
Hospice Promotions and Fundraising Manager, Mark Munro concluded, “We are so pleased to be able to tell patrons that the admission price is unchanged at a tiny $5. We want the maximum number of people to enjoy what we have to offer and to leave motivated about what joy a beautiful garden can give.”

Submitted by:
Greg Johnson

War Widows Continue To Support Hospice

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The Toowoomba Hospice was a lucky recipient last week when 3 lovely ladies from the War Widows Guild of Australia (Qld) Inc. Toowoomba Sub Branch arrived with a cheque for $1,456.00.

War Widows Guild President Mrs Helen Strange OAM said the ladies have been supporting the Hospice for 13 years “We have been involved with the Hospice even before it opened their doors on the 1st July 2003. We have been able to donate over $20,000 during this time being proceeds from our annual Tombola and multi draw raffles morning tea”

Having a look through the beautiful gardens at the Toowoomba Hospice with the Hospice Chairman Graham Barron OAM is Robyne Hilditch, Helen Strange OAM and Delma Starkoff from the War Widows Guild of Australia Toowoomba Branch after they presented him with a donation of $1,456.00
Having a look through the beautiful gardens at the Toowoomba Hospice with the Hospice Chairman Graham Barron OAM is Robyne Hilditch, Helen Strange OAM and Delma Starkoff from the War Widows Guild of Australia Toowoomba Branch after they presented him with a donation of $1,456.00

Toowoomba Hospice Chairman Graham Barron said the Hospice has a wonderful relationship with clubs and community groups in Toowoomba “We need to be out there networking and promoting the wonderful work our staff and volunteers provide to those who come and stay with us and their family. This is a great way to let community groups and club know what we do and because of this they continue to support us today and the Ladies from the War Widows are no exception”

Whilst the Toowoomba Hospice receives some funding from the Government and some from Private health funds they still need to raise $832,000 from the community, $ 120,000.00 kindly comes from Toowoomba’s Pureland Learning College and the rest ($712,000.00) is made up from donations and fundraising events.

The Toowoomba Hospice is located in Harristown on the Corner of Fifth Avenue and O’Quinn Street, and provides quality care in partnership with the community for those with a terminal illness.  For more information about the Hospice please go to their new website at www.toowoombahospice.org.au

Submitted by:
Mark Munro
Promotions and Fundraising Manager
Phone †07 4659 8500

Be Prepared – Wage Rate Changes Tomorrow

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Be Prepared – Wage Rate Changes Tomorrow

A new National Minimum Wage comes into effect from the first pay period on or after tomorrow, July 1.

The minimum hourly rate for adult workers will rise from $17.29 to $17.70.

Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James says the Agency’s online pay tools can assist employers to calculate their new wage rates and ensure they are compliant with their workplace obligations.

Information is available at https://www.fairwork.gov.au/about-us/news-and-media-releases/website-news/2016-annual-wage-review-our-pay-tools-are-ready

Ms James says underpayment of wages detected by Fair Work inspectors can often be traced back to a failure by employers to pass on annual wage rises.

“If left unchecked for a long period, businesses can ultimately end up with a hefty back-payment bill they were not budgeting for,” she says.

Employers need to be aware that the Annual Wage Review decision by the Fair Work Commission not only increases the National Minimum Wage, but also base rates of pay in Modern Awards and enterprise agreements.

Last month, the Fair Work Commission announced a 2.4 per cent increase to the National Minimum Wage, Modern Award wage rates and agreed base rates of pay.

“Our focus at the Fair Work Ombudsman is on educating employers about their obligations and assisting them to put processes in place to ensure they are compliant,” she said.

Employers should undertake their own checks of Award provisions and periodically self-audit their compliance to avoid unexpected costs down the track.

Employers and employees can refer to the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT) †which has been updated to consider the rate increase – to determine new pay rates and check their entitlements.

Employers seeking further information and advice can call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94.

A free interpreter service is available on 13 14 50.

Small Business Owners can opt to receive priority service through the Small Business Helpline.

Forum At USQ Artsworx – Women In Leadership

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Women -In-Leadership-Header
Australian politics, particularly in regional and rural areas, has always been dominated by men.  However, this is slowly changing, and the upcoming elections in Toowoomba are seeing a cohort of strong local women put themselves forward as candidates.

On the evening of the 28th of June from 6:30pm, these women will come together as part of a Q&A style forum at USQ Artworx, to reflect and comment on the issues most affecting our people and our area.

The forum, entitled ‘An Evening with Women in Leadership’, will host a panel consisting of Antonia van Geuns (Greens candidate for Groom), Josie Townsend (NXT candidate for Groom), Bronwyn Herbertson (Labor candidate for Groom) and Di Thorley (independent candidate for the Toowoomba South by election).

The forum will be chaired by Associate Professor Pauline Collins from USQ’s School of Law and Justice. The event is free and open to the public.

Submitted By:
The Greens Toowoomba Rural, Regional and Remote Branch
toowoombagreens@gmail.com

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