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Twilight Talk On Immunisation

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Dr Penny Hutchinson, director of the Darling Downs Public Health Unit, will be guest speaker at Toowoomba Hospital’s next instalment of the Twilight Talks public lecture series.

dr-penny-hutchinsonDr Hutchinson’s presentation, entitled ‘Immunisation, what’s it all about?’ will cover the key facts around immunisation and dispel some common myths as well. “Immunisation has had a dramatic effect on improving the health of vast populations, the world over, since the first smallpox vaccine was made in the late 18 th century,” Dr Hutchinson said.

“We are protected from so many preventable diseases, unlike generations before us who were exposed to them, resulting in serious and sometimes irreversible health problems, or death. Dr Hutchinson said her presentation at Twilight Talks would be a good opportunity to learn more about the basics of immunisations and why they were so important.

“We now have immunisations against many serious infectious diseases, and despite what we may hear to the contrary, the overwhelming evidence tells us that being immunised is the best defence against debilitating and potentially deadly diseases,” Dr Hutchinson said. “On 30th June we’ll cover the basics of immunisation, including an explanation of what immunisations are, how they work, and the history of immunisation and its effects on modern medicine. “We would encourage anyone interested in knowing more about immunisations to come along.”

The free lecture will be held at the hospital’s Unara Conference Centre, 6pm to 7pm, Thursday 30th June. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Bookings are not required. Complimentary parking is available and a light supper will be served.

For more information please call 4616 5563.

Submitted by: Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service Media Team

These School Holidays Get A Junior Firefighter On The Job

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These School Holidays Get A Junior Firefighter On The Job

The call is going out across Queensland for kids to sign up as junior firefighters in Blazer’s Brigade these school holidays.

The Fire and Rescue Service is asking parents and caregivers to appoint a junior firefighter to help identify fire hazards around the house. Community Engagement Manager Alan Musk said the June-July holiday period was the perfect time to teach young children about fire safety. “Taking the time to address potential hazards and putting in place important safety procedures will ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday.”

“There is traditionally a spike in house fires during this period as winter really kicks in and families spend more time indoors to stay warm,” Mr Musk said. “Firefighters responded to 561 house fires during winter last year †an increase of more than 7 per cent during the same period in 2014.

Mr Musk said families should encourage their junior firefighters to play an active role in fire-proofing their homes with an adult, such as checking smoke alarms, making sure they know how to dial Triple Zero, using appliances safely and practicing an escape plan. “Involving your children in fire safety activities in an engaging way can be great fun while teaching them important safety tips at the same time,” he said.

“Smoke and fire can take hold within a home in minutes, so children need to know what to do in an emergency. It is important children understand the escape plan, including where to safely assemble outside the home.” Mr Musk said there were a number of resources available to help children, including an online quiz which teaches important messages such as ‘get down low and go, go, go’ and ‘stop, drop and roll’.

“I would also encourage parents to download the Triple Zero Kids’ Challenge app,” he said. “This interactive and fun game teaches children important safety messages and what happens when they dial Triple Zero.”

Mr Musk said children should also be supervised at all times if helping in the kitchen these holidays. “Many children enjoy helping their parents cook, but it is essential they are not left unattended,” he said. “Kitchen fires are the most common cause of all house fires, so fire blankets and extinguishers should be present in cooking areas.”

QFES mascot Blazer will be on hand during the holidays with activities to help Queensland’s junior firefighters stay safe when using appliances or helping their parents in the kitchen.

To access the quiz, app and other helpful resources for kids, visit www.qfes.qld.gov.au/kids/

Wednesday, June 22nd Wear A Beanie Day

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Wednesday, June 22nd Wear A Beanie Day

beanie-for-brain-cancer-day

Bureau Says Queensland In For A Weekend Of Heavy Rain, Storms

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Bureau Says Queensland In For A Weekend Of Heavy Rain, Storms

A deep trough is forecast to move across southern and central Queensland from late Friday, generating widespread moderate to heavy rainfall throughout the weekend before moving off the southeast coast late Sunday.

Acting Queensland Regional Director, Richard Wardle, said with catchments already wet from recent rainfall we’re likely to see localised flash flooding and river and stream rises.

“Rainfall and gusty storms are expected throughout the weekend. These storms may be severe, particularly close to the trough, and we urge the public to stay tuned for warnings and local media updates over the weekend.

“While there is the potential for another East Coast Low to develop off the NSW coast as the system moves further south, this will not have an impact on Queensland.

“The impacts of coastal erosion are unlikely to be as significant as early June, due to generally lower tides and swells,” said Dr Wardle.

Widespread rainfall is expected for western and central parts of the state with the passage of the trough on Saturday. Rainfall should then extend across the southern central, southeast and coastal regions as far north as Townsville on Sunday. Isolated falls in excess of 100mm are possible with thunderstorms.

A Flood Watch has been issued for the Georgina and Diamantina Rivers, Cooper Creek, Bulloo, Paroo, Warrego, Balonne, Moonie and Border Rivers. Members of the public are urged to stay tuned for specific Warnings and follow the advice of local emergency services.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Deputy Commissioner Mike Wassing said QFES was prepared and ready to respond, and urged Queenslanders to prepare too.

“Before the predicted heavy rain arrives, clear gutters and trim any overhanging branches. Take the time now to consider if you really need to be on the roads this weekend. If you do, make sure you have a Plan B in place, including identifying alternative routes. Flooded roads are dangerous and unpredictable, and the message is simple: if it’s flooded, forget it,” said Mr Wassing.

Residents who require storm and flood assistance should contact the State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500. In a life-threatening emergency dial Triple Zero (000). For more information on floodwater safety visit www.qld.gov.au/floodwatersafety

The Bureau is now using Twitter to disseminate significant weather information for the community. Follow us @BOM_QLD. The Bureau’s website remains the most up-to-date and comprehensive official source of information.

Issued: Friday, 17 June 2016

Asbestos Disease Support Visiting Toowoomba

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Too many people in regional areas like Toowoomba are living with asbestos-related diseases in isolation and with feelings of neglect because they have been unable to access or are unaware of support options available to them.

The Asbestos Diseases Support Society (ADSS) is reaching out to regional Queenslanders who suffer from diseases they have contracted from working with or otherwise handling asbestos. They also want to meet their carers, families and friends. As part of a state-wide drive to let regional sufferers know they are not alone, a team of ADSS specialists will be in Toowoomba ont Tuesday, June 21st to meet with affected locals and set up a support network within the community. ADSS Chief Executive Officer Amanda Richards said it was important to let people affected by asbestos diseases to know there were other people living in their own communities who were going through the same issues.

“There is a general feeling among people who have repository disease arising from asbestos that they are isolated and alone,” she said. “They don’t know that there are others in their community who are going through or have been through the exact experiences they are dealing with. They could be fellow sufferers, the spouses of sufferers or people who have helped others who have had the disease. We want to bring them together. We want to let them know they are not alone.”

She said ADSS had about 150 people in the Toowoomba region on its database, but support staff believed there were many more on the Darling Downs who could use the support and friendship of others.

ADSS will be hosting a public morning tea at the Toowoomba Golf Club between 10am and 11.30amon Tuesday, June 21st. A team of support staff, including a social worker and a lawyer with asbestos- related diseases experience, will be at the morning tea to advise sufferers and help people navigate government and other support services.

Sufferers, carers, families, friends or anyone with an interest in helping people live with asbestos diseases are welcome to attend. To RSVP or for more information, call ADSS on 1800 776 412.

Fashions On The Downs For Variety Children’s Charity

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Nikea Coulson is a flight attendant and is an entrant for the Miss World Australia Pageant.
She was raised in Goondiwindi and moved to Toowoomba in 2010 to study at USQ and has called Toowoomba home ever since.  Nikea was the Toowoomba Show Girl 2014 and is the current Miss Rodeo Australia runner up for 2016.
Nikea is one of the Charity ambassadors for the Miss World Australia and will be holding a fundraiser called “Fashions on the Downs” on the 25th of June in Toowoomba to raise funds for the Variety Children’s Charity.
fashions-on-the-downs
Submitted by:
Kim Boland

New England Highway Realignment

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New England Highway Realignment

The Toowoomba Second Range Crossing is a 41 km bypass which runs to the North of Toowoomba from the New England Highway and the Warrego Highway to the Gore Highway via Charlton. The project is one of Queensland’s highest priority road infrastructure projects.
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New England Highway realignment, June 2016
As part of constructing the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing (TSRC), the New England Highway at Mount Kynoch will be realigned.

The realignment will minimise impacts to motorists on the New England Highway as it will allow two lanes of traffic to remain open in both directions during construction.  Nexus is committed to minimising impacts on local residents during these works.

To view a copy of the construction notification please click here.

 

QFES Reminder And Thanks

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QFES Reminder And Thanks

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) is urging residents and travellers in south-east Queensland to remain vigilant following heavy rainfall across the region.

While the worst of the weather has passed for most of the south-east, QFES Deputy Commissioner Mark Roche said people should be wary of damaged and flooded  roads .

Mr Roche said motorists should check the status of roads before heading out and steer clear of floodwater. “Yesterday’s weather event has left behind a lot of debris and roads cut off by water,” Mr Roche said.

“Emergency services are responding to calls for assistance, but residents and travellers still need to take precautions to stay safe.

“Now is not the time to be venturing outdoors unnecessarily and we are urging people to keep away from flooded creeks and drains and have alternative routes in mind.  “Parents and caregivers still need to supervise children to ensure they stay away from drains. Water is still receding, so the danger is still there.”

Mr Roche said the State Emergency Service (SES) had responded to almost 1,000 calls for assistance and swiftwater rescue teams had been deployed to a small number of incidents across the Brisbane area.  “Most of the tasks emergency services attended were not quick jobs, so I would like to thank people for their patience,” he said.

“Please remember the SES is made up of volunteers dedicated to helping others and we’re working hard to get to the most vulnerable members of the community first. “I would like to thank all Queenslanders who heeded the warnings and those motorists who avoided travel through floodwaters. Remember: if it’s Flooded, Forget it.”

Residents who require storm and flood emergency assistance should contact the State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500. In a life-threatening emergency, dial Triple Zero.

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