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2016 Tour Of Toowoomba A Non-Event

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2016 Tour Of Toowoomba A Non-Event
Queens Park Criterium - Tour of Toowoomba
Queens Park Criterium – Tour of Toowoomba

The 4 day National Road Series cycling event, The Tour of Toowoomba, scheduled for April 2016, will take a 12-month holiday with the view of returning in 2017.

An economic downturn in Toowoomba, Queensland’s largest regional inland city and failure to generate adequate sponsorship, are the main reasons cited by the organisers. According to Mac Stirling, President of Toowoomba Cycling Development, “there’s been a drop-off in sponsorship dollars.”
“We didn’t want to cancel and we apologise to the young riders and teams who won’t be given an opportunity to race on our roads and in our area,” Stirling said. “Rather than put on a half-baked race, we felt it’s best to wait until next year when we plan to invite a host of international teams (from Asia).”

The plan for 2017 is to organise a women’s stage race to coincide with the men’s. No women’s and men’s events are currently held in unison on the NRS circuit.

The four-day race is the only event on the NRS calendar held in Queensland and is considered one of the best in the country. Plans are in place to employ an events co-ordinator as opposed to an organising committee which has been operating on a voluntary basis.

By: Mike Tomalaris
Cycling Central

 

Absence of Debate Colours Stealthy Referendum

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Absence of Debate Colours Stealthy Referendum

The move to extend Queensland’s parliamentary terms to four years has been dubbed capricious, marking the end for democracy and accountability in the State. Highly regarded Brisbane Lawyer, community activist and republic campaigner, David Muir believes the upcoming referendum has been deliberately kept absent from public debate as the Queensland Government makes a stealthy grab for political power.

David Muir“This referendum is a vote on an extremely important public issue and so far Queenslanders have not been privy to the implications,” Mr Muir said. “Queensland is already the most vulnerable State in Australia because it’s the only State without a House of Review.  Laws can be passed in one day without proper scrutiny or debate. I believe democracy in Queensland is under threat with both sides of politics joining together in a bid to extend their parliamentary terms by one year.”

Mr Muir is well known as a champion for a direct election model for a republic and was an elected delegate to the 1998 Constitutional Convention. He says the vote on an extra year in parliamentary terms addresses the QueenslandConstitution, but both sides of politics have worked together to keep it away from public scrutiny.

“This referendum will be held under cover of the local authority elections,” he said. “There needs to be rigorous public debate on this referendum. All Queenslanders have a right to be aware of the implications of giving a dominant and powerful Executive an extra year in office.  Queensland has no adequate checks and balances against tyranny or capricious law making.”

“Parliament is further weakened in Queensland by the dominance of the Executive which controls our only House of Parliament. Our parliamentary committees are not entrenched and can simply be ignored. The role of Speaker has been weakened. In fact, once again both sides of politics have acted together to do so. This is all about accountability. I am very worried about a ‘one house’ parliament dominated by an executive getting so entrenched without recourse for an extra year.”

David Muir has been asked to present the NO case on the referendum by the Queensland chapter of the Australian Study of Parliament Group (ASPG) at a public forum in Parliament House in early March.

Valentine’s Day And Newtown Park, Toowoomba

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Friends of the Queensland State Rose Garden would like to thank everyone who supported their Valentine’s floral arrangements sale and assisting the fund raising for further improvements to the Garden in Newtown Park, Toowoomba.
Regina Albion & Lexi CaldicottThe Friends have had a fabulous offer of a collection of 200 rare Historic Roses and are seeking funding support to construct beds before the roses can be delivered. If you would like to assist, please contact Regina Albion on 0408 282 515.
State Rose Garden 2016 Valentines Day

A J MuRiel & MaVis Are Rockin’ Oz 4 A Cure

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 RAISING AWARENESS AND FUNDS FOR THE NATIONAL BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION. (NBCF)
Muriel & MavisA J MuRiel & MaVis , is a talented and accomplished performing duo with an energetic passion to get out there and do something to help raise awareness and funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

A J MuRiel, the singer, song writer, musician and MaVis a born show off, have been taking on Australia since July 2012 to raise much needed funds for Breast Cancer Research and to convey a simple yet powerful message to as many women and men off all ages as possible – and that message is to “Know Your Bodies, Check Your Boobies, Early Detection Wins” highlighting the importance of regular self-check examinations.

This charismatic and attention seeking pair, drive a hot pink BooBie Bus as self-proclaimed Sex Symbols from North Arm Nursing Home for The Blind, (this does not mean they are nurses at all.. they’re not).  A J MuRiel & MaVis on introduction, seem like innocent looking “butter wouldn’t melt in their mouths” kinda girls, which they are, until they disappear behind their shimmering pink stage curtains where the transformation begins .

Emerging as Awsome Jugs (A J) MuRiel and Warm and Sexy MaVis donned in their ten gallon hats and plummeting cleavages they are ready to present “Busted Out” a show captivating audiences with 2 hours of good old fashion entertainment full of fun, laughter, music and plenty of tongue in cheek humour.

The girls play everything from country to rock to mainstream plus a few of A J MuRiel’s original works.

These girls are driven to continue their travels and to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research by the stories they hear on a daily basis of women, men and children who live with and have won and lost the battle with cancers of all sorts and they believe that although Breast Cancer is a primary focus, it is research that can filter through to many discoveries. That discovery will help someone and hopefully lots of some ones.

“Breast Cancer is no longer a disease that affects only women 50 years and over, women and men of all ages are affected by the disease. In our travels the youngest woman we have met diagnosed with breast cancer was 18 years old, the oldest woman diagnosed with breast cancer was 86 years old. We have met men diagnosed with breast cancer. Men do get breast cancer. Breast cancer/cancer does not discriminate” said A J MuRiel.

When the NBCF was founded, 30% of women diagnosed with breast cancer lost their battle with the disease in less than 20 years. This figure has halved. NBCF CEO Carole Renouf believes this achievement is primarily due to research †the most effective way to improve the prevention, detection and treatment of breast cancer.

“Although progress is being made, there is still a long way to go. A continued and concerted research effort is vital for improving the quality of life for those living with breast cancer, as well as moving towards breast cancer prevention and cure.

The contribution from activities such as A.J. MuRieL & Mavis Rockin Oz 4 A Cure will help bring NBCF closer to their aspirational goal of zero deaths from breast cancer by 2030.

A.J. MuRieL & Mavis Rockin Oz 4 A Cure will be appearing at Highfields Tavern,   Highfields, Qld on  Friday, 5th February 2016 from  8:00pm

 

 

Margaret Street Markets Enters 3rd Year

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Margaret Street Markets Enters 3rd Year

Sunday, 7th  February, ushers in the third year for Toowoomba’s much-loved Margaret Street Markets.

The Markets are held on the first Sunday of each month in addition to a handful of special markets which are convened for specific purposes, ie Carnival of Flowers, Mother’s Day etc.

Greg Johnson1Markets Committee member Greg Johnson reckons the Toowoomba region is in for some big surprises with this year’s program.

He said, “Markets tend to come and go and it is clear to us that these markets are here to stay thanks to the wonderful support of the Toowoomba regional community and an army of very loyal stallholders.

“The markets were always intended to showcase the very best of local handicrafts and locally produced food and beverage and we reckon 2016 will see that dream come true.

“Along the way we’ve been blessed to have an ongoing program of entertainment coupled with tremendous support from Toowoomba’s busking community. We are overwhelmed by their unfailing generosity.

“This year we will be working vigorously to improve the local handicraft/produce mix as well the various contrasts that busking brings. We’ll also be looking at the timing of the markets to ensure that we adequately cater for the needs of the many thousands of visitors who support us.

“We never forget that the sole aim of the markets is to bring people into the CBD at a time when otherwise they wouldn’t be there. That is our charter, to dramatically improve pedestrian traffic for the benefit of our hardworking shop, restaurant and café owners,” Johnson concluded.

An important addition to the Committee team this year is Drew Vallejos who did an amazing job as Easterfest City Coordinator. Drew brings a wealth of experience to the Markets as well as an inventory of contacts.

The Markets are held between Ruthven and Neil Streets from 8.00am to 2.00pm on the first Sunday of the month.  Interested stallholders/patrons should contact Greg on 0414 783 343.

margaret St Mkts

Welcome BBQ For 2016

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  • So you think you can sing?!
     Philharmonic1Even if you’re not sure, you’ll find a warm welcome at the Toowoomba Philharmonic Society. Founded in 1903, the Society is older than the city of Toowoomba and prides itself on its contribution to the community over the past 110 years.

    As a community choir, the Society encourages people of all ages and abilities with a love of singing to participate. New members are welcome to join the adult Philharmonic Choir, or the recently formed youth ensemble, the Philharmonic Voices. “What I love about the choir is that everyone is there to enjoy themselves,” said new member, Leanne Midgley. “You don’t feel as though you need to be the world’s best singer to join.”

    Philharmonic2The choirs perform regularly throughout the year, presenting concerts, musicals, theatre restaurants and sacred works. The Society is also proud to support Toowoomba’s annual Carnival of Flowers, Christmas Wonderland and Christmas Tree Festival.
    Highlights in 2015 included the #LoveOpera gala held at the Armitage Centre and “Cinemagic”, a musical journey through the great cinema hits of the ages.

    Amongst other things, this year the Society will be presenting a Celtic concert, hosting a Mama Mia movie sing-a-long, and staging the hit rock ‘n roll musical, “GREASE” at the Empire Theatre.

    If you’re interested in joining the Society, or simply finding out more, come along to the free Welcome BBQ at 6:30pm on Wednesday 27 January at the Philharmonic Complex, 7 Matthews St, Toowoomba.

    Submitted by:
    Cherie Vera
    (Artistic Director of Toowoomba Philharmonic Society)
    Tel. 07 4636 3072
    Email: admin@toowoombaphilharmonic.org
    Website: http://www.toowoombaphilharmonic.org

Entries Closing Soon For Young Achiever Awards

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Entries Closing Soon For Young Achiever Awards

Young Achiever Logo1

Nominations for the Queensland Young Achiever Awards close on the 29 th January 2016, and there is
only one week left to nominate an inspirational young Queenslander you know. You could make the
world of difference to their confidence and promote the great work they do!

Nominations are being sought in the following categories:

ï‚· The Coffee Club Arts and Fashion Award
ï‚· AustralianSuper Career Kick Start Award
ï‚· IFly Online Achievement Award
ï‚· Wade Sawmill Environment and Sustainability Award
ï‚· Access Community Services-Multicultural Youth Queensland (MyQ) Cultural Diversity Award
ï‚· The University of Queensland Create Change Award
ï‚· BB Print Leadership Award
ï‚· Kennelly Construction Aboriginal Achievement Award

The Queensland Young Achiever Awards will culminate at a Gala Presentation Dinner on Friday 20 th
May 2016 at The Royal on the Park Hotel, Brisbane with 300 guests expected. Finalists will be
presented and winners announced at the event. All nominees that do not make the finals but who are
able to attend will also be presented on stage with a framed certificate in recognition of their
achievements.

Category winners will each receive $2,000 thanks to Auswide Bank and a magnificent trophy. One of
the eight category winners will be chosen as the 2016 Queensland Young Achiever of the Year and will
win an additional $2,000 thanks to Auswide Bank and a state trophy.
Nomination are made online at www.awardsaustralia.com For more information, contact the Awards
Office on 1300 055 096 or email qldyaa@awardsaustralia.com

 

Achievement Award Recognises Years Of Service

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Long serving State Emergency Service (SES) member and Western Downs Local Controller Kevin Mizen has been recognised for his leadership and years of dedication to the service, receiving the Australia Day Achievement Award at a ceremony held in Toowoomba.

SES Acting Regional Manager John Harrison said Mr Mizen’s dedication to the service was epitomized over the last year, when he led an initiative to in combine seven individual SES groups in the area to create the Western Downs SES group.

“Through his drive and determination, Kevin has transformed the Western Downs SES Unit into a single, dedicated volunteer force that has dealt with some major storm events over the last six months,” Mr Harrison said.

“His continuous drive and dedication has seen this unit trained to meet the multiple requirements of SES operations, benefiting Kevin Mizen-Award PresentationQueensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES), SES and, in particular, the Western Downs community.”

QFES Commissioner Katarina Carroll said the Australia Day Achievement Award was one of the highest individual acknowledgements of service to our community.

“Every day our staff and volunteers are ready to assist when called upon and while they don’t do it for awards or accolades, they thoroughly deserve recognition for their hard work and dedication,” Ms Carroll said.

“Their professionalism, selflessness and skills see them respond to some of the most terrifying situations, including road crashes, floods, fires and rescue operations.

“They are true leaders in their field, mentors to their colleagues and dedicated to continued development and training to ensure staff, volunteers and the community are well prepared and informed during times of crisis.

“Being an emergency worker is a challenging but rewarding task and I thank everyone recognised today for their commitment to helping all Queenslanders.

“I would also like to thank QSuper for its ongoing generous support of the Australia Day Achievement Awards.”

Submitted by:
QFES Media

 

 

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