Darling Downs residents are encouraged to be snake aware as the warmer weather brings more snake bites.
The region has seen 13 snake bites in local emergency departments in October 2022, which is 13 less than the same time last year. In September 2022, there were 19 ED presentations for snake bites across Darling Downs hospitals, and four in August 2022.
Darling Downs Health
Snake bites in ED across the region
2021
2022
January
29
19
February
20
7
March
17
19
April
10
18
May
2
7
June
2
2
July
2
1
August
3
4
September
8
19
October
26
13
November
10
December
21
Executive Director Rural Dr Christopher Cowling said it’s important to learn early, effective first-aid if you or a family member is bitten, especially if you’re bushwalking in a remote area.
While snakes can be encountered any time of the year, we know that more people present to our emergency departments with snake bites during Spring and Summer,†Dr Cowling said. It’s a timely reminder for residents to be on the lookout for snakes, and the best advice is to leave them alone. If you do come across a snake, don’t try to touch it or pick it up, instead back away to a safe distance.â€
After a snake bite or suspected snake bite, people should:
Check airway, breathing and circulation. If the patient has collapsed, start CPR immediately.
Call 000 for an ambulance to the emergency department of the nearest hospital. Treat any snake bite as an emergency, regardless of whether you think the snake was venomous or not.
Don’t attempt to drive yourself to hospital or walk. Sit or lie down, and stay as still as possible.
Apply a pressure immobilisation bandage as soon as possible. Apply a firm bandage over the bite site, and then cover the entire limb.
Immobilise the limb using a splint. Any rigid object may be used as a splint – e.g. spade, piece of wood or tree branch or rolled up newspapers.
Keep still and try to remain calm.
You should not wash venom off the skin, cut the bitten area, try to suck the venom out or use a tourniquet.
Dr Cowling is urging residents not to take any risks around the reptiles. If a snake needs to be relocated from your home, leave it to the professionals and call a snake catcher.â€
The species most commonly recorded in Queensland as being the cause of snake bite presentations to hospitals are brown, black, tiger and taipan snakes, with the majority of cases being due to brown snakes.
The Seniors Expo will be the place to between 9.00am and 3.00pm on Thursday 20th October. More than 100 sites have been booked at the Toowoomba Showgrounds Founders Pavilion.
This is a great chance for seniors, their families and friends – anyone with an interest in the second half of life – to observe, speak with someone, participate in an activity or simply collect information on a diverse range of interests. It is a day designed by seniors for seniors.
This expo is hosted by Garden City – Toowoomba Branch of National Seniors Australia in partnership with Toowoomba Regional Council and held in the Toowoomba Showgrounds Founders Pavilion.
Administration and Fundraising Manager Mr Mark Munro said they are working hard to recruit more volunteers to their team, if you, or anyone you know, would like to become one of our Hospice Heroes and can spare a few hours each week or even fortnightly, please give Emma our Volunteer Coordinator a call or email on volunteer@toowoombahospice.org.au
At present we are particularly looking for volunteers to help in gardening, the kitchen (breakfast and lunch shifts), nurses station reception, housekeeping (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays), front reception (Friday mornings), and with fundraising events. So lots of opportunities to get involved in something very worthwhile. As they say, many hands make light workâ€, so the more people we have involved in helping, the lighter the load for everyone, Mr Munro said.
The Hospice runs Volunteer information sessions each month, these sessions normally go for 2 hours at the Hospice. Due to being on High Risk numbers are limited. For more information contact the Hospice on 04 4659 8500 or go to www.toowoombahospice.org.au to register on line.
Submitted by: Mark Munro Dip.Community Education Dip.Management CertIV Business Administration Dip. Public Relations, Publicity & Promotions Administration and Fundraising Manager Toowoomba Hospice
We have an exciting science-packed weekend of fun planned for Toowoomba at Cobb+Co Museum!
SENSATIONAL SCIENCE TRIVIA NIGHT AT COBB+CO MUSEUM
Saturday 8th October, 5pm doors open for 6pm start | $10 per ticket, 18+ event Exercise your intellect with a seriously sensational science trivia night like no other!
Queensland’s premier messy scientist and quiz master extraordinaire, Dr Rob Bell, will be serving up fast and furious brain bursting trivia alongside Queensland Museum Network’s scientific experts who will give talks and demonstrations between rounds. Uncover some wonderfully wacky and weird facts as we celebrate all things science.
PLUS enjoy epic prizes, live music, and come for dinner and a show with Cobb’s Coffee Shop open for dinner, drinks and snacks throughout the night. Bring a team of your own or join a team on the night.
Tickets limited:Â https://www.worldsciencefestival.com.au/event-program/toowoomba/trivia
Launching RocketsMeeting Webster Spider
WORLD SCIENCE FESTIVAL QUEENSLAND OPEN DAY AT COBB+CO MUSEUM
Sunday 9 October, 9.30am to 3pm | FREE event for all ages Join the science celebration as the museum becomes a STEM playground for one day only with family-friendly activities for everyone to enjoy.
Launch a rocket, pilot a drone, travel to another universe with virtual reality, and marvel at super silly science shows. Get into hands-on science fun and enjoy a great day out with the whole family.
Tickets Now On Sale For A Stellar Program From Around The World! Travelling Film Festival reveals a specially curated and riveting program for Toowoomba from 14-16 October, including some of the most loved and best Australian and International cinema from around the world.
We are excited to bring to Queensland a fresh and exciting program this October! Don’t miss out on some of the Festival’s favourite titles such as Cannes 2022 Grand Prix winner CLOSE from Belgium, and the first Gaelic language feature to compete at Berlin THE QUIET GIRL from Ireland. Plus, plenty more fascinating and mind-blowing selections for everyone to enjoy,†said Sanam Rodrigues, Travelling Film Festival Manager.
Archibald-winning artist Del Kathryn Barton’s directional debut, BLAZE, combines puppetry and animation to showcase twelve-year-old Blaze’s inner psychedelic mind after witnessing a brutal crime on the street. A rousing and moving film which portrays an ode to female courage and the power of imagination. BLAZE will be screening in Toowoomba on 15 October.
Highlights of the program for Toowoomba include the mysterious and raucous Iranian road trip journey HIT THE ROAD, selected into numerous international film festivals, including Cannes Film Festival and Rotterdam International Film Festival; cringe-inducing dark comedy from New Zealand, MILLIE LIES LOW directed by Michelle Savill and starring Ana Scotney (THE BREAKER UPPERERS, 2018) is a thoughtful exploration of imposter syndrome and the ways anxiety can distort decision making; and from the acclaimed filmmaker Park Chan-wook (OLD BOY, THEÂ HANDMAIDEN), DECISION TO LEAVE starring Park Hae-il (THE HOST) is a visually stunning mystery interweaved with the complexities of forbidden love.
Screening exclusively at Toowoomba is 2022 Cannes Grand Prix winner CLOSE directed by Lukas Dhont (GIRL, 2018), a stunningly beautiful feature of an intense teen friendship torn asunder; and LOVING HIGHSMITH, the heart-rending documentary depicting visionary female writer Patricia Highsmith, forced to repress her innate desires in a heteronormative society.
The Festival is proud to also present four Australian short films from this year’s Sydney Film Festival, including Steve Anthopoulos’ VOICE ACTIVATED and Natalia Stawyskyj’s ALL SILENT DOGS, supported by the Screenability Initiative, which showcases provocative cinema by filmmakers with disability; nominated for the Dendy Awards for Australia Short Films, POLENTA by Adrian Di Salle; and FARMERS by Tim Carlier.
Tickets to TFF Toowoomba are now on sale! With a Flexipass and Full Subscription, patrons can watch the whole program and save up to 30%! For more information and bookings, please visit: https://www.sff.org.au/tff – Travelling Film Festival acknowledges the financial assistance of Screen Australia & the NSW Government through Screen NSW
New allied health and wellbeing degrees to help students thrive in high-growth sectorResponding to current challenges and opportunities facing the health sector is a key component of the University of Southern Queensland’s strategy for building a better future for its communities. Launching its new allied health and wellbeing degrees – a rapidly growing part of Australia’s health workforce – is set to provide a vital shot in the arm to local regions.
Four new allied health and wellbeing degrees will be introduced in 2023, allowing students to pursue studies in occupational therapy, speech pathology, social work and strength and conditioning, while physiotherapy is among the new degrees that will be offered in 2024.
Each degree will include a regional and rural focus to create an expanded pipeline of skilled health professionals and greater access to care for patients in local communities. The addition of these new specialisations is exciting news for our students and communities,†Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Professor Glen Coleman said.
We already have a broad range of allied health and wellbeing degrees that connect local students with study and training opportunities, making them job-ready to meet local workforce needs. Supporting and increasing the number of people in our health workforce is a high priority for us. By investing in more programs, we’re on our way to seeing hundreds of new health workers put their ambition into action.â€
Allied health professionals, who represent almost a third of Australia’s healthcare workforce, apply specific clinical skills to diagnose, assess, treat, manage and prevent illness and injury in primary health care and other sectors like disability, aged care, education and social services.
Associate Head of School (Allied Health) Associate Professor Stephen Bird with students Bonnie Whitney and Samson Juju.
In addition to learning from industry-connected lecturers actively contributing to their fields, University of Southern Queensland students gain real-world skills and interdisciplinary experience, preparing them for a collaborative, client-centred approach to health care.
Samson Juju, Bonnie Whitney and Associate Head of School (Allied Health) Associate Professor Stephen Bird said the longstanding impact of COVID-19 combined with an ageing population meant allied health careers were more in demand than ever before.
Heavy workloads caused partly by the COVID-19 pandemic and an increase in chronic diseases have pushed the healthcare system to the brink,†Associate Professor Bird said. Training skilled workers in a range of allied health occupations that can assist patients with chronic disease and complex health conditions can not only ease the strain on the system but ensure its long-term sustainability.â€
Connecting education, research and innovation with regional Australia’s needs continue to be a focus for the University – and Professor Coleman said the new degrees would meet the booming demand for health professionals and help reduce the healthcare gap in rural and remote communities.
There is a severe and longstanding shortage of health professionals in regional areas, which directly impacts the level of access people have to essential services and contributes to poorer health outcomes and life expectancy,†he said.
Having forged strong community and industry partnerships and undertaking world-leading research in health, we’re perfectly placed to educate our passionate health professionals of tomorrow and bolster the healthcare workforce.â€
More than 100 students are expected to enrol across the four new degrees in the first year, with as many as 1200 students studying in these fields by 2026. For more information, visit www.unisq.edu.au/new-degrees.
New degree information:
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists work with individual clients and families to enable them to do the daily activities or occupations that are important in their lives.
Occupational therapy is one of the fastest-growing registered health professions in Australia.
Speech Pathology
Speech pathologists study, diagnose and treat communication disorders, including difficulties with speaking, listening, understanding language, reading, writing, social skills, stuttering and using voice.
They also assess and treat individuals with swallowing disorders.
Social Work
Social workers focus on strengthening human relationships, promoting wellbeing, and validating the importance of human rights and social justice.
They draw upon critical inquiry, embrace and celebrate diversity and difference, social inclusion, democracy, and professional integrity.
They actively work with and alongside individuals, families, and communities, co-developing and advocating for systemic changes in search of a socially just society.
Strength and Conditioning
Strength and conditioning professionals work within high-performance settings such as sports schools, youth athlete development programs, academies and institutes of sport, law enforcement, military and rescue professions, and collegiate athletic departments, or work within community sport and recreation programs that specialise in strength and conditioning science and physical preparation optimisation.
They specialise in physical preparation or reconditioning programs for high-performing individuals to optimise movement potential through assessment, individualised programming, and readiness monitoring.
Along with providing evidence-based practice, strength and conditioning professionals provide education on recovery modalities and prevention strategies.
Smart Parking in the Toowoomba CBD has been switched on from 28th July, with paid parking in bays recommencing.TRC Infrastructure Committee Portfolio Leader Cr Melissa Taylor welcomed the new technology which will allow residents to easily find available parking bays, offer contact-less payment and the option to extend parking time within the existing time limits.
This is a step forward for our community and will allow residents to make payments on the new ‘Toowoomba Parking’ App otherwise the large machines will accept all payment types and the small machines will accept card payments,†Cr Taylor said.
Parking prices and time limits remain unchanged however, the first 30 minutes of on-street paid parking within the CBD will be free under the Smart Parking project. 30 minutes of free parking has been retained to support businesses within the CBD by encouraging turn over in the city centre.”
While the first 30 minutes is free, customers will still be required to use a parking meter or the App every time they park regardless of how long they are parking in case they choose to stay longer than originally anticipated.”
We know the move to this new system is a change for our residents and ask for patience during this phase of our Toowoomba City Centre Car Parking Strategy.”
If you’re experiencing any difficulties and need help, please contact our team on 131 872 so we can quickly resolve this for you.â€
Toowoomba Regional Council have engaged with Tilma Group to deliver an exciting program covering topics such as Volunteering, Community Governance, Insurance, Events and Activations, Grant Funding, and Collaboration.
The evening will also include table conversations with our topic presenters as well as providing the opportunity to meet your fellow hall committees, share experiences, learnings and ideas.
Conferences will be held at:
Goombungee Public Hall on Tuesday, 26th July from 6pm-9pm
Felton Hall on Wednesday, 27th July from 6pm-9pm
Bookings are essential and can be made via phoning 131 872 – please note there is a limit of two members per committeeThough the conferences are tailored to halls, all regional community groups and organisations are able to attend, so please spread the word.
Submitted by: Michelle Davies Team Leader – Community Development Community Development, Facilities and Tourism Toowoomba Regional Council
