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Senate Inquiry Hearing Into Qld Government Visits Toowoomba

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Senate Inquiry Hearing Into Qld Government Visits Toowoomba

Senate Inquiry into Queensland Government: Third public hearing for 2015 to be held in Toowoomba on Thursday, 19th February 2015.

Palmer United Senator for Queensland and Leader of Palmer United in the Senate, Glenn Lazarus, has released information regarding the third of several public hearings to be held in 2015 for the Senate Inquiry into aspects of the Queensland Government Administration.

Senator Lazarus (photo Darren Englan)
Senator Glenn Lazarus (photo Darren Englan)

Senator Lazarus is the Chairman of the Senate Inquiry and the spokesperson for the Inquiry Committee.

“Despite the change of Government in Queensland, the Senate Inquiry is still moving forward and will continue to deal with hundreds of submissions which have been received from people and organisations across Queensland,” he said.

“The Senate Inquiry is giving Queenslanders a voice and the opportunity to have their issues heard under Parliamentary Privilege.

 
“It is imperative that every submission is considered and people are heard.”

“Many submissions allege corruption and poor and questionable decision-making by the Newman Government, which has hurt everyday Queenslanders, ” Senator Glenn Lazarus said.

“These issues need to be ventilated so they can be addressed. It is more important than ever, now the Newman Government has been voted out, that the new Labor Government is made aware of these issues so they can be fixed.”

“The issues being uncovered by the Senate Inquiry are shedding light on the questionable actions of the Newman Government and will assist the incoming Government to put in place measures to prevent these types of issues ever happening again.

“To date, a number of public hearings have already been held. Further hearings have been scheduled for 2015 including a public hearing in Toowoomba. The Inquiry forums are public forums and members of the community are able to attend,” Senator Lazarus said.

“Members of the community and organisations who have lodged submissions as well as others who have expressed a desire to raise issues at public hearings have been invited to participate in the public hearing on Thursday.

“Thursday’s hearing in Toowoomba will cover environmental, human rights and legal issues and issues surrounding Queensland Government decision making in relation to major projects.

HEARING DETAILS

Date: Thursday 19 February 2015
Time: 9am – 5.00pm
Location: Tabletop Room, Picnic Point
164 Tourist Drive
Toowoomba

Further information regarding the Senate Inquiry can be found at www.aph.gov.au/qga

 

Toowoomba’s 35th Annual Lifeline Bookfest Saturday 28th February & Sunday 1st March

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Toowoomba’s 35th Annual Lifeline Bookfest Saturday 28th February & Sunday 1st March

Bookfest 2014
The Lifeline Bookfest is on again in 2015. Toowoomba’s biggest recycled book sale is on at the Founders Pavilion at the Showgrounds, Glenvale Road, Toowoomba, Saturday 28th February from 8.00am -5.00pm and Sunday 1st March 8.00am †2.00pm. There will be 100,000 books on sale with nothing over $5 and most books are considerably less.
Lifeline Bookfest Poster
Bookfest will celebrate its 35th year in 2015 and is one of Toowoomba longest running events. Having generated over $1 million in the event’s long history the funds raised at this event will ensure Lifeline Darling Downs and South West Queensland can keep up their great work supporting the community in need. Categories for sale at the two-day event include cooking, sewing, gardening, craft, children’s books, text books, bibliographies, history, fiction, romance, murder mystery and much more.

Admission and parking is free – see you at Bookfest!!!
Lifeline LogoEvery dollar you give helps us save lives. Make a donation.

Visit lifelinedarlingdowns.org.au or phone 1300 991 443.

Submitted by:
Suzie Byrnes
Manager Marketing and Fundraising
Lifeline Darling Downs & South West Queensland Ltd
192a Stephen Street, Toowoomba Qld 4350
Ph 07 4699 1682 

Have Fun And Help Our Farmers Saturday 24th January At Charlton (West Of Toowoomba)

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Have Fun And Help Our Farmers Saturday 24th January At Charlton (West Of Toowoomba)

A4 Buy a Bale
Jim’s Jerky are throwing down a helping hand to Aussie farmers doing it tough thanks to the drought. The Farm Rescue is being held at Jim’s Jerky on the Warrego Highway, Charlton from 8.30am to 4.30pm on Saturday, 24th January.

Come along and join in the fun and support Australia’s drought affected farmers – all proceeds will be given to “Buy A Bale.” Just some of the attractions include face painting, a bikini car wash, sausage sizzle and from 10am to 2pm bucking bull rides and jumping castle. A gold coin is requested for each activity.

So please come along to Jim’s Jerky at Charlton and help make a difference. Further information from 07 4630 4420.

McGregor Summer School Students To Stage Free Public Concert

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McGregor Summer School Students To Stage Free Public Concert

To Scott McDade, “living the dream” is more than just a cliché.

 Scott McDade in the McGregor Summer Song-writing Class

Scott McDade in the McGregor Summer Song-writing Class

This talented singer/songwriter has faced hurdles, doubts and demons while following his passion, but has no doubts he is doing exactly what Fate intended for him. “I was a high-school drop-out working as a tradie in Melbourne when one night it just came to me that I had to pursue music.”

Scott, aged 26, says “Music had always been my Plan A in life, but then music classes were cancelled at school, and people kept telling me that you must have a Plan B, so it was Plan B that happened. But it just hit me that life is supposed to be spent doing something that is actually important to me, so I moved to Toowoomba, auditioned for USQ, and am now living the dream.”

Scott has just completed his first year of tertiary study †despite having no formal qualifications in music upon arrival †and is currently doing the contemporary song-writing class at the McGregor Summer School under tutor Mark Sholtez.

His skills have improved enormously during the intensive retreat, but more importantly perhaps, Scott has learned the value of what he does. “I’ve always had this battle going on with myself about the value of music,” he said. “Part of me thinks I was more valuable to society working as a plasterer, but I am now realising that music has its value in helping people heal and come together.

“I know that if I write good songs, I can change the world in some way. That is enough of a motivation for me to do this.”

While he knows he might be ribbed for this, Scott chooses “Zebra” by John Butler as the song which changed his own life. “The message in that song is that we can be anything if we just give ourselves the chance,” he said. “God plants desires in our heart not to tease us, but to inspire us to grow into the person we need to be.”

The McGregor Summer School was able to offer Scott a full scholarship to the School to help him achieve his goal of being a touring musician and song-writer; perhaps one day even being regarded as one of the most proficient guitarists, singers and song-writers in the world. It’s a big dream, but one which Scott is prepared to work for.

“I don’t rate myself as particularly naturally talented, but I do work very hard, because that is the only way to improve your skills †last year I logged 3000 hours of practice,” he said. ”It is passion for what you do that helps you keep working at it †and it is passion that makes sure you simply can’t give it up. The McGregor Summer School simply reinforces that passion †it is a community of amazing tutors, great students and fabulous environment.”

The McGregor Summer School music, vocal and songwriting students will stage a free public concert this Saturday, January 17 beginning at 11.30am. They will perform in the USQ Refectory and the Arts Theatre, with the vocalists’ showcase in the theatre at 1.05pm and the songwriters’ showcase from 2.05pm -3pm.

Submitted by:
Willow Hart
Senior Marketing and Engagement Officer
USQ Artsworx | University of Southern Queensland

 

Thousands Of Kids On Parade At Toowoomba Showgrounds

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Thousands Of Kids On Parade At Toowoomba Showgrounds

ithirst_banner
8,200 Pacific kids and leaders have taken up camping in Toowoomba this week. 

Toowoomba showgrounds has become the site for the biggest-ever Adventist Church gathering of 10-15 year olds from all the territories in the South Pacific Division – Australia, New Zealand, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

From 6-11 January, there will be marching, water activities and inspirational evening music, drama and talks from the massive 14-metre high stage custom-built for the event.  The iThirst Pathfinder Camporee  was formally opened by Mayor of  Toowoomba Regional Council, Cr Paul Antonio on Tuesday, January 6th. Other dignitaries present, included world, regional and national leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The South Pacific director of Adventist Youth, Pastor Nick Kross, said that for more than a century Pathfinders has been helping 10 to 15 year old boys and girls develop outdoor and life skills in a safe and positive Christian atmosphere.

Pathfinders is an initiative of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, a worldwide church of 18 million baptised members.

Submitted by:
Kent Kingston
Communications Coordinator
Email: kentkingston@record.net.au

Support Requested For Lawrence Family

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WDOP Logo
Tragedy struck the Lawrence family just a week out from Christmas, on the 17th of December at 3am. This Dalby family of 10 saw their family home burn to the ground. They lost everything except the clothes they had on. Luckily the initial support from the community has been great and they have been able to get through the first steps of recovery since the fire.

To ensure ongoing support for this family, Western Downs Outreach Project Inc are currently organising a raffle that will take place throughout January to help with the return of their children to school and starting off their rebuilding process.

“We are looking for the business community of the region to pitch in through the donation of any goods of value to the raffle, and if they would like to, sell tickets once it has started,” said spokesman Jason Vella. “The raffle will commence on the 12th of January and be drawn publicly on Sunday 8th of February.”

If your business is able to help please contact Jason at Western Downs Outreach Project on 0490 375 562 on or before Friday 9th of January.

Submitted by:
Jason Vella
Western Downs Outreach Project Inc.
Ph 0490 375 562
Email: jason@wdop.net.au

Bacterial Outbreak Closes Perseverance Dam

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Bacterial Outbreak Closes Perseverance Dam

Perseverance Dam has been closed to the public as a precautionary move due to elevated numbers of E.Coli bacteria.

The number of E.Coli bacteria exceeds primary and secondary recreational contact guideline limits as set in the Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality 2000.

perseverance_damToowoomba Regional Council Parks and Recreation Services portfolio leader Cr Sue Englart said officers were satisfied that the increased bacterial numbers were due to an environmental phenomenon rather than contamination of the dam water.

“The risk to humans from direct contact with large numbers of these bacteria is uncertain and the dam has been closed to protect the health of users as a precaution,” Cr Englart said.

“The bacteria represent no risk to drinking water supplies as they are removed by the water treatment and disinfection process.

“Additional testing will be carried out on a regular basis to monitor the numbers of E.Coli bacteria. Perseverance Dam will remain closed for recreational use until further notice.”

Recreational activities are unaffected at Cooby Dam and Lake Cressbrook.

Enquiries can be directed to the Council on 131 872.

Advance Notice Of 2015 “Pink Stumps Day” From McGrath Foundation

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Advance Notice Of 2015 “Pink Stumps Day” From McGrath Foundation

Throughout 2015, The McGrath Foundation will be celebrating its 10th anniversary. That’s 10 years of funding McGrath Breast Care Nurses, who provide invaluable care and support for women with breast cancer and their families.

The cost of funding each nurse for a 3-year placement is around $370,000 and the work they do collectively has benefited more than 21,000 Australian families. It was Jane McGrath’s wish that every single woman undergoing breast cancer treatment in Australia should have access to a Breast Care Nurse, and this year the Foundation aims to fund another 10 Breast Care Nurses, adding to the 101 already working in communities right around the country.

Pink Stumps Day began in 2011 as a way of giving communities the opportunity to stage their own special event to raise funds for the McGrath Foundation. Since then, some 3,600 clubs nationally have taken part and raised over $3.3 million.

As the 5th Pink Stumps Day approaches on Saturday 21st February 2015, the opportunity exists for up to 1,200 cricket clubs and teams in communities all over Australia to bring some pink to their local ground and help raise funds to support those women who are fighting breast cancer.
mcgrath_foundation

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