On Our Selection News - 1st June 2023

NOBBY STATE SCHOOL

GALA DAY 1

The first of two Gala Days was held at Allora State School

on Friday.

Students in Years 3-6 chose to play netball, soccer or rugby league.

We were able to field full teams in our junior netball and soccer teams while our senior soccer players and junior and senior rugby league players joined with students from other schools to form teams.

It was a great day with all students displaying great sportsmanship.

CLIFTON CLUSTER STEM DAY

The Cluster STEM day which was held last Wednesday at Clifton State High School was a great success.

Our Year 5 & 6 students engaged in robotics and renewable and non-renewable energies with students from other schools in the Clifton Cluster.

This was a wonderful opportunity for our students to meet new people from different schools and learn alongside them.

The lessons were challenging and our students did really well to embrace the challenge and work towards solutions.

It was wonderful to hear one of our students, who has expressed how nervous he is about high school, share with his mum that he had the best day and he can’t wait to get to high school.

Brylee took part in netball, played on Gala Day.

Hugh had a great time at the Clifton Cluster STEM day at Clifton State High School.

Condamine MP comments on local crime wave

The recent theft of two vehicles in the Condamine electorate and the subsequent injuries to police officers while in pursuit of the vehicles has prompted the local member Pat Weir to point the finger of blame at the Palaszczuk government.

“This crime wave continues in the face of the government supposedly cracking down on crime and increasing the penalties received by offenders,” Mr Weir said.

”The offenders clearly haven’t heard about the Premier’s tough stance on crime.

2.5 / Logo: scaling & minimum size

“Commercial vehicles have been stolen making it even tougher on small businesses who are struggling to make ends meet with the ever-increasing rises in energy costs.

Police conducting Operation Auster

Police across the Darling Downs, South West and Ipswich have come together to launch Operation Auster, a regional road safety campaign aiming to reduce road trauma and save lives.

Beginning on Monday this week and concluding this Friday, officers from each district’s Highway Patrol and Crime Prevention units will conduct targeted and highly visibility patrols and community engagement on highways and roads.

Targeting vulnerable road users like caravans, camper trailers and motorbike riders, the operation hopes to increase education surrounding travelling safely on rural roads.

Focusing on the 19 highways and motorways across the Southern Region, police from Highway Patrol Units will be bolstered by other units in each district to enhance capability during the operation.

Each day over the operation, officers are conducting community engagement sessions in different locations across the region, including specialised education in safe motorcycle riding, caravanning and safely traversing rural roads.

Wheels Up? Keep all four on the road

Im-paw-tant reminder!

“Private vehicles have been stolen with total disregard for the owners who use those vehicles to get to work, to take their kids to school, to attend medical appointments and buy groceries.”

The incident saw a 45-years-old Oakey man charged with two counts of attempted murder following investigations into the serious injury of two police officers at Meringandan.

Police will allege that last Wednesday, officers identified a stolen truck.

As they opened the door to the truck the driver accelerated, trapping the officers between the truck and a police car before they were thrown across the bonnet and onto the road.

On the same day, police intercepted a stolen ute with the use of a tyre deflation device on O’Mara Road at Charlton.

Two men, aged 19 and 28, were taken into custody at the scene.

“When is the Premier going to listen to the people of Queensland who have had enough of this weak on crime Palaszczuk government?” Mr Weir said.

“Several police vehicles have been rammed causing significant damage, police officers hospitalised, private property damaged creating added financial stress to the victims of crime and still the Premier and her ministers can’t admit they have created the mess we are all having to live with and pay for.”

To ensure the safety of others and protect underground infrastructure in built up areas, keep all four wheels on the road when parking. Avoid parking on the nature strip or obstructing a footpath/cycleway/driveway.

Council staff regulate this on behalf of the State Government.

For more information, visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/parking

Dog registration renewal notices are being issued soon. Keep your furry friend safe by registering or updating your pet’s details by 30 June so that we can safely return them home the next time your pet takes a walk and barks up the wrong tree. Dogs must be registered with us:

• Upon reaching three months of age.

• Before the expiry of the current registration.

• Within 14 days of obtaining your dog (if the dog is older than three months of age).

• Within 14 days of moving into the Toowoomba Regional Council area.

For more information or to update your registration details, visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/dogregistration

131 872 www.tr.qld.gov.au

Venture through spectacular sunflower fields in the south, connect with all creatures tall and small at Darling Downs Zoo and experience the history and character of Nobby’s iconic pub in this winter edition of BOLD.

You will

Better access to swimming lessons

A vital new lifesaving program aimed at directly teaching Queensland children to improve their swimming skills has been given the full backing of Royal Life Saving Queensland (RLSQ).

RLSQ Executive Director, Paul Barry said SwimStart will help provide much greater access to swimming lessons for children aged 0 to 4.

“Eligible families are going to be able to apply for vouchers valued at up to $150,” Mr Barry said.

“Overall, it is a huge $4.8 million investment over a twoyear period from the State Government.

“What we know clearly is right now, there are children at risk.

“Some children simply don’t have the swimming skills that we want to see them have.”

Mr Barry said the pandemic caused a raft of issues when it came to getting children to swimming lessons.

“In a State like Queensland, where there are so many opportunities to interact with water environments, it is critical children have the strongest swimming skills possible,” he said.

“We have been working with a range of industry partners and peak bodies seeking to enhance the swimming and survival skills of Queensland schoolchildren.

“Vouchers were a key part of the discussions at the SouthEast Queensland Water Safety Forum.”

Mr Barry said Royal Life Saving has been concerned that more and more families were finding it difficult to afford lessons.

“Lowering barriers to access vital swimming and water safety education will save lives and help children to develop lifelong skills.

“Teaching children to swim and survive is the single most important investment families can make to reduce drowning.”

Weir questions electricity strategy

Shadow Energy Minister and Member for Condamine Pat Weir has asked why the State Government has failed to get the two key Callide electricity generators back online, to bring down pressures on electricity prices.

Figures quoted by the Opposition from the Australian Energy Market Regulator showed that power bills are skyrocketing another 21.5 per cent, two years to the day after the Callide generator explosion.

Mr Weir said responsibility for rising power prices rested squarely at the failure of the Palaszczuk Labor Government to respond adequately to shortfalls caused by the failures of a Callide power generator in 2021.

“Today marks two years since the first Callide explosion and Queenslanders still don’t know when the generators will be restored,” he said.

“Both the Queensland Competition Authority and the Auditor-General have exposed the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s failure to restore Callide generators is driving up electricity prices.

“Queenslanders have also been kept in the dark about the impact of Genuity’s collapse on the timeline to restore Callide and the way forward.”

Car destroys Cambooya War Memorial

Continued from page 1

A Queensland Police Service spokesperson said between 5.50am and 6.10am on Saturday, a single vehicle left the road and hit the War Memorial.

The spokesperson said the investigation is ongoing and no charges have been laid thus far.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesperson said a man in his late 30s was transported to Toowoomba Hospital in a stable condition, suffering from neck pain.

The damage at the memorial suggests the vehicle was travelling west on Eton Street.

Toowoomba Regional Council Environment and Community Committee Chair Cr James O’Shea said it is incredibly disappointing to see the level of damage which has occurred at the Cambooya War Memorial.

“The memorial is a lasting legacy to those who have fought for this country and made the ultimate sacrifice to give us the freedoms we have today,” Cr O’Shea said.

“Not only is there a monetary cost to restore the memorial, but there is also an emotional cost for the damage that has been caused.

“Toowoomba Regional Council officers have been on site to inspect the memorial and are in the process of assessing the cost and timeline for repairing the memorial.”

In addition to the War Memorial itself, a flagpole was destroyed, as was a roadside barrier.

The Cambooya War Memorial was erected in 1921 to commemorate 14 soldiers who were killed in action in the First World War and 63 men and women who served and returned to Australia.

Subsequent plaques were added to the memorial to honour the 46 men and women that served in the Second World War and six men who served in the Vietnam War.

The extensive damage to the memorial.

GRDC harnessing power of online learning

Realising the busy schedules of growers and agronomists, The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) will again offer its popular Grains Research Updates straight to digital devices.

GRDC Online Grains Research Updates are virtual sessions led by experts who share the latest findings and information on a variety of grain research and development topics.

These webinars provide valuable insights and relevant knowledge directly to growers and agronomists without the need for them to leave their farms or offices.

GRDC Grower Relations Manager, Graeme Sandral, said the Online Grains Research Updates have a great reputation for providing relevant grains industry information.

”These webinars are free and tackle topics of national significance, offering invaluable insights to growers and agronomists throughout our northern, southern and western grain-growing regions,” he said.

“The next session of updates will run from May 30 until June 13 and cover four separate topics.

“Each webinar kicks off at 9am AEST and lasts approximately 1.5 hours. There is no cost to participants, and they will receive a link to the recording and other resources associated with each topic post-session”.

The first session in the series, already held, centred around irrigation efficiency and was led by experts/researchers from the Universities of Queensland and Southern Queensland.

The session discussed innovative technologies to enhance irrigation decision-making and optimise irrigation efficiency.

Today, Thursday, June 1, the spotlight shifts to optimising clethodim efficacy and addressing haloxyfop MRL issues in export canola.

“This session delves deep into maximising the efficacy of

group one herbicide applications, with particular emphasis on clethodim,” Mr Sandral said.

“The session explains resistance levels, the role of translocation, the influence of weed size, timing, spray coverage, adjuvants, water quality, temperature, frost, and tank mixes. We will also look at haloxyfop MRL issues in export canola.”

Looking to the future, next Tuesday, 6 June, brings a session on deciphering weather and climate forecasts.

This update will leverage off the Agri-Climate Outlook project’s to provide practical tips on utilising data from the Bureau of Meteorology for short and long-term forecasting.

A recent disruption to sowing operations, when satellite GPS enabled systems failed in April, highlights the critical nature of robust, resilient systems.

The final webinar on Tuesday, 13 June, examines this incident and possible solutions to manage potential future problems.

“During this webinar we’ll hear from Tim Neale of Data Farming, who will provide an overview of the incident and discuss potential mitigation strategies,” Mr Sandral said.

Growers and agronomists interested in attending the Online Grains Research Update sessions are encouraged to register via the GRDC website - grdc. com.au

GRDC Grower Relations Manager Graeme Sandral.

Premier backs ‘vital’ regional newspapers

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has described regional newspapers as ‘absolutely vital’ and as the ‘lifeblood of their communities’ before offering to help ensure that a larger share of the Queensland state government advertising budget be directed at communicating with regional Queenslanders through independent regional newspapers.

The Premier made the comments at the Queensland Country Press Association (QCPA) conference in Brisbane last week, referring to the ‘resurgence’ of independent newspaper publishers in Queensland as a contributing factor.

The announcement from Premier Palaszczuk follows the recent Victorian government commitment to ensuring one full page of government advertising is placed in every regional newspaper every week.

The Premier’s pledge also aligns with key findings from a recently released Deakin University report on media innovation which

found that,“Securing the future of quality and reliable news and information platforms in non-metropolitan areas is in the national interest.”

The Deakin report refers to numerous Senate inquiries examining aspects of rural and regional news since 2016, as well as the Digital Platforms Inquiry, conducted by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and a parliamentary inquiry into the future of local newspapers, and concluded that, “Simply put, it is now widely understood that local news matters to our democracy, but it has struggled and requires support.

“Our research suggests government policies and advertising spending is the single most influential factor in providing baseline surety to the long-term sustainability of small, independently owned news outlets in rural, regional and suburban Australia.”

The QCPA conference and awards night broke several records including receiving the most nominations for awards ever.

Journalist Wendy Hughes from On Our Selection News sister publication the Pittsworth Sentinel was awarded third place in the Best News Photo category.

Delegates travelled from across regional Queensland and other states to attend, including Mareeba, Dubbo, Narrabri, Gippsland and the Barossa Valley.

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SUPPORT AND SERVICES

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SUPPORT AND SERVICES

Webelieveevery human has the inherentrightto live a‘normal’and empoweredlife;to haveabilityand opportunitytomake one’s own choices.We aimtoempowerpeople with mental health or withdisability.We believe every human has the inherent right to live a ‘normal’ and empowered life; to have ability and opportunity to make one’s own choices. We aim to empower people with mental health or with disability

MiChoice Disability Supports, offers a variety of services supporting you to take steps in accomplishing your goals; your ambitions; your targets. For some people, goals may be reached in a time that may be lengthy. This may take 6 months; this may take several years of challenges and barriers. That is when we are at our most creative and supportive and our ‘together-journey’ begins

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

MiChoice Disability Supports, offers a variety of services supporting you to take steps in accomplishing your goals; your ambitions; your targets. For some people, goals may be reached in a time that may be lengthy. This may take 6 months; this may take several years of challenges and barriers. That is when we are at our most creative and supportive and our ‘together-journey’ begins

§ Support you in your home, in the community, or at your workplace to build confidence to live an autonomous life.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

§ Support you with making the right choice for you and your safety.

SUPPORT AND SERVICES

§ Support you with an improved living arrangement to feel at ease in your living environment

Support you in your home, in the community, or at your workplace to build confidence to live an autonomous life.

§ Support you with your household tasks to keep on top of hygiene and instil home-pride

MiChoice Disability Supports, offers a variety of services supporting you to take steps in accomplishing your goals; your ambitions; your targets. For some people, goals may be reached in a time that may be lengthy. This may take 6 months; this may take several years of challenges and barriers. That is when we are at our most creative and supportive and our ‘together-journey’ begins

§ Social and community participation helping you stay connected with your community.

Support you with making the right choice for you and your safety.

Support you with an improved living arrangement to feel at ease in your living environment

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

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Support you in your home, in the community, or at your workplace to build confidence to live an autonomous life.

§ Support you with making the right choice for you and your safety.

Support you with your household tasks to keep on top of hygiene and instil home-pride

§ Support you with an improved living arrangement to feel at ease in your living environment

Social and community participation helping you stay connected with your community.

Support you with your household tasks to keep on top of hygiene and instil home-pride

Social and community participation helping you stay connected with your community.

CALL US ON 0460 880 556 or 0432 020 302

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk presented to QCPA members last week.

Toowoomba Diocese welcomes new bishop

The appointment follows the retirement of Bishop Robert McGuckin, who served the Toowoomba Diocese since his Episcopal Ordination on 11 July 2012.

“I am deeply humbled to be called by Pope Francis to shepherd this local Church and I thank him sincerely,” Bishop Howell said of his new role.

“I realise that I have been given a great responsibility to care for the faithful and to engage in the life of the broader community across the Diocese.”

In 1977 Ken Howell entered Pius XII Regional Seminary and was ordained on 24 June 1983.

Until 1994, he served as Assistant Priest in the Parishes of Noosa Districts, Burleigh Heads and the Cathedral, Brisbane.

Between 1994 and 1997, he completed a Licentiate in Sacred Liturgy at the Pontifical Institute Sant’Anselmo in Rome.

He served as Secretary to Archbishop John Bathersby from 1997 to 2010. During this time, Bishop Howell served at the Cathedral in various capacities.

He was Vice Rector of the Holy Spirit Seminary between 2002 and 2008.

In 2009, he took on a concurrent appointment as Administrator of St Mary’s Parish, South Brisbane.

In 2013 he became the Parish Priest at Burleigh Heads.

On 29 March 2017, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Howell

as Auxiliary Bishop of the Brisbane Archdiocese.

His Episcopal Ordination was held on 14 June 2017.

“On behalf of the staff, students and families of Toowoomba Catholic Schools, I express my sincere thanks and appreciation to Bishop Robert for his outstanding leadership and dedicated service to the Diocese over the past 10 plus years.” Dr Pat Coughlan, Executive Director: Catholic Schools, said.

“Bishop Robert has been incredibly supportive of the work of the 33 Catholic schools and the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office across the vast Diocese and advocated strongly for the unique educational needs of students in rural and remote locations.

“We look forward to extending a warm welcome to the new Bishop, who will build on Bishop Robert’s substantial legacy.”

Bishop Howell doesn’t come to the Toowoomba Diocese as a stranger, citing family ties to the region and knowing many of the priests.

“As I prepare to move to my new home, I come with a desire to listen to God’s people and to understand and grow in love for the mission of this local Church.

It is my firm hope that I may accompany the community of the Church of Toowoomba, as together we seek to live and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ in the world.” Bishop Howell said.

“Can I ask all the people of the Diocese to pray for me as I prepare to be with you.

“Your prayer will be my greatest support.”

Bishop Howell’s installation as the seventh Bishop of Toowoomba will be held on 11 July 2023 at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Toowoomba.

Bishop Ken Howell, currently an Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Brisbane, has been appointed as the seventh Bishop of the Diocese of Toowoomba, Pope Francis making the official announcement in Rome last Wednesday.

Bishop Ken Howell and Bishop Robert McGuckin.

Photo, Catholic Leader

LifeFlight better equipped to save animals

LifeFlight Australia’s helicopter crews are well known for saving human lives but now they have the capability to safely rescue beloved, furry family members too, including from the Toowoomba base. and the pets together, when it is safe to do so.”

In an Australian-first, LifeFlight Engineering has created a purpose-built Animal Rescue Capsule (ARC) which can be used to rescue, winch and transport pets securely from lifethreatening situations, such as floods.

Group Head of Operations Yvette Lutze, who helped develop the ARC, said it offers a fit-for purpose option for crews to airlift suitable pets.

“There’s nothing more challenging or upsetting for our crews and for us to have to have that conversation with someone. They’ve just lost their house, they’ve lost everything, and now you’re asking them to leave their animal behind,” she said.

“Animals are part of our family, they’re a part of my family.

“What we wanted to do was to provide as many options as we possibly could to ensure that we could keep the pet owners

Recently, LifeFlight crew members familiarised themselves with the new equipment during a skills training day in Toowoomba, with Base Lead Scott Nicholls bringing along two paw-fect Golden Retriever siblings, Amber and Barney to help them out.

The static winch training on the ground gave crew the opportunity to practice maneuvering Amber into the capsule, raising her safely and loading her into the aircraft before securing the capsule for flight.

Aerial winch training, with weights inside instead of animals, was a further opportunity to learn about hoisting the new gear.

The aptly named ARC was invented, after crews rescued a Noah’s ark-worth of pets, as part of the multi-agency emergency response to catastrophic flood events across Queensland and Northern New South Wales in 2022.

Crews directly assisted more than 100 people, indirectly assisted many more and saved 22 dogs from flooded properties.

In the past and during the disasters from early 2022, equipment bags and Child Rescue Capsules were often used to execute animal winch rescues, but they were not the ideal, permanent solution.

Dog Minty testing out the Animal Rescue Capsule.

Cambooya State School

BUSY BEES AT CAMBOOYA

Year 6 at Cambooya has been studying the importance of bees this semester as part of the Hermitage Science Competition.

Recently the students were able to spend some time at a local backyard which has two bee hives.

The students were given a talk about the important job of bees and lots of information about how a hive works and the life of bees.

The highlight of the visit was being able to harvest some

honey from the beehive and taste it from different stages of the production of honey in the hive.

Students were also able to dress up in the equipment required to safely take honey from a hive.

Thank you to Mrs L for hosting us and sharing her immense knowledge with us.

As part of their study into bees, Cambooya State School students (below) were able to visit a beehive (right) in a local backyard.

WYREEMA STATE SCHOOL

SIMULTANEOUS STORYTIME

Last week, Wyreema State School Prep to Year 3 students participated in the 2023 National Simultaneous Storytime. National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is a nationwide event that takes place annually on the fourth Wednesday of May.

The event is organised by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) to promote the value of reading and literacy.

This year, students at Wyreema came together with over two million other students nationwide, to listen to a reading of the book “The Speedy Sloth”, from award-winning author Rebecca Young.

Students thoroughly enjoyed this delightful story about a sloth who is determined to be the fastest animal in the jungle.

Toowoomba RL results

Round 7 of the Toowoomba Rugby League competition was played last weekend.

On Saturday, Goondiwindi Boars defeated Brothers Leprechuans 44 to 20, Southern Suburbs Tigers defeated Pittsworth Danes 16 to 14 and Gatton Hawks defeated Dalby Diehards 38 to 12.

On Sunday, Warwick Cowboys defeated Newtown Lions 54 to 6, Wattles Warriors defeated Valleys Roosters 28 to 24 and Highfields Eagles defeated Oakey Bears 40 to 20.

Students listen to the reading of The Speedy Sloth.

WHAN Ian Francis “Gundy”

Late of Felton and formerly of Brisbane and Baan Baa, passed away peacefully on 21st May 2023, aged 76 years.

Beloved Husband of Vicki. Dearly loved Father and Father-in-law of Jodie and Ryo; Emily and Dan; and Rachael.

Adoring Grandfather of Harry, Estelle and Aggie.

Family and friends are warmly invited to attend a celebration of Ian’s life, to be held at the T.S. Burstow Chapel, 1020 Ruthven Street (south), Toowoomba, service commencing at 2:30pm, Friday, 9th June 2023.

In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome for CJD Research, gift envelopes available at the chapel or donate online at https://www.cjdsupport.org.au/.

“Forever in our Hearts”

VALE VIEW STATE SCHOOL

AFTER SCHOOL FITNESS SESSIONS

Vale View State School has had 20 students involved in Tuesday after school fitness sessions run by one of our parents, Gavin Hams.

Our students have thoroughly enjoyed the activities and we are grateful to Mr Hams for giving up his time.

Ramsay STATE SCHOOL

Playgroup has been so much fun over the last few weeks, with Monster trucks, unicorns, animal crafts including llamas and ducks to match our letters each week, outside games, sandpit play, story time and more.

Fruit break in the warm sun on our northern playground has also been enjoyed by children and parents alike.

It is fantastic to see our pre-school aged students and our prep students participate in play-based learning activities. Play group is a free service offered by our school each week on Tuesday mornings, starting at 9am and running until 11am. This program is run alongside our Prep program with Mrs Smith and Mrs Hartog.

If you or someone you know would like to attend Playgroup please email admin@ramsayss.eq.edu.au

YEAR 1-2 MATHS

At Vale View State School our 1-2 class has been working on fractions in Maths over the past couple of weeks.

Students have learnt about halves, quarters and eighths. They discussed how the parts need to be equal and how, if we are dividing a collection, each group needs to have the same amount.

The children did numerous activities to cover these concepts including making craft pizzas, making pizza models on Maker’s Empire and we finished the week off with cutting and eating fairy bread.

The after school fitness session.

Fairy bread makes fractions a whole lot more fun!

There’s heaps of fun to be had at playgroup.

The Ramsay School Inter-house Sports will be conducted on Friday 9th June.

Parents and grandparents are invited to cheer their team on. Go Hodgson! Go Elliot!

Local Events Calendar

If you are holding an event in the area covered by On Our Selection News, forward details to editorial@cliftoncourier.com.au

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Hodgsonvale Community Sports Club

The sports club has had a recent upgrade to the floor with the timber part of the floor being sanded back and a new coat of polish put onto it.

There will be a Sunday lunch/afternoon function later in the year and there will possibly be a State of Origin night to come, probably the third game.

The club is also looking at upgrading the television to a

bigger one, with a better sound system that will be good for conferences and for watching movies and big sporting events.

Our monthly general meeting for June will be held this Thursday the 1st of June at 7pm at the sports club.

The reverse cycled air-conditioned sports club, good for both summer and winter, is open for private functions, so please contact Mark our booking officer.

The mobile contact is 0431 014 618 for further details, inspections and future bookings but is not the contact number for tennis court bookings.

You can also check out our website to see what facilities are available or you can send an email to hcsc8315@gmail.com

Discounts apply for financial members who hire the facility. The tennis courts are available for hire.

The keys are available at the Hodgson Vale shop. Hire costs are $4 an hour for financial members and $8 an hour for non-financial members.

Lighting costs are $2 an hour at night.

Government Covid rules must be adhered to at all times while the tennis courts are being used.

The toilets at the sports club are also available for tennis hirers. - Ted Cavanagh, Secretary

Owner Paul Mason

The recent floor upgrade at Hodgsonvale Community Sports Club.