On Our Selection News - 1st December 2022

On

Selection News On

Ride for a Roof rocks Wyreema

less than 48 hours,

The event was organised to raise money to purchase a house in Toowoomba in which families can stay while they have a loved one in hospital.

And raise money it did.

Although the final figure has not been confirmed, it can be assumed to be well into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

A live auction held on the night raised $137,000, with other money also raised through ticket sales, drinks sales, a Calcutta, an online auction and cash donations.

Common Ground Foundation began just three months ago, started by close friends Felicity Burton of Brymaroo and

into an arena, hosting the ‘Ride for a Roof’ event raising

mother-and-daughter Belinda and Georgie Keats from Mount Tyson, who each serve as founding directors and used their connections in the rodeo and agricultural communities to get the event up and running.

All three women have personal connections to people from out of town who have had to visit loved ones in hospital and know people from all over who have the same experience.

One such connection was with Bek and Rick Knudsen, owners of Bracknell Lodge, who were more than happy to use their picturesque venue to host the fundraiser. Continued on page 4

A rodeo arena quickly came together at Bracknell Lodge last week, hosting world-class saddle bronc riders.

In

Bracknell Lodge was transformed

money for the newly-formed Common Ground Foundation.

Friends of Felton comes to an end

In August 2012, Friends of Felton (FOF) received a letter from the Queensland Premier at that time, Campbell Newman, saying “…no company, whatever it chooses to call itself, has a right to develop a mining operation in the Felton Valley.”

The Newman letter effectively removed the threat of coal mining from the Felton Valley and in the process handed the Felton community an historic victory.

However, winding-up the Friends of Felton organisation was not possible in 2012 because from March of that year it had taken responsibility for running the Felton Food Festival.

This one-day festival ran for six years and was hugely successful, but ultimately it proved to be too exhausting for a small community.

On 5 March 2018, a meeting of Friends of Felton members decided to cease the organisation’s commitment to the Felton Food Festival.

Since the festival had operated as a sub-committee of FOF, this decision led to the suspension of the Festival and in the process removed a major reason for keeping Friends of Felton operational.

A little more than ten years after its victory over the mining proposal, members of Friends of Felton have decided to windup the organisation and transfer its surplus assets to the Felton Hall Association.

Speaking to the wind-up motion a few weeks ago, President of Friends of Felton, Mr Ian Whan, said Friends of Felton had achieved the core outcome for which it was formed.

He added that its final act of guaranteeing the long-term sovereignty and financial future of the Felton Hall might be seen as one of its greatest legacies.

Friends of Felton’s triumphant battle against mining interests is chronicled for posterity in Ian Whan’s book Felton District Histories, released last year.

Community support crucial to tackling youth crime

As car thieves and other juvenile and youth offenders are disengaged with society and seeking notoriety by using social media, police call for public assistance in securing vehicles and identifying stolen cars.

Last week, Queensland Police Assistant Commissioner Cheryl Scanlon addressed the media as questions surrounding the nature of youth crime on the Downs were circling in the community.

She provided an update on how the problem was being tackled by the recently assembled Youth Justice Taskforce, a group led by the Queensland Police Service in collaboration with agencies such as the Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs.

ABOVE: Assistant Commissioner Cheryl Scanlon addressing a media conference in Toowoomba.

The task force was set up in February 2021 in response to concerns in regional Queensland about youth crime.

Assistant Commissioner Scanlon said while she has been dealing with vehicle thefts in the region for over four decades, the current batch of offenders is increasingly taking to social media to show off their prizes.

“If you post online, you are providing evidence to Police and we will shut accounts down, with the help of the national e-Safety Commissionaire,” she said.

Assistant Commissioner Scanlon said local communities could also play a role, by engaging young people in social activities and alerting police as soon as stolen vehicles were spotted.

“Our police are doing everything they can,” she said.

“It’s also about community cooperation with letting us know about stolen vehicles.

“It comes back to asking ‘Why are these young people out late at night?’”

“These young people are disengaged with mainstream life.”

Assistant Commissioner Scanlon said a key focus of the Taskforce more broadly is a group of about 400 young offenders across the state who police say commit 50 per cent of youth crime.

The majority of the offenders lack family support and are disconnected from their communities and society in general.

“They remain the focus, not just in policing their activities, opposing bail, holding them in custody where we need to, but also importantly, the work that must occur to change over time that must focus on the root causes of crime – not just the way police respond,” she said.

Christmas in inChristmasCambooya Cambooya

CAMBOOYA HALL

SUPPER to follow A free will offering during the night will be donated to LIFEFLIGHT

Plenty of action at Bracknell Lodge

Continued from page 1

With tickets only coming on sale two weeks before the event, Mrs Burton said she was thrilled to have a sell-out, totalling 350 tickets.

World-class quality competition was on display from Xtreme Broncs Australia, including many accomplished on the Australian and American circuits.

Organiser Felicity Burton said it was an “amazing, awesome” night.

“Everyone had a great night,” Mrs Burton said.

She said the event was such a success that the Common Ground Foundation is already considering hosting a similar event, maybe even making it into an annual occurrence.

Although significant funds were raised, houses are not cheap and thus the Foundation still has more money to raise in order to purchase one.

Mrs Burton said coming into 2023, they are looking for corporate partnerships.

“We are so grateful for all the community support we’ve had so far,” she said.

“We really tapped into the ag space to make it all happen so we’re looking to reach the broader community now.”

Among the guests were rugby league coaching legend Wayne Bennett, Brisbane Broncos and Queensland Maroons star Kurt Capewell and Toowoomba Region Deputy Mayor Geoff McDonald, who officially opened the event.

ABOVE & BELOW: There were some spectacular rides (and falls) at the makeshift Bracknell Lodge arena.

Founding Directors of Common Ground Foundation Georgie Keats, Felicity Burton and Belinda Keats present their opening address.

Grant for Pony Club totals over $150,000

Cambooya Pony Club members can look forward to repair work to club facilities, caused by flood

Club President Dan Renyard said the grant would be used to resurface the arena and carry out drainage work to flood proof the arena by diverting flood waters around the arena area.

The recently announced grant is in conjunction with the Queensland Government’s Flood Grants for Community Recreational Clubs who suffered damage to facilities during the heavy rain event earlier this year.

Mr Renyard said where possible the work would be carried out by local contractors and as such Toowoomba quarries will be used to source material for the arena.

The club has already received tenders for the work and hopes repairs will be completed by early March next year.

The club event scheduled for 4/5th February will still go ahead thanks to club members using their own machinery to carry out temporary repairs.

Cambooya Pony Club is an important equine recreational organisation with a club event earlier this year drawing competitors not just from the local region but also from Toowoomba, Brisbane and Goondiwindi.

The CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology recently declared that Australia can expect natural disasters to be more frequent and of greater severity in the future.

More natural disasters means that governments will need to budget for increased demands for grant money so

earlier

year, being carried out quickly, with news their $153,020 application for grant money has been approved.

recreational clubs can quickly carry out repairs to damaged facilities allowing communities to re-engage in their normal activities.

Successful applicants for the grants program included several organisations in Toowoomba, including Toowoomba Regional Council (Jubilee Park Trail) - $1,496,532, Toowoomba Mountain Bike Club - $843,674, The City Golf Club - $88,576 and Toowoomba Golf Club - $163,154.

Across Queensland, more than 200 sites shared in $75 million in joint state and federal recovery funding.

Volunteers worked hard to have the arena ready for the Cambooya Campdraft in August this year.

Growcom shows concerns over labour scheme

Growcom

and Timor-Leste

which

Growcom’s response included, but was not limited to, drawing their attention to:

1.

SEASONALITY

Seasonality of produce and its short harvest periods can act as a prohibiter for growers to take up the PALM scheme due to its minimum time frame of guaranteed work. Seasonality is not often given the credit it is due, however it should remain front-of-mind as many decisions in horticulture are founded on this.

2. COMPETITION BETWEEN SECTORS

Traditionally horticulture has relied on the 88-day visa conditions to attract the numbers of necessary workers. With this removed and an expansion of PALM workers into other sectors there is an expectation that this will have a negative impact on the number of workers available to horticulture.

8. ACCOMMODATION

3.

MULTIPLE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT INVOLVEMENT

While we applaud any acknowledgement of the complexity of issues by sharing across departments, we have noted that there seems to be a lack of cohesiveness in conversations between the three government departments responsible for PALM.

4.

PRECLUSION OF SMALL TO MEDIUM GROWERS

The amount of responsibility, red tape, upfront costs, seasonality of work and lack of accommodation will mean it won’t appeal to many small to medium enterprises.

5.

TRAVEL COSTS

With the government reneging on its election commitment, Growcom now aligns with the Approved Employers position on the government’s underwriting plan.

6. FAMILY ACCOMPANIMENT

Although there is widespread empathy, there needs to be clarity on the arrangements, obligations and responsibility for health care, education, housing, and welfare for the entire family.

7. POST CODE EXPANSION

With horticulture already competing with other sectors for workers, the expansion of the post code area would further dilute available staff. It is further questioned if the postcode system is the best indicator of need for the scheme.

Sourcing labour was the initial concern among growers, however now sourcing accommodation is the greatest barrier to a reliable workforce.

9.

ONLY PART OF THE PUZZLE

The PALM scheme isn’t filling the labour gap effectively or within an essential time frame. With each season of produce unable to be staffed adequately, more and more growers are at financial risk.

10. PORTABILITY AND MOBILITY

Although the notion of both portability and mobility is supported to allow more employers to have access to labour when and where they need it, there are questions around who ultimately bears the costs and responsibility of these workers.

EastAUSmilk district nominees confirmed

The four members of the Darling Downs District Council and member of the Board for EastAUSmilk have been announced.

Waylon Barron, Peter Garratt, John Saville and Matthew Henry will make up the District Council.

Their terms will commence on 1 January 2023 for a three year duration.

Mr Barron will also serve on the board, his term also commencing on 1 January 2023 for a three year duration.

CEO Rachel Chambers has commented on the Federal Government’s reform agenda “Building a stronger Pacific

family”

deals with the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.

Bull riding, live music and more this weekend

After hosting ‘Ride for a Roof’ last week, the team at Wyreema’s Bracknell Lodge will be backing up again for two big days this Friday and Saturday, 2 and 3 December for Christmas in the Bush. available on Saturday night.

All funds raised help to support Base Services, a charity that among other initiatives employs outreach youth support workers.

On Friday night, some of Australia’s top bull-pit bullriders will be taking on some of the toughest rodeo bulls around.

Saturday features a full day’s itinerary of events and activities catering for all ages.

These includes live bands, a camp oven cook-off, inflatable water slides for the kids, a ute muster for the cowboys and a bush dance for the whole family to enjoy, capped off with a performance by the renowned The Smashing Bumpkins.

For those looking to enjoy the day to the full, camping is

For tickets to either day, both days, camping and corporate tables, visit stickytickets.com.au/osixz/christmas_in_the_bush.aspx

Second person charged

A 37-years-old South Burnett man has become the second person to be charged with interfering with a corpse, relating to the discovery of a corpse in bushland at Preston.

Detectives from the Gatton Criminal Investigation Branch investigating the death of a 28-years-old Toowoomba man found at Preston in January 2021, charged the Cherry Creek man last Sunday.

A 36-years-old Glenvale woman was charged with interfering with a corpse and 13 counts of supplying a dangerous drug in March, 2021, in relation to the matter.

Police determined the death to be non-suspicious, however it is further alleged his body was moved from a private residence in Toowoomba to this location on January 5 or 6.

Two tourists had discovered the man’s body near Preston Boundary Road and called police.

The 37-years-old man was denied police bail and appeared before the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Monday on one count of misconduct with a corpse by interfering.

The man and woman were known to the deceased man.

SMALL ANIMAL PREVENTATIVE HEALTH, MEDICINE AND SURGERY

Many enjoyed the beautiful setting at a similar event last year.

Emu Creek State School

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

SUPPORT AND SERVICES

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

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STEP INTO PREP

This year, we celebrated Step into Prep with our Prep crowns.

Our 2023 preps have enjoyed visiting us and working in the P-2 classroom.

During their Step into Prep visits, they participated in

literacy and numeracy activities (pictured right), received their personalised library bag and enjoyed tuckshop, generously donated by the P&C.

We look forward to welcoming all of our prep students and new families in 2023.

Cambooya State School

SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Last week, Cambooya State School held its annual swimming carnival over 2 days. Day 1 saw Years 3 – 6 in the pool, while Prep – Year 2 had their turn on Day 2.

With a mix of competitive and fun events, all students participated and enjoyed the days.

The end of Day 1 saw a teachers, parents and students race, with the teachers being victorious.

Also, a huge thank you to our PE teacher Mrs Davies who put many hours into the organisation which resulted in a fantastic day which was enjoyed by all who attended.

Congratulations to the Age Champions for 2022, from left: Corben, Blaze, William, Alyssa, Peyton, Chad, Will and Annabelle (absent).

Hodgsonvale Community Sports Club

Our Community Christmas function went off very well with a very good crowd attending including a large number of younger children.

Santa arrived on time in his large sleigh and was greeted with lots of smiling faces.

The members draw, worth $100 saw number 36 come out belonging to Dale and Bronwyn Cook who were not there so didn’t get to pick up the prize. The members’ draw goes up to $120 next week. Remember you must be there and financial to pick up the prize.

The excellent music was supplied by Adele, who is a young music talent to keep an eye on in the future.

The children also enjoyed face painting activities etc. The winner of the $100 note was Maureen Newman with ticket number 1 and the multi draw prizes went to John Mills first prize, C. Hood second prize and Marg Cavanagh third prize.

The Christmas function meal was supplied by Flaming Knights catering with a good assortment of nachos, hamburgers and chips. Ice cream cones were also enjoyed by those who wanted them.

We would also like to thank Sarah Rossiter from the

Toowoomba Regional Council for her assistance with this function and other TRC publicity.

Sarah is moving on in her present role and will finish up in a week or two so we wish her all the best in her future endeavours.

The meal this week will be a chicken and vegie stack provided by John and

Santa arriving in his slay (above) and handing out presents to the children (below).

Donna for $10 adults $5 for children under 12.

Our bar is available with the usual assortment of drinks.

There is a good variety of locally made Crows Nests soft drinks now as well, including their famous Double Sars and Ginger ale.

The tennis courts are also open and free to use on the night as well.

The air conditioned sports club 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.

You can also check out our website to see what facilities are available etc. 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.

If you are hiring the hall please be conscious of the near neighbours and keep the noise levels down.

Council supports community petitions

When discussing a petition that was submitted in October, TRC Planning and Development Committee Portfolio Lead Cr Bill Cahill said Council encouraged residents to be active participants in the future of the Region.

At a Council meeting last month, Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) reinforced the importance of community petitions. accept this petition as it needs to meet certain guidelines. As a result, we have been in touch with the person who submitted the petition to provide further guidance about how they can resubmit this petition at a future meeting of Council.”

“It’s heartening to see the interest so many members of our community have in environmental matters like the protection of mature growth trees,” Cr Cahill said.

“This was evident with a submission made on 25 October titled, ‘A Petition to Reform Vegetation Management Laws in the Toowoomba Regional Council Area in particular to Provide Stronger Protection for Mature Growth Trees’ which had more than 6000 names.

“While it’s moving to see how passionate our community is on this matter, unfortunately Council hasn’t been able to

While Council was unable to accept the initial petition, TRC Planning and Development Committee Chair Cr Megan O’Hara Sullivan said the sentiment behind the petition had been heard by Council.

“Our community is passionate about environmental matters,” she said.

“Council looks forward to receiving a revised petition on this matter and we wish to take the opportunity to encourage all members of our community to go through the petition guidelines on Council’s website when making a submission.”

Home Care Services Available in Clifton

Clifton Community Health Serv i ces i s an app ro ve d Home Care Package provider as part of the Australia n G o ve r nment A ged C a re subsidised scheme.

If you are approved for a Home Care Package, you can choose us to provide the support and services you need to live well at home such as:

Personal care Cleaning, laundry and other chores Meals and food preparation Nursing care Yard maintenance Respite

Transport for social outings, shopping and appointments

Am I eligible for home care services?

If you are 65 years or over, visit the website below or phone us and we can help you www.myagedcare.gov.au/am-i-eligible

Contact us

For more information about a Home Care Package or how we can help you, contact:

Sharon Cruickshank, Home Care Coordinator

Phone (07) 4697 3735 or 0484 597 396 Email homecare@cliftonhospital org Web www cliftonhospital org

A community owned, Caring since 1949

When making a submission, residents must ensure the petitions are valid and include the signature and address of the principal petitioner, and the signatures of each petitioner which signals their consent to have their name included.

Petitions must also include the facts or reasons for the petition and a request for action by Council.

Petitions provide an important vehicle to bring matters of concern to Council’s attention on any matter that comes under local government jurisdiction.

Council has a dedicated webpage with step-bystep information about the requirements for preparing a petition, and information about how petitions are processed.

This can be found by visiting tr.qld.gov.au/aboutcouncil/contact-us/haveyour-say/12665-presenting-apetition-to-council

Crash at Westbrook

Emergency services were called to Toowoomba-Athol Road on Monday night after a single-vehicle crash.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) spokesperson said QFES was alerted to the crash at the junction of Toowoomba Athol Road and Holbrook Road, to the west of town, just before 9.30pm.

The spokesperson said a single crew arrived to find no injuries and a vehicle with minor damage in a ditch.

The vehicle was towed.

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FINCH MIX

TEDDY BEAR’S PICNIC

Today’s the day the teddy bears have their picnic… While the big kids went on camp, the P-2 classes had a bit of fun of

BELOW: The P-2 Student Competition winners.

our own.

On Friday, the children bought their teddy bears big and small to the Teddy Bear’s Picnic.

Children marched up to the tennis court to the Teddy Bear’s Picnic song, then had a Teddy Bear’s fashion parade.

Judging criteria was: the biggest bear, smallest bear, most colourful bear, original bear, the bear with the most Vale View colours, softest bear and the bear with the biggest smile, just to name a few.

Students were challenged to a colouring competition and the judges had to work hard to pick a winner as there were too many amazing entries.

The teddy bears and their owners had a lovely day.

Cricket reunion

Central Downs Cricket Association (CDCA) will mark its 50th anniversary with a reunion function, to be held on Saturday, 28 January 2023.

CDCA is seeking to reconnect with past players and office bearers.

For more details of the reunion, and to make a booking, contact Lindsay Evans on 4692 2226 (at night) or Denis O’Shea on 0458 094 767 (night time).

Unfortunately tickets will not be available at the door due to catering requirements.

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

DATE EVENT LOCATION CONTACT

2 December Nobby Christmas Carols in the Park, 5pm to 10pm Sister Kenny Park, Tooth Street

4 December Christmas in Cambooya (inc. supper), 7pm Cambooya Hall, 5 Harrow Street

10 December Dulcie Mason Vintage Ball Gown Pilton Soldiers’ Memorial Hall, Pilton Rebekah Turkington Collection Exhibition, 10am to 4pm 0427 274 043

14 December Wyreema Community Hall Monthly Meeting 7pm Wyreema Hall, Umbiram Road Sara Howell 0429 864 144

15 December Cambooya Rural Fire Brigade meeting, 7.30pm Cambooya Fire Station, George Street Rohan Greer 0408 456 820

25 December Cambooya Uniting Church service, 9am Uniting Church, 19 Eton Street

Council to review Parking Strategy

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) will undertake a review of its parking strategies to ensure it meets the demands of a growing city.

With the Toowoomba City Centre Parking Strategy endorsed by Council in 2019, TRC Infrastructure Committee Portfolio Lead Cr Melissa Taylor said the time was right to undertake a review.

“A lot has changed over the past few years,” Cr Taylor said.

“As part of that Strategy we’ve rolled out a number of changes in the CBD and with Smart Parking now in place, it’s important we revisit the Strategy to make sure we continue to meet the needs of our community.

“Toowoomba City has an established street network but is also a growing city, which creates considerable impacts around traffic flow and parking availability.

“Combined with Toowoomba’s growth and development rate, and with an increase in visitors and commercial presence, parking pressures have increased.

“This doesn’t just impact the heart of the CBD, as it also creates pressures on the outer area of the City Centre which is why we need to look at what changes may be required.

“As well as a review of the Toowoomba City Centre Parking Strategy, Council will review the Residential Parking Permit of the outer City Centre. In addition to this, we’ll work with the schools within the outer City Centre to review parking restrictions, in particular time limits.

The Toowoomba City Centre Parking Strategy review is scheduled to take place in the 2023/24 financial year with the review of the Residential Parking Permit

of the outer City Centre before the end of the 2022/23 financial year.

Rural Living On Edge Of Pittsworth

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Delightful spacious 4 brm 2 bathroom brick home,new kitchen, open plan living plus formal lounge, studio room and huge rumpus/games room

Verandahs, d/garage, carport plus 6m x 12m detached office 12m x 12m steel frame machinery shed, steel cattle yards w/crush, electric bore, 2 dams Enjoy the comforts of rural living yet so close to conveniences of Pittsworth