On Our Selection News - 9th February 2023

Gold Fish Race honours Sophie

The money raised has been donated to the Queensland Children’s Hospital.

Sophie, daughter of Todd and Tamara Patch of East Greenmount, tragically passed away in November 2022 at the young age of 11 months.

Since this indescribable loss, Todd and Tamara have devoted their energy towards raising funds for the Queensland Children’s Hospital in Sophie’s name.

Todd and Tamara said they came up with the idea of running gold fish racing at the pub on Australia Day.

Four weeks later, the tanks (tracks) were built and the fish ready to race.

“Since the passing of our beautiful daughter Sophie Grace in November 2022, we have been looking for

to raise funds for the Queensland Children’s Hospital,” Tamara said.

“The three months of Sophie’s admittance the staff and specialists showed amazing care, support and compassion, especially in the final days and hours of Sophie’s life to myself,

The

Continued on page 2

An amazing figure of $9,675 was raised at the Get Chopped Pub in Greenmount on Australia Day, which hosted the inaugural Sophie’s Gold Fish Race in the memory of Sophie Grace Patch.

The Get Chopped Pub in Greenmount was jam-packed for Sophie’s Gold Fish Race. ways

my husband Todd, her sister Madison and other family members.”

big day came around and people turned up in droves, filling the pub with generous punters ready to race.

Sophie Patch’s memory lives on

Continued from page 1

After a delicious lunch, to maintain stamina and live music by the Doug Gale Duo, the auction commenced.

Sixteen fast gold fish were auctioned off with the winner of each fish required to race their own starter.

Local auctioneer Nathan Sinnett whipped the crowd into a frenzy with one fish making an amazing $950.

First place was taken out by Brodie Schwerin.

With a cool $1,200 for first place Brodie showed true community spirit by donating the purse back to the Sophie Grace fund.

Tamara Patch said she was overwhelmed by the community response.

“Having our community come together and raise this money in Sophie’s honour is an incredible result and a reflection of the hearts of the people in our community, we are very humbled and can’t thank everyone enough,” she said.

Get Chopped Greenmount publican Brendon Quirey said he and his staff were honoured to be able to host the event.

“Sophie Grace Patch touched all of our hearts in her short stay on this planet, to be asked to host the inaugural Sophie’s Gold Fish Race was an incredible honour, seeing the final total of the funds raised in our little pub had us in tears,” Mr Quirey said.

“We are truly blessed to live in this beautiful community.”

First place-getter Brodie Schwerin (above) and the massive crowd (below).

Preston address among two robberies

A 16-years-old Newtown boy has been charged with 21 offences following a series of property crime incidents including an alleged armed robbery at Preston. injuries and was transported to hospital in a stable condition.

At approximately 5.50pm on Tuesday, 31 January, it will be alleged three people attended an address on Panoramic Drive at Preston.

They allegedly threatened an occupant with a hammer before stealing two handbags containing wallets.

No one was physically injured.

The group left the scene in a white Honda SUV, reported stolen from a Newtown address on Sunday, January 29.

At approximately 6.30pm, the same group allegedly attended a Hinchliffe Drive property in Kearneys Spring, where it is alleged an occupant was struck with a hammer, before stealing a BMW Z4.

The 57-years-old man sustained non-life threatening

The BMW was later found abandoned in Ipswich.

Following investigations by Toowoomba Property Crime Unit, a 16-years-old Newtown boy was taken into custody at last Friday, 10 February.

He has been charged with two counts of robbery whilst armed in company, seven counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, five counts of enter dwelling, six counts of stealing and one count of enter premises.

He has been denied bail and will appear before Toowoomba Children’s Court.

Investigations are ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact police.

DEAN LYONS BUILDING PTY

Westbrook crash sends woman to hospital

The two vehicles collided at around 11am at the junction of Gore Street and Handley Drive.

A woman required transport to hospital following a two-vehicle collision last Friday on Gore Street in Westbrook. Services crews were present at the scene.

Police, paramedics and Queensland Fire and Emergency

Netball sponsors sought

Toowoomba Netball Association (TNA) is planning on doing things a little differently this season with a sponsorship draw where prospective sponsors purchase tickets for $660.

From there, each ticket will go into a draw where the Major and Minor sponsors are selected for the upcoming season. Prospective sponsors can purchase as many tickets as they wish. The draw will be limited to 50 tickets to ensure the value for prospective sponsors.

The winners will be drawn, then announced at the inaugural TNA race day on Saturday, 18 February.

After the last race on the night, a Funny Money auction will be held where people who have purchased funny money to bet on the local races during the night use their winnings to bid on our auction prizes, including a 65” TV.

For more information, email tmbanetball@bigpond.com

A female in one vehicle and a male in the other vehicle were able to self-extricate from the vehicles.

Both patients were assessed by paramedics, with the male patient presenting no injuries and the female patient transported to Toowoomba Hospital in a stable condition.

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Westbrook’s Carla Crescent Park

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) recently completed upgrades to Carla Crescent Park, Westbrook.

Parks and Recreation Services portfolio leader Cr Tim McMahon said the total project cost of $374,400 included planning, design and project management (incorporating surveying and community consultation), plus all associated construction works.

“The park’s slope meant additional earthworks were required to achieve a basic standard for a local recreation park,” Cr McMahon said.

“The cost of some materials, such as steel and other items, increased up to 40 per cent during the pandemic.

“The availability of supplies and associated freight issues added to the original budget.”

Cr McMahon said upgrades included tree planting and landscaping, the installation of a bench seat, a platform seat, a picnic table with a shelter, a water bubbler and a path to the main activity centre.

“The play elements consist of an embankment slide, a swing, two netball hoops, a dinosaur dig, stepping sandstone blocks and timber-edged deco stairs up the embankment slope,” he said.

“These upgrades are in line with facilities provided at Council’s designated local recreation parks, such as Carla Crescent Park.

“The park upgrades align with plans in Council’s Toowoomba Open Space Strategy, which identifies that Westbrook is well serviced by Centenary Park and Westbrook Park.

“These are classified as higher or district recreation parks that provide more amenities and are conveniently located to service the existing and growing community.”

Cr McMahon said the strategy identified that Westbrook needed a better local recreation park, especially to cater for projected growth.

“Rather than acquiring new land, Council proceeded with community consultation and planning to upgrade Carla Crescent Park to a local recreation parkland.

“The park is well located and its topography offers unique views and mature vegetation. These features complement the play elements and active recreation opportunities offered at the nearby parks.”

Continued on page 5

The netball hoop, picnic table and swing set.

Continued from page 4

Cr McMahon said Council’s Open Space Strategy has identified the need for a second local recreation park node within Mt Peel Bushland Park on the eastern side of Westbrook by 2028.

“This would provide another park within walking distance for residents in Westbrook’s east,” he said.

“Residents will have the chance to provide input into the design at a later date.

“Future park planning for Westbrook will consider the town’s projected growth to the north and west and how residents will access the open space network.”

The park was allocated

$175,798 from the 2022/23 TRC budget.

Carla Crescent Park joins Westbrook Park and Centenary Park, both on the southern side of town, as developed parks in Westbrook.

Jacob Court Park and Ferguson Road park remain undeveloped.

Several trees have been planted near the new facilities.

Carla Crescent Park is located in the north-west part of town.

A novelty for Westbrook children is a dinosaur dig in the park’s sandpit.

Australia’s cattle herd to reach largest size in nearly a decade

The Australian Beef industry and cattle herd are well positioned to capitalise on changing global supply dynamics in 2023. This year will be a year of transition and maturity for Australia’s cattle herd, with any increases in numbers now beyond rebuild status, with all key production metrics forecast to improve this year, according to the latest Cattle Industry Projections update from Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA).

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Continued rainfall and favourable seasonal conditions seen last year will ensure that there will be solid supply of both young and slaughter weight cattle over the next two years, regardless of seasonal outcomes.

Last year saw favourable seasonal conditions for large parts of Queensland, driving the beginning of the state’s herd rebuild and an improvement in female numbers.

Northern Australia’s rebuild is expected to gain significant pace this year.

Overall, the cattle herd in 2023 will grow to its highest level since 2014, reaching 28.8 million head, an increase of 1.1 million or 4.5 per cent year-on-year.

MLA’s Senior Market Information Analyst Ripley Atkinson, said this growth is underpinned by a few key factors.

“The record retention of females for 15 consecutive months, coupled with above-average marking rates has delivered larger calf drops,” Mr Atkinson said.

“This bodes well for supply to increase substantially in 2023 for both young and slaughter-weight cattle.

“Both of these metrics suggest that the lowest or most significant retention of stock on record occurred for the year.

“This underpins the positive growth in numbers forecast for the next three years.”

The national herd is expected to reach its highest level by 2025 since the 1970s at 29.6 million head, before a steady decline.

Council concentrating on critical services

With some very large expenses to come over the next decade, Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) is directing its efforts more towards the ongoing delivery of critical services rather than more ambitious projects.

Finance and Business Strategy Committee Chair

Cr Geoff McDonald (pictured right) said in order to meet legislative requirements Council was carefully balancing its books to ensure it stays within its financial parameters, while completing critical infrastructure upgrades that require unparalleled level of spending.

“What we’re looking at over the next 10 years is not business as usual. These are items that only come along once in a generation,” Cr McDonald said.

“An example of this is the dam safety upgrades we have to complete, to meet dam safety regulation requirements.

“These upgrades alone could potentially cost well over $200 million and must be substantially completed by October 2025.

“These dam safety projects will be over and above Council’s annual Capital Works Program and are quarantined to ensure that project remains fully funded.”

The upgrade of the current water treatment plant and building new water infrastructure throughout the Region is expected to cost in excess of $100 million, as well as the flood recovery works which are estimated at more than $100 million and will require government funding.

Cr McDonald said Council has also approved a program to roll out smart water meters to all properties in the Region over the next three years.

“While the cost of the project is estimated to be $27,650,000 in total, the program will see significant financial savings for residents and Council through the early detection of leaks which in turn will lead to us saving more precious water which is crucial,” he said.

Cr McDonald said it is important residents understand the financial commitment which is required from Council to meet its legislative requirements and support the delivery of essential water services to an ever-growing community.

“While we would love to focus more on the nice to have projects like the Railway Parklands, the Quarry Gardens and Toowoomba Region Sports Precinct, we understand the expectations of our community is for Council to concentrate on the ongoing delivery of critical services,” he said.

“Instead of progressing these projects in the near future, they will need to be carefully staged over several years.

“After multiple weather events we know our residents want their roads to be repaired in a timely manner.

“This is why we’ve made long-term commitments to provide funding for footpaths and regional township road upgrades, as well as accelerating our flood recovery program where possible.”

A total of $119.3 million is expected to be spent operationally and $59.5 million on capital works related to roads, footpaths and bikeways and drainage this financial year.

SWIMMING

We are fortunate at Nobby State School, to have our very own pool.

This means, that every Friday during Term 1 and Term 4, students are able to swim for their PE Lessons.

PREP/YEAR 1 CLASS

We are WILD about learning this year in the Prep and Year 1 classroom. This year, we welcome ten prep students and their families to Nobby – Eli, Katie, Douglas, Bella, Lucy, Isobel, Molly, Abigail, Kaiden and Paul.

We also welcome back our seven Year 1 students – Dylan, Ellie-May, Tinley, Jack, Emmason, William and Jacob. We are looking forward to an exciting year of learning.

Cambooya State School

BUDDY READING PROGRAM

The Prep room at Cambooya State School was full of excited Year 6 students this week.

The Buddy Reading Program has started!

Each year, the Year 6 students are paired with a Prep student to help support them on the journey through the first year of school.

Part of this support is being a buddy reader.

The Year 6s bring with them a picture book which they read to their Prep buddy.

As the year progresses the Prep students will be able to read some of the picture books with the Year 6s and then even some parts on their own.

They are able to talk about the book and make links between the books and their own experiences.

Not only are the students developing a love of books and reading, but they are also developing vocabulary and oral skills.

In this early stage of the year it is also a fabulous chance for the students to get to know one another and form a strong bond for the year ahead.

In the classroom (above) and in the pool (left), the first few weeks of school have been busy at Nobby State School.

RIGHT: The Buddy Reading Program in action.

VALE VIEW STATE SCHOOL

Vale View State School leaders for 2023 have been chosen by the students and staff.

Congratulations to Hosie Wolrige, Eli McCurley Ault, Ruby Bellingham, Sakura Wright, Tom Tabah and Poppy Kinsella.

Already they have been thinking of ways to improve the school lunchtimes for our students and last week they initiated a lunchtime drawing club.

Student leader Sakura Wright said, “We were surprised that there were so many people who turned up.

“We had two tables, one for free drawing and the other for how to draw cute cats and realistic dragons,” Sakura said.

On Monday, February 20, year six students will be attending Young Leaders’ Day at the Brisbane Convention Centre.

They will join many school leaders from across Queensland and Northern New South Wales.

The day will consist of well-known speakers, question times, short videos, learning exercises, student involvement, music and student interaction, with the focus on developing leadership skills.

‘Proud of our flag’

In the wake of Australia Day and the controversy, for some, surrounding it, Member for Groom Garth Hamilton has made his feelings on the matter very clear.

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Mr Hamilton used Australia Day to support the Australian flag, saying he is proud of the Australian flag and what it represents.

“Our flag binds us together,” he said.

“It’s a symbol of aspiration and unity that has flown now for more than a century.

“We are all Australians.

“We all share a stake in our future.

“We all have responsibilities to each other. We all have something to celebrate on Australia Day.

“Australia is a vibrant, thriving country because we have successfully blended our Indigenous heritage, our British inheritance, and our multicultural achievement.

“Our history has been complex and we should reflect upon the sacrifices many have made, the challenges we have faced, losses felt and the adversity we have overcome to stand here as Australians.”

To support the flag, Mr Hamilton has produced a ‘Proud of our Country, Proud of our Flag’ bumper sticker, which is available free to all Groom residents.

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Hosie Wolrige, Eli McCurley Ault, Ruby Bellingham (back), Sakura Wright, Tom Tabah, Poppy Kinsella (front).

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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

St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Umbiram

Every Sunday Nobby Uniting Church, Church Services Nobby Uniting Church 8.45am Davenport Street, Nobby

Every Sunday Westbrook Community Church, 9am 114 Main Street, Westbrook Heather 0412 617 967 or toowoombaweslyan.org.au

Every Sunday Wyreema Christians worship 9.30am Wyreema Community Hall, Kerron 0401 930 656 or 14 Umbiram Road, Wyreema Beryl 0478 808 162

Every Sunday Cambooya Uniting Church service, 10am Uniting Church, 19 Eton Street

Every Sunday Cambooya Anglican Church service, 10am All Saints Anglican Church, Eton Street

4th Tuesday Nobby Heritage & Development Association Nobby School of Arts Hall June Smith 4696 3108 meeting

Every Tuesday Cambooya Playgroup 9.15am to 11am Cambooya State School School office - 4612 2333 (during school term)

Every Tuesday Hodgson Vale Playgroup 9am to 11am Ramsay State School, Ramsay Road Marion Winterbotham (during school term) 4630 9356

Every Wednesday Wyreema State School Playgroup 9am to 10am Wyreema State School library School office(during school term) 4596 0333

1st Thursday Hodgsonvale Community Sports Club Monthly Hodgsonvale Community Sports Club hcsc8315@gmail.com Meeting, 7.30pm

Every Thursday Indoor social bowls, 1pm to 4pm Nobby School of Arts Hall Warren Smith 4696 3108

Every Thursday Emu Creek Playgroup 2pm to 3pm Emu Creek State School 14534 New School office 4697 1171 (during school term) England Highway, East Greenmount

Every Friday Greenmount State School Playgroup, 9am to 11am Greenmount

Hodgsonvale C.S.C.

There was good crowd for our first Friday night function for 2023.

The lasagne and salad was very good and enjoyed by all.

This week it will be chicken schnitzel and salad and a meal will be $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.

The members’ draw, worth $200, was won this week, with member number 34 being drawn out belonging to Peter and Desley who were there and picked up the prize.

The members’ draw drops back to $20 next week. Remember you must be there and financial to pick up the prize.

The air conditioned sports club is open for private functions also, 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 down at the Hodgson Vale shop.

Hire costs are $4 an hour for financial members and $8 an hour for non-financial members, with lighting costs $2 an hour at night.

Memberships for 2022/23 financial year can now be paid and will cover the rest of this financial year for new members.

- Ted Cavanagh, Secretary

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