On Our Selection News - 16th March 2023

On Our Selection News On Our Selection News

Covering Cambooya, Hodgson Vale, Westbrook, Wyreema Districts "DAD AND DAVE COUNTRY"

Vol. 27

THURSDAY, March 16, 2023

Native grasslands under threat

Although it may not look much to the untrained eye, The Cambooya Grassland Reserve, nestled to the north of the town between Toowoomba Karara Road and Railway Parade contains native grassland which is becoming increasingly rare in the Darling Downs.

We need to better protect and manage our native grasslands - that was the clear message of the recent grassland tour hosted by Pittsworth Landcare, which attracted 28 interested landholders and scientists.

One such area visited on the tour earlier this month was

the Cambooya Grassland Reserve, where Cambooya Landcare chair Kate Reardon-Smith outlined the reserve’s history and management efforts and problems.

Continued on page 5

4

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The threatened native cornflower, Rhaponticum australe is among many disappearing from the Darling Downs.

Photo, P. Gardner

Nobby war hero honoured in fitting way

Nobby might only have around 600 residents but it has gained a reputation for properly commemorating its heroes.

Rudd’s pub is of course famous for its devotion to the creator of the ‘Dad and Dave’ collection of pioneer yarns, Steele Rudd.

The town also has a museum devoted to Sister Elizabeth Kenny, famous for her pioneer work treating polio.

Another lesser known memorial, but in the eyes of Nobby residents of 1915, of equal importance, is the memorial in Nobby Cemetery to Private Victor Denton.

Victor Denton was the town’s blacksmith and after Britain’s declaration of war against Germany on 4th August 1914, young 20 years old Victor wasted no time in joining the action by enlisting thirty days later.

As a country boy he no doubt was a skilled horse-

man and so it is no surprise to see he joined the 2nd Light Horse Regiment.

Private Denton soon found himself on the pebbly beach of Anzac Cove, Gallipoli on 12th May 1915 and, like many others, believed the action against the Turks would be brief and they would soon be drinking beers in the hotels of Istanbul.

His 2nd Light Horse regiment went to Gallipoli without their horses and fought mainly around Anzac Cove and the ferocious defence of Quinn’s Post.

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On the 31st May while fighting in Monash Valley, Victor Denton was shot in the chest and died the same day; he lasted 27 days on the bloody ridges of Gallipoli.

The people of Nobby no doubt were in shock, their young blacksmith dead before his twenty-first birthday.

Private Victor Denton was buried on the slopes of the beautiful Beach Cemetery overlooking Anzac Cove where he is in good company with another soldier in the A.I.F. John Simpson Kirkpatrick; the man with the donkey.

The grave of Private Victor Denton is marked as I J 5 with 22 years old John Simpson Kirkpatrick I F 1.

But the town of Nobby does not give up its heroes lightly and so residents subscribed to a fund to build a memorial to their young blacksmith hero.

Enlisting the services of Bruce Brothers Monumental Masons of Toowoomba, the memorial of concrete and stone is located in the Denton family section of the local cemetery alongside the grave of Victor Denton’s parents.

The Nobby School memorial gates also commemorate those who served and fell during the First and Second World Wars with marble plaques bearing the names to each side of the gate, including Victor Denton’s.

Private Victor Denton’s final resting place at Nobby Cemetery.

Inquiry to focus on e-cigarettes, vaping

The Queensland Government has launched a Parliamentary Inquiry investigating the availability and prevalence of vaping devices – particularly among younger Queenslanders – and the health risks associated with e-cigarettes.

The Parliament’s Health and Environment Committee will be directed to carry out the Inquiry which will also look at current measures being undertaken in schools to discourage vapers, which are steadily growing in popularity.

Combatting vaping has been an issue for high

schools as vapes can be much more easily concealed compared to cigarettes.

Research from the Australian National University shows people who try vaping are three times more likely to take up smoking.

Issues the Parliamentary Inquiry will examine include:

•The prevalence of e-cigarette use, particularly amongst children and young people

•The risks of vaping harmful chemicals, including nicotine, to individuals, communities, and the health system

•The approaches being taken in Queensland schools and other settings relevant to children and young people to discourage uptake and use of e-cigarettes

•The awareness of the harmful effects of e-cigarette use to an individual’s health and the effectiveness of preventative actions.

The committee is expected to report back by August 31.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said if vaping is a stepping stone to smoking, we need to ensure Queenslanders, especially young Queenslanders, are aware of the health risks.

Speaking on Channel 9’s Today program, Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said the Premier is right to undertake this inquiry and regulation is the key to the issue, concerning imports and where vapes can be bought.

Meanwhile, the Queensland Government this week has introduced legislation to Parliament to strengthen Queensland’s anti-smoking laws, including stronger

enforcement action on illicit tobacco sale and supply, the introduction of a licensing scheme for the sale of tobacco, the expansion of smoke-free areas and tougher restrictions on cigarette sales in licensed venues.

Research from the office of Queensland’s Chief Health Officer shows the prevalence of daily smoking in Queensland continues to fall and as of 2020 had declined by 47 per cent since 2002.

Westbrook male in crash

Police are appealing for public assistance following a serious traffic incident between a vehicle driven by a Westbrook male and a pedestrian in Withcott last Thursday, 9 March.

Initial investigations indicated that shortly before 9.30pm, police were called to Toowoomba Connection Road after a man was struck by a white 2001 Toyota Hilux dual cab utility traveling westbound.

The pedestrian, a 41-years-old man was transported to Toowoomba Hospital where he remains in a serious condition.

The driver, a 49-yearsold Westbrook man was not physically injured.

Police are appealing to witnesses or anyone with dashcam vision from the area to come forward.

Investigations are continuing.

Mark your calendars

As was the case last year, this year’s Toowoomba Show holiday falls on a Friday - 31 March.

There are a quite few public holidays coming in the following weeks: Good Friday on 7 April, Easter Monday on 10 April, Anzac Day on Tuesday, 25 April and Labor Day on Monday, 1 May.

Call for help on our native grasslands

Continued from page 1

University of Queensland botanist Jen Silcock said the small reserve, even though it looked unremarkable and had infestations of introduced weeds, actually protected dozens of native species.

The group also went to McEwan State Forest, eight kilometres north of Pittsworth, where the inter-relationship between grass species and woodland was evident.

In her introductory presentation, Dr Silcock said only one per cent remained of Darling Downs grasslands, which were glowingly described as wonderful pastures by early European explorers and settlers.

Allan Cunningham, for example, wrote in his 1827 journal of ‘extensive tracts of timberless lands… not wanting in water’.

Almost 200 years later, virtually all those native grasslands have been destroyed by agricultural, transport and residential developments, and by altered fire regimes and introduced species.

Only small fragments remain, unconnected, along roadsides and on poorly managed reserves.

Dr Silcock outlined a number of best grassland management practices for landholders and councils, including nondisturbance of soils, restricted grazing and introduced weed control.

Up to 70 animal species on the Darling Downs are listed as threatened or endangered, perhaps destined to share the same extinction fate as the paradise parrot and Darling Downs hopping-mouse.

Numerous plant species are similarly threatened, including the pretty daisy Picris evae and the showy austral cornflower Rhaponticum australe.

Dr Silcock said the cornflower had disappeared from almost half of the dozen sites she’s been monitoring over the past 15 years.

The tour was coordinated by Southern Queensland Landscapes

with funding support from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

The tour stopped in at Cambooya Grassland Reserve, which, despite its overgrown appearance, is one of the few places left in the Darling Downs with native grasslands.

La Niña’s last hurrah as drier conditions expected

The record-breaking streak for Australian agriculture is set to continue in 2022-23 with the sector expected to reach $90 billion this financial year.

Executive Director of ABARES Dr Jared Greenville said record gross value of production is expected despite the floods across eastern Australia.

“Australia is benefitting from a third consecutive year of high rainfall, and it shows in the figures,” Dr Greenville said.

“Once again, we’re seeing record levels of production, driven by exceptional growing conditions and high commodity prices.

“The value of production when we include fisheries and forestry, is $96 billion.

“Agricultural exports are also forecast to set new records, reaching $75 billion in 2022–23.

“This is the first time we’ve seen our exports exceed $70 billion, which is a huge achievement.”

Dr Greenville said national winter crop production has driven much of these results, with the winter crop estimated at a new record of 67.3 million tonnes in 2022–23.

“This beats last year’s record by 4 million tonnes and is being driven by exceptional results out of Western Australia and South Australia,” he said.

“Production of wheat and canola are estimated to have reached new records, while we can expect the third highest barley production on record.

“High values of livestock production have also contributed to these record numbers, with producers increasing their production while also benefitting from historically high prices.

“This year will likely be the last hurrah for the La Niña

rain system for a while, and we can expect drier seasonal conditions ahead. “

Production will continue to be supported by good soil moisture and high water storage levels.

Dr Greenville said while production is expected to be lower in 2023–24, at $81 billion it will still be the third highest on record.

“Australia has been very fortunate to have had wet years and high commodity prices,” he said.

“But we are expecting commodity prices to ease with competition stepping up in global markets.

“Recent high international prices have been driven by drought conditions in major exporters and disruptions from the war in Ukraine.

“But seasonal conditions are expected to improve in major producing regions which will see major exporters getting back on track in 2023–24.”

Over the medium term to 2027–28, seasonal conditions are expected to return to a more normal sequence and commodity prices are expected fall.

“The value of agriculture will remain strong, reaching $74.4 billion in real terms,” Dr Greenville said.

“However, should we see a shift back towards a drier climate sequence and global economic uncertainty carry on for longer, greater pressure will be placed on sector growth.

“But we’ve had three years to create a buffer and recover from the last drought, so many of our farmers will be well placed to ride out these domestic and international changes.”

The forecasts are being discussed at the ABARES Outlook 2023 Conference in Canberra, 7-8 March.

The most recent Agricultural Commodities Report can be read at agriculture.gov.au/abares/ research-topics/agriculturaloutlook

Changes to right arrows in Toowoomba

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) will continue moving towards fully controlled right turn movements at all of its signalised intersections.

In making the decision at the Ordinary Meeting of Council in February, TRC Infrastructure Committee Chair Cr Carol Taylor said, the safety of motorists was the most important factor for Council.

“Any life lost is unacceptable so anything we can do to reduce risk, we should be doing,” Cr Taylor said.

“While motorist convenience and network congestion should be taken into consideration, the safety of all road users should be given the highest priority.

“The Department of Transport and Main Roads recommends all signalised intersections to have controlled right turns as the default arrangement.

“Council has been progressively installing filter right turn movements at signalised intersections it owns and manages for more than 10 years and designing new intersections to ensure right turn movements are fully controlled, either with arrows or through split phasing options.

“This is consistent with the approach taken by other SouthEast Queensland Councils, and is based on a best practice, safe systems approach to road safety.”

Statistics show the main type of crash caused by allowing filter right turns are right-turning vehicles colliding with oncoming vehicles, which tend to become serious accidents.

Across the Toowoomba Region, right turn crashes make up 31 per cent of all crashes at Council-controlled signals.

Further data shows 39 per dent of fatal and serious injury crashes at signalised intersections are as a result of filter turns and controlling that movement has been shown to reduce those crashes by 60 per cent.

Between July 2017 and December 2022, 38 filter right turn crashes resulted in 60 casualties at 21 different Council-owned and managed signalised intersections.

Cr Taylor said in addition to the heartache and emotional trauma experienced when lives are lost, the monetary costs are quite significant and this is in turn borne by all.

“It’s about providing an alternative to this by giving motorists a more safe passage through controlled right turns, rather than leaving it up to motorists to find a gap in the traffic,” she said.

“Though we may judge ourselves as good drivers, we need to remember that not all motorists are of the same capability.”

SUPPORT

AND SERVICES

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

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

mental health or

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

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

§ 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

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.

§ 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.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

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

§ 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

§ 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

§ 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.

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

CALL US ON 0460 880 556 or 0432 020 302

Webelieveevery human has the inherentrightto live a‘normal’and empoweredlife;to haveabilityand opportunitytomake one’s own choices.We aimtoempowerpeople with

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Motorists will eventually have to wait for the green arrow to turn right at all TRC intersections.

Hodgsonvale Community Sports Club

A good crowd attended our Friday night function. Greg & Deb’s Chicken Schnitzel and vegetable dishes were great with some great flavours.

This week for St Patricks’s Day it will Terry and Helen’s Irish stew with some some special potatoes, which will be $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.

The members draw worth $100 was won this week, with member number 20 belonging to Greg & Deb being drawn out.

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

With the upcoming St Patties night on this Friday the 17th of March, there will be Guinness, Kilkenny and a bit of the Baileys and a mixture of some of old and new Irish music by up and coming musician Brigette Meara.

There will be a prize for the best dressed Irish Male and Female. With the recent rain the grounds should be nice and green to suit the day.

To help with catering if you could let us know some numbers that would be great.

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 etc. or you can send an email to hcsc8315@gmail.com

TREE SERVICE

Discounts apply for financial members who hire the facility.

The tennis courts are available for hire, the keys are available down at the Hodgsonvale 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.

Memberships for 2022/23 financial year can now be paid and will cover the rest of this financial year if you are a new member.

The costs stays at $25 for the family and deposits can be made at the Westpac Bank or on line to our bank account BSB 034142 Account number 158247 or post to PO Box 8315 Toowoomba South 4350.

Financial members get discounts on tennis court hire and hire costs of the hall and go into the weekly members draw.

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

Heavy horse action this weekend

The Allora Showgrounds on both Saturday and Sunday, 18 and 19 March, will be bustling with fun for all ages at the Darling Downs Heavy Horse Festival.

The festival is a showcase of some of the finest heavy horses in the country, with a variety of events, competitions, and demonstrations highlighting the versatility and strength of these magnificent creatures.

The festival will feature a range of horse breeds including Clydesdales, Shires, Percherons, Belgians, Australian Draught and Suffolk Punch to name a few, making it a unique and exciting experience for horse enthusiasts and the general public alike.

The festival will have something for everyone, with a variety of activities scheduled throughout the three days.

The main event is the Heavy Horse Show, where visitors can witness the elegance and power of the horses in action. Visitors can also explore the trade stands, indulge in some delicious food and refreshments, and watch demonstrations with a working Blacksmith Display, an operational horse works and Wheelwrights rebuilding wagon wheels along with Sheep Shearing and Horse Breed displays.

Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online at darlingdownsheavyhorsefestival.com.au

Environment Advisory Committee member sought

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) is seeking nominations from residents with a passion for environmental issues to fill a vacant position on the Environment Advisory Committee (EAC). design, as well as responses to climate change and improving the Region’s climate resilience.

EAC chair Cr Megan O’Hara Sullivan said she encouraged interested residents who want the chance to help advise Council on ways to promote a wider appreciation of the Region’s prized natural areas to nominate for the voluntary position by 31 March.

Cr O’Hara Sullivan said the advisory committee’s role was to provide feedback to Council on policy that was aimed at protecting and enhancing the Region’s natural assets.

“It is important for Council to listen to ideas and recommendations from people and groups across all sectors of the community,” Cr O’Hara Sullivan said.

“The committee advises Council on strategy and planning for the protection and enhancement of the Region’s green areas and living landscapes, matters of local environmental significance, regional sustainability and sustainable urban

QCWA raising funds

Following record rains in the north-west of the state, the Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA) has started a disaster fund to help out those affected.

Remote communities in the Gulf of Carpentaria have been among the worst affected.

The Nicholson, Gregory and Norman rivers are continuing to rise in coming weeks, with a Monsoon Low that is bringing heavy rain.

Speaking last Friday, QCWA Gregory Branch President Kylie Camp said the situation is extreme.

“We have had 55 people evacuated to Burketown,” Mrs Camp said.

“We are in dire need of assistance, with water rising with Riverlea station breaking 1971 level of 10.8 metres this morning 19.97 metres and rising.

“Century Mine received in 48 hours half a metre of rain, this is an unprecedented event.”

The situation deteriorated over the weekend, with all residents advised to leave the town immediately as power was cut off and sewerage to the town had been compromised.

QCWA State President Mrs Sheila Campbell has asked Queenslanders to dig deep and support these remote communities by giving a cash donation to the QCWA Disaster fund.

Mrs Campbell said by donating to the QCWA Disaster Fund, the QCWA can direct funds directly to the local community, supporting local businesses with vouchers.

“All money donated to the QCWA goes directly to where it’s needed,” Mrs Campbell said.

“No money is used for administration purposes.”

Donations to the QCWA State Disaster Fund can be made to: BSB 064 000 Acct. No: 1460 4131.

“Council is continuing its strategic work balancing the conflict between preserving green areas and suitable sites for future urban growth.

“Council has heard community concerns around the preservation of natural areas and will continue to consult with the community as we prepare our new planning scheme.

“I also see the committee as a vehicle for promoting a better understanding of these issues to the wider community.”

Meetings are held quarterly on the fourth Thursday of the month from 4-6pm, except for public holidays, at the community rooms, Level 3, Toowoomba City Library (corner of Victoria and Herries Streets).

Enquiries and/or submission of expressions of interest can be emailed to info@tr.qld.gov.au or posted to Toowoomba Regional Council, PO Box 3021, Toowoomba, 4350.

Applicants should outline previous experience.

Applications close at 5pm on 31 March 2023.

The current term of the Environment Advisory Committee will end in March 2024.

Applicants are encouraged to read the Terms of Reference and position description, available at tr.qld.gov.au/ advisorycommittees

WYREEMA STATE SCHOOL

REPRESENTATIVE SPORTING STARS

Congratulations to our Wyreema Warriors who have competed at Inner Downs trials this term: Heath and Sharlotte - Inner Downs Swimming

Jayden, Eli P and Xavier - Inner Downs League

We are extremely proud of their efforts.

SMASH UP

Students from Wyreema State School also participate in a

health and wellbeing session called Smash Up.

This 15 minute fitness and mindfulness session is held four mornings a week.

Smash Up is an important part of switching on our students, so they are ready to learn.

CROSS COUNTRY TRAINING

We are super excited to see so many students working hard every Tuesday and Thursday morning at cross country club.

Students from Prep - Year 6 have been challenging themselves with a variety of short and long interval sessions.

Our Inter-house cross country will be held on Thursday 30th of March.

Regional grants on offer

Telstra’s Connected Communities Grant Program offers grants up to $10,000 for not-for-profit organisations that are providing access to information, technology, education and facilities for their communities.

The program is being run in partnership with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal.

The funding should to support the community to embrace new technologies and ways of working to build social capital and digital capability.

The program seeks to foster:

•Resilient communities that are well prepared and socially connected when disaster strikes with the ability to renew and recover together

•Sustainable communities that are diverse and inclusive, planning for the health, wellbeing, and prosperity of their people and the planet

•Liveable communities that have digital capability, and help to equip individuals with the skills to live, learn and work in a digital society

Future rounds of grants will see $600,000 become available over three years.

Round 1 applications close on Thursday, 30 March.

Successful grants will be announced in June 2023 and successful applicants will have 12 months to complete funded projects.

For more information and to apply, visit frrr.org.au/funding/ place/telstra-connected-communities-program/

And they’re off! Students from all year levels have been practising for the cross country meet.

Inner Downs representatives for rugby league (left) and swimming (right).

FOR SALE

Classifieds - Trades and Services

GARAGE SALE

Monster Garage Sale 82 Bellingham Rd, E. Greenmount 25/3/23 Saturday 8am onwards. Dining suite, 3 piece lounge suite, antique wardrobe & divan, china, camping, books/clothes all good quality. Bargains galore! Giveaway prices, too many to mention, something for everyone 0457 699 565.

WANTED AGISTMENT

Felton Produce - Wood Split Posts, Strainers and Stays, Steel Pickets, Gates and Hinges - Delivery available. Phone 4695 8196

Cambooya Fencing - Rural and domestic fencing, stables, shelters and yards. Phone Chris Pederson on 0488 440 525.

Agistment Wanted for beef cattle in Cambooya, Greenmount, Nobby, Felton (South Toowoomba). Must be cattle tick free area. Good fences, water and useable yards. References available. Phone Dan 0428 915 148

that appear in the Clifton Courier are available for purchase at our office: 60 Clark Street, Clifton

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST- Teacher Aide- 24 hours per week

10 hrs per week + Accrued Days Off (ADO) time per week

A teacher aide position exists within our school for Semester 1 2022 (with the possibility of extension).

(see below for ADO explanation)

Hours and days of work are 8:30 a.m. -3:00 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday. This includes a 30 minute unpaid break. Accrued Day Off (ADO) time will also be required however the details of this will be decided upon and discussed with the successful applicant. The commencement date is Thursday 20th January 2022.

Role Description

OO2 General Employees (Qld Government Departments) and Other Employees Award Nobby State School is seeking a highly motivated team member who is able to provide a high-quality service and demonstrate a great attitude and work ethic. This person will have the capability to work independently and within a team environment.

The applicant will: -

• Assist with all teacher requests and needs

DETAILS:

• Independently run small group activities- reading, spelling and maths

• Work with students with special needs

• 10 base hours each week – 2 hours each afternoon Monday to Friday.

• Have the ability to quickly form positive relationships with adults and students

• Have a willingness and ability to learn and develop skills

• Have the ability to work under instruction and unsupervised

• In addition to the above hours, Accrued Days Off (ADO) is built throughout the school term (approx. 30 minutes per week) - this is in addition to the 10 base hours

• Be required to undertake annual Education Qld Mandatory training

Applicants are required to have:

• The start and finish times will be between 3pm and 5pm - to be negotiated upon appointment

• a current “Working with Children” Suitability Card (Blue Card)

• Blue Card – working with children check and Criminal History check is required

Please forward:

TO APPLY:

• Resume, including the names of two referees

• One A4 page outlining skills and experience that make you a worthwhile applicant for this position, as per the above listed requirements.

To the principal, via one of the following: -

1. Collect an ‘Application Package’ from the school, which includes the job description & selection criteria (How you will be assessed).

1. Email: principal@nobbyss.eq.edu.au

2. Submit your application (1 page response to ‘How you will be assessed and your CV) by the closing date.

2. Post: The Principal Nobby State School 7 Davenport Street Nobby Qld 4360

CLOSING DATE: 3PM MONDAY, 20TH MARCH 2023

Forjobdescriptionandapplicationpackage,pleasecontacttheschoolorvisitinperson.

Email:principal@nobbyss.eq.edu.au

3. Hand your completed application to the school office.

Applications close on Thursday 4th November at 3:00 p m

www.nobbyss.eq.edu.au

VALE VIEW STATE SCHOOL

FIRE SAFETY PROGRAM

On Friday 3rd March 2023, Firefighters Matt and Dave came to visit the Prep to Year 2 students as part of the Fire Safety Program.

The students went through good fires (birthday cake candles) and bad fires (bush fires).

Does your family have a meeting place in case of a house fire? The students learned that the mail box is a great place to meet.

In case of an emergency, call 000 and know your address, so you can tell the operator.

Firefighters Matt & Dave with the Prep Class (left) Dave in uniform (below).

New school plans maximise space

The plans released by Toowoomba Catholic Schools for its new school at Westbrook, St Francis Catholic College, show how the school will occupy the near-ten hectare site.

The school will be built in stages, with initial enrolments beginning in 2026 and stage 5 planned to be completed by 2035, by when the total student capacity for the school will be 1,467.

To provide feedback on the school and view its Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) application, visit planning. dsdmip.qld.gov.au/ infrastructure-designation/ database and proceed to ‘Requests open for consultation’.

Submissions close this Friday, 16 March.

Stage 5, expected to be completed by 2035, makes the most of the 10 hectare site. The new road, Clare Drive, will be to the left of the school, Shoesmith Road to the bottom and Boundary Street South to the right.

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

8 July Friends of Gormans Gap - Bush Regeneration / Gormans Gap Road, Preston president@fogg.org.au

1st Sunday Anglican Church service, Umbiram, 10.30am 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 9am to 11am Cambooya State School School office -

(during school term)

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

Request for environmental poems

Calling all wordsmiths! Here’s your opportunity to pen a poem or two on an environmental issue of interest or concern to you.

Mr Frank Ondrus, President of Householders’ Options to Protect the Environment (HOPE) Inc., invites members of the community to contribute poems with an environmental theme for a special edition of the HOPE E:newsletter to be published in late 2023.

“In addition, if you can provide a picture or graphic to accompany your poem, it would be used to enhance the message in the newsletter,” Mr Ondrus said.

To start the exercise, Mr Ondrus’ wife Mary penned this short poem for the project: What can we say to enliven this day.

As we sit and we think “this world’s on the brink …” With courage and care, instead of despair, we can save it! … starting today.

Forward your poem(s) to HOPE at office@hopeaustralia.org. au by 30 June 2023.

Cambooya State School

YEAR 4’S FABULOUS FUN FACT FRIDAY

This week’s fabulous fun fact Friday topic was sunflowers.

Each week, the Year 4s at Cambooya State School practice their public speaking skills and entertain the students and parents by presenting Fabulous Fun Fact Friday.

This week’s topic was Sunflowers. Did you know that Spanish explorers in the 1500s collected sunflowers from Central and North America and took them back to Europe or that the petals can be ground into a powder to make a dye.

One of Vincent Van Gogh’s most popular paintings is of sunflowers as well.

The Year 4s have learnt all of this and much more about sunflowers and shared quite a bit of their knowledge with the rest of the school on parade. The added bonus is to practice their public speaking skills.

We look forward to the next instalment of Fabulous Fun Fact Friday next Friday!

The Year 4s would like to say thank you to one of our local Businesses “Epeik Farming” at Rubivale for donating sunflower seeds, sunflowers, buds and seedlings.

Spring Bluff anniversary

A special commemorative service, open to the public, will be held at Spring Bluff station this Friday, 17 March to remember the 1000 brave soldiers who left the station at night on their way to serve in World War II.

The service marks the 81st anniversary of the historic day the Darling Downs’ 25th Infantry Battalion boarded trains at Spring Bluff station at the start of their journey to New Guinea. The official commemoration service begins at 2pm.

No pets are permitted at the station.

For further information, please contact the Spring Bluff Railway Station Trust Management Committee on 4688 6883.

Year 4 students share their fun facts (above) and their amazing sunflower drawings (below).