Sunday, June 30, 2013

Two businesses destroyed by fire within minutes of each other in Toowoomba ... - Courier Mail




FIRE crews were kept busy in Toowoomba overnight with two businesses engulfed in fire just minutes apart.



The first fire broke out in a business on Herries St in Toowoomba City with fire fighters receiving the call at 1.23am.


Just seven minutes later a two-storey brick business on Stenner St at Middle Ridge, just 4kms away, was also burning down.


Fire crews had to fight the first fire by breaking through the roof of the building while the bottom level of the brick building was engulfed in flames.


Fire fighters contained both fires and they were extinguished by 5am.


In a separate incident, a high school in Mouth Isa was destroyed by a suspicious fire last night.


The library at the senior campus of Spinifex College on Abel Smith Parade was already engulfed in flames when police were called about 10pm.


Police have yet to determine the cause of the fire and it is being treated as suspicious.




Saturday, June 29, 2013

Two businesses destroyed by fire within minutes of each other in Toowoomba ... - The Australian




FIRE crews were kept busy in Toowoomba overnight with two businesses engulfed in fire just minutes apart.



The first fire broke out in a business on Herries St in Toowoomba City with fire fighters receiving the call at 1.23am.


Just seven minutes later a two-storey brick business on Stenner St at Middle Ridge, just 4kms away, was also burning down.


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Fire crews had to fight the first fire by breaking through the roof of the building while the bottom level of the brick building was engulfed in flames.


Fire fighters contained both fires and they were extinguished by 5am.


In a separate incident, a high school in Mouth Isa was destroyed by a suspicious fire last night.


The library at the senior campus of Spinifex College on Abel Smith Parade was already engulfed in flames when police were called about 10pm.


Police have yet to determine the cause of the fire and it is being treated as suspicious.




Late goal costs Raiders upset win over second-placed Grange - Toowoomba Chronicle


GOAL SCORER: Toowoomba Raiders player Nick Weber.GOAL SCORER: Toowoomba Raiders player Nick Weber. Kevin Farmer

TOOWOOMBA Raiders were held to a 3-3 draw as they nearly pulled off an upset against Grange Thistle in Brisbane Men's Capital League Two action on Saturday night.


Raiders sit second-last on the ladder but held a 3-2 lead over second-placed Grange in Brisbane only for the hosts to slot a late goal to escape with a draw.


Grange opened the scoring before Raider Nick Weber directed a header from a corner into the net to equalise.


The hosts added another goal before half-time to take a 2-1 lead into the break.


Raiders coach Mick Willmot implored his players to lift after what he thought was a sub-par first half and they did.


Influential midfielder Hiroshi Imai levelled the scores with a goal before he put Raiders ahead from the penalty spot.


But Raiders couldn't close out the game as Grange slotted an equaliser late.


"We didn't come home with the three points but at least we came home with a point. It would have been good picking up the three points down there against the second-top team," Willmot said.


"It was probably one of the better second halves they've played."


The Raiders women also played on Saturday night and went down 4-1 to Annerley in their Women's SEQ Diamond League encounter at Toara Park.


Raiders captain Dani Bishop-Kinlyside put the hosts up with a goal in the first half before Annerley score four unanswered goals.







Two businesses destroyed by fire within minutes of each other in Toowoomba ... - NEWS.com.au




FIRE crews were kept busy in Toowoomba overnight with two businesses engulfed in fire just minutes apart.



The first fire broke out in a business on Herries St in Toowoomba City with fire fighters receiving the call at 1.23am.


Just seven minutes later a two-storey brick business on Stenner St at Middle Ridge, just 4kms away, was also burning down.


Fire crews had to fight the first fire by breaking through the roof of the building while the bottom level of the brick building was engulfed in flames.


Fire fighters contained both fires and they were extinguished by 5am.


In a separate incident, a high school in Mouth Isa was destroyed by a suspicious fire last night.


The library at the senior campus of Spinifex College on Abel Smith Parade was already engulfed in flames when police were called about 10pm.


Police have yet to determine the cause of the fire and it is being treated as suspicious.




Truck suspended on Toowoomba Range embankment closes highway - NEWS.com.au




A TRUCK is suspended on an embankment after colliding with another truck heading down the Toowoomba Range, west of Brisbane.



Police and paramedics are on site tending to the driver of a B-double after it clipped another truck on the down section of the Toowoomba Range about 6.40pm.


A Queensland Fire and Rescue spokeswoman said the range has been blocked to traffic as there is a large diesel spill across the road.


Police media was unable to confirm if the truck had breached the guard rails of the embankment but said the driver is not believed to have been seriously injured.


A Department of Community Services spokesman confirmed one driver has been taken to Toowoomba Base Hospital as a precaution.


The down section of the Toowoomba Range is expected to remain closed for several hours while the crash is cleared.


More to come ...




Truck suspended on Toowoomba Range embankment closes highway - Courier Mail




A TRUCK is suspended on an embankment after colliding with another truck heading down the Toowoomba Range, west of Brisbane.



Police and paramedics are on site tending to the driver of a B-double after it clipped another truck on the down section of the Toowoomba Range about 6.40pm.


A Queensland Fire and Rescue spokeswoman said the range has been blocked to traffic as there is a large diesel spill across the road.


Police media was unable to confirm if the truck had breached the guard rails of the embankment but said the driver is not believed to have been seriously injured.


A Department of Community Services spokesman confirmed one driver has been taken to Toowoomba Base Hospital as a precaution.


The down section of the Toowoomba Range is expected to remain closed for several hours while the crash is cleared.


More to come ...




Friday, June 28, 2013

WOOLWORTHS LIMITED : MASTERS HOME IMPROVEMENT OPENS IN ... - 4-traders (press release)

Ninth store to open in Queensland

Masters, the newest player in Australia's home improvement market, has today opened its ninth Queensland store in Toowoomba.


The new Masters store brings local residents low prices and greater choice to DIYers, home improvement enthusiasts and trades-people across the region.


Councillor Paul Antonio, Mayor, Toowoomba Regional Council, joined Masters representatives and store staff for the official "board cutting" ceremony to mark the opening of the store.


The 13,300 square metre store will offer an unmatched range of over 35,000 products from tools, hardware and garden to décor, kitchens and bathrooms. 150 members of the local community will be employed at the store and specialist staff members will be on hand to help customers with every project from thought to finish, no matter how big or small.


Tina Heelis, Toowoomba Store Manager said: "The Masters team is set to bring an unrivalled range of products all at brilliant prices to residents of Toowoomba and South East Queensland. We have the expertise and enthusiasm to help make every kind of project a reality."


The new Masters store is light, bright, air-conditioned and a great destination for everyone, from families to tradies. Masters Toowoomba is one of 31 stores across Australia, all of which includes:

• High spec European designer kitchens and accessories made to measure, and quality on-trend flat pack DIY kitchens, all for un-matched prices

• Big brand appliances including Samsung, Westinghouse, Whirlpool and Dyson

• Huge choice of paint colours, finishes and effects in with cutting edge 'pixel perfect' matching technology

• Easy to follow 'how to' guides throughout the store to help you correctly manage your project

• 150 staff, seven service desks and 32 customer service call buttons

• Big brands in tools and hardware such as Bosch, Hitachi and Stahlwille

• More than 5,000 types of nuts and bolts

• Wide range of high quality, stylish and affordable outdoor furniture

• A huge range of sustainable products, from biodegradable paint brushes and recycled teak garden furniture to worm fridges.


Every Masters store has an extensive drive-through trade area catering to the needs of busy professionals and offering outstanding value, service and quality. Trade customers will find familiar brands as well as exclusive products from the world's best trade suppliers.


Masters, a joint venture between Woolworths and US home improvement chain Lowe's, is on track to open between 15 and 20 new stores a year.

For more information and a list of current stores, visit www.masters.com.au.




Thursday, June 20, 2013

Man charged over Toowoomba pharmacy robbery - Herald Sun




A MAN will appear in court today after allegedly robbing a pharmacy in Toowoomba yesterday afternoon.



It will be alleged the man, 21, entered the Ruthven St store around 5.55pm and made demands for cash, suggesting he was armed.


He fled with a sum of cash and no-one was injured.


The Goondiwindi man has been charged with one count of armed robbery and is due to appear in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court today.




Man charged over Toowoomba pharmacy robbery - Courier Mail




A MAN will appear in court today after allegedly robbing a pharmacy in Toowoomba yesterday afternoon.



It will be alleged the man, 21, entered the Ruthven St store around 5.55pm and made demands for cash, suggesting he was armed.


He fled with a sum of cash and no-one was injured.


The Goondiwindi man has been charged with one count of armed robbery and is due to appear in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court today.




Toowoomba Range chaos after removal of tow trucks - Brisbane Times



Heavy vehicle breakdowns have continued to stop traffic on the Toowoomba Range since permanently stationed tow trucks were removed on Sunday.


Newtown Towing owner Peter Iseppi said the company had towed four trucks and a bus up the Range in the past four days.


Mansell's Heavy Towing has also received a call-out for a B-double which lost traction. It was carrying live cattle .


State Government-funded tow trucks were removed from the range on Sunday.


Mr Iseppi said operators were nervously awaiting the next bout of heavy rain.


Read more at The Toowoomba Chronicle




Tuesday, June 18, 2013

New witness sheds light on Toowoomba killings of nurses Evans, Wilson - The Australian



Sydney nurses Lorraine Wilson (left) and Wendy Evans before their murders in Queensland in 1974.


Sydney nurses Lorraine Wilson, left, and Wendy Evans before they were killed near Toowoomba in 1974. Source: News Limited




A WITNESS has come forward at the eleventh hour to shed new light on the brutal unsolved murders of two Sydney nurses in the 1970s.



The 59-year-old man went to police six weeks ago to tell them of a confession by a former friend who was present when Wendy Evans and Lorraine Wilson were killed in the 1970s.


The young women went missing while hitchhiking in Queensland in 1972 and their bodies were found in bushland two years later.


Desmond Edmondstone told the Brisbane Magistrates Court he'd heard the confession 35 years ago, but had been too frightened to come forward, out of fear of retribution.


He said his former friend Larry Charles had told him he'd witnessed the nurses being raped repeatedly and bashed with sticks while tied to a tree in bushland at Murphys Creek, near the southern Queensland city of Toowoomba.




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The girls had been at a party with a group of men in bush at Murphys Creek and had consensual sex with himself and two others, Charles had said.


Things turned sour when the girls refused to have sex with a forth man named Jimmy.


''Boogie (suspect Wayne ''Boogie'' Hilton) walked up to one of them and just jobbed (punched) her and he said 'there you are Jimmy, you can have your turn now','' Mr Edmondstone told the crowded court.


The other woman fled screaming into the bush, but was tracked down by the men an hour later and given ''a hiding'' by Boogie.


''They started raping and bashing (the women) for hours on end,'' Mr Edmondstone said.


''He (Charles) said he don't drink beer, but he had to drink rum to make himself pass out because he couldn't stand it anymore.''


Charles had made the confession through tears at a Rockhampton caravan park in 1978, Mr Edmondstone said.


Key suspects Allan Neil ''Ungie'' Laurie, Allan John ''Shorty'' Laurie, Donny Laurie, Jimmy O'Neill and Desmond Hilton had also been present, he told the court.


The next morning Donnie and Boogie bashed the bound women with large sticks until they stopped moving and left them for dead in the bush.


The group made a blood pact to never speak of what happened.


Charles later shot himself out of guilt, Mr Edmondstone said.


He told the court that hearing the confession had ''destroyed'' him, but he didn't go to police because he was was afraid for his life.


He decided to come forward 35 years later to ease his conscience and because he suffered panic attacks.


''I still am (terrified) but it's either I tell now and get rid of the panic attacks or go on living a lie,'' he said.


Surviving suspects Ungie Laurie, Jimmy O'Neill and Desmond Hilton denied any involvement in the nurses' deaths during earlier hearings in Toowoomba in April.


Boogie Hilton and Donny Laurie are dead.


Mr Edmondstone was the inquest's final witness, with lawyers' final submissions to be heard on Thursday.

Coroner Michael Barnes is expected to deliver his findings next week.


AAP



Football in Toowoomba to benefit from Socceroos Cup berth - Toowoomba Chronicle



FOOTBALL in Toowoomba is in for a big boost following the qualification of the Socceroos for next year's World Cup in Brazil.


The Socceroos booked a spot in their third-straight World Cup with a tough 1-0 win over Iraq in Sydney on Tuesday night and the victory was the talk of the town in the football community.


More interestingly was also a topic of discussion for non-football followers.


Harristown State High School is home to many of the best up-and-coming football talents on the Darling Downs through its academy program and football co-ordinator Peter Broadfoot thinks qualification for Brazil will provide another boon for the game in the area.


"It did last time. Every time you see a great spike in the game," he said.


Broadfoot said in Queensland most kids could easily recognise rugby league star Johnathan Thurston and hopefully more of the Socceroos would now enjoy a better profile in Australia.







Football in Toowoomba to benefit from Socceroos Cup berth - The Sunshine Coast Daily



FOOTBALL in Toowoomba is in for a big boost following the qualification of the Socceroos for next year's World Cup in Brazil.


The Socceroos booked a spot in their third-straight World Cup with a tough 1-0 win over Iraq in Sydney on Tuesday night and the victory was the talk of the town in the football community.


More interestingly was also a topic of discussion for non-football followers.


Harristown State High School is home to many of the best up-and-coming football talents on the Darling Downs through its academy program and football co-ordinator Peter Broadfoot thinks qualification for Brazil will provide another boon for the game in the area.


"It did last time. Every time you see a great spike in the game," he said.


Broadfoot said in Queensland most kids could easily recognise rugby league star Johnathan Thurston and hopefully more of the Socceroos would now enjoy a better profile in Australia.







Sunday, June 16, 2013

Willowburn holds off challenge from USQ to win Pres Cup - Toowoomba Chronicle



CELEBRATION: Willowburn's Trent Donovan reacts after scoring against USQ on Sunday.CELEBRATION: Willowburn's Trent Donovan reacts after scoring against USQ on Sunday. Nev Madsen

WILLOWBURN took out the Football Toowoomba Premier Men's President's Cup but was made to work for it against USQ on Sunday at Newtown.


USQ held a 2-1 lead in the first half but Willowburn managed to lift and took out the game 4-2 to keep intact its perfect winning streak this season.


The Students put in an own goal early in the game but also scored two goals of their own in three minutes through Kyle Tonkin and Muhammed Isbil to hold a 2-1 lead.


The USQ midfield was on top but some individual brilliance from Nathan Stark helped Willowburn equalise before half-time.


The Magpies then put in two more goals in the second half to take the 4-2 victory, but not before USQ showed this season wasn't a one-horse race.


"They were happy with the way they had to do it," Willowburn coach Stephen Pennells said of his team's attitude towards the win. "They were happy to fight for it. It meant more to them that they had to work for it."


Willowburn now has a big challenge of backing up tonight against Laidley in the semi-final of the Winstanley Shield, with the game being played at Commonwealth Oval.


Willowburn couldn't take out the President's Cup double though as Rockville handed the Magpies a 3-0 loss in the Premier Women's match thanks to a hat-trick from Amber Jennings.







Raiders slump to disappointing loss to Peninsula Power - Toowoomba Chronicle


TAKING THEM ON: Raiders striker Abbey Lloyd tests out the Peninsula defence on Saturday.TAKING THEM ON: Raiders striker Abbey Lloyd tests out the Peninsula defence on Saturday. Kevin Farmer

AT 1-1 mid-way through the first half, Toowoomba Raiders coach Mick Turvey thought his girls were in with a chance in their Women's SEQ Diamond League match at Toara Park against Peninsula Power.


The visitors emphatically showed that wasn't the case as the visitors ran out 12-1 victors on Saturday night.


Peninsula opened the scoring after about 20 minutes before Raiders striker Abbey Lloyd netted a goal to equalise.


From there though, Raiders gave away too much possession and allowed the visitors to pile in the goals.


"There were just too many mistakes. We gave the ball away too many times," Turvey said.


"Some girls just didn't want to put their bodies on the line in defence.


"I went off at the end of the game. I was pretty disappointed."


The result leaves Raiders at the bottom of the ladder.


Meanwhile for the second weekend in a row, the Raiders men went down to leaders Annerley in Brisbane Men's Capital League Two action on Saturday.


Annerley cements its lead at the top of the ladder with a 4-1 victory; a result that saw Raiders drop to 10th six points out of the top four.







Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Champion budgies flock to Toowoomba - ABC Local


They're known as the 'quiet achiever' in the Australian bird world, and this week the best budgies in the land descend on Toowoomba for the 39th Australian National Budgerigar Council Championship.


The ultimate goal for any budgie breeder is to win a 'Logie', and according to Lockyer Valley breeder Alan Beutel, "there's prestige attached to it... it's like when the actresses go up on stage to collect their Logies!"


Exhibition budgies are bigger than their common cousins, and some live in the lap of luxury.


"Some aviaries are bigger than the average home," Alan Beutel explains. "They might have a hundred breeding cages, and three to four hundred birds flying around. But you don't have to spend a great deal of money to get into the hobby."


Exhibition birds have one shot at glory. "They can only go to one National show each. That's it. When they come home they go to stud."


Judges take into consideration a number of factors; size, colour and deportment.


"There's a lot to exhibiting," Alan says. "Preparation starts about three to four months before the show. It's not just simply grabbing a bird and putting it into a cage."


But, being the playful bird they are, sometimes sitting still for the judges can all be a bit too hard.


"They're supposed to sit at a 30 degree angle on the perch...but sometimes they'll spin around in circles on the perch! That doesn't make you feel all warm and fuzzy, I can tell you! Or they get in the corner and scratch in the seed or run up and down their cage when they're supposed to be on the perch."


"You do train them, but sometimes they'll do something they've never done before, and you think, 'oh, not now!'"


It's all part of the joy of owning budgies.


"I had birds as a kid," Alan Beutal explains. "It's fulfilling. Once the bug gets you, it doesn't matter if you leave it 30 years, you'll still come back into the hobby at some stage."


The birds aren't named, but they have unique code and number attached to plastic rings on their legs.


"There wouldn't be enough names for them!" Alan says. "Some people have thousands of birds. But we all know our favourite birds, and know their pedigrees and numbers."


Members of the public are invited to see the birds on their perches at the Empire Theatre on Saturday and Sunday, and maybe catch the bug just like Alan Beutel.



Men of League to pay tribute to John McDonald - Toowoomba Chronicle


THE long and decorated career of former rugby league player, coach and administrator John McDonald will be celebrated at the Men of League Southern Division dinner next month.


The event will pay tribute to the Toowoomba rugby league icon and help raise money for the Men of League Foundation Southern Division. McDonald will attend the night at Toowoomba Sports Club on Friday, July 12.


"The support of the community at these events is integral to the success of the Foundation," Southern Division president Andrew O'Brien said.


"This dinner is the principal fundraising event for us each year and presents an ideal forum for us to recognise and applaud the illustrious career of one of our most acclaimed local sportspeople."


Tickets are $70 and are available by calling 4632 0888.







Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Building industry throws cold water on Toowoomba council's compulsory tanks ... - ABC Local


By Sam Burgess


Posted June 12, 2013 12:29:04


The Master Builders Association (MBA) says the Toowoomba council on southern Queensland's Darling Downs is passing costs onto the building industry by pushing for compulsory water tanks.


State laws that required the installation of tanks on new homes have been repealed but the council will ask the Government to reintroduce the rules for certain properties in the Toowoomba area.


The council says it is to ensure future water needs are met.


Water portfolio councillor Nancy Sommerfield says the alternative, building new dams for the city, is an expensive option.


"There's going to be a reasonably significant boom in our region I believe and by looking to the future in this way I believe we're helping with our water security," she said.


"Given the history that we have, where we've come from, we're basing our decision on the fact that there will be dry times in the future and we also need to look at the ongoing growth of the region."


MBA spokesman Tony Ryder says the policy does not make sense.


"I don't really believe that they can adequately demonstrate reintroduction of tanks is in fact a cost-effective alternative instead of building dams," he said.


Mr Ryder says it will drive up the cost of new houses by up to $7,000.


Topics: community-development, activism-and-lobbying, local-government, water-management, regional, regional-development, building-and-construction, toowoomba-4350



Berlin visitor sings with ancient harp and tongue - Toowoomba Chronicle



German traveller Annakee Sky plays the Trance Harp at the Hooper Centre. Photo Nev Madsen / The ChronicleGerman traveller Annakee Sky plays the Trance Harp at the Hooper Centre. Photo Nev Madsen / The Chronicle Nev Madsen

EVEN in damp foggy conditions, travelling German musician Annakee Sky has found Toowoomba very appealing.


The Berlin native has proved something of an attraction at the Hooper Centre where she has been busking with her polycord - or trance harp - and singing in the historical Indo-Aryan language Sanskrit, one of the world's oldest languages.


"It's very different here (Toowoomba) but it's very interesting," Annakee said.


"A musician friend of mine lives here and he invited me to come and see the city.


"Australia is a very beautiful country and Toowoomba is very beautiful.


"For such a small town there is a lot to see and do here.


"The people are so friendly here.


"They are very nice and very inviting and even when I go out at night and a lot of people are drunk there is always someone there to protect me.


"I do think you could do with some more entertainment for adults and not just for the young ones."


Annakee said the instrument she plays, a cross between a harp and an Indian sitar, was invented by Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras.


"It is a healing instrument," she explained.


"You put it on top of the body and play it on the body for half-an-hour to an hour.


"It's very soothing and relaxing music and it has an energising power.


"I have been playing it for about 12 months now.


"It's not hard to learn, but it's hard to tune.


"I travel with my harp everywhere and just sit down and start playing.


"Back in Germany I play with a group and play concerts together."


The music-appreciative of the city or the curious who would like to listen to different but relaxing music can catch Annakee at the Hooper Centre today and tomorrow.


"I have CDs if anyone wants to buy them, they're $15 each," Annakee was quick to add.


Annakee plans on returning to Germany in July in the European summer.







Monday, June 3, 2013

Holmes impresses at divisional carnival but misses rep squad - Toowoomba Chronicle



STRONG SHOWING: Oakey's Daniel HolmesSTRONG SHOWING: Oakey's Daniel Holmes Kevin Farmer

SAM Capewell feels fellow Toowoomba Clydesdales player Daniel Holmes would not have been out of place in the Queensland Rangers squad after the pair played for Central at the Queensland Rugby League Divisional Championships at the Sunshine Coast at the weekend.


Both TRL players missed out on a place in the Rangers squad for a representative game in Lismore next month when the team was announced Monday, but Valleys forward Capewell thought Oakey hooker Holmes had done a great job at the carnival in helping Central win one of its two games.


"Holmesy, he absolutely smashed it," Capewell said. "He was one of the players of the carnival."


Toowoomba Clydesdales under 20s manager Chris Franklin will act as manager for the Queensland Rangers squad and he too thought Holmes played exceptionally well.


Central opened its carnival with a 28-24 win over Northern Marlins on Saturday after trailing 18-6 at half-time.


That win was backed up by an 18-8 loss on Sunday to South-East Poinsettias, who took out the tournament.


Capewell scored a try in the first game but a shoulder injury he took into the carnival flared up and kept him out of the second match.


"Injury let me down a little bit. I had a sore shoulder going into it and only got to play one game," he said.


The 22-year-old thought the carnival was a big step up for him and enjoyed the challenge.


Playing for the Clydesdales at last month's 47th Battalion Trophy carnival at Gladstone was his first taste of rep footy and Capewell is keen for more.


The Central women's team also played on the Sunshine Coast and enjoyed a 20-14 victory over the South-East Emerging Squad.







Sunday, June 2, 2013

Toowoomba council seeks 'inspirational' new leader - Brisbane Times



Ten months after CEO Ken Gouldthorp announced his resignation, Toowoomba Regional Council has finally advertised to fill his position.


Brian Pidgeon has been acting CEO since the departure of Mr Gouldthorp, who has since taken up a position with Newcastle City Council.


Council has posted a job advertisement on its website and the Local Government Assocation of Queensland site to fill the CEO's position.


It says council is seeking an "exceptional and inspirational leader with the ability to effectively communicate" with all sectors of the community.


"It is essential that the core components of liveability and business strength are maintained consistently throughout the diverse areas of this community," the advertisement reads.


Read more at The Toowoomba Chronicle




Saturday, June 1, 2013

Australian Naval Ship “HMAS Toowoomba” arrives at the Port of Colombo - Sri Lanka Navy


Australian Naval Ship “HMAS Toowoomba” arrives at the Port of Colombo


Australian Naval Ship “HMAS Toowoomba” arrived at the Port of Colombo on 31st May 2013 on a goodwill visit. The ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with naval traditions on her arrival.


Ship’s Commanding Officer, Commander Brendon Zilko accompanied by Australian Defence Adviser to Sri Lanka, Colonel Michael Collie paid a courtesy call on Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Sirimevan Ranasinghe at the Western Naval Command Headquarters in Colombo. They held cordial discussions and exchanged mementos as a gesture of goodwill.


“HMAS Toowoomba” is an Anzac Class Frigate with a displacement of 3600 tons. It is 118 meters in length and has a complement of 192 naval personnel onboard. The ship’s crew will participate in a special programme organized by the Sri Lanka Navy during their stay in Sri Lanka. The visiting Australian ship will stay in Sri Lanka until 04th June.