Homewood Cottages in Highfields district near Toowoomba - Herald Sun

Homewood Cottages near Toowoomba in Queensland. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

LOOKING for a getaway with a bit of old-world charm? Consider a stay at the new Homewood Cottages at Highfields, about 10km north of Toowoomba off the New England Highway.

The Oak Cottage is a colonial-style one-bedroom cottage with polished recycled timber floors, a queen-size brass bed, spa bath, fireplace, carparking and a veranda overlooking gardens and the Davidson Arboretum.

The Forest Cottage is a double brick two-bedroom, two-bathroom English cottage with two king size beds, an open fireplace and covered carparking. It has a kitchen, television and living area and each bedroom has its own private courtyard surrounded by trees and terraced gardens. The cottage has disabled facilities and access. Cottages start at $195 a night, with a minimum three-night stay.

Ph 0459 686 239 or see homewoodcottages.com.au

Homewood Cottages in Highfields district near Toowoomba - NEWS.com.au

Homewood Cottages near Toowoomba in Queensland. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

LOOKING for a getaway with a bit of old-world charm? Consider a stay at the new Homewood Cottages at Highfields, about 10km north of Toowoomba off the New England Highway.

The Oak Cottage is a colonial-style one-bedroom cottage with polished recycled timber floors, a queen-size brass bed, spa bath, fireplace, carparking and a veranda overlooking gardens and the Davidson Arboretum.

The Forest Cottage is a double brick two-bedroom, two-bathroom English cottage with two king size beds, an open fireplace and covered carparking. It has a kitchen, television and living area and each bedroom has its own private courtyard surrounded by trees and terraced gardens. The cottage has disabled facilities and access. Cottages start at $195 a night, with a minimum three-night stay.

Ph 0459 686 239 or see homewoodcottages.com.au

Toowoomba range tunnel 'key' to inland railway success - ABC Local

By Fidelis Rego

Posted August 29, 2013 08:21:36

The Australian Railway Association (ARA) says building a tunnel through the Toowoomba range on southern Queensland's Darling Downs will be critical to the success of the proposed inland railway.

Both Labor and the Coalition have committed funds to complete planning a rail line between Brisbane and Melbourne, with the Opposition also promising to start construction in 2016.

ARA chief executive officer Bryan Nye says the Toowoomba-to-Moree leg of the line is a vital link

"From my perspective, the tunnel through the ranges because once that's concluded it opens up a whole number of possibilities," he said.

"Freight that's captured west in the Darling Downs region to get to the Port of Brisbane, so the key element and probably the number one element of it all is the tunnel through the Toowoomba ranges."

Mr Nye says the inland railway has been discussed for a long time and it is good to see some concrete commitments.

"You've got to do the detailed engineering drawings, you've got to do the environmental impact assessment, you've got to acquire the land," he said.

"Once that's underway you can start construction.

"That's money ... you couldn't spend $1 billion tomorrow because it's just not ready.

"Getting the rest done, getting the commitment to do it is probably the most important element."

Topics: rail-transport, regional-development, regional, activism-and-lobbying, federal---state-issues, toowoomba-4350

Toowoomba range tunnels on track for more rail freight - ABC Local

By Fidelis Rego

Posted August 27, 2013 10:07:39

The Queensland Government says it will increase the size of tunnels through the Toowoomba range so trains can carry larger containers through to the Port of Brisbane.

It says $17 million will be spent lowering the floors of 11 tunnels from next year, with planning already underway to build two passing loops to improve rail traffic.

The Government says the improvements will benefit southern Queensland's grain and cotton industries.

Topics: public-sector, regional, regional-development, road-transport, toowoomba-4350, brisbane-4000

New push to protect Toowoomba from floods - Yahoo!7 News

Millions will be spent upgrading Toowoomba's stormwater drains to prevent any repeat of the deadly floods that raged through the Queensland city two years ago.

About $4.5 million will be spent to avoid the harrowing scenes that played out in the CBD in 2011, when raging torrents of water swept away cars and flooded businesses.

Donna Rice and her 13-year-old son Jordan died after being swept from their car in that flash flood. More than 50 businesses and almost 100 homes were also damaged.

The state government and the Toowoomba council on Wednesday announced they were fast-tracking funds for an early warning system and a major upgrade of the city's drainage system.

"It will mark a turning point for communities threatened by flooding," Community Recovery and Resilience Minister David Crisafulli told AAP of the infrastructure upgrade.

"Those images were some of the most harrowing we had seen and I'm determined that some good has got to come out of the summer of heartache."

Mr Crisafulli also announced money to shore up flood defences in Laidley, in the Lockyer Valley where many people died in the 2011 floods.

He said almost $1 million had been set aside to start work on a levee around the Laidley CBD and Narda Lagoon, and an extension of major drainage systems around Coates and Storr streets.

Flood monitoring cameras will also be installed on roads at Glen Cairn and Junction View.

New push to protect Toowoomba from floods - Ninemsn

Millions will be spent upgrading Toowoomba's stormwater drains to prevent any repeat of the deadly floods that raged through the Queensland city two years ago.

About $4.5 million will be spent to avoid the harrowing scenes that played out in the CBD in 2011, when raging torrents of water swept away cars and flooded businesses.

Donna Rice and her 13-year-old son Jordan died after being swept from their car in that flash flood. More than 50 businesses and almost 100 homes were also damaged.

The state government and the Toowoomba council on Wednesday announced they were fast-tracking funds for an early warning system and a major upgrade of the city's drainage system.

"It will mark a turning point for communities threatened by flooding," Community Recovery and Resilience Minister David Crisafulli told AAP of the infrastructure upgrade.

"Those images were some of the most harrowing we had seen and I'm determined that some good has got to come out of the summer of heartache."

Mr Crisafulli also announced money to shore up flood defences in Laidley, in the Lockyer Valley where many people died in the 2011 floods.

He said almost $1 million had been set aside to start work on a levee around the Laidley CBD and Narda Lagoon, and an extension of major drainage systems around Coates and Storr streets.

Flood monitoring cameras will also be installed on roads at Glen Cairn and Junction View.

Do you have any story leads, photos or videos?

Two teens in hospital after party bonfire explosion in Toowoomba - ABC Local

Updated August 26, 2013 07:37:07

Two teenagers remain in a critical condition in the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital after a bonfire exploded at a party at Toowoomba on Queensland's Darling Downs yesterday.

A 16-year-old girl received third degree burns to 60 per cent of her body and a 15-year-old boy suffered burns to 40 per cent of his body.

Police allege a teenage boy at the party threw a bottle of methylated spirits into the fire just after midnight (AEST) and it exploded, showering the other two teenagers with flames.

Officers are still searching for the person responsible.

Emergency Services say the injured teenagers were saved by others throwing them into a swimming pool.

Topics: emergency-incidents, fires, toowoomba-4350

First posted August 26, 2013 07:08:10

Power lands first win of Indy season in controversial result - Toowoomba Chronicle

WILL Power has won his first IndyCar race in 16 months.

Power's great run at the Grand Prix of Sonoma continued Monday morning (AEST) when the Toowoomba driver won the race for the third time in four years after finishing runner-up in 2012.

The victory was Power's first win of the season and his first since April last year.

The result was controversial though as series contender Scott Dixon was hit with a drive through penalty that saw him drop from race leader to finish 15th.

Dixon was penalised for making contact with one of Power's pit crew as the New Zealand driver left his own pit box.

Dixon and Power were running first and second when they both took a pit stop at the same time.

Had Dixon been able to win the race, he would have closed the gap to series leader Helio Castroneves.

Power moved up to eighth in the drivers' championship with the victory.

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Public appeal to find missing Toowoomba man - Courier Mail

POLICE have launched a public appeal to help find a man missing in Toowoomba.

The 84-year-old was last seen about 10am on Sunday on Hursely Rd wearing white shoes, brown tracksuit pants and a grey jumper.

Police hold concerns for his welfare as he suffers from a medical condition and this behaviour is out of character.

The man is described as being about 160cm tall with a slim build and grey hair.

Anyone who may have seen him should contact police immediately on 1800 333 000.

Four teenagers burnt at Toowoomba party - NEWS.com.au

TWO teenagers are in a serious condition in hospital with burns and another two have minor injuries after a mishap at a party in Toowoomba overnight.

Just after 12.20am police were called to the party in Melody St, Harristown, where four teens had been burnt.

Police believe the teens were injured after a flammable substance caught alight after it was poured on to an open fire.

A boy and girl were taken to Toowoomba Base Hospital for treatment and were in a serious but stable condition.

The 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl sustained burns to 40 per cent and 60 per cent of their bodies respectively.

Two other teenage boys suffered minor burns and were taken to Toowoomba Base Hospital.

Police investigations are continuing.

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Four teenagers burnt at Toowoomba party - Courier Mail

TWO teenagers are in a serious condition in hospital with burns and another two have minor injuries after a mishap at a party in Toowoomba overnight.

Just after 12.20am police were called to the party in Melody St, Harristown, where four teens had been burnt.

Police believe the teens were injured after a flammable substance caught alight after it was poured on to an open fire.

A boy and girl were taken to Toowoomba Base Hospital for treatment and were in a serious but stable condition.

The 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl sustained burns to 40 per cent and 60 per cent of their bodies respectively.

Two other teenage boys suffered minor burns and were taken to Toowoomba Base Hospital.

Police investigations are continuing.

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Plenty of players in the running for Price-Webcke Medal - Toowoomba Chronicle

• Ben Drewe


• 23rd Aug 2013 5:00 AM

BIG CHANCE: Pittsworth forward Matt Briggs had a big season and could be in the running for the Price-Webcke Medal tonight. Kevin Farmer

FIRST the race for the finals was close.

Now there are plenty of players in the running to take out the Price-Webcke Medal at tonight's TRL presentation at Rumours International.

At least a handful of players could arrive at the awards night thinking they are a genuine chance of taking out the player of the year honour.

While he may not have been able to help his Wattles team progress to the third week of the finals, Warriors halfback Matt Duggan has had a big year.

He has steered Wattles around the park in style and was in a rich vein of form late in the season, before picking up an injury in the first week of the finals.

Fellow halfback Jason Wilmot has also been instrumental in guiding Gatton through to its first A grade grand final in 24 years.

He and five-eighth Ashley Boney joined the club in the off-season and have proved the difference for the Hawks.

Wilmot was also a member of the Toowoomba Clydesdales representative squad earlier in the year showing just how high of a regard he is held in across the competition.

Steven Lee also changed clubs in the off-season and it paid off as well as the Highfields fullback was a key cog behind the Eagles' push for a maiden finals appearance.

Lee cemented his place at the back for Highfields after previously being viewed as a utility and he proved a danger man in attack and more than capable in defence.

And given Highfields made it through to a mid-week play-off for fifth spot, Lee could have polled plenty of votes throughout the season.

The player of the year race will feature more than just flashy backs as well.

Pittsworth prop Matt Briggs has established himself as one of the premier big men in the TRL and his efforts throughout the year were pivotal in helping the Danes reach the finals for the first time since 2009.

Souths hooker Jake Laing also had a purple patch in the middle of the season and should also feature near the top of the votes tally.

The only issue for Laing in taking out the honour is that team mates of the likes of Ronnie David and Nathan Murphy could have taken too many votes off him, according to Tigers coach Russell Bailey.

"Jake missed a few games and I think he would have had votes taken off him by Ronnie and Ned," he Bailey.

Bailey thinks Briggs is a good chance.

"I suspect Matty Briggs will be right up there. I thought he should have won it last year," the Souths coach said.

The player of the year award will be decided slightly different to past years.

Previously, referees and club presidents used to award points on a 3-2-1 basis, but this year 3-2-1 votes have been allocated by opposing coaches.

The winning coach awarded a player from the losing team two votes, while the losing coach allocated three votes to the best player on the winning team and one vote to the player they thought was second best for the victorious squad.

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QLD: Office lease, 361 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba - The Australian

FAMILY law and conveyancing firm MacDonald Law has moved into a larger office in the Toowoomba CBD at an annual rental of $91,000.

The term of the lease is five-years.

The three-level property has a reception area, open plan workspace, five offices, storage room, a lunch room, and showers.

Ray White Commercial agent Mark Wynhoven said that the company moved to accommodate its expansion.

RENT: $91,000pa

TENANT: MacDonald Law

AREA: 470sq m

AGENTS: Mark Wynhoven and John Smith, Ray White Commercial

Moss takes out MVP award in first men's international bout - Toowoomba Chronicle

• Ben Drewe


• 19th Aug 2013 10:55 AM

GET YOUR SKATES ON: Toowoomba's Ricky Moss. Dave Noonan

TOOWOOMBA skater Ricky Moss earned the distinction of being Australia's best in the country's first men's international roller derby bout.

Australia's men's team, known as the Wizards of Aus, recorded a comprehensive 330-120 win over New Zealand in Sydney on Saturday to cap a great debut on the men's international roller derby scene.

Better still for jammer Moss, he was judged as best for the Wizards of Aus in the big win.

"I earned MVP for Australia. It felt pretty good actually," Moss said.

"You just know that all of the hard work you had done has shown."

As a jammer, Moss scored plenty of points for Australia but conceded New Zealand was a more formidable opponent than the score-line and their expectations suggested.

"Their walls were a lot tougher than we expected," he said.

Moss will be back training with his Toowoomba squad, the Highland Hunters, tonight to help prepare for their bout on August 31 against Sydney Smash Bros at Port Macquarie.

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Roosters handle wet to keep TRL finals campaign alive - Toowoomba Chronicle

TRY-SCORER: Valleys lock Luke Smith tests out the Wattles defence in Saturday night's TRL elimination semi-final at Clive Berghofer Stadium. Kevin Farmer

VALLEYS stayed alive in the TRL finals with a 26-12 win over Wattles in Saturday night's elimination semi-final at Clive Berghofer Stadium.

Both teams were greeted with rain at kick-off which ensured Valleys and Wattles would have to scrap out a win to move on to next week's preliminary final.

Valleys took the lead in the 13^th minute thanks to a try from lock Luke Smith which was converted by halfback Ahlial Robertson for a 6-0 lead.

Veteran five-eighth Justin McKellar took the Wattles defensive line on and scored from close range in the 25^th minute to help the Roosters establish a 12-0 lead at half-time.

Robertson extended that lead to 14-0 just three minutes after the break with a penalty goal before Wattles halfback Matt Duggan, who carried an injury into the game, tried to lift the Warriors.

He scored a try in the 47^th minute and converted to close the gap to 12-6 and lift the spirits of Wattles players and supporters.

A quality kick return from Valleys centre Jay Melrose then put on a try for fullback Josh Waters to see the Roosters move to 20-6 up after 56 minutes.

Centre Brenden Wilson stormed over for a try for Wattles in the 61^st minute to reduce the deficit to eight points but that was as close as the Warriors got.

A converted try to Hugh Sedger in the corner in the 68^th minute and a penalty goal from Robertson in the 70^th minute saw Valleys round out a 26-12 win.

Valleys progresses to the preliminary final next Sunday, when they will face the loser of this Sunday's major semi-final between Souths and Gatton at Clive Berghofer Stadium.

The season is now over for Wattles after successive finals losses.

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Rare test ride chance for bikers - Toowoomba Chronicle

• Peter Hardwick


• 17th Aug 2013 7:35 AM

LET’S RIDE: Eager to test ride the new Yamaha YZ450F are Matt Edwards (left) of Toowoomba Yamaha and Toowoomba Motor Cycle Club president Craig Choice. Kevin Farmer

MOTORCYCLE enthusiasts have the rare chance tomorrow to test ride the latest offering from Yamaha which will be launched at the Toowoomba Motor Cycle Club's Manufacturers Open Day.

The Yamaha YZ450F will make its first public appearance during the day at the TMCC grounds off Kherim Rd, Murphys Creek.

"It will be the first time anywhere in Australia that members of the public will be able to test ride the YZ450F," said Matt Edwards of Toowoomba Yamaha.

"The bikes will not be released for sale until the first of September."

Among many updated features, the YZ450F's newly designed transmission and shift mechanisms provide quicker, smoother shifting under power with less effort.

Toowoomba Motor Cycle Club president Craig Choice said all motorcycle brands would be on offer to test ride at tomorrow's open day with all local motorcycle businesses invited to participate.

"It's a good opportunity for anyone looking at buying or upgrading their motorcycle to have a test ride," Mr Choice said.

"We have 500 acres (202ha) so there is plenty of room and we have marked out loops for test rides.

"They are all off-road bikes so all the riders have to do is bring their safety gear and have a test ride.

"The day is not just for adult riders, the boys and girls can enjoy a ride as well. All ages and abilities are catered for."

The 102-year-old club is in the process of building a multi-purpose facility worth about $160,000 at the Murphys Creek site.

"We're a family friendly club and we have between 1200 and 1300 members," Mr Choice said.

"If anyone would like to join the club they can simply go to the club website at http://www.tmcc.org.au and join online."

The TMCC open day will run from 9am to 3pm and a barbecue and drinks stall will run on the day as well.

The Toowoomba Motor Cycle Club will be holding a trail ride on the weekend of September 14 and 15. Details on the club website.

Toowoomba Motor Cycle Club Manufacturers Open Day

• Sunday from 9am to 3pm


• on the club grounds off Kherim Rd, Murphys Creek


• test rides available from peewees for the kids to the full range of Enduro and Motocross bikes.


• test ride for the first time the new Yamaha YZ450F.

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Woman, 75, killed in two-car crash outside Toowoomba - Courier Mail

AN elderly woman has been killed in a two-car crash outside of Toowoomba on Friday afternoon.

The 75-year-old woman and an 81-year-old man were at the intersection of Kingsthorpe Haden Road and Kelvinhaugh Boodua Road in Yalangur when their car and a second collided about 12.15pm.

The elderly woman was killed at the scene while the 81-year-old driver was taken to Toowoomba Base Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the second car, a 27-year-old woman in her 20s, received minor injuries.

The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating.

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Moss flies the flag for Toowoomba men's roller derby - Toowoomba Chronicle

• Ben Drewe


• 16th Aug 2013 10:00 AM

SKY HIGH: Ricky Moss will be out to score points for Australia in the first men’s international bout in Australia in Sydney. Dave Noonan

COMPETITORS in some sports show off their number in the list of past players of representative teams.

If men's roller derby takes off in Australia and they do the same, Toowoomba's Ricky Moss will have the distinction of having a single-digit number.

Moss will tomorrow night represent Australia in the first men's international bout in the country when the, Wizards of Aus as they are known, take on New Zealand in Sydney.

Roller derby in Australia has enjoyed a renaissance over the past few years but men's competition has lagged somewhat behind women's leagues, especially in Toowoomba.

Moss is the driving force behind a Toowoomba men's team - the Highland Hunters - but not many people know of their existence.

The Hunters, who train twice a week out of the Wilsonton Public School, have to travel to Brisbane to compete and formed after initially starting up under the banner of the Toowoomba City Rollers with the women's squad in 2009.

"Half way through last year we started to club up. We were part of the girls' league but it just didn't work out so we started one up," Moss said.

"Not many people know that we have a men's team in Toowoomba because we haven't been able to have a bout in Toowoomba."\

But Moss is flying the flag for Toowoomba men's roller derby.

The 31-year-old will be part of the first Australian team this weekend and he will play the role of jammer.

The job of the jammer is to score points for the team and is generally filled by a fast skater.

Moss is that as he topped the scores in the Australian team's agility testing.

The head men's coach of Toowoomba PCYC Gymnastics attributes that to his 13 years experience in gymnastics.

Moss travelled to Sydney yesterday and will train with the Australian team in a bid to best prepare for tomorrow night's maiden international bout.

The Australian team is already familiar with one another though.

"We all know each other. It's a pretty close community," Moss said.

This first international bout comes ahead of next year's World Cup and is bound to provide the Australian squad with more information on how it can prepare for the major international tournament.

"Hopefully it all pans out pretty well because we've got the World Cup in July 2014. As soon as this is over they will look at who will be in the squad to go to England," Moss said.

And he thinks Australia could have it over the old Trans-Tasman rival tomorrow night.

"I think they're a little bit behind us in roller derby," he said.

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Moss flies the flag for Toowoomba men's roller derby - The Sunshine Coast Daily

• Ben Drewe


• 16th Aug 2013 10:00 AM

SKY HIGH: Ricky Moss will be out to score points for Australia in the first men’s international bout in Australia in Sydney. Dave Noonan

COMPETITORS in some sports show off their number in the list of past players of representative teams.

If men's roller derby takes off in Australia and they do the same, Toowoomba's Ricky Moss will have the distinction of having a single-digit number.

Moss will tomorrow night represent Australia in the first men's international bout in the country when the, Wizards of Aus as they are known, take on New Zealand in Sydney.

Roller derby in Australia has enjoyed a renaissance over the past few years but men's competition has lagged somewhat behind women's leagues, especially in Toowoomba.

Moss is the driving force behind a Toowoomba men's team - the Highland Hunters - but not many people know of their existence.

The Hunters, who train twice a week out of the Wilsonton Public School, have to travel to Brisbane to compete and formed after initially starting up under the banner of the Toowoomba City Rollers with the women's squad in 2009.

"Half way through last year we started to club up. We were part of the girls' league but it just didn't work out so we started one up," Moss said.

"Not many people know that we have a men's team in Toowoomba because we haven't been able to have a bout in Toowoomba."\

But Moss is flying the flag for Toowoomba men's roller derby.

The 31-year-old will be part of the first Australian team this weekend and he will play the role of jammer.

The job of the jammer is to score points for the team and is generally filled by a fast skater.

Moss is that as he topped the scores in the Australian team's agility testing.

The head men's coach of Toowoomba PCYC Gymnastics attributes that to his 13 years experience in gymnastics.

Moss travelled to Sydney yesterday and will train with the Australian team in a bid to best prepare for tomorrow night's maiden international bout.

The Australian team is already familiar with one another though.

"We all know each other. It's a pretty close community," Moss said.

This first international bout comes ahead of next year's World Cup and is bound to provide the Australian squad with more information on how it can prepare for the major international tournament.

"Hopefully it all pans out pretty well because we've got the World Cup in July 2014. As soon as this is over they will look at who will be in the squad to go to England," Moss said.

And he thinks Australia could have it over the old Trans-Tasman rival tomorrow night.

"I think they're a little bit behind us in roller derby," he said.

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Dog ban possible in two Toowoomba parks - Brisbane Times

Toowoomba City Council is considering banning dogs from two of the city's best public gardens due to lazy pet owners not doing their duty.

Queens Park's Botanic Gardens and Laurel Bank Park are both in the firing line as dogs continue to do what dogs do best.

Cr Sue Englart said their deserted territorial markings were not the only problem with dug-up garden beds causing major concerns in the lead-up to the Carnival of Flowers.

"Gardeners have complained to me that dogs are running through there and leaving what they call 'land mines'," she said.

Council recently spent $84,000 on proper signage for the region's off-leash dog areas.

Read more at The Toowoomba Chronicle

Toowoomba players get chance to run shoulders with Roar guns - Toowoomba Chronicle

• Ben Drewe


• 14th Aug 2013 10:00 AM

ROAR REWARD: Toowoomba talents Tom Fanning, Mitchell Hunter, Ben Barrowclift, Ryan Ensor and Hiroshi Imai could play a part in the Brisbane Roar pre-season trial match at Toowoomba Grammar School next month. Bev Lacey

BEN Barrowclift has reason to behave himself should Willowburn be able to claim back-to-back Football Toowoomba Premier Men's premierships.

The Magpies midfielder is one of six Toowoomba players selected from various clubs to either play against or with the Roar in their pre-season trial match at Toowoomba Grammar School next month.

Barrowclift, Toowoomba Raiders star midfielder Hiroshi Imai and South-West Thunder under 20s players Tom Fanning and Keagan Sheridan will be added to the National Premier League Queensland club Western Pride squad for the September 18 game.

Toowoomba Grammar School students Ryan Ensor and Mitchell Hunter have also been invited to join the Roar squad for the day and could take the field for the former A-League champions in the pre-season trial match.

Barrowclift is excited about the opportunity to take on the likes of A-League stars Thomas Broich, Besart Berisha and Matt McKay but could have a short back-up should Willowburn progress to the Premier Men's grand final, which will be played on September 15.

"It's three days after the final. It's a nice way to top off the season," said the 26-year-old Englishman, who has settled in Toowoomba after arriving in 2010.

"I've told my dad (back in England) already. I rung him on the day I found out. I hadn't spoken to him for a while, I rung him and he's over the moon."

Fellow international recruit Imai, from Japan, is keen to test himself against the Roar and especially wants to beat maligned Roar striker Besart Berisha.

"I'm very excited because we don't have many opportunities to play against professional teams," he said.

Toowoomba organiser of the game, Chris McLeod expects the Roar to bring a full squad for the Wednesday afternoon game and says entry will be free in a bid to get as many spectators to the game, especially children.

"When the Roar wanted to have it here, we agreed that it would be a free community event. There is no admission. It is open to the whole community to come," he said.

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ATSB pinpoints cause for Toowoomba air emergency - Yahoo!7 News

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has released its report into a forced landing at Toowoomba Airport earlier this year.

The ATSB says the front landing gear of the Hawker Beechcraft failed to retract after it took off from Hervey Bay in April.

After troubleshooting the problem, the pilot and co-pilot decided to continue to Toowoomba Airport for a forced landing.

The plane landed with the gear partially down but the plane came to a safe stop and did not catch fire.

No-one was injured.

The ATSB says a rod end was not properly fused with a plunger tube prior to assembly, causing the malfunction.

The part was assembled by an external supplier but Hawker Beechcraft issued a mandatory service bulletin ordering the part be inspected on all models.

ATSB pinpoints cause for Toowoomba air emergency - ABC Online

By Sam Burgess

Updated August 14, 2013 08:10:09

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has released its report into a forced landing at Toowoomba Airport earlier this year.

The ATSB says the front landing gear of the Hawker Beechcraft failed to retract after it took off from Hervey Bay in April.

After troubleshooting the problem, the pilot and co-pilot decided to continue to Toowoomba Airport for a forced landing.

The plane landed with the gear partially down but the plane came to a safe stop and did not catch fire.

No-one was injured.

The ATSB says a rod end was not properly fused with a plunger tube prior to assembly, causing the malfunction.

The part was assembled by an external supplier but Hawker Beechcraft issued a mandatory service bulletin ordering the part be inspected on all models.

Topics: air-transport, air-and-space, public-sector, toowoomba-4350, bundaberg-4670

First posted August 14, 2013 07:54:46

Embers spark fire in Toowoomba shed - Brisbane Times

Boxes of irreplaceable family photos and keepsakes were among the items destroyed by a fire in Drayton resident John Handley's shed last night.

The cause of the Darling Street blaze has prompted a warning from firefighters about the need for caution when disposing of hot embers.

Crews were called to a three-bay shed at the rear of Mr Handley's home at 7.46pm.

The 73-year-old said he had dumped hot embers from his fireplace on a pile beside the shed before hosing them down with water about lunch time yesterday.

However, the embers caused a fire to creep along vegetation at the rear of the shed before igniting the shed and contents.

Read more at The Toowoomba Chronicle

Barrowclift bags double as Willowburn downs USQ - Toowoomba Chronicle

WILLOWBURN midfielder Ben Barrowclift bagged a brace as the Magpies recorded a 2-0 win over USQ in Football Toowoomba Premier Men's action at Toara Park on Sunday.

Barrowclift's goals proved the difference as Willowburn built more momentum heading into the finals.

West Wanderers also recorded a promising win with a 1-0 victory over South Toowoomba Hawks.

In Premier Women's action, Gatton scored a comfortable 6-1 win over Rockville while Highfields downed Willowburn 2-1 in the other game.

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Stewart Dorman, Toowoomba, Queensland - ABC Local

I'd love to see a way safe seats could be made a little unsafe. As far as I'm concerned, you could put a donkey up for a candidate here, and they'd still vote for it!

As a taxi driver, you hear a lot of the same thing. People seem to vote the way they do because "that's the way it's always been done". It's "the LNP is right, and that's all there is to it!" It can be frustrating. I did find when Julia Gillard was Prime Minister there was hate, even bile-type guttural hate, towards her. Because she was a woman. That really did annoy me. She made mistakes, obviously, but she was always rowing uphill in that job.

I don't rate either leader of the major parties. It's a 'lesser of two evils' situation for me. If I make the decision to vote Labor, it doesn't matter because I'm in a safe LNP seat. I'm too hard a nut for Tony Abbott to crack. He doesn't talk to me. I know being in opposition isn't easy, but I could do his job. Whatever the Labor party does, I could say "oh, that's dumb and stupid". That's simple, but it doesn't prove anything to me that Abbott's a capable alternate Prime Minister.

I really like what the Greens have to say, but their chances of getting votes and having any position of power is next to none. But they certainly talk what I like to hear.

I'm a big fan of the carbon and mining taxes. If gas and coal is making a good profit, take more off them. They're just digging it up from the ground. It's not like they're manufacturing something, or using their brains. So I've got no qualms of taking more money off them to increase the clean, green, aspects of the future.

They talk about the prosperity of the resource boom. But it doesn't seem to hit the ground in the area does it? The road from here to Dalby is a mess. If we need this gas and coal so much, and we're making so much money from it, the roads should be paved with gold! It's a necessary evil for now, but I'd like to see more of a push from clean, green energies.

I play the ukulele. It's a bit tongue-in-cheek, but the song I am thinking of during this election campaign is 'Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone'. As a Julia fan, there was an honesty she had the others haven't got, and I miss that.

Pub robber pleads guilty - Toowoomba Chronicle

• Peter Hardwick


• 10th Aug 2013 6:10 AM

ONE of two men accused in the theft of a money change machine from the Newtown Hotel on Monday night has appeared before Toowoomba Magistrates Court.

Dwayne Owen Wharton, 30, stood in the court dock yesterday as Magistrate Bruce Schemioneck formally charged him with entering premises with intent and stealing the cash-changing machine believed to have contained thousands of dollars.

He was also charged with unlawfully using a motor vehicle arising from the theft of a red Mazda 6 from a Stuart St residence at Mt Lofty, early Monday morning.

Police claim the stolen car was used as a get-away vehicle in the Newtown Hotel theft.

Wharton entered early pleas of guilty to the charges and asked that his matters be adjourned to the Indigenous Sentencing List for sentence in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Friday, August 30. There being no application for bail, Magistrate Bruce Schemioneck remanded him in custody.

As he was led from the court, an agitated Wharton hurled expletives at Mr Schemioneck.

Police were yet to locate the second suspect in the Newtown Hotel theft, but were acting on leads to establish that accused's identity.

Anyone with information that could help police with their investigations is urged to contact Toowoomba CIB or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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QLD: Retail property sale, 352 Bridge Street, Toowoomba - The Australian

A BUILDING housing a Red Rooster outlet in Toowoomba, on Queensland's Darling Downs, has sold to a private investor for $1.785 million

Robert Stanley-Turner of Burgess Rawson said the purchaser was a NSW-based high net worth individual.

PRICE: $1.785m

YIELD: 7.23 per cent

BUYER: Private investor

SELLER: Private investor

AREA: 1710sq m

AGENT: Robert Stanley-Turner and Michael Collins, Burgess Rawson

Toowoomba property developer Clive Berghofer donates more than $50m to QIMR - Yahoo!7 News

Toowoomba property developer Clive Berghofer will donate $50.1 million to the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR), which will be renamed in his honour.

It is believed to be the single biggest charitable donation by an Australian.

QIMR director Professor Frank Gannon says he was "stunned" when Mr Berghofer revealed how much he wanted to donate.

Professor Gannon says Mr Berghofer has previously given $10 million to cancer research but this donation far exceeded their dreams.

"I was stunned because of the scale of the generosity - any donation requires generosity - this requires a truly awesome amount of generosity," he said.

"Medical research requires people and equipment and this will allow us to do both those things - to attract and retain and recruit people and also to provide the equipment absolutely necessary for cutting edge research.

"We're at the world leading level of research and we have to retain that position."

'Easy thing to do'

Mr Berghofer, also a former Toowoomba mayor, says he hopes his donation will change people's thoughts about giving to charity.

He says it was an easy thing to do because the QIMR has made in-roads into many diseases including cancer.

"Australians aren't real generous compared to Americans as far as giving is concerned," he said.

"Anybody can have cancer - we don't know who is going to use or not going to use it.

"It could be you, could be me, could be anybody, who's going to get help from Careflight or cancer research or whatever."

Berghofer's generosity 'an emerging trend'

The Australian Centre for Philanthropy Nonprofit Studies (ACPNS) has welcomed the news.

ACPNS spokeswoman Dr Wendy Scaife says Mr Berghofer's generosity is part of an emerging trend.

"A lot of Australians are looking at the role models of say a Tim Fairfax or the Myers family or those wonderful givers like Greg Poche, who has given $40 million to melanoma research down south," she said.

"All of those people who are coming out and saying 'look, we can do a little more individually'."

Dr Scaife says Mr Berghofer's donation will be one of largest in Australia to date.

"We have had the funny situation where our biggest donations have actually come from an American - Chuck Feeney from Atlantic Philanthropies," she said.

"In Queensland, Atlantic Philanthropies has given $102.5 million to the Princess Alexandra Hospital."

Toowoomba property developer Clive Berghofer donates more than $50m to QIMR - Yahoo!7 News

Toowoomba property developer Clive Berghofer will donate $50.1 million to the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR), which will be renamed in his honour.

It is believed to be the single biggest charitable donation by an Australian.

QIMR director Professor Frank Gannon says he was "stunned" when Mr Berghofer revealed how much he wanted to donate.

Professor Gannon says Mr Berghofer has previously given $10 million to cancer research but this donation far exceeded their dreams.

"I was stunned because of the scale of the generosity - any donation requires generosity - this requires a truly awesome amount of generosity," he said.

"Medical research requires people and equipment and this will allow us to do both those things - to attract and retain and recruit people and also to provide the equipment absolutely necessary for cutting edge research.

"We're at the world leading level of research and we have to retain that position."

'Easy thing to do'

Mr Berghofer, also a former Toowoomba mayor, says he hopes his donation will change people's thoughts about giving to charity.

He says it was an easy thing to do because the QIMR has made in-roads into many diseases including cancer.

"Australians aren't real generous compared to Americans as far as giving is concerned," he said.

"Anybody can have cancer - we don't know who is going to use or not going to use it.

"It could be you, could be me, could be anybody, who's going to get help from Careflight or cancer research or whatever."

Berghofer's generosity 'an emerging trend'

The Australian Centre for Philanthropy Nonprofit Studies (ACPNS) has welcomed the news.

ACPNS spokeswoman Dr Wendy Skaife says Mr Berghofer's generosity is part of an emerging trend.

"A lot of Australians are looking at the role models of say a Tim Fairfax or the Myers family or those wonderful givers like Greg Poche, who has given $40 million to melanoma research down south," she said.

"All of those people who are coming out and saying 'look, we can do a little more individually'."

Dr Skaife says Mr Berghofer's donation will be one of largest in Australia to date.

"We have had the funny situation where our biggest donations have actually come from an American - Chuck Feeney from Atlantic Philanthropies," she said.

"In Queensland, Atlantic Philanthropies has given $102.5 million to the Princess Alexandra Hospital."