The most consistent conversation I have had this week has been about the resounding success of the College musical. Even on Wednesday morning at the School-Based Apprenticeship celebration breakfast, the Deputy Mayor and another Principal remarked to me that they had heard it was a real success. Deputy Mayor McDonald said it was 'blowing up all over social media' and really lamented the fact he had not seen it.
The production is a real credit to Mrs Duncan, who has committed so much to ensuring this was a professional event. She set a high benchmark, and with the help of Ms Lauverjon and Ms Chalmers, ensured that the students really did our College proud. Like me, I am sure you were astounded by the costumes (designed and produced by Ms Cridland), the makeup (thanks to Ms Bailey and Mrs Puhakka) and the sets (with thanks to Mr Varley). Thank you so much also to the parents who volunteered their time to either support the preparation or by assisting at practices.
Thank you so much to the students who were either cast OR backstage crew (not forgetting Mrs Hand who directed the young men in the crew). The musical you delivered was such a complete giving of yourself! I was so humbled watching you.
A Catholic school has to take the classroom seriously - but also has to acknowledge that deep, experiential learning often happens outside of the classroom. Madagascar was an example of that resonant, visceral learning that can make such a difference to our young people. We celebrate the same experience in events like Arts in the Park, All School's Touch and Wakakirri. These are experiences where our young people develop resilience, confidence and emotional fortitude. They are essential to the education of the whole child.
When I talk to staff about the special role of the Catholic school, I often refer to John 10:10; "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full".
To me, this speaks to educators as a commitment to fulfil potential. Jesus was stressing a contrast - in a world where violence was ever-present he positioned himself as not only life-affirming but insisting that we leave nothing on the pitch! When we support our young people in striving for excellence, we call them to have life to the full. Parents, next time you insist on high standards at home, or with homework, or just in general, remember that you are calling for fullness of life.
What a noble and beautiful thing.
Mr Chris Gabbett College Principal
College Fees
Term 4 College Fees were sent out electronically this week including instrumental music. The accounts department will commence the process of ensuring all family accounts are paid by the end of the year. Please contact accounts@highfields.catholic.edu.au if you are unable to pay your account before the end of the term.
The 2023 Schedule of Fees were communicated to College Families this week. You will see in the attached schedule of fees that, as foreshadowed last term, fees have increased. The cost-of-living pressures felt universally are of course impacting upon College expenses, and this impact is coupled with upcoming uplifts in teacher salaries.
If you require assistance with fee relief based on these increases, please contact kirsty.gillett@twb.catholic.edu.au for a confidential discussion so the College may assist your family.
All families wishing to pay by direct debit in 2023 must submit a new form. Applications are accepted at all times during the year, however, to allow time for bulk processing please return your completed form by Friday, 18 November. Please review before returning to ensure all fields are completed correctly.
If you require assistance to complete this form or calculating your 2023 fees, please contact the Finance Department at the College or via email, accounts@highfields.catholic.edu.au.
Your official role at the College: Senior School Teacher
What does a typical day really look like: Every day changes in the secondary school. I think that's what I like.
Primary School attended: Many (I grew up in an army family)
Secondary School attended: (Toowoomba State High School)
What do you like about working at Mary MacKillop? We have really great teachers and students here who all contribute to a great community feel.
What are your hobbies/Interests? Soccer, golf, guitar, listening to music & holidaying.
Other interesting facts about yourself or anything else you would like to share with the MM community: I'm a first year teacher. This is my second career after spending 15 years in sales and finance.
Mary Mac Meals
Mary Mac Meals are freshly prepared meals from our College Chef, perfect to take home and feed the family after a long day at work!
Please click on the below link to see our menu, and place your order!
The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be held on Thursday, 10 November, in the MacKillop Centre starting at 6:00pm.
It is not too late for you to be part of this group. Please contact Nadine Dolan or Paula O'Rourke if you are interested in being part of this group. Information has been provided in previous newsletters as well as emails to all families.
Paula O'Rourke Assistant Principal Religious Education
Spotlight on Praxis
This Friday, our Year 12 Religion and Ethics students, who have been completing the Living Water–Praxis program throughout 2022, celebrated with some final presentations and, of course, cake!
Our College, along with many other Catholic schools in our Diocese, has been participating in the Living Water–Praxis program for the past two years. The course provides Year 12 students, who have chosen Religion and Ethics, with the opportunity for practical application of their faith through involvement in flexible, enriching and engaging experiences. Praxis calls young adults to positive action in the world through service learning. The course is organised around four core elements of social justice: charity/action, social justice/solidarity, advocacy and immersion/awareness.
Our 2022 Praxis students: Blair Smith, Sarah Carr, Riley Clatworthy, Thomas Gartner, Levi Logan and Reagan Pugsley, have all successfully completed the minimum 110 hours of Praxis. Notably, these students have effectively prepared and lead some College liturgies; presented sessions at formation days; raised awareness and advocated for social justice initiatives such as RU OK and the World's Greatest Shave; and completed a variety of service hours across the College and at organisations such as Rosies.
Students celebrated the conclusion of their course by sharing their challenges and perceived opportunities of participating in Praxis with members of our College Leadership Team as well as Year 10 students who have chosen the Religion and Ethics pathway for senior (and will be the Praxis 2024 cohort).
I would particularly like to thank Mr Ashley Jones and Mr Sean Albion who have led this group of students admirably this year. Additionally, Mrs Paula O'Rourke and Mrs Bridget Rillie, who have collaborated with the group for liturgies, prayer and formation experiences. It would be remiss of me not to thank Mrs Jennifer Langerak (currently on maternity leave) who taught these students for Year 11 Religion and Ethics and prepared them for the Praxis course. I know the group has missed Jen immensely this year and are extremely grateful for her guidance.
Congratulations to our 2022 Praxis students!
Leisa Radley Director of Formation and College Culture (7-12)
Praying the Rosary
During the month of October it is a tradition in the Catholic Church to pray the rosary. The rosary is a set of prayers prayed in a particular way. It can be meditative and can be prayer by yourself or with others.
The prayers that are said as part of the rosary are:
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Fatima Prayer
Apostles Creed
Hail Holy Queen
This link will take you to a site that explains the rosary (comprehensive beginners version). It will provide the words for the prayers as well.
The Rosary is traditionally said each day, with the idea in mind that you reflect about major events from New Testament that relate to Jesus and Mary. Each day there will be a different focus as the events are divided around a theme.
Here is how they are group and when to say them - this has been taken from the above website link:
The Mysteries of the Rosary
The Joyful Mysteries
The Annunciation: The Archangel Gabriel "announces" to Mary that she shall conceive the Son of God.
The Visitation: Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John the Baptist.
The Nativity: Jesus is born.
The Presentation: Mary and Joseph "present" Jesus in the Temple where they meet Simeon.
The Finding in the Temple: After losing Him, Mary and Joseph find young Jesus teaching the Rabbis in the Temple.
The Luminous Mysteries
The Baptism in the Jordan: The voice of the Father declares Jesus the beloved Son.
The Wedding at Cana: Christ changes water into wine, his first public miracle.
The Proclamation of the Kingdom: Jesus calls to conversion (cf. Mk 1:15) and forgives the sins of all who draw near to him.
The Transfiguration: The glory of the Godhead shines forth from the face of Christ.
The Institution of the Eucharist: Jesus offers the first Mass at the Last Supper with his apostles, establishing the sacramental foundation for all Christian living.
The Sorrowful Mysteries
The Agony in the Garden: Jesus sweats water and blood while praying the night before his passion.
The Scourging at the Pillar: Pilate has Jesus whipped.
The Crowning with Thorns: Roman soldiers crown Jesus' head with thorns.
The Carrying of the Cross: Jesus meets His mother and falls three times on the way up Calvary.
The Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed to the cross and dies before His mother and His apostle John.
The Glorious Mysteries
The Resurrection: Jesus rises from the dead.
The Ascension: Jesus leaves the Apostles and bodily "ascends" to heaven.
The Descent of the Holy Spirit: The Apostles receive the Holy Spirit in tongues of fire in the upper room with Mary.
The Assumption: Mary is taken bodily—assumed—into heaven by God at the end of her life here on earth.
The Coronation: Mary is crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth.
The traditional approach is to offer the Joyful Mysteries on Monday, the Sorrowful Mysteries on Tuesday, the Glorious Mysteries on Wednesday, and start again with the Joyful Mysteries on Thursday, the Sorrowful Mysteries on Friday. The Glorious Mysteries are then prayed on Saturday and Sunday. Now that the Luminous Mysteries have been promulgated by Saint John Paul II, one has the option to follow a new schedule:
Mary MacKillop carried a set of wooden rosary beads with her all the time. She was known for saying the rosary at anytime. In our contemporary times, a Joey Rosary has been developed for those who want to say just a decade of the rosary for a particular intention but it is in a shorter format.
Paula O'Rourke Assistant Principal Religious Education
Vinnies Christmas Gift Appeal 2022
For most of us, Christmas is a time of celebration with family and friends; exchanging of gifts; making precious memories together and enjoying delicious Christmas treats. However, for 2.2 million Australians, including families and 750,000 children living below the poverty line, Christmas can be a time when meeting their most basic needs, like putting food on the table or a place to call home, is a real struggle.
From Week 4 this term, MMCC will again be participating in our annual Vinnies Christmas Gift Appeal. Led by the Year 5 Mini Vinnies students and our Senior school AMMA group, this initiative has been a really successful act of charity and awareness for the past few years. Each Christmas, many families in our community, and in the Toowoomba surrounds, benefit from the donation of gifts and gift cards from our students.
In the coming weeks, please keep an eye out for an email which will include a list of suggested gifts according to age groups. Students are invited to purchase a gift or a gift card, wrap the present and then donate it to their class or PC basket. Please avoid bringing gifts to the College offices.
Mini Vinnies and the AMMA group are very excited to be running this service initiative again this year!
Leisa Radley Director of Formation and College Culture (7-12)
Socking it to poverty!
Socktober is just around the corner, so it's time to dust off those bright and crazy socks and get ready to sock it to poverty!
Next Friday, 21 October is MMCC's annual Socktober Day, hosted by our dedicated Actioning Mary MacKillop Advocacy (AMMA) group. In our Term 3, Week 10 Newsletter, I wrote all about the purpose of Socktober and Catholic Mission's focus country for 2022–Ethiopia. We encourage parents to continue to discuss the context of Socktober with your child/ren, as we will continue to do so within Religious Education classes this term.
Importantly, this week a link to a Socktober Jotform was sent to our community. On this form, families can:
pre-order a sausage on bread which will be available for Year 3 to 12 students to collect at First Break on Socktober Day. (Note: P-2 students will have their pre-ordered sausages delivered). This form will close at 9am, Wednesday, 19 October.
donate the equivalent of the 'gold coin donation' for students who are wearing their bright and colourful socks on the day. This form will close at 9am, Friday, 21 October.
Thank you in anticipation of your family's support of Socktober. We look forward to socking it to poverty to support vulnerable families in both Ethiopia and our local community this Socktober!
Leisa Radley
Director of Formation and College Culture (7-12)
Day for Daniel
Day for Daniel is Friday, 28 October!
This year we encourage you and your family to wear a red ribbon - in your hair or pinned to your uniform - as recognition of the importance of the day.
The colour red has become the colour that represents child safety and the foundation - The Daniel Morcombe Foundation. This foundation was established in honour of Daniel Morcombe to make Australia a safer place for children. It was founded by parents, Bruce and Denise, after their son was abducted in December 2003 while waiting to catch a bus on the Sundshine Coast.
in 2022, the theme is brave conversations and Day for Daniel will focus on challenges and choices regarding online safety and grooming. It is a perfect opportunity for parents to have these conversations with their children around personal safety in the real and online world.
If you would like to access some resources here is the website to help you start a brave conversation - www.danielmorcombe.com.au
As part of students learning here at MMCC, all students have had or will have lessons that help them to Recognise, React & Report. Please look out for any material sent home about this.
Happy Day for Daniel!
Senior School
The future in robotics has arrived at MMCC
This week MMCC welcomed the delivery of our new LEGO Education SPIKE Prime kits. These top-of-the-line kits will provide an excellent addition of STEM learning to our middle school classrooms with the possibility of expanding to an after-school program, or club.
These new kits will help our students understand the engineering design process, programming with variables and data, developing computation thinking skills, and applying the engineering design process through robotics. Students won't build and program just for the sake of it, but to solve real-world problems. Not only is the experience relevant and challenging, but it's also carefully designed to get students thinking about using science outside of the classroom while they work together and have fun innovating with the familiar building blocks of their childhood.
Some of the possibilities of these kits include having students work through mini projects such as creating simple robots and bionic limbs for simple tasks and manipulation of objects. Another project involves a scenario where students have started their own business and need to build robots that perform functions like checking the quality of their product or carting product. The kits also allow the opportunity to go beyond just the building aspect of LEGO and teach students about group dynamics, iteration, and executive functioning.
Our current Year 9 STEM students are already excited to get into these kits later in the Term!
Jared Nielsen Middle Leader - Science & Technology
At the beginning of this year I wrote to all senior school families regarding student appearance and everyday expectations. I am writing this seeking parent support to reset some of these expectations. After the reminder at the beginning of the year students have done well to meet these expectations, however a number of students have returned with untidy hair and not maintaining the high standard of uniform that was evident in previous terms.
This link to our look book outlines the uniform requirements and a code of appearance regarding make-up, hair and jewellery.
At the beginning of this year I wrote to all senior school families regarding student appearance and everyday expectations. I am writing this seeking parent support to reset some of these expectations. After the reminder at the beginning of the year students have done well to meet these expectations, however a number of students have returned with untidy hair and not maintaining the high standard of uniform that was evident in previous terms.
This link to our look book outlines the uniform requirements and a code of appearance regarding make-up, hair and jewellery.
It is important that these standards are maintained as the year draws to a close to ensure students remain engaged in learning. If any of the standards in the look book or they key points outlined above are unable to be met a note is required to be handed to the students PC teacher daily to explain when this issue will be resolved.
If you would like to discuss this further to develop a plan for your child please contact me via email
Sean Albion Assistant Principal Wellbeing Senior
Extra-Curricular
Talent Soars At College's First Musical Production!
Mary MacKillop Catholic College has successfully performed its first P-12 College Musical Production of Madagascar, A Musical Adventure Jnr.
The sold-out production ran over three nights at the UniSQ Arts Theatre in Toowoomba and well and truly exceeded the expectations of all patrons with many in awe of the maturity, professionalism and talent in performance and vocals!
College Principal, Mr Chris Gabbett attended the Saturday night performance and said “It was spectacular! A real credit to everyone involved. Watching it be created from the beginning of the year to now was magnificent. Every student involved did a fantastic job and should be very proud of themselves.”
This is the first time for the P-12 College to put on such a large production, and the support and commitment of the students, staff and parent body has certainly attributed to what is sure to be a successful event! “When we commit to educating the whole child, an authentic and aspirational pathway in Drama and the Arts is essential. To be able to present this is in professional surroundings like this theatre offers our students a rich experience that I hope they will remember for a long time”, said Mr Gabbett.
Musical Director and College Drama Teacher, Mrs Genevieve Duncan said, "the cast and crew have loved working with the team at UniSQ Arts Faculty. Liam and his team of technicians are experts at enacting our vision for this show and we are so grateful for the opportunity to perform in such a professional theatre".
Every element of design from props, stage sets and the elaborate costumes, could not have been done without the dedication of many talented staff and parents. And while a production like this does require a significant budget, the generosity of local business sponsorships made it that little bit more affordable for all families to get involved in this cultural experience.
A special thanks to Rubiks Roofing, GenEng Engineering, Airconditioning Queensland, ACD Trade, Kat's Creations and UniSQ for sponsorship!
The three night, sold out event was high energy, witty and a whole lot of fun!
Years ago Term 4 was all about sliding into the summer holidays...but not anymore! There is an explosion of activities and opportunities happening in Sport at Mary Mac and it's wonderful to see the number of students involved and the achievements of our teams steadily improving.
Our results at All-Schools Touch on the Gold Coast last week were very pleasing. 70 students represented the College in 5 different teams. There were 6 staff members, 4 buses, some really noisy Macaws, and many sleep-deprived nights in providing this wonderful opportunity for our students. Our 15 years boys and girls teams performed to a high standard with the girls narrowly missing the Top 16. Trials for the 2023 All-Schools will happen early in Term 1 and I look forward to further progress next year.
Other competitions commencing this term include Toowoomba Junior Touch Football, Girls Futsal, and Rugby 7s. There are students representing Darling Downs at the Queensland School Sport Track and Field Championships at the time of writing and we look forward to bringing you these and other results as the term progresses.
Futsal has been popular at Mary Mac this year and a very large number of Mary Mac students represented South West Queensland at the recent AFA National Futsal Championships. We are looking at recognising all players, however, the following is a report from Mrs Liz Frame, Middle Leader Humanities, who coached one of the South West teams:
During the second week of the September school holidays, four girls and one teacher from the Senior School participated in the National State School Futsal Titles. Chloe O’Rourke, Gabi Voll, and Bella Scrivens were part of the U14 West Maroon team, and Sienna Schmaling was part of the U13 West team. Mrs. Liz Frame coached the U14 girls’ team, and Sienna was also a shadow player for this team, who saw plenty of game time. The titles took place over four days and were held at Nissan Arena in Brisbane. The girls played teams from NSW, Victoria, and Tasmania. Bella and Chloe were also shadow players for the U15 West girls’ team and due to several injuries, found themselves playing in most games for this team as well. The competition was fierce and the girls played strongly in every game. Unfortunately, neither team made the semi-finals, but the girls played with integrity and tenacity and most importantly, had lots of fun. Thanks also to Teresa Scrivens who managed the team and Paula O’Rourke who assisted with coaching, managing and keeping Liz organised! Thanks also to Rowena Voll for all the great photos. In wonderful news, Chloe has been invited to tour with the Australian U15 team in August 2023 to Brazil, and Sienna has been invited to tour with the Australian U14 team in August 2023 to the United Kingdom. This is a fantastic effort and congratulations to both girls on their selections. For me personally, this was a wonderful opportunity to share with all the girls on the team and to see the range of talent across Australia in a rapidly growing sport. I look forward to next year’s carnival and working with these girls again.
Congratulations to our 6 advanced music students for their participation in the annual QLD State Honours Ensemble Program during the recent holidays. They enjoyed the experience and reports from the Conductors and Staff in attendance commended the students on their outstanding accomplishments, both musically and socially.
Jess Burke
Middle Leader - The Arts
Music Festival Success for MMCC vocalists
Following a very busy term 3, some MMCC vocalists backed up on the first weekend of the holidays to compete and participate in the Broxburn Music Festival. Excellent results were achievements with awards presented to students in nearly each age group! Fantastic to see Mary Mac students represent and shine in the wider community.
Westie Award RecipientsYear 3/4 Spelling Bee Award RecipientsYear 5/6 Spelling Bee Award RecipientsTeaching & Learning Award Recipients
Week 2 Assembly Awards
Congratulations to the students who received badges on assembly this week for their positive learning behaviours. These learning behaviours aim to develop learning habits that allow students greater ability to learn. To receive a badge, students earnt 20 Joey points across term 3.
Westie Award RecipientsTeaching & Learning Award RecipientsJoey Award RecipientsJoey Award RecipientsJoey Award RecipientsJoey Award RecipientsJoey Award RecipientsJoey Award RecipientsJoey Award RecipientsJoey Award RecipientsJoey Award RecipientsJoey Award RecipientsJoey Award RecipientsJoey Award RecipientsJoey Award RecipientsJoey Award RecipientsJoey Award RecipientsAthletics Age Champions - Runners UpAthletics Age ChampionsCross Country - Runners UpCross Country - ChampionsHandball Champions
Community Noticeboard
Parent Engagement Network Update
Hello to all Mary Mac Families, Students, Parish and Community members from the Parent Engagement Network (PEN). We hope all students and families enjoyed a restful holiday!
Welcome back to our final term of 2022. The term will be filled with many exciting events!
Congratulations to all staff, students and crew who have spent an enormous amount of time and energy in the preparation and performance of our College Musical – “Madagascar”. Did you manage to catch a show? It was incredible to see! All the students deserve a very special thank you for representing and showcasing our College on this special occasion. Thanks also to all staff and parents who volunteered their time with the show!
A big congratulations to all our sporting students who have spent time over their holiday break, and so far this term, representing the College, or our region, across many different sporting codes. Keep up this tireless effort for the love of all sports and representing the College.
EVENT UPDATES FOR THE TERM 4:
WORLD TEACHER’S DAY – FRIDAY 28TH OCTOBER:
This very special day is fast approaching. This is the day we acknowledge the great work by all our wonderful and devoted teachers. World Teacher’s Day will be celebrated around the College Café on the morning of Friday 28th October with special cakes and coffee. If you have time to drop by on this morning, we would love to see you all present to thank our teachers and staff.
MANGO DRIVE:
Thank you to all those who were able to purchase mangoes in the College’s Mango Drive. The funds raised will support the STEM resources across the College. Please expect correspondence later in the term in regard to collection of your mangoes in late November/early December.
COLLEGE DISCOS! PARTY TIME FOR ALL!!
Later this term, our Disco Queen, Mrs. Emma Ehrlich will be looking to organise a Junior School Disco and Senior School Event. Please watch this space or College alerts for any correspondence in regard to these events. We are always looking for parent volunteers to help with these events.
COLLEGE AWARDS EVENING:
This year we are looking forward to celebrating and acknowledging all academic, cultural, sporting achievement’s, improvement awards and other achievements. This is going to be a great evening on Wednesday 16 November, held at the College. We hope to see you all present.
YEAR 12 GRADUATES:
We wish all our Year 12 students the very best for their preparation of their External Examinations. The Year 12's will have their final day of school here at the College on Friday 18 November. If you see our Year 12's around, please make sure that you take the time to wish them the very best for their future endeavours! We will miss them all.
SBA- SCHOOL-BASED TRAINEESHIPS AND APPRENTICESHIPS:
We wish to congratulate and acknowledge all MMCC students who have worked this year on traineeships and part time apprenticeships. This week College students have celebrated a breakfast organised by TCSO to thank all employees who have worked with students to enable their careers to take shape and give them a head start in the workforce. Congratulations all students for your dedication and commitment.
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS:
As a final farewell to the end of year that was 2022, we would like to invite our College community to a Christmas Event at the College. This is going to be a family event and evening with fun events, movie, PEN BBQ, Bar and more……Watch this space for College messages and alerts!
Coffee Catchup at The Café – Every Tuesday morning 8am till 8.30am.
To all College Parents, students and staff. Please don’t forget to join us for a chat with the ELT (Executive Leadership Team) to discuss any College matters or general questions which you may have, or just a check-in with each other on how everyone is doing. This is a great opportunity for us all to meet. We always welcome existing and new families to attend. We’d love to see you there!
Grant Writing to support the College –PEN Resources Team
Does this interest you? We are still in need of assistance in this area. If this is of an interest to you, please make contact via the below email. There are many grants available and we need your help!
College Oval Update.
Further earthworks have been completed. Delays have occurred due to continued rain. Blockwork walls are being backfilled and final trimming of the oval will occur in coming weeks. We are now hoping to have the oval completed by the end of year due to the unexpected delays and due to the very busy building and construction industry. Thank you to everyone for your patience.
We wish the College students from Prep -12 the very best for this term. May everyone enjoy this term and be in the moment to enjoy all successes and achievements.
Thank you to Mr Chris Gabbett for his leadership, All ELT, our wonderful teachers for their unwavering efforts thus far and all staff across the College.
Our end of year PEN Meeting is on the 1st November. All parents and the student body are always welcome to attend. This will be our end of year meeting.
If you have a topic or matters for discussions, please send through to the PEN email higpen@twb.catholic.edu.au and we can add it to our next Meeting Agenda.
Next PEN Meeting:
Next meeting 1st November 2022 (Tuesday evening) End of year meeting.
Take care. Shayne Cleary and Rowena Voll Co-Chairs - PEN
Trial of new Roadways Behaviour Monitoring System
In a world-first road safety initiative, new speed camera technology will soon target speeding
drivers at selected school zones across Queensland.
Everyone has a role in keeping our roads safe. It is imperative drivers reduce their speed to the
signed 40 km/h speed limit and be aware of activity by students on or near the road.
Speed cameras will only operate during school zone times at the selected schools.
Parents, and carers dropping off or picking up students are urged to comply with school zone
speed limits. Those who slow down will not be penalised.
Mark Bailey MP Minister for Transport and Main Roads
Drive-in-Movie - Cabarlah & Goombungee
Are you ready for a spooky time? Drive-In Movies are back in 2023 for a weekend themed of Halloween!
Food options are available
A working FM car radio will be required. Smartphone apps and Bluetooth speakers will not receive the FM transmission - please bring along your own portable FM radio if your car does not have one.
DAF are attempting to build a Business Case to have people residing within TR Council boundaries and who were impacted by the flooding event between 6 and 20 May 2022 to be included to receive Disaster Recovery Assistance. Disaster Recovery Assistance is not automatically granted and it is important for individuals to report damages and impacts as soon as possible - include date stamped photos providing as much evidence as possible.
Note – this survey does not constitute an application for assistance - the purpose of this survey is to gain a better understanding of the extent of the recent natural disaster affecting your area. Participation is voluntary, and you can stop the survey anytime. If you have multiple properties to report, please complete one survey per property.
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries collects this information to inform the process for activation of disaster recovery assistance. Your information may be shared with other Queensland State and Local Government agencies responsible for disaster response and recovery.
For further information, please call DAF on 13 25 23 or email info@daf.qld.gov.au with your enquiry.
TRC - Australia Day Awards
TRC - Youth Grants
Toowoomba Regional Council recognises the important contributions young people and youth organisations make to the inclusiveness, sustainability and vibrancy of our community.
To support youth-led projects in our Region, Youth Grants of up to $2,500 are now available.
Applications open Saturday, 1st October and close Monday, 31st October.
The Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF is Queensland's largest one-off community grants program and disributes approximaely $60 Million each year to not-for-profit community groups. The GCBF funding helps these groups to provide services, leisure activities and opportunities for Queensland Communities.
Funding available up to $35,000
Applications now open and closing on 31 October 2022.
Festivals Australia provides funding to support individual art projects at festivals or significant one-off community events, such as a town celebration or opening of a new community resource. Festivals Australia will:
provide access to a diverse range of high quality, innovative arts projects that grow audiences at festivals across regional Australia
support partnerships and collaboration across the arts sector
encourage community participation in arts projects at regional and remote festivals
Funding available between $5,000-$150,000, with applications closing 5th October 2022.
Rainfall and Flooding – Category C Flexible Funding Grant
Flexible Funding Grants are aimed at driving recovery and resilience in communities impacted by the Central, Southern and Western Queensland Rainfall and Flooding, Ex TC Seth SEQ Rainfall and Flooding, and Southern Queensland Flooding events.
Grant caps apply to each project application with funding available for: small grants: Minimum $2,500 up to a maximum of $50,000
large grants: Minimum $50,001 up to a maximum of $100,000
Applications are now open and close Friday, 21st October at 2:00pm.
The QCF regional grants program aims to support eligible charitable organisations providing services in the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Darling Downs region and Northern Queensland. Charities and causes supported may fit within, but are not limited to community wellbeing, health, arts and culture, animal welfare, children and youth, education, environment, medical research, indigenous and religion. Please check individual regional grant guidelines for grant criteria.
Grants available up to $25,000 with applications closing 16th January 2023.
Disaster Assistance (Essential Working Capital) Loans - Small Business provide low interest loans to small businesses who have suffered a significant loss of income as a result of an eligible disaster.
Toowoomba Region is eligible for Southern Qld Flooding from 6th-20th May 2022 and South East Qld Rainfall and Flooding from 22nd February-7th March 2022.
Low-interest loans up to $100,000, with applications closing 31st December 2023.
