Hold on to your hats and get your game faces on as Timezone is set to open at Orion Springfield Central by 2020.
Who’s in for some fun games at the arcade? Well, Springfield locals are in luck because the long wait is finally over—Timezone is on its way to Orion Springfield Central!
Initial works have already started last October 2019, and construction has finally commenced a month after its preparatory stage. However, all work will be paused for the busy Christmas trading period, and it is expected to pick up its pace again early in the New Year.
Orion Springfield Central’s new entertainment precinct has a size of 1,231 square metres, and it is located near the Target loading dock in the southern car park of the centre. With weather permitting, Timezone is set to open by mid-2020.
Here are the expected features of Timezone at Orion Springfield Central:
Four lanes of tenpin bowling
Dedicated party room
Laser tag arena
Spin zone bumper cars
Arcade games
Chill out zone
Other Expansions at Orion Springfield Central
Photo credit: Orion Springfield Centra/ Facebook
Aside from the centre’s new entertainment precinct, Orion Springfield Central also recently refurbished Aldi and opened up a new three-storey adventure playground last November and October 2019, respectively.
The shopping centre will also be constructing a new food court with an alfresco area, providing extra seating, new furnishings, family-friendly pods, and pet-friendly dining areas. Construction for the new food court is expected to start in the new year and be completed by Spring 2020.
Get a glimpse of Santa and his helpers hiding across Ipswich by downloading the Finding Santa app on your digital device today.
Listen up kids! If you’ve been dreaming of catching Santa together with his magical helpers roaming around and preparing Christmas gifts for everyone, now is your chance to do so.
How to find and catch Santa? Well, the good news is, there is no need for you to stay up at night anymore since you can find Santa at any time of the day using the Finding Santa app on your digital device.
Finding Santa
Finding Santa is an interactive augmented reality trail spanning 40 locations across Ipswich. By downloading this application, you will be able to discover different animated Christmas characters, step into the live photo with them, and upload it on your social media accounts for everyone to see.
As announced by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in October 2019, Queensland’s new Office for Veterans will be based in Ipswich.
After the extensive lobbying efforts made by Jennifer Howard (Member for Ipswich), the Premier has finally agreed to set up the Office for Veterans in Ipswich.
According to the Premier herself, Ms Howard made clear the advantages of having the office at Ipswich instead of any other regions in Queensland.
“Ipswich is a well-established defence hub and home to Australia’s largest RAAF base and Rheinmetall Defence Australia’s new headquarters, making it an ideal location to lead whole-of-government coordination on veterans’ matters,” the Premier said.
Ms Howard supported the Government’s decision by stating how this move is ideal considering the rapid growth of the region.
“Around 5000 people are employed at Amberley airbase and this will allow greater support for our growing defence community,” Ms Howard said.
Photo credit: https://www.qld.gov.au/
About Queensland Office for Veterans
The Queensland Office for Veterans is the central point of contact and coordination for all policy issues and Queensland Government commitments relating to veterans.
The functions and services of the office include the following:
Provision of policy advice on veterans’ matters
Supporting employment of ex-Australian Defence Force members within the Queensland public service
Delivering the Queensland Veterans’ Memorial Grants Program
Leading whole-of-Government coordination on veterans’ matters
Providing a mechanism for veterans’ organisations to communicate with the Queensland Government.
Continuous Support for Queensland Veteran’s Program and Grants
The Palaszczuk Government is pleased with the overwhelming success of the Veterans’ Employment Pathway Program. Ever since this program started in July 2018, a total of 388 veterans have been employed in the Queensland public service, with nine of those positions in Ipswich.
Given its success, the Office for Veterans vows to continue and expand this program even more.
The Office for Veterans will also continue to deliver the Queensland Veterans’ Memorial Grants Program. This program aims to provide funding in order to restore, conserve and create monuments, memorials and other sites that acknowledge the contribution of our veterans.
Following an impressive year on and off the court, tennis star Ashleigh Barty was named the winner of the 2020 Queensland Young Australian of the Year Award. The 23-year-old athlete from Ipswich recently impressed tennis fans after winning her first Grand Slam singles title at this year’s French Open.
Ms Barty climbed the ranks to become the current number one singles tennis player in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA). She is the second Australian to hold such an honor after Evonne Goolagong Cawley.
A former cricket player before shifting to tennis, Ms Barty previously won six singles titles at the WTA and won one Grand Slam doubles title with co-player Coco Vandeweghe at the U.S. Open in 2018.
The tennis superstar is loved by fans, not just for her skills on the court. She is also an inspiration and a positive role model to many because of her down-to-earth attitude.
Ms Barty is also a National Indigenous Tennis Ambassador for Tennis Australia as a First Nations woman.
Photo Credit: Ash Barty/Instagram
“From humble beginnings as a young tennis player from Ipswich to the top of the tennis world, her professionalism on and off the court, her dogged determination, her talent and skills are second to none,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said of Barty’s win as Queensland Young Australian of the Year.
“Ash is an inspirational young Queenslander and a fantastic role model for other young Queenslanders, and is highly deserving of this special commendation.”
Ms Barty wasn’t able to personally receive the award during the ceremony in Brisbane. Her father, Robert Barty, got on stage on her behalf.
Photo Credit: Australian of the Year/Facebook
“If someone would have said to me at the start of the year that your daughter’s going to be number one in the world, then I would have said, ‘Wake up to yourself she’s not that good’. But she’s just done some incredible stuff,” Mr Barty said.
“I had to go to Cairns with her recently to help some young indigenous kids get into the sport, and she said to me up there when we jumped on the plane to come home, ‘Dad I could do this every day, this is what really matters. This is great stuff, this is so much better than playing tennis’,” he added.
Spend a fun and enriching morning outside with your children as the third Springfield Lakes Family Pest Fishing Classic gets underway! Happening on Sunday, the 17th of Nov 2019, the event will help rid Spring Lakes of tilapia, the cane toad of the waterways, whilst participants may get a chance to win prizes.
Fishing at Spring Lakes is not permitted unless through this regulated event. This is your chance to expose your children to create awareness about the local biodiversity. Engaging the kids in this outdoor activity is also a good idea for them to learn valuable life skills and sustainability.
Photo Credit: Supplied
The Springfield Lakes Family Pest Fishing Classic is organised by Brisbane Valley Anglers Fishstocking Association (BVAFA) with 2 Bent Rods leading and teaching the participants. Whilst fishing, both children and adults will be able to:
learn about the pest species that affect the local waterways
help prevent an infestation
meet people and families who share a common goal and interest
give back to the community
According to the rules of handling invasive pest fish, tilapia or similar species “are to be euthanised humanely as soon as they are caught.” These are not supposed to be sold or given away. All measures must be taken to “minimise the risk of these fish from escaping.”
Photo Credit: Supplied
“These types of events are a lot of fun for the kids while also educating the community as well as the entrants. Tilapia is prevalent in many of our waterways and people need to be made aware of the best practices for dealing with them,” said Sam Beckmann of 2 Bent Rods.
The stars have aligned and opened a chance for you to know what’s in the cards for 2020 as a tent featuring psychic mediums, tarot card readers and healers will be popping up at the Orion Central Shopping Centre in Springfield Lakes on Sunday, the 17th of Nov. 2019.
Five professionals in the psychic field will be at the Pennies Bazaar Psychic Tent from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for consultations about your future for your amusement. Aside from tarot card reading, they also do palm reading, angel card reading, pendulum interpretations, personal energy clearing, and psychic intuitive one-on-one sessions.
Teresa has been a professional tarot reader, palmist and psychic since 1991. She can provide insights and guidance about relationships, money, career and wellbeing.
Brett is from the International Psychics Association who can connect with spirits and have proven his psychic reading accuracy for years as a preferred guest for psychic interpretations on television.
Natasha of Old Sea Hag Tarot is a regular at Brisbane Night Markets and interstate mind, body and spirit events. She has helped numerous clients find clarity in solving their problems.
Morticia is a psychic intuitive who provides spiritual guidance through tarot and the pendulum. She is also a lightworker who advocates for positive living.
Debbie has been a medium for over 30 years. She is a tarot card interpreter and a clairsentient who can provide healing.
Spot the purple tent at the pop-up venue next to other new-age retailers and artisans, as well as heaps of food stalls of the Orion Central Shopping Centre. You may also pre-book your appointment for Saturday via their Facebook page.
Two new state schools are being built at Ripley Valley in Ipswich and are expected to be fully operational by 2020.
The State Government has announced that the names of these two new state schools are Ripley Valley State Primary College and Ripley Valley State Secondary College, respectively.
Ripley Valley State Primary College can cater a total number of 1000 students from Prep to Year 6; whilst, Ripley Valley State Secondary College can accommodate up to 1500 students of Year 7 and Year 8. New year levels will be added to the secondary school each year as students’ progress.
The local catchment area for both schools can now be viewed on EdMap.
This $50-million primary school is located at the corner of Providence Parade and Botany Drive. The school is strategically placed adjacent to the new state high school—Ripley Valley State Secondary College.
At present, the administration building is on track and taking shape. This two-level building is expected to be finished by early December 2019 in order for the team to establish an office for the new primary school. With weather conditions permitting, the school will open to the public in late December of 2019.
Ripley Valley State Primary College will open in 2020 with the following facilities:
Administration building
Prep learning areas
General learning areas
Canteen and resource centre
Multipurpose hall
Oval/green space
Photo credit: https://qed.qld.gov.au/
The State Government has also announced that Ms Naomi Meerwald is Ripley Valley State Primary College’s foundation principal. For more information and updates, you may visit the school’s website and Facebook page.
Ripley Valley State Secondary College is a $70 million worth project of the State Government. It is currently being constructed at the corner of Providence Parade and Parkway Avenue, adjacent to Ripley Valley’s primary school.
The school master plan identifies further stage development as the school grows to accommodate the full Year 7 to 12 enrolments.
Similar to Ripley Valley’s primary school, the high school is expected to open in 2020 with:
Administration building
Junior general learning areas
Junior applied technology and design graphics centre
Robotics centre
Business fashion and design graphics centre
Sports field
The first stage will also deliver a hospitality centre, art and design centre, senior applied technology centre and indoor and outdoor sports courts.
Future stages of the high school will deliver:
Additional general learning areas
A science centre
A performing arts centre
Photo credit: Ripley Valley State Secondary College/ Facebook
The State Government has also announced that Mr Brendan Krueger is Ripley Valley State Secondary College’s foundation principal.
For more information and updates, you may visit the school’s website and Facebook page.
Prepare to get on board! Translink-operated bus services will be available to Greater Flagstone locals starting late November 2019.
Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dickannounced that the $19.6-million project is set to activate TransLink bus services running between the Greater Flagstone PDA and Grand Plaza Shopping Centre in Browns Plains.
“Economic Development Queensland and the Department of Transport and Main Roads have worked together to deliver public transport service to Greater Flagstone,” Mr Dick said.
“Our $19.6 million funding agreement over 10 years will see TransLink progressively introduce more bus services as demand increases.”
“As the community grows, TransLink’s services will grow with it,” Member for Jordan, Charis Mullen said.
“This will ensure our community remains liveable, and attractive for people looking to move here.
“Residents will be better connected to employment, education, shops, and recreational spaces.
“It’s about improving lifestyle and opportunity, both locally and across the wider Logan region.”
The new bus route will be classified as Zone 3 from start to finish, according to Member for Logan, Linus Power. This means the cost of the trip will be cheaper — $3.31 from Greater Flagstone to Brown Plans and $6.61 if your heading to the CBD — and even cheaper rates for pensioners, students, and during off-peak times.
The proposed route of the initial services will begin in Trailblazer Drive, Flagstone, and will include stops through to Browns Plains, Monday to Friday between 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Each one-way trip will be about 26 km and travel time will be approximately 40 minutes.
Are you a Springfield Lakes artist or innovator with a unique idea for a product or project who lacks the resources to make your dreams a reality? You can now submit your application for Brisbane City Council’s Creative and History Grant 2019-2020.
Applications have opened in mid-October but if this is your first time seeking a grant, it might help to join the Creative Grant Information Sessions first. Six sessions across different venues will be underway to help Brisbane locals prepare an effective application.
You’ll learn the following at these Creative Grant Information Sessions :
the different creative grant programs available
grant guidelines and application forms
advice on project eligibility and
tips on making an application
These are free sessions hosted by the Council but you will need to register your intent to join online for your ticket.
Date/Time
Location
Monday, 4 Nov 2019 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Brisbane Square Library 266 George Street, Brisbane City
Through these Creative and History Grants, the Council hopes to encourage local artists, innovators, historians and organisations to flourish in their chosen field of expertise. The funding will not just provide the resources to these individuals or groups but it will also bring more opportunities to develop their skills, talents and ideas to help the community.
Did you know that the top two schools with the highest number of enrolments for the Vocational Education and Training in Schools program is found in Ipswich?
Ipswich State High School continues to be Queensland’s top provider of Vocational Education and Training in Schools (VETiS) program. In fact, according to Principal Simon Riley, the Ipswich State High School offered about 30 certificate courses to its 840 students (Years 10-12) and to those from other schools.
In 2018, the Bremer State High School garnered Queensland’s second-highest number of enrolments for their VETiS courses. Hence, this makes Ipswich home to the top 2 schools in Queensland with the highest number of students enrolled in a VET qualification program.
Photo credit: https://bremershs.eq.edu.au/
Both Members for Ipswich Jim Madden and Jennifer Howard see this fantastic turnout to be beneficial for the future of Ipswich and its locals.
“This is a great achievement and it will mean students will have a bright future ahead of them,” Mr Madden said.
“We need more skilled workers in the growing industries such as healthcare and trades, and I encourage Ipswich students to consider TAFE once they graduate.”
“This means more young people in Ipswich are gaining a valuable qualification before they even finish school,” Ms Howard said.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) is a learning course that is directly related to work or getting a job. It provides pathways for all young people who are seeking further education, training, or employment-specific skills.
Whether you are a student, a job seeker or already employed, there is a range of training options available at VET accredited schools and organisations to help you achieve your career goals.
Accredited training courses are provided by registered training organisations (RTOs), such as TAFE, private training providers and some universities.
Photo credit: https://ipswichshs.eq.edu.au/
Government Support
Last 9 October 2019, Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman visited Ipswich State High School to speak with students about the many opportunities that lie ahead of them once they graduate by the end of the year.
“We know nine out of 10 jobs expected to grow in the next five years will require a VET qualification,” Ms Fentiman said.
“And as students near graduation it’s important they consider their career options once they walk out of the classroom.”
Minister Fentiman also discussed the government’s free apprenticeship initiative— its importance, benefits, and how much the government wants more young Queenslanders to take this course.
Photo credit: https://bremershs.eq.edu.au/
“In August the Premier and I announced free apprenticeships for under 21s which builds on our free tafe for year 12 graduates initiative,” Ms Fentiman said.
“All of these free qualifications on offer are in the industries where we know there will be jobs.”
The fully subsidised traineeships are in industries that show a high demand for workers including:
Electrical
Plumbing
Engineering
Healthcare
Hospitality
Early childhood
“The Palaszczuk Government’s new $32 million free apprenticeship initiative is tipped to help 60,000 young people into an apprenticeship or traineeship,” she said.
“So far more than 12,000 young Queenslanders are taking advantage of free training under these two initiatives.”
