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Ipswich City Council Announces New and More Holistic Sport and Recreation Achievement Grant Program

The Sports Excellence Bursary program has been replaced by a more holistic program — Sport and Recreation Achievement Grant program — beginning 1 May 2019, the Ipswich City Council announced.

The Sport and Recreation Achievement Grant will still provide financial support to eligible athletes representing Queensland or Australia at an eligible sporting event. Likewise, umpires and referees attending eligible events are also going to get the same level of support under the program.

The new program aims to support more number of sport and recreation organisations in Ipswich, however, it comes with an updated eligibility criteria.

Timeframe and funding range

Although applications are open all year round, applications should be lodged within three months before or after the event that the athlete, umpire, or referee is attending.

The funds are granted to eligible applicants to assist with the travel and event related costs of attending the specified sporting event:

Athletes selected to represent Queensland – $200
Athletes selected to represent Australia – $300

Ipswich City of Sport Video Credit: Ipswich City Council TV / YouTube

Applicants are encouraged to read the Sport and Recreation Achievement Grant Guidelines prior to applying.

The following documentation will be required:

Written confirmation of the applicants selection to participate in an eligible National or International competition as an athlete, umpire or referee on the letterhead of the recognised governing body.
Proof of residency

The Sport and Recreation Achievement Grant Online Application Form is available here. You may also call (07) 3810 6666, for assistance.

Springfield Lakes Holds a Fete for Peace via the Orange and White Peace Day

Photo Credit: Couleur/Pixabay

The Gandhi Salt March Ltd (GSML) is hosting an Orange and White Peace Day at the Robelle Domain Parklands, in Springfield Lakes on Sunday, the 28th of April, to promote harmony and non-violence, as well as celebrate diversity in the community.

The event is free and open to all families or groups who believe in Gandhian values that embrace inclusiveness, peace, and trust. It’s also an opportunity to learn about the teachings and impact of world leader Mahatma Gandhi.

Orange and White Peace Day will kick off with a Peace March from Mahatma Gandhi Inspiration Bridge to Robelle Domain Park at 2:00 p.m. Event guests may also expect the following activities below since the affair will close at 9:00 p.m.:

Yoga and meditation
Rhythematic Expression of Peace & Freedom through Bhangra and African dances and drums
Flower arrangement contest
Cross-cultural dialogue and stories from Afghan women
Live performances from at least six bands, including Celtic and Middle Eastern ethnicities
Gandhian Art exhibition
Dinner picnic at the parklands

Food trucks will be at parked at the venue but participants are also free to bring their own food for the picnic. They are also encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and white and orange shirts to promote oneness.

“I am looking forward to moderating this dialogue to rekindle Gandhian values of collaborative leadership which embrace diversity, inner calm and outer dynamism – the keys to marshalling social capital and nation-building,” GSML Chairman Jim Varghese said in the press release.

Enjoy an Evening of Music and Love with Ipswich City Symphony Orchestra

Explore the connection of music and love as Ipswich City Symphony Orchestra presents Festival Gala– Romance of the Movies.

Get ready for an evening filled with beautiful orchestra music, talented local vocalists, and graceful ballerinas at the Ipswich City Symphony Orchestra’s Festival Gala– Romance of the Movies. This one night festival is happening on 27 April 2019 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ipswich Civic Centre.

Under the baton of maestro Patrick Burns, the lovely musicians of the Ipswich City Symphony Orchestra will take its audience into a one-of-a-kind musical experience as they relive the grandeur of the music from our most loved romantic movies. Included amongst the selection are Dances with Wolves, Romeo and Juliet, Cinema Paradiso, The Warsaw Concerto from Dangerous Moonlight, and Lawrence of Arabia.

Apart from the ensemble of musicians, this festival will also showcase talented singers, namely Tim McCullum, Hannah Dahlenburg, Troy Castle, and Francis Atkins. Also, ballerinas from the Shayne McCormack Ballet School will be present at the festival to grace the stage with some of their repertoires.

Given the amount of talented artists preforming in one evening, the Festival Gala– Romance of the Movies is definitely something you would not want to miss! And not to mention, this performance festival is dedicated to Ipswich City Symphony Orchestra’s late Founder and Director, Gemma D’Aubonnett.

Ticket Prices

Adult	$65
Concession	$60
Group (6 and above)	$55

Click here to book your tickets for Ipswich City Symphony Orchestra’s Festival Gala– Romance of the Movies

About Ipswich City Symphony Orchestra

Ipswich City Symphony Orchestra (ICSO) is a regional and professional orchestra that was established in 2004 under the baton of the late Derek Taylor MBE. Each year they perform a Prom Concert in April for the Ipswich Festival, a Gala in October, and a closing performance at the Mayor’s Carols in December.

They also offer a novice training programme for those who are interested to enter the ensemble professionally.

To know more about Ipswich City Symphony Orchestra and their upcoming performance, you may visit their official website and Facebook page.

Extra Beds at Mater Springfield Opened To Public Flu Patients; Eligible Queenslanders Urged to Get Free Vaccination

Since flu cases spike early in the year and public hospitals reach capacity, the government has been forced to pay for beds at private hospitals, such as Mater Hospital in Springfield, to accommodate public flu patients.

Queensland Health has reported that there have already been a total 7,445 influenza notifications as of 7 April 2019, up from 3,318 at about the same time last year. The year 2017 was one of the worst years for flu with 56,590 recorded notification whilst a total of 15,664 flu notifications were made in 2018.

The public is thus urged to book in for their flu shot this month, before the peak flu season sets in around August, as it generally takes 10 to 14 days to be fully effective. People are also encouraged to continue practising good health hygiene like regular hand washing, covering a cough with a tissue or arm, and staying at home when ill.

“It’s so important for Queenslanders to get vaccinated every year because it’s the best way to protect yourself from the flu,” Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Steven Miles said in his announcement.

*Photo Credit:Authentic Images / Pikwizard*

“The government provides free vaccines for children under five, pregnant women, Queenslanders over the age of 65 and all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people,” Mr Miles said.

“These vaccines are now on their way to providers and eligible Queenslanders should book in to get their free jab from mid to late April.”

“The latest expert advice is that while protection from vaccination is expected to last for the whole season, the best protection is provided in the three to four months following vaccination,”

“Flu season in Queensland is typically from June to September, with the peak usually in August.

“That’s why we recommend vaccinating sometime between mid-April through to the end of May, to ensure the best protection during the peak of the season,” he said.

National Immunisation Program

There are more than 6 million vaccine doses secured this year through the Government’s National Immunisation Program. This will allow Australian’s who are most at risk of getting sick due to influenza virus infection during this year’s flu season can get access to the vaccines.

Under the National Immunisation Program, those eligible for the flu shot include people 65 years and over, pregnant women, and people suffering from chronic conditions. For the first time, all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from 6 months of age are also eligible to get the flu vaccination.

“The message remains the same: get vaccinated every year because it is the best way of protecting yourself against the flu,” Mr Miles said.

Queensland Rail to add Extra Train Services to Springfield and other Lines During Peak Times

Beginning 13 May 2019, customers of Queensland Rail in South East Queensland can expect less waiting time as extra train services will be added, including additions to the Springfield line, to carry more passengers during the busy hours.

In response to customer feedback and after analyzing patronage data, wait times, and operational efficiencies, Queensland Rail identified 32 priority weekly services which will be added during morning and afternoon peak hours.

The extra 32 weekly services would mean additional 14,000 seats which will benefit those travelling on Redcliffe Peninsula, Cleveland, Springfield, Shorncliffe, Ferny Grove,Gold Coast, and Airport lines.

Monday to Friday additions

Line	Departing station	Departure time	Arrival station	Arrival time
Redcliffe Peninsula	Kippa-Ring station	7.10am	Central station	8.05am
Cleveland	Cleveland station	6.39am	Central station	7.34am
Cleveland	Central station	5.09pm	Cleveland station	6.05pm

Monday to Thursday additions to the services already running on a Friday

Line	Departing station	Departure time	Arrival station	Arrival time
Springfield	Springfield Central station	6.51am	Central station	7.32am
Shorncliffe	Shorncliffe station	7.39am	Central station	8.16am
Shorncliffe	Central station	6.58am	Shorncliffe station	7.35am

Friday additions to the services already running Monday to Thursday

Line	Departing station	Departure time	Arrival station	Arrival time
Ferny Grove	Ferny Grove station	7.25am	Central station	7.56am
Gold Coast	Varsity Lakes station	5.55am	Central station	7.14am
Airport	Central station	7.16am	Domestic Airport station	7.40am
Airport	Domestic Airport station	7.49am	Central station	8.13am
Cleveland	Central station	5.32pm	Cleveland station	6.35pm

The additional weekly train services was announced ahead of timetable improvements planned this 2019. These changes will be available in the TransLink Journey Planner website beginning mid-April.

Revel in the Festival Parade of Light in Ipswich

The annual Ipswich Festival is fast approaching so the air is abuzz with preparations for the much-awaited Festival Parade of Light on Saturday, 13^th April 2019, at Brisbane Street.

Although the entire festival run has been shortened from two weeks to just four fun-filled days, popular events like the Parade of Light will still take place.

The parade has become a tradition that families, friends and neighbours look forward to each year as an opportunity to show off and celebrate the Queensland people and culture in a fun, colourful lighting display.

It never fails to dazzle people of all ages with its vibrant spectacle of marching bands, brightly lit floats, giant lanterns, effigies, roving entertainers, dance performances, and street theatre.

This year’s parade is presented by The Queensland Times and Ti Tree Bioenergy. It will take to the streets with the theme “Our Backyard”.

For many Queenslanders, the backyard is the place where you hang out with family and friends to relax. In the old days, it used to contain chickens, woodheap and a vegetable patch. Nowadays, it can have a swimming pool, playground equipment or a covered entertainment area. Whatever you put in your backyard then and now, no one knows your backyard more than you do.

An Aussie backyard — *Photo credit: Discover Ipswich / Facebook*

Ipswich landmark — *Photo credit: Ipswich City Council / Facebook*

Following the success of last year’s parade, people expect this year’s parade to be as electrifying, magical and fantastic despite the condensed format of the festival.

The Festival Parade of Lights is a must-not-miss for locals and visitors, so mark your calendars and prepare to be dazzled.

The parade will run through the main streets of Ipswich CBD from 6:00pm to 7:00pm.

For information on road closures, click here.

Engage in Active Parks Program to Boost Wellbeing and Fitness in Ipswich

Even before the Health and Wellbeing Queensland Bill was introduced into Parliament, the Ipswich City Council has already been exerting efforts to create Australia’s most active and healthy community.

The Council has started the Active Parks Program back in August 2017 to provide a range of activities for the benefit and enjoyment of residents of all ages and abilities.

Active Parks is a program offering free weekly physical activity classes in a community park. Activities include Yoga, Aqua Aerobics, Boxercise, Bootcamp, High-Intensity Interval Training, Low Impact Fitness, Zumba, and Line Dancing.

The activities are held in different venues such as Spring Lake Park, Bill Paterson Oval, Ipswich Showgrounds, White Rock Conservation Park, and many more. Participants who want to join a class do not need to book in advance. Participants are only required to bring a hat, water bottle, and towel.

Mother & daughter keeping fit — *Photo credit: MabelAmber / Pixabay*

As a supplement to the program, the Council designed the Active and Healthy Ipswich Guide to showcase all of the free and low-cost physical activities, sports, recreation, and wellness opportunities available across Ipswich. The guide will help connect all ages, abilities, and population groups in Ipswich with a healthier lifestyle through a range of exciting activities.

Active & Healthy Ipswich Guide — *Photo credit: www.ipswich.qld.gov.au*

Health and Ambulance Services Minister Steven Miles recently said, “It’s not just about people’s health and wellbeing anymore. Obesity is one of the leading causes of hospitalisations and disability in Queensland.”

“This, combined with a growing and ageing population, is negatively impacting on the capacity of the health system and the productivity of the economy,” he added.

For details on the program, click here.

Active and Healthy Ipswich Showcase
Ipswich City Council TV / YouTube

Springfield Central Cafe Joins Plastic Straw Ban

Photo credit: Raw Energy Springfields/Facebook

Have you ever bought a juice or a smoothie at the Raw Energy in Springfield Central and gotten offered either a reusable or paper straw?

It’s part of the local juice bar’s efforts to help save the oceans in their own little ways. Raw Energy made a vow to never use plastic straws again.

Instead of using plastic straws, the store will use carbon neutral, recyclable and compostable paper alternatives.

“Because fresh paper balls polluting your iced latte, or fresh juice is not cool, Raw Energy haven’t skimped on straw quality. We’re using paper straws made from 3 ply premium grade FSC® certified paper, sourced from managed plantations. They are carbon neutral and recyclable plus commercially and home compostable,” Raw Energy announced on their blog.

To celebrate giving plastic straws the flick, the juice bar launched the Blue Oasis Bowl. The limited edition bowl is made with blue spirulina, has a vibrant colour and is packed with nutrients.

Springfield Lakes Nature Care president Luise Manning applauded the store’s initiative, emphasizing that businesses especially cafes are now actively working to reduce pollution.

Why Ditch Plastic Straws?

Whilst plastic straws are not the biggest part of plastic pollution, they have an impact on marine life. In the past, a video of a sea turtle choking on plastic straws made the rounds online. It eventually caused the turtle to have some trouble breathing since the straw took up an entire nostril.

Video credit: Sea Turtle Biologist/YouTube

Raw Energy is just one of the establishments that actively joined the plastic straw ban. In 2018, coffee giant Starbucks announced to eliminate all plastic straws from its 28,000 stores across Australia by 2020. McDonald followed suit and started offering paper straws to customers in 2018.

The Last Straw, a campaign to reduce the use of plastic straws in venues around Australia, has 474 total members to date who helped save up to 13.2 million straws as of 2018.

Ipswich Residents Lauds Council’s Junking of Request for Higher Landfill Pile at Swanbank

The 22^nd of February 2019 was an auspicious date for Ipswich residents as the administrator of the Ipswich City Council rejected the application of a waste disposal company for a higher landfill pile at Swanbank site.

Bio-Recycle Australia Pty Ltd has a landfill site for its non-biodegradable wastes at its Memorial Drive, Swanbank facility. The existing approval allows for the disposal of items such as construction and demolition wastes, and clean fill, and may contain limited amounts of acid sulphate soils, asbestos contaminated soil, asbestos sheeting, and drill mud.

In January 2019, Bio-Recycle sought to increase the landfill height by 27 metres, but this was rejected by the Council. It is now the subject of an appeal in the Planning and Environment Court.

Dust from Dumps — *Photo credit: I.R.A.T.E. – Ipswich Residents Against Toxic Environments/Facebook*

In the meantime, the waste disposal company applied for a 5-metre extension of landfill height. This would have put the current mound above its normal ground level had it been approved.

A council spokesman said, “This increase in landfill height is likely to have visual impacts, particularly with regard to future residential observers, including those likely to be living within residential high density built forms.”

“No consideration has been given to these visual impacts of the landfill during the operational or establishment phase.

“The applicant has also failed to demonstrate that there is a need to extend the life of the existing facility by increasing the landfill height from the approved level,” the spokesman added.

Residents Band Together — *Photo credit: I.R.A.T.E. – Ipswich Residents Against Toxic Environments/Facebook*

With a city labelled as the Dumping Capital of Queensland, Ipswich residents have ceaselessly rallied for years now against Ipswich becoming the dumping ground for interstate rubbish. The proliferation of dumps have resulted in health, hygiene, pollution, and environmental issues that are affecting the residents’ quality of life.

The Council’s rejection of Bio-Recycle’s bid to bring in more trash is an indication that people’s voices still matter. Residents are grateful that ICC has taken a positive step towards their side.

Meanwhile, the residents’ battle against dust, noise, and stinking odour problems continues.

Protect Pets In Ipswich Through Microchipping

The Ipswich City Council is inviting dog and cat owners to attend the Microchipping and Registration Event on Friday, 15 March 2019, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the David W Coultas Park in South Station Rd, Raceview.

A park for dogs — *David W Coultas Park*
*Photo credit: www.ipswich.qld.gov.au*

First-year introductory dog registration fee is $20 per dog. This only applies to dogs that have not been previously registered with ICC and is not currently registered with any other Australian local government. It also applies to dogs registered within 14 days of coming into the ICC area and pups who are within 14 days of reaching 3 months of age.

It is highly suggested that dog owners bring along a completed Dog Registration Application Form to save time.

Dogs being registered with the Council for the first time on that day are qualified to get free microchipping. But if the dog is already registered with the Council, then microchipping can be availed at a discounted price of $20 on the day.

Cats can also get microchipped on the day for only $20.

Electronic Funds Transfer at Point Of Sale (EFTPOS) will be available.

Advantages of Pet Registration

The accurate identification of pets is necessary for our pets’ welfare. Details from the tag or microchip can be used to reunite a lost or injured pet with its owners.

If a cat or dog is taken to the Ipswich City Council Pound & Animal Management Centre, the pet will be released for free if it is wearing its tag. But this is done once only, and if the animal has had no prior history of being impounded.

Microchip vs Rice grain — *Taken from Misconceptions About Microchipping/Pet Talk*
*Photo credit: Nat Geo WILD YouTube Channel*

Microchipping

A microchip is a form of electronic identification for pets. It is a permanent method of ID because microchips cannot be removed easily nor can it fall off like the traditional collar or tag.

The chip itself is about the size of a grain of rice and is easily implanted via injection just under the skin between the shoulder blades of the pet. Each chip contains a unique number that can be read by a special microchip reader. The microchip number is recorded on a microchip database registry with details about the animal and owner. Should a pet wander or become lost, animal shelters can scan the pet for a microchip and contact its owners via the database.

In the absence of a chip or tag, pets in pounds or shelters are sadly euthanized if they cannot be re-homed.

Whether or not pets should be registered and microchipped is no longer a question for Ipswich residents as the state government requires all dogs who are three months and older to be registered. Also, the state government demands microchipping for all cats and dogs over eight weeks old. A dog must be implanted with a chip before it is 12 weeks of age. A hefty penalty is imposed for non-compliance.

The good news though is that the Council offers a rewards program for dog owners who register their dogs. The Registration Rewards Program provides great discounts and offers across a variety of providers including pet businesses, vets, leisure providers, and cafes.

So let’s bring our furry family members to Council’s microchipping and registration event this Friday, 15 March 2019, for our pet’s protection and for our own peace of mind as responsible pet parents.