About Chinchilla

The Chinchilla region offers rich diversity, extensive infrastructure, warm community spirit and exceptional investor potential. Just 300km west of Brisbane (three-and-a-half hours’ drive), Chinchilla lies in the heart of the Surat Basin.

Home to more than 6200 people, Chinchilla and district offers the right mix to people seeking a ‘tree change’ to a more relaxed, rural environment. The growing economy retains its rural character, including new and traditional housing, abundant jobs, low crime, terrific community facilities and very low unemployment.

The Chinchilla News is a weekly paper focused on the events and activities for Chinchilla and surrounds. An informative read, it covers the areas of Tara, Miles and Wandoan. The Surat Basin News, a quarterly publication, also provides residents with well researched and formatted information around activities of the resources and mining sector. Television, radio and alternative media is easily accessed from Chinchilla and district.

Chinchilla’s picturesque main street is a bustling retail centre with wide open footpaths and adequate parking. Small arcades and shopping centres support the well established businesses of the main street. As well as a rapidly growing retail sector, as evidenced by the doubling of capacity of the IGA Supermarket, the three major car dealers of Ford, Holden and Toyota are all located in town. All four major trading banks -Westpac, Commonwealth, National and ANZ – have branches in Chinchilla, as well as Suncorp. There are also agencies for Heritage Building Society and the Bendigo Bank.

From the first years of early childhood through to primary school, secondary school, vocational pathways and tertiary training, Chinchilla is a regional centre for education. Within the town of Chinchilla, a C&K-owned kindergarten provides early education for under-5s, with private (Chinchilla Christian School, St Joseph’s School) and state schools (Chinchilla State School, Chinchilla State High School) catering from Prep to Year 12. Across the district, state schools operate at Brigalow, Hopelands, Auburn River, Burra Burri and Kogan.

The Chinchilla campus of Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE proactively partners with industry and business to provide employees with appropriate skills. A hostel, Leichhardt House, provides accommodation for students attending schools in Chinchilla, with preference given to students from remote homes who are in high school. An outstanding feature of education in Chinchilla is the widespread availability of choice, with small class numbers.

Residents of the Chinchilla region are spoiled for choice with medical facilities. Chinchilla has a fully equipped hospital, with its own operating theatre, accident and emergency ward and maternity award. It currently has 25 acute beds, four maternity beds and 20 long stay places. Other hospital services include inpatient and outpatient care, social work, physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, mental health, community health services, a women’s clinic and x-ray facility.

Full community health services exist to cover home visits, home nursing, child care and immunisations, and alcohol and drug support. Five general practitioners, a speech therapist, physiotherapists, an occupational therapist, optometrist, podiatrist and two chiropractors work in Chinchilla town. In addition, a visiting surgeon and obstetrician/gynaecologist, physician, mental health team, psychologist and dietician regularly visit the town. There is a private dental practice with two dentists and a hygienist, as well as a public dental hospital. Natural therapists are located within or regularly visit the district. For people who are elderly or require high care nursing, Illoura Village offers 18 high-care beds and 34 low-care beds, as well as independent living areas.

Chinchilla has high quality facilities, over and above the expected standard for a regional town. The centrepiece is Chinchilla’s Cultural Centre – an award-winning, 700-seat auditorium and cinema, with function room, theatrette, outdoor patio, bar and kitchen. It forms part of the Heeney Street Civic Precinct, encompassing shire offices, the White Gums Gallery, library and public amenities. Nearby, the Chinchilla Aquatic Centre offers a 25m indoor heated pool, 50m outdoor pool and gymnasium.

Throughout the district, social infrastructure is at an equally high level. Strong community service groups such as Apex, Lions and Rotary drive a number of high quality community initiatives and projects. Chinchilla Weir includes picnic shelters, public amenities and a public boat ramp. The annual campdraft, which started in 1923, attracts competitors from all over the nation while sporting facilities for golf, squash, bowls, tennis, cricket, rugby league, soccer, racing and polocrosse are exceptional. The cricket oval has floodlighting for night games.

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About Dalby

Situated one-hour from Toowoomba, two-and-a-half hours west of Brisbane and three hours from the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, Dalby sits at the crossroads of the Warrego, Moonie, Condamine and Bunya highways. This network of highways link Australia’s capital cities, making the town accessible by an extensive transport system.

With an estimated population of 11,000, Dalby is a popular regional centre for agriculture, manufacturing, industry, commerce and retail. Serviced by a large modern shopping centre and a range of speciality stores the town delivers a balanced lifestyle where daily conveniences are just minutes away.

Settled alongside the scenic Myall Creek, we take pride in offering a quality lifestyle in a clean and natural environment. Family-oriented leisure and recreational activities are well catered for with several parks, playgrounds, bikeways and walking trails.

To enjoy the benefits of relaxed country living with all the modern conveniences we invite you to discover Dalby. Enjoy Dalby’s welcoming country hospitality, vibrant business community and well-serviced amenities nestled at the centre of Queensland’s beautiful Darling Downs.

With comprehensive business and retail sectors, Dalby is positioned as a regional shopping destination. That appeal was recently boosted with the completion of the $55 million Dalby Shoppingworld complex in the heart of the CBD, adding further choice and variety to the local retail mix. Professional services are also well catered for with established legal, financial and medical practices as well as major banking institutions.

To keep pace with the needs of the region’s growing population, 2008 has seen Dalby Hospital expand its physical facilities and range of services with a $10 million refurbishment. The state-of-the-art upgrade will add to the hospital’s existing child, maternity, medical, surgical, accident and emergency, outpatients, pathology and palliative care facilities.

Adding to this comprehensive range of public services is a selection of private medical practices as well as a range of allied health services including dietetics, occupational therapy, pathology, pharmaceutical, physiotherapy, radiography, speech pathology, social work, mental health, chiropractic, optometry and dental.

In Dalby the education and learning opportunities available locally don’t stop after high school. Dalby has a healthy school sector, with the choice of either state or private education including four primary schools and three secondary schools. And for the little ones, take your pick from over 10 early childhood learning centres and day care centres situated across district.

The Australian Agricultural College Dalby Campus offers tertiary courses specialising in agribusiness, new farming technologies, cutting edge training techniques and the latest agricultural training facilities. The Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE Dalby campus provides certificate and diploma courses as well as apprenticeships and traineeships. And for the active elderly who view developing new skills as a lifelong project, the University of the Third Age (U3A) maintains a motto of ‘Friendship and Fulfilment’ delivering a huge range of activities designed to keep retirees fit, active and having fun.

Dalby provides the perfect environment to get active with plenty of open space, facilities close at hand, and a strong community-level sporting culture. For those who enjoy the thrill of competition, each football code has a keen club following and over the years a number of local players have gone on to represent Queensland and Australia.

In summer cricket is keenly contested and tennis is popular all year round with junior tournaments attracting players from across the Downs. Netball is a popular female sport in Dalby with a total of 38 teams drawn from a wide area. The Dalby and District Tennis Association has 14 cushioned hard courts, making it one of the largest hard court tennis facilities in Queensland. The Dalby Golf Club, widely regarded as the best 18 hole golf course west of the range, regularly plays host to touring professionals with events such as the Dalby Senior Pro-am drawing players from as far away as South Africa and New Zealand.

The Dalby PCYC offers a wide range of social outings and sporting activities to suit children and adults alike. Gymnastics has a strong following and experienced instructors provide classes in boxing and karate. Dalby has two well-equipped gyms that open each day and offer a range of fitness classes throughout the week.

Dalby has a proud history of successful and innovative volunteer groups. There are around 300 volunteer groups delivering a wide range of support services across many sectors of the local community including emergency services, community organisations, business & industry groups and social, cultural and sporting committees.

Dalby’s indigenous community is supported by a network of specialist community services including Bungeeba Community Centre, Murrumba Aboriginal Housing Company and Goondir Health Services. Community projects currently being planned include a multimillion dollar Goondir Health Centre as well as a youth centre for the facilitation of indigenous arts and culture.

The Myall Youth and Community Network Centre is a not-for-profit facility available for community activities and home to a number of valuable community programs. The centre is a venue for unlimited community activities with a forum room for up to 80 people, a children’s play area, a chapel, and video conferencing facilities. Downs Industry Schools Co-op (DISCO) is a regular support program that offers free support for teenagers and their parents especially in the area of career choice. Other services operating out of the Community Networking Centre include the Dalby Men’s Group, the St Joseph’s Play Group, the Dalby Seniors and Disabled Bus Service, and the Dalby Community Bus.

Dalby’s Arts Centre is home to fine arts enthusiasts who direct their creative energies into a variety of artistic mediums. The Dalby Art Group meets weekly and enjoys workshops by quest tutors as well as on-site painting trips. Writers, singers, performers and other artists can rest assured their particular outlet is well catered for across the district. Forum and Toastmasters offer opportunities to practise the art of public speaking in friendly and supportive surroundings or broaden your audience, Dalby Community Radio is always looking for talented announcers.

The local art gallery is a place that draws together the regional arts community and showcases a wide array of artistic endeavour. The Dalby Regional Art Gallery hosts year-round exhibitions for local and visiting art collections across many mediums from photography to quilting.

The Dalby region also boasts some unique places of environmental beauty such as the naturally occurring Lake Broadwater – home to an array of native birds and wildlife – and the majestic Bunya Mountains reserve with its cool rainforest walks, waterfalls and world renowned Bunya Pines. The Bunyas is a popular place to escape the summer heat (the temperature averages 10 degrees cooler). While during the winter months there’s no better way to spend the weekend than beside an open fire in a mountain retreat. There’s also a myriad of walking trails with stunning vistas, horse drawn tours, native wallabies and colourful birds.

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About Injune

Nestled in the quiet bushlands of South Western Queensland,  Injune is a thriving township with a population of some 450 people. Travel approximately 570 kilometres along the Warrego and Carnarvon Highways from Brisbane.

Injune is blessed with a climate that takes you to the depths of cold crisp winters to hot summers, and perfect autumn and spring weather. Injune receives summer rainfall, therefore summers are hot. Average temperatures during summer months are in the mid 30′s. Winters are dry and cold at night with morning frosts not uncommon.

Tucked at the base of the majestic Carnarvon Range, Injune is situated in the perfect position to enable access to flora, fauna, spectacular views, awesome natural structures, rare indigenous palms or humble Injune bottlebrush; Injune has something for everyone.

Injune has a low crime rate, excellent water supply and a population high on community spirit. The Injune residents participate in community events and activities most weekends. Behind the facade of a quiet little country town lies a strong community. The fair dinkum characters of Injune are untouched by the bustle of modern life. Discover our best asset of the town, our people.

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About Miles

Located on the Cross Roads of Warrego and Leichardt Highways, Miles is a strategic stop for both transport and travellers alike.  Commonly known as the Crossroads to EVERYWHERE and  CENTRAL to the developments of the Massive Energy Precinct  the  Surat Basin.

ATTRACTIONS:

1. Dogwood Crossing @ Miles houses an IT Centre, Library and A Rated Art Gallery plus an interactive comprehensive display of our towns social history

2. Miles Historical Village and Museum is home to a replica of a historic street scape, made up of some 30 buildings, each themed to capture the local history of the district as well as Australia. Includes a worldclass Lapidary display, shell collection and War Museum

3. Visit Chinamans Lagoon and enjoy a pleasant walk through the edges of town and see a rare tropical pink water lily (Nymphea Gigantea var. neorosea)

4. Gil Weir is just a short drive from town, a great place to get back to nature and do a spot of fishing and camping

SERVICES:

1. Education:

Miles High School is an Award winning school, state of the art facilities (Science, Hospitality & Manual Arts) with new Trade Training Centre in 2012.

Miles Primary School  has a strong focus on Literacy and Numeracy, best practice programs and interactive play and learning.

Accredited Kindergarten conducts programs in line with the school to best prepare your children for Prep. As well Miles has an extensive Home Based Family Day Care program, Long Day Care facility and Before and After School Care and Vacation Care programs

2. Social welfare:

Miles Hospital  has recently undergone development and now offers a full suite of community health initiatives. Supported by Private Doctor Surgery and Dental Practice.

Murilla Community Centre offers Instore Centrelink Office, Rural Counsellor, NILS accredited provider, Financial reflief programs and respite programs

3. Retail and Trade:

Miles boasts a number of well stocked and informed businesses offering a relaxed and competent shopping  experience for all including hardware, engineering supplies, fashion, beauty and groceries. A well equipped newsagency and face to face banking services from BOQ, NAB,Westpac, Suncorp, Heritage and Elders Rural Bank

Miles has an extensive range of qualified Trades people including plumbers, electricians, sawmiller, builders and earthmovers.

ACTIVITIES:

1. Sporting:

Olympic sized swimming pool and children’s themed wading pool.

Well equipped gymnasium and indoor sporting complex, with a qualified instructor running programs to suit all ages and levels of fitness.

Rugby League, Netball, Tennis, Golf, Bowls, Cricket, Junior Football and Netball, Swimming Club, Pony Club and Fishing Club

2. Events:

Beef Bells and Bottle Tree festival (September)

Other Events include Picnic Races, Agricultural Show, Christmas Street Carnival and markets, Carols by candlelight, Football Ganes, Cricket Matches.

3. Churches:

Presbyterian, Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran and Christian Outreach

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About Mitchell

Located a comfortable day’s drive, 587 km west of Brisbane along the Warrego Highway, Mitchell is an affordable rural retreat for those wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of busy modern day living whilst not having to compromise on services and quality of life. It is the ideal place to live, work, raise a family, retire, invest or establish a business.

Mitchell is also the principal commercial centre for the adjoining townships of Amby 25 km to the east and Mungallala 45 km to the west and services a district population base of 1900 people.

The vibrant rural community of Mitchell offers residents a wonderful lifestyle and a clean, safe and healthy environment.

Mitchell is serviced by a monthly newsletter, The Bottle Tree Bulletin, two regional newspapers and all other major newspapers available daily. Television broadcasting coverage includes ABC, Imparja, 7 Central. Radio station coverage includes ABC, Hot FM Roma and 4ZR.

Mitchell offers a broad range of retail outlets and services including four grocery/convenience stores, bakery, butcher, service stations, hardware, clothing outlets, newsagency, gifts, cafes, hotels, motels, hairdresser, beauty and massage therapist, pharmacy, laundromat, electrical goods, motor bikes and small engines, vet clinic, dog grooming, rural supplies and real estate agents.

In addition a range of trade and mechanical services are available locally including builders, cabinet makers, painter, electricians, engineering, plumbing, motor mechanic, tyre repairs, motor trimmers and panel beater.

In addition to its modern, well-equipped hospital service staffed by a team of qualified medial staff Mitchell also has a private medical centre. Local services are supported by a network of visiting professionals including physiotherapist, dietician, optometrist, psychologist and podiatrist. Age care services are provided by he Maranoa Retirement Village. Other available community care services include Meals on Wheels, respite care, Bluecare and Spiritus.

There are several state and non-government schools within the Mitchell district all offering quality educational programs from prep to year 10. A daily school bus service operates between Mitchell and Roma for students in Years 11 and 12. For those families who do not reside within close proximity to an education facility in-home tutoring is available through Distance Education.

A campus of the Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE is located at Roma. Mitchell also offers video, tele-conferencing and public internet facilities to assist students who wish to undertake external education at tertiary institutions.

Mitchell supports a wide range of sporting and recreational activities. The Mitchell R.S.L. and Combined Sports Complex is a multi-purpose facility that caters for a diverse range of sports and recreational activities. Sporting activities offered in Mitchell include golf, rugby league, cricket, netball, rodeo, campdraft, lawn bowls, swimming, karate, athletics, fishing, pony club and horse racing. In addition there are numerous tracks for walking and cycling and four wheel driving trails.

Mitchell has a strong arts and cultural community with a number of community groups actively involved in developing the arts and cultural activities. The Maranoa Art Gallery has a diverse exhibition program showcasing works from local and nationally renowned artists. Other cultural activities and groups include Nalingu Aboriginal Corporation, Friends of the Gallery, Queensland Arts Council, Mitchell & District School of Dance, Line Dancing, Maranoa Gardening Group, and Booringa Heritage Group.

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About Roma

Roma is a vibrant and thriving country town located 490km west of Brisbane. With a population of just under 7000 people, Roma possesses a diverse economy, excellent infrastructure and a relaxed country lifestyle that is the envy of many communities; Roma is a great place to live and work.

Another benefit of choosing Roma as a place to live is its idyllic climate. With an average annual rainfall of 600mm per year and a temperature range from an average 27.9 C in summer to 12.8 C in winter, Roma really is a smart choice for family, business and lifestyle.

Located a short distance from Roma are the townships of Yuleba (60 km) and Wallumbilla (40 km). Their ‘kick back’ lifestyle and low cost of living make Yuleba and Wallumbilla perfect choices for a tree change. Good town facilities, friendly people, low crime, safe communities and easy lifestyles make these two great little towns ideal places to live, work and play.

The very best of country town living, with access to superb sports, recreation, education and health services make Roma a great place to live.

Roma supports bi-weekly and fortnightly newspapers and has two radio stations based in the Town. Roma also has access to four television stations; Imparja, Seven Central, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and Special Broadcasting Services (SBS).

Roma has two major Grocery Stores, Computer Stores, 24 hour Service Stations, General Hardware, Clothing Outlets and an excellent range of convenience and personal stores. Roma has various other facilities found in most small cities, with retail outlets such as McDonalds, Target, Woolworths, KFC and many others.

The Roma Hospital provides a range of specialist services including full surgery facilities, obstetrics, paediatrics, anaesthetics, and a nursing home. In addition, the Hospital also offers a variety of Allied Health professionals including physiotherapists, podiatrists and a speech pathologist. There are currently eight General Practitioners in Roma working in two private surgeries, as well as a private dental surgery. Private specialist services in optometry, physiotherapy and pathology also exist and two pharmacies provide access to prescription and non-prescription medication and health care products. Roma is also well regarded as a centre for aged care with the community supported Pinaroo Retirement Village operating an accredited centre for the aged. Roma also hosts a wide array of social services, including Spiritus, Anglicare and Centacare.

Roma’s education system is unique in Queensland in that it models itself on the American public school system having a Junior, Middle and College school campuses. St Johns School is the Catholic education facility for students between grade one to twelve. In addition, The Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE provides technical and further education, as well as vocational education. Roma has a vast array of Federal, State and Local government services, which provides for the employment of over 500 people in the community.

The Roma Bungil Community Youth Recreation Centre has full indoor facilities, making Roma an ideal location for inter town sporting events regardless of the weather conditions. In addition, the Town also has an Olympic size sports and leisure swimming pool. Roma has many different sporting organisations including Rugby League, Rugby Union, Netball, Bowls, Golf, Badminton, Tennis, Soccer, Judo, Little Athletics, Drag Racing, Cricket, Swimming, Polocrosse, Pony Club, Equestrian, Gun, Rodeo and Squash Clubs. Recreational activities include Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Girl Guides, Scouts, Social Dance, Painters, Patchwork and Quilters and Potters Groups.

Roma has many active arts and cultural groups and boasts a brand new Roma Community Arts Centre which regularly hosts many high quality travelling performances and artists. Roma also has a number of first class meeting and conference facilities. The major facility is the Roma Bungil Community Cultural Centre. This facility has an Auditorium with an elevated stage, lighting facilities, kitchen and bar, air-conditioning/heating and has a seating capacity of up to 500 people. An adjoining Arts and Crafts room is separated from the Auditorium by a sliding dividing door, which can be opened to allow free communication between the two facilities.

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About Surat

Surat is a lovely town on the Condamine River situated 450km west of Brisbane on the Carnarvon Highway. There are 500 residents in town and an additional 500 in the surrounding district. Surat enjoys a sub-tropical climate with maximum temperatures typically 31-34’C in summer and minimum temperatures around 4-6’C during winter. The average rainfall for Surat and surrounds is 576mm, with most of this falling in the summer months.

Surat has very little crime, community activities just about every weekend, and youth council and activities throughout the school term and school holidays.

Surat is serviced by the Western Star (a regional newspaper twice a week) and all other major newspapers available daily. In addition there are the radio stations ABC Southern Queensland, Hot FM Roma and 4ZR, as well as Free to air TV – Imparja, Southern Cross Broadcast, ABC and SBS. Austar cable is also available on demand.

Surat has a variety of businesses and services within the township. These include a newsagency, hairdresser, food store, automotive and agricultural supplies, post office, fashion boutique, butcher, nursery, QGAP Office (access to Centrelink and Medicare), library etc.

Surat Hospital, private medical practice, visiting health services (including Physiotherapist, Chiropractor, Podiatrist, Child Health Nurse, Women Health Services, Occupational Health, Mental Health), HACC Bus etc.

Surat State School (P-10) has approx 85 children with free bus transport to Roma for grades 11 & 12.

RSL Community Hall has large or small rooms with industrial kitchen, heating and air-conditioning. The Shire Hall & Supper Room has an industrial kitchen, cold rooms and amenities. In addition, Villacoola Winery and the Royal Hotel offer meeting rooms and catering.

Swimming pool, skate park, BMX track, Riverwalk, tennis, golf, lawn bowls, fishing, race course, and clay target shooting.

Pottery club and gardening group, Shutterbugs- local photography group, OASIS – Outdoor Art Space in Surat, Beading clubs and workshops, Gallery and Museum committees, New Central Community Arts Hub currently being developed, Lions Club, Masonic Lodge, RSL Sub-branch and many other community groups.

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About Tara

The Tara region is widely known for its diversity and friendly people. The region provides great lifestyle opportunities to those wanting to ‘make the move’ to a serene rural lifestyle without compromising services and facilities.

Over 3500 friendly country people have already made the move to the area, with no regrets. Residents can bask in a sub-tropical climate whilst enjoying the many leisure activities on offer for the entire family.

Investors are able enjoy the benefits of a booming economy, feeding off the gas exploration industry, with Tara being located in the Surat Basin.

The region encompasses many towns and settlements including Tara, Meandarra, Glenmorgan, The Gums, Moonie and Westmar. Tara, the main service centre has a population of 900 people and is located four hours west of Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, and a short two hour drive west of Toowoomba.

The region is serviced by the Chinchilla News, Dalby Herald and the Toowoomba Chronicle newspapers. Radio stations are also a widely used media source for the area, with the residents tuning into ABC Radio and Rebel FM. Television is also available with Channels 7, 9, 10, ABC and SBS accessible to the residents to the east of the area, whilst Channels 7 Central, ABC, SBS and Imparja are provided to those residents further west.

All of your shopping needs will be catered for, without having to leave the region. A variety of shopping facilities and services are available including Foodworks, National Australia Bank, Heritage Building Society Mini Branches, Post Offices, Hairdressers, Newsagencies, Hardware, Cafes, Motels, Hotels, Bowls Clubs, Golf Clubs, Pharmacy, Discount Shop, Builders Demolition and Hire, Bakery, Clothing, Gifts, Manchester and Haberdashery, Rural Supplies, Crafts, Cleaning service, Fuel, Movie Shop, Pool, Camping and Catering supplies, Mechanics, Laundromat, Sandblaster, Tyre services and Welding services.

The region is also supported by a variety of health and aged care services including the Tara Hospital, Tara Medical Centre, Tarcoola Retirement Village and the Tara and Meandarra Home and Community Care Centres. The Tara Medical Centre also services the towns of Meandarra and Moonie on a weekly basis. Glenmorgan medical services are provided by a visiting Doctor from Surat.

The Tara region offers the adults of the future outstanding education facilities. The Tara Shire State College provides education ranging from Preparatory School to Year 12. Tara is also home to a Catholic Primary School – St Josephs. State Primary Schools and Kindergartens are also accessible throughout the entire region. The C & K Tara Pre-Schooling Centre also offers outstanding daycare for children aged between 6 weeks and school age. Adult education is also no boundary to the services that are provided, with the Learning Network Queensland Centre based in Tara providing a range of short courses throughout the year.

Meeting and functions facilities are available throughout the area, including the Tara Memorial Hall and Function Room, QCWA facilities, Community Halls and the Moonie Rural Transaction Centre. The local hotels and motels are also only too happy to accommodate the needs of conference and meeting hosts.

Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture are all plentiful within the Tara Region. The area is home to many nationally and internationally recognised icons and identities. Namely, Myall Park Botanic Garden Ltd an internationally recognised botanic garden – boasting Queensland’s oldest collection of Australian semi-arid zone flora, Barbara Geisel world renowned wool picture artist, the famous Hugh Sawry paintings and the Moonie Oilfields which are still operational today.

The region also offers a range of options for the nature lover. Take a drive and explore the Southwood and Erringibba National Parks, The Gums Reserve, Meacle Family Walkway and Tara Lagoon Parklands which encompasses the Tara Lagoon Walkway, Settlers Park, Eloise O’Connell Park and Walk of Remembrance Garden.

Historians would also find a home in the region, in exploring the Tara and District Historical Society Museum, Meandarra ANZAC Memorial Museum (due for completion in late 2008), Monty’s Garage Vintage Car Museum and the End of the Line at Glenmorgan.

Sport and Recreation opportunities are in abundance, with all members of the family able to participate in cricket, football, netball, squash, touch football, junior rugby league, tennis, golf, swimming, walking, lawn bowls, pony club, clay target shooting, polocrosse, campdraft, little athletics, sheepdog trials, horse racing, ballroom dancing and fishing. The region also has a very active social calendar, hosting the nationally recognised Tara Festival of Culture and Camel Races biennially. The Moonie Yabby Races, Tara Horse Races, Meandarra B&S Ball, Tara Apex Fishing Competition, Tara Rodeo, Hannaford Gymkhana and Family Fun Day, Tara Campdraft, Glenmorgan Campdrafts, Tara Show, Meandarra Show and the Tara Working Sheepdog Trials are held on annual basis.The many communities with the Tara region are very active and involved in the progress of the area. Opportunities always exist for more volunteers to join in and promote the area through the many sport and recreation clubs, arts and cultural clubs and development group.

The arts and cultural groups are involved in the production of fine arts and crafts for distribution across the region and afar, some of which include patchwork, folk art, pottery and painting.

Local and State Government services are readily available through the Dalby Regional Council – Tara Customer Service Centre, Queensland Government Agency Program (QGAP) and the Tara Neighbourhood Centre.

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About Toowoomba

Toowoomba is a picturesque mountain city located in south east Queensland some 127Km west of the states capital, Brisbane. Clinging to the edge of the Great Dividing Range escarpment at an altitude of seven hundred meters above sea-level, the city affords breathtaking views of Table Top Mountain and the Lockyer Valley region across the east.

The city covers an area of approx. 117 Sq Km and is centred at the intersection of the Warrego and New England highways. Toowoomba’s climate can best be described as pleasant with temperature ranges averaging a cool 5°C to 16°C in winter and a mild 17°C to 27°C in summer.

With a population of over 90,000 people, Toowoomba is Australia’s largest inland regional city and is the commercial and economic hub of the Darling Downs, thereby serving a population in excess of 250,000 people.

Toowoomba (nicknamed ‘The Garden City’) hosts the Australian Carnival of Flowers each September, and Easterfest is held annually over the Easter weekend.

Further Links:

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