10 Things to Do in Ipswich on the Weekend

1 A Day Out With Thomas

• The Workshops Rail Museum, North Ipswich

IT IS the final weekend to see Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends at The Workshops Rail Museum at North Ipswich and enjoy some circus-themed fun.

The iconic train has been at the museum since December 26, but will depart on Sunday.

Guests can meet the iconic train, the Fat Controller and friends of Thomas, build tracks in the Thomas Play Pit, take part in circus-inspired activities and much more.

The museum is open from 9.30am-5pm.

For more information phone 3432 5197 or visit theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au.

2 Movies in the Park

• Robelle Domain Parklands, Springfield
• Tonight, 6.30pm - 9pm

PACK a picnic and get outdoors with the family at a free outdoor screening of animation hit Despicable Me 2. The Movies in the Park event is part of a series of family films being shown in public venues during the next few months. The film - the sequel to 2010 film Despicable Me - is about reformed super villain Gru, who helps track down a super criminal who has developed a serum that turns people into evil monsters.

If cancelled owing to wet weather, movie will be rescheduled for February 8, same time and place. For more information, phone 3810 6666.

 

3 Fernvale Markets

• Fernvale State School Oval, Brisbane Valley Hwy
• Tomorrow, 6am - noon

THIS country-style market features homemade baked goods, fresh produce, arts and crafts and plants, second-hand goods and much more. Food and drinks are available on site and entry is free.

For more information, phone 5464 3863.

 

4 Springfield Organic Market

• Robelle Domain Parklands, Springfield
• Today, 7am - 1pm

THIS great community event held each Saturday is a destination for foodies, as there are stalls selling fresh organic and conventional produce. The markets also host local artists and designers selling unique handmade products. In addition to the shopping, the location of the markets is also pleasing as children can enjoy the shaded playground and water park and parents can relax at the nearby Robelle Cafe.

Entry is free and parking is available on site. For more information, visitorganicfoodmarkets.com.au.

 

5 Beach Party

• Swifts Sports Club, Booval
• Tonight, 7.30pm - 11pm

JUST Rock Ipswich is set to host a Beach Party Dance with a live musical performance from band Atmosphere.

The dance will be held upstairs at the club and all are welcome to attend.

Tickets are $12, or $10 for members, and are available at the door.

For more information, visit jri.com.au/ or phone 3389 8098.

 

6 Ipswich Cinemas

• Cinemas located across Ipswich
• All weekend, opening times vary

WITH Oscar best film contenders like The Wolf of Wall Street, 12 Years a Slave, Gravity and American Hustle out at the movies at the moment, why not head to one of Ipswich's new cinemas?

Reading Cinemas is located in Redbank Plaza Shopping Centre, Limelight Cinemas is located in Riverlink Shopping Centre, and Event Cinemas is located at the Ipswich Mall.

For more information, phone 3818 8044 (Reading), 1300 792 579 (Limelight) or 3281 8887 (Event).

 

7 Showplace Markets

• Ipswich Showgrounds, Warwick Rd
• Tomorrow, 6am - 11.30am

COME along to the Ipswich Showplace Markets held every Sunday.

There is a lot to see and browse.

A huge array of stalls offers tools, toys, clothing, home-wares, arts and crafts and much more.

You can even come and have some breakfast and grab yourself a coffee before you start to wander for some fantastic bargains.

For more information, phone 3281 1577. Onsite parking is available.

 

8 Park Run

• Catherine Morgan Park, Augustine Heights
• Today, 7am

SPRINGFIELD Park Run will take place with all walkers, runners and families invited to take part in the free, timed 5km event.

The runs take place each week in pleasant parkland surroundings.

Events are suitable for people of all ages and fitness abilities.

For more information or to register, visit parkrun.com.au

 

9 Choir Music Event

• Riverlink Shopping Centre, Nth IpswichToday, noon - 1pm

COME and enjoy the vocal harmonies of a variety of choirs from the Blackstone Ipswich Cambrian Choir.

The group will perform a variety of numbers, including Rivers of Babylon, What a Wonderful World and many more.

The performance will take place at the shopping centre's food court.

 

10 Splash out at Swim Centres

• Centres located across Ipswich
• All weekend, opening hours vary

BEAT the summer heat with a trip to one of Ipswich's popular swim centres.

A trip to the pool is more than just a swim these days.

Centres provide a number of facilities that make a trip to the swimming pool a full day outing.

The four centres include Goodna Aquatic Centre, the Rosewood Swim Centre, the Georgie Conway Leichhardt Community Swim Centre and the Bundamba Swim Centre.

For more information, phone 3381 8240 (Goodna), 5464 1246 (Rosewood), 3281 8743 (Leichhardt) or 3282 2801 (Bundamba).

Celebrate Australia Day: The True Meaning of Australia Day

Yet, from the desert the prophets come. Not the desert run by BHP/Billington and Essington ''I am work'' Lewis. Not the desert run by The Big Three financed by The Big Four. It's the desert that is suburbia. We are all, almost without exception, from THAT desert. And our prophets are born underneath the dull steel of a Hills Hoist. We are not just a mining pit with a pretty coastline. There's a bit more to us than that.

Our nation barely knows the words to its own national anthem. That fact makes my heart swell with pride. I love to see the horrified, furtive glances and inept, bad mime and mumbling that occurs if we ever get to that dreaded second verse. My magnificent and future Nobel Prize winning prime ministerial five-year-old daughter, Lotte May Muldoon, knows Advance Australia Fair better than 90 something per cent of the Australian population. I love that and her.

I love that if the weather is fine, our beaches will be filled. I love that a cricket ground will be packed. ON A WORK DAY.

I like that we happily shoot and eat our national symbol, the kangaroo (Sorry vegans, but I do). It speaks to our rural and indigenous past. I like that huge swathes of the city hate that.

I like that the tension between the city and the country is not that tense.

We're still finding out who the hell we are. We are a teenage nation. Which, of course brings me to the JJJ Hottest 100. Somehow, that strange and often wonderful station, has become part of our ''national identity''. No-one knows how or why. Anyone over the age of 12 gripes about JJJ, and will happily tell you when ''the glory days of JJJ'' were (I'm one of them. For mine it was when they went from JJ to JJJ. That first bit. THAT was good, weird times. But hey, you've got yours too) and you will hear JJJ across this nation on that day. It will be ubiquitous. And yes I think BBQ too. I think cricket with arguments about LBW and classic catches. It's hard not to. It'll be happening (almost) everywhere.

Do we CARE about Australia Day? Of course not. It's a bit of artificial holiday to make us think we're a nation. We have fun, we're good at that. But do we reflect on our strengths and weaknesses? About where we're headed and where we'd like to go? Do we ponder? Do we furrow our brows? Do our poets battle with the tyranny of the blank page? Do our souls expand towards a new unseen horizon sparkling with the tincture of hope?

Nup. We get on the piss. And sometimes kiss. And sometimes biff. We can, quite effortlessly become the Disney version of Australia. The worst part of us is a drunken nationalism that is like a pack of wolves seeking prey. The best part is planting trees and welcoming newcomers to this miracle of a nation that we are almost embarrassed to share, because it's THAT good. In this nation, we tend to be allowed to ''go about our business'', whatever that may be.

I've lived in this nation my entire life and I still have no idea what it is. I also hugely struggle with even typing the word ''we''. Do I love it? This place that I plant my feet? This place I potter around and bump into other lost souls seeking comfort and joy, unfussed about the concepts of ''identity'' and ''belonging'' ? This place of incomparable beauty hidden from the world, yet profoundly connected? This land of the brutal, weary, yet strangely innocent smile?

Why yes I do. Thanks for asking.

Happy Australia Day.

Roy Orbison Tribute Show Accommodation Package - Ipswich, QLD

Metro Hotel Ipswich International is offering this Roy Orbison Tribute Show Package for $200.00* including:

• Accommodation for Two
• 2 Tickets to the Roy Orbison Tribute Show at Civic Theatre  

Book this Roy Orbison Tribute Show Package at Metro Hotel Ipswich International

 View Metro Hotel Ipswich International

Terms and Conditions:

• Subject to availability Please be advised that we must be notified of cancellations at least 24 hours prior to arrival, charge of one full night's tariff. 
• Terms and Conditions apply

WANTED: Nanny for Prince George for Tour Down Under

THE Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are on the lookout for a nanny to look after baby George on their trip to New Zealand and Australia in April, Britain's Daily Mail newspaper has reported. 

Proud mum and dad William and Kate, with their baby Prince George

The royal couple's current nanny, Jessie Webb - who looked after Prince William when he was a child and came out of retirement to tend George - has reached the end of her contract. 

Mrs Webb, 71, took the job on the condition that she would work only for three months, the newspaper reported. "Mrs Webb is still at Kensington Palace and William and Kate are keen to retain her services, but they are discreetly looking for extra help for the month-long trip this spring," the paper said. 


The Duke and Duchess did not hire a maternity nurse after George's birth last July. Instead the couple moved into the Middleton family home in Berkshire so that Kate's mother, Carole, could help out.

When they moved to Kensington Palace last September, they persuaded Mrs Webb to join their household.

It had been rumoured that Carole Middleton could join the tour Downunder to help look after George. However, aides insist that will not be the case and the couple will instead hire a new nanny. 

Prospective candidates would need to be experienced, discreet, trained in paediatric first aid and demonstrate an ability to cope in stressful situations, Janine Bayley of nanny recruitment agency Rock mybaby.co.nz said. 

"We have placed nannies and babysitters for some high profile families including Hollywood actors while visiting in New Zealand," Mrs Bayley said. "We find their expectations just the same as other families, although we do encourage the nannies not to become star struck. 

"At the end of the day, parents want someone who is responsive to their child's needs, able to provide a quality, educational environment and someone who knows how to have fun. Regardless of where we are in society, we just want the very best for our children." 

The royal entourage may include a housekeeper and Kate's personal hairdresser, Amanda Cook Tucker. 

Royal Nannying: Five keys to success 

• Mum is the word. Discretion will be vital as the ravenous media look to exploit any means to find fresh angles on the visit. The nanny should be occasionally seen, but certainly never heard.
• Sleep is over-rated. With near constant travel and a packed diary of obligations to fulfil, the royal couple will be constantly on the move. The nanny can expect to be on call 24/7.
• Say cheese. Photo ops for baby George will be par for the course and there's every chance the nanny will get caught in the lens at some point. A constant smile would be a good idea.
• Keep calm and carry on. George soils his nappy while meeting John Key? No drama. It's just another day at the office. Hand me the wipes.
• A way with children. It may seem obvious, but if wee George isn't taken with his nanny that is going to be one long trip from Kensington Palace and back.

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Australia Day Squash Challenge Ipswich, QLD 2014

The Ipswich Squash Open Australia Day Challenge will be held from the 23rd – 26th January 2014.  The challenge will include:

• Open Women’s Competition
• Open Men’s Competition
• Graded mens and womens events for local players

This event will be a great opportunity to see the pro’s play with a number of top seeded Australian and international players entered.

Local players can also join in the competition with the graded events.


Keep checking the website for further details including your chance to hit with the pro’s on Friday, 24th January.

View the official site for more information

Metro Hotel Ipswich International Lights up for Christmas

Metro Hotel Ipswich International has been flood lit in the alternating colours of red, green and blue in the 12 days leading up to Christmas, lighting up at 6.00 pm every night. 

Mayor Pisasale was on hand to officially turn on the lights last night, with the hotel’s central location in Ipswich making it a shining beacon for locals and tourists alike and bringing some additional Christmas spirit to the city.

Hotel General Manager, Ted Matthews said the Hotel played an important role in the local community to increase the attraction of Queensland’s largest regional city for both locals and tourists alike.

“As a vital member of the Ipswich community, Metro Hotel Ipswich International is keen to help foster a strong community spirit in the lead up to Christmas, and we believe turning the lights on in the colours of Christmas will make the hotel stand out on the Ipswich City skyline and add to the festive cheer.

“We are hoping members of the community will come to the hotel, have a Christmas drink at the bar or dinner at Platform 9, and enjoy the light show.”

Metro Hotel Ipswich International is also offering a Christmas themed buffet in its Platform 9 restaurant from now until December 20 for just $25 per person.  The menu offers a hot selection including baked ham, roast chicken, baked sirloin with all the trimmings, as well as various salads and steamed Christmas pudding and pavlova for dessert.

As Australia’s oldest, 100 percent owned Australian hotel chain, Metro Hospitality Group is proud to be an active and supportive member of the communities in which it operates.  Metro Hotel Ipswich International has developed a strong reputation as an active member of the Ipswich community, supporting community activities and helping local businesses and schools.

Guests can also book accommodation at the hotel or book a table at the Christmas buffet by calling the toll free Central Reservations line on 1800 004 321 or the hotel direct on 07 3812 8077.

Ipswich's First Indigenous Art Centre Opens at Mayor Paul Pisasale's Former Restaurant Colliers

Hopefully it will be a space for all kinds of Indigenous facilitators, from jewellery makers to dance, story-telling, even weapon makers

Artist Annie Clarke

Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale's former iconic restaurant, Colliers, has been transformed into the city's first Indigenous art and cultural centre, west of Brisbane.

Contemporary Indigenous artist Annie Clarke is behind the project.

Ms Clarke began painting at the age of eight, when she learnt traditional bark painting.

She came up with the idea of creating an art precinct when she started using the old Colliers house to work on her art.

"I originally started using it as just a studio - it had no power or electricity and it was cold," she said.

Ms Clarke says she soon realised the space could also be used by others.

She approached the Ipswich City Council with the idea of turning it into an Indigenous art and culture hub.

"I think a space like this gives a chance for the wider community to come and learn about Indigenous culture and it also gives the Indigenous a chance to showcase who they are and teach about their culture, their way," she said.

Colliers has been vacant for years, and was relocated in 2010 from Roderick Street in Ipswich Central to the Westfalen Community Gardens, a former coal mine in Collingwood Park.

Workers from Challenge Employment and Training have helped to restore the house to its former glory.

Richard Lindner, director of Challenge Employment and Training, says the benefits of restoring the house go beyond providing work experience for apprentice tradesmen.

"It brings in diversity," he said.

"It gives us a new approach and access to the community we're here to support."

Mr Lindner says offering art classes and other cultural workshops will be a new challenge for the organisation.

"For that reason alone, Annie has brought something to us that is very valuable in terms of engagement with a whole different cohort of individuals that we probably wouldn't have had access to in the past," he said.

Councillor Pisasale says he is excited to see his old restaurant become useful again.

"I wanted the restaurant to have not only a new lease of life, but something that's contributed to our city and Australia," he said.

"We don't put enough emphasis on our Indigenous culture and our Indigenous community and I'm just proud to be able to be part of it."

The centre officially opened last Saturday and Ms Clarke hopes it will eventually host a range of workshops.

"Hopefully it will be a space for all kinds of Indigenous facilitators, from jewellery makers to dance, story-telling, even weapon makers," she said.

But the project is still at least $45,000 short of completion.

Ms Clarke says it is a cause worth supporting.

"It gives the Indigenous community a sense of pride to see that people want to come and learn about their culture in a positive way," she said.

"I think it will make a huge difference - there's been such a positive feedback from the amount of people that have heard about this they can't wait to see it happen."