🚁 Berghofer stuns with $1m donation to LifeFlight
Volume 91: Coward punch statistics | Toowoomba's new CEO announced | How Trump's Golden Dome actually works | Play Uno on Youtube and heaps more
G’day and welcome back to another Toowoomba Minute Thursday, it’s May 29.
Today’s newsletter is 1,363 words, a 6.5-minute read.
In today's email:
One Big Thing: Berghofer stuns crowd with $1m donation
Toowoomba’s namesake: Navy ship gets new commander
'Coward Punch' study exposes: 30 years of violence statistics
Trending: Super Rooster > anything
Around The Web (Snippets): Sal Petroccitto OAM is the new Council CEO, how Trump’s Golden Dome actually works, Highfields Town Centre to be considered in August meeting and heaps more
Upcoming Events
Toowoomba Weekend Weather
Live Housing Price Index
Live National Meat and Livestock Index
1. One Big Thing: Berghofer stuns crowd with $1m donation
By Marshall Hall
Toowoomba rich lister Clive Berghofer AM stunned the crowd at the annual Toowoomba LifeFlight gala at The Goods Shed with an incredible $1 million donation to the helicopter rescue service.
Why It Matters: Mr Berghofer is a long-time supporter of the organisation and has now donated more than $10 million to LifeFlight over the past 20 years.
Reportedly, he has donated more than $130 million to different causes to help the community.
His latest donation represented almost half the money raised at the annual Toowoomba LifeFlight gala, and his generosity led to him being named the 2024 Queensland Community Philanthropist of the Year.
“Our supporter base in the Darling Downs is famous for their passionate backing of LifeFlight, because they know how important the service is to a resilient healthcare network, especially in country areas,” Regional Advisory Committee Chair Emily O’Sullivan
More in the full article below👇
2. Toowoomba’s namesake Navy ship gets new commander
What’s Happening: On 20 May 2025, HMAS Toowoomba held a formal change of command ceremony alongside HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin.
Commander Barton Harrington officially handed over command of the Anzac-class frigate to Commander Adam Stafford, symbolised by the traditional passing of a nautical telescope.
Why It Matters: The handover marks a pivotal transition for the ship’s leadership.
Commander Stafford steps into the role with a clear vision, honouring the legacy of Commander Harrington and focusing on operational readiness and collective leadership.
What They Said:
Commander Stafford stated, “It’s a great privilege to assume command of HMAS Toowoomba and to continue the legacy of strong leadership set by Commander Bart Harrington.”
“The ship’s reputation is a direct reflection of its exceptional crew – motivated, capable and committed Australians who embody the values of the Navy every day. I’m proud to lead a ship so deeply focused on operational excellence.”
Local Impact: Although the event occurred in Darwin, HMAS Toowoomba carries the name of the regional Queensland city and reflects its values through service and resilience.
The change in leadership maintains strong ties between the Royal Australian Navy and the people of Toowoomba, reinforcing civic pride and national representation.
What To Look For Next: Read more in the full article below 👇
3. 'Coward Punch' study exposes 30 years of violence
What’s Happening: A major Monash University study has analysed 287 coward punch convictions across Australia from 1990 to 2020, shedding light on offender profiles, incident circumstances, and judicial outcomes.
Why It Matters: This is the most detailed national picture yet of coward punch violence, which is helping to shape smarter legal reforms and public safety strategies.
By The Numbers
61% of coward punch cases occurred in NSW and Victoria
26: Was the median age of offenders
39% involved alcohol at the time of the offence
62% of offenders received prison time, with manslaughter terms ranging from 3.8 to 11.5 years
65% of attacks happened in public between 6 pm and 6 am
Only 2.1% successfully claimed self-defence
Local Impact: Queensland introduced coward punch legislation in 2014, alongside Victoria and NSW, all following WA back in 2008 and tNorthernher Territory in 2012, but gaps remain across the country with no equivalent laws yet in South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, or Tasmania.
What The People Say
Danny Green, founder of the Coward Punch campaign, stressed,
"Using the term 'Coward Punch' attaches a strong negative connotation to a despicable act, serving as a deterrent. Through continuous education and awareness, we can reduce the occurrence of Coward Punch attacks in our communities."
What To Look For Next: The full article and more from the report below. Read more in the full article below. 👇
Weekly Dream Gig
This week – Queensland Police Service is hiring an Assistant Watchhouse Officer based at Murgon Police Station to supervise and monitor persons in custody and visitors to the watchhouse.
Offering a salary of $72,862 – $79,976 p.a. plus shift penalties, this full-time role involves 24-hour rotational shift work.
Applicants must hold an Open C Class Driver Licence and be willing to wear the Assistant Watchhouse Officer uniform. Apply here.
Have a job opening? Promote your vacancy here 👇
4. Trending
5. Around The Web (Snippets)
Flashback to 2017, when Cobb+Co Museum brought together: Origin’s local legends who helped shape that iconic first game in 1980
What even is Trump’s: Golden Dome missile system and how would it actually work?
Highfields Town Centre to be: Considered by Council at August meeting
Google is training a new A.I. model to decode: Dolphin chatter, and, potentially, talk back
Toowoomba Regional Council has appointed transformational leader: Sal Petroccitto OAM to the role of Chief Executive Officer
Victoria’s Secret hit by: Outages as it battles a cybersecurity incident
International students in Toowoomba can now register for a: Free professionally crafted resume, thanks to Study Toowoomba
Massive crowds enjoyed a spectacular: 36th Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show with a record number of boats delivering an unsurpassed display of marine innovation, luxury and lifestyle.
The Toowoomba Golf Club Women's Committee raised funds for: Blush Cancer Care Inc with their Ladies Pink Golf Day 🎀
🕹️That’s fun: Play Uno on YouTube using your keyboard! (Tip: use ‘Option’ instead of Control’ on a Mac)👇
🕰️ In Case You Missed It - Last week’s newsletter
6. Upcoming Events
🎨 OzArtz Resin Art Class: May 30 from 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm; learn the art of resin crafting in a hands-on workshop suitable for beginners and enthusiasts alike at 189 Hume St
🎶 Sydney Male Choir Performance: May 30 from 7:30 pm onwards; enjoy an evening of harmonious melodies performed by the renowned Sydney Male Choir at Empire Theatre, 54-56 Neil Street
🛡️ QPS Community Safety & Career Expo: May 31 from 9 am – 12 pm; explore community safety initiatives and career opportunities with the Queensland Police Service at Toowoomba TAFE Oval
🎭 We Will Rock You – TSHS Musical: June 5 to June 7; experience Toowoomba State High School's performance of Ben Elton's jukebox musical featuring the music of Queen at TSHS Performing Arts Centre
🤝 👩🏼💼 Local First Nation’s Women in Business: June 5 from 7:30 am onwards; join a networking event celebrating Indigenous women entrepreneurs at Picnic Point Restaurant
Community Contributor - Thought For The Week
[Sponsored supplied]
Save us from ourselves?
Humanity is a kingdom, like the animal, vegetable; mineral kingdoms; personal self aside, regardless of race culture religion country, we function also as one species, sharing one ultimate destiny through evolution.
Therefore, brother/sisterhood is not a choice; it is a fact of nature.
The challenge? Put the mean, the obnoxious, the myriad of ‘personality’ conduct aside. Just for a moment, can you open your mind and visualise every single soul- the entire human race?
Love is a force of nature, and very different to personal emotion or desire; cultivate it,embrace humankind, visualise the illumination of our species.