🌭 Democracy sausage finder | Toowoomba uni jobs face chopping block | NZ airport bans long hugs | Bypass toll reduction calls | An AI dog collar to chat with your dog and more!
Today’s newsletter is 940 words: a 4.5-minute read.
Welcome back to a Toowoomba Minute Thursday; it’s October 24.
🌭 Election Weekend Alert: Democracy Sausage Saturday is here!
Check out this real-time crowd-sourced map of sausage and cake availability for the 2024 Queensland election.
Kids dig it, and it's practically part of the Australian Constitution.
Or something..
In today's email:
One Big Thing: Toowoomba uni jobs on the chopping block
Call for toll reductions as: Toowoomba Bypass issues persist
The Broadway hit “Come From Away”: Comes to town
Trending: What’s the building on the corner of Hogg and Mort Street?
Around the Web (Snippets): An AI chatbot dog collar so you can chat with your dog, Toowoomba’s Amanda Dalton awarded, a New Zealand airport bans long hugs and more!
Upcoming Events
Toowoomba Weather and Live Air
The Weekly Dream Gig
This week - Queensland Health is searching for a Health Practitioner that is interested in Allied Health locum opportunities across Queensland, paying north of $73,796 - $128,751 per year.
Need to advertise a job? Contact us here👇
Live Housing Price Index
Live National Meat and Livestock Index
1. One Big Thing: Toowoomba uni jobs on the chopping block
By Marshall Hall
What’s Happening
Toowoomba’s campus for the University of Southern Queensland could be hard hit by job cuts in a bid to plug a $32 million budget hole.
Why It Matters
The National Tertiary Education Union has warned that UniSQ are refusing to detail exactly how many jobs will be cut in the latest redundancy round to hit the sector.
What They Said
NTEU UniSQ Branch President Professor Andrea Lamont-Mills said, “The union believed 60 jobs had been lost already, with one area set to lose almost 40% of its staff.”
2. Toll reduction calls as Toowoomba Bypass issues persist
What’s happening?
Trucking operators, led by Graeme Hoare from Martins Stock Haulage, are calling for toll relief on the Toowoomba Bypass as safety concerns and ongoing repairs continue to plague the $1.6 billion road.
Why it Matters?
The bypass, also known as the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing, has been riddled with issues since its 2019 opening, including lane closures due to structural damage, prompting demands for toll cuts until the road is fully operational.
By the Numbers
$1.6 billion: The total cost of the Toowoomba Bypass project to date
$27.88: The massive price a truck pays just for one-way
41km: Is the total length of the bypass
Local Impact
The bypass was built to divert heavy traffic from Toowoomba’s streets and provide a safer, quicker route for trucks, but continuing repairs and safety hazards have frustrated operators.
What to look for next
The full article, below 👇
3. Broadway hit “Come From Away” heads to Toowoomba
What’s Happening
The Tony and Olivier Award-winning Broadway musical Come From Away will take the stage at Toowoomba’s Empire Theatre from 14 – 23 March 2025.
Dive Deeper
The production, which tells the inspiring true story of 7,000 stranded passengers welcomed by a Newfoundland community after US airspace was closed during 9/11, will be directed and choreographed by New York-based Australian creative David Wynen.
4. Trending
5. Around The Web (Snippets)
Toowoomba’s Amanda Dalton awarded for her work in: Domestic and family violence prevention
A New Zealand airport just put a ban on: Hugging for over three minutes unless in permitted areas
Top local businesses honoured at: The Little Pig Consulting Business Business Excellence Awards proudly presented by the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce
Shipwreck hunters found a lost: World War II-Era Submarine That Vanished
In the greatest arms race of our region since WWII, the Australian Government just purchased: $7 billion worth of American missiles for the navy
RMHC SEQ is offering: The Charlie Bell Scholarship for 2024
A de-extinction start-up announced that: It’s bringing the Tasmanian tiger back to life, with the genome being 99.9% complete
Hike for Homeless unites: Toowoomba for $50K fundraise
St Mary's College and Toowoomba Grammar School launch: Campaign against domestic violence
Richard Branson is co-piloting the first-ever: Crewed balloon flight to the edge of the Earth’s atmosphere
Toowoomba Regional Council enhances customer experience with: New digital tools for community services
An AI chatbot pet collar for your: Dog is being created by Personifi AI so you can have a chat with your best mate
6. Upcoming Events
🍝World Pasta Day: October 25, Whether you're a pasta lover or just want to eat some delicious food, we’ve got something for everyone. What to expect: Free pasta sampling & Spin to Win Giveaways & Prizes.
🧘♂️Yarraman Holistic Health & Community Market: October 26, Healthy people create healthy communities.
🖼️The Collapse: October 26, Looking for a spooktober art event? This is IT! Join and celebrate the prolific and gritty work of zero.aarons.given.
🎤Smokie - Greatest Hits Tour Australian 2024: October 27, They celebrated their 45th Anniversary last year and continue to be one of the most successful bands in the world today performing their hits that have become bonafide pop classics!
📡Under the Radar-Men's mental wellbeing presentation: October 28, Come to hear Lived Experience presenter Wayne Wigham talk on the topic of men's mental wellbeing.
🎃Tricks, treats and spooky beats at Grand Central: October 31, Don’t miss our special Sesame Street Meet and Greet Stage, where little ones can snap a photo with some of their favourite characters and enjoy live performances throughout the evening