🤳UniSQ Chancellor steps down | Record-breaking Telecom Review | Crocs banned | BoM strengthens local flood safety | Mayor McDonald welcomes Crisafulli MPs | Apple's M4 unveiled and more!
Today’s newsletter is 1,001 words: a 5-minute read.
Happy ghoulish Toowoomba Minute Thursday, a creepy October 31.
In today's email:
One Big Thing: UniSQ boss leaves amid job cut fears
Record-breaking: Telecom Review highlights rural communications needs
BoM strengthens: Toowoomba’s flood safety with 25 new gauges
Trending: Aussie comedian live at The Irish on November 1
Around the Web (Snippets): Mayor McDonald welcomes new Queensland Premier Crisafulli and Local MPs, Apple unveils the M4 chip devices, Australia’s best community campaign goes to Grand Central and more!
Upcoming Events
Toowoomba Weather and Live Air
👻 That’s Fun: Ghost Typing is a spooky typing game that’s quick and free with a Halloween spin, where you type Halloween words as they appear on ghosts to make them disappear before they get you.
The team scored a terrrifying 32,000…
The Weekly Dream Gig
Teach Queensland is seeking enthusiastic teachers for the Teacher Rapid Response Team (RRT) to support regional schools across Queensland.
This role involves temporary placements in rural and remote areas, offering a salary of $71,986 - $108,359 per year (plus living allowances and accommodation).
Need to advertise a job? Contact us here👇
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Live National Meat and Livestock Index
1. One Big Thing: UniSQ boss leaves amid job cut fears
By Marshall Hall
What’s Happening
University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) Vice-Chancellor Geraldine Mackenzie has stepped down days after warnings of potential job cuts to address a $32 million budget gap.
Why It Matters
With UniSQ as a key regional employer, job losses could heavily impact Toowoomba and surrounding areas such as Ipswich and Springfield, disrupting both local jobs and staff morale.
By the Numbers
A $32 million budget shortfall was identified, leading to the cuts
60 jobs reportedly cut to date, with some departments losing up to 40% of their workforce
Relief Teaching
Provost Professor Karen Nelson has stepped in as Acting Vice-Chancellor, with Mackenzie’s tenure marked by research and allied health program expansion.
What To Look For Next
Layoffs and their impacts at UniSQ are expected to continue; read the full article below👇
2. Record-breaking Telecom Review highlights rural needs
What’s Happening
A record-breaking number of submissions has been received in the 2024 Regional Telecommunications Review, reflecting heightened concerns over connectivity issues for Australians in regional, rural, and remote areas.
Going Deeper
Chaired by the Hon. Alannah MacTiernan, the independent Committee conducted face-to-face consultations and reviewed these submissions to ensure comprehensive input.
By The Numbers
3,404: total submissions – reflecting a 400% increase from 2021, a record in the Review’s history
3,098: online survey responses, thanks to an accessible format introduced this year
306: written submissions, capturing in-depth accounts of connectivity challenges
What To Look For Next
With the Committee soon delivering its report and recommendations to the Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, who established the Review’s Terms of Reference in January 2024, you can read the full article, below 👇
3. BoM strengthens Toowoomba’s flood safety with 25 new gauges
What’s Happening
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) will acquire and manage 25 flood gauges in the Toowoomba Region, part of Queensland’s Flood Warning Infrastructure Network Program.
Why It Matters
Flooding poses a major risk in Toowoomba, and this initiative will strengthen flood warning systems while reducing maintenance duties for the Toowoomba Regional Council.
By the Numbers
43 gauges are presently maintained by Toowoomba Council in high-risk zones such as Oakey, Yarraman, and the Centenary Bridge at Gore Highway
3,300+ rainfall and river gauges currently support Queensland as a whole, managed by over 60 entities
$24.3 million invested since 2017 in flood infrastructure
Local Impact
The BoM’s involvement will ease costs for the Council, ensuring better flood preparedness for the Toowoomba Region, which will benefit from a streamlined, federally supported warning network.
What They Said
Mayor McDonald welcomed the reduced maintenance costs from this handover to BoM, stating, “The maintenance costs of flood gauges are significant, and the Federal Government has recognised this challenge for local Councils.
What To Look For Next
The full article, below 👇
4. Trending
5. Around The Web (Snippets)
Mayor McDonald welcomes: New Queensland Premier Crisafulli and Local MPs
Crocs are being banned by schools because: Gen Alpha keep tripping and falling at a higher rate than closed-in-toe shoes
Grand Central’s ‘Colours of Culture’ wins: Australia’s best community campaign
20 of the scariest horror movies of all: Time, according to science
UniSQ’s Vice-Chancellor Geraldine Mackenzie resigns following: $32M budget shortfall and job cut concerns
A portrait of Alan Turing (the father of modern computer science and artificial intelligence) made by an: A.I. powered robot may sell for $180,000 at an upcoming auction
Local community unites for 25th Walk of Hope to: Raise awareness and honour breast cancer survivors and fighters
Apple unveiled its new M4: iMac, supercharged by Apple Intelligence and fresh colours
Council continues flood recovery with: Nine betterment projects across the Toowoomba Region
The launch of autonomous commercial semi-trailers has been: Is coming but has been pushed back to 2025
6. Upcoming Events
🎉 International Street Fiesta: November 2 from 1 pm onwards; dance performances, live music, food stalls and more at Queens Park
⚜️ Fight Knight XXVI - All Hallows Knight: November 2 from 6 pm to 9 pm; a thrilling cage battle, blending ancient chivalry with modern combat at Toowoomba Showgrounds
📣 Toowoomba Jobs, Careers & Skills Expo: November 6 from 9 am-3 pm; speak directly to employers who have vacant roles and are hiring at The Goods Shed
🎷 Girl Friday by Toowoomba Jazz Society: November 8 from 5:30 pm onwards; sultry songstress Michele Gusman accompanied by multi-instrumentalist Calvin Hunter at Rink 46
💕 National Breast Cancer Foundation - Swim for Breast Cancer: starts November 9; swim 9km for the nine people in Australia who die from breast cancer every day