Helping with housing rural workers
The Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority is offering loans to help growers build small-scale rural workers’ accommodation. QRIDA Regional Area Manager for South East Queensland Brian Coe said providing accommodation for workers could give farm businesses a competitive edge with Australia’s low unemployment rate and rural housing shortage.
Ambulance mental health care enhanced
Toowoomba patients in crisis now have access to enhanced mental health services in their own home, thanks to the joint efforts of the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) and Queensland Health. The Toowoomba Mental Health Co-Responder Service, which became operational last Wednesday, pairs a QAS senior paramedic with a senior mental health clinician from Darling Downs Health in order to deliver fast, collaborative specialist care.
Battling youth offending
With existing measures seemingly having minimal effect on perpetrators of youth crime, a 24/7 youth co-responder team was introduced to Toowoomba last weekend in an effort make a positive difference. In Toowoomba to launch the team last Saturday, new Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer said it was one of five new co-responder teams being established across Queensland, alongside Mount Isa, Hervey Bay, South Brisbane and Ipswich.
Berghofer Foundation makes significant donation to RFDS
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) (Queensland Section) has announced that the Chair of the Berghofer Foundation, Toowoomba’s Clive Berghofer, has made a generous donation to help deliver its vital services across Queensland. RFDS (Queensland Section) Chair, Russell Postle, said Mr Berghofer’s gift of $10 million is a characteristically generous offering from someone who has a strong track record of health- related charity donations.
Asbestos found at local schools
Vale View State School, Bunker’s Hill State School and Harristown State High School are among 287 state schools across Queensland where there were asbestos-related incidents last year. Minister For Education Grace Grace said in all schools where asbestos is found, the Department of Education sends a letter to parents and caregivers advising what precautions have been implemented in response to the incident.
Former Broncos star pays visit
Wyreema State School students last Wednesday had a treat as former Brisbane Broncos and Queensland Maroons rugby league player Andrew McCullough visited the school. Andrew, who retired only last year after a 309 game career, ran a league skill session with a selection of students.
Research hopes to establish better Ryegrass management
Researchers have made a scientific breakthrough which could significantly advance understanding herbicide resistance in Ryegrass, with the new information set to help combat the weed for Australian grain growers.
