BRIGHTEN UP: Weekly dose of upbeat news from the region

Here are just some of the happy, positive news stories that happened this week to brighten up your day and make you smile.

BRIGHTEN UP: Here are just some of the things that made us smile in Toowoomba this week.

Toowoomba is full of positive news and that is something to celebrate, which is why we are bringing you a weekly dose of good news stories from around the region.

Here are just some of the things that happened this week and made us smile.

Big birthday bash for volunteer group

The Toowoomba Women’s Shed celebrated its second birthday on Wednesday.

Celebrating the special moment in style, members of the community group got together for cake.

A post on The Toowoomba Women’s Shed Facebook page thanked everyone for their support and contributions over the past two years.

“Thousands of items have been made and donated to all walks of life,” the post said.

“Our ladies and gents should be so very proud of themselves … we would also like to extend a big thank you to everyone that has donated to us, whether it be material, cotton (or) money.”

The post also thanked The Men’s Shed on James St.

Toowoomba Womens Shed members (from left) Margaret Graham, Jean Turner and Rosie Henderson. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Big step for ethically-conscious Toowoomba business

Making a difference one hair at a time has led to one Toowoomba business being named Queensland’s first regional sustainable salon.

Classic Hair Lounge owner Kate Ruijter has been dreaming of ways to transform the hair and beauty industry for years.

Ms Ruijter’s two hair salons and beauty therapy store recently received the title by Sustainable Salons – a first for Toowoomba and regional Queensland.

The Toowoomba business has implemented many strategies to make a social and environmental impact.

From scooping up leftover hair which is use to make boom stockings to scoop up oil spills from the ocean to donating all paper, plastics and metals to fund OzHarvest meals.

Find out more by clicking here.

Carla Dale, Kate Ruijter and Tegan Kay from Classic Hair Lounge named Queensland's first regional sustainable salon. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Creators think outside the box with designs for event

DIY enthusiasts, schools and community groups have put their tools and imaginations to the test to take part in an annual fundraising campaign.

The Toowoomba Hospital Foundation has launched its Pop-up Pallet event which showcases a range of handcrafted pieces using recycled pallets.

The foundation’s public relations officer Emma Manteufel said this year had a range of items from coffee tables and bench seats to puppets.

A stall has also been set-up on level 1 of Grand Central Shopping Centre to give interested parties an opportunity to check out this year’s creations.

Learn more about the event and where to bid for items by clicking here.

The Toowoomba Hospital Foundation has launched its Pop-up Pallet event at Grand Central Shopping Centre. Picture: Rhylea Millar

Hunt is on to find Toowoomba’s Most Frugal Bachelor

The hunt to find Toowoomba’s Most Frugal Bachelor is on but the question is – will the Garden City accept this rose?

Based off the Australian reality television series that has grown in popularity over nine seasons, two businesses have launched a campaign to find the region’s Most Frugal Bachelor.

Digital marketing business Social Palms and accounting practice ITP have selected six Toowoomba blokes to battle it out for the ultimate title.

All contenders will take part in a series of money-related challenges with each episode being filmed and aired on social media.

And while the identities of the bachelors are not yet clear, ITP Toowoomba general manager Victoria Haines said all six suitors were well-known.

Social Palms director Ben Yong said while it would be an entertaining campaign, it had also launched alongside the start of the new financial year.

See more by clicking here.

Councillor James O'Shea will star as host of the online series.

Sweet dog gets new home, lifts spirits of retirees

For Mary and Vince Lester it was love at first sight when they first met Freckles – a sweet dog that was sadly living on the streets just 18 months prior.

But when RSPCA Queensland picked Freckles up off the street and brought him to visit residents at St Vincent’s Care Services in Toowoomba, he formed an instant bond with Ms Lester.

“We walk around to all the different rooms and Freckles has an incredible instinct when it comes to knowing when people need him,” Ms Lester said.

“Freckles has got friends in every room … he is an incredible dog.”

Ms Lester said since adopting Freckles he had lifted the spirits of the residents and allowed her to resume one of her favourite hobbies – gardening.

Read the full story by clicking here.

St Vincent’s Toowoomba Care Services resident Mary Lester loved Freckles so much she adopted him from the RSPCA. Pictured with her husband Vince Lester. Picture: Nev Madsen