‘If I don’t, then who will’: Deane’s bid to bring diversity to council
A Stanthorpe council candidate says it’s time to bring more diversity and less dysfunction to Southern Downs Regional Council. More details here.
Community
My First Year 2024: Southern Queensland preps shine
With a new cohort of preps starting school for 2024, we’ve been to primary schools across the region for My First Year. See our mega gallery of schools here.
My First Year 2024: When you can see Southern Downs Prep photos
A group of little ones from across the Warwick, Stanthorpe and Goondiwindi regions have started school for the first time, and we have all the snaps. Here’s when you will be able to see our My First Year galleries.
Ready, set, go: $1.9m raceway upgrade complete
A much anticipated project in the Southern Downs is now complete, hosting a grand reopening to showcase the $1.9m upgrades. Full details here.
REVEALED: Who took out the title of Southern Downs’ best mullet?
Find out who the Southern Downs community crowned as the winner of the region’s best mullet for 2024 here.
Full steam ahead for former councillor seeking return to role
Marika McNichol has big plans for the Southern Downs region if elected as councillor in 2024, and a dysfunctional council is not on the list. See what she has planned here.
MEGA GALLERY: Apple and Grape Harvest Festival main weekend action
It only comes around every two years, with Stanthorpe’s biggest event back for family fun and we were there to capture all the action from the second weekend of the Apple and Grape Harvest Festival. Did we snap your pic? FULL GALLERY
Rural medical centre’s innovative approach to combat GP shortage
A rural medical practice on the Southern Downs has taken an innovative approach to combat the state’s GP shortages in rural and remote communities. FULL STORY HERE.
Tancred committed to keeping council transparent
After completing his first term on council, Stephen Tancred is eager to continue bringing results for residents of the Southern Downs. See what he’s helped to achieve in the past four years here.
A rural perspective: Farmer’s councillor bid
A Southern Downs farmer is ready to be the voice the community needs. Here’s why he’s running for councillor candidate in 2024.
Who’s in and out ahead of Southern Downs and Goondiwindi council elections
Find out who’s in and who is out of the running for a seat at the table in both Southern Downs and Goondiwindi region councils ahead of this year’s local government elections. FULL LIST HERE.
Windle prepared to make tough choices if re-elected
After eight years at Southern Downs Regional Council, councillor Sheryl Windle remains committed to finding solutions to the regions major issues. See what she’s prepared to bring to the table here.
‘Flavour of the month’: Inside Stanthorpe Apple & Grape Harvest Festival 2024
The popular Southern Downs fruitful event is fast approaching, with organisers anticipating around 100,000 attendees. See what’s new this year at Stanthorpe Apple & Grape Harvest Festival here.
Pop culture event to bring the geeky and fun to Warwick
While you may not expect to see superheroes, monsters and fantasy characters roaming the Rose City, one event in April will bring creatures from across pop culture to life for one day of costumes, merchandise and collectables.
Mega gallery: A decade of Killarney’s Bonfire Night
It’s one of the Southern Downs’ most popular events, attracting visitors from far and wide. See how many times we’ve spotted you this past decade here.
‘Significant failure’: Residents call on council to act on traffic chaos
The residents of a narrow Warwick street are fed up with the influx of traffic from a nearby development that has resulted in more than 200 cars a day fly by. Full details here.
Southern Downs records major deluge overnight
Parts of the Southern Downs recorded major rainfall with some parts of the region receiving more than 100mm. More here.
South Queensland council to restore abandoned aged care facility
An aged care facility, which abruptly shut in 2020, is set for a second life after a southern Queensland council announced it has pledged $1.3m to purchase and restore the centre.
’Best in the state’: New teaching approach for Southern Downs high school
A positive shake up is coming for Warwick State High School in 2024, with a new principal and a new teaching approach. See what’s happening here.
‘Group effort’: Stanthorpe stalwart’s recognised with OAM
While they might not be Stanthorpe born and bred, the dedicated efforts in the community of two stalwarts has earnt them a Medal of the Order of Australia. See their humble responses here.
Australia Day 2024: Citizens recognised for contributions to the Southern Downs
Deserving residents of the Southern Downs have been recognised for making a difference in their community, with plenty of fun events planned for Australia Day. SEE THE FULL LIST HERE.
My first day: Warwick preps embark on schooling journey
Warwick’s newest batch of prep students have kicked off their schooling journey this week, showing off their cheeky grins as they embark on big school. SEE THE PHOTOS.
State government sues regional council over asbestos contamination
Contaminated topsoil distributed at a Warwick school and football oval six years ago could cost Southern Downs Regional Council more than $500k. Full details here.
Data reveals skyrocket in screen time of Qld primary children
A recent study has revealed alarming data of screen time in primary aged children, with a South East Queensland optometrist giving parents and teachers a stark warning. More here.
REVEALED: Who has been named South West Qld’s cutest babies?
At long last we can reveal where in the southwest region is home to the cutest baby girl and boy, with hundreds of adorable bubs nominated. See the winners and runners up here.
‘Do you still love me’: Money transfers used to harass ex-partner
A magistrate has been left stunned following a man’s ‘disturbing’ method to inflict unwanted contact on a woman through bizarre means. Read what happened in court.
$99m+ funding: Every southwest Qld school upgrade revealed
Several southwest Queensland schools are anticipating a major development boom, with almost $100m in education infrastructure planned for the Darling Downs and South West alone. Here’s how your school will shape up in the next decade.
Revealed: How Southern Downs early childhood centres rate
As our future generations grow and flourish into the next changemakers in our society, their early childhood education needs are a top priority. Find out which of the Southern Downs’ child care centres are exceeding national quality standards.
Revealed: National retailer signs on to join Warwick hub
One of the final retailers to open at Warwick’s new premier shopping location can be revealed, with one final tenant remaining to snatch up a prime trading location in the Rose City. Here’s when it is expected to open.
REVEALED: Southern Downs and Granite Belt’s best hairdresser 2023
With more than 20 salons nominated, there’s no doubt the Southern Downs and Granite Belt is home to an array of talented hair artists. Find out which salon the community crowned the best for 2023 here.
‘He will always be much loved’: Tributes flow for Southern Downs rugby and cricket superstar
The Warwick sporting community is mourning the loss of rugby and cricket icon Nick ‘Snake’ Baker, with family and friends paying tribute to the larrikin who will be dearly missed by all.
17 calls at all hours: Ex-bikie’s harassment campaign revealed
An ex-bikie who harassed a woman to the point she was terrified to answer the phone has had his day in court where it was revealed he only met the victim a month earlier. WARNING: DISTRESSING.
‘Unrequited love’: The plant that could burn up the Granite Belt
As the days become warmer and the prospect of El Nino grows larger for southeast Queensland, there’s a silent threat much closer to home for the Granite Belt and surrounds this bushfire season. Full details here.
Crime wrap: Car crashes and night-life disturbances
Police have been busy responding to a variety of incidents across the region, ranging from high range drink driving, to car crashes and disturbances outside popular Warwick venues. Here’s what you missed.
Brave Warwick mother planned wedding from hospital bedside
For a newly engaged Southern Downs woman, a stage two cancer diagnosis led to her planning her special day from hospital just days after receiving surgery to remove a 16cm tumour. Full story here.
Alleged stalker reported chasing, harassing young woman
Residents have expressed their concerns on social media following a frightening report of a man chasing a young girl while she was out exercising. Here’s what we know so far.
‘Helping hand’: Aged care workers to get well-earned reward
With the introduction of new minimum wage awards, BlueCare Queensland has announced a further pay increase for all of its aged care workers, including the many dedicated staff at the Southern Downs community respite centres. Read their inspiring stories here.
MEGA GALLERY: Two decades of Warwick formals
From monochrome satin to pastels, glitter and gold, we’ve collated two decades of Warwick graduate formals from the late 90s to 2020. See the mega gallery here.
GALLERY: Warwick formals 2019-2020
Nearing a time when Covid-19 restrictions kept us all indoors, take a look back at the time capsule of Warwick graduates from 2019-2020. Full gallery here.
GALLERY: Warwick formals 2016-2018
Take a trip back in time and revisit the glamour that was the cohort of bright, sparkly Warwick graduates from 2016-2018. Find the full gallery here.
Warwick formal time capsule: 1999-2015
From the late 90s to 2015, see all the glitz and glamour of the many cohorts of Warwick formals in our time capsule here.
‘I know I’m drunk’: Woman’s stunning confession after car crash
A Warwick bartender who crashed her car while drunk made full admissions to police before blowing a reading three times the legal limit. Read what she confessed to police.
GALLERY: Burning rubber, vintage and more at Leyburn Sprints 2023
The annual landmark motorsports event for Leyburn on the Southern Downs returned for its 27th year, bringing vintage vans, sports cars, burning rubber and more. See our gallery of the event here.
Southern Downs to face ‘warm’, ‘dry’ bushfire season
As winter comes to a close around the region, the Bureau of Meteorology predicts significant warm and dry weather ahead of a potentially devastating bushfire season. Full details here.
‘Revved up’: 27 years of Leyburn’s historic sprints
The Historic Leyburn Sprints will enter its 27th year this weekend with over 220 vintage and modern cars to feature, marking a milestone for its junior competition. Full details here.
Drugs, brawls and bashing: Warwick’s badly behaved mums and dads
From a mum without a licence whose ‘morning bong’ lead her to crash her car to a police raid which revealed a dad’s hidden weapons stash, these are the parents who have faced Southern Downs’ courts.
Southern Downs celebrates 70 years of BlueCare support
As BlueCare Queensland’s 70th anniversary rounds the corner, both Stanthorpe and Warwick’s BlueCare respite centre’s held celebrations in honour of the organisation’s great achievements. See how they celebrated here.
The shocking reality for Southern Downs families who need homes
Cost of living pressures continue to soar, rental vacancies are at an all-time low and motels are filled with shift workers – this is the shocking reality for Southern Downs residents searching for a place to live.
REVEALED: Southern Downs’ best eatery
The Southern Downs and Granite Belt are home to an array of food hot spots sure to make your stomach grumble with excitement, but in our poll only one can be crowned the best. Find out which topped the voting here.
Detectives investigating after break in at Warwick car dealership
Warwick detectives are investigating a break and enter at a Rose City car dealership last month, with CCTV of the brazen theft released. WATCH THE VIDEO.
Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/queensland/warwick/community/page/3