Wonderful World of Model Railways on Show at Ipswich this Weekend at the Queensland Model Railway Show

The captivating world of model railways will come alive at Ipswich this weekend at the Queensland Model Railway Show.

The Workshops Rail Museum, North Ipswich will host the event on October 18-19 with railway modellers, demonstrators, and traders set to showcase their passion to thousands of visitors.

Museum director Andrew Moritz said the event would offer a fun filled family day out.

“We love putting on this show and seeing the appreciation in the eyes of adults and children, even if you’re ‘not into trains’, it’s hard not to stop and stare at the layouts,” Mr Moritz said.

“You can see that many hours have been spent putting together layouts and models, and modellers are happy to discuss their exhibit and much loved passion.”

Visitors will have the opportunity to admire miniature trains from different Australian states, America and the United Kingdom.

There will also be plenty of offer for kids with a construction station, kids craft and indoor Nippers Railway playground.

Mr Moritz said visitors can also enjoy a mini steam train ride thanks to Grandchester Live Model Steam.

Additional charges apply and visitors must wear closed in shoes.

Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and allow at least three hours for all activities.

Museum entry price includes all exhibits- family ticket $59, adult $20, concession $17, child $11.50 and children under three years free.

The Workshops Rail Museum is at North St, North Ipswich.

For information call 3432 5100 or visit theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au

Tourism Set to Cash In On Big Summer For International Sport

An unprecedented summer of international sport is set to boost Canberra's tourist numbers after a major decline in business stays and spending in the past year.

With seven Asian Cup football games including a quarter final, three cricket World Cup games and an extra one day International in November, Canberra's tourism boss expected locals to be joined by a mass of regional and international visitors for the sporting feast.

VisitCanberra director Ian Hill said it would be the strongest summer of sport the city had enjoyed. 

"Two absolutely world class events, and I certainly know tickets for those cricket World Cup games have been selling really well."

The National Visitor Survey released last month showed visitor nights were down 790,000 in the domestic business sector for the year to June, a drop of 37.5 per cent. Overall domestic nights were down 16.4 per cent and expenditure down 11.4 per cent, or $14 million. 

International visitor nights also fell 12 per cent, or 570,000 nights, in the same period, with expenditure down 6 per cent.

Mr Hill said the tourism authority was working closely with hoteliers and organisations elsewhere to help them package and promote events.  

"One of those [Asian Cup] games is a China [vs] Korea game; China don't play in Sydney and there's a big group of Chinese background people who live in Sydney, so we're working with some of the multicultural media in Sydney," he said. 

The tourism chief said the key to maximising the windfall for Canberra was ensuring visitors saw other attractions  during their stay, and a rejuvenated cultural and hotel scene would help.

"Places like Braddon are important, Lonsdale Street Roasters is an important place, New Acton, and with new hotels like Hotel Hotel, Peppers has just rebranded, we've seen QT do a fit out at Rydges, the Kurrajong is about to reopen after being refitted – a great location for visitors in the Parliamentary Triangle. I think visitors are seeing a new side of Canberra," Mr Hill said. 

Mr Hill said stories on last week's OECD finding that Canberra was the world's best city to live in,  trumpeted in the New York Times and elsewhere, helped spread the word. 

The Australian Hotels Association ACT recently told ABC TV that occupancy rates were at about 65 per cent, down from the same time last year, but investment was strong, with another 500-600 hotel rooms available by mid-next year. 

Session to help Gladstone city get ready for cruises

GET the party started when Carnival Australia comes to town with an information session on the future of cruise liners in Gladstone.

Gladstone Area Promotion and Development Ltd and Carnival Australia will present on the P&O Cruise Liners as part of a business leaders' luncheon.

P&O Cruises announced in August that Gladstone would be a port of call for up to 10,000 passengers a year from 2016, with ships to dock at Auckland Point.

The luncheon is presented by GAPDL in partnership with Gladstone Regional Council and Gladstone Ports Corporation.

GAPDL chief executive Glenn Churchill will give an insight on destination tourism development and regional development priority projects, while product manager Sarah Budd and director Michael Mihajlov will talk for Carnival Australia.

The luncheon will be followed by an information session with a question and answer session, giving people an opportunity to expand further on individual and business opportunities/ learnings, and any other creative discussion points to ensure we are "Region Ready".

The luncheon will be held at the Oaks Grand Gladstone on Tuesday, October 21, from 11.30am-2pm.

Source: http://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/news/liners-on-the-horizon/2413873/

DJ Afro Talks Fiesta: ‘A Journey Of What Our Culture Has Evolved Into

DJ Afro Talks Fiesta: ‘A Journey Of What Our Culture Has Evolved Into

I’m Jose Luis Pardo. I’m a DJ, producer and musician, appearing at Fiesta both as DJ Afro and in my band, Los Crema Paraiso. My love of music began with vinyl records – I used to spend a lot of time playing them at home by myself. 

Teenage years came by and I fell in love with the guitar, played in school with different bands and ended up starting the band Los Amigos Invisibles. We were high school friends that were lucky enough to tour the world thanks to our record label Luaka Bop’s faith in 6 guys from Caracas doing Latin dance music.

Los Amigos’ shows were always planned as a party and it was kind of hard to get a DJ to set up the mood with what we were being inspired by, so I started DJing myself before the shows and not so long after that, when I got a pair of headphones, I realised that I was a DJ and my DJ life started being parallel to my band’s life.

After a few years touring with Los Amigos and as a DJ, I met Neil Ochoa and we joined forces to open a studio together, and to start a new project based on our love for Venezuelan music and our desire to start playing around New York’s jazz clubs. 

Los Crema Paraiso’s El Debut became the first recording we did in our studio, and we discovered that we were in love with what we were doing musically. It sounded like nothing else, and when you feel that, you want to celebrate it and share it with everyone you know.

I grew up in a rich oil country that was always looking to what was happening outside, surrounded by people with a strong desire to prove they were cool and cosmopolitan. Then you grow up and realise that under the trends and inside your walls there are all these colours that you never cared to see before because you took them for granted. 

As a music person, I started discovering old Venezuelan albums that were brilliant but totally forgotten by my generation, Then, I moved to New York to look for better opportunities and, after not having most of the things I took for granted in my hometown, I started loving what I am, where I come from, what I had around when I grew up.

Being in New York opens your eyes to so much culture but also makes you realise what you are and where you come from, and I chose to be proud of that and use it to my benefit.

If I were to describe Latin American culture to someone who knows little about it, I’d talk about the beautiful charm of imperfection, chaos, being able to laugh about all that and still think it’s sexy. That, and the food, women, music and weather!

It means so much to represent my culture at Fiesta. Los Crema Paraiso and I as a DJ will do our best to show Sydney a journey of what our culture has evolved into.

We don’t want to be like anyone else, we are just what we are. We come with something that doesn’t sound familiar but it will make you feel at home. Los Crema Paraiso’s show is really trippy and high energy, and DJ Afro will just make you smile while you dance.

DJ Afro will appear at Fiesta on Saturday October 11 at 4:25pm and again on Sunday October 12 at 4:30pm. Los Crema Paraiso will appear at Fiesta on Saturday October 11 at 5:40pm and again on Sunday October 12 at 3pm.

EVENT DETAILS
Fiesta Darling Harbour
October 4-6 and October 11-12
Full program and getting here

View original source article

NRL Grand Final 2014 Preview: Rabbitohs v Bulldogs

 South Sydney Rabbitohs meet the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium on Sunday, October 5 

The South Sydney Rabbitohs meet the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium on Sunday, October 5 in the first NRL preliminary final. The match kicks off at 7.15pm (AEDT)

South Sydney hooker Issac Luke will miss Sunday's decider after he was found guilty of a grade one dangerous throw on Roosters star Sonny Bill Williams at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night. 

He joins Melbourne hooker Cameron Smith and Roosters stalwart Luke Ricketson as players who have missed grand finals through suspension in the modern era. Apisai Koroisau, who filled in for Luke when he was sidelined with a shoulder injury mid-season is expected to come into the starting side. 

Ben Te'o has been elevated to the run-on side for Kyle Turner who'll start on the bench. Beau Champion (wrist) is the only Souths player missing through injury. 

The Bunnies backed up their 40-24 qualifying final win over Manly with a convincing 32-22 victory over reigning champs the Sydney Roosters to qualify for their first grand final since 1971. They trailed 12-0 early but piled on 32-unanswered points before the Chooks scored two late consolation tries.

Bulldogs skipper Michael Ennis was named at hooker on Tuesday but has all-but ruled himself out after suffering two fractures in his left foot against Penrith last Saturday. 

Five-eighth Josh Reynolds filled in at dummy-half against the Panthers when Ennis went down. However, Moses Mbye and Reni Maitua more likelye options at hooker while youngster Damien Cook filled in at hooker during Origin this season when Ennis shifted to half-back. 

The Bulldogs are missing Sam Kasiano (ankle), Pat O'Hanlon (ankle), Chase Stanley (shoulder), Jacob Loko (knee) and Lloyd Perrett (ankle). Des Hasler's Dogs lost six of their last eight regular season games and were given no hope of doing anything in the finals by most pundits. 

But they thumped the Storm 28-4 in the elimination final, edged Manly 18-17 in golden point and held off Penrith 18-12 to make their second grand final appearance in three years.

Reason To Watch

Sam Burgess v James Graham. The big Englishmen are the two premier forwards in the NRL. They both show a blatant disregard for their own bodies and have a mean streak but are also highly skilful. While they insist they don't seek each other out when these two clubs meet, you could be forgiven for thinking there's a magnetic attraction between the two because wherever one goes the other is there to greet them.

Reason To Turn Away 

Forty-three years is a long time. They handled the pressure last week but the Bunnies still have a massive mental hurdle to overcome and there'll be a lot of buttock clenching going on in the Burrow if the Bunnies fall behind again this week. 

And if you're a Dogs fan and Josh Reynolds plays dummy-half and repeats some of the shocking passes he dished up against the Panthers it might be time to go and turn a steak or head to the fridge for another cordial.

Say What ... 

"Just to play in the grand final's going to be great but to play against James who's a close friend and great competitor, it's going to be a great experience and I'm sure after the final whistle one of us will have a smile on the face and the other probably not. But we'll shake hands and I'm sure we'll get stuck in on the weekend," - Sam Burgess on his battle with fellow Englishman James Graham.

"To be honest, I need a miracle mate. I'm pretty disappointed at this stage so just going to do what I can and see how it all pans out to be honest," – Michael Ennis on the prospect of missing the NRL decider through injury.

Final Word 

The Rabbitohs carry the burden of 43 years without a premiership on their shoulders while the Bulldogs are trying to become the first team to win the grand final from outside the top four since the inception of the NRL in 1998. 

They split their two regular-season meetings, with both games not decided until the final minutes. Trent Hodkinson kicked a 78th minute field goal in Round 7 to give the Dogs a 15-14 win, while the Bunnies scored nine points in the final seven minutes to win 21-14 in Round 25. 

The likely loss of Ennis and Luke's suspension weakens both sides but the Bunnies are better equipped to cover Luke's loss. The Dogs have the edge in experience having played in the 2012 decider but the toll of three brutal finals fixtures in a row could hurt them in the final quarter. 

Michael Maguire's men won't have things all their own way but we agree with the bookies who are tipping South Sydney to end 43 years of misery on Sunday. Rabbitohs by 10.

Rabbitohs: Greg Inglis, Alex Johnston, Dylan Walker, Kirisome Auva'a, Lote Tuqiri, Luke Keary, Adam Reynolds, George Burgess, Dave Tyrrell, Ben Te'o, John Sutton (c), Sam Burgess.
Interchange: Jason Clark, Kyle Turner, Chris McQueen, Thomas Burgess, Ben Lowe, Luke Burgess, Bryson Goodwin (three to be omitted).

Bulldogs: Sam Perrett, Corey Thompson, Josh Morris, Tim Lafai, Mitch Brown, Josh Reynolds, Trent Hodkinson, Aiden Tolman, Michael Ennis (c), James Graham, Josh Jackson, Tony Williams, Greg Eastwood.
Interchange: Tim Browne, Dale Finucane, David Klemmer, Frank Pritchard, Moses Mbye, Reni Maitua (two to be omitted). 

Workshops Railway Museum Ipswich

Workshops Rail Museum | Ipswich, QLD

The Workshops Rail Museum, part of the Queensland Museum, is winner of Australian and Queensland Tourism Awards for Heritage & Cultural Tourism

All aboard for a wholly interactive authentic heritage and cultural experience located at Australia’s oldest railway workshops still in operation.

Make history come alive with hands-on exhibits, multi-media encounters and colourful stories coupled with huge steam locomotives and massive industrial machinery.

Meet some true Aussie characters as you step into a real heritage railway workshop and see it in operation, just as it has been for over 140 years. See genuine restoration of the Heritage Steam Train Fleet up close and hear living history from railway workers – plus a few tall stories!

Explore over 15 larger-than-life exhibits to discover the enormous impact rail has had on our lives, beautifully restored carriages, the largest model railway of beautiful Queensland, the future of rail and treasured icons including the Vice-Regal carriage and Australia’s oldest working steam locomotive.

Find out more about the Workshops Rail Museum Ipswich

Find more Ipswich Tourist Attractions

Showbag bonanza begins as families flock to Royal Melbourne Show

Cousins Chelsea, 3 and Carlos, 5 ride the flying elephants. Picture: Jason Edwards

FAMILIES flocked to the Melbourne Showgrounds today for the start of the state’s biggest show.

The 12-day Melbourne Show kicked off with a bonanza of rides, showbags, animal events and classic show food.

People chasing an adrenalin rush packed fast-paced rides in the Thrill Seekers Carnival, while children whizzed around on a miniature Ferris wheel.

Holding a toy pony she had won, Charlotte, 4, said the rides were the best part of the show.

Show-goers enjoy the rides. Picture: Jason Edwards

“I like the show because I like to win toys,” she said.

“The rides are good too because they are fun and scary.

“It is fun to come with my friends and go on the rides together.”

Charlotte’s father Michael Willis said yesterday’s warm weather was a perfect curtain-raiser for the show.

“The kids love the show - they love all of the carnival rides,” he said.

Alex Duguid, 4, on a quest for the best showbags. Picture: Jason Edwards

Mickey Mouse and girlfriend Minnie also made their first appearance at the show, keeping kids entertained in the Herald Sun Entertainment Dome.

Epping’s Alex Duguid, 4, was one of hundreds of children to snap up a showbag yesterday.

But it wasn’t all fun and games.

A motocross stunt rider was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital after a daredevil jump went wrong.

The teenager was performing in the Freestyle Mototcross Show about 2pm. Last night he was still in a stable condition.

The Melbourne Show runs 9.30am to 9.30pm daily until October 1.

Today’s highlights include a meet and greet with the stars of Home and Away and horses demonstrating their dressage skills in the exhibition event  competition.

Puppies will also put their best paw forward during the Advance Sweepstakes Day competition.

Daniel Gurr, 17, competes in the wood chop. Picture: Jason Edwards

Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/showbag-bonanza-begins-as-families-flock-to-royal-melbourne-show/story-fni0fit3-1227065094340?nk=53eff2c37c7efc38ef5aab5f5e0c72e5