S-Troupe

The 'S' stands for special

 

LAST week unique acting ensemble, S-Troupe, performed their first show of 2013 at the Ipswich Little Theatre.

S-Troupe caters for the theatrical needs of young people with disabilities in the Ipswich and greater region.

The group received a standing ovation on Saturday afternoon after their performance of the musical comedy, ‘A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock ‘n’ Roll’.

Helper Gloria Cox with granddaughter Toyah

S-Troupe performed a range of song and dance numbers including hits such as Blue Suede Shoes, Chapel of Love, Big Girls Don’t Cry and many more old time favourites.

The hour long show had the audience up on their feet and happily joining in on the action.

Kane Wojcicki has a passion for acting and plays the rock ‘n’ roll heartthrob, ‘Melvis’.

“The thing I like about S-Troupe is meeting new people and making new friends and having a lot of fun entertaining people,” he says.

“Acting is my thing, I practice every day at home, and it’s what I want to do in life.”

Leader of S-Troupe and musical director Melinda Park has been rehearsing for the show with her dedicated group of helpers and performers since early February.

Michelle Besgrove with director Melinda Park.

“They nailed it today, they gave a wonderful performance and the audience really appreciated their efforts,” she says.

“People come here, pay to see us perform and they walk away absolutely loving the process.” 

Father Rowan Hayes travels over 300 kilometres from Chinchilla every weekend so his daughter can participate in the S-Troupe workshops and performances.

“I’ve seen a lot of changes in Maddie and they have all been positive,” he says.

“It’s fantastic, there should be more of it.”

S-Troupe aims to promote the qualities and talent of its students as well as broaden the awareness of the group and their needs within the community of Ipswich.

 

Performances continue this weekend on Saturday and Sunday at 1pm and 4pm.

Tickets are $10 each and can be booked online at www.ipswichlittletheatre.com.au or at the Ipswich Visitors Centre.

Internship Experience - UQ

Internship Experience

UQ School of Journalism and Communication

The school of Journalism and Communication at the University of Queensland asked me to write up a short piece about my experience interning at the Queensland Times. 

UQ School of Journalism and Communication article

ZOVA

Kids Zova exercise initiative launched in Ipswich

IPSWICH City Council in partnership with Zova plan to roll out a first of its kind exercise initiative in primary and high schools across Ipswich.

Zova was founded in 2009 by Australian entrepreneurs Niall McCarthy and James Tonkin and is a specifically designed program combining music, rhythm and physical activity.

It uses specific sports and fitness skills set to music rather than simpler dance moves like Zumba.

Councillor David Morrison is passionate about the initiative, saying the program is an exciting new way for school students to get involved in physical activity in a fun and enjoyable way.

"Initially primary and high schools across Ipswich are set to benefit, with a wider community approach into sports and community recreation organisations set to follow," Cr Morrison said.

Cr Andrew Antoniolli believes that the key to a healthy Ipswich lies is encouraging the city's youth to keep fit and active.

"Cr Morrison and myself saw Zova as an effective initiative to benefit the wider community, working from the grassroots upwards," Cr Antoniolli said.

Mayor Paul Pisasale said Zova was "a fun way to exercise and will encourage students to improve their level of physical activity".

The roll out to Ipswich schools is set to be completed this year.

QT stories published online

Click on the links below to view the stories published on the Queensland Times website:

• NAIDOC Week

• Rosewood Youth Festival

• Double life for barrister and actress

• Lisa Curry spices things up in Ipswich

• Marburg Grotto Fest Ignites

• Playing fetch dangerous for dogs, AVA study reveals

• Kids ZOVA exercise initiative launched in Ipswich

• Cancer-hit couple recreate a wonderful day

Fetch dangerous for dogs, AVA study reveals

Playing fetch with a stick is risky for Rover, say vets

IT IS a game dogs love - and one regularly played with pet owners in parks and backyards across Ipswich.

But throwing a stick for pets to fetch is dangerous and should be banned, veterinary experts have warned.

Robyn Outen-Scott, of Peak Crossing, who has been breeding dogs for 28 years, said she would never let a dog play with a stick.

"I have had a situation where a stick has actually broken off into the top of one of our dog's jaws and was stuck between her top teeth," she said.

Ms Outen-Scott said it was vital owners considered using safer objects such as balls to play the popular game with their canine friends.

Her warning has been echoed by the Australian Veterinary Association who said fetching sticks was endangering dogs around Australia.

AVA Queensland president Dr Nigel Thomas said sticks could splinter in the mouth, bruise gums and cause trauma to a dog's throat.

"If a stick lands in the ground sticking up like a spear - it could very easily puncture the back of a dog's throat," he said.

Dr Thomas said many owners did not stop to consider the potential risks associated with the popular pastime because it was something people had grown up with.

"But the fact that so many people are still oblivious to the dangers of stick-fetching suggests more is needed to raise awareness about the issues," he said.

Silkstone Greencross Veterinary Hospital vet Dr Jenny McCleary said she had a dog with a stick injury come into the vet surgery a few days ago.

"It's the bigger and more enthusiastic breeds such as border collies and staffies that are the ones we normally see with this kind of injury," she said.

She said removing splinters from a dog's throat could cost more than $2000.

Lisa Curry spices things up in Ipswich

Work that body, Ipswich!

ATHLETE and media personality Lisa Curry brought her fight against flab to Ipswich yesterday when she led a winter workout session and shared healthy habits.

The former Olympian revealed her secrets to weight loss, fitness and illness prevention at two free events as part of her nationwide One Life One Chance roadtrip program.

The beautiful weather attracted a crowd to the fitness workshop at d'Arcy Doyle Place and the health seminar in Ipswich City Square.

Personal trainer Kerri Tollhurst, from Raceview, took part in the group exercise session yesterday and said meeting her sporting idol had inspired her.

"I will defnitely be taking the tips I learn here back to my fitness groups," she said.

"Lisa is an idol of mine so it's been great to meet her."

Ian Gee, from Camira, was also excited to see Ms Curry taking an interest in the health of Ipswich.

"It's always great to see things like this happening in Ipswich," Mr Gee said.

"I attend group fitness sessions on Saturdays at Cameron Park, run by the Ipswich Hospital Foundation. I think there should be more of it."

Ms Curry hopes to address the nation's growing obesity crisis and help prevent heart disease.

She wants to take the tips designed in her online personal training business, the Keep It Simple Sweetheart Club, and bring them to regional areas.

"It's great to be in Ipswich this morning and I have been thrilled with the reception we've received here so far," she said.

"The goal is to teach everyday people how to exercise properly and educate them on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle."

Ipswich councillor Andrew Antoniolli said it was great to have Ms Curry in the city and he would be taking her fitness tips on board.

"Rates of overweight and obesity within Ipswich are approximately 10% higher than the state so it is fantastic to see people like Lisa taking an active interest in the area," Cr Antoniolli said.

Ipswich is the 23rd town on Ms Curry's list, with the former Olympian aiming to visit 100 regional areas in the next three years.

Rosewood Youth Festival

Youths hit the highs at festival

THE third annual Rosewood Youth Festival has transformed Tom Lenihan Skate Park into a hive of activity.

Youth support organisation Young Life worked in partnership with the Ipswich City Council to coordinate the event which was held yesterday.

From jumping castles and food stalls to live music and face painting this year’s Youth Festival had it all.

Younger festival goers enjoyed tucking into sno-cones, while teenagers impressed the crowd with their skating skills.

Mother of five Celia Rayner said her children revelled in the free festival fun provided on the day.

“All of the kids really enjoyed it,” she said.

“It’s a great event and really brings the community together.”

John Beutel, head of Young Life Rosewood, is passionate about local youth and runs a number of programs in the area.

“Young Life do a lot around Rosewood, the annual Youth Festival is one of our bigger events,” he said.

“Our key focus is engaging with the youth of Rosewood and getting them involved with their community.”

Budding musician, 18-year-old Alex Dowdle, performed at this year’s Youth Festival.

“I’ve been every year and this year is definitely the largest turn out yet,” he said.

Councillor David Pahlke also joined in the festivities.

“The event is a fun, positive way to bring the youth of Rosewood together,” he said.

Cr Pahlke plans to continue supporting Young Life and says he hopes to expand the festival next year.

55th Wedding Anniversary

Rosewood Couple Celebrate 55th Wedding Anniversary

ROSEWOOD couple Matt and Elaine Dale celebrated their 55^th wedding anniversary on Friday, and according to Mrs Dale the sparks are still flying.

 “At this stage we aren’t sure how we’re going to celebrate, we are thinking of going on a holiday to Caloundra, we love it up there,” she said.

Mrs Dale says she can still remember the day her and her husband met.

“We met at a dance, it took Matt about a month to pluck up the courage ask me to the pictures and we went from there,” she said.

The couple were married at St. Mary’s church in Ipswich on July 5, 1958.

“Matt had been away working for 11 months prior to the wedding and only got back about a week before,” Mrs Dale said.

“We were so happy to be married, and I was very happy to see him again, especially after such a long time apart!”

During their marriage they have each held many jobs, with the couple opening their own business in Rosewood in 1978 called The Plaza Corner and later working together at Cross & Embrey Real Estate.

With their close knit family consisting of five children, fifteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren, Mrs Dale says they are always keeping busy.

She admits the pair has had their share of disagreements over the years, but says the trick to a long and happy marriage is learning to accept the other person for who they truly are. 

“Nobody’s perfect, and we realise that we can’t agree all the time,” she said.

Mrs Dale also believes it is important for a couple to have active interests outside the home, with both Mr and Mrs Dale having had a long standing involvement with the Rosewood Lions Club and St. Brigid’s Church.

The couple have already begun making plans for their diamond anniversary and are busy planning more traveling adventures together.

“I told Matt we can have a big party for our 60^th anniversary, until then we plan on taking more holidays together,” said Mrs Dale.

 “We love travelling. We are taking a cruise to Fiji in October so that’s very exciting.”