Publication
REACHING NEW HEIGHTS
A luxurious six-bedroom home has shattered the Toowoomba record for a house sale after it changed hands for a whopping $6.55m. The 6000 sqm property on Leslie St in Rangeville with four bathrooms and fully equipped gym with sauna was sold through...
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PRICES DRAIN FARM GAINS
State-wide petrol data from RACQ has revealed that just as the winter harvest begins, Darling Downs and southwest Queensland producers face a dangerous gap between farm gate prices and soaring costs at the bowser.
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LINE AND SUBSCRIBE
Just a few months ago, two Queensland YouTubers and drift car enthusiasts were touring Japan’s racing culture. Stuart Young, who co-owns the Toowoomba business Street Race Solutions with his brother Andrew, can be seen driving on the Tokyo Expressway...
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NRL BID SPLITS IN TWO
Toowoomba will push ahead with a solo bid to secure the NRL’s 20th licence. The decision comes after Central Queensland decided to cut ties with the Queensland Heartland Bid that sensationally joined the expansion last month. Toowoomba bid team lead...
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DOCTOR’S WARNING
Despite a near-fatal hospitalisation and prior warnings, a young girl was allowed to stay with the faith-healing cult that would eventually kill her, an inquest has been told. The inquest initially interrogated aspects of Elizabeth’s visit to hospital...
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PROBE OVER GIRL’S DEATH
A coronial inquest examining the 2022 cult-linked death of eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs (pictured) is set to begin public hearings in Brisbane on Monday. Coroner Ainslie Kirkegaard will probe the actions of several Queensland government departments...
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DISASTER FUNDING BACKFLIP
The Albanese Government has sensationally backflipped on its controversial proposal to slash federal disaster recovery funding. Following fierce backlash from local councils and state leaders, the Commonwealth walked back its planned cuts, retaining...
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LITTLE PATTIE’S ‘MAGIC’ RETURN TO EMPIRE
The Empire Theatre will be home to some of Australia’s biggest rock and roll names later this month, as The Golden Days of Rock ‘n’ Roll makes its Toowoomba debut. Following the success of the 2022 to 2026 production The Good Old Days of Rock ‘n’...
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STUDENTS NURSE HEALTHCARE AMBITIONS
When the majority of your time has been spent between four white walls, with a desk and your classroom notes sprawled on a whiteboard, it can be impossible to envision life beyond the gates. Sixteen students at Fairholme College have pushed beyond...
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ANSWERS FOR HEIDI
A coronial inquest is set to examine the actions of several police officers on the night Heidi Riding died. The 18-year-old Toowoomba woman was a passenger in a stolen Holden Commodore that crashed into a tree at speed shortly after midnight on July...
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RAGING FIRES COULD MERGE
Residents living between Murphys Creek and Seventeen Mile are being urged to prepare their homes and update their evacuation plans as two large bushfires are forecast to merge, fuelled by erratic winds whipped up by a growing storm cell. These two...
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CARNIVAL PAWS IN BLOOM
The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement, charm, and an unmistakeable sense of whimsy as everywhere you looked, dogs of all breeds were proudly showing off their finest attire, strutting alongside their equally enthusiastic owners. Back for its...
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THE PATH TO GLORY
Growing up in Toowoomba with almost no women’s rugby league pathways, Jada Ferguson now heads into her second NRLW Grand Final as a role model for the next generation.
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ACCUSED KILLER’S REQUEST
A Darling Downs taxi driver accused of murdering his former partner and the mother of his child, Jana Armstrong, called upon his lawyer to air his demands before an open court. Dharminder Singh, 48, stands accused of murdering the 30-year-old woman...
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MONSTER’S PAROLE APPEALED
Queensland’s Attorney-General has moved to appeal against the “manifestly inadequate” sentence imposed on a doctor convicted of 110 child sex offences.
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FLOWERS WOW PARK VISITORS
With her little black camera, broad-rimmed hat, and brother and mum in tow, Amelie Warnock travelled from Brisbane intent on capturing the perfect buds at Toowoomba’s Carnival of Flowers. From the rows of rainbow pansies to surrounding clouds of white...
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CONCORDIA RED CARPET ROLLS OUT
Following college tradition the 2026 cohort of Concordia Lutheran College started their valedictory celebrations with spectacular red-carpet arrivals in front of the heritage-listed Redlands Building at the Harristown campus.
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SITE FALL LEADS TO ARREST
A man has been charged after a worker fell and was impaled during an alleged workplace altercation.
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SEASON OF FIRE FURY
Authorities are on high alert after several large scrub fires burned out of control in the Darling Downs and South Burnett. A large fire at Nundubbermere, near Stanthorpe, broke its containment lines on Monday night, leading to a significant escalation...
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PULL PLUG ON AI HUB
A proposal to build Australia’s largest data centre on the Western Downs has sparked significant community pushback, with nearly 10,000 residents calling on the Queensland parliament to block the development. The petition, bearing 9741 signatures as...
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FLORAL FRENZY
Toowoomba burst to life at the weekend as the city’s iconic Grand Central Floral Parade showcased the region’s culture and history to more than the 65,000 spectators. Kicking off the first weekend of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, the ‘Spring...
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OUR TIME TO SHINE
The 77th Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers has arrived, and it is Toowoomba’s time to shine. Over the coming weeks, hundreds of thousands of visitors will pour into our city to take in our wonderful gardens and enjoy the cool mountain air. They will trek...
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IT’S GRAND BEING THE CHAMPIONS
As spring arrives in Toowoomba, vibrant blooms are painting the Garden City in rich colour, setting the stage for the final verdict of the 2026 Chronicle Garden Competition. These stunning landscapes are no accident as for months, dedicated gardeners...
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FLOWER POWER
Today The Chronicle Garden Competition will crown the region’s best gardeners, and celebrate the tireless work they have dedicated to their floral displays. It is the gardeners across the region who have cemented Toowoomba’s reputation as the Garden...
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‘JUSTICE IN OUR LIFETIME’
The sister of slain Toowoomba teen Annette Mason fears her parents will not live to see justice served and is calling on authorities to act. “We’re still waiting and hoping that the outcome of the inquest means the case is sent to the Department of...
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OUR NEW MUSEUM
Toowoomba’s new Museum of Health has opened its doors, inviting visitors to explore 10,000 artefacts spanning medical history from heroin cough remedies to lobotomies.
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LAIDLEY BURSTS INTO SPRING
Filled to the brim with brilliant yellow outfits, juicy local produce, and buzzing bees galore, the Laidley Spring Festival was a haven of excitement for the community. Held on September 11-12 alongside Bee Happy Day on September 13 in Forest Hill,...
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A BREACH OF TRUST
A former teacher who once had an oval named after him and taught at one of Toowoomba’s most prestigious schools allegedly systematically groomed and sexually exploited students in his care, according to a woman who has broken her silence. Former...
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RIDING FOR MY 9/11 BROTHERS
A Toowoomba firefighter has ridden his motorbike across the US continent to commemorate the 9/11 terrorist attacks ahead of its 25th anniversary.
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NO ROCKY PATH TO GAMES
Toowoomba’s bid to host 2032 Olympic equestrian events has cleared a major hurdle as authorities sign off on horse quarantine at the city showgrounds ahead of a funding decision.
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BLOOMING BOOM
Families and visitors are packing out parks across Toowoomba with the arrival of spring, and with it is welcomed foot traffic for businesses across the region.
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NO DUE DATE FOR REVIEW
Queensland’s Department of Health has withheld the full Toowoomba Hospital maternity review, releasing only a summary despite findings of incomplete reforms and serious patient complaints. The Toowoomba Hospital Maternity Assurance Review was...
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CRISIS HITS FAMILY FARMING
Dry fields of barren farmland stretch against rows of metal gates as farmers gather to the rhythm of the auctioneer’s call. While this scene remains a fixture of regional life, Norco CEO Michael Hampson warns that iconic Australian portraits like this...
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SISTER’S SEARCH
The sister of Jana Armstrong has offered a reward for whoever finds and returns the allegedly murdered mother’s Apple Watch, hoping it will provide closure for the surviving family. The Toowoomba mum was found dead in bushland off the Esk-Hampton Road...
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CITY READY TO BLOOM
This Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, local artist Alex Stalling is inviting the community to get creative with a series of Bloom Building Workshops, supported by Ingenia Lifestyle Darlingview. The hands-on workshops give participants the opportunity to...
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BUNYA PROJECT EXPANSION
The Bunya Mountains has opened its arms to new accommodation opportunities to drive tourism. The Western Downs Regional Council is searching for experienced developers capable of providing the region with high-end, short-term accommodation. That...
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MADDY’S QUEST TO CONQUER WORLD RECORDS AND DISABILITY STIGMA
not uncommon to stumble upon a collage of athletes in colourful fitness attire spread across your social media channels, creating a viewer’s daily inspirational fix. Training day after day with runs at 4am, reaching speeds most can only dream of,...
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RISING UP FROM ASH
A pitch invasion and a fourhour celebration from local fans followed Ash Taylor’s biggest win as a coach on Saturday. The former Gold Coast Titan, who once signed a $3 million contract over three years, has found a new home as coach of the Oakey Bears...
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CHEERS FOR SEVEN YEARS
Falling to a record-setting seventh straight O’Callaghan Cup defeat, heartbroken Downlands College players left the field in tears on Saturday. As Grammar celebrated their 42-12 win, Kevin Farlow continued to support his fellow Downlanders. Making...
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AXE IN MUM’S HEAD
Months away from turning 18 and on a restorative justice order for assault, a teen terrorised a mother, turning off her electricity in a bid to lure her outside and “meet” an axe he had “for her face”. The teen filmed himself at the front door making...
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TIME TO Spring INTO ACTION
Spring has nearly sprung, and the Lockyer Valley is blooming ready for a celebration. The whole area will turn into one big seasonal escape next month as part of an expansion to the everpopular Laidley Spring Festival. The festival is introducing...
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RURAL HEROES MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Some of Australia’s greatest athletes have come from the regions – sprinter Cathy Freeman, cycling great Cadel Evans, international golfing star Greg Norman. Now there’s an eager breed following in their footsteps. Sprinter Xanthee Watts from...
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MUM’S PLAN TO TACKLE BULLYING
Brooke Nissen realised her beautiful daughter Ella would be treated differently by the world from the moment she was born. “One of the nurses in the hospital said, ‘oh it’s a pity you didn’t have a boy because you just cover it with a beard’,” the...
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HOSPITAL CREEP
A Darling Downs Health supervisor who covertly filmed up the skirts of his female colleagues has been described as “honest, supportive and dependable in the work, a true gentlemen, and had solid moral code.” Stephen Robert Ibell has pleaded guilty to...
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SCHOOL’S HISTORIC MILESTONE
From an embattled primary school with less than 10 students in the early 1960s, the future of Meringandan State School is stronger than ever as it celebrates its 150th year. Born-and-bred Meringandan local Errol Luck said his father “fought like hell”...
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SLUG ON GRANNY FLATS
Toowoomba residents wanting to build a granny flat or second dwelling on their property will now be hit upwards of $13,500 in charges as part of sweeping changes by council.
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MUM’S BEDTIME INVENTION HITS SHELVES
As most Toowoomba parents could attest to, Mia Tait found some real challenges as she transitioned her son into a big boy bed — and the frustrations sparked some ingenuity. “Bedtime is a pretty hectic time – I’ve heard it described as like the...
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CITY GETS NEW $6M WORKOUT
More than $6 million has been invested into the Toowoomba fitness community with the new Fitness Cartel, which opens this Thursday. With a foundation of 40 gyms behind him, Nathan James knows what he is doing, and he is positive the region will reap...
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LEADING THE WAY IN HOUSING APPROVALS
The Darling Downs is the heart of a housing boom, with the region leading the state in new housing approvals, according to new data released by Master Builders Queensland. There were 2015 homes and units approved across Toowoomba and the southwest in...
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A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN
Toowoomba’s newest Titan, Bodhi Sharpley, has the potential to be an NRL star, according to coach Josh Hannay. Handed the No.17 jersey on Sunday, the 19-year-old made his debut in the 51st minute of the Gold Coast Titans’ 36-26 loss to the Newcastle...
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HOMELESS CAMP IN CITY PARK
More than 7000 Toowoomba residents have backed a council homeless camp, with Clewley Park flagged as a possible site amid a surging housing crisis.
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SHOW THEM YOU CARE, MS CAMM
Queensland’s embattled domestic violence minister Amanda Camm has been urged to visit Charleville in the wake of a shocking suspected murdersuicide that has sent “ripples” through the community. Ms Camm has yet to travel to the western Queensland town...
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TEEN’S HWY DEATH WISH
A teenager who had held her licence for only six weeks has been caught driving at high speed on a major Queensland highway. The 17-year-old P-plater was fined nearly $2000 and will lose her licence for six months after she was caught travelling at...
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BRIDGING THE PAY GAP
The Toowoomba Regional Council has attained pay parity for the first time, with female workers at the organisation now paid better on average than their male counterparts.
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JUSTICE SLAMS FOOTY ABUSER
A scathing Court of Appeal justice has refused a child sex offender leave to appeal his jail sentence, finding none of his arguments hold water. Toowoomba’s Jaiden Fidge pleaded guilty to a single charge of sexual penetration of a child under the age...
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QLD’S BEST DARK SKIES ARE ONLY A DRIVE AWAY
Queensland’s best spots to stare at the starry skies above and marvel at the majesty of the Milky Way are within a short drive of Toowoomba, new Life-Flight Lottery data has revealed. Lake Broadwater on the Western Downs and Charleville’s Cosmos...
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POST-CYCLONE LOOK FOR MURAL
A mural that has for the past decade offered hope and inspiration to young people has been given a facelift. Street artist Matt Adnate was commissioned to rejuvenate the work he painted on the Department of Youth Justice building in Neil Street, and...
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TRIBUTES FOR JULIA
Friends and former colleagues have paid tribute to Julia Brunsdon who was found dead in a suspected murdersuicide, saying she was “an absolute joy” to be around. Ms Brunsdon, 23, was found dead alongside a 45-year-old man, in what police suspect to be...
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DOUBLE-PASS GIVEAWAY FOR FRINGE FESTIVAL
Dreaming of seeing Vanessa Amorosi or Dami Im live at the Empire tomorrow night? Here’s your chance! Download the Chronicle app, turn on notifications, and be ready for a shot to win a double pass. We’ll send you a special competition link today at...
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TODDLERS SAVED FROM HOUSE FIRE
The actions of two men have potentially saved the lives of five children after a fire ignited at a home in Stanthorpe.
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I’M A COUNTR Y BOY … with a gold medal
A kaleidoscope of sounds, the rising dread of unease, and the swirling scent of chlorine all eased to nothing as Ben Armbruster walked across the arena to take his first strokes in the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. In that specific moment,...
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PAINTING THE TOWN
Toowoomba’s landmark The Empire theatre has been transformed into an otherworldly garden for the next week, courtesy of a Brisbanebased artist. Phoebe Paradise, the Queensland Fringe’s inaugural artist-in-residence, said the animation titled Where the...
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DENNY’S GOLDEN MOMENT
For Allora’s champion discus thrower Matt Denny, it is not just the Commonwealth Games gold medal he will bring home from Glasgow. It is the golden memories that will stay with him for the rest of his life. Moments after clinching the gold medal in...
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TEACHER VACANCY SHOCK
A teacher drought is gripping regional schools in the Darling Downs and Maranoa as new figures show our classrooms are experiencing a sharp spike in vacancies.
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JOURNEY TO GOLD
Australia’s newest swimming superstar Ben Armbruster made two-hour round trips twice a day just to reach a heated pool. Now he has a Commonwealth Games gold medal to show for it. Living in the Southern Downs, a then 17year-old Armbruster drove a...
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FARMERS FACE FLU THREAT
Downs producers behind 85 per cent of Queensland’s eggs are bracing for H5 bird flu.
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WATER SUPPLY DEBATE DIVIDES
Three Toowoomba councillors have voted against adding fluoride to a new water treatment plant, continuing debate over who should bear responsibility for the health measure.
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ARMBRUSTER MAKES SPLASH AT GAMES
Australia’s Matt Temple has missed out on his first individual gold medal at a major international competition by the smallest possible margin – 100th of a second. The 27-year-old from South Australia has been among the world’s best 100m butterfly...
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TRACKSIDE BOOM FOR DOWNS
The racing business is booming, and the Darling Downs-Maranoa region is setting a fast pace, injecting more than $186m into the economy in the past financial year.
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WIND FARM MOVES FORWARD
Work on a $700m wind farm that could power 100,000 Queensland homes looks set to ramp up this year, after the Toowoomba council granted a lifespan extension.
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VIGIL TONIGHT FOR JANA
The Toowoomba community will gather tonight for a candlelight vigil to pay tribute to mum Jana Armstrong. The death of the 30-yearold has shattered the community, with the vigil a chance to stand together, shine a light and raise awareness. Humaira...
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STAR JUDGE FOR OUR GARDENS
Preparing to lend her expert eye to Toowoomba’s finest floral displays, celebrated horticulturalist Melissa King has been revealed as a guest judge for the 2026 The Chronicle Garden Competition. King has blossomed into one of Australia’s most popular...
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