Ipswich Events: Warwick Rodeo – known far and wide as “Australia’s Most Famous”

On the last full weekend of October every year, the nation’s top rodeo riders and the best broncs and bucking bulls gather for the Warwick Rodeo – known far and wide as “Australia’s Most Famous”.

The riders and the bucking stock come together to try and prove the old saying wrong – “never the horse that couldn’t be rode, never the rider that couldn’t be throwed”.

Today, Warwick Rodeo and Gold Cup Campdraft attract’s crowds in excess of 30,000 people with competitors and horses travelling from every mainland state to compete.

The traditional Australian event of campdrafting kicks off the program, Known by many as the "Melbourne Cup" of campdrafting, the Warwick Gold Cup attracts more riders and offers more prize money than any other campdraft in Australia. Worth over $55,000 plus a gold cup and a trophy saddle, it is, and has been for many years, regarded as the Australian Championship Campdraft.

The Canning Downs Campdraft also offers a significant prize worth $25,000 and its own trophy saddle as does Friday’s $5,000 Stallion Campdraft.

Come Saturday morning, action starts early in the rodeo arena while down-town Warwick comes alive with the Rose and Rodeo Festival street parade featuring floats, clowns, horses, entertainment and a craft market.

Warwick Rodeo – known far and wide as “Australia’s Most Famous”

Ipswich Events: Spotlight on Beccy Cole

Beccy is best known for her award-winning songs but is also an accomplished comedienne who has audiences roaring with laughter at her wicked brand of humour.

Her memorable, heart-felt songs have earned Beccy seven Golden Guitars, two Entertainer of the Year awards, three Gold records and many other song-writing accolades.

This show brings Beccy into the spotlight like never before, in a special ‘up close and personal’ night of very special entertainment. It’s easy to see why such a multi-talented performer remains at the forefront of Australian Country Music.

Beccy Cole with be performing with support act Lyn Bowtell. Lyn Bowtell is an accomplished singer/songwriter, two-time Golden Guitar winner with trio 'Bella' (2004 & 2005), Toyota Star Maker winner (1997), APRA Awards finalist and graduate of the inaugural Country Music College (1997).

SHOW DETAILS

	Dates: Thursday 10 November
	Time: 7.30pm
	Tickets: Adult $30 | Conc. $27
Child $15
	More Info: Support Act - Lyn Bowtell
	Send To A Friend: Think someone else will enjoy this show?

Ipswich Events: Spotlight on Beccy Cole

Queensland Tourism News: Queensland Tourism Industry Canvassed on China Growth

Tourism Queensland has released a discussion paper on opportunities and challenges facing the industry as the State ramps-up efforts to snare a greater share of the burgeoning China market.

Tourism, Manufacturing and Small Business Minister Jan Jarratt said work was well advanced on developing the new Project China Strategy, with industry feedback critical.

"Sustainably growing our share of the China market and giving Chinese visitors a great experience involves everyone and I want industry to have their say, with consultation open until December," Ms Jarratt said.

"The discussion paper raises issues from better catering for Chinese travellers to diversifying target markets such as attracting different age groups and destinations so it is important for industry to think about these issues and give their feedback," she said.

"The resulting Project China Strategy will map out our long-term vision to grow our share of the crucial China market, with potential spending by Chinese visitors in Australia tipped to reach $7-9 billion by 2020."

Ms Jarratt said China was already Queensland's third largest international market and one of the fastest growing, with 198,000 Chinese visiting Queensland in the year ending June 2011 - 25% more than the year prior.

"Chinese travellers are big spenders, outlaying $381 million on their trips to Queensland in the year ending June 2011 - a significant $48 million more than during the previous year," she said.

"With Chinese visitor numbers forecast to continue growing by double digits over the next few years, it's vital that our tourism industry has the skills, products and experiences to ensure they have the best possible Queensland experience, and when they go home they tell their friends and family that Queensland is where Australia Shines."

Queensland Tourism News: Queensland Tourism Industry Canvassed on China Growth

Ipswich Poetry Feast 2011 Awards Presentation

Winners in each category of the annual International Poetry Competition were announced at this prestigious event. Prizes are presented by the Ipswich Poetry Feast, and first prize winning poems, or an excerpt of these poems, are professionally read.

Ipswich poetry feast 2011

An international poetry competition and program of literary events aimed at encouraging, promoting and showcasing poets and poetry writing for all ages
Councillor David Pahlke, chair, Ipswich poetry feast committee & councillor Paul Pisasale, mayor of Ipswich

The Ipswich Poetry Feast has become an important part of Ipswich's cultural identity.
The competition was born of "The Babies of Walloon" story after the release of a book on the subject by Walloon author Judith Baker which captured the sad tale of two young girls who drowned in a waterhole near Walloon late in the 19th Century. The event so touched Henry Lawson, the soon to be famous Australian poet, that in 1891 he wrote the poem.

Ipswich City Council is committed to positioning the Poetry Feast to be one of the leading poetry competitions in Australia. With international interest emerging, the competition will place Ipswich on the international stage via the love of poetry.

A winning Poem: Edwards Property Mentorship Award

Petrichor by Vuong Pham from Camira, Qld

A
lull
in the
first rain
after a dry
spell breathes
a suspense like
no other. Its silence
calms the exhaustion of
hysterical trees shrugging
off drought. Its scent lingers
between blackberry lanes that
bare their chests to the drizzle,
air-coffeed with earth. Its arrival
is crystal chrysalis awakening on
hot tin roofs like popcorn baking.
The remains are along staves of
fence wire, hanging dewdrops
of broken notes. They offer
peace, that is a trickling
sun, to the puddle's
heartbeat...
plop

Melbourne Cup Race: Glam Up For Cup - Metro Hotel Ipswich International Melbourne Cup Fashion Glipse

THE Metro Hotel Ipswich International might be two states away from Flemington Racecourse but that won't stop them dressing for the occasion.

As part of the Metro's annual Melbourne Cup celebrations, the hotel will be running a fashion parade with clothes from Ipswich store House of Amy.

The event, which is already sold out, will be raising money for the Ipswich Hospital Foundation.

Metro Hotel guest relations manager Fran Edney said the hotel's Melbourne Cup lunch was becoming a tradition for some locals.

"This is the third year we've held it and the second we've sold out, but this time we've sold out much earlier than before," she said.

"People just love it though.

"It always gets a really good rap."

While this year's event won't have the popular guinea pig races of last year, Ms Edney promised some other entertainment that was still under wraps.

"We'll have some great entertainment, not everything has been decided yet but there are some big plans."

Even though fashion parades have always been part of the Metro's Melbourne Cup festivities, this is the first year they've showed off the clothes of House of Amy.

"I went in there and just fell in love with everything," Ms Edney said.

House of Amy owner Amy Winks is an award-winning designer and studied in Paris on a scholarship from the Australian Student Awards.

The parade will be showing some of the store's latest fashions, including '60s-inspired skirts, tassels and the many hats and fascinators stocked.

The festivities will kick off at noon and run until 3pm on Tuesday November 1.

The Metro Hotel Ipswich International is far from the only venue hosting an event, with celebrations occurring throughout Ipswich.

Melbourne Cup Race: Glam Up For Cup - Metro Hotel Ipswich International Melbourne Cup Fashion Glipse

Discover Ipswich in 60 seconds - Video

Discover Ipswich in 60 seconds!



Ipswich is Queensland's oldest provincial city and offers an alluring blend of heritage charm, metropolitan sophistication and expansive green spaces. Early colonial buildings stand proud in the city centre, lovingly restored Queenslanders perch on hills and quaint townships dot the surrounding countryside.

Just 40 minutes west of Brisbane and an hour from the Gold Coast, Ipswich combines rich heritage with the energy of being the hub of today's growth region in South East Queensland. Whether you’re looking for family friendly fun, outdoor adventure, adrenalin action, pure indulgence or a glimpse back to bygone days … come and Discover Ipswich.