A place like no other

Kim Hanson-Ross kimberley.hansonross@icloud.com

Protea Place Warwick volunteers are hard at work finishing up renovations for the Women’s Day Refuge, with a deadline to complete the project in July.

They are currently renovating the garage area, which will act as a large from for its guests, with the possibility of utilising it for activities and the like.

Volunteers have been coming in to restyle the building three days a week for several months, after Protea Place, originally based solely in Toowoomba, made the decision to expand to Warwick.

They are very happy with the progress that has been made, and are excited to show off their final result when the building is officially opened.

“Why are we doing it, because it’s necessary and there’s nothing like this in the Southern Downs,” Warwick Protea Place President,

Kathy Payne, told The Daily Journal.

“This will be a safe space for people to come, have a meal, have a shower, and do their laundry, or even just to be given space. This is a supportive space, and the women who come here will do their own thing.”

The volunteers have renovated, or almost finished renovating, the office, the dining room, the kitchen, the commercial laundry, the storage room, two breakout rooms, a clothing boutique room, and the bathroom.

Protea Place has received assistance from several locals and businesses across the Southern Downs, including service clubs, churches, and SDIEA trainees who came around on Tuesday June 6.

They are currently sending a call out for professional painters to assist with painting the exterior of the building.

Donations are also being welcomed, with several items on their list still required, including armchairs, indoor plants, office furniture, kitchen utensils, toiletry supplies, bookshelves, and a 10-chair dinning table. See the list on page 6 for the full list, or contact Ms Payne at Kathyp@protea.org. au for more enquiries, donations, or volunteering.

Kim Hanson-Ross kimberley.hansonross@icloud.com

Students at Assumption College in Warwick paid their respects to Reconciliation Week by taking part in a Reconciliation Walk on Wednesday May 31.

Students departed the college at 1:40pm and walked towards St Mary’s Primary School where they were joined by the students of St Mary’s. The students continued to St Mary’s Kindy where the kindergarten students joined in as well, and the three cohorts headed towards St Mary’s Parish.

A short Reconciliation liturgy took place at the church, led by Fr Bony Abraham. Following the liturgy, the students walked back to St Mary’s School, where they took part in a Flag Raising Ceremony.

Contributed

CelticFest wouldn’t be CelticFest without Highland coos. So Keans Agri is bringing the stars of their Leyburn Highland Stud to Warwick Showground on Sunday 1 October to meet all the lucky festival goers.

Highland coos have been grazing the Scottish Highlands since the 6th Century and they will no doubt be around for a long time to come, thanks in no small part to the protection offered by their special double-coat of hair - long and oily on the outside and soft and downy close to their skin.

Highland coos are also known as fluffy coos or hairy coos and they look so soft and cuddly that the urge to pat them is almost irresistible.

It’s not advisable to simply walk up to a 600-kilogram Highland coo you doon’t knoo and try to give it a pat! However, the lovely Carolyn and Ian from Keans Agri will be on hand to introduce you to their friends, so patting a Highland coo will be something you will definitely be able to tick off your bucket list at CelticFest Warwick 2023. When you meet Carolyn and Ian at CelticFest, make sure to ask them about the antics of their cattle: Boris 'the animal', Penny 'the fence jumper’, and Hume the stud bull, who is known to enjoy a Guinness and wander through the streets of Leyburn late at night. After you’ve patted a Highland coo, there is plenty more to do at CelticFest: marvel at the strength and skill of competitors in the Australian Highland Games Championships, wander through a working medieval village, meet famous characters from yesteryear, see amazing Celtic musicians make magical music with traditional instru- ments, be stirred by the sounds of pipe bands and thrilled by the athleticism of highland dancers, shop for Celtic wares in the market, and fill your belly with Celtic-themed food and drink.

Earlybird tickets are on sale now at www.celticfestqld.com. au or via Eventbrite.

$8,790