WEEK 6 - THE CITY YOU LIVE
Toowoomba or 'The Garden City' which is what it is commonly known as is a city in the Darling Downs region of Queensland. It is located 125 km west of Brisbane by road.
The estimated population of Toowoomba as of 2016 is 165,168 and what I find interesting is that I think the population was only 90,000 when we first moved up here in 1999.
A university and cathedral city, that hosts the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers each September and national championship events for the sports of mountain biking and motocross.
There are more than 150 public parks and gardens in Toowoomba.
It has developed into a regional centre for business and government services. It is also referred to as the capital of the Darling Downs.
It is the 16th largest city in Australia and the 6th largest in Queensland.
Toowoomba is the most populous inland city in the country after the national capital, Canberra.
Thank you Wikipedia - ha ha
Now what do I think???? Honestly I love Toowoomba, it is the place that my little family started and it will always be my "other" home. I am forever thankful for growing up in Sydney when I did, I would hate for my kids to be growing up there now, great to go an visit but that's about it. My kids get the country life with the city conveniences - as much as they whinge to me cause they live 10km out of town I am hoping one day they will appreciate it.
It seems that a lot of kids who grow up here can't wait to leave and explore the big cities. A lot of people say that they hate Toowoomba but you know what...it doesn't matter where you go if you have a stinky attitude then life will be stinky, it's not the place you live in IT'S YOU
41 things you’d only know if you grew up in Toowoomba - Cosmopolitan 2015
OR as Holly would say "Cosmotopolin".......he he
1. Your parents would advise you to avoid Garden Town's (previously Village Fair) bus stop. Because, questionable characters.
2. Blue light disco's at PCYC were the ONLY thing on your social calendar and you begged your parent's to let you go
3. You'd never go to the cinemas at The Strand, even if they were showing better movies than 'Grandy" because the arm rests don't go up. priorities, people. *Yawn reach*
4. Chalk drive was always a no-go zone, unless you could skate and had a packet of Winnie Blues.
5. You'd complain about all the tourists in town during Easterfest, but you'd go anyway.
6. Brisbane is only a city of two million, but to Toowoomba folk it seems like a huge city of glamour and opportunity. It's basically NYC.
7. It's the second most populous inland city in Australia (second to Canberra), so you aggressively correct anyone who refers to it as a country town.
8. It's Sacrilege if you don't make up a fake name for the "Nitelife" section in the local paper, The Chronicle.
9. You can call it Woombie, T-Bar, or Poo-woomba and the locals know exactly what you're talking about.
10. If you're over the age of 40, you won't drive from one side of the city to the other because it takes too long (approximately 20 minutes).
11. It's Sunday every day on the roads in Toowoomba. Saaaaar sloooooow.
12. It's got the most schools per capita in Australia (probably), but all students are united in their hate for Toowoomba Grammar School.
13. That's Harlaxton, don't go there.
14. Rumours used to be the hottest ticket in town, and before that it was the Powerhouse.
15. City Beach staff thought they were THE SH*T working at a store 300km (approx) from the beach.
16. Everyone goes to the annual Toowoomba Grammar School vs. Downlands rugby union match or else, social suicide.
17. You couldn't wait to turn 18 so you could head to the Weetwood Races (where you were so busy -sOcIaLiSiNg- you wouldn't even see a horse).
18 'The Fed' has arguably the best value pub meal in Australia. $9.90 gets you a huge schnitty and bacon burger, pile of chips and cold schooner *Fist Pump* (Disclaimer: this meal deal may no longer be in existence. And that's heartbreaking).
19. The iconic Picnic Point waterfall lacks flow.
20. You always wanted to roll on the Margaret St mansion's manicured lawn after a night out at Fitzy's, but alas there's a tall fence.
21. On that note, you were BEYOND excited when Fitzy's underwent a serious reno, which included a cool new beer garden. Beer gardens FTW!
22. All the 'cool' girls would take their Country Road tote bag everywhere.
23. As soon as you got your driver's license....Thursday Night Lapping!
24. AND of course a trip through the Margaret Street Macca's Drive-Thru.
25. You'd always ask your parents about the 'pig house' in all it's pink glory
26. Schools are divided into two categories, those who have Canterbury-branded senior jerseys and those who don't. *Collar Pop*
27. The Cube's flashing lights dance floor and cool swinging chairs were the most novel thing. EVER.
28. You've spent an ambitious Sunday morning climbing Table Top Mountain only to reach the top and discover NOTHING.
29. You'd goto 'Tattersalls Hotel' on a Saturday night to relive the 80's, 90's and early 00's. yeeAAAH throwback.
30. And after the Tat's Hotel, "LET"S GO TO TOMBA'S!" (now Agenda Nightclub), where you'd finish the night.
31. You probably experienced serious hay fever during the Carnival of Flowers at least once. But you'd still go 'miring those floats. SOOO pretty.
32. You were always so stoked when bands would actually include T-Bar on their tour and play at the Empire Theatre.
33. You's dread swimming carnivals at Milne Bay because of the questionable water in the kiddie's pool.
34. Making it up the Toowoomba Range (AKA Australia's windiest, steepest road - probably) for the first time was a HUGE achievement. #Lifegoals
35. You remember hearing people say the city at the top of the hill would never flood. And then it did. And it was devastating. Mother Nature, please explain.
36. When Cold Rock opened you finally had a new date night option.
37. Once you're old enough and had proven your maturity, your 'rents would let you dine at Sizzler with your friends. Where you'd be immature and create OTT soft drink concoctions. And disgrace yourself at the buffet, of course. YOLO.
38. On that note, you're thrilled that only ONE Pizza Hut buffet still stands in the country - in Toowoomba.
39. Those westerly winds were absolutely cray cray and really put your winter knits to the test (quite often creating a -16 degree chill factor).
40. Skate City was the ultimate party destination.
41. If you’ve moved away, you’re always pleased to come home, because it really is ~StUnNiNg~
And Just to add to the list.........
42. Toowoomba people seriously "DO YOU KNOW HOW TO USE A ROUNDABOUT?"
43. Prior to having a driver's license you would lap Grandy constantly for 6 hours - affectionately known as a Downtown Rat (Thanks Lochie)
1. Your parents would advise you to avoid Garden Town's (previously Village Fair) bus stop. Because, questionable characters.
2. Blue light disco's at PCYC were the ONLY thing on your social calendar and you begged your parent's to let you go
3. You'd never go to the cinemas at The Strand, even if they were showing better movies than 'Grandy" because the arm rests don't go up. priorities, people. *Yawn reach*
4. Chalk drive was always a no-go zone, unless you could skate and had a packet of Winnie Blues.
5. You'd complain about all the tourists in town during Easterfest, but you'd go anyway.
6. Brisbane is only a city of two million, but to Toowoomba folk it seems like a huge city of glamour and opportunity. It's basically NYC.
7. It's the second most populous inland city in Australia (second to Canberra), so you aggressively correct anyone who refers to it as a country town.
8. It's Sacrilege if you don't make up a fake name for the "Nitelife" section in the local paper, The Chronicle.
9. You can call it Woombie, T-Bar, or Poo-woomba and the locals know exactly what you're talking about.
10. If you're over the age of 40, you won't drive from one side of the city to the other because it takes too long (approximately 20 minutes).
11. It's Sunday every day on the roads in Toowoomba. Saaaaar sloooooow.
12. It's got the most schools per capita in Australia (probably), but all students are united in their hate for Toowoomba Grammar School.
13. That's Harlaxton, don't go there.
14. Rumours used to be the hottest ticket in town, and before that it was the Powerhouse.
15. City Beach staff thought they were THE SH*T working at a store 300km (approx) from the beach.
16. Everyone goes to the annual Toowoomba Grammar School vs. Downlands rugby union match or else, social suicide.
17. You couldn't wait to turn 18 so you could head to the Weetwood Races (where you were so busy -sOcIaLiSiNg- you wouldn't even see a horse).
18 'The Fed' has arguably the best value pub meal in Australia. $9.90 gets you a huge schnitty and bacon burger, pile of chips and cold schooner *Fist Pump* (Disclaimer: this meal deal may no longer be in existence. And that's heartbreaking).
19. The iconic Picnic Point waterfall lacks flow.
20. You always wanted to roll on the Margaret St mansion's manicured lawn after a night out at Fitzy's, but alas there's a tall fence.
21. On that note, you were BEYOND excited when Fitzy's underwent a serious reno, which included a cool new beer garden. Beer gardens FTW!
22. All the 'cool' girls would take their Country Road tote bag everywhere.
23. As soon as you got your driver's license....Thursday Night Lapping!
24. AND of course a trip through the Margaret Street Macca's Drive-Thru.
25. You'd always ask your parents about the 'pig house' in all it's pink glory
26. Schools are divided into two categories, those who have Canterbury-branded senior jerseys and those who don't. *Collar Pop*
27. The Cube's flashing lights dance floor and cool swinging chairs were the most novel thing. EVER.
28. You've spent an ambitious Sunday morning climbing Table Top Mountain only to reach the top and discover NOTHING.
29. You'd goto 'Tattersalls Hotel' on a Saturday night to relive the 80's, 90's and early 00's. yeeAAAH throwback.
30. And after the Tat's Hotel, "LET"S GO TO TOMBA'S!" (now Agenda Nightclub), where you'd finish the night.
31. You probably experienced serious hay fever during the Carnival of Flowers at least once. But you'd still go 'miring those floats. SOOO pretty.
32. You were always so stoked when bands would actually include T-Bar on their tour and play at the Empire Theatre.
33. You's dread swimming carnivals at Milne Bay because of the questionable water in the kiddie's pool.
34. Making it up the Toowoomba Range (AKA Australia's windiest, steepest road - probably) for the first time was a HUGE achievement. #Lifegoals
35. You remember hearing people say the city at the top of the hill would never flood. And then it did. And it was devastating. Mother Nature, please explain.
36. When Cold Rock opened you finally had a new date night option.
37. Once you're old enough and had proven your maturity, your 'rents would let you dine at Sizzler with your friends. Where you'd be immature and create OTT soft drink concoctions. And disgrace yourself at the buffet, of course. YOLO.
38. On that note, you're thrilled that only ONE Pizza Hut buffet still stands in the country - in Toowoomba.
39. Those westerly winds were absolutely cray cray and really put your winter knits to the test (quite often creating a -16 degree chill factor).
40. Skate City was the ultimate party destination.
41. If you’ve moved away, you’re always pleased to come home, because it really is ~StUnNiNg~
And Just to add to the list.........
42. Toowoomba people seriously "DO YOU KNOW HOW TO USE A ROUNDABOUT?"
43. Prior to having a driver's license you would lap Grandy constantly for 6 hours - affectionately known as a Downtown Rat (Thanks Lochie)
I would love to hear if you have anything to add to my list
Bee Bee xx
Bee Bee xx
