| The Maranoa Lifestyle |
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Maranoa Regional Community The Maranoa region affords its residents with a range of family friendly townships and ‘village style’ communities in which to live. Whilst the unique and individual character of each community is celebrated, all have a common characteristic of a welcoming and strong community spirit which is inherent throughout the region. Major CentresRomaRoma is the Maranoa region’s principal commercial hub with a strong and solid economic base. It possesses a diverse economy, excellent infrastructure and a relaxed country lifestyle that is the envy of many major regional centres. Roma is the birth place of the Australia’s Oil and Gas industry and home to the largest cattle-selling centre in the southern hemisphere. Located on the cross roads of two major highways (Warrego and Carnarvon Highways), Roma offers easy and efficient transport access. Roma offers a complete range of retail and professional businesses, which service the local and broader regional communities. It also has a number of first class meeting and conference facilities. The major facility being the Roma Bungil Community Cultural Centre which has a seating capacity of up to 500 people. MitchellMitchell is the principal commercial centre for the adjoining townships of Amby (25 km to the east) and Mungallala (45 km to the west) and services a district population of 1,842 (estimated 2008). Located 90 km west of Roma on the Warrego Highway, Mitchell is vibrant community with a relaxed village style atmosphere and is an affordable rural retreat for escaping the hustle and bustle of busy modern day living whilst not having to compromise on services and quality of life. It is the ideal place to live, work, raise a family, retire, invest or establish a business. Mitchell offers a broad range of retail outlets and services including accommodation, government services, banking and professional services, food and groceries, meals and takeaways, clothing, hardware, personal services, trade and mechanical services. SuratSurat is located 80 km to the south of Roma on the Carnarvon Highway and is also on The Great Inland Way - a strategic tourism drive route spanning 2,700km from Sydney to Cairns. Historically Surat was the site of a strategically located Cobb & Co changing station which has been preserved by the Surat community. The Cobb & Co Changing Station now forms the centre of the community’s cultural hub. Located on the Balonne River, Surat provides a wonderful relaxed lifestyle choice within a beautiful natural environment which is further enhanced by its wonderful sense of community and diverse range of cultural and sport and recreational activities. Surat also has the River Walk, a scenic, well maintained path along the Balonne River, utilised by tourists and locals. Surat has a variety of businesses and services within the township. These include a newsagency, hairdresser, food store, automotive and agricultural supplies, post office, fashion boutique, butcher, nursery, and QGAP services. InjuneNestled in the quiet bushlands 90 km north of Roma, Injune is a thriving township at the base of the majestic Carnarvon Range. Injune is perfectly positioned to enable access to flora, fauna, spectacular views, awe inspiring natural landscapes and rare indigenous palms. Injune has an excellent water supply and a population high on community spirit. The Injune residents participate in community events and activities most weekends. Behind the facade of a quiet little country town lies a strong community. The ‘fair dinkum’ character of Injune is untouched by the bustle of modern life. Injune has a variety of businesses and services within the township. These include a hairdresser, newsagency, hardware, clothing and gifts, rural supplies, post office, banking and QGAP services. WallumbillaLocated 40 km east of Roma on the Warrego Highway, Wallumbilla is an ideal lifestyle choice for those seeking a tree change. The residents of Wallumbilla and surrounding district are a dedicated welcoming community committed to enhancing their town’s natural appeal. Whilst initially Wallumbilla presents as a quaint country town, this first impression belies the level of industry and activity which underpins this energetic proactive community. With its retail and rural supply services, commercial premises, hotel, arts and cultural activities, educational facilities, and sport and recreation activities, Wallumbilla offers residents and visitors all the necessary conveniences. Being on the ‘door step’ of the region’s major business service centre Roma also makes Wallumbilla an ideal location for potential investors and people seeking an affordable and relaxed lifestyle choice. YulebaLocated on the eastern border of the Maranoa region 60 km east of Roma, Yuleba is a well equipped town. The town acts as a service centre for the rural sector with commercial premises, a hotel/motel, sporting and recreational facilities and a primary school. Yuleba figures prominently in the history of the Cobb & Co. Coach Service with the last horse drawn coach in Australia running from Yuleba to Surat in 1924. Just five kilometres south-east of Yuleba is scenic Judd’s Lagoon which features some magnificent flora and fauna. The locals also know it as a good fishing spot. As is characteristic of all the communities within the Maranoa region, Yuleba’s residents are committed and passionate about preserving the unique character and charm of this wonderful community and a warm and friendly welcome always awaits new residents and visitors. Health & Social ServicesThe Maranoa region offers a range of modern and up-to-date specialist medical and allied health professional services. The Roma Health Service offers an extensive range of specialist services including full surgery facilities, obstetrics, paediatrics, anesthetics and a nursing home. In addition the Health Service also offers a variety of Allied Health professionals including physiotherapists, podiatrists and a speech pathologist. Private specialist services in optometry, physiotherapy and pathology are also available. High quality health care services are also available throughout the region’s other centres through a range of service facilities and visiting professional networks including:
A range of quality age care facilities and services are available throughout the region, ranging from modern accredited nursing home centres, retirement villages and community care services including Meals on Wheels, respite care, Bluecare, Anglicare, and Spiritus. In addition to a comprehensive range of government services, Maranoa Regional Council also offers a range of social development services through the Roma Neighbourhood Centre which include -
EducationEducational facilities and teaching standards throughout the Maranoa region are equal, if not superior to those offered in larger metropolitan centres. The region’s educational facilities provide students with a creative and meaningful learning experience. Roma’s education system is unique in Queensland in that it models itself on the American public school system having a Junior, Middle and College school campuses. St Johns School is the Catholic education facility for students between years one to twelve. In addition, the Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE provides technical and further education, as well as vocational training.
The smaller communities of the Maranoa region are well serviced by Education Queensland, with Mitchell also having a primary Catholic Education facility. A daily bus service to Roma also operates from the smaller communities catering for those centres with educational facilities which do not have secondary education departments. The region’s dedicated team of teaching professionals are committed to ensuring that distance from the eastern sea board does not comprise the delivery of high quality teaching standards and creative contemporary learning programs and delivery modes. Arts & CultureThe Maranoa region has a lively and vibrant arts culture, made possible in large part by the activism of our community arts and cultural groups. These passionate groups have cultivated an environment of a thriving arts scene for locals and visitors to enjoy. The Maranoa region is also fortunate to have many talented artists and prominent art galleries. Council recognises that the arts and culture sector is an integral part of the region’s social fabric and of great importance to the communities. As such, Council has established an ‘arts trail’ which connects public art installations and the three Council galleries (i.e. Roma on Bungil, Surat on Balonne and Mitchell on Maranoa Galleries) throughout the region. Sport & Recreation
Sport and recreation play a crucial role within the region both as an avenue for exercise and health enhancement and as equally important as a means for facilitating social interaction within the communities. As sport and recreation activities are pivotal to enhancing and maintaining healthy communities, the region offers a diverse range of sporting and recreational activities aimed at engaging residents and visitors. Key sporting and recreational activities throughout the region include, but are not limited to the following:
In recognition of the vital role that sport and recreation plays in the region’s community wellbeing, Council has undertaken extensive community consultation in developing a Regional Sport & Recreation Plan, which aims to identify the future development and management needs, opportunities and priorities for sport and recreation throughout the Maranoa region. Community Clubs & AssociationsAs is characteristic of all thriving regions throughout Australia, the Maranoa region has a diverse range of community clubs, associations and organisations, which are the backbone of the region. Such groups provide valuable services to their respective communities not only performing essential volunteer activities but also providing important socialisation opportunities for local residents and visitors. The community clubs and associations established within the Maranoa region range from:
Whilst there are is a diverse range of community clubs and associations active throughout the region, they all share one commonality in that they all warmly welcome new members.
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