HISTORICAL SITES AND HERITAGE LOCATIONS HODGSON VALE

The WWI memorial in the small rural Darling Downs community of Westbrook is evidence of how pervasive the effect of war was on Queenslanders left behind. The popular 'Digger' statue with an honour roll was unveiled around June 1922 by federal parliamentarian LE Groom (his father William had served as the Darling Downs' first federal politician from 1901). The memorial records that 47 local men went to war. About half of the families listed are represented by more than one member. Two families each saw four of their men go off to war. Westbrook community mourned the loss of 10 lives. The 4.2 metre monument, a life-sized soldier statue standing on a pedestal, was designed and produced by Bruce Brothers of Toowoomba. Once, the memorial stood in an open field. Today, development around it finds it adjacent to Westbrook's public hall.

Preston Peak Wines is a local, family owned boutique winery, based in Toowoomba. Producing since 1994, the winery has grown in size and reputation, now producing 3500 cases of wine annually and receiving over 20,000 visitors to the Cellar Door each year. Preston Peak has a long history of award winning. All of the wines are made from fruit hand-tended and hand-picked, and crafted by specialist wine makers. The majority of the crush is from the Granite Belt vineyard with a small amount of Chardonnay grown at the Preston vineyard. Situated on the edge of the Range Escarpment just five minutes south of Toowoomba, Preston Peak's stunning Cellar Door offers spectacular views. Wines are available by mail order via their website or direct from the Cellar Door.

USQ Artsworx enables and delivers accessible arts and cultural experiences in regional Queensland. Artsworx presents an annual season of high quality, innovative and challenging artistic and cultural experiences which showcase emerging artists from the University of Southern Queensland and professional guest artist, in collaboration with a range of community and corporate stakeholders. The season incorporates the annual Shakespeare in the Park Festival; the McGregor Summer, Winter and Spring Schools; an Exhibition Series in the USQ Arts Gallery; a Twilight Series of recitals and talks; the annual Children's Theatre Week; and an assortment of music and theatre productions. For further information about individual events and costings, visit the web site.