Regional Development Australia Ipswich & West Moreton Inc

11/06/2026

🎓 Thinking about upskilling, changing careers or finally signing up for that workshop you’ve been saying you’ll do for the last 6 months? 👀

We’ve pulled together a snapshot of training, workshops and professional development opportunities happening across the Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim and Somerset regions this June/July 👇

From manufacturing and farm business management through to resilience workshops and learner driver training, there’s plenty happening across our region for job seekers, businesses and lifelong learners alike.

Because let’s be honest… nobody ever regrets learning a new skill 😉

👉 Manufacturing Workforce Workshops: www.nrmmrrd.qld.gov.au/events
👉 Ready for the Road – Supervising a Learner Driver: events.humanitix.com/ready-for-the-road-supervising-a-learner-driver-gatton
👉 Tips and Tools for Tough Times – A Workshop for Farmers: events.humanitix.com/tips-and-tools-for-tough-times-a-workshop-for-farmers
👉 Farm Business Management Training: www.womeninagriculture.org.au


Ipswich Connect QLD

10/06/2026

📈 Some industries across the Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim and Somerset regions are seeing particularly strong demand for workers right now — including education, construction, hospitality, social assistance and health care.

Whether you’re looking for a career change, apprenticeship, traineeship or your next local opportunity, now is a great time to explore what’s available across our region 👇

👉 IWMJOBS.COM.AU

📈 WHAT’S HIRING THE MOST RIGHT NOW? 📈

If you’ve been thinking about changing careers, finding a new opportunity or even making the move back to working closer to home, now might be the perfect time.

Across the Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim and Somerset regions, businesses are continuing to search for workers in a range of industries — with some sectors experiencing particularly strong demand right now 👇

🔹 Preschool & School Education
🔹 Construction & Trades
🔹 Food & Beverage Services
🔹 Social Assistance Services
🔹 Hospitals

From apprenticeships and traineeships through to experienced roles, there are opportunities available for people at all stages of their career journey.

The regional workforce is continuing to grow and evolve — and local employers are actively looking for skilled, reliable and motivated workers.

👉 Explore opportunities on the IWM Jobs Platform and see what roles are available across our region.
👉IWMJOBS.COM.AU

09/06/2026

🌅 Left at dawn… returned at dusk.

Last week, Rees travelled from Ipswich to Brisbane and back again to attend a State Regional Development function alongside Regional Development Australia CEOs and Chairs from across Queensland. The event provided an opportunity to meet with Queensland Premier David Crisafulli MP and discuss the opportunities, challenges and future of regional communities.

While the conversations in Brisbane were important, the day also highlighted a reality for many regional workers and leaders — the long commute required when major meetings, decision-making and opportunities are often centred outside our own regions.

Regional communities continue to show up, contribute and advocate strongly for their local areas, even when it means leaving before sunrise and arriving home after sunset.🌄

Queensland Government

08/06/2026

🚜 Tough seasons call for strong people — and sometimes a few extra tools in the toolbox 💪🌱

Queensland farmers and producers are invited to step away from the paddock for a day and invest in something just as important… themselves.

Join Queensland Farmers' Federation (QFF) and international resilience expert Elizabeth McNaughton for an engaging and practical workshop focused on building personal and business resilience using the innovative “Doing Well” cards — a deck of 100 simple, everyday strategies backed by recovery knowledge and neuroscience.

🗓 Thursday 18 June
⏰ 9:00am – 2:30pm
📍 The Miners Lantern, Tamborine Mountain Glades

Whether you’re navigating tough times, supporting a team, or simply looking for practical ways to strengthen resilience, this workshop is designed with producers in mind.

🌿 Come for the strategies. Stay for the conversations, connection and fresh perspective.

👉 Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/tips-and-tools-for-tough-times-a-workshop-for-farmers

Please share with anyone who could benefit from this fantastic opportunity.

04/06/2026

🎉 Is it just me, or does every time you turn on the radio there's another fantastic event happening across our region this weekend?

From the 🚜 Toogoolawah Show, to the delicious flavours of 🍽️ Scenic Rim Eat Local Month, and the roar of engines at Ipswich's iconic 🏁 Winternationals, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Whether you love country shows, gourmet food, family fun, live entertainment, or the smell of petrol and burning rubber, we're spoiled for choice right here in our own backyard.

So this weekend, get out, explore, and experience everything our incredible region has to offer. Support local events, local businesses and the communities that make Ipswich & West Moreton such a great place to live, work and visit.

📍 Where will your weekend adventure take you?
👉Toogoolawah Show Society - facebook.com/p/Toogoolawah-Show-Society-100063455505429/
👉Willowbank Raceway - willowbankraceway.com.au/events/
👉Scenic Rim Eat Local Month - eatlocalmonth.com.au/

03/06/2026

🌭🔥 Every footy club has one...

The BBQ boss. The snag specialist. The tongs twirler. The volunteer who somehow cooks 500 sausages, remembers everyone's order, and still has time for a chat. 😎

Now it's time for your Legend of the Tongs to get the recognition they deserve!

🏆 Bunnings is on the hunt for local BBQ legends who fire up the grill week after week, helping raise vital funds for their footy clubs.

🔥 Master of the snag?
🔥 Sultan of the sausage?
🔥 Commander of the community BBQ?

Know someone whose tongs skills are the stuff of local legend? Nominate them and your club could score some seriously legendary prizes!

👉 Check out the details and nominate your local legend via the RDA Grants page - rdaiwm.org.au/grants/

Bunnings Warehouse Australia Ipswich Connect QLD

02/06/2026

🚧 Something big is taking shape in Toogoolawah! 🚧

You may have noticed the fencing and construction activity on Cressbrook Street — and for good reason!

Work is now underway on the Toogoolawah Gateway Project (Toogoolawah Library and Cultural Centre), a major $5.2 million investment in the future of the Somerset region.

👏 Congratulations to Somerset and Somerset Regional Council on this exciting project, which will create a vibrant new community hub designed to strengthen local services, support community wellbeing, and enhance the experience for visitors exploring the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail.

It's still early days, but with construction now underway, we're looking forward to watching this project come to life over the coming months.

👀 Keep an eye on this space as we share progress updates along the way!

01/06/2026

Curious about what the RDA Ipswich & West Moreton team has been up to lately? 👀

Our May Community Newsletter is out now and it's packed with the latest updates, events, projects, partnerships, and plenty of regional activity from across Ipswich & West Moreton.

From community events and business support initiatives to workforce development and regional opportunities, it's been another busy month for Rees and the RDA IWM team!

☕ Grab a coffee, take five minutes, and catch up on all the happenings from May.

📖 Read the newsletter here: rdaiwm.org.au/latest-news/

28/05/2026

Why are the trees in Esk rugging up? 🌳🧶

With temperatures dropping across South East Queensland this week, it’s definitely time to stay warm — and the trees in Esk seem to agree! Each year, colourful crocheted blankets are lovingly wrapped around the town’s trees, adding a creative splash of colour and plenty of charm to the streetscape.

Rees and Bri couldn’t resist stopping for a few photos while visiting the team at Somerset Regional Council to discuss workforce development across the region, updates from the IWM Jobs Board, and local community projects.

Even on a misty, rainy day, Somerset still has a warmth that makes you feel right at home. 💚