Welcome to the December 2017 edition of The CHANGE Project newsletter! In this edition you'll find information about a range of free and low-cost healthy living services across the Toowoomba region, including:
- Winner - Heart Foundation Local Government Awards 2017
- Free Magical Parks
- Free Family Foodies
- Heart Foundation Walking - Win a Fitbit
- Free Cardio Tennis in the Park
- Other Community Initiatives
- Recipe of the Month - Beetroot Hoummus Dip
Winner - Heart Foundation Local Government Awards 2017
We are excited to announce Toowoomba Regional Council was awarded the Queensland State Winner, and was Nationally  Highly Commended in the over 50,000 population category of the 2017 Heart Foundation Local Government Awards!
These commendations were received in recognition of Council's commitment to supporting healthy living across the Toowoomba Region via The CHANGE Project and Green Spines initiatives.
Free Magical Parks
Looking for something fun to do during the school holidays (and all year round)? Get the kids outdoors to play a new augmented reality game at parks across the Toowoomba region. Download the free Magical Park App and bring your smartphone or tablet to a Magical Park near you and discover a digital fantasyland for children and families to explore.
All Magical Parks activities are free and available all the time, and no bookings are required.
Magical Park locations:
- Cecil Pl
 ains (Henry Stuart Russell Park)
- Clifton (Else Jones Park)
- Crows Nest (Centenary Park)
- Goombungee (Pioneer Park)
- Highfields (Peacehaven Park)
- Kingsthorpe (Recreational Reserve)
- Millmerran (Millmerran Recreation Reserve - Football Field)
- Oakey (Gordon Park)
- Pittsworth (Bridgman Oval)
- Southbrook (Bicentennial Park)
- Toowoomba (Newtown Park – near carpark)
- Toowoomba (Queens Park – near playground)
- Westbrook (Centenary Park)
- Yarraman (Errol Munt Sports Reserve)
In addition to the other games available all the time, a new Christmas game will be available from 1 December 2017 to 7 January 2018. Check out this new game by watching the below video:
 Looking for something to do with the kids these school holidays? Come along to a free workshop by a nutritionist to learn about healthy eating and developing cooking skills together with your family at the Toowoomba Library on Thursday 14 December, 9:30am to 10:30am.
To book contact Karen 0423 527 156 or click here to register online.
Heart Foundation Walking - Win a Fitbit
 If you love to walk, why not start a free Heart Foundation Walking group? You’ll be joining us in motivating others to get moving, and you and your group will be rewarded for your walks along the way.
The first ten people to register to start a new Heart Foundation Walking group before 22 December 2017 will win a Fitbit Flex!
Click here for more information about starting a walking group
Free Cardio Tennis in the Park
 Get together with friends and family and have a go at Cardio Tennis in the park! Arrive anytime between 8am and 12noon on Sunday 10 December 2017 at Queens Park (off Lindsay St), Toowoomba. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
Other Community Initiatives
Children's Resilience & Wellbeing Survey
 Attention parents of children aged 9 to 11 - a local psychologist and USQ PhD student is conducting research into children's resilience and wellbeing and is looking for parents and children to complete some short surveys.
To be part of this research project please complete a short online survey, about your child, and then have your child complete a similar survey. The link to these surveys can be found below:
Child Survey: https://psi.usq.edu.au/ols/?P=MCHILD17
Parent survey: https://psi.usq.edu.au/ols/?P=MIND17
The information you provide is anonymous and confidential. Your participation is greatly appreciated and has the potential to directly benefit young people in the future.
Thank you for taking the time to be involved in this important project. If you would like to find out more information about this research project please contact Victoria Barclay-Timmis on vicki@twmbapsych.com.au.
Recipe of the Month - Beetroot Hoummus Dip
4 servings 5 serves of veg 15m preparation
Ingredients
 1 can (400g) chickpeas, rinsed and drained- 1 medium large beetroot, leaves and roots removed
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 tablespoon tahini
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons vegetable stock
- sweet paprika
Method
- In a microwave safe bowl with lid, steam beetroot on HIGH for 10-12 minutes, slip cooked beetroot out of it’s skin.
- Add beetroot and remaining ingredients to food processor and blend until smooth.
- For a smoother and runnier consistency add 1 tablespoon of vegetable stock between blitzing.
- Serve with pita bread, turkish bread or vegetable sticks (e.g.carrot, broccoli and celery).
Recipe courtesy of Healthier Happier. Click here for more delicious recipes.
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