Happy News - More than Just Green Thumbs!

The world has become so consumed with serious, sad news; I think it has forgotten how to be happy.  Yet, happiness comes so naturally for kids and when we hear those joyful, little souls, it reminds us to play again.
Forgetting the troubles of the world. isn't easy for them either - especially over this new CoVid era, but the joy of spring was everywhere.  These children have worked so hard to contribute a wonderful display of colour, for Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. 

Believe it or not this wonderful account of happiness in hard times was overlooked by the news, because it was not miserable, nor did it have criminals or crooks.  There was no blood and guts to be splattered across the front page of our newspapers - only happy faces, doing happy things - living a stress-free day, at the start of spring.  And, you'll have to agree, these kids were more than worthy of front page news!

So eager and pretty as a picture!

Spring has sprung and although the annual Carnival of Flowers Parade hasn’t yet found its way to the Toowoomba City - flowers have bloomed beyond all expectations at the Toowoomba East State School Fete, on Saturday 11th of September.
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Conscientious students have been busy for weeks - designing, planning, creating, potting, and watering some incredibly beautiful hanging baskets, as part of the month-long, carnival activities.

As a creative individual myself, I was totally blown away by the genuine and ingenious thought processes - displayed by the young, artistic talent, clearly brewing at this school.  I was equally impressed by the sheer number of clever cookies, who entered this adorable, green thumb floral event.

Daring dragons, fierce fairies, mystical frogs, and toadstools – flew and jumped their way into moss-covered, rocky-ferned and floral-hanging baskets of sublime colour and perfume.  Yes, this was a wondrous sight that entailed weeks of earnest dedication, encouraging nature’s beauty to blossom, beneath the caring hands of young children.

And…if this was not enough – for what I thought was the icing on the cake of talented East State School students – low and behold, around almost every corner of the school, emerged more of this unexpected, clever creativity that revealed itself in fine spirit for the Carnival of Flowers.

Birds and butterflies

Baubles and bling

I found sumptuous cakes and biscuits at the school’s ‘Baking Competition’ that would easily find themselves on the tables of some of the finest, dining establishments on the planet.  Yes, there were magical dragons here, too!  There were fairy cakes covered in colourful jelly jubes; decadent chocolate-covered mud cakes; luscious lamingtons; coconut and vanilla butter biscuits – and more!  So many sumptuous recipes – most, far too challenging, for the likes of me.
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However, judges happily sat for the first part of the day - sampling each and every, delicious morsel and stated, “There’ll be no dinner for us, this evening - we’ve had far too much fine-dining!”

As I wandered around the School Fete, I came across well-tended vegetables of all varieties – from spinach and carrots to tomatoes, parsley, and lettuce.  It was all there; beautifully presented with baubles, ribbons and sparkling lights that would put my garden to shame.

Tasty Dragons

Jumping jelly jubes

Mermaids and bling

Yet, an enormous sense of satisfaction and immense pride took hold of my face; I felt so very blessed to have witnessed such commitment to their schooling and integrity at presenting it to the world.  From Prep to Year 6, all students had their hands in this very, creative pie.
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Wondrous voices, of none other than God’s angels, heralded my journey.  Students, proudly singing their lungs out - in full school attire - immaculately pressed, all for the opportunity to showcase their vocal talents in front of throngs of impressed mums, dads, and happy visitors.

I can imagine, just how wonderful it must have sounded to the youngsters, busily giggling their happy souls next door, up on the ‘Merry-Go-Round’ and whizzer rides.  Happy faces were abounding and the worries that had plagued many of them for the past CoVid year, seemed so very far away.  Who could not have enjoyed, such a wonderful day?  Yes, life is absolutely blooming on this side of town.

All the wonderful pictures of the day!

​With my legs somewhat weary, but my mind eager to experience what else this fine school had in store for me, I grabbed a drink and a nibble from the fine organisers of this event - all whom had selflessly sacrificed their day, week, month if not more, to ensure this day ran smoothly.
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By the looks on young faces, who were there for the first-time experiencing farm and native animals, it was a day for being inquisitive and experimenting with life.  Even the beauty of painting and face decorating brought hesitant, but joyful souls to life.  We are truly a curious species, and I must say, hours of delight have engrossed many a youngster, here.

Experimenting and learning about the mysteries of life is what it is all about, and the students who presented their intriguing ‘Lego’ creations – on this day, were none other than exceptional – to say the very least.  How does one make Peter Pan’s ship, out of Lego blocks?

Could there be anything else to challenge these intrepid inventors - those whom we might see in years to come, devising incredible, architectural feats in metropolises - like London or Dubai?  Yes, here the architects of life are taking their first, creative strides.

Lego magic

So, how can such a day, possibly come to life?  How do children grow to be so ‘in love with life’ and learning? Yes, healthy family units - supporting everything a child sets his or her mind to; a school that supplies the right educational tools and a lust for learning, to allow students to discover all that life can offer and more.  Yes, talented teachers, supportive business groups, unrelenting organisers who go out of their way to ensure everything and everyone - is where and as, they should be.
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Support, encouragement, and a love for life - just, as it should be!

***Toowoomba East State School students, parents and friends kindly posed for this newspaper editorial - Thank you!***  
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​I couldn't get everyone on here, but I did my best!