URBAN MAKER

21/09/2026

Insomnia 100 fuelling local kids’ skills development 💙

One of the things we value most about the collaboration between Townsville Tri Club and URBAN MAKER is that it turns a real community event into a genuine learning opportunity for our participants.

This year, local neurodiverse kids have been helping create and assemble trophies for the Insomnia 100. That means they are not just doing an activity for the sake of it — they are contributing to a finished product that will be handed to athletes who have worked incredibly hard to earn it.

Along the way, they are developing a mix of hard skills and soft skills that can carry into future study, volunteering and employment.

On the practical side, participants gain experience with 3D printing, laser engraving, assembly, hand tools, finishing, basic production processes and quality control. They learn that making something well often means following a sequence, checking fit and finish, identifying defects, correcting mistakes and making sure the final product meets a standard before it leaves the table.

Just as importantly, they are building the softer skills that are often essential in the workplace — teamwork, communication, patience, resilience, problem solving, attention to detail, task focus, confidence and taking responsibility for their part of a larger process.

For some participants, it might be learning how to ask for help. For others, it is staying with a repetitive task, working alongside others, accepting feedback, or understanding that their individual contribution affects the quality of the final product.

That is what makes projects like this so valuable.

The trophies are important, but the bigger outcome is giving young people a chance to experience what it feels like to contribute, create something meaningful and be part of a team delivering for the community.

A big thank you to the Townsville Triathlon Club for continuing to create opportunities where community events can also become platforms for learning, inclusion and skills development.

More than trophies — building skills, confidence and brighter pathways for local kids.

Further Information on the Insomnia 100:
https://my.raceresult.com/403239/registration



Nick Dametto Mayor of Townsville
Phillip Thompson OAM MP - Serving Our Community
Natalie Marr MP
Rotary Club of Thuringowa Central
Townsville City Council

07/09/2026

Want to improve your video content skills?

The Townsville Writers & Publishers Centre is running a practical How to Create Good Video Content Workshop at Aitkenvale Library on Saturday 19 September, 10am–1:30pm.

Learn how to use your phone, natural light and simple equipment to create better-quality video content — a useful skill for community projects, small business, social media or just getting more confident behind the camera.

💡 Bring along your phone/tablet or camera and learn by doing.

Tickets are $50 for members / $60 for non-members.
Check out the event and book here 👇

How to Create Good Video Content Workshop:

What is good content? Using a phone and natural light to create quality video content. Learn what equipment is available to help create high quality content.

24/08/2026

Surveillance pricing test using a drone....

Surveillance pricing is the practice of using personal data—such as browsing history, location, purchase behaviour, device type, or demographics—to estimate what an individual customer may be willing to pay. Businesses can then adjust prices, discounts, or offers for different people, raising concerns about transparency, privacy, and potential discrimination.

In order to be perceived as being wealthy, I took my drone to the w...

15/08/2026

🎨 Support local art!

This Sunday 16 August - 10am - 3pm
Drill Hall Studio - 27 Mitchell St, North Ward

Our very own talented local artist Wren from WrenContemporary is showcasing her latest works at Drill Hall Studio.

A fantastic chance to see fresh, locally created art and support the creative talent in our community.

Drop in, explore the collection, hear the stories that inspired and discover something that catches your eye. 👀🎨

Only 12 pairs available.

Meet the Maker Market special:
✨ $55

Choose from
• Silver-tone elongated huggies
• Rose gold-tone elongated huggies

I'm also taking pre-orders for ID Series II, featuring archival prints on brushed aluminium.

Once each edition sells out, it won't be reproduced.

Be quick.

Sunday 16 August
10am - 3pm
The Drill Hall Studio

WrenContemporary Studio
Contemporary artworks and wearable objects shaped by landscape, memory and material.

08/08/2026

A little something made in Townsville, for the Townsville triathlon community. 🏊‍♂️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♂️

We’ve been busy in the workshop designing and making these triathlon medal holders, and they’ll be available this AM Sunday, 9 August, at the Townsville Tri Club Sue Bell Memorial Triathlon at Riverway.

They’re a simple way to display the medals, memories and friendships that come from being part of our triathlon community — and hopefully a fitting piece to have on the wall alongside a few hard-earned race stories.

Even better, funds raised from sales will go back into building experiences and networking opportunities for neurodiverse kids in Townsville — giving young people more chances to create, design, build, experiment and connect with others.

So if you’re racing, supporting, volunteering or just coming down to spend the morning with some good triathlon friends, keep an eye out for them.

Made in Townsville. Inspired by triathlon. Supporting our local neurodiverse community.

See you at Riverway Sunday! ❤️

11/07/2026

Ngrragoonda are seeking expressions of interest from Gudjala people interested in being a Ranger.

https://ngrragoonda.com.au/gudjala-people-interested-in-being-a-ranger/

Arika Appleby - Radio host 107.1
Radio 4K1G

11/07/2026

This is what community impact looks like. 👏
A recent article encouraging “bored” Australian retirees to rediscover community involvement described volunteering as something that can “give you an anchor.”
Rotary is a perfect example of that.
Behind the meetings and fundraising events are local people generously contributing their time, experience, networks and resources to make their communities stronger. Their support often creates opportunities that small community groups simply could not deliver alone.
Our own program which supports challenged kids has experienced this firsthand.

Rotary Club of Thuringowa Central previously supported the club with a VR headset, allowing our young participants to explore immersive technology and develop digital literacy skills in a completely new way.

More recently, we received another incredibly generous $500 donation. That funding is now going towards an exciting additional experience that we cannot wait to introduce to the kids!
These contributions are more than equipment or dollars.

They create:
🥽 Access to emerging technology
🧠 New learning experiences
🤝 Greater community connection
🚀 Opportunities for young people to discover their strengths
💡 Experiences that may inspire future careers
To our Rotary supporters: thank you. Your contribution is having a genuine and visible impact on local children and families.

I would also encourage our local elected representatives, community leaders, businesses and recently retired professionals to take a closer look at the work Rotary clubs are doing across our region.
For anyone with experience, energy or a desire to remain connected and useful after retirement, Rotary may provide that sense of purpose—and that “anchor”—while helping the next generation thrive.
Sometimes a relatively small contribution can unlock an experience a child remembers for years.
That is the real value of strong community organisations.

For more information on Email, visit WWW.URBANMAKER.COM.AU

24/03/2026

Generative AI recreating one of our favourite actor Arnold Schwarzenegger interacting with their former selves across movie roles.
Such a powerful video showing the awesomeness of AI video generation when used for good.

What if Arnold Schwarzenegger could step through time… and meet the characters that defined his legendary career?In this cinematic journey, Arnold Schwarzene...

24/03/2026

Our friends at Towards Better have a great opportunity that helps junior STEM engagement while supporting recycling ♻️ of eWaste.

If you work for an educational instuition or after hours school care provider and would like to bring a fun and engaging STEM exploration session to your service offering, then reach out to Ricky Esterquest.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1EWjmJfki7/

25/02/2026

A huge thank you to the amazing charity sewing ladies at KIS Sewing!
Your generosity and skill have made a real and lasting difference in our community over the past 12 months.

Throughout this time, you’ve created beautiful batches of library bag blanks which have become valuable learning projects for our Townsville after school program. Our cohort of kids and parents have had the opportunity to develop their hand-eye coordination as well as organisational skills assembling the bags which are then donated to the Riverway Food Pantry.

Did you know? These donations help families feel more supported providing something handmade, practical, and full of heart.

Our participants at have absolutely loved being part of the process too, threading the straps, learning new skills, and contributing to something meaningful together.

Your kindness truly stitches our community together!

Thank you, KIS Sewing charity sewing crew we appreciate you more than words can say. 💛🧵

For all your local sewing needs, including sewing machine sales and servicing, reach out to Marc @ https://kissewing.com.au/



Townsville City Council
MixHaus Makerspace