Influential families

TOOWOOMBA is the proud home for some of Queensland’s best-known family entities.

Chief among them are undoubtedly the Wagners, the leaders of industry and innovation whose mark has been left of the community’s social fabric.

The business itself is impressive for its success and achievements, but moreover, this family has been one to give so much back to the city they are considered one of its pillars.

Likewise for the others families to make the list: the Betros, Fitzgibbons, Hannas and O’Sullivans.

Some members of these families wield individual influence in their own right but, when working as a unit with a common goal to helping those around them, they flourish.

It’s a concept the city celebrates annually with Family Week this year marking 13 years.

In 2005, a number of business and community leaders met together with the goal of developing and promoting Toowoomba as a caring and supportive environment for families.

Out of this meeting, an organisation called Toowoomba Supports Families was formed, which went on to create the initiative Family Week.

Its main strategy is to promote Toowoomba as a great place for families to live.

The initiative goes beyond biological ties under the enduring theme of ‘‘come to the table’’, and encourages people to connect with one another, be that in a sporting, business or social community.