Online stories that had you clicking in 2018
Article about sculpture engaged social media users
WHEN it comes to The Chronicle articles, there were some that were made to be shared on social media.
The Chronicle Facebook page has more than 62,000 followers and with that comes a large daily readership.
With 2018 coming to an end, we look back on the articles that had our Facebook followers clicking that comment, like and share button.
1. JOHNATHAN THURSTON SCULPTURE VIDEO
Post: This is amazing! A Toowoomba sculptor has become an online sensation after creating this bust of JT.
With 59,427 engaged users on this video of a Toowoomba sculptor carving a bust of rugby league champion Johnathan Thurston, it quickly become an online sensation.
Sculptor and animatronics technician Grant Lehman took on the challenge of creating the life-like bust of JT and the fascinating speed version went viral, not only on our Facebook page but others around the state as well.
2. 2011 FLOODS
Post: It’s been seven years since a deadly torrent of floodwaters ripped through Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley, killing 24 people and devastating the region.
Although posted in December 2017, and not on the anniversary of the floods, readers couldn’t go past reading more about the floods of 2011.
The article posted looked into the disaster, with discussion about Seqwater dam engineers being under extreme pressure.
3. ‘CYCLONE-STRENGTH’ WINDS
Post: Winds greater than that of a category one cyclone have been predicted for Toowoomba this weekend.
Generally, weather articles are well-read because it’s something that affects each of us. But when you tell readers that the Bureau of Meteorology has warned of the potential for wind gusts in excess of 90km/h across the Darling Downs, and they liken it to cyclonestrength winds - they go viral.
Within a few days of the weather warning, winds reached 87km/h.
4. BACHELOR AND BACHELORETTE CALL OUT
Post: TOOWOOMBA SINGLES. We want to hear from you. The Chronicle wants to find the city’s most eligible bachelor and bachelorettes. Tag a single mate or email news@thechronicle.com.au with contact details.
It was described as the newspaper version of Tinder.
With so much love filling our screens on a weekly basis thanks to The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, The Chronicle put out the call to the single men and women of Toowoomba.
And readers did not disappoint, with more than 1000 responses in 24 hours.
They were nominating themselves to be part of a series of articles which focused on Toowoomba’s most eligible bachelors and bachelorettes.
5. KARLEE’S KUPCAKES
Post: These amazing videos of a Toowoomba woman’s cake creations are going viral. No wonder people around the world are obsessed.
Karlee Prior is no ordinary cake baker, and her creations have gained her hundreds of thousands of followers.
She grew up in Toowoomba and owns Karlee’s Kupcakes.
She bakes and decorates cakes for weddings, engagements, baby showers or any
special occasion, and they are so amazing that she has fans all over the world.
6. MAKE-SHIFT CATTLE MEMORIAL
Post: Animal rights activists have said they want to set up a memorial for the cattle killed in yesterday’s truck rollover.
Toowoomba animals rights activists wanted to set up a make-shift memorial for the cattle killed in a truck rollover in Rangeville.
The Vegans in Toowoomba group had called for people to place flowers on the corner of Cohoe and James Sts where a truck rolled over.
It started a debate between those who believed it was a good idea and those who thought it unnecessary.
7. SOMEONE IS A MILLIONAIRE
Post: Someone in Toowoomba is a millionaire, and they don’t even know it.
When there is a missing millionaire in Toowoomba, there’s no doubt the news will attract attention.
A Wilsonton person won $2.3 million and spent days without realising.
8. TRANSGENDER STUDENT AT THE GLENNIE SCHOOL
Post: “In our Middle/Senior Years, we have a young girl who was born into a boy’s body.”
The Glennie School welcomed its first transgender student earlier this year.
Writing to parents to inform them of the news, principal Kim Cohen said she had “thought long and hard about how to pen the letter.”
She had hoped to give the student “time to settle before informing the community of her situation” to allow for people to get to know her “without any preconceived ideas”.
But when the school became aware of rumours that surfaced earlier than anticipated, Mrs Cohen decided to address them in full.
9. ESPRESSO MARTINI FESTIVAL
Post: Attention all cocktail lovers - there is an espresso martini festival coming to Toowoomba.
The article letting readers know that an espresso martini festival would be coming to town was hugely popular with lovers of the alcoholic beverage.
Espressway To Yr Skull offered an array of coffee and an even bigger array of everyone’s favourite cocktail.
The festival was held at Blank Space and run by Phil Coorey.
10. HUGE WEATHER EVENT
Post: Forecasters are predicting the “biggest weather event” in months for the Toowoomba region, with up to 100mm of rain to fall from Friday.
Forecasters renewed their warnings about the wild weather hitting Toowoomba earlier this month, with the remnants of tropical cyclone Owen combining with a low-pressure system to cause the “biggest weather event” in months.
While the prediction from the Bureau of Meteorology wasn’t 100% accurate, the region did receive some much-needed rain.