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Albany Creek Swimmers Prepare for Major Aquatic Centre Overhaul

Thousands of local lap swimmers and families in Albany Creek are bracing for a massive logistical reshuffle as the officials initiate a top-to-bottom refurbishment of their highly trafficked aquatic centre.

The Scope of the Overhaul

Work on the extensive upgrade is scheduled to begin on 5 May 2026, marking a significant investment in the longevity and safety of the popular community hub. The renovation project will require the total closure of the indoor program pool for approximately seven weeks, while work on the outdoor 50-metre pool will extend until mid-August.

During this time, construction crews will strip away the existing pool shell finishes, repaint the surfaces, and completely replace all underwater tiles, including the specific finger grip tiles located at both ends of the 50-metre pool. Further structural updates include the installation of compliant depth and warning tiles, new wet-deck grates, and the replacement of backstroke anchors, posts, and stair handrails.

The moveable bulkhead will also undergo a complete refurbishment, alongside improvements to the surrounding concourse and pool furniture. Council representatives stated that these improvements are part of an ongoing effort to maintain and modernise crucial community infrastructure, ensuring high-quality facilities for the long term.

Keeping the Community Afloat

Rather than leaving members high and dry during the months-long closure, facility management has arranged a comprehensive relocation strategy to keep the community active. Swim-only members and visit pass holders are being offered seamless access to both the Ferny Hills Pool and the Lawnton Aquatic Centre at no additional cost.

Those who prefer to stay dry also have the option to temporarily convert their swimming passes into gym memberships for the duration of the construction, while others can choose to simply suspend their accounts until the upgrades are complete. Management staff noted their commitment to clear communication and a smooth transition throughout the renovation period, acknowledging the disruption while focusing on the long-term benefits for the area.

Squad Relocations and Upcoming Plans

The reshuffle requires significant coordination for local sporting groups, particularly the competitive swimming squads. To maintain consistency in their training schedules, Junior, Intermediate, State, and National squads are being temporarily relocated across the Ferny Hills and Lawnton facilities. These relocations are carefully split between morning and afternoon sessions to accommodate the large influx of athletes. For casual fitness enthusiasts, morning SwimFit sessions will be integrated into existing groups at Ferny Hills, though evening sessions are temporarily paused.

Meanwhile, facility leaders are actively finalising alternative arrangements for GOswim lessons and aqua aerobics classes. These plans include potentially hosting classes at partner pools and introducing gentle, land-based fitness sessions directly at the Albany Creek location, ensuring that all age groups and fitness levels remain engaged while their primary pool receives its much-needed facelift.

Published Date 31-March-2026

James Drysdale Reserve to Become Major Sports Hub in Moreton Bay

Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay

A major transformation is planned for James Drysdale Reserve, with the City of Moreton Bay moving to turn the Bunya site into a large-scale sports and recreation hub designed to meet the needs of a fast-growing community.

The plan outlines staged upgrades across the 29-hectare reserve in response to rising demand for quality sporting and community spaces.

Growing demand drives long-term vision

Moreton Bay has been working on the revised master plan for several years, following earlier planning in 2015 that no longer matched current conditions. Changes in waste management operations meant the reserve could not expand into nearby land as originally expected, prompting Council to rethink how the existing space could be used more efficiently.

At the same time, population growth across the Hills District and Albany Creek areas has increased pressure on local sporting facilities. Council identified the need to plan ahead to support both current users and future residents.

Community input shapes the design

Consultation played a central role in shaping the revised plan. In 2023, Council engaged with a wide range of stakeholders, including sporting clubs, user groups and nearby organisations.

This process involved surveys, workshops and meetings aimed at understanding how the reserve is currently used and what improvements are needed. Feedback highlighted gaps in facilities, concerns about future changes, and a shared interest in creating a more functional and inclusive space.

A public feedback period was also held between November and December 2024, allowing the broader community to review the draft and share their views before final decisions were made.

New facilities planned for the reserve

The master plan includes a wide range of proposed upgrades designed to support multiple sports and community activities. These include new courts, upgraded playing fields, shared clubhouses and improved open spaces.

Plans also feature a multi-level car park with additional courts, athletics facilities, expanded baseball areas, and outdoor fitness and play zones. Spaces for events and spectator seating are also included to support larger gatherings and competitions.

These additions aim to create a more flexible and accessible precinct that caters to different age groups and interests, while supporting local clubs that have used the reserve for many years.

Part of a broader community network

The project is not being planned in isolation. Council has indicated the reserve will work alongside nearby sites such as Leslie Patrick Park and other future community locations to form a connected network of recreational spaces.

While the master plan has now been adopted, development will take place in stages over time, depending on funding and priorities. Council has already allocated some budget for early improvements, with further works expected in the coming years.

The long-term goal is to ensure James Drysdale Reserve continues to serve as a central gathering place for sport, recreation and community life as the area grows.

Published 30-March-2026

Ball and Doggett’s New Experience Hub in Brendale Brings the Future of Print to Brisbane’s North

Ball and Doggett/Instagram

Australia’s largest distributor of printable materials has opened a purpose-built Experience Hub at its Brendale site on French Avenue, giving print, sign, packaging and textile businesses across the Albany Creek and Brendale corridor hands-on access to the country’s most comprehensive range of production technologies under one roof.

Ball and Doggett launched the Experience Hub at an exclusive industry event on 18 March 2026, drawing more than 50 guests from the print, sign and graphics, packaging and textile sectors for an afternoon of live demonstrations, industry networking and technology exploration.

Designed to provide customers with a hands-on opportunity to explore, test and compare a wide range of print and finishing technologies, the Experience Hub represents Ball and Doggett’s commitment to innovation and customer support in the evolving sign, display and packaging markets.

The Brendale site on French Avenue sits squarely in the industrial heart of Brisbane’s northern growth corridor, a short drive from Albany Creek and surrounded by the manufacturing and trade businesses that line the Strathpine Road and South Pine Road precincts.

For the print and signage businesses operating throughout this part of Brisbane’s north, the Experience Hub removes a significant barrier: the need to travel interstate, attend a trade expo or rely on a sales brochure to evaluate high-value production equipment before committing to a purchase.

What the Experience Hub Offers

The Experience Hub currently carries a diverse line-up of equipment available for demonstrations, from wide-format printers and finishing equipment to CNC routers, lasers, DTF printers and heat presses. It also holds a selection of consumables and substrates, allowing visitors to experience full workflow demonstrations from print through to finishing.

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The launch event showcased live demonstrations across wide-format printing, finishing, cutting, laser technology, CNC routing and garment decoration, with technologies on display from Roland DG, Mimaki, HP, Kongsberg, Kornit Digital, IECHO, Eclipse DTF and Impact CNC, alongside finishing and specialty production equipment.

The mezzanine level of the hub displays wide-format machines, and the space is configured as a working production environment rather than a showroom, meaning visitors see equipment running real jobs rather than standing idle behind glass.

Photo Credit: Ball and Doggett/Instagram

Rob Brussolo, Ball and Doggett’s general manager for Sign, Display and Digital, described the hub as a space where production challenges can be discussed openly and ideas can be tested in a live environment.

The hub’s design philosophy centres on bringing together technology partners, equipment specialists and customers in one place so they can work through problems together and explore possibilities beyond traditional markets, including diversification into new and emerging product categories.

A Company Built on Australian Print Industry Foundations

Ball and Doggett is Australia’s largest distributor of printable materials and consumables, and is part of the OVOL Japan Pulp and Paper Group. The company’s principal activities focus on the sale and distribution of paper products, printing inks, digital finishing equipment and wide-format equipment, and the supply of publication-grade papers to the web offset printing industry. Its Queensland operation is based at 7-9 French Avenue, Brendale, and services print and sign businesses across the state.

In addition to the equipment demonstrations, the Experience Hub carries a selection of consumables and substrates, and Ball and Doggett will continue adding equipment ahead of further programme milestones.

The hub will operate as an ongoing resource for the industry, hosting regular demonstrations, training sessions and industry events, with customers able to book visits to see specific equipment in action or work through a production challenge with the team’s equipment specialists.

Opportunities for TAFE and Vocational Training

Brendale’s French Avenue precinct serves as one of Brisbane’s key industrial hubs, housing trade suppliers, manufacturers and service businesses that underpin much of the northern suburbs’ commercial activity. The arrival of a dedicated equipment experience centre of this scale is a significant addition to that ecosystem, particularly for the small and medium print and sign businesses that make up the bulk of Ball and Doggett’s Queensland customer base.

For business owners across Albany Creek, Strathpine, Petrie and the broader Moreton Bay corridor, the Experience Hub closes a gap that has long pushed decision-making about major equipment purchases onto the floor of interstate trade expos or into the hands of catalogue-based sales calls. Being able to drive to Brendale, run a job on a machine, test a substrate and speak to a specialist on the spot changes the quality of those decisions, and ultimately the quality of the work those businesses can offer their own customers.

The hub also opens a practical pathway for TAFE and vocational training providers in the region. Representatives from TAFE Coomera attended the March launch event, signalling early interest in how the facility could support hands-on skills training for the next generation of print and sign technicians in Queensland.

Visiting the Experience Hub

The Ball and Doggett Experience Hub is located at 7-9 French Avenue, Brendale. Customers and industry partners can book a demonstration visit or enquire about upcoming events and training sessions by contacting their local Ball and Doggett representative or visiting ballanddoggett.com.au/the-experience-hub. General phone enquiries for the Queensland site can be directed to (07) 3490 5800.

Published 26-March-2026.

Why Eatons Hill and Murrumba Downs are the Best Places for Kids This Easter

Families across Albany Creek, Murrumba Downs, and Eatons Hill are gaining access to a massive range of professional-grade sports coaching and wilderness exploration programs for the cost of a single cup of coffee.

Local Adventure Within Reach

The City of Moreton Bay is preparing to launch a series of outdoor experiences to help young people move away from digital devices and back into the natural environment. Residents in the northern suburbs can choose from high-energy activities like hip hop dancing and stand-up paddle boarding, or more traditional skills such as fishing and camping.

These sessions are scheduled to take place during the upcoming Easter school holiday break. To ensure these opportunities remain accessible for every household, the council has capped the price of all activities at a maximum of five dollars, with many offered entirely for free.

Exploring the Northern Trail Network

Beyond organised classes, the region offers an extensive network of trails that allow for self-guided exploration through local bushland. Residents in Eatons Hill can utilise the Kumbartcho recreation trails, while those in Murrumba Downs have easy access to the John Oxley Reserve.

For those willing to travel slightly further toward the valley or the coast, the rail trails at Samford and Caboolture provide long-distance paths for walking. More rugged options are also available at the Brian Burke Reserve and the Godwin Beach Reserve for those seeking a quiet escape into nature.

Adrenaline and Youth Fitness

Teenagers looking for more intense physical challenges can head to Burpengary to test the new Lagoon Road Mountain Bike trails. This specific facility features technical elements like wooden berms, dirt jumps, and tabletops designed for various skill levels. Alongside the bike tracks, a dedicated fitness program coincides with Queensland Youth Week.

This includes specialised sessions such as strength and conditioning, HIIT workouts, and a specific program for teenage girls in Deception Bay. Local leaders suggest that these trails and classes offer a healthy way for the younger generation to stay active and build connections within their own community.

Safety on the Tracks

While the council encourages everyone to enjoy the diverse treks and parks, they also remind visitors to follow basic safety protocols. This includes carrying enough drinking water and staying on the marked paths to protect the local environment. Sharing the tracks with other walkers and riders is also a priority to make sure the holidays remain safe for all participants. Information regarding these activities will be available for booking starting on 26 March.

Published Date 25-March-2026

Linkfield Road Overpass Duplication Moves Closer as EOI Open for $176-M Upgrade

A key step has been reached in a long-awaited road safety project, with expressions of interest now open for the duplication of the Linkfield Road overpass across Gympie Road, near Brendale.

Read: Community Parks in Albany Creek and Brendale Get Major Upgrades

The overpass will be widened to four lanes and rebuilt with a six-metre height clearance, up from the existing 4.7 metres. The change targets a known safety problem that has caused repeated disruptions along one of northern Brisbane’s most heavily used arterial roads.

Funded jointly to the tune of $176 million, with $125.5 million from federal and $50.5 million from the state, the project represents one of the most significant road investments in the region in recent years.

Expressions of interest for the overpass duplication have been combined with those for the nearby Beams Road and Gympie Road intersection upgrade into a single procurement process. Authorities say the combined approach will improve coordination, provide greater certainty for industry, and keep traffic moving throughout construction.

Bridge strikes have been a recurring problem at the Linkfield Road overpass, with trucks clipping the structure on multiple occasions in recent years and causing delays while safety inspections were carried out.

Lifting the clearance to six metres is expected to substantially reduce that risk. Transport authorities have described the location as a major arterial road, and the upgrade is expected to benefit both everyday commuters and freight operators moving goods through the broader South East Queensland network.

Read: Construction Commences on $92M Brendale Adventure Home HQ

The EOI process is a standard early stage in procurement, allowing suitably qualified contractors to register their interest before a formal tender is issued. No construction start date has been confirmed.

Further updates are expected as the process moves forward, and project information is available through the Transport and Main Roads website.

Published 24-March-2026

Shared Catholic School Programs Support Student Pathways In Fitzgibbon

Students in Fitzgibbon are being supported through a connected Catholic school system that links primary and secondary education through shared programs and transition initiatives.

Coordinated Learning Across Fitzgibbon

Brisbane Catholic Education oversees 146 schools across South East Queensland, enabling a coordinated model where schools share resources, teaching approaches and student programs. In Fitzgibbon, this structure allows schools to work together through organised clusters rather than operating independently.

This approach supports consistent learning experiences while also expanding opportunities for students across multiple campuses.

Focused Transition To Secondary School

Holy Spirit College in Fitzgibbon has implemented a structured transition initiative aimed at easing the move from primary to secondary education. The program introduces Year 6 students to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM), giving them early exposure to subjects they will encounter in later schooling.

Participating primary schools are involved in planned sessions that help students become familiar with the secondary environment. The program also allows teachers to better understand students’ existing knowledge, supporting a smoother start to Year 7.

Primary educators take part in the process by observing teaching practices and applying relevant strategies in their own classrooms to strengthen student readiness.

Shared Activities And Student Engagement

The Fitzgibbon-based program operates as a joint effort between schools, encouraging collaboration among students and staff. Activities include mentoring opportunities, hands-on learning sessions and cross-school projects that connect students from different year levels.

Older students at Holy Spirit College contribute by guiding younger participants, supporting both academic development and leadership skills.

Fitzgibbon Catholic schools — Photo Credit: Supplied

Broader System Initiatives

The Fitzgibbon program reflects a wider network approach where initiatives are delivered across all schools. Since 2019, the STEM MAD Showcase has expanded to involve more than 100 teams, with some students progressing to national-level competitions.

In 2025, over 400 educators and school leaders participated in an Inclusive Education Symposium, focusing on consistent teaching practices across the system.

Students also engage in shared activities such as a rugby sevens competition involving more than 1,600 participants in 2025 and a student voice showcase held in 2026.

Improving Access And Inclusion

Additional initiatives aim to improve access to education across all schools. The FisherONE online learning platform, introduced in 2022, allows students to enrol in subjects not available at their local campus.

A system-wide approach to First Nations education was also introduced in 2024, incorporating language and cultural content into teaching programs across all schools.

Outlook

The coordinated Catholic school model in Fitzgibbon continues to support student learning through shared initiatives, structured transitions and collaborative teaching practices. Ongoing programs are expected to further strengthen pathways between primary and secondary education.

Published 20-Mar-2026

PAW Patrol Live Tour Heads To Boondall At Brisbane Entertainment Centre

Photo Credit: Paw Patrol Live

PAW Patrol Live! “Race to the Rescue” is set to arrive in Boondall, with Brisbane Entertainment Centre included as part of the production’s 2026 Australian tour.

Brisbane Stop Confirmed In Boondall

The live stage show will be held at Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Boondall on Saturday 8 August 2026. Brisbane is one of four Australian locations included in the tour, alongside Hobart, Sydney and Melbourne.

The national run is scheduled from 25 July to 23 August 2026, with limited performances in each city.

PAW Patrol Boondall — Photo Credit: Paw Patrol Live

Stage Show Based On Television Series

The production is based on the animated children’s series PAW Patrol. The storyline centres on the Great Adventure Bay Race, where Mayor Goodway is missing, prompting Ryder and the pups to step in.

Characters including Marshall, Chase, Skye, Rubble, Rocky, Zuma and Everest work together to complete the rescue and take part in the race. The show presents a narrative focused on teamwork and problem-solving.

Brisbane Entertainment Centre — Photo Credit: Paw Patrol Live

Interactive Format For Audiences

The stage adaptation includes interactive elements, with audience participation encouraged through call-and-response segments. The production also incorporates theatrical sets and digital screens to represent locations from the television series.

Ticket Release And Presale Details

General public ticket sales are scheduled to open at 11 a.m. on Tuesday 31 March 2026, in local time. Prior to this, a CommBank Yello presale will run from 10 a.m. on Wednesday 25 March to 9 a.m. on Monday 30 March for the Brisbane event.

A TEG Life Like Touring presale is set from 11 a.m. on Monday 30 March to 10 a.m. on Tuesday 31 March. Ticket limits apply per transaction.

Ticket listings currently show two Brisbane sessions on 8 August, scheduled for 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Boondall.

PAW Patrol Live — Photo Credit: Paw Patrol Live

Charity Partnership Included

The tour is linked with Assistance Dogs Australia, with donation collections planned during performances. The organisation supports people with physical disabilities, young people with autism and veterans with PTSD, and is marking 30 years of operation.

Global Production Background

PAW Patrol Live first launched in 2016 and has since been staged in more than 50 countries, with reported attendance reaching millions. Multiple versions of the production continue to tour internationally.

Outlook

The Boondall performance forms part of a four-city Australian schedule for PAW Patrol Live! “Race to the Rescue”. Ticket access will begin with presales in late March, ahead of the August event at Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

Published 20-Mar-2026

Ibis Tracking Study In Strathpine Area Reveals Long-Distance Movement Patterns

Photo Credit: Australian Museum

A tracking study of Australian white ibis in the Moreton Bay region, including tagging activity in Strathpine, has found the birds travel across large distances while some remain close to local habitats.

Strathpine Part Of Ibis Tracking Study

Strathpine has been included as one of several locations where Australian white ibis were tagged as part of a broader study examining bird movement across Moreton Bay.

The project tracked 169 ibis over nearly two years using coloured tags, with 19 also fitted with short-term GPS trackers to monitor daily movement. Results show a mix of behaviours, with some birds travelling long distances and others staying within a limited area.

Sightings of tagged ibis have been recorded across multiple regions, including Mackay, Rockhampton, Gympie, Noosa, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Logan, Gold Coast, Fraser Coast and Byron Bay.

Moreton Bay ibis tracking — Photo Credit: Australian Museum

Breeding Growth Prompted Research

The study began in 2021 following a sharp increase in ibis breeding sites across Moreton Bay. Records show breeding locations rose from 17 to 70 within four years.

Researchers examined whether ibis populations are resident or migratory, identified preferred breeding habitats, and analysed how the birds use urban environments.

Tagging took place at several sites across the region, including Bribie Island, Bunya, Caboolture, Morayfield, Burpengary East, Scarborough, Strathpine, Lawnton and Woodford.

Movement Patterns Vary Across Birds

Tracking data highlights clear differences in ibis behaviour. Some birds travelled across coastal regions before returning to Moreton Bay, while others remained close to where they were tagged.

One ibis stayed within five kilometres of its tagging location, while others moved through multiple regions before returning. Recorded journeys also show travel between key urban and regional areas along the east coast.

Strathpine ibis study — Photo Credit: Australian Museum

Urban Adaptation And Management

Australian white ibis are native wetland birds that have adapted to urban environments, commonly feeding and breeding in parks, waterways and other developed spaces.

The findings show ibis colonies form part of a broader network extending across multiple regions rather than isolated local groups. This movement pattern has implications for managing urban wildlife in areas such as Strathpine.

Current management approaches focus on limiting access to artificial food sources, maintaining clean public areas and monitoring nesting activity during breeding periods.

Community Role In Monitoring

Residents in Strathpine and surrounding areas are encouraged to avoid feeding ibis, secure rubbish bins and keep outdoor areas clean to help manage populations.

The public can also contribute to ongoing monitoring by reporting sightings of tagged birds through the Big City Birds citizen science app.

The study is expected to guide long-term ibis management and improve understanding of how the species interacts with urban environments.

Published 19-Mar-2026

Bray Park State High School Debuts High-Tech Discovery Centre for Future Trades

Photo Credit: Bray Park State High School/ Facebook

Bray Park State High School has launched a multi-million dollar Discovery Centre to give local teenagers direct access to the same heavy machinery and high-tech tools used by professional Australian tradespeople.

The school officially opened the new precinct on 13 March 2026, marking a major milestone for the Moreton Bay region. The project was funded through the Queensland Government’s Growth Project to help the school keep up with the massive number of new families moving into the area.

Training for the Real World

*Photo Credit:* *Bray Park State High School/ Facebook*

The new facility is designed to feel less like a traditional classroom and more like a modern workplace. Inside the automotive section, students are already working on mechanical projects and have even started building go-karts to race at the Willowbank track.

This approach allows them to learn about engineering and teamwork by actually doing the work rather than just reading about it in a textbook. Executive Principal Peter Turner noted that industries are currently desperate for skilled workers, and this centre is meant to fill that gap.

Advanced Technology for Local Teens

One of the most impressive features of the new building is a professional-grade CNC router worth $70,000. This machine is the same type used in large-scale construction and manufacturing shops across the country.

By learning how to operate this equipment now, students gain a significant advantage when they eventually look for jobs in the building or design sectors. The centre also includes four dedicated labs for robotics and design, two large construction rooms, and a specialised media suite for film editing.

Supporting a Growing Community

Over the last seven years, the school has seen its student population jump from 800 to more than 1,900 people. This growth is largely due to new housing developments in nearby areas like Dayboro. Mr Turner explained that more local families are now choosing Bray Park State High School over private schools because the facilities and career programs are so strong.

Along with the technical workshops, the building also includes 12 new classrooms and a dedicated space for First Nations programs, ensuring all students have the support they need to finish their education.

Focusing on Student Wellbeing

Beyond the saws and software, the school has also prioritised the mental health of its students. The Discovery Centre houses eight private offices for wellbeing professionals, providing a quiet space for teenagers to seek guidance or support. This focus on the whole student, combined with practical career training, is intended to help the youth of Moreton Bay move confidently into their future careers.

Published Date 14-March-2026

Bald Hills Footballer Tilly Leeman Meets the Matildas Before Rejoining Moreton City Excelsior

James D. Morgan/Getty Images

Bald Hills footballer Matilda “Tilly” Leeman flew to Perth last month to meet the Matildas as part of an Allianz resilience campaign — then registered to play again for Moreton City Excelsior on the same night Australia opened the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup with a win over the Philippines.

Australia defeated the Philippines 1-0 on 1 March at Perth Stadium, with Sam Kerr heading home her 70th international goal in front of 44,379 fans in her hometown. For Tilly, sitting in the crowd that night, the win carried a meaning far beyond the result.

Two Comebacks and the Sport That Connected Them

Tilly’s relationship with football is not a straightforward one. At 16, she held a sports scholarship and was tracking toward representative football when she found out she was pregnant. Three months after giving birth, she joined a Brisbane club and won a grand final at the end of that season — a comeback by any measure. Then a second child, postnatal depression and the compounding isolation of the COVID pandemic pulled her away from the game entirely.

She stayed away for a decade. In her 30s, she came back through MCE’s Rebels side and found in the sport something more than fitness. She found structure, connection and community — the same things football had given her as a teenager, now more deliberately sought.

Her story sat unpublished until she answered a Facebook call-out asking for accounts of resilience through sport. She wrote it down without much expectation. A month later, Allianz contacted her and invited her to join a national resilience campaign alongside the Matildas.

What the Perth Trip Involved

Tilly was one of three fans selected by Allianz to travel to Perth and meet the Matildas during their pre-tournament camp. The group met Holly McNamara, Amy Sayer, Michelle Heyman and Katrina Gorry, and presented the squad with a giant inflatable football printed with messages from 16 Allianz-selected superfans. Tilly also brought along personalised friendship bracelets for the squad.

Tilly and the Matildas — Photo Credit: James D. Morgan/Getty Images

The Allianz campaign centres on Matildas midfielder Amy Sayer, who spent 457 days on the sidelines recovering from an ACL injury before returning to international football. Sayer has since started for Australia at the Asian Cup and scored her first senior tournament goal in Australia’s 4-0 win over Iran. The Matildas have since advanced to the semi-finals of the tournament, defeating North Korea 2-1 in the quarter-finals and booking a place at the 2027 Women’s World Cup in the process.

The campaign draws on Allianz research finding that two thirds of Australians experienced adversity in the past year, with financial pressure, physical health challenges and a lack of confidence cited as the most common factors. The research also found that 44 per cent of Australians named the Matildas as a source of personal resilience and motivation.

Back at Wolter Park

Immediately after the final whistle on 1 March, Tilly opened her phone and registered to play for Moreton City Excelsior again. She has since been at futsal training at Brendale Indoor Sports Centre and is preparing for the Rebels’ first pre-season match.

For the Albany Creek and Bald Hills communities, Tilly’s story is grounded in a local club — MCE has its home at Wolter Park in Albany Creek — and in a very familiar form of resilience: the kind built not through elite sport, but through showing up to training on a weeknight after the kids are in bed and the week has been hard.

More information about Moreton City Excelsior is available at moretonexcelsior.com.au. The 2026 Women’s Asian Cup continues through to the final at Stadium Australia on 21 March.

Published 13-March-2026.