If the chaos and stress of modern life are getting you down, a new series of low-cost yoga and meditation classes in Albany Creek offers a welcoming space to find peace.
These low-cost sessions, supported by the City of Moreton Bay, are designed to help people manage stress and find a greater sense of calm.
The program includes two separate classes, a Hatha yoga session and a Mantra Meditation experience. The Hatha yoga class is suitable for all levels, from beginners to those with more experience. It focuses on using breath and awareness to improve flexibility, tone muscles, and reduce stress. The teacher, Amit, holds poses for longer periods and explains the benefits of each one, which helps participants feel more focused and relaxed by the end of the class.
The yoga class is priced at an affordable rate of $4 during school terms, with a slightly higher fee during other periods. Participants are asked to bring their own yoga mats and props.
The meditation class, known as a Kirtan evening, is described as a soothing yet uplifting experience that uses live music and mantras. The sessions aim to help people move away from life’s daily worries and find inner nourishment.
Amit, who has been a meditation practitioner for over 10 years, says he began his journey after feeling unfulfilled and found that these ancient practices can help others cultivate lasting peace. The meditation class runs by donation, making it accessible to everyone in the community.
Both classes are provided by the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga, a non-profit organisation that has been sharing yoga and meditation for over three decades.
A plain brick pump station on Francis Road in Bray Park has been given a colourful new look, with Unitywater unveiling a vivid mural that reflects the region’s local wildlife.
The artwork, painted by local artist Daniel Krause, was created as part of Unitywater’s Community Art Program, which aims to turn essential infrastructure into works of art for the public to enjoy.
Photo supplied
Unitywater Executive Manager Strategic Engagement, Joshua Zugajev, said the initiative was about more than just brightening up brick and concrete.
“Our Community Art Program provides local artists with a unique canvas to improve the aesthetic of concrete, brick, and metal water and wastewater assets for the community to enjoy,” Mr Zugajev said.
The mural’s design was shaped by the community, with 153 votes cast to decide which animals would be included. The final artwork features a green tree frog and butterfly on the front wall, and a koala and cockatoo on either side.
Photo supplied
Krause said the design carries both visual and symbolic meaning. “The green tree frog is always a favourite, and an abstract blue swirl ties it all together to symbolise the way water connects all life on earth, and the essential role Unitywater plays in delivering it in our region,” he said.
The project took around 25 hours to complete, using a mix of acrylic house paint and aerosol before being sealed with a protective anti-graffiti coat.
The Bray Park mural is the second Unitywater site in Moreton Bay to receive an artistic makeover in recent months, following the transformation of a roadside cabinet on Bribie Island by local artist and wildlife scientist, Jayda Bruce.
For locals passing through Francis Road, the pump station now stands out as a burst of colour and a reminder of the wildlife that calls Moreton Bay home.
David Stewart, whose life’s work consisted of recording sounds of Australian birds for many decades, has died in Albany Creek. Along with the Bowerbird Collective, he is the man behind the recordings of 53 native birds facing extinction, used in Songs of Disappearance, an album that contains nothing but birdsong that beat Abba, Michael Buble, and Mariah Carey, reaching No. 5 in Australia’s Aria chart one week after its release.
Mr Stewart, who had been living in a retirement village in Albany Creek, was critically injured after losing control of his vehicle during a drive through the suburb in August. His car struck a fence, and he was rushed to Royal Brisbane Hospital. Despite the efforts of medical staff, he later passed away surrounded by family.
For decades, Mr Stewart devoted his life to recording, preserving, and sharing the sounds of Australia’s birdlife. His contributions have been instrumental in both ornithological research and in helping Australians connect with their natural heritage through sound.
From the 1960s through the 1980s, while working with the Department of Aboriginal Affairs, Mr Stewart traveled widely across remote parts of Australia. In his spare time, he compiled extensive tick lists of species encountered in Cape York, Arnhem Land, and the Kimberley.
His transition to digital recording in the 1990s raised the quality of his library, allowing him to re-record species he had first taped on cassettes.
Photo credit: Birds Queensland/Facebook
Some of his rarest and most cherished recordings include the call of the female Plains-wanderer, captured just half a metre away in 1982, and the flight call of the endangered Princess Parrot recorded along the remote Canning Stock Route. These painstakingly collected sounds, often achieved after days of waiting in the field, underscored his reputation as one of Australia’s most dedicated wildlife sound recordists.
His recordings have become part of the national soundscape, from the Stewart Australian Bird Calls app, containing more than 3,800 meticulously catalogued calls from 725 species and subspecies, complete with maps and sonograms, to the bestselling album Australian Bird Calls: Songs of Disappearance.
Over more than forty years, the calls of 53 native bird species have been collected for an album designed to raise both money and awareness for species at risk of extinction. The album—made up entirely of birdsong—has climbed near the top of Australia’s ARIA charts, surpassing the likes of Mariah Carey, Michael Bublé, and ABBA to secure a place in the top five just a week after its release.
Indeed, his works have played vital roles in conservation awareness by bringing the voices of threatened species to a wider public.
His death marks the end of a remarkable life dedicated to listening, recording, and preserving the sounds of Australia’s birdlife. Widely regarded as a trailblazer in bioacoustics, his decades of work helped transform ornithological research and gave everyday Australians new ways to connect with nature.
Birds Queensland paid tribute to Mr Stewart, describing his life as “a symphony of curiosity, care, and deep listening—to nature, and to those around him.” Fellow birding enthusiasts also remembered him as a generous mentor and a friend whose knowledge and dedication reshaped fieldwork practices across Australia and beyond.
Long-time friend and journalist Greg Roberts, who shared news of his passing, said Mr Stewart’s contributions to bird and wildlife acoustics were “ground-breaking” and would be remembered for generations.
Although his influence reached far beyond Brisbane, Mr Stewart’s final years in Albany Creek connected him closely to the northside community. Locals who may have walked the same leafy streets might not have known that a man who had dedicated his life to amplifying the voices of Australia’s birds was among them.
I will remember him as a terrific birder and a very memorable character. Much of his quirky advice sticks with me to this day. It was thoroughly enjoyable birding with him at the Dunmore Road site west of Toowoomba in 2021 and an honour to be given a glimpse of his extremely vast catalogue of recordings in his home soon after. I suspected he must have been a person of prodigal talent to have done what he did. Very tragic news to hear of his passing and I lament that we did not do more birding together.
Tyber Brands
I had the pleasure many years ago to spend time with David Stewart at Melaleuca when he recorded Orange-bellied Parrot calls. One of his recordings, “feeding and flight calls”, immortalised in Michael Morcombe’s eGuide to the Birds of Australia, was a dozen of so male OBPs at the feedtable near Deny King’s garden. If you listen carefully, you can hear their feet pattering on the rubber mat as they chase each other around the table. I’ve always thought of David and these great times when I hear this recording. Vale David.
Mark Holdsworth
Stunned to learn of the loss of David Stewart. We shared many an hour over a “jaw” as he put it and, along with Don Kroodsma, superb days in the field together. A superb fellow memories of whom I will always carry.
Greg Budney
As tributes flow from conservationists, researchers, and bird lovers worldwide, Albany Creek residents are quietly reflecting on the presence of a global figure who spent his last chapter in their neighbourhood—listening, as he always had, to the songs of the natural world.
Just minutes from Albany Creek, the new Élan residential estate in Warner is taking shape with a strong focus on preserving local wildlife and bushland. Nearly 10 hectares of mature habitat have been set aside within the 41-hectare site, providing a permanent home for koalas, gliders, and native birds.
What makes the project especially meaningful for our community is the involvement of the Albany Creek Scouts, who recently joined tree-planting events to help strengthen wildlife corridors. Their efforts, alongside environmental groups and residents, are directly contributing to conservation outcomes in our backyard.
A key feature of Élan is the region’s first koala overpass, now under construction above Kremzow Road. Once complete, it will allow koalas and other species to cross safely over busy traffic. Two additional underpasses at the estate’s entrances will provide further safe passage, linking habitats across the growing Warner area.
Wildlife monitoring technology will be installed to track how animals use the crossings. Early surveys already confirm the presence of five koalas on site, as well as gliders, possums, and even White-bellied Sea Eagles.
Photo Credit: elan.avid.com.au
For Albany Creek locals, the area has become more than just a nearby housing project. It’s an example of how community and conservation can work hand-in-hand — and a reminder that everyday actions matter. Driving carefully near wildlife zones, keeping pets secure, and supporting local tree-planting days are all simple ways to protect the animals that share our region.
With its blend of new housing and preserved bushland, Élan is set to become a community where people and wildlife thrive together — and Albany Creek can be proud of its role in making that vision a reality.
The redevelopment of John Bray Park on Walsham Street has been in planning for around two decades. Construction commenced in 2024, with completion now forecast for October 2025, weather permitting.
The $3.4 million project is transforming the site into a district-level park with a wide range of facilities. Key features include an all-ages, nature-inspired playground, a multi-sport court suitable for basketball and futsal, courts for pickleball and badminton, gym equipment, picnic shelters, and an amenities block with accessible and ambulant stalls.
Additional elements include misting water play, a wet/dry creek bed, open space for casual ball games, car parking, and a footpath linking the park to Bray Park train station and Strathpine Centre.
More than 100 trees were initially planted, with an expanded replanting program adding a further 100 trees and over 2,500 predominantly native shrubs and groundcovers. Many of these plantings are koala food trees.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
Community Input and Design Changes
Community consultation in 2021 led to key design revisions. The amenities block was repositioned centrally, about 90 metres from the nearest residence, while the multi-purpose court was set over 50 metres away near established trees. The playground was located among existing trees to maximise natural shade and reinforce the nature-based design.
Construction and Access
Construction is carried out Monday to Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. For safety, access to parts of the site is limited, although John Bray Park remains open to the public during works. Residents can register online to receive weekly updates on construction progress.
With the project due for completion in October 2025, the upgraded district park is set to provide long-term recreational, sporting, and community benefits for Bray Park.
The Cameron Smith Junior Classic (CSJC) is set for a major expansion in 2026, with the popular junior golf tournament at Wantima Country Club in Brendale moving to a three-day, 54-hole format.
Currently played over two days, the 10th edition will increase its player field to a record 256 under-18 golfers with GA handicaps. The new structure will feature shotgun starts across the opening rounds and a cut for the final day, bringing the competition in line with top-tier junior events.
Photo credit: James Clayton/Google Maps
The CSJC has grown significantly since its launch in 2017 as a one-day, 18-hole tournament for 132 players. It expanded to two days in 2022, when a separate nine-hole contest for under-14 golfers without a GA handicap was introduced. That event has also grown, with up to 72 spots available this year and again in 2026.
Backed by LIV Golf, Cameron Smith’s Ripper GC franchise, and sponsors including Qualia Wealth, the tournament is aiming to attract national and international players alongside strong local and state entries.
Origins of the CSJC
Cameron Smith (Photo credit: CC BY-SA 4.0/JazzyJoeyD/Wikimedia Commons)
The Cameron Smith Junior Classic was the brainchild of Ken McKay, long-time junior coordinator and Wantima member, who wanted to establish a premier event that showcased emerging golfing talent. Inspired by Cameron Smith’s ongoing support of Wantima’s junior program and his willingness to mentor young players when home in Brisbane, Ken began planning the tournament and later sought Smith’s endorsement to put his name to the event.
Since then, the CSJC has become a highlight on the junior golf calendar, providing opportunities for young boys and girls to test their skills and gain experience in a competitive setting.
Cameron Smith grew up in Bray Park and started his golfing journey at Wantima before turning professional in 2013. His career reached new heights in 2022 with victories at The Players Championship and the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews. He now competes on the LIV Golf Tour, where his team Ripper GC won the LIV Team title in 2024.
The inaugural Kid Gloves Day will take place in Lawnton on 20 September 2025, highlighting the work of All Star Boxing Gym in guiding young people through sport. The event is backed by Barbers at Brendale, which has taken on the role of major sponsor.
Photo Credit: Barbers At Brendale/Instagram
Community Support for Youth Development
The program at All Star Boxing Gym is open to children as young as six and has supported hundreds of participants over the past 15 years. Beyond physical training, the gym focuses on discipline, confidence and providing a positive environment for children from diverse backgrounds.
Event Program
Kid Gloves Day will begin at 7 a.m. at the Lawnton gym, where families, schools, local businesses and the public can meet coaches, watch training, and see how the program operates. A barber’s chair will also be set up at the gym as part of the day’s activities.
In the afternoon, the celebration will continue at Barbers at Brendale with a community barbecue and drinks. Free haircuts will be offered to attendees.
Photo Credit: Barbers At Brendale/Instagram
Purpose and Impact
Funds raised through the event will help cover the costs of training equipment and travel expenses for gym members competing across Australia. The initiative aims to raise both financial support and awareness for the role grassroots sport plays in shaping young lives.
Coaches and Training Approach
All Star Boxing Gym’s coaching team includes Ben Harrington, Miles Zalewski, Kaaden Sloane, Paul Utia, Herb Taggart and Andrew Bulcher. The gym promotes tailored training, modern equipment, and a focus on both fitness and enjoyment.
Local families and businesses are encouraged to take part in the inaugural event, with the long-term goal of establishing Kid Gloves Day as an ongoing community tradition.
The redevelopment, announced in early August, is led by Mandala Hotels & Resorts. The company purchased the 51-room property set on 20 hectares of bushland overlooking the Glass House Mountains.
The staged program of works is expected to roll out over the next 12 months, with the resort continuing to operate while upgrades take place.
What the Community Can Expect
Mandala Hotels & Resorts has outlined several upgrades for Mercure Clear Mountain Lodge, which are expected to reshape the guest experience. Plans include the creation of elevated suites designed to take full advantage of the panoramic views, along with a new restaurant and bar featuring a central fireplace as a focal point.
Landscaped gardens are set to enhance the property’s natural surrounds, while a purpose-built events precinct will provide new options for weddings, conferences, and community gatherings.
The group has emphasised that these changes will build on the lodge’s existing character while offering a broader range of facilities for both locals and visitors.
Local Support and Regional Benefits
Moreton Bay Council and SEQ Water are backing the project to meet rising accommodation needs. Mayor Flannery says the region will need 1,500 extra hotel rooms by 2032. Visitor demand is growing, especially with the Brisbane 2032 Olympics approaching and the hotel will help fill this gap.
Councillor Cath Tonks added that the redevelopment would benefit businesses in nearby communities such as Dayboro and Samford Valley.
A New Chapter for Clear Mountain
Mandala principal Ryan Shaw said the project is designed to position Clear Mountain as a premier destination for both tourism and events, combining the area’s natural landscape with a higher level of service.
The Peppers brand, part of Accor Hotels, will mark an upgrade from the property’s current Mercure flag, and aligns the resort with other high-end Peppers locations across Australia.
An Eatons Hill family with three children is starting again after a house fire destroyed their home and car, and the community is moving quickly to help the parents, Terry and Jess, get back on their feet.
The family’s verified GoFundMe fundraiser went live on August 6, 2025, created by a relative, Leah, to cover urgent needs such as temporary housing, clothing, food and school supplies.
Reports say the blaze tore through the family’s Eatons Hill home within minutes, taking treasured belongings along with everyday essentials and their vehicle. The fundraiser explains that everyone made it out safely, but the loss was near total. It sets out simple aims: keep the children settled, replace basics and help the family rebuild step by step.
Schools and Neighbours Step In
Two of the children, Isabella and Layla, attend Albany Creek State High, and their younger brother is a student at Samford State School. In a message to families, Albany Creek State High invited the school community to contribute and share the fundraiser so help reaches the people who need it most.
Neighbours also amplified the call, encouraging residents in Eatons Hill and nearby suburbs to spread the word and donate if they can.
How You Can Help
Donations through the verified GoFundMe will go toward accommodation, clothing, food, school needs and other essentials while the family secures stable housing and begins to replace what was lost. If giving isn’t possible, sharing the fundraiser with friends, local groups and sports clubs can still make a real difference by keeping support flowing.
This story is about more than a fire. It is about a suburb pulling together so children can return to class with what they need and parents can focus on the next steps. School posts and community shares show a clear message: when hardship hits in Eatons Hill, people look out for one another .
A global campaign to include bowls in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games has officially launched, with Bray Park set to host its first major event.
A joint initiative between World Bowls and Bowls Australia has been launched to seek Olympic and Paralympic inclusion for the sport of bowls at the Brisbane 2032 Games. The campaign was formally announced on 28 July 2025, positioning bowls as a sport aligned with values of accessibility, legacy, and global representation. With over 60 member nations involved, the effort signals a unified international push.
The campaign’s first major activation will take place on 29 October 2025 during BPL22, a televised feature match to be held at Club Pine Rivers in Bray Park. The match will see the Australian Jackaroos compete against a Rest of the World team, showcasing both open and para-athletes in a shared competition format. The inclusion of para-athletes highlights the campaign’s emphasis on inclusivity across all levels of play.
Significance of the Venue
Club Pine Rivers, the established host of Bowls Premier League events, will again stage a nationally televised match during BPL22. The venue’s involvement aligns with the campaign’s rollout and positioning efforts ahead of Brisbane 2032.
Photo Credit: Bowls Australia/YouTube
Campaign Strategy and Global Coordination
The campaign will feature international showcase matches and ongoing collaboration with Olympic and Paralympic stakeholders. It brings together national and global organisations under a shared strategy to build the case for inclusion. Bowls has been played in Australia since 1845 and currently engages nearly 2 million participants annually through more than 1,800 clubs nationwide.
Photo Credit: Bowls Australia/YouTube
Public Engagement and Promotion
Public support is expected to grow through broadcast exposure and engagement from both grassroots and elite levels. The upcoming match aims to draw viewers and participants alike, with the campaign relying on visibility and community backing as it progresses toward the 2032 decision.
Following the Bray Park event, additional showcase matches and promotional activities are planned in the lead-up to 2032. The campaign will continue to work alongside major sporting committees to strengthen its submission and increase global awareness of the sport’s capabilities.
