Albany Creek Archives - Page 5 of 8

Albany Creek Mum Warns Pet Parents After Dog Dies from Sago Palm Poisoning

A devastated Albany Creek mum of five is warning pet parents about the risk of a common houseplant, known as Sago Palm, which killed the family’s beautiful Golden Retriever.

Kim Quirk shared that Cooper, their 7-year-old Golden Retriever, was playing in their Albany Creek backyard with Buddy, their 2-year-old Shih Tzu, when the older dog came inside with a funny look on his face and then started shaking violently. Soon, Buddy also exhibited the same symptoms as Cooper.

Kim and her husband, Dennis, immediately brought Cooper and Buddy to the vet, who asked if the pair had been exposed to a poisonous plant. The elderly couple was told to check for anything unusual in their home as they nervously waited for more updates from the vet.

A cousin sent the Quirks a list of toxic plants which had Sago Palm in it. Earlier that day, Dennis was chopping down the plant on their property, which they now believe poisoned both their dogs.

Sago Palm, which originated from Japan nearly 300 years ago, is a popular landscaping plant in Australia. Also known as cycads, a species of this low-level palm became the centrepiece of the expansion of the Brisbane Botanic Gardens a few years ago.

But Sago Palm is not a dog-friendly household plant, according to the experts at James Cook University. This plant has cycasin, an active toxic agent that may be severely harmful to dogs.

“The leaves are apparently quite attractive-smelling to dogs, making accidental ingestion likely, with initial symptoms of poisoning usually being vomiting, dehydration and lethargy,” Dr Philip Judge, a veterinary emergency lecturer said.

“Using appropriate treatment with intravenous fluid therapy and medications, the symptoms often subside within 24 to 48 hours or so – only to be replaced by the development of severe liver damage that could result in liver failure and death within seven to 14 days.”

Households with Sago Palms in their backyards must be careful not to let the dogs roam free near the plants. Pet parents need to immediately remove loose vegetation, as well as fallen seeds or nuts away from the dog’s access.

The Quirks had two cycads at home for the last 14 years. Whilst Cooper did not make it, Buddy has recovered from the poisoning. The family, however, had to pay $10,000 in vet bills to save their dog.

Kim said that locals should be aware of this plant’s hidden danger to prevent heartaches and unexpected medical expenses for their pets.

Albany Creek Shoppers Fund 20,000 Meals Distributed by SecondBite

Hooray for help! Albany Creek shoppers have pulled off an admirable feat by supporting a fundraising initiative that has enabled SecondBite to distribute 20,000 meals for hungry families this winter.

Coles Albany Creek ranked among the top five fundraising Coles stores in Queensland — alongside The Pines, Caloundra, North Shore, and Logan Central — in its annual Winter Appeal to raise funds for the food rescue organisation founded by Ian and Simone Carson. Through the shoppers’ generosity, the store was able to raise $4,000, adding to the more than $1.6 million raised nationally by the initiative.

“We can’t thank our customers in Albany Creek enough for their efforts in supporting the Secondbite Winter Appeal. The funds raised will make a real difference to SecondBite so they can continue to support local charity partners like Reach Out Community & Family Care,” Coles State General Manager Jerry Farrell said.

“It has been incredible to see local shoppers really dig deep and help provide meals to people who might otherwise go without.”

SecondBite collects unsold, edible food from Coles that goes to 1,300 charity partners across Australia, including the Reach Out Community & Family Care in Everton Park. The Winter Appeal comes as three out of four food charities have had a surge in demand for their services in the last 18 months.

“So many people are under pressure at the moment and yet Coles’ customers and team members still dug deep for others and did their bit to ensure Australians aren’t going hungry,” said SecondBite Ambassador and Board Director Matt Preston.

“2021 has been a tremendously challenging year for so many Australians and SecondBite could not have met the resultant increase in demand for food support without the backing of the entire Coles team.”

Coles and SecondBites have been in a partnership for the last 10 years and this long-term collaboration has carried over to Coles’ Together to Zero Hunger Sustainability Strategy.

“We are so grateful for the generosity Coles’ customers and team members have demonstrated for this very worthy appeal especially at a time when so many communities were under tough COVID- 19 restrictions,” Coles CEO Steven Cain said.

“SecondBite’s important work of collecting and redistributing food for vulnerable people aligns powerfully with our purpose to sustainably feed all Australians to help them lead healthier, happier lives.”

Albany Creek State High School Students Aiming for Salute to Excellence Awards

Three students from Albany Creek State High School battled it out with 21 other students from Queensland at the recently concluded 24th annual QTIC Salute to Excellence Awards Skills Test Day to gain the title of the best in the state in three categories: Tourism, Food and Beverage and Cookery.

At the start of 2021, the next generation of tourism and hospitality leaders participated at the Vocational Education and Training (VET) schools.

On 28 June 2021, all 24 competitors successfully completed the Skills Test where they went through a rigorous program comprising a cookery competition in a commercial kitchen, a food and beverage service competition, and a tourism holiday itinerary presentation. The students were also interviewed and assessed by a panel of judges.

The final judging round will close on 8 July and the winners will be announced during a special ceremony on 26 July at the Hilton Hotel.

“After I began my tourism course, working in the tourism industry became a serious consideration for my after-school career options. Salute to Excellence has given me the opportunity to develop my skills and knowledge and expand my experience with tourism,” Georgia Newell, the Albany Creek student said.

“I enjoy the ability to help people achieve and enjoy their dream holiday or experience. Having to push myself to prepare for Salute to Excellence has taught me so much about the tourism industry while also allowing me to expand my career options and passion for tourism.”

Fellow student Linh Nguyen was inspired to join the Salute to Excellence Awards after virtually witnessing the activities in 2020.

“After listening to the guest speakers front QTIC, and Young Tourism Ambassador, I was amazed by the opportunities available in the tourism industry. By entering the competition, I have challenged myself and gained valuable experiences,” Linh said, adding that the experience allowed the student to gain valuable and develop a professional resume.

Leisel Clements believed she could do well in the Salute to Excellence program after getting a nudge from her teacher.

“I read into it and became really interested as its a great opportunity to become a part of the tourism industry,” Leisel said.

“I most enjoy learning about the domestic tourism in Australia, specifically Outback Queensland as not many people hear about it too often. I’m hoping to gain more knowledge and experience that in future I can apply in the tourism industry.”

QTIC Chief Executive Daniel Gschwind said that it was inspiring to watch the students compete with passion.

“With the current skill shortages, it has never been more important to support emerging professionals and equipping them with the skills to take on the opportunities our industry offers,” Mr Gschwind said. “It is important to put a spotlight on the importance of vocational education and training in secondary schools across the state, that is where we will find the next leaders in for industry”.

To learn more about the Salute to Excellence Awards, visit the Queensland Tourism Industry Council website.

Albany Creek Brumbies Set Up New Girls Rugby Academy

The Albany Creek Brumbies have set up the all-new Girls Rugby Academy, which launched in April 2021, to provide girls with the opportunity to enhance their performance in rugby.

With the rising number of female rugby players in schools throughout the district, the Albany Creek Brumbies is providing new avenues for training and skills development through this program at the South Pine Sporting Complex in Brendale.

Training at the Girls Rugby Academy, which began on the 20th of April 2021, is set to run for a total of 20 weeks, and girls between the ages of 6-16 are free to join at any time all throughout the program for the price of $80 per player, per annum. Training will be carried out by accredited coaches who will visit throughout the year to instruct members of the academy.

The academy aims to create an environment that maximises the development of the girls’ foundation skills as well as give them confidence in the sport in the 7’s, 10’s, or 15’s comps. They take great pride in their ability to provide and intend to support the influx of newer female rugby players.

Photo credit: Facebook/Albany Creek Brumbies GPS Junior Rugby Club

Numbers have been increasing ever since 2018, where the number of girls at the Brumbies steadily rose. In fact, new entries have tripled in 2021 in comparison to the previous year, and the sport is quickly becoming more popular with the younger generations. Currently, girls make up 10 per cent of registered players at the rugby club.

Each session runs from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. every Tuesday for 20 weeks, with the exception of school holidays. Those interested in registering can learn more about the process here.

The Albany Creek Brumbies can be found at the South Pine Sports Complex in 620 South Pine Road, Brendale. For more information, visit their website here. Follow their Facebook page for the latest updates and special announcements concerning the club and other related activities.

Suburbs Near Albany Creek Where Buying A Home Is Better Than Renting

Photo credit: nattanan23/Pixabay

In Brisbane, there are suburbs where it would be more cost-effective to buy a home rather than rent. If you’re looking for places near or around Albany Creek where the median house price (currently at $645,000) is slightly higher than Queensland’s current median house price, you’ll be glad to know that five suburbs located north and east of the suburb are on the list.

The latest data provided by PRD Research shows Lawnton is the most affordable suburb near Albany Creek, with a median price of $250,000. Located around eight kilometres north of the suburb, Lawnton is great for public transport, childcare, schools, park and recreation.

Suburb near Albany Creek	Median Price	20% deposit	Monthly repayment	Weekly repayment	Median weekly rent 2020	Mortgage vs rent difference
Bald Hills	$485,000	$97,000	$1,690	$423	$420	0.6%
Bracken Ridge	$329,000	$65,800	$1,132	$283	$380	-25.5%
Brendale	$275,000	$55,000	$946	$237	$350	-32.4%
Lawnton	$250,000	$50,000	$860	$215	$300	-28.3%
Strathpine	$465,000	$93,000	$1,614	$404	$400	0.9%

Whilst Bald Hills came with a $485,000 median price, slightly more expensive than the other suburbs on the list, it’s still less than the current median value for houses which is at $593,232 as of 2021.

Strathpine, which is a 14-minute drive from Albany Creek, is a great option for public transport and eating out, and for people who prefer suburbs with many shopping options and proximity to medical facilities.

Five minutes from Strathpine will lead you to Brendale, which is by far the most affordable suburb near Albany Creek. Brendale may be the perfect option for families with kids because of the many childcare services, clean and green areas, and low-cost living.

For many, renting a house is way more convenient than buying one. Renting a home is the best choice for people who aren’t prepared yet for the large financial responsibility of owning one.

But that doesn’t mean renting does not come with disadvantages. The Bank of Queensland says that due to the regular changes in the property market, property managers and landlords are within their rights to change the rent amount once a lease ends.

“In some cases, this might force renters to move out and find a cheaper place, which can be a highly stressful time, especially if you weren’t ready to go yet. Additionally, rent never stops – home owners can pay off a mortgage, but renting means you will need to make those rental payments forever,” BOQ added.

Renting or buying a unit or an apartment in Brisbane is a different story. The latest data reveals the median value for units is at $396,183. The lower rate does not come as a surprise, since the Brisbane Unit market has been experiencing oversupply since the construction of units boomed in 2016.

Oversupply of units in the city, particularly in the CBD, can affect capital growth that there have been moderate declines in prices of units over recent years. Because of this, there are lenders who decline applications for loaning money for unit purchases in some areas of Brisbane. Other lenders require higher deposits.

Despite the oversupply, buying a unit in Brisbane can still be a good choice if the fund is limited. They are mostly located near major employment centres and other amenities, not to mention that they often achieve higher rental returns compared to houses and townhouses.

Albany Creek Woman With Dementia Struggles to Find Vaccination

An elderly woman resident of Aveo Freedom Care Albany Creek, who is suffering from severe dementia, was forced to arrange her own COVID-19 vaccination, much to the dismay of her family.

The woman, who will remain anonymous, lives in her own apartment but requires a lot of support from the care community watching over her. Her dementia has progressed to the point where she cannot even recognise her own family.

However, Aveo’s call for its residents to get vaccinated despite their own lack of a supply means she and many other elderly people will have to venture outside to receive their vaccinations. This will cause great fear in residents with dementia as they will be taken out of comfortable and familiar spaces.

Though four of Aveo’s Commonwealth-funded facilities fall under Phase 1A of the CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout recommendations, their Freedom Care Communities such as the one in Albany Creek fall under Phase 1B which means they are not currently eligible to receive vaccines.

It will allegedly take the anonymous woman six weeks to go through the necessary steps required to arrange a clinic appointment for vaccination, according to her family. Her regular clinic does not administer vaccines. Given the current state of the woman’s dementia, it would be difficult to change her environment and she would be unable to do so alone.

The Sistahood: New Eco-Friendly Online Store in Bald Hills

The Sistahood, an Australian-based online store founded by two Bald Hills women, delivers a variety of eco-friendly products to customers all across the country. The store was created to support local businesses and inspire other people to use eco-friendly and sustainable products.

Nella and Shelley founded the all-women company in October 2020, after a series of sisterly chats.

Among the company’s core beliefs is self-care and good health for the body, mind, and soul. As The Sistahood grows, the Bald Hills duo also supports various initiatives and organisations, such as a foundation that supports Women’s Health.

Nella and Shelley, founders of The Sistahood
Photo credit: The Sistahood

One of the products available at their online store is tea from the local brand Life of Cha. The tea comes in six different variants: the herbal Heal, Crystal and Zzz teas, and the caffeinated Balance, Spiced and Le Grey teas. Each tea variant provides various health benefits, is calorie-free, and full of nutrients, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Another popular product is Seagull Milk, a locally-produced and family-owned sunscreen created for users with particularly sensitive skin types such as those with eczema or psoriasis. The sunscreen itself is a scented, non-slip, non-greasy Mineral formulation suitable for people of all ages. Part of the proceeds for each tube of Seagull Milk is donated to Take3, an advocacy group against ocean plastic pollution.

The Sistahood is currently having a special sale of their travel mugs. Customers can buy two mugs and receive the third at 50% off at checkout. Among their mugs is the ChaBottle from Life of Cha, a portable tea bottle with a built-in, 2-in-1 infuser and double-wall glass insulation. The ChaBottle is made from eco-friendly materials like borosilicate glass and bamboo.

For more information on The Sistahood and their products, visit their website. Follow their social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates on special deals, dates, and other important announcements.

Albany Creek in First Vaccine Rollout for Queensland

Albany Creek has been included among the first 41 locations in Queensland that will carry out Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine program commencing on the week of 21 February 2021.

Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt announced the start of the rollout of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, with priority for aged and disability care residents, as well as the facility workers.

There are over 240 aged and disability care facilities across the country and the Federal Government expects to vaccinate all residents and care workers in the next six weeks.

Mr Hunt confirmed that the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines have arrived following approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Supplies of AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccines, on the other hand, are expected to be in Australia by March.

“These are two outstanding vaccines that will be available to people in Australia free of charge,” Mr Hunt said.

“The vaccination program will save and protect lives. Both of our vaccines will prevent serious illness. That is our primary goal.”

Along with the initial rollout, Queensland will activate three vaccine hubs at the Gold Coast University Hospital, Cairns Hospital and the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Woolloongabba.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said that 100 vaccines will be given to Gold Coast by Monday, 22 Feb 2021, whilst Princess Alexandra Hospital will receive the vaccines on Wednesday and Cairns will get the vials on Friday.

Ms Palaszczuk also said that rollout will start slowly and individuals will be asked to go to their specific centres. As the next supplies arrive, the hubs will be expanded.

The COVID vaccine will start to roll out in Queensland from next week.

Here’s how it will work 👇 pic.twitter.com/Nkbh4OVG1t
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) February 17, 2021

Meanwhile, border, quarantine and frontline healthcare workers are also part of the first rollout. Health Department head Brendan Murphy said that the vaccination program is expected to be the “single-biggest, and most complex, vaccination task” with many players involved.

Check the full list of vaccination locations for the first rollout via the Department of Health.

Albany Creek Skate Park New Design Needs Your Feedback

The Albany Creek skate park on Old Northern Road, along with the skate parks in Morayfield and Deception Bay, are getting a major redesign.

In line with this development, Moreton Bay Council has opened a feedback page where residents could share their inputs before work on these outdoor community facilities could proceed.

Mayor Peter Flannery said that $3.8 million has been set aside for this project under the Council’s Park and Sporting Facilities. He hopes that many skaters, BMX riders and scooters will share their ideas and comments about the designs since they will be using and enjoying the facilities the most.

Albany Creek Skate Park — Photo Credit: Brennan Gergory Hatton/Google Maps

Mr Flannery said that the range of designs for all three parks was based on 400 survey responses Council received during the initial consultation process in 2020.

The community told Council that they want a family-friendly skate park, with “adequate lighting and shade” and challenging obstacles for the skaters, scooters and riders to improve their skills.

The mayor also said that skate parks in North Lakes, Caboolture, Bray Park and Redcliffe will be up for consultation as well whilst these initial projects are underway.

The Council will need your say about the Albany Creek skate park design until Friday, 26 Feb 2021.

White Horse Ranch: VEND Marketplace Owners Open New Cafe in Albany Creek

Brisbane northside locals will soon have a new watering hole in Albany Creek when the cafe, White Horse Ranch, starts serving customers from breakfast to dinner.

Found at the corner of Ferguson Street, the location of White Horse Ranch is a familiar foodie spot. It was once the home of the burger joint Fritzenberger and The Coffee Club from years ago.

Now the cafe owners, Amy Hinschen and Kyle Steel, hope that their new venture will become an amazing place for families and friends to meet up, catch up, dine and hang around with their dogs.

The partners chose the name White Horse Ranch because it reflects the “feel and style” they’ve wanted for their cafe with its white beams, gorgeous indoor landscape mural and large outdoor space bringing all that laidback vibe.

“It’s great to finally see something a little unique and different from the usual cafes on offer around the area,” a local said. “Well done guys for understanding what we’ve been missing out here in the Northern suburbs! Looking forward to a lovely change of scenery from the home office!”

The cafe also has a function area and homeware section for merchandise that will be regularly curated by the pair. They are also behind Vend, the Virginia warehouse for small businesses with fantastic artisanal finds, including heaps of indoor plants.

Amy and Kyle plan to open White Horse Ranch in late January, which will provide 10 new jobs for locals. The menu hasn’t been unveiled but the partners promised there will be vegan options.

For updates on its opening day and other cafe deals, follow their Facebook page.