Bracken Ridge Archives - Albany Creek News

Bracken Ridge Students Shine with Record-Breaking ATAR Results

St John Fisher College in Bracken Ridge is celebrating the exceptional achievements of its 2024 graduates. This year’s cohort delivered outstanding results, with 15 subject scores exceeding 98 per cent.

Their hard work and dedication were recognised in Brisbane Catholic Education’s (BCE) inaugural Student Excellence Awards, which honour top-performing students across the region.

Bracken Ridge students — *Photo Credit: St John Fisher College*

A Culture of Excellence

Academic excellence is at the heart of St John Fisher College. This year’s results are a testament to the school’s unwavering commitment to student success. An impressive 10 per cent of graduates achieved an ATAR above 98. Meanwhile, 28 per cent secured an ATAR of 90 or higher.

The school credits these achievements to its personalised approach to learning. Students receive tailored guidance and support throughout their academic journeys. By fostering a culture that encourages high achievement, the College ensures every student is empowered to reach their full potential.

Tailored Pathways for Success

St John Fisher College offers diverse educational pathways to prepare students for the future. From Year 10, students explore various academic and vocational opportunities. This initiative lets them make informed choices about their senior studies and post-school plans.

The College actively encourages students to consider ATAR-focused academic programs and vocational education. This ensures their chosen pathways align with their strengths, interests, and long-term aspirations.

Beyond the Classroom: Real-World Learning

Learning at St John Fisher College extends well beyond textbooks and classrooms. Students gain hands-on experience through school-based traineeships, TAFE courses, and online education programs, which help them develop industry-relevant skills before graduation.

Brisbane Catholic Education’s Student Excellence Award — *Photo Credit: St John Fisher College*

The school also connects students with growth industries, government-funded courses, and scholarship opportunities. Programs such as Headstart and the Australian Qualifications Framework equip students with the skills needed for tertiary education and the workforce.

St John Fisher College sets a standard for student achievement in Bracken Ridge. Its graduates excel academically and are prepared for success in the world.

Published 4-Mar-2025

Gateway Motorway Upgrade to Tackle Traffic Congestion from Bracken Ridge to Brays Road

Photo Credit: Transport and Main Roads

More than 160,000 vehicles currently travel the Gateway Motorway and Bruce Highway corridor daily, and with traffic predicted to increase by 50% by 2041, a major $2 billion upgrade is planned to improve traffic flow for commuters between Bracken Ridge and Brays Road.

The project, which will span from Bracken Ridge to Anzac Avenue at North Lakes, aims to address the increasing traffic demands resulting from the region’s significant population growth.

Project Overview

The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is undertaking the large-scale project, divided into several stages.

The initial focus will be upgrading the Gateway Motorway from Bracken Ridge to Pine River and the Bruce Highway from the Gateway Motorway interchange to Dohles Rocks Road. Later stages will address further improvements along the Bruce Highway towards Anzac Avenue.

Stage 1: Gateway Motorway and Bruce Highway Interchange

The first stage of the project, estimated to cost $1 billion, will concentrate on the area between Bracken Ridge and Pine River. Construction is scheduled to commence in 2026, following design work set to begin in 2024. This stage will see the Gateway Motorway widened with extra lanes and improvements made to the connections with Bracken Ridge Road and Deagon Deviation.

The motorway curve at Bracken Ridge will also be upgraded, and a new Wyampa Road bridge will be constructed. To minimise the impact on residents, noise barriers will be installed, and fauna fencing and underpasses will be included to protect local wildlife.

Stage 2: Bruce Highway to Dohles Rocks Road

Design work will also begin 2024 for the second stage, a $948 million upgrade of the Bruce Highway from the Gateway Motorway interchange to Dohles Rocks Road.

This stage will involve the construction of collector-distributor roads on either side of the highway, along with two new bridges over the Pine River. A dedicated fauna underpass and an extended active transport pathway are also planned for this section.

Future Stages and Property Impacts

Future stages of the project will include further upgrades to the Bruce Highway between Dohles Rocks Road and Anzac Avenue and improvements to the Gympie Arterial Road and Anzac Avenue interchange. TMR has indicated that some property acquisition will be necessary to facilitate the Gateway Motorway and Bruce Highway expansion.

Residents in Bracken Ridge, Bald Hills, Sandgate, Murrumba Downs, and Griffin who are directly affected by these acquisitions will receive updates from TMR in the coming weeks. The department has completed integrated planning for the upgrades, considering the projected traffic increases and aiming to provide a long-term solution for the growing region.

Published Date 04-Feb-2025

Bracken Ridge Takes Centre Stage in Trent Dalton’s ‘Boy Swallows Universe’

In “Boy Swallows Universe,” author Trent Dalton paints a vivid picture of life in Bracken Ridge, where the novel’s young protagonists face their toughest challenges.

Overview of “Boy Swallows Universe”

“Boy Swallows Universe” has captured the hearts of readers nationwide with its gripping narrative and deep, emotional resonance. Set predominantly in Bracken Ridge, the novel explores the tumultuous life of its protagonist, Eli Bell, as he navigates a world of crime and adversity.

Since its release in 2019, the book has not only become a bestseller but has also been acclaimed for its authentic portrayal of the struggles faced by those living on the fringes of society.

Impact of Bracken Ridge on the Story

Bracken Ridge plays a significant role in Mr Dalton’s narrative beyond just being a setting; it is essential to the story’s foundation and significantly influences the lives and choices of its characters.

Bracken Ridge home of Trent Dalton — *Photo Credit: realestate.com.au*

The novel’s depiction of the suburb mirrors genuine socioeconomic difficulties such as poverty and domestic abuse, which deeply impact the characters.

Key events in the narrative, such as Eli’s confrontations with local criminals and his experiences of family turmoil, are deeply intertwined with the setting, highlighting how the environment can impact personal growth and resilience.

Mr Dalton weaves significant themes through the fabric of “Boy Swallows Universe.” Resilience, hope, and the quest for a brighter future stand out against the harsh realities of Bracken Ridge. The suburb’s gritty reality tests the characters, especially Eli and his brother Augustus, pushing them toward emotional and moral growth.

“Boy Swallows Universe” is more than just a story about growing up; it is a cultural commentary on the struggles and triumphs of life in Bracken Ridge. Through Eli and Augustus’s eyes, readers experience the harsh realities and hopeful aspirations of those living in this Brisbane suburb.

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About Trent Dalton

Born and raised in Brisbane, Mr Dalton’s upbringing in the outer suburbs of Brisbane significantly influenced his literary work. Mr Dalton, who attended Bracken Ridge State High School, began his career in journalism, gaining recognition as a skilled feature writer for the Weekend Australian Magazine, where his ability to tell captivating stories about everyday Australians won him national acclaim.

Dalton’s breakthrough as a novelist came with his debut novel. “Boy Swallows Universe” received widespread critical acclaim and multiple awards, including the 2019 Indie Book of the Year and the UTS Glenda Adams Award for New Writing. The novel was also adapted into a Netflix series.

Following this success, Dalton continued to explore deep and varied themes in subsequent novels such as “All Our Shimmering Skies” and “Love Stories.” His writing often intertwines personal history with fiction, characterized by a poignant and evocative style that resonates with a broad audience. Mr Dalton remains a prominent figure in Australian literature, admired for his ability to blend profound emotional depth with distinctly Australian settings and stories.

Published 30-Sept-2024

Bracken Ridge Students Brew Up Success with Origin Tea

Photo Credit: Facebook / St John Fisher College

Three 16-year-old students from St John Fisher College in Bracken Ridge have become the unexpected faces of Queensland’s Origin Tea company.

Charlotte Crago, Grace Bell, and Simrat Gill impressed the company’s founders with their innovative marketing ideas, leading to their immediate hiring.

The opportunity arose through a competition organised by Queensland University of Technology’s (QUT) Business School, which challenged over 120 high school students to develop strategies for building a tea culture among Generation Z. The Bracken Ridge trio’s “spill the tea” campaign caught the eye of Origin Tea’s founders, brothers Chris and Lawrence Seaton.

Their creative concept revolves around fostering connections and sharing news over a cup of tea, embodied in the tagline “there’s a juicy conversation brewing in every cup of Origin Tea.” This fresh approach is now being rolled out across Origin Tea’s Instagram and TikTok channels, aiming to resonate with younger consumers.

For Chris Seaton, this collaboration represents a full-circle moment. He initially conceptualised the tea business during his own marketing studies at QUT. Twelve years later, Origin Tea has become one of Australia’s fastest-growing consumer tea brands, with a presence in over 1,000 cafés, international markets, and Woolworths supermarkets.

The experience has been equally rewarding for the students. Grace Bell expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “The opportunity to work with Origin Tea was an enriching experience because I got to work with a real-world business and gain valuable insight into the field.”

Looking ahead, both Grace and Simrat are considering studying business and law at QUT after completing high school. Charlotte is also interested in pursuing a business degree, potentially majoring in entrepreneurship, international business, or marketing.

Published 18-September-2024

Government Initiative Boosts Bracken Ridge Popularity Among First-Home Buyers

It looks like Bracken Ridge is quite popular among first-home buyers, thanks to a boost provided by the government’s First Home Loan Deposit Scheme, the latest research by the REA Group says.

The latest realestate.com.au data reveal that in terms of inquiries for houses from first-home buyers, Rochedale South was the top suburb. First-home buyers also flock to Springfield Lakes, Bracken Ridge, Morayfield, and Forest Lake to shop for their dream home. Meanwhile, Brisbane City and Toowong had the most inquiries for units, followed by Taringa, Nundah, and West End.

Consequently, a rise in first-home buyers have been observed in Brisbane, an increase of more than a third in January from the same month in 2019, data from realestate.com.au said.

First Home Loan Deposit Scheme was introduced on 1 January 2020, and since then, there have already been more than 700 people who gained pre-approved place in First Home Loan Deposit Scheme (FHLDS) in Queensland. Almost 6,000 of the 10,000 places have been guaranteed nationwide, whilst another 3,000 places have moved to the pre-approval stage.

Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics also seem to reflect the interest generated among first-home buyers by the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme, even before the scheme officially started.

As revealed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the number of first-home buyer loan commitment have risen 6.2 percent in seasonally adjusted terms in December 2019. The annual percent change for owner occupier first home buyer commitments was also up 21.3 percent from December 2018.

About First Home Loan Deposit Scheme

The First Home Loan Deposit Scheme is an Australian Government initiative that aims to help eligible first home buyers purchase a home with a deposit of as little as five percent. The scheme allows NHIFC to guarantee part of the first-home buyer’s home loan from a participating lender, beginning 1 January 2020.

National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC) has already released 10,000 First Home Loan Deposit Scheme places and another 10,000 will be made available from July 2020.

The loan guarantee is subject to criteria including a taxable income of up to $125,000 per year for singles or a taxable income of up to $200,000 per year for couples; incomes would be assessed for the financial year preceding the one in which the loan is entered into.

The list of participating lenders can be found here.