The Moreton Bay resident discovered his luck following the Weekday Windfall draw 4696, which took place on a recent Wednesday night. After purchasing a System 7 entry through The Lott’s official website, he checked his numbers before heading to bed. The local winner mentioned that the discovery led to his most restful night of sleep ever.
He explained that the timing of the win is particularly helpful because he is currently very close to finishing his working years and entering retirement.
While the man immediately informed his wife of the million-dollar surprise, the couple has chosen to handle the news with a bit of privacy. He noted that although they have children, they have decided to keep the windfall a secret between the two of them for the time being. This gives them space to process the change and figure out their next steps as a family. The winner expressed great excitement and gratitude when officials confirmed his million-dollar bounty the following morning.
The Arana Hills local does not plan on spending the money on a whim. He shared his intention to book an appointment with a financial professional to ensure the win sets up a comfortable and secure future. This specific win was one of over 340 division one prizes handed out so far this financial year. For the local community, it serves as a reminder that major wins can happen right in their own neighbourhood.
Fire trail works have commenced at 309 Eatons Crossing Road in Eatons Hill and 519 Bunya Road in Bunya, two of five sites across Moreton Bay where access tracks are being established to support controlled ecological burns and protect native species from the threat of uncontrolled wildfire.
The works, which run through to late June, are taking place on land acquired through the Land Buyback for Environmental Purposes Program, a voluntary scheme that has secured more than 100 hectares of key environmental land across the City of Moreton Bay since its introduction in 2020.
For Albany Creek residents, both the Eatons Hill and Bunya locations sit within the Hills District bushland corridor that forms the green backdrop of the suburb’s western and southern edges.
At 519 Bunya Road, the works also include targeted vegetation management to reduce a section of weed infestation and understory bushfire fuel load alongside the fire trail establishment. The same additional vegetation work is occurring at the fifth site, 114 Collins Road in Everton Hills. The remaining two sites in the current program are at 2 Flowers Road, Caboolture and 18 Jagera Court, Closeburn.
Tracks built to follow what was already there
The new fire trails have been specifically designed to minimise ecological impact. The majority follow pre-existing trails or farm tracks that already cross these properties, reducing the need for new vegetation clearing.
Native canopy trees will remain in place throughout, and the design of each trail has been guided by the need to avoid or minimise impact on sensitive ecological features and protected species.
Qualified and licensed fauna spotter-catchers are present on site during all works to monitor and protect native wildlife. It is the same precautionary approach used during the ecological burns themselves, where fauna spotters watch for koalas and other animals in and around the burn area throughout the operation.
Fire as a tool for biodiversity
The purpose of establishing fire trails is not simply about access for fire trucks. In the ecology of South East Queensland’s bushland, controlled fire is an active management tool. Banksias rely on heat to open their seed cones.
Grass trees, abundant in the Hills District bushland, regenerate strongly after burns and produce the flower spikes that provide critical nectar for birds and native bees. Ground-layer species that are gradually suppressed by fuel build-up recover after a burn that removes competing material and allows light back to the soil.
Without controlled burns, fuel loads accumulate to the point where any ignition, whether from lightning, ember cast from a distant fire or another source, produces an uncontrolled fire of much greater intensity. That kind of fire can destroy the nesting hollows, streamside vegetation and ground habitat that koalas, platypus and ground-nesting birds depend on.
The Moreton Bay region has recorded platypus across 37 creeks and waterways, and some of those run through the bushland connected to the Eatons Hill and Bunya sites.
The Land Buyback Program was updated in July 2025 to place greater emphasis on conservation-significant wildlife habitats and restoring native vegetation on previously cleared areas. The program supports a target to maintain 42 per cent native vegetation cover across the City of Moreton Bay, with a view to increasing that figure over time.
Stay informed during burns
Works are expected to run through to late June 2026. Residents near any of the five sites may notice machinery activity in the coming weeks as trail construction progresses. When controlled burns are carried out on these sites in the future, MoretonAlert notifications will go to registered residents in the surrounding area ahead of ignition.
To sign up for MoretonAlert and receive planned burn notifications for your area, click this link. More information about the Land Buyback for Environmental Purposes Program can be viewed here.
Hip Hops Brewers is heading to Japan, joining a Moreton Bay trade delegation bound for SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026, one of Asia’s largest global innovation conferences, armed with award-winning beer, a gold medal lager already known in Japan, and serious ambitions for what a small regional brewery can achieve on the world stage.
The timing is significant. The brewery won 19 medals at the recent Royal Queensland Beer Awards, its best result yet, including three gold, 11 silver and four bronze.
That haul arrives just as owner and director Shaun Reeves boards a flight to Tokyo Big Sight, where the three-day event runs from 27–29 April 2026 and draws city leaders from 49 countries, 750 startup exhibitors and more than 10,000 pre-arranged business meetings between organisations looking for international partners and collaborators.
For a brewery that opened inside The Sheds precinct in 2023 and took years to get off the ground through freight delays, construction holdups and licensing complexity, the invitation to join the Moreton Bay overseas trade mission is a meaningful chapter.
“If you look at our little brewery you might say we’re a fair way away from having this sort of capacity to be a major export player,” Reeves said. “But if we had niche collaborations, niche partnerships we could look at possibilities and take advantage.”
The Beer That Already Has a Fan in Japan
Hip Hops Brewers is not walking into Tokyo cold. The brewery already has a profile there, built around one of its most inventive recent creations.
Late last year, when a delegation from Sanyo-Onoda visited Moreton Bay to mark the region’s 33-year friendship city relationship with the Japanese city, Reeves was asked to create a commemorative beer for the occasion.
The result was Tomodachi Lager, which translates to “friendship beer,” a Japanese-style rice lager built around two locally sourced ingredients: sea lettuce grown by researchers at the University of the Sunshine Coast Moreton Bay campus and yuzu citrus from a farm in Gympie.
“I had an idea for a sushi beer,” Reeves said. “(We) used fresh Moreton Bay seaweed sea lettuce, produced by UniSC, balanced it with yuzu from a farm in Gympie and came up with a beer we were happy with.”
The beer went on to win gold in the Hybrid Beer section at this year’s Royal Queensland Beer Awards. Last week, the Mayor of Sanyo-Onoda sent Reeves a letter of congratulations. “Which made my day!” Reeves said.
What Tokyo Holds for a Regional Brewery
Moreton Bay is one of the confirmed city partners at SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026, running its own reverse pitch session at the event, essentially inviting Japanese startups and organisations to identify collaboration opportunities with Moreton Bay businesses.
It is a format designed for deal-making, not just networking, and it places the delegation, and Hip Hops Brewers alongside it, in front of exactly the kind of Japanese organisations the brewery could partner with.
Reeves is going in with two parallel lines of inquiry. Through connections the City of Moreton Bay holds with Sanyo-Onoda and other Japanese partners, he wants to explore whether niche collaboration, perhaps a contract brewing arrangement, a co-branded product or a distribution foothold, could create a genuine export pathway for a brewery of Hip Hops’ scale.
The second thread is about what to bring back. Reeves has flagged one particular ambition.
“Is there a way we can get Queensland’s first sake production going?” Reeves said.
The delegation is paying its own way. Reeves is clear-eyed about what the trip is and is not.
“This is certainly not a junket. It’s a great opportunity to go because it can open doors a business operator would not be able to open,” he said.
He has also been working with Trade and Investment Queensland ahead of the trip to explore specific opportunities, going to Tokyo with groundwork already laid rather than starting from scratch at the conference.
Beers Built from Local Stories
Back in Brendale, the Royal Queensland medal haul reflects a brewing programme that is deeply embedded in the geography and history of the region.
Reeves’ approach to naming his beers, built around alliteration, local history and a genuine love of a good backstory, has produced a range that reads like a map of the Moreton Bay and northern Brisbane area: Lakeside Lager, Samford Sessions, Redcliffe Red, Petrie Pilsner, Samsonvale Stout and Griffin Golden Ale among them.
One recent award winner carries a story worth telling. Brentdale Buddies, which won silver in the Amber Dark Ale category, was a collaboration with Buddy Brewing from Burpengary. Buddy Brewing proposed an Irish red ale, and Reeves went looking for the Irish heritage in South Pine Road’s history.
“It was from the Davis family that (developer) Bill Bowden bought land and named his horse stud Brendale,” Reeves said. “That was after the Davis family’s original property back in Ireland called Brentdale. So there’s no spelling mistake… Bill just shortened it to Brendale.”
Visit the Taproom
Hip Hops Brewers operates from The Sheds at 264 South Pine Road, Brendale, a converted truck workshop with 21 taps, an in-house kitchen, a beer garden, live music and a dog-friendly outdoor area. The brewery is family-friendly and open for walk-ins, with weekend bookings recommended to avoid disappointment. Surcharges apply on public holidays.
For bookings and enquiries, phone (07) 3448 9339 or message via the Hip Hops Brewers Facebook page. Follow the brewery on Instagram at @hiphopsbrewers for updates on the Tokyo trip and new seasonal releases.
Residents across Moreton Bay are waking to smoke drifting over suburbs as planned burn-offs begin across bushland areas, with fire crews lighting controlled fires to reduce the threat of bushfires before peak season. From Bribie Island to Upper Caboolture, these managed burns are already affecting nearby communities, with smoke expected to hang in the air for days even after flames are extinguished.
The burns began with activity recorded around April 15 and continuing through April 16, according to local authorities. Crews carried out operations in areas including Bribie Island, particularly near Mermaid Lagoon, as well as Upper Caboolture, while new sites such as Albany Creek were scheduled to follow as conditions allowed.
Smoke spreads beyond burn zones into nearby suburbs
While the fires are controlled, the effects are not limited to the burn sites themselves. Smoke from operations near Banksia Beach has been reported drifting into nearby areas such as Toorbul and Sandstone Point, affecting visibility and air quality. Authorities have advised residents, especially those with respiratory conditions, to stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed when smoke is present.
Even after a burn is completed, crews continue to patrol and monitor the area for several days to ensure the fire remains contained. This means some suburbs may continue to experience smoke or restricted access beyond the initial burn period.
Moreton Bay hazard reduction burns: affected suburbs and status
Suburb / Area
Burn Status
Community Impact
Bribie Island (Banksia Beach)
Completed / Recent
Smoke lingering, monitoring ongoing
Upper Caboolture
Completed / Recent
Possible residual smoke, patrols in place
Albany Creek
Scheduled / Likely underway
Possible smoke if conditions met
Toorbul
Indirect impact
Smoke drift reported from nearby burns
Sandstone Point
Indirect impact
Smoke drift affecting area
Bellara
Planned
Future burn, timing dependent on weather
Burpengary
Planned
Future burn, no fixed schedule
Caboolture
Planned
Future burn, no fixed schedule
Deception Bay
Planned
Future burn, no fixed schedule
Griffin
Planned
Future burn, no fixed schedule
Mount Glorious
Planned
Future burn in bushland areas
Ningi
Planned
Future burn, timing to be confirmed
Whiteside
Planned
Future burn, no fixed schedule
Woodford
Planned
Future burn, rural bushland areas
No fixed schedule as weather dictates next burns
Although more than a dozen additional burn sites have been identified across Moreton Bay, including Burpengary, Deception Bay, Griffin and Woodford, there is no set timetable for when each location will be treated. Authorities rely on specific weather and environmental conditions before lighting any fire, meaning plans can shift quickly.
Burn season typically runs from March to August, but officials note that operations can take place at any time of the year if conditions are safe. This flexible approach is designed to ensure each burn can be carried out with minimal risk to surrounding communities.
Officials say the burns play a key role in reducing fuel loads such as dry leaves and fallen branches, which can feed dangerous bushfires during hotter months. At the same time, the process is managed to protect local wildlife and vegetation.
Before each burn, teams assess the site to identify sensitive habitats and species. Measures such as clearing around trees and monitoring wildlife during the burn are put in place. The use of aerial incendiary drones has also been introduced to help crews ignite fires more precisely, particularly in hard-to-reach terrain.
Authorities say these planned burns also support the natural cycle of some native plants, which rely on fire or smoke to trigger growth and seed release, helping maintain the region’s biodiversity.
Arana Hills and Ferny Hills could see major changes to their suburban landscape, with new planning proposals opening the door to higher-density housing in key areas.
The City of Moreton Bay has since extended the consultation period to 4:00 p.m. on April 24, 2026, and has urged residents to refer to official project information amid reports of misinformation circulating in the community.
Growth targets driving changes across local suburbs
Council’s statement confirms the scale of change facing the region, as it works to meet targets under the Shaping SEQ 2023. The plan requires Moreton Bay to prepare for more than 300,000 additional residents and over 125,000 new homes by 2046.
Council leaders have indicated that population growth is unavoidable and must be planned carefully to avoid strain on services and the environment. Rather than expanding further into undeveloped land, the approach focuses on increasing housing in already built-up areas.
This means directing future development into well-connected parts of Arana Hills and Ferny Hills, particularly near public transport, shopping centres and existing community services.
Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay
Higher-density pockets proposed near transport and centres
The draft plans outline potential zoning and building height changes aimed at supporting more housing in selected areas. Council representatives have indicated that higher-density development would be concentrated in pockets, including around the Ferny Grove train station and the Arana Hills commercial centre.
Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay
While the official release does not specify exact building heights, it confirms that changes are being considered to allow more diverse housing types. These may include apartments, retirement living and specialist accommodation, giving residents a broader range of housing options within their own communities.
Housing supply concerns raised alongside development plans
The planning push comes amid wider concerns about whether enough new homes can be delivered across South East Queensland. Industry analysis has suggested that a large share of the apartment pipeline could face delays in the coming years due to rising construction costs and labour shortages.
There are also expectations that major infrastructure projects linked to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games may draw workers away from residential construction, placing further pressure on housing delivery timelines.
At the same time, population growth in Queensland has outpaced new home construction in recent years, adding to the urgency around planning for future supply.
Community response highlights need for clearer detail
Locally, the proposals have prompted mixed reactions. Concerns raised include the need for clearer planning around infrastructure, design standards, and how natural risks and environmental impacts will be addressed.
Council representatives have acknowledged that infrastructure planning remains a key challenge and have indicated that more detailed work will follow after the current consultation phase. They encourage residents to review official materials, including draft Future Direction Reports and frequently asked questions, to better understand what is being proposed.
Officials have also stressed that the plans are still at an early stage and that community feedback will play an important role in shaping the final outcome.
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.
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.
The Carers Foundation Australia, in collaboration with Brendale businessman Mike Arieni and Solar Bollard Lighting, runs the Josh Arieni Legacy program to honour unpaid family and community carers by granting them an experience of their choice to rest, rejuvenate and feel genuinely appreciated for the work they do.
The program was established in 2023 in memory of Mike’s son Josh, who cared for his grandmother for several years before his death in a car accident in 2020. Josh Arieni was born in 1992 and was known for his kindness and compassion. Mike worked with The Carers Foundation to create a legacy that reflected those qualities, focusing on carers who give without recognition and rarely ask for help.
Photo Credit: The Carers Foundation
About The Carers Foundation Australia
The Carers Foundation Australia was established in 2015 under the leadership of founders Ronnie and Michael Benbow, delivering wellbeing programmes for unpaid family carers across Queensland and beyond. The organisation runs carer wellbeing retreats, wellness days and annual Christmas lunches across the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Moreton Bay, Brisbane and beyond, with each event attended by approximately 80 or more carers. All carers at Christmas lunches receive gift bags, recognising that many will not receive gifts on the day due to their caring responsibilities.
Photo Credit: Rhubarb Photography
The Carers Foundation sits within a broader context of significant unpaid care across Australia. Hundreds of thousands of Australians provide full-time unpaid care for family members, saving the health system billions of dollars annually while receiving little to no government support. Young unpaid carers number in the hundreds of thousands, with some as young as eight caring for a sick parent or sibling.
What the Josh Arieni Legacy Program Does
Each year, Mike Arieni dedicates funding through Solar Bollard Lighting, alongside contributions from supporters, to grant a small number of carers an experience of their choice. Community members, family or support workers can nominate a carer they know, or carers can nominate themselves, through The Carers Foundation website. Recipients receive a fully funded experience tailored to what they most need.
Past recipients have included George, who cared for his ageing mother while managing his own health challenges and fulfilled a lifelong ambition to complete a camel trek through outback South Australia. Samantha, who cared for her mother and uncle around the clock and had reached a breaking point, attended a five-day writers retreat that allowed her to reconnect with a creative life she had set aside.
Louise, a sole carer for more than two decades for her son who lives with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, spent two nights at Hastings Street, Noosa, and enjoyed a pamper day at a day spa. Bob and Val, who have cared for their daughter for more than 55 years following her birth with significant disabilities, received a five-night stay at Golden Beach. Anne, the mother of two boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy both requiring 24-hour care seven days a week, fulfilled her dream of visiting Sea World and swimming with dolphins.
John and Anna, the couple referenced in the source article, are among those receiving a gift this year through the program — a weekend away to recharge, which John described as something the couple was unaccustomed to but deeply needed after years of balancing full-time work with full-time caring responsibilities.
How to Nominate or Support the Program
Nominations for the Josh Arieni Legacy program are open to the public. Community members wanting to nominate a carer can do so through the nomination form at thecarersfoundation.org/josh-arieni-legacy. Those wishing to contribute financially to the program can donate at the same address. Solar Bollard Lighting, Mike Arieni’s Brendale business and the program’s founding supporter, is at solarbollardlighting.com. Further information about The Carers Foundation Australia’s full range of carer wellbeing programmes is at thecarersfoundation.org.
Cinemas across Moreton Bay light up this week with massive horror and fresh drama. Whether you’re in North Lakes, Strathpine, Redcliffe, or Morayfield, there’s something fresh to enjoy on the silver screen.
Opening This Week
Scream 7
In cinemas from 26 February
The rules have changed again. Ghostface returns to stalk a new generation in this massive horror blockbuster. Catch it at Event Cinemas North Lakes, Springfield Central, BCC Strathpine, Limelight (Ipswich, Morayfield), Bribie Cinema, and HOYTS Redcliffe.
Solo Mio
In cinemas from 26 February
A captivating new release hitting the region this week. Catch it at Event Cinemas North Lakes, Springfield Central, BCC Strathpine, Limelight (Ipswich, Morayfield), and HOYTS Redcliffe.
Still Showing
EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert
The ultimate tribute to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll continues at North Lakes, Strathpine, Morayfield, Bribie, and Redcliffe.
Fackham Hall
Catch the laugh-out-loud period comedy at North Lakes, Strathpine, Morayfield, Bribie, and Redcliffe.
Crime 101
The high-stakes thriller starring Chris Hemsworth is still showing at North Lakes, Strathpine, Morayfield, and Redcliffe.
Wuthering Heights
The sweeping gothic romance continues at North Lakes, Strathpine, Morayfield, Bribie, and Redcliffe.
Where to Watch
Event Cinemas North Lakes – Westfield North Lakes
BCC Cinemas Strathpine – Strathpine Centre
Limelight Cinemas Morayfield – Morayfield Shopping Centre
HOYTS Redcliffe – Peninsula Fair Shopping Centre
Bribie Cinema – Bongaree
From heart-pounding horror to incredible concert films, Moreton Bay’s cinemas are packed with great entertainment this week. Grab some popcorn and enjoy a local screening near you.
Cinemas across Moreton Bay light up this week with a global musical event and a laugh-out-loud comedy. Whether you’re in North Lakes, Strathpine, Redcliffe, or Morayfield, there’s something fresh to enjoy on the silver screen.
Opening This Week
EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert
In cinemas from 19 February
The King is back in the building! Don’t miss this spectacular concert event celebrating the life and music of Elvis Presley. Catch it at Event Cinemas North Lakes, Springfield Central, BCC Strathpine, Limelight (Ipswich, Morayfield), Bribie Cinema, and HOYTS Redcliffe.
Fackham Hall
In cinemas from 19 February
Get ready for a good laugh with this spoof of your favourite period dramas. Secrets, scandals, and slapstick await. Catch it at Event Cinemas North Lakes, Springfield Central, BCC Strathpine, Limelight (Ipswich, Morayfield), Bribie Cinema, and HOYTS Redcliffe.
Still Showing
Crime 101
The high-stakes crime thriller starring Chris Hemsworth continues at North Lakes, Strathpine, Morayfield, and Redcliffe.
Wuthering Heights
Catch the modern retelling of the gothic romance at North Lakes, Strathpine, Morayfield, Bribie, and Redcliffe.
Whistle
The horror continues… if you dare. Showing at North Lakes, Strathpine, Morayfield, and Redcliffe.
Avatar: Fire and Ash
The blockbuster sequel is still showing at North Lakes, Strathpine, Morayfield, and Redcliffe.
Where to Watch
Event Cinemas North Lakes – Westfield North Lakes
BCC Cinemas Strathpine – Strathpine Centre
Limelight Cinemas Morayfield – Morayfield Shopping Centre
HOYTS Redcliffe – Peninsula Fair Shopping Centre
Bribie Cinema – Bongaree
From musical legends to comedy capers, Moreton Bay’s cinemas are packed with great entertainment this week. Grab some popcorn and enjoy a local screening near you.
This weekend is a major turning point for local galleries: it is your last chance to see the optical illusions of Imperfect Pattern in Strathpine, while Redcliffe Art Gallery launches its first major solo exhibition of the year. For music lovers, the hinterland comes alive with opera in Maleny and classical strings in Montville.
How Soon Is Now?
21 February – 2 May 2026 | Redcliffe Art Gallery, Redcliffe Get Tickets
Opening this Saturday, this major exhibition by Bruce Reynolds brings together exquisite cast relief works and linoleum collages. It celebrates the physical in an increasingly digital world, drawing references from antiquity and the built environment.
Imperfect Pattern
13 December 2025 – 21 February 2026 | Pine Rivers Art Gallery, Strathpine Get Tickets
This is the final day to view this mind-bending exhibition. Don’t miss Lincoln Austin’s monumental corflute sculpture and other optical artworks that disrupt traditional symmetry before the gallery bumps out for its next show.
Shakespeare by Voxalis Opera
20 February 2026 | Maleny Community Centre, Maleny Get Tickets
Experience the drama of the Bard through the power of opera. In this intimate recital, Voxalis Opera performs extraordinary excerpts from masterpieces like Verdi’s Macbeth and Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, sung by some of Queensland’s finest classical voices.
Believe: A Musical Revue
21 February 2026 | Burpengary State Secondary College, Burpengary Get Tickets
Local talent takes the stage for a vibrant revue exploring themes of passion, purpose, and belief. Featuring a live band and a cast of energetic singers, it promises to be an uplifting night of community theatre.
Experience Lacemaking
21 February 2026 | Pine Rivers Heritage Museum, Whiteside Get Tickets
Watch history come to life in this hands-on demonstration. Members of the Queensland Lace Guild will be on site to showcase the intricate, historic art of bobbin lacemaking, offering a rare chance to see how these delicate textiles are created by hand.
Gelli Plate Printing Workshop with Robin Jensen
22 February 2026 | Bribie Island Community Arts Centre, Banksia Beach Get Tickets
Get messy and creative at the Bribie Arts Centre. Robin Jensen leads this workshop on “gelli plate” printing—a fun, immediate method of mono-printing that uses textures, stencils, and botanical elements to create unique, layered artworks.
Trove: A Three of Cups Group Exhibition
11 February – 8 March 2026 | Redcliffe Art Society, Redcliffe Get Tickets
Discover the “treasures” of local artists. Trove is a diverse group exhibition by the Three of Cups collective, exploring personal history and memory through painting, ceramics, assemblage, and more at the Old Fire Station Gallery.
Intro to Lindy Hop
21 February 2026 | C.C.S.A. Hall, Caloundra Get Tickets
Put on your dancing shoes! Swing Patrol brings the joy of the 1920s and 30s to Caloundra with a beginner-friendly workshop. Learn the basic steps of the Lindy Hop in a high-energy, social environment.
Contrasts 2: Diverse Music for String Quartet
22 February 2026 | St Mary’s Anglican Church, Montville Get Tickets
Spend a Sunday afternoon in the historic St Mary’s Church. The Riverbend Ensemble returns with a program that spans centuries, featuring works by Telemann, Philip Glass, and Rebecca Clarke that highlight the versatility of the string quartet.
Beachmere: The Collective Memories of a Seaside Village
14 February – 31 May 2026 | Bribie Island Seaside Museum, Bongaree Get Tickets
Take a nostalgic trip down memory lane. This newly opened exhibition captures the essence of Beachmere’s history through the stories and photographs of the locals who have called this seaside village home.
Changemakers: Crafting a Difference
4 February – 17 May 2026 | Pine Rivers Heritage Museum, Whiteside Get Tickets
Explore the powerful intersection of craft and activism. This exhibition showcases how makers throughout history have used textiles and banners to advocate for social change and protest injustice.
This weekend is a perfect example of the region’s diverse cultural offerings. You can start your Saturday learning the energetic Lindy Hop in Caloundra or the delicate art of lacemaking in Whiteside, and finish it with a thought-provoking new exhibition in Redcliffe. Don’t forget, if you haven’t seen the optical illusions at Pine Rivers Art Gallery, Saturday is your absolute last opportunity.
