Queensland’s rising track and field stars descended upon Adelaide in late August for the Australian Little Athletics Championships, with a strong contingent hailing from Strathpine.
The young athletes, representing various corners of the state, showcased their talents against the nation’s finest. The action was broadcast live and exclusively on KommunityTV. While the squad boasted a strong presence from the South East, regional athletes, including those from Strathpine, made up a significant portion of the team.
The athletes expressed their excitement about representing Queensland and highlighted the role of their local clubs in shaping their athletic journeys and personal development.
The Queensland team consisted of athletes with varying backgrounds and experiences. Some, like Eziah Ferguson-Salkic, were first-time representatives, while others, like Xanthee Watts, had competed nationally for several years. Each athlete brought unique skills and talents to the team.
The athletes emphasised their clubs’ supportive and encouraging atmosphere, fostering individual and team success. They also highlighted the opportunities that little athletics provides for personal growth and development.
The Strathpine Community Centre will transform into a gallery showcasing the creativity, passion, and unique perspectives of the region’s young artists.
This free exhibition from 12 October to 20 October offers a glimpse into the hearts and minds of young people, revealing their inspirations, concerns, and the stories they weave through their art. Visitors are invited to explore a diverse collection of two-dimensional and three-dimensional works, encompassing painting, drawing, sculpture, digital art, and more.
The exhibition will be open to the public from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekends. As an added highlight, attendees can vote for the People’s Choice Award, ensuring their voices contribute to recognising exceptional talent.
Aspiring artists residing in or attending school within the City of Moreton Bay are encouraged to submit their works for consideration. The competition features two categories—2D and 3D—with entries grouped by school grade level.
Both individual and collaborative school entries are welcome, with attractive prizes awaiting the winners. Individual winners in each grade level and art category will receive $200 in prise money, while placegetters will be awarded trophies and certificates. For schools participating in the collaborative section, a $1,000 scholarship for art workshops is up for grabs.
The deadline for entries is on Sunday, 8 September. Artworks can be delivered to the Strathpine Community Centre on Friday, 4 October, between 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. and must be collected on Monday, 21 October, between 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
The Moreton Bay Youth Art Awards exhibition celebrates the boundless creativity and potential of the region’s young artists. It’s an opportunity to support and encourage their artistic journeys while immersing themselves in a world of colour, expression, and imagination.
The awards ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, 19 October, will honour the winners and further highlight the importance of fostering artistic talent within the community.
Police are currently searching for multiple suspects following a failed ram-raid attempt on a tobacco store in Strathpine which occurred last night. The incident, which took place at Habibi’s Convenience and Tobacco Store on Gympie Road, has left one person injured and a stolen vehicle destroyed.
At approximately 10 PM on July 31, authorities were alerted to a white Nissan Navara dual-cab ute crashing into the bollards at the front of the recently opened shop. According to police reports, three individuals exited the vehicle and proceeded to set it on fire before assaulting a 26-year-old man from Warner who was in the vicinity.
The Queensland Fire Department responded swiftly, extinguishing the blaze by 10:25 PM. Their quick action prevented significant damage to the business, although minor fire and smoke damage was reported.
The Nissan Navara, which exploded into flames during the incident, was confirmed to have been stolen from an address in Booval between July 9 and 11. It was towed from the crime scene at around 11 AM today.
Eyewitness Teneale Wells, a Strathpine resident, described the scene: “As I got closer to it, I saw the engulfed car and a group of people were standing near the coffee shop. Then police arrived, and the fire truck came up behind me and a few minutes later another fire truck came from the other direction.”
The assault victim was transported to Prince Charles Hospital with minor facial injuries.
As of now, the suspects remain at large. Police have established a crime scene and are conducting ongoing investigations. They urge anyone with information related to the failed ram-raid in Strathpine to come forward and contact the authorities.
This exciting project promises to become the ultimate entertainment destination for families, boasting a range of attractions unlike anything seen before in the region.
Area 51, known for having Australia’s largest indoor family entertainment complex in Underwood, will run a massive play centre that will serve as the development’s focal point. This sprawling 6,000-square-metre space will offer boundless fun for children of all ages.
Thrill-seekers won’t be disappointed either. A multi-level go-kart track, meticulously designed by world-leading Slovenian specialists 360 Karting, will be a unique addition to Brisbane’s entertainment landscape. Adrenaline-pumping races across three levels are sure to provide an exhilarating experience for both seasoned racers and curious newcomers.
The award-winning Comiskey Group’s development is not just for kids. The 3,500-square-metre hotel will cater to adults as well, featuring two restaurants, an arcade, eight bowling lanes, and an American-style sports bar. This creates a complete entertainment package for families, allowing parents to unwind while their children indulge in the play centre and go-kart track.
Adding to the diverse offerings, a dedicated food precinct will be established, with Guzman y Gomez already confirmed as a prominent tenant. This ensures a range of delicious dining options for visitors throughout the day.
“We wanted to create something truly unique,” said Rob Comiskey, director of the Comiskey Group.
The three-level go-kart track, which experts from Slovenia designed, is something Brisbane has never seen before, and the play centre will be the biggest on the northside.
This project goes beyond mere entertainment. Mr. Comiskey emphasises the development’s role in addressing the northside’s lack of family-oriented attractions.
“There’s a significant gap compared to the southside,” he acknowledges. “We’re thrilled to be creating a destination that draws families from across the entire north Brisbane region.”
The hotel itself will pay homage to Strathpine’s history. “The Country Club Hotel” moniker is a nod to a well-known establishment that once stood in the area.
“It was a local landmark,” Mr. Comiskey reminisces. “By reviving this name, we hope to honour Strathpine’s past while creating a vibrant new chapter for its future.”
Construction is slated to begin later this year, generating a substantial number of jobs. The project is estimated to create a total of 476 positions, including both permanent roles and opportunities during the construction phase.
This development promises to breathe new life into Strathpine, transforming it into a vibrant entertainment hub for families across Brisbane’s northside. With its unique combination of attractions, dining options, and historical connection, the Country Club Hotel precinct is poised to become a landmark destination.
Did you know that the “Pink Tide” of the International Women’s Day Fun Run in Queensland raised $1.78 million for breast cancer, with a record number of participants in Brisbane and more online? Notable among the participants was Dr Rebecca Langdon of Strathpine, who honoured her friend’s memory through her inflatable breast costume.
This historic event, now in its 33rd year, witnessed a record turnout of 23,000 participants in Brisbane, alongside 3,500 people joining virtually from various Queensland communities, including Bowen, Bundaberg, and the Sunshine Coast.
Spearheaded by the Foundation Mater Group and presented by Queensland X-Ray, this year’s event saw people of all ages running, jogging, and walking through Brisbane CBD. Townsville contributed significantly with more than 750 participants at Cluden Park racecourse, echoing the event’s widespread appeal.
Andrew Thomas, Chief Executive of Mater Foundation, lauded the unprecedented community support.
“This year’s turnout has not only been the largest in the event’s storied history but also a testament to Queenslanders’ commitment to combating breast cancer,” Thomas stated.
This year’s fun run was particularly poignant, with Dr Rebecca Langdon participating in memory of her friend Tara Simmons. Dr Langdon, known for her distinctive inflatable breast costume, has become a symbol of hope and awareness at the annual event.
Photo Credit: Supplied
With Mater hospitals treating one in every four Queensland women diagnosed with breast cancer, the funds raised are crucial. They will support life-saving medical research, procure state-of-the-art equipment, and enhance patient care services.
Health Minister Shannon Fentiman announced a $15,000 donation from the Queensland Government, underscoring the collective effort in the fight against this disease.
Grubbies Burgers and Hawaiian BBQ, popular Strathpine burger bar, has marked a remarkable comeback after enduring alleged arson attacks more than six months ago.
Owner Ben Niumata remains perplexed by the motive behind the fires that targeted two of his restaurants. His Strathpine establishment was almost destroyed, while the Redbank Plains location suffered damage as well.
Despite the devastating setback, Mr Niumata discloses that authorities informed him of no bikie or organised crime involvement in the incidents, characterising them as “amateur” acts.
The chain of events began with a fire at Grubbies Redbank Plains on the morning of the 2nd of September 2023, which was swiftly extinguished by nearby patrons. Remarkably, it reopened on the same day.
Only ten minutes later, while firefighters battled the Redbank Plains blaze, the Strathpine restaurant fell victim to another alleged arson attack. Authorities suspect a connection between both incidents, as they found evidence of toilet paper burning in several locations at Strathpine, with the fire primarily damaging the kitchen area, leading to substantial smoke damage throughout the establishment.
Perseverance and Closure
Mr Niumata shares his ongoing ordeal with insurance claims, emphasising the challenges faced in the wake of these incidents. Despite numerous inquiries from loyal customers about the reopening date, uncertainty persisted, causing frustration.
The sight of devastation initially tempted Mr Niumata to walk away from the Strathpine restaurant, which had humble beginnings in a carpark. The fires have taken a significant mental toll, but the reopening on Friday, 19th January 2023, marks a significant step.
Throughout this challenging journey, Mr Niumata made it a priority to retain all 43 staff members, treating them like family. He highlights their dedication, as some commuted from Griffin and Deception Bay to work at the Logan restaurant, underscoring the strong sense of community within Grubbies.
To express gratitude to his loyal Strathpine burger bar customer base, Mr Niumata offered two enticing specials on the reopening day with $5 Big Grub Singles and heavily discounted loaded cream paua fries.
Legal Action
In September, a 20-year-old Gold Coast man named Josiah Lea was charged by the Ipswich Criminal Investigation Branch and Petrie Criminal Investigation Branch with two counts of arson, two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and one count of contravening a digital access order in connection with the arson attacks. Lea was denied bail during a court appearance last year and awaits sentencing.
Developers behind the iconic Eatons Hill Hotel have unveiled plans for a new hotel and club with indoor sport and recreation showrooms located opposite Pine Rivers Park in Strathpine.
Plans indicate that the 3,000-sqm building will be used as a licensed hotel and club whilst a 220-sqm building, which will be a stand-alone development, will be used as a drive-through food outlet.
Photo credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council
There will be two buildings for a showroom, with a total floor area of 8,530 sqm. The buildings will be used mainly for sports and recreation, which will accommodate a range of tenancies such as gyms and fitness studios, dance or martial arts studios, indoor sports courts, activity centres, amusement parlours, and bowling alleys.
Comiskey Group is also seeking to add a 1040 sqm restaurant precinct building that would be home to a variety of food tenancies.
Photo credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council
The food and drink outlets, based on planning documents, have been designed to provide sufficient car parking and drive-thru queuing areas to ensure the free flow of vehicle movements through the site is maintained.
Meanwhile, the proposed parking space will have the capacity to house up to 508 cars. Planning reports said “the proposed development has been designed with provision for 508 on-site car parking spaces, which equates to one car parking space per 25 sqm of GFA or use area.”
Public notification
Hotel/club plans |(Photo credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council)
The proposal is currently undergoing public notification. As of writing, the proposal has received a number of submissions from residents, who are mainly concerned about the road impacts it might bring to the area, and the site being a flood-prone area.
One resident said the northern entry and exit ramps onto Gympie road are too small for the size of the car park and vehicles anticipated during peak event times.
“This will cause backups and major disruption to traffic on Gympie road. The development must not impact the traffic along Gympie road,” the submission reads.
To learn more about the plans and submissions, visit Moreton Bay Regional Council’s website, with the reference DA/2022/1050.
Some Hollywood stardust is spreading across Strathpine as Bells Pocket Road, Dobson Drive and Fox Street have been ordered closed for the filming of the U.S. TV show Young Rock.
Burke Street and Weston Street in Coorparoo will also be temporarily inaccessible because of the series.
Based on the life of actor and professional wrestler Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson, Young Rock has been in production at the Hemmnant facility of Screen Queensland since the beginning of October.
Photo Credit: Google Earth
The show was supposed to be filming in the U.S. before COVID-19. Production moved to Brisbane following a $19 million deal between the government and NBC. The series is expected to continue filming in Queensland’s southeast this month.
According to reports, Council representatives have knocked on houses and sent letters to homeowners in areas where access might be affected when the cameras are rolling.
Minister for Health & Ambulance Services Steven Miles also issued a clarification on rumors that the Hollywood superstar is in town.
“Filming of the ‘Young Rock’ production did commence in Strathpine today,” Mr Miles wrote on Facebook. “All cast and crew have completed 14 days quarantine in a hotel environment under a quarantine management plan approved by the Chief Health Officer.
“Dwayne ‘the Rock’ Johnson is not part of the filming cohort and the production manager has confirmed he is not in Queensland. Rumours he has entered under an alias aren’t true. I’m told there is a driver that is part of the production crew who has some resemblance to ‘the Rock’ – this may be where the confusion has arisen.”
Young Rock stars Australian actor Uli Latukefu as Mr Johnson in his college years, before he was recruited to play football for the University of Miami. The series will have 11 episodes charting the Hollywood superstar’s formative years.
The show also stars New Zealand’s Stacey Leilua as Mr Johnson’s mother, Ata. Mr Johnson is one of the executive producers.
Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Peter Flannery said that there are over 100 cast and crew members from the show, which will help boost the local economy.
The planned construction of a Taco Bell outlet on Stanley East Street in Strathpine is going to proceed, following the approval of the appeal in September 2020.
The Planning and Environment Court has rescinded the development application’s denial, which happened in February, and ordered “the Development Application be approved subject to conditions.”
Documents under Development Application 2019 / 38756 / V24P showed that Moreton Bay Council refused because the proposal’s future land development wasn’t maximised. Complaints also stated that the construction would become a flood hazard around the areas on Gympie Rd, Stanley St East and Railway Ave.
ICP Developments Pty Ltd filed an appeal with a new building plan showing how the construction will be able to address and meet the conditions set by the Council.
Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Council
Apart from Taco Bell, a service station with eight fuel pumps will be built at the corner of Railway Ave and Gympie Rd. The site will have around 19 carparks and ample access to the streets.
The development application was first lodged in mid-2019.
This will be the second Taco Bell in the Moreton Bay region, after the opening of the North Lakes store in 2018. Another outlet is also being planned within a shopping centre expansion on Morayfield Rd.
A trip to Hawaii is definitely on this Strathpine couple’s wishlist to enjoy their Gold Lotto winnings, but first, they’re celebrating by splurging on upsized coffee.
“I said to my wife this morning that when we go out for our daily cappuccino instead of getting it in a cup, I’ll splash out and get it in a mug,” the husband said revealing their modest way of celebrating after winning the division one prize of $1 million.
“I might also get a piece of cake too!”
The couple, who wished to remain anonymous, held the only division one winning entry across Australia in Monday & Wednesday Gold Lotto draw 3936 which was drawn on Monday 6 January 2020.
The husband said his wife was still out when he checked his ticket after his morning walk and thought that he had won. He wasn’t sure at that time “whether to text her and tell her to come home immediately or to wait.”
“When she walked in the door the first thing I said was ‘there is something you need to see here’. We couldn’t believe it!
“I’m just so glad it’s true and it has been confirmed.
Photo credit: 2018 The Lott / mediacentre.thelott.com
The couple has been playing the same numbers every week since the game started and just chose them at random all those years ago.
“We’ve never won anything more than $100! This is our year!
The couple said that they’ll start writing their wishlist now that they are sure that they indeed win, and that includes a trip to Hawaii.
“My wife wants to go to Hawaii and with this win, I think we’ll be able to manage that!
“We’ll be travelling at the front of the plane too – bloody oath we will!
“We’ll probably have to buy a shipping container for all the shopping my wife will do while we are there!”
The winning 12-game marked entry was purchased at Nextra Strathpine. The winning numbers were 16, 35, 5, 43, 26 and 11, while the supplementary numbers were 24 and 6.
The financial year, the Lott’s division one winning tally has so far totalled 212, including 53 won by Golden Casket customers.
