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Starry Skies and Scooby-Doo: Dutton Park State School’s Community Movie Night

Get ready for a night of mystery, laughter, and community spirit as Dutton Park State School prepares to host its highly anticipated 2024 Community Movie Night.

Read: Yeerongpilly Artist Awarded Grant for Multi-Sensory Exploration of Art and Deafness

This family-friendly event, organised by the Dutton Park School Parents and Citizens Association in collaboration with the Cross River Rail Project, promises an evening of entertainment under the stars.

Event Details

Date: Friday, 13 September 2024

Venue: Dutton Park State School Oval

Gates open: 4:30 p.m.

Movie starts: 6:30 p.m.

Feature Presentation

Scooby-Doo! and the Curse of the 13th Ghost (Photo credit: IMDb)

This year’s silver screen selection is sure to delight both young and old: “Scooby-Doo and the Curse of the 13th Ghost.” Join Scooby and the gang as they unravel yet another spooky mystery, perfect for a night of family fun.

What to Bring

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or beach chairs to create their own cosy viewing spots on the school oval. It’s the perfect setup for a relaxed evening of outdoor cinema.

Treats and Eats

No movie night is complete without snacks! The P&C will be serving a variety of drinks, food, and treats throughout the evening. Whether you’re in the mood for something savoury or sweet, there will be options to satisfy every craving – even those of Scooby-Doo proportions!

While the Community Movie Night is a free event, registration is required to help organisers plan accordingly. To RSVP, simply visit the Dutton Park Parents and Citizens Association page and fill out the attendance form.

Read: Old Taubmans Paint Factory in Yeronga to be Reborn as ‘The Paint Factory Arts Village’

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with your community, enjoy a classic family film, and create lasting memories under the night sky. Mark your calendars for September 13th and get ready for a zoinks-tastic evening at Dutton Park State School!

Published 9-September-2024

How Annerley Baptist Church Helps Tackle the Cost-of-Living Crisis

In the face of mounting financial pressures, Annerley Baptist Church has emerged as a vital support system for disadvantaged individuals and families in Brisbane’s southern suburbs.

Read: Charities Overwhelmed As Cost Of Living Drives Hunger Crisis

Through its Community Lunch program and other initiatives, the church is making a significant impact on those struggling with homelessness, social isolation, and economic hardship.

Bruce Riddel, a Community Support Worker at the church, emphasises that their weekly lunches serve a dual purpose.

He explained that these meals provide essential nourishment for many who are homeless or in unstable housing situations. Mr Riddel added that the lunches cater to a diverse cross-section of the community, not just those experiencing homelessness.

The church’s efforts have been bolstered by funding from Carinity’s Collaborative Community Projects grants. This financial support has enabled the church to expand its services, serving between 60 and 70 people each week through the Community Lunch program.

Mr Riddel said the grants have provided security in their ability to offer meals consistently and have allowed for the purchase of necessary kitchen equipment.

Annerley Baptist Church Senior Pastor, Peter Richards, and Community Support Worker, Bruce Riddel (Photo credit: carinity.org.au)

Beyond the Community Lunch, Annerley Baptist Church offers a comprehensive support network. This includes food hampers, weekly free food distribution, pastoral support, and on-site crisis accommodation.

The recent expansion of their facilities, made possible by the Collaborative Community Projects funding, has increased their capacity to support homeless individuals and refugee families living in shared housing.

Mr Riddel highlighted that the addition of a new bedroom has expanded their capacity to four bedrooms, offering greater flexibility for accommodating future guests. This expansion underscores the tangible impact of the funding on their ability to serve the community.

Cost of Living Pressures in Australia: A Growing Concern

The support provided by Annerley Baptist Church comes at a crucial time, as Australians grapple with an intensifying cost of living crisis. Recent data paints a stark picture of the financial challenges facing many households, particularly in Queensland.

A study by the Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS) on Living Affordability in Queensland revealed that housing costs often consumed 40% or more of total household expenditure for surveyed individuals. This significant portion of income dedicated to housing leaves little room for other essential expenses.

Brisbane, in particular, has experienced sharp increases in the cost of living. Between August 2022 and August 2023, the city led the nation in price hikes across various sectors:

Fuel prices rose by nearly 14%
Electricity costs increased by 12.7%
Rent saw a 7.8% jump
Transport expenses went up by 7.4%
Overall housing costs increased by 6.6%

These increases contributed to Brisbane’s overall inflation rate of 6.3 percent, slightly higher than the national average. The QCOSS study further highlighted the severity of the situation, finding that among the sample groups surveyed, only one was able to meet basic living costs. The rest were either accumulating debt or failing to make ends meet.

Read: Annerley Retail Exodus: Century-Old Business Joins Wave of Closures

In this challenging economic landscape, initiatives like those undertaken by Annerley Baptist Church play a crucial role in supporting vulnerable community members. By providing essential services such as meals, accommodation, and other forms of assistance, the church is helping to alleviate some of the burdens imposed by rising living costs.

Published 28-August-2024

Boggo Road Rises: Dutton Park Station Gets New Name for Easier Transit

The Park Road rail station in Dutton Park is being rechristened as the Boggo Road rail station. The change reflects the station’s integration with the Boggo Road busway, creating a major transport hub where passengers can seamlessly transfer between the Beenleigh, Gold Coast, and Cleveland rail lines and bus services.

The upcoming Cross River Rail project will further enhance the station’s significance by adding two new underground rail platforms. Translink collected customer feedback that indicated a strong preference for a unified name at this location.

Translink, Queensland Rail, and the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority collaborated on the name change, receiving overwhelming support from key stakeholders.

The rebranding process kicked off this week with the installation of new signage, and further platform signage and computer systems will be updated over the next six to twelve months.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Bart Mellish, emphasised that the government is not only making public transport more affordable with the introduction of 50-cent fares but also actively improving the network’s user-friendliness.

He stated that the name change directly responds to customer feedback and aims to make the network easier to navigate.

The Minister highlighted Boggo Road as an iconic landmark and stressed that the change is all about simplifying travel for Queenslanders.

Published Date 26-August-2024

Car Erupts in Flames at Hungry Jack’s Annerley Drive-Thru

Photo Credit: reddit.com / @lenarose01

Diners and staff at the Hungry Jack’s in Annerley were forced to evacuate when a car suddenly burst into flames in the drive-thru lane this afternoon, August 21, 2024.

The emergency unfolded at approximately 4:00 PM at the busy intersection of Ipswich Road and Waterton Street. Eyewitnesses reported seeing thick smoke and flames engulfing a vehicle in the drive-thru bay, prompting immediate alarm among patrons and employees.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services quickly responded to the scene. Upon arrival, they found the vehicle “well engulfed” by fire, according to a spokesperson from the Queensland Fire Department. The firefighters swiftly contained the blaze to the vehicle and extinguished it by 4:30 PM.

While the fire did not spread to the restaurant building, management took the precautionary measure of evacuating all occupants. The Fire Department confirmed that all individuals were safely accounted for, with no reported injuries.

Local authorities are investigating the cause of the fire. The Hungry Jack’s Annerley location is expected to reopen once safety inspections are completed.

Published 21-August-2024

Major Childcare, Cafe, and Office Hub Planned for Annerley

Annerley is gearing up for a significant transformation with a proposed development that will bring a four-storey childcare centre, cafe, and office space to 309-311 Ipswich Road.

Childcare in Annerley — Photo Credit: DA A006568871

Designed by Prospect Architects, the project aims to revitalise the 1,438 sqm site currently occupied by a single dwelling and three Braille House buildings.

The proposed childcare centre will have a capacity of 148 children and feature seven activity rooms, a 1,079 sqm outdoor play area, and a dedicated laundry and kitchen. The development also includes a 908 sqm office space and a 125 sqm cafe, catering to the needs of residents and those working within the complex.

The building’s design incorporates setbacks, articulation, landscape buffers, and acoustic barriers to ensure harmony with the surrounding residential area. The ground floor entrance will feature stonework elements, adding a touch of elegance to the timber and tin structure.

The development will include 58 car parking spaces, with access from Young Street and Palmerston Street. Pedestrian access will be provided from Young Street, and a formal lobby entrance will be supplied on Ipswich Road.

Urbis, the project’s planning consultant, stated that the proposed changes are minor and aesthetic and will not significantly alter the approved built form or impact the streetscapes or surrounding residents.

The proposed development, with a gross floor area of 2,138 sq m and 88% site cover, is set to transform the Annerley landscape and provide much-needed childcare facilities and commercial spaces.

Published Date 07-August-2024

Fairfield Road in Yeronga: A Snapshot of Devastation After 1973 Tornado

Photo Credit: Passing Time Queensland/ Facebook

Here’s a look back on Fairfield Road in Yeronga in the aftermath of the 1973 tornado that ripped through Brisbane’s southern suburbs, as old photographs reveal the extent of the destruction, with buildings razed to the ground and debris scattered across the landscape.

The tornado, a destructive force of nature, cut a 51-kilometre path of devastation from Brookfield to Victoria Point on November 4, 1973, varying in width from 100 to 230 metres. In its wake, 1,390 buildings were damaged, 500 were declared structurally unsound, and another 500 lost their roofs. Yeronga was one of the hardest-hit suburbs, with the tornado leaving a trail of destruction through its heart.

Among the casualties was the Ideal Picture Theatre, a Yeronga landmark that had graced the site since 1923. The image emphasises the theatre’s absence in favour of a scene of utter devastation.

1973 Yeronga tornado — *Photo Credit:* *Old Brisbane Album*

Another local institution, the Yeronga Shopping Centre, was severely damaged, with roofs torn off and shops left in ruins.

Local businesses such as Shirley’s Milk Bar, Atheneon Fish and Chips, Watson Drapery, and Billy’s Odds and Ends were impacted. Their storefronts were barely recognisable amidst the wreckage.

The tornado wreaked havoc on homes and businesses, leaving residents in shock and despair. Cars were overturned, trees uprooted, and power lines downed, creating chaos and confusion. Miraculously, despite the widespread destruction, there were no fatalities in Yeronga, a fact attributed to the early hour of the tornado’s arrival.

This historical photograph reminds us of the tornado’s impact on the Yeronga community and the wider Brisbane region. It is a testament to the resilience of the residents, who rebuilt their lives and their suburbs after this natural disaster.

Published Date 24-July-2024

Annerley Retail Exodus: Century-Old Business Joins Wave of Closures

The Ipswich Rd shopping strip in Annerley is facing a significant shift as Brandons Shoe Repairs, a family-owned establishment with a 100-year history, becomes the latest casualty in a wave of closures that includes even the Annerley police station!

Following the imminent closure of cult retailer Fats Comics and the anticipated closure of Southside Antiques Centre, Brandons Shoe Repairs, which has occupied the same shopfront for 65 years, will cease operations at the end of the year.

Francis Brandon, who co-owns the store with her husband Trevor, claimed that their age and the lack of interest from potential buyers were the main factors in their decision to retire.

The closure of Brandons Shoe Repairs, which Joe Brandon and his business partner founded in 1924, signals the end of an era for the Annerley neighbourhood. The shop has served generations of local families, with schoolchildren and their parents frequenting the store for decades.

The Brandon family also owns the Fat Comics premises and refutes claims that high rent was the cause of its closure. Fat Comics owner Norm Bardell confirmed this, citing his sister’s relocation to Western Australia as the primary reason. Fat Comics will continue operating its online business.

The closures of Brandons Shoe Repairs, Fat Comics, and Southside Antiques Centre have left residents lamenting the loss of what made Annerley unique.

Many have taken to social media to express their sadness, highlighting the disappearance of other businesses such as Pennisi Fine Foods, the German bakery, the Persian grocer, African shops, a music shop, and the community bookshop.

This retail exodus extends beyond shops, as even the Annerley police station is being relocated to Stones Corner. The once-bustling Ipswich Rd shopping strip is transforming, leaving residents concerned about the future character of their suburb.

Published Date 15-July-2024

Cavoodle Scares Off Would-Be Burglars in Yeronga

A group of criminals attempting to break into a Yeronga home earlier this week were thwarted by an unlikely defender – a vigilant Cavoodle. The recent incident has brought attention to rising break-in concerns in the area while highlighting the protective nature of household pets.

Read: Controversy and Correction: Sgt William Percival Sparkes and the Yeronga Memorial Tablet Dispute

The homeowner was roused by her dog’s uncharacteristically frantic barking, which she described as sounding like “he was losing his mind.” Prompted by the commotion, she checked her security camera footage on her phone, revealing a troubling scene: one intruder entering the front yard, with three accomplices waiting by a getaway car on the street.

The would-be burglar’s plans were quickly derailed by the Cavoodle’s fierce barking. Startled by the noise, the perpetrator hastily retreated. The homeowner also used her smart home technology, activating interior lights via Google Home, which she believes further deterred the intruders.

Upon arrival, law enforcement found the Cavoodle still on high alert, reluctant to let officers through the gate – a testament to the dog’s protective instincts.

The homeowner shared her pet’s heroic act on local neighbourhood Facebook groups, where it quickly garnered attention. The post has sparked discussions among residents about a recent uptick in break-ins around Yeronga.

According to the Queensland Police Service online crime map, Yeronga has recorded 46 unlawful entries in the past six months, from 10 January to 9 July 2024. Additionally, two cases of trespassing and vagrancy were reported during the same period.

Cavoodles, a crossbreed of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle, are not typically known for aggression. However, they can display protective behaviours, often barking to alert their owners of visitors or potential threats. The Poodle lineage may contribute to their effectiveness as guard dogs, making them more likely to bark at unwanted guests rather than greet them amiably.

Read: Vandals Target 17 Vehicles in Annerley Overnight Rampage

As investigations continue, this incident serves as a reminder of the unexpected roles our pets can play in home security, and the ongoing need for community vigilance in the face of rising property crimes.

Published 10-July-2024

Emergency Department Delays Plague QLD Hospitals, Princess Alexandra in Woolloongabba Records 14-Hour Wait

New data reveals Queenslanders are facing extensive delays in emergency departments across the state, with some patients at Princess Alexandra Hospital waiting over 14 hours for treatment.

*Photo Credit: Screengrab from Google Map*

The figures, spanning December to March, highlight a system under strain despite some improvements at individual hospitals.

One patient at Princess Alexandra Hospital waited more than 14 hours in February, while two others experienced waits exceeding 10.5 hours. Similar delays were recorded at other major hospitals: Bundaberg Hospital saw a patient wait 13 hours, while both Redland and Logan hospitals had patients wait 10 hours.

The LNP has criticised Health Minister Shannon Fentiman for the delays, pointing to record-high ambulance ramping in the March quarter. However, Ms Fentiman emphasised the global trend of increasing emergency department presentations, noting a significant decrease in patients waiting over 24 hours for treatment.

Ms Fentiman cited factors like an aging population, declining private health coverage, and complex conditions. She reassured the public that all category one patients are seen within the designated timeframes.

While the shortest wait times at hospitals across the state were as brief as one minute, the opposition health spokeswoman, Ros Bates, described the health system as “languishing on life support.” She blamed the government for the lack of improvement and promised the LNP would address the “health crisis.”

In response to the growing demand, the state government’s recent budget allocated a significant 10.6% increase in Queensland Health’s operating funding, well above the historical average. This includes a $1.14 billion investment to improve patient flow and increase bed capacity.

Published Date 10-July-2024

Southside Antiques Centre to Close Doors After Four Decades

After more than 40 years of serving antique enthusiasts and collectors, Southside Antiques Centre in Annerley is preparing to close its doors for the final time.

Read: A Yeronga Heritage: Family Home Hits the Market After 67 Years

Owner Rhonda McGuigan, 84, has announced her retirement, bringing an end to a beloved local institution that has been a cornerstone of the community since 1983.

The McGuigan family acquired the shop in 1986, transforming it into one of the largest antiques stores in Australia. Known for its vast array of collectibles and high-quality items, Southside Antiques Centre has become a treasure trove for collectors of all interests.

Owner Rhonda McGuigan (Photo credit: Southside Antiques/Facebook)

Ms McGuigan shared that she had been searching for someone to take over the shop’s legacy but had been unsuccessful in finding a suitable successor. Despite this challenge, she looks back on her time at the helm with fondness and gratitude.

Reflecting on her years at the shop, Ms McGuigan spoke of the wonderful memories made and the lasting friendships formed with customers. She remarked on the joy of watching generations of families come through the doors, with people who first visited as babies in prams now returning as adults.

As she prepares for this new chapter in her life, Ms McGuigan expressed her plans to take a few months off before deciding how to spend her retirement. She mentioned a desire to travel, something she rarely had the opportunity to do while running the shop.

Southside Retirement Sale

To celebrate the store’s long history and give customers a chance to take home a piece of Southside Antiques Centre, a Southside Retirement Sale will kick off on Saturday, July 6. Ms McGuigan extended an invitation to the community to join in celebrating the shop’s long history while enjoying some bargain shopping.

The sale will feature a 25 percent discount on all stock (excluding fixtures and fittings, which can be separately negotiated). It will continue until all items are sold, with the shop open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday.

As the holiday season approaches, so does the final chapter for this iconic establishment. Ms McGuigan indicated her intention to close the shop permanently by Christmas, marking the end of an era for antique lovers in Annerley and beyond.

For those who have yet to experience the wonder of Southside Antiques Centre, or for long-time patrons wanting to say goodbye, now is the time to visit. Step into a world where every item tells a story, and where four decades of passion for antiques have created an unparalleled shopping experience.

Read: Annerley Welcomes Birds on Bikes: A New Chapter in Cycling Apparel

While the closure of Southside Antiques Centre signifies the end of an era, it also celebrates a remarkable journey. As Ms McGuigan prepares to turn the final page on this chapter of her life, the memories and connections forged within these walls will undoubtedly live on in the hearts of the Annerley community and beyond.

Published 5-July-2024