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Annerley Officer’s Courage Following January Shooting Leads to Major Police Safety Initiative

Photo Credit: Facebook / Shane Prior - QPUE General President

A police officer who survived a shooting in Annerley earlier this year has spoken candidly about how the incident changed his life and sparked a major safety initiative for Queensland police.

Acting Sergeant Liam Bailey and First Year Constable Boyd Harrington-Karaitiana were responding to reports of a disturbance on Tamar Street on 10 January when the situation escalated dramatically. The officers had been called to the scene after receiving reports of an agitated man in a backyard who was armed with a piece of timber.

During the confrontation, Acting Sergeant Bailey was shot in the leg with his own service weapon by the 26-year-old man, before Constable Harrington-Karaitiana shot the offender twice in response. The injured officer described the moment he heard the gunshot, initially hoping it had come from his partner’s weapon rather than his own.

Acting Sergeant Bailey credited his colleague’s quick thinking and preparedness with saving his life. Constable Harrington-Karaitiana immediately threw him a tourniquet, which proved crucial in stemming the bleeding from what turned out to be a severe wound.

The bullet travelled through the officer’s upper leg, continuing down behind his knee before lodging in bone behind his calf muscle. The injury damaged several muscles and bone, but Acting Sergeant Bailey has since returned to active duty, though he continues to experience daily pain and some loss of feeling in his leg.

Speaking about the incident in an interview with Queensland Police Union president Shane Prior, Acting Sergeant Bailey reflected on how routine the job had seemed initially. He described it as the type of call officers attend multiple times each week, highlighting how quickly such situations can become life-threatening.

The shooting has had far-reaching consequences beyond the immediate injuries. In February, the Queensland Government announced a $5.399 million investment to provide 12,500 tactical first aid kits to frontline police officers over the next five years. According to government statements, this initiative ensures all operational frontline officers will be supplied with personal-issue tactical first aid kits.

Acting Sergeant Bailey welcomed this development, comparing the importance of first aid equipment to other essential police gear. He noted that while first aid kits were available in police vehicles, officers don’t typically think to collect them before attending routine calls.

The 26-year-old Acacia Ridge man allegedly responsible for the shooting, identified as Tyson Daniel Athman, faces multiple serious charges. These include two counts each of attempted murder, trespass, and wilfully assaulting a police officer, as well as charges for serious assault by biting, unlawful entry, assault occasioning bodily harm, and railway trespass.

Despite the trauma and ongoing physical effects of the incident, Acting Sergeant Bailey expressed gratitude that he was the one injured rather than his younger colleague. His experience has become a catalyst for improving officer safety across Queensland, potentially preventing similar tragedies in the future.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable dangers faced by police officers during what appear to be routine calls, while also highlighting the importance of proper training, equipment, and partnership between officers in critical situations.

Published 2-August-2025

Princess Alexandra Hospital Celebrates 40 Years of Life-Saving Liver Transplants

At the Princess Alexandra Hospital, a quiet moment of gratitude spoke volumes this week as hundreds gathered to celebrate 40 years since Australia’s first liver transplant, a medical milestone that has saved thousands of lives around the world.

Read: Community Art Donation Sparks Joy at Princess Alexandra Hospital’s Geriatric Unit

Among the guests was Iichurou Tsuruyama, who travelled from Japan to honour the pioneering surgeon whose bold vision and surgical innovation gave him a second chance at life nearly four decades ago. At just 17 months old, Mr Tsuruyama became the first person in the world to receive a liver transplant from a living donor — his mother — made possible by a breakthrough known as the “Brisbane technique”.

Surgeons performing a liver transplant in 1985 (Photo credit: Metro South Health/Facebook)

Developed by Queensland surgeon Professor Russell Strong, the Brisbane technique allowed adult livers to be safely reduced in size for transplantation into children. It addressed the critical shortage of paediatric-sized donor organs and opened the door to living donor procedures, saving countless young lives. Mr Tsuruyama is one of many who owe their survival to this innovation, which remains a cornerstone of paediatric liver transplants worldwide.

Professor Strong’s work was not always welcomed. In the 1980s, his determination to establish Australia’s first liver transplant unit met resistance, scepticism and even public condemnation. Despite the backlash, he performed the country’s first child liver transplant in 1985, and shortly after, developed the technique that would change transplant surgery globally.

Over time, the Brisbane technique evolved to enable split liver transplants, allowing one donor organ to save both a child and an adult. Today, this approach is used in three-quarters of child liver transplant operations across the globe.

Read: Construction Set for $350-M Vertical Expansion of Princess Alexandra Hospital in Woolloongabba

At the anniversary function, guests paid tribute not only to Professor Strong and his team but also to the donors and families whose generosity underpins every transplant. For Mr Tsuruyama — now a father himself — the celebration was deeply personal. His life, and the life of his daughter, are testaments to how one revolutionary idea at Princess Alexandra Hospital continues to shape the future of medicine.

Published 31-July-2025

Yeronga Football Club Reflects Refugee Week Values

Photo Credit: Yeronga Eagles FC

A community football club in Yeronga, founded by Salvadoran refugees in the late 1980s, continues to promote inclusion and multicultural connection through sport.

Salvadoran Roots Behind Yeronga Eagles

Yeronga Eagles Football Club began in the late 1980s. It was formed by Salvadoran refugees who had fled civil war in El Salvador and resettled in Brisbane.

They started the club to stay connected to their culture and to build a sense of community in a new country. Resources were limited, but the club grew through shared effort and commitment. Its foundation was not built on wealth or status, but on values like family, service, and hard work. These continue to define the club today.

Refugee Week 2025 — *Photo Credit: Yeronga Eagles FC*

Growth Driven by Volunteers and Inclusion

The club joined the Football Queensland Premier League (FQPL) system in 2022. Since then, it has earned three consecutive promotions.

This success has come through the efforts of dedicated volunteers. Many are children and grandchildren of the original founders. They continue to run programs, maintain facilities, and support players across all levels.

While the club honours its Salvadoran origins, it now welcomes members from many cultural backgrounds. Football has become a shared language. Players connect through teamwork, not through words or background.

Refugee Week Connection and Relevance

Refugee Week 2025 was held from 15 to 21 June. This year’s theme was Finding Freedom: Diversity in Community. It celebrated Australia’s history of welcoming refugees and the communities that support them.

Since the end of World War II, Australia has accepted over 985,000 refugees. Many have built new lives through local initiatives such as community sport.

Yeronga Eagles is one such example. It reflects how refugee-founded clubs can become long-standing, inclusive institutions.

Football Helping New Arrivals Settle

Yeronga Eagles offers structured football programs for men, women, and juniors. These programs support development and participation for all skill levels. For many new arrivals, clubs like Yeronga offer more than just sport. They provide routine, belonging, and a pathway to settle into Australian life.

The club has become multicultural but has stayed rooted in its Salvadoran identity. This balance sets an example for other migrant communities starting similar journeys.

Club’s Future Built on Community Effort

Yeronga Eagles continues to grow. Its rise in Queensland football is the result of decades of work from volunteers and supporters.

The club’s success is not just about matches or trophies. It represents the power of community, tradition, and sport working together.

As Refugee Week highlights contributions made by refugees, Yeronga Eagles stands out. It shows how local sport can bring people together and support long-term inclusion.

Published 29-July-2025

Moorooka Man Charged After Alleged Assault at Fairfield Shopping Centre

Photo Credit: myPolice Bayside

A 29-year-old Moorooka man has been charged with multiple offences following an alleged assault at Fairfield Shopping Centre last Friday morning.

Police from Dutton Park have accused the man of indecently assaulting a 22-year-old woman who was walking through the shopping centre around 10am on 25 July. The alleged offender reportedly attempted to leave the scene on foot but was stopped by members of the public who witnessed the incident.

The quick thinking of these community members allowed police to make an arrest at the scene. Investigators have also alleged the man stole groceries from a nearby store during the same incident.

The man now faces charges including sexual assault, stealing, and common assault. He was refused bail and remains in custody ahead of his scheduled court appearance at Brisbane Magistrates Court on 6 August.

The incident highlights the importance of community vigilance and the willingness of locals to step in when they witness concerning behaviour. The intervention by bystanders was crucial in preventing the alleged offender from leaving the area.

Queensland Police encourage anyone with information about this incident to come forward. Reports can be made through Policelink at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or by calling 131 444. Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.

Police remind the community that support services are available for anyone who has experienced sexual assault. The Statewide Sexual Assault Helpline can be reached on 1800 010 120, while 1800 RESPECT provides 24-hour support. In emergencies, always call Triple Zero (000).

The case reference numbers are QP2501302435 and QP2501302865.

Published 28-July-2025

Annerley Residents Push for Safer Clive Street Crossing

Concerned residents in Annerley are pushing for urgent safety improvements at the Clive Street crossing, a notoriously dangerous intersection off Ipswich Road, where speeding vehicles and poor design put pedestrians, cyclists, and wheelchair users at constant risk.

Read: Residents Raise Safety Concerns Over Slip Lane in Dutton Park

The street, which sits in the heart of the Annerley high street, spans up to 22 metres at its widest point, more than double the width of nearby crossings like Dudley Street. This excessive width allows cars to turn in and out at high speeds, making it difficult for drivers to notice and stop for pedestrians in time. A recent serious hit-and-run incident near the crossing has intensified calls for immediate action.

Community group Active Travel for Annerley is leading the campaign and urging Council to implement simple, cost-effective upgrades to make the area safer.

“Clive Street in Annerley is in the heart of the Ipswich Rd Annerley high street, but crossing it is absurdly dangerous for anyone walking, riding a bike or in a wheelchair,” the petition reads. “Almost all Annerley residents, including those who drive, ride or take public transport to the post office, shops or chemist need to cross Clive St at some point.

“Clive St is one of the most dangerous side streets on the Ipswich Rd high street. Pedestrians using the kerb ramps need to cross 16m of road, and it’s 22m at the widest point. The crossing at nearby Dudley St is just 9m, or 11m at the widest point.”

The group is calling for two main changes:

A raised “wombat” crossing to slow down traffic and improve visibility
Kerb extensions to narrow the intersection to 9 metres—matching nearby Dudley Street—while still allowing room for two-way traffic and cyclists

According to the group, these changes could be implemented quickly and cheaply without removing any traffic lanes or parking spaces.

To help make the project a reality, Active Travel for Annerley has launched a petition encouraging local support. Residents have until 2 November 2025 to sign and voice their backing.

Read: Annerley Aquarium Damaged in Shocking Hit-and-Run

For more details or to sign the petition, locals are encouraged to visit www.epetitions.brisbane.qld.gov.au/petition/view/pid/1467.

Published 21-July-2025

Annerley Aquarium Damaged in Shocking Hit-and-Run

Photo Credit: Annerley Aquarium/ Facebook

A beloved Annerley business faces a major clean-up after a driver in a white Holden ute lost control and smashed into the Annerley Aquarium, destroying a structural pole and bringing the building’s front awning crashing down before speeding away from the scene.

The shocking incident was captured on camera at 5:50 p.m. on Saturday. The footage shows the vehicle drifting across the front of the Ipswich Road store before colliding with the pole, which shattered on impact. The Holden, sustaining only a dent, was then seen driving off along Old Cleveland Road.

Sandra “Sandy” Ponting, who has co-owned the local aquarium with her husband Peter since 1983, said the damage will require a significant repair effort. “They’ll have to pull down the awning structurally rather than prop it up,” Ms Ponting explained. “It will be a building site, I guess.”

In a stroke of luck, the store was empty at the time of the crash, and the vehicle narrowly avoided the main display window, home to a 20-year-old Gourami fish valued at $1500.

Showing true community spirit, the Annerley Aquarium team opened for business on Sunday, directing loyal customers to use the back entrance while the front of the shop is assessed.

Police are now appealing to the public for help. They urge any witnesses or anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage of a white Holden ute in the area around the time of the crash to come forward.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Published Date 06-July-2025

Annerley Braces for a Blast of Extreme Metal with Ulthar and Jarhead Fertilizer

Heavy music fans in Annerley are in for a rare treat when two of America’s loudest underground metal bands, Ulthar and Jarhead Fertilizer, bring their raw, intense sound to The Back Room on Ipswich Road.

The show is set for 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 8 at the intimate local venue, as part of the bands’ joint headline tour through Australia this winter. The run includes stops in Ballarat, Frankston, Melbourne, Wollongong, Sydney and wraps up in Brisbane’s southern suburb of Annerley.

Two Bands, One Relentless Night

California’s Ulthar, formed in 2014, are known for their complex mix of black and death metal. Reviewers described their 2023 double album Anthronomicon and Helionomicon as a dark, mind-bending ride that pushes metal’s limits with sharp riffs and strange, layered sounds. Members Steve Peacock, Shelby Lermo and Justin Ennis have each played in other respected extreme acts like Pale Chalice, Vastum and Mutilation Rites. Critics say Ulthar’s live shows deliver intense drumming, crushing guitars and vocals that feel like they’re pulled from a nightmare.

Jarhead Fertilizer comes from Maryland’s underground scene, sharing members with the well-known grindcore outfit Full of Hell. Led by drummer Dave Bland, the band mixes grind, crust and death metal into short, fierce songs that often speak about crime and harsh realities. Their latest album, Carceral Warfare, was recorded under challenging circumstances, according to Bland’s interviews, and brings an even grittier sound to their live shows. Fans and reviewers alike describe their sets as brutally loud and fast, turning small venues into sweat-soaked pits of energy.

Annerley concert Jarhead Fertilizer — *Photo Credit: United Front*

Community and Chaos Collide

While extreme metal may not be for everyone, shows like this bring together people from diverse backgrounds who share a love for music that pushes the limits. The Back Room, popular for its close connection to the local live music scene, will allow fans to stand just metres from the bands. For Annerley, this means a night where local metal fans can connect, hear rare international acts up close, and see how a small corner of Brisbane can echo with noise heard around the world.

How to Get There

The Back Room sits along Ipswich Road, making it easy to reach by bus or car. Doors open before 7:30 p.m., and tickets are available through Oztix and Bandsintown. For residents nearby, the event will be hard to miss — both for the music and the loyal crowd it draws.

GET TICKETS

Published 4-July-2025

Yeronga to Gain 75 New Social and Affordable Homes

Photo Credit: DEV2023/1367

A six-storey residential project delivering 75 social and affordable housing units is under construction at Park Road, Yeronga.

Background and Context

Construction is underway on 75 social and affordable housing units at Park Road, Yeronga. The project is part of the broader commitment to increase social and community housing supply across Greater Brisbane. Brisbane Housing Company is delivering the development, supported by funding aimed at addressing long-standing housing needs.

This Yeronga project forms part of more than 720 social and affordable homes either under construction or contracted across the region, including sites in Chermside, Stones Corner, Woolloongabba, South Brisbane and Windsor.

Brisbane Housing Company — *Photo Credit: DEV2023/1367*

Project Details

The Yeronga development, approved under application DEV2023/1367, comprises a six-storey building with 18 studio apartments, 45 one-bedroom units, 11 two-bedroom units, and a manager’s residence. Designed by UltraLinea Architecture, the building includes communal indoor and outdoor spaces, private balconies for all dwellings, and landscaped areas.

The site, located at 70 Park Road, includes 48 undercroft car parking spaces and 94 bicycle spaces. Vehicular access is provided via Maidenhair Place, with pedestrian entry at ground level. The design addresses all surrounding public frontages and incorporates setbacks and landscaping to reduce visual impact.

Government Investment and Housing Pipeline

The development is supported by funding from the government’s Securing Our Housing Foundations Plan. The 2025–26 Budget allocates $8.1 billion for housing initiatives, with $5.6 billion directed towards social and community housing over four years. From 2029–30, baseline funding of $500 million per year is planned to ensure a consistent pipeline of new homes.

Community and Sector Impact

The Yeronga project aims to provide secure housing for essential workers and lower-income households. The project aligns with the state’s broader effort to create stable and inclusive communities, with additional funding supporting homelessness services and head leased properties for vulnerable Queenslanders.

Yeronga housing — *Photo Credit: DEV2023/1367*

Future Outlook

Tenants are expected to move into the Yeronga homes by mid-2027. The project reflects a long-term approach to meeting housing needs, with the government and community housing providers planning further developments across Brisbane.

Published 4-July-2025

Yeronga Rates Fall as Brisbane Budget Reveals Diverse Financial Impact

Residents in Yeronga are set to experience a slight reduction in their rates, a notable outcome in the new budget that presents a varied financial outlook for homeowners across the city.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner handed down the budget on Wednesday, 18 June 2025. The changes are effective from October 1 for some new property owners and 30 June 2025, for land valuations.

Yeronga’s Rates Dip

rates reduction — *Photo Credit:* *CrNicoleJohnston*

While many Brisbane suburbs face higher costs, some, like Yeronga, will see a small percentage drop in their rates. This reduction, specifically 0.38 per cent for Yeronga, along with Tennyson (0.93 per cent down) and Mount Ommaney (1.87 per cent down), is attributed to recent changes in land valuations. This provides a minor financial reprieve for residents in these areas.

City-Wide Rate Changes and New Charges

Across Brisbane, the average owner-occupier residential rate increase is set at 4.7 per cent, translating to an additional $60 annually or $1.14 per week. The minimum increase is 3.87 per cent. Despite some land valuations jumping by up to 20 per cent in certain areas, rate increases will be capped at no more than 7.5 per cent. Suburbs experiencing the maximum rate increase include Algester, Bowen Hills, the CBD, Chermside, Fortitude Valley, Karawatha, Newstead, Robertson, South Brisbane, Stones Corner, and Taigum.

Fees and charges are broadly increasing by 4 per cent. A significant change for inner-city Brisbane unit buyers after October 1 is an additional $100 per year in rates, or $25 per quarter. This applies to properties within the “CBD frame,” encompassing areas such as Toowong, Milton, West End, Highgate Hill, South Brisbane, New Farm, Newstead, Teneriffe, Albion, Bowen Hills, Kangaroo Point, Herston, and Kelvin Grove. Council anticipates this change will generate approximately $1.4 million in extra revenue from around 7,000 unit sales annually.

Lord Mayor Schrinner stated that 90 per cent of the city’s ratepayers paid only the minimum general owner-occupier rate, and it was considered unfair that many owners of luxury inner-city units also paid this minimum.

A new city-wide rollout of green bins is also part of the budget. Ratepayers will be charged an extra $49.52 per year for these bins, even if they choose not to receive one or already possess one. This will increase the “universal” waste fee (covering red, yellow, and green bins) to $512.96 annually.

Council aims to divert waste from landfills to reduce payments to the state government, which the Lord Mayor described as a “large scale tax avoidance scheme” against a state government “bin tax.” Approximately 170,000 households, or half of all eligible properties, currently have a green bin.

Infrastructure and Community Spending

Significant funding is allocated to the Story Bridge, with $18 million for the next year. This includes $6.7 million for a new footpath deck, with hopes of reopening at least one path before the end of the year, $6 million for urgent repairs, and the remainder for a business case to upgrade the bridge.

In terms of community support, the on-time payment rates discount will continue, benefiting about 273,000 people and saving them a collective $47 million. The pensioner rebate is increasing by $50 to $1298, and the popular $2 Summer Dips council pool entry will also continue. Council notes $69.5 million for Brisbane Libraries and $33.4 million for Botanic Gardens. A key commitment is that 85 per cent of the $4.1 billion budget will be invested in the suburbs.

Locally, for Yeronga, the budget includes road resurfacing projects on Orlando Road, Orsova Road, and Utzon Street, along with ongoing restoration of the Yeronga Memorial Park Memorial Wall.

Community Concerns and Transparency

Despite some positive announcements, the budget has drawn criticism for its perceived lack of transparency and minimal investment in certain essential local projects. Council’s Labor Leader Jared Cassidy stated that Council seemed to “sneak through new taxes” to boost its finances and that increasing costs for apartment living made affordable housing harder in Brisbane.

He also pointed out that Council “gloated” about $470 million in spending cuts, which he claimed led to hundreds of staff losses over two years, while senior councillors reportedly took expensive overseas trips. A Council spokeswoman, however, indicated a net reduction of 142 staff since last July, disputing Mr. Cassidy’s estimate of up to 480 job losses.

From the perspective of Tennyson Ward Councillor Nicole, the 2025-26 budget is “lacklustre,” with minimal funding for crucial city-wide projects beyond basic infrastructure, such as only $13 million for the Story Bridge. She expressed concern over the lack of detailed program and project figures in the budget for the second consecutive year, suggesting a troubling lack of transparency.

Councillor Nicole highlighted specific “lowlights” for Tennyson Ward, including no new funding for new footpaths (city-wide), road upgrades, intersection upgrades, traffic calming, kerb and channel work, community street tree plantings, or new bikeways. She also noted only one dog off-leash upgrade, one new playground, and one park facility upgrade planned for the ward.

Financial Overview

The $4.1 billion budget for this year is projected to achieve a $298 million surplus, with net debt expected to decrease to $2.9 billion by 2028-29. Deputy Mayor Fiona Cunningham stated that assets have risen to $45.2 billion. She also claimed that rates would have increased by 30 per cent if Labor and the Greens had been elected last year, citing $3.5 billion in unfunded promises and no identified savings.

Ms Cunningham acknowledged that Queensland councils have been underfunded by state and federal governments for years and noted soaring construction costs, including a 40 per cent increase for concrete and 26 per cent for other building materials.

Published Date 24-Jun-2025

Woolloongabba Bridge Crash Highlights Urgent Safety Crackdown

Photo Credit: brentmickelbergmp/instagram

A delivery truck was crushed against a rail bridge in Woolloongabba after the driver misjudged the vehicle’s height, one of dozens of similar crashes that have made the suburb a focus in a major transport safety campaign.

A Suburb in the Spotlight

A delivery truck crash on Annerley Road in Woolloongabba earlier this year, caught on CCTV, has become a key warning in Queensland Rail’s new bridge strike prevention blitz. Launched in June, the campaign is a joint effort by Queensland Rail, the Queensland Police Service and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

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A post shared by Brent Mickelberg MP (@brentmickelbergmp)

Woolloongabba is now one of the state’s top hotspots, with 38 bridge strikes recorded at that location in 2024 alone. The crash peeled the truck’s roof open on impact, forcing rail services to pause while safety checks were carried out.

No one was injured, but the disruption affected both traffic and train schedules. Queensland Rail released the footage to raise awareness about the risks for drivers and the wider community.

A Statewide Problem with Local Consequences

Across Queensland, there were 397 bridge strike incidents in 2024. By April 2025, more than 120 had already been recorded. In most cases, the driver either didn’t know their truck’s height or took a route that hadn’t been properly planned.

Every time a truck hits a bridge, train services are stopped, often for hours, until safety checks are complete. Some crashes have even sent debris flying onto nearby footpaths or roads, putting pedestrians and cyclists at risk. These delays also add costs to freight operators and inconvenience to rail passengers.

Education, Enforcement, and a New Message

The prevention blitz combines education and enforcement to reduce bridge strikes. Police and transport officers are stationed at sites like Woolloongabba to check vehicle heights and speak with drivers.

They’re handing out items with the message: “Know your truck, know your height, know your route.” Real crash footage is also being used in videos and posters to highlight the risks. Queensland Rail hopes the campaign will lower incident numbers in hotspots like Woolloongabba.

Safety for a Growing Suburb

With the Cross River Rail project bringing more transport infrastructure and increased traffic to Woolloongabba, keeping rail bridges safe has become even more urgent. The new Woolloongabba underground station is expected to open in 2026, and local roads are already under pressure from construction activity and regular traffic.

As the suburb continues to grow, authorities say preventing bridge strikes is not just about protecting trucks and trains, it’s also about making sure everyone on the road stays safe.

Published 24-June-2025