Vintage Collective Moves to a Bigger Shop in Annerley

Annerley’s vintage haunt, the Vintage Collective, has moved to a new and bigger site at the Annerley Arcade on Ipswich Road.

Sustainable fashion lovers and collectors of staple pre-loved pieces can find the store just across its old site with more space for showcasing a treasure trove of vintage clothes, handmade accessories and up-cycled creations for the home.

Photo Credit: Vintage66 Studio/Facebook

The new Vintage Collective digs, which opened its doors last April, transferred from Shop 5 to Shop 9. The trading hours remain the same, however, from Wednesday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and until 2:00 p.m. on a Saturday.



Vintage Collective has also expanded its changing rooms to three stalls and the shop front has a better flow and layout for displaying the lovely and curated finds of the store owner, Tania. She has worked in the fashion industry for more than 30 years as a stylist, head buyer, designer, and product development manager.

Photo Credit: Vintage66 Studio/Facebook

Some items at this shop, however, are sold on consignment. Thus, if you have edgy, vintage, pre-loved, or gently-used second-hand pieces to unload or even handmade items,  you may also ask Tania about this arrangement.

Photo Credit: Vintage Collective/Facebook

Vintage Collective also carries Tania’s Label Xchange for barely worn designer, modern & quirky fashion.



First-Ever Braille House Week to be Celebrated in Annerley

The very first Braille House Week is happening at Annerley and everyone in the community is invited!

Set for Tuesday, the 7th of May 2019, until Saturday, the 11th of May, Braille House Week would be an opportunity for families to understand, learn and enjoy what this 122-year-old institution has been doing to help children and adults with impaired vision.

The different activities planned for this event include the following:

WHENWHAT
7 May
9:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Spotty Dotty Show (for kids)
8 May
6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Braille House Gala Dinner
9 May
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Braille House Open Day and Tours
10 May
6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Braille House Wine Masterclass
11 May
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Braille House Community Fair


Photo Credit: Braille House/Facebook
Photo Credit: Braille House/Facebook

Braille House aims to empower the blind and those with low-vision by providing them with Braille and Moon instructions as well as access to different materials of learning. The facility, which is run by volunteers, promote inclusiveness and support innovation to bring a positive impact to those who need it.



Families may sign up to be a member of the Braille House to use the facilities, as well as receive the quarterly magazine and various invitations to events.

Yeronga and Annerley See Rent Per Week Price Growths

Landlords may now breathe a sigh of relief as weekly rental rates in Brisbane, including the suburbs of Annerly and Yeronga, have begun to rise after years of stagnation, the latest report from the Real Estate Institute of Queensland shows.

Latest figures show that weekly rents in some Brisbane suburbs are seeing increases by as much as $100. Yeronga and Annerley, both with a median rent per week of $500 showed a 14.6 and 13.6 percent change over the past 12 months up to December 2018, respectively.

Ashgrove registered the biggest gain with a house median rent per week of $550, up by 28.5 percent or $122 per week more expensive. Other top suburbs for annual rent change are Gumdale/Wakerley with a 12.9 percent increase and Hemmant with 11.4 percent change.

Street view from Yeronga

Latest data from realestate.com.au showed the median unit rent per week in Annerley and Yeronga at $345 and $400, respectively, as compared to the state average of $370.

Street view from Annerley

Median house rent per week, on the other hand, is $460 in Annerley and $484 in Yeronga, more expensive than the QLD average rent per week of $400. Data was based on house and units listings from 1 April 2018 – 11 April 2019.

For most homes in Brisbane, leasing has become $10 to $20 per week more expensive than it was at the start of 2018, according to the latest data from REIQ.

A three-bedroom house commands a median rent of $435 or an increase of 3.6 percent, whilst a two-bedroom house now has a median rent of $420 per week, up by five percent from 2018. New Farm and Teneriffe are the most expensive suburbs in Brisbane LGA to rent a three-bedroom house with a weekly median rent at $700.

Despite the two percent and 2.5 increase in vacancy rates in September and December 2018, respectively, house gross rental yields in Brisbane LGA reached 3.3 percent whilst unit gross rental yield was at 5.1 percent in December.



Annerley Community Bookshop Hosts Monthly Meetings for Different Hobbyists

If you’re looking for something to do after work or to unwind during your weekend downtime, have you tried checking out the activities at the Annerley Community Bookshop on Ipswich Road?

This community store with large comfy couches and wooden floors is not just known for the varied book selection that it sells. Every month, the Annerley Community Bookshop also hosts different events, meetings, and discussions for hobbyists and enthusiasts.



This February alone, the Annerley Community Bookshop will have its International Language Exchange (16 Feb), Green’s Discussion (18 Feb), Bookshop Committee Meeting (19 Feb) and Junction Yarn Jammers meet (20 Feb).

The bookshop also holds its monthly book club meets every second Mondays of the month at 7:00 p.m. There are currently 675 members of the Annerley Community Bookshop Monthly Book Club.

Photo Credit: Facebook/AnnerleyBooks

The site is also a favourite venue for fundraising activities to support literacy programs in the community. This is the only not-for-profit bookshop in Australia managed by over 40 volunteers.

If you’d actually like to help manage the bookstore, you may also volunteer to be a member of the staff by contacting the manager or visiting the site.

But if you’re just looking for a good book to read, the community bookshop has a wide selection of second-hand books. From non-fiction to fiction, or sci-fi, romance, political thrillers, history and women’s studies — you’ll find a lot of great literature from the library.

Photo Credit: Facebook/AnnerleyBooks

The store’s children’s books selections are also abundant. There’s also a collection of rare books at bargain prices.



The Annerley Community Bookshop opens from Mondays to Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. On Sundays, the shop is open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Kerbside Collection Coming to Annerley, Are You Ready for a Treasure Hunt?

It’s time to mark your calendars! Brisbane City Council’s Kerbside Collection for Annerley is scheduled on Monday, 28 January 2019.

It is that time of the year when we clean up our homes and dispose some of our unwanted items, but for some people, Kerbside Collection means hunting down still-usable items for free!

To start off, here is a quick recap of acceptable items for the kerbside pick-up:

  • Bath and laundry tubs
  • Bicycles and sporting equipment
  • Carpet and rugs
  • Electronic waste (e.g. television and computers)
  • Furniture and white goods (e.g. firdges and stoves)
  • Small household appliances (e.g. fans and toasters)
  • Wood products less than 1.5 metres

Who does not love free stuff? No one. This is why a number of people often drive around their neighbourhoods in their utes just to find salvageable items on their neighbour’s kerb.

Kerbside Collection
Looking for a new couch or sofa? Photo Credit: CCO Public Domain/ Dokumol / Pixabay

Who are we to judge these crawlers? After all, “one man’s loss is another man’s profit.” Finding treasure from our neighbour’s throwaways is not a bad thing. In fact, “reduce, reuse, recycle” can result in less waste going to our landfills and a better carbon footprint.

Reminders and Tips

If you love scavenging through kerbsides or are looking for a coffee table on zero budget, here are some reminders and tips that you must take into mind:

  1. Make sure to check the exact date of the kerbside collection in your area. You may download the Brisbane Bin and Recycling App for more convenience. This app is free for both iOs and Android devices.

Photo Credit : iTunes/Impact Apps Pty Ltd

  1. It is possible to find a lot of kerbside items that you may like, so make sure your ute is primed and ready. Bringing a friend along to help you in scavenging can also be beneficial.
  2. Scavenging for items in your area can be fun and thrilling. But make sure you won’t get thrown off by this excitement. Believe it or not, a proper scavenging etiquette exists, and this must be observed at all times. If you find an item that you like, make sure you remove it as carefully as possible to avoid any damage not just on your desired item but also to all the other items in the pile. After successfully crawling your treasured item, do not leave the rest of the items cluttered. Always keep the stack tidy.
  3. Stay full and hydrated! Looking for desired kerbside items can be tiring, especially when you consciously crawl into your entire neighbourhood’s kerb. Be ready to prepare some snacks and drinks that can give you enough energy for the rest of the day. But make sure not to litter!

Happy hunting, and may the odds be in your favour!

 



 

Annerley’s View Street Brightens Up with Daniel Brook’s Ice-Cream Dreams Artwork

Daniel Brook enlivens Annerley’s View Street as his Ice-cream dreams (2018) artwork gets chosen as one of the winners of the Council’s Brisbane Canvas project.

Daniel Brook’s Ice-cream dreams (2018) can be seen on View Street, Annerley. Photo credit: Brisbane City Council

Brisbane Canvas 2018 presents a rich range of contemporary and creative commissioned street art on several walls, pillars, and bridges at different sites across Brisbane.

Brisbane Canvas celebrates the city’s creative scene with commissioned street arts that embodies this year’s theme which is “Optimism”. During the expression of interest phase in December 2017, artists were asked to choose one of 14 potential sites and submit a concept design that reflects the theme.

David Houghton’s “Froglife” (2018) can be seen on Bridgeman Road, Bridgeman Downs near the intersection of Beams and Bridgeman roads. Photo credit: Brisbane City Council

From more than 180 art submissions, eight successful artists were chosen on January 2018 to display their artworks at the streets of Brisbane.

Brisbane Canvas Winners

The Canvas artworks can be seen scattered across eight streets across Brisbane. Here is a list of other talented artists that were selected and the location of their murals:

  • Sophie Mary Mac’s “You’re an Incredible Combination of Things” at Windsor Road, Red Hill
  • David Sargent’s “Lost & Found” at Macquarie Street, Teneriffe
  • Deb Mostert’s “Free Form Birds” at Moggill Road, Pinjarra Hills
  • Kirsten Baade’s “Pods” at Cornwall Street, Greenslopes
  • David Houghton “Froglife” at Bridgeman Road, Bridgeman Downs
  • Carley Cornelissen “Birdland” Greendale Way, Carindale
  • James Alley’s untitled art at Hoyland Street, Bald Hills

The winners of the Brisbane Canvas 2018 have installed their artwork at their chosen site in June 2018. You can view all of the pieces on the Brisbane City Council’s Brisbane Canvas Outdoor Galleries Flickr album.

Annerley: A Suburb Brimming With History

Annerley used to be regarded as a suburb that needed some “facelifting.” The good news is that after gentrification, plenty of Queenslanders have been restored thus giving the suburb an uplifted, eclectic touch. Unbeknownst to some, the suburb also has plenty of heritage-listed places, aside from the social housing in the area.

 

Hefferan Park Air Raid Shelter
260 Annerley Rd.

Photo credit: Wikipedia

During World War II, the United States of America used Queensland as their support base for the Pacific War and Brisbane, being the major city in the state, had lots of people pouring into the city at the time. The Brisbane City Council then took over the responsibility of building air raid shelters and this particular one in Annerley is one of the few surviving air raid shelters out of 17 built in Brisbane.

 

Digby Denham’s Residence
391 Annerley Rd.

 

Mr Digby Denham was the Premier of Queensland and Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly. His house on Annerley Rd is a landmark residence in the area.

 

Annerley Army Reserve Depot
158 Dudley St.

A barracks built from 1914-1954, this place was set up to accommodate military men during their militia and cadet training. However, the site is no longer owned by the Department of Defence. In 2004, the Queensland Heritage Council allowed the site to be used for residential purposes.

 

Stephens Shire Office
15 Ealing St.

Photo credit: Familypedia

The Shire of Stephens was a local government area in the inner southern suburbs of Brisbane. It has eight localities including the one in Annerley, along with the ones located in Fairfield, Greenslopes, Holland Park West, Moorooka, Tarragindi, Yeerongpilly and Yeronga. In 1925, the Shire of Stephens was abolished and it became part of Brisbane. Today, the site has been altered for use as a residence.

These are just some of the historic places in the suburb that is worth a visit. Although some of these may have evolved, knowing that they hold so much history adds more value and interest to the suburb. There are also plenty of period homes that contribute to the aesthetics of the suburb.

What’s On in Annerley and the Nearby Suburbs This Week?

Wondering what to do for the week? Check out this week’s activities below.

 

Tuesday, 25 and Friday, 28 July 2017 (10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.)

First 5 Forever Toddler Time

Annerley
Photo credit: Featured image from https://www.altoonalibrary.org

Sing, dance, and clap along with other toddlers and their parents. This pre-literacy event is ideal for little ones aged one to two years old.

Venue: Fairfield Library @ Fairfield Gardens Shopping Centre, 180 Fairfield Rd, Fairfield

Click here to read more.

 

Tuesday, 25 to Wednesday, 26 (11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.)

and Friday, 28 (12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.) July 2017

First 5 Forever Babies, Books and Rhymes

Annerley
Photo Credit: Featured image from http://www.libraries.sa.gov.au

Nurture your baby’s language and social skills with songs and action rhymes. This activity is recommended for babies aged up to one year old.

Venue: Fairfield Library @ Fairfield Gardens Shopping Centre, 180 Fairfield Rd, Fairfield

Click here to read more.

 

Tuesday, 25 (12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.),

Friday, 28 (11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.), and

Saturday, 29 (9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.) July 2017

First 5 Forever Children’s Storytime

Annerley
Photo credit: Featured image from http://depositfreelibrary.org

Ideal for kids aged two to five years old, this event consists of a fun interactive session with stories, songs, and mark-making activities.

Venue: Fairfield Library @ Fairfield Gardens Shopping Centre, 180 Fairfield Rd, Fairfield

Click here to read more.

 

Wednesday, 26 July 2017 (1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.)

Book Chat

Annerley
Photo credit: Featured image from http://library.gleneira.vic.gov.au/Whats_on/Events

Whether you’ve read or haven’t yet read Annah Faulkner’s “Last Day in the Dynamite Factory”, this is a fun chat session that’ll spark your interest.

Venue: Fairfield Library @ Fairfield Gardens Shopping Centre, 180 Fairfield Rd, Fairfield

Click here to read more.

 

Wednesday, 26 July 2017 (3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.)

FBI: Fairfield Book Investigators Kids’ Club

Annerley
Photo credit: Featured image from http://www.masslive.com

Jeremy Strong’s “Laugh Your Socks Off” will be the subject for this session’s investigation. Kids aged six to 11 years old are invited to join the fun!

Venue: Fairfield Library @ Fairfield Gardens Shopping Centre, 180 Fairfield Rd, Fairfield

Click here to read more.

 

Thursday, 27 July 2017 (9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.)

Tai Chi for Health

Annerley
Photo credit: Featured image from https://www.ncoa.org/tai-chi-class-2

Feeling old and weary? Come and join in this “gentle exercise for complete fitness.” This GOLD event is for FREE and highly recommended for ages 50 years and over.

Venue: Brisbane Corso Park, 323 Brisbane Corso, Yeronga

Click here to read more.

 

Thursday, 27 July 2017 (5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.)

Fandom Haven: Harry Potter

Annerley
Photo credit: Featured image from http://www.abc.net.au

Whether you’re from the house of Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw, you’re welcome to attend this event. Harry Potter fans are called upon to gather around and celebrate author J.K. Rowling’s birthday. There will be trivia, games, and giveaways galore!

Venue: Annerley Library, 448 Ipswich Rd, Annerley

Click here to read more.

 

Thursday, 27 July 2017 (6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.)

Know Your Numbers!

Annerley
Photo credit: Featured image from http://www.drum.co.za/mobile/know-your-numbers

Listen to Kerry Dutton as she tells you the importance of numbers in aligning your goals and focusing on a future strategy. Ms Dutton is a chartered accountant, money motivator, and founder of Think180Degrees.

Venue: Annerley House (Annerley & District Community Centre), 8 Waldheim St, Annerley

Click here to read more.

 

Friday, 28 July 2017 (2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.)

Online Safety and Security Basics

Annerley
Photo credit: Featured image from http://www.dkim-reputation.org

A part of Brisbane Libraries Tech Connect workshop, this event will help you protect yourself against malwares and viruses. Other lessons include creating strong passwords and making safe online payments.

Venue: Fairfield Library @ Fairfield Gardens Shopping Centre, 180 Fairfield Rd, Fairfield

Click here to read more.

 

Saturday, 29 July 2017 (9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.)

First 5 Forever Toddler Time

Annerley
Photo credit: Featured image from http://sno-isle.org/events

Just like the 25th July activity in Fairfield stated above, this fun session in Annerley will make you and your baby “sing, dance, and clap” along with other toddlers and parents.

Venue: Annerley Library, 448 Ipswich Rd, Annerley

Click here to read more.

 

Saturday, 29 July 2017 (11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.)

Beginner Swimming Program for Adults

Annerley
Photo credit: Featured image from https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au

It’s never too late to learn something. For persons aged 16 years and over, come along and “get ready to conquer” the waters!

Venue: Yeronga Park Pool, 55 School Rd, Yeronga

Click here to read more.

 

Saturday, 29 July 2017 (1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.)

Growing Australian Native Plants

Annerley
Photo credit: Featured image from https://www.australianoutdoorliving.com.au/australian-native-garden-designs

Green thumbs are called to stop by for an afternoon of discussing the country’s native flora with horticulturalist Brian Sams. Know how to choose the right plant for the right spot. Learn how to care for them, too, to ensure their longevity.

Venue: Annerley Library, 448 Ipswich Rd, Annerley

Click here to read more.

 

Sunday, 30 July 2017 (8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.)

Tai Chi Qigong

Annerley
Photo credit: Featured image screen capped from Master Alex Galvan/Youtube

Feel calm, relaxed, and rejuvenated with this invigorating activity that works effectively for both your body and mind.

Venue: Robinson Park, 65 Ashby St, Fairfield

Click here to read more.

Online Petition to Lower Hospital Parking Fees Granted, Princess Alexandra Near Annerley Expected to Make Changes Soon

Hospitals in Queensland have been clobbered by patients complaining about skyrocketing parking fees. These patients point out that they pay more to park at hospitals than at the airport.

A health support worker, Justine Christerson, campaigned to lower the parking fees by launching an online petition. The Queensland Government took this into consideration and has now ordered hospitals in the state to adjust their parking fees.

 

Princess Alexandra Hospital’s Two Car Parks

Patients from Annerley have been complaining about the parking fees at the Princess Alexandra Hospital as well. The hospital is close to the suburb, which is why most of the residents in Annerley come here for their check-ups and treatments. Ms Christerson has cited the hospital as one of her examples on her online petition. Along with that are the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Mater, and the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital.

The Princess Alexandra Hospital has two privately operated car parks close to the hospital. There is no on-site parking available. The Metro Parking multi-storey car park on the corner of Ipswich Road and O’Keefe Street parking rate starts at $4.20 for 30 minutes.

Another parking is the PA Parking multi-storey car park on Ipswich Road, just across the hospital. It charges $4 for 30 minutes.You can view their current parking price list here.

With these high prices, it’s understandable why Annerley patients would complain.

 

Changes in Hospital Parking Fees & Framework are Coming

The online petition garnered 16,807 supporters. Following the success of her online petition. Mrs Christerson is happy that the State Government has granted their request.

Last year, Health Minister Cameron Dick asked the Health Department to talk to health services on possibly making a new parking framework for hospitals.

Based on the State Government’s directive issued on 1 July 2017, all public hospitals and health services must come up with a local policy to make parking more accessible and affordable for patients, carers, visitors and hospital staff. A separate policy must also be created to cover the safety of hospital staff coming in or out of the parking areas between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

The public hospitals must develop the parking concession policy by 1 October 2017 and the local staff parking policy by 31 December 2017.