Homepage Latest News Archives - Page 2 of 35

Award-Winning Ascot Kindergarten to Build New Nature Play Spaces with Prize Money

Photo Credit: Childcare & Kindergarten Ascot

A local Ascot kindergarten is translating its significant national and internal awards into tangible benefits for its children and families, reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of the community’s early learning landscape.

A Commitment to Positive Impact

C&K Ascot Community Kindergarten has recently been the focus of major recognition, celebrating a win at the national HESTA Early Childhood Education & Care Awards. This honour acknowledged the centre’s dedication to advancing pedagogy and practice.

Adding to the accolades, the kindergarten’s team was also named a finalist for the prestigious Department of Education Inspiring Impact Award at the 2025 C&K Awards, highlighting their collaborative efforts to create lasting positive outcomes for the children and families they serve. The Inspiring Impact award specifically celebrates teams that demonstrate a deep commitment to their local communities.

Cultivating Confidence and Respect

The national HESTA award was given for the kindergarten’s ‘Proud to Be Me’ initiative, a program designed specifically for its three- to five-year-old children. The initiative focuses on building a welcoming and inclusive environment where children are empowered to express their authentic selves. It integrates lessons on emotional literacy and respecting diversity into the daily learning program.

Teacher Director Karina Hannan-Lopez stated that the award provides hope that the foundations they lay for children today will inspire brighter futures. She affirmed the team’s encouragement to continue exploring new ways of teaching equity and embracing innovative practices that enrich a child’s development.

From Accolades to Action

Demonstrating a direct link between the recognition and the children’s experience, the kindergarten plans to use the prize money from the HESTA award to enhance its outdoor environment. The funds will go toward developing natural play spaces designed to spark imagination and foster a deeper connection with the natural world.

This project aligns perfectly with the centre’s core philosophy, which uses its beautiful, large landscaped gardens as an open learning environment. The C&K curriculum model, led by university-qualified teachers, centres on the principle of learning through play, with educators skilfully extending children’s experiences in both indoor and outdoor settings.

A Partner for ASCOT Families

Beyond its award-winning programs, C&K Ascot serves as a vital resource for local families through its practical and supportive offerings. The centre provides an extended hours program that runs until 6 p.m. as well as a holiday program during Queensland school holidays, with both services included in the daily fee.

Families can choose from two, three, or five-day-a-week attendance options. To ensure parents remain an integral part of their child’s learning journey, the kindergarten fosters close relationships with families and uses the Storypark app to share documentation and daily highlights, creating a strong, collaborative community.

Published Date 09-October-2025

Help Enterprises Recognised Among 2025 Business Award Finalists in Eagle Farm

Photo Credit: Help Enterprises/Facebook

Help Enterprises, located in Eagle Farm, has been announced as a finalist in the 2025 Lord Mayor’s Business Awards under the Hutchinson Builders Social Enterprise category, recognising its six-decade contribution to inclusion and community development in Brisbane.

Building Inclusive Opportunities in Eagle Farm

For nearly six decades, Help Enterprises has been creating meaningful opportunities for people with disability through its operations based in Eagle Farm. The organisation’s work centres on providing employment pathways, training programs, and social enterprise initiatives that foster independence and strengthen community ties. Its inclusion in this year’s finalist list reflects a continued dedication to driving positive social outcomes while supporting Brisbane’s growing and diverse workforce.

Recognition in the Social Enterprise Category

Help Enterprises is one of four finalists in the Hutchinson Builders Social Enterprise Award, a category that recognises businesses addressing social challenges through innovative, impact-led models. The nomination acknowledges organisations that prioritise people and community benefit alongside commercial activity. This recognition highlights how enterprises like Help contribute to Brisbane’s inclusive growth and demonstrate the city’s capacity to blend economic development with social purpose.

Two Decades of Celebrating Local Innovation

The 2025 Lord Mayor’s Business Awards mark the 20th year of celebrating Brisbane’s innovators, entrepreneurs, and visionaries. This year, 31 businesses and eight business leaders—44 finalists in total—are competing across 11 categories. The awards span multiple sectors, from sustainability and property development to tourism and technology. Winners will be announced at a gala event on Thursday, 6 November 2025, at Brisbane City Hall.

Eagle Farm’s Role in Brisbane’s Business Landscape

Eagle Farm’s industrial precinct continues to play an important part in Brisbane’s economy, housing enterprises that support both commercial growth and community impact. Through Help Enterprises’ efforts, Eagle Farm has become a hub for inclusive employment and social innovation, illustrating how local industry can help shape a more equitable city.

Looking Ahead

Help Enterprises’ recognition as a finalist reinforces the value of inclusive business models and highlights Eagle Farm’s continuing role in Brisbane’s success story.

Published 7-Oct-2025

Time & Temp Brings Small-Batch Precision to Albion’s Baking Scene

Photo Credit: timeandtemp_/instagram

A new name in Brisbane’s baking community, Time & Temp, has drawn attention in Albion for its focus on precision and simplicity.

A Measured Approach to Baking

Melbourne-trained duo Manning Young and Palita Cai run Time & Temp, a small Albion bakery known for its pastries and precise coffee. It opened in August 2025 in a 45-square-metre space on Sandgate Road, formerly Brewbakers.

The name reflects their focus on time and temperature in every process. Young handles the coffee roasting, while Cai leads the pastry work. They use seasonal produce, Pepe Saya butter, and sustainable flour from Wholegrain Milling Co.

From Melbourne to Meanjin

Before starting the business, the pair worked across Melbourne’s food and coffee scene. Their experience shaped a philosophy built on quality and restraint rather than expansion. They chose Albion for its growing local food identity and sense of community.

Most of the space is devoted to baking, with only a small counter and a few outdoor seats. The focus remains on production, not presentation, aligning with their goal to serve simple products made well.

Pastries Worth the Queue

Time & Temp has quickly gained attention for its signature items including plain croissants, pain au chocolat, and cardamom buns. Each weekend brings new flavours such as maple pecan pie, corn danish, or rhubarb crumble danish.

The bakery operates Friday to Sunday from 7 a.m. to noon, though customers are often met with early sell-outs. Coffee service is limited to batch brew, with blends roasted by Young and priced between $4 and $6.

Community Response and Next Steps

Albion locals have embraced the new bakery for its clear purpose and consistency. Early visitors described the space as clean, warm, and efficient.

The pair plans to keep operations small and focused, preferring to rotate offerings based on seasonal produce rather than expand the menu or seating.

The business reflects a growing Brisbane trend toward neighbourhood bakeries that prioritise craftsmanship over scale.

Published 3-October-2025

Royal Queensland Golf Club Redevelopment Approved in Eagle Farm

Photo Credit: MID-0125-0907

A redevelopment of the Royal Queensland Golf Club in Eagle Farm has been approved, including a new nine-hole course, pavilion, and upgrades to existing facilities.

A Century-Old Venue Prepares For Change

The Royal Queensland Golf Club, which has a history of more than 100 years, will undergo a major redevelopment following the approval of a Ministerial Infrastructure Designation. The site has been identified as a potential venue for golf events during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

New Facilities To Support International Sport

The redevelopment plan features a championship-standard nine-hole course, an Eastern Pavilion with amenities and an undercover deck, an administration building, and a kiosk. Outdoor racquet sport facilities are also included. This is alongside upgrades to the existing course. These works form part of wider preparations for hosting international sporting events.

Royal Queensland Golf Club — Photo Credit: MID-0125-0907

Returning Golf To Eagle Farm’s Eastern Side

The redevelopment will return golf facilities to land east of the Gateway bridges at Eagle Farm, an area that once formed part of the club’s original course. The project is intended not only to support Olympic requirements but also to contribute to the long-term future of the venue.

Mixed Community Reactions To Approval

Public opinion has been mixed. Comments on social media raised concerns about other priorities such as healthcare, housing and public infrastructure, while others acknowledged the redevelopment as an opportunity to strengthen Brisbane’s sporting legacy and tourism profile linked to the 2032 Games.

Brisbane 2032 — Photo Credit: MID-0125-0907

Next Steps For The Royal Queensland Golf Club

With approval granted, the Royal Queensland Golf Club is now able to move forward with its redevelopment plan. The upgrades are aligned with preparation for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, after which the enhanced facilities will continue to serve members and the sporting community.

Published 29-Sep-2025

Music Journeys: How St Margaret’s Old Girls Are Inspiring the Next Generation

At St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School, music has long been more than an extracurricular. For many students, the school’s rich and diverse program has provided the spark for lifelong careers in the performing arts. Three Old Girls – Meleia Richardson (’21), opera singer Nina Korbe (’15), and violinist Annabelle Traves (’14) – show just how far that spark can reach.

Read: St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School in Australian Education Awards Finals (Again!)

For Meleia Richardson, music shaped every corner of her school life. From choirs and rock bands to lead roles in school musicals, she embraced every opportunity to perform. In her senior year she played Miss Honey in Matilda, a role that felt symbolic of the encouragement she had once received from older girls and was now passing on to younger students.

“I spent most of my spare time in the Sister Helen Orchestra Room and absolutely loved it,” she recalled. “I feel very lucky to have been part of a school that offered such a rich, diverse, and high-quality music program.”

Meleia Richardson (Photo credit: St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School)

After graduating, Meleia studied Contemporary Voice at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University, where she developed as a solo artist and songwriter, experimenting with recording and production as well as performance. In 2025, she returned to Classics in the Cathedral, a St Margaret’s tradition she always loved, before stepping into professional performance.

Now represented by an agent, she is working towards contracts as a vocalist on cruise ships and has also begun exploring the growing field of music therapy after her experiences in disability support.

While Meleia’s career is taking flight, two other St Margaret’s alumnae are already established names in the performing arts.

Old Girls — Photo credit: St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School/Facebook

Nina Korbe (née Wildman ’15) has become one of Brisbane’s rising opera stars. Recently listed among Style Magazine’s 30 Under 30, she is fresh from playing the lead role of Maria in Opera Australia’s West Side Story. Next year she will take to the stage at QPAC’s Glasshouse Theatre as Molly Johnson in The Drover’s Wife, marking another milestone in her fast-growing career.

Annabelle Traves (’14) has taken her violin to some of the world’s most celebrated concert stages. She has toured globally with André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra, performed alongside Bruce Springsteen, and earlier this year released her debut single. Also featured in Style’s 30 Under 30, Annabelle continues to balance large-scale international tours with her own creative projects.

Read: St Margaret’s Principal Named One of Queensland’s Most Influential Educators

Together, these three Old Girls represent the breadth of opportunity that begins at St Margaret’s: from opera and orchestral touring to contemporary performance and music therapy. Each has followed a different path, yet all share the same foundation – a school community that nurtured their talents, challenged them to grow, and inspired them to dream boldly.

Their stories now inspire the next generation of St Margaret’s students who, like them, are discovering their passions and imagining their futures in music and beyond.

Published 22-September-2025

Eagle Farm Engineer’s Rapid Rise Wins National Aviation Award

Photo Credit: Aaron Pollard/ LinkedIn

Signalling the high quality of emerging Australian talent, an Eagle Farm-based Alliance Airlines engineer, Aaron Pollard, has been awarded a national scholarship for excellence, highlighting the critical role of ground crews in aviation safety.

A New Pace in Aircraft Maintenance

aviation — *Photo Credit:* *Civil Aviation Safety Authority/ Facebook*

Pollard has set a remarkable pace in a field where precision and experience are paramount. His rapid completion of what is normally a three-year apprenticeship has drawn attention from industry leaders, showcasing the high calibre of emerging talent within Australia’s aviation sector. Working from the Alliance Airlines hub in Eagle Farm, Mr Pollard represents a fresh wave of technicians whose swift development is matched only by their commitment to their craft.

National Honour for Safety Commitment

This dedication was formally recognised when Mr Pollard was named a recipient of the 2025 Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) scholarship for aircraft maintenance engineers. He was selected from a competitive field of more than 70 applicants from across the country. The CASA Chief Executive Officer, Pip Spence, noted that Mr Pollard was chosen for his strong commitment to aviation safety and genuine passion for his career. The scholarship, valued at up to $5,000, supports engineers in gaining the final licences needed to certify aircraft for flight.

Building a Career on the Ground

Mr Pollard’s swift rise is built on a solid foundation of training and diverse experience. Before joining Alliance Airlines, he held roles at TAE Aerospace and Northrop Grumman Australia, gaining exposure to different facets of the aerospace industry. He recently completed his Certificate IV in Aeroskills at Aviation Australia, finishing the qualification between 2023 and 2024. This background provided him with the skills to not only excel but also to innovate in his approach to aircraft maintenance.

The Engineer’s Satisfaction

For Mr Pollard, the reward for a long shift comes not just from solving a complex mechanical issue, but from the confirmation that his work is keeping Australians moving safely. He described the satisfaction of checking flight-tracking apps after a tiring night shift to see an aircraft he just serviced back in the air, safely on its way. It is this deep sense of responsibility and purpose that officials believe is vital for maintaining Australia’s world-class aviation safety record.

Published Date 24-September-2025

Bulls Begin Sheffield Shield Campaign at the Allan Border Field

The Queensland Bulls kick off their Sheffield Shield campaign this Saturday, 4 Oct, against the Tasmania Tigers at the Allan Border Field in Albion.

The 13-man squad combines plenty of international talent with youth.

Players
Marnus Labuschagne (captain)
Hugo Burdon
Jack Clayton
Benji Floros
Hayden Kerr
Usman Khawaja
Michael Neser
Jimmy Peirson
Matthew Renshaw
Gurinder Sandhu
Mitchell Swepson
Hugh Weibgen
Jack Wildermuth

Hugo Bardon is a 23-year-old batsman, bowling occasional leg spin. He made his Sheffield Shield debut last season.

Jack Clayton is a 26-year-old left-hand batsman who can bowl slow left-arm. He has worked his way through Premier Cricket and he’s now on a full contract.

Benji Floros is a 27-year-old right-arm quick bowler. Held back by injuries since his Shield debut in 2021 but he’s fit and ready to go in 2025.

Hugh Weibgen is a 20-year-old all rounder, bowling off breaks. He captained Australia under 19s last year and already has a ton under his belt this season in the One Day Cup.

Queensland have had two good wins in the One Day Cup so far and will be hoping to get off the Shield mark in this one. But Tasmania’s top order batter, Jake Weatherald, was last season’s top run scorer in the Shield and after getting used to wearing his baggy green, Tasmanian all-rounder, Beau Webster, will be looking to earn his place in the Ashes squad.

So packed full of talent, this is one to trundle down Greg Chappell Street for.

The game starts on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. If you can’t get to the Allan Border field, it will be broadcast on Kayo.

The Italian Plate to Close After Seven Years of Service

For seven years, The Italian Plate on Racecourse Road has described itself as more than just a restaurant. It has been a place where locals celebrated birthdays, first dates, family dinners and quiet weeknight meals. Now, the much-loved eatery has announced it will close its doors, with its final day of service set for 22 December.

Read: Albion’s Former Brewbakers Site Finds New Life with Time & Temp

Owners Fernando and Serena shared the news in an emotional farewell message to patrons. The closure comes after developers purchased the land where the restaurant has operated for the past seven years. The announcement confirmed that the team must say goodbye to the space that has been their home since opening.

In their message, Fernando, Serena and the Italian Plate team expressed deep gratitude for the support of their customers. “For the past seven years you’ve welcomed us into your lives… your smiles, stories and support have meant more than we can ever express.”

Photo credit: Facebook/The Italian Plate on Racecourse Rd

The farewell also reflected on the range of occasions that had been celebrated within its walls, from birthdays and first dates to simple weeknight dinners. The owners said the memories shared over meals had shaped the restaurant into something truly special.

As the final day approaches, the team has invited diners to return and share in the remaining weeks of service. “Come in, raise a glass, and help us fill the room with the laughter and love that have made the Italian Plate so special,” their message said.

The announcement closed with a heartfelt note of thanks, written in both English and Italian. “Grazie mille for every visit, every hug, every empty plate,” the team wrote, signing off with love from Fernando, Serena and all of Italian Plate.

Read: Aroma @ Ascot Brings Italian Dining and Garden Atmosphere to Ascot

While the restaurant’s doors will soon shut, the farewell message makes clear that the bonds formed there through food, stories and community are what will be remembered most. For the owners and their loyal customers alike, Italian Plate’s legacy will live on far beyond its final service.

Published 2-October-2025

Hands-On Training Takes Flight with Qantas 717 at Brisbane Airport

Photo Credit: Aviation Australia/Facebook

A retired Qantas Boeing 717 has touched down at Brisbane Airport for the final time, not to carry passengers, but to help train the next generation of aircraft engineers.

Training Future Aviation Workers

The donated aircraft is now housed at Aviation Australia‘s hangar at Brisbane Airport, where it has been repurposed as a real-world classroom. Students from Aviation Australia and the Qantas Group Engineering Academy will have the opportunity to work directly on the plane’s systems, from engines and hydraulics to avionics and safety checks.

The jet, once flown by QantasLink and carrying the registration VH-YQW, concluded its last passenger service in December before being prepared for training. Instead of being scrapped or left in storage, the aircraft has been given a second life that keeps its technology in active use. Aviation Australia noted that having access to a full commercial aircraft provides students with an experience that textbooks and simulations cannot replicate.

For apprentices and trainees, this means entering the workforce with confidence and industry-relevant skills. The ability to practise on a complete, functioning aircraft gives them a level of preparation that shortens the step between training and employment.

A Partnership with Purpose

The initiative is the result of a partnership between Qantas and Aviation Australia, with support from Queensland. While official statements described the move as a boost to the state’s training sector, the focus remained on the long-term value for students and employers in aviation.

Aviation Australia explained that the 717 bridges the gap between classroom learning and industry practice. By training on the same type of systems used in airline fleets, apprentices can meet real-world expectations from the first day of their careers. This aligns with industry efforts to address the global demand for skilled engineers, a shortage that has impacted aviation maintenance operations in recent years.

Community links are also in focus. Aviation High, based in nearby Hendra, provides pathways for secondary students with an interest in aviation. Those students may progress into Aviation Australia programs, where the Boeing 717 will become an integral part of their training journey.

Industry Commitment

Qantas emphasised that it was important for the last of its Boeing 717 fleet to continue serving in a useful role after more than two decades in operation. The airline, which is now introducing new Airbus A220 aircraft to its domestic fleet, sees the investment in training as part of keeping its long-term workforce strong.

Qantas stated that the Brisbane-based aircraft will provide future engineers with practical training in aircraft systems, reinforcing its commitment not just to new aircraft but also to the people who maintain them. The airline noted that this move helps ensure safe and efficient operations for years to come.

Aviation Australia added that the arrival of the 717 secures its place as a leader in aviation training. With the global aviation industry seeking more maintenance engineers, the organisation said Brisbane is well positioned to contribute to international workforce needs.

A Plane with a Legacy

The Boeing 717 type has a long history in Australia. First introduced in 2002 by Impulse Airlines and later absorbed into QantasLink, the aircraft became a regular sight on regional routes. VH-YQW, the aircraft now at Brisbane Airport, served travellers across the country before completing its final flight in 2024.

For many Australians, the 717 represented reliable connections between regional towns and larger cities. Now, the same aircraft will play a different but equally important role—helping to prepare the engineers who will support the next generation of aircraft that carry passengers around the nation.

A Community Focus

Brisbane Airport is already a significant hub for Queensland’s aviation industry, and the arrival of the 717 strengthens its place in education and training. Local students now have access to training that was once only possible through overseas programs or limited simulation facilities.

By embedding the aircraft within a local training program, the initiative keeps opportunities close to home for Queenslanders seeking careers in aviation. It also reinforces Brisbane’s role as both an operational centre and a training hub in the Asia-Pacific region.

Published 18-Sept-2025

Freddie’s Ascot: From Dicki’s to a Bold New Chapter

Photo Credit: Freddie's Place/Instagram

New Farm’s much-loved Dicki’s Café made a second home in Ascot in 2021. Four years on, the corner-spot on Racecourse Road has taken on a fresh identity: Freddie’s Ascot. The rebrand keeps the community café spirit alive while adding a playful, distinctive twist — with the same great coffee and plant-based favourites, but now with a few new menu surprises (yes, even bacon).

Read: Magpie Safety Alert As ‘Guardian’ of Viola Place and Lomandra Drive Swoops Again

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Autumn Studio (@autumn.studio)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Freddie’s (@freddies.place_)

Like Dickie’s, Freddie’s still celebrates plant-forward dining with creative brunch options, while expanding into more inclusive offerings. Current favourites include:

Dish	Description
Breakfast Burrito	Mexican rice, spiced “mince”, scrambled tofu, beans, salsa, spinach; gluten-free available
Sticky “Duck” Toastie	Plant-based sticky “duck” with slaw and chilli jam on Turkish bread
Build-Your-Own Baos	Choice of sticky “duck” or chick’n tenders
Dicki’s Classic Burger	Served with shoestring fries
Eggplant Parmigiana, Corn Fritters & Seasonal Salads	A rotating selection of plant-based mains and lighter options

Breakfast-specific dishes like house-made granola and Green Eggs on Turkish (tofu scramble, pesto, zucchini ribbons) are served until 11:00 a.m., while the all-day menu runs until closing.

For younger diners, a kids’ menu includes avo on toast, mini pancakes with ice-cream and hazelnut sauce, and “cheese” toasties.

There are also share plates and a dedicated kids menu, with options such as mini avo on toast, cheese toastie, and mini granola.

Like the original venue, the Ascot cafe has an airy interior that’s bright and sunny, making it the perfect location for spending a relaxing afternoon.

Freddie’s beverage menu is as varied as its food. Alongside cold-pressed juices, smoothies, and specialty coffee (with alternative or dairy milks), the café is fully licensed, serving local craft beers, wine, and cocktails like Aperol Spritz, Espresso Martinis, and frozen Margaritas.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Freddie’s (@freddies.place_)

Freddie’s Ascot is open 7 days a week from 6:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., focusing on breakfast and lunch. The café offers custom cakes and catering, and can be booked for special events.

Food Menu

Drinks Menu

Read: Redevelopment Aims to Preserve Heritage of Paddock and Members Stands at Eagle Farm Racecourse

The airy, bright interior mirrors the relaxed vibe of the New Farm original, making it a staple for locals and weekend brunchers alike.

This cafe has evolved since its 2021 debut. It may no longer be strictly vegan, but its creative, plant-based menu continues to make it one of Ascot’s most vibrant café spots — perfect for everything from a weekday breakfast to a weekend brunch with cocktails.

Freddie’s is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. You can follow them on Facebook.

Updated 18-Sept-2025