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Family-Owned Manufacturer in Eagle Farm Secures Major Export Deal

Photo Credit: Tough Gear Trading/ Facebook

An Eagle Farm manufacturer has secured a $12 million supply contract with the United Arab Emirates, adding a major Middle Eastern deployment to an export footprint that already spans more than 30 countries.

The agreement will see Brisbane-designed 4×4 equipment from Tough Gear Trading delivered into one of the world’s harshest operating environments. While the company is no stranger to overseas markets, the UAE contract stands out for its scale and logistical complexity, involving fleet-level delivery rather than individual product shipments.

The deal is expected to support skilled manufacturing and project roles in Brisbane, reinforcing the city’s position as a base for specialised, export-focused engineering rather than signalling a first step offshore.

*Photo Credit:* *Tough Gear Trading/ Facebook*

Founded in 2015, Tough Gear Trading is a Brisbane-based, Australian-owned manufacturer supplying vehicle systems to commercial, mining, humanitarian and defence-related clients. Although relatively young as a company, its operations draw on more than 28 years of industry experience across the 4×4, military and heavy-duty vehicle sectors.

Founder Gary Turner began the business as a single-operator venture, before expanding it into a multi-market operation capable of managing large-scale vehicle fit-outs and international deployments.

Today, the company operates across multiple export markets, with projects ranging from individual vehicle builds to full fleet mobilisation. Rather than focusing solely on component supply, the business specialises in end-to-end delivery, coordinating design, manufacturing, compliance and transport for vehicles that must operate reliably in extreme conditions.

Turner said the company’s competitive edge lies in its ability to manage complex, cross-border projects rather than simply shipping products offshore, noting that large contracts often require coordination across manufacturing, logistics and regulatory systems, particularly when vehicles are being delivered into remote or high-stress environments.

The Queensland Government pointed to the UAE contract as an example of targeted trade engagement rather than broad promotional activity, saying recent efforts have focused on identifying markets where Queensland manufacturers already have technical credibility and the capacity to deliver at scale.

Minister for Trade Ros Bates said the state’s approach aims to support companies that are already investing in export capability rather than encouraging speculative expansion, with an emphasis on backing businesses with proven track records so public support delivers measurable commercial outcomes for local industry.

Published Date 05-January-2026

Ascot Crime Prevention Focus Targets Home And Vehicle Security

Photo Credit: QPS

Police in Ascot have focused on home and property security messaging during high-visibility patrols, reminding residents to review everyday steps that can reduce opportunistic crime.

High-Visibility Patrols Across Key Streets

On Tuesday, 3 February 2026, police from the Gateway Crime Prevention Unit attended Racecourse Road, Allen Street and Balowrie Street in Ascot. The activity included high-visibility foot patrols, conversations with residents, and the distribution of crime prevention information.

Police advised that most property and vehicle crime is opportunistic and can occur at any time of the day or night.

Ascot crime prevention — Photo Credit: QPS

Ascot Home Security Advice Shared With Residents

Residents were encouraged to regularly assess their home security, introduce targeted measures where needed, and adjust daily habits to reduce risk. Key principles promoted include making it easy for an offender to be seen, making it difficult to gain entry, making it difficult to exit with property, and making it difficult to gain benefit from stolen items.

A layered assessment approach was promoted, starting from the outside of the home and working inward.

Layered Checks Residents Can Apply

The Home Security Guide outlines six layers for reviewing home security, covering the external perimeter, access points such as doors and windows, internal security features, security systems, protection of valuables, and personal security behaviours.

The guide prompts residents to consider visibility and identification, including clearly visible house numbers and trimming vegetation that may conceal doors and windows. It also suggests sensor lighting in high-risk areas to alert residents to movement outside at night.

For entry resistance, the guide highlights securing external doors and frames with adequate locks and other security features, and protecting windows with measures such as locks or security screens. It also prompts residents to secure other access points, including roof access points, access holes and garage doors, and to keep outside areas clear of items that could be used as ladders.

The guidance also covers internal controls such as internal door and window locks, keeping keys removed from locks, and ensuring the door from the garage into the house is lockable. It lists security systems such as CCTV cameras and alarms, including maintenance considerations and the ability to alert residents for follow-up action.

Property Protection And Reporting Options

The guide prompts residents to keep keys and valuable items out of sight, ensure installed safes are securely anchored, and consider property identification and recording practices. It also outlines storage requirements for licensed firearms and ammunition.

Police encouraged anyone with information to report via Policelink’s online suspicious activity form, available 24 hours a day, or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers by phone or online.

Published 4-Feb-2026

Albion Schoolboy’s 1958 Fossil Find Confirmed as Australia’s Oldest Dinosaur Footprint

Photo Credit: The University of Queensland

A dinosaur footprint collected by a schoolboy at a quarry in Albion in 1958 has been confirmed as Australia’s oldest known dinosaur trace fossil, reshaping understanding of the country’s prehistoric timeline and securing a lasting scientific legacy for the suburb.

The Find at Albion

In 1958, Professor Bruce Runnegar, then a Brisbane Grammar School student, visited Petrie’s Quarry at Albion with school friends and removed a slab of fine-grained shale bearing a clear footprint impression. Born in Brisbane, Professor Runnegar was already familiar with the quarry through earlier fossil-hunting visits.

At the time, the markings were suspected to be dinosaur tracks, but no formal study followed. No photographs or measurements were taken, and the slab was removed from a newly exposed track surface without documentation. In subsequent decades, residential development rendered the original quarry site permanently inaccessible, eliminating any opportunity to revisit the footprint in situ.

Albion’s Geological Setting

Long before Albion became a residential inner-north suburb, the area was defined by prominent sandstone bluffs and extensive quarrying. Petrie’s Quarry was worked from the nineteenth century and was known among geologists for its Triassic rock layers and fossilised plant material.

The quarry cut through the Aspley Formation, a Late Triassic geological unit dating to around 230 million years ago. Sandstone extracted from the site was later used in construction across Brisbane, embedding material from Albion’s deep geological past into the city’s built environment. By the mid-twentieth century, the quarry remained accessible to students and amateur collectors, even as urban development expanded around it.

Australia’s oldest dinosaur trace fossil — Caption: Ichnofossils from Petrie’s Quarry, Albion: The dinosaur footprint and associated tail trace from the Aspley Formation are shown alongside elevation maps, schematic interpretations, and a life reconstruction of the trackmaker scaled against a human figure.
*Photo Credit:* Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology

From Schoolboy to Scientist

The fossil remained in Professor Runnegar’s care for decades. He went on to study at The University of Queensland, before building an academic career that included teaching and research positions at the University of New England in Armidale and later at the University of California, Los Angeles. Throughout that time, the Albion footprint travelled internationally as part of his teaching collection.

Now 85, Professor Runnegar is a UQ Honorary Professor and a co-author of the research that formally documented the fossil. The continuity between the schoolboy who collected the footprint and the academic who later helped describe it underpins the specimen’s eventual recognition.

Caption: The 18.5-centimetre dinosaur footprint was collected at Petrie’s Quarry in Albion by a teenager in 1958 and remained unstudied for more than six decades.
Photo Credit: The University of Queensland

Formal Scientific Recognition

The footprint was formally examined decades later by Dr Anthony Romilio, a palaeontologist with the Dinosaur Lab at The University of Queensland. Using modern digital documentation and analytical techniques, the specimen was studied in detail for the first time.

The analysis confirmed the footprint dates to the Carnian stage of the Late Triassic period, approximately 230 million years ago, and originates from the Aspley Formation. This places the track significantly earlier than any previously confirmed dinosaur evidence in Australia, establishing it as the earliest known dinosaur trace fossil in the country.

The footprint measures 18.5 centimetres and preserves the impression of a small, two-legged dinosaur consistent with an early sauropodomorph, a primitive relative of later long-necked dinosaurs. Modelling indicates the animal stood about 75 to 80 centimetres at the hip, weighed roughly 140 kilograms, and was capable of relatively fast movement for its size.

Caption: Dr Anthony Romilio used specialised software to recreate a three-dimensional cast showing how the Albion dinosaur footprint would have appeared when it was first formed.
Photo Credit: The University of Queensland

Albion’s Enduring Legacy

The research established the footprint as the first confirmed dinosaur fossil found within an Australian capital city. With Petrie’s Quarry long redeveloped, the specimen represents the only surviving dinosaur evidence from that Albion locality.

The fossil is now housed at the Queensland Museum, where it is available for ongoing research. The formal scientific description was published in Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology in February 2026.

What began as an undocumented schoolboy discovery at an Albion quarry has since become a foundational reference point in Australia’s dinosaur history, linking a small inner-Brisbane suburb to one of the earliest chapters of life on the continent.

Published 3-Feb-2026

Local Hero Recognised in 2026 Australia Day Honours for Mental Health Work

Photo Credit: Australian Honours and Awards/ Facebook

The leafy streets of Ascot are home to a new Member of the Order of Australia, Peter Lawrence Flynn, who was recognised for his tireless efforts to bring mental health support into the local community.

A New Approach to Care

The announcement came during the 2026 Australia Day Honours, marking a significant moment for the Brisbane region. While many medical awards focus on hospital work, Mr Flynn has spent years making sure help is available where people live and work.

By focusing on his home suburb of Ascot and the surrounding areas, he has helped build a system where mental health support is not just a clinical service but a part of everyday community life.

Strengthening Medical Research

The Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes recently praised Mr Flynn for his deep connection to the nation’s scientific community. His work with Mater Research in South Brisbane has changed how the institute handles healthcare.

Instead of keeping research behind laboratory walls, Mr. Flynn helped ensure that new scientific discoveries are turned into practical programmes for patients. He has been a driving force in making sure that mental health checks are a normal part of treating long-term physical illnesses.

A Legacy of Local Support

As a leader and donor, Mr. Flynn’s influence is felt most strongly through his hands-on role with the Mater Foundation. He has acted as a bridge between big medical institutions and the people who need them most. His financial support and guidance have specifically boosted neuroscience and healthcare delivery.

By prioritising integrated care, he has helped create a world where a person’s mental well-being is treated with the same importance as their physical health. This local commitment ensures that families in Queensland have access to world-class care right in their own backyard.

Published Date 31-January-2026

Millions Allocated for Brothers Rugby Club and Fire Department Headquarters in Brisbane Budget

Photo Credit: Brothers Rugby Club

Brisbane residents will see a massive transformation in local community facilities and emergency services as officials allocated over $33 million toward the Games On! Brothers Rugby Club upgrades at Crosby Park and a complete refurbishment of the Queensland Fire Department State Headquarters.

Strengthening Local Roots and Safety

The 2025–26 State Budget has prioritised the liveability of Brisbane suburbs by funding projects that directly affect how people spend their weekends and how they are protected during emergencies.

At Crosby Park in Albion, a $6 million grant is slated for the Brothers Rugby Club to modernise their clubhouse and changing rooms. This project aims to provide local athletes and families with better spaces to gather, replacing older facilities with something more suitable for a growing sporting community.

Nearby, the Queensland Fire Department State Headquarters is preparing for a $27.5 million renovation. This significant investment ensures that the people managing the state’s emergency responses have a modern, efficient base to coordinate fire and rescue operations across the region.

A Grassroots Legacy for 2032

The investment in local sport is part of the broader Games On! initiative, a $250 million program designed to ensure that the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games benefits everyday Queenslanders. Unlike the large stadiums built for elite competition, this program focuses on the “heart and soul” of the community—the grassroots clubs where children first learn to play.

By upgrading over 100 local facilities across the state, the government is focusing on creating female-friendly changing rooms, better lighting for night games, and modern clubhouses that can serve as community hubs for decades. This infrastructure works hand-in-hand with the Play On! program, which provides $200 vouchers to families to help cover the rising costs of registration and equipment.

A Focus on Health and Housing

Beyond the sporting fields and office buildings, the broader region is set to receive a substantial boost in healthcare capacity. Several major hospitals, including the Princess Alexandra and the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee, are scheduled for expansions that will add hundreds of new beds and improve parking for visitors and staff. These changes are intended to make it easier for families to access medical care close to home.

At the same time, the government is moving forward with plans to build more than 480 new social homes across Brisbane. This housing initiative is part of a larger long-term goal to provide stable living conditions for thousands of residents over the coming decades, backed by a $156.7 million investment to help those in need of a permanent roof over their heads.

Better Roads and Brighter Classrooms

Daily commutes and school runs are also a major part of the new funding plan. One of the busiest spots in the city, the intersection of Gympie Road and Beams Road, will undergo a major upgrade to help the tens of thousands of drivers who use it every day get home faster. Public transport users in Hamilton and Northshore can expect better connections with the expansion of the Gold CityGlider service.

Meanwhile, schools like Buranda State and Red Hill Special School are receiving tens of millions of dollars to build new classrooms and refurbish existing spaces. These projects ensure that local students have the right environment to learn and grow, rounding out a budget that touches almost every aspect of daily life for Brisbane families.

Published Date 31-January-2026

Ascot Home Invasion Case Continues After Teen Granted Bail

Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook

An Ascot home invasion remains before the authorities after a woman was seriously injured during the alleged theft of her car, with one of the accused teenagers now released on bail.

Background And Incident

The incident occurred in the early hours of 10 September 2025 at a residential property on Hopetoun Street, Ascot. Police allege three teenagers entered the property and accessed an apartment complex garage where a BMW was parked.

The vehicle’s owner, Emma Trillo, confronted the group at about 4:30 a.m. as the car was being taken. During the confrontation, the BMW was allegedly reversed into her, knocking her to the ground as she attempted to stop the theft. Ms Trillo was taken to hospital following the incident.

Ascot home invasion — Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook

Injuries And Ongoing Recovery

Ms Trillo sustained significant injuries, including a broken hip and lumbar spine fracture. The court later heard she also suffered fractures to her pelvis and fifth lumbar spine, along with cuts and bruising.

Months after the incident, she continues to recover and has described lasting physical impacts, including nerve damage to her leg and a prolonged period requiring mobility aids. While some injuries have improved, her rehabilitation remains ongoing.

Charges And Court Proceedings

Three teenagers were charged in connection with the Ascot home invasion, including Leo Angelo Matar, who had recently turned 18 at the time. Two 16-year-old co-accused were also charged.

Matar faces charges including robbery in company with personal violence, entering a dwelling and committing indictable offences, and unlawful use of a motor vehicle in company. Police also allege the group was involved in other offences earlier that same morning, including a burglary in Hawthorne and the unlawful use of a Mercedes stolen from Greenslopes.

Brisbane home invasion — Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook

Bail was initially refused in September 2025. However, in January 2026, Matar was granted bail in the Brisbane Supreme Court after prosecutors acknowledged difficulties identifying him at the scene, including masked individuals on CCTV and forensic testing not yet finalised.

Bail conditions require him to live with his mother on the Gold Coast, comply with a night-time curfew, avoid Brisbane, and seek medical treatment.

Victim Notification Issue

Ms Trillo later said she was not informed ahead of the bail application. A victims’ advocacy representative attributed the missed notification to an administrative oversight. Court proceedings against the accused are continuing.

Published 26-Jan-2026

Four-Decade-Old Land Acquisition Set to Deliver Huge Return for Hendra Family

Photo Credit: Ray White Ascot

A savvy land acquisition made more than 40 years ago is poised to deliver a substantial financial outcome for a Hendra family, though the person who made the original deal will not share in the proceeds.

The property at 63 Sefton Road in Hendra has been listed with a price guide of $3.99 million, according to information provided by Ross Drewe, whose family has owned the home since 1985.

The site’s value stems largely from its unusual size. The original owner expanded what was a standard 32-perch block to more than 44 perches by purchasing a strip of land from a neighbouring property. This strategic move created a 1,122-square-metre parcel – roughly equivalent to three modern residential blocks combined.

The single-storey home, constructed by Griffin and Knowlman in the 1970s, features two independent units built on a slab. Mr Drewe said his father made modifications to the residence after the family purchased it, including opening up the breakfast room with a servery hatch, skylight and glass door leading to the back lawn.

According to Mr Drewe, the lounge area features two large double glass doors overlooking the front lawn. He described it as a comfortable space where his mother spent time in her later years when mobility became more difficult.

The property’s positioning on the larger-than-average block provides green space with lawn and shrubs surrounding all four sides of the house, Mr Drewe noted.

Mr Drewe and his two siblings are proceeding with the sale following their mother’s death in 2024 and their father’s passing approximately four years earlier.

Ray White Ascot principal Damon Warat is handling the sale.

Published 25-January-2026

Restaurant Closures Leave Vacancies Along Albion’s Sandgate Road

Photo Credit: Pexels

Several hospitality venues along Sandgate Road in Albion have closed or changed hands, with some premises left set up and vacant.

Tables Set, Doors Closed

Big Belly, on Sandgate Road in Albion, closed without warning just before Christmas, with indoor tables still set and the menu left displayed at the entrance.

Further along the strip, Little Lamb Albion remained closed more than a year after shutting, with items including glassware, fridges and an EFTPOS machine still visible inside.

Albion restaurant closures — *Photo Credit: Google Maps*

More Closures Across The Precinct

Vaquero Dining, a Spanish restaurant located nearby, closed in October 2025 despite strong reviews. Nutmeg Indian Cuisine also closed in 2023, adding to a run of hospitality turnover along the strip.

Sandgate Road Albion — *Photo Credit: Google Maps*

Tenancies Shifting And Leases Ending

A wine bar beside Olive & Thyme changed operators a few weeks before the report, after the previous owner exited.

Nearby on Collingwood Street, Brewtide Brewery announced in September it would not renew its lease after four years of trading.

Costs, Competition And Capacity

A long-running local operator cited ongoing increases in rent, interest rates, produce costs and wages as continuing pressures since the pandemic period.

Retail analysis referenced in the reporting suggested the Sandgate Road strip may only be able to support a limited number of restaurants, particularly where long-established venues have remained in place for decades.

What People Are Saying

Some community responses focused on affordability and the number of venues competing in the same area, while others clarified the closures related to Albion, not similarly named venues operating in other suburbs.

What Happens Next

Vacant shopfronts were visible along the Sandgate Road strip at the time of the walk-through, with several spaces advertised for lease, indicating further change may still be underway.

Published 20-Jan-2026

Allan Border Field Hosts Annual Goodwill Cricket Cup

Allan Border Field in Albion will once again host the annual Goodwill Cricket Cup on 7 February, bringing together police, multicultural communities and cricket enthusiasts for a cause that extends far beyond the boundary rope.

Read: Harness Racing to Remain in Brisbane With New Racing Precinct in Albion

What’s On

The free community event kicks off at 11am with a cricket match between the Institute for Australia-India Engagement, Brisbane (South Asia) XI and the Queensland Police Service cricket team. The match takes place at Allan Border Field, located at 1 Greg Chappell Street, Albion, on the same ground that regularly hosts Queensland Bulls and Brisbane Heat fixtures.

Gates open to all community members, with organisers emphasising that families and supporters are especially welcome to enjoy a fun, family-friendly day out. Spectators can watch the cricket, connect with police and community leaders, and stand together in solidarity against domestic and family violence.

More Than Just Cricket

According to Queensland Police’s Brisbane North command, the Goodwill Cup champions awareness of domestic and family violence, promoting the powerful message: break the silence, end the violence. The annual fixture brings together multicultural communities, police and representatives from state and federal government agencies to promote community engagement, inclusion and connection across Brisbane’s northern suburbs.

Inspector Wayne Clayton will join the QPS cricket team and local police officers at the event, reinforcing the service’s ongoing commitment to strong community partnerships. The Institute for Australia-India Engagement, a Brisbane-based organisation dedicated to strengthening Australia-India relations through research, policy dialogue and community engagement, has partnered with Queensland Police to organise the fixture.

Community Connections

For families attending, the day promises multiple opportunities for engagement beyond watching the match. Community members will be able to meet representatives from the QPS recruitment team. Multicultural Police Liaison Officers will also be on hand.

Cricket enthusiasts may also get the chance to meet former Australian international cricket legends who are expected to attend the event.

Throughout the day, visitors can enjoy a variety of South Asian food trucks and refreshment vendors, ensuring authentic cuisine is available for purchase. The food offerings reflect the multicultural character of the event.

The venue itself holds special significance within Australian cricket. Allan Border Field forms part of the National Cricket Campus and has been upgraded to international standard over recent years. The facility has hosted Women’s Twenty20 International matches and Sheffield Shield finals, with major fixtures drawing crowds exceeding 10,000 spectators.

Why It Matters

Queensland Police encourages local residents from Ascot, Albion and surrounding suburbs to attend this free event, emphasising that community participation sends a strong message of solidarity against domestic and family violence. The Goodwill Cup demonstrates how sport can serve as a unifying force, bringing together diverse communities around shared values of respect, inclusion and the rejection of violence in all its forms.

In a region as culturally diverse as Brisbane’s northern suburbs, events like the Goodwill Cup create important spaces for connection, conversation and collective action on issues that affect all communities. The combination of cricket, culture and community engagement makes this an event worth attending, whether you’re a cricket fan, a family looking for a weekend activity, or someone who wants to support the important cause at the heart of the day.

Read: New Grandstand Planned At Eagle Farm Racecourse

The Goodwill Cricket Cup takes place on 7 February at Allan Border Field, 1 Greg Chappell Street, Albion. Entry is free. The match begins at 11am.

Published 20-January-2026

Massive Automotive Sales Hub Approved for Albion

Photo Credit: DA A006676111

A large industrial site in Albion is set for a major transformation into a modern three-storey automotive destination that brings vehicle showrooms and service centres together in one convenient location.

A Modern Makeover

A development application has been approved to upgrade a long-standing automotive site across Sandgate Road, Tate Street, and Collingwood Street. Designed by Wim Architects, the project aims to fix the current scattered layout of the area. The plan will turn the site into a “one-stop” precinct for car buyers and owners.

The development covers a massive area of about 11,779 square metres, which spans across 21 different lots. The goal is to move car brands from tight inner-city spots to this larger space where there is more room for traffic and servicing.

Building Details

The new buildings will stand three storeys high, reaching a maximum height of about 14.9 metres. The design covers roughly 69 per cent of the total site. Inside, customers will find modern vehicle showrooms, display areas, and comfortable sales offices with lounges. The facility is built for high volume, featuring 64 vehicle hoists for servicing.

Parking has also been a focus, with 177 single car spaces, 58 tandem spaces, and four spots for people with disabilities. Planners from Ultimate Planning Solutions stated that the design keeps the industrial character of the neighbourhood but improves the look of the street with better landscaping and reduced outdoor clutter.

Construction Stages

The work will happen in two main stages to manage the transition. Stage one involves knocking down the existing Toyota showroom and service buildings to prepare the ground. Crews will then build two new showrooms and a multi-level car park with 129 spaces and 40 service hoists.

The main entry for cars will be off Sandgate Road, with other entrances on Collingwood and Tate Streets. Stage two will see the demolition of the remaining workshops. This phase will add two more showrooms—one multi-level and one standalone—plus a second parking structure with 105 spaces and 24 more service hoists.

Community Impact

The project includes plans to landscape over nine per cent of the site, which planners say will improve the view from Sandgate Road. By moving most of the service functions into screened structures at the rear, the development aims to tidy up the streetscape.

The new precinct is designed to handle modern operational needs, making it easier for locals to buy and service their vehicles without the congestion found in older, smaller locations.

Published Date 16-January-2026