An Eagle Farm-based company has been included in the “Best in AU” list of the best software retailers in Brisbane.
To help consumers find the best service providers or retailers, near or in their area, Best in Australia puts out its list of top and leading businesses per category, which gets updated every three to four months.
The lists rank candidates — businesses, people, or places in certain industry and/or geographic area — based on rating checklist. The rating checklist considers the candidate’s business history, services, pictures or media, opening hours, social media, website quality, awards and acknowledgements, and feedback and reviews among other factors.
The top rated Software Retailers in Brisbane according to Best in AU are:
As a Point of Sale company, Idealpos Solutions, currently operates in seven countries with its headquarters situated in Eagle Farm, employing more than 30 employees.
Idealpos has been around for more than 30 years, creating adaptable, easy to use Point of Sale system. Idealpos offers hardware products such as terminals, printers, scales, scanners and more depending on the client requirement.
They also offer cloud services and software products, including a selection of mobile apps and software modules that can complement other Idealpos products.
At a glance, the Chateau Nous in Ascot looks like a typical two-storey masonry house. But this villa has an interesting story to tell, which is why it was included in the Queensland Heritage List in 1992.
Derivative domestic architecture was in full swing in Queensland when this home was built from 1937 until 1940. This classic, which can be seen at 1 Rupert Terrace, is located in a prime position in one of Brisbane’s most sought-after locales.
Chateau Nous, a five-bedroom villa complete with entertaining spaces and a lawn tennis court, is a wonderful blend of Functionalist architecture and Art Deco design. Such influences can still be seen throughout Brisbane, as art deco houses sprang up all across the city during the 1930s.
It was designed by architect Douglas F.W. Roberts, who is also behind the Ayr Court House, a heritage-listed courthouse at 163 Queen Street in Burdekin. His design was touted as ultra modern at the time and the house even won the House of the Year award in 1939.
Art Deco elements are carried through interior design including its nautical design outlined in brass strips in the main bathroom’s aggregate floor and is depicted on the chrome hood of the fireplace. The facade is decorated with brick banding, curved corner walls and windows, glass bricks and contrasting vertical and horizontal elements.
This striking residence served as home to Brisbane dentist George Stewart and his wife Eileen for almost three decades. Come World War II, the Stewarts decided to build a reinforced concrete air raid shelter which they shared with their neighbours. The air raid shelter leads to a secret tunnel that runs underneath the house.
The building was rented following Dr Stewart’s demise in 1962 and was sold to an architect named Noel Robinson in 1979. An adjoining block of land was later sold and more features, including a family room, terrace, garage, and an ensuite were added by the new owners come 1986.
The original interior included a servant’s quarter used for sewing and storage and an electric dumb waiter used for delivering food to an upstairs breakfast room. In 2017, the property was sold at $4.2 million, almost twice its price when it hit the market in 2003.
Springtime and brunches go well together and it’s even more delightful if you could enjoy this with a glass of espresso martini. If you’re in Ascot, look no further because you can welcome a lovely spring with a mid-morning meal and a caffeine-filled drink at the Brewtiful Espresso Martini Brunch this Saturday, the 28th of Sept 2019.
Ketel One will be serving up freshly-brewed concoctions and food at the club’s Espresso Yourself! Bar. So, go ahead and indulge with a serving of cinnamon & coffee waffles or coffee-smoked brisket burger whilst you sip your drink of choice.
Photo Credit: Ketel One/Facebook
Running from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Brewtiful Espresso Martini Brunch will also feature creative activities like ceramic painting, flower-crown making and “Design Your Own” ice block. Guests may also shop at the Billy J Boutique Pop-Up, as well as browse the heaps of market stalls that will be set up during the event.
Live entertainment will be provided by a jazz band and a DJ whilst drag queens Vollie La Vont & Chocolate Boxx will keep the party vibe high as the hosts the event. Aside from socialising, brunching and taking photos, you may also win exciting giveaways and prizes during the program.
The Preliminary Results of NAPLAN 2019 has been released and St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School came out as the top Primary School in Queensland.
As in the past, St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School performed very well in the 2019 NAPLAN testing. The Ascot-based day and boarding school for girls topped the best performing Qld primary schools list, followed by Rainworth State School in Bardon and Ashgrove State School in Ashgrove.
All students in Australian schools who are in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 participate in the NAPLAN testing in May of each year. The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assesses the students’ skills in reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy.
Naplan is an important tool for the schools the parents to assess the child’s progress and identify opportunities for improvement in areas of literacy and numeracy.
Source: NAPLAN 2019 data from Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority
Underscoring the 2019 Preliminary NAPLAN Writing Results
ACARA noted that NAPLAN results in writing for 2019 have revealed a “pleasing improvement” from last year, especially that there was a noticeable decline in recent years across all year levels.
“Schools have been making focused efforts for some time to address concerns about their students’ writing. Students are to be congratulated for this year’s improvement, especially Year 3 students, where the results are particularly encouraging,” ACARA CEO David de Carvalho said.
Photo credit: State of Queensland (Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority) / qcaa.qld.edu.au
Despite the improvement in writing results, comparison of performance in writing by state and territory reveals that Queensland Year 9 students are the second least performing, just a step above the Northern Territory students, with only 77.6 percent of the cohorts meeting or above the national minimum standard. The Qld average is 5.3 percentage points lower than the national average of 82.9 percent.
Moreover, the percentage of Qld students at or above the NMS in Years 3, 5, and 7 also fell below the national average, with the gap increasing with each year.
NAPLAN 2019 achievement of Qld and Australia Year 3,5, and 7 students in writing:
Qld Year 3 – 96.3%, Aust – 96.9% – difference 0.6
Qld Year 5 – 91.2%, Aust – 93.1% – difference 1.9
Qld Year 7 – 86.8%, Aust – 89.8% – difference 3.0
Qld Year 9 – 77.6%, Aust – 82.9% – difference 5.3
Still, Education Minister Grace Grace lauded the preliminary results, stating that Queensland students continue to perform well in many key areas.
“This year’s results continue to confirm Queensland as one of the most improved states since testing began in 2008,” Ms Grace said.
“It is great to see our students improving in 17 of 20 NAPLAN test areas against National Minimum Standard, Mean Scale Score and Upper two Bands.”
“After more than 10 years, it’s time for a comprehensive national review of NAPLAN to ensure it remains current and responsive to changes in education,” she said.
“Queensland is still proud to be the star performer when it comes to NAPLAN.”
Once Brisbane airport’s new runway is operational in 2020, some residents may be wondering what effect, if any, this would have on property prices in Ascot, currently the fourth most expensive suburb in Brisbane and one of the suburbs in some of the flight paths.
Based on Brisbane’s new runway flight path tool, Ascot does not directly fall under a flight path. However, it should be noted that since flight paths do not precisely follow a single line and can be more accurately called flight path ‘swathes,’ the flight path can vary up to several kilometres. So it is highly possible that aircraft will fly over the suburb.
Flight paths when the new runway starts operating. Photo credit: flightpathtool.bne.com.au
Through the flight path tool, users can also get an overview of the noise level that the suburb will experience. The following is a comparison of the noise level with the existing runway versus noise level when the new runway is in use, with the green pin placed on Ascot.
Existing Runway Noise
Noise level with the existing runway (Credit: flightpathtool.bne.com.au)
New Runway Noise
Noise level with new runway (Credit: flightpathtool.bne.com.au)
The flight path tool indicates that aircraft flying near Ascot are likely to be at an altitude where the aircraft noise level will be less than 70 decibels. According to Australian standards, a noise level of 70 decibels is likely to interfere with people speaking indoors (with the windows open).
Since Ascot is only a few kilometres from an arrival flight path, it will experience noise from 36 average flights and a maximum of 74 flights.
Average and maximum flights near Ascot (Credit: flightpathtool.bne.com.au)
Will it affect real estate prices?
As Ascot has been a relatively quiet suburb, it is logical to wonder if the added noise from aircraft would negatively affect real estate in the area.
Analysing 25 years of data, the QUT research highlighted that: “housing and units in Brisbane located under designated flight paths have their value and price determined by a range of factors and these factors are not detrimentally impacted by aircraft noise.”
“The location of a property under a flight path will have minimal if any impact on the price, saleability, investment performance and capital growth of that property,” the study concluded.
Will residents be disadvantaged?
The impending noise associated with the new runway does not sit well with many concerned residents.
Steve Woolcock, ex RAAF and Retired Captain of domestic and overseas airlines, believes that Brisbane residents have been given a bad deal in the way that this runway is placed.
“I have been an airline pilot here in Australia and overseas for most of my life and I understand the effects of aircraft noise and the arbitrary decisions made by airport authorities that affect both passengers and residents,” Mr Woolcock said.
“Rest assured, these decisions are made almost solely in the airport’s interests – moving passengers in and out of the airport,” he said.
Mr Woolcock noted that the new runway is displaced quite a distance north compared to the present runway.
However, Mr Woolcock said that “regardless of the displacement northwards, any aircraft taking off will reach residential areas sooner than on the old runway – 5.5 km compared to 7 km, therefore more noise for any given aircraft.”
In examining the QUT research, Mr Woolcock stressed that the case of Brisbane Airport’s new runway is nothing like that of other major airports in Australia where the airports were built first before residents moved nearby.
“This extension has been built with full knowledge that the established residents will be disadvantaged,” he said.
With the added noise overhead, Mr Woolcock refutes the statement that there will be no impact on property prices or saleability.
Mr Woolcock added: “How will people like eating in a restaurant or restaurant courtyard, with 70-decibel noise overflying them? How long will “good schools” remain good schools with that noise overhead?”
“Ascot has no better transport than other suburbs around Brisbane and worse than some. The “assurances” are nothing but words.”
“If I use Murarrie as an example… the aircraft fly over there at low levels and are noisy – very noisy. Murarrie has developed from a leather tanning area to a residential area with nice houses. The house prices are held lower there than otherwise would be the case if aircraft did not fly overhead. Those big, nice houses would sell for much more if not in line with the present runway.”
He also noted that while 70-decibel noise level is being used as reading used to represent the impact of aircraft noise, a drone planned for deliveries has failed in its noise test in Canberra ACT.
“The drone’s noise level was recorded at 69 decibels and the noise limits enforced over Canberra’s residential areas are a low 45 decibels,” he said.
Mr Woolcock also said that every aspect of the airport expansion should have already been considered as this is being foisted upon existing residents. He reiterated that extended flight paths are of little concern to residents and that their concern is how aircraft noise will affect them regardless of flight paths.
The retired caption said that if the airport authorities were offering correct information and were transparent they would:
State that the South Western sector would only be used for departures and arrivals in unusual circumstances
The south western sector would have “noise abatement procedures” implemented (which means a rapid climb for aircraft taking off so that they would be higher sooner over residential areas)
Only smaller, turbo prop aircraft will depart from RW 19R unless unusual circumstances exist.
All landing should be limited to smaller turbo prop aircraft on 01L, and,
MOST IMPORTANTLY all takeoffs on RW 19R will start from the beginning of the runway, ie, no intersection departures as intersection departures will bring aircraft closer and lower over residential areas.
“It is too late for major changes but at the very least the airport authorities ought to minimise the adverse effects to residents otherwise they might find residents pushing for a curfew as are placed on other airports,” Mr Woolcock said.
Reporting Noise Issues
Meanwhile, the Australian aviation industry assured they will help identify issues of concern and possible opportunities for improvements through Noise Complaints and Information Service (NCIS).
The service will be managed by Airservices Australia, who will be responsible for Australia’s airspace management, flight paths, providing noise information and managing complaints.
For any questions or concerns about current aircraft activity, lodge a complaint or make an enquiry:
Premier rugby union, Brothers Rugby Club, is celebrating a milestone this year as it commemorates its move to Crosby Park in Albion 70 years ago.
In 1949, the Brothers Rugby Club entered into an agreement with the Queensland Rugby Union (QRU), then the leaseholder, to become the first club in Brisbane with its own grounds. Prior to this arrangement, the club was training at the public premises of New Farm Park. Two years into the agreement with QRU, the Brothers took over the lease.
Tom McCormack pledged a grant to begin the construction of the “Green Shed” which served as a dressing room for the players. This site also had a bar that club members would enjoy for many years.
The reclaimed Crosby Park site in 1949. Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council Library Services
The Brothers Rugby Club’s homebase holds a heap of memories for thousands of its members. Apart from the number of premierships won, the playing field has also become a community hub.
“The facilities are in use almost 24 hours a day, people come down here and bring their kids or dogs. It’s a community centre, which is just predominantly used for rugby,” current club president David Hine said.
“Recent developments in the area over the past 10 years have made our facilities and green space extremely important for the community. I’m proud that we’ve been able to provide this type of service to the community.”
For the last five years, Brothers Rugby Club has come up with a plan upgrade the Crosby Park facilities to sustain future activities and growth. There is a masterplan in place and once lodged and approved with the Council, the redevelopment is projected to take 24 months.
Photo Credit: Brothers Rugby ClubPhoto Credit: Brothers Rugby Club
“Brothers’ fields and facilities are long overdue for an upgrade. With more and more people using Crosby Park for sport and community activities each year, it is important the fields and facilities meet the current and future demand,” the club stated in its masterplan.
“The upgrade is still in the planning phase. We are in the process of developing documentation to submit to Brisbane City Council for approval.”
Ascot residents will have another opportunity to discard their bulky unwanted items and crawlers may again come out for another week of treasure finding as the annual Kerbside Collection returns this 12 August 2019.
What you can leave for Kerbside Collection
Before you start sorting and packing your large household items for discarding, please check the list of acceptable items:
Photo Credit: Alexas_Fotos / Pixabay
bath and laundry tubs;
bicycles and sporting equipment;
carpet and rugs;
electronic waste such as televisions and computers;
furniture and white goods like fridges and stoves;
small household appliances including fans and toasters;
wood products that are less than 1.5 metres.
These acceptable items should be on the kerbside by 6:00 a.m. at the start of the collection period. Illegal dumping fines may apply if you leave your items on the kerb prior to the announced collection date.
The following are considered as unacceptable items and illegal dumping fines may apply if these materials are not removed within seven days of the notified collection period:
bricks and concrete
commercial builders waste
car parts and tyres, including car batteries
dirt and stones
garden waste (e.g. trees, grass, potted plants)
gas bottles
general household waste (e.g. food scraps)
glass and mirrors
hazardous wastes (e.g. chemicals, oil, asbestos)
household waste that normally goes into your waste or recycling bin
Liquids
Reminders for discarders
The Council reminds residents discarding their hard rubbish to keep footpath or roadway clear and safe by keeping the pile tidy on the kerb and not to place sharp or dangerous objects, or piles larger than two cubic metres.
Also, refrigerator and cupboard doors should be removed, as living creatures or a child can get trapped inside and only put items for collection that can be lifted easily and safely by two people.
The Council will not collect piles larger than two cubic metres which is about equal to a small box trailer load.
Lastly, please sort your items into separate piles to speed up the collection process and increase reusability of the items.
Alternatively, you may donate your useable items to any charitable institutions or not-for-profit organisations that can reuse or recycle them like GIVIT, NACRO, and the Council’s tips shops operated by the Endeavour Foundation.
Photo Credit: engage.burnside.sa.gov.au
Kerbside crawlers best practices
Kerbside collection offers opportunities for scavengers to turn these otherwise rubbish finds into gold, but whilst the Council encourages recycling, one must observe certain etiquette:
As a courtesy, if you find something useable, try to seek permission from the homeowner first. However, let’s be respectful of their time and privacy and avoid asking too many questions about the item or if they have anything more to discard for you.
Think safety. Try not to break anything, especially those with parts made of glass, while foraging through the pile.
Take the entire set. If you have little room left in your truck, it is better to leave the dining set and let someone else take advantage rather than take only one chair.
Be respectful, tidy up before your leave and put back the items you decide not to take exactly where you found them.
Some items may not be worth the trouble and thus should be avoided, such as:
Mattresses and bedding. You don’t want to be bringing home bed bugs, head lice, and fungi, do you?
Furniture made from chipboard or medium-density fibreboard. They would be difficult to renovate and reuse as compared to those made from solid timber.
Rooklyn, a century-old Ascot mansion which was owned by the same family for almost 50 years has finally sold for $3.2 million after being listed for three-and-a-half years.
Rooklyn was originally bought in 1972 for $46,000 and has stayed tightly held until its owners decided to downsize. Built in 1914, this grand residence sits on a 943-sqm corner block on Sutherland Avenue, a much-coveted and one of the most expensive streets in Brisbane.
The stately home is described as among those rare houses where all of the original features have been kept intact and maintained with loving care, such as the original terrazzo floor in one of its bathrooms.
Photo Credit: REA Group Ltd. / realestate.com.au
The home boasts of traditional character features including polished timber flooring, soaring ceilings, bay windows, decorative cornicing, chandelier, and fireplaces.
Photo Credit: REA Group Ltd. / realestate.com.au
In contrast to the formal lounge area, the informal lounge and dining rooms have been updated with contemporary features that perfectly captures natural light and cool cross breezes.
Photo Credit: REA Group Ltd. / realestate.com.au
The adjoining gourmet kitchen features stainless steel benchtops, Miele oven and dishwasher, gas cooktop, and array of cabinetry.
Photo Credit: REA Group Ltd. / realestate.com.au
On the other hand, the rear alfresco patio is Tuscan inspired featuring exposed beam ceiling and vine covered walls. Being partially covered, it still manages to capture enough warmth making it a perfect outdoor entertaining area.
Photo Credit: REA Group Ltd. / realestate.com.au
Located on the ground floor is a guest’s retreat with spacious bedroom and bathroom whilst additional four bedrooms are situated on the upper level.
Photo Credit: REA Group Ltd. / realestate.com.au
The master suite, on the other hand, features a bay window and private ensuite with dressing room.
Other features of the Ascot mansion include a 943sqm corner block with wide frontages to Sutherland Avenue and Windermere Road, a 4-car accommodation, spacious study, large laundry with external access, zoned ducted air conditioning on upper level, and a water tank.
AstroJump Teddy Bears’ Picnic at the Races, the fun-filled, annual family event in Ascot, is here again! This is a never-miss affair for the whole family as exciting games and entertainment for the kids and kids at heart have been lined up at the Eagle Farm Racecourse.
Happening on Saturday, the 27th of July 2019, activities at the Teddy Bears’ Picnic will start at 10:30 a.m. and run until 6:00 p.m. This year’s highlight will be the new Astro Jump Inflatable World featuring challenging obstacle courses, castles and slides.
Grown-ups attending the picnic will also have a fun time as there will be nine live races throughout the day. Be sure to familiarise yourself with the map below before you head to the venue so that you can plan your visit.
Photo Credit: Brisbane Racing Club
If this is your first time at the picnic, take a peek from this video from last year so you’ll see just how much fun it was.
Tickets to the Teddy Bears’ Picnic range from $5 to $100. Purchase this in advance online.
Weekly mortgage repayments for a property in Ascot are almost twice the cost to rent per week, which makes renting in this area cheaper than buying, the latest analysis by Domain says.
Brisbane, however, has more suburbs where it’s more affordable to buy than to rent, according to Domain’s study of mortgage repayments based on the median house or unit price for the suburb. The analysis assumed an interest rate of 3.5 percent and a 20 percent deposit and excluded costs like council rates and transfer duties.
The suburb of Waterford in Logan showed the biggest difference between the cost to buy and cost to rent. The weekly mortgage repayments for a house in Waterford is $367, which is cheaper by $33 compared to renting weekly. Bellmere, Loganholme, Crestmead, and Redbank Plains make up the top five locations where it is cheaper to buy than to rent.
On the flipside, expensive suburbs like New Farm, Ascot, and Clayfield where buyers are willing to pay a premium and rental market struggles to grow, it is way cheaper to rent than to buy.
Renting in Ascot, for instance, is $641 cheaper at $650 per week compared to a weekly mortgage repayment of $1,290. On the other hand, realestate.com.au reports that the median weekly rent price in Ascot is $755, based on 94 listings from 1 July 2018 – 9 July 2019..
Experts have observed that the overall trend across capital cities is for rent to be more expensive in the suburbs where houses are more affordable, which could be attributed to the difficulties associated with buying. Whilst interest rates are coming down, the report says, the bigger challenge, especially for lower-income families, is saving up for the deposit
New Farm leads the list of suburbs where it is more affordable to rent than to buy at $660 per week, that is a huge difference of $838 when compared to the weekly mortgage repayment of $1,498. Auchenflower, Clayfield, and Bulimba completes the top five list, after New Farm and Ascot.
Whilst most of these suburbs command a median house price of over $1million, experts say that interstate buyers find great value in entering into these markets compared to Sydney and Melbourne.
