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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Photo Credit: Google Maps
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Photo credit: QPS
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
A new grandstand is planned at Eagle Farm, with $25 million committed to begin demolition and early works to replace the ageing John Power Stand at the Brisbane racecourse.
Eagle Farm Racecourse has hosted thoroughbred racing for more than 160 years. Several spectator facilities at the venue, including the John Power Stand, have been assessed as nearing the end of their operational life.
Engineering investigations into the John Power Stand were first undertaken in 2013, with further assessments completed in 2022 and 2023. These reports identified significant structural deterioration and concluded that major components of the building were approaching the end of their structural lifespan.
The John Power Stand is scheduled to be decommissioned in August 2026, following the conclusion of the Winter Carnival.
Funding And Project Scope
An initial $25 million has been released to support the first stage of redevelopment at Eagle Farm. The funding will allow demolition of the John Power Stand to commence and enable detailed planning for a replacement spectator facility.
The funding forms part of a broader loan arrangement for racing infrastructure and aligns with a statewide framework aimed at delivering modern, fit-for-purpose facilities across Queensland’s racing network.
Photo Credit: MID-0524-0842
Planning And Approval Pathway
The Eagle Farm grandstand redevelopment has been approved under Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID-0524-0842), granted in October 2025. The designation enables a state-led assessment process for the project.
Planning documentation associated with the designation includes concept designs for a new facility, referred to as The Terraces, which will replace the John Power Stand.
Photo Credit: MID-0524-0842
Maintaining Racing Operations
The Brisbane Racing Club, which operates Eagle Farm, has indicated the works will be staged to allow racing to continue during redevelopment. Coordination with Racing Queensland is intended to minimise disruption between the end of the 2026 Winter Carnival and the commencement of the 2027 season.
Once completed, the new grandstand is expected to provide upgraded amenities and improved accessibility, supporting ongoing use of Eagle Farm as Queensland’s premier thoroughbred racing venue.
A rescue cat named Socko from Ascot has been prevented from boarding Brisbane’s CityCat ferries, drawing attention to pet travel rules that permit dogs but exclude cats.
CityCat and ferry services operate along the Brisbane River, connecting terminals from St Lucia through to Northshore Hamilton and forming a major transport option for daily travel.
In mid-2020, dogs were permitted to travel on CityCats and ferries following a six-month trial. Under these arrangements, dogs are allowed during off-peak weekday hours and throughout weekends, subject to conditions on restraint, location on board, and passenger safety.
Cats were not included in this policy change and remain excluded from CityCat services.
Photo Credit: Sara & Socko/Instagram
Socko’s Experience On The CityCat
Socko is a rescue cat adopted in April 2025 by Sara Calle Herrera, who lives in Ascot. Since his adoption, Socko has regularly travelled outdoors around Brisbane in a carrier or on a leash, including walks and runs along public paths.
Sara became aware of the restriction after boarding a CityCat with Socko secured inside a carrier while remaining in an outdoor area. Ferry staff advised that cats are not permitted under current rules.
Photo Credit: Sara & Socko/Instagram
Existing Pet Travel Rules
Current CityCat conditions allow accredited assistance animals and pet dogs to travel. Dogs must remain outside the ferry cabin, be properly restrained or enclosed, and travel only during approved times.
Cats are not listed as permitted pets, including those contained in enclosed carriers.
For Sara, the exclusion limits transport options when moving around Brisbane without a private vehicle, including trips such as veterinary visits. While she continues to travel by foot and car, the restriction reduces flexibility when using river transport.
The situation contrasts with arrangements in other Australian cities, where small pets are permitted on some public transport services when secured in suitable containers.
Community Discussion And Outlook
Public response to Socko’s experience has been mixed, with some questioning the difference in treatment between dogs and cats, while others raise concerns around allergies and onboard comfort.
Morgan Street in Ascot represents a fascinating example of post-war suburban development, with the street not even existing in 1936 when historical aerial photography captured the area. This relatively modern addition to Brisbane’s street network has evolved into a prestigious residential enclave that embodies the exclusive character Ascot is renowned for.
With an impressive 95% of properties being owner-occupied and residents staying an average of 14 years and 9 months, Morgan Street demonstrates exceptional stability and desirability. While 44% of residents have called the street home for more than a decade, the community reflects both established families and newer residents drawn to this sought-after location. The street’s property transaction history reveals the remarkable appreciation in Ascot’s real estate values, with properties that sold for $200,000 in 1981 now representing multi-million dollar investments in one of Brisbane’s most coveted suburbs.
Morgan Street, Ascot Residents
NUMBER OF PROPERTIES: 28 (24 houses, 4 others) % OF OWNER OCCUPIERS ON STREET: 95% AVERAGE TIME FOR OWNER OCCUPIERS: 14 years and 9 months % OF PEOPLE 10+ YEARS: 44%
Morgan Street, Ascot – As It Looked in 1936
Morgan Street, Ascot in 1936
SOME RECENT SALES ON MORGAN STREET, ASCOT
Property Address
Sale Price
Sale Date
3 Morgan Street, Ascot
$6,505,000
Oct 2025
1 Morgan Street, Ascot
$4,420,000
Jul 2025
SOME TYPICAL PROPERTY SALES ON MORGAN STREET FROM YESTERYEAR
Property Address
Sale Price
Sale Date
19 Morgan Street, Ascot
$200,000
Apr 1981
6 Morgan Street, Ascot
$380,000
Aug 1992
3 Morgan Street, Ascot
$485,000
Nov 1992
SUBURB PROFILE
The median price of a 3 Bedroom House in Ascot in 2025 was $1,576,000 The median price of a 3 Bedroom House in Ascot in 2021 was $1,325,000 TYPICAL INCREASE OF A 3-BEDROOM HOUSE IN ASCOT SINCE 2021: $251,000
The median price of a 5 Bedroom House in Ascot in 2025 was $3,430,000 The median price of a 5 Bedroom House in Ascot in 2021 was $2,620,000 TYPICAL INCREASE OF A 5-BEDROOM HOUSE IN ASCOT SINCE 2021: $810,000
The median price of a 2 Bedroom Unit in Ascot in 2025 was $697,000 The median price of a 2 Bedroom Unit in Ascot in 2021 was $420,000 TYPICAL INCREASE OF A 2 BEDROOM UNIT IN ASCOT SINCE 2021: $277,000
The median price of a 3 Bedroom Unit in Ascot in 2025 was $1,106,000 The median price of a 3 Bedroom Unit in Ascot in 2021 was $625,000 TYPICAL INCREASE OF A 3 BEDROOM UNIT IN ASCOT SINCE 2021: $481,000
