Ascot Archives - Page 5 of 11

Local Talents Brighten Ascot Streets With Colourful Artworks for Artforce Brisbane

Around Ascot is a vibrant collection of artworks on traffic signal boxes made by local artists depicting various themes. Part of the Artforce Brisbane program, the initiative started in 1999 and continues to showcase local creativity and diversity.

Here are some of the artworks and where you can find them.

Brisbane Cats’ River Ride

This artwork from the students of Ascot State School depicts a lazy Sunday afternoon scene where cats leisurely float down the Brisbane River in a handmade boat. The design showcases the juxtaposition of modern high-rise buildings, lush green trees, and diverse residents, all adorned with magical vines and flowers.

Location: Racecourse Rd & Kent St

Spring Racing Blooms

From artist Corina Hibberd, “Spring Racing Blooms” embellishes the Energex Padmount Transformer located on Racecourse Road, adjacent to the Eagle Farm racecourse. The vibrant floral arrangement pays homage to the iconic Spring Racing Carnival at the Eagle Farm and Doomben racecourses while injecting colour and life into the surrounding garden bed.

Location: 85 Racecourse Rd

Spring Racing Artforce Brisbane — Photo Credit: Artforce Brisbane

Flocking Ibis

The “Flocking Ibis,” another captivating piece, presents a colourful and playful interpretation of the Australian ibis, a bird that has become a familiar sight in suburban areas. The artwork from Karla Morris and Kate Slaughter challenges the bird’s commonly-held negative reputation and encourages viewers to appreciate its unique presence.

Location: Nudgee Rd & Lamington Ave

Flocking Ibis Artforce Bribane — *Photo Credit: Artforce Brisbane*

Race Like a Girl

“Race Like a Girl” is a particularly inspiring project involving five young girls aged between 6 and 10 years old: India McConnell, Eva Jackson, Charlotte Jackson, Millicent McConnell, and Violet Jackson. Drawing inspiration from the nearby racecourse, the girls aimed to celebrate female heroes in horse racing. The artwork features bold colours symbolizing tenacity, striking racing silks representing resilience in a male-dominated sport, and horseshoes as symbols of luck and hope. The main jockey portrayed in the artwork is Michelle J. Payne, the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup in 2015.

Location: Nudgee Road & Racecourse Village Shopping Centre

Race Like A Girl Artforce Brisbane — Photo Credit: Google Maps street view

The Ascot community has embraced these Artforce Brisbane creations, recognizing their contribution to the neighbourhood’s identity and sense of belonging. These artistic endeavours not only beautify public spaces but also foster connections, inspire creativity, and promote inclusivity among residents of all backgrounds.

Published 8-June-2023

Ascot Attempted Break-in Incidents Highlight Importance of Home Security

Photo credit: Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash

Two separate incidents in Ascot have underscored the benefits of installing home security systems to make one’s home less vulnerable to intruders.

Between 9.10 am and 9.20 am on Monday, 17 April 2023, two homeowners on Kitchener Road and Yabba Street in Ascot were notified by their CCTV systems of attempted break-ins by unknown individuals.

At both of these addresses, the residents noticed a white Nissan X-trail that had been stolen from an address in Grange. CCTV footage also showed the same offenders attempting to break in. Fortunately, the residents were able to notify the authorities, and as a result, the offenders left without taking any property.

In a separate incident, at around 9.25 pm on the same night, offenders attempted to enter a residence in Henry Street, Ascot but were unsuccessful. The resident was able to provide police with CCTV footage of the suspects. The white Nissan X-trail was located by police and crashed at Enoggera.

The attempted break-ins in Ascot emphasise the significance of implementing security measures to safeguard your home. The police suggest that installing alarm and CCTV systems that comply with the Australian Standards for domestic use to help in identifying offenders.

As evidenced by the incidents in question, residents in Ascot were able to promptly notify law enforcement and furnish them with valuable evidence of the attempted break-ins, thanks to the aid of such systems.

Aside from security systems, it’s also important to remember to lock your doors with a key, even while you’re at home. This extra security measure provides an additional hurdle for potential offenders attempting to enter your home.

Moreover, to ensure the safety of your loved ones and property, it’s advisable to have a well-lit exterior, particularly around your home’s entrance. Sufficient lighting can discourage potential intruders since it makes it more visible to others if someone is approaching the house.

For more information on home security, follow this link: Home and multi-residential security | QPS (police.qld.gov.au)

Published 3-May-2023

New Fine-Dining Destination Victory Lane To Open At Racecourse Rd

Did you know that Victory Lane, a high-end, winery-inspired gourmet dining destination will soon open on Racecourse Road in Ascot?

Read: IGA Marketplace Ascot Goes On the Market After Extensive Renovation

The establishment will be located at 150 Racecourse Rd, in the former spot of One Fifty Ascot bar and eatery, which has now undergone a complete transformation.

Photo credit: Victory Lane Ascot/Facebook

Scheduled to open in May 2023, the restaurant will offer lunch and dinner services from Wednesday to Sunday, catering to food enthusiasts in the area.

The restaurant emphasises the use of fresh, local produce to produce delicious gourmet fare. Its menu will feature a range of innovative and sophisticated dishes that showcase the best of modern culinary techniques.

The menu will also offer an array of wine options to complement the food, with a focus on local and international labels. Keep tabs on their menu offerings when they become available here.

The new restaurant will feature an outdoor dining area as well as a distinct bar area, complete with a glass roof and a stunning waterfall feature. In addition to its indoor dining and bar spaces, Victory Lane will feature a charming courtyard that will serve as an ideal function area for occasions.

It’s the latest offering from Muragh Operations, the company behind popular Brisbane restaurants such as Newstead’s Botany Restaurant and South Bank’s The Jetty.

Despite its fine dining credentials, it aims to create an inviting and approachable atmosphere that exudes relaxed vibes. The restaurant’s design will be sleek and modern, with an emphasis on comfort and functionality.

Read: Da Biuso Hits the Road With Ascot as Its First Stop

Follow Victory Lane on Facebook or on Instagram @victorylaneascot for news and updates.

Published 24-April-2023

IGA Marketplace Ascot Goes On the Market After Extensive Renovation

Did you know that IGA Marketplace Ascot is now up for auction, with a brand-new, 20-year lease?

In 2022, HG Retail relaunched IGA Marketplace Ascot after taking over the old supermarket, following an extensive $4-million renovation. The location was previously the site of the long-standing Sirrani’s, the popular Ascot supermarket that closed business after 55 years.

The IGA relaunch entailed refitting the supermarket and adopting a state-of-the-art facility, complementing the suburb’s demographic.

Located five kilometres from the CBD in one of Brisbane’s most upmarket suburbs, IGA Marketplace Ascot is near four in-demand schools thus guaranteeing a significant number of traffic regularly.

“This is an ultra-rare opportunity to purchase a prestigious freestanding supermarket investment with a brand new 20-year lease,” Michael Feltoe of Ray White Commercial said.

“The long-term guaranteed income growth, combined with the prized location and site’s long supermarket history, will give buyers great confidence in this trophy asset.”

The auction is set for Wednesday, 19 April 2023, at 10:00 am, at 111 Eagle Street, CBD.

Published 11-April-2023

Surviving WWII Codebreakers in Ascot Honoured With Australian Intelligence Medal After 80 Years

Eighty years after their service to the Australian military, three of the clandestine band of female codebreakers in Ascot who helped Allied Forces win World War II in the Pacific were honoured with the Australian Intelligence Medal on Australia Day 2023.

The surviving Ascot codebreakers, Joyce Grace, Coral Hinds and Ailsa Hale, were recognised for their top-secret work as Typex Operators with the Central Bureau Headquarters, which was established at a garage inside Nyrambla, a house in Ascot.

These women were collecting and decoding Japanese military communications to help the Allied Forces but they were not able to tell anyone, even their own families, of their highly-sensitive role in the Australian military.

Known as the “Garage Girls” because they operated from the basement of Nyrambla, an Ascot mansion that served as a secret intelligence base, the Ascot codebreakers were vital to Operation Vengeance. Cracking secret communications helped the Allies take down Japanese naval chief Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto in 1943, essentially ending the war in the Pacific.

Admiral Yamamoto was the commander-in-chief of the Japanese Imperial Navy’s Combined Fleet during the Battle of Midway and the attack on Pearl Harbour.

Congratulations to the ‘Garage Girls’, Coral Hinds, Joyce Grace & Ailsa Hale for being awarded Australian Intelligence Medals. These exceptional women were critical to Allied victories in WWII. Their efforts shortened the war, saved many lives & paved the way for women in sigint. pic.twitter.com/AwsJaajBmz
— Australian Signals Directorate (@ASDGovAu) January 25, 2023

Australian Signals Directorate Director-General Rachel Noble hailed the medal honourees as the “modern-day heroines” who have inspired Australians. Their recognition has been long overdue.

Ms Grace, who is celebrating her 100th birthday in March 2023, said she is proud of the honour. She recalls receiving a letter from the government asking her to leave her job at a draper store to help with the war effort.

She didn’t fully see the impact of her work as a codebreaker until 30 years later when they were finally allowed to divulge their top-secret roles in various features and documentaries. During the war, every one of the Garage Girls thought it was simply a job they had to do.

Aircraft Noise Level in Ascot Ranks 4th Highest Among 55 Brisbane Suburbs

Photo Credit: Ketut Subiyanto/Pexels

Did you know that Ascot has the fourth-highest aircraft noise level among 55 Brisbane suburbs based on measurements taken from uploaded recordings of a user-based, Dutch phone app?

The latest ExPlane app report showed that the average decibel levels in Ascot is 76 based on 1,081 recordings made since 2020, when Brisbane Airport’s new flightpaths were implemented.

According to Audiology, a decibel level above 70 may be comparable to busy traffic or a vacuum cleaner and could result in permanent hearing loss when extended over a long period.

Here are the 10 suburbs with the highest plane noise levels based on uploaded recordings from ExPlane app users:

SUBURB	AVERAGE DECIBELS	RECORDINGS
Cannon Hill	80dB	84
Murarrie	80dB	25
Norman Park	78dB	377
Ascot	76dB	1,081
Kangaroo Point	76dB	72
Albany Creek	75dB	6
Clayfield	75dB	89
Tingalpa	75dB	25
Keperra	75dB	8
Hendra	74dB	1,229

Brisbane locals have been uploading aircraft noise recordings on the ExPlane app, becoming the second most active users next to the Dutch since 2020. However, the Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) said that the mobile service was inaccurate.

The ExpPlane app has been tracking aircraft noise levels from airports across the world and was created by Roelof Meijer of SchipholWatch, a group of residents in Holland who opposed the expansion of Schiphol airport.

Schiphol Airport is owned by the Royal Schiphol Group, a shareholder of the Brisbane Airport.

A message from Brisbane Airport: pic.twitter.com/hvoo38lXDt
— Brisbane Airport ✈️ (@BrisbaneAirport) September 30, 2022

The report comes after BAC issued an apology for failing to comply with its Noise Abatement Procedures when Qatar airline took off at 11:00 p.m., adversely impacting residents in Hamilton and New Farm.

A move to permanently impose a curfew from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. has been introduced in the Parliament. However, BAC CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff is against the curfews and caps as these could affect the job security of 9,000 workers. Whilst Mr Graaff acknowledges the aircraft noise issues, he believes that curfews and caps are not the answers.

Meanwhile, Airservices Australia, the federal aviation industry regulator, is currently trialing Noise Improvement Trials, coursing planes to take off and land in the opposite direction to reduce the noise. Final changes to the flight path will not be adopted without community consultations thus these issues will still take more time to be resolved.

Busy Sandgate Road in Ascot Could Soon Have a New Childcare Centre

Photo Credit: DA A006008025/BCC

A three-storey childcare centre could soon rise on busy Sandgate Road in Ascot, on property that used to be a service station.

Dan Band Holdings Pty Ltd lodged DA A006008025 in May 2022 detailing plans to redevelop the demolished service station as a childcare centre with a striking brick design.

The facility has been designed to accommodate 69 kids who will be able to take advantage of six activity rooms, an elevated outdoor play area, and sections of undercover play areas.

Childcare Centre Sandgate road — Photo Credit: DA A006008025/BCC

Urban Strategies helped with the building’s U-shaped layout that provides a piazza at the centre of the property, accessible to all the activity rooms.

“This central piazza areas are seen to be a design which allows for increased interaction of children between play rooms whilst also being respectful of neighbouring properties through orientating a large play area internal to the site and hence minimising any potential acoustic concerns,” the development application stated.

The childcare centre will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. during weekdays and will have 14 car parking areas.

However, Council has asked for more information based on the initial assessment, given that the bulk and scale of the building exceeds the low to medium-density residential zone code of the area. The planners have been asked to amend the plans and reduce the building’s height and appearance which should be in line with the streetscape of Sandgate Road.

Sandgate Road — *Photo Credit: DA A006008025/BCC*

In September, the planners filed for a Notice to Stop the Current Period for 130 days to prepare the amended plans.

Meanwhile, the DA has received one submission from a resident opposing the childcare centre.

“I oppose the development as the flow on effect of traffic issues this will cause on both Sandgate Road and Butler street will be extensive. Living on Butler street currently it is almost impossible to get a carpark outside my own house at the best of times let alone during school drop off and pick up (St Margaret’s) and this proposed child care centre will make the situation even worse,” the local stated.

Ascot Mansion with Batman Tunnel and Bear Cave Breaks Sales Record

Photo Credit: realestate.com.au

A luxurious six-storey Ascot mansion which went viral for its ‘Batman tunnel’ and its hidden ‘bear cave,’ has changed hands in a record-breaking private sale in Brisbane in September 2022.

The Ascot mansion, located on 35 Morgan Street, was supposed to go under the hammer on 17 September 2022, with a number of global prestige buyers from London, the US, UAE, Egypt, Singapore, and Hong Kong all set to compete for it. Things changed however, when online videos of the house with the Batman tunnel and the bear cave blew up overnight.

Batman tunnel Ascot mansion — *Photo Credit: realestate.com.au*

Days before the auction, an eager buyer snatched the property in a confidential sale, sealing the deal for more than $12 million. The identity of the new owner has not been made public.

The bear cave was actually a relatively new addition by the former owners. They knew that they could level up their Ascot mansion before putting it up for sale and they made significant additions to it, including a hidden entertainment area, accessible with a click of a button from a Shakespeare sculpture. It turned out to be just what the house needed to bring it up a notch from ‘special’ to ‘extraordinary and unique.’

The cave led to a speakeasy private bar and beer taps, a pool table, a 12-panel TV wall, and a sound-proofed professional quality recording studio. The area also has a private gym that actually looks bigger than a commercial fitness club.

Upstairs, the Ascot mansion has six bedrooms with their own walk-in closets with the top floor master’s bedroom boasting a panoramic view of Brisbane.

The property also has a two-bedroom private apartment for long-term or short-term guests at the lower level. This section has separate access and its own terrace, perfect for visiting families with kids.

The viral Ascot mansion was listed for under three weeks before it changed hands. It was previously owned and built by Brisbane builder Brett Walker, who sold the mansion with the Batman tunnel in 2017 for $8.8 million.

Thief Caught in the Act Thanks to Quick Action from an Ascot Resident

Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook

Thanks to the quick action of an Ascot resident, the authorities were to catch two thieves who entered a secured garage and took items from a vehicle inside it.

The incident happened on Lapraik Street in Ascot on the evening of Sunday, 25 September 2022, where a neighbour observed two men in hoodies, who were also wearing face masks and gloves, as they tried to open some of the parked vehicles.

The concerned Ascot resident immediately called the Queensland Police Services (QPS to alert them of the troublemakers who were able to enter a secured garage. They managed to take some items from the car park inside.

However, the QPS arrived just in time to arrest the thieves, a 38-year-old man from Albion and a 24-year-old man from Morayfield. The pair are due to appear at the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday, 17 October 2022.

QPS has the Ascot resident’s CCTV footage as a vital piece of evidence to ensure that the thieves will be behind bars for a long time.

Per the QPS: “Historically, investigators have benefited from CCTV systems in business or commercial premises. Recent advancements in technology, affordability and accessibility have resulted in more people choosing to utilise CCTV at their homes for safety and security.”

Incidentally, the QPS reminded residents to register their CCTV.

Residents may report a crime by calling 1800 333 000 or online through Crime Stoppers.

Esteemed Brisbane Architect E.P. Trewern: the Man Behind Notable Homes in Ascot and Nearby Suburbs

14 Kitchener Road, Ascot | Photo Credit: UQ Library

Get to know Eric Percival “Percy” Trewern, professionally known as E.P. Trewern, architect extraordinaire. He is the man behind the name that people in the real estate and housing industry equate with well-designed homes found in suburbs like Ascot, Hamilton, and Clayfield, where they command a premium for style, function, and the distinctive Trewern aesthetic.

Eric Percival Trewern rose to prominence in Queensland as a domestic architect during the interwar period. Prior to that time, he had already designed commercial and industrial buildings.

Mr Trewern grew up in a Cornish mining community in Bendigo. His parents instilled values of handwork and endurance in their sons, Eric being the eldest of three.

As a young man, Mr Trewern loved to sketch and paint with watercolours. He became an art student of Arthur Thomas Woodward, a British painter, and an apprentice of John Beebe, a Bendigo architect.

At that time, formal training in architecture was not accessible in Bendigo but that didn’t dampen Mr Trewer’s enthusiasm to learn. He studied relevant courses at the School of Mines. Whilst under Beebe, he worked on building hotels, shops, and warehouse projects, as well as the Bendigo Hospital.

Around 1914, the Trewern family decided to move to Queensland for better opportunities. His parents also thought he could establish a successful career as an architect in Brisbane.

EP Trewern — Photo Credit: Digital Archive of Queensland Architecture

After working as a draftsman at both the e Department of Agriculture and the Department of Public Works, Mr Trewern also earned his architecture qualifications at 21 years old and was elected into the Queensland Institute of Architects.

Queensland Architects — Photo Credit: Digital Archive of Queensland Architecture

One of the First Trewern Residences in Ascot

After years of working for the Government, Mr Trewern decided to become an independent designer and set up his private practice. From 1920 to 1922, he worked on two brick houses in Ascot and Hamilton. He become an advocate for brick houses than timber homes because they were cheaper, sturdier, and could provide either coolness or warmth to the house, depending on the weather.

In 1922, he designed a house for the wealthy Arthur H. Perry, a hardware retailer, along 14 Kitchener Road in Ascot. This had a living room flowing into the dining room, which included a brick fireplace. The house last went on the market in 2020 for $3.6 million and still has details of Trewern’s California Bungalow designs with brick piers and concrete beams.

Ascot 14 Kitchener — Photo Credit: realestate.com.au

Other Homes in Ascot

The architect also designed the remodelled the home on 21 Towers Street for Mr Thomas Brown (circa 1926) before it was demolished many years later.

In 1928, Mr Trewern built another house on 6 Bale Street in Ascot for the family of Mr Norman A.D. Harris. The house still remains standing today and has been off the market since the 1980s.

6 Bale St Ascot — Photo Credit: UQ Library

Another Trewern-designed residence can be found along 22 Yabba Street and was originally built for Mr John F. Church. It was last sold in 1999 for $1.22 million.

The house on 12 Ascot St was built for Dr Graham Sutton in 1931 and was called the Hampton Wick. The Tudor-style house had its own waiting room for the doctor’s patients, which has been restored as a multipurpose room. The house has been updated with glass panels and skylights when it sold for $3.4 million in 2021.

Ascot St Current — Photo Credit: Google Maps

Along 42 Kitchener Road is Daneshill, the brick house built for Ms Agnes E. Noble. The property exudes timeless elegance and is considered one of the landmark residences in Ascot. It went on the market for the first time after 40 years in 2020 and sold for $1.9 million.