A Brisbane high school student will soon see her idea become part of a major retirement development, after winning a crane-naming competition at Bernborough Ascot.
Read: Redevelopment Aims to Preserve Heritage of Paddock and Members Stands at Eagle Farm Racecourse
Macgregor State High School student Zainabu Abdulganiu was selected as the winner through a competition linked to Magnolia House, the third building now under construction at the vertical retirement village. Her entry, Eternal Stable, reflects qualities she associated with strength, balance and community, and draws on the history of the site.
The competition formed part of the Property Council of Australia’s Girls in Property initiative, which introduces female high school students to career pathways across the property and construction industries. The national program is now in its seventh year and has reached more than 600 students from 25 schools. In Queensland, four Brisbane schools and eight Townsville schools are participating in 2025.
For participating students, the naming activity offered a practical way to connect with a live project and understand how different roles contribute to a development. The crane carrying the name Eternal Stable is scheduled to be installed in November as construction progresses on Magnolia House.
Magnolia House represents the next stage of Bernborough Ascot, which is recognised as Queensland’s first vertical retirement village located on a racetrack. Positioned beside Brisbane Racing Club’s Doomben course, the development combines apartment living with access to green space and its racetrack surroundings. The new building will feature a mix of two- and three-bedroom apartments, three penthouses and a rooftop dining and alfresco area overlooking the track. Residents are expected to move in from late 2027.
For Keyton, the developer behind Bernborough Ascot, the competition offered a way to involve students while also aligning with the all-women development team working on Magnolia House. Senior Development Manager Samantha Collins said the activity helped students see how a project comes together and allowed them to contribute in a meaningful way. She noted that naming cranes has become a simple but effective way to build community connection on construction sites.
The Girls in Property initiative continues to give students practical experiences such as workshops, tours and guidance from industry professionals. The program aims to expand awareness of career options in a sector that employs more than one million Australians.
Read: NAPLAN 2025 Shows Performance Movement For Leading Ascot School
For Zainabu, the naming competition provided insight into the property sector through direct engagement with an active development site. For the project team, Eternal Stable will stand as a reminder of student involvement as Magnolia House takes shape.
Published 9-December-2025
