Tarragindi residents are bypassing major supermarket aisles to source premium, raw catches directly from Fitzy’s Fresh Seafood, a highly regarded independent fishmonger changing how the neighbourhood prepares seafood at home.
The shop at 13 Kuring Gai Avenue has built a strong reputation as a dedicated retail space rather than a dine-in eatery. Local shoppers consistently praise the business for its welcoming atmosphere and fair pricing. Many buyers note that the items available are significantly fresher than the seafood found on typical grocery store shelves.
The independent retailer focuses entirely on high-grade products meant for home cooking and backyard barbecues. Customers regularly highlight the exceptional standard of the seafood on offer, with several varieties gaining a loyal following.
Among the local favourites, the store keeps a steady supply of sashimi-grade salmon and Coffin Bay oysters. Home chefs also frequent the shop to buy barramundi and premium bug meat for their family meals. The staff members are widely recognised for being friendly and highly knowledgeable, routinely sharing practical preparation tips and background information about the different fish varieties with shoppers.
The business combines traditional local service with modern convenience to make seafood shopping straightforward for the community. The premises are fully accessible, featuring a wheelchair-friendly entrance along with dedicated parking options to accommodate all members of the public.
To keep transactions simple, the store accepts a variety of up-to-date payment systems. Patrons can choose to pay with standard credit cards, debit cards, or use NFC and mobile payment options at the counter. The balance of premium quality and competitive pricing helps ensure local households receive good value for their grocery spend.
St John Henry Newman College in Tarragindi has officially opened, marking a significant step forward for the long-planned Catholic school, which has now welcomed its first students.
The new college, based on the grounds of St John Fisher Church on Messines Ridge Road, launched with an initial cohort of 46 students and a curriculum built around classical education traditions.
At the official opening Mass, Shane Mackinlay encouraged students and teachers to follow the example of the school’s namesake, St John Henry Newman, describing education as more than job preparation — but a lifelong pursuit of truth.
He told the gathering that learning should be an “ongoing inquiry” that is both “ennobling and enlightening”, rather than something shaped purely by economic outcomes. Reflecting on the Christian foundation of the school, he added: “At the heart of the Christian faith is the crucified Christ… a person who gives Himself in love.”
Former prime minister Tony Abbott also addressed attendees, framing the school’s opening as part of a broader cultural moment. He described it as a “new beginning” grounded in the pursuit of deeper truth, arguing that such ideals remain essential in modern society.
Principal Dr Kenneth Crowther said the college would focus on forming students through the “cultivation of wisdom and virtue”, with the belief that strong academic and career outcomes would follow from those foundations.
The opening also drew support from figures including former Queensland parliamentary speaker John Mickel and board member James Power, who offered messages of encouragement to the school community.
Despite only just opening, demand is already outstripping capacity. The college has received 37 applications for next year’s prep intake — nearly double the available places — with enrolments reportedly oversubscribed through to 2030.
Students at the college will study a wide range of influential thinkers, spanning figures such as Augustine of Hippo and Thomas Aquinas through to Plato, Aristotle, John Milton and Mary Shelley — reflecting its classical liberal arts approach.
The ceremony concluded with students performing St John Henry Newman’s hymn Lead, Kindly Light, offering a symbolic close to a day that signals the college is now firmly up and running.
Tarragindi has become the scene of two very different koala encounters — one where a healthy animal was guided away from danger, and another where a koala did not survive — laying bare how quickly outcomes can change when wildlife meets suburban roads.
In April, volunteers from Koala Rescue Brisbane South responded to separate reports in the area, both linked to koalas moving through neighbourhood trees near busy traffic corridors.
Koala Spotted Above Fernvale Road Draws Swift Community Response
In one case, a healthy female koala was seen perched in a tree along Pring Street, close to Fernvale Road. A nearby resident alerted rescuers after noticing how close the animal was to passing cars.
According to updates shared by Koala Rescue Brisbane South, volunteers attended the site and monitored the koala into the night. To reduce the risk of the animal descending and crossing the road, a humane trap was set at the base of the tree. Community members stayed nearby, keeping watch while traffic continued just metres away.
The group indicated the koala showed no signs of illness or injury, and the response focused on keeping it safe while it moved through the area.
Separate Incident Ends in Loss as Risks Persist
In a separate update shared by the same group, a second koala found in the wider area was already in poor condition and did not survive. Details from the organisation’s post indicated the animal was beyond recovery when discovered.
While the incidents were not directly connected, both unfolded within the same community, where bushland meets residential streets and traffic is constant.
Tarragindi Residents Play Key Role in Early Alerts
The rescue group noted that local residents were central to the first koala’s outcome. Early reporting allowed volunteers to act before the animal moved onto the road. In areas like Tarragindi, where koalas travel between fragmented habitats, sightings often happen in backyards, street trees, or roadside vegetation. Quick calls to wildlife groups can give rescuers time to assess risks and step in when needed.
Volunteers have continued to stress that many koala incidents happen at ground level, particularly at night when animals move between trees. Drivers passing through suburban corridors are urged to slow down and stay alert, especially in known wildlife areas.
Residents are also encouraged to report sightings rather than approach animals, as stress can cause koalas to move unpredictably. Keeping pets contained after dark and watching for movement near roads can help lower the risk of further incidents.
The contrast between the two koalas has stayed with the community. One remained in a tree under watch, while another did not get that chance. In suburbs like Tarragindi, these moments continue to play out as wildlife navigates spaces shaped by roads and housing.
Tarragindi has become the setting for a new Catholic college that is gaining attention well beyond its suburb. St John Henry Newman College has begun its first year with a small group of students, but enrolment interest has surged, with families securing places years in advance as demand outpaces capacity.
Opening Mass brings community together in Tarragindi
The college marked its beginning with an opening Mass attended by students, parents and supporters. Archbishop Shane Mackinlay led the service and addressed the school community, framing education as a lifelong search for truth rather than a narrow path to employment. He pointed to the example of John Henry Newman, whose commitment to intellectual inquiry shaped the identity of the new college.
The Archbishop described learning as something that should engage the whole person, not just focus on memorising information. He also spoke about the Christian faith as something lived and personal, centred on the figure of Christ.
Students later performed Newman’s hymn Lead, Kindly Light, adding a reflective tone to the gathering.
A different model of learning takes shape
The college follows a classical education model, which places strong emphasis on literature, philosophy and theology. Its curriculum includes works from thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle, Augustine of Hippo and Thomas Aquinas, alongside writers like Mary Shelley.
Information from the college’s official website shows the school is built around the pursuit of truth, beauty and goodness, with a focus on forming both intellect and character. Lessons aim to develop reasoning, discussion and careful reading, rather than relying heavily on digital tools.
This approach reflects a broader shift among some families seeking alternatives to mainstream schooling, particularly models that place less emphasis on technology and more on foundational knowledge.
High demand signals strong local interest
The college began with 46 students, but early demand has been strong. Applications for the next intake have exceeded available places, reflecting growing interest from families across Brisbane. The school plans to expand gradually by adding year levels over time.
Principal Dr Kenneth Crowther has outlined a focus on developing wisdom and virtue as the foundation of education. In his view, strong academic outcomes and future work opportunities follow naturally when these areas are prioritised.
The Tarragindi campus was designed as a staged development, beginning with early primary years and expanding as enrolments grow.
The school has also been recognised by the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education as part of a network of classical Catholic schools worldwide. This places the Tarragindi college within an international trend, even as it develops its local identity.
Signs posted at the Davey Street entrance to Toohey Forest in Tarragindi confirm that fire ants have been detected in the reserve, with eradication treatment now underway as part of Australia’s national effort to rid the country of one of its most dangerous invasive species.
A community member spotted the warning sign at the Davey Street entrance on 17 April, prompting questions among locals about what treatment was being used and whether households bordering the forest would receive more information.
The signs themselves are a standard part of the National Fire Ant Eradication Program‘s response procedure, posted to alert visitors that baiting or treatment activities are active in the area.
While fire ants in a beloved green space like Toohey Forest are understandably concerning, the presence of treatment notices is a positive signal. It means the pest has been identified and the eradication machinery is already moving.
Toohey Forest Is Too Important to Lose
Toohey Forest is one of Brisbane’s most significant urban bushland reserves, accessible from both Tarragindi and Moorooka and home to a rich range of native wildlife. That ecological richness is precisely what makes fire ant management here so important.
Fire ants, known scientifically as Solenopsis invicta, arrived in Brisbane in 2001 via cargo ships from South America and have since spread across more than a million hectares of South East Queensland. Their sting causes a sharp burning sensation and can, in rare cases, trigger severe allergic reactions including anaphylaxis.
They pose a serious threat not just to people and pets but to native fauna, competing aggressively with ground-dwelling insects, birds and reptiles for food and territory.
Dense urban bushland like Toohey Forest is actually one of the harder environments for fire ants to establish in. Research suggests fire ants struggle to penetrate undisturbed forest with thick leaf litter, where native competitors and predators, including meat ants, green-headed ants, spiders and predatory beetles, can push back against them.
However, this natural defense is a double-edged sword. Research highlights that clearing land or using broad-scale baiting that inadvertently wipes out native ant populations can actually roll out the red carpet for fire ants. Maintaining the health of our native ‘ant-army’ is just as vital as the treatment itself. Protecting and treating a habitat like this is worth doing.
How the Treatment Works
The National Fire Ant Eradication Program treats all properties in an eradication area, whether fire ants are visible or not, and does so at no cost to landowners. In areas like this, properties may be treated up to six times over two years to ensure no nest is missed.
The treatment itself uses corn grit soaked in soybean oil, infused with a low-concentration insect growth regulator. Worker ants collect the granules and carry them back to the nest, where they feed them to larvae.
The larvae distribute the toxin through the colony by liquid feeding, and over several weeks the colony collapses. For an average suburban block, less than a teaspoon of insect growth regulator mixed with one cup of corn grit is all that is required.
Health authorities and the APVMA consider the treatment safe for people, pets, and the environment when applied strictly according to official guidelines. Because the bait is a targeted, low-concentration growth regulator rather than a broad-spectrum poison, it’s designed to hit the nest while leaving the wider ecosystem intact.
Spotting Fire Ants in Your Area
Residents who spot fire ants in gardens or along the forest edge must report the sighting to the National Fire Ant Eradication Program within 24 hours. Under the Biosecurity Act 2014, all Queenslanders have a general obligation to help prevent their spread.
Fire ant nests are usually easy to identify. They form small mounds of loose, crumbly soil, up to 40 centimetres high, with no obvious entry holes. The ants themselves are copper-brown with a darker abdomen, ranging from two to six millimetres in size. When disturbed, they swarm quickly and aggressively.
Avoid disturbing or treating any suspected nest before reporting it, and keep children and pets well away from the area. While the bait is safe for pets if they come across it, it’s best to keep them away from treated areas so the ants have time to carry it back to the nest.
Report sightings by calling 13 25 23 or online at fireants.org.au.
Passchendaele Street in Tarragindi is named to commemorate the Third Battle of Ypres, often referred to as the Battle of Passchendaele, serving as a reminder of the significant Australian involvement and the devastating losses they suffered in one of the war’s most brutal battles of World War I.
The Battle of Passchendaele, officially known as the Third Battle of Ypres, took place in the Ypres Salient area of the Western Front, near the town of Passchendaele (modern Passendale), Belgium. Australian troops faced not only the entrenched German defences but also the horrendous conditions of mud and rain, which turned the battlefield into a marshland, impeding movement and contributing to the high casualty rates.
Photo Credit: Australian War Memorial
Key dates during this prolonged battle include:
31 July 1917: The battle begins with initial British attacks.
September 1917: Australian forces join the battle, achieving critical gains at Menin Road and Polygon Wood.
4 October 1917: Australians capture Broodseinde Ridge, marking a significant but costly victory.
12 October 1917: The first major attempt to capture Passchendaele village resulted in heavy Australian and New Zealand casualties. About 6,405 Australians were killed in action or dying of wounds in less than a month near Ypres. Additionally, a further 19,194 were wounded.
26 October to 10 November 1917: The battle’s final phase involved further Australian support, but primary efforts transitioned to Canadian forces who captured Passchendaele on 6 November 1917.
This battle was part of a series of battles in this region, characterised by its strategic importance due to the elevated ridge that offered the occupier significant tactical advantages.
Heroism in the Face of Adversity
On the sombre morning of 12 October 1917, Captain Clarence Jeffries demonstrated extraordinary leadership and courage under dire conditions. Before the assault, the battlefield’s transformation into a muddy marsh posed severe challenges. Jeffries, commanding B Company, took proactive steps with Captain T.G. Gilder to locate the battalion’s starting line, ensuring their unit was correctly positioned for the attack despite the obliterated direction tapes.
As the attack commenced under a British artillery barrage, Jeffries and his men faced intense machine gun fire from German strong points, particularly around Hilside Farm. The German defences included fortified pillboxes and entrenched positions, significantly hindering the Australian advance.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Displaying quick thinking and bravery, Jeffries organised a small bombing party to outflank and capture these enemy positions. His group succeeded in taking control of multiple machine guns and capturing several prisoners, briefly reviving the Australian advance.
However, the German resistance was fierce, and as Jeffries attempted to push towards further objectives, he was mortally wounded by machine gun fire during a bold maneuver to neutralise another enemy position. His actions, though costly, marked a significant moment in the battle, showcasing the determination and sacrifice of the Australian forces.
Jeffries’ leadership paved the way for temporary gains and exemplified the spirit of the Australian soldiers who fought at Passchendaele.
Despite their efforts, the Australian units faced overwhelming odds, and the intense enemy fire forced them to retreat, leaving behind many wounded and fallen soldiers, including Jeffries.
Photo Credit: Australian War Memorial
His bravery at Passchendaele was later recognised with a posthumous Victoria Cross, commemorating his bravery and leadership in one of the most challenging battles of the First World War.
Cultural and Memorial Impact
The battles at Passchendaele left a profound impact on Australian military history and are memorialised in various forms, including street names like that in Tarragindi. This serves as a perpetual memory of the sacrifices made by the Australians, illustrating the deep connections between local landscapes and global history.
Students from St Elizabeth’s Catholic Primary School in Tarragindi have completed a public artwork on a traffic signal box as part of the citywide Artforce Brisbane initiative.
Students from St Elizabeth’s Catholic Primary School have added to the city’s streetscape by painting a traffic signal box on Andrew Avenue, Tarragindi. The artwork was completed under the Artforce Brisbane program, which encourages community participation in public art.
Brisbane-Wide Initiative Supporting Local Expression
Artforce Brisbane, established in 1999, allows residents of all backgrounds to design and paint traffic signal boxes throughout the city. With over 1,200 boxes completed and more than 5,000 volunteers involved to date, the program has become a platform for local storytelling and creativity across suburbs.
A Message of Light and Positivity
The Tarragindi signal box artwork features a bold blue background with a large yellow star and symbolic lanterns on each panel. The phrase “Be a Light for Others” is handwritten across the centre of the piece, aligning with the school’s mission of service and community care
School Involvement in Community Initiatives
Founded in 1958, St Elizabeth’s Catholic Primary School has maintained a strong focus on values-driven education and community engagement. The school currently enrols around 350 students and integrates projects like Artforce Brisbane into a broader educational program that includes leadership, creativity, and social awareness.
Photo Credit: St Elizabeth’s School/Facebook
Broader Program Objectives
Artforce Brisbane artworks not only brighten intersections but also reduce graffiti and encourage public ownership of local spaces. The program operates across more than 1,000 traffic boxes citywide, with new opportunities opened annually for residents, schools, and community groups to contribute.
The completed artwork now forms part of a growing gallery of public art across Brisbane, offering both visual interest and a message of encouragement. The contribution from St Elizabeth’s students reinforces the value of involving young people in shaping and beautifying their neighbourhood.
Construction crews began building a new BMX track at Salisbury Recreational Reserve this week, set to become the closest dedicated riding facility for young riders in Tarragindi, with the Evans Road reserve just minutes away across the suburb boundary.
Works began on Monday 30 March at the reserve off Evans Road in Salisbury, with the track designed for beginner, intermediate and expert riders. A June 2026 opening is anticipated, subject to construction conditions.
A Community-Driven Project
The track came about through direct advocacy from local BMX riders and their families, who raised the need for a dedicated facility in the area with the Moorooka Ward office. Young riders helped shape the design alongside bike track specialists, creating a layout that balances challenge for skilled riders with accessibility for newcomers.
The reserve’s location draws Tarragindi families south along Toohey Road toward Evans Road, with the two suburbs directly connected. Its position near the cricket nets and visibility from Evans Road make it easily accessible for residents on both sides of the boundary, while around 80 car spaces on the Allendale Street frontage support riders and visiting families.
A Nearby Track for Tarragindi’s Young Riders
Tarragindi sits immediately north of Salisbury and shares a close community connection with its neighbour, but residents have long relied on Toohey Forest Park for outdoor recreation as the suburb lacks purpose-built infrastructure for young riders. Families currently need to travel to Darra, Acacia Ridge or further afield to access the nearest BMX facilities.
The new Salisbury track changes that equation for families living on Tarragindi’s southern edge, putting a quality, multi-level riding facility within easy reach for primary and secondary school-aged riders who want somewhere consistent and safe to develop their skills. The reserve sits within a broader sporting precinct, allowing riders to combine their visit with the use of nearby oval facilities and open parkland.
For parents, a visible, park-based setting near the cricket nets also provides clear sight lines across the facility, an important consideration when younger children are riding alongside more experienced users.
How to Get There
Salisbury Recreational Reserve is accessible from Evans Road, Salisbury, a short drive south from Tarragindi via Toohey Road. The BMX track is expected to open around June For updates on construction progress, visit this link or contact the Moorooka Ward office on 07 3403 1730.
Did you know that before it became part of Tarragindi, Ekibin was a suburban locality with a rich indigenous history? Here’s a look back at the establishment of this locality, which was home to an aboriginal settlement in the early 19th century.
The Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines said the name ‘Ekibin’ was a modern name derived from the aboriginal word ‘Yekkabin’ which pertains to aquatic plants with edible roots which grew in the creek.
It’s believed that the aquatic plants being referred to are the Telmatoblechnum indicum or the swamp water fern which is often seen growing on sandy soils in swampy areas.
These edible roots, which are dried, roasted, and pounded, were part of the diet of the Aboriginals in Moreton Bay.
Referring to the good supply of edible roots there, the name ‘Ekibin’ has also been associated with “good eating.”
The name Ekibin has been used for the watercourse with headwaters from Toohey Forest Park, Holland Park West and Greenslopes. The swampy watercourse (formerly called Burnett Swamp) is now one of the tributaries of Norman Creek, alongside Sandy Creek.
Early Settlers
One of the early pioneers and land owners in the Ekibin district was Thomas Blackett Stephens, a wealthy businessman and newspaper proprietor who also served as an alderman and mayor of Brisbane Municipal Council.
Thomas Blacket Stephens (Photo credit: John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland)
Stephens established a fellmongery business in 1862 and later on a farming business in the area.
Outside Cumbooqueepa, the former home of Thomas Blackett Stephens (Photo credit: State Library of Queensland)
His home, called Cumbooqueepa, was considered as one of the grandest homes in the South Brisbane area until it was demolished around the 1890s, to make way for the South Coast railway line.
The Baynes family, known for establishing a buthcering business in South Brisbane was also among the early settlers in the area. The location of their business was commonly referred to as Baynes’ Paddock, on the Norman Creek.
Ekibin became part of Tarragindi
A number of unofficial homeless camps were built around Brisbane as a result of the housing shortage during the Great Depression of the 1930s. As with many countries in the world, Australia experienced years of deflation, low profits, poverty, and plunging incomes during that period.
Queensland Housing Commission streetscape in Ekibin, August 1950 (Photo credit: Queensland State Archives, Digital Image ID 1515)
In Ekibin, there were as many as 600 families living at one time. But it eventually decreased to 148 families by 1954, after many of the huts were destroyed and the people relocated into housing commission homes. The camps were bulldozed shortly after some of the remaining residents were relocated.
Women and girls across Brisbane’s CBD and southside, including Tarragindi, are being invited to take part in a cycling survey examining riding habits, safety concerns, and access to local bikeways, with responses open until March 29.
Survey Focuses On Safety And Participation In Tarragindi
The survey is open to women and girls who ride regularly, occasionally, would like to ride, or do not currently ride. It is designed to gather insights into how people travel by bike and what factors influence their decisions.
Participants are asked about their current riding patterns and where they would prefer to travel by bike. Options include work, school, shops, public transport stations, parks, recreation areas, and visits to friends or family.
The survey also asks respondents to rate how safe they feel riding in their local area. It outlines common barriers such as unsafe roads, intersections and crossings, limited protected bike lanes, missing links between routes, poor lighting, and lack of facilities including bike parking.
Respondents are encouraged to identify specific streets, intersections or paths where safety concerns or missing connections affect their ability to ride. The survey also asks participants to nominate one location that could be improved to make riding safer.
Tarragindi is connected to a broader southside cycling network that supports both commuting and recreational riding. A key route is Veloway 1 (V1), a separated cycleway linking the area with the Brisbane CBD while allowing riders to avoid general traffic.
Stage E of the Veloway 1 upgrade improved connectivity, including bridge works at Marshall Road, Sterculia Avenue and Bapaume Road. The route is intended to support safer travel and encourage active transport use.
The Tarragindi Bikeway starts near Evans Road and Orange Grove Road and connects with Toohey Forest and the V1. Toohey Forest Park provides additional off-road trails through bushland terrain used for mountain biking.
Nearby facilities include the Glindemann Park BMX and pump track in Holland Park. A 7.1-kilometre circuit along the Warick Creek and Bulimba Creek bikeways offers an option for both commuting and leisure riding.
Photo Credit: Pexels
Next Steps For Cycling Insights
The survey is aimed at building a clearer understanding of how women and girls experience cycling across Brisbane’s southside, including Tarragindi. It asks participants to identify locations where infrastructure and conditions affect their riding decisions.
Tarragindi’s cycling network provides access to both commuter routes and recreational trails, while the survey seeks to identify where improvements may support increased participation.
