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Wellers Hill Bowls Club in Tarragindi Opens for Flood Victims Seeking Shelter

Editor’s Note: UPDATE (2 March 2022) – The Wellers Hill Bowls Club initiative has wound down and Council advises residents to proceed to the Chandler Arena instead.

Residents in the southside who have nowhere else to go and need a safe haven from the devastating floods are welcome to seek shelter at the Wellers Hill Bowls Club on Esher Street in Tarragindi.

The club operators announced that they will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for those who will need a dry place to enjoy some food, use the toilet facilities, and rest after the stressful weather events for the past few days. The site has accommodated more than 30 flood victims and their pets, and they are expecting more in the coming days.

“We have a big hall and plenty of tables and chairs. We are animal friendly so you can bring your pets. We have coffee and tea facilities as well as a kitchen,” Anthony Neven said. “Our address is 34 Esher St or give me a call at 0411 415 373.”

Whilst originally intended to open for overnight stays, the operators of Wellers Hill Bowls Club said that Council has asked them to direct flood victims looking for a place to sleep at the Sleeman Sports Complex in Chandler, a pet-friendly evacuation centre.

Nonetheless, the clubhouse will still welcome donations for the flood victims, such as toiletries and warm blankets for those coming in for the day.

Aside from Sleeman Sports Complex in Chandler, the Council has also turned the Kedron-Wavell Services Club into an overnight shelter/evacuation centre in the northside, which will accept only trained service animals with their families.

Evacuation Kit Must-Haves

Evacuees are advised to bring the following items to the temporary shelters:

Mobile phone and charger
Spare clothing
Toiletries
Important documents (e.g. insurance papers, passports, birth certificates, backup of computer files)
Necessary medication and prescriptions
Needs for infants such as formula or nappies
Bedding, pillow, and blankets
lead and muzzle for dogs
food for pets
litter and a litter tray for pets

Track Emergency Info and Updates

For essential trips, however, check for road conditions via the Department of Transport and Main Roads updates. Also, follow the updates for other impacted services at Council’s official site.

For flood emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500. For life-threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

Time to Step Up, Tarragindi! Clean Up Australia Day Is Coming

Photo Credit: Clean Up Australia / cleanup.org.au/

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Update from Clean Up Australia as of 2 March 2022: The safety of our community is of paramount importance so we encourage you to reschedule your Clean Up in the event of bad weather. Any areas affected by heavy rain and damaging winds will need attention when it is safe for volunteers to gather outdoors.)

It’s time to Step up to Clean up! Join the Tarragindi Community Clean Up event and donate your time to clean up the environment on Sunday, the 6th of March 2022, as communities around the country observe Clean Up Australia Day.

What is Clean Up Australia?

The Clean Up Australia campaign was started by Ian Kiernan, AO, in 1989. Kiernan was a yachtsman who represented Australia in the BOC Challenge around-the-world solo yacht race in 1986-87.

During that trip, he got to see the shocking amount of rubbish that is clogging the world’s oceans. With the help of his friends, he then organised the Clean Up Sydney Harbour event in 1989 that attracted 40,000 volunteers and collected over 5,000 tonnes of rubbish. The successful event gave birth to Clean Up Australia Day in 1990.

In 1991, Kiernan was asked by the United Nations to replicate the initiative and invite the global community to get on board as well, and so the Clean Up the World operation was launched in 1993. The not-for-profit, non-government apolitical event saw more than 30 million people in 80 countries participating.

Ian Kiernan – Clean Up the World Welcome Message | Video Credit: cleanuptheworld / YouTube

In Australia, Clean Up Australia Day has become the largest community-based event in the country, three decades after its inception, empowering communities to make a difference by cleaning up and preserving the environment for future generations.

As an organisation, Clean Up Australia works with individuals, community groups, businesses and schools across Australia providing them with free Clean Up Kit including bags, gloves, information and promotional materials, as well as public liability insurance coverage.

Why participate in the Clean Up Australia Day?

Australia’s litter problem continues to grow. Plastic wastes that the country generates alone are estimated to be around 2.5 million tonnes each year and only 13% is recovered whilst 84% is sent to landfill. Moreover, around 130,000 tonnes of this rubbish find its way into waterways and into the ocean which negatively impacts precious marine life.

Video Credit: Clean Up Australia / YouTube

Interested individuals, community groups, businesses or schools may register their clean up event or participate in the following events:

• Tarragindi Community Clean Up, Ekibin Memorial Park – 8 am -10 am, Sunday 6 March

• Middle St, Coopers Plains – 3 pm – 5 pm, Sunday 6 March

• Beryl Roberts Park, Coopers Plains – 5 pm – 6 pm, Sunday 6 March

Apart from participating in the Clean Up Australia campaign, you can do your part in keeping the environment clean by staying away from cheap products that don’t last long, avoiding single-use items, buying second-hand clothing and recycled products and fixing damaged items when possible.

First-Ever Outdoor Roller Derby Court to Open in Salisbury

Did you know that Brisbane will soon have the very first outdoor roller derby court in Salisbury? The sports and recreational site is currently under construction and will transform the unused netball courts at the Salisbury Recreation Reserve.

According to Cr Vicki Howard, the chair of Field Services, six outdated netball courts at the reserve will be transformed into two outdoor roller derby courts based on the community’s request. Speaking with ABC Radio, Ms Howard said that they have been working with the southside roller derby leagues to deliver this request as roller derby has become popular in recent years.

The councillor also said that netballers have moved to other facilities, thus the site has not been used for many years. The remediation of Salisbury Recreation Reserve will also bring more green spaces in the area for the community to use when there are no roller derby practices or games.

Ms Howard expects that the facility will open to the public by the end of March 2022. Brisbane’s other roller derby court is in Stafford in the north but it’s an indoor facility.

Councillor Steve Griffiths also confirmed the remediation work at the reserve.

“Six of the existing netball courts, which are showing significant surface cracking and undulation, will be turned into two roller derby courts,” he said.

“The remaining three netball courts closest to the creek require removal. Turf will be installed in their place, along with drainage and a seating mound within the turfed area.”

Per Brisbane City Council, “The entire hard court area in Salisbury Recreation Reserve will be closed to complete the works and to enable construction to proceed safely. Fencing and signs will outline and enclose the construction area and safe pedestrian access around the site will be maintained at all times.”

For feedback about this project, residents may phone the project team on 1800 669 416 (business hours) or Council at 07 3403 8888 (off-hours).

Hayden Hume: Tarragindi Teen Racer Vying for the 2022 MRA State Championship

After his motorsports debut in 2021, Tarrandi teen racer Hayden Hume is vying for the top spot at the 2022 MRA State Championship in Eastern Creek in Sydney.

Happening on Saturday, 5 Feb 2022, Hayden will race in his Toyota ’86 in the first round of the SUPERTT category, a one-hour endurance race, against 39 other drivers. The 2022 MRA State Championship spans eight rounds, which are spread out every month until November 2022. Two of the races are held as a two-day weekend competition in May and August.

Motor Racing Australia was established in NSW in 2005 as the home of grassroots motorsport. Since its creation, MRA has evolved with the addition of the two-day weekend race and the Festival of Sports Car series to promote the sport.

In July 2021, Hayden marked his debut in motorsports racing at the 2021 Supercars Championship after three years of kart racing. Hayden finished in 13th place out of 21 drivers for the first race, 12th out of 26 drivers in the second race, and 18th out of 25 in the third race.

The teenager from St Laurence’s College got his start in 2016, kart racing with Auskart before moving on to race in the higher level for the Ipswich Kart Club. After achieving the third top spot in the state championships, Hayden was ready to transition into motorsports in 2020.

Hayden had immense support from Steve Owen in his very first motorsport race to prepare him for the 2022 MRA State Championship.

“If all young drivers could receive this advice, it would assist in the development of skills needed for the racetrack,” Hayden said.

“I feel more attention should be put into the media presence of the series, as the talent of the up and coming young drivers is high, there are potentially drivers in this series who will become professionals in the future.”

Follow Motor Racing Australia on Facebook for updates.

Improvements Underway at Tarragindi Reservoir and Two Salisbury Parks

Upgrades and improvements at the Tarragindi Reservoir and in two Salisbury parks will start rolling out in January and February 2022.

Tarragindi Reservoir Bay Fire Shed Construction

Construction of a bay fire shed at the Tarragindi Reservoir will start in February 2022, according to Cr Steve Griffiths. The shed will house fire suppression units, equipment, and consumables.

Prior to the construction, work will be scheduled to trim down the weeds and emergent vegetation in order to mitigate the fire risks around the reservoir’s public spaces.

The location of the fire shed was specifically chosen to minimise tree loss. Nevertheless, at least three trees will be removed to make the space for the shed. However, these trees that have been scheduled for removal were determined to have faults that could bring about long-term risks.

The construction is expected to take three months. This includes the introduction of onsite native planting to replace the other trees.

Tarragindi Reservoir is a heritage-listed site atop the Tarragindi Hill. Originally built in 1923, it is still a functioning water storage facility.

Wilcox Park Fencing & Salisbury Recreation Reserve Remediation

Over at Salisbury, work has started for the construction of a cliff-edge protection fence, spanning 380 metres. This project aims to prevent pedestrian access to the exposed cliff face found at the boundary of Wilcox Park and the Toohey Forest.

Meanwhile, remediation and repurposing of the hard courts at the Salisbury Recreation Reserve into two roller derby tracks and a lawn area have begun as well. This project is aimed at improving the sports and recreation facilities near the Rocky Waterhole, where the hard courts are in such a state of disrepair.

The project covers the following scope:

revitalising and resurfacing six of the netball courts and turning them into two roller derby tracks
removing the three netball courts closest to the creek as they are in disrepair
installing turf in the location of the three removed netball courts
installing drainage and a seating mound in the turf area

Visitors to the parks should expect some slight obstructions because of the ongoing work. There should be signs and fencing to ensure that the construction areas are safe for pedestrian access.

For concerns and questions about these upgrades, phone Council at 07 3403 8888.

Umu Kitchen in Tarragindi Shifts to Takeaway Indefinitely

Umu Kitchen will be shifting to takeaway service indefinitely, in light of the continued rise of Covid-19 cases and new guidelines affecting their Tarragindi operations.

In a statement shared on their social media pages, the owners of the Polynesian fusion-style cade, Emily and Soane Seiler, said that they will temporarily shift to takeaway service indefinitely, at both their outlets in Tarrigindi and Coorparoo, even as the Queensland Government has allowed restaurants to open for dine-in customers.

“Currently, there is very little support out there for small businesses and regulations do not favour our little café,” the statement read. “Yes, we are allowed to operate as a dine-in venue, but if a customer who dines with us tests positive to COVID, we are required by QLD Health to isolate all of our staff for a minimum of 7 days. This would mean that we would be unable to open our café.

“With growing cases, the risk to our staff and our customers is growing. Our staff depend on their jobs and their income. As a business, we rely on being able to keep our doors open in order to survive. This isn’t a risk we can take any longer.

“We understand that providing take-away only is not ideal, but it means that we can keep our doors open and our staff can continue to gain income.”

Patrons of Umu Kitchen sympathised with the owners and said that they will continue to support the cafe for their takeaway orders.

“It must be so hard as a small business to navigate these troubled times. You are making this decision in the best interest of your business and your staff, so it is totally understandable,” one commenter said.

“You guys are well practiced at changing your business model to suit the changing Covid environment. This is definitely the right decision for now – see you tomorrow for some scrambled eggs, takeaway for now,” another customer replied.

“Umu is my favourite cafe. I bring all my friends there for dates and I love the atmosphere of the dine in experience. I’m very sorry to read this but I will continue to support the cafe where I can.”

Umu Kitchen has been a local favourite since it opened in 2018. The Seiler couple serves traditional dishes culled from Soane’s Tongan roots to adapt to today’s modern trends and taste palate.

Follow Umu Kitchen on Instagram for cafe updates. Check out their online order system as well for order pick-ups.

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A post shared by Umu Kitchen (@umukitchen)

“Always a friendly greeting from the lovely staff, taking a leaf out of wonderful Emily’s book. Indoor and outdoor spaces to sit are great so I can take the pups sometimes. Delicious food – some simple stuff and also some more exciting options so there’s something for everyone. Highly recommend.”
Maddie Lucas

“I have visited a few times now, for breakfast with the family and a couple of times to meet friends for coffee, or just to take my laptop and have breakfast and a couple of great coffees while I work. Staff are always very welcoming and attentive. Service is fast and the coffee is delicious. The atmosphere is perfect – the music is at a great volume for hearing but still being able to have a conversation or concentrate on work, and the greenery around the walls is very calming. Highly recommend this cafe.”
Ornella Outen

Spotted in Tarragindi: Captain Australia for The Big Walk for Kids With Cancer

While everyone else was on the lookout for Santa Claus on Christmas day, some Tarragindi locals were able to spot a different bearded man. Captain Australia, a local legend, is on a mission to complete The Big Walk from Brisbane to Sydney and to Melbourne.

Helga Lückhoff of Tarragindi saw Captain Australia strolling in the neighbourhood in his easily-recognised costume. He was also carrying his fundraiser flag for The Big Walk, which aims to raise money for The Kids Cancer Project.

Captain Australia is dad, Simon Harvey, in his non-superhero life. He decided to embark on this challenging journey, which kicked off on 26 December 2021, after his experiences with the enemy — cancer.

In 2016, doctors told Simon that he had six months to live.

“I have three young children. My youngest son was three years old when I was diagnosed. I had to deal with the idea of ‘abandoning’ them,” he said in one interview with The Project. Simon said that more than anything in his life, being a father was his most important job and to think about leaving them broke his heart.

“I fought as hard as I could but cancer is a tricky enemy.” More than four years since his diagnosis, Simon beat the enemy but he said he is still “dealing with side effects and the threat of recurrence for the rest of your life.”

During his battle with cancer and the frequent trips to the hospital for his therapies, Simon also witnessed young kids with cancer struggling with the disease.

“No child should have to endure that,” the dad said.

Thus, he decided to mount The Big Walk for The Kids Cancer Project, an organisation devoted to improving cancer treatments for children.

“I will walk from Brisbane to Melbourne over 10 weeks, sleeping rough, no help, planes, trains, or automobiles.”

So, far he has raised $37,797 but his goal is to reach $250,000. To donate to his cause and to follow Captain America’s journey, visit the official site or follow his live stream on Facebook.

“I’m going to Forrest Gump my way through your town, and if you wanted to say G’day, part of the Quest of it… the Pilgrimage of it .. is about coming alive, meeting people, getting out into the natural world and wandering down a garden path. I’ll be doing daily live streams to share in the adventure,” the Captain shared on Reddit.

“I’d also love the chance to earn your support. Answer your questions. Show you the purity of what I’m trying to do.”

DONATE TO THE BIG WALK

Captain Australia was “borne” more than a decade ago as a vigilante who believed that doing kindness will change the world. He gave up his alter ego in 2012 when his second son became ill as his medical needs were the priority over his weekly street escapades.

Tarragindi Community Garden Celebrates WasteSMART Award Wins

Photo credit: Charmaine Consolati - Tarragindi Community Garden / Facebook

Tarragindi Community Garden, together with its founder, Renae McBrien, celebrate back-to-back wins at Brisbane’s WasteSMART Champions Awards 2021.

They were recognised for helping Brisbane hospitals adopt smarter clinical recycling methods and responsible waste management.

The 2021 WasteSMART Awards is a collaboration between Brisbane Sustainability Agency and Brisbane City Council with a prize pool of more than $4,000.

During the ceremony held at City Hall on 18 November 2021, eleven awards were handed out to recognise individuals and groups who have contributed to the preservation of the city’s natural environment.

University of Queensland Brisbane’s WasteSMART Champion Renae McBrien was recognised for her role in mitigating waste from Brisbane landfills. Ms McBrien established the Tarragindi Community Garden Group in 2019 and has since devoted more than 850 hours doing volunteer work.

Photo credit: Charmaine Consolati – Tarragindi Community Garden / Facebook

Through her small waste diversion and resource recovery projects, the city has mitigated about 9 tonnes of domestic and commercial organic waste since January 2020. As part of her advocacy, Ms McBrien also educated over 1,200 hospital staff about responsible waste management and clinical recycling methods.

“Tarragindi’s Renae McBrien has helped Brisbane hospitals adopt smarter recycling methods and she also dedicates time to educate the community about waste initiatives through her War on Waste Brisbane Facebook page,” Cr Steven Toomey said.

The Tarragindi Community Garden won the WasteSMART Community Award along with Ocean Crusaders Foundation Ltd. The Tarragindi Community Garden currently has over 1,000 social members. This community space has collected over 150 compost caddies and rescued over nine tonnes of food waste in the past 10 months.

The community garden provides free harvest and garden produce, conducts sustainable education sessions, and runs their own Recycling Hub.

The other WasteSMART category winners are:

Councillors’ WasteSMART Choice Award – Karana Downs & Surrounds Community Garden Hub
WasteSMART Business Award (<19 employees) – Vessel Nundah
WasteSMART Business Award ( >20 employees) – Howard Smith Wharves
WasteSMART Early Learning Award – Bellbowrie Early Education Centre
WasteSMART Schools Award – Joint Winners: Mt St Michael’s College and Pallara State School Environment Club
Outstanding WasteSMART Award – Save Our Supplies
People’s Choice WasteSMART Award – Mt St Michael’s College.

The finalists were judged by a panel of experts, except for the People’s Choice Awards which was determined through public voting.The other two finalists for the WasteSMART Champions Award were Holly & Charlie Garrity (Highly Recommended) and Pamela Gibson. On the other hand, Care Kits for Kids Qld Inc was WasteSMART Community Award Highly Recommended awardee. Other WasteSMART Community Award finalists were Save Our Supplies, eWaste Connection Limited, and Moreton Island Protection Committee.

Tarragindi Community Garden | 34 Esher St Tarragindi QLD 4121

Talented Kids from Wellers Hill Girl Guides Crafted Wooden Reindeers for The Salvation Army

The young members of Wellers Hill Girl Guides got busy weeks before Christmas as they handmade wooden Reinders at The Salvation Army home in Carindale. These handcrafted gifts will go to disadvantaged families across Queensland so they could enjoy the spirit of Christmas.

The girls not only helped make wooden toys but also learned of the valuable work undertaken by The Salvation Army Carindale, especially during the gift-giving season. The kids showed interest in understanding how these presents are going to help families.

Wellers Hill Girl Guides encourages a well-rounded development for young girls by running activities that build their leadership, confidence, resilience, and empathy. Their involvement also raises awareness for diversity, issues in the community, and interests in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The group meets every week during the school term at the Wellers Hill Girl Guide Hut.

Meanwhile, despite COVID-19 last Christmas, The Salvation Army was able to distribute more than 64,000 hampers with 26,000 gifts to Australian families in need and as the pandemic continues, donations and contributions to this cause will allow more people to have a festive season despite the crisis.

Like the members of the Wellers Hill Girl Guides, you can also get involved by supporting The Salvation Army’s Christmas charity drives for food for families or toys for the kids.

Planning For Stages 2 And 3 Of The Park N’ Ride Expansion Now Underway

Photo credit: Google Street View / google.com/maps

Planning for Stages 2 and 3 on the Salisbury train station park n’ ride expansion project is currently underway. This comes after Stage 1 of construction was completed last June 2021.

The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads is now in the planning process for Stage 2 and 3 of the park n’ ride expansion. And whilst no start date has been announced yet, the next phase of the project will entail the relocation of public utilities and a service road to make way for the construction of a second car park. The suburb currently has 52 parking spaces which would be increased to around 300 upon completion of the expansion project.

In mid-2021, the department completed Stage 1 of the construction works on the $14.5 million park n’ ride expansion project situated on the corner of Beaudesert Road and Lillian Avenue.

Stage 1 of construction delivered some 140 additional parking spaces, allowing an increase in capacity which would in turn reduce congestion during peak hours, help ease traffic congestion, and enhance commuters safety.

Along with the additional parking spaces, the project is expected to install new CCTV cameras and lighting whilst four of the accessible parking spaces at the existing park n’ ride will also be upgraded. Also, a new pedestrian footpath going to the entrance of the Salisbury station will be constructed along Lillian Avenue and Dollis Street.

In early July 2021, an under track crossing construction was also undertaken. The construction work at the Salisbury Station involved the installation of under track crossing conduits, service trenching and installation of cable route, and installation of fencing.

Photo credit: Cross River Rail / crossriverrail.qld.gov.au

Salisbury Station is just one of the six stations currently undergoing upgrades along with Rocklea, Moorooka, Yeerongpilly, Yeronga, and Fairfield as part of the ongoing Cross River Rail project.