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Historic Church Title for St John Henry Newman as New Tarragindi College Prepares to Open

When Pope Leo XIV declared St John Henry Newman a Doctor of the Church last week, it was a moment of celebration for Catholics worldwide. In Tarragindi, the announcement felt particularly close to home.

Read: St John Henry Newman College to Open in Tarragindi in 2026

St John Henry Newman College, set to open its doors in January, now bears the name of a man elevated to one of the Catholic Church’s most prestigious honours. The title of Doctor of the Church is reserved for individuals whose theological writings have deeply influenced the faith across centuries. Newman now stands alongside 37 others, including St Augustine and St Teresa of Avila, recognised for their wisdom and enduring contribution.

Photo credit: St John Henry Newman College/Facebook

For the college community, the timing could hardly be more fitting. Founding principal Kenneth Crowther said Newman’s vision was central from the start. “When it came to naming the school, St John Henry Newman was always at the top of the list,” he explained. “His insistence on harmony between faith and reason is the foundation of our mission as a school.”

Artist’s impression of St John Henry Newman College (Photo credit: Brisbane PD Online)

Newman’s own journey to Catholicism was one of conviction and sacrifice. Originally an Anglican, he converted in 1845, a decision that cost him friendships, professional roles, and even family ties. Yet his belief in the unity of knowledge and the transformative power of education remained unwavering, a legacy the new Tarragindi school seeks to continue.

Local Oratorians have also welcomed the announcement. Newman was instrumental in bringing St Philip’s Oratory to the English-speaking world when he founded the Birmingham Oratory, and that tradition of intellectual and spiritual life resonates strongly in Brisbane’s Catholic community.

As construction wraps up on the new campus, the link between name and mission feels even stronger. The college aims to create an environment where students are encouraged to think deeply, question openly, and approach learning with both intellectual rigour and faith.

Read: Strong Demand as St John Henry Newman College Opens Enrolments for 2026

For Tarragindi, the global recognition of its soon-to-be namesake saint offers not just prestige, but inspiration, a reminder that even in a small suburban corner of Brisbane, the values and ideas of one of the Church’s greatest thinkers can find fresh life and purpose.

Published 7-October-2025

Afghan Doctor Finds New Beginning at St Elizabeth’s School in Tarragindi

St Elizabeth’s School in Tarragindi has welcomed former Afghan doctor and teacher Dr Masooma Karimi, who has joined the school community as a staff officer after arriving in Australia on a humanitarian visa. Her journey from Kabul to Queensland reflects both personal resilience and the wider efforts of schools and organisations to support refugees in building new lives.

From Kabul to Queensland

Dr Karimi was forced to leave Afghanistan after the Taliban regained control in August 2021. As an educated woman, she faced the reality that continuing her profession in her homeland was no longer possible. She and her family fled to Pakistan, where they endured crowded conditions, but she continued to serve her community by working as a doctor. After years of uncertainty, she and her family were granted Australian Humanitarian Visas in August 2024.

Finding community in education

Her appointment at St Elizabeth’s School came through the Work and Welcome program, a partnership between Brisbane Catholic Education and Multicultural Australia. The initiative, funded through staff contributions, offers refugees and asylum seekers meaningful employment opportunities across Catholic schools and offices in Queensland.

Principal Jenna Webb said Dr Karimi quickly made an impact on students and staff. During a staff formation day in September, she shared her experiences of displacement and her earlier career as both a teacher and medical graduate from Kateb Medical University. Staff described her story as eye-opening, giving the school community a chance to reflect on global challenges of safety and education.

Continuing Her Medical Career

Although Dr Karimi now works in education, her long-term goal remains within medicine. She aspires to continue her medical career in Australia with a specialisation in cardiology. She expressed gratitude for the chance to regain confidence in a new country while contributing to the life of her school community.

Her journey underscores how community-focused initiatives like Work and Welcome can support skilled professionals in re-establishing careers while also enriching local schools with diverse perspectives.

Published 6-Oct-2025

Strong Demand as St John Henry Newman College Opens Enrolments for 2026

St John Henry Newman College, a new Catholic primary school set to open in Tarragindi, is now welcoming enrolments as it prepares to launch next year. With a focus on classical education, the independent co-educational school is already generating significant interest, with a significant part of its initial enrolment capacity filled.

Read: St John Henry Newman College to Open in Tarragindi in 2026

Located on the grounds of St John Fisher Catholic Church at 17 Messines Ridge Road, the college will begin by offering classes for Prep to Year 3 students in its first year. Over time, it aims to expand into a full Prep to Year 12 institution with separate primary and secondary campuses.

Artist’s impression of the school (Photo credit: Brisbane PD Online)

The college’s curriculum is designed around classical education principles, immersing students in timeless works of literature, history, and Latin. This approach, known as the Great Books method, will introduce students to influential thinkers and writers, from Homer and Plato to Austen and Shelley, encouraging them to engage deeply with the ideas that have shaped Western thought.

Leading the college as its founding principal is Kenneth Crowther, who is guiding the school’s development and its mission to provide a faith-centred, virtue-driven education.

While the school has yet to open its doors, it has already fostered a sense of community. Last month, families gathered for the college’s first Community BBQ & Family Day, enjoying games, face painting, and a free sausage sizzle while getting a first look at the school’s masterplan.

Read: Tarragindi: The Suburban Hotspot for Lifestyle, Growth, and Community

With enrolments for Prep to Year 3 in 2026 already at 50 percent capacity, interested families are encouraged to apply soon to secure a place for their children at this unique new educational institution.

Updated 25-May-2025

Can The Broncos End the 18-year Drought and Win the NRL Telstra Premiership?

It was 1992 when the Brisbane Broncos won their first Premiership, led by Alfie Langer who had taken over as skipper when Gene Miles retired. Going back-to-back in 1993 and winning the Super League in 1997. Following up again with a Premiership in 1998 and another at the turn of the millenium in 2000 and again in 2006.

That’s 18 seasons ago. Time flies. Let’s not forget Kevvie put together the majority of the current Broncos side including bringing Reece Walsh from the Warriors, and Walters led them to a Grand Final in 2023.

Then he passed the baton to Madge.

Madge, aka “enemy numero uno” having led the Blues in a massive comeback win against the Maroons, in the 2024 Origin Series. Plenty of locals could not forget that and surely Madge kept his head down for that very reason.

The decision to appoint Maguire was brilliant! A masterclass move by the Broncos Board.

So now after quite a rollercoaster season, where at times the Broncos looked dire yet have far more often looked unbeatable. It’s only in recent weeks though that we have fully understood the resilience and sheer determination of this group.

The Broncos beat the Storm in the final game of the regular season to make the 4, 30-14, at Suncorp and after the game, skipper Paddy Carrigan spoke about the deluge of goal-line defence they had practiced in training.

That’s where their backbone has been developed, the layers of determination, and now the belief that no matter how high the mountain, it can always be climbed.

The “Mission Impossible” of coming back from 14-0 against the 4 time Premiers, now seems a walk in the park compared to the hole the Broncos were in against the Minor Premiers, but in reality both comebacks were miracles of belief and determination.

How much was Paddy Carrigan missed last week (and Billy Walters), and how much fresher will he be as a result? At the same time Payne Haas desperately needs a week off, but give us one more big one, Payne!

King & Loiero vs Carrigan & Haas – Broncos win.

In that final regular season game at Suncorp, Jahrome Hughes was coming off an injury break, and it would be fair to assume he’s now back to full capacity.

Munster & Hughes vs Hunt & Reynolds – Tough call.

Papenhuyzen + Howarth + Meaney vs Walsh + Staggs + Shibabsaki – Broncos win

Warbrick + Coates vs Karapani + Mariner – Broncos win

Grant Atkins did a great job of the Broncos-Panthers last week and is given the honours in the middle for the Grand Final.

18 seasons is a long time. It’s time to put that to bed, boys!

The Grand Final of the NRL Telstra Premiership kicks off at 6.30pm Brisbane Time, this Sunday, October 5. BE VERY CAREFUL AS DAYLIGHT SAVING STARTS ON SUNDAY!
The game will be broadcast live on Nine, Foxtel and Kayo.

Published 2-October-2025

Theft Leads Crime Reports In Tarragindi As Queensland Cases Rise

Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook

Tarragindi recorded theft as its leading offence over the past year, while Queensland marked a 32-year high in sexual assault cases.

Queensland Crime Figures

Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on 3 September 2025 showed Queensland recorded 289,449 victims of crime in 2024. This was slightly down from 289,657 in 2023 but remained the highest total of any state.

Sexual assault rose 11 per cent to 9,326 cases, the largest number since the series began 32 years ago. Assaults increased 5 per cent to 61,644 victims. Other theft also reached a record level with 152,421 cases, with more than half occurring in retail settings.

Robbery fell 7 per cent to 3,009, unlawful entry declined 9 per cent to 45,273, and motor vehicle theft dropped 4 per cent to 17,493. Homicide and related offences decreased by 17 victims, with 94 recorded in 2024.

Queensland crime figures — *Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook*

Tarragindi Statistics

Figures from the Queensland Police Service crime map show that between September 2024 and September 2025, Tarragindi recorded 329 incidents of other theft, making it the suburb’s highest category. This offence type includes shoplifting, stealing from vehicles and other non-burglary property crimes.

The suburb also reported 64 cases of unlawful entry, 10 assaults, and three offences grouped under “other offences against the person,” which includes sexual assault, harassment and similar incidents.

National Comparisons

The ABS data indicated record levels of sexual assault not only in Queensland but also in other states. Western Australia reported its highest number of assaults and sexual assaults in the 30-year data series, while Victoria recorded its highest levels of theft and vehicle crime.

Tarragindi crime — *Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook*

Local Context

The results from Tarragindi highlight the prominence of property-related offences in suburban areas, with theft making up the largest share of incidents. By contrast, the relatively small number of assaults and other offences against the person in Tarragindi reflects a different local pattern compared with the state-wide increases in violent crime.

Outlook

Queensland remains the state with the largest number of recorded victims of crime. While some categories such as homicide, robbery, unlawful entry and vehicle theft showed declines, sexual assault and theft continue to climb. Suburb-level data such as that from Tarragindi adds detail to the broader trends reported at a state level.

Published 18-Sep-2025

Emily Drummond Swimming Helps Local Families Access Affordable Lessons

Photo Credit: Brisbane Kids/Facebook

With Emily Drummond Swimming joining the SwimStart program, families across Brisbane and Ipswich can access affordable lessons that teach lifesaving skills from an early age.

Support Through SwimStart

Emily Drummond Swimming in Tarragindi is helping local families access affordable learn-to-swim lessons by accepting $150 SwimStart vouchers for children aged 0–4. The vouchers can be used for both private and group classes, making early water education more accessible for parents in Brisbane and Ipswich.

Families can apply online through the Enquire portal and redeem the vouchers with approved providers. Emily Drummond Swimming is listed in the official SwimStart directory as one of the eligible providers. The current funding round runs from 28 July 2025 to 12 June 2026.

About Emily Drummond Swimming

Founded by swim instructor Emily Drummond, the business offers lessons at Wellers Hill State School in Tarragindi and also provides mobile swim teaching services across Brisbane and Ipswich.

Emily has more than eight years of experience and holds Austswim and Royal Life Saving Australia certifications, including qualifications to teach children with special needs. She also works as an Austswim assessor, ensuring instructors meet high teaching and safety standards.

Lessons for Every Age

Emily Drummond Swimming caters to infants as young as three months through free water familiarisation sessions, before progressing to structured classes that develop breath control, floating, and propulsion skills. Private one-on-one lessons and small group options are available, as well as baby and toddler programs with affordable per-class pricing.

The school also runs swimming intensives at local schools, following the Royal Life Saving Australia National Swimming and Water Safety Framework, with qualified instructors and lifeguards on site.

Community Impact

By participating in SwimStart, Emily Drummond Swimming is helping make early water safety education more affordable for families, especially those in financial hardship. Parents without concession cards can still apply through a referral agent if they have been in contact with a professional who has known their child for at least three months.

The combination of professional instruction, flexible lesson delivery, and government support aims to improve water safety outcomes for the youngest members of the community.

Published 12-August-2025

Green Bins Arrive in Tarragindi as Brisbane Expands Recycling

Residents in Tarragindi will soon be rolling another bin to the kerb as Brisbane City Council begins delivering green waste recycling bins to thousands of homes across the city, in a push to cut landfill and lower waste costs.

Rollout Begins Across Brisbane

The citywide rollout will take place between August and December, covering 160,000 households. Tarragindi is included in the early stage of deliveries, alongside other suburbs such as Holland Park, Moorooka, Annerley and Yeronga.

Week

Dates

Suburbs

Week 1

4 August to 15 August 2025

Wakerley, Chandler, Mackenzie, Bardon, Manly West, Rochedale, Auchenflower, Wynnum, Wynnum West, Manly, Lota

Week 2

11 August to 22 August 2025

Algester, Calamvale, Virginia, Gaythorne, Gordon Park, Acacia Ridge, Archerfield, Nudgee, Nudgee Beach, Northgate, Milton, Kelvin Grove

Week 3

18 August to 29 August 2025

Boondall, Geebung, Grange, Holland Park West, Anstead, Brookfield, Karana Downs, Mount Crosby, Lake Manchester, Chuwar, Moggill, Bellbowrie, Kholo, Pinjarra Hills, Pullenvale, Upper Brookfield, Kenmore Hills, Fig Tree Pocket, Lytton

Week 4

25 August to 5 September 2025

Zillmere, Fortitude Valley, Holland Park, Tarragindi, Moorooka, Annerley, Wavell Heights, Fairfield, Yeerongpilly, Yeronga, Tennyson

Once a bin is delivered, collections will start the following fortnight, alternating every other week with yellow-lid recycling bins.

This expansion follows the decision to make green waste recycling part of its standard bin service, replacing the previous opt-in model. Renters are now eligible, while apartment and townhouse residents can request a bin at no extra cost. Households that already have a green bin will not see a change in their annual waste fees, while others will pay an extra $49.52 under the new Universal Waste Charge of $512.96.

Waste Levy Savings and Sustainability Goals

Council says the program has the potential to divert between 65,000 and 80,000 tonnes of garden waste from landfill each year, turning it into compost and mulch for reuse. This would save ratepayers between $2 million and $3 million in the first year and up to $32 million over five years, by reducing payments to the state government’s landfill waste levy. That levy, introduced in 2019, currently charges councils about $115 per tonne of landfill waste, with increases of $10 per year set until 2028.

More than 170,000 Brisbane households already use a green bin, which has helped recycle almost 230,000 tonnes of garden waste since 2019–20. Council data shows garden waste makes up nearly a quarter of the average red bin’s contents.

Funding and Community Support

The delivery of the new bins is funded through the Queensland Government’s Grow FOGO program, which offers one-off grants of $65 per household participating in green bin services. The ongoing collection and processing costs will be covered by Council.

Council will continue its compost rebate scheme, offering up to $100 for composting equipment and $200 for food waste recycling gear, supporting residents who manage green waste at home.

Residents who prefer not to receive a bin can opt out by contacting Council before their scheduled delivery date.

Updates and changes to the rollout schedule will be posted on the Brisbane City Council website.

CHECK YOUR SUBURB’s SCHEDULE

Published 8-Aug-2025

Tarragindi School Delivers Message Through Community Street Art

Photo Credit: St Elizabeth's School/Facebook

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 Showcase Creativity in Tarragindi

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.

St Elizabeth's School — *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.

A Lasting Contribution in Tarragindi

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.

Published 29-July-2025

Tarragindi Mum One of Many Parents Facing Disruptions After Brisbane Bus Changes

Tarragindi mum Melody Lawler now rides her bike with her 11-year-old daughter Katie to the Buranda train station after the 121 bus route that stopped at Gotha Street in Fortitude Valley was changed. The shift is just one example of the widespread disruption families are experiencing following a major overhaul of the Brisbane bus network.

Read: Community Walk and Talk Supports Local Mothers in Tarragindi

For many parents, what was once a straightforward school commute has turned into a daily logistical challenge. Multiple families say their children now need to take two or even three buses to get to school, with concerns around safety, timing, and missed connections growing.

One mother, who moved to Auchenflower specifically for access to the 470 route to All Hallows’ School, found that the service her daughter relied on never arrived one afternoon. Unaware that the route had changed, they had to scramble to find an alternative way home. Now they are weighing options involving a more distant bus stop or switching to the train, made more difficult by the heavy load her daughter carries, including a sports bag and a musical instrument.

Brisbane bus — Photo credit: Google Street View

Katie Lawler’s own after-school journey also grew more complicated. Previously catching the 113 home from Adelaide Street, she now must navigate the bustling Cultural Centre precinct to find a connecting bus, which is a daunting task for a young student.

Brisbane’s local officials said it has worked with schools to ease the transition, noting that two-seat journeys are standard in global cities and that the changes will ultimately benefit most commuters through simpler routes and increased frequency. Special route suggestions have been provided to affected families, and some schools were given briefings ahead of the changes.

Still, for families juggling busy schedules, extracurricular activities, and concerns for their children’s safety, the transition hasn’t been easy. Many parents say they are still adjusting, testing out new routes and routines, sometimes turning to bikes, trains, or additional lifts just to make it work.

Read: Tarragindi: The Suburban Hotspot for Lifestyle, Growth, and Community

The council maintains that the Brisbane bus network overhaul, which is the largest in more than 20 years, is designed to meet growing demand and modernise public transport across the city. But for now, some Brisbane families are finding that getting to school takes more time, more planning, and a lot more patience.

Published 28-July-2025

Popular Toohey Forest Walking Tracks to Reconnect with Nature

Considered as one of the few remaining “green lungs” in Brisbane, Toohey Forest is not just home to a number of native plants and animals, but it also boasts an extensive network of both paved and unpaved walking tracks.

*Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / brisbane.qld.gov.au*

Toohey Forest was named after James Toohey, an Irish-born who amassed wealth in the California gold rush and bought this land in 1870. His descendants held the land until the Council acquired it in 1945.

Spanning approximately 260 hectares and just 10 kilometres from the CBD, Toohey Forest offers a perfect place for a family outing with a number of barbecue and picnic areas: Gertrude Petty Place, Mt Gravatt Outlook picnic area, and Mayne Estate and Toohey picnic area.

*Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / Flickr*

There are 30 intertwining cycling and walking tracks of varying difficulty spread throughout the forest, with the longest track just 3.5 kilometres long and the shortest being just 250 metres.

Toohey Forest ideed has some of the best spots for walking, biking, picnicking or just spending a lazy afternoon. Needless to say, you will be rewarded with marvelous views of Brisbane and its surrounding suburbs from Mt Gravatt Outlook.

Toohey Forest Walking Tracks — *Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / Flickr*

Popular Toohey Forest easy to moderate walking tracks

Nathan Ridge Track – Prepare to spend about one hour walking through this paved 3.5km track that leads from Toohey Ridge and connects to the Griffith University Campus ring road.
Toohey Ridge Track – Rated as easy walking, this three-kilometre track runs from the Toohey picnic area along the ridgeline and leads to the South East Freeway.

Sandstone Circuit – This 750-metre short track begins at the Toohey picnic area then follows a winding path through the forest. This is a moderate walking track with bench seats available to take a breather along the way.
Toohey Mountain Track -The journey along this 1.5km track starts from Mayne Estate picnic area and follows the ridge southwards to Pegg’s Lookout.
Summit Track – Summit track begins at Gertrude Petty Place then leads to Mt Gravatt Outlook. It stretches 1.2 kilometres and will take about 40 minutes to traverse it by walking.

Don’t forget to prepare for slippery and rough tracks by wearing protective footwear. Also, wear a hat and loose, long sleeved shirts and trousers to avoid scratches, bites, and sunburn.