tarragindi Archives - Page 6 of 8

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.

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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“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.

Wellers Hill Medical Centre Named Queensland’s General Practice of the Year

Wellers Hill Medical Centre, the long-established health facility on Denham Terrace in Tarragindi, has been named the General Practice of the Year for Queensland at the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Awards.

Dr Nicholas Gianarakis accepted the award on behalf of the Wellers Hill Medical Centre staff during the ceremony at the City Hall. He said that this recognition is a tribute to the hardwork of the team, especially during this pandemic.

“At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, this allowed us to restructure our practice to create an isolated respiratory clinic,” Dr Gianarakis said. “This has also enabled us to operate a busy Covid vaccination clinic delivering approximately one thousand COVID-19 vaccines every week.”

“We strive to maintain the caring and hardworking ethos of the late Dr Nicholas Conomos, who founded our practice in 1961,” the doctor added.

The RACGP Awards honour individual GPs, supervisors, GPs in training and general practices around the country. Also recognised for Queensland are Dr Joseph England of Townsville for GP in Training of the Year, Dr Sam Manger of Maleny of the Sunshine Coast for GP of the Year, and Dr Yvette Morcos of the Mulungu Aboriginal Corporation Primary Health Care Service in Mareeba for GP Supervisor of the Year.

The award comes as the medical centre has also recently completed its upgrades and expansion to accommodate more patients and specialists to cater to a broad spectrum of healthcare issues.

Aside from onsite experts, the facility provides pathology services as well as allied health services related to psychology, podiatry, exercise physiology, dietetics, and audiology. Wellers Hill Medical Centre also conducts telehealth consultation as its standard operating procedure.

“We are now doing telehealth (video) consultations as our first preference. When the Doctor is ready, you will be sent a link to your phone via text message. Please click on this link and accept the call, you will then be connected with the Doctor via video. Your smartphone will need a camera and internet access for this to work.”

For appointments, phone 3848 2111 or book online.

Revival of the Tarragindi Bowls Club Included in The Green

The Green, the residential retirement facility set for construction in Tarragindi, also includes plans to ‘revive’ the Tarragindi Bowls Club.

In 2018, the Tarragindi Bowls Club moved to the Salisbury Sports and Community Club because of the planned redevelopment. In August 2021, RetireAustralia, the developer behind the retirement village project, received approval from the Queensland Planning and Environment Court to bring back the Tarragindi Bowls Club as a full competition bowling green.

RetireAustralia plans to put a championship quality 10-rink bowling facility with a new clubhouse, cafe, and car parking spaces for visitors. The site next to a 94-apartment complex will include large green spaces for the children to play and for the grown-ups to establish a productive garden.

Brett Robinson, the CEO of Retire Australia, said that The Green will be “a landmark development with a shared community” alongside the Yeronga Services and Community Club. The club’s officials believe that the redevelopment will help Tarragindi Bowls Club diversify and survive with new revenue streams amid the changing needs of the locals.

“All residents of The Green also enjoy free lifetime membership to the Tarragindi Bowls Club, which has been proudly brought back to life as the heart of this thriving community and neighbourhood,” RetireAustralia stated.

“Open and accessible to all, the Club is the go-to place for your daily caffeine fix, sunset drinks, leisurely meals or a game on the championship-quality green.”

The Green’s construction timeline has not yet been detailed but it is projected to take place for 18 months.

Follow the developments via the Tarragindi Bowl’s Club Facebook or the official site for the retirement village.

How Possums & Co Can Help New Parents

Photo credit: Laura Garcia/Pexels

Support groups are a good place to start looking for help when it comes to raising your little one, especially when you have a newborn in the house. If you’re in Brisbane, you can turn to Possums & Co, a nonprofit organisation founded by Tarragindi local Dr Pamela Douglas.

Read: Fridays are for Free Yoga Sessions in Tarragindi

The team at Possums & Co, led by Dr Douglas, are leaders in evidence-based support on breastfeeding, sleep, crying babies, and maternal mood. Dr Douglas is a GP-Lactation Consultant, Breastfeeding Medicine Specialist and ACT Therapist who has been in general practice since 1985.

Dr Douglas developed Neuroprotective Developmental Care or ‘the Possums programs’ which integrates the latest research including lactation science, neuroscience, evolutionary biology, sleep science, and attachment psychology with a set of powerful psychological strategies known as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

Renee Keogh, a registered nurse and lactation consultant with Dr Pamela Douglas, founder and medical director of the Possums Clinic (Photo supplied)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of psychotherapy that emphasizes acceptance as a way to deal with negative thoughts. As ACT Mindfully explains it, the goal of ACT is to maximise human potential for a rich, full and meaningful life.

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“Women with babies and small children need to get together! It’s good for a woman’s mental health, it’s good for the baby. And the Possums community is known as a welcoming, non-judgemental place for parents who are passionate about supporting their baby’s secure attachment, which is all parents actually!” said Dr Douglas.

How Possums & Co Can Help

Ms Keogh and events coordinator Ms De-Arne Wicks (far right) with a Possums & Co mum and her baby/Photo supplied

Possums & Co provides group sessions for mothers and babies at The South Brisbane Sailing Club in West End.

Every Wednesday starting at 11:00 a.m. the Possums team provide an opportunity to bring like-minded parents together for support and enjoyment. All are welcome, even if they are new to Possums – they only ask for a small gold coin donation to cover costs.

Dr Douglas and Ms Keogh (Photo supplied)

They have set up a parent drop-in morning every Wednesday, to create a non-judgemental welcoming space for parents to drop in, have a chat, feel supported. In addition to online self-help programs about sleep and breastfeeding, Possums & Co offers free resources for parents in the form of blogs, videos, podcasts.

The Possums Clinic Brisbane is also offering in-clinic consultations and home visits. They provide specialised services in breastfeeding, sleep, and unsettled babies. To learn more about their services, visit their website or follow them on Facebook for updates.

The Green, a New Retirement Village in Tarragindi, Ready for Construction

Following a simple sod-turning ceremony on Cracknell Road in Tarragindi, construction will soon begin for The Green, a new retirement village that will stand next to the Tarragindi Bowls Club and clubhouse.

A project hatched by Yeronga Services and Community Club and RetireAustralia, the $80-million development of an expansive and beautiful retirement village is projected to start in late 2021 and will take 18 months to finish. However, expressions of interest have been opened as well.

Pictured left to right Hutchinson Builders Chairman Scott Hutchinson, Yeronga Services Club General Manager Nathan Young, Brisbane City Councillor and Deputy Mayor Cr Krista Adams and RetireAustralia CEO Brett Robinson.Photo Credit: RetirementAustralia/Facebook

Hutchinson Builders will develop The Green as a community asset that will have 94 apartments for independent living, a private cinema, indoor and outdoor gyms, and a library. Its residents will have access to the bowling green next door.

At least 70 percent of the retirement site will be an open space, where residents may also enjoy a secured and landscaped park with common areas for gardening, barbecuing, and a playground for the grandkids who will come to visit their grandparents.

Photo Credit: Retirement Australia/Google Maps

“The Green, like all our villages, is designed to offer choice, support, social connection and peace of mind,” RetireAustralia CEO Brett Robinson said. “It will be a thriving community with care at its heart.”

Scott Hutchinson, the chairman of Hutchinson Builders, said that their workers have been eager to get started on building The Green since the site has been passive for a very long time. Nathan Young, the general manager of Yeronga Services and Community Club, believes that this retirement site will be a huge drawcard for the Tarragindi community.

For updates on the development, follow RetireAustralia’s Facebook page.

Fridays are for Free Yoga Sessions in Tarragindi

Did you know that an all-ages yoga session happens every Friday at the Tarragindi Recreation Reserve behind Bruno’s Cafe on Laura Street? If you haven’t tried this community exercise, you still have heaps of chances to join one session and see if it fits what you need.

The free yoga classes, which will run until the 17th of September 2021, takes place from 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Bookings are not required for this session but if you do attend, don’t forget to bring your own yoga mat so you can do the movements in comfort.

Yoga sessions in the park have other benefits, aside from physical fitness. This outdoor exercise may boost a person’s happy hormones and awareness because the participants are surrounded by natural scenery.

People who spend at least an hour of exercise surrounded by nature can increase the benefits of meditation. Whilst it might seem awkward to do yoga in the park, at first, the power of nature actually makes people more motivated to take deeper breaths and relax, thus maximising the benefits of the session.

Doing yoga in the park also increases a person’s alertness and focus, so participants are able to improve their balance and stability whilst doing the yoga positions. Besides, it makes sense to do actual Sun Salutations under the sun and soak in all that natural vitamin D.

For information about the Friday sessions, phone Yoga Mind Body at 0401 247 328. To learn more about free yoga in the park activities in Tarragindi, check out Brisbane City Council’s Active and Healthy Events.