Heavy metal drummer Tommy Lee and internet celebrity wife Brittany Furlan took time out from Motley Crue’s Australian tour to have some fun at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Fig Tree Pocket last week.
Furlan’s cheeky video posted on Instagram showed the couple giggling as they fed and posed with cuddly koalas and bounding kangaroos. “Best day evvvvva!” Furlan exclaimed in an Aussie accent.
Lee grinned as wallabies nibbled food from his hand. The couple clearly enjoyed their hilarious close encounters with Tasmanian devils, bush turkeys, and other wildlife.
After a day of delightful distractions down under with wombats, wallabies, and more at the sanctuary, it was back to bass drums and sold out shows for Tommy Lee at the Motley Crue and Def Leppard concert at Suncorp Stadium on November 8.
Their tour in Australia, which commenced in Brisbane, was set at the Giants Stadium Sydney on November 11, and will be at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on November 14.
Like the celebrity couple, visitors can make memories hand-feeding kangaroos, cuddling koalas, and encountering other amazing Aussie wildlife at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.
The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary offers various tours like in the free-range Kangaroo Reserve, which involve getting exclusive photos and encounters with koalas, meeting dingoes, snakes and reptiles up close, and behind-the-scenes platypus house visit, but perhaps the most popular tour option involves morning tea with koalas, professional photos holding a koala, extra access to koala exhibits, a python encounter and photo, Tasmanian devil feeding, and lunch overlooking the Brisbane River.
The renowned Brisbane attraction has also recently launched night tours, where one can discover the sanctuary’s hidden wonders and witness the captivating world of Australian wildlife after the sun sets.
Introducing Mr Grumbles, a Ruffus Betton – that’s a super cute little Australian marsupial. Remember his name because he’s about to become Australia’s newest star.NOCTURNAL, at the Lone Pine Sanctuary, shines new light on Australia’s most famous creatures.
Joining him in the ‘red’ spotlight are four Tassie Devils called Yolo, Zaney, Harvey and Swarf; Bare-Nosed Wombats Bell and Bruce; Koalas Clementine, Patricia, Kandy and Keisha, a cool gang of Bandicoots, Pademelons, Echidnas and Potoroos and Rocky the elusive but spectacular Tree Kangaroo.
These are the stars of NOCTURNAL at Lone Pine Sanctuary in Brisbane, a new $1.4 million first-ever immersive night-time adventure that allows visitors to discover the hidden world of Australia’s fascinating nocturnal wildlife, and it opens from November 1.
A unique and unforgettable journey into Australia’s world famous animal kingdom, Nocturnal starts as the sun dips below the horizon, and the animals come out to play, allowing visitors to witness the incredible behaviours and adaptations of some of Australia’s most elusive and enigmatic wildlife species.
“There’s a whole world of activity that happens after dark that we aren’t privileged to, but Nocturnal gives people that experience, with a tour guide, in a non-invasive way to celebrate Australis’s animal superstars, and educate people about the importance of sustaining their ecosystems,” said Frank Mikula, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Curator.
“It’s an Australian native animal treasure hunt, with the prize being able to see these amazing creatures up close and personal!”
Nocturnal is a one kilometre walking adventure called The Wild Walk, through an established Eucalypt planation, mostly on a custom-designed elevated boardwalk which allows the animals full roaming rights across their habitats.
The sanctuary’s brand new multi-million-dollar Nocturnal Precinct features a one-kilometre boardwalk, allowing visitors exclusive after-dark access to seven exhibit spaces and 10 nocturnal Australian species.
Photo credit: Queensland Government
Visitors are given handheld thermal imaging devices, about the size of a mobile phone, that picks up the unique heat signature of animals. Once detected, a red light torch can be used to watch the animals doing what they do, with the red light completely non-invasive.
Photo credit: Queensland Government
Starting 1 November 2023, your family can go on these magical night tours, with expert guides who will lead you on an adventure to spot curious critters like pademelons, potoroos, bettongs, and bandicoots in their natural habitats.
Hosted in tours of 20 people with a dedicated guide who shares details of each animal species, their personalities, and provides feeding opportunities, Nocturnal is set to be a MUST EXPERIENCE for Australians and for international visitors, many who already have the 97-year old and iconic Lone Pine Sanctuary on their travel bucket list.
Photo credit: Queensland Government
The project was made possible through the Queensland Government’s 2020 Growing Tourism Infrastructure Fund, which invested $1.2 million for the development of the new nocturnal precinct.
Lone Pine General Manager Lyndon Discombe expressed his sincerest thanks and gratitude to the Queensland Government for supporting the sanctuary’s vision to develop a transformative and refreshing new tourism experience for the Brisbane region.
“Australia has some of the world’s most unique wildlife and being able to discover their natural behaviours after dark will be an experience like no other – it’s a secret world some of our staff haven’t even seen!”
Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary’s Nocturnal Precinct is an awe-inspiring opportunity for international visitors to shine a light on the secret nightlife of Australia’s iconic marsupials
This exciting new exhibit is predicted to draw over 500,000 visitors annually and generates additional funding to support Lone Pine’s world-class conservation efforts.
So don’t miss your chance to go wild under the moonlight and discover Brisbane’s captivating nocturnal wildlife. Visit the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary website to book your spot from the 1st of November for these one-of-a-kind after-dark tours.
City Cave Kenmore, a wellness centre in Kenmore, has introduced new membership options designed to provide discounted access to their relaxation services.
Starting November 1, memberships will be available for massage, infrared sauna sessions, and float therapy.
According to Taylor Fielding, owner of City Cave Kenmore, the new membership options aim to make wellness part of guests’ regular routines whilst saving them money. Fielding said the goal is to make self-care and wellness more accessible so everyone can experience the benefits of their services.
Photo credit: City Cave Kenmore/Google Maps
The massage membership offers either two or one 45-minute massage per month at reduced rates. A single 45-minute massage typically costs $110, but with the Massage Cave Club membership, members can enjoy two 45-minute massages per month for just $179, providing savings on massage sessions.
Photo credit: City Cave Kenmore/Google Maps
For infrared saunas, members can get either two or one 45-minute sessions weekly at discounted pricing ($64 for two sessions instead of $45 for a single sauna session).
Photo credit: City Cave Kenmore/Google Maps
Similarly, float therapy membership includes two sessions monthly at a lower cost than paying individually. A casual float session typically costs $89, but with the Float Therapy Cave Club membership, members can get two sessions per month at the discounted price of $119.
The memberships are intended to make services affordable and encourage regular relaxation as part of a self-care routine. They provide significant savings compared to paying per individual service.
Located at Brookfield Road, the wellness centre provides an array of wellness options including massage, float therapy, infrared saunas, and more. The spa serves the surrounding communities of Bellbowrie, Brookfield, Moggill, and Chapel Hill.
Kenmore shoppers have become well acquainted with the selling of Kenmore Rotary Raffle tickets over the last 20 years, both Kenmore Village Shopping Centre and Kenmore Plaza being the venues to exhibit the trailer and sell the tickets. However, the 2023 rendition will have a new challenge.
Due to the major renovation of Kenmore Village, Kenmore Rotary Club has decided to leave the Trailer and all its prizes there instead of the usual towing of it between the two centres.
Previously, Kenmore Village was the Friday and Saturday venue for the trailer and the selling effort and Kenmore Plaza hosted the trailer and sales effort on Sundays.
This year, the trailer will remain at Kenmore Village, as the sales campaign will run from November 2 to December 3.
The Trailer Raffle is the major fundraiser of the year for Kenmore Rotary. Here are the organisations that benefited from a donation from the Trailer raffle last year:
The Women’s Crisis Support Service
DV Support is considered a priority by Kenmore Rotary and the WCSS was made a beneficiary. Kenmore Rotary, in conjunction with Karana Bellbowrie Rotary, paid for a full mould cleaning of their facility; the construction of a Children’s Cubby House; the construction of a Children’s Sandbox with shade cover; and the landscaping of the children’s play area.
Photo Credit: Kenmore Rotary
Photo Credit: Kenmore Rotary
Other areas of help offered to the refuge included the donation of new clothes for women and children, financial cover for a child’s emergency medical intervention
STEM
Kenmore Rotary offers a scholarship for a local Year 11 student to attend the 10-day National Youth Science Forum.
Kenmore Rotary runs the Solar Buddy program via several junior schools including those at St Peters Lutheran College, OLR, Kenmore State School, Ambrose Treacy and Chapel Hill State School.
The students construct a solar light and include a written message with each light, which are then sent to PNG to help combat the lack of electricity over there which means children cannot study after dark.
Solar buddy lights improve student reading & study time by 87% for the children that receive them. This also eliminates the use of kerosene lamps which have proven to be very dangerous for children.
Leadership
Kenmore Rotary has long focused on developing young leaders in our community, to that end it invests funds into 5 Leadership programs:
Aspiring Leaders Program mentoring Yr 11 students potential leaders at Kenmore State High School
“The Club is run by volunteers that dedicate their time to improving our community, we really appreciate the support every year for our Trailer Raffle, as our major fundraiser, and we are delighted once again to be able to offer the trailer and it’s full array of prizes, kindly donated by sponsors, to the lucky winner,” a spokesman for Kenmore Rotary said.
eWaste Connection, a community initiative in Kenmore Hills that provides a lifeline for people with disabilities and promotes e-waste reduction and sustainability, is one of the standout finalists for the annual WasteSMART People’s Choice Award.
eWaste Connection runs workshops for individuals with disabilities six days a week. Together, they recycle, repair, or refurbish all types of electronic and electrical waste.
The refurbished items are then donated to domestic violence refuges and other charitable organisations, which sell them at affordable prices. In 2022, the eWaste Connection community volunteered an impressive total of 4,914 hours, diverting a staggering 114,642 kilograms of e-waste from ending up in landfills.
How eWaste Connection Started
Monique Lowndes, a dedicated mother, embarked on a mission to provide a meaningful purpose for her son with disabilities. Her inspiration came from noticing her son’s fascination with disassembling electronic devices, which led her and her family to establish a group dedicated to dismantling electronic materials and finding ways to recycle their components.
Today, their initiative is thriving, with new locations and over 230,000 kilograms of eWaste recycled. More than 250 participants have engaged in eWaste workshops, underscoring the growing demand for their work in the community.
The significance of their efforts goes beyond recycling. They offer valuable opportunities for some of the most disadvantaged members of the community, providing them with a sense of purpose. Furthermore, they extend support to the families and caregivers of the participants by offering much-needed respite.
The project’s remarkable efforts have earned them recognition in the past, with eWaste Connection previously receiving the WasteSMART Community Award in 2020 and the WasteSMART Business Award in 2022. Their consistent commitment to sustainability and community engagement has led to their nomination as an All-Star finalist for the 2023 WasteSMART People’s Choice Award.
Brisbane’s Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner, spoke enthusiastically about the WasteSMART Awards.
“Brisbane is recognised as Australia’s cleanest and greenest capital city, and I want to make sure it gets even better for future generations. The WasteSMART People’s Choice Award recognises individuals, community groups, and businesses who undertake waste-smart activities with a $350 prize up for grabs,” he said.
The People’s Choice category includes various finalists, ranging from charity and not-for-profit groups diverting various types of waste from landfills to innovative businesses using methods such as worm farms, establishing produce gardens, and creating in-house sustainability teams. These finalists are exemplary examples of the sustainability initiatives that are helping to maintain Brisbane’s reputation as a clean and green city.
The WasteSMART Awards, organised by the Brisbane Sustainability Agency on behalf of the Brisbane City Council, are proudly sponsored by Containers for Change Queensland, Cleanaway, and The University of Queensland. The winners in the 12 WasteSMART Award categories, with a combined prize pool of over $4,000, will be announced during a ceremony at Brisbane City Hall in November 2023.
When Help Enterprises, the organisation responsible for managing the McIntyre Centre, announced the Pinjarra Hills centre’s unexpected closure due to operational difficulties, the local community was eager to see the organisation resurrected. A group of community members are now in the process of seeing what, if anything, can be done.
For nearly six decades, Help Enterprises has provided vital assisted therapy and support to disabled individuals, earning deep respect and admiration from the local community.
The McIntyre Centre had its humble beginnings at the home of Peter and June McIntyre in 1964, with the noble goal of aiding disabled individuals through horse-riding therapy. The program’s immense success soon necessitated a move to a 16-hectare site. For 53 years, it thrived, continuing its vital work until it was gifted to Help Enterprises in 2017.
Help Enterprises invested approximately $4 million in the school’s infrastructure and improvements after it took over operation six years ago. At its peak, the Centre was said to have had a stable of nearly 40 horses, with around 16 programs weekly.
Despite these efforts, the organisation revealed that it was costing them around $700,000 per month to keep the school running, with funding from the National Disability Insurance Scheme falling short.
The situation has been further exacerbated by a dramatic decline in the number of annual rides provided, plummeting from 7,500 when Help Enterprises took over to a mere 2,800.
Help Enterprises has contacted the previous owners of the horses, some of whom have expressed interest to take them back. Two of the older ones are being rehomed with former McIntyre staff members.
Help Enterprises has also initiated the process of selling the other horses, raising concerns about the future of the centre’s assets.
A committed group of community members formed a steering committee to strategise the revival of the McIntyre Centre. They are working on a proposal to present to Help Enterprises, despite the organisation’s reluctance to comment or respond.
Mr. John Williams, the President of the Lions Club of Brisbane West, conveyed the community’s desire to see the McIntyre Centre restored as a community asset.
He underscored its significance to the disabled community and various other local groups, highlighting the urgency of its revival and likening its absence to a deeply felt loss.
Whilst Help Enterprises has not been forthcoming with details about the Deed of Gift, Queensland University Law Professor Ross Grantham sees potential solutions. If the Deed of Gift permits amendments, court involvement might not be necessary. Alternatively, transferring ownership of the organisation to another charitable entity could be a better alternative.
Did you know that the Moggill Koala Rehabilitation Centre and the Lone Pine Sanctuary in Fig Tree Pocket are harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) by using facial recognition technology to help save the koalas?
Efforts to bolster the survival of koalas are now complemented by the innovative work of a team of Griffith University AI researchers and ecologists, who have secured funding to advance their ‘facial recognition’ camera technology at koala crossing locations across South East Queensland (SEQ).
For the third consecutive year, these researchers are working to deploy state-of-the-art “facial recognition” camera technology at strategic koala crossing locations across SEQ.
This groundbreaking initiative aims to monitor and understand how koalas utilise these crossing points, ultimately providing invaluable research-based insights to help safeguard this declining population.
Leading this pioneering study is Professor Jun Zhou from Griffith’s School of Information and Communication Technology. The project’s inception was made possible by a $90,000 Community Sustainability Action Grant awarded by the Queensland Government’s Department of Environment and Science in March 2021, followed by an additional $100,000 grant from DES in June 2023.
“This project extends our innovative AI-powered koala monitoring system to cover wider areas of koala habitat in South East Queensland, and engage with 14 local community groups across 10 local government areas to facilitate the installation and maintenance of the camera network,” Professor Zhou shared.
In July 2021, the team successfully deployed 24 AI-powered cameras at strategic koala crossing locations within the Redland City Council area. These cameras automatically activate in response to koala movement, capturing hundreds of videos and images which are then transmitted to a server at Griffith University.
The AI technology developed by the research team studies these videos and images, enabling it to identify individual koalas.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
Caroline Moss, Queensland Rail Group Senior Manager Environment & Sustainability, emphasized the significance of this research.
“A research project like this helps us to understand how this technology can be applied, not only here in the Redlands, but where appropriate in other locations, given that Queensland Rail operates a really large network,” she said.
To ensure the AI can accurately distinguish one koala from another based on their appearance and movements, the research team collaborated closely with conservation groups such as the Koala Action Group Redlands, Daisy Hill Koala Centre, Moggill Koala Rehabilitation Centre, and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
“We can see from the data that koalas are in trouble here. They’ve recently been listed as endangered in Australia, and Southeast Queensland was formally a hotspot. The driver of that decline has been urbanisation,” Dr. Douglas Kerlin, a co-researcher, said.
The research project is particularly relevant during the breeding season when koalas face increased risks, including collisions with vehicles.
“We’re all about sharing information, and it’s really good to be able to put people in contact and create that conduit between researchers so that everyone can get to the same goal faster,” Frank Mikula from Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary near Kenmore, highlighted the importance of collaboration.
“The technology does the heavy lifting for us, and that’s really important moving forward.
“With increased knowledge about how koalas are crossing roads, we can better inform mitigation and management so that we can ensure a better long-term future for koalas.”
Amy Gomes isn’t your typical children’s book author. This Kenmore local is a critical care paramedic whose mission to publish a book about her work matches the size of her heart.
The idea for her book arose from a simple yet profound realisation that there were no children’s books explaining her profession in a way that young minds could understand.
In “What Paramedics Do,” Ms. Gomes aimed to change that. With her paramedic background, she was uniquely qualified to tell the story of these everyday heroes. But she didn’t stop there as she chose to infuse her book with a social conscience.
A Book with a Mission
“What Paramedics Do” is not merely a children’s book; it also seeks to educate and offer hope. Its purpose is to teach children about the emergency number 000 and, more importantly, raise funds for a noble cause—the Heart of the Nation. This charity’s mission is to provide more communities with access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), devices that could potentially save lives.
Ms. Gomes’ work isn’t fiction; it’s a tool to impart knowledge and empower children with crucial information that might one day make a difference in an emergency. Her dedication to her craft is inspiring, and she understands the importance of rapid response and early defibrillation in cardiac emergencies.
“What Paramedics Do” is suitable for children aged 2 to 6, thoughtfully crafted with age-appropriate yet realistic illustrations. The aim is to reduce medical anxiety in children by making them familiar with the world of paramedics. It features special components with a Greg Page, the CEO of Heart of the Nation, and a cardiac arrest survivor. The book’s message ensures that health and emergency response reaches even more hearts.
Giving Back to the Community
Ms. Gomes’ desire to help others has always driven her. From childhood fundraising efforts to founding One Little Heart in 2014, her commitment to philanthropy has been unwavering. One Little Box, her previous project, allowed people to purchase a box filled with thoughtful items, with the proceeds going to charity.
For this author, her book is more than just a project; it’s an opportunity to give back. Partnering with Greg Page’s charity, Heart of the Nation, means that £1 from every book sold supports a cause close to both their hearts. Additionally, for every 1,000 books sold, a portion of the profits will be donated—a tangible impact on her community.
The journey of Amy Gomes from childhood fundraising to becoming a critical care paramedic and author is a testament to her unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. With “What Paramedics Do,” she has found a way to combine her passions, ensuring that every book sold contributes to the greater good. It’s a labour of love that brings joy to her heart, a respite from the challenging workdays that define her profession.
Did you know that the Kenmore Districts Rugby Club and Kenmore Bears Junior AFL are hosting a FREE movie night at Akuna Oval in Kenmore, featuring 2023 animated film The Super Mario Bros Movie?
Happening on November 25, this fun community event will raise funds for both sports clubs through food and drink purchases.
About the Film
In this popular animated film, two brother plumbers, Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day), are transported to a magical new world while working underground to fix a water main pipe. The brothers become separated in this new world, leading to an epic adventure as they try to reunite.
“Audiences under a certain vintage will have fond memories of manoeuvring a little bouncing plumber in red, whether it was 30 years ago on those old, grey Game Boy bricks or last week, drunkenly challenging your mates to Mario Kart, insistent that you are the champion of the Yoshi Circuit. So, when there’s an animated movie adaptation, there’s no doubt you’ll get a kick out of seeing bits of gameplay incorporated on the big screen. Eating a power-up mushroom, jumping atop a speeding Bullet Bill or throwing a Koopa shell at an opponent will unlock a little “wahoo” from your inner child.”
Wenlei Ma, news.com.au
Gates open at 5:00 p.m., with the movie starting at 7:00 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to come early and enjoy food offerings from the club. The rugby club bar will also be open for adults to purchase drinks. BYO will NOT be allowed.
All proceeds from the food and drinks sold will go directly to support the Kenmore Districts Rugby Club and Kenmore Bears Junior AFL clubs. This helps the clubs provide programs and equipment for local youth interested in rugby and AFL.
Photo credit: Kenmore Bears Junior Australian Football Club/Facebook
The family-friendly event is proudly supported by the Lord Mayor’s Community Fund and the Pullenvale Ward Councilor. The Lord Mayor’s Community Fund provides money to community projects across Brisbane that bring people together, and the Pullenvale Ward Councilor advocated for supporting the clubs.
The movie night presents a perfect opportunity for families in Kenmore and surrounding suburbs to come together for a night of entertainment, whilst also supporting two worthwhile sports clubs in the community.
So round up the kids and head to Akuna Oval on the evening of November 25 for the free movie night. Come have fun with neighbours and friends whilst fundraising for two great organisations. With free admission and movies under the stars, this is sure to be a memorable community event for families.
Choral Fanfare, a biennial program that commenced in 2001, offers students a unique platform to gain valuable performance experience, hone their teamwork skills, and receive well-deserved recognition.
This year’s competition witnessed almost 10,000 students from 213 choirs, representing 137 state schools, participating in regional festivals held across Queensland.
Out of this massive pool of talent, only ten choirs were selected for the state final, and Brookfield State School’s choir emerged as the undisputed champions at the final concerts held at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University on Tuesday, 22 Aug 2023.
Photo Credit: Brookfield State School/Facebook
Consisting of exceptionally talented students, the Brookfield State School choir performed under the baton of their dedicated conductor Mrs. McMillan, with the support and guidance of the school’s choral coordinator Tamsin Eades.
The selection of the choir for the top honour is reflective of Brookfield State School’s robust choral program, which spans Year 1 to Year 6. The comprehensive program allows students to participate in junior, intermediate, and senior choirs, providing them with numerous performance opportunities both within the school community and beyond its gates.
When the choir became one of the finalists, Principal Leanne Duncan expressed her pride and confidence in her students and their conductor.
“Our senior choir students and their parents are incredibly humbled and incredibly excited by the news that we are state finalists. It is a testament to the quality, support, and passion for music our conductor has,” she said.
This recognition is not only a celebration of Brookfield State School’s outstanding achievement but also a testament to the power of music education in fostering excellence and teamwork among students.
Choral Fanfare continues to be a prestigious event in the Queensland educational calendar, providing students with a platform to nurture their musical talents, receive constructive feedback from professional adjudicators, and witness the performances of other choirs.
