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Trays of Mangoes for $20 to $25 From 98-yr-old Upper Brookfield Farm

As you climb the Brookfield Road from the Moggill Road roundabout at Kenmore, you enter a different world where acreage, hobby farms and larger farming enterprises hold some hidden treasures.

It’s Mango Season and if you drive up Brookfield Rd, you may well come across Jenny Mohr, who sells trays of fruit from their farm in the cutting towards the top of the hill before the Gap Creek Road turn off.

Mohr Mountain Farm. Almost 100 years old and perfecting mangoes, custard apples and avos.

“We dip all our mangoes in water set at 52 degrees for 6 minutes, once they are picked, it seems to protect them from what we call anthracnose and removes any sap,” says Jenny.

“We use organic fertilisers, spray-free but we have never bothered to go for Organic certification.”

“Have you tried the Mohr Mangoes before,” a regular customer asks. “They are incredibly sweet, we go through a tray every few days.”

Trays range from $20 to $25, 14 to 18 mangoes are typical depending on size.

“We pick them green before the flying foxes start to attack them, as soon as they get a tinge of yellow, they become targets; so our timing on picking them is ruled by that. Once dipped in warm water, they are assembled on large benches to ripen naturally and develop a full, rich flavour.”

Jenny says that their crop of mangoes will likely be sold out by the 2nd week of February, as they are also being sold near Nuways in Seventeen Mile Rocks.

They have also been selling through a market at Brookfield Uniting Church and Moggill Markets, where they sometimes also sell limes.

Recently a local operation started producing a mango liqueur and sourced the Mohr mangoes as the best local produce for their product.

Geoff and Jenny are the 3rd generation of Mohrs to run the Mohr Mountain Farm in Upper Brookfield. Over the generations the farm has evolved from pawpaws and bananas to the current mangoes, custard apples and avocadoes.

Geoff also runs Aussie Beaver, which has been woodchipping for the local area since 1994.

The Mohr family settled in Upper Brookfield in 1926 and the farm is now the beneficiary of the 4th generation with Leanne and Sam now running it.

You can stay in touch with the Mohr Mountain Farm through their Facebook page.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary: A Nocturnal Adventure

Koalas, Australia’s iconic but increasingly scarce marsupials, are the stars of Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary’s new NOCTURNAL tours in Queensland. Bushfires have sadly diminished their numbers, making sightings rare. However, these tours offer a unique chance to see koalas in their natural habitat.

Equipped with night-vision goggles, visitors can wander through a eucalyptus plantation, where koalas roam freely. As these animals are mainly nocturnal, the chances of spotting them are higher during these tours.

The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, the new $1.4-million nocturnal precinct in Brisbane, opened in November 2023. This unique night-time adventure allows visitors to explore Australia’s nocturnal wildlife, including koalas, Tasmanian devils, wombats, and other species.

The experience includes a one-kilometre walk through a Eucalypt plantation on an elevated boardwalk. Visitors use handheld thermal imaging devices to spot animals, with the tour focusing on non-invasive observation and education about sustaining ecosystems.

Located on the outskirts of Brisbane, Lone Pine is recognized as the world’s oldest and largest koala sanctuary. It’s also home to a variety of Australian wildlife, including tree kangaroos, various bird species, amphibians, and reptiles.

The sanctuary offers two distinct nocturnal tours. The Twilight Tour is a 90-minute journey suitable for children aged 3 and older, while the Nocturnal Night Tour caters to participants aged 13 and above. Both tours run several times a week.

Book a TOUR

Tickets for the tours vary, with the Twilight Tour priced at $53 for adults and $35.50 for children, and the Nocturnal Night Tour costing $79 for adults. These tours provide an immersive experience in discovering Australia’s nocturnal wildlife.

Published 18-Dec-2023

Celebrate Australia Day at Bellbowrie Sports & Community Club

Photo Credit: Bellbowrie Sports & Community Club

Hold onto your sun hats and check out Bellbowrie Sports & Community Club’s ingenious plan to tackle the Aussie summer heat on Australia Day!

The annual celebration, happening on 26 Jan 2024, is all set to make waves as 70 Sugarwood St comes alive with water slides, free water squirters for kids, and a slew of other summer shenanigans for the guests. It’s all about making a splash!

There will be live music, games for all ages, food trucks, a charity Sausage Sizzle, and Aussie food specials at the Bistro.

Australia Day Bellbowrie — Photo Credit: Bellbowrie Sports & Community Club

Australia Day commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788. Over the years, it has evolved into a national holiday marked by various events and ceremonies.

Initially known as Foundation Day and later as Anniversary Day, it became an official holiday in 1938. Fast forward to 1988, and the 26th of January became a national public holiday.

The date has evolved to recognize the Indigenous nations and their rich culture, ensuring that Australia Day is a day of reflection and celebration for all. So, as you splash and slide through the festivities, remember the significance of this historic day.

Happy Australia Day, Bellbowrie style!

Published 9-Jan-2024

Jaco Roeleffs Spearheads Unique Sculpture Exhibition in Brookfield’s Serene Landscape

Check out the work of Jaco Roeleffs, a local sculptor whose creations are a fusion between art and the natural world, on display at “Flowing Forms,” a unique art exhibition in Brookfield.

Mr Roeleffs is renowned for his ability to weave organic materials and found objects into sculptures that challenge the boundaries between reality and imagination. His creations are deeply rooted in themes of nature, human connection, and the ephemerality of existence.

Set in the picturesque Brookfield Rose Garden, “Flowing Forms” boasts a collection of 20 sculptures by 10 local artists.

Alongside Jaco Roeleffs, artists such as Antone Bruinsma, John Fegan, Colleen Lavender, Fred Beel, Russell Solomon, and Nina Summers have contributed their unique sculptures. Each piece tells its own story, reflecting the individual style and vision of its creator.

These pieces are crafted from a variety of materials, including stone, steel, aluminium, and bronze, each harmonising with the natural beauty of the rose garden. The venue itself adds an extra dimension to the artworks, providing a natural canvas that enhances their visual appeal.

Flowing Form 2 — Photo Credit: CrGregAdermann/Facebook

Unlike traditional art openings, which officially started its run on 9 Dec 2023, “Flowing Forms” offers a more relaxed and immersive experience.

The exhibition, set until June 2024, invites visitors to embark on a self-guided tour, allowing them to engage with the sculptures at their own pace. Descriptions and videos accompanying each piece provide insight into the artists’ visions and processes.

This event is not just an exhibition but a platform for local artists to showcase their work to a broader audience. It reflects Brookfield’s commitment to nurturing and promoting local talent. The sale of these sculptures also offers an opportunity for art enthusiasts to own a piece of this unique artistic endeavour.

“Flowing Forms” is a must-visit for anyone interested in the intersection of art, nature, and community spirit.

For more information on the exhibition and the featured artists, visit the Brookfield Sculpture website.

Published 10-Dec-2023

Discover Your Creative Spirit at ART101 in Kenmore

After several years in the arts hub of Fortitude Valley, ART101, a multidisciplinary art studio that encourages absolute beginners to explore their creativity, has found a new home in Kenmore.

Read: The Heartfelt Tale of Amy Gomes: Kenmore Author with a Lifesaving Pen

Housed in the spacious facilities of SPACE, a community hall run by Communify, the relocated studio provides a relaxed and welcoming environment for budding artists. Floor to ceiling windows allow natural light to flood the venue, illuminating the blank canvases awaiting the burst of creative energy from students.

The relocation also allows the studio to expand its offerings. ART101 now provides a breadth of tuition options including weekly art classes, short courses, and workshops ranging from two hours to full day sessions. Students of all ages can enrol – children, teens, and adults alike.

The vibrant pieces lining ART101’s walls are testament to the creative magic that can happen when budding artists have room to freely explore self-expression. Students regularly return to continue developing their style, reinvigorated by the non-judgemental creative community.

Whether you’re looking to rediscover a long-lost passion or hoping to awaken your inner artist for the first time, ART101 now offers a welcoming space nestled amongst the gumtrees of Kenmore. Just 15 minutes from Brisbane’s CBD, the studio provides room for your inspiration to grow.

Read: Proposal Up for a New Facility at Kenmore South State School

School Holiday Art Workshop

ART101 encourages budding artists to get messy whilst exploring their creativity. Now families can unlock that creative excitement together during the upcoming school holidays. On December 15, the School Holiday Art workshop will guide young artists ages 8-15 as they depict Saint Nick’s furry festive feline on canvas. Participants will take home a 25x25cm acrylic painting to commemorate the holiday season.

The session welcomes parents to join their aspiring artists, with spaces available to book separately. ART101 will supply all needed materials, but does recommend sending children along with snacks, drinks and clothing that can handle a few colourful splatters. Unleash the festive fun and register your creative duo today! Visit their website for more information.

Published 4-December-2023

Controversy Surrounds Childcare Centre Development on Brookfield Road

A proposed development for a childcare centre in Kenmore has become a bone of contention and debates among residents, environmentalists, and city planners.

The development application (A004808456) for a two-storey childcare facility, designed by Alto Architects, received approval from Brisbane City Council in 2019. A few more applications involving minor changes were filed that were also approved.

A subsequent development application (A006367166), filed in September 2023, seeks a minor change to add an outdoor play area with a bridge and acoustic fencing. This change is argued to be minor and compliant with relevant planning schemes and acts.

The centre for 120 kids, planned within a rural zone, proposes the removal of three existing dwellings to make way for the development. With operational hours between 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday, the centre aims to cater to the growing needs of the Kenmore community.

Brookfield Road — Photo Credit: DA A006367166

Residents of Jessamine Court, a cul-de-sac near the childcare centre, also raised issues against the subdivision of the nearby property and the potential introduction of a new access point to their street. They fear that this could disrupt the quiet, safe nature of the cul-de-sac, impacting the community and local environment, including increasing traffic and affecting the safety of children playing in the area.

The opposition also mentions the potential environmental impact, including the removal of trees and effects on local wildlife and koala habitat.

Planners have assured that the proposed childcare centre’s footprint will not encroach on the mapped biodiversity area at the rear of the site, thus preserving environmental values.

Prior to the release of koala habitat maps in February 2020, development approvals were granted without referral to SARA. These approvals predate the regulatory maps and don’t interfere with koala habitat.

As of press time, the current DA is still under assessment with Council.

Published 24-Nov-2023

Look: Tommy Lee and Wife Brittany Furlan Visit Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

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.

Read: Facial Recognition AI Helps Save the Koalas in Moggill & Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

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.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Brittany Furlan Lee (@brittanyfurlan)

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.

Read: After Dark Adventures: Lone Pine Sanctuary Switches to Night Mode

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.

Published 13-November-2023

After Dark Adventures: Lone Pine Sanctuary Switches to Night Mode

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.

Read: Facial Recognition AI Helps Save the Koalas in Moggill & Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

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.

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.

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.

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

Read: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Loses An Advocate But Support Remains Strong

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.

Published 25-October-2023

New Wellness Memberships Launch at City Cave Kenmore

City Cave Kenmore, a wellness centre in Kenmore, has introduced new membership options designed to provide discounted access to their relaxation services.

Read: The Heartfelt Tale of Amy Gomes: Kenmore Author with a Lifesaving Pen

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.

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.

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.

Read: Fifteen-Year-Old Snooker Phenom Lilly Meldrum Claims Historic National Title

Those interested can find details about the memberships can sign up on their website at www.citycave.com.au/kenmore.

Published 24-October-2023

Kenmore Rotary Trailer Raffle Encounters New Challenge to Help Fund Good Causes

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.

Mould before and after — Photo Credit: Kenmore Rotary

Cubbyhouse Kenmore — 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.

Photo Credit: 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
RYPEN (14-16 year olds) Residential weekend-long program delivering leadership training
RYLA (18-26 years old) One-week residential program
RYTS (on graduating Yr 12) 7-day Life Skills program
RJCA (Junior Community Awards) Yr 6 students that get them involved in the community. This program runs at Chapel Hill School.

Young Driver Awareness Training

In an effort to cut down on young driver accidents, the RYDA program is run for Yr 11 students 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.

Published 18-Oct-2023