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New Kenmore Community Hub Design Revealed

The design for the new Kenmore Community Hub has been released, showing the ideas that will be incorporated in the upgrade, transformation, and modernisation of the facilities which house the Kenmore Men’s Shed, Kenmore Bridge Club, and e-Waste Connection on 98 Brookfield Road.

Cr Greg Adermann confirmed that $1.5 million in funds was secured from federal funding, through Member for Ryan Julian Simmond, to facilitate the construction of the new Kenmore Community Hub.

“The first task we had was getting the right design for the site, one that would increase space for all three community groups and allow for easy access for all their members,” Mr Simmonds said.

“This design not only transforms the space but it delivers a larger, more modern facility that will allow these very popular groups room to grow.”

Cr Adermann said that Kenmore Men’s Shed, Kenmore Bridge Club, and e-Waste Connection have been asking for a better space for events and parking, as well as improved accessibility for people with disabilities and improved traffic flow at the Brookfield Road entrance.

Kenmore Men’s Shed is composed of men of all ages who engage in productive activities like woodworking, woodturning, woodcarving, furniture repairs, toy making, metalwork, leatherwork, and pyrography. The group conducts other social and educational activities at their headquarters.

Kenmore Bridge Club has been a longstanding social club, with at least 200 players, where members challenge each other to a game of bridge.

e-Waste Connection is a social enterprise that promotes electronic waste recycling. The club was also established to provide people with disabilities a place for developing their skills and building friendships.

With fundings secured, the next step of this project is to lodge a Development Application after finalising consultations with involved parties. Cr Adermann said he will update the community on the progress of this project in the coming months.

Pullenvale Decorator Partners with Sekisui House Australia for Shavida

Sekisui House Australia, a global home builder, had spent years looking for a talented styling partner for their latest Australian development, Shavida. The stars aligned when they saw the work of Pullenvale decorator Bree Pullinger and realised that she was the perfect match for the project.

Taku Hashimoto, the project director of Sekisui House Australia, said that Bree had an understanding of what they wanted for Shavida. They signed her on to style four model homes that promote intuitive, functional, and flexible living.

“Shavida homes are designed with a purpose. We make clever use of every centimetre in our floorplans, providing a real sense of ergonomic harmony and space, ensuring life at home happens effortlessly and with vibrancy. Bree was able to take this philosophy and truly bring it to life,” Mr Hashimoto said.

Shavida Bree Pullinger — Photo Credit: Bree Pullinger Interiors/Facebook

With her contemporary style, the creative decorator made use of natural light and a range of layers filled with textures and colours to enhance the Shavida display homes. To help bring her vision to life, Bree tapped Brisbane-based artist Donna Delaney Prints for the quality fine art prints, Ipswich business MM Designer Art for the simple but elegant framing, and UD Furniture Brisbane for the sofas, bed-heads, and upholstery.

“While every display home had a pre-determined theme, I was able to execute the team’s interior styling vision in line with the architectural intent of the homes, and reflect my personal touches on each design in what was a truly collaborative design process,” the decorator said.

Bree said that her partnership with Sekisui House Australia has been “an absolute dream and a fantastic opportunity.” When she was started her professional service as a decorator, Bree aspired for projects that bring value and make a meaningful impact. The Pullenvale mum wants to boost the support for local businesses and she’s also passionate about caring for the environment.

“Sekisui House Australia’s sustainability values resonate with me, and its ethos to create homes with harmonious energy and a good feeling when you walk in aligns with my thinking and style.”

Sekisui House Australia, founded in the 1960s, is in the process of releasing the styling packages prepared by Bree for new home buyers.

Follow Bree’s work on social media and visit Shavida’s online site to learn more about the residential opportunity. Shavida’s display homes are at Parkview Parade, Ripley.

Why Australia’s First Gold at Tokyo Olympics is Not Just a Stroke of Luck

Team Australia has won its first gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics after swimmers and Kenmore State High School alumnae Cate Campbell and Bronte Campbell, along with teammates Meg Harris and Emma McKeon, set a new world record for the 4×100-m freestyle relay. Like all worthy endeavours, this historic Olympic win against a sea of world-class swimmers is definitely much more than just a stroke of luck.

Cate, Bronte, Meg and Emma clocked the fastest time at 3 minutes, 29.78 seconds, beating Canada (3:32.78) and USA (3:32:81), as well Team Australia’s 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games record.

In an impressive display of teamwork, Australia’s relay team showed the world how it’s done.

Bronte opened for Team Australia and inched seconds behind Sweden. She was followed by Meg, the Olympic first-timer who secured the girls’ lead early on. Emma was third in the handover with Cate closing the relay with the determination (and experience!) to seal the win.

Highlights

Sisters Cate and Bronte Campbell won Team Australia’s first gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics 4×100-m freestyle relay with fellow swimmers Meg Harris and Emma McKeon.
The sisters both went to Kenmore State High School and have been representing Team Australia since 2008 (Cate) and 2012 (Bronte).
Cate advocates for early detection and prevention of melanoma cancer, after her diagnosis in 2018.
Both sisters want to be part of the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane.

This isn’t the first Olympic competition for the Kenmore State High alums. Thirteen years ago, Cate swam for Team Australia at the 2008 Beijing Games at 16 years old and went home with two bronze medals. She has since competed at four Olympics and was also in Tokyo for the 2018 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships.

Bronte joined her sister at the 2012 London Olympics and made history with Cate as the first Australian sisters to compete in the same swimming event: Women’s 50-m Freestyle.

Early Life & Challenges

The Campbell sisters were born in Malawi to South African parents, Eric and Jenny. Cate is the oldest of five siblings whilst Bronte is the second child. Their mother was a synchronised swimmer who taught her girls to swim.

The family moved to Australia in 2001, where Cate and Bronte joined the Indooroopilly Swimming Club. While the Campbells have remained in Kenmore Hills, Bronte currently resides in Sydney.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bronte Campbell (@bronte_campbell)

In 2018, Cate was diagnosed with stage 1 melanoma following a routine skin check-up. Her dermatologist recommended surgery for a mole in her arm and she was fortunate to get an all-clear after going through the procedure.

Since her diagnosis and surgery, the Kenmore local has been advocating for early detection and prevention of stage 1 melanoma before serious health consequences develop.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cate Campbell (@cate_campbell)

Future Plans

Cate, now 29, plans to compete in the 2024 Paris Games or perhaps take a spot at the International Swimming League.

However, Bronte, 27, told AP News that she might retire after Tokyo Olympics due to a five-year struggle with a body injury. To manage her condition, Bronte does yoga, Pilates, acupuncture, float tanks, and frequent consultations with her doctor. Her rehabilitation and prevention routines take as much time as her swim training.

Both sisters expressed that they would like to help in the organisation of the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane, even if they just have to show the audience their seats at the stadium.

Historic Sugars Cottage In Anstead To Be Moved To Sunshine Coast

Photo credit: Moggill Historical Society/Facebook

A historic cottage in Anstead, also known as the “Sugars Cottage” has been sold and will be relocated to the Sunshine Coast by its new owners.

Read: Plan Hatched for a Community Hub at Historic Hawbryn House Site

One of Brisbane’s pioneer cottages, Sugars Cottage was allegedly quietly sold by the Brisbane City Council even before its public consultation had ended in June 2021, leaving some Moggill heritage experts enraged.

The 1930s house was so resilient that it was the only structure that survived a devastating fire on the 506 Hawkesbury Rd in October 2020.

The Council acquired the site in 2017 via the Bushland Acquisition Program with plans to connect two adjoining bushland blocks. However, Councillor Greg Adermann announced last year that they will come up with a masterplan for the site.

The Hawbryn House, which used to be located right next to the Sugars Cottage, was damaged by fire last year. Council already announced plans to turn it to something useful, such a community hub. Cr Adermann said they did not want Sugars Cottage to become a regular target for vandals, just like what happened to the Hawbryn House.

Photo credit: Moggill Historical Society/Facebook

Moggill Historical Society is asking BCC to reconsider its current plan to remove the cottage and sell it to a private owner elsewhere in Queensland.

“By keeping the cottage in Anstead, Brisbane City Council will secure the legacy of preserving and modernising this building ensuring a better outcome for the local community,” MHS wrote in a petition via Change.org.

Cr Adermann said Moggill Historical Society’s plans to relocate and retain the cottage as a working building was not financially viable. He’s hoping society and locals would participate in discussions on how to recognise the contribution of the Sugars family to the area.

The Sugars Family

The Sugars Cottage during the early days (Photo credit: Moggill Historical Society/Facebook)

The Sugars family are among the earliest pioneer families in Anstead. In 1860, Thomas Sugars came from Ampthill in Bedfordshire and opened a big basalt quarry in Moggill. His grandson, Harold Gordon Sugars, built the cottage in the 1930s.

When Harold died in 1978, it became part of the Hawbryn property, which was owned by the Burton-Jones family. It was sold to new owners in 2013 before Council brought it back four years ago.

Pullenvale State School Receives Grants For New Books

Photo credit: pullenvaless.eq.edu.au

Pullenvale State School was chosen as one of the recipients of Brisbane Airport Corporation’s Community Giving Fund in 2021. The school will use the BAC grant to buy graphic novels for use as visual cues for children with dyslexia, ADS, and other reading challenges.

Read: Extended! Bellbowrie & Moggill Personalised Public Transport Service to Continue

According to the Understood For All, graphic novels are a good choice for struggling readers because they look and feel more approachable. Many kids with reading difficulties are also visual learners so having images alongside words provides a bridge for understanding the text.

This year, BAC has provided over $18,000 in grants to 19 charitable organisations and community groups through the community giving fund.

Aside from Pullenvale State School, other school recipients for this year include Upper Mount Gravatt Kindergarten, Hercules Road State School- Rothwell, Carina Kindergarten, Ascot State School, and Rocklea State School.

About Community Giving Fund

BAC established the Community Giving Fund in 2015. Ever since, the corporation has donated nearly $300,000 to help smaller charities continue the fantastic work they do within the community. BAC also spent $1 million sponsorship support to a wide range of community-focused corporations each year.

Extended! Bellbowrie & Moggill Personalised Public Transport Service to Continue

Following a six-month trial in late 2020, the Personalised Public Transport Service from Bellbowrie to Moggill has been extended and will still be available for commuters from Monday to Friday for the next six months.

Beginning 1 July 2021, the Personalised Public Transport Service has been realigned to include and remove some routes. Per Councillor Greg Adermann, the $1 ride with 12 services will run on the following locations and take about 18 minutes per trip:

from Bellbowrie Shopping Plaza to Weekes Road (at Bloomsbury Crescent)
to Livesay Road (at Beaufort Crescent)
to Moggill Village Shopping Centre
to Moggill Road bus stop near Montanus Drive (to connect to the 444 bus service)
back to Bellbowrie Shopping Plaza

Mr Adermann said that the new six-month trial will be funded by the 2021/22 Council budget but some realignments were necessary based on the allocation.

“We had to make some tough decisions around the realignment of the route and the number of daily services, based on the funding allocation we received to extend the trial for 6 months,” he wrote.

“To include the new shopping centre and school, we had to lose a section of the old route and our data indicated the section cut had the lowest number of users. If we can make this trial work, it will give me something to work with to expand the service and hopefully make it permanent.”

The Personalised Public Transport Service is separate from the Council Cabs service and runs on a fixed route or loop. The vehicle may only carry up to 10 passengers.

To learn more about this service, visit the Council’s official site.

It’s Free! Fun Programs and Activities For Kids At Kenmore Village Shopping Centre

Photo credit: kenmorevillage.com.au

Thinking of free activities to help your kids beat the boredom during the school holidays? One of your best bets is signing them up for workshops. If you’re in Kenmore or nearby, you might want to enrol your little ones in the School Holiday Winter Wonderland Craft Workshops at Kenmore Village Shopping Centre.

Each session will only last 30 minutes per day, but would be enough to do fun and educational activities, such as making lanterns and building a snow dome. Activities are suitable for children aged 3 years and older.

Here are the list of the workshops, which will be held starting Monday 28 June until Friday 2 July 2021, from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm daily:

Monday – 28/06	Create Marshmallow Snowmen
Tuesday – 29/06	Craft Beaded Snowflakes
Wednesday – 30/06	Build a Snow Dome
Thursday – 01/07	Create Winter Suncatchers
Friday – 02/07	Craft Snowmen Lanterns

Those who are interested in joining should book through Eventbrite. Do note that to secure a booking, tickets must be obtained to reserve your slot. Simply the correct event day selection first, then the correct session for the chosen day.

Kerbside Collection: When Will Pick-Up Resume in Kenmore & Surrounding Suburbs?

After more than a year’s hiatus, kerbside collection service will be restarting in July 2021. Here’s what residents of Kenmore, Kenmore Hills, Brookfield, Pullenvale and Fig Tree Pocket can expect.

After releasing the budget for the 2021-2022 financial year, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner confirmed that kerbside collection will be back one year earlier than planned.

In April 2020, Mr Schrinner suspended the operations for at least two years, or until July 2022, to direct the service’s expenses to Council’s other initiatives. Despite the unpopular decision, Council used the funds to help struggling small businesses and community groups as a result of the pandemic lockdowns.

“We will start with the suburbs where it was paused…we’ll go back there and then start again in the normal way,” Mr Schinner said in announcing the service’s return.

Here’s the updated kerbside collection schedules for the following suburbs:

DATE	SUBURB
Kenmore Kenmore Hills	26 July 2021
Brookfield Fig Tree Pocket Pullenvale	02 Aug 2021

* Schedules are updated continuously as needed.

SEE UPDATED KERBSIDE COLLECTION SCHEDULE

Prior to the updates, some residents informed Pullenvale Ward Councillor Greg Adermann that Kenmore, Kenmore Hills and Brookfield should be among the first suburbs to restart the service after they saw Council’s page showing a different date.

Photo Credit: Screengrabbed from Council’s official site

“[Kerbside collection] was paused on 3rd of April 2020, not May,” said a local, Ben Ponting, on Mr Adermann’s Facebook page. “Brookfield, Chapel Hill, Kenmore and Kenmore Hills were due to start 27th April 2020.”

“Kenmore was supposed to have their kerbside collection in April 2020 yet the new schedule says Kenmore is only getting kerbside collection in June 2022,” Melinda Waldeck said. “Since kerbside collection was paused in March 2020, if the statement about the starting in July with the suburbs where it was paused is correct then Kenmore should be scheduled to have kerbside collection in August 2021. Kenmore’s last kerbside collection was April 2019, so if we aren’t scheduled until June 2022 it will be over 3 years between collections!”

Cr Adermann was quick to reassure concerned locals and updated them about the situation.

“After receiving a large number of enquiries from local residents, I made enquiries which confirmed that the scheduled services to these areas were postponed just before they were due in April 2020, meaning they should have been among the first to receive a collection upon the resumption of kerbside collection,” he pointed out.

“To Council’s credit, they acknowledged this oversight and today agreed to my request to amend the collection schedule … Council’s website has been amended to reflect these changes,” he added.

Meanwhile, Brisbane residents are encouraged to check the list of items that are acceptable and not acceptable for kerbside collection so that nothing will be left behind by their kerb. Uncollected and improper disposal of household wastes could lead to an illegal dumping fine.

Notorious Kenmore Rd Intersection to Increase Safety With New Upgrades

The notoriously problematic intersection of Kenmore Rd and Fig Tree Pocket Rd is due to receive some new upgrades that can minimise danger and increase capacity.

In May 2021, Brisbane City Council announced the successful allocation of funds to upgrade the notorious Kenmore Rd Intersection, an area that has seen two significant crashes between 2013 and 2018. Both of these crashes involved motorists turning right out of Fig Tree Pocket Rd and failing to give way to westbound traffic on Kenmore Rd.

As a result of these crashes and local clamor for improvement, Council has opted to draft designs to improve the safety of the intersection. These drafts entail the realignment of the south of Fig Tree Pocket Rd to create a new four-way intersection with Errogie Place, as well as the construction of new traffic lights. Pedestrian crossings will also be installed at the traffic lights, and the footpaths in the area are due to receive some improvements.

Further updates revealed that the new design and layout of the upgraded intersection and the new traffic lights have been designed to forecast future traffic volumes to guarantee that these upgrades help the intersection operate safely, efficiently, and within capacity. These will be accomplished with the addition of new turning lanes on Kenmore Rd and both legs of Fig Tree Pocket Rd.

Six months after these upgrades have been implemented, a post-construction survey will be released to check if the intersection is operating as predicted.

A new 4-lane bypass has also been proposed that will reconfigure the Centenary Motorway and the Fig Tree Pocket interchange, linking the former directly to Moggill Rd. The project also entails the reconfiguration of Gem Rd to pass under the bypass, linking it directly to Sunset Rd. A shared off-road pedestrian and cyclist path will also be provided along the entire bypass route, connected to the Centenary Bikeway.

This proposal aims to increase safety, capacity, network efficiency, and traffic flow while simultaneously reducing congestion during peak hours and travel time. Though the proposal to build the new Kenmore bypass currently lacks funding. Those interested in learning more about the proposal can read about it here.

Engineers Australia Honours Brookfield Retiree Colin O’Connor

Engineers Australia in Queensland has honoured one of its exemplary members by dedicating a room in his name. Colin O’Connor, a Brookfield retiree, is proud to see the special meeting room bearing his prestigious name at the Brisbane headquarters of the organisation.

Mr O’Connor, 93, has been recognised for his outstanding contribution as a former civil engineer. He worked for Queensland Public Service for five years before becoming a lecturer at the University of Queensland (UQ), his alma mater.

In the 1970s, Mr O’Connor became UQ’s Dean of the Faculty of Engineering. He also authored several books, including “Design of Bridge Superstructures” (1971), “Register of Australian Historic Bridges” (1983) and “Spanning Two Centuries: Historic Bridges of Australia” (1985).

The Colin O’Connor meeting room is the second special honour bestowed to the expert. In 2003, Engineers Australia also awarded him with the John Monash Medal for Engineering Heritage. Established in 1919, Engineers Australia has over 100,000 members working as professionals and leaders in various engineering fields in over 120 countries.

Photo Credit: Carinity Brookfield Green/Facebook

Mr O’Connor is currently a resident of Carinity Brookfield Green and supported by Carinity Home Care. The organisation, established in 1949 as an outreach for the Queensland Baptist, has been providing a caring home for the vulnerable sectors of society, especially the seniors.

For more about Carinity Brookfield Green, visit the facilities at 139 Gold Creek Road or phone (07) 3374 7111 for your enquiries.