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What’s on in Kenmore This June

Every month, Kenmore Library hosts several events and workshops for kids and adults. This month, learn different sets of skills from the upcoming workshops in the library including craft workshops, photo editing, writer’s workshops and more.

Check out the list below to see the events happening in Kenmore Library this June.

Library E-books for Android and iPad

Tuesday, 5 June 2018 (1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.)

Photo credit: CC-BY/Cheryl Marble/Flickr

Learn how to get access to hundreds of free online ebooks and audiobooks from Brisbane’s libraries right at your own device. Ideal for young adults to seniors, this Brisbane Libraries Tech Connect workshop will teach you how to set up your iPad or Android tablet to read or listen to online library content.

Don’t forget to bring your own device, library card, and necessary information such as Apple or Google Play Store account and email account details.

Basic device skills are needed and bookings are required. Call the Kenmore Library on 07 3407 0258 to reserve your spot.

First Wednesday Book Club

Wednesday, 6 June 2018 (10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.)

Open for young adults to seniors, read, discuss and debate a fine selection of books with a friendly group in this book club.

Bookings are not required for this free event.

English Conversation Group

Thursday, 7 June 2018 (10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.)
Open for learners of all levels, this friendly and informal group meets at the library every Thursday morning. Visit the library and make new friends while improving your English.

Bookings are not required for this free event.

Lord Mayor’s Writers in Residence Series: Meet Josepha Dietrich

Thursday, 7 June 2018 (6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.)

Photo credit: www.josephadietrich.com

Join Josepha Dietrich as she discusses her memoir, In Danger. Books will be available for purchase on the night or you can bring your own copy from home for Josie to sign.

In Danger is one woman’s powerful story of how her mother’s death saved her life. It explores Josie’s journey through life with breast cancer from inside the experience.  At its heart, this inspirational memoir delves deep into how it feels when everything you love is in danger.

This event is free. Book online at Eventbrite  or call the library 07 3407 0258 to reserve your place.

Kenmore Craft Group

Friday, 8 June 2018 •(9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
Share your current project with fellow crafters at the informal Kenmore craft group. Bring a piece you’re working on and share ideas with other crafty people over a cup of tea.

Bookings are not required for this free event.

Simple Photo Editing

Tuesday, 12 June 2018 (1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.)

This Brisbane Libraries Tech Connect workshop will teach you how to organise your photos, make simple changes to digital photos before printing, and create your own photo books. You can bring your own photos or use sample images provided.

Basic computer and internet skills are required for this workshop.

The event is free but booking is required. Call Kenmore Library on 07 3407 0258 to reserve your place.

Kenmore Writers’ Group

Tuesday, 19 June 2018 (1:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.)

Photo credit: CCO Public Domain / Ylanite Koppens
Ylanite Koppens / pexels

Need some inspiration and support for writing? This writing group offers a creative and constructive environment for you to share your love of writing and develop your writing skills.

Bookings are not required for this free event and new members are welcome to join.

Android Skills One

Tuesday, 19 June 2018 (1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.)

Ideal for first-time users, this Brisbane Libraries Tech Connect workshop will teach you how to use the basic features of an Android tablet. Explore apps, connect to Wi-Fi and search on the internet.

Don’t forget to bring your own Android tablet.

This event is free and bookings are required. Call Kenmore Library on 07 3407 0258 to reserve your place.

Before You Hit Send: a Social Media SOS for Parents + Tweens + Teens

Tuesday, 19 June 2018 (6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.)

Join Rebecca Sparrow, online columnist, podcast host and author, as she walks parents and students through the social media landscape teaching the audience how to have a more positive experience online.

From finding your tribe and building your emotional resilience to household internet agreements and privacy settings, she will explain how following a few simple rules will increase your child’s chances of having a healthier relationship with their beloved devices and a more positive experience online.

This event is free and bookings are required. Call Kenmore Library on 07 3407 0258 to reserve your place.

Garden Design One: Getting Inspired and Getting Started

Saturday, 23 June 2018 (11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)

Photo credit: CCO Public Domain / GeorgeB2 / Pixabay

Get ideas and inspirations on how to design the garden of your dreams. Presented by landscape architect and horticulturist Arno King, you discuss the issues to consider, and the steps to make your dream garden a reality in this workshop.

This event is free and bookings are required. Call Kenmore Library on 07 3407 0258 to reserve your place.

Android Skills Two

Tuesday, 26 June 2018 (1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.)

Learn more about your Android tablet in this follow up workshop from Brisbane Libraries Tech Connect. Customise your tablet by organising your apps and adjusting basic settings and discover how to find and download useful apps on the Google Play Store.

Don’t forget to bring your own Android tablet and Google Play Store account details.

This event is free and bookings are required. Call Kenmore Library on 07 3407 0258 to reserve your place.

Last Friday social club: Bring back beautiful butterflies to our backyards

Friday, 29 June 2018 (10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

Learn more about how to promote biodiversity in your garden in this workshop with Helen Schwencke, author of Create More Butterflies. This workshop will teach you how to encourage butterflies and wildlife by selecting butterfly host plants, including tips for urban environments.

This event is free and bookings are required. Call Kenmore Library on 07 3407 0258 to reserve your place.

 

A Test Of Endurance: Kokoda Challenge In Brisbane 2018 Kicks Off At The Brookfield Showgrounds

Challenge yourself and bring your loved ones with you as you take this year’s Kokoda Challenge in Brisbane.

On 2 June, starting at 12:00 a.m., the event will kick off at the Brookfield Showgrounds and will end the next day, 3 June at exactly 11:59 p.m.

If you think you have what it takes or if you want to honour the Kokoda Spirit, choose from 48km, 30km, and 15km events and go experience the city’s toughest terrains whilst you put your endurance to the test.

The 48km event will kick off at 7:00 a.m. with a 24-hour limit, whilst the 30km and 15km events will start at 8:00 a.m. with a nine-hour limit.

Starting at the Brookfield Showgrounds, participants will make their way to the McAfee’s Lookout before they go back to the showgrounds. They will return via D’Aguilar National Park.

The minimum age to join the 48km and 30km events is 13 years old or those who will be turning 13 this year whilst the minimum age requirement for the 15km event is 10 years old. Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Gather up your team of 2,3, or 4 and make sure you have a Support Crew ready. Your crew will be there for you at one out of six checkpoints on the 48km course.

The Kokoda Challenge is established in 2004 by the Kokoda Youth Foundation, a charity founded by a Vietnam war veteran Doug Henderson OAM.

The event is created to fund participants for the youth programs. The Kokoda Challenge Youth Program (KCYP) is a 14-month program that is dedicated to teach young people make choices, fail, and flourish.

Fig Tree Pocket House Prices Continue to Grow, Defies Post-Flood Expectations

The 2011 floods devastated many suburbs in the city of Brisbane, but suburbs such as Fig Tree Pocket are still seeing high property price growth despite the unfortunate event.

Data from RiskWise Property Research shows that 95% of the adversely affected Brisbane suburbs during the 2011 floods registered strong 5-year price growth.

Fig Tree Pocket is on top of the list with a recorded 52.7% 5-year price growth.

According to the RiskWise CEO Dolon Peleg, the demand for these properties proves a counterbalance to the 2011 floods and that people are willing to take that risk. He also said that there should be no cause for alarm because insurance companies have changed their product offering and premiums.

Mr Peleg believes that the research helps disprove the notion that these once-flooded areas will suffer poor capital growth and will gain negative buyer reaction. The price growth is boosted by the excellent location of the properties, most of which are on highly sought riverside areas.

Here is the list of the top 10 Brisbane suburbs that have bounced back well in terms of property prices from the recent 2011 tragedy:

Rank Suburb 5-Year Price Growth
1. Fig Tree Pocket 52.7%
2. Yeronga 42.4%
3. New Farm 40.5%
4. Tennyson 40%
5. Indooroopilly 39.8%
6. Windsor 38.8%
7. Hamilton 35.7%
8. Norman Park 34.8 %
9. Corinda 34.7%
10. Auchenflower 31.5%

Source: Riskwise Property Research

 

Brookfield’s Mini Country Show is All Set to Delight at Brookfield Showground

All is set for a mini country show at the Brookfield Showground.

Brookfield Show is back at the Brookfield Showground to highlight the best of country life from Friday 18 May to Sunday 20 May 2018.

Photo credit: BrookfieldShow/Facebook

The famous annual agricultural event will showcase exciting equestrian events, rodeo and live entertainment for kids and grown-ups alike. Packed with all the fun activities, the annual show always turns out somewhat like a smaller version of the huge Brisbane Ekka.

Event Details:

What: Brookfield Show
When: Friday, 18 May – Sunday, 20 May 2018
Where: Brookfield Showground
Tickets: Single day tickets available at the gate:
Adult – $20
Children – $10$80 – Family multi-day pass (2 adults and up to 3 kids)
$40 – Adult multi-day pass
$20 – Child/ Concession Brookfield Show multi-day pass (5- 17 years old)
FREE – children under 5 years

Show Friday

Show Friday is District Day, with equestrian events filling the main arena. The day won’t be complete without the Rodeo and sideshow entertainment. Other attractions to expect include “Poison Anvil” demonstrations, free animal farm, venomous snake show and display, pony rides, face painting, games and hobby horses equitation.

There will also be live music right at the Member’s Bar.

On Thursday night, prior to the formal start of the event, the winners of the art, children’s’ art and craft, photography, sculpture and woodwork contests will be revealed.

Equestrian events start at 8:00 a.m. and the pavilions and carnival will open each day at 9:00 a.m.

Show Saturday and Sunday

Saturday and Sunday events are filled with pavilion exhibits, live performances, displays, ring events and sideshow entertainment.

Come early at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday for the judging of the Brookfield Dog Show competitions and the poultry competition. The weekend will be filled with various attractions such as wood chopping competition, roving entertainment, a mini pig race and silent disco.

Evening events include jousting, light horse demonstrations and FMX bikes.

Photo credit: BrookfieldShow/Facebook

Expect non-stop live music and performances on the whole day of Saturday and on Sunday until the early evening.

Fireworks will light up the sky on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. and again at 6:15 p.m. on Sunday to close the event.

Find out more about the Brookfield Show.

Address: Brookfield Showground, 550 Brookfield Road, Brookfield

Kenmore Local Group Fights Against Azure Development In Court, Seeks Crowdfunding Help

A number of Kenmore residents continue to fight against the Azure development along Moggill Road and Wyndarra Street and are counting on crowdfunding to help them with their court battle.

Last year, feedback from residents have been collected, with most of the comments opposing the development. Residents do not think that their suburb will be able to cope with the increased density that this project would bring.

Read: Kenmore Residents Actively Campaigning Against Proposed Azure Townhouse Development

 

Brisbane City Council sent the developer a list of matters to be resolved after reviewing the application. The council did not support the proposal for the 104-unit project, citing issues that remain unaddressed.

Subsequently, the developer received approval on 25 January 2018 after making significant changes to the project plans, such as:

  • Reducing the number of dwellings from 104 units to 94 units;
  • Including plans for deep planting and rehabilitation of the site;
  • Increasing the number of car parking spaces; and
  • Widening of Margaret Court

Appeal against Decision

These changes do not sit well with the residents, hence their move to take the battle to court.

Kenmore Living Inc, group lodged an appeal in the Planning and Environment Court in February 2018.

However, the group is struggling to cover the entire cost of the legal battle.

To gain assistance with the legal fees, the group has set up a gofundme page. The group is appealing to the locals to help them save the leafy suburb and prevent additional traffic congestion in the area by supporting their court battle.

The group believes that crowdfunding will make more sense to help them move forward with their case. A member of the group estimated that they will need a minimum of $60,000-$80,000.

It is also noted that four families have already shelled out about $10,000 to help fight the development. Legally, the losers in court will have to pay for the legal costs of the winner.

Pressure is now mounting on both sides as they prepare their respective positions on the matter.

Find out more about the project: DA A004627877.

Call for Additional High School and Infrastructure Investment in Kenmore State High School Renewed

The fight continues for an additional high school and infrastructure investment in Kenmore State High School as the State Government is urged to provide analysis on current enrolments and changes to future enrolments and catchment suburbs.

For the past few years, locals have pleaded for urgent building upgrades to Kenmore SHS as the school nears reaching capacity. The Department of Education previously dismissed the statement that the school will soon hit its maximum student enrolment capacity of 2,231 students.

Read: Kenmore State High School Pleads for Urgent Building Upgrades

Read: New High School Facility in Moggill Still Not Possible, Kenmore State High School To Make Changes to Protect Learning Environment

Demand for Analysis

Dr Christian Rowan, MP for Moggill, insists that the need for infrastructure upgrade at the school is an urgent matter. He posed several questions to the Labor of Education Minister, including a request for information on 2018 enrolments and projected enrolments in the school.

Photo credit: Dr Christian Rowan MP/Facebook

The MP also wanted to know the ministry’s projections in terms of future changes to catchment suburbs in the next 10 years. He also asked what analysis has been done in relation to an additional high school in the Moggill or Ipswich West electorates.

By rule, Kenmore SHS restricts enrolment of students from outside its local catchment area to avoid exceeding enrolment capacity. Some residents from outside the catchment are dismayed that the Education Ministry insists that the school is below capacity when in fact, students are getting turned down during enrolment citing that the school is at capacity.

In the past years, Dr Rowan made similar appeals for the state government to fund an expansion of Kenmore SHS and establishment of a new school in the region. Concerned locals support the move and feel that they have been left in dark as to the master plan for the school.

Locals insist that there are issues with the existing facilities of the school. The library, for instance they say, is already cramped and not able to service some 1,900 students.

Dead & Injured Swallows Found In Underground Carpark In Kenmore, RSPCA to Investigate

Kenmore residents woke up to dead swallows in an underground car park at a medical centre on 3 April.

The Verdict

It was discovered later on that glue was applied to the overhead pipes. There were nearly 60 birds affected.

A Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) officer spent the entire morning rescuing birds. He said that there were some who were still alive and could be seen hopping around the area, unable to fly.

According to the RSPCA officer, an animal cruelty investigation is being heavily considered following the discovery of the glue application on the pipes.

The swallows were brought to the RSPCA’s animal hospital and about 20 birds have been euthanised, whilst other birds are still receiving treatments.

Why Are They In A Carpark

Swallows are known to be attracted to open-fronted buildings. In Australia, the most widespread swallow is called the Welcome Swallow and can be seen swooping and fluttering between city buildings, grasslands, and forests.

In the last year alone, RSPCA has received 18,322 animal cruelty complaints and neglect calls whilst their Animal Ambulance received 27,517 Animal Rescue calls.

Kenmore State High’s Inspiring Swimmer Set to Carry the Queen’s Baton in Commonwealth Games

Katja Dedekind may not be competing in the coming Gold Coast Commonwealth Games but she is still going to be an important part of the event.  Even though the Games doesn’t have events for vision-impaired swimmers, the young, vision-impaired swimmer will eagerly join approximately 3,800 baton bearers of the Queen’s Baton Relay.

 

Photo credit: Facebook/Katja Dedekind

The young swimmer from Kenmore served as an inspiration to many when she won a bronze medal on her debut at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Embodying her motto, “If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you”, Dedekind doesn’t let her visual impairment stop her from doing the things she loves.

Apart from being a Paralympian swimmer, Dedekind is also a great goalball player. Her love for goalball started when she attended a ‘Come and Try’ day in 2012. After a few months of training, she was named as the Best Defensive Junior Player at the Australian Goalball Championships in Melbourne. By 2014, she was given a $250 grant to fuel her pursuit for on-court success.

Photo credit: http://www.sportingdreams.org.au

While playing alongside Australia’s best goalball teams, Dedekind still managed to make waves in the pool in 2015. She was hailed as the Swimmer of the Meet for swimmers with disabilities at the Queensland Sprint Championships. She also managed to collect three gold and five silver medals at the Pacific School Games in Adelaide that year.

By 2016, the unstoppable Kenmore girl did a superb performance at the Australian Swimming Championships. Dedekind won third place in the 200m freestyle and ranked fifth in both the 50m backstroke and 50m butterfly. Swimming with the Paralympic medallists Maddison Elliott, Ashleigh McConnell, and Taylor Corry, they managed to win first place in the 4x50m mixed freestyle relay.

Photo credit: Facebook/Katja Dedekind

During her first time to represent Australia at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, Dedekind surprised her competitors in the S13 100m backstroke as she finished with a time of  1 minute and 12.25 seconds, just a few seconds behind Ukraine’s Anna Stetsenko and Great Britain’s Abby Kane. She was also qualified to race in the 400m freestyle final where she finished in seventh place.

The versatile 16-year-old doesn’t even stop at athletics. She is also an aspiring poet and a recipient of the Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Award for her poem ‘The Open Door’.

Dedekind is set to complete her leg of the Queen’s Baton Relay in New Farm on Saturday, 31 March 2018. You can join in the community event celebration of the Queen’s Baton Relay in New Farm hosted by the Brisbane City Council from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Powerhouse Park, 137 Sydney Street, New Farm. Don’t miss the chance to see the baton bearers up close.

Learn Something New and Bond with the Family This Easter Holiday in Fig Tree Pocket & Mt Coot-tha

The Easter holidays is the perfect time to catch up on family time. Why don’t you head on over to these places in Mt Coot-tha and Fig Tree Pocket with your family? You can also keep your little ones entertained through activities that are not only fun, but educational as well!

For the Nature Lovers

Enjoy the easter holidays at the Botanic Gardens in Mt Coot-tha and get close to nature. Bring the whole family along with you and have a picnic, or you can also have a nice meal at the Summit restaurant. This is the perfect place to be during the easter holidays if you just want to take in the fresh air and just simply have fun with your loved ones.

Starry, Starry Sky

The Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium is also packed with so much activities this upcoming holidays. Whether or not you’re interested in astronomy, there are so many interesting nuggets of information that you can get here. The kids will love it and so will you!

Be A Keeper For A Day!

Your kids can also be a Junior and Teen Keeper for a day at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Fig Tree Pocket. This should be a great way for them to get up close and personal with the wildlife. They will clean enclosures, feed the animals, and train them as well. Your kids will have a packed day here that they will never forget!

Make sure you and your family get a productive and fun Easter holidays!

Good Friday At The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary In Fig Tree Pocket

Thinking of fun activities to do for this upcoming long weekend? The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Fig Tree Pocket will be open all long weekend from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

On Good Friday, drop by at the Fig Tree Market near the Riverside Cafe outside the sanctuary.

Starting at 12:00 p.m., rows of food stalls will be at the venue for you and your loved ones. You definitely won’t go hungry here.

Your kids will surely be entertained as there will also be two free jumping castles that will open at 2:00 p.m. By 3:00 p.m., head on over to the face painting booth and transform into a koala.

By 6:30 p.m., gather the kids, plop down on a picnic blanket, bring out the popcorn and enjoy a free screening of Finding Dory.

Expect a full day of fun at this event. It’s free and it’s the perfect place to be with your family.