Oh, the joys of working from home! No wonder an increasing number of Australians choose to work from home. They don’t need to travel to their work and sit in traffic during peak hours, plus they also get to work in their pjs! In Brisbane, Pullenvale is the suburb with the highest percentage of residents who work from home.
Recent census data reveals that most workers-from-homes are 60% women. In Pullenvale, 10.8% of the labour force are workers-from-home; that’s majority in the city. It has also been* observed that the type of job that allows people to work from home are the ones that are highly skilled or highly creative.
Most of these workers from home are bookkeepers, office managers, secretaries, graphic and web designers, advertising and creative professionals, private tutors and teachers, journalists and writers.
Still, with this “gradually” growing number of Australians who work from home, there is still a much larger percentage of Australians who don’t. Some perceive working from home could disrupt their workflow and restrict them from fully collaborating with other professionals to develop ideas and solutions, hence most Australians still choose to take a normal working life.
For now, working from home is more viable for workers who have the skills and workplace to still deliver their work conveniently from the comforts of their own home.
If you’re looking for ways to keep your kids learning and having fun at the same time during this school holiday, then you might want to head on over to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Fig Tree Pocket.
On the 10th of January, you can have your kids be Junior Keeper for a day at the sanctuary. There are three Junior Keeper Programs for your children:
Junior Joeys (5-7 year olds)
Senior Serpents (8-11 year olds)
Teen Keeper (12-17 year olds)
Each program is kept to small groups only to ensure that each child will be able to interact and learn.
Each child will have the chance to experience being a wildlife keeper from preparing food for the animals and feeding down down to cleaning and maintenance as well as training and other enrichment activities.
This program is only available during school holiday periods so make sure that you sign up your kids now! It will be a great experience and one not likely to be repeated until the next holiday break.
Kenmore welcomes a Greek restaurant from Renata Roberts, the owner of other boldly conceptualised restaurants in the western suburbs such as the Sichuan Bang Bangand Pizzeria Violetta.
Stavros, located on Wongabel Street, can accommodate 100 people and will come with a separate 20-seat cocktail bar just beside it, which will be called the Sunset Bar.
Ms Roberts aims to offer simple Greek dishes such as saganaki graver with herbs served with pepper and lemon. She also said that they will be making their own pita bread in the ovens at Pizzeria Violetta. They will also offer four-five souvlaki, slow-cooked lamb shoulder and a wide selection of seasonal salads.
Different kind of dishes from snacks up to a $49 multi-course banquet will be available. The banquet and the menu will change each season. However, guests can expect some delicious slow-cooked lamb shoulder with skordalia to mark the opening of the restaurant.
Sadly, those who are excited to get a few drinks at the bar will have to wait until January of next year due to liquor licensing delays.
They also have a plan to make their Greek-style gelato whilst the Sunset Bar, maintains an intimate and elegant vibe.
Are you excited for these new additions to the Kenmore scene? Official opening will be on 2nd January 2018.
There are always hidden treasures to be found in history. Just recently, rare footage from the archives of the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Fig Tree Pocket revealed a rare and beautiful sight.
The footage shows a large German Shepherd running around a field, but what catches one’s eyes are the two Koalas on his back. The dog’s passengers seem to be enjoying it as well.
One koala is shown clutching the dog’s neck as if holding on for dear life whilst the other one is positioned further down the dog’s back. The weight of these creatures don’t seem to bother the dog and looks to be enjoying the company as well.
Credit: Clip from YouTube/New News using footage marked ABC News
This isn’t the first time that this marsupial has done something silly in the sanctuary. Just last year, a koala was caught striking a pose at the top of a gum tree. The koala was photographed grabbing a tree trunk and leaning back — like a pole dancer!
Preserving the habitat of these precious creatures and ensuring they continue to thrive are why the Brisbane City Council has invested $2 million to build a koala research centre in Fig Tree Pocket. The research centre will aid with habitat loss and the threats posed by dogs, cats, cars and diseases.
Chris Cox of Space4Cycling Brisbane and Brisbane West Bicycle Users Group has long been actively campaigning for additional bike lanes for various parts here in the west. Just recently, he again pointed out the absence of bike lanes and paths between Bellbowrie and Pullenvale following an incident that happened to a cyclist in Anstead.
The cyclist had a close call with a prime mover due to the lack of a shared path for bike riders and pedestrians in Anstead. Mr Cox, on the other hand, said he had a similar experience as he frequents Jindalee and Moggill as part of his commutes. He said that the road is very dangerous for cyclists because it’s a steep climb, plus there is no road shoulder. It’s just all about hearing vehicles behind you and praying that they notice you.
In light of this, Mr Cox asks for a shared path for cyclists and pedestrians along Mt Crosby Road between Kangaroo Gully Rd and Boyle Rd as he thinks that this is the easiest and quickest solution for now.
Around 1m / 1.5m is the required distance between a cyclist and a vehicle on the road. In April 2016, the Department of Transport and Main Roads revealed that there have been 140 infringements issued in Queensland for failing to meet this distance.
For narrow roads and bridges, they advise all motorists to always use common sense and be obedient on road rules.
Vintage Etcetera in Kenmore will have you walking away with a smile on your face, laden with a shopping bag full of great finds.
Photo credit: Vintage Etcetera / Facebook
The shop delivers promising items, which means that you can always buy something here that you will find nice and useful. Owners Arthur and Robyn Rowland have always been passionate about antiques.
The assortment of items in this shop changes all the time. There is always something new to see. From antique rocking horses, globes to jewellery, there really is something for everyone here.
Photo credit: Vintage Etcetera / Facebook
One of the great things about the shop is that you don’t walk in a shop that smells of old furniture filled with dusty items. You will be surprised of how fresh and welcoming it is inside.
Photo credit: Vintage Etcetera / Facebook
Go check the counter for some of the most amazing homemade cards as well.
The staff also has plenty of unique stories to tell behind some items on-sale. Make sure that you ask about the pieces you like. Sometimes, knowing a little bit of background about an item makes all the difference.
Social media is a huge part of our lives and although sharing your life on various social media platforms can be fun — there are times when it can be downright dangerous, posing a risk to one’s life and that of others’. Recently, an unknown motorist driving at 60km/h in Kenmore posted on Snapchat whilst driving.
The said video has gone viral after a netizen saw the video on Snapchat and commented about it, catching the attention of the Brisbane police. The police reminds the public to concentrate on driving and to put their mobile phones and cameras away while behind the wheel.
Just recently, RACQ has revealed that around 7% of drivers, particularly in southeast Queensland, have been caught using their phones whilst driving. The study ran between February and May of this year. It showed that plenty of drivers were on their phones while driving. Chermside takes the top spot from among the suburbs with the greatest number of offenders.
The Queensland University of Technology also conducted a study for Accident Research and Road Safety-Queensland, which revealed that eight in 10 drivers aged 17-25 have admitted to be using their phones whilst they’re driving. Interestingly enough, 40% of them admitted to using Snapchat.
As of press time, the Kenmore driver’s identity remains unknown.
Almost everybody in Brisbane, or in the west knows about Linc Energy Founder Peter Bond’s mansion in Fig Tree Pocket, the Rivergum Retreat.
When his company went into liquidation in May last year with $320 million in debt, Mr Bond said that he is finished with Queensland and will be moving elsewhere. However, his mansion in the quiet suburb failed to sell and is now about to be used for a reality show.
A French production company is set to start shooting Les Ch’tis (Party Workers in OZ) at Rivergum Retreat from next month until December. Eight to ten partygoers are slated to live at the mansion whilst the show documents them trying to find work and fitting into the Australian way of life.
Locals are appalled by this development as they fear that their quiet neighbourhood will be disturbed by the noise of these partygoers and the hype and attention that come with the show. Judging from the previous seasons of the show, the cast can get pretty wild and the locals surely don’t want their peace disrupted.
When Mr Bond was asked about this, he refused to comment.
Halloween is just around the corner and we know that a lot of you are looking for great activities to do. The good news is, there is quite a lot of activities to do here in the west that you have to check out.
The Biggest Trick or Treat Course
Happening at Indooroopilly Shopping Centre from 26-29 October, enjoy FREE Halloween pumpkin head putt-putt course and centre wide trick or treat course. Make sure that you book this right now.
No Tricks, Just Treats
Special story times are coming. So, if you don’t want any tricks this year, you’re in for great treats. Dress up in your spookiest costume and enjoy scary tales and games at the Kenmore Library on 31 October to 3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. This event is ideal for children 3 to 12 years old. Bookings are essential.
Make Your Own Monster
Not to be outdone, the Kenmore Library will have an early Halloween event on 21 October, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with some arts and crafts that freak you out! The event is ideal for boys aged 5 to 12 years old. Bookings are essential.
Epic Cemetery Ghost Tour
Craving for the fear factor? If you really want to feel the Halloween spirit and are not afraid to get spooked, then spend the evening at the Toowong Cemetery. From 28 October to 31 October, join the 1-hour ghost tours and the 2-hour ghost tours. You can book your tickets here.
Make the most out of your October and get spooked!
Without a Trustee Lease from the government under the Land Act 1994, plans by the Kenmore Bridge Club to turn the Pullenvale Reserve into a 40-space carpark will not be able to proceed.
According to DNRM, the council cannot use the standard agreement for a Trustee Lease because in principle, it doesn’t have the Minister’s consent for issuing a lease. Also, it seems that the bridge club does not have tenure for the reserve. DNRM has advised the council that the development cannot push through on the reserve unless a trustee lease is in place.
Photo credit: savethekoala.com
Also, the government has announced that the council and the bridge club have yet to demonstrate how the proposed development will match the original legislated purpose of the reserve.
Public backlash against the planned carpark has been strong. Along with the locals who are protesting against the development, the Australian Koala Foundation has also expressed their disapproval. The Pullenvale Reserve is classified as a habitat for koalas.
In light of this, there will be a talk on the 21st of October from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 43 Pullenvale Road. Locals will talk about saving the reserve and the CEO of the foundation will also speak about the importance of protecting the reserve and preserving the natural habitat of koalas. The event also urges locals to plant a Koala tree and to witness a traditional Smoking Ceremony by an elder from the Yuggera people.
BCC hasn’t released any further statements on the matter.
