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Brookfield Holds the 2017 Kokoda Challenge Brisbane

The Kokoda Challenge Brisbane will be held at the Brookfield Showgrounds on the 3rd and 4th of June 2017. The event will start at 7:00 a.m. and there will be three course options available.

Two of the course options are 30km and 15km. Also, for the first time, a 48km course will be open for adults and school teams due to popular demand. There will be one checkpoint for the 15km course, three checkpoints for 30km, and six checkpoints with one support crew checkpoint for the 48km course.

The Foundation

The Kokoda Youth Foundation is a charity by Doug Henderson OAM, a Vietnam veteran. It was established in 2004 inspired by the battle of the Kokoda Track and the Pacific Campaign. Their main initiative is the Kokoda Challenge Youth Program (KCYP), a 14-month program that includes 6 months of community service, physical training and mentoring, participation in two Kokoda Challenge events, and much more.

Their event series are held to fund participants for their youth programs.

Before You Run…

Participants of the upcoming Kokoda Challenge Brisbane event must be in teams consisting of 3 to 4 people. Each team must be able to raise funds according to the number of persons in the team and their choice of course. Each team member also needs to pay a registration fee. Each team will need to form their own support crew. To find out more about the rates and the minimum fundraising per team, click here.

The Kokoda Challenge events encourage kids and adults to engage with the community through fundraising events.

The 48km and 30km courses require kids to be at least 13 years old to join, while 10-year-olds can join the 15km event. Participants under the age of 18 should be accompanied by an adult.

2017 Brookfield Show : Scary Weather Forecasts, Equine Flu Scare But The Show Was As Good As Ever

Congratulations to the Brookfield Show Committee

Another great rendition of the Brookfield Show is now behind us, the Show Committee once again organizing three days of action packed fun supported by great sponsors, stall holders, and with the assistance of Kenmore Rotary.

As far as major events go in the western suburbs of Brisbane, there is no bigger than the Brookfield Show.

This year’s event was as good as ever despite a terrible weather forecast, thank goodness proven incorrect!

Friday morning kicked the event off with a mixture of drizzle and heavy rain that left the Boscombe road vendor car park greasy but under management by Kenmore Rotary. The hiatus of school drop offs, coinciding with the arrival of show vendors, happened seamlessly. One Friday casualty due to the weather were the pony events, but the Rodeo went ahead in the evening and locals arrived en masse for a fun evening.

Saturday and Sunday brought glorious weather. The main car park was full by 11:00 a.m. though Boscombe Road had space for most of the day. The equestrian events displayed some great equine talent and riding over the weekend, whilst the gravity of the competition there contrasted with the hilarious pig racing in an adjoining ring.

The rides stayed busy during both days, many kids stretching their $45 all-day pass to the limits, with continual lines at the dodgems.

One concern which the Courier Mail has headlined today was the suspected Hendra virus case, though this was cleared up by a statement from the vet:

The Children’s art show was a great success, judged this year by Catherine Mactaggart of Sotheby’s Queensland.

Best in Show was won by Sophie Evans:

Here are some of the other highly talented entrants:

See more entries here

The dog show results can be found here

Councillor Kate Richards reported watching the woodchopping:

A great event that families get wonderful value from every year, West Brisbane is lucky to have the Brookfield Show.

Photo Credit: Brookfield Show from Facebook.com/CrKateRichards

Kenmore Residents Displeased Over New Townhouse Development Proposal

In the wake of a growing number of development plans being submitted for approval, Kenmore seems likely to experience a continuing rise in development and modernisation projects for the near future.

One of these development projects in the area is the Azure Townhouses project along Moggill Road at Margaret Court.

Azure Development Group has lodged its latest proposal with the BCC for the multiple-dwelling project. It aims to provide 104 four-bedroom townhouses of a low-medium density nature across the site in three stages. The proposal also includes a subdivision to accommodate a new public road for the new townhouses on two new lots.

Photo credit: http://www.yourneighbourhood.com.au/ — Photo credit: Brisbane City Council

The stages are as follows:

Stage 1. 34 Townhouses, Communal Open Space, Internal Driveway and Public Road
Stage 2. 34 Townhouses and Internal Driveway
Stage 3. 32 Townhouses, Communal Open Space, Internal Driveway and Emergency Access to Wyndarra Street.

Each dwelling will have its own rear balconies, three communal recreation areas, and a large communal open space in the centre of the subject site to accommodate other recreational facilities such as swimming pool, lounge areas, spa, bbq, and a dining area.

However, the residents of the suburb and nearby suburbs are not that thrilled with the proposed developments. The main concern is the traffic that it might cause. Congestion along Moggill Road and parts of State Route 33 that stretch into the Centenary Motorway has long been a problem in the area.

Lawson McCane, a Greens Moggill candidate, also pointed out that the current townhouse applications in the suburb are increasing the congestion problems not only on the roads but also on the capacity of local high schools and community facilities to support a potential population increase.

He is also pushing for people to help ban Queensland property developers from giving political donations to government candidates, to avoid potential conflicts of interest.

The Azure Townhouses development proposal is still being reviewed by the Brisbane City Council. In the meantime, the discussion and controversy among stakeholders and residents remain.

Kenmore State High School Pleads for Urgent Building Upgrades

The school council of Kenmore State High School is urging the Queensland government to come up with a timeframe and funding for buildings urgently needed by the school.

The school council, headed by Scott Meehan, noted that its request for building upgrades is not being addressed. Mr. Meehan said that the school’s masterplan will have to be treated as a priority.

Mr. Meehan believed that the main issue is the lack of funding. As a result, no timeframe has been made for the masterplan.

At the top of the list for improvements is the school’s library. If not upgraded, it will come to a point where some primary schools in the area will have better libraries compared to that of Kenmore High.

Proactive Measures Needed

The school could reach its capacity in three years’ time, according to Mr. Meehan. He stressed the need for the construction to be done as early as possible, especially as some of the current buildings are already deemed insufficient.

The Department of Education and Training stated that the school’s capacity will be adequate even beyond 2021. The proposed improvements are also being studied under the Infrastructure Management Framework of the department.

To address the increasing number of students in the area, there is a proposal to add a new high school that will service Moggill and Ipswich residents. MP for Moggill Dr. Christian Rowan supports this proposal, although he also highlighted the importance of investing in the current school facility.

Kenmore Village Holds Dungeons and Dragons Game Twice a Month

At Kenmore Village, every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month, the Kenmore Village Shopping Centre welcomes Dungeons & Dragons players from all over the suburb to play.

Dungeons & Dragons

This fantasy tabletop role-playing game was launched in 1974 and remains as the market leader for RPGs. In 2004, the game was named the best-known and best-telling RPG game. It has won multiple awards. The game is normally played indoors with the players seated around a table. Each player controls a single character in a fictional setting. Each member has their own area of specialty and during the game, players direct the actions of their characters as well as its interactions with other characters in the fame.

Usually, several meetings are needed to complete a single quest. Campaigns take even longer to finish. The game play in Kenmore Village is set up like a campaign, which takes longer compared to a single quest because it deals with a series of related gaming adventures.

The Dungeon Master of the DM is the one who determines the results of the game depending on the overall storyline and the party’s choices.

The Game Play at Kenmore

In Kenmore, fans of the board game spend hours at play on tables and chairs set up in the mall. Despite the traffic in the shopping centre, the players remain wrapped up in their own world once they start playing. What do they get out of it? Bragging rights and priceless interaction with fellow players.

Dungeon Master Danny Stevens has been playing the game for more than 40 years now. He started in 1974 and he he’s been organising these events at the shopping centre in Kenmore. So far, there have been five gaming sessions and player participation has started to grow. Recently, Mr Stevens has had to turn some people away to prevent overcrowding. He regularly updates his blog for their ongoing table campaign for Dungeons and Dragons.

Brisbane has a number of D&D groups scattered all over the suburbs. These groups meet at least once every two weeks at a certain area to play. Here is the current list of the D&D groups in Brisbane.

Head on down to the Kenmore Village Shopping Centre on D & D Days and score some face-time with fellow players, if this seems to be right up your alley. You can also check out this Facebook page for schedules and updates.

Fig Tree Pocket’s Luxurious Rivergum Retreat Reveals its Hidden Gem

In the serene suburb of Fig Tree Pocket lies a mansion straight from an action movie. Along Needham Street, the calmness, the green leafy surrounds may fool you that all is calm until you reach No.36, a huge mansion called the Rivergum Retreat.

Seeing the eye-catching mansion from the road is exciting, but the experience of stepping into its massive Zen-like foyer is truly breathtaking. The magnificent river view from the floor-to-ceiling-windows gives new meaning to the term “eye candy”.

The sprawling mansion has luxuriously appointed rooms, a state-of-the-art entertainment area, a beautiful kitchen that will bring out your inner chef, and an infinity pool that overlooks the river.

2_gvkeuq — Photo credit: www.domain.com.au

A House with a Secret

But what makes the house even more special is the secret it keeps in its library. The library seems innocuous enough. It has a sitting area and shelves of books. But it has something straight out of a James Bond movie. Pull out some innocent-looking bookshelves and you can step into a secret hideaway — a room and a bar.

On the Market

The mansion was built in the early 1980s. It was renovated after the current owners bought it in 2008. These days, the mansion is once again in the market and is considered to be one of Brisbane’s most expensive properties.

Moo-Free Burgers on the Moo-ve to Kenmore

A healthy burger truck is rolling in to Kenmore on 17th May. All ye health buffs out there might want to be at 904 Moggill Road, at Charlie’s Raw Squeeze to get your Moo-Free Burger between 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on that day.

Another healthy venture of Charlie’s Raw Squeeze owners Johnny and Michael Tabet, Moo-Free cooks up and serves delicious burgers – without meat! Noticing the scarcity of decent vegan burgers in Brisbane, the brothers had an epiphany and set off for a healthy adventure. They set up a food truck and started going from one suburb to another, offering vegan burgers and tasty sides.

Photo credit: Moo-Free Burgers / Facebook

All the items on the menu are prepared and cooked without the use of animals and any animal products. Try their “fish fillet” burgers or their irresistible “chicken” burger. They’re so appetising that you’ll forget they’re vegan!

Their sides include beer-battered chips and sweet potato chips with vegan mayo. They also have gluten-free buns.

Want to know when they’re dropping by your area? Check out their schedule on their Facebook page.

Brookfield General Store Still Going Strong

Originally a teacher’s residence, the Brookfield General Store has definitely come a long way. Established as a cafe and store in 1871, it serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Some residents affectionately refer to it as “The Shed.”

This neighbourhood corner store is where residents go to pick up their daily staples, such as bread, milk, and vegetables. Overlooking Brookfield Hall, the country-style cafe-slash-store has become the go-to place for residents on a quick grocery or pizza run. Tourists also make sure to swing by the popular store to complete their Brookfield experience.

What’s Inside

Step inside Brookfield General Store and you will immediately see what the store is all about. Shelves and shelves full of surprises line up the walls. There is literally something for everyone. Known for its eclectic mix of merchandise, the store has the requisite grocery items, fresh flowers from Madame Les Fleurs, and even a line of the store’s “Wanted” house-brand sauces.

For those who are looking to stock up on their meat supply at home, the store also offers organic meats from Sherwood Organic Meats. They also have free-range turkey on sale from GreenAg. A selection of Golden Grove wines is on display, while a rack of Jamwork jams will definitely spread good cheer among shoppers.

For rumbling tummies, the cafe at the front of the store is your best bet. You can also enjoy the bucolic view from the back verandah. If you’re coming down for breakfast, don’t miss out on their Brooky brekky roll that consists of aioli, spinach, fried egg, crispy bacon and the cafe’s popular BBQ sauce, served on a toasted roll.

During lunchtime, the Barnyard Grilled Chicken Burger is a popular choice amongst diners. There are also a number of gourmet sandwiches and salads for diners who want something lighter.

Photo credit: http://brookfieldgeneralstore.com.au/

At dinnertime, the kitchen shifts gears and offers a different set of dishes. Check out their selection of wood-fired pizzas and you’ll find out what everybody has been raving about!

Kids have their own menu featuring tasty, pint-sized selections which will keep their tummy’s happy and their mummies pleased. Pets are welcome to tag along. Water bowls are supplied outside to keep those beloved pooches hydrated and happy.

Kenmore, Brookfield, Pullenvale Kerbside Collection Coming Up : Tips For Movers & Crawlers

The next few days will be busy for Kenmore, Pullenvale and Brookfield residents, as kerbside collection day draws near. With the 8th of May just a few days away, Brookfield and Pullenvale residents should by now be on the homestretch of sorting, packing and deciding what to throw away. For Kenmore residents, the 15th of May is collection day. All unwanted items by the kerb a weekend before the kerbside collection date.

For crawlers, as the day of reckoning for these suburbs draws near, now would be a good time to check the kerbsides for some potentially great finds.

Start Packing NOW

Photo credit: http://www.houseandcarriage.com/

Starting now and packing little by little before the kerbside collection date will be far less stressful than trying to do everything in one day.

Save Up on Boxes

Photo credit: http://www.demeterclarc.com/

Why don’t you head on over to a local store and ask if you can get some of their boxes? Plus points if you’re a regular… or maybe, you just know the owner.

When in Doubt, Kerb It Is!

If you’re doubtful if you should put an item out by the kerb, then most probably, you should. If you have not used it for ages, and it’s just gathering dust in your house, you should probably get rid of it.

Keep It Tidy

Pile your items out neatly! Just because it’s going to get picked up doesn’t mean it has to be such a mess. Pile up boxes neatly, put trash/plastic bags together, and for heavy items, organise them in a way that scavengers and the collectors wouldn’t have a hard time getting an item.

Photo credit: http://www.coppercoast.sa.gov.au/

There’s a Pile Limit!

Before you make a mountain out of your stuff, remember that there’s a pile limit. The Brisbane City Council will not collect piles larger than two cubic meters. So ease up on the items!

Acceptable and Non-Acceptable Items

BCC will also not collect unacceptable items. Check out the list here to find out what items you can and cannot put by the kerb.

Photo credit: http://www.shellharbourwaste.com.au/

A week before the Kerbside collection date, scavengers will also be roaming around the streets, looking for items that they might find useful. If you’re planning on doing this, mind your manners.

Some tips for scavengers:

Have a Vehicle Ready

Photo credit: www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au

You might find some huge items that you can use or even if you’re only getting small items, it is best to have a vehicle ready to make the whole scavenging process so much easier.

Don’t Mess It Up

Photo credit: www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au

Make sure that you leave the pile tidy once you’re done with it. Don’t just rummage through it and leave it once you get what you need. Have some courtesy.

Never Break Anything

Photo credit: http://ajaneday.blogspot.com/

Be careful when going through other people’s trash. Those items may be unwanted, but that doesn’t give you the right to break them up, or make a mess on the kerb. Handle the items with care.

Whether you’re putting stuff out for kerbside collection or you’re simply on the hunt for kerbside items, observe proper behaviour. Proper manners during this time will definitely go a long way.

Kenmore Hills’ The Creek House Embraces Nature

Kenmore Hills, with its stretches of fertile land, rich bushland, streams, and hobby farms offers a serene sanctuary to its residents, right smack in the foothills of Mt Coot-tha.

Stuart and Davina Gray knew exactly what they wanted in 2013, when they hired their long-time friend, Andrew Munro, the principal of Define Landscape Architecture, to redesign the property and transform a run-down two-storey house into their very own residential sanctuary.

Photo credit: http://www.caandesign.com/

Their 225-sqm property is perfectly situated in an area that slopes down to a natural creek. When choosing materials to use for the house, Shaun Lockyer Architects went with natural materials such as stone and timber to bring the home and its lush, surrounding garden perfectly together. Today, the home is more commonly known as “The Creek House.”

The living area provides a picture-perfect marvellous view of the greenery outside and a glimpse of the creek. There are several climate-proof entertaining areas spread out across two levels of the garden. Each area serves several parts of the home.

The garden has fifteen separate areas, each with its own distinct character. Social gatherings can be held on the verdant lawn areas. Those seeking peace and quiet can look for the hidden retreat down by the creek. The guest courtyard has its own outdoor shower. A birdhouse, fishpond, and beehive provide a touch of whimsy, while the soothing sound of tinkling water from the water feature provides a relaxing ambience to the masterfully designed garden spaces with its lush garden beds. Seasonal garden produce is also grown for food, allowing the occupants and guests to have a garden to gourmet dining experience while at the home.

Easily one of the most attractive properties in Kenmore Hills, the Creek House’s unique take on contemporary design and landscape architecture makes it a real gem, complementing its forest surroundings and bringing nature in, effortlessly and beautifully. Evidently the Australian Institute of Landscape Designers and Managers think so too. They named The Creek House as their 2016 Gold Awardee and recipient of the Best in Category Award.