Homepage Latest News Archives - Page 7 of 46

Chern Now Open in Kenmore, Serving Up Modern Asian Favourites

Kenmore’s dining precinct is enjoying a wave of fresh energy, and one of the latest additions turning heads is Chern, a vibrant new restaurant now open on Wongabel Street.

Read: Kenmore, Brookfield, and Moggill Named Queensland’s Best Suburbs for Families

Tucked into the space formerly occupied by Chaya Asian Restaurant, Chern is the second venture from Nail Saengin and Garfield Pachnoi, the duo behind the much-loved southern Thai restaurant Chalong in neighbouring Chapel Hill.

Building on the warm community welcome they received with Chalong, the pair saw an opportunity to expand their culinary vision just one suburb over. While their first restaurant focused on the traditional flavours of southern Thailand, Chern takes a broader approach, blending elements of Southeast and East Asian cuisines into a playful and flavour-packed fusion menu.

Diners can expect a line-up of bold, share-style dishes designed to surprise and delight. The menu ranges from small bites like duck and chive dumplings and soft-shell crab bao buns to larger plates including sticky tamarind pork belly, green curry with slow-cooked beef ribs, and the crowd-pleasing char kway teow with tiger prawns and pork belly.

Khao Tod Salad (Photo credit: Chern Restaurant – Kenmore/Facebook)

A coral trout coconut salad and Thai-style crispy rice (khao tod) offer fresh, vibrant options, while the grilled king prawns with tom yum sauce bring a punchy finish.

The drink selection has also been carefully curated, featuring Australian and French wines chosen to pair with the menu, along with craft beers and unique offerings like a matcha-infused IPA from Kyoto. Non-drinkers can enjoy thoughtful booze-free options, including a non-alcoholic umeshu.

Inside, Chern impresses with a sleek interior crafted by Clui Design and built by Lowry Group. Its green and cream tiles, soft leather seating, and ambient lighting create a modern yet inviting space. A feline mascot – a nod to the owners’ own cat – adds a personal touch, while the venue’s name, which means “welcoming” in Thai, reflects the restaurant’s relaxed and community-focused spirit.

Read: Kenmore Favourite iFruit Fresh Changes Hands After 8 Years

Chern’s arrival adds further variety to Kenmore’s evolving food scene, joining long-standing favourites and new arrivals alike. With its inviting atmosphere and creative menu, Chern is poised to become a go-to spot for locals looking for something fresh, casual, and full of flavour.

Published 16-July-2025

Kenmore Shoe Theft: Right-Shoe Bandit Leaves Shop With a Leftover Problem

Kenmore shoppers are shaking their heads after a lone thief made off with more than 50 right-foot boots, leaving a family-run shoe shop stuck with the world’s saddest collection of lefties.

The strange Kenmore shoe theft unfolded around 7:35 p.m. on July 7 at a shopping centre on Brookfield Road. CCTV shows a man, suitcase in hand, calmly helping himself to every right boot on a sale table before strolling out as if mismatched footwear is the next big trend.

An Odd Haul Leaves Locals Laughing — and Wondering Why

Tamara Shorrock, who runs Shoe Fashions in Kenmore, says the thief didn’t even bother to hide his face while gathering up the one thing shoe stores deliberately don’t sell solo — single right shoes. The practice of putting out only the right foot is meant to stop shoplifters from nicking a full pair. The plan worked — sort of.

Instead of losing a few pairs, the store is now out about $6,000 in stock and stuck with dozens of left boots that have no dance partner. Shorrock says it’s obvious the thief knew what he was doing — or perhaps didn’t think it through at all.

Bring Them Back — No Awkward Questions Asked

Queensland Police are investigating and asking the community for help to track down the man behind the Kenmore shoe theft. Locals are just as puzzled, asking what good a pile of right boots does anyone. Maybe the thief has a one-legged shoe stall somewhere?

Shorrock says the thief can still fix this awkward mess: slip the boots back under the sale table at night, wear a hat, put on a mask. She promises there’ll be no questions, no awkward chats about what inspired this lopsided haul.

Kenmore’s Unbalanced Boot Mystery

As the community swaps theories, one thing’s for sure: Kenmore is now home to a pile of lonely left boots and a shopkeeper hoping for a happy ending to the most confusing robbery in town.

Police urge anyone with information to quote reference number QP2501199901 and contact Policelink or Crime Stoppers.

Watch the heist unfold:

Published 10-July-2025

Moggill Emerges as One of Brisbane’s Fastest-Growing Suburbs Amid Housing Market Shift

Once seen as a quiet outer-western pocket, Moggill is now one of Brisbane’s fastest-rising housing markets, drawing attention from buyers priced out of more central areas. With its leafy streets, family-friendly appeal, and growing reputation, the suburb is stepping into the spotlight as the city’s property market continues to evolve.

Read: Kenmore, Brookfield, and Moggill Named Queensland’s Best Suburbs for Families

Moggill recorded a 28.9 per cent increase in median house prices over the past year, according to the latest PRD Smart Moves report, outpacing many of Brisbane’s more established suburbs. This surge places it among the top-performing areas in the city, leading growth on the western side.

The broader report highlights a market shifting under the pressure of limited supply and rising prices. Brisbane’s median house price has reached $989,000, up 6.8 per cent from the previous year. The proportion of affordable unit suburbs has fallen sharply—from 60.3 per cent in late 2024 to just 38.7 per cent in early 2025—indicating that affordability is becoming increasingly scarce.

While inner-city convenience once drove demand, affordability and lifestyle are now steering buyers towards the outer ring. Moggill, traditionally overlooked for its distance from the CBD, is being reconsidered as a practical alternative offering space, quiet, and long-term investment value.

Read: Massive Block, Half-Built Mansion: Moggill Property Seeks New Owner

Citywide, other top house growth suburbs include Virginia (+35.8 percent), Rocklea (+34.4 percent), and Birkdale (+28.3 percent), but Moggill stands out in the west. Meanwhile, the report notes an undersupply of detached houses, with only 186 new standalone homes planned compared to more than 10,000 new units, suggesting further upward pressure on house prices.

As Brisbane’s property market edges toward balance, Moggill’s rise may signal where future value lies—on the fringe, where space and affordability still align.

Published 26-June-2025

Meet Lucinda Brimblecombe: The Woman Who Gave Brookfield Its Name

Long before it became the suburb that it is today, Brookfield was a place of timber-cutting camps, bullock teams and early settlers carving out new lives in the wild scrub west of the river. Lucinda Brimblecombe (née Logan), matriarch of one of the pioneering families, is said to have given Brookfield its name in the late 1860s, as a nod perhaps to the lush creeks and rolling pastures that defined the landscape.

Read: Kenmore, Brookfield, and Moggill Named Queensland’s Best Suburbs for Families

Her husband, James Brimblecombe, had purchased land in the district while still living in Maitland in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales. Upon relocating to Brisbane with his young family in 1869, he built a simple slab hut roofed with timber shingles. He called their home “Bannerfield”, and by August that year, Lucinda and their children had joined him.

They were among the first European families in the area, and the Brimblecombes quickly became known for their success in dairying and agriculture, selling butter and eggs to neighbours and passing trade. But their contribution went beyond the land—they played a key role in laying the foundations of Brookfield’s civic life. James was instrumental in the establishment of the first church and helped bring the first school to the fledgling community.

Brookfield State School (Photo credit: brookfieldss.eq.edu.au)

The name “Brookfield” began appearing in newspaper reports by 1871, when the area was praised for its fertility and settlement potential. That same year saw the opening of Brookfield State School. Just three years later, a teacher’s residence was built—further proof that the district was quickly evolving into a close-knit community.

James Brimblecombe’s residence ‘Fairview’ at Brookfield, Brisbane, 1920s (Photo credit: State Library of Queensland)

Lucinda and James would spend the remainder of their lives in the area, living at Fairview, their second home, until Lucinda’s death in 1912. James followed three years later. They were laid to rest side-by-side under a prominent headstone in Brookfield Cemetery—a lasting symbol of their place in the district’s history.

Even after their passing, the Brimblecombe legacy endured. The land on which one of their early properties stood remained in family hands for an extraordinary 122 years. While the original slab home is long gone, a newer house built in 1932 for newlyweds George Harpur Jones Junior and Stella Dalrymple (née Walker) now stands on the site.

Read: Centenarian Reflects on Rich Life at Brookfield Aged Care

Brookfield’s story, like its name, flows from the resilience and vision of people like Lucinda Brimblecombe—a woman whose quiet contribution left a name, and a legacy, that still echoes through the valley today.

Published 20-June-2025

Kenmore, Brookfield, and Moggill Named Queensland’s Best Suburbs for Families

Kenmore, Brookfield, and Moggill have been named the top places to raise a family in Queensland, according to new research ranking the state’s most liveable suburbs for children.

Read: Kenmore State High School Achiever Recognised for QCE Award

The West Brisbane trio claimed the top spot in a study by iSelect, which assessed suburbs based on childcare access, affordability, and early childhood development outcomes across 80 locations.

What set Kenmore, Brookfield, and Moggill apart was their balance of key factors, including excellent childcare availability—at 1.39 places per child—and a higher-than-average fertility rate of 1.58 births per woman. These indicators suggest that families aren’t just moving in, but choosing to stay and grow in the area.

Southeast Queensland suburbs dominated the top rankings, with Sherwood and Indooroopilly placing second. That region stood out with the highest child development score among the top five at 88.5 per cent. Brisbane’s Inner West followed in third, performing strongly in both child development—at 87 per cent—and affordability, with childcare costing an average of 25.9 per cent of household income.

Top 10 Australian regions for raising a child (Photo credit: iselect.com.au)

iSelect conducted the study using publicly available government data to determine the most family-friendly regions across Australia. Each area was assessed based on five key indicators: the percentage of children meeting developmental milestones, the availability of childcare places, average childcare expenses, the quality of local healthcare services, and the average fertility rate per woman.

iSelect spokeswoman Sophie Ryan said the results reflect broader community strengths, including well-established infrastructure, quality schools and strong local support—all factors that contribute to a stable and family-friendly environment.

While lifestyle destinations like the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast remain attractive, the study noted they were let down by low childcare availability, which affected their rankings.

For one Brisbane family, the decision to move to Kenmore earlier this year after returning from Victoria was an easy one. Their youngest daughter now attends the same kindergarten her father once did, and they were drawn to the suburb’s green spaces, family connections, and semi-rural charm.

Read: New Subdivision in Moggill Set to Boost Housing Options

With a mix of lifestyle, accessibility, and strong community foundations, Kenmore, Brookfield, and Moggill continue to lead as some of Queensland’s most family-friendly suburbs.

Published 18-June-2025

Echidna Conservation Talk Held in Brookfield Community

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Residents from Brookfield and surrounding suburbs are invited to learn about local conservation efforts as Dr Kate Dutton-Regester presents a talk on echidna monitoring at Kenmore Library.

Community Focus on Wildlife Conservation

An evening session at Kenmore Library on 24 June 2025 will highlight the importance of public participation in echidna conservation efforts across South East Queensland. The event features Wildlife Queensland’s Dr Kate Dutton-Regester, who will discuss the role of citizen scientists in improving understanding of the short-beaked echidna’s distribution and behaviour.

Wildlife Queensland — *Photo Credit: Moggill Creek Catchment Group/Facebook*

Background to the Initiative

In early 2025, Dr Dutton-Regester secured a $9,292 grant from the Wettenhall Environment Trust to launch the “Building a Baseline: Echidna Conservation Through Community Engagement” project. The program aims to address the lack of reliable data on short-beaked echidnas, a species often assumed to be common despite limited records in areas like the Lockyer Valley.

Aims of the Project

The project is focused on establishing foundational data on echidna numbers and locations. It includes the use of camera traps in the Lockyer Valley and other South East Queensland regions. Community members are being trained to install and monitor the equipment, building capacity for ongoing citizen-led monitoring.

Brookfield echidna conservation — *Photo Credit: Wikipedia*

Local Participation Encouraged

The Kenmore event invites participation from residents across nearby suburbs, including Brookfield, with the aim of boosting public interest in conservation. Attendees will gain insight into echidna biology, habitat needs, and methods to support long-term protection strategies. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the talk running from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Entry is via the library’s lift entrance, and refreshments will be available.

Future Outlook

The event supports ongoing efforts to expand community-led monitoring across South East Queensland. The project’s design includes potential collaboration with local councils and community groups in future phases. The project is subject to development and participation.

Published 18-June-2025

Southbound Lane Repairs Begin on Mount Crosby Road Overpass

Photo Credit: TMR Qld/Facebook

Transport and Main Roads has commenced overnight works to restore southbound traffic on the Mount Crosby Road overpass at North Tivoli, following earlier structural damage.

Overpass Works Resume in North Tivoli

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has started repair and reconfiguration works to reopen the southbound lane of the Mount Crosby Road overpass, which has remained closed since mid-May after a bridge strike. The night works began on 3 June and are expected to run for approximately four weeks.

Background of the Bridge Closure

The Mount Crosby Road overpass sustained damage on 16 May 2025 when an oversize vehicle struck the structure while travelling west along the Warrego Highway. The incident led to the closure of all lanes on the overpass while engineering inspections were carried out.

By 18 May, westbound lanes of the Warrego Highway were reopened. Two days later, on 20 May, the overpass was partially reopened, allowing northbound traffic under speed and weight restrictions. The southbound lane, however, remained closed pending further assessment and planning.

Details of Current Works

TMR’s latest efforts involve modifying the existing road layout to accommodate southbound traffic. Works being carried out between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. include the demolition of the western footpath, guardrail adjustments, road widening, and removal of electrical cabling.

To facilitate these works, the northbound lane of the overpass will be closed during active hours, with detours in place. Northbound vehicles are rerouted via Pine Mountain Road, while southbound traffic continues to use the River Road diversion. Load and speed restrictions will apply once the southbound lane is reopened.

Mount Crosby Road updates — *Caption: A photo of the road update on 20 May.*
*Photo Credit: TMR Qld/Facebook*

Community Impact and Next Steps

TMR acknowledged the inconvenience to residents in Karalee, Chuwar and Mount Crosby who rely on the overpass for travel into Ipswich. While full structural repairs to the damaged girders will follow, the current project aims to restore two-way vehicle movement on the overpass to improve access in the interim.

Published 5-June-2025

Kenmore Favourite iFruit Fresh Changes Hands After 8 Years

Photo Credit: iFruit Fresh

After nearly a decade serving the Kenmore community with fresh produce and friendly service, local grocers Mario and Maree of iFruit Fresh have stepped away from the local business they built with their family. The store, located in Kenmore Plaza, has been handed over to new, yet familiar, owners, marking a quiet but significant change for loyal customers.

A Local Staple Comes Full Circle

Mario and Maree ran iFruit Fresh for eight years, rarely taking a day off. They stayed open through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring their customers could still access fresh fruit, vegetables, pantry staples and household essentials when larger chains faced shortages. The couple supported local farmers and producers, offering a range of products, including handmade pasta, deli goods, and gluten-free and vegan items.

During their time at the helm, they also became well-known supporters of local clubs, sports teams and fundraising drives, often donating raffle prizes or helping out where needed. Their dedication to the area made them a reliable part of the Kenmore daily routine.

iFruit Fresh family — *Photo Credit: iFruit Fresh/Facebook*

The new owners are no strangers to the shop. According to a community post, they previously ran iFruit Fresh 15 years ago and have now returned to continue its legacy. Locals are encouraged to keep supporting the store during this transition period.

More Than Just a Grocer

iFruit Fresh isn’t your average fruit and veg outlet. It’s a community business that puts quality and connection at its core. The store offers a wide range of premium Australian produce and select international items, carefully chosen to balance both health and taste. Located conveniently with front parking at Kenmore Plaza, the open-style shop is designed for easy, quick visits.

The business also provides online ordering for local delivery seven days a week (excluding public holidays), serving the 4069 area. Customers can click and collect their orders in-store or arrange for them to be delivered to their doorstep.

Mario, Maree, their children, and their team made it clear that their goal was always more than selling produce. It was about creating a positive shopping experience and being part of the neighbourhood. Their departure has sparked a wave of gratitude and warm messages from customers online.

Staying Connected

While the shop changes hands, the focus on fresh, ethical, and locally sourced products remains unchanged.

Customers can still reach the store by calling (07) 3878 9995 or emailing orders@ifruitfresh.com.au. The address remains at Kenmore Plaza on Moggill Road.

iFruit Fresh also remains active on social media and continues to encourage feedback from the community — especially from local producers who may be interested in supplying goods.

Published 2-June-2025

Pullenvale State School: 151 Years of Lessons, Laughter and Local Pride

Photo Credit: Pullenvale State School/Facebook

Pullenvale State School has stood in Brisbane’s western outskirts for 151 years, long enough to watch paddocks become pavements and barefoot students become great-grandparents. It’s a thread in the fabric of the community, woven through with stories of resilience, reinvention and everyday learning.

It was 1874 when the first class gathered in a simple timber building at the corner of Herron and Haven roads. Back then, Pullenvale was a remote stretch of farmland, and the school was built with community hands and funding, with families agreeing to cover part of the costs. Thirty-two children were enrolled that first day, meeting the minimum start requirement. The curriculum was basic: reading, writing and arithmetic. However, education was a commitment worth fighting for for the pioneering families who had cleared land and built homes.

From One Room to Generations

In those early years, school wasn’t always easy to keep running. Attendance dropped during planting seasons, and children often had to leave class to help on the farm. Still, the school survived, sometimes only because parents registered younger siblings to boost the numbers.

By 1906, the original building had seen better days. The Department agreed to move the schoolhouse about a kilometre down to Grandview Road, where it still stands today. Families helped haul it there. The headmaster had to walk in from the old site each morning for a while, until the teacher’s residence joined the classroom two years later.

As the decades passed, Pullenvale’s school changed with the times. In the 1920s, nature study and agriculture joined the lessons. Children raised calves and grew gardens, presenting their projects yearly on Club Day. The school also became a social hub, hosting dances in local packing sheds and tennis matches on makeshift courts.

Longtime residents remember what it was like. In winter, cold air seeped through the floorboards. Students sat shoulder-to-shoulder at long desks, swatting at the occasional possum rustling above. Games like rounders and Red Rover filled lunch breaks, while swimming in the local creek was a favourite pastime.

Changing with the Community

By the 1960s and ’70s, the district began shifting. Farmland slowly gave way to new houses, and student numbers rose again. Parents and principals pushed for better facilities. In 1981, their efforts paid off as a new school building was constructed just down the road, and the old site was transformed into something entirely new.

That same year, the Pullenvale Environmental Education Centre (PEEC) was born. Led by young principal Dr Ron Tooth, PEEC was set up to blend the area’s natural beauty with hands-on environmental learning. What started with one school building soon grew into a site rich with history, as old schoolhouses from around Queensland were brought in, restored and repurposed for outdoor learning.

Today, PEEC hosts thousands of students each year and has earned national recognition for its storytelling-based programs that connect kids to land, history and culture. It also works closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders to ensure Indigenous perspectives are respectfully shared and understood.

A Legacy Still Growing

In March 2024, Pullenvale State School marked its 150th anniversary with a day of community celebrations.

Families past and present came together to remember where it all began. To honour the occasion, a plaque was presented to the school’s principal, Natala Crawley. But even as the speeches wrapped up and the cake was cut, there was a sense that the school’s story was far from over.

Now entering another year, the school continues to serve the children of Brisbane’s outer west, just as it did all those years ago. The desks and uniforms may look different, but the heart of the school, the care, the community, the commitment to learning, remains the same.

Published 26-May-2025

Brookfield Cricket Clinic to Boost Junior Skills as Kenmore Club Celebrates 50 Years

Photo Credit: DrChristianRowanMP/Facebook

Kenmore Cricket Club is ramping up its junior development efforts with a specialised winter holiday cricket clinic in Brookfield this July, following recent milestone celebrations marking its 50th anniversary.

Winter Holiday Program at Brookfield United Cricket Club

The Henschell Cricket Academy, led by former Queensland cricketer Brett Henschell, will conduct a four-day winter clinic at Brookfield United Cricket Club from 7 to 10 July 2025. Open to boys and girls aged 6 to 17, the program is designed to support players across all skill levels, from beginners to representative-level athletes.

Participants will train under Cricket Australia-accredited coaches in structured age and ability-based groups. The program includes three tailored streams: beginner, club player, and representative player. Sessions will run daily from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with each participant receiving a written assessment at the end. A Fletcher cricket bat will be awarded to one attendee.

The clinic fee is $220 (GST included), with family rates available.

Kenmore Cricket Club Recognises Half a Century of Community Cricket

Kenmore Cricket Club recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with a community luncheon held at West’s Rugby Club in Toowong on Friday, 16 May 2025. The event brought together past and present members, including current President Christian Sulisz and Club Founder Cliff Hemsworth.

Local official Christian Rowan presented a commemorative plaque in recognition of the milestone. Rowan, who played for the club between 1979 and 1983, joined other guests including former cricket figures John Buchanan, Brett Henschell, Michael Kasprowicz, Stuart Law, and Chris Hartley.

The Lunch & Legends event featured a two-course meal with drinks, raffles, auctions, and was hosted by MC Evan Bancroft. Funds raised contributed to the club’s ongoing operations and junior programs.

Year-Round Junior Cricket Pathways

Kenmore Cricket Club continues to offer a wide range of junior cricket opportunities through seasonal competitions. During summer, the club fields teams in the MSW Junior Cricket competition on Saturdays and in the BMC T20 Competition on Sundays. These cover under-12 to under-16 age groups with match formats ranging from 20 to 55 overs.

In winter, the club participates in Warehouse Cricket, offering one-day and two-day matches depending on the age group. Weekly training is held at times set by each team’s coach, with registrations typically opening in March for an April start.

Kenmore winter cricket clinic — *Photo Credit: DrChristianRowanMP/Facebook*

Community Commitment to Future Development

Through year-round programming, school holiday clinics, and milestone events, Kenmore Cricket Club remains committed to grassroots sport and community engagement. The July clinic at Brookfield highlights its continued investment in young players and in strengthening cricket participation across Brisbane’s western suburbs.

Published 23-May-2025