Moreton ws e Border N MORE THAN 26 YEARS OF SERVING THE COMMUNITY
FRIDAY, 19 DECEMBER, 2025
PLANS FOR BUSH CAMPGROUND, PAGE 4
LIGHTING UP LIVES A retired Glamorgan Vale dairy farmer’s Christmas decorations light up his neighbourhood in December. Geoff Beattie goes all out and has over 400,000 lights that shine so brightly you can see them from outer space. Story page 2. (Lyle Radford: 524233) SSell e l l •• BBuy u y • •R eRent n t • L•e Lease ase Smarter
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NEWS
Father and son’s stunning light show tribute By LARA HART A retired Glamorgan Vale dairy farmer’s Christmas decorations light up his neighbourhood in December. Geoff Beattie goes all out and has over 400,000 lights that shine so brightly you can see them from outer space. Well, maybe not outer space but his lights draw an audience like moths to a flame. “My son Jason began decorating his house 22 years ago and I started 20 years ago with six rope lights,” he said. “We used to do our two houses on Beattie Road, then decided to do one big one because [Jason] had problems with parking at his house. “We’ve entered competitions held by television networks and won firsts, seconds and a third. “We haven’t entered competitions for about eight years now and this year we entered the Somerset Regional Council Christmas Lights Competition in the rural section, and won.” His lighting isn’t solar powered and he uses the electricity grid to make things glow. When asked about the hit to his hip pocket he laughed and said, ‘we don’t talk about that’. “It costs about $1200 to keep the lights on in December,” he conceded. “We don’t just do it for the community or for us, we are collecting donations for the Leukemia Foundation because my wife Elaine died after being diagnosed with it. “My son started [decorating] when his mum died and together
Kacee Wallen from Cowgirls Wild Coffee Co enjoys the Christmas light display.
we raise around $3,000 a year with the lights for the Leukemia Foundation.” Competition accolades aside, the joy they get from seeing people’s faces light up when they see the displays make it worthwhile. “I’ve been raising money for the Leukaemia Foundation for 38 years,” he said. “Elaine passed away in 1987 and I joined the Leukemia Foundation the same year.” He said Jason was the ’design guru’ and in charge of pulling off a stellar display year after year.
“He does it the way he wants it because I don’t do it right,” Geoff laughed. “He also gets up on the ladder, I used to do that but he won’t let me climb up it anymore. “I have grandchildren and they help me put the decorations up.” The Beatties buy new decorations every year to add to an already impressive collection. There are other skills Geoff brings out in December and like homemade Christmas fruit cake. He sells his cakes to people
who come to see the lights. “I have 20 cakes cooking at the moment,” he said. “I make iced and non iced cake in two sizes because some people dont like icing on their Christmas cake. “My fruit cake holds a record at the Brisbane show and so does my plum pudding. “I’ve won awards for my fruit cake at shows in Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne. “I’ve been baking since my wife died because it was my therapy.”
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Rosewood Hardware
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The Management and Staff of Rosewood Hardware thank the Community for their support. We look forward to sharing 2026 with you. We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Opening hours over the Christmas New Year period will be: Closed all Public Holidays; Friday 27th & Saturday 28th December – 7:30am-12:30pm; Tuesday 31st December – 7:30am-12:30pm; Monday 30th December – 7:30am-5:00pm; Normal trading hours from Thursday 2nd January. Friday, 19 December, 2025 | Moreton Border News
NEWS
Frustration over dumping at charity shops By LARA HART CHARITY shops are not dumping grounds for unwanted items after a Christmas clean out. Those who work there report while some donations are great, there is also a lot of unsaleable
rubbish that should never have been donated in the first place. Moreton Border News spoke to a local charity shop worker who said she came across a lot of dirty things she didn’t want to touch.
“Dirty clothing with holes in it and soiled underwear, for a start,” she said. “We send what we can’t sell to be remanufactured and taken apart, but the disgusting stuff gets thrown away.
“[Dumpers] don’t understand that it’s costing us a lot of money to get rid of the two big bins we have out the front. “It’s easier for them to put things into a bag and drop it off here instead of taking it to the tip.”
Christmas festival draws a big crowd FAMILIES flocked to the Rosewood Showgrounds on Friday 12 December for the annual Rosewood Christmas Festival, organised by the Rosewood and District Supporting Communities Inc. (RADSc). The free to attend Christmas carnival drew about 1000 people and offered live music, markets, craft activities, and rides for children, before a late storm kicked in and brought the festivities to an early close. COVERAGE PAGE 12 Kiarna Bennett and Oakleigh Meiklejohn from the Lockyer Valley enjoy Rosewood’s festivities. (Lyle Radford)
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NEWS
A render showing the facade of the proposed communal building at the new campground.
Bush campground vision in Hidden Vale By WENDY CREIGHTON GRAHAM and Jude Turner are planning to expand the accommodation offerings on their Hidden Vale property outside Grandchester. Applying through their company, Jilrift Pty Ltd, the couple are hoping to gain a development permit from the Ipswich City Council to establish a bush campground on the 227ha property at 617 Grandchester Mt Mort Road. The campground is proposed to cater for up to 100 guests. Facilities would include 41 standard and larger tent and caravan sites, eight glamping tents with ensuites, amenities buildings and a communal kitchen and
kiosk on a section of the property distant from the Spicers Hidden Vale Retreat and the Hidden Vale Adventure Park. In documents uploaded as part of the impact assessible application, it was noted that: “The campground layout and buildings have been architecturally designed by Aspect Architecture, who are ecotourism specialists, to provide for a functional layout and low-rise communal buildings of one storey. “The main communal buildings (such as the camp kitchen, campground kiosk and amenities) have been designed to respect their bushland and rural setting by featuring a traditional and rustic country style and by being constructed from a range
of Australian timbers with corrugated iron roofs. “The main communal buildings also incorporate a range of light-weight building elements such as open timber verandahs or porches with traditional styled balustrades and pitched roofs with eaves and overhangs.” Other proposed infrastructure includes parking for electric and standard vehicles and for people with a disability; a sewerage treatment plant and soakage zone, landscaping; and pedestrian and internal road links. While the property falls within the tourism zone, the application is impact assessible as the campground project takes in a bushfire prone area. A Bushfire
Management Plan accompanied the application. And again, according to the application, while the campground is set to complement the existing tourism and ecotourism activities on the property, it is designed to be a standalone operation. The campground would rely on solar power and the water supply is to come from rainwater tanks and an onsite bore. A traffic impact assessment also accompanies the application. To accommodate the anticipated increase in guests, Jilrift Pty Ltd has also lodged separate ‘change applications’ to increase the number of people allowed on the property at any one time from 200 to 300.
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Friday, 19 December, 2025 | Moreton Border News
NEWS
Cabanda Care transition to Lutheran Services By LARA HART ROSEWOOD retirement home Cabanda Care is now owned by Lutheran Services. Cabanda Care was built in the 1970s by the Rosewood community for the Rosewood Community. Trust was earned and people ‘breathed easy’ when handing over care of a loved one or choosing to live out their retirement on Cabanda Care’s property. Now the company has transitioned, some Rosewood residents are concerned this will change their way of life. Chair of the Cabanda Care board Tony Lindsay wanted to put people’s mind at ease and said the ownership transition would help Cabanda grow into the future and not hinder it. “We’re proud of our community run service, we meet the holistic needs of our residents and clients and have done so for almost 40 years,” Mr Lindsay said. “For Cabanda to grow into the
future, we needed to partner with an experienced provider that was able to meet future regulatory changes, operational challenges and board succession plans. “I’m confident we’re in good hands with Lutheran Services, they share our commitment to best-practice, compassionate care to meet the needs of local communities.’’ Lutheran Services CEO Nick Ryan said he was looking forward to continuing to grow and expand on the ‘excellent care’ Cabanda gave to residents in Rosewood and the surrounding areas. “Our mission and values closely align, so we expect to make the ownership transition as seamless as possible for staff, volunteers, suppliers, community, and importantly, residents, clients, and families,” he said. “The Cabanda name, heritage and connection with Rosewood will continue and we extend our longstanding commitment to staff development and support to the Cabanda team.”
The Rosewood community came together in the 1970s to build Cabanda Care, an aged care home that had the public’s tick of approval.
Season’s Greetings from Division 4
We hope you have a safe and enjoyable Christmas season. The Division 4 Office will be closed from 1.00 pm on Wednesday 24 December, reopening 8.00 am on Monday 5 January 2026. For any council related emergencies during this time, please call 3810 6666 or visit Ipswich.qld.gov.au. We look forward to catching up with you at our Division 4 Community Catch Ups in 2026 held each month from February to November. Visit Ipswich.qld.gov.au/matters for further dates and times.
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Councillor David Martin Division 4 Phone: (07) 3810 6163 Email: david.martin@ipswich.qld.gov.au 12831021-RV51-25
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NEWS
Lowood community spirit comes to the fore By MICHAEL R WILLIAMS THE Lowood Show Society welcomed families and locals to its annual Lowood Christmas Carnival, with fine weather setting the scene for a festive evening of entertainment and community spirit. Show Society president Lynell Jendra said the carnival was the society’s way of giving back to the community after a busy year of local support. “We’re having our annual Lowood Christmas Carnival, and this year we’ve been lucky with some beautiful weather,” Ms Jendra said. “No storms, no rain, so we can stay outside and really enjoy the night.” A range of family-friendly attractions was on offer, with highlights including the popular ham wheel, priced at just one dollar per ticket, and a major raffle drawn later in the evening ahead of Santa Claus’s arrival. “Santa arrived, and it was
Kiera Blaney from Hoola-Hoop Brisbane, Veronica Koplick, Alex and Amira Frith-coe with their balloons. (Michael R Williams)
Alex Smith, and Ashey and Ita Curmi enjoying the festivities.
great,” Ms Jendra said. Entertainment for children featured face painting, while Brisbane-based performer Keira from Hula Hoops delivered a colourful circus display, including hula hoop routines, bubble performances and balloon animals. Free rides were also available, keeping younger attendees entertained throughout the evening. Ms Jendra said the Christmas carnival was not a fundraiser, but
for new members, particularly younger volunteers, to help sustain the society into the future. “We’re an ageing group at the moment and would really love to see more younger generations come through,” she said. “It’s great to see some young ones here tonight helping out with raffle and ham ticket sales.” Residents interested in getting involved are encouraged to contact the Lowood Show Society.
a gesture of appreciation to the community. “We don’t make anything out of the Christmas carnival,” she said. “It’s just our way of giving back to the community and thanking them for supporting our functions throughout the year.” Looking ahead to 2025, the Lowood Show Society has a full calendar of events planned. Ms Jendra also issued a call
Marburg Bootscootin’ By MICHAEL R WILLIAMS
R
od Show Soc o w iet o se y
LINE dancers donned festive outfits and cowboy boots for a Christmas social held by Belt, Buckles and Boots this week, marking the group’s end-of-year celebrations. Instructor Ms Angie Harris said the event served as the group’s annual breakup party, with regular classes now paused until late January or early February. “We do it here every Monday from 6.30pm to 8.30pm,” Ms Harris said, adding that she also runs classes on Tuesday nights at
We thank the community, the businesses and our volunteers for their support in the past year.
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Rosewood Show Society wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Safe and Prosperous 2026.
the Ipswich Showgrounds, catering to multiple skill levels. The Christmas social featured traditional line dancing, with a relaxed program allowing dancers to move straight into familiar routines, while newer dances were walked through together. Ms Harris said attendees were encouraged to dress up in their own way, with no pressure to participate. “We’re really happy with the turnout,” she said. “Any more people and it would be too crowded and too hot.” The group will resume classes in early 2026.
Dancers made their way to the Marburg Showgrounds for the last dance of the year. (Michael R Williams)
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Friday, 19 December, 2025 | Moreton Border News
OPINION
Remember, it’s not a joyous time for all THE festive season can be a joyous time for many people, as they take a well-earned break from work and school and spend time with family and friends. It’s a time to rest and reset for the new year. Yet for others, this time of year can be particularly difficult and distressing, and a time they hope will pass quickly. It can bring ad-
ditional financial pressures, strain relationships, and heighten feelings of loneliness. The festive season may also intensify isolation, particularly for those separated from family or grieving the loss of a loved one. So, as we head into the holiday break, we want Australians to know that regardless of what they’re dealing with, they don’t have to
face it alone. The Beyond Blue Support Service is free, confidential, and available around the clock, including on Public Holidays. You can call 1300 22 46 36 or chat online at www.beyondblue.org.au/getsupport. It’s common to put off seek-
ing help because we can’t quite find the words to express our needs. But when you contact us, you don’t have to know what to say. Our skilled counsellors will meet you where you’re at and guide you towards where you need to be. Georgie Harman AO, CEO of Beyond Blue
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DMAC Transport and Landscape Supplies Darren and the Staff at DMAC thank all our customers for their patronage and wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Opening hours over the Christmas New Year period will be: Closed all Public Holidays; Friday 27th and Saturday 28th December – 7:30am-12:30pm; Monday 30th December – 7:30am-5:00pm; Tuesday 31st December – 7:30am-12:30pm; Normal trading hours from Thursday 2nd January 24th - 7.30- 12.30pm | 25th - 26th - Closed | 27th - 7.30 - 12.30pm | 28th - 7.30 - 12.30pm 30th - 7.30 - 12.30pm | 31st - 7.30 - 12.30pm 12829537-CV50-25
Moreton Border News | Friday, 19 December, 2025
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CHRISTMAS GREETINGS 2025
Rosewood Amateur Fishing Club Members wish the community a ‘reely’ Merry Christmas and an awesome New Year. We thank our supporters and welcome new membership enquiries for 2026. Phone Judy 0412 001 439. 12829649-JD50-25
Rosewood QCWA Rosewood QCWA would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a bright and prosperous New Year. We thank you all for your support and donations over the past year. 12829672-JD50-25
We will commence 2026 with our first meeting on January 20th 2026. Contact Secretary Sandra Law 0427 027 379 for further information.
Rosewood Toastmasters Season’s Greetings from Rosewood Toastmasters. We give you the gifts of communication and confidence. Meeting 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 7.00pm CWA Hall. Club Resumes February 3rd 2026 12829514-KF50-25
Jim’s Termite and Pest Control Brett & Sally Goodlet and family would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas period. Thank you for your ongoing support.
We strive on supporting our community that supports our family. MERRY CHRISTMAS 12829555-EA50-25
Boughen’s Electrical Shirley and ‘the boys’ wish everyone Peace and Goodwill for the Christmas Season. 12829504-CB50-25
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Friday, 19 December, 2025 | Moreton Border News
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS 2025
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Thank you to our valued customers for your support throughout 2025.
Matt, Kathy and staff wish everyone a safe and happy festive season. We look forward to seeing you in the New Year.
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Open to 1:00pm Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve Closed 25th and 26th December Closed 1st January
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Moreton Border News | Friday, 19 December, 2025
You are welcome to attend our first meeting for 2026 which will be held on Tuesday 3rd February at 7.00pm in our Marburg Community Centre.
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The Marburg and District Residents Association wish our friends and supporters a very Happy Christmas and New Year. May 2026 be a great year for you all. Thank you to all those who have supported us this year and we look forward to your continued support in 2026.
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RAMBLINGS
Elf on the shelf is work we can’t shirk By LARA HART
(07) 5464 5163
Shew. After the usual antics I pushed him into the back of a drawer. When she was six she found black shirt Speedy in the drawer. “Why is he still here and not back with Santa?” she asked. I explained it was Christmas magic that made him come alive into different elf bodies and she bought it. Over the years I have lost three elves and bought three replacements, only to find them again. When my daughter was seven she found them in the drawer of my bedroom closet. he’d be galivanting with glamour couple Barbie and Ken. It was all very PG because she was little, but that didn’t mean hubby and I didn’t behave like 12 year olds during the set up process. There is a rule with these elves, that if a child touches them too often, they lose their magic. I don’t know who made the rule, but they deserve a medal. If children move an elf around parents must find them before moving them overnight. I learned that the hard way when I decided to set up an elaborate scene that involved coco pops and tissue paper. I couldn’t find Speedy and I was the one in the doo-doo. The next morning my daughter was upset that Speedy was still inside the cupboard of her toy kitchen.
“He had a long trip and elves need their sleep so they don’t always move every day,” I explained. It was an off the cuff explanation but she bought it and Speedy became a lazy elf who slept a lot. Fell asleep and forgot to move him? He’s resting. Can’t think up a creative idea? He’s resting. Then on Christmas day Speedy left the house and went back to the North Pole. No, he didn’t, Speedy was stuffed into a draw and hidden under books. One year I couldn’t find Speedy. The only elves left on shop shelves were wearing black shirts and that wasn’t how our Speedy rolled. Thinking on my feet I told my daughter Speedy graduated from
My daughter turned 11 this year and the past two years she’s played along with the Santa and Elf on the Shelf ruse because she enjoys the tradition even if deep down she knows it’s not real. This year she asked if Speedy was coming and I said, ‘no, because when a child turns 10 the elf is reassigned to someone else who is younger’. She didn’t question it and accepted my answer, but with that came the realisation this was the last time I’d experience Christmas magic through the eyes of my child. Saying no to our elf through time travel might seem a little elfish but it’s one chore I can cross of my list and that makes me elf-ully happy.
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She thought they’d died and came at me with their bodies limp in her hands, demanding an answer as if I was an elf mass murderer.
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IF I found time machine I’d travel back to November 2017 and talk myself out of inviting an Elf on the Shelf into our home over Christmas. I have three sons who are in their 20s and they did just fine without an elf disrupting their routine. Our daughter is 10 and many of her childhood experiences are different. Do you remember when it was just Father Christmas who wanted to know if you were naughty or nice? Not anymore, this Father Christmas doesn’t even want to work and not only that, I have to do the work for him. He’s probably on Santa-link and living it up with Rudolph’s red light snout. It’s like the self-checkouts at the stores where the customers do a job once assigned to an employee. Children also talk among themselves and tell tales about what their elf got up to. Some elves bring gifts and leave elaborate scenes to be discovered in the morning. Not me, some parents have set the bar so high I’d rather drink at it than meet it. I’d be Googling ideas at midnight because I ran out of creative ways to present our elf. His first visit happened in 2017 when my daughter was three. She named him Speedy and every morning he’d be in a different place, on many occasions
elf school and that was his senior shirt.
Friday, 19 December, 2025 | Moreton Border News
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NEWS
Santa arrives in a Rosewood Fire truck.
Not everyone was happy to see the big fella in red.
The time has arrived to meet and have a chat with Santa.
Rosewood gets into the Christmas spirit By Jesse Hamilton FAMILIES flocked to the Rosewood Showgrounds on Friday 12 December for the annual Rosewood Christmas Festival, organised by the Rosewood and District Supporting Communities Inc. (RADSc). The free to attend Christmas carnival drew about 1000 people and offered live music, markets, craft activities, and rides for children, before a late storm kicked in and brought the festivities to an early close. Community Project Worker at the Rosewood District Support Centre, Tia Lancaster, said the festival had something for everyone. “We had some fantastic free activities for all the children, including a variety of extensive indoor and outdoor markets featuring local artisans and small businesses,” she said. The Rosewood Community Choir had three separate performances, encouraging everyone to sing along and enjoy the community carols experience. Additional attractions included face painting, balloon modeling, and three inflatables, including a jumping castle, an obstacle course, and slides. As a not-for-profit organisation, Mrs Lancaster said RADSc works to make events welcoming and
The Christmas Grinch tries to interrupt Santa.
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The Christmas Grinch up to no good as usual.
Steven Ross and Stacey Pearsall manning the Police display (Lyle Radford).
“When families attend these events, we want to make sure they don’t have to to pay for rides or activities.
“By making our events accessible to everyone, we create a space where all families can equally enjoy the experiences and fun we offer no matter their situation.” RADSc also supports families in need throughout the year with their emergency food hampers and vouchers for families in hardship. “We work with a diverse range of clients, including individuals and families in need, some of whom have been referred to us by various sources,” Mrs Lancaster said.
Enjoying a bounce was Indi.
Rosewood Community Choir.
affordable especially during the holiday season. “One of our key programs is the Rosewood Community Centre, and our core mission is to support the community in the best ways we can,” she said. “We strive to keep costs low, ensuring that financial barriers don’t prevent participation.
“Schools, in particular, help us identify families who may be struggling, allowing us to extend our support effectively. “So it’s a referral-based system.” Mrs Lancaster praised the support of volunteers and community partners that make events like the Christmas carnival possible and free of cost. “We rely heavily on our volunteers and supporting organisations who play a crucial role in making these events possible,“ she said. “I want to acknowledge the incredible support we’ve received from the City Council, Bendigo Bank, and Kennards Hire Bundamba, who generously donated lighting to us at no cost. “The SES has also been instrumental, providing a significant amount of support and assistance with parking and other logistics.”
Friday, 19 December, 2025 | Moreton Border News
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REAL ESTATE
Changing attitudes to reflect today’s lifestyles GRANNY flats, once the domain of elderly parents or teenage children, have taken on a new dimension as society changes to meet today’s lifestyles. With rising building costs and price of land, they have become a way to accommodate family and at the same time ease urban sprawl. A granny flat – also known as a secondary dwelling or accessory dwelling unit – has become an increasingly popular way for Australian homeowners to add value to their property, generate rental income, or accommodate family members while maintaining independence and privacy. What we have seen in recent years is parents helping fund new homes for their adult children, and building a granny flat to continue a low-maintenance lifestyle while keeping that family connection. However, new rental data and planning reforms show granny flats have shifted from family accommodation into serious yield assets, with two-bedroom secondary dwellings in Sydney and Melbourne now routinely earning investor-grade income. According to financial management group Fundd’s 2025 granny flat guide, typical two-bedroom granny flats in Sydney and Melbourne now rent for about $350 to $600 a week, pushing potential annual gross income into the $18,000 to $36,000 plus range depending on location and finish. In Victoria, planning reforms introduced in late 2023 and now fully in effect allow “small second dwellings” of up to 60sq m to be built without a planning permit in most residential zones and rented to non-family tenants under standard tenancy law, putting thousands of backyards into play for investors. Similar reforms across New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia have shifted granny flats from restricted, family-only accommodation into a new category of income-producing residential infrastructure. Against this backdrop, Melbourne-based Maple Property Group has delivered a fully tenant-
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small, well-maintained homes, with features such as full kitchens, bathrooms, and even private outdoor spaces. ready dual-income property in just four and a half months from client engagement to completion, signalling how quickly private capital is now moving to activate new supply under the reformed planning framework. The completed Victorian project, delivered end-to-end by Maple, involved the construction of a compliant small second dwelling behind an existing residential property. The home is already leased, allowing rental income to commence immediately on handover. “All of our builds are turnkey,” said Beau Arfi, Maple CEO. “Once construction is complete, tenants can move in straight away. There is no waiting period and no grey zone around compliance. The rules are now clear, and people are catching on fast.” Demand is increasingly driven by dual-income strategies rather than traditional buy-and-hold single dwellings. About 10 percent of Maple’s client base is now actively pursuing second-dwelling strategies, a figure that has climbed sharply over the past year as planning reforms have taken effect. Beyond build delivery, Maple’s model integrates finance, off-market property selection, property management, depreciation strategy and long-term acquisition planning. Investors engage through a structured, stepped education and strategy process rather than singletransaction broking. The approach is increasingly resonating with first-time investors, FIFO and trade workers, and families under mortgage pressure seeking to unlock under-utilised backyard land.
“Many Australians are sitting on unused land while renting in a housing crisis,” Mr Arfi said. “Granny flats are no longer a niche idea. “They are becoming core infrastructure for the next phase of residential supply. People are sitting on goldmines in their own backyards.” Fundd’s 2025 granny flat guide describes it as a self-contained home that shares the same block of land as a primary residence. In practical terms, it’s a smaller second house - often in the backyard - complete with its own living area, bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom, allowing the occupants to live independently. Granny flats are typically designed for one or two people and can be detached from the main house or attached as part of the same building. Importantly, a granny flat is considered a secondary dwelling – it cannot be subdivided or sold separately from the main property, and it remains ancillary to the main home. Granny flats get their name because traditionally they were used to house elderly relatives (grannies) close to family, but modern granny flats serve a wide range of purposes. Australian planning laws generally limit the size of granny flats, often about 60sq m internally, though this varies by state, and usually only one granny flat is allowed per property. Despite their compact size, today’s granny flats are designed to feel like a complete home. They have evolved from simple garden bungalows into wellequipped units that resemble
Granny flats are famously used for multi-generational living – for example, housing ageing parents close by or giving adult children an affordable place to live while saving for their own home. By having a self-contained unit on site, families can support each other yet still enjoy separate living quarters. It can also be a solution for families with teenage children seeking a bit more independence, or as a comfortable guesthouse for visiting relatives. Beyond family and income, granny flats offer flexibility of use. Some homeowners build a granny flat to use as a home office, studio, or hobby space, especially with more people working from home. It can serve as a private office or workshop separated from the main house, or a creative studio without needing to rent external space. Others might use a granny flat as a holiday rental (short-term Airbnb) if local regulations allow, taking advantage of tourism in their area. In conclusion, ensuring a granny flat is built and rented legally is crucial. Always obtain the required approvals (planning and building permits) and final occupation certificate. When renting out the flat, you must comply with residential tenancy laws just as any landlord would. This means providing the tenant with a proper lease agreement, lodging their bond with the relevant authority, maintaining the premises, and ensuring safety requirements are met (smoke alarms, adequate locks, etc.).
Friday, 19 December, 2025 | Moreton Border News
SPORT
Ky Litzow sending them down for Laidley. (Lyle Radford: 524292)
Ky Litzow (left) celebrating the big wicket of Graham Andrews. (Lyle Radford: 524292)
Bushrangers skipper Lachlan Andrews chalked up another 50. (Lyle Radford: 524292)
Bushrangers win top of the table clash By CLANCY NUGENT THE Fassifern Bushrangers have continued their incredible form in the Cricket Ipswich 3rd Division competition, taking down the second placed Laidley Mulgowie to cement themselves at the top of the ladder. Winning the toss and electing to bat, the Bushrangers started well with a 55 run opening partnership between Lachlan and Graham Andrews. They were going at 10 an over when the first wicket fell before first drop Jack Freeman came in and played a calm innings of 54 runs from 69 balls to keep the total ticking along.
With a big chase required, Laidley fell at just about
Laidley Mulgowie claiming the key wicket of Lachlan Andrews. (Lyle Radford: 524292)
every hurdle. They were 0 for 25 early and despite the slow going, had faced out the first 10 overs of the match and seemingly seen off the new ball. From there, the Bushrangers
WE DELIVER
went bang, bang, bang; they took three wickets for no runs, leaving Laidley at 3 for 25. That moment killed Laidley’s chances and they lost consistent wickets for the remainder of the innings, crumbling to be all
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out for 101. It was a dominant performance from the Bushrangers who now look very comfortable at the top of the ladder with a massive 16 point lead heading into the Christmas break.
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Laidley took 3 for 36 through the middle of the innings to get back in the fight and have Fassifern 5 for 185 but a superb final partnership between Thomas Lehmann (31 not out off 31) and Graham Prickett (33 not out off 25) propelled the Bushrangers to a very strong 263 from their 40 overs.
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SPORT
Fishing has wild finish and champions named THE Rosewood Amateur Fishing Club’s last two Freshwater competitions proved challenging to say the least but they capped off a huge year. The October trip to Moogerah Dam yielded a total catch of 16 fish, with 16 members competing . First place went to Daren Henderson with four bass, scoring 56.35 points while Naomi Bazzo claimed second place with two bass and one yellow belly at 43.2 points. Jamie Harris was good enough for third with his two bass earning 27 points. The competition on 8-9 November was held at Leslie Dam and again the fish were elusive, with only eight caught by the 17 members competing on the Saturday morning. With a storm brewing on the radar, they held off heading back out for an afternoon session until it passed. At around 5pm the mother of all storms unleashed itself. Extreme winds and rain brought down gumtrees in the camp grounds, some snapping off about a metre above the ground and others were uprooted, causing damage to tents, vans and boats. Ken Slater was the winner for the trip with one Yellow belly weighing 1.9kg for 30 points and Melissa Slater slotted into second place earning 24.15 points for her two Silver Perch. Third was Judy Litfin with 20.7 points. With the competition for 2025 over the club ended the year with a presentation night held on 29 November. After a feast of seafood, roast meats and salad the winners were announced. Overall Champion was awarded to Terry Sheppard who also claimed Saltwater Champion of 2025 with a total of 536.7 points. Runner Up Overall and Freshwater Champion went to Kel Larfield, his points totalling to 405.15
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President Graham Topping congratulating overall Champion Terry Sheppard.
Ken Slater took out Runner up in the Saltwater competition with 297.15 points and Freshwater Runner up went to Judy Litfin who bagged 357.9 points. Winners of the heaviest fish for the year • Bass 1.64 kg Daren Henderson • Jew 2.18 kg Loretta Domrow • Silver perch 1.42 kg Wayne Litfin • Yellow belly 2.98 kg Judy Litfin • Murry Cod 6.52 kg Kel Larfield • Spangled 0.455 kg Terry Sheppard • Bream 0.46 Naomi Bazzo • Estuary Cod 0.94 kg Naomi Bazzo • Snapper 0.56 kg Naomi Bazzo • Whiting 0.57 kg Josh Ramshaw • Javelin 0.695 kg Greg Buh-
mann • Sole 0.36 kg Judy Litfin • Taylor 0.81kg Andrew Sheean • Herring 1.35 kg Andrew Sheean • Flathead 1.83 kg Kel Larfield. • Vermin 1.21 kg Peter Gillon Junior competition Holly Bazzo claimed Overall Champion and Freshwater Champion. Total points 136.6 Runner up overall and Runner up Freshwater went to Arielle Bazzo with 98.6 total points. Saltwater Champion, Cooper Buhmann with 78.97 points. Levi Schneider claimed Runner up Saltwater with 76.9 points. Junior Heaviest fish. Yellow belly 3.54 kg Holly Bazzo
Junior Champion Holly Bazzo is set to join the Senior Competition in 2026.
Bream 0.72 kg Levi Schneider The Dean Browning Memorial shield, for the heaviest Yellow belly caught at the Glenlyon Dam ,long weekend trip, went to a Junior Holly Bazzo.
Friday, 19 December, 2025 | Moreton Border News