Bright, brief, spectacular
VERY bright, very brief and altogether spectacular was how photographer LYLE RADFORD described this colourful phenomena. (See cover photo).
Lyle saw the colours emerge, pulled onto the side of the road near Silverdale
on the Cunningham Highway and had time to take one photo before it disappeared.
All this happened around 4.30pm on Saturday (October 18).
The colours shone in a cloudless part of the sky and
may possibly have been a circumhorizontal arc, which is colloquially known as a fire rainbow.
‘Rainbow’, the experts say, is an incorrect description as rainbows are caused by light refracting through water droplets from rain.
If it is a circumhorizontal arc, it is caused by sunlight refracting through high-altitude ice crystals.
The one thing we do know is that there were many reports of hail storms around South East Queensland, late that afternoon.
Local population could grow by 275% in 17 years
by WENDY CREIGHTON
THE population in the Rosewood district in 2024 was estimated at almost 16,000 according to figures published by the Ipswich City Council.
But by 2041, it is anticipated that the number of residents calling the town and surrounding districts home will have reached 60,000.
That is a 275 percent increase in the space of 17 years.
A point of clarification needs to be made in respect to what localities the word, ‘districts’, encompass.
Again, according to the council website, the districts include all the following: Amberley, Ashwell, Calvert, Ebenezer, Grandchester, Ironbark, Jeebropilly, Lanefield, Mount Marrow, Mount Mort, Tallegalla, Thagoona, The Bluff, Walloon, Willowbank and Woolshed, parts of the localities of Haigslea, Lower Mount Walker, Marburg, Mount Forbes, Mount Walker West, Mutdapilly and Peak Crossing, most of the locality of Goolman, and part of
1–3
A map from the Ipswich City Council website showing the area (shown as grey) defined as ‘Rosewood and districts’.
the locality of Purga.
(The remaining parts of the localities of Lower Mount Walker, Mount Forbes, Mount Walker West, Mutdapilly and Peak Crossing are located in the Scenic Rim Regional Council area. The remaining parts of the localities of Haigslea and Marburg are located in the Somerset Regional Council area. The remaining
parts of the localities of Goolman and Purga are included in the Ripley small area.)
The land area covered by the area described by the Council as ‘Rosewood and districts’ is 684.5 square kilometres.
The population density in 2024 was 23.25 persons per square kilometre.
If the growth projection
eventuates, the population density in 2041 will be 87.35 persons per square kilometre.
That represents a 275 percent increase in 17 years.
Lots of figures indicating a population boom and there will be an even greater need for an infrastructure boom to cope with the expectations, and the needs, of the old and new residents.
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Smells up and times up says soccer club
by PETER CHAPMAN
AN old fashioned ‘long drop’ toilet is literally a toilet seat that sits over the top of a large pit.
You may have come across one on the side of the highway at a remote rest stop, but rarely will you have had to deal with one in a major township.
Ipswich currently has one that services Caledonian Park at Thagoona and Division 4 councillors Jim Madden and David Martin are doing their best to have it replaced.
Cr Martin said he came across the long drop when he recently went out to watch his grandson play in a major soccer carnival at the venue that attracted a big crowd.
“Council has assisted for major club carnivals by hiring some portaloo’s, but this quick fix needs to be avoided in the future,” he said.
The two councillors recently put forward an urgent request to have the toilet replaced with a modern flushable system and the early news is there may be a light at the end of the big drop tunnel for the Rosewood United Football Club who use the nearby three ovals weekly.
“Council staff have advised us that the first step is to prepare detailed plans, designs and specifications for construction of the new toilet system,” Cr Madden said.
“They believe the estimated cost for planning and design will be about $80,000 and they have applied for this money through the local Ti Tree Bioenergy Fund.
“Once the plans are completed the next step will be to apply for State Government funding or the project could be put on council’s capital expenditure list for consideration next year.”
The project is yet to be fully costed, but rough estimates have it at around $800,000.
URGENT ACTION
Replacing the old fashioned and unsanitary toilets has become a priority for the Rosewood United Soccer club following its massive expansion over the past five years.
Club president, Tammy Crawford, said when she joined the new Board at the club five years ago they were on the brink of closing and were almost down to one team.
“Through the dedication of the members we are now one of the fastest growing junior soccer clubs in the state and currently boast 250 play-
ers and 19 teams,” she said.
“The long drop toilets have become an embarrassment for not only the club, but also for Ipswich.
“Young children cannot use the toilet without an adult with them and the disabled toilet door is so small you can’t get a wheelchair through it.
“It’s fine to see the two councillors now supporting us to have the block replaced, but we have been on about this for years and we got no action.
“I even brought this up in person with Mayor Teresa Harding, in January and at the time she just smiled and said ‘I’ll look into it’,” Tammy said.
“Finally, 10 months later Cr Madden and Martin are doing something, although it needs to happen sooner rather than drag on for years more.”
the best option to install a new flushable toilet was with a treatment plant.
The plant was required they said because the park
Council plumbing staff informed the councillors that
Cr Jim Madden, Rosewood United Soccer officials, Tammy Crawford and Dave Graham and Cr David Martin inspecting the unsanitary long drop toilet block at Caledonian Park.
A simple drawing of what parents and players at Caledonian Park Thagoona are invited to use when they must.
Major local government reform bill to go before parliament
COUNCILLORS will be able to appoint senior council staff and conduct breaches will be removed from the councillor conduct framework under new legislation the Crisafulli Government plans to introduce to State Parliament before the end of the year.
On Tuesday, Local Government Minister Ann Leahy announced a raft of reforms which would be contained in the Local Government (Empowering Councils) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill.
Minister Leahy said the proposed reforms were in response to calls from councils over many years.
“The changes deliver on a key election commitment of the Crisafulli Government to help rebuild the relationship between state and local government and demonstrates the promise to work alongside councils to deliver for Queensland.
“The reforms will remove costly and time-consuming red tape and streamline leg-
islative requirements.”
Key changes proposed in the Empowering Councils Bill include:
• re-empowering councillors to appoint senior council staff, giving them a say in senior, strategic appointments to the council,
• clarifying the powers of the mayor and other councillors to provide certainty about
“The reforms will remove costly and time-consuming red tape and streamline legislative requirements.”
– Local Govt Minister Ann Leahy
their responsibilities,
• removing conduct breaches from the councillor conduct framework and streamlining training requirements, so councillors can focus delivering for their communities,
• allowing election candidates to include contact information other than their residential
address, protecting the privacy and safety of participants, and
• making the conflict-ofinterest framework clearer and more straightforward, to remove red tape from councillors without sacrificing integrity in government.
The Crisafulli Government has also signed an Accord with Queensland’s Indigenous Leaders, in the next step in enacting the Equal Partners in Government Agreement.
“The Accord mirrors the Rural and Remote Councils Compact and is another way the Crisafulli Government is working with councils to deliver on water, sewerage, infrastructure and jobs.”
Minister Leahy said the reforms would finally give councils the framework they needed to deliver for Queenslanders.
“We are delivering a fresh start and empowering local governments to deliver for Queensland communities.”
Local Government Minister Ann Leahy.
Rotary with a singular cause – wildlife rescue
“Yesterday we attended two eastern grey kangaroos, a ringtail possum, a pacific baza, a pelican and a brushtail possum. We also helped four other people with concerns over the phone. We made two trips to the RSPCA.”
by WENDY CREIGHTON
THE ‘yesterday’ Melinda Dunne refers to was Saturday, October 18.
It was only a moderately busy day compared to some for Mel Dunne, who has a multiplicity of roles.
She is an accredited macropod carer (kangaroos and wallabies), a trained wildlife rescuer and she’s the secretary of the Rotary Club of SEQ Wildlife Rescue.
In most instances, Mel’s is the voice people hear when they call the club’s contact number to report an injured or orphaned native animal.
Yet, if you had suggested to Mel ten years ago that
these roles would be hers, she would have laughed.
But the finding of a joey in a dead kangaroo’s pouch around a decade ago and a more recent recommenda-
tion by a Beaudesert Rotarian, changed her life.
Mel and her husband, Scott, live close to the Mirvac Everleigh housing estate and back when the land was
being cleared, the couple drove past the development and noticed a dead kangaroo by the side of the road. They would have continued driving but Mel thought she saw a leg poking out of the pouch.
They checked and despite a lack of experience, they rescued a female joey.
Mel recalls saying “well, now, we have to find a wildlife carer” and Scott replying “I want to raise her” and she replied “We can’t do that … it wouldn’t be right”.
But in the course of time, Mel learned how she could ‘do that’.
The process of learning how, came as a consequence of a discussion with an accredited carer, who told her “we’re all run ragged” and there was a “great need for carers”.
Mel was talked through the basics, then trained in macropod care and was assigned a mentor.
• Continues on Page 9
FLOODS HAPPEN KNOW WHAT TO DO
Allproceedsfromraffles
and Air Hockey Table while enjoying a meal & drinks
An eastern grey kangaroo joey who was ‘clipped’ by a car in late September. The young female suffered some injuries but was rescued and taken into care and is expected to make a full recovery. Photo: MEL DUNNE
Seniors luncheon celebrates community connections
MORE than 100 guests enjoyed the annual Connect and Celebrate Rosewood Seniors Luncheon, last week.
Hosted by the Rosewood and District Support Committee as part of Seniors Month 2025, the event was supported by the Queensland Government and the Council on the Ageing Queensland.
The luncheon was held at the Cultural Centre in the Rosewood Showgrounds and the atmosphere was that of a warm and welcoming space for older residents to
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Kioti NX6020 tractor with frontend loader, 6ft Slasher, Munro auto drive post driver & augers, chainsaws, workshop tools & equip, brick saw, Wakka Pakka, hardware, fencing materials, small farming items, camping & fishing gear, household furniture & items & much more
Full list and photos on website
Kalbar Multi Vendor Auction
SUNDAY 9th November at 9am
Kalbar Showgrounds
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SATURDAY 15th November at 9am
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Guests were treated to a two course meal with stalls and a lively raffle added to the
A highlight of the day was the performance by the Rosewood Choir, whose heartfelt songs drew smiles and applause from the crowd.
Member for Ipswich West, Wendy Bourne was the keynote speaker and received a warm welcome.
“This luncheon is a celebration of legacy of our community” said Tia Lancaster, who helped co-ordinate the event.
“The support from grants and donations make it possible for us to bring events like this to our community.
“It was so lovely to be able to bring so many seniors together, connecting them with each other and services.”
The volunteers who assisted in making the event possible were acknowledged.
“Their willingness to show up and help the Rosewood and District Support Committee provide spaces
and events for connection is amazing and highlights how special Rosewood is and what a wonderful place it is for local seniors.” said General Manager, Donna Hanlon.
A fundraiser raffle was held to support the ongoing work of the Rosewood Seniors Group, with an impressive array of donated prizes.
“These included a stunning quilt from the Rosewood Crafters and Quilters, handmade items from the Seniors Group, group and individual physiotherapy sessions from C2M, and generous contributions from Footes Pharmacy Rosewood and Dementia Australia,” Tia said.
Lucky door hampers donated by Division 4 Cr Jim Madden and Ms Bourne, added a happy surprise to the afternoon.
The event also featured a diverse range of stallholders offering resources, services, and friendly conversation. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with representatives from Dementia Australia, ADA, West Moreton Health, C2M, the Salvation Army, Rosewood Auxiliary Fire Brigade, Community Policing, Cabanda Care, Rosewood Crafters and Quilters and JP Signing Services.
“As guests lingered over conversation many expressed gratitude for the opportunity to gather and celebrate the enduring strength of the Rosewood community,” Tia said.
The Rosewood Choir offered musical entertainment at the luncheon.
Above: The volunteers who assisted in making the luncheon possible. Below: One of the stalls set up to give guests information about available services was this one form Dementia Australia.
The rich and fruity world of competition fruit cake makers
by LARA HART
HOLIDAYING abroad didn’t stop Linda Ashton from analysing the properties of a rich fruit cake.
The former home economics teacher never hung up her apron, rather she switched sides and now judges in the competitive world of rich fruit cake.
She wins awards for her baking and was recently placed third at the Queensland Ag Show Dark Rich Fruit Cake competition.
Her expectations on how fruit cake should look and taste are ever present, even when holidaying.
“I have just returned from Europe and while in Portugal, I took a photograph of a cake on display,” she said.
“It wasn’t a rich, dark fruit cake but a traditional fruit cake they had a cut of in the window.
“It looked lovely because it had different glazed fruits inside it.”
She decided to order a slice with a cup of coffee.
“Well, they didn’t give us a piece of the cake from the one in the window, they had one in a pan and cut a piece from that one on the back counter,” Linda said unimpressed.
“Because I am a show judge and I have been judging Ekka and the Royal Easter Show in Sydney and elsewhere in Australia, I spotted a problem and disqualification point right away.
“The slice served to me had a wet spot in the middle which meant it hadn’t been cooked long enough.”
Retired home economics teacher Linda Ashton was awarded third place in the Queensland Ag Show’s annual Dark Rich Fruit Cake competition.
Linda said her husband agreed, the cake in the cafe window was different to the one they were served.
“We looked a bit harder at the cake in the kitchen and it was falling apart in the middle because it wasn’t holding itself together,” she said.
Linda’s passion for cooking these heavy, fruit laden cakes came from her mother who baked them for weddings, Christmas celebrations and any other event that called for one.
She recalls the aroma of it baking and how it permeated the family home.
The process for baking starts many weeks before and includes a large bowl filled with fruit left to marinde in brandy.
With that process over, in go the other ingredients and cake tins are lined with
brown paper or newspaper.
Then the baking tins are ‘banged’ on the counter top several times to get an even distribution of fruit before the cake goes in the oven.
With such a lengthy process it is easy to understand why this category is so competitive.
Rich fruit cakes take a long time to bake and the ingredients are costly.
Linda estimates more than $100 goes into making a moderate sized fruit cake.
“I won the South East Queensland Sub Chamber competition last year and progressed to the state finals for my fruit cake,” she explained.
“I then competed at the Ekka for the title of Queensland’s Best Dark Rich Fruit Cake.”
This category is the main
one at agricultural shows and competitions and there is also a light fruit cake, pumpkin fruit cake and a steamed plum pudding.
If you think the competitive world of dark rich fruit cake is filled with warm and fuzzy feelings, think again because sometimes judging is accompanied by a stern look or raised eyebrow.
“Cakes are put into a display box for everyone to see and I don’t know how I have done until I go into the Ekka,” she said.
“I was asked if I wanted to judge [at the Ekka] and turned it down because my cake was one of the entries.
“There were seven cakes all up and they are judged out of their display boxes.
“We are not allowed to know where they come from or who entered them, and one of them was mine.”
One of the other judges decided questions could be asked while she was in the process of judging.
“When [judges] say they want a 10 inch cake it doesn’t matter how tall that cake is as long as it is 10 inches square,” she explained.
“Mine was about three inches tall and the other five were five inches tall, and all were within competition guidelines.
“The judge was going through all these cakes and commentating as she did saying things like, ‘oh, I don’t like the taste of this one’ or ‘the fruit in this one is too tough’.”
• Continues on Page 8
Locals protest BESS battery Project on ag land
LOWER Mount Walker Community Action Group are continuing their strong opposition to Libra Energy’s proposed Bremer Battery Project.
“The 550 shipping-container-sized lithium Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is planned for rural zoned land on the Bremer River floodplain,” said a spokesperson for the action group.
Members of the action group are residents from the Lower Mount Walker, Ebenezer, Mount Forbes and Calvert areas.
“We’re saying that the project has been surrounded by secrecy and misleading claims since the first community-initiated meeting in February 2024,” the spokesperson said.
“And we’re questioning who truly benefits from the project?
“Will it be Libra’s not-solocal directors, perhaps? But we suspect that the project
may shortly be ‘flipped’ to a large, possibly foreign-owned company.”
The spokeswoman said residents’ greatest concerns were the ‘unknowns’.
“The unknowns include the type and safety of lithium batteries, fire risks; health, environmental, noise and lighting impacts; and the real number of long-term jobs, which we suspect will
be negligible.”
The action group members are also skeptical of the promised ‘community benefit funds’.
“We’re concerned that the promises of community benefit funds are a way of winning pre-approval support in the face of overwhelming opposition, and yet they may never materialise once ownership changes.”
The action group are calling for a genuine, open ‘town hall’ style meeting.
“That type of meeting has been promised, but Libra has instead been con-
ducting limited market popups,” the spokeswoman said.
The proposed location of the BESS was first to be on a dairy farm, then it shifted to state-owned EDQ land and is now proposed for three farm blocks beside homes near Blundells Bridge at Lower Mount Walker.
“Locals argue why such an industrial-scale project is needed?” the spokesperson said.
“At 850MW, it is far larger than Swanbank or Greenbank, we believe it should not be placed on rural floodplains but instead, on industrial zoned land or already contaminated land.
“A published claim that a development application was lodged in June 2024 was later found to be false, and the project’s website time line lacks dates.
“The latest update distributed to the community is an update from June 2025.
“The action group vow to continue protecting their farming landscape, rural amenity and environmental integrity.
“We will protect the land, the people, and the environment we love.”
The rich and fruity world of competition fruit cake makers
• Continues from Page 7
Then came the question, ‘which one are you going to choose judge?’ and she answered number five … Linda’s cake.
“She said it was the only one that stood out for flavour and ticked all the boxes,” Linda explained.
“I thought ‘you beauty, I’ve got it’, then a commentator turned around and said ‘you can’t choose that one because it is not tall enough.
“When she came down off the stage I asked why she said what she did but she just shrugged her shoulders.
“In that competition, my cake was given third place.”
There’s no bad blood though because Linda describes the judging pool as a ‘sisterhood of judges’.
“You are never allowed to judge your own cake and our panel of seven, judge rich dark fruit cake first,” she said.
“We judge to very high standards because participants expect nothing less, it’s hard work to produce and costly too.
“There are many things we look for, they have to be flat on top, have no paper marks on the bottom or sides and no wet spots.
“There also needs to be an even contribution of fruit going through and of course, taste good.”
The Waratah Battery on the Central Coast of NSW is similar in size to the one proposed for Lower Mount Walker.
Rotary with a singular cause – wildlife rescue
• Continues from Page 5
Then six weeks later, the carer who was looking after the female joey she and Scott had rescued, contacted her about the raising of “their little girl and a buddy”.
“We started with two to care for and two quickly became 12,” Mel recalls.
“It was at that point, my husband said if I brought any more home he was leaving.”
Mel says this with a smile as there are currently 30 kangaroos and wallabies under their care and Scott, who works six days a week, continues to assist at feeding time, morning and evening and if there’s a young one who needs regular night feeds, he helps out then, too.
Mel said a call out to rescue a barn owl last week was a team effortfrom the first call, to the rescue and then the transporter to the RSPCA. “Unfortunately he didn’t make it but his suffering ended quickly.”
Rim and Ipswich areas,” he
(Rotary International describes a cause-based club as … “one where members are passionate about a particular cause and focus their service efforts in that area. People who want to connect with others while addressing a particular set of problems”.)
“The head of the Zone 8 membership team put the concept to Rotary [headquarters] in Parramatta who approved and in turn it went to Rotary International and it was approved,” David said.
It was a world first for Rotary – a club whose purpose was to rescue and care for wildlife.
“In the first 12 months, Mel has gone out and made contact with developers and the Greenbank Services Club and other corporate entities.”
Most recently, the Scenic Rim Regional Council granted the lease of a reserve where rehabilitated wildlife could be released to assimilate, in preparation for moving back into the wild.
After 12 months as a carer, Mel learned what was needed to become a rescuer.
“People were ringing me for things that were still alive so I’d go out and deal with those … a lot of those of course, about 99 percent, would be euthanised,” Mel said.
“I don’t have the [euthanising] drug permit but we’re looking into that. So currently, we call someone who has the drug permit and if they are not available, I call the police.
“But if the injured animal is small enough we carry around what is called a wallaby bag which is just a large 1 m x 1 m thick denim bag and basically I can put the animal in there and take it to a local vet to euthanise for me or if it’s at night, I transport it over to the RSPCA.”
Euthanising an animal that has no hope of survivaI is important, explains Mel, as a kangaroo with severe injuries can live up to four days and a joey in the pouch of a dead mother can live up to five days.
Mel’s role became that of so many other wildlife carers – take the call, rescue and rehabilitate if possible, sit the ‘death watch’ with those animals which had to be euthanised and if the injured or orphaned animal was not a macropod, arrange for the
animal to be taken to the appropriate carer.
For the first six years, it was a ‘love job’ for Mel, with the support of Scott.
“Then I learned we could apply to the Logan City Council for a $1,500 annual grant.”
But $1,500 doesn’t go far when you are rehabilitating up to 30 macropods. A bag of the correct powdered milk for macropods costs $570 and lasts about 25 days.
Somewhat more than a year ago, Beaudesert Rotarian David Kenny, suggested that Mel consider forming a ‘cause-based’ Rotary club.
David takes up the story: “I’m a member of the membership team for the Zone 8 Rotary district which covers all of Australia, New Zealand and all of the Pacific Islands,” David explained.
“The team looks at ways to attract people to Rotary and not necessarily in terms of the traditional view of Rotary that everyone is familiar with.”
David knew of the work of the wildlife carers.
“I know that the wildlife is under a lot of pressure and the wildlife carers work really hard to rescue and look after animals and basically most of them are self funded.
“What I thought was let’s create a cause-based Rotary club to help the carers and rescuers in the Logan, Scenic
“We made contact with people like Mel whose focus was working in the field with wildlife. The club would have the purpose of creating different income streams and all money goes towards the injured and orphaned animals in care.”
Mel agreed and took on the role of club secretary.
And just over 12 months ago, the Rotary Club of SEQ Wildlife Rescue was formed.
A GoFundMe page was established to raise funds for two new Intensive Care Units and the club won a Gambling Community Benefit Grant for the purchase of a wildlife rescue vehicle.
David stressed that his official role with the club was as advisor – a three year appointment to help club members integrate with the rules and processes that Rotary has to put in place.
“Mel and the president, Russell Wickson run it; all I do is advise.”
Community Catch Up
Tell us what matters to you in Division 4
Wednesday 5 November | 9.00 am – 11.00 am
Walloon CWA Hall, 34 Karrabin Rosewood Road, Walloon Join us at the RADSc Walloon Community Pop Up Hub
Friday 7 November | 8.00 am – 10.00 am
Karalee Chapters Bookshop, Café and Wine Bar, Karalee Shopping Centre, Junction Road, Karalee
Monday 10 November | 9.00 am – 11.00 am Rosewood Library, Event Space, Level 1, 15 Railway Street, Rosewood
Wednesday 12 November | 9.00 am – 11.00 am
Marburg Community Centre, 110 Queen Street, Marburg Join us at the RADSc Marburg Community Pop Up Hub
Wednesday 19 November | 9.00 am – 11.00 am Yamanto Coffee Club, Yamanto Central Shopping Centre, 488 Warwick Road, Yamanto
Wednesday 26 November | 9.00 am – 11.00 am
Barista Sistas Cafe, Brassall Shopping Centre, 68 Hunter Street, Brassall
Finally free at 50
by LARA HART
THE best years of your life start when you decide to live.
When I was 29, turning 30 seemed quite the milestone and a sign that I was getting old.
My son was five-years-old and running after him kept me in good shape and my figure bounced back within a matter of months.
As a 30-year-old, I wore a bikini and lazed about tanning on Sydney’s beaches.
When I turned 32, I had my second son and I’d carry both boys under my arms across hot sandy beaches while hauling chairs and picnic baskets behind me.
Who was that superwoman and where is she now?
I am now 54 and feel sympathy for 30-something me trying to do everything and be perfect.
The scooping up of kids in arms was done to make things happen faster because two little boys can escape parental custody faster than Houdini from a chain while underwater.
I was constantly trying to be prettier, better, fitter and the perfect parent.
I worked as the editor of a Sydney magazine and trust me, that does little for the self-esteem.
There were parties with footballers and politicians, and far too many fundraisers where goodie bags full of Chanel cosmetics and perfumes were given away.
Thank you Nicole Kidman.
Then the forties came creeping in seemingly overnight and I was the age I’d once considered old.
The boys were older and despite a regular running routine, I felt fat and unsightly.
Why? Because I no longer had the body of a 20-something.
Or even a 30-something.
something n I
Those women had what I wanted.
A supple lithe body that fitted easily into the latest clothing trends.
he that to the latest a store I used thing at and those on as
I’d walk past a store I used to buy my clothing at and think if I wore those things now I’d be mutton dressed as lamb.
Mutton dressed as lamb?
I was in my 40s and I was as lamb as lamb can be.
sed as 40s and I was b can be retch marks, and little pot
But the stretch marks, lumpy thighs and little pot belly stopped me from putting on the black bikini and instead I started to wear a pair of shorts over full length swimmers.
ck bikini and ed wear a ver full sons to the young ing eyn’t felt
I’d take my sons to the beach and see young mums wearing bikinis that barely covered anything and I didn’t feel envy, I felt shame.
med my body dlikhi
I was ashamed my body no longer looked like theirs and that after two children I had a ‘mum bod’.
Let me explain one thing, back then I was an Australian size 12 and overweight in my own head only.
My father used to say ‘no one is looking at you, they’re more worried about how they look to you’.
Then something happened and my life changed.
It was something so simple yet so important and lifechanging.
I turned 50.
I looked back and saw me in my 20s and 30s struggling with small children and trying to be superwoman.
I saw myself in my 40s, having my daughter at 43 and being on an advanced maternal age watch with the local hospital.
I realised I had it wrong.
Life is a gift and it’s meant to be lived.
Screw those who judge mums with jiggly thighs and pooch bellies.
And the ones who whisper and laugh when a woman wears a bikini but has no ’bikini body’ are worst of all.
But that’s their cross to bear and it’s the sum total of their experiences that make them who they are.
I’ve always thought the human body is a beautiful thing in all its shapes and forms.
Except mine ... until now.
My 50s are the most freeing time of my life.
I don’t care if someone looks at me in bathers and thinks ‘yuck, she is fat’.
I do not care.
Turning 50 meant looking back and realising I wasn’t old at 30 or 40 and I put off so many things I shouldn’t have.
Nowadays I am unapologetically me and I honestly couldn’t care less what you think of me.
I am not perfect but I am alive and while I am, I am going to live to my fullest.
I discovered a musician named Passenger when I was pregnant with my daughter.
His music was played while giving birth and we saw him live in Brisbane with her as a six-week-old baby.
There are lyrics that stuck with me, words that made sense and I’ve carried with me for the last 11 years.
“Don’t you cry for the lost or the living, get what you need and give what you’re given, life’s for the living, so live it or you’re better off dead’.”
The message is not to spend your time bemoaning the past or dwelling on missed opportunities but instead to swim out and meet the waves head on and more than that … enjoy it.
PROPERTY
MILL STREET
• 4 bedrooms
• 1 bathroom
• 1,000sqm block
• Sold for $730,000
A home which has undergone a complete renovation inside and out.
The roof was renewed a year ago, the flooring is new, and the home has been repainted inside and out. The kitchen has timber benchtops, white cabinetry and stainless steel appliances. The bathroom has floor to ceiling tiles and quality fittings. The backyard is fenced on three sides. The location is central to the CBD.
The property last sold in 2024 for $555,000.
JOHN STREET
• 3 bedrooms
• 1 bathroom
• 835sqm block
• Sold for $640,000
A large older style home with an open plan kitchen, a light filled lounge and the dining room leads out to the front deck. The yard is fully fenced, has side access and a single lock up garage.
The property last sold in 2006 for $200,000.
ROSEWOOD
WILLOWBANK
ROSEWOOD
DOLBEN STREET
• 3 bedrooms
• 2 bathrooms
• 933sqm block
• Sold for $750,000
A freshly painted home on a large block with side access to the backyard.
Downstairs features a large multi-purpose room which has a plush carpet, walk in robe and ensuite.
Upstairs is the large air conditioned living room with timber plank flooring and a renovated kitchen. French doors open to the front balcony.
The bathroom has undergone a full renovation.
The backyard has side access and lots of room.
The property last sold in 1992 for $90,000.
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Rosewood awards complete ‘amazing’ season
HAVING been re-elected Rosewood United Soccer Club president, Tammy Crawford has had a chance to reflect on another successful season at Thagoona.
“We’ve had a great year. It’s been amazing,” Tammy said.
Apart from sharing in the Rosewood Over-30 team’s premiership and grand fi-
RESULTS from Saturday, October 18.
Rosewood Lions Day - 2 Person Ambrose In Memory of Founding Member - Noel Hayes. Winner: Todd Stanford and
nal-winning double, Tammy watched the ongoing development of the club’s junior teams.
“It’s the kids’ enjoyment and those three grand finals at the end was the sprinkles on top of the cake.”
Tammy was elected president for a fifth time, with the new Queensland Christian Soccer Association season kicking off in March.
She will continue to work
on the executive committee with secretary and partner David Graham and another loyal club person, registrar/treasurer Lisa Fairbridge.
While she enjoys her president’s role, Tammy leads by example in another way.
She has been in the senior women’s team for three years, having set up the new side at the club.
“I will play on next year,”
Tammy said, appreciating the opportunity to have a break from her president’s duties.
“I can get out on the field and just play my game … and it’s all enjoyment.”
The club recently held its annual presentations with a big turnout of Crusaders and Roses players, coaches and supporters.
Some of the award winners and teams are pictured.
Maurice Clem (60.5).
Runner Up #1: John Young and Mandy Young (61); Runner Up #2: Darlene Wojcicki and Shanker Silvadorae (64.25); Runner Up #3: Warren Swan and Zane Pike (64.25). Rundown to 65 pts: Pins & Approaches:
vadorae
Hole 2: Men: Jason L Smith (656 cm); Ladies: Karen Draheim (314 cm).
Hole 9: Men: Taumafai Tupai (303 cm); Ladies: No Takers.
Hole 11: Men: Shanker Sil-
(102 cm); Ladies: Darlene Wojcicki (350 cm).
Hole 15: Men: Fanuaea Pe-
lupelu (349 cm); Ladies: Shelley Myerson (1252 cm). Team Approach Hole 6: John Piccini and Dennis Russell (2nd Shot 46 Cm).
Team Approach Hole 12: Kevin O’Connell and Des Cox (2nd shot 70 cm).
Best Nearest the Pin: Shanker Silvadorae.
Players in the Rosewood Roses Over-30 women’s team collect their awards
The Rosewood Roses under 13-14 team enjoyed sharing in the club awards.
The Crusaders over-30 men’s team that represented Rosewood this season.
Jack’s back with renewed pennants purpose
by DAVID LEMS
FORMER Rosewood Golf Club Division 1 champion
Jack Wojcicki was glad to be back helping his pennants team after suffering a right hand injury.
The greenskeeper received the painful setback in late August, forcing him to miss the first three rounds of this year’s Moreton District Golf Association (MDGA) matches.
Jack, 22, made an encouraging return in Rosewood’s recent thrilling 4.5 draw (four wins and a half in nine games) against Sandy Gallop in the annual Division 1 competition.
“I was winning most of the day, I got one up,” said Jack, who represents the club in the number one spot.
“I got all the way to 18 and lost on the last hole.”
However, he was eager to see how his hand felt back playing in the highly-competitive pennants series.
“It was my first proper game of golf since my injury and just more concerned about how the hand was going to hold up. It held up very well.”
Although Jack grips the club with his left hand, his right hand is needed to control the direction of his golf shot.
Jack said he jarred his right hand making a hook shot “and really felt it then”.
“But otherwise, I had no issues with it all day,” he said.
The match against Sandy Gallop was the keen golfer’s first forced break since 2018 when he broke his left wrist while still at school.
However, chatting to Willowbank-based Jack, it was clear he couldn’t wait to return.
“I’ve had a couple of little hiccups here and there but there’s always those sort of things,” he said.
“I’m just focusing on making a full 100 percent recovery.”
The Rosewood pennants team matched another top four contender Sandy Gallop
“I’m just focusing on making a full 100 percent recovery”
— Jack Wojcicki
in that contest.
A number of matches, like Jack’s, were decided on the 18th hole.
Preparing for his team’s latest match against Laidley, Jack was encouraged by being in such a strong Rosewood team led by Tim Woodford.
“I feel confident that we can do a hell of a lot more,” he said.
“I’ve played with most of those guys for the past three years.”
Jack praised Tim’s role as a golf leader.
“He just brings everyone together, so we are on the same page,” he said.
Jack won the 2024 Rosewood Division 1 club championships before pennants teammate Nathan McMillan claimed this year’s title.
Jack is a huge fan of the 18-hole Rosewood course having started golf 17 years ago after his dad David asked him what sport he wanted to play.
The popular sportsman won the Rosewood junior championships in 2013 and 2015, along with other senior club events like the Mug of Mugs title in 2018.
Rosewood Golf Club pennants player Jack Wojcicki is keen to help his team after returning from a setback.
Photo: LYLE RADFORD