The Western Echo April 2024

Top 10 Popular Walking Tracks in the WesternSuburbs

We all know walking is good for us physically and mentally, and now the weather is cooling down, walking is a much more inviting prospect! The Western Echo asked locals their favourite walks in the western suburbs:

Mt Coot-tha Trails - Dogs on leash.

• Summit Track - 1.9km, 30min. Start JC Slaughter Falls Picnic Area, falls 600m in.

• Simpson Falls - 650m. Start Simpson Falls Picnic Area.

• Eugenia Circuit - 2.8km, 1.5hrs. Links to Simpson Falls viewing deck. Start Grey Gum Picnic area near Ch 7 Tower, Brush Box Picnic Area or Simpson Falls Picnic Area

• Moggill Rd - Channel 7 Tower - Python Loop: 4.7km, 1.52hrs, mod. Beautiful vegetation and bird-watching.

Keperra Bushland Reserve - Dogs on leash.

• Keperra Lookout: 2.5km, mod, Starts at end of Levitt Rd, stick on bitumen to reach the top for views to The Gap & Mt Coot-tha

• Keperra Bushland Circuit: 2.8km, 1-1.5hrs, difficult, steep, views and birdlife

Enoggera Creek Bikeway - Dog, bike and walker friendly.

• The Gap: The Gap shops to School Rd, along Waterworks Rd, or from Walton Bridge Reserve up Fish Creek track to Glenella St Park

• Ashgrove from intersection of Gresham St and Waterworks Rd, then through Ashgrove Sports Ground and Des Conner Park to Dorrington Park

Enoggera Reservoir - No dogs allowed.

• Araucaria Track: Start Walkabout Creek Info Centre (get track conditions and more info here), 5km return, 2-2.5hrs, mod, birdwatching and forest, swim after

• Peninsula Break: 7km

• Reservoir Break: 10.5km

• Holman’s Break Loop: 13km

Banks St Reserve Loop Walk - 4.3km, 1hr 15min. Mod. Dogs on leash.

website: http://www.westernecho.com.auWWW.WESTERNECHO.COM.AU

Access from Banks St, Quandong Park or Brown Parade. Beautiful bushland and Enoggera Creek.

Ithaca Creek Bikeway - 1hr return, easy.

Starts Glenrosa Rd, Ashgrove, past Broncos, to Glenn Harding Park, and can connect to Mt Coot-tha Bushland

Paten Rd, The Gap to Bardon - Dogs on leash.

• Paten Rd Track (easy) is only 400m, walking only

• Kulgun Circuit is 2.5km (moderate), walking only

• Quarry Trail (1.5km, mod), bikes and walking

Bellbird Grove Walking Tracks - No dogs allowed.

• Turrbal Circuit - 1.7km, 45 min, mod, beautiful bushland walk along Cedar Creek

• Golden Boulder Track - 1.8km return, 45 min, mod, gold mining history

• Mountain Bike trails - accessed 20m east of Turrbal Circuit start point

Ferny Grove Rail Trail to Samford Village - 5km. Dog, bike and horse-friendly.

First 2.5km and McLean Rd-Samford Village wheelchair accessible. Start Ferny Grove Station along Lanita Rd for 2.5km before continuing along rail trail in bush (Lanita Crt on Google Maps), before popping out at McLean Rd. Continue, crossing Camp Mountain Rd, before turning left onto Petersen Rd then right on Camp Mountain Rd, arriving in Samford Village!

Ironbark Gully Tracks - Dogs on leash.

• Ironbark Gully Loop - 4km, mod, shared trail. Start Ironbark Gully Picnic Area

• Crebra Circuit - 900m, easy. Start Ironbark Gully Picnic Area

Others that were recommended include Toowong Cemetery, Bicentennial Bikeway River Walk, the Maiala walking tracks at Mt Glorious, and the walking tracks at Mt Nebo.

References:

www.aussiebush walking.com/qld/ se-qld/brisbane-citycouncil

www.parks.des.qld. gov.au/parks

www.brisbane.qld.gov. au/clean-and-green/ natural-environmentand-water/bushlandreserves

Author: Evie Drinnan

Photo credits: Cover image: Araucaria Track, Enoggera Reservoir; Melanie Grevis-James Otherimages: Melanie Grevis-James; Andrea Mayer; Evie Drinnan.

Bank St Reserve

Kulgun Circuit Track

Araucaria Track - Enoggera Reservoir

COL’S CHAT Locals through my Lens

Clara Rotolone

Clara Rotolone, is a young woman steeped in ambition. Throughout our chat, I am reminded of a line by Anne Shirley, the titular hero of L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables. “Oh, it’s delightful to have ambitions. Just as soon as you attain to one ambition you see another one glittering higher up still. It does make life so interesting.”

It's fair to say that conversation with Clara is not defined by any distinction in age. The grade eight, Gap High School student is as informed, articulate and insightful as anyone I have interviewed. Her clear academic and sporting prowess comes with the cloak of humility and kindness, and it is this that has no doubt been a factor in a slew of recent awards and recognitions. Most recently, Clara was awarded a Bursary Award for Outstanding Academic performance and Effort by The Gap RSL Sub Branch.

In addition to the bursary, there’s been excellence awards in maths, science, digital technologies, Chinese, and Humanities and Social Sciences.

One subject however, clearly fuels Clara’s ambitions. “I am very passionate about English. I aspire to be a writer of some kind. I have gone into a few writing competitions, excursions and camps. I really enjoy creative fiction, especially realistic fiction… things that could happen. And, some fantasy as well.”

Clara is also currently writing a novel, and from the plot description (no spoilers) the tale of Violet Summerstone is going to provide much creative fuel for this bright mind, and a story of intrigue for us readers.

Clara is in the Honours program at school, but her ambitions are unwavering. “Sometimes I feel as if I could be challenged more. Challenged by a more mature audience and provided more rigorous, constructive feedback”.

Outside of school, Clara’s sporting interests include mountain biking and ju-jitsu, but her ambitions lie in the sporting arena of hockey, and in particular the role of goalkeeper. “I play for Northern Suburbs Hockey Club at Dorrington Park, and really enjoy it. In fact, my ambition is to play in the 2032 Brisbane

Olympics.” If ambition, talent and passion are rewarded, you should consider buying tickets to see Clara now.

When invited to reveal something about herself that she’d like people to know, she explains, “I am very much a feminist; and very much for women, and everyone’s rights. I want to stand up for people who are being discriminated against, whatever they may be.”

Here sits before me a leader of the future; a humble yet determined person for whom the ambition to learn, share and inspire comes naturally.

Author&Photographer:ColinBushell/ColinBushellPhotography

From theEditor

Dear Readers,

Welcome to our April edition!

We hope you enjoy reading our articles, community news, and ads from our local business supporters.

If you have any suggestions, please email or call us – we would love your feedback.

Competition time again! Your chance to WIN beauty treatment prizes from Harmony Beauty – now under new local management in The Gap Village. See details on page 11 and enter on our website: www.westernecho.com.au/competition And don’t miss our monthly Photo Quiz: join in the fun of guessing where Colin Bushell (photographer) has been this month with his camera. Enter your answer via our website www.westernecho.com.au/photo-quiz or email: editor@westernecho.com.au

If you are a local business wanting to reach your local audience – please consider advertising. Your advertising cost contributes directly to supporting our community by keeping this publication going for everyone to enjoy. Please visit our website: www.westernecho.com.au

Happy reading!

Mel & Kym

Melanie: 0409 440 501 | editor@westernecho.com.au or melanie@planetmarketing.com.au

Kym: 0402 450 568 | spotart@spotart.com.au

Cr Steve Toomey Councillor for The Gap Ward

Thank you!

I am honoured to have been re-elected and entrusted as your local Councillor for The Gap Ward. Since the last election in 2020, as a community we have endured challenges from navigating a global pandemic to overcoming a severe weather event that impacted both residents and our infrastructure.

It would be fair to say that we have certainly faced challenges together. I want to express my sincere gratitude for your support and patience during these trying times.

The results from the election are an indication that we are moving in the right direction and that our future as a ward and a city is a bright one. There is still much to be done and together as community we can ensure that this area of Brisbane continues to thrive.

Mark your calendars! The Green Heart Fair is back this year on Sunday 26 May at Victoria Park, Herston from 9am - 3pm. This free, family and dog-friendly event brings together Brisbane’s leading sustainability experts ready to share practical tips and tricks to help you live a more eco-friendly life. Across the day, there will be free native plants, live entertainment, artisanal markets, food trucks, thrifting and

As we move forward, I am committed to continue working on behalf of our community to address our shared concerns, advocate for you in City Hall, and ensure a better future for all of us that call this area home.

Once again, thank you for your trust, support, and understanding. It is an honour and privilege to serve as Councillor for The Gap Ward, and I look forward to continuing our journey together.

Best Regards,

Cr Steve Toomey

state government update

What's happening within State Parliament

International Women’s Day Celebrations

Friday, March 8th was International Women’s Day (IWD) and I want to give a special shout out to the local schools that participated in this day. For the second year in a row The Gap State High School hosted their IWD breakfast and I had the real privilege of being invited as the keynote speaker I took the opportunity to speak about my history prior to parliament - if you’d like to know more about my story you can check it out at www.jontybush.com/about.

you're invited

Prioritising Women’s Health

In the afternoon, I had the absolute pleasure of attending the annual Mt St Michael’s IWD High Tea, where we heard from local vocal coach, music therapist and singer Katerini Manolatos about her upbringing and passion for music I’m continual ng me

We’ve now released our Queensland Women and G health with 34 priority areas and underpinned with t

We’re establishing four walk-in nurse led clinics acr health clinics, providing women and girls with targe we’ve appointed a Chief Midwifery Officer, we’re pil and we’re rolling out Better Births with Consent trai

We’ve announced an additional $18m osis, investing in initiatives s with endometriosis and w g g p upheld

ould like to know more about the Queensland Women and Girls’ Health y please get in touch with my office Have a lovely month

C&K

The Gap RSL Sub Branch

Australians and New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day on 25 April every year. This is the anniversary of the day when Australian and New Zealand soldiers landed on Gallipoli in 1915 as part of the Allies' invasion. The Anzacs met fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders. Their plan to knock Türkiye out of the war quickly became a stalemate and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915, the allied forces were evacuated. Both sides suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers were killed.

Anzac Day is now a time for all Australians to recognise the more than 1.5 million service men and women who have served our country in all conflicts, wars and peacekeeping operations. It's also a time to remember over 103,000 Australians who sacrificed their lives in our country's name.

This year The Gap RSL has two commemorative activities. The Dawn Service will commence at Walton Bridge at 0530, concluding at 0615. The main commemorative event will commence with the march at 0915 (form up at The Gap High School for 0845) and the service, again at Walton Bridge, at 0930. There will be a function at The Gap Football Club on conclusion of the main service. Also, from 17 April up to ANZAC Day the RSL will be selling merchandise at The Gap Shopping Village with all proceeds directed towards the welfare of Veterans.

Dear neighbours,

You may have heard in the news recently that the Australian government collects more money from HECS repayments than it does from gas corporations

At a time when everyday people are struggling with a housing and cost of living crisis, the government should be collecting more revenue from big corporati ons and putting that into things like building quality public homes, making seeing a doctor actually free, and yes wiping HECS debt Sadly we’re heading in the opposite direction

Independent think tank The Australia Institute has shown that, while gas corporations in Australia made $164 billion in total revenue in 2023, they only paid $16 billion or just 9 8% in taxes and royalties to federal and st ate governments In Norway, by contrast, the government’s share of gas and petroleum revenue was 55%

Part of the problem is that corporations in Australia are adept at artificially inflating their expenses to dodge tax They do this in a number of ways Often they borrow money at high interest rates from related corporations in tax havens, so repayment costs appear much higher. Likewise they pay exor bitant fees to related corporations in tax havens for things like marketing services or access to intellectual property Norway, with much better taxation laws, does not have this problem

The other problem is that Queensland’s royalty rate for gas is abysmally low, rarely reaching even 10% (even Texas has a 25% royalty rate for oil and gas!) The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis showed that in 2021-22 as the gas price spiked, the revenue of Queensland gas projects surged to $22 billion, but the state only took $1 2 billion in royalties, or less than 5 5%

State and federal governments can fix this They can fix tax loopholes and raise federal taxes on gas companies, and they can raise royalty rates The reason they don’t is because Labor and the LNP are beholden to gas corpo rations via political donations, lobbyists, and the revolving door between politics and corporations

Resources like gas belong collectively to all Australians – companies pay a royalty for the right to extract and sell them, but the resources do not belong to the corporations, they belong to all of us Asking that they pay their fair share is only reasonable

During an orderly transition away from coa l and gas, we should tax the gas corporations properly to fund the future renewable energy infrastructure we need, while helping fund the things we all need to live a good life

In hope,

ONLY AT

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book your ticket online today!

NEXT EVENT 21ST APR 2PM TO 5PM

Red Hill Bowls, Sports & Community Club

22 Fulcher Road, Red Hill 4059

www.redhillbowls.org.au

Red Hill Bowls Sport Community Club

Summer Pennants has now completed and our club looks forward to over 60’s Pennants where we play other clubs in our region during April.

Currently bowlers are also participating in Club Championship Singles, Pairs & Fours over the next few months.

‘Home on the Green’ dog-friendly café is fully operational now which is run by Home Café in Ashgrove. The café opens Tuesday through to Sunday from 6am to 12noon with great coffee and food, so please come along and enjoy the vibe and ambience whilst you are walking the dog.

Red Hill Bowls Sports and Community Club have held our 1st two Music on the Green events which have been a great success. The next event is being held on 21st April from 2pm to 5pm at a small entry cost of only $10 with a new band attending. Come

DIFFERENT BANDS EACH MONTH

Follow us on Facebook for all the latest dates & bands.

along and join us to listen to “Bird Dog Blue” who have appeared in a number of venues in Brisbane and recorded their own music which can be heard on Spotify. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Our club also has a 100 seat entertainment hall with full AV equipment and an attached full commercial kitchen which could be utilized for parties, receptions, corporate functions and other meetings for community groups.

For further details contact secretary@redhillbowls.org.au or ring 0412 765 805.

Harmony Beauty Competition

Harmony Beauty: Under New Management!

Experience the new Harmony Beauty, your trusted local retreat.

Since coming under new local ownership in November 2023, the team at Harmony Beauty & Day Spa have been working hard to revitalise the local haven that is harmony. Conveniently located inside The Gap Village, it’s the perfect place to get your brows and lashes done, stop by for your routine waxing or popping in for a spray tan. After undergoing a recent makeover, the space has been transformed to offer a relaxation retreat for body rituals, spa manis and pedis, and tailored facial experiences.

1. Don’t forget your SPF

Sun damage doesn’t just cause burns or irritation, it also dehydrates skin (even before it burns). Keep skin healthy-looking and hydrated with SPF protection. Mix your moisturiser with SPF and reapply as needed. Even if you’re indoors, apply SPF – UV can rays travel through windows!

2. Dehydrated skin’s snowball effect

Once skin is dehydrated your barrier is compromised, which leads to potential redness and irritation. This can be caused by not drinking enough water, forgetting to add a hydrating serum, neglecting to moisturise, or by not being diligent about your SPF.

3. Sustain hydration

Hydrate every day! When skin is optimally hydrated, it appears smooth and plump. Dietary sources and the water we drink throughout the day also have a significant impact on skin’s hydration.

4. Moisturiser alone isn’t enough

Try adding in a serum. Hydrating serums are formulated to deliver optimal hydration into the skin.

5. The best advice is personalised!

If in doubt, speak to one of our therapists in-clinic! We offer complimentary comprehensive skin consultations. Book online, or pop-in and chat to our lovely team of trained skin therapists. We proudly use Dermalogica skincare products - professionalgrade skin care designed to treat all skin types and concerns.

Prize 2: Pro Skin 60 ($159 value)

The PRO Skin 60 is our 60-minute tailored facial and sensory experience. Your skin therapist will customise this treatment to your unique skin concern to deliver an experience that combines powerful results with soothing relaxation.

Prize

Experience a sugared tropical scrub to remove dead skin cells, a relaxing exotic oil massage, followed by a melting mask and luscious Fijian body butter.

Everything you wanted to know about Rotary: where it came from, what it does in Ashgrove and The Gap, what it does around the World, how you can help Rotary and what Rotary can do for you

What in the World does Rotary do?

Rotary – who are these people?

Rotary Club Ashgrove The Gap

We heard from Kathy Kirby, who founded the “Australian Foundation for Children with AIDS” and we learned a lot.

There is a tendency to think of AIDS in the past tense, as a 1980’s phenomenon which has fortunately passed, having been tamed by new generations of drugs. This is only partly true. In Africa, especially, the plague is still very much with us, and among its most vulnerable victims are those children infected from birth or in earliest childhood, who are also most likely to be orphans.

Kathy told us, and showed us in pictures, of the desperate state of these orphans, and how little it takes to make a huge difference in their lives. Simply providing a working toilet is radical: imagine otherwise having to go out into the African bush at night, hoping there are no predators about – animal or human. This aligns so well with the work Rotary does in providing, for example, clean water.

24 April – Information Night: we will be holding an Information Night on Wednesday 24 April at the Ashgrove Golf Club Ellis Room (6:45 to 8:00) where anyone interested in what Rotary is and does can come along with no obligation or charge and find out. Many people have heard of Rotary and the good work it does locally and across the World, but are not sure how it operates, who can join etc. Local people will recall the Santa Sleigh, the Carols by Candlelight, and the works in local schools, but may not know the bigger picture.

Rotary has been going since 1905 (1924 in Queensland) and there are many lasting false impressions about the club being ‘men-only’ (untrue for 35 years!), need to have a profession (many of our members are retired), massive donations expected (absolutely not), and so forth.

The information night will explain how Rotary really works, what it really does, especially in The Gap and Ashgrove and how people can support the good work by joining – or just by supporting!

Solar Buddy Homework Lights for the Solomon Islands

Rotary Junior Community Awards

The GapProbus Club AshgroveForum

The Probus Club has had its Annual General Meeting, which dragged on for nearly 15 minutes (we believe in fun, not administrative tedium however necessary by law). That means that all the major committee positions are filled, and it is safe to come to club meetings with no fear of being urged to take up a committee role. Strange as it may seem, this does occur in some clubs!

Far, far more entertaining was the guest speaker at this same club session: Richard Kinnon of Outback Pioneers Longreach. Presenting himself as a “simple country boy who didn’t get any education” it soon became clear he was an accomplished entrepreneur and raconteur, with a fund of stories of life in and around Longreach and the trials of operating a major tourism empire.

Richard gave an interesting and humorous talk on his life in Outback Queensland. He grew up on a cattle property being home schooled by his mother and school of the air on their radio. He remembers driving cattle to the sales in Roma. Cattle properties struggled financially and many of his friends went to work in the mining industry. Mr Kinnon had big dreams and bought into horse-drawn Cobb and Co coaches in Longreach and into the paddle wheel steamer on the Murray River. An interesting video and brochure showed his many activities including the Staging Post and Station Store. The COVID epidemic has had a major negative impact on tourism. He now works as a businessman and storyteller, raising interest in tourism to the Australian outback. In this role he has travelled to other countries such as the UK, China, and USA.

His talk revealed a life that excelled in spite of difficulties encountered along the way.

Once again the month was filled with lunches, coffee mornings, walks and other ways to achieve “fun, fellowship and friendship” during an “active retirement”. We don’t just have meetings –however good the afternoon tea and chat are following the speaker!

If you are interested finding out more without commitment, we would be delighted to talk with you, and invite you to our meetings (first Thursday of every month, 2pm, at the Baptist Church, corner of Waterworks and Settlement Roads).

Just call Rhoda on 0409 484 219.

Ashgrove Forum Club held its monthly meeting on Wednesday 20th March at 6.30pm in the Ashgrove Library.

The speaking session required one member to deliver the main speech on a set topic and speak for ten minutes, with other members then invited to follow and speak on the same topic for 5-6 minutes. President Carmel Towler was the main speaker for the evening and her topic was "Resilience".

Speakers were assessed on: speech construction, content of their speech, relevance to the topic, timing (finishing within the allotted time), and delivery (pace, pause, and diction).

Rosslyn Knight then gave a very informative tutorial on Using PowerPoint as an aid to speech presentation.

The next meeting of Ashgrove Forum will be held on 17 April. Members will be asked to deliver 5–6-minute Informative Speeches. An Informative Speech is one based entirely and exclusively on facts. Pat Pepper will give a tutorial on "How to Introduce Yourself" either at work or a social event.

Ashgrove Forum Club meets in the Ashgrove Library Meeting Room at 6.30pm, on the 3rd Wednesday of each month except December. Visitors are always welcome to attend and observe without obligation to speak, though they may do so if they wish.

For information on Forum Communicators public speaking association, please visit the website www.beconfident.org.au or contact Secretary Pat on 0458 696 267.

AranaViewClub

The Arana View Club meet on the first Wednesday of the month 10.30am for 11.00am at Dawson Parade, Grovelly. $35.00 fee includes a two-course lunch tea and coffee provided. We had a fabulous guest speaker last month Mary Li from the Queensland Ballet with 106 people attending.

Our next guest speaker for March was Bob Walker, Fair Trading Community Engagement Officer speaking on the high cost of living. Coming up our 27th Birthday, Entertainment by The Divine Divas, also 100 years of Hollywood so dress as your favourite filmstar.

Funds raised support The Smith Family Learning for Life Students. Come along meet other members and make friends.

Please phone Carol 3355 5349 by 12.00 noon the Thursday before the meeting for further information or to advise your attendance.

Ashgrove The Gap Lions Club

23 March – The collection of E Waste at Gap State School in conjunction with EWaste Connection and Ashgrove The Gap Lions Club was a great success and we would like to sincerely thank all members of our community for supporting the project and for The Gap State School for allowing us to use their car park for the collection.

26 March – Our special guest at our recent Partners & Friends Dinner Meeting was Joe Brumm, who was the creator of the animated television series Bluey. The presentation brought back a lot of memories for everyone that was present.

The Club final of the Ashgrove The Gap Lions Club ‘Youth of the Year’ which was held recently, was won by Owen Boys from The Gap State High School. Congratulations to Owen and all the other students that competed, also sincere thanks to the judges this year and all of the family members, Lions & other guests that attended a wonderful evening. We wish Owen all the success as he moves through the finals process.

Ashgrove The Gap Lions club will continue to work busily with Trek2Health continuing to carry out BBQ’S for the First Responders and Returned Service Personnel.

SAVE THE DATE

30 May – BBQ at The Gap State School for their Stem Expo

31 August – Serenata Singers Concert at The Gap Uniting Church from 2pm to 5pm

If you would like to find out more about Lions and the involvement we have in our community or if you would consider joining Lions, please email Allan Turner at lionatg19@gmail.com or call 0400 210 357.

www.ashgrovethegaplions.org.au

www.facebook.com/AshgroveTheGapLionsClub/

BalaangalaCommunity Group

Balaangala Community Group provides opportunities for “truthtelling” and the impact colonisation continues to have on the financial and emotional well-being of First Australians.

As we approach ANZAC day, it’s timely to remember the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men who volunteered to fight for this nation, the “black diggers”. In a country that prides itself on the notion of a “fair go”, this was not the experience of returned First Nation soldiers.

Thousands of Indigenous men served in the Boer war, WW1 and WW2, despite not being counted as citizens of this country until the 1967 referendum.

Many Indigenous men joined in the hope of being treated equally, and they were, while at war. However, when they returned home they were not afforded the same rights as their non-Indigenous counterparts. It was back to segregation, to being denied membership to R.S.L. clubs, public facilities and pubs. Back to no right to vote, unequal wages and having their children stolen. They were not entitled to war pensions.

When non-Indigenous Australian soldiers returned from WW1, they were able to apply to the Returned Servicemen's Settlement Scheme for allotments of land. In 1919, 413 acres of land in The Gap was purchased and cut into 42 small farms. Indigenous soldiers were not eligible to apply.

To understand the present, we must truthfully acknowledge our past. The story of the “black diggers” is just one instance of many where First Nations people were not treated equally. All of these actions continue to have long-term effects on individuals, families and communities. Some people call for everyone to be treated the same, forgetting that this has not been the case for First Nations people since 1788.

For more please visit our website or Facebook page: www.balaangala.org.au

www.facebook.com/balaangala

The GapCreative

The Gap Creative Make a Mark at The Gap Village Shopping Centre

In 2023, the Gap Village Shopping Centre approached The Gap Creative to discuss how we could work together. Since then, the relationship has flourished where jointly we've run free community workshops, facilitated pop-up shops, and hosted fun competitions. This relationship has only grown with the introduction of The Centre’s spectacular new mural.

In 2023, once community consultation voiced ‘nature’ as the preferred theme, members of The Gap Creative, Peta Harvey and Natarscha Schneider, coordinated the mural project with the aim of capturing The Gap’s spirit.

Having Enoggera Reservoir and D’Aguilar National Park border

The Gap, provided a rich canvas of bushland with gumtrees and wattle flowers, combined with a ballet of cockatoos, magpies, brushtail possums, and green tree snakes, for inspiration. The Brisbane River Turtle is found in our creeks as well as the Reservoir and was a must for inclusion, while a silhouette of green hills pays homage to the majestic Taylor Range. At the heart of the mural, a logo subtly anchors the viewer in The Gap, marking their connection to this unique locale. The mural unfolds a narrative of community spirit, as a young child, alongside their turtle friend, joyfully mimics flight among the birds—a nod to families who call The Gap home. The mural encourages all observers to delight in their surroundings and instils a sense of responsibility to protect our natural environment in The Gap.

Overwhelmed by the number of volunteers, and the positive response of the public while painting the mural, both Peta and Natarscha, enjoyed the experience. We cannot thank them enough for their generous contribution.

“The best thing about doing this mural, I believe, was working alongside other creatives and being able to provide a bright and beautiful interactive piece of art for everyone in the community to enjoy.”

Romantic views of Brisbane

Classic French hospitality

Choose from the A La Carte Menu

or our 6 Course Degustation Menu

Mitchelton Pre-Schooling Centre

Building Conversation Skills at Mitchelton

Pre-Schooling Centre

Conversation skills are important for children’s development and wellbeing. Being able to have conversations helps children make friends, be listened to, ask for what they need, and develop strong relationships with others.

The art of conversation skills is so important to get to know our little people and our parents. Through conversation we build a sense of trust and belonging, which is the core of getting to know one another. Children see this adult interaction and gain a sense that this is an okay place and that information is shared through reciprocal chatter, taking turns, waiting, and listening. Children see facial expressions, concern, serious, excited, enlightenment and perhaps hear some laughter, even sometimes tears.

The children are beginning to build the art of listening and taking turns to share information. Listening and acknowledging helps us to build that same sense of belonging and trust with your child as we do with parents.

During the kindy day, learning how to listen, talk and take turns at this stage is very much a time for practice. Children will also hear us say, “Did you listen/hear what …just said to you”’ or “… is talking to you, can you help them or listen to what they are asking?”

The GapSustainability Initiative

This month, we focus on our Community Energy project. Initiatives include working with Energex and Energy Queensland for the implementation of a community battery; trialling an energy app developed by a local company that promotes the use of renewable energy at the lowest cost; and collaborating with other community organisations who are part of Rewiring Australia to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

Our role as educators and parents is to give the children the sense that what they have to say is important and needs to be acknowledged by listening to them. Please visit the website www.raisingchildren.net.au for some good practical tips and reminders on conversation skills.

Mitchelton Pre-Schooling Centre

The Gap Sustainability Initiative was one of only 10 organisations from across the Australia that was accepted into the inaugural Rewiring Australia community partnership program. As part of this program TGSI received a $1k grant, access to significant intellectual property and marketing material, and a network of other NFP organisations. We now aim to distribute Rewiring Australia information to our local community so that everyone can benefit from the knowledge and insights collated.

The Community Energy working group’s activities are particularly pertinent now that people will be seeking information - given that a community battery is coming to The Gap, and some may be eligible for the Battery Booster rebate from the Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au). This state program opened for applications in Feb24 and offers up to $4k (means tested) for the purchase of a home battery.

The group has a full workload and is looking for more participants to actively engage in the opportunities at hand. Please contact energy@thegapsustainability.org if you are keen to get involved.

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Brisbane Seniors Online

Brisbane Seniors Online welcomes new volunteer mentors and learners

Brisbane Seniors Online (BSOL) has been operating and helping vulnerable seniors and over 50s with their computers and the internet for 23 years. Computer and internet users including seniors are quite vulnerable with the sophisticated scams proliferating around the world in the technological field. Brisbane Seniors Online learners often tell their mentors about their experience where some have been caught up in scams and lost money. Others have become suspicious and luckily have investigated further and found that the text, phone call, or email is risky and a scam. Other risks are identity theft where enough personal information is obtained to obtain loans, purchase goods, and even transfer property ownership. BSOL regularly encounter these issues while home mentoring learners.

Computer and internet users should be aware that there are ways to check on scams including the Australian Government National Anti-scam Centre through Scamwatch and a booklet ‘The Little Black Book of Scams’, available online through the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Brisbane Seniors Online mentors can assist learners to identify scams so that they are not put at risk of fraud, identity theft, and loss of their savings.

Learners also request assistance with online shopping and banking, booking travel and holidays, and dealing with Centrelink and Medicare.

One emerging development is artificial intelligence (AI) and ChatGPT. These have been regularly seen in the news and media. Learners have been concerned about the future of this technology and it is one aspect of training that is now being addressed.

We welcome new learners and volunteer mentors. Lessons are provided in the learner’s own home on their own device. In addition to computing and the internet, Brisbane Seniors Online members can attend other special interest groups including digital photography, Linux, Apple, and mentors can get upskilling through the mentor support group.

A $20 one-off joining fee and $45 a year covers 12 hours of home lessons, and once formal training is completed, the learner has access to ongoing support for the balance of their membership year. So, if they get an issue they need assistance with, their mentor can be contacted for further assistance.

Brisbane Seniors Online is appreciative of the ongoing support and funding provided the Gambling Community Benefit Fund.

Seniors Online on 3393 2225 or www.bsol.asn.au

www.Facebook.com/BrisbaneSeniorsOnline

AshgroveHistorical Society

Visitors are encouraged and very welcome to attend the Ashgrove Historical Society meetings held at the Ashgrove Library on the first Saturday of the month (except January) from 10am-noon. Topics and guest speakers can be found on the Society’s website under What’s On ‘Meetings’. The topic on 4 May 2024 will be about the Ashgrove Police Station presented by AHS president, Morris Moorhouse.

Morris will present his research on the Ashgrove Police Station which will also cover a period of the Queensland Police Force in the Western Suburbs of Brisbane.

A shared morning tea will follow the presentation which will provide the opportunity to chat with the guest speaker and other people interested in local history.

If you would like to become an AHS member or purchase membership as a gift for someone, fees are $10 single per annum (1 July - 30 June), or $15 couple/family.

Membership includes the quarterly newsletter and discount on our publications. Please contact the secretary, Julie, (ahs. secretary@bigpond.com) and she will let you know the EFT details or join at a meeting.

Funds raised from memberships, raffles and sale of our publications supports the research, preservation and recording of Ashgrove’s history.

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Most Brisbanites are familiar with mock orange (Murraya paniculata) which is a very common hedge plant. All murrayas are members of the citrus family and have in common sweet smelling, white flowers and glossy dark green leaves. Coming from Asia, the mock orange thrives in our hot, humid climate. This is a problem as birds eat the oval red fruit and spread the seeds, which readily germinate in our bushland. The very properties (e.g. rapid growth) that make this species such a great hedging plant causes it to outcompete native species. As such it is classified as an invasive weed throughout Queensland and NSW.

The native murraya (Murraya ovatifolia) is the perfect replacement plant. It too has glossy, dark green, pinnate leaves that arise alternatively along the stem. The white, perfumed flowers in spring to autumn are followed by oval, glossy red fruit. The main difference between the two species is in surface features. The leaves and fruit of mock orange are smooth whereas the leaves of the native murraya are glandular and the fruit dimpled. The leaflets of the mock orange are pointed as opposed to more rounded in the native form.

This dense shrub to 4m, found naturally in dry rainforests, grows well in a variety of moist soils. It will grow in either full or filtered sun. It can be pruned to provide a hedge, or left natural, forms an effective screen. Its fragrant flowers attract both bees and butterflies whilst the fruit attract birds.

Enoggera & Districts Historical Society

What ever happened to HMS Investigator

2024 is the 2022 anniversary of Flinders’ ship Investigator, on record, as being the first ship to enter Moreton Bay. Built at Sunderland as a collier, the same type of vessel as Cook’s Endeavour and launched under the name Fram in 1795 she was taken over by the Royal Navy in 1798. Renamed Xenophon it was refitted at Northford, and then later in the year at the Deptford Naval Yard when 22 carronades were added. Further modifications were made at Sheerness, between November 1800 and March 1801.

Under the command of Matthew Flinders the vessel sailed from Spithead in July 1801 and reached the south-west coast of Australia later that year. Survey and charting of the coast line was undertaken from King George Sound along the Great Australian Bight and to Port Jackson by May 1802.

The vessel sailed north to continue surveying in July of that same year. In the Gulf of Carpentaria poor workmanship in one of the dock yards, became apparent and the vessel began to leak badly.

While under inspection by the crew the ship was tied to a tree on Mornington Island and the tree was marked with the word “Investigator”. For many years part of the tree was on display in the Queensland Museum. More recently it has been on display in the Survey Museum [Edward St].

Flinders left for England to obtain a new ship with the intention of resuming the survey. He died in 1814 having not completed the task.

Meanwhile Investigator was moored in Port Jackson and was considered not able to be repaired. In 1804 after a second survey and some repair it sailed for England where again, in 1805, it was considered not worth repair, and for the next two years was used as a prison hulk.

In 1810 the vessel was sold and the intention was that it be broken up. Modifications, re-rigging and other repairs saw it sold for £1,253 and it again went into mercantile use.

In 1853 as Xenophon she berthed in Geelong, moving on to Melbourne where it was used as a storage hulk until sold in 1861. Sold again in 1868 it was finally broken up somewhere in Victoria in 1872.

The Gap She Shed always welcomes new members. We are a community group for women to gather in friendship, to support one another, learn and share. You can join as a community member for free or you can become a financial member for $25 a year. Become a financial member here: https://www.trybooking. com/COLFO

Beginners and Intermediate Mahojong courses starting in April:

Learn mahjong evening 10-week course starting Monday 15th April. Book here: https://www.trybooking.com/CPNIT Learn mahjong daytime 10-week course starting Tuesday 16th April. https://www.trybooking.com/CPNJE Intermediate level mahjong course for 9 weeks starting 24th April https://www.trybooking.com/CPTMY

Ukulele Wednesdays in April - from 10am: Register here: https://www.trybooking.com/CPRRM

Get to know your sewing machine - 9am on 6th April: Register here: https://www.trybooking.com/CPNIG

Beginners Patchwork Coursestarting Monday 15th April: Register here: https://www.trybooking.com/CPNKM

Navigating Women’s Hormones: Free event for members, $5 for non-members. Register here: https://www.trybooking.com/CPNMI

Car Boot Trash and Treasure Sale - Sunday 21st April: $10 for financial members; $20 for non-financial members Register here: https://www.trybooking.com/CPNLX

The Physiologix Corner

Recovery after Exercise – Why and How

Dr Molly Connolly, physiotherapist at Physiologix, oversaw the running The Recovery Centre at this year’s Australian Tennis Open, an event she has been involved with for many years. The Recovery Centre is a hub that players attend during the tournament to help keep their body at its peak through this gruelling event.

Good recovery habits are essential for all players’ wellbeing, health and performance. Here are a few key points from Molly:

Sleep: essential for recovery in sport and exercise and the number 1 most important recovery modality. Sleep facilitates healing and thus helps the body to recover both physically and mentally.

Ice baths: can play an integral role in recovery. By ice baths we mean submersing your body in cool water. Cold water emersion helps to optimise strength and accelerate post exercise recovery.

Contrast Water Therapy: lying down or sitting in a bath full of ice can be useful if combined with then jumping in warm water (either a bath or shower). Contrast water therapy largely has similar results to cold water immersion. It helps muscle fatigue, reduces muscle soreness and muscle strength loss post-exercise.

Compression garments: are another effective way for accelerating recovery. Compression garments are effective both during and post exercise.

Nutrition: it is important to not only think of nutrition before and during training/an event, but also after exercise.

Warm down: helps your body regulate back from an exercise state to a non-exercise state, to modulate and protect your immune system.

You can make an appointment with Molly, or any of the other physio, massage and pilates therapists online at Physiologix.com.au or call on (07) 3511 1112.

Mitchelton & Districts GardenClub

The Geology of Gardening Success

Last month, our Club learned that an understanding of geology is vital for gardening success. Guest Speaker Bruce Ham, from The Brisbane Organic Growers Inc. (BOGI), explained the ways in which

geological influences affect soil for gardening. These included:

pH Levels: The mineral composition of the parent material affects the pH level of the soil. Soils derived from limestone or basalt, for example, may be more alkaline, while those from granite may be more acidic. An awareness of this helps gardeners choose plants that will thrive in an environment aligning with their pH preferences.

Mineral and Nutrient Content: The geological parent material contributes essential nutrients to the soil. Volcanic soils often provide plants with essential nutrients like potassium. Soils derived from granite will have a different mineral composition than those derived from limestone. Knowing the nutrient and mineral profile of your soil means you are better able to make informed decisions about fertilization to address deficiencies.

Our Club members now have a deeper appreciation for geological influences for plant growth - thank you Bruce!

Our Guest Speakers will cover a variety of gardening topics, including Native Plants and Begonias. For more information, please email us at mitcheltongc@gmail.com.

Our meetings are held at The Enoggera Memorial Hall (Trundle St) on the first Thursday of the month. Doors open at 9:30 am and the $5.00 entry fee includes morning tea hope to see you there soon!

Ithaca Probus Club News Newmarket Bocce Club News

A new name for Ithaca Probus Club

After much discussion on how to keep up with the pervasive on-line world of today members approved a modification of the club’s name at the March general meeting. Once finally ratified by the national governing body our club will be formally known as Probus Club of Red Hill-Ithaca. It is a return to the club’s origins, having been formed in Red Hill 24 years ago. Retaining Ithaca as part of the name satisfied members wishes to retain a connection with the history of the club.

The club also held its AGM in March, with most of the Management Committee soldiering on for another year. We were also pleased to be able to hold all our fees at the current rate. The new Probus year was celebrated with a lunch at Zegato’s Restaurant.

With all the procedural issues behind us members are looking forward to the usual range of activities – guest speakers, cards, poetry, walks, and of course dine-outs. First up in April will be a BBQ at Walton Bridge. Speaker for April will be club member Geoff Crane with “Australia’s Commemorative Coins and Stamps” in recognition of ANZAC DAY.

New members are always most welcome at Red Hill – Ithaca Probus Club. Check our web site to see our range of activities which follow the themes of Probus – Friendship, Fellowship and Fun.

We meet at 9.30am on the 2nd Thursday each month except December and January at the Red Hill Bowls and Community Club in Fulcher Road, Red Hill, or as a guest on any of our outings.

Come and give us a try: please phone either of our Club Membership Officers Sue Vivian on 0413 544 202 or Caroline Graham on 0411 459 687.

What another fantastic day of bocce on Sunday 25th. One of our golden oldie bocce players Charlie Parrella attended, 3 years running for the Charlie Parrella Family Day Bocce Competition. Once again, Redlands Bocce joined us. There were 32 players, 8 teams of 4 players from both clubs.

Lunch was superb prepared by Silva Piotto. Maria De Marco, Rebecca Zaini, and Sarina Di Sipio. Thanks to all others who helped out. And a raffle prepared by our Treasurer Bill. Let’s not forget our president Tony Di Sipio who was here, there and everywhere. Of course I have to give myself a pat on the back as well.

Winners: Newmarket 1st and 2nd, and Redlands 3rd. 1st: Mario De Marco, Natale Zaini, Bruno Cappellone and Nadia Lazzarin. 2nd: Tony Giacoboni, Orlando Piotto, Philippe Antelme and Caterino Lazarrin. 3rd: Enzo, Lewis, Olinda and Melissa.

Thank you to our sponsor Charlie and his Grandson Michael who made the presentations. He congratulated Newmarket and indicated that he will be back next year.

Sponsors are important in any sport and our club appreciates what they do for us.

Please contact: Mario 0403 257 325; Tony 0418 731 423; or Bill 0431 458 481.

The KeperraClinic

Introducing The Keperra Clinic: Elevating Healthcare in North Western Suburbs

A new healthcare facility has emerged in the bustling heart of Keperra. The Keperra Clinic, a beautifully appointed high-end clinic, has officially opened its doors, promising exceptional medical services delivered in an approachable and comprehensive manner.

Situated at 5 Dallas Parade, The Keperra Clinic houses a team of highly qualified General Practitioners dedicated to providing outstanding care to the local community.

The clinic offers a comprehensive range of specialty services encompassing Babies and Children's health, Adolescent health, Women’s and Men’s health.

Services offered include:

• Family Planning including pregnancy care, contraception and sexual health, offering guidance and support to empower individuals to make informed decisions regarding their reproductive health and future

• Dermatological expertise including minor skin procedures

and dermatology concerns

• Iron Infusions

• Preventative care, chronic disease management, mental health

• And general medical care

Beyond healthcare provision, The Keperra Clinic believes in fostering partnerships with patients, promoting overall well-being and vitality. By scheduling a stress-free check-up, individuals can take proactive steps towards a healthier life, assured of a motivating environment during every visit.

To book an appointment at The Keperra Clinic, residents can visit their website or contact the friendly team at 3523 4845. The clinic is committed to being an integral part of the local community, prioritizing the health and well-being of all its residents.

Discover compassionate care and comprehensive healthcare at The Keperra Clinic, where women's health is elevated to new heights.

Keperra Clinic Doctors; Rushanthi Pereira, Lois Macfarlane and Kerri Toland

The Gap Pioneer & History Group Inc

The Gap Soldiers’ Settlement

Under the terms of The Discharged Soldiers’ Act of 1917, the Government acquired the 375-acre property in The Gap owned by butcher William Harwood Ashton, to establish a “Soldiers’ Settlement” after WW1.

Acquisition Valuation Report by Joseph Shannon, Land Ranger: “At present the property is used as a slaughtering paddock by W.H. Ashton. It consists of open forest, ring barked, partly cleared and stumped. It drops gently from the road towards Fish Creek to rise again unbroken with an easy slope towards high country. There are 40 acres stumped and broken up and at one time under cultivation. The water can be considered permanent even during the dry spells as there are good waterholes along Fish Creek. Mr Ashton relies on the creek for his water supply”.

Improvements at the time of acquisition: “Two sawn timber houses of 3 to 4 rooms with roofs of galvanised iron. A Slaughterhouse. A Hide House and Drying Shed. Two Boiler Houses and Seven Boilers. Two Piggeries. A Barn. A Stable and Harness Room. A Hay Shed. A Concrete Dip and Holding Yards. A Windmill and Water Tank. Five miles of mixed fencing. Valuation: Infrastructure 827.0.0 Pounds; 375-acres of land @ 7 Pounds 5 Shillings per acre = 2719.0.0 Pounds. A total valuation of 3546.0.0 Pounds”.

Queensland Parliamentary Papers 1921 Vol. 1. Page 1039. Enoggera Poultry Settlement (The Gap) established 30th September 1919.

The Gap Pioneer and History Group welcomes new members –

Contact: jeffhilder@outlook.com

Brisbane North Cake Decorators Local SportingSuccess

Aerobic Gymnastics is a high performance and intensity sport that combines gymnastics skills with dance. Aerobics Gymnastic routines combine continuous movement, flexibility, strength, and a high degree of perfectly executed elements of difficulty.

While not a well-known sport, local girl Emily Hill is an elite competitor who is a member of the River City Gymnastics Academy High Performance Squad. Emily and her team members have been selected in the National Squad and will represent Australia at the Cantanhede Open International Competition in Portugal in 2 weeks.

There will be further competitions and selection trials throughout

What a fun day we had recently with a group of ladies and children at the Samford Bowls Club creating Sugar Easter Eggs. The room was a hive of activity as each participant decorated two Easter Eggs.

This was a great way to spread the word about how much fun our hobby can be. There is always something new being developed and learning new techniques together makes it fun. We even get to laugh at our disasters!

Our meeting on 20 April is a workshop conducted by Sarah Jane from Studio Cakes on Samford Road. Sarah Jane will be teaching us some of the newer techniques used on sides of fondant covered cakes.

Several of our members are visiting the Logan Branch for a demonstration day at the end of March and are hoping to pick up more new ideas.

Brisbane North Cake Decorators is a branch of the Queensland Cake Decorators Association Inc. We meet monthly on the third Saturday of the month (except December) at the Arana Hills Community Centre, 291 Dawson Parade, Arana Hills at 1.00pm.

Details are on our Facebook page if anyone is interested, Brisbane North Cake Decorators Association QCDA or via email

brisbanenorthcakedecorators@gmail.com

the year hopefully culminating in National selection for the World Championships being held in Italy during September.

If you have any If you have any sporting stories you’d like me to share – please email John Nielsen: johnnielsen2@optusnet.com.au

Out &About

Scrumptious Reads & Arthur Terrace Coffee Shop 92 & 94 Arthur Tce, Red Hill

Coffee and books are a heavenly combination for a Saturday morning, so I decided to visit the neighbouring Scrumptious Reads and Arthur Terrace Coffee Shop in Red Hill.

Scrumptious Reads is more than a bookshop. Yes, it holds a carefully-curated selection of books guaranteed to be good, with a special focus on culinary books. But if you think deeper into how reads could possibly be scrumptious you may get a clue.

The lower floor of the shop includes a kitchen, where during their cookbook launches, chefs are able to show off recipes from their books or run cooking courses. Excitingly, Scrumptious Reads is re-starting their monthly Cook Book Club later in the year, where a chef will make dinner in-store for members. They also run a normal Book Club on the second Tuesday of every month.

And if that hasn’t blown your mind enough, Scrumptious Reads also hosts an art gallery on the lower floor, where exhibitions and art workshops run throughout the year.

After my wonderful time in the book store, I headed next door to the Arthur Terrace Coffee Shop and ordered a perfect iced coffee - with ice cream and without too much cream. It was delicious. They offer a wide range of drinks including smoothies, juices and not-so-sweet iced coffees, as well as breakfast until 11:45am.

Scrumptious Reads is open 9am-2pm Tuesday-Saturday.

Arthur Terrace Coffee Shop is open 6am-12pm weekdays and 7am-12pm weekends.

Author & images: Evie Drinnan

AshgroveRangers

It is good to see so many people out and about. With the cooler weather, it is a wonderful time to be getting some exercise, whether it be running or walking.

That is the good part. Unfortunately, few of us were taught how to walk properly, let alone run. We all have our idiosyncrasies and bad habits, and they show in how we run. Common mistakes are arms swinging across the body or elbows out like chicken wings. And don’t get me started on faults in people’s gaits!

We can all improve, and the more we improve, the more efficient our running will be. We will burn more calories for less exertion, and we will feel better for it.

That is where Ashgrove Rangers can help. We aim to make you a better runner. We do not teach you how to run faster; we teach you how to run better. As the latter improves, so too will your speed. However, if you only concentrate on the former, there will be only one result: injury.

We conduct training at The Gap State High School oval on Mondays and Thursdays. Aim for a 5:45 pm arrival for a 6:00 pm start. Sessions last for approximately one hour. They are open to club members and non-members alike (although, of course, we would like you to join the club!). Sessions cost $2 to cover the cost of lighting.

We run other sessions, as well. Details can be found at www.ashgroverangers.org.

Finally, a quick reminder about two upcoming events:

The Criterium Relay will again be held on Anzac Day at the Nundah bicycle track. Race Promotions are organising it. Details can be found at www.therelays.com.au. Ashgrove Rangers will be entering teams.

The May Day long weekend sees the running of the South Burnett Rail Trail Relay from Kingaroy to Wondai and back. The total distance is 60km, but individual legs are only 5km or so. The race is organised by Ashgrove Rangers. More details are available from our website.

For the Love Of Books

We have so many great cafes in the Western Suburbs so I visited a few over the last month to check out what some of the patrons are reading, and to enjoy myself a latte or two.

Just down the road in The Gap is Happy Days! There I found lovely Sofie who was reading a translated fiction fave ‘Before The Coffee Gets Cold’. Sofie wanted to pick up “something short and sweet” between her usual fantasy reads. So far she is “enjoying the unique take on time travel and love”. I really enjoyed this one too!

In Ashgrove at the popular Mistress of Spice, I found local and Mistress regular Christine reading the epic ‘Daisy Jones and the Six’ by Taylor Jenkins Reid. This one became an instant classic and is now a TV series. Christine loves how it’s “written like a documentary”. She admits she had to google to “find out if it was a true story”, and I admit I did the same! It is apparently based on the true story of Fleetwood Mac though so we weren’t far off!

Over in Keperra at Pepper & Salt Café, Generosso was enjoying a coffee and reading “The Leave’s Forget” by his favourite Author, Allan Baxter. Gen is a huge Baxter fan and has read almost all of his ‘weird horror’ collection. This one was “compelling from the start” said Gen. So much so that he ended up “reading it in almost one sitting!” I’m a bit of a scaredy cat, but if you enjoy good horror, Gen suggests you check Baxter out.

Lastly, the Arthur Terrace Coffee Shop, neighbours with ‘Scrumptious Reads’ in Red Hill, is frequented by many booklovers, including ex-Scrumptious employee and ferocious reader Meg. Meg has a love of Australian Literature and a “soft-spot for the short story genre”, so “The Waterfowl Are Drunk” by Kate Liston Mills ticked all of her boxes! “It even features artwork by Brisbane-based artist Gert Hayer.” Meg enthuses. The stories are “set in a small coastal town, with characters and actions unfolding across generations. Kate weaves her collection of stories together with humour, insight, and a gentle humanity that is relatable and satisfying”. Meg has certainly made me keen to pick this one up!

Happy Reading! @sarahsbookchat

Principal'sPoints...

Hilder Road State School

During Term 1 at Hilder Road State School we had many opportunities to celebrate wonderful student outcomes.

Our new Prep students have settled in very well and have adjusted to all the new routines beautifully. They have made new friends and have begun to know their way around the school.

Internet Safe Week saw our Year 4-6 students participate in customised Cybersafety sessions. They learned the skills and knowledge necessary to use the internet safely and became aware of their rights and responsibilities in the digital world. We were lucky enough to also have a session for our Yr 4 parents, as our newest members of our BYOD program.

Our Year 3 and Year 1 students went to Pullenvale Environmental Education Centre (PEEC). The Year 3s participated in a program called Mission Earth. While our Year 1 students participated in the Forest Kingdom Program.

Our Student Leadership Ceremony celebrated the leadership achievements of many students - particularly our Year 6 students. Our thanks go to the following people: Mr and Mrs Jeff and Anne Hilder, school Patrons; Elizabeth Watson-Brown MP; Cr Steve Toomey; and Senior Constable Lyndsay Askew, HRSS Adopt-a-Cop. Our School Captains for 2024 are Sophia S and Finn McG, and our Vice Captains are Zara E and Louisa S. Congratulations to all our captains: Arts, Community, Advocacy, Production and

House Captains along with our Year 4 and 5 Class Representatives.

Our upper school students have shown wonderful sportsperson ship already. We also had great success with our Soccer Development Squad making it into the Metro North Futsal finals. We enjoyed the whole school Cross Country at the end of the term. It was a great opportunity to cheer on our sporting houses.

Payne Road State School

Leadership at Payne Road State School has been number one on our agenda for the start of the school year. Leadership comes in many forms (School leaders, Sports House Leaders, Arts Leaders, Wellbeing, Technology Environmental, Ecomarines and Student Council leaders from Year 3-6) and across year levels to enable students at our school to have a voice and be heard.

We also provide many opportunities for students to see their protentional to be a leader through engagement with external opportunities and partnerships.

In Week 3 our three Year 5/6 classes ventured to Pullenvale Education Centre (PEEC) for a day of personal leadership development. At Payne Road we consider all of our students in Years 5 and 6 to be leaders at our school to help uphold and preserve our shared values.

In Week 4, we held our School Leaders Investiture Ceremony to induct our year 6 elected leaders into their positions. As part of our connection to

Principal'sPoints... Principal'sPoints...

culture and the land on which we gather for this annual ceremony, prior to our leader’s investiture we began the day with a traditional smoking ceremony to cleanse our soul and our school to make ways for new beginnings and celebrations of our community on land traditionally used for education and learning. We invited Uncle Gavin and Aunty Kaylene to help with our ceremony.

Once students have been inducted into their Leadership positions, they attend Leadership camp, organised by the Deputy Principals at many cluster schools. Student leaders attend this valuable skill building day, hear from great leaders in their field of expertise and work with like- minded leaders from neighbouring schools. Again, this is a great opportunity and partnership to enhance our student’s leadership capabilities.

St Peter Chanel Catholic Primary School

Recently, our Primary Learning Leader, Cindy Plater, had the honor of teaming up with Donna Gray, Education Officer Curriculum and Learning, to present at the Cluster Three regional meeting for Principals. They shared two practices developed as part of St Peter Chanel’s Explicit Improvement Agenda in 2023.

One of these practices is based on the process of planning using a document that develops teacher clarity across the curriculum. Teachers refer to this as our ‘Curriculum Clarity’ document. It is one of the keys to success

in our moderation and unit planning and is a tool that fosters teacher clarity across all subjects.

Cindy also shed light on our school-wide moderation process. This process helps teachers understand their students' progress and target their learning needs effectively. At the end of each semester, teachers come together to review evidence of student learning, ensuring fair and balanced judgments are made by year-level teachers to report to parents.

Donna introduced one of our new ways of working called Snapshot Observations. A practice where teachers observe their peers in action during a short snapshot of a lesson. These observations aren't about judgment but about learning from one another to enhance teaching practices. This year, Snapshot Observations will continue, focusing particularly on mathematics lessons.

These meetings are a chance for schools across Brisbane Catholic Education to meet and share their stories of success. St Peter Chanel continues to build teachers' knowledge and ensure high quality teaching excellence is delivered each day. Both the Curriculum Clarity document and Snapshot Observations demonstrate our commitment to continuous improvement and collaboration in providing the best education for our students at St Peter Chanel.

The Gap State School

It is my pleasure to acknowledge our school leaders for 2024.

Congratulations to School Captains and School Vice Captains, Jason, Madeline, Ellie and Merrin, who are committed to making a difference in our school community and serving their fellow students. Our Investiture Assembly was held on 20 February, when leadership badges were presented to 2024 school leaders. The Gap State School 2024 student leaders are:

Senior Leaders (Oliver, Julian, Emily, Daniella, Charlie, Emilia, Louella, Pepa, Jasmin, Arlo, Amelia, Amber, Sid, Josie, Kayde, Alexis, Lincoln, Chloe, Lola, Blake, Piper); Music Captains (Ruby, Ben, Sofia, Miriam, Nathaly, Emma, Toby); House Captains (Tilda, Paige, Rosie, Eziyin, Riley, Evie, Lucas, Jenna); House Vice Captains (Teipo, Carina, Teddy, Ava, Patrick, Imogen, Harrison, Ayla); Learning Technology Leaders (Zaki, Sebastian, Thomas, Jackson, Fynn, Asher, Harry); Library Leaders (Abigail, Evie, Blessing, Ari, Sarathi, Harrison); Sustainability Club Representatives (Tekla, Annabelle, Elisa, Maddison, Hazel, Lyvia, John, Anna, Piper, Clio, Dunan, Lola, Zach); Student Councillors (Amelia, Harvey, Ryley, Agustya, Nahian, Oscar, Jasper, Poppy, Nicholas, Blake, Micah, Piper).

Congratulations to students who have been selected into North West District and Met North sporting teams this term.

NWD Swimming (Lucas, Toby, Zara, Clio, Noah and Ayla); MN Swimming (Lucas); NWD Rugby League (Harrison); NWD Hockey (Ava, Joshua,

Tilda).

The Gap State School Open Day will be held on Thursday, 23 May 2024 from 9:00am to 10:30am. Please see our ad on page 19. More information about the Open Day and enrolments are available on the school’s website.

The Gap State High School

We're excited to invite you to our upcoming Experience Day (see our ad on page 26)! At The Gap State High School, we believe that every student deserves the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential. Our Experience Day is the perfect chance for you and your family to learn more about our school, meet our Executive Principal, and discover the incredible Programs of Excellence that we offer. We've planned a wide range of activities, performances, and delicious food for you and your children to enjoy. You'll have the opportunity to speak with experts in each subject area and learn more about the unique opportunities that our school can provide. This event is especially helpful for parents who are preparing to transition their children to high school. We hope that you can join us on Thursday 18 April 2024, from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm at The Gap State High School located on 1020 Waterworks Road in The Gap. If you'd like to learn more about this event, please visit our website or contact us directly. We can't wait to see you there!