Homepage Latest News Archives - Page 25 of 36

Planned Aquatic Centre at St John’s Anglican College to Put Forest Lake On the Map

Following the completion of the St John’s Sports Centre in 2020, the Anglican school in Forest Lake has announced plans to build a new $16-million world-class aquatic centre that will put the suburb on the map.

Principal Mrs Maria McIvor confirmed the approval of the concept design for the facility, which will include a 50-metre outdoor swimming pool with 10 lanes, an indoor pool for swimming lessons, a strength and conditioning gymnasium, and a grandstand with 800 seats. BSPN Architecture created the concept design.

With Brisbane officially confirmed as the host of the 2032 Olympics, MsMcIvor envisions that St John’s Anglican College‘s upcoming aquatic centre, the first of its kind in Forest Lake, will be utilised as an Olympic training facility. The principal said that they look forward “to establishing key partnerships and programs” to support these Olympic programs, as well as the community’s needs.

Highlights

St John’s Anglican College in Forest Lake will build a $16-million aquatic centre.
The school plans to open the facility for other school’s use, swimming lessons, and for Olympic training programs.
The project is expected to be completed in 2025.

The centre will deliver swimming lessons for the students on campus and boost St John’s performance and interschool sports offering. However, it will also be open to other local schools and other public programs. The site will have its own community cafe.

Photo Credit: BSPN Architecture/St John’s Anglican College

St John’s Anglican College restructured its sports department to boost student enrollment and the $16-million aquatic centre will complete its College Sporting Centre of Excellence.

This project has been part of the Master Plan for the senior campus, which includes the delivery of six learning areas for the next five years, including a sporting precinct with swimming facilities.

The school intends to submit the BGA application in January 2022 and conduct a consultation with the wider community. Construction for the aquatic centre is projected to start in 2024 and competed by the end of 2025.

St John's gets behind #Brisbane2032 announcing approval of concept and planning for a world-class Aquatic Centre with an Olympic swimming facility!
This $16million project will be a one of a kind facility in the local area. Expected delivery 2025. @AnnastaciaMP #GreenGoldDay pic.twitter.com/MYPr4Wp3sF
— St John's Anglican (@stjohnsanglican) July 30, 2021

BK’s Gymnastics Eyes Expansion in Richlands

BK’s Gymnastics, one of Australia’s largest-privately owned health and leisure companies, is planning to expand in Richlands with a children’s “super leisure centre” that will offer gymnastics and swimming lessons in one roof.

Working in partnership with Allstars, a gymnastics club based in Toowomba with over 1,200 participants, BK’s Gymnastics has seen growth in the last two years, driving the group to open new sites and make sports more accessible to the children.

The Richlands centre location has not yet been divulged but it will be one of two new sites to open in Queensland, with Springfield Lakes as the other location. The facilities will be geared towards launching fun programs for children of all ages, including babies who could learn swimming at three months old.

Highlights

BK’s Gymnastics will open a “super leisure centre” for kids in Richlands.
The company has partnered with Allstars gymnastics club to open more sites across the country in 2021.
Gymnastics continues to be a popular sport for children below 12 years old.

“Many in the industry, including BK’s Gymnastics, have been working hard to make the sport more accessible and provide programs for younger kids and a progressive pathway through the sport as kids grow,” Allstars’ owner Vicki Flamsteed said. Ms Flamsteed will steer BK’s Gymnastics growth in the region.

The CEO believes that the training they will provide at their centres will enhance the balance and coordination of the children, especially if they decide to pursue other sports.

In particular, interest in gymnastics among Australian children below 12 has risen to 17 percent in the time of COVID-19, according to an AusPlay survey.

Meanwhile, BK’s Gymnastics and Allstars, under the Belgravia Group banner, launched a new franchise model to target 10 locations across the country for the current calendar year.

To learn more about BK’s Gymnastics, follow their Facebook page.

Forest Lake High School Steps Up At BPAC Dance Excellence 2021

Photo credit: Forest Lake State High School/Facebook

Students from Forest Lake High School’s Dance Program of Excellence finished first in various categories at the Brisbane Performing Arts Challenge (BPAC) 2021 held at St John’s Anglican College last month.

Read: Brisbane Broncos Program Brings Famous Athletes to Forest Lake

Over the two days of competition, the school’s senior and junior troupes performed 11 dances winning 1st, 2nd, or 3rd for every performance.

The varsity team won first place whilst Mega Crew ranked second for the Senior Hip-Hop category. The students’ ‘Proud Mary’ and ‘Beetlejuice’ performances also won for the Senior Musical Theatre.

The juniors, on the other hand, also took second places for the contemporary and hip hop categories and third places for both musical theatre and jazz.

Forest Lake High School’s Dance Excellence Program aims to provide students with the opportunity to develop their potential along the elite pathway of dance performance whilst maintaining their performance in academic studies.

Because of this recognition, Forest Lake High School was invited to perform at BPAC’s next Gala concert.

BPAC 2021

This year’s Brisbane Performing Arts Challenge gave over $83,000 worth of prizes and bursaries that go straight back to the performers.

“We acknowledge the fabulous long term support of so many of our Sponsors and welcome new connections every year as well. BPAC 2022 is already underway and we look forward to seeing everyone back next year,” BPAC wrote in a Facebook post.

BPAC 2021’s creative partners are Dancenorth Australia, The Australian Ballet School, Ev & Bow, Australiasian Dance Collective, The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) at Edith Cowan University, and the National Institute of Dramatic Art.

Flavour Over Form! BurgerMe Aims for the Classics at New Calamvale Shop

Picture-perfect Instagrammable food from trendy restaurants sometimes don’t live up to the hype, so this newly-opened food joint on Kameruka Street in Calamvale has decided to prioritise flavour over form. BurgerMe has gone back to the delivious basics and promises to offer only classic burgers with the usual side of fries, wings and shakes.

Managed by the family that runs Sam’s Gourmet Pizza and led by Bilal Ghumra, BurgerMe brings just the basics to the table because it’s what they do best.

The Ghumras, who have been in Calamvale for 15 years, have had their eye on establishing a burger joint around the suburbs for years. However, it took them until mid-June 2021 to finally open a shop after finding the perfect location just a few minutes from their home.

Every food at BurgerMe is prepared fresh in-house, including their custom-blended beef patties. To slightly widen the burger joint’s appeal, BurgerMe has special Halal burger bacon, which their patrons have said tastes so close to the real thing.

Meanwhile, the Ghumras continue to run the rest of their Sam’s Gourmet Pizza restaurants together as a family enterprise since gaining its ownership in 2014. The boys learned how to run a restaurant from their patriarch Imtiyaz, who had a steak restaurant in Leicester in England. Imtiyaz, now retired, still helps out at the family’s Brisbane stores.

Check out BurgerMe’s menu, store hours and other updates on their Facebook page.

“Was going to take photos for a review but ate it before I had the chance because it smelt so good (also tasted incredible the smell didn’t lie). Great size portion for the price and the price is also good for the quality of food. We both ordered the MaconBurger and loved the caramelised onions, the fact the bacon was in small pieces not a large piece, and the patty was so juicy and not at all dry. I had mine with a gluten free bun that was one of the best buns I have eaten. My partner had a normal burger and loved how the bun was soft not crunchy. We tried both the curly fries and the normal fries and loved both, personally just wished they had more salt on the curly fries. My partner had the meal deal and ordered a shake instead of soda, it was a nice shake but we felt it was slightly expensive at $7 to upgrade from a soda. The other thing to note was staff were super friendly and helpful. Overall was amazing food and will definitely be going back.”
Sarah Brook, Facebook

“Macon MY DAYYYYY !!!
Indeed made my day.
Milkshakes & Burgers with curly fires, kids happily sorted.
Now other burgers joints have to either lift their game or leave the game, burgers war is ON !!!”
Yaseen Hairder

“Went in tonight for a little birthday feed and what can I say, I was amazed at the menu choices and hospitality of the owner. We had the Pops steak burger with the Nashville chutney, colonel Sanders burger, and mozzarella sticks. Unfortunately they had run out of the wings but hey there’s always next time! The steak was soft, the Nashville chutney was just the right amount spicy and the chicken in the colonel Sanders was juicy and cooked to perfection. Also a huge plus for us was that the burgers were not dripping sauce and falling apart. We will definitely be coming back and trying out the rest of the menu. Keep up the great work!”
Mohammed Shahim

Relief from Forest Lake Illegal Dumping Complaints as Kerbside Collection Resumes

Did you know that Forest Lake has the third-highest illegal dumping complaints since kerbside collection was temporarily halted? Much to the relief of the residents, the service is due to resume soon.

In April 2020, kerbside collection was initially paused due to the pandemic, triggering an increase in illegal dumping reports across Brisbane. For the next 10 months, Forest Lake had 35 illegal dumping cases.

On the other hand, Inala (74 reports), Doolandella (36 reports), Calamvale (29 reports) and Zillmere (27 reports) were also in the top five suburbs with increasing illegal dumping cases, causing waste to scatter in footpaths, roads and parks. Tipshop trips increased by as much as 18.6 percent as residents were left to dispose of their large, unwanted items commonly collected during the regular kerbside run.

Photo Credit: Geebung Treasure Trove/Facebook

Brisbane City Council Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner announced in mid-2020 that kerbside collection will not resume until July 2022 as funds for the service would be used for COVID-19 recovery initiatives. To appease angry ratepayers, the Council launched an expanded free waste voucher program to allow residents to dispose of their household wastes at no cost.

Council said that 617,384 of these vouchers were redeemed in 2020, up from 520,468 in 2019. This suggested that many residents have been properly disposing of their unwanted items.

However, illegal dumping reports rose to 117 during the first three months of the kerbside collection pause whilst the complaints were less than 10 during the pre-COVID lockdowns. Meanwhile, residents kept rallying for Council to reinstate the service.

Following the release of the budget for 2021-2022, Mr Schrinner confirmed the resumption of kerbside collection beginning July 2021. Residents of Forest Lake Ward have to keep tabs on these kerbside collection dates.

DATE	SUBURBS
30 August 2021	Forest Lake, Ellen Grove, Richlands
6 Sept 2021	Inala, Doolandella, Durak

Bookmark Council’s Kerbside Collection page for updates or in case of changes to the dates.

Pallara State School Bus Adds New Forest Lake and Heathwood Stops

Did you know that the 803 school bus service to Pallara State School has expanded, extending to service areas such as Sanctuary Pocket and Chain of Ponds estates in Forest Lake and Heathwood?

The 803 school bus service to Pallara State School extended its services on the 12th of July 2021, utilising existing bus stops in Old Blunder Rd and Wadeville St as well as additional bus stops in Sanctuary Pocket and Chain of Ponds estates to expand the existing 803 route.

Councillor Angela Owen encourages parents to give their children the opportunity to use this school bus service as less cars on the road means reduced congestion around the school. The 803 school bus service brings children all the way from Heathwood Estate to Pallara State School and back.

Morning		Afternoon
7:55 a.m.	Parkwood Dr near Juniper Street	2.42 p.m.	Vied Rd near Landel St
7:55 a.m.	Parkwood Dr near Acacia St	2.44 p.m.	Esky Rd near Kraft Rd
7:55 a.m.	Parkwood Dr near Coolibah St	2.46 p.m.	Laxton Rd near Esky Rd
7:56 a.m.	Parkwood Dr near Laurel St	2.50 p.m.	Ritchie Rd near Wadeville St
7:58 a.m.	Ritchie Rd near De Vries Rd	2.53 p.m.	Parkwood Dr near Juniper St
7:59 a.m.	Ritchie Rd at Ritchie – Van Dieren	2.54 p.m.	Parkwood Dr near Coolibah St
8:00 a.m.	Laxton Rd near Ritchie Rd	2.55 p.m.	Parkwood Dr near Laurel St
8:05 a.m.	Vied Rd near Landel Rd
8:08 a.m.	Sweets Rd near Ritchie Rd
8:11 a.m.	Kraft Rd near Esky Rd
8:13 a.m.	Ritchie Rd at Palla

Pick-Up Rules and Regulations

Drop-off and pick-up areas have been marked with passenger loading zone signs, and passengers who wish to enter or leave the bus have a maximum of two minutes to do so. Parents are allowed to leave their vehicles to help their children enter safely, however they are not allowed to stray and walk too far from their vehicles.

Parents can also stay in the signed area for a maximum of two minutes, and taking any longer will result in a fine. In the event that a student is not ready to enter the vehicle, parents will have to drive around and queue once again. Children should only enter and leave vehicles at the signed area as it is unsafe to let them in or out while waiting in a queue.

It is also important to remember that parking and stopping across pedestrian crossings is a criminal offense that could lead to fines as it endangers the crossing supervisors, students and parents who make use of the crossing. The Pallara State School has a large parent car park next to the drop off/pickup areas, and parking on the road outside of the grounds is not permitted and could result in fines.

The Pallara State School can be found at 39 Ritchie Rd, Pallara. For more information, visit their website here.

Brisbane Broncos Program Brings Famous Athletes to Forest Lake

Indigenous Australian sporting legends came to visit the students at Forest Lake High School as part of a Brisbane Broncos event to inspire indigenous children.

On Tuesday the 11th of May 2021, roughly 30 indigenous students from Forest Lake High School were able to meet with Australian sporting legends at an event hosted by the Beyond the Broncos Girls Academy.

Justin Hodges and Beryl Friday, of the Brisbane Broncos and the Queensland Firebirds respectively, ran interactive workshops throughout the day to inspire and encourage indigenous students to work hard and aspire for greatness.

Justin Hodges and Beryl Friday.
Photo credit: CC BY/Anke/Wikimedia Commons.
CC BY-SA/Sheba_Also/Wikimedia Commons

The Brisbane Broncos program, which was created to assist indigenous girls in schools all over Australia by providing them with educational opportunities, was first launched in Forest Lake in 2020. Currently, the program is assisting over 1,700 girls across Queensland and New South Wales between Year 7 and Year 12.

Following the program’s launch in late 2020, the school has seen a sharp increase in the attendance rate of indigenous students, especially after they received visits from Australian sporting legends who endorse the program and its goals.

One such example includes the former ANZ champion and Beyond the Broncos ambassador Beryl Friday, who played for the Queensland Firebirds. Beryl, a proud Nyungkul woman, stated that education is “…one of the most important things women can have” as it allows them to make informed decisions which can benefit them now, as well as future generations.

“Through the Broncos Girls Academy, we have a unique opportunity to make Australia better for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and give them the tools to pave a successful path for their futures,” said Ms Friday.

The Beyond the Broncos Girls Academy was first established in 2016 and it has supported more than 4,000 students since then, inspiring children by recognising the vital role young indigenous women play in influencing future generations.

For more information, visit their website here. Follow their Facebook page for the latest updates and announcements concerning the program.

Stay in Shape at the New Goodlife Richlands

Ready to get back into the groove of things and return to that active, healthy lifestyle? Stay in shape at the newly-opened Goodlife Health Clubs outlet in Richlands.

Goodlife Richlands, which opened its doors to the public on the 8th of April 2021, had a significantly stronger start than anticipated as Australians rushed to return to an active and healthy lifestyle after the complications brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. This location is one of the first five new branches lined up nationally in 2021, including an all-new club in West End.

Among the programs offered at the health club include Arena Fitness and Reform Pilates.

Arena Fitness, the health club’s own coach-led boxing program, focuses on burning fat, building strength, and improving fitness. Reform Pilates improves posture and flexibility whilst simultaneously toning muscles.

Goodlife Richlands provides dedicated group exercise studios, cycling areas, saunas, and a functional training zone with sled track, high-quality cardio equipment, strength and weights sections, and squat racks.

All facilities provided by the health club are available to Goodlife members 24/7, meaning those interested in getting into shape can drop by at any time on any day of the week and start exercising — whether it be before work, after, or even both.

Goodlife Health Clubs Richlands can be found at 144 Pine Rd, Richlands, open 24 hours a day for seven days a week. For more information, visit their website here. Follow their social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates and special announcements concerning the health club.

Forest Lake Housing Market Moving Closer to $500,000 Median Price

Did you know that Forest Lake is moving closer to the $500K mark after its latest median home prices came in at $455K?

Forest Lake’s housing market joins Durack, Ellen Grove and Fitzgibbon as the suburbs nearing the half a million club. Inala, Wacol and Richlands are still trailing behind with an average house price between $355,000 to $410,000.

In Forest Lake, it’s also cheaper to buy a house than to rent because of low interest rates and a first-home buyer’s grant. Some buyers could end up luckier than most because there are houses less than $500,00 that will not need heavy refurbishments or renovations.

However, some industry experts warn of the downsides amidst the property boom, record sales, and packed auctions and open houses as new investors, young and first-home buyers only have these suburbs as options based on the house price listing they could afford.

A robust Brisbane housing market, which has been projected to have a five to eight percent increase every quarter in 2021, could leave out just Inara and Wacol for new buyers considering to invest in Brisbane by the end of the year.

But life in Forest Lake may still be a worthy investment for young families despite a looming median price increase as it’s a quiet, green and clean town with many public parks. There are also fewer broken down or dilapidated houses compared to other suburbs nearby. First-time buyers could acquire a house with a spacious backyard compared to living in a shoebox in suburbs closer to the CBD, according to a longtime resident.

New Guardian Childcare and Education Centre Opens in Richlands

Guardian Childcare and Education, a leading early learning provider with over 120 sites across the country, has opened a new world-class centre in Richlands. The custom-designed facility is the centre’s third state-of-the-art site to open in Brisbane in the last 12 months after Taringa and Coopers Plain.

Located near the Richlands train station and within the HomeCo shopping centre, the facility has been ready to welcome children since 29 March 2021. With an experienced team of passionate educators, Guardian Childcare and Education is a convenient option for young families setting their roots around the developing areas of the suburb.

About 135 children between the ages of six weeks old to six years old can enroll at this Richlands site and experience high-quality learning and rearing across its nine dedicated learning spaces.

The centre has been designed with two playgrounds, a central outdoor play area and garden spaces for communal learning and socialisation. Lunch prepared by a full-time chef is served at the piazza, where meal-times are also vital to the children’s skill and social development. Babies, on the other hand, have their own sleeping corners and a secure and dedicated play area.

“The centre is unique not only in its beautiful environments, great location and easy access, but, more importantly, its representation of the local community, employing multi-lingual educators from the local area,” Megan Black, the General Manager of New Centres, said.

The children’s time at Guardian Childcare and Education will help prepare them once they attend formal schooling. For enquiries and for booking a tour of the facilities, visit the online site for Richlands residents.