Formerly a vibrant hub for skaters in South-West Brisbane, the Inala skating rink has languished as a neglected eyesore for two decades and is finally going up for sale, as prospective buyers and community stakeholders envision a new era of growth and opportunity for the area.
Citing the tremendous support for the approved DA A005187397 from the community and local government, Ray White Commercial’s Michael Feltoe is optimistic about the reconstruction.
Photo Credit: Screengrabs from Google Maps
The approval of a proposal for a pool and gym complex by Brisbane City Council in 2019 gave rise to optimism for a revitalisation project. By mid-2021, however, other specifics had to be determined, creating doubts about the planned three-story sports and commercial complex.
The rebuilding plans, by developer and Inala lawyer Hien Thi Nguyen, her brother Manh Nguyen, Justin Bellas, and Nathan Vecchio, received a lot of support with 2,171 submissions. This public backing emphasises how important it is to repurpose the location, which has sentimental meaning for many residents who learned to skate there.
Cr Charles Strunk (Forest Lake Ward) noted the community’s ongoing interest in the skate rink location, a frequently discussed topic in the ward. The property’s path, from its $1-million acquisition in March 2007 to the present auction, illustrates how the local real estate market is changing.
The property represents the shifting dynamics of the local real estate market as it goes from its dilapidated state to the auction block. Stakeholders are looking forward to the next chapter in the history of the Inala skating rink, which is expected to bring opportunities and positive development for everyone involved, and are excitedly awaiting the auction on 22 March 2024.
Here are a number of fun and healthy activities for Forest Lake seniors that promote wellness through the rejuvenating power of movement. Check them out now!
At Forest Lake Community Hall, Irene Taituha extends a warm invitation to seniors seeking joy and camaraderie through line dancing. Beginners are welcomed with open arms, and Irene can be reached at 0416310930. Amidst the laughter and gentle steps, participants forge connections over cups of tea, finding solace in the rhythm of the dance and the company of like-minded individuals.
Balance and Harmony through Tai Chi and Qigong
Under Julian’s guidance, seekers of balance and harmony gather at The Lake Parklands. Julian, reachable at 0439 073 860, leads participants through the graceful movements of Tai Chi and Qigong, fostering relaxation and calm amidst the natural beauty of Forest Lake. Against swaying trees and shimmering waters, individuals discover inner peace and vitality, embracing each moment with grace and serenity.
Discovering Strength and Flexibility with Yoga
With her compassionate spirit, Nichola invites seniors to explore the healing powers of yoga at Forest Lake Community Hall. Reachable at 0406 574 454, Nichola guides participants through modified practices tailored to individual needs. Amidst the gentle stretch of limbs and the soft hum of breath, individuals discover newfound strength, flexibility, and self-awareness, embarking on a journey of inner transformation and empowerment.
Forest Lake offers two vibrant walking groups for those who prefer the invigorating rhythm of footsteps amidst nature.
The Forest Lake Mob Walking Group, facilitated by the Heart Foundation, invites participants to stride towards better health and camaraderie. While dog companions may need to stay home, individuals seeking a medium-paced walk can join this weekly gathering. For more information and registration, follow this link.
Additionally, the Inala Forest Lake Walking Group welcomes both walkers and their furry friends. With a medium pace suitable for all, this weekly excursion through the picturesque surroundings of Forest Lake offers physical activity and the opportunity to connect with nature and fellow enthusiasts. Interested individuals can visit the provided link to join this group for more details.
Enjoy line dancing, Tai Chi, Qigong, yoga, and walks at Forest Lake. Find solace, joy, and companionship while discovering the enduring spirit of human resilience and boundless potential of communal unity.
Forest Lake has been highlighted as a key area for improvement, as part of a new initiative proposing to expand 40km/h zones in Brisbane to enhance road safety for schoolchildren.
Targeting seven areas across the city, the initiative will benefit approximately 21 schools in its initial rollout. Among them are St John’s Anglican College, Forest Lake State High School, and Arethusa College in the south.
This plan, set to encourage more parents to walk, bike, or scoot with their children to school, involves an increase in funding to around $10 million for the next Council budget, according to Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
Key components of the proposal include the installation of new pedestrian crossings, widening of footpaths, expansion of 40km/h zones, additional kerbside drop-off and pick-up zones, and creation of school zone gateways that mark safe walking routes for students.
The first phase will focus on four areas, impacting 12 schools and around 10,000 students. Success in these areas will lead to expansion into three more areas, including nine additional schools.
The initiative underscores the importance of detailed planning and community consultation, ensuring that any modifications align with the guidelines set by the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
This safety proposal aims to make school commutes safer and more appealing for walking, biking, and scooting and reduce road congestion in suburban areas, thereby enhancing overall community well-being.
As Brisbane approaches its Council elections, this initiative represents a significant point of discussion among candidates, reflecting broader commitments to improving city infrastructure and safety.
Oodles, a delightful mix of poodle and other breeds like Cocker Spaniels, Golden Retrievers, or Labradors, are the stars of a monthly play date organised at an off-leash dog park in Forest Lake.
Natalie Pham, a Forest Lake resident and proud owner of two adorable Oodles named Dino and Bambi, is the woman behind this regular event. Natalie’s took inspiration from her frequent encounters with fellow Oodle owners during her afternoon strolls with her beloved pets.
Having to sometimes travel nearly an hour for previous Oodle play dates with people she knew, Natalie decided it was time to create a local hub for Forest Lake Oodle owners.
She kickstarted her initiative by posting about the event on the Forest Lake Community Facebook page and created an official event for like-minded pet parents to join.
The response to Natalie’s event was immediate and enthusiastic. While approximately 20 people had initially indicated their attendance on the Facebook event page, the actual turnout exceeded all expectations.
Surprisingly, over 40 Oodles attended the event, accompanied by their fur families, making the event a delightful and bustling gathering.
As the event unfolded, Natalie discovered that the playdate served a greater community purpose. It provided a safe haven for Oodle owners who had previously encountered negative experiences at other dog parks, leading to anxiety in both their dogs and themselves. This newfound sense of camaraderie and safety has inspired Natalie to envision the playdate as an ongoing monthly event.
The next Oodles Play Date has been set for Sunday, 11 Feb 2024 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Forest Lake & Districts RSL Sub Branch members recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Sub Branch’s first meeting, which was held in late 1998. However, despite enjoying substantial growth then, the Sub Branch had no place to call home for 20 years.
The Forest Lake & Districts RSL Sub Branch boasts a tight-knit community of 127 League members and 61 social members, including two active foundation members. Most recently, the Sub Branch completed the refurbishment of its first clubhouse.
The Vision Behind the Clubhouse
Two of the Sub Branch’s dedicated committee members – District Delegate Dan Baldwin and Secretary Sharron Ford – shared the story of this ambitious project.
Dan joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as an airman in 1969 and served for 22 years. In 1975, he was accepted to undergo a three-year tertiary degree and received his commission in 1977.
Since finishing his military career, Dan has thrown himself into various volunteer roles serving the Forest Lake community. He has been a member of his local RSL Sub Branch for seven years. Dan has been part of the Sub Branch’s assistance dog training program.
Sharron became involved in the Forest Lake RSL Sub Branch in 2017, after her husband Steve (a RAAF veteran) was first elected to the committee. She initially supported him as Assistant Secretary, before stepping up into her current role when Steve became President.
Photo Credit: RSL Queensland
In the past, meetings with the Forest Lake & Districts RSL Sub Branch would usually be held at someone’s house or a golf club or somewhere else. Stemming from a momentous act of generosity from the local Nashos, the Sub Branch was gifted a derelict WWII building in the Wacol Heritage Precinct in 2019.
The heritage site, previously part of the Wacol Army Barracks, is also home to a chapel and hall, which are managed by the Nashos. It also houses the military museum by the Papua New Guinea Volunteer Rifles and Ex-members Association Inc.
Home, Sweet Home
In providing a home for the Sub Branch, a new space for veterans was born.
“For many years we searched for a place to call home. About three years ago, we started the rebuild and our members spent many hours demolishing the buildings’ contents to turn it into our clubhouse,” Dan says.
“However, COVID-19 quickly stopped our progress, so we couldn’t start work again until April 2021, and we’ve only been able to complete the final touches like pathways this year,” Sharron adds.
Although it took longer than planned, the finished space is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the Sub Branch community. Every part of the clubhouse has been thoughtfully designed for veterans and their families, from the handmade commemorative quilts and artworks decorating the walls to the barbecue lawn and communal hall where regular social gatherings are hosted.
Photo Credit: RSL Queensland
Since 2023, the new clubhouse has been used for many events and meets with the members and their families.
A family’s routine morning in Forest Lake turned alarming due to an unexpected e-bike fire. Emergency services swiftly responded to the incident, showcasing the community’s resilience and preparedness in the face of unexpected dangers.
On the morning of 1 Dec 2023, residents of Oldbury Place in Forest Lake were startled by the sight of an e-bike engulfed in flames. The fire, which broke out early in the day, prompted an urgent call to emergency services.
Queensland Ambulance was quick to the scene, where they assessed the wellbeing of the affected family, including two adults and two children.
Remarkably, all family members were found to be in a stable condition, having been exposed to smoke but not requiring hospitalisation.
“Patients have been exposed to smoke but are in a stable condition,” a spokesperson for Queensland Ambulance confirmed.
As the fire crews arrived, they found the e-bike fire already extinguished. Their focus then shifted to ensuring the safety of the property and its occupants by ventilating the home. A spokeswoman from the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) stated that one crew remained on site and investigated the cause of the fire, highlighting the importance of understanding and preventing such incidents in the future.
Grace Forbes, a new mum and a cancer nurse from Forest Lake, faced immense challenges following the birth of her daughter, Harriet. Battling severe postnatal depression and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), her life took a dramatic turn when she became the first in-patient at Mater’s Catherine’s House for Mothers, Babies and Families.
The South Brisbane facility, which opened in March, saved the life of Ms Forbes, who was under the care of a multidisciplinary team during her stay.
Mrs Forbes is bravely speaking out ahead of Perinatal Mental Health Week (12-18 November) to raise awareness of perinatal mental health issues and spread the message that support is available.
“I was in a really deep dark hole before I came to Catherine’s House,” she said.
“I had had a miserable pregnancy – I didn’t enjoy being pregnant at all.”
Photo Credit: Quinn and Co Photography/Supplied
Grace’s journey was fraught with difficulties, starting from a painful and uncomfortable pregnancy due to Pubic Symphysis Dysfunction, a condition causing pain in the pelvic area. This led to severe sleep deprivation and an overwhelming sense of helplessness. The rapid labour and birth of her daughter on 5 October only intensified her emotional disconnect, leaving her feeling numb and detached from her newborn.
“I hadn’t slept properly since I was 20 weeks pregnant. I couldn’t walk 10 metres and had to use a wheelchair,” she said.
“I was taking truckloads of painkillers just not to cry, I was barely functional.
“I was 100 per cent depressed and felt helpless. I had socially withdrawn and thought that was my life now.”
“My labour was so fast, just three hours. I felt disconnected to Harriet just from the shock of such a rapid labour that I couldn’t process what was happening and that she was real.
“When Harriet was born, she was put on my chest and I felt no connection to her.”
The situation reached a critical point when Grace, struggling with sleepless nights due to Harriet’s colic and her own mental turmoil, contemplated suicide. Recognizing the severity of her condition, her husband, Riley, who is a doctor, sought urgent help. This led to her swift admission to Catherine’s House, where a new chapter in her life began.
“I loved Harriet a lot and I didn’t want to harm her. She had colic and screamed all day and all night, I hadn’t slept properly in months.
“There was a lot going on in my head.”
“I was having trouble finding a psychiatrist and I was running out of steam. My husband Riley, who is a doctor, was on high alert – something had to change,” she said.
Photo Credit: Quinn and Co Photography/Supplied
Her recovery involved receiving daily support from the team at Catherine’s House, including peer support workers, a psychologist and a child health nurse, as well as medication for OCD.
Mrs Forbes also attended ‘Together in Mind’ therapy sessions, which further assisted her post-partum mental health struggles, and she joined a mums’ and bubs’ group with other mums experiencing similar mental health issues.
“The peer support workers have lived experience, so they knew exactly what I was going through,” she said.
“It was reassuring to see that model of care. People tell you all the time that things will get better, but to talk to someone who understood and has been through that experience themselves gave me so much hope.
“One of the nurses took Harriet to the nursery for the first couple of nights, and for the first time in six months I had a full night’s sleep – my brain really needed that.”
Catherine’s House was established in Mater’s former convent thanks to $17.6 million in public donations raised by Mater Foundation.
Eight in-patient beds at the centre are available for public patients suffering acute perinatal mental health issues thanks to a funding agreement with Queensland Government.
Since opening in March, 45 new mums have received specialist support in the In-patient Unit.
Mater Young Adult Health Centre Senior Manager Greg McGahan said it was heart-warming to see the impact Catherine’s House had had on new mums and their families since opening.
Photo Credit: Quinn and Co Photography/Supplied
“One in five new mothers and one in 10 fathers experiences mental health problems in the weeks after their baby’s birth, and many struggle to find help, so we want parents to know we are here to help,” Mr McGahan said.
Forest Lake’s Charlie Eggins, 14, competed at the National Speedcubing Championships in Moreton Bay last weekend. In a blistering solve, he set a new world record of 12.10 seconds in the 3×3 blindfolded event.
Charlie Eggins sets new world record by a wide margin
Charlie’s sensational time shattered the previous blindfolded world record by 680 milliseconds. According to the teenager, he did not expect to break the record going into the event.
Here’s his record-breaking solve, as posted on his YouTube channel:
Speedcubing is the art of solving Rubik’s cubes quickly. In blindfolded solving, competitors have only a few seconds to memorise the cube before donning a blindfold to complete the puzzle.
Charlie uses visualisation techniques and his synaesthesia to help him remember the positions of the cubes. He says he trains for at least an hour a day in the run-up to major tournaments.
Friends with national champion Toby Seufert
Charlie’s friend and rival Toby Seufert of Kippa-Ring Ring also excelled at the competition. The 14-year-old took home the national title in the 3×3 non-blindfolded event with an average solve time of 6.69 seconds.
Toby’s fastest individual attempt was 5.71 seconds, making him Australia’s fastest Rubik’s Cube solver. The two boys met at a competition in Townsville in 2021 and have been pushing each other to improve their skills ever since.
Charlie and Toby have turned their passion for speedcubing into budding careers. Eggins earns an income from his popular YouTube channel, Swift Cubing, where he teaches speedcubing techniques. Seufert also coaches others in speedcubing and analyses winning methods on his own channel.
A group of 11 ducklings found themselves in a bit of a quacky situation when they tumbled into a storm drain in Forest Lake; not for long though, thanks to the dedicated fire and emergency officers from the Mt Ommaney Fire and Rescue Station.
The incident unfolded on Friday, Sept 1 when these adorable ducklings strayed too close to the edge of a storm drain and, one by one slipped into the dark abyss.
Fortunately, their worried parents were not about to let their feathery offspring face this predicament alone. Quacking frantically, duck mum and dad attracted the attention of a nearby homeowner who quickly dialled emergency services.
Responding to the call, the Mt Ommaney Fire and Rescue crew arrived swiftly, prepared to do whatever it took to reunite the family.
Equipped with specialised tools and equipment, the rescuers carefully took the ducklings out of the drain. One by one, they scooped up the frightened ducklings and lifted them to safety.
The reunion between the ducklings and their relieved parents was captured on camera, with footage showing the ducklings eagerly waddling toward their mother, who counted each of them as they emerged from the rescue bag, ensuring no one was left behind.
Overjoyed by the successful rescue, the homeowners expressed their gratitude to the dedicated fire and emergency officers.
“She counted them as they came out of the bag. No need to look.”
“Thank you two for your service and for going above and beyond your job god bless and keep you all safe.
“In these times when there is so much bad on fb or the news it is so nice to see this. Thank you to QFES for all that you do. This is so so good to see 💞 🥰”
Several Brisbane suburbs, including Forest Lake have seen an increase in orders for green waste recycling bins after the annual fee was slashed to under $1 per week.
Forest Lake ordered 25 new bins, whilst The Gap and Bracken Ridge ordered 39 and 40 bins respectively.
In total, over 1,300 Brisbane households have adopted new green waste recycling bins since the fee was reduced from $93.68 to $45 annually on 1 July 2023. This is in addition to the 135,000 households that already utilise the bins.
Photo credit: Brisbane City Council/Facebook
The fee slash is part of the council’s $80 million cost of living relief package announced in the 2023/24 budget. Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the move aims to encourage recycling whilst easing financial pressure on residents dealing with rising costs.
Photo credit: Brisbane City Council/Facebook
“Brisbane already has the cheapest residential rates in southeast Queensland and we’re committed to reducing the burden on households,” Cr Schrinner stated.
Collectively, over 36,600 tons of organic waste was diverted from landfills through the green bin program. Cr Schrinner expressed eagerness for more adoption as the city looks to expand food waste recycling initiatives.
What can you put in the green waste bin?
According to Brisbane City Council, acceptable items that can be placed in your green waste bin include:
grass clippings
small garden prunings from shrubs and trees
Palm fronds, twigs, small branches, leaves and loose bark
flowers and foilage
weeds, ivy, creepers and vines.
Photo credit: Brisbane City Council/Facebook
Homeowners can order a green bin online, by phone, or at a council customer centre using their rate number. The council says new bins can typically be delivered within three working days depending on demand.
