Graceville Memorial Park is set to be restored before Anzac Day, after storm damage and years of deferred maintenance left the site in disrepair. The memorial park, off Oxley Road in Chelmer, is home to 52 heritage trees originally planted in 1919 as a tribute to local soldiers and a nurse killed in World War I, and a cenotaph commemorating their service.
Several of those memorial trees were brought down during severe storms in late October last year. Beyond the storm damage, planted areas across the park had also fallen into disrepair over recent years. Cr Nicole Johnston raised the matter formally in early February 2026, pushing for restoration work to be completed before the April 25 commemorations.
Photo credit: John Tasker/Google Maps
Cr Johnston described the situation as a battle, noting that residents living along the park had long been proud of it and that the park was not being looked after. She pointed to the scale of the accumulated problems, such as missing trees, general mess and a lack of routine maintenance, saying the situation had grown so big precisely because it had not been addressed.
Cr Adrian Schrinner confirmed that restoration work is planned for completion before Anzac Day. Five new heritage hibiscus trees will be planted along Plumridge Street and Appel Street, garden beds will be mulched, and around 350 metres of coir logs will be replaced.
The park is actively used by the local community, with Taylor Bridge Rugby, South West United Hockey Club, Graceville Croquet Club and Western Suburbs District Cricket Club all operating from the site. Queensland has previously noted that some of the original memorial trees were replaced during the 20th century following vandalism.
Communities across South East Queensland are seeing more women step into the top jobs at their local Catholic schools, with a growing number of female educators appointed as principals and heads of college in recent years. As International Women’s Day approaches on 8 March, Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) has highlighted the appointment of 29 women to principalship or head of college or campus roles over the past two years, reflecting a shift toward stronger female representation in school leadership.
From Graceville and Bardon to Mango Hill, Birkdale and Scarborough, these appointments are shaping the future of education in neighbourhoods across the region. For families, students and staff, it means welcoming experienced educators who will guide school communities through the next chapter of learning and growth.
BCE’s People and Culture Executive Cathy Heffernan said the appointments reflect a broader effort to support and prepare more women for leadership roles in schools.
“Since the program commenced, 38 per cent of participants have progressed into Head of College, Principal or BCE office leadership roles,” Ms Heffernan said.
“Beyond appointments, the program builds confidence, capability and connection, qualities that are essential for leadership in today’s educational landscape.”
Jessica Lusk, Head of College Unity College (Secondary), Caloundra West Photo Credit: Supplied
Across BCE schools, female principalship has increased from 33 per cent in 2021 to 50 per cent in 2026. In BCE offices, women now make up 64 per cent of leadership roles, up from 48 per cent in 2021.
Many of the recently appointed leaders have participated in BCE’s Women in Leadership program, which was reimagined in 2024 to strengthen leadership pathways and build a pipeline of future-ready female leaders.
For educators like Notre Dame College, Bells Creek Head of College Jasmine Brown, the program has had a lasting impact.
“For me the program highlighted the importance of women actively supporting and advocating for one another,” she said.
“I also found the course an opportunity to connect with other like-minded women who shared the same aspirations for senior leadership.
“The impact of the program has endured well beyond its conclusion, particularly for me through the lasting professional relationships I have built.”
Jasmine Brown, Head of College Notre Dame College, Bells Creek Photo Credit: Supplied
Since March 2024, a number of schools across South East Queensland have welcomed new female leaders, including appointments at St Mary’s College in Ipswich, St Patrick’s Primary School in Nanango, Unity College in Caloundra West, and St Francis College in Crestmead.
Other appointments span communities including Graceville, Bardon, Mango Hill, Ferny Grove, Birkdale, Zillmere, New Farm, Scarborough and Enoggera, where local school communities are now led by experienced educators committed to supporting students, families and staff.
For BCE, the growing number of women stepping into leadership roles reflects a commitment to creating inclusive leadership pathways and recognising the vital contribution women make to education and their communities.
As schools across the region celebrate International Women’s Day, these appointments highlight the strong role women continue to play in shaping the future of Catholic education across South East Queensland.
Now, the Olympic marathon swimmer is preparing for a different kind of test — serving Queensland communities after graduating from the Queensland Police Service Academy in Oxley.
The Gold Coast athlete, who represented Australia in the Men’s 10km marathon swim in Tokyo, is among 123 new First Year Constables welcomed into the Queensland Police Service this week following the latest Brisbane Academy graduation.
Photo Credit: QPS
For Oxley and surrounding suburbs covered by Over the Walter Taylor Bridge, the milestone carries a local connection. The Oxley-based academy continues to produce frontline officers who will now be deployed across the state — including key Brisbane districts.
From Olympic Waters to Community Service
Constable Edwards joined the Service after retiring from professional swimming, bringing with him the resilience, discipline and mental strength forged through elite sport.
“Being an athlete is both mentally and physically demanding, and it requires a high level of resilience, discipline and determination — qualities I believe will be so valuable in my role as a QPS officer,” Constable Edwards said.
After stepping away from competitive swimming, he became increasingly involved in community engagement, where interactions with officers influenced his next chapter.
“I saw how officers supported their communities, and I felt it would be a privilege to be a part of the QPS.”
His transition reflects a broader theme within the graduating cohort, which includes recruits from diverse professional backgrounds such as defence, education, childcare and international policing.
123 New Officers to the Frontline
In total, 123 new constables graduated from the Brisbane Academy, with deployments stretching from metropolitan Brisbane to regional Queensland.
Photo Credit: QPS
Within Brisbane alone:
North Brisbane District will receive 14 new officers
South Brisbane District will receive 11 new officers
Those figures represent a significant reinforcement of frontline capability across the capital, supporting suburbs from Ferny Grove and Stafford in the north to Sherwood, West End and Upper Mount Gravatt in the south.
Acting Police Commissioner Brett Pointing APM told graduates that policing is more than employment.
“A career in policing is more than a job; it’s a calling to protect and make a meaningful difference in the lives of Queenslanders,” he said.
A Moment of Reflection
The ceremony also paused to honour the service and sacrifice of two officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. The families of Senior Constable Brett Forte and Senior Constable David Masters were presented with Queensland Police Blue Heart Medals, recognising their ultimate sacrifice and commitment to protecting the community.
The minute of silence underscored the responsibility now carried by the newest recruits as they begin their careers.
Photo Credit: QPS
The Oxley Academy’s Ongoing Role
For Oxley residents, the Academy remains a steady presence — quietly shaping the next generation of officers who will serve across Queensland’s cities, suburbs and remote communities.
Kai Edwards’ journey from Olympic waters to the parade ground is a reminder that elite performance and public service share common ground: discipline, resilience and commitment to something bigger than self.
From the marathon swim course in Tokyo to the streets of Queensland, the race has changed — but the purpose remains clear.
Rugby athlete Charlotte Caslick, who grew up in Corinda, and her partner, rugby union athlete turned cattle grazier and contractor Lewis Holland, are excitedly preparing to welcome their first child.
The announcement came on a Saturday in late February, with the 30-year-old athlete sharing the update through social media. Caslick, who grew up in the Brisbane suburb of Corinda and attended school in the local area, showed a video of the moment she shared the news with her fellow Australian sevens teammates. The couple has been together since the 2016 Rio Olympics, where they both represented Australia on the world stage.
While the pair is famous for their speed and skill on the grass, they have spent the last few years building a quiet life away from the stadium lights. They currently manage a cattle property located near Stanthorpe, a few hours south-west of Brisbane.
Holland previously mentioned to the national broadcaster that his childhood goal was always to work on a cattle station rather than just playing professional sport. He considers his rugby career something he does in his spare time between managing the land.
The couple has specific plans for their agricultural business that involve breeding a specific type of highland cattle. Caslick stated that she intends to breed these animals to sell to hobby farmers or people looking for unique pets. There are also plans to establish an accommodation business on the property so visitors can interact with the animals directly.
The timing of the pregnancy coincides with a recovery period for the star athlete. Caslick has been dealing with a fractured ankle for the past six months, which has kept her away from competitive play. This injury has already confirmed she will not participate in the 2025 Rugby World Cup. However, she has made it clear that her time in the green and gold jersey is not over yet.
Caslick intends to return to elite competition with the goal of playing in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. She also expressed a strong desire to continue playing until the 2029 World Cup. Because that tournament will be held in Australia, she believes it would be the perfect setting to finish her professional career in front of a home crowd. For now, the focus remains on the upcoming arrival and her physical rehabilitation.
Seventeen-year-old Emerson Jones has claimed her fourth professional title on home soil at the Queensland Tennis Centre in Tennyson, defeating former world No.31 Zhu Lin in straight sets to reach a career-best world ranking of No.144 and place herself firmly on course for a top-100 breakthrough in 2026.
Jones won the W75 Brisbane 2 final 6-4 7-5 on 15 February, producing her best performance of the week on the courts where she trains daily with coach David Taylor. The win delivered 18 ranking places in a single afternoon, carrying her back inside the top 150 after she had slipped out of it in the weeks prior. For a teenager who began the 2026 season by defeating a top-50 opponent at the Brisbane International on the same complex, the title confirmed that her performances at the highest level are no longer occasional upsets but a pattern building toward something substantial.
A Week That Required Everything She Had
The path to the W75 Brisbane 2 title tested Emerson Jones at every stage. In the quarterfinals she needed three sets to see off Japan’s Miho Kuramochi, a patient baseline grinder who pushed her well beyond the hour mark. The semifinal proved even more demanding, when Australian compatriot and top seed Talia Gibson served for the second set before Jones reeled off the games she needed to advance in three. By the time she faced Zhu Lin in the final, she had already banked more competitive hours than most players manage across an entire fortnight.
Against Zhu Lin, a player who reached a career-high of No.31 in 2023 and carries the kind of experience that overwhelms younger opponents, Emerson Jones played with the composure of someone entirely at home on the surface. She was: she was on her own training courts, in her own city, in front of family and supporters who have watched her develop since she first picked up a racquet at the Coomera Waters Recreation Club on the Gold Coast at the age of four. The 6-4 7-5 scoreline reflected a controlled, composed performance rather than a scrambling survival.
From the Gold Coast to the Top 150
Emerson Jones grew up on the Gold Coast, attending Coomera Anglican College, and began playing tennis at four years of age. Her mother, Loretta Harrop, won a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics as a triathlete, and her father, Brad Jones, was a prominent Queensland rules footballer who won the Grogan Medal in 1999. Sport is not a departure from family tradition for Emerson Jones; it is the family tradition.
After joining the National Academy in 2023, Jones stormed to the top of the ITF junior rankings in September 2024, becoming the first Aussie girl to hold the world No. 1 spot since Jelena Dokic in 1998. Her rise was fueled by a stellar Grand Slam run, where she broke a 16-year drought for local girls at the 2024 Australian Open final before backing it up with a runner-up finish on the hallowed grass of Wimbledon.
The transition from junior dominance to professional results is one tennis produces with far less consistency than it promises, but Emerson Jones has navigated it with unusual efficiency. She made her Grand Slam main draw debut at the 2025 Australian Open on a wildcard, after earning her place through her ITF title at Playford. She is coached by David Taylor, who has previously worked with former world No.1 players Martina Hingis and Ana Ivanovic, and US Open champion Sam Stosur.
Four Titles, One Clear Direction
The W75 Brisbane 2 title is Emerson Jones’s fourth professional title overall, joining Sydney in 2024 and Fukuoka and Playford in 2025. Each has come on a surface and in conditions she handles well, and each has arrived at a moment when her ranking needed the points most. That instinct for winning the right tournaments at the right time is itself a skill that separates developing players from ones ready to compete consistently at a higher level.
Her ranking goal for 2026 is unambiguous: top 100. At No.144 and climbing with the season still young, the target is well within range if the results at Brisbane continue into the clay and grass seasons ahead. The Queensland Tennis Centre at 190 King Arthur Terrace, Tennyson, where she trains and now holds an ITF title, sits as a fitting backdrop for whatever comes next.
Upcoming Australian Pro Tour fixtures and rankings can be followed here.
On a normal day at the Oxley Police Academy, it would be easy to walk past the Animal Memorial without realising how much history sits in one place: a sandstone plinth and a bronze plaque showing a police dog and a police horse, set there to honour the animals that served alongside Queensland Police Service officers.
On 24 Feb, Queensland Police Service Media used Purple Poppy Day to draw attention back to that Oxley memorial and to the animals still working across Queensland — dogs trained to detect drugs, explosives and firearms, and horses that support crowd control, search operations and community engagement.
QPS described Purple Poppy Day as an annual tribute to war and service animals that have served alongside humans. In Queensland, the message lands with special weight at Oxley, where the memorial honours animals that have served the organisation over the years.
The agency said the Dog Squad includes more than 100 police dogs. Their work is practical and often unseen: detecting illegal substances and dangerous items, tracking offenders, and helping in search and rescue operations when time matters most.
QPS also highlighted the Mounted Police Unit, which it said has served Queensland for more than 150 years and is currently home to 12 police horses, supporting operations and building connections through community engagement.
Purple Poppy Day is also closely linked with War Animal Day, which focuses on remembering animals that served, suffered and died in conflict and service roles. These animals contributed in roles such as communication and transport during conflict, including horses, pigeons, camels and donkeys.
The memorial at Oxley is not tied to a single calendar moment. It is there to keep the memory of service animals in view, while the work of police dogs and horses continues across Queensland.
Sat, February 21, 2026 (Allianz Stadium) – A-League – Men – Round 18 • Sydney FC 1 | Brisbane Roar FC 0
Sun, February 22, 2026 (Spencer Park) – A-League – Women – Round 18 • Brisbane Roar FC 0 | Adelaide United FC 2
Sat, February 21, 2026 (St Georges Park – St George Willawong FC – Field 1) – FQPL1 – Men – Round 1 • St George Willawong 1 | Broadbeach United 5
Fri, February 20, 2026 (Bulimba Memorial Park – Southside Eagles FC – Field 1) – Kappa Pro Series – Women – Regional Round 1 • Southside Eagles 0 | UQFC 0
Fri, February 20, 2026 (Walton Bridge Reserve – The Gap FC – Field 1) – Kappa Pro Series – Women – Regional Round 1 • The Gap FC 0 | Logan Lightning 2
Sat, February 21, 2026 (Goodwin Park – Olympic FC – Field 1) – NPL – Men – Round 1 • Olympic FC 2 | Lions FC 1
Sun, February 22, 2026 (Meakin Park – Field 1) – NPL – Men – Round 1 • Brisbane Roar B 1 | Brisbane City 3
Sat, February 21, 2026 (Heath Park – Eastern Suburbs FC – Field 1) – NPL – Women – Round 3 • Eastern Suburbs 4 | Brisbane City 2
Sat, February 21, 2026 (Goodwin Park – Olympic FC – Field 1) – NPL – Women – Round 3 • Olympic FC 0 | Lions FC 0
Fri, February 20, 2026 (Brisbane Entertainment Centre) – NBL – Men – Round 22 • Brisbane Bullets 77 | Sydney Kings 117
Sat, February 21, 2026 (The Gabba) – One Day Cup 2025-26 – Men – Match 6 • Queensland Bulls 260 | South Australia Men 135
Sat, February 14, 2026 & Sat, February 21, 2026 (2 Day – Wep Harris Oval) – Queensland Premier Cricket – Men 1st Grade – Round 14 • University of Queensland Mens 1st Grade 6-251 | Valley Mens 1st Grade 8-262
Sun, February 22, 2026 (Kerry Emery Oval – One Day) – Queensland Premier Cricket – Women 1st Grade – Round 21 • Sunshine Coast Womens 1st Grade 111 | Valley Womens 1st Grade 9-235
Sat, February 14, 2026 & Sat, February 21, 2026 (2 Day – Trevor Hohns Field) – Queensland Premier Cricket – Men 1st Grade – Round 14 • Sandgate-Redcliffe Mens 1st Grade 6-322 | Western Suburbs Mens 1st Grade 3-324
Families living across Graceville and Tennyson are being warned to keep their children and pets away from the water’s edge after local testing found Oxley Creek to be one of the region’s most consistently contaminated waterways.
Recent data collected between November 2024 and December 2025 shows a worrying trend for residents in Brisbane’s leafy western suburbs. While many locals enjoy the walking tracks and parks that line the creek, the actual water quality often fails to meet basic safety standards. Unlike the open beaches on the Gold Coast that benefit from ocean currents, the geography of Oxley Creek means it does not flush out pollutants easily. This leads to a build-up of Enterococci, a type of bacteria that signals the presence of faecal matter from either animal or human sources.
Health Risks Lurking in the Water
Photo Credit: Google Maps
The presence of these pathogens is more than just a numbers game for the community. Health experts, including Griffith University microbiologist Associate Professor Helen Stratton, explain that swimming in such conditions can lead to serious gastrointestinal illnesses, as well as infections in the ears and eyes.
For those in the Tennyson area, the risk is particularly high because the bacteria can survive in the water for long periods. Safety guidelines suggest that anything over 500 units of the bacteria per 100 millilitres of water is unacceptable for any form of recreation, yet several local spots have far exceeded these limits during the testing period.
The Impact of Heavy Rainfall
Photo Credit: Google Maps
The situation becomes significantly more dangerous following the heavy storms that often hit the region. When a big downpour occurs, rain flushes chemicals, oils, and waste from gutters and backyards directly into the creek system through stormwater drains. In some cases, the volume of water is so great that it causes sewerage pipes to overflow and mix with the stormwater.
Professor Ian Wright from Western Sydney University suggests that while open beaches might clear up after a day, rivers and estuaries like those near Graceville can remain dangerous for at least three days after the rain stops. He compares the movement of the bacteria to a flood, noting that even when the rain ends, the contamination continues to flow through the system for several days.
While Graceville and Tennyson residents face challenges with Oxley Creek, other parts of the city have seen much better results. Nearby Wynnum and the Redlands area, specifically Wellington Point and Raby Bay, were noted as some of the cleanest swimming spots in the region. For those willing to travel to the Gold Coast, Main Beach remains the top-rated spot for water purity.
To stay safe, the local community is encouraged to check for permanent warning signs at popular entry points. If there has been heavy rain within the last 72 hours, the safest choice for families is to stay on the grass and out of the water until the system has had a chance to naturally clear itself.
The fire was reported near Sherwood Road at Oxley Creek Common, close to the Brisbane Markets precinct at Rocklea.
Queensland Fire Department issued an Advice-level “Avoid Smoke” warning at 5:11 a.m. on Monday, 9 February 2026, for Sherwood, Rocklea, Oxley, Tarragindi and surrounding areas. The department advised residents to remain indoors where possible, close windows and doors, keep respiratory medication nearby if required, and avoid driving through smoke.
Queensland Fire Department stated no properties were at risk. However, smoke was expected to make breathing difficult for some residents and reduce visibility on local roads. Authorities also advised motorists to watch for firefighters operating in the area and not to fly drones near the fire.
It was also reported that the area was backburned around 8:30 a.m. to protect nearby factories. It was understood the fire was not planned, and firefighters said it did not pose a risk to infrastructure.
Earlier Fire Near Park Ridge
A separate vegetation fire was reported near Talinga Drive, close to the Mount Lindesay Highway at Park Ridge, just after 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. Queensland Fire Department said about 10 crews responded at the height of the incident.
That fire was contained around midnight, with crews remaining on patrol until 2:00 a.m. on Monday.
Photo Credit: Viz-O-Kn33/Reddit
Air Quality And Visibility Impacts
Bureau of Meteorology said light winds across the city allowed smoke to drift and linger. Visibility at Brisbane Airport dropped to about 2 kilometres during the morning.
Air monitoring data showed Brisbane CBD recorded PM2.5 levels of 124 micrograms per cubic metre at 7:00 a.m., while South Brisbane recorded 76.8 micrograms per cubic metre.
Residents across suburbs including Woolloongabba, Morningside, New Farm, Hamilton, Hawthorne, Kangaroo Point, Newstead and Annerley reported waking to a strong smoke smell and visible haze. Some initially believed there was a nearby structure fire before learning of the Sherwood vegetation fire.
Queensland Fire Department advised residents to monitor official warning channels for updates. Further information will be issued if conditions change.
In Graceville, Botellón sits on a leafy stretch of Honour Avenue where Valentine’s Day can be kept pleasantly low-key. It’s the sort of place that rewards lingering — shared plates, passing forks, and conversation that outlasts the first round.
The venue sits within the Central Buildings, a row of shops designed and built around 1924 by builder and designer Walter Taylor. It’s the sort of place that anchors a neighbourhood. It’s recognisable, well-worn, and still doing what it was made for: bringing people in off the footpath.
Botellón leans into that intimacy rather than fighting it, with a cosy indoor dining room and alfresco seating that suits long, light-strung evenings. The restaurant itself is relatively young by Graceville standards, opening in 2019 and quickly becoming a western-suburbs favourite for Spanish-inspired dining.
That mix — a new restaurant inside an old building — gives it a particular character. The food feels celebratory, but the room still feels like the neighbourhood.
This Valentine’s Day (Saturday, 14 February), Botellón is keeping things straightforward: lunch runs à la carte, while the evening shifts into a set menu ($95 per person). It’s an approach that suits the day’s many versions. Some people want a date-night ritual; others want a catch-up with friends; plenty will come as families, because a shared meal is one of the easiest ways to keep everyone talking.
At lunch, the restaurant’s à la carte format lends itself naturally to seasonal, shareable dishes. In its Valentine’s promotion, the venue features starters such as burrata with smoky escalivada and baked saganaki finished with salsa agridulce and oregano, alongside paella as the centrepiece.
The mariscos paella is described in the same promotion as a generous mix of prawns, scallops, octopus and chorizo, brought together with saffron aioli — the kind of dish that does what good food should do on a day like Valentine’s: it gives the table something to gather around.
Dinner is more structured. It begins with a choice of oysters with mignonette or manchego cheese with caperberries and quince, followed by bread — sourdough with garlic chive butter or a gluten-free house-made loaf — alongside whipped ricotta with chilli honey, walnut and oregano. From there, the menu moves into king prawn with brown butter, soy sauce, paprika oil, parsley, capers and guindillas, plus eggplant chips with lime honey.
For mains, diners choose between paella (chicken and chorizo, prawn and chorizo, or vegetarian) with chimichurri, or a 250 g striploin served with spicy XO sauce or chimichurri. Dessert offers two distinct finishes: chocolate cremeux, or churros with dulce de leche.
What makes the night feel like Botellón, though, isn’t just the sequence of courses. It’s the way the whole format encourages lingering. The venue’s Valentine’s promotion also mentions cava as the celebratory thread, from classic sparkling pours to a playful cava sangria with fruit and brandy. If you’re not marking an occasion with bubbles, you can keep it quieter: a glass of something Spanish and chilled, a long chat, and the kind of evening that doesn’t need a grand gesture to feel special.
In a suburb that prizes its local rituals — cafés you return to, walking routes you can do without thinking, shopfronts that don’t change much even when the businesses inside them do — Botellón has slipped into place with ease.
On Valentine’s Day, it’s less about “the perfect night” and more about a very Graceville idea: good food in a familiar spot, shared with whoever you’re lucky enough to have on the other side of the table.
