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Bushcare Group Calls For Proper Shelter Shed At Cliveden Avenue Park In Oxley

Volunteer groups are calling on the Brisbane City Council to replace the shelter at the Cliveden Avenue Park in Oxley. The groups are the ones maintaining local parks and waterways. However, most of the time, they are left under the rain whilst doing their work at the park.

The park used to have a shelter until it burned down. The council hasn’t replaced it and there is only a new picnic table at the site. Now, the volunteers are demanding for a new shelter that they could use when doing work at the park.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk responded that the groups would have to make do with a portable shelter provided by the council. The council thinks that the portable shelter is more fitting since the area isn’t frequently used.

Oxley Creek Catchment Association said that it is not only them who go to the area. There are also many groups from the church, the community, as well as schools who go there and would benefit from a proper shelter.

Tennyson councillor Cr Nicole Johnston launched a petition addressed to the council to replace the shelter shed urgently to provide volunteers and other people shade and shelter. Ms Johnston also said that the bush care group deserves this as they are working hard to maintain and enhance the local environment on behalf of the council.

Cr Steve Griffiths (Moorooka Ward) also supports the need for a proper shelter shed at the park.

Read Cr Johnson’s petition.

Sherwood State School Continues To Skip For A Healthy Heart

The Heart Foundation’s Jump Rope for Heart was established in 1983 and has been Australia’s most popular physical activity and fund-raising program in schools. The Sherwood State School was one of the first schools to sign up for this program, leading to the founding of the Sherwood Arrows Skipping Team.

To commemorate the 35th year of Jump Rope for Heart, a Jump Off Day was held at the school on 28 March 2018. During the event, the kids showed off the skills and knowledge they have learned through the program. Prizes were handed out to participants, with the top fundraisers rewarded with GoPro cameras and Oingo Boingos.

The skipping team is made up of members from the school. For years, they have done numerous demonstrations all around the Brisbane area and beyond. Aside from Brisbane, they have also toured places such as New Zealand and Tasmania.

This year, the members have raised nearly $18,000. The top fundraiser this year is Chelsea with $1,302. You can view the leaderboard here.

About the Program

Any school can participate in the Jump Rope for Heart program. Upon registration, they are given a resource kit explaining how to conduct the program. It runs over a three- to nine-week period, during which, students will collect donations and participate in various activities organised by the school.

The Heart Foundation is dedicated to spread awareness and keep everyone active for heart health. The leading cause of death in the country is heart disease and a major cause is inactivity.

Starting children with physical activity and instilling knowledge about heart health at this age is essential.

Another One Bites The Dust: Bowerbird In Oxley Is Closing

Another beloved Oxley shop will be closing in April. In the southwest suburbs, this makes it the third store to close in recent months.

Opened in 2014, Bowerbird is a popular boutique in the suburb. It offers an eclectic mix of handmade and indie designer gifts. The store also has items from well-known Brisbane designers such as Core Jewellery and Each to Own.

The shop is that place where locals go to if they are looking for unique finds.

Sadly, the store announced its closure on its Facebook page. The owner, Jenn Shell, cited health reasons and personal circumstances as the reason behind the decision to close the store. As of now, she chooses to spend more time with her children.

Still, she reminds her loyal customers to continue supporting local goods. Currently, the shop is selling its items at huge discounts until 14 April.

Many are saddened by the news as her post got flooded with comments.

This is the second beloved Oxley store that will be closing. Oxley’s Network Video, Brisbane’s last walk-in video store has also closed its doors earlier this month.

Related Article: Oxley’s Network Video To Close In March

Hunt For The Best Hot Cross Bun Happening In Oxley

The Great O-Town Hot Cross Bun Bake Off is happening on 25 March at the QCWA in Oxley from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Last year, Lou Bromley held a tasting campaign all on her own. This time around, she has the support of the Oxley Country Women’s Association (CWA).

Judges include Ms Bromley, MP Jessica Pugh, MP Milton Dick, Lyn Lincoln and Ms Pugh’s father, David

If you want to be a part of the competition, register your name by sending a Facebook message here. You will also be required to bring six hot cross buns to share during the community morning tea after the judging.

Get a chance to win a gold coin entry and generous prizes sponsored by Mr Dick.

The QCWA is the largest women’s organisation in Queensland. It’s an organisation that allows the meeting of women from all over the state to make new friends, learn new skills, and get involved in the community.

Address: QCWA Oxley Hall, 76 Lincoln Street

Chelmer & Graceville Residents Discuss Burglary Cases with Police

A series of burglaries in Chelmer has alarmed the police, leading them to urge residents to keep their doors locked at all times.

Break-Ins

The police has confirmed Chelmer and Graceville as hotspots for property theft in recent weeks. Several residents took to social media to divulge information about the crimes.

According to police reports, most were victims of break-ins due to unlocked doors and windows.

While a number of arrests have been made, police still insist that residents should ensure that their properties are properly locked. Items that can attract the attention of thieves should also be kept away from the windows, where they can easily be seen by prying eyes.

Sit Down With a Cop

Last weekend, the Sherwood Police invited residents invited to talk about these recent crimes. Residents also had the chance to book their free home security audits after the meeting.

The meetings were held at three different venues:

  • 15 March – Graceville Railway Station
  • 15 March – Coffee with a Cop at Honour Espresso in Graceville
  • 17 March – Western Districts Netball Association in Faulkner Park

The Centenary Crime Prevention Unit was there to offer advice and information on home and vehicle security, personal safety and other security strategies.

They have also released a guideline to help residents secure their property here.

Get to Know Your Neighbours in Oxley on Neighbour Day 2018

On 25 March, celebrate Neighbour Day in Oxley with the Oxley Ridge Neighbourhood Watch at Weston Place Park from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

The annual Australian Neighbour Day is held every last week of March. It is managed by Relationships Australia. The event is a great way to meet your neighbours and to strengthen community spirit.

The theme for this year’s Neighbour Day is: The importance of a supportive neighbourhood for children and young people.

Whether you’re an old or a new resident, this is the best time for you to meet your neighbours. All you have to do is say hello or you can also invite them to your home for a cup of tea.

Here in Oxley, there will be a local social gathering for the whole neighbourhood to come together. You can also get free sausage sizzle and even get your dog’s tags engraved for free!

With this event, you get to know your neighbours whilst bringing in plenty of benefits such as:

  • Meeting like-minded people
  • Establishing new friendships
  • A boost in your sense of security
  • Getting to ask your neighbours to keep an eye out for your home, collect your mail, or even feed your pet whilst you’re away

Take this opportunity to get friendly around and reap long-lasting benefits!

Ed Kuepper Park Opens in Oxley

Brisbane music legend The Saints continues to receive honour in Brisbane. In Oxley, a local park was renamed in honour of the band’s former member Ed Kuepper.

Oxley local Maurice Murphy petitioned for the park to be named after Kuepper. He made a petition that quickly garnered over 800 signatures. Thus, the Brisbane City Council approved the park’s name change.

Kuepper took to Twitter to thank Murphy and everyone who made the park renaming possible.

Punk Legacy

After migrating from Germany at the age of four, Kuepper lived in Oxley and co-founded The Saints with singer Chris Bailey and drummer Ivor Hay in 1973. Their single (I’m) Stranded, along with the album of the same name in 1976, was recognised as a cornerstone of the punk movement. The band split in 1978 and Kuepper continued as a solo performer. He is currently touring under the name The Aints.

This wasn’t the only move made to honour The Saints. Back in 2017, John Willsteed, best known for his stint as bassist of The Go-Betweens, sought state government funding to mark the band’s second rehearsal place.

A similar honour had been made for The Go-Betweens via the Go Between Bridge linking South Brisbane and Milton. Willsteed believed it was time for The Saints to receive the same honour.

Willsteed succeeded in seeking to honour The Saints and a mural was unveiled along Upper Roma Street in December 2017 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the band’s iconic debut album, (I’m) Stranded.

Ed Kuepper at The Saints mural unveiling on Roma Street, Brisbane. (Photo credit: QUT Creative Industries/Facebook)

Keupper was at the unveiling of the mural to witness the impact of his band’s music 40 years later.

Two Different Paths, Two Exciting Destinations at Oxley Creek Common in Rocklea

If you are in Rocklea and you’re looking for a place where you can really get close to nature whilst the birds chirp above you in different colours and aesthetics, the best place for you to go to is the Oxley Creek Common.

If you haven’t discovered it yet, the area has two easy walking trails and picnic amenities, perfect for those who really want to take some time off and just be in peace.

Discover the Secret Forest

The area isn’t just for bird-watching, although the presence of over 180 species of birds is certainly a good reason to do so.

There is actually a secret forest, just a short way from the Red Shed along the main walking path that hugs Oxley Creek. Walk through the main walking path and you will notice more vegetation as you walk further. Consider this a good sign. Whilst there, you might just spot the Eastern Yellow Robin, the Varied Triller or the Fairy Wren here.

 

Photo credit: HBW Alive

As you walk along, the path will curve via the creek and loop back on itself. You will find eventually find yourself at the hoop pine grove, which is The Secret Forest.

Photo credit: Brisbane Natural

Here you can enjoy more peace and see the pied butcherbirds as this is where they live.

Watch Them Fly

Photo credit: Macedonia Timeless

 

Another walking trail that you can go for is the Pelican Island Walk. Depart from the Red Shed also but after 1.3km, turn off to the left to Pelican Island. You will pass by Jabiru Swamp, which is where you can see the Great Egret and the rare urban dwelling Jabilu. The Pelican Lagoon is known for its biggest variety of grassland and waterbirds.

Oxley’s Network Video to Close in March

Oxley’s Network Video is closing, to the dismay of loyal customers of Brisbane’s last walk-in video store.

They announced their decision on social media recently, saying that they will be closing their doors in March, after eight years in business. They thanked their loyal customers for the support.

Establishing the store in 2010 was a risky move for owners of the shop, considering that the industry at that time was slowly declining. In fact,the owner had the business on a three-year timeline, which kept getting pushed back as the shop gained a loyal following. Despite this impending closure, there are still plenty of people renting videos at the store, whose March closure has now been prompted by family issues.

Customers can still rent videos as of February, but later this month, they will start selling off their 14,000 titles. A lot of movie lovers in Oxley have expressed dismay over this planned closure because this is the only place where they can get videos which are not available on Australian streaming services.

Once Oxley’s Network Video closes, Ipswich and Logan will be the go-to places for customers looking for walk-in video stores.

AHPC Encourages Kids to Walk to School; Better Pedestrian Access to Corinda State School Remains an Issue

A mum from Seventeen Mile Rocks is at the forefront of a call for better pedestrian access to Corinda State School. Cliveden Avenue West is steep with no pathways or lighting.

Parents have been calling for upgrades on the avenue for three years already, and even labeled the site as dangerous, with bush on both sides and rocks on the shoulder of the road.

 

Active Travel

Just recently, the Australian Health Policy Collaboration (AHPC) at Victoria University released a report called “Active Travel: Pathways to a Healthy Future,” that recommended all levels of government to improve active access to schools. A high percentage of kids and young people are not getting the proper amount of physical activity. They have recommended that children should have an average of 60 minutes of physical activity daily.

AHPC is part of a coalition of 34 high-profile groups including the Cancer Council and Stroke Foundation, calling on the Federal Government to set obesity prevention as a national priority.

 

Three-Part Policy Framework

They also revealed that one quarter of all children and 29% of young people are overweight or obese. One of the reasons for this is the lack of opportunity to get enough daily exercise through the daily tasks that they do, which includes going to school, thus the design of the three-part policy framework to enable Australia to achieve national active school travel.

  1. Building active environments adjacent to all schools that prioritise pedestrians and cyclists
  2. Establish a national target for physical activity
  3. Establishment of virtual knowledge hub for schools, communities and local governments to provide evidence and implementation information for active school travel initiatives

“We are now one of the world’s fattest nations with very high rates of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. We cannot stand by and accept such high levels of risk among Australia’s children when the evidence of what we can do is right in front of us,” said Rosemary Calder, director of AHPC.

Active school travel is one of the easiest ways to incorporate physical activity into the daily life of children.

 

Response To Cliveden West Avenue Concern

In response to the mum’s plea regarding the avenue, Cr Matthew Bourke plans to fund the works between Blackheath Rd and Ford Rd until boundaries changed, taking it off within the Jamboree Ward.

On the other hand, Cr Nicole Johnston of Tennyson ward said she will talk with the residents about the western section of the avenue.