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St Aidan’s In Corinda : International App Designing, Top OP Results, Cambodian Orphanages, Mater Chicks In Pink Fun Run & Cross Country Champions

St Aidan’s Anglican Girls School in Corinda was founded in 1929 and enjoys an exalted reputation, but did you know it is the only school in Queensland to be in the top 5 for all NAPLAN results last year; that its girls help build orphanages in Cambodia; or that St Aidan’s girls have an international reputation for building apps?

If we gauge St Aidan’s based on the recognition, awards and honours its students have received and won, it’s easy to say that the school is an overachiever.

Academic and Sports Achievements

2016 was an exceptional year for St Aidan’s as it registered its highest result on the National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) since the NAPLAN test began in 2008. All the year levels (Years 3, 5, 7 and 9) were at the top five for the state for the said test. St Aidan’s NAPLAN results were also above the national average in 2016.

In the past year, St Aidan’s was the highest performing girls’ school in Queensland based on OP results.

The 2016 NAPLAN results are a source of great pride for the school. Mrs Karen Spiller, Principal of St Aidan’s, asserts that the results “highlight the dedication of both teachers and students towards their work.”

Winning the CBCA Brisbane West Regional Readers Cup Competition is just one of the many achievements of St Aidan’s girls. (Photo credit: St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School/Facebook)

Aside from excellent performance in academics, St Aidan’s girls are also winners in sports, including tennis, hockey and Cross Country championship. Just recently, St Aidan’s managed to retain the Joan Benson Percentage Shield during the 2017 QGSSSA Cross Country Championship.

We spoke to Mrs Spiller about the reputation her school has established.

Tech Girl Superheroes

Among the recent achievements that St Aidan’s is so proud of is its success in the field of mobile app development. St Aidan’s girls won in a national competition and were selected to represent Australia in a global challenge.

Georgia Brown, Robyn Conradie, Emmaline Monteith and Jessica Miller created an app called Pawsout, which connects dog owners with dog walkers. But instead of connecting with professional dog walkers, the app invites young, amateur dog walkers who want to spend more time outdoors and exercise. This also benefits dog owners who may not have time to take their dogs out. Learn more about the girls’ Pawsout app.

After winning the top prize at the Next Tech Girl Superhero in 2015, the girls were sponsored to attend the Technovation competition in San Francisco.

Speechability is one of two Australian apps that made it to the Technovation semi-finals (Photo credit: Video still from Speechability/YouTube)

Another batch of St Aidan’s girls also impressed in the arena of app development. Aeshlein Ralston, Lilyan Sullivan and Alisa Timofeeva developed a wonderful mobile application called Speechability. The app is designed to assist people with autism to find a variety of nearby jobs that will suit their skills and ability.

The Speechability app has been named as one of 200 semi-finalists in the Technovation Challenge. The St Aidan’s girls will be pitching their app in San Francisco in August 2017.

The success of the girls exemplifies St Aidan’s commitment to developing and encouraging student interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

As part of its ongoing efforts to provide an environment to foster STEM development, the school is enhancing its Innovation + Design Hub in a redevelopment project worth $4.7 million.

Mrs Spiller tells us about St Aidan’s upcoming Innovation + Design Hub and their overall plan for STEM.

Music and Language Make a Difference

So what makes St Aidan’s students so good in all their endeavours, from academics to innovation to sports and fitness? Mrs Spiller believes that the secret lies in their unique music and language program.

One of the things that make St Aidan’s stand out from the rest, is its inclusion of music and language into the curriculum of students from Kindergarten to Year 3. Each day, students get 20 minutes of music education and 20 minutes of language, either Japanese or Chinese.

These short daily courses, over time, help stimulate the students’ thinking. Mrs Spiller attributes the school’s success in topping NAPLAN to this program of adding music and language in the daily curriculum of young kids.

Giving Back to the Community

St Aidan’s also makes it a point to give back to the community. The school is active in fundraising events such as the Mater Chicks in Pink Fun Run, which is held annually to support women battling breast cancer.

St Aidan’s outreach programs also extend beyond Australia. Every two years, the girls raise funds to reach out to an orphanage in Cambodia. The girls visit an orphanage to work and play with the kids in that orphanage.

This clip features St Aidan’s volunteers interacting with an outreach community in Cambodia.

Shaping Children’s Future

For St Aidan’s, more important than all the accolades and awards is seeing their students ready to integrate into the world and confident in being who they are.

Mrs Spiller talks about what St Aidan’s hopes for their girls.

St Aidan’s hopes to impart the core values of the school to its girls. When the time comes for them to leave St Aidan’s, they will become a valuable part of the community, they will leave their mark upon the world just like these notable alumni of the school:

Kate Miller-Heidke (’98) – singer-songwriter
Gayle Mayes (’73) – Olympian
Kate Carnell (’72) – Businesswoman and former Liberal Party politician, who served as the third Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) from 1995 to 2000
Sarah Clarke (’89) – National Environment and Science Correspondent for ABC

Walter Taylor Bridge Open for Tours: What Life Was Like in Australia’s Only Inhabitable Bridge

About eight years have passed since the last resident of Walter Taylor’s inhabitable bridge left in 2009. Formerly known as the Indooroopilly Toll Bridge, Australia’s longest span suspension bridge is the only one in the country that harbors a lot of memories and untold stories. Until now, traces of residency are still visible. These traces form the undeniable imprints of the people who once called the bridge’s towers their home.

Today, few passersby stop to wonder about what happened to the newly-washed laundry that once dangled on the line strung outside the bridge. Today, there is nothing there to see. The bridge’s inhabitable towers were immediately closed for occupancy after the last resident left. Eventually, however, it reopened for public tours with the Brisbane Greeters. What people only know now is that life went on inside the bridge’s pylons. To the curious, the question still remains: How was life inside the Walter Taylor Bridge?

Inhabitable Towers

The bridge, which was built and designed by Walter Taylor, was primarily meant to solve the dilemma of vehicular travel from Chelmer to Indooroopilly. Before it was built, automobiles and travellers depended on ferry service to take them across the Brisbane River. The bridge, when it finally opened on 14 February 1936, made the lives of travellers a whole lot easier. The only downside, however, was that they must pay the toll upon crossing the bridge.

For the convenience of the toll collectors, the bridge’s pylons at the Indooroopilly side were thus made to be inhabitable. The first toll collectors and their families at the time were the earliest occupants of the bridge. As time went by, the descendants of these collectors maintained the toll-keeping and residency in the bridge’s pylons.

Walter Taylor Bridge — The great view the tollkeepers and their families had for years must have been something worth living in a bridge tower for. *Photo Credit: Everywhere History/Facebook*

Meanwhile, the tower at the Chelmer side of the bridge was rented to university students between the 1970s and 1980s. Traces of their occupancy are still visible up to now on the walls and ceilings inside the pylon. For sentimental reasons most probably, the traces were preserved as they leave a lasting remembrance of the cheers, laughters, and tears that once resided in the wide halls of the tower.

After Mr Taylor’s death in November 1955, the bridge he built was then renamed in his honour. In 1965, management of the bridge was eventually taken over by the Brisbane City Council. The toll fee was removed and travellers then started crossing the bridge for free. In 1992, Walter Taylor Bridge, with its impressive towers, was included in the Queensland Heritage Register.

The Unforgettable Last Moment of Occupancy

One of the last residents of Brisbane’s inhabitable bridge made headlines in 2009 when he had to be rescued by firefighters using a crane. The 300-kilogram 57-year-old man, who does not want any further attention from the media, apparently suffered from an asthma attack. He phoned for an ambulance but paramedics later reportedly found it was “impossible to stretcher him down two narrow flights of stairs” inside the tower where he resided with his family.

“A decision was made to cut out a window in the room where the patient was and get him out and on to a crane. It all went pretty smoothly,” said Steve Marmotta, a station officer from the Taringa fire brigade.

The man was then taken to the Royal Brisbane Hospital as he was already in a critical condition when rescued. According to council maintenance workers in the area, the said man “had not left the building” for years. They said it could not have been possible for him to do so since he won’t be able to “get down the narrow flights of stairs.”

It was confirmed that the man and his family are descendants of Mort Green, the bridge’s tollmaster whose family was privileged to reside in the tower for 70 years. After the last of the Greens was rescued, police authorities then ordered the bridge closed before 5:00 p.m. on 19 August 2009. Since then, no family has resided in the bridge again.

Open for Tours

Now referred to as Brisbane’s Art Deco towers, regular tours are being conducted for free by the Brisbane Greeters. The 60-minute tour features a two-kilometre bridge precinct walk and a chance to experience what it’s like to be inside the pylons. Each tour departs from the corner of Railway Avenue and Lambert Road, next to the Indooroopilly Station. For inquiries on how to prepare and what to do on or prior to the tour, you may contact the tour guides via email (brisbanegreeters@brisbanemarketing.com.au) or phone (+61 7 3156 6364).

Click here to book your Walter Taylor Bridge tour with the Brisbane Greeters.

Chelmer Kindergarten to Hold Parade of Lanterns, Open Day

Chelmer Station Community Kindergarten is holding its annual Lantern Parade and Open Day in mid-June 2017.

The lantern parade will be on Friday, 16 June, starting at 5 p.m. The event will be held at Faulkner Park Netball Courts in Graceville.

This is the fourth year that the community-based early education centre is conducting a lantern parade. The event is a perfect time for the community to come together in for a night of food and fun.

All surrounding kindergartens and early childhood centres are invited to join in making lanterns and the lantern walk. There will be delicious German food and drinks as well as Gluhwein for sale.

The next day, 17 June, will be the centre’s Open Day from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. On that day, the centre’s director, teachers and educators will be on hand to talk to visitors and their children. Visitors coming to the Open Day can also spend time in the beautiful garden of the centre.

About Chelmer Station Community Kindergarten

Chelmer Station Community Kindergarten is a Lady Gowrie affiliated kindergarten. As a Lady Gowrie kindergarten, the centre provides early childhood education program for children in the year before they start school.

The centre is community-based and has the expertise to customise early childhood services based on the needs of the local children and their families. Get to know more about Chelmer Station Community Kindergarten on Open Day. You can also visit their website at www.chelmerstationkindy.com.au for additional information.

Find out more about Lady Gowrie kindergartens here.

Kerbside Collection for OWT Bridge Areas Upcoming: 4 Tips on How to Get Ready

The 29th of May marks the Kerbside Collection day for some areas over the Walter Taylor Bridge, namely: Chelmer, Graceville, Sherwood, and Oxley. With only a few days to go, you are probably starting to get ready by now. To make things easier for you, here are four tips on how to prepare for the upcoming collection.

1. Declutter your stuff, the KonMari way.

Marie KonMari Kondo — The KonMari way suggests categorising items before deciding what to get rid of. *Photo Credit: Marie “*Konmari” Kondo/Facebook

KonMari is a decluttering method introduced by Marie Kondo from Japan. The process basically involves gathering all the items you want to organise from all over the house then grouping these items in categories like “shoes”, “clothes”, or “books”. This process will allow you to concentrate on each category; thereby making the course of decluttering faster and easier.

Once the items are categorised, go through them and start deciding what to get rid of and what to keep. The best thing to do is to put in your mind that “everything has to go”. Then, choose only those items that “spark joy.” According to the KonMari method, “keep only those things that speak to your heart. Then take the plunge and discard all the rest.”

2. Check the BCC’s list of Acceptable and Non-acceptable items.

Brisbane Kerbside Collection — Mayor Tom Tate of Gold Coast assists workers collect non-acceptable kerbside “rubbish”. *Photo Credit: Redland City Bulletin*

Be careful when putting your unwanted items on the kerb. Due to previous Kerbside Collection incidents, the Brisbane City Council (BCC) has set standards on things that are acceptable and those that are not. To prevent any further inconveniences on both the BCC and the community, illegal dumping fines will be imposed for non-acceptable items that are not removed on the kerb within seven days of the collection period.

Click here to see the list of acceptable and non-acceptable items.

3. Measure your pile according to BCC’s pile limit.

For everyone’s convenience, the BCC has also set a limit on the measure of respective piles that locals can mount up. Be sure to measure your pile. It should not exceed two cubic metres. If you have a lot of items you want to discard, organise them further upon piling on the kerb to save more space for bigger items. Note that the BCC will not collect items from piles that exceed the imposed limit.

4. Determine which stuff you can donate or recycle.

If you find you have a lot of items you want to get rid of and your pile already exceeds the BCC limit, consider other options instead. There are a few other ways to efficiently discard those unwanted items. You may find that not only will you be decluttering your space, but you will also be discarding items for a good cause.

For one, the BCC has resource recovery centres (or transfer stations) you might want to check out. They are located in Chandler, Ferny Grove, Nudgee, and Willawong. These upgraded centres offer “free recycling for vehicles under 4.5 tonnes RGVM.” Help reduce the amount of waste landfill and bring your items to one of the centres. They are open seven days a week (including holidays) from 6:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Fees and charges apply or you can just use your waste vouchers instead.

Items given to the BCC centres go to the Council’s tip shops in Acacia Ridge and Geebung. Run by Endeavour Foundation, the proceeds of these shops are used to support people with disabilities. The shops are open every weekend from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Feel free to stop by.

Another way to discard items is to check which ones are still usable. As the practical adage goes, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Certainly, there are items that are still pretty much useful to others. Consider donating them. You can bring/send these items to GIVIT or NACRO.

GIVIT is a “national not-for-profit” organisation with an online service that lists items “urgently needed” by other locals. The service also “connects you to trusted charities” where you can donate useable items.

NACRO (National Association of Charitable Recycling Organisations, Inc.) is Australia’s “peak organisation” for charities and charity op shops. They accept recyclable items like “clothing, furniture, household and workplace goods.” These items will be either be given to the disadvantaged or used for funding local welfare programs.

There you go! Once you have everything sorted out, you will then be ready to put all those unneeded items at the kerb. Do it on the weekend prior to the designated collection schedule. Note that on the day of the collection, everything must already be on the kerb by 6:00 a.m.

Remember to pile the items tidily so the streets won’t look like some stray dogs have just toppled a big wheelie bin. Put smaller items in boxes and fold the clothes neatly. Big items like refrigerators, cupboards, and couches, should not block the pathway or even a miniature section of the road.

For more information about BCC’s kerbside collection, download the award-winning Brisbane Bin and Recycling app here. The app is totally free and it comes with a reminder feature, too. That way, you won’t be able to miss out on your suburb’s collection day.

Sherwood State School Celebrates Fete 2017

Sherwood State School’s Fete 2017 is fast approaching, with only a few nights to go before the 13th of May. At 150 years old, the institution is without a doubt “one of the oldest schools in the state.” In celebration of this amazing milestone, attendees to the upcoming school fete will “take a trip down memory lane” and reminisce their school years. A lot of school memorabilia will be put up on display during the event.

The proceeds from the previous fete days have notably been put to good use. The school now has a laser-leveled and top-dressed oval, new class iPads and laptops, and a new extension to the junior boys’ toilets.

The proceeds of this year’s fete will go towards the further development of school facilities. Possible upgrades on education materials will also be put into consideration.

Click here to read more.

Five Best Things to Do When Visiting Sherwood

Whether travelling with the family or sightseeing alone, visitors to Sherwood will find a neighbourhood that is packed with a lot of wholesome things to do for all ages. First-time tourists in the suburb are often confused on what to do and where to go, the moment they arrive. Here are five best things to do, when visiting Sherwood.

1. Explore the Sherwood Arboretum.

Arboretum, in Latin, means “a place of trees.” At the Sherwood Arboretum, you will surely find this to be an understatement. It really is a place of trees. Over 1,100 trees. According to the residents of the suburb, these trees, along with those in Honour Avenue, were planted as a way of showing “respect” to the suburb’s war veterans.

Scenic views, fresh air from all of the trees, and if you are lucky, glimpses of wildlife will greet you as you set foot on the grounds of the Arboretum. When in Sherwood, this is one Instagram-worthy landmark you must not miss. The whole family (even your dog!) is welcome here.

2. Meet some wildlife at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

See and experience the world’s first and largest koala sanctuary. The 18-hectare sanctuary is just 0.8km away from the Sherwood Arboretum. Feast your eyes on over 130 koalas. If you’re lucky, you may even get to cuddle one or two. Aside from koalas, there are also kangaroos and other beautiful Australian wildlife that you may hand-feed with care.

The Lone Pine sanctuary is open seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. During the long Easter weekend, the place will run a four-day family fun for free. You may call them at +61 7 3378 1366.

3. Enjoy the view at Rocks Riverside Park.

Only 1.7km away from the Sherwood Arboretum, a visit to Rocks Riverside Park is a great stress-reliever. This charming park an area that’s perfect for water activities on a warm sunny day. A barbecue picnic with friends in the wide, grassy park is always a good idea. Have lots of memorable, picture-perfect moments amidst the pretty flora and fauna.

4. Be inspired with healthy living at the Graceville Markets.

The Graceville Markets is a community-based event that is sponsored by the Souths Junior Rugby Club. Through the market, the club aims to promote a healthy lifestyle by showcasing local products. Enjoy a cup of delicious coffee with freshly-baked bread. Buy unique gifts. Meet new people and join the fun.

This weekend, there will be an “Easter Saturday Open & Trading” from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Admission to the Graceville Markets is free. The market is held every third Saturday of the month until 16 December 2017.

5. Visit the Corinda Library.

The Corinda Library is not just a book haven. It is also a place for worthwhile indoor activities. Yes, do come and read a book. Browse through the bookshelves. Join a workshop too. This library welcomes anyone who desires to learn something new.

Earlier this month of April, the library held its Ozobots Treasure Hunt where participants worked in pairs to make a mini-robot go through a maze and find some treasure. On 12 April, a writing workshop for children will take place. Casey Ardon, author of Xavier Wintersbee and the Book of Virtues, will lead the event. On 13 April, there will be an Easter story time where you can participate in an egg hunt and listen to wonderful stories. The Corinda Library is a fun-filled establishment with events that are free for anyone to attend. Bookings are essential. For easy bookings, you may call +61 7 3407 7701.

At Sherwood, it’s easy to see that nature and nurture blissfully co-exist to make up one scenic and interesting suburb to visit. For public transport guides, timetables, fares, and other accessibilities, plan your trips in advance via Translink.

Photo Credit: Friends of Brisbane Botanic Gardens & Sherwood Arboretum/Facebook

Oxley Locals Petitioning Punk Legend Tribute

A park in Oxley could be named after a rock music legend should a petition by locals be approved by the Brisbane City Council.

Maurice Murphy started a campaign to name the park at the corner of Oxley Rd and Lawson St after punk rock musician Ed Kuepper. This, after he found out that his punk rock hero was born in Oxley.

Murphy thinks that it will be “something cool” for the community, especially since not many people realise that The Saints was born in Oxley. He contacted Kuepper on Twitter to ask for permission and the musician gave a short, affirmative response.

ARIA Hall of Famer Kuepper formed The Saints together with his schoolmates Chris Bailey and Ivor Hay in 1973. He later performed with The Laughing Clowns and The Aints prior to going solo. The punk legend now resides in nearby Graceville, although his parents still live in their family home in Lawson St.

Murphy is also challenging the locals of Inala to jumpstart a similar tribute to Chris Bailey, who hails from that community.

To sign the petition, head over to the petition titled, Park Naming – Corner of Lawson Street and Oxley Road, Oxley found on the Brisbane City Council’s petition list. Petition will close on May 1st.

Group Pushes for Expanded Ferry Service to Tennyson

A group of locals is pushing for expanded service of the CityCat ferry to cover Tennyson.

Led by real estate agent Shirley Raven, the CityCat Alliance is gathering signatures and support for the proposal. Support for the idea looks strong as the group managed to gather 600 signatures in just 90 minutes when it brought the campaign to the crowd at the recent Brisbane International Tennis game.

Should a new ferry terminal be added to Tennyson and nearby suburbs, travel would only take an additional 5 minutes from University of Queensland in St Lucia. By car, travel time could take 40 minutes.

Ms Raven revealed that Brisbane City Council does not approve of the idea due to the added travel time for the ferry. Another consideration is the cost needed to construct the terminal. The council is also wary of erosion issues that could result from such a project.

Councillor Nicole Johnston of Tennyson supports the idea and said that she has been pushing to extend the route of the CityCat up to Chelmer but she was turned down by the Lord Mayor. Cr Johnston is happy with the community initiative as this will strengthen the call for new ferry terminals and extended service.

The city council currently operates 21 CityCats and nine monohull ferries. There are 25 terminals from Northshore Hamilton to The University of Queensland. The ferry service runs daily with regular services available every 15 minutes for most of the day.

For more information on CityCat and ferry services, visit the TransLink website.

Corinda Leads Brisbane‘s House Price Growth

The median house price in Brisbane increased 4.5 per cent in 2016, with Corinda leading all suburbs in terms of house price growth.

According to the rental and house price report from Domain Group, Corinda posted a 37.7 per cent growth in median house price in 2016. Median house value in the suburb stands at $840,000. The growth is primarily attributed to a good number of high-end sales that occurred toward the end of the year.

Place Graceville, a real estate agency specialising in Brisbane’s southwest corridor, sees good growth potential in Corinda, which is located some 10 km from the central business district.

Corinda is becoming an attractive place for younger families with the sudden increase of hip cafés and restaurants in the area. A younger population has also moved into the suburb after older residents moved out of pre-war houses.

Despite the upbeat outlook, the area is experiencing a continuous fall in unit prices. Unit median value dropped to 425,000, due mainly to stronger supply as well as some low quality properties. Unit prices, however, are likely to pick up in the coming year.

Movie Schedule at Regal Twin Graceville

Visit the Regal Twin, a boutique arthouse cinema in Graceville. Get information on current movie schedule and upcoming features.