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Against the Odds: How KAND Rowing Club in Tennyson Produced an Olympic Medalist

In Tennyson, on the banks of the Brisbane River, sits a small rowing club with big dreams and even bigger achievements. KAND Rowing Club, despite its modest size, has produced world-class athletes, none more prominent than Logan Ullrich, a silver medalist at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Read: Taylor Gosens: From Sound Engineering to Paralympic Judo

Ullrich’s journey to Olympic glory began in 2013 when he first picked up an oar at Brisbane Grammar School and KAND Rowing Club. A former rugby player, Ullrich quickly found his stride on the water. His talent was evident early on, securing a bronze medal in the Coxed Four at the 2018 Junior World Championships.

The young rower’s prowess earned him a scholarship to the University of Washington, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Food Systems, Nutrition & Health.

Ullrich’s international career continued to flourish, representing New Zealand at the U23 World Championships in 2022 and winning silver in the Men’s Four. The following year, he added a bronze medal to his collection at the senior World Championships in Serbia.

Paris 2024 marked Ullrich’s Olympic debut, where he and his teammates crossed the finish line with a time of 05:49.88, securing a silver medal for New Zealand. This achievement has brought immense pride to KAND Rowing Club and its founder, Dr Kelly Armitage.

Dr Armitage expressed that Ullrich’s success exemplifies the talent nurtured at their club. He noted the unexpected nature of their achievements, given the club’s small size compared to countries with much larger rowing budgets.

About the KAND Rowing Club

KAND Rowing Club is more than just a training ground for elite athletes. Founded in 2006 by Dr Kelly Armitage and Neville Doughan, the club embodies a vision of rowing that balances enjoyment with competitive success. Operating largely on volunteer efforts, KAND has become a nurturing environment for aspiring rowers.

With an eye on the future, particularly the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, Dr Armitage and his wife are planning to meet with Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner. Their goal is to propose an upgrade for the club, potentially transforming it into an Olympic training venue for the upcoming Games.

Dr Armitage explained their intention to showcase the club as the premier venue in town, with potential to serve as a training centre for various countries, including Australia. He emphasised that developing this facility would benefit both athletes and the broader community.

Read: New Nature Play Area Coming to Sherwood Arboretum

As KAND Rowing Club continues to grow, Dr. Armitage hopes that accomplishments like Ullrich’s Olympic silver medal will help foster a robust rowing culture in Queensland. With each stroke, KAND is proving that big dreams can indeed come from small clubs, one rower at a time.

Updated 15-October-2025

Residents Say Oxley & Inala Car Parks Among Brisbane’s Most Stressful

Oxley & Inala car parks have been branded among Brisbane’s most chaotic, with locals describing the Aldi and Chemist Warehouse complex at Oxley and Inala Plaza as stressful, cramped and notorious for clashes between drivers.

Chaos at Aldi Oxley

Community discussions describe Oxley and Inala as among the hardest car parks to navigate in Brisbane. At Oxley, the Aldi and Chemist Warehouse complex on Blunder Road is criticised for being chaotic even during quiet times, with some comparing it to a Mad Max scene.

Locals say the layout is too small and poorly designed, leading to narrow lanes, congestion and aggressive driving. Some also noted the lack of shaded areas and limited room to manoeuvre, making it stressful for families and pet owners. While Aldi staff and products were praised, many agreed the car park lessens the overall shopping experience.

Inala Plaza Frustrations

Inala Plaza is widely regarded as one of Brisbane’s most stressful car parks, with residents describing constant aggression and clashes over spaces. Some shoppers said they avoid parking altogether, choosing instead to drop off family members.

The car park is often packed at all hours, with weekends, especially Saturday mornings and Sunday late mornings, considered the worst. Locals also joked it feels like “hunting season,” while frequent dents and accidents have reinforced its poor reputation.

Residents Adapt To The Conditions

For many locals, Oxley and Inala symbolise parking stress in Brisbane’s south-west. Some avoid peak times, while others park elsewhere or carefully plan visits. A few admitted they regretted going at all, calling the experience exhausting and unpredictable.

Yet the centres remain popular for convenience and value, ensuring the car parks stay busy despite ongoing criticism.

Community Perspective

These community discussions underline how strongly locals feel about everyday access to shopping centres. While shops at both Oxley and Inala remain popular, the parking situation has created an ongoing point of frustration and even humour for residents.

For many, these car parks are not just places to leave their vehicles but challenging experiences that shape how they view the entire shopping trip.

Updated 7-October-2025

Corinda Student Max Bailey-Jensen Champions Parasport and Inclusive Communication

With cerebral palsy and a determination that refuses limits, Corinda State High School Year 12 student Max Bailey-Jensen has become a powerful advocate for inclusion. Whether competing at the Boccia Australia National Titles or teaching future health professionals, Max is spotlighting parasport and the importance of inclusive communication.

Read: Inspiring Corinda Boy with Cerebral Palsy Takes Up RaceRunning, Dreams About Paralympics

Max’s days are anything but ordinary. One moment he is sitting with sporting leaders, the next he is standing before a lecture hall, and soon after that, he’s competing on the national stage. Each step of his packed schedule becomes a platform to champion athletes with disability and to show how inclusive communication can break down barriers.

Spotlight on the ParaSTART program

Photo Credit: Facebook/Corinda State High School

One of Max’s proudest achievements this year was promoting the ParaSTART program at The University of Queensland (UQ). Meeting with Deb Merchant of the Merchant Foundation, Max championed the program’s mission to empower people with disability through sport and wellbeing.

ParaSTART provides both one-on-one and group training sessions for athletes of all levels, from beginners to those aiming for competition. The program specialises in swimming, athletics, and strength and conditioning, while also adapting to meet the needs of participants with high support requirements. Sessions take place in the pool, gym, or field, and are delivered by experienced coaches who are supported by medical doctors, psychologists, and dieticians.

ParaSTART is designed to be inclusive, welcoming individuals with a wide range of support needs, and no prior sporting experience is required. The program provides a pathway into physical activity and, for some, towards higher levels of competition.

Since launching seven years ago, the program has achieved an extraordinary milestone: not one athlete has ever left. For Max, that retention rate speaks to the program’s power to make sport not just possible, but irresistible.

Conversations on facilities and inclusion

Max’s advocacy extended beyond the university campus to government halls. In a meeting with Andrew Hopper, Director-General of the Department of Queensland Sport and Recreation, Racing and Olympic & Paralympic Games, he highlighted the pressing need for more parasport facilities in Brisbane.

With the city preparing to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Max’s voice added weight to the push for accessible infrastructure. His message was simple but urgent: inclusion starts with having the right spaces to play, train, and compete.

Teaching inclusive communication

Perhaps the most memorable moment of Max’s journey came when he became a lecturer for a day at UQ. Using text-to-speech technology and his lived experience, he taught third-year Human Movement and Exercise Science students about communicating with non-verbal patients.

Max combined practical strategies with humour, keeping the lecture engaging while driving home the importance of empathy in clinical practice. The session was so impactful that he has since been invited to present to other faculties across the university.

Competing at the national level

Alongside his advocacy, Max pursued sporting excellence. Partnering with Mitchell McCracken, he represented Queensland in the BC3 class at the Boccia Australia National Titles in Canberra.

Supported by Sporting Wheelies, the pair competed against athletes from across the country. Boccia, a precision ball sport played by athletes with high support needs, is being promoted and developed in Queensland.

His participation at the national level reflects the opportunities available through community programs and sporting organisations.

Read: 3 Corinda State High School Staff Recognised at Australian Education Awards

A voice for inclusion

From raising awareness of ParaSTART to meeting government leaders, teaching university students, and competing nationally, Max Bailey-Jensen is redefining what inclusion in sport can look like.

What began years ago with a RaceRunning frame — the first in Australia — has grown into a journey that inspires Brisbane and beyond. And as the countdown to the 2032 Paralympics continues, Max’s voice is part of the city’s evolving story: a future where sport belongs to everyone.

Published 1-October-2025

Brisbane Dog Squad Remembers PD Leroy, A Pioneer in Detection Work

The Brisbane Dog Squad, based in Oxley, is mourning the loss of retired Police Dog (PD) Leroy, a Labrador whose career blended forensic skill with gentle comfort. Leroy passed away peacefully of old age with his handler, Sergeant Darren Breuer, by his side.

Read: New Police Dogs Graduate in Oxley, Strengthening Frontline Support

Born on 31 December 2012, Leroy was one of the last Labradors bred through the Queensland Police Service (QPS) program. He retired from operational duty in 2021 and spent his retirement living with Sergeant Breuer, who had been his handler since graduation. The closeness of their relationship, often described as hand to paw, was evident to colleagues and the public alike.

Leroy’s place in Queensland policing is unique. The QPS describes him as the state’s first dog trained to detect cash, firearms and drugs, a rare triple-specialist. Over his years in the Brisbane Dog Squad he located millions of dollars in illicit funds, recovered firearms and uncovered large quantities of illegal drugs. One memorable find cited by the service was a kilogram of cocaine that had been buried and concealed; such discoveries underline how detection dogs and handlers disrupt serious criminal activity.

His abilities were no accident. Leroy came from a line of working dogs: his grandfather PD Asco worked in drug detection and his father PD Pezz served as a bomb detection dog. His mother was Fern; PD Flipa, who was related to Fern, was an early kennel mate. In retirement he kept company with PD Turbo, his half-brother, and PD Ice, sharing early morning bush walks and the rhythms of life off-duty.

Leroy’s contribution to policing was matched by his softer role in the community. In retirement he became the QPS’s first comfort dog, visiting sick children in hospital and offering relief to officers in high-stress units such as communications and teams handling child-harm matters. He also appeared at community events — at Christmas he was affectionately known as “Santa Leroy” — showing how working dogs can be both operational assets and sources of calm for the public.

Those who cared for him recall little rituals that made retirement special. Each morning, often before dawn, he joined his kennel mates for a bush walk. He could be slow to climb into the van on dark winter mornings, but a cookie before the team set off was almost always enough incentive.

The QPS paid tribute to Leroy’s service and the comfort he offered throughout his life. The poem The Police Dog by Tim Beard — lines that speak to devotion and sacrifice — was shared in his honour and echoed the sentiments of handlers who have lost canine partners.

Read: Oxley Police Academy to Receive Significant Upgrade

Leroy’s story is one of skill, loyalty and companionship. His work helped keep people safer; his visits and presence helped keep officers and community members steadier. As colleagues and residents reflect on his passing, they remember not just the contraband and crime he helped uncover but the steady, reassuring presence he offered every day.

Published 30-September-2025. Updated 6-October-2025

Feathered Fathers on Patrol: Why Magpies in Oxley Are Swooping

Photo Credit: Australian Museum

From the well-known “Guardian of Viola Place” to newly active birds in Oxley, Brisbane communities are sharing knowledge and adapting their routines for the annual magpies swooping season.

A Father’s Fierce Defence

magpies — *Photo Credit:* *Australian Museum*

While a magpie diving from the sky can be startling, experts say the behaviour is not random aggression but a calculated act of defence. According to behavioural ecologist Emeritus Professor Darryl Jones, every swooping magpie is a male fulfilling his duty to protect the nest.

For a few months, these birds view fast-moving humans, particularly cyclists, in the same way they would a goanna or a snake—as a potential predator. This protective instinct is intense, but it’s limited to a small portion of the magpie population, with BirdLife Australia advising that only about one in ten males engage in swooping. These same birds play a vital role in our local ecosystem, helping to control insect populations and spread seeds.

Mapping the Neighbourhood Patrols

The breeding season, which is now underway, typically runs from July to December and hits its peak in September and October. During this time, certain magpies become well-known local characters. Near the Brisbane Airport, cyclists know to watch for the “Guardian of Viola Place,” a bird that has patrolled the Lomandra Drive bikeway for years.

Community reports to Brisbane City Council have identified several key suburbs where residents should be extra aware, with Oxley, Forest Lake, Wakerley, Carindale, and Bald Hills listed as current hotspots. Since the start of July, the council has received 87 reports about swooping birds across the city.

A Community Coexistence Kit

Living alongside these protective parents requires awareness, not alarm. The goal is to signal that you are not a threat. Travelling in groups can often deter a magpie, and it is best not to run if swooped, as this can encourage the bird. Simple physical barriers are effective; wearing a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses can protect your head and eyes. For cyclists, adding a helmet brim, like those from Da Brim, or even something to cover the ears, is recommended. The most crucial advice is to remain calm and in control of your bike, as a fall is likely to cause more harm than a bird.

Residents are encouraged to share their experiences on the community-run website magpiealert.com to help others plan their routes. Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner also stated that reporting incidents directly to the council allows them to monitor birds and install signage to warn the wider community, helping everyone navigate the season safely. While some locals swear by attaching cable ties or fake eyes to helmets, these methods are generally considered ineffective.

Updated 6-October-2025

Can The Broncos End the 18-year Drought and Win the NRL Telstra Premiership?

It was 1992 when the Brisbane Broncos won their first Premiership, led by Alfie Langer who had taken over as skipper when Gene Miles retired. Going back-to-back in 1993 and winning the Super League in 1997. Following up again with a Premiership in 1998 and another at the turn of the millenium in 2000 and again in 2006.

That’s 18 seasons ago. Time flies. Let’s not forget Kevvie put together the majority of the current Broncos side including bringing Reece Walsh from the Warriors, and Walters led them to a Grand Final in 2023.

Then he passed the baton to Madge.

Madge, aka “enemy numero uno” having led the Blues in a massive comeback win against the Maroons, in the 2024 Origin Series. Plenty of locals could not forget that and surely Madge kept his head down for that very reason.

The decision to appoint Maguire was brilliant! A masterclass move by the Broncos Board.

So now after quite a rollercoaster season, where at times the Broncos looked dire yet have far more often looked unbeatable. It’s only in recent weeks though that we have fully understood the resilience and sheer determination of this group.

The Broncos beat the Storm in the final game of the regular season to make the 4, 30-14, at Suncorp and after the game, skipper Paddy Carrigan spoke about the deluge of goal-line defence they had practiced in training.

That’s where their backbone has been developed, the layers of determination, and now the belief that no matter how high the mountain, it can always be climbed.

The “Mission Impossible” of coming back from 14-0 against the 4 time Premiers, now seems a walk in the park compared to the hole the Broncos were in against the Minor Premiers, but in reality both comebacks were miracles of belief and determination.

How much was Paddy Carrigan missed last week (and Billy Walters), and how much fresher will he be as a result? At the same time Payne Haas desperately needs a week off, but give us one more big one, Payne!

King & Loiero vs Carrigan & Haas – Broncos win.

In that final regular season game at Suncorp, Jahrome Hughes was coming off an injury break, and it would be fair to assume he’s now back to full capacity.

Munster & Hughes vs Hunt & Reynolds – Tough call.

Papenhuyzen + Howarth + Meaney vs Walsh + Staggs + Shibabsaki – Broncos win

Warbrick + Coates vs Karapani + Mariner – Broncos win

Grant Atkins did a great job of the Broncos-Panthers last week and is given the honours in the middle for the Grand Final.

18 seasons is a long time. It’s time to put that to bed, boys!

The Grand Final of the NRL Telstra Premiership kicks off at 6.30pm Brisbane Time, this Sunday, October 5. BE VERY CAREFUL AS DAYLIGHT SAVING STARTS ON SUNDAY!
The game will be broadcast live on Nine, Foxtel and Kayo.

Published 2-October-2025

Homeowners Face Stalled Flood Repairs in Chelmer

Photo Credit: Pexels

A Chelmer couple has reported major financial loss and stalled repairs after paying more than $140,000 to Tilson & Sons Building and Construction for flood recovery works.

Homeowners Left Waiting in Chelmer

Tom and Monica Belcher of Chelmer said they spent $145,000, including $32,000 from the Resilient Homes Fund, to restore their flood-affected home and complete renovations. Despite engaging Tilson & Sons Building and Construction in late 2023, they claim progress halted after only partial works, leaving their home in an incomplete state.

They later terminated their contract and joined other clients alleging they were left out of pocket by the same builder.

Chelmer flood repairs — Photo Credit: Pexels

Background of Stalled Projects

The Belchers’ case stems from the 2022 floods, which damaged their downstairs living area. Their situation adds to complaints from multiple families, including one Burpengary East household whose extension project stalled for two years.

Builder Declan Tilson was contacted by media about the Chelmer case but did not provide a response. In other media interviews, he acknowledged delays on some projects, saying he aimed to complete the work and that not all outcomes had been negative.

Financial and Personal Strain

The Belchers said their financial loss has been compounded by ongoing stress. They cited early warning signs such as requests for advanced payments, delays to commencement, and trades not being properly managed.

Other families reported similar challenges. Burpengary East veteran Michelle Holmes invested $97,000 from her disability payout into an extension project worth $164,000, but after two years the work remains incomplete. She has since taken her case to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Another flood victim, Megan McStea, paid more than $92,000 under a fixed-price contract, only for the work to be abandoned after a single day on site.

Company and Regulatory History

Records show Tilson & Sons Building and Construction has been subject to regulatory action. In 2024, the company was fined $3,226 and received four demerit points for failing to comply with a rectification direction. In 2025, a further direction to rectify was issued, resulting in an additional $4,774 fine and eight demerit points.

Court records also confirm a default judgment against the company on 13 June 2025 in the Caboolture Magistrates Court, with Excavator Edge Pty Ltd awarded $9,174.11.

Creditor Watch currently lists Tilson & Sons as “impaired,” noting its trading position as vulnerable to non-payment and default.

Community Sentiment in Chelmer

Residents who have spoken out say they feel financially strained and unsupported. The Belchers expressed frustration at the state of their home and the lack of progress after investing substantial funds. Others said their experiences have caused health impacts, including stress and anxiety.

Ongoing Outcomes

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission confirmed Tilson & Sons holds a builder-low rise licence and has been issued with penalties and rectification directions. Affected homeowners continue to pursue outcomes through the tribunal process, with some facing long waits before hearings.

Published 16-Sep-2025

Hanno’s Country Butchery in Oxley Wins QLD Sausage King Honour

Oxley residents have a new reason to cheer with Hanno’s Country Butchery taking out the title of Queensland’s Sausage King. This recognition puts the suburb’s local superstore on the state stage for its traditional beef sausage.

The award was announced at the Australian Meat Industry Council’s State Awards Dinner on Saturday, 13 September 2025, where Darren “Hanno” Hannigan and his team secured the top prize.

Their winning sausage, crafted with beef sourced from Queensland producers and blended with herbs, spices and a few secret ingredients, will now go on to represent the state at the National Awards Dinner in March 2026.

Sausage King Hanno's Country Butchery — Photo Credit: Supplied

A Local Business with Strong Roots

Hannigan, who began as a 14-year-old apprentice and has now been in the trade for more than 37 years, operates three stores across South-West Brisbane and Logan. These include retail outlets at North McLean and Park Ridge Town Centre, along with the 436-square-metre superstore at Blunder Road Shopping Village in Oxley.

At the Oxley store, more than 150 square metres of space has been designed to showcase butchery as theatre. Customers can watch the team slice, carve, mince and prepare meat, all in clear view, creating what Hannigan describes as a transparent shopping experience.

Hanno's Country Butchery in Oxley — Photo Credit: Supplied

Keeping the Trade Alive

Hannigan has expressed concern about the decline in independent butcheries and the difficulty in attracting apprentices to the industry. Employing around 20 staff across his stores, he has emphasised the need for visible, practical skills training to ensure the future of the trade.

By placing the daily work of butchers front and centre in his Oxley store, he hopes to encourage more young people to consider butchery as a career.

The Oxley superstore has become more than a place to buy meat; it is also a space where residents can connect with the process and feel confident about what they are purchasing. Hannigan’s focus on locally sourced products has positioned his butchery as part of the broader community effort to support Queensland producers.

The Oxley superstore at Blunder Road Shopping Village is open Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and weekends from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Published 17-Sept-2025

Local Liam Paro Takes To The Ring as Pat Rafter Arena Hosts Bigtime Boxing For the First Time

Photo Credit: No Limit Boxing/YouTube

The Pat Rafter Arena hosts a huge Boxing event for the first time on Thursday night, presented by No Limit Boxing.

Local Liam Paro takes on the unbeaten Frenchman, David Papot, in a world-title eliminator for the IBF Welterweight World Title.

The Pat Rafter Arena is an interesting venue for boxing as the staggered seating lends itself very well for spectators to see the gladiators in the ring, as did Suncorp for the fantastic Pacquiao-Horn fight eight years ago. Maybe this could become a new second use for the venue.

Liam Paro has been based in Brisbane for nine years and at one stage was training with Jeff Horn. He’s accumulated a very impressive 26 wins, 1 loss record, including 16 wins by knockout. His only loss was a split decision, defending his IBF Super-Lightweight World Championship in Puerto Rico, before recently moving up in weight to Welterweight, after destroying Californian, Jonathan Navarro, the huge pool of blood under his stool showing the damage caused.

Frenchman, Papot enters the 12 round eliminator with a 30 wins, 0 losses and 1 draw record. This will only be his second fight, however, outside France, and the Pat Rafter atmosphere will be as parochial as it gets!

The winner will likely become the mandatory challenger for an IBF Welterweight bout.

The card also includes Caboolture’s Liam Wilson defending his WBO International Super Featherweight title against Jorge Santana of the Dominican Republic.

Wilson carries a record of 16 wins and 3 losses, including 8 wins by knockout, whilst Santana has a record of 14 wins and 1 loss, including 9 wins by knockout.

The undercard also includes:

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT	Paolo Aokuso vs Shukhrat Abdullaev
SUPER WELTERWEIGHT	Brock Jarvis vs Ken Aitken
SUPER WELTERWEIGHT	Jacob Ng vs Rikki Naito

The event starts at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 18, and will also be covered live on Pay Per View on Main Event.

Published 15-Sept-2025

Emirates Serves up Support for Tennyson Kids with New Community Tennis Drive

Children in Tennyson swapped classrooms for tennis courts, as Emirates’ new Force for Good program delivered its first Schools Future Fit event at Pat Rafter Arena, giving 250 primary students from disadvantaged and multicultural backgrounds a chance to learn the game while building fitness and social connection.

A local start with a national reach

The Tennyson gathering on 4 September was one of 11 community initiatives funded by Emirates this year under its five-year, $2.25 million commitment to grassroots tennis in Australia.

The program, created in partnership with the Australian Tennis Foundation, aims to reach around 3,000 children in 2025 across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Organisers expect more than 60 schools and clubs will take part, giving kids over 10,000 opportunities to play.

Community at the centre

The Schools Future Fit Program, delivered by Youth of Tomorrow, included tennis coaching, introductory Pop and Pickleball sessions and workshops on mental health. Students also took home tennis gear and mementos from the day. Organisers described the initiative as a way to break down barriers and provide children with both sport and wellbeing support in a fun environment.

Role models on court

Australian tennis player John Millman, an ambassador for the foundation, joined the event in Tennyson to run coaching sessions. He said the experience showed how tennis could bring people together and give young people a sense of belonging. Emirates staff and mascots were also present, adding to the community atmosphere.

Investment in Australia

Emirates regional manager Dean Cleaver said the airline wanted its relationship with Australia to extend beyond flights, pointing to its history of backing the Australian Open. The Force for Good program, he explained, was about giving children chances they might not otherwise have—building sporting skills while supporting mental and physical wellbeing.

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