A family barbecue in Sherwood turned into a fast-moving house fire that tore through a two-storey Brisbane home, forcing residents to flee as thick smoke and loud explosions spread across the neighbourhood. Fire crews arrived to find the property heavily engulfed, while nearby residents gathered on the street watching firefighters battle flames that could be seen above surrounding homes.
The fire broke out on Lance Street in Sherwood on 9 May, shortly after 1:30 p.m. Queensland Fire Department crews responded after a barbecue on an outdoor deck was believed to have caught alight before the flames spread into the house.
Emergency responders worked for about an hour to bring the blaze under control as smoke poured through the suburb’s residential streets. Video footage showed firefighters using aerial hoses while parts of the roof collapsed into the building.
Neighbours Heard Explosions as Fire Spread
Residents living nearby reported hearing shouting and several explosions as the fire intensified. Some neighbours rushed outside after seeing smoke rise above the property, while others watched emergency crews move quickly to stop the flames from spreading to nearby homes.
Early updates posted on a local community Facebook page stated firefighters were responding to reports of a barbecue fire that had spread from the back deck into the house. The property, described in multiple reports as a Queenslander-style home, suffered severe structural damage during the blaze.
Sherwood Community Watches After Family Loses Home
Several reports stated six people were displaced by the fire as the home was left heavily damaged. Images from the scene showed blackened walls, collapsed sections of roofing and debris scattered around the property after crews extinguished the flames.
While investigators continue examining the exact cause, emergency services believe the barbecue may have been left running before the fire started. Authorities have not reported any serious injuries linked to the incident.
Sherwood residents now have a dedicated home for Latin-style barbecue following the arrival of La Vaca, a premium casual eatery specialising in traditional fire-grilled meats and slow-cooked ribs.
The restaurant recently began welcoming guests for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Local diners can visit the new venue to experience a menu built around the ritual of the hearth, where patience and high heat are used to transform quality ingredients. While the establishment is now fully operational, the owners are focusing on building a steady presence within the local community.
The culinary team at La Vaca describes their approach as an obsession with taking meat seriously. They aim to move beyond standard steakhouse offerings by honouring the traditions of the grill.
By combining the smoky techniques common in American barbecue with vibrant Latin American flavours, the kitchen has developed a unique style of cooking. The menu focuses on the depth of flavour found in slow-cooked meats and ribs, alongside a selection of spirits like bourbon and whisky.
The dining experience is designed to be high-quality without the need for a formal atmosphere. The creators of the brand believe that a premium meal is defined by the quality of the food and the drinks provided rather than white tablecloths. Every dish served is intended for sharing, encouraging a social environment for families and friends. They view their cooking as a language that connects with people through shared meals and intentional preparation.
While the food has received high praise from early visitors, some community members have noted that the dining room remains quiet during several shifts. Regular patrons have reported that the quality of the meals has remained high across multiple visits, expressing a desire for more locals to discover the spot. There is a growing sentiment among Sherwood residents that supporting new businesses is essential to ensure the diverse dining scene in the area continues to thrive.
The Sherwood Community Festival returns to the Arboretum on Saturday 16 May 2026, marking its 30th year, and the all-volunteer committee is calling on locals to give an hour or two of their time to help bring the 4075’s biggest free community day back to life.
After the 2025 festival was cancelled due to poor ground conditions at the Arboretum, the return this May carries extra significance for a community that has rallied around this event for three decades. The festival draws up to 10,000 visitors to Sherwood Arboretum each year and runs entirely on volunteer effort, from the committee that spends twelve months planning it down to the people who set up gazebos at dawn and pack the last chair away at the end of the day.
Without enough hands on deck, an event of this scale simply cannot happen, and with 16 May now just weeks away, the team is actively looking for day-of volunteers across a range of roles.
Find Your Role on the Day
There are five volunteer roles, each suited to different interests and energy levels.
The Production Team is the crew that transforms an empty arboretum into a festival. They arrive early, put up gazebos, set out chairs, hang signage and get the whole site ready before the gates open. If you like being active and want to see an event come together from the ground up, this one is for you.
The Info Tent is the community’s first point of contact during the day. Volunteers there hand out programs, help visitors find food stalls and stages, and keep people informed about what’s on next. It is a prime viewing spot, and it suits anyone who enjoys a conversation and wants to make visitors feel genuinely welcome.
Workshop Helpers work in the Arts Hub, setting out materials for painting and hands-on crafts, giving a hand to anyone who needs it, and keeping tables tidy between sessions. It is a relaxed role well suited to anyone who enjoys a creative atmosphere and wants to help local families get into making things together.
Stage Runners are the link between performers and the stage, making sure musicians and speakers get where they need to be on time. The Arbor Green and Fig Tree stages both host local bands, schools and performing arts groups across the day, and this role puts you right in the middle of that energy.
Stewards move around the full festival site, helping people find their way and making sure the grounds stay safe and tidy for the thousands of families, children and visitors coming through. It lets you experience the whole festival atmosphere while playing a genuinely useful role.
Thirty Years of Showing Up for Each Other
The Sherwood Community Festival traces its origins to 1995, when a small group of Sherwood Road traders organised a pavement event to bring people to the shopping strip as banks and businesses began to close. That first event had a handful of stalls and a straightforward purpose: keep the community connected to its local street.
Over the following three decades it grew into a full street festival with road closures, then shifted to its current home at Sherwood Arboretum where it has expanded to more than 100 stalls, four performance spaces, free rides and face painting, an Arts Hub, food trucks and a sausage sizzle, all free to attend.
The festival has always run off the same foundation: the generosity of people willing to give a bit of their Saturday to something bigger than themselves. The committee is made up entirely of volunteers, many of whom give a few hours a week across the year to handle everything from grant applications and sponsor relationships to site logistics and entertainment programming.
On the day itself, those roles multiply and the event lives or dies on how many extra pairs of hands show up.
How to Put Your Hand Up
Volunteer registration for the Sherwood Community Festival on Saturday 16 May 2026 is open now. You can sign up for as little as an hour or two, in whichever role suits you best. To register, click here and fill out the expression of interest form. The committee will be in touch to confirm details.
The Sherwood Arboretum is at 87 Jolimont Street, Sherwood. The train station sits at the end of the street, making it easy to get to without a car.
There is a war memorial in Graceville Memorial Park that has stood since November 1920. The man who unveiled it had lost both eyes and his right hand at Gallipoli five years earlier. His name was Edwin Maurice Little, and he had made Corinda his home.
Maurice, as he preferred to be known, was born in Barcaldine in 1893, the son of a Methodist minister. He attended Brisbane Grammar School from 1907 to 1909, captaining the First XI cricket team, before becoming a schoolteacher with the Department of Public Instruction. He was posted to Gladstone, and it was there that he enlisted on 16 September 1914, aged 21.
He was drafted into the 15th Infantry Battalion as a sergeant at Enoggera on 1 October 1914. The battalion, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel William “Bull” Cannan, joined Brigadier General John Monash’s 4th Brigade and embarked on the troopship Ceramic on 22 December 1914, bound for Egypt. After a period of training at Mena Camp near Cairo, the 4th Brigade embarked for Gallipoli on 12 April 1915.
Starboard view of White Star Liner SS Ceramic at sea (Photo credit: No known copyright restrictions/Wikimedia Commons/Australian National Maritime Museum’s Samuel J. Hood Studio collection)
The 15th Battalion landed at approximately 4:00pm on 25 April and moved up a narrow gully to the edge of an escarpment, establishing a defensive line at what would become known as Quinn’s Post, named after a captain in the battalion. It was the furthest point reached by the Australians on the first day and remained so throughout the campaign. The battalion garrisoned Quinn’s Post for the duration, sustaining continual casualties from sniping and bombs. Maurice was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on 14 May to make up for the loss of officers.
On 26 May, a Turkish mine was exploded beneath the Anzac trenches at Quinn’s Post, and the Turks captured part of the trench system. Maurice and one other man attempted to hold back an enemy advance along a trench. Newspaper accounts from 1916, likely based on his own testimony, describe how he had been throwing Turkish bombs back before they exploded, doing so successfully six times before the seventh detonated in his hand.
Reverend William Little (Photo credit: State Library of Queensland; Sidney Riley Studio)
On 29 May he was transferred to the hospital ship Gascon. At the Australian General Hospital at Heliopolis in Cairo, his right hand and wrist were amputated and both eyes were removed. He also sustained a severe wound to his left knee, which became infected.
His father, the Reverend William Little, received a telegram advising that Maurice was wounded “not seriously.” A casualty list published in the press listed him as killed in action. According to researcher Ian Lang, whose account is published by the State Library of Queensland, the Reverend Little made his distress at the inaccurate reports known to his colleague, the Reverend William Brown of Sherwood.
Coming Home to Corinda
Photo credit: “The Queenslander” 11 December 1915, p.27, State Library of Queensland
Maurice’s recovery at Heliopolis was aided by Lizzie Crowler, an English missionary who had spent twelve years working for the Church Home Mission in the Sudan and had come to Cairo on furlough, where she volunteered as a nurse. Maurice and Lizzie married in Cairo, with Maurice carried to the ceremony in a chair due to his knee injury. Lizzie was 22 years his senior.
The couple returned to Australia aboard the Kanowna in October 1915. A medical board in Brisbane discharged Maurice as medically unfit, noting the loss of both eyes, the amputation of his right hand, arthritis in his leg wound, hearing loss in his right ear and the loss of several teeth. He was granted a pension of 41 pounds a year, with Lizzie receiving 45 pounds a year as his primary carer.
Maurice mastered Braille while in Egypt with Lizzie’s assistance. The Bible Society donated all 29 volumes of the Braille Bible. He spoke at a public meeting in the Ipswich Town Hall, and stood unsuccessfully for State Parliament in the seat of Bremmer on a Nationalist ticket in 1918. He wrote regularly for publications including The Queenslander and authored an essay, Blindness Described From Within, published in the Maryborough Chronicle on 16 August 1920. In 1923, Queensland Book Depot published his Sonnets and Other Verses, with a preface by Mr. Bousfield, headmaster of Brisbane Grammar.
Maurice and Lizzie settled in Corinda. After the war, Maurice became the inaugural president of the Sherwood branch of the Returned Soldiers and Sailors Imperial League. On 29 November 1920, he unveiled the Sherwood Shire War Memorial at Graceville Memorial Park. His former battalion commander, Brigadier General Cannan, by then State president of the RSSAILA, was also present.
In 1925 the couple travelled to England, where Maurice studied economics at Oxford for three years. The couple later lived in Sydney for a time, where Maurice pursued a writing career. He died in Bromley, London, on 19 August 1938, aged 45.
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.
We’ve combed Corinda, Graceville, Graceville East, Oxley, and Sherwood for the best reviewed restaurants in the area where people waxed lyrical about their dining experience and what they love most about it. Here’s our list!
Peter Bill ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I went to watch the test cricket at the tavern. I had spaghetti Bolognese, which was a lunch special. Good lunch sized portion, very nicely cooked with garlic bread on the side. The garlic bread was incredibly soft and tasty. The staff were very professional and friendly and very helpful. I hardly drink alcohol, but I thought I would have a drink. I asked one of the staff for a drink recommendation. I took up her suggestion. I asked for extra lemon, which I got. I went and watched the cricket on the massive screen they have and I left after a few hours. I’m not good to be around when I’ve had a few drinks, so I left before the truth serum set in. I highly recommend Oxley tavern. It was going to become one of my go to places for food and drink, however my circumstances have changed.
Craig Riley ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The girl who served us was AMAZING (wish I remembered her name). Friendly, personable and always with a smile. I raved about her exceptional customer service and was just blown away by her everything. Nice work to her. She said she usually works Mondays so lucky for us she was working on a Tuesday as well. I gave her a nice little tip $$$. Food was alright (we all had burgers for dinner). Couldn’t finish it I was that full. Chips and gravy and onion rings were very nice.
Sue Folliott ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We had a very impromptu family dinner last night for my Nephews birthday. We had a lovely time. Great food, and staff very helpful. Even the music playing was great. Pity for such a great menu that it was a small bistro area, It was a bit overshadowed by the “sports bar” section and the pokies at the end. Compliments to the chef and the team.. to the novice coffee maker, it was great. 🙂
Dede boon ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I ordered 3 dishes. Pad Kee Mao is my favorite dish or so-called Dunken Noodle. It’s really great. This dish is really full of flavor. If you like Thai spicy food, I recommend it. I’ll try the iced tea today. I like that the shop opens during the day.
Filippo ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Have been to Bann Sian Thai restaurant numerous times. This Thai never fails when eating here. Their food is absolutely delicious! Chicken Penang is my favourite dish. My wife loves the Drunken Noodles! This family business never is wavering with true values of what food and service is about! The service is always so good, with a genuine welcome when we arrive. Can’t recommend this Thai any stronger!
Lilian Nguyen ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Hosted dad’s bday dinner here and every dish we ordered was flavourful and delicious, super well seasoned and authentic flavours in the dishes. Would definitely recommend the massaman curry, pineapple rice, pad thai and the satay chicken entree. Every staff that helped us was so lovely and kind!
Louraine Monedero ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We came in like 7mins before kitchen closes but they still accommodated us 🥹🙏🏻 Staff are so friendly and food was amazing! Cheese katsu is the best! We’ll definitely be back and recommend to friends! 🤩🤩🤩🤩
Noppamas Sutthanun ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Second time visiting this place and the taste is just as great as the first time. Fresh, high-quality ingredients and excellent tonkatsu at a very reasonable price. Highly recommended! Easy to get to — only a 1-minute walk from Sherwood Station if you’re not driving.
laura kwon ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great food and excellent service! Not only is the food always delicious, but the staff go above and beyond. We didn’t even know we left our baby’s pacifier once, but they kept it safe and remembered to return it to us on our next visit. Truly thoughtful!
Kirsten Olyott ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Went for lunch, beautiful Xmas decorations and great atmosphere. Had Sunday roast and Chicken Parmi and both were delicious. Coffee and lemon meringue and brownie to finish and served beautifully and fast service. Friendly staff and a great meal. Thanks all.
Jaida Wienert ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Took the family for their Mothers Day buffet and what a truly beautiful experience! The absolute love and care poured into the set up was incredible, the tables where stunning with beautiful fresh flowers, candles and nametags, obviously not a regular day but the effort of it all was outstanding! The staff were charming and so lovely, they even had little tea gifts for the mothers of the day! If the atmosphere and staff are even half as amazing on other days this place is absolutely worth a visit! The food was amazing, all of it was kept wonderfully warm and was absolutely delicious! The mini Sausages were particularly delightful! I truly can’t wait to come back for a dinner experience and hope to update my review then!
Donna Bake ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Had a group for dinner the food was great. Had pizza and cheese bread, lamb shanks, and steak. All served in good time and was really good food. Lots of kids for a Wednesday night so don’t site next to the kids play area is you don’t want to hear loud kids all night.
Anceliana Maria Ramos ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I recently visited Roma Roma Pasta Bar and was thoroughly impressed with their fun and satisfying pasta concept. The ordering system is simple but effective — pick your protein, veggies, pasta style, sauce, and cheese, then watch it all come together in a generous bowl. Everything arrived fresh and steaming hot, with bold flavours that hit the spot. The pricing is excellent for the portion size—around $18.90 for a fully loaded bowl, which felt like great value given the quantity and quality. Their sauces ranged from creamy Alfredo to zesty tomato and spicy arrabbiata, with vegan options readily available. Service was friendly and efficient, and the atmosphere was casual and welcoming—perfect for a quick lunch, dinner, or even pick-up.
Silvana Sparkles ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Love this incredible Pasta Bar with delicious Italian inspired pasta you can customise anyway you like woth a variety of sauces, toppings and cheeses. Enjoyed the delicious gnochi with chorizo, green goddess pasta, linguini with prawns. We also ordered the delicious truffle fries made with flavour filled truffle and parmeson cheese and the delicious truffle arancini balls which melt in your mouth. So much variety to choose from and fun way to get together with family and friends to create and enjoy a delicious meal. 10/10. Will be back 🍝😋
Thomas Copp ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The suburbs have been needing something like this place for so long. A make your own pasta bar, so cool. Lovely fresh pasta that you can make to your liking. Great prices too. A liquor licence would really take this place to another level as well. Will be back!
Queensland Representative School Sport has supported the development of student athletes across multiple disciplines for more than a century, with Sherwood linked to the pathway through the junior football progression of Brisbane Lions player Jaspa Fletcher.
Queensland Representative School Sport provides competitive pathways across 21 sports, supporting students through district, regional, state and national championships. The program allows students to compete in structured environments while continuing their education, helping athletes develop both sporting and personal skills.
The program has operated for more than 100 years and has supported athletes across a wide range of sporting codes, creating consistent pathways during school years.
Photo Credit: QLD Gov
Highlighting Athlete Journeys
Queensland Representative School Sport maintains an athlete portal that profiles students who have participated in representative competitions. The portal outlines how involvement in school carnivals and championships has contributed to later sporting opportunities.
Athletes featured include Grace Brimelow, Rhani Hagan, Kobi Walker, Deanna Turner and Alexa Leary. Each progressed through representative school sport in disciplines such as swimming, athletics, rugby, triathlon and netball, gaining experience through interschool and championship events.
Photo Credit: QLD Gov
Sherwood’s Connection Through Jaspa Fletcher
Sherwood’s direct link to the program is reflected through Jaspa Fletcher’s junior football pathway. Fletcher progressed through Queensland Representative School Sport as a junior athlete, competing at district, regional, state and national levels.
He began his junior football career with Coorparoo before later playing for Sherwood Districts, where he continued his development in Brisbane’s local competition structure.
Photo Credit: QLD Gov
Transition To Professional Football
Fletcher’s under-18 performances in 2022 resulted in his selection with pick 12 in the national draft. He made his AFL debut in 2023 and has since been part of Brisbane premiership-winning teams in 2024 and 2025.
His progression demonstrates how representative school sport pathways can support long-term athlete development, connecting junior participation to elite competition through structured programs.
The Brisbane River has risen over the Sherwood property in several major events, including the floods of 1974, 2011 and 2022. The original home was affected in 2011, and the land was again inundated in 2022. During that 2022 event, a long stretch of the riverbank collapsed, causing parts of the block to sink by up to a metre. This resulted in earlier building approvals being withdrawn and required a complete redesign.
Richard and Janette Rowles returned to the Sherwood property after inheriting it in 2015. The couple had lived nearby for many years before deciding to rebuild on the riverfront despite its flood history.
Photo Caption: A still from “Sherwood River,” capturing Richard Rowles and the team. Watch the full episode on Grand Designs Australia. Photo Credit: ABC iview
Flood-Resilient Construction in Sherwood
The build took nearly two and a half years and cost more than $2 million. The new structure sits 11 metres from the river and almost half a metre above the council’s assessed flood level. It is supported by 26 piers embedded 13.5 metres into the ground, a measure intended to limit movement in any future landslip.
The lower level was intentionally designed to be submersible, with raised electrical points and switches. Living spaces were built on the upper floor, using water-resistant materials such as removable melamine wall panels, epoxy-painted steel framing and ironbark floorboards. A concrete staircase links the undercroft to a central courtyard and upper rooms.
Expert Insights and Design Principles
Flood-resilience specialist James Davidson notes that while the Sherwood example is a high-cost project, the principles applied can be used for new builds or retrofits at lower budgets. He highlights measures such as identifying projected flood levels, raising homes where possible, using resilient materials and positioning services above likely flood points.
He also recommends avoiding cavity construction, using concrete and tiled surfaces, treating pine framing and removing plasterboard in high-risk areas. He maintains that no house can be fully flood-proof, but these steps can reduce damage and recovery time.
Photo Caption: A map showing the boundaries of Sherwood beside the Brisbane River. Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Community Perspectives and Comparisons
Online discussion has shown mixed responses, with some residents pointing to similar raised designs and hose-out ground levels used in other flood-affected regions. Others reference the wide variation in past flood heights and the limits of designing for extreme events. Some discussions also mention floating structures and high-stilt housing as alternative approaches.
Although the Sherwood home incorporates extensive flood-resilience measures, expert commentary notes that increasing flood levels will continue to shape building decisions along the river. Some specialists indicate that relocating away from high-risk areas remains the only complete safeguard, though many homeowners are instead adopting resilience-based strategies.
Putting creative control on the menu, a new Italian eatery in Sherwood called Roma Roma is inviting locals to design their own meals as part of a fresh dining concept rooted in sustainability and community connection.
Roma Roma, which began serving customers last month, is the project of former Mantra Hotels head chef Anand Jasnai and ex-Accor Pullman executive Gerlane Jasani. The pair are moving beyond the traditional restaurant model to create a place where the connection between the diner, the food, and local producers is central to the experience. They aim to serve food that is not only delicious but also honest and thoughtfully made.
The core idea of the place is a commitment to doing things the “real way.” This starts with their ingredients. The restaurant partners with local suppliers and growers who share their values of providing clean, ethical, and flavourful produce. This approach means no shortcuts are taken in the kitchen, ensuring that every dish is built on a foundation of quality.
This philosophy extends to how the restaurant operates. The team is focused on reducing their environmental impact through practical steps like portion-smart menus to minimise food waste and the use of compostable packaging for takeaway orders. Their belief is that every part of the dining experience, from sourcing to serving, should be handled with care for the community and the environment.
This community-first approach is most visible in their unique menu, which allows diners to become the chef. The “build-your-own” pasta bowl lets customers choose their preferred fresh pasta, sauce, protein, and cheese, putting them in complete control of their meal. Options range from classic spaghetti and rich, slow-cooked ragu to zoodles and pan-smoked chorizo.
For those who prefer to leave it to the professionals, the restaurant also offers a menu of signature dishes. These include comforting classics like a traditional carbonara with crispy bacon and a rich egg yolk, and an indulgent creamy truffle gnocchi topped with crunchy garlic crumbs. The menu also caters widely to different dietary needs, with ample vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available to ensure everyone in the neighbourhood has a place at the table.
With its funky and playful atmosphere, the restaurant is designed to be a versatile local hub. It serves as a perfect spot for a date night, offering restaurant-quality comfort in a relaxed setting. It also provides a convenient takeaway option for those nights when you crave a nourishing, chef-made meal without leaving the house. From golden arancini balls to house-made tiramisu cups, the menu is crafted to feel like a treat, whether you’re dining in or curling up on the couch.
The State has awarded more than $14 million in funding to almost 600 not-for-profit organisations through the latest round of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund. Among the recipients is Guides Queensland Sherwood, which will receive $23,500 to construct storage space and repaint its facility.
The Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF), now in its 123rd round, offers grants of up to $35,000. Since its inception over 30 years ago, the program has distributed more than $1.25 billion in funding to grassroots organisations across Queensland. The latest round attracted over 1,100 applications.
The GCBF provides financial support for projects that promote community wellbeing, including sport, volunteer initiatives, accessibility improvements, and local events. All funding is directed to eligible community-based organisations.
Role of Girl Guides Queensland
Guides Queensland Sherwood is a local unit of Girl Guides Queensland, which is the largest youth organisation for girls and women in the state. The organisation includes approximately 3,000 youth members and 1,000 adult volunteers and delivers a non-formal educational program aimed at skill development and leadership. Programs are led by trained volunteers and are tailored to individual member goals.
Funding Focus Only
The official announcement did not mention whether alternative projects in Sherwood were considered or if selection criteria changed in this round. The grant was one of nearly 600 awarded, based on applications submitted to Round 123.
Photo Credit: Girl Guides Queensland/Facebook
Community and Program Context
While the announcement did not provide direct public feedback, Guides Queensland is an established organisation with an ongoing presence in local communities. The grant to the Sherwood unit supports facility works in line with the group’s operational activities.
Applications for the next GCBF round — a $100,000 “Super Round” — close on 18 July 2025. Eligible not-for-profit organisations can apply through the Department of Justice website.
