The Prince Charles Hospital in Chermside warned immunosuppressed patients to wear masks when visiting for appointments and passing near construction occurring for a new hospital car park last week, as authorities investigate occurences of fungal infections that have been linked to two recent patient deaths.
Dr Muhammad Hussain, a 55-year-old doctor from Mango Hill, was the first fatality potentially connected to a fungal infection cluster at the hospital. He and recent heart transplant patient Adam Retmock, 45, both suffered from fungal infections prior to their deaths.
Photo credit: Chani/Google Maps
Earlier this year, four other post-heart transplant patients allegedly contracted fungal infections, with another developing a lomentospora infection. Three aspergillus fungus types and a bacterial strain were reportedly detected in the outbreak patients.
According to one St Vincent’s Private clinician, who asked not to be named, oncologists and haematologists at the hospital have advised at-risk patients to wear masks when on facility grounds or near ongoing construction activity.
Photo credit: Chani/Google Maps
The same clinician also said there is widespread belief among infectious disease and transplant specialists that the parking site excavation work has a high likelihood of being the underlying cause of the recent fungal infection outbreak.
Infectious disease experts advised the mask guidance amidst concerns the construction may be stirring up fungal spores. However, Queensland Health has stated there is no clear evidence yet tying the infections and deaths to the ongoing works.
Queensland’s Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard said he would still undergo a heart transplant at Prince Charles, which has “a world-class transplant unit.” Authorities also reiterated no known link exists between the deaths and separate fungal detection in hospital storage zones.
The heart transplant unit has undergone cleaning and affected storage equipment was discarded, officials stated. Recent air tests also showed no lingering fungus concerns, according to Queensland Health.
Police are urging residents of unit complexes across Brisbane’s north, including Chermside, to be vigilant following a spate of car park thefts in the area.
Since October 21, there has been an uptick in stealing offences from secure basement carparks, particularly overnight between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Several complexes in suburbs including Kedron, Chermside, and Mitchelton have been targeted.
The offenders have stolen items such as tools, wallets, bicycles, and motorcycles. In one incident, a Nissan TIIDA was allegedly stolen from a Chermside complex.
Photo credit: mypolice.qld.gov.au
Police have released images of suspects wanted in connection with the car park theft. Anyone who recognises the individuals or notices suspicious behaviour around carparks is asked to contact Policelink.
To protect their property, police advise residents to properly lock cars, storage units, communal doors, and balcony doors. Storing fewer items in carpark lockups may also deter thefts.
Bicycle owners should store their bikes in locked storage when possible and think about detaching the wheel or seat when the bicycle is not in use.
Residents should also identify their building management’s role and have their phone number saved in case issues arise that require contacting them. It is vital that residents are familiar with evacuation routes and protocols in the event of emergencies.
Installing quality locks, securing bikes to fixed objects, and noting serial numbers can also help secure items. Anyone with further information should provide it via Policelink’s online form or by calling 131 444.
Theft in Chermside
Photo credit: Queensland Police Service
According to Queensland Police Service’s Online Crime Map, reported thefts in the Chermside area have declined slightly in the last six months compared to the previous six-month period.
Between 16 May and 15 November 2023, Chermside saw approximately 510 theft offences. In the preceding period from November 2022 to May 2023, Chermside dealt with 675 such incidents – a drop of around 25 percent. So whilst concerning, this current spree does not reflect an overall rising trend in local theft rates.
Crime Prevention Week, organised by District Crime Prevention Coordinators, is in full swing from November 6 to 12. This initiative offers practical tools to boost community safety and security.
On Wednesday, November 8, Virginia Bunnings hosted a collaborative event by the Gateway and Inner West Crime Prevention Offices. The ‘Turn the Screws on Crime’ initiative involved fitting anti-theft number plate screws to vehicles. These unique screws can only be removed by police, providing an added layer of security against registration plate theft.
Simultaneously, Carseldine Bunnings saw the presence of Gateway Crime Prevention and the local Neighbourhood Watch group for a ‘Coffee with a Cop’ event. Attendees engaged with law enforcement officers, gaining insights into home security and safety measures.
Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant throughout the week as Crime Prevention officers continue to visit various Bunnings locations. These events serve as an opportunity for the community to actively participate in crime prevention and stay informed about safety measures.
The ‘Turn the Screws on Crime’ initiative underscores the commitment of law enforcement to collaborate with the public in fostering a safer environment. Chermside residents are reminded that community safety is a shared responsibility, and these events provide practical steps towards achieving that goal.
By securing registration plates with anti-theft screws, vehicle owners can significantly reduce the risk of plate theft, contributing to the broader effort to combat crime in the local area.
Just in time for Remembrance Day on November 11, Queensland’s veterans and their families now have a dedicated wellbeing hub to cater to their physical, mental, and social needs in one convenient location, as the doors opened on RSL Queensland’s first Veteran & Family Wellbeing Centre in Stafford.
The 1,500 sqm facility, fully funded by RSL Queensland, is located at 274 Stafford Road in Stafford. It brings together programs run by both RSL Queensland and Mates4Mates to offer advocacy, rehabilitation, mental health services, financial guidance, employment assistance, and social activities in the one convenient location.
Designed with veterans in mind, the purpose-built centre features a rehabilitation gym, consultation rooms, a veterans lounge, and an outdoor area.
Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland, at the opening of Veteran & Family Wellbeing Centre in Brisbane last October (Photo credit: rslqld.org)
RSL Queensland CEO Rob Skoda said the welcoming collaborative environment will make it easier for defence members and families to access the support they need.
RSL Queensland State President Major General Stephen Day DSC AM and Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland (Photo credit: rslqld.org)
Mr Skoda highlighted the large population of current and ex-serving ADF members in Queensland, saying it was crucial to establish a space tailored specifically to support the defence community.
He said the centre epitomises RSL Queensland’s pledge to adapt to the changing needs of veterans and answer demands for more assistance.
The CEO noted that by co-locating with Mates4Mates, the facility advances RSL Queensland’s mission to care for, commemorate and foster camaraderie among veterans through meaningful service delivery.
The centre takes a holistic approach to foster purpose, connection and wellbeing for veterans. It builds on RSL Queensland’s growing statewide impact, after the organisation increased charitable support by 60 percent last year to help 3,500 new clients.
RSL Queensland’s impact continues to grow, with over $3 million distributed last year alone to provide urgent financial aid for veterans and families struggling to afford groceries, fuel, bills and housing. The new Wellbeing Centre aims to further expand support and make a difference across Queensland’s defence community.
The development will deliver 92 new homes, including 46 social housing units and 46 affordable units near the site of the Prince Charles Hospital.
The project is a partnership between Brisbane Housing Company (BHC) and Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC).
Artist’s impression of proposed affordable and social housing (Photo credit: Queensland Government)
The Chermside units will be built with accessibility in mind, with silver or gold standard accessibility features. The social housing component will provide homes for people at risk of homelessness, women and children fleeing domestic violence, First Nations people, seniors and people with disabilities.
The project’s central location provides good access to public transport, medical facilities including the Prince Charles Hospital, and shopping centres like Westfield Chermside. It will house both people on the social housing waiting list in Chermside, as well as key workers employed locally in retail, healthcare and services.
LM Adrian Schrinner said incentives are now available from the city to fast-track housing construction through the Housing Supply Action Plan, as Brisbane grapples with population growth, labour shortages, and supply chain issues.
Minister for Housing Meaghan Scanlon said the Housing Investment Fund is going full steam ahead and that the 92 units join the 34 units already under construction nearby in Chermside.
The city’s Housing Supply Action Plan aims to incentivise the community and private sectors to accelerate housing construction to meet demand from Brisbane’s booming population, projected to increase by 457,000 to over 1.7 million by 2046. Reduced infrastructure charges are being offered by the council for eligible fast-tracked projects.
“Brisbane is Australia’s fastest growing capital city and this is adding to the pressure on our housing sector,” Cr Schrinner said last month when announcing the incentives.
The next stage of construction is expected to begin later this year after early works are completed, with residents moving in from mid-2025. The development will support 95 full-time equivalent construction jobs.
Developed by Melbourne-based company TAL GP Projects and submitted as DA A006394601, the tower was designed with the needs of Chermside locals in mind, particularly those who are essential workers.
Strategically located on Kelso Street, the skyscraper offers convenient access to major transportation routes, public transit, the popular Westfield Chermside, and necessary infrastructure such as the Prince Charles Hospital. The highly-coveted location brings numerous advantages to residents of Chermside.
Ground Floor Plan on Site Photo Credit: DA A006394601
Carefully thought out and meticulously planned, the layout of this tower caters to a diverse range of residents. Boasting a total of 226 units, including 60 studios, 107 one-bedroom units, 56 two-bedroom units, and 3 three-bedroom units.
The tower’s architectural style is modern, distinct, and sophisticated, resulting in a comfortable and engaging living area. Indoor communal areas, co-working spaces, communal gardens, and a rooftop with outdoor facilities, a pool, and recreational spaces will be available to residents.
Parking is usually an issue in Chermside, and the tower plans address this as well. There will be parking for 167 cars and 282 bicycles on two and a half basement levels, contributing to a sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle.
According to the developer, the project not only tackles Chermside’s housing shortage, it also helps to revitalise an underutilised area of the suburb.
Come and create unforgettable Christmas moments! With an array of photo packages available, it’s time to secure your booking to meet Santa at the Santa Photography set, located at the Level 1 Centre CourtinWestfield Chermside.
This year, Westfield Chermside has tailored its offerings to suit everyone:
Family and Friends
Photo Credit: Supplied
Gather your loved ones, whether it’s family, friends, sports teams, school groups, or coworkers. There’s an online booking system with various photo session times and packages to accommodate your group size.
Westfield Chermside understands that everyone should have the opportunity to meet Santa. Sensitive Santa offers a relaxed, sensory-friendly experience. These sessions occur before stores open, providing a peaceful atmosphere suitable for children with sensory sensitivities. Remember to book online; it’s essential for these special sessions.
Continuing their tradition of inclusivity, Westfield Chermside offers Auslan Santa, where children who use Auslan as their primary form of communication can communicate directly with an Auslan-fluent Santa. Developed in collaboration with Deaf Australia, these sessions feature extended times and include helpers and an interpreter to assist. Ensure you book your Auslan Santa experience online; online bookings are vital.
Your beloved pets are part of the family, and they can join in the holiday fun. Make sure to book online as these sessions fill up quickly. Please note that walk-ins are not available. Dress up your pets in their festive best to create a memorable Christmas keepsake.
It’s a David vs Goliath story you couldn’t make up. But it’s true. “Dumb Money” launches on October 26 at Event Cinemas Chermside it’s fantastic.
The story hit the news headlines in 2021 when Wall Street was smashed by a group of short-sellers of the stock, Gamestop. They had joined together through the social media site, Reddit, to form a short squeeze3 that at the time felt like a seismic earthquake to the world stock markets.
Paul Dano plays a lead role as Keith Gill, one of the instigators of the Gamestop position. Pete Davidson, Vincent D’Onofrio and America Ferrera along with Seth Rogen deliver great character performances in the movie based on a book called “The Antisocial Network” by Ben Mezrich. (Mezrich also wrote the book that was adapted into the movie “The Social Network”)
The story focuses on a few of the Reddit protagonists and how their lives were impacted by the adventure that unfolded, with some good comedic elements.
Superbly directed by Craig Gillespie, “Dumb Money” gets an 83% review from the movie website Rotten Tomatoes.
This development comes after initial plans for a Slim’s Quality Burger Restaurant on the same site fell through, making way for a fresh entrant to the thriving fast-food scene.
Revised Development Plans and Features
The new proposal, DA A006354544, involves a 245-square-metre Guzman Y Gomez building positioned at the rear of the site, alongside a dedicated car park situated on the corner of Gympie Road and Wallace Street. Notably, the drive-through will boast 12 spaces and a waiting bay, while also offering outdoor dining and a loading bay, accompanied by a total of 19 car parking spaces.
Photo Credit: DA A006354544
The development includes an impressive 676 square metres of landscaped areas, a testament to the restaurant’s commitment to providing a comfortable and appealing dining environment for patrons.
In order to facilitate this proposal, the project calls for the demolition of existing commercial buildings, hardstand areas, and a dwelling on the site.
Photo Credit: DA A006354544
Design and Consistency
Verve Building Design CO is the firm behind the design of the Guzman Y Gomez Restaurant, and the plan is oriented towards the rear of the site. The updated design includes a distinctive GYG facade branding, a layout consistent with the approved building on site, and a building footprint in alignment with the proposed restaurant’s requirements.
The building will have a maximum height of 7.2 meters and will feature a striking 12-meter-high illuminated pylon sign.
The initiation of this project is a part of Guzman Y Gomez’s ambitious scheme to launch nearly 20 new outlets and drive-thrus over the next 18 months in Queensland.
As the chain continues to grow, this new addition in Chermside promises to be a focal point for fast-food enthusiasts and locals alike, enhancing the suburb’s thriving culinary offerings.
Chermside will host a life-saving initiative, the Type 1 Diabetes National Screening Pilot, with a primary focus on identifying infants aged 6-12 months at risk of developing type 1 diabetes. Additionally, residents in Nundah, Bracken Ridge, and Ferny Hills will also have access to this essential early detection program.
Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong autoimmune condition that can have severe and even fatal immediate and long-term health implications. Alarming statistics show that this condition affects 1 in 300 children in Australia, and what’s particularly challenging is that 90 per cent of these cases have no family history of the condition.
Consequently, this potentially life-threatening illness can be incredibly hard to identify, especially in infants, where its symptoms can often be mistaken for minor childhood concerns. Consequently, children often aren’t diagnosed until they become severely ill, necessitating emergency care.
To address this critical issue, the Type 1 Diabetes National Screening Pilot offers a simple and free method to detect infants at risk. This initiative is being funded by JDRF and is spearheaded by a dedicated team at the University of Sydney.
Early Detection Saves Lives
Early detection is critical for ensuring better health outcomes for children who may be at risk of developing type 1 diabetes. This autoimmune condition is one of the most common chronic illnesses affecting children and adolescents. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, resulting in insulin deficiency.
Without insulin, the body cannot convert glucose from food into energy, leading to dangerous levels of glucose in the bloodstream. Early screening can identify very early signs of the condition before children start showing symptoms.
Dr. Gary Deed, a General Practitioner involved in the program’s development, highlights the significance of early detection.
“Type 1 Diabetes is a unique illness which doesn’t come from lifestyle choices. It may develop in very young people right through to older ages. The current problem is that early onset is often missed and children especially are presenting in severe medical crises called ketoacidosis, which can have both an immediate even fatal outcome but if the person can be managed there are longer term impacts of difficulty sustaining healthy outcomes compared to people who don’t have this alarming ketoacidosis presentation,” Dr Deed told Brisbane Suburbs Online News.
“This is why screening early, helps us support people at risk to be in touch with health professionals who can prevent serious outcomes mentioned and intervene where needed to offset the emotional and physical crises that are known to occur.
“My passion about knowing the real benefit this reseach project will bring from identifying at risk people/children and then the sheer effort in getting all the aspect of the trial aligned and in place, has required positive patience, but I know the benefits once rolled out will make a difference to families and children.”
A Vision for the Future
The Type 1 Diabetes National Screening Pilot is a crucial step towards early detection and improved long-term health outcomes. The program has a broader vision of making early type 1 diabetes detection a routine part of childhood screening across Australia.
“Given that the goal of the pilot program is to make early type 1 diabetes detection available for every child in Australia and have it become part of routine childhood screening, where are we in terms of achieving that statewide (QLD) at the moment? What’s the critical path that needs to be taken and the barriers or challenges that you see? The goal of this Type 1 Diabetes National Screening Pilot is to identify the best option for implementing screening for type 1 diabetes in children in Australia,” Dr Kirstine Bell from the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkin Centre, who led the development of the program, said.
Photo Credit: Supplied
“A number of screening models have been very successful internationally. So we’re learning from these as well as other national and statewide public health programs in Australia, and then using this Pilot to partner with local communities, like Brisbane North, to understand how this screening should run in our health system and in the Australian population.
“Ultimately, the vision is for this to be a national, government-funded screening program. To achieve that, the government will look at all the evidence from this Pilot and from around the world, to determine if and how best to run a type 1 diabetes screening program.”
Dr Bell also said that the program is set to close at the end of 2024, but children identified as having an increased risk will continue to be monitored for five years to catch any early markers of the autoimmune condition. Over the next two years, the program aims to work with the government to build a roadmap towards full implementation.
Bronwen Manger, a local resident whose child has undergone the screening, emphasizes the simplicity and importance of the process.
“The screening process is simple and hassle-free. I was happy to see that it was available, and I could take proactive action to see if my child was at risk of type 1 diabetes,” she shared.
Photo Credit: Supplied
Simplified Process for Parents
Parents have been given an easy and accessible way to participate in the screening program. They can register for a free test kit online at www.KidsDiabetesScreen.com.au, and the kit will be conveniently delivered to their homes. The screening process involves collecting a saliva sample from the child’s mouth, which can then be sent for analysis.
The majority of children will receive a low-risk result from early screening. However, for those identified as having an increased risk, regular follow-up testing will be recommended to monitor early signs of the condition. The Screening Pilot is not just about identifying at-risk children but also about providing education and support to their families.
