Fifty-two community organisations across north Brisbane are about to receive a significant boost, with a total of $200,000 in grants set to be awarded by the Kedron-Wavell Services Club in Chermside.
The funding comes from Kedron-Wavell’s annual Community Grants program, which is designed to support the groups doing essential work in the local area. After a competitive application period, the chosen recipients will receive individual grants of up to $10,000. These funds will support a wide variety of local causes, including animal welfare, disability support, multicultural programs, environmental projects, and local sports clubs.
The program aims to strengthen connections within the community and support the organisations that make Brisbane’s northside a more inclusive place to live. The club’s leadership has stated that this initiative is a core part of its commitment to giving back to the community it serves.
The application window for the 2025 grants ran from May 1 until July 31, drawing interest from a broad range of not-for-profit groups. Now, the successful applicants are set to be formally recognised.
A special presentation will be held to celebrate the grant recipients on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. The event is scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Kittyhawk Room at the club’s 21 Kittyhawk Drive location. The organisations will be joined by local representatives as well as the Kedron-Wavell board and senior leadership team for the announcement.
Construction has reached a major milestone in Chermside with the structural completion of the new Adina Chermside Brisbane hotel, set to open in February 2026.
The Adina Chermside Brisbane will be the largest hotel built in Brisbane’s northern suburbs. Developed by Limitless Developments and operated by TFE Hotels, the project is located at 523 Hamilton Road, directly beside The Prince Charles Hospital.
Construction officially topped out in August 2025, marking the completion of the building’s structure. Interior fit-out is now underway, with the opening scheduled for February 2026.
Photo Credit: Limitless
Facilities and Design
The 148-room hotel will feature apartment-style accommodation designed to suit medical, corporate, and leisure visitors. Facilities include in-room kitchens and laundry, a café, bar, all-day dining restaurant, gym, meeting rooms, conference space, and car parking.
Designed by WMK Architecture, the project incorporates sustainability principles such as passive solar design, cross-ventilation, low-E glazing, rainwater harvesting, and deep planting zones. Façade greenery and natural ventilation aim to reduce heat load and energy use, while water-saving systems support long-term conservation.
Connection to Local Growth
The development sits adjacent to The Prince Charles Hospital, which is undergoing a $300 million expansion that began in December 2024. The project will add 93 new beds and a four-storey extension, with completion scheduled for 2028.
The hotel’s location also places it within walking distance of Westfield Chermside, one of Australia’s largest shopping centres, and near the parklands and bikeways along Downfall Creek. These amenities position the hotel to serve both short and long-stay guests.
Adina Chermside Brisbane is part of TFE Hotels’ growing suburban and health-adjacent portfolio, joining 44 Adina hotels across Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and Asia. It will also add to the existing Brisbane CBD properties already operating under the Adina brand.
With structural works complete, the hotel is expected to welcome guests from February 2026, aligning with Chermside’s continuing growth as a health, retail, and business hub.
Hot pot fans in Chermside will soon have a brand-new and exciting spot to enjoy as Donana Mini Hotpot prepares to launch its second restaurant in the area.
Word is spreading that Westfield Chermside is getting a vibrant new eatery, Donana Mini Hotpot, which aims to offer a unique and enjoyable experience for everyone, especially those eating alone. The new 90-seat restaurant promises a fun atmosphere with bright pink colours and neon lights, creating a visually interesting space that people will likely want to share on social media.
While the design focuses on making solo dining a pleasant experience, groups of friends and families will also be welcome to enjoy what this new place has to offer.
Those familiar with the original Donana Mini Hotpot in Kelvin Grove will know about their special way of serving food. Customers can choose from a wide selection of over 80 fresh ingredients as they travel past on a conveyor belt, much like a sushi train. Once selections are made, a robot “train” delivers the chosen soup pot right to the diner’s table. Another popular feature is the self-serve sauce bar, where people can mix and match different sauces to create their own perfect flavour combinations.
The team behind Donana Mini Hotpot mentioned that this new Chermside location is not just another restaurant but a step up in the hot pot experience. They have designed a space that celebrates the enjoyment of eating by yourself in a way that is fun, comfortable, and perfect for taking photos. Adding to the excitement, the Chermside restaurant will have a special soup base that you can only get at this location, making it a worthwhile visit even if you have been to their Kelvin Grove restaurant before.
While everyone waits for the new Donana Mini Hotpot to arrive in Westfield Chermside, those eager for a hot pot experience can visit their current location in Kelvin Grove.
Donana Mini Hot Pot – Kelvin Grove is located at Shop 1/31 Musk Ave, Kelvin Grove QLD 4059, Australia. They can be contacted by phone at +61 402 390 690, and more
The Chermside Aquatic Centre is set for a multimillion-dollar redevelopment, with new pools, modern amenities, and upgraded facilities planned to meet community demand.
The redevelopment will deliver a 50-metre outdoor heated pool with a movable swim wall, a 25-metre indoor heated program pool with a ramp, new water play features, and modern change rooms. The project also includes an upgraded café, kiosk, and administration area, alongside new plant and filtration systems designed with sustainability and energy efficiency in mind. Existing slides may be replaced, and parking could be expanded under a later application.
Photo Credit: BCC
Background and Community Role
The Chermside Aquatic Centre, located on Hamilton Road, spans about 10,000 square metres and has recorded more than 863,000 visits over the past three financial years. The site sits within a community precinct that includes Kedron-Wavell Services Club, Chermside Library, Brisbane North Hockey Centre, and 7th Brigade Park.
Redevelopment Process
A long-term delivery partner is being sought to design, deliver, and operate the upgraded facility. Expressions of interest opened on 18 August 2025, with a contract expected to be awarded in the second half of 2026. The selected operator will be responsible for construction, management, and ongoing maintenance under a long-term lease, with project funding supported by the operator and contributions from organisers.
Photo Credit: BCC
Community Sentiment
Public comments on local forums and social media reflected both anticipation and concerns. Residents welcomed the modern pools, accessibility upgrades, and family-friendly features. Some raised issues about parking congestion, water quality, and potential increases to entry costs once a private operator is involved. Others requested additions such as handrails for older swimmers and improved shower and toilet facilities.
Procurement will continue through 2025, with design and construction schedules to follow once a delivery partner is secured. The facility will remain at its current site, with plans aimed at maintaining access for the northside community as Brisbane’s population continues to grow.
Westfield Chermside has confirmed three finalists for the 2025 Westfield Local Heroes program. The initiative highlights individuals and organisations contributing to community support and environmental sustainability.
The finalists are Jan Schutt of Stationery Aid, Madonna Holscher of St Vincent de Paul, and Michael Andreotti of Community Canteen. Voting for this year’s program opened on 19 August 2025.
Stationery Aid’s Focus on Education
Photo Credit: Source
Jan Schutt co-founded Stationery Aid with his wife Alison to collect and recycle used school stationery for disadvantaged children. The program has provided assistance to more than 2,700 students and diverted over 60 tonnes of materials from landfill. If successful, a grant will help equip 300 students with essential learning supplies for one year.
Daily Volunteer Work at St Vincent de Paul
Photo Credit: Source
Madonna Holscher volunteers daily to assist people experiencing homelessness, financial hardship, or ill health. She provides food, financial aid, and support services across her community. A grant would allow her to expand assistance for rent, food vouchers, utility bills, and school-related expenses.
Community Canteen Extending Support
Photo Credit: Source
Michael Andreotti leads Community Canteen, a not-for-profit delivering more than 1,100 meals every fortnight to people who are homeless or living in temporary accommodation. Drawing from his own lived experience of homelessness, he coordinates volunteers, kitchen facilities, and food supply. Funding would extend the group’s capacity to purchase fresh produce and staple foods for Brisbane residents in hardship.
Program Background
The Westfield Local Heroes program, now in its eighth year, recognises 126 finalists across Australia and New Zealand in 2025. Since its launch, it has awarded more than $8.6 million in grants to 865 community organisations. This year, Westfield will distribute up to $1.25 million in community grants across 42 centres.
On a cool Sunday morning in Chermside, scooters will line up outside the Kedron Wavell Club, not for a race, but for a cause that will take them thousands of kilometres across Queensland.
When the Radschool Association Inc first dreamed up the idea of Scootaville, the plan was simple: gather a group of ex-service men and women, climb aboard small scooters, and travel the country raising funds for veterans in need.
Over the years, that idea has grown into a rolling community event that blends camaraderie, charity and a love of the open road. On the 24th of Aug 2025, the ride once again begins in Chermside, a suburb that has become the symbolic launch pad for this unlikely but determined convoy.
The journey begins with more than just the hum of engines. Locals will join for a barbecue fundraiser in the Kedron Wavell Club car park before Air Force Cadets form a Guard of Honour along Kittyhawk Drive. Riders will pass through this moment of tradition and respect before turning their scooters towards the Darling Downs. It is a scene that has become familiar to returning supporters but still manages to stop traffic and spark conversations about the cause.
Scootaville 2025 – Queensland Route (24 Aug – 13 Sept)
Date
Time
Event / Activity
Location / Notes
Sunday, 24 Aug
8:00 a.m.
Community barbecue fundraiser
Kedron Wavell Club car park, Chermside
Sunday, 24 Aug
9:30 a.m.
Kittyhawk Drive closed, Air Force Cadets form Guard of Honour
Chermside
Sunday, 24 Aug
10:00 a.m.
Official Scootaville 2025 departure
Riders head to Toowoomba (2 nights)
26 Aug
—
Overnight stop
Goondiwindi
27 Aug
—
Overnight stop
St George
28–29 Aug
—
Community events and overnight stops
Cunnamulla (2 nights, flood-affected)
30–31 Aug
—
Community events and overnight stops
Thargomindah (2 nights, flood-affected)
1–2 Sept
—
Community events and overnight stops
Quilpie (2 nights, flood-affected)
3–4 Sept
—
Overnight stops
Charleville (2 nights)
5–6 Sept
—
Overnight stops
Blackall (2 nights)
7 Sept
—
Overnight stop
Barcaldine
8 Sept
—
Overnight stop
Emerald
9 Sept
—
Overnight stop
Biloela
10–11 Sept
—
Overnight stops
Gayndah (2 nights)
12 Sept
—
Overnight stop
Kingaroy
Saturday, 13 Sept
—
Ride concludes, return to Brisbane
Brisbane
Through Flood-Affected Towns
This year’s Scootaville will deliberately steer towards parts of outback Queensland still recovering from devastating floods. Towns such as Cunnamulla, Thargomindah and Quilpie are not only overnight stops but places where events are planned to lift community spirits.
Organisers say it is a small but meaningful way to bring people together, even for a few hours, as they continue to rebuild. The route also includes Toowoomba, Goondiwindi, St George, Charleville, Blackall, Barcaldine, Emerald, Biloela, Gayndah and Kingaroy before the convoy returns to Brisbane on 13 September.
Photo Credit: Scootaville
Riding for Legacy and the Air Force Association
Behind the colour and spectacle of scooters on country roads lies a serious purpose. The funds raised will go to Legacy, which supports the families of veterans, and to the Air Force Association, which will direct money to programs assisting homeless veterans. For organiser Trevor Benneworth, who has steered the event since its beginning, the ride represents both connection and action. He has explained that the aim is to reconnect people, highlight the issues many veterans face, and ensure the wider community understands the challenges of life after service.
Queensland will not be the only state to see the scooters this year. In November, riders will gather again, this time in Laverton, Victoria. That leg will stretch over two weeks through towns including Beechworth, Sale, Geelong and Ballarat before circling back to Laverton in early December. Like the Queensland route, it will rely on local communities to embrace the event, join the activities, and support the fundraising efforts.
How to Be Part of It
For Brisbane locals, the send-off is a chance to see the ride come alive at street level. For those along the route, it will mean barbecues, small-town events and the sight of dozens of scooters rolling into town. For anyone moved by the cause, details on registration, route maps, and fundraising are available at the Scootaville website.
After months of overwhelming demand from Queensland fans online, Sydney’s legendary crispy chicken phenomenon Pappa Flock finally answered the call with its first-ever Sunshine State location in Chermside.
The much-anticipated restaurant began service at Westfield Chermside this past Saturday, August 16th. Hundreds of eager locals formed massive queues, reminiscent of previous Pappa Flock launches in Sydney, where some fans waited up to seven hours. To celebrate its first Queensland location, the company offered a voucher for a free Flock Box to every person who was in line by midday. The popular meal deal, valued at $17.90, includes chicken tenders, seasoned chips, buttery toast, a signature sauce and a drink.
The launch in Chermside marks a major milestone for the Australian-owned business and was the direct result of a long-running campaign from fans. According to Chief Marketing Officer Rachel Korbel, the company’s social media channels were flooded with messages from Queenslanders asking them to expand north. The company stated the wait is finally over, and they are excited to be in the Sunshine State.
Pappa Flock’s success is built on a commitment to quality and freshness. Head Chef Eddie Cofie explained that the restaurant’s unique flavour comes from careful on-site preparation. Each free-range and halal-certified chicken tender is hand-breaded in-store with a unique spice blend to achieve its signature crunch.
The dedication to fresh ingredients extends across the menu. The kitchen crew at each store squeezes over 2,500 lemons every day to make the iconic house-made lemonade. The menu also features a family recipe from Chef Cofie for the popular buttery toast. Beyond the famous Flock Boxes, the restaurant serves a full menu of handcrafted sandwiches and loaded wraps.
The Chermside restaurant is the tenth location for the rapidly growing brand, which has nine other stores across Sydney. Following the successful weekend launch, Pappa Flock is already planning its next move in Queensland. A new restaurant is scheduled to begin trading in Mt Gravatt by the end of September, with more locations planned for 2025.
Italian street food brand Scugnizzi has opened a new kiosk at Westfield Chermside, expanding its Brisbane footprint with pizza al taglio, pasta dishes, and value meal options.
Scugnizzi has extended its reach beyond the Brisbane CBD with a second outlet at Westfield Chermside, officially opening on 11 August 2025. The launch comes after strong demand from northside residents for a more convenient location. Founders Simone Presta and Carmine Guarino said the concept was created to be replicated, with ambitions for further expansion across Australia.
Photo Credit: Scugnizzi/Instagram
Menu and New Offerings
The kiosk continues to serve Scugnizzi’s signature items such as pizza al taglio by the slice, arancini, and tiramisu. An exclusive addition at Chermside is the pasta al forno range, featuring baked pasta dishes designed as comfort meals.
The menu also includes a selection of value meal options. Pasta meals, such as Napoli with focaccia and a drink, Carbonara with guanciale, and Truffle Funghi with mushroom ragu, range from $23.50 to $25.50. Options with seafood and meat, including Gamberi & Vodka, Lamb Ragu, and Genovese, are also available. Pizza meal deals feature favourites like Margherita, Porchetta with nduja, and Prosciutto, each paired with truffle chips and a drink.
For lighter choices, burrata bowls with mortadella, prosciutto or tomato and basil are on offer, alongside snacks such as arancini, truffle chips, and crumbed olives. Desserts include tiramisu, served with coffee-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone.
Photo Credit: Scugnizzi/Instagram
Community Reception
The opening has been well received, with customers praising the authenticity of Scugnizzi’s dishes and its connection to Italian street food culture. Regulars have highlighted pasta favourites such as Calamari & Pistachio, Carbonara, and Octopus Ragu, while others have pointed to the pizzas as some of the best in Brisbane. Support continues from fans of the brand’s founders since their 2024 appearance on My Kitchen Rules, with calls for future outlets in Sydney and Melbourne.
The Chermside location cements Scugnizzi’s position as a growing presence in Brisbane’s dining scene. With its accessible price point and expanded menu, the brand aims to bring its Italian street food model to more communities across the country.
A small team with a big impact, Wesley Mission Queensland’s Volunteer Relations unit has been named best in the country for teamwork at this year’s Ageing Australia awards.
Wesley Mission Queensland’s Volunteer Relations team has won the Team – Teamwork category at the 2025 Ageing Australia You Are ACE! Awards. Selected from over 500 national nominations, the team was recognised for its collaboration, clear communication, and positive impact on thousands of volunteers and those they support.
The awards were announced on 7 August during Aged Care Employee Day, which celebrates staff and volunteers in aged care, retirement living, and community services. This national recognition highlights the team’s vital role in supporting Wesley Mission Queensland’s volunteer network.
Recognised for Teamwork on a National Scale
The Team – Teamwork award is one of 15 categories in the You Are ACE! Awards, which honour excellence in the aged care sector. Wesley Mission Queensland stood out for how its small Volunteer Relations team manages a large, diverse network of more than 2,500 volunteers.
Judges praised the team’s effective collaboration and ability to keep volunteers connected to the organisation’s mission and values. Their work ensures volunteers have the support and resources needed to deliver consistent care across aged care, disability, mental health, and community programs.
More Than Just Volunteer Coordination
Beyond rostering and daily communication, the Volunteer Relations team works to foster a sense of belonging and purpose for volunteers. This includes training opportunities, recognition programs, and ongoing support that align with Wesley Mission Queensland’s values of compassion, justice, and integrity.
The team’s approach directly contributes to the quality of care provided, whether it’s companionship in aged care homes or practical assistance in community programs.
Strengthening Community Impact
Winning this award highlights Wesley Mission Queensland’s volunteer support and the vital role volunteers play in community services.
For the organisation, it’s both recognition of the team’s commitment and a chance to inspire more people to get involved. With services across 60+ Queensland locations, the Volunteer Relations team helps create positive outcomes for people of all ages in the community.
A development application lodged in July proposes a multi-storey residential building on Davenport Street, Chermside. The plans feature a modern design with private balconies, secure parking and landscaped areas.
The building will include several levels of apartments, each with contemporary layouts and private outdoor spaces. One-bedroom and two-bedroom units are planned, catering to individuals, couples and small families.
Ground-floor amenities and communal landscaping are also proposed. Located near major shops, medical centres and public transport, the development aims to support Chermside’s shift toward medium-density living.
Chermside’s Changing Landscape
Chermside is quickly transforming, with more apartment buildings replacing older homes to keep up with demand and limit urban sprawl. Just under 10 kilometres from Brisbane’s CBD, the suburb is becoming a hotspot for higher-density living.
Recent projects on streets like Wallace and Playfield are helping reshape the area into a busier, more walkable neighbourhood. As more residents move in, local cafés, health services and shops are stepping up to meet the growing needs of the community.
What’s Next for the Development
The proposal is now under assessment by Brisbane City Council. If approved, construction would likely begin after demolition of existing dwellings on the site. Timelines will depend on further design checks, public submissions and final approval stages.
Residents in the area can typically view submitted plans via the council’s planning portal and provide feedback. Developers often use this phase to make adjustments to height, setbacks, traffic flow and landscaping based on community and council input.
Balancing Growth With Liveability
As Chermside grows, new developments are being designed to balance convenience with liveability. The Davenport Street proposal must meet council standards for noise, access, open space and visual impact. It’s not just about adding more housing, it’s about fitting in with the character and needs of the local community.
If given the green light, the building will add to the wave of medium-density projects reshaping the suburb. Planners are aiming for smarter growth that works for both new and existing residents.
