Hundreds March at Chermside’s 7th Brigade Park in Fight Against Brain Cancer

Hundreds of local residents gathered at 7th Brigade Park yesterday for Walk4BrainCancer Brisbane, transforming the Chermside park into a sea of hope and determination in the fight against brain cancer.


Read: Laughing Through Pain at Chermside Hospital: How David ‘Dagwood’ Bissell Battles Hardships


The annual fundraising event, which took place on October 27, saw families and supporters come together for vital brain cancer research through the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation (CBCF).

Photo credit: Trina Partridge/Facebook

Team Partridge joined the walk in memory of Robert Lietzow, who passed away two months ago at age 67, following a brave battle with stage 4 Glioblastoma. His diagnosis in May 2023 and subsequent journey touched many hearts, with his team walking in solidarity with all those affected by brain cancer.

Photo credit: Trina Partridge/Facebook

Among the day’s most inspiring stories was Team Smith, who led the fundraising efforts with an extraordinary contribution of over $21,000, exceeding their initial goal of $20,000. The team’s achievement reflects the deep community spirit that drives this important cause.

The event was also particularly poignant for Lisa Slocum and her “Walk for Ben” team, who participated in memory of Ben, who sadly passed away last month after a courageous battle with brain cancer. Their presence and dedication served as a powerful reminder of why such research funding is crucial.

About the Walk4BrainCancer

Brain Cancer
Photo credit: Cure Brain Cancer/Facebook

Since its inception in 2013, Walk4BrainCancer has evolved into a national movement that has enabled CBCF to invest more than $30 million in brain cancer research. The Foundation focuses on uniting communities while working to increase survival rates and improve the quality of life for those affected by brain cancer.

While this year’s fundraising hasn’t yet reached the ambitious $1.5 million target, the substantial amount raised will significantly contribute to the Foundation’s ongoing research efforts.

The Chermside event marks the beginning of Walk4BrainCancer’s 2024 campaign, with Sydney set to host the next walk in November. Those interested in participating in upcoming walks can find more information on the Foundation’s website.


Read: Wesley Mission Queensland in Chermside Fights Loneliness Through Volunteers


    Through events like these, CBCF continues its mission toward finding a cure for one of Australia’s deadliest cancers, one step at a time.

    Published 28-October-2024

    Tragic Incident in Chermside Park: Pet Dog Fatally Mauled

    A pet dog, incapacitated and resting in a pram, was viciously dragged out and mauled to death in a deeply disturbing incident at the 7th Brigade Park in Chermside, raising serious concerns about public safety and animal control in the area.



    Per reports, a pig dog, unaccompanied and unleashed, perpetrated the shocking attack. It dragged a 14-year-old arthritic Maltese named Phoenix from its pram, leading to the pet’s tragic demise despite desperate efforts to save it. 

    This horrific incident unfolded amid the park’s tranquil setting, a stark contrast to the violent act that transpired.

    The residents of Chermside have expressed deep distress and fear following this incident. 

    With a history of similar attacks in the area, the community is increasingly worried about the safety of their children and pets. The fact that Phoenix was extracted from a pram adds a chilling dimension to the threat, highlighting the potential danger to even the most vulnerable park-goers.

    Chermside 7th Brigade Park
    Photo Credit: Engin Akyurt/Unsplash

    In the wake of the attack, immediate measures were taken. The pig dog was restrained and subsequently seized by authorities. The local Council has been urged to intensify patrols and consider additional safety measures in the park, frequented by families and pet owners. 

    Civic Cabinet Chair for City Standards, Kim Marx, has underscored the Council’s serious approach to animal attacks. Investigations are ongoing, and the incident has cast a spotlight on the broader issue of dog attacks in the region. 



    With over 300 recorded attacks in Queensland in the latter half of 2023 alone, the urgency for effective solutions is needed. 

    Published 19-Jan-2024

    Facilities in 7th Brigade Park Chermside Contain Contaminants, Investigation Warns

    Parents are being urged to exercise caution when visiting public parks with their children after a recent investigation uncovered traces of contamination in multiple locations, including the 7th Brigade Park in Chermside.



    David Pie, representing Australian Meth Alerts, conducted swab tests on various surfaces in the parks, including benches, tables, barbecues, toilets, and baby change tables across 15 parks in Queensland. Many of the parks surveyed featured playgrounds, raising concerns about children’s exposure to these substances. 

    Of the 15 parks, the 7th Brigade Park in Chermside resulted in a positive test for methamphetamine whilst eight others showed evidence of concerning traces. This means that there are no sufficient quantities to register a positive contamination reading.

    Positive for Contaminants
    Photo Credit: AustralianMethAlerts

    One unsettling discovery was made at Aurora Boulevard Park in North Lakes, where traces were detected on a baby change table in a public toilet.

    Mr Pie expressed his concerns, noting that his close friend frequently visits the Chermside park with his two-year-old child, highlighting the issue’s urgency. Exposure to such contamination can result in various health problems, including skin, eye, and respiratory irritation, dizziness, headaches, and insomnia.

    This investigation comes on the heels of a Queensland family being forced to vacate their rental home due to extensive residue. The home in Sandstone Point exceeded the recommended safe level of contamination, according to the Clandestine Drug Laboratory Remediation Guidelines.

    The Australian Drug Foundation distinguishes between homes where drugs were manufactured and those where they were used, stating that the latter does not pose a health risk. However, the potential health impact of contamination in public places remains uncertain.

    Jackie Wright, an expert in second-hand exposure to such substances from Flinders University, suggested that the risk of exposure to residue in public places is likely similar to that in homes. She emphasised that while the presence of these substances in public places might be alarming, it doesn’t necessarily mean that individuals will be exposed to harmful levels.



    To address concerns about exposure to contamination, David Pie encouraged individuals to contact him via info@methalerts.com.au or 0412 132 142 to inquire about testing kits.

    Published 27-Sept-2023

    What Really Happened to the Baby Saltwater Crocodile Found in Chermside?

    A baby saltwater crocodile is now safely in the care of Queensland wildlife officers after a family stumbled upon it near the creek at the 7th Brigade Park in Chermside last Thursday. 

    The reptile, which is about 40 centimetres long, was badly dehydrated and distressed. It was definitely out of place at the suburban park.
     
    Warren Christensen of the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service facility in Moggill said that the juvenile estuarine crocodile was left in a “pretty bad way” by whoever was supposed to be transporting it.



    Crocodiles might be common in the north side of the state but Mr Christensen said that the 7th Brigade Park in winter is not the place for such a young animal. 

    The wildlife official also said that had the crocodile not been found and contained then it would have posed an even bigger public threat in a few month’s time.

    Photo Credit: Pixabay

    The family who stumbled upon the crocodile kept it inside an Esky when they transported the animal to the wildlife services’ facility in Moggill, where it is currently recovering in a pond.  

    Officials have a theory about what really happened to the animal. They think that the crocodile was meant to be raised and kept as a pet originally but it may have been left for dead at the Chermside park. 

    “Transporting wild animals – and in this case, a dangerous one – is completely unacceptable,” a representative from the Queensland Department of Environment and Science (DES) said. “Apart from being very cruel, doing so can cause serious issues such as the transmission of disease and introducing them into the unsuitable habitat.”



    Queensland laws prohibit keeping crocodiles as pets but certain provisions will allow having the animals for education or farming purposes. 

    DES is going to re-home the baby saltwater crocodile, at the right time, in one of the wildlife centers southeast of the region. The department, however, is hoping to get more information about the animal. For leads, phone 1300 130 372.

    3 Reasons To Join The Multicultural Taste Of The World Festival

    Multicultural Taste Of The World Festival is back to celebrate another year of harmony in diversity. The annual cultural event is a must-never-miss as it reflects the true essence of Australia’s heterogeneity. 

    For 2020, the Multicultural Taste Of The World Festival will be taking place on the 14th of March at the 7th Brigade Park’s Kidspace Playground in Chermside. Here are three reasons why you have to join this celebration: 

    Variety of Food

    The festival is a chance for you and your family to try out and experience the flavours of different food and delicacies. There will be no shortage of choices from the food stalls. Similar to the festival from previous years, expect to taste Asian, European and Mediterranean dishes, along with Australian delights.

    Photo Credit: Brisbane Malayalee Association Inc./Facebook


    Heaps of Entertainment and Activities

    Visitors will be treated to all-day entertainment and activities whilst they hop from one food stall to the next. Local communities, groups and bands have prepared special numbers to showcase the beauty of their culture or home country. There will also be free workshops from local experts.

    These musical numbers, performances and workshops serve as a bridging tool for people to see the uniqueness of Brisbane’s residents. To be more organised, the park will be divided into different zones so that everyone can enjoy their favourite areas. Kids and teenagers will also have their special zones for youth-centred activities. 

    Photo Credit: Brisbane Malayalee Association Inc./Facebook
    Photo Credit: Brisbane Malayalee Association Inc./Facebook

    Community and Fellowship

    The Multicultural Taste Of The World Festival was organised by the Brisbane Malayalee Association (BMA) to foster goodwill and enhance the tradition and culture of the city’s diverse communities.

    “We want to emphasize and celebrate our difference,” says BMA. “By participating in Harmony Day activities, we can learn and understand how all Australians from diverse backgrounds equally belong to this nation and enrich it.” 

    There’s no need to register to attend the festival. The party starts at 2:00 p.m. and by 8:00 p.m., a fireworks display will be capping off the celebration. 



    7th Brigade Park in Chermside: Perfect Family Day-out Destination

    One of Brisbane Northside’s largest parks, the 7th Brigade Park in Chermside is the perfect place for a day-out with the kids, with several playgrounds, dog off-leash area, and picnic areas located throughout the park to keep them busy playing and learning at the same time.

    Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / Flickr

    7th Brigade Park is a popular location for casual family bike ride with the Downfall Creek Bikeway running through the park, as well as the 500-metre road skill track that is designed to help children learn road rules, complete with road signs, markings, and speed bumps.

    Yet, there is so much more to explore in the park, particularly the playgrounds located on Beor Street, Delaware Street-Newman Road, Navarre Street, and Murphy Road.

    Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / Flickr

    A giant timber fort playground, the Kidspace, is a play space located along Murphy Road. It boasts impressive covered structures that encourage kids to swing, climb, slide, crawl, and play hide-and-seek.

    The playground features a fairy tower,  rocket control tower, ramps, balance beams, and slides. There are seating areas, some covered and some located underneath the trees, as well as barbeque facilities. For adults and older kids, there is a basketball half-court, cricket pitch, and a tennis court with rebound wall. The older playground with rockers, slides, and swing is located near the track as well.

    Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / Flickr

    Located just at the corner of Newman Road and Delaware Street is another shaded playground with a number of structures and equipment for kids to enjoy such as rock-climbing, stepping stones, monkey bars, rockers, swing, as well as a Liberty swing.

    For the adults, there is also an area for exercising, complete with fitness equipment, as  well as barbecue facilities and sheltered picnic tables. If the kids still have energy to burn and still wanting to explore the rest of the park, then you may head to another playground located on Beor Street, close to the dog off-leash area.

    Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / Flickr

    This expansive park offers lots of fun activities for everyone, especially for the children and teens, that an entire day may not be enough to enjoy them all. However, you and your kids can always come back for another round of family day at the 7th Brigade Park.



    Green Heart Fair, Brisbane’s Biggest Sustainability Festival, is Coming to Chermside

    The Green Heart Fair is back and this time, the biggest free bi-annual community and sustainability festival in Brisbane will be at the 7th Brigade Park in Chermside on Sunday, 3 June 2018.

    Photo credit: Facebook/Green Heart Fair

    In partnership with the Brisbane City Council, the Green Heart Fair promotes innovative green living in a fun-filled, family-friendly environment for local residents to enjoy.

    The Fair starts at 9:00 am to 3:00 p.m. and over a hundred sustainability organisations, community groups, artisans, conservationists, and experts will be sharing their expertise and knowledge on living more sustainably.

    Photo credit: Facebook/Green Heart Fair

    Tons of fun entertainment will be up for kids on the Channel 7 Main Stage including Queensland Urban Utilities ‘Water Warriors’ Live Stage Show, PJ Masks Live Stage Show, and Live Music from Hailey Calvert, and Pat Tierney.

    In the Love Food Hate Waste Cooking Zone, fairgoers will learn how to become more conscious with food consumption as 31% of the average Brisbane bin consists of food waste.

    Celebrity presenters including Matt Golinski, Sam Thaiday and Dominique Rizzo, and Alison Alexander, a Food Consultant from Queensland Food Fellow, will be sharing simple tricks to help transform the way you plan, shop, and eat. Such valuable techniques can significantly help you save up to thousands of dollars every year while reducing food waste.

    Photo credit: Facebook/Green Heart Fair

    The Live for Less and Move for Less zones will feature expert talks and stalls on sustainable living and transportation for all households.

    To learn more about the exhibitors that will be present in this huge sustainability festival, check out Green Heart Fair’s What’s On page.

    Photo credit: Facebook/Green Heart Fair

    Don’t forget to bring your own reusable coffee cup and water bottle to the Green Heart Fair to get discounts on your coffee and free water refills from the Queensland Urban Utilities Hydration Station.

    Photo credit: Facebook/Green Heart Fair

    Free native plants will be up for grabs at the fair. Fairgoers can choose from Thyme Honey Myrtle and Tea Tree or Bottlebrush and Coastal Rosemary  Better. You can also drop by the Rocky Point AU Grow Zone to get expert advice on how to look after these plants before heading home.

    The Green Heart Fair is sponsored by the Brisbane City Council, Channel 7 Queensland​, Queensland Urban Utilities,  Rocky Point AU, and Cleanaway.

    To learn more about the event, visit the Green Heart Fair’s website or check out their Facebook page.