Chermside West Archives - Chermside News

The Chermside Choir That Made History Is Now Heading to the Sydney Opera House

Less than a year after becoming the first state school to place first in the Advanced Secondary Choir category at the Queensland Youth Music Awards, achieving a gold standard, Craigslea State High School‘s Chamber Choir is preparing for its next milestone: performing at the Sydney Opera House as part of the Australian International Music Festival, with a chance to perform at other superb venues.

The choir, which operates from Craigslea State High School, is raising funds through a community raffle to cover travel and participation costs for its members. Every ticket sold goes directly toward the trip, giving local supporters a tangible way to be part of what shapes up to be the most significant performance the ensemble has taken on.

“We’re raising funds to help these dedicated students travel to Sydney in July 2026 for an unforgettable International Music Festival experience at the iconic Sydney Opera House,” the school said in announcing the fundraiser.

The Work Behind the Moment

The Chamber Choir’s place at the Australian International Music Festival is not simply a participation opportunity. Ensembles are accepted to perform at festival venues, including the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall stage, through an Expression of Interest process.

As an outstanding music education and performance event, Craigslea’s participation is consistent with everything the group has demonstrated since it was formed in 2021 under the direction of music teacher Jennifer Pedder, who established the school’s vocal program in 2014.

The choir’s defining moment came in 2025, when it competed at the Queensland Youth Music Awards in the advanced Auditioned Secondary Choir category against some of the state’s most established and well-resourced school programmes, many fielding ensembles of 80 or more singers.

Craigslea entered with 17 voices and walked out with a gold standard and first place, becoming the first state school in the competition’s history to have its name engraved on the Perpetual Trophy for that category.

Choir member Thomas described the moment the winner was announced.

“I didn’t know that I could lose my voice in just 20 seconds,” he said. “We all jumped up and screamed, we were so happy!”

One of the adjudicators was particularly taken with the choir’s performance of Madonna’s Like a Prayer, with one judge noted to have been clapping along during the piece and admitting she had not managed to take any notes, having been too absorbed in the performance.

“There weren’t many of us, but we still filled the space with sound,” Thomas said.

Mrs Pedder said the win reflected more than a year of committed early-morning rehearsals.

“Choir members must audition to be part of the group and commit to practising every Monday and Friday at 7.30am,” she said. “Singers must be able to sight-read music and carry a harmony part on their own.”

A Festival That Takes Young Musicians to the World Stage

The Australian International Music Festival, now in its 37th year and organised by World Projects South Pacific, draws over 1,000 participants each year from Australia and international ensembles from the United States, China, Europe, Singapore, Japan and New Zealand.

Performances during the week-long festival take place across Sydney’s most iconic cultural venues, including the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, Angel Place City Recital Hall, Sydney Town Hall, the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, St Andrew’s Cathedral and Darling Harbour.

Participating ensembles are adjudicated by an international jury and awarded gold, silver or bronze plaques based on their concert performances. Alongside the competitive programme, the festival runs educational workshops with world-class clinicians at the Conservatorium, rehearsal exchanges with other ensembles, and cultural experiences across the city.

For 24 students from a state school in Chermside West, performing on the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall stage alongside international ensembles is the kind of experience that does not come around twice.

Support the Choir Before They Go

The community raffle is open now. Tickets are available here, with online ticket sales available until 7pm of 16 May 2026. Prizes are drawn at 7:30pm in the same day and winners will be contacted via phone or email.

The Australian International Music Festival will run from 5-12 July 2026. For more information about the Craigslea State High School Signature Music Programme and the Chamber Choir, visit the school’s website or follow the school’s Facebook page.

Published 29-April-2026

The Timber Footbridge at Raven Street Reserve Is Back Open

CrTracyDavis/Facebook

The timber footbridge at Raven Street Reserve in Chermside West has reopened following major structural works, with residents and walkers now able to cross freely again after what has been a notable absence from one of Brisbane’s northside most popular bushland corridors.

A small section of the bridge remains temporarily fenced while minor finishing tasks are completed over the next week, but the main span is now accessible and the reserve is once again fully walkable from end to end.

A reserve worth the visit

Raven Street Reserve sits tucked between Rode Road and Raven Street in Chermside West, and for a park this close to the suburban grid it carries a surprising amount of wildness. Downfall Creek winds through the lower reaches of the reserve, and the footbridge that has just been repaired sits across one of the creek crossings that connects the reserve’s internal trail network.

The broader reserve links into the Chermside Hills walking network, giving walkers access to the Giwadha Circuit Track, the Xanthorrhoea Track named for the grasstreets that line its ridges, and further routes toward Milne Hill and Chermside Hills Reserve.

Wildlife sightings in the area are reliably good: lace monitors, scrub turkeys, water dragons, and if you move quietly along the upper ridgeline sections, wallabies. The reserve also features a grassed oval with public toilets, picnic facilities and plenty of shaded trail under eucalypt canopy.

The Xanthorrhoea Track in particular draws walkers back repeatedly, especially in late winter and spring when the native understorey comes alive with yellow pultineas, golden banksias and purple patersonia lilies.

Getting there

Raven Street Reserve is accessed via Raven Street, Chermside West, off Rode Road. Bus route 353 stops on Hamilton Road near Trouts Road, providing access to the broader reserve network. Street parking is available on Raven Street and the surrounding streets.

The reserve is free to enter and open daily. For more information about Raven Street Reserve and its trail network, click here.

Published 29-April-2026

Stop And Go Facility Construction Underway In Chermside West

Photo Credit: Craigslea State School

Construction is underway in Chermside West on a new stop and go drop-off facility at Craigslea State School, designed to improve student safety and reduce traffic congestion along Hamilton Road.

School Access Improvements In Chermside West

Craigslea State School is delivering a dedicated on-site drop-off zone located within the school grounds, shifting vehicle movements away from surrounding roads during peak school hours.

The project is intended to create a safer and more controlled environment for students, parents and carers by relocating drop-offs from Hamilton Road into a defined internal access area.

What The Project Includes

The stop and go facility forms part of a school access upgrade listed under the 2025–26 Budget projects for Brisbane, identifying Craigslea State School for delivery of a dedicated drop-off zone.

Construction work has commenced on the internal traffic area, with site preparation and layout works underway to establish a clear flow for vehicles entering and exiting the school grounds.

Timeline And Delivery

The stop and go facility is expected to be completed by Week 4 of the first school term.

Once operational, the school will begin transitioning families to use the new drop-off arrangement during peak morning and afternoon periods.

Chermside West school safety — *Photo Credit: Craigslea SS P&C Association*/Instagram

Communication And Safety Measures

A new LED sign will be installed on site to replace one damaged earlier in the year, improving communication with families and visitors.

Following completion, the school community plans to roll out a road safety campaign using a grant secured in 2024. The campaign will include videos showing how to use the new stop and go zone and other approved drop-off locations safely and legally.

What Happens Next In Chermside West

After construction is completed, the focus will shift to community guidance and monitoring how the new traffic flow operates during peak school times.

Published 20-Jan-2026

Chermside Hospital Expansion To Deliver New Beds And Emergency Facilities

Photo Credit: Google Maps

The expansion project at The Prince Charles Hospital in Chermside is progressing, with new emergency, inpatient and paediatric facilities planned to increase healthcare capacity across Brisbane’s north.

Project Scope And Design In Chermside

The Prince Charles Hospital expansion includes new and expanded adult and paediatric emergency departments, additional operating theatres and at least 93 new overnight beds, including paediatric beds.

The project is being delivered through staged construction and improved use of the hospital site and nearby facilities, allowing hospital services to continue operating while new infrastructure is developed.

Hospital Role And Service Demand

The Prince Charles Hospital is a tertiary-level cardiac hospital in Brisbane’s north, employing around 3,200 staff and providing care to more than 420,000 Queenslanders each year.

Based on 2023 data, the hospital services the largest catchment area in Metro North and operates the second busiest emergency department in Queensland. The catchment also has the largest child population in the region and is projected to grow by 0.97 per cent per year over the next 20 years.

Milestones And Current Planning

Two early milestones have already been completed on the hospital campus. Building 50, which houses allied health, nursing and medical administration functions, was completed in January 2025.

A new Gathering Garden was finalised in May 2025, providing additional shared space for patients, visitors and staff.

Clinical priorities and a staging plan are currently being developed, with an updated project timeline to be released once the plan is finalised.

Access And On-Site Improvements

A multi-storey car park was delivered in 2025 as part of site upgrades, supporting access for patients, carers, visitors and staff.

Chermside hospital expansion — *Photo Credit: Hospital Rescue Plan*

Funding Context And 2025–26 Progress

The Prince Charles Hospital expansion is listed in the 2025–26 Budget as part of a wider hospital infrastructure program for Brisbane and surrounding regions.

The budget listing outlines the project’s scope, including new emergency departments, additional beds and expanded paediatric and operating theatre facilities. This year’s funding supports continued planning, staging and site preparation activities outlined for the project.

What Happens Next In Chermside

The next phase will focus on confirming construction sequencing and site integration, ensuring hospital services continue operating while new clinical and support facilities are developed.

Published 20-Jan-2026

Craigslea SHS in Chermside West Invites Generations Back for 50th-Year Celebration

In the early 1970s, a new school quietly took root in the leafy streets of Chermside West. Since then, Craigslea State High School has remained a steady presence in the lives of thousands. It became a place where friendships were made, lessons were learned and the odd lunchtime drama unfolded on the oval.

Now, 50 years on, the school is inviting everyone who walked its halls, and those who cheered from the sidelines, to come back and celebrate the legacy they helped shape.

A Full Circle Moment

On Saturday, 7 June 2025, the school grounds will once again fill with laughter and shared memories, this time for a different reason. From 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Craigslea SHS will hold a free community showcase that welcomes alumni, families and locals to revisit the past and see what’s changed. Classrooms will be open for guided tours, the stage will come alive with student performances and food trucks will line the grounds offering fuel for the walk down memory lane. The official welcome is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. in the school hall.

In a symbolic gesture, a time capsule buried years ago will be unearthed. A new capsule filled with today’s stories, artefacts and inside jokes will take its place for the next generation to discover it.

The Dinner That Feels Like a Reunion

As the sun sets, the celebration will shift to Kedron Wavell RSL, where former students and staff are invited to an evening gala dinner. From 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., the event promises conversation, reconnection and a few “remember when” moments.

Tickets are available until 27 May 2025, and organisers are urging people to reach out to old classmates, even if it’s been decades since they last spoke.

GET TICKETS

Alice Long, a long-time volunteer with the P&C Association, said the school’s unusual name often trips people up. Craigslea SHS isn’t in a suburb called Craigslea, but in Chermside West, just behind Westfield Chermside. That detail has become more relevant than ever as the team tries to reach alumni who may have moved away, changed email addresses or simply lost touch.

Where Are They Now?

As part of Craigslea State High School’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, the school has been spotlighting standout alumni through a series of “Where are they now?” features on social media. One such graduate is Matt Moorcroft, a proud member of the Class of 2006, who has come full circle by returning to Craigslea as a teacher.

Matt rejoined the school in 2015, inspired by the “fantastic teachers” who guided him through his own education. Now a Highly Accomplished Teacher, he teaches Mathematics and plays a key role in Craigslea’s extracurricular life, including the annual ski trip to Queenstown, New Zealand, and coaching in the Craigslea Volleyball Academy.

Reflecting on his school days, Matt recalls formative experiences:

“I still have fond memories of Mr Randall Robertson’s Year 8 camp, Senior PE with Mr Bruce Mann, and the snow trip to Perisher with Ms Janelle Schloss and Ms Kay Braiden,” he said.

He also fondly remembers simpler pleasures, like:

“Eating a pie on a bread roll from the tuckshop at lunch and washing it down with a can of Coke and a Mars Bar from the vending machines in the hall.”

When asked what advice he’d give to current students, Matt said:

“Follow your passions and interests. If you do that, like me, you will find a path that is both enjoyable and rewarding.”

Matt’s story is one of many examples of how Craigslea’s nurturing environment and strong sense of community have shaped the lives of its students. As the school marks five decades of education, stories like his are a powerful reminder of the school’s lasting legacy.

Keeping the Spirit Alive

To support fundraising efforts, an online raffle is running until 7:00 p.m. on the day of the event, featuring over $3,500 in prizes. There’s also a commemorative yearbook: a 130-page keepsake filled with photos, stories and the milestones that defined each decade.

Organisers hope the day isn’t just about looking back, but also about building connections that carry forward. Whether you were part of the Class of ’75 or dropped off a student last week, the message is the same: come along, be part of it, and remember what made Craigslea special in the first place.

Published 26-May-2025

Violent Assault in Huxtable Park Under Investigation

Detectives from the Carseldine Criminal Investigation Branch are seeking public assistance following a violent assault that occurred last night, September 5, in Huxtable Park.

According to police reports, a 29-year-old man from Bracken Ridge was attacked while sitting in his parked vehicle at approximately 11 PM on September 5. The victim was assaulted by a group of unidentified individuals who fled the scene in a white car, heading towards Hamilton Road.

Upon arrival at the scene, police found the victim with non-life-threatening injuries. Emergency services transported the man to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital for treatment.

Authorities have declared the area a crime scene and are conducting a thorough investigation. They are particularly interested in any surveillance footage or dashcam video that may have captured the white car in the vicinity of Huxtable Park around 11 PM last night, the time of the assault.

They are asking anyone with information to contact Policelink by using the online suspicious activity form at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or by calling 131 444.

For those wishing to remain anonymous, reports can be made to Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.

The case reference number for this incident is QP2401531516.

Published 6-September-2024

Unsung ANZAC Hero in Chermside: Malvene Dicker and Her Secret Role in the Vietnam War

Malvene Dicker (nee Cornwell), an 80-year-old former Australian Women’s Air Force teleprinter operator and Chermside West resident, had a vital and top-secret role during the Vietnam War.

Stationed in the Lower Blue Mountains, Ms Dicker spent about eight months handling sensitive communications from Australian forces in Vietnam. Her work involved processing critical information, ranging from battle strategies to air strike plans, disseminated across Australia’s military network.

This crucial role was bound by strict secrecy, with severe penalties for any breach.

Women as Teleprinter Operators During the War

In 1941, due to shortages in RAAF ground staff, women were recruited as wireless and teleprinter operators. The Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) was formed to address this issue. The War Cabinet had been considering this since July 1940, but approval was only granted on February 4, 1941, with the Advisory War Council concurring the following day.

Due to legal uncertainties, women were recruited as auxiliaries on renewable 12-month terms under the Air Force Act. This decision soon prompted other armed services to establish similar women’s units. By October 1944, the WAAAF had expanded to a peak strength of 18,664.

The WAAAF was disbanded in 1947 after World War II. Its role was taken over by the Women’s Royal Australian Air Force (WRAAF), which was established in 1950. The WRAAF continued in operation during the Vietnam War era.

Malven Dicker of the Women's Royal Australian Air Force — **Back row L-R:** Richard (Dick) Pick, Jack Spratt, Howard Marsh, Andrew (Shorty) Dearman, Barry Kirwin, Dennis Henstridge, Bob Snedden.
**Front Row L-R:** Yvonne (Yogi) Yow Yew, Joan Madson, Betty Harding, Pattie Stout, Carole Martin, Malvene Cornwell, Jenny Finn.
Photo Credit: Radschool.Org

During the Vietnam War, members of the WRAAF were not deployed to Vietnam, but they played critical roles within Australia and at overseas bases where Australian forces were stationed, such as in Malaysia and Singapore. Their contributions included clerical, administrative, and support roles, which were essential to the operations of the Royal Australian Air Force during this period.

Malvene Dicker, Post-Service

Despite the high stakes of her military role, Dicker viewed her contributions as part of a broader effort, a mere cog in the expansive machinery of war.

Born in Toowoomba a day after the D-Day landing in 1944, the path taken by Malvene Dicker seemed aligned with military service from an early age. Initially working as a copy girl for Brisbane’s Courier Mail, her career took a decisive turn when she joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1962, training as a teleprint officer at Signals.

Post-service, her engagement with a fellow serviceman, who returned profoundly changed from Vietnam, led to a cancelled marriage.

Malven Dicker Chermside West — *Photo Credit: Radschool.Org*

Dicker then pursued a career as an air hostess, eventually settling down to raise a family that includes two daughters and six grandchildren.

Now residing at the TriCare aged care facility, Dicker reflects on her service with a mixture of pride and disillusionment regarding the Vietnam War, which she regards as a futile conflict. Yet, nearly six decades later, she holds no fear of retribution for her once-classified work, even as she steps back from the physical demands of the Anzac Day march.

Her life is a tribute to the many Australians whose quiet contributions underpinned historical conflicts with service and sacrifice.

Published 22-April-2024

Active School Travel: Craigslea State School Named School of the Year

Congratulations to Craigslea State School in Chermside West for winning the School of the Year award after successfully implementing Brisbane’s Active School Travel program!

Craigslea State School is only in its first year of the program and has managed to achieve the “greatest increase in students actively travelling” thus coveting the esteemed recognition.

At the start of Term 2, the school ran a “Walking, Wheeling Wednesday” initiative that encouraged more physical activities for both students and staff members.

The Active School Travel (AST) program, which is in its 18th year, also reduced traffic congestion as the school community had to leave their cars at home and instead allowed the children to walk, bike or take the scooter to school.

“Well done to all the students, parents, teachers and staff who participate by getting active and importantly reducing congestion and increasing safety around our school,” the school’s AST team said in announcing Craigslea State School’s achievement.

Craigslea State School Active School Travel — Photo Credit: Craigslea State School/Facebook

“Active School Travel is one of the easiest ways to incorporate physical activity into everyday life for all children.”

Also recognised for this year’s AST awards are:

Wishart State School
School of Excellence 2022
Highest percentage of active travel in large schools

St Anthony’s School, Kedron
Greatest increase of active travel in large schools

Seven Hills State School
Greatest increase of active travel in small schools

Junction Park State School
Highest percentage of active travel in small schools

New Playground At Downfall Creek Bushland Centre In Chermside Now Open

The new playground at the Downfall Creek Bushland Centre in Chermside West is now open for kids in the area to enjoy.

Read: BYD Atto 3: The New EV You Can Order Like Takeaway

Some of the little ones have already tested out the new equipment at the ‘Brush Turkey Place,’ a great new spot for families which is right next door to the existing barbeque and picnic area and the Raven Street Reserve walking trails.

“My kids loved the new playground and little nature walk – a 200m easy track where even the littlest people can enjoy. Really well done, with toilets and BBQ facilities and a basketball hoop for the older kids,” shared local guide Danielle Morton.

Aside from the playground, other facilities at Downfall Creek Bushland Centre include bike tracks, educational trail, native plants program nursery, half-court basketball court, car park, and sheltered picnic tables.

chermside west parks — Photo credit: Cr Tracy Davis/Facebook

After playing at the new playground, kids can view environmental and cultural displays, learn about the reserve’s flora and fauna, and discover the importance of preserving the natural areas of the environment at Downfall Creek Bushland Centre.

Situated within the Raven Street Reserve, Downfall Creek Bushland Centre is open to the public to allow individuals to learn and explore the natural environment.

Downfall Creek Bushland Centre makes up three of the natural areas in Chermside West and McDowall, along with Milne Hill Reserve and Chermside Hills Reserve. It’s an important part of the Mountains to Mangroves Corridor which is a wildlife corridor that extends from the D’Aguilar Ranges to Boondall Wetlands and Moreton Bay.

The centre is open from Tuesday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Time for a Hike! Milne Hill Reserve Upgrades Now Complete

The next time you need to take a relaxing and healthy scenic walk in Chermside West, hike up to the Milne Hill Reserve, where a wonderful upgrade of the lookout has been completed.

Constructed in March 2021, the site now boasts of a convenient viewing deck with new seats and paths so visitors can have a better experience looking out towards the breathtaking view.

“This project is part of Council’s commitment to creating more to see and do in a city that is clean and green, so residents and visitors can enjoy Brisbane’s beautiful climate while connecting with the people and places that make our city great,” the Council stated.

Councillor Tracy Davis was up on the Milne Hill Reserve lookout to check the viewing deck and shared a video of her visit.

“I really encourage you to come for the walk up here, to the lookout, and see our beautiful area from this vantage point,” she said.

“Upgrades like this are just one of the many ways the Schrinner Administration is creating more to see and do in our suburbs, and help make sure we can all enjoy our great outdoor Brisbane lifestyle.”

To get to the lookout, find the signage for the Pomax Track walking trail at the Water Reservoir. New stairs have been installed in the area for easy access.