Hummingbird House, Queensland’s lone children’s palliative care centre in Chermside, has relied on generous donors and patrons to sustain the services they provide to families. However, launching a new program called Hummingbird House at Home has required added resources to ensure that support reaches more children.
In early 2021, Hummingbird House at Home was activated, providing families in regional towns the vital care and support for their terminally ill children without the need for travelling to Chermside. The services also extended to connecting families with local providers or community groups who are more equipped and logistically prepared to provide support.
Yet rural and remote areas of Queensland are quite isolated and limited in supplies, services and expertise so team members of Hummingbird House at Home stay for some days with the families that need crucial end-of-life care for their kids. Many of these families prefer their child or baby to spend their final days at home, surrounded by familiar people in a familiar place.
Unfortunately, General Manager Dr Fiona Hawthorne said that the home care program for regional families has yet to establish a long-term plan due to a lack of funding. Though Hummingbird House receives grant money from the government, Ms Hawthorne said that they are looking for ways to supplement their resources to keep the regional home care program up and running.
More than a year ago, recommendations have been made for the State Government to build a children’s hospice to cater to the regional areas. Health Minister Yvette D’Ath confirmed that funding was allocated between 2019-20 and 2020-21 for these services but its implementation has been left hanging.
According to Hummingbird House, operating this free service to Queenslanders costs $5.4 million a year for at least 5,000 families. Visit the official site to know more about supporting the hospice centre, whether as a donor or volunteer.
Westfield Chermside has announced the names of the six individuals nominated for the 2021 Westfield Local Heroes. Now on its fourth year, the program provides a $10,000 grant to help these nominees pursue their advocacies and the community can help decide who shall receive the funding by casting their votes.
Under the Westfield Local Heroes program, 42 Westfield centres in Australia and New Zealand will name three local heroes or role models who have made significant and positive contributions to benefit the community. For this year, the finalists come from a broad range of sectors, including not-for-profit groups, registered community groups, sporting clubs, emergency services, and environmental advocates.
The voting period, which started on 10 Aug 2021, will close on Monday, 30 Aug 2021. Here are the nominees for Westfield Chermside:
Why She’s Nominated: “Eileen is a Westfield Local Hero because whilst battling cancer, she still found the strength and courage to help parents of preterm babies. She helped those who had lost hope or were just simply overcome by the financial stress of NICU. Eileen was there right by their side.”
Photo Credit: Supplied
Veteran volunteer Eileen Mary Jane Cooke is the driving force behind support for Queensland parents of premature babies. Eileen has been volunteering with the Preterm Infants Parents Association (PIPA) for over 20 years and has helped many parents in that time. It is her way of giving back for the support she received from PIPA when she needed it. Eileen was a Westfield Local Hero finalist in 2019 and 2020 and appreciates being nominated for a third time.
Primary suburbs: Arana Hills, Geebung, Brisbane metro North
Local Westfield: Chermside
Why She’s Nominated: “Amy is a Westfield Local Hero because she has the strength to face her own trauma every day and use her experience to raise the profile of birth-related trauma to create a community of support and she works to prevent others having the same experience.”
Photo Credit: Supplied
Amy is an effective advocate for bringing consumers, clinicians, and researchers together to support women, birthing people, and families affected by birth-related trauma. In 2016, Amy founded the Australasian Birth Trauma Association (ABTA), is a charity focused on the recognition and understanding of birth-related trauma. Her vision is for safer births, better healing.
Why She’s Nominated: Jodie is a Westfield Local Hero because, in the darkest moments of life, she brings warmth, happiness, and light to people in our community who need it most.”
Photo Credit: Supplied
Jodie Frisch is on a mission to ensure families fleeing domestic violence have everything they need to rebuild their lives. As Homes Manager at RizeUp Australia, Jodie works tirelessly to furnish new accommodation, provide clothing for children, and source critical items at a moment’s notice. She is known for being strong, loyal, and kind.
Why He’s Nominated: “Garry is a Westfield Local Hero because he has impacted the lives of thousands of people directly through his service. He is a role model who inspires many others. The 4017 area wouldn’t be what it is today without the selfless contribution Garry has made for more than a decade at SANDBAG.”
Photo Credit: Supplied
Garry Hunt is a hard-working community worker dedicated to providing practical support to people in need. The volunteer turned staff member at Sandgate and Bracken Ridge Action Group (SANDBAG), Garry has supported thousands of people facing poverty, homelessness, mental illness, domestic violence, and discrimination. Garry always treats people equally and is known for his inclusive, welcoming, and respectful nature.
Why He’s Nominated: “Sammy is a Westfield Local Hero because he noticed there was a need for a program for young people within the local community. Through The Boss Boxing, Sammy has been able to engage through physical activity, which is making a big difference and changing lives.”
Photo Credit: Supplied
Former boxing champion Sammy Leone is a proud Aboriginal man who has supported the Zillmere community for more than a decade, using his sport to transform the lives of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Sammy is passionate about using the skills developed in boxing to keep people away from substance abuse and crime. A few years ago, he founded The Boss Boxing, where he is head coach.
Why He’s Nominated: “Len is a Westfield Local Hero because he has been through so many of his own challenges but still wants to give back to those in need. He knows that a kind word spoken at the right time can truly change someone’s life.”
Photo Credit: Supplied
Len McCandless is an empathetic community worker who uses his own experience of living on the street to help homeless people or those living with a disability. He is the team leader at Rosie’s – Friends on the Street Brisbane North Branch, where he is known for his big heart – always greeting patrons with a smile, a cup of tea, and a chat.
“Now in its fourth year, the Westfield Local Heroes Program has been an instrument for change and support for deserving organisations,” Westfield Carindale Centre Manager, Matt Powis, said. “It’s with great pleasure that we announce our six 2021 finalists and call upon the local community to vote and help us determine our three Westfield Local Heroes grant recipients.”
Since 2018, Scentre Group’s Westfield Local Heroes program has invested in over 489 community organisations. The contribution represents the ongoing support to connect and enrich the local communities in which Westfield Living Centres operate.
Grants provided to the winners total $1.2 million. The winners will be announced on 21 Oct 2021.
Did you know that Chermside is among Brisbane’s worst crash hotspots, with most accidents caused by people using their mobile phones whilst driving? Queensland drivers need to avoid distracted driving as the state permanently implements camera detection technology to catch errant drivers.
Following the camera’s trial in 2020, Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey announced that this scheme will be rolled out permanently beginning 26 July 2021 across the state.
“Some of the cameras will be mobile, and we won’t be telling people where they are either,” the minister stated. “Drivers should expect to be caught anywhere, anytime, whether they’re driving in the city or on a regional highway.”
The cameras work to capture high-resolution images of the front driver and passenger seat, which are scanned by AI detection technology. These devices, developed by Alex Jannink of Acusensus, who lost a friend in a road crash due to a distracted driver in the U.S., work day and night in all weather conditions and can spot drivers on their mobile who are trying to evade the cameras.
Photo Credit: Queensland Government
In a statement, Mr Bailey said that drivers will be notified of their driving violations without any fines until 31 October. From 1 November, erring drivers caught by the cameras will have to pay a $1033 fine and lose four demerit points.
Drivers captured by the camera with a mobile phone in their hand, including when they’re stopped at traffic lights or in a congested area, will also be penalised. Double demerit points will apply for repeat offenders within the year of the offence.
“Our message has always been direct and very simple: just put your phone away,” Mr Bailey said.
“Using a mobile phone while driving has the same impact as getting behind the wheel with a blood alcohol reading between 0.07 and 0.10.”
Top 10 Crash Hotspots in Brisbane
In a survey of accident insurance claims made between July 2019 to July 2020 from the Australian Associated Motor Insurers (AAMI), Gympie Road in Chermside emerged as the spot with the most accidents among the 350,000 claims filed for that period. The thoroughfare has been “notorious for congestion and collisions,” especially during peak hours.
Gympie Road on the stretch of Aspley also landed as the sixth-worst crash hotspot in Brisbane. Per the data, nose-to-tail crashes were the most common accidents in this highly congested area, where drivers apparently attempt to multi-task on their phones.
Gympie Road, Chermside
Logan Road, Mount Gravatt
Morayfield Road, Morayfield
Ipswich Road, Annerley
Browns Plains Road, Browns Plains
Gympie Road, Aspley
Sandgate Road, Clayfield
Logan Road, Eight Mile Plains
Waterworks Road, Ashgrove
Bruce Highway, Caboolture
No Seatbelt Fine Increased
The cameras will also catch drivers without their seatbelts on. The penalty for this driving violation is $413, up from $391 in 2019, with three demerit points.
“One in four people killed on Queensland roads aren’t wearing a seat belt – it’s deadly and the penalties for not belting up reflect that,” Mr Bailey said.
Photo Credit: Cfansworth/Pixabay
“Whether you’re a driver or a passenger, the risk is the same and so are the penalties. Drivers can also be fined and lose points for every passenger in the vehicle who isn’t buckled up, regardless of their age.”
Editor’s Note (as of 30 June 2021): Due to the three-day lockdown in South East Queensland, bookings for The Selfie Lab from 30 June to 2 July 2021 will be moved to later dates. Read their updates here and monitor their Facebook page.
Grab your cameras! The Selfie Lab, the latest selfie installation from the Sugar Republic is coming to Chermside.
From the minds behind vibrant and candy-inspired photo taking Instagrammable-site Sugar Republic comes an all-new installation in Chermside dubbed The Selfie Lab — a pop-up experience that will allow Brisbane residents to explore up to 16 themed rooms that make for some exciting scenery for picture-taking (and selfies!).
Though much of the installation’s finer details are being kept under wraps, people can expect to run into interactive props such as swings and giant teddy bears. Event-goers will be able to explore rooms with themes like the Palm Springs motel, a 1950s diner, and a bedroom with a retro 80s aesthetic.
Except to see themed rooms similar to the ones in the Sugar Republic’s standard pop-ups. Photo credit: Facebook/Sugar Republic
Sugar Republic’s previous pop-up installations featured extremely colourful and neon-lit venues with candy-inspired motifs that made for excellent backdrops for people looking to take pictures of themselves, or to simply fill their Instagram feeds with pictures of exciting scenery.
To learn more about the installation, which will open on the 24th of June 2021, visit their website here. Follow their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates on deals, dates, new details, and other special announcements concerning the event. Tickets will go on sale on the 16th of June 2021.
The Selfie Lab can be found at Westfield, Chermside.
At the new rebel sport concept store in Chermside, customers will be able to trial their kicks by shooting hoops and running on treadmills before finalising their purchases.
The new rebel concept store in Westfield Chermside, which opened on Thursday the 6th of May 2021, comes with a designated running zone and a small basketball court for customers to sample the gear before buying them, all while experts on hand ensure that people walk away with goods that fit them perfectly.
Their front of house team is composed of passionate experts knowledgeable across numerous sports, equipped with the knowhow necessary for offering advice in running, football, basketball, and general training. The team brings insider knowledge and expertise to the table, and aims to help customers make the most suitable purchases for themselves in order to achieve their fitness goals.
One of rebel’s priorities is helping smaller, more local brands such as Nimble and L’urv by selling their products at the store while simultaneously offering globally tried and tested products from major labels that Brisbane has become familiar with. Despite supporting local, rebel also offers products from the classics like Nike and adidas.
Photo credit: Facebook/Westfield Chermside
Following the opening of their new branch in Chermside, this marks the fourth concept store the company has launched in Australia, with the first in Doncaster, VIC, the second in Parramatta, NSW, and the third in Miranda, NSW.
rebel Chermside can be found at Gympie Rd, Chermside, open every day from 9:00 a.m. onwards with the exception of Sunday, in which the store opens at 10:00 a.m. For more information, visit the rebel website here. Follow their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates on deals, new stock, and other special announcements concerning the company and their sportswear.
Commuters on Gympie Road from Chermside to Kedron are expected to experience months of disruption as improvements to the safety and capacity of the Northern Transitway start.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) confirmed in a community update released in April 2021 that those main construction activities on the Northern Transitway will take place from May 2021 to early 2023. Most of the construction will be conducted at night, from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
Once completed, the project is expected to deliver the following outcome:
A dedicated bus lane for buses, both inbound and outbound, along Gympie Road between Kedron and Chermside benefiting over 5,000 people during peak periods each weekday.
Travel time savings of up to 6 minutes on some services during peak periods.
Higher frequency of services at bus stops within the project corridor, increasing from every 15 minutes to every 5 minutes or better during peak periods.
More local residents with greater access to high frequency bus services.
Bus stops that are accessible and compliant with disability access requirements.
Improved pathways along the alignment for cyclists and pedestrians.
Removal of unsignalised right-turn movements within the project corridor to improve the safety for all road users.
A new set of traffic signals at the intersection of Gympie Road and Boothby Street, including dedicated right-turn lane and U-turn facility, to provide safe access for locals and businesses.
However, local business owners, have opposed the project since the announcement as the loss of on-street parking will impact trading. They are calling on the State Government to monitor the traffic movement as this development might need additional options and work.
“We held a series of community information sessions last year and received 185 pieces of individual feedback on the proposed Northern Transitway plan,” Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said during the project’s announcement in early 2020. “The main issues raised by the community were the removal of the bus stops and on-street parking.
“The changes mean commuters will still enjoy quicker travel during the high demand peak periods, while Gympie Road businesses will keep on-street parking for their customers for large parts of the day and all day on weekends.”
Photo Credit: Department of Transport and Main Roads
With work now in progress, TMR issued a statement saying that the project team “will continue to update the community about the Northern Transitway project via distributing notifications to residents, businesses and the community along the project alignment, via email, and updating the web page.”
For concerns, the public is encouraged to contact the project team at northerntransitway@tmr.qld.gov.au or phone 1800 328 972 during business hours.
Achieving a more eco-friendly life and adapting to practical and sustainable ways of living are just some of the objectives of this year’s Green Heart Fair in Chermside, where the residents may also get free native plants from the Brisbane City Council.
The popular event, to be held on Sunday, 30 May 2021, at the 7th Brigade Park, Newman Road, is an opportunity for both homes and businesses to become “waste warriors.” The activities designed for all ages and abilities will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Over 3,000 plants will be distributed to guests on a first-in, first-served basis.
“When it comes to sustainability, we all have to start somewhere, and small, everyday decisions by households will continue to have a big impact on our city’s sustainability,” Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said.
Some of the Green Heart Fair highlights include a session from Green Living Australia and Bee One Third on maintaining a green home and garden. The kids will also be entertained at the Dirt Girl show, where they can participate in various nature play and craft workshops.
A special Waste Zone will also be established, where every member of the family could learn how to reduce wastes whilst the children could have the chance to see how a garbage truck operates.
Photo Credit: SuppliedPhoto Credit: Supplied
The Grow Zone will feature a hands-on workshop for the participants to work with plants or bees, as guided by the experts. There will also be showcases from Brisbane’s best artisans, who will demonstrate how to make trinkets and other handmade pieces from recycled items. Celebrities from Channel 7 will also grace the activities whilst the guests may also test-drive electric scooters and vehicles for sustainable travel.
“From composting tips to how to keep bees at home, Green Heart Fair will feature more than 120 of Brisbane’s leading experts with innovative environmentally-friendly products and services, as well as a whole day of talks covering a range of sustainable living topics,” Mr Schinner said.
Photo Credit: Supplied
“Attendees will also be invited to enjoy some of Brisbane’s best local food trucks with more plant-based food options than ever before and take home two native plants to grow at home or in the local community.”
The Green Heart Fair is a COVID-save event. To learn more about this event, visit the official site.
An extremely fortunate Chermside military family won the 1st prize of $200,000 after purchasing the winning Lucky Lotteries Mega Jackpot numbers online. With their new-found fortune, they intend to buy themselves a house and go on a vacation abroad.
At the end of April 2021, a lucky military family from Chermside managed to take home the first prize in Draw 1530 of The Lott’s Lucky Lotteries Mega Jackpot — a grand total of $200,000. The family, who has opted to remain anonymous, was dumbfounded at the win.
“I haven’t cried this much in ages!” says the jubilant mum, who added that the money couldn’t have come at a better time as life has been especially difficult for the family lately.
“This will make a huge difference to our lives. I could die — I’m so happy,” she added.
To celebrate their lucky break, the family intends to buy themselves a home, and possibly even take a trip overseas. “I can’t wait to break the news to the rest of my family tonight,” she adds. “We will definitely be celebrating this incredible win.”
The family had purchased their winning set of numbers from The Lott’s website. The Lucky Lotteries Mega Jackpot prize is currently set at $8.69 million for Draw 1531. The Lucky Lotteries Super Jackpot prize is set at $4.66 million for Draw 10458.
What are Lucky Lotteries?
Lucky Lotteries Mega Jackpot is among one of the many lotto games offered by The Lott, giving players the chance to take home a large sum of money by reserving. A total of 200,000 numbers will be available to pick in each draw, and once the numbers have all been reserved, the winning numbers will be selected at random.
Each Mega Jackpot ticket is priced at $5.50 per number, and each draw offers a 1st prize of $200,000. What distinguishes Lucky Lotteries from other games of its kind is the fact that rewards are not shared as each number drawn is unique. Those interested in playing for a chance to win $200,000 can purchase numbers here.
A development application for the creation of three new residential buildings on Kittyhawk Drive in Chermside has been lodged with Brisbane City Council.
The proposal, designed by Brisbane-based developer Gardener Vaughan Group, aims to create a total of 117 medium-density units that will be split into three residential towers. Each building will have a maximum height of 12 storeys over three stages, sporting a design that is consistent and in line with the rest of the residential towers in the precinct.
Photo credit: Brisbane CityCouncil/Development.i
Comprising the building’s ground floor are two 280sqm tenancies, three building lobbies, 25 car parks, landscaping, a pedestrian plaza and accompanying pathways, and landscaping. This level will connect all three towers together.
Stage 1 will house 38 units, stage 2 will house 39 units, and stage 3 will house 40 units. With 117 units total, there will be five one-bedroom apartments, 32 two-bedroom apartments, 71 three-bedroom apartments, and nine four-bedroom apartments.
Photo credit: Brisbane CityCouncil/Development.i
Articulated facades, open balconies and recessed walls will provide the building with natural lighting and shade. Walls will be designed in a way that incorporates splays and steps fashioned from a variety of materials — the architecture intending to complement existing developments in the area while enriching the landscape and streetscape character of Kittyhawk Drive.
Photo credit: Brisbane CityCouncil/Development.i
All in all, the proposal will provide 279 parking spaces for automobiles in the ground floor and basement of the towers — 235 of which will be reserved for residents, 30 for visitors, and 14 for commercial use. The site will cover 15,745sqm of gross floor area, with a 1,919sqm cover of the 3,884sqm development site.
The site of the development application can be found at 75-81 Kittyhawk Drive, Chermside. Those interested in learning more about the proposed residential buildings can read about them through this council reference: A005707662
Burnie Brae is inviting the Chermside community to ‘Linocut Printing: Introduction’ — a special workshop on linocut printmaking at their centre in Kuran Street on the 27th of April 2021.
The event, which will cover the basics of linocut printmaking, is scheduled for Tuesday the 27th of April 2021, between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. at the Burnie Brae Centre’s activity room. It will be hosted by a certified Burnie Brae art teacher, and all the necessary materials will be provided by the centre.
As a GOLD event, it is suitable for seniors, who are encouraged to participate.
Linocut, also known as lino print or linoleum art, is a printmaking process that revolves around lino: the very same material used as floor covering. Printing plates are carved into the lino using specialised blades before being inked, and a sheet of paper is placed over it.
Photo credit: CC BY-SA/Ivo Kruusamägi/Wikimedia Commons
Once enough pressure has been applied, the ink transfers to the paper to create a linocut print. The workshop will teach attendants the basics and let them bring home both the plates they carved and the prints they made.
The Burnie Brae Centre can be found at 60 Kuran Street, Chermside, open on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. To learn more about Burnie Brae, visit their website here. Follow their Facebook page for any announcements, as well as the latest updates on the event.
With tickets limited, bookings will be mandatory. Those interested in participating in Linocut Printing: Introduction will have to make reservations. To book, visit the centre’s reception or call them at 07 3624 2110.
