Melbourne’s beloved burger establishment, YOMG (Yo-My-Goodness), has crossed state lines, landing in sunny Queensland with its first store at Westfield Chermside.
The grand opening on Saturday, 8th of June, promises a treat for burger enthusiasts, offering free burgers from 11:00 a.m. to midday and $10,000 worth of free frozen yoghurt on Sunday.
Co-founder Justin Wilson expressed his excitement about bringing YOMG to Brisbane, citing the city’s vibrant atmosphere and market as the driving force behind their interstate expansion. The restaurant aims to be a family-friendly hub where customers can savour a wide range of flavours.
YOMG prides itself on using quality Australian Angus beef, house-made sauces, and a unique milk bun recipe. Notably, the Chermside team is composed entirely of residents.
Mr Wilson hinted at ambitious plans, revealing that Chermside marks just the beginning of YOMG’s growth across the Sunshine State. Beyond their signature burgers, YOMG’s menu boasts shakes, artisanal frozen yoghurt, acai bowls, and a self-serve toppings bar featuring both vegan and Angus beef options.
The restaurant’s aesthetic blends modern design with YOMG’s signature purple, and gold accents, and LED lights, creating a welcoming space for customers to enjoy their meals. Mr Wilson emphasised their commitment to providing quality ingredients and value for money.
YOMG Chermside will operate with extended hours from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on weekends, offering an inviting space for burger lovers and dessert enthusiasts alike.
Hold onto your chopsticks, Brisbane! Chermside has officially become a sushi lover’s paradise, boasting the Southern Hemisphere’s most epic sushi train. Spanning an astonishing 115 metres and accommodating a whopping 171 diners, this culinary conveyor belt is set to redefine the sushi experience.
These strategic locations were chosen for their vibrant shopping scenes, aligning with the brand’s commitment to providing unique and immersive dining experiences. In under two years, CEO Anna Kasman has nearly doubled the business’s sushi train presence in Australia, catering to the nation’s growing appetite for sushi while pushing the boundaries of dining innovation.
“The demand for high-quality Japanese cuisine in a relaxed setting is clear, and diners want experiences that are fresh and exciting,” Kasman stated. “We aim to fill that gap with everything Sushi Jiro does, offering one-of-a-kind experiences every time.”
Both the Chermside and Pacific Fair restaurants are designed to captivate customers from the moment they enter.
“We designed both restaurants with the customer journey at the forefront, from the atmosphere of our interior design to the interactive nature of our sushi train,” Kasman explained. “We’ve incorporated elements that not only streamline dining but create an immersive experience that connects our guests with traditional and modern sushi making.”
Sushi Jiro‘s menu showcases traditional Japanese favourites while surprising guests with creative dishes like the Nori Taco, a fusion of traditional Japanese flavours presented uniquely, rarely seen in the quick-service restaurant space.
Looking ahead, Sushi Jiro plans to continue expanding its footprint in Australia. “We’re exploring opportunities to bring Sushi Jiro restaurants to more locations across Australia,” Kasman said. “Our goal is to continuously improve and innovate upon our elevated sushi train experience with each new store opening.”
Sushi Jiro’s new Queensland stores are open seven days a week, inviting sushi enthusiasts to experience the Southern Hemisphere’s longest sushi train firsthand.
Chermside could soon undergo a significant transformation, with the proposed development of an underground tunnel that aims to alleviate traffic congestion, improve pedestrian access, and enhance urban connectivity.
The proposed tunnel would run beneath Gympie Road, a major thoroughfare that currently acts as a barrier between Westfield Chermside shopping centre and the surrounding areas. By diverting traffic underground, the project would free up valuable surface space for pedestrian-friendly zones, green spaces, and potentially even new residential and commercial developments.
Photo Credit: Screengrab from Google Map
In a recent episode of 4BC Brisbane, journalist Peter Gleeson explored this ambitious project, highlighting its potential to unlock a wave of new opportunities for the community.
The Chermside underground tunnel project is not the first attempt to improve the area. Council has explored various options to enhance safety and access, including a proposed upgrade of the Hamilton Road and Staib Road intersection.
Photo Credit: Screengrab from Google Map
However, this plan was contingent on funding from the Queensland Government and faced community opposition. An alternative interim option was also proposed but did not garner community support.
In late 2022, Council put forth a design to install traffic lights at the Hamilton Road and Western Avenue intersection, but this plan has been deferred following a review of Council’s infrastructure programme.
With the underground tunnel project still in the planning stages, everal details, including funding and timelines, are yet to be finalised. However, several ongoing discussions, including those spurred by the Gleeson podcast, have sparked a wider conversation about the future of Chermside and the potential for innovative infrastructure solutions to transform the suburb.
One in four adults in Australia have volunteered since the Covid-19 pandemic, but Wesley Mission Queensland based in Chermside is providing flexible volunteering opportunities that are reviving interest and combating loneliness in aged care facilities across Brisbane.
Wesley Mission Queensland runs the volunteer-led, government-funded Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme (ACVVS) in its aged care communities. The scheme aims to reduce the impacts of isolation and boredom amongst older Australians by pairing them with volunteer visitors for weekly or fortnightly visits over a cup of tea and a chat.
Changing Volunteering Landscape
While volunteering rates have steadily declined across Australia since 2010, Wesley Mission Queensland has maintained a steady volunteer base by offering flexible, short-term opportunities tailored to people’s lifestyles.
“With the average age of our volunteer network now being 49 years old, we understand that people wish to give back in ad hoc opportunities which suit their lifestyle. They also seek to be engaged in a number of short-term volunteer opportunities to grow their portfolio and ‘try before they buy’,” said Volunteer Relations Manager Nicole Mujdrica.
The ACVVS combats social isolation and loneliness among older Australians and offers a profound sense of purpose to volunteers from diverse backgrounds.
“Volunteering and spending time with Maureen (aged care resident) has really put things in perspective for me. It helps me to be more present and value my good health and age now because I know it doesn’t last forever,” Lisa Bellamywells, a 52-year-old mother balancing part-time work and family responsibilities, said.
Mitchell Ward, a 32-year-old former support worker who joined in February 2024.
“I love spending time with the oldies, making them feel comfortable and to brighten their day it makes me feel good giving back to the community.”
Photo Credit: Supplied
Call to Action for National Volunteer Week
As National Volunteer Week is celebrated from May 20-26, Wesley Mission Queensland invites individuals of all ages to volunteer and drive positive change in their communities through the Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme.
“It’s only an hour out of your week that makes a massive difference to the residents’ entire week – I hope someone is compassionate enough to spend an hour with me in my older years,” Lisa said.
Volunteer Sri Puspa Atkinson continues to make a profound impact at Save the Children Chermside op-shop, dedicating over a year to helping those in need and bringing joy to the community.
Sri, originally from Indonesia and a Brisbane resident for nearly 24 years, embodies the spirit of altruism at the Chermside op-shop. With a diverse background spanning film production and documentary work, Sri’s passion for volunteering has been a constant thread throughout her life.
“For me, there is no happier feeling than to be able to help those in need and see them happy,” Sri shared, reflecting on her over a year of volunteer work at the op-shop, as Australia commemorates National Volunteer Week from the 20th to 26th of May 2024.
Photo Credit: Supplied
Her creative skills as a former make-up artist and costume designer in the film industry play a significant role in her current volunteer work, especially when creating engaging displays from donated items.
Community Impact
Andrena Nowlan, Save the Children Australia’s Director of Retail, highlighted the essential role of volunteers like Sri.
“Without the support of volunteers, including the wonderful volunteers in our op shops, it would be much harder to carry out our work that protects and supports children across Australia and around the world,” she said.
Ms Nowlan emphasised that National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to recognize the significant contributions of volunteers within their communities and their dedication to the organisation’s mission.
Photo Credit: Supplied
A Legacy of Helping Children
Save the Children has been an active part of the Australian community for over a century and stands as one of the country’s leading child rights charities.
The Chermside Op-Shop, located at 755 Gympie Road, has been operational since October 2015 and continues to support the organisation’s lifesaving programs through the sale of donated items.
Seven teens have been arrested and charged following an alleged carjacking and stolen vehicle incident in Chermside early Friday morning, May 10, 2024.
According to Queensland Police, the incident began shortly after midnight when a group of seven people approached a ride share driver parked near a fast-food restaurant on Hamilton Road.
The driver was able to exit the vehicle and enter the restaurant, where the group followed, and an altercation ensued involving restaurant staff attempting to aid the driver.
The group then approached a second ride share driver in the parking lot, stole his keys, and drove off in his vehicle, injuring both drivers and two staff members in the process.
After tracking the stolen vehicle through several Brisbane suburbs, police successfully deployed a tyre deflation device in Goodna around 1:40 am, bringing the car to a stop and allowing officers to take all seven into custody.
Charged in the incident are:
A 15-year-old girl from Chermside West was charged with armed robbery, attempted robbery, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and two counts of assault. She was denied bail and is due in Brisbane Children’s Court today, May 10, 2024.
Six other teens between ages 13 and 15 from suburbs across Brisbane were charged with armed robbery in company, attempted robbery, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and two counts of common assault. They are due in Children’s Court on May 17.
The alleged offences are sure to raise further concerns about a recent spate of car thefts and youth crimes across the Brisbane region.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24 hours per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.
The man, who works from home, discovered his good fortune on Thursday, the 4th of April, and was understandably ecstatic.
Photo Credit: Pexels
Officials contacted the winner after the draw, and his reaction was one of pure surprise.
“Wow! That’s fantastic!” he exclaimed. Working remotely proved fortuitous, as he admitted he wouldn’t have been able to contain his excitement in the office.
Sharing his good news with his partner was a priority. He playfully acknowledged her history of good luck, hoping it had finally rubbed off on him.
Plans are already brewing for the newfound wealth. Investment is a key part of the strategy, with the ultimate goal of homeownership. A celebratory dinner, complete with indulging in some luxuries, is also on the agenda.
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.
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.
Photo Credit: Radschool.Org
Post-service, her engagement with a fellow serviceman, who returned profoundly changed from Vietnam, led to a cancelled marriage.
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.
Police have identified multi-residential complexes in Chermside and Hamilton as prime targets for theft. Numerous reports of stolen property from storage cages and vehicles, primarily occurring overnight, underscore an escalating concern.
The latest breach occurred overnight on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, when thieves infiltrated an underground car park on Kittyhawk Street, Chermside. Several storage cages were emptied of their contents in a brazen act of theft
Similarly, on the night of Friday, March 29, intruders broke into a car park on Harbour Road, Hamilton, and stole tools and clothing from a parked vehicle. Chermside saw additional offences that night, with two separate unit complexes on Curwen Terrace reporting break-ins and thefts.
Photo Credit: QPS
Alarming Crime Statistics
From January 8 to April 7, 2024, Chermside has witnessed a staggering 731 offences, with 78 cases of unlawful entry and 354 instances of other thefts. This category encompasses property theft without force or unlawful entry, revealing a concerning pattern of criminal behaviour in the area.
Photo Credit: QPS
Photo Credit: QPS
Authorities urge residents to adopt stringent security measures and maintain vigilance. Key recommendations include establishing robust personal security routines, liaising closely with building management, ensuring familiarity with building evacuation and safety protocols, and employing physical security enhancements such as quality door and window locks.
Theft clusters Photo Credit: QPS
Residents are also advised to minimise the storage of valuables in accessible areas, secure bicycles and motorcycles effectively, and exercise caution with car security, including the use of anti-theft screws for registration plates.
Residents who have information regarding these incidents are encouraged to contact Policelink by using the online suspicious activity form available 24 hours a day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or by calling 131 444. To report crime information anonymously, contact Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au. Please quote the reference numbers QP2400579472, QP2400553992, QP2400556990, or QP2400562298 when providing information.
The former store manager of a Lego store in Chermside has been sentenced to five years in prison for stealing $60,000 in cash and merchandise, and causing $70,000 in fire damage to conceal the theft.
In 2020, the store manager of a Westfield Chermside Lego outlet misappropriated 40 boxes of Lego and nearly $60,000 from the store to support a gambling addiction. The theft led to an elaborate cover-up attempt, where the manager set fire to the shopping centre’s stockroom, significantly damaging stock from Lego and neighbouring stores, Specsavers and Macpac.
Upon discovering the theft and subsequent arson, an investigation quickly focused on the manager. The escalation of the case resulted in the manager’s attempt to evade consequences by committing further thefts in Longreach while on bail. These actions led to an additional $10,000 stolen from a new employer.
Presented before the Brisbane District Court on Tuesday, 26 March 2024, the Chermside Lego store manager pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated fraud, endangering property by fire, and stealing by a clerk or servant.
The court handed down a sentence of five years for aggravated fraud, with concurrent two-and-a-half-year sentences for the other charges, highlighting the premeditated nature of the crimes and the breach of trust involved.
The prosecution and defence addressed the court on the impact of the manager’s actions and her personal circumstances, including mental health issues tied to her gambling addiction.
