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New Renewable Energy Training Facility Set for Construction in Pinkenba

A state-of-the-art renewable energy training facility will be established in Pinkenba after the approval of the MID planning framework and the allocation of $17 million in funds. Once completed, this project will enable Queensland to reach its renewable target by 2030.

Deputy Premier and Planning Minister Steven Miles confirmed that the State Government has invested in the training facility, which will provide “pre-trade, apprenticeship and post trade courses” for 300 students a year and jobs for 40 teachers.

The Pinkenba Renewable Energy Training Facility, located on 749 Macarthur Avenue Central, will deliver workers who will be able to carry out specialised roles in electrical, solar, and telecommunications across the region.

Highlights

The Pinkenba Renewable Energy Training Facility will be constructed along Macarthur Avenue Central starting September 2021.
The school, under Electro Group, will train 300 students who will work in the electrical, solar and telecommunications sectors.
Queensland Government will fund $17 million of the $23-million training facility.

Electro Group is eyeing to start construction of the building in September 2021.

“Our facility will provide electrical workers with classroom learning and out in the field training, which will feature a 17m high wind turbine, a 20m high climbing tower, a 30m telecommunications tower and a 54-kw single-axis tracking solar system,” Electro Group CEO Donna Pickford said.

“Being able to provide both current and future electrical workers with this hands-on experience will mean they’ll be fully equipped to take on the jobs of tomorrow.

“We’re excited to be moving forward with this project and we’re looking forward to welcoming our first students in mid-2022.”

Electro Group bypassed Brisbane City Council in submitting the plans (MID-0521-0495). The Council earlier expressed concerns that the school’s establishment in a predominantly industrial area could hamper future expansion and activities for the surrounding sites.

However, the electrotechnology training company said that Queensland needs the school since the state is projected to double employment in the renewable energy sector in 10 years. There are currently 27,000 renewable energy workers in this region.

“While we’re investing in renewable energy projects throughout the state, it is also important we invest in our workforce to deliver and maintain renewable energy infrastructure,” Mr Miles, who approved the development, said.

Australia’s Oldest Person Born in Nundah, Dexter Kruger, Dies Peacefully at 111

Dexter Kruger, the oldest person in Australia, has died peacefully following a brief illness at age 111 years and 188 days. Born in Nundah, the former outback grazier was living in an aged care facility in Roma until his passing on 20 July 2021.

On May 17, 2021, Dexter entered the Guinness Book of Records after he became the oldest living person in the country when he turned 111 years and 124 days old, overtaking Jack Lockett, a World War 1 veteran, who passed away in 2002 at 111 years and 123 days old.

Dexter Ronald Kruger was born on January 13, 1910, before the invention of the refrigerator. He was one of the pioneers of liveweight cattle selling system and ran a sheep farm with his siblings in Kilcoy.

He was married to Gladys Beanland for more than 50 years and they had one son, Gregory. Gladys passed away in the 1990s.

Highlights

Dexter Ronald Kruger, born in Nundah in 1910, became the oldest person in Australia at 111 years old and 188 days.
He passed away on 20 July 2021.
He lived most of his life as a cattle ranch farmer and didn’t retire until his 90s.
Dexter once said the secret to his long life was to live close to nature and eat crops from his farm and orchard.

For much of his life, Dexter was into farming and managed a 5,300-hectare cattle ranch in Maranoa until his 90s. Upon receiving his Guinness in May, Dexter said that his secret to longevity was to live close to nature and ate mostly what he grew in his orchard and farm.

Surviving two World Wars, the Great Depression, Australia’s droughts and the pandemic, Dexter said that the world today is not a nicer place as people have too much money “to spend on rubbish.” He said that as much as computerised technology delivered marvellous things, life was more relaxed back in the day.

His son said that his father was happiest around horses and cattle and was always up and with by following a healthy diet and lifestyle. However, longevity also runs in the family as Dexter had cousins and an aunt that lived to be 100.

Photo Credit: Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk/Facebook

Following his retirement, Dexter Kruger completed writing 12 books, including an autobiography, which were all purchased by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in 2019 as an addition to the State Library of Queensland.

“His long and fruitful life, including his achievements as a centenarian poet and author, was an inspiration to every Queenslander,” the premier said. “Dexter showed us all that you’re never too old to achieve your goals.

“It’s fitting that we will have a permanent record of his remarkable life in his books which are now part of the State Library collection. I extend my condolences to his family at this time.”

Plans to be Drafted for Pinkenba COVID-19 Quarantine Facility

A COVID-19 quarantine facility for travellers coming to Queensland has been earmarked for Pinkenba with infrastructure consultancy group AECOM assigned to draft and develop the plans to accommodate at least 1,450 people.

The project’s construction will be funded by the Commonwealth but managed from day to day by the State Government. Federal Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said that the Pinkenba site was chosen because of its proximity to Brisbane’s international airport and at least four major hospitals.

The proposed site, the Damascus Barracks, which spans 35 hectares, is owned by the Commonwealth and has been used as a storage for the Department of Defence. The Federal Government hopes to begin construction by the end of 2021, alongside a similar proposal for Victoria’s quarantine facility.

A feasibility study for the Pinkenba facility has started to help both Commonwealth and State determine the size of the operation.

Photo Credit: Ozatwar/Australian Government

However, the Queensland Government is also pushing to build a Wellness Camp in Toowoomba, which could be built in two months, ahead of the Pinkenba site. Prime Minister Scott Morrison expressed hesitation for the Toowoomba facility as it does not meet the criteria for quarantine sites, which should be built on Commonwealth-owned land.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said that if both sites will be up and running, there will be no more need for hotel quarantines, the current system in place for travellers going into Queensland.

As of 14 July, Queensland has five new cases acquired overseas and detected in hotel quarantine. The national cabinet has also cut down the cap for international arrivals to Australia to 3,000, which has the support of Ms Palaszczuk. The cap could remain in place for the rest of the year.

State School Transforms as an Amusement Park for the Nundah Winter Fair

Get ready for an afternoon of fun for the whole family as Nundah State School, located on Bage Street and Buckland Road, transforms the school grounds into an amusement park for the Nundah Winter Fair!

The much-awaited event will take place on Saturday, 24 July 2021, from 12:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., where kids and kids at heart could enjoy about 30 rides and activity centres to be set up around the campus.

Some of these rides include the following:

Round Up
Giant Obstacle Course
Giant Chairs
Giant Slide
Frog Hopper
Dragon Castle
Tea Cups

For the non-adventurers, the Nundah Winter Fair is also a showcase for foodies who would love to partake in many delicious dishes from around the world, as well as heaps of homebaked goodies from the parents. On the other hand, dads and uncles will likely enjoy the licensed bar.

The afternoon will also include plenty of give-aways and donated raffle prizes in all shapes and sizes. A silent auction will also take place throughout the affair.

Open to the school community and their friends from all over Brisbane, the Nundah Winter Fair is a fund-raising event hosted by the Nundah State School P&C. Proceeds of this community activity will go into building a new playground for the students.

This is a free but COVID-19 safe social event. Keep tabs on updates about the fair via the official Facebook page.

Dexter Kruger, Born in Nundah, Now The Oldest Man in Australia

Dexter Kruger, born in Nundah, has officially become the oldest man in Australia in 2021 at 111 years old.

Born in Nundah on the 13th of January 1910, the 111-year-old Dexter Kruger has officially become the oldest living man in Australia. Over the course of his life, he lived with his siblings at Sheep Station Creek near Kilcoy. He sold cattle at the age of 16 before acquiring his own farmland in his twenties.

In 1942, he married Gladys Beanland and had one child together, Greg. Decades after his wife had passed, he moved into the Pinaroo Roma Nursing Home in Roma, Queensland where he remains to this day.

According to Dexter, his long life came about as a result of his dietary habits. He attributes his longevity to living close to nature, eating whatever he grew in the garden, the orchard, or the farm, and living a relatively simple life. He even gave credit to one curious delicacy, chicken brains, for helping him with live long and healthy.

Dexter’s son, Greg Kruger, commented that his simple lifestyle and balanced diet consisted of eating plenty of salt, sugar and fat, and that the period in which he lived and grew up in was a lot less stressful than what society has to offer in modern times. Dexter was content being around horses and cattle rather than chasing after a busy and active life in big cities, and he rarely smoked or drank and he’s never been overweight due to the active lifestyle he lives.

In fact, even Dexter’s cognitive functions seem to be sharper than many residents in his aged care community — even the ones up to 20 years his junior. According to Melanie Calvert, Manager at the Pinaroo Roma Nursing Home aged care facility, his memory is amazing, and that he was strong in the face of adversity which made him sharp and goal-oriented.

Because he drives himself to write books and achieve milestones, his wit never dulls. His passion for writing came about at the age of 86, after the death of his wife in the 1990s. Dexter writes books and poetry to this day at his nursing home, located at 50 Bowen St, Roma.

Brisbane Airport Unveils Plans for New $1 Billion Terminal

Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) has unveiled plans to build a new and massive airport terminal in North Brisbane, permanently closing the existing international terminal to merge all domestic and international travels into a single billion-dollar facility.

The new L-shaped terminal, to be set on a 250,000 square meter area, will be built parallel to the recently opened runway that will connect to the domestic terminal. The facility will have a sustainable green building with modern features, including retail options and self-service operations.

However, the new terminal’s design will still be finalised by the Brisbane Airport Development and Design Integrity Panel following community consultation. BAC aims to complete the terminal’s construction in 2032 but the timeline may be pushed forward once Brisbane has been made officially confirmed as the host of the 2032 Olympic Games, per Michael Jarvis, the head of planning at the BAC.

Mr Jarvis said that the Brisbane Airport Master Plan, approved by the Australian Government in March 2020, will open direct international routes, further connecting Brisbane to the world. He added that the project is something that airlines, especially Australia-based airlines, have been asking for.

Photo Credit: Brisbane Airport Corporation Master Plan

The master plan also includes a potential monorail loop that will connect to the buildings to make it easier for people to get around. This mass transit system will replace the buses that service the passengers and staff as it will not be enough if the airport reaches 50 million passengers a year.

Brisbane currently runs the third busiest airport in Australia with the second runway completed in July 2020. Its facilities are comparable to some of the busiest international airports, such as the Singapore Changi Airport and Hong Kong International Airport.

Paul Coughlan, the head of infrastructure development said that the plans are in line with the country’s policies to recover from the economic impact of COVID-19 and as air travel rebounds from the pandemic.

Suburban Business Hub Launched in Nundah

Did you know that Brisbane now has a Suburban Business Hub on Aspinall Street in Nundah? The new site aims to support small businesses and professionals who are looking for a well-supported co-working space and a place to enjoy networking opportunities.

“It’s providing services, networking opportunities and increased support to local Brisbane businesses, as they navigate the economic challenges caused by coronavirus,” Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said.

Here are three things you can do at the Suburban Business Hub in Nundah, which became fully operational in May 2021:

1. Book a space for your meetings and other events.

If you’re planning to hold a meeting, a workshop, or an event, the business hub has several spaces for rent. The rooms are equipped with audio and video facilities, as well as Wi-Fi. The hub has a kitchenette for preparing snacks and drinks during the event. You will need to book the space at least 48 hours in advance, as well as provide the Council with the details of your business.

2. Take part or view the business showcase

The Suburban Business Hub will regularly conduct a business showcase highlighting the creativity and ingenuity of local entrepreneurs. Currently, the showcase is centered on the artist wall (for creatives) and window display (for products). Learn more about this opportunity.

3. Join events

Every businessperson needs to build or enhance their skills so there will be several events lined up at the hub for this purpose. Most of these are free events:

Networking in the Suburbs
Talk to a Business Liaison Officer
Talk to a Planner
Lord Mayor’s Business Excellence Workshop
Business In Excellence: In Conversation

Council has also set up a Business in Brisbane Group on Facebook for additional resources from reputable organisations.

“We encourage you to share your own ideas, ask questions and support each other but please ensure you follow the group rules when posting. Interested parties may also phone Council’s Business Hotline on 133 BNE (133 263) for enquiries.

This Nundah Gem Thrives as a Cafe and Small Bar

On Ryans Road in Nundah is a gem of a cafe and small bar that has been a local favourite for the last five years. Blockhouse is considered the cosiest hangout in town for early birds and a restful watering hole for night owls.

Serving delicious coffee in the morning to late lunch, and then wine or cocktails in the evening, Blockhouse has been thriving as both a cafe and a small bar amidst the challenges of the hospitality industry.

To keep locals coming back, the cafe has introduced a new brekky muffin with Toulouse sausage, country gravy, American cheddar and a fried egg, as well as new and filling pork belly crumplet with caramelised apple, poached egg and a touch of Japanese flavours.

From the very beginning, Blockhouse wasn’t planned as a usual bacon and eggs cafe because the breakfast or brunch offerings are carefully thought out to tease the tastebuds and satisfy anyone’s appetite.

Meanwhile, dinners (with cocktails or champagne!) have slowly returned as well at the small bar as the restrictions are easing off. New meals for dinner are also making their way in the menu, which diners can now enjoy alongside its trademark 90 minutes bottomless mimosas.

Blockhouse carries wine labels from Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Argentina, and Portugal. The drinks have been chosen or suggested to the guests to tie to the food’s flavours so well.

Follow their Facebook or Instagram for updates. It’s highly recommended to call +61 7 3172 6869 for table bookings.

“The Block House has been around for a while now and has stood the test of time and Covid. I have been there for breakfast , lunch and now dinner. I must say it didn’t disappoint. The food reminds me of the food that my mum used to make . What makes it special is that you can tell that the chef is proud of what he/she does and continues to provide high quality dishes with that extra bit of attention. Well done.”
John Burke

“Great place to dine for lunch on a quiet Tuesday. Delicious fusion food selection. The sauce on the duck dish was a little spicy but it is definitely a tingle on your palate to eat more. Chicken and waffle dish combination is very well put together. Although the chicken was deep fried, meat texture was tender and juicy. Recommended!”
Amy Lin

“Fantastic coffee and different, quirky menu. Staff are friendly. Food is delivered quickly and looks and tastes amazing! They used to have the most scrumptious triple cheese toasty on the menu…absolutely divine. Plus haloumi fries. Hopefully they might bring these back by popular demand.”
Nicole Watson

New Adults-Only Circus Launches at Archie Brothers in Toombul

Did you know that there’s a new adults-only circus event at the Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq in Toombul? The exciting attraction to titillate north Brisbane’s crowd will run after 8:00 p.m., exclusive only to fun-loving guests above 18 years old.

Launched on 9 May 2021, the spectacular adults-only circus, aptly called Showtime, will take place every second Saturday of the month until November 2021. Transforming the arcade are heaps of jugglers, showgirls, magicians, stilt walkers, unicyclists and other performers who will mystify guests with their street performances.

Entry to Showtime will cover three hours of all-inclusive games and choices of quirky food and drinks, including cocktails or milkshakes — depending on the guests’ preferences.

The move to deliver a limited adults-only circus night was driven by the pandemic lockdown. Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq‘s venue manager Dan Carey said that the Toombul leisure-tainment site was hit extremely hard by the COVID-19 economic fallout and this new attraction should help the venue recover.

It comes as Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq’s parent company, Funlab, was absorbed by a new owner, TPG Capital, in March 2021 for $250 million. The company also invested in the launch of the new circus event with a big party attended by Queensland’s A-listers.

Meanwhile, bookings for the adults-only circus are encouraged online. Showtime will run on the following dates:

12 June 2021	11 September 2021
10 July 2021	9 October 2021
14 August 2021	13 November 2021

For updates about the circus, check Archie Brothers’ Facebook and Instagram.

CST Direct: No Compromises at this Northgate Beauty Hub

“Ageing is unavoidable – looking your age is not,” according to the registered aestheticians and beauty specialists at CST Direct in Northgate.

A franchise of Cosmetic Skin Therapies (CST), this outlet in Ridge St is independently owned and operated with professionally trained doctors, nurses and cosmetic injectors. The beauty hub specialises in injectable treatments that diminish facial wrinkles and fine lines, as well as restore one’s youthful looks.

The facility is equipped with the latest technology in cosmetic healthcare whilst the staff members are knowledgeable in the various services available, such as lip or derma fillers, total rejuvenation, fat-dissolving injections, or skin resurfacing peels. Treatments are done in a comfortable, very private and regularly cleaned rooms.

Potential clients visiting CST Direct for the first time may take advantage of the full-hour free consultation, allowing the doctor or nurse to analyse the best form of treatments, including treatment times, and ensuring that there are no comprises to making their clients feel more beautiful and confident.

“We believe in giving patients the ability to achieve the look they want.”

CST Direct’s clients are then referred to its sister brand, The Aesthetic Collective, which is also taking shop in the same clinic on Ridge St.

The Aesthetic Collective has skincare specialists who can provide regular maintenance treatments like facials, microdermabrasion, and peeling, which can stave off common skin problems like acne, dryness, and dullness.

Procedures at The Aesthetic Collective complement the injectible treatments to help clients have glowing, flawless skin.

To see the results of their service, visit CST Direct on Facebook and The Aesthetic Collective on Instagram.

Amidst this new normal, both CST Direct and The Aesthetic Collective have been following the directives of the government for the health and safety of its workers and clients. Hand sanitisers are on the site whilst clients will be asked to come wearing a mask and screened for COVID-19. Booking for a procedure is required and those who have an appointment can’t bring companions, including children.