Plastic bags will be banned in Queensland on 1 July and in Nundah, that’s no problem at all. A local group has been hard at work making a great alternative – Boomerang Bags.
Aside from gradually eradicating the use of plastic in the community that causes harm to the environment, this initiative also brings everybody together. Conversations start and friendships are formed whilst meeting up to make reusable bags.
With such a great initiative, Cr Adam Allan of Northgate helped the group obtain funding for equipment that will help them make the bags through the Lord Mayor’s Suburban Initiative Fund grant.
On 12 May, there will be Nundah Boomerang Bags available by donation at the Toombul Shopping Centre whilst on 3 June it will be available at the Green Heart Fair in Chermside.
In June-July, the boomerang bags will be available by donation every Sunday at the Nundah Farmers Markets.
If you want to help make bags, you can just drop by at the neighbourhood centre from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. every Thursday until the 28th of June.
In a move to ensure workers are paid in full and on time, the government has announced the first three projects to benefit from Project Bank Accounts. The projects include a social housing project in Nundah, a replacement Fire and Rescue Station in Richmond, and the Inala Community Centre.
An estimate of up to 180 construction workers will be protected by Project Bank Accounts. Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni said that the implementation of the Project Bank Accounts helps in making sure that all subcontractors get the pay they deserve for the work they have completed.
Photo credit: FaceMePLS/Wikimedia Commons
Security of Payment
Unfortunately, there are dishonest operators in the construction industry who use non-payment as a business model. Such act has caused some subcontractors to close business and workers have been left unpaid.
Because of this, the government has implemented Project Bank Accounts to ensure fairness in the payments. PBA ensures that all parties relevant to a project are paid on dates set out in the contract.
As a start, every project tendered by the Queensland Government from 1 March 2018 will use PBAs on building and construction projects that are valued between one million and 10 million dollars except for engineering projects.
Once the implementation is proven successful, PBAs will also be applied to private sector projects valued one million dollars and above. Implementation on private sectors, however, will not be carried out before 1 March 2019.
Photo credit: CC-BY/Sean Hagen/Flickr
Project Bank Account
A PBA is basically a set of three bank accounts operating as a trust.
These are the General Trust Account where the Principal makes the payment, a Retention Trust Account which holds the subcontractor’s retention money, and a Disputed Funds Trust Account which holds amounts to be paid on certain disputes until resolution.
To address concerns from the industry, Mr de Brenni said that a strict compliance regime was also established to make sure that funds in the PBAs will only be used to pay licensees that have performed the work.
“That compliance regime includes penalties up to 2 years in prison,” he added.
Photo credit: רנדום/Wikimedia Commons
This is just one of the measures taken by the government to address the issues on unpaid and overdue invoices for subcontractors. Queensland’s new Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017 has been, by far, the strongest protection for building subcontractors offered by a state government in Australia.
For the requirements and other information regarding PBAs, visit the Department of Housing and Public Works Building Industry Fairness Reforms—Project Bank Accounts official page. You may also visit the Security of Payment page to learn about other measures under the new Act.
School is out once again. The kids are home and it won’t be long before cabin fever sets in. If you are searching for ways to keep your kids busy whilst school is out, here are a few events that the Nundah library has for children to enjoy.
Harry Potter-Inspired Inventions With Littlebits
Wednesday, 4 April (2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
Photo credit: CC-BY/ Y W / Flickr
Got a kid who is a Harry Potter fan? Head over to the Nundah Library on 4 April and make your kid’s magical dream come true.
Let your little wizards and witches create their own invention, inspired by the magic of Harry Potter. With the use of simple electronic circuits, kids will be able to build a magical animatronic creature, forge an enchanted tool, and recreate their favourite scenes from the movie.
This is a workshop from BNEtechkids ideal for children aged 9-12 years old.
Bookings are essential so call the Nundah Library on 07 3407 8701 to reserve your place.
Games, Tea, and Trivia
Wednesday, 11 April 2018 (2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
Photo credit: CCO Public Domain / Pexels/ Pixabay
Open for all ages, this event will test your knowledge of the history and sporting events of the Commonwealth Games. Think you know the Games better than others? Join in the fun while having a cuppa with fellow masters of the Games.
Whether you are on your own or with a team, you are welcome to join the Games trivia. Booking is essential so call the Nundah Library on 07 3407 8701 to reserve your place.
Sporting Stories
Thursday, 12 Apr 2018 (3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
Phot credit: NunoAgostinho/Wikimedia Commons
Your kids got the Games fever too? Let them join in the fun and enjoy games, stories, trivia, and sports-themed crafts. The sporting stories is a great way for your kids to learn more about the Games, the sports, and the countries involved.
This event is ideal for children aged 6-10 years old. Bookings are essential so call the Nundah Library on 07 3407 8701 to reserve your place.
Billie B Brown’s Brilliant Birthday Party
Friday, 13 April 2018 (2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.)
Photo credit: Facebook/Sally Rippin
Probably one of the best children’s book characters, Billie B Brown has starred in more than 26 books and won the hearts of children with her brave, brilliant, and bold personality. With eight years of being in the early reader scene, the Nundah Library is celebrating this beautiful girl’s birthday and you’re invited.
Celebrate a day of all things Billie and share your favourite reading experiences with fellow Billie fans.
This event is ideal for children aged 6-10 years. Bookings are required so call the Nundah Library on 07 3407 8701 to reserve your place. Don’t miss the chance to celebrate your favourite’s birthday.
Venue: Nundah Library, 1 Bage Street (via Primrose Lane), Nundah
Karthik Chavali from Nundah can name all the planets in the solar system. He can name 38 countries and their respective capital cities, and can also identify countries on a map. Impressive, right?
Even more astounding is the fact that Karthik is only 22 months old.
A typical 24-month-old baby can speak an average of 50 words and can name things that he or she sees around the house every day. Babies at this age can name the parts of the house or the parts of the body. They can already ask for things that they like to play with or food that they want to eat. They very well understand the concept of “yes” and “no” too.
Karthik Chavali, with his precocious memory, is being hailed by many as the “smartest baby in Australia” today.
Karthik’s parents, Vishy Chavali and Sal Kandukuri, started noticing his advanced memorisation abilities when he was just 14 months old. Karthik was able to remember everything that they read to him. He recited it back to them flawlessly almost immediately. It seems that once he has memorised something, he no longer forgets about it. His mind is like a sponge, absorbing everything.
When asked if they have any special parenting style they could share with other parents, Vishy and Sal said they don’t have anything special to share. If there’s anything at all, it could be that they don’t give Karthik gadgets to play with.
Whilst they both work in the IT industry, they both believe that children should not be given access to technology during their early years. What they should have instead are books and actual toys to have fun with, along with meaningful interactions with the people around them.
Vishy said that gadgets consumed children and contained them in a make-believe world which was detrimental to their cognitive and physical development. He believes that young kids should first learn the concept of being in the “real world”.
For mum Sal, all children are geniuses in their own way. She says it’s up to parents to recognise their gifts and enhance them, along with providing proper support for any areas that need to be improved.
For young Karthik Chavali, with such great parental support and his prodigious memorisation skills, the world is indeed his playground for learning.
The story of how Harri, a Nundah family’s beloved pet cockatoo, stowed away aboard a luxury cruise ship to New Zealand has continued to amuse many people around the world. The story took an emotional turn when the galah was finally reunited with her owners early this February.
Credit: Pixabay
Nundah couple Michelle and Brett Cozzi thought they had lost Harri forever when they found her gone on the 20th of January. They tried all available means to find her, even resorting to social media, where they shared her photos across all platforms in hopes of reaching someone who may have seen her.
Their four-year-old daughter Georgia, who regularly sings to Harri, had been missing the cockatoo terribly. Two weeks passed, and the family braced themselves to expect the worst. It looked like Harri was gone for good.
Michelle and Brett Cozzi Credit: Brett Cozzi Facebook
As it turned out, Harri was having the time of her life aboard the Sea Princess, a luxury cruise ship. Harri had flown out of her Nundah coop, hitched a ride on the ship, and was enjoying the beautiful views of New Zealand!
She even had her own private cabin next to the ship’s captain, Giuseppe Romano. The captain had also been trying to teach him to speak in Italian, something that Mr Romano revealed in media interviews. He also shared that he has been at sea for 47 years, but it was the first time that a bird ended up on his ship and stayed. Birds would usually land on the ship and almost immediately fly away.
Mr Romano and his crew used Harri’s microchip to look for her owners.
Early in February, Harri was finally reunited with the Cozzi family. In a twist, the family was about to board another cruise ship to take their own trip to New Zealand when they received the news that Harri had beat them to it with her own trip to NZ, and has been found.
Bret and Georgia with Captain Romano Credit: P&O Cruises Australia Facebook
The captain and his crew were all sad to see Harri go but were happier to be instrumental to a sentimental reunion with Harri’s relieved humans.
The Cozzis were very delighted to have Harri back, Brett told various media. He said that the galah was an indispensable member of their family. Having her back is the best news they received in the two weeks that they have been searching for her.
Thai food is one of the most popular cuisines in the world. Many describe it as exotic because of its singular flavours and the combination of ingredients that make it distinctly delicious.
But more than being exotic, Thai cuisine is also healthy. Herbs and green vegetables are staples of Thai dishes.
The “World Kitchen: Thailand, paradise of food lovers” workshop, to be held at the Nundah Library on 17th February at 2:00 p.m., will introduce participants to Kai Tom Kamin, a Thai dish composed of a chicken stew flavoured with turmeric.
Credit: Huahommag/Pixabay
Turmeric is a yellow root crop which is commonly used in curries because of its distinct but subtle zing. This spice is known to be medicinal because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is famously known to prevent arthritis but some studies suggest it can also prevent cancer.
Credit: Ajale/Pixabay
The Thai “World Kitchen: Thailand, paradise of food lovers” workshop will also feature a selection of Thai desserts.
The workshop is part of the BrisAsia Festival 2018 brought by the Brisbane City Council. The festival runs from 10th February until 4th March 2018 with more than 80 events across the city.
Phone Nundah Library at 07 3407 8701 to reserve your slot to this FREE workshop.
Fitz + Potts has captured the hearts of the local Nundah community since it opened its doors in 2015. For the past three years, it has become the home for locals who are fond of catching up over a few rounds of beer.
The much-loved bar, however, is in danger of demolition.
If a proposed project pushes through, a new eight-storey retail and apartment building will soon rise, right at the corner of Chapel St and Sandgate Rd, the very spot where Fitz + Potts is currently situated.
Credit: Fitz+Potts Facebook
The proposed project will see 72 medium-sized apartments rise, above 12 retail tenancies. Mondo Architects, the firm in-charge for its design, intends to integrate the facade of the Henry Thomas building in the overall design of the planned building.
Artist’s rendition of proposed development Credit: BCC DA
Fitz + Potts has the best of Australian craft beers, wines and spirits from local brewers, aside from the grazing menu available every day. The bar is constructed with colourful, retro-inspired interiors. Its balcony has become known to be a perfect spot for having their delicious mojitos.
Credit: Fits+Potts Facebook
Many of Nundah’s residents believe that such a development will change Nundah’s village vibe, a suburban atmosphere which they have come to love. For some, Fitz + Potts’ new-age vibe will be sorely missed.
Rachelle Willington, a Nundah resident, recognised that the looming development will have a negative impact to the aesthetic and economic value of Nundah. She believes that Nundah does not need the project, particularly that there are existing unoccupied apartment buildings similar to the slated project.
Ms. Willington has started a petition addressed to the Brisbane City Council to stop the development. As of writing, there are already more than 2,000 Nundah residents who have signed the petition.
“It will negatively impact the Nundah community and its ‘village lifestyle’. This lifestyle is a large part of what makes this suburb so unique – including residents supporting local businesses. We must protect and preserve our suburb and continue to support small businesses,” Ms. Willington asserts.
In media interviews, FTTOA spokesman Jack Jameson has explained that the company approached Fitz + Potts and other businesses with tenancy proposals for the new building. FTTOA, the company at the helm of the project, assured everyone that it also want to retain the village feel of the suburb. He said that the 72 apartments will be leased on a long-term basis, not sold, and that all the present retail tenants will be retained. Mr. Jameson said that discussions with some of the 20 tenants have already started and that they are in no rush for the development.
Nundah’s community second hand bookshop, the CFQ Bookshop, received the Ted Tremayne Award, a recognition presented to a non-profit organisation that has made an important contribution to its own members of the community.
The Ted Tremayne Award is part of the Lilley Australia Day Awards which was established to recognise the generous contributions made by volunteers to the local community.
The CFQ Bookshop accepted the award at a ceremony at Kedron-Wavell Services Club on Australia Day.
For the last nine years, this humble bookshop in Nundah has been integral in helping children and adults with cystic fibrosis (CF).
Each time someone buys a book from the quaint little place on Ryan’s Road, he or she is supporting the services of the Cystic Fibrosis Queensland, an institution that funds research on the ultimate cure for the condition. According to a 2017 Queensland survey report, there is 838 people in the state who is living with CF, 56 of them are children.
“Raising money to make short lives big!” – CFQ Bookshop.
The bookshop has selections for different readers, may it be adult fiction and non-fiction, kids fiction and non-fiction, magazines and Mangas, even the Mills & Boons type. These books are donated which the bookshop sells at very low prices. Proceeds go directly to Cystic Fibrosis Queensland and a portion goes to the Lord Mayor’s Community Trust.
Australian jazz legend Don Burrows will be honoured in a tribute show at The Lounge in Nundah on the 25th of January at 7:00 p.m. The Art Deco Swing Band and Mark Pradella, a talented jazz player who was influenced by Burrows, will be performing the shows in Burrows’ honour.
Credit: The Lounge Facebook
The Lounge is a European-inspired bar and restaurant inside The Royal Hotel. It boasts of a cosy ambience with its sophisticated furnishings and classy interiors. The bar is located just 200 metres from Nundah Village Shopping Centre. It has been a favourite place for locals who are fond of drinking exquisite wine selections and cocktail drinks. The Lounge’s menu includes Italian cuisine which includes antipastos and pizzas.
Burrows is the first Aussie to receive a gold record for his Australian jazz recording, “Just The Beginning”. He also pioneered the first jazz course at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He has been named Australia’s living national treasures twice. In 2016, the 87-year-old jazz legend was diagnosed with dementia. Today, he stays in a nursing home in Sydney. According to reports, he has continued to play the flute despite his condition. James Morrison, a jazz musician, whom he has mentored, and his wife are Burrows legal guardians.
Credit: pclorikeet1 YouTube
The Art Deco Swing Band, who will perform the tribute for Burrows at the Lounge, is a group composed of 16 fabulous musicians. They are famous for performing dance music of different genre like quicksteps, foxtrots, waltz, swing, cha-cha, tango, bolero, lindy hops, and charlestons.
Another musician that will be performing is Mark Pradella whose music was influenced by Burrows. He has also performed with Burrows’ popular prodigies like Morrison and Andy Firth. Pradella started his professional music career at sixteen years old and won the ABC Young Performer of the Year.
The Lounge is located at 1259 Sandgate Road Nundah
ABC Radio gardening presenter Annette McFarlane will be facilitating a workshop titled “Year in the Garden” at the Nundah Library on the 13th of January from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. She will discuss how to effectively set priorities to ensure success in home gardening. She will teach participants on how to set goals for themselves and their gardens for the whole year round.
Credit: Annette Mcfarlane Facebook
By the end of the session, attendees will learn what to plant when, when the timely pruning is and when fertilizer and pest control needs to happen. Ms McFarlane will share the significance of planning ahead and how it is almost a requirement to be equipped with a gardening calendar for the summer, autumn, winter, and spring.
Credit: Annette Mcfarlane Facebook
Ms McFarlane personally makes use of a gardening calendar to know what flowers and vegetables are best to plant for each season. She has actually designed a calendar that can help gardeners successfully plant during the cool temperatures, in the subtropical and tropical areas of Queensland.
Credit: Annette Mcfarlane Facebook
Ms McFarlane studied horticulture and environmental education and is a former lecturer at TAFE Queensland. She is personally interested in organic fruit and vegetable growing, and heirloom seed saving, as well as rare breeds of poultry animals and pigs.
“Community education and creating edible gardens within cities and suburbs excites me. I am a teacher, garden writer, author and broadcaster, but first and foremost I am and always have been a gardener”. – Ms MacFarlane
Ms McFarlane has been a household name because of her ongoing stint with ABC Gardening Talkback and her stories and posts written for the Sunday Mail, Gardening Australia Magazine, and Live for Less website. She is also a published author and her books include “Successful Gardening in Warm Climates”, “Organic Vegetable Gardening”, “Organic Fruit Growing”, and Gardening Australia’s “Love Your Garden”.
“Year in the Garden” workshop at Nundah Library is free but reservations are essential. Please call the library at 0734078701 to reserve a slot.
In case you miss the workshop at Nundah Library, Ms McFarlane can be invited for presentations for industry seminars, gardening related shows, field days, nursery promotions, and staff training days. The requirements to book her for events can be found here.
