Homepage Latest News Archives - Page 37 of 41

New Zero-Waste Store Vessel Nundah Gives Locals a Choice to Reduce Plastic Use

Vessel Nundah, the suburb’s new zero-waste store, opens its doors to people aiming to reduce their plastic use.

Advocates of the fight against plastic pollution have been increasing over the years. In fact, the recently concluded World Environment Day, held on the 5th of June 2018, has highlighted the issue of plastic pollution and used social media to spread awareness about the problem.

Marion Glover, the owner of Vessel Nundah, is one of the many people who want to beat plastic pollution. Her zero-waste store is a product of her struggles in finding affordable ways to reduce her family’s plastic use in their own home.

This Nundah resident was inspired to open a shop where customers can bring their own containers to fill up with quality skin care and cleaning products.

“I wanted to be able to shop for my daily use items like cleansers, moisturisers, dishwashing liquid and hand soap without the new plastic bottle each time,” says Marion.

Vessel Nundah customers are encouraged to bring their own clean, dry, undamaged containers to fill from bulk containers. Marion also offers a selection of reusable containers in-store for those who don’t have their own containers.

“As part of the ethos of sustainability, I’ve sourced all my products from local manufacturers, such as Perfect Potion in Banyo, and Bushby cleaning products from the Gold Coast. This way, local, high-quality brands are being supported, and the products don’t have a big environmental footprint through transport,” Marion explains.

“It’s a way to take immediate action on plastic reduction without relying on recycling, or for governments and companies to take action first.”

Photo credit: Facebook/Nundah Community Enterprises Cooperative

Vessel Nundah has teamed up with the Nundah Community Enterprise Cooperative (NCEC), which will be co-located with Vessel, selling indoor plants and organic worm juice.

NCEC is a long-standing Nundah institution that creates sustainable employment and training opportunities for people with mental illnesses, learning difficulties, or intellectual disabilities.

Vessel Nundah is located at 7 Nundah St, Nundah, and is open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from Mondays to Thursdays and from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Sundays.

For more information, visit their official website or check out their Facebook page for updates.

Bike Awareness Month At St Joseph’s Primary School In Nundah

St Joseph’s Primary School in Nundah is part of the Active School Travel Program (AST), and this June, they are celebrating bike awareness month.

Earlier this month, the school encouraged students to ride around the bike course on Mackillop Green. Since some students travel to school using their bikes, they were allowed to use the bike course as part of this month’s bike awareness campaign.

The school also held a Bling Your Bike Competition wherein students won prizes for the best “blinged” bikes.

The AST Program offers Brisbane primary schools with free resources, tools, and incentives to let students, parents, and staff to leave their vehicles at home and actively travel to school. The program promotes an active and healthy lifestyle not only for children, but for the parents and the staff of the school as well. This also promotes road safety and sustainable ways to travel.

This year, 15 new schools in Brisbane have joined the program.

Address: 16 Leslie St, Nundah QLD 4012, AU

Did You Know that the Bee Gees Went to Northgate State School?

As a group, the Bee Gees actually started out in Australia in the early 1960s.

The story of the Bee Gees began when the Gibb family emigrated to Redcliffe in August 1958. The young brothers started performing as a way to earn money. Their performances were so impressive that Speedway promoter and driver Bill Goode, introduced them to leading Brisbane 4BH radio DJ Bill Gates, who then hired the brothers to entertain the crowd at the Redcliffe Speedway in 1959.

The brothers performed during the intervals and the crowd would throw money onto the track for them.

Contrary to popular belief, Bee Gees is not a reference to “Brothers Gibb”. Gates named them the BGs (which was later changed to Bee Gees) after his (as well as Goode’s) and Barry Gibb’s initials.

The Gibbs family later moved to a house at Cribb Island which was demolished to allow the expansion of Brisbane Airport. While living there, the brothers attended Northgate State School.

Credit: nzoz1950s/Youtube

By 1960, the Bee Gees had been featured on television shows singing “Time Is Passing By,” which was their first performance on television.

The brothers then began working regularly at resorts on the Queensland coast for a few years.

Credit: Robert Widermann/YouTube

In 1966, The Bee Gees released their first big single called “Spick and Specks” which was included in the Top 10 Australian singles.

The Bee Gees returned to England to further their career. That was when a string of international hits followed. These included songs such as To Love Somebody (1967); Massachusetts (1967); I Started A Joke (1968); Lonely Days (1970); Jive Talkin’ (1975); You Should Be Dancing (1976); Stayin’ Alive (1977); Night Fever (1978) and You Win Again (1987).

Photo credit: Annette Teng/Wikimedia Commons

In 2013, as a tribute to the Bee Gees, the Moreton Bay Regional Council unveiled a 70-metre monument, connecting Redcliffe Parade and Sutton Street, and renamed the alley as the Bee Gees Way Redcliffe.

Credit: Visit Moreton Bay Region/YouTube

Barry Gibb returned to Redcliffe for the Grand Opening of Bee Gees Way stage 2 in 2015.

Photo credit: State Library of Queensland

Today, the State Library of Queensland holds the largest collection of Bee Gees recording and memorabilia. The Library acquired the collection from a Melbourne collector Mark Crohan, who has been collecting Bee Gees material since he was 12 years old.

The collection includes vinyl LP’s, EP’s, and singles as well as published sheet music, videos, and multiple scrapbooks containing tons of newspaper and magazine articles, photos, brochures, and tour books relating to the group.

Nundah Community Gets Closer Through Boomerang Bags

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.

The Nundah Neighbourhood Centre has been packed for six months with volunteers creating reusable 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.

Social Housing Project in Nundah Among First Projects to Benefit from Project Bank Accounts

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.

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.

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.

Check Out These Nundah Library Events that’s Sure to Keep Your Kids Busy on the Holidays

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.)

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.)

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

22-month-old Nundah Baby Can Name Planets, Countries and Capitals

Photo Credit: Alexas Photos from Pixabay

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.

Nundah Family Reunites With Stowaway Pet Galah

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.

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.

Nundah Library Welcomes Thai Food Lovers to Free World Kitchen Workshop

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.

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.

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 in Danger of Closing Due to Nundah Development; Petition Launched, Assurances Given

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.

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.

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.