It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas as the Christmas Twilight Markets makes a comeback in Nundah. Get ready for a wonderful time for mingling, dining, and shopping in one of Brisbane’s best Christmas markets.
Happening on the 4th of December, the Nundah Christmas Twilight Markets will feature over 140 stalls and an incredible line-up of live acts. This year, guests may also enjoy a seat at the North Pole bespoke pop-up bar whilst they rock the night away to the beat of the live music.
Partygoers may also expect these exciting offerings:
Artisan Handmade Gifts that you won’t just find anywhere
Countless Gourmet Eats and Drinks
Spectacular Christmas Cheer and Decorations
Snaps with Santa
Pop-Up Bar plus DJ
Kids Activities and Entertainment
Needless to say, Nundah Markets will be bringing together some of the best food trucks, gourmet eats, boutique fashion, rustic homewares, locally designed jeweller and all things Christmas for this year’s edition of the much loved Nundah Christmas Twilight Markets celebrations.
Doors will open at 4:00 p.m. with a $2 fee at the entrance. The Nundah Christmas Twilight Markets will run until 10:00 p.m. There is plenty of free parking at the venue.
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.”
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.
Photo Credit: Facebook
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.
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.
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.
Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council
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.
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.”
Aether Brewing‘s “Hop, Skip & Jump” garnered back-to-back awards as “Champion Strong Beer” and “Best Queensland Beer of Show” at the recently concluded Royal Queensland Food & Wine Show (RQFWS) held at the Brisbane Showgrounds on the 3rd of March, 2021.
According to RQFWS Beer Advisory Group member and judge Steve Henderson, “IPA is a style of beer with many components that need to come together to create a balanced drinking experience,” which makes creating a particularly masterful and award-winning IPA a difficult task.
“…the Aether team is laser focused on improving their product with each batch they brew,” Mr. Henderson adds. “I look forward to seeing Aether Brewing’s beers distributed nationally as the whole of Australia needs to see how good Queensland craft beer is.”
Earning a grand total of 18.0 points in the Strong Beer category, Hop, Skip & Jump beat out 22 other submissions to win a Gold award — one of the 39 given out amongst 485 different entries.
The Aether Brewing brewery can be found at 340 Melton Rd, Northgate. They’re open from 3:00PM to 7:00PM on Friday and 12:00PM to 7:00PM on Saturdays and Sundays. Follow their social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates. For more details, visit their website.
If you’ve been to the revitalised Kingsford Smith Drive riverside in Hamilton, you might have seen a number of brightly coloured public artwork around the area. These are the art beacons created by Nundah artist Kenji Uranishi, who was commissioned by the Council to beautify one of Brisbane’s most significant routes.
Who Is Kenji Uranishi?
Mr Uranishi was born in Japan and trained as an artist using stoneware clay as a medium at the Nara College of Fine Arts. He moved to Australia in 2004 and expanded his practice to porcelain.
The artist eventually established himself in the Australian art world by holding a series of workshops and exhibits in universities and galleries, not just in Brisbane but also in Sydney, Cairns, Canberra, Adelaide, Victoria, England, Sweden, New York and Japan.
Photo Credit: Facebook/Kenji Uranishi
“In some ways, moving to Australia represented a fresh phase in my
life that provided me with the energy to explore new materials, without
cultural expectations,” Mr Uranishi said.
He has other public artworks on display at the Ipswich Courthouse and at 400 George Street.
In mid-2017, the Council tapped Uranishi to prepare his concept designs for the beacons, alongside another artist, for public consultation.
Mr Uranishi dubbed his creation as the “Magnificent Flying Machines,” which consists of 10 sculptured beacons that also double as a lightning path for Kingsford Smith Drive at night. Two of these beacons have been installed at Cameron Rocks Reserve in April 2019, whilst the rest will be located at Bretts Wharf and the Riverwalk.
These beacons were inspired by Hamilton aviators Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, the first pilot to fly trans-Pacific from Australia to the United States, and Maude “Lores” Bonney, the first female Australian aviator to fly solo from Australia to England.
Featured with an aerodynamic design, the intertwining curves of the beacons represent the pioneering spirit of these aviators, which also resembles the wings of an orchard swallowtail butterfly, the most common butterfly species in Brisbane.
“The art beacons are designed to maximise public access to the river and create way-finding markers to encourage exploration and make it easier for visitors to move around the local area,” the Council press release stated.
Lendlease manufactured the beacons made of 3mm aluminium. Mr Uranishi hand-decorated every piece with 300 white polyethylene discs and added white LED lights at the base.
Changes are coming to the Nundah Activity Centre, which “… remains closed until further notice, excepting essential services delivering food,” due to the coronavirus public health emergency. In an earlier announcement, Aurous, the centre’s main lessee, also revealed that it will be cutting back some of its free services and vacating the building by the end of June due to a shortage of funds.
Aurous’ Chief Executive Officer Rachael Cook posted a notice on Facebook to inform the public of this operational update.
6 April 2020 Aurous Ltd continues to closely monitor the developments regarding the COVID-19 virus and as per…
Earlier in February, she also confirmed that the non-profit will shift its operations in Nundah to “only a small core” of its Community Visitor Scheme (CVS) program.
“If these programs continue, there is a risk of Aurous being placed into receivership and it is unlawful to operate if the business is insolvent,” Ms Cook wrote.
“Over the last 4 months, the staff and volunteers have worked together to review our services and ways of working and I have been in discussions with our grant providers and worked closely with the Board to consider all options. The choices came down to closing the business or identifying what, if any, activity had potential to be revised and continue.”
Here’s what you need to know about the changes at the Nundah Activity Centre:
1. Queensland Meals on Wheels
Queensland Meals on Wheels has found new providers to continue to serve all of its clients, including those in Chermside and Geebung These providers are local and will serve fresh meals compared to reheating frozen food. This was confirmed by Jen Ulichny, the Chairperson of the Aurous Board of Directors.
” Meals on Wheels clients will continue to receive their meals and will soon be fully transferred to their new supplier,” Ms Ulichny assured the public.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
2. Queensland Men’s Shed
Queensland Men’s Shed has opted to leave the centre, along with all of the equipment donated to the service provider.
“We have been working with Men’s Shed Association Qld for possible solutions. There are several other Men’s Shed locations in our surrounding communities, and we are investigating all options,” Ms Ulichny said.
3. Faith City Worship Centre
The church group is also looking for a new location or organisation that may help continue its services at the centre. Faith City Worship Centre provides weekly meals, laundry and shower servicers to the needy under its Compassion for Community program.
4. Demolition of the Nundah Activity Centre
Councillor Adam Allan dispelled speculations that the centre will be demolished and replaced with a high rise. Brisbane City Council owns the property.
“The land is zoned as Sport and Recreation and it will stay that way. The focus of the facility is to support community activities,” Mr Allan said.
Photo Credit: Councillor Adam Allan/Facebook
5. Community groups support
The Council has not asked community groups to leave the centre. Mr Allan assured large or small groups will receive support from the Council. This transition will give everyone a chance to review what should be changed or addressed to sustain the activities.
“As we wind back and transition programs over the coming months, we will continue to provide you with regular updates and as many options as possible,” said Ms Cook.
“When reviewing member activities in particular, we did consider if there were other community suppliers that offered the same or similar services, and if you would receive specialised or a better offering if you transferred elsewhere.”
Other organisations will also benefit from donations once the Nundah operations wind down. “We are pleased to announce we will also donate supplies to Qld Centre for Digital Inclusion (QCDI) and to the local Men’s Shed who are now successfully incorporated. Both organisations are in contact with BCC to identify location opportunities once the COVID-19 closures are past.”
Finally, Ms Ulichny also assured its members that services will not be interrupted during the transition, despite the current limited operations. Those opting to make changes to their membership may do so before the 30th of June for the fees refund.
For questions and clarifications, phone 1800 AUROUS (1800 287 687) or email Jen.Ulichny@aurous.org.au
A full-service childcare centre with an on-site general practitioner and a chef is holding its Open Day in Nundah on Saturday, the 4th of Jan 2020. Habitat Early Learning at 79 Bage Street is giving parents and their kids the chance to experience the difference of this facility, which promises to go beyond childminding.
The Open Day will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Aside from a tour of the centre and a chance to ask the staff questions about their services, parents and children may also join the yoga session at 10:30 a.m. and receive food samples from the in-house kitchen.
Photo Credit: Habitat Early Learning Nundah/Facebook
The Nundah site, with its beautifully designed amenities, is the second for Habitat Early Learning. The inaugural facility was established in Ferny Grove in 2009.
The centre provides various educational programs to support a child’s learning and development, such as:
As mentioned, the centre has its own kitchen, where a chef serves freshly prepared food for the children and its staff in the al fresco dining area. Parents may also order packaged meals if they do not have time to cook at home.
Come March, the facility will have a GP and a nurse to tend to sick children and give parents peace of mind.
Murray and Toni Thornton had the vision to build an early childhood facility that will enhance the learning experience of children between three to five years old. After listening to feedback from parents and staff, the Thortons developed a full-service model for Habitat Early Learning
In 2016, National Quality Standards recognised Habitat Early Learning for its building design. A similar design has been carried over to its Nundah site, which has five classrooms for its Emergent Curriculum and three for its Montessori and Kindergarten programs.
Habitat Early Learning in Nundah will welcome 40 kids as it begins its classes on Monday, the 6th of Jan 2020.
