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Three-Year Yellow Crazy Ants Eradication Treatment Trial Rolls Out in the Gap

Photo credit: Seychelles Islands Foundation, CC BY 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

A yellow crazy ants eradication trial that aims to treat both public and private land at no cost to landholders will soon commence in The Gap. This is part of an ongoing effort to help eradicate the species, considered to be one of the 100 most invasive species in the world.

In partnership with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), the program strategy uses an Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) approved treatment.

To occur every three months, the eradication trial program comprises three separate treatments. Once completed, Council will survey the trial areas to determine whether the yellow crazy ants have been fully eradicated, or if further treatments are needed.

Three-Year Yellow Crazy Ants Eradication Treatment Trial Rolls Out in the Gap — Photo credit: Facebook / Team Schrinner

The areas at The Gap that will be included in the trial are those bounded by Waterworks Road in the south. It includes all properties on the northern side of Waterworks Road within the vicinity of:

Arkana Street
Dajarra Street
Edina Street
Glenella Street
Kadina Street
Karara Street
Kullaroo Street
Lachinvar Lane
Marral Street
Nigel Street
Pammay Street
Pangela Street
Quirk Street
Romea Street

Residents in the covered areas will be notified by mail.

Active infestations of yellow crazy ants have been found in Maryborough, Arundel, Rocklea, Slacks Creek, Wacol, Banyo, Tingalpa, Chermside, Woodridge, and Eagle Farm.

Infestations were also recorded in suburban Kedron (Brisbane), suburban Edmonton and Bentley Park in Cairns, and industrial estates at Caboolture, Hervey Bay, Pinkenba, and Townsville.

About Yellow Crazy Ants

Yellow crazy ants are native to Africa and they are known to have a high density of individual, aggressive ants and could potentially form “super colonies.” Characterised by a long body and very long legs and antennae, they typically colonise habitats such as rainforest margins and agricultural land.

When disturbed, yellow crazy ants can spray formic acid that can burn or irritate the skin and eyes. If you come in contact with this acid, washing the affected area with cool, clean water may help. Seek medical advice immediately if symptoms persist or other health issues arise.

The yellow crazy ant eradication trial is being delivered with support provided by the Queensland Government Department of Agriculture and Fisheries through the Queensland Feral Pest Initiative.

Published 16-January-2023

The Gap SHS Student Among 2022 Creative Generation Excellence Award in Visual Art Recipients

Photo credit: Queensland Government / creativegeneration.education.qld.gov.au

The winners of the 2022 Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art which includes The Gap State High School’s very own, Angela Bevis, have just been announced.

A total of 30 budding artists have been crowned with the prestigious Creative Generation Excellence Awards, as announced by Education Minister Grace Grace last 2 December 2022.

The Gap State High School’s Angela Bevis was among the recipients via her entry titled “Dear Diary”. The artwork utilised textile and paper patchwork for the projection base and 17 digitally composed illustrations using ink, collage, acrylic paint on leaves, tape-sealed insects, and found natural objects as a basis.

The illustrations display personal diary entries and varying combinations of picture and abstract text that were combined to create a Powerpoint video clip and projected onto the hung-up white base

The winners of the 2022 Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art includes The Gap State High School’s very own, Angela Bevis, — Angela Bevis | Photo credit: Queensland Government / creativegeneration.education.qld.gov.au

Artist Statement

“Cast your own shadows upon my past, as that is what you inevitably do. For better or worse every second that passes and every action you take will always ripple around to every other soul on this Earth. For however frightening the concept of our own physicality is, please, sit and watch one person’s memories. Watch them project onto and stain a clean slate, turning the invisible into physical, manifested illustrations before fading into one another. Imagine they are your own, because now they are. You have experienced my experiences and we are but a second closer to each other.”

“Dear Diary”, visual art by Angela Bevis | Photo credit: Queensland Government / creativegeneration.education.qld.gov.au

“The Excellence Awards recognise the incredible talent and dedication shown by Queensland art students,” Ms Grace said.

“This wonderful competition has shone a spotlight on the high standard of visual art education in Queensland secondary schools since 1990, and the standard of entries this year has been fantastic.

“Congratulations to all students who entered, I hope you are encouraged to continue creating and exploring visual art in life after school.

The 2022 Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art winners by region are as follows:

First Name	Surname	School	Education Region
Saphire	Banks	Lourdes Hill College (Hawthorne)	Metropolitan
Cooper	Bell	Ipswich Grammar School	Metropolitan
Angela	Bevis	The Gap State High School	Metropolitan
Paige	Edwards	St Aidan’s Anglican Girls School (Corinda)	Metropolitan
Dash	Enfield	Queensland Academy for Creative Industries	Metropolitan
Mitchell	Ferreria	St Laurence’s College (South Brisbane)	Metropolitan
Tahlia	Holden	Albany Creek State High School	Metropolitan
Xuanxuan	Ke	Kelvin Grove State College	Metropolitan
Dindi	Lobo	Mary MacKillop College (Nundah)	Metropolitan
Crystal	Luong	Glenala State High School	Metropolitan
Isla	McWilliam	St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School (Ascot)	Metropolitan
Ava	Murdoch	St Peters Lutheran College (Indooroopilly)	Metropolitan
Alana	Murphy	Queensland Academy for Creative Industries	Metropolitan
Ella	Rinon	Indooroopilly State High School	Metropolitan
Cheyenne	Rowe	Everton Park State High School	Metropolitan
Saskia	Billson	St Hilda’s School (Southport)	South East
Eloise	Gilbert	Redlands College (Wellington Point)	South East
Isabelle	Hacon	St Hilda’s School (Southport)	South East
Marie	Masson	Cleveland District State High School	South East
Madeline	Miles	Cleveland District State High School	South East
Mikaylah	Parker	Redlands College (Wellington Point)	South East
Zoe	Kamarinos	Immanuel Lutheran College (Buderim)	North Coast
Summer	Moore	Chancellor State College	North Coast
Thomas	Chen	Trinity Anglican School (White Rock)	Far North
Sky	Komaki	Trinity Bay State High School	Far North
Emma	Rawson-Harris	Trinity Bay State High School	Far North
Carli	Kite	Gilroy Santa Maria College (Ingham)	North Queensland
Abigail	Koulakis	St Patrick’s College (Townsville)	North Queensland
Alexandra	Clifford	Whitsunday Anglican School (Beaconsfield)	Central Queensland
Diana	Mwizero	Toowoomba State High School	Darling Downs South West

The winners of the 2022 Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art will have their artwork exhibited at the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) at South Bank in Brisbane from 22 April 2023.
View the digital exhibition here.

Did You Know? Early European Settlers Established the Gap as a Major Food Producer

Dave and Barbara Anderson’s Poultry Farm in Settlement Road, The Gap. Circa 1935 | Photo credit: The Gap Historical Society / /thegaphistory.com

Did you know that The Gap was a farming community from the 1860s until a few years after the end of World War II? Owing to their deep knowledge of traditional English farming methods, early settlers established this valley as a major food producer for Brisbane town.

The area now known as The Gap was a heavily forested area with abundant vegetation and wildlife before early European settlers acquired lands across the valley. Initially, the area was turned into a timber-felling area before converting it into farmland.

It is believed that the first crown lease of land belonged to Darby McGrath in 1851, who established a cattle and sheep station across the valley. Ownership would then change hands for the next four decades.

Glenmore house and diary which later became Glenmore Estate | Photo credit: The Gap Historical Society / /thegaphistory.com

Early settlers cultivated the land to grow crops to feed their cattle who in turn provided them with milk, cream and butter, and meat. They also raised horses, pigs and poultry and grew vegetables and fruits for their own use and as a source of income, selling excess produce to weekend travellers who visited the area.

In other areas of the district, farmers grew pineapples and bananas whilst others specialised in lettuce growing and other vegetables which they sell or exchange for other goods or produce.

Since there was no piped water available at the time, despite the area being close to the reservoir, farmers either relied on Fish Creek (a tributary of the Enoggera) or cart water from a tank near the reservoir.

After World War I, about 413 acres of land were cut into 42 small farms as a “soldier settlement” where a poultry industry was established in 1919. The number of holdings, however, dwindled to eight after a few years as many of the farms failed commercially.

Settlement Road 1920s | Photo credit: The Gap Historical Society / /thegaphistory.com

Those who chose to remain refined their farming skills through trial and error. Soon, they would form the Soldier’s Settlement Co-operative Hatchery Association Ltd. to share knowledge and help one another.

During World War II, a group of farmers supplied chickens for the American Catering Corps whilst others found success in the “cut flower” industry. Some also sold their produce carrying carts loaded with lettuce, radish, celery, shallots and more. Others, however, ventured into orchard farming in the area, later known as “Ashgrove Park Estate”, but weren’t as successful due to the acidity of the soil.

About 1939, Claude Hamilton Mason established Mason’s Jam Factory east of the Ashgrove Golf Course, producing bottled jams and pickles until circa 1990.

By 1949, Post Office records showed five poultry farmers in the district as well as two dairy farmers, a jam maker, the Stirling granite quarry, and the church and a grocer in Waterworks Road.

The first residential subdivision was given approval with “Berry Estate-Walton Bridge” selling 27 blocks on 14 January 1956. Other estates followed including Ashgrove Park, Beverly Hills, Parkdale, Curtisfield, Majestic Outlook, Alton, Grant-Lea, Glenbrae, Finlayson & Farrell, Eastern-Vista

Australian Army to Acquire New Unmanned Aerial Surveillance System, Build Gallipoli Barracks Facilities

Photo Credit: Instituto Pacific / insitupacific.com.au

The Australian Army is set to acquire twenty-four new uncrewed aerial surveillance systems to be manufactured in Brisbane. Facilities at Gallipoli Barracks in Enoggera will also be established to support the delivery of these new capabilities.

Boeing’s Insitu Pacific Pty Ltd has been tapped to supply the Australian Army with 24 of their signature “integrator” platforms, associated ground systems and integration services. The acquisition is meant to boost the Army’s capabilities in gathering intelligence, undertaking reconnaissance and surveillance missions, and acquiring targets for weapons systems across the Australian Defence Force.

Production of the unmanned aerial surveillance system has already commenced, with delivery expected in 2023 and 2024.

“This is just one example of the way the Morrison Government is growing our sovereign capability,” Minister for Defence, the Hon Peter Dutton MP said regarding the acquisition which is part of the Defence’s $650-million investment.

“This project will enhance the Australian Army’s capabilities by harnessing the innovation and cutting-edge technologies being developed right here in Australia.

The new platform will be manufactured at Instituto Pacific’s facility in Brisbane whilst the components will be sourced from suppliers around Queensland and across Australia. The project will be further supported by a $56 million investment in facilities to be built at Gallipoli Barracks in Enoggera.

Minister Dutton said that 80 per cent of the $650 million budget will be spent in Australia using Australian companies and technology to manufacture, maintain and operate the platform throughout its life. A total of $307 million alone will be committed to the acquisition and initial contract period with Instituto Pacific Limited and is expected to support 130 new and existing jobs in Brisbane and across Australia.

“People may not have always associated Brisbane with the defence industry in the past, but projects like this demonstrate the real opportunities advanced manufacturing can offer now and into the future,” Member for Brisbane, Trevor Evans, said.

The Gap State High School Finalist at 2022 Showcase Awards for Excellence in Schools

Photo credit: Showcase Awards 2022 / YouTube

The Gap State High School ranked among the state finalists for the 2022 QSuper Showcase Award for Excellence in Secondary Years, receiving recognition for its “whole school pedagogical change” program.

The citation said that the school’s innovative program combines rigorous research, teacher consultation, and student voice which resulted in the development of a locally contextualized educational framework at The Gap State High School.

“The school has been delivering the Australian curriculum with precision using effective teaching approaches as the foundation. Teaching teams participate in highly structured intentional collaboration sessions every Monday and Friday morning,” the citation said.

“These sessions focus on pre-moderation of curriculum and teaching together with a collaborative assessment of student work and review. The unique approach demonstrates the value of teamwork and shared goals, and the results have been encouraging.”

“Data collected using action research methodologies has shown that implementation of the new teaching for innovative learning and engagement framework has led to quantifiable improvements in student engagement and levels of achievement. This fulfils the school’s core purpose to create a community of learners who flourish,” the citation concluded.

Urangan State High School, CAPIP took home the award for their “Time for the right work”.

The 10 award category winners are:

The Network 10 Showcase Award for Excellence in the Early and Primary Years
- North Coast Cluster (Moreton Downs State School, Burpengary State School, Caboolture East State School, Elimbah State School, Jinibara State School, Mango Hill State School and Narangba Valley State School), Critical friends network
The QSuper Showcase Award for Excellence in the Secondary Years
- Urangan State High School, CAPIP – time for the right work
The TUH Health Fund Showcase Award for Excellence in Inclusive Education
- Tinana State School, Everyone’s welcome in the room – whatever it takes
The RemServ Showcase Award for Excellence in Parent and Community Engagement
- Pine Rivers South Primary Cluster (Lawnton State School, Bray Park State School, Strathpine State School and Strathpine West State School), Engagement and attendance matters – The more you go the more you know
The Showcase Award for Excellence in Global Engagement
- Whites Hill State College Cluster (Indooroopilly State High School, Kelvin Grove State College, Sunnybank State High School, Coolum State High School, Mount Gravatt State High School, Centenary Heights State High School, North Lakes State College and Springfield Central State High School), Blended/hybrid virtual high school preparation
The Queensland Teachers’ Union Showcase Award for Excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
- Moreton Bay Environmental Education Centre, Building cultural understanding and capabilities on Quandamooka Country
The Showcase Award for Excellence in Rural and Remote Education
- Happy Valley State School, Leading from the classroom: a model of distributive leadership
The QUT Showcase Award for Excellence in Teaching
- Brett Dascombe, Wavell State High School
The Griffith University Jack Pizzey Award for Excellence in School Leadership
- Tracy Egan, Mango Hill State School
The Bevan Brennan Every Child Needs a Champion Award
- Lawnton State School, We grow leaders

The 2022 Showcase Awards for Excellence in Schools ceremony was held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre last 11 October 2022. It had 86 submissions representing 220 state schools.

Each state award group category winner will receive $10,000 development grants with two individuals to each receive a $5,000 development grant.

“Educators have benefitted from a total of $166,000 in grant support from this year’s Showcase Awards for Excellence in Schools, including regional winners who received $1,000 each and regional commendations receiving $500 each,” Ms Grace said.

Full-Service Cinebar to Open at $140-M Ferny Grove Central Development

Photo Credit: Ferny Grove Central

Construction of the $140-million development of Ferny Grove Central is well underway and Cinebar has secured a 15-year lease as its cinema operator.

Set to open in late 2023, Cinebar will occupy a 2,100-sqm space with six screens to cater to over 400 viewers at a time. The site will also have its own bar and restaurant, with a state-of-the-art kitchen and a liquor licence, to provide a gold-class experience for moviegoers.

Cinebar is a rebrand of The Blue Room, which started in 2005 in Rosalie. Following the pandemic, co-owner David Taylor said that they had to elevate their service to compete with streamers and other video-on-demand platforms.

The Ferny Grove Central outlet will be a reflection “of the lessons we’ve learned over the years,” according to Mr Taylor.

“Because it’s greenfield it’s an amazing opportunity to do all the things there that we’ve been slowly incorporating into Rosalie.”

“The unique thing about us is that we are the only cinema in Brisbane which offers total full service — kitchen and waiters.”

Ferny Grove Central is a joint project by the Federal and Queensland governments, alongside Honeycombes Property Group and MaxCap Group. The mixed-use development will be next to the Ferny Grove Railway Station, which caters to 5,000 passengers a day.

The Fernery, a residential hub with 82 luxury apartments, is also going to be constructed on-site, featuring communal amenities, vertical gardens, and an abundance of recreational and outdoor spots.

The Gap She Shed Christmas Twilight Market Back for More Fantastic Deals!

Photo Credit: She Shed Twilight Market/Facebook

Planning for more Christmas shopping? You’re in luck because The Gap She Shed Christmas Twilight Market returns with more fantastic deals this year!

Enjoy six hours of shopping for your friends and loved ones at The Gap She Shed Christmas Twilight Market on Saturday, the 26th of November 2022. Gates to The Football Club on Glen Affric Street will open from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Expect an array of amazing community stalls, arts crafts, music and food to bring the community together. Below are just some of the great finds at the market:

Rock My Resin

Rock My Resin is one of the newest stall holders of the She Shed Twilight Market. Owner and creative Helen makes unique and groovy resin jewellery and homewares. She also has an Etsy shop for online customers across the country.

Crafty Pirates

Greg and Lou Canning of Crafty Pirates will be back at the market and will have heaps of Christmas table decorations, ornaments and knick-knacks for your home decorations. Haul some unique handmade treasures and personalised pieces from their collections to make gift-giving more meaningful.

Sandy and Wood

Sandy and Wood is by Helena Pygott, a founding She Shedder. She’s a talented woodcarver and craftsperson who makes chairs, shelves, furniture, bookcases, and wooden decorations. But The Gap Twilight Art & Craft market is the only market she joins every year, where she sells handmade wooden earrings, hand-carved spoons, little houses, earrings & necklace hangers and bookmarks.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Helena Pygott. Brisbane. Qld (@sandyandwood)

About The Gap She Shed

The Gap She Shed is a supportive community of retirees, new mothers and young women who enjoy skill-sharing, creating, learning and forging friendships. They regularly meet for business workshops, arts and crafts activities, or even health and well-being sessions.

Learn more about The Gap She Shed via the official site.

The Gap Among Brisbane Suburbs At High Risk Of Tick Infestation

Being surrounded by trees and bushland, The Gap is one of the suburbs in Brisbane at high risk of tick infestation, as Australia faces a shortage of tick serum amidst its worst tick season in years.

Read: The Gap LOCO: Here’s Where to Go for Affordable, Certified Organic Produce

Tick infestation is considered as a year-round threat, but the peak season normally occurs during warmer months.

According to the Australian Veterinary Association, the Australia-wide shortage of tick paralysis antiserum is a result of sudden increase in demand due to tick resurgence with the change of weather.

“There are anecdotal reports that there may have been some complacency in tick prevention by owners during the winter and drought in many locations, leaving many animals unprotected,” AVA said.

Because of the strong demand recently, a manufacturer in Lismore, NSW, the only remaining bulk manufacturer for serums in Australia is already at full production capacity.

tick infestation — Photo credit: Jean Alves/Pexels

The past floods in northern NSW, which also affected Lismore, was also seen as one of the reasons for the manufacturer’s reduced production of tick serums.

Supplies of tick serums, according to vets, could take weeks to arrive gradually into surgeries. Many vets throughout the country have been informed that the next supplies could reach clinics by late November to early December 2022.

What Pet Owners Can Do For Now

Whilst tick serums are not yet available, the best thing pet parents can do is to consistently work on preventing ticks. As the old adage goes, prevention is better than cure.

The best method to spot and get rid of any ticks promptly is to continue checking your dogs and cats for ticks. They are commonly found on the head and ears, though they may also appear under the tail or in nasal passages.

Tick infestation can be life-threatening if not prevented. Fortunately, there are already many kinds of treatments already available in the market. Some known preventive drugs in Australia include Simparica, Bravecto, and Nexgard.

Read: How Repair Cafe The Gap Champions Sustainability

Although these medications are easy to administer, vets remind pet owners to be diligent in using these drugs, and that missing their scheduled treatment even just for days, can be harmful.

Great Western Super Centre in Keperra Gets Major Overhaul

Photo credit: Facebook / Great Western Super Centre

Great Western Super Centre in Keperra is undergoing a $22-million makeover to modernise and update its building and amenities, renewing long-term leases and introducing a topnotch line-up of new tenants it has acquired over the last two years.

Opened in 2000, Great Western Super Centre is anchored by ALDI and Woolworths, alongside six mini-majors and 44 specialty stores. The centre that was acquired in 2020 for $84.5 million boasts a 15,400sqm of floor space.

The centre, under Consolidated Properties Group (CPG) and CVS Lane Capital Partners , will undergo a $22-million makeover, following an $8-million revamp of anchor tenant Woolworths in 2021. The update will include expansions and upgrades for Aldi supermarket, BCF, and Anytime Fitness.

The project will also see the centre get a full repaint of its interior and exterior plus the addition of brand-new amenities including parents’ rooms. There will also be an overhaul of air conditioning, an upgrade of entry statements and signage and extensive landscaping.

Consolidated Properties Group chairman Don O’Rorke described the project as the centre’s most significant overhaul in its more than two-decade history.

The partnership introduces several top-notch tenants into the centre since its acquisition in 2020, including Rivers, HMB Barber, Kebab Masters, On a Roll Sushi, Thai So-Ho and Aux Delices Bakery.

Meanwhile, Woolworths, Ampol Fuel, Hungry Jacks, Keperra Medical Centre, Terry White Chemmart, Australia Post, Aussie Home Loans, The Reject Shop, Subway and Pepper n Salt Café have also committed to renewing their long-term leases

The company said that the first stage of renovations was well received by its customers and that they are confident the latest refurbishments will be met with similar enthusiasm.

Consolidated Properties Group has also submitted its plans for a new 24/7 Sparkletown Car Wash which if approved by Council is slated to commence construction in early 2023 and open by mid-year.

The renovation works at the Great Western Super Centre is expected to continue until 2023.

Great Western Super Centre | 1028 Samford Rd, Keperra QLD 4054, Australia

The Gap LOCO: Here’s Where to Go for Affordable, Certified Organic Produce

Photo credit: Facebook / The Gap Local Organic Co-Op

This social enterprise in The Gap has supplied affordable, certified organic produce and groceries for the past ten years, a decade-long commitment that has earned the support and admiration of the community it serves.

“Organic food is Good for you, the farmers and the planet.” – The Gap LOCO

“The Gap LOCO provides only certified organic food unlike other suppliers who use terms like “spray free”. Without certification, you have no certainty that the food you are buying is really organic and grown on soil that is tested for residues. Support farmers who are willing to be inspected by independent bodies,” co-founder Michelle Peile said.

Founders Colin and Michelle Peile were running a small organic buying group since 2004. Building on the buying group and in consultation with their customers, the pair developed a new style of business that is based on cooperation and a concern for the community and the environment. Aware of the prevalence of ‘organic’ products and the shortage of affordable and ‘certified’ ones in the market, The Gap LOCO concept.

The Gap LOCO: affordable certified organic produce and groceries | Photo credit: Facebook / The Gap Local Organic Co-Op

Shortly thereafter, the buying group began recruiting workers in the co-op and other people who would eventually serve as the support group to help in the development and implementation of the business concept.

And so in January 2013, the new co-op started with Deb Leigh, Colln, Michelle, Kate Donnely and Monique Filet as workers. Camille joined them in 2014.

Months later, they became a formally registered worker cooperative with the Queensland Department of Fair Trading. In 2014, the co-op found a home in the SOWN Environment Centre Sheda shed at Yoorala Street but had to move out after four years following SWON relinquishing their lease on the BCC-owned property. The Gap LOCO relocated to its new home and has been there since.

The whole LOCO team | Photo credit: Facebook / The Gap Local Organic Co-Op

Currently, The Gap LOCO is run by seven part-time workers: Cille, Colin, James, Kerry, Leslie, Michelle and Tallulah.

One thing has been unchanged through the years: their commitment to providing certified organic produce and groceries. That means regular soils test and inspections by certifying bodies to make sure that their produce and products are up to organic practices standards.

The Gap LOCO also offers home delivery services and has a pop-up shop on Mondays in an Oakleigh Scouts shed between 13 and 17 High Street in Ashgrove.

Their delivery service is available in Ashgrove, Bardon, Enoggerra, Ferny Grove, Ferny Hills, Keperra, Kelvin Grove, Gaythorne, Mitchelton, Red Hill, Paddington, Milton, The Gap and Toowong.

For orders, email them at thegaploco@gmail.com or visit their website.