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Hillbrook Anglican School Announces New Principal

The Hillbrook Anglican School announced the appointment of Maria Woods as the school’s new principal, starting January 2022.

Read: Uncle Nurdon Serico: A Pride Of The Indigenous Community

Ms Woods served as the principal of Sunshine Coast Grammar School for almost a decade before accepting Hillbrook’s invitation to be their new head starting next year. Prior to this, she worked as a Deputy Principal at Cannon Hill Anglican College.

“A strong culture that values learning and places student wellbeing and growth at the heart of its mission, aligns with my professional and personal beliefs about quality education. I am delighted to accept the opportunity to join Hillbrook and work in partnership with all members of a committed and collaborative community,” Ms Woods said.

The appointment of the new principal comes after current principal Geoff Newton, the school’s head for 24 years, announced his intention to retire at the end of 2021.

Mr Newton (Photo credit: www.hillbrook.qld.edu.au)

Mr Rob Seljak, Chair of School Board, said the process of appointing a principal involved selecting from a large number of highly qualified candidates and considering their alignment to Hillbrook’s beliefs.

“Following her nearly thirty years’ as an educator, Maria brings a broad range of leadership experiences. Maria believes in compassion, integrity, kindness and optimism, and embodies these dispositions in her leadership approach,” Mr Seljak said about Ms Woods.

Mr Seljak believes Ms Woods will successfully lead the school into the future. He also acknowledged Mr Newton’s incredible contribution to staff, students, and families at Hillbrook as a principal for 14 years and as a deputy principal for 10 years.

Uncle Nurdon Serico: A Pride Of The Indigenous Community

Photo credit: carinity.org.au

In celebration of the culture and achievements of Indigenous Australians, the Carinity Hilltop aged care community at Kelvin Grove recognises the achievements of Uncle Nurdon Serico from The Gap.

Read: 4 Interesting Facts About Aboriginal History In Keperra

Before becoming a resident of the aged care community, Uncle Nurdon was a proud Gubbi Gubbi-Kabi Kabi man who lived in Bardon and The Gap.

Family Life & Achievements

Born on 21 May 1933 as Nurdon Horace Serico, Uncle Nurdon is the second child of Maurice and Evelyn Reen. His father Maurice was a member of the Fungallu people of the Taroom district whilst his mother Evelyn Reen was a member of the Gubbi Gubbi people.

In 1939, the Sericos moved to Bardon where Uncle Nurdon and his sister became the first aboriginal children to study at the Ashgrove State School. He was into all sorts of sports -from athletics and dancing to cricket and football.

During his time at the State Industrial High School in Edward Street, Uncle Nurdon won the 100 yard State Secondary School title and set the new record for 200 yards.

Uncle Nurdon’s wife Pat with sons Michael and Maurice (Photo credit: The Gap Historical Society)

He married a Goondiwindi local named Pat Thrower in 1959 and had three children together – Maurice, Michael and Melinda who all attended primary and secondary state schools in The Gap.

In 2014 and after 58 years of marriage, Nurdon’s wife Pat passed away. His eldest Maurice, like his dad, became keenly involved in Aboriginal affairs. He was the Chair of Balaangala Community Group.

Career in Radiography

Did you know that he became the first Aboriginal person in Australia to become a fully qualified radiographer? Uncle Nurdon had a long career in radiography, which he completed at the Queensland University in 1954.

He was appointed as a Senior Radiographer for the hospital and in 1970, became the Technical Officer who was responsible for the establishment of all units throughout the state. After 49 years of serving for the Royal Brisbane Hospital, he retired in 1999 and in his honour, an x-ray facility in the Orthopaedic Department was named after him.

A Champion of the Indigenous People

Uncle Nurdon as a recipient of Lord Mayor’s 2018 Australia Day Cultural Arts Award; IN PHOTO: Maurice and Melinda Serico, Former Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, Uncle Nurdon Serico, Lady Mayoress Anne Quirk, and Cr. Steven Toomey (Photo credit: The Gap Historical Society)

Uncle Nurdon is a Life Member of the Aboriginal Health Service in Brisbane. He also became part of designing aspects of the National Museum Canberra, as a member of the Advisory Council on Aboriginal Life.

He became part of the committee of both the Ashgrove and The Gap Historical Societies and became the Vice President and later on, president of The Gap Historical Society.

He is a patron of the Balaangala Community Group, whose goal is to bring together indigenous and nonindigenous Australians through sharing creative practices. As a patron of the said community, Uncle Nurdon spent time sharing about the culture, like teaching about possum skin cloak making and providing insights on resourcefulness and sustainability.

Learn more about Uncle Nurdon Serico in his interview with the State Library of Queensland:

Property Market Experts Recommend Buying a Unit in Keperra

Amidst Brisbane’s sizzling property market, experts said that investors should consider buying a unit in Keperra, where locals are more likely to list their property within the next five years.

In Brisbane, Keperra landed on the sixth spot of suburbs where homeowners will likely unload their units, alongside Banyo, Mackenzie/Burbank, Northgate, Goodna/Springfield, Rochedale, Redcliffe/Scarborough, Redland Bay, Bulimba and Carina/Carindale.

With house hunters growing competitive in the hot market where supply is tighter, a survey commissioned by Westpac revealed that listings will increase in Australia by 39 percent as sellers are “driven by confidence in getting a good return on their home.”

“While the report found houses are most in demand, units and apartments still remain a popular option – particularly among younger buyers who are more likely to seek the convenience and access to local cafes, restaurants, and bars, as well as downsizers who might be seeking a coastal lifestyle,” Westpac’s Managing Director of Mortgages Anthony Hughes said.

Buyer agency Metropole director Brett Warren also recommended investing in a property in Keperra now, when the rates are still affordable but the suburb is still charging for growth in the coming years.

Mr Warren nixes investing in hotspots as he believes these areas will quickly become the “not-spots.” He said a low-key suburb like Keperra is one of 15 noteworthy suburbs with strong potential for growth in the coming years and should be on the buyer’s demand watch.

A budget of $650,000 is more than enough for investors to own a nice home in a cosy, homely and neighbourly community within 10 kilometres of the central business district which has all the amenities.

The Gap Retiree Becomes $50,000 Richer in an Instant

A retiree from The Gap wasn’t expecting anything during her visit to newsXpress on Waterworks Road but she instantly became $50,000 richer.

The woman is now enjoying the boost in her retirement fund after officials from The Lott confirmed that the money is now in her bank account.

The retiree said she went to newsXpress to purchase a $4 Cool Bananas Bingo ticket and was “just scratching away, as I usually do.” She could not believe her lucky stars when she saw $50,000 from her scratched ticket.

The winner has not yet decided on what she’ll do with her newly acquired wealth so, for now, she will let it sit in the bank.

“[It’s] for a rainy day and to enjoy throughout my retirement,” she said.

According to The Lott, Instant Scratch-Its has had 177 winners in 2020, collectively winning $16 million in top prizes. However, players of the easy game have won more than 32.3 million across the prize tiers.

The Instant Scratch-Its is unlike any other game because the players do not have to wait for a draw. There are seven million Instant Scratch-Its distributed across the country every year with tickets priced for $1 to $20.

The Lott stated that the odds of winning any prize on Instant Scratch-Its ticket are generally 1-in-4. Prizes less than $1,500 can be claimed at any authorised retail outlet.

A Pizza Night You Won’t Regret for Kerry Rooney’s Son

Planning next week’s meals for your family? How about Pizza Night Wednesday? You won’t likely say no to this very important cause which will run in The Gap, as well as 20 other pizza outlets.

On Wednesday, 30 June 2021, Domino’s in The Gap will donate $1 for every pizza sold to raise funds for Remi, a 10-year-old boy from Newmarket who recently lost his father, Kerry Rooney. The initiative was cooked up by Lachlan Muirhead, the assistant manager at Domino’s Newmarket, who enlisted the other outlets to commit to the donations.

Remi lost his father on 16 June 2021 following an ambush attack at Kerry’s home in Newmarket. His attacker was his ex-wife, Bonita Vivien Coue, who has been charged with the murder and has made her appearance at the Brisbane Magistrates Court. The ex-couple has been estranged since their split in 2013.

According to police reports, Kerry was attacked as he was about to enter his unit, where his ex-wife had been waiting outside. He came home after his son’s soccer training.

Some of the neighbours tried to intervene as Kerry yelled for help but Bonita managed to slit his throat. The police said that Bonita had been stalking Kerry for two weeks before this incident.

Remi’s soccer group said that Kerry’s world was his son. The Newmarket Soccer Football Club has also established a fundraiser for the boy for the game on 26 June 2021.

Aside from The Gap and Newmarket, funds are expected to also pour from the Domino’s outlets in these locations:

Arana Hills
Aspley
Ferny Grove
Fortitude Valley
Gaythorne
Greenslopes

Hamilton
Holland Park
Kelvin Grove
New Farm
Paddington
Queen St.

Samford
Sandgate
Spring Hill
St. Lucia
Taringa
Toowong
West End

However, for those willing to shell out more than the cost of a pizza dinner, friends of Kerry have set up a donation drive via GoFund Me as well. As of press time, the fundraiser has received more than $50,000 from generous members of the Brisbane community.

“Remi is just 10 years of age and needless to say has much ahead of him to recover and flourish. Your help will support this endeavour and be an important tribute to the memory of Kerry,” John Hoffman, Kerry’s lifelong friend who initiated the GoFundMe page, wrote.

For domestic violence helplines, here are the numbers to call:

Emergency/Police: 000
MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978
Womensline: 1800 811 811
Family Violence Crisis and Support Service: 1800 608 122
National Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence Counselling Service 24hr helpline: 1800 RESPECT

Payne Road State School in The Gap Celebrates 50 Years

Payne Road State School in The Gap is celebrating its 50th year anniversary with a twist! Amidst the unexpected pandemic lockdowns and downturns which have triggered numerous event cancellations, the school community decided to move its half-a-century celebration by a full year.

Though the foundation of Payne Road State School was in 1970, its students, teachers and staff, as well as the parents, are holding the school fair on 20 June 2021 with heaps of rides and attractions for the kids, and live entertainment for the adults.

The students will be able to have fun at the giant slide, jumping castles, laser-tag, teacup ride, rock climbing wall, pony rides, animal farm, and selfie booth. Food and beverage trucks have been invited as well, including a top-quality bar for the adults.

“This fair isn’t just for the school; it’s for the entire community to get out and enjoy all the classic fair favourites that will be on offer,” said Lotus Phoenix, the event’s organiser. “There will also be 20 market stalls featuring arts and crafts from around the community, including resin and beading jewellery, upcycled and fair trade clothing, handmade ceramics, pamper products, bags, a large selection of plants, and more.”

The school fair will run from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. whilst the beer garden will be open until sundown.

Payne Road State School was originally called The Gap South State School and opened on 26 Jan 1970 with 82 pupils for Year 1 to Year 7. Principal Clive Cook petitioned to change the school’s name for its location, which was derived from Henry Howard Payne, an early pioneer of The Gap.

During its inaugural year in November, Mr Clive and the school community held a grand opening celebration with Queensland dignitaries as guests, including the Honoubrable Max Hodges, MLA, then the Minister for Works and Housing. One of the highlights of the celebration was a coordinated Tinikling dance where the girls skillfully maneuvered their steps between large bamboo poles.

Between 1970 to 1977, additional facilities were added to the school, such as the tennis court the play areas, and more building blocks to accommodate the increasing number of students.

The Gap State High School Cuts Maths & Science Classes

Despite the school administration’s best efforts, one of the largest high schools in Brisbane, The Gap State High School, had to cut its maths and sciences classes due to a shortage of teachers.

Parents of the students of the school on Waterworks Road were informed in late May 2021 that their children could attend before or after school tutorials in place of actual classes in maths and sciences as they’ve been experiencing an overwhelming number of teachers with “unforeseen medical and health conditions.”

In 2021 alone, at least six science teachers took charge of the classes at The Gap State High School, which has been an unusual turnover.

Principal Anne McLauchlan also informed the parents that they are “struggling to recruit suitable staff,” a problem that of late has not been unique to the school.

According to Queensland Teachers’ Union president Cresta Richardson, there has been a shortage of maths, science and specialised STEM teachers across the regional schools, especially for educational institutions with a large student body such as The Gap SHS.

Ms Richardson also explained that whilst school officials carefully carry out the planning, teaching and assessments every term, the schools will still need to be resourced appropriately. Sontract teachers are another challenge altogether, however, especially if they have to go on leaves because of a medical issue.

To help address the shortage, the State Government has launched paid internship program called Turn to Teaching. The program is open to professionals who want to change careers and consider getting their teaching qualifications. The program hopes to bring in 300 people, who could become permanently employed as teachers.

Snake Catcher Uses Hairdryer to Capture Python in The Gap

It’s not every day that you hear an incredible story of a snake catcher using a hairdryer to capture a three-metre python but that’s what happened to Steve Brown, who was called in to help with a snake trapped inside a home in The Gap.

Mr Brown, from Brisbane North Snake Catchers and Relocation, said that the family who needed him heard some strange noises in their kitchen’s ceiling whilst they were watching television one night. The homeowners checked up on the noise and were surprised to find the snake wedged in between the beams on the ceiling.

The snake catcher said that it took him “a lot of patience” to capture the python which was about three metres long and eight kilograms in weight. It also had at least a hundred teeth.

Mr Brown, however, needed a hairdryer to coax the giant snake to wiggle its way out because the grooming appliance helps to heat up the area.

“After about an hour of poking and prodding I managed to quickly squeeze my hand In the space and grab hold of him which I just waited for him to relax and come out on his own accord,” Mr Brown wrote on Facebook.

Photo Credit: Brisbane North Snake Catchers and Relocation/Facebook

The snake handler said that the coastal carpet python is non-venomous and non-aggressive. However, when threatened, the snake could still cause some serious injuries because of its teeth.

Coastal carpet pythons are common in Greater Brisbane and they usually feed off rats or mice. These reptiles are not known to attack humans.

Mr Brown said that homeowners must ensure that their houses have no open windows, doors or gaps to prevent from snakes coming in. When the weather is colder, snakes look for a warm place to rest so they enter people’s homes if there’s a way in.

The snake has been released in the bushlands, away from the residential areas.

20 Kinds of Beer at The Blind Tiger in The Gap

Feeling hungry and thirsty? The Blind Tiger at Waterworks Rd has it all! With taps offering over 20 kinds of beer and a huge selection of share-meals, this bar-restaurant provides The Gap a place to kick back and unwind over a pint or two.

The Blind Tiger offers a variety on the menu with meals such as seafood laksa, thai beef salad, share-friendly bao buns, chicken karaage, and numerous other East Asian and Southeast Asian dishes. Their bao buns in particular are popular due to the number of flavours available, allowing customers to choose from pork belly, Peking duck, karaage chicken, or shiitake coupled with a drink for the price of $19.90.

Despite its selection of food, the main attraction at this Brisbane bar is its drink list, offering numerous choice beers on tap as well as a variety of hard liquor such as gin and cocktails. In total, over 20 kinds of beer are available at the venue, with nine on the official tap list including brews like ‘Black As Your Heart’ from the award-winning Aether Brewing.

“Impressive” and “delicious” are just some of the descriptions satisfied customers have to say about the food. However, customers generally say the bar’s drink list is its strongest point and the food is just an added bonus.

The Blind Tiger bar can be found at Shop 34, 1000 Waterworks Rd, The Gap, open Monday to Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to late. For more information, visit their website here. To keep up to date with the latest drinks, deals, dates, and other special announcements, follow their social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram.

18-Year-Old Two-Time Keperra Bowl Winner Begins Professional Debut

Elvis Smylie, the 18-year-old Queensland golfer who won the Keperra Bowl not just once, but twice, has officially joined the professional golfing scene.

At his professional debut at The Players Series Sydney at Bonnie Doon Golf Club earlier in March 2021, Elvis Smylie managed to tie for third place. His first tournament as a professional was not just a highly-anticipated event for golf enthusiasts across the country; it was also a lucrative success for the young golfer. He managed to bring home a grand total of $7,350.

As it stands, the future looks promising for Smylie. Before his professional debut, Smylie managed to win the Keperra Bowl twice, defending his title by closing with a 10-under-62 to finish the 72 holes at 25-under par, winning by 13 strokes.

The Keperra Bowl, a 72-hole stroke play championship open to male players of all ages, is hosted and conducted by the Keperra Country Golf Club and Golf Queensland. The club serves as a hub where amateur golfers such as Elvis prior to his big debut game would train and practise before moving on to more professional levels of play.

To learn more about the Keperra Golf Country Club, visit their website here. Follow their social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates and announcements.