PCYC Queensland has taken over management of The Gap’s learn-to-swim school from January 27, bringing its sport and recreation expertise to the local aquatics scene.
The takeover marks PCYC‘s second aquatics facility in Queensland, following the opening of its Allora pool last year. For families in The Gap who have relied on the local swim school for years, the transition is designed to ensure continuity of service, now backed by the resources of one of the state’s largest sport and recreation organisations.
What This Means for Local Families
Parents looking to enrol their children in swimming lessons will find PCYC offering a range of aquatic programs, including learn-to-swim classes for various age groups and abilities. The organisation brings decades of experience in youth development and community programs to the pool.
Sport and Recreation Manager for Aquatics Ilka Lebbink noted the enthusiastic response from The Gap community, with strong interest in the programs already. PCYC aims to make the facility a hub for health and connection in the suburb.
Jobs for Local Residents
The facility is expected to create employment opportunities for locals interested in aquatics instruction and youth development roles. PCYC’s expansion into aquatics means potential positions for swim instructors, pool managers, and support staff in The Gap.
With Queensland requiring all state schools to provide water safety and swimming education from Prep to Year Six, PCYC’s programs are specifically aligned to support these state requirements, helping families bridge the gap between school-based lessons and year-round skill development. Many parents supplement school swimming programs with private lessons to ensure their children develop strong water safety skills.
PCYC’s Growing Aquatics Presence
PCYC Queensland sees aquatics as a natural extension of its long history providing sport and recreation activities. The organisation already runs successful clubs throughout Queensland, and adding swim schools allows it to address a critical life skill for children.
All Queensland children need access to quality swimming instruction, particularly given the state’s beach culture and backyard pool prevalence. Learn-to-swim programs teach essential water safety alongside swimming technique, giving children confidence and competence in aquatic environments.
For The Gap families, the transition to PCYC management maintains local access to swimming lessons while potentially opening doors to other PCYC programs and activities in the future.
Parents are encouraged to contact PCYC directly to secure remaining spots and establish their children’s 2026 swimming routine.
Make sure to visit PCYC Queensland for more information about the program.
The streets of The Gap have become an outdoor art gallery, with vibrant artworks adorning utility boxes throughout the suburb. Through the Artforce Brisbane program, local families, students and artists have transformed once-mundane infrastructure into eye-catching installations that celebrate the area’s natural beauty and community spirit.
The Goodwin Family has created a stunning tribute to Fish Creek, depicting the waterway’s native ecosystem in remarkable detail. The front of the signal box showcases three distinct vegetation levels: Blue Quandong, Lacebark tree and River She Oak in the canopy; Queensland Ebony, Black Wattle and Native Mulberry in the understorey; and Brisbane lily, Binung Fern and longleaved malrush in the groundcover.
The sides feature local wildlife including Australian King Parrots, Red-tailed Cockatoos, Water Dragons, Eastern Sedgefrogs, Freshwater Mullet and Eel-tailed Catfish. On the back, there’s a touch of environmental messaging—weeds and rubbish being deposited in a green bin under the watchful gaze of an ibis, nodding to the conservation efforts of the passionate Fish Creek restoration group.
Diversity is a Fact, Inclusion is an Act by The Gap State High School
Photo credit: artforcebrisbane.com.au
Location: Waterworks Road & Pammay Street
The Gap State High School students have created a powerful piece celebrating neurodiversity and inclusion. “Inclusion is about feeling a sense of belonging, no matter our differences,” the artists explain.
The design raises awareness about how each individual’s brain works differently, bringing unique strengths and skills to the world. The message is clear: when differences and strengths are brought together and celebrated, communities grow stronger.
Hive by Lara Coogan
Photo credit: artforcebrisbane.com.au
Location: 66 Illowra Street
Local artist Lara Coogan drew inspiration from the artwork’s location next to Hive, The Gap, creating a design featuring bees and flowers. The piece celebrates The Gap’s abundance of plant life whilst paying homage to the neighbouring business. Coogan’s thoughtful approach demonstrates how public art can reflect and complement its immediate surroundings.
Preserving our Wildlife by Kathy Sullivan
Photo credit: artforcebrisbane.com.au
Location: Waterworks Road & Settlement Road & Illowra Street
Kathy Sullivan’s installation on a Q150 transformer box makes a bold statement about environmental conservation. “Creatures of The Gap have been turned into metal,” Sullivan explains. “This artwork is a statement about their vulnerability.” The piece serves as a visual reminder of the fragility of local wildlife and the importance of preservation efforts.
A Season as a Guide by Walton Bridge Rangers
Photo credit: artforcebrisbane.com.au
Location: Waterworks Road & Payne Road
The Walton Bridge Rangers have created a deeply symbolic piece centred around a Jacaranda tree, described as “quintessentially Brisbane.” Each year, the explosion of purple blooms across The Gap’s hills signals the start of spring. The Rangers recall gathering beneath Jacaranda trees in Walton Bridge Reserve, “lost in conversation with the blooms softly raining down on our heads.”
The tree’s branches form a Trefoil, symbolic of the Guiding movement, whilst incorporated Guide Badges represent the practical skills developed by Girl Guides. The title “A Season as a Guide” reflects Rangers’ position as the final rank before moving to adult guiding.
Flowers and Branches by Emma Barry
Photo credit: artforcebrisbane.com.au
Location: Waterworks Road & Cooinda Street
Emma Barry’s artwork magnifies pollinators and insects to highlight their crucial role in sustaining the environment. “The importance of pollinators and insects has become widely known in relation to how they contribute to and sustain many parts of our environment,” Barry notes. By expanding their size, the artwork encourages viewers to appreciate how small animals can bring large and important changes to our world.
Flowers by Elli Veleski
Photo credit: artforcebrisbane.com.au
Location: Waterworks Road & Glenquarie Place
Student artist Elli Veleski took a therapeutic approach to her nature-inspired design, filling the signal box with bold spring flowers. “Drawing flowers is therapeutic for me, and I hope my flowers catch people’s eye on their daily drive, make them smile and help them to relax also,” Veleski shares. The artwork transforms drab infrastructure into a cheerful addition to daily commutes.
In The Moment by Grace Tupicoff & Jemima Gibbons
Photo credit: artforcebrisbane.com.au
Location: Waterworks Road & Payne Road
Grace Tupicoff and Jemima Gibbons have created a contemplative piece depicting insects, plants and mushrooms—all species found in the local area. The intention is profound yet simple: “for the viewer to appreciate the smaller parts of nature that we tend to overlook. To be in the moment despite busy lives and stop to see the little things.”
Artforce Brisbane is an initiative that has been transforming utility boxes into public artworks since 1999. The program celebrates the characters, cultures, histories and landmarks of Brisbane’s suburbs whilst showcasing local creativity.
Brisbane offers around 80 Artforce opportunities annually, with the program managed by Artfully, a Brisbane-based arts consultancy specialising in public art and placemaking. The initiative is open to Brisbane residents of all ages and artistic backgrounds, providing practical experience and networking opportunities within Brisbane’s arts community.
Through programs like Artforce Brisbane, everyday infrastructure becomes more than functional—it becomes a canvas for community storytelling and artistic expression.
Uninsured homeowners in The Gap can now access immediate financial support to repair structural damage and replace destroyed appliances through a new government hardship scheme targeting Brisbane’s hardest-hit communities.
Following the severe hailstorms in November, the state and federal governments activated these emergency funds to help residents who might otherwise fall through the cracks. The support is specifically designed for people with limited income and no insurance coverage.
It aims to make homes safe and habitable again after the violent weather left a trail of destruction across the south-east. Authorities recognised that many families are still struggling to switch their lights back on or fix holes in their roofs weeks after the event.
Three specific types of grants are now available to take the pressure off local families. The largest is the Structural Assistance Grant, which offers up to $80,000 to help owner-occupiers fix damage to their dwellings. This money is meant to ensure houses are structurally sound and safe to live in. For those who lost whitegoods or furniture, the Essential Household Contents Grant provides up to $1,765 for individuals and over $5,000 for couples or families to replace those necessary items.
There is also help available for getting utilities running again. The Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme offers grants of up to $5,000. This is targeted at homeowners who need to inspect or repair electrical, gas, water, or sewerage systems that were damaged during the storms. These funds ensure that essential services can be reconnected safely without placing a heavy financial burden on the resident.
While The Gap is a key area of focus, the assistance extends to fourteen other suburbs where the hail caused significant issues. Residents in Ashgrove, Bardon, Boondall, Ferny Grove, Gumdale, Keperra, Lota, Manly, Manly West, Mount Crosby, Ransome, Wakerley, Wynnum, and Wynnum West are also included in this activation. The grants are jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Queensland governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain noted that severe weather events are becoming more frequent and intense. She indicated that the government is committed to matching that intensity with their recovery response. The goal is to ensure communities in south-east Queensland get the necessary help to bounce back from the recent battering.
Officials emphasised that these financial measures are about caring for those most exposed to the impacts of severe weather. She stated that the grants would help secure safe homes for Queenslanders who desperately need a hand. The government intends to work with all levels of administration to meet local recovery needs during these tough times.
Residents who believe they meet the income and eligibility criteria can apply online through the Queensland government’s disaster website. For those who prefer to speak to someone directly, the Community Recovery Hotline is open 24 hours a day to answer questions and guide locals through the application process.
A man remains in hospital in a critical condition after being stabbed during what police suspect may have been a road rage incident at a busy intersection in The Gap on Tuesday evening.
Emergency services rushed to the corner of Chaprowe Road and Settlement Road around 7:30pm on December 9 following reports that a motorist had been attacked.
The victim, a man aged in his 40s, sustained serious stab wounds to his arm and leg during the confrontation. Paramedics treated him at the scene before transporting him to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, where he remains in a life-threatening condition.
The alleged attacker fled the scene in a black Nissan X-Trail immediately following the incident, according to Queensland Police.
Investigators are currently exploring multiple possibilities as they work to piece together what led to the violent altercation. Road rage is among the potential motives being examined as detectives continue their enquiries.
Police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information about the driver of the black Nissan X-Trail to come forward. Dashcam footage from motorists travelling through the intersection around the time of the attack could prove crucial to the investigation.
The incident has shocked the local community in The Gap, a western suburb known for its family-friendly atmosphere and quiet streets.
For home‑hunters in The Gap, searching for a property in 2025 can feel bewildering. A recent case illustrates why many buyers end up wasting time on homes beyond their budget.
Homeowner Nicole McLeod, who bought her house in The Gap five years ago for her extended family, decided to sell when circumstances changed. But when she listed the home, she discovered an obstacle that many in Brisbane face: there was no clear price guide attached to the listing.
At first, her property was valued at between $5.5 million and $6.25 million by her chosen agent — yet no public price guide was provided. Potential buyers were invited to submit offers based on what they thought the property was worth. After several weeks on the market and feedback from prospective buyers, the agent indicated the home might realistically sell for closer to $3.5 million.
Photo credit: Pavel Danilyuk / Pexels
This approach reflects a broader pattern in Brisbane real estate: many homes go on the market without a price guide. According to recent analysis, 63 per cent of three‑ and four‑bedroom property listings in Brisbane do not provide any price indication.
The absence of price guidance is allowed under current legislation because in Queensland, properties going to auction may be listed without a price guide. It remains legal for agents to omit price details under such circumstances.
For buyers, lacking a price guide can mean attending inspections or auctions only to find properties are far outside their budget. In Ms McLeod’s case, she inspected several homes that turned out to be unaffordable, and the time and emotional energy she spent were wasted.
Frustrated with opaque pricing, she later changed her approach: working with an agent who provided a price guide to serious buyers during negotiation. Having clearer pricing helped filter out buyers who could not afford the home, shortening the sale process substantially.
For buyers in The Gap and surrounding Brisbane suburbs, Ms McLeod’s story is a cautionary example. It underscores the value of asking agents directly about probable sale prices, understanding that listings without price guides may conceal significant price differentials, and being prepared for the possibility that a property might end up well outside one’s budget.
The Brisbane property market in 2025 remains challenging for buyers, but those who demand transparency and probe for real price expectations have a better shot at finding a home that really matches their means.
Bluey has captured the hearts of children and adults across the globe. With Brisbane as the backdrop to the series, get to know the locations that have inspired your favourite episodes, like Benjamina Place Park inspiring “Turtleboy” and see Brisbane through Bluey’s eyes.
In the ‘Turtleboy’ episode, Bingo finds an abandoned toy turtle at the park’s playground and desperately wants to take him home. But wise Dad explains it’s not the “done thing,” as the turtle’s owner may return looking for their beloved toy.
Funny enough, some cheeky Bluey fan made the episode’s premise a reality last year. A simple green turtle plush, just like Turtleboy, was carefully placed at Benjamina Place Park’s playground, abandoned but hopefully to be re-discovered by a new owner.
Photo credit: Jason Read/Google Maps
Whilst the toy’s origins are unknown, the gesture delighted local kids who had a smile at the Bluey reference come to life.
Photo credit: bluey.tv
Recreate the iconic scenes of Bingo and Dougie’s turtle game by laying in the cool grass and watching the clouds roll by. Or spend an afternoon having a picnic in one of the sheltered eating areas whilst the little ones burn off a snack-inspired energy burst.
Photo credit: bluey.tv
This beloved local park allows kids to have fun whilst being protected from the harsh Queensland sun.
Photo credit: Livinbep/Google Maps
Meanwhile, a new shade sail has been installed as part of Brisbane City Council’s Sun-safe suburban playground program, allowing for extended playtime. Under this shady oasis, kids can expend their endless energy on the playground equipment, basketball court, and shared pathways perfect for scooting.
Whether you’re a diehard Bluey fan or just a Brisbane local, Benjamina Place Park offers the ultimate setting to experience this beloved show. With its shady play areas and picturesque scenery, Benjamina Place Park allows the Bluey magic to come alive.
Grovely State School has received a national sustainability grant to build a habitat for the endangered Richmond Birdwing Butterfly, giving students a direct role in protecting a rare local species.
The award was announced in November after the Coles and Planet Ark Sustainable Schools Competition selected twenty winning schools across Australia. Grovely State School earned five thousand dollars to create a dedicated garden space that supports the butterfly’s full life cycle.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Grovely State School plans to plant native birdwing vines inside its nature play area, based on information released by the program organisers. These vines are the only suitable host for the butterfly’s eggs and larvae. School leaders described the project as a way to connect learning with real environmental care. Students will take part in planting, watering and observing changes in the habitat as it develops through the year.
Local Support And Student Involvement
The school announced the win on its Facebook page and shared its plans to establish the new garden space. The post highlighted excitement within the school community.
The post also featured students holding native plants in front of butterfly artwork as part of the coverage of the award. It noted that Grovely State School was chosen from more than two hundred and forty entries nationwide.
Part Of A National Sustainability Effort
Planet Ark reported that more than two hundred and forty schools entered the 2025 competition. Judges selected winners whose ideas showed community impact and strong links to environmental learning.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Projects included garden planning, waste reduction and native habitat restoration. Grovely State School’s selection places the Brisbane community among the national group working on long term sustainability goals.
Next Steps For The School
The school aims to begin planting soon so students can take part in the project through different stages. The new garden space will become part of regular lessons about local plants, insects and biodiversity.
School leaders indicated the site will continue to grow as students learn how the vines support the butterfly’s survival. The goal is to build a stable habitat that increases the chance of the butterfly returning to the area.
Princess Anne joined veterans and families at Gallipoli Barracks in Enoggera for a Remembrance Day service, marking a solemn close to her Australian tour. The Princess Royal laid a wreath alongside Defence personnel to remember those who gave their lives for Australia.
The ceremony took place on 11 November 2025, the final stop of her visit before she and Sir Timothy Laurence were due to depart for Singapore.
A Moment of Remembrance at Gallipoli Barracks
Princess Anne, Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals, visited Enoggera to mark the centenary of the Corps, which has served Australia since 1925. She met serving and former personnel and spoke with families following the ceremony, showing quiet respect for their service.
Defence members attended the gathering at Gallipoli Barracks — one of Queensland’s major military sites and home to several active Army units. The visit was part of her continued support for Australia’s military community, a role she has maintained for decades.
Commemorating 100 years of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals
The Brisbane visit followed engagements in Sydney and Melbourne, where Princess Anne attended commemorations marking 100 years of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals. Each event reflected her ongoing involvement with military organisations and her recognition of the contributions of Australian Defence personnel.
While in Brisbane, she also joined corps members for anniversary activities, including a ceremonial sports event and a tug-of-war competition — moments that combined tradition with camaraderie among service members.
Her short but meaningful stay in Enoggera added a respectful close to her Australian tour, highlighting the shared history of service and remembrance observed across the nation.
The Enoggera Reservoir, located at 60 Mount Nebo Road, is a natural habitat for thousands of flora and fauna. Efforts to upgrade part of the site, however, have also made this place a family recreational facility.
Just a half-hour drive from Brisbane’s inner-cities, the reservoir has plenty of fabulous lookouts, picnic sites, cafes, and parking spaces. It’s a natural paradise and a haven for people looking for a cool and calm place to relax during the weekends.
Here are eight things you probably didn’t know about the Enoggera Reservoir.
1. A critically endangered bird species resides in the Enoggera Reservoir.
Birdwatchers visiting Enoggera Reservoir in August 2018 were thrilled to spot a Regent Honeyeater in the area. According to the Department of Environment and Energy, it’s uncommon to find this bird in Queensland since it is an endangered species in this region. It’s also critically endangered anywhere else in Australia.
Ann Cheeseman shared the photo of her sighting in the Wildlife in The Gap conservation page. It is believed that the numbers of Regent Honeyeaters in Queensland diminished because of the consistent droughts in the ironbank woodlands and coastal areas.
Photo Credit: Wildlife in The Gap/Facebook
2. It’s the only reservoir in Queensland to retain its original structure.
Built in 1866 to supply water to the locals, the Enoggera Reservoir has undergone renovations over decades. Despite the reconstructions of this very first major dam in Queensland, its original structure remains intact and functioning unlike the dams in Ipswich, Maryborough, and Warwick.
3. Currently, the Enoggera Reservoir no longer supplies South East Queensland’s drinking water.
The Enoggera Reservoir dam was decommissioned as a water supply source in 2003. It may, however, still be relied upon to provide clean water in case of a drought. In 2006, the Queensland Government did recommission the dam during one of the worst periods of droughts in Australia.
4. The Enoggera Reservoir has been redeveloped as a recreational park for locals and visitors.
SEQ Water manages the Enoggerra Reservoir, which turned the site into a recreational facility in 2014. Here, visitors can:
enjoy a picnic
go swimming, fishing, kayaking or canoeing
birdwatch
walk or bike on the tracks and trails
The site is open between 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Camping is allowed at the nearby D’Aguilar National Park and not at the reservoir itself.
Photo Credit: SEQ Water
5. You can have kayaking and paddle boarding lessons at the Enoggera Reservoir.
Most people come to the Enoggera Reservoir to swim in its calm waters but for a different experience, you can hire instructors at Walkabout Creek Adventures to teach you how to kayak or paddleboard. The current rate for the lessons is at $30 per person.
A track event at the Walkabout Creek is mounted every year, something that locals look forward to and take part in regularly.
7. You cannot bring your dog or other domestic pets at the Enoggera Reservoir.
While families with kids may be able to play on the grounds, the Enoggera Reservoir is off-limits to dogs and other domestic pets. It’s important not to disturb the wildlife dwelling in this place. Incidentally, you may not also ride horses in the tracks or trail, or hunt any of the animals at the Enoggera Reservoir.
8. Motorized vehicles are also not allowed.
Motorised boats, bikes, and 4WD vehicles are not permitted at the reservoir. As much as possible, the area should have minimal disturbance.
The concert will take place on Saturday 22 November at the Tree of Life Chapel, Hillbrook Anglican School, Hurdcotte Street, running from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
The chorale, conducted by Joshua Clifford and accompanied by pianist Judy Collins, will perform pieces by composers and songwriters including Joe Twist, Jodie O’Regan, Amy Bebbington, Cyndi Lauper, Dr Mark Patterson and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Among the highlights is the moving piece Listen by Indian‑American composer Reena Esmail, known for combining Indian and Western classical traditions. Esmail trained at The Juilliard School and the Yale School of Music, and has composed for major orchestras and festivals worldwide.
Another standout is Shadowland from the Broadway adaptation of The Lion King, composed by Lebo M and Hans Zimmer; the piece is performed in both English and African languages and explores themes of injustice and survival.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for concessions and free for children under five. The event will also include the chorale’s traditional raffle, a popular highlight for families and visitors alike. The concert reflects the chorale’s mission to create joyful, uplifting musical experiences and foster community engagement.
About Hillbrook Chorale
Photo credit: hillbrook.qld.edu.au
The Hillbrook Chorale has been part of the Hillbrook Anglican School community since the school opened in 1986. Co‑founder Norm Hunter OAM recalled that, in the early days, the school looked for ways to strengthen its community culture and he believed music could serve as a unifying force. He approached John Webber with the idea of forming a choir for past students and current and former parents. Webber supported the plan and the chorale was soon established.
Today the chorale continues to welcome singers from all backgrounds and skill levels. Rehearsals are held every Monday evening from 7 pm to 9 pm in the Tree of Life Chapel, providing a space for learning, singing and building community connections.
The group regularly performs a diverse range of musical styles throughout the year and maintains a supportive and stimulating environment for all members.
For local residents and visitors, the upcoming concert offers a chance to enjoy a shared musical experience in a welcoming setting. Ample parking is available on campus and nearby streets, making it accessible to local families and residents.
As the year draws to a close, An Echo of the Spheres presents more than just a concert; it offers an opportunity to reflect, celebrate and enjoy the resonance of community and music.
