Residents in and around The Gap have a great way of contributing to a clean and green environment, thanks to the community composting hub at Yoorala Street Community Garden.
The Gap community garden was among the first composting hubs opened for trial by the Brisbane City Council. The composting hub was inaugurated in October last year, and after a successful run, the council decided to make it a permanent composting hub.
The program is part of the efforts of the council to minimise the amount of food and garden waste going to the city landfill. It is seen as an excellent solution to waste disposal issues, especially since more than half of the average Brisbane trash is composed of bio-degradable waste.
Participants in the composting program bring their organic waste regularly to the hub. The community garden occasionally provides seminars to explain the concept of composting.
Once participants register, they have the option to receive a free caddy, which they can use to bring their kitchen scrap to the composting hub.
(Photo credit: Yoorala Street Community Garden/Facebook)
Composting Tips
Joining the community in this composting effort means much more than simply bringing food and garden scrap to the hub. Residents are also encouraged to be more responsible in waste management.
Here are some tips for better organic waste disposal.
Reduce waste. By bringing food waste to the composting hub, composters are making the most out of their kitchen scrap. However, it is still important to keep waste to a minimum. This can be done by reducing spoilage.
Be sure to consume items before they spoil. Adding an “Eat me first” label to items in the fridge will help you remember which ones will spoil first.
Maximise use of the caddy. Cut up large food scraps into smaller bits to make more room inside the caddy. This will also make it easier for the community gardeners to handle the compostable.
Keep the bin clean. It will be wise to cover the items inside the caddy with damp newspaper. This will prevent bad smells that would attract flies to the compostable bin. Make sure to keep the caddy clean by washing it with soapy water after every use.
As Brisbane City Council continues to create a neighbourhood plan for the suburb of The Gap, the community is urged to get involved in the process.
The Gap Neighbourhood Plan will form a general guideline for future developments in the area. The plan aims to strike a balance by spurring economic activity while maintaining the suburban lifestyle of locals.
So far, the council has reached out to members of the community via an online survey to get a better idea of what the community wants to see happen in the area. A Community Planning Team has also been formed in 2016 to develop a draft neighbourhood plan strategy, which is expected to be released in mid-2017.
Coverage of the Neighbourhood Plan
(Source: Brisbane City Council)
Main Issues and Concerns
Through the online survey conducted from May 2016 to August 2016, the city council found the issues and concerns that are most important to residents in The Gap.
Top concerns include:
Improved traffic flow and main road decongestion
Better public transport services
Need for improvements to bicycle ways and footpaths
Maintenance of parks and open spaces
Appropriate development densities
In general, locals will like to have more natural green spaces, easy access to parks and play areas for children, quiet and peaceful areas, and bushland character.
Next Steps
The planning team will release the neighbourhood plan strategy to test the ideas raised by the team and the council’s technical studies. Locals will have a chance to comment on the strategy presented.
After receiving community feedback, the council will start preparing the draft neighbourhood plan during the latter part of 2017. This plan will then be reviewed by the Queensland Government.
In mid-2018, the draft neighbourhood plan will become part of Brisbane City Plan 2014.
To stay updated on The Gap Neighbourhood Plan, subscribe to email updates from Brisbane City Council.
You can also: email the project team
or
write to them at
Neighbourhood Planning Brisbane (The Gap Neighbourhood Plan)
Brisbane City Council
GPO Box 1434
Brisbane Qld 4001
“The Cycle Cube”, a new cycle studio, will soon open at The Gap Health and Racquet Club. Local health and physical fitness enthusiasts are eagerly looking forward to this upgrade which has been touted as “amazing” and “out of this world”. The new studio will be officially launched on 19th May (Friday) at 5:30 p.m.
End of an Era
The club’s old cycle room formally closed on the 7th of May, in an event fittingly called the “End of an Era”. On that day, the last RPM class was held and the club patrons bid goodbye to their old cycle room. In the midst of the nostalgia about the closing of their much-loved cycle room, everyone was also happily looking forward to the promised new room.
The upcoming mid-May launch of “The Cycle Cube” will introduce “the ultimate indoor cycling experience” to their club patrons. The launch event promises to be “cooler” than anyone can “ever imagine.” A team event will be held where each team, with four members each, will do an hour-long ride (virtual and RPM). Teams will compete as to who can get the most kilometres. The winning team will have their name “engraved on a majestic trophy.”
One of the Best Fitness Precincts in Town
The Gap Health and Racquet Club is a local family-owned and operated physical fitness hub. Purchased by The Gap’s Miller family way back 1992, it used to be just a “simple tennis and squash facility.” Today, it is well-regarded as “the leading multi-purpose sporting and health facility in the region.” Managed by Steve and Jacqui Miller, the club has been well-appreciated by the community and has grown to meet the demands of its local patrons over the last two decades.
Located at The Gap’s 200 Settlement Rd, the booming facility now boasts of six tennis courts, a well-equipped gym and cardio studio, a state-of-the-art RPM studio, and a brand new group fitness room. The club is now home to 2,200 members, with over 1,000 tennis players on its roster. Around 400 players are involved each week in various playing programs. The club’s coaching academy also offers services to over 700 children.
The full health club privileges include access to the cardio theatre, strength and conditioning studio, boxing studio, over 40 weekly group fitness classes, ladies-only circuit gym, personal and group training, and kids club. The racquet club includes a group or private coaching academy, tennis coaching at nine local schools, junior and adult competitions, tennis courts available for day and night hiring, social tennis, and various other tennis competitions. Interested parties may call them on 61 7 3300 6668 or email them at mail@healthracquet.net, for membership inquiries.
Two groups of volunteers from The Gap have pledged to weave stars for the “One Million Stars to End Violence Project”, a project initiated by Brisbane-based weaving artist Maryann Talia Pau. The project aims to gather one million stars from all around Australia, as part of a drive to increase awareness about the need to end violence.
With only 115 days to go before the July 2017 deadline for the submission of woven stars, The Gap’s volunteer weavers are hard at work. The project aims to use stars as symbols of global peace to end all forms of violence.
A Star Weave Community led by Kyle Halpin has pledged to weave 10,000 stars for the project. Likewise, a Star Weave Jam group called GUCCE Craft, led by Faye Holmes, has also pledged to host friends, family, neighbours, and anybody who wants to join their weaving sessions in their bid to make as many stars as they can.
At present, over 340,000 stars have already been received by the One Million Stars (OMS) Headquarters at Brisbane City, with some pledges even coming from other Commonwealth nations. These stars will be installed for display at the upcoming 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games (GC018) in Queensland.
How One Person’s Initiative Became A Global Peace Project
Maryann Talia Pau started this passion project in 2012 as a “personal response to the rape and murder of a young woman” in their community. “It was a difficult time for our community and I was moved by people’s kindness and compassion and by Dr Martin Luther King Jnr’s words of being light and love in the world,” she explained in her project’s blog.
“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Dr Martin Luther King Jr
“I sent a message out on Facebook and invited the world to join me in weaving stars with the hope of creating an installation of one million stars by 2018,” Maryann said. In February 2016, she collaborated with the Queensland Government to eventually make her dream project a reality. They agreed on a plan to install the one million stars “as part of the arts and cultural program” for the upcoming 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
For Maryann, the star is a tribute to her ancestors, who navigated the oceans with courage and skill by using their knowledge of the stars to guide them. The woven star is also her way of staying connected to her Samoan and Pacific Islander heritage.
Other cultures also identify with the star symbol. For this project, the stars represent a coming together of like minds and kindred spirits, to end all forms of violence. For some groups, their stars represent their crusades to end violence against women. For others, the stars signify their stand against bullying, or racism. Whatever their cause, the stars serve as a reminder that amidst the darkness of violence, there is a beacon of light that, like Maryann’s ancestors did, people can follow to guide them to the safety of home.
Now more than just a passion project, Ms Pau’s lone initiative has gathered momentum and snow-balled into a “peaceful global weaving project that engages communities in a conversation about ending all forms of violence.” In an incredible show of support and solidarity against violence, more than 200 communities from across the Commonwealth and all over the world have registered and pledged to send in their 10,000 stars by July 2017.
Boxes and packages of stars are currently being accepted at the OMS Headquarters until the July deadline. The installation of these beautifully woven stars at the Games will surely be both meaningful and memorable, for the athletes and the communities that contributed the work of their hands to pledge their commitment against violence.
Although registration for star weave communities is now closed, updates on star tallies and information on how registered communities can send in their stars are available from the project’s website or by emailing weave@onemillionstars.net.
Photo Credit: One Million Stars to End Violence/Facebook
Art Classes Brisbane, which started Term 2 on 18th April (Tuesday), is still welcoming late enrollees to join them in sessions of purely creative fun. The new term will run for 10 weeks and students are reportedly free to “choose the day” they prefer for each week. Art classes are held Tuesdays to Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. daily on normal weekdays, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Saturdays), and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Wednesday evening).
Debra Pickering, class facilitator and an artist herself, will be guiding the students to learn new techniques. Mediums that will be used during art sessions include pencil, graphite sticks, charcoal, pastel, conte, pen and ink, watercolour, acrylic, gouache, and mixed media. Sessions are purportedly conducted either “en plein air,” if the weather permits, or “in the funky art studio,” which is located at The Gap’s 12 Paltarra Street.
After more than 70 years since they volunteered to fight in the Second World War, brothers Arthur and Wilfred Chapman of The Gap have received official recognition.
The Gap RSL Sub Branch accorded the War Medal 1939-45 and the Australian Service Medal to the Chapman brothers for their service during the war. The brothers enlisted in the military separately. Arthur joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1940 and Wilfred followed suit, enlisting in the army in 1942.
Only Wilfred came back alive from the war. Arthur was shot down in his first assignment in Holland. In 1943, he was declared “killed in action.” Upon his return to the country, Wilfred worked on the family farm.
Medals for Sacrifice
Arthur’s sacrifice was further recognised with the granting of the 1939-45 Start with Clasp, the Defence Medal and the Air Crew Europe Star.
Wilfred’s family received the awards for the brothers. The family expressed joy over the granting of the medals especially since the death of Arthur had an enduring impact on the family. Since Arthur never married and never had children, Wilfred’s family received the medals for him.
The Chapman family sees the ceremony as a good way for the younger generation to appreciate the sacrifices and heroism of the past generation.
Wilfred’s grandchildren intend to wear the medals on the upcoming Anzac Day on April 25.
In probably one of Brisbane’s most controversial cases today, The Gap’s Simona Zafirovska has gained media notoriety as the girl who bludgeoned her own mum to death. In October of last year, Simona’s mum, Radica, was found dead in her bedroom, with twenty blows to her face.
According to reports, it was Simona who rang 000 alerting the police by saying an intruder might have trespassed in their home at The Gap. Within days of the incident, investigations revealed probable cause and the police charged Simona with the murder of her mother Radica.
Simona’s Statements in Court Denies She Killed Her Mum
During the initial court hearings, 20-year-old Simona was adamant in relating to the court how she woke up in fear to the sound of an intruder in the house on the eve of her mum’s murder. “There was a thumping sound like a heavy footstep on the wooden floor in the hallway. I had the doona over my head but I could hear muffled voices or murmuring,” she said.
“I saw a red sensor light flashing which indicated to me that someone was very close to the outside of my bedroom door. I was too scared to open the door or call out to my mum. I called 000 for help,” she continued in one of her statements.
Crown Prosecutor Matthew Hynes related the killing to the court saying, “It was a pretty gruesome murder.” According to Mr Hynes, Simona’s comments to the police hours after the killing could very well be seen as “lies” proving “consciousness of guilt.”
In his statements in court, Mr Hynes explained how the police were wary of Simona during investigations on the circumstances surrounding the killing. The time when the police arrived at the crime scene and the manner by which they saw her were particularly suspicious. According to them, everything seemed to be “staged.” The police found the front door ajar while the daughter of the deceased reportedly looked “immaculate.” For someone who claimed to have just woken up, Simona’s hair appeared to be well done, police reports said.
Photo Credit: Perth Live News/Facebook
The murder weapon, a floorboard, was reportedly found “hidden behind a shelf in her bedroom.” DNA evidence was absent either on Simona or the said weapon. Hence, no plea of guilt was entered by the accused 20-year-old university student.
As to the lack of DNA evidence on her, Mr Hynes said that she “might have had time to clean her hands” since her mother may have been murdered the night before. After all, the murder weapon was found well hidden in her bedroom.
Justice Martin Daubney, on his part, was reportedly unconvinced that the accused was asleep during her mother’s killing, as well as when the intruder entered her bedroom to hide the murder weapon. Justice Daubney denied Simona’s recent application for bail on the ground that she is a “flight risk.”
Simona’s Original Plans of Leaving Brisbane for Macedonia
Simona, who technically grew up in Macedonia, holds a dual passport. Her Macedonian passport is currently in police custody. “She could apply to the Macedonian embassy for another passport and may get one if they are not alerted to the fact that she should not be allowed to obtain one,” Mr Hynes said.
According to Justice Daubney, the evidence on record revealed that, seven days prior to the death of her mum, the 20-year-old accused spoke to a certain bank about wanting to obtain a “significant” loan in the amount of $275,000. It was said that she would use the money to go to Macedonia because she needs “to look after someone.”
Aside from talking to a bank, it appeared that Simona “also inquired about a flight” and even made tentative flight bookings. As if by an odd coincidence, the departure dates on her tentative bookings were the exact day of her mum’s violent death.
Photo Credit: Viet Tran/Facebook
During preliminary investigations at the crime scene, the police had talked to neighbour Jack Randall. He told them there sounded like arguments at the Zafirovska house early that morning. “It just sounded like murmuring of two people having a really slight minor argument, not too big, nothing that would lead to a killing, I mean that’s tragic,” Mr Randall said. He added that he heard it between 12:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. but that he could not make out the words as to what it was about since he had his headphones in.
When asked in court as to the matter, however, Simona explained in refute, “I had a good relationship with my mother prior to her passing. We never had any arguments, however, due to our Macedonian heritage, we are very loud talkers.”
Simona Points to A Possible Suspect
The young accused, who has not yet entered a plea, once told the court how another person could have a more credible motive to kill her mum. According to her, a man named “Jack” had “pulled a gun on her” mum in April and May while they were in Macedonia last year. Simona believed that her mum and Ljupche “Jack” Neshovska had a rocky relationship. The two married in 2012 but their relationship appeared to have ended in August although they did not file for divorce.
In a recent interview with other members of the media, however, Mr Neshovska heavily denied Simona’s allegations against him. He claimed his relationship with Radica was not volatile and there was never an instance when he “put a gun to Radica’s head.”
“That was not true, I do not own a gun. I don’t know why she would say that. My culture does not allow me to do something like that,” Mr Neshovska said. According to him, he was in Macedonia at the time of Radica’s killing. Moreover, he also claimed that he and Radica were chatting via the Viber mobile app until 2:40 a.m. on the day she was killed.
Motive for Killing Still Unknown
Up to this day, the reason behind the Radica Zafirovska death remains a mystery. The circumstantial case against Simona is undoubtedly heavy. For the sake of due process, however, the court is considering further investigations and hearings. A lot of possibilities and angles are still being looked into in the case. If Simona indeed bludgeoned her own mum to death, what could have caused her to do so? On the other hand, if she did not do it, then who did, and why? Despite the additional details revealed in court to show probable cause, a lot of questions still remain to be answered.
His name is Tom Holliday. He owns a business called Sonder Digital Marketing. Nowadays, everyone knows him as The Gap’s Running Cat Man. Many have been curious about this humorous young fellow. One day, he just ran around the suburb wearing his cute cat unitard. Little did he know at that time just how viral a figure he would become after that run.
How it All Began
In an interview with other members of the media, Mr Holliday confessed that he first wore the cat attire to visit a friend’s house. According to him, his friends told him, “That is the most disgusting thing I’ve ever seen.”
“Then I went for a run in it once as a joke and I had that much attention, it was hilarious. It was the funniest, happiest run I’ve ever been on. It’s just good vibes,” he said.
The Gap’s Running Cat Man is thankful for the overwhelmingly positive reactions that he continues to get from everyone because they motivate him to keep on running. The 22-year-old Mr Holliday was overweight by 30kg three years ago. Today, he has not only lost the excess weight and become fit. He also helps to brighten anyone’s day on the street with his distinctive attire.
“You get tired and think ‘I’m so over this’, but then you see a little kid laughing and go back to being happy and you can’t help but keep running,” Mr Holliday shared.
As to his amusing feline fitness wear, Mr Holliday said, “It’s hot so … [it’s] not like it’s an advantage. Some days I just don’t want to wear it, but it won’t be the same if I don’t.”
On his Newfound Online Fame
Prior to his first run, Mr Holliday admits that he was quite concerned about what people will think. His mum and brother discouraged him to do what he was about to do back then. “I felt so much anxiety the first time, but the reaction was awesome. Now it’s getting to a new level. People go crazy on their horns and waving,” he said.
“I’m usually in the zone when I’m running but I do see lots of people taking photos. I don’t know where they’re ending up,” he added.
A man once blocked Mr Holliday as he was running with his feline fitness wear. In that brief moment, the man started filming him.
“I was like ‘hey, how you going?’ but he just kept filming me and I had to run around him. It was the strangest thing ever,” an amused Mr Holliday said.
Pictures and videos of him in his cat attire has spread like wildfire all over social media. In less than a week, Mr Holliday became widely known as The Gap’s Running Cat Man.
“I did have a friend ask if it was me but I just said ‘no, I don’t know what that is’,” he quipped.
What started out as a supposed joke became seriously (yet hilariously) trending, and strangely inspiring too. Who would have known that running around the neighbourhood in an eye-catching cute attire would instantly change the life of the wearer. Just like that, Mr. Tom Holliday has become The Gap’s unofficial mascot.
To know where The Gap’s Running Man will be or where he is up to, interested readers can check out and follow his Facebook page.
Sharon Callaghan and daughters Hayley and Amy are getting rid of their long locks to take part in a fund-raising and awareness program by the Leukaemia Foundation.
The women, who all work at Coles at The Gap, will be taking part in the World’s Greatest Shave on March 18 at The Gap Village. Aside from shaving their heads, the Callaghans are also conducting some fundraising activities such as bake sales and boot camps.
Hayley said that they have discussed it among themselves and thought that it would be unique to do it as a family. Hayley’s grandmother is a cancer survivor and is now in remission, while her grandfather passed away due to cancer.
This is the first time that the women will be shaving their heads completely. They hope that doing it as a family will spark more interest from the community.
To find out more about the World’s Greatest Shave, head over to their website or visit their Facebook page.
Ritual HQ in The Gap has held a successful open day fundraising February 4, with charity money going to the education of underprivileged children in Tanzania.
The open day fundraising included car wash for $20, lots of fun activities, raffles, kid games and fitness contests. According to Ritual HQ’s Facebook page, they managed to raise around $1500 from the event.
All proceeds from the charity day will go to YES Arusha, a Brisbane-based non-profit organisation supporting the education of some 56 students at Haradali Primary and Secondary Schools.
YES Arusha partners with groups and individuals who wish to sponsor a kid’s education. Aside from education sponsorship and support, the non-profit group also provides a safe haven to children traveling long distances to attend school.
All proceeds from the charity day will go to YES Arusha, a Brisbane-based non-profit organisation supporting the education of some 56 students at Haradali Primary and Secondary Schools.