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Benjamina Place Park: The Spot That Inspired Bluey’s ‘Turtleboy’

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.

Read: Bluey’s Hammerbarn Comes to Life at Bunnings Keperra

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.

Whilst the toy’s origins are unknown, the gesture delighted local kids who had a smile at the Bluey reference come to life.

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.

This beloved local park allows kids to have fun whilst being protected from the harsh Queensland sun.

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.

Read: Take Your Coffee Break Among the Trees With Brisbane’s ‘Coffee Carts in Parks’

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.

Updated 25-November-2025

Grovely State School Wins National Grant For Butterfly Habitat Project

Photo Credit: Grovely State School/Facebook

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.

Community-driven Conservation Work

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.

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.

*Photo Credit: Grovely State School/Facebook*

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.

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.

Published 17-November-2025

Princess Anne Honours Soldiers in Enoggera as Australian Tour Ends

Photo Credit: Governor of Queensland/Facebook

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.

Photo Credit: Governor of Queensland/Facebook

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.

Published 12-Nov-2025

8 Things You Might Not Know About the Enoggera Reservoir

Photo Credit: Kerry Raymond/Wikimedia Commons

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.

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.

6. You may also join annual track events.

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.

Updated 12-November-2025

Community Voices Shine in Enoggera with Hillbrook Chorale’s Uplifting Concert ‘An Echo of the Spheres’

The sounds of Enoggera will soon be filled with music as the Hillbrook Chorale prepares for its end‑of‑year concert, An Echo of the Spheres.

Read: Hillbrook Chorale to Perform ‘Wattle Sky’ in Enoggera

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.

Reena Esmail (Photo credit: Facebook/Hillbrook Chorale)

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

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.

Read: Empower Padel Australia Brings Women’s Sports Movement to The Gap

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.

Published 10-November-2025

Local Golfers in Enoggera Swing to Grant Five Starlight Wishes

Photo Credit: Starlight Children's Foundation

The Enoggera community is helping to grant five life-changing wishes for seriously ill children by participating in a unique virtual golf fundraiser at the local X-Golf venue.

The national event, called the Starlight Swing, is running throughout November to support the Starlight Children’s Foundation. X-Golf, which has a 30-strong network of venues including the Enoggera and South Bank locations, has a national fundraising target of $33,500. This amount is needed to grant five special wishes for children and families who are facing challenging times.

A Magical Course for a Cause

To mark the campaign, X-Golf has introduced a special purpose-built virtual course. It is a magical redesign of the popular Pirates Island Golf Course, now featuring themes from the Starlight foundation. This nine-hole course was developed by Korean manufacturers with guidance from both X-Golf Group and the foundation. It is designed to be an immersive experience, using animated visuals to make every swing feel special.

Players of all skill levels are invited to get involved in the effort to help grant these life-changing wishes. For a $10 donation at their local X-Golf, participants can play the 9-hole Starlight Swing course. They can choose to play solo or in a two-to-four-player scramble format.

Meet Lottie

This year’s star for the Starlight Swing campaign is Lottie — a brave young girl whose world was turned upside down when serious illness entered her life. Between hospital stays, treatments and tough procedures, Starlight stepped in to give Lottie precious moments of joy — moments where she could laugh, play and simply be a kid again.

When Lottie was just a toddler, her parents noticed something unusual — a white reflection in her eye that didn’t seem right. After a series of tests, their worst fears were confirmed: Lottie had retinoblastoma, a rare and aggressive eye cancer. Within days, she underwent surgery to remove her affected eye, followed by rounds of treatment to ensure the cancer hadn’t spread.

The diagnosis was devastating. Hospitals became a second home, and the once carefree little girl faced long appointments, scary needles and moments of fear no child should ever endure. Yet throughout it all, Lottie’s spirit shone through — her laughter, curiosity and courage inspired everyone around her.

With every $10 swing at X-Golf during November, you help honour Lottie’s journey and bring more of those magical, hope-filled experiences to children like her.

A Personal Connection to the Cause

The initiative is particularly meaningful for X-Golf’s Peter Nolan, who understands firsthand the difference this support can make. Having undergone chemotherapy for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2014, Mr Nolan witnessed the light and positivity the Starlight foundation brings to children during their hospital stays.

He explained that the foundation’s work is not just about fighting illness, but about giving children moments of joy, hope, and normalcy when they truly need it. Mr Nolan said that every small act of care counts, and the company is proud to see its venues and communities coming together for such an important cause.

Published Date 31-October-2025

Keperra Quarry Subdivision To Bring 52 New Homes In Precinct C

Photo Credit: DA A006847084

Keperra Quarry is set for another stage of transformation, with plans lodged for 52 residential lots as part of Precinct C on the southern side of the site.

Development Timeline

The application for Precinct C was lodged with Brisbane City Council under reference A006847084. Documents received by council include subdivision layouts, road engineering drawings and landscape designs.

These show how the precinct will roll out in three stages, delivering housing, green space and road connections consistent with the quarry’s masterplan.

Housing Mix And Staging

Plans outline 52 lots ranging between 210 and 500 square metres. Lot frontages are set at 8.5, 10 and 12.5 metres, supporting detached homes. Stage 9 proposes 17 lots, Stage 10 includes 13 lots and Stage 11 completes the precinct with 22 lots.

A balance lot is marked for future precincts. Development is tied to an internal spine road, Ridgeline Way, which extends from earlier stages to link with Settlement Road.

Roads and Services

Engineering drawings show a new intersection planned for Settlement Road to serve Precinct C. The documents note roadworks are submitted for approval and are not yet cleared for construction. The package covers functional layouts, swept path checks and comparative overlays for traffic safety.

Earthworks volumes are also detailed, with more than 11,000 cubic metres of cut required to shape the site. Internal access will rely on private common property roads across the precinct.

Green Space and Design

The landscape plan for Precinct C highlights revegetation and community health features. A second stormwater basin will serve both drainage and habitat purposes. Streets will include shaded pedestrian paths, a ridgeline network and links to walking loops.

LatStudios emphasises reusing quarry material in landscaping to preserve character. Precinct C continues the staged redevelopment of the 40-hectare Keperra Quarry, adding housing and a new Settlement Road link.

Updated 24-October-2025

Hands-On Prep Program Builds Confidence in The Gap

Photo Credit: St Peter Chanel Primary School

As Queensland celebrates World Teachers’ Day on 31 October, St Peter Chanel Primary School in The Gap is being recognised for its hands-on approach to school readiness, helping pre-Prep children settle confidently through its Ready, Set, Prep program.

Reinventing the First Day of School

At St Peter Chanel Primary School in The Gap, the traditional first day of Prep has been transformed into a series of interactive sessions encouraging early learning and connection. Developed in 2024, the Ready, Set, Prep program offers pre-Prep children a chance to explore, learn, and build relationships with teachers and peers before officially starting school.

Creek Adventures and Early Learning

Children take part in activities such as digging for fossils and exploring Fish Creek, located behind the school grounds. Each session begins with a book reading followed by themed literacy and numeracy exercises. Music, dancing, and shared morning tea also form part of the sessions, giving families the chance to connect.

Supporting Confidence and Familiarity

Held across four sessions during Term 2 and Term 3, the program helps reduce first-day nerves and builds familiarity for both children and parents. Teachers get to know each child and their learning needs in advance, assisted by the school’s inclusive education team.

Families at the Centre

Family participation is central to the program. Parents are encouraged to take part in classroom activities and morning tea gatherings. Pre-Prep families can borrow books from the school library and join playdates to foster friendships before the start of school.

The Gap Prep program — *Photo Credit: Supplied*

Preparing for Day One

At the end of the year, a Prep orientation day familiarises incoming students with classrooms and teachers, while parents receive practical information on daily routines and school procedures.

A Welcoming Learning Community

The Ready, Set, Prep initiative reflects the school’s broader focus on inclusion, connection, and confidence. St Peter Chanel Primary School in The Gap continues to create an environment where every child is supported to grow and thrive within a strong community network.

Published 22-Oct-2025

When The Gap Kept Brisbane Sweet: Behind Masons Jam Factory

Did you know that nearly half a century ago, Brisbane’s first jam factory was built on the high side of Enoggera Creek, inbound on Waterworks Rd, just east of Bennett’s Rd, in The Gap? Despite the weatherboard structure’s nondescript appearance, people flocked to “Masons Preserving Works,” whose owner, Charles Mason, found sweet success as the local purveyor of jams, pickles, and fruit preserves.

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

The Gap is known for its abundant supply of fresh produce. It has been a reliable supplier of fruits, vegetables, poultry, and meat products from the Settlement of Brisbane in 1824 up to the end of World War II.

Plantation bananas at The Gap, circa 1960.
Photo Credit: The Gap Historical Society

Before starting his eponymously named business, Claude Mason used to farm at Savages Road in Moggill.

In 1937, he moved to Toowong, where his future wife, Eveline Thelma Hinton lived. The two got married at the Toowong Gospel Hall in 1938.

Seeing potential in the business, along with a steady supply of fresh fruits, Claude decided to put up a jam factory. “Masons Preserving Works” opened in 1939, a few years after the end of the First World War, when returned servicemen took up land and established the area for farming, adding bottled jams and pickles to the assortment of wares in the local market.

Mason’s jam factory — Claude Mason in 1988 (Photo credit: The Gap Historical Society)

It wasn’t long before Mr Mason’s factory became one of The Gap’s thriving businesses, supplying employment to many teenagers and locals who could often be seen stirring the preserves in the back, where there were always two massive, stainless steel cauldrons of jam a-cooking.

Fresh fruits were either stored in the cold rooms or piled on the lush grass at the back of the factory.

The jam, fruit preserves, and pickles were much in demand. In the ‘70s, “Masons” was the only maker of tomato jam in all of Brisbane.

Since the yummy jars were nowhere to be found on the shelves of chain supermarkets and other mainstream stores, locals went out of their way to purchase their “Mason.”

Read: Great Western Super Centre – Keperra Gets Major Overhaul

Records indicate that Mason’s jam factory closed in the 1990s. The changing trends in the fast world of retail, highlighted by the rapid expansion of supermarkets in Brisbane soon took a toll on many small businesses, Masons included.

Today, a cement footpath leads to a cul de sac of houses in the area where Masons once stood. No trace is left of the old jam factory but locals who once worked there (teenagers then and old-timers now), still remember Claude Mason, stirring his vats of jam, with fondness.

Updated 20-Oct-2025

Empower Padel Australia Brings Women’s Sports Movement to The Gap

A wave of energy filled Padel Brisbane in The Gap as women from across Brisbane gathered for the Empower Padel Australia: Three Cities, One Movement event, a national initiative designed to encourage more women and girls to take up one of the world’s fastest-growing sports.

Read: Bulls Begin Sheffield Shield Campaign at the Allan Border Field

Held on Saturday, 27 September, the Brisbane stop was the second leg of the Empower Padel series following its successful Canberra launch in July. The collaboration between Padel Australia and Empower Padel aims to make the sport more accessible to women by providing a friendly, social introduction to padel, a game that combines elements of tennis and squash.

Designed by Women, for Women

Created specifically “by women, for women,” Empower Padel’s program offers a supportive environment for players of all skill levels. The Brisbane event included an introductory session on padel followed by team-based social gameplay that focused on connection, enjoyment, and building confidence. Participants also had the opportunity to meet Empower Ambassadors, who shared insights from their own journeys into the sport.

“These events offer women an exciting entry point into a sport that’s fast, fun and easy to learn. They’re a space to build confidence, connect with others and simply enjoy the game,” said Tennis Australia Marketing Manager Dulcie Davies in the official media release. She added that the partnership with Empower Padel aims to create more opportunities for women to engage with padel at both grassroots and professional levels.

Members of The Crocs, Australia’s national padel team, also attended the event, sharing their experience and enthusiasm with participants throughout the day.

A Growing Sport, A Growing Community

Padel is now played by about 25 million people across 110 countries, and its popularity in Australia continues to grow. The game’s enclosed courts and doubles format make it simple to learn and highly social, attracting new players from different backgrounds.

Read: The Gap, Ferny Grove and Upper Kedron Clubs Score Ellendale Community Funding

By hosting the Empower Padel event, Padel Brisbane played an important role in supporting the initiative’s goal of encouraging women to participate in sport and strengthening the local padel community.

The Empower Padel Australia series will continue later this year with its third stop in Albury, following the successful events in Canberra and The Gap.

Published 7-October-2025