Morningside Archives - Page 8 of 10

Morningside Bush Dance Club Reactivates Monthly Saturday Dances

“It takes more than a pandemic to kill dancing!” the enthusiastic members of the Morningside Bush Dance Club said as they announced the return of their monthly Saturday dances.

After sidelining and shelving their dancing shoes for most of 2020 due to the pandemic, the members are happy to return for the monthly dance classes and experience an afternoon of fun and fitness for the locals.

Happening from June to November 2021, the Saturday dance classes allow participants to have a ball and recharge their life. It’s also a chance for members of the community to catch up and socialise with each other — even just once a month!

“It’s fun and a good way to get out and meet people, that doesn’t cost the earth,” one member said.

“It’s where I met my wife,” Les, one of the dancers, said.

Boosted by a live band to make dancing even more fun, this year’s Morningside Bush Dance Club classes will be held every fourth Saturday of the month or on the following dates:

24 July
28 August
25 September
23 October
27 November

The venue is at the Morningside School of Arts on the corner of Wynnum & Thynne Roads. Doors to the school will open promptly at 1:30 p.m. but the classes will run from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. with some light afternoon snacks.

But this event is also an informative exercise as participants could also learn about the heritage of Australia and the origins of Colonial dances that have evolved into modern-day bush dancing.

“Dancing will never do any harm to the world, so come and dance up a storm,” said the organisers Vic and Jan.

Tickets go for $10 each but children below 12 can join for free.

“Though the organisation is not a business, there is a modest charge to cover the cost of renting the hall and afternoon tea.”

To join, contact Jan or Vic on 34117679 or email colonialdance@optusnet.com.au. Check out this website for some great photos of events through the years.

Artistic Morningside 30-Year-Old Goes Back to School with NDIS Support

Despite being a serious mental health disorder, schizophrenia hasn’t stopped an artistic Morningside local from going back to university, thanks to the support of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Nathan Coyne, 30, has recently re-enrolled at a university where he’s taking two art classes and a photography class under the school’s Art from the Margins program. But before he could return to school, he had some help and preparation from NDIS.

As someone who has schizophrenia, Nathan needs to regularly visit a community garden for his mental health and fitness. These visits, as guided by an NDIS support staff, are a significant aspect of Nathan’s his social behaviour improvement.

With improved social behaviour, Nathan has been able to join group activities with other NDIS participants, such as art gallery visits, cooking and gardening, or even a quick trip to the circus. He’s also able to secure a job three days a week with the Australian Disability Enterprise.

By doing these activities and forging a routine, Nathan has built his confidence to enrol at the university for one term.

Nathan received assistance to apply for and implement his NDIS funding from Carers Queensland’s NDIS Local Area Coordination Partner in the Community Program for the Brisbane region.

His mum, Elisabeth, said that having dedicated support from the NDIS has made a huge difference in their lives.

“I can go to work and know he has a support worker coming to visit to take him out or just do something with him in the garden,” Elisabeth said. “He has been able to do things that we would not have had time for, which gives him something to look forward to; to have access to different people he has to talk to, to build his social skills.”

“With the NDIS it was the first time that the family was recognised as part of the journey; it is more about what we as a team was setting up, as opposed to just being about Nathan.”

To learn more about NDIS support or to apply for funding, contact Carers Queensland on 1300 999 636, or cq.enquiries@ndis.gov.au

Morningside VR Startup ‘Next World’ Creates New Engineer Training Programs

Did you know that Next World, an Australian virtual reality (VR) startup company based in Morningside, has partnered with an American university to train future engineers?

Next World Enterprises, which currently consists of only 15 members, are planning to double their numbers and move into a larger office by the end of the year. The company is steadily growing and taking more opportunities — one of which is signing a contract with the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) in the United States of America.

The startup specialises in creating VR training modules which helps outfit workers and employees with the skills and know-how necessary to function in their respective fields in a range of scenarios without actually putting them at risk.

Such examples include VR training on how to handle dangerous materials and products, working at heights, as well as other safety procedures that should be trialed and tested in safe and controlled environments.

UDC’s latest course, dubbed Critical Infrastructure, was the result of a collaboration between the university and New World. The course was created as part of the Biden Administration’s Build Back Better economic and infrastructure mandate, aiming to address issues in infrastructure in the United States.

Through the course, Next World will use its VR software to teach future generations of engineers the necessary safety procedures and standards needed to build bridges, highways, roads, and other aspects of infrastructure.

The Next World Enterprises office can be found at 5/525 Lytton Rd, Morningside. For more information, visit their website here. Follow their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates and announcements concerning virtual reality training and upcoming projects.

Low n Slow Meat Co to Open New Morningside Butcher Shop

Did you know that the popular Low n Slow Meat Co restaurant and specialty barbeque butcher shop is opening an all-new branch in Morningside?

Low n Slow Meat Co, a specialty butcher and restaurant founded and owned by Brent and Amy Poulter, is set to open up their first branch in Morningside sometime in mid-May. The company supplies a wide group of businesses such as the equally popular Getta Burger chain, a series of restaurants which the Poulters also own, with meat and other food products.

The specialty butcher, with roots in Tingalpa where its headquarters are located, is set to open an all-new outlet in Morningside. Low n Slow Meat Co provides its customers with a range of meat and barbeque-related goods such as barbeque gear, accessories, fuel, rubs and sauces, as well as a selection of cooked meats and complementary dishes like ribs, brisket, and roasted vegetables.

Photo credit: Instagram/Low N Slow Meat Co

After refurbishing and transforming an old 100-year-old farm building into a new 800-square-metre warehouse and facility fashioned from timber, glass, and steel, the Poulters have decided to stake their claim to set up a back-of-house butcher and smokehouse in Morningside.

One of the primary reasons the duo decided to open up shop in the suburb was to bring in the crowd from Tingalpa and help populate the new precinct, filling it with life and activity as the local community flocks to sample the dine-in menu popular with their Tingalpa customers.

Low n Slow Meat Co Morningside is expected to open sometime in mid-May 2021 opposite the upcoming Revel Brewing Co at 82 Colmslie Road. For more information, visit their website here. Follow their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates and announcements concerning the upcoming branch.

Morningside Property to be Leased to 3M Australia for 10 Years

Did you know that a $5.93-million industrial property in Morningside has been purchased by the Irongate Group and will be leased to 3M, to become the American multinational conglomerate’s headquarters in Queensland?

The site, located on 24 Dunhill Crescent, covers 1,016 square metres of space and will also serve as 3M’s last-mile distribution facility. 3M manufactures more than 60,000 office, industrial and medical products.

Construction on the Morningside property is expected to start sometime in November 2021.

3M has agreed on a 10-year lease, which will have a fixed three percent annual escalations. The Morningside property ‘s settlement date is expected to close by mid-May 2021.

“The property is being acquired on an attractive initial yield with a very strong tenant covenant,” a spokesperson said.

The Ironside Group, a property investment and asset management firm, also purchased a 3,250 square metre industrial facility on Mudgee Street in Kingston and has entered into an agreement with Construction Sciences, an engineering firm, for 10 years.

The company spokesperson said in a press statement that it believes in Brisbane’s industrial market. The two new sites are the latest in its acquisitions following its purchase of a facility in Brendale in January 2021 and Pinkeba in March 2021.

Ironside Group’s increasing presence in the industrial market is expected to boost its income and value to 34 percent.

Meanwhile, the planned expansion of 3M will bring in more jobs for Morningside locals and residents of the nearby suburbs.

Brisbane Cemeteries, Including Morningside, Overloaded With Hundreds of Applications

Since 2019, Council has received more than 400 applications for full family gravesites but nine of the 12 open cemeteries in Brisbane, including Balmoral Cemetery in Morningside, are squaring up to problems with space.

Despite an increasing preference for cremation, many locals still want to be buried at historical cemeteries in their local area. While Council has tried to accommodate most requests, there has been a growing need for new sections or other burial options like memorial walls or ash burials.

As listed on the official site, there are no more new gravesites at Balmoral Cemetery. To fix the lack of space, however, burials here cemetery may still be possible for family graves, if it’s not full.

However, Council may also approve a burial application if the family grave is full but the last burial was more than 30 years ago.

The re-use of family gravesites is also implemented in cemeteries at the following sites:

Bald Hills
Brookfield
Cedar Creek
Lutwyche
Moggill
Nundah
South Brisbane
Toowong

A resident planning to re-use a gravesite might have to shell out for test dig fees or hire an authorised stonemason on top of other fees like internment and other services. Some cemeteries offer free services but others may cost the resident less than $32,000 for the burials.

Balmoral Cemetery, located at the corner of Wynnum and Bennett Roads in Morningside, is managed by Toowong Cemetery.

For enquiries about services, fees or the re-use of your family gravesite, email CB-CEM-TOOWONG@brisbane.qld.gov.au. You’ll need to download and submit a re-use application form to start.

Quality of Life Upgrades Scheduled for Morningside’s Keralgerie Park

With over 2,100 parks under the management of the Brisbane City Council, plans are being set in motion to upgrade those in need of improvement, including Morningside’s very own Keralgerie Park.

During an environment, parks and sustainability committee, plans were drawn for nine suburban park upgrade projects spread across Brisbane by the Brisbane City Council. Morningside’s Keralgerie Park was among the list of parks due for improvement, and these improvements were set to happen within the year.

One of the additions the Brisbane City Council intends to bring is the implementation of easily-accessible public toilets close to the parking lot in Keralgerie Park — a necessary quality-of-life and convenience upgrade for drivers and passengers alike.

Parking is also set to become more accessible, and there are plans to install fitness equipment for public use throughout the area. There are also plans to plant additional trees for shade, and to create a new pedestrian and scooter path that encircles the entirety of the park to facilitate navigation.

With $71 million allocated to parks in the 2020-21 budget, an estimated $5.8 million is being put towards park recreation projects, with $2.7 million being spent on neighbourhood park upgrades and $3 million on suburban park maintenance.

“There’s a lot of work that goes upfront to make sure we’re getting the appropriate facilities to the community,” says Wade Fitzgerald, Brisbane City Council Major Projects and Asset Coordination Manager, stressing the importance of community feedback to the planning process.

Australia Picks Toyota HiLux as Bestselling Car for 2020; Where to Buy in Brisbane’s East?

Australians have, once again, picked the Toyota HiLux as the most favoured car to own for 2020 as sales of the Japanese four-wheel utility vehicle rose to 42.3 percent in the yearend.

According to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, most Australians prefer an SUV or ute to any type of car as seven of the top 10 most sellable vehicles in the past year have been huge 4x4s.

The Toyota HiLux has been the number one selling car in Australia for the fifth year in a row but here’s how the rest of the cars ranked for 2020:

1. Toyota HiLux	45,176
2. Ford Ranger	40,973
3. Toyota RAV4	38,537
4. Toyota Corolla	25,882
5. Toyota LandCruiser	25,142
6. Mazda CX-5	21,979
7. Hyundai i30	20,734
8. Mitsubishi Triton	18,136
9. Toyota Prado	18,034
10. Kia Cerato	17,559

Tony Weber, the FCAI chief executive, said that car sales were down 13.7 percent in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic but the numbers for December have given the industry some hope of a turnaround.

“The automotive industry in Australia accounts for more than 60,000 employees with over 4000 dealerships across the country,” the chief said. “The contribution made by these businesses is critically important to the economic wellbeing of communities across Australia.

“It is therefore with great relief that the industry, along with the general economy, is finally noting some positive signs within the market.”

Residents in the eastern side of Brisbane may check out the top selling Toyota HiLux at Downtown Toyota on Wynnum Road in Morningside or at Freight Street in Lytton.

By August 2021, the latest model of the Toyota HiLux will arrive in the Australian market and will boast of new modern features for its infotainment system, better airbags protection, reworked suspension and a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine.

Couple Who Met at Pizzeria Opens The Pizza Garden in Morningside

Opening a pizzeria has been a longtime dream for couple Francesco and Jelena Buonomo, who first met and fell in love at a pizza place where Francesco used to work. Now, the pair has been blessed with the chance to realise their dream by revamping an old pizza joint on Asquith Street in Morningside into The Pizza Garden.

The Buonomos are actually based in Gold Coast but they picked the old DC Pizza Co. site in Morningside to open their very first pizza joint. The pair decided to take the place after learning that the store owners, Christine and Drewe, will relocate to Adelaide.

“Our family are embarking on a new chapter and are relocating to Adelaide for a work opportunity for Drewe (the D of DC!). It’s an exciting sea change for us, but with 2 young kids to wrangle as well, running DC from a distance was just not going to be practical for us so we’ve made the difficult decision to sell,” Christine and Drewe said on Facebook in October.

“It’s not all bad news, we have found the perfect young family to continue the 32 Asquith street, pizza shop legacy and we will introduce you soon! Having been a pizza chef for many years, they are excited to put their final touches before reopening in the very near future – stay tuned for more details.”

With a few refurbishments and some changes, The Pizza Garden was ready to trade by 9 Dec 2020.

According to Jelena, the size of the store was exactly what they had in mind and they felt that Morningside has a really great suburban vibe whilst still close to the CBD.

The couple envisions The Pizza Garden to become a family dining spot, where outdoor dining and takeaway options are also available.

Francesco, who has been in the hospitality business for 15 years, takes inspiration from his parents and grandparents, who have their own restaurants in Italy. His wife said he is passionate about offering authentic Italian food to customers.

The Buonomos used to live in Brisbane and have plans to move back with their son, Sebastian, to completely focus on their new pizzeria.

For the store’s menu and opening hours, visit the official site or their Facebook page.

“This place just recently open. It’s incredible. Authentic Italian pizza. The service was excellent and very fast! We had Luigi and Bambino and both were soooo delicious!! Will be definitely my number one pizza destination. Thank you guys!”
Yulia Adrych, Google Reviews

“Amazing pizzas and antipasto platters! The atmosphere is very nice and relaxing. Very child friendly with a high chair, plastic cups and a lot of space for prams. Highly recommend for a relaxing and yummy dinner with friends or family”
Sonja Grubisa, Facebook

“Great authentic Italian food and the quality is outstanding. Gnocchi, pizzas and the Conchiglioni pasta is a must to eat. Another thing that I really enjoyed is the wine list….True Italian wine at great price. We will be coming back to try more items from their menu.”
Riccardo Paradisi, Facebook

Morningside Post Office Extends Daily Opening Hours for Christmas

The Australian Post is gearing up for the Christmas rush and will extend the opening hours of its operations across 500 locations, including the Morningside Post Office.

Morningside locals may drop by the Post Office from Monday to Friday from 8:45 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. or during Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. These hours will be in effect from today until 23 Dec 2020.

“This is traditionally our busiest time of year, but we have seen sustained growth over the last seven months compared to our 2019 pre-Christmas peak period,” Australia Post General Manager Post Office Network David McNamara said.

“With more households shopping online than ever before, we expect this Christmas season to be record-breaking. The Morningside Post Office has extended its opening times to provide our customers greater flexibility with their sending and receiving in the lead up to the big day.”

Mr McNamara also suggested sending presents as early as possible so that the intended recipients may receive these before Christmas.

“For delivery within Australia, presents are recommended to be sent no later than Saturday 12 December for Parcel Post, and Saturday 19 December for Express Post. Items sent after these dates will still be delivered as quickly as possible, but it will be difficult to get them to their destinations by Christmas.”

More details are available at the Australian Post’s official site.