Homepage Latest News Archives - Page 10 of 56

Redcliffe Dolphins Honour 2025 Season Achievements at Awards Night

Photo Credit: Redcliffe Dolphins/Facebook

Redcliffe Dolphins players, coaches, and supporters gathered at the Redcliffe Leagues Club to celebrate the 2025 season, highlighted by a BRL premiership victory and a strong Hostplus Cup campaign.

Celebrating Success in Redcliffe

The Redcliffe Dolphins hosted their 2025 awards night on 1 October 2025, recognising standout players and staff for their efforts across the season. The evening marked a high point for the club, following success in the Brisbane Rugby League and a close finish in the Hostplus Cup.

Under first-time Head Coach Dunamis Lui, the BRL side claimed the premiership with a 32–12 win over Carina in the Grand Final. Lui’s leadership and broader impact on the club were recognised with the Des Webb Memorial Award for Club Person of the Year.

Season Highlights and Award Recipients

Prop Josh Allen earned both the Tony Obst Players’ Player Award and the Peter Leis Medal for Player of the Year, finishing on 61 points before his upcoming move to the Catalans Dragons in the Super League.

Other major award winners included:

Jordan Plath – Rookie of the Year
Sheldon Pitama – Troy Lindsay Most Consistent Player
Zac Miles – Best Back
Will Boland – Dick Tosser Turner Pathways Player of the Year
Steven Numambo – BRL Most Consistent
Jack Cullen – Best Forward
Thomas Casey – Best and Fairest
Joshua James – Try of the Year and Highest Points Scorer (146 points)

Hostplus Cup Effort and Leadership Changes

The Dolphins’ Hostplus Cup side fell narrowly short in their preliminary final, losing 18–16 to Burleigh Bears, who went on to win the Grand Final. Head Coach Eric Smith praised his team’s performance before departing to join the Canberra Raiders’ NRL program.

The evening also served as a farewell to Chief Executive Scott Clark, who concluded a three-year tenure leading the club’s operations before moving to the Gold Coast.

Community Support and Response

Following the event, the Dolphins’ social media post congratulating the winners drew positive engagement, with fans commending the players’ achievements and expressing pride in Redcliffe’s strong rugby league community.

Published 10-Oct-2025

Migratory Shorebirds Arrive in Moreton Bay After Epic Global Journey

Each year, the shores of Moreton Bay become a landing place for some of the world’s most extraordinary travellers. From Banksia Beach through to Woody Point, around 40,000 migratory shorebirds arrive after journeys that stretch thousands of kilometres across continents and oceans.

Read: Coastal Protection Project Planned at Woody Point

Flying along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway, one of nine major migratory bird routes in the world, these birds connect Queensland’s coastline with distant regions such as Siberia, northern China, and Alaska. Their seasonal arrival highlights that Moreton Bay’s tidal flats, wetlands, and foreshores are part of a global network of habitats.

Among the most impressive visitors is the Bar-tailed godwit, capable of flying 11,000 kilometres non-stop from Alaska — one of the longest migratory flights known in the animal kingdom.

The Eastern curlew, the largest migratory shorebird in the world, makes its way from northern China, while the Curlew sandpiper travels 13,000 kilometres from Siberia. Over its lifetime, this small bird can cover a distance equal to flying from Earth to the Moon. The Grey-tailed tattler, another Siberian traveller, is a familiar sight as well.

These international guests join about 1,500 resident shorebirds from 11 species that live in the Pumicestone Passage year-round, including the Pied oystercatcher and Beach stone-curlew. Together, the migratory and resident birds rely on Moreton Bay’s sandy beaches, mudflats, rocky foreshores, and freshwater wetlands for feeding, roosting, and recovering strength.

The City of Moreton Bay, working alongside the Queensland Wader Study Group, monitors and manages these bird populations with monthly surveys and ongoing habitat care. Sites like Kakadu Beach at Banksia Beach and Ned Bishop Park in Toorbul are maintained to provide safe high-tide roosts, with protective bollards, weed control, and shoreline management helping to keep disturbance to a minimum. Education initiatives such as the Agents of Discovery app also encourage younger residents to learn about the importance of protecting shorebirds.

How to Help Protect Migratory Shorebirds

While local governments and conservation groups play their part, residents and visitors are also crucial in keeping Moreton Bay safe for shorebirds. Small actions can help ensure these birds recover enough energy for their long return flights north.

Keep your distance. Approaching roosting or feeding birds can cause them to take flight, wasting valuable energy needed for migration.
Leash your dogs. Dogs should be kept on a leash unless in a designated off-leash area to prevent them disturbing shorebirds.
Avoid disturbing habitats. Activities like swimming, boating, kayaking, or fishing too close to roosting sites — especially within 100 metres — can force birds to move and lose energy.
Keep natural areas clean. Dispose of rubbish properly, remove fishing gear, and reduce single-use plastics to help protect both the birds and their environment.
View from a distance. Use binoculars, cameras, or bird hides to enjoy watching the birds without causing them stress.

Read: Community Outcry Over Woody Point Lookout Condition

A Global Connection on Redcliffe’s Doorstep

These birds travel from places such as Siberia to local tidal flats around Bribie Island and Redcliffe, demonstrating the international links of our local ecosystems. By caring for the foreshores at Banksia Beach, Toorbul, Godwin Beach, and Woody Point, residents play an important role in protecting these long-distance travellers. With continued management and community care, Moreton Bay can remain an important refuge for shorebirds into the future.

Published 3-October-2025

90 Years On, Redcliffe Hornibrook Bridge That Built a Community

Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay/ Facebook

An incredible feat of private enterprise born from the Great Depression, the record-breaking Hornibrook Bridge, was honoured by the Redcliffe community on its 90th anniversary for its pivotal role in transforming the peninsula from an isolated outpost to a thriving city.

A Landmark’s Legacy

A special event at the Redcliffe Museum recently marked the 90th anniversary of the bridge’s official opening. The celebration, which took place on a Saturday, brought together a community still deeply connected to the timber and concrete superstructure that first opened to traffic on October 4, 1935.

Julie Hornibrook, the granddaughter of the bridge’s builder, Sir Manuel Hornibrook, delivered a passionate speech about the project, its creators, and the community it served. She said she valued playing a part in bringing her grandfather’s legacy to life and has found that people remain deeply interested in the history of these big builds. She expressed pride that the people of Redcliffe continue to remember and love the bridge and its story.

From Isolation to Destination

Before the bridge, the Redcliffe Peninsula was a world away from Brisbane. City of Moreton Bay Mayor, Peter Flannery, explained that the toll bridge marked the start of a new era of growth, giving the local population direct access to the city for the first time. This connection, he noted, was instrumental in opening up Redcliffe as a premier holiday destination.

The project was described as a game-changer by local councillors. Division 5 Councillor, Sandra Ruck, said the bridge left an indelible mark on the area, revolutionising local transport and transforming the economy for the better. Division 6 Councillor, Karl Winchester, added that the bridge is an intrinsic part of the fabric of Redcliffe and the wider City of Moreton Bay, with many locals holding cherished memories of the structure in its prime.

A Vision Built on Timber and Grit

Building the bridge was a monumental challenge, undertaken at the height of the Great Depression. The project was the brainchild of Sir Manuel Hornibrook, a legendary master builder who showed remarkable ingenuity and patience. Ms. Hornibrook highlighted that projects of this era were built in tough times without computers, demanding innovation and collaborative problem-solving.

Considered one of the greatest works of private enterprise in Queensland, the project required Sir Manuel’s leadership to secure finance, timber supplies, and a workforce. Funding was raised through a government franchise that allowed his company to charge a toll, which remained at one shilling for 40 years. The enormous structure spanned over 2.6 kilometres and required approximately 2.5 million superfeet of hardwood timber. At its completion, it was the longest road viaduct in the Southern Hemisphere.

An Enduring Presence

The Hornibrook Bridge served the community for 44 years. After the adjacent Houghton Highway opened, the original bridge was closed to traffic in 1979. However, it wasn’t the end of its story. It remained a beloved local spot, staying open for people to enjoy fishing, walking, and cycling. The Hornibrook company operated the bridge until 1975, when it was handed over to the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

With the opening of the Ted Smout Bridge in 2010, the old bridge was mostly demolished. Today, its striking art deco portals and a section repurposed as a fishing pier at Clontarf are all that physically remain. Yet, even in this new form, a new generation of locals can still enjoy a piece of the history that so profoundly shaped their community.

Published Date 09-October-2025

Coastal Resilience Plans Strengthen Preparedness in Scarborough, Beachmere and Redcliffe

Photo Credit: Pexels

Coastal communities in Redcliffe, Scarborough and Beachmere are working with the City of Moreton Bay to strengthen their resilience against flooding, erosion and rising sea levels through new Local Resilience Plans and preparedness initiatives.

Building Community Preparedness

Taskforces in Scarborough, Donnybrook and Dohles Rocks have finalised Local Resilience Plans aimed at addressing the increasing risks of coastal hazards. These plans, part of the City’s Living Coast Plan, mark a Queensland-first effort to empower residents to take an active role in preparing for natural disasters.

Meanwhile, Redcliffe continues to strengthen its coastal defences and preparedness measures following past flooding, as Beachmere and Toorbul begin discussions on developing their own plans.

Costs and Local Actions

The City of Moreton Bay estimates coastal hazards currently cause about $42 million in annual damage to buildings, facilities and infrastructure, with potential losses rising to $468 million by 2100 if no action is taken.

Actions proposed under the Local Resilience Plans include flood-proofing homes, improving emergency preparedness and identifying key infrastructure priorities to reduce long-term risks.

Community Involvement Across Redcliffe, Scarborough and Beachmere

Residents have participated in mapping and hazard identification exercises to understand the effects of sea level rise and tidal inundation. The process encourages communities to prepare early and collaborate on localised solutions that reduce exposure to extreme weather.

Redcliffe Scarborough Beachmere — *Photo Credit: Pexels*

Preparedness Activities and Next Steps

The initiative aligns with Get Ready Week, held from 6 to 12 October 2025, featuring community expos, school workshops and emergency service displays, including the Emergency Service Expo at Bribie Island from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Residents are encouraged to access the Disaster Dashboard for live updates on severe weather and sign up to the MoretonAlert system for early warnings.

Moving Toward Coastal Resilience

The ongoing development of Local Resilience Plans across Scarborough, Beachmere and nearby suburbs reflects a growing focus on community-led adaptation and preparedness. Through collaboration and planning, the City of Moreton Bay aims to reduce future impacts and strengthen long-term coastal resilience.

Published 7-Oct-2025

Redcliffe City Choir Celebrates 40 Years at CWA Hall

Photo Credit: Redcliffe City Choir

The Redcliffe City Choir brought the community together for a memorable 40th-anniversary celebration at CWA Hall, where past and present members joined for an afternoon of music that traced four decades of local choral history.

A Musical Journey Through Time

Established in 1985, the choir began with 57 members responding to a newspaper ad seeking singers for a non-auditioned group. Over the years, it has performed folk songs, musicals, madrigals, opera choruses, and spirituals, bringing fine choral music to the Redcliffe Peninsula.

Community members noted that the choir has remained a space for connection and shared joy, even as membership shifted after the challenges of recent years.

Leadership and Talent

The choir is now led by musical director Eli Ball, a Queensland Conservatorium student with experience directing youth performances and composing original music.

Accompanist Sherree Cudney, a seasoned music educator and performer, supported the choir throughout the event. Their leadership has guided the group through modern performances while maintaining its traditional community-focused spirit.

Community Engagement and Appreciation

Attendees reflected on the event as a reunion and celebration. One past member described it as a lovely afternoon, appreciating the chance to reconnect with old friends.

Another expressed pride in the choir’s achievements and gratitude for being part of its journey, even briefly, highlighting the choir’s lasting influence in the community.

Event Details

The anniversary concert took place on September 6 at the CWA Hall in Redcliffe. Tickets were priced at $5 for adults, free for children, and included afternoon tea.

The gathering not only marked four decades of music but also showcased the choir’s diverse repertoire and highlighted its role as a long-standing community gathering point.

Published 3-October-2025

New State-of-the-Art Surgical Centre at Peninsula Private Hospital Aims to Boost Patient Care

Photo Credit: Peninsula Private Hospital/ Facebook

To better serve the healthcare needs of its rapidly growing population, Peninsula Private Hospital in Kippa Ring has launched a state-of-the-art surgical complex as the first major step in its large-scale redevelopment.

A New Hub for Surgical Care

The new operating theatre complex, officially declared open on 25 September, marks a new chapter for the hospital. The expansion includes four new operating theatres, modern anaesthetic rooms, a multi-stage recovery unit, and a central sterilising services department. This upgrade is designed to improve the flow of surgical procedures and enhance the patient experience from start to finish.

Peninsula Private Hospital’s General Manager and Director of Nursing, Michele Gardner, called the opening a significant achievement for both the hospital and the wider community. She explained the new facilities will allow staff to care for more patients with greater efficiency, all within an environment built to support comfort, privacy, and a smoother recovery. The centre’s advanced technology is set to increase the number of surgeries the hospital can handle, particularly in high-demand areas.

Expanding to Meet Community Needs

This major investment is a direct response to the needs of the growing North Brisbane and Redcliffe Peninsula communities. The primary goal is to increase the hospital’s capacity in key specialties, including orthopaedics, urology, and general surgery, which could help reduce wait times for local residents needing these procedures.

Matt Tallis, the Queensland Manager for parent company Healthscope, stated that the project strengthens the hospital’s ability to meet these local needs while maintaining a high standard of care. He affirmed Healthscope’s pride in supporting the Peninsula team as they begin this next chapter of service for their community. For more than four decades, the 60-bed hospital has been a vital part of the area’s medical services.

What’s Next for the Hospital

This opening is just the first completed milestone in a larger redevelopment plan. Work will continue on a new Day Surgery Unit (DSU) and a five-bed High Dependency Unit (HDU), both expected to be ready by February 2026.

Further refurbishments will create more single-bed patient rooms in the medical ward, improving privacy for those staying in the hospital. The final stages, scheduled for completion in early 2026, will also include a new reception area, a comfortable discharge lounge, and new staff amenities.

Published Date 05-October-2025

Supercross Set to Roar at Kayo Stadium with Double-Header Weekend

Photo Credit: Australian Supercross Championship/Facebook

Kayo Stadium in Redcliffe will come alive as the Boost Mobile AUSX Supercross Championship kicks off with a two-night double header, bringing elite riders, high-flying stunts, and family entertainment to the Moreton Bay community.

Purpose-Built Track at Kayo Stadium

The season opener will run on 11 and 12 October 2025, transforming Kayo Stadium into a purpose-built Supercross track using more than 6,000 tonnes of local soil.

*Photo Credit: Australian Supercross Championship/Facebook*

The circuit spans 9,000 square metres and features technical elements such as rhythm sections, bowl turns, and an over-under bridge designed to challenge rider precision and speed.

Redcliffe on the National Stage

Hosting the first two rounds of the championship positions Kayo Stadium and Redcliffe as key stops on Australia’s Supercross calendar. Track builder Protraxx designed the course to promote fast, close racing with multiple passing points.

The eight-lane start gate and tight first corner are expected to make starts unpredictable and keep spectators engaged, while the layout combines technical skill with fan visibility to maximise both rider challenge and viewer enjoyment.

Family-Friendly Experience

The double-header format will feature two complete rounds of racing across the weekend, with full championship points awarded each night. Between races, fans will see freestyle motocross demonstrations by leading riders including Rob Adelberg, Corey Creed, and Jayden South.

Off-track entertainment will include live music, giveaways, and the Pit Party, where fans can meet riders, explore the paddock, and take photos. The event has been structured to welcome families, offering affordable entry options and activities that appeal to all ages.

Tickets and Event Access

The Redcliffe double header launches the 2025 Boost Mobile AUSX Supercross Championship, followed by rounds in Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide.

buy tickets here

Tickets are available through Ticketek, including single-day, two-day, and VIP passes, with children under three admitted free.

VIP options include the SX Legends Deck and corporate pavilions for upgraded viewing. Large crowds are expected, and visitors are advised to arrive early for the best views, with parking and transport details provided closer to the event.

Published 3-October-2025

Early Intervention Programs Expand Youth Support in Redcliffe

Photo Credit: Redcliffe Youth Space

Two new early intervention programs have been introduced in Redcliffe as part of a wider Moreton Bay initiative designed to help at-risk young people through mentoring, case management and life-skills support. The funding aims to reduce youth crime and antisocial behaviour while offering guidance and educational opportunities to vulnerable members of the community.

Redcliffe Youth Space Leads Local Support

The Redcliffe Area Youth Space has been awarded $300,000 to deliver services for young people aged 12 to 21. The program will provide trauma-informed case management, mentoring, education assistance, employment pathways and pro-social activities. These initiatives are intended to steer local youth away from risky behaviour and towards more positive outcomes.

Another $300,000 has been allocated to the Lutheran Church of Australia (Queensland District) for a program targeting 10 to 17-year-olds who are offending or at risk of entering the youth justice system. The 12-month program will offer tailored case coordination and community engagement to strengthen social and emotional wellbeing.

Both projects form part of a $115 million investment supporting early intervention programs across Queensland.

youth programs — *Photo Credit: The Youth Space/Instagram*

Long-Term Commitment to Redcliffe Youth

The Redcliffe Area Youth Space has been operating for more than two decades, assisting young people and families across the Moreton Bay region. Established through community collaboration beginning in 1999, it became an incorporated entity in 2002. By September 2005, further development was supported by funding from the former Redcliffe City Council and the State Government.

Today, the organisation focuses on helping young people affected by trauma, poverty and oppression. It provides programs aimed at improving education, social inclusion, work skills and community engagement.

Youth Housing Support Strengthens the Network

On 8 October 2025, it was confirmed that the City of Moreton Bay’s first Youth Foyer will be built in Redcliffe. The facility will include 40 supported accommodation units for young people aged 16 to 25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Residents will contribute 25 per cent of their income and typically stay for around 18 months while accessing wraparound support to complete education and transition into work or long-term housing.

This new housing service complements the local network of youth support facilities, including the $6.7 million Peninsula Support Hub. Together with the early intervention programs, the Youth Foyer strengthens Redcliffe’s role as a hub for coordinated youth support and prevention services.

*Photo Credit: The Youth Space/Instagram*

Building a Safer and More Inclusive Community

The combined programs reflect an ongoing effort to address youth challenges in Redcliffe through prevention, stability and empowerment. By aligning community-based initiatives with practical housing support, these services aim to create better opportunities for young people while fostering long-term safety and wellbeing throughout the Moreton Bay region.

Published 1-Oct-2025

Landing Bakery Brings Precision-Baked Pastries To Scarborough’s Seaside

Photo Credit: landingbakery/instagram

Landing Bakery has opened in Scarborough, delivering a new community hub with classic pastries, fresh bread and sandwiches in a space designed to reflect the coastal landscape.

Local Roots And Partnership

The bakery officially began trading in mid-August 2025 at 71 Landsborough Avenue, led by hospitality operators Tom Cooney and Jack Wakefield. Wakefield grew up in Scarborough and wanted better cafés and bakeries. Cooney, known for Riser in Toowong, joined after seeing the site’s potential by the waterfront park.

Both operators had worked together before at Anytime Coffee, later sold to pursue new projects. They wanted Landing Bakery to be shaped by local ties and designed for residents rather than tourists.

A Focus On Design And Community

The bakery’s design came from Five Mile Radius and Matthew Reynolds. It uses pigmented sand, cast concrete and pale timber to reflect the red cliffs. Large communal tables and a bright interior invite locals to gather. Outdoor seating offers space to enjoy food under Norfolk pines.

The aim was to create a place that blends coastal character with modern design while offering a relaxed setting for Scarborough’s growing community.

Pastries, Bread And More

Head baker Dan Smyth leads the kitchen, producing pastries such as almond croissants, pain au chocolat, morning buns and gochujang scrolls. Fresh bread is also available, including sourdough, focaccia and a country loaf.

A sandwich menu rotates with options like chicken salad, Reuben with house pastrami, roasted vegetable and hummus, and porchetta rolls.

Pantry items, including beetroot ketchup, smoked ketchup, tomato relish and pickles, line the front shelves. Coffee is prepared from a custom blend, with sourcing noted differently between reports as Fox Coffee and Vox Roasters.

Responding To Local Demand

Landing Bakery’s opening followed months of planning by the founders, who said Scarborough was ready for new food ventures as more Brisbane residents move to the peninsula.

Early soft service drew strong local interest, showing demand for a community-focused bakery. The bakery is open Wednesday to Sunday from 6:30 am to 2 pm.

Published 3-October-2025

Hornibrook Bridge: 90 Years of Connecting Communities in Queensland

Photo Credit: State Library of Queensland

With nearly three kilometres stretching over Moreton Bay, the Hornibrook Bridge was once the longest road bridge in the Southern Hemisphere, forever changing travel and community life on Queensland’s Redcliffe Peninsula.

A Historic Engineering Feat

The Hornibrook Bridge was a crucial link between Brisbane’s northern suburbs and the Redcliffe Peninsula for over 40 years, stretching nearly three kilometres across Moreton Bay. Built during the Great Depression from 1932 to 1935, it was the longest road viaduct in the Southern Hemisphere at the time.

*Photo Credit: State Library of Queensland*

Led by engineer Emanuel Richard Hornibrook, the bridge used local hardwoods like ironbark and tallowwood, supported by concrete piers. Its distinctive Art Deco concrete portals and hump-backed design earned it the nickname “Humpity Bump,” while greatly reducing travel times and supporting Redcliffe’s development.

Connecting Communities and Boosting Growth

Before the Hornibrook Bridge, Redcliffe was isolated from Brisbane, reachable only by ferry or long, often difficult road trips. The bridge provided a direct road connection, encouraging people to visit, settle, and invest in the area.

This new link boosted tourism, business growth, and daily accessibility for residents. It also helped establish regular commuter bus services, making jobs across Moreton Bay more accessible.

Challenges and Changes Over Time

The Hornibrook Bridge operated as a toll bridge until the mid-1970s and became a strong symbol of connection for locals. As traffic increased, the need for additional bridges led to the construction of the parallel Houghton Highway.

When the Houghton Highway opened in 1979, the Hornibrook Bridge closed to vehicles but remained open to pedestrians and cyclists. Due to maintenance costs and safety concerns, most of the bridge was dismantled in 2011 despite efforts to preserve it.

Celebrating a Lasting Legacy

The Hornibrook Bridge will mark its 90th anniversary on Saturday, 4 October 2025, at Redcliffe Museum from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon. His granddaughter, Julie Hornibrook, will speak about the family’s connection and the bridge’s Art Deco design.

The mostly demolished bridge was key to Redcliffe’s growth. The event is sold out, but a waitlist is available for anyone interested in attending.

Published 2-October-2025