Moreton Bay’s Bromeliad & Tropical Show Where Charity Also Blooms

The Bromeliad Society of Queensland (BSQ) will hold their 2019 Autumn Show entitled “The Bromeliad & Tropicals Show & Sales” on Saturday and Sunday, 6th & 7th of April 2019, at Genesis Christian College in Bray Park.

There will be a spectacular array of plants for sale, including bromeliads, tropicals, indoor plants, orchids, hoyas, begonias, succulents, and many more from over twenty experienced growers who are participating.

Growers and BSQ volunteers will be present to help you choose the right plants for your garden and to offer advice.

Autumn 2019 flyer
BSQ Bromeliad & Tropicals Show & Sales – Autumn 2019 flyer
Photo credit: bronsqueensland.com.au

Monster Raffle for Pine Rivers Special School

An interesting feature of the event is the Monster Raffle where proceeds will be donated to Pine Rivers Special School.

Pine Rivers Special School is a co-educational state school that caters to children from 6 to 18 years with a verified diagnosis of a disability or a suspected disability in the case of Early Childhood Developmental Program.

Most of their students have been verified as having an Intellectual Disability. Some students have a verified diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, whilst others have a physical, vision or hearing impairment. Majority of the students are ambulatory but all areas of the school is built to be wheelchair accessible as approximately 10% of the students are in wheelchairs.

Raffle tickets can be purchased at the show. Prices for the Monster Raffle tickets are as follows:

  • 1 ticket for $2
  • 3 tickets for $5
  • 7 tickets for $10

Two winners for the raffle will be drawn at 12:00 noon on Sunday, 7th April 2019. The winners will be awarded prizes with a total combined value of $500 in plants and they will be contacted after the drawing of the prizes.

Other Highlights

Aside from the Monster Raffle, you can participate in two other fun contests – the Lucky Door Prize and the $100 Show Voucher on Social Media. Interested individuals can view the full terms and conditions.

Everyone is invited to come, from novice gardeners to landscape architects. Even brown thumbs are welcome to admire the display, most especially the competition plants whose winners will also be announced at the end of the event. Admission is only $4 per person.

Tillandsia in bloom
Photo credit: DEZALB / Pixabay
Flowering Bromeliad
Photo credit: Foto-Rabe / Pixabay

Books will be available for purchase as well as refreshments.

Plants will be replenished throughout the event so no one leaves empty handed. Cash and Electronic Funds Transfer at Point Of Sale (EFTPOS) will be accepted.

The trade fair will be open from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturday and will run at 9:00 AM till 1:00 PM on Sunday.

It will be held at Genesis Christian College at 12-16 Youngs Crossing Road, Bray Park.

Weaving Redcliffe’s Social Fabric With A $2M Art Gallery & Community Centre

The Moreton Bay Regional Council has allotted $2-million to renovate and remodel the Redcliffe Administration Centre at Irene Street into an art gallery and community centre.

The project intends to relocate the Redcliffe Art Gallery from its current location to provide additional space for exhibitions and public programs. The 1000 sqm gallery will feature display areas, a new front counter, courtyard, studio space, storage, curatorial space, and general amenities.

Redcliffe Administration Centre
Photo credit: www.google.com/maps

The ground floor will have a new customer service area as well as a community area.

To facilitate the project operations and ensure continued services, the existing customer service area will be temporarily relocated to Redcliffe Library at Oxley Avenue until September 2019.

The project is part of the 2018/19 budget which is focused towards making Moreton Bay a place where locals can live, work and play all within 20 minutes of home.

The Redcliffe Seniors Computer Club and the Redcliffe University of the Third Age (U3A) have been granted leases to move into the building as soon as the upgrades are completed. Both clubs will pay a minimal rent of $1 per annum for the duration of the leases.

Senior citizen learning about computers
Photo credit: Redcliffe Seniors Computer Club/Facebook

The community groups will be able to hold classes, workshops and public events in a convenient and comfortable venue. It is an ideal place for old people to learn and socialise because there’s a bus stop just across from the RSL and access is at ground level, which makes it easier for the senior community.

The project will commence in March 2019 and will be completed in early 2020.

Redcliffe Gallery and Community Space Fly Through
Credits to MBRC YouTube Channel

Moreton Bay Digital Trails: Redcliffe, Deception Bay Offer Interactive Ways to Discover Your Heritage

There’s now a more interesting way to learn about your past when taking a walk at the Moreton Bay Heritage Trails. Following the successful pilot trials of two Redcliffe sites, the Moreton Bay Regional Council recently launched the third interactive site in Deception Bay.

The Deception Bay Digital Heritage Trail, which debuted in January, features an interactive guide to the original heritage trail located at the Captain Cook Parade. The improvements will now allow visitors to listen to audio interviews from the locals. They can also click through dozens of old photos to see what Deception Bay looked like before its modern developments.



Local history buffs Mary Otto and Viv Tucker had a hand in developing the Deception Bay Digital Heritage Trail. The two were also part of the development of the original trail a decade ago.

Mary Otto and Viv Tucker with Councillor Peter Flannery present the Deception Bay Digital Heritage Trail.
Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Council

In 2017, the Moreton Bay Regional Council opened the pilot trials of the first two digital heritage sites. The Redcliffe Convict Trail and Redcliffe Esplanade Walk also feature audio tracks and old photographs that make the trip more enriching for visitors.

One of the audio tracks at the Redcliffe Convict Trail features the details of the letter John Oxley wrote to Governor Brisbane in 1823, where he convinced the governor that Moreton Bay would be the most ideal place for a penal colony settlement.

This is a painting of the Moreton Bay settlement site in the old days.
Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Council

Another audio track features a narration of how the settlers developed a way to mould bricks after discovering a rich resource of clay near the Humpybong Creek. History books have stated that Redcliffe was the first brick production site in Queensland.



The Redcliffe Esplanade Walk, on the other hand, also has an audio track displaying personal stories from the Redcliffe Historical Society, where they share memories of their years of growing up in the peninsula.

The Redcliffe Esplanade was the centre of community activities.
Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Council

Visitors to the three digital heritage sites are encouraged to use a smartphone or tablet device while walking the trails so they can follow the interesting stories carefully.  They may also visit the website to view the region’s history interactively.

Open Mic for Writers Happening at Redcliffe Library

Calling on writers and even aspiring writers in Redcliffe… The Redcliffe Writers’ Group is inviting you to its Open Mic event happening this 22 February 2019 at the Redcliffe Library.

The writers’ open mic event is regularly held every last Friday of the month. Each month, a set of writers are chosen to be featured. They will have the chance to promote and discuss with the group their most recent published work, or even share about their writing journey towards publication. Writers who are yet to publish their works are also welcome to register and speak during the event.

For January 2019, the featured speakers were Nick White- author of “Kat, The Legend of Gnawbonia”, Leslie McConnell- author of “Black Tears”, and Trish Springsteen- author and contributor to the anthology “Touched by Breast Cancer”.

Redcliffe Writers Group
Lesley McConnell with her book, Black Tears
Photo credit: Redcliffe Writers’ Open Mic/ Facebook

 

For February, the Redcliffe Writer’s Group chose the following authors to present their most recent work: Sue Lester- author of “The Face Within: How to change your unconscious blueprint”, Carleton Chinner- a science fiction author, and Karen Purves author of “Gratitude Prompts”.

Why join the Writers’ Open Mic?

Redcliffe Writers Group
Photo credit: Redcliffe Writers’ Open Mic/ Facebook

This is a FREE event wherein you get to meet new sets of writers with their featured works each month. Hence, this makes a perfect venue for you to expand your network in the writing industry.

Aside from promoting your most recent work, the Redcliffe Writers’ Open Mic is also an innovative way for you to learn and be inspired from the shared experiences of other writers. You’ll never know, you might even spark up an idea or two that can be of use in your future work.

Additional bonus of light refreshments and lucky door prizes will also be given throughout the event.

Here is a list of dates scheduled for the Redcliffe Writers’ Open Mic event this 2019:

  • 25 January 2019
  • 22 Feburary 2019
  • 22 March 2019
  • 26 April 2019
  • 24 May 2019
  • 28 June 2019
  • 26 July 2019
  • 23 August 2019
  • 27 September 2019
  • 25 October 2019
  • 22 November 2019

Time to mark you calendars and attend Redcliffe Writers’ Open Mic event!

Donate Old Smartphone at Redcliffe to Help Seriously Ill Children

It’s time to clean up your drawers and recycle your old smartphones!

The Starlight Children’s Foundation is accepting old smartphones as donations for their Smartphones for Smiles program. By donating your unwanted smartphones at the participating Puma Energy location in Redcliffe, you get to help brighten up the lives of seriously ill children.

The Foundation together with Puma Energy, Frank Mobile, and Nova, aim to collect 1000 used smartphones in order to raise over $39,000.

A total of 30 Puma Energy locations are now accepting donations for the Smartphones for Smiles up until 31 January. One of the participating locations is at 493 Oxley Avenue in Redcliffe.

Here is a complete list of locations across South East Queensland.

Redcliffe Starlight Children's Foundation
Photo credit: Starlight Children’s Foundation Australia/ Facebook

How to Donate

  • Retrieve your old smartphone and make sure to remove all account locks and personal information in your phone for privacy. To know more about resetting your phone, please visit Apple or Samsung webages.
  • Drop off your smartphone donation to the nearest participating Puma Energy Service Station. You also need to fill in some basic details at the counter.
  • Starlight’s mobile partner, Frank Mobile, will collect and evaluate all donated phones. Another data clearing process will be made in order to ensure the smartphone’s complete data destruction.
  • The total value of all donated smartphones will be  reconciled and distributed to Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Help bring a smile on the faces of the Starlight children. Donate your old smartphones now!

Redcliffe Celebrates Australia Day at Suttons Beach

A fun yet laid-back celebration awaits for this year’s Australia Day in Redcliffe!

Happening on Saturday, 26 January 2019, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., this grand celebration at the dazzling golden sands of Suttons Beach will be filled with music, games, and activities that everyone will surely enjoy.

What to Expect

Be prepared to watch amazing performances from invited guests and bands, whilst savouring a tasty meal from a wide selection of food vendors. The Lamington Eating Competition will also take place, and it will be open for both kids and adults. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get our tummies ready for a bountiful feast!

Redcliffe Australia Day
Photo credit: Moreton Life Magazine / Facebook

If playing sports is what you are in for, you can spend the afternoon with a game of Beach Cricket and Beach Volleyball. Everyone can also make use of these free inflatables by the beach: Shark Slide, Dart Soccer, 3 in 1 Sports Game and Ninja Junior.

And finally, catch the spectacular fireworks display in the evening to cap off this one-of-a-kind Australia Day celebration.

Redcliffe Australia Day
Photo credit: Moreton Life Magazine / Facebook

Stage Programme

TimePerformer
3:00 p.m.Official Event Welcome
3:10 p.m.James Tyler
4:00 p.m.Lamington Eating Competition (Under 12)
4:15 p.m.Asa Broomhall
5:00 p. m.Lamington Eating Competition (13+)
5:15 p.m.The Lighthearts
6:15 p.m.The Shine
8:00 p.m.Fireworks

 

LocationSuttons Beach – 15 Marine Parade, Redcliffe

 

CostFree entry

This event is presented and supported by the Moreton Bay Region Industry & Tourism (MBRIT) and the Moreton Bay Regional Council.

Off-Leash Trial at Queens Beach North in Scarborough Extended

Doggos will have more time to run free along Queens Beach North in Scarborough as the Moreton Bay Regional Council extended the off-leash trial up to the end of March 2019.

The off-leash trial on the stretch of Queens Beach North was supposed to have ended in October 2018. However, the trial was so popular among the locals that the council decided to extend it.

What will make fur parents happier is that the trial, this time around, will have no time restrictions, so their beloved pets will be free to play at the beach 24 hours a day. The initial trial only allowed the pooches to run off leash from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.



While pet lovers welcome the news, there are those who fear that allowing dogs to run freely 24 hours a day may eventually lead to someone getting bitten. Those who are not in favour of the 24-hour off-leash area fear that there is no safe time for families with young children at the beach.

Opposing locals started a petition on Change.org to ask the council to keep Queens Beach North dog free. They listed several reasons such as dogs harassing swimmers or dogs interfering with beach-goers’ belongings. They also complained that the beach does not have perimeter fencing, so some dog owners can’t easily control their dogs from leaving the beach area and interfering with cyclists and joggers on the footpath.

The council noted that there have been no untoward incidents reported during the trial, thus the continuation and the lifting of the time limit for the off-leash beach area.

 

Moreton Bay Arts and Crafters Gather at Redcliffe Arts Complex

Over 30 handpicked Moreton Bay arts and crafters gathered at the Old Redcliffe Fire Station Arts Complex on Oxley Avenue for the much-awaited Arts and Crafters Market on Saturday, the 24th of November 2018.

Photo credit: moretonbayartscouncil.org

Visitors made their way through the various artisan stalls to discover unique, handcrafted gift ideas, and find shopping treasures from amongst the local handicrafts and one-of-a-kind art on display.

Live entertainment featuring Bruce, the event’s talented harmonica player, the Choir, and the Hillbilly Bush Band, kept the mood upbeat.

Photo credit: moretonbayartscouncil.org

Santa came just before noon, to help shoppers buy gifts and for some Instagram-worthy snaps with visitors and stallholders.

Visitors enjoyed feasting on Italian pastries, pancakes, waffles, designer cupcakes, plus overflowing coffee and cold drinks galore. The Redcliffe Coast Guard had a hugely popular sausage sizzle.

Photo credit: moretonbayartscouncil.org

Shoppers eager to score early Christmas gifts merrily took their pick along the crafters lane, where children’s clothes, jewellery, pottery, bags and hand painted scarves provided excellent choices.

Photo credit: moretonbayartscouncil.org

The local artist community proudly displayed their woodwork, and shell art paintings in various sizes and media.

Photo credit: moretonbayartscouncil.org

Limited-edition bowls were available to keep, for those who purchased the popular “Berries in a Bowl” at the Redcliffe Pottery Club’s Open Studios. Lucky visitors won several raffle prizes throughout the event.

Photo credit: moretonbayartscouncil.org

The Redcliffe Art Society members welcomed visitors to their studios, where their latest exhibition were on display. Selected curated items were on sale at the gift shop.

The Arts and Crafters Market was held in cooperation with the Redcliffe Art Society, Redcliffe Potters Group, and the Moreton Bay Arts Council.

Summer Break At The New Inflatable Water Park In Clontarf

After several delays, a new inflatable water park in Clontarf is finally happening. Aqua Splash has been awarded the project by the Moreton Bay Regional Council.

The water park will be set up in Pelican Park. Catering to 120 people, this park will operate at a smaller scale than other similar parks. It will also be properly netted to protect participants from sea creatures that may cause harm.

The Masterplan

The upcoming water park is part of the council’s Redcliffe Foreshore Master Plan and Activation Strategy, which was endorsed by the council in 2017. Local communities have been involved in the entire process whilst creating the plan through surveys, online feedback, public displays, forums, and many more. The results show that a huge percentage of the community seeks more activations along the foreshore precincts and pop-up vendors.

This will bring more people into the city, delivering better opportunities for the local community.

Prior to the finalisation of the water park, the council approved the expansion of the Redcliffe Jetty Markets which will provide more space for market stalls and entertainment areas.

You can view the master plan here. To view the Redcliffe Foreshore Activation Pilot Program, which is in a trial period, click here.

All’s Well That Ends Well

It took several months before the plans for a waterpark finally came to fruition. Originally, the council wanted it finished last year during the summer school holidays but due to the issues encountered by the council regarding state government approvals, it got pushed back.

Moreton Bay Regional Mayor Allan Sutherland is very happy to finally see the plan slowly coming into life.

“It was my wish last Christmas to have the inflatable waterpark operating on our foreshore however the state election and some regulatory roadblocks pushed that goalpost back, but good things come to those who wait.”

The park will also bring in employment opportunities.

He continued, “Doubly exciting are the employment opportunities that will come with this new tourism infrastructure, up to 40 lifesaving jobs are now up for grabs.”

Aqua Splash is targeting a November opening. The CEO of Aqua Splash, Matthew Devine said, “We’re on track to be open just in time for school break-up parties and Christmas celebrations.”

Tickets will start at $15.

Highlights Of The Moreton Bay Food & Wine Festival 2018

Enjoy a weekend filled with good food, drinks, and entertainment. Hit the Moreton Bay Food & Wine Festival 2018 happening from 8 to 9 September.

The festival isn’t just about food & wine, but there will also be great activities for everyone — even your pups!

Weekend Highlights

On Saturday, if you’re up for some challenges, why don’t you join the Sour Lollie or the Smash It Burger challenges?

Your pups can also strut it out at the dog costume parade at the Grind Coffee Bar. Greek Cuzina will also be having a belly dancers street performance that you surely don’t want to miss.

Moreton Bay Food & Wine Festival 2018
Photo credit: Visit Moreton Bay Region

Watch the fireworks at the Redcliffe Jetty and then head on over to the Mon Komo Hotel for the official after party.

There will also be cooking demonstrations at the event. On Sunday, more workshops are in store for you such as cookie decorating along with other cooking demos.

Moreton Bay Food & Wine Festival 2018
Photo credit: Visit Moreton Bay Region

Of course, the weekend will not be complete with live music all-day long. You can find these musicians at different areas at the event. For sure, you will be dancing and grooving to great music the whole time.

Who’s Who

Here is the line-up of participants at the Moreton Bay Food And Wine Festival 2018:

More Festival Highlights

Don’t miss the Food Truck Alley as well as some of the best food trucks will be at Redcliffe Parade all-weekend long. To make it even better, the Yo-Get-It Dessert Festival is also happening the whole weekend — definitely the perfect pair for all of the delicious food that will be served.

Moreton Bay Food & Wine Festival 2018
Photo credit: Visit Moreton Bay Region



If you’re up for some wine, check out the Wine Alley and interactive with some of most passionate winemakers from South East Queensland.

Moreton Bay Food & Wine Festival 2018
Photo credit: Visit Brisbane

To know more about the events at the festival, click here.