As October rolls in and the warm weather begins to embrace us, it’s time to dust off your fishing gear and head out to the water. Mark your calendars for October 13th, the official “Gone Fishing Day” – a national celebration of the beloved pastime of wetting a line.
Photo credit: Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation/Facebook
This event is an initiative spearheaded by the Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation, the peak national body and key voice for Australia’s recreational fishing community. This event, supported by BCF-Boating, Camping, Fishing, aims to bring families and friends together for a day of outdoor fun and fishing.
Photo credit: Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation/Facebook
This year, the Central Moreton Bay Chapter at the Port of Brisbane will be hosting a special event. Participants will have the opportunity to enjoy the health and social benefits of fishing while supporting OzFish’s shellfish reef restoration efforts. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a complete novice, everyone is welcome to join in the festivities!
October Fishing Tips: Making the Most of Your Outing
Photo credit: Gone Fishing Day/Facebook
To help you prepare for this special day or any October fishing trip, here are some valuable tips:
1. Target Species: October is prime time for sand whiting and yellowfin (gold lined) whiting. These species are abundant during this month.
2. Best Locations:
– Bribie Island beaches from Skirmish Point to Red Beach
– Shallow foreshores of Deception and Bramble Bays
– Margate Beach
– Pine River
– Hays Inlet
– Ted Smout Bridge area
3. Timing: Early morning tends to be the best time for catching whiting, especially on Bribie Island beaches.
4. Bait: Locally dug rock worm is an excellent bait choice, particularly for the Bribie Island locations.
5. Boat Fishing: If you’re heading out on a boat, try your luck in the Caboolture River, Bribie Passage, Pine River, and Hays Inlet.
Remember, fishing is not just about the catch – it’s about enjoying the outdoors, spending time with loved ones, and contributing to conservation efforts. So, whether you’re an experienced angler or just starting out, grab your gear and join in the celebrations. It’s the perfect opportunity to create lasting memories and maybe even catch your next big fish!
The Redcliffe Dolphins are gearing up for an elimination match against the Central Queensland Capras this Saturday, 7 September, following a setback away at Bishop Park. Dolphins vs Capras kick off 5:10 p.m. at Kayo Stadium.
Despite a strong season record, the third-placed Dolphins face a formidable challenge in the Capras, a team that has repeatedly troubled them this year.
However, this season has been different, with the Capras delivering two of the Dolphins’ seven losses, including a surprising 20-6 defeat at Kayo Stadium on 11 May and a more decisive 38-10 loss away on 27 July.
Dolphins skipper Max Bailey acknowledges the team’s struggles against the Norths Devils in the preliminary final, emphasising the need for improved discipline and ball control. “We’ve put ourselves in the position to get the second chance though and we need to use that now,” Bailey said.
The Dolphins are banking on their strong home record this season to see them through this elimination matchup. “We’ve been really good at home this year,” Bailey noted.
As Redcliffe prepares for this critical encounter, they are aware of the challenges that lie ahead. Bailey knows that to reach the grand final, the Dolphins will likely need to win away from home again after the Capras.
Celebrity chef Dominique Rizzo will showcase local produce at the 2024 Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival, Queensland’s largest foodie celebration, at Apex Park in Woody Point.
The festival, which runs from August 23 to 25, will feature live cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, unique dining experiences, and a range of local vendors, from pop-up bars and restaurants to food trucks. Market stalls, live music, and hands-on workshops are also part of the event’s diverse offerings.
Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival
Local Focus
Through her demonstrations, Dominique is set to emphasise the connection between local growers and consumers. She plans to use the festival to highlight the importance of local ingredients, which she believes are vital in telling the story of the region and its community. This year, the festival will introduce a new stage, The Kitchenette, where Dominique will serve as the emcee, focusing on promoting local producers.
Her involvement will extend beyond cooking demonstrations. She will conduct on-stage interviews with producers to forge a personal connection between them, their products, and the festival attendees. She aims to encourage attendees to appreciate and purchase local products, enhancing their festival experience with tangible takeaways.
Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival
Who is Dominique Rizzo?
Dominique is a celebrated Queensland chef renowned for her advocacy of clean, simple, whole food cooking. Her culinary style emphasizes healthful, real-food recipes that inspire positive changes in eating habits while still satisfying culinary desires.
The chef deeply connects to Moreton Bay, considering it a significant part of her culinary landscape. This connection stems partly from her childhood experiences and the influence of her Italian heritage, which instilled in her a love for fresh, simple ingredients. These foundational experiences have deeply influenced her cooking philosophy, which she eagerly shares at the Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival.
Dominique’s work is also notable for her bespoke gourmet food and wine tours, which extend her culinary reach to international destinations, further underscoring her commitment to exploring and sharing the richness of local cuisines, whether at home or abroad.
Star-Studded Lineup
Joining Dominique this August will be her former Ready Steady Cook colleagues Matt Golinski and Alastair McLeod, along with other well-known chefs such as Georgia Barnes, Adam Liaw, and Brent Draper from MasterChef Australia.
Dominique enjoys participating in the festival atmosphere when off stage, sampling food, and purchasing gifts. She highlights the festival as an ideal venue for holiday shopping, especially for those who appreciate the enduring value of gourmet gifts.
Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival
Tickets and Attendance
With tickets already on sale, Dominique encourages food enthusiasts to book early to avoid missing out on a family-friendly day filled with culinary delights, learning opportunities, and local beverage tastings.
The chef will appear exclusively at The Kitchenette Stage throughout the festival. Her sessions are scheduled as follows:
Leading the charge, the Senior C Mixed team, comprising paddlers aged 60 and over, clinched gold in the 200m final.
The Dragons’ success extended beyond the gold, with other members bringing home two silver and two bronze medals. Notably, the Senior B Women’s 10s team featuring several first-year paddlers alongside the more experienced members secured a bronze medal.
A club spokesperson praised the team’s performance, attributing their success to the “determination and trust” displayed by all members. The Red Dragons’ achievements reflect their dedicated training regimen, with paddlers honing their technique and fitness up to three times a week.
About the Redcliffe Red Dragon Boat Club
Founded in 2005, the Redcliffe Red Dragon Boat Club now boasts 70 members from diverse backgrounds. While primarily catering to the over-50s demographic, the club welcomes paddlers of all ages, fostering a sense of community and shared passion for the sport.
The club takes advantage of its prime location, conducting year-round training sessions in the Redcliffe canals and Moreton Bay. This picturesque setting provides an ideal environment for both competitive training and enjoyable recreational paddling.
For Redcliffe residents looking to join a vibrant community sport, the Red Dragons offer regular come & try sessions. New paddlers can take advantage of the Dragon Pass, allowing a free first month to experience the sport before committing.
Community and inclusivity
The club’s community spirit extends to its affiliation with the Redcliffe Pink Snapdragons, a group supporting breast cancer survivors through dragon boating. This partnership underscores the Red Dragons’ commitment to inclusivity and community support.
Amidst the turmoil of World War II, Ellen Savage emerged as the sole surviving nurse from the devastating sinking of the hospital ship Centaur by a Japanese submarine off Moreton Bay.
On the 12th of May 1943, as night descended upon Sydney Harbour, the hospital ship Centaur set sail on its final voyage towards Port Moresby. Its mission was to aid those injured in the intense battles of Buna and Gona.
The Centaur, with its bright lights and clear Red Cross markings, served as a symbol of hope and a safe haven amidst the chaos of World War II. On board were 332 individuals, including the crew, medical staff, Australian Army Nursing Service nurses, and soldiers from the 2/12th Field Ambulance. All of them were united in a common purpose of providing care and comfort to those in need.
Photo Credit: State Library of Queensland
Nurse Ellen Savage was one of the twelve nurses aboard the ship, fully aware of the dangers ahead. The waters through which they would be passing were a dangerous battleground, haunted by the ghosts of merchant ships that had previously been sunk by enemy submarines. However, the Centaur’s clear identification as a hospital ship provided a semblance of protection. It gave hope that even in war, humanity’s respect for the sanctuaries of the wounded and sick would prevail.
Whilst sailing through the night, the Centaur relied on traditional methods of war to protect itself. Nurse Savage and her coworkers went about their work determined and focused, getting ready to treat the wounded they would soon receive. Despite the underlying tension, there was a sense of camaraderie among the crew and medical personnel, all united in their mission to help those in need.
However, the tranquillity of their passage was shattered in the early hours of the 14th of May. Without warning, a torpedo fired by a Japanese submarine commanded by Lieutenant Commander Nakagawa struck the Centaur. The attack was a surprise, a brutal reminder of the unpredictable nature of war.
Nurse Savage was thrust into a fight for survival whils resting in her bunk. The explosion that rocked the ship was just the beginning of a night of terror and tragedy.
In those first moments following the attack, Nurse Savage’s training and instincts as a nurse and a soldier kicked in. Despite the chaos that enveloped her, she remained focused on the safety and well-being of her colleagues and the wounded under her care.
As the Centaur began to succumb to the sea, Nurse Savage, with remarkable presence of mind, assisted in evacuating patients and fellow staff members, even as the prospects of their own survival dwindled.
Rescue and Aftermath
The survivors of the Centaur tragedy were stranded in the Pacific for over a day, clinging to fragments of what was once a hospital ship. Finally, after 32 harrowing hours, the USS Mugford, an American destroyer, spotted them. The Mugford arrived as an unexpected saviour on the horizon, bringing hope to the survivors after their long ordeal.
The aftermath of the rescue was a time of mixed emotions. The grief of loss tempered relief at being saved; out of the 332 individuals who had boarded the Centaur in Sydney, only 64 were plucked from the ocean’s grasp. The survivors, including Nurse Savage, bearing the physical and emotional scars of their ordeal, were returned to the Australian mainland, where news of the disaster and the heroic rescue operation was met with shock and mourning across the nation.
Nurse Ellen Savage interview after the rescue Photo Credit: Australian War Memorial
The sinking of the Centaur was Australia’s biggest loss to submarine warfare in the war. It prompted a national outpouring of support for survivors and families. Funds were raised to help the wounded and bereaved. The rescue operation became a celebrated chapter of heroism, highlighting the courage of the Allied forces.
Honouring the Lost
In 1947, Nurse Savage received a Florence Nightingale Memorial scholarship that allowed her to pursue further studies in England. She achieved a diploma in nursing administration from the Royal College of Nursing. She continued her nursing career in Sydney until the 1950s and was a pivotal figure in the foundation of the College of Nursing, Australia.
In Brisbane, Nurse Savage was also instrumental in establishing the Centaur Memorial Fund for Nurses in 1948. This fund was a tribute to the medical personnel who perished. The fund continues to support nurses to this day.
Nurse Ellen Savage retired in the late 1960s due to her failing health and shortly after an ANZAC Day reunion in 1985, she passed away in Sydney.
Discovery of the Wreck in 2009
The discovery of the Centaur wreckage after 66 years was an emotional event for Australia. After years of speculation and tireless search, the ship’s final resting place was finally found on the 20th of December 2009.
In the late 2000s, a team aboard the Seahorse Spirit search vessel used advanced technology to locate the Centaur off Moreton Island. Their goal was to honour the memory of those who were lost.
The team faced vast challenges searching for the lost Centaur ship in the ocean’s depths, alongside numerous other sunken ships. However, their determination and calculated approach narrowed down the search area.
After seven days, sonar equipment detected a large, upright, mostly intact vessel. Excited but cautious, the team awaited confirmation from divers that this was the Centaur. Unique features and Red Cross markings identified the ship.
The discovery was both bitter and sweet, as it served as a reminder of the tragedy. The announcement was made with respect, recognising the site’s significance to the crew’s and passengers’ families. The Australian government declared the wreckage a war grave, providing protection and respect for generations to come.
Redcliffe locals are issuing a call to action to raise awareness about the plight of turtles in Moreton Bay, particularly those nesting on Peninsula beaches, with the upcoming Family Turtle Expo Day aiming to shed light on the issue.
Organised by the Rotary Club of Redcliffe Sunrise, the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG), and Oceania, the Family Turtle Expo Day will occur on April 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:000 p.m. at Scarborough’s Queens Beach North. Admission is free to all.
Colin Scobie, the initiative’s spokesperson, emphasised the event’s relevance by pointing out that turtles usually nest from October to March, and the hatching process happens from December to May, reaching its peak in February and March. He highlighted the significance of the community’s vigilance, especially along Queens Beach North, where the warm, high sand embankments above the high tide line provide perfect nesting grounds.
In 2010, there was an event where hundreds of turtle hatchlings became disoriented by street lighting and wandered onto the road. Scobie emphasised the importance of increased awareness and protection measures to prevent this from happening again. As a solution, turtle-friendly street lighting was installed along the affected stretch of road.
Scobie cautioned that turtles have an inherent ability to find their way back to their usual nesting areas, including Queens Beach North. He emphasized the potential effects of climate change and predicted a rise in nesting activity on the Peninsula due to favourable conditions.
The expo is organized to address the challenges faced by turtles, especially marine litter, within the protected Ramsar site of Moreton Bay. Inspired by the ‘Marine Debris’ exhibit at Redcliffe Museum, Vivien Harris and Karen Catterall have designed turtle-shaped boards decorated with trash collected mainly from Clontarf Beach.
Photo Credit: Rotary Club of Redcliffe/Facebook
Their artwork, showcased at the event, aims to raise awareness about the pervasive issue of beach litter and encourage responsible waste disposal practices.
Despite their clean-up efforts, Harris and Catterall were dismayed by the debris that had accumulated on local beaches. They highlighted the role of stormwater runoff in transporting land-based litter to the sea.
Interactive activities have been planned for an upcoming event, which includes turtle painting sessions for children and the chance to observe turtle nests with the Bribie Island Turtle Trackers. The aim is to communicate a message of environmental stewardship that will stay with attendees. Everyone is encouraged to reduce their plastic usage in daily life to help protect threatened species.
The Family Turtle Expo Day aims to promote collective commitment to safeguarding the region’s marine biodiversity by encouraging broad participation from diverse community segments.
A substantial $9.6 million investment has been earmarked for Moreton Bay, which will bolster FOGO collection in the city, marking a crucial step towards Queensland’s commitment to enhancing resource recovery and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
This allocation of funds is part of a larger $151 million pledge aimed at aiding councils across Queensland in implementing comprehensive food organic and garden organic (FOGO) waste collection services.
Organic waste is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions when left to decompose in landfills. However, it possesses the potential to be converted into reusable products such as mulch or compost, thereby mitigating its adverse environmental impact.
Under this substantial funding initiative, over 116,000 lime-green lidded organics kerbside bins will be distributed to households throughout the Moreton Bay region. Additionally, efforts will be made to harmonise the colours of some existing bins in line with a nationwide drive to standardise bin lid colours for greater consistency.
The Council will adopt a phased approach to the introduction of FOGO Collection:
In Stage 1, a conditional opt-out Garden Organics (GO) service will commence in early December 2024.
Stage 2 will incorporate the collection of food waste, contingent upon the availability of a suitable FOGO processing facility capable of accommodating all FOGO materials collected within the city.
“FOGO is a resource recovery project with the potential to bring our region’s recycling rate from 45 percent to over 60 percent by adding a new lime green lidded bin for organic material made up of food and garden waste,” Mayor of the City of Moreton Bay, Peter Flannery, said.
“Council currently produces electricity from landfill gases at its three landfill sites to power up to 7,000 homes in our region. This additional bin service is in line with our commitment to investing in sustainability and our local lifestyle as our city’s population booms.”
Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Leanne Linard, commented on the significance of this initiative:
“Most garden and food waste currently ends up in landfill, where it emits methane gas and leaves significant organic resources wasted. That’s why introducing food organics and garden organics (FOGO) is the next vital step in our resource recovery efforts.”
“We are committed to halving the amount of food waste generated by 2030 and diverting 80 percent of organic waste away from landfill. Organic waste can be turned into high-value compost, mulch, and soil products that can be used for a range of environmental projects.”
A heartfelt appeal has been made by Wildlife Rescue Queensland, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of native Australian wildlife. This call for action is particularly aimed at residents in the Redcliffe Peninsula and North Lakes area, where a shortage of volunteers poses a significant challenge to the organisation’s mission.
Wildlife Rescue Queensland serves primarily the Moreton Bay region and is vital for the protection and care of injured or orphaned animals.
Individuals willing to become members and actively participate in rescuing and transporting wildlife will aid in their treatment or humane euthanization. The organisation conducts three transport trips a day, ensuring the animals receive the necessary care. Many of the rescued animals are subsequently cared for at Australia Zoo.
The diverse range of animals rescued by Wildlife Rescue Queensland includes birds, ringtail possums, brushtail possums, wallabies, koalas, echidnas, kangaroos, platypus, snakes, and turtles.
Colleen Ogilvie, an experienced volunteer with the organisation, emphasised the pressing need for more active volunteers in the Redcliffe suburb.
“We desperately need more active volunteers who will be able to tend to rescues in Redcliffe, Scarborough, Woody Point, Kippa-Ring, and North Lakes,” Colleen said. The lack of volunteers in these areas leaves a gap in responding to distress calls for sick or injured wildlife.
An information session is scheduled for Wednesday, 8 Nov 2023, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Katrina’s School of Hair and Beauty, located at 4/12 Leda Blvd, Morayfield.
This session is aimed at individuals interested in joining Wildlife Rescue Queensland. The session will provide insight into the organisation’s mission, the responsibilities of rescuers, what should be included in a rescue pack, and the potential paths for becoming a rescuer or carer.
Those interested may contact 0421 269 257 by noon Tuesday, 7 Nov 2023. Additionally, interested individuals can also send an email to training@wrq.org.au for registration.
Police dogs tracked the male driver of an allegedly stolen Holden Commodore to a drain 4 km away from the scene of atragic collision that occurred in Kippa-Ring, involving said car and a Suzuki Swift carrying two women, one of whom died at the scene.
Emergency services promptly responded to the scene at the junction of Anzac Avenue and Oleander Street in Kippa-Ring, following reports of the collision that occurred at approximately 6:53 a.m. on Friday, 22 Sept 2023. .
The elderly fatality was trapped in her vehicle and received immediate CPR at the accident scene. She sucumbed to her injuries. Her adult daughter suffered serious injuries and has been rushed to the hospital.
#UpdateFinal – One patient in a serious condition has been transported to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital following a serious two-vehicle crash on Anzac Avenue at 6.53am. #KippaRing
The 27-year-old male driver of the Commodore fled the accident scene on foot and was subsequently discovered in a drain near Kayo Stadium in Redcliffe, four kilometres from the accident scene.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the Suzuki was making a left turn out of Oleander Street when it was struck by the eastbound-travelling Holden Commodore on Anzac Avenue. According to the authorities, the utility vehicle was stolen from a Stafford address sometime between 18 and 19 Sept 2023.
“It’s a terrible scene for emergency personnel, a terrible tragedy for anyone involved,” Inspector Craig White of the Moreton Bay Police said.
“Our units did an exceptional job in finding him; he was tracked 4 kilometers from the scene by police dogs and was taken into custody without further injury.
The Queensland Police Services charged the man in custody, who hails from Aspley, with charges of “dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing grievous bodily harm, driver fail to remain at incident and render assistance, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and stealing.”
Currently, officers from the Forensic Crash Unit and detectives from Redcliffe are conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
Authorities are urging anyone who witnessed the collision or possesses dashcam footage of the event to come forward and cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
Suttons Beach Pavilion has played host to countless weddings and parties for decades, but did you know that this iconic, art deco-style building will likely be demolished following the release of an independent report suggesting that its renovation would be impractical?
A structural investigation report prepared by independent experts Covey Associates revealed that repairing the pavilion would be inappropriate due to the “significant remediation and rectification works required to meet current building compliance and serviceability.”
Both the Pavilions 1 and 2 had a history of water ingress issues, which means it will require extensive removal of the building’s structural elements to facilitate the access necessary to complete the repairs.
Photo credit: ThatGuy/Google Maps
The 600-page report also highlighted that there’s “no guarantee of extended durability and residual life” if the renovations are carried out.
Moreton Bay Regional Council will be looking at options for replacing the building, which will be discussed in a meeting in April 2023.
Photo credit: Haddie Middleton/Google Maps
As early as now, there are already some suggestions from the community including a new structure reflecting the original 1930s but with a restaurant or food outlet. There have also been calls to retain the rotunda which was used as backdrop for many weddings over the years.
“It is expected that after these options are presented the public will have their opportunity to help determine what new structure will replace the Pavilion for future generations to appreciate and enjoy, back to its roots as a true community use facility for all residents of our region to enjoy equally and fairly for decades to come,” said Councillor Mark Booth.
History of the Suttons Beach Pavilion
Photo credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council Libraries
The original pavilion, which consisted of a bathing pavilion and kiosk for beachgoers, was built in 1934. The pavilion was designed by architect George Brockwell Gill.
The former Redcliffe Town Council opened a new two-storey pavilion on the site in 1937, based on the design of architect Clifford E. Plant. Mr Plant also owned a property in Redcliffe, which allowed him to personally oversee its construction.
Significant alterations were done over time, including the addition of a rotunda in 1998. The current pavilion, which served as a function centre was constructed in 2002.
Photo credit: Trent B/Google Maps
Suttons Beach Pavilion was acquired by the Moreton Bay Regional Council in 2006. An assessment done in 2018 revealed that very little of the original pavilion survived over time.
According to the Council, what people see today, which is the faux art deco style, is not a true reflection of the original build form, but how it’s used when the building was extended and modified.
To read more about the testing and findings, visit Council’s website.
