Moreton Bay Archives - Redcliffe Today

Redcliffe Pink Snapdragons Share Dragon Boating With Locals in Kippa-Ring

Photo Credit: Redcliffe Pink Snapdragons Breast Cancer Dragon Boat Club Inc./Facebook

Redcliffe Pink Snapdragons Breast Cancer Dragon Boat Club Inc. is giving locals a closer look at its paddling community through a Come and Try Dragon Boating event in Kippa-Ring.

Redcliffe Pink Snapdragons Welcome Locals to the Water

Redcliffe Pink Snapdragons Breast Cancer Dragon Boat Club Inc. is holding a Come and Try Dragon Boating event for non-members interested in learning more about the club and its paddling community.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, 13 June 2026, from 9:00 am to 11:30 am at the Redcliffe Red Dragon Boat Club in Kippa-Ring. Participants are asked to be at the Redcliffe Red Dragons and Pink Snapdragons shed by 9:00 am.

The session is set to begin with a warm-up and coach briefing before the group aims to be on the water from 9:30 am. Registration is required so coaches can prepare crews before the session starts.

Participants are also asked to follow hygiene practices, including washing down boats, club paddles and the sweep oar after the event, and not attending if unwell.

Kippa-Ring dragon boating session — *Photo Credit: CrSandraRuck/Facebook*

A Redcliffe Peninsula Club Built on Support

The Redcliffe Pink Snapdragons are a not-for-profit dragon boat club for breast cancer survivors and supporters. The club is based at Talobilla Park in Kippa-Ring and paddles across Moreton Bay.

Founded in 2005, the club brings together paddlers from across the Redcliffe Peninsula, including Scarborough, Margate, Kippa-Ring, Woody Point and Clontarf, along with the wider Moreton Bay and Brisbane region.

Its activities include regular dragon boat training, regional regattas, breast cancer awareness fundraising and social events. The club is part of Dragons Abreast Australia, where it is known as DA Moreton Bay.

Paddlers training on Moreton Bay — *Photo Credit: Redcliffe Pink Snapdragons Breast Cancer Dragon Boat Club Inc./Facebook*

What New Paddlers Can Expect

The Come and Try event gives visitors a chance to see where the club trains, meet members and experience a paddling session in a supportive setting.

No previous dragon boating experience is needed. The club provides paddles and life jackets, and newcomers are guided through the activity.

The club welcomes breast cancer survivors and supporters, regardless of fitness level or paddling background. It presents dragon boating as a way to stay active, enjoy Moreton Bay and connect with others through a shared team activity.

Redcliffe Pink Snapdragons dragon boat team — *Photo Credit: Redcliffe Pink Snapdragons Breast Cancer Dragon Boat Club Inc./Facebook*

The Story Behind the Pink Snapdragons

The Redcliffe Pink Snapdragons were founded after Jayne Coe, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer at 31 and later with a lung secondary in 2001, was inspired by breast cancer paddlers she met at the National Dragon Boat Regatta in Canberra in 2003.

After returning to Redcliffe, she worked towards forming a local club. Redcliffe Pink Snapdragons was established in 2005 with support from Dragons Abreast Australia and the local community. Jayne served as the club’s first president until her death in 2007.

In 2025, the club marked 20 years of paddling, friendship and survivorship. It recorded more than 50 active members and more than 100 events attended.

The Come and Try event continues that local story, offering Redcliffe residents a way to understand the club’s work, its history and the role dragon boating plays in bringing survivors and supporters together on Moreton Bay.

Published 8-June-2026

A New Spot to Watch the Sunset: How Woody Point is Getting a Brand-New Beach

For generations, locals have gathered along the waterfront at Woody Point to fish from the jetty, watch the sun set across Moreton Bay, and enjoy the sea breeze that has long defined life on the Redcliffe Peninsula. Soon, there will be something new to enjoy.

A new beach is set to take shape beside Crockatt Park at Woody Point, adding a fresh stretch of sand to one of the Peninsula’s most loved foreshore areas. While the project is being delivered as part of a major seawall upgrade designed to protect the coastline from erosion, the most visible change for residents will be the creation of a new beach.

From Seawall Project to Seaside Destination

Construction crews are already on-site near the TS Moreton Cadets, kickstarting the Crockatt Park Seawall Upgrade. While civil engineering rarely captures the public’s imagination, this project is a rare exception.

Instead of just leaving behind concrete, crews will be dropping around 2,000 tonnes of sand to craft a 60-metre stretch of beach.

A concept image of the Crockatt Park Seawall project
Photo Credit: Supplied

It’s a rare transformation. While new playgrounds and pathways pop up across the Peninsula from time to time, entirely new beaches are a collectors’ item. This project cleverly balances vital coastal protection with public enjoyment, creating a spot to sit by the bay, let the kids paddle, or simply watch the tide roll in.

The upgraded seawall will stretch 331 metres between the Woody Point Jetty and the boat ramp, built with a lifespan of 100 years to future-proof the coast against erosion and wild weather.

Designing for Everyone

A great foreshore should be enjoyed by everyone, which is why the design focuses heavily on modern accessibility. The upgrade will feature:

A new staircase equipped with sturdy handrails to assist those with ambulant disabilities.
Tactile shoreline features specifically designed to improve navigation for blind or low-vision visitors.

These thoughtful touches ensure the new coastline isn’t just resilient, but genuinely welcoming to every member of the community.

What to Expect Over the Next Two Years

Good things take time, and this coastal makeover is a long-term investment. Construction will roll out in sections to minimise disruption, with the final reveal expected in mid-2027.

*City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery and Councillor Karl Winchester at the site* where the beach is under construction
Photo Credit: Supplied

“It’s not often you can say a new beach is on the way, so this is a very exciting project,” Mayor Peter Flannery said.

“This will be a great addition to City of Moreton Bay, already home to 16 beaches from the ever-popular Suttons Beach at Redcliffe to the golden and glistening Woorim Beach at Bribie Island.”

For regular walkers and Crockatt Park visitors, the landscape will look a little busy for a while. But by the time the fences come down, the Peninsula will have a whole new space to gather, relax, and connect with the water.

If all goes to plan, by mid-2027, the perfect afternoon at Woody Point is going to get even better.

Published 2-June-2026

Redcliffe Whale Watching Season Marks 30 Years On Moreton Bay

Photo Credit: Brisbane Whale Watching/Facebook

Redcliffe is preparing for the return of whale watching season, as Brisbane Whale Watching marks its 30th season taking passengers onto Moreton Bay to see humpbacks during their annual migration.

For nearly three decades, the winter migration of humpback whales has brought passengers to Redcliffe Jetty and out across Moreton Bay aboard Brisbane Whale Watching’s Eye Spy.

That seasonal rhythm is set to continue when Brisbane Whale Watching launches its 30th season on Saturday, 6 June, marking a milestone for one of the area’s long-running marine tourism experiences.

The locally operated business departs from Redcliffe aboard Eye Spy, taking locals and visitors onto Moreton Bay during the annual humpback migration. Daily tours are scheduled to operate through winter until October.

The milestone season gives the return of whale watching added significance for Redcliffe, where the business has become closely associated with winter on the peninsula and the movement of whales through Moreton Bay.

A Business Shaped by Moreton Bay’s Whales

Brisbane Whale Watching was founded by Captain Kerry Lopez, whose path to whale watching began with a whale sighting in Moreton Bay in 1990.

After securing one of the original whale watching permits issued for Moreton Bay, Captain Kerry launched the business in 1996. Since then, more than 300,000 guests from around the world have taken part in its tours.

The 30th season also reflects the broader story of humpback whales along the east coast. Captain Kerry has linked the business’s history with the recovery of the East Coast humpback population, referring to a rise from about 100 whales to more than 50,000 now passing through Moreton Bay Marine Park.

That change has helped make whale watching a regular winter experience from Redcliffe, with each season bringing new passengers onto the bay and returning guests back to the water.

Eye Spy Remains Part Of The Redcliffe Experience

The tours operate aboard Eye Spy, a multi-million dollar, high-speed catamaran built locally by South Pacific Marine in Brisbane.

The vessel includes multiple outdoor viewing areas, walk-around access across lower and upper decks, air-conditioned cabins, large windows, five toilets and wheelchair-friendly lower deck access. It also carries onboard technology including an underwater microphone and an underwater GoPro.

Eye Spy has low-noise propellers and a hull design intended to reduce wash. The vessel is supported by Sky Spy, a small Cessna 172 aircraft used to help locate whales and provide position details to the boat, reducing travel time to sighting areas.

For passengers, the season offers several ways to join the tours, including standard, premium and VIP whale watching experiences. General admission is listed from AUD $185, with Brisbane CBD transfer options and a 2026 season pass also available.

*Photo Credit: Brisbane Whale Watching/Facebook*

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A Milestone Season Amid Rising Costs

The 30th season arrives as tourism operators continue to face pressure from rising operating costs.

Fuel costs remain a concern because they affect several parts of the operation, including coach transfers and onboard catering. Those pressures can affect ticket pricing while operators continue to maintain passenger numbers through the season.

Despite those challenges, the upcoming season remains centred on the return of the whales and the long-running Redcliffe operation built around them.

Brisbane Whale Watching has also received recent recognition, including Best of Queensland GOLD status for 2026 and induction into the Moreton Bay Business Awards Tourism Business Excellence Hall of Fame in 2025.

As the new season begins, the milestone places the focus on how far the business has come since the whale sighting in 1990 that helped shape its direction. From Redcliffe Jetty to the waters of Moreton Bay, Brisbane Whale Watching’s 30th season marks both a return to the bay and a significant chapter in the area’s winter whale watching story.

Published 1-June-2026

Handmade Art and Community Spirit Take Centre Stage at Redcliffe Library

Photo Credit: BonnieHislop.com

Families, artists and local makers are set to pack into Redcliffe Library as Craftival returns to Moreton Bay with ceramic artist Bonnie Hislop leading a day of workshops, live demonstrations and handmade markets aimed at connecting the community through creativity.

Craftival 2026 will run on Saturday, 30 May, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Redcliffe Library in partnership with the City of Moreton Bay. Entry to the event is free.

The festival brings together artists, crafters, community groups and young entrepreneurs from across the region, turning the library into a hub for hands-on activities and local talent.

Visitors will be able to join sewing, sculpture and metalsmithing workshops, browse stalls selling handmade goods and take part in activities including jewellery-making, creature drawing and face painting.

Award-winning ceramic artist Bonnie Hislop is expected to be one of the major drawcards. Known for her bright ceramic works and satirical style, Hislop will appear alongside wire sculptor Russell Solomon, Ministry of Handmade creative director Julie Hillier, youth market founder Chloe Alley and The Nest Community chief executive Roz Holt on the event’s main stage.

Brisbane-based artist Sunday Jemmott will also lead jewellery-making sessions focused on self-expression and accessible craft techniques for beginners and younger visitors.

Handmade Markets Spotlight Local Talent

Beyond the workshops, organisers are placing a strong focus on supporting small creative businesses across Moreton Bay. The pop-up marketplace will feature local artists and makers selling handmade jewellery, fashion, art, gifts and homewares.

Part of the market space will also be dedicated to stallholders from the GATHAA First Nations Markets and youth-run businesses supported through Youngpreneur Markets, founded by Chloe Alley.

The event reflects a broader shift in how local libraries are being used, with Redcliffe Library hosting more community-based programs that bring together learning, creativity and local business.

Mayor Peter Flannery said Craftival highlights the growing creative community across the region while giving residents a place to learn new skills and support local artisans.

Libraries Expanding Beyond Books

Craftival is also part of a growing push to turn public libraries into active community spaces rather than traditional reading centres alone. Over recent years, libraries across Queensland have increased their focus on workshops, public events and creative programs aimed at bringing different age groups together.

For many local artists and small makers, events such as Craftival provide rare opportunities to meet customers face-to-face without the high costs attached to larger commercial expos.

Redcliffe Library’s central location is expected to help attract residents from across the Moreton Bay region, particularly families looking for free weekend activities during the autumn season.

More information about the event is available through the official Craftival event page.

Published 26-May-2026

Redcliffe Gets Ready For Moreton Bay’s First Bee Gees Kazoo Flash Mob

At Bee Gees Way in Redcliffe, the familiar songs of one of the world’s best-known musical groups are set to return in an unexpected form, as the public is invited to join Moreton Bay’s first Bee Gees kazoo flash mob.

A Kazoo Chorus For Bee Gees Way

Redcliffe’s Bee Gees Way is preparing for a musical moment with a difference, as residents and visitors are invited to become part of Moreton Bay’s first Bee Gees kazoo flash mob.

The free public performance will be held from 9:30am to 10:00am on Sunday, 21 June 2026, at Bee Gees Way on Redcliffe Parade. Open to all ages, the event is aimed at everyone from experienced kazoo players to people who simply want to try something new.

Rather than presenting the Bee Gees’ music as a traditional concert, the flash mob will turn the public space into a temporary kazoo orchestra. Participants will perform familiar Bee Gees classics using one of the most accessible instruments, creating a light-hearted tribute in a location already closely connected with the group’s story.

Those joining the flash mob are encouraged to bring their own kazoo, as instruments may not be available on the day.

Redcliffe’s Bee Gees Connection Takes Centre Stage

Bee Gees Way has long served as a Redcliffe tribute to the Bee Gees. Established along the Redcliffe foreshore in 2013, the laneway gives residents and visitors a place to revisit the group’s connection to the area.

The kazoo flash mob adds a participatory twist to that setting. Instead of simply visiting the tribute site, the public will be able to help fill it with music, turning Bee Gees Way into a shared performance space for the morning.

The event also coincides with Make Music Day, an international celebration where free live music is performed in public places across 120 countries.

Redcliffe Bee Gees flash mob — *Photo Credit: Supplied*

Workshops Will Help Participants Tune In

A series of kazoo workshops will be held across Moreton Bay before the Redcliffe performance, giving participants a chance to learn the basics, practise performance cues and work through a medley of Bee Gees songs.

The workshops begin at Albany Creek Library on Saturday, 06 June 2026, from 11:30am to 1:30pm, followed by Strathpine Library on Tuesday, 09 June 2026, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.

Further sessions will be held at Burpengary Library on Saturday, 13 June 2026, from 11:00am to 12:30pm; Redcliffe Library on Friday, 19 June 2026, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm; Caboolture Regional Art Gallery on Saturday, 20 June 2026, from 10:30am to 12:30pm; and Bribie Island Seaside Museum on Saturday, 20 June 2026, from 1:00pm to 2:30pm.

The workshops are designed to help participants build confidence before the flash mob. Attendees may bring their own kazoo, while some instruments will be available at the workshops on a first-come, first-served basis.

Part Of A Wider Month Of Music

The Redcliffe kazoo flash mob is part of Make Music Month, a June program featuring free events, live performances, workshops, jam sessions and music activities across galleries, museums, libraries and other venues.

The program spans a wide mix of styles and experiences, from rock, reggae, jazz and folk to hip hop, R&B, classical and contemporary music. It also includes songwriting workshops, interactive children’s sessions, choir performances, library concerts and gallery-based music experiences.

Redcliffe is among the locations hosting several music activities during the month, including events at Redcliffe Library, Redcliffe Museum, Redcliffe Art Gallery and Redcliffe Entertainment Centre.

The flash mob brings the focus back to the group that helped shape the site’s identity. With kazoos in hand, participants will help transform the laneway into a brief, playful and public celebration of music, place and community participation.

Published 21-May-2026

Redcliffe’s Liam Adcock Earns Long-Awaited Commonwealth Games Debut

Australian Athletics

Liam Adcock, who grew up competing at Redcliffe Little Athletics and attended Redcliffe State High School, has secured selection in the Australian team for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The selection marks his first Commonwealth Games call-up, arriving 12 years after he first took up long jump and eight years after narrowly missing out on the 2018 squad.

The 29-year-old heads to Glasgow as one of Australia’s most credentialled squad members. He returns from a breakout 2025 season where he secured bronze at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, won the Rome Diamond League meeting with a personal best of 8.34 metres, and finished the year ranked fifth in the world.

A Redcliffe story that started in a backyard

Adcock was born in Paddington, New South Wales, but grew up in Redcliffe, attending Scarborough State School and Redcliffe State High School before his family settled into the bayside suburb. He began competing at Redlands Little Athletics, before returning to Redcliffe Little Athletics and later training at Deception Bay.

*Photo Credit:* *Liam Adcock/ Instagram*

His entry into jumping events was unconventional. After an injury at age 16 forced a rethink about his sporting goals, Adcock and his stepbrother turned their focus specifically to triple jump. They built a makeshift sandpit in their backyard with a 20-metre run-up, and Adcock registered with Athletics Queensland during Year 12.

An external coach soon advised him to switch to long jump, and the results quickly followed. He won Queensland state titles and reached the national podium in 2017 and 2018. Despite finishing second at the national selection trials, he missed a spot on the 2018 Commonwealth Games team. Following that omission, Adcock took a six-month break from the sport before joining a new training squad.

A succession of severe injuries followed, including major ankle surgery on his take-off leg, keeping him off the national championships circuit through 2019, 2020, and 2021.

The comeback to world-class ranks

Adcock returned to competitive action in 2022, travelling to Europe and jumping within three centimetres of his personal best. His 2023 season delivered a major competitive breakthrough.

*Photo Credit: Track Athletes/Fred Etter*

He cleared the eight-metre barrier for the first time in Auckland, won the 2023 Australian Athletics Championships in Brisbane with a leap of 8.06 metres, and earned selection for the World Championships in Budapest. In Budapest, his 7.99-metre jump missed the final by one centimetre, a distance that ultimately placed seventh in the final round.

Following the passing of his long-time coach Gary Bourne in late 2023, Adcock relocated to Sydney. He adapted his preparation to a self-coached program, utilizing the track and gym frameworks of coach Andrew Murphy at the Sydney University Athletics Club.

Coach Gary Bourne. *Photo Credit: Australian Athletics*

His subsequent 2025 campaign yielded elite international results. He claimed a bronze medal at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing with a leap of 8.28 metres, and won the Rome Diamond League event, producing a lifetime best of 8.34 metres on his final jump to defeat Olympic champion Miltiádis Tentóglou.

He closed out his international circuit by placing third at the Diamond League Final in Zurich with 8.24 metres, ending the year ranked fifth in the world with the top four Australian long jump performances of the season.

Glasgow and the debut milestone

While the Paris 2024 Olympics was a primary career goal, injury hampered his performance. Adcock slipped on the take-off board in a warm-up meet prior to the Olympics, aggravating a pre-existing hamstring tendinopathy in his take-off leg. The injury limited his power output in Paris, where he finished the qualification round in 27th place with a best mark of 7.56 metres.

He responded with a strong domestic season, culminating in a dominant victory at the 2026 Australian Athletics Championships in Sydney with a jump of 8.26 metres. This performance locked in his automatic selection for Glasgow.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games will mark Adcock’s debut at the event, entering the competition sitting equal fourth on the Australian all-time long jump list. For the Moreton Bay community that watched him record his early jumps at the local track, the Glasgow selection rewards 12 years of competitive persistence.

To track Liam Adcock’s progress in Glasgow, visit athletics.com.au or commonwealthgames.com.au.

Published 20-May-2026

Redcliffe Hospital Expansion To Bring More Parking, Beds And Services

Photo Credit: QLD Gov

Redcliffe Hospital is set for a more visible period of construction as work ramps up on a $1.1 billion expansion that will reshape parts of the Anzac Avenue campus and increase healthcare capacity for the growing Moreton Bay region.

Construction To Become More Visible At Redcliffe Hospital

Early works are underway on a $36 million upgrade of the hospital’s existing multi-storey car park, with construction activity expected to increase in the coming weeks.

The upgrade will add more than 530 parking spaces through a three-level extension, including disability parking bays and motorcycle parking bays. Richard Crooks Construction is expected to begin main works on the car park in July, with completion expected by the end of 2027.

The car park expansion is aimed at meeting current and future parking demand at the hospital campus, where growth in local health services is expected to place further pressure on access and movement around the site.

More Beds And Clinical Services For Redcliffe

Beyond the car park, the wider Redcliffe Hospital expansion will deliver at least 210 new overnight beds. The first beds are expected from late 2027, with full completion expected in 2032.

The redevelopment also includes expanded maternity, endoscopy and operating theatre services. The hospital’s re-design went to tender in March, with a construction partner for the main hospital works expected to be appointed in coming months.

The project is also focused on better use of the site, improved service delivery and design that supports the safety of nurses, doctors and healthcare workers.

Growing Demand Across Moreton Bay

Redcliffe Hospital serves the Redcliffe peninsula and nearby suburbs including Deception Bay, North Lakes, Murrumba Downs, Kallangur and Brighton.

Its catchment currently covers about 190,000 residents, with that population expected to reach 275,000 by 2046. The wider Moreton Bay region is home to more than half a million people, making the hospital a key health facility for one of Queensland’s fastest-growing areas.

The expansion is intended to increase clinical capacity and support more care closer to home as demand continues to rise across the region.

car park expansion — *Photo Credit: QLD Gov*

Several early works have already been completed across the hospital campus, including modular office accommodation, pedestrian and shuttle bus pathways, Recreation Street pathway works, new logistics pathways, a new Pharmacy Store and Confidential Waste works.

The hospital is located on the traditional lands of the Kabi Kabi people. The expansion is planned to avoid impact to the culturally significant tree on site.

As the car park works become more visible, the Redcliffe Hospital expansion is moving from planning and early works into a stage residents are more likely to notice on the ground. The larger changes will unfold over several years, with new beds, expanded services and additional parking forming the core of the hospital’s long-term upgrade.

Published 20-May-2026

Kayo Stadium Swap From Rugby League to Softball Locked in for 2027

Kayo Stadium will swap rugby league goalposts for home plates after the Dolphins’ home ground was selected to host the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals, bringing international teams and global attention to Moreton Bay.

The tournament will run from 5 to 11 April 2027, with organisers confirming the stadium will be converted into a purpose-built softball diamond for the event. The finals will also serve as a qualifying pathway toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Organisers have described the tournament as Queensland’s first major international team event linked to the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Officials from Softball Australia, the City of Moreton Bay, the Dolphins organisation and Softball Queensland gathered at Kayo Stadium this week to confirm the venue announcement alongside members of the Aussie Spirit national team.

Softball Australia chief executive Sarah Loh said the stadium setting would give the sport a larger audience and create stronger connections with young players and families across the country. She said the event was expected to encourage more girls and women to become involved in softball.

Softball Australia CEO Sarah Loh announces the 2027 Softball World Cup Venue at Redcliffe Leagues Club.
Photo Credit: Scott Powick Softball Australia Media/Supplied

From Dolphins Territory to International Softball Diamond

Kayo Stadium has long been known as the home of the Dolphins and one of Queensland’s established rugby league venues.

The switch to softball will see the ground temporarily redesigned with an international-standard diamond, enhanced broadcast facilities and upgraded spectator access for the tournament.

*Softball Australia Head Coach Kerrie Porter with Team Spirit players Nicole Conacher & Jayme Reddacliff during the 2027 Softball World Cup Venue announcement at Redcliffe Leagues Club.*
*Photo Credit: Scott Powick Softball Australia Media/SUPPLIED*

The 10,000-seat venue already features modern player facilities, stadium lighting and transport links through Kippa-Ring station, making it suitable for an event expected to draw teams and supporters from around the world.

For local sports fans, the tournament will mark a rare shift from the stadium’s usual rugby league setup to an international softball layout.

Dolphins Group president Bob Jones joined the announcement in Redcliffe, highlighting the partnership between the rugby league club, Softball Australia and Moreton Bay Council in bringing the event to the area.

Talobilla Park to Host Training and Warm-Up Sessions

While Kayo Stadium will host the main tournament matches, Talobilla Park will continue to play a major role throughout the week.

The Redcliffe softball venue, which had originally been announced as the tournament host site, will instead operate as the official training and warm-up base for competing teams.

That means international players and coaching staff are expected to spend time across multiple parts of the Peninsula during the event.

Mr Peter Flannery said the tournament would help strengthen Moreton Bay’s standing as a destination for major sporting events while also bringing long-term benefits to the community.

He said the partnership between council, Softball Australia and the Dolphins would help keep Redcliffe closely connected to the World Cup experience even with activities spread across different venues.

Local Softball Clubs Prepare for World Cup Spotlight

The arrival of the Women’s Softball World Cup Finals is expected to place fresh attention on grassroots softball across the region.

Representatives from Redcliffe Leagues Softball Association attended the announcement, with organisers pointing to the opportunity for local juniors to watch elite international players compete in their own backyard.

The Aussie Spirit is expected to face seven of the world’s leading softball nations during the tournament, giving local fans a chance to see Olympic-level athletes without leaving southeast Queensland.

Federal Sport Minister Anika Wells said the event would help place women’s sport in front of larger crowds and younger audiences, particularly with matches being staged inside a stadium environment rather than a traditional softball complex.

Queensland Sport Minister Tim Mander also linked the event to the growing focus on participation ahead of Brisbane 2032, saying international tournaments often encourage children to become involved in local sport.

World Cup Event Adds to Redcliffe’s Sporting Schedule

The World Cup announcement adds another major event to Redcliffe’s sporting calendar following the Dolphins’ entry into the NRL and continued investment across Moreton Bay sporting infrastructure.

The tournament is expected to bring teams, officials and supporters to the region during the week-long competition period.

The event will also place Kayo Stadium in front of international television audiences as softball prepares for its return to the Olympic spotlight.

Fans can register for tournament updates and ticket information through Softball Australia.

Published 19-May-2026

Sandstone Point Veteran Wins National Dragon Boat Silver at 72

Australian Dragon Boat Federation/Facebook

John Butler of Sandstone Point came within a stroke of gold at the Australian Dragon Boat Championships at Lake Kawana last month, paddling with Queensland’s Senior C Division crew to a silver medal finish over 200 metres after three years with Dragon Boat Pumicestone.

The 72-year-old former infantryman and commando, who spent 47 years in military service before discovering dragon boating through a Meals on Wheels colleague, is now one of the sport’s most enthusiastic converts on the Pumicestone Passage. “To compete against the best in Australia is something dreams are made of,” he said.

The Queensland Senior C crew, racing in the over-60 division, were edged out by Brisbane River Dragons in a thrilling finish, with Rainbow Dragons from Ballina claiming bronze. It was the kind of margin that stings in the moment but deepens appreciation for what the season produced.

“State versus state, what an exciting opportunity and experience,” John said. “Our performance can only be attributed to six months training and team hunger.”

A club that punched above its weight at nationals

John’s silver was not the only medal Dragon Boat Pumicestone brought home from Lake Kawana. The club’s Senior C Mixed crew delivered what John described as a “fantastic” performance over 500 metres, taking bronze. The open crew added another silver over 200 metres. Across three days of competition against clubs from across Australia, Pumicestone more than held its own.

Sandstone Point veteran — *Photo Credit: John Butler/Facebook*

Dragon Boat Pumicestone’s purpose has always been to make the sport available to all members of the Pumicestone community, operating on the sheltered waters of the Pumicestone Passage with a philosophy built on fun, friendship and competitive pathways for those who want them. John embodies both ends of that equation. He came for connection and stayed for competition.

“Nationals were a culmination of very hard work over the race season and the medals were reward for effort,” he said. “However the camaraderie and mateship for me within our club is the driving factor that makes me strive to better myself.”

Forty-seven years of service, and then a dragon boat

John’s path to the starting line at Lake Kawana runs through some of Australia’s most challenging deployments. Across a 47-year career in the Australian Army, he served in Afghanistan, Malaysia, Timor, Bougainville and Papua New Guinea, rose to the rank of Warrant Officer 1, and served with both infantry units and Army Reserve battalions.

John Butler — *Photo Credit:* *Anthony MacGregor*/Facebook

Returning to civilian life brought its own “challenges” for John, a word that carries massive weight coming from a veteran with four decades of active service under his belt. Finding the right sport in the years that followed was not straightforward. He needed something that could meet him where he was, not where he had been.

“I was looking for a sport that would allow me to challenge myself, but needed to be mindful of my age and injuries over my military and previous sporting activities,” he said.

The introduction came through an unlikely channel. A colleague John volunteers with at Meals on Wheels Bribie Island suggested he try a come-and-try session with Dragon Boat Pumicestone. He was not immediately convinced. “At first I was not sure I would be challenged by dragon boating,” he said. “But after attending a regatta I was sure this was the sport for me.”

Three years on, he is racing at national level and winning medals in the over-60 division. Some finds are worth holding onto.

Dragon Boat Pumicestone welcomes new members of all experience levels. For more information, visit the club’s page.

Published 8-May-2026

Life-Saving Cancer Imaging Now Available Locally for Redcliffe Patients

Photo Credit: Qscan

Redcliffe residents facing cancer now have access to life-saving PET-CT medical imaging right in their own neighbourhood through a new specialised clinic at the Altiva health hub.

The local service recently started operating at Qscan Redcliffe on Silvyn Street, marking the first time this level of diagnostic technology has been available in the immediate area.

Previously, patients had to travel to North Lakes or make the long trip into Brisbane city to reach the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital for similar scans. Because these scans are a regular part of cancer treatment and monitoring, the ability to stay local removes a significant amount of stress and travel time for families during a difficult period.

Bridging the Gap in Local Healthcare

The new clinic sits within a thirty-million-dollar medical precinct located very close to the Redcliffe Hospital. While the public hospital provides many services, it does not currently have its own PET-CT facility, making this private addition a vital resource for the community.

Kerri-Anne Dooley, the State Member for Redcliffe, noted that the arrival of the service is a major win for the City of Moreton Bay because it brings essential healthcare much closer to the homes of local people. This development is part of a larger plan to turn the site into a complete cancer care centre, with radiation oncology services from GenesisCare expected to join the hub soon.

Advanced Technology for Better Outcomes

A PET-CT scan is a highly detailed medical test that combines two different types of images to give doctors a clear picture of what is happening inside the body. The PET part of the scan looks at how cells are functioning and using energy, while the CT part provides a detailed map of the body’s structure.

By putting these two images together, specialists can find diseases at a cellular level, see how far a cancer has spread, and check if treatments are working. Outside of cancer care, these scans are also used by doctors to investigate complex infections or inflammation that might not show up on a standard X-ray or ultrasound.

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Planning for a Growing Community

The need for more medical services in the region is high, as the population of Moreton Bay is expected to grow to seven hundred thousand people by the year 2041. With more than thirty-five thousand people in Queensland diagnosed with cancer every year, the demand for high-tech imaging continues to rise.

To help manage the costs for local families, many of these scans at the Redcliffe clinic will be bulk billed for patients who meet Medicare requirements. This helps ensure that advanced healthcare is not just physically close, but also more affordable for those who need it most.

Published Date 06-May-2026