Residents in Caboolture, Redcliffe and Shorncliffe are set to experience short-term but widespread rail disruptions, with train services suspended across key northern lines during early April as part of major network works across South East Queensland.
From April 3 to April 11, multiple train lines including the Sunshine Coast, Caboolture, Redcliffe Peninsula and Shorncliffe lines will be impacted while large-scale infrastructure works are carried out across the rail corridor. During this period, rail replacement buses will operate to keep passengers moving.
Northern lines affected in early April
The closures are part of a coordinated shutdown across the network to allow several major rail projects and maintenance works to be completed at the same time. These include Cross River Rail supporting works, upgrades on the Sunshine Coast line, improvements to the Logan and Gold Coast corridor, new digital signalling systems and general track maintenance.
While the disruptions on the northern lines are shorter than those affecting the southside, they will still impact daily commutes for thousands of passengers travelling between outer suburbs and Brisbane’s CBD.
For commuters in Caboolture, Redcliffe and Shorncliffe, the changes will mean replacing train journeys with buses for several days in early April. This is likely to result in longer travel times and possible transfers depending on the route.
Transport authorities have advised that both express and all-stops rail replacement buses will be available, along with regular bus services. In some cases, regular bus routes may provide a more direct option for passengers heading into the city.
Dates
Lines Impacted
What It Means for You
3–11 April
Caboolture, Redcliffe, Shorncliffe and other lines
Train services replaced by buses
After 11 April
Most northern lines return to normal
Services resume, fewer disruptions
After April 11, services on these northern lines are expected to return to normal, while closures continue on other parts of the network, particularly on the southside.
Plan ahead for travel
Transport authorities are encouraging commuters to plan ahead, check journey options before travelling and allow extra time during the closure period. Changes may vary across different lines and days, so passengers are advised to stay updated through official transport channels.
Although the disruptions are limited to just over a week for northern suburbs, they form part of a broader program aimed at improving the reliability and capacity of the rail network across South East Queensland.
The Miracle Mums Movement Inc., a survivor-led registered charity based in Redcliffe, has secured $150,000 in funding to deliver a 12-month Women’s Wellbeing Program of peer wellness workshops for women across the Moreton Bay region who have experienced domestic and family violence.
The funding enables the charity to expand its existing workshop model into a structured, ongoing program offering regular community spaces where women can access peer support, develop emotional resilience tools, rebuild self-esteem and form the social connections that research consistently identifies as critical to long-term recovery. For a region where domestic and family violence remains one of the most pressing community safety issues, the investment in a locally embedded, survivor-led support model addresses a gap that crisis services alone cannot fill.
Built From Lived Experience
Lou Feltham Smith, a Redcliffe-based survivor, founded the Miracle Mums Movement on a clear conviction: women who survive abuse deserve more than crisis support. They deserve the space to rebuild, reconnect with themselves and create the life they want.
That founding philosophy shapes everything about how the charity operates. Survivors who have transformed their own lives make up the Miracle Mums Movement team and now support others on their journey. The peer model places women with lived experience at the centre of the support process rather than positioning them purely as recipients of professional services. As a registered charity, the organisation partners with qualified professionals and collaborates closely with other Queensland domestic violence services to offer the most comprehensive support and resources available.
The team delivers workshops on the Redcliffe Peninsula using proven self-development principles to foster personal growth and goal achievement. Each session covers different practical strategies for moving toward a better life, with the program structured around three interconnected stages: developing a clear vision for the future, building a concrete plan to pursue it, and implementing that plan with community support over time.
Why Peer Support Matters After Trauma
The design of the Women’s Wellbeing Program reflects a growing body of evidence about what works for survivors of domestic and family violence in the period after they leave an abusive relationship. Crisis services play an essential role in the immediate aftermath, but the journey of recovery extends well beyond that acute phase. Isolation, eroded self-worth, disrupted social networks and the psychological aftermath of prolonged abuse all require sustained, structured support over time.
Peer-based programs are particularly effective in this space because they reduce the social isolation that makes recovery harder and create communities of shared understanding that professional services cannot replicate in the same way. When a survivor’s support comes partly from people who have navigated the same terrain, the therapeutic effect extends beyond the content of any individual session into the relationship and connection itself.
Across Queensland, the number of domestic and family violence occurrences recorded annually nearly doubled between 2017-18 and 2022-23, with police receiving more than 171,000 reports and occurrences in 2023 alone. Behind every statistic is a person navigating the long process of rebuilding, and programs like the Miracle Mums Movement’s workshops exist precisely to support that process in a sustained, community-grounded way.
Support That Stays Close to Home in Moreton Bay
The Moreton Bay region carries a significant domestic and family violence caseload, with the Moreton Police District maintaining specialist co-located DFV support services and the Centre Against Domestic Abuse operating dedicated counselling and court support services from Redcliffe. The Miracle Mums Movement sits alongside those services as a complementary peer-based resource, extending support into the recovery phase rather than duplicating crisis response.
The Miracle Mums Movement is taking its proven Redcliffe model on the road. This $150,000 investment empowers the team to deliver workshops across the Moreton Bay region, breaking down geographic barriers for survivors in Caboolture, Strathpine, and North Lakes who need sustained recovery support close to home.
Women across the Moreton Bay region can submit an expression of interest at miraclemumsmovement.com to join the Miracle Mums Movement workshops and receive updates when enrolments open for the next round.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, DVConnect Womensline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1800 811 811. For Australia-wide support, 1800RESPECT is available at any time on 1800 737 732. In an emergency, call 000.
Hundreds of young people across Moreton Bay are living without stable housing, and this April Chameleon Youth Housing is turning that reality into action through its Couch Surfing campaign, inviting Redcliffe peninsula residents to experience just one night without their own bed.
The Couch Surfing campaign runs from 13 to 19 April, timed to coincide with Youth Week and Youth Homelessness Matters Day on 15 April. Participants swap their bed for a couch or floor at home for one night and collect sponsorship from friends, family or colleagues, with all funds supporting the organisation’s youth shelter and life skills programs at Kippa-Ring. Individuals, families, school groups and workplaces can all register, either solo or as a team.
The Homelessness No One Sees
The young people Chameleon Youth Housing works with are rarely visible in the way most people picture homelessness. They are not sleeping in parks or doorways. They are rotating between a friend’s couch one night, a relative’s floor the next, and sometimes a car when those options run out. Chameleon Youth Housing manager Nicki Kemp estimates between 600 and 1,000 young people across the City of Moreton Bay are living this way right now.
That figure aligns with what national data confirms about the scale of hidden youth homelessness across Australia. Couch surfing has been identified as a precursor to chronic homelessness, occurring in the very early stage when young people are still moving in and out of unstable situations, often while still at school, and young people who couch surf face real risks of sudden eviction from their temporary arrangements as well as physical, financial and other forms of exploitation by those hosting them.
Accurate statistics on couch surfing are difficult to establish because on Census night, a young person staying temporarily with another household may be recorded as a visitor with a usual residence, masking their actual housing situation entirely. The real numbers are almost certainly higher than official counts suggest.
In 2024-25, children and young people receiving homelessness support alone were more likely than any other client group to be couch surfing, at 27 per cent compared with 15 per cent of all clients nationally. Last year alone, Chameleon’s information line handled more than 2,000 contacts from people seeking help. In a region growing as fast as Moreton Bay, the reality is that for every young person offered a bed, there are dozens more still waiting in the shadows, moving between cars and couches.
What Chameleon Youth Housing Does
Chameleon Youth Housing has been supporting young people aged 16 to 25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness for more than 30 years, providing safe and affordable accommodation on the Redcliffe peninsula and surrounding areas. Its model goes well beyond a bed for the night.
The Youth Housing Program pairs accommodation with practical case management, supporting residents to build cooking, budgeting and household skills while helping them identify personal goals and the steps needed to reach them. Young people also receive assistance reconnecting with education and employment, with the aim of securing long-term independent housing rather than cycling back through crisis accommodation.
Beyond its core youth housing work, Chameleon Youth Housing runs a Transitional Housing Program for young parenting families aged 18 to 25 experiencing accommodation crisis, and an Indigenous housing program called I CaN HOPe, providing culturally appropriate supported housing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. The organisation also runs a dedicated Queensland Housing Information Platform line, responding to more than 2,000 contacts in the past financial year alone as demand across the region continues to rise.
It costs approximately $70 per night to house a young person at the shelter. The Couch Surfing campaign directly offsets those costs while building the community understanding that sustains longer-term support for the organisation’s work.
Why Community Fundraising Matters
Young people experiencing homelessness face compounding disadvantages: almost half of those seeking specialist homelessness services report a current mental health condition, and many struggle to sustain education, employment or social connection without a stable base. Early intervention, of the kind Chameleon Youth Housing provides, is consistently identified in research as the most effective way to prevent short-term housing instability from becoming long-term disadvantage.
Of the 39,000 young Australians who presented alone to specialist homelessness services in 2022-23, 47 per cent needed long-term accommodation. Only 4.3 per cent received it. Community fundraising campaigns like Couch Surfing fill some of the gap that formal systems leave behind.
How to Register and Get Involved
The Couch Surfing campaign runs from 13 to 19 April 2026. Registrations are open now for individuals, families, school groups and workplaces. Participants can register, set up a fundraising page and collect online sponsorships at chameleonyouthhousing.org.au/couch-surfing. To make a direct donation or enquire about other ways to support the organisation, contact Chameleon Youth Housing at 13 Dorall Street, Kippa-Ring, by phone on (07) 3284 4805 or by email at manager@chameleonhousing.org.au.
Photo Credit: Chameleon Youth Housing
If you need help: Young people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness can contact Chameleon Youth Housing directly via the details above. This article discusses youth homelessness. If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulty, support is also available through the national Youth Homeless Hotline on 1800 882 633.
The Redcliffe-based Dolphins have landed 14-year-old Wylei Parker on a three-year development deal, marking a significant win in the battle for emerging talent against their Brisbane rivals.
Wylei is the son of Brisbane Broncos champion Corey Parker, who played 347 games for the Red Hill club and helped them win the 2006 premiership. The teenager’s signature with the Moreton Bay team represents a notable shift in the local rugby league landscape, with the Dolphins securing a Parker despite his father’s legendary status at Lang Park.
Building Pathways From the Redcliffe Peninsula
The Dolphins beat the Gold Coast Titans and Canterbury Bulldogs to secure Wylei’s signature. The Broncos reportedly did not express interest in the son of their club legend, despite Corey Parker ranking as the second-highest appearance maker in Brisbane’s history behind only Darren Lockyer.
Wylei has transformed from a halfback into a hooker and models his game on Melbourne Storm and Queensland Maroons star Harry Grant. At 14 years old turning 15, he enters the age bracket where clubs can formally contract promising juniors as part of their academy systems.
The development deal involves two training sessions per month, tours and structured pathways designed to nurture young talent while ensuring players can still enjoy their adolescent years. Wylei will be instilled as part of the Dolphins academy system, which operates from Kayo Stadium in Redcliffe alongside the club’s NRL operations.
Redcliffe’s Growing Win for Moreton Bay’s NRL Presence
The signing reinforces the Dolphins’ strategy of building their junior development programs across the Redcliffe Peninsula, northern Brisbane suburbs and the broader Moreton Bay region. Since entering the NRL in 2023, the club has worked to establish pathways that compete directly with the Broncos for local talent.
Corey Parker announced the news on social media, expressing pride in his son’s achievement. The former Broncos captain described the signing as opening the door to an amazing opportunity backed by hard work, commitment and belief.
He also spoke about the signing on SEN radio recently, noting his excitement for his son’s journey while acknowledging the variables that come with teenage development in rugby league.
The former lock forward emphasised that the opportunity allows Wylei to be part of structured development while still maintaining balance as a young person.
The signing follows another high-profile father-son story in recent months, with Andrew Johns’ 16-year-old son Louis signing a development contract with the Sydney Roosters rather than his father’s former club, the Newcastle Knights.
Redcliffe’s Growing Academy System
The Dolphins organisation has invested heavily in development structures since being granted their NRL licence in October 2021. The club’s commitment to pathways was a central pillar of their successful bid over the Brisbane Firehawks and Brisbane Jets for the competition’s 17th licence.
Kayo Stadium serves as both the training and administration base for the NRL team while hosting select home games alongside the club’s primary venue at Suncorp Stadium. The 10,000-capacity stadium underwent significant upgrades between 2015 and 2020 to support the Dolphins’ NRL ambitions and now houses comprehensive academy facilities.
The Redcliffe Dolphins, who continue to compete separately in the Queensland Cup, have produced numerous representative players throughout their 75-year history, including rugby league legends Trevor Harken and Arthur Beetson.
Wylei Parker’s signing represents another step in the Dolphins’ efforts to establish themselves as a legitimate pathway option for emerging talent in South East Queensland, competing directly with the Broncos despite the weight of family legacy pulling in the opposite direction.
Brisbane Roar has relocated its February 28 A-League Men’s match against Perth Glory from Milton’s Suncorp Stadium to Kayo Stadium in Redcliffe after authorities determined the playing surface would not recover sufficiently following an intensive February concert season.
Suncorp Stadium management approached the club to discuss the relocation decision due to shortened recovery time after hosting the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and other major events where patrons and performers require field access. A rugby match scheduled for the evening before the original fixture date added further strain to the surface, with substantial turf replacement required in a compressed timeframe.
The venue relocation announcement comes despite Suncorp Stadium’s confidence the field will be safe and playable for the Queensland Reds match. However, authorities acknowledged from previous feedback that the cosmetic appearance and reduced grass coverage resulting from extended flooring coverage can impact A-League matches more significantly than other football codes.
Kayo Stadium Steps In for Redcliffe Match
After discussions between Brisbane Roar, Suncorp Stadium, Kayo Stadium, the Australian Professional Leagues and Perth Glory, the clubs agreed to proactively relocate the match as the most appropriate course of action. Maintaining pitch quality in line with A-League standards, and meeting player and fan expectations, was central to the decision.
Kayo Stadium in Kippa-Ring has capacity for approximately 10,000 spectators and previously served as Brisbane Roar’s home venue from the 2020-21 season through 2023-24, when the club reduced operational costs by ending its Suncorp Stadium lease. The Redcliffe venue features grandstand seating for 8,975 spectators, 445 corporate seats and standing room, with modern facilities including broadcast-grade lighting installed in 2023.
The stadium is owned by the Redcliffe Dolphins Rugby League Club and serves as home ground for the Dolphins NRL team and Redcliffe Dolphins Queensland Cup side. Brisbane Roar returned to Suncorp Stadium for men’s matches in the 2023-24 season after three years at the Redcliffe base, though announced in September 2025 it would play three home games at Kayo Stadium during the 2025-26 season.
Access and Ticket Information
Brisbane Roar will contact supporters who purchased tickets for the Suncorp Stadium match directly about refund arrangements. Members will also receive details on how to access the relocated fixture at Kayo Stadium in Redcliffe.
Tickets for the Redcliffe match went on sale at 1pm on Monday, 9 February, through the club’s official ticketing channels.
The club apologised to members and fans for any inconvenience caused by the venue change, noting it worked to reach the best possible outcome under the circumstances and appreciates the understanding and continued support of the Roar community.
Kayo Stadium is located at Klingner Road and Ashmole Road in Kippa-Ring, accessible by car or public transport. Kippa-Ring Station on the Redcliffe Peninsula Line sits approximately 2.2 kilometers from the venue, with bus routes 690, 696, 698 and 699 providing connections from the station to stops near the stadium.
Redcliffe landmarks have been raised as possible inclusions in a new Moreton Bay edition of Monopoly, with residents invited to help shape the board by submitting local suggestions.
A customised Monopoly: Moreton Bay Edition is expected to be available in toy shops across the region later in 2026.
The edition is being produced by Winning Moves Australia under licence from Hasbro. Residents are being asked to nominate landmarks, businesses and experiences that reflect different parts of the Moreton Bay region.
Submissions can be sent to info@winningmoves.com.au by the end of February 2026.
Redcliffe Locations In The Mix
Redcliffe Jetty and Suttons Beach were mentioned among potential sites that could feature on the board.
The call-out also raised the possibility of including major transport routes and suburban centres. Anzac Avenue, South Pine Road, King Street and the Bruce Highway were identified as examples of roads that could align with transport-style squares. Caboolture, Narangba, Strathpine and Mango Hill were suggested as possible station equivalents.
Woorim Beach on Bribie Island and Unitywater were also referenced as potential inclusions.
Online responses to the announcement included a range of nominations for streets, parks and venues across the region, alongside light-hearted suggestions about how particular locations might be positioned within the traditional Monopoly format.
Monopoly first appeared in 1935 and has since become one of the most recognised board games worldwide. The game is licensed locally in 114 countries and played by more than one billion people globally, according to the published material.
Local editions follow the same core gameplay while replacing property names with regional landmarks. Winning Moves Australia manufactures customised and licensed editions of Hasbro games, including region-specific versions across Australia.
Redcliffe Area Youth Space has secured a funding boost through the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, enabling the organisation to deliver Certificate I in Workplace Skills training to 36 disadvantaged job seekers in the Moreton Bay region.
The 24-week program will provide participants with crucial training, qualifications and real-life work experience through RAYS’ social enterprises, including Picnic Hill, 4020 Coffee Cart, Ride Supplies, Misfits United and Connections Catering. Participants will also receive CPR and First Aid certifications, equipping them to enter the workforce with confidence.
Located at 440 Oxley Avenue in Redcliffe, RAYS has been supporting vulnerable young people and their families in the Moreton Bay region for over 20 years. The organisation has adapted continuously to meet changing community needs, evolving from its origins as an arts and music hub to become a comprehensive youth service provider.
Hands-On Experience Through Social Enterprises
The Certificate I in Workplace Skills program provides participants with hands-on experience through RAYS’ various social enterprises, allowing them to develop practical workplace skills in real business environments. This approach gives young people the opportunity to learn while contributing to successful enterprises that serve the broader Redcliffe community.
The funding boost reinforces RAYS’ commitment to transforming lives and strengthening the community through its holistic approach to youth empowerment. The organisation offers tailored programs that address behavioural and mental health challenges, educational support and skill development, fostering social inclusion and capacity building.
Meeting Growing and Complex Needs
Executive Manager Amy-lee Mayes, who has been with RAYS for 17 years, said the organisation has experienced an unprecedented tsunami of need in recent years. Needs have increased and become more complex and entrenched than ever before, requiring the organisation to respond in the most sustainable way possible.
RAYS operates multiple programs alongside its work skills training, including clinical mental health services through its ASHA program, education programs for young people disengaged from school, early intervention and prevention services, and its recently opened Safe Space operating daily from the Oxley Avenue location.
Proven Track Record in Youth Support
The organisation has built strong relationships with young people across Redcliffe, Scarborough, Clontarf and surrounding areas, providing a safe space where vulnerable youth know they can find support. RAYS focuses predominantly on young people who have been significantly impacted by trauma, poverty and oppression.
One participant previously shared how RAYS had become a second home, somewhere she feels safe and accepted, while the team helped her find employment and get her life together. This combination of emotional support and practical skills development sits at the heart of RAYS’ approach to youth empowerment.
The Work Skills Program supports people aged 15 to 25 who face significant barriers to employment, running for six months and tailoring support to individual needs. Young people and families can self-refer to the program, or external support services, schools and police can make referrals.
More information about Redcliffe Area Youth Space and its programs is available here or by calling 07 3283 8769.
From the Redcliffe esplanade to the trails of south-east Queensland, walking and hiking clubs are creating spaces where connection matters as much as the kilometres covered.
Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning, dozens of men in matching maroon shirts gather at Redcliffe Jetty for The Man Walk. The group, which often swells to more than 100 participants, has become one of the biggest in Australia since organiser Denis Brennan started the local chapter.
These groups are transforming how locals meet new people, stay active and find support in their communities, offering a straightforward solution to social isolation through regular outdoor activity.
Redcliffe’s Man Walk Draws Massive Crowds
Brennan says the walks typically cover about six kilometres, heading down to Scarborough one day and out to Scotts Point another. But the distance isn’t really the point.
According to Brennan, the real value comes from the friendships and camaraderie built during these regular meetups. He notes that wives have commented on positive changes in their husbands since joining the group. Local organisations including Redcliffe, Caboolture and Chermside hospitals often refer men to The Man Walk when they believe the social connection could help.
A Charles Sturt University study published in November found The Man Walk‘s combination of group walks and open conversation delivers significant health benefits. Dr Nicole Snowdon, who led the research, explains that participants reported improvements in physical health alongside opportunities for emotional support and connection, factors that help reduce anxiety, depression and loneliness.
Founded by Kiama man Mark Burns in 2019, The Man Walk now operates in more than 80 locations across Australia. The model is simple: create a positive, supportive environment where men can walk, talk and support each other without pressure or barriers to entry.
Brisbane Hikers Trading Bars for Trails
While The Man Walk focuses on men’s wellbeing, other groups across south-east Queensland are drawing younger, mixed crowds looking to socialise without alcohol at the centre.
Sian Anstis launched Hike Club Social in late 2023 when she found herself wanting to meet new people but tired of the bar scene. The Auckland native had grown up hiking New Zealand’s North Island but says her world had gotten small after five years in Brisbane.
Now based in Brisbane and travelling around Queensland for different hikes, the club attracts everyone from 18-year-olds fresh out of school to people in their seventies. Anstis says many participants are in their late thirties and early forties, looking to expand their social circles in ways that don’t involve drinking.
The response has been overwhelming. Within months of launching, Hike Club Social was flooded with interest from people drawn by the same desire to make genuine connections outdoors. While many of these community walks are free to join, the focus remains on keeping participation low-cost and accessible to anyone regardless of their budget.
Friendships and even romantic relationships have developed on the trails, beside waterfalls and while scrambling up mountain peaks. The club has expanded beyond day hikes to include camping events, boat days with snorkelling and even interstate trips to Tasmania for multi-day hikes.
Earlier this year, Anstis partnered with Health and Wellbeing Queensland’s Healthy Is Happening campaign. The collaboration came after research showed increasing numbers of Queenslanders aged 25-54 face cost and support barriers to exercise. Anstis says her goal has always been to create both a social and active group that helps people build confidence in hiking, socialising and being active outdoors.
Low-Pressure Exercise Gaining Ground
In central Queensland, a different approach to social exercise is drawing crowds in Yeppoon and Rockhampton. These groups emphasise that movement doesn’t need to be intense to be beneficial.
Exercise physiologist Shireen Rigby and dietitian Keira Murray started Salty Steps in Yeppoon as an alternative to the high-intensity workouts they’d both experienced through bodybuilding and CrossFit. The Sunday morning gathering features a 30-minute walk at participants’ own pace, followed by guided breath meditation and an optional swim.
Rigby says social isolation was a huge component in many people’s health issues they encountered in their practice. Salty Steps was designed to address that without the pressure to perform or maintain intensity.
In Rockhampton, Georgia Howard founded Mum Miles Club last year, bringing waves of strollers to the streets each week. The club has grown significantly since launching, attracting mothers at all stages from those trying to conceive to those with newborns and older children.
Howard says the walks typically include coffee before or after, or playground time for the kids. But more importantly, the group creates space for important conversations and provides support for mothers who might otherwise feel isolated at home.
CQUniversity physical activity researcher Anetta Van Itallie says connection and mental wellbeing are major draws for these low-key social exercise groups. Research on habit formation shows that for physical activity to become a regular part of life, it needs to be fun and satisfying. She observes a growing preference for these groups among those seeking alternatives to the rigid schedules and high commitment levels often required by traditional club sports.
What These Clubs Share
Whether they’re walking along the Redcliffe waterfront, hiking through Queensland’s rainforests or strolling with prams through Rockhampton streets, these groups share common ground. They’re all about using movement as a vehicle for human connection rather than an end in itself.
The clubs operate on accessible principles: minimal equipment, low-to-no financial barriers, and a welcoming attitude toward all fitness levels. They’ve tapped into what research increasingly confirms—that for many Queenslanders, the social ‘safety net’ of a group is just as vital for long-term health as the physical activity itself.
For residents across south-east Queensland looking to break out of isolation, these groups offer a straightforward solution. Show up, move your body and talk to people doing the same. The kilometres covered might vary, but the destination is the same: stronger communities built one walk at a time.
Matthew Fuery, who grew up in Redcliffe, served as Reviewing Officer at an Army promotion parade where his youngest son Joel was among the graduates completing their first leadership course.
The Warrant Officer Class One stood on the parade ground at Gallipoli Barracks watching Lance Corporal Joel Fuery march out after finishing the Subject One Corporal Course, a moment that blended professional duty with personal pride. For both father and son, the day created a memory that connects their separate Army journeys.
Matthew Fuery has served in the Australian Army since 1992, building a career that has taken him from his Redcliffe upbringing through more than three decades of military service. Standing as Reviewing Officer at his son’s parade brought those years into sharp focus.
When Professional Role Meets Family Connection
Joel Fuery learned his father would be the Reviewing Officer while out on Exercise ANZAC. The Directing Staff told him during field training, and his first reaction was disbelief.
He thought they were joking. When they kept insisting it was real, the significance of what was about to happen started settling in. His father would be there on the parade ground, not just as family support but in an official capacity that recognized both Joel’s achievement and Matthew’s rank.
Photo Credit: Supplied
For Matthew Fuery, the role prompted reflection on his own progression through Army ranks. He completed his own Subject One Corporal Course years earlier, back when Joel was still young. Now he was watching his son complete the same milestone, the first step into junior leadership that every Australian Army soldier takes when moving beyond basic service.
The Subject One Corporal Course marks the transition point where soldiers begin leading others. It’s where technical skills meet responsibility for teams, where following orders expands into giving them. Joel finishing this course meant he was stepping into the same leadership pathway his father had walked for over 30 years.
A Redcliffe Family’s Military Tradition
Matthew Fuery’s journey began in the bayside suburb of Redcliffe before he embarked on his military career in 1992. His son Joel has now followed into Army service, creating a family connection that spans generations and links back to the Moreton Bay area.
The parade at Gallipoli Barracks brought that connection into clear view. Matthew standing in his role as Warrant Officer Class One, Joel marching past as a newly promoted Lance Corporal completing his leadership qualification. The formality of the parade ground didn’t erase the personal significance of a father watching his son reach a milestone he understood intimately.
For Joel, knowing his father was there in such an important role made the day memorable beyond the usual satisfaction of completing a demanding course. The parade ground can feel impersonal during official ceremonies, but having Matthew Fuery as Reviewing Officer changed that dynamic entirely.
What This Moment Means
Army families often share the experience of service across generations, but rarely does the timing align for a father to officially review his son’s promotion parade. The moment required Matthew Fuery’s career progression to place him in a position of sufficient rank, Joel’s training to reach completion at the right time, and Army’s willingness to assign Matthew to the role despite the personal connection.
For Redcliffe residents, the story shows how local upbringings can lead to careers that create these unexpected intersections of professional achievement and family pride. Matthew Fuery’s three decades of service started with a young person from the Moreton Bay area joining the Australian Army. Now his son has reached the same transition point into leadership that shapes military careers.
The Subject One Corporal Course that Joel completed prepares soldiers for their first leadership roles, teaching them how to manage teams under pressure and make decisions that affect others. It’s where Army service shifts from individual performance to collective responsibility. Matthew Fuery completed that same course when his career was beginning. Watching Joel finish it brought both men’s service paths together on a single parade ground.
A Redcliffe resident who has spent nearly 20 years volunteering at the local community radio station will have the station’s building named in his honour.
The City of Moreton Bay Council has announced that the 99.7FM radio station premises at 75 Anzac Avenue, Redcliffe, will be renamed the Don Gailer Building, recognising Mr Gailer’s extensive contributions to the volunteer-run station and the broader peninsula community.
Over his 19 years with 99.7FM, Mr Gailer has held the position of president across four separate terms and established a training programme to help new volunteers develop their skills as community radio announcers. His work has extended beyond broadcasting, with involvement in campaigns supporting Redcliffe Hospital, homelessness programmes, the Brisbane Convoy for Kids, and yearly Christmas toy drives.
The renaming follows a formal request to council and subsequent community consultation period.
Mayor Peter Flannery acknowledged the decision reflected Mr Gailer’s substantial impact on the station’s development.
Division 6 Councillor Karl Winchester emphasised that Mr Gailer’s influence had reached well beyond the radio station itself, describing him as a highly regarded community member whose work has benefited the Redcliffe Peninsula for close to two decades.
The building will receive new signage, alongside a display board documenting Mr Gailer’s contributions to both 99.7FM and the local area.
