The Hills District is set to come alive this May as the Hills Festival 2025 returns for its eighth year offering a month-long celebration of community spirit the festival spans the suburbs of Arana Hills Just some of the festival highlights include; Movie in the Park – Saturday 3rd May Enjoy an outdoor cinema experience under the stars at Sargents Reserve in Eatons Hill!.The enchanting world of the Trolls will be brought to life for a whimsical outdoor screening of ‘Trolls Band Together,’ a heartwarming adventure filled with music Savor fine wine accompanied by smooth jazz tunes at George Willmore Park in Ferny Hills.​ It’s the perfect occasion to unwind and enjoy soulful tunes in the heart of Ferny Hills Music in the Valley – Sunday 18th May Experience live performances set against the scenic backdrop of the Samford Showgrounds in Samford Valley.​ Featuring a delightful lineup of local artists this captivating event ensures an afternoon filled with joy and a spectacular fireworks display to close the festivities Other events include the Kakowan Art Exhibition on the 9th May (by invitation only) the Samford Valley Markets on the  10th May and a plethora of health and wellness activities For the full program and event details, visit the official Hills Festival website at www.hillsfestival.com.au.​ Be the first to know about local news and events   Echo News is bound by the Standards of Practice of the Australian Press Council If you believe the Standards may have been breached you may approach Echo News or make a complaint to the Australian Press Council in writing at www.presscouncil.org.au The Council may also be contacted on 1800 025 712 A development application has been lodged for an Indoor Sport and Recreation Designed by Verve Design Group the proposal seeks a series of warehouses and commercial buildings to provide for Indoor Sport and Recreation The proposal also seeks a subdivision to provide each land use its own allotment with a shared driveway and other common areas The site buildings will be removed to facilitate the new buildings car parking and vehicle maneuvering areas which will be delivered in 2 stages Stage 1 will involve reconfiguring 1 of into 3 lots material change of use involving indoor sports and recreation Stage 2 will involve material change of use of Warehouse/self storage The planners at Urbis state that “the proposed Sports centre and warehouse is intended to complement and be considered ancillary to the proposed numerous residential development applications under the neighbourhood plan” “The nearby residential developments will require sports retail and community facilities to service their needs and requirements The proposed Sports centre and ancillary recreation areas will provide a necessary service to local residents” The proposal seeks 1,999sqm (indoor sports) and 2,150sqm (low impact industry) on a 17,100sqm development site We encourage you to like the Your Neighbourhood Facebook page to be updated on other projects or developments News articles are presented in an unbiased manner based on information that is publicly accessible and includes referenced links for the reader to obtain any further information The facts of the proposed government projects school upgrades and development applications are based on the available information at the time of the published date with information sourced directly from company websites media releases and development application material We reference all our information at the end of the articles and promote the creators with website backlinks Contact us: mail@yourneighbourhood.com.au 27 March 2025 | Tennis Queensland Last weekend marked a significant milestone for the Learn 2 Lead program with a new group of young women graduating from the 2025 program Representing communities from across Queensland these future leaders showcased their Action Learning Projects demonstrating their ability to drive positive change within their local tennis environments and skills to take on leadership roles in tennis helping to shape their future in the sport Congratulations to our 2025 Learn 2 Lead graduates: Lauren Buckingham – Gladstone Tennis & Squash One of this year’s standout graduates was Mia Alexandrou whose Action Learning Project is making a difference beyond Australian shores Mia has been collecting tennis clothing and equipment donations at her local tennis centre which will be sent to Fiji as part of Tennis Australia’s Pacific Women in Sport Program “Learn 2 Lead has given me the confidence to take on this initiative knowing that these donations will help others enjoy tennis shared her thoughts on the program’s impact “Learn 2 Lead empowers young women to step up and create meaningful change in tennis Seeing these girls present their projects with such passion and confidence reaffirms the importance of nurturing female leadership in our sport.” As we celebrate the achievements of our 2025 Learn 2 Lead graduates we look forward to seeing how they continue to shape the future of tennis in their communities For more information about the Learn 2 Lead program and how to get involved, contact Toni Cooke, Women and Girls Lead, at [email protected] This program is supported by an Australian Sports Commission federal government grant This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Echo News is delighted to announce the launch of Claire’s Cottage Street Library and Community Pantry at Ferny Hills this initiative was born from the hard work and vision of the cottage’s NDIS participants and their Support Workers they transformed an old chook pen into a place where everyone—regardless of their abilities or circumstances—can seek help and comfort The Street Library offers a collection of books to those who may not have easy access to them Claire’s Cottage invites any and all community members to participation in this book swap initiative and connect with each other through the joy of reading Whether you are discovering the magic of stories or just seeking your next good read the pantry is also a resource for those in need providing sustenance and support during challenging times The goal—to ensure nobody in our neighbourhood goes hungry It’s a simple yet powerful way to uplift our community ensuring that everyone has access to basic necessities was initially a social program enabling adults with disabilities to engage in activities they chose it has grown into a robust day program operating throughout the week focusing on developing life skills often overlooked in larger programs including in-home support and short-term respite The program focuses on helping their participants assimilate into the community and be seen as valued members of society They aim to develop independent living and social skills Through tasking their NDIS participants with the challenge of creating the Community Pantry and Street Library Claire’s Cottage has made true all three of these aims comments on having the pleasure of witnessing the pride and satisfaction on the faces of participants as they contributed to this project over the past couple months From measuring and painting timber to decorating and organising the space they have proven that people living with disabilities can make significant contributions Julie invites you all to donate books and non-perishable food items to the Street Library and Community Pantry whenever possible spreading the word locally will help ensure that those in need can benefit from these resources Thank you for your support in helping Claire’s Cottage continue to serve our community with unwavering compassion TerryWhite Chemmart Arana Hills has unveiled two innovative services set to transform how locals access healthcare essentials making it the first pharmacy in Australia to launch a 24/7 Express everyday wellness collection machine from MedyBox (Europe) The new technology allows customers to purchase and collect a wide range of everyday non-prescription items any time of day or night This service caters to the ever-changing schedules of the community offering a reliable solution for late-night or last-minute needs and having access to everyday products whenever our customers need them is vital,’ said pharmacy owner Karen Brown ‘The 24/7 Express unit is all about making our pharmacy more accessible the pharmacy has also introduced the Omnicell Pharmaself24 Robot PLUS This service offers customers a secure way to collect their prescriptions outside standard operating hours providing a lifeline for those unable to visit during the day but sometimes that doesn’t suit everyone,’ explained Ms Brown.‘Our new 24/7 Express ensures we can support patients like shift workers or new mums needing their medication in the middle of the night we consult with customers and securely load their prescription into the machine for collection at their convenience.’ The app also allows customers to virtually shop the pharmacy’s prescription and over-the-counter range at any time further extending the reach of pharmacy care beyond its physical location These technological advancements underscore TerryWhite Chemmart Arana Hills’ commitment to accessible flexible healthcare solutions tailored to modern lifestyles.By combining cutting-edge tools with personalised care the pharmacy is setting a new standard for community healthcare in Brisbane’s north For more information, visit TerryWhite Chemmart Arana Hills or download the myTWC app. The Brisbane property market is experiencing a significant surge with some suburbs recording price increases of nearly 30% in the past year Whether you’re a homeowner looking to cash in on rising values or a buyer searching for the next high-growth area here’s a look at the key suburbs on the rise and what’s driving demand With property prices soaring across Brisbane, it’s an excellent opportunity for homeowners to capitalise on their investment. If you’re considering selling or want expert insights into the market, LOYLE Real Estate is here to help. You can also do a quick check of how much your property is worth here. The Ferny Hills and District Swimming Club is inviting new members to dive into its vibrant community as the swimming season kicks off Operating out of the Ferny Hills Aquatic Centre the club offers a supportive environment for swimmers of all ages and abilities volunteer-run club hosts weekly meets every Friday night during Term 4 and Term 1 These events provide swimmers the chance to race against others of similar skill levels with a focus on achieving personal bests rather than merely winning ensuring swimmers of all levels can participate The club’s welcoming atmosphere encourages social interaction both in and out of the pool Children from different schools build friendships while competing The structured yet fun setting also teaches swimmers the rules and protocols of competitive swimming participation at Ferny Hills Swim Club motivates swimmers in training to hone their skills in a race setting Competing in swim meets as part of a team adds an extra layer of excitement with the season culminating in the Club Championships and Presentation Day both age-group champions and swimmers who achieve the most personal bests are celebrated The club also offers a strong community vibe for parents and carers who can get involved by volunteering at events fostering new connections while supporting their children from local events to a potential path toward Brisbane 2032 If you are looking for a bit of Christmas gift inspo check out the fabulous Christmas Markets taking place in our region There’s a huge variety on offer and many are fundraising events so not only are you shopping local but supporting the local community too Push ahead of the Christmas rush and get the Chrissy shopping done n dusted Jan Powers Farmers Markets: Blackwood Street Acoustic musicians set the mood for a laidback Sunday morning as local providers and regional farmers offer an array of homegrown produce and handmade goodies to dedicated and loyal market shoppers Fill your green bags with locally grown fruit and vegetables artisan deli lines and pantry items from spices to spelt flour Samford Valley Markets: St Paul’s Anglican Church enjoy brunch and indulge in truly great coffee– all in the delightful leafy grounds around the St Paul’s Anglican Church Between 40 and 50 diverse stalls carry an amazing range of goods and services The markets are famous for their welcoming atmosphere and their country charm Christmas on the Green – Mini Market: Mount Maria College Mitchelton | 4pm – 8pm  invite some friends and bring a picnic blanket Bring your Christmas shopping list and get your shopping done at the Mini Market some free activities for the kids and more Grab your FREE entry ticket here: www.trybooking.com/CVYAP Art With Altitude Markets: Mount Glorious Community Hall | 9am – 4pm This two-day family-friendly event will include a quality craft market Artworks for sale will include a variety of media – oil Keperra Baptist Church Christmas Twilight Markets: Keperra Baptist Church Albany Creek State School’s Twilight Markets: 696 Albany Creek Road Albany Creek State School Twilight Markets are an annual community event this free event is sure to interest every member of the family Carseldine Christmas Twilight Markets: 532 Beams Road defrost your cold heart with a cup of Christmas cheer at Brisbane’s beloved Christmas market Strive for your Santa bod with gourmet eats and sweets and get those stockings stocked with the goods from bespoke makers Get ready to rock the night away with festive entertainment and live music Bray Park State School Christmas Markets: Bray Park State School Bray Park State School P&C invite you to join us at our Christmas markets Come along and get a head start or maybe finish your Christmas shopping The Embroiderers’ Guild Queensland Christmas Markets: 149 Brunswick Street There will be two floors of stalls selling quality handmade gifts as well as an opportunity to add to your stash at the Secondhand Rose stall where you will find assorted embroidery and craft items There will also be a raffle drawn on the day Fab Finds Christmas Market: Geebung Bowls Club This event will be a Christmas wonderland of second-hand treasures and exciting new finds and Fashionistas will showcase a unique mix of new browse our outdoor stalls and finish off the morning inside the air-conditioned hall VEND Marketplace Christmas Markets: 1768 Sandgate Road With over 130 stores inside and a pop up market outside with around 40 more stalls (each night will have different stall holders!) there will be something to please everyone Plus there’s a café on site open for dinner Aspley Hornets Christmas Carols and Markets: 50 Graham Road you are invited to the FREE Annual Christmas Carols & Market event The AFL field will transform into a Christmas Wonderland The Grove Bowls Club Christmas Party Markets: 20 Tramway Street Support your bowls club by visiting their exceptional Christmas Markets at their upcoming Christmas Party It’s the perfect opportunity to get all that Christmas shopping done and dusted early on You can explore the Christmas market stalls in air-conditioned comfort perfect for finding that special gift for your loved ones you can take a seat in the beer garden and enjoy live music while indulging in a variety of delicious food and drinks Arana Hills Uniting Church Markets: Cnr Alstonia and Cycas Streets Come and see the results of the Arana Hills Uniting Church’s Make a Manger event whilst enjoying some Christmas Carolling Market stalls will include crafts and gifts Follow the red bows and twinkling lights of Main Street Samford to support local traders cafes and restaurants and share some Christmas Cheer Bardon Christmas Markets: Cnr Baroona & Rainworth Rds A mini Christmas Market will also take place on 22nd December for lat minute essentials Eatons Hill Christmas Markets and Carols: The Crossing Church Get into the Christmas spirit at the Eatons Hill Christmas Markets & Carols event we’re thrilled to bring back our local market—bigger and better than ever If you’re interested in having a market stall or have any questions please email ehaccommunity@gmail.com has called on the Queensland Government and the City of Moreton Bay to finally complete the Samford to Ferny Grove Cycle Link Now he is asking the community to help and speak up much to the chagrin of all but the fittest cyclists who have to surmount the hills of Petersen Road and the lack of shoulder on Camp Mountain Road for the Samford end of the route,’ said Mr Audus ‘The cycle link is extremely popular and would be more so The Cycle Link was established to provide a safer and more direct connection between Samford Village and Ferny Grove Rail Station for people riding bikes It was facilitated by repurposing a disused railway corridor for a safe relatively flat cycling and walking route between Ferny Grove and Samford Constructed at a total cost of $3.2 million across two stages – with Stage 1 providing a 1.4km off-road link from Lanita Road to McLean Road – it is Stage 2 where this shortfall is identified Stage 2 provided 3.85km of on-road treatments on McLean Road as well as 400m shared path between McLean Road and Petersen Road The Department of Transport and Main Roads highlights Stage 2 delivered low-cost bicycle infrastructure improvements that improved bike rider safety between Stage 1 and Samford Village TMR’s website goes on to explain the improvements included installation of signage and yellow bike symbols on road surfaces along Petersen Road and Camp Mountain Road The signs and road markings help bike riders follow the route between Petersen Road and Samford Village Mr Audus does not believe the infrastructure improvements went far enough particularly with no constructed shoulders or pathways on the Camp Mountain Road section to ensure the safety of cyclists and pedestrians the hilly sections of Petersen Road make the Cycle Link less appetising for social riders including young families and senior citizens A potential resolution Mr Audus has identified comes from the land at 85 Petersen Road ‘The long western boundary coincides with the old Dayboro railway line – an excellent indeed beautiful connection for both cyclists and pedestrians Mr Audus has made efforts to lobby the Queensland Government and the City of Moreton Bay writing to The Honourable Nikki Boyd MP (Member for Pine Rivers) and Councillor Darren Grimwade (Division 11) respectively to exercise government provisions to resume a narrow strip along the property boundary to adequately complete the Cycle Link ‘Given that the property is in transition and that the resumption would impinge very little on the greater part of the property such a resumption should not be contentious,’ said Mr Audus Mr Audus’ request was met with resistance from TMR citing the department has no approved planning at this location that would enable the purchase of 85 Petersen Road The City of Moreton Bay seemed more favourable with Cr Grimwade confirming he had discussed this with the Council’s CEO who had also asked the appropriate department in Council to investigate the acquisition and report back Should the City of Moreton Bay acquire the property ‘I would definitely be lobbying the State Government to fund the completion of the infrastructure required to complete the originally proposed rail trail I will definitely keep the community updated.’ Mr Audus wrote to Echo News asking for your support in canvassing the Queensland Government and the City of Moreton Bay to complete the Cycle Link ‘Let’s advocate to TMR and City of Moreton Bay Council to grasp this opportunity and finish the job Surely now is the perfect time to set its completion in train To contact Cr Darren Grimwade, email Darren.Grimwade@moretonbay.qld.gov.au Local sports, educational and community groups can grab their share of $10,000 of funding through the Cedar Woods Ellendale Community Grants program an initiative that gives-back to organisations making a positive difference in Upper Kedron and surrounding suburbs organisations and initiatives that benefit the community or provide enjoyment and foster connections between residents We encourage all groups to apply before applications close on 3 June 2024 and not-for-profit groups including sports and community organisations in the region spanning Upper Kedron The grants are funded by Cedar Woods Properties who are developing the Ellendale masterplanned residential community in Upper Kedron Cedar Woods Development Director Blair Britton said community organisations are the foundations of healthy neighbourhoods “We understand developing a vibrant community and building lasting connections can take a range of forms environmental efforts and recreational events,” he said which is becoming harder and harder to secure “Our Community Grants are designed to help with essential costs to provide valuable services to our community “It’s our way of showing our appreciation for the valuable work these organisations do in creating community connections while providing support and lasting memories for local residents.” Cedar Woods has been running its Community Grants program nationally for more than a decade investing in the communities in which it operates around Australia Applications for the Ellendale Community Grants will close on 3 June 2024 Successful organisations will share in $10,000 not-for-profit groups need to have been in operation for at least 12 months For more information and to apply, please visit https://www.cedarwoods.com.au/ellendale/our-community/neighbourhood-grants/ It's not often Arana Hills pops up in the same sentence as off the plan development but JAM Group identified the suburb as somewhere they could develop something that catered for a wide variety of buyers They've been creating Nuovo a multi-stage collection of modern townhouses and they're now ready to release the next stage after successfully selling out the first Nuovo has been designed by Ceccato + Architects Each of the 19 freehold terrace homes have four bedrooms While the small suburb spans just 362 hectares, with 20 per cent of that taken up by parks, there's a big difference between living north of the suburb, on the fringe of Bunyaville Close Reserve, and living in the south, where Nuovo sits Nuovo is located at 23 Leslie Street, just 800 metres from Arana Hills Plaza where there's an ALDI as well as a number of food and beverage options like Guzman y Gomez Arana Court Chinese Restaurant and Grounds of Origin cafe Families have been attracted to the suburb which has a number of parks a wide variety of schooling options like the Grovely State School It's just 20-minutes from Nuovo to the city centre by car, while the Grovely transit station, which connects to the CBD in 20 minutes, is 1.5 kilometres away from Nuovo Residents of Nuovo will enjoy the proximity of Kedron Brook with its scenic bikeway as well as plenty of birdlife and clean air in nearby Bruce Smith Park and The Hills District All Abilities Playground—a stark contrast to the smog and traffic noise often associated with CBD living The KEPERRA Golf Course and Westside Sports Club are also conveniently located just 10 minutes away offering a variety of leisure facilities such as golf and tennis amenities and regular golf competitions available with membership Nuovo will comprise 80 freehold townhouses when completed We're on a mission to radically improve the quality of Urban communities being developed across Australia We aim to showcase every development in Australia to help you find the perfect new home During the 1990’s respected Queensland University Local Government lecturer was addressing a class about Brisbane’s growth and the emergence of the new suburbs of Ferny Hills Arana Hills and Everton Hills during the 1960’s and 1970’s He referred to the suburbs as ‘Nappy Valley’ It drew giggles from his students but Doug was completely correct from the late 1960’s to the early early 1980’s the Hills District was referred to by this term As couples moved to the area and started families the local population had a HUGE proportion of its residents as infants or children aged under five roads and amenities were being constructed; Sundays saw a ‘conga line’ of parents taking their newborns to church for christenings; and backyards throughout the district were dominated by freshly washed nappies drying on Hills Hoists Local infrastructure and services had to play a game of serious catch-up Ferny Hills State School opened in 1970 (originally known as Ferny Way State School; pictured) the Arana Hills Library opened in 1976 (pictured) and Kmart Plaza Arana Hills opened in 1978 the Hills District was part of the former Pine Rivers Shire Council (PRSC) – which had its headquarters at Strathpine Local residents started a movement to transfer to the Brisbane City Council (BCC) as this local government better reflected locals’ community of interests Plus BCC landowners paid cheaper rates than their PRSC counterparts the Hills District sent a three person team to the PRSC Brian Burke and Jan Quinn – known as the ‘BBQ team’ PRSC was folded into the new Moreton Bay Regional Council in 2008 Not your traditional ‘playground’- there’s no play equipment here Ferny Hills and stroll around 150m along the paved path that winds through the reserve to find a glorious outlook of the city There is a bench where you can relax and take in the peaceful leafy surroundings whilst enjoying the magnificent view The path then continues on for another approx the reserve acts as a bit of a gateway to the Samford Conservation Park where you can find a variety of excellent bushwalking trails to enjoy 2020 will mark the 50th anniversary of the Ferny Hills State School and they are looking for memorabilia One of the best parts about celebrating an anniversary is sharing memories with each other and Ferny Hills State School would love to hear yours and include it in their anniversary materials They will gladly accept any submissions relating to the school including: photographs if you attended the school and would like to share your story with them they would love to include in their ‘Where are they Now’ display For all submissions, please contact the school at pandc@fernhillss.eq.edu.au or call 3550 5444 To stay informed about all the upcoming events for the 50th anniversary keep an eye on the Ferny Hills State School P&C Facebook page The Ferny Hills State School P&C Association had a busy year of fundraising in 2018 a Read-a-thon and Pie Drive they successfully raised funds to complete the installation of air conditioning in every classroom and purchase STEM resources for the school The 2018 fundraising program also saw a team of superstar grant writing parents who secured in excess of $5000 in funding for school resources These grants were used to purchase a Tenor Saxophone for the music program updated equipment for the tuckshop and literacy resources for the school.  The energetic work of volunteer parents is a fundamental part of our school community and their efforts to enhance the learning experience for our students is greatly appreciated.  The Ferny Hills State School community looks forward to another successful year in 2019 Views from the Hills District can be spectacular and property doesn’t last long with the median days on market ranging from 12 to 28 days THE Hills District north of Brisbane has welcomed record house prices as the neighbourhood prepares for a new transit Ferny Hills set a new suburban record in 2018 with a large homesite at 233 Lanita Rd selling for $1.525m This 16.5 hectare property at 233 Lanita Rd Arana Hills and Everton Hills in the Moreton Bay Region between 9 and 18km north of the CBD The highlighted yellow area is 233 Lanita Rd Arana Hills and Everton Hills also saw the multimillion-dollar sale of large home sites continuing the transition toward medium density residential developments in the middle ring of suburbs This Ferny Grove house on 900sq m at 26/82 Bergin Rd sold for a suburb record price of $1.05 million Everton Park broke its suburban record with the $1.8 million sale of a residential block on South Pine Rd The house on a 2909sq m block at Everton Park Att the same time Brisbane City Council received an application to build a $99.6 million Ferny Grove Central transit oriented development over 3.5 hectares The development will support the growth in the Hills District suburbs Soil testing was conducted on behalf of Honeycombes Property Group last month and construction is expected to be finished by the end of 2020 Ray White Bridgeman Downs agent Sonya Treloar sold 35 Yarraman St, Arana Hills for the 2018 record price of $1.1 million in June and said 2018 was a buoyant year The top selling house for 2018 in Arana Hills was this six-bedroom house on 793sq m at 35 Yarraman St “There was a real surge in the first half of the year but the great part has been that buyers are more qualified with their finances.” Everton Hills had 87 house sales last year six of which were sold by Hills District resident and Professionals Ferny Hills estate agent “I came from Toowoomba and we first lived in Taringa (in Brisbane’s inner west) and then we found the Hills District and purchased in Ferny Hills It’s a relaxed and family oriented area,” he said “It has its own characteristic with all the parklands and bushlands and bike paths “There’s a few homes that are being built on smaller blocks in Everton Hills keeping up with the Brisbane City trend and a lot of townhouses being built but it’s very popular for buyers to be looking for a larger home with a teenage retreat or music room downstairs a great family home and you can find that here.” third parties have written and supplied the content and we are not responsible for it completeness or reliability of the information nor do we accept any liability or responsibility arising in any way from omissions or 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By accessing or using our platform, you agree to our Terms of Use. Our radio stations aim to bring Hope for Everyone Listen to engaging conversations and captivating stories in the 96five podcasts collection Your place to find community events and a local church for support or just to say hello to our friendly team With school holidays done and dusted we kicked off Term 4 with a school excursion to the very leafy Ferny Hills State School Ferny Hills has a great community spirit with 96five’s Ken Nicky and Steve receiving a warm welcome from all students and staff Ferny Grove MP and Queensland Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner was in attendance along with Moreton Bay Councillor Matt Constance.  Both spoke warmly of the support that Ferny Hills State School enjoys from the wider community Brad Geisel is the principal and told 96five that being a smaller school has some big benefits “We have around 360 students so we’re all about community and we care.  We’re about doing the best we can to make sure we deliver a quality education to our students.” Principal Brad also said that the school was excited to be celebrating their 50th birthday in 2020 “We’ll be holding an anniversary dinner in May where we’ll be welcoming back many past students and parents.  There will also be an open day where people can come along and get a feel for what our school can offer.  We’ve got a purpose built time capsule which we’ll be putting items into as part of the celebrations.” If you’re a past student of Ferny Hills and want to stay informed about all the events for the 50th anniversary keep an eye on the Ferny Hills State School P&C Facebook page Check out all the fun of the morning in the gallery below Writers from our Real Hope community offer valuable wisdom and insights based on their own experiences Guests and Artists Danny Gokey Brings ‘The Sound of Heaven’ Tour to Brisbane Christian Living ‘The Secret Place’ Returns — But Not as You Know It Station News Your Generosity is Building Hope in Brisbane: Thank you! Music The Music of Easterfest in the Spotlight   We’re Praying for You Through this Storm Podcasts First Episode of ‘The Rise & Fall of Easterfest’ Out Now 96five Teams Up with Derek Peters for New Podcast ‘The Inside Story’ Send a Love Note and You Could WIN This Valentines Day ‘My School Rules’ – Coming to The Drive Show with Jess! 96five’s Back to School SOS – Supporting Families During Back-to-School Stress Our Top 10 Podcasts: What You Loved Listening to in 2024 Christmas Twinkle All the Way: The 2024 Christmas Lights Bus Tour Was a Hit Church Leaders Share Their Christmas Messages for 2024 How a Tin of Cookies Can Bring Christmas Hope to Families in Need Music That Moved Us: 96five’s Most Played in 2024 Nominations Open – 96five’s Heart of Christmas SOS Celebrate the Season with 96five A huge effort – thank you for helping 96five reach 74% funded! Join Us for 96five’s Carols Crawl ‘Cookies for Christmas’ – Partnering with Hands and Feet to Share the Heart of Christmas Your generosity keeps our digital hub thriving Station News Build hope in your city – and make history with your 96five So we can continue to impact people with God’s love Your generosity sustains your station and spreads hope As followers of Jesus in whom all things were made Jagera and Turrbal peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the Country where our station is located We recognise their continuing connection to the land and waters and thank them for protecting this land and its ecosystems since time immemorial We extend that respect to all First Nations peoples Excitement is brewing among local residents as the cherished Ferny Grove Markets prepare to make a grand comeback Recent speculations and rumors circulating on Facebook community pages sparked a surge of inquiries to Echo News prompting a direct conversation with Colin With the final approval from the Council in hand the markets are gearing up for a monthly return on the first Saturday of each month The chosen venue for this revival is the iconic Brisbane Tramway Museum Mark your calendars for the much-anticipated first market Ferny Grove Markets have held a special place in the hearts of locals since their establishment in 1963 these markets have been a vibrant community hub bringing residents and stallholders together Originally taking place every Sunday at Ferny Grove train station the markets underwent a transition due to the new Transport Orientated Development at the station Despite relocating to Chermside every Sunday the return of the markets to the district on the first Saturday of every month is a welcomed addition The new venue at the Brisbane Tramway Museum offers a fresh and exciting backdrop for the markets promising a delightful experience for both regular patrons and newcomers Whether you’re looking to stock up your fridge and pantry or simply indulge in a coffee and breakfast the Ferny Grove Markets on the 2nd of March are the place to be For stall inquiries and additional information Join us as we celebrate the return of the Ferny Grove Markets to their roots creating vibrant connections and a sense of community spirit The last two years have seen the Ferny Grove Falcons grow by 30% in their overall registrations Further growth is anticipated for the 2024 season with the Club retaining majority of its 2023 coaching team In the 2023 season the AFL Club fielded 3 superstar teams; 2 U8 teams as well as both women and men’s Masters teams A huge boost for the Club in 2023 was fielding their first women’s Masters team The Club aims to have the same number of teams and representation for the 2024 season in addition to being able to field teams for the U10’s and U11’s mixed team there is a place for you to play AFL with the Ferny Grove Falcons Registrations for the 2024 season are open seniors and masters started from 21 January 2024 Visit  info@fernygrovefalcons.org.au   for  further information or to register All returning players who register by 28 February 2024 receive a free set of playing socks All new registrations who register by 28 February 2024 also receive a free training top The Ferny Grove Falcons is a proud AFL local community club nestled up on the hill behind the tramway museum on Tramway Street The Club has its origins from 1991 with their initial home ground being the Ferny Grove State High School The Club has come a long way since 1991 and is considered to be an integral part of the wider Ferny Grove community which extends to the surrounding suburbs of Upper Kedron The Club welcomes newcomers and even those from interstate who have a passion or knowledge for AFL and looking to continue their love for the game Volunteers and sponsors are also extremely welcome You can contact the Club via email to find out more about volunteer and sponsorship opportunities You can like and follow the Ferny Grove Falcons on Facebook and Instagram Get ready Hills District for an exciting fundraising event coming to our region in October The Sip, Style, Support for Hummingbird House will be hosted by Style Your Way pre-loved fashion boutique based in Ferny Hills Style Your Way has donated a percentage of its profit to Hummingbird House—Queensland’s only children’s hospice that provides specialised paediatric palliative care services you not only contributing to a worthwhile cause but your contribution will also make a lasting impact on the lives of those families who desperately need the services of Hummingbird House 12 April 2022 | Tennis Queensland It started with days upon days of relentless rain that had no intention of stopping From Maryborough to Northern New South Wales and everywhere in-between the one in one-hundred-year weather event quickly replicated scenes seen a mere eleven years ago during the 2011 floods the straw that broke the camel’s back was a deluge that saw the creek behind the club break its banks and disperse a meter of water across the entire venue Pure Tennis Ferny Hills Pro Shop Manager Leanne Lauder says Everyone here pours their heart and soul into this club.” “We all had a little cry together once the water receded and revealed the true damage.” Like so many Queensland and Northern New South Wales communities impacted by the floods the centre was overwhelmed by the amount of help and support they received as they began the mammoth cleanup “We put the call out for help on Monday after the flood waters subsided and we were absolutely blown away by the support we received from the local community There were utes and people everywhere within the hour!” “We had so many members of the club and community show up and get their hands dirty the Arana Hills Fire Brigade and Volleyball Ferny Hills lend us a hand.” our amazing cleanup crew managed to get most of the courts cleaned and close to operational.” This galvanizing of not only the tennis community but the local Ferny Hills community is a true testament to the team at Pure Tennis Ferny Hills and how well respected they are both on and off the court Support stretched far and wide. ‘Smalls’ the artist who recently painted a mural of 2022 Australian Open champion Ash Barty at the Centre drove up from the Gold Coast to help with the cleanup and to touch up the mural it was important to become operational again to provide a safe space and a sense of normality for their members Albeit on condensed courts and makeshift venue solutions everyone was incredibly grateful to be back on the court Pure Tennis Ferny Hills are still facing a long road to recovery with some club facilities and courts set to be out of action for months The club is looking forward to holding a community BBQ later this month to thank everyone for their efforts during the floods and to celebrate the wonderful community spirit displayed by Ferny Hills locals Rallying of community and volunteers was not unique to Pure Tennis Ferny Hills with numerous impacted tennis facilities reporting overwhelming community support from locals “We have heard remarkable stories about the community rallying around our impacted clubs to support each other through the toughest of times We had coaches offering up courts to neighboring facilities that had been impacted and many offers of assistance,” said Tennis Queensland General Manager and Tennis Queensland is here for the road to recovery Our team have and will continue to work with impacted clubs to support grant applications provide equipment and support facilities in getting back on court.” This is but one of many amazing stories of community spirit, if you or your tennis club have an ace story you wish to share we’d love to hear it. Please get in touch via email – [email protected] In a significant development for the residents of Mitchelton and Ferny Hills two major road improvement projects are set to kick off soon promising a smoother and safer commuting experience Mitchelton’s Intersection Upgrade on Samford Road: One of the key improvements is slated for the outbound lane of Samford Road specifically at the intersection leading into Glen Holm Street in Mitchelton The commencement of this project is scheduled for March with the aim of creating a dedicated right-turn pocket into Glen Holm Street This enhancement is expected to alleviate congestion during the afternoon peak traffic hours eliminating the bottleneck caused by vehicles waiting to turn right into Glen Holm The upgrade is poised to streamline traffic flow providing a more efficient and stress-free commute for motorists Local residents can look forward to a more convenient and expedited journey as the right-hand turning pocket will mitigate delays caused by a few vehicles waiting to make turns contributing to an overall improvement in the traffic situation Safety Overhaul for Ferny Hills Stretch of Samford Road: Samford Road in Ferny Hills is set to undergo a comprehensive safety upgrade covering the stretch from Lomandra to Camp Mountain Road the project includes a multifaceted approach to enhance safety for commuters wide centerline treatments to minimize the risk of head-on collisions and lighting enhancements are all part of the planned improvements Concrete islands at the Camp Mountain Road intersection will further contribute to safer traffic management These measures are designed not only to address existing safety concerns but also to future-proof the road against potential hazards The addition of green infrastructure and lighting improvements not only enhances safety but also contributes to a more visually appealing and sustainable road environment HOT PROPERTY: Take a look at this Ferny Hill home split-level home at 20 Barber Rd was just what Brian Hornby and his wife Suzanne wanted when they looked for a home in Ferny Hills in 2009 the three-bedroom home overlooks a small suburban park from its backyard “It is very unique to other houses built in the suburb but there were a few built around the same time that are a similar style,” Mr Hornby said with the bottom level sinking in with the slope of the block with the lower floor reserved for a large open-plan kitchen dining area and large covered deck overlooking the trees from the nearby park “We added that deck back in 2012,” Mr Hornby said but we extended it and took out the sliding aluminium doors for bi-fold doors Mr Hornby said they will generally use the undercover deck more than the dining room “It is really nice and it is close to the birds and the trees,” he said an older style wooden fireplace can help keep the entire house warm aided by the open-plan style that helps spread the warmth up to the bedrooms The couple are planning to downsize to a townhouse in The Gap He said the home would be ideal for a family with the suburb being close to schools The home is on the market now through RE/MAX Northern the world’s 27th most livable city and the capital of the Sunshine state Brisbane’s housing market was the country’s strongest performer in 2022, with a 32% growth in median house prices, according to CoreLogic Brisbane’s dwelling values increased by 42.7% from trough to peak Budget Direct data analysis based on property crime records from Queensland Police reveals the safest postcodes in the city Topping the list is 4055 in North West Brisbane Taking out the silver place is 4070 which encompasses Anstead This area is in southwest Brisbane and records 17 crimes per 1,000 properties In third place is 4061 where The Gap is located The Gap is a northwestern suburb in Brisbane It has a population of 17,318 people according to the 2021 census Next is code 4037 which includes Eatons Hill The area has a crime rate of 23 crimes per 1,000 properties 4154 has a crime rate of 24 crimes per 1,000 properties The postcode encompasses three suburbs north-west of the CBD Bardon West The relatively central area records 26 crimes per 1,000 properties the crime rate is 26 crimes per 1,000 properties The postcode records 30 crimes per 1,000 properties The area neighbours the University of Brisbane campus and includes the suburbs of St Lucia The area has a crime rate of 31 crimes per 1,000 properties Although the postal code covers a vast area the crime rate remains low at 31 crimes per 1,000 properties The coastal area includes three suburbs: Lota The riverside area includes Seventeen Mile Rocks and Sinnamon Park the area records 42 crimes per 1,000 properties Arana Hills and Keperra are three suburbs in northwest Brisbane This seaside postal area includes the suburbs of Bracken Ridge the postcode records only 45 crimes per 1,000 properties 4018 is located in north Brisbane and encompasses Fitzgibbon and Taigum The postcode records 48 crimes per 1,000 properties This postal area contains New Farm and Teneriffe This area is in south Brisbane and includes Holland Park The postal code has a crime rate of 50 crimes per 1,000 properties The postcode property crime rates shown represent the collective statistics of the suburbs within the postcode and do not necessarily reflect the individual suburb property crime rates Property crime data was taken from the Queensland Police accounting for only ‘Unlawful Entry’ and ‘Other Theft (excluding Unlawful Entry)’ events from 2017-2020 Stay up to date with Australia's most important property news through our free email service Get the latest real estate news delivered free to your inbox Living Corporation Pty Ltd (trading as The Property Tribune) ABN 17 159 150 651 provides an information service and factual information only in relation to property This information does not take into account your objectives To consider whether a financial or credit product is right for you speak to a licensed Financial Adviser or Finance Broker before you apply for any product or commit to any plan Consider the product issuer’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) before making a purchase decision We do not make any suggestions or recommendations to you about property investment a particular credit or financial services product If you decide to apply for a product or service through our website you will be dealing directly with the provider of that product or service and not with us You should be aware that the service provider may not have access to all providers or all products available in the market Stay up to date with our free emails containing the country’s most important stories with our free email newsletters The architectural engineer who lives here has turned his renovation into a series of weekend projects lifts carpets and floats cabinets and it’s not Hogwarts The secret behind Ron Van Sluijs stylish Ferny Hills renovation is to work within your means I couldn’t afford that so I just built it myself.” Now a professional architectural engineer, Van Sluijs is making ‘okay money’ but he’s the first to admit he’s not rich so he had to be smart about the renovation of his 13 Wanawong Court home Ripping up the carpet was his first smart move but if you lifted a little bit of carpet you could see very polished hardwood floors,” he said Lifting the carpets has revealed a beautiful polished timber floorboard It has delighted Mr Van Sluijs to continue the timber theme throughout his renovation of 13 Wanawong Court, Ferny Hills He has incorporated floating cabinetry and warm timber reveals to change the space dynamics of the four-bedroom house And he has done it without spending a fortune “I wasn’t rich so I had to be smart with what I could do,” he said A trip to the local hardware store saw him load up on plywood decking boards which he mitre cut to put in the window reveals “They cost next to nothing and all the joinery in the house I’ve used those decking boards.” stripped back the staircase and built a pigeonhole bookshelf above The exposed staircase with timber pigeonhole bookshelf built into the wall Curving the timber around the pool deck was a particularly challenging project Construction of the curved timber pool deck with clamps in place talks to the louvres on the right and the built-in shelving unit with the laundry basket with big handles made from double decking board.” Floating cabinetry is a feature in the bathrooms rock baskets feature from the front mailbox to the retaining wall with timber planter boxes Twenty tonnes of granite have been used to form a caged retaining wall The granite theme begins at the entrance to the property with this mailbox Mr Van Sluijs is now selling his home and moving to acreage It is being sold by Bradley Butten of Professionals Priority Ferny Hills with offers over $699,000 invited Link copiedShareShare articleHomicide detectives have been briefed after the vehicle of a missing man was found abandoned at a wetlands reserve north of Brisbane. Carseldine detectives established Operation Victor Falmouth to investigate the "suspicious disappearance" of 54-year-old Fitzgibbon man Brett Orme, who was reported missing by family on August 16. Police say Brett Orme's disappearance is "suspicious". (Supplied: QPS) Mr Orme is described as Caucasian, approximately 180 centimetres tall, with short brown hair and blue eyes. He runs a shed building company and is believed to be wearing a high-vis polo shirt. Police said Mr Orme was well-known to local tradespeople but was not known to police. Mr Orme was last seen on Odense Street, Fitzgibbon on August 11 before leaving in a white 2012 Nissan Navara with Queensland registration 354WAN. Police said Mr Orme had a conversation with his son on August 13 saying, "that they'd be meeting up soon". He visited Ironbark Gully in Ferny Hills at 12:40pm on that same day, but has not been seen or heard from since. Mr Orme's vehicle was found by police last Friday, August 19, at the Tinchi Tamba wetlands in Bald Hills — 20km away from Ironbark Gully. It has been seized by investigators. Police located Brett Orme's Nissan Navara but the man remains missing. (Supplied: QPS) The missing man's phone was "discarded" at Ironbark Gully and handed in to police on August 16, according to Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham.  "Mr Orme has taken a photograph of himself at Ironbark Gully," Detective Superintendent Massingham said.  "It is then very unclear as to what occurs between [there] and the location of his vehicle. "The vehicle is seen entering Deep Water Bend [at Bald Hills] just after 7pm on that night [and] was in the vicinity … for some three-and-a-half hours before it leaves, only for three or four minutes, and then again is seen [returning] around midnight." Mr Orme took a selfie at Ironbark Gully before his disappearance. (ABC News: Dean Caton) Detective Superintendent Massingham said the ute was then parked "in a somewhat secluded area" and locked near council access gates, but Mr Orme was nowhere to be found. "At this stage we don't know if Mr Orme met with foul play over at … Ironbark Gully, or whether … something has occurred here [at Tinchi Tamba]," he said. "Extensive" air, river and land searches, aided by police divers and a helicopter, around the wetlands over the past few days have failed to locate the missing man.  Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham said police have conducted extensive air and land searches. (ABC News) "We are also, at this stage, searching the Ironbark Gully tracks where the mobile phone was [found]," Detective Superintendent Massingham said. "Nothing of interest has been located, but we do intend to conduct further, more extensive searches of that area over the coming days. "We have commenced acquiring some CCTV of the area, and will [continue] doing so over the next few days." Detectives would like to speak with anyone who may have seen the missing man or his ute between August 13 and August 19, in the greater Brisbane area. "His family members are traumatised as a result of not hearing from him now for some seven days," Detective Superintendent Massingham said. "If people have access to dashcam [footage] from that evening (August 13), we ask that they secure it and phone Crime Stoppers. "This in indeed a tragic matter and we require public insight to fill in what, at this stage, is a timeline with many gaps. "Between the selfie being taken over at Ironbark Gully, and the location of the vehicle, we are perplexed as to what has happened. "We have grave concerns for his safety [as] it has now been some seven days [since the disappearance]. "I can't rule out the possibility he may be elsewhere." CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) Harvey and Sarina are delighted to have taken up management, of Arana Hills Post Office Which is conveniently located within the Arana Hills Kmart Plaza The couple have over 15 years experience within the postal services industry and are well equipped to deal with all their customers requirements customer care and satisfaction are number one priority for them This is evident through the great reviews they are receiving both on and offline in the short 4 months they have been at the Post Office These days Post Office is far beyond a place for just posting letters and buying stamps The Arana Hills team can help with a variety of transactions including passport applications (no appointment required) The family have been astounded by the warm welcome they have received since moving to the area and wish to extend thanks to the community for their support and custom to date If you have any queries about any of their services please don’t hesitate to drop by or give them a bell Harvey and Sarina welcome any queries you may have A lookout was cleared above the mine shaft – perfect for picnics A BRISBANE man got the shock of his life after discovering a gold mine in his suburban backyard It was certainly not in the fine print that he was sitting on a gold mine when he took over the property located just 20km from the Brisbane CBD He was out exploring his 16.5 hectares of land when he literally stumbled upon the mine shaft we just found it there one day,” Mr Doolin said I just pictured Indiana Jones and underground railroads.” Brisbane beats Sydney, Melbourne: Expert Record Brisbane block sold for ‘Sydney price’ Seller Anthony Doolin stumbled across this entrance to the gold mine on his property Mr Doolin discovered the mine was one of many in the area “There was a lot of mining at the turn of the century and in those hills there are quite a few little mines,” Mr Doolin said “It’s about six metres deep and the old ironbark is still intact.” Although Mr Doolin was tempted to find out if there really was “gold in them thar hills” getting his mum to sell the property for him $5 villas set for newest millionaire Home fit for Harry and Meghan Though he had initially wanted about $300,000 more than he paid for the property it eventually sold $1.35m last week — the same price he had paid three years ago His mother Jane Doolin said it had been a difficult task trying to price the property “People seem to move in there and not sell very often (but) it was a damn good investment block because they had commercial sheds that could be rented out,” Ms Doolin said Follow Paige Carfrae on Twitter As first reported in the October 2017 edition of The Hills Echo the Ferny Grove Railway Station’s Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is progressing from design to development Honeycombes Property Group (HPG) who was appointed by the Queensland Government to design and deliver the TOD has now lodged a development application with Brisbane City Council residential and leisure precinct to revitalise the existing train station A variety of community services are also proposed including a cinema complex Peter Honeycombe said HPG had committed to extensive community consultation since 2016 before lodging the development application ‘The community feedback from these initiatives played a big part in our ongoing adjustments to the proposed development form to help meet the needs expressed by the various community interests in and around Ferny Grove station,’ Mr Honeycombe said ‘We have held half a dozen different public forums door knocked hundreds of residences neighbouring the project letter box dropped thousands and established an interactive website to keep the community informed.’ The proposed development of Ferny Grove Central includes a fitness centre medical and allied health centre and child care facility as suggested during early community consultation These facilities were incorporated in lieu of a residential tower above the retail at the suggestion of the community focus groups In keeping with the surrounding urban environment a four-level residential building of 64 apartments will front Conavalla Street the apartments will assist in buffering the retail and bus hub from the neighbouring residents the proposed plans include commuter parking upgrades and an increased number of parking bays of which 80 per cent will be undercover The current bitumen carpark will be developed into a pedestrian friendly precinct which includes a new retail offering cinema and impressive local amenity accessible to all the community Construction of Ferny Grove Central is expected to commence in early 2019 subject to securing development approval from Brisbane City Council Community members can keep updated on the development’s progress via the project website fernygrovecentral.com.au Forming social connections during retirement is important as it provides a sense of friendship and support for retirees and that’s what Probus is about The newest Probus Club in Queensland is Arana Hills & District Probus Club and was formed on 16th June The new club was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Mitchelton The Foundation meeting was attended by almost eighty people including members of the sponsoring Rotary Club Fifty-seven people signed up to be members on the day including the President and President Elect of the sponsoring Rotary Club ‘Most attendees indicated that they became aware of the meeting through the advertisements and media release in the Echo Community Newspapers.’ A further twelve members have been added during the first fortnight after the meeting and highlights the need for Probus in the area to assist in reducing isolation and loneliness felt by many seniors in the community Probus is a not-for-profit and also a non-fundraising organisation dedicated to helping retirees and semi-retirees meet new friends enjoy an active retirement lifestyle and have fun Club meetings will be held on the third Thursday of each month from 10am to noon at the Arana Hills Leagues Club and interested retirees and semi-retirees are welcome to attend Goodwood, just north of Hobart, was ranked as the number one suburb in the nation for having the speediest property transactions, according to Domain’s 2021 End of Year Wrap report. Property in Killarney Heights in Sydney’s northern beaches took just 10 days to sell, as did Diamond Valley on the Sunshine Coast and Sassafras on the outer eastern edges of Melbourne. Other suburbs where property was quick to sell were Ferny Hills and Keperra in Brisbane, Alfords Point in the Sutherland Shire of Sydney, Holder in Canberra, Regency Park in Adelaide’s inner north and Millgrove, Victoria. For anyone trying to buy property in this year’s hot market, the intense level of competition often meant it was a race against time to get an offer in and accepted before anyone else, Domain’s chief of research and economics Nicola Powell said. “[Our report] found the time it took to sell a house was the quickest it had been since 2008,” Dr Powell said. “Ultra-low home loan rates, government stimulus, rebounding economic conditions, returning expats and improved household savings became the perfect combination of factors for extraordinary price growth and activity in 2021.” Dr Powell said the suburbs that were highly contested were often smaller, or very tightly-held. “If they have a very low turnover of stock, often when something does come up, the buyers are ready to action. Suburbs where property is selling within a few days – they are the buyers that were ready yesterday,” she said. “For a long time, Goodwood was a bridesmaid suburb of Moonah. Moonah was where everyone wanted to be because of the speciality shops and cafes,” Mr Evans said. “But as prices boomed this year, buyers had to do some lateral thinking and look outside of Moonah to areas where prices were still affordable – and they landed on Goodwood. “Goodwood was overlooked for so long. Not any more.” He recently sold 47 Edinburgh Crescent, a four-bedroom house on 1029 square metres of land, for $620,000. It took him two weeks to get a buyer, an “unusually long time”, he said. “A couple of weeks to sell is a long time in Goodwood. I sold 65 Edinburgh Crescent as well and it took two days. Property there doesn’t last long any more.” In Killarney Heights, located in the Forest of Sydney, property has flown off the shelves at a rate of knots simply because of its location, according to local Ray White agent Nima Aliasgary. “Killarney Heights has always been a premium suburb but this year even more because the structure of life is different,” he said. “This year, because of COVID, people are coming from the eastern suburbs and if they’re coming to the Forest area, the first place they come is Killarney Heights. It’s a pocket. There’s good schools and the demand has been so high.” In Brisbane, where house prices have escalated at a rate not seen in years – the median price hit a record $722,455 in the September quarter – Ferny Hills’ pole position as Brisbane’s fastest-selling suburb was down to its popularity with families, said Drew Crump of the Harcourts Solutions Group. “We could sell everything in the same day we listed if we wanted to — that’s where demand is — but we stick to our process and we’ve slowed it down a bit to let as many people as possible see the property. We’re selling usually in that seven to 10-day timeframe.” The information on this website is intended to be of a general nature only and doesn't consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. where we are privileged to live and operate Due to the recent storm activity and excessive amounts of rain the Arana Hills Library has received some issues with the roof on the building along with minor flooding This in turn has resulted in the closure of the library for a few days so crews could ‘tarp up’ the roof as a temporary measure in order to get the library up and running again The library is due to receive a major refurbishment in April after the school holidays which includes replacing the roof however it is good to see the library up and running again New restaurant The Woodfired Oven plans to swing open its doors in late October / early November this year on 2/290 Dawson Parade Wedged between Dominos and Peter Duttons office this fresh slice of heaven has a long history of success growing up in The Gap and Keperra respectively—they now live just 500 metres from the shop Chris grew inspired by  the  many pizza ovens he’d built for customers of his Landscape Design & Construction business and chose to instal an oven in his backyard Chris dedicated his spare time to investigating the costs of opening his own food truck December 2017 was the year the couple spent their Christmas break cooking in their first food truck and working out the kinks Early 2018 they held their first backyard event which quickly progressed to an official February opening in Teralba Park the food truck business became a full-time deal The business now has 6 regular locations each week: Wittonga Park in The Gap They also provide private and corporate catering with a few public events thrown in they found that establishing an additional shop would allow for them to cater to their heavy flow of customers in an innovated way One of the reasons it is taking The Woodfired Oven so long to open their store is their quest to deliver a *chef’s kiss* perfetto menu Grand plans have been set in place to be realised in this store which is why they advertise ‘More Than Just Pizza’ ‘With two smokers in the store we are planning on bringing back our smoked Pork and Beef Ribs slow cooked and smoked meats that can be combined on a burger or as a side to a meal or on our loaded fries We’re developing our own range of Smash burgers You can buy a bucket of maple bacon as a side and there will be some salads and other items as well deep dish ‘Detroit’ style pizza and garlic bread will also be on the menu We also have a great range of desserts coming from Belgian Waffles The Wood Fired Oven will serve to cater Coeliac and Gluten Free guests They will be adopting a Fast Service restaurant style with enough seating for people to still come and enjoy if you are looking for a venue for a family get-together The Wood Fired Oven will be able to cater for your needs You can even hire out their Dining room for private events on Saturday nights They are also looking into purchasing a projector and screen so they can host the big game on State of Origin nights And the winner of TerryWhite Chemmart National Pharmacy of the Year is……TerryWhite Chemmart Arana Hills the largest Pharmacy Banner group in Australia TerryWhite Chemmart Arana Hills have been crowned the National TerryWhite Chemmart of the Year after taking out Queensland Pharmacy of the Year only two nights earlier Not only did they take out National Pharmacy of the Year award Chantelle Day was recognized as Queensland Retail Leader of the Year and Pharmacist Manager Peter Fairgray is a finalist in the National Pharmacist of the Year award The Pharmacy at Arana Hills has been owned locally by Rod Garozzo since 1980 and Karen Brown joined him as a partner in 2018 After selling the renowned TerryWhite Chemmart Samford store in 2021 incorporating a second clinic room and opening a café which is fondly called Capsule Café TerryWhite Chemmart Arana Hills is well known for its friendly and efficient customer service their vibrant staff who have a wealth of knowledge They are one of the top pharmacies in Australia for vaccinations – administering over 23,000 COVID and flu vaccines in the past 12 months They are also known for their unique health services they offer They are Queensland’s only specialized Men’s Health DownUnder Pharmacy where Pharmacist Peter assists men and their partners with erectile dysfunction and incontinence following prostate cancer surgery Midwife Asha offers ante-natal classes ‘Preparing for Birth’ and ‘Bringing Baby Home,’ as well as complementary post-natal appointments Dietitian Georgia from Eat Smart Nutrition also offers consultations in the pharmacy’s Clinic Hub TerryWhite Chemmart Arana Hills are also renowned for their community engagement Karen is a former Queensland Firebird so no surprises they sponsor the Pine Hills Netball Club and organise netball clinics with netball superstars to inspire our local netballers so make sure you drop in to congratulate them For more information about this local award winning pharmacy, visit www.theclinichub.com.au   Echo News is bound by the Standards of Practice of the Australian Press Council. If you believe the Standards may have been breached, you may approach Echo News or make a complaint to the Australian Press Council in writing at www.presscouncil.org.au. The Council may also be contacted on 1800 025 712. Swimmers aged 4 to 44 are set to dive into a new season of swimming with Ferny Hills Swimming Club The Club is hosting a Breakfast BBQ and Sign on Day at the Ferny Hills Pool from 8am to 11am on Saturday 15th September ‘Thanks to two substantial grants from the Gambling Community Benefit Fund the Club has been able to replace the starting blocks and the lane ropes at the Ferny Hills Pool and we are ready to celebrate the start of another great swimming season’ said Club President ‘We welcome swimmers of all ages and abilities Wherever they do their swimming lessons or training Swimming Club is a chance to put those skills into practice Getting a time every week really shows kids how quickly they are improving!” Susanne said they can start in the water rather than diving in and they can have an older swimmer in the lane helping them Ferny Hills Swimming Club holds weekly club nights at the Ferny Hills Pool every Friday night during Terms 4 and 1 The weekly program includes plenty of friendly competition with everything from 12.5m to 200m swims The Club also supports squad swimmers who want to take their swimming to the next level championships and even Open Water Swimming For more information email Susanne Watson at presidentferny@gmail.com Damian Hackett – Place Estate Agents CEO Paul Arthur – Qld Sotheby’s International CEO Narangba: A long-time popular suburb for its affordable homes 20 minutes from CBD with access to motorway and renovated Chermside shopping centre emerging services and close to Nundah’s thriving scene Acacia Ridge: Next to thriving south-side suburbs Springfield Lakes: Great value for money and plenty of investment surrounding it Rochedale: An attractive alternative for the first homebuyer looking to enter the Brisbane market Alexandra Hills: Nice steady suburb for homebuyers and investors with good returns Tingalpa: Great opportunities only minutes away from premium locations like Bulimba and Hawthorne precincts Murarrie: Post-war weatherboard and chamferboard houses combined with more modern estates Alexandra Hills: Average home prices of under $500,000 Ipswich: We expect price growth in 2018 as the market has caught up and is ready to go Forest Lake: New homes at affordable prices in smaller communities with great amenities Riverhills: Affordable one to watch with better access to the city now through Legacy Way Oxley: Quiet neighbourhoods with a strong sense of community Ferny Hills / Arana Hills: I can’t go past either for location Upper Coomera: Long been a favourite for commuters and for affordable stock in the high growth corridor with new homes and developments in safe communities at affordable prices Ashmore: Great value in low sets and good sized blocks Coomera / Hope Island: Within reach of the beaches and an easy commute to Brisbane great opportunities for the entry level buyer Varsity Lakes: Smaller homes ideal for first home buyers close to Bond University and Robina Town Centre Is listed for sale in the popular first home buyer suburb Sippy Downs: Set for more growth as it becomes more of an education hub Sippy Downs: It offers housing opportunities close to the Sunshine Coast University at very affordable prices closest Sunny Coast location to Brisbane for work options and beautiful Caloundra: Plenty of development in the pipeline offering excellent opportunities for those wanting to enter the market new developments and regular capital gains.PA Bracken Ridge: Close to good arterials and shopping centres Wavell Heights: An attractive suburb close to the M1 quality character homes and homes ready to renovate Wavell Heights : A hot spot in the inner-north Families can capitalise on generous blocks close to the city Rochedale South: This suburb stands out for its volume Mount Gravatt East: Still offers value for money Some of the South’s best school catchment areas Tarragindi: Easy commute to the CBD and a major motorway heading north and south Macgregor: Still a relatively undiscovered gem with some great bargains still to be had Carina: There’s been a solid five years of growth in Carina and it should continue Cannon Hill: Affordability for families on reasonable land Camp Hill: It’s hard to beat the inner-east — so much to offer for everyone in the family Carindale: A lively entertainment and shopping culture and quiet residential pockets and greenspaces Manly: Brilliant opportunity for families looking to take advantage of the coastal life while still in reach of the city Wavell Heights is listed for sale in the popular family suburb Toowong: There’s such strong affinity to St Lucia in this education hub Kenmore:Large renovated Queenslanders on decent-sized allotments and a leafy lifestyle well positioned and easy access to quality schools Kenmore: Changing demographic towards younger families neighbourhood bars and eateries are eon the rise Elanora: Affordable family homes on larger allotments with easy access to beaches Hope Island: Big homes with all the lifestyle and quick access to the M1 for commuters Palm Beach: A fabulous blend of community on the beach Only minutes from the airport and heart of Surfers Paradise central location with easy transport links Buderim: In a high ground area which has always been popular Coolum: Significant growth in infrastructure and new developments making it a hotspot for families for affordable beachside living Buderim: Bustling community with funky cafes Moffat Beach: Beachside neighbourhood which radiates summer Moffat is becoming a favourite for family’s due to its easy lifestyle close to good schools and just over 60 mins to Brisbane CBD Ascot: This is blue ribbon Brisbane’s classic heartland for fine luxury homes Teneriffe: Riverside hotspot offers one of Brisbane’s best lifestyles Restaurant precincts and extensive amenities heritage aesthetics and entertainment culture Hendra: 2018 should see Hendra come into the light after reaching an average sales price above $1m for the first time last year West End: In the $1 million median club for its great schools and vibrant community family orientated and great proximity to CBD with character-rich homes and entertainment and lifestyle developments moving into the area Highgate Hill: It will rebound strongly in 2018 to join the group of suburbs with an average sales price above $1m East Brisbane: Strong connections to Kangaroo Point perfect for families and boating enthusiasts Hawthorne: Premium river side location with an enviable selection of refurbished homes and colonial Queenslanders is listed for sale in the luxury enclave of Ascot St Lucia: A long held suburb where people buy and hold for many generations Chelmer: Plenty of opportunity for those who want to live in a renovated Queenslander in a leafy Paddington: Character filled with opulence renovated Queenslander and federation homes Brookfield is now home to Brisbane’s most stunning luxury properties Paradise Point: This has always been an affluent high end sought-after area Palm Beach: Huge growth in new homes on prime beachfront land along with the opening of trendy restaurants in the main strip Broadbeach: Say no more — you can have it with no shortage of luxurious choice Broadbeach: Towering high-rise and contemporary apartments dominate the picture-perfect coastline A lexandra Headland: Had two years of growth and we don’t see it slowing anytime soon Noosa: An incomparable premium beach lifestyle with stunning luxury homes beautiful beaches and relaxed coastal scene Noosa: It’s hard to go past Noosa for location and luxury on the Sunshine Coast 5 May – a seven carriage train with service number E91 left Brisbane’s Roma Street Station at approximately 8.50am carrying over 200 people It was chartered by the social club for staff at the Department of Trade and Customs They were travelling to a picnic at Closeburn to celebrate the public holiday the rail line extended from Ferny Grove out to Dayboro with stations at Camp Mountain and Samford the train climbed the Samford Range then came down Camp Mountain at around 9.50am with carriages starting to rock and some passengers screaming out in concern It suddenly left the rails on a left hand turn and tipped onto its right side The crash tragically caused the deaths of 16 people It remains the largest loss of life in an incident on the Queensland rail network and with Samford Road completed over the range the rail line beyond Ferny Grove was closed in 1955 The line near the accident site was converted to McLean Road South The accident site was later commemorated with a stone cairn and plaque by the then Pine Rivers shire council in 1988 local legend had it that late on some nights you could hear the haunting sounds of a train travelling over the Samford Range along with muffled cries recorded the song ‘Ghost Train’ inspired by this legend Does anyone out there remember the Camp Mountain rail tragedy from May 1947 Share your memories with us at the Society by visiting our Facebook page or emailing enoggerahistory@gmail.com  Even feel free to drop in to our premises at the Enoggera Memorial Hall any Thursday morning from 9.30am to pass on your recollections to our volunteers On Tuesday 21st July students and teachers at Patricks Road State School enjoyed a visit from a giant kookaburra This massive kookaburra was constructed by Dr Farvardin Daliri from Townsville He usually splits his time between Brisbane and Townsville but has been stuck in Brisbane due to the Coronavirus lockdown he set to work in perfecting his most impressive masterpiece yet the giant bird was destined as a mascot for Townsville’s cultural festival with uncertainty as to whether the festival would take place (due to the Coronavirus restrictions) Dr Daliri continued on with his project in order to bring a beacon of hope to communities throughout Australia and I thought this piece of art would captivate people’s imagination and get them laughing,’ Dr Daliri explains Construction of the giant kookaburra was no small feat as the sculpture is colossal The electronic kookaburra even emits its own iconic laugh ‘The lower beak hangs with a motor that pulls a shaft up and down so the kookaburra can laugh for everyone to hear,’ Dr Daliri said Dr Daliri has spent the past few months touring around various communities showcasing this iconic sculpture and spreading smiles to everyone he meets For more information and to stay up to date with the giant kookaburra’s movements visit the giant kookaburra Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GiantKookaburra The Council may also be contacted on 1800 025 712.