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Experience The Best Of Brisbane At Stones Corner Festival 2023: Top Aussie Artists, Craft Beer, Food Trucks, And More!

Did you know that the highly anticipated Stones Corner Festival is back for its eighth year this April? This year’s festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with an impressive lineup of talented Aussie artists that will have the locals dancing in the street. Here’s what to look forward to as it returns in 2023.

Read: First Look At Brisbane’s First Street Art Wall At Ekibin Park

Performances

Leading the star-studded lineup of the 2023 Stones Corner Festival is the Australian dance-punk and electro-pop sensation, Art vs Science. The talented trio, renowned for their chart-topping hits like Flippers, Magic Fountain, and Parlez Vous Francais, will undoubtedly set the stage ablaze with their high-energy performance.

Joining them are several other sought-after artists, including Resin Dogs, Yacht Rock Revival, Good Will Remedy, Jem Cassar-Daly, John Hanley & The Hurricanes, Dusty, and Andy Martin.

Food and Drinks

Photo credit: Stones Corner Festival/Facebook

Grab a bite from one of the numerous food trucks that will be lined up along Stoneham St. Whether you’re in the mood for classic burgers and fries, savoury paella, tasty tacos, or flavorful pizza, there will be an option for everyone in the family to savour.

Make sure to pause for a moment and indulge in the mouth-watering libations from over 20 breweries that will be present at the event.

You can expect to be tantalised by the delicious offerings of renowned breweries such as Your Mates Brewing Co, Heads of Noosa, Better Beer, 4Pines, Slipstream, Balter, Brookvale Union, Stone & Wood, Burleigh Brewing, Newstead Brewing, Young Henrys, and Green Beacon, who will be serving up an array of refreshing beverages, including exciting new flavours that are sure to please your taste buds.

Market Stalls

Show your support for the local community by visiting The Market Folk, a top Brisbane marketplace that specialises in pre-loved, hand-crafted, sustainable, and creative products. You’ll find their stalls scattered throughout the street at the festival.

If you’re in the mood for some browsing and shopping, make sure to stop by and pick up a unique knick-knack to commemorate your visit to the most epic street party of the year.

Supporting a Good Cause

Whilst the Stones Corner Festival is all about having a great time, it’s also about supporting a good cause.

The festival’s roots are deeply connected to the MND and Me Foundation, which raises funds for Queenslanders living with Motor Neurone Disease and supports ongoing research. All funds collected on the day will be distributed towards this important cause.

Therefore, gold coin donations are encouraged, and there will be plenty of opportunities to win a variety of raffles.

Read: Remediation Works Start At The Former Red Cross Hall In Greenslopes

Mark your calendar for 30 April 2023, from 10:00 a.m! Stones Corner Festival is a community-driven festival with FREE entry and a chance to support a meaningful cause.

Published 13-April-2023

Vaxxas: Pioneering Needle-Free Skin Patch Vaccine Technology

Photo credit: Vaxxas / vaxxas.com

Vaxxas, a Woolloongabba-based biotechnology company is working on developing new technology that could potentially deliver a needle-free skin patch for vaccine delivery by 2026.

With this, an exciting potential world-first vaccine innovation has emerged which could potentially replace the need for needles entirely.

The biotech company is in the process of developing the technology which involves using a patch with thousands of vaccine-coated micro projections that creates a surface similar to sandpaper.

Promising human clinical studies are currently underway. If successful, the potential benefits could forever change the way vaccines are administered.

The technology offers a simplified approach to vaccine administration and eliminates the need for cold chain storage. This breakthrough innovation could significantly lower distribution costs and make vaccinations more accessible, particularly during pandemics.

Vaxxas’ President and CEO, David Hoey, said the technology could have a revolutionary benefit in lower and middle-income countries, where vaccines could be administered without the need for refrigeration, and a skilled health worker could avoid going to difficult-to-reach areas.

Additionally, this work could help extend the reach of vaccines into areas where resources and logistics are limited, which is essential for disease eradication, where widespread vaccination is necessary.

He likewise highlighted the significant public health benefits that this innovative patch technology could bring to high-income countries.

The technology produces a faster and higher immune response, and even a smaller amount of vaccine on the patch could achieve comparable results.

He said he believes that this could be an appealing prospect for vaccine manufacturers and patients alike, and in the future, all vaccines could be administered through skin patches.

In February 2023, the University of Queensland (UQ) was granted Federal funding to work alongside Vaxxas in advancing the development and clinical testing of the world’s first COVID-19 vaccine delivered via a needle-free skin patch.

The technology’s potential to revolutionize vaccine administration and delivery could have far-reaching implications for global public health.

Provided that the trials are successful, Vaxxas may commence manufacturing by 2026.

Published 13-April-2023

Brisbane Tigers To Reopen Newly Revamped Langlands Park Stadium

After more than a year of work, the revamped Totally Workwear Stadium at Langlands Park, the home of Brisbane Tigers, will finally reopen soon.

Read: Remediation Works Start At The Former Red Cross Hall In Greenslopes

The newly transformed boutique stadium, which will be able to seat up to 4,000 spectators will reopen in April 2023.

The historic venue has been given a $10 million revamp as part of the rugby club’s plans to earn an NRL licence in the near future. The team was disappointed after failing to secure the 17th team licence. Still, they have high hopes to become the 18th NRL team.

With the new Totally Workwear Stadium, the Brisbane Tigers will be given an opportunity to train and play on a first-class playing surface whilst utilising their back-of-house facilities. Meanwhile, guests including their sponsors will be able to comfortably watch the matches.

Works for Langlands Park also involved relocating the 1933 pavilion on the site and building a two-storey building with modern facilities such as a 45-seat theatre, corporate suites, media rooms and administration offices.

The 1933 pavilion, which is on the heritage list and was once the change rooms for the Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club, has been moved between the heritage grandstand and the current scoreboard.

“The provision of a first-class training and playing facilities at Totally Workwear Stadium will complement the Langlands Park sporting precinct, which will include swimming pools and a 24-7 commercial gymnasium,” the Brisbane Tigers stated in its website.

“The redevelopment of the grounds is extremely important for the club and the community. The current change rooms were constructed in the 1960’s and 1980’s and have served the community well for over 60 years but are now needing of an upgrade to state and national level competition standard.”

Read: Broadway Hotel: Neglected Heritage Landmark Up for Restoration

Beyond the sports facilities, guests can expect a new canteen, an espresso bar, and a merchandise shop located on the new single-story building on the western side of the grounds.

Totally Workwear Stadium is anticipated to become a great facility not just for rugby league but also for competition games throughout Queensland, school competitions and carnivals, local games and finals, and other sports and events of the community.

Published 27-March-2023

Remediation Works Start At The Former Red Cross Hall In Greenslopes

After years of planning, the remediation works for the former Red Cross Hall in Greenslopes has finally started, which would prepare the property before it will be transformed into a public park.

Read: New Community Park Planned at Former Red Cross Site in Greenslopes

Red Cross Hall, located on the corner of Newdegate Street and Headfort Street in Greenslopes has been closed since 2013 due to the presence of asbestos.

The decision to sell the property is believed to be a more cost-effective solution, rather than retaining or renovating it, which is expected to cost the government anywhere between $5.4 million and $7.5 million.

The remediated site will then be sold to the Brisbane City Council for the purpose of constructing a public park and Legacy House.

Local officials will work with the Department of Veterans Affairs for a heritage strategy in designing the new public space, to allow them to preserve most of the building’s heritage-listed elements.

Consisting of a large timber hall and smaller neighbouring building built circa 1945, the former Red Cross Hall was constructed to provide recreation services to the military personnel who were patients at the 112th Australian Military Hospital.

At the time, hundreds of soldiers were taken to the hospital for medical examinations before and after active service. Many of them were treated for medical, surgical or other conditions.

Councillor for Coorparoo Ward Fiona Cunningham earlier announced that locals wanted to see a public park on the site, given that there are no playgrounds or family recreational facilities nearby.

“While it is sad to see the buildings go, I believe it is important to provide certainty to residents about the future of the site. I am also pleased that we will be able to provide new parkland for local families and community use that will honour the site’s history,” Cr Cunningham said in a social media post.

Read: Broadway Hotel: Neglected Heritage Landmark Up for Restoration

Council would also sell a portion of the land to Legacy Queensland who will use the space to continue support for local veteran families.

Legacy QLD is a non-profit organisation currently based in South Brisbane, which supports thousands of family members of fallen and injured veterans across South-East, Central and Western Queensland.

Published 23-March-2023

Greenslopes Coles Team Member Eoin Gibson: Thriving with Down Syndrome

Always cheerful and ready to help, Eoin Gibson has Down Syndrome and is a familiar sight at the bakery and the fruit and vegetable section of Greenslopes Coles where he is popular among customers and fellow team members.

“It started, I’ll never forget it, with a high five as his introduction,” Coles Store Manager Darren Watt fondly recalled, saying that Eoin turned up one day and asked to see him at the service desk looking for a job.

“Straight away I could tell that there was something about Eoin that this business needed,” Mr Watt said, adding that he knew that Eoin was going to make Coles a better place, thanks to his energy and confidence.

When Eoin isn’t hard at work sorting and arranging the produce, he can be seen making cookies, or checking the stocks on the shelves. He says Coles is like a second home.

Having Down syndrome has not prevented Eoin from growing and thriving. In fact, working in an environment like Coles has helped him develop new skills, gain confidence around people, and achieve economic independence.

Eoin Greenslopes Coles Down Syndrome employee — Photo Credit: Screen capture from YouTube / Down Syndrome Australia

Seeing him at succeeding at work has also helped shine a light on people with Down Syndrome as capable contributors to society.

As part of Coles’ ongoing commitment to attract and employ people that represent the communities in which they operate and in celebration of World Down Syndrome Day (March 22, 2023), Coles is honouring its incredible team members like Eoin who help make Coles a safe and inclusive place to work.

What started as an introductory high-five during the interview has now blossomed into a four-year career for Eoin with Coles, providing his one-of-a-kind five-star service in his roles across fresh produce and the bakery.

“It is always important for people with Down Syndrome to get a job,” Eoin says, adding that working keeps him going and helps “to works your brain.” He said it is important for people with Down Syndrome to get a job and feel that they belong to a community.

Like everyone else, Eoin says he has good days and bad days. When he first started, Eoin’s challenge was building rapport with the team, mastering the everyday skills needed for his job, and learning safe work practices.

He worked very hard and was soon happy with his improvement. “We always have to keep moving on,” he says.

Through the support of his Store Manager Michael Edser, and the team at Coles Greenslopes, he is proud to be doing just that, moving forward and building his career in a supportive and inclusive environment.

“I love this team. I want to work here forever, actually,” Eoin shares.

In FY22, Coles ranked #1 for accessible Recruitment and Selections and was ranked #3 in the Access and Inclusion Index (see here for more information). Coles is also committed to providing a safe and accessible shopping experience, with 414 stores offering Quite Hour nationally.

New Electric Barbecue in Hanlon Park Amidst a Wood-Fired Barbecue Phase Out

Photo Credit: Susanne Jutzeler, Schweiz/Pixabay

Hanlon Park has a new electric barbecue for Stones Corner visitors to use and enjoy amidst the phase-out of wood-fired barbecues across many Brisbane parks.

The replacements, however, have drawn complaints from some councillors who said that the removal of wood-fired barbecues could spell the end of an Australian tradition.

Reports cited that at least 300 wood-fired barbecues have been removed from Brisbane parks and replaced with either gas or electric varieties. However, the replacements have not been enough to keep pace with losses.

Cr Nicole Johnston also said that sausage sizzles taste better when grilled on a wood-fired rather than an electric or gas barbecue. She has been waiting for new barbecue equipment for her ward in Fairfield and claimed the request has been on the list for 12 years.

The complaints also cited that barbecue equipment across the parks is down to 288 from 410 in nearly a decade. Whilst Council has been spending for park improvements, barbecue equipment is not a priority on some of the parks.

However, per the Council’s official site, the facilities are available at over 420 parks and reserves but some electric equipment could be temporarily unavailable due to maintenance.

Cr Tracy Davis, the parks chairperson, said that the removal of wood-fired barbecues was asked by the locals who didn’t want to carry logs to the parks or ensure that the fires don’t put out whilst they were still having a barbecue. She also said that some parks also have cooking plates.

Developers Scrap Aged Care Facility Proposal For Stage 2 Of Buranda TOD

Plans for the Stage 2 of the Buranda TOD (transit oriented development) have been revised, with the developers scrapping the aged care facility in favour of another commercial office building.

Read: First Look At Brisbane’s First Street Art Wall At Ekibin Park

Initial plans for Stage 2 Buranda TOD included the Garden House, a seven-storey aged care facility on the northern part of the precinct. However, new plans showed it was replaced by a mixed-use office tower.

The Stage 2 of transit oriented development, which is in proximity to Buranda Train Station is being proposed on the eastern precinct of the site.

Garden House – previously an aged care facility now being proposed as a commercial office
The Pavilion – commercial office
The Canopy – student accommodation
The Terraces – multiple dwelling

Garden House

Garden House is an eight-storey mixed-use commercial office tower at the northern part of the site. The building comprises a reception, lobby and retail tenancies at the Upper Ground and Plaza Ground Levels, with commercial offices at the upper levels.

The Pavilion

The Pavilion is a seven-storey mixed-use commercial tower along Logan Road. The building includes a lobby area and range of retail tenancies at the Lower Ground and Plaza Ground Levels and commercial offices at the upper five levels.

The Canopy

The Canopy provides for a 26-storey purpose-built student accommodation tower, comprising three podium levels and 23 tower levels integrated over two basement levels. This building is located at the south-western part of the site and provides a total of 756 beds and 884sqm of communal open space.

The Terraces

The Terraces is a 28-storey multiple dwelling tower, comprising one basement level, five podium levels and 23 residential levels. This building is situated at the landmark site on the corner of Logan Road and O’Keefe Street and provides a total of 226 apartments and 1,027sqm of communal open space.

Read: Broadway Hotel: Neglected Heritage Landmark Up for Restoration

Meanwhile, Stage 1 (western precinct) of Buranda TOD, which involves the construction of two towers to provide a total of 1,611 student units and shops/restaurant tenancies has been completed.

First Look At Brisbane’s First Street Art Wall At Ekibin Park

Did you know that Ekibin Park in Greenslopes now has Brisbane’s first street art wall?

Read: Ekibin Park East to Get New Shade Sails Soon

For the project, Brisbane City Council teamed up with local artists Smalls and Tervo, which both agreed that the legal street art walls were a step in the right direction to foster the talents of emerging street artists in Brisbane.

There’s more to come as the city unveils its new program aimed at supporting local art culture and creating vibrant public spaces.

The legal graffiti walls provide public spaces that can be used as a canvas for uncommissioned, legal street art, with the aim of providing opportunities for creative expression and artistic development.

street art wall — Photo credit: Team Schrinner/Facebook

This means Brisbane can accommodate fantastic street art, in the right places, to add to the city’s attractiveness. Council also reminds the public that street art that is offensive in nature and has the potential to upset, disturb, threaten, or insult people may be removed.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the new program emerged from the annual Brisbane Street Art Festival, which has rapidly grown as one of the largest street arts festivals in Australia since it began in 2016.

“This new program will identify public spaces where street artists can express their creativity, hone their skills and transform blank canvases into amazing murals for residents and visitors to enjoy,” Cr Schrinner stated.

“I believe Brisbane’s street art can be a unique local tourism drawcard ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games with the potential for city-wide tours and outdoor exhibitions.”

Artist Tervo said it’s a space free from outside intervention that allows artists to push their styles, practice techniques and develop artistically in a safe environment.

“While there are increasing opportunities for paid commercial murals, these are not places for artists to take risks and develop, nor suitable for beginning artists to start out,” said Tervo.

Read: Craving Thai Food? This Restaurant In Stones Corner Gets You Covered

Brisbane’s first street art wall is located at Ekibin Park East (north-west wing walls of drainage culvert, Ridge Street overpass), Greenslopes.

Medical Specialists from Greenslopes Private Hospital Continue Medical Mission to Help Women in Uganda

Photo credit: Greenslopes Private Hospital / greenslopesprivate.com.au/

In 2022, Prof Judith Goh AO and Prof Hannah Krause AO, urogynaecologists from the Greenslopes Private Hospital, successfully operated on 121 women in Uganda as part of a self-funded medical mission.

In 2023, the duo is making another trip to continue their mission of helping underprivileged women who would otherwise not have access to adequate medical services.

In August 2022, Prof. Goh and Prof Krause went to Uganda on a three-week trip to volunteer their time and offer their surgical skills to women with gynaecological issues as well as raise funds to cover their patients’ travel expenses and food. They, however, did pay for their travel costs out of their own pockets.

“Each surgery costs a couple of hundred dollars, and with local women earning an average of less than $2 a day, the cost of surgery is beyond their means,” Prof. Goh said.

“The majority of surgeries we perform are for utero-vaginal prolapse and fistulas. Without these surgeries the women are often ostracised by their husbands and families.

“It’s wonderful to be able to use our skills to help people less fortunate. Thank you to Greenslopes Private Hospital for the ongoing support.”

Prof. Goh and Prof Krause have been doing volunteer work in Asia and Africa since 1995 and during pre-COVID times, they undertook 3-4 self-funded trips per year. In fact, it was not the first time that Prof. Goh and Dr Krause went on a medical mission to Uganda.

In 2018, they, along with , travelled to Uganda to visit the remote region of the Rwenzori Mountains to offer medical services to women needing treatment for conditions such as vaginal fistulas and uterovaginal prolapse.

They are returning to Uganda for another medical mission this March.

Published 21-January-2023

Ekibin Park East to Get New Shade Sails Soon

Photo credit: Lord Mayor Schrinner / adrianschrinner.com.au

Ekibin Park East in Greenslopes is set to have brand new shade sails as part of the Council’s new Sun Safe Suburban Playgrounds program.

“Ekibin Park East, on Ridge Street at Greenslopes will soon have brand new shade sails,” Councillor Fiona Cunningham’s social media post last 22 December 2022 reads.

“It’s part of our promise to ensure every playground in Brisbane has shade in the next 3 years.

In some locations it will be shade sails and in others, where possible, large mature trees,” she said.

In a separate announcement last 11 December, Lord Mayor Schrinner revealed the first 41 playgrounds to be retrofitted with shade covers. He said that the $10 million three-year program to be rolled out over the next three years will ensure that every playground in Brisbane has shade to help protect parents, carers and children.

“Brisbane has an enviable lifestyle as well as a network of more than 2000 fantastic parks that make for great free fun for families,” Cr Schrinner said.

“However, we also live in a state that’s known as one of the world’s skin cancer capitals.

“While we incorporate shade in all our new playgrounds when required, there are unfortunately some that still need to be retrofitted with some form of cover.

“Under our Sun Safe Suburban Playgrounds program, Council will identify those playgrounds that need cover and ensure they receive it over the next three years.

“This program is in addition to our ongoing investment in new and improved parks and playgrounds throughout Brisbane suburbs.

Three local suppliers and manufacturers were already commissioned to make and install the shade sails at the first package of playgrounds in Alderley, Durack, Heathwood, and Runcorn under the Sun Safe Suburban Playgrounds program. A further nine playgrounds will also get shade sails under the Sun Safe Suburban Playgrounds program.

“Many parents of young children like me would know only too well that playgrounds without shade are off limits for large parts of the day, particularly during Brisbane’s hotter months.

“Our program will be pivotal to ensuring that when the sun is up our parks are cooler for everyone.

“Brisbane is the best place in the world to live and programs like this are helping to make it even better.”

Cancer Council Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mr Andrew Donne said he applauds the Lord Mayor for the project that will create more shady recreational space and that it is a “great step in reducing skin damage and risk of skin cancer for Brisbane kids.

“It is well known that Australia has the highest rate of melanoma in the world, and without sun protection skin damage can occur in as little as 15 minutes,” Mr Donne said.

“What I must convey however, is that skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers.”

Mr Donne added that people can do their part to improve sun safety by slipping on protective clothing, applying SPF 30+ sunscreen, using a broad-brimmed hat, seeking shade and sliding on wraparound sunglasses.

It is estimated that some 150 playgrounds will be upgraded with shade as the program will boost the current average of one new shade at 10 playgrounds each year to about 50 playgrounds per year.

“Where possible, we will also look at investing in planting of mature trees rather than sails,” Cr Schrinner said.

“Trees not only create a cleaner, greener Brisbane but are also a great source of shade.”

Over the next six months, these playgrounds will receive shade under the 2022-23 Sun Safe Suburban Playgrounds Program:

Park Name	Suburb
Akuna Street Park	Kenmore
Austin Uhlmann Park	Morningside
Barwin Street Park	Wakerley
Beckett Road Park	Mcdowall
Bliss Street Park	Gaythorne
Broula Park	Stafford Heights
Buckley Street Park	Carina Heights
Cannon Hill BusHland Reserve	Cannon Hill
Castamore Way Park	Richlands
Chester Park Reserve	Mount Gravatt East
Crawford Road Park	Wynnum West
Dianthus Street Park (South)	Wakerley
Doulton Street Park	Calamvale
Ed Kuepper Park	Oxley
Ekibin Park South	Annerley
Ferny Grove Picnic Ground Park	Ferny Grove
Fiddlewood Crescent Park	Bellbowrie
Fig Tree Pocket Riverside Reserve	Fig Tree Pocket
Garrett Park	Runcorn
Gordon Crescent	Wakerley
Greenhills Park	Alderley
Harry Kirby Park	Aspley
Heers Park	Manly West
Kings Park	Keperra
Kuranda Street Park	Balmoral
Linacre Street Park	Durack
Moora Park	Shorncliffe
Narrung Street Park	Middle Park
Nixon Park	Oxley
Robert Hanley Park	Seven Hills
Rotary Park	Heathwood
Sanananda Park	Darra
Tryon Street Park	Upper Mount Gravatt
Breene Court Park	Carindale
Milton Urban Common	Milton
Hamish Street Park	Calamvale
Kalinga Park	Kalinga
Orleigh Park	West End
Bacton Road Park	Chandler
Ekibin Park East	Greenslopes
Mingoola Park	Murarrie

And under the 2022-23 Suburban Works Program:

Park Name	Suburb
Frank Sleeman Park	Boondall
O’callaghan Park	Zillmere
Selkirk Crescent Park	Upper Kedron
Sunset Place Park	Mcdowall
Lambertia Close Park	Mount Gravatt East
Ross Park	Nundah
Robinson Park	Fairfield
Spencer Park	Newmarket
Kitchener Park	Wynnum West

Published 2-January-2023