Homepage Latest News Archives - Page 18 of 28

New Restaurant Brings The Unique Flavours Of India To Greenslopes and Stones Corner

Soo Delhi is a newly opened restaurant in the heart of Stones Corner, celebrating Indian home cooking with a combination of classic and unique Indian fare.

Read: Greenslopes Clinic Finalist At 2021 HESTA Excellence Awards

In a move away from the predominance of curry dishes typically found in Indian restaurants across Brisbane, Soo Delhi offers only a handful of curries. These are their Malai chicken tikka, butter chicken, a lamb shank option, palak paneer, a grilled salmon curry, and dal makhni.

The stars at Soo Delhi are the “Sooji Kesar Halva,” a semolina halva cooked in ghee and the “Shahi Tukda,” an Indian-style bread and butter pudding. Those who are looking for something new to try should go for kebab-like rolls loaded with lamb and goat.

The restaurant is co-owned by Manita Arnold, a well-known cafe owner who used to run the Pearl Cafe in Woolloongabba. The cafe was considered a Brisbane dining institution, having run for over 14 years before it ceased trading in 2020 after the new owners failed to access government help during the pandemic.

The Indian restaurant’s business model takes inspiration from Delhi’s restaurants, where only around five to six curry dishes are on offer instead of having dozens of curries on the menu. All the items on Soo Delhi’s menu are family recipes passed on from generations, which adds a home-cooked feel to their food.

“All the food is extremely tasty, flavoursome and keeps you wanting to come back for more! I’ve never come across an Indian restaurant in Brissy that offers such unique dishes, rather than your regular butter chicken,” said local guide Vivian Nguyen.

Arnold, also a winemaking professional, ensures the restaurant will have a good wine list once they are available. Right now, they are still waiting for their liquor license. For the meantime, they allow BYO for lunch and dinner from Wednesday to Sunday.

Soo Delhi accepts dine-in, takeaway, and no-contact delivery orders. Follow them on Facebook or on Instagram for updates and more information, including trading hours and the menu.

Greenslopes Clinic Finalist At 2021 HESTA Excellence Awards

Photo credit: @restorefunctionphysio/Instagram

Restore Function Physiotherapy, located in Greenslopes, has been selected to be one of the finalists for the Outstanding Organisations category at the 2021 HESTA Excellence Awards, which recognises Australia’s top organisations and teams working across allied health, aged care, community and disability services.

Read: Greenslopes Grandfather With Spinal Cord Injury Plans Travel Fundraiser

Restore Function Physiotherapy is founded by Miranda O’Hara, who was instrumental in developing the AFLW’s Prep to Play injury risk reduction program during her time as head of the Brisbane Lions’ AFLW Medical Department. Because of Ms O’Hara’s hard work, the strategies resulted in only two Brisbane Lions AFLW players being unavailable for selection due to injury.

Photo credit: @restorefunctionphysio/Instagram

She completed her Masters of Musculoskeletal and Sports Physiotherapy at Griffith University in 2014. During this time, Miranda joined the Physiotherapy teaching team at Australian Catholic University and also provided clinical education to the Masters of Musculoskeletal and Sports Physiotherapy students at Griffith University.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by RestoreFunctionPhysio (@restorefunctionphysio)

Ms O’Hara started Restore Function Physiotherapy in 2012 as a specialised sports physiotherapy & rehab clinic. Now, the clinic offers an array of services, specialising in musculoskeletal conditions, sporting injuries, women’s health and spinal pain and neurological rehabilitation.

She’s joined by a team of physiotherapists who have years of experience in treating all kinds of muscle and joint pains – from everyday sore necks and backs to torn ACL’s on the sporting field. To know more about their services, see Restore Function Physiotherapy’s website or call at 07 3148 4417.

HESTA Winners Announced

HESTA Excellence Awards announced the national winners this year in a virtual ceremony on 25 August 2021. Earbus Foundation of WA (EFWA) wins the Outstanding Organisation for their work to reduce middle ear disease in young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. For the list of all winners, visit www.hesta.com.au.

Greenslopes Grandfather With Spinal Cord Injury Plans Travel Fundraiser

Bevan, a Greenslopes grandfather, will attempt something he has never done before. As a person with spinal cord injury who has been getting around with a wheelchair, he’ll be travelling from Brisbane to Townsville, through QLD’s western corridor, and then back home to Greenslopes, in his makeshift wheelchair-accessible camper van.

The retiree said that he had the idea to go around the region in the hopes of raising funds for spinal research. Bevan also wants his upcoming trip, set for late August or September, to raise awareness for inclusive tourism and his not-for-profit Miller Chase Foundation and Accessible Australia Ride, a free and helpful tool encouraging people with disabilities to safely explore the country.

Bevan said that since getting his Freedom Trax, a powered off-road wheelchair from the NDIS, he’s enjoying more independence and outdoor recreational activities, such as camping and fishing, with his grandchildren. Having a wheelchair has allowed him some fun with the great outdoors but a trip around Queensland remains his goal for some time.

“I was retired and looking for something to do and a challenge to raise funds for a reasonable cause. I had the wheelchair scooter and always wanted to go around Australia and thought I’d combine the whole thing together.”

“I ripped the seats out of my Toyota HiAce Commuter and converted it into a wheelchair-accessible camper van so I have somewhere to sleep, and my mate will drive the van behind me as a support vehicle.

“I am hoping late August or early September and will start from Brisbane and go up the Queensland coast, then go across to Mt Isa from Townsville, then down the western corridor through Winton to Charleville across the bottom of the state, back to Brisbane.”

Bevan suffered a spinal cord injury in a motorbike accident almost 30 years ago and was in the spinal unit for six months during his rehabilitation. Three decades on and Bevan said that there isn’t a decent facility for spinal cord injury patients and their families during the rehabilitation. So, he’s also hoping that this trip will also enable him to secure funds to build a rehabilitation centre.

“It would be nice to have a place where you can move out of the spinal unit and instead of living in the hospital ward, you can be in a rehab centre with gym, hydro pools and units designed with wheelchair facilities, so the families and patients can be rehabilitated together; even the families need that rehab.”

Aside from NDIS, the Greenslopes grandfather also has the support of Spinal Life Australia. After Queensland, he’s hoping to continue his travels in the rest of the country in 2022.

To avail of the support Bevan has received from the NDIS, enquire from Carers Queensland on 1300 999 636, or cq.enquiries@ndis.gov.au.

Queensland Puts Forward Plans to Manufacture COVID-19 Vaccines Locally

Translational Research Institute at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Woolloongabba has received a $20-million grant to develop mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 amidst the rising number of cases of Delta variant transmissions but the initiative will still need approval from the Commonwealth.

Under the Industry Partnership Program, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said that the grant will ramp up the country’s “capacity to develop our biomedical industry and manufacture vaccines,” as well as open 500 jobs within 10 years.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said that the fund will enable Queensland to produce vaccines for Australia.

“I want Queensland to lead the country in vaccine research, development, and manufacturing, and I’ve been talking to leading biomedical experts about how to do this,” Deputy Premier Steven Miles said. “TMI@TRI was one of their strong recommendations.”

Highlights

Translational Research Institute at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Wollonggaba received a $20 million grant from the State.
The funding will allow Queensland to produce mRNA COVID-19 vaccines locally.
The production will still need approval from the Federal Government.

The State Government has been in preliminary discussions with various Queensland-based biopharmaceutical facilities, as well as leading international manufacturers, to produce the vaccines locally once the Federal Government agrees to the proposal.

The pitch was laid out with Federal Industry, Science and Technology Minister Christian Porter. Mr Miles said that Queensland has the technology and the skills to become a “major player in the manufacture of vaccines internationally.”

Photo Credit: Translational Research Institute/Google Maps

The Federal Government is looking into bids for locally manufacturing CSL, BioChina, Luina Bio, LDT and 10 more brands. One of its requirements is for the facility to be ready within a year. TRI CEO Professor Scott Bell believes that, given the funding, the manufacturing facility could be ready in 18 months.

Australia is already producing AstraZeneca mRNA COVID-19 vaccines as there are facilities on-shore that have the capacity to make this particular viral-vector-based vaccine. AstraZeneca is also willing to outsource vaccine production.

However, the country needs more Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for the under 50s as AstraZeneca is only administered to older patients. Only three countries have the rights to manufacture Pfizer vaccine: U.S., Germany, and Belgium.

Moderna, another mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, is another possibility if issues with local licence are ironed out and secured.

Meanwhile, Princess Alexandra Hospital conducts regular vaccinations for the under 60 years old every Friday and Saturday between 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Check the Queensland Health website for other vaccination locations.

Greenslopes Unit Block Sells for $1.755 Million from $1.41 Million in 3 Months

An old apartment block in Greenslopes, located within walking distance of Greenslopes’ hospital and shopping precincts, has sold for $1.76 million, after a previous local investor bought the property for $1.41 million, three months before.

Located within walking distance of Greenslopes’ hospital and shopping precincts, the apartment block on 16 Denman Street has four units that averagely fetch a weekly rent of $1,200. The units’ rent could potentially increase with some improvements or developments to the ageing building.

Spanning 809 square metres, the residential site has a common area on the ground floor with some storerooms, laundries, and separate garages fitted for two cars. The property’s four units have different floor plans with the biggest house offering three bedrooms and an exclusive ground floor area. All of the units are currently leased.

The property agents said that investors have been “looking for this type of asset” because of its prime location and income potential. Seven registered bidders took interest in the property during the weekend auction in early July 2021.

According to realestate.com.au, the site could be redeveloped with new multiple homes subject to Council approval.

At least 56 percent of Greenslopes locals are renters. The suburb has a consistently strong demand for units from young professionals working in the CBD, which is just six kilometres away.

The suburb’s biggest drawcard is Greenslopes Private Hospital, which has also brought more jobs to the area. The hospital is also a major factor for the older community and retirees.

Greenslopes has approximately 9,000 residents whose working population earns a weekly income of $1,671 or above the country’s average. As of June 2021, the median rent in this suburb is $380 a week for a two-bedroom unit.

Asbestos-Riddled Red Cross Hall in Greenslopes Could Be Redeveloped for Community Use

Photo credit: Stewart Ross/Google Maps

The Red Cross Hall in Greenslopes, a heritage-listed site built in 1945, could be redeveloped for community use after authorities conducted extensive surveys on site and deemed it as “unrepairable.”

Read: Greenslopes Private Hospital Oncologist Reveals New Immunotherapy for Rare Lung Cancer

Located at 112 Newdegate St, the World War II hall in Greenslopes has been enclosed with a barrier since 2013. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs sought the help of experts, including a structural engineer, construction manager, heritage architect and quantity surveyors to find out what could be done to restore the site.

However, whilst conducting the survey, they learned that the structure was found to contain asbestos and other hazardous materials, making it unrepairable according to the Department.

Now, plans to redevelop the site for the use of the Brisbane community emerge. Another option is to develop the site and preserve its significance and honour its history. But that’s still subject to an agreement between the Federal Government and the Brisbane City Council. The DVA consulted the residents living nearby and found that all they want is for the safety of everyone.

The Asbestos Disease Support Society that youths appear to have been risking their health by climbing onto the asbestos roof of the abandoned Greenslopes Red Cross Hall.

Regarding this, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said that they will transform the land into a community space where children can play and families gather together.

“As part of the process of designing the park, the local Councillor, Cr Fiona Cunningham, will conduct community consultation,” Mr Chester said.

About the Red Cross Hall

Photo credit: heritage.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Formerly an Australian Army hospital, the Red Cross Hall at Greenslopes consists of hall and hostel buildings that were built in early 1945 to support recuperating returned soldiers.

Volunteers staffed the Red Cross Centre. Many were women who wore the Red Cross uniform complete with hats, gloves, stockings and lace up shoes. The volunteers looked after the library, did office work or “general ward work” such as shopping, taking messages and writing letters for patients. They also cared for relatives visiting patients by providing morning teas for both patients and their visitors.

Post-war, the Red Cross continued to operate the hall by providing similar services for service personnel and veterans, such as arts and crafts, a workshop and a separate library for tuberculosis patients.

Aside from a hall and a library, it features a billiards room, reading rooms, handcraft store, workroom, and storeroom. However, due to the poor condition of the building, it was closed for public use in 2013.

Petrol Prices Up! Here’s Where Greenslopes Locals Can Get Them Lower

Petrol prices are still high in Brisbane with an average price of 164.9 cents per litre (cpl) as of 7 July 2021. That’s down a bit from previous days, a trend which hopefully continues, but still higher than those in other capital cities in the country. Those looking for cheaper petrol can check out Caltex Woolloongabba at 118 Logan Rd where the price has held steady at the 136.5 cpl mark so far.

Shell Galloways Hill on Hawthorne Rd is at 157.9 cpl as of 6 July, while Bizzells Garage on Latrobe Terrace is at 159.9 cpl as of 5 July.

However, 80 percent of service stations around Brisbane and the Gold Coast are selling unleaded petrol for more than 170 cpl, exceeding the all-time record high in December 2019. Below are the cheapest rates in Brisbane’s southeast as of 27 June to 7 July:

CHECK FOR FAIR FUEL PRIcEs

RACQ spokesperson Renee Smith explains the reason for the high price, attributing the situation to a “triple whammy.”

“We’re at the high point in the fuel cycle in SEQ, oil prices are at a two year high and retailers have retained unreasonably high retail margins,” Ms Smith said.

“During the pandemic servos had high indicative retail margins because so many people weren’t driving so fuel sales volumes were low – but now sales are back to normal the fact they’re still charging these exorbitant prices is frankly unfair,” she added.

In June, RACQ released a report citing that retail petrol prices will continue to tick upward in the coming months, with Brisbane residents paying more compared to locals at other capital cities in Australia.

Meanwhile, Smith recommends downloading RACQ Fair Fuel Finder app (Android or iOS) so the motorists can do a price comparison. A difference of a few cents will encourage retailers to keep their prices competitive.

“If you’re unable to find a better deal in your area then top for now to get you through until prices the next cheap phase, which could take up to three weeks,” Ms Smith added.

The Cost of Driving Your Car

Apart from the petrol price increase, the cost of driving a car in Brisbane is up by 1.7 percent on 1 July due to the increase in licence and registration fees.

“The cost of a five-year licence climbed to $187.10, while those driving a four-cylinder car will have to pay $399.55 per year to register their vehicle,” RACQ spokesperson Lauren Ritchie said.

Motorists will also have to pay higher for use of toll roads and parking in Brisbane CBD. Per the Brisbane Consumer Price Index (BCPI), parking rates in Brisbane CBD have gone up six percent at $5.50 per hour. Ms Ritchie also warned that motorists who violate road rules are bound to pay higher penalties, which has increased across Queensland by 3.3 percent.

With these rising costs, Brisbane car owners are finding ways to save money where they can, such as patronising service stations with lower petrol rates.

Greenslopes Private Hospital Oncologist Reveals New Immunotherapy for Rare Lung Cancer

An oncologist working at the Greenslopes Private Hospital has revealed that Australians now have access to new immunotherapy to manage an inoperable and malignant type of lung cancer.

Beginning 1 July 2021, patients with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure may find treatments like Opdivo (nivolumab) and Yervoy (ipilimumab) listed via the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Dr Keith Horwood of the Greenslopes Private Hospital said that patients may begin availing and receiving their reimbursements for these treatments.

He also said that between 700 to 800 Australians are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year, one of the highest numbers around the world. This rare but aggressive cancer has poor survival rates due to the lack of access to timely and innovative treatments thus the Australian medical community welcomes the new scheme with PBS.

The new immunotherapy helps fight cancer of the lungs by combining two medications that work differently but complementary. OPDIVO and YERVOY help the patient’s immune system and improves their life expectancy. Before the release of this immunotherapy, the five-year survival rate for mesothelioma patients was at 10 percent.

“These results build upon our decade-long legacy in treating melanoma, which began when the average life expectancy following a diagnosis of metastatic melanoma was roughly six months and less than 10% of patients survived beyond five years,” Gina Fusaro of Bristol Myers Squibb said. “With some of the longest follow-up with immunotherapies to date, Opdivo and Yervoy have consistently demonstrated durable, long-term survival benefits for patients diagnosed with advanced melanoma.”

According to experts from the Lung Foundation of Australia, mesothelioma takes 20 to 60 years to progress with most patients presenting an advanced and inoperable disease. Early diagnosis, as well as access to the medications, are crucial to improving the outcomes of patients with this type of cancer.

New Jean Pockett Cancer Wing at Greenslopes Private Hospital in Full Swing

Two months after it officially opened, the Jean Pockett cancer wing at Greenslopes Private Hospital is now full swing.

Named after wartime widow Jean Pockett, the wing is part of Greenslopes Private Hospital‘s $72 million expansion, which also features oncology and haematology services, 64 rooms and two wards.

Known for her resilience, determination, dry sense of humour, Mrs Pockett, a Coorparoo resident, was a familiar fixture at the Greenslopes Private Hospital as a volunteer for more than 40 years.

Jean Pocket with former Governor-General of Australia Quentin Bryce | Photo Credit: Supplied

Mrs Pockett founded the Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation (GMRF), which aims to study and find cures for the most devastating illnesses affecting men and women. The GMRF’s headquarters is also at the Greenslopes Private Hospital.

The widow was 96 years old when she passed away after a year of living in care. She left most of her estate to the foundation, enabling the organisation to thrive despite losing its founder.

“Jean would be looking down with a big smile on her face and I know she would be absolutely thrilled. She was a big supporter of cancer research so I think this link is very special,” GMRF Chief Executive Officer Miriam Dwyer and Mrs Pockett’s close friend said of The Jean Pockett wing.

Ms Dwyer described her friend as an institution and was regarded as royalty.

“The chef would make her favourite meals and she was definitely spoilt and if she wasn’t, she’d make sure we heard about it,” her friend said with amusement.

Ms Dwyer recalled joining Mrs Pockett for the ANZAC centenary in Gallipoli in 2015, upon the invitation of the Australian Government.

“Jean absolutely loved it. She was one of 10 war widows who were invited as guests of the Australian Government and she was the oldest at 91, so she loved all the attention.”

Mrs Jean Pockett with Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation CEO Miriam Dwyer at previous Anzac Day services at Greenslopes Private Hospital | Photo Credit: Supplied

“She was a really fabulous person and would love the fact that her legacy is continuing on at Greenslopes Private Hospital.”

Men’s Ashes First Test to be Held at The Gabba

The first test of the Men’s Ashes 2021-2022 is slated to be held at the Brisbane Cricket Ground (popularly referred to as the Gabba) in Woolloongabba in December 2021.

On the 8th of December, the first Men’s Ashes 2021-2022 cricket series will commence and England will attempt to reclaim the Ashes at Brisbane, with the multi-format Women’s Ashes starting over a month later on the 27th of January.

The first test is slated to take place at the Gabba in Brisbane between the 8th and 12th of December 2021 before transitioning to the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide from the 16th to the 20th of December. Following this, the third and fourth tests will be held at the MCG in Melbourne and the SCG in Sydney respectively before finally concluding in the Optus Stadium in Perth between the 14th and 18th of January 2022.

With the Men’s Ashes concluding in the Optus Stadium this year, this effectively marks the 2021-2022 Ashes as the first-ever series that has not concluded at the SCG in Sydney since the 1990s .

Starting shortly after is the Women’s Ashes, where the first first test is scheduled to begin on the 27th of January at the Manuka Oval in Canberra before moving to the North Sydney Oval on the 4th of February for the first and second T20s. The third T20 and first ODI will then be hosted at the Adelaide Oval before transferring to the Junction Oval in Melbourne for the second and third ODIs.