Alyssa Mackay

Warm your winter’s afternoon with a vibrant performance of Celtic music. The Queensland Irish Choir will sing up a storm at Chermside Kedron Community Church with their mid-year concert Celtic Winter, led by musical director David O’Keeffe.
Queensland Irish Choir president Barbara Poole said the concert would include songs from Ireland and other Celtic regions.
“We have songs from Scotland, Cornwall, Ireland, and this time we decided to include songs from musicals Over the Rainbow, If I Loved...

The winter holidays are here and even though there may not be snow, that doesn’t mean the kids can’t go skiing.
Young people aged between 10 and 17 years old can try the unique sport of roller skiing this month as part of an event presented by Brisbane City Council and Queensland Biathlon.
Queensland Biathlon owner-manager Bruce Mann said roller skiing was a non-snow version of cross-country skiing.
“Instead of being two metres long, the roller skis are about 60cm and have a wheel at the fron...

A new multi-storey car park at the Prince Charles Hospital will see parking costs reduced for patients and visitors.

The recently announced Queensland Budget included funding for the car park, expected to open in 2024.

Aspley MP Bart Mellish said the car park was an $81.9 million investment, which would deliver a new nine-level car park and 1503 spaces.

People of all ages are taking to the green at the Northern Suburbs Bowls Club, and its ongoing success is all down to its hard-working volunteers.
While its Friday Fun Nights may be pausing for the winter months, the club still has plenty of fun activities to offer all year round.
Ladies vice president Di MacDonald said that the club was a great place to celebrate 18th and 21st birthday functions with a game of barefoot bowls.
“Private groups can book out the green for parties, and they can e...

Experience remarkable views of the city and mountains and enjoy dazzling sunsets at a newly refurbished local landmark. Upgrade works to the lookout at the top of Milne Hill Reserve in Chermside West have recently been completed, allowing visitors to admire the scenery from a spectacular vantage point.
McDowall Ward Councillor Tracy Davis said improvements to the lookout included the installation of a brand new viewing deck.
“The upgrades include a new wooden viewing deck and seating so peopl...

Christmas is coming early this year and Santa’s team of elves are working hard for a good cause.
As part of Variety Bash Queensland, local fundraising team Bashcar 50/50 is hosting a Christmas in July dinner to raise money for Variety - the Children’s Charity. The event will be held at Verrano in Stafford Heights and will include a mouth-watering two-course meal with all the fun and festivity you’d expect from a Christmas feast.
Bashcar 50/50 team leader Mal Johnson said they were running the...

Forget expensive cameras and software, taking eye-catching images for your online business is easier than you think. Creative business owners and artisan makers will learn the tricks of product photography at a free workshop presented by BrisStyle at Chermside Library this month.
BrisStyle operations manager Belinda Harris said they had been working with Brisbane City Council Library Services to offer business development workshops for creatives.
“There are a lot of business workshops, but th...

Lovers of good wine, good food and good company will find everything they need at the Penfolds Wine Dinner this month.
Kedron-Wavell has designed a sumptuous five-course degustation menu to accompany a selection of award-winning Penfolds wines for this special occassion.
Food and beverage manager Russell Hickey said the wine dinners gave the chefs an opportunity to showcase their skills.
“We don’t often get to do this style of food in our day-to-day operations and we have some great chefs in-...

Hear your favourite songs like never before when they get the jazz treatment at the North Brisbane Jazz Club this month.
The Ingrid James Quintet will be performing music from the 30s to the 60s and 70s, from Cole Porter and Carlos Jobin to The Beatles and The Beach Boys – with a jazz twist.
Queensland award-winning vocalist Ingrid James said the Love is All You Need show would feature everything from cool swing to warm bossa novas and sambas.
“There’s a refreshing element of rearranging time...

Plans are afloat to establish a dedicated canoe access point into Cabbage Tree Creek, meaning paddlers will no longer have to struggle to find a nearby car park.

Developments are underway to improve the existing launch site, allowing easier access to the creek and better safety for paddlers.

Deagon Ward Councillor Jared Cassidy said he had received the concept plan for the enhanced access point, which is to be established at the end of Curlew Street.

Veneers are a simple way of achieving a flawless smile that looks natural. Ceramic veneers restore your natural teeth and make you feel confident. Our dentists are truly interested in helping you achieve your ideal smile.
At L&R Dental in Toowoomba, our goal is to help you feel confident when you smile. Our team of friendly and professional dentists are experts in cosmetic dentistry and can explain how veneers will improve your smile so that it leaves a lasting impression.
What are veneers?
V...

During a separation or divorce, couples may split their assets, which involves either selling the family home or one party buying the other’s share of the value.
At times like these, there are often differences of opinion about the value of the home. That’s why it’s important to engage a professional property valuer who will provide a fair, objective and accurate estimate of the value of your family home.
What is a family law property valuation?
A family law property valuation is conducted by...

Local house prices are soaring but buyers are not deterred, forming a line down the street to attend inspections.
The current demand for houses in the Chermside area is extremely high, RE/MAX Chermside real estate principal Shirley Mapp revealed.
Shirley said new listings were not keeping up with the demand, resulting in a shortage of listings.
“Listings are generating thousands of enquiries each,” she said. “Most are receiving several offers and buyers are insisting on back-up contracts in a...

Put your skates back on because this month’s outdoor cinema event has been re-scheduled and will be even bigger than before.

The Lord Mayor’s Outdoor Cinema in the Suburbs’ free screening of Xanadu has a new date after being postponed in May due to bad weather, and this time there are some surprises in store.

Marchant Ward Councillor Fiona Hammond said she was excited the movie could go ahead on the re-scheduled date of 19 June, weather permitting.

With colourful displays of precious gems, opals, crystals, and polished stone, there is a lot to take a shine to at this month’s Gem Show.

The annual Gunyah Lapidary Club Gem Show returns to Wavell Heights after being cancelled last year due to COVID restrictions.

Club secretary Philip Rowland said many types of specimens would be on display at this year’s show, including cut and polished slabs of stone and rock specimens, petrified wood pieces, fossils, thunder-eggs, agates, and gemstones.