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Woolworths Offers Employment Opportunities for its New CFC in Rochedale

Photo Credit: Orderinchaos, CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Woolworths is now seeking to hire personal shoppers to be part of their first Queensland-based Customer Fulfilment Centre (CFC) in Rochedale which is set to open sometime this June 2022.

The $85-million Rochedale CFC which will operate 24 hours a day, is needing more than 400 casual workers who will be responsible for picking, packing and loading the online-ordered goods for delivery. The new Rochedale CFC team members may be trained and assigned in multiple departments across the centre including Replenishment, Dispatch, Fulfilment, Fresh and Inventory.

The establishment of the 10,000sqm dark store is in response to the growing shift to online grocery shopping propelled by the pandemic. The new Rochedale site is Woolworths’ first in Qld and the latest addition to Woolworths’ network of fulfilment centres. The new fulfilment centre will not be open to the public as it will service online customers with a wider array of around 20,000 products providing a more efficient and faster delivery.

In its 2021 fiscal year report, Woolworths announced that its eCommerce sales surged by 74.7 per cent as compared to 2020. Meanwhile, the first half of 2022 saw eCommerce sales up by 48 per cent, enough to offset in-store-originated sales’ slight decline of 0.7 per cent for a total retail sales increase of 3.2 per cent.

The company attributed the strong performance of its digital arm to COVID-19 but growth in Q2 has slowed as restrictions in NSW and Victoria were lifted.

In early December 2021, Woolworths started with the construction of its first-ever automated fulfilment centre in Auburn, NSW. Two new fulfilment centres were also opened last year, one in Notting Hill, Victoria and one in Lidcombe, NSW along with Woolworths first eStore in Australia situated in Carrum Downs, Victoria. Other fulfilment centres already operating are located in West Footscray in Melbourne and Mascot and Brookvale in Sydney.

Roman Siulepa of Upper Mt Gravatt Set to Join NBA Global Academy

Photo Credit: Basketball Australia / australia.basketball

Upper Mt Gravatt-based basketball player Roman Siulepa is a step closer to his NBA dream after being selected to join the NBA Global Academy in July 2022.

Fresh from the U18 Australian Junior Championships, Roman Siulepa, who has played for both Queensland and Southern Districts, was chosen along with Carlin Briggs and James O’ Donnell for the scholarship.

The talented 15-year-old is also set to join the Australian Under 17 Men’s team who will compete in the FIBA Asia Cup this June.

NBA Global Academy

The NBA Global Academy is one of NBA Academy’s elite basketball training centres situated at Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence.

It serves as the NBA’s hub for top high school-age prospects from around the world. NBA Global Academy, in collaboration with teams and coaches from the Centre of Excellence, trains up to 16 athletes each year.

An Inspiration to Others

“I feel very privileged to be selected in an exclusive program as good as this and I’m keen to get to Canberra and get amongst it with the lads. I will bring plenty of energy and thank all my Queensland teammates for helping me achieve this goal,” said Siulepa.

With his impressive 100-kg physique on a 6’7″ frame, Roman is described as a powerhouse who is driven to win each game he plays. Excelling at both basketball and rugby, Roman chose to pass on the opportunity to play with the All Blacks rugby team in order to concentrate on his basketball training.

Roman credits his mum for the inspiration and the “push” to enable him to become a better basketball player.

With the great opportunity that has just come their way, Roman, Carlin, and James have become even more inspired to pursue their dream of playing in the world’s premier men’s professional basketball league.

“The NBA GA staff are excited to have Carlin, Roman and James accept their offer of scholarships and are looking forward to working with them.

The three young athletes have good size and great athleticism for their respective positions. Carlin as a combo guard, Roman as a versatile forward, and James will be working toward becoming a stretch 4,” NBA GA Technical Director Marty Clarke said, in a statement to Basketball Australia Media.

“Their ability to play hard, willingness to accept coaching, desire to compete will be a necessary attribute as they will be challenged in their new daily training environment,” he added.

Roman, Carlin and James will move to Canberra for the NBA Global Academy program in July 2022.

Mount Gravatt Kerbside Collection Day 2022: Etiquette For ‘Treasure Hunters’

Mount Gravatt Kerbside Collection Day is all set for the 23rd of May. If you believe that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, follow these tips to avoid problems when going ‘treasure hunting’ on kerbside collection day.

Read: Mt Gravatt Property Market Enjoying Brisk Sales and 19% Median Growth

For most people, Kerbside Collection Day presents an opportunity to dispose of large, unwanted items; but for others, it’s a chance to hunt down items that can still be given a new lease on life.

Kerbside Collection

At present, Brisbane City Council does not have any laws preventing people from scavenging off other people’s rubbish.

Once an item hits the kerb, it already belongs to Council. Here’s a list of acceptable items for kerbside collection.

Here are a few things to remember if you see something on the kerb that you would like to take.

Have your vehicle ready

kerbside collection — Photo credit: Ben Neale/Unsplash

You might find a nice dining set that you can still use. Or used appliances that may still work with just a few repairs. This is when a vehicle would be really helpful, since you never know what you’re going to find.

Keep things tidy

bulky waste — Photo credit: anaterate/Pixabay

Have some courtesy and don’t rummage through a bunch of items as it’s going to make a mess. Remember one important rule in hunting: leave it tidy. Create a neat pile and leave things neater than they were.

Take the Entire Thing

When you find a really nice set of items, a dining set for example, take the whole thing instead of just taking one or two chairs. However, if you do only need one chair, leave the dining set and just look for a solo chair instead.

Don’t break anything

brisbane large item collection — Photo credit: Cr Jared Cassidy/Facebook

Those items by the kerb may no longer be needed, but that doesn’t give you an excuse to break or make a mess of everything. If you need a certain part of an old laundry tub or a fridge, don’t take it apart to get to the part you need. Instead, just take the whole thing with you and separate its parts in your house.

Happy hunting!

New Binoculars At Mt Gravatt Outlook Offers Panoramic Views Of Brisbane

Visitors can now enjoy the panoramic views of Brisbane through the new sets of binoculars installed at the Mt Gravatt Outlook Reserve.

Read: Confirmed: New Speed Limit on Mt Gravatt Outlook Drive

Installed on the summit of Mt Gravatt Mountain, the free-to-use binoculars consist of a high set for normal use standing and a low set suitable for children or anyone confined to a wheelchair.

The two sets of binoculars on the Mt Gravatt Outlook is a project of the Rotary Club of Mt Gravatt to commemorate its establishment around 50 years ago.

Views through the binoculars take in the CBD of Brisbane, the mouth of the Brisbane River to the east, and the Glasshouse Mountains to the north.

The installation of the binoculars, which was initiated by the Mt Gravatt Rotary Club to mark the occasion, was made possible through the Queensland Government’s Gambling Community Benefit Fund, the largest one-off community grants program across the State.

Despite the rainy conditions, the binoculars were officially unveiled 27 April 2022 by Corrine McMillan MP – State Member for Mansfield and the Councillor for Holland Park Ward Krista Adams Krista Adams.

mt gravatt lookout — Members of Rotary Club of Mt Gravatt with Cr Krista Adams (second from left) and Corrine McMillan MP – State Member for Mansfield (Photo credit: Rotary Club of Mt Gravatt)

“The Schrinner Council is proud to work with our service clubs and thanks everyone involved with this project. The binoculars will certainly be an excellent addition for locals and visitors to our beautiful city,” said Cr Adams.

Aside from commemorating Mt Gravatt’s Rotary Club, it also marks the foundation of Rotary in Australia 100 years ago.

Rotary International ( then called the International Association of Rotary Clubs) first made its way in Australia in 1921, with the first one established in Melbourne.

Today, Rotary in Australia has grown to some 21 districts, 1100 clubs and over 30,000 members.

Have Your Say! Concept Plan Released for Bedser Street Park Project in Macgregor

Plans are in the works to turn a corner section of Bedser Street in Macgregor into a recreational park for the whole family.

The new green space will give residents a beautiful and spacious area for enjoying outdoor activities, picnics, sports, and other community events.

The concept plan is currently on public exhibition and will need feedback from the locals before the actual development. Earlier, a public consultation was undertaken in October 2021, where the planners learned that residents want these facilities to be included in Bedser Street Park:

bin enclosures
exercise equipment
imaginative and informal play nodes
kick-around space
picnic facilities
pedestrian pathways
seating
shade trees

Locals may submit their inputs online. The public exhibition will run until Monday, 2 May 2022.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Per the Council, “Bedser Street Park will contribute to Council’s commitment to creating new lifestyle and leisure opportunities by enhancing the park network to respond to a growing and changing Brisbane. The creation of the local recreation park is just one of the many ways the Council is growing your Brisbane lifestyle.”

For more information about this project phone 07 3402 8888 or email parks@brisbane.qld.gov.au.

Film Buff Becomes Newest Centenarian at Carinity Wishart Gardens

Photo Credit: MatissDzelve / PIxabay

Meet Joycelyn Munro, a film buff who once worked at cinemas in her youth. On 31 March 2022, she turned 100 and became the newest member of the Carinity 100 Club at Carinity Wishart Gardens.

Born in West End to parents Diana and Percy Garrick, Joycelyn Munro sang in the choir, along with her sisters Ruby and Audrey, at West End Methodist Church where the family regularly attended services and activities.

Joycelyn enjoyed Scottish dancing, photography, knitting, crocheting, learning the Esperanto language, going out for coffee, and completing a history of her father’s side of the family. But if there is one activity that she loved the most doing, that would be going to the movies.

Joycelyn Munro loved going to movies right up to when she moved to Carinity Wishart Gardens — **Joycelyn Munro** loved going to movies right up to when she moved to Carinity Wishart Gardens
Photo Credit: Aged Care Online

“She loved going to movies right up to when she moved to Carinity Wishart Gardens,” said Joycelyn’s daughter, Elsa Green, who described her as “a marvellous role model for the family.”

Joycelyn loved movies and knew all the actors’ names, but she particularly liked American film actor Randolph Scott. She helped at two Garricks Entertainment cinemas in West End, the Rialto Picture Theatre and Lyric Picture Palace, which also happened to be owned and operated by her grandfather.

Joycelyn celebrated her 100th birthday at Carinity Wishart Gardens — Joycelyn has been looking forward to her 100th birthday since moving into Wishart Gardens 10 years ago
Photo Credit: Carinity / Facebook

Joycelyn recalls that she and her sisters would walk to the Lyric theatre from their home to work as ticket sellers or usherettes for evening and Saturday matinee shows.

A boy, she said, would transport the film spools between Lyric and Rialto by bicycle as these theatres share the films for their two-movie program.

After a four-year engagement, Joycelyn and Navy officer Ken Munro married in January 1945. That’s two months earlier than what they originally planned due to Ken’s leave having been changed at the last minute.

The couple was blessed with three children, six grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren, with the eldest being 17 years old and the youngest, two years old.

Her daughter Elsa said that her mum has been looking forward to her 100th birthday since moving into Wishart Gardens 10 years ago.

“Mum led a full life and had many friends, she valued family life and always loved family gatherings,” Elsa said.

“Like any centenarian, she has witnessed tremendous changes in the world but through all these changes our mum has remained the same kind, loving, generous, hospitable and generally thoughtful person to everyone.”

Joycelyn celebrated her 100th birthday at Carinity Wishart Gardens attended by friends and family members including her daughter Diana, who is now based in New Zealand. A specially arranged Scottish piper played at her birthday celebration.

Three Restaurants at Westfield Garden City Shopping Centre Proposed

Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

A development application seeking approval to establish three stand-alone restaurants over land in Westfield Garden City Shopping Centre has been submitted.

The application proposes the development of a Slim’s Burger, Starbucks and Guzman Y Gomez restaurant in the northeast car park field of the shopping centre located at 2049 Logan Road, Upper Mount Gravatt. The establishment of the three stand-alone food and drink outlets will result in a net increase in gross floor area within the precinct of 671sqm.

Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

“The proposed Food and Drink Outlets will activate an area adjacent to the Logan Road and Kessels Road site frontage that has, until now, been used for car parking purposes. The proposal will provide a built form connection between the intersection and the northeast shopping centre entry entertainment and lifestyle precinct and to the commercial and retail precincts adjoining the Logan / Kessels / Mount Gravatt-Capalaba Roads intersection,” the planners at Sinclair Planning said in its assessment report.

The proposed development will be delivered in two stages.

Stage 1 involves the construction of Building 1 (Guzman Y Gomez) and Building 2 (Starbucks) with a drive-through facility comprising 210sqm and 223sqm GFA, respectively. The first stage of the proposal also includes the redesigning of the balance area for at-grade ancillary car parking as well as the relocation of the existing pedestrian pathway through the carpark to the entertainment and lifestyle precinct.

Three Restaurants at Westfield Garden City Shopping Centre Proposed — Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Stage 2 will involve the establishment of Building 3 (Slim’s Burger) plus a drive-through facility with a total GFA of 238sqm. Landscaping improvements are also proposed within the development. The landscaping improvements will include:

Setback landscaping improvements to Logan Road, comprising retention of existing trees, new tree planting and low-level shrubs and groundcovers;
Planting between the buildings comprising new tree planting and low-level shrubs and groundcovers;
Retention of existing trees and new tree planting within car parking areas where practicable;
Retention of existing trees and new tree planting and low-level shrubs and groundcovers along the pedestrian access connecting the Logan and Kessels Roads intersection with the main shopping centre building north-east entry.

To accommodate the proposed development, 63 of the 247 car parking spaces in the area will be removed. Hence, the proposal will bring the centre’s current total car parking provision from 5,566 to 5,503 and the total approved provision to 5,500 from 5,563.

2049 Logan Road, Upper Mount Gravatt

Anti-Mosquito Measures to Protect Yourself from Japanese Encephalitis Exposure in Mount Gravatt

Mount Gravatt, Mount Gravatt East, Upper Mount Gravatt, and a number of other Brisbane suburbs have had a spraying blitz following news of South East Queensland’s first case of Japanese encephalitis in 24 years.

As the rains and the devasting flooding event have turned wet spaces into breeding grounds for mosquitoes, here’s what you need to know to protect yourself from JE exposure.

Symptoms of Japanese Encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis is a virus that causes a brain infection. It’s transmitted through an infected mosquito bite that may manifest symptoms within 5 to 15 days of the infection. The experts said that JE cannot be transmitted from person to person and it’s usually not transmitted by the most prevalent mosquito species in Queensland.

However, 99 per cent of JE virus infections will show no symptoms, per Queensland Health. Those who do could develop high fever and chills, severe headache, photophobia, neck stiffness, nausea, or vomiting, which could lead to convulsions or coma. A third of patients whose conditions become severe may develop permanent disabilities or succumb to the disease.

Prevention Measures

As the Council continues to monitor mosquito traps located across the city, residents may reduce their risks by doing the following below, per advice from the Australian Department of Health:

applying and regularly reapplying an effective insect repellent on exposed skin
wearing long, loose fitting clothing when outside
ensuring accommodation, including tents, are properly fitted with mosquito nettings or screens
using insecticide sprays, vapour dispensing units (indoors) and mosquito coils (outdoors) to clear rooms and repel mosquitoes from an area
covering all windows, doors, vents and other entrances with insect screens
removing any water-holding containers where mosquitoes may breed

The best mosquito repellents to use must contain diethyltoluamide (DEET), picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.

Subsequently, locals may be immunised against JE. Distribution and administration of the vaccines will be focused on at-risk groups, such as workers in piggeries, pork abattoirs, or pork-processing plants, laboratory workers who could be exposed to the virus, environmental health workers, and people who reside in locations with confirmed cases.

The vaccines are expected to be available from late March to April through the Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA).

DOWNLOAD CDNA ADVISE

Meanwhile, Council has sprayed target areas in these suburbs as of 8 March 2022:

Albion Alderley Anstead Ashgrove Bald Hills Balmoral Banyo Bardon Beachmere Bellbowrie Belmont Brighton Brisbane Airport Brisbane City Council Bulimba Burbank Camp Hill	Cannon Hill Carina Carindale Carseldine Chelmer Clayfield Clontarf Corinda Darra Deagon Deception Bay Durack Enoggera Everton Park Ferny Grove Fitzgibbon Gaythorne
Graceville Grange Gumdale Hemmant Hendra Holland Park Holland Park West Inala Karana Downs Keperra Kippa-Ring Kuraby Macgregor	Mackenzie Mango Hill Manly West Milton Mitchelton Moggill Moreton Bay Council Morningside Mt Crosby Mt Gravatt East Murarrie Ningi Norman Park
Oxley Pinjarra Hills Pinkenba Port of Brisbane Redland Council Richlands Rothwell Sandgate Sandstone Point Seven Hills Seventeen Mile Rocks Sherwood	Shorncliffe St Lucia Taringa The Gap Tingalpa Toorbul Toowong Upper Mt Gravatt Victoria Point Wellington Point Wynnum Wynnum West

Mt Gravatt Fruiterer Displays Resilience Amidst Brisbane’s Floods

Lenny Catalano of Spuds and Plums in Mt Gravatt was on the road one early morning on the week of Brisbane’s worst flooding in a decade. With the distribution of fruit and vegetables disrupted by the flooding for at least 48 hours, Mr Catalano wanted to make sure that his customers will not miss out on their essential supplies. Now that’s dedication!

On that day, Mr Catalano and several other independent fruiterers, who also operated as wholesalers at the Brisbane Markets® in Rocklea, worked above and beyond to get everything up and running again.

“We were lucky as we had quite a bit of stock on hand before the floods hit,” Mr Catalano said.

“We were able to manage the situation well, but it took a big effort to make this happen. I was on the road at 4 a.m. to try and source produce and fight the heavy traffic due to flooded streets, but I wanted to make sure my customers could get what they needed.

“With the supermarkets not having much produce at all, we ended up being very busy.”

“The floods are a great example of how local fruit and veg shops and their suppliers did not give up during difficult times. We came together, rolled up our sleeves, and did what we had to do to get the supply chain going and to get stock onto shelves.”

With their efforts, Brisbane Markets® was ready to operate within 24 hours of cleaning up.

Despite the great work done to get trade back up and running, there is much still to do, and consumers can help by buying locally. Supporting independent fruit and veg providers, such as Spuds and Plums in Mt Gravatt, also means supporting the businesses that operate from the Brisbane Markets®, most of which have suffered significant losses from the floods.

Local, independent fruit and veg shops provide customers with a better choice of quality, freshness, and service. They give customers the opportunity to shop as close to home as possible while supporting their local community.

Have Your Say About This Upper Mt Gravatt Village Precinct Project!

Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / yoursay.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Don’t miss this opportunity to have your say! The Lumley Street, Upper Mt Gravatt Opportunities Plan is aimed at improving this neighbourhood shopping precinct and feedback is welcome until 20 February 2022.

As part of the Village Precinct Projects program, Council is proposing the revitalisation of Lumley Street whose opportunities plan has been released for community feedback beginning 31 January 2022.

The $600,000 Lumley Street, Upper Mt Gravatt Precinct improvement project includes the following considerations and proposed improvements:

sections of footpath upgrade to improve accessibility, safety and amenity
street greening including street tree planting to improve visual and physical amenity, and to reduce the urban heat island effect
groundcover plantings to new and existing garden beds
inclusion of new unique seating and standard Council street furniture
creative placemaking outcomes, including creative lighting.

Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / https://yoursay.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Council plans to release the final improvement plan and construction information beginning mid to late 2022 with construction slated to commence from early 2023.

The public is invited to have their say through any of the following means:

Online by reading about the proposed improvements below, then completing the short feedback survey by 11:59 pm Sunday 20 February 2022.
Request a call back from the project team to discuss the project further.
Emailing the project team
Phoning Council on 3403 8888.

About the Village Precinct Projects

The $10 million Village Precinct Project is a Council initiative aimed at improving the public realm and revitalising local shopping precincts through tree planting, footpath upgrades, street furniture and groundcover planting, among others.

Some of the precincts that underwent improvements under the VPP program include Ainsdale Street Village, Aspley Village, Biota Street Inala Village, Darra Village Precinct and Gaythorne Village Precinct.

Projects currently in the pipeline include:

Aminya Street Mansfield Village Precinct Project – $1.3M
Ashgrove West Village Precinct Project – $3 million
Coorparoo Junction Village Precinct Project – $1 million
Martha Street Camp Hill Village Precinct Project – $1 million
Paddington Terraces Village Precinct Project – with funding support from the Australian Government
Park Road, Milton Village Precinct Project – $500,000
Sandgate Road Boondall Village Precinct Project – $1 million