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Free Skateboarding Lessons Held Monthly at PCYC Mount Gravatt

As part of the Forging Unique Skills and Experiences (FUSE) program, PCYC Mt Gravatt conducts FREE skateboarding lessons every month for young people between the ages of 12 to 25 years old.

The skateboarding workshops are held every second Monday and fifth Monday, if there is one for the month, under the expertise of coaches Claudia from Olliesonny. The sessions, which run from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., are open to all skill levels and the coaches also teach new tricks to the more experienced skateboarders.

For the rest of the year, here are the confirmed F.U.S.E. skateboarding workshop schedules at PCYC Mount Gravatt.

26 July
9 Aug
30 Aug

13 Sept
27 Sept
11 Oct

25 Oct
8 Nov
29 Nov

Skateboarding may seem hard and dangerous but once you start learning the skills and develop balance, it could be a healthy form of exercise. Skateboarding for hours allows the body to burn tons of calories and strengthen the legs and core.

In older kids, it’s could be a great means for getting around town. In young children, skateboarding builds up confidence as they attempt to master what seemed to be scary in the beginning.

In Australia, some 21 percent of young people engage in skateboarding as a form of recreation, exercise, or sport. It was integrated into the F.U.S.E. program of Brisbane City Council to help the youth learn new skills.

Bookings are required to participate in the skateboarding workshop. Phone 07 3420 4655 for more information.

Wishart Travel Buff Joins Exclusive 100 Club

At 100 years old, one could say that Dorothy Sharrock has been living her life to the fullest, travelling across Australia and overseas, including a once-in-a-lifetime visit to Antarctica.

The newest member of the exclusive centenarian club within the Carinity Wishart Gardens celebrated her birthday on 1 July. Turning 100 years old has been another milestone in Dot’s life of adventure.

Born in Hughenden in north-west Queensland, Dot loved playing basketball and vigoro as an active child and was a member of the Salvation Army youth group in her community. Working since she was 14 years old, Dot moved to Brisbane in her young adult years and worked at the Brisbane Girls Grammar School for 25 years. Older students of the Spring Hill school will likely remember Dot as she also lived inside the campus.

When Dot retired in her mid-60s, she spent her time travelling around the country and also visited New Zealand, China and Japan. She also spent an unforgettable day flight over Antarctica.

Now a resident of the Carinity Wishart Gardens since 2014, Dot still keeps active by playing indoor bowls. She also enjoys watching games of cricket and tennis on television. During her downtimes, Dot loves sewing, crafting, reading a good book, painting her nails or lounging in the garden where she listens to the native birds sing.

Her nephew Rod Schafferius said that longevity runs in the genes as Dot’s four other sisters ar, between the ages of 88 to 97, are still alive. Rod said that her aunts embrace “a strong constitution, a healthy diet and everything in moderation.”

Dot has been the second person to celebrate her 100th birthday at the Carinity Wishart Gardens after Bessie Conomos OAM in April.

Mt Gravatt State School Receives Grant For New Greenhouse

Mt Gravatt State School recently received funds to convert unused cricket nets into a Shade House.

Read: Bessie Conomos OAM: Beloved Community Worker Turns 100

This new greenhouse will serve as the newest addition to the student gardens in the school, which also has a Bush Tucker Garden and a Gardening Club.

On 5 June 2021, in time for World Environment Day, Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP personally came to congratulate the students, hoping that the funding from the Stronger Communities Program would help in teaching them practical habits to better take care of the environment.

“Thanks to the Morrison Government’s Stronger Communities Program, we have delivered an incredible $8,058 to Mt Gravatt State School to aid their valuable work in educating students on gardening and how to leave a green mark on our environment,” Mr Vasta said.

Ms Jenny Watson, school principal at Mt Gravatt State School shared that they have been able to convert the old cricket nets into a wonderful shade house where the kids can get really involved in gardening.

“Through the help of our grounds person we’ve been able to get the kids involved planting, which has really helped our school community,” Ms Watson said.

Upper Mt Gravatt Quadriplegic Gains Independence

Not too long ago, quadriplegic Nikki Dorling had been relying on her son, Damien, to help her get through the day. The Upper Mt Gravatt local needed her son’s assistance from sun up to sun down to do basic chores and activities.

Nikki was also self-funding her disability-related supplies, including the assistive device she uses to do simple tasks. Her condition has limited her independence and freedom but Nikki was determined not to burden Damien or to lose their financial stability because of the many expenses needed by a quadriplegic.

The mom got in touch with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) for assistance. She noted that she had an easy process filing her forms by mail.

“My Local Area Coordinator (LAC), Maika, was truly knowledgeable, caring and talked me through every step; the support was amazing,” Nikki said.

After going through the interview and assessment process, she soon had an NDIS support staff working with her and received the necessary funding for her disability needs.

“My NDIS plan allows me the opportunity to hire assistance for everyday chores that I would have had to patiently wait for family members to assist with,” the relieved mother said. “It’s nice to know that if Damien was busy with his studies I have the backing to get assistance to get going, do chores and even shopping or going to the movies.”

Nikki also said that she’s no longer hindered by financial constraints because of her plan. She is enjoying her independence and self-reliance.

“I am truly very grateful and sometimes feel, how did I deserve this gift?” she exclaimed.

To learn more about this disability benefit, contact Carers Queensland at 1300 999 636 or cq.enquiries@ndis.gov.au.

Los Tacos by Baja Now Available at the Mt Gravatt Street Food Market

Did you know that Los Tacos, a special taqueria concept created by the people behind the Cali-Mex eatery Baja, is now available every Saturday at the Mt Gravatt Street Food Market?

From the minds behind the popular Cali-Mex eatery Baja is Los Tacos, a taco-centric concept that opens at the Mt Gravatt Street Food Festival every Saturday. It pays homage to the classic Mexican meal with a special menu that serves up four specific types of taco: pork carnitas, fried chicken tacos, beef barbacoa, and vegetarian tres frijoles.

Tacos won’t be the only meals available , however, as their menu also offers classic Cali-Mex snacks such as street corn, fresh ceviche, and guacamole to cater to those looking to help themselves to some authentic Mexican food. Also available on-site are their margaritas, allowing people to wash down their meals with an indulgent and alcoholic kick.

The concept first emerged in Fortitude Valley, popping up at the Baja venue every Tuesday to test the waters and see if these specially-made tacos sold enough to warrant the creation of a stand-alone taqueria.

Eventually, Los Tacos launched at the Mt Gravatt Street Food Market to see if the concept is well-received in other suburbs. Plans are in the works to find the taqueria a permanent hope, and judging by its popularity, it’s likely that it won’t remain a mere concept for long.

Photo credit: Instagram/mtgravatt_streetfood

Those interested in reserving a spot can do so via Baja’s booking system, however Los Tacos also caters to walk-in customers.

Los Tacos can be found at the Mt Gravatt Street Food Market, which is hosted at the Mt Gravatt Showgrounds at 1644 Logan Rd, Mt Gravatt every Saturday from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. For more information on Los Tacos, follow their Instagram page here. To learn more about the Mt Gravatt Street Food Market, visit their website here, and follow their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates and announcements concerning the weekly event.

Mt Gravatt, Nathan Have Highest Childcare Fees in Queensland

Did you know that families in Nathan and Mt Gravatt are spending more on childcare fees compared to families in the other suburbs of Brisbane?

According to the Federal Government’s latest report on Child Care in Australia, Nathan and Mt Gravatt residents are shelling out over $16,000 a year per child left with childminders. For families availing of the subsidies, the cost is reduced to 50 percent ($8,000/year) or 85 percent ($2,400), depending on the subsidy.

Families in Carindale, Holland Park, Indooroopilly, Kenmore, Sherwood and Yeronga are paying $15,000 a year for childcare (without subsidies). Elsewhere, families in Gympie, Ipswich and Jimboomba spend $10,000 to $12,000 a year.

In December 2020, Queensland’s average childcare cost per hour rose to 3.7 percent at $9.80, whilst the national average is at $10.50 despite a price freeze imposed by the Federal Government as part of the COVID-19 economic measures.

“Generally, the highest rates of growth have been in areas with lower fees. Many of the regions with the high average fee growth were in regional Queensland and other parts of regional Australia,” the report cited.

However, after subsidies, the average childcare cost per hour in Queensland should be at $3.28, deemed the lowest in the country. Federal Education Minister Alan Tudge said that a third of parents in Queensland are enjoying these lowered childcare fees.

The report comes as Prime Minister Scott Morrison signed the Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Early Childhood Education and Care Coronavirus Response and Other Measures) Bill 2021 that will allow 99 percent of child care services to remain open during emergencies and disasters. This means that the facilities will continue to receive payments in case of massive emergencies, such as a pandemic.

“This legislation will give us the flexibility to respond with similar support during future crises,” Mr Tudge said. “We are investing a record $10.3 billion in child care this year, including $9 billion to subsidise fees for parents.”

New Proposal Calls for Mixed-Use Twin-Tower Development in Mount Gravatt

Did you know that a development application calling for the construction of numerous buildings on Logan Rd, Upper Mount Gravatt has been lodged with Brisbane City Council?

The slew of new buildings, each designed by Mode Design Group, will consist of one residential tower, one commercial office tower, retail outlets and restaurants across a large area consisting of 18,926 square metres of gross floor area, with 60% site cover over the 4,589 square metre development site.

This proposal aims to create a mixed-use development that provides Mount Gravatt with a combination of retail, offices, food and drink, and multiple dwellings through the use of a commercial and residential tower which can potentially stand up to 15 storeys tall.

Photo credit: Brisbane City Council/Development.i

According to the proposal (DA A005687490), retail, restaurants, and food and drink outlets will all be located at the ground floor of the new office buildings. It will also provide a split pedestrian entrance and a cross block link to the back of the residential tower.

Also located on the ground floor is a pedestrian plaza that gives visitors access to all of the site’s aforementioned retail and food outlets. Lifts will be available to bring people across numerous floors in the commercial and residential towers.

All in all, the ground floor common across the towers will provide a total of 23 parking spaces, four retail and food and drink outlets, lobbies for the two towers, a covered dining area and lounge, landscaping and a water feature, and loading and drop off areas for vehicles.

The southern tower, dedicated to office facilities, takes up a total of 6,580 square metres of gross floor area and will contain three podium levels of office and six tower levels of office, standing ten storeys tall. It will come with four levels of basement car parking which will be shared with the residential building.

On the other hand, the northern tower, which is residential, will be 15 storeys tall and located at the back of the site. It will have 38 single bedroom apartments, 24 double bedroom apartments, 24 double and single bedroom apartments, and 26 triple bedroom apartments. The second level offers tenants a communal space and swimming pool.

The proposal, which was lodged on the 19th of March 2021, has not yet been approved. The proposed towers can be found at 2188, 2192 and 2196 Logan Rd, Upper Mt Gravatt.

Mt Gravatt Pie King Turns Over Piefection to Newcomers

A popular piemaker in Mt Gravatt is turning over his 12-year-old business, Piefection, to two dynamic newcomers seeking to expand the gourmet pie business.

Matt Roman — regarded as Brisbane’s pastry king for supplying gourmet pies to various restaurants, grocery shops, and butchers — has sold Piefection to Pierre de Villiers and David Rogers. The newcomers are planning to expand this pie business, which currently has two outlets: Mt Gravatt and Coorparoo.

Mr de Villiers and Mr Rogers are eyeing a northside expansion but the details are still under wraps. The business partners also said that they want to learn what the customers want as they grow Piefection and offer new flavours.

Mr Roman turned his pie business into a legendary staple, offering mouthwatering flavours like Jack Daniels BBQ Pork, the Guinness Beef and Mushroom Pie, or the Death by Chocolate pies.

Piefection became popular through word of mouth, as anyone who has tried his tasty treats can’t get enough of it. In fact, lines of customers are a common sight at his stores even after all these years. The pies are made fresh on the site every day using high-quality and locally-sourced ingredients.

With Piefection’s sale, Mr Roman is redirecting his focus on Iris, the new Mediterranean rooftop restaurant at Fortitude Valley’s Hotel X. He is also preparing to lead the kitchen of Willow, a new cafe in Balmoral from Stone’s Corner restaurateur Adam Dartnell.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chef MATT ROMAN (@mattromanchef)

Meanwhile, pie lovers may follow Piefection on Facebook for updates on the latest developments, including store opening hours.

PCYC Mount Gravatt Highlights RUBY Program for Women for DFV Prevention Month

Every May, PCYC Mount Gravatt joins other PCYC facilities across Queensland in observing Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Prevention Month by highlighting a free fitness and wellness session, dubbed the RUBY Program, geared for women.

RUBY is short for “Rise Up, Be Yourself” and it aims to empower women with a series of one-hour or half-hour strengths-based training that ranges from physical fitness, open forum and group chats, healthy diet, and healthy connections. The sessions have been designed to build a woman’s confidence and self-esteem, as well as teach the right tools to cut the cycle of violence.

Developing a healthy body and mind is crucial to overcoming the trauma of a violent experience and if the women receive support from a like-minded group, they are likely to have a more positive experience.

Whilst the RUBY Program is not seen as a “traditional response” to domestic violence victims, its process is aimed at providing an access point for women who might need support and a safe haven where they could interact with other women, whether they have been victims or are still struggling with domestic violence.

Qualified fitness and wellness instructors conduct the sessions along with female officers of the Queensland Police Services, giving DVF victims a chance to link with other resources or referrals.

“RUBY has been running for a number of years at PCYC Mount Gravatt, even continuing through online fitness sessions during COVID-19 lockdowns,” Sergeant Melissa Gilbert said. “Due to the need to protect the privacy of our participants, we don’t advertise the time or location, but we run the program weekly all year round.”

“The impact and changes I see in RUBY participants is amazing. Some women have come along shy and not feeling confident to talk in front of the group, and even just an hour later at the end of the session, it is like they are a different person.”

“Our fitness instructor describes the program as a safe space for women to exercise and showcase their inner lioness.”

Eighteen PCYC clubs across the state have a RUBY Program. Email mtgravatt@pcyc.org.au to enquire.

Bessie Conomos OAM: Beloved Community Worker Turns 100

Bessie Conomos OAM, a resident of Carinity Wishart Gardens who was previously recognised in the Australia Day Honours List for her volunteer work, celebrated her 100th birthday on the 20th of April 2021.

Bessie, born Vasilike Gianniois, hails from Kythira, Greece. She’d moved to Australia at the age of seven with her family, living in rural New South Wales where she met her husband, Theo Megaloconomos. The two raised four children together, moving from city to city.

Throughout her life, Bessie would volunteer for numerous organisations and operations such as Meals on Wheels, or the St Nicholas aged care home in Highgate Hill. Her cooking helped raise funds for numerous charities, and she’d remained a consistent and helpful member of whatever community she’d found herself in.

When Bessie was 87, her services to the Greek community in Brisbane were recognised by the Australian Government, and she was awarded with a Medal of the Order of Australia. The award was also given in part to her contributions to the Carinda community as an active member of the Country Women’s Association and the Bush Nursing Association.

In 2021, five years after moving into Carinity Wishart Gardens in 2016, Bessie Conomos officially joined the Carinity 100 club. To this day, she remains a resident of the aged care community and spends her days relaxing and receiving visits from her family.