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Pets and Parishioners Unite for St Francis Day Blessing in Mount Gravatt

On October 4, the Upper Mount Gravatt Wishart Parish welcomed parishioners and their pets for the annual Pet Blessing Liturgy. The event coincided with the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, and provided an opportunity for families to celebrate their pets and the joy they bring to daily life.

Read: Koala Deaths Spark Fox Control Calls in Mt Gravatt

The Pet Blessing Liturgy is an established tradition at the parish. Fr Francis Fernandes led the ceremony, which took place in the parish community centre. Attendees brought a variety of pets, including dogs, cats, birds, and rabbits, each receiving a blessing. The service included prayers and rituals recognising the bond between humans and animals.

Photo credit: Facebook/Upper Mt Gravatt Wishart Catholic Parish

St Francis of Assisi inspired the focus of the liturgy. Known for his respect and care for all living creatures, he viewed animals as part of God’s creation. The parish’s event reflected this philosophy, providing a space for parishioners to gather with their pets in a shared celebration.

The ceremony marked the conclusion of the parish’s participation in the Season of Creation, a time dedicated to appreciating the natural world and all living beings. For many attendees, the blessing was a meaningful occasion to pause and acknowledge the companionship of their pets. Families shared the experience together, bringing children and adults alike to witness and participate in the liturgy.

The gathering fostered a sense of community, as people from Upper Mount Gravatt and surrounding suburbs came together to celebrate the animals that enrich their lives. By offering blessings for pets, the parish continues to honour the tradition of St Francis and provide opportunities for parishioners to connect through shared values and faith.

Read: Greek Orthodox Youth Gather in Mt Gravatt to Celebrate Faith and Community

The annual Pet Blessing Liturgy has become a valued event in the parish calendar, highlighting the bonds between humans and animals and the place of pets in everyday life. The parish encourages those interested to visit their website or social media pages for information about upcoming liturgies and community activities.

Published 20-October-2025

Eight-Storey Apartment Proposal in Mt Gravatt

Photo Credit: DA/A006830995

A proposal has been lodged for an eight-storey residential building at 23 and 25 Cremin Street, Upper Mt Gravatt, featuring 40 apartments.

Background and Context

A development application for land at 23 and 25 Cremin Street, Upper Mt Gravatt, was lodged on 1 August 2025 under reference A006830995. The record creation was finalised on 5 August 2025. The project, designed by VSA Design, is categorised as a Material Change of Use and requires Impact Assessment, as the planned height exceeds the neighbourhood plan’s five-storey benchmark.

Brisbane property — Photo Credit: DA/A006830995

Development Details

The proposal outlines an eight-storey residential building with 40 units, made up of 14 two-bedroom and 26 three-bedroom apartments.

Parking plans include 91 car spaces for residents and visitors, along with seven motorcycle bays and 50 bicycle parking spaces. Communal facilities cover 210.83 square metres across rooftop and ground levels, supported by 185.16 square metres of deep planting with subtropical vegetation. Vehicle access is proposed from Cremin Street.

Planning and Design

The development has been designed to align with the Medium Density Residential Zone under the Mount Gravatt Corridor Neighbourhood Plan. The project will replace existing dwellings on the site and is positioned near transport links, services, and Westfield Garden City.

Landscape design has been prepared by AGLA, with Devalign listed as both applicant and consultant. The assessment officer for the application is Jack Woolston.

Upper Mt Gravatt development — Photo Credit: DA/A006830995

Assessment Process

The application was confirmed as properly made on 6 August 2025. An information request was issued on 3 September 2025, and the proposal is currently marked as “In Progress – With Customer.”

As an Impact Assessable development, the proposal will require public notification. Submissions may be made during that period, and properly made submissions will provide submitters with appeal rights when Council makes its decision.

Outlook

The Cremin Street proposal remains under review with no decision date yet set. The outcome will depend on the completion of the public notification stage and further assessment steps.

Published 12-Oct-2025

Mt Gravatt Officers Target Reckless Drivers as Community Welcomes School Return

Photo Credit: MyQueensland Police News

Officers from the Upper Mount Gravatt Highway Patrol have increased their focus on road safety, intercepting a series of dangerous drivers on southside roads as thousands of children return to school and police launch a statewide motorcycle safety campaign.

Renewed Focus on Road Safety

With the spring school holidays ending, Brisbane drivers are being reminded to readjust to busier roads and active school zones. The increased police presence is part of the ongoing Operation Xray Spring Break, but it also marks the beginning of October’s Motorcycle Awareness Month, a statewide effort by the Queensland Police Service (QPS) to highlight the vulnerability of riders. The timing is critical, as two motorcyclists tragically lost their lives in separate crashes across Queensland in the 24 hours leading up to the campaign.

Reckless Behaviour on Local Roads

The call for caution follows two recent incidents in the area handled by the Mt Gravatt patrol. On the evening of 27 September, an officer conducting speed checks on the Gateway Motorway near Stretton intercepted a motorcyclist allegedly travelling at 168 km/h in a 100 km/h zone. The 25-year-old Capalaba man received a $1,919 fine, a six-month licence disqualification, and his motorbike was immobilised for seven days.

Just a few days later, on 1 October, another Mt Gravatt officer witnessed a driver allegedly performing a burnout at a red light in Park Ridge. When the officer instructed the driver to pull over, the man allegedly performed a second burnout while reversing. The 48-year-old Boronia Heights man was charged with two counts of wilfully making unnecessary noise or smoke and his car was impounded. He is expected to appear in the Beenleigh Magistrates Court on 21 October.

A Shared Responsibility on Our Streets

Police are stressing that road safety is a responsibility shared by everyone in the community. Inspector Gareth Bosley of the QPS’s Road Policing Command explained that motorcycle riders don’t have the protection of modern car safety features, and a simple moment of inattention from a driver at an intersection or while changing lanes can have devastating results for a rider. He urged drivers to actively check their blind spots and give riders enough space, while reminding motorcyclists to wear protective gear and ride to the conditions.

Closer to home, Upper Mount Gravatt Highway Patrol Acting Senior Sergeant Jay Jordan specifically reminded the community that reduced speed limits in school zones are now back in effect to ensure children, who are often walking or cycling, can get to and from school safely. He encouraged all motorists to stick to the speed limit and remain vigilant, particularly around school crossings.

The Human Cost

These safety campaigns are underscored by sobering statistics. As of early October, the road toll in Queensland stood at 231 lives lost for the year. Within the Brisbane region, 33 fatalities have been recorded, with 24 of those occurring on the city’s southside. The statewide total for motorcyclist fatalities has now reached 46 for the year, a stark reminder of the risks faced on the road every day.

Published Date 13-October-2025

Clairvaux MacKillop College Turns Up the Volume for 8th Annual Rock Bands Festival

Upper Mount Gravatt’s Clairvaux MacKillop College is once again hosting its Battle of the ROCK Bands Festival, a three-night celebration of young Queensland talent that has grown from a small school event into a major student rock showcase.

Read: Clairvaux MacKillop College in Mt Gravatt Celebrated for STEM and Co-Curricular Success

Now in its eighth year, the festival will take place from 9 to 11 October, with an exclusive media preview on Thursday morning, 9 October. The event will see over 1,000 student performers take the stage, representing 30 schools across Queensland. From classic covers to original songs, these young musicians will perform with professional lighting, pyrotechnics, and full live staging.

Rock Bands Festival — Photo credit: Brisbane Catholic Education/bne.catholic.edu

Event co-founder and teacher John Daly said it’s a milestone year for the college.
“This is a special year as we have our 1000th student performer ready to hit the stage,” he said. “We’re also celebrating our 100th student crew member working backstage in 2025. It’s such an achievement from what started as a small, simple event in 2016 to now a three-day festival.”

Daly, along with school officer Tim Hondroudakis, started Battle of the ROCK Bands after realising there were few opportunities for young musicians to perform live. What began as a one-night show in 2017 has expanded each year, giving more students the chance to perform and collaborate.

“We created the event in 2016 because there was no avenue for school-aged musicians to perform their craft,” the organisers said in a joint statement. “After careful planning, we staged the first Battle in 2017, and it’s been growing ever since.”

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The festival also showcases the work of student crew members who assist with lighting, sound, and stage production. It gives participants practical experience in running live events, complementing what they learn in the classroom.

The event has become a highlight for the Clairvaux MacKillop College community, bringing together students, staff, and families to celebrate their shared love of music. It also highlights the school’s commitment to creative learning and performance.

Read: Clairvaux MacKillop College Graduates Shine in Mt Gravatt

This year’s edition promises to be the biggest yet. Audiences can expect “epic performances” from student bands channelling raw energy and musical passion. With fireworks, smoke machines, and strobes, the festival continues to give students a taste of what performing on a professional stage feels like.

As the amps warm up and the instruments tune, Battle of the ROCK Bands Festival stands as a testament to how local schools can nurture young talent, one song, one band, and one unforgettable night at a time.

Published 8-October-2025

Pappa Flock Lands in Mt Gravatt with Biggest Restaurant Yet

When the smell of crispy fried chicken drifts across Mt Gravatt this week, locals will know something new has arrived. The Sydney-born brand Pappa Flock has chosen Westfield Mt Gravatt for its biggest restaurant to date, bringing with it the same crunch, TikTok-famous Flock Boxes, and buzz that saw hundreds queue at its Chermside launch last month.

A weekend of celebration

The official opening takes place on Thursday, 2 October at 12:00 p.m., and the first 100 visitors will walk away with $100 gift cards. From there, the celebration will spill into the weekend with live DJs and a steady flow of the brand’s much-talked-about Flock Boxes. It’s the kind of fanfare the team hopes will turn Mt Gravatt into its next community stronghold.

At Chermside, some customers stood in line for up to four hours just to be among the first to try the viral chicken. Marketing staff described the turnout as overwhelming and a proud moment, one that reinforced the appetite Queenslanders have for the brand’s Sydney take on American-style tenders.

Built for locals

While the food might carry an American influence, the business is quick to point out its roots are firmly Australian. The Mt Gravatt store is designed with families in mind, offering space for 80 diners in an open-air setting, splashed with colourful murals and fitted out with an air hockey table for children and groups to enjoy.

Every detail ties back to the idea of food made fresh. Staff squeeze about 2,500 lemons daily for the brand’s signature lemonade, while each chicken tender is hand-breaded on site. Head chef Eddie’s family recipe for buttery toast is another menu staple locals can expect alongside wraps, sandwiches, and the signature sauces.

The chicken itself is free-range, Halal-certified, and hand-breaded daily to achieve what fans call the ‘Pappa crunch.’

Photo Credit: Pappa Flock/Facebook

Growing the flock

Mt Gravatt marks Pappa Flock’s eleventh restaurant, with nine already across Sydney and one at Chermside. More locations are expected in 2025, reflecting the growing following across social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. For now, the team says it is focused on making sure Mt Gravatt feels every bit as welcome as the original community in Sydney’s suburbs.

Westfield Mt Gravatt, on the corner of Logan and Kessels Roads, will host the restaurant within its outdoor dining precinct. With space, music, and its now-famous crunchy chicken, Pappa Flock is setting out to become part of the southside’s dining rhythm.

Published 30-Sept-2025

Disney and Pixar’s Cars Event To Roll Into Mt Gravatt

Photo Credit: Westfield

Westfield Mt Gravatt will feature Disney and Pixar’s Cars Activity Zone these school holidays, offering hands-on activities for children and families.

Disney and Pixar’s Cars Arrive In Mt Gravatt

Westfield Mt Gravatt is one of several Queensland centres teaming up with Disney to bring Cars-themed activities to families this September school holiday period.

From Monday, 22 September, to Friday, 26 September, the Cars Activity Zone will run daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Level 1 near Telstra. Activities are centred around popular Cars characters, with opportunities to create personalised pencil cases and paint themed plasters. Visitors at select centres may also receive LED light-up bands as part of the experience.

Prize Trip To Disneyland Resort

As part of the program, Westfield members can enter a competition to win a family trip to Disneyland Resort in California. The prize includes a three-night stay and return economy airfares for two adults and two children in partnership with Flight Centre.

The competition runs from 18 September to 13 October, with entries available daily through the Westfield app.

Activities Not Included In Queensland

While some Westfield centres across Australia will host Cars: Drive-In Stories and other large-scale attractions such as a life-sized Lightning McQueen at Westfield Knox in Victoria, these features will not be part of the Mt Gravatt program.

What Families Can Expect In Mt Gravatt

For Mt Gravatt, the Cars Activity Zone will focus on a series of craft-based activities for children over the five-day period. The program is located in a central section of the shopping centre, providing an accessible option for families during the school holidays.

Looking Ahead

Westfield Mt Gravatt’s Cars Activity Zone provides a local school holiday program built around creative activities and supported by a national competition, giving families the chance to experience Cars Land in California.

Published 22-Sep-2025

Young Owner Quadruples Sales at Mt Gravatt Chicken Shop with Father’s Recipe

Photo Credit: Sizzling Birds/ Facebook

An unforgettable charcoal chicken, seasoned with a secret family recipe and cooked over smoky mangrove charcoal, is drawing diners from all over Southeast Queensland to a small, bustling shop in Mt Gravatt.

Five years ago, Kesra Sefian took a leap of faith. He used savings from his shisha delivery business to buy the charcoal chicken shop his parents had been running for just over a year. While they had experience from a similar venture in Sydney decades earlier, they found the Brisbane market much tougher. Sefian saw the potential and decided to purchase the business from them, repaying their initial investment and setting out to build on their foundation.

A Modern Twist on Tradition

The heart of Sizzling Birds remains its food, which is deeply rooted in family history. The signature chicken is based on one of his father’s Lebanese-inspired recipes. Sefian explained that his father experimented with about five different marinades, but when he landed on the current one, his son knew it was a winner. He insisted on keeping that specific recipe when he took over the business.

While he honours his father’s creation of Middle Eastern herbs, sea salt, and fresh lemon, Sefian has adapted processes to keep up with overwhelming demand. He no longer brines the halal-sourced birds, a step his father used to take, noting that the difference in flavour is minimal compared to the time saved. The chicken is cooked over mangrove charcoal, which Sefian says provides a perfect smoky flavour. The family connection continues at the front counter, where cookie pies from his mother’s business, Get Stuffed Cookie Pies, are sold.

Building a Community Hub

Sefian credits much of the shop’s explosive growth to his focus on digital marketing, using platforms like Instagram to build a following and attract new customers. This modern approach has turned the small shop in the Civic Fair shopping complex into a well-known name in Brisbane’s food scene.

The strategy has paid off, creating a diverse and loyal customer base. On any given night, the shop is bustling with a mix of longtime locals and families who have driven from as far as Ipswich and the Gold Coast. Sefian noted the strong support from the area’s large Greek community, alongside other migrant families and local Aussies. The menu has also expanded to include hugely popular halal snack packs, grilled chicken burgers, and wings.

The success of Sizzling Birds is a story of generational change, where a son’s belief in a family recipe, paired with a modern business mindset, has created a thriving community hub. After years of hard work, Sefian remarked that the business is finally doing well enough for him to pay himself a wage.

Published Date 15-September-2025

Brooki Bakehouse Expands With New Store in Mt Gravatt

Photo Credit: Brooki Bakehouse

Brooki Bakehouse has opened a new store at Westfield Mt Gravatt, expanding its Brisbane presence alongside a Gold Coast location at Pacific Fair.

From Fortitude Valley to Mt Gravatt

Founded by Brisbane local Brooke Bellamy in 2022, Brooki Bakehouse first gained attention at its Fortitude Valley store, where viral cookies drew queues and a large online following. The brand’s reputation has since grown internationally, attracting visitors eager to sample its popular baked goods.

The new Mt Gravatt outlet is located on Level 1 of Westfield Mt Gravatt, near Sephora. Customers can now access Brooki’s signature products, including its best-selling stuffed cookies such as Biscoff and Nutella flavours, along with a wider range of sweet treats.

Brisbane bakery — Photo Credit: Brooki Bakehouse

Expansion Across Queensland

In May 2025, Bellamy announced the opening of two new Queensland stores — Westfield Mt Gravatt and Pacific Fair on the Gold Coast — as well as an international pop-up in the United Arab Emirates later in the year. By 3 July 2025, the Pacific Fair kiosk had launched with large crowds in attendance, and by late August both Queensland stores were fully open.

The Pacific Fair store is currently trading as a kiosk on the ground floor near Cotton On. While temporary, Brooki Bakehouse is seeking a permanent space within the centre.

Cookbook Controversy

The expansion followed a plagiarism scandal earlier in 2025, when RecipeTin Eats cook Nagi Maehashi accused Bellamy of reproducing recipes in her cookbook Bake with Brooki. U.S. baker Sally McKenney also raised allegations. Bellamy and her publisher Penguin Random House Australia denied the claims, though the issue sparked strong debate across the food community.

At the time of the allegations, Bellamy’s cookbook had already achieved more than $4 million in sales. Maehashi indicated she was not seeking financial compensation but suggested a charitable donation from Bellamy and the publisher.

Business Resilience

Despite the online scrutiny, Bellamy continued to engage her audience with weekly social media updates and pregnancy announcements. In May 2025, Brooki Bakehouse celebrated its third anniversary at the Fortitude Valley store, where customers lined up early for free cookies and to meet Bellamy.

Looking Ahead

With Mt Gravatt and Gold Coast stores now operational, Brooki Bakehouse is preparing to expand further overseas with its UAE pop-up later this year. The business continues to grow its presence, with demand for its signature products showing no signs of slowing.

Published 11-Sep-2025

Yarranlea Primary School Future Unclear as Mt Gravatt Campus Winds Down

Photo Credit: Yarranlea Primary School

Yarranlea Primary School and community facilities at Mt Gravatt face uncertainty as Griffith University transitions its long-standing campus operations to Nathan.

Background and Campus History

Griffith University is winding down operations at its Mt Gravatt campus, with students and staff transitioning to Nathan. The university has said the move will allow resources to be consolidated and improve access for the community.

The site began in 1969 as the Brisbane College of Advanced Education and merged with Griffith University in January 1990. It became known for its programs in education, criminology, psychology, and social sciences. Griffith College also operated there until its relocation to Brisbane CBD in 2024.

Yarranlea Primary School’s Position

Yarranlea Primary School, located within the Mt Gravatt grounds, has a long and shifting history. It first opened in 1883 and was later closed in 1977. The heritage-listed building was moved to the Mt Gravatt campus in 1979, where it was initially used as a display school before reopening as Old Yarranlea State School in 1987. After another closure in 2013, it reopened as an independent school in July 2014.

As of 2024, enrolment sat between 56 and 60 students from prep to year 6. Members of its board have raised concerns that the school cannot expand due to restrictions on using nearby teaching spaces. Suggestions have been made to repurpose existing buildings and to turn the campus tennis courts into a community hub.

Mt Gravatt campus — Photo Credit: Yarranlea Primary School

Aquatic and Sporting Facilities

The Mt Gravatt Aquatic and Fitness Centre has been earmarked for closure, with operations expected to cease at the end of 2025 unless a new operator is secured. The centre has been a base for swimming lessons, school carnivals, and community fitness.

The university has stated that other facilities on the site will remain supported until mid-2026. Community members have emphasised the importance of the aquatic centre in maintaining health and social connection.

SIGN THE PETITION

Stakeholder Interests and Alternatives

The 42-hectare campus site has attracted attention from different groups. Public housing advocates have expressed interest in utilising part of the land as a response to housing demand. At the same time, Yarranlea Primary School is seeking space to accommodate growth.

Mt Gravatt campus closure — Photo Credit: Yarranlea Primary School/Facebook

Community Sentiment

Former students have described the Mt Gravatt campus as quiet, accessible, and closely linked, with its café noted as a highlight. Many residents have voiced support for keeping Yarranlea Primary School active and preserving local recreational spaces, including the aquatic centre.

Outlook

The gradual transition of Griffith University’s operations to Nathan has left the future of Yarranlea Primary School and the wider Mt Gravatt site unresolved. With interests ranging from education to housing and community recreation, the eventual use of the campus land remains uncertain.

Published 5-Sep-2025

Petition Grows to Save Aquatic Centre on Former Griffith Campus

The looming closure of a much-loved swimming pool has become the focal point in the debate over the future of the former Griffith University Mount Gravatt campus.

Read: From Heritage to Higher Learning: Griffith University in Nathan Expands into Iconic Treasury Building

The 42-hectare site, perched in Toohey Forest near the summit of Mount Gravatt Mountain, was vacated earlier this year as the university consolidated operations at its Nathan campus and prepared for its new Brisbane City base.

Photo credit: Griffith University Aquatic & Fitness Centre, Mt Gravatt/Facebook

The campus still contains student dormitories, lecture halls, an auditorium, Yarranlea Primary School, tennis courts, and the Mount Gravatt Aquatic and Fitness Centre.

It is the aquatic centre that has drawn the most urgent attention. Unless a new operator is secured, the pool is set to close at the end of 2025 when Griffith’s lease expires, leaving the community without a key facility. Nearly 1000 people have already signed a petition via Change.org calling on Queensland to step in and ensure the pool’s survival.

The petition highlights the role the pool has played for decades, not just as a fitness venue but as a hub for community life. Generations of local children have learned to swim there, while schools have relied on its waters for swimming carnivals. Residents say the centre has promoted healthy lifestyles and provided a vital meeting place that fosters community spirit.

Its closure would affect both the families who rely on it and the staff who live locally, with no immediate alternatives in the area. Petition organisers argue that the loss of the facility would disrupt school programs and swimming education while stripping the community of an important social and recreational hub.

The wider campus remains in limbo, with speculation over whether it could be repurposed for housing, education facilities, or commercial development. Plans to convert the former student accommodation into emergency housing were abandoned in 2022 due to bushfire risks and prohibitive upgrade costs, despite millions already spent on partial works.

Yarranlea Primary School, located within the site, has also flagged interest in expanding into unused spaces to cater for growing enrolments. Urban researchers have suggested the land could be suitable for a new selective high school or academy, while others argue that some cleared areas could be redeveloped for high-density housing or even returned to bushland.

Read: Griffith University and PsiQuantum to Open Quantum Computing Test Lab

For now, however, the pool remains at the heart of the discussion. Local residents are urging the state government to act quickly, warning that its closure would be a major blow to community wellbeing.

Published 5-September-2025