Newnham Road Archives - Mount Gravatt News

‘Ant You Hungry?’: Young Artist’s Street Art Puts Mt Gravatt’s Flavours on Display

“Ant You Hungry?” isn’t just a playful question – it’s an artwork turning heads at the intersection of Newnham Road and Colwyn Street in Upper Mt Gravatt. What was once a plain traffic signal box has been transformed into a vibrant canvas showcasing the suburb’s rich multicultural heritage – all through the eyes of a young local artist.

Read: Street Spotlight: Amega Street, Mt Gravatt East

Olivia Shen, with help from her parents Robert Shen and Emma Lim, has created this whimsical artwork that turns everyday street furniture into a mouth-watering display of cross-cultural cuisine. The piece, completed in March 2023, earned Highly Commended recognition in the 12 & Under category of Artforce Brisbane’s program.

The young artist’s creation features an array of beloved Asian delicacies – from delicate xiao long bao dumplings to fresh sushi rolls and trendy bubble tea. In a playful twist, Olivia has painted industrious ants carrying away these culinary treasures, adding an element of storytelling to the piece.

Perhaps most boldly, the artwork includes the distinctive durian fruit – a nod to Olivia’s mother’s favourite treat and a symbol of authentic Asian cuisine that has found a home in Mount Gravatt’s food scene. Local spices from neighbourhood gardens complete the cultural tapestry, grounding the artwork in the community’s own backyard.

Ant You Hungry? is part of Artforce Brisbane’s initiative to enliven city streets while providing a platform for local artists. For passing pedestrians and drivers, Olivia’s creation serves as a daily reminder of Mount Gravatt’s evolution into one of Brisbane’s most diverse and flavorful suburbs.

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

Next time you’re crossing at the Newnham Road pedestrian crossing, take a moment to feast your eyes on this young artist’s tribute to her community’s cultural heritage. Just don’t blame the ants if it makes you hungry.

Published 13-November-2024

Mount Gravatt East Man Faces 41 Charges in EFTPOS Scam

Photo Credit: myPolice Centenary

A 38-year-old Mount Gravatt East man has been charged with 41 offences related to an alleged EFTPOS scam that netted over $670,000 from Brisbane medical businesses.

The suspect was arrested on November 6 after Mount Gravatt Highway Patrol officers spotted him on a reportedly stolen motorcycle in Wishart at approximately 6 PM. Police took him into custody at a fuel station near Delavan Street and Newnham Road.

According to police, the alleged offences occurred between October 1 and November 2, primarily targeting Brisbane’s southside. The man is accused of breaking into medical businesses and stealing EFTPOS terminals, which were then allegedly used for fraudulent reimbursement transactions.

The charges include:

17 counts of enter premises and commit by break
13 counts of fraud
4 counts of receiving tainted property
2 counts of possess dangerous drugs

Single counts of unlawful use of motor vehicle, stealing, dealing identification, possess tainted property, and possess utensil

The accused was remanded in custody and appeared at Brisbane Magistrates Court on November 7.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.

Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.

Published 7-November-2024

Bus Crash in Wishart Leaves One Hospitalised, Causes Traffic Disruption

Photo Credit: Google Maps

A multi-vehicle crash involving a bus in Wishart this morning has resulted in one person being hospitalised and caused significant traffic disruptions in the area.

The incident occurred at 7:03 AM at the intersection of Newnham Road and Colwyn Street. According to the Queensland Fire Department, one person was trapped in a vehicle and required extraction by firefighters.

Queensland Ambulance Service reported that paramedics assessed five people at the scene. One patient was subsequently transported to Princess Alexandra Hospital in stable condition.

The crash has led to traffic delays in the Wishart area, with commuters advised to seek alternative routes.

This incident was followed by another bus-related crash in Taringa about an hour later, compounding traffic issues across Brisbane.

The Wishart crash adds to a concerning trend of bus-related incidents in Brisbane in recent months. On July 7, a Brisbane City Council bus collided with a concrete barrier at MacGregor. In a more severe incident on March 8, a pedestrian was fatally injured when a bus mounted the footpath in the city centre.

Local authorities are investigating the cause of the Wishart crash and are urging drivers to exercise caution, particularly around larger vehicles like buses.

Residents and commuters in the Wishart area are advised to stay updated on traffic reports and plan their journeys accordingly as cleanup and investigation continue at the crash site.

Published 19-July-2024

This Mt Gravatt Cafe’s Poached Eggs Are Made For Instagram

The Golden Egg (Photo credit: The Gift Shop Food & Drink/Facebook)

When Jordan Iovenitti opened The Gift Shop Food & Drink in Upper Mount Gravatt in 2018, his goal was to focus on espresso and offer simple eats. Today, more than three years later, the cafe has become very popular for their food, particularly an Instagram-worthy poached egg dish called the ‘Golden Egg.’

Read: Free Skateboarding Lessons Held Monthly at PCYC Mount Gravatt

The Gift Shop’s Golden Egg –poached egg with avocado, huevos rancheros, enoki mushrooms and Swiss cheese, stacked on a potato gem waffle, with chipotle mayo and sumac –is a runaway hit on Instagram for its beautiful and cooked-to-perfection appearance.

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A post shared by Danni 🌱 (@mysticalcandy)

But there’s more to the Golden Egg than the visual appeal. The Swiss cheese and red and black beans give the dish a much-needed saltiness whilst mayo adds a tingle of heat. The smashed avo gives it an earthy and almost buttery taste and the enoki mushroom adds some crunch and delicate flavour to the poached egg.

“The Golden Eggs were scrumptious, I was particularly fond of the crunchy potato waffle it was served on. 10/10 will be back with some friends in no time,” shared one customer.

The team at Mt Gravatt’s The Gift Shop cafe (Photo credit: The Gift Shop Food & Drink/Facebook)

Tucked away in a complex of shops along Newnham Road, The Gift Shop Food & Drink serves breakfast and lunch seven days a week. Other than their signature Golden Egg, it’s worth checking out their toasties, crispy avo tacos, and the housemade beetroot gnocchi.

Photo credit: The Gift Shop Food & Drink/Facebook

As The Gift Shop says on the drinks menu, they “like to make coffee for the people who like to drink it.” They offer a rotating single-origin and a guest roast, along with hot and cold brews, teas, and cocktails.

The interior of this charming little cafe is as Instagrammable as the items on the menu. Wood dominates the cafe and there is plenty of natural light, making it the perfect place when you’re looking for a laid-back place to chill away on a lazy afternoon.

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A post shared by The Gift Shop (@thegiftshopfd)

For trading hours and more information, visit The Gift Shop Food & Drink’s website or follow them on social media.

The Gift Shop Food & Drink

Phone: 0422152422

Facebook: www.facebook.com/The-Gift-Shop-Food-Drink

Instagram: @thegiftshopfd

Mount Gravatt East $12 Million Newnham and Wecker Roads Upgrade Secured

Residents using the Newnham and Wecker Road intersection in Mount Gravatt East can breathe a sigh of relief as the funding to fix this accident-prone area has been secured.

Federal Member Ross Vasta (Bonner) shared the good news to his constituents in a post on his Facebook page. Mr Vasta also confirmed that the $12 million funding from the government has been delivered.

“After getting 2000 signatures on my petition to fix it I delivered it straight to the PM & now we’re fully funding the much needed upgrade at this local accident hotspot!” Mr Vasta posted.

Newnham and Wecker Roads have been cited as one of Queensland’s most dangerous intersections with seven serious crashes and nine casualties between 2014 and 2017. Passing this road is a risk for many families whose children attend the Mt Gravatt East State School on the corner of Wecker Road.

“Near misses and crashes are all too common at Newnham/Wecker Rd. Parents are trying to drop their young children at the school on the corner and having to deal with this mess, while paramedics are constantly being called out to accidents,” said Mr Vasta.

Mr Vasta personally took Urban Infrastructure Minister Alan Tudge to the hotspot last October to show why fixing this intersection is a priority. Mr Tudge said he’ll work with the Brisbane City Council to come up with solutions that will benefit hundreds of commuters that pass these roads every day.

As of 31 Jan 2019, the Mount Gravatt East road upgrades were included in Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s $1 billion Urban Congestion Fund for various infrastructure projects.