Wishart Archives - Mount Gravatt News

Mount Gravatt East Man Faces 41 Charges in EFTPOS Scam

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

Scorched Wishart Property Creates Heat, Interests Renovators

Photo Credit: Ray White

A scorched and fire-damaged Wishart property is set to go under the hammer this weekend, presenting an enticing opportunity for budding renovators and first-home buyers.

The three-bedroom, two-bathroom house at 340 Mount Gravatt Capalaba Road sustained significant fire damage to its upper level caused by an electrical fault, leaving ceilings charred and walls coated in soot.

Despite its dilapidated state, the listing has sparked heated interest from prospective buyers eager to tackle a renovation project in the supply-constrained Wishart market. Ray White Marsden AKG agent Aidan Knox reports receiving a staggering 12 offers within just a week of listing, with 8 parties pre-registered for Saturday’s auction conducted by Apollo Auctions.

**Walls are coated in soot from the fire.**
Photo Credit: Ray White

“It’s a case of what you see is what you get — the top floor has significant fire damage, but with its prime location and ever-growing demand in the area, this property represents either a knockdown opportunity, or potential to recreate what was once a beautifully kept home,” said Knox.

“The appeal here is the prospect of a cheap property in a demographically diverse marketplace, and there are a lot of first-home buyers and builders, renovators alike out there who have been missing out on other properties and are ready to have a go at the auction and get hands-on to make this their own.”

House prices in Wishart soared to 13.5 percent over the past 12 months, to a median of $1.225m, according to PropTrack data.

**A bedroom remains unscathed.**
Photo Credit: Ray White

**This bathroom survived the fire with no damages in sight.**
Photo Credit: Ray White

Situated on a generous 546 square meter lot, the lower level escaped the blaze largely unscathed, offering a separate rumpus room and kitchenette as a starting point for renovations. However, Knox notes the sellers prefer not to discuss further details surrounding the “unfortunate circumstances” of the fire.

**Damages are not seen outside as well.**
Photo Credit: Ray White

In the heated Wishart market, where just 28 houses were listed over the past month despite over 1,800 prospective buyers per property, the auction of this charred residence is shaping up to be a hotly-contested affair. First-home buyers and ambitious renovators alike are lining up for a chance to breathe new life into one of Brisbane’s smouldering investment opportunities.

Published 29-March-2024

Harmonious Generosity: Del and Basil Wood’s Gift of Music to Carinity Wishart Gardens

Locals Del and Basil Wood have made a significant contribution to the Carinity Wishart Gardens seniors community. The couple, deeply intertwined with the fabric of this aged care community, recently donated a piano and organ, adding a melodious touch to the lives of residents at the aged care facility.

Del’s mother, Mabel Grace, was among the first residents of Carinity Wishart Gardens and Del herself has been a dedicated volunteer there for years. Basil, a former chemist, had a pharmacy that supplied medication to aged care communities.

Their long-standing association with this community took a significant turn when they moved into the adjacent Wishart Gardens retirement village after waiting for more than 15 years.

Before relocating to the retirement village, the Woods had already known approximately 15 people who resided there, including their long-time friend, Jean Miller. Del and Jean’s friendship spans over half a century, and they once formed part of a Christian vocal trio called Celebration, which performed over 300 shows at aged care homes, retirement villages, and prisons.

Even today, they continue to share their musical talents at chapel services in Wishart, with Del playing the organ and Jean accompanying her on the piano—two instruments generously donated to the Wishart Gardens aged care community by the Woods.

Carinity Wishart Gardens - Basil and Del Wood — Photo Credit: Carinity Wishart Gardens

As part of their downsizing efforts in preparation for their move to a retirement villa, Del and Basil decided to part with their beloved Kawai grand piano and the American-made Gulbransen Rialto organ. Basil noted that this particular organ is rare in Australia. The suggestion to donate these instruments to the aged care home came from someone who believed that others could also enjoy and make use of them.

Now, these keyboards have found a new home in the Wishart Gardens aged care pavilion, where Del plays hymns during the weekly chapel services.

Solomon Shekede, the Residential Manager at Carinity Wishart Gardens, expressed his deep gratitude for the donated organ and piano. He praised the Woods’ “commitment to fostering the arts and enhancing the worship experience” for the residents.

“This thoughtful contribution will resonate through the halls of Carinity Wishart Gardens, bringing joy and inspiration to all who gather here. The piano and organ will serve as a constant reminder of Basil and Del’s kindness and dedication to the spiritual well-being of our community,” Mr Shekede said.

Published 3-Jan-2024

Community Support Pours In For Wishart Teen Joshua Ditchmen

An outpouring of community support has emerged for Joshua Ditchmen of Wishart, who remains hospitalised after suffering a devastating stroke and being involved in an ATV accident earlier this month.

Read: Mt Gravatt East Local Walking 72km to Support Dad with Cancer

The 17-year-old football player was taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital in critical condition following the incident, which occurred on private property on Kavanaghs Road in Buaraba on October 1. Police confirmed they responded to reports of an ATV crash around 12:45 p.m. that day.

The Forensic Crash Unit is still investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident. Meanwhile, Joshua remains hospitalised as of Oct 10.

According to his mother, Sonja Ditchmen, Joshua suffered a stroke which caused him to fall off the quad bike he was riding. The fall resulted in additional head injuries.

Joshua’s mum said he had multiple bleeds in his brain and was placed in a medically-induced coma to help him breathe. However, he developed a chest infection during his time in the coma.

More than a week since the crash, Joshua has made significant improvements, according to his mother. He has opened his eyes, can say his name, gives a thumbs up response, and has mostly been taken off his breathing tube.

In an online post, Mrs Ditchmen pleaded for prayers and support for her son’s recovery.

The Carina Junior Rugby League Football Club, where Joshua plays on the U17 team, will be collecting donations to help aid his recovery. The 17-year-old has played for the club for 12 years and is also a referee. His twin brother and older brother also play for Carina.

Photo credit: Jessica Gregg – Carina JRLFC/Facebook

“As GoFundMe takes a percentage of each donation and we know all families are struggling we have decided the best way to rally together and to get all monies to Joshua and to do this via Carina where people are not pressured to contribute with names and messages being posted,” the club said in a social media post.

Read: Margaux Parker Applauds Matildas, Calls on Fans to Support Women’s Sport

Friends, teammates, and loved ones are all wishing Joshua a full recovery as he continues to fight through extensive injuries and illness.

Published 10-October-2023

Wishart State School To Build More Classrooms For Extra Students

In order to meet future in-catchment enrolment demands, Wishart State School will be building eight new classrooms which can accommodate up to 200 extra students.

Read: New Binoculars At Mt Gravatt Outlook Offers Panoramic Views Of Brisbane

Four new classrooms will be constructed in late 2022 whilst future in-fill of ground level would create four more classrooms, amenities, breakout spaces, office spaces for staff, one teacher preparation room, and a covered outdoor area.

The future in-fill of the ground floor, however, is still subject to future enrolment demands and availability of funding.

Ground floor in-fill plan (Photo credit: planning.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au)

Also part of the plan is the replacement multipurpose court (also subject to funding), a new covered walkway and a carpark off an existing internal road linking to Morella Street.

The new learning spaces are part of the Department of Education’s Infrastructure Proposal to the Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning for a two-storey ‘General Learning Centre.’

Artist’s impression of the new general learning centre (Photo credit: planning.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au)

The proposal includes provision of a new car park with capacity for five spaces and landscaped areas in proximity to the new General Learning Centre.

Based on the assessment report for the proposal, the Wishart local area has experienced increased growth in the school-aged population and that the school now requires additional facilities to continue to meet in-catchment enrolment demands.

A spokesperson from the Education department stated that Wishart State School has grown by more than 300 students since 2017, with further growth forecast over the next five years.

Wishart State School (Photo credit: education.qld.gov.au)

Wishart State School can accommodate up to 1,061 students at present and based on records, student enrolment at the school continues to grow each year, from 901 in 2020, to 968 total in August 2021.

Whilst the project is still in the planning and consultation stage, works are anticipated to start later this year, for it to be complete in time for the 2024 school year.

The public can make a submission to DoE’s proposal via planning.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au until 15 August 2022.

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.

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.

25 Years Young: Carinity Wishart Gardens Celebrates with Tea and Cake

Residents of the Carinity Wishart Gardens celebrated the retirement home’s 25th anniversary in March 2021 with tea, cake, and a few special guests.

Wishart, one of five Carinity-owned retirement communities in Queensland, recently hosted two separate morning tea parties at the Carinity Wishart Gardens community pavilion in order to accommodate all the participants to its 25th anniversary bash.

Throughout the festivities, numerous special events were held, such as celebratory cake cutting to commemorate the establishment’s 25-year milestone, or a special video presentation about the history of the Wishart area as well as the retirement village. Those who attended were given cupcakes and gift packs.

Carinity has supported elderly people in Australia for over 70 years by providing them with a home and a community to belong to. Wishart Gardens in particular is home to around 80 residents between the ages of 70 and 100.

Carinity Wishart Gardens can be found at 15 Glasford St, Wishart. For more information visit their website here. Follow Carinity’s social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates and announcements.

Wishart Community Park in Kavanagh Road to Get an Upgrade

The southern end of the Wishart Community Park in Kavanagh Road will be upgraded with a playground facility, a bike path and a better carpark. Brisbane City Council announced that this project’s concept plan has been finalised after a public consultation in September 2019.

Work on the Wishart Community Park is expected to begin in early 2020 and it is one of 11 park and reserve improvement projects of the Council.

Among the improvements expected at this facility are a rubber path for the playground, sandstone for the block seating and retaining walls, and heaps of shaded trees. The playground itself will have new equipment for multi-play purposes for children from two to 12 years old, such as climbing equipment, cubby house, rockers, swings and spinners. The colours of the equipment will be matched to the natural environment and the adjacent Bulimba Creek.

Council has not announced the expected completion date of the park improvements. However, the community will be updated with more information once work begins.

Wishart Community Park Bikeway

Meanwhile, the construction of the Wishart Community Park bikeway connection near the playground site will begin on the 25th of Nov 2019. The work will continue until February 2020, weather permitting.

The new bike path will be three metres wide and will directly connect the southern end of the Wishart Community Park to the Bulimba Creek Bikeway network. Whilst 10 trees will be uprooted during this construction, Council will be planting 87 trees as a replacement once the bike path is completed.

During the construction phase, parts of the park will be fenced off for the safety of the public. For concerns on this project, locals may phone the project team at 1800 669 416 (during working hours) or the Council on 07 3403 8888 (outside of working hours).

Wishart Community Park covers of 4.4 hectares of the 12 hectares of land set in between Kavanagh Road and Maibry Street at the corridor of Bulimba Creek.