The significant win occurred during draw 1540 on Thursday, 20 November 2025. As the sole winner of the top prize, the Brisbane local will take home a total of $5,251,913.32. She is set to receive the funds on Friday, 5 December 2025, which she noted would arrive perfectly in time to celebrate Christmas and the New Year.
The excitement began on a Friday morning when officials called to deliver the news. The winner admitted she was initially hesitant to answer the phone, fearing the unknown number was a scam or a “dodgy” caller.
Once the news was confirmed, however, her reaction shifted from suspicion to physical shaking. She described being in absolute disbelief alongside her husband, who was with her when the call came through.
The winning 12-game entry was purchased using The Lott app. The winner revealed that the numbers were not chosen at random but were a combination of family birthdates and wedding anniversaries. With the $5 million prize soon to be deposited, she shared her main priority for the future. Her husband will now be able to retire from work. Although she had previously promised herself she would keep any big win a secret, the magnitude of the news made her want to share her joy with everyone.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Photo Credit: Disney Australia
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.
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.
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.
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.
Photo Credit: Brooki Bakehouse
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.
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.
A Mt Gravatt school has become a leading part of Australia’s classical education movement, offering traditional teaching methods as an alternative to mainstream approaches.
The St John of Kronstadt Academy in Upper Mount Gravatt was formally established in 2022 and accredited in 2023 to operate classes from Preparatory to Year 6. Located at 13/2120 Logan Road, the school opened in 2024 with the support of the Orthodox community and has capacity for up to 60 students under its current lease, which runs until 2026.
The idea for the academy originated in 2017, inspired by the birth of the founder’s daughter. A feasibility plan was prepared in 2021, leading to its registration as a not-for-profit entity the following year.
Photo Credit: St John Kronstadt Academy
Focus on Classical Education
The Mt Gravatt school embraces classical education, rejecting modern digital-focused teaching in favour of explicit instruction, phonics, numeracy, and cursive handwriting. Lessons feature literature such as Aesop’s fables and Brothers Grimm stories, as well as recitation and chanting to aid memory.
Technology is avoided in the early years, with an emphasis on books and artwork. The aim is to foster literacy, mathematical skills, and reasoning as a foundation for later learning.
International Context and Local Development
The approach follows a trend that began in the United States, where more than 1,500 classical schools serve over 400,000 students in a sector valued at $12 billion.
In Australia, new classical schools have opened in Sydney and Adelaide, with Mt Gravatt hosting the first classical Orthodox academy in the country. A recent conference in Brisbane featured educators from the United States, who highlighted the importance of studying history in full rather than omitting difficult topics.
Photo Credit: St John Kronstadt Academy
Funding and Operations
Parents contribute $5,000 annually in tuition, while additional support comes through federal and state funding to cover teaching staff and operational costs. The academy currently employs two teachers and a teacher aide.
Community Sentiment
Public responses to the rise of classical education have been strongly supportive. Online discussions emphasise the value of traditional teaching, the encouragement of debate, and the focus on critical thinking. A smaller number of comments raised concerns about balancing these traditions with modern educational needs.
Planning is under way for a larger site of about four acres to expand the school into a full primary and secondary campus. A building grant application is proposed for 2025, with construction scheduled to commence in 2026 and the new Mt Gravatt academy expected to open in 2027.
A young koala known as Luke has died after being struck by a vehicle in Mt Gravatt for the third time in under nine months, prompting renewed concerns over habitat safety.
A koala referred to as Luke was fatally struck on the M3 in Upper Mt Gravatt in July 2025. This marked the third time he had been hit by a vehicle within a nine-month period. The first incident occurred in October 2024 on Creek Road in Mt Gravatt East, followed by a second collision on the M3 in April 2025. While he had previously survived both events and was released with ear tag #1613, the most recent impact proved fatal.
Luke was approximately 4.5 years old at the time of his death and had not yet reached full breeding maturity, raising concerns about the long-term survival of the local koala population.
Mt Gravatt’s Urban Pressures on Koalas
Luke’s death is part of a broader trend affecting koalas in and around the Mt Gravatt region. Conservation groups have pointed to habitat fragmentation, urban road infrastructure, and the lack of safe crossings as key contributors to koala mortality.
In 2024 alone, 113 koala deaths were recorded in the area surrounding Whites Hill Reserve, with nearly 70 percent of those occurring during the four-month breeding season. The region known as “Brisbane’s Triangle of Death”—bounded by Mount Gravatt Mountain, Seven Hills Reserve, and Bulimba Creek—has been identified as a hotspot for incidents, with Whites Hill at its centre.
Photo Credit: Save the Koalas and Wallabies of White’s Hill/Facebook
Koala Activity Patterns and Risk
Koalas are typically active for roughly 20 percent of the day, mainly between dusk and dawn. During these hours, they move between trees in search of food, territory, or mates. These natural behaviours bring them into increased contact with roads and urban developments.
Community organisations report that even small changes can reduce risks, such as walking dogs on leads, driving cautiously at night, and maintaining trees in yards and footpaths. In particular, planting more trees and creating accessible escape paths for koalas are suggested as simple protective measures.
Public Reaction and Concerns
Local conservation pages have documented strong public responses following Luke’s death, with residents expressing frustration over repeated incidents in the same area. Many community members have raised concerns about the long-term viability of koala populations in suburban environments and questioned the adequacy of wildlife protections and urban planning in koala zones.
Concerns have also been raised about whether current monitoring efforts are sufficient, with uncertainty about the number of remaining koalas in the region and whether the local population may already be nearing functional extinction.
Photo Credit: Save the Koalas and Wallabies of White’s Hill/Facebook
Outlook for Wildlife in Mt Gravatt
Without changes to road planning, habitat management, and community awareness, conservation groups warn that further losses are likely. Luke’s case has drawn renewed attention to existing blackspots and the consequences of infrastructure intersecting with native wildlife corridors.
As breeding season continues, advocates urge residents to remain alert and take preventative measures to reduce further incidents involving koalas across Mt Gravatt and surrounding suburbs.
Redevelopment plans for the Mt Gravatt Centre are now being realigned, focusing on housing options, infrastructure upgrades, and improved public spaces before a second round of community consultations late this year.
The initial round yielded mixed feedback, from residents on concerns such as potential overdevelopment, traffic congestion, street parking, local koala movements and habitat protection, and commercial spaces for retailers.
Suburban Renewal Initiative Targets Mt Gravatt
A planning initiative is underway to guide the long-term renewal of the Mt Gravatt Centre. The project forms part of a broader effort to revitalise underutilised suburban areas through targeted development and infrastructure improvements.
The Mt Gravatt Centre Suburban Renewal Precinct Plan aims to deliver more diverse housing, support employment growth, and enhance liveability in the area. The proposal also contributes to regional development targets outlined in the 2023 ShapingSEQ strategy.
Initial community consultation for this stage of the project closed on 13 July 2025. Public input is now under review to inform the next draft phase.
The plan is structured around four priorities: increasing housing supply, revitalising business and retail areas, improving local transport links, and enhancing outdoor spaces to reflect the area’s subtropical climate.
The precinct is concentrated along the Logan Road corridor and is expected to deliver new residential and commercial opportunities. The proposal includes a review of zoning rules and building height limits to support a wider range of housing types, including single-occupant dwellings, family homes, and multigenerational arrangements.
Local Perspectives and Submissions
Feedback from residents reflected mixed views on the changes. Several community members welcomed new green space, improved walkability, and support for small businesses. However, concerns were raised about potential overdevelopment, traffic congestion, and reduced street parking.
Submissions highlighted narrow roads and existing safety risks in streets such as Miriam and Pickthorne, where increased density could worsen access for pedestrians and emergency services.
Multiple contributions referenced the area’s wildlife presence, particularly koala movements and habitat corridors. Others expressed a preference for moderate development that included community parks, affordable housing, and commercial spaces for independent retailers.
Suggestions were also made to repurpose vacant or degraded sites for townhouse developments or mixed-use buildings with improved pedestrian access.
Photo Credit: BCC
Draft Plan and Timeline
Planners are now preparing a draft version of the Mt Gravatt Centre precinct plan, incorporating community feedback and technical assessments. A second round of public consultation is expected in late 2025.
Following this, the finalised version is due in mid-2026. Once endorsed by the relevant planning bodies, it will be added to the current local planning scheme and used to assess future development applications.
Thirty-three new affordable homes are set for Upper Mount Gravatt as part of a broader push to rapidly increase housing supply across South East Queensland.
The Crisafulli Government has confirmed its commitment to address the ongoing housing challenges by activating new land for development and fast-tracking social and affordable housing projects. These efforts aim to provide more secure and stable housing options for Queenslanders, particularly for vulnerable individuals and families.
New Homes for Local Communities
Photo Credit: Google Maps
In a direct response to the community’s need for more housing, planning approval has been granted for 33 new affordable housing units at Hertford Street, Upper Mount Gravatt. This development is strategically located to offer residents easy access to public transport and essential services.
Beyond Mount Gravatt, another 60 social and affordable housing units are planned for South Brisbane. These homes will be managed by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service Brisbane (ATSICHS), a registered housing provider dedicated to supporting Indigenous communities.
Additionally, 16 social housing units in Juniper Court, Beenleigh, are approved to help young people affected by domestic violence or those at risk of homelessness. In total, these new projects will deliver 109 social and affordable units.
Boosting Land Supply
Photo Credit: Google Maps
To lay the groundwork for even more homes, Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) has released significant tracts of development-ready land. This includes 3.5 hectares in Meadowbrook, Logan, which could lead to up to 172 new homes.
Another 1.7 hectares at Lumina within the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct in Southport has also been released, with the potential to unlock about 640 future residences. EDQ is also evaluating approximately 190,000 square metres of land for further releases over the next six months.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jarrod Bleijie, stated that these approvals and land releases are designed to increase the availability of housing across Queensland. He affirmed that the government is actively working on other initiatives to accelerate housing supply.
Minister for Housing and Public Works, Sam O’Connor, added that the new approvals demonstrate the government’s seriousness about providing more affordable homes. He noted that these efforts are being made in partnership with charities and community housing providers, adding to over 5,000 social and affordable homes already under construction or contract.
A 13-year-old from Mt Gravatt is preparing to undertake Australia’s toughest team endurance event, the 96 km Kokoda Challenge, to raise money for youth in the community.
Lincoln Brown will embark on the gruelling 96-kilometre trail run and hike across the Gold Coast hinterland on 19 and 20 July. This demanding event requires participants to cover the entire distance without sleeping, conquering 4,000 metres of elevation through mountainous terrain.
Lincoln’s motivation for taking on such a significant physical and mental test is to support the Kokoda Youth Foundation. This charity runs programmes designed to help young people discover their potential, find purpose, and achieve their goals in life. He has set a fundraising target of $5,000 to contribute to these vital community initiatives.
Despite his young age, Lincoln is no stranger to the Kokoda Challenge. He first participated in the 48-kilometre Gold Coast event in Year 7 (2023) with his school. Last year, he completed the same distance three hours faster, finishing in a remarkable 11 hours and 52 minutes, demonstrating his determination to break the 12-hour mark. This year, with special approval due to being underage, he is stepping up to the ultimate 96-kilometre distance.
Lincoln has been diligently training since late last year, typically running around 30 kilometres each week across various forest trails. He expressed his readiness for the physical demands of the event, stating that he can handle the hard yards on the track, but he needs the community’s support to reach his fundraising goal. Donations are tax-deductible and directly contribute to providing life-changing opportunities for Australian youth.
The Kokoda Challenge is not merely an athletic event; it is a profound experience that offers participants a glimpse into the hardships faced by Australian soldiers defending the country on the Kokoda Track in 1942.
It emphasises community connection and highlights the strength individuals can find when working together as a team. As Australia’s toughest team endurance event, it pushes competitors to discover capabilities they may not have known they possessed.
The Kokoda Challenge is not merely an athletic event; it is a profound experience that offers participants a glimpse into the hardships faced by Australian soldiers defending the country on the Kokoda Track in 1942.
It emphasises community connection and highlights the strength individuals can find when working together as a team. As Australia’s toughest team endurance event, it pushes competitors to discover capabilities they may not have known they possessed.
