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Roman Siulepa of Upper Mt Gravatt Set to Join NBA Global Academy

Photo Credit: Basketball Australia / australia.basketball

Upper Mt Gravatt-based basketball player Roman Siulepa is a step closer to his NBA dream after being selected to join the NBA Global Academy in July 2022.

Fresh from the U18 Australian Junior Championships, Roman Siulepa, who has played for both Queensland and Southern Districts, was chosen along with Carlin Briggs and James O’ Donnell for the scholarship.

The talented 15-year-old is also set to join the Australian Under 17 Men’s team who will compete in the FIBA Asia Cup this June.

NBA Global Academy

The NBA Global Academy is one of NBA Academy’s elite basketball training centres situated at Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence.

It serves as the NBA’s hub for top high school-age prospects from around the world. NBA Global Academy, in collaboration with teams and coaches from the Centre of Excellence, trains up to 16 athletes each year.

An Inspiration to Others

“I feel very privileged to be selected in an exclusive program as good as this and I’m keen to get to Canberra and get amongst it with the lads. I will bring plenty of energy and thank all my Queensland teammates for helping me achieve this goal,” said Siulepa.

With his impressive 100-kg physique on a 6’7″ frame, Roman is described as a powerhouse who is driven to win each game he plays. Excelling at both basketball and rugby, Roman chose to pass on the opportunity to play with the All Blacks rugby team in order to concentrate on his basketball training.

Roman credits his mum for the inspiration and the “push” to enable him to become a better basketball player.

With the great opportunity that has just come their way, Roman, Carlin, and James have become even more inspired to pursue their dream of playing in the world’s premier men’s professional basketball league.

“The NBA GA staff are excited to have Carlin, Roman and James accept their offer of scholarships and are looking forward to working with them.

The three young athletes have good size and great athleticism for their respective positions. Carlin as a combo guard, Roman as a versatile forward, and James will be working toward becoming a stretch 4,” NBA GA Technical Director Marty Clarke said, in a statement to Basketball Australia Media.

“Their ability to play hard, willingness to accept coaching, desire to compete will be a necessary attribute as they will be challenged in their new daily training environment,” he added.

Roman, Carlin and James will move to Canberra for the NBA Global Academy program in July 2022.

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

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.

Perfect Beginnings Upper Mt Gravatt Set for Expansion

A childcare centre in Upper Mt Gravatt has lodged a development application (DA) for expansion after reaching 98 percent of its capacity this year. Perfect Beginnings on 53 Klumpp Road is awaiting approval from Council to demolish a neigbouring property and begin its expansion construction.

The current facility on 55 Klumpp Road will also be partially demolished and re-established as a single two-storey structure with the new site. The proposal includes additional rooms, 28-spaces carpark and plenty of focus on nature play and greenery.

The move will expand the floor area from 354 sqm to 953 sqm. If all goes to plan, the expansion should be complete at the end of 2021 in time for the centre’s opening in February 2021.

Some 15 new job openings will have to be filled after the expansion, which will allow Perfect Beginnings to accept 100 placements.

Perfect Beginnings is one of three Brisbane childcare centres owned by Fingrow Holdings Pty Ltd. The manager Jessica Lomas said that the facility can no longer meet the demands as their waitlist is growing and they’ve turned down families until the expansion.

The DA (A005581865) has had an initial review and is currently undergoing further information request. A public consultation has yet to get underway.

Popular Eatery King of Kings Expands To Upper Mt Gravatt

For 30 years, King of Kings has been a fixture in Fortitude Valley’s dining scene and soon foodies in Upper Mt Gravatt will get to taste its signature dim sum dishes and famous seafood choices without the need to drive up nearly 20 kilometres away.

King of Kings is opening a restaurant on Logan Road, alongside the Thai Orchid and across the Mt Gravatt Bowls Club. The site is still in the process of redevelopment with no confirmed opening date.

Its location in the Valley is also undergoing massive changes with a new custom kitchen and a fresh redesign. The restaurant was supposed to open in May but due to building delays and the pandemic restrictions, the owners are now planning a New Year relaunch.

King of Kings takes pride in serving the best yum cha in Brisbane. The site of many celebrations since it opened in the late 1980s, the restaurant changed owners in 2012 and they will continue to run both outlets in 2021.

“Probably some of the best Chinese you will have, massive selection of all your favorites and a whole bunch of others. Service is always spot on super quick and friendly. Portion sizes are decent and it is just a little bit more that most other Chinese restaurants.”
Josh Berry, Google Reviews

“Enjoyed Yum Cha recently, and found the service quick, and the food extremely tasty. The fact that it was very busy is testament to its popularity. Will be definitely coming back!”
Perry Limb, Facebook Reviews

Brisbane Small Business Expo: Learn From Professionals at the Biggest Networking Event in Upper Mt Gravatt

Photo Credit: Small Business Expo/Facebook

The biggest networking event in Brisbane is happening on the 4th of April 2019 in Upper Mt Gravatt! Some 1,600 local business professionals are expected to be at the Hibiscus Sports Complex on Klumpp Road for the Brisbane Small Business Expo.

The event, mounted by Paula Brand Small Business Expos, will feature more than 200 exhibitors. It’s set up to be a great opportunity to find sales leads or reliable suppliers, as well as exchange business cards with different professionals.

From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., guests may participate in a flurry of activities:

catch four speaker sessions
speak with the employees of the Office of the Small Business, Brisbane City Council
listen to eight TINAx Talks (for women in business)
get free headshots for their business profile
take advantage of a free massage and brow waxing
Speed Networking (from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.)

Exhibitors and sponsors of the Brisbane Small Business Expo will also be giving away several prizes with a combined worth over $20,000.

Entrance to this event is free for all businesspeople, but you have to register your attendance online. To keep things livelier, there will be food trucks on site while Jodie Joy will provide the entertainment.

*Photo Credit:* *Small Business Expo/Facebook*

If this will be your first time to attend the event, take a look at what happened at the Brisbane Small Business Expo in 2018 in the video below: