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Caboolture Big Fish Coles Ranks Second in Queensland as State Cracks National Top Three for Easter Buns

Queensland has secured third place nationally in Coles’ Easter hot cross bun sales, with more than 8.5 million buns sold across the state since Boxing Day and Coles Caboolture Big Fish ranking among the top performers in Queensland, sitting just behind Carindale in the state’s store-by-store breakdown.

The figures place Queensland behind Victoria, which has sold more than 10 million buns, and New South Wales at nine million, but well clear of the other states and territories. For Caboolture and the broader Moreton Bay region, the Big Fish store’s position in the Queensland top three reflects the suburb’s status as one of southeast Queensland’s highest-volume retail destinations, drawing shoppers from across a wide northern catchment that extends from Morayfield and Narangba through to Bribie Island.

A Season That Starts at Boxing Day

The scale of Australia’s hot cross bun season has grown well beyond its traditional Easter window. Coles expects to sell more than 55 million hot cross buns nationally between Boxing Day and Easter this year, a volume sufficient to fill more than a quarter of a million shopping trolleys. That figure points to a product that has shifted from a specifically religious seasonal food into one of Australia’s most broadly observed calendar rituals, consumed across months rather than days.

To meet that demand, Coles has used more than 568 tonnes of fruit mix across its hot cross bun range this Easter, reflecting the scale of production planning required for what the retailer’s General Manager for Bakery, Dairy and Frozen, Brad Gorman, describes as a range that begins development more than a year before it reaches shelves. The 2026 range is the biggest Coles has offered, spanning traditional fruit, chocolate, gluten free and fruit free varieties alongside a selection of limited-edition flavours.

Queensland’s Store-by-Store Battle

Within Queensland, Coles Carindale leads the state with more than 15,500 packs sold, followed by Caboolture Big Fish at more than 15,000 packs and Thornlands at more than 14,500 packs. The spread across three very different retail locations, an inner-southern Brisbane centre, a high-volume Moreton Bay destination and a Redlands suburban store, reflects the consistency of Easter bun demand across southeast Queensland’s diverse residential catchments rather than concentration in any single type of location.

Eastern bun debate settled — Photo Credit: Supplied

Caboolture Big Fish’s position in the Queensland top three is consistent with its broader retail performance. The centre sits on the Bruce Highway at Caboolture and serves one of Queensland’s fastest-growing regional populations, drawing regular shoppers from across the Moreton Bay local government area and the outer northern Brisbane corridor. That catchment, which added roughly 10,000 new residents in 2025 alone according to Sunshine Coast regional planning data, continues to support high-volume grocery sales across all categories and all seasons.

The Great Hot Cross Bun Debate, Settled

Beyond the sales volumes, Coles data has settled one of Easter’s more contested domestic questions. The microwave has overtaken the toaster as Australia’s preferred method of warming a hot cross bun, with 32 per cent of customers choosing the microwave compared with 29 per cent for the toaster. A further 25 per cent of customers bypass warming altogether, eating their buns straight from the packet.

On flavour, Australians remain firmly attached to the classics. Two in five customers, or 40 per cent, choose traditional fruit hot cross buns as their preferred variety, with chocolate chip varieties the second most popular choice across the Coles range.

A Simple Easter Tradition for Caboolture Households

It also points to the practical reality of what Easter means for Caboolture households. For families managing busy schedules across school holidays, hot cross buns are an accessible, affordable and universally enjoyed ritual, one that sits comfortably alongside the broader Easter weekend of footy, family gatherings and long lunches. The two for $6 deal on Coles Brand six-packs until 7 April makes stocking up for the long weekend easy on the grocery budget, which matters in a community where value for money consistently drives purchasing decisions.

A Good Time to Stock Up

Coles Brand Hot Cross Buns in a six-pack are available two for $6 until 7 April, giving Caboolture shoppers a practical window to stock up before Easter weekend. The full range, including traditional fruit, chocolate, gluten free and limited-edition varieties, is available at Coles Caboolture Big Fish and across the broader Coles network.

Published 30-March-2026

Featured Image Credit: Coles Group

Caboolture Wellness Retreats Offer Evidence-Based Resilience Coaching for Men and Women in July

A Moreton Bay woman who has twice outlived a terminal cancer diagnosis is bringing her experience of resilience and recovery to Caboolture this July, running separate two-day wellness retreats for women and men at the Rose Gardens Shangri-la on Male Road.

The retreats are the work of Liz Pickworth, a wife, mother, certified Resilience Coach, Rare Cancer Patient Advocate and founder of Sidelines Consulting and Advisory. Diagnosed with a rare stage four cancer at the age of 31 in 2018, Pickworth has since navigated multiple lines of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, two 20-hour surgeries and several terminal diagnoses, most recently a prognosis of less than six months to live in 2025. Now 38, she is channelling that lived experience into structured, evidence-based programs designed to help others face their own adversity, whatever form it takes.

The Retreats and What They Offer

The What Women Want retreat runs from 9am on Friday 11 July to 4pm on Saturday 12 July, and What Men Want follows from 9am on Friday 25 July to 4pm on Saturday 26 July. Both retreats are held at the Rose Gardens Shangri-la on Male Road in Caboolture and include glamping under the stars, a night-time band and bonfire, and all meals and drinks across the two days.

Wellness retreats on 11 July and 25 July — Photo Credit: Visit Brisbane

Each retreat is described as an evidence-based wellness, self-development and entrepreneurship program grounded in the six domains of resilience, the same framework Pickworth credits with sustaining her through her own cancer journey. The programs draw on Pickworth’s coaching qualifications and her work delivering the “Facing It” resilience program, which she runs for people navigating serious life challenges. Both retreats incorporate yoga, meditation and specialist speaker sessions across the two days.

What Women Want features Larni Mailer, franchisee owner of Fernwood Fitness North Lakes and Morayfield, as a speaker alongside GP and psychologist talks and a self-defence session. What Men Want brings in Ryan Elson, founder of the Redcliffe-based charity Tribe Social Belonging, alongside relationship expert and mental health talks, archery tag and tai chi. Tribe Social Belonging, which Elson founded in 2018 after navigating a difficult personal period, now works with thousands of people each year across the Moreton Bay region with a core purpose of creating opportunity through connection. Elson’s session at the retreat, titled “How I Hit Rock Bottom and Got Back Up,” draws on his personal journey building the organisation from scratch.

A Resilience Framework Built From Experience

Pickworth’s approach to resilience coaching is grounded in personal experience rather than theory alone. Diagnosed with a rare stage four cancer at the end of 2018, she has been through multiple lines of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, multiple surgeries including a second 20-hour operation after the cancer spread to her spine, and was told in 2025 that she had less than six months to live with no standard treatment options remaining. She chose to pursue an experimental treatment and has since continued to live beyond that prognosis.

That experience now informs a practical and structured coaching methodology focused on the six domains of resilience, covering physical, psychological, emotional, social, professional and spiritual wellbeing. Pickworth describes resilience not as an innate characteristic but as a set of learnable strategies, and the retreats are designed to give participants tangible tools they can apply to their own circumstances long after the two days are over.

Why This Matters to the Caboolture Community

For the Caboolture community and the broader Moreton Bay region, the retreats offer something genuinely uncommon: a local, lived-experience-led wellness program that goes well beyond the standard conference format. The combination of professional speakers, therapeutic activities, outdoor experiences and the personal narrative at the centre of both programs reflects a considered approach to community wellbeing that meets people where they are.

The July timing, mid-winter and outside the school holiday period, makes both weekends accessible for working adults and parents looking for a focused break and meaningful personal investment. Whether attendees are navigating health challenges, career transitions, grief, isolation or simply a desire for greater resilience in daily life, both retreats are designed to provide practical support and connection in equal measure.

Tickets and further information for the What Women Want and What Men Want retreats are available here. Enquiries can be directed to Liz Pickworth by phone on 0424 794 139 or by email at liz@sidelinesconsulting.com.au.

Published 27-March-2026.

Featured Image Credit: Liz Pickworth/LinkedIn

Moreton Bay Outdoor Program Keeps Holiday Costs Low for Families

Young people across Caboolture, Burpengary, Wamuran, and Godwin Beach are being challenged to trade their digital devices for the rugged beauty of the region’s natural backyard through a massive rollout of low-cost outdoor experiences.

Affordable Ways to Stay Active

The local council is launching a wide range of supervised activities to ensure that cost is not a barrier for families looking to keep their children busy. Most of these organised sessions are either completely free or cost as little as $5. Registration for these programs, which include everything from fishing and canoeing to hip hop dancing and target archery, officially begins on 26 March.

By providing these options, the city aims to foster a stronger sense of community while encouraging teenagers and children to develop new physical skills in a supportive environment.

Exploring Local Trails and Tracks

For those who prefer to explore at their own pace, the region offers a diverse system of tracks that cater to different interests and fitness levels. The Lagoon Road mountain bike trails in Burpengary provide a dedicated space for riders to test their skills on wooden berms, dirt jumps, and rollers. Those seeking a longer journey can head to the Caboolture rail trails, which stretch from the heart of town through to Wamuran, or visit the Samford rail trails for a scenic ride or walk.

Coastal enthusiasts can visit the Godwin Beach Reserve, while those closer to the suburbs can find quiet nature paths at the John Oxley Reserve in Murrumba Downs and the Kumbartcho recreation trails in Eatons Hill. Further exploration is available at the Brian Burke Reserve in Samford Valley, where diverse treks allow residents to reconnect with the environment.

Youth Week and Fitness Focus

The upcoming school holidays also coincide with Queensland Youth Week, bringing a specific focus on health and wellbeing for older children and teenagers. Several specialised fitness sessions are planned, such as strength and conditioning classes, Zumba, and Pilates.

One standout feature is a dedicated program for teenage girls based in Deception Bay, designed to build confidence through movement. To ensure everyone stays safe while out on the trails, visitors are reminded to stick to marked paths, carry plenty of water, and be mindful of other people sharing the tracks.

Published Date 25-March-2026

Photo Credit: Supplied

Solander Esplanade Park Set for Major Upgrade Across Banksia Beach Foreshore

The project team will upgrade the popular foreshore park at Banksia Beach along Solander Esplanade from April 2026, delivering new pathways, play equipment, seating, BBQs and relocating the Matthew Flinders monument to create more usable space for the community.

The team will deliver the project under the District Parks and Open Spaces New and Upgrade Programme and will roll it out across three stages along the Solander Esplanade corridor, with works expected to take around 16 weeks to complete, weather permitting. Banksia Beach Park is a large waterfront park along Solander Esplanade with existing facilities including a basketball half-court, barbecues, and fitness and playground equipment. The upgrade builds on those existing amenities, bringing the foreshore in line with the needs of a growing community that uses the park year-round.

The works cover a stretch of the esplanade that sits directly opposite the calm waters of Pumicestone Passage, one of the most scenic and well-used recreational corridors on Bribie Island. For Banksia Beach residents, this is the park families walk to on weekends, where children play cricket and kick a football in the open oval area, and where visitors pause at the Flinders monument to take in the views toward the Glasshouse Mountains.

Three Stages, One Transformed Foreshore

The upgrade divides the Solander Esplanade corridor into three stages, each addressing a different section of the park.

Stage 1, covering the western green at the northern end of the esplanade, involves removing a section of the existing path to open up a larger kick-and-play area, relocating the Matthew Flinders monument to a more prominent and accessible position, and installing a new footpath, bench seating and a water fountain.

Stage 2, the central section along the esplanade, delivers two new DDA-compliant basket swing elements, replacement of old picnic settings and park benches, and installation of new water fountains and bin enclosures. DDA basket swings, which allow children using wheelchairs and those with limited mobility to swing alongside their peers, represent a meaningful step toward a fully inclusive foreshore space.

Stage 3, at the southern end near the Sunderland Drive amenities, adds a new picnic setting and BBQ adjacent to the existing toilet block, replaces old picnic settings and park benches, and installs new water fountains and bin enclosures.

The Matthew Flinders Monument: A Landmark Worth Knowing

The relocation of the Matthew Flinders monument, currently positioned in the northern section of the park, is one of the more historically significant aspects of the project. The monument commemorates Captain Matthew Flinders’ exploration of the area, and was unveiled on the anniversary of his landing on Bribie Island on 16 July 1799.

Flinders, aboard the sloop Norfolk, sailed into Moreton Bay in July 1799, and on 16 July made first landfall on Bribie Island near what is now Banksia Beach, becoming the first recorded European to set foot on the island. The monument marks one of Queensland’s most significant moments of European exploration. Relocating it to a position with better sight lines and surrounding open space will allow it to serve as a genuine focal point within the upgraded park, rather than sitting on the edge of a pathway.

What This Means for the Banksia Beach Community

For Banksia Beach residents, the upgrade addresses years of incremental wear on a park that, despite its exceptional setting, had been running on ageing infrastructure. New DDA-compliant swings mean children and adults of all abilities can use the play equipment together. Replacement picnic settings and BBQ facilities across all three stages mean families can gather comfortably along the entire esplanade stretch, not just near the southern end. New bin enclosures help keep the foreshore clean alongside the calm passage waters, and additional water fountains reduce the need to bring supplies for longer visits.

The open kick-and-play space created in Stage 1 gives families and younger residents more room to use the park’s green, which previously had its usable area narrowed by the existing path alignment. Taken together, the three stages transform a well-loved but tired foreshore into an accessible, well-equipped community space that reflects the growing residential population of Banksia Beach.

Construction Details and Contact Information

Works are scheduled to commence in April 2026 and run for approximately 16 weeks, weather permitting. Construction will take place during daytime hours between 7:00am and 5:00pm Monday to Friday. Contractors will work to minimise disruption to surrounding properties, and residents will be notified in advance of any changes to working hours. The works may affect resident access and traffic flow along Solander Esplanade, and the project contractor will liaise directly with affected residents to maintain access where needed.

Residents with questions about the project can contact the Project Development and Delivery team on (07) 3205 0555 or via email at council@moretonbay.qld.gov.au, quoting reference 107476.

Published 20-March-2026.

Featured Image Credit: Google Earth

Bribie Island Dredging Works Done, Coast Guard Returns Home

The first Coast Guard vessel has sailed back into its permanent headquarters at Bulcock Beach, a moment locals have been waiting months for, after emergency dredging works on the Pumicestone Passage were completed ahead of schedule.

Read: Bribie Island Emergency Dredging Enters Next Phase as Pumicestone Passage Works Get Underway

The milestone marks a turning point for one of South East Queensland’s most significant coastal systems, with access through the Passage restored from 19 March 2026 following an intensive, round-the-clock dredging operation that moved more than 1.1 million cubic metres of sand across all stages of the emergency works.

For the Caloundra Coast Guard, the return to base at Bulcock Beach is more than symbolic. The unit had been displaced from its permanent headquarters after deteriorating conditions in the Passage restricted reliable vessel access. Seeing a rescue vessel nose back into its home berth is the kind of thing that reminds you why these works mattered so much to this community.

Map of Bribie Island dredging works (Photo credit: Office of the Coordinator-General)

The emergency restoration effort, carried out by local contractor Hall Contracting, tackled the problem from multiple fronts, replenishing beach sand to buffer against further erosion, deepening the channel, and improving tidal exchange at the Passage entrance. Two significant breaches on Bribie Island, known as Breakthroughs 2 and 3, located south of the entrance, were successfully closed in November last year, a critical early step that helped stabilise the broader coastal system.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Jarrod Bleijie acknowledged the significance of the Coast Guard’s return.

“This morning, we saw the first Coast Guard vessel return home to its HQ since the passage closed up and reliable access was restricted, a huge milestone for the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Bleijie said.

“These works are improving access and conditions for boaties and supporting better water circulation and water quality in the passage, important immediate benefits while we develop the long-term protections this system needs.”

Member for Caloundra Kendall Morton also welcomed the outcome for the local community.

“This is an outstanding result for one of Queensland’s most iconic coastal systems, strengthening protection for Golden Beach and improving conditions in the Pumicestone Passage,” Ms Morton said.

“I’d like to thank the community for its cooperation and patience over the last several months as we delivered these essential emergency works.”

The works are not entirely finished just yet. The final stage involves stabilising the newly constructed erosion barrier with sand fencing and vegetation, a crucial step that will allow the barrier to perform over the long term and build resilience along the coastline against future erosion events.

With the emergency phase wrapping up, attention is now turning to a permanent solution. Queensland’s Coordinator-General Gerard Coggan said planning and investigations were being progressed to develop long-term options for the Passage and surrounding coastline.

“Following the recommendations of the independent Bribie Island Erosion and Breakthrough Expert Review, we are progressing planning and investigations to develop options, supported by engineering advice, coastal modelling, and broader economic and environment considerations,” Mr Coggan said. “Community engagement will also play a key role.”

Read: Bribie Island Road to Get New Round-the-Clock Service Station After Approval

For boaties, the improved passage conditions mean more reliable and safer access through the channel, with officials noting better conditions for recreational vessels using the Pumicestone Passage.

Featured image credit: LinkedIn/Office of the Coordinator-General

Published 23-March-2026

Caboolture’s Snakes Rugby Club Eyes Premier Grade by 2030 with New Leadership and Growing Junior Base

Caboolture Rugby Club has set its sights on Premier Grade rugby by 2030, backed by a new $6.4 million clubhouse, a 20 per cent year-on-year growth in junior numbers since 2023 and a new general manager bringing Premier Grade experience to Petersen Road.

The Snakes, as the club is known, have appointed Nigel Statham as general manager to lead the charge, with a strategic plan that maps a clear pathway from four-year-old beginners through to colts and eventually senior Premier Grade competition. The club also plans to appoint a performance director to support and develop its coaching staff. Statham describes this role as a move to “coach the coaches,” a step that adds a professional structure reflecting the seriousness of the 2030 ambition.

This season the club fields Under 12, 14, 16, 18 and Open women’s teams, and the goal is to have both men’s and women’s sides competing in Premier Grade alongside all junior teams playing in Brisbane Division One competitions by the end of the decade. It is an ambitious target for a regional club, but the foundations supporting it are more substantial than most.

Building the Pathway

The strategy at Caboolture Rugby Club rests on a simple but demanding idea: build a seamless pathway from the earliest junior levels through to the highest competition available, so that players who grow up in the Caboolture area never have to leave their club to chase elite rugby.

Rugby Operations Manager Sam Hoffman describes the club’s presence in local primary schools as central to that model. The club runs rugby programmes across most local primary schools and organises a competition for local high schools, many of which are traditionally rugby league environments. Bringing union into those spaces early, at a price point Hoffman describes as among the cheapest in sport, gives the club access to players who might otherwise never have considered rugby union as their game.

Statham points to the existing junior section, the backing of Caboolture Sports Club and the suburb’s extraordinary population growth as the three pillars that make the 2030 target realistic rather than aspirational.

A Void Worth Filling

One of the more compelling arguments for Caboolture’s Premier Grade ambitions is geographic. Premier Grade competition currently draws from clubs concentrated in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, leaving a significant gap in the middle of south-east Queensland’s fastest-growing corridor. Statham describes Caboolture Rugby Club’s ambition as becoming the Moreton Bay club, representing the entire region rather than a single suburb.

That framing matters because the Moreton Bay region is one of Australia’s fastest-growing local government areas, with Caboolture itself sitting at the heart of a population corridor that is projected to continue expanding well into the 2030s. A Premier Grade rugby club in that corridor would draw from a catchment that does not currently have one, which is both the challenge and the opportunity the Snakes are positioning themselves to seize.

Statham also notes the broader tailwind from rugby’s international calendar. The men’s Rugby World Cup arrives in Australia in 2027, followed by the women’s Rugby World Cup in 2029, creating a window of elevated public interest in the sport that the club intends to capitalise on through its junior growth programmes and community presence.

Admission to Premier Grade is not guaranteed by application alone. Statham is clear that the club needs to demonstrate consistency, build a winning culture and deliver a high-quality product on and off the field before the pathway to the top competition opens. Good programmes, good mentors and good coaches build the culture, and success brings the players.

Why This Matters to the Caboolture Community

For families in Caboolture and the broader Moreton Bay region, the Snakes’ 2030 vision represents something worth paying attention to. A club with a genuine pathway from primary school to Premier Grade gives young players in the area a local sporting home that can take them as far as their talent and dedication allow, without the disruption of switching clubs or relocating to Brisbane.

The club’s affordable pricing, primary school programmes and growing women’s competition all point toward an organisation that is thinking about community access rather than just elite outcomes. Junior numbers growing at 20 per cent a year since 2023 suggests the community is already responding, and the new $6.4 million clubhouse at Petersen Road gives the club the facilities to support that growth properly.

For Caboolture residents who want to get involved, more information on junior and senior registration, school programmes and the club’s strategic direction is available here.

Published 18-March-2026.

Featured Image Credit: City of Moreton Bay

Stage 4 Update Sharpens Focus on Funding Gap for Bruce Highway Alternative

Planning for the Bruce Highway Western Alternative (BHWA) has reached another milestone, with the Stage 4 corridor between Elimbah and Moodlu now identified and protected.

The 7.9-kilometre section forms part of the broader future route west of the Bruce Highway, known in planning documents as the proposed Moreton Motorway. The long-term project is designed to create an alternative north-south corridor stretching from Beerburrum to Bald Hills, aimed at easing pressure on one of South East Queensland’s busiest transport routes.

According to Transport and Main Roads (TMR), Stages 1, 2 and 4 of the corridor have now been identified and protected, while planning work continues on Stage 3 between Narangba and Bald Hills. That means much of the future route has now been mapped out, even though the full project remains some way from construction.

The latest update gives residents and landowners a clearer picture of where the future corridor is expected to run, particularly in the northern section near Elimbah and Moodlu, where route planning has drawn strong community interest over the past two years.

Community feedback reshaped the northern planning process

The Stage 4 planning process has not been straightforward. Earlier route options prompted concern from some residents and property owners over the potential effect on homes and land. Community consultation then led TMR to revisit the study area, consider more than 20 alternative alignments and develop a revised proposed route.

Planning material released during that process said the updated alignment was intended to reduce property impacts compared with earlier concepts. More than 850 submissions were received during consultation on the revised study area, underlining the level of local interest in the project.

While the corridor is now protected, that does not mean construction is imminent. TMR has indicated that the full project remains more than a decade away and subject to future government funding decisions and priorities.

Long-term motorway intended to support growth

The BHWA has been positioned as a major long-term transport project for Moreton Bay and the northern Brisbane corridor.

Planning documents describe the future route as a way to improve travel times, provide additional network capacity and offer an alternative to the Bruce Highway as the region’s population grows. The corridor is also expected to support major growth areas including Elimbah, Waraba, Morayfield South, Narangba and Moreton Bay Central.

As new communities expand in the region’s west and north, pressure on the existing road network is expected to intensify, particularly where developing suburbs remain heavily reliant on a limited number of arterial connections.

Council shifts attention to the funding gap

The BHWA is intended to respond to that long-term demand, but the latest planning progress also highlights the gap between identifying future infrastructure needs and delivering them on the ground.

In the media release accompanying the submission, Council argues that congestion across the city is already worsening and says the transport network will require major investment if it is to keep pace with population growth and planned housing.

Rather than focusing only on the planning milestone, Council is drawing attention to the much longer timeframe for actual delivery. Its submission calls for the Bruce Highway Western Alternative to be brought forward to 2032, rather than the longer-term timeframe currently associated with the project.

Council also points to related infrastructure it says will be needed sooner, including the Buchanan Road Overpass and Duplication, which it argues would improve connections between growth areas and the Bruce Highway.

Other items raised in the submission include drainage and flood-mitigation works linked to housing supply, as well as additional local infrastructure priorities.

At present, the BHWA remains a long-range infrastructure project. Federal and state funding has supported planning work, but a construction timetable has not been locked in.

Published 20-March-2026
Featured Image Credit: Supplied

Tracking Research In Caboolture Reveals Wide Travel Of Local Ibis

A tracking study involving Australian white ibis tagged in Caboolture has shown the birds travel across long distances along the east coast, while some remain close to their original location.

Caboolture Central To Ibis Tracking Effort

Caboolture was a key location in a regional study examining the movement of Australian white ibis across Moreton Bay. Several birds were tagged at sites including Central Lakes Park and the Caboolture Waste Management Facility as part of the research.

The project monitored 169 ibis over nearly two years using coloured identification tags, with 19 birds also fitted with short-term GPS trackers to capture detailed movement data.

Recorded sightings show the birds are not limited to one area, with movements spanning from Mackay in northern Queensland to Byron Bay in northern New South Wales.

Moreton Bay ibis tracking — *Photo Credit: Australian Museum*

Study Responds To Breeding Increase

The research commenced in 2021 after a rise in ibis breeding sites across Moreton Bay, increasing from 17 to 70 locations within four years.

The study examined whether the population is resident or migratory, identified breeding habitat preferences, and assessed how ibis interact with urban environments.

Tagging activities were carried out across multiple locations including Caboolture, Bribie Island, Bunya, Morayfield, Burpengary East, Scarborough, Strathpine, Lawnton and Woodford.

Individual Bird Movements Highlighted

Tracking data from birds tagged in Caboolture provided detailed insights into movement patterns. One ibis travelled through areas including Caloundra, Noosa and Gympie before returning to Moreton Bay in September 2024.

Another bird tagged at Caboolture was later recorded in Rockhampton in December 2024, showing long-distance travel beyond the local region.

In contrast, some ibis displayed limited movement, remaining within a small radius of their original tagging site.

Caboolture ibis study — *Photo Credit: Australian Museum*

Urban Behaviour And Regional Movement

Australian white ibis are native wetland birds that have adapted to urban conditions, often feeding and nesting in parks, waterways and developed areas.

The findings indicate ibis colonies are connected across regions rather than isolated, with birds moving between urban centres along the coast.

Management approaches focus on reducing access to artificial food sources, maintaining clean public areas and monitoring nesting activity during breeding periods.

Community Participation Encouraged

Residents and businesses in Caboolture are encouraged to avoid feeding ibis, secure rubbish bins and keep outdoor areas clean to help manage bird activity.

Members of the public can also support ongoing monitoring by reporting sightings of tagged ibis through the Big City Birds citizen science app.

The research is expected to inform long-term ibis management and improve understanding of how the species uses urban environments.

Published 19-Mar-2026

Photo Credit: Australian Museum

Learning at Their Own Pace: Caboolture Montessori School and the Rise of Alternative Education in Queensland

Across Queensland, alternative schools are attracting a new generation of families ready to try a different approach to education — and the numbers back it up. Located on a semi-rural ten-acre campus on the outskirts of Caboolture, Caboolture Montessori School (CMS) is among a growing number of alternative schools recording steady enrolment growth as more families look beyond the mainstream system.

Read: Caboolture Martial Arts School Welcomes Seniors and Toddlers Alike

Figures show statewide enrolments at Steiner and Montessori schools have increased by 12.8 per cent over the past five years, rising from approximately 1,804 students in 2021 to around 2,045 in 2025, according to an Education Department spokesperson.

Currently educating close to 250 primary students in the Moreton Bay region, CMS caters to children from as young as 15 months through to Year 6, offering what it describes as a proven, scientifically grounded approach to learning that puts the child, not the curriculum, at the centre of the classroom.

What Makes Montessori Different?

Photo credit: Facebook/Caboolture Montessori School

The Montessori method is built on the belief that children naturally strive to acquire skills and construct their own understanding of the world, and that education works best when it supports rather than directs that process.

At CMS, that philosophy plays out in concrete ways. Rather than moving an entire class through the same content at the same pace, students work within what the school calls a “three-hour work cycle,” an uninterrupted block of time that allows each child to engage with material at a level suited to where they are developmentally. Teachers observe rather than direct, stepping in to introduce new concepts when a child is ready rather than on a fixed schedule.

Learning at CMS is largely integrated. A student introduced to one of Dr Montessori’s “Great Stories,” narrative frameworks used to explore big ideas about the natural and human world, will naturally move across mathematics, language, science and other learning areas as their curiosity leads them. Mistakes are part of the process, with students encouraged to self-correct using specially designed learning materials, supported by peers through a culture of collaborative tutoring.

Fully aligned with the Australian National Curriculum, the school aims to produce what it describes as confident, independent thinkers capable of navigating a rapidly changing world, grounding its approach in values of respect, responsibility, resilience, empathy and a lifelong love of learning.

Why More Families Are Looking for Alternatives

Photo credit: Facebook/Caboolture Montessori School

The growth at CMS reflects a broader statewide pattern that industry observers say has been building since at least 2019. There is growing frustration among parents with what many perceive as an increasingly rigid mainstream system, one that does not always flex to meet the individual needs of every child.

Education experts have pointed to wider social forces at play as well, suggesting that declining trust in mainstream institutions and anxiety about ideological tensions in conventional school settings are prompting parents to seek out environments they perceive as more values-driven and emotionally safe for their children.

That conversation is not confined to private alternative schools. Capalaba State College has run its own Montessori stream since 2019, with school leadership acknowledging that while mainstream schools do important work, they do not meet every child’s needs.

A Growing Track Record

Per-capita figures show consistent growth across the state’s alternative schools, with CMS among those recording an upward enrolment trend alongside Steiner schools in Samford Valley and Agnes Water.

Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek has said Queensland believes parents are best placed to determine the right educational fit for their children, and remains committed to building inclusive school environments across the state.

Read: Caboolture And Burpengary Schools Confirm 2026 College Captains

For Moreton Bay families, Caboolture Montessori School offers something distinct, a scientifically grounded education philosophy delivered in a semi-rural setting where each child is supported to learn at their own pace, in their own way.

Featured image credit: cms.qld.edu.au

Published 19-March-2026

Morayfield Dad Secures 20-Year Income Stream for His Son

A single father in Morayfield has secured a steady $20,000 monthly income for the next two decades, turning an ordinary workday into a life-changing moment and offering new stability for his young son.

The Moreton Bay resident held the only top-winning entry in a national draw, giving him a total prize of $4.8 million paid in monthly instalments over 20 years.

The win came as a surprise while he was at work, where he had been balancing two jobs to support his child. The father reacted with shock and excitement upon receiving the phone call, saying he had not even checked his numbers the night before.

He shared that his priority is his son, explaining that his long hours and multiple jobs had always been driven by a desire to provide a better future. With the new income, he plans to focus on setting up his child’s life and easing the financial pressure he had been carrying.

The winning entry was a 25-game QuickPick purchased through an official digital platform. The numbers drawn were 31, 37, 25, 15, 27, 14 and 10, with supplementary numbers 35 and 3.

Across the country, this was the only top-tier winning entry in that draw. It also marked one of several major wins recorded so far this financial year.

For this Morayfield father, however, the impact is immediate and personal. It’s a shift from long working hours to a more secure future centred on his child.

Featured Image Credit: PickPic Royalty Free