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Caboolture Martial Arts School Welcomes Seniors and Toddlers Alike

Red Dragon Martial Arts, a well-known Caboolture training centre, is now offering discounted memberships to help residents of all ages access over seventy weekly martial arts classes.

Building Local Confidence

The long-running facility has spent nearly three decades teaching residents how to stay safe and active. While many people think of combat sports as something only for the young or elite athletes, the school focuses on building self-reliance in every student.

The programs are designed to help people from all walks of life find their footing, whether they are three-year-old children in the “Extreme” program or seniors looking to maintain their mobility. By offering more than seventy sessions each week, the centre makes it easier for busy families to find a time that fits their schedule.

Diverse Skills for Modern Safety

The training goes beyond basic punches and kicks to include specialized traditions and modern safety techniques. Students can choose from styles like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing, and Wing Chun. There is also a strong focus on practical life skills, such as “bully-proof” training for children and specific self-defence classes for women.

These sessions are held in a professional, full-time dojo that is fully accessible to people with disabilities, ensuring that everyone in the region has the chance to participate. The instructors are known for their patient approach, helping new members overcome any nerves they might feel during their first few visits.

Support for New Starters in 2026

To encourage more locals to get active this year, the school has introduced a special entry plan that removes the usual financial hurdles of starting a new hobby. This three-month arrangement covers the cost of the uniform and the initial registration fees.

In an effort to support the local community further, people who mention the recent news coverage of the school can receive a significant discount on this introductory package. This initiative aims to make structured fitness and discipline available to more households without requiring a heavy upfront cost.

Published Date 26-February-2026

Photo Credit: Red Dragon Martial Arts/ Instagram

Caboolture, Redcliffe Nursing Students First in Queensland to Train Inside Public Hospitals

Twenty-six nursing students from Caboolture and Redcliffe are making Queensland history — training inside real public hospitals and community health facilities before they even graduate, something no enrolled nursing student in the state has done before.

The students, enrolled in the Diploma of Nursing at TAFE Queensland, are the first cohort of the newly established Urapun Clinical School of Nursing (CSON) — a joint initiative between Redcliffe Hospital, Community and Oral Health, and TAFE Queensland. The program is believed to be the first of its kind in the country for students studying to become enrolled nurses through a public health system partnership.

A Name With Meaning

The school’s name, Urapun, was chosen deliberately. Drawn from the Torres Strait Kala Lagaw Ya Western Islands language group, it means “one” — reflecting the coming together of three organisations to build something neither could create alone. Redcliffe Hospital Nursing Director of Education Sharon Ragau said the name also carries a broader significance, representing inclusion and unity with learners from local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The students were formally welcomed into the programme with an afternoon tea and badge ceremony, attended by TAFE nursing representatives and a range of Metro North Health executives and staff. Ragau described the event as the realisation of a plan focused on strengthening workforce strategy and improving the student experience.

What the Training Looks Like

Each student will complete four clinical placements in total — two at Redcliffe Hospital and two at Community and Oral Health facilities spread across Moreton Bay and north Brisbane. These placements put students inside high-performing clinical teams, working with a wide range of patients across different healthcare settings.

Community and Oral Health Nursing Director of Education Karen Lush said the value of being embedded in an organisation’s culture cannot be underestimated. Students build familiarity with consistent placement sites and receive personalised guidance from facilitators who know them by name. Lush said future nurses in this programme will be exposed to clinical specialties including diabetes care, wound management, emergency care, and other specialty clinics — experience that would previously have been out of reach for diploma-level students.

Photo Credit: Better Together – Our Health, Our Way/Facebook

The Scale of Community Health

To understand the scope of what these students are stepping into, consider this: Community and Oral Health delivers more than 250,000 patient appointments or visits every year. These take place in homes, at oral health clinics, health facilities, mobile dental vans, bedded services, and at residential aged and disability care facilities — giving students exposure to a breadth of real-world healthcare that classroom learning simply cannot replicate.

While Metro North Health has run a clinical school for registered nursing students through The Prince Charles Hospital and Australian Catholic University for some time, enrolled nursing students have not had the same access — until now. Lush said this programme opens a new pathway for diploma students to gain genuine, hands-on experience exclusively within the public health system, giving their careers a stronger start than traditional training alone could offer.

Published 5-March-2026

Featured Image Credit: Metro North Health

Morayfield Social Housing Project Breaks Ground With 58 Homes for Elderly Queenslanders

Construction has begun on 58 new social homes in Morayfield, in a Kinma Valley development designed to give older Queenslanders a safer, more manageable place to live, while also freeing up much-needed family-sized housing across the region.

Read: Kinma Valley Welcomes First Residents Amid Strong Housing Demand in Morayfield

The project is being delivered by Queensland in partnership with Community Housing (Qld) Limited (CHL), and forms part of a broader push to address the state’s housing shortage in a region described as a fast-growing community.

Located in the Kinma Valley masterplanned estate, the new homes will be a mix of one and two-bedroom duplexes suited to older residents looking to downsize. The estate is accessible via Jacko Place (off Oakey Flat Road) or Morinda Circuit in Morayfield. Half of the 58 dwellings have been specifically designed with accessibility at their core, featuring wider hallways, step-free entry points, safer bathroom configurations and flexible layouts — practical features that support older Queenslanders, people with mobility needs, and those wanting to age in place. Specific street numbers for the 58 duplexes are not listed in public ministerial statements to maintain resident privacy.

Morayfield — Photo credit: Instagram/Sam O’Connor MP

Minister for Housing and Public Works Sam O’Connor said the development was a direct response to the needs of a region under pressure.

“We’ve already got more than 600 social and affordable homes in construction or under contract across Moreton Bay with more to come,” Minister O’Connor said.

“These duplexes in Morayfield are exactly the kind of homes we want to see more of to meet the needs of this fast-growing community. Not only will they provide secure, long-term housing for older Queenslanders, but it also means we can free up larger properties for families waiting on the social housing register.”

The principle behind the design is straightforward — matching housing size to household need, so that larger properties become available to those who need them most. It is a model that community housing providers have increasingly championed as a practical way to stretch limited housing stock further.

CHL’s Queensland State Manager Carly Bairstow said the Morayfield location was well-suited to the community the development aimed to serve.

“Projects like this one provide safe, secure homes for seniors, which are close to transport and amenities, and help free up other larger properties that are hard to access for families who need them most,” Ms Bairstow said.

Morayfield’s access to transport and local amenities was cited by CHL as a key factor in the site’s suitability for older residents.

The Morayfield project is one of 11 developments backed through Queensland’s partnership with CHL, which together are set to deliver 469 social and affordable homes across the state. Elsewhere in the pipeline, 121 homes are under construction at Redbank Plains and another 73 are being built across two sites at Waterford West.

Across Queensland, there are currently 5,838 social and affordable homes either in construction or under contract. The state has committed $5.6 billion over four years toward social and community housing, with a long-term goal of 53,500 homes delivered by 2044.

Read: Sydney Investor Backs Morayfield Growth with $24m Purchase

For seniors waiting on a home that better suits their needs, and for families further down the register waiting on a larger property, the Morayfield development represents 58 more reasons for cautious optimism.

Featured image credit: Instagram/Sam O’Connor MP

Published 25-February-2026

Moreton Bay Sports Results Feb 20-22

Sat, February 21, 2026 (John Fredericks Park – Capalaba FC – Field 1) – FQPL1 – Men – Round 1
• Capalaba FC 1 | Caboolture Sports FC 3

Fri, February 20, 2026 (Eric Evans Oval – Ipswich Knights Soccer Club – Field 1) – Kappa Pro Series – Women – Regional Round 1
• Ipswich Knights 4 | Samford Rangers 2

Fri, February 20, 2026 (Prentice Park – North Brisbane FC – Field 1) – Kappa Pro Series – Women – Regional Round 1
• North Brisbane 6 | Moggill FC 2

Fri, February 20, 2026 (Lanham Park – Grange Thistle Soccer Club – Field 1) – Kappa Pro Series – Women – Regional Round 1
• Grange Thistle 0 | North Lakes United 4

Fri, February 20, 2026 (Albert Bishop Park – Virginia United FC – Field 1) – Kappa Pro Series – Women – Regional Round 1
• Virginia United 1 | Peninsula Power 0

Sat, February 21, 2026 (Wolter Park – Moreton City Excelsior – Field 1) – NPL – Men – Round 1
• Moreton City Excelsior 4 | Gold Coast Knights 1

Sat, February 21, 2026 (AJ Kelly Park – Peninsula Power FC – Field 1) – NPL – Men – Round 1
• Peninsula Power 1 | Eastern Suburbs 0

Sat, February 14, 2026 & Sat, February 21, 2026 (2 Day – Trevor Hohns Field) – Queensland Premier Cricket – Men 1st Grade – Round 14
• Sandgate-Redcliffe Mens 1st Grade 6-322 | Western Suburbs Mens 1st Grade 3-324

Abbey Museum Responds After Egyptian Artefacts Stolen in Caboolture Overnight Break-In

The Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology has shared its response following a brazen overnight break-in at its Caboolture premises this February in which a collection of priceless Egyptian artefacts was stolen and recovered within 24 hours.

Read: Caboolture Museum Theft Sees Egyptian Artefacts Recovered And Man Charged

It was just after 3am on Friday, 13 February, when police alleged a man smashed a window at the Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology in Caboolture and made off with a collection of Egyptian artefacts. By the following evening, he was in handcuffs on Russell Island, the last missing piece still in his possession.

Officers from the Moreton North Property Crime Taskforce tracked a vehicle of interest as part of the investigation. Around 1.30pm on Valentine’s Day, police located a Toyota HiAce camper in the car park of the Redland Bay ferry terminal and seized it for searching. Inside, detectives found the bulk of the stolen collection, recovered intact, with only minor damage noted. One item, however, remained unaccounted for: a wooden cat sculpture. It wasn’t in the van.

About 7pm that same day, the 52-year-old man, described as being of no fixed address, was arrested on Russell Island and transported to the Cleveland Watchhouse. Police will allege he was found in possession of the missing cat sculpture.

The man has since been charged with entering premises and committing an indictable offence by break, along with three counts of wilful damage in relation to the Caboolture incident.

The charges did not relate solely to the museum break-in. He also faces charges of trespass and assault occasioning bodily harm stemming from a separate incident the day before the museum theft on 12 February at a Hastings Street property in Noosa. Police alleged the man was trespassing on that property and assaulted a resident when asked to leave. The man was scheduled to appear before the Cleveland Magistrates Court on 16 February.

Older than time, back where it belongs

The Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology holds around 4,500 objects spanning over a million years of human history. Its collection began in 1934 in England with the Abbey Folk Park, founded by Reverend John Ward, whose vision was to make world history accessible through education.

Each year the museum welcomes more than 10,000 students from over 150 schools, and its Egyptian collection has inspired generations of students and families to explore one of the world’s most fascinating civilisations.

Photo credit: Facebook/Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology

In the wake of the break-in, the museum said it was relieved to have the artefacts returned but noted the recovery process would take time. “While we are relieved and grateful to have the artefacts returned, they cannot immediately go back on display. Each piece must first undergo professional assessment and conservation to protect its long-term future. The exhibition area also sustained damage and will require careful repair and rebuilding before the objects can safely return to display.”

The museum also pointed to a silver lining. “These objects belong to the shared story of our community, and preserving them properly is our highest priority. Although this process will take time, it gives us an opportunity to rebuild the space thoughtfully and respectfully. We look forward to keeping our community updated and to celebrating together when we unveil the restored exhibition in the near future.”

Read: End of an Era: Caboolture Warplane Museum Closes Doors After 30 Years

Wearing their support

The incident sparked what the museum described as an outpouring of community support — and, notably, comments from people saying they had not known the museum existed. In response, the Abbey Museum launched a pre-order campaign for a shirt emblazoned with the message Yes A Museum In Caboolture.

Proceeds will go towards restoration, display upgrades, and the museum’s education department, which connects more than 10,000 students annually to school curriculum through its artefact collection. Shirts are $50 including postage Australia-wide.

Featured image credit: QPS

Published 21-February-2026

Unitywater Calls on Morayfield Community to Weigh in on Water Planning

Morayfield residents are being urged to help shape the future of their water and wastewater services, with utility provider Unitywater calling on the community to share what matters most about cost, reliability and service quality as the region faces rapid population growth.

Unitywater has launched a public survey inviting people across Moreton Bay, the Sunshine Coast and Noosa to provide feedback on how essential water and wastewater services should be planned and delivered in coming years.

The survey, which opens 20 February and runs until 6 March, is part of the utility’s broader customer research programme aimed at understanding community expectations around service quality, reliability and value for money.

Residents can also speak directly with Unitywater staff at community pop-up sessions, including one at Morayfield Shopping Centre on 26 February and another at Strathpine Centre on 5 March.

Unitywater says community feedback will help guide planning as the region continues to expand, with population forecasts expected to reach 1.4 million people by 2046. The provider is also preparing for increasing infrastructure demands linked to new housing, economic growth and major events such as the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Executive Manager Customer Experience Katherine Gee said the initiative gives residents an opportunity to influence how services are delivered and improved.

Beyond public health, Unitywater says water and wastewater services support greener public spaces, protect waterways and contribute to sustainable development across growing communities.

The utility currently provides water and wastewater services to more than 900,000 residents across Moreton Bay, the Sunshine Coast and Noosa, and manages billions of dollars’ worth of infrastructure across the region. It plans to invest $2 billion over the next five years in critical water and wastewater projects.

Community members who complete the survey can opt into a draw for a $100 gift card.

Published 20-Feb-2026

Caboolture Fundraiser Launched After Fatal Bruce Highway Crash

A fundraiser has been launched to support the family of a Caboolture man who died in a wrong-way collision on the Bruce Highway at Burpengary.

Fundraiser Established For Caboolture Family

Andre Roberts, 26, was killed when a white Isuzu truck travelling southbound in the northbound lanes collided head-on with his white Honda Accord.

The crash occurred near the Deception Bay Road exit about 10:30 p.m. on 17 February 2026. His vehicle caught fire following the impact, and he was declared deceased at the scene.

Caboolture fundraiser crash — *Photo Credit: GoFundMe*

In the days following the Caboolture fatal crash, a fundraising campaign was created to help cover funeral costs and reduce financial strain on his family.

The campaign describes Mr Roberts as a loving partner, son and friend whose sudden passing has left his family devastated. Organisers said the fundraiser aims to assist with immediate expenses during an unexpected loss.

Bruce Highway fatal crash — *Photo Credit: GoFundMe*

Ongoing Investigation Into Bruce Highway Crash

Police confirmed the driver of the Isuzu, a 46-year-old Redcliffe man, sustained life-threatening injuries and remains in a critical condition in hospital.

Initial enquiries indicate the Isuzu was one of a number of vehicles seen travelling southbound in the northbound lanes prior to the collision.

Officers have located and seized a Ford Ranger at a business on Magnesium Street in Narangba as part of ongoing inquiries. A 42-year-old man has assisted police and has been released. No charges have been laid and none are expected in the immediate future.

Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses and dashcam footage relating to the movements of the Isuzu and other vehicles before the crash. Information can be provided to Policelink or Crime Stoppers, quoting reference number QP2600319324.

The Caboolture fundraiser crash campaign continues to receive community support as investigations remain ongoing.

DONATE NOW

Published 19-Feb-2026

Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook

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

Emergency dredging works on the Pumicestone Passage have entered their next phase, with channel deepening operations now underway between the tidal entrance and the northern section of the waterway.

Read: Bribie Island Erosion Project Moves Forward with Key Milestone Achieved

The works, which are expected to take approximately eight weeks to complete, form part of a broader restoration program at Bribie Island that earlier this year successfully closed two breakthroughs on the island.

With those closures completed, the current phase shifts focus to the Passage itself, where the channel deepening is intended to improve water circulation, water quality, and navigational access throughout the system.

What the works involve

Photo credit: coordinatorgeneral.qld.gov.au

The dredging campaign is focused on deepening the channel between the tidal entrance and the northern section of the Pumicestone Passage. To support the operation, a pipeline will be temporarily sunk across the tidal entrance for the duration of the works.

The location of the dredger will limit vessel access between the northern and southern sections of the Passage during the campaign. Updates on access restrictions are available through Maritime Safety Queensland’s Notices to Mariners.

Beach nourishment works are continuing alongside the dredging, with sand being pumped along a two-kilometre stretch of Bribie Island’s coastline to create an erosion buffer and strengthen coastal resilience.

Impact on the waterway and local services

Photo credit: Take Action Pumicestone Passage/Google Maps

Once complete, the dredging is expected to improve water circulation, water quality, and navigational access throughout the Pumicestone Passage system. The Caloundra Coast Guard is among the services set to benefit directly — the organisation is expected to return to its permanent headquarters at Bulcock Beach once the works are finalised.

Read: UniSC Talent Pipeline Fuels Jobs Growth in Caboolture and Petrie

Queensland’s Coordinator-General, Gerard Coggan, said early planning and investigations were already underway alongside the emergency works to progress longer-term solutions. The planning is aimed at progressing recommendations from the Bribie Island Erosion and Breakthrough Review, with the aim of providing lasting protection for local communities and the coastal and marine environments in the area.

Featured image credit: Fred Williams/Google Maps

Published 18-February-2026

Caboolture And Burpengary Schools Confirm 2026 College Captains

Brisbane Catholic Education has announced 86 College Captains across its 146 schools, including appointments at St Columban’s College in Caboolture and St Eugene College in Burpengary.

At St Columban’s College, Carys and Archie have been named College Captains for 2026. At St Eugene College, Dylan and Kya will serve as College Captains for the year.

Caboolture Campus With Long History

St Columban’s College was officially opened on Sunday 29 January 1928. The original property, known as Highlands, had been purchased in 1926 and was placed under the care of the Christian Brothers to provide Catholic education.

In 1985, the Christian Brothers formally handed the college to the Brisbane Catholic Education Office. A decision was made in 1995 to relocate the campus to Caboolture, with a fully co-educational campus opening at the commencement of the 1997 academic year.

The college later marked its 75th anniversary in 2003, reflecting its transition from its original Albion site to its Caboolture community.

Opening Liturgy In Burpengary

Caboolture and Burpengary Captains — Caption: The College Captains of St Eugene College.
*Photo Credit: Supplied*

At St Eugene College in Burpengary, the 2026 school year commenced with an Opening Liturgy led by Principal Louise Olley. The gathering introduced 2026 as the Year of Belonging, part of a three-year direction centred on belonging, growth and service.

A commissioned artwork by artist Kylie Farralley was presented to the college community. The artwork reflects themes of connection, learning and shared identity, with references to Burpengary Creek and acknowledgement of the Gubbi Gubbi people.

With College Captains now formally announced in Caboolture and Burpengary, both schools begin the 2026 academic year with their student leadership teams in place.

Published 17-Feb-2026

Photo Credit: Brisbane Catholic Education

Caboolture Residents Urged to Share Public Transport Experiences in New Mobility Survey

Caboolture residents have until March 31 to take part in a new study examining real-world transport challenges, with researchers from the University of the Sunshine Coast seeking at least 500 responses to build the evidence needed to improve local public transport services.

Getting around Caboolture without a car can be a genuine challenge for many residents, particularly those managing medical appointments, work commitments or daily errands in areas where bus routes are limited or infrequent. The Caboolture Mobility Challenges Study aims to put hard data behind what many locals already know from lived experience, creating a foundation for future improvements to affordable, safe and reliable transport across the area.

Anyone aged 18 or over who currently lives in Caboolture can participate, with the online survey taking approximately 10 minutes to complete. Responses are anonymous and confidential, reported only in non-identifiable form, giving residents a genuine opportunity to share honest experiences without concern.

Why Local Voices Matter

Transport access affects nearly every aspect of daily life, from accessing healthcare and employment to attending community events and visiting family. For residents who do not drive or cannot afford a car, public transport reliability can determine whether a medical appointment gets kept, whether a job opportunity becomes viable, or whether social isolation sets in.

The study specifically focuses on neighbourhoods with limited public transport options, meaning those most affected by transport gaps have the most to gain from participating. The stronger the response rate, the more accurately the findings will reflect the true range of transport challenges facing Caboolture residents across different parts of the area.

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Researchers are asking participants about the transport modes they use most often, whether existing public transport meets their needs, and crucially, whether transport limitations have caused them to cancel or delay appointments or activities. These questions go beyond counting bus passengers and instead capture the human cost of inadequate transport access.

Research That Can Drive Real Change

The Caboolture Mobility Challenges Study is funded through the Transport Academic Partnership, which connects university research directly with transport planning. Formal ethics approval from the University of the Sunshine Coast ensures the study meets rigorous research standards, while the non-identifiable reporting process protects participant privacy.

With findings expected to inform future mobility initiatives, strong community participation gives Caboolture residents a direct channel to influence transport planning decisions that affect their daily lives. Previous transport studies in similar areas have contributed to route expansions, timetable improvements and demand-responsive transport trials that benefit those who rely most heavily on public services.

How to Participate

Residents who complete the survey can also enter a prize draw for one of two $50 e-gift vouchers, with contact details collected separately to the survey responses to maintain anonymity throughout.

The survey closes March 31 and is available here. Organisers say strong community participation will be critical to ensuring Caboolture’s transport needs are accurately represented in the research findings.

Published 17-February-2026.