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Pioneers, Soldiers, And A Remarkable Birth: The Mills Family Name Could Soon Grace Ningi Parkland

A patch of parkland along Bribie Island Road in Ningi could soon carry a name tied to one of the district’s pioneering families of the late 19th century.

Read: Secret History of Bribie Island: The Man Who Taught Flinders How to Talk to the Coast

The City of Moreton Bay is inviting residents to have their say on a proposal to formally name the parkland at Lot 1227 Bribie Island Road as Mills Reserve. The proposed name recognises the Mills family as early pioneers of the Ningi district and reflects the documented historical association between the site and Walter James Mills.

Ningi — Photo credit: City of Moreton Bay

The land in question forms part of what was historically known as Portion 10V, Parish of Toorbul, according to the council’s General Meeting report of 22 April 2026, which notes that Walter James Mills acquired and settled the land during the district’s early development. It is a quiet but meaningful connection between a green public space and the people who shaped the surrounding country well over a hundred years ago.

Who Were the Mills Family?

Walter Henry Mills (Photo credit: City of Moreton Bay)

Walter James Mills and his wife Maria Hussey raised their children on that land, and Walter James died in November 1896. The family’s ties to the district did not end there. Their eldest son, Walter Henry Mills, was born on 23 September 1886 and holds a notable distinction: according to research shared in the Bribie Island History community group on Facebook, Harry was the first recorded birth in the register for Bribie Island. As Harry’s grandson John Mills explained in the post, Harry’s mother crossed to Bribie Island for the birth, though the family home remained on Portion 10V at Ningi.

Harry went on to live a life that mirrored the hardships of his generation. He was educated at Caboolture State School and, at the time of his enlistment in January 1915, was single, living at Eumundi and working as a carpenter. He was captured at Pozieres in July 1916 and interned at Gafangerenlager Prisoner of War Camp in Wahn, Germany, before being repatriated to England in December 1918 and returning to Australia in March 1919. He was not the only Mills son to serve. His two younger brothers, John Robert and Thomas James, also enlisted. It was a family that gave a great deal to this country, in more ways than one.

How to Have Your Say

The proposal is consistent with the council’s approach to naming public assets, which it uses to preserve local heritage. Council recognises the significant social value of naming places, structures and assets, noting that naming helps to identify landmarks, support wayfinding, contribute to community belonging and reflect the cultural and heritage values of the city.

Council is inviting public comment on the proposed naming between 29 May and 28 June 2026. Submissions must be made in writing, include the submitter’s full name and residential or business address, and state the reasons for supporting or opposing the proposal.

Read: Caboolture–Bribie Island Road Upgrade Completed Ahead of Schedule

You can have your say by emailing parksplanning@moretonbay.qld.gov.au or by writing to: Chief Executive Officer, Attn: Parks & Recreation Planning, PO Box 159, Caboolture QLD 4510.

For a district that is growing fast and adding new streets and subdivisions at a pace that can make history feel remote, a name like Mills Reserve is a small but lasting anchor. It is a reminder that before the bitumen and the roundabouts, families like the Mills put down roots in this country and called it home.

Published 5-June-2026

Burpengary East’s Young Entrepreneur Turns Market Idea Into a Winning Success

A young business owner from North Harbour has earned recognition at the 2026 Redcliffe Business Awards, with Youngpreneur Markets by Chloe winning the Young Entrepreneur Award.

The award was presented during the Redcliffe Business Awards ceremony at The Komo on 28 May, where businesses from across the peninsula and surrounding communities were recognised for their achievements. Hosted by the Redcliffe Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and State Member for Redcliffe Kerri-Anne Dooley, the awards attracted 164 nominations across 10 categories.

For founder Chloe, the award highlights a business built around helping others take their first steps into entrepreneurship.

Creating a Space for Young Businesses

Youngpreneur Markets by Chloe was established to provide a platform for young entrepreneurs, small businesses and market stallholders to showcase their products and services.

The concept centres on creating accessible opportunities for people who may be starting a business for the first time, allowing them to connect with customers, gain experience and build confidence in a supportive environment.

Photo Credit: *Youngpreneur Market by Chloe/Facebook*

While many market events focus primarily on established operators, Youngpreneur Markets has developed a reputation for encouraging emerging business owners and giving them exposure to new audiences.

Its growth has helped create opportunities not only for its founder but also for the businesses that participate in the events.

Recognition Beyond Business Growth

The Young Entrepreneur Award recognises business owners aged between 12 and 25 who demonstrate initiative, innovation and leadership.

Organisers of the Redcliffe Business Awards describe the program as a celebration of the dedication, resilience and contribution of local businesses, with winners selected by an independent judging panel.

This year’s panel included Jodie Morphett from The Guides, Lawrence Gow from the Redcliffe Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and Gavin Daw from Bendigo Community Bank Margate.

Winning the category placed Youngpreneur Markets alongside businesses from a range of industries including tourism, hospitality, retail, health and community services.

Putting North Harbour on the Awards Map

Although many of this year’s winners were based on the Redcliffe Peninsula, Youngpreneur Markets by Chloe was the only award recipient from the Burpengary East and North Harbour area.

The recognition shines a light on a growing part of the Moreton Bay region that continues to attract families, new residents and small business operators.

As the region grows, initiatives that encourage entrepreneurship among younger generations are becoming increasingly important. Businesses such as Youngpreneur Markets provide practical opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs to test ideas, develop skills and gain firsthand experience in running a business.

The award also reflects the growing role young people are playing in the local business community, demonstrating that successful enterprises can be built at any age with determination, creativity and a willingness to take initiative.

Nominations for the 2027 Redcliffe Business Awards are expected to open in March next year.

Published 5-June-2026
Featured Image Credit: Youngpreneur Market by Chloe/Facebook

A Kallangur Church That Has Fed 70 Families a Week for Over a Century Is Fighting to Stay

Pine Rivers Uniting Church is contesting a compulsory acquisition of its site, with the Uniting Church of Australia, Queensland Synod lodging a formal appeal after being notified the property is earmarked for a new special school.

The church has stood at the Narangba Road site for more than 100 years. Its weekly emergency relief program feeds around 70 local families from Kallangur and Pine Rivers every week. It also provides pastoral care, youth programs, mental health support, chaplaincy, worship services and assistance for people in financial hardship.

Sharing the property is Pinnacle Academic College, a small independent school providing individualised education. The campus was previously home to Charlotte Mason College, which closed its doors in late 2023.

None of that activity has been given a path forward if the acquisition proceeds.

A community built over more than a century

The church has served the Kallangur area and surrounds, including Petrie, Dakabin, Lawnton, Strathpine and Murrumba Downs, for generations. For many families in the area, it has been the first point of contact in a crisis — referred through chaplains, social workers and community agencies rather than found through a search.

Photo Credit: Pine Rivers Uniting Church – Emergency Relief/Facebook

Its emergency relief operation alone involves coordinating food parcels and practical support for dozens of households every week. That kind of service does not simply relocate. It depends on relationships, volunteer networks, referral pathways and trust built over years. Losing the physical home risks unravelling all of it.

The church has not opposed the idea of a special school. It has consistently made that clear. In a statement, the Queensland Synod said it welcomes investment in education and recognises the need for specialist schooling in a growing community. “Our position is not opposition,” the Synod said. “It is about finding a way to make this work for everyone. We would welcome the school as part of our community.”

The church says it has sought meetings, written correspondence and invited decision-makers to visit the site to see the breadth of what happens there. It is awaiting a decision on its appeal.

A local representative who put the community’s concern on record

Division 7 Ms Yvonne Barlow presented a 61-signature petition on the church’s behalf. She said the lack of consultation before the decision was made had troubled her as much as the decision itself.

“I am very concerned it would be bulldozed,” she said, “and more upset there was no consultation over this.”

“I understand the need for special schools, but I know the special role the church has played in the community for many, many years. They will get money, but that doesn’t help a church which has been there for more than 100 years. There’s a great deal of sentiment.”

The petition and the appeal are the formal mechanisms now available to the church and community. The site’s neighbouring aged care facility is not part of the acquisition.

The need for the school is real — and so is the cost of this solution

Plans for a new special school in Moreton Bay were funded to address enrolment pressure at Pine Rivers Special School. The need is genuine. The region is one of the fastest-growing in Queensland, and specialist education infrastructure has not kept pace with population growth.

But the church’s position, and the position of those who have signed the petition, is that the need for a school and the loss of this particular community hub are not an either/or situation. The site is large enough, the church argues, for both to coexist.

“This is not simply about land,” the Queensland Synod statement said. “It is about people — those who rely on these services, those who volunteer and the many who call this place home.”

Anyone wanting to support Pine Rivers Uniting Church or its emergency relief program can contact the church at 30 Narangba Road, Kallangur, or through pineriverschurch.com.

Published 4-June-2026

Featured Image Credit: Pine Rivers Uniting Church

$14 Million All-Abilities Splash Park and Playground Underway in Caboolture

Work is officially underway on Caboolture’s largest park project in six years, a fourteen-million-dollar regional playground designed directly from community feedback to reshape local family recreation.

A Modern Shift for a Historic Park

The Centenary Lakes precinct has served as a central hub for local sports and outdoor activities since the 1970s. However, as the population across this fast-growing corridor continues to boom, local needs have evolved significantly. To ensure the area retains its family-friendly lifestyle during this period of rapid growth, regional leaders approved a major overhaul of the grounds.

Heavy machinery is now on-site to transform the space into a modern destination. Construction crews expect to finish the entire project by June 2027, provided the local weather cooperates.

Designed by the Community

The blueprint for the parkland came directly from the people who live in the area. Local authorities surveyed residents to find out what features they wanted most in a modernised park, and a dedicated water play area topped the public wishlist. Families also expressed a strong desire for truly shared spaces where children of all abilities could play side by side.

In response to this feedback, the final design includes custom play structures, sensory trails for tactile learning, and a specialised splash pad. The upgrades also extend beyond the playground, with workers refreshing the existing barbecue spots, picnic areas, and the local off-leash dog yard.

Focus on All-Abilities Access

A major priority for this development is eliminating barriers for children and parents with mobility challenges. The site will feature smooth, accessible pathways that connect all areas of the parkland seamlessly. Furthermore, the public restrooms are being built to meet strict all-abilities standards, including specialised changing facilities and secure wheelchair lockers.

To make the water play features completely inclusive, the park will even provide custom water-accessible wheelchairs, allowing every visitor to join in on the splash pad activities. New parking spaces are also being built close to the entrance to make arrival easier for young families and visitors with disabilities.

A Collaborative Investment

Funding for the massive recreational upgrade comes from a partnership involving multiple levels of government. The Australian and Queensland governments combined forces to contribute just over five million dollars through a regional liveability fund. The federal government provided an additional three million dollars from a dedicated community investment programme, while the City of Moreton Bay supplied the remaining five point eight million dollars to clear the total bill.

Regional representatives note that while the park will undoubtedly become a daily favourite for Caboolture locals, the high-quality facilities are expected to attract day-trippers from well beyond the city borders, sparking future recreation and sports investments in the precinct.

Published Date 04-June-2026

Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay

Beachmere Motorsport Park Plan Puts Local Concerns Against Motorsport Demand

Beachmere is at the centre of a growing local debate over a proposed $20 million motorsport park, with nearby residents questioning the scale and setting of the project while supporters say southeast Queensland needs a new venue for racing, training and junior motorsport.

Beachmere Proposal Draws A Strong Response

The proposed Moreton Motorsport Park is planned for land off Bloesch Road, Beachmere, with a development footprint of about 24.8 hectares.

The application was lodged on 23 March 2026 and is moving through a separate infrastructure assessment pathway, rather than the usual local development application process. Formal consultation later opened, with submissions originally listed as closing on 11 June 2026.

The proposed facility includes motocross and speedway tracks, driver training areas, a BMX track, temporary shaded grandstand seating, food and beverage areas, event-day merchandising, amenities, car parking, loading areas, pitting spaces and supporting infrastructure.

The plans also include potential emergency access to Wallace Road north, acoustic mounding and fencing, earthworks, waterbody works, and stormwater and flood management measures.

Residents Question Traffic, Flooding And Noise

Concerns about the proposal were raised at a packed public meeting at Beachmere Hub, where residents discussed traffic, flooding, noise, wildlife, property values and the consultation process.

Some attendees had to sit or stand outside as the proposal was discussed, and the meeting became tense at times.

Traffic was one of the main concerns. Nearby residents questioned whether Beachmere Road and surrounding routes could manage construction vehicles, trailers and event traffic. Emergency access was also raised by residents worried about congestion during major events.

Flooding and drainage were also recurring issues. The proposal includes raised development areas and earthworks, prompting questions from some residents about how changes to the site could affect surrounding properties.

Noise was another major concern, particularly for residents who value Beachmere’s quieter coastal and semi-rural character. Some residents and commenters also called for acoustic protections, buffer planning and further consideration of environmental impacts.

*Photo Credit: Moreton Motorsport Park/Facebook*

Supporters Point To Lost Motorsport Venues

The proposal has also drawn strong support from motorsport followers who say the region has lost important racing venues.

Supporters have referred to the closure of Archerfield Speedway and Coolum MX, saying the Beachmere proposal could provide a structured place for speedway, motocross, driver training and junior riding. Some have described the project as a chance to bring more motorsport activity back to southeast Queensland.

Online comments in support of the proposal also pointed to possible benefits for local businesses, including accommodation, food and beverage operators. Others said the facility could give young riders and families a safer, organised place to take part in motorsport.

A Moreton Motorsport Park social media post stated that more than 3500 submissions had been made, while supporters encouraged more motorsport fans, competitors and sponsors to lodge feedback.

Beachmere motorsport park — *Photo Credit: MID-0326-1001*

Projected Events And Economic Claims Remain Under Assessment

The proposal has been promoted as a racing and training facility capable of hosting regular motocross and speedway activity.

Projected annual activity includes 13 minor speedway events with about 1000 spectators each, three major speedway events with about 4000 spectators each, 26 minor motocross events with about 100 spectators each, and three major motocross events with about 1000 spectators each.

The project has also been linked to projected economic activity of more than $32 million per year, more than $20 million from an international event, 195 full-time construction jobs and 42 ongoing jobs.

Those figures remain projections attached to the proposal, not confirmed outcomes.

Beachmere Debate Turns On Fit And Impact

The central question for many Beachmere residents is whether a motorsport venue of this scale fits the area and whether proposed management measures would be enough to address local concerns.

The Corbet Group has maintained that the proposal has been supported by assessments covering noise, flooding, ecology, bushfire, traffic, economic need and social benefit. It has also argued that the project’s impacts can be managed.

For supporters, the proposal is seen as a chance to rebuild motorsport access after the loss of other venues. For concerned residents, the focus remains on traffic, flooding, noise, local character and whether the community has had enough opportunity to respond.

The future of the Moreton Motorsport Park proposal now rests with the assessment process and the submissions lodged by residents, supporters and other interested groups.

Published 3-June-2026

Photo Credit: Moreton Motorsport Park/Facebook

Cyclone-Damaged Dohles Rocks Seawall to Be Replaced Under Major Moreton Bay Project

The Dohles Rocks Seawall, a decades-old barrier protecting the Pine River foreshore in Moreton Bay, is set to be completely rebuilt after years of deterioration and severe cyclone damage, with local residents now being asked to help decide where future access points to the waterfront should be located.

The existing seawall has protected the shoreline since the 1960s, but has steadily weakened due to age, tidal forces and coastal weather. Damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Alfred in March 2025 accelerated concerns about the structure’s condition, prompting plans for a full reconstruction project.

Community Input Sought Before Design Is Finalised

Moreton Bay Council has opened a public consultation process focused on one key question: where people should be able to access the water once the new seawall is built.

Under the proposed design, the number of access stairs and small boat launch points along the foreshore will be reduced. Council representatives are seeking feedback from residents, fishers, boaters, walkers and other regular users of the area before detailed engineering plans are completed.

Community members are being encouraged to complete an online survey and identify preferred locations for access points using an interactive map. Feedback is being accepted until 4 p.m. on 29 June 2026.

The project team is also scheduled to meet residents during community pop-up sessions near the main boat ramp on 6 June and 10 June.

New Design Aims to Strengthen Erosion Protection

The reconstruction proposal centres on a rock armour seawall, a design commonly used in coastal environments to absorb wave energy and reduce erosion.

Council documents show the new structure would stretch about 540 metres along the foreshore, extending from the existing main boat ramp to the eastern end of Dohles Rocks Road. The seawall is expected to be between six and seven metres wide and include a concrete crest wall positioned above the rock structure.

Artists impression of the reconstructed seawall
Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay

Project planners state the design was selected following an assessment of engineering, environmental and planning considerations. The preferred option was identified as a durable long-term solution capable of managing wave action and boat wake impacts while reducing future maintenance requirements.

Protection Against Erosion, Not Flooding

The reconstruction is intended to address coastal erosion affecting the foreshore and nearby public assets.

Council has stated that the seawall is not designed to protect the area from river flooding, storm tide inundation or long-term sea level rise. Instead, the project focuses on stabilising the shoreline and maintaining the safety and usability of the waterfront precinct.

Before the full reconstruction begins, temporary stabilisation works may still be carried out in sections considered most vulnerable. The current seawall will be demolished and removed as part of the project.

Construction is currently expected to begin in mid-2027, subject to funding availability, statutory approvals, weather conditions and other project requirements.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Published 3-June-2026

Woodford Folk Festival Returns For 2026 As Ticket Sales Surge Ahead Of Lineup Reveal

Public tickets for the 2026 Woodford Folk Festival are now on sale, with Queenslanders already locking in plans for the state’s most iconic cultural gathering.

The 39th edition is set to run from 27 December to 1 January 2027 at the 500-acre Woodfordia site near Woodford. Member presales have already recorded a 15 per cent increase on previous years, with organisers linking the rise to growing demand for meaningful in-person experiences rather than any lineup announcement.

The program and artist schedule will not be released until mid-October, yet thousands of Queenslanders continue to buy tickets months in advance for the experience itself.

This year’s festival carries extra weight. Co-founder Bill Hauritz AM, who led the event from its inception in 1994 until his retirement in 2022, died on 8 December 2025. The 2026 edition will be the first Woodford held without him.

A festival that became its own place

The Woodfordia property sits about 72 kilometres north of Brisbane, on what was once a barren dairy farm. Woodfordia Inc, the not-for-profit organisation that owns and operates the site, has planted more than 140,000 subtropical rainforest trees across the grounds over three decades, creating the hidden valley setting that festival-goers now describe as feeling nothing like the outside world.

During the six-day event, the site becomes a temporary village of 27 venues hosting more than 2,000 performers across music, dance, cabaret, circus, comedy, workshops, debate, street theatre, film, forums, visual arts and an entire dedicated Children’s Festival.

A swimming lake, camping options from glamping through to powered sites, and a New Year’s Day fire ceremony have become fixtures that return visitors plan their summer around.

Around 120,000 people attend the festival each year.

“Sometimes I think Woodford should be called a holiday rather than a festival,” said Managing Director Amanda Jackes, who took over the festival’s leadership from Hauritz in 2022.

Why people buy before the lineup drops

Jackes points to a shift in what festival-goers are seeking, one that has worked in Woodford’s favour while other events have struggled. Several Australian music festivals and venues have closed or faced significant difficulty in recent years, squeezed by costs, competition and changing audience behaviour. Woodford has moved in the other direction.

“We have observed over the years that people are seeking meaningful connections, even more so nowadays, with our society becoming so disconnected in human interactions,” she said. “There’s a strong appetite for gathering together in ways that feel human, grounded and hopeful.”

The festival has also become a generational tradition. Jackes notes that children who attended holding their parents’ hands are now bringing their own families. “That continuity creates a very rare kind of cultural memory,” she said.

“In a time when so much of life feels transactional or divided, Woodford remains one of the rare places where people gather to imagine culture, community, and the future together.”

Dates, tickets and what to expect

The 2026 Woodford Folk Festival runs from Saturday 27 December 2026 to Thursday 1 January 2027. Tickets range from $25 to $745, with vehicle passes from $10 to $80. A payment plan option is also available for full festival passes.

The 2026 program and artist lineup will be announced in mid-October. Tickets and full information are available at woodfordfolkfestival.com or by phoning 07 5496 1066.

Published 2-June-2026

Featured Image Credit: @caloundraholidaycentre/Instagram

Caboolture Winter Highlights Bring Colour, Memory and Identity Into Focus

Caboolture will host a free winter arts program shaped around colour, photography, heritage and personal storytelling, with exhibitions and creative spaces running across The Hub Gallery and Caboolture Regional Art Gallery.

Caboolture Winter Program Brings Together Four Creative Experiences

Caboolture’s winter arts program will bring a series of free exhibitions and creative spaces to 4 Hasking Street, giving visitors a local cultural option built around contemporary art, photography, heritage and hands-on participation.

The Winter Highlights 2026 program includes Excess All Areas, The Shape of Feeling, House of Gold and two creative spaces developed by artist Yin Lu. Together, the program offers a mix of large-scale visual work, black-and-white photography, moving image, sound and participatory art-making.

All four offerings are free to attend and do not require bookings.

The program will be split between The Hub Gallery and Caboolture Regional Art Gallery, allowing visitors to move through different styles and themes within the same Caboolture arts precinct.

Excess All Areas Opens With Colour and Consumer Culture

Excess All Areas will run at The Hub Gallery from 27 June to 23 July 2026.

The exhibition explores consumer culture and throw-away habits through humour, colour and bold contemporary works. It is described as an experimental exhibition that moves beyond traditional boundaries, bringing together works that explore scale, material and intensity.

The exhibition invites audiences into an immersive and layered art experience, with works that are expressive in both form and subject. Its focus on excess and consumption gives the winter program a strong contemporary opening, using colour and visual impact to examine everyday habits around waste and material culture.

Winter Highlights 2026 — *Photo Credit: Supplied*
*Photo Caption:* New Quotidian Collective, Excess All Areas, 2025, digital collage printed on Pearl Rag

Black-and-white Photography Shapes A Local View

From 25 July to 20 August 2026, The Hub Gallery will host The Shape of Feeling, created by emerging local photographer Nicole Jones.

The exhibition explores the intricacies of black-and-white photography and considers how emotion can be expressed, interpreted and shared through visual form.

Jones’ imagery captures the landscape and people of the region, reflecting on what has been recorded and what has changed through history. The exhibition adds a quieter and more reflective layer to the winter program, using photography to consider feeling, place and memory without relying on colour.

The Hub Gallery — *Photo Credit: Supplied*
*Photo Caption: In the shade, 2025*, by Nicole Jones

House of Gold Explores Heritage Through Image, Sound and Movement

At Caboolture Regional Art Gallery, House of Gold will run from 27 June to 12 September 2026.

The exhibition presents an immersive body of work by Dr Christian Thompson AO, spanning photography, moving image and sound. It explores the intersection of Thompson’s Chinese and First Nations Bidjara heritage, shaped by the Gold Rush migrations of the 1850s.

Through shared language, food and history, the exhibition examines influences that have contributed to Thompson’s sense of self. Its combination of personal heritage and broader historical movement gives the winter program a deeper cultural and reflective focus.

Yin Lu Creative Spaces Invite Personal Storytelling

Also running at Caboolture Regional Art Gallery from 27 June to 12 September 2026 are Golden Wishes and My Story Card, new creative spaces developed by artist Yin Lu.

The spaces invite visitors to reimagine their connections and personal stories through visual language. Golden Wishes encourages contributions to a growing installation of personal symbols and stories, while My Story Card gives participants a way to explore identity through art-making.

The creative spaces add a participatory element to the winter program, allowing visitors to move from viewing artworks to making their own visual responses.

Free Entry Keeps The Caboolture Program Accessible

The Caboolture Winter Highlights 2026 program gives visitors several ways to experience art during the cooler months, from the bold and colourful treatment of consumer culture in Excess All Areas to the reflective photography of The Shape of Feeling.

At Caboolture Regional Art Gallery, House of Gold and Yin Lu’s creative spaces extend the program into heritage, identity and personal storytelling.

With free entry and no bookings required, the winter program offers a straightforward cultural visit for Caboolture residents and visitors looking for art that is visual, reflective and interactive.

Published 2-June-2026

Photo Credit: Supplied

Picture: Yin Lu

Photo Caption: Artist Yin Lu and her Yinifity Poker Card series

The Glassie Gets a Glow-Up: Glass House Mountains Icon Reborn as Glass House Local

For locals, it was simply known as the Glassie. Now, one of the Glass House Mountains region’s most recognisable community venues has a new name to match its new chapter.

Read: Caboolture Sports Club Acquires Debt-Ridden Venue to Prevent Closure

Caboolture Sports Club Group has officially rebranded the former Club Glass House as Glass House Local, marking a fresh start for a venue with deep roots in the hinterland community.

The name change follows CSC Group’s amalgamation with the club in 2025, a move that secured the venue’s future after periods of financial uncertainty. For a venue that traces its origins back to the Glasshouse Country Bowls Club, established in 1936, it marks a significant moment in the venue’s long history.

Photo credit: Facebook/Glass House Local

CSC Group chief executive Craig Thomas said Glass House Local was about far more than a name change, describing it as a reflection of who they are, who they have always been, and where they are heading. He said the aim was to create a brand that captures the character of the region and the people who make it special, one that is humble, welcoming, connected and full of heart.

The venue’s social media captured the spirit of the rebrand simply: same friendly faces, bright new look.

The rebrand is not the only thing that has changed at the venue. Since joining the CSC Group family, Glass House Local has already seen improvements including new furniture and upgraded carpark lighting. But the bigger news is what is still to come.

Plans are being formalised for a $15 million expansion of the site, which will include expanded dining options, new entertainment facilities, a children’s playground and improved amenities for the club’s bowlers. The development is expected to create more than 50 new jobs in the local area.

The investment is consistent with how CSC Group operates across its venues. As a not-for-profit organisation, the group reinvests its revenue back into the communities it serves. Over the past five years, CSC Group has directed more than $12 million toward community initiatives.

Read: Moreton Bay Boy in Glass House Mountains Emergency Acknowledged by QAS

In the meantime, there is plenty to look forward to at Glass House Local beyond the bricks and mortar. The venue has launched its Love Our Locals Swipe and Win promotion, running from 21 May to 19 July, with more than 250 prizes on offer valued at over $3,400.

The Glassie may have a new name, but the community spirit that has defined it since 1936 has not gone anywhere. As the club put it on the day of the official unveiling: “Open to all. Connected to place. Full of friendly faces.”

Featured image credit: Facebook/Glass House Local

Published 28-May-2026

PAW Patrol Brings Family Fun To Moreton Kids Festival In Strathpine

Families heading to Strathpine will have a free day of children’s entertainment to look forward to when Moreton Kids Festival returns to Pine Rivers Park with PAW Patrol leading the program.

PAW Patrol Brings A Familiar Favourite To Strathpine

Moreton Kids Festival is set to bring families together at Pine Rivers Park, with PAW Patrol named as the headline act for the free children’s event in Strathpine.

The festival will run from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm on Sunday, 14 June 2026, at Pine Rivers Park, 125 Gympie Road. Thousands of visitors are expected to attend, with the event offering a full day of entertainment, activities and interactive experiences for children and families.

PAW Patrol will be the main attraction for the young visitors. Two live shows are scheduled during the day, with performances at 11:00 am and 1:40 pm. Ten families will also have the chance to win a PAW Patrol meet-and-greet experience by subscribing to the event e-newsletter.

The headline act gives the festival a recognisable centrepiece for children, while the wider program is designed to let families move through different activities at their own pace. The event has been promoted as suitable for children of different ages, with one listing describing it as especially suited to children under 10.

Five Worlds Of Play At Pine Rivers Park

Across five themed worlds of discovery, families will be able to explore a mix of stage entertainment, creative workshops, rides, roving performers, food trucks and market stalls.

Hide and Sea will bring a marine-themed activity to the festival, allowing children to see sea stars, crabs, cowries and sea urchins up close. The hands-on setting adds a quieter discovery-based experience alongside the bigger stage shows and rides.

Pine Rivers Park — *Photo Credit: Moreton Kids Festival/Facebook*

Junior Tradies will offer a construction-themed activity where children can dress in hi-vis gear, try bricklaying and operate mini diggers in a safe setting. The attraction has been listed as coming to Queensland for the first time.

Channel 9’s TheatreDome will also be part of the program, with improv games and team challenges led by professional performers known as The Oracles. The live performance space gives children a chance to take part rather than only watch from the crowd.

A Free Day Out For Pine Rivers Families

For families in Pine Rivers and nearby communities, Moreton Kids Festival offers a free local outing built around children’s play, performance and hands-on activities.

The mix of PAW Patrol live shows, rides, workshops, food options and market stalls gives families several ways to plan the day, whether they are arriving for the headline performances or staying for the broader festival program.

With Pine Rivers Park becoming the main gathering place for the event, the festival is expected to draw families looking for an accessible day out close to home. Moreton Kids Festival will run from morning through the afternoon, with further details and meet-and-greet competition entry available through the official festival newsletter.

Published 27-May-2026

Photo Credit: Moreton Kids Festival/Facebook