Prepare for another fun and scary night for all! The Caboolture Historical Village lets out all the skeletons in the closet with the return of more “Ghoulies and Ghosties” for Halloween.
The annual event will be back on Monday, 31 October 2022, and will run from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at a gated site. Whilst ghosts, ghoulies, and scary monsters will abound, the children will definitely be safe around the grounds of the Caboolture Historical Village.
As with the previous “Ghosts and Ghoulies” Halloween event, the children may expect to walk through the village with some surprises along the way. The site will be decorated especially for the occasion as an alternative to trick-or-treating on the streets. Dark Labyrinths has prepared the venue for the awesome displays.
The Caboolture Historical Village is set in a sprawling land, serving as a living history museum for artefacts and over 70 preserved pioneer buildings, such as the Queensland Prison’s Museum, the old Caboolture Hospital, the old Caboolture Railway Station, and general stores that depict the lives of the locals decades ago.
Established by the Caboolture Shire Council Chambers in the late 1950s, the site is a popular destination for both locals and tourists who want to learn more about the history of Moreton Bay Region.
A Morayfield woman, whose parents dreamt of one day winning big bucks before they passed away, feels as though her recent $733-k windfall was a blessing from heaven.
The unnamed woman could not believe her lucky stars when she found out that she bagged one of the winning entries of a recent draw, taking home the division one prize on Saturday, 1 October 2022.
She said that winning felt like a dream so she had to check her ticket many times to believe it was true.
“I also sent a photo of the winning ticket to my husband and son to double check. It’s crazy!” the Morayfield woman said.
“This will really take the pressure off everything. I feel as though my beloved late parents are looking down on me this morning,” she added, after getting the call to confirm her windfall. “They always dreamt of winning big one day in Lotto. They did this for me.”
The Morayfield winner purchased her ticket at the Nextra Morayfield Plaza News inside the Morayfield Shopping Centre and has been making plans to travel around the country once she buys a caravan.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
She’s also going to use her prize to do some home renovations.
“Most importantly, we will help our family that means the most to us — our children and their partners,” the lucky woman said.
For the 2022 financial year, the Saturday Gold Lotto has been won by 196 winners across the country. Division one has a total of 324 winners, collectively taking home more than $461.69 million.
Did you know that the anticipated opening of the new Bunnings Caboolture warehouse in early 2023 is expected to create around 100 jobs for local residents?
Works are currently underway for the new building, which will span 13,000 sqm and will be developed in two stages. The first stage covers the main warehouse of Bunnings Caboolture and the second one, for the extension, includes the nursery area, timber trade area, entrance, and landscaping.
The $32-million warehouse, located on the corner of Bruce Highway and Pumicestone Road, received its approval from Moreton Bay Regional Council in 2021. Eildon Funds Management lodged its plans back in June 2020.
Photo credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council
The retail centre is expected not just to provide greater convenience to local residents living in Caboolture and surrounding suburbs, but also complement existing stores in the area.
It will anchor the Big Fish Business Park, previously known as the Sungate Business Park, where a service station was built in 2018 and a fast food chain opened by 2020. Both new developments also created hundreds of jobs for locals throughout construction and on the opening.
Some of the remaining parts of Big Fish go-kart track and dam were removed to facilitate the development.
Meanwhile, Bunnings Caboolture will have a total of 407 car parking spaces, which includes 10 spaces for accessible parking, 12 trailer bays, two truck bays and seven trolley bays.
The new warehouse, which is going to be slightly bigger than the one in Morayfield, was supposed to open in late 2022, but construction has been delayed due to the weather and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Change is coming to Caboolture Square, where there is a proposal to add a new entertainment venue, with a new cinema, gaming arcade, and bowling alley.
In a social media post, the management announced plans for a Deluxe 6 Cinema, 12-lane 10 pin bowling, gaming arcade, and a lounge and bar which will provide food and beverage options for entertainment revellers.
There were locals who welcomed the idea of having a new cinema since the region’s cinema, Morayfield BCC Cinema, already closed in April 2022.
Photo credit: Caboolture Square/Google Maps
“We need a Cinema there especially because the cinema in the Morayfield Mall closed down,” said one local.
On the other hand, there are some who wanted to see something else that the area doesn’t have, such as a skating rink or a place where older kids can have fun, like a parkour or a ninja park.
“A rollerskating rink, a trampoline place, something more exciting would be good,” said one commenter on the post.
If there’s one more thing that locals wanted to see, it’s the return of Kmart in the shopping centre.
Kmart, before it closed in Caboolture (Photo credit: Ty Buchanan/Google Maps)
The store was a fixture in the shopping centre for over three decades before it closed for good in June 2021, when its lease at the shopping centre already came to an end.
“It all sounds great but where will they put it all and they should bring Kmart back as that was always popular,” another comment reads.
The new management supports the idea of bringing back the iconic department store, and confirmed that they are looking for community support to try to persuade Kmart to return to Caboolture Square.
The shopping centre is now under new management, after Alceon QLD sold it in May 2022 for $47 million. The group acquired the centre in 2016 from Charter Hall for $27.5m.
Featured image photo credit: Caboolture Square/Google Maps
Limelight Cinemas will soon open a new, state-of-the-art cinema complex at Morayfield Shopping Centre, promising moviegoers a range of ways to watch the latest releases at affordable prices.
Leda Holdings, who manages the shopping centre, has signed an agreement with Limelight Cinemas to establish a seven-screen cinema in place of the now-defunct Birch Carol and Coyle Cinema, which closed earlier in 2022.
Morayfield Shopping Centre conducted a survey and learned that customers are seeking a “convenient, comfortable, and well-priced cinema offering in the local area.”
Limelight Cinemas Morayfield, which aims to open in September 2022, will feature two full-service Gold Cinemas, large format XD cinemas, and cutting-edge immersive with choice of extra spacious standard seats or full recliners.
In addition to all-new seats, screens, and sound, the modern and stylish entertainment hub will provide casual dining and beverage options as well as private party spaces.
Ian McCosker, manager at Morayfield Shopping Centre, said the partnership is a coming together of the future of cinema entertainment in shopping centres at a time that customers are eager to resume entertainment activities post the height of the pandemic.
“In unison we’ll deliver a superior cinema experience and a much stronger value proposition to our growing customer base,” said Mr McCosker.
Beyond the biggest blockbusters, Limelight is planning to bring their signature programming and events to Morayfield, which includes Girls Night Out, Friday Fright Night, BYO Babies and Seniors Morning Tea programs.
Morayfield locals can expect a re-imagined entertainment experience at the shopping centre, with events such as live sport, big-screen gaming, sing-alongs, and trivia games.
Limelight Cinemas also operates at Riverlink Shopping Centre in Ipswich and South Point Tuggeranong in Canberra.
The approval is for the amended plans, which involves building 188 homes instead of the originally proposed 192 lots.
Avaline (Photo credit: KDL Property Group)
The soon-to-be-built estate, which is estimated to cost around $70 million and will be done in five stages, is a project of KDL Property Group, the same developers behind Dakota residential estate also in Burpengary East.
KDL Property Group aims to bring young families to the area, believing that those with children will see the value of having on-site childcare centre and a medical precinct in the estate.
Proposed look of the medical and Childcare (Photo credit: Elevation Architects/Moreton Bay Regional Council)
Designed by Elevation Architects, Maitland Road Medical Precinct and Childcare Centre will feature essential medical, childcare, pharmacy, and allied health services, providing future support to existing and future residents.
The childcare centre will have provision for 90 children and 14 staff, inclusive of six activity
rooms and outdoor play area whilst the two-storey medical centre will include a ground storey General Practitioner and pharmacy on the first floor and seven allied health services on the second store.
Photo credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council
“The catchment is currently unserviced by a child care centre or medical centre. The proposal provides these essential services to the emerging area which is subject to a number of approved and proposed residential developments outlined in the context plan. Connections are provided throughout to improve the active transport capability of the site and surrounds,” planning documents read.
Meanwhile, around 14 percent of the 13.6 ha estate will be maintained as open green space and parklands, as part of the developer’s commitment to preserve the character of the neighbourhood.
Photo credit: KDL Property Group
Situated on the corner of Old Bay Road and Maitland Road, Avaline will have its own community park with picnic shelters and playground equipment.
Blocks at Avaline will range between 294 sqm to 500 sqm, with prices starting at $360,000.
The developer will also carry out works on the complete upgrade of the intersection of Maitland and Old Bay roads to a signalised intersection.
A total of 129 recruits have been inducted into the Queensland Police Service (QPS) with four of the first-year constables to be deployed at the Caboolture Station.
The first-year constables were sworn into the QPS in a ceremony that saw the largest gathering of recruits in ten years. Commissioner Katarina Carroll, Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services The Honourable Mark Ryan MP were present at the Oxley Academy for the ceremony.
First-year constables were sworn into the QPS in a ceremony that saw the largest gathering of recruits in ten years | Photo Credit: Queensland Police Service / mypolice.qld.gov.au“It’s a great job, it can be challenging at times, but it is also extremely rewarding.” – Commissioner Carroll | Photo Credit: Queensland Police Service / mypolice.qld.gov.au
“It’s a great job,” Commissioner Carroll said, adding that joining the service is both challenging and extremely rewarding.
Commissioner Carroll also took the opportunity to announce that the QPS had adjusted the age limit for applicants. That means prospective recruits as young as 17 years old are welcome to apply.
“What I’m announcing today is that the QPS is adjusting the recruit applicant age limit to enable more young Queenslanders to kick-start an exciting career in policing.
Photo Credit: Queensland Police Service / mypolice.qld.gov.auPhoto Credit: Queensland Police Service / mypolice.qld.gov.au
“Similar to successful recruitment pathways in the past, this change for young people who have a desire and a drive to become a police officer, is really exciting as it allows them to explore a career with the QPS that allows them to give back to their community.
“As a Service, we continue to look for people with diverse backgrounds and from walks of life that reflect the community we serve, and I am excited to see what these young people can bring to our organisation in the future.
“I commend all the graduates here today and their commitment to enhancing our great lifestyle by keeping the community safe.” – The Honourable Mark Ryan MP | Photo Credit: Queensland Police Service / mypolice.qld.gov.au
For his part, Minister Ryan commended the recruits for pursuing a career in community safety. He described them as young Queenslanders who are ”seeking purpose and meaning in their career,” adding that their joining the force couldn’t have come at a better time.
“The newest constables come from diverse backgrounds which will bring a range of skills to the job to ensure Queenslanders are provided with better policing services,” Minister Ryan said.
“I commend all the graduates here today and their commitment to enhancing our great lifestyle by keeping the community safe.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Planning Steven Miles said Caboolture West will develop to be the size of a regional city ultimately accommodating homes for around 70,000 people and access to 17,000 job opportunities.
Caboolture West interim structure plan map (Photo credit: dsdilgp.qld.gov.au)
“There are already 16 major development applications in place, covering nearly half of the entire Caboolture West area,” Mr Miles said.
“With more people moving to Queensland we are prioritising growth areas like Caboolture West to unlock land supply and make more residential lots available quicker.”
It will also be used to guide a range of development applications already being assessed by Moreton Bay Regional Council to help ensure the future community is provided with essential infrastructure and services.
The draft CWISP will be in effect for approximately 18 months, when replaced with a final structure plan for the entire Caboolture West area.
Have Your Say
Photo credit: dsdilgp.qld.gov.au
Member for Morayfield Mark Ryan encourages members of the community to have their say on the draft plan.
“This plan gives the community an idea of how the initial stages of Caboolture West will be shaped into the future, including which areas are set aside for conservation, as infrastructure or for new urban development,” Mr Ryan said.
“Last month the Queensland Government committed $15 million from the new Growth Acceleration Fund to continue to deliver water and sewer infrastructure to support delivery of new homes here in Caboolture West.”
Caboolture parents with infants aged 6-12 months are enjoined to take advantage of the free type 1 diabetes screening program recently launched across North Brisbane and other suburbs.
The Type 1 Diabetes National Screening Pilot is a simple test for infants to determine their risk of developing the disease. Registration for the free test kit is online, which will be delivered to their house.
Parents need to get a saliva sample from their child’s mouth and then post the sample back to the laboratory. The test will be analysed to determine if their child is at risk of developing this childhood disease.
Babies with an “increased chance” of type 1 diabetes, based on their screening test will be offered free follow-up testing , even before symptoms appear.
Photo Credit: Supplied
What is Type 1 Diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong autoimmune disease that develops when the immune system mistakenly attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Insulin helps the body convert glucose (sugar) from food into energy. Without insulin, glucose can build up in the bloodstream to dangerous levels.
The disease is one of the most common chronic conditions affecting children and adolescents, with approximately three children diagnosed in Australia each day. While 90 per cent of those diagnosed have no family history of type 1 diabetes, the genetic risk of developing the condition can still be detected through screening. It is therefore important that all children are screened to determine if they are at risk.
“Early signs are often vague and can be missed or confused with other minor childhood concerns. As a result, at least 1 in 3 Australian children with type 1 diabetes are not diagnosed until they require emergency medical care,” said Dr Gary Deed, a GP who got involved with the project on a personal and professional level.
Photo Credit: Supplied
“Screening in infancy has been shown to support earlier diagnosis before the child becomes seriously unwell. While there is no cure yet for the disease, early detection can prevent serious health problems and support a better prognosis and long-term management of the condition.”
“I live with diabetes so his project is naturally a passion for me,” the doctor added.
“I have seen the impact of the undiagnosed type 1 person with full-blown diabetic ketoacidosis and how devastating this is for the person and their family. If this trial shows some benefits – we are hoping to refine this to have a national screening program to help improve the early diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, contribute to the reduction of mortality and severe morbidity associated with ketoacidosis at diagnosis and provide support for family members in a more structures less reactive way.”
Screening is a Lifesaver
Mom Jackie Goldston said that access to screening has been a benefit for the family.
“My daughter Freya was diagnosed when she was 11 months old. Our lives changed forever that day.”
“We had no experience or history with type 1 diabetes. It was December and so of course, being Queensland it was hot and humid, so her symptom of being very thirsty didn’t seem strange. It was only when she started showing signs of distress and breathing extremely rapidly that our GP sent us to the emergency department. It took three emergency doctors to diagnose her and by this time she was falling in and out of consciousness due to DKA. She was eventually rushed via ambulance to the (then) Royal Children’s Hospital where we didn’t know if she was going to survive the night.
“I will be forever grateful to the team that saved her and for the fact that she is now a healthy, happy 13-year-old. But I only wish that we could have had an inkling of what to look out for.
Photo Credit: Supplied
“I don’t want any other parents to have to go through what my husband and I went through. Early screening will mean that parents know what may happen if and when their child starts to show symptoms and what to do. It will hopefully mean that their child will not be DKA at diagnosis and the family will already have some understanding of what to expect.”
Jackie with a diabetes insulin pump on her leg Photo Credit: Supplied
Screening to Go National
Dr Kirstine Bell says the goal of the pilot program is to make early detection available for every child in Australia – ultimately becoming part of routine childhood screening.
“It’s an ideal time to start offering type 1 diabetes screening to children in Australia. There is a wealth of strong evidence showing the benefits of screening and we now have new technology that makes screening tests simple, safe and effective,” Dr Bell said.
Photo Credit: Supplied
“[This] has always been a passion area for me and I started this pilot to help children and families at risk of type 1 diabetes. It is my hope that screening for type 1 diabetes can be offered nationally for all Australian children in the future.”
The pilot is funded by JDRF, the leading supporter of type 1 diabetes research in the world. JDRF is dedicated to ending type 1 diabetes, and making the lives of people already diagnosed, or at risk of diagnosis, easier, safer, and healthier until that happens.
Caboolture West is set to get a new primary school in time for Term 1, 2025. The new school, which will accommodate more than a thousand students, is among the five new schools to be built for 2025 and 2026.
As part of the 2022-23 State Budget, five more new schools will be delivered in Caboolture West, Caloundra South, Ripley, Flagstone and Bahrs Scrub. These new schools will be in addition to the 11 schools planned for 2023 and 2024.
“Under the $3 billion Building Future Schools program, the Palaszczuk Government continues to deliver schools for our fastest growing areas,” Education Minister Grace Grace said.
“We have opened 21 since 2015, have 11 more planned for 2023 and 2024, and today we are announcing another five for 2025 and 2026.”
To be built in two stages, the new West Caboolture primary will help ease enrolment pressure on its nearby schools. The school will cater to around 1,100 students in Prep to Year 6 once completed.
The project is currently in its planning phase, however, to be determined still is the new school’s site as well as the individual budget, which will depend on the detailed design and contract award.
Ms Grace added that the 2022-23 budget also includes funding of almost $220 million over two years that will be allocated for the construction of additional classrooms at existing schools that are “experiencing in-catchment enrolment growth.”
Moreover, some $650 million will be spent over the next five years for upgrade projects at these existing schools across Qld.
This budget includes:
$181.5 million to go towards major renewal projects at 36 schools;
$108.9 million for six special schools;
$43.2 million for 18 discrete communities;
$20 million to be spent for playground and tuckshop upgrades; and
$3.6 million to be spent for planning and design of 18 new school halls and performing arts centres.
