Caboolture-educated Kaylee McKeown cements her place in Olympic history as she becomes the first Australian swimmer to win four individual gold medals. At the Paris Olympics, McKeown successfully defended her 200m backstroke title, adding to her earlier victory in the 100m backstroke.
McKeown’s latest triumph elevates her above other Australian Olympic greats. With four individual golds, she surpasses the likes of Ian Thorpe, Dawn Fraser, and Betty Cuthbert, who each hold three. This feat places McKeown in a league of her own among Australian Olympians.
The 23-year-old Queenslander’s victory in the 200m backstroke comes in an Olympic record time of 2:03.73. McKeown’s win matches Hungarian legend Krisztina Egerszegi’s record of four Olympic backstroke gold medals, solidifying her status as one of the greatest backstrokers in history.
McKeown’s historic swim caps off a successful night for Australia in the pool. Veteran Cameron McEvoy, 30, claims gold in the men’s 50m freestyle with a time of 21.25, marking Australia’s first-ever medal in this event at the Olympics.
Despite her exhaustion, McKeown qualified for the 200m individual medley final just minutes after her golden performance. With potential medals in two medley relays and the individual medley event still to come, McKeown’s record-breaking run may not be over yet.
Keep your eyes peeled for two local sprinters—Burpengary’s Ella Connolly and Caboolture’s Calab Law—as the athletics portion of the Paris Olympics gets underway and they aim to stake their claim among the world’s fastest.
Ella Connolly in the women’s 100m and 4x100m relay
The 100m dash holds a special place in the world of athletics. As the shortest common outdoor running distance, it is perhaps the most popular and prestigious event in track and field. The winner of this event at the Olympics or World Championships often earns the unofficial title of “the fastest person in the world.”
The 5’9” trackstar faces a tight schedule in her quest for Olympic glory: Preliminary Round: 2 August, 6:35 p.m. Round 1: 2 August , 7:50 p.m. Semifinals: 3 August, 3:50 a.m. Finals: 3 August, 5:20 a.m.
This compressed timeline will test not only Connolly’s speed but also her endurance and recovery abilities. She enters the event facing stiff competition that includes the current women’s world champion, USA’s Sha’Carri Richardson.
Almost a week after her individual event, the 24-year-old will join her teammates for the 4x100m relay: Round 1: 8 August, 7:10 p.m. Finals: 10 August, 3:30 a.m.
Calab Law in the men’s 200m
The 200m dash is a challenging event that attracts world class runners from various disciplines, particularly those who compete in the 100m. It requires a combination of explosive speed and sustained power, making it a true test of an athlete’s capabilities.
This schedule allows for more recovery time between rounds compared to the 100m event, but demands peak performance over multiple days.
Law enters a field of fierce competitors that include the reigning Olympic champion Andre De Grasse from Canada and current World Champion Noah Lyles of the USA. At just 20 years old and standing 6’1”, Law brings youth and promising talent to the competition.
As the Paris Olympics sprinting events approach, Ella Connolly and Calab Law prepare to represent a country itching for athletics glory on the Olympic stage.
Featured Image Photo Credit: Ella Connolly, Calab Law/Instagram
Born in Redcliffe and educated in Caboolture, 23-year-old Kaylee McKeown defied the bookies by beating American Regan Smith and the rest of the 100m backstroke field in 57.33 seconds.
Kaylee turned in 4th with a 28.08 split but powered past Kylie Masse of Canada, and Regan Smith and Katherine Berkoff of the USA. Current world record holder Regan Smith was considered the favourite in the event.
Having won Olympic gold Number 4, Kaylee’s medal prospects continue to look promising, with the 200m backstroke (arguably her strongest event) coming up, and the 200m individual medley as well.
It has been an eventful series of competitions so far for elite swimmers competing in the Paris Olympics pool, which athletes have pointed out to be shallower than what they’re used to in training and other competitions, a detail they believe to be causing slower swim times overall.
At 2.15m, the Paris pool is above the minimum standard of 2m approved for the Paris Olympics but is now below the new World Aquatics recommended minimum of 2.5m. Experts believe deeper pools maximise performance and result in faster times by minimising the turbulence caused by water displaced by swimmers bouncing off the bottom of the pool.
Road to Greatness
The talented swimmer’s world-class performance has been honed from a junior at Australian Crawl in Burpengary under coach Jodie Morgan. Chris Mooney also worked with her for many years until she joined the Griffith University Swim Club under Michael Bohl.
It was her sister, Taylor, however, that inspired her to greatness.
Taylor began competitive swimming at the age of nine and by 15 years old, she had won the national 100m and 200m breaststroke titles. Two years later, she won gold in the 2014 Commonwealth Games 200m breaststroke final, beating fellow Aussie Sally Hunter in Glasgow.
In 2015, Taylor helped the 4x100m medley relay team to win a World Championship bronze. By 2016, they went one better in the Rio Olympics where Taylor and the team finished second in the 4x100m medley relay.
2016 was a big year for the McKeown sisters. While Taylor performed and won a silver in the biggest stage of all, Kaylee was in Hawaii at the Pan Pacific Junior Championships, her first major international competition representing Australia. She won the 200m backstroke; finished 3rd in the 100m; and 17th in the 200m medley.
Within a year, Kaylee made the jump to senior competition and helped secure a silver medal in the World Championships in Budapest for the 4x100m mixed medley relay. She also finished 4th in the 200m backstroke, as well as 16th in the 400m medley.
Her coach, Chris Mooney, had a long term plan for Kaylee. Rather than push her too hard during her final year at St Paul’s Lutheran in Caboolture, he gave her room to complete her studies by setting a weekly routine of five training schedules rather than the standard ten.
This meant 2018 saw limited improvement for a while. Even by 2019 Kaylee’s performances were similar to 2017, though silver in the 2019 World Championship 200m backstroke was a major breakthrough.
In August 2020, Kaylee’s dad, Sholto, died after fighting brain cancer for two years. “I’ll always be with you” was tattooed on her foot as a permanent reminder of her dad. It became her biggest motivator.
The delayed Tokyo Olympics did not suit most athletes but for Kaylee, it seemed to have been an extra year of training and growth.
She absolutely nailed Tokyo, winning the 100m backstroke in a new Olympic record, becoming the first Australian female gold medalist in backstroke. She then won the 200m backstroke and then completed her hat-trick of gold medals by swimming the backstroke leg of the 4x100m medley relay.
Three Olympic medals at the age of 20; now four at the age of 23. Could that become five or six in 2024?
Get ready for an unforgettable journey through time as the Caboolture Historical Village flings open its gates for the much-anticipated Heritage Day extravaganza! This is your chance to step back in time and experience the sights, sounds, and stories that shaped the region’s vibrant past.
On Sunday, 4 August 2024, the village will transform into a bustling activity hub, showcasing yesteryear’s skills and traditions. Reenactors will bring the past to life while local artisans demonstrate their crafts and offer hands-on workshops for all ages. Visitors can wander through the village’s charming buildings, ride the heritage train, and marvel at the collection of vintage cars, tractors, and machinery on display.
Saskia Huismans, Events Manager for the Caboolture Historical Village, promises a day filled with fun, education, and nostalgia. “This is an opportunity to connect with Caboolture’s past and experience what life was like all those years ago,” she says. “There will be something for everyone, from demonstrations of traditional crafts to lively music performances and old-fashioned games.”
One of the highlights of Heritage Day will be the demonstrations by skilled craftspeople, who will share their knowledge of quilting, lacemaking, spinning, weaving, and blacksmithing—Huismans emphasises the importance of preserving these niche skills, which are in danger of disappearing. “We hope that by showcasing these crafts, we can inspire a new generation to learn and carry on these traditions,” she says.
Heritage Day promises a vibrant and diverse programme of events. Visitors can enjoy performances by Dance Kaleidoscope Queensland, listen to classic Aussie songs by the Blarney Stone Celtic and Irish Folk Band, and appreciate the art of bush poetry with readings by the North Pine Bush Poets. The Redcliffe Scottish Pipe-Band will also be on hand to entertain, and Flash Mac, the village’s beloved Clydesdale horse, will appear.
The event features various demonstrations and displays, including those by the Antique Machinery Restoration Society Inc., local blacksmiths, and the Northside Doll Circle. Visitors can enjoy leather crafting demonstrations by the Leathercrafters Association of Queensland Inc. and browse unique wares by Nautipunk in the Vintage Market.
For those seeking nostalgia, there will be penny-farthing rides by the Queensland Penny Farthing and Historical Cycle Club, weaving demonstrations by the Redcliffe Spinners Weavers and Dyers, and lacemaking demonstrations by the Queensland Lacemakers Guild. For a full schedule and to purchase tickets, Entry is $10 for adults, $5 for children aged 6-16, and free for children under 5.
The Caboolture Historical Village is a sprawling complex with over 70 buildings and 110,000 museum pieces. It is home to numerous special interest groups that work tirelessly to preserve and share the region’s history. Heritage Day is a testament to their dedication and a fantastic opportunity to experience the living history of Caboolture.
Let the Caboolture Historical Village transport you back in time for a day of discovery, entertainment, and celebration.
Horizons College, a specialised school for students with learning difficulties and education challenges in Caboolture is urgently seeking a new location as its current site nears demolition and has reached maximum capacity.
The independent special assistance school in the Moreton Bay region caters to 220 students who face learning challenges or have experienced severe bullying. The school provides all necessary supplies, including stationery, textbooks, and food, with no mandatory uniform policy. Parents only pay a $30 weekly resource levy, as the school receives significant funding.
Pressing Need for New Premises
Principal Jane Robinson explained that their current facility, an old butter factory built in 1987, no longer meets their growing needs. With every classroom in use throughout the day, the school has no room for expansion.
The building’s lease expires at the end of 2026, after which the owner plans to demolish it due to persistent roof leaks during rainfall.
Community Support Sought
Horizons College is appealing to the community, local council, and state government for assistance finding a new home. The school is prepared to purchase land and construct a new building if necessary. However, their recent attempt to secure a 10-acre block near their current location could have been more successful due to constraints related to flood-prone areas. A City of Moreton Bay spokeswoman stated that the council’s planning scheme aims to limit development to areas not impacted by floodwaters.
The Department of Education clarified that it does not have jurisdiction over non-state schools’ day-to-day operations. Still, it noted that the Queensland Government is providing $137.8 million in capital assistance for non-state schools in 2024-25.
Independent Schools Australia, the governing body for Horizons College, pledged to continue working with the Federal Government to support schools like Horizons. Chief executive Graham Catt highlighted the growing demand for special assistance schools and their reliance on funding to maintain their important work in the community.
On Wednesday, July 24, 2024, Caboolture State School was forced into a lockdown lasting over an hour after a student climbed onto the roof of the administration building.
The incident began around 2:30 PM, prompting school officials to initiate a precautionary lockdown to ensure the safety of students and staff. The Queensland Department of Education confirmed the event, describing it as a “behaviour incident.”
A spokesperson for the Department stated, “The school went into a brief precautionary lockdown yesterday during a behaviour incident in which a student climbed onto the roof of the administration building.” The lockdown was lifted after approximately one hour.
In response to the incident, the school has made counselling and support services available to all students and staff who may require assistance. The Department emphasised their commitment to student privacy and declined to provide further details about the individual involved.
This event highlights ongoing concerns about behaviour management in Queensland schools. A recent School Opinion Survey, released by the Department of Education in January 2024, revealed that 78.4% of Caboolture State School staff agreed that student behaviour was well-managed at their school.
However, the broader 2023 survey results painted a more concerning picture across the state, with over a third of Queensland schoolchildren and more than a quarter of staff believing their schools did not manage behaviour effectively.
The Caboolture State School administration reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a safe learning environment, stating, “The school continues to work diligently to promote safe and respectful interactions between students and a safe learning environment for everyone in the school community.”
A quest for closure continues for a family in Caboolture as they call for a full coronial inquest into the mysterious disappearance of Sandrine Jourdan. The family has launched a change.org petition, pressing for a deeper investigation into her case’s events.
Nakita Bull, who was only 12 when her mother vanished, has been a driving force behind the renewed push for answers. The Queensland coroner’s office has reopened the case, evaluating whether new evidence warrants a full inquest. This decision has rekindled hope for the family, who urge anyone with information, however minor it may seem, to come forward.
The case has gained renewed attention thanks to a podcast by Redcliffe’s Graeme Crowley, a retired police detective, and an “Under Investigation” episode with Liz Hayes aired earlier this year. These platforms have played a crucial role in encouraging individuals to share information, adding new leads to the investigation.
Sandrine Jourdan was last seen on July 13, 2012, at a property owned by a friend on Tomlinson Rd, Caboolture. Twelve years later, her family remains steadfast in their search for truth. Nakita and her older siblings, Sam and Jessie, and other family members continue to seek closure.
A 2016 coroner’s report delivered an open finding suggesting Sandrine’s disappearance was likely a suicide. Her family, however, strongly disputes this conclusion. Despite Sandrine’s mental health struggles, Nakita insists her mother was planning for the future and would not have willingly left her family behind.
The Jourdan family’s resolve is evident as the anniversary of Sandrine’s disappearance approaches. They implore the public to come forward with any details that might shed light on what happened. Nakita’s belief in the power of community support is unwavering, and the family remains hopeful that new information will surface.
Nakita describes her mother as a free spirit; Nakita recalls Sandrine’s friendly nature and deep dedication to her children. Despite her struggles, Sandrine was organised, keeping detailed journal entries until her disappearance. Nakita emphasises that mental health issues do not define a person entirely, and it is inconceivable to her family that Sandrine would have taken her own life.
Sandrine Jourdan’s family’s journey for answers continues as they strive to uncover the truth and the closure they desperately seek.
The Caboolture Sports Club has officially opened its new cricket nets at the Grant Road Sports Complex, marking a significant improvement in local cricket facilities. This development is expected to enhance participation opportunities for the community.
The project, which replaced the old 3-lane outdoor nets with new 5-lane outdoor nets, was made possible through a $250,000 grant from Round 1 of the Queensland’s Minor Infrastructure Program (MIP). The funding aimed to improve the quality and safety of cricket facilities at the club.
The MIP, administered by the Department of Tourism and Sport, is designed to support Queensland’s active industry in delivering new, upgraded, and end-of-life infrastructure projects. In its first round, the program distributed a total of $16.36 million across 91 shovel-ready projects throughout the state.
Building on the success of Round 1, Queensland combined Round 2 of the MIP with the $30 million Inclusive Facilities Fund, resulting in a substantial $45 million investment in community sport and active recreation infrastructure projects.
This initiative aligns with the 10-year Activate! Queensland strategy, which aims to encourage more Queenslanders to engage in physical activity more frequently.
The completion of this project at the Caboolture Sports Club represents a positive step towards achieving the strategy’s goals, providing improved facilities that may inspire increased cricket participation in the local community.
Wallace Street Park in Caboolture is one of nine locations across the Moreton Bay region to receive a potentially life-saving Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) as part of a successful pilot programme.
The initiative, a collaboration between the City of Moreton Bay, Urban Play, and Stryker, aims to enhance community safety by providing readily accessible AEDs in public spaces.
Mayor Peter Flannery emphasised the significance of the programme, stating that the devices could significantly improve survival rates for individuals experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, a condition affecting roughly 90 Australians daily, with 95% not reaching a hospital alive.
The 12-week pilot, which concluded successfully, saw AEDs strategically placed in various parks and outdoor areas, including Wallace Street Park, based on demographic factors such as age, health considerations, and proximity to hospitals. Thanks to the partnership with Urban Play and Stryker, the devices were installed at no cost to ratepayers and will remain accessible at the selected sites.
Mayor Flannery underscored the user-friendly nature of the defibrillators, highlighting their ease of use and safety, even for those with minimal training. Clear instructions, along with visual and voice prompts, guide users through the resuscitation process until professional help arrives.
Given the positive outcome of the pilot, the City of Moreton Bay is now exploring the possibility of extending the programme to new major park upgrades and existing district and regional parks with high visitor numbers.
This move aligns with Urban Play’s mission to create spaces that promote healthier and more active lifestyles and solidifies Stryker’s commitment to advancing medical technology for the betterment of public health.
The Moreton Police District held its annual Medal Presentation today at Sports Central in Caboolture, recognising outstanding bravery and long-term exceptional service of several officers.
The ceremony, attended by the Minister for Police and Community Safety, the Honourable Mark Ryan, showcased the dedication and bravery of Queensland’s law enforcement personnel.
Two officers, Senior Constable Amy Dallimore and Senior Constable Randall Jurd, were awarded the prestigious Queensland Police Valour Medal for their exceptional bravery during a dangerous incident in 2019. The officers responded to a stabbing call at Endeavour Caravan Park in Deception Bay on March 18, 2019, where they encountered an armed offender. Despite the high-risk situation, which resulted in Senior Constable Jurd sustaining a knife wound, the officers’ courageous actions protected the community and residents of the caravan park.
Senior Constable Jurd expressed his pride in receiving the award, stating, “You don’t join the police service for recognition, but to protect your community and I am proud that our efforts were able to do so that day and every day.”
Detective Inspector Phil Hurst was honoured with the Queensland Police Exemplary Conduct Medal for his outstanding work as the Officer in Charge of the Sunshine Coast Child Protection and Investigation Unit (CPIU). His unwavering commitment to child protection and professionalism were noted as exceeding expectations.
The ceremony also recognised long-term service, with three officers receiving clasps for 30 years or more of service to the Queensland Police Service. Two 35-year clasps and one 30-year clasp were presented, along with second National Medals.
Additional recognitions included the Assistant Commissioner’s Certificate, Assistant Commissioner’s Certificate Detective Certificate and Badge, and the District Officer’s Certificate.
Minister Mark Ryan congratulated the recipients, saying, “We have heard some remarkable stories of bravery, ingenuity, and dedication today, where officers have put themselves and their safety second to the community serve.
“Every one of you should be incredibly proud of the role you have and will continue to play in your community.”
