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Peach Cafe in Auchenflower Opens at Former Flower Shop’s Site

A charming, new cafe has opened at the site of the former flower shop on 97 Haig Road and it will likely become your next favourite brunch place in AuchenFlower. Standing next to a children’s playground, the Peach Cafe serves freshly-baked goodies, satisfying meals and a selection of excellent coffee.

Peach Cafe‘s all-day breakfast choices, such as smash avocado toast, hotcakes, or bacon and eggs, might seem familiar but this restaurant also serves fusion food inspired by Asian cuisine. If you’re not up for the usual toast and eggs, you cannot go wrong with its rich-tasting Kimchi fried rice with pork belly.

This restaurant’s dishes go perfectly well with Peach Cafe’s coffee, chai latte and hot chocolate drinks.

You’ll find Peach Cafe’s ambiance appealing with its dainty peach and white theme. This dining spot also has an alfresco dining area for families with kids and dogs coming from the nearby park.

Since this restaurant is still fairly new, there’s still room for growth and adjustment. But it won’t be surprising if Peach Cafe becomes your place of choice for catching up and relaxing with friends and family!

“Had such a wonderful breakfast at Peach Cafe! Beautiful light atmosphere, best coffee in Brisbane and delicious food. Great service and a great vibe. The avo toast is divine and don’t forget to try the delish pastries on offer! 10/10 would return!”
~ Franchesca Chorengel, Facebook

“Have been there twice now, and both times I’ve been incredibly pleased with the whole experience – delicious coffee, mocha comes sprinkled with real chocolate, kind staff and lovely (dog-friendly) seating out the back. So glad to have another local cafe pop up and will definitely be back.”
~ Pia Richardson, Google Review

“Came here for coffee on a Saturday morning, so many people queuing up, coffee must be good. And yes it is also got a little kid park next to it. No wonder it’s popular.”
~ Misscharlot, Zomato

Why Bardon Dad Scott Rimington Is Joining a Sea of Purple for the National Walk for Pancreatic Cancer in Brisbane

When Bardon local Scott Rimington and his family join a sea of purple for the annual National Walk for Pancreatic Cancer in Brisbane, on Sunday, the 20th Oct 2019, they will be hoping that pancreatic cancer will get the same attention as breast cancer.

“I may need to update my information but when I last looked more people die of pancreatic cancer in Australia than of breast cancer,” Scott said. “Still [there are] lots more women diagnosed with breast cancer but through research funding, improving identification and treatments, the survival rates have improved remarkably [for breast cancer patients].”

Scott lost his wife of 35 years, Annie Cridland, to an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer in 2016. Since Annie’s diagnosis, he has been supporting the research to help improve pancreatic cancer detection and treatments. He has been sharing his time and resources to the foundation more so after his wife passed away.

The Hope for Pancreatic Cancer Research

Scott hopes that the same progress will happen to pancreatic cancer research. Thus, he has been urging family members and friends to raise awareness and participate in the Put Your Foot Down Walk for Pancreatic Cancer.

Joining Scott at Teralba Park at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday are his daughters Emily and Evie, Annie’s friends and even Annie’s dog, Nell. They will be amongst other families throwing their support for pancreatic cancer patients and the institutions that ensure there will one day be an end to this deadly disease.

“There is something very special about sharing with other families and treading the same path we have,” Scott said.

Whilst he looks forward to the yearly walk for a cause to be with the families and meet the actual experts who have been working on finding a cure, Scott still has mixed emotions about this fundraiser.

“In some ways, I wish it wasn’t on as it is such a potent reminder of how pernicious this particular cancer is,” he said. “Every year you meet people and families that have been down the same or even tougher pathways than our family.”

“But in truth for me, the most important thing is to entice people to donate to Avner pancreatic cancer research as it is only funding that is going to keep the research momentum up in this seemingly intractable cancer area.”

*Photo Credit: Avner Pancreatic Cancer Foundation/Facebook*

Supporting the Walk for Pancreatic Cancer

If you’re keen on joining Scott, you may still register for the Walk. On-site registration will take place on the day of the event if you can’t do the online registration. Just be there at 8:30 a.m. or earlier.

The Walk is open for any age but participants above 16 years old will need to sign up for $25 as part of the fundraising efforts. Don’t forget to wear anything purple!

You don’t need to be present at the Walk to support the cause. You may still donate online from among the participant’s profiles. As of press time, $16,586.00 has been raised in the days leading up to the big event.

Neighbourhood Coffee Roasters Ceases Brewing in Bardon

The local hub aptly named Neighbourhood Coffee Roasters, located at 58 Rainworth Road in Bardon, will cease brewing after the 22nd of Sept 2019.

Owners Alex and Stephanie Ridgway announced their decision to their loyal customers in a Facebook post, citing their need to create a work and life balance for their young and growing children. The Bardon location opened in 2015.

Neighbourhood Coffee Roasters regulars, however, may still find their delicious roasted coffee and cafe meals at its Albion location on Sandgate Road. The Ridgway couple plan to lease their store in Bardon whilst ensuring that the Albion site will get the focus and attention it needs.

*Photo Credit: Neighbourhood Coffee Roasters/Facebook*

“It is a great space and we would love to continue serving you there if you come to that side of town,” the couple stated, adding that they would want to continue building a sense of connectedness in the community, which they have experienced while running the Bardon store.

“It is incredibly heart-warming when we observe: children exploring the back garden with wonder; elderly members of our community reporting their sense of nostalgia in the shop; people finding a little pause from the busyness of their day; newborn babies becoming a part of the community; a neighbour tending so lovingly to the side garden; and regular customers coming down to the cafe to meet with their neighbours every day.”

Trading hours at the Albion site, which may be found at the back of the Albion Fine Trades, is from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Meanwhile, their online store will still be up so Bardon locals who regularly buy their blends may also arrange for delivery.

Rainworth State School Now on the Queensland Heritage List

Photo Credit: apps.des.qld.gov.au

Rainworth State School, one of the leading primary schools in Bardon, has been entered in the Queensland Heritage Register.

Inscribed in the heritage register on 21 August 2019, the school was classified as a State Heritage site for its significance in the following criteria:

demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland’s history
demonstrating the principal characteristics of a Queensland state school of the Depression-era
strong association with past and present pupils, parents, staff members, and the surrounding community through sustained use since its establishment in a rapidly developing residential area in 1928.

Block C, north elevation (Photo Credit: apps.des.qld.gov.au)

During the 1930s, the Queensland Government launched building and relief work programmes that provided work for men unemployed as a result of the Great Depression. The school’s Brick School Building, retaining wall with stairs, and the levelling of parts of the school grounds for a playing field and tennis courts were the results of these relief work programmes.

Tennis courts at Rainworth State School (Photo Credit: apps.des.qld.gov.au)

Until today, the original timber building in the school is still being used and currently houses eight classrooms. A complete refurbishment of all the existing buildings was done in the 1980s.

Rainworth State School History

In 1928, Rainworth State School opened with only 238 students and five teachers. It was built on land purchased by the Department of Public Instruction from a farmer named Robert Finnick to accommodate the need for a new school in the area.

Back then, the school had an easier access to pupils. It helped relieve overcrowding at schools in surrounding areas and served Rainworth, Rosehill and Soudan localities, and parts of Birdwood Terrace, Upper Paddington, and Bardon.

Fast-forward to present day, the primary school now has twice the number of students since it opened. As of 2017, there were a total of 549 children enrolled at Rainworth State School. It is located 4.2km west of Brisbane CBD and currently accepts Prep Year to Year 6 students.

The school is considered among Queensland’s top school catchments. Rainworth State School landed on the top spot of Better Education’s best public primary school in Brisbane for 2018.

Rainworth State School: Among Top Primary Schools Based on 2019 NAPLAN Results

Rainworth State School is among the top performing primary schools based on the released NAPLAN 2019 Preliminary Results.

Rainworth State School follows top-ranking St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School in Ascot. Ashgrove State School, Ashgrove; St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School, Corinda; and Indooroopilly State School, Indooroopilly round out the top five.

NAPLAN 2019 Outcomes for Rainworth State School

Year 3	READ	WRITE	SPELL	GP	NMCY
Average Score	554	459	459	551	459
% of students at or above NMS	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%

Year 5	READ	WRITE	SPELL	GP	NMCY
Average Score	598	523	549	613	558
% of students at or above NMS	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%

Source: NAPLAN 2019 data from Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority

It is not at all surprising to see Rainworth State School ranking among the best primary schools in Queensland. Based on Good Education Group’s website showing Rainworth State School’s NAPLAN results from 2014 – 2017, the Bardon-based primary school has consistently done well, scoring well above the national average, in all areas: Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar, and Numeracy.

The Concerning 2019 Preliminary NAPLAN Writing Results

ACARA noted that NAPLAN results in writing for 2019 have revealed a “pleasing improvement” from last year, especially that there was a noticeable decline in recent years across all year levels.

“Schools have been making focused efforts for some time to address concerns about their students’ writing. Students are to be congratulated for this year’s improvement, especially Year 3 students, where the results are particularly encouraging,” ACARA CEO David de Carvalho said.

*Photo credit: State of Queensland (Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority) / qcaa.qld.edu.au*

Despite the improvement in writing results, comparison of performance in writing by state and territory reveals that Queensland Year 9 students are the second least performing, just a step above the Northern Territory students, with only 77.6 percent of the cohorts meeting or above the national minimum standard. The Qld average is 5.3 percentage points lower than the national average of 82.9 percent.

Moreover, the percentage of Qld students at or above the NMS in Years 3, 5, and 7 also fell below the national average, with the gap increasing with each year.

NAPLAN 2019 achievement of Qld and Australia Year 3,5, and 7 students in writing:

Qld Year 3 – 96.3%, Australia – 96.9%; difference 0.6
Qld Year 5 – 91.2%, Australia – 93.1% ; difference 1.9
Qld Year 7 – 86.8%, Australia – 89.8% ; difference 3.0
Qld Year 9 – 77.6%, Australia – 82.9% ; difference 5.3

Still, Education Minister Grace Grace lauded the preliminary results, stating that Queensland students continue to perform well in many key areas.

“This year’s results continue to confirm Queensland as one of the most improved states since testing began in 2008,” Ms Grace said.

“It is great to see our students improving in 17 of 20 NAPLAN test areas against National Minimum Standard, Mean Scale Score and Upper two Bands.”

“After more than 10 years, it’s time for a comprehensive national review of NAPLAN to ensure it remains current and responsive to changes in education,” she said.

“Queensland is still proud to be the star performer when it comes to NAPLAN.”

Aircraft Traffic Above Bardon To Increase Beginning Mid-2020

With the opening of the new runway in mid-2020 and the introduction of new flight paths, Bardon and The Gap may notice an increase in aircraft traffic overhead.

*Photo credit: 2019 Brisbane Airport Corporation / flightpathtool.bne.com.au*

To help residents check flight paths and understand related flight information specific to an address, Brisbane Airport Corporation recently released its Flight Path tool.

Video Credit: Brisbane Airport / YouTube

The flight path tool shows aircraft arrival and departure flight paths, for both current and when the new runway opens, depending on the direction of the wind that is blowing at the airport. Along with the flight paths, the tool also provides noise mapping which indicates areas that will experience aircraft noise of 70 decibels or more.

Aircraft Traffic — *Photo credit: 2019 Brisbane Airport Corporation / flightpathtool.bne.com.au*

The new runway will allow aircraft to land over the city and depart over the bay on both runways when northerly winds prevail or arrive over moreton bay and depart over the city on both runways when the wind blowing is predominantly southerly.

Utilising the new runway, the new flight paths during predominantly northerly breezes could bring about an average of seven arriving aircrafts flying above the suburb of Bardon between 6am and 6pm, with the numbers possibly reaching as high as 29 flights in Brisbane winter months.

In Brisbane summer months, there will be about 14 arriving flights above Bardon between 6am and 6pm when the wind blowing at the airport is predominantly northerly. The flight path plan sets the number of maximum arriving jet flights above Bardon at 30.

When the new runway is fully operational, aircraft traffic will be moved further west and removed from suburbs like Zillmere, Aspley, Chermside, Chermside West, Stafford, Stafford Heights, Enoggera, Alderley, and Keperra.

Whilst suburbs that will be under the flight path for the first time will include Upper Kedron, Albany Creek, Bridgeman Downs, Banyo, Nudgee, Bald Hills, Strathpine, Bray Park, Lawnton, and Joyner.

Departing flights over these suburbs will however be at an altitude of about 10,000 to 20,000 feet, so aircraft noise is not expected to be noticeable. Also, as much as possible, flights will directed over the bay between 10pm to 6am.

Chef Gives Traditional French Dishes a Modern Twist at Bardon French Restaurant

If you’re looking for a bit of indulgence, the sumptuous dishes exquisitely prepared at Lutece in Bardon may just satisfy your craving for a delightful dinner. Choose from the four-course Lobster Celebration, the Canard à la Presse (Duck on the Press), the Winter Special lunch menu, or the Dinner by Sunset list.

Lutece serves traditional French food with a modern twist, which is prepared so meticulously by Chef Romain Bapst. If it is your first visit then you need to try the creamy crab lasagne signature dish and the classic escargot.

While the restaurant’s food choices are limited and change seasonally, you’ll appreciate the set menus because you just have to order and wait comfortably as every meal is served at your table, including the desserts.

Lutece also has a vegetarian and kids menu, as well as an extensive wine list to pair with your meals.

*Photo Credit: Discover Brisbane/Facebook*

From the moment you step inside this chic establishment, you’ll get first-class service. Price points might be a bit more expensive than other restaurants, but the fine dining experience is very much worth the price.

To be clear, Lutece isn’t cheap but you’ll get great value for your money. On Wednesday nights, a jazz band serenades diners. What’s more, the restaurant is located in the foothills of Mt Cool-tha with a great view of the western suburbs so be sure to reserve a seat by the window to make your dining experience even better.

*Photo Credit: Lutece Bistro & Wine Bar/Facebook*

Lutece’s trading hours are from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. For reservations, phone (07) 3161 1858 or email bookings@lutece.com.au.

“My husband and I went there this past weekend for lunch and the food was unbelievable. I highly recommend the Lobster Bisque and Crab Lasagna. We will definitely be back! Great views too. Best french restaurant in Brisbane, by far.”
~ Nicole Maria, Google Reviews

“The food was delicious, the service impeccable and the ambiance amazing. We will certainly be back especially as we live so close. What a gem! Perfect for a special occasion! They even gave us a treat with Happy Anniversary written in chocolate with a sparkler. So special!”
~ Narelle Keresztes, Facebook

“Something really special. The view is spectacular. The menu spectacular. Get an uber – you don’t want to be the designated driver. Very well priced for food of this quality.”
~ Emma, Zomato

Why Dog Owners Like to Hang Out at Bardon Thyme

Bardon Thyme has a favourable spot at the corner of Morgan Terrace. It’s right across the beautiful Bowman Park in Bardon, where plenty of dog owners stroll with their pets to find a place to relax or dine.

Owners and life partners Michael Wendt and Gary Hamilton have capitalised on the crowd that walks the footpath of their shabby chic cafe by providing exactly what they need. They’ve set up an establishment where people can hang around comfortably amidst the garden greens and the lush surroundings.

To the back of Bardon Thyme is a spacious garden where dogs can enjoy their puppycinos. The front of the restaurant has a shaded outdoor area as well, where people can take their leisure time to enjoy their coffee or food.

The menu at the cafe changes regularly but being vegetarians, the partners that run this shop serve mostly wholesome food for diners. However, they also recognise meat lovers so they source hams and slices of bacon from local farmers while the eggs are free-range.

Most of the food is made from scratch including the jams and preserves since Bardon Thyme has a productive garden at the back. The pastries and bread, however, come from Crust & Co.

Bardon Thyme opened in November 2018 and it’s quite packed during lunch hours. The store starts trading at 6:30 a.m. and closes shop at 4:00 p.m. Weekend hours are shorter, though, as the restaurant closes just right after the lunch hour. They are closed on Mondays.

“It’s very hard to find a cafe with great coffee and friendly service; in a convenient and relaxing environment. In fact it’s very rare. The addition of a very healthy and delicious food menu is an absolute bonus. Keep it up, guys. I will be coming back!”
~ Shane Fracchia, Google Reviews

“Welcoming staff. Great neighbourhood atmosphere. Really good food. Excellent coffee.”
~ Sue Thomas, Facebook

Bardon: Brisbane Suburb with Highest Jump in Unit Rent Price

Bardon recorded the highest rise in unit rent price in the past 12 months to June 2019, the latest report from Domain Group revealed.

The latest report by Domain revealed which suburbs recorded the biggest rise in rent price and which saw the biggest drop. Unit rental market in Bardon rose the highest in the last 12 months with an 18 percent jump and a 20 percent rise over the past five years, for a median weekly rent price of $360.

Experts attribute the surge in unit price to the growing number of smaller units and townhouses which are popular choices for established renters who choose the suburb for its location and amenities.

Bardon is also the catchment zone for two of the sought-after schools in Brisbane, Bardon State School and Rainworth State School, the report said.

Other suburbs that saw unit rental price hike is Yerongpilly with a 14.3 percent rise year-on-year and Holland Park with an 11.1 percent year-on-year rent price increase.

The report also noted that Brisbane’s rental market has experienced a rising trend in the past 12 months with an overall increase of 6.25 percent for units in inner-city suburbs which indicates a strong demand for new apartments.

Fortitude Valley, on the other hand, had the biggest jump in rental asking price for houses with a 16.3 percent increase or a median weekly rent price of $500. The report said that the increase in rental price in the suburb is likely due to demand already catching up with the supply boom over the past years.

House rental price in Fig Tree Pocket also has risen by 12.5 percent with a median weekly rent price of $675 whilst in Ashgrove, house rent price increased by 10.6 percent, for a median weekly rent of 575.

As far as locations that saw the biggest decrease in rent price for units, Rocklea declined the most with an 8.9 percent drop year-on-year for a median weekly rent price of $280. For houses, Chelmer dropped the largest with 11.2 percent for a weekly median rent price of $675.

Bardon Bowls Club Bids Goodbye to Pokies

Bardon Bowls Club is gearing up for more enhancements following their decision to get rid of their last ‘pokies.’

The club finally decided to remove the last gambling machines in the premises in June 2019. This move makes it possible for the club to offer more spaces for social gatherings.

*Photo credit: The Bardon Bowls Club/Facebook*

According to Bardon Bowls Club’s volunteer president Trevor Worth, the poker machines saw a decline in users over the years. Revitalising the area to accommodate function spaces can possibly generate more income for the club compared to its previous use as a gaming area.

Significant changes are already noticeable in the former gaming area. In fact, the club already hosted a kid’s disco on the said space after the removal of the machines.

In connection with their move away from gambling, the club will be adding new activities in addition to bowls for families to enjoy. Whilst the club has no current plans in re-opening their restaurant, food trucks can now be seen regularly on-site from Fridays to Sundays.

The club also plans to create a kids’ playroom in the corner room next to the family green. This will be accessible from inside and out.

Clubgoers can also enjoy a selection of drinks from the club’s improved wine lists and craft beer offers. Currently on-offer are locally-sourced beers from independent breweries including Eumundi, Newstead, and Green Beacon.

Bardon Bowls Club is hopeful that these changes will help the community hub prosper and allow families to enjoy the club much more.