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Bardon Ranks Second in Western Suburbs with Greatest Education Advantage

Children living in Queensland’s western suburbs were found to have the best educational advantage in the state, with Bardon hailed as the second best area with the greatest educational advantage in Queensland.

The Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre‘s Educate Australia Fair report published in July 2017 shows that Fig Tree Pocket enjoyed the greatest educational advantage in the state. Bardon ranked second followed by St Lucia, Chelmer – Graceville, Pullenvale – Pinjarra Hills, Sherwood, Brookfield – Kenmore Hills, East Brisbane, and Ashgrove as 10th best. The educational advantage were based on family background, demographic characteristics, and geography.

Heat Map of Educational Disadvantage in Queensland Source: Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre

Children in the western suburbs of the state were found to have better educational achievement and access than any other place in Queensland. The report includes analyses of years of NAPLAN results, school attendance rates, census information about family make-up, and even internet access, as well as unemployment figures and data from the National Early Childhood Education and Care Collection .

As stated in the report, “Children living in the least disadvantaged areas will achieve on average double the score in reading, writing and numeracy tests than those living in the most disadvantaged areas.”

Source: Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre

The report also revealed the areas that scored in the bottom ten on the educational disadvantage index are most likely located in the remote and very remote regions across the State. A number of these areas are also Indigenous communities.

Interestingly, whilst areas at the bottom 10 are most disadvantaged, preschool attendance in some of these areas are still higher on average than national figures. This suggests that for a number of areas across Queensland, such early investment in children will eventually pay off in the coming years.

The average NAPLAN scores of the disadvantaged areas may be lower than the overall national average, but they are relatively higher than the most disadvantaged areas located across other regions of Australia.

This report from the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre’s Focus on the States series aims to better understand the education journey taken by children; to explore the degree to which improvements in education outcomes are evenly distributed across the full range of equity groups; and to support effective policy development on an issue of central importance to Australia.

Taneka Kovchenko Announces Retirement From Diving Ahead of Commonwealth Games

A rare mum and daughter team would have been present at the Commonwealth Games diving events. Little Ducks Childcare Community’s manager in Bardon, Michelle Kovchenko would be tallying up the scores manually, whilst her daughter Taneka competes at the Gold Coast Games. However, a sudden turn of events forced Taneka to retire from her diving career after 14 years due to health reasons.

Taneka took to her Instagram account to announce her retirement due to her safety. She narrated that since the end of last year, she had been feeling chronic headaches and neck pain. It was only recently that she had herself checked and found out that she has a health condition and a dive gone wrong could turn her into a ventilated quadriplegic.

View this post on Instagram

Pt.1 This past week I’ve had to make one of the hardest decisions of my career so far and I would like to firstly say thank you to medical professionals at SASI for being so diligent throughout this process because without them life could have be a lot worse. Yesterday I announced I am having to retire from diving due to my safety. Since the end of last year I have had chronic headaches and a lot of pain in my neck. We decided it was time to get it check out last month so I had a few scans done, not thinking much off it. From the first scan we found I have a fairly common genetic formation where my scull formed before my brain finished growing which seemed to pose no immediate problems but my Doctor wanted to send me to the neurologist as this can sometimes cause a build up of fluid in the spinal cord. I had a few more scans done in flexion and extension of my neck which found my neck is hyper flexible and my c1 and c2 are compressing my spinal cord and the bottom of my brain when in these positions. The neurologist and Doctors where very clear that if a dive was to go wrong that the result would be being a ventilated quadriplegic. This was a super scary moment. I thought of every scenario to try and continue diving till at-least the end of this season however the risks highly out weighed the options of continuing to dive and sadly had to make the heart breaking decision to stop diving. I have had an amazing 14 years diving chasing my dream of representing Australia. I am great full for every experience and opportunity I have been given. I am leaving the sport as an athlete proud of my accomplishments and with so many life skills. I have learnt so much from this sport including courage, determination, inner strength, persistence, confidence, self belief, to aspire, support and empathize with teammates even if it’s a primarily individual sport. This may be the end of my diving career but I’m not going to be a stranger to the sport, I’m still in love with it.

A post shared by Taneka Kovchenko (@tkovchenko) on Apr 1, 2018 at 5:19am PDT

Not taking any more chances, Taneka decided to retire for her health and safety. She thanked her supporters and the people who have been there for her throughout her athletic career in her two-part Instagram posts.

View this post on Instagram

Pt. 2 I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has played a roll in making my years in diving such memorable ones from the highest of highs to the heart breaking lows, it’s all been worth it. To my teammates off to the Gold Coast for comm games thank you for the support and inspiration not only through this week but also over the years. I love you all and I wish you all the best next week I’ll be cheering you all on 💪🇦🇺 To my coach Michel Larouche I am beyond grateful for being able to be guided by you these past 3 and a half almost 4 yrs my longest standing coach to this day. I thank you for pushing me to my limits and beyond. I’ve learnt by pushing the limits it enables us to change, learn and improve our selves. Thank you to @sa_sports_institute for everything the support and guidance you have given me over the past three and half years has been amazing in and out of the pool. You are all like family to me and I now truly have a soft spot for SA ❤️ @divingaus thank you for your support over the years these past few have been beyond my wildest dreams and I’ll be forever great full for the opportunities given to me to represent Australia in diving. Last but not least thank you too my family for everything I love you all so much and am internally grateful for your love and support ❤️ over the many years. I am sad that this chapter is closing but excited for what might be around the corner. No matter what I know one thing will never change I’ll always strive to be my best and continue chasing my dreams.

A post shared by Taneka Kovchenko (@tkovchenko) on Apr 1, 2018 at 6:08am PDT

In March, Taneka and Melissa Wu competed at the Diving World Series in Beijing, China where they won bronze with 299.46 points.

Taneka has been diving since she was eight and has been competing since she was 12. She relocated to Adelaide after she acquired a scholarship and a Canadian coach.

The Commonwealth Games was supposed to mark Taneka’s debut into the international multi-sport event along with Matthew Barnard and Matthew Carter.

Lewin Street Store In Bardon Has Just Become The Perfect Weekend Stop

The only cafe on Lewin Street in Bardon has just expanded its products. You can still get your Allpress Roasters coffee at the Lewin Street Store, but prepare to do more than that.

A Touch Of Greenery

Green thumbs out there will appreciate that the cafe and general store is now offering plants. Now, you get to select from a wide selection of plants that are up for purchase.

Photo credit:
Lewin Street Store / Facebook

This makes it the perfect weekend spot — coffee, good food, and your plant needs.

Live plants have become a trend. Whether indoors or outdoors, these plants just give more life to any area. The good news is that Lewin Street Store carries plants that require low maintenance. So, if you’re new to the “plant world,” no worries, you’ll get the right plants for newbies like you here.

Everything’s Fresh

Some 40 years ago, it was a local butcher shop that turned into the house of a spiritual healer. Now owned by Michelle and Jess, Lewin Street Store aims to provide warm hospitality and local produce not just for the locals but for other people in nearby suburbs who come by.

The cafe also gets its supplies straight from locals. A gentleman who lives nearby brings fresh honey from his beehives, while two ladies bring fresh basil and kale.

There is also a group of special ED students who pick and bring vegetables to the store through the help of a market program.

Brunch, Anyone?

The restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch. They offer basic food selection such as their fruit salad and a selection of toasts. These may look simple but they taste superb and they are the perfect meals to help you power through the day.

Settle in with a good beverage. They offer Allpress coffee and Barambah Organics milk, which are a perfect combination. Pait it up with organic bread from Leavain, or choose from delicious treats such as muffins, ice creams and banana loaf with hand-churned butter.

On weekends, enjoy some pastries from Crust & Co.

The store is not just about coffee and pastries. It also serves as a mini-convenience store with heaps of stuff that you can find, such as toothbrushes, olive oil, Vegemite and much more.

Address: 109 Lewin St.

Celebrate Easter with Free Movies in the Park in Bardon

Celebrate Easter with the whole family and enjoy a free movie from the Brisbane City Council in Bardon.

On 24 March, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., bring the whole family with you for Movies in the Park and other fun activities at the Jubilee Park.

To commemorate Easter, there will be a special visit by the Easter Bunny and Alice in Wonderland.

Kids will also enjoy the rides at the park such as the tea cup and the bouncy castles. There are also fun activities like the mini golf and face-painting.

Food will be available from Cafe Cartel. Expect a selection of milkshakes and desserts such as cakes, muffins and slices. They also have gourmet fish and chips. Their mini pancakes served with an assortment of toppings are something that you shouldn’t miss.

The Bardon Lions Club will also be there to offer some good sausage. Sausages are prices at $2.50 whilst drinks are at $1.50 each.

The Lions Club’s presence at the event is to help raise funds for the community. The club is dedicated to make a community a better place to live, work and grow.

The rides and other fun activities will begin at 4:00 p.m., whilst the movie, Despicable Me 3, will start at 6:30 p.m.

Movies In the Park is the council’s initiative to provide free entertainment to the local community. Every month, free movies are held in various parks and local libraries in Brisbane.

Free movie schedule can be found here.

Dingoes Being Kept as Pets in Bardon & Nearby Suburbs

Although dingoes in the west Brisbane aren’t new anymore, keeping one as a pet is something else. In Bardon, there is a dingo in a residential property that has a permit based on the Brisbane City Council’s dog registration data, which was dated 18 October 2017.

It’s not only in Bardon, though, as the data revealed six Australian dingoes had current dog registration permits in Murarrie, Chelmer, Ashgrove, Tingalpa and Bald Hills.

Ongoing Investigation

Dingoes aren’t meant to be kept as animals and they are considered restrictive invasive animals in Queensland. A spokesman for Lord Mayor Graham Quirk’s office said that there were seven owners who attempted to register their dog’s breed as a dingo last year but there was no comment regarding the “current” ones in the council’s own data.

On the other hand, the council has already begun their investigation to find out if the registered dogs were Australian dingoes or another breed of domestic dog. Should the dogs be confirmed as dingoes, they will be seized by the council and will be transferred to wildlife sanctuaries or other jurisdictions.

Under the Biosecurity Act, illegal possession of dingoes could face a fine of up to $63,075. Only licensed zoos, wildlife parks or for research or educational purposes are allowed to keep a dingo. Here in the west, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Fig Tree Pocket is the only place with a permitted dingo.

Wild Attacks

Dingoes are known to attack wildlife, cause havoc, and even attack people. In 2015, a pack of hybrid dingoes invaded Upper Brookfield terrorising pets and killing wildlife. At first, the pack was spotted feeding on mangoes whilst seeking shade under the trees until a resident complained about their dead goat, which was killed by the dingoes.

In Fraser Island in 2014, two women were attacked by dingoes whilst jogging on the beach when they were bitten by two dingoes.

Where Did Dingoes Come From?

The exact origin of dingoes is still unsure until today. They are related to wolves and can grow up to 60 cm tall and weigh up to 25kg.

Report a Wild Dog

The council has guidelines for wild dogs and that you can view here. If you see a wild dog, remain calm and walk away, never run away from the dog. Report it at 07 3403 8888 or you can fill up this online form.

A Revamped Bardon Community Market Is Coming

On 18 February, a bigger Bardon Community Market will be available for the locals. The last Bardon Community Market took place in December last year. This year, the market will be under new management and will showcase new stalls.

What’s going to make it bigger and better is that some stallholders from the now defunct The Gap Farmers Market will be joining the 30 vendors at this community market.

Sara Ashmore-Smith, who runs the farmers market in The Gap, said she handpicked two of the best coffee people and a good breakfast stall from the previous market, The Stanthorpe apples and the butcher from The Gap markets will also be there.

Make sure that you drop by Parrydise stall for that delicious antipasto platter. They have tasty duck eggs, duck egg pasta, marinated Olives, feta and Backas small goods.

For those looking for a sugar fix, don’t miss out on J’Adore Les Crepes.

Delicious coffee and farm fresh breakfast from Amalua farm will be here as well. Feast on delicious omelettes and breakfast wraps!

The new Bardon Markets will be held every Sunday from 6:00 a.m. You will find it at the corner of Baroona and Rainworth Roads, next to Norm Buchan Park.

Beans on the Green in Bardon Keeps the Community Closer Than Ever

Just beside the Bardon Bowls Club, what looks like a tin shed will capture your attention. This shed is actually a cafe called Beans on the Green, which is a local favourite. Locals are very much invested in the community here, which makes this place a great spot for everybody to get together a couple of times a week.

The cafe was established in 2012. Boasting of a green and lime exterior with a relaxed indie vibe will lure you in. Vintage pieces adorn the inside of the cafe.

Photo credit: Beans on the Green / Facebook

There is indoor and outdoor seating. The seats outside has overhead fans and potted plants for cooling during the hot summer days. If you want to soak in some vitamin D, you can sit on the seats further away on the synthetic grass with outdoor umbrellas.

This is also a great place for you to bring your kids; not only does it have a wide green space but it also has many toys to keep them entertained.

Bring your pups with you as well! You can sit down on the grass with a blanket whilst your pups run around or socialise with other pups.

When it comes to their food, their menu is pretty simple offering some sandwiches and biscuits. Of course, most of the people who come here grabs a cup of joe – they serve Establishment coffee.

Just by the side of the cafe, you will notice mortals that are hand-painted, making the cafe a standout. This is also a perfect backdrop for your Instagram photos.

Address: 69 Bowman Parade

UnitingCare Facility in Bardon Plans to Expand, Neighbours Oppose

A Bardon facility to provide an emergency home for girls aged 12 to 17, UnitingCare in Bardon, has been the site of a ruckus lately, as news about the potential expansion of the facility caused an uproar among the residents who live nearby.

Established in 1960, UnitingCare is a leading provider of community services across Queensland. In Bardon, neighbours have been enduring the chaos brought on by some troubled girls living at the facility. Reports of vandalism, stone-throwing, and foul language are some of the things that the neighbours say they have had to put up with for years.

Most of the neighbours endured such problems only because they believe in the initiative of the organisation. However, things changed upon learning that the facility has a new plan to expand and accommodate more troubled youth, including teenage boys. It seems that such a development is the last straw for the affected residents.

On the 22nd of November, they called for a meeting with the facility along with officials from the Department of Communities and Child Safety. They were upset to find out that there is nothing that they could do to stop the possible expansion from happening. A spokeswoman for the organisation said that they have responded promptly to issues raised by the neighbours and they will work on a number of solutions to change how they care for the children, thus hopefully changing their behaviours as well.

The organisation also made it clear that the improvement of the site isn’t just about the youth that they care for; rather, they have also considered the welfare of the neighbours before they set things in motion.

‘Meat’ Your Heart Out at Mundo Churrasco in Bardon

Feeling carnivorous? There’s no better place to satisfy that hunger but at Mundo Churrasco in Bardon.

Opened in 2010, this restaurant and bar provides Brazilian barbecue that utilises the Churrasco tradition that dates back over 300 years. The restaurant is also one of Brisbane’s largest employers of Brazilian nationals. There are 14 types of meats available for you to try here and you don’t have to go to Brazil for the experience.

Each type of meat is brought to your table on a large skewer, which will be cut by an experienced and knowledgeable waiter who will explain to you everything you need to know for that full dining experience.

Photo credit: Mundo Churrasco / Facebook

One of the best things about the place is that you get to see how the meats are grilled, thanks to its open kitchen enclosed in glass.

Some of the meats being offered is the Coxinha de asa de fringe, which is a platter of chicken drumsticks marinated with sesame oil, soy sauce, cumin, honey, ginger and garlic. There is also the Barriga De Proco, which is pork belly with pawpaw sauce.

Don’t miss out on the Acem, a Wagyu Bollar Blade coated with red capsicum jam.

To complement the meat dishes, there are side dishes such as cheese bread, Brazilian potato salad, tomato and onion salsa and many more.

One of the best ways to fully get the best out of the meats is if you pair with wine. The restaurant has an extensive wine list that you can choose from.

After a sumptuous meal, you might be craving for something sweet. Try their Churros sprinkled with cinnamon sugar served with spiced dark chocolate or caramel dip.

Cheese & Wine Tasting Night in Bardon

If you love cheese and wine, then you shouldn’t miss the Cheese and Wine Tasting Night happening on 23rd November at the Woodblock Cheese in Bardon.

The event will start at 6:00 p.m. and it’s not just about indulging yourself in delicious cheese and rich wines, but you will also learn more about cheese. There are four varieties of cheese and wines that you are going to taste, so make sure that you’re ready for some booze in your system.

You will also have the chance to talk to the cheesemaker as well as the people from Cush & Cush. At the end of the night, you can purchase cheese and wine products at a discounted price.

This is a great place to spend your Thursday night! If interested, you can book and pay here.