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Bardon Girl Guides: Empowering Young Ladies in Queensland for 100 Years

Photo Credit: Girl Guides QLD: Bardon District/Facebook

Bardon joins the rest of Queensland in celebrating Girl Guides centennial this 2019!

Established in 1919, Girl Guides is where young ladies foster friendship, build their character, acquire leadership, learn valuable life skills, and empower themselves to make a difference in society.

The organisation regularly holds meetings, sleepovers, campings, expeditions, hikes, and other activities that match the girls’ interests and abilities. The more experienced Girl Guides are also given the opportunity to travel and join other activities around Australia and across the globe. The sisterhood is part of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS).

One of Girl Guides’ most prestigious members is Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who is also commemorating the group’s 100th year.

“I remember my time as a Girl Guide and the valuable lessons I learnt along the way. Not only were the values taught at home reinforced, I was introduced to a leadership program that has helped shape my political career. I look out at all the fresh, young faces and offer this advice; take hold of every opportunity Girl Guides Queensland offers you; continue to formulate opinions, voice them and embrace the experiences that lay ahead,” Ms Palaszczuk said of her experience.

*Photo Credit:* *Girl Guides Queensland/Facebook*

The Girl Guides program is open to children from 5 to 18 years old. Interested ladies who want to become a part of this community are given a four-week trial before they make a firm decision to stick with the group.

Young girls who still wish to be a Girl Guide but may be set back by other commitments like school work or a family situation, and thus cannot join the activities regularly, can sign up to be a Lones Guide.

*Photo Credit:* *Girl Guides QLD: Bardon District/Facebook*

Those with limited physical abilities or have special needs may also join as Nowra Guides and buddy up with the rest of the girls. Nowra Guides, however, also a have a separate indoor camping activity.

Being a Girl Guide, however, can be a lasting and life-long experience as the younger ones may eventually become members of the Trefoild guild (18 years old and above), olaves (18 to 30 years old), and unit leaders.

There are 16 regions with at least 140 districts that make up the Girl Guides Queensland. In Bardon, the community is located at Cecil Road near the Bardon Bowls Club and the Brisbane River.

Mt Coot-tha, Other Brisbane Iconic Destinations Take Center Stage as First Tour de Brisbane Rolls this April

Brisbane’s iconic destinations such as South Bank, the Story Bridge, and Mount Coot-tha take center stage as the inaugural Tour de Brisbane starts rolling this April 2019.

Tour de Brisbane is Brisbane Cycling Festival’s concluding event, which is expected to bring over two thousand amateur and elite riders from all over Australia, Asia, and Europe. The cycling event will take on closed roads, scenic inner-city courses of 8km, 45km, and 110km.

https://vimeo.com/315331000

Watch, Play, Stay | Video Credit: Brisbane Cycling Festival / Vimeo

The National Road Series – The Classics, Australia’s premier domestic road-racing event, will hit Brisbane roads for the first time. Delivered by NXsports, the National Road Series – The Classics is part of Brisbane Cycling Festival’s Tour de Brisbane and will feature both men’s (5 to 7 members) and women’s (4 to 5 members) teams as they tackle a fast and technical course, reverse climb up Mt Coot-tha, and fully closed road.

This 2-day event will begin on Saturday 13 April with the Blast Criterium ride at the Murarrie Recreation Ground and conclude with the main event on Sunday 14 April in South Bank.

The new NRS structure saw the inclusion of the Classics Series with brand new events:Tour de Brisbane and Tour of the Tropics. The Classics Series kicked off on 16 February with the Melbourne to Warrnambool event and will culminate with the Grafton to Inverell race this 11th of May.

Blast Criterium Course

https://youtu.be/w8qBQy1hlIY

Tour de Brisbane Course | Video Credit: Tour de Brisbane / YouTube

Tour de Brisbane is headlined by UCI Gran Fondo World Series and will include a number of supporting events starting 11 April.

On Sunday 14 April, Tour de Brisbane will culminate with 8km (FREE Community Ride for ages 6 and up), 45km (Amy’s Rides – Piccolo), and 110km (Amy’s Rides and UCI Gran Fondo) scenic courses.

TdB 8km Family Fondo

TdB 45km Piccolo

Amy’s Rides is a non-competitive recreation ride available to everyone, 12 years old and up, whist the UCI Gran Fondo World Series Age Category is competitive where the top 25 percent finishers will have an opportunity to represent their respective countries at the 2019 World Championships in Poznan, Poland.

TdB Gran Fondo

Through the State’s partnership with the Amy Gillett Foundation, Tour de Brisbane hopes to raise funds for the A Metre Matters, a campaign promoting safe cycling in Brisbane.

Eat, Shop, Feel the Neighbourhood Vibe at Bardon Community Markets

Photo Credit: freiekirchengemeinde/Pixabay

Sundays at the Bardon Community Markets are worth the trip. Aside from finding fresh produce for your pantry, you can also enjoy a hearty breakfast and spend an enjoyable Sunday morning with your family, dogs included.

This community market pops up on Baroona Road at the Norman Buchan Park every Sunday from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Aside from the food, people come to the Bardon Community Markets for different products to use at home or to look for gift ideas. Some visitors stay awhile longer to have coffee and mingle, or have a chat at the stalls.

Bardon Community Markets may be smaller compared to other Sunday markets in Brisbane but shoppers appreciate the laid-back, friendly vibe that makes this event one of the best ways to meet and make friends whilst getting your shopping done.

*Photo Credit:* *Bardon Community Markets/Facebook*

Stallholders and shoppers alike are welcome to bring their dogs since the market is a animal-friendly. Others even take their horses and donkeys!

The stallholders change every week so each visit will bring fresh surprises. Stalls are run mostly by local farmers and growers, along with small business owners. Locals interested in becoming a seller at the Bardon Community Markets may email bardonmarket@gmail.com or call 0421289207 to inquire about the space.

Bardon Ranked Among Top Suburbs for House Price Growth in 2018

Defying the market downturn gripping some capital cities, Bardon managed to rank among the best performing Brisbane suburbs for house price growth in 2018, according to the latest Domain report.

The recently released Domain House Price Report 2018, showing house prices in Brisbane falling 0.20 percent quarter-on-quarter, showed several suburbs emerging resilient and posting growths over the past 12 months ending December quarter 2018.

With a 10.1 percent year-on-year house price growth, Bardon was the seventh best performing suburb in Brisbane, with a median price of $990,500. On the other hand, latest suburb data from realestate.com.au shows the median house price for Bardon at $1,015,000 which is more than double the QLD median price of $490,000. A total of 230 houses changed hands from 1 Feb 2018 to 1 Feb 2019.

Sandgate tops the list of 10 best performing suburbs for houses in 2018, in terms of year-on-year price increases, with 18.8 percent growth and a median price of $750,000. Just as impressive, North Ipswich managed to register a year-on-year price change of 17.30 percent or a median price of $366,500, for a second place finish, followed by Graceville, Paddington, and Bardon; all posting above 10 percent growth.

Burpengary East, Carseldine, and Brookfield round out the top 10 with 9.4 percent, 8.9 percent, and 8.8 percent growth, respectively.

Photo Credit: J Brew [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

For the December quarter 2018, Brisbane property market posted an almost flat year-on-year growth, after it registered gains in the previous quarters. Whilst industry experts point the reason of the slowdown to the tighter credit access that’s crippling housing market in other capital cities, optimism remains high for Brisbane housing market. Queensland remains to be a favourite among interstate migrants and overseas buyers; with QLD’s strong fundamentals, Brisbane housing market is seen to remain stable, if not growing.

Amenity-rich Bardon Sees Strong Increase in Units Rentals

Bardon is among Brisbane’s best performing suburbs in 2018 in terms of units rental increase, according to the Domain Rental Report for December quarter 2018.

Bardon recorded one of the highest rental increase for units with 5.60 percent year-on-year and 12.70 percent five-year increase, or a median rent price of $333, the report said. On the other hand, data from realestate.com.au shows the median unit rental price per week in Bardon at $480, based on 136 unit listings from 1 February 2018 to 8 February 2019. Bardon’s median unit rental price is higher than QLD average of $370.

The top performing suburbs for units rentals list shows Holland Park taking the top spot with a 12.10 percent increase year-on-year, followed by Clontarf with 3.90 percent year-on-year increase. South Brisbane, Balmoral, Herston, Bulimba, Alderley, Coorparoo, Fairfield, and Mount Gravatt rounds out the list. Overall, the median asking rent for units rose to 5.4 percent over the past year.

As for house rentals, Manly, Ascot, and South Brisbane were the the top three best performing suburbs with year-on-year changes of 14.50 percent, 14.20 percent, and 13.70 percent, respectively. The rest of the list include Nudgee, Tarragindi, Fairfield, Petrie Terrace, Dakabin, Banyo, and East Brisbane.

After suffering from a supply glut, the dwelling demand is slowly picking up in Brisbane, absorbing supply and pulling rental prices up. Also, according to property valuation firm SQM Research, Brisbane’s rental vacancies fell to 2.7 percent in January 2019 down from 3 percent in June 2018 and 3.5 percent in May 2017. As Queensland overtakes Victoria as the most popular destination for interstate migration as of June 2018 — thanks to better economy, employment opportunities, and access to good schools — Brisbane housing market is starting to become a landlord’s market with rental asking prices expected to rise, as vacancy rates continue to fall.

Rainworth State School, Bardon: Among QLD’s Top School Catchments

Rather than enrolling their children in a private school, an increasing number of parents are willing to spend a bit more for homes in Brisbane’s most sought-after school catchments, such as the top-ranked Rainworth State School in Bardon.

Rainworth State School recently took the top spot as Brisbane’s best public primary school in 2018, as revealed by Better Education, and interstate home buyers don’t seem to mind paying a premium for a home that is within the popular school catchments, such as this one in Bardon.

Good schooling is one of the primary considerations for parents of school-aged children looking to buy a new home, and is one of the primary drivers for Brisbane dwelling demands, industry experts say.

Queensland School Catchment Map

*Photo Credit: Queensland Government / qgso.qld.gov.au*

In the last 12 months, house median sale price in Bardon rose 9.47 percent, and 12.55 percent for units median price, according to CoreLogic. As for market demand, there have been 965 visits per property compared to QLD average of 386, according to realestate.com.au data from 1 January to 31 December 2018.

Rounding out the 2018 top 10 public primary schools in Brisbane: MacGregor State School, Ashgrove State School, Ironside State School, Wishart State School, Indooroopilly State School, Sunnybank Hills State School, Chapel Hill State School, Graceville State School, and Robertson State School.

On the other hand, the 2018 top Brisbane state high schools is led by Brisbane State High School, followed by Mansfield State High School, Indooroopilly State High School, Cavendish Road State High School, Mount Gravatt State High School, Kelvin Grove State College, The Gap State High School, Kenmore State High School, Brisbane School of Distance Education, and Stretton State College.

Celebrating Australia Day at Mt Coot-Tha

Australia Day is coming up on Saturday, 26 January 2019. For West Brisbane locals, there are several things that you can do at Mt Coot-tha to celebrate the holiday.

Here a few things that you can do at Mt Coot-tha on Australia Day.

Australia Day Run with the BTR Royal Family

Saturday, 26 January 2019 (6:00 a.m.)

To celebrate Australia Day the Brisbane Trail Runners (BTR) royal family, Team Duffus will be leading a run in Mt Coot-tha’s trails.

The run will start at 6:00 a.m. from the toilet block at J C Slaughter Falls. Runners will be divided into three groups and each will be led by three separate members of BTR’s Team Duffus.

The run will last for about 1.5-2 hours and all participants will meet back at the starting line. Those who wish to join will need to bring their own food and water.

Venue: J C Slaughter Falls, Sir Samuel Griffith Dr, Mount Coot-Tha

Free Guided Discovery Tours

Saturday, 26 January 2019 ( 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.)

If you prefer to explore Mt Coot-tha, this informative guided walk is for you. The Free Guided Discovery Tours explores the beautiful Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha which is led by volunteer guides.

Tours start at the Visitor Information Centre.

Bookings are not necessary. To learn more, call 07 3403 8888.

Venue: Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha

Australia Day Concert

Saturday, 26 January 2019 ( 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.)

Enjoy a free concert from the Brisbane Metropolitan Bands at the Bandstand on Australia day. You can bring a picnic and have a great time with your family whilst enjoying the afternoon’s live music.

Bookings are not necessary for the event. For more information, you may call Helen Johns on 0466 181 578.

Venue: Bandstand, Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha

Brisbane’s Inaugural Tour de Brisbane Happens in April 2019

Over two thousand amateur and elite cyclists are expected to participate in this year’s inaugural Tour de Brisbane, the city’s newest cycling event that will showcase Brisbane’s most iconic destinations including South Bank, the Story Bridge, and Mount Coot-tha.

As part of the Brisbane Cycling Festival, the Tour de Brisbane, which is headlined by UCI Gran Fondo World Series, will include a number of supporting events beginning 11 April and will culminate on Sunday 14 April via scenic courses of 8km, 45km, and 110km. The courses will take riders to some of the city’s landmarks and iconic spots. Participants may then head to the Anna Meares Velodrome to witness their favourite professional cyclists race at the Six Day World Grand Final.

“The Tour de Brisbane will put Queensland on the map with Brisbane joining the ranks of France’s La Bourgogne and Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro in hosting a UCI-sanctioned Gran Fondo event,” Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said.

“The event will showcase Brisbane’s beautiful scenery and attract cyclists and their supporters from around the world.

“The Tour de Brisbane together with the three other cycling events will make up the Brisbane Cycling Festival and will inject upwards of $8 million into Queensland’s economy each year over 2019-2021,” Ms Jones said.Tour de Brisbane Course

Video Credit: Tour de Brisbane / YouTube

“With four different distances, everyone from kids and families to the pros can have a pedal and see our city on two wheels,” NXsports Race Director Mike Crawley said.

“We are proud to partner with the Amy Gillett Foundation to promote safe cycling in the city and to raise funds for the Ride for a Metre Matters campaign,” Mr Crawley said.
Tour de Brisbane aims to raise funds for the Ride for a Metre Matters — a campaign promoting safe cycling in the city — through the State’s partnership with the Amy Gillett Foundation.

“Brisbane is already well known for its blockbuster sporting events and we’re thrilled to add an event that encourages spectators to get out of the stands and onto their bikes,” Deputy Mayor Adrian Schrinner said.

“Events like the Tour de Brisbane are a great driver for Brisbane’s economy and contribute more than $150 million of economic impact each year by supporting local jobs as well as the accommodation, retail, hospitality and service sectors,” Cr Schrinner said.

The Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council have secured the festival for an initial three-year period.

For more information, visit the Tour de Brisbane and Brisbane Cycling Festival websites.

Discover the Rich History of Rainworth House in Bardon

Did you know that the heritage-listed Rainworth House in Bardon is over 150 years old?

Built in 1862, the historic home is currently one of the few surviving original timber houses in the area.

Rainworth House is a rare example of a 1860s dwelling of the steeply pitched short-ridge roof variety. The home was originally built as a farmhouse and is now part of suburban Brisbane.

Rainworth is especially significant because of its long and personal connection with Sir Augustus Charles Gregory KCMG CMG FRGS MLC. To date, the residence still bears the stamp of Gregory the practical bushman rather than the prominent public figure.

Sir A.C. Gregory is recognised in several names of places such as Gregory Street, Toowong and Gregory Park, Milton, and the locality of Rainworth itself.

History of Rainworth House in Bardon

Rainworth, residence of Sir Augustus Charles Gregory, Bardon, ca. 1885 Rainworth and outbuildings as seen through the banana palms in front of the property. Photo credit: John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Negative number: 63037

Sir Augustus Charles Gregory is a famous explorer and surveyor-general of Queensland from 1859 to 1879. He built the home in 1862 and was the sole farmhouse in the area at the time.

He named the property Rainworth after a small town in Nottinghamshire which is close to his birthplace at Farnsfield, England.

Sir Augustus Charles Gregory

Sir Augustus Gregory. Photo credit: John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Negative number: 16036

Sir A.C. Gregory was a dominant, conservative member of the Legislative Council. Furthermore, he was also a vital personality in Toowong’s local government, a leading Queensland freemason, and an influential amateur scientist.

Despite his high profile, he chose to live a rather simple life in his rustic farm cottage. Serving as his rural retreat and residence, Rainworth has been a place where he could think, invent, create, and write. He lived in the farmhouse until his death in 1905.

Except for the closed-in front verandah, Rainworth House remains largely untouched since Sir A.C. Gregory lived there. It still features an interior of rough cut wide planked walls and ceilings.

Rainworth House’s Residents

Early view of Rainworth homestead and outbuildings, Torwood, ca. 1875 Rainworth was in Baroona Road at Torwood. The home was built for Sir Augustus Charles Gregory who was an explorer and also became the first Mayor of Toowong in 1902. Photo credit: John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Negative number: 63785

Following Gregory’s death in 1905, the subsequent owner, Robert Philp, merchant and politician, rented the property, as did ensuing owners. When the ensuing owners subdivided the estate, they relocated the house from nearby to its current location in Barton Street.

In 1949, Frederick and Mildred Howell rented and later purchased the property. Their descendants continue to occupy the premises.

Rainworth House in Bardon is added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. It remains to be a significant landmark of the area to this day.

Bardon: Among Top Suburbs for House Price Growth

Whilst not considered dramatic, the Brisbane property market managed to record steady growth amidst projected market downturn in Australia; with a new record high median-price for houses over the past year and several suburbs posting house price growths, including Bardon.

Queensland performed well as Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast recorded house price growth, according to the September quarter of the REIQ Queensland Market Monitor report. The Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast SD, and Brisbane recorded growth of 3.8 percent, 6.3 percent, and 2.3 percent respectively, with Brisbane hitting a new median-price high of $675,000.

“Queensland’s economy is proving itself to be a good performer, against a backdrop of national gloom, with new jobs bringing population growth and demand for housing,” REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said.

“The southeast corner is our powerhouse, without a doubt, but additionally we’re seeing strong results in regions that have been struggling.

“The resources sector is improving and we’re seeing regions such as Mackay and areas of western Queensland firmly in recovery,” Ms Mercorella said.

Bardon, Queensland 4065 Australia

For Brisbane LGA, the most sought-after price range is $500,000 – $750,000, with sales representing almost half of the house sales for the past 12 months. The top suburbs for house price growth in Brisbane include Bardon, Brighton, Ashgrove, Wavell Heights, Bald Hills and Bridgeman Downs, Wynnum, Tarragindi, Eight Mile Plains, Mount Gravatt East, and Manly West.

The same cannot be said about the units market, though, as it continues to suffer from oversupply bringing down Brisbane LGA annual median unit price by 2.2 percent and 3.4 percent over the past quarter; however, it still recorded a 5.5 percent growth from 2013.

Some suburbs still managed to record double-digit growth despite the overall drop in the median unit price. Rochedale, West End, Gordon Park, North Gate, Yeronga, Toowong, New Market, and Red Hill make up the list of suburbs with double-digit growth for units in Brisbane.