Get Your Piles Ready for Kerbside Collection Day in Clayfield

The countdown is on for Clayfield’s Kerbside Collection Day on Monday, the 14th of August. It’s the time of the year again for the neighbourhood to get rid of their unwanted clutter and those pieces of furniture and appliances that are too big for their wheelie bins. The Brisbane City Council recommends that all items should be taken out this weekend.

Here are some important points that you should keep in mind before the collection.

 

List & Limit

Photo credit: www.1coast.com.au

Be mindful of the items you will take out. There is a list of acceptable and unacceptable items. The Council will not collect household waste that normally goes into the waste and recycle bins. Failure to remove these unacceptable items within seven days will result into illegal dumping fines.

If there’s a list, there’s also a limit. Kerbside Collection only happens once a year, but that does not mean you can haphazardly dump all of the items that you can for this day. The Council will only collect piles that are not larger than two cubic metres, or the equivalent of a small box trailer load to cater to the whole neighbourhood.

 

Get Organised

Photo credit: Forrest Wheatey/Flickr

You have a few more days left to pack and think of all the items that you want to take out to the kerb. After sorting your disposables, place items like carpet, rugs, and electronic waste into boxes and trash bags. Use trash bags for unbreakable items like carpet and rugs as they can be compressed together to maximise the kerb space. Don’t forget to put labels on them.

Be courteous to the collectors; do not leave sharp objects in your pile. All items should be easily and safely lifted by two people. The doors of appliances and furnitures like refrigerators and cupboards should be removed.

 

Make Nice and Neat Piles

Photo credit: www.keng.id.au

The items that you put out on the kerb may be unwanted items that you consider rubbish, but make sure you pile them up neatly and with care. Keep the piles tidy to avoid blocking the footpaths and driveways. Be sure to secure the items properly to avoid damage or scattering in case of adverse weather conditions.

If you plan to go scavenger hunting this weekend, respect your neighbours’ piles. Leave their piles tidy after rummaging through them. They followed the rules in keeping their piles organised and neat, so it’s your obligation to keep things that way, or even leave their piles neater than when you started.

 

Got Excess? No Problem.

Photo credit: Brisbane City Council

If you have items that are not on the approved collection list, take them to any of the various Resource Recovery Centres in Clayfield’s neighbouring suburbs. Recovery centres accept both recyclable and green or general waste. There are centres located at Nudgee, Willawong, Ferny Grove, and Chandler.

Vehicles that are under 4.5 tonnes Combined Gross Vehicle Mass (CGVM) can use the drive-through recycling area for free, whilst vehicles above 4.5 tonnes CGVM can still recycle, but with fees applied.

Photo credit: Peter Organisciak/Flickr

If you have reached the Council’s kerb limit and you are left with items that are still usable, consider donating them. The Council’s Tip Shops and various charities around Brisbane will accept these items with open arms. You may have missed the limit, but you will not miss helping the people who really need the items.

Visit the BCC’s official website to know more about waste management disposal.

What’s On @ Clayfield This Weekend

Keep your hands full with these events in Clayfield this weekend.

Friday, 11 August

Splendour on the Flat

Tickets: $5

Time: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Venue: St. Rita’s College

Photo credit: St Rita’s College/Facebook

St. Rita’s College will host an evening of music and fun to raise funds for their school immersion. The students will be singing, dancing, and showcasing their different talents on this relaxed event.

BYO picnic basket and blanket.

 

Read More

 

Saturday, 12 August

Freshies Fabulous Vegan Sale

Tickets: FREE ENTRY

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Venue: PETStock Clayfield

Photo credit: Fresh Start Rescue Incorporated/Facebook

The next vegan sale of Fresh Start Rescue Incorporated will be held on Saturday this week. It will be the best time to taste some of the freshest vegan snacks and cuddle their furry babies that are looking for their “fur”-ever family.

This is a fundraising event for “freshies,” rescued pets that need care.

 

Read More

 

Sunday, 13 August

Kalinga Dash

Tickets: $10 – $50 (see website for detailed pricing)

Time: 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Venue: Kalinga Park

Photo credit: Kalinga Dash/Facebook

The Kalinga Dash is back this year. It is a family-friendly fun run with three events — 7.5 kilometres, 4.2 kilometres, and 2.0 kilometres Kid’s Dash.

There will be food and drinks stalls, sweets and cakes, rides, and entertainment.

Early registration already ended last 30th of July. Online registration will close on 10th of August. Late entries are accepted on the event proper.

 

Read More

 

Sunday, 13 August

Ground to Grow

Tickets:

  • $120 – individual workshop
  • $740 – full program
  • $185 – four installment payments

Time: 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Venue: Clayfield Yoga Studio

Photo credit: Clear Skies Yoga/Facebook

Ground to Grow is an extension program for yoga students who wish for more. Alison Sykes and Tanya Zappala will teach breakdowns of common and popular yoga postures, hand balances, and inversions.

There will be seven sessions to be held every Sunday of the month from August to March.

 

Read More

 

Party in Your Favourite Onesie @ Cold Rock Clayfield

Cold Rock Clayfield will be hosting a “Onesie Party” on Friday, 21st of July, in keeping with the celebration of “National Pyjama Day”. Everyone is invited to wear their favourite onesie and enjoy regular ice creams for only $2.

 

Onesie Party for a Cause

Photo credit: Cold Rock Clayfield/Facebook

The sales of the $2 regular ice creams will be donated to The Pyjama Foundation. Ms. Bronwyn Sheehan founded the foundation to give children in foster care the opportunity to increase their learning and educational outcomes through “Love of Learning Program”.

Majority of children in foster care are not able to complete 12 years of school and are below average in reading. They also have poor health conditions and inadequate attachments.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, there are:

  • 92% of children in care that are below average in reading level at age 7;
  • 75% of children in care that do not complete 12 years of school; and
  • 35% of children in care that are entering the juvenile system.
Photo credit: The Pyjama Foundation/Facebook

The volunteers “Pyjama Angels” are meeting children every week for 1.5 hours to read books, play educational games, and other activities involving learning, reading, and mentoring. This does not just improve their educational needs, but also foster the care and attention they need as children.

 

Attending Onesie Party = Support

Attending and hosting a Pyjama or Onesie Day is one way of helping the Love of Learning Program. Cold Rock will surely bring a cold, but gold, treat to the customers and the children in foster care.

Photo credit: Cold Rock Clayfield/Facebook

There will also be a photo competition for the customers wearing their favourite jammies and onesies. Snap a photo in-store on your onesie and check-in using hashtags #NationalPyjamaDay and #ColdRockClayfield. The lucky winner will get a $50 Cake Voucher.

The store in Wilston will also be hosting a Onesie Party on the same day. Check out the event page for further details or visit their website and Facebook page.

 

To be in the loop on how to help and get involved in The Pyjama Foundation, log on to their website.

Travel Back in Time While Viewing the Historical Telecom Memorabilia in Clayfield’s Telstra Museum

Learn about Queensland’s early communication methods at Telstra Museum Brisbane. The museum holds the largest collection of telecommunication memorabilia in Queensland. Volunteers and ex-employees of the Postmaster General Department (PMG) run the museum. Since these are the same people who worked with the same equipment, they can easily conduct demonstrations and several hands-on exhibits.

 

Telstra Museum

(Photo credit: Buddy Patrick/Facebook)

In 1952, a group of Post Office Volunteers established the Postal-Telecommunication History Society of Queensland Inc. with an aim to preserve the artifacts, records, and equipments that are memorabilia of the past telecommunication method. Donations of memorabilia for safekeeping quickly increased. Telstra Museum was formed to preserve these for the future generation of Queensland, while showcasing the importance of the collection to the Clayfield community and beyond.

 

Visiting the museum

(Photo credit: Buddy Patrick/Facebook)

The Telstra Museum is only open every Wednesday; from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Entry to the museum only costs a gold coin donation. Although the museum is only open once a week, group or school tours are welcome.

For school visits, it is important to the museum that students have a rewarding experience. Due to the small area, only 32 students and 4 adult supervisors are allowed in single tour. A tour of the full collection may take one hour, but can be shortened or extended depending on special interests. Contact the Telstra Museum to schedule reservations.

 

Queensland’s History of Telecommunication

Before visiting the museum, a little knowledge about the highlights of the history of telecommunication in Queensland will provide useful perspective in viewing the exhibits.

Ancient Aboriginal Message Sticks
(Photo credit: www.ancient-origins.net)

In Queensland, the “Ancient Aboriginal Message Sticks” were among the earliest form of communication.

In 1861, the first telegraph in Queensland opened. It was first operated between Brisbane and Ipswich. After a few years, the scope extended to Sydney.

The first experiments about telephone were conducted in Brisbane in 26th of January 1878. The first successful telephone call from Brisbane to Ipswich was recorded few months later.

In 1880, the first government-owned telephone exchange in Australia was established in Brisbane and reached over 300 subscribers in 1885. The operators manually connected calls with cord pairs at its switchboard.

The first public telephone office was opened in Brisbane Post Office in 1888 followed by South Brisbane and Fortitude Valley.

The Brisbane-Ipswich line was opened and its success led to the opening of a telephone station in the “Phonophore System” in 1898. PMG was created in 1901 to take over all of the postal and telegraphic services within Australia.

Professor Alexander Graham Bell, scientist and innovator that was credited with patenting the first practical telephone, visited Brisbane in 1910 while installing the new CB (new battery) telephone exchange that was completed in 1912. All subscribers from the magneto exchange transferred to this new service.

Telex
(Photo credit: Buddy Patrick/Facebook)

In 1925, the first automatic telephone exchange was established in South Brisbane. The wave telephone with three-channel system was later introduced in Brisbane and Sydney in 1928 that became automatic a year later, followed by the installation of the first 12-channel carrier system between Brisbane and Sydney in 1946.

The development of telecommunication continued in Queensland when the first broadband bearer system was introduced in 1963 and the microwave radio system in 1966.

The first computer-controlled trunk exchange was operated in 1975 that led to the abolition of PMG. It was replaced by the Postal and Telecommunications Department.

After the change in government system, the telefinder service was introduced in 1978. One year later, all telephone and telex calls were transmitted by Hermes satellite.

Private sector involvement in telecommunication services was introduced in the 1982 Davidson Inquiry. Later in 1991, Optus Communications, a private sector company, entered the competition in the telecommunication industry that became the rival of Telecom Australia. In 1995, Telecom Australia changed its name to Telstra, which marked the privatisation of the company.

Numbers of telecommunication carriers have been growing since 1997 until today’s modernisation.

ARK 511
(Photo credit: Buddy Patrick/Facebook)

Telecommunication equipment and memorabilia including the ancient Aboriginal Message Sticks, telex, and other telephone system can be seen in the Telstra Museum today. Vital info about the museum and the telecommunication history in Queensland can be viewed on the official Telstra Museum’s website.

Telstra Museum Brisbane, 3 Oriel Road, Clayfield

Charlie’s Raw Squeeze Brings Something New to Clayfield

Who wouldn’t love the Gelato of Charlie’s Raw Squeeze?

Eye spy with my little eye 👀🔍 Something refreshing..GREEN GINGER ALE JUICE 🍏.$5 Special in store @rawsqueezeclayfield .- Cucumber- Ginger- Celery- Apple.@rawsqueezeclayfield 730 Sandgate Road Clayfield Open: 7am – 8pm7 dayswww.rawsqueeze.com.au#charliesrawsqueeze #rawsqueezeclayfield

Posted by Charlie's Raw Squeeze Clayfield on Monday, May 8, 2017

For the uninitiated, Charlie’s Raw Squeeze is a massively popular 100% vegan juice bar. The smoothies, freshly squeezed juices, nice creams, salads, the Gelatos, and other signature menu are made from fresh produce, which are also supplied to Charlie’s Fruit Market.

You are “mint” to be with this gelato.
(Photo credit: Charlie’s Raw Squeeze Clayfield/Facebook)

Raw Squeeze has launched a new range of their famous vegan Gelato, with its much-loved Waffle Cone. The new flavors to try are Fairy Floss, Honeycomb Crunch, Red Riding Hood, and Pistachio Affogato. If you missed their $2-promotion for their new Gelato flavors when the gelato was first launched in Clayfield, you might want to make sure you’ll be around to try their new Mint Choc Gelato.

 

 

Healthy is the new “Cool”

Go nuts with the Pistachio Affogato Gelato
(Photo credit: Charlie’s Raw Squeeze Clayfield/Facebook)

Having a Charlie’s Raw Squeeze gelato is always a good decision. Compared with traditional ice cream, gelato is lower in fat and calories. Gelato has 0% – 5% butterfat because it is made from milk or water. Ice cream is generally made from cream that has 12%-25% butterfat.

Because gelatos are made from milk, they are a great source of calcium. Gelatos with nuts are high in protein, essential in a human diet, while the ones with fruits have higher amount of essential vitamins.

 

Gelato History 101

(Photo credit: Charlie’s Raw Squeeze Clayfield/Facebook)

Gelato originated from late 15th- to early 16th-century Italy. Bernardo Buontalenti, native of Florence, Italy, has been credited as its inventor when he served the King of Spain a frozen dessert of cream, milk, lemons, and oranges. This marked the birth of the gelato in Italy.

Prior to Buontalenti, a chicken farmer named Ruggeri won the famed Medici family’s competition called “The Most Unusual Dish You Ever Seen,” when he presented his tasty frozen dessert of fruit juice and ice, similar to today’s sorbet.

In Asia, a “frozen dessert” dates back to 3,000 B.C. when the Asian region discovered crushed ice and added flavorings. In 2,500 B.C., Egyptian pharaohs began serving a cup of ice sweetened by fruit juices to their guests.

Even the Romans began a ritual of consuming the ice from the volcanic mountains of Etna and Vesuvius. They mixed the ice with honey.

In 1686, the gelato became famous in Europe. Francesco Procopio de Coltelli, a famous Italian restaurateur, moved from Palermo to Paris and opened the Procope, a café that served refined gelato in a small glass.

In 1770, Giovanni Basiolo introduced two types of gelato to New York City. Residents loved the sorbetto, a chilled mixture of water and fruits; and a second version made by mixing milk with cinnamon, chocolate, or coffee.

In 1846, Americans used a hand-cranked freezer to make a creamy version, now known as ice cream.

Gelato was introduced to different countries. In Australia, Alpino Gelato was the first gelato company. Today, gelato is served in different parts of Australia, including at Charlie’s Raw Squeeze.

 

Have a gelato. Or two.

Perfect combination of chocolate and cookies
(Photo credit: Charlie’s Raw Squeeze Clayfield/Facebook)

Aside from their Clayfield store, Charlie’s Raw Squeeze also has other branches located in North Lakes, Everton Park, Kenmore, and Clontarf. Visit their Facebook page for updates on promotions and events.

 

 

Photo credit: Charlie’s Raw Squeeze/Facebook

Greens & Grains Expands to Clayfield

Clayfield will soon have its own branch of the famous Greens & Grains of Graceville, a joint business venture between Shona Brice and Kim Peabody of Nantucket Kitchen & Bar, NKB Express, and Nickel Kitchen & Bar. The much-awaited store, with its unique “Takeaway with a Difference” concept, will open on Sandgate Road, next to the Clayfield Day and Night Pharmacy, and across the Clayfield College by the end of May.

 

Where It All Began

Graceville’s Greens & Grains
(Photo credit: www.greensandgrains.com.au)

Two local Graceville moms, Shona and Kim, developed Greens & Grains with an aim to bring fresh salads with a different twist inspired by Shona’s London’s voyage. The initial opening of the store at 5/311 Honour Avenue, Graceville succeeded in serving salads in takeaway boxes. The high-end salad bar is also open for catering services with a menu of salads, pulled meats, bread, and sweet treats.

 

What’s New at the Clayfield branch?

Takeaways for everyone on-the-go
(Photo credit: www.greensandgrains.com.au)

Containing much more than just salads, Greens & Grains Clayfield has a menu that also includes pulled meats, breads, pastries, and sweet treats.

 

View Salad Menu

 

Takeaway Allpress coffee
(Photo credit: www.allpressespresso.com)

Aside from serving their signature dishes, Clayfield’s soon-to-open branch will serve Allpress coffees. Allpress’ signature roasted coffee beans have a lasting smooth taste with a natural sweetness that makes it different from other coffees.

There will be tables on the outside setting for people-on-the-go to enjoy their salad, which are still in the traditional takeaway boxes and cups.

Green and healthy sweet treats
(Photo credit: www.greensandgrains.com.au)

Expect more of everything from the soon-to-open Clayfield’s Greens & Grains, from the menu to the setting to the ambiance and the service. Check out their website for other details and store opening announcements or updates.

Clayfield Residents Fight to Save Victorian Era Home

A group of Clayfield locals is voicing out their opposition against redevelopment on a block where a Victorian-era home is located.

The Mundumburrah on Drake St, Clayfield is a late Victorian era timber house, which has a pending application to be listed as a Queensland heritage home. Protesters are saying that the approved development on the block would render the historical home “unrecognisable.”

Under the plan, the Mundumburrah will be raised and moved to the front of the block. Behind it will be built two apartment buildings. One of the apartment blocks will have five 2-bedroom units, while the other one will have four 2-bedroom units.

Historical and Architectural Significance

(Photo credit: Carolyn Page / Pinterest)

The Mundumburrah was built in 1886 by John William Constantine Drane and is the last example of rich Queensland Colonial Pyramid architecture. John Drane and his family played an important and well-documented role in the early history of Brisbane. Drane St was also named after him.

The residential building is the first home to be built on the block. Its design is a fine example of natural, climate-responsive architecture. The house is considerably well-maintained and still has its original features intact.

Petition

The group of protesters has launched a petition on Change.org to gather support for their fight to save the Mundumburrah. They are urging Lord Mayor Graham Quirk and the Brisbane City Council to list the property as a heritage home and reconsider the development plan.

The group insists that a Development Application was approved in September 2016 without considering the significance of the history and architectural significance of the property. They also claim that the City Council did not consider the pending Heritage Listing application for the Drane St home.

The council, for its part, maintains that they are preserving the character of the house even with the redevelopment plan.

The application for the Mundumburrah heritage listing will be tackled on June 23 at a meeting of the Queensland Heritage Council.

 

(Photo credit: Daile Kelleher – The Greens / Facebook)

Reading Program for Girls Launched in Clayfield School

In response to the recent decline in the number of girls and young women reading books, a Catholic girl’s school in Clayfield launched a reading project for young ladies.

St Rita’s College in Clayfield launched the Read Like a Girl project with the aim to stimulate reading habits among young girls. The girl’s school for Years 7 to 12 is partnering with Mt Alvernia College in Kedron and Riverbend Books for the program.

Kathryn Schravemade, a librarian at St Rita’s College was alarmed at the decline in the reading rate among pre-teens and teens. According to official research in 2016, below 61 per cent of ladies above 14 years old had read a novel in any three-month period. This is a drop from the 2010 figure of more than 64 per cent.

The same study found that only 34.2 per cent of young women read non-fiction books, a decline from 39.2 per cent in 2010.

The launch of the reading project is a response of the staff and students of the college to the reading rate issue. “We wanted to do something vibrant and unique,” said Ms Schravemade.

The Read Like a Girl project officially started on March 7, with renowned young adult author Kate McCaffrey as featured guest. During the event, Ms McCaffrey discussed teenagers using social media, fitting in and growing up in the digital era.

The reading program will continue to hold reading events to instil a love for reading among girls. Such events will feature authors and book launches. On March 30, Mount Alverna College will be the venue for the book launch of Draekora, the third book in The Medoran Chronicles by author Lynette Noni.

St Rita’s will host international best-selling and award-winning author Kate Dicamillo on May 30 as she presents the paperback release of Raymie Nightingale, a famous middle grades fiction novel.

Interested in the reading project? Find out more from St. Rita’s College or Mount Alvernia College.

Locals Fight to Save Poinciana Tree

Locals in Clayfield and Ascot neighbourhoods are calling on Brisbane City Council to intervene and save a Poinciana tree on Alexandra Road.

A two-storey home is planned at 99 Alexandra Road, but part of the proposal is to cut down the Poinciana tree to make way for a new driveway.

Nearby residents are protesting the plan as it would damage the streetscape of the area. Joe Patterson, who lives beside the property, made a drive to inform the community of the plan and gathered support to save the tree. He called on supporters to contact Councillor David McLachlan and let the councillor know of their disapproval.

In the pamphlet distributed by Mr Patterson, he accused the councillor of not protecting neighbourhood rights. He stressed that the tree epitomises the amenity of the area and removing it would be detrimental to the neighbourhood landscape.

Inaccurate Plans

In response, Councillor McLachlan rejected suggestions that he supported the removal of the tree. He requested that the approval of the removal be taken back and asked the planners to update the plans. The developer will have to retain the tree even as they build the driveway. The tree should also be protected during construction.

Through the course of the dispute, it was discovered that there were errors and misinformation in the plans submitted to the town planners. In the construction plans, the tree was described to be much smaller than its actual size.

Cr McLachlan called on planners and architects to be more accurate in the descriptions they submit to authorities to avoid grey areas.

Clayfield Median House Price Reaches $1-Million Mark

Home properties are becoming more and more expensive all across Australia, with 11 suburbs in Queensland now making it to the $1-million median price club. Clayfield is among the Queensland suburbs that have reached the million-dollar median value in 2016.

This is according to a report from CoreLogic, which noted the significant rise of the number of suburbs with median price of at least seven figures. The CoreLogic report indicates there were 760 suburbs with a minimum median value of $1 million in December 2016. This represents a 176% increase from 275 suburbs five years ago at the end of 2011.

The report can either be good news or bad news to residential property investors. Those who already own a home could see their asset value increase. But those who are looking to buy could find it more difficult to buy or invest.

The increase in housing prices in many suburbs nationwide is a result of continuing growth in home values in major cities like Sydney. Sydney accounted for 65 percent of the suburbs in the million-dollar club, while Melbource accounted for 16 percent and Brisbane, 3 percent.

Other Queensland suburbs that reached at least $1 million median house price in 2016 are Bulimba, Fortitude Valley, Ransome, St. Lucia, Pullenvale and Clear Island Waters.