Did you know that the Clayfield property where Harris Farm Markets is located has been sold at auction? Find out why market-goers need not have any cause for alarm.
The property, located on Sandgate Road and spanning 3,300 square metres, has anchored the family-owned supermarket chain and the Clayfield Seafood Markets. The site also has a BWS liquor store, the office of JCDecaux Billboard, and Milk & Froth Cafe.
Following the sale, Harris Farm Markets, which bought Clayfield Seafood Markets next door in 2022 as part of its expansion, will continue to trade on the site alongside the other shops that have been operating for seven years or more.
Essentially, not much will change in the property apart from the new owner. In fact, Harris Farm Markets just signed a 10-year lease and will remain in Clayfield until 2032.
According to Lachlan O’Keeffe of Ray White Commercial, there was strong interest in the Sandgate Road property before its previous owner, who owned the site since 2003, decided to offload assets.
Given its tenant retention history and as the first Queensland home of Harris Farm, the property offered strong investment potential.
As the temperature peaked at 37.4C on Friday, the 3rd of February 2023, Clayfield locals lost power in the afternoon and spent half of the day in the crippling weather.
Traffic lights were out on the streets, causing a build-up along Sandgate Road, Junction Road and Oriel Road. Outdoor activities for the weekend were called off or postponed as the extreme temperature became unbearable and unsafe.
Despite this, Clayfield Seafood Markets remained open but stall operators were unable to cook as they needed electricity for the customers’ orders. Visitors to the markets were also not able to use the internet.
Power was also out in a large section of Jamboree Heights, Middle Park, Warren Park and Beaudesert but Clayfield had the biggest outage in Brisbane with over 1,800 customers impacted.
However, Energex restored the power by the evening and reported no more interruptions in South East Queensland as of 8:00 a.m. Saturday.
Justin Coomber, the Energex spokesman, clarified that the outage was not because of the heatwave.
“The network is coping pretty well at the moment,” he said on Neil Breen’s radio show. “[They were] just run-on-the-mill outages on the network.”
Planned power outages for critical maintenance will also continue for the rest of the schedule. However, Commber also asked locals to call 131962 if they are still experiencing power interruptions so they could investigate if there are unusual incidents.
Coomber also said that the peak load of the network is usually between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. when most people are back at home from work or school and are powering up all their appliances and gadgets.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said that the heat is expected to cool down by early Sunday with the temperatures going back to average by Monday. On the other hand, Energy Minister Mick de Brenni said that they have been doing system tests to ensure that any issues with the power supply will be manageable.
Locals are advised to look after the vulnerables like babies, the elderly, and people with medical conditions, and make sure that they are in a cool, well-ventilated area.
Low to severe intensity heatwave conditions are forecast today and tomorrow for #QLD and #WA. With Fire Weather Warnings in WA and Thunderstorm warnings for SE QLD and NE #NSW
The Queensland Police Service has issued a warning about a new scam being reported across North Brisbane, that recently targeted a local business in Clayfield.
Senior Constable Diana Kratochvil said the police received information that a group of travelling men were alleged to be over charging, completing substandard work and using stand over and aggressive pressure tactics to attempt to secure payments.
With the new scam, victims are being approached to complete line marking services in car parks.
Photo credit: Queensland Police Service/Facebook
“The men have claimed to work for a line marking company which has since been found to be false,” S/Con Kratochvil said.
The men have been described by the Queensland Police as having Irish accents and driving a white Toyota Hilux utility with a modified tray.
Businesses who have any information regarding the scam are urged to contact local police. Members of the public are also being reminded to be cautious for scams.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission launched Scamwatch to help consumers and small businesses in recognising, avoiding and reporting scams.
Scamwatch emphasises that scammers are getting increasingly sophisticated in their attempts to get your money or personal details. Hence, it’s important to be alert and protect yourself from being scammed by following these tips:
Recognise the fact that scams do exist. If something looks too good to be true, it probably is.
Do a bit more research to check the legitimacy of a business. If you’re not sure about the legitimacy of a business or if you just met them online, take some time to do more research.
Don’t open suspicious messages. Immediately delete strange-looking texts or emails and don’t open pop-up windows nor click on links.
Ensure that your personal details are secure. When it comes to important documents and bills, shred them if you’re planning to throw them away or better lock them in your mailbox.
Celebrating a year at Oriel Place in Clayfield, Dr James Allen and Dr Emily Allen, the husband-and-wife teambehind The Aesthetic Smile Collective,have brought very high standards to the area. Dentistry has become a major growth sector across Brisbane but the story of the Allen family can only bring a sense of respect for their passion.
When James was a kid, he had a very friendly and relaxed dentist whose process of attending was very much around avoiding pain and discomfort. As he got older, his passion to combine science and art in dentistry became stronger and the importance of the patient’s comfort in the chair remained.
Having qualified in Dentistry at King’s College, London in 2005, he and Emily crossed the globe and 16 years later, The Aesthetic Smile Collective was born in Clayfield, offering their combined 32 years of dental experience.
“Our main aim is to reduce the stress and anxiety that is so common with dental treatment, to enable our patients to avoid problems with their teeth and optimise their smiles,” Dr Emily said.
“As a family-owned practice, there is no outside influence from the dental corporates or health funds. For example, we invested in a 3D scanner which helps us avoid impressions and moulds in the process of creating crowns, bridges, veneers, mouthguards, or night-time splints. It is extremely accurate and is much quicker than traditional methods.” Dr James added.
The Aesthetic Smile Collective also offers “happy gas” to help patients feel more relaxed and interest-free payment plans where a series of planned dental treatments are recommended. Patients can be helped with early access of their Superannuation funds to help with more expensive plans.
Netflix is a great asset with children
Having two young children themselves, Dr James and Dr Emily know that there are many factors that can affect both parents and children from attending dental appointments. They can help with a wide range of issues such as helping with brushing techniques, fillings, cleaning, sports trauma and orthodontic assessment.
A TV on the ceiling above the dental chair can help patients feel more comfortable and zone out. It is great for children to be able to put their favourite Netflix show on.
The great Teeth Whitening debate
A very common question they get from patients is, “What is the best way to whiten my teeth?”
Dr James says, “There are many ways to whiten teeth and the two most common ways are home whitening and in-chair whitening.”
“Home whitening is the most common technique as it is something that can be done at home (1-2 hours per day or overnight). It can take 2-4 weeks to achieve the desired effect, has minimal sensitivity at an affordable cost.”
“In-chair whitening is done with a product called Zoom and this enables the teeth to be whitened in one appointment over one hour to a lighter shade. This can suit patients who are time-conscious or have teeth that are darker. There is some short-term sensitivity with this procedure which fades after 1-2 days. The cost is also higher compared to home whitening.”
Before Home Teeth Whitening Photo Credit: The Aesthetic Smile Collective After Home Teeth Whitening Photo Credit: The Aesthetic Smile Collective
New Technology to combat snoring and sleep apnoea
Recent research says that snoring and sleep apnoea have become prevalent in Australia. 5% of the population have severe sleep apnoea and a further 20% have it on a mild level. If left untreated this can have considerable effects on your health, including cracked and chipped teeth.
“We invested in a device called the Watchpat 200 Home Sleep Monitor. Patients can take it home for 24 hours, it slides onto one of your fingers and attaches to the patient’s wrist like a watch. It monitors sleep patterns and enables us to download the data afterward to advise our patients on the most appropriate treatment for them.”
Photo Credit: Supplied
Passion to optimise your smile
James’s decision to pursue a Master’s Degree in Aesthetic Dentistry from King’s College, from which he graduated in 2019, was born from a passion to optimise the smile.
“Aesthetic dentistry is a style of dentistry that enables natural-looking smiles with a functional foundation to ensure the work that is done lasts as long as possible. Cosmetic dentistry is different as the aim for that is to make the teeth appear whiter but often at a high cost to the underlying teeth structure,” Dr James said.
Before a Smile Makeover Photo Credit: The Aesthetic Smile Collective After a Smile Makeover Photo Credit: The Aesthetic Smile Collective
“The main dental problems which can be improved with Aesthetic Dentistry would be improving patient’s smiles through measures such as composite bonding, veneers, crowns, bridges, clear aligner therapy and dental implants.”
The Aesthetic Smile Collective is at Oriel Place at 531 Sandgate Road, Clayfield. You can see their website, which includes an online booking facility here.
Food Standards Australia has issued a major recall for a particular batch of eggs sold at Woolworths and IGA Queensland, Harris Farms in Clayfield and West End, and a number of independent food retailers due to possible Salmonella contamination.
Published on Saturday, 21 January 2023, the recall order warned of the development of illnesses from eating contaminated eggs sold by Watson Family Produce Pasture Raised Free Range Eggs. The items are packed in 350g and 700g containers marked with a “best before” date up to 25 Feb 2023.
Food Standards Australia said that consumers who have bought these products return their purchases to get a full refund. Those who have consumed the eggs, however, are advised to seek medical advice as soon as possible. Symptoms of Salmonella poisoning may include fever, diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, headache, gastro issues and blood in the stool or mucus.
⚠️ Food Recall Notice ⚠️
700g Watson Family Produce Pasture Raised Free Range Eggs 350g Watson Family Produce Pasture Raised Free Range Eggs
In a statement, Watson Family Produce confirmed that a low number of Salmonella detections were identified at their chicken coop and packing facilities following a regular quality assessment from Biosecurity Queensland (BQ) and Safe Food Queensland (SFQ).
Watson Family Produce said they have voluntarily submitted to the process of a food recall and have launched precautionary measures after receiving a Queensland Health report that some consumers have been sick with Salmonella poisoning after eating their eggs.
“We will do everything we can to get back to normal supply and have our great product back into the market,” the company stated.
“We will continue to work closely with government authorities to help identify and trace a potential route of transmission into our property.
“SFQ and BQ have been absolutely amazing during this process and have supported us in every way that they can. We have spoken to more than a handful of vets surrounding this as well as our mentors.
“This isn’t the end of Watson Family Produce. We will survive this with your support.
“If you know us personally some love wouldn’t go astray at the moment. And if you’re a supporter of our business, please continue to be as we will really need it right now.
A man who attempted to break into a secure car park next to a residential building in Wolseley St, Clayfield in October 2022 was arrested by authorities, thanks to a resident who immediately reported the incident.
The resident took careful note of the man’s appearance and movements, and quickly notified police with a clear description. Police then arrived at Wolseley St, where they located and arrested a man matching the description provided.
The man, who allegedly possessed house-breaking implements, was charged with attempted enter premises and commit indictable offence, possession of house breaking materials and possession of tainted property. He will next appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on 15 November 2022.
Photo credit: Kindel Media/Pexels
Based on Queensland Police Service’s Online Crime Map, unlawful entry is among the leading types of offence in Clayfield.
During the last quarter (13 September – 12 December 2022), there were a total of 48 cases of Unlawful Entry, which mostly took place between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
What to Do When You Witness A Crime
Photo credit: Anna Shvets/Pexels
Queensland Police advises members of the public to write down what they see as soon as possible and keep a record of the date and time of their observations as this can be important if they are required to give a statement to the police.
If you see a crime being committed, follow these steps:
When safe to do so, contact police
Keep calm and give your name, address and telephone number
Report what is happening and where
Stay on the phone
If you can safely do so, keep watching and continue to report what is happening.
It is important to try to build a complete picture of the person from head to toe, paying particular note of the features, such as the gender and age bracket, body frame and size, haircut and colour, clothing, and any distinguishing features such as scars, tattoos, or glasses.
For more than a century, St Agatha’s Catholic Church has had a strong spiritual, social and cultural impact in the Clayfield community, marking its special ties to the expansion of the Catholic faith in Brisbane.
During World War I, Clayfield locals expressed to Brisbane Archibishop James Duhig their need to establish a Catholic Church in the area despite the presence of other churches in Wooloowin, Nundah, and Hamilton.
The influential archbishop proceeded to buy three acres of sloping land along Oriel Road in 1917 from Mr J B Charlton, with the intention of building a mass centre and a school. Mr Ernest Taylor won the tender for the project to build the church, which kickstarted in 1918. The archbishop blessed the foundation stone on the site and by September of that same year, the place of worship, which had a wooden structure, was also blessed and opened to the devoted Catholic community.
Archbishop Duhig chose the name St Agatha’s after the patron saint of the sixth-century church attached to the Irish College in Rome, where he received his education. He tasked Father Richard Walsh to celebrate a regular Sunday mass, and sometimes weekday morning worships, at this church.
By 1924, St Agatha’s Catholic Church received major building improvements as funded by the Clayfield community, where some of the more elite residents of Brisbane lived. Among its important donors were Hennessy and Hennessy and Mrs T.C. Beirne.
1925: New Building for St Agatha’s Catholic Church under Father O’Connell
Rev. Father Francis O’Connell was officially the first parish priest of St Agatha’s, who arrived in Clayfield in 1921. He was instrumental in the construction of the new Romanesque-style polychromatic brick church, which cost £10,000 and was designed by architect Jack P. Donoghue or J.P. Donoghue.
At the opening of the new church, Father O’Connell exclaimed that he was certain Mr Donohue will long be remembered for his work after seeing the beautiful church, especially among the builders of the future. The building, with its striking design, has become an iconic visual presence on Oriel Road.
The site of the new church was in the quiet, elevated portion of Oriel Road next to Stanley Hall. Father O’Connell lived in a presbytery built before the church building was completed.
The old wooden church was transformed into a school with Father O’Connell, along with Archbishop Duhig, convincing the Presentation Sisters to come to Clayfield and run the institution, which would eventually become St Rita’s College. The school officially opened in January 1925 with 120 students. By the next year, the student population doubled but the institution was big enough to accommodate 500 kids.
Father O’Connell served as a parish priest until his sudden death in 1939 at 49 years old.
St Agatha’s Catholic Church’s Other Notable Priests
Apart from Father O’Connell, St Agatha’s Catholic Church welcomed around six more parish priests in its 100 years, each serving the Clayfield community for more than a decade.
1940-1968: Rev Monsignor John English became the parish priest after Father Frank’s death and was behind the additions to the church building, such as the large domed sanctuary and sacristy, the altar boys’ room, and the side chapels. He was popular with the community but was known to be forthright with his observations and dislikes.
1968-1989: After Monsignor John English died, Rev Father Vincent Rowan assumed as parish priest and had a challenging time implementing massive changes in the Catholic Church as ordered by the Second Vatican Council. During his time, Father Rowan oversaw the construction of a new school building replacing the wooden structure and formed the Parish Pastoral Council and Clayfield Care. He retired from his duties after suffering a stroke.
1989-1998: Father Bernard Wilson initiated a number of programs for St Agatha’s Catholic Church, extending beyond the children’s education. He established eucharistic and music ministries, as well as formed the Financial Council. He organised a pilgrimage to the Holy Land but was unable to join the actual trip due to an accident. During his time, renovations and upgrades were done to the aging church building.
1998-2015: Very Rev Dr Adrian Farrelly wasn’t named the parish priest but the administrator of St Agatha’s Catholic Church. He was revered for his sermons and believed that St Agatha’s must remain a strong community.
2015-2018: Fr Anthony Mellor was the administrator in several other churches before his assignment in Clayfield. He was in Ashgrove, Bardon, Birkdale, Hendra, Herston, Newmarket, Red Hill, Rosalie and Victoria Point. He also helped in The Gap parish.
The current parish priest is Fr Biju Thomas who took on his duties in 2020.
Starting from the Federation Era in the early 20th century, many of Brisbane’s prominent upper-middle-class families chose to build their finest, forever homes in Clayfield. Here’s a closer look at four heritage houses on Norman Parade that have been deemed historically significant to the development of Clayfield, as we know it today.
Bunburra
Charles Henry Day commissioned Eaton and Bates to design this ornate Federation-era house in 1902 when he purchased the land formerly owned by the Pettigrew family.
Mr Day was a wealthy commercial traveller who wanted a villa residence in the Eagle Junction area. He named the house Bunburra.
A few years later, Mr Day sold Bunburra to Katherine Peel and her husband Robert Sydney Frederick Peel. They were active in the organisation running the Clayfield Flower Show.
Photo Credit: National Library of Australia
The family lived in Bunburra until 1917. Since then, the stylish house has had several owners who retained its rare detailing and beautiful stained glass windows through the years.
As of 2021, Bunburra, on 18 Norman Parade, was valued at $1.3 million when it was sold to a new family.
Next door to Bunburra, on 22 Norman Parade, is another Federation-style house built for the family of Thomas Johnston, a contractor, around the same year as its neighbour. Generations of the Johnston family owned this property until the 1950s.
Photo Credit: National Library of Australia
The house was also named Moyola, as mentioned in the socials of the Brisbane Courier in 1913. Today, this house is estimated to be valued at $1.9 to $2.7 million.
Warehouse property manager Josiah Henry Peel had this residence built in 1906 on 26 Norman Parade. He and his wife named this house the Lycullin.
The Peels raised one son and three daughters in Lycullin, which became the scene for many social gatherings, as the Peels were among the prominent members of the Brisbane social set then.
Photo Credit: National Library of Australia
Mr Peel was well-known in the leather and grindery trade, where he was active for over 50 years. He was also one of the founders of the Commercial Travellers Association and a member of the illustrious Tattersalls’ Club. Originally from London, he was a keen gardener and avid motorist.
Lycullin was last sold to new owners in 2020 for $1.290 million.
Kilcreggan
Constructed around 1897, this Federation-style house on 51 Norman Parade, which was also known as Kilcreggan, was owned by David Graham Macfie who was the managing director of the Australian Mines Agency.
Later on, notable personalities like John Leahy and Frank McDonnell called Kilcreggan their home as well.
Mr Leahy was the Speaker of the House from 1907-1902. He also held prominent positions a the Queensland Meat Export Agency Co, the Australian Estates and Mortgage Company, and the Brisbane Chamber of Commerce.
Mr McDonnell founded McDonnell and East, a well-known department store in the CBD. He and his wife lived in Kilcreggan until his death in 1929.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
Today, Kilcreggan is known as The Residence, a retirement home.
Behind the Toombul Shopping Centre, one can find what used to be the site of the Zion Hill mission, a small hilly area where fellowship and worship in a small, wooden house eventually gave birth to the Clayfield Baptist Church.
Zion Hill was regarded as the German Station in the 1860s. From slab huts to conduct their worship and work, the German missionaries built a small house where they had bible classes, meetings, and worships in English and German.
The Clayfield Baptist Church was established by German settlers who wanted to grow Christianity and expand its missionary work in the colony. Before it was known as the Clayfield Baptist Church, the church was called the Hendra Baptist Church.
Fifteen years after its establishment, the chapel was moved to Alexandra Rd, where the present Clayfield Baptist Church has thrived, fulfilling its mission for more than 170 years.
Friedrich Theodor Franz, Owner of the Clayfield Land
Alexandra Rd in Clayfield was a farm owned by Friedrich Theodor Franz, also known as Karl or Charles Theodor Franz, who was originally from Pomerania in Central Europe and was a tailor by trade. He was still a bachelor when he joined Zion Hill, where he met and married Caroline Schneider, the widow of Moritz Schneider.
Mr Franz acquired substantial properties in that part of North Brisbane and built a house along Best St in Hendra in the 1850s. He named the house Heimat, the German word for “home.”
The house still stands on the location but has been converted into four flats.
Mr Franz eventually donated Alexandra Rd to the Clayfield Baptist Church. This small chapel would serve the community for many years until the community had to build a new church as its members increased.
He died in 1891 and was recognised for his civic work. Clayfield’s Franz Road was named after him.
In 1891, a new building was built next to the old chapel. Designed by architect A. Robertson, the building was a Pointed Gothic structure with coloured glass windows.
The old building was retained as a classroom for Sunday school services. In 1966, however, the original wooden chapel was dismantled and replaced with a brick building.
The church incurred debts due to the construction of the new building. Unperturbed, the outreach ministry didn’t stop soliciting support and many responded. Attendance, as well as baptisms, increased.
The First World War was a difficult time for many members of the church, Many people lost loved ones and friends. Presents and other tokens were sent by the church to those on the frontlines.
In the 1920s, there were over 125 kids attending Sunday school but attendance gradually declined for the next 15 years. Membership also eventually trickled down to under 40 individuals.
During the Second World war, a proposal was raised to sell the land but this wasn’t pursued. Two decades later, membership increased to the present norm of about 70 individuals. Extensions to the building were built.
By the 1980s, the Pointed Gothic building had become unsafe due to storm damage and pest control issues. It was demolished and replaced with the brick building that stands there today.
Adelaide Street East, home to many historical properties owned by some of Brisbane’s wealthiest families, is one of Clayfield’s most desirable addresses. Here are four heritage-listed mansions on Adelaide St East that reflect Clayfield’s storied past.
138 Adelaide St East: Casa Mara
Casa Mara was constructed in 1930 for Mrs Martha Greenfield, who married Brisbane doctor Vivian Hector Leigh-Barlow. She purchased the land on Adelaide St East in 1923. As with many homes in the Clayfield, Ascot, and Hamilton area, Casa Mara was a beautiful structure often featured in society pages, home magazines and architectural journals.
This house was designed as a Spanish Mission bungalow, with a stucco finish and a Spanish tiled roof. Outside, Casa Mara’s gardens had plenty of succulents and Cypress pines. Inside, the house featured an ornate dome ceiling, tessellated porch, twisted columns, and unique details “planned and finished in the Spanish period,” per its auction advertisement when it was put up for sale in 1933.
Casa Mara attracted large crowds and packs of sightseers when it went on the auction but the sale was not completed until the death of Mr Leigh-Barlow in 1936. Mr and Mrs Stanley Curnow acquired the property until it was sold to Mr Harold Paton in 1941, and then again in the 1950s to its current owners.
Evelyn Mary Bernays bought the land on 140 Adelaide St East in 1898 after her marriage to architect and engineer Charles Edwin Bernays. Mr Bernays may have likely designed the house that completed construction in 1900.
Tresco was then originally named Moorlane until Caroline Woodley acquired the property in 1911. Three years later, Ms Woodle sold the property to Frank and Louisa Coxon, who then sold the house to Albert P Greenfield, an optician. It is believed that the Greenfields named the property Tresco. Their family remains the homeowner, passing Tresco from one generation to the next.
Tresco is a Federation-era home that was entered into Brisbane’s heritage listing for its links to Mr Bernays and Mr Greenfield, two very important people in Clayfield. The property has not been on the market since 1998 when it sold for $1.45 million.
John Spence Irvine had Mardan constructed from 1908, upon his marriage to Clara. He was a religious Baptist who managed the Foy and Gibson drapery firm in Fortitude Valley. In 1912, James Peter Peterson bought Mardan from the Irvines when he retired from Longreach Shire Council to Brisbane. He was also known as one of the best-known pastoralists in Queensland.
Mr Peterson was married to Sarah Fagg, a well-known philanthropist who received an MBE from the British monarch for her philanthropy.
The couple had a son named Roy. Following Mr Peterson’s death in 1936, Sarah and then Roy stayed at Mardan until it was sold in 1953 to Carl Wallace Bishop.
Mardan, another Federation-era home, is featured with wide verandahs with some ornate timberwork, a steeply pitched corrugated iron roof, and a landscaped garden with palm trees. It has been heritage-listed for its links to the Petersons and as an example of a subdivision of larger urban allotments within Clayfield.
In October 2021, Mardan was sold for $4.4 million. It was worth $775,000 when its previous owners bought the property in 1997.
The grand timber home was designed by prominent Queensland architect, Robin S. Dods, for former soldier turned merchant John W.H. Grout and his wife Winnifred.
Rangemoor encapsulated the signature characteristics of Mr Dods’ designs such as the dominant roof form, side entrance porch, generous verandahs, and restrained timber detailing. He embellished the house with Spanish and Moorish features as a nod to Mr Grout’s role as the Vice-Consul for Spain.
After Mr Grout’s death in 1921, Dr Charles August Thelander and his wife Helene bought Rangemoor. Dr Thelander was a prominent obstetrician and paediatrician.
He was also a controversial figure in Brisbane as the Royal Commission Chairman who made a negative assessment of Sister Elizabeth Kenny’s treatment of poliomyelitis. Sister Elizabeth was another popular figure in Brisbane, whose approach to polio was actually adopted worldwide.
The Thelanders owned Rangemoor for at least three decades after the doctor’s death in 1959. The family did some renovations and upgrades to the house in all those years but many of Mr Dods’ original designs remained. The acres of land were also subdivided and sold whilst the Thelanders retained the old home.
