It looked like the rehearsal of a medieval battle scene. People fighting with swords and spears, wearing track pants and t-shirts, were thrown into relief against a darkening sky in New Farm park. The mystery was solved when someone handed me a green leaflet that said: Jugger. Jugger is a game based on the 1989 […]

Humble grandparents from a remote property in Logan Village have finally been given the recognition they deserve after dedicating their lives to fostering children. Last week Wayne and Eileen Hughes were awarded the 2011 Foster and Kinship Excellence Award for Queensland’s south-east region at a special ceremony in Queensland’s Parliament House. Every year carers are […]

More than 400 hectares will be burnt off over 30 sites around Brisbane in coming months in an effort to prevent disaster in the bushfire season. Brisbane City Council says it has already done 16 burns of more than 200 hectares. The council plans to burn up to 417 hectares this year. The council’s hazard […]

The Brisbane City Council has shirked its responsibility to seniors, the Opposition said today. Opposition leader Shayne Sutton criticised the council’s plan to deliver a seniors-friendly city, and called their draft Seniors Strategy for 2011 to 2016 a disgrace. “It’s noble and idealistic,” she told today’s council meeting. “We need more detail… More concrete policies […]

More than 100 Corinda residents have opposed a move by Brisbane Boys’ College to build a huge sporting complex in the suburb. After buying Corinda Golf Course the Toowong-based private school has made a second attempt to get council approval for a sporting complex on the 36-hectare site at Cliveden Ave and Oxley Rd. Long-term […]

Women who decide to breastfeed need more community support than ever, according to a Brisbane lactation consultant. Alexandra Read, who has worked as a certified consultant for 12 years, said women still faced societal pressures if they decided to breastfeed their child. “We are coming out of a period, the 1960s and ’70s, that was […]

The Ethnic Communities Council Queensland has said it would closely monitor a new Bligh government policy that recognises the state’s growing multiculturalism. Ms Bligh’s policy, A multicultural future for us all, applies to the whole of government and includes legislation to support interpreter, employment and transport services for migrants. But Ethnic Communities Council Queensland’s executive […]

Queensland primary schools will be taking a healthier approach to lunchtime meals with a nationwide kitchen garden program to be adopted by 25 schools next month. The successful program run by author and cook Stephanie Alexander has had positive results in 193 schools across Australia since 2001. Last year the program won the Premier’s Design […]

Recognised for her services to the elderly, 22-year-old Ebony Ryan of Taringa is in the running to be awarded the title of Queensland Young Volunteer. She spends 12 hours a week volunteering for Blue Care where she has three elderly charges. Every Thursday Ebony can be found with Ellen (pictured left with Ebony), one of […]

It’s a day all about relieving stress, where you’re encouraged to wear slippers to the office in an effort to boost morale. You may even decide to wear a poncho, or a red hat with bright orange socks. Whatever outfit you decide, it won’t matter. You will be letting the world know you’re taking part […]

Break out the sponge cake, chocolate icing and coconut tonight – it’s National Lamington Day! Australia celebrates its fifth National Lamington Day on 21st July, after the first day to honour the dessert was named in 2006. The lamington has had a rich and contentious history, New Zealand and Australia still arguing over who first […]

Walking up the driveway, any lingering doubts about whether I’d arrived at the right address are immediately dispelled by the visually arresting maroon that smothers the front window of Stephen Swarts’ residence. I step through the doorway where I’m greeted by Swart, who’s donned his (what I imagine to be) characteristic Queensland jersey and beanie. […]

Hundreds of protesters marched in Melbourne on Saturday to protest against on-the-spot fines for offensive language in public. About 500 mainly young protesters chanted slogans demanding free speech not fines in the CBD. Yelling offensive words they marched from Flinders Street station and down Bourke St demanding the government scrap the legislation to fine people. […]

On the final leg of his Queensland visit, the Dalai Lama spoke to a crowd of thousands about happiness, compassion and overcoming adversity. More than 5000 people gathered at Brisbane’s Riverstage, waiting eagerly in the hot sun to hear the thoughts of the Tibetan spiritual leader. Greeted with a standing ovation, the Dalai Lama had […]

A new law to fine people on the spot for swearing will not be effective and may lead to a High Court case, according to legal academics. The Victorian Government has introduced legislation that will give police permanent power to give on-the-spot fines of up to $240 for those who use offensive language. Monash University […]