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Valley Preschoolers Team Up with Police for Community Gardening Project

Fortitude Valley Police Station welcomed some of its youngest visitors last week when preschoolers from Brookes Street Early Education rolled up their sleeves for a community gardening initiative.

The event, held on 9 October in the station’s entry way garden, saw police officers working alongside preschool-aged children to plant seeds that will grow into colourful flowers in the coming weeks.

Sergeant Sue Walsh described the station as “buzzing with excitement” during the collaboration, which aims to build positive connections between police and young community members from an early age.

The children from the local early education centre made the short journey to the Brunswick Street station, where they participated in hands-on gardening activities with officers. The initiative transforms a practical gardening project into an opportunity for relationship-building between Queensland Police Service members and Fortitude Valley’s youngest residents.

As the seeds take root and begin to grow, the children will have the opportunity to observe their gardening efforts flourish into a display of flowers in various shapes and colours at the police station’s entrance.

The community-focused event represents ongoing efforts by Fortitude Valley Police Station to strengthen ties with local families and organisations in the inner-city Brisbane suburb.

Community members with information for police can contact Policelink through the online suspicious activity form at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting, available 24 hours a day.

Anonymous crime information can be reported via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.

Published 10-October-2025

St James College Scores Major Win With Liverpool FC Partnership

Photo Credit: St James College

Brisbane’s St James College has become the first school in the city to host Liverpool FC International Academy‘s “first foray into Brisbane,” as part of a partnership which will give local students direct access to the same world-class football methods used by one of England’s most successful clubs.

A Community-First Partnership

The program officially launched on 16 September 2025 at the Spring Hill campus. It blends Liverpool’s football philosophy with St James College’s values of inclusivity, justice and community.

Liverpool FC International Academy will be training the teachers at St James College on “the Liverpool way.”

Teachers trained under Liverpool’s global academy program will lead sessions that focus on discipline, teamwork and resilience.

The school plans to make the academy available to students from Years 5 to 12, with weekly training, classroom learning and community clinics forming part of the structure.

The collaboration aims to give young people more than athletic training, with other programs also on offer for the students and the wider community.

Shaping Students On And Off The Field

Principal Andrée Rice said the partnership reflects shared goals between the club and the school, both centred on giving young people opportunities to grow. She said Liverpool’s four values of ambition, commitment, dignity and unity align closely with St James College’s approach to developing character through education.

The program is expected to create long-term benefits, helping students apply lessons in leadership, focus and cooperation across all areas of life, not only sport.

Global Standards, Local Impact

Rob Davey, general manager of Liverpool FC International Academy Australia, said the initiative represents the club’s first direct presence in Brisbane. He noted that Liverpool’s youth training model is designed to develop confident and responsible young people through football.

The program’s launch brought together students, teachers, families, and members of the Official Liverpool Supporters Club Queensland, marking the start of a new era for school sport in the city.

Pathways For Young Players

The academy gives Brisbane students a pathway to professional development while remaining part of a local school community. While some may pursue football careers, the program also builds transferable skills useful across other sports and studies.

St James College’s involvement adds to a growing network of Queensland schools linked with major Premier League clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, highlighting a wider interest in global partnerships that enrich student learning.

Published 6-October-2025

The Brightside Brisbane Launches Outdoor Venue to Transform Live Music Experience

Photo Credit: The Brightside Brisbane

Brisbane’s live music scene gets a boost as The Brightside unveils The Next Stage, an outdoor venue ready to host local and touring acts in comfort.

The Brightside Brisbane Expands with The Next Stage

The Brightside Brisbane is expanding its footprint in Fortitude Valley with a purpose-built outdoor venue, set to change how locals experience live music.

The development, named The Next Stage, promises world-class sound, improved artist facilities, and a versatile space for festivals, community events, and touring acts, making the venue a central hub for Brisbane’s music community.

Phase One: 2025 Upgrades

Phase One of the project, launching in 2025, will feature a permanently installed L-Acoustics sound system to streamline show setups and reduce production costs.

Artists will have access to a dedicated green room with toilet facilities and direct stage entry, while a flexible mezzanine will accommodate VIPs, friends, and family for an elevated view of performances.

Upgraded bars, cold storage, and additional facilities will improve service and comfort for guests.

Phase Two: 2026 Enhancements

By 2026, Phase Two will introduce a retractable roof, allowing shows to continue regardless of weather. New toilet facilities will improve accessibility and capacity, and a rooftop bar overlooking the outdoor area will offer a unique space for private functions.

The upgrades aim to ensure every event, from intimate gigs to large festivals, can be hosted safely and comfortably.

Community and Artist Impact

The Brightside Brisbane has built a reputation for diversity and energy, hosting over 350 acts in the past year alone, including King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, IDLES, Ocean Alley, and Amy Shark.

Community feedback guided the design of the new outdoor space, reflecting the needs of performers, promoters, and fans. The venue continues to prioritise the Fortitude Valley community while providing a platform for rising local talent and touring artists.

Published 3-October-2025

Story Bridge City-Side Footpath Reopens Early in Fortitude Valley

Photo Credit: LMAdrianSchrinner

Pedestrian and cyclist access has resumed on the Story Bridge in Fortitude Valley following the early completion of new decking on the city-side footpath.

Early Milestone for Story Bridge Upgrade

The Story Bridge has reached an important stage in its ongoing restoration, with the western (city-side) footpath reopening earlier than planned. About 300 metres of new composite decking has replaced the old surface, which was closed earlier this year after structural assessments identified safety risks.

The new panels are fixed to a locally sourced steel frame, using the same lightweight material installed at the Cultural Centre boardwalk in 2021. The project, valued at nearly $7 million, is part of a wider $80 million investment in the 85-year-old bridge since 2019.

Modern Decking Strengthens Historic Connection

The Story Bridge remains one of Brisbane’s most recognisable transport links, carrying thousands of vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists each day between Fortitude Valley and Kangaroo Point. Built to last a century, it now forms part of a broader program to extend its life and ensure public safety.

The recently completed footpath section restores pedestrian and cycling access across the Brisbane River, re-establishing an important route for commuters and recreational users alike.

Long-Term Plan to Preserve the 85-Year Landmark

The upgrade contributes to a long-term restoration roadmap aimed at maintaining the bridge through to its 100th anniversary in 2040. A business case supported by $2.25 million in national funding is expected to be completed by 2027 to guide the staged program of future works.

This follows earlier planning initiatives, including a separate $5 million assessment project, focused on structural improvements and maintenance scheduling over the next 15 to 20 years.

Story Bridge footpath — *Photo Credit: BCC*

Community Welcomes Return of River Access

The reopening announcement on 3 October 2025 drew strong public response. Many residents expressed enthusiasm about returning to the bridge for walking, running, and cycling, while some raised concerns about long-term upkeep and the durability of the new surface.

Despite differing views, the completion of the city-side path has been widely acknowledged as a step forward for accessibility and safety.

Eastern Path Works Progress Toward Year-End Target

Attention has now turned to the eastern footpath, where installation of the same composite decking system is underway. Crews are progressing ahead of schedule, with the section expected to reopen before the end of 2025.

Once both sides are complete, the focus will shift to further restoration planning under the 2040 roadmap, ensuring the Story Bridge continues to serve Brisbane safely for generations to come.

Published 3-Oct-2025

Howard Smith Wharves to Host Grand Final Celebrations for Broncos Fans

Howard Smith Wharves will transform into Brisbane’s riverside gathering place this long weekend as footy fans rally behind the Broncos in both the men’s and women’s grand finals. The precinct will broadcast the matches on big screens across multiple venues, giving supporters a central hub to share the finals excitement.

Community coming together

The event will take place on Sunday, 5 October, with an all-day program designed to keep the community entertained. The schedule begins at 12:00 p.m. with a state championship game screened without sound, followed by the NRLW Grand Final at 2:55 p.m. between the Brisbane Broncos and the Sydney Roosters.

From 5:45 p.m., pre-game entertainment will set the tone for the NRL Grand Final at 6:30 p.m., when the men’s Broncos side take on the Melbourne Storm.

What fans can expect

The celebrations will span across Howard Smith Wharves, including Felons Barrel Hall, Felons Beer Garden, Felons Fish & Chipper Lawn and the Rivergarden. Felons Brewery will be offering its signature beers alongside game-day food options, with plenty of walk-in seating available for those without bookings. Once the final sirens sound, the precinct will carry on the celebrations with live music, DJs and bands performing late into the night.

More than football

For those who prefer a different type of energy, the precinct will also feature Mr Percival’s River Disco across the long weekend. Extended trading hours mean Sunday festivities will stretch late, while all venues will also open on Monday in line with the King’s Birthday public holiday.

About the venue

Located under the Story Bridge, Howard Smith Wharves has become known as Brisbane’s cultural and hospitality precinct, home to restaurants, bars, cafes, a hotel and the award-winning Felons Brewery. With its riverside location and variety of spaces, the precinct has positioned itself as a go-to spot for community events that blend sport, music and food.

Published 3-Oct-2025

Brisbane Towers Plan Includes Sky Restaurant and Subtropical Green Spaces

Photo Credit: DA A006860648

Brisbane residents could soon see two residential towers rise at North Quay, complete with more than 1,100 apartments, a sky restaurant, and subtropical gardens integrated into the podium and public spaces.

Green Focus in the City Centre

Shayher Group lodged a development application in September 2025 for two towers at 309 North Quay, rising 56 and 51 storeys. The plan includes a sky restaurant on the 54th floor and subtropical landscaping from street level to the rooftops.

More than 1,500 square metres of landscaped podium areas are planned, along with deep planting and facade greening to soften the podium.

Tree diversity has also been expanded, with species such as Waterhousea floribunda, Flindersia australis, Agathis robusta, and retained Caesalpinia ferrea integrated into the streetscape.

Public Access and Streetscape Improvements

The ground level will connect Saul, May, and North Quay streets with shaded walkways, planter seating, and a visitor drop-off plaza. Street trees and layered planting aim to strengthen the site’s subtropical character and link with nearby park spaces.

The landscape plan details tree placement to improve shade and comfort along each street edge. Saul Street will include Araucaria and Caesalpinia, May Street will feature Agathis robusta, and North Quay will retain existing trees with added Waterhousea for canopy cover.

Living and Dining Above the River

The proposal also includes 1,122 apartments, a mix of one- to four-bedroom units, short-stay accommodation, and branded residences. Resident amenities such as pools, gyms, lounges, and a library are distributed through podium and upper floors.

At the top of Tower 1, the double-level sky restaurant and lounge will be set among internal plantings. The landscaping concept includes feature trees, indoor palms, and shade-tolerant species designed to withstand low light, wind, and seasonal changes at such height.

Next Steps for Approval

The application, lodged on 16 September 2025, is under assessment by Brisbane City Council. Public notification has already taken place, and further review will focus on heritage, traffic, and design impacts.

If approved, the project will establish a landmark at the city’s western gateway and connect directly with the Roma Street precinct.

Published 2-October-2025

Rock Legends Metallica Team Up With Lifeblood to Boost Blood Donations

Photo Credit: Lifeblood

Brisbane locals have a unique opportunity to combine their civic duty with rock memorabilia next month, as legendary band Metallica partners with Australian Red Cross Lifeblood for a special blood donation drive.

The collaboration coincides with Metallica’s upcoming Brisbane performance on 12 November at Suncorp Stadium as part of their M72 World Tour. Brisbane blood donors who give at the Edward Street donor centre between 5-11 November will receive a limited-edition Metallica t-shirt designed by the band’s iconic artist SQUINDO.

Photo Credit: Australian Red Cross Lifeblood

The exclusive Brisbane t-shirt features the band’s lyric “A Sea of Hearts Beat As One” within a blood drop design, along with Australian elements specifically for local fans. To receive the merchandise, donors must be enrolled in Lifeblood’s loyalty program, Lifeblood Gifts, either before donating or sign up when they arrive.

Australian Red Cross Lifeblood’s Executive Director of Donor Experience, Cath Stone, highlighted the timing of the partnership amid increased demand for blood products. The organisation requires more than 1.7 million donations annually to meet hospital needs, with 100,000 new donors needed each year due to growing population demands.

The Brisbane initiative forms part of a broader Australian tour collaboration between Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands, and Lifeblood. Similar drives are occurring in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney, timed around each tour stop.

This partnership builds on Metallica’s global philanthropic efforts, including their work with the American Red Cross during their recent US tour, which generated more than 2,000 blood and platelet donations. Since establishing All Within My Hands in 2017, the foundation has raised over $20 million for community initiatives.

Each blood donation can save up to three lives, supporting cancer patients, new mothers, trauma victims and surgical patients. The Brisbane Donor Centre is located at 288 Edward Street in the CBD.

For Brisbane residents with tattoos, recent policy changes mean plasma donations are accepted immediately after tattoos from licensed Australian parlours, while blood and platelet donations require just a one-week wait.

Donations can be booked through lifeblood.com.au/metallica or by calling 13 14 95.

Published 29-September-2025

Brisbane Fans Rally at Howard Smith Wharves for AFL and NRL finals

Photo Credit: Howard Smith Wharves/Facebook

Brisbane is gearing up for one of the city’s biggest sporting weekends, with locals expected to pack into Howard Smith Wharves to cheer on the Brisbane Lions in the AFL Grand Final and the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL double header.

AFL and NRL Grand Final screenings at the Wharves

On Saturday, 27 September, the AFL Grand Final will be shown live from 2:30 p.m. across multiple venues at Howard Smith Wharves, including Felons Barrel Hall, Felons Fish & Chipper Lawn, the Rivergarden, and Felons Beer Garden. The Lions, who secured their spot after a strong season, are chasing back-to-back premiership glory.

The celebrations continue on Sunday, 28 September, with the Brisbane Broncos’ men’s and women’s sides both in contention for NRL Grand Final spots. The women’s match kicks off at 1:15 p.m., followed by the men at 4:05 p.m. on the big screens at the same locations.

For fans without tickets to the matches at Suncorp Stadium, the precinct provides a free and open-air setting to watch the action unfold, with Felons Brewing Co supplying game-day food and drinks.

Community atmosphere along the river

Howard Smith Wharves management noted that the precinct has become a gathering place for Brisbane residents during major sporting events, with walk-ins welcome at the outdoor seating areas. Live bands and DJs will also take to the stage on Saturday night after the AFL Grand Final, ensuring that the party continues regardless of the result.

The riverfront venue, situated beneath the Story Bridge, has established itself as Brisbane’s cultural hub, boasting more than a dozen restaurants, bars, and spaces where fans can come together to celebrate. The precinct is highlighting the area’s growing connection to sport and community life, with organisers expecting large crowds across the weekend.

Sporting pride for Brisbane

The Brisbane Lions’ official club site has confirmed the team’s preparations for the clash, while the NRL and Broncos have detailed match times and ticketing updates for their preliminary finals. Suncorp Stadium’s event listings also reflect the packed schedule, with both codes drawing strong support across the city.

This weekend at Howard Smith Wharves offers the chance to share in the finals experience, no matter the scorelines on the field.

AFL Grand Final
Date: 27th September 2025
Time: 2:30PM
Location: Felons Barrel Hall, Felons Fish & Chipper Lawn, Rivergarden, Felons Beer Garden, Howard Smith Wharves, 5 Boundary St, Brisbane City, QLD 4000

NRL Grand Final
Date: 28th September 2025
Time: 1:15PM (NRLW) and 4:05PM (NRL)
Location: Felons Barrel Hall, Felons Fish & Chipper Lawn, Rivergarden, Felons Beer Garden, Howard Smith Wharves, 5 Boundary St, Brisbane City, QLD 4000

Published 26-Sept-2025

QUT’s Humanoid Robot ‘Gee’ Draws Attention at Gardens Point Campus

A humanoid robot at Queensland University of Technology’s (QUT) Gardens Point campus has drawn significant attention. Nicknamed Gee, the 140-centimetre tall Unitree G1 robot has attracted reactions ranging from fascination to apprehension as it strolls around the grounds near the Brisbane CBD.

Read: QUT Robotics Director Honoured for Global Mentoring Impact

Gee represents a new addition to QUT’s robotics research program. Acquired by the Centre for Robotics for around AUD 45,000, the Unitree G1 is one of the most affordable humanoid robots currently available. With 24 joint motors, it can walk, run, wave, pick up objects, and engage in basic interaction through a built-in microphone. Its compact size and movement patterns attract attention both in classrooms and while moving around campus.

Professor Jonathan Roberts of QUT has emphasised that the robot offers opportunities to explore how humanoid machines interact with people and environments. In a post on LinkedIn, he explained:

“One of the motivations for humanoid robots is that they could allow us to finally have useful robots that do not need us to modify our world for them in a major way. And this could mean that their use becomes affordable one day (soon hopefully).

“Humanoid robots also offer a nice opportunity to explore how machines can interact with people and environments in more natural, intuitive ways. Our research is focused on understanding the capabilities and limitations of these platforms and how they can help address real-world challenges in the care, education, manufacturing and service industries.”
Professor Jonathan Roberts

That vision extends beyond the novelty of watching a robot move across campus. For students and researchers at QUT, Gee provides a real-world testbed for studying how machines can operate in human-designed spaces. Roberts has also noted that real-time balance and uncertainty remain significant challenges for humanoid robots, underlining the complexity of this work.

Unlike industrial robots, which typically function in controlled environments, humanoids are intended to operate in the world as it already exists, without major modifications.

The first weeks of Gee’s presence on campus have been marked by curiosity. Some students quickly take out their phones to capture the moment, sharing their encounters online. Others keep their distance, unsure of how to respond to a machine that looks and moves more like a person than a tool. Such diverse responses illustrate the social side of robotics that researchers are paying close attention to.

While the G1’s current battery life limits its outings to just a couple of hours at a time, its potential applications are wide-ranging. Humanoid robots are being explored as tools to help address challenges in care, education, manufacturing, and service industries.

Read: QUT Researchers Help Uncover Strongest Evidence Yet of Life on Mars

Gee’s outings around Brisbane’s city-centre campus highlight both the progress in robotics research and the questions these technologies raise. For now, Gee has sparked conversations on campus and beyond—conversations that are likely to grow louder in the coming years.

Published 24-September-2025

Before Wi-Fi, There Was SIGSALY: Top-Secret WWII Code Machine in Brisbane

Photo Credit: History of Infornation

Long before the first email was sent or the first smartphone was designed, the blueprint for our modern digital world—from secure banking apps to private messages—was secretly being forged inside a 40-tonne machine humming deep beneath the footpaths of Queen Street, Brisbane City.

A Secret Below the Sidewalk

Sigsaly — *Photo Credit:* *Discovery UK*

During the tense years of the Second World War, the AMP Building on Queen Street was more than just the headquarters for U.S. General Douglas MacArthur. In its basement, hidden from the world, Brisbane operated one of just twelve top-secret SIGSALY terminals on the planet. This wasn’t merely a telephone; it was the world’s first digital voice encryption system, a piece of technology so advanced that its principles are still used in the devices we carry in our pockets today.

The system was a lifeline, providing a completely secure, real-time voice link between General MacArthur in Brisbane and Allied leaders in Washington, D.C. While war raged in the Pacific, the strategic decisions that shaped its outcome were being discussed over a line that, to any eavesdropper, would have sounded like meaningless static.

The Birth of Digital Privacy

Developed by Bell Telephone Laboratories, SIGSALY was a marvel of its time. It took a human voice and, for the first time in history, converted it into digital data through a process called pulse-code modulation (PCM). This is the same fundamental method used today by everything from your mobile phone to music streaming platforms.

To make the signal unbreakable, the digital data was encrypted using a “one-time pad” system. Random noise was recorded onto large phonograph records, which had to be perfectly synchronised at both ends of the call. Each system filled an entire room, weighed over 40 tonnes, and required a dedicated team of trained personnel to manage its complex machinery. Despite constant efforts by Axis forces to crack Allied communications, no SIGSALY message was ever broken.

A Legacy Revealed

The existence of SIGSALY and Brisbane’s pivotal role in its network remained classified until the 1970s. Only then did the world learn how a wartime necessity had accidentally laid the groundwork for the information age. The innovations born in that Queen Street basement can be seen in modern encrypted messaging apps, voice-over-internet calls, and the secure networks that protect our daily digital lives.

This forgotten chapter of our city’s history was a key topic at an international symposium held at the University of Queensland. Scholars and historians gathered in August to examine how behind-the-scenes breakthroughs in communications and cryptography during the war, like SIGSALY, directly seeded the technology that defines the 21st century. The event highlighted that Brisbane’s contribution to the Allied effort went far beyond the battlefield, placing it at the very centre of a technological revolution.

Published Date 23-September-2025