Homepage Latest News Archives - Page 60 of 78

Fortitude Valley Tech Startup Gets State Government Backing

Photo Credit: Queensland Government / statements.qld.gov.au

Fortitude Valley tech startup, Skedulo, has secured State Government with an equity investment from its $100-million Business Investment Fund.

Skedulo has become the fourth local company that is now backed by the QIC-managed Business Investment Fund along with Gilmour Space Technologies, Buildsafe and VALD. The tech startup was founded in 2013 by QUT graduate Matt Fairhurst and has now become a global player in digital scheduling and task management services.

Skedulo played a crucial role in the US Government’s fight against COVID-19, whose cloud-based software helped schedule vaccinations of hundreds of millions of Americans. This has led sporting leagues like the NBA and NFL to choose the platform to coordinate their vaccination rollouts.

“Skedulo has demonstrated significant success in recent years, and our government is excited to partner with them and contribute to their next phase of growth,” Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said.

He added that the State Government’s stake in the company will allow the startup to expand its Fortitude Valley-based team by 50 per cent, which means growing its staff to 105 from the current 70, within the next 18 months.

“Even with five offices across the world now, including San Francisco, London, Ho Chi Minh City and Sydney, Skedulo continue to recognise the benefits of doing business in Queensland.

“By investing in Skedulo’s future, locally, we’re ensuring more homegrown talent stays in the Sunshine State.

“With their cloud-based scheduling software, Skedulo provide an end-to-end solution that improves the user experience and strengthens the supply chain.

“As well as the health sector, Skedulo software is trusted in disability and aged care, disaster recovery, first aid training, with home solar panel installation, and for any mobile workforce.”

Skedulo CEO, Matt fairhurst / skedulo.com

“As we keep expanding internationally our biggest team is still in Brisbane, leading our engineering and product development,” Skedulo CEO Matt Fairhurst said

“We’re extremely passionate about our Australian heritage as a company and what it means to be a great company in Brisbane.

“Investing in Australian technology is critically important for our future economy as we pursue opportunities in innovation and education.

In 2021, the company passed 35 million appointment bookings across the globe through its platform and raised $75 million in its Series C round, led by SoftBank Vision Fund.

Endeavour College of Natural Health Opens New Purpose-Built Fortitude Valley Campus

The Endeavour College of Natural Health in Fortitude Valley has undergone a $3-million redesign to deliver a new, bespoke campus for students.

The renovated building has also opened a Wellness Clinic and dispensary for Brisbane locals to access affordable nutrition, naturopathy, Chinese medicine and massage treatments.

The site, which was officially opened in March 2022, is now the largest provider of natural health courses in the Southern Hemisphere, where three new Chinese Medicine courses will also be offered amidst a growing interest in Traditional Chinese Medicine post-pandemic.

Endeavour College of Natural Health — Photo Credit: Supplied

“We’ve seen a huge spike in demand for our acupuncture course in the past two years, especially at our two Queensland campuses, showing how much Queenslanders are embracing the ancient practice,” Shuai Zheng, Head of Chinese Medicine at Endeavour College of Natural Health, said.

“We are seeing clients of all ages and from all walks of life requesting acupuncture and Tui Na treatments, with Chinese medicine treatments at Endeavour College’s Brisbane (33%) and Gold Coast (30%) teaching clinics accounting for around a third of all appointments this year – the highest demand across all our Australian clinics,” he added.

Research shows that two out of three Australians use some form of complementary medicine, with 21 per cent of the population visiting their massage therapists regularly and 8 per cent getting their acupuncture treatments each year.

In place of the existing Bachelor of Health Science (Acupuncture), Endeavour College will offer the following Chinese Medicine courses from 2022:

Diploma of Health Science (Chinese Remedial Massage) – The only qualification of its kind in Australia, this new course represents the first time Chinese Remedial Massage, or Tui Na, has been offered at a higher education level. With a rise in interest in this specialist area of Chinese Medicine in recent years, Endeavour is introducing the qualification to cater to growing demand for the dry massage which focuses on acupuncture meridians and pressure points.
Bachelor of Health Science (Acupuncture Therapies) – As the leader in acupuncture training, Endeavour still offers the only specialised acupuncture course for undergraduates in Australia. This new course replaces the existing Acupuncture course that has been taught for the past 20 years. It has been designed from scratch to meet the latest standards and offer a contemporary approach, which focuses on practical elements and paves a swift pathway into practice.
Bachelor of Health Science (Chinese Medicine) – This new bachelor degree encompasses the Chinese Remedial Massage and Acupuncture Therapies courses, as well as expanding on other areas of the philosophy and principles of Chinese Medicine, with a particular focus on Chinese herbalism. The comprehensive qualification allows students to graduate prepared to meet the evolving needs of the Chinese medicine profession in Australia.

“Traditional Chinese Medicine has been growing in popularity in Queensland for many years, to the point where it’s not uncommon to see an acupuncture clinic alongside the bottle shop and bakery at the local shopping centre. The statistics tell us that Australians turn to a complementary massage therapist as often as they seek help from a counsellor or a physiotherapist, showing how Chinese medicine has become a core part of our health care,” Mr Zheng said.

With the new campus, Endeavour College of Natural Health is expected to produce the majority of Brisbane’s next-generation naturopaths.

On-Street Parking Meters Now Back in Use

Photo Credit: Team Schrinner / Facebook

On-street parking meters return to normal charging of fees, but 15-minute free parking is still available at 7,500 car locations across the city, including Fortitude Valley.

For several weeks after the floods, free and discounted parking has been available to motorists to support businesses and locals that have been adversely impacted. This temporary relief measure ended beginning 4 April 2022. Parking meters are now turned on, and with it, the fines.

Motorists are reminded that 15-minute free parking is still available at over 7,500 car spaces at King George Square Car Park, Wickham Terrace Car Park and across these locations:

Auchenflower
Bowen Hills
Buranda
Fortitude Valley
Kangaroo Point
Kelvin Grove
Milton
Newstead
South Brisbane
Spring Hill
Teneriffe
West End
Woolloongabba.

For some parking meters that have been removed due to weather damage, motorists are advised to use the CellOPark app to pay for parking.

If you are parked in a 15-minute free metered space and using theCellOPark app at the same time, then you need to end the parking session before the 15-minute limit is up. Otherwise, you will need to pay via the CellOPark app, or at the meter, for the full length of stay.

The list of mobile payments only (CellOPark) parking locations is as follows:

Street	Suburb	Meter Number
Camford Street	Auchenflower	4311
Camford Street	Milton	4309, 4310
Dixon Street	Auchenflower	4801, 4802, 4803, , 4804, 4805
Dunmore Terrace	Auchenflower	4824
Eagle Terrace	Auchenflower	4312, 4313
Lang Parade	Auchenflower	4302, 4303, 4823, 4836
McIlwraith Street	Auchenflower	4806
Patrick Lane	Auchenflower	4800
Black Street	Milton	4322, 4330
Castlemaine Street	Milton	4323
Douglas Street	Milton	4297
Granzella Street	Milton	4187
Kilroe Street	Milton	4307, 4308
McDougall Street	Milton	4186
Roy Street	Milton	4305, 4306

Source: Brisbane City Council

You can download the CellOPark app from the Google Play Store or Apple Store.

visit the CellOPark website Here

‘Stranded’: New Bar to Open in Fortitude Valley

Photo credit: bagarteaga0/Pixabay

The owners envision the place to be a refined yet comfortable space for people who love great music, quality food and unique cocktails.

A pedestrian walkway will connect the place to a 500-capacity bandroom, making it easier for guests and staff to move between the venues. Refurbishments are also underway for the team’s existing kitchen that currently offers pizzas and tapas.

fortitude valley bar — Photo credit: Qywee/Pixabay

The full menu is not available yet, but guests can expect plenty of skew share plates to feast on such as the likes of mezcal-infused beef cheek slow-cooked for around 32 hours.

the zoo bne — Photo credit: The Zoo/Facebook

Now celebrating its 30 years in the hospitality business, The Zoo has become one of Brisbane’s oldest and most beloved live music venues.

It has welcomed some of the world’s most famous acts, including The Pixies, The Black Keys, Paul Kelly, Lorde, Nick Cave and the Dirty Three, Ben Harper, Powderfinger, Silverchair, Violent Soho and Mogwai to name a few.

Facebook page for updates. Those who want to get in early prior to the opening can book for pre-launch access at the Stranded Bar’s website.

Funny Guy Stav Davidson to Fight for Cancer in RNA Showgrounds Boxing Match

Despite never having had prior fitness training. B105 Breakfast Funny Guy Stav Davidson has just spent the last 10 weeks preparing for a boxing match in Bowen Hills, to raise money for cancer research.

The match is the first-ever for Stav Davidson and he is all set to take on Will “The Frost” Cruise on Saturday, 2 April 2022, at 12:30 p.m. inside the Royal International Convention Centre at the RNA Showgrounds.

The fundraiser is for the benefit of the Small Steps for Hannah Foundation, which was started by the family of Hannah Clarke following her and her daughter’s tragic death. Ms Coleman is close to the Clarke family and she nominated Mr Davidson for this charity boxing match. This was 10 weeks before the actual event and Mr Davidson has been training since then.

The funny guy, who has adopted the nickname “Radioactive” for this boxing match, wanted to help his friend, breakfast co-host Abby Coleman, who asked Mr Davidson to literally fight for this cause.

Mr Davidson and Mr Cruice, who is 26 and works in finance, he’s been training and sparring together in the past weeks. They didn’t know until recently that they were going to be matched up.

Mr Cruice, however, quipped that he’s confident that he will knock out Mr Davidson by the second round.

“I don’t know if I can win or not,” Mr Davidson replied. “But the goal is to go for three rounds.”

The charity boxing match, after all, is about raising money and promoting fitness as well.

The evening will be billed as classic, Las Vegas Fight Night – men will don tuxedos and women will wear formal dresses, and there will be all in between.

In a nod to Stav’s Scottish heritage, the Scotland-born radio host will be walked out by the Queensland Police Pipes & Drums mini-band (2 bagpipers and 2 drummers) – accompanied by four Scottish Dancers!

The fight will be on Sportsbet, where the odds are stacked against the Funny Guy.

Fight for a Cause is hosting the event. Check for tickets on the official site.

NUG: Top Chef, Two Style Gurus Breathe Life to New Bakery Lane Store

Photo Credit: NUG / Instagram

When a top chef and two style gurus join forces for a new business venture, expect nothing less than a unique concept that marries their passion for food and beautiful living spaces. Such is the case with Bakery Lane, Fortitude Valley with the opening of the NUG General Store in May 2022.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by NUG. GENERAL STORE (@n.u.g.generalstore)

Typically, general stores will all be about just the essentials, but Sarah Baldwin of the acclaimed Joy Restaurant in Fortitude Valley and Jarrod Applebee and Shane Phillips of Finnley Home are putting a unique twist to it. NUG General Store’s offering reflects their passions: food and interiors.

The 60sqm space on Bakery Lane, where Cake & Shit once were, will feature a deli/cafe, a grocer/pantry area and a homewares section. The deli section will be offering a rotating menu of salads, sandwiches, fresh juices, kombucha, house-made sodas and batches of cold-brew coffee. A wine bar may also be added in the future.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by NUG. GENERAL STORE (@n.u.g.generalstore)

NUG General Store will not only be a grab-and-go destination but will also offer a dine-in option via a 12-seater communal table inside and an alfresco communal table that can sit up to eight people. Meanwhile, the homeware area will showcase a curation of ceramics, decorative pieces, tableware and glassware which are predominantly made by Australian artisans

NUG will also support local businesses by hosting a series of workshops and masterclasses on a regular basis allowing suppliers and artisans to share knowledge and expertise to the community.

NUG General Store will be situated on Bakery Lane at 690 Ann Street and is planned to make its debut in May.

Bakery Lane, 690 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley

Bunny Alert! Giant Glowing Rabbits ‘Intrude’ Brisbane Quarter

Prepare for a giant glowing bunnies invasion! Witness three massive bunny artwork installations as they come hopping into Brisbane as part of the ‘Intrude’ art exhibit from 29 March to 17 April 2022.

Three larger-than-life installations are taking centre stage at 300 George Street as part of the “Intrude” art exhibit by Australian artist, Amanda Parer. These 7-metre tall grammable bunnies have already toured major cities across the globe and are now hopping into Brisbane’s stylish dining precinct just in time for Easter.

Amanda Parer’s “Intrude” is a series of artwork that invites the audience to contemplate on our relationship with the natural world. At night, the inflatable rabbits get illuminated from the inside, provoking a childlike sense of wonder as these artistic creations fill the landscape with their ethereal glow.

Bunny Alert! Giant Glowing Rabbits ‘Intrude’ Brisbane Quarter — Photo Credit: Parer Studio / Facebook

But as adorable as they are, Ms Parer would like to remind visitors that there is a far more serious message behind these installations.

“Rabbits represent fairy tales, childhood and furry innocence but to Australians, they are also a feral species, introduced by white settlers and leaving a trail of ecological destruction wherever they go, defying attempts at eradication,” she said.

“The artwork, like any good fairy tale, works from both the light and the dark. It has been fun to use these motifs to explore our relationship with the natural world.”

European rabbits were introduced into the Australian wild sometime in the 1800s but sadly have become one of the country’s most invasive mammals since then. Having no natural predators and owing to their fast breeding abilities, these innocent-looking creatures rapidly spread and wreak havoc on Australian agricultural lands.

“Intrude” will remain on display at Brisbane Quarter until 17 April 2022 on Podium One.

Brisbane Quarter | 300 George Street, Brisbane CBD, Qld 4000 Australia

BrisAsia Fashion Festival to Showcase Asian, Indigenous, and International Heritages in Fortitude Valley

For the first time, designers and labels will be showcasing their latest creations at the BrisAsia Fashion Festival with a focus on Asian, Indigenous, and International heritages.

The spectacular fashion event will take place on Friday, 25 March 2022, at the Fortitude Music Hall in Fortitude Valley.

From 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. guest speakers like Akira Isogawa from Akira, Natalie Cunningham from Native Swimwear Australia, and Sher Lo from Anannasa will be featured at the Fashion Forum. Two runway shows will run at 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. with the Motorama Group, which represents many leading Asian car brands and is located in highly diverse communities.

An after-party will be held at The Outpost on Warner St.

Photo Credit: BrisAsia Fashion Festival – Liz Golding/Facebook

Labels up for showcase include Akira, Native Swimwear Australia, Joteo, Moreno Marcos, Anannasa, M7 by Miu Tsujikawa, Hestia by Yip Wing Chi, Liz Clift, Mode Voyage, DAN STUDIO, SAJO, MYKA Studio, Nevidebla, Luna + Sun, Fancynators, and Hopevale Arts & Cultural Centre.

BAFF is produced by Fashion Festival Queensland, working closely with BrisAsia Festival producers Sounds Across Oceans and proudly supported by Brisbane City Council, Motorama and GHD.

“The only fashion event in Brisbane, and Queensland, specifically curated to showcase local Asian designers, champion intercultural dialogue and collaborate with Indigenous artists, BrisAsia Fashion establishes a new horizon for Queensland fashion,” BAFF Fashion Director Liz Golding said.

“Queenslanders love to celebrate the homegrown talent and national designers who love their Queensland supporters and now we can do so in a way that embraces the full spectrum of our cultural diversity.”

In February, BAFF conducted its model search at the Brothers Rugby Club in Albion.

Brisbane fashion influencer Marie Hillard, ‘@thebrisbanegirl’, is the Event Ambassador and BAFF will support local charity Hummingbird House, Queensland’s only children’s hospice, through donations from ticket sales.

Secure BAFF Tickets

Fortitude Valley Start-up Sets Expansion as Flooding Events Intensify

FloodMapp, the Fortitude Valley climate tech startup, is expanding and improving its services to help various organizations cope with the increasing intensity of flooding events not only in Brisbane but across the world.

Co-founders Ryan Prosser, an engineer, and Juliette Murphy, a flood mitigation expert, have recently closed an $8.49 million seed fundraising round to integrate their invention, the real-time FloodMapp app, to other platforms like Waze.

New York-based venture capitalist Union Square Ventures (USV) is backing the Fortitude Valley company alongside investors like Mundi Ventures, Climate X, and Jelix Ventures.

The seed funding will allow FloodApp to upgrade its technology to help more communities and emergency managers. The company is also setting its sights on establishing satellite offices in Melbourne, Sydney, and Virginia in the U.S. as more governments require their services and expertise.

“Flooding is getting more severe every day,” Ms Murphy said. “We’ll be scaling up our technical engineering team, as well as our go-to-market team here in Australia, but also in the US to expand that capability.”

Both founders experienced devastating flooding events in Brisbane in 2011 and in Calgary, Canada in 2013. The co-founders also knew they could create a better flood modelling and monitoring system that can save lives.

Since its launch in 2018, FloodMapp has grown from a staff of three to a staff of 26. It has acquired clients like the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES), Noosa Regional Council, Energy Queensland and Origin Energy.

“The world is facing a climate crisis, and we need the best and brightest thinkers, innovators and inventors from around the world to turn their collective talent to finding solutions,” USV’s Nick Grossman said in the press release.

“We’re thrilled to partner with FloodMapp, our very first adaptation-focused investment. FloodMapp has developed a world-first flood modelling technology to predict flooding at a granular, street-level in real-time.

“What excites us most about FloodMapp is the data network effect. By working with emergency managers and communities through partnerships like Waze, FloodMapp is collecting real-time ground observation data to continually validate and improve models.”

Coming Soon! First Signature Masterpiece Installation at Queen’s Wharf

Photo credit: Destination Brisbane Consortium / queenswharfbrisbane.com.au s

The first signature masterpiece installation for the $3.6-billion Queen’s Wharf development has been selected and will be in place by mid-2023.

“Being Swallowed by the Milky Way” by Brisbane painter and sculptor of Chinese heritage, Lindy Lee, is the first artwork which will be unveiled by The Star as part of its public art procurement program for the Queen’s Wharf development.

Lindy Lee’s artwork will be an 8-metre, 8,000-kilogram bronze sculpture which will be installed at the George Street atrium entrance to the hotel and casino.

The internationally renowned artist’s recent work is the $14 million commission from the National Gallery of Australia which is considered to be the most expensive work to be acquired by the NGA.

*Ouroboros,* created for the National Gallery of Australia’s 40th anniversary
Photo credit: National Gallery of Australia / nga.gov.au

Ms Lee will be working with Brisbane-based Urban Art Projects who will breathe life to her masterpiece. The installation will feature thousands of tiny holes on its surface to create an illusion of a shimmering “galaxy” when lit at night.

“On a personal level, this is the most significant commission I’ve ever been awarded,” Ms Lee said, adding that she is proud to be included in The Star’s unique and creative project that “will be such a sophisticated addition to my hometown.”

She said that when she left the city in the late 70s to get an art education, Brisbane was lacking in “cultural inspiration,” but things have changed since then. Ms Lee said that she returns as an “established artist” to a city that is now “culturally advanced.”

“I am currently working on some prestigious overseas commissions, but the sculpture I have designed for Queen’s Wharf Brisbane is an important project to me. It will be a joy,” she said.

The Specialist Artistic Advisory panel that curated the stellar artworks collection was led by leading art dealer and philanthropist Philip Bacon AO alongside art curator and director of the Institute of Modern Art Liz Nowell and indigenous artist and administrator Avril Quaill.

“Securing a major Lindy Lee sculpture is a coup for the city,” Mr Bacon said.

“Lindy’s distinctive works are already found in many of the world’s greatest cities, and it is fitting that Queen’s Wharf Brisbane will be home to one of her largest and most elegant creations.”

Lindy Lee, *The Life of Stars*, 2018, stainless steel, dimensions variable; courtesy the artist, Sullivan+Strumpf and UAP | Photo credit: Saul Steed – Lindy Lee Studio / Facebook

“It will truly be a must-visit attraction in its own right.”

“A defining moment in Queensland’s largest urban development” is how The Star Entertainment Group’s Managing Director and CEO, Matt Bekier described the announcement.

“We and our partners are thrilled to have commissioned Lindy Lee to create the signature art piece and we look forward to revealing the other talent the advisory panel has identified,” Mr Bekier said.

“These artworks will be showcased to millions of people, who will visit this precinct for years to come, including for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“It will further position Brisbane, not just as an Olympic city, but as a vibrant cultural playground, complementing the Southbank precinct just a short bridge walk across the river.

“We have bold plans for art and culture to be a visitation driver for the precinct with sculptures, paintings, visual and performing arts and potentially galleries and exhibitions delivering a unique and exciting offering.

“We are creating a world class tourism and entertainment destination that locals will be proud of, and interstate and international visitors will want to visit.”

The collection of artworks will be featured across the 7.5-hectare public space within the QWB including the waterfront areas next to the Brisbane River.

Ms Lee’s artwork is slated to be in place in mid-2023 coinciding with the development’s first stage opening.