Category: Homepage Latest News

Universal Field Robots in Fortitude Valley Develops Autonomous Robotic Avocado Picker

Fortitude Valley’s Universal Field Robots is currently developing a robotic machinery that could possibly be a game-changing technology in agriculture.

Jeff Sterling, the founder of Universal Field Robots, was particularly interested in developing robots that can work in an outdoor setting as the use of autonomous machines in factories increased.

Photo credit: Twitter/Universal Field Robots‏

The company’s first project is a robotic avocado picker capable of identifying ripe fruits and can harvest avocados as fast as manual picking. The selling factor of this autonomous robot is its ability to operate 24 hours a day without the added costs in labour.

The Universal Field Robots team exhibited their autonomous robots in the recently concluded International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) which happened in 21-25 May 2018.


Credit: Intech Engineers/Youtube

Not only that, their website proudly announces that they are “…already working with avocado farmers to define the needs for the product in this space. Industry applications include: weed control, pruning, fruit picking and mowing.”

The robotic development is not commercially available yet but Mr Sterling was confident that their product will soon be available on a commercial level.

Apart from their horticultural devices, Universal Field Robots’ innovative solutions also cater to the forestry, construction, mining, and solar farm supports. For more information visit their official website or follow them on Twitter for updates on their latest innovations.

Felons Brewing Co to Open 1000-Square Metre Brewery and Gastropub at Howard Smith Wharves in November

Felons Brewing Co is one of the latest additions to the list of bars and restaurants that will open at the Howard Smith Wharves.

Read: Howard Smith Wharves Reveals Bars and Restaurants Signing on

The new 1000-square metre brewery and gastropub will have 500 seats and is brewing up to be the anchor tenant of the retail and lifestyle precinct.

Photo credit: howardsmithwharves.com

Felons Brewing Co is set to become Brisbane’s first riverside brewery and will start serving their fresh brews under the Story Bridge in the Howard Smith Wharves in November 2018.

Named after the four felons who, in 1823, were the first Europeans to discover the Brisbane river, the giant brewery is inspired to carry on their spirit of freedom and discovery as they passionately brew beer for the people of Brisbane and beyond.

Photo credit: howardsmithwharves.com

The Howard Smith Wharves is set to open in late 2018. With a promising line-up of food and drinks venues, the precinct is sure to become one of Brisbane’s most exciting riverside event space.

For more information and updates on Felons Brewing Co, you may visit their website.

To learn more about the Howard Smith Wharves, check out their official site.

World Gin Day On Ann Street In Fortitude Valley

Celebrate World Gin Day in Fortitude Valley on 9 June. This day is dedicated to everything gin so you might want to head on over to these places and get a glass (or two!) of one of the broadest categories of spirits in the whole world.

The Osbourne Hotel

Enjoy a long lunch starting at 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at this hotel to celebrate this day. If you’re looking for an intimate kind of way to celebrate it paired with a full meal, this is a great spot for you.

The menu consists of a four-course degustation by the Head Chef, Ben King. Most importantly, there will be a variety of gin available from Australia, to English, to United States, to Sweden.

Ticket costs $79 each. Book it here.

Address: 766 Ann St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006

The APO

The APO will also be participating by holding a FREE event from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. You’ll get to partake in masterclasses and demos. This is the perfect place to learn and immerse yourself in the wonders of gin.

A select range of Australian and international gins will be featured during the event. Each brand will be making a classic G&T plus a signature cocktail of their choice.

All you have to do is register here.

Address: 690 Ann St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006

International Cake Show Australia 2018 in Bowen Hills: A Sweet 3-Day Event

Immerse yourself in all things cake! From cake art, decorators, to food personalities, this is going to be a sweet and buzzing three-day event!

The International Cake Show Australia is coming to Brisbane on 18-20 May at the Brisbane Showgrounds Exhibition Building in Bowen Hills. It will begin at 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Sugar & Spice & Everything Nice!

The ICSA weekend will feature celebrity cake artists, chefs, bakers, and chocolatiers.

There will be a live cake-off, which will be televised, that will feature six of the world’s famous cake artists: Paul Bradford, Dorothy Klerck, Timbo Sullivan, Verusca Walker, Margie Carter, Paul Delaney, and Karen Portaleo.

There will also be live cake and chocolate sculpting shows.

Also, there will be over 70 demonstrations distributed to four demonstration stages at the event, with something new happening every hour.

Participants can also join mini classes such as the “Create, Make & Take” cake and cookie decorating.

As if that’s not enough, there will be over 80 pop-up shops offering various pastry-related products to browse through.

Photo credit: Must Do Brisbane

For brides-to-be, there is a Haute Couture Zone featuring different wedding cakes and decorations. Need ideas for the big day! This is definitely the place to be.

Cake Artists In Brisbane:

Watch out for these locals who are renowned for their awesome cake-making skills:

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Pleasure to meet you @backstreetbrisbane – and for the record, I love your blue butterfly 🦋😊 #Repost @backstreetbrisbane with @get_repost ・・・ Earlier in the week I was lucky to attend A Sweet Meet with @sugar_art_by_zoe_byres – check out the link in my bio to see more of Zoe's amazing creations, and my attempt at fondant painting! 🍰 🎨 You can see Zoe's work or take a class with her at the upcoming @internationalcakeshowaustralia (which you can also read about on the blog!). . Hope you're having a sweet weekend! 😀🍰❤. . . . . #backstreetbrisbane #brisbane #eatonshill #lollipopcakesupplies #cakedesign #cakedecoration #fondant #fondantcake #fondantpainting #cakepainting #acada #internationalcakeshowaustralia #brisbanebusiness #brisbanecreatives #brisbanecakes #brisbaneevents

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Photo credit: Sweet Ruby Cakes / Facebook

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  • Shayne Greenman

Cake Artists in Sydney:

Take a cake and eat it, too and see how these Sydney cake artists create magnificent cakes out of flour and eggs.

Cake Artists From Around The World:

Some of the cake geniuses are flying in from all over the world to participate at this 3-day event also!

Click here to get your tickets.

Address: 600 Gregory Terrace

Fortitude Valley Stages First Ever Fully-Interactive Comedy Game, The Great Debate

You’re Joking  is back at The Flying Cock on Thursday, 17 May 2018 with a hilarious new game called The Great Debate.

Photo credit: Facebook/You’re Joking‎

Following three successful events that left its audience laughing out loud, You’re Joking returns to one of Fortitude Valley’s most beloved watering holes for a night filled with laughter. National and homegrown comedians are set to entertain the audience with the funniest acts in town.

Don’t miss the chance to be a part of the first ever fully-interactive comedy game called The Great Debate. The game lets audience members get on the stage to a battle of wits, debating on unconventional topics. Check out the video below to see how it works.


Credit: Adam Hunter/YouTube

Following the debate, Aaron Pratt is set to deliver his headline act. He is known for his offbeat slow and easy delivery style of joke telling that has brought him to several stages nationwide. One of his recent performances is opening for Fiona O’Laughlin, Heath Franklin’s ‘Chopper’, and Kevin Tate (America).

Photo credit: Facebook/Aaron Pratt Comedy

Aaron will grace the stage with the tales of his childhood, observations on the hilarious topic of cultural stereotypes, and what it’s like to literally live in Mordor. It will certainly be a great night with lots of knee slap laughs.

Doors and sign-ups open at 6:00 p.m. with The Great Debate starting at 6:45 p.m. prior to the stage acts.
Marcus Thorpe will be the night’s MC. Performances start at 7:00 p.m. so make sure to get in early.

 

Common Ground in Negotiations to Secure its Second Site in Fortitude Valley

Following the success of its residential development in South Brisbane, Common Ground is now looking to expand in Fortitude Valley.

The company is currently in negotiations to secure its second site in a prime location in Fortitude Valley.

Common Ground is driven to end homelessness in areas where they operate with the help of Supportive Housing solutions. This is made possible through their effective community, public, and private partnerships.

Photo credit: www.commongroundqld.org.au

To support Common Ground’s social housing project, the Queensland Government invested $1.8 billion on 12 June 2017 to help increase the number of affordable and social housing that they offer.

Common Ground has proven that their Supportive Housing model truly works. Based at 15 Hope Street, South Brisbane, Brisbane Common Ground’s successful Supportive Housing is currently home to more than 140 formerly homeless and low-income tenants.

Their success helped in improving the community’s quality of life while saving the Queensland Government $13,100 a year for every formerly homeless person who resides there.

The exterior of the former Prince George Hotel at 14 East 28th Street, Manhattan, New York City, now one of the housing facilities of Common Ground
Photo credit: Beyond My Ken/Wikimedia Commons

The Common Ground Supportive Housing model originated in New York City over 20 years ago. With the model’s proven success in ending homelessness, six Australian States and Territories now have at least one Common Ground development.

For Common Ground Queensland, Brisbane Common Ground is its first supportive housing initiative. They have adapted and used the principles of the New York City Common Ground model to implement a specialised Supportive Housing property and tenancy management approach at Brisbane Common Ground.

While the site for the Fortitude Valley site is still under negotiations, Common Grounds is also set to work with a wide range of corporate and government organisations this 2018 to encourage workplace giving which will help in raising funds to help people who had been homeless have a productive future.

For The Older Folks: Apia Young At Heart’s Seniors Film Festival In Fortitude Valley

The Apia Young At Heart – Seniors Film Festival is back for its 13th edition and this year, catch quality flicks from yesteryears at the Palace Centro in Fortitude Valley.

The festival, which is the country’s only film festival for seniors, kicked off on 2 April in Adelaide. In the Valley, it will run from 17-25 April.

The festival will kick off in each city with a grand opening afternoon tea with the movie The Bookshop, which is a film adaptation by Penelope Fitzgerald. The opening will start at 3:00 p.m. here in the Valley.

This year’s movie-line-up includes the following:

Get your tickets here.

Youth Week In Fortitude Valley: Learn, Dance, Create!

Enjoy this year’s Brisbane Youth Week from 6-15 April across the city. In Fortitude Valley, you are in for a lot of activities.

Visible Ink will be hosting a number of free workshops for the youth. This is a Brisbane City Council program targeted at young people aged 12-25.

Bloom Live Music Festival

A free live music festival for everyone happening from 6-15 April, the Music Industry College will entertain you with good music at various locations around the suburb.

For the full schedule and locations, click here. 

French Knitting Communal Weave

When: 9-15 April / 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Learn how to french knit and create colourful pieces on your own.

No bookings required, just walk-in!

Maker Space: Arts Hub

When: 9 – 12 April / 12:00 p.m.

Try your hand at drawing, sticker design, badge making, and painting. There will also be activities that will let you make your leather key rims and t-shirt tote bags.

Paint Your Own Pot and Succulent Cutting Party

When: 9 April / 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

This workshop is hosted by Chloe and the Paper Pots where you can decorate your own pre-made paper mâché indoor pot and take it home with you. You also get to choose the plant of your choice.

You can also join the succulent cutting party.

Daggy Dancing

When: 9 April/ 11 April / 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Get down and boogie! This class will involve a lot of stretching, guided freestyle dancing and aerobics. Think of it as a fun exercise!

Yoga To Your Favourite Tracks From the 2000’s

When: 10 April / 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Ideal for beginners, do yoga to your favourite 2000’s soundtrack.

Back to the 80’s Yoga

When: 11 April / 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

This class will be all about the 80’s soundtrack whilst you do yoga poses.

Love Food Hate Waste

When: 11 April / 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Where: Visible Ink

This class will focus on ways to reduce food waste and cut prices on your grocery bills. It will also teach young people to shop and eat more efficiently.

Learn how to make a vertical garden using recycled pallets. Finish the afternoon with a compost free workshop.

Afternoon tea will be provided.

Hackathon

When: 12 April / 9:00 a.m.
Where: Visible Ink

This program will teach the youth the basics of social enterprise and start-up businesses. They will learn about the concepts of business modelling and many more. They also get a chance to pitch their own ideas!

Email visibleinkvalley@brisbane.qld.gov.au or call 3403 0136 for bookings.

Visible Ink Takeover The Pod

When: 12 April / 13 April / 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Where: Brunswick Street Mall

Catch Brisbane’s emerging musicians:

  • Jamie-Lee Griffiths
  • Hallie Tait
  • Nathan MT
  • Acoustic
  • Lucy Dron
  • Jalapeño Business

On 13 April, catch these talented musicians:

  • Zebra
  • Pivotex
  • Marco Ghikas
  • Evano
  • Hope D
  • Bailey Rivera
  • Lucy Dron

Silent Disco

When: 12 April / 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Where: Brunswick Street Mall

Experience music and dance the unique way – to your own beat!

Spooky Yoga

When: 13 April / 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: Visible Ink

Perfect for Friday the 13th, get your spook on and do some stretches!

KISVIS Horror Edition

When: 13 April / 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Visible Ink

Collaborate with other artists, this is the perfect place to meet like-minded people. Get involved in writing workshops, music jams, and free food!

Brunch With Glo

When: 14 April / 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: Visible Ink

Support the GLO young women and listen to their ideas on how to solve social issues within their local communities.

Global Sisters is a national not for profit that focuses on empowering young women from refugee and migrant backgrounds to become entrepreneurs.

Suitcase Rummage

When: 14 April / 12:00 p.m.
Where: Brunswick Street Mall

Bring a suitcase or two and fill it with your own goods and treats. Bring it over to the Brunswick Street Mall and sell them. Or you can come to shop!

A Good Ol’ Clothes Swap

When: 15 April / 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: Visible Ink

Clean out your closet and swap with others. You can also learn how to mend your old clothes or make your own t-shirt tote bag using your old items. Bring a maximum of ten items to swap.

Bookings are required. Email visibleinkvalley@brisbane.qld.gov.au or call 3403 0136.

80s Inspired Bar Set To Open In Fortitude Valley

Fortitude Valley is set to welcome a new bar that will be filled with 80s vibe.

Called Blute’s Bar, the new venue will open in the Brunswick Street Mall underneath Black Bear. The owners are targeting to open the bar in mid-April 2018.

Jesse Barbera, one of the owners of The Brightside and Black Bear Lodge, named the new bar after his friend for more than 30 years, Jon Blute. The two grew up together in the United States before Mr Barbera moved to Brissy to open a number of live-music venues with business partners.

Blute stayed behind and pursued a career in a law firm. Back in the days, the two always dreamt of starting their own bar and now, that dream is in the works and slowly turning into reality.

The bar will take inspiration from classic Australian pubs of the 1980s, complete with exposed brick walls, tiles, and Australian hardwood. A deck area and a beer garden will also be made.

They will offer 14 beer taps and an extensive wine list.

The 350-seat bar will also showcase their personal stuff such as their portraits and other replicas they currently have in their homes.

Food will also be available and brunch every weekend is included in the plan.

Sip Wine and Paint at Brush & Barrel in Fortitude Valley

Unleash the Van Gogh in you at Brush and Barrel in Fortitude Valley.

The art studio allows participants to paint whilst having a glass of red. In fact, they encourage participants to come in early to mingle with fellow painters, grab a bottle and unwind before the start of the painting session.

Whether you’re a newbie or you are confident you can paint like a virtuoso, this is one of those places that can help you de-stress and discover your creative side.

Studio for Everyone

This intimate art studio brings painting to the next level.

Mind the brush strokes whilst you sip a glass of red. Or if you’re up for more, why not get a cheeseboard to accompany your vino.

Brush & Barrel is a “studio for everyone,” encouraging everybody to try their luck on art because it’s good for the mind, body and soul. It was established by Jimmy Truong and Matthew Dewacht following their experience at a friend’s birthday party at a painting studio where they were served liquor. Now, they have two locations, one in Brisbane and another one in the Gold Coast.

Interested to sip and paint? All you have to do is book your session of choice. Each session has a featured theme and runs for two hours. The studio provides all the painting tools. A social painting instructor will be there to guide you through the process, so there’s no need to be afraid if you have no experience in painting.

You can book here.

Address: Shop 12, 421 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley