Archbishop Shane Mackinlay was installed as the new Archbishop of Brisbane at St Stephen’s Cathedral in Fortitude Valley, with more than 1000 people and 200 clergy in attendance.
The Solemn Mass and Liturgical reception on 11 September 2025 marked the official beginning of Archbishop Mackinlay’s ministry in Brisbane. The Cathedral Choir, Cathedral Schola and St Stephen’s Brass were part of the celebration, contributing to the music throughout the liturgy.
Over 1000 attendees, including around 200 clergy, gathered at the Cathedral for the occasion. The Mass was also livestreamed for those unable to attend in person.
Photo Credit: Archdiocese of Brisbane/Facebook
First homily as Archbishop
In his first homily, Archbishop Mackinlay expressed gratitude for the warm welcome he had received from the people of Brisbane. He also acknowledged the diocese he was leaving, thanking the people of Sandhurst for their support over the past six years.
He noted that several Sandhurst clergy were present at the Mass, with others watching the livestream from Victoria.
Photo Credit: Archdiocese of Brisbane/Facebook
Career and Background
Shane Mackinlay was appointed Archbishop of Brisbane by Pope Leo XIV on 18 June 2025, following six years as Bishop of Sandhurst. Born in Brunswick, Melbourne, in 1965, he was ordained a priest in 1991 and later served as Master of Catholic Theological College in Melbourne from 2010 to 2019.
He was consecrated a bishop in 2019 and installed as Bishop of Sandhurst that same year. His academic background includes theology, physics, and a doctorate in philosophy.
Following the ceremony, refreshments were served in the grounds of St Stephen’s Cathedral, where Archbishop Mackinlay greeted parishioners, clergy and visitors, many of whom were eager to meet him personally and take photographs.
The event marks a significant transition for the Brisbane Archdiocese, with Archbishop Mackinlay becoming its eighth leader since the role was elevated to Archbishop in 1887.
Australia’s own Kate Ceberano will take centre stage in Fortitude Valley as she brings her acclaimed Australian Made Tour to the Fortitude Music Hall. The performance marks one of only a handful of metro shows added after all 21 regional stops sold out earlier this year, underscoring her enduring connection with audiences across the country.
The Brisbane show takes place on Saturday, 20 September, just one night after Ceberano’s Melbourne date at Hamer Hall. Adelaide will also host a stop in October. The decision to include major city venues came after demand from fans exceeded expectations. For Brisbane, it is more than a concert—it is a community celebration at one of the Valley’s most significant live music venues.
Ceberano said the Australian Made Tour allows her to reflect on four decades of music while spotlighting songs that helped shape her own artistry. The performance offers not only her best-known hits but also fresh interpretations of classic tracks from Australian bands and songwriters. For many long-time followers, the concert presents a chance to revisit the soundtrack of their lives, reimagined through Ceberano’s distinctive voice.
A voice that shaped Australian music
With 11 platinum albums, eight gold albums, and more than 6,000 live performances, Ceberano has become one of Australia’s most recognisable and influential performers. Her early career took off with the 1986–87 Australian Made Tour, where she performed alongside acts including INXS, Jimmy Barnes and Divinyls. That tour became a defining moment for the local industry, showcasing the power of homegrown talent on a national stage.
Returning nearly 40 years later to a project inspired by that original tour, Ceberano brings a contemporary perspective. Her set blends her own chart successes with reimagined versions of Australian classics by Silverchair, The Church and Bernard Fanning. The combination reinforces her place not only as a performer of her own catalogue but also as an interpreter of the country’s wider musical heritage.
Photo Credit: Kate Ceberano Official Site
Her career is marked by versatility. From her pop breakthrough Brave to jazz collaborations and orchestral projects such as My Life Is A Symphony, Ceberano has moved between genres without losing her distinctive style. Along the way, she has earned four ARIA Awards, a spot in the Australian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and wide recognition as both a singer and songwriter.
Sharing the stage
On the current tour, Ceberano is joined by guitarist and vocalist Harts, a musician mentored by Prince, whose influence can be heard in his style. He contributes not just as a collaborator but as part of the creative force on stage. Also featured is Kathleen Halloran, an emerging guitarist whose skill has been gaining national attention. Halloran not only performs alongside Ceberano but also steps forward as the support act, providing audiences with a strong sense of continuity across the evening.
The inclusion of both musicians reflects Ceberano’s reputation for encouraging and highlighting new talent while maintaining her own established voice. Their presence brings added depth to the performance, ensuring that the Brisbane audience experiences a mix of generational perspectives in Australian music.
Continuing a legacy
The Fortitude Valley performance comes as Ceberano releases her Australian Made – Live album, building on the momentum of recent national tours. In 2023, she toured with a full orchestra for My Life Is A Symphony, while in 2024 she performed with Jon Stevens on Superstars Live. These projects, combined with her current run, highlight her ability to reimagine her career while continuing to draw in new listeners.
Her return to Fortitude Valley is also significant for the local community. The area is known for its strong live music culture, and hosting an artist with such longevity reinforces its role as a central hub for performance in Queensland. For fans attending on Saturday, it will be a night that links local venues to a broader national story of music-making.
Tickets for the Brisbane show remain available through Kate Ceberano’s official website and the Fortitude Music Hall. For many in Fortitude Valley, the concert is not just another tour stop but a chance to witness one of the country’s most enduring voices return to the stage in a familiar setting.
St James College has made its mark on the national stage, finishing as runners-up in its first appearance at the National All Schools Netball Challenge in Adelaide.
The competition, held in early September 2025, brought together school teams from across Australia. St James College entered the Year 9 and 10 High Performance division and quickly impressed.
A hard-fought victory secured their place in the grand final against Catherine McAuley College from Bendigo. Despite a strong effort, the Brisbane side fell short, placing second in the division.
Teamwork and Support
Staff described the group’s success as the result of teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship. Sports Development Officer Eliza Hoelscher praised the team’s effort and said the players set a high standard for the college’s first appearance at the event.
Coaches and support staff, including Tia Parker and Evonne Tolo, were acknowledged for guiding the squad through interstate competition.
Local Impact
The achievement has brought pride to the Fortitude Valley and Spring Hill community, where the college is based. Some students were travelling interstate for the first time, and their experience competing at a national level reflected the college’s commitment to providing opportunities beyond the classroom.
A tribute to a late friend has become a vibrant community space in Fortitude Valley, where owners Kawid Brikshavana and Ratinan Rattanathai have created So What Stereo, a cafe that pairs personal memories with classic vinyl and authentic Thai food.
For vinyl collectors, the greatest joy often comes from unearthing a rare record by chance. Many local food lovers are now sharing that same feeling of discovery with So What Stereo. Tucked away on Little Street, the cafe is easy to miss unless you already know it is there. Its location next to The Valley Grocer and other Thai businesses is helping create a small but vibrant community hub that some are calling a mini Thai Town.
The creation of the cafe itself was a stroke of luck. The owners, who are also the minds behind Hawthorne’s MaMeek eatery, had been collecting furniture and vintage audio gear for years, hoping to one day find the right home for their dream cafe. It wasn’t until they were shown a hidden, fully enclosed site that their vision finally clicked into place. After removing some internal walls and adding windows, they transformed the windowless box into the colourful space it is today.
The cafe’s name is a nod to the first track on Miles Davis’s famous 1959 album, Kind of Blue. That record changed jazz by favouring improvisation over rigid rules, and a similar free-form energy can be felt inside the cafe. The space is a vibrant mix of mismatched chairs, multicoloured walls, and pop culture items, with Rattanathai having sourced much of the decor from Facebook Marketplace.
This eclectic approach extends to the menu and the music. Brikshavana, who grew up in northern Thailand, is especially proud of his khao soi, a rich coconut curry noodle soup. He explained that he wants to serve the dish just like he remembers it from his childhood.
The menu also features other regional specialties like Thai boat noodles and Chiang Mai sausage. While customers eat, music from the owners’ personal record collection plays on the JBL speaker system. The selection is diverse, spanning from jazz legends like John Coltrane to rock bands like Korn, reflecting a belief that the sound feels just as the artists originally intended.
Beyond the food and music, So What Stereo is a deeply personal project. The design was sparked by the work of Brisbane artist Gina Ward and heavily influenced by the mid-century modern style of Brikshavana’s parents. He shared that every piece of decor reconnects him to his family.
The cafe also stands as a tribute to Brikshavana’s late friend, the jazz musician Matt Clare. A saxophone belonging to Clare now sits proudly in the cafe. Brikshavana was inspired by his friend’s fearless approach to music and life, an attitude that now shapes the welcoming and unconventional atmosphere of his own community space.
So What Stereo is located at 4/15 Little Street, Fortitude Valley.
From 3 September to 5 October 2025, SK Steak & Oyster at The Calile Hotel on James Street, Fortitude Valley, will feature Grey Goose Tiny Tini flights priced at $45. The Brisbane restaurant joins Maybe Sammy in Sydney and Apollo Inn in Melbourne for the month-long martini celebration.
Photo Credit: Supplied
Collaboration Across Three Cities
The collaboration showcases each venue’s unique martini recipe, with guests able to sample creations from all three establishments without leaving Brisbane. Each venue also offers its individual cocktail in a full-size serve.
Apollo Inn Martini: Grey Goose Vodka, vermouth blend, Mildura mandarin
At Apollo Inn, an alternative flight is served one at a time and features slight variations, including smoked olive oil in the SK version.
Full-Size Serves
Each cocktail is also available in its complete form. The SK Martini is priced at $95 and served with a Gazander oyster and caviar. The Maybe Sammy Martini costs $26, and the Apollo Inn Martini is available for $30.
Photo Credit: Supplied
Recognised Venues
All three participating bars are listed among the World’s 50 Best. SK Steak & Oyster is housed within The Calile Hotel, ranked 25th Best Hotel globally. Maybe Sammy is ranked the 26th Best Bar, and Apollo Inn is recognised on the Discovery Bars list.
The Grey Goose Tiny Tini flights run for one month only, offering Fortitude Valley visitors a chance to experience signature martinis from some of Australia’s most acclaimed venues.
Queensland Rail has issued urgent safety warnings to passengers after a concerning increase in injuries across the South East Queensland network, with Fortitude Valley station recording 12 reported injuries in the past financial year.
The suburb’s railway station ranked third highest for passenger injuries statewide, behind only Brisbane Central with 50 incidents and Roma Street with 38, according to new data released during Rail Safety Week.
The figures represent a significant jump from the previous year, with total customer injuries across the network rising from 299 to 350 incidents during the 2024-25 financial year.
Queensland Rail’s general manager of security and emergency preparedness Drew Brock attributed the spike directly to increased passenger numbers following the introduction of 50-cent fares in August 2024. The fare initiative, which began as a six-month trial before being made permanent in November 2024, led to a 17.9 per cent increase in train patronage compared to the same period in 2023.
“We had 55 million passenger journeys, so since the 50-cent fares came in we have seen new customers coming to the network,” Brock explained during the safety campaign launch.
The majority of incidents involved slips, trips and falls, with outcomes ranging from minor bruising to serious hospitalisations requiring treatment for broken bones. Video footage released by Queensland Rail showed passengers falling between platforms and moving trains, getting caught in closing doors, and tumbling down station stairs.
For Fortitude Valley commuters, the data serves as a stark reminder of the importance of platform safety, particularly given the station’s underground location beneath the Valley Metro complex and its role as a key transport hub for the area’s busy entertainment and business districts.
Brock emphasised that many injuries could be prevented through basic safety awareness. “It really is just a case of using common sense. Don’t rush for the train, there will always be another train. Don’t put yourself at risk by going over the yellow safety line, always stay vigilant,” he said.
Common causes of injuries include passengers taking luggage, bikes, or scooters on escalators instead of using lifts, and people slipping in the gap between trains and platforms at older stations that lack rubber safety barriers.
Queensland Rail has issued key safety recommendations for passengers:
Stay behind the yellow line until trains come to a complete stop
Hold children’s hands when travelling and mind the gap
Use lifts or ramps when carrying large items
Pay attention to surroundings rather than looking at phones
Plan journeys and arrive early to avoid rushing
Use lifts instead of escalators when travelling with bikes, scooters, or heavy luggage
The safety warnings come as public transport use continues to surge across the region. Data shows more than 93.3 million trips have been taken in South East Queensland since the fare reduction began – an increase of 18.3 per cent from the benchmark period in 2023.
While the increased patronage has been welcomed as a sign of the initiative’s success, railway operators stress that safety must remain the priority as more people use the network.
“We see a range of outcomes in these instances all the way from a bruised ego to serious injuries like hospitalisations with broken bones,” Brock warned.
The Rail Safety Week campaign aims to educate both new and existing passengers about platform safety as the network continues to attract record numbers of users taking advantage of the affordable fares.
Prison Island, an indoor team challenge concept that originated in Scandinavia, is expanding into Brisbane with a new venue in Fortitude Valley. The experience, already operating in cities across Europe and Melbourne, is designed around completing various challenges in themed rooms known as “cells”. Each cell requires a combination of logic, skill, or physical coordination. The concept has been developed by Make It Now and is co-produced with Fever.
Photo Credit: Prison Island Brisbane
Experience Format and Game Design
The Fortitude Valley venue will open on 4 September 2025 at 162 Alfred Street. Players form teams of two to five and are given 90 minutes to complete as many of the 35 challenge cells as possible. The rooms range from physical tasks like basketball and laser mazes to puzzles testing memory, reflexes, and communication. The format is designed to appeal to all ages from 7 years and up.
Each challenge cell features a different objective and scoring system, with tasks such as dodging beams, colour puzzles, and interactive props. Game outcomes are tracked digitally, and teams earn points based on their performance in each room.
Venue Applications and Group Options
The Fortitude Valley venue caters to a wide audience including families, friends, schools, and corporate groups. Group bookings are available for teams of over 20 players, and sessions can be tailored for special occasions such as birthdays, bucks and hens parties, or workplace team-building events. Smaller group bookings can be made via the event waitlist.
Among the themed cells are games such as “Whack-a-Mole”, “Studio 21”, and “Joker”, each with its own stress rating and scoring system. Participants are encouraged to work together and play to individual strengths across different types of challenges.
Photo Credit: Prison Island Brisbane
Community Response and Ticket Availability
With thousands of global participants having tried Prison Island, organisers have reported strong early interest in the Brisbane venue. A public waitlist is already open, and general ticket sales begin at 6:00 p.m. on 5 August 2025. Sessions will run from the September launch onwards, with bookings available through the official website.
Prison Island Brisbane introduces a new indoor leisure option in Fortitude Valley, combining elements of sports, puzzles, and strategy into one structured experience. With 35 diverse challenge rooms and a format suited to groups of all kinds, the venue is positioned as a year-round activity for locals and visitors.
Fortitude Valley is set for a fresh addition to its bustling food scene as one of the city’s fastest-growing hospitality groups transforms the former City Winery site on Wandoo Street into a modern Asian restaurant called Aunty.
The project, spearheaded by local restaurateur Michael Tassis and the Tassis Group, brings together new energy and familiar faces to one of the Valley’s most recognisable addresses, with an emphasis on community, quality, and creative Asian-inspired flavours.
A New Chapter for Wandoo Street
The space at 11 Wandoo Street, which most locals know from its days as City Winery and, before that, Campos café, is undergoing a complete makeover. Work is underway to convert the 450-square-metre warehouse into a sophisticated yet welcoming venue, reflecting both the Tassis Group’s trademark style and a respect for Cantonese traditions. The restaurant will feature an indoor and outdoor bar, a wine cellar, and several different dining areas including an open kitchen, private dining room and booth seating.
Chef Salvatore de Ponte, who previously worked at Fatcow, will lead the kitchen. His approach will combine traditional Cantonese techniques with fresh Australian produce and some Italian influences, bringing something new to the area while honouring the rich cultural history of Asian cuisine in Brisbane.
Diners can expect favourites such as Peking duck, handmade dim sum, and a selection of wood-fired dishes, with weekend yum cha planned for those long, relaxed catch-ups that Brisbane locals love.
Michael Tassis, known for finding unique locations and turning them into community favourites, has stated that the idea for Aunty came naturally after he saw the space. He recognised a gap in the market for a modern yet approachable Asian restaurant in the James Street and Wandoo precinct.
The vision for Aunty is to offer a dining experience that sits comfortably between casual eateries and high-end options already found in the area, while bringing a fresh sense of hospitality and warmth.
The design is being handled by local firm Clui Designs, who have been tasked with creating a “moody, minimalistic, elevated” environment. Inspiration is drawn from the welcoming feeling of a Cantonese teahouse, but with an edge that reflects the changing face of Fortitude Valley.
Aunty is expected to launch in the latter part of 2025, aiming to build on the evolving reputation of Fortitude Valley as one of Brisbane’s leading food destinations.
Fortitude Valley’s Jazz Music Institute will host the first stop of a national tour led by Sydney-based bassist and composer Max Alduca, marking the live debut of his album Monastery.
The Max Alduca Quintet opens its east coast tour at the Jazz Music Institute on 8 August 2025. The nine-date run will take the group through Queensland, New South Wales, the ACT, and Victoria, presenting Alduca’s first album as bandleader in full.
Photo Credit: Supplied
Debut Album Blends Precision with Spontaneity
Released on 21 March 2025 through Earshift Music, Monastery draws on contemporary jazz, cinematic textures, and free improvisation. Developed after an intensive period of study in New York, the album explores themes of solitude, sanctuary, and musical connection.
Across seven original tracks, the music shifts between structured motifs and open-ended forms. Pieces like “Unknown Flow,” “Scando,” and “Sympathetic Resonance” reflect Alduca’s focus on space, texture, and dynamic interplay.
Five Acclaimed Artists on Stage
The Max Alduca Quintet features Alduca on double bass alongside guitarist Hilary Geddes, tenor saxophonist Michael Avgenicos, pianist Luke Sweeting, and drummer James Waples. The five musicians have collaborated across multiple Australian projects and officially formed as a quintet in 2022.
Tour Continues Through Regional and Capital Venues
Following the Fortitude Valley performance, the group will appear in Bellingen, Armidale, Nowra, Canberra, Murrah, Melbourne, Thirroul, and Sydney. Each show will spotlight live renditions of Monastery’s full tracklist.
The album was produced by Lloyd Swanton, known for his work with experimental trio The Necks. He supported the group throughout recording and post-production, helping shape the sound’s tonal clarity and overall cohesion.
In addition to leading this project, Alduca is a regular collaborator with the Eishan Ensemble, the Hilary Geddes Quartet, and several other national touring acts. His work continues to bridge composition and improvisation in a distinctly personal style.
Fashion entrepreneur Keri Craig-Lee OAM has been recognised for her pioneering contributions to Australian fashion and business during the 2025 Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame induction, with her journey beginning in Fortitude Valley.
The 2025 Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame ceremony acknowledged individuals and organisations who have made significant contributions to the state’s economic and social development. Among the six inductees was Keri Craig-Lee OAM, celebrated for nearly five decades of leadership in both the fashion and agribusiness sectors.
The Hall of Fame was founded in 2009 through a partnership between the State Library of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, and the Queensland Library Foundation. It honours those who have provided outstanding public value through ethical and impactful business leadership.
Born into a Brisbane fashion family, Craig-Lee’s early years were spent immersed in the operations of her parents’ clothing label, Fifth Avenue Frocks. Based in Fortitude Valley, the family factory doubled as her after-school study space and early training ground. From a young age, she provided input on design decisions and learned the fundamentals of retail from her parents, Peter and Dianne Craig.
After graduating from St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School, she took part in a Rotary exchange program in the United States. During that year, she completed a technical fashion course, an experience she later described as transformative.
In 1977, at just 19, Craig-Lee launched her own eveningwear label. Her debut collection—36 garments—achieved national distribution immediately, a rare feat made possible in part by her family’s established retail network. A year later, she opened her first boutique in Brisbane Arcade.
By the early 1980s, she had received several awards including three Supreme Awards from the Retailers Association of Queensland. In 1987, she became the inaugural and only female inductee into the association’s Hall of Fame. She remains the only recipient of its Award of Excellence.
International Exposure and National Legacy
A defining moment in Craig-Lee’s career came in 1984, when she was commissioned to design and coordinate the wedding garments for Elton John and Renate Blauel. The brief—completed in just four days—included the bridal gown, bridesmaids’ dresses, trousseau, floral arrangements, Elton’s accessories, and venue styling. The high-profile event propelled her label to international attention, with global media coverage showcasing her work.
She continued to build her fashion empire throughout the 1980s and 1990s, exporting to markets across Asia, the Pacific, New Zealand, and the United States. In 1983, she opened the Keri Craig Emporium in Brisbane Arcade, a retail and hospitality hybrid offering fashion, homewares, and high tea. The Emporium, still operating today, remains managed by her family.
Photo Credit: QUT/YouTube
Partnership in Business and Life
In 1986, Craig-Lee married Trevor Lee. In 1995, the couple co-founded Australian Country Choice (ACC), which grew into the nation’s largest privately owned vertically integrated beef supply chain. Keri played a key role in shaping ACC’s branding and governance, complementing Trevor’s operational leadership.
The 2025 Hall of Fame induction marks the first time a married couple has been recognised separately for their leadership across distinct industries—fashion and agriculture.
Craig-Lee has also contributed significantly beyond business, holding ambassadorial roles for Brisbane, Expo 88, and the Mater Hospitals Trust. In 2017, she received the Medal of the Order of Australia, and in 2024 she was named a Queensland Great. In 2018, she joined the Women’s Leadership Board at Harvard Kennedy School.
Her career has been documented in her 2017 coffee table book, Keri Craig: The Label, The Lady, The Lifestyle, which offers a retrospective look at her impact on Australian fashion and business.
Photo Credit: QUT/YouTube
Enduring Industry Impact
With more than 50 fashion awards, hundreds of staff employed, and decades of retail innovation, Craig-Lee is widely regarded as one of the key figures in Queensland’s fashion history. While often described as “Queensland’s Empress of Style”, her approach remains grounded in work ethic, timing, and family support.
Her influence on Brisbane’s inner-city retail sector, particularly through her long-standing presence in the Brisbane Arcade, continues to shape the local industry. Fortitude Valley, where her journey began, remains a symbolic point of origin for her legacy.
