King George Square Archives - Fortitude Valley News

Free Meals in Brisbane City: Thousands of Lasagnes to Be Given Away

Photo Credit: The Dinner Ladies/Facebook

A Sydney-based meal delivery company is set to hand out free lasagnes in Brisbane City, offering locals a taste of its best-selling dish as it grows its presence in Queensland

Brisbane City is set to see thousands of free meals handed out in the CBD, with a Sydney-based meal delivery company bringing its popular lasagne giveaway directly to local streets.

The promotion, run by The Dinner Ladies, will take place across key Brisbane City locations over three afternoons from 25 March to 27 March, with giveaways scheduled at Queen Street Mall and King George Square. The company’s founders, Sophie Gilliatt and Katherine Westwood, are expected to travel from Sydney to personally distribute the meals and meet locals.

A Sydney Business Targets Brisbane City Growth

The Dinner Ladies started as a small home-cooking operation in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs in 2017 and has since expanded into a national business delivering tens of thousands of meals each week. While it remains based in New South Wales, the company has grown its reach into Queensland, where it began deliveries in 2022.

Brisbane City has become a key part of that expansion. Company data indicates Queensland now makes up a growing share of its total orders, positioning the state as one of its fastest-developing markets. The upcoming giveaway in the CBD reflects that shift, as the business looks to strengthen its connection with local customers.

Why Offer Free Meals?

The company is using the giveaway to introduce more people to its ready-made meals, with a focus on its Classic Beef Lasagne, which has been its top-selling product nationally for several years.

*Photo Credit: The Dinner Ladies/Facebook*

It describes the campaign as a way to thank Brisbane customers while also encouraging new households to try its service. The business aims to show how its frozen, ready-to-heat options can help with everyday dinner planning.

The campaign also encourages locals to stay connected with the brand for future offers and updates, supporting its longer-term growth in the region.

From Sydney Base to National Delivery

Despite its expansion, The Dinner Ladies continues to operate from Sydney, with its registered address in Matraville in the city’s southeast. From there, it manages production and delivery across multiple states, including Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and the ACT.

The business produces more than 40,000 meals each week, focusing on snap-frozen dishes designed to maintain quality while offering convenience to busy households.

Published 25-March-2026

Dawn Service and Parade Lead ANZAC Day Events in Brisbane CBD

Photo Credit: Anzac Square

ANZAC Day 2025 will be marked with a full program of commemorative events in Brisbane CBD, including a dawn service, parade, and memorial exhibitions.

Centenary Traditions Observed Across Brisbane CBD

Brisbane CBD will again host major ANZAC Day commemorations this year, continuing a tradition that began in the city in 1916. Events include the dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance, a gunfire breakfast, and a veterans’ parade through the central business district.

Early Morning Service at the Shrine

The Dawn Service will commence at 4:28 a.m. at the Shrine of Remembrance in Anzac Square. Attendees are encouraged to arrive from 3:30 a.m. due to early road closures starting at 3 a.m. No nearby parking will be available.

This solemn observance will be followed by the long-held tradition of a gunfire breakfast, typically hosted at local RSL clubs. The breakfast reflects a wartime ritual where soldiers drank tea or coffee with rum before heading into battle.

Morning Parade Through Adelaide Street

The ANZAC Day Parade will run from 9:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through Brisbane CBD. Spectators are advised that the best viewing point is along Adelaide Street, between George Street and Creek Street.

Vehicle movement in the area will be restricted from 3 a.m. to 3 p.m., with King George Square designated as the main parade venue. Participants will include current and former ADF members and support organisations.

Public Access to Memorial Spaces

Anzac Square Memorial Galleries will open from 5:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the day, offering visitors a chance to explore interactive displays and historical exhibitions spanning Queensland’s military involvement from World War I to recent peacekeeping missions.

The galleries, located below the Shrine, feature dedicated plaques, digital installations, and opportunities for the public to leave written tributes.

ANZAC Day — *Photo Credit: Anzac Square*

Additional Exhibits at Queensland Museum

From 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., the Queensland Museum will present the Anzac Legacy Gallery. Key exhibits include stories of Queenslanders in World War I and the Mephisto tank—captured by the 26th Battalion in France and transported to Brisbane as a war trophy.

Community Participation Encouraged

No bookings are required to attend any of the events. The commemorations are free and open to all ages, with organisers encouraging public participation across the various locations in Brisbane CBD.

Published 15-Apr-2025

Daffodil Day Brightens Brisbane with a Sea of Yellow for Cancer Support

Brisbane’s King George Square will be filled with a sea of daffodils and generous Queenslanders volunteering their time to raise support for cancer awareness. Daffodils have become a yellow beacon of hope in the fight against cancer because no matter how hard the winter has been, they are always the first flowers to bloom in spring.

Community Support in Full Bloom

Daffodil Day sees the community rallying in one of Brisbane’s central locations. Volunteers and visitors fill the square throughout the day. The event features over 15,000 daffodils, symbolising hope and support for those affected by cancer.

Each daffodil sold contributes directly to the lifesaving work of Cancer Council Queensland, emphasizing the community’s role in supporting this cause.

Bradley Cameron, Head of Growth and Impact at Cancer Council Queensland, highlighted the critical need for community involvement.

“Our research shows that one in two people will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85. Events like today are crucial in funding our research and services, ensuring that no Queenslander faces cancer alone,” Mr Cameron said.

Personal Stories of Hope

The impact of the Cancer Council’s work is personified by Kodi Brown, a local resident who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2018. Brown’s story of resilience and the support she received through the Cancer Council’s helpline is a focal point of Daffodil Day, reminding attendees of the personal lives touched by their contributions.

“I’m a positive person, but it’s hard. The support I received from Cancer Council Queensland really helped me maintain my optimism through my treatment,” Ms Brown shares with attendees, underscoring the significance of community support.

Ongoing Support and Awareness

The event also serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for funding and awareness. With activities planned throughout the day, organisers encourage attendees to participate in various ways, whether through purchasing flowers, donating directly, or volunteering their time in the future.

For those unable to attend, donations are still welcomed through the Daffodil Day website, where Queenslanders could contribute to the ongoing fight against cancer from anywhere in the state.

Published 22-Aug-2024

Celebrate Korean Culture and Tradition at 2017 Korean Festival in Brisbane

Brisbane is proudly a diverse mix of cultures and each community gets to showcase their colourful cuisine and culture. This 2nd Saturday of August, it will be the South Korean’s turn to celebrate everything Korean at the 2017 Korean Cultural Festival.

The festive event will feature traditional and contemporary culture at the heart of Brisbane. Attendees will get a fill of delicious Korean food and witness traditional Korean performances, Taekwondo demonstration, modern K-pop music and dance, children’s activities, workshops and so much more.

Everyone is invited to join in this fun event that is free of charge and suitable for all members of the family.

Event Details:

What:	Korean Cultural Festival 2017
When:	Saturday, 12 August 2017 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where:	King George Square Adelaide St, Brisbane City
Cost:	FREE

Last year’s Korean Festival attracted more than 50,000 people, and this year promises to be just as exciting. The venue will be lined with a top selection of Korean food stalls to give everyone a taste of authentic and unique Korean cuisine.

Throughout the day, there will be entertainment, including performances from K-pop acts AO Crew and P4pero.

Korean Cultural Festival is presented by the Korean Society of Queensland.