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Toowong School’s Seven Perfect Scorers Missing from State’s Top ATAR List — Here’s Why

Seven students from a Toowong school achieved perfect scores last year, yet none of them appear in Queensland’s official count of 37 top ATARs. It’s not an administrative error—it’s because the Queensland Academy for Science, Mathematics and Technology teaches a different curriculum altogether.

Read: Better Education Rankings: QASMT in Toowong Tops Queensland’s Best Schools for Years 7-10

While QASMT’s academic excellence rarely surprises Brisbane anymore, this statistical quirk highlights something many parents and students still don’t understand about the International Baccalaureate system. The seven students earned perfect scores equivalent to an ATAR of 99.95, but because they weren’t assessed through Queensland’s standard system, their achievements went uncounted in the state’s official tally released by the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre.

Principal Kath Kayrooz said 2025 marked the school’s strongest year 12 result to date, with the perfect scorers forming part of a broader cohort of exceptional achievers. But she emphasised that the numbers tell only part of the story.

Photo credit: Facebook/Queensland Academy for Science, Mathematics & Technology

What makes her most proud, Kayrooz said, is the young people behind the results—students who know themselves, feel supported, and are thoughtful, empathetic individuals who care about the world and those in it.

The 2025 graduating class holds particular significance as only the second cohort to complete the full six-year IB programme since the school expanded in 2019. Previously, QASMT only catered to students in years 10 to 12, but the addition of the IB Middle Years Programme for years 7 to 9 allowed students to develop within the international curriculum from an earlier age.

Kayrooz credited this extended pathway as instrumental to the students’ success, explaining that having completed six years of the IB programme, the students learned in an environment that values both high expectations and wellbeing.

The 2025 school captain, who started at QASMT in year 7 in 2020, said the IB system shaped her into a well-rounded person. She said one of the main reasons she decided to come to QASMT was the people and the environment.

Why IB students don’t appear in ATAR rankings

The International Baccalaureate differs fundamentally from Queensland’s traditional system. Unlike Queensland’s ATAR system, IB students must balance six subjects while completing three core components: Theory of Knowledge (a philosophy-based subject examining how we know what we know), Creativity, Activity, Service (community engagement and personal growth experiences), and an Extended Essay (a 4000-5000 word self-directed research project).

This breadth sometimes means students sacrifice potential ATAR points to pursue genuine interests. One year 12 graduate discovered a passion for Latin through the school’s mandatory foreign language requirement.

One incoming 2026 school captain explained that while students can pursue their passions, the IB requires them to have multiple passions. He added that they have more flexibility in that they can pursue what they are passionate about, but they need to have multiple passions.

A fellow 2026 captain noted that despite QASMT’s reputation as a STEM specialist school, she’d pursued extensive sporting opportunities.

The selective-entry school accepts 224 students into year 7 annually, with capacity for several dozen more in its year 10 intake. Last year’s fees were $2600 for the IB Diploma Programme and approximately $1030 for the Middle Years Programme, though the state revises costs annually.

QASMT has a national Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage percentile of 99 out of 100, with about 80 per cent of students from the top socioeconomic quarter. Just over half the students are male, and 64 per cent come from a language background other than English. Most students’ families live locally in Toowong and surrounding suburbs.

Kayrooz said the school receives far more applications than it can accept under current student caps managed by the Education Department. Last year, QASMT launched a pathways programme for high-achieving year 7 applicants who would have been accepted if enrolments were higher, guaranteeing them year 10 enrolment while providing access to some school resources and teachers during years 7 to 9.

The principal said it saddened her to turn away highly capable students, and she didn’t want these applicants and their parents to feel they didn’t deserve a position. Thirty-two students registered for the inaugural program.

Read: Transport Strategies Targeting QASMT Safety and Accessibility Concerns Discussed

The Toowong campus, of the state’s three selective-entry academies teaching the IB programme, is the only one offering education below year 10. Its facilities include a telescope, VR workspaces, STEM and language hubs, and a university-style library housing the robotics makerspace.

For the seven perfect scorers and their classmates, the IB’s broader educational philosophy appears to have paid dividends, even if their achievements won’t show up in Queensland’s official statistics.

Published 30-January-2026

Toowong Central 58-Storey Proposal Divides Community as Traffic and Height Concerns Dominate

Proposed billion-dollar development Toowong Central has generated more than 500 public submissions, making it one of the most heavily scrutinised projects in the city’s recent history.

Read: Brisbane’s Tallest Suburban Towers on Hold: Toowong Central Redevelopment Update

The ambitious proposal by Verso Projects would see three residential towers ranging from 49 to 58 storeys constructed in the heart of Toowong – approximately double the local height limit. The scale of public engagement ranks among the highest responses to Brisbane developments in the past decade, surpassed only by projects such as the Mt Coot-tha zip line proposal, which attracted over 2,000 comments.

Community Concerns Mount Over Traffic and Height

Photo credit: Brisbane PD Online – A006836692

Approximately two-thirds of the public submissions have objected to Toowong Central, with traffic congestion emerging as the most significant concern amongst residents. Many locals fear the development will exacerbate existing problems in what is already recognised as one of Brisbane’s most congested areas.

Residents have expressed worry that the project will worsen the scarcity of street parking and add further strain to the Sherwood Road and High Street intersection, a notorious bottleneck during peak periods. One submission noted that Toowong is already struggling with traffic flow and urged the project to prioritise public transport, walking and cycling connections rather than encouraging additional car usage.

The proposed building heights have also drawn substantial criticism. At 58 storeys, the tallest tower would dwarf the neighbouring Toowong Village shopping centre, which has stood at approximately 20 storeys as the area’s tallest building since its controversial approval in the 1980s. Several submissions argued the towers would appear oppressive and out of character with the surrounding neighbourhood, blocking natural light to existing apartments and businesses.

Some community members have called for an entirely different approach to the site, suggesting it should be transformed into green space that could serve as habitat for native wildlife and recreational areas for local residents.

Local councillor Penny Wolff and state Greens MP Michael Berkman have both lodged formal submissions opposing the proposed building heights. Berkman’s submission went further, calling for 25 per cent of the new homes to be allocated as affordable housing if any development exceeding the height limit receives approval. He also raised concerns about the amount of green space included in the plans.

Developer Defends Vision as Fair Trade-Off

Verso Projects CEO Steve Laffey has maintained that the proposal represents a genuine plan rather than an excessive opening position in negotiations. He emphasised that the company could have alternatively constructed six code-assessable buildings on the amalgamated site with similar dwelling yields, which would have left the public with no opportunity to provide input or challenge the plans in court.

Mr Laffey argued that building higher allows the developer to deliver 5,500 square metres of public open space, which the company hopes to activate with markets, buskers, outdoor movie nights and other community events. He drew comparisons to West Village in West End, suggesting Toowong Central could similarly transform its suburb.

According to Mr Laffey, Toowong currently functions primarily as a transit point, with limited reasons for people to remain in the area beyond work commitments. He believes this transient nature actually contributes to traffic generation.

Addressing traffic concerns directly, Mr Laffey cited company modelling indicating the development would add only two cars per traffic light cycle. He attributed this minimal impact to the site having three street access points, contrasting it with Toowong Village’s single access point. The company had anticipated the substantial public response and viewed it positively, believing the community wanted transparency about the project’s future.

Mr Laffey noted that many respondents appeared unaware that Verso had amalgamated a significantly larger site than previous developers, allowing greater separation between the three towers.

Mixed Support and Path Forward

Not all feedback has been negative. Approximately one-third of submissions supported the project, with some residents welcoming over 1,000 new apartments in an inner-city location where housing is really needed. Supporters highlighted potential benefits including improved pedestrianisation between the development and Toowong Village train station, new amenities such as gym facilities, and infrastructure appropriate for a city preparing to host the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics.

Verso Projects is still determining whether the towers will comprise build-to-rent, build-to-sell, or a combination of both models. The three towers would be constructed atop stage one, which includes basement parking and podium-level retail, minimising disruption while activating the area progressively.

Read: $1 Billion Toowong Central Precinct Proposed to Transform Inner West

The developer is targeting council approval around mid-year, with hopes to begin construction by the end of 2025 and complete the project before the 2032 Games. Full details of development application A006836692 are available on Brisbane’s developmenti portal.

Published 26-January-2026

Architectural Photographer Richard Stringer of Toowong Receives Australia Day of Honours

Marguerite Stringer / Museums of History NSW

Architectural photographer Richard Stringer of Toowong has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his significant service to architectural photography, education and history.

The 89-year-old Toowong resident has spent over six decades documenting Queensland’s built environment, creating an archive of more than 63,000 negatives now held at the State Library of Queensland. His photographs captured many of Brisbane’s historic buildings before demolition, preserving visual records that would otherwise be lost.

Forensic Precision Meets Architectural History

Stringer arrived in Brisbane in 1963 after studying architecture at the University of Melbourne. He joined renowned architect James Birrell’s practice at the University of Queensland, where architecture and photography merged into his life’s work.

His photographic approach treats the medium as forensic documentation rather than artistic interpretation. This technical precision means his images serve as detailed records of structural design and architectural elements that researchers and historians now rely on to understand Queensland’s architectural evolution.

Photographed by Richard Stringer — *Photo Credit: Richard Stringer / QAGOMA*

The State Library of Queensland’s acquisition of his complete archive ensures permanent public access to this visual history spanning Brisbane’s dramatic transformation from the 1960s onwards.

Preserving Brisbane’s Vanished Spaces

Stringer’s most valuable contribution came through capturing buildings destined for demolition. His photographs of the Bellevue Hotel precinct and other lost buildings provide some of the most detailed visual records of these spaces.

This archival thinking set him apart. Rather than creating promotional images, Stringer built a comprehensive record of Queensland’s architectural heritage, photographing buildings at different life stages including decay and demolition.

Teaching and Professional Recognition

Beyond photography, Stringer influenced countless architects and photographers through decades of teaching. The Toowong Australia Day recipient holds Honorary Life Membership with the Institute of Modern Art and Fellowship with the Royal Australian Institute of Architects.

In 2003, the University of Queensland awarded him an honorary Doctor of Philosophy for documenting the state’s cultural legacy. His work reached wider audiences through exhibitions, notably Pleasure of Place at QAGOMA in 2013-2014.

What This Means for Toowong

The recognition highlights how one resident’s meticulous work over 60 years created an irreplaceable public resource. Stringer’s archive doesn’t just document buildings, it preserves visual evidence of how Brisbane transformed from a regional city into a modern metropolis.

For Toowong residents, having a neighbour recognised nationally for work benefiting all Queenslanders demonstrates the area’s role as home to people making lasting cultural contributions. His archive will serve researchers and the public for generations, long after the buildings themselves have vanished.

Published 26-January-2026.

Toowong Bikeway Link Moves Ahead After Strong Community Support

More than 1,100 people on bikes and e-scooters travel the Sylvan Road Bikeway corridor each weekday in Brisbane’s inner west, despite the route running directly alongside traffic with no physical separation. Plans are now advancing for a protected bikeway through Toowong.

Early works are expected to start from mid-2026, with a target completion in 2028, after community consultation held in June 2025. The project is backed by a Queensland cycling grant supporting the design phase and a $5 million federal contribution announced on 27 February 2025, towards an estimated $12 million total cost.

A Key Link Between Two Major Bikeways

Sylvan Road is a key connection between two major off-road routes: the Bicentennial Bikeway near the river and the Western Freeway Bikeway. Council describes the project as part of local network improvements around Sylvan Road and nearby intersections, aimed at making trips smoother and safer for more people moving through Toowong.

The route has also been highlighted in cycling safety reporting, including BikeSpot material that collects and maps locations riders consider unsafe.

Strong Community Support

Council’s community engagement update reports strong support for protected infrastructure on Sylvan Road. It says 93 per cent of respondents believed a separated bikeway would have a positive or very positive effect on their travel, while 94 per cent said they would feel very safe or somewhat safe using Sylvan Road if a separated bikeway was installed.

The consultation summary also reports concerns about avoiding crashes, unsafe turning movements and limited crossing options. It notes people asked for safer crossings, slower traffic speeds, wider footpaths, better lighting and more greenery to improve comfort for everyone using the street.

Alongside separated bike lanes, Council’s update also points to work around major junctions connected to Sylvan Road, including Croydon Street, Jephson Street and Milton Road. Council says it is working toward concept designs in early 2026, with detailed design expected later in the year, and construction timing dependent on how the design develops.

Council’s “Your Say” page for the project describes Sylvan Road as a popular cycling route linking the two bikeways and says there is an opportunity to improve safety for walking, riding and scooting, including at key intersections.

Published 23-Jan-2026

Toowong Proposal Seeks to Merge Seniors Living with Memorial Park Landscape

Photo Credit: DA A006885100

A proposal has been lodged for a nine-storey retirement facility in Toowong that aims to extend the leafy atmosphere of the neighbouring Memorial Park directly into a new high-rise residential space.

Memorial Park — *Photo Credit:* *DA A006885100*

The application for the site at 1 Croydon Street and 9-15 Bayliss Street outlines a vision where the building does not just sit beside the park but incorporates it into the design. Architects from Jackson Teece have created a plan where more than 30 per cent of the site is dedicated to deep planting.

The design includes a large, landscaped courtyard at the entrance on Bayliss Street, with greenery cascading over the edges of the building levels above. This approach is intended to create a seamless visual link between the private residences and the public green space next door.

To respect the character of the street, the building is designed to appear as a five-storey structure when viewed from Bayliss Street. The upper levels are recessed toward the rear of the site, eventually rising to the full nine storeys adjacent to the park. The development would replace the existing structures on the 3,670-square-metre site.

Inside, the facility plans to house 53 independent living units tailored for seniors. The mix includes 32 two-bedroom units, 16 three-bedroom units, and five larger three-plus bedroom dwellings. Planners at Urbis noted that the project is designed to offer a balance of comfort and community connection. They emphasised that the inclusion of a wellness centre, dining areas, and various recreational amenities would support social interaction among residents.

The development proposes two levels of podium parking to accommodate the needs of residents and guests. The plans allow for 87 on-site car parking spaces. This allocation includes 70 spots specifically for residents, 15 for visitors, and two spaces designated for persons with disabilities.

The rooftop garden serves as another key feature, adding to the extensive landscaping proposed for the site. By incorporating dense planting on the Level 2 terrace and the roof, the developers aim to ensure the building contributes to the subtropical feel of the Toowong area. The project is currently awaiting assessment by the local council.

Published Date 15-January-2026

Camera and Lighting Upgrades Aim to Improve Safety at Perrin Park

Photo Credit: CrPennyWolff/Facebook

A new surveillance camera has been set up at Perrin Park near Taringa after residents voiced concerns about antisocial activity and recent incidents reported in and around the area.

Park Safety Measures Introduced After Resident Feedback

Local community members raised repeated concerns about behaviour in Perrin Park, with additional incident reports also noted by police. The volume and frequency of these concerns led to a formal review of safety conditions at the park.

The park, which features a popular off-leash dog zone, is widely used by nearby residents for recreation and daily exercise. The Taringa Community Garden is also within the area.

Camera Added After Site Review

After evaluating the location, authorities approved a position for a mobile suburban safety camera. The device has now been installed and integrated into a broader CCTV system that includes roughly 3,800 cameras across the network.

Officials say the camera is intended both to discourage disruptive conduct and to assist police when monitoring activity.

Lighting Improvements Completed Earlier

Prior to the camera rollout, lighting upgrades were carried out at Perrin Park, including new illumination within the dog off-leash section. These works were described as the first stage of broader safety enhancements for the space.

Online discussion about the new camera has produced mixed reactions. Some locals welcomed the move, saying it should help improve safety and reduce unwanted behaviour. Others questioned the need for surveillance in a public park and raised privacy concerns.

Several commenters also asked what specific types of incidents prompted the decision, showing varied opinions about safety priorities in shared public areas.

The surveillance camera is now operating at Perrin Park, complementing the recently completed lighting upgrades in key sections of the grounds. Both measures were introduced in response to community reports and safety concerns.

Published 15-Jan-2026

Changing Clubs, Not Leaving the Course: Rethinking Home at The Evelyn in Mt Ommaney

In golf, the course stays the same, but the way you play it changes. Distance, terrain and timing all call for different choices as the round unfolds. That idea sits neatly behind The Evelyn, a new retirement community taking shape beside the McLeod Country Golf Club in Mt Ommaney, at a time when many Australians are quietly rethinking what home should look like later in life.

Across the country, that rethink is already underway. National research shows that 26 per cent of people over 55 have already moved into housing better suited to how they live today, while another 29 per cent are actively considering it. Data also shows that one in five Australians over 65 requires help with property maintenance.

When the Family Home Stops Fitting

Against this backdrop, downsizing has steadily become something closer to recalibration. Ease of living, reduced upkeep and flexibility now rank ahead of financial pressure as reasons older Australians consider a move.

Like changing clubs mid-round, it is less about starting again and more about adjusting approach. People are not necessarily seeking smaller lives, but homes that allow them to stay active and connected, without the physical and mental load that can come with maintaining a large family property.

Evelyn and a Different Way of Living

Set within a golf course environment, The Evelyn reflects that shift in practical ways.

Residents live independently in private apartments and townhouses, while maintenance across homes and shared spaces is handled within the village. An on-site Village Manager and a 24-hour response system provide support when needed, without intruding on daily routines.

Shared facilities are designed to be used naturally rather than formally programmed. Residents can join activities, socialise casually or simply keep their own rhythm. Like a clubhouse, the spaces are there to support connection without obligation.

The development comprises 126 residences, including apartments and townhouses, delivered in stages.

Designed by Marchese Partners | Life 3A, the community includes landscaped outdoor areas, a pool, gym, library, wine room and billiards room, all set within the grounds of the golf course.

Shared facilities and communal areas are designed to be used naturally rather than programmed heavily. They offer a place to gather, linger or pass through, depending on the day. Connection is available, not compulsory.

The Role of Golf Beyond the Game

Golf’s presence here is not incidental. Golf courses, by their nature, act as large, stable green buffers within suburban environments. They offer visual openness, reduced noise and opportunities for restoration that are increasingly recognised as important for mental health.

While not everyone plays, research increasingly points to golf environments as supportive of healthy ageing in broader ways. Studies examining golf participation among older adults have found that the activity often delivers moderate-intensity physical movement, particularly walking, alongside cardiovascular and musculoskeletal benefits. Even when played at a lower intensity, golf has been shown to produce short-term improvements in cardiovascular profiles among older participants.

Golf at The Evelyn — Photo Credit: Aura Holdings

What matters just as much is the social and environmental context. Golf courses function as ready-made walking networks and social landscapes. People walk the fairways, meet others at the clubhouse, or simply move through open green space as part of daily routines. The Evelyn’s location within the McLeod Country Golf Club places residents adjacent to that ecosystem, whether they play the game or not.

The benefits of this setting extend beyond activity alone. A growing body of research, including Australian longitudinal studies, has linked exposure to green space with better mental health outcomes. More recent research focusing on mid-to-older adults has strengthened the evidence, showing associations between access to public green space and improved mental wellbeing over time.

The Evelyn’s proximity to the McLeod Country Golf Club taps into that reality, embedding the community within an active, established setting rather than isolating it from the surrounding suburb.

That everyday rhythm matters as people get older. Familiar places, regular movement and casual interaction are often what sustain wellbeing over time.

Infographic from Meaningful Aging Australia

McLeod Country Golf Club President Diane Lally said the partnership was about more than development. “The Evelyn represents more than a new retirement community — it represents the long-term sustainability of the McLeod Country Golf Club. This partnership allows us to strengthen our future, maintain a premier course, and continue to serve our members and the wider community.”

Housing That Supports How People Live

Research into retirement living models suggests that where and how people live can influence how active and socially engaged they remain. Communities designed around accessibility and shared space tend to support regular movement and interaction, while reducing some of the practical pressures of home ownership.

By reducing barriers to physical activity and
providing access to fitness and recreational facilities,
retirement communities help residents remain
approximately 15 per cent more frequently active
than those living independently in the community.
Residents are also 20 per cent less likely to be
hospitalised after entry.
Better Housing for Better Health (Retirement Living Council)

Mt Ommaney itself offers a balance many retirees value. Established parklands, river views and shopping centres sit alongside strong transport links to the Brisbane CBD. For long-term locals, staying close to familiar places often matters as much as changing how they live.

The Evelyn allows for that continuity. It offers an option to remain within the same neighbourhood while adapting housing to better suit changing needs. It is a shift in position rather than a change of course.

Who Is Behind The Evelyn?

Tim Russell and Mark Taylor of Aura Holdings — Photo Credit: Aura Holdings

The Evelyn is owned and operated by Aura Holdings, a Brisbane-based retirement living company founded by Tim Russell and Mark Taylor. The company’s approach is informed by professional experience and personal perspective, with both founders having parents living in communities they operate.

“The Evelyn will set the benchmark for retirement living in Brisbane, delivering modern apartments, strong community connections, and a premier golf club setting, unlike anything else in the Centenary suburbs,” Aura Holdings Chief Executive Officer Sean Graham said.

“We are pleased to see … the community’s confidence in both the project and Aura’s commitment to the ongoing partnership with the McLeod Country Golf Club,” he added.

Playing the Long Game

Not everyone will choose this path, and many Australians will continue to age in place. What is changing is the range of options available and the way people think about them.

The Evelyn reflects a broader shift in mindset. Life does not narrow as priorities change. It simply calls for a different approach. And sometimes, staying in the game means recognising when it is time to change clubs, not courses.

The Evelyn has emerged within that moment, amidst a gradual shift rather than a rush. People are not abandoning the course, they are choosing a different club to use.

Published 2-January-2026.

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Toowong Streets Come Alive with Vibrant Artworks on Signal Boxes

Photo Credit: Google Maps

The streets of Toowong have been transformed into an open-air gallery, with local residents painting vibrant artworks on traffic signal boxes throughout the suburb. These eye-catching installations celebrate everything from local stories to community connections, turning everyday street furniture into conversation starters.

Read: Katherine Lu Leads Queensland’s Perfect ATAR Achievers as Results Reach Toowoong

Windows of Toowong

Photo Credit: Artforce Brisbane

At the corner of Coronation Drive and Booth Street, artists Matisse Raphael and Aya Stronach have transformed an Energex padmount transformer into an imaginary apartment building. Painted in June 2022, the artwork features multiple window panels, each framing diverse characters who peer out or sometimes in, representing Toowong’s cosmopolitan community. A flowering jacaranda filled with local wildlife completes the scene, capturing the vibrancy of this inner-Brisbane suburb.

The Toowong Cat and Fiddle

Photo Credit: Artforce Brisbane

Created by eight-year-old Alice White in December 2018, this design at the intersection of Milton Road, Croydon Street and Morley Street takes inspiration from the nearby Cat and Fiddle shopping centre. The artwork features a possum dressed in Toowong School uniform alongside colourful Queenslander houses and a sunset characteristic of local skies. The piece earned a nomination for Best 12 and Under.

Paper Wings

Photo Credit: Artforce Brisbane

Located at the Sylvan Road pedestrian crossing near Kate Street, Maleea Holbert’s August 2025 design depicts origami cranes drifting through the sky. Positioned directly in front of Toowong State School, the artwork aims to capture children’s imagination whilst providing a calming presence for parents and passers-by. Holbert drew inspiration from memories of making paper cranes in Japanese class.

There’s Always a Silver Lining

Photo Credit: Artforce Brisbane

At the same Sylvan Road pedestrian crossing location (a previous artwork on this box), D.K. Perkins and Peta Thomson created this May 2021 piece asking the age-old question: is the glass half empty or half full? The design encourages viewers to look for silver linings and sparked from the family’s experiences during 2020. The artwork won Best 18 and Under in 2021.

Dancing in the Dark Forest

Photo Credit: Artforce Brisbane

Mira Westaway’s December 2016 artwork at the intersection of Moggill Road, Jephson Street and High Street combines her passions for ballet and fashion design with a Halloween twist. The piece earned nominations across multiple categories, including Overall Winner and both youth age groups.

The Cloisters

Photo Credit: Artforce Brisbane

Leesl Ross brings the University of Queensland to Toowong’s streets with this October 2016 depiction of the university’s iconic sandstone walkway and arcade. Located at Brisbane Street and Glen Road, the artwork earned a nomination for Overall Winner.

Hope, Resilience, Recovery

Photo Credit: Artforce Brisbane

At Sherwood Road and Holland Street, Lisa Kelly’s April 2019 artwork promotes the message of Eating Disorders Queensland, a community-based not-for-profit organisation. The piece serves as a sister artwork to Kelly’s other box on the same street, designed to bring the community together and remind viewers that beauty comes in all forms. It received a nomination for the Energex Box Award.

No Wrong Way to Have a Body

Photo Credit: Artforce Brisbane

Lisa Kelly’s September 2018 design at Sherwood Road and Jephson Street celebrates bodies of all shapes and sizes through depictions of various female forms throughout history. Created in recognition of Body Image and Eating Disorders Awareness Week, the artwork was produced in collaboration with The Eating Issues Centre and earned nominations for Overall Winner and Best Organisation.

Metropolitan Manifesto 2.0

Photo Credit: Artforce Brisbane

Kate Halling’s January 2020 design at Benson Street and High Street explores how people make sense of their surroundings through sensory experiences. Using varying colours, shapes and forms, the artwork responds to its location and aims to provoke a positive sensory experience for viewers.

Peck-nic Time

Photo Credit: Artforce Brisbane

Gabrielle Cook, a disabled artist, created this July 2025 artwork at Jephson Street and Lissner Street featuring iconic Australian birds enjoying a picnic of recognisable Aussie snacks. Cook, working with collaborators Emma Blakey, Kyron Mayhew and Naomi Moore from the University of Queensland’s School of Social Sciences, designed the piece to invite playfulness and connection through accessible public art.

Meanderin’ Meanjin

Photo Credit: Artforce Brisbane

Sarah Sparks and Tom Hilton’s June 2025 design at 3 Valentine Street and Milton Road celebrates Brisbane from the river to the purple jacarandas and turquoise of South Bank lagoon. The artwork features six iconic bridges symbolising the merging of modern and historic Brisbane, with dashes representing walking tracks and dots representing the city’s tapestry of cultures. The title pays homage to the traditional name for Brisbane.

Purple Rain: The Essence of Spring in Brisbane

Photo Credit: Artforce Brisbane

Emma Watt’s October 2024 artwork at the Coronation Drive pedestrian crossing and Booth Street captures jacaranda trees flowering against the heritage Regatta Hotel. The piece aims to evoke nostalgia and appreciation for Brisbane’s character, highlighting the short-lived beauty of spring before summer arrives and the intertwining of history and nature.

The Cats of Creativity

Photo Credit: Artforce Brisbane

At Land Street and Patrick Street, Bronte McDonald’s December 2022 design draws from Ray Bradbury’s quote comparing cats to creative ideas. McDonald, working with assistants Ashleigh Barker and Bibi Bonfield, believes creating is as essential to human wellbeing as exercise and good nutrition, with CAT also serving as an acronym for Creative Art Therapy.

Books and Birds

Photo Credit: Artforce Brisbane

Santo Cavallaro’s June 2022 artwork at Land Street and Sylvan Road celebrates the special connection between nature and discovery. The design reflects on how spending time in nature can provide endless opportunities for learning, growth and peace, whether hiking through mountains or simply walking in a park.

About Artforce Brisbane

These artworks are part of Artforce Brisbane, an annual community art programme run by Brisbane City Council since 1999. The initiative invites Brisbane residents of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to paint original artworks on traffic signal boxes throughout the city’s suburbs. More than 5,000 volunteers have painted over 1,200 boxes across Brisbane, celebrating local characters, cultures, histories and landmarks while reducing graffiti and vandalism. The programme is managed by Artfully, a Brisbane-based arts consultancy specialising in public art and placemaking. Each year, approximately 80 painting opportunities become available as the council upgrades intersections and replaces old cabinets.

Read: Toowong, Then and Now: What a Lifetime in Real Estate Lets You See

Residents interested in participating can register at the Artforce Brisbane website or email info@artforcebrisbane.com.au for more information.

Published 26-December-2025

Katherine Lu Leads Queensland’s Perfect ATAR Achievers as Results Reach Toowoong

Photo Credit: Australian Science Innovations

High-achieving student Katherine Lu was among Queensland’s top performers as ATAR results were released, with students in Toowoong part of the statewide cohort marking the end of Year 12.

Read: Toowong, Then and Now: What a Lifetime in Real Estate Lets You See

Katherine Lu’s Academic Achievement

Katherine Lu recorded a perfect ATAR of 99.95, placing her among just 37 students statewide to achieve the highest possible ranking this year. She completed the International Baccalaureate (IBAS) program at the Queensland Academy of Science, Mathematics and Technology.

In addition to her ATAR result, Lu achieved an IBAS score of 45.75, the highest IBAS score recorded in Queensland, distinguishing her performance within an already competitive group of top achievers.

Photo Credit: Australian Science Innovations

A Select Group of Top Performers

Lu was one of a small number of students across Queensland to reach the top ATAR band. Other students who also achieved an ATAR of 99.95 included graduates from schools across Brisbane and regional Queensland, reflecting a broad distribution of academic excellence across the state.

Several students described the release of results as an emotional moment following years of sustained academic effort, with families and school communities sharing in the milestone.

Statewide ATAR Outcomes

Across Queensland, 30,167 Year 12 graduates received an ATAR when results were released on December 18. Nearly one in four eligible students achieved a rank of 90 or above, continuing a steady pattern of strong overall outcomes.

More broadly, 93.4 per cent of students completed a Queensland Certificate of Education, while others graduated with vocational qualifications or completed university subjects during senior schooling.

Caption: Katherine Lu and the team representing Australia at the 2025 Australian Science Olympiad.
Photo Credit: Australian Science Innovations

Results Day Experiences

Students across Brisbane reported mixed emotions on results day, ranging from relief to quiet confidence. While some graduates closely tracked their final ranking, others focused on how their subject results aligned with future study plans.

For many students, early university offers or alternative entry pathways helped reduce pressure, allowing results day to be viewed as a checkpoint rather than a defining moment.

Looking Ahead

Read: Life Begins at 60: Enjoying More of What Matters at Kingsford Terrace Corinda

As students in Toowoong and across Queensland review their results, attention now turns to enrolments and post-school pathways. For top achievers like Katherine Lu, the ATAR release marks the culmination of years of academic commitment, while also opening the door to a wide range of future opportunities.

Published 24-Dec-2025

Toowong, Then and Now: What a Lifetime in Real Estate Lets You See

Photo Credit: Ray White

Robin McIlwain has seen Toowong evolve over the last few decades, and in this column shares her astute observations as well as her memories of the area since arriving in 1977.

Working in Toowong for nearly 5 decades, Robin has seen many buildings come and go, as the area evolves into servicing the continually growing high-density population. Few people enjoy seeing local institutions and meaningful structures disappear in their own backyard, though expanding cities require this it seems.

I first worked in Toowong in 1977. I didn’t know then that it would become the suburb I’d measure time by — not in years, but in buildings replaced, streets reshaped, and habits quietly lost and re-learned.

Back then, Brisbane’s town plan encouraged smaller walk-up apartment blocks. They were often built by Italian families who lived locally, knew the streets, and worked at a human scale. Today, most new residential development is high-rise. It’s not sentimentality to say that something changed with that shift — not just the skyline, but the way decisions are made. Multi-national commercial builders replaced local ones, and with that came a different pace and pressure.

The loss of older Federation and Colonial homes has been substantial, particularly in streets like Holland Street, Kensington Terrace and Glen Road. What’s often forgotten is that many of those houses were saved — not by stopping development, but by relocating them. Council policy at the time allowed viable homes to be moved rather than demolished. Many of them went on to second lives on acreage in Brookfield and Pullenvale.

I’ve always admired builders like Tony Findlay, who restored so many of those homes and placed them back into generous grounds — long driveways, jacarandas, tennis courts. It wasn’t just preservation; it was respect.

Still, it’s hard not to feel sadness when I see heritage-listed buildings like the old Toowong Library or Patterson House on Sherwood Road falling into disrepair. Obsolescence can be quieter than demolition, but it leaves its mark all the same.

Patterson House on 89 Sherwood Rd, Toowong
Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council https://heritage.brisbane.qld.gov.au/heritage-places/1708

When the Toowong Library opened in April 1961, it was the largest suburban library in Brisbane. Its distinctive circular design gave the building a presence that extended beyond its function, establishing it as a valued civic landmark within the community.
Photo Credit: Brisbane City Archives, BCC-15117 1960

What daily work has changed most is movement. When I was a young agent, you could usually park right outside a property. Clients could too. We left five minutes between appointments and arrived on time.

Now, we plan routes carefully. Sometimes a colleague drops us off and picks us up later. Often, we walk. Forty-five minutes between appointments is standard. Open inspections are more frequent and increasingly held out of hours — not just for convenience, but because parking itself has become a consideration in property access.

Just this morning, walking out of the post office in Ebor Lane, I noticed the vacant land beside the old Kratzman Hardware building. In the time I’ve worked here, that site has gone through two development cycles and is about to be redeveloped again. When I started in real estate, it was empty. Today, it’s empty once more. That alone tells a story about how cities evolve.

Did you know Toowong once had a bomb shelter?

Many locals remember the old blue Kratzman House at 50 High Street, where Peter Forrest ran his agency for years. Fewer people knew there was a Toowong bomb shelter in the front yard. It had been closed off, but we used it for archived files and, occasionally, curiosity got the better of us. I’ve often wondered what the developers thought when they finally uncovered it during demolition, long after most locals had forgotten it existed.

Those early years in real estate weren’t always polished or predictable. On my very first day in the industry in the 1970s, I was greeted not with a tidy office or a structured induction, but with a dead shark left on the doorstep — a moment that captured both the toughness of the era and the resilience you needed to last in it. Like many starting out then, I learned quickly, often the hard way, and those experiences stayed with me.

When my husband, Russ Cornish, opened L J Hooker Toowong in the then-new Commonwealth Bank building on Sherwood Road and Jephson Street, there were no traffic lights at that intersection. There was street parking on Jephson Street.

Did you know Ziggy once foiled a burglary?

We had an RSL hall and two service stations on the corners. Wilf Rooney ran one of them, and Ziggy — known to most locals — kept an eye on things at night.

Ziggy the bagman — a familiar sight on the street.
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons / Pony31 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=91801036

He even foiled a burglary once. It’s hard to imagine that intersection now without lights, let alone with parking.

Trying to leave my mark

Over time, my work extended beyond day-to-day agency life. I became involved in advisory roles with government bodies and development groups, contributed to changes in training and licensing standards, and helped shape marketing approaches that were more research-led and buyer-focused. I was also fortunate to work on projects where understanding how people live informed not just how properties were sold, but how they were designed. All of that grew out of my years working in and around Toowong — the place where theory met real people and real homes.

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One thing that hasn’t changed is Toowong’s cultural diversity. Being a university suburb has ensured that. The streets are still full of young people from all over the world, and that cosmopolitan energy continues to give the area its edge and its warmth.

What do I miss in Toowong?

Jim and Anne’s sandwich shop in Dr Clements Arcade. D’Angelo’s pizza and their veal scallopini. Brian Krebs Hairdresser — flamboyant, talented, and very much of his time, when big hair was everything.

This isn’t nostalgia for its own sake. It’s simply what you see when you stay long enough. Toowong keeps changing — and so do we, alongside it.

Editor’s Note: As Robin McIlwain retires from her role at Ray White Toowong, her vast local experience and range of stories need to see the light of day, and it is with that in mind that we hope to persuade Robin to write further columns for Toowong News.

Published 20-December-2025

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