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World-Class BBC Pipe Band Delivers Award-winning Performances at Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Front of Worldwide TV Audience

Photo Credit: Brisbane Boys' College Old Collegians Pipe Band/Facebook

Brisbane Boys’ College Pipe Band One and Pipe Band Two delivered solid, memorable performances at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2022, where they placed firmly amongst the best, earning top places in a gruelling competition against other bands from Canada, USA, Mexico, Switzerland, and New Zealand.

BBC’s Pipe Band One clinched second place Division 4A, against a combination of adult and schoolboy bands in the competition, whilst the Pipe Band Two came away with a creditable fifth place in Division 4B.

The competition, held as part of a series during the Edinburgh Festivals in August, was televised across 40 countries and followed by over 220,000 people who watch the spectacular live production every year.

Pomp and pageantry at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Photo Credit: https://www.army.mod.uk/

The 2022 production saw 800 performers from around the world come together again at the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade in Scotland, after a two-year hiatus brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A selection of BBC Old Boys playing at the Royal Edimburgh Military Tattoo 2022
Photo Credit: Facebook/BBCPipeBand

This year’s theme was ‘Voices,’ aptly chosen to demonstrate that the world is closely connected through music, song, and dance despite cultural differences and geographical distances.

World-Class Pipe Band

Mr Andre Casson, headmaster at Brisbane Boys’ College, couldn’t be more proud of the boys.

“In addition to the Tattoo shows, BBC involvement in key championships continued and resulted in a final total of nine trophies. Our Pipe Band, along with 145 bands from across the globe, competed for the top prize at the World Championships at Glasgow Green in front of 40,000 spectators,” Headmaster Casson said.

“This event marks the pinnacle of the pipe band competitions and was the culmination of months of dedicated practice from our boys under the
indefatigable guidance of our brilliant director, Mr Stevie Stanley assisted by Mr Liam Cox, and Mr Aidan Scott,” he added.

The College Pipe Bands put on an impressive show, with the BBC Number Two band placing sixth and the BBC Number One band placing third at the World Championships.

These trophies were added to ones already won at the North Berwick Highland Games, where both bands achieved first place in their respective grades and also won the drumming.

The Number One band also secured first place in Division 4A and the Number Two band secured fourth place in Division 4B at the Bridge of Allan Highland Games.

“Although located on the other side of the world, BBC embodies the spirit of Scotland, not just in the foundations of our Presbyterian and Methodist Church organisation, but in the evocative sounds of the Pipe Band where ‘our Hunting MacLean tartan speaks of our origin, the drum line our heartbeat, and the bagpipes our voice,” Mr Casson said.

Maintaining a Culture of Excellence

BBC Pipe Band — Photo Credit: Facebook/BBCPipeBand

“This success is made all the more remarkable since the boys were able to maintain a full academic program, being taught during the day by school staff,” Mr Casson said.

“We are immensely proud of each and every one of our boys for sustaining such a high level of performance and commitment and for representing the College so well on a global stage.”

‘Sounds of Scotland’ Outdoor Concert in Toowong

The BBC Pipe Band will be performing with local musicians and dancers, featuring a night of Scottish musical entertainment, at the “Sounds of Scotland” outdoor concert on Saturday, 12 November 2022.

There will be an array of refreshments, a BBQ, and an interesting line-up of stalls with Scottish wares at the event which will be held at the Brisbane Boys’ College Junior School Green.

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Toowong’s Max Harding Named Brisbane’s Best Hockey Player

Toowong resident Max Harding made history for the Pine Rivers St Andrews Hockey Club, after winning the premier individual player award of the Brisbane Hockey League.

Read: Sam Anderson of Toowong Harriers Helped Team Queensland Secure Little Athletics Podium Finish

Playing the midfield position, the 23-year-old registered five straight player-of-the-match performances from the first five rounds of the season. Max Harding claimed seven player-of-the-match awards in total throughout 2022.

This makes Harding the first Pine Rivers St Andrews player to bring home the Best and Fairest medal, based on 3-2-1 votes from umpires after each Brisbane Hockey League 1 game, since Garry Jennison in 1997.

Also a midfielder, Jennison debuted for Australia in 1991 and returned to the national side in 1995 and 1996.

Harding was a Queensland Under 21 representative who made his Brisbane Hockey League debut in 2016 and brought up his 100th game for the 2022 season. Whilst he’s currently living in Brisbane, the hockey star originally hailed from Toowoomba.

Max Harding has come close to winning the award in a previous season a couple of years ago, finishing second in the player of the year voting in 2020.

Meanwhile, The Saints also won the The Merv Harris Memorial Shield, an award they have won for the past three seasons. It’s being awarded to the best performing Club across the Senior Men’s Competitions and Divisions of the Brisbane Hockey Association.

About the BHA Best & Fairest Medal

Brisbane Hockey Association’s Best & Fairest Medal is a prestigious honour for hockey players, and was first awarded in 1980 and went by various names, such as the Oakbridge Medal and the Fosters Medal.

Read: Wrex Woolnough of Toowong Parish Celebrates 50 Years Of Priesthood

The medal is being awarded to the player who has the most votes from match umpires. Last year’s winner was also from Brisbane, Bulimba Hockey Club’s Cale Cramer (2021), with 26 points.

New 10-Storey Development Coming to Coronation Drive in Toowong

Photo Credit: Arc Residences / arcresidences.com.au

A 10-storey rooftop development is coming to Coronation Drive in Toowong. The $110-million apartment tower near the Regatta ferry terminal will offer city views and 65 metres of direct river frontage.

Approved in early June 2022, development plans for “Arc” include 27 three-bedroom apartments and a penthouse with four beds plus a rooftop pool and barbecue area on a 1,500-sqm site at 570 Coronation Drive.

Photo Credit: Arc Residences / arcresidences.com.au

Designed by Bureau Proberts, the project will have all of its apartment units facing the riverfront which Bureau Proberts Design Director Terry McQuillan said is something that someone who has lived their whole life in Brisbane City could move into and be proud of.

“In response to the Triangular site, but it actually forms a sweeping Arc, we’ve taken that and shaped it and morphed it to resemble the river and context that it’s in.”

“We wanted something that was water sculpted and ephemeral,” adds Spyre Group Design Manager Kent Pinel, “which as it sort of sits in its entirety means that there’s (sic) small crevices for landscaping and shading.”

The undulating design, he explains, adds beauty and control of privacy and the sunlight that comes into the entertainment spaces. These aspects of the design assure that no resident is preferred over the other and anyone who chooses to buy into the building will get the best possible outcome.

Arc is now selling and for Spyre Group, it is an opportune time to launch the project considering the rising demand for luxury apartments in Brisbane particularly for downsizers who are looking into newly built high-rise dwellings.

Spyre Group is an Australian residential property development company with more than $750 million worth of projects including several upcoming and underway developments such as the Moray House in New Farm, Cala Dei in Coolangatta and Natura in Burleigh Heads.

Recently, the group successfully sold the penthouse inside its Glasshouse apartment project on Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads for an off-the-plan record of $20 million.

Construction of the Arc project is slated to commence in early 2023.

Plans for New Inner West Primary School in Toowong Being Reconsidered

Plans to build a new inner west primary school at the former site of the Toowong Bowls Club are being reconsidered due to several concerns raised by locals, such as flooding and environmental impact.

Read: Should the New Inner-West Primary School Be Built at the Former Toowong Bowls Club Site?

Plans for New Inner West Primary School

In December 2021, the Queensland Government announced that the former Toowong Bowls Club near Perrin Park has been earmarked for the new primary school, making it the first inner suburban primary school to be built in Brisbane in more than 60 years.

Previously, the Education Department had said that the two rounds of community consultation and significant studies point to the former bowls club as the preferred site and that it is a great location for the proposed new school.

Photo credit: Queensland Department of Education

Based on plans, a three-level classroom would be built above the 11m floodline, with main access to be located on Heroes Ave. It was anticipated to open in 2024 and will cater to Prep to Year 6 students.

The State Government is investing $90 million towards the new school and construction will support more than 200 jobs for the local economy.

Local Feedback

In a radio interview with ABC Radio Brisbane, Education Minister Grace Grace said she was extremely conscious of negative feedback from the community, especially following the disastrous flooding earlier in 2022.

During the floods earlier this year, the former Toowong Bowls Club was left more than 2 metres under water. Several streets nearby, such as Josling St, were also closed due to flooding.

Aside from listening to the concerns of the community, Ms Grace also asked the department to study the flood problems at the site. Other concerns raised, aside from flooding, included traffic congestion and significant loss of green space, as well as impact on the flying fox colony located in Perrin Park.

Greens MP Michael Berkman welcomed the department’s decision, adding that they still have his support, given that there’s still a need for a new school in the inner west in the very near future.

Mr Berkman is pushing for a site near to where Taringa State School was before being sold off in 1997, that’s close to the train station and other public transport links.

New Inner West Primary School — Inner West map (Photo credit: Queensland Department of Education)

“I’ve been clear from the outset that neither the Toowong site nor ISHS were appropriate, and that the Department should have commenced planning and found a suitable site much earlier. This has consistently been the focus of my submissions and discussions with the Department about the location,” he said.

Mr Berkman is also inviting members of the community to have their say if they have an idea for a new school site in Taringa that’s big enough to allow buildings and play space, close to public transport, and doesn’t result in a loss of public green space. Those who have suggestions can send an email to Mr Berkman at maiwar@parliament.qld.gov.au.

Feedback, which was gathered from 18 April to 8 May 2022, will be considered in the ongoing planning for the school.

Toowong Village Revamps Its Retail Line Up

Photo Credit: Toowong Village / toowongvillage.com.au

Big changes are happening as Toowong Village adds new stores to its retail offerings during its ongoing refurbishment. Shoppers can now expect to see Woolworths, TK Maxx, and Fresco Supermarket, to name a few, open on or before 2022 ends.

Hanaromart Toowong | Photo Credit: Hanaromart / hanaromartonline.com

Asian grocery store, Hanaromart is now open on the ground level in the food court whilst another Asian supermarket, Fresco, is set to open its doors in late 2022. The 4,000-sqm Woolworths and TK Maxx are coming to the centre later this year as well.

“We are welcoming Woolworths, TK Maxx, two international supermarkets and a strong mix of specialty retailers. This will complement the already strong performing Coles, bespoke fresh food precinct, and the intimate village atmosphere,” Retail First, which manages the centre said.

Owners YFG Shopping Centres announced that the shake-up in Toowong Village’s retail lineup comes as the centre undergoes a redevelopment. At the Ground level, the lift at its Sherwood Road entry has been upgraded servicing B1 and Level 2 and will provide street access to Gallery Level once Woolworths, which will replace David Jones, opens in late 2022.

Gallery Level will be transformed into a new Fresh Food and Lifestyle precinct which is set to open in late November this year. ANZ will likewise open on the Gallery Level next to Bed Bath N’ Table in late September whilst Juniper & Co will relocate from Level 1.

Toowong Village will remain open during its redevelopment whilst keeping disruption to a minimum.

Wrex Woolnough of Toowong Parish Celebrates 50 Years Of Priesthood

Father Wrex Woolnough of St Ignatius Parish Toowong celebrated his 50th Anniversary of Ordination with a Mass of Thanksgiving, as he looks back on his journey as a priest which saw him move from Aspley to England to Wavell Heights to Caboolture and then finally, Toowong.

Read: Stuartholme School Toowong To Start Years 5 and 6 Intake, Plans New Precinct

On his golden jubilee mass, Fr Wrex looked back on his journey as a priest which began in Aspley, where he was posted for two years, before spending the next three years in England.

St Ignatius Parish Toowong — Photo credit: St Ignatius Parish, Toowong/Facebook

He returned to the seminary for 13 years, then spent over a decade at Wavell Heights before becoming a Parish Priest at Caboolture for 17 years. From there, he moved to Toowong, where he has spent around four years, also as Parish Priest at the time of writing.

Fr Wrex thanked everyone who showed up in his golden jubilee, sharing how the people’s presence in his life has been significant and how it left a significant mark on who he is.

Wrex Woolnough — Fr Wrex during his younger years (Photo credit: St Ignatius Parish, Toowong)

All the parishioners at St Ignatius Parish are also grateful for all the things Fr Wrex has done for their Parish community since his appointment in 2018.

“We give thanks for the gifts you have shared so freely with the Catholic community of Queensland for 50 years. We celebrate your scholarship, teaching, steady friendship and gentle purpose and offer our loving blessings for the years ahead,” a social media post from the St Ignacius Parish reads.

St Ignatius School Principal Duncan Maitland congratulated Fr Wrex on his golden jubilee, describing him as an important part of the parish and school community.

Always generous with his smiles and hi-fives, Mr Maitland said Fr Wrex is a common face in the playground.

“He has touched so many people’s lives in so many ways. We value his generosity, kindness, joy, ability to have a good laugh and of course, the enthusiasm he shows for the learning happening at St Ignatius,” Mr Maitland said.

St Ignatius Catholic Primary School Toowong had a double celebration that day. Aside from special celebrations for Fr Wrex’s Jubilee, the school also held their annual St Ignatius Day.

Police Investigating Gruesome Anzac Park Animal Slaughter

The discovery of more than 20 mutilated and decapitated animals, including a koala and a Border Collie, in Anzac Park has caused much distress among Toowong residents. A police investigation is underway.

The RSPCA and the Queensland Police Service are already investigating and scouring a number of CCTV footage around Anzac Park after Council workers found dumped plastic bags two 44-litre drums on the scene. The bags and drums contained the remains of the animals, which were discovered on the evening of Thursday, 28 July 2022.

The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services and a scientific unit have also been called to investigate, where an established zone was determined for testing. However, the tests have not returned any significant readings.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner condemned the sick act and said he’s “saddened, disturbed and appalled” by the discovery. The Council workers who stumbled upon the remains have been offered counselling. Anyone with information or leads may also contact QPS or Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.

“Hurting defenceless animals usually escalates to hurting humans. Please, if anyone knows who is responsible for this, please contact the police,” a local said.

Most visitors to Anzac Park, however, were mostly unaware of the discovery as activities around the area have remained normal by the weekend. Anzac Park has dense bushland in the northern boundary with heaps of beautiful Queenslander homes in its surrounding.

The maximum penalty for an individual convicted of cruelty to animals is $275,700 or 3 years imprisonment under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001. However, the offender may also serve seven years in prison under the Criminal Code Act 1899 for severe animal cruelty.

Stuartholme School Toowong To Start Years 5 and 6 Intake, Plans New Precinct

Stuartholme School, a leading private school in Toowong, has begun its Years 5 and 6 intake and is planning a new precinct for its Junior School students.

Read: Brisbane Boys’ College Finalises Purchase Of The Iconic Goldicott House

Starting 2024, the school will welcome students in Year 5 as the first intake in its new Junior School. By 2025, it will also start accepting Year 6 students.

“The addition of Years 5 and 6 will bring a wonderful new community to Stuartholme. In a safe, caring, and warm environment, these students will have an opportunity to understand who they are, how they belong and learn, alongside their own leadership capabilities,” said Acting Principal, Danny Crump.

Stuartholme School toowong — Photo credit: Stuartholme School (official)/Facebook

“As a leader in girls’ education, we know that the early years of education provide the foundation for successful and lifelong learning. With the introduction of Years 5 & 6, our students will have a seamless progression from the Junior School into the Secondary School.”

To accommodate the additional students, the school has also announced plans for a new dedicated Junior School precinct, on the Main Campus, which will include classrooms, toilets, and an outdoor play and recreation area.

Mr Crump said the new precinct will maximise students’ learning outcomes. The construction of the new precinct is scheduled to start in 2023.

“At the same time, students will have access to Stuartholme School’s already expansive range of facilities including swimming pool, netball and tennis courts, Library, Technologies Precinct, Art studios and design technology rooms,” Mr Crump added.

Established in 1920, it’s going to be the first time that the Catholic school for girls will add Years 5 and 6 to its year level. At the moment, the school caters to Years 7 to 12.

To learn more, visit Stuartholme School’s website.

350-Year-Old Eucalypt Trees Cut Down in Toowong

Residents in Toowong were unnerved by the sight of bulldozers at a large vacant lot by the old theological college along Elizabeth St, where workers apparently cut down and cleared a number of Eucalypt trees believed to be over 350 years old.

The site, comprising 4,307 square metres of natural habitat for birds and other wildlife, does not seem to be covered by a development application yet but it was sold in March 2022 by Savills.

Touted as a “significant land holding” for six adjoining lots, the location is within the Low-Density Residential Zone of the Indooroopilly District Neighbourhood Plan.

No VPO for the properties?

Locals believe the lots are currently not under a protected mapping overlay and residents think that the clearing allegedly received verbal approval from Council.

Greens MP for Maiwar Michael Berkan said he previously alerted Council regarding the sale of the six lots when it was advertised. He said he wrote the Lord Mayor asking to purchase the land using the Bushland Acquisition Fund. However, Mr Berkman was told that the property is not a “significant natural asset.”

“Because our laws don’t automatically protect trees of historical significance, the clearing was likely lawful (although still inappropriate),” Mr Berkman said.

“I own the property in Elizabeth Street directly opposite this land. From 1962 this was part of my childhood playground. Elizabeth Street had not been pushed through to Emerson Street until the 1970s. I was told a bulldozer was there, and went to check on Sunday. I am devastated by the destruction of these ancient trees..the birds were standing silently on the shredded remains of their homes,” neighbouring property owner Melissa McGhie said in a comment on a post in the Toowong and District Historical Society group page.

Botanist confirms trees were centuries old

Meanwhile, a botanist who has worked on the trees found data showing that they were over three centuries old, and would have likely qualified as a “significant natural asset.”

“This is going to come as a shock. I am the botanist that made the initial estimate of the age of this tree. I was basing my estimate of around 144 years old for this eucalyptus on some general data found on the internet, but new information has come to light and it is actually closer to 350 years old,” said Rob Price.

“My original estimate was based on some data from eucalypt plantation growth rates of a different species in a different location, not for tallowwood growth rates, and not in the local context specifically. I’ve just been able to obtain a paper from Queensland’s foremost eucalypt expert about the growth rates of specific species of eucalypts in the SE QLD context and my revised estimate is that this tallowwood was about 350 years old based on a 0.41cm annual diameter growth rate.”

“So this tree actually predates Captain Cook’s charting of the east coast of Australia by 108 years as it germinated around the year 1672. Let that sink in.

“It is only replaceable on a 350-year timescale, so it will be the year 2372 before a sapling in the neighbourhood reaches this size. So it was a sapling during the American revolutionary war and predates the US constitution by 11 years.”

Mr Price urges locals to contact Councillor Mackay at Walter.Taylor.Ward@bcc.qld.gov.au and the Lord Mayor at lord.mayor@brisbane.qld.gov.au regarding the razing of old trees, whilst Mr Berkman urged locals to nominate a VPO “if there are any trees that you think should be protected.”

“While a VPO won’t necessarily stop developers from being able to chop it down, it adds a layer of protection in cases like this where there is no development application,” the MP said.

Plans To Upgrade Section Of Toowong To Darra Gets $10M In Funding Commitment

The Centenary Motorway, which stretches from Frederick St in Toowong to Ipswich Mtwy in Darra, could receive some much-needed upgrades soon, to help increase traffic flow in the area, through a $10-million masterplan.

Read: Heritage-Listed ‘Dovercourt’ to Undergo Major Restoration

This comes after the Department of Transport and Main Roads announced that they are updating previous planning for the Centenary Motorway between Toowong and Darra.

The high volumes of traffic between the Ipswich Motorway interchange in the south and Toowong in the north result in road congestion and poor trip reliability and road safety.

toowong to darra — Photo credit: www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au

The masterplan, which already received a $10million commitment from the Federal Government, will involve outlining measures to improve safety, travel-time reliability and efficiency on an arterial road. It will also identify the most effective “staging approach’’ to deliver the motorway upgrade.

Additional options to improve capacity along the motorway might include intersection and on-ramp and off-ramp improvements, implementing smart freeway technology, and road widening.

Groups, especially the RACQ, welcomed the announcement given that they have been campaigning for the said upgrades to the section for several years now.

Gregory Miszkowycz, traffic and safety engineering manager at RACQ, said the section of the thoroughfare is one of the slowest highway commutes in southeast Queensland.

According to RACQ, it’s the Brisbane road with the lowest inbound peak hour speed, with vehicles moving at an average speed of 39.9 km/h on the motorway.

With regard to the planned Centenary Motorway upgrades, TMR said it would be upgraded in stages as funding becomes available.

“When completed, the fully upgraded motorway will cater for the transport demands along the corridor in the medium to long-term with upgrades focusing on safety, improving travel-times, and active transport facilities,” TMR announced.

For more information about the Centenary Motorway upgrades, visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au