85 Miskin St Reinvents Fine Dining

Fine dining without much fuss? It’s possible. Visit 85 Miskin St, a restaurant in Toowong serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant, now a longstanding institution in its neighbourhood, has reimagined the fine dining experience by offering great food in an unpretentious setting. 

Established in a quaint old Queenslander in 2005, 85 Miskin St features a low-key and minimalist decor. The casual atmosphere is best for an intimate meal or an informal catch-up with friends. Menu is split between French and Asian influences, so it will suit almost any palate. There are around 150 wines to choose from, ranging from champagne and sparkling wine to Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc.

Photo Credit: 85 Miskin St/Facebook

In charge of running the restaurant is Chef Brent Farrell, who showcases his signature dishes and techniques through a degustation menu, an array of small dishes served one after the other. 



Chef Farrell, who now has a growing number of followers, loves using local and seasonal ingredients. He worked in Walnut Restaurant inside the Royal on the Park Hotel before opening his own venture in Toowong. From “Brent’s, The Dining Experience,” he changed it to the site’s current name and refurbished the two storey suburban building to give it a new look.

Photo Credit: 85 Miskin St/Facebook

Favourites from the current menu include the citrus-cured salmon, marinated sicilian olives, and deer milk and vanilla panna cotta. Their slow cooked rib fillet with caramelized onion puree, charred zucchini and chimichurri is best paired with a glass of sparkling wine.

Photo Credit: 85 Miskin St/Facebook

85 Miskin St is open daily, except on Mondays. They also serve breakfast on weekends. They are open for lunch and dinner on 3 January 2020, and for breakfast, lunch and dinner on the 4th. 

They will be closed for annual holidays from January 5 – 17. They will reopen for normal trade on the 18th with revived dishes from the 70’s. Further information or updates can be found on 85 Miskin St’s website.



Twin Towers up to 31 Storeys Proposed for Coronation Drive

A development application seeking to establish a mixed-use twin tower development at 57 Coronation Drive in Brisbane City has been lodged.

The site for the proposed development measures approximately 3,287sqm and is located at 57 Coronation Drive within the Quay Street Precinct bound by the railway line to the north, William Jolly Bridge to the east, Brisbane River to the south, and to the west by Merivale Rail Bridge.

Twin Towers on Coronation Drive
Photo credit: Brisbane City Council – Urbis – Near Map / pdonline.brisbane.qld.gov.au

The proposal will involve the demolition of the existing building located on Coronation Drive and the restoration of the heritage-listed Davidson’s Residence, located at 64-66 Quay Street, and its adaptive reuse as a reception for the serviced apartments within the development. 

The application seeks approval to establish two towers of 30 and 35 storeys high that  will offer short term accommodation and multiple dwelling. A mix of uses such as commercial office, short term accommodation, multiple dwelling, food and drink outlet and shop is also included under the proposal. 

Photo credit: Brisbane City Council – Rothelowman / pdonline.brisbane.qld.gov.au

“The proposed development represents a highly considered contextual response to the site and its characteristics as well as surrounding development, including challenging topography, interface with major rail infrastructure, frontage to an arterial road, a dilapidated local heritage building, and irregular shaped allotment,” the Urbis Town Planning report said.

Twin Towers on Coronation Drive
Photo credit: Brisbane City Council – Rothelowman / pdonline.brisbane.qld.gov.au

“The site benefits from an unrivalled location, within walking distance to South Brisbane and West End, the Caxton Street entertainment precinct including Suncorp Stadium and The Barracks, and the emerging opportunities of City West including future Cross River Rail and Brisbane Live. The collaboratively designed proposal capitalises on the opportunity to deliver a landmark design which will shape the western approach to the Brisbane CBD.”

Twin Towers on Coronation Drive
Photo credit: Brisbane City Council – Rothelowman / pdonline.brisbane.qld.gov.au

The development covers a total of 42,785sqm gross floor area with 922sqm dedicated to retail and 2,147sqm allocated for office floor space. Tower 1 will be 30 storeys high and will contain 168 serviced apartments: 63 one-bedroom and 42 two-bedroom suites.

Twin Towers on Coronation Drive
Photo credit: Brisbane City Council – Rothelowman / pdonline.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Tower 2 will be 32-storeys high and will contain 255 residential apartments: 56 one-bedroom, 140 two-bedroom, and three four-bedroom units.

Twin Towers on Coronation Drive
Photo credit: Brisbane City Council – Rothelowman / pdonline.brisbane.qld.gov.au

A total of 371 car parking spaces will be provided across four basement levels, ground, and mezzanine: 69-serviced apartments, 265-residential, 22-visitor, 3-retail, and 12-commercial.



Did You Know Mushrooms Can Help You Deal with Holiday Stress?

‘Tis the season to be jolly! The season of Christmas movies, fairy lights and too much food. However, as merry as Christmas is, the silly season can sometimes get a little too… well, silly. Social commitments, overstretched budgets and overindulgence in food and alcohol can lead to or exacerbate existing stress and anxiety issues.

Being sensible is obviously not an option. So what can we do to make the holiday season as stress-free as possible?

Stress and anxiety can wreak havoc on your body and vice versa. When you’re stressed, your health is compromised, and when your health is compromised, it can lead to stress, a real Catch 22.

In periods of additional stress, your body needs support to keep functioning properly. The best remedy for stress is often lifestyle change, but this isn’t always possible, especially when there are Christmas parties to attend and cocktails to be had.  

Mighty Mushroom Trend

A current rising trend in the health industry is the often-overlooked modest mushroom. The increasing popularity of the mighty mushroom is becoming known as ‘the fungal renaissance.’ Particular mushrooms are known adaptogens, which support the nervous, adremal, and endocrine systems. These systems get burnt out when we’re stressed.

Ayurvedic and Chinese Medical practitioners have been using adaptogens as medicine for centuries. Adaptogens are non-toxic plants and mushrooms that help the body resist stressors, whether they are chemical, physical or biological. Although these aren’t magic mushrooms per se, they are magic in that they ‘adapt’ to what your body needs at the current time.  



For instance, cordyceps, reishi and lion’s mane are clinically proven to help manage stress. They’re also a great mood stabiliser, if you’re strung up high and dry, they’ll ground you, if you’re feeling sluggish, they’ll give you a bit of pep in your step.

And there’s an added bonus to keeping your stress as low as possible. You might just avoid the extra pounds that creep on around Christmas. Recent studies show that heightened cortisol levels (the stress hormone) can actually make you gain weight. This is because when we perceive a stressful event or when we are anxious, our adrenal glands secrete cortisol, in a phenomenon often referred to as the fight or flight response. Too much cortisol can lead to irritability, depression and weight gain. It also disrupts carbohydrate metabolism which leads to digestive issues.

If you’re feeling stressed and anxious as the year wraps up, adding adaptogenic mushrooms and herbs such as ashwaghanda and passionflower to your diet can make a real difference to how you feel.

At this time of year, we all need a little bit of extra support, so after you rewatch Die Hard for the fourteenth time, make yourself a magical mushroom brew or a cup of passionflower tea.

Wholelife Toowong stocks a wide range of medicinal mushrooms and supplements to keep you cool and calm this Christmas season.

Come in and have a chat with the team – we’re already playing Christmas carols! We also have a Christmas giveaways up to the 23rd of December!



Katie Robertson is a writer, editor, and avid health researcher, paving her own way to wellness. Katie has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in writing and is the retail manager at WholeLife Pharmacy & Healthfoods. When she’s not working, Katie lives in the world of fiction and you can often find her hiding in her herb garden with a good book.

Council Seeks Feedback on North West Transport Network

Council has started the development of a business case to help ease traffic congestion on the north-west transport network, covering areas from Bald HIlls to Toowong.

Following the Transport Plan for Brisbane – Strategic Directions consultation held in late 2017 to April 2018, the north-west transport network business case will look into the future of transport in the city, identify opportunities to improve its reliability, convenience, and transport options. 

North west transport network
Video Credit: Brisbane City Council / YouTube

Through the help of a $10-million funding commitment from the Australian Government, the business case study will cover the suburbs of Toowong, Ashgrove, Enoggera, Everton Park, Stafford Heights, Chermside, Bridgeman Downs, and Bald Hills.

Council Seeks Feedback on North West Transport Network
Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / brisbane.qld.gov.au

Council is inviting the public to have their say by 11:59 p.m. 7 February 2020 and share their current travel behaviour and where transport services and infrastructure could be improved by:

Transport Planning and Operations
Brisbane City Council
GPO Box 1434

Brisbane Qld 4001

Locals may also attend any of the community consultation sessions at these locations, dates, and times.

DateTimeLocation
Wednesday 4 December 20193 – 6 pmChermside Library
Thursday 5 December 20195 -8 pmBrookside Shopping Centre, 159 Osborne Road, Mitchelton
Saturday 7 December 20199 am – 12 pmAshgrove Library
Wednesday 11 December 20193 – 6 pmGrange Library
Thursday 12 December 20193 – 6 pmEverton Park Library
Saturday 14 December 20199 am – 12 pmMt Coot-tha Library
Monday 20 January 20209 am – 12 pmStafford City Shopping Centre, 400 Stafford Road, Stafford
Tuesday 21 January 20209 am – 12 pmToowong Village, 9 Sherwood Road, Toowong
Wednesday 22 January 20209 am – 12 pmAspley Hypermarket, 59 Albany Creek Road, Aspley
Friday 24 January 20209 am – 12 pmTaigum Square Shopping Centre, 217 Beams Road, Taigum
Thursday 30 January 20205 – 8 pmCarseldine Central, 735 Beams Road, Carseldine

Council will publish the consultation report in mid-2020. The next phase will involve the assessment of the community feedback and identification of potential solutions. By June 2021, Council will finalise the preferred transport options and publish the business case based on community feedback.



Transport Strategies Targeting QASMT Safety and Accessibility Concerns Discussed

Stakeholders met at a consultation organised by Greens MP for Maiwar Michael Berkman to discuss possible transport strategies that will address QASMT safety and accessibility concerns.

MP Berkman organised the meeting following a previous meeting with Queensland Academy of Science, Maths & Technology (QASMT) P&C where the school community raised concerns about traffic and transport, as well as safety issues, following a road accident at the corner of Morrow St and Moggill Rd involving a student. 

“It’s great to see the local school community proactively working to improve public and active transport options for its students,” State Greens MP, Michale Berkman said.

“Getting kids out of cars and into buses, trains, walking and cycling will bust congestion, keep kids healthier and make our cities cleaner and quieter.

A recent study showed that it takes about an hour and a half for QASMT students from southern suburbs of Brisbane to travel to and from school, with the busiest hubs being the Cultural Centre and Roma St Station bus stops. 

Mr Berkman said that providing the right infrastructure to make public and active transport safe and attractive for families is essential.  He suggested for the Transport Minister to consider a shuttle service to QASMT from Roma Street Station, along with additional solutions such as bike lockers at train stations and steps to reducing rat running in surrounding streets.

“I’m also asking Brisbane City Council to improve pedestrian crossings near the school and investigate a reduced speed limit on Stanley Terrace, as well as putting interim safety measures in place like signage and yellow lines.”

Mr Berkman plans to host a public meeting in early 2020 and take the matter to Translink during their February 2020 review of school transport routes.  



Toowong Men’s Health Advocate Peter Dornan AM Wins 2020 Senior Australian of the Year Award

A sports medicine and injury expert from Toowong was named the 2020 Senior Australian of Year. Peter Dornan AM is a physiotherapist by profession for over 50 years and his work as a proponent of prostate cancer awareness earned him the prestigious recognition.

Using his knowledge and expertise in human anatomy, Mr Dornan developed a successful management program for prostate cancer patients dealing with incontinence, a common complication during cancer treatments. He won a grant to thoroughly research the relationship between prostate cancer and incontinence and came up with a globally-recognised system for helping men with pelvic pain manage their condition. 



Mr Dornan was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1996. After a series of treatments, he placed an ad in the newspaper inviting other patients to meet, discuss and gain support for their experience.

Since then, he has been working with fellow prostate cancer patients and founded the largest prostate cancer support group in Australia. By 2011, Mr Dornan was named in the Board of the Cancer Council Queensland, where he succeeded in raising funds for the organisation. 

Photo Credit: Australian of the Year/Facebook

Mr Dornan published the book “Conquering Incontinence: A New and Physical Approach to a Freer Lifestyle,” where he detailed a comprehensive approach to the consequences of prostate cancer. At age 60, he celebrated his recovery from prostate cancer by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Through his proactive response to his devastating condition, the men’s health advocate continues to earn much professional success as a physiotherapist by co-founding the Queensland Branch of Sports Medicine Australia and the Australian Sports Medicine Foundation. Sports teams like the Queensland Reds, the Wallabies and Kangaroos consult on his expertise as well. 



Have Your Say on Proposed Toowong-West End Bridge

Council is building five new green bridges, including Toowong-West End bridge, and you are invited to have your say about the proposed project before Friday 6 December 2019.

Subject to further investigations and community and stakeholder consultation, the proposed Green Bridges for Brisbane include:   

  • Kangaroo Point Bridge -from Alice/Edward Street roundabout (near the City Botanic Gardens) to Scott Street, Kangaroo Point
  • Toowong to West End Bridge
  • St Lucia to West End Bridge –   from the corner of Keith Street and Macquarie Street in St Lucia across the Brisbane River to the southern end of Boundary Street in West End 
  • Breakfast Creek Bridge – from Kingsford Smith Drive at Albion to Breakfast Creek Road at Newstead 
  • Bellbowrie Bridge – from the river end of Weekes Road in Bellbowrie to Grindle Road in Wacol 
Toowong-West End bridge proposed alignment
Photo credit: Brisbane City Council /  brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-and-transport/roads-infrastructure-and-bikeways/

The Toowong to West End green bridge will cater to pedestrians, cyclists, and possibly for public transport depending on the outcome of public consultation and traffic studies. 

The proposed bridge will serve as the link between the West End and Toowong business area, rail and ferry services, existing walking and cycling network, as well as the proposed St Lucia to West End green bridge.

The Council has identified the proposed alignment which will extend from near Archer Street in Toowong, across the Brisbane River to Orleigh Park, and near Forbes Street in West End.

Members of the community are invited to have their say by answering the online survey here. Alternatively, you may visit any of the following community information sessions:

DateTimeLocation
Thursday 14 November 201911 a.m. – 2 p.m.Reddacliff Place, 266 George Street, Brisbane City
Saturday 16 November 20197 a.m. – 12 p.m.Davies Park Markets, West End
Monday 18 November 20194 p.m. – 7 p.m.South Brisbane Sailing Club, West End
Tuesday 19 November 20194 p.m. – 7 p.m.Ground level foyer, Queensland Multicultural Centre, 102 Main Street, Kangaroo Point
Friday 22 November 201910 a.m. – 1 p.m.St Lucia Community Hall, 27 Guilfoyle Street, St Lucia
Saturday 23 November 201910 a.m. – 2 p.m.Captain Burke Park, 117 Holman Street, Kangaroo Point
Monday 25 November 20193 a.m. – 6 p.m.Toowong Library, Toowong Village Shopping Centre, 9 Sherwood Road, Toowong
Tuesday 26 November 201910 a.m. -1 p.m.Queen Street Mall main stage, Brisbane City
Thursday 28 November 201910 a.m. – 2 p.m.Bellbowrie Mobile Library, Bellbowrie Shopping Plaza, 37 Birkin Road, Bellbowrie
Saturday 30 November 20192 p.m. – 8 p.m.Bretts Wharf, Hamilton
Sunday 1 December 20198 a.m. – 3 p.m.Riverside Markets, City Botanic Gardens, Alice and Albert streets, Brisbane City
Tuesday 3 December 20193 p.m. – 6 p.m.City Botanic Gardens (near Alice Street and Edward Street roundabout), Brisbane City

Also, learn more about the project and feel free to provide your feedback by:

  • emailing the project team
  • writing to:
    Green Bridges for Brisbane
    City Projects Office
    Brisbane City Council
    GPO Box 1434
    Brisbane Qld 4001.


It’s a Silver Medal Finish for the QPS Rowing Team at the Emergency Services Regatta!

Queensland Police Service (QPS) team rowed to a silver medal finish at the inaugural “Emergency Services Regatta” as part of the annual Head of the Brisbane rowing event hosted by Toowong Rowing Club.

The Emergency Services Regatta was the last event of the regatta, held last 19 October 2019, which saw three teams participating in the race: Queensland Police Service (QPS), Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) and Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES). 

Photo credit: Senior Constable Anderson – The State of Queensland (Queensland Police Service) 2019

The Toowong Rowing Club came up with the idea of the Emergency Services Regatta and assisted with the training sessions for all the crews composed of both the experienced rowers and those who are new to the sport. 

Photo credit: Senior Constable Anderson – The State of Queensland (Queensland Police Service) 2019

“A great experience for all involved and a big thank you to Janelle Filkin from the Toowong Rowing Club for her perseverance and determination in getting this race off the ground,” Sergeant Jose Sarmiento reported.

“Another thank you to the QPS team for answering the call out, trying something new (for some), for their training and attendance in their own time.

“Another big thank you to the Brisbane Water Police who came along to support the race as well.”

Photo credit: Senior Constable Anderson – The State of Queensland (Queensland Police Service) 2019

At the end of the 700-meter race, QFES team took home first place whilst QPS bagged  second place and the QAS team finished third. 

The QPS team was able to raise $147.30 for its chosen organisation — the “Community Supporting Police” — and QPS was “very pleased when members of the organisation attended and set up a stall.”

The QPS team is composed of Senior Constable Will Pattie, Senior Constable Olivia Shaw, Senior Constable Georgia Wheatley, Senior Sergeant Tim Peters, Plain Clothes Constable David Alexander, Senior Constable Dan Hill, Senior Sergeant Robb Wann, and Sergeant Jose Sarmiento.

Congratulations, QPS team!



Gut-Brain Connection & Mental Health: Fad or Fiction?

Have you had butterflies in your stomach before a meeting at work? Ever made a decision based on your ‘gut feeling’? Do you get nauseous when you’re nervous?

Gut health and gut health products have been a recent fixture in the complementary and mainstream health care industry. In both of these industries, there have been plenty of fads and fake-outs that have been enough to turn some consumers into sceptics. As discerning consumers, we must ask ourselves why gut health is so important?

On face value, it’s easy to see the importance of gut health. The most vital part of what we do as humans is eat and digest food in order to receive nutrients so that we can keep our bodies going. Therefore, of course, we want our guts to work well. However, emerging science is suggesting a far deeper connection between our gut and our wellbeing than previously thought. In fact, this connection is being referred to as the gut-brain axis – a two-way link from bowel to behaviour.

Gut-Brain Axis

It has been scientifically established that there is a link between gut health and mental health, in such a way that your mental health can contribute to gastrointestinal issues such as IBS, bloating, stomach pain and more. In addition, new research indicates that gut health issues and imbalances themselves could also be contributing factors to mental issues such as stress, anxiety and depression.

Photo credit: Sacha Vega/iStock

This is due to the gut-brain axis, a two-way road for biochemical signals that will trigger a mental or physical response at either end. There are studies that suggest that an unhealthy gut microbiome can contribute to mental issues such as depression, anxiety, stress and more. 

The new research creates a chicken-and-egg sort of situation. If it is a two-way road, then what came first: the mental issues or the gut health issues? The science is still out on that one, but one thing is for sure, they have a correlating relationship, so keeping your gut health in check is vital to your mental health.

Keeping a Healthy Microbiome

So now that we know what the problem is – how do we fix it? 

Gut health and its mental and emotional counterparts largely come down to a healthy microbiome. The microbiome is the population of bacteria that lives in your gastrointestinal tract and plays an important role in a myriad of health issues from obesity, inflammatory skin disorders to many more. 

Probiotics, prebiotics and a healthy diet can rebalance your microbiome. Probiotic foods and supplements are full of live bacteria and include fermented foods like sauerkraut, kombucha, kimchi, kefir and apple cider vinegar.

Photo credit: Toowong WholeLife Pharmacy & Healthfoods

Prebiotics ferment in the gut and include green bananas and artichokes. A healthy diet is also imperative, so cut down on the sugar and eat more greens.

Photo credit: Toowong WholeLife Pharmacy & Healthfoods

If you would like further information, please come down and visit us at Wholelife Toowong and talk with one of our friendly staff – we have a range of everything you will need to get your gut going again!

Katie Robertson is a writer, editor, and avid health researcher, paving her own way to wellness. Katie has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in writing and is the retail manager at WholeLife Pharmacy & Healthfoods. When she’s not working, Katie lives in the world of fiction and you can often find her hiding in her herb garden with a good book.

Free off-Peak Travel on Buses, CityCats and Ferries for Seniors in Toowong, Rest of Brisbane

As announced last June 2019 by Lord Mayor Schrinner, seniors in Toowong and the rest of Brisbane will now enjoy free off-peak travel on BCC buses, as well as CityCats and ferries.

Beginning October, BCC is providing free off-peak travel for eligible senior go card holders during specific times, with plans to apply the initiative to the future Brisbane Metro.

“Free travel during off-peak times will not only make better use of available capacity – it will create more opportunities for older residents to travel around the city and connect with family and friends,” LM Schrinner said in his 2019-20 Budget Speech.

“It’s also about giving something back to the generations who have worked hard and contributed much to help build our city and our community.



“Social isolation and loneliness amongst older residents is consistently a major concern raised by community researchers.

“The evidence clearly shows that older residents are more likely to live on their own.

“Making it possible for seniors to get out and about more, at no cost, has the potential to bring many positive benefits to our community and may also support the tens of thousands of volunteer hours put in by seniors across our city each year in community based organisations.”

Beginning 1 October 2019, free off-peak travel will be available for TransLink Seniors go card and Seniors Card +go holders. 

This Council initiative will apply on the following times and transport services:

Off-peak timesBrisbane City Council busesCityCats and ferries
WeekdaysMonday-FridayAvailable8.30am-3.30pm and 7pm-6am the next dayAvailable8.30am-3.30pm and 7pm-6am the next day
Gazetted Queensland public holidays on weekdays (Monday-Friday)AvailableAll dayAvailableAll day
WeekendsSaturday-SundayAvailableAll dayNot availableNormal off-peak fares apply
Gazetted Queensland public holidays on weekends (Saturday-Sunday)AvailableAll dayNot availableNormal off-peak fares apply

Since Queensland Rail trains are state government controlled, free off-peak travel will not apply.

For more information about Seniors go card and Seniors Card +go, and how to apply for a go card, visit this TransLink website