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Four Best Brunch Places in Toowong for Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is fast approaching. Where are you planning to take the most special mother in your life? Brunch is always a good idea. It’s the perfect start to a fun day out. Here are some some of the best brunch places in Toowong to help you decide where to go.

Pitch & Fork

At the Corner Store Cafe, one of the best breakfast places in Toowong, long lines every morning can be exhausting. You almost want to do a double-take and find a different place. But of course, you don’t. They’re that good.

Thankfully, Toowong now also has Pitch & Fork, created by the same owners that brought the Corner Store Cafe to life. It is located just a few blocks down the road, at Memorial Park, Sylvan Road lies their latest creation.

Pitch & Fork serves breakfast and lunch only. Popular brekky picks from their menu are their fluffy blueberry and ricotta hotcakes, crisp bacon croquettes with creamed corn and poached eggs.
that just melt perfectly in the mouth.

For a tasty and filling brunch, don’t miss out on their veal parmigiana burger, garlic prawn baguette, and the salt & pepper calamari salad.

Pitch & Fork sources most of their produce locally. They also serve delicious coffee from Parallel Roasters and organic tea from Calmer Sutra. They also have smoothies, cold-pressed juices, and milkshakes.

85 Miskin St.

Formerly known as Brents – The Dining Experience, this new food venture is the result of a successful reinvention by Brent Farrell, owner and executive chef. The award-winning restaurant now called 85 Miskin St. has received a One Hat award from the Good Food Guide in 2014.

Make mum feel more special with their breakfast degustation or have a simple, luxurious breakfast that will challenge one’s tastebuds. 85 Miskin St. delivers a fine dining experience but in a more laid-back fashion, allowing diners to feel more relaxed whilst enjoying a culinary experience that mum will surely not forget anytime soon. Don’t forget to try the owner’s favourite tender, spiced goat tenderloin with hay-baked pumpkin, goats curd and toaster farro. Click here for the full menu.

Newsroom Cafe

At one of the junction corners in the busy Toowong Village lies a comfortable cafe that serves hearty breakfast all day long.

The Newsroom Cafe has various egg dishes and thick milkshakes for the kind of comfort food that everyone’s inner child appreciates. You and your mum will also love their freshly brewed Merlo coffee. Another great feature of the cafe is their special menu board. It changes on a daily basis, so no matter how many times you go back, there’s always something new to try!

Bean on Dean

Known for the best coffee in Toowong, their light brunch-style cafe is perfect for mums who are trying to lose weight or eat clean. This is one of the best places to bring health-conscious wonder mums to, on Mother’s Day. The cafe’s humorous menu will definitely catch your attention.

Check out their Flabbergast. It’s avo, rocket and Danish feta or walnut, prosciutto, ricotta and cream cheese, piled on sour dough, rye or pumpkin bread. Or try the Kerfuffle. That’s avo, Danish feta, rocket, olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Craving for something sweet? No problem. They also have some baked sweet treats, such as banana bread along with other sandwiches and wraps. A cup of creamy their Campos coffee is the perfect complement to cap a delightful visit.

Featured Photo Credit: CC-BY/with wind/Flickr

Six Things to Remember to Make Sure You’re Ready for Auchenflower Kerbside Collection Day

Auchenflower’s kerbside collection will be on the 24th of April. Residents might have already started organising their items to keep and throw away. Although this can prove to be a daunting task, there are several ways to help you guarantee a smooth and stress-free collection process.

ONE: There’s a List of Acceptable and Non-Acceptable Items. Follow it.

8344388-3x2-940x627 — Do not put out non-acceptable items because they will NOT be picked up. Photo credit: ABC

List of the acceptable and non-acceptable items

The Brisbane City Council will not collect unacceptable items. Illegal dumping fines will also apply if any unacceptable item/s is left by the kerb within seven days.

TWO: There’s a Pile Limit.

Follow the required space dimensions. Photo credit: www.1coast.com.au)

Before that pile mounts up, the Brisbane City Council will not collect piles that are larger than two cubic meters. Ease up on the items. It is best to know some proper methods to pile up items especially if there are plenty of stuff to get rid of and reaching within two cubic meters limit isn’t a possibility.

THREE: Keep it Tidy

There have been cases when some residents have gone a little bit overboard when throwing away their stuff for kerbside collection, that the streets looked as if a hurricane landed, and made an awful mess.

Organize your mess. Photo credit: http://ajaneday.blogspot.com/

Ever heard of an “organised mess”? Keep everything tidy by ensuring that everything is piled up well. Place items in boxes and line them up along the street. Fold clothing neatly. For big items such as couches, refrigerators, or even cupboards, have them leaning against walls and not blocking the pathway.

FOUR: Remove Item Doors

blogger-image-597345436 — Photo credit: http://ajaneday.blogspot.com/

For refrigerators, cupboards or any other items that have doors, the BCC wants them removed before you put them by the kerb.

FIVE: Consider Resource Recovery Centres

Formerly known as transfer stations or tips, BCC’s resource recovery centres are four waste and recycling facilities with locations in Chandler, Ferny Grove, Willawong and Nudgee. They provide free recycling for vehicles under 4.5 tonnes RGVM. The upgraded centres recycle more items for free, aiming to resume waste landfill. Residents may use their waste vouchers, otherwise, fees apply.

SIX: Donate. Recycle. Donate. Recycle.

There are some items that may still be usable to other people. The council urges residents to donate these items instead. GIVIT, a national not-for-profit online network that helps residents donate. It has a list of items that are needed urgently buy someone in the community. The online network also helps residents connect with other trusted charities that could use donations.

The National Association of Charitable Recycling Organisations Inc. (NACRO) is the peak organization for charities and charity op ships that recycle furniture, household and workplace goods, and clothing all over Australia. The recycled goods are used to fund community welfare programs.

There are also council tip shops along Acacia Ridge and Geebung that you can donate used items to. They sell second-hand items donated by residents through the BCC’s transfer stations and resource recovery centres. Tip shops are operated by Endeavour Foundation and all the proceeds are used to support disabled people.

And there you have it. Take a deep breath and plunge right in. Start moving and start packing, remember to keep everything neatly organised when dumping items outside your home. Don’t forget that you can only bring everything out on the weekend before your schedule. Not a moment sooner or else you might get fined. See you at the kerb!

Photo credit: Gold Coast Bulletin

Toowong Hosts ANZAC Week Events

In remembrance of Australians and New Zealanders who served and died fighting for their countries, the Brisbane City Council (BCC) will hold a week-long series of events to commemorate the fallen, from 21 to 29 April. These events at the Toowong Cemetery is part of the BCC’s City of Lights program and is done in partnership with the Backbone Youth Arts Inc.

During the week, there will be a round of theatrical tours. A concert, aptly called “In Remembrance”, will be held to show honour to the fallen on the 23rd of April with performances by solo artists, choirs and the Brisbane Regional Youth Orchestra.

Wrapping up the week-long commemoration on the 29th of April will be a screening of the Australian classic film Gallipoli, a cinematic journey about two soldiers who were exposed to the realities of war in Turkey, during World War I.

The ANZAC Week events are all free of charge. Everyone is welcome.

Event details

Photo credit: Commander Keane / Wikimedia Commons

Toowong Cemetery Weekly Ghost Tours Offer Scary Weekends for the Brave

Spend a spine-tingling evening touring the Toowong Cemetery. Join the cemetery’s weekly ghost tours and try to keep your nerves steady as you bravely walk around Queensland’s largest cemetery. Set on 250 acres of land, Toowong Cemetery has served as Brisbane’s general cemetery for 138 years. That’s a lot of graves and a lot of history, all in one place.

The Original Toowong Cemetery Ghost Tour features a two-hour visit highlighted by thirteen ghost stories of real haunted graves within the cemetery.

Photo credit: Ghost Tours Pty Ltd / Facebook

The Other Side Tour, also lasting two hours, has a similar format but starts at a different location, follows a different route and has a different (though no less scary) set of ghost stories.

To join the Toowong cemetery ghost tours, bookings are essential. A maximum of 25 persons per tour is required. Group or private bookings are also welcome.

Toowong Cemetery Ghost Tour – The Original details

Toowong Cemetery Ghost Tour – The Other Side details

Photo credit: Ghost Tours Pty Ltd / Facebook

Sizzler in Toowong Isn’t the End of It: Why Collins Foods Keep Shutting Down its Sizzler Branches

After 30 years, Toowong residents got the shock of their lives in November 2016 when Sizzler at Toowong Village released an announcement that it will be closing its doors.

The closure drew mixed reactions. A customer who has been very loyal to the Sizzler branch and has dined there every day for years said, “It’s very sad. It’s fantastic value.” The management also thanked their customers for their patronage over the last three decades.

Collins Foods, owner of Sizzler, released a statement about their decision to shut down the Toowong branch, “We recognise that all employees and management at Sizzler Toowong have worked very hard to make this restaurant a great place for our customers,” a spokeswoman from the company said. Showing their appreciation, the management provided job opportunities for their Toowong employees at other Sizzler branches.

Five months after the Toowong branch closed, Collins Foods announced that it would also shut down its branches at Brookside and in Kogarah. The future of other Sizzler branches are now uncertain, particularly the one in Annerley. Last year, a development application was submitted to the Brisbane City Council for a new fast-food restaurant with a drive-thru at the Annerley site. The application notes that it will retain the KFC in the area, but Sizzler would be removed.

When asked about this, a Sizzler spokeswoman said, “Collins Foods Limited is reviewing the best usage of its Annerley Sizzler restaurant site and is working with Council on this as part of its long-term business planning.”

With all the Sizzler closures that have been happening across Australia, people are starting to wonder if this is the end of the buffet-and-salad bar. Collins Foods addressed people’s qualms by providing reassurance that they have no plans to leave Australia, but made it clear that they are no longer investing in the Australia-based group. Instead, they plan to focus more on their branches all across Asia, which apparently, are booming.

Upon the closure of the recently announced Sizzler branches, Australia will be left with only 16 Sizzlers with 11 branches in Queensland, one in NSW, and the rest in Sydney.

Sizzler has become a familiar sight all over Australia, serving buffet food with a salad bar that has become very popular. However, the excitement for such concept seems to be waning fast with the introduction of more creative food initiatives that are luring more people in by serving a wide variety of innovative, out-of-the-box food selections.

Better food initiatives that are more in tune with today’s market present a death sentence to established restaurants that have gotten stuck in the past and failed to innovate. Future Food’s managing director Francis Loughran said Sizzler was a brand from 30 years ago that stayed there.

“As we finalise our plans any proposed changes would be communicated with our team members and customers,” Sizzler’s spokeswoman said, speaking about the Annerley closure but foreshadowing the company’s position on the rest of the stores.

Can the remaining Sizzlers survive the changing culinary landscape and the vagaries of corporate priorities? It seems clear that Sizzler customers all over Australia will just have to wait and see.

Photo credit: orderinchaos/Wikimedia Commons

Toowong Residents Fight to Save Heritage Homes

Residents in Toowong are standing up against an urban renewal plan by the Brisbane City Council as the development will pose negative impact on the heritage homes nearby.

Dozens of Toowong locals are opposing the plan to build a 4-level, 5-unit complex at 2 Holmes St. Toowong resident Berry Freshney led dozens of locals to go up against the construction plan. They said the development plan would dwarf two heritage homes, on each side of the proposed 850 sqm complex.

There are over 150 objections submitted against the development located in a low to medium density residential zone. Locals are objecting that the proposed apartment complex will be built too close to one of the heritage homes.

Another issue the protesters raised is shortage of parking spaces in case the project pushes through.

Mr Freshney pointed out that parking is already difficult and such a large development would make it even harder to find space to park.

He asserted that the urban renewal plan was not studied meticulously by the city council. He said that the corner of Herbert St and Holmes St is a heritage area and zoned for 2-storey or 3-storey apartments.

The protesters believe that such a type of development will damage the character of the area.

The objection is second of its kind that the BCC has received. It is similar to the opposition being waged by Indooroopilly locals blocking an apartment development on Goldieslie Rd as it would gobble up a heritage-listed residence.

The city council defended the development plan, saying that the area does not fall under a heritage mapped zone. The council reiterates that the area is suitable for low and medium density development even if the houses at 4 Holmes St and 23 Herbert St were considered heritage homes.

Toowong Hit by Untreated Sewage Spill, Also Fears High Flood Risk

Friday’s sudden downpour in Queensland has caused raw sewage to spill into the Brisbane River at Toowong, Lytton, and Eagle Farm, at a rate of 5000 litres per second.

Government officials have inspected the spillages at Coronation Drive, Toowong. According to a statement released by Queensland Urban Utilities, 1.3 megalitres of sewage had poured into the river over a two-hour period.

The Bureau of Meteorology reports a bigger amount of rain near Eagle Farm for Friday night. This has caused the sewer pipes at Eagle Farm to be flooded forcing raw sewage into three locations along the Brisbane River.

A recently discovered electrical fault has also prevented the third pump from functioning properly, contributing to the facility’s inability to prevent the spills.

Residents affected by the sewage spill are upset by the electrical and pumping issues in the Eagle Farm sewage plant. In a region that is seasonally affected by cyclones, such as Cyclone Debbie which is currently hitting the northern part of Queensland, residents have cause for alarm. According to experts, even stronger cyclones may hit the island.

Cyclone Debbie a Bad Omen? Experts Take It as a Sign of More Menacing Cyclones Ahead

As #CycloneDebbie batters the north of Queensland, putting the residents in danger whilst fighting to survive nature’s fury, the whole world awaits for updates on the cyclone. Australian news networks and publications are tirelessly covering one of the most dangerous cyclones to hit the island.

Australia gets hit by roughly 11 cyclones per season, which runs from 1 November to 30 April. However, there has surprisingly only been 5 cyclones recorded and it’s almost the end of March.

The absence of cyclones this season has experts looking for answers, and what they have ominously discovered is that stronger cyclones are coming.

Why Fewer Cyclones are Expected

Professor Kevin Walsh of the University of Melbourne explains how cyclones work as per NewsMail. He said that for cyclones to form, it needs unequivocal atmospheric and ocean conditions. Sadly, the climate change has greatly affected such conditions, causing fewer cyclones around the world.

“Climate change is causing the upper troposphere to heat up even more, and so the atmosphere becomes more stable,” Walsh said.

Good news?

This may be a cause for celebration but for Australia, it seems there is really no reason to celebrate right now. Australia may experience lesser cyclones, but it is believed that the ones that will form are more intense and dangerous.

Walsh further added, “The thermodynamic conditions in the atmosphere are likely to be slightly more favourable for more intense storms. So, the most intense storms are likely to have great wind and storm surge impacts, including a substantial tendency for more rainfall.”

The global climate change is indeed a game-changer, intensifying the natural calamities all over the world.

For the residents of Toowong, Lytton and Eagle Farm, pro-active measures are a must, particularly because of the recent spillage of sewage into the Brisbane River from Eagle Farm. Timely action from the government is needed to eliminate the risk of flooding and the environmental issues that may crop up due to the raw sewage spill into Brisbane’s River system.

Photo credit: orderinchaos/Wikimedia Commons

Toowong War Memorial Repair to Cost $20,000 after Vandalism Incident

After two religious fanatics vandalised the Cross of Sacrifice in Toowong, Brisbane City Council estimates that repairing the war memorial would cost up to $20,000.

On March 1, coinciding with the start of Lent, James Joseph Dowling and Andrew William Paine allegedly removed the metal sword at the war monument and reshaped it into a garden hoe.

The two, who have been linked with the Catholic Worker Movement admitted responsibility for the act and stood firm in saying that the sword being placed on a cross was an “act of blasphemy.”

The two justified their act, saying that they were trying to “repair the damage.” After the incident, Paine posted pictures of the act of removal of the sword on social media. Dowling asserted that the “sword was a desecration of the cross.”

Restoration by Anzac Day

Brisbane City Council Lifestyle and Community Services Chair Matthew Bourke expressed disgust at the action of the two individuals. The council promised the people of Brisbane that they are doing their best to have the monument restored as quickly as possible, hopefully in time for Anzac Day on April 25.

The sword is still in the possession of the police, so the council is working closely with the them to get the sword back so that they can start working on a replacement.

The Cross of Sacrifice monument has stood in Toowong Cemetery since 1924 and has served as a symbol to honour fallen Australian soldiers and the man thought to be the founder of Anzac Day, Danon David Garland.

Toowong Village Bans Helium Balloons

Toowong Village and the other Retail First shopping centres in Queensland are banning helium balloons in their shops. This came after the alarming discovery of a Retail First-branded balloon inside the belly of a dead grey-headed Albatross.

Toowong Village is one of the 20 shopping centres being managed by Retail First Pty Ltd. Retail First said that the “no helium balloon policy” is in response to environmental concerns. The grey-headed Albatross is an endangered species in Australia. The dead bird found dead at Fraser Island was said to have ingested some plastic material from two helium balloons.

Helium balloons are often used for promotional events, but the unfortunate incident served as a wake-up call for people to realise the damaging effects of the activity on biodiversity.

While it has not been confirmed that the helium balloon caused the death of the Albatross, the retail chain expressed that it does not want to contribute in any way to the destruction of such precious species.

Helium balloons are being banned from Retail First’s promo events as well as from individual retail tenants in the shopping centres. The retail chain is in the process of looking for alternatives to helium balloons.

Tangalooma EcoMarines lauded the move by the retail chain and hopes that other businesses and the entire community come to realise the negative impact of helium balloons on the environment.

Toowong – Not the Best Place to Pass Your Driving Test

Taking your driving test in Toowong? Be sure to prepare well as the suburb ranked among the lowest in pass rates in Queensland in 2016.

According to analysis from the Department of Main Roads and Transport, Toowong, along with Rosalie, registered a pass rate of 53%, the lowest pass rate among the test centres in South East Queensland. The pass rate is below the average pass rate of 61 per cent for the entire state.

The data reflect the reaction of many who took their test in Toowong and Rosalie. Over on Reddit, people are describing the challenges of the driving test there.

A Possible Cause?

So what could be the reason behind the low grades for testers in Toowong? Authorities dispels suggestions that driving tests in certain test centres are easier to pass or that some are harsher. They maintain that it all depends on the ability and skills of the driver. They stress that their tests are conducted according to their existing policies.

Still, many who took the Toowong driving test point to the challenges that could surprise some first-time takers. These challenges include coping with the busy traffic and the possibility of being taken to the hilly area of Rosalie.

While there is no railway crossing around the area, the driver will face several stop lights and a lot of busy intersections during the test. The driver will have to navigate through varying speed zones. There is a good chance of driving through the Western Freeway to Moggill Road.

There is no set route for driving tests in Queensland, but with driving tests in Toowong, you can expect to go through the Toowong roundabout, which even some experienced drivers have difficulty navigating.

Despite the relatively low grade for Toowong driving tests, Queensland is still seen as an excellent place to go for passing the test.

Among the driving test centres that took a high mark are at Barcaldine, Blackall and Winton, all of which registered a 100 per cent pass rate from January 2016 to December 2016.

The Toowong Test Centre is located at 15 Lissner Street.