The Legacy Way Tunnel, linking Toowong and Kelvin Grove, has generated more than $1 million in donations for Legacy Brisbane through toll contributions since opening ten years ago.
The Legacy Way Tunnel connects the Western Freeway at Toowong with the Inner City Bypass at Kelvin Grove. Beyond reducing congestion and saving drivers time, the tunnel has delivered ongoing financial support for veterans’ families.
Each trip contributes one cent to Legacy Brisbane, and over millions of journeys the initiative has reached a seven-figure total.
Impact on Veteran Families
Legacy Brisbane supports nearly 4,000 family members across Queensland, including widows, partners, and children of veterans.
The funds provide education opportunities, care programs, and personal development support. They also help ease cost-of-living pressures, ensuring families receive practical assistance during difficult times.
Voices From the Community
Transurban representatives said the milestone shows how everyday travel helps achieve lasting community outcomes. Legacy Brisbane leaders explained that the partnership has strengthened their ability to reach more families and expand services.
The funding, they said, ensures long-term social and financial support continues for those impacted by a loved one’s service.
Community Impact
With more than 76 million vehicles having travelled through since opening, the Legacy Way Tunnel has become both a vital transport link and a steady source of funding for veterans’ families.
The $1 million milestone demonstrates how routine daily travel can deliver lasting benefits for the community, ensuring Legacy Brisbane can continue its support well into the future.
In Toowong, a quiet art classroom has given rise to a story now reaching the walls of the State Library of Queensland. Brisbane Boys’ College student Louis Ko, 15, has been named a finalist in theBrisbane Portrait Prize, with his work Dad recognised in the Next Generation category.
What was intended as a birthday gift to his father has grown into a work of public admiration, selected from dozens of entries for its depth and tenderness. The portrait will be part of the Brisbane Portrait Prize exhibition from 20 September to 9 November.
A portrait born from distance and gratitude
Louis’s portrait is painted in acrylic on canvas, measuring 51 by 61 centimetres. The sitter is his father, Eunsung, who has been separated from him by distance but not by devotion. Louis explained to organisers that although he and his father live apart, they remain connected through his education, something his father worked tirelessly to make possible.
He chose to paint his father gazing upward, describing this gesture as a symbol of respect and pride. For Louis, the act of painting became a way to express words that often go unsaid — an acknowledgement of sacrifice, care, and quiet strength carried over the years.
“Though we’re separated by distance, we are connected through my education — something he has worked so hard to make possible,” Louis said. “This portrait is my thank you, a way of showing that I see everything he’s done and that I admire him not just as a dad, but as someone who’s shaped the path I’m walking now.”
Behind the scenes at the State Library
On 12 September, organisers announced that all 77 finalist works across categories had arrived at the State Library in a single five-hour delivery window. Condition checks and preparations are now underway, with opening night scheduled for Friday, 20 September.
The scale of the exhibition reflects the breadth of portraiture in Brisbane, with professionals and students alike contributing works that capture not only faces but also stories.
Louis’s Dad will hang among them, standing alongside works from some of Queensland’s most promising young talents. Visitors will be able to view his portrait in the Next Generation gallery, where the future of Australian portraiture is given its space to shine.
Local pride in Toowong
News of Louis’s achievement was shared proudly by Brisbane Boys’ College, which celebrated his recognition as a reflection of both skill and dedication. The school has encouraged the Toowong community to visit the exhibition, underscoring the importance of supporting young artists as they step into a broader public view.
For Louis, the journey from school art studies to a state exhibition has not only marked an artistic milestone but also enabled him to place his family’s story into a broader conversation. His portrait speaks to love, distance, and gratitude — universal themes expressed through the personal lens of a Toowong teenager with a paintbrush.
Brisbane Boys’ College (BBC) Secondary School chess players are set to compete in the Interschool Chess State Finals following standout performances in the qualifying stage.
The Premier Team, consisting of Austin Chen (Year 11), Daniil Yelkhovsky (Year 11), Martin Chen (Year 7) and Suvan Nag (Year 10), placed second overall. Co-Captain Austin Chen also achieved first place on Board 1, while Suvan Nag took first on Board 3. Their results placed the team among the top schools in Queensland and confirmed their progression to the state competition.
Alongside the Premier Team’s success, BBC’s A Team also delivered a strong performance. The team, made up of Aiden Park (Year 9), Bryan Kang (Year 10), Helitha Muthumuni (Year 12) and Ometh Perera (Year 9), finished third overall. The achievement highlighted the depth of talent within the school’s chess program, which continues to produce consistent results across multiple levels.
Championship Background
The finals are part of the Official Queensland Inter-School Chess Championships, managed by Gardiner Chess. Established in 2002, Gardiner Chess is the longest-running chess organisation in Queensland, providing coaching programs across schools and hosting tournaments for juniors and adults. The championships give students across the state an opportunity to test their skills in a structured competitive setting.
BBC has encouraged the local community to support its chess teams during the GPS Season in Toowong. After completing their GPS fixtures, the players will shift their focus to preparing for the Interschool Chess State Finals, where they will represent their school against Queensland’s best-performing teams.
A remarkable renovation project in Toowong has demonstrated how thoughtful design can breathe new life into a 1930s cottage, creating a modern family sanctuary that respects the neighbourhood’s character.
The project, completed by local architecture firm Alcorn Middleton, has transformed a traditional porch-and-gable cottage into an award-winning family home that accommodates five residents across a compact 455-square-metre site. The renovation took 14 months to design and document, followed by another 14 months of construction, resulting in a 192-square-metre home that maximises every centimetre of available space.
Retaining Toowong’s Character
What sets this renovation apart from many others in Brisbane’s inner west is the architects’ decision to keep the original cottage in place rather than lifting and building underneath. This approach has preserved the home’s street presence while avoiding the common pitfalls of damp, disconnected lower levels that often result from lift-and-fill developments.
The Brisbane-based practice of Joel Alcorn and Chloe Middleton draws on their experiences of other cities to design homes that respect local traditions while challenging conventional approaches. Their solution centres around a newly created courtyard that serves as the heart of the home, providing northern light and breathing space to previously cramped rooms.
The defining feature of the renovation emerged from the clients’ desire to have “a house with a tree in it.” With neighbours positioned close to each boundary, the architects carved away portions of the existing floor plan to create a central courtyard that brings light, air and greenery into the home’s core.
This courtyard connects seamlessly with a generous galley kitchen, where the ceiling height increases dramatically and clever storage solutions create a sense of openness. Warm timber elements throughout the project provide visual continuity and help ground the various spaces within a coherent design framework.
The renovation showcases several innovative approaches to maximising space efficiency. The living and dining areas sit on a slightly lower level, creating opportunities for casual seating on the edge while enhancing views to the swimming pool beyond. Strategic voids in the upper corners capture slices of sky and additional natural light.
The design includes multiple flexible spaces that adapt to changing daily needs. The dining area doubles as a meeting space for the home-working parents, while concealed sliding doors allow rooms to open up or close down as required throughout the day.
A narrow staircase leads to the parents’ private retreat, described as an “eyrie” overlooking the double-height study space. This upper level features a generous bathroom flooded with natural light through an enormous skylight, creating an almost outdoor terrace feel. Fluted glass separates the bathroom from the bedroom, softening transitions while maintaining privacy.
The renovation incorporates numerous sustainable elements, including 14 kilowatts of solar panels, ducted air conditioning, and a Stuv fireplace. The project utilises locally sourced materials where possible, including tallowwood decking and limestone from Australian suppliers.
Recognition and Awards
The project has been recognised in the 2025 Australian Interior Design Awards in the Residential Design category, highlighting its success in bridging heritage and contemporary living in Toowong’s leafy streets.
About the Architects
Alcorn Middleton was established in 2019 by Joel Alcorn and Chloe Middleton, though their collaborative journey began organically in 2013. The practice has gained recognition for their thoughtful approach to suburban renovations, with this Toowong project joining their portfolio of award-winning residential work.
The Toowong Towers project demonstrates that significant improvements to family living can be achieved within existing suburban footprints, offering a sustainable alternative to demolition and reconstruction while respecting the character that makes Brisbane’s inner-west suburbs so desirable.
Parking is often a key part of the shopping experience, and at Toowong Village it has become a topic of discussion among Brisbane locals. The centre’s car park, which serves a busy retail and transport hub, is frequently mentioned in online forums where shoppers share their experiences of navigating its layout.
Some drivers describe the car park’s design as challenging, particularly because of its one-way system. Social media posts note that motorists can feel as though they are being channelled in specific directions, with limited opportunities to loop back if they miss a space. In some cases, this has resulted in drivers unintentionally exiting the car park before they were ready.
Tight Ramps and Narrow Turns
Comments also highlight the ramps between levels, which feature narrow corners that can be difficult to navigate, especially for larger vehicles. A number of drivers have admitted to scraping their cars on tight turns, while others recall moments of confusion at small internal roundabouts and intersections.
Part of a Wider City Conversation
Photo credit: Google Street View
Toowong Village is far from the only shopping centre to generate such feedback. Across Brisbane, drivers often raise concerns about congestion, steep ramps or crowded designs in suburban car parks. These conversations, while informal, point to the ongoing challenge of balancing convenience, safety and space in busy retail precincts.
For regular visitors, Toowong Village remains a convenient shopping and transport destination, with parking experiences varying widely depending on the time of day and individual familiarity with the layout.
As Brisbane continues to grow and redevelop its suburban hubs, parking design is likely to remain a talking point for shoppers and planners alike. For centres like Toowong Village, the way motorists experience car parks can shape not only how people shop, but also how they move through and interact with the surrounding precinct.
A Toowong home that fell victim to a serious termite infestation has successfully found new owners, going under contract after being listed for offers above $850,000.
The three-storey property at 38 Richer Street became an unexpected renovation project when the current owners discovered extensive termite damage during the early stages of their planned improvements. The discovery forced them to partially gut sections of the home to properly address the pest invasion.
Doug Disher Real Estate agent Toby Disher handled the unique sale, presenting the property’s circumstances with refreshing honesty. The listing acknowledged the challenging situation the owners faced when their renovation dreams were derailed by the unwelcome discovery.
After professional pest control specialists dealt with the termite colony and installed appropriate preventative measures, the owners found themselves at a crossroads. They could either continue with extensive repairs and renovations, or pass the opportunity on to someone better equipped to handle such a comprehensive project. An unexpected job offer overseas ultimately helped make their decision.
The architecturally designed home boasts multiple outdoor entertaining areas and living spaces across its three levels. The middle floor features polished timber flooring, while the upper level houses a parents’ retreat. Polished concrete can be found on the ground level.
However, the termite damage was clearly visible in listing photographs, showing sections where decking boards had been removed and interior wall sheeting stripped away during the treatment process. The extensive nature of the infestation required significant intervention to ensure the property was properly remediated.
Despite the obvious challenges, the property attracted considerable attention from potential buyers. The sale includes all renovation materials and fixtures that were originally intended for the owners’ planned improvements. These items comprise bathroom fittings such as basins, mixers, shower components, toilets, mirrors and vanities, plus flooring materials including premium Kwila decking and Gastone Carrara White tiles for floors and walls.
The property sits on a 379-square-metre block with an interesting access arrangement – shared access from Richer Street and 24 metres of frontage along Horrocks Street, potentially allowing for separate private access to be created in the future.
Location-wise, the home enjoys proximity to several prestigious educational institutions. It’s positioned within walking distance of Stuartholme School and falls within the Rainworth State School catchment area. Families also have convenient access to Brisbane Boys’ College and the Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology (QASMT), while The University of Queensland lies less than five kilometres away by road.
The unusual nature of the sale clearly resonated with Brisbane property hunters, with the listing becoming the most-viewed residential property advertisement across Queensland during its first week on the market.
For someone with the right skills and connections, this property represents an opportunity to take on a comprehensive renovation project with many materials already included. The challenge of restoring a termite-damaged home may seem daunting to some, but for buyers with experience in property renovation, it could prove to be a rewarding project with significant potential once complete.
The successful sale demonstrates that even properties with pest history can find appreciative buyers when priced appropriately and marketed with transparency about their condition.
The 2025 Peter Doherty Awards for Excellence in STEM Education have been celebrated in Toowong, recognising students, educators, and schools across Queensland for outstanding contributions to science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Toowong was the centre of recognition for the 22nd annual Peter Doherty Awards, which acknowledged the achievements of Queensland students, teachers, schools and education partners. A total of 28 recipients were named across eight categories, each receiving $5,000 to support future learning, professional development or STEM initiatives.
Photo Credit: QASMT
Queensland Academy Students Among Winners
Three students from the Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology were recognised in the Outstanding Senior STEM Student category. Claire Kong was awarded for her research into human papillomavirus and cervical cancer immunotherapies, with her work presented nationally and internationally. Fellow recipients from the school included Ermia Firouzabadi and Katherine Lu.
Other Student Awardees
Students from across the State were represented among the winners. Crystal Tsao from Brisbane State High School, Deeva Hero from All Saints Anglican School, and Lily Gochee from Cairns State High School were among the 15 recipients recognised for their senior STEM achievements. Awards were also presented to students from Kawana Waters State College, Cannon Hill Anglican College, Gordonvale State High School, and Merrimac State High School.
Special Categories in 2025
The awards extended to additional categories. Brianna Freeman-Robinson from Highfields State Secondary College received recognition as the Outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Senior STEM Student. Rural and remote awards went to Katelyn Worsnop from Charters Towers School of Distance Education and Priya Taylor-Sidhu from Emerald State High School.
Photo Credit: QASMT
Teachers and Support Officers Recognised
Educators were acknowledged for their contribution to STEM learning, including Cassie Day of Rochedale State High School and Wendy Agnew of Indooroopilly State High School. Timothy Bateup from Roma State College received the rural and remote teacher award, while Hilary Maloney from Proserpine State High School was recognised as an Outstanding STEM Support Officer.
Partnerships and School Contributions
The STEM Education Partnership Awards highlighted Boyne Island Environmental Education Centre and The University of Queensland. These organisations were acknowledged for their continued role in advancing STEM opportunities across Queensland schools.
Background to the Awards
The awards, named after Brisbane-born Nobel Prize recipient Professor Peter Doherty, began in 2004 and reached their 22nd year in 2025. The program was launched to highlight innovation and commitment to STEM learning, with past winners going on to lead in areas including immunology, astrophysics, and sustainable technology.
Nominations for the 2026 round of awards will open in Term 1, 2026. Winners are encouraged to use their awards for further study, professional development, and expanded STEM opportunities.
A well-known block in the heart of Toowong has been bought for $9.5 million by a Gold Coast-based developer, sparking local interest about its future, though no development application has been submitted yet.
A Central Toowong Location Draws Developer Interest
Immerse Projects stepped into Brisbane’s apartment market in July with the $9.5 million purchase of a prominent Toowong site. Located at 22–24 Sylvan Road, the 1,760-square-metre block sits beside the Regatta Hotel and stretches across two street frontages.
It’s within walking distance of shops, schools, hospitals, and key public transport links. CBRE said the zoning supports mixed-use development up to 10 storeys without impact assessment. Despite this, no development application has been lodged and plans for the site remain under wraps.
Immerse Projects Expands North from the Gold Coast
Immerse Projects, known for its work on the Gold Coast, has made its first Brisbane land buy with the Toowong site. The company is eyeing a residential project suited to the area, according to CBRE.
Any future development would still require planning approval. CBRE also noted rising demand for inner-city sites and a growing presence of builder-developers like Immerse in Brisbane.
Toowong at the Centre of Renewal
Toowong is already seeing a shift in its urban landscape. In recent years, large parcels such as the Aviary precinct and Monarch Residences have attracted investment interest and major projects. Locals have watched as older retail sites and former industrial blocks are bought up for future housing and mixed-use developments.
The new owner’s interest adds to the suburb’s momentum, though the absence of a formal DA means the community is waiting to see what form the next change may take. For now, the site remains vacant and unchanged, though its potential has clearly caught attention.
What Happens Next?
With no development application lodged, there are no confirmed designs or timelines for the Toowong site. Residents near Sylvan Road and the Regatta Hotel are keeping watch for planning notices or public consultation.
As of early August, Brisbane City Council records show no new applications. Immerse Projects’ plans remain unclear and will depend on future approvals and community input.
Police included Toowong Village in a series of public weapon scanning operations across Queensland, though no weapons or charges were recorded at the site.
Toowong Village was one of several public sites scanned under the expanded provisions of Queensland’s Jack’s Law. The law, named after 17-year-old Jack Beasley, was introduced following his fatal stabbing in Surfers Paradise in 2019. It permits police to use handheld metal detectors to search individuals in public without requiring reasonable suspicion. Initially trialled in designated precincts, the law was later expanded across the state. From April 2023 to June 2025, police scanned over 122,000 individuals and seized more than 1,100 weapons.
Photo Credit: QPS
Wanding Operation Data: Toowong Among Low-Detection Sites
Between January and March 2025, Queensland Police scanned over 12,400 people across various locations including shopping centres, public transport hubs, and nightlife precincts. At Toowong Village, 10 individuals were scanned—seven adults and three juveniles. No weapons were detected, and no charges were laid. Other Brisbane locations, such as Chermside and Westfield Mt Gravatt, recorded multiple detections, in contrast to Toowong.
Overview of Police Powers Under Jack’s Law
The Making Jack’s Law Permanent Act 2025 amended the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000, granting Queensland Police authority to conduct random scans in shopping centres, transport stations, entertainment venues, and other public places. Officers may also seek approval to scan in non-designated locations for up to 12 hours. This shift marks a significant increase in police search powers, removing the prior requirement for reasonable suspicion.
Community and Expert Perspectives
The expanded law has received mixed responses. Some academics and legal experts expressed concern over the low rate of weapon detection and the potential for misuse, noting that only 2.4 per cent of scanned individuals were charged with weapons offences between January and March 2025. Others cautioned that the law may lead to discriminatory practices. Police maintain the primary purpose is deterrence, and that the removal of more than 1,100 weapons under the law indicates success.
Although no weapons were found at Toowong Village, its inclusion in the wanding operation reflects the broader application of Jack’s Law across all public areas in Queensland. The ongoing implementation of these powers suggests continued surveillance in shopping centres and similar venues, with future outcomes dependent on ongoing data and public safety assessments.
Toowong joins a Brisbane-wide community initiative to make blood donation easier, with a mobile donor centre operating from the Wests Bulldog Rugby Club as part of Lifeblood’s plan to gather 10,000 extra donations in the year ahead.
The pop-up blood donor site will take appointments on 18 August 2025 and will remain open through 22 August. The centre will return to the same venue twice more this year—first from 7 to 10 October, and again from 10 to 14 November—giving Toowong residents several opportunities to take part.
By hosting the mobile centre at the rugby club on Sylvan Road, Lifeblood hopes to make donating more convenient for people living and working in Toowong. The move is part of a growing effort to bring essential health services directly into neighbourhood spaces where people already spend time.
These mobile donor sites operate from trusted local venues and are packed up after each scheduled visit, allowing the program to rotate across Greater Brisbane without the need for permanent infrastructure.
According to Lifeblood spokesperson Belinda Smetioukh, the mobile centres are designed to reduce common barriers that prevent people from giving blood. These include travel time, location, and schedule clashes. By meeting people in their own communities, she said Lifeblood can help increase the likelihood of regular donations.
The goal is to collect an extra 10,000 donations over the next 12 months across all participating suburbs. Other locations in the rotation include Mt Gravatt, Mt Ommaney, Springfield, Cleveland, Victoria Point, and Holland Park.
Toowong’s involvement in the initiative is an important step in making donation part of everyday life in the suburbs.
Make a Booking in Toowong
To donate at the Wests Bulldog Rugby Club, residents can book an appointment online at lifeblood.com.au, call 13 14 95, or use the Donate Blood app. Walk-ins may also be accepted, depending on availability, but bookings are encouraged to avoid waiting and help staff prepare for the day.
With demand for blood high year-round, Lifeblood is urging locals to get involved. Each donation can help up to three people, and every appointment adds to a stable supply that hospitals across Queensland depend on.
