Boondall Residents Urged to Watch Out for School Holiday Safety as Police Issue Seasonal Reminder

Boondall families are being urged to stay vigilant over the upcoming school holidays, with Brisbane North police highlighting a spike in property-related offences and urging residents to watch out for vulnerable local schools and playgrounds.



Police Warn of Seasonal Trends

As the end of the school term approaches, officers from the Brisbane North district have issued a reminder to the Boondall community and nearby suburbs about keeping an eye on schools, parks, and residential properties over the holidays. Police say opportunistic offenders often target unattended vehicles, unsecured houses and school grounds during this period of increased activity.

The message comes after recent reports across North Brisbane of vehicles being broken into and items stolen from properties where doors or windows were left unlocked. Police emphasised that most of these incidents could be prevented with simple precautions.

Simple Steps for Better Holiday Security

North Brisbane police are encouraging residents to take straightforward steps to protect themselves and the neighbourhood. These include locking vehicles and houses, removing valuables from sight, and ensuring garage and garden shed doors are secured.

Officers also suggest establishing an informal watch with neighbours and reporting suspicious behaviour to police immediately. They remind locals that even short periods of being away from home or the car can present opportunities for thieves.

Schools and Public Spaces in Focus

While the message is aimed at homes and vehicles, police specifically mention school grounds, playgrounds and recreation areas as locations that can attract unwanted attention when left unattended. As children finish the term and families head off on holidays or late afternoon outings, these spaces can become targets for vandalism or theft if not kept in view.

Parents and carers are asked to be mindful of where bicycles, scooters and sports equipment are stored during the holidays, and to teach young people to respect public and private property.

Community Can Help Prevent Crime

Police stress that local residents are the best eyes and ears in their own streets. Reporting odd activity to 000 if a crime is in progress, or to Policelink on 131 444 for non-urgent matters, can help police respond quickly and prevent further offences.

The seasonal message aligns with ongoing neighbourhood safety efforts and encourages Boondall and neighbouring communities to be proactive about holiday safety and property security.



Published 3-Dec-2025

Operation Xray Nightfury: Zillmere Chase Among Key Arrests in North Brisbane Crackdown

A dramatic backyard chase through Zillmere, in which an alleged offender was found hiding in a toybox, was one of the notable incidents during Operation Xray Nightfury, a weeklong police crackdown that saw 155 people charged across North Brisbane. 


Read: Jewellery Heist Under Police Investigation in Aspley


The arrest, in which a 22-year-old alleged high-risk offender was found hiding in a toybox, took place during the first wave of the operation which is an intensive policing initiative targeting offences of concern across North Brisbane suburbs including Aspley, Zillmere, Virginia, Gaythorne and Bald Hills.

According to the Queensland Police Service (QPS), the operation ran between 17 and 23 November, with detectives, Tactical Crime officers and General Duties teams working together to target burglary, robbery, unlawful motor vehicle use, and assaults. In that seven-day period, officers charged 137 adults with 317 offences, and 18 juveniles with an additional 46 offences.

On 19 November, officers patrolling near Beams Road in Zillmere reportedly identified a wanted 22-year-old Bald Hills man. Police allege he attempted to flee through neighbouring yards before being found hiding in a toybox at a nearby address. 

The man was charged with 46 offences, including three counts of possessing dangerous drugs, two counts of public nuisance, obstruct police, and single counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, stealing, trespass, enter premises and commit, contravene police direction, and interfere with fire apparatus. He was remanded in custody and is scheduled to reappear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on 7 January 2026.

Nightfury’s first deployment was reinforced by the ongoing Operation Xray Grimlock, another initiative targeting late-night property crime and vehicle theft across Brisbane’s northern suburbs.

Photo credit: QPS

Another notable incident on 17 November involved two teenagers arrested after alleged thefts from two businesses on Sandgate Road, Virginia. Police allege the pair stole multiple items and that one teenager threatened a worker with an axe. A 16-year-old McDowall boy and a 15-year-old Wavell Heights boy were each charged with two counts of stealing and one count of armed robbery in company. Both are due to appear in Brisbane Children’s Court on 13 January 2026.

The operation also extended to Gaythorne, where police executed a search warrant on 18 November in an effort to locate an outstanding high-risk offender. Officers allegedly discovered a shortened firearm and 13 rounds of ammunition concealed at a Lade Street property. A 25-year-old Gaythorne man was taken into custody the following day at Ferny Grove. He has since been charged with unlawful possession of a category H weapon and authority required to possess explosives, and is expected to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on 26 November.


Read: Motorcyclist Miraculously Uninjured After Frightening Gympie Road Encounter


Incidents reported during the first wave ranged from Zillmere to Virginia and Gaythorne, reflecting the geographic scope of Nightfury deployments. Acting Superintendent Jon Kent said the coordinated approach has been key to producing immediate results. “Having the ability to coordinate our specialised detectives with our general duties and tactical crime response has made us more active in tackling crime and preventing it proactively,” he said. 

He added: “It’s encouraging to see that Nightfury has enabled us to detect and investigate a wide variety of offences, often yielding immediate results. This initiative will be ongoing in North Brisbane to help the community be safe and feel safe.”

QPS says Nightfury will continue in North Brisbane; further waves of enforcement can be expected in suburbs including Zillmere, Aspley, and Virginia.

Published 3-December-2025

Oprah Winfrey Returns To Brisbane With December Speaking Tour Stop

Brisbane Entertainment Centre will host Oprah Winfrey later this year, giving Queensland audiences a rare chance to hear directly from one of the world’s most recognisable media figures in an intimate live conversation.



Tour Dates and Schedule

The Brisbane event is set for Monday, 8 December 2025, as part of Winfrey’s four-city Australian tour with an additional stop in Auckland, New Zealand. 

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The tour will visit Sydney on 4 December, Adelaide on 6 December, and Melbourne on 11 December. It will then continue to Auckland on 14 December.

What the Event Offers

The event, titled Oprah In Conversation: Presented by Lilly, will feature a moderated discussion. Winfrey will share her reflections on personal growth, resilience, and finding purpose.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The event is described as a chance for audiences to hear her share insights gained from decades of interviews, storytelling, and her own experiences. The format is not a stage production but a live conversation designed to encourage connection and reflection.

Tickets and Pricing

Tickets are sold only through Ticketek. Prices in Brisbane begin at about $134.50, while other cities start from $109. Premium seating and VIP packages are offered. These include priority entry, wellness kits, cocktail receptions, and in some cases a photo with Winfrey.

Venue operators caution against purchasing from resale sites and recommend only using official channels to secure seats.

Community Impact

Winfrey’s appearance is set to draw audiences from Brisbane and surrounding regions, echoing the strong interest that greeted her last visit to Australia more than a decade ago.



Local tourism and hospitality operators anticipate a lift in visitor activity as fans travel to attend. For many in Queensland, the December stop at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre represents a rare opportunity to engage with Winfrey’s message in person.

Updated 1-December-2025

Jewellery Heist Under Police Investigation in Aspley

Police are investigating a jewellery theft at the Aspley Shopping Centre after masked offenders targeted a store inside the complex.



Early-Morning Break-In

Police reported that two masked thieves forced their way into the Aspley Hypermarket at around 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, 29 November. The offenders shattered the centre’s main entrance before breaking open a display cabinet holding jewels, chains, rings and earrings. Officers said the pair took the items and left the scene, and investigators believe a third person acted as a getaway driver.

The incident was captured in footage shared online, which prompted a significant amount of public discussion. The images circulated widely and led to hundreds of comments from locals who reacted to the early-morning smash-and-grab.

 jewellery heist
Photo Credit: Pexels

Background on the Business

The jewellery store forms part of a family-owned company established in 1978 by Giovanni and Maria Antonaglia. Over several decades, the owners travelled internationally to source high-quality items, including innovative jewellery designs and unique gifts, which they introduced to their Australian customers.

The company has since expanded, becoming the parent organisation of Crown Family Jewellers at Westfield Chermside. Their daughters now lead the operations, and the store features an in-house master jeweller who produces custom-made pieces. The family has also engaged in charitable initiatives, and in 2008 Giovanni received a Queen’s Orders of Australia Medal for his contributions.

Aspley Hypermarket
Photo Credit: Pexels

Community Sentiment

Comments online reflected concern about the break-in and support for the affected business. Some people questioned the value of the items taken, noting speculation about whether the pieces were of high worth or lower-cost items. Others expressed frustration at theft-related incidents and sympathy for the store owners, especially given the family’s long presence in the jewellery industry.

Ongoing Investigation



Police are continuing to search for the two masked offenders and the suspected getaway driver linked to the Aspley incident. Inquiries into the jewellery heist remain ongoing.

Published 30-Nov-2025

North Brisbane Area Sports Results – Nov 28-30


Sun, Nov 30, 2025 (Pine Hills Diamond 1) – GBL – Seniors Division 1 – Round 9
• Beenleigh Hawks 2   |   Windsor Royals 14



Sat, 22 & 29 Nov 2025 (Trevor Hohns Field) – Queensland Premier Cricket
Men 1st Grade – Round 8
• Sandgate-Redcliffe Mens 1st Grade 264 & 0-0   |   Sunshine Coast Mens 1st Grade
408

Sat, 22 & 29 Nov 2025 (Baxter Oval) – Queensland Premier Cricket
Men 1st Grade – Round 8
• Ipswich Mens 1st Grade 4-437   |   Toombul Mens 1st Grade 9-324d


Infrastructure Upgrade Funding For Scouts And Guides In Aspley

A funding allocation for Queensland Scouts and Girl Guides will deliver accessibility improvements for the Aspley Scout Den as part of broader upgrades supporting multiple facilities across several communities.



Aspley Works Included In Wider Facility Program

On 20 November 2025, more than $1.7 million was directed toward improvements for 10 local groups linked to Scouts and Girl Guides. This includes six Scout groups, three Girl Guides units and one Scout camp.

Aspley forms part of the program through planned accessibility works for its Scout Den, identified alongside other facility upgrades across Queensland.

Girl Guides Queensland
Photo Credit: Girl Guides Queensland/Facebook

Upgrades Planned Across Multiple Locations

The program includes a refurbishment of the kitchen at the Mount Gravatt Girl Guides Hall and facility upgrades for Girl Guides units in Moggill and the Kenmore District.

Additional works cover improvements to Scout halls in Helensvale and Dayboro, as well as refurbishments for Scouts in Moggill, Karana and Kenmore.
New machinery will also be delivered to Seeonee Park Scout Camp in Rockhampton to support its ongoing activities.

The Aspley Scout Den will receive accessibility-focused improvements aimed at ensuring the facility remains functional, safe and suitable for continued community use.

community facilities
Photo Credit: Girl Guides Queensland/Facebook

Supporting Local Activities And Youth Participation

Scouts and Girl Guides provide structured programs that encourage outdoor engagement, skill development and community involvement. Facilities such as the Aspley Scout Den support regular activities throughout the year, including meetings, camps, skills-based learning and outdoor programs.

The improvements are expected to assist current participants while helping encourage future involvement among young people across the region.

infrastructure upgrades
Photo Credit: Girl Guides Queensland/Facebook

Community Benefits And Next Steps

Communities linked to each upgraded site are expected to benefit from more accessible and better-maintained spaces. These improvements aim to support long-term usage, ensure safe participation environments and sustain ongoing programs.



Once completed, the works across Aspley and the other identified locations will help these groups continue offering activities and experiences for young members.

Published 24-Nov-2025

Plaza Place Launch Marks New Chapter in Carseldine

The next generation of the De Luca family has introduced a new apartment-focused brand through a $65 million residential development in Carseldine.



Family Expansion into Apartments in Carseldine

Fingerprint Property, led by 25-year-old Ben De Luca, has been launched as the group’s new residential arm. He returned to Queensland in April after gaining experience with Melbourne-based Riverlee. The new brand forms part of the broader $250 million Carseldine Village project, which continues to progress under the De Luca family’s development and construction organisation established in 1994.

Fingerprint Property’s debut project, Plaza Place, reached $10 million in sales during its first week on the market. The development is being delivered by Deluca Corporation, which continues its long-running presence in South East Queensland.

Deluca Corporation
Photo Credit: Fingerprint Property

Plaza Place Details and Features

Plaza Place is a $65 million apartment development designed by Architectus, offering 70 two-bedroom apartments ranging from 85 sqm to 100 sqm, with prices starting from $779,000. The design includes shaded balconies, natural ventilation, generous layouts and a rooftop communal area. A landscaped plaza forms the entry, linking the building with the surrounding precinct.

Sustainability features include water and energy efficiency initiatives, an EV-ready basement and a 6-Leaf EnviroDevelopment certification.

Setting Within Carseldine Village

The apartments sit beside The Village, a $45 million retail, health and lifestyle precinct within Carseldine Village. The centre includes an IGA, Jetts Fitness, TH7 Body Labs, Aquatic Achievers Swim School and a range of dining and allied health tenancies.

The wider neighbourhood includes sporting fields, courts, open lawns, playgrounds, walking paths and bushland connected to Cabbage Tree Creek. The Carseldine Markets continue to operate every Saturday, drawing regular attendance.

Plaza Place Carseldine
Photo Credit: Fingerprint Property

Design and Delivery Teams

Architectus has led the architectural and interior design of Plaza Place, creating a building shaped around its natural setting and subtropical climate. Urbis delivered the landscape design across the plaza and communal outdoor areas.

Deluca Corporation is overseeing construction and delivery. Economic Development Queensland shaped the Carseldine Village master plan, integrating housing, retail, sport and bushland within the precinct.

Fingerprint Property
Photo Credit: Fingerprint Property

Community Positioning in Carseldine

Plaza Place aims to provide residents with apartment living connected to services, open spaces and community amenities. Its location beside retail, recreation and nature areas supports a walkable and active lifestyle within the Carseldine Village environment.

Looking Ahead



With Plaza Place now introduced, Fingerprint Property begins its residential portfolio in Carseldine, supported by the development experience of the De Luca family and the continuing evolution of Carseldine Village.

Published 18-Nov-2025

Motorcyclist Miraculously Uninjured After Frightening Gympie Road Encounter

A motorcyclist has spoken out after a frightening encounter on Gympie Road in Aspley left him shaken but miraculously uninjured.



Ruchir Awate was waiting at traffic lights on Gympie Road when a red Mazda allegedly rear-ended his motorcycle without warning on Tuesday evening.

What appeared to initially be a traffic accident quickly escalated into something far more sinister. Footage captured on Mr Awate’s action camera shows the vehicle reversing before allegedly driving directly towards him as he sat on the side of the road after being knocked from his bike.

“I think at one point my legs were under his car and my heart was just beating,” Mr Awate said. “I was thinking, am I – is this it?”

The incident didn’t end there. The driver allegedly attempted to steal Mr Awate’s bag, which had fallen during the collision. The motorcyclist managed to retrieve his belongings by reaching through the car window.

Separate mobile phone footage shows Mr Awate, still wearing his helmet, jumping onto the footpath and moving towards bushes to escape the vehicle.

“I thought, it’s stolen or something, he doesn’t care about the car, he’s gonna go straight into me over the curb into the bush,” Mr Awate explained.

Queensland Police are investigating the incident and have identified a person of interest. Authorities have indicated that the registered owner of the vehicle does not match the description provided by Mr Awate.

Police expect to lay charges soon.

Mr Awate, who captured the entire ordeal on his action camera, expressed hope that the person responsible would be held accountable.

“I really do hope the police can track him down. I hope he understands what he’s done wrong and I hope he gets the charges that are coming,” he said.

The incident occurred in Brisbane’s northern suburbs, with Aspley residents likely to be concerned about road safety following the alleged attack.



Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact Queensland Police.

Published 12-November-2025

Bald Hills School Puts People First in New Junior School Blessing

The St Paul’s School community in Bald Hills has gathered to celebrate a new chapter, officially dedicating its completed Junior School Precinct with a special blessing led by The Most Reverend Jeremy Greaves.



A Celebration of People

While the event marked the completion of new classrooms, speakers emphasised that the school’s strength comes from its people, not just its buildings. Parent speaker Gabe Carson noted that the school’s supportive environment is created by the staff who nurture both students and their families. This focus on community was a central theme of the day, which brought together students, staff, families, and alumni.

Honouring Past and Present

The dedication connected the school’s history with its future. Past student Laura Edwards, a 2008 graduate, gave a speech recalling the warm welcome she received from one of her first teachers, Ms. Marianne Connolly, who continues to teach at the school. Another of the first junior school teachers, Steve Wilkins, also returned for the celebration. The event began with a Welcome to Country by Aunty Kathryn Fisher, followed by a special dance from student Noah Carson and friends.

A New Home for Learning

The new precinct is the final piece of the school-wide “Flourishing Futures Redevelopment” project. This larger project has delivered revitalised, purpose-built classrooms across the campus. The goal was to create learning environments that are flexible and support different learning needs. Junior School students and teachers officially moved into their new, modern classrooms in late August, setting the stage for the formal dedication.



The Official Blessing

The Most Reverend Jeremy Greaves, Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Southern Queensland, led the formal blessing of the new spaces. The ceremony also saw the Chair of the School Council, Daniel O’Connor OAM, present the official plaque. Principal John O’Sullivan Williams was acknowledged for his commitment to the project, as the school continues to look toward its plans.

Published Date 08-November-2025

John Newman Green 3 Officially Opened at Aspley Memorial Bowls Club

Aspley Memorial Bowls Club officially opened its new John Newman Green 3, honouring long-time member John Newman in a ceremony attended by family, officials, and club supporters in Aspley.



Honouring a Long-Time Club Member

The Aspley Memorial Bowls Club hosted the official opening of the John Newman Green 3 on Saturday, recognising the dedication of the late John Newman, who served as a club member for 40 years. The new green was named in his honour to acknowledge his longstanding contribution to the club’s growth and success. Club members, supporters, and the Newman family attended the ceremony to celebrate his legacy.

Aspley Memorials Bowls Club
Photo Credit: Aspley Memorials Bowls Club/Facebook

Ceremony and Community Attendance

The official opening featured the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the occasion. The event was organised by club member Michael Skinner, with photography by Mia Congram. Those in attendance included Jill Newman and family, Brett Wilkie from Bowls Queensland, and representatives from the Moreton Bay District Bowls Association, Geebung RSL, and local organisations. Guests also included former club supporters Amanda Cooper and Councillor Sandy Landers. The event reflected the close ties between the club and the wider community, showcasing the collective effort that supports its continued development.

John Newman Green 3
Photo Credit: Aspley Memorials Bowls Club/Facebook

Modern Facilities and Club Growth

Located at 20 Kookaburra Court in Carseldine, the Aspley Memorial Bowls Club—known locally as “The Friendly Club”—operates three artificial greens, one of which is covered and two fitted with lights. The club caters to players of all ages, encouraging both social and competitive participation. It offers regular playing sessions, barefoot bowls, and community events throughout the year, providing opportunities for both experienced and new bowlers to get involved.

Promoting Health and Connection

Beyond sport, the club acts as a social hub for residents in and around Aspley. It offers venue hire for community functions and family gatherings, supported by volunteers and local sponsors. Upholding family-friendly values, the club operates without gambling facilities and focuses on providing a welcoming space for recreation, connection, and active living.

Looking Ahead



The addition of the John Newman Green 3 marks a major step forward in maintaining high-quality playing surfaces and ensuring the club remains a key part of the community’s sporting life. The development strengthens Aspley’s reputation for supporting local sport and continues the legacy of members like John Newman who contributed decades of service to the club.

Published 6-Nov-2025