Don’t keep your kids cooped up at home during this winter school holidays! Take them bowling. Encourage them to learn a new skill. This way, they will be able to make use of their time learning whilst they are on a break from school.
Here are some great activities that you can take your kids to in Aspley and nearby suburbs.
Go out with the whole family, bring a few pals along, and go bowling. The Aspley 10 Pin Bowl is the perfect place to hit some pins and have a little friendly competition amongst friends and family. Who knows? Your kids may even love it and turn it into their sport!
Swimming is a very important life skill. Why don’t you enrol your kids in a swimming class over the holidays? This is a great way to make use of their holiday time!
Relax Yoga is offering a kids, teens, & family yoga class that your kids can join. Immerse yourself in a great mode of exercise that will help encourage their physical development.
For more information about this class, click here.
Address: 65/7 Milburn St, Chermside West QLD, 4032
If you don’t mind the 20-minute travel time, learning magic will be a unique and memorable activity for your kids this break. IThe Queensland Society of Magicians is one of the oldest magic clubs in the world. They teach magic to everyone — from beginners to professional magicians.
The Stargazing Live – Guinness World Record Attempt event has won big as a total of 46,345 people set the new Guinness World Record for the Most People Stargazing across Multiple Sites in a Country.
Photo credit: Facebook/World Record Stargazing
The Guinness World Record attempt happened on 23 May 2018. Around 120 people joined South East Queensland Astronomical Society‘s Bracken Ridge Star Party alone and the official count of people who set the new world record is 46,345 stargazing at one time across over 250 locations around the country.
The Official Guinness World Record Certificates are yet to be given out as thousands of evidence are still being verified by the Guinness World Record. World Record Stargazing has temporarily provided a certificate of participation for those who joined the event.
The Guinness website is not updated with the new record yet. Updates will be live once final verification is complete.
Aspley’s Gympie Arterial Road and Webster Road intersection has been identified as one of the most dangerous intersections in Queensland.
The Gympie Arterial Road and Webster Road intersection ranked sixth on the list with seven crashes and eight serious casualties recorded during the period from 1 July 2014 up to 30 June 2017.
According to crash frequency data from Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ), most of the deadliest intersections in the state are located in the greater Brisbane area, including the Aspley intersection.
RACQ’s Head of Public Policy, Rebecca Michael, is urging politicians to help eliminate these intersection problems through continuous road infrastructure investments in order to make the intersections safer.
The Top 10 Most Dangerous Intersections in Queensland:
Greenbank Road & Mount Lindesay Highway, North Maclean, Logan City
Brunswick Street and McLachlan Street, Fortitude Valley
Gipps Street and Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley
Scottsdale Drive and Stapley Drive/Bayswater Avenue, Varsity Lakes
Pacific Highway On Ramp and Movieworld Access Road, Oxenford
Gympie Road is also notorious when it comes to traffic congestion. In fact, in February of this year RACQ and Brisbane City Council called for a congestion-busting transport corridor to be developed through the bushland. The North West Transport Corridor is a 9km road that runs through the heart of the northside from South Pine Rd to Carseldine. The plan is still to be made final.
Delaware North, an American food service and hospitality company, has acquired Aspley Hotel in a bid to establish its presence in Australia’s gaming and hospitality industry.
The company has been busy with several acquisitions and partnerships whilst looking to expand its operations in Australia and New Zealand. Aside from the Aspley Hotel, Delaware North also bought Shafston Hotel in East Brisbane.
Both of these newly acquired hotels currently house a gaming lounge. Aspley hotel has 40 Electronic Gaming Machines (EGM) and Shafston Hotel has 34 EGMs.
Aspley Hotel Gaming Room Photo credit: aspleyhotel.com.au
According to the managing director of Delaware North, Gary Brown, the company is at the beginning of its growth phase. This phase can help in creating direct and indirect employment opportunities for hospitality and food services workers. This is expected to translate to local and state economic growth, as well as help businesses that are active in hospitality services.
Delaware North’s expansion plans come on the heels of their role as hospitality services provider at the Australian Open in January 2018, where they provided services to around 750,000 people for two weeks.
With operations across four continents worldwide, Delaware North has been ranked as one of the world’s largest privately held companies by Forbes magazine.
Alex Hartmann, a former student of Aspley State High School, is ready to take on his personal goal of beating the national record for the 200m sprint at the Commonwealth Games.
The Commonwealth Games is certainly important for the Rio Olympian as he aims to beat Peter Norman’s 1968 record of 20.06 seconds on the 200m sprint. Hartmann’s hard work on training has paid off as he set a remarkable 20.57 seconds run into a -2.1m headwind claiming his fourth consecutive title on the 200m event. He said that had the wind turned around to be in his favour, it would have resulted in something incredible.
Credit: Facebook/Alex Hartmann
Hartmann’s fourth 200m Australian title is only one title behind Peter Norman’s national record in the event. His latest win in the trials motivated him to give his best run in the coming Commonwealth Games.
Post Rio Olympic Struggles
Hartmann’s Olympic Qualifier at the Nationals in Sydney 2016 Photo credit: http://www.alexhartmann.com.au
Hartmann admittedly said that he had a bit of a mental struggle after his disappointing run in the Rio Olympics last 2016. He said that his inability to meet his expectations crushed him a bit. Luckily, with the help of his supportive team, he was able to re-focus and get over his personal struggles despite taking 12 months of recovery.
Hartmann is definitely in great shape now and is in the right direction to fulfil his goal of making it to the top of the national records in the 200m event. His coach, Travis Venema, believes that with the way he trains, he has the potential to do it, but only time will tell.
Humble Beginnings
“Sprinting always has and always will be my passion.”
Hartmann’s passion for sprinting dates back to when he won his first race in preschool. Throughout his school age, Hartmann was always on the lookout for competitions but was often beaten by kids who had more training from private schools.
Things started to change when he met Travis Venema in 2009. Hartmann was 16 years old when he started training with Venema and after a few months, he was able to outrun the kids who used to defeat him in the previous years.
In his final year as a junior, with only three years of training, Hartmann was able to compete at the national level. On his first run in the Australian Junior National Championships, he placed fourth in the 100m sprint and third in the 200m event. His winnings qualified him to be part of the Australian 4x100m relay team that was competing for the IAAF World Junior Championships.
Hartmann’s winning streak in the 200m events started in 2015. He bagged his first title in Brisbane when he clocked 20.67 seconds on the Commonwealth Games last 29 March 2015.
By 2016, his second winning in the Commonwealth Games’ 200m sprint that has a record of 20.46 seconds earned him a spot in the at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
Despite the unfavourable results of his Olympic run, he managed to defend his title in the 200m event in 2017 and this year, he earned his fourth title with his best run to date.
Hartmann is positive that with the help of all the things he and his coach have been working on, the best is yet to come for the hardworking sprinter.
Event Schedules
Aside from the 200m event, Hartmann is also competing in the Men’s 4 x 100m Relay. Watch as Hartmann try to beat the Australian record for the 200m event in the Commonwealth Games on the following schedules.
Men’s 200m
Tuesday, 10 April 2018
Heat 1 – 1:05 p.m.
Heat 2 – 1:12 p.m.
Heat 3 – 1:19 p.m.
Heat 4 – 1:26 p.m.
Heat 5 – 1:33 p.m.
Heat 6 – 1:40 p.m.
Heat 7 – 1:47 p.m.
Heat 8 – 1:54 p.m.
Heat 9 – 2:01 p.m.
Heat 10 – 2:08 p.m.
Wednesday, 11 April 2018
Semifinal 1 – 8:50 p.m.
Semifinal 2 – 8:58 p.m.
Semifinal 3 – 9:06 p.m.
Thursday, 12 April 2018
Final – 9:56 p.m.
Men’s 4 x 100m Relay
Friday, 13 April 2018
Heat 1 – 11:05 a.m.
Heat 2 – 11:14 a.m.
Heat 3 – 11:23 a.m.
Saturday, 14 April 2018
Final – 2:40 p.m.
All athletics events will be held at the Carrara Stadium Track in Gold Coast. Plan your route to the venue with the help of the official Journey Planner from the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Avegates is Multicap’s social experience network and assisted holiday specialist whose passion is for every individual’s right to connect, build their abilities, and realise their dreams.
The Avegates initiative enables people with disabilities to be part of an exciting social network where individuals can choose adventurous experiences such as holidays, social clubs, special events and sport.
Avegates has whipped up several inclusive events for people of all backgrounds and abilities in the following days.
Ticket includes transport from Aspley. Booking is essential.
Celebrate Neighbour Day at Cold Rock Aspley with a Free Waffle
Photo credit: Cold Rock
Cold Rock Ice Creamery started out in the suburb of Aspley in Queensland in 1996 and for the upcoming Neighbour Day, they are celebrating in Australia’s first Cold Rock store.
Both the #NeighbourDay and world #WaffleDay fall on 25 March and to celebrate, Cold Rock Aspley will be giving away free waffle with the purchase of another waffle.
Take note that this waffle promo is not valid with any other offer and the free waffle is of equivalent or lesser value.
Since 1988, Home Sew in Aspley Hypermarket has been home to people passionate about sewing. Owners James and Erica Enraght-Moony were known not only among adults but children too as they made sure that the skill and enjoyment of sewing is passed on to the youths through their sewing classes for children for the past 30 years.
In what could only be best described as a bittersweet moment, Home Sew had closed its doors early this March as both James and Erica felt that the time has now come for them to both retire.
The couple had been in the sewing machine industry since 1974. Counting more than 40 years of hard work, the couple now looks forward to leisure travelling, studying new things, and most especially of all, spending more time with their 13 grandchildren.
In media interviews, James mentioned that technology and e-commerce had affected their store and made the sewing machine industry dormant for the past years. Nevertheless, he remains proud about the collectible treasures that Home Sew has kept through the years. To date, the store is still home to old sewing machines as nearly as 100 years old and the couple are willing to sell them to interested collectors.
James described his retirement as a roller coaster ride, particularly the part where he needed to say goodbye to his wonderful staff and loyal customers who had been friends through all the years.
His staff were equally sentimental but happy at the same time.
Sharyn Fridolf-Merrin, one of Home Sew’s long time staff said Home Sew had served, helped, and educated people along the way. She bid goodbye to the store by participating in its final dismantling operation. She also expressed her support to both James and Erica.
“I’d like to wish both James and Erica a happy retirement, one that has been well earned, it has been a pleasure to work with and learn from you both over the years! Best wishes for the future!”
Last February, officials from Westpac Aspley personally awarded “Be Uplifted” with a community grant amounting to $10,000. Inspirational stories were shared over morning tea and delightful cakes during the awards ceremony.
Be Uplifted described the moment as a “wonderful honour” and was more than grateful to host the officials at their headquarters at Zillmere. Present at the awards ceremony were two branch managers, one financial manager, and Westpac’s very own regional manager.
Credit: Be Uplifted
“Be Uplifted Inc is so grateful for the generosity of the Westpac Foundation and knows those breast cancer recipients who will benefit from this grant will also appreciate the generosity,” the charity said in a statement.
Since 1999, Westpac Foundation has granted more than $35 million to more than 500 not-for-profit organisations addressing social issues within the community. As much as $10,000 community grants are being awarded to selected community organisations at the grassroots level, particularly those who seek to provide fellow Australians support in education, training, employment, and other needs.
In 2017, Be Uplifted was among the institutions who were listed as a recipient of the grant. The charity was chosen because of its mission to improve the lives of local men, women, and their families who are experiencing difficulty and consequences of breast cancer.
Volunteers at the Be Uplifted headquarters shared with Westpac Aspley officials how they support breast cancer patients and their family through different events and fund raising activities.
Credit: Be Uplifted
The Aspley Op Shop is a good example of an establishment that provides a sustainable source of good quality second-hand clothing and household items at affordable prices. Proceeds from sales at the shop are all donated to patients and their families. It is located at Robinson Rd, at the corner of Wilmah St, just near the Aspley Village Shopping Centre.
My Little Coffee Shop on Robinson Road West, Aspley, has been chosen by the Brisbane City Council to participate in its Reusable Cup Campaign which was launched in November. The cafe is one of four coffee shops that have been chosen on the northside.
Credit: My Little Coffee Shop Facebook
Reusable Cup Campaign involves providing 100 Brisbane cafes with 20 high-quality reusable “KeepCup” coffee cups. These cups will be awarded to loyal customers who regularly buy coffee in single-use cups. These customers are also given a loyalty card which will be stamped each time they use their reusable cups for them to be entitled to a free coffee on their tenth visit.
As one of the participating cafes in the initiative, My Little Coffee Shop has also been included in the list of Responsible Cafes. Responsible Cafes is a movement that aims for cafes to eliminate disposable coffee cups by providing discounts to customers who responsibly bring their takeaway cups with them when buying their drinks. There are more than three billion takeaway cups and lids that are being wasted and most remained unrecycled in Australia. Responsible Cafes aims to change that.
Credit: My Little Coffee Shop Facebook
My Little Coffee Shop is conveniently located just a stone’s away from Aspley Hypermarket. It is frequented by locals because of its homey ambience and relaxing vibe. Patrons can choose from indoor and outdoor seating. The outdoor area is surrounded by white picket fences, decorated with plants, and planted with green grass. The spacious indoor set up, on the other hand, has a white and black theme. Guests have the option to enjoy their coffee while sitting on sofa lounges aside from the usual tables and chairs.
Kids and their fur babies are also welcome at My Little Coffee Shop. There is a kids’ area with some toys to keep the children occupied. Dogs, meanwhile, should remain on leash and should remain outdoors where they are given a communal drinking bowl.
After a short break for Christmas and New Year, the Carseldine Farmers & Artisan Markets, located at 532 Beams Rd is back every Saturday beginning on the 13th of January. This country-style market, which is situated in a transformed old Qut Carseldine Campus just five minutes away from Aspley Hypermarket, is once again ready to welcome its patrons, as well as new stallholders and event performers every Saturdays.
Credit: Carseldine Markets Facebook
At the heart of the Carseldine Farmers & Artisan Markets are local produce from makers, growers, farmers, painters, cooks, chefs, designers, bakers, fishmongers, butchers, baristas and juicers around Queensland.
The market offers something for everyone, including kids and fur babies. Traditional and gourmet food are made on site. Some previous stall owners have been Bagel Boys, Goat Pie Guy, Popcorn Man, and Nom Nom. Food offerings vary from French crepes and German pastries, Vietnamese and Filipino cuisines among others. Children can play on the jumping castle and be entertained with face painting. Dogs can choose from delicious treats and there are even amusing clothes for them available in specialty stalls.
Credit: Carseldine Markets 3
Artistic skills and creative hobbies are also being demonstrated right before people’s eyes at the Carseldine Farmers & Artisan Markets. There are beautifully crafted herb boxes, amazing flower arrangements, hand-made jewellery, recycled furniture, and other vintage art and crafts.
For those interested to be stallholders, the application form and terms and conditions can be found here.
Those who want to showcase their talents as performers are encouraged to apply. All family-friendly acts are welcome at the market. The Carseldine Farmers & Artisan Markets is always looking for talented buskers and performers, from all ages and with all kind of styles. The application form can be found here.
Jesse Cait and Wacey Coats Credit: Carseldine Markets Facebook
