As the sun rises each month, hundreds of men gather at Dale Farm in Fitzgibbon for breakfast, stories and a reminder that resilience often grows through shared experience.

It was a very humid morning as I drove to Fitzgibbon, an interesting local community surrounded by green spaces near Carseldine, to an interesting house and some very interesting people.

Meet Hudson Dale

Hudson Dale is an extraordinary, selfless man. I don’t fully understand how he has developed his amazing monthly men’s breakfast; but what I do know is we need more Hudson Dales on this planet.

Around 200 men gathered for breakfast on Saturday morning in Hudson’s converted barn as the sun rose, kicking off around 6:30am.

The property once flooded badly and tested Hudson’s love of what he calls Dale Farm, a sprawling acreage property among an estate of normal sized blocks.

Quite inexplicable how this enormous block sits within Desert Willow Way – it’s one of many eccentric but brilliant components of Hudson’s life.

A long line up for the great coffee, multiple volunteers cooking bacon, eggs, snags and toast, without fanfare… selflessness on full display.

I was an outsider, my first attendance at a monthly event that I had heard a lot about. In fact, my good friend Andre Moore, the former Bullets star and Denver Nugget, had previously been guest speaker and he had invited me but I couldn’t make it.

A gentleman introduced himself to me — Daniel. He had suffered a major car accident, the type where you spend 18 months in hospital while surgeons rebuild you. After running a very busy surveying business in Katherine, NT, he had recently moved from a wheelchair to walking with the assistance of a four-wheel walker as his rehabilitation unfolded from his new home in North Lakes.

The grace and dignity in this man would inspire anyone who met him. His family (including three kids) will have been through the most terrible journey, but Daniel was magnetic and hopefully, his recovery and continued progress will enable him to flourish.

The men that attended ranged in age from their early 20s to their 70s — business people, people looking for inspiration and company and sports people.

Ian Jacobs, three time world kickboxing champion, who looked in incredible shape, was in attendance.

Isaac Hardman was also in attendance, a young UFC fighter who was about to fight in his next IBC event having knocked out his previous opponent. IBC is a new derivation of MMA in the mould of what T20 is to cricket, a smaller cage so less room to retreat, two minute rounds and no grappling. You can follow Isaac’s career progress here and see his latest victory speech.

Quite a panoply of men who all had a story. Hudson’s off-the-cuff intro was hilarious. The warmth of the welcome was world-class and the main event didn’t disappoint. The main event was Barney Lewis.

Barney Lewis is quite a bloke. His business Legendex is a one stop shop for four wheel drives.

Barney’s 45-minute speech was inspiring, fascinating and didn’t pull any punches. It touched on the rugged story of his life and the rugged territory he had driven through. The theme was resilience, presented to a room of men that appreciated the tough times that life can bring.

He related the amazing story of driving the $1000 Track in Tasmania, known to be a catastrophe for anyone attempting it. Catastrophe, that is, for the vehicles that are designed to withstand the extreme conditions but rarely do. In fact, constantly repairing broken vehicles is the common outcome.

If you haven’t heard of the ‘Thousand Buck Track‘, here’s an insight into it:

He was a fan of the “half-bloke from Ipswich” –- you had to be there to appreciate who he was talking about, but the reference brought the house down.

He brought his big, red fire truck, a great example of a vehicle he has broken over and over and always repaired and made stronger.

A brilliant analogy for his life story.

Barney is a leader who would constantly divert respect and pride for his offsider, Jesse and his son Jackson.

His story covered his rollercoaster business and personal life, which would have resonated with the audience.

Here’s a longer form version of Barney’s business story on a podcast called the Wildcast. The host was also in attendance on Saturday.

The Men’s Breakfast happens every month, graced by men from far and wide that are determined to get up at the crack of dawn to attend an event with a purpose — inspiring resilience but not in a one dimensional way, focused instead on hearing great stories and being amongst a great group of blokes.

Hudson Dale is a force of nature who is quietly building a movement. Whilst his days focus on Commercial Real Estate as a director of Raine and Horne based in Kedron, his curation of the Men’s Breakfast deserves a spotlight.

We really do need more Hudson Dales.

Published 8-March-2026

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Read: New Zillmere Housing Project for First Nation Peoples Commences Construction Soon

The school welcomed nearly 100 students attending Year 7 at its new $1.35 million facilities in February 2022. But on 3 June 2022, the school welcomed His Grace, the Archbishop of Brisbane Mark Coleridge, alongside The Hon Stirling Hinchliffe, the Minister for Tourism, Innovation and Sport, and Member for Sandgate for the blessing and opening ceremonies. 

Holy Spirit College Fitzgibbon Principal Stephan le Roux said that they were inundated with applications from parents within a few months of the announcement of the plans to build a new Catholic school in North Brisbane. He confirmed that enrolments are “fully subscribed until the end of 2025.” 

Two more buildings are due to be completed in the coming years. Wunya, which means “welcome” in the local Turrbal language, will house the administration block. The other building will be called Garrnang, which means “community”. 

The buildings were funded by the Queensland Government and Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE).

The last BCE high school to open in Brisbane was Clairvaux Mackillop College, Upper Mount Gravatt in 1966.  

Executive Director Dr Sally Towns that locals in Fitzgibbon have been looking for a faith-filled co-educational schooling option and BCE recognised the community as a priority growth area. 

Needless to say, the students and staff have been eager to come to school and experience the “innovative approach to education, implementing project-based learning to enhance the teaching of the Australian Curriculum,” according to the principal. 

Read: Sandgate’s Jeays Hardware Celebrates 100th Year In Business

The post Holy Spirit College Fitzgibbon, New Secondary Catholic School in 56 Years, Officially Opens appeared first on Aspley News.

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Stirling Hinchliffe MP announced that Holy Spirit College received $1.3 million in funds from the State Government under the Non-State School Capital Assistance Grants. The money will be used for more construction work on the external infrastructure and to pay for related Council headwork charges.

The new school will consist of several blocks of classrooms in buildings that are one to three floors high. The blocks also have a music and performance hall, a sports centre, a cafe and the campus piazza. 

Some 96 Year 7 co-ed students are expected to attend the school in its inaugural year whilst applications have been opened for the next three years (2023, 2024 and 2025). Enrolments are currently accepted at the school’s temporary office at Unit 2, The Clock Corner 521 Beams Road in Carseldine.

Holy Spirit College will be the 147th school under Brisbane Catholic Education. It was named after the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters who founded Zillmere’s St Flannan’s School in 1953. The congregation has done various ministries in education, pastoral work and health care in north Brisbane.

“At Holy Spirit College, we aim to educate our students with an appreciation of the spiritual as well as the intellectual and physical aspects of their lives. We strive to work with our parents/care​rs to produce young people of faith and character,” Stephan le Roux, the school principal said in a statement on the school’s website.

“We strive to create an environment that puts the student at the centre and where that student supported by dedicated teaching staff and tremendous community spirit.  As a team, we are looking forward to developing further, the learning and teaching opportunities that will engage our students and build our teaching tools to deliver a dynamic and progressive curriculum.” 

Read: Zillmere Property Market: House Median Price Rises to $500,000

For enquires, phone 07 3375 8500 or email the school administration at secondaryfitzgibbon@bne.catholic.edu.au

The post Fitzgibbon Prepares for Opening of New Holy Spirit College in 2022 appeared first on Aspley News.

Brisbane Catholic Education seeks to develop a Catholic High School, on the corner of 441 Beams Road and Carselgrove Avenue, catering to Grade 7-12 students. The 5.76-hectare land was the former site of the Big Easy Golf and Leisure Centre.

BCE is a community of parish and dioscesan Catholic schools operating 141 schools across the Archdiocese. The institution recently opened two Prep schools in Bli Bli and Coomera.

Between 2020 and 2025, Brisbane Catholic Education plans to open six new schools:

• Primary school in Redbank Plains , to open with Prep – Year 3 in 2020
• Three secondary schools: Plainland and Yarrabilba – to open in 2021, Fitzgibbon – to open in 2022 
• Two Prep schools: Flagstone – to open in 2024; Narangba – to open in 2025.

The future high school in Fitzgibbon will feature two-storey classrooms, specialty classrooms, administration, PE/Hall with car park, Learning Centre, Music and Performance, cafe,  tennis court, sports field, campus piazza, and staff parking.

Councilor Amanda Cooper, however, expressed concerns about the proposed development. The applicant, she said, is seeking Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID), which means Council will not be able to assess the plans and will remove the process of letting residents voice their concerns regarding the proposal.

“While I recognise the need, and support the provision for additional educational facilities, I hold serious concerns about the lack of community consultation this development will receive,” Councilor Amanda Cooper said.

“Fast tracking a development of this nature should not occur without adequately addressing the existing issues that are already impacting residents, specifically the Beams Road open level-crossing and the significant lack of commuter parking at Carseldine Train Station. 

“In seeking a MID for this site, it ultimately and unnecessarily removes the ability for Council to review, assess and provide guidance on the impacts that will be experienced by the community. Most importantly, it also removes the right for residents who will be at the forefront of any impact, the ability to express their concerns,” she said.

Parents wanting to express their interest in the new proposed Catholic Secondary School in Fitzgibbon may click on this link to access the form.

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The post Expressions of Interest for New Catholic Secondary School on Beams Road, Fitzgibbon Now Being Accepted appeared first on Aspley News.

The Bracken Ridge Skate Plaza and the newly opened Bracken Ridge BMX Track facility sit right next to the Emily Seebohm Aquatic Centre. These new facilities are perfect for skaters, scooters, and BMX enthusiasts of any age and ability.

The Bracken Ridge Skate Plaza, designed by skatepark designer and builder Convic, boasts of competition standard facility with a range of unique features to cater to the advanced and those who want to develop their skills.

Bracken Ridge Skate Plaza features:

• skate obstacles including ledges, rails, banks, spines and gaps
• transitions including various quarter pipes and roll-ins to enhance usability and flow
• unique structures including a skateable planter box, pole jam and pyramid
• lighting installation to facilitate night time use of the park
• a shelter, seating and trees to provide shade.

It’s great to know, as well, that these facilities are free to use and enjoy. Children of all ages will definitely have lots of fun here riding their three-wheeled scooters, bikes, or skates. With a covered area of 1,000 sqm, it provides plenty of room to move around plus the Emily Seebohm Aquatic Centre nearby to swim and cool down after a day of activities at the plaza.

Read: New World-Class Bracken Ridge Bmx Facility Is Now Open

Now, for those who want a levelled-up kind of fun, there’s the 640-metre Bracken Ridge BMX track to try and test your skills. The BMX facility features:

• an asphalted track with freestyle jumps for recreational riding
• a shade shelter
• installing signage
• landscaping
• lighting
• drinking fountain and rubbish bins
• pedestrian pathway connections to Telegraph Road and the precinct car park

The Bracken Ridge BMX Track is one of the biggest BMX tracks in Australia and it’s open to the public all-year-round. Both the Bracken Ridge Skate Plaza and the BMX Track are fully flood-lit during night time and there is also a large onsite free parking.

Check out the Bracken Ridge Skate Plaza and BMX Track, located at 523 Telegraph Road, Fitzgibbon.

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