The children of Junction Park State School may continue to learn how to cook healthier meals thanks to the donation from Coles West End. The company gave the school $5,000 to support its membership with the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden cooking program for the next three years.
The money will also afford the school to buy a new pizza oven and several kitchen items, cookware and appliances.
Photo Credit: Supplied
Junction Park State School has been in the program for five years but the grant from Coles West End will go a long way. Supporting Year 2 and 3 kids, the program, incorporated in the school’s science classes, teaches children how to prepare and appreciate nutritious dishes.
Photo Credit: Supplied
“We are really excited about the donation from Coles and the long-lasting effect it will have on the development and longevity of our popular Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program,” the school principal Ms Christine Wood said.
Coles West End Store Manager, Tristan Maris, said that they learned about how Junction Park State School created a kitchen garden program as part of the kids’ learning process.
“The kids are really keen to get their hands dirty and experiment with cooking and eating new things, which is something we hope is reflected in their families’ weekly grocery shop when visiting the store,” Mr Maris said. “We believe helping to sustainably feed all Australians, so they can live healthier and happier lives, is a fundamental part of why we do what we do at Coles, and it is exciting to see that in action.”
Coles launched its partnership with the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden cooking program in February 2020 with the aim of making eating healthy second nature to children.
Wishing for more Italian food options? Voglia, a new restaurant specialising in southern comfort food and hand-stretched pizza, is set to open at the Montague Markets and it promises to fill your desire for delicious, authentic Italian dishes.
Voglia, which is Italian for desire or wish, is a concept from Vito and Bradie Mandarano. The partners also run Vito’s Cucina & Bar in Ascot.
Inspired by their relaxing weekends at beautiful restaurants in the Amalfi Coast, the pair is hoping to recreate and deliver that same flavour and feel at their new West End eatery.
Aiming for a full dining experience in a laidback atmosphere, Voglia plans to back old-fashioned hospitality. Once opened, the new Italian foodie spot will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner indoors or via its grab-and-go window.
The husband and wife team thought of incorporating heaps of food choices to suit all tastes — from counter takeaways to gourmet meals enjoyed at the table, to a full-a-la-carte fare for a memorable evening feast.
Vito will be serving his favourite Spaghetti ala Nerano on the menu, which perfectly defines life in the Sorrentine peninsula. The spaghetti is simple yet sophisticated and tasteful. It’s flavoured with onions, chilli, garlic, zucchini, tomatoes, pancetta pangrattato, calamiri fritti and white wine.
But gourmet pizza will be the biggest pull as Voglia has a pizzaiolo from Naples working the magic in the kitchen.
The Mandaranos plan to launch by the end of the month. Follow their Facebook page for updates and trading hours.
Less than a year after it opened on Hoogley Street in West End, the homestyle Italian restaurant and wholesaler CJ’s Secret Pasta Club went into liquidation. But owners Leila Amirparviz and Darcy Adam quickly bounced back, amidst the pandemic, to establish Pasta Club on the other side of the suburb, where everything about their new restaurant gleams with a delightful revival.
Pasta Club carries over the essence of the old eatery with a changing daily menu handwritten by Darcy, depending on what is available in the kitchen.
As with the old restaurant, all ingredients are sourced locally from Australian suppliers.
The dishes are mostly simple Italian favourites that you’d crave for: risotto, house-made focaccia, fresh burrata with salsa verde, choices of pastas like fusilli with prawns and red sauce or spaghetti carbonara.
Stripping the wholesale aspects of their former business, the partners could now fully focus on improving their restaurant.
Pasta Club showcases the creativity and freedom of Leila and Darcy to whip up comfort food and filling meals in the kitchen. If requested, they can also prepare vegan and gluten-free options, as well as a few delicious desserts as a satisfying finish.
Taking over the former home of Flora By Greenhouse Canteen, Leila and Darcy had two weeks to convert the site into a retro-looking eatery, with a vinyl music corner to boot. Here, customers may enjoy their dining experience by playing an LP of their choice — it’s BYO vinyl!
But the restaurant is also BYO vino whilst the owners are waiting to secure a liquor licence.
This place is meant to be a lounging destination, where diners can have a relaxing meal with wine and music, amidst an intimate space.
Booking a table is highly-recommended if dining in, as per government health and safety guidelines. Follow their Instagram page for updates on store hours, new menu and other deals.
We live next door to Pasta Club and have been so excited to see them working hard to get up and running. Finally made it in for dinner last night and had a great time. Everyone’s meal was delicious, pasta was perfect of course and I’m still dreaming of the Crostini. The energy inside is really warm and comfortable too.
Madeleine Lewis, Google Reviews
Exceptionally delicious and authentic house made pasta. Friendly staff, quick service. Reservations recommended Thursday – Sunday.
West End cycling apparel shop Scody Australia has found an innovative way to survive this pandemic crisis with the help of the State Government’s Adaption Grant for businesses.
Since April, Scody Australia has been manufacturing washable face masks to support its 17 workers. Despite the setback of cancelled sporting events like Cycling Queensland, Tour de Brisbane and Brisbane Cycling Fest due to the COVID-19 threat, this new focus is helping heaps of people. Scody workers are engaged and employed, while the face masks are reaching much-needed users, especially in the state of Victoria where the outbreaks have yet to be controlled.
Scody owner Bernard Schreiber said that they decided to shift part of their manufacturing process to face masks since they have the equipment and the materials.
Scoby’s face masks are not specifically for medical or health workers but it can protect from the virus, as well as encourage face mask wearers not to touch their faces. Their designs are a mix of trendy and cute prints for hobbyists and pet lovers.
In the middle of August, Scody had a special visitor, MP Jackie Triad, who wanted to see how the apparel shop has been doing since receiving the business grant.
“I popped in to see local grant recipient, SCODY Australia, and spent the morning with owners Bernard and Suzanne. They’re sports clothing manufacturers based here in West End,” Ms Triad said. “At this tough time, they’ve managed to expand and refine their manufacturing processes – including launching their own range of face-masks that they make in-house, with their local team of workers. There’s been such a high demand for these products, especially from Victorians, and they’ve been a major help to people during this pandemic.”
Photo Credit: Scody Australia
Scody has been in the sporting apparel business for 20 years and has sponsored many cycling events in Queensland. Check out their face mask selections at their online store.
West End State School (WESS) received the keys to its brand new learning centre following the completion of Stage 1 of its $25 million expansion. Principal Kim McNamara received the keys during the handover ceremony on 10 Aug 2020 from South Brisbane MP Jackie Trad.
Representatives of Cox Architects and Hutchinson Builder were also present during the handover. The school community collaborated with these builders for the design and planning of the school’s expansion.
Photo Credit: West End State School Parents and Citizens Association/Facebook
The new learning centre, dubbed the L Block, is a three-storey building with 16 learning spaces, spacious outdoor areas and a new pick-up/drop-off zone.
Ms McNamara said that the completed section will help the school keep the students actively engaged in learning. Both the teachers and the kids have been keenly looking forward to using the facilities by the end of August.
Education MP Grace Grace also congratulated the school community for its new facilities. The construction and completion went ahead and made 100 jobs available to locals despite the threats of the coronavirus.
“This $25 million expansion has given students more room to play and learn,” Ms Grace said. “More than 300 Preppies & Year 1 students will move into the building at the end of August.”
Photo Credit: West End State School/FacebookPhoto Credit: West End State School/Facebook
Meanwhile, the construction of Stage 2 is up next, according to Ms Trad. The project has an estimated 2022 completion.
“Our government will be delivering the Stage 2 Expansion at WESS! This will see the construction of an additional learning centre, administration and library building, Performing Arts Centre and more greenspace,” the MP posted on Facebook. “This is huge news for our school community and something I have worked hard to deliver, alongside parents, staff and students. It’s also a vital investment that will create more Queensland jobs for construction workers and tradies as we unite and recover from COVID-19.”
The school’s expansion is critical to the growing number of enrollees year after year. The state’s Department of Education acquired additional properties adjacent to the old WESS to accommodate the needs of the school community.
Opening a new restaurant in this coronavirus crisis might be seen as going against the headwinds, yet even when the future of the food industry is uncertain, these three new West End eateries are braving the pandemic and welcoming dine-in guests.
Some might say it’s crazy to start a new West End eatery today but that’s exactly what Kulcha’d has done. This restaurant specialising in Amritsar street food opened its brightly coloured doors in the middle of May. Even better? The place is also preparing to open its bar.
Photo Credit: Kulcha’d/Facebook
The restaurant’s opening almost never happened because the owners were nearly stuck in India to study more authentic Amritsar recipes just as countries were considering locking down borders. They got back to Brisbane in the nick of time — minutes after quarantine requirements took effect.
Now operating for almost two months, Kulcha’d has been welcoming a steady stream of patrons. Kulcha is named after Indian stuffed flatbreads with onions, potatoes and other vegetables.
An Italian eatery with a plant-based menu, Nonna’s Nightmare slowly started trading in the middle of May with their delivery and takeaway service. On Friday, July 9, the restaurant will open its first-ever dine-in service.
So, if you’ve got a hankering for cheesy, tomato goodness minus the guilt, check out their sleek shop on Boundary St. Nonna’s Nightmare also has takeaway options (via Uber Eats).
Photo Credit: Nonna’s Nightmare/Facebook
The restaurant’s cheeky name is inspired by the chef’s decision to turn Italian comfort food into 100% plant-based meals.
“Our chef, born and raised in Italy has been cooking pizza, pasta and other traditional Italian dishes most of his life but after making the decision to switch to a plant-based diet he instantly became every Italian Nonna’s Nightmare!”
Address: 215 Montague Road Store Hours and Menu: Check their Facebook Page
Superthing actually opened during the tail end of March and just days before the world shut down because of the virus. But the bakery with the yummy bagels and croissants, and an inviting pastel pink interior, managed to stay in business despite the restrictions and risks.
By mid-April, Superthing restarted baking for pick-up and takeaways. By the time the restrictions were relaxed in Brisbane, the bakery was ready and raring to serve up the customers’ favorites.
Photo Credit: Superthing/Facebook
If you haven’t been by their shop the first time it opened, plan to drop by soon and discover what could be the best new bakery in West End. Superthing doesn’t just serve baked goods and pastries, they also serve classic cafe and all-day breakfast favorites.
In a Facebook post that has since gone viral, Heather Woodcraft, who describes herself as ” spontaneous and curious, stretching the edges of everyday life,” asked people this question: “Do you know the history of the many Boundary Streets around Qld?”
Whilst harmless-sounding, the name “Boundary Streets” on the northern and southern fringes of Brisbane, in Spring Hill and West End, are silent reminders of the “dark times” in Brisbane’s history when racial borders existed in Queensland.
Boundary Streets actually came into existence in an effort to segregate the indigenous Jagera and Turrbal people from British settlers.
PHoto Credit: State Library of Queensland
The settlements had perimeters whose borders marked by a wooden post, called “boundary posts.” These posts mark the edge of town where “non-whites” and “indigenous people” were not allowed to enter on certain days and at certain times of the week.
“It was the boundary of where Indigenous Australians were not allowed to cross after 4:00 p.mm weekdays / Saturdays and not at all on Sundays,” Ms Woodward’s post reads.
“During WWll, this boundary was even applied to the US. African American naval soldiers posted in Brisbane,” she adds.
From Boundary St to Boundless St?
In 2016, Michael Colenso launched a Change.org petition, seeking to change the name “Boundary St” to “Boundless St.”
In his petition, Mr Colenso said that “Brisbane street names are outdated and relate to the oppression of Indigenous persons (Murri people of Jagera and Turrbal nations) who were not permitted to cross Boundary streets after curfew … in the dark history of early Brisbane.”
“Troopers rode the perimeter cracking stock-whips to enforce such tyranny and the persistence of these outdated street names hold the entire city of Brisbane (Meanjin) back from meaningful progression as a city and peoples committed to truthful and respectful harmony.”
The petition had 1,054 supporters and got mixed reactions from people.
” I am not signing this petition,” one post reads.
“Yes, this is a racist part of Australia’s history and that is exactly why it needs to stay. By hiding our racist past as a form of “reconciliation” what we are really doing is hiding it from ourselves. This is exactly like the renaming of Blacktown in Sydney. Australia needs to acknowledge its past, put up signs explaining the horrible history of the two Boundary streets. But do not pretend like they never existed. It is in an insult to all those that were hurt by such policies.”
Others were supportive. “It’s important to redress the history of the name given to the street. West end embodies respect and inclusion. Boundless street is far more reflective of our community.”
Photo Credit: Facebook/Kathy McLeish
Overnight, some signs on West End were “edited” to show the name “Boundless” in an anonymous show of support for the petition.
The Name Remains
Photo Credit: Google Maps
Following the 2016 petition, the matter was brought up to then-Lord Mayor Graham Quirk. However, while there was some merit ascribed to a change of name to consider a more positive vibe, there was also much support to preserving its historical significance, as an acknowledgment of what occurred in Brisbane’s past.
“I really don’t understand the basis of the call for changing the names, or why council would consider it,” Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Curtis Pitt said in a statement released to media at the time.
“The boundaries that ran through Brisbane as a barrier to Indigenous people are a shameful, but a real part of our shared heritage, and to rename the streets would be like trying to rewrite history,” he added, saying that a “true reconciliation” was the only solution.
Archive Beer Boutique is teaming up with some of the best craft beer breweries in Brisbane for a series of intimate beer dinners in West End.
“We’re really excited to be bringing craft beer back to West End with the Archive Beer Boutique intimate beer dinners. We’re teaming up with some of our favourite breweries to bring beer lovers an exciting experience that has definitely been missed during isolation,” General Manager Rick Kay explains.
“We will be following all required procedures to ensure the safety of our customers and team,” he added.
First up is a collaboration with local brewery Green Beacon Brewing and Young Henrys on Friday and Saturday, 29 & 30 May 2020. Excited West Enders eagerly snapped up all the slots for the first two sessions, prompting organisers to add two more sessions to meet demand.
Each dinner includes a drink on arrival and a three-course dinner, paired with carefully curated beers from the selected breweries and a surprise, limited-edition tasting.
Menu for Young Henrys & Green Beacon Brewing Beer Dinner
MENU (Alternate drop)
ENTREE
Chipotle lime barramundi bao
Roast pumpkin, bacon & sage soup with crusty bread
MAIN
Spinach feta chicken roulade on winter smash and broccolini topped with sundried hollandaise
Lamb shoulder pie with winter smash and broccolini
DESSERT
Black forest mousse with chocolate soil and black cherries
Spiced Poached pear with warm custard & nut crumble
Spots are extremely limited with a maximum of 10 guests per session so it’s wise to book fast.
Tickets for the Green Beacon Brewing and Young Henrys dinner are $69 (+BF) and are available here. Stay tuned for future beer dinners and announcing guest breweries on the Archive Beer Boutique event page.
West End’s first grain-to-glass artisan distillery, Brisbane Distillery, has shifted its focus from crafting spirits into manufacturing large quantities of alcohol-based hand sanitisers, to aid in the efforts to combat the spread of the coronavirus in Brisbane.
A number of businesses worldwide have been struggling to survive ever since the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. Luckily for some industries, a little creativity and innovation has allowed them to continue on and adapt for survival.
According to owner and head distiller Jon Artheron, the idea of manufacturing industrial quantities of hand sanitisers came to mind after observing the massive demand for sanitising products, not just for local households but even for healthcare professionals who are constantly in contact with numerous patients who have tested positive for the virus.
“A lot of friends who are doctors have told me that they have run out of sanitising products—this prompted me to investigate how we could repurpose the products and equipment we have here at the distillery,” Jon Atherton said.
Photo Credit: Supplied
Following communications with Queensland’s COVID-19 taskforce, Brisbane Distillery had finally decided to shift its focus from making craft spirits into manufacturing sanitisers.
The distillery also gave its assurance that all frontline healthcare workers will have access to the sanitising products that they are manufacturing, as it is one of the crucial items that are needed in containing the further spread of COVID-19.
Brisbane Distillery’s hand sanitiser can now be ordered for collection at the distillery. Orders can also be placed online, and will be processed in order of priority. The distillery has also assured all frontline healthcare workers that they will have access to the sanitising products that they are manufacturing.
Sanitising products for healthcare workers may be purchased at a discounted rate for its 20-litre units. Discount will be given upon the presentation of a business card or a professional registration on collection.
The general public may purchase the hand sanitisers in 5L, 2L, and 500mL sizes.
Given that all facilities at the distillery are focused on manufacturing hand sanitisers, all upcoming Gin School sessions at Brisbane Distillery have been temporarily suspended.
However, business still continues as you may still browse through the vouchers on Brisbane Distillery’s range of vodka, gin, and agricole rhum. All these are available for purchase online.
A boutique personal training studio has moved to a bigger and better space in West End to accommodate growing demand as the role of exercise as preventive medicine becomes the hottest trend in the fitness industry for 2020.
“Exercise is Medicine” is owning the first spot as the hottest trend in the fitness industry for 2020, according to the inaugural Top 12 Fitness Trends survey conducted by Fitness Australia.
Exercise is Medicine is a global health initiative centred on promoting the inclusion of physical activity assessment as a part of every patient’s visit to the primary care medical professional and other related health care providers, and referring patients to exercise training and professionals
Studio 99 is one particular example of how the fitness industry recognizes the growth in demand as more and more people are becoming health-conscious. Early this year, Studio 99 moved to a more spacious facility at 387 Montague Road in West End to cater to its growing membership.
Photo credit: Studio 99 Fitness / Facebook
Studio 99 recognised that inner-city residential development played a big factor in their rise in membership, particularly from middle-aged clients. Many of its clients have never tried working out but once they become comfortable they eventually moved from one-on-one personal training to group classes.
Photo credit: Studio 99 Fitness / Facebook
The survey also highlighted a trend focusing on the fitness needs of older adults which, in general, have more discretionary money to spend as compared to their younger counterparts. This opens an opportunity for fitness clubs to develop programs that will cater to this particular market, according to Fitness Australia.
“Fitness Australia’s recently commissioned research reveals that Baby Boomers are the most active generation which tells us that they have an increasing desire to be more physically active,” Fitness Australia-CEO, Barrie Elvish explained.
Australia’s Top 12 Fitness Trends for 2020 are:
Exercise is Medicine
Group Training with an Instructor
High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
Employing Registered Exercise Professionals:
Fitness for older adults
Functional fitness training
Exercise for stress management
Body weight training
Training with free-weights
Inclusive fitness
Small group training
Wearable Technology
About Studio 99
Established in 2008, Studio 99 Fitness Centre began as a small boutique personal training facility located at 99 Melbourne Street. Studio 99 has relocated twice since. Their new and large training facility covers over 1000sqm of floor space with bathroom facilities and 30 car parking spaces.
From its humble beginnings, Studio 99 has grown to offer a variety of training programs: Personal Training, 60 group fitness classes, Pilates, Corporate Health Programs, Physiotherapy, Remedial Massage and Exercise Physiology. Their sessions range from the more intense metabolic conditioning, performance lifting and HIIT to the less intense pilates and core sessions.
