West End Brisbane Archives

Jenna Catchpole Brings ‘Her Flame, My Hands’ Back to West End

Photo Credit: Jenna Catchpole/Ceramic Arts QLD

For ceramic artist Jenna Catchpole, clay is more than a material. It is a thread back to her mother, Jennene, a potter whose influence remains central to Catchpole’s practice and her exhibition, Her Flame, My Hands.

The exhibition returns to Vacant Assembly, 266 Montague Road, West End, from 1 to 13 September 2026. The opening event will be held on Saturday, 5 September, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., with speeches at 3:00 p.m.

A practice shaped by memory

Catchpole grew up around clay, introduced to it by her mother. After Jennene died, ceramics became difficult territory and Catchpole stepped away from the practice. She returned to the wheel in 2013, studying with Ray Cavill at Clayschool Brisbane, and gradually built a body of work that would take her into atmospheric woodfiring.

Her Flame, My Hands emerged from that history. First staged as a solo exhibition in 2025, it began as a response to grief, but the project has since become something broader: an annual reckoning with memory, inheritance and the ways creative habits can outlive the people who first passed them on.

There is no attempt here to tidy grief into a neat conclusion. Catchpole’s work is interested in what remains unresolved — the gestures, instincts and memories that continue to surface long after loss has become part of everyday life.

Fire leaves its own record

Every piece in this year’s exhibition was fired in an Anagama kiln at Middle Pocket in New South Wales. It is a demanding process, with the kiln fed continuously with wood over several days as heat, flame and ash move around the work.

Unlike an electric kiln, where conditions can be closely controlled, an Anagama firing leaves room for chance. Ash settles on surfaces, flames flash across forms and the position of a vessel can alter its colour and texture. Australian Wood Firers United notes that wood-fired kilns can reach temperatures above 1300 degrees Celsius, with the firing itself requiring sustained attention around the clock.

The unpredictability suits Catchpole’s subject. The work enters the kiln made but emerges changed by forces beyond the maker’s control. In Her Flame, My Hands, that physical transformation becomes an understated parallel to grief itself.

A conversation carried forward

Catchpole’s ceramics are marked by carved surfaces, tactile forms and the natural effects of wood ash. Yet the technical skill never overwhelms the personal story. The exhibition’s quiet strength lies in the sense that making has become a conversation between generations.

Jennene’s presence is not represented through literal portraiture or memorial objects. It is there in the material, in the repeated motion of hands shaping clay, and in the decision to return each year to a body of work that refuses to treat remembrance as static.

Her Flame, My Hands is open Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Entry to the opening event is free and all are welcome.

Published 20-Aug-2026

West End Lamborghini Crash Case Committed to District Court

A man charged over a Lamborghini crash on Montague Road that sent two people to hospital has been committed to stand trial in the Brisbane District Court, almost two years after the West End collision.

The 41-year-old appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 18 August, for a committal hearing arising from the 5 October 2024 crash. He is charged with one count of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing grievous bodily harm, an allegation that has not been proven.

The hearing examined evidence surrounding the collision and the condition of the Lamborghini in the days before the crash. Several witnesses gave evidence before Magistrate Ross Mack during the committal hearing.

The accused told police he had lost control of the Lamborghini, according to evidence given at the hearing. The circumstances of the crash and the allegation concerning his manner of driving remain matters for the court.

Investigating officer Senior Constable Deborah McDougall gave evidence about the initial police response and subsequent investigation. She told the hearing the accused had been issued an infringement notice on the day of the collision and that a later review of footage prompted further investigation, which ultimately resulted in the charge.

Altered suspension examined during committal hearing

The court heard evidence about alterations made to the Lamborghini before the collision. A Lamborghini Brisbane employee who had test-driven the vehicle less than a week earlier gave evidence about concerns regarding its altered suspension.

The court also heard there was no evidence those concerns had been communicated to the accused before the collision. The employee’s evidence did not establish that the suspension caused the crash, and no finding about the cause of the collision was made during the committal hearing.

Snr Cst McDougall also gave evidence about the investigation into the vehicle and the circumstances surrounding the crash. The prosecution’s allegation remains unproven and will be determined through the criminal court process.

Case moves from Magistrates Court to District Court

At the conclusion of the hearing, Magistrate Ross Mack formally committed the accused to stand trial in the Brisbane District Court. A trial date was yet to be set when the matter was committed.

A committal hearing does not determine whether an accused person is guilty or not guilty. At this stage of proceedings, the court considers whether there is sufficient evidence for an indictable charge to proceed to a higher court.

No plea was entered at the committal hearing, and the charge remains unproven. The committal itself does not amount to a finding that the alleged offence occurred as alleged.

Published 20-Aug-2026

West End Gets a 12-Seat Japanese Omakase Experience With a $450 Menu

West End is about to claim a rare spot on Australia’s fine-dining map, with a new 12-seat Japanese counter restaurant bringing Michelin-trained craftsmanship, century-old traditions and a $450-per-person menu into one of Brisbane’s most community-driven neighbourhoods.

+81 Sushi Kappo is scheduled to begin service on Thursday, February 5, tucked just off Montague Road in West End, next to the already well-known Aizome Bar.

An Intimate Addition to West End

The arrival of +81 Sushi Kappo marks a significant moment for West End, an area better known for its relaxed cafés and creative culture than ultra-exclusive dining rooms. With only 12 seats available each night, the restaurant introduces kappo-style omakase to the suburb, a traditional Japanese format that places the chef at the centre of the experience.

Each dish is prepared directly in front of guests, creating a quiet, focused exchange between chef and diner that prioritises respect, seasonality and care.

The restaurant is led by Tokyo-trained head chef Ikuo Kobayashi, whose career includes time at some of Japan’s most respected sushi counters, including Michelin-starred Kyubey in Ginza. Drawing on decades of experience, Kobayashi’s approach centres on Edomae-style sushi, a Tokyo tradition that values precise knife work, careful ageing of fish and perfectly balanced rice. His cooking reflects both Japanese discipline and Australia’s changing seasons, using premium local seafood alongside select ingredients sourced from Japan.

The Menu and Experience

The multi-course omakase menu is seafood-focused and shaped by micro-seasons, meaning no two sittings are exactly alike. A signature element is Kobayashi’s sushi rice, enriched with spirulina sourced exclusively from Iceland, chosen for its flavour balance rather than visual impact. Dishes move from lighter preparations to richer courses, with an emphasis on texture, temperature and restraint.

The cost reflects the level of craftsmanship and exclusivity, with menus starting from $450 per guest. According to the source materials, the pricing aligns with international kappo counters rather than mainstream dining, positioning West End alongside global destinations for high-end Japanese cuisine.

Complementing the food is a carefully curated beverage program featuring more than 100 artisanal sake references, rare Japanese whiskies, Champagne and a mix of Australian and international wines. Guests can also choose from rotating beverage pairings designed to follow the rhythm of the menu. After the meal, diners are encouraged to move into the adjoining lounge to continue the evening with whisky or liqueurs, extending the sense of connection built across the counter.

Omotenashi is a Japanese philosophy that means selfless hospitality. It focuses on demonstrating care through simple gestures rather than formalities. Each service is unique, with the chef adjusting the pace and level of attention based on the guests at the counter.

A New Chapter for West End

For West End locals, the restaurant represents more than just another opening. Positioned beside Aizome Bar, itself recognised for bringing Japanese cocktail culture to Brisbane, +81 Sushi Kappo strengthens the suburb’s growing reputation as a destination for thoughtful, independent hospitality.

While access is limited by design, the presence of such a focused dining room adds a new layer to West End’s food story, blending neighbourhood character with international technique.

BOOK A TABLE

Published 14-Jan-2025

Function Well Plans Large Wellness Hub For West End

Photo Credit: Function Well

Function Well plans a four-level wellness hub for West End residents inside the West Village precinct, bringing training, recovery and community spaces together in one site.

A New Wellness Destination For West End

The flagship facility is scheduled to open in April 2026 and will cover about 3000 square metres inside the growing West Village neighbourhood. Information from the brand and local lifestyle publications shows the West End location is designed as a place where people can train, recover and spend time with others without leaving the building.

The hub includes a 24/7 gym floor and five studios for Pilates, yoga and other group sessions. Reports describe the yoga space as heated and immersive, and note that the Pilates studio will include reformer equipment. These features make the facility large in scale and wide in scope for the surrounding community.

Focus On Recovery And Balance

Sources note that the West End site will offer a wide range of recovery services for both active members and people seeking restorative care. Planned rooms include saunas, hot and cold plunge pools, compression therapy areas, private recovery suites and red light therapy.

A dedicated Recovery Cave is described as a recovery space for rest after training. Brand materials outline four pillars, mindset, movement, nutrition and restoration, as the base of the West End project. The goal is to balance high-intensity training with structured recovery routines for a range of health needs.

Everyday Convenience For Local Residents

Function Well states that the hub will serve as more than a fitness venue, with a café set to provide nutrient dense food and drinks for members throughout the day. A Business and Social Lounge is also planned to give people space to work, study or meet neighbours between sessions.

This approach reflects a trend toward health spaces that support daily routines rather than single-purpose visits. Located inside the West Village precinct, the site is likely to attract residents, workers and students seeking a facility that fits busy schedules.

Community Impact And Next Steps

Local lifestyle coverage highlights the project as a significant addition to West End, noting the size of the build and the variety of services planned. Function Well has opened a waitlist for foundation memberships so people can receive updates as construction moves forward.

Pricing has not been released. The range of services indicates a higher-end offering aimed at ongoing community use. The hub will provide locals access to structured fitness, recovery options and social spaces in one location.

Published 08-December-2025

Resilient Kurilpa Leads New Push to Strengthen Flood Readiness in Brisbane’s Inner West

Photo Credit: Queensland Government

Resilient Kurilpa has brought residents together with one clear purpose, to strengthen flood readiness across the Kurilpa Peninsula and help apartment communities understand the risk where they live.

Growing From Local Need

The initiative grew after the February 2022 floods, when high-density buildings in West End and South Brisbane recorded widespread damage. It later received recognition through the 2025 Queensland Resilient Australia Awards for its community-driven work.

19 of 57 apartment buildings were affected. Many residents had limited awareness of their flood risk before the event. Local groups and volunteers formed Resilient Kurilpa to address these gaps by sharing practical information and encouraging connections between neighbours. Their aim focused on simple preparation steps suited to dense urban living.

Tools Built For Apartment Communities

Resilient Kurilpa developed online guides, workshops and planning templates designed for apartment buildings. These resources explained topics such as flood planning for body corporates, steps renters can take and the basics of flood insurance.

The group also created an Apartment Flood Mitigation Plan that helps buildings outline who does what before, during and after a flood. The program delivered learning sessions in person and online to reach as many households as possible.

Inclusion At The Centre

The organisers shaped the project to support a wide mix of residents. They prepared accessible materials for culturally diverse households and people with disability. They also included guidance for renters who often move more often than owner occupiers.

Queensland Health supported the program by providing psychological first aid training, which helped residents learn how to support each other after stressful events. The organisers encouraged a community approach so people felt informed rather than isolated.

Recognition For Community Effort

The work of Resilient Kurilpa was acknowledged through the Community Award at the 2025 Queensland Resilient Australia Awards. Judges noted the focus on simple, practical steps designed by the community for their own neighbourhood.

The project later moved to the national stage as a finalist. Residents involved in the program highlighted how local knowledge and shared tools made preparation easier across apartment buildings.

Published 19-November-2025

Hit West End Show to Pour Free-Flowing Champagne for One Night Only

A risqué West End stage show that arrived last year is now refusing to leave, announcing a landmark season extension that solidifies its place as one of Brisbane’s most enduring live productions.

Putting Down Roots on Boundary Street

The racy and sophisticated production, Blanc de Blanc Encore, has become such a local favourite that it will continue its run at The West End Electric theatre. New dates are now available for booking until February 2026, a remarkably long season for a show of its kind. Producer Jess Copas said the team is thrilled with the overwhelming response from Brisbane audiences.

She noted that the show’s popularity proves how much the city enjoys a cheeky and high-quality cabaret, deciding to stay for the summer party season an easy one. The show’s production company, Strut & Fret, has a global reputation for creating unique circus-cabaret shows, having toured to 25 countries.

A Bubbly Celebration

To celebrate its success, the cast and venue are hosting a special, one-of-a-kind party in honour of World Champagne Day. On Friday, 24 October, a standard ticket to the show will include free-flowing Moët & Chandon. Venue Manager Rachael Hale mentioned that the event will feature unique treats, such as champagne oysters, which substitute traditional vinaigrette with French champagne.

The evening’s festivities will kick off at 5:30 p.m. with the cast sabreing a bottle of champagne. At the end of the night, two guests in their finest “champagne glam” attire will be crowned “Champagne Monarchs,” receiving special prizes.

The Show Behind the Sparkle

Blanc de Blanc Encore offers audiences a night of world-class entertainment that shifts from a classy French lounge to an energetic nightclub. The show is packed with incredible acrobatic talent, great music, big laughs, and plenty of surprises. Its international cast is made up of top-tier circus, theatre, and dance performers.

Many have worked with global music stars like Kylie Minogue and Robbie Williams or have appeared on major stages and television shows across multiple continents. Tickets for the special event and the extended season are selling quickly. The venue is also taking group bookings for Christmas parties.

Published Date 16-October-2025

Queensland Ballet’s Newborn Giants Brings Innovation to Thomas Dixon Centre

Photo Credit: Queensland Ballet/Facebook

A groundbreaking new dance performance is turning heads at Brisbane’s Thomas Dixon Centre, where Queensland Ballet is staging Newborn Giants, a bold and boundary-pushing piece that brings the lived experience of blindness into the heart of choreography.

Reimagining How Dance Can Be Felt

Newborn Giants, running from 31 July to 9 August at the Talbot Theatre, is a 25-minute ensemble work created by Canadian choreographer Robert Binet in collaboration with blind academic and theatre artist Devon Healey.

*Photo Credit: Queensland Ballet/Facebook*

This unique piece explores the intersection of visual and non-visual experiences of movement. Healey contributed voice recordings called Immersive Descriptive Audio (IDA), guiding audiences through the dancers’ physical and emotional states, rather than explaining the steps.

The narration was integrated from the start, not just added later for accessibility, offering a fresh perspective for both blind and sighted viewers. The work challenges traditional notions of dance, providing a new sensory experience that emphasizes sound, emotion, and intention.

A Contemporary Program Built on Risk

Queensland Ballet’s Bespoke season has built a reputation for offering risk-taking, contemporary works that challenge expectations. This year’s lineup includes three world premieres, with Newborn Giants sitting alongside pieces by Amelia Waller and Yolande Brown.

Binet spent five weeks in Brisbane working with 13 dancers from the company. He chose performers across a wide range of ages and styles, aiming to create a sense of diversity in movement. The piece asks dancers to focus on how movement begins in the body, questions like where they feel tension or where a gesture starts, rather than how it looks from the outside.

West End at the Centre of Innovation

The Thomas Dixon Centre, located in Brisbane’s West End, has become a creative hub for Queensland Ballet’s evolving vision. Hosting the Bespoke season in the Talbot Theatre offers audiences an intimate setting to connect with the performers in new ways.

For local audiences, Newborn Giants offers something rarely seen in mainstream ballet: an invitation to slow down and listen closely. It encourages viewers to notice what can’t be seen, making it as much about awareness as it is about movement.

A Different Kind of Access

The show sets a new standard for inclusive art by embedding accessibility into its core, with Healey’s poetic and expressive audio contributions deeply intertwined with the choreography.

buy tickets here

Queensland Ballet’s decision to present this project reflects its commitment to innovative, meaningful dance.

The performance offers a powerful reminder of how art can shift perspectives by telling stories from multiple viewpoints. It highlights the potential for dance to be experienced in new, inclusive ways.

Published 25-July-2025

West End Locals Petition to Keep Free South Brisbane Loop Service

West End residents are expressing frustration over the decision to cut the free South Brisbane Loop that has served as an essential transport option for locals navigating West End and South Brisbane.

Starting in early 2024 as a temporary service, the South Brisbane Loop (Route 86) quickly gained traction among West End’s residents, including retirees and students who relied on the bus to access schools, businesses, and community services.

Council announced recently that the free route, which travels along Montague Road, Vulture Street, and nearby areas, would be cancelled by year’s end. The decision has spurred community outcry, including a petition with over 1,200 signatures requesting the bus be kept.

The Purpose of the South Brisbane Loop

The South Brisbane Loop, which began as a 12-month trial, was extended in early 2024 to provide easy access to the area’s key cultural and entertainment sites. It was introduced to offset some of the disruptions caused by the Brisbane Metro Project, and to encourage locals and tourists alike to use public transport instead of cars.

The bus, easily recognisable with its green and white design, made regular stops at popular sites such as the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), Queensland Theatre, and Davies Park, as well as providing local access to South Bank and Brisbane State High School.

The South Brisbane Loop was intended as a temporary service to help locals build a habit of using public transport while easing traffic congestion. Cr Krista Adams said the route had always been a short-term solution and reported lower ridership than Brisbane’s other free bus loops. Over six months, the South Brisbane Loop reported a patronage of nearly 56,000 riders, whereas other loops, such as the Spring Hill Loop, attracted more than 180,000 riders.

Community Response to the Planned Cancellation

West End resident Jan Wild, who moved to the suburb partly for its public transport access, shared her disappointment, noting that the route had allowed her to rely less on car transport. With Vulture Street’s hilly terrain and an aging spine that makes carrying loads difficult, Ms Wild explained that the bus helped her easily reach essential services and businesses. Many other locals agreed, stating they would face challenges getting around the area without this free service.

Gabba Ward Cr Trina Massey has also expressed support for the continuation of the loop, suggesting that the trial succeeded by meeting the unique needs of West End’s growing population. With projections indicating that South Brisbane’s residential population may double by 2036, Ms Massey argued that reliable and accessible public transport is more critical than ever for the suburb.

Alternative Options and Future Plans

Despite community calls for a permanent free service, the council has decided to end funding. Ms Adams indicated that while the route’s trial was appreciated, its lower patronage made it less viable than other free services. She added that public transport options are still available for residents, such as the City Glider and routes 196 and 199, which run through parts of the inner city, though they don’t fully cover the areas served by Route 86.

A new bus route, 197, is expected to start running soon and will connect South Brisbane and Woolloongabba, but West End will be left out of this coverage.

Meanwhile, additional improvements to the city’s transport network will be rolling out as part of preparations for the 2032 Olympics, including upgrades to public spaces and routes. However, West End residents are concerned that these changes may not directly address their immediate transport needs, especially for those who have come to rely on the free route for daily activities.

Published 14-Nov-2024

New 24/7 Basketball Training Facility Opens in West End

Photo credit: Facebook / Sydney Kings

Great news for summer! Did you know that a new 24/7 basketball training facility is set to open in West End?

Introducing, The Basketball Lab, which is the brainchild of former Sydney Kings development player Jayden Hodgson. The new basketball facility will occupy space on Montague Road in West End and is tentatively set to open on 8 December 2022.

It will offer 24/7 access to its resources including professional-grade shooting bays featuring brand-new Dr Dish shooting machines that can record and track a player’s shooting performance including makes, misses and percentages.

The Basketball Lab also offers access to one-on-one coaching by professional basketball coaches who will help them analyze, evaluate and improve their shooting skills, individual sessions to help overall skill set and performance, and the Player Initiative Program that will provide hoopers with the tools they need to be highly competitive players.

Members will likewise have access to the weight room, lounge and Open gym where a squad could come in and compete in short, fast-paced games against other teams.

Meanwhile, non-members who want to give the facility a try or don’t need regular access can visit The Basketball Lab via a Casual Pass for $30 (Kids Casual Pass = $15). It already covers a one-time entry and access to free courts, shooting bays, shooting machines and any open gym runs being played.

Pricing summary:

Shooting session:
Non-members=$80, Bronze=$80, Silver=$80, Gold=$64
Individual session:
Non-members=$100, Bronze=$100, Silver=$80, Gold=$50
Open Gym:
Non-members=$30, Free for Bronze, Silver and Gold members
Facility access:
Non-members=$30/day, Bronze=$30-$35/pw, Silver=$40-$45/pw, Gold=$50-$55/pw
Shooting machine:
Non-members=$30, Free for Bronze, Silver and Gold members
Weight zone:
Non-members=$30, Free for Bronze, Silver and Gold members
Bring a kid (U12’a Only):
Non-members=$15, Bronze=$10, Silver=$5, Gold=Free (24/7)

The Basketball Lab is located at 4/208 Montague Road, West End. Keep an eye out for more updates by visiting their website and social media.

become a member

Unit 4/208 Montague Rd, West End QLD 4101, Australia

Middle Eastern Restaurant Ehden Bar and Kitchen Debuts in West End

Photo Credit: Ehden Bar & Kitchen West End/Facebook

Craving for some Middle Eastern foods such as hummus or baba ganoush? Head over to Ehden Bar and Kitchen in West End, a new restaurant serving modern Australian cuisine, alongside flavours of the Middle East and the Mediterranean.

Settle in and start off with some roasted cauliflower hummus served with fried chickpeas and cumin or get the refreshing beetroot hummus. Other options include tons of mezze (small plates of savoury snacks) like the pacific oysters, house-made Lebanese sausages, crumbed feta stuffed olives and aioli, and BBQ octopus.

Photo Credit: Ehden Bar & Kitchen West End/Facebook

For mains, the whole grilled chicken is an ideal sharing dish, served with heirloom tomato, cucumber fattoush salad, rustic fries, coleslaw and grilled pita. They also serve freshly shucked oysters best paired with a cocktail or wine from their drinks menu.

Restaurateur Simon Barakat is behind the newest addition to the West End eatery. He also co-owns two of Brisbane’s most celebrated restaurants, The Defiant Duck in Newstead and Il Verde in Fortitude Valley.

Mr Barakat got the name of the restaurant from Ehden, a mountainous town in the northern mountains of Lebanon. It’s surrounded by a stunning forest and refreshed by a breathtaking water stream which bursts off it’s eastern mountain.

“For over 400 years, every summer the people of nearby coastal village of Zgharta leave their homes and migrate to Ehden to enjoy the cooler days, time with loved ones and the beauty of the area. This place is where our story begins,” Ehden Bar & Kitchen posted on their website.

True to its name, Ehden’s function venues are ideal for get-together. The ‘Garden of Ehden’ is an exclusive garden oasis that can seat 60. Those who want to keep it private may opt for The Cellar, an underground bar and dining space. Like The Cellar, the main bar is ideal for hosting a private dining event or stand-up cocktail party.

Ehden Bar and Kitchen is now taking bookings for lunch and dinner. They are located at 400 Montague Rd, West End and opens seven days from 11:30 am until late. They will be closed from 23 December 2019 and will reopen on 3 January 2020 with the normal trade hours. Visit their Facebook page for more information.