At St Therese and St Anthony Parish in Kedron (The Little Flower Church Kedron), parishioners are increasingly turning to Flocknote to stay informed about parish life, sacramental programs and community news. The shift comes as part of a wider rollout of a church communication platform across parishes in the Archdiocese of Brisbane.
Since its introduction in September 2024, many parishes in the archdiocese have been building their digital presence using this communication software. At Kedron, parish staff have reported high levels of uptake among parishioners, with a substantial increase in the number of people receiving digital updates compared with the number of printed newsletters previously produced.
Parish manager Sandra DiFrancesco has noted that thousands of people are now connected through the platform, compared with just a few hundred printed newsletters distributed each week. While paper continues to have a place for some, the digital approach has allowed the parish to reach a larger portion of its community.
In addition to regular parish news and notices, the platform has been used to support sacramental programs. For example, families enrolling for sacraments such as Confirmation can now receive relevant information digitally. Parish staff continue to offer assistance for anyone needing help with the digital system, ensuring it remains accessible to all who wish to use it.
Another practical benefit reported by parish staff is the ability to send last-minute notices. Changes to Mass times or other parish events can be communicated quickly to those signed up, helping parishioners stay informed even when plans shift.
The move towards digital communication has also helped reduce printing costs for the parish and offers a way for parish leaders to access information without reliance on physical records.
About Flocknote
Photo credit: Thomas Vanhaecht/Pexels
The software at the centre of this transition is Flocknote, a communication platform designed specifically for churches. It provides a centralised way for parishes to share newsletters, notices, sacramental information and group updates. The platform emphasises ease of use and privacy, and does not depend on social media or online advertising.
Parishes using the system can send updates by email or text, giving parishioners flexibility in how they receive information. With many parishes across the Archdiocese of Brisbane adopting the platform, it has become an increasingly common way for local Catholic communities to stay connected.
Uptake of the technology has not been limited to younger parishioners. In other Brisbane parishes, some older members have also signed up after learning about the platform through printed parish newsletters.
While the transition has seen some initial questions and concerns from parishioners about online systems, parish staff have worked to provide clarity and support. As a result, participation continued to grow, with hundreds of parishioners now regularly receiving digital updates.
For many in Kedron, the shift to digital communication sits alongside traditional parish life rather than replacing it. By offering another way to connect, St Therese and St Anthony Parish aims to keep parishioners informed and engaged in parish activities, regardless of how they choose to receive their information.
Parents watching their children unwrap e-scooters for use on the flat stretches of the Kedron Brook Bikeway may unknowingly be handing out fines alongside the festive cheer.
The upcoming holiday season has triggered a high-alert status for Queensland authorities. With the popularity of electric mobility devices soaring, officials are concerned that well-meaning gifts will turn into dangerous situations on public paths. The “Know Your eRules” campaign has been rolled out to address this specific issue.
Advertisements are currently running on Spotify and local bus shelters to remind shoppers that these devices are not simple toys. The campaign stresses that buying an e-scooter or e-bike comes with significant legal responsibilities that many families might overlook during the rush of Christmas shopping.
A Deadly Cost
The push for education follows a heartbreaking period on Queensland roads and pathways. Data from the last three years indicates that 18 people have died in e-scooter accidents, with several other fatalities linked to e-bikes. The flat and accessible nature of areas like the Kedron Brook Bikeway makes them attractive spots for new riders, but without proper care, these areas can become accident hotspots.
Joanna Robinson, a senior manager at the Department of Transport and Main Roads, pointed out that hospital emergency rooms are seeing a sharp rise in injuries. She warned that these incidents often happen when the devices are ridden illegally or by children who are too young to handle them safely.
Targeted Hotspots and Connecting Routes
Photo Credit: Supplied
Local families should be aware that police enforcement and safety concerns are not limited to a single trail. The crackdown is expected to impact the entire network connecting to Kedron. The Kedron Brook Bikeway serves as a major artery, linking suburbs like Mitchelton, Stafford, and Grange directly to Nundah and Toombul. Particular attention is being drawn to high-traffic zones such as the busy crossing at Shaw Road in Wavell Heights and the popular Kalinga Park in Wooloowin.
Riders venturing further afield often connect to the North Brisbane Bikeway at Lutwyche for a commute into the city, or head east towards the Jim Soorley Bikeway to reach Nudgee Beach. These interconnected routes, including the path near the Schulz Canal Bridge, are popular weekends spots for families. However, their shared nature means e-scooter riders must be hyper-vigilant of pedestrians and cyclists, especially near major hubs like the Brookside and Toombul shopping precincts.
Parents Face the Fines
Police are shifting their focus from just the riders to the guardians responsible for them. Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler of the Road Policing Group made it clear that supervision is a requirement, not a choice. He explained that if a child is caught breaking the rules on an illegal device, the parents could face penalties. The authorities want to ensure that buying a personal mobility device does not give a child permission to ride wherever they please. Parents are being urged to understand the laws before purchasing these items to avoid enforcement action and to keep other path users safe.
To keep the holidays safe, families are encouraged to visit the government’s StreetSmarts website. This resource helps buyers identify which devices are legal for use in public spaces. Authorities reiterated the non-negotiable rules of the road, which include wearing a helmet, sticking to speed limits, and staying off busy roads. They also highlighted the dangers of distracted riding using mobile phones and riding under the influence. The message is simple: check the rules before hitting the bikeway to prevent a fine or a tragedy.
The ANFE Italian Club has officially completed its move from Newstead to a refurbished former gym in Stafford, ending more than 40 years at Wyandra Street and marking a fresh start for one of the city’s oldest Italian community organisations.
Earlier this year, Brisbane’s ANFE Italian Club finally completed the move it had been working towards, opening a new headquarters in a refurbished gym in Stafford. For a club founded in 1962 to help newly arrived Italian migrants, the shift marks the end of its Newstead era – and the start of a new chapter in Stafford, where membership has surged to more than 1,200 in just a few months.
ANFE – short for Associazione Nazionale Famiglie Emigrati – was established in Brisbane in 1962 by community leader Commendatore Carmelo Caruso at the request of Italy. Its original purpose was practical and urgent: help migrants and their families with paperwork, translation, and the day-to-day challenges of settling in a new country.
Over time, the Brisbane branch evolved into a social and cultural hub, first meeting in temporary venues before acquiring land at 10 Wyandra Street, Newstead. The purpose-built clubhouse there, ANFE House, was officially opened in November 1981 and became a Sunday institution for generations of Italian families.
For more than 40 years, the Newstead building hosted lunches, card games, dances and fundraisers, much of it powered by volunteers and signature dishes such as pasta al ragù and bistecca al piatto.
But as Newstead morphed from a semi-industrial precinct into a forest of apartment blocks, ANFE’s committee found itself battling familiar inner-city problems: scarce parking, rising costs and declining attendance from older members who struggled with access.
By January 2020, members voted to sell the Newstead premises and look for a site in a less congested suburb where the club could remain viable.
Finding a New Home in Stafford
After inspecting multiple properties, the committee settled on a former indoor sport and recreation building – the old Stafford Fitness Centre – on Stafford Road.
In July 2024, ANFE was formally notified that it had to vacate Wyandra Street, bringing more than four decades in that building to a close. A final farewell event was held on 18 August 2024 before the doors were shut for good the following day.
That decision briefly left Queensland’s Italian community without its familiar inner-city clubhouse. For several months, ANFE’s focus shifted to the construction of its new home and fundraising. In 2025, that goal became reality.
The formal opening of the new centre was treated as a milestone not just for ANFE but for Queensland’s wider Italian community. The ceremony underscored how much the club’s story mirrors the broader migrant experience.
Mr David Crisafulli, the grandson of Italian migrants, reflected on how earlier generations had relied on community support when they arrived with little, and described the new ANFE as “a little corner of Italy in the heart of Queensland”, open to all.
For ANFE’s president, Maria Antonietta Maruca, the daughter of the founder, the opening carried particular weight. ANFE’s official history notes that Caruso, who also served as ANFE’s national delegate in Australia, spent decades building structures to support migrants and keep families connected.
Caruso died just days before the opening of the Stafford centre. At the ceremony, Maruca described the new premises as “not just a building, but the future of our community”, and said that although her father was no longer physically present, his influence could be felt throughout the project.
Physically, the Stafford clubhouse remains recognisably an adapted gym: a two-storey building reworked rather than rebuilt, with new landscaping, fresh paintwork and interior changes to carve out dining, function and recreation areas.
Development documents show space allocated for:
a main function and dining hall
a bar and sports lounge
a bocce room
a commercial kitchen with pizza oven
a museum and culture room.
According to current trading information, the restaurant now opens Thursday to Saturday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and on Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with regular trivia nights on Thursdays running through to December 2025.
A dilapidated prewar cottage in Kedron has sold for $975,000 despite needing extensive reconstruction, highlighting the intense competition for character properties in Brisbane’s inner north.
Set on a 437 sqm block on Oliver Street, the two-bedroom cottage is one of only two original homes left on the street — a rarity in an area increasingly dominated by modern rebuilds. The property required major structural work, with a failing roof, ageing foundations and a likely full lift ahead. Its character-protection zoning meant demolition was off the table, narrowing interest to buyers prepared to take on a substantial renovation.
Bidding opened at $700,000 and progressed in careful $5000 increments as three committed bidders edged forward. Eventually, a builder secured the winning bid, recognising the long-term potential despite the labour-intensive restoration required.
McGrath Aspley agent Tony Aspinall later explained that the home remained close to its original condition and carried significant charm beneath its visible deterioration. Its position near one of Kedron’s most desirable pockets reinforced its appeal and helped drive the near-million-dollar result.
The sale reflects a broader trend: renovators and builders continue to chase character homes even when they require total rejuvenation, with buyers prioritising land value and future potential over immediate liveability.
A Kedron household has been forced to invest in security cameras after becoming the target of repeated vandalism that left them feeling unsafe in their own home.
The family’s ordeal began on 31 October when they discovered their vehicle had been damaged whilst out viewing Halloween decorations in the neighbourhood. What initially seemed like an isolated incident soon became a pattern of deliberate attacks that would continue for nearly two weeks.
CCTV footage installed by the concerned residents captured a woman approaching their property on multiple occasions, damaging tyres on vehicles parked in their driveway. The surveillance system, which cost the family more than $200 to purchase and install, proved crucial in identifying the alleged offender.
“Just feels like we’re being watched,” one resident told The Courier-Mail.
The attacks escalated over the fortnight, with the vandal returning to the property several times. On one occasion, multiple tyres across two different vehicles were punctured in a single night. The woman was captured on camera returning days later, and then again in the early hours of the morning.
The ongoing damage has taken both a financial and emotional toll on the household. With replacement tyres costing approximately $120 each, and multiple tyres damaged across their vehicles, the family eventually stopped replacing them whilst waiting for police intervention.
Queensland Police have now charged a 31-year-old Zillmere woman with three counts of wilful damage. She also faces one count each of possessing utensils or pipes and possessing property suspected of having been used in connection with a drug offence.
The accused is scheduled to appear before Brisbane Magistrates Court on 25 November.
The incident has left the Kedron residents shaken, highlighting concerns about property security in the suburban street. The family’s decision to install comprehensive CCTV coverage ultimately provided the evidence needed for police to take action.
With average life expectancy now stretching into the mid-80s, many Australians are realising that the family home—once a symbol of success—can quietly become a source of work and worry.
Nearly three-quarters of over-75s still live in houses larger than they need, while about 30 per cent are considering a move that fits their lifestyle today rather than the one they built decades ago.
Those themes will be be at the heart of Coffee & Conversations on 12 November 2025, where locals can hear about Somerset Indooroopilly—a new village that allows locals to downsize in the area they know and love.
Set beside the Indooroopilly Golf Club, Somerset is a series of light-filled apartments around shared gardens, terraces and a café rather than cul-de-sacs and fences. The aim is to make life simpler without making it smaller.
Designed by Cox Architecture and built by Woollam Constructions, the whole complex is shaped around the concept of rightsizing: a lifestyle that trades maintenance for meaning, routine for connection, and isolation for ease.
The shift speaks to a broader cultural change. Retirement communities are no longer seen as endpoints but as extensions of an active life. Research shows residents in such settings are physically healthier, more socially engaged and report higher overall happiness than those ageing alone. It’s less about giving things up than gaining back time—the chance to travel, volunteer or just enjoy an unhurried morning coffee.
Research shows that residents of well-designed retirement villages are more active, more socially engaged and less likely to need hospital care than peers who continue living alone.
People living in retirement communities can experience a reduction in patterns of hospitalisations, have the potential to reduced need for GP visits, and can stay healthy living independently.
Increasingly, people are choosing communities that give them freedom and flexibility, not just a smaller footprint. In practice, that means more time spent walking, reading, travelling—or simply enjoying a catch-up with friends—without the endless to-do list that comes with a large property.
At Somerset, that philosophy is built into everyday life, capturing that balance through thoughtful design. Apartments open onto gardens and shared terraces; the café hums with conversation; and facilities like the pool, gym, and library encourage activity without pressure.
Each home includes a 24-hour monitored EEVI system for peace of mind, while a Village Manager and Wellness Advisor ensure help is close by but never intrusive. “Knowing the place is managed, looked after and secure—that’s a big factor,” one resident said. “It’s lovely knowing you’re in a safe area, surrounded by good people.”
The community is pet-friendly, the gardens maintained, and the atmosphere quietly sociable. “Moving here gave me freedom,” said another resident. “I can just close the door and go.”
For many, that’s the essence of rightsizing—choosing a space that fits this stage of life as comfortably as the last one did. “When you make the choice sooner rather than later, you give yourself the gift of freedom and the chance to enjoy more of what matters,” Aura Director Mark Taylor said at a recent Somerset event.
And for anyone curious, participating in Coffee & Conversations on 12 November 2025 offers the simplest introduction: a walk through the gardens, a cup of coffee, and a conversation about how less maintenance can make room for more living.
Aura Holdings is a Proud Promotional Partner of Brisbane Suburbs Online News
A teenager has been charged with 15 offences after allegedly fleeing from police on what appeared to be an e-bike but was legally classified as an unregistered electric motorcycle capable of reaching 75 km/h.
The incident occurred on 24 October in the carpark of Mercer Park in Kedron, where the boy allegedly took off after police attempted to intercept him. According to Queensland Police Service, he then rode through the public space at speeds of up to 50 km/h before heading towards the Kedron Brook Bikeway.
Plain clothes officers conducting proactive patrols in the area arrested the teen shortly afterwards. Police seized the vehicle after discovering it could reach speeds of 75 km/h and had a power output of 2040 watts, placing it well outside the legal parameters for an e-bike.
Further investigation allegedly linked the boy to several dangerous driving complaints previously reported by members of the public.
The teenager was dealt with under the Youth Justice Act for offences including three counts each of driving without a licence, driving an uninsured vehicle and operating an unregistered vehicle. He also faces two counts of failing to wear a motorbike helmet and single counts of dangerous operation of a vehicle, unlawful driving of a motorbike on public land, driving without due care and attention, and an evasion offence in company.
The arrest forms part of Operation Xray Stamp, which Stafford Police launched in August following complaints from locals about dangerous riding along the Kedron Brook Bikeway. The operation, initially planned as a short-term initiative, has now been extended until Christmas.
Acting Senior Sergeant Adam Hewton said police are working to address community concerns about the illegal use of high-powered devices on the popular bikeway, which is used by families with young children and elderly residents.
He emphasised that many parents don’t realise the serious consequences associated with these vehicles, drawing a comparison to allowing an unlicenced teenager to drive an unregistered car.
Police officers regularly respond to accidents involving these devices, some resulting in significant injuries or death, according to Acting Senior Sergeant Hewton. He stressed that the enforcement action aims to prevent serious injuries and fatalities rather than stop young people from having fun.
Brisbane audiences are in for a treat this November as When the Wind Blew, a brand-new Australian musical, premieres at Stafford’s Stagehouse Theatre. The production tells a moving story set in the Australian bush, blending themes of family, resilience, and self-discovery, all brought to life by a 22-piece live orchestra and a cast of more than 45 performers.
The musical is the creation of 19-year-old composer and conductor Eli Ball, who is already recognised as one of Australia’s youngest musical innovators. Working alongside award-winning Brisbane playwright Paula Mary-Camilleri, Ball has co-crafted a production that blends original orchestration with heartfelt storytelling. The collaboration between mother and son brings a unique warmth to the stage, reflecting both personal and universal experiences.
Photo credit: Facebook/Whenthewindblewmusical
When the Wind Blew follows Hazel, a young sugar glider paralysed by the fear of her first glide. When a violent storm separates her from the safety of her tree and her family, Hazel must find the bravery to navigate the unknown and return home. The story, set against the backdrop of the Australian bush, explores themes of resilience, change, and the challenges of growing up, while remaining suitable for audiences of all ages.
The production is ambitious in scale. A 22-piece live orchestra accompanies more than 45 performers, including adults and children from Brisbane’s thriving arts community. This combination of youthful energy and professional expertise promises an immersive and unforgettable theatre experience, showcasing the depth of talent available locally.
Produced by Shine Performing Arts Academy, the musical highlights the creativity emerging from Brisbane artists and demonstrates the city’s commitment to nurturing original Australian works. The team behind the production has emphasised the importance of collaboration, with music, storytelling, and performance seamlessly intertwined to create a truly Australian theatrical experience.
Performances are scheduled for 6, 7, and 8 November at Stagehouse Theatre, Stafford (57 Hayward Street). Tickets are available through TryBooking, and the show offers a family-friendly experience that will appeal to children and adults alike.
As Brisbane audiences prepare to welcome Hazel’s story to the stage, When the Wind Blew stands as a testament to local creativity, community spirit, and the power of theatre to inspire courage in the face of uncertainty. For tickets and information, visit trybooking.com.
Kedron State High School students have traded textbooks for bullet trains, scaling the Great Wall of China and practising calligraphy in historic Nanjing as part of the 2025 China Study Tour — a cultural and educational journey aimed at strengthening their language skills, historical knowledge and global awareness.
The study tour brought together students from Kedron State High School and several other Queensland schools on a multi-city educational journey through Beijing, Nanjing and Shanghai.
The group arrived in Beijing after a 13-hour flight and immediately immersed themselves in China’s history with a climb on the Juyongguan section of the Great Wall and a visit to the bustling Qianmen shopping precinct. They also explored the Temple of Heaven and the China Science and Technology Museum before travelling by high-speed train to Nanjing.
In Nanjing, students attended a lecture at Nanjing Normal University focused on the “Chinaisation” of global brands like McDonald’s, exploring how Western companies adapt to local preferences and cultural expectations.
Their stay included traditional activities such as lion dancing, Tai Chi and Chinese calligraphy. They toured historical landmarks including the Zhonghua Gate Fortress and the Nanjing City Wall Museum, sampled local dishes like duck pancakes, and saw pandas at Hongshan Forest Zoo.
Building Bridges Through Language and Culture
The trip aligns with Kedron SHS’s broader focus on international learning and cultural exchange. The school regularly organises study tours and educational visits to expand students’ worldviews and strengthen their language skills.
During this program, students also visited a local high school in Nanjing, participating in collaborative classroom activities with Chinese students. A Mid-Autumn Festival community celebration — where local media interviewed some participants — offered further immersion into cultural traditions and daily life.
In August, the Chinese Consulate-General in Brisbane hosted Kedron students and encouraged them to deepen their Chinese language learning and serve as “ambassadors of friendship” between Australia and China. The trip complemented broader education initiatives in Queensland that support student exchanges and language programs designed to enhance cultural understanding.
Photo Credit: Kedron SHS/Facebook
A Memorable Finish in Shanghai
The tour concluded in Shanghai, where students explored the city’s markets before spending a day at Shanghai Disneyland. The experience, which included walking more than 23,000 steps in one day, was a memorable end to a journey that combined classroom learning with real-world experiences.
By the end of the trip, students had deepened their exposure to Mandarin, Chinese history and culture — experiences that extended their education beyond the classroom and helped them develop a broader global perspective.
Police have charged a 14-year-old Kedron boy after he allegedly fled from officers while riding an unregistered and unlicensed electric motorbike through members of the public and their pets along the Kedron Brook Bikeway.
The incident, which happened on 29 August, occurred during Operation X-ray Stamp, a continuing safety campaign targeting the illegal and dangerous use of e-bikes and electric motorbikes along the popular bikeway and throughout Brisbane’s northside.
Officers allege the teenager attempted to evade police when they tried to intercept him and later drove carelessly through a shared community space. An off-duty officer arrested him soon after. The boy was dealt with under the Youth Justice Act for one count each of driving a motor vehicle without a licence, using an unregistered and uninsured vehicle, obstructing police, and driving without reasonable consideration for others.
The arrest is part of a wider effort by North Brisbane police to tackle unsafe riding of e-bikes, e-scooters and other personal mobility devices along the Kedron Brook Bikeway and in nearby inner-city areas.
During the school holidays, officers from Brisbane City and Fortitude Valley have also been running Operation Fantale, focusing on similar offences involving e-scooters and e-bikes in public spaces. Across both operations, 15 people have been charged with 26 offences, including the detection of dangerous drugs, drug utensils and a knife.
Police have also extended Operation X-ray Stamp to include both visible and covert patrols, as well as education sessions at schools and with parents, aimed at preventing risky behaviour before it leads to injury.
North Brisbane District Superintendent Simon Tayler said too many riders—particularly teenagers—were putting themselves and others at risk by using unregistered or illegally modified e-bikes and scooters.
“It shouldn’t take someone getting seriously injured or dying for riders, or parents of children riding these devices, to start taking safety warnings seriously,” Superintendent Tayler said. “If you are buying a device for your personal use or for your child, you have an obligation to ensure it complies with the law. Ignorance is not an excuse, especially when the safety of others is at risk.”
He said officers would continue to combine education with strong enforcement, including fines, bike seizures and court action where warnings are ignored. “These public spaces are for everyone to enjoy,” he said. “Recklessly endangering the safety of others or yourself by riding unregistered or illegally modified devices is unacceptable.”
Residents in Kedron and nearby suburbs can expect to keep seeing local police patrolling the Kedron Brook Bikeway and other shared paths as the operation continues.
