Padua College’s next generation didn’t just take the field — they made a statement. After unveiling a First XV featuring 11 debutants to open the 2026 AIC rugby season, Padua has followed it up with a commanding 45-0 win over St Edmund’s in Ipswich, underlining the potential of its reshaped squad.
The result was built on control and discipline. Padua matched St Edmund’s physicality early before pulling away through strong execution, with the young side showing composure beyond its experience level.
The forward pack, a focal point of the pre-season reset, delivered immediately. Hooker Andy Mercer and flanker Will Maitland were influential, helping set the tone through the middle as Padua’s pack began to assert itself.
That group — including Sam Heritage, Mercer, Leon Lane, Max Walsh, Remy Carlaw, Maitland, Diezel Jimmink and Felix Styman-Bailey — combined effectively, with Heritage crossing twice and Lane adding another as the visitors built scoreboard pressure.
By the time rain set in during the second half, the result was already beyond doubt. Padua’s defensive structure held firm, closing out the match with a clean sheet and reinforcing the identity the side is beginning to form.
In the backline, fullback Rueben Smith loomed as a key attacking threat, while captain Will Kreis provided leadership and stability through the centres.
Coach Andrew Clyne pointed to the side’s defensive resolve and energy as defining features of the performance, particularly in the closing stages where the group maintained intensity despite the conditions. He also noted the contribution across the squad, including a strong impact from the bench.
For St Edmund’s, there were bright spots despite the result. Flanker Noah Ingham stood out on debut, making his presence felt at the breakdown and across the field, while lock Joel Rutherford also impressed.
For Padua, the takeaway is clear. A new-look side, tested immediately, has delivered a result that reinforces belief — and sets a platform for what comes next in the 2026 campaign.
The side heads into Round 1 with 11 debutants, signalling a clear transition year as the college leans on emerging talent to begin a new chapter.
Padua’s intake of new players is one of the largest in the competition this season, with the forward pack and backline both undergoing notable change.
Among those stepping into the First XV for the first time are front-rowers Sam Heritage and Andy Mercer, while locks Max Walsh and Remy Carlaw add size to the engine room. The loose forward trio will also feature new combinations, with Will Maitland, Diezel Jimmink, and Felix Styman-Bailey all earning their debuts.
In the halves, Callum Youngson and Lucas Humphrys take on key playmaking roles, with Humphrys continuing a family link to the program as the younger brother of former premiership-winning No.10 Damon Humphrys.
Out wide, Addison Harker and Archie Laloata round out a backline that blends new energy with a smaller group of returning players.
The scale of change points to a fresh start, but also an opportunity. With a large share of the starting side experiencing First XV rugby for the first time, early cohesion will be critical as the season unfolds.
Padua opens its campaign against St Edmund’s, with the new group tasked with quickly finding rhythm in the competitive AIC schoolboy rugby environment. The challenge is immediate, but so is the chance to establish a new identity from the outset.
Martin Wilkie retired from St Anthony’s School in Kedron in Week 2 of Term 2, closing a 44-year career with Brisbane Catholic Education that began in a classroom not unlike the one he sat in as a child, and ended at the helm of one of BCE’s largest primary schools, with almost 700 students and five streams of Prep and Year One.
The scale of the farewell was something he did not entirely see coming. Once he announced his retirement, former students, parents and staff came to him in a steady stream to say what his leadership had meant to them.
“I have truly been humbled by this experience,” Wilkie said.
It is a fitting end for a principal who spent three decades making a point of being visible, present and genuinely invested in the people around him.
From a Dairy Farm to a Classroom
Long before he arrived in Kedron, Wilkie’s journey began on a dairy farm in the Scenic Rim. Life as a schoolboy involved a daily quarter-mile trek to the farm gate before catching a 30-minute bus into Beaudesert, where he attended St Mary’s School from 1966 to 1972.
The bus did not drop Catholic students at their school gate, so there was an extra walk at the end too. None of it deterred him.
His mother had been a teacher before marrying a dairy farmer, and her influence, combined with a clear-eyed sense that farming life was not for him, pointed him toward the classroom. Wilkie eventually traded the farm for the blackboard, returning to his old stomping grounds at St Mary’s to kick off his teaching career. He spent his first six years there before moving through the Brisbane Catholic Education system.
The world he retired from looks almost nothing like the one he entered. In the 1960s, classes of 40 students in a single stream were the norm. Wilkie grew up in an era of single stream classes with 40 students, and now he retires from a busy metropolitan school. At St Anthony’s, he led nearly 700 students, including five streams of Prep and Year One alone.
Thirty Years in the Principal’s Chair
Wilkie’s first principal appointment was at St Elizabeth’s School in Tarragindi, where he also became engaged, married and a father to twin boys in the span of two years. He describes the community’s celebration of every milestone with warmth that has clearly not faded.
An early lesson in the weight of the role came in 1995, when he was appointed Acting Principal at St Elizabeth’s following the sudden death of the principal from a heart attack at his desk. That moment shaped how Wilkie understood the relationship between work and life for the rest of his career.
Photo Credit: Supplied
“I learnt very quickly that there had to be a life outside of work as much as possible,” he said.
He and his wife, also a teacher, raised three children through his years as a principal. He acknowledges missing every one of their first days at school because of his professional responsibilities, but credits a philosophy of putting family first, for his staff as much as for himself, with building the kind of culture that sustained his schools.
“Happy staff equals happy school,” he said. “It doesn’t matter how much social media marketing a school may have, if you have a happy staff, happy families. The school will market itself.”
What He Built at Kedron
Wilkie spent nine years leading St Anthony’s, and his hopes for its future reflect what he worked to build during that time. Wilkie’s nine-year tenure at Kedron was defined by the school’s unique Franciscan identity. He worked closely with the neighbouring Mount Alvernia and Padua Colleges, ensuring St Anthony’s remained a vital part of the local Franciscan Parish.
“We have something incredibly unique here at Kedron with the Franciscan Friars and Missionary Franciscan Sisters still a visible presence in the community,” he said.
His practical advice for the principals who will follow him centres on something he considers non-negotiable: get out of the office. He was in the playground at almost every break and around the school before and after hours throughout his 30 years as a principal, and he argues that visibility is not optional.
“My advice to aspiring principals is not to forget that we are there for the students,” he said. “Sitting in the office in back-to-back meetings or dealing with administrative tasks could always wait.”
For the students he is leaving behind, his parting message is quieter and more personal: be kind, be compassionate, and appreciate the education in front of you.
A New Chapter After 44 Years
Wilkie closes his BCE career knowing the next cyclone, severe thunderstorm or pandemic, the kinds of events that kept him awake through countless nights in the principal role, will no longer demand his presence at school on a Sunday afternoon. He is ready for that.
“Finally, after 30 years, I can just look after my own family,” he said.
For enrolment enquiries or more information about St Anthony’s School Kedron, visit the school’s website at sta.bne.catholic.edu.au or phone the school directly.
Kedron State High School’s Nicholas “Nick” Coupland has earned a place in Queensland’s under-18 lawn bowls team after playing the sport for less than a year, whilst also claiming a silver medal at the state championships representing his local club in Brisbane’s north.
The achievement was recognised in early 2026, following the 2026 Junior State Championships run by Bowls Queensland, where junior players from across the state competed in multiple formats.
Nick has quickly become known within the school community for his progress in lawn bowls. He is also a member of Northern Suburbs Bowls Club in Wavell Heights, where he competes in junior competitions.
Nick’s selection places him among a group of young athletes chosen to represent Queensland in lawn bowls, following performances at sanctioned events and championships.
Northern Suburbs Bowls Club has indicated through its posts that it supports junior development and welcomes new players, with Nick’s progress offering a clear example of how quickly young athletes can move through the ranks when given access to coaching and competition.
According to Bowls Queensland, junior state squads are selected based on results and development within the sport’s competitive structure. His runner-up finish in the under-18 singles event reflects the standard of competition at the state level, where players progress through qualifying rounds before reaching finals.
Nick’s achievement has drawn attention within the Kedron community to junior lawn bowls, a sport that continues to build participation among younger players in Brisbane.
Sancho Taqueria & Tequileria, a New Mexican restaurant opening on Stafford Road in Stafford in early June, is the latest venture from the team behind Farmhouse Kedron and Oh Boy, Bok Choy!, and it is built entirely around a cuisine that most Australians have never encountered, let alone tasted.
It’s easy to confuse New Mexico with Mexico, but they’re not the same, and that distinction sits at the heart of what Amanda Scott is building at Sancho. The landlocked American state sandwiched between Texas and Arizona carries one of the most layered culinary histories in the Western Hemisphere, shaped over centuries by Pueblo Native American traditions, Spanish colonisation, Mexican influence and the American frontier.
The result is a cuisine with its own vocabulary, its own official state question and its own deeply regional soul, and almost none of it has made it to Brisbane until now.
“We’re not doing a Mexican restaurant because it’s on trend,” Scott said. “We’re doing a New Mexican restaurant because it’s part of our family story. Every venue we do has a connection with our family story.”
A Family Connection to Albuquerque and Santa Fe
The connection runs deep. Scott’s father moved to New Mexico as a child and it was there that he fell in love with the Spanish language and culture. Her parents married in Albuquerque and honeymooned in Santa Fe. New Mexican food has been part of the Scott family table for her entire life.
That personal history shapes the entire premise of Sancho. Rather than chasing a dining trend, Scott is translating lived memory into a neighbourhood restaurant, the same instinct that drove Farmhouse Kedron, which has won Restaurant and Catering Australia’s Best Breakfast Restaurant in South East Queensland and consistently features among Brisbane’s most celebrated cafés, and Oh Boy, Bok Choy!, the Southeast Asian kitchen that opened next door on Stafford Road in June 2021.
Sancho will occupy the space previously held by King of the Wings, right alongside Oh Boy, Bok Choy!. It seats approximately 90 people, designed for both drop-in dinners and larger celebrations.
A Cuisine Brisbane Hasn’t Seen Before
New Mexican cuisine traces its roots back to what food historians call the three sisters: the companion planting of corn, beans and squash that formed the backbone of Indigenous American agriculture for thousands of years. Spanish colonisation brought wheat, rice, beef and new cooking techniques that blended with those Indigenous foundations.
An illustration of Maize, climbing beans, and winter squash planted together. Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Cross-pollination with Mexico added further layers over generations. The result has less in common with the Tex-Mex most Australians know than it does with something altogether older and more regional.
The defining ingredient is chile, and New Mexico’s official state question, “Red or green?”, tells you everything about how central it is. Red chiles are fully ripened, dried and pureed into a mellow, earthy sauce. Green chiles are harvested earlier, roasted and chopped into a brighter, spicier sauce. Every meal comes down to that choice, or “Christmas” if you want both.
Scott is working with consultant chef Julius Villamor, formerly of Baja, to shape a taco-driven menu where salsas take centre stage. The Fiesta banquet will open with sopapillas, the hollow, pillow-shaped fried bread that has been a table staple in New Mexican homes and restaurants for generations, traditionally served with honey.
It will close with bizcochitos, the anise and cinnamon shortbread cookies that have held the title of New Mexico’s official state cookie since 1989.
“As far as the menu, tacos will be the main thing,” Scott said. “But our Fiesta banquet will start with sopapillas and will end with an excellent bizcochito.”
Pink, Orange and No Sombreros
The look of the place is as considered as the food. Scott has ruled out the visual clichés entirely.
“There’ll be no sombreros, no chilies hanging from the ceiling,” she said. “The colour scheme I’m going with, the pinks and oranges, reflects the colours of the Sandia Mountains in New Mexico. The sunsets there are spectacular.”
A feature mural in hot pink and tangerine orange will anchor the interior, drawing on the mountain range that frames Albuquerque to the east, one of New Mexico’s most recognisable landscapes. The fit-out is understated beyond that, letting the food and the story do the work.
The drinks list follows the same logic: a focused selection of tequila and mezcal alongside signature cocktails named after New Mexico towns, with a map of the state printed on the back of the menu so drinkers can locate the places that inspired each drink.
Planning Your Visit
Sancho Taqueria & Tequileria is on track to open in early June 2026 at 264 Stafford Road, Stafford, next door to Oh Boy, Bok Choy! Free parking is available at the rear of Stafford Central. Keep an eye on future updates.
Family, friends, and community members gathered at a Kedron church to farewell Stafford MP Jimmy Sullivan, who was found dead at his unit on 9 April at the age of 44.
The Little Flower Catholic Church in Kedron hosted the funeral service yesterday, 22 April. Students from the adjacent Padua College, where Mr Sullivan had attended school and served as school captain in his final year, lined the entrance to the church and helped guide mourners inside.
Mr Sullivan’s brother Daniel described him as essentially three different people: an energetic and ambitious young man, a respected community leader, and a person who struggled with significant personal difficulties in his later years. Daniel said it would be wrong to gloss over that final version of his brother, acknowledging he had battled his demons and that those struggles were the reason the family was together that day, forty years too early. He said the family had been heartened by messages from the community thanking Mr Sullivan for his service.
His best friend Jacob remembered Mr Sullivan as great fun and a seasoned karaoke performer. Others who spoke at the service described him as diligent, trustworthy, empathetic and a confident advocate. Jacob added that while teenagers could often be an unkind bunch, Mr Sullivan had been the antidote.
Mr Sullivan’s mother Trish acknowledged that her son’s journey had not been an easy one and had become complicated in ways that were painful to those closest to him. She said she would remember him from his earlier years, full of potential, while also holding compassion for the struggles he faced later. She described him as someone who was, and remained, a person who mattered.
Mr Sullivan is survived by a daughter who will turn two this year.
Career and community service
Photo credit: Facebook/Jimmy Sullivan MP
Mr Sullivan was a local through and through, having grown up and attended school in the Stafford electorate. His father, Terry Sullivan, had represented the same seat in state parliament from 2001 to 2006.
Before entering parliament, Mr Sullivan worked as a lawyer and judge’s associate in Queensland’s District Court. He went on to work in policy and government roles across Brisbane, Canberra and Washington DC, including a stint in the office of Democratic senator Ron Wyden. He later served as chief of staff to former attorney-general Yvette D’Ath.
He was first elected to the Queensland Legislative Assembly in October 2020 as the Labor member for Stafford, and was appointed Assistant Minister for Justice and Veterans’ Affairs in December 2023 under then-premier Steven Miles.
He was re-elected in 2024, holding his seat despite a 5.5 per cent swing against him. He was placed on leave to attend to medical and legal issues before being disendorsed by Labor in May 2025. No charges were ever laid in relation to an alleged domestic incident that occurred after the election. He moved to the crossbench as an independent and continued to represent Stafford until his death.
In his first address to parliament as an independent, Mr Sullivan spoke openly about his mental health, telling MPs he had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder connected to the death of his first daughter. He said he had spiralled, recognised it, and sought healthcare.
By-election set for 16 May
Mr Sullivan’s death has triggered a by-election for the seat of Stafford, to be held on 16 May. Premier David Crisafulli confirmed that Governor Jeanette Young had issued the writs, formally launching the campaign. Mr Crisafulli said it was vital the community have representation ahead of the June state budget.
The electorate, which takes in Brisbane’s northern suburbs including Stafford, Chermside, and Kedron, has been won by Labor in nine of the past ten elections. Neither major party had confirmed a candidate at the time of publication.
If this story has raised concerns for you or someone you know, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
A Lutwyche-based rescue group, formerly a cat cafe, shared an appeal that led to a new home for an elderly cat left alone in an Aspley house after her owner passed away.
A social media appeal shared by Cat Cuddle Cafe Brisbane in Lutwyche described the situation of Penny, a 17-year-old cat who was left on her own following the death of her elderly owner. While their physical cafe closed in 2022, Cat Cuddle Cafe continues to operate and raise funds through its online shop.
Penny had been living in the Aspley rental property for close to a month while the home was being cleared.
Photo credit: Facebook/Cat Cuddle Cafe Brisbane
The situation was brought to the cafe’s attention by a neighbour, Emily, who reached out in early April in the hope of finding the shy cat a safe place to go. In her message, Emily said Penny was affectionate towards her owner, who referred to her as his “lucky Penny.”
Penny has been described as a very shy cat, fearful of unfamiliar people and prone to hiding. With unfamiliar visitors coming in and out of the home, Penny remained frightened and largely out of sight. Emily and her husband visited daily to feed her, but the cat would only come out when the house was quiet to eat and use her litter tray.
Emily also noted that Penny, a former rescue cat, had not lived with other pets or children to her knowledge. She said a calm, quiet household where Penny could be the only animal would likely suit her best, adding that she was concerned the cat’s age and temperament might make it difficult to find the right home.
The post received a strong response online, with many people sharing it. Within two weeks, an update confirmed Penny had been rehomed, and she has since moved into a new household with two other rescue cats, Lilly and Norah.
Photo credit: Facebook/Cat Cuddle Cafe Brisbane
“Penny now lives with Lilly and Norah, her new fur sisters. Both rescued so they are a mishmash of girls living in a quiet home. She will be able to live her best life with her new family. They have lots of love to share with her,” Cat Cuddle Cafe Brisbane wrote.
Penny is still settling in and remains anxious. She remains in her own space for the time being as she adjusts to her new environment. The group noted the response from the community, stating that shares and engagement with the post helped connect Penny with her new family.
For Brisbane dog owners seeking a real escape from fenced-in parks, a two-kilometre off-leash track along the Kedron Brook Floodway offers unparalleled freedom for well-trained pets.
More popular than a fresh bone, this stretch of green space has become a go-to spot for local pet owners. It provides a rare opportunity for dogs to do what they love best: run at full speed, explore new smells, and even enjoy a playful splash in the bubbling brook.
The sheer size of the area means there is plenty of room for everyone, allowing dogs to burn off their energy and socialise in a natural environment.
Navigating the Brook
Photo Credit: Google Maps
Regular visitors suggest the best way to experience the walk is to start at Gilbert Road and head north along the water towards Thistle Street. This path covers the main off-leash section.
However, owners should be aware that the area is not fenced. This freedom comes with the responsibility of ensuring your dog has a strong recall and will return when called, which is essential for their safety and the comfort of others using the park.
The success of this shared space relies on considerate behaviour from all its users. For the safety and comfort of every person and pet, it is recommended that dogs that are not overly sociable remain on their lead. To help keep the area clean and beautiful for everyone to enjoy, Brisbane City Council provides plenty of poo bags and bins along the pathway, and visitors are encouraged to make good use of them.
Published Date 2-October-2025 Updated 2-April-2026
Keith Payne VC Park in Stafford has been upgraded with new playground equipment, added shade, and improved amenities, providing an updated outdoor space for local families on Lutana Street.
Keith Payne VC Park in Stafford has undergone a significant upgrade, introducing new play equipment, shade elements, improved amenities, and a newly built toilet block. The changes aim to improve everyday use of the park for families, carers, and children.
The park remains an important outdoor space for nearby residents, particularly those living in apartments who rely on accessible recreational areas. The updated layout includes additional seating positioned closer to the playground, making supervision easier for parents and carers.
The upgrade followed community feedback about the need to improve the playground and provide better seating and facilities. Input gathered through a planning process, including a community session and an online survey, informed the final design.
Construction commenced in 2025 and has now been completed. The park is set to officially open in March 2026, marking the completion of the works.
Residents have indicated that the upgrades have improved how the park is used, with families continuing to visit after school and throughout the day.
New Features Now In Place In Stafford
The upgraded site includes a new playground, added shade, improved amenities, and a toilet block. These additions were introduced to make the park more practical and accessible for regular users.
The improvements focus on functionality, ensuring the space can better support families and daily community use.
A Park With Historical Significance
Keith Payne VC Park in Stafford is named after a Victoria Cross recipient and former local resident. The site also includes a memorial recognising his service and legacy.
Memorial records show the park features dedication plaques and commemorative elements honouring Victoria Cross recipients across multiple conflicts, including the Boer War, World War I and World War II.
Plaque details indicate the park was officially named on 10 January 1971. Separate memorial records list an opening date of 25 May 1997.
Details of the official opening are expected to be shared locally. With the upgrade now complete, the park continues to function as both a recreational area and a commemorative site within Stafford.
Construction has begun on a $70 million aged care facility in Kedron, with Rockpool Residential Aged Care progressing a new 143-bed development in Brisbane’s north.
Work is underway at the Rockpool Kedron site following a sod-turning event held in March 2026, marking the start of the build.
The Kedron project forms part of a pipeline of three aged care facilities scheduled to open across 2026 and 2027, as the organisation continues its expansion across south-east Queensland.
The Kedron development will include landscaped gardens, a veggie patch and a hobby shed as part of its outdoor spaces.
Additional amenities planned for the site include communal domestic kitchens, walking tracks, an on-site laundry, outdoor barbecue facilities, a café, a hair and beauty salon, and a wellness and vitality centre.
The project has also been designed as a gas-free site powered by renewable energy.
Builder And Expansion Activity
Construction firm McNab has been appointed to deliver Rockpool Kedron, marking the sixth project completed in partnership between the two organisations.
Rockpool Residential Aged Care was established in 2016 by Bill Summers and Michael Watson. In 2025, four operating homes were acquired by Regis for $135.5 million.
The Kedron development represents one of several projects scheduled for completion over the next two years, contributing to additional aged care capacity in Brisbane and surrounding areas.
