Kedron Brook, which flows east through Enoggera, Stafford, Grange and Lutwyche before reaching Moreton Bay, carries the highest load of microplastic particles in its sediment of any of the Brisbane creeks examined in a new Queensland University of Technology study.
The research, published in the journal Environmental Pollution, found a median abundance of roughly 4,400 microplastic items per kilogram of dry sediment in the brook.
The study analysed sediment samples from Kedron Brook, Bulimba Creek, and Enoggera Creek, taking samples at six sites along each waterway, from the upstream headwaters right down to estuarine level, across four sampling periods over the course of a year.
What is driving the load in Kedron Brook?
Photo credit: CC BY-SA 4.0/Q8682/Wikimedia Commons
Lead researcher and QUT PhD candidate Heshani Mudalige, from QUT’s School of Chemistry and Physics, said the brook’s passage through commercial and industrial areas played a central role in driving the microplastic figure up.
Construction activity, single-use plastic disposal, food packaging waste and nearby recreational areas all contribute to elevated levels of polyethylene — the most abundant plastic type found in the brook’s sediment. Stormwater runoff from residential households, sports fields and parks adds further to the load.
The brook’s extensive flat areas, surrounded by impervious surfaces such as roads and car parks, create conditions where microplastics carried by runoff are deposited and retained.
Microplastic levels in Kedron Brook peaked in March, which Ms Mudalige attributed to high-flow conditions during the summer wet season pushing plastic particles into the sediment.
The dominant plastic types found across all three creeks were polyethylene (PE), used widely in packaging, bottles and pipes; polypropylene (PP), common in food containers and sportswear; and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Polystyrene (PS) was also present in Kedron Brook’s sediment.
How did the other creeks compare?
Bulimba Creek recorded the second-highest microplastic abundance at approximately 4,100 items per kilogram of dry sediment, with its load peaking in November. Ms Mudalige said Bulimba Creek flows through predominantly residential and commercial areas, with construction and maintenance sites contributing high amounts of PE as well as PP and PMMA, likely sourced from food and consumer packaging, textiles, industrial raw materials and household plastics.
Enoggera Creek recorded the lowest load of the three at approximately 2,800 items per kilogram. The presence of Enoggera Dam was identified as a key factor, with the dam regulating streamflow from upstream and trapping a significant portion of microplastics before they can travel further downstream.
A first step toward quantifying Moreton Bay’s microplastic inputs
Associate Professor Prasanna Egodawatta, Heshani Mudalige, and Professor Godwin Ayoko (Photo credit: qut.edu.au)
Associate Professor Prasanna Egodawatta, from QUT’s School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, described the study as a first step towards quantifying how much plastic pollution reaches Moreton Bay from land via the stormwater pathway. He said heavily urbanised catchments in South East Queensland are significant contributors to that pollution, and that the physical characteristics of a creek, its shape, slope and flow behaviour, determine how microplastics move through it.
Ms Mudalige said the overall findings indicate that seasonal variability exerts a dominant influence on microplastic abundance, while land use and the intensity of human activity in each catchment also shape how much plastic accumulates in the sediment.
If you live anywhere near Wilston, chances are you already have your usual rotation.
Maybe it’s pizza at Antica, recently named Best Italian Restaurant in Brisbane’s northern suburbs for 2025, which probably didn’t surprise many locals. Maybe it’s a Friday schnitzel or a Wednesday Black Angus rump to get over the midweek hump at Frankie Brown.
Maybe you’ve ducked into Parade for a gift and somehow left with three things you didn’t know you needed. Maybe you’ve told yourself you should properly check out Mumbleberry one day.
Or perhaps a salon appointment at Fruition, fresh off being named both Australian Salon of the Year and Queensland Hairdresser of the Year for 2026, is more your speed.
That’s the thing about Wilston Village. Even locals who know it well tend to experience it in fragments. A dinner spot here. A quick coffee there. A post office run when something needs sending.
But the village along Kedron Brook Road has become far more than a convenient collection of familiar stops. Now there’s a fresh reason to look at it differently.
Shop, Stamp & Win
Supported through Brisbane City Council’s Growing Precincts Together program, Shop, Stamp & Win is a Wilston Village promotion designed to reward locals for exploring participating businesses across the precinct.
From now until June 10, you can pick up a Wilston Village passport, collect stamps as you shop, dine or visit participating businesses, and you’ll join a raffle draw to win one of ten $100 Wilston Village vouchers.
Click through the mechanics to find out how:
The most interesting part isn’t the prize. It’s the excuse to break routine.
And because a passport challenge only works if the destinations are worth the detour, we’ve grouped the participating businesses by mood, appetite and mission.
So where should those stamps take you? That depends whether you’re chasing a long lunch, a practical errand, a little retail therapy or a proper reset.
The Food & Wine Trail
For many locals, Wilston Village starts with food. Whether you’re planning a proper sit-down meal, a casual catch-up or simply figuring out what’s for dinner, this stretch of the passport is arguably the easiest to fill.
Eat, Sip & Linger
For the people who plan their little adventures around dinner, drinks or the pleasure of finding something worth lingering over.
Italian Dining
Antica
★ 4.8 Google rating
One of Wilston Village’s most recognisable dining names, known for pasta, pizza and the kind of meals that reward lingering. A reliable choice for long lunches, family dinners and return visits.
The kind of place where a quick drink has a habit of turning into dinner. A strong choice for date night, catch-ups or those “just one glass” evenings that rarely end there.
A stylish but approachable stop for yakitori skewers, Japanese-inspired dishes and pan-Asian flavours. One for locals who like finding dinner spots that feel a little tucked-away.
A comfortable local go-to for Vietnamese dishes, casual dinners and easy takeaway nights. A dependable choice for families, regulars and comfort-food seekers.
The neighbourhood “let’s just meet for one” spot that has a way of stretching into the evening. Easygoing, social and built for burgers, beers, cocktails and casual catch-ups.
A stop for the discerning. The Reserve Cellar brings a more curated kind of experience, with premium wines for collectors, enthusiasts and anyone looking to elevate the evening.
For slow coffees, colourful drinks, dinner shortcuts and the sweet finish at the end.
Cafe / Deli
Alcove Cafe & Deli
★ 4.7 Google rating
Some outings are less about the destination and more about taking your time. Alcove suits the slower pace, whether it’s coffee, a casual bite or an easy catch-up that runs longer than planned.
Not every outing needs to turn into a long sit-down affair. For colourful drinks, quick catch-ups and that mid-afternoon “let’s grab something” energy, Cafe Ku-Tea fits the mood.
Some local detours are practical. This one is pure reward. A strategic stop for ice cream runs, family bribery and anyone who believes neighbourhood adventures should involve dessert.
Not every Wilston Village outing starts with a shopping list. Sometimes it starts with “just a quick look” and ends with the perfect gift, something unexpected, or a few purchases you’ll happily justify later.
For the Shopaholics
For the “just having a look” crowd, the gift hunters and anyone easily tempted by beautiful things.
Artisanal Goods & Gourmet Grocery Finds
Mumbleberry
For the thoughtful shopper, the committed gift-giver and anyone who loves discovering something a little special.
Part providore, part gifting temptation, Mumbleberry brings artisan pantry finds, curated hampers, gourmet treats and thoughtful gifts while proudly championing other independent producers.
For the shoppers who care about fit, fabric and finding something that actually suits them.
Curation Bureau offers a more personalised boutique experience, with carefully curated fashion for everything from everyday wear to occasion dressing.
For parents of little adventurers aged five and under, this is the kind of discovery that feels less like shopping and more like a very smart stop.
Play Maison offers indoor play, sensory fun and room to burn energy, without the clean-up waiting at home.
For the shoppers drawn to beautiful things, thoughtful gifting and the quiet danger of “just one quick look.”
Parade curates the kind of lifestyle finds that turn a quick browse into an unexpectedly full shopping bag.
Some Wilston Village visits are less about discovery and more about self-care, whether that means a little pampering, a proper reset or finally making time for yourself.
Glow-Up Stops
For the trims, colour work and salon appointments that make the whole week feel better.
Bespoke Hair Studio
Fruition Hair
★ 5.0 Google rating
For the appointments where the details matter. Fruition pairs bespoke styling with a highly personalised salon experience, built around precision, craftsmanship and the kind of confidence boost that lasts well beyond the appointment.
Australian Salon of the Year 2026 winnerQueensland Hairdresser of the Year 2026 winner
For glow-up appointments that feel less like maintenance and more like a proper reset. Revolution Hairdressing brings a premium salon experience, with trusted stylists and a strong reputation for colour, cut and polished transformations.
For the appointments that help you slow down, move better, feel stronger and take care of the practical things too.
Relaxation & Wellbeing
Serenity Spinal Flow
Sometimes recharging starts with slowing everything down. Serenity Spinal Flow takes a gentler approach, with hands-on sessions designed to support relaxation, wellbeing, and helping the body unwind from accumulated tension, stress and physical discomfort.
For the kind of reset that leaves you stronger. Core Contour Pilates blends boutique reformer training with supportive coaching, helping locals move with greater confidence, strength and ease.
For the kind of reset that helps you move more freely. All About Movement brings together osteopathy, clinical Pilates and movement-focused support for locals wanting to feel stronger, more comfortable and more confident in their bodies, including those working through injury recovery.
Because feeling better also means seeing clearly. Sometimes the smartest reset is the practical one. The Optometry Studio offers personalised eye care for locals of all ages, from routine eye checks to more specialised support, with a down-to-earth independent practice approach.
A good village isn’t just about long lunches and little indulgences. It’s also about the practical places that quietly make life easier — the post office run, the newspaper or magazine pick-up, or the travel experts you’re grateful to have nearby when a trip needs more than a quick online search.
Shops That You’re Glad are in the Village!
For the practical stops, helpful errands and expert advice that make life feel a little more sorted.
Village Convenience Hub
Wilston Newsagency
For the errands that still need doing. Wilston Newsagency is one of those quietly useful village staples, whether you’re posting a parcel, grabbing a magazine, picking up the paper or sorting the little life-admin jobs.
For the plans that deserve more than a quick online booking. Itineraries Travel Consultants brings expert travel planning, personalised advice and the kind of professional support that can make complicated trips feel far less complicated. Because not every trip should be left to a search engine.
After you’ve had your fill of the Village, don’t forget: once you’ve collected your three stamps and submitted your passport, there are ten $100 dining and retail vouchers up for grabs.
For those who know it well, Wilston Village hardly needs an introduction; but familiar places are often the easiest to overlook. Shop, Stamp & Win is a good excuse to revisit an old favourite, try somewhere new, and perhaps discover your next regular — with a shot at $100 along the way!
Published 22-May-2026
Shop, Stamp & Win is a Proud Promotional Partner of Brisbane Suburbs Online News. This is an advertorial.
The trusted hospitality team behind local favourites Farmhouse and Oh Boy, Bok Choy is bringing a culinary experience rarely seen in Australia to Stafford by launching a 90-seat authentic New Mexican taqueria rooted in a deep family history.
Sancho Taqueria & Tequileria is slated to launch at Stafford Central in early to mid-June 2026. Rather than simply chasing the latest dining trends, owner Amanda Scott has built the venue around her family’s personal connection to the American Southwest. Her father moved to New Mexico as a child, where he fell in love with the local culture and language. He later married Scott’s mother in Albuquerque and honeymooned in Santa Fe, making the region’s food a staple in their household.
Scott shared that her parents’ affection for the region shaped their family history, and now her own children are the third generation to embrace this heritage. She explained that her father’s passion for the area led him to learn Spanish, study in Madrid, and develop a deep appreciation for Hispanic literature. The restaurant actually takes its name from Sancho Panza, the famously loyal sidekick in her father’s favourite Spanish novel, Don Quixote.
Diners will find a menu that steps away from standard contemporary Mexican fare. Instead, the kitchen focuses on the landlocked cuisine of New Mexico, which blends Native American Pueblo, Spanish, Mexican, and American frontier influences. Developed alongside consultant chef Julius Villamor, the taco-heavy menu is largely gluten-free and relies on the traditional Indigenous agricultural staples of corn, beans, and squash.
Visitors will also get to experience New Mexico’s official state question regarding their chilli sauce preference: red or green. Guests can choose a rich and earthy red sauce, a savoury and herbaceous green sauce, or simply ask for “Christmas” to get a portion of both. Everything is made from scratch, favouring deeply charred and smoked flavours.
Traditional regional baked goods will also make an appearance, including pillow-shaped fried pastries known as sopapillas and anise-spiced shortbreads called bizcochitos, which hold the title of New Mexico’s official state cookie. Scott noted that the new location draws heavily on her family’s past cultural connections, local produce, and the expertise of her staff.
The drink selection focuses heavily on a carefully chosen range of tequila and mezcal. Signature cocktails are named after various New Mexican towns to complement the food. The Pueblo Margarita, for example, mixes reposado tequila with prickly pear syrup, fresh lime, orange bitters, and a chilli-tajin rim to create a colour that looks just like a mountain sunset. Drinkers will even find a map on the back of the beverage menu to help them locate the towns that inspired their drinks.
The design of the space completely avoids common visual clichés like hanging sombreros or chillies. Instead, the bright, understated dining room, bar, laneway, and al fresco areas are decorated in burnt oranges, hot pinks, and ochre undertones to mimic golden hour in the Sandia Mountains. Scott mentioned that the venue will feel like an unexpected escape on an ordinary street, allowing guests to forget their location, and will sprawl out much like their previous restaurant concepts.
Labor retained Stafford after voters across Kedron and Brisbane’s inner north delivered a strong swing towards the Liberal National Party in one of the closest contests seen in the electorate in recent years.
The Stafford by-election, held on 16 May, saw Labor candidate Luke Richmond edge ahead of LNP challenger Fiona Hammond after preference flows pushed him past the line following a tense night of counting.
While Labor retained the seat once held by late MP Jimmy Sullivan, the result reflected shifting voter sentiment in suburbs including Kedron, Stafford Heights and Gordon Park.
The LNP secured more than 40 per cent of the primary vote, recording a swing towards the governing party in an electorate that has traditionally leaned Labor. The final result remained uncertain late into election night as postal votes and preferences continued to be counted.
Kedron Booths Show Stronger Support for the LNP
Results across Kedron polling booths showed stronger support for the LNP than in previous elections. Voters raised concerns about housing affordability, traffic congestion, rising household costs and pressure on local infrastructure as both major parties fought to win over undecided residents.
Labor’s primary vote dropped significantly compared with the last state election, while the LNP improved its position in several booths across the electorate. An election analyst noted the swing against Labor was significant compared with previous results in Brisbane’s inner north.
The Greens also played a major role in the outcome. Unlike previous elections, the party issued an open how-to-vote position rather than directing preferences to Labor. Despite that, a large share of Greens preferences still flowed back to Richmond during the final count.
Steven Miles Under Pressure After Close Stafford Result
The result has intensified scrutiny on Queensland Opposition Leader Steven Miles, who campaigned heavily throughout Kedron and surrounding suburbs during the short by-election campaign.
Speaking after the count, Mr Miles said Labor had expected a difficult contest given the large number of candidates and Ms Hammond’s profile as a former Brisbane city councillor. He maintained that holding the seat showed the party was rebuilding after its defeat at the 2024 state election.
However, senior figures within the LNP quickly framed the outcome as a political setback for Labor. Premier David Crisafulli described the swing towards the government as unexpected, while Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie argued the result showed dissatisfaction with Miles’ leadership.
Housing and Cost Pressures Shape Local Debate
Campaign discussions frequently focused on local issues including housing and transport. Residents across Kedron and Stafford pointed to rising rents, overcrowded roads and concerns about future development in established neighbourhoods.
Ms Hammond centred much of her campaign on long-term planning and cost-of-living pressure, while Mr Richmond focused on health services, schools and maintaining investment in local facilities.
At campaign events and polling booths, voter concerns frequently centred on local economic pressures rather than broader party messaging. Several reports linked the swing to concerns about mortgage repayments and housing affordability.
The by-election was triggered after Mr Sullivan’s passing in April. Mr Sullivan, who represented Stafford since 2015, was known for his local campaigning work across the electorate. His passing influenced the tone of the campaign across the electorate.
Preferences Decide the Final Outcome
As counting continued into Sunday, Labor’s lead remained dependent on preference distributions rather than first-choice votes alone. Postal voting heavily favoured the LNP, while Greens and minor-party preferences helped Mr Richmond move ahead in the final tally.
The outcome means Labor keeps the Stafford seat, while the swing recorded in Kedron and nearby suburbs is expected to draw attention from both major parties ahead of the 2028 Queensland election.
A Stafford pet owner is enduring every dog lover’s worst nightmare after a routine riverside walk left her young spaniel fighting for survival against a highly toxic drug ingestion.
Demi Hagenbach took her dog, Swiftie, for a regular outing between Newstead Park and New Farm Park on Sunday, May 10. During the walk, the spaniel consumed an unknown substance off the ground, which her owner suspects was human faeces. Later that evening, the dog began exhibiting highly erratic behaviour, including severe panting, drooling, and aimless circling that lasted for hours.
After a local emergency clinic initially sent them home, Hagenbach rushed the rapidly deteriorating dog to the Animal Emergency Service in Underwood. Medical professionals conducted a urine test that revealed a shocking diagnosis. The young dog had ingested a massive amount of methamphetamine, THC, ecstasy, and ibuprofen.
Veterinarians noted that the severe neurological symptoms, which included body tremors and difficulty walking, meant the animal required immediate sedation and oxygen support. Swiftie spent five days in the intensive care unit battling internal bleeding and a secondary urinary tract infection.
The financial toll of the emergency quickly matched the emotional devastation. The intensive care treatment cost up to $3,000 per night, rapidly exhausting Hagenbach’s annual pet insurance limit of $15,000. Medical staff warned that the dog requires ongoing constant observation and potentially a $5,000 MRI to check for meningitis or an internal brain bleed, making her recovery far more complex than initially expected.
In response to the escalating crisis, Grace Hagenbach organised a community fundraiser to help cover the staggering veterinary debts and necessary surgical interventions. The family stated that any leftover funds would be directed to the Australian Companion Animal Health Foundation to support further research into diseases affecting local pets.
Police said officers were conducting proactive foot patrols near a Kedron hotel about 11.30pm on Saturday, May 9, when they heard a motorcycle rev before stopping suddenly.
Officers located a motorcycle at the rear of the premises and allegedly found a man attempting to interfere with the bike using a screwdriver. Police also identified damage to the motorcycle’s ignition.
The man allegedly tried to flee when approached by officers.
He has been charged with one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, wilful damage, possession of an implement used in the commission of an offence, and assault police.
Further investigations, including forensic examinations, led police to charge the man in relation to the alleged theft of another motorcycle from a residence on Guntur Street, Stafford, on April 30.
The man was remanded in custody and was expected to appear before Brisbane Magistrates Court on May 11.
Police used the Kedron matter to remind motorcycle owners to take basic security steps to reduce the risk of theft.
Motorcycle owners were urged to keep keys with them, remove keys from ignitions when parked, and use handlebar or fork locks. Police also encouraged the use of disc locks with audible alarms, secure storage, motorcycle covers, fixed anchor points, GPS trackers, and remote engine immobilisers that meet Australian standards.
Owners were also advised to vary where they park and choose well-lit areas where possible.
A string of stolen number plates across North Brisbane has pushed police to warn drivers that a small piece of metal on the back of a car can quickly become a tool for bigger crimes. In just 24 hours, officers received seven reports of registration plates being taken from parked vehicles in suburbs stretching from Sandgate to Hamilton, raising concerns among residents already dealing with vehicle break-ins and theft across the city.
The warning was issued on May 8 by Sgt Jodie Murray through the Queensland Police Service after thefts were reported in Kedron, Hamilton, Northgate, Wilston and Sandgate.
Police said stolen registration plates are often attached to other vehicles to avoid detection during criminal activity, including fuel theft, traffic offences and the use of stolen cars. The practice can also leave innocent drivers dealing with toll notices, fines and police inquiries linked to offences they did not commit.
North Brisbane suburbs see sharp increase in plate thefts
Officers from the Gateway District Crime Prevention Unit said the recent cases appeared opportunistic, with thieves targeting vehicles parked on streets and in open areas where screws could be removed quickly.
Police are now encouraging drivers to replace standard screws with anti-theft fittings designed to make number plates harder to remove. The special one-way screws can only be taken out using equipment carried by police.
The crime prevention unit has been distributing free anti-theft screw packs to North Brisbane residents through an online request program first introduced several years ago. The packs include screws and vehicle security information aimed at reducing repeat offences.
Photo Credit: QPS
Residents urged to rethink where vehicles are parked overnight
Police are also advising residents to use locked garages, gated driveways or off-street parking whenever possible, particularly overnight.
Vehicle-related theft has remained a concern across parts of Brisbane, with registration plates often targeted because they can be removed in less than a minute using common tools.
Authorities are asking anyone who notices suspicious behaviour around parked vehicles to report it through Policelink or anonymously through Crime Stoppers Queensland.
Photo Credit: QPS
Community concern grows as stolen plates linked to wider offences
For many drivers, the theft of a number plate may appear minor compared with car theft, but police say the impact can spread far beyond the original crime scene.
Once stolen plates are attached to another vehicle, they can complicate investigations and create stress for vehicle owners who later receive notices connected to offences committed by someone else.
A young Brisbane race driver’s stolen Toyota 86 remains missing after it was taken from the Stafford/Kedron Brook area, despite an update that a man is believed to be in custody over the theft.
A young Brisbane race driver is still searching for her Toyota 86 Scholarship Series car after it was stolen with an open trailer from Shand Street in the Stafford/Kedron Brook area.
Emily Caccaviello said the car and trailer were taken between 9pm and 4am. The theft was reported to police, and she has continued appealing for information while the search for the race car remains active.
The open trailer was later recovered in the Greenbank area, but the Toyota 86 itself has not been found. Caccaviello said the car had been sighted around Greenbank and Jimboomba, and she believed it may still be somewhere in that broader area.
The missing car is a matte black Toyota 86 bearing the number 213.
Custody Update In Stolen Toyota 86 Case
Caccaviello said she had been informed that a man had been taken into custody in connection with the theft of her car and others. In a later update, she said she believed the person who stole the trailer with the car on it was in custody, and that she hoped he would provide the car’s whereabouts.
Despite that development, the search has not ended. Caccaviello has continued asking people to watch for anything suspicious and to contact police or reach out with any information.
The case has drawn attention from the racing community, with supporters sharing her appeal and offering messages of concern after the theft.
Trailer Found But Race Car Still Missing
The recovery of the trailer has provided one clear development in the case, but the main search remains focused on the missing race car.
Caccaviello had been competing in the IRC Racing Series at Queensland Raceway while the search for her Toyota 86 continued. Her father, Leon Caccaviello, said the theft had placed significant stress on his daughter, while noting that she had still managed to compete over the weekend.
He also raised concern about scam attempts from people claiming to have the car. The warning adds another difficulty to the search, with the family urging people to focus on genuine information that may help recover the vehicle.
Leon Caccaviello appealed to whoever has the car to return it, saying it could be dropped off at Browns Plains police station with a reward offered and no questions asked. Emily Caccaviello also said a reward would be offered if the car was returned to her or to police.
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.
