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Kedron Café and Stafford Heights Butcher Share A Local Food Success Story

Kedron and Stafford Heights have more than two award wins to celebrate, with Farmhouse and Rode Meats recognised as Queensland favourites after years of building their names around local produce, loyal customers and the kind of everyday service that keeps communities coming back.

Kedron And Stafford Heights Winners Reflect Local Loyalty

Farmhouse in Kedron and Rode Meats in Stafford Heights have been named among Queensland’s All the Best winners, with the two businesses recognised in separate food categories after a record 74,630 votes were cast across the 2026 campaign.

Farmhouse, located at 9 Somerset Road in Kedron, was named Best Café, while Rode Meats, at 269 Appleby Road in Stafford Heights, was named Best Butcher. The awards covered 15 categories, including cafés, butchers, bakeries, burger shops, fish and chip shops, pizzerias, pubs, gyms, florists, tourism attractions and other local favourites.

Farmhouse Kedron — *Photo Credit: Farmhouse, Kedron/Facebook*

While the titles mark a public vote result, the story behind the two winners is also about consistency. Both businesses have built their identities around food, produce and repeat local support. Their connection is also practical, with Farmhouse noting that Rode Meats already supplies it with produce.

That link gives the recognition a stronger local thread. One winner serves meals from a Kedron café grounded in regional produce, while the other has spent decades trading as a Stafford Heights butcher. Together, their wins show how local food businesses can grow through daily trust, steady service and a clear sense of place.

Farmhouse Kedron Carries A Produce-Focused Story

Farmhouse’s story is tied to the memory of Farmer Joe’s, a family-owned produce store that closed in 2009 to make way for a new road. Farmer Joe’s had been remembered as a community hub, and Farmhouse has shaped its own identity around fresh food producers, family farms and local and regional supply.

The café presents itself as a tribute to dairy farmers, local farms and fresh food producers. It says it buys from many local and regional producers and aims to add more farmers to its list each season. That focus gives the Kedron café a clear point of difference beyond its Best Café title.

Its approach is simple but effective: bring food from farms to plates with as little fuss as possible. That idea sits at the centre of the café’s public story and helps explain why its win carries weight with customers who value local food connections.

Farmhouse operates from 6:30am to 2:30pm, seven days a week, and offers food, drinks, catering and bookings. After being named Best Café in Queensland, the business marked Queensland Day with lunch and drink specials and acknowledged its team and supporters.

Rode Meats Builds On More Than Four Decades In Stafford Heights

Rode Meats has been part of Stafford Heights since 1980. The family-owned butcher operates from Rode Road Shopping Centre and lists beef, chicken, lamb, pork, roasts, sausages, low-and-slow meats and ready-to-go items among its products.

Its Best Butcher recognition adds to earlier honours listed by the business, including a 2020 Brisbane butcher title and a 2020 Australia’s Best Continental Sausage award. Those earlier achievements help give context to the latest win, showing that the All the Best result is not a sudden appearance but part of a longer record of recognition.

Before the winners were announced, Rode Meats had already been leading the butcher category leaderboard. The public vote put the Stafford Heights shop ahead in a competitive field and drew attention to the strong support behind the business.

The butcher’s profile has also grown online, helped by apprentice butcher Ethan Johns and sausage-making content that attracted wide attention. One video received more than 5.8 million views, showing how a traditional local trade can reach far beyond the shopfront while still being rooted in everyday craft.

A Shared Food Story With A Local Connection

The recognition of Farmhouse and Rode Meats stands out because the two businesses are connected beyond the winners list. Farmhouse has publicly noted that Rode Meats already supplies it with produce, giving the awards a direct local supply link.

That connection makes the story more than a simple list of winners. It shows one local business supporting another, with the café and butcher each playing a role in the area’s food scene.

For Farmhouse, the Best Café title reflects a business shaped around farmers, producers and community support. For Rode Meats, the Best Butcher title adds to decades of Stafford Heights trading, earlier awards and growing public attention.

The All the Best winners were announced on Wednesday, 3 June, ahead of Queensland Day on Saturday, 6 June. For Kedron and Stafford Heights, the result places two local food names on a Queensland-wide winners list while highlighting the value of steady support, trusted supply and businesses that continue to grow from their local base.

Published 4-June-2026

Labor Retains Stafford After Kedron Voters Drive Sharp LNP Surge

Photo Credit: Luke Richmond/Facebook

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.

Published 19-May-2026

Woody Point Man Charged Over Alleged Kedron Motorbike Theft Attempt

Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook

A 26-year-old Woody Point man has been charged after police allegedly found him interfering with a motorcycle behind a hotel in Kedron.

Late-Night Patrol Leads To Kedron Charges

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.

motorcycle security — *Photo Credit: QPS*

Stafford Allegation Added After Further Inquiries

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.

Kedron motorbike theft — *Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook*

Motorcycle Security Reminder After Kedron Case

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.

Anyone with information has been asked to contact Policelink or Crime Stoppers, using reference numbers QP2600891948 and QP2600837096.

Published 12-May-2026

New-Look Padua Unleashes Next Generation With 11 Debuts in Season Opener

Padua College has unveiled a new-look First XV to open the 2026 AIC rugby season, with a significant wave of fresh faces set to shape its 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.

Published 30-April-2026

A Life in Schools: Kedron Principal Retires After 44 Years of Service

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.

Mr Martin Wilkie — Photo Credit: St Anthony’s School Kedron

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.

“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.

Photo Credit: St Anthony’s School/Facebook

“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.

Published 30-April-2026

Kedron Student Selected for Queensland Bowls Team after 9 Months in Sport

Photo Credit: Northern Suburbs Bowls Club/Facebook

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.

Published 24-April-2026

A Taste of New Mexico Is Landing in Stafford This June

MattGush/iStock

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.

Published 26-April-2026

Stafford Honours Long-Serving Volunteer with Jack Pool Place

Meals on Wheels Queensland/Facebook

Stafford has honoured one of its most beloved community figures with the official naming of Jack Pool Place, a lasting tribute to a man who spent nearly 30 years volunteering at Stafford and District Meals on Wheels and became one of the most recognised volunteers in Queensland.

The unveiling ceremony took place on what would have been Jack’s birthday, with his daughters Bronwyn and Gayle present to witness their father’s name permanently woven into the fabric of the suburb he devoted so much of his life to serving. For the hundreds of volunteers, staff and clients whose lives Jack touched across nearly three decades at Stafford and District Meals on Wheels, the naming of a place in his honour is a recognition long overdue and entirely fitting.

Jack Pool passed away in March 2025. He was in his nineties.

A Life Devoted to Others

Jack Pool began volunteering with Stafford Meals on Wheels as a delivery driver in 1998 and quickly stepped into leadership, serving as Vice-President and President from 2001 to 2021, and later as Patron of the organisation. He also contributed at the state level, serving as a Board Member of Meals on Wheels Queensland from 2011 to 2018.

The role of a Meals on Wheels delivery driver is, on its surface, a straightforward one: pick up freshly prepared meals from the kitchen and deliver them to clients who cannot cook or shop for themselves. But Jack Pool understood from early in his involvement that the meal was never really the point. The daily visit, the joke shared at the door, the few minutes of genuine human contact with someone who might otherwise go an entire day without seeing another face: that was the service Meals on Wheels actually delivered. Jack loved to share a joke with his clients and other volunteers and was always happy to help with an odd job, embodying the Meals on Wheels philosophy that the service is more than just a meal.

Stafford and District Meals on Wheels operates across north-west Brisbane, with more than 90 volunteers delivering approximately 100 freshly prepared meals each weekday to elderly, disabled and infirm residents who need support to remain living independently in their own homes. Jack’s three decades of involvement spanned the organisation’s growth into one of Brisbane’s most respected community services.

What He Built

During his time as committee president, Jack worked to build contacts with other agencies, which led to younger people with disabilities helping to deliver meals alongside their carers, strengthening social connection for both the volunteers and the clients they served. He also organised for Year 10 hospitality students from the local high school to work alongside the Meals on Wheels chef, giving young people meaningful community experience while building the organisation’s capacity.

One of his most significant contributions was helping to secure much-needed repairs to the Stafford Meals on Wheels facility, a project that spanned nearly a decade of persistent advocacy and effort. Even as he moved into his nineties, Jack remained actively present at the organisation, fostering the welcoming environment for volunteers and staff that had always defined the culture he helped build, and representing Stafford Meals on Wheels at community events and expos across Brisbane’s north.

The awards that came his way across those decades reflected a community and a profession that saw clearly what Jack was doing. He was recognised as a Westfield Local Hero in 2020, with the associated $10,000 grant directed to Stafford Meals on Wheels to fund groceries, equipment and running costs. In 2024, he received the Mary Lowe Living Legend Award from Meals on Wheels Queensland, the sector’s highest recognition for volunteers who have shaped the organisation’s foundations. He was also a finalist in the Queensland Volunteering Awards in 2025, recognised posthumously for the remarkable impact of a life spent in service.

A Name That Will Last

The naming of Jack Pool Place ensures that every person who passes through Stafford carries a reminder that ordinary people, choosing consistently to show up for their neighbours, leave marks on a community that outlast them by generations. Jack’s daughters Bronwyn and Gayle were there to see it made permanent on what would have been their father’s birthday: a detail that turned a civic ceremony into something genuinely moving.

Stafford and District Meals on Wheels welcomes new volunteers at any time. Roles include meal delivery driving, driver’s aide assistance, fundraising and community events. Anyone interested in volunteering can visit staffordmealsonwheels.org.au or call the kitchen directly to find out more.

Published 1-March-2026.

Kedron Fire Leaves Unit Complex Badly Damaged

A Kedron unit complex has been left badly damaged after a ferocious fire tore through the top floor on Wednesday evening, with police now investigating whether the blaze was deliberately lit.

Emergency services were called to the two-storey building on Arnott Street at approximately 7.45pm on 25 February after reports of a fire in one of the upper-level units.

Queensland Fire Department crews arrived to find the unit well alight, with flames visible from neighbouring streets. The fire was brought under control just after 8.30pm, but not before causing extensive damage to the property’s top floor.

Multiple residents were evacuated from the building, with one man sustaining minor burns to his foot during the incident. Police have confirmed that a crime scene has been declared as investigators work to determine the cause of the blaze.

According to reports, the homeowner had been away from the property and returned to discover her unit engulfed in flames. The owner has indicated to authorities that she believes intruders may have started the fire.

Local resident Alex Ferguson, a neighbour and friend of the affected homeowner, said he first became aware of the emergency when his own house began filling with smoke.

“I thought I’d set something on fire by accident, looked around my whole yard, and you could see the fire lighting up,” Mr Ferguson said.

He rushed to the burning unit with a garden hose in an attempt to control the flames before fire crews arrived, but quickly realised the blaze was too intense.

“We grabbed the hose and walked as far as we could up [the stairs], but I could only get this far from the door, so I leaned in,” he said. “After about two minutes of trying to wet it down and get the water in there, it just overwhelmed us, black smoke and electric fume smell.”

Mr Ferguson, who said he had witnessed fires before, described this incident as particularly severe. “I’ve seen a lot of fires, but never that much. Everywhere was just clouded, black fog everywhere.”

Other local residents Kahn McLeod and Jackson Wykes were returning from shopping when they spotted the fire down the street and rushed to help.

“I saw the fire coming out the back window and then it escalated to pretty much the entire back of the house – it was all on fire,” Mr McLeod said. “It was a raging fire; it came through the roof. There was a lot of people in the complex, we were just trying to help them all evacuate.”

Queensland Fire Department Inspector Luke Sokac praised crews for their swift response in containing the blaze to the original unit and preventing it from spreading to neighbouring properties.

“Upon arrival, the unit was well involved in fire,” Inspector Sokac said. “Crews managed to make entry through the front door and also via an extension ladder through a rear window. They were able to rapidly extinguish the fire.”

Fire crews conducted thorough primary and secondary searches of the structure to ensure all occupants had been accounted for.

“Thankfully, we’ve had no spread of fire throughout the structure to any neighbouring properties,” Inspector Sokac said. “At this time, we’re satisfied there is no one in the unit.”

Police investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact authorities.

Published 26-February-2026

Police Seek Public Assistance to Identify Men in Kedron Apartment Break-in

Photo Credit: myPolice Brisbane North

Police are calling on members of the public to help identify two men who may have information about a break-in at a Kedron apartment complex earlier this month.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, 11 February at approximately 11:50am. Queensland Police have released CCTV images showing two Caucasian men walking down an internal staircase at the complex.

Authorities have emphasised that anyone who recognises the individuals should not approach them directly. Instead, they should contact Policelink and reference the case number QP2600279178.

Following the incident, police have increased their presence in the area, conducting foot patrols and distributing security awareness flyers to residents throughout the neighbourhood. The initiative aims to help locals assess their own home security measures and stay informed about reported crime in the area.

According to the information provided by police, residents have welcomed the increased communication and support from officers working to keep the community safe.

The distributed flyers contain practical security advice along with relevant police contact numbers. Police have noted that most break-ins are opportunistic in nature, particularly when entry points are easily accessible and valuable items such as parcels are visible from outside.

Security recommendations for apartment dwellers include getting to know neighbours to help identify unusual activity, ensuring communal doors don’t remain open and unattended, and installing properly fitted deadlocks and window locks. Residents are also advised to keep balcony screen doors locked at all times, even when home.

For those with garage access, police suggest avoiding storing valuable belongings in these areas, securing bicycles with photographic records and serial numbers, and removing all valuables from vehicles, including garage remotes. Drivers should verify that garage doors close completely and consider using anti-theft screws for registration plates.

Anyone with information can contact Policelink via the online suspicious activity form at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting, available 24 hours a day, or by calling 131 444.

Information can also be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000 or visiting www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.

Published 25-February-2026