Moreton Border News - 6th February 2026

Moreton BorderNews

Working class man

By LARA HART

Roosters Rugby League kicks off PAGE 6

AT 67, Douglas Cupitt of Rosewood has lived what he describes as “a working man’s life,” spanning factories, the military, prisons, and two decades of selfemployment. Now retired, he’s setting his sights on the open road — and a longawaited chapter of freedom.

You can read his story on page 4

(Lyle Radford: 531802)

RAMBLINGS page 10

DINING page 11

REAL ESTATE page 14

SPORT pages 15-16

WEATHER

The event will run from 8.30am to 11.30am at 79 Matthew Street, Rosewood, and is open to all ages. As a social gardening event, it offers a simple way for people to meet others, make friends and enjoy time in a welcoming outdoor setting.

THE hot and humid weather didn’t deter local residents from venturing out and enjoying all the district has to offer.

Partly cloudy with a 5% chance of rain.

Min temp 17°C - Max temp 33°C

Valentines’ Day love

By JESS LEIS

SATURDAY

Partly cloudy with a 10% chance of rain.

Min temp 18°C - Max temp 33°C

SUNDAY

Partly cloudy with sunshine.

Min temp 19°C - Max temp 34°C

MONDAY

Partly cloudy with a 30% chance of rain.

Min temp 20°C - Max 35°C

ROSEWOOD Community Garden will host its Share the Love event on Valentine’s Day, Saturday, 14 February, inviting locals to enjoy a relaxed morning focused on gardening and community.

The event will run from 8.30am to 11.30am at 79 Matthew Street, Rosewood, and is open to all ages. As a social gardening event, it offers a simple way for people to meet others, make friends and enjoy time in a welcoming outdoor setting.

Free Devonshire tea will be available, along with Valentine’s flowers and small gifts for sale. Visitors can take part in garden tours, learn more about what is growing and find out how to become a member of the community garden. Children’s activities will also be available, making it a family-friendly event.

Rosewood Community Garden committee member Tammy Heit said the focus was on community rather than romance.

“You can just pop down and have a bit of a look around, and pull up a spot in the shade and just enjoy some company. You don’t have to be particularly romantically minded. It’s more about sharing the love of gardening, growing and community,” she said.

The event is ideal for anyone interested in gardening, new to the area or simply looking for a casual way to connect with others. No gardening experience is needed.

With its strong community focus, Share the Love aims to bring people together through plants, conversation and a shared love of growing.

The Rosewood Roosters kicked off the weekend in spirited style with a vibrant sign on day Market at ANZAC Park on Saturday, 31 January, drawing families, players and local businesses together from 9.00am for a morning rich in community energy.

A new group focused on building stronger connections across the Ipswich western corridor is inviting the community to attend the official launch of the western corridor community alliance.

Then there is the community food project, run by theRosewood&districtsupport centre that plans to deliver another round of Family Feeds cooking workshops following strong interest and positive feedback in 2025.

And Wendy Creighton writes about the approval for a rural residential style subdivision on a 16 hectare block at the corner of Caledonian Road and Pindarri Drive at Mt Marrow.

Happy reading,

- Lara Hart

MONDAY - PUB CLASSICS $20 – 200g Rump, Chicken Schnitty or Grilled Barra, all served with chips and salad (Dinner only)

TUESDAY - TWO FOR ONE – Purchase two mains off our selected menu and receive the lesser value meal for free (Dinner only)

WEDNESDAY - PARMY PARTY $20 – Your choice of 6 different Parmy’s served with chips and salad. (Dinner only)

THURSDAY – BLACK ANGUS $20 – 250g Black Angus rump served with chips, salad and sauce. (Dinner only)

FRIDAY/SATURDAY/SUNDAY – ALL DAY DINING LUNCHES FROM $15 MONDAY-FRIDAY

Church hall launch pad for corridor alliance

By JESS LEIS

A new group focused on building stronger connections across the Ipswich western corridor is inviting the community to attend the official launch of the western corridor community alliance.

The alliance represents communities including Walloon, Thagoona, Rosewood, Mount Marrow, Haigslea, Tallegalla, Calvert, Ebenezer, Ashwell and Grandchester.

The launch will be held on Tuesday, 10 February, from 6.00pm to 7.30pm at the uniting church hall, 21 John street, Rosewood.

The event will introduce the vision, purpose and priorities of theallianceandprovideanopportunity for residents, community groups, businesses, government agencies and local leaders to connect, share ideas and explore ways to work together.

“This is an attempt to provide that voice for local residents to

With significant housing growth planned for the area, the WCCA aims to ensure residents and stakeholders are informed, connected and involved in shaping a safer, stronger western corridor, both now and into the future.

explore and try and shape some of the development that’s going to be happening over the next five, ten, and fifteen years.” said Lawrence Wray,whohasbeenco-ordinating the event.

To support the Alliance’s focus on community-led collaboration,

overview of the western corridor community alliance, followed by a Planning 101 session delivered by Ipswich City Council staff, explaining how planning works in SouthEastQueensland.Attendees willalsobeinvitedtohelpidentify key issues for the Alliance to focus on in the future.

The agenda will conclude with a brief presentation outlining the first report of the western corridor growth strategy, providing an overview of planned growth and future considerations for the region.

IpswichcityCouncillorsJimMaddenandDavidMartin,whomaintain regular involvement with local groups such as the Marburg & Districts Residents Association, have confirmed they will be in attendance.

The evening will include an

With significant housing growth planned for the area, the WCCA aims to ensure residents and stakeholders are informed, connected and involved in shaping a safer, stronger western corridor, both now and into the future.

The alliance operates under Rosewood and District Supporting Communities Inc, with a group of volunteer residents guiding meetings and communications.

Doug’s eventful life to Mt Marrow retirement

By LARA HART

AT 67, Douglas Cupitt of Mount Marrow has lived what he describes as “a working man’s life,” spanning factories, the military, prisons, and two decades of selfemployment.

Now retired, he’s setting his sights on the open road and a long awaited chapter of freedom.

Douglas moved to Mount Marrow, just outside of Rosewood, in 1963.

“Everyone says I am too young to retire, but I have been working for a very long time,” he laughed.

Douglas began his working life in a furniture factory, a job that taught him discipline and the value of hard labour.

He enlisted in the army in 1977 and completed a trade.

He served for nine years as a vehicle mechanic, maintaining military equipment and learning skills that would stay with him

Well known Mt Marrow man Douglas Cupitt is retiring after 50 years of hard yakka. (Lyle Radford: 531802)

for decades.

“They always told you, you were a soldier first and a mechanic second,” he said.

“I also worked as an armed security guard, doing mobile work at night.

“I did that for two years and when I left the army, I took that

and it offered job security,” he said.

“I worked as a first class correctional officer and that means I was hands on with the inmates.

“You just treat [the inmates] like anyone else to gain their respect.”

His last two years were spent managing the correctional centre’s nursery and helped to deliver horticulture courses to inmates to help them develop practical skills.

“I used to sell plants through Target stores and everything was produced by inmates,” he said.

on full time.

“I was paid more as a mechanic in the army than an armed security guard, but I just didn’t like being in the army anymore.”

He said he enjoyed the freedom of driving around by himself at night until an evening’s event exposed him to serious risk.

“A lad broke into a shop at Goodna shopping centre and was in the process of robbing the store when I told him to stop what he was doing,” Douglas explained.

“He’d smashed into the glass and came at me with a carving knife, I apprehended him but he was bleeding badly and his blood got on me.”

Around a half an hour later the police told Douglas the crim was highly infectious with hepatitis B.

“I returned to the base two hours later covered in highly infectious blood,” he said.

“I day or two later I said to the boss that I couldn’t do this job anymore, and I quit.”

Seeking stability, Douglas later joined the prison service as Wacol Correctional Centre, where he worked for six years.

Wacol Correctional Centre is now called Wolston Correctional Centre.

“I joined the prison service because I had a young family

“It ended up being one of the highest earners in Queensland when it came to profit.”

The profits went back into the corrective services commission.

“It was about giving people something useful,” he said.

“Something they could take with them when they got out.

“Some inmates phoned me after being paroled to thank me for what I did for them.”

After leaving the prison system, Douglas spent eight years doing plumbing and disability related work, before eventually launching his own handyman business.

For the past 20 years, he has worked for himself and built a reputation for reliability and versatility.

“I’ve always liked fixing things,” he said.

“Running my own business just made sense.”

Now, with work behind him, Douglas is looking forward to a different pace of life.

His retirement plans involve travelling around Australia in a caravan with a friend, a long held dream finally within reach.

“I’ve worked all my life,” he said.

“Now it’s time to see the country.”

For Douglas, retirement isn’t about slowing down, it’s about moving on, with decades of experience behind him and the road ahead wide open.

Get cooking with help from RADSc program

By JESS LEIS

A popular local program focused on building food confidence, connection and affordability will return in 2026 after a successful first year.

The community food project, run by the Rosewood & district support centre (RADSc) in partnership with the Rosewood community garden, will deliver another round of Family Feeds cooking workshops following strong interest and positive feedback in 2025.

The workshops offer practical, low-cost cooking skills, shared meals and garden-to-plate learning. The aim is to help households prepare healthy food on a budget while building stronger community connections.

Workshop details

• Girl Guide Hut, Matthew Street, Rosewood

• Tuesdays, 9am to 11am

Dates:

• 10 February

By working closely with the Rosewood Community Garden and other community groups, the program has been able to connect participants not only with food and garden skills, but also with local networks, volunteers and ongoing opportunities to stay involved.

• 17 February

• 24 February

• 3 March

The program began 2026 with a “mini” food workshop at the January family fun day. Families took part in hands-on food activities and simple recipe demonstrations, with strong engagement from children, parents and carers.

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Trucks with refrigerated Pantech, Prime Mover, refrigerated A trailer, mobile loading ramp, NH 469 mower conditioner, machinery, tractors, irrigator’s & 3” pipes, overhead fuel tanks, cattle crush, boats, ride on mowers, workshop equip, hand & power tools, hardware, new office furniture, collectables and much more.

Full details & photo’s on website

Kalbar Cattle Sale SATURDAY 14th February 1.30pm start

Kalbar Showground Yards Please contact William for bookings

Building on this success, the community food project will continue to run short, pop-up workshops at local events throughout 2026. These will include RADSc Family Fun Days and an upcoming seniors group meeting.

Strong local partnerships remain central to the program’s success. Working alongside the Rosewood Community Garden

and other community groups has helped connect participants with food and gardening skills, as well as local networks, volunteers and ongoing opportunities to stay involved.

“The growing interest in both the workshops and the mini food activities reflects a clear community appetite for practical, handson support around food, particularly during times of rising living costs,” said community food project coordinator Skye Petty.

With plans to expand activities and tailor them to different age groups, the Community Food Project is set to remain a valued part of the local community calendar in 2026.

Residents are encouraged to follow RADSc’s social media pages for updates on upcoming workshops and events. To take part in the cooking workshop, view the Rosewood community centre page, search Family Feeds Cooking Workshops – Round 2, and click the link to express interest.

Markets bring the buzz as Roosters sign on

By JESS LEIS

THE Rosewood Roosters kicked off the weekend in spirited style with a vibrant sign on day Market at ANZAC Park on Saturday, 31 January, drawing families, players and local businesses together from 9.00am for a morning rich in community energy.

The park buzzed early as children weaved between market stalls, parents chatted with coaches, and the familiar red and white colours signalled that footy season was back on the local calendar. Part recruitment drive, part community celebration, the event blended player registrations with a lively market atmosphere that showcased the strength of Rosewood’ssmallbusinesscommunity.

Food stalls, local traders and family-friendly activities transformed the traditional sign-on day into something more festive and inclusive. Newcomers explored what it meant to pull on a Roosters jersey for the first time, and volunteers worked steadily behind the scenes to keep the morning running smoothly. Rodney the rooster ran around with plenty of photo opportunities for visitors.

Rosewood roosters president Jasmine Hassett said the club had taken a different approach this year, broadening the focus beyond football alone.

“We decided to do more of a market sign on day where we would be able to support local, small businesses as well as signing the children on. We wanted to just create something a little bit different, which we had obviously a lot of involvement from smaller businesses around the community.” she said.

That philosophy resonated throughout the morning. Local stallholders welcomed the chance to connect with families, while the club reinforced its role as a cornerstone of the Rosewood community, not just on game day but year-round.

For many families, the event marked the first step in what promises to be months of football, friendships and shared pride.

State’s fastest growing city passes 270,000

IPSWICH is booming after a year of explosive suburban expansion, with the city has surging past yet another population milestone and showing no signs of slowing. Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said that as of 1 January 2026, Ipswich officially counted 270,624 residents.

“The city isn’t just growing, it’s accelerating” Mayor Harding said.

“Ipswich has made an astonishing leap of nearly 10,000 people in just 12 months and a massive 30,000 person jump in only four years.”

“After that initial 12 months, we saw our population increase annually by approximately 8,0009,000. We used to say Ipswich added a town the size of Beaudesert each year, now it is more like an extra Innisfail joining our wonderful residents.”

“Everyone from right across the state, from Beaudesert to Innisfail, obviously wants to come live, work and play in Ipswich. In fact, it is people from right across Australia and the world, with 300 new international migrants becoming Australian citizens joining us too.”

“We all know our booms suburbs: Springfield, Spring Mountain, Springfield Central and Springfield Lakes, plus Ripley and South Ripley. They make up the most dramatic population explosions in that period.”

“On 1 January 2022 the larger Springfield region had 33,333 residents and now it is 38,415. Ripley and South Ripley had

10,183, but that has almost doubled in four years to 19,389.”

“We love our growing city, but it comes with a price: there needs to be greater state and federal investment to help council cater for all those people, houses to accommodate them and roads and buildings.”

Infrastructure, Planning and Assets Committee Chairperson Councillor Andrew Antoniolli said council’s most recent quarterly data highlighted the city’s sustained growth.

“The boom suburbs of Spring Mountain and Springfield Lakes, Ripley and South Ripley, White Rock, Deebing Heights and Redbank Plains continue to be our fastest growing,” Cr Antoniolli said.

“Total dwellings across the region are just short of six figures, now a combined 98,313, with more than 12,000 in the Greater Springfield area alone.”

Cr Antoniolli said council was supporting the housing availability and affordability required for the entire South East Queensland region.

“We are on track to become a city of 530,000 within 20 years and that will require another 100,000 homes,” he said.

“This underlines the importance of our continued advocacy for other levels of government to partner with council in delivering improved transport infrastructure for this part of our city.”

“With the Ripley Valley PriorityDevelopmentAreagrowingby

the day, we urgently need other levels of government to commit to and complete improvements to the Cunningham and Centenary highways and a public transport corridor linking Springfield Central and Ipswich Central.”

The 1 October – 31 December 2025 quarterly Planning and Regulatory Services report card released last week showed:

• 2,439 new residents

• 725 lots created

• 877 new dwellings

• 433 development applications determined

• 669 plumbing issues determined

• 456 development applications

• 677 community clinic immunisations

• 5,488 customer service requests

• 6.28km of additional pathways and bikeways created

• 6.59km of additional local roads

• 316 food licence and other health inspections

Population statistics:

• 1 January 2022: 240,320

• 1 January 2023: 245,472

• 1 January 2024: 253,093

• 1 January 2025: 261,795

• 1 January 2026: 270,624

The full Planning and Regulatory Services Quarterly Report can be read via ipswich.qld.gov. au/Services/Planning-and-Building/Supporting-Resources/Reports

Local fire ants facing eradication from above

HELICOPTERS have been seen hovering over the Rosewood and Marburg district delivering bait as part of the Fire Ant Eradication Program.

The invasive red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) remains a significant threat across South East Queensland, including the broader Ipswich region that encompasses towns such as Rosewood.

Fire ants are one of the world’s

most destructive invasive species.

Native to South America, these small reddish ants can inflict painful stings, disrupt local ecosystems, damage infrastructure and pose serious risks to people, pets and livestock.

InAustralia,fireantswerefirst detected near Brisbane in 2001 and have since been the focus of an ongoing national eradication and suppression effort.

Time travel takes Lara to view a far-off place

By LARA HART

BEING late is only good if you’re trying for a baby, otherwise, lateness equals tardiness and a disregard for another person’s time.

Some late people try to rebrand ‘late’.

They’ll say “I’m fashionably late”, which is like saying , “I’m stylishly racist.”

But time doesn’t work the same in Australia as it does in South Africa.

There’s something called ‘African time’ and that means ‘it will happen, we don’t know when, but it will be soon-ish’.

I was sent to cover an event where a local MPs would address an audience.

I can’t recall the occasion but know that I arrived on white girl time and didn’t get the memo African time was at play.

So, there’s me, bang on time and sitting on a chair in an empty row.

In front and behind me were rows and rows of empty chairs.

The chairs were white so at least I matched the decor.

I looked at my watch and it was already 10 minutes past the time the invitation said it would start.

Crickets...

Then at least an hour later the lauded dignitaries sauntered in and people began to take their seats.

I decided to play the game in future and rock up fashionably late ... which is probably not best word usage considering my opening paragraphs.

There is something different about Africa that has nothing to do with the clock and rather a feeling.

Iamnotgoingtogetalltouchy feely here, because that’s not my style.

I’m pragmatic, realistic and pride myself on being able to control my emotions.

But control over emotions doesn’t’ happen in South Africa and that’s truly beautiful.

The minister for health was visiting a rural hospital with a tour of the wards scheduled.

Let me set the scene.

The hospital was in a rural landscape and rudimentary at best.

I was far from the main town and the only ‘white girl in the village’ (sorry Little Britian).

As a journalist I genuinely enjoyed interviewing and spending time with the people of South Africa who just happened to be black.

A helicopter landed on a field next to the hospital.

Red sand and debris spat upwards then rained down on the lines of nurses and hospital staff waiting on the minister’s arrival.

They formed two lines and a pathway for the minister to walk through.

As she walked, the African people chanted, warbled high pitched sounds, sang, danced and clapped their hands.

There was no stiff upper lip here, no formal handshakes and the minister danced down the line as she made her way to the hospital building.

This is something I miss about South Africa.

The joy that’s not stifled and the singing that bursts forth be-

cause the happiness too strong, too deep, to not let it out.

Another journo had a different experience with a helicopter and interview with a dignitary,

She was sent to cover the genocide in Rwanda.

The helicopter landed and she got out while the rotors were going hell for leather.

She ducked, she wasn’t stupid, but she’d made a massive error in judgement.

The helicopter landed where thousands of corpses lay rotting in the sand.

Maggots were whipped up and soon she was coated in them.

She stuck around long enough to file a good story, then high tailed it out of there to have a long, hot shower no doubt.

When I interview someone and they hear my accent, there’s a few questions they ask without fail.

“What does ‘now now’ mean?” they ask.

I tell them, it means shortly. “And what does ‘just now’ mean?”

That means longer then now now, so when I get to it.

My sons knew they were in trouble when I said, “listen here my boy”.

That turn of phrase has become a meme and that makes me laugh because it is so accurate.

If we say, “listen here my friend”, the time for listening has passed and you are not our friend.

Good time keeping is important and respectful.

If I am late I will text ahead and apologise profusely.

Time is important and using it wisely makes sense because one day it will run out for all of us.

Old diggings are development factors today

By WENDY CREIGHTON

AROUND five years ago, Ipswich City Council approved a rural residential style subdivision on a 16 hectare block at the corner of Caledonian Road and Pindarri Drive at Mt Marrow.

It was a development defined by a number of significant overlays due to the presence of the endangered weeping paperbark (Melaleuca irbyana); designated areas of core koala habitat; bushfire prone areas, and that the allotments in Stage 1 would be on land where there had been historic underground mining.

As a result, the final approved lot layout was designed with ‘building envelopes’ a bid to preserve the environmentally significant vegetation.

And on one side of those building envelopes, a 20 metre area was designated as able to be cleared as a bushfire barrier.

The three stage, 28 lot subdivision was approved in 2020.

Stage 1 involved the dedication of 4.42 hectares as a bushland reserve and stormwater detention basin, and the 15 allotments above the historic underground coal mining activities.

And now the developer, Windmill Projects Pty Ltd, has applied to council for approval of the next step – a permit for the plan of development over the 15 lots including an updated consultant’s report on the former underground mining activities.

Giving a background to those activities, the report noted that … “underground coal mining has taken place under the site area by the Caledonian group of collieries between 1900 and 1950.

“The lots have been undermined on one or two levels along the upper Bruce Seam from the Caledonian No 3 Colliery and the lower Rea Seam from the Caledonian No 2 Colliery, respectively.

“The mining was by bord and pillar methods followed by total pillar removal (pillar extraction) along the upper Bruce Seam workings and partial pillar extraction along the lower Rea Seam. One of the lots is also lo-

A diagram showing the lot layout on the approved subdivision at 226 Pindarri Drive, Mt Marrow across the three stages of development. The green coloured area at left shows the 4.42ha bushland reserve with the stormwater detention area coloured in blue. Each of the allotments has a rectangular box of dashes which indicates the building envelope within which the construction of homes and outbuildings must be confined.

cated partially within the mine influence zone.

“The fully pillar-extracted Bruce Seam mining, which took placeintheorderof15metresbelow ground level, was found from the drilling and LiDAR check to have resulted in the closure of the mine voids and the completion of bulk subsidence in the 1940s.”

“The Rea Seam mining generally with 1.5 metre high flooded voids was found to be located in the 35 to 38 metre depth range.”

(Bord and pillar mining: Miners extracted coal along roadways or bords, with the coal between the bords acting as pillars hold-

ing up the roof. The outer pillars were then mined, leaving the roof to collapse in a controlled way as the miners retreated towards the exit.)

According to the consultant’s report … “subsidence from the pillar extraction along the upper Bruce Seam workings is indicated to be complete with some potential residual minor subsidence still possible.

“The previously identified old surface subsidence cracks were the result of the pillar extraction of the upper Bruce Seam workings dating back to the 1940s.

“The ground cracks and other

depressional features were remediated where these were identified away from the council vegetation covenant.”

Following on from the report, the developer’s current application for a planning permit includes the recommendation that all residential buildings on lots in Stage 1 are of stump type construction.

“Slab on ground carports and undercroft garages can occur, where slabs are structurally isolated from the dwelling house structure.”

Council planners are currently reviewing the application.

Ridge top homes, a pool and horse arena

A 19ha Marburg property featuring two homes, sheds, a horse arena and an in-ground swimming pool sold this year for $2,867,500.

The main residence has 700sqm under roof and was built 14-years-ago.

It features a large formal lounge, a casual family lounge and living area adjacent to the central kitchen and meals area.

It also has a large function room with a built-in bar, a master suite with luxury dual facilities and spa, a second bedroom with a walk-in robe and a semiensuite, which has access to the main bathroom.

The other three bedrooms are described king size.

The home has ducted air conditioning and high ceilings.

There is three phase power, a 7kW solar system and 90,000 litre total capacity from five rainwater tanks.

Outside the large in-ground pool is surrounded by gardens.

The second home has two bedrooms plus a sleepout, one bathroom and a double undercover carport.

The kitchen, meals and lounge area are open plan and there’s a front and back deck.

Overall, the property has a fitted-out workshop-garage with capacity for multi-vehicle storage, a second garage with room for 10 cars, a large hayshed and truck accommodation.

There’s also a professionally en-

gineered, full size, sand dressage arena, a sealed driveway, a four baystable,fencedpaddocks,mixed pasture, five dams, a loading bay and concreted visitor parking bays.

The property last sold in 2021 for $2 million.

World Cup has Charlie in seven wicket hauls

By CLANCY NUGENT

IPSWICH Hornets quick Charlie Lachmund has gone on a rampage at the Under 19 Cricket World Cup with 12 wickets already to his name from just four games.

The Aussie attack has been impressive throughout the tournament, taking no less than seven wickets in every match.

They have bowled Sri Lanka out for just 58 and South Africa out for 118.

In the final match of the Super 6 stage, Lachmund bowled at his best.

The young quick took four for 66, including two wickets in the final three overs of the match with the West Indies requiring 37 with four wickets in hand.

Lachmund got the important wicket of West Indian all-rounder Shaquan Belle to rip the heart out of the run chase and confirm Australia’s spot in the semi-final.

“It was good to get a vibe about what it’s going to be like in the semi and final,” Lachmund told the Unplayable Podcast.

“It was actually awesome to get into that different contest, and

find ways to win.

“That’s what good teams do, they always manage to find a way no matter the circumstances,” he said.

Lachmund and his Aussie side took on England in a knockout match on Tuesday evening (after Ipswich Tribune Today’s print deadline).

Shannon takes two-year NRLW Bronco deal

IPSWICH’S Shannon Mato will join reigning NRLW champions the Brisbane Broncos on a twoyear deal through to the end of the 2027 season.

The Queensland and Australian front rower is walking into an already stacked team after 27 appearances with the Gold Coast Titans, where she claimed Player of the Year honours in both 2022 and 2023.

The27yearoldwonapremiership with the Broncos in 2020 before joining the Gold Coast, and since her departure she claimed the 2024 Nellie Doherty Medal as Women’s Origin Player of the Series, as well as Dally M Prop of the Year in both 2023 and 2024.

Mato is returning to the footy field after becoming a mother.

“I just want to take it easy. My body is a lot different now since having bub, so I have to give myself some grace in that area,” Mato said.

“I’m definitely a psycho when it comes to goals and I think just getting back on the field, I don’t know when that will be, but I’ll definitely push for it,” she said.

The powerful middle forward will also return to some close friends at the club, with whom she has shared premiership experience.

“I love playing with Duzzi [Chelsea Lenarduzzi]. She’s been a huge part of my rugby league career. Back in 2020, she welcomed me with open arms and I learned so much from he. Now we just thrive off each other.

“I’ve heard Princey (Head Coach Scott Prince) has straightup conversations, which is somethingthatIlike.Idon’tenjoybeating around the bush,” she said.

Mato is a major signing for the Broncos who are looking to go back to back in skipper Ali Brigginshaw’s final year of NRLW footy.

Jets, Titans help demolish Nth Ippy Reserve

By CLANCY NUGENT

THE Ipswich Jets welcomed the Gold Coast Titans to town last Wednesday for an opposed training session, giving local fans the chance to see NRL talent in the flesh on their home turf.

Both teams were put through their paces with some drills before going head to head and working through some sets.

Ipswich looked sharp just a week and a half before their first trial at the Sunshine Coast, defending strongly against a Titans side that is littered with offensive threats, albeit not competing at 100 per cent contact.

The demolished western grandstand made for a different feel at the home of Ipswich Rugby League but the fans were still out in force.

This is the second time the two clubs have had a session like this, with many believing the Titans are looking to take control of a region that has historically been Broncos heartland.

Fans also got to welcome back 2025 Jets players Josh Patston and Ollie Pascoe who have been training as part of the Titans NRL squad this season, as well as former Ipswich State High student Phillip Sami and new star recruit Moses Mbye.

It marked the start of an important pre-season period that will set the Jets up for a massive 2026 as they look to improve on their week two finals loss from last year.