Issuu

Moreton ws e Border N MORE THAN 27 YEARS OF SERVING THE COMMUNITY

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Edition No: 1312 | Thursday, 1 October, 2026

Twitchers count our birds PAGE 6

Riding in on history THE Military Jeep Club of Queensland marked its 50th annual Military Vehicle Show and Swap Meet with more than 100 historic military vehicles at the Laidley Showgrounds from 24 to 26 September. STORY PAGE 5

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Reyna Jelbert and Col Feather with a 1942 HD WLA, WW11 Harley Davidson bike.

NEWS

INSIDE DINING ....................................... page 15

Chiefs suspend fire permits

REAL ........................................... page 16

By MORGANNE KOPITTKE

RAMBLINGS ............................... page 14

SPORT ................................ pages 17-20

WEATHER THREE DAY WEATHER OUTLOOK

TODAY

SATURDAY

Sunny Min Temp 9°C Max Temp 26°C

Mostly sunny Min Temp 13°C Max Temp 28°C

FRIDAY

SUNDAY

Sunny Min Temp 11°C Max Temp 27°C

Partly sunny Min Temp 16°C Max Temp 28°C

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FIRE permits have been suspended as authorities respond to heightened bushfire risk and worsening weather conditions. The Chief Fire Wardens for the Brisbane Valley, Somerset/Lockyer and Scenic Rim jointly advised that all permits to light fire will be suspended until 11.59pm on 9 October. The suspension has been put in place by the Rural Fire Service Queensland’s Brisbane Valley District in response to current and forecast weather conditions that heighten bushfire risk, and to reduce the impact of permitted burns becoming out of control. For residents and landholders, this means any Permit to Light Fire issued prior to the suspension cannot be used while the suspension is in effect. However, fire restrictions can be extended, varied or revoked as conditions change. Rural Fire Service Queensland Acting Deputy Chief Officer Joel Gordon said the Lockyer Valley, Somerset and Scenic Rim areas are currently experiencing increased fire conditions. “To limit the introduction of fire into the landscape, a suspension of Permits to Light Fire has been put in place. This suspension only impacts current permit holders or those wishing to apply for a permit,” he said. “As we are now in the higher bushfire risk period, it is important all community members have a Bushfire Survival Plan and are aware of the Fire Danger Rating in their local area. Residents can keep up to date with the latest bushfire warnings by visiting the QFD website, QFD social media channels or by listening to their local radio station.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor Tanya Milligan said everyone had a role to play in reducing bushfire risk. “The community can help by maintaining their property and reducing excess vegetation around homes and sheds and by avoiding activities that could inadvertently start a fire,” she said. Mayor Milligan said council works closely with local Rural Fire Brigades and other emergency services to support bushfire preparedness.

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Firies warning of ignition risk

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By LARA HART

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TWO fires sparked by a grinder and a slasher on consecutive days prompted a SEQ volunteer firefighter to urge residents to rethink jobs that could ignite dry grass. First officer of the Tarome Rural Fire Brigade Dick Buckham said crews recently extinguished a fire started by a grinder when a second fire broke out 800 metres away. “We went to two fires in two days,” he said.

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The second fire began with a slasher, destroyed a tractor and ran back towards ground already burnt by the first fire.

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A tractor was destroyed during a recent fire.

Fire permits have been suspended across the Lockyer Valley.

About 20 fire trucks attended. Mr Buckham cautioned against slashing tall, dry grass in the heat of the day because machinery could produce sparks and cut grass remains fuel on the ground. “People really need to think about what they are doing, and understand the time of year and the dangers of what they’re doing,” he said. He urged landholders to keep access clear and reduce fuel around sheds, yards and homes well before a fire approaches. The loss of a tractor was serious, he said, but a fire can travel beyond property boundaries and threaten neighbours’ homes.

“This includes maintaining fire management practices on Council-managed land, supporting community education and awareness initiatives and sharing timely emergency information through Council’s Disaster Dashboard,” she said. “Council also monitors conditions throughout the fire season and supports operational responses when required.” “A few simple preparations made today can make a significant difference during the fire season,” she said.

DID you know Grandchester has the oldest station in Queensland and was first named Bigge’s Camp? Inside this edition you will find some interesting and quirky facts from places in the Moreton Border News’ catchment. As the days become longer and the temperature heats up, firies have issued a reminder that tools or machinery capable of a emitting a spark, should not be used without water on hand and a spotter. A slasher and tractor used on dry brush started a large fire that took significant manpower to get under control. Jesse Hamilton writes about the call for action on Fernvale Road to address ‘serious safety concerns that put motorists at risk’ while waiting for a future intersection upgrade. And in entertainment, CMC Rocks has unveiled a line up that includes U S icons Brooks and Dunn, Eric Church and Ashley McBryde for the three-day festival in March 2027. - Lara Hart

Thursday, 1 October, 2026 | Moreton Border News

NEWS

TMR Minister, Brent Mickelberg

Somerset Regional Council is calling for the speed limit to be reduced at the Millar Road and Brisbane Valley Highway intersection due to increasing traffic and heightened safety risks. (SRC)

Mayor Jason Wendt

Speed fears over Fernvale shortcut deferred until a future upgrade is delivered,” Cr Wendt said. “We have repeatedly raised concerns about this intersection, and those concerns are shared by local police, residents and road users who know firsthand how challenging this location can be to navigate.” Cr Wendt said Council had previously requested a reduction in the speed limit at the intersection to improve safety, however TMR declined the request following what it described as an informal review. “The urgency of this issue is heightened by the expected increase in traffic movements once the Fernvale South Productivity Link along Muckerts and McCulkins Lanes is completed,” the Maayor said. “More vehicles will be directed through the Millar Road intersection to access Fernvale and Lowood, increasing exposure to risk unless appropriate safety measures are implemented before traffic volumes grow.”

Cr Wendt said Council was also concerned that action on the current speed environment could be delayed indefinitely while the community waits for intersection upgrades. “We have not been provided with a construction timeframe for the proposed upgrade, and motorists should not be expected to wait for future works before reasonable steps are taken to improve safety,” he said. “Our immediate concern is the safety risk presented by the current 100km/h speed limit before the proposed upgrade is delivered.” Cr Wendt said Queensland Police representatives had also raised concerns following recent crashes in the area. “We are calling on TMR to urgently undertake a formal speed-limit assessment and implement an appropriate interim speed reduction and any other practical safety measures pending completion of the intersection upgrade,” he said.

“Council is also seeking assurance that the safety assessment undertaken as part of the intersection design determines the appropriate permanent speed limit and identifies any additional measures needed to improve safety before the upgraded intersection opens. “The community expects action and they expect this before another serious crash occurs, not after.” Somerset Councillor Brett Freese was appointed to the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee on 23 September and will join Mayor Wendt in advocating for safer roads across Somerset. “It is a privilege to take on this role and I look forward to working with Mayor Wendt to advocate for residents, visitors, businesses and our community that rely on the road network daily,” Cr Freese said. Cr Freese was appointed to TSAC following the resignation of Councillor Michael Bishop earlier this month.

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SOMERSET Regional Council is calling for immediate action to address serious safety concerns at the Millar Road intersection - the Brisbane Valley Highway connection to the much-vaunted Fernvale South Productivity link - warning that motorists should not be exposed to unnecessary risk while waiting for a future intersection upgrade. Councillors supported a motion at its Council meeting on 23 September to formally raise concerns with the Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Brent Mickelberg MP, Lockyer MP Jim McDonald, and the TMR Director-General. Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said Council was extremely concerned that a formal speedlimit assessment had not been undertaken before a decision was made to retain the 100km/h speed limit at the intersection. “Council’s concern is straightforward - if there is a safety risk at this intersection today, action to address that risk should not be

Moreton Border News | Thursday, 1 October, 2026

NEWS

Amberley pharmacists’ diverse roles By CAPT HELENA GJONE PHARMACISTS are not typically the first profession associated with military health, yet their contribution is critical and their opportunities extend far beyond the traditional pharmacy setting, as evident by personnel serving at the RAAF Base Amberley. From optimising medication use and providing advice on the introduction of new classes of Navy ships, to supporting healthcare delivery on operations, pharmacists play a vital and diverse role in sustaining the health and readiness of ADF personnel. Squadron Leader Kara Sellwood took a different pathway into Defence, joining RAAF after a decade managing community pharmacies across Queensland and New South Wales. SQNLDR Sellwood was also deployed to the Middle East on several occasions, serving in Iraq and at Al Minhad Air Base. “My role in the Middle East was quite similar to what you would expect a garrison pharmacy to look like. The main role was dispensing and providing over-the-counter advice,” SQNLDR Sellwood said. “However when I was at Al Minhad Air Base in early 2021, it was the height of COVID outbreaks, before vaccines were available. “I also spent a lot of time helping the scientific officer run the PCR machines for all the testing we were doing on the base. “When we finally got the vaccines, I was involved in the mass vaccination rollout,” she said. Lieutenant Cyndi Scholes, meanwhile, is posted to a more logistics-focused role in the 3rd Health Battalion. She is primarily focused on supporting the unit’s surgical and close health capabilities by preparing medicines and medical consumables required for training activities, exercises and operations, including restricted Schedule 8 medications. LT Scholes is passionate about expanding pharmacists’ scope of practice and recently undertook training in oxygen compounding. “I know that the Army is trying to think of different ways that we could better sustain oxygen when we are in the field,” LT Scholes said. “I’ve compounded lots of creams before, but I just never imagined that compounding oxy-

Lieutenant Cyndi Scholes, working in the Role 2 Basic treatment facility during Exercise Pozieres Run 2026 at Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Queensland. (581174)

RAAF Pharmacists, Flying Officers Stephanie Humphrey and Emma McIver RAAF Pharmacist Squadron Leader Kara Sellwood from No 1 Expeditionary from No 1 Expeditionary Health Squadron, setting up and checking deploy- Health Squadron, checking deployable medications. (CPL Brett Sherriff 581173) able medications at RAAF Base Amberley. (581173)

gen would be in my repertoire. “In civilian pharmacy there’s a lot of discussion about expanding scope of practice. In Defence, that conversation is sometimes more relevant because the workforce is relatively small and people often need to wear multiple hats.” Outside her core duties, Defence has offered LT Scholes opportunities to develop a broad range of military and leadership skills. “I’m a pharmacist, yes, but I’m also an Army officer,” LT Scholes said. “I get to ride in military vehicles, handle weapons, participate in stretcher carries and

work alongside teams with a wide range of specialist roles.” In Defence, pharmacy can even be a starting point for a much broader career, with pharmacists able to take their skills and experience into a range of healthcare, leadership and operational roles. For pharmacists considering a career in Defence, FLGOFF Farag recommends doing research and asking Defence Force Recruiting to connect them with current Defence pharmacists before making the decision to join. “Like any organisation, Defence has both rewarding and challenging aspects,” FLGOFF

Farag said. “You need to be prepared for everything from highly desirable postings and unique opportunities through to remote locations, separation from family, and potentially supporting operations or conflict.” While the role may not be suited to everyone, CAPT Ivak believes it is particularly well suited to those who are “keen to roll up their sleeves and give things a go”. LT Scholes agrees. “If you want a challenge and you want to think outside the box, go for it.”

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Thursday, 1 October, 2026 | Moreton Border News

NEWS

Military vehicle show marks 50 yrs By JESSE HAMILTON THE Military Jeep Club of Queensland marked its 50th annual Military Vehicle Show and Swap Meet with more than 100 historic military vehicles at the Laidley Showgrounds from 24 to 26 September. Hosted in Laidley since 2022, the milestone event attracted military vehicle enthusiasts, history buffs and families, with displays spanning from World War I to the modern era. The 2026 showcase placed a special focus on the iconic WWII Harley-Davidson WLA motorcycle and General Motors-produced military vehicles, including Holden models.

Daily activities included swap meet stalls, parts vendors, living history displays and educational sessions with military re-enactment groups. Saturday featured the main vehicle parade and arena showcase before the club held its formal dinner. Event organiser Jad Dennis said the club, which was formed in the 1970’s by about six people, had grown from its original focus on preserving World War II jeeps to showcasing a wide range of military vehicles from different eras, including trucks, tanks, Land Rovers and Vietnam-era vehicles.

Huge American Amphibious craft called the Mongoose drove around the Laidley showgrounds.

Brian Yates from Goodna with his WW11 Welbike.

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Moreton Border News | Thursday, 1 October, 2026

NEWS

Silver gull. Scientific Name: Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae

Red-kneed Dotterel. Scientific Name: Erythrogonys cinctus.

Red-winged parrot. Scientific name: Aprosmictus erythropterus.

Pied Stilt. Scientific name: Himantopus leucocephalus.

Wetlands twitchers help keep count DRIVERS heading in and out of Rosewood may pass the wetlands beside Bremer Road without a second glance. With the Aussie Bird Count coming up from 19 to 25 October, now is a good time to stop and discover the birds living close to home. aussiebirdcount.org.au BirdLife Australia invites everyone to spend 20 minutes in a garden, park or other outdoor spot, record the birds they see and submit their count through the event’s app or website. Residents of Rosewood, Marburg, Grandchester, Warrill View, Thagoona and Walloon can take part wherever they are. For those keen to explore, the Bremer Road wetlands near Armstrong Park offer a place to start. About 2.5 kilometres east of Rosewood, the area includes shallow freshwater wetland, grassland, scattered trees and vegetation along the Bremer River. Birds Queensland lists black swans, grey teal, royal spoonbills, egrets and several birds of prey among the species that may be seen there. A local online listing records 153 species, though sightings vary with the seasons and water levels. A pair of binoculars can turn a roadside stop into an hour of discovery. Bird photographers may want a camera with a long lens. The wetlands are on private property, but birds can be watched from the roadside. Nearby Armstrong Park offers a place to take a break. Birdwatching also brings visitors to regional communities. In the year to June 2024, international visitors spent $2.6 billion on Australian trips involving birdwatching, while domestic overnight travellers spent $636 million. These national figures do not measure spending around Rosewood, but they show the interest that birdlife can attract. Keeping places like Bremer Road healthy matters for the birds as well as the people who enjoy watching them. Wetland water levels, grassland and trees help provide places to feed and shelter. BirdLife Australia says one in six Australian bird species faces the threat of extinction. Each 20 minute count helps build a national picture of the birds living alongside us and the first step could be as simple as looking more closely at a familiar patch of Rosewood. Photos by Lyle Radford

White ibis. Scientific name: Threskiornis Molucca.

Eastern Cattle egret. Scientific name: Ardea coromanda.

Different times of the day can produce different bird species.

Swamp Harrier, (Young bird) Scientific name: Circus approximans.

Black Kite. Scientific name: Milvus migrans.

Black-necked Stork or Jabiru. Scientific name: Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus.

Thursday, 1 October, 2026 | Moreton Border News

NEWS

Brooks and Dunn to headline CMC By BYRON PESZKO AUSTRALIA’S largest international country and roots music festival, CMC Rocks, has just unveiled one of the most epic artist lineups ever, ahead of its 20th anniversary celebration event in 2027. US icons Brooks and Dunn, Eric Church and Ashley McBryde will headline the threeday festival in March 2027, alongside some of country music’s hottest international talent and homegrown favourites including Kameron Marlowe, Turnpike Troubadours, Blake Whiten, Lanie Gardner, Kaylee Bell and Lane Pittman. Texas country singer Parker McCollum will make his debut at CMC. “I have not heard of CMC before, but I thought what a cool thing to do, go over there with my band and play some shows on the literal other side of the planet,” Parker said. Parker’s initial foray into country music began as a young boy. “The earliest music I can remember hearing is country music,” he said. “It’s what my mum, aunts, uncles and grandparents listened too. “It’s the music I grew up on. From there, his older brother Tyler took to guitar, something Parker admired. “I was the little brother wanting to do what the big brother was doing.

Texas country singer Parker McCollum will make his Aussie debut at CMC 2027.

“I was trying to play guitar and write songs too. “I was still only 12 or 13 years old when I had the idea that maybe country music was something I’d like to do. 20 years later, Parker has five albums under his belt and has performed sold shows across the USA and UK.

He defines his music as constantly evolving. “I’ve never really been able to kind of put my thumb on what I sound like,” he said. “I’ve never attempted to try to sound different than anybody, and I’ve never tried to sound like anybody. “I’ve just always tried to approach it from the most original, authentic, whatever the heck

it is that I am. “That has seemed to serve me pretty well. Asked what Aussies can expect to hear from the US superstar down under, Parker said anything’s possible. “We’ve had four number ones at country radio here in America and in the U.S, so we’ll play those every night. “There are several songs from throughout my career that never saw the radio and that have been really big hits for me as well. “It makes it fun when we put together a set list to decide what we’re going to play and what we’re not going to play.” Reflecting on his career, Parker admits all his dreams have come true. “I’ve always just tried to write the best songs that I could and I’ve hung my hat on that. “I feel guilty asking for anything more than I’ve got right now. With 27,000 fans expected to walk through the doors of CMC next March, the 20th year anniversary is shaping up to be the best iteration yet. “Everybody I know that’s played in Australia says they’re blown away by how much they love country music over there,” Parker said. “I know very little about Australia, but I’m very excited to perform there.” CMC 2027 tickets are available by visiting axs.com/au/events/1608446/cmc-rocks-qld2027-tickets

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Breast cancer Awareness October 2026

Go pink in October and lend a hand By BYRON PESZKO WEST Moreton Health Foundation is asking the community to Go Pink and support Ipswich women and families affected by breast cancer this month, with more than $60,000 raised across various events in 2025 alone. Go Pink allows community members to donate, buy a raffle ticket, fundraise, buy merchandise or attend various events being held across the region. WMHF Chief Executive Officer Scott Young said he was blown by the community this year. “The number of people putting their hands up to run their own events and fundraisers for Go Pink has been incredible,” Mr Young said. “From luncheons to sports challenges, every single one makes a difference.” Kicking off this Saturday will be the CSI’ Pink V Lady Gaga Tribute Show 2026, followed by The Big Pink Boss Aquathlon, BreastScreen QLD Movie Night 2026, Go Pink Spring Luncheon and Ipswich Quota Music Bingo. Mr Young said $60,000 raised from last year’s Go Pink event has already been put towards worthy use. “Funds raised will go towards new equipment for BreastScreen Ipswich when the service moves to its new site early next year,” he said.

More than $60,000 was raised across various events in 2025 alone.

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Thursday, 1 October, 2026 | Moreton Border News

NEWS

Seniors Expo connects local support By MORGANNE KOPITTKE MORE than 120 seniors attended the 2026 Laidley Seniors Expo, with the event providing older residents in the Lockyer Valley with information about financial assistance, health and community services. Held at the Laidley Cultural Centre on 18 September, the expo brought together a range of government and community organisations, giving seniors the opportunity to access information, local services and support in one place. The expo showcased cost-of-living supports, such as concessions, rebates, Seniors Card benefits and the $399 energy rebate for vulnerable households. Seniors also received advice from experts about home safety, health and care planning choices, and how to protect themselves from scams and fraud. Among the organisations attending as stallholders were ADA Australia, STAR Community Service, Lockyer Valley Regional Council and The Older Men’s Network (TOMNET). State Member for Lockyer Jim McDonald said seniors today were living longer, working harder, and staying more actively involved in their communities. “They’re contributing to their communities through volunteering and supporting their families, often caring for grandchildren longer than any previous generation,” he said. “We also know our population is aging, with

Member for Lockyer Jim McDonald speaks at the 2026 Laidley Seniors Expo.

an estimated 17 per cent, or more than 925,000 Queenslanders aged 65 years or older.” Mr McDonald said that’s why building an age-friendly state is so important. “An age-friendly community is one where people are included, respected and valued for who they are and what they contribute,” he said. “That’s why Seniors Expos are so important.

“They connect you with the right services and supports so you can make decisions that best suit you.” The MP represented Minister for Families, Seniors and Disability Services Amanda Camm at the 2026 Laidley Senior’s Expo. A spokesperson for the Department of

Guest speaker Bob Walker from the Office of Fair Trading, speaking on scams and fraud at the 2026 Laidley Seniors Expo. Image supplied by Member for Lockyer Jim McDonald’s office.

Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety said the Queensland Government is committed to helping seniors stay active, healthy and connected in their communities. “Seniors Expos are held across the state so we can assist older Queenslanders to access practical information and navigate services close to home,” the spokesperson said.

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Moreton Border News | Thursday, 1 October, 2026

RURAL

Record year ahead for beef output AUSTRALIA’S cattle industry is producing more beef from an increasingly productive herd, with national beef and veal production set to exceed three million tonnes for the first time in 2026 despite cattle numbers beginning to ease. Meat & Livestock Australia’s latest Australian Cattle Industry Projections show improved seasonal conditions and long-term productivity gains are supporting historically high cattle turn-off while slowing the forecast herd contraction. MLA Market Information Manager Stuart Bull said that historically, slaughter at these levels would have been associated with a much sharper national contraction. “However, what we’re seeing now is a more productive cattle herd, where improved reproductive performance and faster movement through production systems, supported by improved seasonal conditions, are allowing the industry to sustain high turn-off while maintaining a stronger breeding and calf base,” he said. He said the latest key forecasts include: Adult cattle slaughter growing from 9.3 million head in 2025 to 9.6 million head in 2026, before easing to 9.2 million in 2027 and 8.8 million in 2028. Annual feedlot turn-off exceeding four million head for the first time in 2025–26 Average carcase weights hitting 313kg in

Australian beef production is forecast to exceed 3 million tonnes carcase weight (cwt) in 2026, setting a new national record. (MLA)

2026 and increasing as the slaughter mix shifts towards heavier steers and bullocks, and grainfed production continues to expand. The national cattle herd forecast to ease from 30.8 million head in 2026 to 30.1 million in 2027 and 29.7 million in 2028. Australian beef exports were forecast to reach about 2.4 million tonnes in 2026, sup-

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igating a more complex trading environment,” Mr Bull said. “A stronger Australian dollar and changing tariff settings in markets including China and South Korea are creating some headwinds, but Australia’s broad market access remains an important strength.”

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ported by strong global demand and tight beef supplies in several major producing countries. The United States remained a key source of demand, with its cattle herd at its lowest level in more than 75 years and domestic production constrained by limited cattle availability. “Global fundamentals remain supportive for Australian beef, although exporters are nav-

AGFORCE has opened nominations for its 2026 Producer of the Year Awards, with two honours up for grabs recognising established industry contributors and the next generation of Queensland agricultural leaders. The awards will be presented at the Agforce AGM on 19 November. The traditional Producer of the Year award is aimed at an experienced producer who has demonstrated a long-term commitment to agriculture, Agforce and their local community. The Ian Burnett Young Producer of the Year, named in honour of longtime AgForce and industry contributor Ian Burnett, will recognise an emerging industry leader who demonstrates leadership and innovation. AgForce General President Shane McCarthy said it’s to be a tribute to a producer who’s made a profound impact on their community, consistently contributing to AgForce and to the broader agricultural sector over many years. “There are many on the land with a proven track record of fighting for the interests of rural communities,” he said. “Someone with a long-term commitment to the sustainability and growth of our beef, grain, cane or sheep industries.” The Producer of the Year will receive a Foundation of Directorship Course valued at $3,750, courtesy of major sponsor, the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), as well as a Green Hip Clothing voucher valued at $850. The Ian Burnett Young Producer of the Year will receive a Governance Essentials: Your First Step to the Boardroom Course valued at $900, again courtesy of AICD, a 12-month annual subscription to AgriWebb, valued at $2,000 and

AgForce CEO Niki Ford.

AgForce General President Shane McCarthy.

a Green Hip Clothing voucher valued at $500. AgForce CEO Niki Ford said a new award this year is the Ian Burnett Young Producer of the Year. “We’re looking for someone with fresh ideas, perhaps trialing new technology or leading their local AgForce branch with an eye to the future,” Ms Ford said. Nominations close on October 31.

Thursday, 1 October, 2026 | Moreton Border News

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NEWS

The Rosewood Scrub

St Anne’s Anglican Church, Hiddenvale.

Quirky landmarks in our back yard A SMALL church at Hiddenvale, an old tree beside a creek and a grave at Tallegalla might seem to have little in common but together, they tell a story. The yarn involves the West Moreton district that reaches from Queensland’s first railway to the skies over wartime Europe. Grandchester’s place in railway history is secure. On 31 July 1865, Queensland’s first railway opened between Ipswich and the settlement then known as Bigge’s Camp. The government had chosen a narrow gauge for the line, an economical but controversial decision at the time. Bigge’s Camp became Grandchester, and its 1865 station remains the oldest in Queensland. Beyond the station, the district holds quieter landmarks. At Hiddenvale, the little timber St Anne’s Anglican Church was built in 1937 by Eric and Syd Meier, with help from Colin Freeman. Its modest size makes it easy to overlook, but it is part of the community history that gives this landscape its character. Hidden Vale also has a connection to a much larger story. Frederick Sidney “Sid” Cotton spent part of his childhood on the property his father acquired near Grandchester. He went on to become a pioneer of aerial photography and photographic reconnaissance. Before and during the Second World War, Cotton’s work helped develop the techniques used to gather intelligence from the air. He headed a British photographic development unit and was awarded an OBE for his wartime service. Cotton’s friendship with James Bond author Ian Fleming has prompted speculation that he helped inspire the fictional spy. That connection remains a matter of belief rather than a settled fact and Cotton’s documented flying and reconnaissance work is remarkable in its own right. He died in 1969, and his ashes were returned to the family plot at Tallegalla Cemetery, north of Rosewood. Rosewood has another landmark on a very

Grandchester railway station.

St Brigid’s Catholic church in Rosewood.

Frederick Sidney Cotton’s grave at Tallegalla.

The red gum tree locally called Caesar.

Tallegalla means Brush turkey

Napoleon Willows

different scale. Opened in 1910, St Brigid’s Catholic Church is among Queensland’s largest timber churches. Inside are stained-glass windows by Brisbane firm R.S. Exton and murals by Queensland artist William Bustard, added for the church’s 1935 jubilee. The district’s natural history is just as striking. Before extensive clearing, the dense Rose-

wood Scrub stretched across a broad area towards Fernvale. It held hoop pine, crows ash, blackbean and red cedar; today, small surviving areas offer a glimpse of that former forest. Near Calvert, an imposing forest red gum provides another link to the older landscape and The National Trust estimates its age at about 450 years. These places reward a second look.

Grandchester’s railway recalls a bold colonial experiment; Hiddenvale connects a rural childhood to the history of wartime aviation; Rosewood’s church preserves the work of local builders and artists. And beside a Calvert creek, a tree that was already old when the railway arrived is still standing. Photos by Lyle Radford

Thursday, 1 October, 2026 | Moreton Border News

DELIVERING 2032 AND BEYOND In Partnership with the Queensland Government

BUILDING BEYOND 2032 Games delivery shaping South East Queensland’s future SOUTH East Queensland is growing quickly, and the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games provide an opportunity to deliver the venues, transport, housing and community infrastructure the region will need for decades to come. Across the region, that plan is already taking shape. Early works are underway at Brisbane Stadium in the Victoria Park precinct, and at the Brisbane Showgrounds, which will house the Athlete Village and an upgraded 20,000-seat Main Arena, brightening the Ekka’s future and contributing a permanent inner-city housing legacy for Queenslanders. The Queensland Tennis Centre will add up to 3000-seat show court and up to 12 match courts to its existing Pat Rafter Arena. Delivery is progressing across the wider region, with site preparation progressing at the Logan Indoor Sports Centre, design underway at the Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre and the Sunshine Coast Stadium, and a new Redlands whitewater rafting centre being delivered. These facilities are being planned for long-term sporting, event and community use. The Gold Coast is slated to host events at a new arena and hockey centre, to be funded and delivered by the City of Gold Coast, beside its Convention Centre, plus the Athlete Village and triathlon, while Toowoomba’s showgrounds become an Equestrian Centre of Excellence. This activity presents a range of opportunities for South East Queensland businesses to supply goods and services for the Games, across construction, transport, technology, security, event services and

National Aquatic Centre - Artist impression

more, boosting employment. The 2032 Games will be an event for all of Queensland, with communities across the state slated to share in hosting opportunities, investment and the global spotlight, including Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, Mackay, the Whitsundays and Maryborough.

Better connections for a growing South East Queensland MAJOR transport projects across South East Queensland are underway or in planning, including The Wave on the Sunshine Coast, the Logan to Gold Coast Faster Rail, Cross River Rail, the Brisbane Metro expansion, the Gold Coast Light Rail extension from Harbour Town at Biggera Waters to the Gold Coast University Hospital, the GC Surfer bus service linking Robina to Coolangatta via Burleigh Heads and the Gold Coast Airport (Gold Coast Transport Plan), and road upgrades. For Brisbane, that means new rail lines and stations, northern and eastern bus priority corridors, and road upgrades.

“

Its legacy should be measured in the opportunities it creates long after 2032 a place where Queenslanders can swim, train, gather and connect for decades to come,” Hayne says.

Beyond 2032 a swimming legacy for Queenslanders QUEENSLAND has produced more Olympic swimmers than anywhere else on the planet, yet has never had a facility to match that talent. The Chandler (Sleeman Sports Complex) pool has been home to Queensland swimming since the 1982 Commonwealth Games, but the new National Aquatic Centre will take that legacy further. Rising in the Victoria Park Precinct, the Centre will become the heart of Australian swimming for 2032 and beyond. Design is underway, with a firm appointed via the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority. It will feature a main and secondary

stadium with indoor pools, holding up to 25,000 spectators during the Games and up to 8000 afterwards, alongside the new Brisbane Stadium and Showgrounds. ARM Architecture, Arkhefield and NH Architecture are the principal architects; ARM Director Andrew Hayne says the venue is designed as an inclusive, intergenerational space for Queenslanders well beyond Brisbane. The Centre is part of the Queensland Government’s 2032 Delivery Plan, linking venue construction to road, transport, tourism and grassroots sport upgrades statewide.

That matters to the regions as much as the capital: thousands travel to Brisbane each year for championships, and for many, from Cairns to Charleville, that trip is a first exposure to an Olympic or Paralympic pathway. “Whether you’re chasing gold or teaching your kids to swim, this place will feel welcoming and inspiring from the moment you arrive,” Mr Hayne says. “Its legacy should be measured in the opportunities it creates long after 2032 — a place where Queenslanders can swim, train, gather and connect for decades to come.”

Artist impressions.

BRISBANE STADIUM

SUNSHINE COAST STADIUM

Early works underway

Design underway

LOGAN INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE

NATIONAL AQUATIC CENTRE

Site prep underway

Designer announced

Delivering 2032

Authorised by the Queensland Government, Brisbane.

Moreton Border News | Thursday, 1 October, 2026

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RAMBLINGS

What’s cool today is kitsch tomorrow By LARA HART THE family hardship competition has been running for generations. The prizes are modest, but everyone insists they earned them. Every family has a storyteller who can turn a short walk to school into a polar expedition. You mention that the bus was late, and grandpa leans forward because in his day he walked 10 kilometres through the snow .. uphill and both ways. Nobody asks how the return journey was also uphill. The family has learned that geography is no match for a man who has found an audience. The contest usually begins when a child describes a perfectly ordinary inconvenience. “The Wi-Fi went out during my game,” says a 12-year-old, unaware she has fired the starting pistol at a hardship Olympics. “Wi-Fi?” says her father, “when I was your age we had one computer for the whole family. “It lived in the dining room, and if somebody wanted to use the telephone, the internet made a noise like a robot falling down the stairs and disappearing.” Grandma clears her throat because she has heard this speech before and considers it a warm-up act. “When I was little, we got batteries for Christmas one year and the toy to go with them the next.” That ought to win because it is difficult to compete with a present that comes in two instalments and 12 months apart. Yet every generation believes it has a stronger entry. Someone always remembers having only three television channels, one of which showed a man discussing farming equipment. Someone else recalls rewinding a film before returning it to the shop, an act of public service now performed by nobody and understood by fewer. The stories acquire decorations over time. The snow gets deeper, the walk gets longer and by the third retelling grandpa has had to build the school when he arrived, using only his lunchbox and determination. To be fair, some of these hardships were real. Waiting a year for the matching half of a Christmas gift would test anyone’s festive spirit but the stories have become family heirlooms, polished with every telling. They say, “Look what I managed,” while also suggesting that the younger generation should stop complaining about the wrong flavour of chips. And perhaps they should because today’s children can summon a film without leaving the sofa, speak to friends on another continent, and get an answer to almost any question before an adult has finished saying, “that’s a good question” and “how could they possibly top the snow story? Give them a few decades. One day, a grown child of the present will sit across from a baffled grandchild and say, “You think you have it hard? In my day, we had to charge things.”

“Look, Lara, in my day potatoes grew in the ground.” (Unsplash)

The grandchild will look at the slender device embedded in their sleeve … “Charge them with what?” “Electricity. Through a cable.” “Was the cable dangerous?” “Only when you needed it and someone had borrowed it.” There will be solemn accounts of phones dying at two per cent, of sockets hidden behind hotel beds, and of entire families gathered around a single charger as though it were a campfire. Future children will struggle to believe that their ancestors travelled with bundles of cords, each with a different end, and that possessing the wrong one could ruin a weekend. Then will come the great password tales. “We had to remember them ourselves,” a parent will say, as their child watches a door recognise their face and open. “Every website wanted a different one, some required a capital letter, a number, a symbol and, I think, a short essay on why you deserved access.” “And what happens if you forget?” “You clicked ‘Forgot password,’ then waited for an email so you could make another password you’d forget in six weeks.” The child will doubt this because no sensible society would build such a system. The parent will nod gravely and add, “sometimes we had to prove we were human by identifying traffic lights in tiny pictures. ” The child will ask why anyone needs proof and the parent will have no good answer. Even our clever conveniences contain the makings of tomorrow’s ordeal. We order groceries on a screen, yet must still decide what to eat, notice when the milk runs out and put the groceries away when they

arrive. In two generations, a kitchen may do all three. A grandparent will recall standing in a supermarket aisle trying to work out whether the household needed rice, while a grandchild reacts as if they had been sent into the woods with a spear. “We carried the food home ourselves,” the grandparent will say. “All of it?” “In bags.” “Why didn’t the house tell the shop what you needed?” “Because the house didn’t know and sometimes we didn’t know.” There is material, too, in every video call that freezes on an unflattering expression and every form that makes you type information it already has. Picture an elderly person explaining to a child of the future that a printer could refuse to work because it believed it was out of blue ink, even when asked to print in black. The child will assume this is a fable about a stubborn animal and in a way, it is. Of course, tomorrow’s comforts will bring tomorrow’s complaints. Perhaps a child will grumble that the house prepared dinner before they could change their mind about it, or that a robot chose the wrong mood for the living room lighting. It is tempting to settle the family contest by declaring the present generation the winner of history: more comfort, more information, less snow inside the shoes. Yet we are poor judges of what our descendants will find exhausting. We can see that a task has become easier without always noticing how many tasks we

now do. We no longer wait for the film shop to open, but we can spend half an evening choosing a film. Grandpa had three channels, he may have watched the programme about farming equipment, but at least he got to bed on time. The next generation will have its own genuine difficulties, too. We cannot know them all in advance, and it would be unfair to dismiss a child’s trouble just because they never had to rewind a tape. Hardship is not a family trophy that must stay with its first owner. Still, I hope the stories continue. The exaggeration is part of the fun, and somewhere beneath it is a small act of connection: Here is what my world was like. Tell me about yours. If the children roll their eyes, so much the better because they are practising for the day they will say, “In my day, we had to carry our phones.” And if grandpa is still around, he will lean forward and tell them that carrying a phone is nothing. He once carried his whole school through the snow. Ten kilometres and uphill both ways.

Thursday, 1 October, 2026 | Moreton Border News

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PROPERTY NEWS

Shed a stand out in Thagoona sale A Thagoona property with extensive workshop, shed and vehicle facilities sold recently for $950,000. Set on a 4047sqm block in Banyula Road, the property combines a three-bedroom home with several sheds, garages and covered vehicle areas. A major feature is a 9m by 6m workshop fitted with a 4.5 tonne vehicle hoist. It is complemented by a three-bay lock-up shed, double carport and single garage, providing space for vehicles as well as caravans, boats, trailers, machinery and equipment. Large concreted areas and vehicle access along both sides and to the rear of the property provide entries to the sheds and workshop. The one acre allotment also provides open space around the home and established grounds. Inside, the three-bedroom, one-bathroom home has been maintained and updated, with a renovated kitchen among its main improvements. The kitchen forms part of the home’s main living area, while the floorplan provides practical family accommodation separate from the extensive outdoor work and storage areas. A 10.6kW solar power system is also installed on the property. The property last sold in 2014 for $285,000

Thursday, 1 October, 2026 | Moreton Border News

SPORT

Lowood girls lift beyond the Broncos LOWOOD State High School joined the Beyond the Broncos Girls Academy in 2020, with the program providing ongoing mentoring and support to young Indigenous students. Since then, the program has become an important part of the school community, supporting students with attendance, education, wellbeing, culture, leadership and future pathways. Over the years, Lowood students have also had opportunities to take part in Broncos initiatives, cultural activities and events, allowing them to share their stories and talents beyond the school community. The Beyond the Broncos program runs four workshops throughout the year, with one workshop held each term. Each workshop focuses on a different topic that supports the girls’ personal development, wellbeing and future pathways. The Term 3 workshop focused on mental health and resilience, helping students understand the importance of looking after their mental health, building positive coping strategies and developing resilience when facing challenges at school and in everyday life. The workshop was facilitated by Broncos Ambassadors Darius Boyd and David Mead, who shared their own experiences and encouraged the girls to think about how they can strengthen their wellbeing and manage challenges in a positive way. Lowood High School got involved with the program because the school recognised the need for additional support for its young Indigenous students. The school wanted to provide students with someone who could build strong, consistent relationships with them, support their wellbeing and encourage them to stay connected and engaged with school. The program also provides opportunities to strengthen cultural connections, build confidence and leadership skills, and help students see positive pathways for their future. Lowood High School Beyond the Broncos Student Support Officer Rebecca Chain said a big part of her role at Lowood High School was building relationships with the girls and

Lowood State High School joined the Beyond the Broncos Girls Academy in 2020.

getting to know them as individuals. “I want them to know that I’m someone they can come to, whether they need help with their schoolwork, are having a bad day, just need someone to have a yarn with, or need a little push to get back into class,” she said.

“It’s definitely not always easy, and there are times when you feel like you’re taking one step forward and two steps back. But that’s also what makes the job so rewarding. “Seeing a student start coming to school more often, finish an assessment they thought they couldn’t do, ask for help when they need

it, or even just start believing in themselves a little more, those are the things that make it all worthwhile.” Chain says for her, it’s about being consistent, being there when they need her, and making sure they know that someone is always in their corner.”

Ali Brigginshaw to star in the Grand Final one last time By CLANCY NUGENT IPSWICH Rugby League legend Ali Brigginshaw has set up a fairytale finish to her illustrious career with the Brisbane Broncos through to another NRLW grand final. Brigginshaw was superb in the preliminary final against the Titans in their 20-8 victory, acting mainly as a distributer and helping to get her strike weapons around the park. While she has taken a backseat to fellow half Jesse Southwell in terms of touches, her presence as a leader and experienced head on the field is invaluable as the Broncos look to cement their fifth NRLW premiership.

The veteran started her top-level career in 2009 and has seen women’s rugby league grow to an internationally televised sport, inspiring young girls across all different sports to chase their dreams. She has advocated for inclusivity in sport and is a regular at community events across Australia, especially in Ipswich, giving people from all backgrounds and circumstances the opportunity to enjoy rugby league. If the Broncos can get it done against a redhot Sydney Roosters side on Sunday, it will be the perfect ending to arguably the greatest women’s rugby league career in history.

Moreton Border News | Thursday, 1 October, 2026

Australia’s Ali Brigginshaw at the height of her career, during the Women’s Rugby League World Cup Final between Australia and New Zealand at Old Trafford, Manchester. (Tim Goode, AAP)

SPORT

Brighton Homes Arena is in the running to be an Olympic venue.

Mander said he wants more tartan tracks across the state. (Lyle Radford: 581056)

Minister shy on Ippy’s Games event By CLANCY NUGENT MINISTER for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Tim Mander, has responded to questions about key Olympic infrastructure in the region. Mander said the state government is going through the relevant process to determine whether it will front with its half of the $5 million proposed athletics track at Ripley Valley State Secondary College. He also highlighted the requirement for quality venues across the state to host events, training, and teams, however, could not confirm if Ipswich will receive an event. The full 2032 program has not been decided yet, meaning event venues are yet to be confirmed outside of staple sports like swimming,

athletics, and rowing. “We’ve got to go through the appropriate process,” Mander said. “Anywhere that has good facilities - and those facilities can vary from things that can have crowds, to gymnasiums, to swimming pools, to playing fields - they’re all the type of things that not only are we looking for, but visiting countries are looking for as well to be able to base themselves. “One of the reasons that we made the decision to decentralise the venues of the Games is to make sure that people all over the state can go and watch a game live or some sort of sport live. “We’re hoping that we can do that right across the state,” he said.

Ipswich is yet to receive any Olympicspecific funding for infrastructure; however, North Ipswich Reserve, which is to be upgraded by 2027 thanks to a total of $40 million of funding with contributions from all levels of government, and Brighton Homes Arena are both in the running to welcome the Games in some capacity. Mander would not comment on the likelihood of the state government putting forward the required $2.5 million in funding for the council-backed Ripley Valley athletics track proposal; however, he did acknowledge his support for more professional-level athletics facilities. “That process is also happening at the moment. So that’s our second round, if you like, of our Games On funding. And, again, (Ipswich)

are good contenders,” Mander said. “The department’s doing that. They’re doing the evaluations and assessments. They have got pretty rigid criteria, and they’ll come up with some recommendations eventually. “I want tartan tracks everywhere. We have a shortage of tartan tracks in the state, and speak to anybody in athletics, and they’ll say the same thing. “Wherever we can whack them, and we’ve got the available finance, that’s what we want to do,” he said. Brighton Homes Arena was originally set to host the modern pentathlon; however, changes to the Olympic plans over recent years have placed the venue in limbo in regard to its hosting of an actual event.

Jets bid chief refuses V’landys’ $100 million NRL price tag By CLANCY NUGENT THE leader of the Ipswich Jets NRL bid, Steven Johnson, has said that his group will not be paying the NRL admission price of $100 million set by the ARL Commission’s chair Peter V’landys. V’landys has been vocal bout the next NRL team needing to pay the hefty price tag to be welcomed into the competition. Johnson said paying the joining fee would be foolish. “No (the Jets won’t pay $100 million),” Johnson said. “Anyone who puts up $100 million is an economic fool, because a rugby league club is not worth that. “You’re going to invest $100 million, and some of those clubs make a million dollars a year. That’s a 100-year investment.

“Our approach to Peter is: we’re going to add $100 million to the growth of the game. “It’s not about saying, ‘Here’s $100 million.’ Anyone who does that, two years later, after you’ve lost $20 million in the first year, the second year the wealthy investor is going to say, ‘Am I going to tip in another $20 million?’ And all of a sudden you’ve got a club at a tipping point,” Johnson said. Johnson, who has had meetings with V’landys, said their relationship and cooperation have been strong despite his stance on the entry fee. “We’ve met... We have had a very healthy and robust discussion, which was a very good discussion,” Johnson said. “Our task now is to put a proposal together to convince Peter that Ipswich produces what he needs.”

Steven Johnson said it would be foolish to pay $100 million to be the NRL’s 20th team. (Lyle Radford)

Thursday, 1 October, 2026 | Moreton Border News

SPORT

Brett’s love of horses makes his day BRETT Baker knew how much he mattered to his horses when a broken leg kept him away from his stables - and they stopped eating. Brought back from hospital, the fourthgeneration trainer discovered how much the horses had missed him. “I broke my leg 12 months ago, and I was tied up in hospital with operations and that for a while and all my horses stopped eating,” Brett said. “My wife said: ‘We’ll have to bring you back down to the stables,’ and they perched me up on a chair outside the stables. “I had a horse there at the time, Beau Witness. As soon as he saw me, he whinnied out to me, and they all started eating again. “That’s when you know you mean something to them.” For Brett, satisfaction comes the simple connection with horses. “I often say to people, my favourite day is sitting in the stables, picking one horse out at a time and making sure their shoes are right, they’re brushed and their manes and tails are pulled. “It’s my happiest day,” the Toowoomba trainer said fondly. Brett grew up in Cairns, where his father, grandfather and great-grandfather trained horses. His father, Ralph Baker, is still training there. “I can’t even tell you what year he started training or how long the family’s been training, but it’s four generations,” Brett said. “Bailie Baker, the jockey - she’s my second cousin. My grandfather and her grandfather were brothers.” Brett had planned to be an engineer, but that changed when his dad moved south. Ralph stayed in Toowoomba for 10 years before going home. “When Dad decided to shift from Cairns to Toowoomba, he said: ‘There’s half a dozen horses there if you want to do a bit of training’,” he said. “I was working as a fitter and turner at the time and I thought: I’ll give it a go.” Brett recalls training 12 winners in his first year. John O’Shea, who grew up with him and got his licence at the same time, had one winner that year. “He went down to work for Gai and I won the premiership the following year,’” Brett said. After working for Gai Waterhouse, O’Shea grew to become an elite trainer, winning 29 Group 1s. Brett had ambitions of training down south but not anymore. “I wouldn’t handle the pressure now,” he said. “Cummings offered me a job in ‘95; Bruce McLachlan offered me a job in ‘97. “Another bloke years ago offered me a job pre-training for Gerald Ryan, but I didn’t want to work for anyone else; I just do my own thing. “I ended up winning three premierships in a row up in Cairns, then shifted to Townsville, and was there for six years, and then we came down here. “We shifted down when our kids were ready to go to high school and we’ve been here 20 years.

Brett Baker defied a broken leg to return to his stables and reassure his beloved horses. (Brett Baker)

“We always had a big stable up there. We’ve never had a big stable down here. We kept it to around 10; what we can handle ourselves – the wife and I. “I start at two o’clock in the morning and we do everything ourselves. “If you just stop, you die, hey. You’ve got to keep doing something. Especially with horses. “I’ve worked as a farrier, too, for a long time. I used to break in; I used to ride track work for my father. I started when I was 12. When I was 16, I was too big.” At Beaudesert recently, Brett added another winner when Stabilizer won narrowly. The win rewarded his shrewd decision to run the gelding on an unfamiliar track. “I thought he would have won before now in this prep. But he’s got a knack of throwing races away,” he said. “That’s why I thought I’d bring him to a track he doesn’t know.” We walk and talk outside the stables after the race. Stabilizer is a handful. He must be 17 hands high. Brett says he’s 600 kilos. “He’s a big unit, isn’t he?” he marvelled, adding both were going on holidays. “He’s going to the paddock and I’m going to Broome. Never been there; just driving over with the grandkids and my daughter and her husband.”

Moreton Border News | Thursday, 1 October, 2026

Stabilizer (left), with Nathan Fazackerley in the saddle, narrowly gets the better of Rockrata to win the Home Of Country Racing Handicap (1100m). (Trackside Photography)

SPORT

Blind drivers on track in QR hot laps By BYRON PESZKO BLIND and vision impaired individuals were given a surprise opportunity to get behind the wheel of extic sports cars for real at Queensland Raceway at the weekend. It was the first Brisbane Blind Speed Track Day event. Run in conjunction with Charity Insight Of Dreams, the event was created by Ben Felton, who became the world’s fastest blind man on a motorcycle, when he reached 266.716 kph in 2018. CIOD Director Gary Dundas said it was a Queensland first for the organisation. “BSTD is designed to empower people that are blind that have never driven before, driven and had their license removed, or anywhere in between,” Mr Dundas said. “It’s being able for participants to get out on a track in a safe, controlled environment and

actually take the wheel by themselves with the confidence that they know that they’ve got a driver trainer sitting alongside them to assist. As attendees drove the dual controlled cars under lights, the ante was turned up once more, with Porsche hot laps. Mr Dundas said individuals from across Ipswich and the state turned out for Friday’s event. “We canvassed all of the east coast of Australia, and just put an invitation out through all different community pages everywhere we could in the blind communities to invite people to come to the event,” he said.. “The underlying message would be that if you’re blind, it doesn’t mean that you’re not going to ever be able to drive or you can drive again.” Mr Dundas said. The first BSTD was held at Wakefield Park Raceway, Goulburn in May 2021, attended by 55 people with disabilities.

Attendees drove the dual controlled cars under lights and took a flying lap in a Porsche.

Gold Coast Dotted Beats Group members Lee Strickland and Joanne Cabo with Gary Dundas.

AFL complimented by rugby league talk of an Ipswich team By CLANCY NUGENT HEAD of AFL Queensland Richie Lyons has described discussions in the rugby league heirarchy about placing a team in Ipswich as a ‘compliment’ to the AFL. Lyons was at Wilston Grange AFC in Brisbane spruiking this year’s tremendous growth in Aussie Rules participation across Queensland as the Brisbane Lions prepare for their fourth grand final in a row. He said he believes the AFL’s growth in the western corridor would likely be on the minds of the NRL’s decision-makers as they look to decide where their 20th team will be located, with that decision set to be made around Christmas time. “I certainly think that that’s probably playing a part in their decision-making, but I think it’s a compliment for us,” Lyons said. “The western corridor is a really key priority and strategic priority for us in Queensland. “We’ve got some major capacity issues in inner-city Brisbane and particularly on the Gold

Coast, so we need to keep looking for areas to grow the game. “Springfield Footy Club is our number one fastest-growing club in Queensland, so we’ve made huge inroads there. “The growth has been phenomenal,” he said. The warning sirens for rugby league fans have been growing louder and louder since the Brisbane Lions moved into Brighton Homes Arena in 2022 that the AFL had its sights set on further establishing the game in the fastestgrowing region in Queensland. Their presence aligned with the expansion of the NRL and the Ipswich Jets putting their hands up time and time again to be selected as the next team in the competition. Lyons said the prospect of another AFL team coming into the competition was not out of the question. “I think if our participation keeps tracking the way it is, a 20th team - I don’t know whether that would be a short-term thing or a longterm thing - but if we stay on the same track, then I would never say never,” he said.

Head of AFL Queensland Richie Lyons at Wilston Grange AFC.

Thursday, 1 October, 2026 | Moreton Border News