It's wonderful that so many events are back on both locally and around Brisbane. It's Fete season and most schools are having an event this year, so check out your local school. Significantly, it is Yeronga State School's 150th anniversary this year. That's three schools in the ward (Sherwood, 153 and Oxley, 151) that are some of the oldest in the State. I hope you can get along to Yeronga State School's Fete on 22 May from 10am or purchase a commemorative book which is a wonderful reflection of the people who have helped build and educate Yeronga. The special assembly, speeches by distinguished past students and teachers and dedicated tree planting by the oldest former and current youngest students of the School earlier this year, pictured, was a marvellous glimpse of the School's contribution to education and achievement in the district. 

If you are looking for something new to do this weekend, Botanica, a creative contemporary art exhibition in the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens is now on from 7-16 May between 5-10pm daily. The exhibition features large-scale lighting and projections, installations and interactive artworks for adults and children. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings during the event you can also enjoy music, food trucks and an outdoor bar.

Regards, Nicole.

It's been more than a decade since our community first petitioned Council to upgrade and extend the carpark at Dunlop Park, off Hughes Lane Corinda. Then Corinda State School, Dunlop Memorial Pool and the Oxley United Soccer Club all supported an extension but to date Council has failed to deliver the necessary funding to deliver the project. Some small upgrades were undertaken, including a small extension, but more needs to be done to meet the high demand.

Council officers identified that a carpark extension was possible behind Corinda State Schools rear fence, in the unused gully area, but no plans have been prepared for consultation or funding allocated by the Lord Mayor to the project.  We need to remind Council that this is still an important project for our community that would improve the safety and usability of Dunlop Park for school, pool and soccer families. 

The e-petition also calls on Council to refurbish the existing carpark including better parking bay markings, new bitumen and landscaping to make it safer.

Sign the e-petition calling on Council to improve facilities for school, pool and sports users of this busy community precinct or the hard copy overleaf and return it to my office by 31 July 2021. With your help we can get this project funded.

George Scarlett Park Dog Park, Corinda
The $110,000 upgrade to the dog park in George Scarlett Park, Corinda is underway. Fencing is up for the new small dog park and works to install the new lighting have begun and should be completed by mid June, weather permitting. This is great news for dog owners coming into winter with shorter days ahead.

Dunlop Park Learn to Ride Track, Corinda
There's also great news for young cyclists and scooter users, with Council finally agreeing to install a gate at the learn to ride track in Dunlop Memorial Park, Corinda. A gate is now in place at the Oxley Rd entrance to the track to keep children safe and prevent them from riding out onto the road.

Robert Vickers Place, Oxley
Council have completed the installation of a new tap and bubbler with a dog bowl in Robert Vickers Place, Oxley. 

Following the success of the recent Bands in the Park event, Game, Set Swing, Brisbane City Council is continuing its creative partnership with the Tennis Centre through April and May. Upcoming concerts include:

• Saturday 22 May, 6-8pm, Tennis Centre, Love, Set, Match  pop music from the decades featuring Peter Vance and Rachael Pearse accompanied by Brass Roots Live.

Register via Eventbrite to meet COVID safe requirements. Entry is free with some seating provided and grassed areas available. Baseline Bar and Café is open to purchase for wine and food.

Anywhere Festival 2021

Anywhere Festival is back in 2021 with a huge program of 600 performances over 80 productions in Brisbane in nooks and crannies from suburban warehouses, heritage homes, backyards, reservoirs, gyms and much more.

Music, circus, cabaret, theatre, comedy, magic, dance, art installations, virtual reality, immersive shows. All performances anywhere but where you expect to find them from 6-23 May.

There are a number of performances within the Tennyson Ward. Visit the Anywhere Festival website to view the full programme and book your tickets.

The Half Dozen Group of Artists (HDG-Artists) 80th Annual Exhibition opens  4 June through until 8 June at the Richard Randall Art Studio, Brisbane Botanic Gardens. The Lambert Wall is always a highlight of the exhibition. Artworks created by the Group's many artists, are for sale. The exhibition allows free entry to all visitors.

HDG-Artists founded on 9th April 1941, recently celebrated its 80th Birthday. The 80th Annual Exhibition is a major feature of ongoing celebrations throughout 2021. HDG- Artists evolved from humble beginnings. A group of 6 founding members wanted to create an environment where artists could develop their skills and techniques. Today, participants and its Members attend weekly untutored, or artist led workshops. Members also have the opportunity to exhibit their artworks in exhibitions and events organised by the Group.

One of the reasons for HDG-Artists 80 year success is that it embraces everyone, from beginners through to the many professional artists who make up its Membership. Weekly workshops are held at its 37 Quarry Road, Sherwood studio.

More on the HDG-Artists remarkable 80 year history can be found on their website.

HDG-Artists
80th Annual Exhibition
Richard Randall Art Studio
Brisbane Botanic Gardens
Mt Coot-tha Road
Toowong, Brisbane Qld.

Opening Hours
10:00 -  4:00 daily (4 8 June)
3:00 pm Opening Event (6 June)
10:00 2:00 (9 June)
Contact: Laura Ramsay
Mobile: 0406 523 749

Photo from the HDG-Artists 2020 Virtual Exhibition.

Council are collecting donations of non-perishable food items and toiletries such as face washers, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo and deodorant for those who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, in our community. You can drop off donations to my office at Fairfield Gardens until Friday, 14 May.

The 2021 Homeless Connect will be held on 20 May, 2021 at the Brisbane Showgrounds. The event provides free services to people experiencing homelessness, or those at risk of homelessness, and has helped more than 17,920 people since it began in 2006. 

Oxley Rd, Graceville is posted as 40km/h during 7-9am and 2-4pm school days and 60km/h at all other times. The sign collected data for a 41 week period from 15 March to 26 December 2020. During this time 1,899,449 vehicles passed through the portable speed sign zone.

During non-school zone periods, 199,916 vehicles or 12.4% of all drivers were recorded travelling above the posted 60km/h speed limit. Of the vehicles speeding, 85% were travelling at or below 63km/hr. When prompted, speeding drivers reduced their speeds by an average of 6kms to 57km/hr within the speed camera range.

During school zone periods, 146,034 vehicles or 11.6% of all drivers were recorded travelling above the posted 40km/h speed limit. Of the vehicles speeding, 85% were travelling at or below 62km/hr. When prompted, speeding drivers reduced their speeds by an average of 8kms to 54km/hr within the speed camera range.

Please slow down around busy school and pedestrian hot spots!

Council is offering free immunisation clinics throughout 2021. Clinics are held at the Corinda Bowls Club, 58 Hall Avenue, Corinda from 9-11am every second Friday (excluding public holidays). The next clinic is scheduled for May 21.

For more information, including immunisation fact sheets, visit the Council website here.

Indooroopilly Riverwalk Works
Construction of the Indooroopilly Riverwalk is nearing the final stages, with the final weeks of works taking place Monday to Saturday, 7am to 5pm. 

As part of the Indooroopilly Riverwalk project, Council will upgrade the intersection at Foxton St and Radnor St, Indooroopilly. There is currently no access into Foxton St for traffic travelling westbound on Radnor St and vice versa. Alternative access is via Station Rd and Riverview Tce.

Cross River Rail
Intermittent single lane closures will be in place on Fairfield Rd southbound at Yeerongpilly from Monday to Saturday, 7pm to 5am for the duration of May. Intermittent closures will also be in place Monday to Saturday, 5am to 6:30am to facilitate deliveries of building materials to the work site at Moorooka station and Clapham Yard.

A temporary scaffold pedestrian overpass will be installed this month at Yeronga station and the existing overpass will be closed to pedestrians.

Yeronga Station is closed until late November 2021 to facilitate station upgrade works. A new bus route (109 StationLink) is replacing the train during this time. Five temporary bus stops have been installed between Moorooka and Boggo Rd Stations, including one at Fairfield Rd, Yeerongpilly; one on Wilkie St, Yeerongpilly; and two on Fairfield Rd, Yeronga.