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The Wacol Bushland Saved by Community Action: The Story of Pooh Corner Reserve

Did you know that Pooh Corner Bushland Reserve in Wacol was once facing the prospect of becoming an industrial estate?

Read: Furry Hope: Adam Joins Thriving Koala Community in Wacol

More than 20 years ago, the 1.4-square-kilometre parcel of bushland was surplus Defence land and had been put up for sale. A campaign led by Friends of Pooh Corner, with support from Centenary and District Environment Action (CDEA), helped change its future.

In April 2005, after an intense two-week public awareness campaign, the proposed sale was halted. Instead, the Commonwealth transferred the land to Brisbane for a nominal $1, with the site to be managed as a nature conservation reserve.

The campaign focused heavily on the environmental value of the property. Campaign material identified its vegetation as Regional Ecosystem 12.3.3, classified as an endangered regional ecosystem. The campaign summary also describes the 138-hectare property as containing ecologically high-quality tall open forest and around two kilometres of Sandy Creek.

But Pooh Corner’s history does not stop with its conservation story. The reserve also contains remnants connected to Wacol’s wartime past.

A Small Part Of Camp Columbia

During World War II, the land that is now Pooh Corner Bushland Reserve was only a small part of the much larger Camp Columbia military area.

Historical research by the Camp Columbia Heritage Association records Camp Columbia as a United States Army staging camp established in Wacol in 1942. The camp was associated with General Douglas MacArthur and the wider Allied military effort in the South West Pacific.

Camp Columbia extended well beyond today’s reserve, with military facilities spread across a large part of Wacol.

Much of that wartime infrastructure has since disappeared. According to CCHA’s historical research, later institutional development altered large sections of the former Camp Columbia area, while portions within Pooh Corner and Wacol Bushlands reserves retained surviving relics.

Within Pooh Corner are remnants associated with the former Camp Columbia sewerage system, including remains of a sewerage treatment plant, pipes and other structures. CCHA’s historical mapping has also been used to identify former buildings and infrastructure across the wider former camp area. The result is a landscape where natural and historical features exist side by side.

From Defence Land To Conservation Reserve

The campaign to protect Pooh Corner began after the Defence property was put up for sale in February 2005. Friends of Pooh Corner formed in response and organised a concentrated public campaign aimed at stopping the land from being sold for development. CDEA was among the groups supporting the effort.

By the end of April, Federal authorities announced that the 1.4-square-kilometre property would no longer be sold to developers. The land was instead transferred to Brisbane for $1 to be managed as a bushland reserve for nature conservation.

The successful campaign changed the fate of a substantial piece of Wacol bushland. More than two decades later, the reserve remains protected, while its surviving Camp Columbia remnants provide a physical link to the area’s wartime history.

Wacol’s Wartime Past

Everyman’s “igloo” hut in Wacol, located at the former Camp Columbia heritage site (Photo credit: Google Maps/Paul Harbers)

Interest in Camp Columbia’s history has continued long after the wartime camp disappeared. The Camp Columbia Heritage Association became an incorporated association in 2023, building on earlier work to research and document the former military camp and its later history.

CCHA has used historic maps, aerial photographs and Google Earth mapping to examine the former camp’s layout and compare it with present-day Wacol. Its research shows how much of the original military landscape has changed, while also identifying areas where remnants remain.

Pooh Corner is one of those surviving areas. The reserve is therefore significant for two closely connected reasons. Its conservation value helped secure its protection in 2005, and the reserve also retains remnants of Camp Columbia.

Read: Volunteer Call for Wildlife Survey in Wacol

For Wacol, Pooh Corner preserves part of a landscape shaped by endangered vegetation, Sandy Creek and a major World War II military camp.

More than 20 years after the campaign to save it, the reserve remains a tangible link between Wacol’s environmental and wartime history.

Published 24-August-2026

Two Charged Following Alleged Wounding in Jindalee

Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook

Two people have been charged following an alleged wounding in Jindalee.

Queensland Police said a physical altercation involving a group of people on 30 July occurred near an address on Arrabri Avenue at about 3:45 p.m.

Emergency services were called a short time later. A 42-year-old Jindalee man, who police allege sustained multiple serious injuries during the altercation, was given first aid before being transported to hospital for treatment.

Police said three people fled the scene in a white Audi sedan. No one was struck by the vehicle as it left the area.

A 32-year-old Algester man was arrested at a residential address in Algester on 2 August. He has been charged with one count each of wounding and enter dwelling and commit. He was remanded in custody and is due to appear in Richlands Magistrates Court on 9 October.

A 34-year-old Acacia Ridge woman was arrested in Acacia Ridge on 3 August. She has been charged with one count each of enter dwelling and commit, wounding, and possess utensils or pipes that have been used, as well as two counts of possessing dangerous drugs. The woman was remanded in custody and is due to appear in Richlands Magistrates Court on 6 October.

Police investigations are continuing.

The charges are allegations, and both accused are entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until proven guilty in court.

Anyone with information that may assist police is urged to contact Policelink on 131 444 or submit details through the online suspicious activity form, available 24 hours a day at police.qld.gov.au/reporting.

Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000 or lodging a report online at crimestoppersqld.com.au.

Please quote reference number QP2601475531.

Published 7-Aug-2026

One Week, Seven Suburbs and a Chance to Clear the Kerb

Photo Credit: BCC

If you live in one of Centenary’s seven suburbs, the week beginning 10 August 2026 will provide a brief opportunity to clear approved bulky household items from your home.

In the days before the collection begins, residents may notice the streets around Jamboree Heights, Jindalee, Middle Park, Mount Ommaney, Riverhills, Sinnamon Park and Westlake starting to look different.

Furniture may appear outside homes. Rolled carpets and rugs could sit beside white goods, bicycles and small household appliances. Items too large for an ordinary wheelie bin may be arranged near the kerb, ready for collection.

At first glance, it may look like a broad suburban clean-out. In practice, it is BCC’s annual kerbside collection service for residential households.

The collection period for the Centenary suburbs begins in the week commencing Monday, 10 August 2026.

A Service for Bulky Household Items

The collection gives residents an opportunity to dispose of approved heavy and large household goods, but it does not mean every unwanted item can be placed outside.

Accepted items include furniture, mattresses, bath and laundry tubs, carpets, rugs, bicycles, sporting equipment, small household appliances, white goods and electronic waste.

Televisions and computer monitors may also be collected. Before placing an electronic device on the kerb, residents should permanently remove any personal information stored on it.

Wood products are accepted provided they measure less than 1.5 cubic metres.

Checking which items are accepted before placing them outside can help prevent uncollected material from remaining on the kerb.

Brisbane waste services — *Photo Credit: BCC*

The Timing of the Pile Matters

Items must be on the kerb by 6:00 a.m. on Monday, 10 August 2026, the first day of the scheduled collection period.

Items placed outside after that time may be missed if collection crews have already passed the property.

Residents should place their pile outside no earlier than two days before the collection period begins. Material left on the kerb outside the permitted timeframe may be treated as illegal dumping, and fines may apply.

BCC may change collection dates because of operational requirements or severe weather. Any changes will be published before the scheduled collection.

Keeping Centenary’s Footpaths Clear

The location and arrangement of each pile are important parts of preparing for collection.

Residents should place items neatly near the kerb without blocking the footpath or road. Property access must remain clear, and piles should not obstruct pedestrians, parked vehicles or traffic.

Every item must be capable of being safely lifted by two people.

Doors should be removed from old refrigerators and cupboards before they are placed outside. Sharp or dangerous objects must not be left exposed, while loose items should be secured if severe weather is expected.

A carefully arranged pile helps keep the street accessible while the collection is underway.

Staying Within the Household Limit

Each household may place out a pile measuring up to two cubic metres.

That is approximately the size of a small box-trailer load. Piles exceeding the limit may not be collected.

The service is available to residential households, including houses and multi-unit dwellings.

Commercial properties, caravan parks, schools and vacant land are not eligible for the collection.

Centenary kerbside collection — Photo Credit: BCC

What Must Stay Off the Kerb

Some household materials require a different disposal option.

Batteries, including car and lithium batteries, are not accepted. Chemicals, oils, gas bottles, liquids and hazardous waste must also be kept out of the pile.

Other excluded materials include bricks, concrete, dirt, stones, garden waste, commercial builders’ waste, car parts and tyres.

Glass, mirrors, bean bags, ordinary household waste, recycling, lino and fibro sheeting are also unacceptable. Lino and fibro may contain hazardous materials such as asbestos.

BCC will not collect unacceptable items left on the kerb.

Residents may receive a notice requiring them to remove the material and dispose of it another way. Illegal dumping fines may apply if unacceptable items are not removed within seven days of the notified collection period.

Before an Item Becomes Waste

Not every unwanted household item needs to be placed on the kerb.

Before disposing of furniture, clothing, appliances or other goods, residents can consider whether the items remain usable. Goods in suitable condition may be passed on to friends or relatives, donated to a charity or offered to a reuse and recycling organisation.

BCC identifies GIVIT, Charitable Recycling Australia and Council Treasure Troves as possible reuse options.

Choosing reuse where possible can help residents clear space at home while keeping usable items out of the waste stream.

One Collection Across Seven Suburbs

For one week, Centenary’s streets may reflect the practical work of households sorting through bulky belongings and deciding what should be reused, donated or collected.

Residents may be required to remove unacceptable items that are not collected and dispose of them another way.

The Brisbane Bin and Recycling app can also provide reminders about upcoming bin and kerbside collection services in the area.

Published 3-Aug-2026

Centenary Little Athletics Product Monique Hanlon Leads Grassroots Stars Making Waves on the World Stage

Photo Credit: Monique Hanlon/ Instagram

Centenary Little Athletics alumna Monique Hanlon announced her arrival among the world’s elite sprinters at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow after overcoming years of frustrating injury setbacks to push Australia’s track squad toward a historic campaign.

Grassroots Origins Launch Global Ambitions

What does it take for a local athlete to reach the international stage? For Hanlon, the foundation was built at six years old when she first joined Centenary Little Athletics, learning the fundamentals that would eventually carry her to senior competition with the University of Queensland Athletic Club. That grassroots development proved vital during her Commonwealth Games debut in Glasgow.

After winning her opening 200-metre heat, she stormed through the semi-finals in 22.90 seconds. While that mark fell just short of her lifetime personal best of 22.60 seconds set in London, it earned her ninth place overall—missing the eight-runner final by a fraction of a second while cementing a major career comeback.

The sprint program brought a mix of tough narrow misses and decisive victories across the squad. Teammates Mia Gross, Aidan Murphy, and Calab Law fought hard through competitive semi-final heats before their campaigns came to an end. On the other hand, national standard-bearers Torrie Lewis and Lachlan Kennedy handled pressure smoothly, securing spots in their respective finals after Lewis won her semi-final in 22.64 seconds and Kennedy advanced on time with a 20.12-second effort.

Historic Distance Double Leads Green and Gold Surge

Distance running often comes down to tactical timing, and Rose Davies executed her strategy to perfection. Surging down the home straight, Davies held off training partner Jessica Hull to win gold in 14:44.53, completing an unprecedented 5000-metre and 10,000-metre double at the Games. Hull crossed just 0.48 seconds behind to secure silver, while Linden Hall showed immense grit to finish seventh despite managing a stomach virus during the race.

That frantic finish down the final 30 metres tested every bit of Davies’ endurance. Reflecting on the moment afterward, the Novacastrian distance star explained that holding off a world-class athlete on her shoulder required total focus, fulfilling a childhood dream born from watching her sporting idols on screen. Hull shared similar pride in the result, noting how special it felt to watch her long-time Newcastle training partner maintain total composure under extreme pressure.

Strong Squad Performances Across Track and Field

Momentum built across the middle-distance and field programs throughout the afternoon sessions. Hull returned to the track alongside Abbey Caldwell and heat winner Claudia Hollingsworth to secure three Australian berths in the Mile final, with Hollingsworth recording a sharp 4:31.17.

In the Men’s 800-metres, Peter Bol, Luke Boyes, and Peyton Craig each earned spots in the eight-runner final after navigating physical semi-final fields. Bol later noted that reviewing race footage would be key to making strategic adjustments for the medal decider.

Published Date 31-July-2026

Centenary Heights Crime Data Shows Theft and Drugs at the Top

Centenary Heights recorded 207 offences over the last year, from 30 July 2025 to 29 July 2026, according to local crime dashboard data.

The most common offence was other theft, with 47 cases. Drug offences followed with 38, while unlawful entry came next with 30. There were also 25 assault offences and 16 traffic and related offences. The rest of the total included 14 property damage matters, 9 good order offences, 6 offences against the person, 6 unlawful use of a motor vehicle offences, 5 weapons offences, 4 trespassing and vagrancy matters, 3 fraud offences, 2 robberies and 2 miscellaneous offences.

Late-week activity and evening peaks

The day-of-week chart shows offending was strongest later in the week, with Thursday standing out as the busiest day. Friday and Saturday were also higher than the earlier days.

The time-of-day chart shows a peak in the late evening, around 10pm. For local residents, that may be a reminder to stay alert after dark and keep an eye on home and vehicle security.

The monthly trend also rises and falls across the year. The chart shows stronger periods around December and January, then again through April, May and June. Lower points appear around July and August, with another dip in March.

Money trap warning from Crime Stoppers

Separately, Crime Stoppers Queensland is warning people not to fall for organised crime “money traps”. A national awareness campaign launched in Brisbane on 23 July 2026 is highlighting the ways criminals may try to recruit ordinary people through fake job offers, social media messages and promises of easy money.

Crime Stoppers says warning signs can include requests to use a personal bank account, share banking details or keep the arrangement secret. The campaign is aimed in particular at protecting international students and temporary visa holders, but the message is for everyone.

For Centenary Heights households, the advice is simple: stay cautious, question anything that seems off, and report suspicious behaviour anonymously if needed.

Published 30-July-2026

Respect, Safety and Resilience Shape Darra’s School Culture

Photo Credit: Darra State School

Darra State School recorded a strong result in the Queensland Department of Education’s 2025 School Opinion Survey, with every staff member who responded agreeing that student behaviour was managed well.

The school was reported as one of five Brisbane state schools where staff agreement reached 100 per cent. The survey records confidence in behaviour management rather than counting classroom incidents, playground disputes or suspensions.

Public documents show a whole-school approach built around four expectations: respect, learning, safety and resilience.

Four expectations guide behaviour across the school

Darra State School uses Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) to support behaviour and learning throughout the school. The Student Code of Conduct encourages students to be respectful, be learners, be safe, and be resilient. These expectations apply to everyone in the school community and help staff and students discuss behaviour using a common language.

The framework also places positive behaviour teaching alongside responses to inappropriate behaviour. This means the school does not focus only on consequences after something goes wrong. Instead, students learn what the expectations look like in daily school life.

Darra’s PBL model includes different levels of support for students who need extra help. The school monitors student outcomes and provides additional learning or behaviour support to identified students. The framework becomes more personalised as needs increase, while families can also seek advice from teachers or the school’s guidance officer.

Belonging shapes Darra’s wider message

Darra State School takes pride in its close, caring and multicultural school community. Its public values — trust, connect and grow — sit alongside a vision based on high expectations, inspired learning and belonging.

Communication also matters in a diverse community. Darra’s Parent Handbook says translation assistance can be arranged for parent-teacher interviews when families need language support, giving parents a better chance to take part in discussions about their child’s learning, wellbeing and behaviour.

The Darra State School P&C Association gives families a formal role in school life. The group provides feedback on policies and activities, supports extra learning resources and encourages parents to take part in their children’s education. It also gives families a way to contribute ideas and become involved in school activities.

A strong result built on a clear framework

Darra’s survey result does not mean difficult behaviour never occurs. Yet, it shows that the staff who responded believed student behaviour was managed well.

Respect, learning, safety and resilience sit alongside Darra’s focus on tiered support, consistent behaviour teaching and belonging. This gives the school a clear structure for responding when students need guidance or extra help.

Published 29-July-2026

Jindalee Vacant Block Sells for $992,000 as Long-Time Local Farewells Home Lost to Fire

A rare Jindalee vacant block — all that remained of a home a local woman had lived in for more than three decades — sold under the hammer for $992,000 on Saturday, 12 July, bringing a bittersweet close to a difficult chapter for the long-time resident.

The 644-square-metre parcel at 27 Conargo Street had been the owner’s home since the 1990s before a fire gutted the house last September. After the charred structure was demolished, what remained was an elevated, build-ready block in a suburb where such opportunities are increasingly hard to come by. Jindalee sits about 11 kilometres west of the Brisbane CBD and has recorded a median house price of around $1,155,500 with annual growth of nearly 10 per cent as of May 2026.

On auction day, the vendor watched proceedings from a camp chair across the street, a cuppa in hand, as neighbours gathered nearby. A young family ultimately outbid three other registered parties to claim the block.

Place auctioneer Glenn Bool, who called the auction, said the moment was clearly an emotional one — for the seller and for those watching on. He noted that several neighbours appeared to recognise the vendor as she sat across the road, and that while she was pleased with the outcome, the result also carried the weight of everything she was leaving behind. He observed that she had owned the property for longer than the winning buyers have been alive.

Selling agent Amanda Wang of Place Purpose Group described it as a sad story with a genuinely happy ending. She noted that the vendor had cherished the garden at the rear of the property, and that having so many neighbours present on the day gave the occasion a sense of community that made it more than just a transaction.

The sale reflects the scarcity of vacant land in Jindalee, a well-established suburb where 96 per cent of dwellings are separate houses and owner-occupiers make up around 81 per cent of residents. Build-ready lots rarely come to market, and when they do, they tend to attract strong competition.

Houses in Jindalee have been spending an average of just 19 days on the market over the past 12 months, a sign of the ongoing demand in the suburb even as the broader South East Queensland auction market finds its feet. Domain recorded a preliminary clearance rate of 24 per cent from 82 reported auction results across the region on Saturday, with 14 homes withdrawn from auction.

For the vendor, the $992,000 result marks the end of a long road — and, by all accounts, the beginning of a new one, with her little dog in tow.

Published 13-July-2026

Why Sophie Malcolm is One to Watch for 2032 Brisbane Games

Photo Credit: World Rowing

Sophie Malcolm has rapidly transitioned from a promising school-rowing standout into a formidable contender on the national stage, establishing herself as one of Australia’s most exciting prospects in the lead-up to the 2032 Brisbane Games.

Her journey is one of quiet determination, carving a path from the local slipways of the Centenary Rowing Club to the high-performance training centres of the Queensland Academy of Sport. Her recent years have been defined by a relentless drive to excel, evidenced by a collection of gold and silver medals at the Australian Rowing Championships.

This success is not merely a local phenomenon; she has proudly represented the nation on international waters as a member of the Australian Rowing Team, gaining invaluable experience at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships.

The Balancing Act of an Elite Student

Sophie Malcolm — *Photo Credit:* *Rowing Australia/ Instagram*

The life of an elite athlete is rarely just about the time spent on the water. For Malcolm, the early mornings and physical exhaustion of rowing are balanced with a rigorous academic life. She is currently working toward a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at Griffith University, a field that she feels a personal connection to because of her own sporting background.

Her choice of study is more than just a career plan; it is a way to gain a deeper understanding of the human body’s mechanics, recovery, and injury prevention. This knowledge has become a secret weapon in her training, allowing her to better manage the physical toll that competitive rowing demands.

Her efforts were bolstered by the Australian Sports Commission, which awarded her an athlete education scholarship. This support recognises the immense discipline required to hold a full-time university spot while simultaneously preparing for international selection trials.

Community Spirit in the Heart of Jindalee

While the world of elite rowing can feel distant and grand, Malcolm’s roots remain firmly planted in the local community. The Centenary Rowing Club in Jindalee has served as more than just a place to train; it has been the crucible that forged her technical skills and competitive mindset.

The club’s culture is known for its ability to guide athletes from school-based programs into the national spotlight, fostering a supportive environment that prioritises long-term development.

The community’s pride in her achievements was put on display during the club’s 20th-anniversary celebrations, where a new boat was christened in her honour. This gesture was a clear signal of her status as a role model for the younger members currently starting their own rowing journeys in the same sheds she once used.

Looking Toward the 2026 Horizon

With the national selection trials held in April 2026 at the Sydney International Regatta Centre now behind her, the focus for the remainder of the year has shifted toward sustained growth and competition. The season ahead remains packed with opportunities, including the upcoming UniSport Nationals and various state-level regattas.

As she continues to develop within the Rowing Australia framework, she remains a primary athlete to follow for future representative crews, including the high-stakes King’s Cup series. Her progress serves as a compelling reminder that the road to the Brisbane 2032 Olympics is being paved right now, one stroke at a time, in the local clubs and university gyms that form the backbone of Australian sport.

Published Date 09-July-2026

Tuff Nutterz Brings Giant Inflatable Fun to Rocks Riverside Park

Families looking for an active school holiday outing will soon have a chance to bounce, climb and slide at Tuff Nutterz, which arrives at Rocks Riverside Park in Seventeen Mile Rocks from Saturday, July 4 to Sunday, July 12. The event is promoted as Australia’s biggest inflatable adventure.

Read: The Community Spirit Behind the Stunning Yarn in the Park at Seventeen Miles Rock

The travelling inflatable attraction features a 300-metre obstacle course, a six-metre slide, climbing challenges, ball pits, and other inflatable activities for visitors of all ages.

Tuff Nutterz also offers a festival-style atmosphere, with music playing throughout the event and local food trucks on site for visitors looking to enjoy a meal or snack between activities.

A school holiday adventure

The main attraction is the 300-metre inflatable obstacle course, where participants can climb, jump, bounce and make their way through a series of inflatable obstacles. Visitors can also enjoy giant slides, climbing towers, a giant soccer target game and human-sized zorb balls, with some activities available as optional extras.

Bounce passes start from $30 for a 105-minute session, while a pass that includes the venue’s seven-metre slide starts from $40.

Organisers note that activities such as the Giant Zorb Balls and Tuff Shot target game are purchased separately on site.

Read: This Private Gym in Sumner Park Helps People Achieve Body Transformation in 12 Weeks

Tuff Nutterz describes itself as Australia’s favourite inflatable adventure, offering attractions that encourage families to spend time together while staying active. Alongside the main obstacle course, the event also features a miniature obstacle course, music, and food trucks.

With sessions running for 105 minutes, organisers recommend booking ahead, as session numbers are limited. Tickets may not be available at the gate if sessions sell out in advance.

The event runs daily from Saturday, July 4 until Sunday, July 12 at Rocks Riverside Park, Seventeen Mile Rocks. Bookings can be made online through the Tuff Nutterz website.

Published 6-July-2026

Darra Golf Venue Issues Lifetime Bans After Vending Machine Incident

Photo Credit: Hooked On Golf/Facebook

A Darra indoor golf venue has issued lifetime bans after a guest was accused of damaging a vending machine and a wall during a late-night visit to the 24-hour facility.

Darra Golf Venue Reviews Late-Night Footage

Hooked on Golf in Darra has responded after security footage from its 24-hour indoor golf and gym facility appeared to show a guest interfering with a vending machine during an overnight visit on 26 June.

The venue operates as a member-only indoor golf simulator and gym in south-west Brisbane. It uses camera coverage and an AI-enabled security system to monitor activity inside the facility.

The venue owner said the person involved was not a member, but a guest brought in by a member. Footage shared by the business showed a young man moving and shaking a large vending machine inside the premises.

Hooked on Golf venue in Darra — Photo Credit: Hooked On Golf/Facebook

Vending Machine And Wall Damaged

The owner said the vending machine had not been working properly at the time of the incident. Despite that, most of the machine’s contents were allegedly taken after it was repeatedly shaken.

A wall inside the facility was also damaged during the same incident.

The owner said the venue’s security set-up was designed to alert the business to unusual activity inside the unmanned facility. The business later said those involved had been banned for life, and their images had been logged in the venue’s AI security system.

Vending machine inside indoor golf venue — Photo Credit: Hooked On Golf/Facebook

Member Offers To Pay Costs

The venue said the member who brought the guest into the facility later apologised for his friend’s actions.

The member offered to cover the costs connected to the damaged wall and vending machine items if the guest did not resolve the matter directly with the venue and the vending machine owner.

The incident attracted attention after the venue posted about it on social media. Some commenters criticised the behaviour, while others joked about the effort involved, given the vending machine was inside a venue that also includes gym equipment.

Hooked on Golf later said the situation had been addressed for the time being, with the member prepared to cover the costs if needed.

Published 1-July-2026