Two New Age counsellors from Jindalee, who vanished in February and were subsequently the focus of a police search, are now set to face court on severe child sexual abuse charges.
Wolfgang Raven Wildgrace, 58, and Sonya Maria Lindley-Jones, 51, sparked significant concern after they disappeared from their Jindalee home on February 28, 2024. The couple, known for their counselling business, Wildgrace Counselling and Therapies, was last seen driving away in an orange Mitsubishi Triton.
Despite growing fears for their wellbeing, police later located them nearly 1,700km away in Kuranda, near Cairns.
Charges and Court Proceedings
Following an extensive investigation by the Sunshine Coast Child Protection and Investigation Unit, the duo had been scrutinised for offences allegedly committed across the north coast region from 2010 to 2013.
Mr Wildgrace faces 32 counts of indecent treatment and one count of rape, while Ms Lindley-Jones is charged with one count of indecent treatment of a child under 16. The allegations pertain to multiple locations, intensifying the gravity of their supposed misconduct.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
The couple’s notoriety escalated due to Mr Wildgrace’s involvement in a contentious training camp for the Adelaide Crows in 2018. The camp was intended to foster resilience among players. Still, it drew widespread criticism for its approach, with accusations of cultural insensitivity and psychological distress, notably from former star player Eddie Betts.
Mr Wildgrace and Ms Lindley-Jones were apprehended in Kuranda and have remained in custody since their arrest. They are expected to appear before Cairns Magistrates Court on 24 May 2024 for a committal mention.
They face serious charges that have shocked the community and cast a shadow over their previous professional endeavours in holistic and emotional therapy.
Established in 2016 by the renowned Venzin Group, the masterminds behind the beloved Picnic and Paw Paw Cafe, this all-day eatery has become a beloved destination for food enthusiasts seeking a truly remarkable dining experience.
From the moment you step inside, the cafe’s bright and spacious interior envelops you in a warm embrace, inviting you to linger and savour every bite. But it’s the menu that truly steals the show, a curated selection of decadent offerings that cater to every palate and appetite.
Photo credit: Anh Pham/Google Maps
For those seeking an indulgent start to their day, the Pancake stack with fresh seasonal fruits, French toast, acai bowl, banana stack, or strawberry bowl beckon with their irresistible allure. These perfectly crafted delicacies are not only a feast for the taste buds but also a visual spectacle, meticulously plated to evoke a sense of wonder and delight.
Photo credit: Hax Mays/Google Maps
If a lighter fare is preferred, Piggy Back Cafe offers an array of tempting options, from crispy spring rolls and sweet potato chips to the satisfying bacon and egg muffin. Each dish is a testament to the cafe’s unwavering commitment to quality and presentation.
Photo credit: Piggy Back Cafe/Facebook
But it’s not just the food that captivates; the cafe’s baristas are true artisans, crafting lattes that are nothing short of edible masterpieces. Each cup is a canvas of swirling designs and intricate patterns, begging to be admired and savoured.
Photo credit: Emily Williams/Google Maps
Families, too, will find solace at Piggy Back Cafe, where a dedicated kids’ menu offers a delightful array of treats, from fluffy pancakes and crispy popcorn chicken to creamy milkshakes and the ever-popular babychino.
Whether you choose to dine indoors or bask in the sunshine on the outdoor seating area, Piggy Back Cafe promises an unforgettable experience. Here, food is elevated to an art form, and every bite is a celebration of culinary excellence and artful presentation.
You can find them at 86 Curragundi Rd, Jindalee, daily from 6:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Alan and Nancy Hooper, then a young couple during World War II, transformed their wartime correspondence into a thriving business, Hooper’s Supermarket, located in the heart of Darra. This family store served the community and celebrated the couple’s journey from the turmoil of war to peace and prosperity.
Alan’s wartime saga began in the dense jungles of New Guinea, where he served with the 1st Papuan Infantry Battalion (1PIB). Under the command of Major William Watson, a New Zealander, the battalion was composed of Papuan privates, non-commissioned officers, and Australian officers like Alan.
Photo Credit: State Library of Queensland
During the advance of the Japanese forces, the Papuan soldiers and their allies played a crucial role in conducting scouting and surveillance missions. Their exceptional natural bushcraft skills proved to be a significant advantage in these operations.
Photo Credit: State Library of Queensland
Alan’s letters home provided a vivid description of the challenging conditions and the camaraderie amongst the troops.
Nancy’s Homefront Challenges
Back in Brisbane, Nancy O’Neill, then Alan’s fiancée, faced her own set of challenges. Only 19 when she bid Alan goodbye, Nancy quickly adapted to wartime life by joining the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF).
Her role took her to various locations, including the RAAF Sandgate Base and the No. 1 Bombing and Gunnery School at Evans Head, New South Wales. Through her service, Nancy developed a robust independence and a deep sense of duty, traits that shone through in her letters filled with news of home and encouragement.
The Power of Correspondence
Alan and Nancy were married in June 1943, two months after Nancy was discharged from WAAAF. They tied the knot while Alan was on leave from his duties in New Guinea during World War II.
Throughout the war, the couple exchanged letters to stay connected despite being on different continents. These letters were more than just affectionate gestures; they were lifelines that connected their hearts. They shared over 500 letters, detailing their wartime experiences, from deepest longings to daily hardships.
Alan’s correspondences were notable for his insightful observations during critical military operations and his candid reflections on the camaraderie and loss amongst his comrades.
One poignant anecdote shared in a letter dated August 1942 recounts Alan foraging for food with a U.S. aircrew whose plane had crashed nearby. This showcases his resourcefulness and the unexpected friendships forged in the face of adversity.
Similarly, Nancy’s letters often contained light-hearted yet vivid descriptions of her life in the military, from losing her wedding rings in the surf to her joy at receiving replacements sent by Alan.
Photo Credit: Nancy’s letter to Allan State Library of QueenslandPhoto Credit: State Library of Queensland
Legacy of Love and Service
Returning from the war, Alan and Nancy wasted no time starting a new chapter. They pooled their resources and opened Hoopers Supermarket in Darra. This business was more than just a means to an economic end; it fulfilled their dream to create something lasting and beneficial for their community. The supermarket quickly became a local hub, where stories and support were as plentiful as the goods on the shelves.
Nancy’s untimely death in 1975 from breast cancer was a profound loss for Alan and the Darra community she had come to cherish. However, the legacy of the Hoopers’ love and joint venture persisted.
Leading Australian technology distributor Alloys has opened a new distribution centre in Wacol to service the company’s growing business in Queensland.
More than a hundred of Alloys’ Queensland-based partners and customers, including major tech brands such as Lexmark, Epson, Kyocera, and Promethean, attended the opening of the company’s new distribution centre in Brisbane late last month.
The new Wacol facility features a warehouse utilising Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) picking technology to boost efficiency and consistency for Alloys’ Brisbane and Far North Queensland customers. It also includes expanded showroom facilities, meeting rooms, training rooms and kitchens that customers can utilise.
Photo credit: Alloys/Flickr
Alloys’ CEO Paul Harman stated that the new distribution centre provides an eight times increase in size from the company’s previous Brisbane warehouse in Acacia Ridge, allowing Alloys to better serve the growing Queensland market.
Photo credit: Alloys/Flickr
Mr Harman said Alloys is really keen to continue investing in Queensland, noting this is the third facility the company has opened in Brisbane in the past 10 years as Alloys has continued to grow.
Mr Harman explained that Alloys can help customers demonstrate products, run events, and use the space as their own, with the facility designed to feel like the customer’s own.
Photo credit: Alloys/Flickr
He also noted that Alloys is seeing strong growth in its AV business, particularly in panel sales, as well as its building and security technology offerings in the Brisbane market. He said there is a great market for intercoms, access control and security cameras in Brisbane, with growth in those areas outpacing the southern states.
The new distribution centre in Wacol aims to help Alloys capitalise on untapped potential in not just southeast Queensland but also Far North Queensland, as the state continues to see a lot of new build activity, especially in the office fitout space utilising the latest technologies.
Did you know that the Wacol Youth Remand Centre, a facility that aims to provide better shelter for the youth in detention and rehabilitation, will be completed by late 2024?
With the Queensland Police Service (QPS) spearheading the construction process that began in late 2023, the Wacol Youth Remand Centre is a few months away from being ready to house youth being held in watchhouses on remand.
Initially envisioned to have 50 beds, QPS has expanded the centre’s capacity to 76 beds to ensure that more young individuals will have access to the support and services they need while in custody at the Wacol Police Complex.
The centre’s strategic co-location with Brisbane and West Moreton youth detention facilities allows youth access to essential services including education, healthcare, counselling, and open-air exercise areas for recreational activities.
The Wacol Youth Remand Centre, operated by the Department of Youth Justice, will house youth in custody until new youth centres in Cairns and Woodford open.
The decision to fast-track construction and consolidate the project into a single stage is part of the State’s dedication to addressing youth crime and promoting community safety.
Rapid-build methodologies have driven progress, allowing the facility to take shape swiftly while maintaining high quality and safety standards.
In a statement to media, Premier Steven Miles said that the government will continue to invest in the prevention, intervention and detention programs that work.
“With more Police and targeted high visibility police operations taking place around the state, we are seeing an increase in arrests and offenders in custody,” he said.
“The Wacol Remand Facility will act as additional remand capacity while two new youth detention centres are built, to minimise the time young people are held in watchhouses on remand.”
“With its close proximity to the Wacol Police Complex, young people will have access to the education, health care and rehabilitation services needed to get back on the right path,” he added.
Two men, armed with a crowbar and an axe, were caught on camera attempting a bold daylight break-in at a Jindalee home on Kooringal Drive, sparking widespread alarm across Brisbane over rising aggressive home invasions.
The attempted intrusion occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m. on 26 March 2024. The perpetrators, driving a white Pajero, were thwarted in their efforts and did not gain entry, yet their boldness has ignited concerns among residents.
According to posts shared within a private Facebook community group, the two men failed to penetrate the home but succeeded in instilling fear amongst the community.
Following the attempted break-in, local police were present in the Jindalee neighbourhood and conducted area patrols. Despite these efforts, no charges had been filed at the time of the report.
Between April 2023 to March 2024, about 53 unlawful entry incidents and over 168 offences of other thefts occurred in Jindalee. The community has been left rattled, with social media users emphasising the importance of vigilance and secure home practices in light of the alarming incident.
Further unsettling reports from the same night detailed suspicious activities involving a white Pajero parked on Arrabri Ave. Witnesses described seeing a man in black sifting through bins under the cover of darkness, raising fears of a broader criminal reconnaissance operation.
This incident in Jindalee forms a disturbing pattern of home invasions plaguing Brisbane.
In a separate but equally alarming event, a mother’s instinctive screams deterred two masked men from advancing into her Hamilton home, despite them being armed and having previously surveyed the property in tradie disguises. The failed intrusion occurred just hours after a Paddington home, occupied by a grandmother and her three-year-old granddaughter, was violently entered by men matching the description of those involved in the Jindalee and Hamilton incidents.
Police have linked these audacious crimes within a narrow two-hour timeframe to a known group of offenders reportedly on bail at the time. The recurrent targeting of these homes, particularly the Paddington residence now breached for the fourth time in a year, has amplified community anxieties regarding home safety and the efficacy of bail conditions for known criminals.
The sequence of events from Jindalee to Hamilton, culminating in Paddington, paints a grim picture of a community under siege. Residents are urged to remain vigilant, to secure their homes, and to report any suspicious activities to the authorities. The brazen nature of these crimes, executed in broad daylight and involving armed assailants, calls for a collective community response coupled with a reassessment of criminal justice measures to ensure the safety and peace of Brisbane’s suburbs.
The Centenary Motorway is living up to its name and taking drives back a century with average weekday peak hour speeds slower than suburban school zones.
The latest traffic data from Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) shows the major Brisbane motorway corridor is a slow grind, with average speeds of just 37.4 km/h between Ipswich Motorway and Fig Tree Pocket Road during the 6-10 a.m. peak period.
RACQ’s 2023 Average Speed and Travel Time Report revealed the Centenary Motorway is one of the city’s most congested routes. The Pacific Motorway between North Quay and O’Keefe Street was Brisbane’s slowest at just 28.6km/h in the 3-7 p.m. afternoon peak period.
Photo credit: Google Street View
The organisation’s Head of Public Policy, Dr Michael Kane, acknowledged the ongoing Centenary Bridge upgrade work but emphasised that more comprehensive solutions are required to mitigate the escalating traffic challenges. This includes considering connections to proposed bypass tunnels to allow motorists to skirt around Brisbane.
“We know the Queensland Government is working on a draft Master Plan for the Centenary Motorway and we need this to be holistic and well thought out,” Dr Kane said.
“Any long-term planning for the Centenary Motorway corridor must consider a connecting ‘Western Bypass’ corridor linking through to the proposed Gympie Road Bypass Tunnel.
“By fixing, finishing and extending our outer ring of motorways we will take traffic off our local roads and corridors by allowing them to bypass Brisbane altogether.
According to Dr Kane, any comprehensive strategy must heavily incorporate public transit solutions, such as segregated bus lanes, allowing for the possibility of extending the Brisbane Metro network’s reach.
The RACQ report did have a silver lining – upgraded sections of the Pacific Motorway saw dramatic speed improvements, giving a glimpse of how Brisbane traffic could flow if solutions are implemented.
RACQ is eager to collaborate closely with local, state, and federal government entities as they persist in championing the interests of drivers across Queensland.
The incident occurred at Mozart Place, where Veri Kostidnovac and her husband have resided for 55 years.
“I don’t know what they were chasing,” said a visibly shaken Ms Kostidnovac, who now fears being on her own property.
Video footage shows the gang attempting to break into homes before police arrived on the scene. The group managed to escape in a car before the police could apprehend them.
The driver of the stolen car, a 15-year-old youth offender, drove so dangerously that the police had to suspend the pursuit.
Queensland Police Detective Inspector Wayne Frances described the situation as “extremely dangerous”, posing a risk not only to the police officers involved, but also to the community and the offenders themselves.
The Church of Scientology and a controversial AFL training camp known as the “Collective Mind” saga involving the Adelaide Crows has been linked to the missing Jindalee couple who vanished without a trace over two weeks ago.
Sonya and Wolfgang Wildgrace, New Age counsellors who ran a business in Maleny on the Sunshine Coast, were reported missing by police on February 25th. Their highly distinctive orange Mitsubishi Triton with the personalised plate “GROWTH” and trailer have not been seen since their disappearance.
Strange details have emerged about the couple’s background. Sonya Wildgrace had studied at Star’s Edge International, a company founded by leading Scientologist Harry Palmer that claims to have trained 10,000 people in its “Avatar” therapy.
Meanwhile, Wolfgang Wildgrace was one of three figures from the Workplace Wellbeing Institute involved in the infamous 2018 pre-season “Collective Mind” camp for the Adelaide Crows AFL club. The camp, intended as a “rite of passage” to overcome “selfishness” and “entitlement” after a devastating grand final loss, has been blamed for severely damaging the club’s playing list.
However, some Crows players praised Wildgrace’s “wisdom” and thanked him for making them “better men” through programs like the “Rite of the Warrior.” The club’s coach at the time, Don Pyke, also lauded Wildgrace.
Neighbours reported seeing camping gear and a messy home interior when the couple went missing.
Lucha Brewing Co., a family-operated boutique brewery, celebrated its second anniversary, highlighting its unique contribution to local community engagement through craft beer.
Emphasising the joy of communal experiences, Lucha Brewing Co. remains dedicated to its role as a meeting place for friends, families, and beer enthusiasts.
Since its inception, the pub has stood out for its exceptional craft beer and commitment to fostering community ties. Inspired by the vibrant culture of lucha libre wrestling, the brewery offers a space where life’s moments are savoured with great company.
Photo Credit: Lucha Brewing Co
“Our brewery has become more than just a place to enjoy beer; it’s where people come together, forming lasting friendships and creating a close-knit community,” said Damien, Owner of Lucha Brewing Co.
“What started as a passion for brewing has evolved into a love for hosting our community. The connections made here, over our craft beers, have been the true highlight of these two years,” Damien added.
Damien is the brewmaster and barman. Before pursuing his passion for brewing, he had a career in public service. Sandie, his wife, manages the paperwork and operations behind the scenes efficiently. Their son, Rohan, helps out behind the bar. Together, they are the backbone of Lucha Brewing, a labor of love borne out of their desire to break free from the monotony of routine and embrace the joy of creating something new.
When you enter the taproom, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find high-quality beers and a peaceful environment where you can engage in meaningful conversations and create unforgettable memories while listening to music from the 80s to the present. Damien, the owner, keeps his fridge stocked with his latest home-brewed IPAs, reflecting his unwavering pursuit of the perfect pint.
Photo Credit: Lucha Brewing Co.
Lucha Brewing is a new addition to the Brisbane beer scene, but it has already made a significant impact. The taproom is always busy with residents and craft beer lovers. The brewery is a symbol of community spirit, providing a space where neighbours and strangers can become mates over a cold pint.
“Without your continued support we wouldn’t be here and enjoying it so much. So, thank you to the weekly regulars. Thank you to those who get here every other week or when they can. Thank you to those who travel further and visit when they are on this side of town and thank you to the amazing food trucks that keep coming to feed us.”
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Lucha Brewing never lost its indomitable spirit. Although the startup faced delays, the team remained determined and focused on its goals. Even when floods tested its resilience, the brewery stood strong and provided aid to the community. It is now eagerly awaiting brighter days ahead.
The brewery’s success is a testament to its founders’ vision of a local hub for relaxation and socialization, supported by a loyal base of regulars and the contribution of various food trucks that enhance the visitor experience.
