The body of a 23-year-old man who drowned in the Brisbane River at Jindalee was discovered downstream after a thorough search. The local community has been stunned by the incident.
The man drowned in the river close to the Jindalee Boat Ramp at approximately 5:30 a.m. on Sunday during a pontoon trip with family and friends. Strong currents swept him away despite efforts at an immediate rescue.
Offices opened up a mass search, with Queensland Water Police, Dive Squad, SES, and Marine Rescue utilising boats, helicopters, and submersible gear. Local people also assembled in the hopes of a rescue.
Emergency workers discovered his body downstream on Tuesday morning after close to two days. The authorities declared the event an accident with no sign of foul play. Although alcohol was not clearly implicated, officials appealed for people to exercise caution by the river.
The Jindalee community has been very touched, with many offering condolences. Residents recognized the river’s dangers, especially its volatile currents.
Authorities caution about the dangers on Brisbane’s waterways, suggesting life jackets, careful behaviour, and an eye on conditions. While Jindalee is in mourning, the tragedy emphasizes the importance of water safety watchfulness.
Jindalee residents are sharing their memories of Amazons Aquatic Adventureland, a once-popular water park notorious for its dangerous rides and frequent injuries.
The park operated in Jindalee from 1982 to 2001 and has become a topic of conversation on Reddit, where users recount their experiences and mishaps on the infamous “Shotgun” waterslide.
One user recalled dislocating their ribs on the Shotgun because they didn’t lean forward as instructed, while another fractured their arm when they hit the side of the slide. Others shared stories of wedgies, near-drowning experiences, and even a cancelled school excursion after a student broke their nose on one of the rides.
Amazons Aquatic Adventureland was known for its thrilling waterslides, pools, and obstacle courses. However, it also gained a reputation for lacking safety and supervision. One Reddit user described the park as a “scene out of Platoon,” with “nothing but chaos and maimed/injured kids.” Another claimed that the park often left rides unsupervised if staff weren’t available, simply putting up a sign warning patrons not to use them.
This lack of supervision may have contributed to a tragic incident in 1999 when a 5-year-old boy drowned in the deep water near the Shotgun slide. An inquest into the boy’s death found that he had been left unattended by his uncle and that there was insufficient lifeguard surveillance. While the coroner concluded that the death could have been prevented, there was not enough evidence to charge anyone.
Amazons closed its doors in 2001, two years after the drowning incident. The official reason was low patronage, with the owners stating that Brisbane lacked an inbound tourist market and that locals preferred to go to the coast for day trips. The site is now home to DFO Jindalee.
Despite its closure, Amazons continues to live on in the memories of Jindalee residents, who have taken to social media to share their good and bad experiences. While some remember the park fondly, others recall it as a place where safety was an afterthought and injuries were commonplace. The stories shared online serve as a reminder of a time when water parks were a little less regulated and a lot more wild.
Fifty-seven seconds. That’s all it took for Teremoana Teremoana Jnr to send a thunderous message to the boxing world. The pride of Centenary State High School and the rising star of Australian boxing returned to home soil with a devastating first-round knockout, leaving no doubt that he’s a force to be reckoned with.
The atmosphere at the Gold Coast Convention Centre crackled with anticipation as the crowd roared for Teremoana Jnr to enter the fray against Germany’s Osasu Otobo. Already a knockout artist with a 5–0 professional record, the 26-year-old heavyweight carried himself with an aura of quiet power.
From the opening bell, Teremoana Jnr’s dominance was undeniable. Towering at 1.98-metres, he moved with surprising agility, unleashing a barrage of left hooks to Otobo’s body—each blow echoing through the arena. Then, a lightning-fast left hand found its mark on Otobo’s head, sending him crashing to the canvas. Dazed, the 23-year-old German was unable to answer the referee’s count, and the fight was waved off a mere 57 seconds into the first round.
The crowd erupted in cheers for the young victor. Teremoana Jnr, clearly elated by the support, expressed his gratitude to the fans and his team. “It’s so great to be back here fighting in Australia,” he said. “You’re such a great crowd.”
This wasn’t just another win; it was a powerful statement to the boxing world. Eddie Hearn, the renowned boxing promoter, was ringside and couldn’t contain his excitement. “Australian boxing is on fire right now,” he declared. “This is the future.”
Located near the northern entrance of DFO Jindalee, the new butchery is set to provide customers with fresh beef, pork, lamb, chicken, and smallgoods, expanding the selection at Amazons Family Fresh Market.
The Pham Family, owners of Amazons Family Fresh Market, have brought their expertise from running Mallans Meats at Fairfield to their new butchery.
“We love helping our customers save time with our unique mix of fresh products,” they said, emphasising the convenience of combining meat, fresh produce, and grocery items all in one place.
The butchery offers meats served directly from the counter or carved on-site according to customer preferences. The market’s new addition is expected to meet the growing demand for fresh food in the rapidly developing Jindalee area.
Photo Credit: Supplied
Support from DFO Jindalee
DFO Jindalee’s Marketing Director, Donna O’Neill, is pleased with the centre’s expanding services.
“Amazons Family Fresh Markets is extremely popular with our customers. The addition of their new butchery and its location so close to free parking makes shopping at DFO Jindalee even more convenient for customers,” she stated.
This development adds to the shopping centre’s mix of retail stores, cinemas, and alfresco dining, making it a comprehensive destination for the community.
Opening Specials and Holiday Orders
Several special offers will be available for the first five days, beginning 21 Oct 2024, to celebrate the butchery’s grand opening, including whole long eye fillet for $24.99/kg and chicken breast fillet for $8.99/kg. The butchery is also taking orders for wood-smoked hams ahead of Christmas, giving local families the opportunity to prepare for the holiday season early.
A Jindalee resident received a startling wake-up call this morning when she stumbled upon a carpet python enjoying a possum breakfast on a busy Brisbane street.
Karen Dutra was out for a run when she witnessed the python devouring its prey near a childcare centre on the corner of Warandoo and Kangaloo Streets. Seeing the snake’s jaws clamped around the possum’s head and body left Ms Dutra in shock.
She recounted watching as the snake coiled around the possum and started to eat it. The possum was still moving at first. She then ran home and called her husband to come and see it, too.
Ms Dutra’s photos, shared on social media, sparked a flurry of comments. Some expressed awe at the python’s ambitious meal, while others shared their close encounters with snakes.
With snakes becoming more active in Queensland between September and April, a spokeswoman from Harrison’s Gold Coast and Brisbane Snake Catcher offered a timely reminder. Carpet pythons, she explained, are constrictors that feed on furred or feathered animals. She cautioned against approaching these snakes, as they can still bite.
She advised that even if you recognise the snake, don’t try to handle it. If someone picks it up, it will defend itself and could bite.
The spokeswoman also noted that snakes emerge from their winter dormancy as the weather becomes more active. The warmer they are, the more active they are, and their metabolic rate increases, so they’ll want to eat more, she said
If a snake enters your home, it is crucial not to attempt to kill it. Killing native animals is illegal and increases the risk of being bitten if the snake feels threatened.
Call RSPCA Queensland on 1300 264 625 for snake removal or contact your nearest snake specialist.
On Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at approximately 3 PM, a male worker in his 30s suffered serious injuries after becoming impaled on a sheet of mesh at the Centenary Bridge construction site. According to the CFMEU Queensland, the worker fell over a trip hazard before the impalement.
The injured worker was transported to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in stable condition. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has initiated an investigation into the circumstances of the incident.
On Wednesday, CFMEU Queensland officials were granted access to the site to conduct their own inquiry. This access comes in the context of recent changes to union powers following a government-led takeover.
Kurt Pauls, CFMEU Queensland’s workplace health and safety coordinator, stated that the union had previously raised concerns about various safety issues at the site. These included fall hazards, contaminated drinking water, dangerous temporary fencing, and the use of unsafe imported building materials.
The union alleges that BMD, the principal contractor, has historically restricted CFMEU officials’ access to the site, including hiring security guards and seeking a Federal Court injunction to limit union presence.
The Centenary Bridge Upgrade is a project jointly funded by state and federal Labour governments. The CFMEU has called on these governments to reconsider awarding major projects to BMD, citing safety concerns.
As of Tuesday, Queensland Police reported that the incident was not a police matter at this stage, with Workplace Health and Safety continuing to investigate the circumstances of the injuries.
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.
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 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.
