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When Dolly Came to Brisbane: A Local Farewell to a Country Music Legend

Dolly Parton’s death at the age of 80 will be felt a long way from the Tennessee mountains where her remarkable story began. In Brisbane, there are thousands of people who can remember seeing that story play out in person.

Parton performed at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre 10 times across three visits spanning 27 years, beginning with four shows alongside Kenny Rogers in 1987 and ending with three concerts on her Blue Smoke World Tour in 2014.

The country music legend died on Tuesday, 25 August, leaving behind a career that stretched almost seven decades and produced some of the most recognisable songs in popular music.

Brisbane was fortunate enough to welcome her at three very different points along the way.

Kenny and Dolly Arrive in Boondall

Parton’s first documented Brisbane concerts came in February 1987, when the Brisbane Entertainment Centre itself was barely a year old.

Then came Kenny and Dolly.

Parton and Kenny Rogers were already firmly associated in the public imagination through Islands in the Stream, their huge 1983 duet, and Real Love, released two years later. Their Australian tour reached Boondall for an extraordinary four concerts in five nights, on 23, 24, 25 and 27 February.

For Brisbane audiences, this was Dolly at the height of her crossover fame. She had already made 9 to 5, established herself on the big screen and taken songs such as Jolene and I Will Always Love You well beyond their country music beginnings.

Those four nights also began a long association between Parton and the Entertainment Centre, the venue she would return to on both of her later Brisbane visits.

A 24-Year Wait for Her Return

Brisbane then waited a very long time for another Dolly Parton concert. She finally returned in November 2011 on the Better Day World Tour, playing three consecutive nights at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on 25, 26 and 27 November. The middle show was sold out before the tour arrived.

A generation had passed since the Kenny Rogers concerts, but Parton’s audience had become broader rather than smaller. Whitney Houston’s version of I Will Always Love You had introduced her songwriting to millions more listeners, while 9 to 5, Jolene and Coat of Many Colors had become songs parents could share with children who weren’t even born when Dolly first played Boondall.

The 2011 tour marked her return to Australia after a lengthy absence, and Brisbane’s three-night run showed there was still considerable appetite to see her. At 65, she wasn’t simply revisiting an old catalogue either: Better Day, her 41st studio album, had been released only months earlier.

Brisbane’s Last Chance to See Dolly

The wait for the next visit was much shorter. Parton returned to Boondall in February 2014 on her Blue Smoke World Tour, performing on 21, 22 and 25 February.

Australia had a prominent place in that chapter of her career. The Blue Smoke album was released first in Australia and New Zealand to coincide with the tour and went to No. 1 in both countries.

A review of her Brisbane show that month found a 68-year-old Parton still moving comfortably between the old and the new. Jolene appeared early, Coat of Many Colors drew on the Tennessee childhood that shaped so much of her songwriting, and Islands in the Stream and 9 to 5 helped bring the show towards its close before I Will Always Love You finished the night.

There was new material as well, along with the humour and storytelling that had become as much a part of a Dolly Parton concert as the rhinestones.

Few in those audiences could have known that these would be her final Brisbane appearances.

Parton eventually announced in 2022 that she was finished with large-scale touring, although she continued recording and making occasional appearances. She released the rock album Rockstar the following year and remained musically active into her late 70s. In January this year, she marked her 80th birthday with a new recording of Light of a Clear Blue Morning.

For Brisbane, though, the memories lead back to Boondall. Between February 1987 and February 2014, Dolly Parton walked onto the Brisbane Entertainment Centre stage 10 times. Some fans saw her beside Kenny Rogers, others waited 24 years for her return, while a younger generation caught her during those final Australian shows.

She never made it back to a Brisbane stage after 2014, but for the people who filled the Entertainment Centre on those 10 nights, Dolly Parton wasn’t always a legend somewhere far away in Tennessee.

Every now and then, Dolly came to Brisbane.

Published 25-August-2026

Wellington Point Trains Become T4 Under New SEQ Numbering System

Photo Credit: Owen Fingals/Google Maps

Wellington Point passengers will begin seeing a new T4 line number across station signs, network maps, journey planners and onboard information as Translink rolls out a new numbering system across South East Queensland’s rail network.

The change applies to services running between Cleveland, Brisbane and Shorncliffe, with Wellington Point sitting on the T4 corridor. Translink says there will be no changes to timetables, routes or stopping patterns as part of the numbering rollout.

Wellington Point joins the new T4 corridor

Under the new system, the service linking Cleveland with Brisbane and Shorncliffe will be identified as T4.

The corridor includes stations such as Ormiston, Wellington Point, Birkdale, Manly, Wynnum, Cannon Hill and Morningside before passing through Brisbane and continuing north towards Nundah, Northgate, Sandgate and Shorncliffe.

Destinations will continue to appear alongside the line number, so passengers will still be able to see where their train is heading.

Translink announced on August 10 that train and tram line numbers would be progressively introduced during August. The numbers will appear on network maps, signage, the journey planner and onboard passenger information.

Bayside passengers will see a new label, not a new service

For Wellington Point commuters, the main change will be how services are presented rather than how they operate.

Passengers travelling towards Brisbane or Cleveland will increasingly see T4 displayed alongside the destination when checking signs, maps and journey information.

Translink says the new numbering system is intended to make the network easier to understand, navigate and use, particularly for visitors and customers with accessibility needs.

The agency says the rollout does not alter timetables, routes or stopping patterns.

Numbering brings rail into a familiar system

The change brings train services into a system already used across other forms of public transport in South East Queensland.

Brisbane Metro services use an M prefix, ferry services use F, and Gold Coast Light Rail uses L. The new T prefix gives train services a similar identifier.

Better Transport Queensland has strongly backed the move, arguing that numbered labels are easier to understand than abbreviated destination codes sometimes used in journey planning.

The group’s president, Rowan Gray, said labels such as T1 and T2 would improve the legibility of the network and argued that introducing the system before Cross River Rail opens would give passengers time to become familiar with the format.

T4 one of six new train numbers

T4 is one of six train line numbers being introduced across South East Queensland.

T1 will run from Rosewood through Ipswich and Brisbane to Caboolture, Nambour and Gympie North. T2 will link Springfield Central with Kippa-Ring, while T3 will cover the Doomben branch.

T5 will run between Varsity Lakes and Brisbane Airport, while T6 will operate between Beenleigh and Ferny Grove.

The numbering does not create new rail routes. It provides a new way of identifying existing services.

Rollout comes ahead of Cross River Rail

The numbering system is being introduced ahead of Cross River Rail, with first passenger services through the new tunnels expected in 2029.

Better Transport Queensland has argued that introducing line numbers beforehand will allow passengers to become familiar with the system before future network changes take effect.

The rollout has also renewed debate over the Queensland Government’s proposed “Elizabeth Line” name associated with Cross River Rail. Labor and Better Transport Queensland have questioned whether a standalone line name suits a through-running network, while the state government has said the numbering changes do not affect its plans.

Published 17-Aug-2026

Tingalpa Creek Bridge Planning Could Ease Major Redlands Gateway

Planning is underway for a possible major upgrade of the Tingalpa Creek Bridge, a key gateway between the Redlands and Brisbane used by thousands of bayside commuters.

The Queensland Government has committed $500,000 toward a business case examining whether the Rickertt Road crossing should be duplicated or replaced, along with possible widening of the narrow road approaches.

Redland City Council will lead the study, which is expected to be completed by mid-2027.

Redlands-Wide Transport Issue

Although the bridge sits northwest of Wellington Point, congestion at the crossing affects the broader road network used by residents travelling between the Redlands and Brisbane.

Rickertt Road is one of the important connections from the Redlands toward Brisbane’s eastern suburbs, and traffic can build quickly where the road narrows near Tingalpa Creek.

The business case will assess both the bridge itself and the single-lane sections approaching it from the Redlands and Brisbane sides.

Mayor Jos Mitchell said the study would compare the costs and benefits of replacing or duplicating the existing bridge while also considering upgrades to the adjoining road corridor.

Building the Case for a Larger Upgrade

Transport and Main Roads Minister Brent Mickelberg said the funding would allow detailed work to begin on a long-term solution for the bottleneck.

The study will examine the technical complexity, likely scale and economic case for an upgrade before governments consider committing construction funding.

Capalaba MP Russell Field said the planning work would help ensure transport infrastructure kept pace with growth across the Redlands.

Oodgeroo MP Amanda Stoker said a completed business case would be needed to support the significant State and Federal investment likely to be required.

No Construction Funding Yet

The $500,000 allocation is for planning only.

No construction timetable has been announced, and no funding has yet been committed to actually duplicate or replace the bridge.

Once the business case is finished in mid-2027, governments will have a clearer picture of the preferred option, estimated costs and the level of funding needed to proceed.

Published 14-Aug-2026

Ormiston College Tree Clearing Fuels Wider Redlands Koala Habitat Fight

Photo Credit: Koala Action Group/Facebook

Fresh from a rally that drew about 400 people through the streets of Cleveland, Redlands campaigners have brought the long-running dispute over tree clearing at Ormiston College into a broader regional debate over koala habitat protection. What began as a dispute centred on the college’s expansion has spread beyond Ormiston, drawing wider attention across the Redlands to the balance between development and the protection of mature vegetation.

The campaign drew about 400 people to Raby Bay Harbour Park on Wednesday, 12 August, before they marched through Cleveland CBD. Organised by the Australian Conservation Foundation Community Bayside and local environment and koala groups, the procession ended outside political offices, with campaigners arguing the Ormiston dispute had become part of a wider Redlands debate over habitat loss.

Photo Credit: Koala Action Group/Facebook

Koala Safe Neighbourhood confronts clearing dispute

The Cleveland march followed months of community opposition in Ormiston, which Redland City Council selected as its first Koala Safe Neighbourhood because of its longstanding koala population. The designation has added weight to concerns from residents and conservationists who argue continued development must be carefully balanced against the protection of established habitat and wildlife movement routes.

On May 26, clearing works were halted after a fauna spotter identified a young male koala in a tree among those next slated for removal. The incident added to an already prominent campaign against the clearing, which included a Queensland Parliament petition calling for 652 mature koala habitat trees to be saved and attracting 8,300 signatures.

At the heart of the dispute is Ormiston College’s multi-stage expansion, which involves the removal of about 650 trees to make way for sporting, teaching, boarding and other facilities within its existing 67-acre campus. Although the project was approved through a state Ministerial Infrastructure Designation, conservationists argue the clearing will reduce habitat and disrupt koala movement corridors.

Conservationists also argue replacement trees will take decades to mature and cannot immediately provide the habitat functions of established vegetation. Their concern centres on the gap between habitat being removed now and the ecological benefits expected from revegetation as newly planted trees mature.

College puts its case for habitat replacement

Ormiston College has defended its masterplan, saying ecological assessments identified the development area primarily as a koala transit corridor rather than a breeding ground or high-density habitat. The college says koalas are occasionally observed on the campus and maintains that recorded activity is consistent with animals moving through the area rather than permanently occupying it.

The college says 80 per cent of existing koala transit zones across the campus will remain untouched and has committed to planting at least 526 preferred koala food trees. Its ecological assessment says the project will achieve a one-to-one replacement of koala habitat area over the longer term.

The college also says community feedback led to several changes to the masterplan, including the removal of a proposed car park from a sensitive part of the koala corridor. Other changes outlined by the school include a reduced development footprint, increased setbacks and targeted revegetation intended to strengthen movement routes through the site.

For campaigners opposing the clearing, however, replacement planting has not resolved concerns about the immediate loss of mature vegetation. They argue that retaining existing trees provides habitat value now, while newly planted food trees require years of growth before they can perform comparable ecological functions.

The college maintains that its environmental controls, retained vegetation and revegetation program will strengthen habitat connectivity over time. It has also said clearing is undertaken under wildlife protection protocols, including the presence of licensed fauna spotters and requirements for work to stop when wildlife is detected in an affected area.

Habitat debate carries into the political arena

The dispute is also feeding into a wider political campaign ahead of the 2028 Queensland state election, with conservation groups warning decision-makers of electoral consequences if habitat concerns are not addressed. The Cleveland rally brought that message directly to the offices of state and federal representatives, demonstrating how a development dispute centred in Ormiston has become part of a broader Redlands conversation.

Published 13-Aug-2026

New Greens and More Shade Coming to Wellington Point Bowls Club

Photo Credit: Wellington Point Bowls Club/Facebook

Synthetic greens and more shade are on the way for Wellington Point Bowls Club, with a $1 million upgrade set to improve conditions for bowlers at a club that has served the community for 36 years.

New Greens and Shade for Wellington Point Bowls Club

The project will replace the club’s existing playing surface arrangements with new synthetic greens while adding further shade around the sporting facility.

For club members, the shade is intended to provide greater protection from the Queensland sun and create a more comfortable environment for people taking part in lawn bowls.

The improvements are also expected to help the club cater for more participants. Wellington Point Bowls Club president Daryl Denman said the upgraded facilities would support the club as it seeks to attract more members and provide a better experience for people using the greens.

Denman described lawn bowls as one of the community’s most inclusive sports, with the project intended to help the club continue providing opportunities for people to take part.

The club has operated within the Wellington Point community for 36 years and is also known as the Wello Wildcats.

A $1 Million Investment in the Club

The $1 million project reached a milestone on 17 July 2026 when the first sod was turned, marking the start of works.

Redlands Sporting Club chair Don Seccombe and Wellington Point Bowls Club president Daryl Denman were among those who attended the occasion. Denman also acknowledged Redlands Sporting Club for its support of the club.

Sod turning for the bowls club upgrade — Photo Credit: Wellington Point Bowls Club/Facebook

The upgrade is being funded through the Games On! Grassroots Infrastructure Program, a $30 million Queensland program supporting improvements to community sporting facilities.

Games On! is designed to improve the quality and accessibility of grassroots sporting infrastructure, increase participation and support local sporting organisations ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

At the time the Wellington Point project began, 119 projects were being supported through the program across Queensland.

Published 23-July-2026. Updated 12-August-2026.

Weekly Thursday Trivia at Craft Brew House Gives Wellington Point Locals a Fun Night Out

The Weekly Thursday Trivia at Craft Brew House is the sort of midweek outing plenty of locals can get behind. It is relaxed, social and just the right amount of competitive. For people in Wellington Point and nearby suburbs, it offers an easy night out without much fuss.

The quiz runs every Thursday from 6.30pm to 9pm. It will continue weekly until 24 December 2026. That gives regulars and first-timers plenty of chances to get a team together and give it a go.

Old-school trivia with a bit of personality

This is not one of those nights where everyone stares at a screen and taps away on a phone. Craft Brew House keeps it simple with pen and paper. That gives the evening a more old-school feel, and it suits the venue well.

The organisers also keep things lively. Sometimes there is dancing. Sometimes there are paper airplanes. Other times there are extra games thrown in. It sounds a little bit playful, and that is probably the point.

A trivia night like this works best when people can relax into it. The questions matter, of course. But so does the banter, the groans and the occasional lucky guess. That is where the fun usually lives.

Pizza, drinks and an early start

There is a decent reason to arrive before trivia begins. Happy hour drinks run from 5pm to 6pm. During that same window, guests can also grab any pizza and a schooner of pale ale or lager for $23.

On top of that, all pizzas are priced at $19 on the night. That makes the event an easy sell for anyone who wants dinner and entertainment in one stop.

The menu stretches beyond pizza too. Visitors can choose from craft beers, cocktails, wines, soft drinks, tapas and wings. So, whether you are there for a full meal or just a drink with friends, there is something to suit.

Small teams, close competition

Tables are limited to two to six people. One ticket secures the table for the whole team. That keeps the night manageable and makes it easy for smaller groups to join in.

It also gives the room a more intimate feel. Teams stay close enough to hear the reactions around them, but there is still enough space for a proper contest. And let’s be honest, a bit of friendly rivalry is part of the charm.

For local residents, that is the appeal. You do not have to travel far for a decent night out. Birkdale is close, but it still feels like a change of scene. That can be enough to make a Thursday feel worth marking down.

A steady local option

The Weekly Thursday Trivia at Craft Brew House has the makings of a regular habit for locals who enjoy a quiz, a meal and a laugh with friends. It is the kind of event that does not ask for much. You just turn up, settle in and see how your team goes.

In a week that can often feel rushed, that sort of easygoing night has its place. And for Wellington Point locals, it might be worth making a regular one.

Published 12-August-2026

Queensland Rail Issues Safety Warning After Dog Owner Jumps Onto Tracks in Wellington Point

Photo Credit: Queensland Rail

A dog owner who jumped onto railway tracks after an unrestrained pet has narrowly avoided being struck by an approaching train at Wellington Point Station, in an incident Queensland Rail says could have ended in tragedy.

CCTV footage shows the dog entering the tracks before its owner follows as a train approaches the station. Emergency procedures brought the train to a halt before it reached the pair, allowing both to return safely to the platform.

Queensland Rail spokesman Drew Brock said the incident was a stark reminder that people should never enter the rail corridor. He said passengers should not go trackside and warned that animals were not permitted on the network unless they were certified assistance animals, which must be restrained.

CCTV captures a series of avoidable incidents

The Wellington Point near-miss was among several incidents released by Queensland Rail as part of a broader safety warning.

At Pimpama, a man who tried to use his bag to stop train doors from closing was nearly dragged along as the train moved. Other footage showed passengers falling on staircases at Northgate and Fortitude Valley, while a person at Central Station fell backwards on an escalator after luggage was not properly secured.

Queensland Rail said recurring causes of customer injuries included rushing for services, mobile-phone distraction and attempts to beat closing train doors.

Brock said passengers should not put themselves at risk simply to save time and stressed that missing a train was preferable to suffering a serious injury.

Hundreds injured across South East network

Queensland Rail recorded 332 customer injuries across its South East network in the most recent financial year, down from 350 the previous year.

Roma Street Station recorded the highest number of injuries, with 61, followed by Central with 39. Helensvale recorded 14, Boggo Road 11 and Caboolture 10.

Queensland Rail advises passengers carrying large items to use lifts or ramps where available. It has also warned customers to remain alert around stations and avoid distractions near platforms, stairs and escalators.

Near-misses remain a persistent problem

Queensland Rail warns that trains cannot stop quickly or swerve to avoid people or objects on the tracks. It has also said near-misses can have a lasting traumatic impact on train drivers, staff, passengers and witnesses.

Queensland Rail advises customers never to enter the tracks themselves. If an item falls into the rail corridor, passengers should speak to station staff so it can be retrieved safely.

The latest footage involving the dog owner showed how quickly a routine situation could become life-threatening and reinforced its warning for passengers to stay off the tracks, avoid rushing and seek staff assistance when problems arise.

Published 9-Aug-2026

Punjab Curry Club Wellington Point Voted the Bayside’s Best Curry Destination

Photo Credit: Google Maps

Punjab Curry Club Wellington Point has taken out the title of the Bayside’s most popular curry destination this week, a recognition that speaks to its steady stream of devoted regulars and the area’s growing enthusiasm for quality Indian food.

For local food column Ash’s Appetite, it was one of the most eagerly awaited visits in recent memory — curry being a personal favourite, the bar was set high from the moment the door swung open.

The restaurant does not disappoint on first impressions. The venue combines vintage-style elements with outdoor seating, offering a smart and welcoming atmosphere that has clearly won over the local community. Inside, the warm décor and lively buzz — both on the floor and out front — create an immediately comfortable setting, and the staff’s warmth carries through from the moment you arrive.

The order: butter chicken with saffron rice, and garlic and cheese naan on the side. A medium spice level was requested, though the curry arrived noticeably mild — enjoyable, but perhaps better suited to those who prefer a gentler heat. The flavour itself was rich and satisfying, and the portion, which looked modest at first, proved more filling than expected.

The real standout of the meal was the naan. Generously filled with cheese and served piping hot, it was exactly the kind of indulgent side that makes an Indian meal memorable. The butter chicken itself was creamy and well-balanced, and the saffron rice added a delicate floral quality that rounded out the dish nicely. A touch more heat would have pushed the whole experience from very good to exceptional.

Online reviewers consistently praise the restaurant for its attentive staff, tasteful décor, and generous portions, with the cheese and garlic naan frequently highlighted as a favourite.

The verdict from Ash’s Appetite: an 8 out of 10. Punjab Curry Club Wellington Point earns its reputation as the Bayside’s go-to for Indian cuisine — approachable, flavoursome, and well worth a visit. Those chasing a bit more of a spice kick might want to ask the kitchen to nudge the heat up, but it is a minor quibble for an otherwise thoroughly enjoyable meal.

Published 8-August-2026

New World Order: How The 2026 World Cup Shifted Football’s Balance

Spain lifted the trophy, but the biggest story of the 2026 FIFA World Cup reached far beyond the final whistle.

Across a month of football in North America, the established powers still found their way into the closing rounds, yet the margin separating them from the rest of the world looked smaller than ever. Brazil fell to Norway. Germany’s campaign ended in a penalty shootout against Paraguay. Morocco backed up its breakthrough in Qatar by reaching another semi-final after eliminating the Netherlands, while Cabo Verde stretched Argentina into extra time before finally being beaten.

None of those nations lifted the trophy. All of them left the tournament with greater credibility than when they arrived. All of them changed the conversation.

By the time Spain edged Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final, this World Cup had become about far more than one country’s triumph. Reputation no longer guaranteed progress, and football’s traditional hierarchy felt less certain than it had four years earlier. It was a tournament that echoed Arrigo Sacchi‘s enduring observation:

“Football belongs to whoever plays it best.”
— Arrigo Sacchi

Nobody Had An Easy Run

Look back through the knockout bracket and one thing stands out immediately: every favourite was forced to earn its place.

Argentina needed extra time to eliminate Cabo Verde in the Round of 16 before edging Switzerland in the quarter-finals and then England in the semi-finals.

Spain’s route to the title took them through Austria in the Round of 16, Portugal in the quarter-finals, France in the semi-finals and finally Argentina in the final, while England found themselves recovering from deficits against Mexico in the Round of 16 and Norway in the quarter-finals before securing third place against France in the bronze medal match.

Even Brazil, so often expected to contend deep into a World Cup, never reached the quarter-finals after Norway’s Round of 16 upset of Brazil produced one of the tournament’s defining results.

The names in the final four were familiar. The journey to get there was anything but.

The Gap Has Closed

For years, football has talked about the rise of nations outside the traditional elite. In 2026, that conversation finally felt settled.

Morocco proved their run to the semi-finals in Qatar was not a once-off. Paraguay’s penalty shootout win over Germany sent another heavyweight home early. Norway’s victory over Brazil confirmed they were no longer outsiders. Egypt’s Round of 16 victory over Australia and Switzerland’s penalty shootout win over Colombia reinforced how little now separates many of the world’s best teams.

None of those results would have been dismissed as impossible. A decade ago, several would have been.

That may be the clearest sign yet of how much international football has changed.

Different Heroes Stepped Forward

One of the defining themes of the tournament wasn’t the farewell of an ageing superstar. It was the arrival of players now ready to become the faces of the next World Cup cycle.

Jude Bellingham (England) drove England through the knockout rounds, scoring twice against Norway before adding another in the bronze medal match. Bukayo Saka (England) finished the tournament with a hat-trick against France. Spain never relied on one match-winner either. Ferran Torres (Spain) settled the final in extra time after Pedro Porro (Spain), Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain) and Mikel Merino (Spain) had all delivered decisive moments earlier in the tournament.

Argentina still leaned on Lionel Messi (Argentina), but Lautaro Martínez (Argentina) and Enzo Fernández (Argentina) increasingly shaped the biggest moments. Norway’s charge owed much to Erling Haaland (Norway), whose performance against Brazil became one of the images of the tournament.

The stars were recognisable. The balance between generations had unmistakably shifted.

Winning Became A Squad Exercise

The deeper the tournament went, the less it resembled a contest decided by starting XIs alone.

Extra-time football became a recurring feature of the knockout rounds. Spain’s victory over Argentina in the final, England’s comeback against Norway in the quarter-finals and Norway’s upset of Brazil in the Round of 16 all demanded more than 90 minutes of planning from the coaches involved.

Tactical flexibility, fresh legs and the ability to change a match from the bench became just as valuable as individual brilliance.

Depth was no longer a luxury. It became a requirement.

Spain Set The Standard

Spain deserved to be champions not because they dominated every opponent, but because they consistently found answers.

Their path to the trophy took them past Austria in the Round of 16, Portugal in the quarter-finals, France in the semi-finals and Argentina in the final. Each opponent posed a different challenge, yet Spain adapted every time. Their success was built on structure, patience and contributions from throughout the squad rather than dependence on one headline name.

In a tournament defined by narrow margins, that proved to be the difference.

A Different World Cup

Every World Cup leaves behind a champion.

Some leave behind something bigger.

The lasting memory of 2026 may not be Spain lifting the trophy. It may be the moment football finally accepted that the old hierarchy no longer offers guarantees. Traditional powers remain exactly that — powerful. But every four years, more nations arrive believing they belong, and increasingly they have the performances to justify that belief.

Spain won the World Cup.

The rest of the world ensured the race for the next one is more open than it has been in decades.

Published 20-July-2026

Careful! Young Koalas on the Move Around Wellington Point

Residents around Wellington Point are being encouraged to keep an eye out for young koalas as the annual dispersal season begins across Redlands Coast.

Running from July to December, this seasonal movement sees young koalas leave their mothers to find their own territory. Redland City Council says each young koala that successfully establishes a home range helps build a stronger, more resilient wild population, making this a vital period for the future of the local species.

A stronghold for local koala habitat

Wellington Point is well known for its healthy koala habitat, including the Geoff Skinner Wetlands. The area has previously hosted Council-guided educational walks alongside University of the Sunshine Coast research teams to help residents recognise koala behaviour and appreciate the role local bushland plays in supporting the population.

Even outside these conservation zones, koalas regularly move through nearby residential neighbourhoods and parks as they search for food trees and suitable new territory.

Knowing when a koala needs help

Seeing a small koala alone does not necessarily mean it is orphaned or abandoned.

Young koalas typically head out on their own at about 18 months of age. Because they are smaller than adults, they can easily be mistaken for lost joeys. However, Council advises that a healthy koala roughly the size of a football or larger is old enough to be travelling independently.

If a koala appears sick, injured, or at immediate risk, residents should contact the Redlands 24-hour Wildlife Rescue Service on (07) 3833 4031 and follow the advice of trained rescuers.

Simple steps to protect travelling wildlife

While koalas spend most of their time in eucalyptus trees, they must travel on the ground to move between habitat patches. This ground movement peaks during dispersal season, increasing their vulnerability to vehicles and domestic pets.

Motorists can assist by slowing down near bushland, particularly between dusk and dawn when wildlife is most active. Homeowners can also help by keeping dogs secured at night and providing koala-friendly fence and pool escape routes where practical so wandering animals do not become trapped.

Sightings support local conservation

Residents who spot a healthy koala are encouraged to record the sighting through the Redlands Coast Koala Watch program.

*Photo Credit: Redlands Coast Koala Watch*

These community reports help Council map wildlife movement alongside ongoing scientific research, directly supporting local conservation efforts. The presence of these young animals is a proud reminder that Wellington Point has a unique natural environment that remains a vital sanctuary for native wildlife.

Published 15-July-2026

Featured Image Credit: Unsplash/Douglas Lima