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.
Photo Credit: Wellington Point Bowls Club/Facebook
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.
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.
Shaun Hodges of Alexandra Hills had $1,427 in late charges wiped after cemetery management ordered a priority review of his case following media coverage, ending a distressing two-week ordeal that began the day after he buried his wife Judi.
Judi Hodges, 61, died on 24 March 2026 after years fighting leukaemia, outliving her original prognosis by almost two years. Her husband of 38 years laid her to rest at Hemmant Cemetery on 2 April. The next day, he received an invoice he had not seen coming.
“They just added to my grief, anxiety, and PTSD problems,” Shaun said. “Why does it take media pressure for someone to act?”
A bill that arrived the day after the burial
The $1,427 invoice was made up of three separate charges: a $208 late chapel fee, a further $315 additional late chapel charge, and a $904 late cemetery fee tied to overtime for staff to complete the burial.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Shaun said he had no warning during the service itself that time limits had been exceeded, despite deliberately booking the final timeslot of the day to avoid that kind of pressure. “There was nothing during the service to say we were running out of time,” he said.
McCartney Family Funerals, which handled the arrangements, was clear about where the charges originated. “Supporting families through moments like these is at the heart of what we do, and we understand that any unexpected cost associated with a funeral can add further distress during an already difficult time,” Managing Director Bryan McCartney said. The fees themselves, he noted, were not set by the funeral home but by the cemetery’s operators.
How the charges came to be reviewed
After Shaun’s story was reported publicly, the case was escalated and reviewed as a priority. The charges were subsequently waived in full.
Shaun said he felt relieved, but remained frustrated that the situation required public attention to reach a resolution. While thankful for the outcome, he questioned the dependence on outside pressure.
‘Why does it take media pressure for someone to act?’ he said.
For Shaun, the stakes of the dispute were not really about the money. He had cared for Judi full-time through her battle with leukaemia, watching her fight well past what her prognosis had predicted. She was, he said, “a fighter through and through, for everything, for the kids, for me.” To receive a surprise invoice the morning after laying her to rest compounded grief that was already immense.
A broader question about funeral charges
Shaun’s experience raises a question that applies beyond his individual case: whether the practice of applying overtime charges at a funeral service, without warning during the service itself, is appropriate, particularly when families are at their most vulnerable.
McCartney Family Funerals expressed empathy for the situation. Cemetery overtime charges are not unusual in Australian capital cities, but the absence of any in-service notification that time was running out appears to be the core of what made this case feel so unreasonable to the family involved.
Hemmant Cemetery is located at 140 Bulimba Creek Road, Hemmant, and is managed as a Brisbane metropolitan cemetery. Families with questions about cemetery fee structures can contact McCartney Family Funerals on 07 3286 4999 or visit their website.
Students at Star of the Sea Primary School in Cleveland, near Wellington Point, are learning climate literacy through classroom lessons, Catholic teaching and practical sustainability activities that connect environmental care with everyday choices.
Cleveland School Puts Climate Literacy Into Daily Learning
Climate literacy is becoming a more familiar part of contemporary education, and at Star of the Sea Primary School in Cleveland, it is being taught through both classroom learning and practical action.
The Brisbane Catholic Education school is using climate literacy to help students understand the environment, the impact of human actions, sustainability and their responsibility to care for the world around them. The learning is also shaped by Catholic Social Teaching and Laudato Si’, which encourages care for the common home.
At Star of the Sea, climate literacy begins from the early years of schooling. Students are introduced to the idea that the world is part of creation and that caring for it is connected to their responsibilities as people of faith.
As students grow, the learning builds into a wider understanding of ecosystems, environmental responsibility and the role of daily choices. The approach is designed to develop knowledge as well as a sense of stewardship, linking classroom lessons with habits that students can practise at school and in the wider community.
EcoWarriors Lead Hands-on Sustainability at Star of the Sea
The school’s EcoWarriors team gives students a practical way to apply what they are learning. The group includes students from Years 3 to 6 who meet each week and take part in sustainability activities around the school.
Their work includes supporting Containers for Change, collecting and recycling paper and cardboard, and helping ensure waste, including food wrappers, is placed in the correct bins. These routines give students direct experience in caring for their school environment and building more responsible habits.
The EcoWarriors program also involves school families in environmental initiatives that support local wildlife. This extends the learning beyond individual classrooms and shows how small, regular actions can contribute to environmental care.
Students Learn Through Design and Problem Solving
Climate literacy at the Cleveland school is also strengthened through hands-on learning. One example is the school’s Design a Bee Hotel competition for World Bee Day, which gives students a practical way to connect environmental learning with design, collaboration and creativity.
These activities allow students to test ideas, work with peers and understand how local actions can support the environment. The school’s broader learning approach supports this style of teaching, with a focus on contemporary learning, explicit teaching, feedback and flexible learning environments.
Star of the Sea Primary School also uses the Australian Curriculum and Brisbane Religious Curriculum to guide learning choices for students.
BCE Climate Learning Connects Knowledge With Action
The Cleveland example reflects wider learning across Brisbane Catholic Education, including initiatives such as the STEM Make a Difference competition. Through the competition, students are encouraged to identify real-world problems and develop their own solutions, including ideas connected to sustainability, conservation and climate action.
This approach combines STEM knowledge with ethical decision-making and creativity, giving students opportunities to think about environmental challenges in practical ways.
During Laudato Si’ Week from 17 to 24 May, the focus on climate literacy also highlights the link between learning, responsibility and action. At Star of the Sea Primary School, that link is reflected in growing student interest in environmental activities.
The school has recorded almost 50 per cent more interest in the EcoWarriors program this year compared with last year. The increase points to stronger student engagement in practical sustainability work and a growing willingness to take part in caring for the school environment.
Catholic education has been part of the Redland region for more than four decades, and at Star of the Sea Primary School in Cleveland, climate literacy is being taught as part of a broader approach to learning, faith and community responsibility.
Reece Holder, the 23-year-old Wellington Point sprinter who grew up running at Redlands Little Athletics before becoming one of Australia’s fastest 400-metre runners of all time, has secured his spot on the Australian team for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The selection follows his breakthrough maiden senior victory at the Australian Athletics Championships in Sydney.
Holder clocked a dominant 45.11 seconds to claim the national crown, the latest milestone in a career arc that has taken him from junior titles at Redlands and Balmoral to an Olympic semi-final in Paris, and now to his first Commonwealth Games selection. The multi-sport event kicks off in Glasgow on July 23.
“These athletes represent the first selections on the road to Glasgow 2026, and their performances in Sydney highlight the strength and depth we’re building across the team,” Australian Team Chef de Mission Petria Thomas said.
A decade of work to reach this point
Reece Holder’s story did not start with a headline. He began his journey running at school carnivals and joined the Redlands Little Athletics Centre, before moving to Balmoral and eventually Thompson Estate Athletics, the club he proudly represents today. The progression required patience through early, injury-interrupted seasons, but the raw talent was always unmistakable.
Photo Credit: Reece Holder/Instagram
At 15, he won the national Under-17 400-metre title in 49.11 seconds. By 16, he had lowered his personal best to 47.35, and just before global pandemic restrictions altered the sporting calendar in early 2020, he had already clocked an impressive 46.44. Progress paused, but it never stopped.
The ultimate breakthrough moment arrived in August 2023 at the World University Games in Chengdu. Having already run a blistering personal best of 45.65 in Switzerland two months earlier, Holder negotiated the heavy heat, semi-finals, and final in Chengdu to take silver in 44.79 seconds.
The performance made him the fifth-fastest Australian 400-metre runner of all time and the fastest domestic competitor in 17 years.
Paris and the personal best that put him in elite company
Paris 2024 marked Holder’s Olympic debut, where he made an immediate impression on the world stage. In his opening qualification heat, he dropped a stunning personal best of 44.53 seconds to advance directly to the semi-finals, where he ultimately finished a commendable fifth in his wave. The performance confirmed him as a genuine world-class competitor rather than just a domestic standout.
Holder currently maintains a world ranking inside the top 20 for the 400 metres, cementing his status among the global elite in a notoriously brutal discipline. The one-lap sprint remains one of the most physically punishing events in track and field, demanding pure sprinter speed paired with the aerobic endurance to sustain maximum velocity for an entire lap.
His 2026 campaign has perfectly maintained that trajectory. His commanding 45.11-second victory in Sydney earned him his first senior Australian championship and officially punch his ticket to Scotland.
Glasgow and what comes next
The 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will be Holder’s first appearance at the event, with the men’s 400 metres shaping up as one of Australia’s marquee medal prospects on the track. Holder will also anchor the Australian 4×400-metre relay squad, building on his international experience after representing the national team at the 2025 World Athletics Relays.
For Wellington Point and the broader Redlands bayside community that cheered him on through the Little Athletics ranks, the Glasgow selection represents the perfect return for grassroots sporting programs.
Ormiston College held its first whole-of-sport awards ceremony since before COVID-19 this week, replacing a long-standing arrangement that had seen separate end-of-season events held for some boys’ Firsts sides but not their female counterparts.
The change at the Wellington Point school followed years of pressure from parents and students who argued that girls’ Firsts teams, across sports including netball, hockey, basketball, volleyball, soccer and touch football, were missing out on the same end-of-season recognition afforded to some of their male peers.
How the Disparity Developed
Between 2022 and 2025, the college ran formal sports awards assemblies that recognised all teams. Alongside those assemblies, however, some boys’ Firsts sides including rugby and football held their own additional stand-alone celebrations, organised through Parent Support Groups. Requests from girls’ teams for comparable events were not approved.
Parents, who did not wish to be named, said frustration had been building for more than a year. Students raised the issue directly with senior staff as early as September 2024, seeking comparable recognition for female Firsts teams, but those approaches did not produce an outcome at the time.
The college acknowledged the gap, saying that while formal recognition had been consistently applied across all teams, the additional celebrations for some boys’ sides created perceptions of inconsistency. “This understanding has informed the decision to adopt a single, standardised model for sporting awards,” the college said in a statement.
What the New Model Looks Like
The new structure introduces two formal recognition events across the sporting calendar: a First Team Jersey Presentation Assembly at the start of each season and a whole-of-sport awards ceremony at its conclusion. All teams, including Firsts sides, will be recognised under the same framework, covering captaincy honours, most valuable player awards, team achievements and Year 12 acknowledgments, applied on consistent criteria across sports and genders.
Dean of Activities Jack Pincott communicated the change to families ahead of Wednesday’s event, noting the ceremony would be held “for the first time in a long time,” signalling the shift away from the fragmented approach of recent years.
When Recognition Matters as Much as the Result
For families in the Wellington Point and Ormiston community, sport is not a peripheral part of school life. Ormiston College claimed the Overall Champion School title in The Associated Schools competition for three consecutive years to 2025, with particular strength across volleyball, athletics and swimming.
That sporting culture is precisely why the recognition question mattered. End-of-season celebrations are where effort gets acknowledged, not just in trophies but in the shared experience of being seen. For the girls and their families who campaigned from September 2024, the objective was simple: they sought the same level of recognition already granted to some of the boys’ teams.
Reaction within the community to the new format has not been uniform. Supporters of the change argue it removes an inconsistency that should not have existed, and that a unified model is more respectful of every team’s contribution. Critics, including at least one student who described the outcome as “lowering the bar to gain equality,” argue it removes the opportunity for standout teams to be celebrated individually rather than within a broader ceremony.
The college rejected any suggestion of deliberate inequity, maintaining that the additional boys’ celebrations had been community-organised rather than school-directed, and that formal recognition had always been applied consistently across all teams.
More Information
Families with questions about enrolment and the new sporting recognition structure can contact Ormiston College directly at their site or by phone on 07 3820 1200.
Proposed amendments to the Redland City Plan carry direct implications for Wellington Point residents — while much of the region faces reduced lot sizes and higher density targets, separate provisions apply specifically to the canal estates.
Public consultation on the changes is now open, with submissions closing on 29 March 2025.
What it means for Wellington Point
Photo credit: Google Street View
The proposed amendments set out distinct rules for canal estate properties that differ from changes applying elsewhere in Redland. Under the framework, separate provisions apply specifically to the canal estates, a category that includes Wellington Point alongside Raby Bay, Sovereign Waters and Aquatic Paradise, where properties would generally maintain a minimum lot size of 600 sqm with at least 15 metres of street frontage.
Duplex or dual-occupancy development in canal estate areas would face stricter requirements. That type of development would require a minimum 1,000 sqm site with at least 30 metres of frontage.
The broader picture across Redland
The proposed changes vary significantly across different parts of the city. In certain low-density residential areas outside the canal estates, minimum lot sizes could drop to 300 sqm, which is down from the 400 sqm standard that has applied across much of suburban Redland. Dual-occupancy development in those areas would be permitted where density does not exceed one dwelling per 350 sqm, or one per 300 sqm on corner lots.
In newer growth corridors including parts of Thornlands and the Kinross Road precinct, minimum density targets would increase to at least 25 dwellings per hectare.
At Point Lookout on North Stradbroke Island, dual-occupancy homes would require a minimum 800 sqm site with a 20-metre frontage.
Craft breweries and camping sites
Not all of the amendments in the Redland City Plan are about housing. The changes also open the door to boutique-style craft breweries operating in selected industry zones. Rural landholders may also benefit, with eligible properties potentially able to host up to five small, self-contained camping sites under the proposed framework.
Separate notices that came into effect on 27 February designated four major roads as “limited-access” corridors — Beenleigh–Redland Bay Road, Birkdale Road, Capalaba–Victoria Point Road and Colburn Avenue.
The move, made by the Department of Transport and Main Roads, tightens or bans new or altered driveway access onto those state-controlled roads. Property owners or anyone planning to build along those corridors should review the implications of the limited-access declaration.
Have your say
The amendment notices were signed by Redland City chief executive officer Louise Rusan. Consultation opened on 2 March and closes on 29 March 2025.View the full amendment documents and have your say through Redland City’s Your Say portal.
Featured image credit: Google Maps/Picture Purrfect
Cinemas across the Redlands light up this week with a heavy dose of terrifying horror and captivating drama. Whether you’re catching a flick at Capalaba, Victoria Point, or Wynnum, there’s something fresh to enjoy on the silver screen.
Opening This Week
Scream 7
In cinemas from 26 February
Ghostface is back! The legendary horror franchise returns to keep you on the edge of your seat. Catch it at Event Cinemas Capalaba, Cineplex Victoria Point, and Bayside Cinemas Wynnum.
Solo Mio
In cinemas from 26 February
Discover this fresh new drama hitting the coast. Catch it at Event Cinemas Capalaba and Cineplex Victoria Point.
Still Showing
EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert
The King’s concert experience continues at Event Cinemas Capalaba, Cineplex Victoria Point, and Bayside Cinemas Wynnum.
Fackham Hall
The hilarious British spoof is still running at Event Cinemas Capalaba, Cineplex Victoria Point, and Bayside Cinemas Wynnum.
Crime 101
Catch the gritty heist thriller at Event Cinemas Capalaba, Cineplex Victoria Point, and Bayside Cinemas Wynnum.
Wuthering Heights
The gothic romance continues at Event Cinemas Capalaba, Cineplex Victoria Point, and Bayside Cinemas Wynnum.
Where to Watch
Event Cinemas Capalaba – Capalaba Central Shopping Centre
Cineplex Victoria Point – Lakeside Victoria Point
Bayside Cinemas – Wynnum
From iconic slashers to laugh-out-loud comedies, the Redlands cinemas are packed with great stories this week. Grab some popcorn and enjoy a local screening near you.
Cinemas across the Redlands light up this week with a tribute to a music icon and a hilarious new British comedy. Whether you’re catching a flick at Capalaba, Victoria Point, or Wynnum, there’s something fresh to enjoy on the silver screen.
Opening This Week
EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert
In cinemas from 19 February
Put on your blue suede shoes! This concert event brings the magic of Elvis to the big screen. Catch it at Event Cinemas Capalaba, Cineplex Victoria Point, and Bayside Cinemas Wynnum.
Fackham Hall
In cinemas from 19 February
If you love Downton Abbey but wish it had more jokes, this is the movie for you. A hilarious period parody. Catch it at Event Cinemas Capalaba, Cineplex Victoria Point, and Bayside Cinemas Wynnum.
Still Showing
Crime 101
Catch the gritty heist thriller at Event Cinemas Capalaba, Cineplex Victoria Point, and Bayside Cinemas Wynnum.
Wuthering Heights
The sweeping gothic romance continues at Event Cinemas Capalaba, Cineplex Victoria Point, and Bayside Cinemas Wynnum.
Whistle
Horror fans can still catch the latest scare at Event Cinemas Capalaba.
Shelter
The gripping drama continues its run at Event Cinemas Capalaba, Cineplex Victoria Point, and Bayside Cinemas Wynnum.
Where to Watch
Event Cinemas Capalaba – Capalaba Central Shopping Centre
Cineplex Victoria Point – Lakeside Victoria Point
Bayside Cinemas – Wynnum
From rock ‘n’ roll royalty to period comedy, the Redlands cinemas are packed with great stories this week. Grab some popcorn and enjoy a local screening near you.
This weekend is a fantastic opportunity for skill-building, with the Redland Coast Art Society offering a series of masterclasses in gouache and watercolour. It is also a great time to visit the major exhibitions at the Redland Art Gallery or get crafty at the local libraries.
Redland Art Gallery Exhibitions
Until 22 March 2026 | Redland Art Gallery, Cleveland
Two thought-provoking exhibitions continue their run at the gallery:
My Soil Farsh (Frash): Prita Tina Yeganeh uses soil and symbolism to explore the concept of “place as guest.” More Info
The Hidden and the Held: Sorour Fattahi presents a compelling body of work examining personal and collective narratives. More Info
Kerry Daley Gouache Masterclasses
20 February 2026 | Redland Coast Art Society, Capalaba
Artist Kerry Daley is running two distinct workshops this Friday, focusing on the versatile medium of gouache.
Painting Birds: Learn how to capture the texture and life of birds. Get Tickets
Landscape Painting: Discover techniques for creating vibrant, opaque landscapes. Get Tickets
Vintage Heart Cake Decorating
21 February 2026 | Cordie’s Cake Supplies, Capalaba Get Tickets
Combine art with baking in this sweet workshop. Learn the trendy “vintage” piping style to create a stunning heart-shaped cake. It’s a fun, hands-on class that results in a delicious edible masterpiece.
Watercolour Techniques (Beyond the Basics)
21 February 2026 | Redland Coast Art Society, Capalaba Get Tickets
Ready to take your watercolour skills to the next level? Brittany Hurkmans leads this Saturday workshop designed for those who have mastered the fundamentals and want to explore more advanced techniques and effects.
Author Talk: Dr Dianne Cartwright
21 February 2026 | Cleveland Library, Cleveland Get Tickets
Join local author Dr Dianne Cartwright for an insightful morning at the library. She will be discussing her writing journey and her latest work, offering a fascinating look behind the scenes of the creative process.
Create and Connect Workshops
20 & 21 February 2026 | Various Libraries
Get crafty and meet new people at these free library sessions:
Felt Earrings (Fri 20 Feb): Head to Point Lookout Library on North Stradbroke Island to make unique jewellery. Details
Canvas Embroidery Painting (Sat 21 Feb): Visit Victoria Point Library to learn the art of embroidering directly onto canvas. Details
Adventures in Colour: Sandra Temple
5 February – 1 March 2026 | Old SchoolHouse Gallery, Cleveland Get Tickets
Brighten your weekend with a visit to this vibrant exhibition. Sandra Temple’s work celebrates bold hues and expressive subjects, set within the charming heritage walls of the Old SchoolHouse Gallery.
Passages by The Coochie Art Group
27 January – 13 March 2026 | RAG, The Mezz, Cleveland Get Tickets
Explore the unique perspectives of island living. Passages showcases the diverse works of the Coochie Art Group, reflecting the environment and lifestyle of Coochiemudlo Island.
Coastal Rhythms Exhibition
25 January – 1 March 2026 | Redland Coast Art Society, Capalaba Get Tickets
While you are at the RCAS for a workshop, be sure to view the current member exhibition. Coastal Rhythms captures the essence of the Bayside through a variety of mediums and styles.
If you have been waiting for a sign to pick up a paintbrush or a needle, this is it. With expert-led classes in gouache and watercolour at the Art Society, plus free crafting sessions at the libraries, the weekend is perfectly set up for getting creative.
A busy week is ahead with major returns on Netflix, new drops on Apple TV+ and Prime Video, and fresh additions across Disney+, Max and Stan. Here’s what’s coming to streaming services in Australia from Thursday, 19 February to Wednesday, 25 February 2026.
With The Night Agent back on Netflix, a new Apple TV+ mystery in the mix, and plenty of variety across Max, Disney+ and Stan, this is a strong week to refresh your watchlist — whether you’re after action, suspense, drama or something lighter.
