Two 18-year-old men have been charged after a police search that culminated in Brighton, following an alleged vehicle incident linked to a fuel drive-off and a police dog squad search across north Brisbane.
Police allege the incident began on Sunday, 8 March 2026, when a white Ford Falcon bearing stolen licence plates was involved in a fuel drive-off at a service station on the Bruce Highway in Caboolture at about 3.15 p.m.
Officers later tracked the vehicle and deployed a tyre deflation device on the Gateway Motorway near Bracken Ridge.
Police said the vehicle was subsequently abandoned at the Deagon Deviation, where the occupants allegedly ran into nearby bushland.
The Moreton District Dog Squad then conducted a search of the surrounding area.
Police Dog Wolf and the handler located one of the alleged offenders behind a property on Lauren Circuit in Brighton shortly after 12 a.m. on Monday, 9 March.
A second alleged offender was located on the same street at about 1 a.m.
The search spanned several north Brisbane locations, including Caboolture, Bracken Ridge and Deagon, before police located the two men in Brighton.
Charges And Court Dates
An 18-year-old man from Griffin has been charged with ten offences. These include two counts of stealing and single counts of driving a motor vehicle without a licence, driving an unregistered vehicle, driving an uninsured vehicle, receiving tainted property, obstructing police, possessing dangerous drugs, possessing used drug utensils and possessing utensils for use.
He is due to appear before Pine Rivers Magistrates Court on 25 March 2026.
Another 18-year-old man from Murrumba Downs has been charged with stealing, obstructing police and possessing dangerous drugs. He is scheduled to appear before Pine Rivers Magistrates Court on 24 March 2026.
A 16-year-old boy from Pacific Haven was also dealt with under the Youth Justice Act.
As the sun rises each month, hundreds of men gather at Dale Farm in Fitzgibbon for breakfast, stories and a reminder that resilience often grows through shared experience.
It was a very humid morning as I drove to Fitzgibbon, an interesting local community surrounded by green spaces near Carseldine, to an interesting house and some very interesting people.
Fitzgibbon is named after Abraham Fitzgibbon, the engineer who designed early Queensland railways. Fittingly, the suburb sits beside the North Coast railway line that helped develop the Carseldine–Bald Hills corridor.
Fitzgibbon didn’t really exist until the 1980s, when rural subdivisions began to take shape. Parts of the suburb were built on landfill, particularly around Telegraph Road and Roghan Road.
Meet Hudson Dale
Hudson Dale is an extraordinarily selfless man. I don’t fully understand how he has developed his amazing monthly men’s breakfast; but what I do know is we need more Hudson Dales on this planet.
Around 200 men gathered on Saturday morning in Hudson’s converted barn as the sun rose, kicking off around 6:30am.
The property once flooded badly and tested Hudson’s love of what he calls Dale Farm, a sprawling acreage property among an estate of normal sized blocks. Quite inexplicable how this enormous block sits within Desert Willow Way –- it’s one of many eccentric but brilliant components of Hudson’s life.
A long line up for the great coffee, multiple volunteers cooking bacon, eggs, snags and toast, without fanfare… selflessness on full display.
I was an outsider, my first attendance at a monthly event that I had heard a lot about. In fact, my good friend Andre Moore, the former Bullets star and Denver Nugget, had previously been guest speaker and he had invited me but I couldn’t make it.
A gentleman introduced himself to me — Daniel. He had suffered a major car accident, the type where you spend 18 months in hospital while surgeons rebuild you. After running a very busy surveying business in Katherine, NT, he had recently moved from a wheelchair to walking with the assistance of a four-wheel walker as his rehabilitation unfolded.
The grace and dignity in this man would inspire anyone who met him. His family (including three kids) will have been through the most terrible journey, but Daniel was magnetic and hopefully, his recovery and continued progress will enable him to flourish.
The men that attended ranged in age from their early 20s to their 70s — business people, people looking for inspiration and company and sports people.
Ian Jacob, three time world kickboxing champion, who looked in incredible shape, was in attendance.
Issac Hardman was also in attendance, a young UFC fighter who was about to fight in his next IBC event having knocked out his previous opponent. IBC is a new derivation in the mould of what T20 is to cricket, a smaller cage so less room to retreat, two minute rounds and no grappling. You can follow Isaac’s career progress here, including his post-fight speech after another successful night in the ring.
Quite a panoply of men who all had a story. Hudson’s off-the-cuff intro was hilarious. The warmth of the welcome was world-class and the main event didn’t disappoint. The main event was Barney Lewis.
Barney Lewis is quite a bloke. His business Legendex, based in Narangba, is a one-stop shop for four-wheel-drives.
Barney’s 45-minute speech was world-class. It touched on the rugged story of his life and the rugged territory he had driven through. The theme was resilience, presented to a room of men that appreciated the lows that life can bring.
He related the amazing story of driving the $1000 Track in Tasmania, known to be a catastrophe for anyone attempting it. Catastrophe, that is, for the vehicles that are designed to withstand the extreme conditions but rarely do. In fact, constantly repairing broken vehicles is the common outcome.
If you haven’t heard of the ‘Thousand Buck Track‘, here’s an insight into it:
He was a fan of the “half-bloke from Ipswich” –- you had to be there to appreciate who he was talking about, but the reference brought the house down.
He brought his big, red fire truck, a great example of a vehicle he has broken over and over and always repaired and made stronger.
Barney is a leader who would constantly divert respect and pride for his offsider, Jesse and his son Jackson.
His story covered his rollercoaster business and personal life, which would have resonated with the audience.
Here’s a longer form version of Barney’s business story on a podcast called the Wildcast. The host was also in attendance.
The Men’s Breakfast happens every month, graced by men from far and wide, keen to get up at the crack of dawn to attend an event with a purpose — inspiring resilience but not in a one-dimensional way, focused instead on hearing great stories and being amongst a great group of blokes.
Hudson Dale is a force of nature who is quietly building a movement. Whilst his days focus on Commercial Real Estate as a Director of Raine and Horne based in Kedron, his curation of the Men’s Breakfast deserves a spotlight.
Bracken Ridge has claimed the title as Brisbane’s top dog suburb, recording more than 2100 registered pets in the past year, ahead of every other neighbourhood in the city.
New figures from Brisbane City Council show Labradors remain the most common breed with more than 9000 registered. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels followed with over 7000, while Border Collies took third place with nearly 6800.
Photo Credit: Canva / For Illustration Purpose Only
Other breeds rounding out the top ten included Maltese, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Golden Retrievers, Australian Kelpies, Poodles, Dachshunds and Cocker Spaniels. The figures show long-haired and working breeds continue to be popular with families across the city.
Naming Trends and Bluey Influence
Charlie was the city’s most popular dog name with more than 1200 registrations, followed by Bella and Coco. Names from the Brisbane-made cartoon Bluey were also a strong influence, with more than 400 dogs registered as Chilli, Bandit, Bluey or Bingo.
Photo Credit: Canva / For Illustration Purpose Only
Unusual entries such as Ziggy Stardust the Third, Starvin Marvin McLovin and Jabba the Mutt showed the humour and individuality of local owners.
Suburbs with High Registrations
Following Bracken Ridge, The Gap registered 1971 dogs and Forest Lake had 1877. Other high-ranking suburbs included Wynnum, Ashgrove, Carindale, Coorparoo, Brighton, Manly West and Camp Hill.
The spread shows dogs are a major part of community life across Brisbane, not only in outer suburbs with larger blocks but also in established inner-city areas.
Council Emphasis on Safety and Community
Council representatives encouraged residents to register and microchip their pets, explaining that fees go back into local programs.
They stressed that registration improves the chances of reuniting pets with owners and supports community facilities designed for people and their animals.
Published 7-March-2026
Featured Photo Credit: Canva / For Illustration Purpose Only
St John Fisher College in Bracken Ridge has confirmed Isla and Gemma as its College Captains for the 2026 school year under Brisbane Catholic Education’s latest leadership announcement.
Brisbane Catholic Education announced on 11 February 2026 that 86 College Captains had been appointed across its 146 schools in South East Queensland as the new academic year commenced.
Among the schools listed was St John Fisher College, where Isla and Gemma were named College Captains for 2026. The appointments place the Bracken Ridge secondary girls’ college within the broader network of student leadership roles confirmed across the region.
St John Fisher College is a Catholic secondary girls’ college founded in 1981 and grounded in Mercy traditions. The college promotes a holistic approach to education, supporting students’ spiritual, social, emotional and physical development alongside academic learning.
The Bracken Ridge campus spans 15 hectares and includes upgraded facilities such as a Design and Hospitality hub. Senior subjects are delivered onsite and online through the college’s digital learning environment.
Academic And Co-Curricular Programs
The college states that students achieve above the state average in NAPLAN and Year 12 results. Over the past five years, 100 per cent of students have received a Queensland Certificate of Education.
St John Fisher College also operates the Fisher Innovate Research Enterprise, a semester-long program for Year 9 students. A range of sporting, cultural and curriculum-focused clubs are available, including programs designed to support academic engagement beyond the classroom.
In a separate update, Brisbane Catholic Education released an Acknowledgment of Country video that includes students from the Bracken Ridge college. The school’s Umbarra dancers appeared in the clip during filming connected to the Yarning Circle.
The 2026 College Captain appointments mark the beginning of the new school year, with Isla and Gemma taking on formal leadership responsibilities within the Bracken Ridge school community.
Holy Spirit College Fitzgibbon is bridging the gap between primary and secondary education with a cutting-edge STEAM program designed to prepare Year 6 students for the challenges of high school, including students from St Dympna’s Parish School in Aspley.
The Primary School Transition Program focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM), giving students hands-on experience with secondary school learning before they officially begin Year 7.
“It’s a launchpad to success in secondary school,” said Holy Spirit College Acting Principal Andrew McEwan.
The initiative comes as the college seeks to create meaningful connections with surrounding primary schools while supporting Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) students through what can be an intimidating transition period.
Future-Focused Education
Photo credit: Google Street View
Mr McEwan said the program was developed with future graduates in mind.
“When developing our College’s Primary School Transition Program for Year 6 students we had to consider, ‘what does a graduate of 2027 and beyond look like, what future skills will they need?’,” he said.
“For us, it was a no-brainer to develop a STEAM transition program. Not only will students need STEAM knowledge and skills for their futures, but it’s also the foundation for many secondary subjects as students, especially as students near Year 11 and 12.”
The program offers multiple benefits beyond subject knowledge. Students build connections and familiarity with the college environment, develop their identity within the school community, and gain context for what lies ahead in secondary education.
“The program also allows our educators to see what knowledge students already have in STEAM, so when their first day of secondary school comes around both staff and students feel prepared,” Mr McEwan said.
The Primary School Transition Program
Photo credit: St Dympna’s Primary School/Google Maps
Five BCE primary schools are currently participating in the Primary School Transition Program:
St Flannan’s School, Zillmere
St Kevin’s School, Geebung
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Bracken Ridge
St Dympna’s Parish School, Aspley
Sacred Heart Primary School, Sandgate
The program operates as a reciprocal partnership between schools, with benefits extending to primary school educators as well as students.
“The program is also an opportunity for BCE’s primary educators to shadow our educators, see our teaching practices in person, and pick up techniques that can build independence in Year 6 learners as they prepare them for secondary school,” Mr McEwan said.
“Primary educators can then take these practices in their own Year 6 classrooms helping learners build critical thinking, skills they will need in secondary school.”
Student-Led Learning Initiatives
A highlight of the program has been the involvement of Holy Spirit College students selected for the University of Queensland Science Ambassador program, who mentor primary students in STEAM subjects.
“The Science Exchange with St Dympna’s Primary School allowed our students to lead and engage Year 6 students as a part of this Transition Program,” Mr McEwan said.
Other collaborative projects have seen Year 8 and 9 students work with Sacred Heart Primary School Year 2 students to create a mural focusing on environmental sustainability and Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ encyclical promoting care for our common home.
Senior phase students also supported St Kevin’s Primary School ‘Spotlight on STEM’ event, highlighting knowledge and skills learned from the college’s innovative curriculum while developing a passion for STEM in primary school students.
Beyond Year 6
Mr McEwan emphasised that the college’s transition support extends well beyond the traditional Year 6 to Year 7 pathway.
“We engage with our parent community from Year 3 onwards, touching base with families throughout the year and engaging students in a variety of activities that get them interested in secondary education,” he said.
The college also supports students who commence in later years, recognising that every transition is unique.
“Every transition is unique and our College will continue to work with families to ensure the transition to our College is as seamless as possible for our students,” Mr McEwan said.
Holy Spirit College will continue to expand its transition programs in 2026.
Published 13-February-2026
Featured Image Credit: St Dympna’s Parish School students with Holy Spirit College students/Supplied
A new multi-use games area has opened at Enbrook Park in Bracken Ridge, providing a dedicated space for casual sport, social play and broader community recreation.
The multi-use games area at Enbrook Park, located on Telegraph Road, is now available for public use. The space has been designed to accommodate a variety of informal sporting activities and unstructured play, supporting everyday use by local residents and families.
Line markings have been installed to allow for multiple sports, with additional pickleball markings added to a neighbouring half-court. The layout allows the area to be shared by different user groups throughout the day without the need for formal bookings.
Supporting Casual and Social Sport
The inclusion of pickleball markings reflects broader changes in how community courts are being designed and used. Pickleball, which can be played on smaller court spaces, is commonly incorporated into multi-use facilities to support flexible and low-barrier participation.
Nationally, pickleball participation has grown steadily since 2020, with tens of thousands of regular players and registered members across Australia. The sport is played at both recreational and competitive levels and is often suited to shared-use environments like neighbourhood parks.
Parks Used for Wider Community Activity
The opening of the games area coincides with continued use of nearby parkland for community events along Telegraph Road. A free outdoor movie night is scheduled for Friday 13 February 2026 at Bill Brown Sports Reserve, adjacent to the netball courts.
Children’s activities will take place from 5:00 p.m., followed by a screening of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial at 7:00 p.m. Food trucks will operate throughout the evening, with updates provided if weather conditions change.
Together, the new multi-use games area at Enbrook Park and nearby community events highlight how local open spaces in Bracken Ridge are being used for both active recreation and social gatherings. The facilities are intended to support everyday use and encourage outdoor activity within the surrounding neighbourhood.
Bald Hills Memorial Hall is set to undergo a $300,000 accessibility-focused amenities upgrade, with works planned to improve access and modernise facilities at the heritage-listed community venue.
The project includes the installation of accessible bathrooms, ramps and widened doorways, along with refreshed entry points designed to meet current accessibility standards.
The upgrade is intended to make the amenities block easier to use for people with mobility needs, including older residents, people with disabilities and families with young children, supporting broader participation in events and activities held at the hall.
Photo Credit: Bald Hills Memorial Hall
Funding Context And Project Listing
The $300,000 allocation for the Bald Hills Memorial Hall upgrade appears in the 2025–26 Budget materials as part of a wider set of local facility projects across Brisbane.
The listing identifies the works as an amenities block upgrade, placing the hall project alongside other community and infrastructure improvements scheduled within the same funding cycle.
Heritage And Community Role
Established on 21 August 1920 as an Anzac memorial, the heritage-listed hall honours local men and women who served in World War I and World War II and has remained a venue for community events, meetings, dances and commemorations for more than a century.
The building was damaged by fire in 2015 and was restored and reopened in 2018, preserving its historical features while continuing its role as a local gathering place.
Project information indicates construction is expected to begin later in 2025, with the upgraded amenities planned to be ready for community use by mid-2026. The sources note that planning and construction are expected to follow local procurement processes.
A Brisbane tug of war team training in Taigum is questioning why the sport is no longer included in the Olympic program, despite its long competitive history and continued local participation.
Tug of war was contested at the Summer Olympic Games from 1900 to 1920 as a team-based event within the athletics program. After the 1920 Games, the sport was removed as part of broader changes that reduced the number of events included in the Olympic schedule.
More than a century later, members of a Brisbane-based tug of war team training in Taigum have questioned why the sport is no longer part of the Olympic program. The view, expressed at a participant level, centres on the sport’s physical demands, emphasis on teamwork, and reliance on endurance and strategy rather than individual performance.
These observations are raised as personal reflections, rather than as part of any formal campaign or proposal.
While tug of war is no longer contested at the Olympic level, local training continues in Taigum, where a Brisbane team meets weekly to prepare for competition. Sessions focus on maintaining consistency, fitness and coordination, reflecting the requirements of high-level matches.
The team, known as the Brisbane Bulldogs, has trained together for around a decade, with gradual improvement achieved through structured coaching and regular practice.
An Ancient Sport With Deep Cultural Roots
Tug of war is one of the world’s oldest organised sports, with a history spanning thousands of years. Its origins are closely linked to Asia, where it continues to be practised as both a competitive activity and a cultural tradition.
Different techniques are used across regions of India, including styles observed in southern areas such as Kerala and alternative approaches in northern regions. These traditions influence how the sport is taught and performed within community groups in Australia.
Training in Taigum takes place behind a Sikh temple, a setting that reflects these longstanding cultural connections.
Coaching places emphasis on fitness, breathing control, body height and coordinated movement, rather than relying solely on strength. Each participant manages a substantial load on the rope, making balance and timing essential.
Tug of war is structured so that every position on the rope has a defined role. A lapse by one team member can affect the entire group, reinforcing the importance of collective discipline and endurance, particularly during competitions involving multiple pulls in a single day.
Community Pathways Into The Sport
Several team members were introduced to competitive tug of war through community sporting events, including the Australian Sikh Games, held in Brisbane in 2016. These events provided an entry point into organised training and ongoing participation.
Despite its absence from the modern Olympic program, tug of war continues to be practised at a grassroots level in Taigum, supported by long-term commitment from participants and a focus on preserving the sport’s traditional and competitive elements.
A division one result valued at approximately $1.6 million has been linked to an entry purchased in Bracken Ridge, with the holder potentially still unaware of the outcome.
An entry purchased in Bracken Ridge has been linked to a division one result from a nationally held draw conducted in early January. The entry was not registered at the time of purchase, which means the holder has not been directly identified or contacted.
The entry was bought at Shop 2, 154 Barrett Street. Officials have indicated that the result will remain unconfirmed until the entry holder checks their ticket and comes forward.
Queensland accounted for three division one results in the same draw, which was held on Saturday 3 January 2026. In total, 18 division one results were recorded nationally.
Each division one result was valued at $1,666,666.67, including the entry linked to Bracken Ridge.
Townsville And Gympie Also Record Division One Results
One of the other Queensland results was shared by three friends in Townsville, who held a System 10 QuickPick entry purchased through an official digital platform. The group was reportedly unaware of the outcome until contacted the following day.
Another Queensland result was held by a 10-person store syndicate in Gympie, known as New Year Slay. Shares were sold through Nextra Gympie, located at Gympie Central on the corner of Bruce Highway and Excelsior Road.
In addition to the division one result, the Gympie entry recorded multiple lower-division outcomes, lifting the group’s total return to $1,714,863.52. Each member received $171,486.36.
The Bracken Ridge result remains dependent on the entry holder checking their ticket and confirming ownership. Until that occurs, the division one result linked to Bracken Ridge remains unclaimed.
A 12-year-old boy has been charged after a small improvised device detonated inside a shopping centre toilet in Bracken Ridge, causing minor damage and prompting a police response.
Police were called to a shopping centre on Barrett Street in Bracken Ridge after reports of a loud explosion inside a public toilet. The incident occurred at about 1.30 p.m. on Sunday, 28 December.
The explosion triggered the fire sprinkler system within the toilet area. When officers arrived, they located a small improvised device that had already detonated. Police confirmed the damage was minor and confined to the toilet facilities.
No one was physically injured as a result of the incident.
Following initial investigations at the shopping centre, police continued enquiries into the source of the explosion. Several hours later, at about 5 p.m., officers attended a Bracken Ridge address in connection with the incident.
At that location, a 12-year-old boy was taken into custody. Police allege the child was responsible for detonating the improvised device inside the shopping centre toilet.
Charges Laid
The child has been charged with one count of entering premises with intent, one count of damaging premises by explosion, and one count of stealing. Police stated the charges relate to items allegedly used to make the improvised device.
The child is expected to appear in the Brisbane Childrens Court on 9 January 2026.
Safety Assessment
Police confirmed the incident was not terror-related and advised there was no ongoing risk to the public. Authorities treated the matter as an isolated incident, and no further safety warnings were issued.
The shopping centre reopened following inspections, and normal operations resumed after emergency systems were reset.
The incident drew attention online, with community members commenting on safety in shared public spaces and expressing concern about the seriousness of the offence. Police have not indicated any additional charges or further action beyond the court proceedings already scheduled.
The case will now progress through the youth justice system, with the court expected to consider the charges when the child appears early next year. No further details have been released by police at this stage.
