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Urban Village Decline in Kelvin Grove Raises Concerns for Traders and Residents

Kelvin Grove’s urban village is experiencing a downturn, with shop closures, rising vacancies, and reduced student numbers affecting local traders and the broader community.

Background and Development of Kelvin Grove Urban Village

Kelvin Grove’s urban village was established in 2003 as part of the redevelopment of the former Gona Barracks site. The project aimed to deliver affordable housing, educational facilities, and a mixed-use precinct. It included the QUT campus expansion, the Roundhouse Theatre, and a combination of residential and commercial properties, and was recognised with planning and design awards.

Falling Foot Traffic and Business Challenges

The village’s commercial viability has long depended on international students attending the nearby QUT campus. A fall in student numbers, influenced by higher visa fees and stricter migration policies, has led to reduced spending and lower foot traffic.

Businesses such as Domino’s and DannyBoys, which had been fixtures in the precinct, have closed. Vacant shopfronts are now common across Musk Avenue, Blamey Street, and Carraway Street. Traders have reported that higher rents and limited discretionary spending by students have contributed to business closures.

Expert Insights and Structural Factors

Planning experts have pointed to structural challenges within Kelvin Grove’s urban village. The precinct lacks the population density or major attractions that support foot traffic in older urban villages such as those in Sydney and Melbourne. Without a significant drawcard or substantial parking, maintaining commercial viability has proven difficult. The design focused on serving the immediate local population, which has come under pressure as economic conditions have changed.

Kelvin Grove property — Photo Credit: Google Maps

Community Sentiment and Social Concerns

Residents have raised concerns about rising crime and antisocial behaviour in the village. Reports have included thefts, break-ins, discarded syringes, and overnight disturbances near local businesses.

Data shows that crime rates in the central hub are higher than in surrounding streets. While the Saturday markets continue to draw some visitors, weekday activity has decreased significantly.

Property Trends and Future Outlook

Despite challenges, unit prices in Kelvin Grove have increased, with investors drawn by anticipated infrastructure developments linked to Brisbane’s 2032 Olympics. Local agents noted that commercial space in the area is tightly held and often leased quickly when available.

Experts have indicated that the future viability of the precinct may depend on reducing its reliance on student populations and introducing broader attractors or improved access to support foot traffic.

Published 4-July-2025

Billboard in Red Hill Finally Moved After Five-Year Legal Battle

A towering billboard in Red Hill that sparked a five-year legal battle between a Brisbane homeowner and Brisbane City has finally been relocated, marking the end of a long-running dispute.

Read: Red Hill Resident Wins Case Against Billboard Installation Next to His House

The four-storey LED billboard, first installed in 2020 on Musgrave Road in Red Hill, had loomed just metres from a worker’s cottage owned by lawyer Richard Leahy. The structure, operated by signage company GSM, had partially blocked the home’s panoramic city views and prompted a legal saga that escalated all the way to the High Court of Australia.

Billboard in Red Hill — Photo credit: Google Street View

Mr Leahy challenged the council’s decision to approve the billboard without consulting neighbouring property owners, arguing it breached procedural fairness. In 2022, the Brisbane Supreme Court agreed, finding that the council had failed to properly consider the visual impact on surrounding homes. The court ordered the approval be overturned.

Despite the ruling, the billboard remained in place while the council launched further appeals — all of which were eventually dismissed. In a final attempt, the council sought to escalate the matter to the High Court but later withdrew its application.

The impasse was only resolved when the council approved a new development application to reposition the billboard roughly 25 metres down the road, outside the popular Black Rabbit Espresso coffee cart. The move took place late last week, with cranes removing the massive 5.3m by 11.3m structure.

Read: Appeals Court Rules in Favour of Removing Behemoth Billboard in Red Hill

The cost of the legal battle remains undisclosed, though council was ordered to pay the majority of Mr Leahy’s legal fees, which included the services of senior barristers. The total bill to ratepayers is likely to have reached tens of thousands of dollars.

While the relocated sign still sits within close range of homes and businesses, the move has officially brought one of Brisbane’s most unusual planning disputes to a close.

Published 2-July-2025

Street Spotlight: Croydon Rd, Paddington

Photo Credit: qimagery.information.qld.gov.au

Croydon Road in Paddington represents a charming pocket of inner-city Brisbane living, where heritage meets modern residential development. Historical records from 1936 show the street already established in its early form, though significantly fewer properties dotted the thoroughfare compared to today’s diverse mix of homes.

With 75% of properties being owner-occupied and residents staying an average of 10 years and 10 months, the street shows solid commitment to the area, though with more turnover than some of Brisbane’s longer-established residential streets. Interestingly, 30% of residents have called Croydon Road home for more than a decade, reflecting the area’s appeal to both established families and newcomers to Paddington’s vibrant community. The street’s property evolution tells a compelling story of Brisbane’s inner-city transformation, with 6 Croydon Road selling for $220,000 in July 1997 – a stark contrast to today’s Paddington property values that highlight the remarkable appreciation in this sought-after suburb. Below, an aerial image from 1936 captures this historic street in its earlier incarnation, showcasing Paddington’s suburban heritage.

Croydon Rd, Paddington Residents

NUMBER OF PROPERTIES: 13 (2 townhouses, 9 houses, 2 others)
% OF OWNER OCCUPIERS ON STREET: 75%
AVERAGE TIME FOR OWNER OCCUPIERS: 10 years, 10 months
% OF PEOPLE 10+ YEARS: 30%

Croydon Rd, Paddington – As It Looked in 1936

SOME TYPICAL PROPERTY SALES ON CROYDON RD FROM YESTERYEAR

Property Address	Sale Price	Sale Date
1/6 Croydon Road, Paddington	$440,000	Nov 2008
2/6 Croydon Road, Paddington	$362,500	Jan 2005
6 Croydon Road, Paddington	$220,000	Jul 1997

SUBURB PROFILE

The median price of a 3 Bedroom House in Paddington in 2025 was $1,710,000
The median price of a 3 Bedroom House in Paddington in 2021 was $1,000,000
TYPICAL INCREASE OF A 3-BEDROOM HOUSE IN PADDINGTON SINCE 2021: $710,000

The median price of a 4 Bedroom House in Paddington in 2025 was $2,210,000
The median price of a 4 Bedroom House in Paddington in 2021 was $1,534,000
TYPICAL INCREASE OF A 4-BEDROOM HOUSE IN PADDINGTON SINCE 2021: $676,000

The median price of a 5 Bedroom House in Paddington in 2025 was $3,079,000
The median price of a 5 Bedroom House in Paddington in 2021 was $2,263,000
TYPICAL INCREASE OF A 5-BEDROOM HOUSE IN PADDINGTON SINCE 2021: $816,000

The median price of a 2 Bedroom Unit in Paddington in 2025 was $810,000
The median price of a 2 Bedroom Unit in Paddington in 2021 was $475,000
TYPICAL INCREASE OF A 2-BEDROOM UNIT IN PADDINGTON SINCE 2021: $335,000

If you know Croydon Rd, Paddington well and you have some anecdotes or details to add, please email us at editor@brisbanesuburbsonlinenews.com.au.

New Study at Kelvin Grove Aims to Unravel Causes of Childhood Myopia

Photo Credit: Centre for Vision and Eye Research

Children in the Kelvin Grove area will participate in a significant new optometry study launched by Queensland University of Technology (QUT), which seeks to understand and combat the global rise in childhood Myopia, a condition predicted to affect half the world’s population by 2050.

The research project is set to begin recruitment later in 2025 and will run until June 2027. It is based at the QUT Centre for Vision and Eye Research, located at the Kelvin Grove campus in Brisbane.

A Growing Concern for Children’s Eyesight

Myopia, commonly known as short-sightedness, is an eye condition that requires glasses or contact lenses for clear distance vision. It typically develops during childhood as the eye grows longer too quickly. This extended eye shape not only causes vision problems but also increases the risk of serious eye diseases later in life, such as retinal detachment, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts. This makes it a major public health challenge worldwide.

Dr. Rohan Hughes, a QUT optometry researcher leading the study, noted that rates of myopia have been steadily increasing globally over the past two decades. He highlighted that about 20 per cent of Australian children are already short-sighted by the age of 12.

While this statistic is concerning, it is still better than in some East Asian countries like Singapore, China, and Hong Kong, where myopia affects around 50 to 60 per cent of 12-year-olds. Australian children are thought to develop myopia more slowly due to more time spent outdoors, less urbanisation, and a less demanding educational culture.

Inside the Groundbreaking Study

This new QUT optometry study aims to explore how lifestyle and environmental factors affect children’s eyesight and the development of myopia. The project has received a substantial boost, funded through a $250,000 Meta Myopia Award from the American Academy of Optometry Foundation.

Dr Hughes and his team, which includes Dr. Emily Pieterse, Professor Steve Vincent, and Professor Scott Read from the QUT Centre for Vision and Eye Research and School of Clinical Sciences, will follow more than 100 children aged six to 12 for one year. They will track changes in eye growth and vision, along with behaviours such as screen time, reading habits, outdoor play, diet, and sleep. Participants will be recruited with assistance from local schools and optometrists. The study will employ sensor equipment and questionnaires to monitor children’s activities and use regular eye scans to measure eye growth.

Dr Hughes stated that the project will specifically concentrate on “pre-myopic” children, who have been identified as particularly vulnerable to developing short-sightedness due to their current vision, age, or hereditary risk factors. He explained that researchers already believe modern lifestyle factors are significant contributors to myopia, describing the cause as “multifactorial,” involving a complex interaction of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle elements that are not yet fully understood.

Many children and adults now spend less time outdoors and more time indoors doing close-up work, often for long periods, in poor lighting, and without sufficient eye breaks. This study aims to comprehensively quantify these characteristics and explore their link to eye growth and vision changes in children at risk. The hope is that the project will offer insights that contribute to strategies for delaying or preventing myopia in children.

Expert Advice for Healthy Eyes

The QUT Centre for Vision and Eye Research offers practical advice for parents in the community to help protect their children’s eyesight:

Children should have an eye test before starting Prep, or earlier if there are any concerns about their vision. Optometrists are able to see children of any age.
Regular eye tests are important, ideally at least every two years, especially for children whose parents have myopia or other eye conditions.
Encourage children to spend two or more hours outdoors each day (aiming for 14 hours per week), remembering to stay sun-safe with sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen.
Advise children to hold books, video games, and screens at least 30cm or more away from their eyes.
Encourage regular breaks from sustained near-work activities like reading, homework, and screen time, ideally after no longer than 30 minutes.

QUT’s Commitment to Vision Research

The QUT Centre for Vision and Eye Research is dedicated to shaping the future of vision through its ongoing research efforts and working to address vision problems affecting Australians every day.

The Centre is globally recognised for its research and its strong national and international collaborations. In the most recent (2018) Australian Research Council (ARC) Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) evaluation, the Centre’s research was rated “Above World Standard,” achieving high impact and engagement with end-users.

Published Date 19-Jun-2025

Tellus Bar & Dining Brings Latin Flavour To Brisbane’s Historic Barracks

Photo Credit: Tellus Bar & Dining/Facebook

Tellus Bar & Dining, a new modern Australian restaurant inspired by earthy Latin flavours, has quietly become one of Brisbane’s most anticipated openings, serving up chargrilled prawns, tamarind-maple lamb ribs, and small-batch wine just metres from the city centre.

A Local Kitchen Grounded In Flavour And Craft

Tellus Bar & Dining opens 1 July 2025 at The Barracks on Petrie Terrace, bringing Latin-inspired, modern Australian food to a heritage-rich Brisbane location. Its name, Latin for “earth,” reflects a menu built around grape, grain and dough, seen in its wines, handmade pastries and seasonal produce.

*Photo Credit: Tellus Bar & Dining/Facebook*

Rather than chasing fine dining trends, Tellus focuses on warmth, community and the simple pleasure of sharing a good meal. Dishes like grilled prawns, soy-braised pork hock and duck with greens showcase bold but approachable flavours.

In the mornings, “Alfresco +1 by Tellus” serves pastries and Paradox Coffee outdoors in a laid-back café setting. By lunch, the venue shifts into a relaxed but vibrant dining space built for everything from weekday catchups to weekend gatherings.

Built For The Brisbane Lifestyle

Tellus offers both indoor and alfresco seating, designed to suit Brisbane’s laid-back social style. Located at The Barracks near the CBD and Suncorp Stadium, it’s a convenient spot for everything from casual lunches to pre-show dinners.

The space blends relaxed charm with polished detail, using brick, warm lighting and earthy finishes. Its wine list features over 100 options across old and new world varietals, catering to both quick visits and longer gatherings.

Changes And Buzz Across The Brisbane Dining Scene

Tellus enters Brisbane’s dining scene during a period of rapid growth and change across the city’s hospitality landscape. While new venues continue to open and shift, Tellus stands out with its focus on community connection and grounded dining.

Instead of chasing trends or luxury, the team has prioritised quality ingredients, solid technique and thoughtful service. Its identity is shaped as much by its Latin-inspired menu as by its local, down-to-earth setting.

More Than Food On A Plate

From morning coffees to evening meals, Tellus is designed to serve the local community throughout the day. At its core, it’s about creating shared experiences through food, drink and thoughtful service. The team values small details, house-made sauces, quality glassware and a welcoming atmosphere.

BOOK A table

This Sunday, 22 June, marks the launch of Tellus’ first Game Day Takeaway, with doors opening at 9 AM for fresh pastries, sandwiches and coffee to go. With reservations now open, Tellus is set to become a lasting part of Brisbane’s dining scene.

Published 19-June-2025

Brisbane Broncos Submits New Logo Design for Major Rebrand

Photo Credit: The Rugby League Report

The Brisbane Broncos have taken the first major step in a bold rebrand by submitting a fresh new logo design, the Red Hill club’s first in 25 years. The new look, still under review by IP Australia, marks a big shift for one of Queensland’s most recognisable sporting clubs.

A Modern Image From A Traditional Home

The Broncos’ Red Hill base remains central to the club’s identity as it moves to modernise its image. A new logo, submitted in black and white for trademark approval, shows a simplified horse head within a shield.

Photo Credit: Fox League/Facebook

While colour isn’t confirmed, it’s expected to feature the traditional maroon, gold and white. The club hasn’t said if it will appear on next season’s jerseys, with the trademark still under review. The shift reflects a wider trend in sport toward clean, modern visuals that appeal to younger fans.

Inspired By Local Identity

A stripe through the horse’s head has caught fans’ attention, with some saying it mirrors the shape of the Brisbane River. The club hasn’t confirmed it, but the idea suggests a strong local link in the design. As a team founded in 1988, the Broncos have room to refresh their image without clashing with deep-rooted tradition.

Photo Credit: BroncosHQ/Facebook

Their Red Hill home, the Clive Berghofer Centre, is where day-to-day operations and community work are run. Any branding shift is likely to grow from this base, keeping the club’s identity tied to its Brisbane roots.

Recent Moves Show Broader Refresh

Earlier this season, the Broncos released a black jersey for the NRL’s Mental Health Round. Created in partnership with the Black Dog Institute, the jersey gained strong support from fans. It marked a creative and social step forward for the club and may have paved the way for this broader rebrand.

Photo Credit: rebel sport/Facebook

While that jersey was temporary, the new logo, once approved, could stay with the club for decades. Together, these updates suggest the Broncos are serious about presenting a fresh face to both local fans and a wider audience.

Debate Over Live Mascot Continues

The rebrand has sparked fresh calls to retire the Broncos’ live horse mascot, Buck. Animal group PETA urged the club to stop using the horse and proposed renaming the team the Brisbane Boomerangs to honour Indigenous culture.

The Broncos have rejected the idea, saying Buck is well cared for and still loved by fans. There are no plans to remove the mascot or change the club’s name. For now, attention remains on the new logo and how it will shape the club’s next chapter.

Published 13-June-2025

Paddington Residents Drive New Neighbourhood Watch for Safer Streets

Photo Credit: Queensland Police News

Paddington’s proactive community has successfully formed a new Neighbourhood Watch group, bolstering local efforts to enhance safety and prevent crime in the suburb.

The official launch of the Paddington Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) group took place on Sunday, 9 June, at Lang Park PCYC.

This significant event brought together local residents, District Crime Prevention Coordinators, and officers from the North Brisbane District, marking a clear step towards strengthening community ties and promoting active collaboration between police and the public.

A Community-Led Initiative

Neighbourhood Watch Paddington — *Photo Credit:* *Queensland Police News*

The establishment of the Paddington Neighbourhood Watch group was a direct result of strong community interest and dedicated volunteer support from local residents.

Their collective commitment culminated in the formation of this new local chapter. At the launch, residents expressed enthusiastic support for Ginnese Johnston, who was elected as the group’s new coordinator.

Neighbourhood Watch Queensland, a community-based crime prevention program, operates with the proud support of the Queensland Police Service. The initiative’s core purpose is to reduce crime and increase feelings of safety and security through active community engagement, sharing of information, and mutual support between police and the public.

Strong Police Partnership

Local police have affirmed their eagerness to work closely with the volunteers and the newly elected coordinator to improve overall community safety in Paddington.

The Queensland Police Service looks forward to continuing its robust partnership with the Paddington community, aiming to build a safer and more connected neighbourhood, one watchful street at a time.

For those interested in learning more about this community-driven initiative or wishing to get involved, further information can be found by visiting Neighbourhood Watch Paddington.

Published Date 13-Jun-2025

Empire Revival’s Big 40: The Paddington Store with a Ghostly Past

Photo Credit: Paddington Then and Now/Facebook

Empire Revival, a thriving antiques and vintage marketplace in Brisbane’s Paddington, has just celebrated 40 years in business, inside a 96-year-old former theatre where whispers of history still linger.

From Cinema to Community Favourite

Empire Revival marked 40 years in business at the end of May, with locals and longtime stallholders dressing up in vintage outfits to celebrate. The store has operated inside the historic Plaza Theatre in Paddington, a 1929-built atmospheric cinema, since the mid-1980s.

*Photo Credit: Paddington Then and Now/Facebook*

Once known for its starry ceilings and moving clouds, the theatre stopped showing films in 1968 and was later used as a basketball court and office space.

It became the Paddington Antique Centre in 1985 before current owner Suzy Baines took over and renamed it Empire Revival in 2018. Baines now runs the store with her daughter Olivia, offering antiques, retro fashion, homewares and art.

A Marketplace with Character

Empire Revival has grown into a local institution, now housing more than 50 stallholders under one roof. The 1000-square-metre venue offers everything from jewellery and vintage clothing to retro furniture and rare collectibles. Each stall is independently curated, while central sales and staffing are handled by the main business team.

The shop’s format allows vendors to concentrate on sourcing and styling their goods, making it easier for creative small business owners to flourish. The long-standing model has proven adaptable over the years, especially during economic downturns when shoppers often turn to second-hand goods for value.

History That Still Lingers

The spirit of the old cinema is more than just architectural. Staff and visitors have reported unusual experiences inside the building, including stories about a mysterious woman known as “Netty” who’s said to appear in a sequinned gown. Some claim to have seen her, while others have described a strange but not unpleasant energy in certain parts of the store.

In another nod to its past, a plaque bearing the Plaza Theatre’s name still remains in the foyer floor. Shoppers today walk among vintage treasures while surrounded by features from the theatre’s original design, including ornamental balconies and a proscenium arch.

Looking Ahead with Local Support

To celebrate its 40th year, Empire Revival held an exhibition of vintage cinema gear from a local collector, highlighting the building’s cultural past. The store has added features like a second-hand book room beneath the stage and an upstairs gallery for artists.

Owner Suzy Baines has also grown the business regionally, with a location in Kalbar and plans for Murwillumbah’s 1947 Regent Theatre. Despite the expansion, the Paddington site remains the centre of its community. Locals and visitors continue to be drawn to its blend of heritage atmosphere and vintage retail.

Published 12-June-2025

Paddington Theatre Couple Belinda and Michael Lewis Reunite Onstage in Powerful New Musical

Paddington’s beloved musical theatre couple Belinda and Michael Lewis are stepping back into the limelight together, and in the most powerful way imaginable.

Read: Stage Career of Sarah Bakker Traces Back to Kelvin Grove

The husband-and-wife duo are leading the Queensland premiere season of Parade, the acclaimed musical by Jason Robert Brown and Alfred Uhry, opening 19 July at Brisbane’s Ron Hurley Theatre.

Belinda Lewis and Michael Lewis (Photo credit: Justin Marriner)

It’s the first Brisbane staging of the show in 20 years, and the debut production from Bump In Productions, the company they co-founded to bring neglected Broadway and West End gems to Australian audiences.

The husband-and-wife duo first met in the original Australian production of Urinetown – The Musical, where their on-stage chemistry soon became a real-life romance. They married not long after, and while both remained active in the theatre world – including co-founding Bump In Productions – it wasn’t until nearly 20 years later that they shared the stage again, this time as the Beast and Belle in QMT’s Beauty and the Beast in 2021.

Belinda and Michael Lewis — Photo credit: Justin Marriner

Belinda, originally from Sydney, holds a Bachelor of Creative Arts in Theatre Performance from the University of Wollongong and a Certificate V in Dance from Brent Street Studios. Her impressive list of credits includes Kate Murphy in the original Australian production of Titanic – The Musical (Theatre Royal, Sydney), Mae Coleman in Reefer Madness (Squabbalogic), Rebecca in Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens (Seymour Centre), Eve in Children of Eden (MTOL), and Kim in Bye Bye Birdie (MMS).

Michael, a long-time performer in musical theatre, has played many of his dream roles, including John Wilkes Booth in Assassins, Carl Magnus in A Little Night Music, Bobby Strong in Urinetown, Lieutenant Cioffi in Curtains, Elliot Garfield in The Goodbye Girl, Lancelot in Camelot, Tony in West Side Story, and Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

A Landmark Revival of a Groundbreaking Musical

Set in early 20th-century Georgia, Parade tells the harrowing true story of Leo Frank, a Jewish factory manager falsely accused of murdering a 13-year-old girl. The musical confronts themes of anti-Semitism, injustice, and mob mentality, while also highlighting the endurance of love and personal redemption in the face of unimaginable persecution.

Michael plays Leo, whose journey is less about proving innocence and more about the transformation of a man forced to grapple with hatred and his own shortcomings. Belinda portrays Lucille Frank, Leo’s steadfast wife, whose strength and loyalty become central to the story’s emotional core.

The production is directed by Johnny Peek (Rent, Sweeney Todd), with musical direction by Michael Keen and choreography by Maureen Bowra. The cast features seasoned professionals from across southeast Queensland, brought together to do justice to a musical celebrated for both its haunting beauty and historical weight.

First staged in 1998, Parade won Tony Awards for Best Score and Best Book, and its 2023 revival earned Best Revival of a Musical. Its soaring ballads and stirring anthems, coupled with a fearless exploration of difficult truths, have secured its place as one of the most significant works in modern musical theatre.

Read: From Final Bow to New Act: Brisbane Arts Theatre Says Goodbye to Their Historic Petrie Terrace Headquarters

Belinda views Parade as urgently relevant, especially in a time of rising prejudice, while Michael believes its impact lies in its ability to challenge audiences to confront the complexities of justice, hate, and love. For director Johnny Peek, the production is both inspiring and essential – a story that needs to be told.

Parade runs Thursdays to Sundays from 19 July to 3 August at the Ron Hurley Theatre, Seven Hills.
Tickets: www.trybooking.com/CZKWD
More info: www.bumpin.com.au

Published 9-June-2025

Stage Career of Sarah Bakker Traces Back to Kelvin Grove

Photo Credit: Sarah Bakker/Instagram

Kelvin Grove-trained performer Sarah Bakker has returned to Brisbane to appear in “Dusty The Musical – In Concert”, following a stage career across Australia, Broadway, and London’s West End.

Kelvin Grove Performer Returns to Brisbane Stage

Sarah Bakker, who began her performance training in Kelvin Grove, is back on the Brisbane stage from 5 to 8 June for “Dusty The Musical – In Concert” at QPAC’s Concert Hall. She joins a 17-member cast brought together by Prospero Arts, portraying Lynne from Dusty Springfield’s early vocal trio, the Lana Sisters.

International Career Built on Local Foundations

Ms Bakker studied at Queensland Dance School of Excellence and The Young Conservatorium, both based in Brisbane, with QDSE operating out of Kelvin Grove State College. These formative years provided a strong technical foundation in dance, vocal performance, and stage presence. She went on to build an extensive career in musical theatre, first appearing in Australian productions of “Mary Poppins”, “Chicago”, and “The Phantom of the Opera”.

She was 23 when she secured her first role on Broadway, joining “Mary Poppins” at the New Amsterdam Theatre, where she performed as understudy after playing the role more than 130 times in Australia. Later, she returned to Broadway to again understudy Christine in “The Phantom of the Opera” and took part in several UK productions, including “Follies in Concert” at the Royal Albert Hall and West End shows like “An American in Paris”, “Chess”, and “Mrs Henderson Presents”. Ms Bakker also performed in “Evita” during a European tour, gaining valuable international touring experience.

Kelvin Grove performer — *Photo Credit: Sarah Bakker/Instagram*

Adapting Theatre for Working Parents

Now based in Sydney with her two children, Ms Bakker said short-run, semi-staged shows like “Dusty” provide rare flexibility for performers with families. With a condensed rehearsal period and limited performance schedule, these formats enable experienced artists to contribute without long touring commitments.

She is also part of an online community of over 650 mothers in the performing arts industry, advocating for greater inclusion and job-sharing models. Her latest appearance at QPAC brings her career full circle, returning to the venue where she once played Little Cosette in “Les Misérables” as a child.

Published 7-June-2025