The Christmas lights at Government House, a popular holiday landmark in Paddington, will be on display once again for everyone to enjoy.This year, the free and festive event will no longer need prior bookings but visitors will have to check in via the QLD app and observe COVID-19 protocols when they are in the area.
The gates of Government House will open from 6:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. from 10 to 16 December 2021.
Visitors who arrive with cars can park on the streets as there is no on-site parking. However, there are designed drop-offs for guests with mobility issues. Please ask the security personnel for assistance. The main entrance is at the Service Gate at 168 Fernberg Road, Paddington.
Aside from witnessing the magical Christmas lights display around the gardens, visitors may go inside the Drawing Room to see the Christmas tree, upon the invitation of the new Governor of Queensland.
Families who look forward to this annual event can expect a showcase of over 10,000 Christmas lights all over Fernberg, the official home of the Governor of Queensland since 1910.
New Governor of Queensland
Photo Credit: GovernorofQueensland/Facebook
Dr Jeannette Young PSM was appointed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and has been sworn in as the 27th Governor of Queensland in November 2021. Her main role is to advise the members of the Executive Council, a central organ of government that meets at the Government House once a week so she could give her formal effect to decisions of government. She also performs her constitutional duties on behalf of the Queen.
Did you know that Brisbane artist Kirstie Page is sharing her “Secret Stories” at the Empire Revival Antique Centre in Paddington? The must-see showcase is a collection of intricate artworks and symbolism that demonstrate her joyful, colourful, and distinct artistic style.
Trained as a mixed media artist, Kirstie loves to feature the diversity of Australia’s beauty by creating pieces that “reflect and celebrate fleeting moments and emotions.” Her work, especially to those who are first-timers at her exhibitions, can be described as “Art Nouveau combined with a 70s wallpaper retro edge.”
“People will often laugh at this description until they see my actual paintings and then they’ll be saying ‘You’re so right!'” the artist said.
Photo Credit: Ange Coste Photography/Supplied
Kirstie’s Secret Stories Exhibition will be running at the Latrobe Terrace antique centre’s Loft Gallery until 25 November 2021 seven days a week.
However, if you’d like the opportunity to meet the artist for questions and discussions about why she paints the way she does, feel free to drop in and say hello at the following schedules:
West Ends’ Catchment Brewing Co has acquired Darling & Co in its plans to expand operations despite these challenging times for the hospitality industry. Catchment Brewing Co chief Matt Newberry said that they have been looking at breweries and other venues around Brisbane to grow their business.
Darling & Co‘s location across the Suncorp Stadium has been a plus point for the new lease owner but Newberry said they chose this location because it’s one of the best local spots patronised by residents of Paddington and the other suburbs nearby.
As part of its acquisition, the restaurant will undergo some renovation work by January 2022 and transform into a Catchment site in the hopes of resetting customers’ interest post-pandemic.
CBRE Hotels National Pubs Director Paul Fraser will manage the leasehold for Australian Venue Co, which owns Catchment Brewing Co.
“We are passionate about craft beer, memorable food and great service and this acquisition enables us to expand our offering from Brisbane’s West End into Paddington,” Mr Newberry said.
“We look forward to showcasing our award-winning Catchment Beers to the local residents as well as the many visitors attending sporting matches, concerts and events at Suncorp Stadium.”
Ivy Blu is the newest addition to the bustling dining and entertainment precinct in Petrie Terrace, offering an urban oasis that overlooks major attractions in the heart of Brisbane and sumptuous wood-fired pizzas.
Perched on a rooftop in Caxton Street, the place is decked out with cafe umbrellas equipped with picnic tables and a large pavilion with comfortable lounge seating areas. With its trendy and upbeat atmosphere, Ivy Blu is an ideal meeting place for enjoying great food and drinks with friends.
Photo credit: Ivy Blu Rooftop Bar/Facebook
There are two mobile food vans on-site, where you can order your food and drinks. Ivy Blu has a range of wood-fired pizzas and if you don’t know where to start, opt for the signature Ivy Blu pizza, served with Napoli sauce, mozzarella, pork belly, gorgonzola and rosemary.
Other must-try dishes on the menu, aside from their wood-fired pizzas, include buffalo chicken ribs; Moreton Bay Bug milk buns with oak lettuce, sriracha mayo, and pickled onions; Caprese salad, served with Sunny Coast tomatoes, basil, and burrata; and Steak Frites (minute steak with shoestring fries and Cafe de Paris butter).
Photo credit: Ivy Blu Rooftop Bar/Facebook
The rooftop bar’s signature cocktails include Herbal Smash, Arancia Slushie and Mamma Mia, though the crowd-favourite is the tropical and refreshing ‘The Captain Furbo’ cocktail. In addition to their signature spritz and wines, the bar also has 10 varieties of beers and ciders on tap.
Photo credit: Ivy Blu Rooftop Bar/Facebook
Ivy Blu is from the folks at Luna Group Hospitality, the same team behind some of the trendiest clubs in Brisbane, including Kenjin, Kenjin After Dark and Su Casa Nightclub.
For more information about Ivy Blu including trading hours, visit their website or follow them on Facebook or on Instagram @ivyblurooftop.
Paddington local Ken Roney is exploring the possibility of asking the community to contribute to secure a retail complex at Latrobe Terrace and transform it into a central park for everyone to use and enjoy.
Roney has big plans for the site at 78 Latrobe Terrace, but it would mean a lot of money. The site has been listed on the market since the second week of September 2021 for $4.5 million. It would require ten people willing to put in $450,000 in order to acquire the site.
“This location has incredible city views and is perfect to lounge in the sun with a coffee in hand, while the kids play on an expanse of grass,” said Roney.
“I’ve worked out that if we can find about 1000 Paddo people to invest $4,500, (or another variation of these figures), then it’s ours. I’d be interested in what other people think, and any other thoughts on enhancing that section of Latrobe Tce,” Roney said.
The 703-sqm property is currently occupied by three tenants, including Merlo Coffee, who has a five-year tenancy contract on the site. No matter who purchases it, the new owners have to honour that contract, but it comes with a guaranteed income for five years. But Roney believed what’s important is to secure the site before other entities do.
Paddington local Ken Roney’s concept of Paddington Central Park (Photo credit: Ken Roney/Facebook)
Roney, also a member of the Facebook group Paddington, Milton, Rosalie 4064 residents, has received overwhelming support from the Paddo community. Whilst Roney is hoping Council or the State Government would chip in some of the money, or buy it outright, he’s wondering if the community can do it for themselves.
“Love this initiative! This is exactly what the world needs right now – especially in our inner suburban areas which are gradually becoming higher density. More outdoor space, more trees, more shade, and most of all more space to connect as a community,” said one local in Roney’s post in the group.
Local state MP, Jonty Bush with Paddington locals (Photo credit: Ann Aitken/Facebook)
Local state MP, Jonty Bush, who is supportive of the proposal has met with local residents of Paddington to discuss their vision of turning the Merlo site into a park.
On the contrary, Councillor Tracy Davis, the civic Cabinet Chair of the Environment, Parks and Sustainability Committee at the Brisbane City Council believes the site would not be ideal for a new park because it’s on a busy corner.
Cr Davis explained it would need significant remediation work at the ratepayer’s expense, given that it’s a former service station site.
Roney said it is included on the Environmental Management Register but not on Contaminated Land Register which means the plan requires the site to be inspected every two years.
Whilst the Environmental Management Register would deem it suitable for commercial use, shops, offices, and residential apartments and flats, a developer would need to submit a new site management plan, as well as remove and dispose of properly the remaining contaminated soil on site.
“If left untouched and capped, then this is not required. Anything we’re trying to do, will be above ground if possible,” Roney added.
Petrie Terrace locals now have another option for getting a burrito with Enzo y Ollie, a new Mexican bar and restaurant, which has just opened its doors last month.
Occupying the place previously occupied by pizzeria Enzo & Sons on Caxton Street, the new restaurant features a spacious kitchen and beer garden where you can delight in Mexican and Colombian fare, including quesadillas, birria tacos, burritos, and house-baked corn chips.
Photo credit: Enzo y Ollie/Google Maps
Enzo y Ollie’s kitchen is open until 11:00 p.m., perfect for those late-night cravings or just when you find yourself hankering for Mexican food whilst binge-watching your favourite show at night. Wash it all down with a cold beer or Mexican cocktail. They also have Jarritos soda in guava, lemon & lime, and mandarin for those who don’t want the booze.
Photo credit: Enzo y Ollie/Facebook
For dessert, they have ice cream, churros with dulce de leche or chocolate sauce, sweet & savoury nachos, and churros share plate.
It’s from the team who brought The Rockket Room & Garden, a rooftop garden bar also tucked away in Caxton St. At the helm is event manager James Trigg and chef Fabian Alzate, who proudly brings trivia nights and Sunday sessions to Enzo y Ollie for added entertainment.
For more information about this new Mexican restaurant, including their health and safety protocols, visit their social media pages.
A group of residents in Paddington has expressed their objection over a proposal to build a combined retail and residential space at Latrobe Terrace and develop the rear of the property into a three-storey multi-unit development.
Based on plans (A005693375) submitted to Brisbane City Council, the applicant is seeking to change its previously approved development application, which required the partial demolition and redevelopment of the existing character commercial buildings fronting Latrobe Terrace with a duplex at the rear.
The subject site, located at 173/175a Latrobe Tce and 8 Hazlewood Street, currently contains a character commercial building divided into separate shops and is surrounded by single-storey, character buildings.
Although there are residents who support the development, some oppose the revised proposal because of its potentially detrimental impact on the streetscape and roofline appeal of the area.
“The brutalist design is imposing and completely unsympathetic to the intact character of that corner. Significantly impacts the look of pre-war commercial and the low rise intact cottages in that pocket,” stated the Facebook group Paddington, Milton, Rosalie 4064 residents.
Residents also believe the three-storey structure is too high and does not blend in with the low rise cottages which are typical of the area. The proposed building exceeds the maximum 9.5m building height allowable in the city’s neighbourhood plan.
“Where on Latrobe Terrace is there another three-story residential (with token commercial) building? It will create an eyesore for anyone driving up Latrobe Terrace with no benefits to locals or people visiting the area. Architects use sleight of hand to show the proposed development as low impact,” said one resident, who wishes not to be named.
One resident said they would welcome and support development on this site, as long as the proposal complies with the requirements and objectives of the Latrobeand Given Terraces Neighbourhood Plan.
With regard to the design, the developer said the architectural representation is now more traditional and less of the modern influenced derivative which has sharp clipped and minimalist gable forms, which was initially proposed.
“While this does not comply with the two-storey limit in the area it is noted that the current approval also exceeds this limit and the 9.5 overall height limit, the development conforms with the approved variations of the current approval in its intent,” the developer said.
The applicant also claimed that they insisted on saving the existing tree on Latrobe Tce but Council previously approved its removal, for safety reasons.
“We made every attempt to plan for the retaining the tree, including gaining a second arborists report in the hope of a differing opinion, but cannot do so given that it is likely to shed large branches,” the applicant stated.
Whilst many dog owners prefer to groom their pets themselves, it still helps to bring the pups to professionals who can get it right, saving time and energy. Did you know that a new veterinary wellness boutique has opened at Given Terrace in Paddington? PetKind is owned and managed by veterinarian Remona Horn, who has been passionate about animals since she was a little girl.
One of the things to love about PetKind is its longer standard consults with Remona and her team. This gives the professionals more time to get to know the animals better and to help the pets establish a positive association for their next future visits to the vet or groomers.
PetKind provides all needed healthcare services like vaccination, microchipping, health checks, and referrals to specialists. Remona also does surgeries for desexing or dentistry.
She built a facility that’s fully equipped with diagnostic equipment and grooming tools, as well as a pharmacy. Remona aims to take the stress off pet parents when it comes to their furry pal’s health and wellness needs.
Her small team performs various basic grooming services, including flea and tick control. The animal boutique, with its heaps of pet items, also provides nutritional advice and puppy pre-school training to help pets and owners bond with each other.
Because pets age faster and their health changes rapidly than humans, they need regular visits to professionals to prevent the development of serious conditions. Remona and her team can help pet owners detect health issues earlier to provide the best life for their furkids.
“We know that helping our clients starts with providing a good understanding of health care issues and treatment options. With good advice and professional recommendations, you’ll be well equipped to make the best ongoing health care decisions for your pet.”
Did you know that Paddington Central Pharmacy has started offering AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccinations? It’s one of 530 pharmacies across Queensland now authorized to deliver the jab.
According to the pharmacy, they can administer AstraZeneca vaccinations for people from 18 to 59 years old for the first or second doses even if the individual has gotten the first jab elsewhere.
On their first two days of offering the vaccine, Paddington Central Pharmacy had at least 50 people vaccinated. Pharmacist Simon Sponza said that young people have been eager for the AstraZeneca jab as they couldn’t get access to Pfizer or Moderna.
However, prior to the injection, a consultation will take place with the pharmacists for 10 to 15 minutes to ensure that the person makes an informed choice. The individual will also be required to stay for 15 minutes for observation after the vaccination.
Dr Jeannette Young, Queensland’s Chief Health Officer, said that whilst AstraZeneca vaccine is ideally suited for the 60 years old and above, adults willing to be vaccinated to protect themselves against the highly transmissible Delta variant should talk to their GP about getting AstraZeneca before booking for a slot at the vaccination centres.
Pharmacy Guild Queensland acting president Chris Owen said that pharmacies in the region have the capacity to help with the vaccination rollout but the current supplies are AstraZeneca. However, they will also offer Pfizer and Moderna vaccines once the stocks arrive.
Pre-booking online is highly suggested but walk-ins may be possible at some pharmacies, depending on the supplies. Those without booking may also expect an extra 10 to 15 minutes to fill out the forms.
Whilst other bars try to recreate old-school charm, the same comes naturally to Hope and Anchor, an English-style neighbourhood pub in Paddington located in a building that’s more than a hundred years old.
Did you know that it’s established in a heritage-listed bakery? Sheard’s Bakery, a traditional brick, tin and timber shop built in 1888, houses Hope and Anchor. Black and white photos, collectibles, and old sea-faring are some of the furnishings found inside this nice little pub situated in the heart of Paddington.
Photo credit: Hope and anchor/ Facebook
Around 15 beers and ciders feature at this pub, including breweries from across Brisbane, Sydney, and South Australia. There’s a decent selection of wines that you can enjoy by the glass or by the bottle as well as spirits such as house cocktails, whiskey, and scotch.
Photo credit: Hope and anchor/ Facebook
The food menu complements the beer selection, with wings, burgers, and sandwiches, providing ample selections. They are open as early as 7:00 a.m. daily, so you can come early to fulfil your breakfast hunger. And if you want some booze injected into your breakfast or brunch, you can have them from 10:00 a.m.
Live music can be enjoyed every Fridays and Sundays whilst a ‘Joker Draw’ every Thursday gives visitors a chance to win some cash just by purchasing food or a drink from the pub.
Since opening its doors in 2016, Hope and Anchor has become a neighbourhood favourite eatery and bar. People are coming here for the great vibes and amazing burgers, with some complementing it as a good little hiding hole to have a few cold ones with mates.
If you’re visiting Hope & Anchor for a booze or for a tasty treat, just keep in mind that they follow certain protocols to keep everyone safe. Signing in and wearing a mask are mandatory. Follow them on Facebook for updates and promotions.
