Tag: red hill

Ezra Mam Back as Broncos Need to Bounce Back from Being Latrelled

OK, so let’s address the elephant in the room. It’s Origin time, and 12 months ago, Madge Maguire pulled off an unexpected turnaround for the Blues with a series decider at Suncorp. Madge is 1 from 1 in Origin and has made way for Laurie Daly, maintaining the perfect record.

Read: Magic Round Brings a Buzz to Caxton Street

Now the Broncos season has got a bit rocky of late. Madge is under pressure. The new discipline which had the Broncos off to the races until a few weeks ago has given way to giving up good leads and, frankly, not looking as consistently dangerous in attack.

The game stats against the Rabbits look great on the surface. The Broncos, having 9 line breaks and 29 tackle breaks, but most of that was the first half where they dominated.

The crime last week was letting the Rabbits back into the game and not scoring in the second half. Getting Latrelled was an uncontrollable.

Is this a temporary blip or a virus slowly spreading at Red Hill?

The Dragons will be a good litmus test for whether the Broncos are genuine contenders this year. Losing their nailbiter to the Warriors last week suggests that they are competitive. Warriors are now 2nd on the ladder though the Dragons in 13th spot makes this a must win for the Broncos.

Ezra Mam returns to the Broncos side, a forced early recall to replace Ben Hunt, who’s hamstring injury rules him out at a crucial time for the Broncos. The former Ambrose Treacy College student has been slaughtered on social media for his off-the-field troubles but the Suncorp faithful will forgive everything if he can deliver on Sunday afternoon.

Xavier Willison will start. His tackle breaks are becoming valuable. Now, he just needs to learn how to offload like Kitione Kautoga of the Eels (what an offload to Inongi against the Dolphins for Dylan Brown’s try last week!).

Toby Couchman is replaced by Jack de Belin in the Dragons starting side. Blake Lawrie comes into the Interchange.

The game at Suncorp on Sunday, 18 May, kicks off at 2:00 p.m. If you can’t get there Kayo and Foxtel will broadcast the game live.

Read: From the Tarmac to the Try Line: Michael Godfrey’s Second Act Begins with Broncos

From the Tarmac to the Try Line: Michael Godfrey’s Second Act Begins with Broncos

Photo Credit: Broncos

Michael Godfrey knew structure. For 20 years, it shaped every part of his life—early mornings, logistics briefs, team movements. In the Royal Australian Air Force, predictability was power. But standing just off the field at Brisbane Broncos headquarters in Red Hill, a place more familiar with tries than timetables, Michael was ready to trade military command for community connection.

Read: QPS Marks 60 Years of Sworn Female Officers Since Petrie Terrace Induction

He didn’t plan to end up here. After finishing his service, Michael started looking for work. Something steady. Something meaningful. That’s when a job ad led him to the Brisbane Broncos website—and eventually, to the Brisbane Broncos Sport Business Institute (BBSBI), tucked inside the club’s Red Hill base.

The program, delivered through a partnership with TAFE Queensland, promised something different: a chance to study sport and leadership, not from the stands, but right in the centre of the action.

It wasn’t an easy switch. In the military, leadership meant giving orders and seeing them followed without question. In civilian life—and especially in sport—it meant listening, persuading, learning to inspire. Michael admits that adjusting his approach has taken work. But he also sees the power in it. Through the BBSBI’s Diploma of Sport and Diploma of Leadership and Management, he’s picked up more than theory. He’s gaining insight into how to lead with empathy, how to build up a team that doesn’t answer to rank, and how to foster trust in people who are there because they want to be, not because they have to be.

In class, Michael found himself the oldest student, something that made him hesitate at first. But he didn’t stay hesitant for long. The room was full of people with different stories, from school-leavers to mid-career changers, and soon enough, Michael became a quiet mentor. 

He shared what he’d learned over decades: how to stay focused, how to work through challenges, and how to lead without needing to shout. The teachers—Graham Leeson, Grant Dwyer, and Expo Mejia—also brought real-world experience that grounded everything they taught.

Red Hill has become more than a study spot for Michael. It’s become a launchpad. The hands-on experience he’s received at the BBSBI led him into real-world work with the NRL’s Mini League program, helping young kids and their parents shake off nerves before taking the field at Suncorp Stadium on Broncos game days. He’s been using those same leadership tools to grow two community rugby organisations: the Philippines National Rugby League (Australia chapter), where he serves as president, and the Asia Rugby League Development, a non-profit aiming to expand the sport across the region.

Michael Godfrey Brisbane Lions
Photo Credit: TAFE

Where once he moved troops and supplies, now he moves people forward, giving young players and volunteers the tools to succeed in sport and in life. And just like in defence, he knows success isn’t always flashy. Sometimes, it’s in the quiet progress of helping someone else stand a little taller.

His goal is simple: to build something that lasts. A career in sport, yes—but more than that, a role where he can develop people, support communities, and keep rugby league growing in places where it hasn’t always had a strong voice.

Read: Red Hill Mum Transforms $75K Facebook Find into Dream Home

And in Red Hill, surrounded by the rhythms of the game and the people who love it, Michael Godfrey is just getting started.

Published 25-April-2025

Recovery and Community Focus at Vikasati Bathhouse in Red Hill

Photo Credit: Vikasati/Facebook

Vikasati Bathhouse in Red Hill has established itself as a holistic destination for physical recovery and mental rejuvenation, offering extensive bathhouse and wellness services.

Read: Heeler Family Home a ‘Unicorn Property’ As Property Values in Paddington Rise

Background and Context

Located at 147 Musgrave Road, Red Hill, Vikasati Bathhouse offers a structured environment for individuals seeking recovery, relaxation, and community support. Known as the flagship site for Vikasati, the facility was designed to meet the growing demand for holistic wellness options in Brisbane’s inner suburbs.

Vikasati bathhouse
Photo Credit: Vikasati/Facebook

Facilities and Services Overview

Vikasati Bathhouse provides a 90-minute session giving access to one of Australia’s largest Finnish saunas, ice baths at 5 degrees, a cold magnesium pool at 14 degrees, and a hot magnesium pool at 37 degrees. Complimentary towels and lockers are included in each session. Prices for a session start from $46.

Beyond the bathhouse, the Red Hill location offers additional services including small group personal training, professional remedial massages, InBody scans to assess body composition, and access to a full-spectrum infrared sauna.

Building a Health-Conscious Community

Vikasati Bathhouse is positioned not only as a place for physical rejuvenation but also as a community hub for like-minded individuals prioritising their overall wellbeing. It aims to help members balance mental and physical health while promoting connection through shared wellness goals.

Visitors are encouraged to use the facilities as part of a broader effort to achieve optimal health, with a focus on relieving stress, strengthening the immune system, and supporting recovery from physical exertion.

Vikasati
Photo Credit: Vikasati/Facebook
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Health Benefits Highlighted

The ice baths are promoted for reducing inflammation and muscle soreness, while the magnesium pools assist in promoting circulation and alleviating stress. The traditional Finnish sauna offers benefits such as improved circulation and stress reduction. All contribute to Vikasati’s commitment to a holistic approach to health.

Looking Ahead

Read: Bach Hair in Red Hill Turns Salon Waste into Resources

Vikasati Bathhouse continues to strengthen its position within Red Hill as a wellness destination integrating physical, mental, and social wellbeing. With growing interest in recovery-focused practices, the centre is expected to attract an even broader audience seeking long-term health improvements.

Published 23-Apr-2025

Bach Hair in Red Hill Turns Salon Waste into Resources

Photo Credit: Bach Hair

Bach Hair, a hair salon in Red Hill run by owners Peter and Lee Hanmer, is strongly committed to the local environment. It recycles nearly all materials, including cutting hair into special booms to clean up ocean oil spills through a partnership with Sustainable Salons.

Read: Sustainable Partnership

Bach Hair
Photo Credit: Bach Hair/ Facebook

Co-owners Peter and Lee Hanmer established their first Brisbane salon back in 1983. Peter Hanmer explained that about 15 years ago, he recognised the need for businesses to consider their impact on the planet. This led Bach Hair to partner with Sustainable Salons, an organisation within the hairdressing industry designed to help salons operate more sustainably.

Hanmer noted that this partnership makes it very easy for his team of 15 staff to practise sustainability daily. He believes that wanting to be sustainable and having an easy way to do it has been crucial to their success. To support the program, clients pay a small “green fee” added to their service cost, which funds consultancy, training, and Sustainable Salons’ regular collection of materials.

Recycling Efforts

Bach Hair
Photo Credit: Bach Hair/ Facebook

Through the partnership, Bach Hair recycles almost all its waste. Hanmer detailed that materials, including metals like aluminium foil, plastics, paper, cardboard, cut hair, and even used chemicals are sent to Sustainable Salons. These materials are then either repurposed or managed carefully to reduce environmental harm.

Bach Hair
Photo Credit: Bach Hair/ Facebook

For instance, the large amounts of used aluminium foil collected each week earn the salon credits towards buying back cleaned, repurposed foil. Sustainable Salons sells collected plastics to be made into durable items like park benches, breaks down chemicals into water suitable for construction sites, and repurposes cut hair into sausage-like ‘booms’ used to soak up oil spills in the ocean.

Energy and Water Savings

Bach Hair’s commitment extends to resource management within the salon. Peter and Lee Hanmer installed 15 watts of solar panels on the salon roof. This system allows the Red Hill business to operate almost off-grid during winter and covers most of its energy needs, including air-conditioning, in summer.

Hanmer also mentioned a recent improvement where newly installed tap heads have successfully cut the salon’s water usage in half, showing their continuous effort to find better, more efficient ways to operate.

Community Connection

Photo Credit: Sustainable Salons/ Facebook

The positive impact reaches beyond the environment. Sustainable Salons uses its profits to support food relief charities OzHarvest and Kiwi Harvest, helping people in need within the wider community. Having been part of the Brisbane business scene since 1983, Bach Hair has seen the city evolve.

Hanmer expressed his fondness for Brisbane, stating it has grown from a ‘big country town’ into a fashionable, modern city suitable for running an effective business like theirs. Source 2 also highlights the salon’s focus on providing a luxury experience, drawing on decades of wisdom and a diverse team ready to help clients achieve their hair goals.

Read: Red Hill Mum Transforms $75K Facebook Find into Dream Home

Promoting Green Business

Peter Hanmer strongly believes that businesses should be open about their sustainability efforts. He advises other businesses not to be quiet about going green, suggesting that telling people about these efforts can increase business because customers are interested.

He feels that being a modern, effective business involves communicating these positive actions and believes promoting their sustainable practices has attracted customers to Bach Hair in Red Hill.

Published Date 14-April-2025

Construction of Tesla Red Hill Showroom and Service Centre Now Underway

After almost three years of planning, construction of the Tesla vehicle showroom and service centre in Red Hill is now underway, marking a significant expansion that mirrors the growing Brisbane market. 

Read: Plans To Refurbish Former Egg Board Site In Red Hill For New Showroom Unveiled

The facility is located at 25 Musgrave Road, on the former site of the Sunny Queen Eggs distribution centre. Tesla initially lodged its plans in 2022, receiving approval from local officials in 2023. However, it was only in 2025 that nearby residents were formally notified via letterbox drops regarding upcoming construction works, some of which may take place outside standard hours.

Site plan (Photo credit: Brisbane PD Online)

The development plans include the demolition of internal structures to make way for a modernised facility. The site will house a 370 sqm showroom, a 1,356 sqm office space, and a new contemporary exterior. The approved project aims to revitalise the existing building for an interim period before any major site redevelopment occurs in the future.

Tesla in Fortitude Valley (Photo credit: Shazia Salman/Google Maps)

The location holds historical significance, having served as the headquarters for the Queensland Egg Board since the 1960s. It functioned as a key distribution centre for major grocery stores across South East Queensland. 

Photo credit: sunnyqueen.com.au

Sunny Queen relocated to a new facility in Carole Park in 2017 after the site was put up for sale in 2016. More recently, the building was used as an office space, with software developer Halfbrick Studios among its tenants.

Read: Proposed Revamp to Bring Fresh Look to Latrobe Terrace Cafe

Tesla’s arrival in Red Hill reflects the growing demand for electric vehicles and sustainable transport solutions in Brisbane. The showroom and service centre will provide residents with greater accessibility to Tesla’s range of electric vehicles and after-sales support.

Published 25-March-2025. Updated 30-March-2025.

Red Hill Mum Transforms $75K Facebook Find into Dream Home

Photo Credit: Fanny Barlow/TikTok

A woman from Red Hill has taken an unconventional path to homeownership, purchasing an abandoned church for $75,000 after discovering it on Facebook Marketplace.

Read: Brisbane Home Invasion: Woman and Elderly Mother Attacked in Red Hill

church restoration
Photo Credit: Fanny Barlow/TikTok

A Unique Property Search Pays Off

For nearly a decade, Tiffany Barlow had been searching for a church to restore, drawn to preserving unique and historical structures. Her passion for salvaging led her to a Facebook listing in early January, advertising a church in Banana Shire, located in Queensland’s Capricorn region.

The building had been sitting untouched on a vacant block for over 20 years. When the elderly owners decided to sell, their nephew listed it online, drawing more than 1,000 inquiries within days. After making contact with the seller, Ms Barlow drove five hours to inspect the property. Within three weeks, the sale was finalised, securing both the land and the structure.

Restoring a Forgotten Church

The church’s origins remain unclear, with no official records available through the local council. While the interior shows signs of past use, such as carpet cut around an altar space, little else is known about its history.

Despite some speculation, the new owner describes the church as a peaceful space, with no unsettling atmosphere. Plans are already underway for restoration, with salvaged materials and unique finds from film sets among the items being incorporated. The church doors, originally from Thor: Ragnarok, are a standout feature.

Red Hill church
Photo Credit: Fanny Barlow/TikTok

A Move from City to Country

Although still based in Brisbane, Ms Barlow intends to relocate to the property before 2032. Owning this church marks a significant milestone as her first home, offering a long-term sense of security. The move is also a step towards leaving behind the pressures of city life in favour of a more self-sufficient lifestyle.

Her approach reflects the broader challenges millennials face in entering the housing market, with unconventional purchases becoming a necessity for many. Without access to traditional pathways like guarantors, alternative solutions are often required.

Future Plans

Read: Broncos Resume Training At Red Hill Base After Cyclone Alfred

For now, the focus remains on salvaging and repurposing materials, with the goal of turning the abandoned building into a functional and meaningful home.

Published 15-Mar-2025

Broncos Resume Training At Red Hill Base After Cyclone Alfred

Photo Credit: Hutchinson Builders

The Brisbane Broncos have returned to training at their Red Hill headquarters following Cyclone Alfred, with the facility emerging largely unscathed despite the severe weather that impacted Brisbane over the weekend.

Read: Brisbane Home Invasion: Woman and Elderly Mother Attacked in Red Hill

The club’s training centre didn’t sustain any significant damage from the cyclonic conditions, allowing players to report for Monday morning’s scheduled gymnasium session. The team was also able to conduct their planned field session Monday afternoon.

This quick return to normal operations at Red Hill comes as the Broncos prepare for Saturday night’s clash with the Canberra Raiders. The team’s travel arrangements remain unchanged, with the squad set to fly to Canberra on Friday as originally scheduled.

Photo Credit: GIO Stadium Canberra

The relatively minor impact on the Red Hill facilities stands in contrast to the wider flooding and wind damage experienced across Brisbane and surrounding areas during the cyclone. Several Broncos players, including captain Adam Reynolds and fullback Reece Walsh, experienced power outages at their homes, with Walsh resorting to a generator at his rural property south of the city.

The team had returned to Brisbane in the early hours of Friday morning after their 50-14 victory over the Sydney Roosters, taking a charter flight to Toowoomba followed by a bus to Brisbane as the cyclone approached.

Read: Pre-War Paddington Home Sets $12M Suburb Record After Major Renovation

With their Red Hill base operational, the Broncos can maintain their preparation routine following their impressive performance against the Roosters, where props Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas earned five Dally M points each and Reynolds received two points for his game management alongside halves partner Ben Hunt.

Published 10-March-2025

Teen Crime Spree Hits Inner-West Brisbane, Ends in Underground Arrest

Photo Credit: myPolice Queensland Police News

A series of brazen break-ins across Brisbane’s inner-west suburbs has culminated in a dramatic underground sewer arrest, with three teenagers now facing multiple charges.

Read: Michael Maguire Influence Key to Cory Paix Resurgence

Police allege the group targeted homes in Red Hill and Auchenflower before moving to Paddington, where two vehicles — a Lexus and Land Rover — were stolen from an Annie Street residence around 1:30am Monday morning.

Police tracked the stolen vehicles to Herston, where they deployed tire deflation devices. Though the suspects abandoned the vehicles on Northey Street in Wilston, the pursuit continued on foot, leading to an unusual chase through the local drainage system.

Three teenagers were ultimately apprehended: a 16-year-old from Alexandra Hills and two others from Stafford, aged 16 and 17. One suspect received a dog bite during the arrest in an underground drainage system on Newmarket Road and remains under police guard in hospital. A fourth suspect remains at large.

The Alexandra Hills teenager faces 11 charges, while the 17-year-old Stafford boy has been charged with eight offences. Both charges include multiple counts of unlawful use of motor vehicles and entering dwellings.

Police are continuing their investigation and urge anyone with information about the break-ins in Red Hill, Auchenflower, or surrounding areas to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.

Read: Red Hill Awaits as Kotoni Staggs Nears Broncos Contract Extension

Queensland Police Minister Dan Purdie commended the officers involved, particularly noting the contribution of the police dog squad in apprehending the suspects.

Published 18-February-2025

Michael Maguire Influence Key to Cory Paix Resurgence

In a testament to persistence and determination, Brisbane Broncos’ forgotten man Cory Paix stands on the verge of a remarkable NRL return after being sidelined from the game for 526 days. The hooker, previously told he could leave the club under former coach Kevin Walters, has impressed new mentor Michael Maguire with his work ethic and resilience during pre-season training.

Read: Red Hill Awaits as Kotoni Staggs Nears Broncos Contract Extension

The Rise from the Outer

Despite a minor lower leg niggle keeping him from the trial against the Titans, Paix remains firmly in contention for the season opener against the Roosters at Allianz Stadium on 6 March. For the Toowoomba product, the opportunity to potentially play in front of his home crowd in the upcoming pre-season clash holds special significance.

Rather than accepting offers from two interested Sydney clubs, Paix chose the harder path. “The easy option would have been for me to leave, but being stubborn, I’ve dug my heels in and given it a red-hot crack,” Paix revealed. “It’s easy for people to whinge and kick stones, but it’s not in my nature to do that.”

New Coach, New Opportunities for Cory Paix

Maguire’s arrival has breathed fresh life into Paix’s career. The new coach’s emphasis on work ethic and leadership qualities aligns perfectly with Paix’s approach to the game. “It’s a clean start for everyone. Madge is demanding hard work and that suits my style,” Paix explained.

Drawing from his successful tenure at South Sydney, where he managed a talented hooking rotation including Issac Luke and Api Koroisau, Maguire sees value in maintaining strong competition for the number nine jersey. “If you have a quality group of hookers, it really helps your team,” Maguire stated.

Competition Intensifies

The battle for the dummy-half role has become increasingly intriguing with young gun Blake Mozer’s recent shoulder injury ruling him out of round one. While Billy Walters finished 2024 as the first-choice hooker, the arrival of marquee signing Ben Hunt adds another dimension to the selection puzzle.

Despite a minor lower leg niggle keeping him from the trial against the Titans, Paix remains firmly in contention for the season opener against the Roosters at Allianz Stadium on 6 March. For the Toowoomba product, the opportunity to potentially play in front of his home crowd in the upcoming pre-season clash holds special significance.

Read: Rachel Burke’s Journey of Healing Through Art in Red Hill

As the 2025 season approaches, Paix’s story serves as a reminder that sometimes the greatest victories come not from taking the easy path, but from staying the course through adversity. “No-one is guaranteed a spot here,” Paix acknowledged. “I will keep chipping away.”

Published 14-February-2025