New Interactive Fitzgibbon Trail

The new Fitzgibbon Trail is an interactive guide to some key locations of interest in our suburb. We’re excited to announce that it’s now available at the Fitzgibbon Community Centre website.

Click on a highlighted location on the map to find information and photos of twenty-five places of local interest.

Fran Ross and Fitzgibbon Chase’s Early Days

When Fran Ross was about twenty-three, she moved from North Queensland to Brisbane, where she has lived ever since, except for eight years working in Europe. While living in France, Fran was very keen on what the French called “connected neighbours”. She lived in an apartment complex with nearly a hundred people, and residents used to gather in the courtyard for drinks and nibbles, and they kept an eye out for each other. Fran thought, “When I go home, I’m going to create that sort of connected community wherever I live.”

After deciding to return to Brisbane, Fran came across an advertisement for a house and land package in Fitzgibbon Chase in early 2010 and thought “That’s perfect.” One reason Fran wanted to settle in this area was the train line (there was no bus service in the early days). She moved to Hinchinbrook Avenue on 19 December 2010—fifteen years ago. The photo below captures Fran’s first glimpse of the Chase. There was just nothing.

Five builders worked on the early stages of the estate. Fran’s builder was Ausbuild, and it allowed her to customise the design of her home. This was the second house in that stage of Fitzgibbon Chase, with just one other house around the corner. The only entrance to this area was via Carselgrove Avenue from Beams Road. At first Hinchinbrook Avenue lacked streetlights, because it was on the edge of the block of the grid, so at night it was pitch black. Here is the view from Fran’s front door when other houses started to go up in 2011.

The barbecue area and landscaping in Daintree Park were already completed. There were many builders’ skips—as well as crows eyeing the workers’ lunches. Building sites were frequent targets for theft of copper wire, tools and similar items. With many young couples, both partners went to work, and thieves realised that everyone would have new items, such as TVs, so burglaries ramped up. The police used to say that some people would ride the train from the other side of the city, load up and head home.

There were also a few teething problems. The water main’s size had to be changed, leading to occasional service interruptions. A sewage tank had to be built on the other side of the roundabout. A large truck emptied it every week because the sewerage system was not working.

Each month some residents met with the developers in the sales office on the other side of the Carselgrove Avenue roundabout to discuss issues. As more people moved in, some disputes arose. The estate was supposed to be low-density, but the developers gradually changed that. Some buyers of low-set homes were upset to discover that a two-storey apartment complex was going up next door. This inspired Fran and some others to take action, and Fran arranged for media coverage. Residents also lobbied their local state member for support in Parliament. Fitzgibbon Chase marked the state government’s first venture into such development. The Urban Land Development Authority (ULDA) was helpful in some ways. For example, Urban Utilities billed Fran more than $400 for her share of the water infrastructure costs. She argued that she didn’t even own the land on the bill’s date and should be liable only for the supply and service to her property. During a meeting, the ULDA project officer confirmed that this was the ULDA’s responsibility and committed to making refunds to owners who had paid the bills.

Communication between the developers and builders was poor. The builders were unaware that every property would have a water tank. For reasons unknown, the developers then abandoned that idea, leading to extensive back-and-forth between the builders and developers. Despite their regular meetings, many things slipped through the cracks.

The developers had a community liaison officer who called Fran the pseudo-mayor of Fitzgibbon Chase because she helped resolve issues and shared information between the community and the developers.

Events such as movie nights with a large open-air screen were held on the flat ground opposite the Community Centre. The developers hosted a Christmas lights competition, for which Fran served as a judge.

There was also a home garden competition focused on low-maintenance, drought-friendly gardens.

Fitzgibbon Chase filled up quite quickly, probably within about three years. Residents eagerly awaited the long-promised retail centre, but it took years to eventuate.

All services—gas, electricity and telecoms (Telstra Velocity high-speed fibre-optic cable)—were underground. The telecoms service (phone and broadband) was fast and reliable. When NBN came along, tradies laid new cables where the existing cables were, and residents began receiving notices that they would be transferred to NBN. The PR person for NBN told Fran that the new cables were simply “a conduit between east of Fitzgibbon Chase and west of it”, but the notices continued and Telstra and NBN call centres gave conflicting information. They seemed unaware that the existing cable provided residents’ digital TV service. This caused much confusion and stress in the community.

After pressure from Fran, in November 2015 Luke Howarth’s office notified residents that the existing Telstra Velocity fibre services would be replaced by the NBN network. Since then, Internet service in the Chase has been slower and less reliable. TV services continued to be carried over the Telstra Velocity fibre, but OptiComm recently took over this infrastructure and will discontinue TV service in February 2026. Chase residents will need to make their own arrangements for digital TV and radio service.

The rain drainage system in Fran’s area is very good. During the heaviest rains, water sometimes builds up in her backyard, but it drains away quickly.

Taken from the Carselgrove Avenue bridge towards where the playground would be built at the end of Hinchinbrook Avenue

Curve of Diamantina Crescent (near Fran’s house) during the 2022 flood

Although quite a few original residents remain in Fitzgibbon Chase, there have been many changes. Over the years, all the trees have grown a lot.

The next issue of this newsletter will carry an article about Fran’s involvement with Neighbourhood Watch, and the following issue will feature her involvement with the Green Team.

A Place to Belong

Ann Ingamells

What does community mean to you?

Most of us say things like getting to know locals, connecting, participating, knowing your local area, knowing your children are safe, working together on issues, caring for yourself and others, celebrating, sharing.

What sorts of things make it happen?

Most of us know the building blocks for the kinds of communities we want to live in. We see it all around us—reaching out, providing opportunities, showing care, giving honey, throwing a party, helping at times of crisis. All of this comes from residents, businesses, groups, schools, churches, and little kids’ activities.

Does having a Community Centre help it happen?

Now here’s a story! There once was a community centre built by the government for the people of Fitzgibbon—but when that building project started, there were not many Fitzis. There was no consultation or community involvement—or at least not much. Some groups tried to get the Centre going, but continuity was an issue—there were no funds. Gradually the houses were built, people arrived, then COVID came, followed by floods, and everyone got disheartened.

But the Community Centre stood there, tucked into the bush, in its iron-clad coat, waiting to be loved up by the people moving into the area. Some people saw it as a real asset, some thought it was ugly, some saw it as an opportunity to get things happening, and no doubt many wondered why doesn’t someone do something.

But who owned it, who made decisions, who paid the bills, who held the vision? Most did not realise that it was theirs—that it belonged to the community. In fact, it didn’t belong to Council or government, it belonged to the community, and it was waiting for the people of Fitzgibbon to make it happen.

Gradually a small group of people clambered over the barriers to make it happen. At first they did not know each other, they had no money to pay the bills, and they faced a lot of tasks that were new to them, but they had community spirit and commitment.

People stepped up to help, and businesses connected in too. Over the past three years the building has begun to fill with life, people doing the kinds of things that people love to do, both private parties and community activities. The building survives financially through venue hire, but other things now happen too.

Have a small house? No worries, the Centre dresses up very well for celebrating special occasions.

Playgroups are great for little ones and great for community spirit. Such a lovely setting for a playgroup!

There is a book club, a craft group, playgroups, a mums’ group and markets—all run by the community for the community. There is yoga and fitness and dance and sport for children, which are professionally run. The Centre cannot run things, but community members can run things at the Centre. This is a different way of operating—a very community-oriented way. You can join, become a member, get involved—help with the tasks, share your thoughts, ideas and skills. It’s a great way to participate, get to know people, give back to community and have a lot of enjoyment along the way.

Who are the contacts?

Sho does the bookings and can be reached on bookings@fitzgibboncommunitycentre.org. She can tell you the charges for private parties and business activities.

If you want to start a community activity, let us know at facilities@fitzgibboncommunitycentre.org, and Linda or Ann will assist you.

Check out the website (https://www.fitzgibboncommunitycentre.org/) and Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/fitzgibbon.centre).

Reflecting on a Vibrant Year at the Community Centre

Keith Heinrich

As 2025 draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on activities at the Fitzgibbon Community Centre (FCC), at least since June. Earlier this year, a focus of the team that runs the FCC was to improve communications with the community—specifically, to improve understanding of the FCC’s mission and its fabulous building (its history and role as a function centre of sorts), to make activities at the FCC visible, and to help people engage with it more easily, especially when it comes to hiring space for activities and functions.

With this in mind, the website was reimagined and launched in June. Along with increased communications from Facebook, this is the primary way in which the FCC now directly engages with the local community. Metrics show it’s been a successful project, and a survey is planned to gather additional feedback on what we can do better.

Along with the website, the monthly newsletter plays an important role, highlighting some of the hidden talent that lies within the community, offering recollections from long-term residents, reporting on events and revealing a layer of colour in our suburb that was otherwise hidden. I am sure you are astonished to read about the variety of events that take place at the Community Centre and elsewhere in Fitzgibbon. The newsletter searches these out and provides an important record.

Notable events this year included the launch of Judy Wakabayashi’s excellent book on the history of Fitzgibbon, Butterflies and Bandicoots: On Becoming Fitzgibbon. The launch was well attended and was especially interesting with stories, images and anecdotes on the research that didn’t make it into the book.

As reported in the inaugural June newsletter, local artist and community figure Lisa Caruana is working on a project to provide interpretive signs along the walking trail. The FCC website gallery contains images from the opening of the Fitzgibbon Bush Trail and a statement from Lisa about its importance to the community. (And now we also have the interactive Fitzgibbon Trail).

In September the Fitzgibbon Market Day was a huge success, bringing visitors to the Centre and generating huge support from local businesses and organisations. Enthusiastic feedback from the event has led to the Christmas Market and possible plans to hold markets quarterly in future.

Earlier in the year the newsletter reported that the Centre has secured a grant to provide funds for solar power. In November the solar panels and a battery were installed, and since then the FCC has been running mostly on sunshine. Despite only a few lines in the newsletter and on Facebook, this significant achievement will have long-term benefits in greatly reducing running costs, and it is a tremendous investment in our community.

The most amazing thing about all of this is that the FCC is entirely volunteer-run. All these things have happened because of community-minded volunteers and supporters. I think that says a lot about Fitzgibbon—that folks are prepared to dive in and get things done.

From Youth Work to IV Care: A Couple Committed to Serving Our Community

In January 2020 Nickolas Carr bought a house in Fitzgibbon, attracted by what felt like a “really nice, tight-knit community”, easy access to parks and green spaces, the Community Centre and lively community, proximity to the train station and the city, the fact that the area is safe and still relatively new, and the family orientation and nearby childcare centre. Annalise moved here in February 2022. This married couple are committed to making Fitzgibbon their forever home.

For the past ten years, Nick has worked in the community sector as a youth worker, focusing on the areas of disabilities, residential care, fostering and kinship, and youth justice (helping rehabilitate young people in juvenile detention by supporting their job searches, schooling and reintegration into society). He is passionate about working with young people, because they’re our future.

Nick and Annalise recently helped organise the Christmas Market at the Community Centre (see below) and have started attending the Centre’s monthly committee meetings. They became involved because they love this area and are committed to helping it grow. The couple are especially interested in ideas that engage young people and that bring diverse demographics together to boost inclusivity. The first step they suggest is simply asking our community what it wants. Nick and Annalise are keen to gauge interest in introducing youth-oriented ideas to the Community Centre, such as a youth night, a pool table, or a dads’ group. They want to help young people build in-person friendships instead of just online ones. Young people’s voices matter, so the couple want to ensure that young people have a chance to be involved in decision-making, rather than feeling that the adults in their lives are calling all the shots.

Annalise began nursing nearly nine years ago and is a registered nurse with experience across a range of areas. She currently works two days a week at a private hospital. About eighteen months ago she also launched her own IV infusion business, Infuse Me IV, offering services from Wednesday to Saturday each week. This builds on Annalise’s years of experience working in hospitals, a clinic and a day spa retreat. She is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and completes the required Continuing Professional Development every year. The Therapeutic Goods Association regulates the drugs used in the infusions. Like Nick, Annalise is passionate about her work.

Every client starts with a free nurse consultation to check for any medical conditions (e.g. cancer, diabetes, allergies) that might contraindicate the infusion. Annalise works closely with medical professionals, obtaining the client’s medical history before starting any infusion. Strict protocols are in place to ensure client safety.

People seeking an infusion might, for instance, be feeling sick or exhausted, have arthritis or even dehydration, be preparing or recovering from surgery or want magnesium (to assist in muscle recovery) before a marathon. After reviewing their medical information, Annalise recommends a personalised infusion service and frequency, always prioritising safety and clients’ unique needs. The effects of an infusion depend on individual circumstances, the infusion type and the dose. Hydration infusions deliver water directly and efficiently into the bloodstream, unlike just drinking large amounts of water and having to keep running to the bathroom.

Annalise brings mobile infusions right to clients’ homes. For more information, check out https://infusemeiv.com.au/, Facebook at InfuseMeIV or Instragram infuse_me_iv

Nick and Annalise are an example of how people from different age groups and backgrounds can bring fresh perspectives and experience to volunteering at our Community Centre.

Becoming a Member of the Community Centre

The Fitzgibbon Community Centre recently changed its constitution to allow for individual membership. This means that YOU can now become a member! Membership is free.

Becoming a member is simply an expression of interest in and support for the Community Centre and its activities, and it entails no obligations. (People who wish to become more deeply engaged with the Centre might offer to organise an event or a group there or join the committee that runs it. Membership of the Centre, however, carries no such expectations.)

To apply for general membership, please complete this form: https://www.fitzgibboncommunitycentre.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Application-for-Membership-of-Fitzgibbon-Community-Centre-Ltd.docx and return it to facilities@fitzgibboncommunitycentre.org. This information is also available on the Community Centre website.

Christmas Market

The weather on Saturday 6 December was perfect for the Christmas Market held at the Community Centre from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visitors browsed among the colourful stalls selling fudge and rocky road, gluten-free biscuits, brownies, and ice-cream flavoured with cardamom and other intriguing ingredients. There were woven baskets, felt goods and crocheted goods, plants, magnolia bouquets, garden labels, jewellery, preloved books, pet-themed mugs and coasters, kids’ clothing, toys, Christmas decorations and stockings, hand-made ceramics, candles, scented oils, organic body and face products, perfumes, tea towels and much more. Fitzgibbon Early Learning and the federal member for the Petrie electorate, Emma Comer, provided information booths.

Local DJ Matt Hutchison provided five hours of music, and Bella, a teenager singer with an impressive voice, entertained visitors with Christmas carols and other songs. A police officer brought along his large motorbike for kids to sit on.

Local politicians Emma Comer, Bisma Asif and Sandy Landers donated large hampers for the raffle, and there were also donations from Beyond the Brew and some stallholders. Proceeds from the stallholders’ fees and the raffle help support our Community Centre.

Many thanks to Rudra Chhetri and his team, who were the driving force behind this market.

Coffee, Colouring and Christmas Magic: Johnny Lin Event at Beyond The Brew

From late morning on Saturday 13 December, the holiday spirit was in full swing at Beyond The Brew. Kids revelled in their first day of freedom from school—and parents were hunting for ways to keep them entertained! Coffee was courtesy of Harcourts Pinnacle agent Johnny Lin, a well-known member of our community although not a Fitzgibbon resident. Johnny handed out popsicles to the kids, while his colleague—known to many for her work distributing gifts of honey over the past couple of weeks—gave out goodies such as packets of Oreos from her Christmas bag.

Well over a hundred people showed up for this diverse and multigenerational event. Ruby, who works at a pharmacy in a nearby suburb, praised the lovely vibe, calling the event a great idea for getting people in and learning about local businesses.

Balloon-twister and magician Magic Glen (KidsPartyMagic.com.au) was kept busy turning colourful balloons into hearts, dogs, swords, angel wings and Christmas wreaths. Glen’s thirty-five-minute magic show from 12.30 p.m. captivated the kids with a clapping competition, tricks and banter. It came complete with kid-friendly “disgusting” jokes about poo and belly buttons, while the props featured a “dead mouse”. Corny perhaps, but it kept the kids engaged and the adults laughing.

Singer Phoenix Symonds and her brother Travis performed various songs, including Christmas carols. Phoenix is a Bachelor of Music student specialising in Contemporary Voice at the Conservatorium, and she has performed at many events in Sandgate and some in Fitzgibbon. Travis, who is heading into Year 12 in 2026 and plays with several local bands, accompanied Phoenix on the guitar.

Over a hundred colourful drawings by kids decorated one wall of the café. The final event was the announcement of the winners of the colouring-in competition.

Coast Banksia

Wendy Pang

Photo taken in Fitzgibbon Bushlands in mid-September

You probably know that this is a banksia. Guess where it grows? Mainly on the coast from NSW to Queensland as far as the tropics.

I wonder why it’s not called Common banksia? It’s very well known. It looks quite plain compared with many other banksia. They are more colourful, or bigger, or more well-known.

Explore more banksias at Wikipedia’s list of banksias.

But notice the old friend banksia integrifolia growing near the beach, roughing it out.

News from Cr Landers

Council’s Summer Reading program is back this year at Brisbane libraries. From 1 December 2025 to 31 January 2026, readers of all ages are invited to join the fun. Track your reading, complete challenges, borrow from the library or attend library events to earn points to enter the weekly prize draw to score a $50 book voucher!

For more information about the Summer Reading program, pick up a copy of What’s On in Libraries at your local branch, visit the website brisbane.qld.gov.au/libraries or phone Council on 3403 8888.

You will be able to swim at Brisbane City Council Pools for only $2 entry per person until 28 February 2026. The $2 Summer Dips program is all part of the Schrinner Council’s plan to keep costs down while delivering more to see and do for residents.

Brisbane City Council will be introducing a proposed Short Stay Accommodation Local Law next year to help strike the right balance between the need for short-stay accommodation while ensuring our suburbs continue to be great places to live. The proposed law will introduce a permit system for homes and apartments rented out for short stays. It aims to make operators responsible for managing their guests and resolving issues quickly to protect Brisbane’s incredible lifestyle. This in turn will help ensure local neighbourhoods remain safe, peaceful and enjoyable for everyone.

The first stage of this process will be public consultation. This is now open and will close on 16 February next year. To read more about the proposed law changes or to lodge a submission, please visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au.

Over the Christmas break, if you have any Council-related concerns you can call the 24/7 Brisbane City Council Contact Centre on 3403 8888 for assistance.

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and time spent with loved ones. May 2026 bring us hope and unity.

Message from Bisma Asif, MP for Sandgate

It’s been a big year for our community, and as we slow down for the end-of-year break, I’d like to hear about the issues that matter most to you.

I’m inviting locals to have your say. I’ve launched a Sandgate Community Survey to hear directly from you – about health, transport, schools, local amenities, and the future you want for our suburbs.

Your feedback helps me represent your views in the Queensland Parliament, so I can fight for what matters. You can complete the survey online by scanning the QR code or pick up a paper copy from my office at 2 Fifth Avenue, Sandgate.

As we approach the festive season, I’d like to encourage our community to think local – whether it’s Christmas shopping, seeking services, or a family lunch! Supporting local businesses keeps our area thriving and supports jobs here in our community.

Thank you for your continued support and community spirit throughout 2025. From my family to yours, Merry Christmas, and have a safe, Happy New Year. I look forward to another great year working for you.

We Want to Hear from You!

If you wish to contribute information, an article or pictures to the newsletters or have ideas for an article, drop us a line through the Community Centre’s Facebook page or website.

Happy New Year to everyone!