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Manly Gets First-of-Its-Kind Dementia Care Unit as Anglicare Opens New SDCP Facility

For families in Manly and across Brisbane’s bayside who have been searching for appropriate care for a loved one living with severe dementia, help is now much closer to home. Anglicare Southern Queensland has officially opened its third Specialist Dementia Care Program (SDCP) unit at the E.M. Tooth Residential Aged Care Home in Manly.

Read: Did You Know This Oceana Terrace Property is the Oldest Surviving House in the Manly-Lota Area?

The new unit is the first of its kind for the area, filling a gap in specialist dementia care for the region. It is also the 27th unit under the federal Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s Specialist Dementia Care Program, a national initiative that provides care for those who cannot be supported in mainstream aged care settings.

The unit will provide highly tailored care for eight residents who experience severe behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia and are unable to be effectively supported in mainstream aged care settings.

Anglicare SQ chief executive officer Sue Cooke welcomed the opening, describing it as a vital development for the region. She said the E.M. Tooth facility was now equipped to offer a program that was a first for south Brisbane — one that would provide a supportive, safe environment where residents could be treated with dignity and respect.

The numbers underpinning that need are significant. In 2025, an estimated 85,200 Australians were living with all forms of dementia, a figure projected to rise to 168,300 by 2054.

The design of the unit has been carefully considered. The purpose-built facility features a small, cottage-style living environment with open-plan layouts, homely furnishings, secure outdoor areas and calming colour schemes, all designed to promote comfort, safety and independence.

Anglicare SQ is not starting from scratch here. The organisation already runs SDCP units at Abri Residential Aged Care Home on the Gold Coast and St Martin’s Residential Aged Care Home in North Brisbane, the latter of which has been recognised by external stakeholders as the gold standard for SDCP delivery.

That track record has directly shaped what’s been built at Manly. Ms Cooke said the experience of running two established SDCP units had given the organisation critical insight into what works, and that those learnings had shaped every aspect of the new facility.

The program’s clinical model is built around stabilisation and transition. Ms Cooke said the goal was to reduce or stabilise each resident’s dementia symptoms through individual behaviour support and care plans, with an average expected length of stay of six to 12 months, after which residents may be able to move to a less intensive care setting. She emphasised, however, that the program takes a personalised approach, with the duration of each resident’s stay tailored to their unique needs.

Read: Retirement Development Progresses in Manly as Sales Pass 50%

The unit employs specialist nurses and works with geriatricians and other practitioners to deliver best-practice care. Ms Cooke also noted that the accommodation plays a broader role in helping to free up acute hospital beds for those who need them.

For the Manly community, the message is a reassuring one. When dementia becomes severe and complex, residents and their families now have access to specialist care, right here in the neighbourhood.

Published14-March-2026

Tingalpa Residents Could Soon Shop for Fresh Produce Marketplace at New Local Hub

Photo Credit: DA A006952986

A retired fitness centre in Tingalpa will be repurposed into a modern fruit barn and retail marketplace to provide residents with easier access to fresh local produce.

A New Lease on Life for Wynnum Road

The development application, submitted on 3 February 2026, focuses on the site at 1604 Wynnum Road. Instead of tearing down the existing building, JSTN Architects designed a plan to renovate and improve the former gymnasium. This approach avoids the need for massive new construction projects while giving the street a refreshed look.

The proposal includes new awnings at the front and back to make the area more comfortable for visitors. By using the current structure, the project aims to blend into the neighborhood while offering something new for the community.

Fresh Food and Local Convenience

The heart of the project is a large fruit barn covering 545 square metres. This space will focus on providing groceries and healthy food options for families living nearby. Two smaller sections, totaling 205 square metres, are set aside for food and drink businesses. These could eventually house anything from a local bakery or coffee shop to a small restaurant.

According to the planning report from Clegg Town Planning, the goal is to help locals get their weekly shopping done without having to drive to larger, more crowded shopping centres. The site will also feature 49 car parking spaces to handle the expected flow of daily shoppers.

Serving the Growing Community

The marketplace is designed to be a handy stop for different groups of people. It targets residents in the emerging community zone, as well as people working in nearby industrial areas and commuters passing through. Because the site is located in a developing area, the planners believe it will meet the basic service needs of growing households.

The proposed trading hours are from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm every day of the week, allowing early risers and late-shift workers to grab what they need. By keeping the scale of the business small, the developers intend to support the local economy without disrupting the existing balance of larger retail hubs in the region.

Published Date 11-March-2026

Man Fatally Shot During Police Welfare Check At Tingalpa Home

Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook

A man has died after being shot by police during a welfare check at a residence in Tingalpa, with authorities confirming an investigation into the circumstances of the incident.

Welfare Check Leads To Police Shooting In Tingalpa

Police attended a home on Thurston Street in Tingalpa on 3 March 2026 to carry out a welfare check.

Officers attempted to negotiate with a man at the property. Police allege the man was holding a knife and made threats towards officers during the incident.

The confrontation occurred during the police response and the man was shot at approximately 10:30 a.m.

Emergency assistance was provided immediately after the shooting. However, the man died at the scene.

Following the incident, police declared a crime scene at the Tingalpa address while investigations began.

Tingalpa welfare check shooting — *Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook*

Officer Receives Minor Injury During Incident

During the police operation, a senior constable sustained a minor graze to the ear.

Police said early information indicated the injury was caused by a projectile discharged during police operations. The officer received medical assistance at the scene and did not require further medical treatment.

Authorities confirmed the injury was minor.

Residents Report Hearing Gunshots

People living nearby reported hearing several gunshots during the incident.

One resident said multiple shots were heard close together during the police response. The resident described the street as normally quiet before the incident occurred.

Witness accounts indicated officers had attempted to speak with the man prior to the shooting.

Tingalpa police incident — *Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook*

Investigation Underway After Tingalpa Incident

A crime scene was established at the Thurston Street property following the shooting.

The incident is being investigated by the Ethical Standards Command on behalf of the State Coroner, with oversight from the Crime and Corruption Commission.

Police have indicated that no further comment will be made while the investigation continues.

Published 5-Mar-2026

East Coast Marina Seeks Approval for New Clubhouse, Restaurants and Retail at Manly Boat Harbour

DA A006949411

A development application lodged in January 2026 proposes demolishing the existing buildings at the East Coast Marina at 576 Royal Esplanade, Manly, and replacing them with a new two-storey clubhouse, restaurant, café, retail shops and marine industry workshops overlooking Moreton Bay.

Architect Reid Campbell designed the proposal, with planning consultants Willowtree Planning lodging the application on behalf of MA Marina Fund. The development covers the south-eastern portion of the site and delivers 1,239 square metres of new floor space across two purpose-built buildings. The development application reference is A006949411.

East Coast Marina is the only privately owned facility within the 1,800-berth Manly Boat Harbour, located 20 kilometres from Brisbane’s CBD. MA Marina Fund, part of alternative asset manager MA Financial, acquired the site in February 2024 for $33 million, cementing its position as the largest marina group in the southern hemisphere. The site, which occupies more than 5.6 hectares of state leases along Moreton Bay, had been in the same hands for more than four decades before that sale. The marina controls 330 berths and dry storage for 240 vessels, alongside a full-service boatyard and a range of commercial tenancies.

What the Proposal Involves

The application proposes demolishing two existing brick marina buildings and the current 148-space car park, replacing them with two new structures. The first is a two-storey club, café and retail building rising to 8.5 metres. A club lounge and café occupy the ground floor, with an ancillary restaurant on the upper level. Large windows along the north and east elevations face the harbour, and an external walkway separates the ground floor tenancies to provide pedestrian connectivity throughout the development. The upper-floor restaurant is accessible via lower-level staircase entries.

East Coast Marina — *Photo Credit: DA A006949411*

The second building houses five marine industry workshop tenancies, with glass shopfronts on the western elevation and large roller doors on the eastern side for vessel access. Precast concrete panels and vertical metal sheeting form the exterior, consistent with an industrial character while remaining in keeping with the broader site.

The proposed uses across the 1,239 square metre total floor area include 404 square metres of club space, 214 square metres of food and drink outlet, 243 square metres across five retail tenancies, and 378 square metres across five marine industry workshop tenancies. Finished floor levels sit at 3.1 metres AHD, addressing flood planning levels to 2100. Existing boat stacks are not affected by the proposal.

The 148-space car park reduces to 118 spaces under the proposal, including two accessible bays, with vehicle access continuing via the existing service road and T-intersection at Royal Esplanade. A traffic report by Bitzios Consulting noted that a survey conducted in July 2025 found the existing car park was underused during typical weekday and standard operating periods.

Community Feedback: Parking Emerges as the Central Issue

The development application attracted public submissions during its consultation period, with parking emerging as the dominant concern shared by both supporters and opponents of the proposal.

One marina user submitted support for the development in principle but raised concerns about the existing parking situation on weekends and during holiday periods. That submission described the current car park as already overwhelmed on its busiest days, with overflow vehicles spilling onto local streets and the adjacent public boat ramp facility. The submitter argued that on-site parking needed to increase rather than decrease to protect both the local streetscape and nearby public facilities from additional pressure.

A separate submission opposed the development solely on parking grounds, noting that weekends and holidays already fill the existing spaces and that expanding the marina’s dining, retail and club activity would only intensify that demand. That submitter indicated they would oppose the development unless the parking supply increased.

Both submissions draw from the same concern: the marina’s busiest periods already push beyond the capacity of the current 148 spaces, and reducing that figure to 118 while increasing the scale of activity on the site creates a genuine risk of worsening conditions for residents, road users and users of the nearby public boat ramp.

A Site With a Long History in Manly Harbour

East Coast Marina has served Brisbane boaties since 1980, becoming the first marina in Queensland to gain Clean Marina Status in 2006. The site sits between the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron and Wynnum Manly Yacht Club within a harbour that also hosts Manly Harbour Boat Club, and operates under state leases across its 5.6-hectare waterfront holding.

Since the 2024 acquisition, the marina has operated under the d’Albora brand as part of the MA Marina Fund network. Current on-site services include boat maintenance and detailing, marine engineering and electrical trades, a café, a yacht training centre and boat sales through the d’Albora Yacht Brokers network. That mix of active commercial tenancies gives the redevelopment proposal a clear operational context, replacing ageing buildings with purpose-designed facilities suited to a working marina serving Moreton Bay.

How to View or Comment on the Application

The development application A006949411 is publicly accessible through the development application portal. It contains the full plans, traffic report, consultant documentation and all submitted public submissions. Enquiries about the application can be directed to planning consultants Willowtree Planning at willowtreeplanning.com.au or architect Reid Campbell at reidcampbell.com.

Published 2-March-2026.

New Design Released for Parking and Safety Changes at Manly State Boat Harbour

Manly State Boat Harbour is preparing for changes at Norfolk Point, with a new concept design outlining safety and accessibility upgrades for Trafalgar Street and the surrounding parking area to support pedestrians, drivers and cyclists using the busy waterfront precinct.

Maritime Safety Queensland issued a community media alert on 20 February 2026, confirming the works are scheduled to begin by mid-2026.

According to Maritime Safety Queensland, the project will modernise parking arrangements at the harbour and cater to increased demand for access. The concept design centres on safety, accessibility and connectivity in an area where vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians share close space near the boat ramp and foreshore.

The proposed works include a new accessible pathway, marked accessible parking spaces, speed humps, updated signage and line marking, bicycle parking facilities and a raised pedestrian crossing. Trafalgar Street is also set to be resurfaced as part of the upgrade.

These elements are shown in detail on the official Maritime Safety Queensland project page, where the full concept plan can be viewed.

Slower speeds and clearer layout

The concept map indicates a 20 km/h speed zone in parts of the project area. The inclusion of speed humps and a raised pedestrian crossing is intended to support safer movement between parking areas and waterfront access points.

Improved signage and refreshed line marking are also part of the design, helping to clarify parking spaces and traffic directions within the precinct. Maritime Safety Queensland states the upgrades aim to improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians, vehicles and cyclists.

The accessible pathway and parking spaces are designed to support people with mobility needs, making it easier to move between vehicles and the waterfront.

Supporting a well-used harbour precinct

Norfolk Point sits within a section of Manly State Boat Harbour that sees regular activity from boat owners, recreational fishers, cyclists and families visiting the waterfront. While the concept design does not outline changes to the broader harbour layout, it focuses specifically on Trafalgar Street and the adjacent parking facility.

Maritime Safety Queensland has made the concept design publicly available online so community members can review the proposed layout ahead of construction. Further details about staging and timing are expected closer to the planned start date in mid-2026.

Once completed, the works are intended to update the parking configuration and improve safety and accessibility in this part of the harbour precinct.

Published 25-Feb-226

Brisbane Moves to Auction Wakerley Property Over Mounting Rates Debt

A Wakerley property is among eight homes across Brisbane that authorities have moved to auction in February 2026 to recover a collective debt of nearly a quarter of a million dollars in unpaid rates.

Read: Housing Supply Stalls in Wakerley, Other Suburbs, as Empty Nesters Stay Put

The property, located on Cynthia Place in Wakerley, is among the properties flagged for forced auction by BCC, owing more than $28,000.

The other homes earmarked for sale are located in The Gap, Red Hill, Ashgrove, Kelvin Grove, Albion, Darra and Forest Lake, a mix of freestanding houses and apartments where owners have failed to settle their outstanding rates despite repeated contact from council officers and court based debt recovery efforts.

Cr Adrian Schrinner told the council chamber that officers had made multiple attempts to contact owners directly and had pursued debts through the court system before escalating to forced auction. He said roughly nine out of ten debts had been cleared in previous cases once owners realised the threat of sale was genuine. Cr Schrinner said it was simply not fair on ratepayers who consistently do the right thing.

Opposition leader Jared Cassidy backed the principle of recovering overdue rates but urged BCC staff to carefully check whether any debts had accumulated unintentionally, for instance where language barriers or other challenges may have played a role, before moving to sell.

Brisbane has pursued this course of action before. In 2018, BCC initiated forced sale proceedings against nine properties over unpaid rates then totalling around $130,000.

What happens when Brisbane rates go unpaid?

Wakerley — Photo credit: Pexels/RDNE Stock project

Missing a rates payment in Brisbane doesn’t immediately put a home at risk, but the consequences escalate quickly if debts are left unresolved. Interest begins accruing on late payments straight away, and BCC follows up with formal reminder notices allowing time to pay.

If the account remains in arrears, the council can take legal action and place a charge known as a lien over the property. When all other avenues have been exhausted, BCC can proceed to auction the property to recoup what is owed, as is now the case for the Cynthia Place home and seven others across Brisbane.

Residents can find more information about managing Brisbane rates at the BCC website.

What buyers should know

Those interested in purchasing at a rates recovery auction should keep a close watch on upcoming BCC auction listings. These properties are sold as is, and buyers need to be aware that they may be responsible for managing the eviction process, including any legal steps required to gain vacant possession of the property after settlement.

Read: Affordable Housing Fast-Tracked on Church Land in Wakerley

For Wakerley residents, the situation on Cynthia Place underscores how essential local services such as rubbish collection, park upkeep and road maintenance depend on everyone contributing their share. When rates go unpaid, the shortfall is one the broader community ends up carrying.

Published 24-February-2026

East Brisbane Sports Results Feb 20-22

Sat, February 21, 2026 (Allianz Stadium) – A-League – Men – Round 18
• Sydney FC 1 | Brisbane Roar FC 0

Sun, February 22, 2026 (Spencer Park) – A-League – Women – Round 18
• Brisbane Roar FC 0 | Adelaide United FC 2

Fri, February 20, 2026 (Whites Hill Reserve – Holland Park Hawks FC – Field) – FQPL1 – Men – Round 1
• Holland Park Hawks 2 | Logan Lightning 0

Sat, February 21, 2026 (Whites Hill Reserve – Holland Park Hawks FC – Field 1) – Kappa Pro Series – Women – Regional Round 1
• Holland Park Hawks 1 | SWQ Thunder 3

Sat, February 21, 2026 (Underwood Park – Rochedale Rovers FC – Field 1) – NPL – Men – Round 1
• Rochedale Rovers 0 | Wynnum Wolves 3

Sat, February 21, 2026 (AJ Kelly Park – Peninsula Power FC – Field 1) – NPL – Men – Round 1
• Peninsula Power 1 | Eastern Suburbs 0

Sun, February 22, 2026 (Meakin Park – Field 1) – NPL – Men – Round 1
• Brisbane Roar B 1 | Brisbane City 3

Sat, February 21, 2026 (Heath Park – Eastern Suburbs FC – Field 1) – NPL – Women – Round 3
• Eastern Suburbs 4 | Brisbane City 2

Fri, February 20, 2026 (Brisbane Entertainment Centre) – NBL – Men – Round 22
• Brisbane Bullets 77 | Sydney Kings 117

Sat, February 21, 2026 (The Gabba) – One Day Cup 2025-26 – Men – Match 6
• Queensland Bulls 260 | South Australia Men 135

Sat, February 14, 2026 & Sat, February 21, 2026 (2 Day – Ian Healy Oval) – Queensland Premier Cricket – Men 1st Grade – Round 14
• Northern Suburbs Mens 1st Grade 6-293d | Wynnum-Manly Mens 1st Grade 217

A New Personality Takes Flight as Wynnum Manly Welcomes Stevie Seagull

Photo Credit: Wynnum Manly Seagulls/Facebook

There’s a new character bringing energy to the sidelines at Wynnum Manly Seagulls games — and the community helped create it. After inviting supporters to help shape the club’s newest mascot, the Bayside Rugby League team has introduced Stevie Seagull, a character set to entertain crowds and represent the Seagulls at matches and community events.

The initiative began with a call for someone willing to step into the oversized costume and bring the club’s seagull identity to life — a role requiring plenty of enthusiasm, stamina and a love of footy.

From idea to identity

Once the search for a performer was underway, the club turned to its supporters for the next step — choosing a name.

Fans were asked to submit suggestions, helping transform a simple mascot into a personality the community could recognise and connect with. The chosen name was later revealed following a teaser on a popular breakfast radio program.

The result was Stevie Seagull, described by the club as the “heart behind all the fun ahead”.

More than match-day entertainment

Mascots have long been part of the colour and character of rugby league, particularly in community-focused clubs like Wynnum Manly, where sport and local identity often go hand in hand.

While the Seagulls have featured a seagull mascot before, the latest campaign introduced a refreshed identity — one shaped not just by the club, but by its supporters.

Now, with Stevie Seagull ready to take the field, the bayside club is hoping its newest personality will help bring smiles, strengthen community pride and add another layer of excitement to the season ahead.

Published 23-Feb-2026

Manly’s Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Hosts the 56th Finn World Masters

Finn Class/Instagram

Sailors from 18 nations have gathered at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in Manly for the 56th Finn World Masters, one of the most prestigious titles in single-handed dinghy racing, with eight races scheduled across five days on the waters of Waterloo Bay.

Just over 100 competitors registered for the Porsche Centre Brisbane 2026 event, which opened at the RQYS on Sunday evening with a ceremony on the club’s lawn. The Masters follows immediately after the 70th Finn Gold Cup, also held at RQYS, making this the third back-to-back Finn event hosted by the Manly club across a remarkable fortnight of international sailing. For residents of Manly and the surrounding Moreton Bay foreshore, the precinct has been alive with the sound and spectacle of world-class dinghy racing since mid-February.

A Dinghy With Olympic Roots and a Global Following

The Finn is one of the most storied classes in sailing history. Designed by Swedish canoe builder Rickard Sarby in 1949, the Finn made its Olympic debut at the 1952 Helsinki Games and featured in every summer Olympics until Tokyo 2020, making it the longest-serving dinghy in the Olympic regatta. Despite its removal from the Paris 2024 programme, the class has not merely survived its post-Olympic era, it has flourished. The Finn Masters circuit is now one of the largest sailing organisations in the world, with hundreds of boats competing in world championships, proving the boat’s appeal stretches well beyond the Olympic rings.

Finn World Sailing Championships — *Photo Credit: Robert Deaves*

What draws sailors to the Finn, and keeps them there, is the sheer physical and tactical demand the boat places on its crew. With a hull weight of 107 kilograms, the Finn requires sailors to work harder than perhaps any other dinghy class, with downwind legs in stronger winds becoming an anaerobic sprint where heart rates spike to near-maximum levels for extended periods. It is, in short, the kind of boat that earns deep loyalty from the people who sail it.

A Brisbane Coup Years in the Making

The decision to bring both the Finn Gold Cup and the Finn World Masters to Brisbane in the same fortnight was deliberate. Conversations between the International Finn Association, the International Finn Association Australia and RQYS began as far back as 2016, with considerable effort required to convince the global Finn community that sending both major championships to one city was a sound idea. It came together, and the club’s response has validated that confidence: roughly half of the Masters fleet has travelled from outside the region, representing 18 nations across Europe, the Americas and Asia-Pacific.

View this post on Instagram

The opening ceremony saw Finn Masters President Andy Denison formally welcome the fleet and receive the Masters Gold Cup from German sailor Thomas Schmid, representing last year’s champion Pieter-Jan Postma, who is absent to defend his title. Denison then presented the Finn Masters flag to RQYS Commodore Curtis Skinner before officially declaring the championship open.

Who to Watch on Waterloo Bay

The Masters fleet includes several standout names from the Finn Gold Cup held at the same venue the week prior. Australian Brendan Casey, who claimed bronze at the Gold Cup and was nearly unbeatable when conditions turned light, returns for the Masters alongside compatriots Anthony Nossiter and Rob McMillan. Spain’s Rafael Trujillo, a Finn Class Hall of Fame inductee and the only previous Masters winner in this week’s fleet (having won in 2016), is another to watch, as is New Zealand’s Karl Purdie.

World ranked number one Laurent Hay of France, whose Gold Cup campaign was hampered by equipment problems, will be looking to reset, while Britain’s Nick Craig is expected to benefit from the flatter conditions inside Waterloo Bay. Swedish sailor Peter Overup, ranked tenth in the world, rounds out a formidable top-of-fleet group.

View this post on Instagram

Racing conditions inside Waterloo Bay differ meaningfully from the open Moreton Bay waters used for the Gold Cup, with flatter water, changeable currents and more pronounced wind shifts all expected to play a role across the eight scheduled races.

Racing Schedule and How to Follow Along

Racing runs from Monday 23 February through to Friday 27 February, with the first start each day at 1:00pm. The Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron is located at 578 Royal Esplanade, Manly. Spectators are welcome at the club, and live results and coverage are available through the International Finn Association website at finnclass.org.

Published 23-February-2026.

Broncos Staffer Abbey Willcox Soars Into Olympic Final At Milano Cortina 2026

When Abbey Willcox took to the skies at Milano Cortina 2026 this week, her path to the Olympic final carried a strong local connection — and the backing of a wide support network. From the coaches and training partners at the Sleeman Sports Complex in Brisbane’s east, to her Broncos workmates at Red Hill, to supporters across Brisbane, her hometown on the NSW Central Coast and the rest of Australia, many are cheering her on as she chases Olympic success.

After a heavy snowstorm postponed Tuesday night’s qualifying rounds, the Women’s Aerials competition unfolded on Wednesday, February 18, under clear skies. The Australians made their mark.

Danielle Scott soared straight into the final in second place, while Willcox powered through qualification to secure ninth and a place in the 12-skier final. Sidney Stephens finished 15th on debut, and Airleigh Frigo placed 22nd.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Australian Olympic Team (@ausolympicteam)

Flying Into The Final

Willcox landed a Back Full-Double Full in Qualification 1, scoring 88.12 to sit eighth. With only the top six progressing automatically, she returned for Qualification 2, but her first score held, locking in ninth overall and progression to the final.

“It was good to finally get out there and compete at the Olympic Games and I was pretty happy with my first jump,” Willcox said.

“[The conditions] are pretty good, not too much wind, and the sun’s out so you can’t really get a better day.”

Reflecting on reaching the final stage, she added: “It felt so good to be out there [in an Olympic final] and land my jumps as well. It’s a dream come true. As soon as I made the Olympic Team, it was like a weight off my shoulders… I feel really happy and proud of myself.”

Back in Brisbane, her Broncos family has been cheering her on. Members of the NRLW squad, including captain Ali Brigginshaw, along with club figures Matt Gillett, Corey Oates and Sam Thaiday, sent her a video message of support ahead of competition. Thaiday told her they had ridden the club’s highs and lows together last season and were ready to ride the Olympic journey with her too.

The 12-skier final will see the top six advance to a Super Final to contest the medals, keeping Willcox in contention.

Tribute To Team Leader Laura Peel

Australia’s aerials campaign has also been shaped by the absence of team leader Laura Peel, who ruptured her ACL at a training camp on February 3 and withdrew on the eve of competition.

Peel, a four-time Olympian and one of Australia’s leading medal hopes heading into Milano Cortina, remained with the team in Livigno to support her teammates.

Willcox paid tribute by writing “Laura” on her glove with a love heart beneath before competition.

“She’s such a special person in our team and I’m just so sad that she’s not out here with us,” Willcox told Australian media after qualifying ninth.

“There’s not much I can do about her ACL, but just show some support… she’s such a great person. She’s a great teammate and a great human.”

Brisbane Base Behind The Breakthrough

Although born on the NSW Central Coast, Willcox’s Olympic preparation has been firmly Brisbane-based. She trains at the Geoff Henke Olympic Winter Training Centre at Sleeman Sports Complex, the southern hemisphere’s first year-round ski-jumping facility, practising into a large outdoor pool before transitioning to snow overseas.

Her daily routine reflects the balance she has struck between elite sport and full-time work.

“We practice our jumps into a large outdoor pool for two hours,” she said. “After that I go to the gym or do some trampoline practice for another two hours. Once training is finished, I jump in the car and drive to Red Hill to start work around 12:30pm.”

Her workday often runs until 6pm, sometimes followed by further training.

“Then I do it all again the next day,” she said.

That persistence follows years of setbacks, including a broken leg and missing selection for the 2022 Winter Olympics, before finally earning her Olympic call-up earlier this month.

“It was 10 years in the making, if not my whole life in the making,” she said.

Stephens And Frigo Complete Their Campaigns

Stephens, called up late following Peel’s injury, performed a Back-Lay-Full (75.11) and Back-Lay-Tuck (73.84) to finish 15th.

“I’m super stoked… I’m just really proud of the effort I did today,” Stephens said. “It’s a great experience… I think it was really cool to see I could handle that.”

Frigo attempted a Back Full-Full and a Back-Double Full-Full but was unable to cleanly land either jump, scoring 55.75 and 60.27 to place 22nd.

“I’m really proud to be here right now. It wasn’t quite the performance I wanted, but I’m here… and I gave it my all,” Frigo said.

At this stage of the competition, Scott and Willcox advance to the final, while Stephens and Frigo conclude their individual campaigns in qualification, highlighting Australia’s depth and resilience on the Olympic stage.

Published 19-Feb-2026