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Diving Success for Kiarra Milligan in Manly Spotlight

Photo Credit: Moreton Bay College/Facebook

Manly diver Kiarra Milligan, a Moreton Bay College graduate, has continued her rise on the international stage while balancing a scholarship career at the University of Michigan.

Strong Roots in Manly

Kiarra Milligan, who completed her schooling at Moreton Bay College in Manly in 2021, has gone on to combine academic and sporting success overseas. She remains connected to her school community through the Old Girls’ network, which highlights the journeys of past students.

Achievements at Michigan

Since joining the University of Michigan on a scholarship, Milligan has competed across major collegiate competitions in the United States. At the NCAA Division I Women’s Championships from 19 to 21 March 2025, she placed 16th in the three-metre dive, earning All-America Second Team honours. Earlier in her career, she was part of the 2023 Big Ten Championships, finishing second in the one-metre event.

She has also recorded multiple first-place finishes in dual meets, including top results against Ohio State in January 2025 and at the Notre Dame and Wisconsin meet in October 2024. She added further podium placings at competitions such as Indiana.

Her consistent performances have seen her recognised as Michigan’s Diver of the Year in 2025. She has twice been named Academic All-Big Ten and also earned Scholar All-American status.

*Photo Credit: Moreton Bay College/Facebook*

International Representation

In 2025, Milligan represented Australia at the FISU World University Games in Berlin. She reached the finals in both the one-metre and three-metre springboard events, competing against some of the strongest university athletes in the world.

Before her college career, she was part of the Australian Elite International Divers program and competed at events including the 2019 FINA Diving Grand Prix and the World Junior Diving Championships in Kiev.

Australian diving — *Photo Credit: Moreton Bay College/Facebook*

Community Support

Her achievements continue to draw messages of support from her former school community in Manly, where peers and teachers celebrate her sporting and academic accomplishments. Social media tributes from the Moreton Bay College community have commended her dedication, both in and out of the pool.

Continuing Commitments

Milligan continues to balance international competition with her academic studies and collegiate career, while maintaining strong ties to Manly and Moreton Bay College.

Published 25-Sep-2025

Community Consultation Opens for Wynnum Manly Safer School Precinct

Parents, students, residents, and local businesses will soon have their chance to help shape the future of safer, smoother travel around the Wynnum and Manly school community.

Read: Land Secured in Manly for New Special School Planning

Community consultation opens on Monday, 15 September, as part of the Wynnum Manly Safer School Precinct project. The initiative covers Manly State School, Wynnum State High School, and St John Vianney’s Primary School, as well as surrounding residents and businesses.

For six weeks, the consultation period will gather feedback on everyday experiences of moving around the precinct, from driving and cycling to walking and public transport. Locals are encouraged to share their expectations, challenges and ideas to improve safety and ease congestion, particularly during busy school drop-off and pick-up times.

The insights collected will help develop a plan to address issues such as traffic flow, pedestrian safety, and accessibility. With three schools and a mix of residential and commercial areas in close proximity, the precinct is a focal point for daily travel, making community input critical to shaping practical and lasting solutions.

Community members can have their say through surveys and engagement sessions, ensuring their voices contribute to creating a precinct that is safer and more efficient for everyone.

HAVE YOUR SAY

About Brisbane’s Safer School Precincts

The Safer School Precincts program is designed to support Brisbane’s growing suburbs while creating lasting benefits for local communities.

The program places its focus on road safety upgrades, stronger pedestrian connections and better opportunities for active travel. These improvements are intended to make it safer for students on their journeys to and from school.

Read: Mansfield State High Draws Families From Across Brisbane

Planned improvements aim to strengthen connections to Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games venues, with upgraded pathways and public transport options making it easier for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to move within precincts and access key destinations.

Published 11-September-2025

Thousands Flock to Minnippi Parklands for Brisbane Kite Festival

The skies above Tingalpa Model Aero Club came alive on Sunday as thousands flocked to the Brisbane Kite Festival, filling Minnippi Parklands with a kaleidoscope of colour, laughter, and community spirit.

Read: Mr Jeebus: Tingalpa Burger Named Best in Queensland

From giant creatures soaring overhead to homemade kites wobbling skyward, the annual event once again proved why it has become one of Brisbane’s most beloved family days out. Organisers estimated crowds of more than 7,000, with families travelling from across the city to join in the fun.

While the kites were the main attraction, the festival offered something for everyone. The grounds were dotted with food trucks, a sausage sizzle, rides and a magic show, while the Carina Men’s Shed added a touch of local flair. For those without a kite in hand, the professional displays by Kites Queensland drew eyes skyward, with vibrant designs dancing against the clear blue sky.

Brisbane Kite Festival — Photo credit: Cr Lisa Atwood/Facebook

The Rotary Clubs of Balmoral and Carindale, together with support from Council, once again took the lead in delivering the festival, backed by a small army of volunteers. From dawn set-ups to late-afternoon pack-downs, their efforts ensured the day ran smoothly. Local scouts and school volunteers also pitched in, reinforcing the community-first spirit that has become the hallmark of the event.

First held in 2011 at Murarrie Recreation Reserve, the festival shifted to its current home at Tingalpa in 2023. Since then, it has only grown in scale and popularity, bouncing back stronger than ever after the Covid years.

For many families, the appeal lies in the simple joy of flying a kite. “There’s something magical about it, kids running, parents laughing, and bright kites filling the sky,” one festival-goer said while helping their child untangle string from the grass.

Cr Lisa Atwood, who attended on Sunday, described the atmosphere as “a wonderful day out for families, kite lovers and anyone who wants to enjoy a vibrant community atmosphere.” She also praised the Rotary volunteers and community groups who made the festival possible.

Read: The Beginnings of Collins Estate, the ‘Most Cheerful’ Address in Annerley

With perfect weather, a safe family-friendly set-up, and endless skies for flying, this year’s Brisbane Kite Festival was a reminder that sometimes the best days out are built on the simplest of joys — good food, good company, and a kite soaring high.

Published 25-August-2025

Wynnum-Manly Knights Mark 81 years with Fundraising Dinner

The Wynnum-Manly Knights of the Southern Cross will host a fundraising dinner next month to continue their long tradition of supporting charities at home and abroad.

Read: Warm Response in Manly for Paul Dobbyn’s Launch of ‘War Spoils’

The dinner will be held on Saturday, September 13, at Club Manly in Faine Street, with all proceeds going towards local community groups and international aid projects.

Branch chairman Arend de Weger said the evening would be a chance for the community to come together.
“It’s going to be a fun and entertaining evening with a three-course meal, music, trivia and raffles,” he said.

Wynnum-Manly Knights — Photo Credit: Supplied

“Guest speaker is Paul Dobbyn, a local retired journalist, writer and poet, whose latest book War Spoils will be on sale and personally signed on the night.”

Eight decades of service

Mr de Weger said the Wynnum-Manly Knights were proud of their history.

“As a branch of the organization, we’re 81-years-young, still ready and willing to serve the Wynnum-Manly community and far beyond,” he said.

That work includes support for Rosies, Vinnies, the Emmanuel City Mission, and annual educational scholarships for students of Guardian Angels and St John Vianney’s Primary Schools.

“We recently donated $1000 to help Rosies in its important work with the marginalized in our society,” Mr de Weger said.

The branch has also extended support to the Veterans Care Association, along with overseas projects in Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Vietnam.

National reach

The Knights of the Southern Cross is a nationwide charitable order of Catholic men.

“The Order founded Southern Cross Care, which supports and assists the aged and infirm by providing aged care facilities and support services in various locations throughout Australia,” Mr de Weger said.

“We also support the work of Military Chaplaincy and our military.”

Internationally, the organisation has contributed to initiatives such as the building of a maternity wing at Minova Hospital in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Event details

Those wishing to attend the dinner are asked to contact branch treasurer Les Vickers by September 5 with expected attendance numbers and dietary requirements at treasbr46kscq@gmail.com.

Read: War Stories Unearthed in Shoebox Inspire Brisbane Author

More information on the Knights of the Southern Cross is available at qld.ksca.org.au.

Published 20-August-2025

Lota Creek Catchment Properties Among Thousands Affected by Flood Risk Map Update

Residents in Lota, Manly, and neighbouring bayside suburbs are among thousands across Brisbane set to appear on a newly updated flood risk map to be released next month.

Read: Manly and Nearby Suburbs Eligible for Cyclone Alfred Relief Payments

From 19 September, the council will incorporate revised flood modelling into its planning scheme, reflecting the latest studies conducted in the Lota Creek, Breakfast Creek, and Jindalee catchments. City-wide, 17,246 properties will be affected: 10,129 properties will be included for the first time, more than 2,000 properties will shift into a higher risk category, and about 400 properties will be removed.

Photo credit: Brisbane Flood Awareness Map

For the bayside, the Lota Creek catchment spans parts of Lota, Manly, Manly West, Ransome, Wakerley, Gumdale, and Chandler. The updated modelling focuses solely on creek and waterway flooding, meaning it does not apply to Brisbane River or overland flooding. The mapping reflects recent flood events, advances in technology, and new national guidelines that account for greater climate change impacts, raising projected rainfall allowances in modelling by as much as 60 percent.

flood risk map — Photo credit: Marissa Jackson/Google Maps

Council says the revised flood awareness tool is intended to help residents better understand potential risks, make informed property decisions, and plan for resilience. Some affected properties may face only a very low likelihood of flooding, such as a one-in-2,000-year event, but will still be included for awareness and planning purposes.

While the council has urged insurers not to use the new mapping to impose excessive premium increases, it has acknowledged it cannot control how insurance companies respond. Residents concerned about potential financial impacts are encouraged to contact their insurer and, if necessary, seek competitive quotes.

For those in the Lota Creek catchment, especially low-lying streets near the creek mouth and adjacent wetlands, the update is an opportunity to review flood preparation plans, consider property modifications, and understand the level of risk, however small, that may now apply.

Resident Checklist: Lota & Manly Flood Risk Map Update

1. Check your property’s updated flood risk

Visit Brisbane’s Flood Awareness Map online.
Enter your address, select the Creek/Waterway Flooding layer, and review your property’s category.

2. Read your council letter carefully

Look out for an official letter from Council explaining your flood category change.
Keep this for insurance and property records.

3. Contact your insurer

Inform your insurer of your current risk category and request confirmation of any premium changes.
If your premiums rise, compare quotes from other providers.

4. Review your flood preparation plan

Identify evacuation routes and nearby safe areas.
Keep an emergency kit with essentials such as bottled water, non-perishable food, important documents, and a torch.

5. Consider property upgrades

For homes in higher risk zones, explore flood-resilient building materials, raised electrical outlets, and improved drainage.
Seek professional advice for cost-effective flood mitigation.

Read: Cyclone Alfred Aftermath: Road Closures and Recovery in Tingalpa

6. Stay informed

Subscribe to council alerts for severe weather warnings.
Attend any community information sessions if announced for the Lota Creek catchment.

7. Keep communication open

Talk to neighbours, especially if they’re elderly or new to the area, so they’re aware of the changes.
Share reliable information, not rumours, about the flood map update.

Published 14-August-2025

Manly Residents First To Get Green Waste Bins In New Citywide Rollout

Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council

Manly households are the very first in Brisbane to receive green-lidded garden waste bins, marking the start of a major push to turn garden clippings into mulch rather than landfill.

A Broader Effort For Cleaner Neighbourhoods

Green-waste bins were delivered to Manly and nearby suburbs on 4 August 2025, with fortnightly collections starting two weeks later. The service, funded through Queensland’s Grow FOGO program, will alternate with recycling and is standard for all standalone homes unless residents opt out.

It aims to make garden waste disposal easier and reduce landfill by diverting tens of thousands of tonnes each year.

What It Means For Manly Households

Residents of standalone homes in Manly without a green bin will get one automatically between 4 and 15 August. Collections start fortnightly after delivery. Apartment and townhouse residents can request a bin at no charge, assessed case by case.

Those who don’t want a bin must submit an online opt-out request by 1 December 2025, citing valid reasons such as limited garden space or established composting, but fees won’t be reduced even if they opt out.

Simple Fees, Shared Benefits

All ratepayers in Brisbane now pay a universal waste charge of $512.96 a year, which includes the green-waste service. That’s around $49.60 more annually than before. Households that already had a green bin won’t see extra charges, and anyone wanting an additional bin can request one for about $49.52 a year.

Fundamentally, this system means cleaner streets and less waste, with residents in Manly helping transform garden refuse into useful mulch for local green spaces.

Keeping Neighbours Informed

The council has urged residents to check their rollout schedule to know when their bin will arrive. Staying informed helps keep footpaths clear and ensures green waste is sorted correctly.

In Manly, sharing details with neighbours through notice boards or social media can help everyone use the service effectively. As the rollout continues through December, residents can support each other with reminders and adapt to the more sustainable system together.

Published 13-August-2025

Bayside Photographers Shine in Prestigious Brisbane Competition

Photo Credit: Councillor Alex Givney/Facebook

Four Bayside locals have secured spots in the Top 25 of Brisbane’s Lord Mayor’s Photographic Awards, standing out from more than 1,700 entries across the city, with public voting open until 27 August.

Exhibition and Voting Details

Their works, celebrating the region’s landscapes, wildlife and community spirit, are now on public display in the CBD. The finalist photographs can be viewed until Wednesday, 27 August at the Brisbane Square Library foyer on George Street and Brisbane City Hall on Adelaide Street.

*Photo Credit: Councillor Alex Givney/Facebook*

The public can also cast their vote in the People’s Choice Award via the Brisbane City Council website during the exhibition period.

Local Talent in the Spotlight

Wynnum is proudly represented by four photographers whose images each tell a unique Bayside story. Kaspar Wood’s “Wynnum Crossroad” offers an aerial perspective of the Wynnum Jetty, highlighting its striking symmetry against the water. Ron Hook’s “Osprey Sunrise” captures morning light behind an osprey nest at Sandy Camp Road Wetlands Reserve in Wynnum West.

Sonny Wesley’s “A Stroll Towards Tranquility” shows two friends walking together at daybreak, while Martin Phoenix’s “Catching a Sunrise” frames the morning sun through one of the Wynnum Jetty shelters as early risers fish nearby.

Award-Winning Images Across Brisbane

This year’s winners include Alberto Omar Perera Perez, who won the Open Category with “Witnesses,” a sunrise scene at Mt Coot-tha Summit. Vincent McLachlan placed second for “A Nostalgic Walk in the Park,” and Thomas Howell came third with “Reflections of Time” showing Brisbane City Hall’s clock tower.

Other winners were Hai Chih Huang (Student), Zheng Wang (Social Media), Mark Higgins (Green Heart) and Daniel Fewquandie (LaVonne Bobongie Award). All winning and finalist photographs are on display at the Brisbane Square foyer and Brisbane City Hall until 27 August.

Celebrating Brisbane Through Photography

The annual competition invites Brisbane residents, workers and students to showcase the city’s character through photography. This year’s theme celebrates the 100th anniversary of Greater Brisbane, inspiring images of its places, experiences and events.

vote here

Multiple Bayside finalists have sparked community pride and highlighted the region’s creative growth. Visitors can view the exhibitions and vote in the People’s Choice Award.

Published 13-August-2025

Chandler’s Lincoln Wearing Sets New Marks in 800m and 1500m Freestyle

Photo Credit: SwimmingWorld

Chandler swimmer Lincoln Wearing has delivered a record-breaking run across state, national, and international meets, setting new Australian age records in the 800m and 1500m freestyle.

Record Performance at Queensland Short Course Championships

At the 2025 Hancock Prospecting Queensland Short Course Championships, Lincoln Wearing set a new Australian 15 years age and All-Comers record in the men’s 800m freestyle. His time of 7:50.88 was more than four seconds faster than the previous mark set by Sam Short in 2019. He also broke the Queensland record in the 200m backstroke at the same meet.

His medal haul at the championships included gold in the 800m freestyle, 200m backstroke, 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle, 400m freestyle, and 200m individual medley, silver in the 100m butterfly, and bronze in the 200m butterfly.

Australian swimming records — *Photo Credit: Chandler Swimming Club/Instagram*

National Success at Australian Age Championships

In April 2025, Wearing broke Mack Horton’s 2011 national 15 years record in the 800m freestyle, finishing in 8:03.73. He also secured gold in the 200m backstroke, 400m freestyle, 200m freestyle, and 1500m freestyle, as well as a silver in the 4x50m freestyle relay.

The 1500m victory came in 15:26.14, while his 200m freestyle win was in 1:51.51, just ahead of twin brother Isaac Wearing.

Lincoln Wearing — *Photo Credit: SwimmingQLD/Facebook*

Breaking Long-Standing Queensland Record

At the 2024 Hancock Prospecting Queensland Long Course Championships, Wearing broke Grant Hackett’s 28-year-old Queensland 15 years 1500m record, setting a new time of 15:28.90. This performance was more than 52 seconds faster than his result at the 2024 Australian Age Championships earlier that year.

Chandler swimming — *Photo Credit: Chandler Swimming Club/Instagram*

Early International Impact

Wearing’s record-breaking run began at the 2024 New Zealand Short Course Championships, where he claimed seven gold medals, one silver, and one bronze. In the 800m freestyle, he set an Australian 14 years age record of 8:04.72, surpassing Sam Short’s 2018 mark.

Selection for National Development Program

In July 2025, Wearing was selected for Swimming Australia’s Next Wave Invitational Competition Camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, alongside Ava Gaske and Isaac Wearing. The program is designed to prepare athletes for future international competition and potential Olympic representation.

Published 13-Aug-2025

Moreton Bay Fatalities Off Manly Cited in 2024 Safety Findings

Photo Credit: Pexels

A state marine safety report and subsequent media coverage have pointed to the Boxing Day 2023 boating tragedy off Manly as a reminder that serious incidents can occur even in calm Queensland waters.

Marine Safety Report and Manly Connection

The Marine Incidents in Queensland 2024 report, tabled in Parliament in August 2025, found that about a third of last year’s boating incidents occurred in calm waters and good weather. While the report’s regional breakdown does not list “Moreton Bay” separately, media coverage noted no boating fatalities recorded in the bay in 2024 — a contrast to the Boxing Day 2023 incident off Manly, used as an example of past dangers.

Queensland marine safety — *Photo Credit: Pexels*

Details of the 2023 Manly Tragedy

On 26 December 2023, a 12-metre motorised pleasure craft carrying 11 men on an annual fishing trip capsized during a violent storm in Moreton Bay. Eight men were rescued and brought to Manly Marina, while three — identified as Robert Holden, Stephen Tait, and David “Mario” Logan — died in the incident.

The vessel overturned amid winds of about 100 kilometres per hour, with survivors found clinging to the hull. Search teams recovered one body on the day, a second later that night, and the third the following morning.

Wider Storm Impacts

The Manly capsizing was part of a severe weather system over the Christmas period that caused multiple fatalities across south-east Queensland. In total, seven people died in separate incidents linked to the storms, which brought winds exceeding 150 kilometres per hour in some areas and left extensive damage.

Manly boating tragedy — *Photo Credit: Pexels*

Findings from the 2024 Report

The marine safety report recorded 312 incidents in 2024, resulting in eight fatalities, 45 hospital admissions, and 57 other injuries. Almost 64 per cent of incidents occurred in smooth waters, and human error was the most frequently cited factor.

Investigators found that in seven of the eight fatal cases last year, the victims drowned or were presumed to have drowned. Three of the eight fatalities were known to be wearing lifejackets; among the seven who drowned, two were wearing one. Several victims were boating alone in small or open vessels.

Ongoing Safety Measures

Maritime Safety Queensland has introduced measures to improve safety compliance, including updated registration and licensing processes, a review of safety equipment rules, and statewide waterways management plans. New lifejacket regulations for heightened-risk activities came into effect in December 2024, with enforcement beginning in July 2025.

Published 11-Aug-2025

Bayside Residents Push Back Against Proposed Night-Time Flight Path Trial

Bayside residents are rallying against a proposed 2026 night-time flight path from Brisbane Airport, warning it will increase aircraft noise, harm quality of life, and impact the environment.

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

A petition on Change.org, signed by residents of Wynnum North, West, and Central, Manly, Manly West, Hemmant, and wider Bayside communities, has called for Airservices Australia to withdraw its “tight left turn” departure route, which would operate during night-time runway maintenance.

Opponents said the change could expose about 50,000 more people to noise, disrupt sleep, worsen mental health, and lower property values. They also fear it will set a precedent for lifting restrictions on the airport’s second runway at night, potentially paving the way for more flight paths and increased air traffic.

flight path — Photo credit: Brisbane Airport/Google Maps

A similar 2023 plan was abandoned after safety and environmental risks were identified, but residents claim the new proposal is even tighter and has not undergone a proper Environmental Impact Assessment despite crossing the Moreton Bay Ramsar Wetlands.

Airservices Australia maintains the trial aims to reduce aircraft noise in other parts of Brisbane and says the design has been shaped by industry and community engagement. The agency says the new route is one of several options considered and believes it offers a balance between noise mitigation and operational efficiency.

Flight Path Details

Under the proposal, which is part of Airservices Australia’s Noise Action Plan for Brisbane, departing aircraft would use the airport’s second runway and execute a tight left-hand turn immediately after take-off, flying over industrial and airport land before heading out across Moreton Bay. Once over water and at higher altitudes, planes would join their regular flight paths.

The trial, scheduled during upcoming runway maintenance next year, would see aircraft pass at altitudes as low as 549 metres over parts of Wynnum North, Wynnum West, Manly, Hemmant and Lytton, as well as the Caltex refinery, Port of Brisbane, and sections of the Moreton Bay Marine Park.

Read: Street Spotlight: Manly Rd, Manly West

Airservices stated that the option was selected for testing because it may deliver overall noise benefits across the wider Brisbane region, though Bayside locals argue it shifts the burden onto new communities.

Published 11-August-2025