Manly Archives - Page 2 of 13

The Grand Manly House That Changed Its Purpose

A grand historic residence in Manly that began as an exclusive seaside retreat for a wealthy banker now functions as a vital home for the Presentation Sisters.

An Exclusive Bayside Retreat

The house, originally named ‘Culterfel’, was built around 1885. It was constructed for James Gibson, a bank manager, as a holiday home. It was one of the very first holiday houses to be built in the area, which was being developed as the ‘Manly Beach Estate’.

The home was described in an advertisement from 1887 as a “mansion worthy of the site,” positioned to take advantage of the extensive views over Moreton Bay. Mr. Gibson and his family used the house for holidays until he retired in the early 1890s and moved in permanently.

After Mr Gibson, the property was sold in 1911 to a grazier named John Henry Hart. Mr. Hart also used the home as a holiday and retirement residence. During his ownership, the house was a centre for the local community, hosting fetes and meetings.

A New Community Role

The property’s purpose changed completely when it was purchased by Brisbane’s Roman Catholic Archbishop, James Duhig, in 1935. The Archbishop was working to establish more churches and schools in the growing suburbs.

He had already established the St John Vianney parish on nearby land where the ‘Wyvernleigh’ residence once stood. ‘Culterfel’ was immediately put to use, becoming the home for the parish priest, Rev. Father Butler. The lower level of the house was even used as a temporary mass centre for the local community.

In 1940, the house was remodelled to serve a new and lasting purpose: to become a seaside convent. The building was officially blessed and opened in January 1941 as the St Philomena’s Convent and School.

It became the home of the Presentation Sisters, an order focused on education and community outreach. The Sisters started the school from the convent building, opening with just over 80 students.

The school was later renamed St John Vianney’s Catholic Primary School and moved into a new, purpose-built schoolhouse across the road in 1953. The original ‘Culterfel’ building was formally transferred to the Sisters in 1959 and continues to serve as their convent to this day, a landmark of community service.

Published Date 18-December-2025

Porsche Centre Brisbane Named Major Partner For Manly Finn Championships

Photo Credit: RQYS/Facebook

The 2026 Finn World Sailing Championships in Manly will be backed by Porsche Centre Brisbane, with the partnership supporting a February regatta series hosted at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron.

Partnership Announcement In Manly

Porsche Centre Brisbane has been confirmed as a major event partner for the 2026 Finn World Sailing Championships. The partnership is linked to a February 2026 program hosted by Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in Manly, Queensland.

The partnership involves Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron and the International Finn Association of Australia, with the regattas scheduled across several consecutive events during the month.

February 2026 Regatta Schedule

The Manly program includes the Australian Finn National Championships, the Finn Gold Cup and the Finn World Masters.

Provided information lists different start and finish dates for the Australian Finn National Championships and the Finn Gold Cup. The partnership announcement lists the Nationals running 7–12 February 2026 and the Gold Cup running 13–19 February 2026, while the event information page lists the Nationals as 7–10 February 2026 and the Gold Cup as 12–19 February 2026.

The Finn World Masters is listed consistently as 20–27 February 2026.

Event Context And Significance

The Finn is a single-handed dinghy that previously competed as an Olympic class, debuting at the Helsinki Olympics in 1952. The class is known for demanding on-water competition at high performance levels.

The February series is expected to attract more than 500 competitors and supporters, according to the partnership announcement. The same source states the Finn Gold Cup will return to Brisbane for the first time in 50 years, and the Finn World Masters will be contested in the Southern Hemisphere for the first time, running back-to-back with the Gold Cup.

Manly Finn Championships — *Photo Credit: RQYS/Facebook*

Host Venue Background

Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron is based on the waterfront in Manly and was formed in 1885. The club hosts regular championship racing for members and also stages national and international regattas on Moreton Bay.

Community Response Online

Social media responses to the announcement indicate positive anticipation for the February 2026 schedule. Comments referenced hosting and servicing multiple Finn events across the month and described the period as a major sailing month for Manly.

What Happens Next

Event updates, official notices, volunteer information and entry links are being managed through the event channels listed for each regatta. Organisers are continuing preparations ahead of the February 2026 series in Manly.

Published 18-Dec-2025

Manly and Manly West included in Brisbane Hailstorm Hardship Assistance

For some households in Manly and Manly West, the November 2025 severe hailstorms caused significant disruption, damaging homes and cutting power. In response, targeted hardship assistance has now been activated to help eligible, uninsured residents meet essential recovery needs and begin restoring their properties.

Read: Manly Pummelled by 11cm-Hail as Storms Rip Across SEQ

The income-tested support extends beyond Manly and Manly West to other bayside and eastern suburbs impacted by the storms, including Gumdale, Lota, Ransome, Wakerley, Wynnum and Wynnum West. These suburbs are among 15 across Brisbane that have been included in the assistance package following property damage and service disruptions linked to the hailstorms.

The financial assistance is being delivered under the joint Commonwealth–state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). It is available to uninsured residents who meet income eligibility requirements and whose primary place of residence was damaged during the storm event. The measures are intended to help residents address essential recovery costs and return affected homes to a safe and liveable condition.

Photo credit: Facebook/Queensland Reconstruction Authority

For Manly and Manly West residents, the assistance comes as clean-up and repair efforts continue across the community. While some damage was immediately visible, other issues have emerged over time as residents assess the full impact of the hail and power outages. For households without insurance, managing these recovery costs can be particularly challenging.

Three forms of Personal Hardship Assistance are available, depending on individual circumstances.

Structural Assistance Grants provide the highest level of support. Eligible, uninsured owner-occupiers may receive up to $80,000 to help repair or replace a disaster-damaged dwelling. The aim of this funding is to ensure homes can be returned to a condition that is safe and fit to live in, rather than to fund non-essential improvements.

Essential Household Contents Grants are also available to help residents replace basic household items that were destroyed as a result of the storms. This income-tested assistance can be used to replace items such as refrigerators, washing machines and beds. Payments are available up to $1,765 for individuals, or up to $5,300 for couples and families.

A third measure, the Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme, offers grants of up to $5,000 per household. This assistance is for uninsured homeowners who need support to reconnect essential services such as electricity, gas, water or sewerage where storm damage has affected safety or access.

While Manly and Manly West are among the bayside suburbs included, the assistance package also applies to other parts of Brisbane impacted by the hailstorms. Suburbs covered by the activation include Ashgrove, Bardon, Boondall, Ferny Grove, Keperra, Mount Crosby and The Gap, highlighting the wide reach of the storm system as it moved across the city.

Government representatives have noted that severe weather events are increasing in strength and frequency, placing greater pressure on households and communities. The hardship assistance has been introduced to ensure support is available for residents most affected by the storms, particularly those without insurance who meet the eligibility criteria.

Affected residents are encouraged to check their eligibility and seek information about the assistance available to them. Details about the grants, including eligibility requirements and application processes, are available through the Queensland Government’s disaster assistance website.

Support is also available through the 24-hour Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349, which can provide guidance on applications and information about other recovery services.

Read: How Manly West Homeowners Can Protect Themselves From Roof Repair Scams

As Manly and Manly West continue the recovery process, the hardship assistance offers a practical form of support for eligible households working to restore their homes and essential services after last month’s hailstorms.

Published 16-December-2025

Manly Pummelled by 11cm-Hail as Storms Rip Across SEQ

Photo Credit: Reddit

Residents in bayside Manly and nearby suburbs say they watched their street turn white in minutes as giant hailstones punched into roofs and cars, part of a ferocious storm front that tore across South East Queensland and left tens of thousands of homes in the dark.

On Monday, 24 November, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) reported hail measuring up to 11 centimetres at Manly and suburbs like Ferny Hills and Alexandra Hills at about 3:30 p.m., as supercell thunderstorms flared from the New South Wales border through Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay.

Giant hail, destructive winds and intense lightning cut power to more than 150,000 customers, with Moreton Bay, Ipswich and the Sunshine Coast among the hardest hit.

Community Left Picking Up the Pieces

By early evening, Manly locals were out with torches, tarps and brooms, checking on neighbours and sweeping hail from driveways as the last rumbles of thunder moved north over the bay. On social media, some families in Manly described watching the sky “go green” before the hail hit, while others said they had never seen stones that size in their street. The weather was so violent that Brisbane Airport briefly halted flights after a 107 kilometres per hour wind gust was recorded.

Photos shared with media outlets showed hailstones larger than cricket balls sitting in residents’ hands, with the Bureau confirming the 11-centimetre readings that put Manly among the worst-hit suburbs.

Across Brisbane’s bayside, residents reported damaged roofs, smashed skylights and dented cars as the storm cell swept in off the water. Emergency crews said they had been inundated with calls from the city’s eastern suburbs, including Manly, with the State Emergency Service logging more than 2,200 requests for help across the south-east once the system passed. Brisbane City, Logan and Moreton Bay generated the highest number of SES call-outs.

The damage came after hours of warnings that large and even “giant” hail was likely. BoM and private weather services had flagged “super-cellular” thunderstorms capable of producing hail up to 10 centimetres, as well as damaging winds and heavy rain across the south-east.

Local Resilience and What Comes Next

Despite the scale of the damage, the response in Manly and the surrounding suburbs was swift. SES crews moved from street to street to clear debris and secure damaged roofs, while community groups used social media to match volunteers with residents needing help. Some families in Manly who escaped with only minor damage offered spare rooms and hot showers to friends whose homes had been hit harder, further inland.

BoM indicated that the atmosphere over Queensland remained unstable, meaning more storms were possible in the days following Monday’s outbreak. Residents have been urged to keep an eye on official updates and follow SES advice about securing loose items, moving cars under cover, and staying indoors if new warnings are issued.

Published 25-Nov-2025

Manly’s Strategy: Why 34 School Teams Took Video Game Seriously

Thirty-four school teams across Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE), representing a broad community spirit that stretches to suburbs like Manly, traded textbooks for tactics in a massive strategy-based video game competition that proved gaming is a serious pathway to developing career skills.

The BCE Minecraft Esports Gala Day, a two-day event held on November 6 and 7, saw students from primary and secondary schools gather at San Sisto College in Carina. The challenge was ‘Capture the Flag’, played within the controlled environment of Minecraft Education. Students did not rely on chance; they used pure intellectual effort and teamwork to capture flags before the time limit expired.

Esports: The New Classroom

video game — *Photo Credit:* *Brisbane Catholic Education/ Facebook*

The competition was managed by The FUSE Cup, an organisation that focuses on fostering positive gaming habits and digital citizenship in schools.

BCE’s involvement in Esports demonstrates a clear commitment to modern learning. A Senior Advisor for Learning and Experience at BCE, Ange Barton, noted that the students did not simply turn up to play; they had been practising and strategising their game plans for months. Ms Barton emphasised that competitive gaming offers students the chance to explore skills vital to the modern global industry, including leadership and strategic direction.

BCE believes that its 77,000 students have varied interests, and Esports provides a valuable opportunity, just like other whole-of-system competitions such as Rugby 7’s and STEM MAD (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Making a Difference). The event was focused on developing future-focused skills in areas like strategy, problem-solving, negotiation, and teamwork, preparing students for an ever-changing professional world.

Safe, Social, and Supportive

The competition distinguished itself from typical online gaming by promoting healthy gaming habits. A key difference was that students competed against others who were physically present in the same room, rather than opponents playing online from unknown locations.

Ms Barton stressed that this in-person, controlled environment ensures the competition is safe, structured, supervised, supportive, social, inclusive, and values-focused.

The FUSE Cup’s Chief Operating Officer, Dan Martinez, supported this philosophy, confirming that their competitions are designed to be safe, structured, and values-focused to support young students’ wellbeing while they participate in competitive school-based activities.

A Year 11 student from San Sisto College named Caitlain said the competition was a great chance to represent her school in a fun manner. She explained that she got to learn new things and compete against real people, highlighting the social and competitive advantages of the format.

Community Teams Engage

Thirty-four teams participated in the inaugural event. Day one featured primary school teams, including All Saint’s Primary School (Albany Creek), St Mary MacKillop Primary School (Birkdale), and Our Lady of Assumption School (Enoggera).

Day two involved secondary colleges such as Carmel College (Thornlands), St Columban’s College (Caboolture), Trinity College (Beenleigh), and the host, San Sisto College (Carina). The broad representation across the system cemented the competition as a vibrant community event celebrating diverse student talents.

Published Date 19-November-2025

Manly War Memorial: The Full Story of the Vandalised Statue

Photo Credit: Anzac Square

Before it was a cherished park, the site of the Manly War Memorial was a simple water reserve known as the Manly Dam, chosen to become a place of honour for 16 local men.

A Solemn Beginning

The community first gathered for the memorial’s dedication on 5 March 1921. It was established to remember 16 local men who did not return from the First World War. The original structure was impressive, featuring a life-sized soldier crafted from white Carrara marble. This statue stood on a pedestal of Helidon brown freestone and a base of Enoggera granite, representing the qualities of the ideal Australian: courage, loyalty, and youth.

A Symbol Targeted

Over the years, the memorial sadly became a target for vandalism. This destructive behaviour reached a low point in 1992 when the marble soldier was torn from its pedestal and its head was broken off. For many years after this incident, the pedestal stood empty, a stark reminder of the statue’s absence and a source of distress for the local community.

The Digger’s Return

The community did not give up on its memorial. In 2007, a concrete replica of the original soldier was installed, finally filling the space. The figure stands in the traditional position of remembrance, with its head bowed and arms reversed. In a surprising twist, the damaged original marble statue, which many thought was lost forever, was found in 2013. It had been stored in a Brisbane City Council depot in Lota.

From Water Reserve to Honoured Park

The ground on which the memorial stands has its own deep history. Before it was a place of remembrance, the land was a water reserve known as the Manly Dam. In 1919, the local mayor, Richard Russell, selected the site for the memorial park. In recognition of his foresight, the park was officially named Richard Russell Park in 1990.

The site’s importance to the state was formally recognised when it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992. Today, the memorial honours not only the original 16 men but also the 21 locals who died in the Second World War, along with those who served in the Korean and Vietnam wars.

Published Date 10-November-2025

Brisbane Launches First Aerial Mosquito Sprays of the Season

Helicopters buzzed over Tingalpa Creek, as the first aerial mosquito sprays of the season took place across Brisbane’s bayside suburbs. Around 500 hectares were sprayed to curb early outbreaks of saltmarsh mosquitoes that had emerged after recent rainfall.

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

The operation, which took off from Myrtletown Reserve on 30 October 2025, focused on coastal and creek areas including Port of Brisbane, Tingalpa, Hemmant, and the waterways around Bulimba and Tingalpa creeks. Mud Island, St Helena Island, and Green Island were also included in the program.

Brisbane’s entomology team said the sprays were scheduled when mosquito hatching activity was detected. The work was part of an extensive mosquito management programme that ran throughout the year to keep pest numbers under control and reduce the risk of mosquito-borne diseases.

Photo credit: Instagram/Cr Adrian Schrinner

Chief Entomologist Dr Martin Shivas said mosquito activity tended to rise sharply once the warmer months arrived. He explained that the combination of heat, rainfall and king tides between December and March created ideal conditions for breeding, and that the timing and intensity of each season depended on these environmental factors.

Dr Shivas added that while the team worked continuously on ground treatments across more than 2,400 freshwater breeding sites, aerial spraying was carried out whenever there was a significant saltmarsh hatch. Each year’s mosquito season, he said, presents different challenges depending on rainfall, tides and temperature, with aerial and ground treatments scheduled accordingly.

Last season, Brisbane conducted 12 aerial treatments between October and March, covering more than 16,000 hectares. With the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting above-average rainfall for southeast Queensland over the following months, local residents were encouraged to do their part in minimising breeding grounds around their homes.

How residents can prepare for the mosquito season

Residents can take simple but effective steps to reduce mosquito numbers over the coming season. They should empty water-holding containers such as buckets, pot plant saucers and bird baths, which can quickly become breeding sites after rain. It also helps to ensure gutters are clear of leaves and that rainwater tank openings are properly screened to prevent mosquitoes from entering.

When mosquitoes are active, residents are advised to wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing that covers arms and legs, and to apply insect repellent to exposed skin. Limiting time outdoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active can further reduce the risk of bites. Additional protection can come from using mosquito coils, lanterns or insecticide emanators during outdoor activities.

Read: Unexpected Encounters: Koalas Found in the Strangest of Places in Mansfield

By following these steps, bayside residents, from Manly to Tingalpa, Hemmant and beyond, can help reduce mosquito numbers over the summer and enjoy the outdoors with fewer of the season’s unwelcome visitors.

Published 3-November-2025

A Year of Crime in Manly & Manly West: Property Offences Lead, Evenings Busiest

Manly and Manly West recorded a combined 746 offences between 16 October 2024 and 16 October 2025, according to the Queensland Police Service’s Online Crime Map. Within that total, Manly accounted for 351 offences and Manly West 518.

The offence mix across the two suburbs was led by other theft (excluding unlawful entry), followed by drug offences, unlawful entry, and other property damage. Smaller but regular categories included traffic and related offences, assault, good order offences, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, trespassing & vagrancy, and handling stolen goods.

By time of day, offences were most frequent 2 pm–10 pm (297 incidents), then 6 am–2 pm (226), and 10 pm–6 am (223).

By day of the week, Friday, Saturday and Sunday were the busiest days, while Tuesday was the quietest.

Looking month-to-month, the highest totals were June 2025 (84), March 2025 (73) and December 2024 (70). The lowest were February 2025 (43) and May 2025 (47).

Overall, the combined area shows a property-heavy profile typical of busy bayside suburbs, with incidents clustering around shopping strips, arterial roads and nearby residential streets. Routine precautions — locking vehicles, securing valuables and reporting suspicious activity promptly — remain the most effective ways to reduce opportunistic crime.

Published 16-Oct-2025

Tingalpa’s Valenhold and Garth Chester Named Brisbane Business Awards Finalists

Tingalpa will take the spotlight at this year’s Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Business Awards, with local company Valenhold and its co-founder and managing director Garth Chester announced as 2025 finalists.

Recognising Local Excellence

The Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Business Awards celebrate organisations and individuals making a significant impact across the city. Tingalpa-based Valenhold is a finalist in the ISPT Investment in Brisbane Award. Chester is also shortlisted for The Courier-Mail Business Person of the Year.

Winners will be announced at a gala ceremony on Thursday, November 6 at Brisbane City Hall.

A Veteran’s Path to Business Leadership

Chester’s journey to business recognition follows over two decades of service in aviation, defence and resources. In 2022, he was named Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year, acknowledging his efforts to build a successful enterprise after military service while also supporting other veterans into civilian careers.

*Photo Credit:* *Matt Thistlethwaite MP*/Facebook

His career has included leading billion-dollar cost-saving programs, supporting start-ups and expanding international market reach. With Valenhold, Chester has focused on delivering practical solutions that combine global supply chains with skilled Australian service providers.

Valenhold’s Role in Industry

Operating from Tingalpa, Valenhold was founded in 2015 and has become known for bridging the gap between overseas manufacturers and local industries in mining, infrastructure, renewables and civil construction.

By offering cost-efficient, high-quality solutions, the company not only supports national industries but also strengthens opportunities for employment within the community.

Community Pride in Tingalpa

Having both a local company and a local business leader recognised at the Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Business Awards puts Tingalpa firmly on the map as a hub of innovation and leadership.

Chester has said in past public statements that his work is about more than building a successful company, it is also about delivering value to communities and supporting the next generation of veterans as they enter civilian careers.

Published 30-September-2025

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