A Sandgate couple who invested $48,000 in Bitcoin during retirement eventually made almost half a million dollars, transforming their financial circumstances after years of limited superannuation savings.
Terry and Justine Sanders purchased the cryptocurrency in 2019 and cashed out four years later, in 2023. Speaking publicly about their experience in May 2025, the couple described how the investment had changed their retirement, despite their initial unfamiliarity with digital currencies.
Retirement savings take an unexpected turn
Terry said their savings had been running low and their superannuation had never amounted to much. He compared the Bitcoin gains with the modest returns from their superannuation and a bank account paying 2 per cent interest.
The couple reported making almost $500,000 after selling their holdings, although the published account did not establish the precise sale proceeds, net profit or applicable taxes. Justine, who was 79 when interviewed, described the outcome as life-changing.
Their involvement in cryptocurrency also surprised people their own age. Justine said they had told very few of their peers about the investment because those who knew about it questioned their judgement.
Neither had been particularly comfortable with the technology at first. Terry acknowledged that they had gradually improved their skills, although their grandchildren remained considerably more proficient.
Cryptocurrency attracts more older investors
The Sanders couple are among a growing number of older Australians who have entered the cryptocurrency market, despite its history of sharp price movements.
Research by cryptocurrency exchange Independent Reserve found that the proportion of surveyed Australians aged over 65 who had owned cryptocurrency rose from 2 per cent in 2019 to 8.2 per cent in 2025. The findings were based on an annual survey of approximately 2,000 Australians.
A subsequent 2026 survey by Independent Reserve estimated that 33 per cent of Australians had owned cryptocurrency, compared with 31 per cent in its 2025 findings.
Bitcoin, the best-known cryptocurrency, is traded through digital platforms rather than traditional savings accounts. Its value is driven by market demand and can fluctuate dramatically, creating opportunities for large gains alongside the possibility of substantial losses.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has warned that cryptocurrency can be particularly risky for retirees who depend on their savings to cover living expenses.
ASIC commissioner Alan Kirkland explained in 2025 that cryptocurrency prices could rise quickly but could also collapse, leaving older investors with limited opportunities to rebuild their savings.
The regulator’s Moneysmart guidance identifies crypto assets as high-risk investments and warns of limited consumer protections, market volatility and the potential loss of invested funds.
Fraudulent investment platforms present another danger. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s Scamwatch service warns that scammers may use false promises of high returns, fabricated account balances and pressure tactics to persuade people to transfer money.
Terry recognised those dangers despite his own financial success. He acknowledged that people over 65 could face particular difficulties recovering from major investment losses because they generally had fewer working years ahead of them.
Why can someone manage a demanding career but struggle to pay a bill on time? Why does a bright teenager leave assignments until the last minute? And why does a child who understands instructions keep forgetting what to do next?
Sarah* is successful at work. She handles complicated projects, manages deadlines and is the person her colleagues turn to when something goes wrong.
Yet the simplest tasks at home can feel strangely overwhelming.
She has been meaning to book a dental appointment for weeks. A bill remains unpaid despite having enough money in her account. She knows the laundry needs doing, but somehow ends up tackling everything except the laundry.
She isn’t avoiding these things deliberately. She genuinely intends to do them. Getting started is the difficult part.
Sixteen-year-old Daniel* has a different version of the same frustration. He is bright, understands difficult concepts and can spend hours concentrating on subjects that interest him. But an assignment he has known about for three weeks remains untouched until the night before it is due.
His parents cannot understand why someone so capable needs constant reminders to complete ordinary schoolwork.
Eight-year-old Mia* presents another puzzle. She is a quiet child who does well in class, but regularly forgets instructions, loses her belongings and gets distracted halfway through getting ready for school.
Her parents sometimes wonder whether she is listening at all.
The experiences of Sarah, Daniel, and Mia illustrate the difficulties that many adults, teenagers and children encounter.
There can be several reasons for these behaviours. Persistent difficulties with attention, organisation and getting started on tasks can also be associated with a condition that does not always look the way people expect.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD.
*Sarah, Daniel, and Mia are pseudonyms. Some details have also been edited for privacy.
ADHD Doesn’t Always Look the Way We Expect
When Dr Anchita Karmakar speaks with people about ADHD, one of the misconceptions she encounters is that it always involves a restless child who cannot sit still.
In reality, ADHD can present in many different ways. It can affect attention, planning, organisation, impulse control and the ability to manage everyday responsibilities. Some of these difficulties are readily noticeable, while others can remain hidden for years.
Australian clinical guidelines estimate that ADHD affects approximately 6–10 per cent of children and adolescents and 2–6 per cent of adults.
As a GP and Medical Director at Telos Medical Centre in Brighton, Dr Karmakar believes one of the most important things families can understand is that ADHD does not always look the way they expect it to.
When Coping Becomes Exhausting
Some adults with ADHD become remarkably good at finding ways around their difficulties.
They may depend on multiple reminders, work late into the night to meet deadlines or maintain strict routines because they worry about forgetting something important.
To colleagues, friends and even family members, they may appear organised, productive and entirely in control. But what others cannot see is how much effort it takes to maintain that appearance.
We sometimes call this masking — when someone conceals or compensates for difficulties so they are less apparent to other people. Masking is not unique to ADHD, and not everyone with ADHD experiences it. For those who do, however, constantly trying to keep everything together can be exhausting.
I find it particularly important to explore how people have managed their responsibilities over time, rather than looking only at how well they appear to be functioning today.
Someone may have coped reasonably well through school or early adulthood, only to find things increasingly difficult after starting university, taking on a demanding job, becoming a parent or assuming greater responsibilities.
Sometimes, the demands of life simply become greater than the coping strategies a person has developed.
Executive Dysfunction: When Everyday Tasks Become Difficult
Another aspect of ADHD that I think deserves greater understanding is executive dysfunction.
Executive functions are the mental processes that help us plan, organise, prioritise, manage time and follow through on tasks.
Imagine knowing that an important bill needs to be paid, having the money available and fully understanding the consequences of missing the deadline — yet somehow continuing to put it off.
Or sitting down to begin a work project, knowing exactly what needs to be done, but finding it extraordinarily difficult to take the first step.
For some people with ADHD, this gap between knowing what to do and being able to do it can affect almost every part of daily life.
It may mean repeatedly running late, forgetting appointments, struggling to complete household tasks or becoming overwhelmed when several responsibilities compete for attention.
Over time, these difficulties can affect relationships, financial wellbeing, career opportunities and self-confidence. When people do not understand why these things keep happening, they may begin questioning their own abilities.
Figuring Out Why
Part of the explanation lies in how the brain regulates attention, motivation and the ability to act on our intentions.
Dopamine is one of the chemical messengers involved in these processes. Alongside noradrenaline and other brain systems, it plays a role in how we respond to rewards, sustain attention and manage everyday tasks.
ADHD is more complicated than simply having too little dopamine. However, differences in these systems can help explain why someone may find an interesting or urgent task relatively easy to complete, yet struggle to begin something routine, even when they understand its importance.
This is why I encourage people to look beyond labels such as lazy, careless or unmotivated. Sometimes, what appears to be a lack of effort is a genuine difficulty with the processes that help us turn intentions into actions.
However, I always emphasise that executive-function difficulties are not exclusive to ADHD. Poor sleep, anxiety, depression and other health conditions can produce similar experiences.
That is why a comprehensive assessment is so important. We need to understand the whole person, not simply identify a collection of symptoms.
Could It Be ADHD? When to Consider an Assessment
Clinicians consider 18 recognised ADHD symptoms:
nine relating to inattention and nine to hyperactivity and
impulsivity.
Examples include losing things, difficulty organising tasks,
forgetfulness, persistent restlessness, interrupting others
and difficulty waiting.
Under the
DSM-5 diagnostic criteria used in Australia
,
children up to age 16 generally need
at least six symptoms in either symptom group.
For people aged 17 and older, the threshold is
five symptoms in either group.
Symptom counts alone are not enough. The difficulties must:
Persist for at least six months.
Be inconsistent with the person’s developmental stage.
Have been evident in some form before age 12.
Occur in at least two settings, such as home, school or work.
Interfere with everyday functioning.
Not be better explained by another condition.
When is it worth seeking advice?
If persistent difficulties with attention, organisation,
impulsivity or restlessness are affecting work, studies,
relationships or home life, consider seeking a professional
assessment.
These signs do not necessarily mean you have ADHD.
Assessment considers other possible explanations alongside
medical and developmental history.
Why a Child’s Assessment Can Raise Questions for Parents
One of the interesting things about ADHD is its strong genetic component.
Sometimes, when parents begin learning about ADHD during their child’s assessment, they recognise experiences from their own childhood.
They may remember struggling to finish schoolwork, losing belongings, finding it difficult to concentrate or needing much more effort than their classmates to stay organised.
They may have developed ways of coping without ever considering that ADHD could be involved.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition, which means symptoms begin during childhood, although a person may not receive a diagnosis until adulthood.
Of course, recognising similarities between yourself and your child does not automatically mean you both have ADHD.
But it can be a useful starting point for a conversation with a healthcare professional, particularly when those difficulties have persisted over many years and continue to affect daily life.
When parents think about ADHD, they often picture a child who is constantly moving, interrupting conversations or struggling to remain seated.
Those behaviours can certainly be associated with ADHD, but they are not the only signs.
Some children have predominantly inattentive symptoms. They may be quiet, frequently daydream, miss parts of instructions or struggle to complete tasks even when they understand what is expected.
Others may regularly lose school materials, forget everyday routines, find it difficult to wait their turn or struggle to manage frustration.
I encourage parents to look for patterns rather than isolated incidents.
All children become distracted, restless or forgetful at times. What matters is whether these difficulties are persistent, greater than would be expected for the child’s developmental stage and affecting everyday life across different settings.
A child may experience difficulties at home that are also apparent to teachers at school.
Importantly, good academic results do not necessarily rule out ADHD. Some children perform well in class but expend considerable effort managing their attention, organisation and schoolwork.
We should not assume that a child is coping comfortably simply because their grades are good.
It’s Never Too Early to Ask for Help
If parents are concerned about their child’s attention, behaviour or development, my advice is not to wait until those concerns become serious problems before seeking guidance.
Seeking help early does not mean rushing into a diagnosis or medication.
For younger children, the first steps may involve discussing developmental concerns, learning practical strategies to support behaviour and routines, or working with early childhood educators.
A formal ADHD diagnosis may be more difficult to establish in very young children, and not every developmental concern will turn out to be ADHD.
Nevertheless, parents can seek professional advice whenever they notice persistent difficulties affecting their child’s wellbeing or development.
Early support can help families better understand a child’s needs and respond to challenges before they begin affecting learning, friendships or confidence.
Preparing for an ADHD Assessment
Whether you’re seeking advice for yourself or your
child, a little preparation can help make the first
appointment more productive. Here are some common
questions families have before an assessment.
What information should I prepare?
Write down examples of difficulties with attention,
organisation, impulsivity or completing tasks.
Include when they occur and how they affect school,
work, home life or relationships.
Are childhood school reports important?
They can be helpful, even for adults. ADHD symptoms
begin in childhood, so old reports, family
recollections and teacher observations may help
establish a developmental history.
Should I bring information from teachers or family members?
Yes, where available. Observations from people who
know the individual in different settings can
provide useful context. Ask the clinic beforehand
what information it prefers.
What medical information should I bring?
Details of current medications, previous
assessments, sleep difficulties, relevant medical
conditions and family history can help the clinician
consider possible explanations for symptoms.
Will an assessment automatically lead to medication?
No. An assessment does not guarantee an ADHD
diagnosis or a medication prescription. Treatment
recommendations depend on individual needs and
clinical findings.
What should I ask when booking?
Confirm the assessment process, appointment length,
expected costs, Medicare eligibility, whether
further consultations may be required and what
ongoing care is available.
For older children and adults, an ADHD assessment generally involves looking at current symptoms, developmental history and the impact of those symptoms on everyday life.
We may also consider information from family members, teachers, previous school reports or other relevant records.
One thing I want people to understand is that there is no single blood test or brain scan that can confirm ADHD.
Diagnosis involves a careful clinical assessment, including consideration of other medical, developmental or psychological conditions that could explain similar symptoms.
Why Access to Local ADHD Care Matters
For many families, deciding to seek an ADHD assessment is only the first hurdle. Finding an appropriately qualified clinician, arranging appointments and understanding the likely costs can also be challenging.
Waiting times vary considerably between providers and locations. Where specialist services have lengthy waiting lists, the delay can leave families trying to manage difficulties at home, school or work without a clear explanation or support plan.
I believe access to care closer to home can make a meaningful difference, particularly because ADHD assessment and management may involve more than one appointment.
A local clinic can make it easier for parents to fit consultations around school and work, and for adults to attend follow-up appointments without extensive travel. It may also help maintain continuity of care, allowing the treating clinician to monitor progress, discuss concerns and adjust a management plan where appropriate.
Accessibility and Cost
At Telos Medical Centre Brighton, we aim to provide an accessible pathway for people seeking ADHD-related care. Some patients may establish a stable management plan within several appointments, although the time required depends on individual circumstances.
More complex presentations can require additional investigations, specialist input or longer-term follow-up. The priority should always be a thorough assessment and appropriate care, rather than simply reaching a diagnosis quickly.
Cost is another consideration for families and adults exploring an ADHD assessment. At Telos Medical Centre Brighton, indicative initial assessment fees are $300 for children and $500 for adults.
Subsequent appointments may be bulk-billed for eligible patients, while standard adult follow-ups are approximately $45 out of pocket. Fees, Medicare eligibility and the number of appointments required can vary, so patients should confirm the expected costs and inclusions before booking.
Finding Support Close to Home
Queensland’s ADHD prescribing arrangements changed in December 2025, expanding the role of appropriately qualified specialist GPs in initiating and managing certain ADHD medications for adults, subject to specific requirements.
These changes are helping create additional pathways for people who need assessment and ongoing care.
At Telos Medical Centre in Brighton, we provide ADHD-related assessment and management services for children and adults.
My approach is to understand each person’s individual circumstances, including their developmental history, everyday challenges and broader health needs.
Treatment is not one-size-fits-all. Depending on the individual, it may involve education, behavioural strategies, psychological support, medication where appropriate and ongoing monitoring.
Not everyone diagnosed with ADHD will require the same treatment, and receiving a diagnosis does not automatically mean taking medication.
What matters is finding an approach that helps the person function better in their daily life and supports their overall wellbeing.
For parents wondering whether their child’s difficulties deserve closer attention, or adults who have spent years trying to understand their own experiences, I hope the message is reassuring.
ADHD is not always obvious, and it can affect people in different ways. Asking questions, recognising patterns and seeking appropriate guidance can be the beginning of a better understanding of yourself or someone you care about.
About Dr Anchita Karmakar
General Practitioner and Medical Director,
Telos Medical Centre Brighton
Dr Anchita Karmakar is a General Practitioner and
Medical Director at Telos Medical Centre Brighton.
Her special areas of interest include ADHD assessment,
women’s health with a focus on perimenopause and
menopause, cardiac risk assessments, integrative
health, addiction medicine and pain management.
Telos Medical Centre Brighton is a Proud Promotional Partner of Brisbane Suburbs Online News
According to Dementia Australia, an estimated 446,500 Australians are living with dementia in 2026, and that number is projected to exceed one million by 2065. For families caring for a parent, partner or loved one, keeping them safe at home involves plenty of everyday considerations. One that can easily be overlooked is what happens if a fire breaks out.
Most of us know what a smoke alarm means. We hear it, recognise the danger and understand that we need to get out. For someone living with dementia, however, that familiar sound may cause confusion rather than prompt an immediate response, particularly if they are woken suddenly in the middle of the night.
Hearing loss and reduced mobility can complicate matters further. Someone may not hear the warning clearly or may need assistance to reach an exit, even in a home they have lived in for decades.
Families supporting older relatives often spend considerable time thinking about medication, mobility and preventing falls. Fire safety deserves a place in those conversations too, especially when a person’s needs are changing.
The Risks Behind the Numbers
An Australian study examining 900 preventable residential fire deaths between 2003 and 2017 found that nearly 47 per cent of those who died had at least one identified disability. When researchers excluded cases where disability status could not be established, that proportion rose to approximately 62 per cent.
Although the findings cover a broad range of disabilities rather than dementia alone, they raise an important consideration for households: a working smoke alarm is only one part of keeping people safe. Someone must also be able to recognise the danger and respond, which may be difficult when memory, hearing or mobility is affected.
Cathy Brand, CEO of Australian fire-safety company Brooks Australia, says household protection needs to reflect the abilities of the people living there.
“An alarm only works if the person can actually hear it, see it and understand what it means. For someone living with dementia, that’s not always the case,” Ms Brand says.
When a Familiar Sound Becomes Confusing
Dementia affects people differently, and the changes are not always obvious. Someone who manages comfortably during the day may struggle with an unexpected alarm or decisions that need to be made quickly.
An alarm sounding overnight can be especially disorienting. Even a person who knows the layout of their home may become uncertain about which way to go, while someone with hearing difficulties might miss the warning altogether.
Fire-safety technology offers additional ways to alert people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Interconnected smoke alarms activate together when one detects smoke, allowing a warning to reach other parts of the home without waiting for smoke to spread to each detector.
Compatible systems can also incorporate flashing strobe lights or vibrating pads placed beneath pillows, providing another way to alert someone who may not hear an audible alarm. Brooks Australia is among the manufacturers offering these options, including visual alert accessories and bedside vibration systems.
Ms Brand sums up the value of interconnection simply: “You want the warning travelling through the house faster than the smoke.”
While these devices can help people receive a warning, they cannot necessarily overcome the confusion or difficulty interpreting danger that some people with dementia experience. Families therefore need to consider how a person is likely to respond, as well as how they will be alerted.
Making the Escape Plan Fit the Person
Families often adjust a home gradually as an older relative’s needs change. Loose rugs are removed, bathroom handrails installed and furniture rearranged to make moving around easier. Fire safety deserves the same attention, particularly when someone may need help leaving the house quickly.
Ms Brand encourages families to approach an escape plan much as they would fall prevention.
“We’d also encourage families to think about a fire escape plan the same way they’d think about a fall prevention plan — walk through it together, practice it, and make sure it’s realistic for the person’s current abilities, not the abilities they had five years ago,” she says.
For someone using a walking frame, that could mean ensuring hallways remain clear and doors can be opened easily. In other households, the greater concern may be whether a person will recognise an exit or remember what to do when frightened.
Overnight arrangements deserve particular thought, including who could provide assistance if someone cannot evacuate independently. Rehearsing an escape route can help, but a plan should not depend entirely on a person with dementia remembering instructions during an emergency.
Small Changes Worth Making Now
A home fire-safety review need not involve major renovations. Testing smoke alarms, checking their age and location, clearing escape routes and keeping combustible materials away from heaters and cooking areas are sensible starting points.
Where someone has hearing loss, visual or vibrating alerts may provide an additional warning. Households supporting someone with dementia or significant mobility limitations may also benefit from discussing their arrangements with carers, relevant health professionals or qualified fire-safety installers.
There is a timely reason for Queensland homeowners to review their existing alarms. From 1 January 2027, the final stage of the state’s smoke-alarm reforms will apply to remaining domestic dwellings, including existing owner-occupied homes. Required alarms must be interconnected and installed in prescribed locations, including every bedroom and relevant hallways.
Meeting those requirements provides an important foundation, although families may need additional measures depending on who lives in the home.
A Conversation Before It Becomes an Emergency
As Australia’s dementia population grows, more families will face the challenge of helping loved ones remain safe while preserving as much independence as possible. Fire safety belongs in that conversation, alongside the everyday adjustments that make a home easier and safer to live in.
“We want families, carers and aged care providers to feel empowered to have this conversation early, rather than waiting for a near miss to prompt change,” Ms Brand says.
For families, a useful starting point is to walk through the home together, check the alarms and consider what would happen if a fire started while everyone was asleep.
The important question is whether the people living there would have the warning, understanding and assistance they need to get out safely.
Concerns about sewage entering Cabbage Tree Creek have resurfaced after figures showed more than 713 million litres were released during the 2024–25 financial year. The figure has renewed attention on sewage bypasses from the Sandgate treatment plant and how those releases are managed.
The total of 713,178,660 litres was calculated by the Stop Raw Sewage Into SEQ Waterways campaign from 32 Sandgate bypass records it said were provided by Urban Utilities. A recent video from the campaign again highlighted the figure and its concerns about sewage releases into local waterways.
The campaign has been raising concerns about sewage releases across South East Queensland, with Cabbage Tree Creek among the areas under scrutiny.
Questions Over Sewage Releases
Photo credit: Google Maps/Marty Supreme
The figures have raised questions about the frequency of the bypasses and the circumstances in which they occur. They have also renewed attention on the infrastructure used to treat sewage before it is discharged.
Cr Jared Cassidy has previously raised concerns about the figures and the broader scale of the issue. He said sewage bypasses can occur when systems are overwhelmed during extreme weather, while planned maintenance can also involve authorised releases.
The campaign has also called for greater attention to sewage discharges and previously sought answers from the Premier and State Environment Minister about their management. The issue has remained a focus for residents concerned about Cabbage Tree Creek.
Water Quality Monitoring
Photo credit: Google Maps/Jamie Munro
Cabbage Tree Creek is subject to regular water-quality monitoring, providing information about conditions in the waterway. Brisbane City monitors water quality at 11 highly used recreational sites across the Brisbane River and sections of Moreton Bay, including Cabbage Tree Creek.
The monitoring program checks levels of enterococci, bacteria used to measure microbial contamination. Testing at Cabbage Tree Creek occurs fortnightly during summer and monthly during the cooler months, according to Brisbane City.
Brisbane City said through its website that monitoring results indicate the levels of bacteria present when a sample is taken and can vary daily. Its guidance advises people to avoid contact with waterways during and after heavy rainfall, while its current information specifically advises against entering waters during or up to three days after heavy rainfall.
The sewage-release figures and water-quality monitoring provide different information for residents following conditions in Cabbage Tree Creek. The 713-million-litre figure has placed the local waterway back under scrutiny, with ongoing questions about the frequency of sewage bypasses and how releases into the waterway are managed.
After years of treating dental patients, Dr Padma Gadiyar wanted to find a way to identify oral health problems before they became more difficult to manage. Her response was Smilo.ai in Sandgate, an artificial intelligence platform that has now earned the Brisbane dentist the 2026 Queensland Pearcey ICT Entrepreneur Award.
Founded in 2019, Smilo.ai uses smartphone technology to support dental screening and monitoring outside traditional appointments. Dr Gadiyar received the award on Tuesday, 6 October, at The Beetson Hotel in Petrie Terrace, with Queensland Minister for Customer Service and Open Data and Minister for Small and Family Business Steve Minnikin presenting the honour.
Photo Credit: Dr Padma Gadiyar/LinkedIn
A Dental Check Without The Dentist’s Chair
Smilo.ai began with a problem Dr Gadiyar had encountered in clinical practice: patients struggling with the cost, accessibility and continuity of dental care, sometimes leaving concerns unaddressed until treatment became more complicated. The platform allows users to capture images of their teeth and gums using a smartphone, with artificial intelligence helping screen for potential problems. It also supports ongoing monitoring, allowing changes in oral health to be recorded between dental visits.
Rather than replacing dentists, the technology is intended to help people recognise concerns earlier and seek appropriate professional advice. Smilo.ai also offers virtual dental consultations in Australia, extending access to dental guidance beyond face-to-face appointments. Dr Gadiyar has since broadened the company’s focus beyond individual patients to aged care, disability support and chronic disease management.
Photo Credit: Dr Padma Gadiyar/LinkedIn
In aged care settings, the technology is designed to help nurses and carers document changes in residents’ oral health, including concerns involving teeth, gums and dentures. Screening information can then assist with monitoring, care planning and referrals when professional dental attention is needed. The longer-term aim is to make oral health monitoring part of wider healthcare services, rather than treating dental concerns separately from other ongoing health needs.
Photo Credit: Dr Padma Gadiyar/LinkedIn
From Treating Patients To Building Technology
The Pearcey Foundation’s judges considered Dr Gadiyar’s transition from clinical dentistry into technology entrepreneurship, alongside Smilo.ai’s clinical validation, regulatory approval, patent protection and commercial progress. Queensland Pearcey Foundation Chair Rebecca McDonald acknowledged the strong field of nominees across different technology sectors. Dr Gadiyar’s clinical background and development of a platform addressing oral healthcare access were among the factors recognised by the panel.
During 2026, Smilo.ai expanded into additional healthcare settings and continued fundraising for further development. Research supporting the company’s work has also received funding through the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Medical Research Future Fund. The Queensland Pearcey ICT Entrepreneur Award recognises mid-career technology entrepreneurs who have taken commercial risks and contributed to the state’s technology sector. Dr Gadiyar will represent Queensland at the Pearcey National Awards in Canberra on 2 December 2026.
Migratory shorebirds have returned to the tidal flats at Boondall Wetlands, where birdwatchers are being encouraged to observe local birdlife as part of the annual Aussie Bird Count.
The nationwide event, organised by BirdLife Australia, runs from 19 to 25 October 2026 during National Bird Week. Participants are asked to spend 20 minutes recording the birds they see, with observations contributing to research on Australia’s urban bird populations. Jenny Carey, president of Keep Sandgate Beautiful Association (KSBA), said the return of migratory shorebirds to the wetlands’ tidal flats offered another reason to explore the area’s birdlife.
Photo Credit: BirdLife Australia/YouTube
Birdwatching Around Boondall Wetlands
Boondall Wetlands is among several locations identified for the count, alongside freshwater lagoons, the Sandgate foreshore and Peace Park. Backyards, school grounds and local parks can also be used, allowing participants to record birds in familiar surroundings.
Carey encouraged people across the area to spend time observing the variety of birds found nearby, whether along the waterfront or closer to home. Mr Adrian Schrinner also identified Boondall Wetlands as one of Brisbane’s places to experience nature and wildlife, encouraging people to use the national count as a reason to explore their surroundings.
Birdwatching requires little preparation for beginners. Binoculars are not essential, and participants who cannot identify a particular bird can use the identification features available through the Aussie Bird Count app and website. Birds Queensland vice-president Dr Scott Fox said observing birds could offer a break from busy daily routines. He also pointed to research connecting birdwatching with improvements in mental health and wellbeing.
Photo Credit: BirdLife Australia/YouTube
Bird Counts Help Track Population Changes
BirdLife Australia describes the Aussie Bird Count as the country’s largest citizen science event, attracting tens of thousands of participants each year. Observations collected during the week help researchers monitor urban bird populations, including changes in how frequently familiar species are reported.
The organisation’s previous counts have consistently placed the Rainbow Lorikeet at the top of the national rankings for 10 consecutive years. Other commonly reported species include the Australian Magpie, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Superb Fairy-wren, Willie Wagtail and Tawny Frogmouth.
However, earlier national results have also raised concerns about some smaller urban birds. BirdLife Australia has reported declining trends for Superb Fairy-wrens, while Willie Wagtail reporting rates have fallen across major Australian cities except Perth.
The findings form part of the broader national picture rather than a specific assessment of bird populations at Boondall Wetlands. Participants can complete more than one count throughout the week, with each 20-minute observation submitted separately through the app or online form. Registration and further information are available at aussiebirdcount.org.au.
Shorncliffe line passengers are living alongside the pilot run of a digital signalling system that is also being installed in Brisbane’s Cross River Rail tunnels.
Cross River Rail calls the Shorncliffe line the pilot for the European Train Control System, known as ETCS. The technology is being installed in stages on key parts of the South East Queensland network, including the Cross River Rail tunnels and the Gold Coast line between Beenleigh and Varsity Lakes.
Four partners share the job: the Department of Transport and Main Roads, Hitachi, the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority and Queensland Rail. Why does the pilot matter? Cross River Rail says testing on this line confirms the system meets safety rules and operating needs before tunnel testing can begin.
From Test Runs to Weekend Passengers
Testing has moved past the stage of running trains with no one on board. Rail Express reported in September that customers had ridden ETCS Level 2 trains for the first time, on shuttle services between Northgate and Shorncliffe over a series of weekends. Cross River Rail says those weekend shuttles run from mid-September to late 2026, so anyone travelling further has to change trains at Northgate.
The new system swaps conventional trackside signals for equipment on the train itself. It sends near real-time updates on each train’s position, direction and speed to the Rail Management Centre, and thousands of hours of testing have already been logged on this line.
On closure evenings, Railbus R348 takes over between Northgate and Shorncliffe from 7:45 p.m. until the last service. The railbus stops at every station along that stretch, which covers Bindha, Banyo, Nudgee, Boondall, North Boondall, Deagon and Sandgate as well as Shorncliffe. Trains keep running between Northgate and Roma Street during these closures.
Queensland Rail’s October notice lists the evening closures for 5-8, 12, 14-15, 19-21 and 26-29 October.
The weekend of 24 and 25 October, needs a closer look. Queensland Rail’s notice describes railbuses between Northgate and Shorncliffe. Translink, however, lists that weekend as a wider closure across the Caboolture, Redcliffe Peninsula, Shorncliffe and Sunshine Coast lines. It runs from the first service on Saturday to the last on Sunday, with the first normal train on Monday, 26 October. Travellers heading anywhere north of Brisbane that weekend should check the Translink journey planner for their exact trip.
Living near the tracks means a few changes around the neighbourhood. Test trains may travel and stop between Bindha and Shorncliffe stations, even though they are not in service. Noise is part of the package too. Traffic control crews setting up and packing down, train movements, horns, light vehicles and workers on site all add to it, and the railbuses put extra vehicles on local roads.
Traffic control will be in place at the Adams Street, Kennerley Street, Curlew Street and Palm Avenue level crossings, and at the Nudgee pedestrian crossing on the city side of Nudgee station. The testing can’t happen around passenger services, which is why the closures fall in the evenings and on weekends. Queensland Rail also says more construction staff may be seen around the corridor and stations.
Planning Your Trip
Dates can shift, because the testing program is complex. Queensland Rail suggests checking the Translink app or website, or calling 13 12 30, before heading out. It says further closures will continue on the line throughout 2026, with details shared ahead of each testing period.
When will it all wrap up? The sources don’t give an end date for the Shorncliffe line work. Queensland Rail says it understands closures are a hassle and thanks the community for its patience.
Beer yoga Sandgate has a cheeky kind of charm. It sounds relaxed. It sounds local. And it suits The Sands Bowlo well. The next session lands on October 3. That timing matters. It turns the event into a running Saturday habit.
The Sands Social lists Beer Yoga at The Sands Bowlo, 50 Keogh Street, Sandgate. Each session runs from 4 pm to 5 pm. After October 3, the series continues on October 17 and October 31. It then returns on November 14 and November 28, before wrapping up the year on December 12 and December 26.
A Bowlo setting that feels right
There is a natural fit here. The Bowlo has the easy-going feel of a place where locals can drop in without fuss. That matters. Events often work best when the setting already feels familiar. Beer yoga Sandgate seems to tap into that idea. It gives people something light-hearted to do in a place they already know.
And that is part of the appeal. Not every community event needs a big pitch or a long explanation. Some work because they feel simple. This one does. It offers an hour to stretch out, settle in and share the space with other locals. Then the afternoon can roll on from there.
A Saturday slot that fits local life
The 4 pm start is tidy. It leaves much of the day open. It also gives people room to fit it around other plans. That makes the event easy to drop into a busy week. It does not demand much. It just asks people to show up.
That kind of timing can help an event settle in. Sandgate has often embraced things that bring people together without too much ceremony. This series has that same plain-spoken appeal. It feels like the sort of event that can build a following one Saturday at a time.
The remaining dates stretch through November and into December. That gives the series a steady rhythm. It also gives locals more than one chance to give it a go. Over time, Beer yoga Sandgate could become one of those events people mention in passing, then actually turn up for.
For anyone chasing the details, The Sands Bowlo is at 50 Keogh Street, Sandgate, QLD 4017. The venue can be reached on 07 3609 2001. For a local event with a relaxed mood and a simple idea, this one has found the right corner of town.
Brighton Foreshore is moving through its latest stage of upgrades, with construction focused on improved beach access, accessible pathways and new public facilities.
Construction began in April after early works were carried out in January, advancing a project that has been through community consultation, planning and detailed design since 2023. The project remains listed as in progress, with completion targeted for December 2026, subject to weather and site conditions.
Access and recreation works continue along the foreshore
Current works focus on improving access, recreation facilities and public amenities at the 12th and 19th Avenue recreation areas. Planned improvements include accessible pathways, improved beach access, shaded picnic areas, barbecues, seating, bike racks, drinking fountains, landscaping and tree planting.
At 19th Avenue, plans include a new amenities building with accessible facilities, upgraded accessible parking, pathway connections and improved beach access.
Photo Credit: BCC
At 12th Avenue, Council plans a drop-off bay and upgraded ramp for launching non-motorised watercraft, while the broader recreation-area works include accessible paths and parking.
Photo Credit: BCC
$5 million supports first funded stage
The current stage is supported by $5 million in Australian Government funding, through the Priority Community Infrastructure Program.
Council said widening sections of the existing foreshore pathway was left out of the funded stage because further investigations were required and its anticipated cost was greater than $5 million.
Future components of the broader plan will be prioritised according to citywide priorities as funding becomes available.
Community planning began in 2023
Community engagement on the Brighton Foreshore Parklands project began in 2023, followed by the release of a draft concept plan later that year. A final concept plan was published in December 2024, with detailed design, approvals and planning continuing through 2025.
Early works completed in January 2026 included three new picnic settings and trial landscaping treatments. Construction at the 12th and 19th Avenue recreation areas followed in April.
Queensland’s last surviving First World War veteran Ted Smout became deeply involved in Sandgate community life after surviving the Western Front and building a civilian life that stretched well into a new century.
Born in Brisbane in 1898, Smout was 17 years and eight months old when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in September 1915. He overstated his age by a year and later served with the 3rd Australian Sanitary Section of the Australian Army Medical Corps.
Photo Credit: UNSW Canberra Australians at War Film Archive
Smout served on the Western Front, inspecting sanitation and water supplies and taking on first-aid and stretcher-bearing duties during fighting. At Passchendaele, he later recalled working for about 72 hours with little rest as wounded men were carried along duckboards through deep mud.
He also remembered reaching the scene after German fighter ace Manfred von Richthofen, known as the Red Baron, was fatally shot down in April 1918. Smout returned to Australia in 1919 and later described experiencing delayed shell shock after coming home.
A place in Sandgate
After a long insurance career and years living elsewhere in Brisbane and Sydney, Smout and his wife Ella eventually settled in Sandgate, where he became active in community organisations.
His local activities included the Sandgate Senior Citizens Building Committee, Sandgate Meals on Wheels and Sandgate Rotary, along with the Widow Fund and Probus Club. His contribution was also recognised when he was named the Combined Sandgate Services Clubs’ Leading Citizen of the Year.
Smout received the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1978 for service to the community. Two decades later, at the age of 100, he was appointed a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour by France in recognition of his First World War service on French soil.
Ted Smout (left) in France Photo Credit: UNSW Canberra Australians at War Film Archive
Sandgate Uniting Church became his long-time local church, where he usually sat beside his son.
A final farewell in Sandgate
Smout died on 22 June 2004, aged 106, on what would have been his 81st wedding anniversary with his late wife, Ella.
About 600 people gathered at Sandgate Uniting Church eight days later for his state funeral. His Army slouch hat rested on his coffin, while the seat he normally occupied beside his son was left empty.
Family members, senior military representatives and members of the community attended the service. Smout left three children, 12 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
His name crosses Bramble Bay
Five years after Smout’s death, Bracken Ridge resident Brian Cantwell proposed his name for the new bridge across Bramble Bay, one of more than 30 suggestions submitted during a naming process connected with Queensland’s Q150 celebrations in 2009.
Cantwell’s nomination highlighted Smout’s war service, honours and decades of community involvement. The bridge formed part of the Houghton Highway duplication project between Brisbane’s northern bayside and the Redcliffe Peninsula.
The 2.74-kilometre Ted Smout Memorial Bridge opened between Brighton and Clontarf on 11 July 2010. More than 60,000 people walked across it during the opening celebrations, while members of the Smout family crossed in vintage cars.
The bridge begins in neighbouring Brighton, but Smout’s Sandgate connection had been established decades earlier through the community organisations he served and the local church where his state funeral was held.
