For decades, funerals in Australia followed a set script - sombre funeral parlours, complex processes, expensive services and little room for choice. But in 2019, lifelong friends Sam McConkey and Cale Donovan asked a different question: what if goodbye could be a little bit easier?      Six years on, their answer is Bare  - now the fastest growing funeral director in the industry, having supported more than 50,000 families to date.     Why ‘Bare’?    Some people see the name

By Sheree Hoddinett    From beachside upgrades, planning for 2032 and ensuring infrastructure matches growth, it’s all about moving forward across the City of Moreton Bay.    For a fast-growing city, the past year was less about ticking boxes and more about laying foundations, for accessibility, connectivity and community. With one eye on today’s needs and the other firmly on a population tipped to hit one million within three decades, council’s focus was clear: make the city

By Chase Christensen     Image: Waraba Cricket Club First 11 (Winning team)     Waraba Cricket Club enjoyed a memorable day both on and off the field following a successful charity T20 match against the Blasters at the Sandstone Point Sporting Complex, raising significant funds for mental health organisation Beyond Blue.  Played in front of a strong local crowd, the match delivered plenty of entertaining cricket while supporting an important cause. Players, families and suppo

By Sheree Hoddinett   Dementia slowly changes how a person thinks, remembers and navigates the world, often leaving families and carers carrying the quiet weight of constant worry.    As the condition progresses, even familiar streets and routines can become disorienting, turning ordinary moments into situations where safety and time suddenly matter most.  On Bribie Island, where the median age sits around 64, policing often looks a little different. For officer-in-charge Sen

By Chase Christensen     A voice for some and despised by many, Pauline Hanson is one of, if not, the most intriguing politicians in Australian history and that is saying something. The leader of the One Nation Party is currently more popular than ever, shaking the foundations of Australian politics.   The key question is: why has it taken nearly 40 years for her to reach this peak?   The 2025 federal election results were the first clear sign of a shift towards Hanson. The c

By Sheree Hoddinett   If you have ever been lucky enough to cross paths with Karen Wallwork, you would be familiar with her passion for uncovering history, particularly that of Beachmere.    Her lifelong fascination with the past began early, sparked by a curiosity about how cultures evolve and endure.    “As a child, I was captivated by stories of India, reading about British surveys of ancient sites,” Karen said. “Years later, walking those very places on pilgrimage created

The decision to backtrack from calls for a full royal commission into the Bondi Beach terror attack is one of the most politically charged moments in Australia’s recent history.   With 15 innocent people killed and many more injured at a Hanukkah festival in December 2025, calls for a comprehensive inquiry were loud and deeply emotional. People gathered, mourned, lit candles and asked the same question on repeat,  how did this happen here?  The subsequent backflip on a royal

In the wake of a tumultuous 2025, Australia's political scene is undergoing a profound transformation. Pauline Hanson's One Nation party, long a fringe voice on the right, has surged in popularity, overtaking the Liberal-National Coalition in recent polls and tapping into a growing wave of patriotism and calls for ‘common sense’ politics. This shift comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Labor Government, fresh off a landslide re-election victory in May 2025, faces mounti

A warm welcome is being extended to residents across Beachmere and surrounding areas with the exciting news that the  Beachmere Probus Club  is now up and running — offering a wonderful new way for retirees and semi-retirees to enjoy friendship, fun and fellowship.    Formed only recently, the club has already attracted enthusiastic local members and is looking forward to a busy and enjoyable year ahead, filled with guest speakers, outings, lunches and social activities.    T