MUD World Returns to Ipswich for Another Fun-Filled Festival for Muddlings

MUD World returns to Ipswich on the 9th and 10th of February 2019 at the Limestone Park.

This two-day festival for kids offers a variety of unstructured mud play activities that will surely provide the entire family heaps of fun!

MUD World Realms

Kids are free to explore and play, at their own pace, around the five realms of MUD World:

Muddy Monsterland – a playground designed for kids to do mud sketching and mud sculpting. This area is perfect for our little muddlings and budding artists.

Mud World
Photo credit: Nature Play Qld

Village of Mud – a large pit and puddle of mud where kids and supervising adults can play, splash and roll. Kids can also participate in a mud soccer program offered by Ginger Sports.

Mud Mania – a muddy realm for courageous muddlings looking for a more exhilarating mud adventure. Run, duck, and dive through the mud maze and indulge yourself with the muckiness of this realm. Goggles and supportive pads will be supplied.

Mud World
Photo credit: Nature Play Qld

Land Slide – a realm for speed and fun as your kids slide down the slippery slopes of mud.

The Great Muddy Mountain Range – play, slide, and climb up and down over a huge pile of mud in this realm.

To guarantee the safety of the young participants, all children must be supervised by a parent or guardian all throughout the event, with a ratio of 1 adult to every 2 children.

This fun family event caters to children 14 years old and below, with a specific area dedicated for muddling babies and toddlers.

Mud World
Photo credit: Nature Play QLD/ Facebook

Given the success of the previous run of the Mud World, organizers are expecting this year’s event to attract more than 7,000 attendees, coming from Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and Toowoomba.

Mud World is sponsored by the State Government and hosted by Nature Play Queensland.

Ticket Information

Below is the ticket  price list for Mud World:

Child $27.50 (+BF)
Supervising Adult $5.50 (+BF)

To give you and your children the best possible experience at the Mud World, tickets are sold in sets of 2-hour per session. Please note that the registration will open at the start time of your chosen session.

Saturday (9 Feb 2019)

Session 1 – 8:30am – 10:30am

Session 2 – 11:30am – 1:30pm

Session 3 – 2:30pm – 4:30pm

Sunday  (10 Feb 2019)

Session 1 – 8:30am – 10:30am

Session 2 – 11:30am – 1:30pm

Session 3 – 2:30pm – 4:30pm

You may book your tickets online here.

Please visit Nature Play Queensland for more information on Mud World Ipswich 2019.

Doughnut Decorating Happening at Redbank

Spike up your children’s creativity this holiday by bringing them to Krispy Kreme Redbank for a doughnut decorating session that is guaranteed to provide sweet memories of summer.

Enjoy a nice cup of coffee with your doughnut whilst you wait!

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
Photo credit: Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Australia

Krispy Kreme’s Doughnut decorating sessions will be happening on selected dates, starting from the 3rd of January 2019 up to the 31st of January 2019. Check out the complete list of participating stores here.

For just $6.50 a child gets two original glazed doughnuts and gets to choose from a wide range of toppings to use for decorating. To complete the overall doughnut decorating experience, each child will also receive a balloon and a Krispy Kreme paper hat.

Terms and Conditions

  • Limited dates and sessions are available. Also, this is not a drop in event, so please secure your slot through booking online.
  • Purchased tickets are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged to other services offered.
  • Parents or guardians are advised to supervise their children (must be age 4 or above to join) at all times during the session.
  • Available decorative toppings may vary from store to store.

New DA Submitted For New Shopping Centre and Neighbourhood Centre in Springfield Lakes

Plans for the development of the Springfield Lakes South Neighbourhood Centre, composed of a shopping centre, car wash, child care centre, and a service station on Grande Ave and Springfield Greenbank Arterial have been submitted to the Ipswich City Council by the Coles Group Property Development Ltd.

The shopping centre will have its own supermarket, restaurants, retail shops, and a child care centre. There is a separate application for a service station and car wash to be built on the same site.

The development will be broken down into two stages:

First stage – Supermarket, child care centre, retail areas
Second stage – service station, car wash, 74 car parking spaces, two fast food shops

Springfield Lakes has been rapidly developing commercially. In January of this year, work began on the $2.5-M expansion of the Spring Lake Metro Shopping Centre which is expected to bring more retail outlets to the locals.

Much of the expansion has been brought on by the shortage of retail and service facilities within the area. The property company that is in-charge of the expansion has ambitious plans over the next few years aside from the expansion. According to them, the upgrade of the shopping centre is just the beginning as they are looking for more medical, services, retail and other facilities to bring to the centre.

The expansion is set to be completed by the end of 2018.

Don’t Be A Fool, Save A Life: Be Part Of The April Pools Day Campaign In Springfield Lakes

Recent research done by Poolwerx showed a spike in the number of drownings in Australia. CEO and Founder of the largest pool and spa maintenance network in the country, John O’Brien conducted a research and found that 75% of people don’t know how to do proper CPR to save a life. This prompted Mr O’Brien to launch the April Pools Day campaign.

Save A Life, Refresh Your CPR Skills

On 3 April, Poolwerx in Springfield Lakes will provide a free online CPR course. This will help refresh the community’s knowledge of CPR. The facility is located at Shop 6A, Springfield Lake Metro Shopping Centre.

One of the best ways to practice CPR is on a specially-designed dummy. To kickstart this year’s campaign, a free online course is also available here from Kids Alive. There are two videos:

How to perform CPR on an adult
How to perform CPR on babies and small children

Each video has a step-by-step guide on the proper administration of CPR.

The Australian Red Cross will also provide 2,000 free online introductory CPR courses for the month of April. All you have to do is visit a Poolwerx store from 3 April to get the special redemption card and codeword.

The campaign promotes the importance of CPR and to encourage people to learn it. Drowning is the greatest cause of accidental death in Australia in children under five years old.

This safety initiative has acquired the support of the Australian Red Cross and Laurie Lawrence of Kids Alive.

The Kids Alive Program

Kids Alive was established in 1988 by Mr Lawrence to combat drowning in the nation. As part of their support to the newly-launched safety campaign, they have teamed up with Poolwerx through the “Kids Alive – Do the Five” message to people all over Australia.

The Do The Five program covers:

Fence the pool
Shut the gate
Learn to swim
Supervise
Learn to resuscitate

They will be prioritising homes where water safety is critical.

Recent Drowning In Ipswich

Earlier this year, Aliyana Caplin died after drowning in a backyard swimming pool. The two-year-old was seen unconscious in their family pool at Raceview and was rushed to the Lady Cilento Hospital. Unfortunately, the toddler didn’t make it.

Save Our Schoolkids Campaign

Queensland is also the only state in Australia that does not have a comprehensive State Government-funded swimming program in primary schools. An S.O.S. campaign named “Save Our Schoolkids” was launched in January this year by Queensland publications with the support of the Australian Water Safety Council, Royal Life Saving Society Australia, and leading Olympians.

The campaign is to urge the government to implement compulsory swim and water safety lessons in Queensland primary schools.

You can also take CPR refresher courses here.

New Upgrades of Regatta Lake in Springfield Lakes are Officially Open

The new pontoon and boat ramp at Springfield Lakes’ Regatta Lake officially opened in the first weekend of February and residents in the Greater Springfield area are encouraged to enjoy the new facilities at what is being called the Regatta Lake Pad Hub.

To celebrate the opening, Ipswich Mayor Andrew Antoniolli, Charis Mullen MP, Councillors Ireland and Morrison did the official cutting of the ribbon.

The afternoon included activities on the lake and demonstrations from local maritime modellers. There were also free snow cones for the kids as well as fun water activities.

Funded by the State Government through its Get Playing grant program and Lendlease, the $500,000 upgrade to the lake has given better access to residents and lake goers.

The Springfield Centenary Canoe Club will be one of the local groups to use the facility. Expressing their thrill at the latest improvements, they are also hoping that the new facility will boost the local kayaking and water sport community of Springfield Lakes and the region.

Springfield Centenary Canoe Club, which also operates Riverhills, aims to make their club the biggest in Queensland. Currently, six members of the club are canoe polo masters world champions.


Related article: Springfield Centenary Canoe Club Urges Locals to Make The Most Out of New Regatta Lake Upgrades


Fitness Activities For All Ages in Springfield Lakes

Aqua Fitness

Photo credit: swimfactory.com.au

Days: Monday / Wednesday
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Where: Orion Springfield Central
Fee: $9.00/class

This type of fitness workout includes running, jogging and walking underwater in the pool. To find out more, click here.

 

Aikido

Photo credit: Springfield Daily Record

Days: Tuesday / Friday
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Where: YMCA Springfield Lakes Community Centre
Fee: $15/class

To know more about it, click here.

 

Running Group

Photo credit: Run Australia

Days: Wednesday
Time: (Random)
Where: Meet at Spring Lake Oval

Get in touch with Greg at 0408 628 104 or email him at grego@denmacford.com.au

 

YogAndU

Photo credit: Yogandu Springfield Lakes / Facebook

Days: Tuesday
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Where: 63 Springfield Lakes Boulevard
Fee: $10

Click here for more details.

 

MuMoYo (Music Movement and Yoga for Mums and bubs)

Photo credit: Ipswich City Council

Days: Tuesday
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Where: Springfield Lakes Community Centre
Fee: Upon enquiry

Contact Kate for more details at 0424 628 602

 

Yoga at the lake

Photo credit: AllEvents

Days: Saturdays
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Where: Spring Lake Park (meet near tennis courts)

Are you ready to get fit? You better! Take advantage of these fitness activities within the area and feel good about yourself.

Enjoy the Horse Track for a Cause at Ipswich Turf Club For The Second Annual Glen Stower Memorial Race Day

 

Sisters Holly and Becky Stower are once again encouraging locals to join their fundraiser in support of Cancer Council Queensland, the second annual Glen Stower Memorial Race Day which will take place on the 15th of December at the Ipswich Turf Club. The event will run from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is their way honouring the memory of their father who lost his 10-month battle with lung cancer in 2015.

Becky Gifford, Dad Glen Stower, and Holly Stower. Taken in 2014, on their last Father’s Day together. (Photo supplied)

 

Glen’s Story, in Holly’s Words

A 2014 visit to his GP for removal of sunspots, and a casual mention of a chronic cough that he had, led to the eventual diagnosis of Stage 4 lung cancer for Glen Stower.

“Our dad was a much loved poppy, partner, uncle, mate and colleague. At the time of his diagnosis he was only 55 years old, with countless hopes, plans and dreams for the future that he never had the opportunity to realise. He battled cancer with courage, grace and an unfaltering will to live.”

“When the results were finally delivered, our worst fears were confirmed – Stage 4 lung cancer. The disease had already spread to his spine and ribs and there were no “active” treatment options. Suddenly, at age 55 dad was dying. He was given a prognosis of 9 – 12 months.”

After suffering the loss of his physical independence as the disease spread, courageously going through palliative chemotherapy, and braving the painful spread of cancer to his bones, Glen Stower died peacefully at home in May 2015, 10 months after he was first diagnosed.

 

A Tribute to Dad

From their family’s shared experience, Holly and Becky felt that it would be a fitting tribute and memorial to their Dad’s battle with cancer to put up a fundraiser in his name.

“Sadly we know that dad’s story is not the only one of its kind. As a result of this terrible disease, many people will suffer as he did and many families will experience the same helplessness and grief that we have,” Holly said.

They also felt that it would be beneficial to other families who are going through or have gone through the same experience with their loved ones.

“Becky and I created the annual Glen Stower Memorial Race Day fundraiser, not only as a legacy for dad but also because we’d like to think that in some small way we might be able to bring hope to other families affected by cancer.”

“The Cancer Council Queensland is focused on providing all Queenslanders with the best possible prospects of preventing, detecting, effectively treating and surviving a cancer diagnosis. Ultimately any money we raise will contribute to their work in cancer research, support services for patients and their families and cancer prevention and early detection programs. We really hope that one day a cancer diagnosis won’t have to be a death sentence, as it was for our dad,” Holly added.

 

Event Details

Participation in the event will cost $85 inclusive of entry, a race book, 3-course sit down lunch, 5-hour beverage package and trackside views of live horse racing. There will also be raffles held throughout the day with tickets priced at $5 each.

Local businesses are also encouraged to take part in this event to purchase race sponsorship packages for $450, which includes two tickets to the event and naming rights to the race.

Last year, their fundraising event has reached over $7,000. Hopes are high that this year’s event will solid support, as well. To date, donations have amounted to over $8,000 of the $12,000 goal.

For more details, click here. To donate funds, click here. For other enquiries, email Holly Stower.

Springfield Lakes Locals Control The Number of Cane Toads In the Area

They’re not officially declared as pests, but cane toads seem to be wreaking havoc in Springfield Lakes enough for the Springfield Lakes Nature Care to take action and hold toad-busting nights.

Luise Manning, the president of the group has recruited the Springfield/Camira Scouts for toad-busting night. The amphibians have been killing native animals as well as  pests, and they are a nuisance to the environment.

Although there is a slim chance of totally eradicating the cane toads from the community, the locals believe that they can control the numbers. Knowing how to identify a cane toad is very important in order to protect native frogs from getting in the line of danger. There is also a humane way to kill the toads.

Identifying cane toads:

  • Their colour vary from brown, olive-brown or reddish
  • They have thick and leathery skin
  • A visor or awning over their eyes are noticeable
  • They have small feet with claw-like unwebbed digits
  • They may appear dry
  • They look heavily built

Aside from causing environmental and animal damages, cane toads can also transmit diseases, such as salmonella. They also carry toxic illnesses and can cause death to humans and domestic animals if their venom is ingested or if it enters the eye.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has advised that the most humane way to kill cane toads is through the use of an aerosol spray which has been specifically developed to kill these toads. This spray contains the active ingredient Chloroxylenol and they are commercially available.

Should you find cane toads in your backyard, the proper way to kill them using the spray is:

  • Spray sufficiently to the point that they are anaesthetised
  • Once the toad stops moving, spray again
  • Check after two hours if the toad is dead. You can place them in your garbage or bury them

To stay updated on toad-busting nights, you can click here.

Nature & Recreation Areas to Visit in Springfield Lakes

Locals already know that the area in and around Springfield Central and Springfield Lakes has a lot to offer but it’s always nice to look around and count one’s blessings. From houses, recreational facilities and of course, wide areas of greeneries where one can easily get close to nature and just simply enjoy the simplicity of just being in the moment, here is a rundown of some the best that life in the suburb has to offer.

 

Springfield Lake Parklands

For avid bike riders or you just simply want to get away from your hectic life, this is a tranquil space with an abundant wildlife. You can spot some birds, lizards and ducks. If you get tired from all the walking, you can easily lie on the grassy hills that provide views of the lake.

Photo credit: Weekend Notes

There are also picnic grounds where you can enjoy delicious food with your loved ones whilst you can keep your kids preoccupied with the playground. For sports enthusiasts, there is a tennis court in the area and other facilities such as BBQs, gazebos, ponds, and other water features.

 

Discovery Park

Photo credit: Ipswich City Council

Here, there are shades grassy areas if the heat is a bit too intense and there are also electric barbecues available for you. There is a fenced Children’s playground for your kids to play in whilst you read a good book or simply enjoy nature.

 

Robelle Domain Parklands

Located in Springfield Central and one of the best outdoor destinations in Brisbane, there is something here for the whole family. The playground area here is superb whilst there is also the Robelle Cafe if you decide not to bring packed food with you. The water park is also a popular attraction.

Photo credit: Panoramio

Away from all of these, you will find a large grassed oval, amphitheater and stage area. The evenings bring community events and concerts at these places.

If you want some peace and quiet, you will find that the greater area of the park have walking tracks set on beautiful gardens. There is also a man-made lake and waterfall.

Every first Friday of the month, markets are held here as well.

Three Of the Best Dining Areas in Springfield Lakes

It was in 1992 when Springfield Lakes welcomed developments, which led to its beauty today. It has recently won international acclaim awarded with the ‘World’s Best Master Planned Community’ by the International Real Estate Federation, FIABCI. With its wide parks, the presence of Orion Shopping Centre that offers almost everything, the suburb also has some great dining places you shouldn’t miss.

 

Moselle’s
Address: 18 Springfield Lakes Blvd

Photo credit: TripAdvisor

Overlooking Spring Lake, dining on the large veranda makes it a popular spot for locals and tourists. Sail boats slowly past by and birds chirp whilst you enjoy some great food. You will love the ambiance here due to its relaxed vibe.

They offer a mix of different cuisines from all over the world such as Vietnamese and Thai. It’s the perfect place to go to for Sunday lunches, date nights or just about when you need some good food.

 

BLVD
Address: 7/1 Springfield Lakes Blvd

Photo credit: Booking.com

Situated on The Boulevard, hence the name, a former fine dining restaurant, which was later on turned into a casual dining experience to meet the market. If you’re looking for some wood-fired bbq, this is the best place to go. This is where you’ll find that ‘low and slow’ American cooking tradition.

BBQ is very prominent here — there is always something barbecued whether on its menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

 

Lotus Cafe
Address: 145 Sinnathamby Blvd, Springfield Central

Photo credit: Zomato

Located at the ground floor of Springfield House, the location is very light and breezy and overlooks Greater Springfield, Robelle Domain, and Orion Shopping Centre.

They offer all-day breakfast and all-day lunch and there is also all-day vegan. This is the perfect place to go to if you have food allergies or you simply want something healthy and delicious.